Hello again.

[Novocaine]

"I suppose it makes sense that I become reacquainted. Not that I doubt your choice..." Nova would say, speaking to her mother through a communication device.

"It could have waited until I settled in the Academy."

She bites her bottom lip, nodding at whatever her mother was saying before looking around the area. She would eventually find the cafe she was told to meet her fiance at, looking both ways before crossing the street.

"I'm there, I'll report back to you later. Goodbye mom."

A beat.

"I love you too."

Putting it away, Nova would hurry instead, rubbing her arms to get rid of the chill from the air. When she looked through the shop it seemed she'd gotten here first, so she would order herself a tea and have a seat at a table.

[Gunslinger]

It takes ten minutes before Daniel finally steps in through the door, his eyes looking around suspiciously once he enters. His father had told him he was supposed to meet with someone, though the details of that were purposefully kept vague.

That was disturbing, but Daniel never denied his parents anything.

Instead, his eyes finally settled on the woman sitting on her own, and he would take his time walking over, eyes never leaving her.

"...hello."

That was his best opener. Wonderful.

[Novocaine]

Nova would glance up, noting his...uh. Wariness?

She thought she came off as pretty nice, to be honest.

She decides to make things more awkward, staring at him as she sips her tea slowly, then settles it down just as slowly.

"Hello."

Amazing. Except after the rather monotone reply, she'd crack a smile and laugh.

"Are you okay? Am I not what your expected?"

[Gunslinger]

His fingers twitch, as if he's attempting to keep himself from reaching for the guns tucked underneath his shirt. However, the moment she continues speaking, and laughing, his nerves start to relax a bit.

A bit.

"I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect."

Daniel goes to sit down across from her, not nearly so suspicious, but not quite smiling yet.

"I'm fit and ready, however."

[Novocaine]

Nova raises a brow.

"You're pretty serious, huh?"

What a weird thing to say. Fit and ready. Like this is some sort of mission.

[Gunslinger]

"Always."

He nods.

"I've been taught to be professional and kind to anyone I encounter from Prota, as long as they haven't given me reason not to be."

[Novocaine]

"Same, I guess..."

Though the level of professionalism was situational.

"You can settle down, though. It's making this a bit impersonal, isn't it?"

[Gunslinger]

Wait, what.

"Is this supposed to be more... personal?"

He gives a thoughtful frown.

[Novocaine]

Is he serious?

"Oh. Did you want to keep this more of a political thing?"

Not quite the family unit she was expecting, but better establish those barriers now than later.

[Gunslinger]

Now he just squints at her.

"...is this... a political thing?"

What is even happening anymore.

[Novocaine]

"I...thought we could make it more than that?" she grimaces.

"I mean, we knew each other as kids so it's not like you're a COMPLETE stranger."

[Gunslinger]

"Make it more than..."

Wait. He leans in a little, studying her face.

"...Nova?"

[Novocaine]

She leans back in her seat with wide eyes.

"You didn't even fucking know who I was?!"

Why did he even come here?! Did her mom just send her to intercept an actual meeting Daniel was supposed to have? That's so embarrassing!

[Gunslinger]

"...no? It's been years."

He frowns.

"I don't even know what this meeting is about."

[Novocaine]

That's even worse!!

"You don't even--..."

She stares at with with her mouth agape, trying to process all this.

"Why did you come here?"