Bottles of Red and White Pt. 2 (Corrie in this World)

A pony waiter in a little black vest with gold buttons came up to the couple at the door. After confirming the reservation with Octavia, they were lead to a little booth for two in the back of the building. Trying not to stare overmuch at the other beings in the place, Corrie realizes she's trying to threat assess the patrons and tries to relax her shoulders. She can see a few other patrons looking at them and whispering. No doubt they've figured out who she is. With any luck she can make it through dinner in peace.

Surprisingly enough to her at least, it looked to her like there were a few more human and pony couples scattered throughout. Not many, but enough to make her a little happy at least. integration like this was slow, but happening. Friends will be made on both sides, even if she had to pistol whip everyone to achieve it.

She might have discreetly not noticed a smiling couple even holding hoof and hand. A nervous looking young man holding the hoof of an attractive pale white mare with a silver mane. The smile on Octavia's face marked she noticed the affectionate gesture as well. Resisting the urge to rub the grey mare behind the ear, stopping only because she didn't want to mess up her mane, the two arrived at their table.

With a little flourish the waiter retreats after making sure his guests were seated, Corrie with the booth facing the doorway, Octavia facing her, and menus were placed before them. A unicorn balancing a tray in an aura of her magic that matched her dark green mane came by and placed two glasses of ice water in front of them before retreating as well.

A third waiter, human this time wore a small smirk as he brought two little wax covered bottles to the table, one red, one white at the rear of the table. With a quick gesture of his hand he sleigh of handed up what looked like an old fashioned lighter. After getting the candles to light, he nods to himself. "Diplomat" He says with a little bow, then two retreating from the pair.

Corrie rolls her eyes and smiles at Octavia. "I'll never get used to that. I've got a name and title already."

"Used to what, Diplomat?" Octavia responds with an innocent look that almost stops Corrie's heart.

"Smart ass. Smart pony. Whatever. Read your menu" Corrie responds in a mocking gruff tone.

Octavia rewards her date with an adorable giggle, but indeed does check her menu. It was dinner time after all. Settling on an alfalfa noodle alfredo plate with mushrooms she puts her menu down to see Corrie absentmindedly looking past her. Her hazel eyes twitching back and forth, up and down, like she was reading something in the air. She looked a little sad.

Leaning forward and placing a hoof on the human's left hand "Are you okay, Corrie?"

Corrie gives a little start and blushes. "I'm sorry. I just realized I don't think I've ever eaten anything like this that wasn't synthetic." Frowning to herself. "I don't even know what it will taste like. Will it be like the flavor settings at the Stuffer Shacks? Will it all be like that fake cherry flavor that doesn't taste anything like a real cherry, from what I'm told? I just don't know." Giving a short bark of a laugh. "I don't even know if I'm allergic to any of this stuff? I don't know. Maybe we should do something else? Go rent a few movies? Maybe take a nice long walk?"

Octavia realized that the redhead in front of her seemed on the verge of a little panic attack, oddly enough. She's never seen her this nervous or uncertain before. Impulsive yes. A bit short when she was grumpy in the mornings at work pre-coffee, Celestia yes. She had bravado and backbone in spades, but it was a little endearing to Octavia to see a little crack in that wall she had around her. Banter or no, she's kept a lot of her close to her little chest.

"Hey, Hey" Octavia tells her gently, bring her other hoof up to cup that odd left hand in both of her hooves and gives it a gentle squeeze. "It's only dinner. Look, I've got an idea." Standing up and using the table to balance herself on her back hooves, she shuffles over to the humans side of the table and scoots her over. Jumping up and sitting next to her on the tiny booth, Corrie had to give ground and move her left arm over the shoulder of the little grey mare for both of them to have room on the seat, but it was a close fit. Both could be seen with a light blush, but neither one moved away.

"Now. I've eaten quite a few of the new things from these new worlds, all vegetables and pastas, mind you. I am a bit of a foodie, if you will pardon the expression. I can help you decide." Bringing up the menu she asks her human companion "It's a hard question, but what flavors do you like with your meals in your own world? What did you usually get there?"

Octavia's questions helped Corrie feel a bit more grounded, but that was almost countered by the close proximity of her warm fur clad body. Their hip and flank almost touching, and she could imagine feeling the heat radiating between them. She could smell the exotic scent of equine and some flower based perfume under it. Steeling her resolve she once again looks at the menu.

Antonio peeked through the kitchen door. Two pony heads peeked out just underneath his, like an Equestrian totem pole. "You sure that's her? She looks a bit small" Antonio whispers.

"Yes boss, that's her" the first wait-pony that lead them to their seats confirmed. "I was there when she uprooted the squatters out by the river's bend. Got them moving proper and into the city."

"I've seen her go into the Diplomatic Offices too" the other head chimed in. The unicorn stared at the grey mare with a twinge of jealousy. "Never seen her dressed outside of that weird jumpsuit she wears all the time. Must be a pretty special occasion." She surmises.

"Well in that case, let's make sure everything goes well. I'll prepare the tiramisu and take it out myself for dessert." Moving away from the doorway he beckons his two compatriot spies to follow him.

After placing their orders with the first wait-pony, Corrie noticed that Octavia didn't move back to her seat. Taking a chance, she slid a little closer to the pony, hip just bumping flank gently. She feels a small but strong bump in return from the mare. And for a moment she is surprised by the warm form of the little mare leaning into her, but just for one short sweet moment.

"So...Um..." Corrie starts, instead trading her words for the glass of water. Maybe she can think of something to say after. Saved by the ghost, Octavia speaks first.

"So." Octavia stops for a moment. Arching her left eyebrow she looks up at the human. "What is your last name, by the way? I've always heard your first name, and your title but I've never heard you speak it."

"Which one?" Corrie responds wryly. Seeing the Shadowrunner joke fall a bit flat on grey ears she clears her throat and tries again. "It's kind of complicated. And a whole lot personal." Giving a frustrated sigh and shrugging her shoulder she has to readjust her dress strap again, she notices Octavia's eyes dart down to her chest trying to get a peek. Cheeky mare, that.
"Look, I don't mean to sound coy, or vague, or even mysterious with you since were on a date, but I'm not sure really what to say over such a little question."

"Well that's kind of the point of a date, isn't it? To get to know each other?" Giving the human a warm smile and placing a hoof on her hand. "So?" She says, repeating the eyebrow arch with a little wiggle.

"I didn't have a last name growing up. A lot of us don't. Didn't I guess I should say now. No point in having a last name if it wasn't ever going to be used." Using her right hand she furrows her brow and picks idly at some of the sensor patches on her left arm. "I was an orphan. I was found and raised by a woman named Momma Cat Mojo."

Giving Octavia a little sad smile, memories of her Momma coming to the surface. "I supposed Mojo could technically my last name. But everyone in the neighborhood just called me Momma Cat's Kitten, or just Kitten for short. When I started running numbers" Holding out her hand to stall the question on her companions lips "Kind of an odd job. Kept you busy and Nuyen in your pocket. I was still Corrie, or Kitten."

A small sigh through her nose. "I remember getting into a fight with her a few years ago about it. I was so young and on fire to find the truth. I wanted to know so badly who my parents were." Her shoulders slumping at the memory of the fight. Idly picking now at the napkin on the table "She finally snapped. I think I hurt her pride with how bad I wanted to know after all she did to take me in and raise me. She was once a hell of a 'Runner, I was told. Cat Spirit Magician. I've seen her do things.." Remembering that she wasn't taking to another person from her own world she froze a moment. "The end result was I got an answer I wasn't expecting, which in turn led me to not getting an answer at all."

"So, like me in this conversation then?" Octavia tells her gently, making sure the humor in her tone can be heard.

Corrie gives another short barking laugh. "Aye, Razorgirl, I suppose so." Giving the grey mare an appraising look and really seeing her for perhaps the first time. "I think she'd like you. She didn't like but a scant handful, hoof-ful of girlfriends I'd ever brought over for her to meet."

At the lull in conversation started the two just enjoyed a moment of being together. Dinner arrived and it visibly lightened the mood at the table. As per Octavia's recommendation she just ordered something simple. Spaghetti and noodles, with a few tofu meatballs on top for good measure. That she knew at least she could eat.

Dinner was finished rather quickly. The two sharing bites of food from each others plates, minus the alfalfa noodles, instead using a breadstick to mop up the sauce from Octavia's plate. It was determined by both parties that if they ate that good every day one would grow fat, and the other would founder, followed by little giggles.

The walk back to the offices was quiet, but pleasant. Arriving at her doorstep Corrie turns to face Octavia. "Would you like to come in?" Corrie asks Octavia, now standing at the open gate to the diplomatic grounds.

"Oh I would" Octavia tells her "But I can't." Holding up her hoof she stops Corrie asking a question for once. "I want to, please believe me. But I'm not that kind of mare. I know if I go up there, it will be warm and cozy."

"Very" Corrie grins evilly at her. "We'd sit on the couch side by side. I'd even turn the heater down a bit so we'd have to snuggle close to get warm." Rubbing her hands together she gives the mare a mock evil grin.

Octavia moves a little closer to her "There would probably be a drink or two. Just a little cider to take the chill out of the bones. Maybe help relax us in a potentially nervous situation."

"Well I do have a few bottles in the fridge" Corrie moves a little closer to the grey mare.

"We'd probably end up laughing over some trivial little thing and then I'd gather the courage to give you a kiss on the cheek."

Corrie kneeled down, face to face with the mare and her beautiful purple eyes. " I'd have to return the favor. Courage like that should be rewarded."

Bringing a hoof up and placing it on the humans pale cheek "But is that enough?" Octavia worries her lower lip just a little "Would it go farther than that? It would wouldn't it?"

"I think it would." Corrie tells her. Bringing her one left hand to cup Octavia's cheek and give it a little rub. "But we can take it at your pace. I can wait." Smiling at her and kissing her gently on her right cheek Corrie pulls back and gives her a smile "I thank you for your honesty."

Octavia returns the kiss on her cheek with one of her own on Corrie's. "I thank you then, for your patience."

Standing up, Corrie eyes her surroundings quickly. "Let me walk you home. It'd be a shame for you to be swept away by some fast talker from another world after all." Grinning at the eye roll she received, she stands up and stretches. The worker-ponies for the street are just starting their shifts, lighting up the little globes with magical crystals in them, identical to the ones at the castle. Night lights go on, Smartlink goes on. Happiness is a warm gun after all.

As the two make their way down the little sidewalk Corrie rubs her hand gently on the top of Octavia's head by her ears. "Octavia?"

"Hmmmm" Octavia hums before a quiet "Yes?" is her response.

"I want to be that kind of girl for you too." Corrie tells her.