A motel somewhere in Maryland, Saturday Late Morning

[vanillajello]

As planned, Kate and Leto had handwavily left Fandom on Friday, acquired a crappy but cheap car by questionable means – Leto used Voice on the salesperson so they could buy it – and set out on their road trip.

So far it was seeming like an extremely good idea. Kate needed this, being in her world, being in a place where she knew the rules. The further they'd got from Fandom, the more relaxed she’d been.

Really, even this sleazy motel was making her happy with just how normal it was.

Of course, it didn't mean she didn’t want to leave and continue the trip. There was still a lot they could see before they had to head back. And they had to be out of the room by noon, anyway.

"I think I'd like to get some birthday cake today," Kate smirked, drying her hair with a towel after a quick, cool shower.


[ooc: For the boy mentioned in the narrative. NFB due to distance.]

Comments

[vanillajello]

"Coffee, burgers, pie. Stuff people would like when they're stopping by," Kate replied, glancing at the sign. "Cake, if I'm lucky." She headed for the door, getting her shaky legs under control after the first step.

[future_sandworm]

Clearly Kate had decided on this place, although perhaps not for its qualities. Leto got out of the car and followed her.

[vanillajello]

The place was a ordinary diner, a little worn out but with a vaguely cozy feel to it, with barstools beside its counter, and tables by the window. There were some lone customers around, but it wasn't exactly crowded.

Kate pulled the door open and marched straight to the counter, giving the woman behind it a wide smile. "Hi, you guys serve any cake here?"

She was told that yes, they did. Chocolate cake.

[future_sandworm]

Chocolate cake. Hopefully that would make Kate in a better mood. Leto found a table for the two of them and picked up a menu.

[vanillajello]

The mere prospect of chocolate cake made Kate feel a little better. Of course, that didn't mean she was any less wary of his driving.

"You know, there are so many better ways of making my knees go weak," she remarked, coming over to the table once she'd made the woman promise the cake slices weren't going to be sold to anyone else.

[future_sandworm]

"Oh?" Leto grinned. "You will have to tell me."

[vanillajello]

"I'm not sure that topic's suitable for public places," Kate replied with a hint of smirk, sitting down across from him and picking up a menu of her own.

[future_sandworm]

"No?" he looked at her over the menu, raising an eyebrow.

[vanillajello]

"No." And now she was definitely smirking. She looked at her menu and added, "But if you behave, I might tell you later."

[future_sandworm]

"If I behave?" He gave her a very teasing smile.

[vanillajello]

"For the purposes of what we're talking here, behaving means driving like a sane person," she replied, glancing up. That was a very, very nice smile. "Other than that I don't think I have objections."

[future_sandworm]

"I'll keep that in mind." No, it would not affect his driving.

[vanillajello]

And Kate knew that. "You keep saying that," she remarked, "and yet I'm completely unconvinced. I wonder why that is."

[future_sandworm]

"That's unfair. I do listen to what you're saying." Letting it affect his actions was another matter.

[vanillajello]

"And you know that listening's not all you should be doing." But whatever; they could continue discussing that once they hit the road again. "I don't know, maybe I should just attempt to tire you out so you'll have to let me drive. Make your knees weak."

He wasn't the only one with an excellent teasing smile around here.