>> "Don't often get called good looking mate, but the accent does work wonders over here. You'd be surprised how many lasses chatted me up on the back of that alone."

Devon chuckled, “I’d imagine the pull is hard to ignore. Romance fantasies are hard to ignore.” Devon nodded in slow agreement with himself. “And eventually you’ll be a doctor. You’ll likely get approached for a reality TV show.”

With the conversation turning to Serena and Artair having a chance to tell the story, Devon took the chance to center himself. He concentrated on his breathing as Artair spoke. Maybe he was just a little excited after the fight and then a little intoxicated, but the feeling of control loss and silly laughter… Well it was embarrassing. He grinned at learning Serena was his assigned liaison.

“Lucky indeed,” Devon commented.

>> "After that she gave me some good advice, left me with a few numbers of organisations that could help me. Yours was among them."

“And I’m glad about that,” he grinned. “Serena’s great, let alone talented. She and I met in a biology class. Learning about her mutation study and my general interest… well it went from there. Hanging out watching bad books turned TV shows, book club, and the like. Probably one of the few friends I’ve made in the city.”

Devon smiled and motioned for one of the walking waitresses as she neared. “Hi there,” he grinned.

“Hey yourself. What can I get you gentlemen?” she grinned in return.

“Can we get a couple more?” he gestured to their drinks. “And at least a water for me. Been a long, foodless day, and I’m proving a wuss.”

She laughed, “Sure.” Her big brown eyes fell then on Artair, “Anything else?”

"Reality show? God forbid that sounds like a fate worse than death," he chuckled enjoy the after show to their fight earlier. He really hadn't expected Devon to be hit so hard by the drink, but not eating was always the kicker. Artair wouldn't envy him tomorrow if he kept up the drink, whiskey hangover were brutal.

The coincidences in this were really weird. Him just happening to meet one of the few people who could give him Devon's number, which somehow brought him to save a young girl, be offered a place in an charitable organisations that could do the same and meet a pretty nice guy out it all as well. Hell, the next time he saw Serena he'd definitely owe her a drink. "Aye I got that impressions. Anyone that can deal with a grumpy Scot first thing in the morning and come out smiling is kind of special in a great way."

Yep, of course the lass was happy to be flagged down by Devon, most would be in fairness. Although he did have to wonder how good an idea a second would be for his tipsy friend.

Smiling up at her and yes maybe he made his accent a little thick when she asked, "Aye, I could do with one o'those great burgers you do. Been needin' a meal and I think someone does to," inclining his head towards his friend.

She laughed took his order and headed back to the bar, occasionally glancing back at them. "I'd make a bet to see who she flirted with, but I'm not a huge fan of lose both money and self esteem in one go," he joked once she was out of earshot. 

>> “…Been needin' a meal and I think someone does to," inclining his head towards his friend.

Devon nodded with a chuckle, “Yeah that’s be great. Please and thank you.” She headed back to the bar, but was still throwing attention their way. Devon didn’t miss it this time; she was checking them out. It was always nice to draw that kind of attention, right?

>> "I'd make a bet to see who she flirted with, but I'm not a huge fan of lose both money and self esteem in one go,"

“Could be both of us,” Devon smiled. “If you’re interested, I’m certainly capable of encouraging that line of questioning. Based on the way she slightly looked away and laughed when you made the joke, she at least likes handsome scots and their accents.”

Devon had played wing man before and certainly he'd do so again, besides it sounded like Artair needed to make some more friends in the area anyway. It couldn't hurt to help chat the waitress up, even if she was just showing attention to drive up tips. Either way, smart.

He shrugged a shoulder and inclined his head back at Artair, “Maybe she likes morning grumpiness too. Serena does have a way though. Did she find you suffering a bad first day at NYU?"

Stomach growling at the thought of food, he was glad this place wasn't too expensive. He tried to keep to a pretty decent budget and this bar helped tons when he was too lazy to cook. Cheap, decent meals were always a god send for a student.

"I'd be lying if I said I'm not, but I come here often enough that getting too friendly with the staff might not be a great idea. I like this bar." He'd learned tat lesson as a teenager, don't mess about with the people who serve you food. "But if you can get her number, colour me impressed. Well, that and you'd have signed yourself up for a night out sometime. A wingman like you would definitely turn heads."

Playing the lovely friend of the hot guy had worked for him more than once, especially when the interested parties came to realise said looker was either already attached to another clubber or not that into it. The accent, that was his killer move. Well, that and being able to drop into Gaelic at will. People loved that.

Laughing lightly, "Oh it was less a bad first day and more the mother of all hangovers. A group of us had celebrated a little to much the night before, I may have doled out the scotch and well, those hangovers are killer." He genuinely didn't know how he'd dragged himself out of bed that morning. "Thankfully she'd set the meeting place in a little cafe that did an amazing full English breakfast and plied me with enough grease to keep me going during our talk."

"I can see why people like her though. She's a nice lass," taking on a more joking, "for an English woman." His own prejudices were getting unraveled pretty quick thanks to a few good people he'd met since he'd gotten here.

>> "But if you can get her number, colour me impressed. Well, that and you'd have signed yourself up for a night out sometime. A wingman like you would definitely turn heads."

“Deal,” Devon grinned, “Double deal.”

He said nothing else on the matter, chuckling instead as Artair went on to Serena. “Ahhh,” he said at the mention of hangover, nodding slowly. That explains us. It was good to celebrate starting a new school year right? It simply had been maybe a bit much. Good Serena of course knew where to go to take care of that.

“A very nice lass,” Devon agreed heartily as the waitress headed over with their burgers and drinks. He laughed at the English woman comment and glanced up at the waitress, “Yeah, I agree with you’ve seen other girls with beautiful eyes that you’d rather take out for drinks.”

The waitress chuckled, “Well aren't you two flirts.” She set down the drinks as Devon quickly scooped up his water for a sip. “And can I get you boys anything else?” she asked, a lilt of something not American in her tone.

“Your number, I hope,” Devon smiled, “My friend here is a bit intimidated in front of brown-eyed beautiful women with an endearing laugh.”

She laughed again, turning to smile at Artair. “Is that so?” she asked as she flicked her head a bit, sending her auburn hair dancing over her shoulders. Into a pocket she went for a pen and quickly scribbled a number down on a napkin. “Hopefully he man’s up and calls me then.”

“Oh I’m sure he will,” Devon smiled. “Promise on my honor.”

A winked eye went to Devon and then a bigger smile to Artair. “Enjoy,” she said loudly and, “call me, I’m off tomorrow,” a bit more quietly to the Scotsman.

Devon grinned and took a bit of his burger in earnest. This was indeed a successful evening.