The chessboard we set and the pieces were on the move. Initial reports came back from Intel that this universe did not have an organization like SUPER. The closest it possessed was some foolhardy attempt at integration known as the MRC, the Mutant Related Crimes unit, a branch of the New York police department that openly worked with vigilantes. The funny thing was that while this universe didn't have SUPER, they did have an X-Men. That was unfortunate as they were utterly unregulated here. To make matters worse, the vigilantes from his own world had already made contact with those from this one. And the news wasn’t getting any better.

The Syndicate. That mysteries organization, the one with the obvious leader that could not be touched, there was evidence that they were making moves here. Nothing concrete, really, but just enough to turn SUPER’s suspicious eye towards the rift. Individuals were seen, known associates, freely crossing. That was even more unfortunate.

With all the pieces moving, it was time that SUPER started to play the game; it was time to step into the new world and start fixing the mistakes their neighbors had let occur.

Kristoph was actually surprised he had been selected for this mission. Surely agents Song or Taylor would have had a better sense for these affairs. Kristoph was just an ex cop, a grunt, a trainer, why they would want him to make contact was something he would not understand. But he was not someone to go against orders either; if his mission was to go and start establishing connections, then so be it.

---

Sitting at the conference table, waiting for the lawyer he was supposed to meet with to arrive, Kristoph was typing out notes into his smart phone. He detailed his experience crossing the rift: the blinding light, that millisecond of suffocation, and that strange pull and sense of weightlessness, really the man had never felt anything like it. It would have been enough to rattle the hardest of hearts, but he powered through all the same. It was all in the line of duty, after all.

Dressed nicely in a black sit and white button up shirt, he was every bit the federal agent type, except for being clean shaven. The full, red beard was combed and hung down, while his same colored hair was pulled back against his scalp. He made a terrifying and intimidating sight, truly, even when in a suit. Now he just looked like a viking who trying to disguise himself as a modern man.

Finishing his report on this universe, noting differences and things similar, he sighed as he stood up, slipping his phone back into his pocket. Drifting over to the large window, he looked out over the city, his eyes shifting from building to building. It was so strange; it looked so much like his universe, but when looking at it in this angle, the differences were easy to see. Interesting.

The Sound of a door opening interrupted his thoughts. Turning his head, he glanced over his shoulder and offered the newcomer a kindly smile. ”Afternoon.”

The RIP had caused astronomical changes in both universes. That much was clear. It was hard to ignore changes when they consisted of an entirely separate universe colliding with your own and the separate people that it brought in. Some people were the same on either side, and some were not. In some respects, Natalie was glad that she hadn’t met her shadow self, since she figured that the results may have been disappointing. She couldn’t imagine living in a world where Norah didn’t exist.

Still, there had been other complications that had arisen from the two universes touching. There organizations that didn’t exist on one side or the other, and no one knew quite how to interact with one another. There were rumours of a mob-like agency spreading members from the other universe into Natalie’s world, but she wasn’t sure if she entirely believed them. False until proven true.

A different agency really did happen to exist, though. A Government branch that was built around the idea that mutants needed to be rounded up, tracked and contained. Natalie didn’t care for that idea one bit. For some reason, though, rather than hostility, SUPER was met with curiosity from the other universe. The two governments were in contact, and the other agency was beginning to test the waters. Of course, that meant that they would need representation on the other side in the case that something went amiss.

Since Natalie’s firm was one of the formidable in the New York area, they had naturally chosen to go with them. Natalie had been assigned to the case, and she had felt like she had to take it. She definitely didn’t agree with what the organization stood for, but she couldn’t say much to get out of the case. The only ethical reason that she possessed was that she was a mutant and didn’t believe in her kind being treated like cattle, but admitting that would mean admitting that she was, in fact, a mutant. She would likely be disbarred for that.

So, she was there at the meeting, two minutes before the set time. Her two appointments beforehand had each run a little bit late, and she had to rush to get to this one. Still, in regular Natalie fashion, she arrived with a confident stride in a blush ensemble. The fact that she’d had to rush into the elevator wasn’t even detectable by the time she walked in.

”Afternoon,” Natalie greeted back as she nodded to the man at the table. Despite his appropriate dress, he didn’t seem to be the type of person that dealt with things in rooms such as the one they were in. The huge red beard and general build of him suggested that he was better suited to be a field agent rather than a desk jockey. She gave him a curious look as she sat down across from him.

Once seated, she displayed the papers that she brought with her in front of him. ”My name is Natalie Ross, here to represent Jameson and Finch. This is the agreement that I’ve drawn up; you’re welcome to read through it, and we can discuss details of it. The gist is that we’re willing to represent SUPER under circumstances at our discretion. You will always have a team at your disposal, but we retain the right to turn a case down.”

Seriously. SUPER could have gotten either Agent Taylor or Song to handle this mission. His chair turned to look out the window, Kristoph grumbled as he pulled at the tie from around his neck. He was accustomed to wearing them, yes, but they weren’t his favorite piece of attire in the world. If anything they proved to be a nuisance and a liability. But he wasn’t chasing down some rogue mutants, rather he was here on legal matters and legal matters only.

That is until he caught sight of the peach-colored bombshell that walked into the room. For a split second the man could feel his usual charm and flirtation mannerisms bubbling to the surface but he knew he had to keep his wits about him. For a pretty as the woman was, this was an important stepping stone in ensuring that SUPER could make landfall in this dimension. He couldn’t jeopardize that for a pair of nice, smooth legs in a business skirt.

A nod of his head and a greeting was uttered. He gave the confident woman his full attention as she came marching into the room. She definitely had a “give-me-no-sh*t” attitude on her face. Really he liked women who were a bit feisty. Really this ordeal was just turning into a version of the Temptation of Christ.

>>”My name is Natalie Ross, here to represent Jameson and Finch. This is the agreement that I’ve drawn up; you’re welcome to read through it, and we can discuss details of it. The gist is that we’re willing to represent SUPER under circumstances at our discretion. You will always have a team at your disposal, but we retain the right to turn a case down.”

”Kristoph Karlson,” he greeted in return. ”Lovely to meet you.”

Kristoph took up the papers in hand and began to read through it, really he was just scanning for the gist of what Natalie said and not anything too in-depth. He was sure that the SUPER’s attorneys would go through it with a fine-toothed comb, here was just here as a representative. The good thing was that he had enough experience with lawyers from his time in the police department to understand some of what was written down, at least enough to not make him look like a complete fool.

Once he was done reading, he nodded his head in a satisfied gesture.

”Looks clean so far,” he complimented. ”I have to say, my superiors will be pleased with this arrangement. You law firm is lauded as the best and clearly, with these circumstances, the best is required for all parties involved.”

Kristoph Karlson. A hard name for a hard-looking man. She studied him a second time as she matched his name with his features. It really was fitting, and it still seemed like a very odd choice for a government agency to send an agent like that. He looked like he belonged in a dark room, bashing skulls together, rather than in a nice suit, negotiating terms.

>>”Looks clean so far. I have to say, my superiors will be pleased with this arrangement. You law firm is lauded as the best and clearly, with these circumstances, the best is required for all parties involved.”

Natalie nodded quickly. It did seem to be an arrangement that made sense. Her firm was powerful and well-know in their world, and being the firm that represented a government agency (no matter how controversial their specialty) would look very good for them. She could not screw the deal up for the firm, or there would be a hefty price to pay. She did have her eye on partner, after all.

So, she hadn’t complained or jeopardized her standing in the slightest when she’d been given this case that went against everything that she believed in. It was, after all, part of her job to push aside her own feelings and fight for what she was told to. She might have been facilitating the growth of an organization dangerous for her species, but it would have happened with or without her help. So long as she and hers were safe, then things could be looked past.

”Indeed,” Natalie nodded, ”there’s something in store for both organizations here, and I think the arrangement will be mutually useful.” She paused a minute and sat back in her chair, her eyes slightly narrowed at him.

The man looked human, but there was nothing to say that he wasn’t a mutant that had turned on his own kind. There were rumours going around that there were SUPER agents like that. Maybe he had some sort of ability that would make her agree to his every whim. ”I realize that this may be a tad unorthodox, but I have to ask, Kristoph. Are you a field agent? How come you were chosen for this meeting?”

Kristoph was not the biggest fan of lawyers. He ran into plenty of them when he was working as a police officer. Though he understood that there were good ones and bad ones, sadly he had the misfortune of dealing with a lot of bad ones. That left a bitter taste in his mouth but it was something that he knew he couldn’t let cloud his judgment. He was here on official government business and nothing more. All he had to do was accept the files as they were given to him, read them over carefully, and safely bring them back to his superiors. That. Was. All.

After a glance at the documents, and reading what he knew he could understand, Kristoph nodded that everything looked good. It was true, from what he read it seemed like the firm was certainly going to play ball and it would only help to cement SUPER’s position in this universe. After all, this world had mutants running wild; certain actions should be taken to protect those who needed protecting. With the firm on their side, it would certainly make the transition over far easier.

>>”Indeed...there’s something in store for both organizations here, and I think the arrangement will be mutually useful.”

He nodded his head, “Mhmm”-ing in agreement. Both organizations were going to reap the benefits of this partnership -- of course the government was going to take a slightly larger chunk of the pie. If the firm wanted to argue it, now was the time, but given who SUPER was, it would have been folly to do so. So Kristoph closed the file and gave the woman a well-meaning smile. It seemed like business would be concluded and he could get out of this monkey suit -- or so he thought.

>>”I realize that this may be a tad unorthodox, but I have to ask, Kristoph. Are you a field agent? How come you were chosen for this meeting?”

As the woman sat back in her chair, he could feel the question rising on her lips. She gave him a scrutinizing gaze, as if trying to figure out something that he was not presenting right off the bat. Kristoph, never one to shy away from a friendly gaze match, smirked as he watched the woman, also returning her appraising look. Again, she looked like an absolute ball-buster but he wouldn’t shy away.

When her question came, he had to smirk. Really that was quite forward of her, and maybe a little insulting if he really thought about it. However, rather than get made, he simply resorted to his usual charm and humor. He spread his arms out, smiling as he gestured to himself. ”Clearly for the eye candy,” he said with a knowing smile. A small chuckle and the man simply straightened up his posture as he watched her. ”I’ve had some dealings with firms on the other side in the past.” A shrug. ”The superiors feel that displaying the protection we provide is better represented by some such as me, rather than some law-spouting bookworm who’s never been in the trenches.” He smiled. ”Peace of mind, I guess.”

Natalie was genuinely curious about why SUPER had sent Kristoph over an executive. Sure, they would likely look over the terms and conditions of the agreement as a board of directors, but she would have assumed that they would want someone technical there right off the bat. It certainly wouldn’t have been Natalie’s first decision to send a field agent to a meeting of wits.

Then again, perhaps there was some strategy that she just wasn’t thinking of. Perhaps there was an Einstein-esque mind hidden under that red mass of hair. For all she knew, he could have been a licensed lawyer or businessman. She knew that looks could be deceiving.

So, she asked him. Straight up. She’d never been one to use much flowery prose when she didn’t need to. His first response, though, was a joke that made her lips roll in indignantly. She knew full well the image she projected was one that made most men (and some women) turn their heads, but it wasn’t appropriate to point that out in a business meeting. Especially not after she had proven herself time and time again to be more than a set of curves squeezed into a pair of heels. She believed herself to be just as, if not more, capable as any man in her field.

Still, she let his comment slide as he moved onto a different, more serious reply. That answer made quite a bit more sense. There was no indication of any sort of other power, but she knew that not everyone revealed all their cards right away. She couldn’t let her guard down yet.

It did make sense to her that they would want to send a field agent into a meeting about what SUPER could provide. Sure, he likely wouldn’t have the same understanding of the legal jargon, but he had a far better grasp of what the world was really like out there, and he knew what it was like to be out in the field. He had captured and tagged mutants. She most certainly could not let her guard down.

”Alright, then, Mr. Karlson,” she continued, ”humour me for a minute. What is it like in the field? In your world, anyway. What keeps you going each day?”

The woman was a professional, but maybe a little too professional. The upright sitting, the firm look on her face, while Kristoph liked a woman who was feisty, this one certainly seemed like a challenge. Even Taylor, the hardest assed woman the man had ever met could crack the smallest of smiles every now again. This one? Heh, she looked as if she could freeze a certain appendage off if a man so much as looked at her funny.

He loved it. If there was anything that Kristoph loved, it was a challenge. However he wasn’t going to be some creep about it, clearly, as they were here on a professional capacity. There was business to attend to, after all.

When she asked why he was brought into this, the man answered honestly: he was here as a representative of SUPER and a reminder that the people who worked for them were indeed serious business. They wouldn’t trust the safety of the American people to some pencil pusher who didn’t know the difference between a handgun and a glue gun. He was just an example of the kind of agents who were doing everything they could to make sure the world was safe.

This seemed to intrigue the woman, at least as much as not throwing him out of the room and continuing on with her day. Rather she seemed like she wanted to know more. True to form, she was blunt as she inquired.

>>”Alright, then, Mr. Karlson...humour me for a minute. What is it like in the field? In your world, anyway. What keeps you going each day?”

Kristoph’s smile stretched a little as he looked down onto the table. He sighed as he thought carefully, filtering through his years of training, his decades of experience. He settled onto a few that were his most important, and that he hoped would actually answer the woman’s question and quell any worries that she may have had about getting into bed with this particular organization.

”I never expected to be working for this organization when I joined the force. Did I have aspirations of on day joining the Feds? Not really. I was happy being a Blue. Then the world got a lot more dangerous. People with power greater than anything that we were allowed to carry. Honestly it scared all of us on the force. Then that’s when SUPER came knocking.” He paused. ”Mutants scare me...or used to. SUPER taught me that mutants...they just need help. But those that can’t be helped, whether of their own choice or not, someone needs to stand up to them and keep people safe. That is where SUPER comes in.” He gave her a small smile. ”Year ago, central park. Young bride to be, Elsa, and her husband to be throw a small, careful ceremony in Central Park. Would have been a beautiful affair -- if it weren’t for Elsa’s younger sister, getting drunk and admitting that she and the woman’s future-husband knocked-boots. Elsa was a latent mutant, ice powers. She started freezing everything in sight -- even her youngest cousin. Kid was six.” He let that hang in the air. ”Police weren’t trained to stop her. No one was. If we, if I, hadn’t gotten there when I did, who knows who she could have harmed.” He knew how ‘big brother’ it all sounded so he paused for a second before continuing. ”We’re not perfect. No organization is. But we are trying to make sure that people are safe. That mutants can get the training and control that they need over their powers.” He shrugged. ”We’re just trying to leave the world a safer place for future generations.”

From the introduction that she had gotten from her superiors and through reading the description she had been given, Natalie got the impression that SUPER was an organization run entirely in the hopes of eradicating mutants. Naturally, her mind had travelled to vilifying everyone who worked for the organization.

After hearing Kristoph’s side of the story, though, she could see why a person might get entrenched in something like that. They believed that they were simply helping the mutants that were out of control and needed more of a handle on themselves. Natalie, however, believed that mutants needed to figure themselves out or reach out to organizations like Haven to help them. What they didn’t need was the government poking their noses in personal business. It was just a difference of a opinion.

Natalie nodded along with what he was saying. Yes, she could agree with him on the Elsa incident - someone had needed to interfere there, but there could have been other measures put in place. Measures to support mutants rather than hunt and tag them. That wasn’t her place to point out, though. It was her place to get through the meeting and keep her opinions to herself.

”I’m sure my daughter will appreciate the safer world one day,” Natalie told him, thinking of the world that Norah would have to grow up in. Her mother would have her hands in two pots; SUPER and Haven. One would facilitate mutant growth and one would shut it down. Only time would tell which would win out. ”I’m glad to hear that your job fulfills you.”

With that thought out of the way, Natalie gathered up her papers. ”Well, Mr. Karlson, do you have any further questions?” she asked before she moved any closer to the door.

Kristoph spoke honestly to the woman’s question. She asked him what he fought for and, for him, it was the best reason -- the protect people. He reiterated the SUPER wasn’t perfect, but it was what they had and they were trying to ensure the survival of people from some very real threats. He even though in a recent example, of a woman who lost control of her ice powers. It was a terrifying experience, one that would have shaken anyone down to their core. But it was also a point that showed SUPER saved lives.

Sitting back in his chair, Kristoph crossed his hands upon his lap as he looked over the woman more carefully. Normally he had a knack for getting a read on someone but this person seemed to be particularly difficult. He wasn’t sure what it was about her but she certainly was a mystery to him -- one that was quite intriguing.

>>”I’m sure my daughter will appreciate the safer world one day...I’m glad to hear that your job fulfills you.”

”I certainly hope she will.” he replied.

He respectfully nodded his head towards her. Whether or not she liked his answer, he couldn’t tell, but she did at least manage respect it. It could have been taken as ingenuine, and maybe it was, but the woman was a skilled enough lawyer to be able to make her words ring with truth. Whatever the case, as she stood up, collecting her things, Kristoph also stood, buttoning his jacket as he offered her a kindly smile. He may have looked like a neanderthal in business suit, but he certainly wouldn’t act like one.

As she made her way towards the door, Kristoph followed, after all, he didn’t have any more business in this particular room. Besides, he wouldn’t have minded another, closer look at the raven-haired woman whom would now be working with SUPER on this side of the dimensional rift.

Approaching the door, he gave her another soft nod as they prepared to exit.

>>”Well, Mr. Karlson, do you have any further questions?”

He paused for a moment, giving it some earnest thought. Really he knew he didn’t have to ask anything. If there were issues, SUPER’s own lawyers would certainly get involved. Therefore he really didn’t have any questions for the young woman -- at least not pertaining to business. So, instead, he gave her a soft smile, his voice lowered to something of a more intimate tone as he spoke.

”Just one…” he said with a smile. ”...I’m still fairly new to this universe. Honestly, I’d absolutely love to find a great place to have dinner. Would you happen to have any recommendations for a bachelor not of this dimension?”

There had been many meetings that morning for Natalie and she was looking forward to some time to decompress and not have to deal with clients for a while. Sure, she liked her job, but sometimes it could get a little old, constantly dealing with other people’s problems. It was nice to be able to go home in the evenings and have a glass of wine and read a novel or something.

Norah was at her father’s that evening, though, so that meant that there would be no one to go home to. The housekeeper and nanny would have left, so that meant that the apartment would be empty. Sure, it was nice to have the place to herself every now and again, but lately, Natalie had been feeling a growing sense of loneliness. She had begun to dread each time she went home alone to an empty home.

Still, she was working on getting through it. Nate was messing with her emotions, but he didn’t get to dictate her entire life. She still retained that control to some degree. She had been fine being alone for many years, and she would be fine again. That would show him. She didn’t need him or his stupid companionship.

Oh god, her brain was sounding five.

Natalie shook thoughts of infantile emotions as she stood up and walked toward the door with the displaced ginger man. That glass of wine sounded better and better with each passing minute.

>>”Just one… I’m still fairly new to this universe. Honestly, I’d absolutely love to find a great place to have dinner. Would you happen to have any recommendations for a bachelor not of this dimension?”

Surprised as she was, Natalie’s face didn’t show it. Instead, she appeared to be deep in thought for a second or two as she mentally scanned the list of her favourite restaurants in the city. Some of them were actually sounding amazing to her, but she didn’t exactly want to go to one alone. That would be like proving Nate’s little taunts with his women right; she was all alone and he had everyone and anyone he wanted.

”There’s a restaurant in Manhattan, Per Se, that is absolutely to die for,” she told him. To go there or one of the other more expensive places in the city was one of the only reasons that Natalie would break her strict diet. It was worth it. ”The duck foie gras is magnificent.”

Kristoph loomed close, not too close to invade the lawyer’s personal bubble, but just enough to show that she had his rapt attention. Really this was his only task in this dimension right now. The higher ups wanted to send off Kristoph to secure paperwork and to plead his case, he had done both of those things and he wasn’t expected until tomorrow. With the rest of his day, and evening, free, the former police officer wanted just some simple advice as to where a good place to dine would be. It was perfectly innocent, surely.

So he asked, honestly, wanting to know what this woman’s opinion of a great eatery was. He doubted it would be some bar with chicken wings, but would it be some high-classed joint that would sooner spit on the neanderthal looking man? Or would it be something else entirely. He waited, watching the woman as she contemplated his question with some rather deep thoughts. When it finally seemed that she had come to one, she gave him her focus.

>>”There’s a restaurant in Manhattan, Per Se, that is absolutely to die for...The duck foie gras is magnificent.”

He nodded. ”Sounds elegant, thank you.”

He gave her a genuine smile. Moving around he he grabbed the door, holding it open as a gentleman should and waited until she passed through. Once she crossed, Kristoph followed after and looked to be making his way down the hall and out of her life. But, after a step, he stopped, and turned around to face her again. A soft grin on his lips, he cleared his throat as he approached her once more.

”Ms. Ross?” he said, garnering her attention yet again. ”Your suggestion truly does sound appetizing. However...that certainly doesn’t sound like an establishment one goes to alone.” He approached, still keeping a careful distance away, the look in his eyes showed his clear interest. ”Would you be interested in accompanying me?” He smiled. ”As newly minted colleagues...of course.”

The man in that she’d just sat through a meeting with wasn’t exactly the usual type of person that she saw walk through those conference room doors. Usually, men were clean shaven and looked as though they’d never been in a fight in their life. Kristoph, on the other hand, looked as if he’d just stepped out of a ten year stint in a remote log cabin. He was a far cry from the usual crowd that Jameson and Finch saw.

So perhaps the restaurant that she’d suggested to him was a little above his level. She hadn’t even really considered that fact when she’d suggested her favourite restaurant to the strange looking man, but it was clear that he wouldn’t fit in with their usual attendees. It would actually be an interesting thing to see if they would even let him in.

Natalie stopped the chuckle that rose into her throat at the image of him trying to get into the famous establishment and stepped out into the hallway, nodding a thanks to him as he held the door open for her. She doubted that he was naive enough to not see the hilarity of the situation, but he was very polite about the whole situation. With a small nod, he told her that it sounded ‘elegant’. Elegant indeed, Natalie thought to herself. The kind of elegance that a field agent could only look at in magazines.

Her heels clicked along the marble floor as she began to step down the hallway, expecting that to be the last interaction between her and the strange ginger man. Before she got very far, though, she heard her name being uttered from the other direction. She turned slowly, her eyebrow raised as she listened to what he had to say. It was likely something to do with the terms that he wasn’t quite understanding.

>>”Your suggestion truly does sound appetizing. However...that certainly doesn’t sound like an establishment one goes to alone. Would you be interested in accompanying me? As newly minted colleagues...of course.”

Well. Natalie hadn’t been expecting that one.

The brunette faced him head on, placed a hand along her waist and jutted a hip as she stared at him through all-too-blue eyes. He was far from her type. Usually, she went for men that would attend Per Se on the regular. Handsome men with lots of money and no desire for matrimony. It made things much easier for everyone, and it never got complicated. There were a few notable exceptions to that rule (one of which seemed to be sticking around for a good long time), but they were few and far between. No exception had ever been like Kristoph.

Still, it was veiled under the idea that it would be a business lunch, and Natalie didn’t really want to go home alone to let her thoughts wander. That, and Kristoph intrigued her. She didn’t agree with all his choices, but she knew that a person was not always their choices. Unless she needed to say that in an argument.

”Ten Columbus circle,” she said, taking out her phone to send a quick text as she began to walk briskly in the same direction as the man. Foie gras sounded good. ”Are you driving, or shall I?”

It was a long shot, of that much he was sure. Natalie seemed like a woman who definitely had a refined palate. The way that she carried herself, looked at him, and the near detachment of her expressions made it seem like a fool’s errand. Truly someone like Kristoph wouldn’t stand a chance with a woman like her. He was all prepared for either a snide remark, a mocking fit of laughter, or even a gentle let down since they were actually going to be working together now. But as the woman turned back to face him, he saw that there was no malice in her eyes, but rather...intrigue.

Interesting.

He gave her a sweet smile, waiting for her to make up her mind. His superiors had given him plenty of compensation for coming through the dimensional void to make this meeting happening, also they wanted him to be well-prepared in the unlikely event that the portal would collapse without warning. Really he was being treated as a guinea pig and compensated for it, so why not spend a little? And if he was going to spend a little, why spend it alone?

He knew the answer before she even said anything. Kristoph continued with his genuine smile, eyes doing little to mask the fact that he was interested in her, but still trying to maintain the cover that this was work related. For the first time since they met, he could actually get a read on her and he knew the next words out of her mouth would be favorable.

>>”Ten Columbus circle...Are you driving, or shall I?”

That was actually magnificent. Kristoph certainly needed a night out and, since he was in a strange new universe, it probably would have been better with a local. Add to that, the lawyer was actually quite attractive and Kristoph was always fond of attractive company.

”Oh, I can drive,” he agreed. ”If I’m going to be visiting this world, I should learn to navigate it.” A smile. ”Shall we?” He asked, gesturing for her to lead the way.

>>”Oh, I can drive. If I’m going to be visiting this world, I should learn to navigate it. Shall we?”

Kristoph made a fair point; if he was to be spending time in her world for the indefinite future, then it would be best for him to get to know the area that he was to be living in. Having a local direct him would likely be the best thing for him, too. It was like living in a new city, but ramped up by a thousand. He needed someone with good taste to show him the ins and outs.

There was no way in hell that that would be Natalie. Sure, they were going to be business associates, and she was going to lunch with him, but anything long-term with him sounded like a joke. One restaurant meal to take her mind off of things would be more than enough for her to expand from her usual circle.

He gestured for her to walk toward the parking garage, and Natalie obliged. She strode through the hallway and led him forward. She used her usual walk, one that conveyed her confidence and general ownership of the area. Anyone who worked with Natalie knew not to bother her when she looked like that.

”I hope you brought a wallet, Mr. Karlson,” she said pointedly, ”this isn’t exactly Chipotle.” With that, she pressed the down arrow on the control panel in front of the elevator to lead them down the stairs. ”Unless Chipotle is something else in your world, that is.”

The elevator dinged to let them know that it had arrived, and Natalie stepped inside, automatically pressing the button to the basement garage once she had. ”What exactly is different about your universe, anyway?”

Kristoph kindly gestured for the woman to lead the way. Honestly he didn’t know if she needed to pick up or drop off anything so he simply allowed her to walk ahead of him. Besides, it wasn’t as if the man was going to complain about the view of allowing her to step ahead of him. But he wouldn’t be too crude about his intentions, rather it was just polite to let her walk first as this was her building and the confidence with which she strode seemed to indicate that she would take the lead.

As they approached the elevator, Kristoph pulled out his phone and typed in the address of the restaurant that she had given him. It wasn’t too far from here but, still, there would be some traffic along the way. It seemed that no matter which side of the dimensional divide you were on, traffic was still a thing. Pity.

As she called the elevator, Kristoph slipped his phone back into his pocket and leaned back, giving her a sincere smile. He was actually looking forward to this. Not that he thought he had a chance with the woman but, hey, she had already proved him wrong once by agreeing to go out to dinner. Maybe luck would truly shine upon him the more time they spent together. He wouldn’t know unless he tried. So, keeping his charm up, he turned his full attention to Natalie as she drolly mentioned how expensive the restaurant would be.

>>”I hope you brought a wallet, Mr. Karlson...this isn’t exactly Chipotle...Unless Chipotle is something else in your world, that is.”

He snickered. ”Actually called Adobo where I’m from.” He clarified. ”And it’s not that bad.” He joked, of course, but it was clear that Natalie had a more refined palate than his own. But that didn’t mean he was completely unawares of certain foods and cuisine. He did have to work undercover from time-to-time.

>> ”What exactly is different about your universe, anyway?”

He sighed as he waiting for the elevator to ding. He wrapped himself in his thoughts curious as to really what was all that different about this universe from his own. Surprisingly it seemed that there was very little in some aspects, and a lot in others. He organized his thoughts, stepping back as the elevator slid open and followed Natalie in. Pushing the button for the parking levels, he leaned back against the wall, his arms casually at his side.

”Depends. There are little things here and there. For one this universe doesn’t have any Red Apple brand cigarettes. One of the most popular brand on my end of the universe, not that I smoke them, mind you,” a whiff would show that he didn’t smoke. He may eat like a neanderthal from time-to-time but nothing like smoking. ”And there are little things. Shops that are either in a different place or missing altogether...oh that popular show, ‘Chess of Crowns’? ‘Game of Thrones’ in my universe.” he shrugged. ”It’s little differences like that...plus a major one or two...such as the complete absence of my organization.”