He grinned back at her. "I would like to think I could maintain my professionalism, but I agree it is probably best to avoid testing those waters if I do not have to." It would make things far easier for when he got off work to pester her if he felt inclined. Though he wasn't entirely certain he would be comfortable doing something like that right away. Despite his ease with her presence and associating with her Erik found navigating social situations a bit like spinning plates in both hands while maintaining a smile and trying not to sweat. Far easier to just briefly brush up against other people lives then to be any permanent fixture in them.

The tour would be as fascinating for him as it would be for her. Sleepovers weren't apart of his life and until he had turned to criminal activities for a living, hadn't even been in someone else's room. It was hard to admire the decor when you were working against the clock in a snatch and grab. Her reaction would be valuable in determining if he was as odd and out of place as he felt at times with himself. 

The impressed reaction he received from her earned her a little shrug. Personally he felt his own powers were nothing all that impressive beyond the fact that dying would be a very difficult thing for him to manage. There were certainly times where reading minds or having laser eyes would have been far more beneficial. Even plant whispering like Janelle appeared to do seemed more interesting and his eyes were held fast on her features as she spoke about them. A wry smile plastered on his face as she finished. 

"I think you are selling yourself far too short Janelle." he caught himself about to continue before looking thoughtful a little shrug rippling across his shoulders as he made a mental decision and continued to speak. "Your gift has great potential. The potential in ability to influence say food crops or medicinal plants are staggering. You can change the world around you even if all you could do was change their color. You could come up with some amazing coloration of flower no one else could do and 200 years from now people would call it a Janelle flower or The Jennings. It is a wonderous ability with the potential to bring change, or at least happiness, without you even being present. A fitting gift for a radiant person such as yourself." Unable to keep the affectionate tone out of his voice. A more genuine, and soft, smile then he usually was able to manage for people given to her before it hardened slowly.

"My own is far more introverted. Fitting I suppose for an introvert such as myself. Though selfish could apply as well. My ability is as limited as most everyone else on this world to what I can touch or create. Keeping myself healthy and whole to stand witness while far more deserving people pass on around them." A hint of self loathing bleeding into his words before he took in a deep breath and attempted to smile and shrug at her. "Of course my own.. nonstandard upbringing could have alot to do with my particular perceptions." He conceded aloud slightly. "I often find it difficult to relate to my peers never having gone to school long enough to experience the complex social jockeying that occurs through middle and high school or the life long friends some people have. I understand and relate better to the homeless in Sanctuary or orphans, because I feel like one myself. Far more familiar with simple survival and the intrinsic complexity of the criminal world. Most of my good memories growing up that didn't include my mother are of jobs well done and of the few mentors I had." Not that he had anyone to blame but himself for his lamentable childhood but himself.

After a moment of realization he blushed some. "Sorry.. I think i rambled a bit there. You are.. very easy for me to talk to." Attempting to hide his embarrassment by drinking some water and enjoying more of the fine dining.

Erik began talking about all of the interesting ways Janelle’s powers could be applied and she felt that seemingly ever-present blush that assailed her whenever he was around creeping back up her cheeks. He was technically right. All of the things he spoke about were things that she probably could do if she tried hard enough. The more she thought about that particular thought, the more possibilities became obvious. If she took more chemistry, maybe she could extend the medicinal properties of certain plants.

It was definitely an interesting thought, and Janelle wondered why nobody had ever suggested something similar. Was it too late to add a chemistry minor to her degree? Was it ever too late to learn something new?

That train of thought would need to wait though. Erik continued to speak and Janelle once again marveled at the sluice gate of information that seemed to have opened the moment they decided they were a couple. If she’d have known that was all it would take, Janelle couldn’t help but think she would have insisted upon the declaration weeks ago!

The story was sad, though. Despite her mutant abilities, Janelle had lived a pretty standard, if privileged, childhood. Her powers weren’t scary, and had never been. Her friends had even started to view them as something of a party trick by the time her parents had decided that Xavier’s was a good place for her to spend some time. Since she’d left home, Janelle had lost touch with a lot of her friends, but she chalked that up more to college and the standard changes that occur with growing up than her powers.

Erik’s experience was completely different. He hadn’t felt like there was a place for him in those kinds of experiences and Janelle’s heart went out to him. It wasn’t pity, Erik didn't seem like the kind of person who would appreciate pity. It was strange too, the lonely, isolated youth that Erik seemed to describe seemed almost antithetical to the person that Janelle knew.

Erik commented that it was easy for him to talk to her and Janelle smiled, ”I’m glad. You have a lot of really important things to say. Someone should get to hear them.”

Janelle liked to think that she was as wordly as it was possible for her to be, considering her upbringing, but it was still strange to her to try and envision what it would be like to not know where your next meal was coming from, or to not be able to call your parents when you needed them.

’I’m sorry it was like that for you. I think I’d have liked you in high school.” she grinned at the thought, ”You’d have been a nice prom date.”

By this time the waiter was back, and Janelle realized they hadn’t even taken the time to look at entrees. Asking for more time, she watched his retreating back and shrugged her shoulders.

”I guess we should look at the menu...don’t worry, the entrees are really small. They know how many appetizers people usually order.”

As she perused the menu, another thought occurred to Janelle and she laid the menu down.

”How did you find out you have powers? I found out during a game of truth or dare my freshman year of high school.”

There was a slight change in Janelle's face he noted when he talked about various ways for her to attempt to apply her powers. Erik wouldn't have thought his commentary was or would produce anything remarkable. To him it was just a natural byproduct of his experience dealing with mutants and his attempt to guide them in his own way. A small part of wouldn't have been surprised if there wasn't an elective for it at the mansion titled 'Helping Humanity 101.' While Erik was far from being a mutant supremacist he was deeply entrenched in the thought Mutants could and should contribute their unique talents.

If anyone else would have commented that he had important things to say he simply would have laughed and called bullshit. Janelle however was far too nice (to him at least) for that sort of backhanded complimenting and he gave her a small smile and a shrug. "I would not consider most of what I have to say important in the slightest. Mildly amusing at best." Was his soft retort with a wry smile and a mild shake of his head. Then she had to go and talk about prom! 

Her grin and statement caused him to laugh softly. "If your upbringing is anything like I imagine it would have been a scandal complete with the total disapproval of your parents. I have been trouble since the day I was born and I doubt a more mundane upbringing would have curbed that completely." He was far too impetuous and stubborn to let a little thing like school rules to stop him from doing something once he had set his mind to it. A part of him wondered what clique, if any, he would have ended up in.

The waiter interjected a moment before flitting off as Janelle bought them some more time. Nodding to her before his eyes roamed over the menu. "Hmm, I require more food then the average joe.. should I be concerned?" Eyes catching on a dish he wouldn't dare try to pronounce in Janelle's company. "This.. braised chicken sounds good." Pointing it out to her before she asked a question and he froze a moment before composing himself. A bit of a raised eyebrow at her. "Truth or dare?" Asking as much to buy himself some time as any inkling of curiosity. "That time I was telling you about when I fell out of the tree was the first time. It.. kataliziruyemykh um.. catalyzed much later into something more." Chewing on the words a bit before he finished. "It is not a family friendly tale or a particularly proud moment in my life." Wincing slightly as the dark memories raced to the forefront in such stark contrast to the idle pleasantness of the current setting. Almost idly reaching out to grasp her hand lightly in his and give it a light squeeze before his smile returned as he looked at her before withdrawing it. Quiet now as he let her continue steer the conversation where she willed.

It was somewhat amazing to Janelle that Erik could be so self-possessed and so self deprecating at the same time. The ideas he came up with and the suggestions he made in relation to her powers had come to him almost on a whim, but had been things she’d never really thought about herself...and they were her powers.

What could she do with her background in plant science. Could she get a lab at NYU to allow her to work with her powers? Was that something she even wanted to do? Janelle had heard of mutants doing incredible things with her powers...she simply hadn’t ever thought that she could be one of them.

Erik seemed to think that he would have been something of a rebel in high school even if he’d have had a more, “normal” upbringing than the one he’d had. Janelle wanted to tell him that he was wrong about her upbringing, but her friends had been carefully screened and checked up on. It wasn’t that her family was high profile and afraid of scandal, but her friends had all been carefully screened and parents were required to be met before she could spend time with anyone outside of school. It had been Janelle’s luck to have the only rich parents who actually cared about their kid.

A sudden thought occurred to the redhead and she frowned slightly in thought. Erik’s life to this point sounded very...exciting, and Janelle’s life had been anything but. Maybe she wasn’t boring but...she definitely didn’t have the kinds of stories he kept alluding to.

There wasn’t much to say though, she just shook her head, bemused at his attitude and turned her attention to the menu as he pointed out that the chicken looked good.

”It is good.” she said, ”Everything is good...I think I’m going to go with the good old fashioned beef bourguignon.” It was basically a deep, rich beef stew, that would go well with everything they had gotten as appetizers.

The waiter returned and they ordered, eager for the next course.

As for the info she had shared, Janelle hid a slight smile behind her menu as she tried to decide how much to share...until Erik pointed out that his story wasn’t family friendly. Again, Janelle felt as though her story was somehow trivial...until his hand closed over hers.

Something about the warm contact broke the slight haze of concern that had dampened the moment and Janelle smiled a bit conspiritorily, leaning slightly closer to share her story.

”We were sitting in the grass in a friend’s back yard playing truth or dare. I got dared to kiss a boy that was also at the party…” Pausing for a moment in fond reminiscence, Janelle continued, ”I couldn’t balk, so I did it...and when it was over…there were flowers blooming everywhere around us.” she giggled, ”People were talking about it for months. I was a middle school celebrity.”

That was all there really was, part of Janelle wanted to ask Erik for more info about his story, but he’d seemed to be very clear that he didn’t really want to talk about it. She didn’t want to push, so she just waited patiently, seeing where the conversation would take them next.

With a inward sigh he realized a bit belatedly that he had went all guidance counselor on his new girlfriend. He didn't want to backpedal as he had completely meant what he said. "I hope I didn't come off as pushy about ideas for your gift. I just enjoy helping others discover their full potentials. You would be surprised how often you run into a new mutant at Sanctuary asking themselves. 'What do I do now?" An apologetic smile gracing his face before he concentrated on the menu. The chicken dish was definitely his choice as the waiter reappeared. 

Erik was looking forward to both the main course and even more so for whenever it was time for dessert. Before he could get too locked into that thought process Janelle surprised him by leaning in and moved to join her with a quick glance around. As she spoke an eyebrow slowly move up his forehead and he ended up laughing when she did that helped cover up the quick pang of jealousy he felt. "I certainly have never heard of a story like that before!" Grinning and sharing her enthusiasm of the fond memory. Once the elation died down he gave himself a moment to think and tapped his fingers as he attempted to count out. "That may have been around the time I started stealing cars.." Half telling her, half musing aloud before chuckling and shrugging. 

Maybe it was in the way she looked at him, or a tilt of her head, or some other signal recognized by his subconscious or even simply created by it. Erik knew she wanted to know more or as simply as he wanted to tell her. A stabbing sensation built in his heart as he thought that doing so might cause him to lose her. The truer part of his heart and head telling him if he didn't share it would only be lettering her know that she would only know the parts of him he wanted her to know and that would be a tragic lie and she would never know the 'real' him at all. 

He drew in an audible breath and forced himself to exhale slowly. He closed up his menu in a perfunctory manner as he turned slightly in his chair to look at her. Dark brown eyes drinking in her face, etching it into his memory. Once again his hand quested itself out to hers and his fingertips teased themselves along the backs of her fingers before seeking to entwine themselves with hers. Content he had committed her face to memory he broke his own spell, keeping his eyes locked with hers. "Janelle you are one of the most fantastic people I have ever met. You are intelligent and caring, without being arrogant or fake. Not to mention outrageously beautiful and so far out of my league I am surprised I don't need a space ship to visit you." Unable to help but smile and chuckle at himself at the last despite the gravity of the words he was about to impart, before it fell back to neutrality with a determined look on his face. "I... like you very, very.. VERY much. Enough where talking about the kind of person I really am actually.. scares me, because you might justifiable run for the hills. In my stories.. in my life. People get hurt.. and people die. Sometimes good people and sometimes bad people. At times.." He took another slow in and out breath. "I like to think of myself as a good person Janelle. I guess everyone does, but the most insane of us. I have always tried to do the best I could and even then it doesn't change the fact I was responsible for some of them." Closing his eyes a moment before opening them again. "I do not want to lie about myself, but the truth is often harder then we would like." As much for his own benefit as for her. The die had been cast and now he wondered which way the chips would fall. 

Erik laughed and Janelle couldn’t help but grin ear to ear. He didn’t laugh enough, the redhead decided, making a personal note to make sure it happened more often in the future. There was something so endearing about him when he wasn’t being serious and quiet.

The grin faded slowly when he continued though, something about the way he was looking at her setting Janelle on edge. An edge that only seemed to sharpen as he started to speak. Heat flooded Janelle's cheeks at Erik’s words, unused to such exaltation from anyone, let alone a significant other. It was something in his tone though that made her so wary, it was that it all sounded so sad...not at all the way she would have expected something so romantic to sound.

This almost sounded like a goodbye. The thought made Janelle’s heart beat faster than it should have been and suddenly the roomy restaurant felt small and stuffy.

It didn’t seem right to interrupt at this point, but the things he was saying really didn’t make any sense. Erik seemed to be suggesting that he wasn’t a good person. He kept talking and she squeezed his hand as he spoke. Some of the info wasn’t exactly new but if she was being honest, Janelle hadn’t understood the depth of violence that was apparently an integral part of Erik’s life.

Until tonight, Janelle hadn’t known a lot about that life. It was still a bit surprising to her to realize just how much she had ended up talking about herself in their conversations, how little he had ended up sharing. A few things stuck out to her though.

”Erik…” she said, frowning slightly as she continued to look him right in the eyes, ”Bad people don’t spend time thinking about whether or not they’re a good person...at least in my experience.”

That was a start...and her experience was admittedly limited...however…she took a couple of slow, deep breaths while she organized her thoughts.

”I’m admittedly a bit aloof, but I understand that my experience with having powers and growing up is not typical. You’re not the first person I’ve heard of who had to fight their way through growing up…” Janelle hoped she didn’t sound cliche.

”Bad people don’t help orphans get enrolled in school Erik...and bad people don’t text with a silly spoiled rich girl for an entire summer just because she’s bored…or make her think that even though she’s got silly princess powers she could change the world.”

This was a leap of faith, especially considering she hadn’t asked for details...but thinking of Erik as a heartless monster just didn’t seem to fit…

”Until I see something to prove it otherwise...I think you’re just like anyone else doing the best they can with what they’ve got.”

It was one thing to hear something and another entirely to accept it. Erik let everything she said collect and run thoroughly through his mind before he felt willing to speak. Giving her hand a soft squeeze finally in return and noting how comfortable it felt to be able to do so. Sighing just a little, "Even I wouldn't go so far as to say I am a bad person. Not that I would consider myself a good one either. I have done bad things and if I am honest probably will again, but I always try to do the best I can." Sanctuary itself was a testament to poor reactions parents gave to the blossoming of a first generation mutant in the family. Not everyone parents were as loving and accepting as they should be. Others were just plain afraid of anything different then what they knew. 

A flat look was given to her suddenly as he addressed her points. "You are certainly not spoiled or silly in a bad way. I also meant everything I said about you." His thumb moving some to caress her hand before he sniffed in a mock haughty manner. "Even if you just talk to me because your bored it appears." Fighting to keep a smile off his face as he said it. Erik prayed his instincts were working for him more then against him. Slowly he took a deep breath and sighed again as he looked at her. "I just wanted to be fair and honest with you and I wanted to be sure would grow fonder with the real version of me and not some.. idealized version of myself that wasn't real." Sure it was probably a foreign concept to some to not wrangle people in on half truths to get them emotionally invested. He wasn't about to do that to her. Erik also realized apart of him might actually want her to run away now. The part that felt he really didn't deserve the sort of 'normal' most other people had. A soft smile played on his lips as he looked at her. "Please tell me I am making sense and don't sound like an utter loon."

Erik spoke and Janelle listened intently. It was hard to wrap her mind around a life where violence and even death were commonplace because the concepts were so foreign to her, but she was relieved to see that Erik didn’t think he was bad. As she’d said, there were far too many good things about him for her to entertain the notion.

In fact, there he was again, validating her and her privileged existence. The fact that he was even teasing her about it was good and she almost stuck her tongue out at the quip, as childish as that would have been.

”It’s exactly the opposite, in fact. I was commenting on how kind it was of you to take time to talk to me.”

Honesty was another virtue, and Janelle could tell by how this conversation had gone that it had cost Erik a lot to bring all of this into the open. Janelle nodded her head as he commented, wishing she had something to reciprocate that would show him that she was worthy of the information.

Did he make sense?

”Of course you make sense...I can’t say that I love the idea that your life has been so violent…” she said, brows drawn slightly together in a frown. They were young the very thought that Erik had been through so much was super upsetting. ”But that’s hardly your fault...I like you and as terrible as so many of those things have been...they’re the things that made you who you are.” she said, cheeks coloring once more as she stumbled a bit to try and find the right words.

”At least I don’t have to worry about you getting hurt? Right?” she said with a slightly exaggerated smile and a shrug of her shoulders. Hopefully a tiny bit of levity was appropriate here.

”I want to meet these kids...the orphans. If there’s one thing I have, it’s resources. I’m not much in a fight...but I can help too.”

A server approached, arms laden with food and gave a slight scowl at how the two had changed the seating arrangements to suit their apparent needs. How was one to serve a proper meal to people who were not seated properly?

At any rate, the plates were laid, and after the brief interruption, Janelle fiddled with her fork, poking a bit at the chunks of beef in the rich beef stew she’d ordered.

”Your life sounds pretty exciting...I hope I don’t end up too boring.”

”It’s exactly the opposite, in fact. I was commenting on how kind it was of you to take time to talk to me.”

The signature Erik flat look returned as he looked at her uncomprehending how to take that statement. A brief moment between statements as he tried to really look at her and figure her out some more as the puzzle of her self slowly unraveled. After baring parts of his own self one would expect him to feel more wrung out then he actually did. Instead some of the hard edge of himself seemed to have relaxed some in her presence. Her previous statement he would have to come back too later as she continued to talk.

Even he found his cheeks coloring a bit at the support and reverification she really liked him. Unable to do more then nod in agreement with the words he had told himself many times since he had come to New York. At the attempt at levity he gave a little chuckle and did his best to attempt a reassuring smile. "That is true. No worries about permanent injury here, but if that makes you depressed I can always randomly call in sick one day and you can bring me some soup." The smile blossoming into a roguish grin at the thought.

Then he shrugged a bit. "You can always head down to Sanctuary yourself. Though you would probably get a better reception if you showed up with a known entity such as myself." No arrogance in his words just a simple statement of fact. Strangers usually had to earn the right to be trusted. 

Erik pretended not to see the scowl for simple expedience of not having any further meals potentially tampered with. Looking at his braised chicken with curious eyebrows. With reluctance he slowly extracted h is hands from hers so he could eat 'properly' his fintertips lingering a bit more than was probably necessary along her palm and forearm.

Then she had to go and talk like she was less than amazing and his eyebrows furrowed into not quite a scowl. Laying down his form and knife neatly on the plate before giving her a come hither look as he leaned in. "Let me tell you a secret." His face clearly showing he was not about to take no for an answer. Once he could lean over to whisper into his ear his face immediately softened and it was all he could do to keep from laughing in a mixture of silliness and nervousness. Once his lips got close to her ear he whispered gently. "You are not boring and even if you were I think I can be exciting enough for the both of us." Before he could rethink his plan of action and before she could slip away he pressed his lips to her cheek. Letting himself linger there for a moment if she let him before drawing back to his normal position.

"I don't want to pry if you don't want to share... but did someone treat you like an object or a trophy at some point? Most people who grow up privileged usually end up rather self obsessed and you are not like that at all thankfully. Though,  you keep acting as if you weren't an amazing and special person and I just would like to know why? I promise I won't hunt them down and break their legs... probably." Eyes dancing a bit playfully at her and looking far more relaxed then he felt he had any right too.

Janelle wilted a small bit under the flat look that Erik was giving her, not in a bad way, but in a way that he made her feel silly for her doubts. That was actually a good thing...right? It kind of made her want to smile when he said things that made her feel so...validated.

A visit to this...Sanctuary might be in order, when Erik had time to take her. Something in his tone made her feel like his presence would make any visits far more productive than simply walking up and knocking on the door. Ideas were already starting to form in Janelle’s head about what she could do with the funds she had access to from her family. Generally her parents didn’t care what she did with her funds, as long as it was legal. They usually didn’t even look unless the accountant pointed something out...which had only happened once in recent history when she’d been squirreling money away for something that never had panned out.

Janelle was still spacing out, thinking about what she could do with that little nest egg when Erik leaned in and whispered in her ear.

Shoulders scrunching just slightly at the proximity and the warm breath on her ear, Janelle couldn’t help but smile as Erik spoke, the smile growing to a grin he kissed her cheek. That was something she could get used to.

Erik spoke again, and the grin softened to a slightly sad little smile and she returned to poking at her food, spearing and eating a few vegetables as she considered how to answer. It was a somewhat difficult topic, and something she hadn’t talked about much. People had a hard time understanding.

”It’s not exactly that…” she said, turning to look Erik in the eyes as she spoke. ”Though it kind of is that...growing up like I did, around the kind of people I grew up around...everything is a competition.”

It was true. The people in the lower levels of the social circles always felt the need to prove themselves to the people in the higher levels, and some of the people in the higher levels felt the need to lord themselves over everyone and assert themselves as the top of the proverbial food chain.

”People want to show everyone else how great they are and how much they have. They want the best of everything, and the best is generally determined by what’s the most expensive or the fanciest.” Janelle shrugged and dropped her eyes. The whole thing made her feel gross.

”None of it ever really made sense to me, and it was always kind of hard to tell who was being genuine and who just wanted to be the best. Sometimes they didn’t even know they were doing it. I just...never really know if people value me or who I am.” It had been kind of lonely growing up that way once her friends had realized their relative positions in the pecking order.

There she was again...complaining about things like this to someone who had literally had to break the law to survive when he was younger. The redhead winced, ”I’m sorry. This must all seem so silly.”

Boy that stew was suddenly interesting.

Just because Erik was hungry and had started in on his own delicious meal did not mean he wasn't listening to her very intently. His mind building up a image of her life as he let her speak. Something a therapist once told him was an effective use of active listening, something he was good at as he nodded at the appropriate moments. When she finished he delicately applied the ridiculously fancy napkin to his face in a perfectly practiced manner before looking at her square and waiting to capture his eyes in his own slightly intense look, just the slightest bit angry if the slight slip of his jaw was any indication.

"Janelle." Pausing for effect and ensuring her ears, mind and heart were all tuned into him. "If you speak in such away that makes it sound like the experiences you had growing up were trivial I swear.." Taking a deep breath to make it look like he was calming himself and putting his practiced acting skills to good use. Jaw clenching further still before resuming. "I swear, I will put the French back into Kiss so hard your toes will be blushing by the time we are done and they ban us from ever eating here again." Waiting and staring at her his eyes unable to keep from dancing in merriment, waiting for the words to sink in and watching the recognition on her face as a grin splashed itself across his face, waiting for her to compose herself before he continued.

"We are very similar in that respect. All circles have pecking orders. Dodging knives may be more physically lethal, but social ostracisation is just as effective in your world. Granted skill usually determined pecking order, but reputation played its fair part. Just because someone was the best did not make them easy to work with. Is it better to have someone less adept, but never gets caught or not. Everyone face challenges and just because yours are different makes them no less important. The fact you could 'play the game' without getting drowned or swept along with it speaks volumes to your character."

It was sad in of itself. Not entirely unlike his own position growing up.

"Never knowing if someone is using you because they value you for your skills or are just maneuvering to a better position to screw you over. It makes a person cold and justifiably distant. You survived with your 'self' intact. A bit bruised and battered perhaps, as we all are. Yet you still ended up this fantastically wonderful person in spite of it all." A blink as he came to a sudden realization and perhaps another reason why, as he admitted to himself for the first time, he was growing to love this wonderful person near him. Throat suddenly stiff as he grasped at her free hand to keep the room from spinning some. "You Janelle. Are a survivor. Just. like. me." Voice low as the words were meant just for her. 

One thing Janelle decided over the course of the next few moments was that she didn’t really want Erik to be angry with her. It was impossible to look away, but the tone of his voice made her squirm and the redhead waited, watching the tension in Erik as he spoke.

At his words though...Janelle did blush. Maybe not down to her toes, but holy good-ness. Despite the serious turn of the conversation, the redhead couldn’t help but smile sheepishly. That was the sort of retaliation she figured she could handle. Janelle kept eye contact though, heart thumping against her rib cage as Erik continued to speak.

He said they were alike, and Janelle resisted the temptation to shake her head. Instead, she simply listened, nodding as he drew parallels that she couldn’t argue against even if she wanted to...which she kind of did.

That nagging voice in the back of Janelle’s head pointed out that she hadn’t really had to play the game, she’d simply been the pawn when others played. It was the whole crux of the matter when it came down to it, she’d been oblivious to what was happening one time too many and it had really come back to hurt her in the end.

Erik seemed sure though, and despite her earlier bravado, Janelle wasn’t sure she wanted to argue and risk a scene that would see them removed from the restaurant before they could even eat dessert.

Erik grabbed her hand, and Janelle found herself holding his just as tight. This night had been a roller coaster of emotions and it was next to impossible for her to look away as he pointed out that they were both survivors.

Janelle sighed slightly, who was she to argue with something like that? She didn’t know what to say. What did you say to something like all of that?

Blinking slightly blurry eyes, cheeks still vaguely pink from Erik’s outrageous comments, Janelle slowly nodded her head.

Maybe it was best to say nothing?

A thought occurred to the redhead and she finally broke eye contact, glancing around the restaurant for their waiter before bringing her eyes back to Erik. ”You want to box this up and get out of here?” she asked, slightly chewing her bottom lip as she tried to figure out her next move, ”This place feels really stuffy all of a sudden and I think I’d like to take a walk.”

Even if his job as a 'security consultant' hadn't included training to notice things or having it be a crucial survival skill as a criminal he still would have noticed the sheen to her eyes. He didn't know if they were good tears or bad tears. Hell he couldn't even the last time he had allowed himself to cry let alone trying to deal with others who were on the brink of the same.

Then she had a rather spectacular idea. Nodding h is compliance to vacate as soon as possible. "It does, doesn't it?" The food was delicious and the atmosphere was unique, but at this moment it felt rather lacking in something indiscernible they both needed. Doing his part get the waiter going on boxing up their meals and with their usual brisk efficiency they were out the door in no time. Stepping out into the cool evening air he inhaled it through his nose and smiled at her. "Cool evenings like this remind me of home." He offer with a smile for no reason in particular mostly grasping for a safe subject and hoping he hadn't made her overly upset with him.

Gesturing in a direction, "My car is this way if you would like?" Looking her over and noting the temperature he tilted his head some. "Are you going to be alright dressed like that or would you like to borrow my jacket?" 

It didn't take long to get the food bagged up and get out of the restaurant. She would call tomorrow and make sure their waiter got a nice tip as a thank you to all the trouble they'd ended up putting him through. This wasn't the sort of place that you simply up and left on a moment's notice. The fact that her family frequented the restaurant was probably the only thing that had gotten them out in any kind of actual haste.

The fresh air was worth it though. Things had gotten very real, very fast, and while it hadn't been in any kind of bad way, Janelle still needed to be someplace she could get her thoughts together. A stuffy, dimly lit building wasn't that place...granted a busy New York street wasn't her idea of perfect either. Still..the fresh air helped volumes and by the time Erik asked if she was going to be alright in her dress, Janelle felt like she was getting her bearings back.

Glancing down at her dress, the redhead chuckled slightly...she'd forgotten all about the dress. As if summoned by the thought, a chill swept through her and she smiled up at Erik. "If you don't mind..." she said, "I didn't plan to spend a lot of time outside."

The intensity that had built up inside the restaurant seemed to have dissipated a bit now, and Janelle didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Erik had been so open...she'd felt so vulnerable and validated. Had it been a fluke? Something he had said once they were outside wiggled its way across Janelle's mind and she smiled again, "You said this reminds you of home? Was it chilly a lot?"

"Of course I don't mind." He gave her a warm smile and undid the single button to his jack and set down their bag of food. "Understandable, though I didn't expect to last that long inside." It was a clear attempt at humor as he shed the second skin and helped her slip it on. Still thoroughly warm from his own body and smelling faintly of the dash of earthy cologne he had put on. Once he was sure she was comfortably situated he took up the bag of food and slipped his hand into hers with a grin as they began to walk. 

"It did seem to always be chilly. Of course I spent as much time outside in the nighttime as the day time of course. I believe the average temperature is a bit cooler in Moscow then here. The Summers certainly are." Making a bit of a face at that. Summers were not his favorite time of year in the slightest. "I do remember getting snowed in a few times in the winter. Me and all my cousins would spend the days playing games and take turns cooking for everyone. When there were shortages everyone would sleep in the same room, but noone made a big deal of it. Hard to complain when you are warm. It takes quite a bit of cold to bother me though." Smiling and shrugging at her. She hadn't really asked for everything but he felt comfortable enough to share. 

After a moment he looked over at her "Are you okay now? I didn't mean to upset you earlier."