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Well, she'd nearly messed up the plan from the get go, the curious looks she got from the young woman and Agnes's reaction could have sank the thing from the start, thankfully the flirting was going well and her friend diverted the attention away from her skillfully. So maybe she wasn't too bad but could she handle the next thing her quarry had planned. 

Cait had seen the young regular dancing here enough that she knew how good she was, and how many people would stare. Which she did, a few times. If Agnes could deal with the probing eyes while trying to dance and avoid casual body contact well the Scot would have to give her credit. Not that she was secretly hoping her companion would fail but seeing her in a less familiar environment and needing a little help would have been so cute. She might have also wanted to be able to teach the strange warrior something, even if it was just a little. But from the looks of it, for now, she was still going to have a disadvantage when it came to teachable moments. Shame, having a student was kind of awesome.

Once the pair were happily dancing away she relaxed a little, let the music wash over her and just experience the place. She'd gotten used to being able to get the feel of a place and tended to do it on a night out from sheer habit. It wasn't a wild night at least, it seemed like the mood was set to be a bit more relaxed and fun than intense. Pretty perfect for what she was trying to accomplish.

Now if only she could find a nice partner for the night it'd be perfect, but that might raise some suspicions if she looked too into the scene.

Instead, she had a nice chat with a couple of the people at the bar, one of them a person she'd seen here a few times and another who was a very convincing cross-dresser. She looked like a tall dashing gentleman and was a delight to talk too. The dear even tried to give Cait some tips if she ever felt like giving it a go and if she wasn't so self conscious about certain parts of her body, she'd be more than a little interested.

When a dance was offered she had to fight her inner party girl to keep control, but she did manage to get a phone number out of the deal and a promise of a night on the town. Even when distracted she didn't do to badly.

Speaking of, how was the adorable pair doing now that song was coming to an end. Would they keep going or was a number going to be passed over. Oh god please say Agnes got a number on her first outing, there was no way she'd get away with just blowing that off. Frankly she seemed the type that needed a good bout of stress relief with someone, maybe only rivaled in the base by the boss but well, she couldn't really do much about it until they got Jesse out of the Mirrors.

If she could wing-woman her favourite grump, that would be a better result than she could have hoped for. "Come on girl, impress me. Show me what you can do." Cait had only been musing out loud but a passing dancer gave her a pleased smile and a little shake of her rear towards the Scot. Damnit resisting something had never been so hard.

No wonder he had been so b----- confident, his attempt to yank the weapon away only made Devon more dangerous. Seriously, why did it have to be swords? About now he was really wishing he'd opted for a shield. With a shield and weapon, this would have been very one-sided in his favour but no, he had to show off. Now the guy could claim victory with a single, well placed hit.

Dodging the leg sweep, he shifted his hand position quickly to block the blade strike, letting it clang off the construct and then quickly shoving it away to give himself room. Things were getting hairy and now he couldn't sacrifice some pain for a counter hit and with the simple weight his weapon had even as light as it was by comparison he couldn't go for certain hits. Next time the sparred, he was tempted to put the rule down of face masks and gorget's. Then at least he could use the more disabling strikes the weapons he used gave him.

Using quick jabs and slices to keep space, he needed a plan. He was rapidly losing advantages and his friends higher skill level was coming into play more and more. Maybe it was time for an old classic of staff fighting. Counters. Blocking and striking in the same movement was a major skill in dueling with larger weapons, time to bring out those skills.

She hated to drag her friend away when she was so up close and personal with the guy but it was important and frankly Raine didn't look like she was enjoying herself right then. Her body language made it look like she wasn't pleased with how handsy the guy was getting. God did this college kids have no tolerance whatsoever? Matt was a light weight, and that was saying something. Even her friend had handled her drinks better and she was a hobbit.

The whining was a bit pathetic too, way to go Matt, let down the expectation. Obviously when this was all over if Raine wanted the guy, he was more than hers. The Scot would have a bear to find.

Taking the offered drink, she downed it in one go barely even noticing the stronger taste. Not the best idea but two drinks wouldn't do much more than give her a buzz and the bit of her that was a little freaked out needed the comforting power the concoction had.

"Well, whatever's doing this isn't in the drinks it's a real world effect." Which was kind of scarier. Someone dropping drugs in the communal pool was bad, someone or something that was messing up time was a whole league above that.

"Have you seen the time effects? The dance floors going at least two times the speed as the edges, maybe more."

They'd stumbled into something huge and Cait was lost at what to do. A bad guy she understood, you could talk them down or fight them if push came to shove but time? How the hell did you ask time to nicely stop screwing around?

Sighing and seriously wanting to pour another few shots, "I'm lost Raine, this is so far out of my experience it's not even funny. Do you know anything about the kind of energy this would take?"

Most of the time she didn't envy college students. By all accounts Caits life was pretty good, she had a solid job doing what she loved and earned enough for a nice little apartment and some fun times. Now, however, she understood some of her parents frustrations that she hadn't stuck in at school and gotten herself into uni because nothing in her years playing instruments helped this in any way.

Maybe it was time for them to call this in.

Cait stayed quiet and paid close attention to the man as he talked, not just the words but his body language and facial expression. While it was true she general took people at their word and gave people a level of trust, this was just far to important to be that naive. It chafed her to think this way, to be that person but risking her friends lives over a potential recruit was a push too far. After their last mission together there was no way she would do anything to but them in danger by being....her.

His answer was good though and she didn't get the impression he was going for false modesty or downplaying his own thoughts, he was being genuine, a rare trait. And he was a good person, even if he was selling himself a little short in that regard and to be honest, that was the most important thing. Sure the guy could fight and had an interesting power but doing it for the right reasons was what mattered. Christ she'd joined the team as a scrawny teenager with no skills whatsoever because Becca believed she wanted to help. Seemed only right anyone she considered should be there for similar reasons. But still, he was an unknown, best to keep the plans to herself for now.

"That's all any of us really do to be honest. We don't see ourselves as hero's, just people who have the ability to make a difference. If we can help, we should, you know?" They all had powers that could be used positively, it was their duty to help. "But thanks for giving me a proper answer, I do appreciate it and frankly, it goes a lot further than one you could have made up."

"Theres so few of us that having people around we know are solid and dependable, as a fighter or a source is always needed. If you're wanting to help a bit more we can always use more information gathers and people with their ear to the ground." Start off small, even if he didn't want to join up eventually they were in desperate need of even small things, having another resource added to the pile wasn't something to sniff at.

Looking up as their tea was brought to the table and thanking the young woman warmly, she gave the tea an experimental sniff and immediately relaxed. The sweet fragrance had such a soothing effect, she would have to thank Mako for recommending it. "God I needed this. Don't think there's anywhere in the city that does fresh tea this good." 

Most of Agnes' responses just made her grin broaden. For once she was getting the better of the woman and boy did the grump know it. It was a really weird feeling and chances are, it wasn't going to last much longer after her friend discovered the ruse. Maybe she wasn't going to break everything in sight when that happened, Cait liked this bar. Getting barred for what would, admittedly, be her fault was not a prospect she was looking forward to. How else was she going to meet cute girls in a safe, no groping bar?

Rolling her eyes, what did Agnes think they would have to do in a nice bar like this, kick peoples teeth in until they had answers? There was good reason they were dressed up like any other person here, albeit not truthful ones. The people at the base were running themselves ragged, burning themselves out way too quickly and as much as Combatant might hate her after this, Cait didn't care. Sometimes there were more important things than being liked and if this burned any chance of her getting that sweet hug from her biggest target, so be it. If being an nuisance, an annoyance got someone to de-stress that was fine by her.

God did she want that hug though.

"I'm sure it will, now go, flirt and be free! Just don't scare the poor girl." That was usually a bad idea when you were trying to chat someone up. Right next to insulting them. Still, the Scot was very curious to see how the woman would go about this and frankly, how receptive the regular would be. From personal experience she knew the woman was nice and sweet, perfect for some light flirting and talking.

Watching how Agnes' stance and movement changed, she had to give it to her, the woman could play a part. She was pretty convincing, if a little stiff and got nice and close without being noticed as being interested. Hmm, her stealth skills certainly came in handy here, looking inconspicuous while she got into positions, blending in and seeming completely at ease in the environment. Clearly the woman wasn't to be taken lightly and only because Cait knew her could she pick out little hints that she wasn't entirely pleased with the situation. It took more than a little self control to not snap some pictures to show others later but if the lies didn't get her killed, sharing pictures from tonight certainly would.

And then there was the moment of truth, the shy glances, the words she couldn't hear and.....it worked!? She actually flirted! This, this was huge. The grin on her face must have looked positively cat like at the sight in front of her. The stone-cold grump herself was acting like a shy and innocent party girl, successfully apparently. How the hell? Since when could she be human?

"You have got to be kidding me!" shouting a little louder than she expected and getting more than one glance, she quickly ducked her head and took a few gulps of her cocktail, before resettling her eyes on the scene. Oh dear, an offered hand, how was she going to navigate that one? This was going to be sooo good.

Well, until the truth came out. Then it might be not so fun.

Oooo Jasmine tea, one of her favourites. Mako knew her tastes pretty well and his tea always tasted fresh and wonderful. For a British person living in the U.S. good quality tea was a life saver. "Sounds wonderful, I'll have to go for it."

Cheshire went for green tea? Hard to argue against a choice like that in a traditional tea shop, good to know he had decent taste and anyone who Mako rated was good in her books, the man was an excellent judge of character. Hopefully this chat would get some positive results. One way or another.

Nodding and smiling warmly at the young woman waitressing and sitting slowly in the booth she turned her full attention on the man across from her. "Thank you, same to you. Can't go wrong with a classic." OK, chances are the guy had already clocked her, admittedly poor, accent and the fact she took certain measures to cover her identity. Time for a wee bit of trust.

Dropping the accent for her normal voice, "I hope you don't mind we don't use names, can't be giving away too many secrets after all. But thank you, you really saved me some massive trouble. So, why did you do it?"

It sounded like an easy question but those answers were very important. Some people lied when they replied, hoping to big themselves up, others didn't really know. Getting an idea of her new friends motivations would help see if he was a good potential recruit.

Not getting contacted by Xavia for a few days chafed at him, he could understand why but it didn't stop it making him snippy with friends and a little grumpier than usual so when the call came through he was pleased to say the least. "Same lass, it's really good to hear from you again," the warmth in his voice was obvious. Frankly he was just glad she was unhurt and still wanting to talk to him after what had happen. Logically he knew she wouldn't blame him for not being there to protect her but an evil little voice in his head kept whispering to him.

Getting invited over for a relaxed meal sound like the perfect way for them to meet again, even if she was scared of the wider world. That would take time but she'd get there, she was stronger than most people he knew. That and the idea of a home made meal was mouth watering. The girl could cook, that was clear. 

Knowing that she had chosen him to come visit did strike a chord with the Scot, he was kind of amazed he was that important to her. Sure he'd caught glimpses that she cared a great deal about him but this was pretty solid evidence. For once though, in a long time that idea wasn't scary. Artair had already been thinking he was going to ask her if she wanted to make, whatever they were official but more pressing matters had come up. Like stopping her dying for instance. After getting her patched up and everything that went on after, the time hadn't felt right. Now he was staring at a golden opportunity.

Choosing pretty casual clothes they were still a decent quality. Jeans, a plain t-shirt and fitted shirt over was plenty enough to meet her, he'd even rolled up the sleeves to help cool down on the journey over.

Arriving and looking up at her house, he felt butterflies in his stomach. Wow, that was new. Not unpleasant but, weird. Kind of cool. The thoughts occupied his mind as he made he was in, looking up as he entered the main room to be greeted by her. God it was good to see her again. "Evenin' Xavia, really good to see you." Just a tad of an understatement.