Bernice was looking over everything as they started packing up for the day. Not planning to go into the dark alone by herself again, after their little venture underground she had joined the search for things outside the complex, and after Braxiatel gave a proper talk to the team and did a few appraisals personally, had left early to tend to other matters.
She was cleaning up a helmet when a figure approached from behind, casting a long, dark shadow in front of her. She turned around to see who it was as they spoke in a calm voice sweeter than honey.
"Ahem, Bernice?"
Braxiatel was wearing a suit again- what Benny distinctly remembered as being his favourite one too, showier than most. Hair made up, he was wearing his wine-red tie with hand-embroidered circular Gallifreyan- one he'd been caught out on for apparently saying 'Boss Bitch,' at one point, but it was still a beautiful one nonetheless.
"Yes Brax, what's up?" Benny asked. She flushed at the view, now sitting by his feet. Standing up, she realized exactly what Brax was doing.
He was presenting her a rose.
"For you," he smiled fondly.
He handed it to her, gently. It was a big, bold red one. She took a long sniff- it was wonderfully fragrant too. Then, just as he did in her dream- kissed her gently on the cheek. Her eyes twinkled at him as he did so. It was soft, and silent, and lovely.
Bernice wanted to hug him, but thought best of it. She was covered in dust and dirt, and he was in his Sunday best. Bad combination for that. Instead, she gave a big grin and picked what she'd just finished polishing up off of the ground.
"Oh, you're a star. Uhh- here's an Ice Warrior helmet?" Then Bernice frowned a little. "...Literal dream come true, that- and I just offer you an Ice Warrior helmet. ...Sorry- if I made it seem a tad underwhelming."
Braxiatel didn't seem displeased with that at all, and looked down at what she was carrying. "Oh, you didn't have to get me anything in return- but I do appreciate the helmet." He took the gift in one hand.
Benny fidgeted awkwardly and shuffled from one foot to the other, eyes pointed down at the ground. Luckily her own helmet was there to stop her instinctively running a hand through her hair and making that even messier. She could guess what he wanted to ask, but she was debating whether she should first. "...Want to- I don't know... maybe go on a date?"
"I was actually thinking something along those lines myself. Dinner?" he offered.
"Of course." Then Bernice looked down at herself, and laughed. "Ha- I do need to get cleaned up first, obviously. I don't think a restaurant would exactly like to see me wearing khakis covered in dust and mud."
Brax chuckled. "Not the kind of place where I have a standing reservation, no."
A smirk played across her lips, and she mentioned it offhandedly. "We are closing up for the night. I could get ready to go early..."
He offered a thin, slightly mischievous smile, and there was a glint in his eye. "Sounds like a plan. I'll pick you up from the hotel at seven?"
"Of course! Go on ahead." Benny gestured to him to do what he wanted in the meantime as she went back towards her tent. "Love you!"
"I love you too, Benny," he answered as he slowly strolled away, out of the dig site, an ice warrior helmet in his arms.
Bernice sighed as she watched him walk away, the aura about him like a bright candle flame as opposed to a dark omen tonight. Warm and calm.
Going about packing her things up and calling the group to do the same, she was hurrying to get it done as fast as possible- one member of the team called her out on it, but when Benny amicably explained why she was doing this, there was a general look of terror and they started getting ready for the evening early too. She didn't even quite realize why they reacted in the way that they did until she thought about it a little harder. She was just focused on not being late to dinner.
Collecting her satchel, she borrowed a hoverbike and rapidly motored down back to the city to reach the hotel again. The streets in this particular town were clean and picturesque, unlike on the planet's East-end areas.
She didn't really get a good look at the lobby before- but there was a distinct style to it. Modern, angular chandeliers, strange furniture that was neither rounded or pointy, and all in blue and gold. It was rather beautiful, in its own way. Alien, but not unsettlingly so, as was the case often enough.
The lift ride was a different story. Even with the speed they could safely go nowadays, sixty-five floors was a lot to ride up, and there was of course the potential for more people to pop in and make it stop. -Luckily, only one other woman walked in, and she was going to a floor above Benny's, so it wasn't too long all things considered.
Bernice fell into their room and made a beeline for the shower. This place had many shower settings- including the incredibly fast (albeit much less comfortable,) rapid wash. She'd just have to cover her face, seal the door shut, hold her breath, and get sudsed to hell and back.
Stepping out after a dry cycle and properly sanitized from all the grime of the day being completely gone, Benny went about finding her dress.
Deep in the bottom of her suitcase was a dark blue ball gown- very similar to one she'd bought at the Collection's beginnings and worn to all sorts of events in the past. But this had a sort of tapered gradient to dark violet, and rhinestone stars forming constellations all across the velvety fabric.
The design of it was by no means modest- for fun and practical reasons, there was a long slit up almost to her right hip. While a design choice she liked enough in the first place, it also made running away without tearing much easier, which was something that happened very early in the original's life. It had straps, but just barely, and they were held on by silver-coloured rings. The amount it stuck out from her chest left little to the imagination and somehow managed to correctly emphasize what was barely there.
However, it still wasn't in her sexiest dress list at all- there were rather a large number of outfits that had needed to be bought in the past for specific purposes, that she held safely stowed away from prying eyes, where Bernice never planned to let see the light of day again.
The rest of the outfit consisted of a pair of dark high heels that helped the gown not be too long, and simple jewellery that mainly used small amounts of opal, to match the stars on the dress.
She didn't do much makeup- clear strawberry chapstick and a little blush was about it. And while Benny did opt for a little perfume, she hadn't brought a strong one either.
Ready, she called up Braxiatel and started the journey back to meet him down at the entrance lobby. "Brax, I'm ready. You can come pick me up. I've gotten into something a bit nicer, hope you like it. I'm glad I decided to bring some extra footwear- those boots would seem just a tad out of place in this thing."
"Perfect. I have already made all the necessary arrangements and... oh!" Then he caught sight of her. "-You look... lovely." Benny could see he'd been waiting by an air limo just outside, but Brax emerged from his side of the glass door to greet her, and she leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. The dress showed enough skin that it exposed most of her scars- but to Braxiatel, they were still beautiful in their own way. A mark of her strength and endurance through hardship.
Bernice winked at him. "Thank you. I do rather like this dress. And you look handsome as ever," she complimented back. But it was true, he did.
He glanced away and she could see him flushing again. "Oh. Thank you-"
Her response was a smug grin and giving him another kiss on the cheek, "Well, let's get going shall we?"
Judging by Braxiatel's reaction to what Bernice had suggested, he'd gotten a bit distracted and had his head in the clouds. Or his eyes on her legs. One of the two. "Hm? Oh yes- ahem, yes, let's get going!" he managed to finally get out, overcompensating for his obvious lack of usual stern confidence here.
They walked over and took seats in the luxury hovercar, Benny getting as close as she could while still remaining in the safety restraints. She got a whiff of his cologne- it was something piney, with a hint of spice. Simple, nice. He also smelled faintly of tea- but he may have just drank some before coming to pick her up.
Completely contrasting this behaviour however, Benny stated. "Since we'll be in public I'll try not to make you lose your composure... again. I know you like your persona. Wouldn't want to ruin that, would we?"
"Thank you, I appreciate that," his hand rested on hers.
"Emphasis on the try though," she added. It being around people didn't mean she wouldn't be tempted to at least fluster him a bit.
"Well, yes, with that dress, it will be a bit of a challenge." He looked closely, then glanced away again in a noticeable cycle of ogling.
Benny seemed a little haughty about that. For herself or about him she wasn't quite sure. "Oh ho! Flirty tonight."
"Just honest," Brax shrugged.
"Why, thank you."
The ride was short and sweet, and when Brax helped her out of the car, they were in front of an extravagantly decorated building- definitely sticking out from the rest of the city, with old-fashioned gilded plant patterns and white walls, hanging flower pots every few feet.
Benny took in the view of the building as they got closer. "Sometimes I'm lucky and get first-class, but damn... After you?"
"Bernice- what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't get the door for you?" he questioned, his tone a dramatic feigned offence.
She rolled her eyes playfully and huffed. "Oh ye of chivalry. If you insist."
"Well, my mother taught me manners, if nothing else."
Benny surrendered and he gladly opened the door for her. She almost gave him another kiss as she passed by, but came to the understanding that by the rate his head went into a fog at them, Braxiatel would likely lose grip of the door handle and get it stuck on his foot.
Taking in the view, it had a high ceiling and candelabras spaced across the walls, chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. The atmosphere was bright and cheerful, with an aristocratic feeling similar to that of the Braxiatel Collection. Not everything was the same though, obviously. He just had consistent tastes.
"Whoa- even more impressive up close. But you're pretty damn impressive yourself, Brax," Benny nudged him with her shoulder.
"Always happy to impress!" he grinned.
"Always managing."
They came arm in arm to reach the greeter, a blue man with five eyes and six-fingered hands. He gladly directed them to their table and offered a pair of menus. Not that it was easy to tell, but there was an air of familiarity about his species. Or- not in his features, or his voice anyway, something else that was distinct. A feeling. A very specific feeling.
"So, what sort of cuisine does this place specialize in?" she asked him.
"French, mostly," Braxiatel answered, grazing over the menu.
"Ahhh, French. No real surprise there. Very you. I really should brush up on the language a bit more. Was never very good at the conjugation modifiers. Hmm... And uh- Brax. By the way, not to seem rude, but do you recognize that guy's species?" Benny pointed in the general direction of the blue man.
He shrugged and leaned in close, whispering, "I know him, yes. J!Cew-LaFta, He's one of the last of the People outside the Worldsphere."
Her eyes widened. "There are still People outside the Worldsphere?"
He gave a subtle nod and muttered under his breath. "Yes, there's an interest group or two of organics left over, ran just a bit late on the recall, but they were- erm... trapped. Locked out when it was sealed by God. A sensitive subject for him, try not to bring it up."
"Huh," Benny looked awkwardly down at her menu, trying to avoid seeming offensive in the future.
The datapad containing the menu showed a list that was long and extensive. It took a while for Benny to think of what she wanted, but when she hit the soups she just barely managed to hide a wicked grin. Alright, maybe she wouldn't be holding on her word to avoid being too flirtatious in public, and French onion was tasty. She looked up from it. "What're you getting?"
His answer was as casual as they came. "Oh, just some confit de canard- and you?"
If their conflicting levels of sophistication weren't obvious enough, her answer put them on full display. "...Onion soup. -I like the cheesy bits."
The datapads sent their orders away and Benny decided to strike up a conversation- starting with a strong statement, taken entirely seriously. "You think I'm too young for you."
He tried to hide the look on his face. Whatever it was, it wasn't a good one. "Well- that is an occupational hazard... Benny, you are very young compared to me, being human."
She put her hands up in a gesture to hold on. "Stop- stop. I wasn't going to fight you on it. I get it. And I don't think you're necessarily wrong. But technically now, much as I hate acknowledging it, and look it or not- I'm a senior citizen. Old enough to be a grandmother. In fact... I might be one soon," she added.
"Oh?" He seemed confused.
"Peter and his husband Diego are looking at options..." she explained, trailing off.
Braxiatel gave a genuine smile. "Oh really? Well, I'm very happy for them!"
The grin she returned was a weary one. "I'm glad he's getting the chance in... better circumstances than I did."
He nodded. "Yes, well... Peter is a remarkable lad, all things considered. He reminds me of a bit of my brother at that age."
She looked back at him gratefully. "I'm glad you like him- and I'm even gladder that you helped out when you did."
"Well, despite what people might guess. I like children. I'm not very good with them, but I like them well enough."
Benny looked away. "I'll admit... you weren't the first person I expected to go to his aid without expecting anything else from me other than coming to Legion. But you did well enough- and I'm grateful. Maybe you're better than you think."
His voice lowered. "Yes, well... Like I said, he reminds me of my brother a bit. Call it a soft spot. I have a lot of mixed feelings about the Doctor, but I do have a duty of care over him."
"Admit that to anyone who's met him but me and they'd be rubbing it in your face for ages," she joked.
Still whispering, he elaborated, "Oh, believe me, I am not one to say it often. Like I said... mixed feelings. He was a difficult child to help raise."
"I like the Doctor, but I think everyone has slightly mixed feelings on him. You deserve it. Putting in that effort... only for them to hate you..." Benny started staring off at that, mind drifting back to Peter.
"Yes, well, don't all children grow up to hate their guardians? I always had a more fatherly role in the Doctor's life than a brotherly one- our actual father, well. When you get right down to it, we're not so different, he and I. Just on different paths." It was true. Regardless of what it seemed on the outside, they both cared much more about the greater universe than normal, both liked humans, and history, and frequently flaunted the laws of time for their own reasons. There was much more than that on a deeper level, but this was the easiest way to understand it.
She fiddled with her hands. "I wouldn't have a matching experience to that bit, I'm afraid. And I walked a different path from my son. But I'm very grateful he's not on the same road as me."
"I suppose I could've approved more of the Doctor's if it got me into less trouble. When he made our mother angry we'd... both take the blame." He glanced down, with a slightly resentful, slightly pitiful look in his eyes. Picking back up his stern mask at the thought, he finished. "And of course, as we got older, 'mother' became The High Council. Do you have any idea how hard it is to become president when your brother is... like he is."
It was starting to make Benny uncomfortable too, and her eyes were getting moist. That was apparently a rough subject for the both of them- "Braxiatel... when we can avoid it, could you not strike up a conversation about our mothers if that's alright?"
He realized what he was doing after a look at her and stopped. If it kept going like this it would somehow eventually reach Claire Summerfield, and then care to say it or no, they'd likely both end up crying. "Ah, yes- of course. I apologize."
"I know, Brax. I don't blame you. That's just a topic I don't want to have to touch for a while- at least not over dinner." Her mind fell back to Peter and his partner. "Anyway, if it does happen, I'm sure that the new child will have an excellent pair of fathers."
"I don't doubt it. Peter is a fine young man and while I haven't met his husband, I'm sure he's of the highest calibre." That was something Brax was positive of. The piece that was left of Antonio was still a wonderful boy- who Peter finally got as a real person would undoubtedly be even better.
Bernice's eyes lit up as she caught sight of J!Cew-LaFta pushing a cart, wafting the scents of wine, onions and duck towards them. "Oh, look- food's here, Lovely!"
The waiter took the dishes and placed them on the table with great care. The smells were mouth-watering. She absolutely wanted to just dig in right away, but knew that it'd be far too hot to even get more than a nibble.
"Thank you, J!Cew-LaFta. There will be an appropriate tip in it for you." Then he spoke to Benny. "I hope you enjoy it. This place is a personal favourite of mine."
Bernice raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you came out here other than when you were picking me up from sketchy bars..."
"Well, I do pick you up from sketchy bars not infrequently. Sometimes I just stop off for a bite somewhere on the way," he shrugged.
She inspected her meal, poked at the cheese to create holes for the steam to escape from, and then gave a satisfied sigh at the flawless browning and wonderful smell. "Oh, perfect. This cheese is quite nice."
"Well, I am a man of impeccable taste," he gave a thin smile.
She smirked, and glanced up. "I'm going to be leaning over this soup. I won't lie, I'll probably be spending a lot of that time checking you out." Then, just as Benny said, she leant forward towards the bowl.
"Do I look good from that angle?" he inquired, mildly curious.
Bernice huffed, taking another bite and then wiping her mouth. "Lovely chin. And I can see the lights in your eyes better."
"Oh, thank you! I... don't think anyone has ever complimented my chin before."
In his thousands of years using the same face, never was a bit of a surprise. "Really? Huh. Mmm- I like this soup but I think this might just be the best I've had of it."
"I'm glad you're enjoying it. It's arguably the best this side of the galaxy." Brax paused, giving a closer look at Benny. And I must say, you look... rather good from this angle too." Brax looked down at Benny, notably a bit lower than her head.
That certainly made Bernice a bit intrigued. "Really? well then. Interesting..."
He seemed clueless, head in the clouds again perhaps. "What is? The soup?"
"You really are cheeky," she commented, resting her head in folded hands.
He didn't seem sure whether he'd been caught out on staring or not. "I'm not sure what you mean?"
But Benny only laughed. "My eyes are up here. Ha!"
He turned red and stuttered, not sure what to answer that with. "I wasn't...! I mean... they're rather on display..."
She grinned, leaning lower, almost shaking the spoon and pointing it at him. There was a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "If I wasn't comfortable with this I wouldn't have ordered something liquid. I'm just teasing."
Either that made him more confident or more embarrassed. It was hard to tell which. "Oh, well... they're lovely."
"Why thank you, Irving..." she purred, before slurping up what she didn't realize was the last of the soup.
"Sorry, I'm- I'm not very good at this," he muttered.
Benny rolled her eyes. She knew him far too well to consider this a problem. "Don't worry. You're doing great. Told you, it's your self-loathing. Even if you don't think you do, I've been able to tell for a very long time. You're not inadequate, and you don't have anything to prove to me anymore."
Braxiatel looked down at his mostly-finished duck, unsure of himself again. "Perhaps not, but I'm certainly not as experienced at romance as some... at love."
But she only shook her head at him. "Everyone needs to start somewhere, Brax. I'm not judging."
He thought about it, then explained, "Well, it doesn't seem to be something I'm usually naturally inclined to. Benny, I've only loved one other person in my whole life."
It'd been a long time since Bernice had a bite, and she kept staring up at him when the spoon came up to her mouth empty. She'd been out of it for a while. "Wait a second- how long have I been done with my soup? I've just been leaning over an empty bowl, haven't I?"
She sat back up and it took a second or two for his eyes to catch up with her face. Brax almost choked out his words, "A-a few minutes, but I'm not complaining."
"I'm glad. Don't want to be too much for you." Benny almost smirked, but looked down with a subtle frown.
"Too much for me? Bernice, we've been friends for a very long time and I have picked you up from a lot of seedy bars. I'm quite used to that part of things." He tried to gesture toward her bust in the most polite way possible.
"I meant I didn't want to come on too strong. I've been trying, but that could've been a bit of a slip. It's just that it's different now. The implications, I mean." She tried desperately to cling on and find the right words. "I... don't want to drive you away because of something dumb."
He looked mildly concerned at what she said. "A little less 'girls gone wild?' Alright. But Benny, it takes an awful lot to make me leave somewhere I want to be on purpose."
She perked up a little at with her being somewhere he wanted to be. "Just, generally though."
Brax wasn't sure if it would make her feel any better, but he tried. "I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. It's not the physical aspects of a relationship that are foreign to me."
It did make her feel a bit better, when she remembered what he was referring to- but it also made Benny a little conflicted thinking about it too hard. "Right, right. I've heard about what you're... willing to do... for art."
He cleared his throat. "Not just art, but, er, yes, not my most... ethical moments."
She swallowed. "-Maybe we shouldn't talk about this in a restaurant..."
He gave a similar look regarding the unsavoury topic. "Yes, perhaps not."
Bernice changed the subject once she saw he'd finished his meal too. "...Dessert? Or should we go back to the hotel?"
Brax seemed largely indifferent to the suggestion. There were benefits to both, after all. "Whichever you prefer."
"I wouldn't mind sharing a tiramisu..." she suggested.
He nodded in agreement, already placing an order on the datapad menu and pushing it aside, as well as calling for the bill afterwards. "Then we may share a tiramisu."
Benny cocked her head in thought. "I suppose I'm sacrificing a little authenticity, since they aren't really French, but hey- they're delicious."
"Well, maybe next time I'll take you to Paris. In the meantime, we'll make do," Braxiatel chuckled.
"Now that is an idea. The ideal romance destination across the universe over and we can go there even though it's gone- preferably at a nice time period," she added. She'd been there before, of course. But not exactly in the ideal years.
"We can do anywhere and anywhen we like," he shrugged.
She leaned toward him again and whispered, "I like the way you think, Irving Braxiatel."
"Thank you, I do have good ideas from time to time."
Brax scarcely noticed J!Cew-LaFta's return with a small dessert, and sliding a plate with two forks in between them. Benny had to point it out to him. "Another good idea is right in front of you right now. It just arrived."
When he finally caught sight of it, he already knew it'd be good in one way or another. "It does look delicious."
They both picked up the forks and took moderately-sized bites, savouring it slowly. "Huh- mmmmmmm. Wonderful. There's quite a variety in the recipe- wonder what they used. French onion is pretty standardized. Not a whole lot of variety- a ton of onions, beef stock, you know. But tiramisu has surprises," Bernice smiled.
He analyzed the taste of it closely in an attempt to answer her question. "Agnomian Kahlua, I believe. It's got quite a unique flavour."
She took another- it really was to die for. But that begged the question, "Does it? I can think of something else with a unique flavour right now... But unless you're ready for some heavy PDA that's going to have to wait." Her eyes fell to his lips.
That was certainly something he wasn't going to fight her on. "Oh, yes, perhaps we'll save that bit for when we get back to the hotel."
"While this is amazing, I'm rather more excited for that now that I think about it." Just to emphasize that, Benny picked up the tab. But at a look, her eyes widened. "Goddess... I could buy a house with that much-"
"It's quite alright, Bernice, I brought my chequebook," he assured.
"Good, because if you didn't, I'm not in the shoes to run from extremely angry staff, or even police considering the size of it..."
"I would never ask you to do a runner on a date. I'm a gentleman, Bernice." To prove it, he wrote a ridiculously large sum on the cheque and left it on the table.
"I wish I wasn't used to it... Most of my dates have gone wrong somehow, and I was a bit worried about tonight, frankly. I'm glad you sent him off, if you know what I mean." If Benny could nudge him with her elbow from this side of the table, she would've.
"Yes, I can't think of what I would do if he were to turn up and interrupt things. It would likely be... unpleasant." He managed to not seem too put off by it, but the allusion still wasn't a good one.
Benny raised a finger and gave a look of scepticism. "...Would it get us arrested?"
"I wouldn't do it here," Brax added.
She sighed and accepted them not being possibly arrested as 'good enough,' slightly exhausted. "Fair enough. Ready to go?" she asked, as the final bite of their dessert vanished. She licked her lips, both savouring the taste and moistening them for later.
He smiled and offered his arm for her to take and she wiped her face and stood up next to him. "Yes, shall we?"
"I should think so. I'm still a bit hungry, if you know what I mean. But that's... not something for anyone else," Benny winked.
Braxiatel looked down at her, now that he was taller than Bernice again. "Yes, quite, we could do with some privacy."
They strolled out of the restaurant excitedly smiling, arm in arm. Benny practically wanted to drag him. But soon, they'd find the real perfect flavour.
