Cost of Living - 3/28

"Yes, sir, I do remember that. But I was faster than you, sir."

"So you were, but you missed a target, which--"

"Which is one more than you missed, I remember that too," Stasia finished for him, laughing, and Nikita saw her shoulders relaxing.

A deep chuckle rumbled out of Nikita's chest. "Even so," he said, "you were damn fast. Impressive for human legs!" Nikita tapped his thigh, a deep clang ringing forth. "But that's beside the point," he continued, tilting his head forward and raising graying eyebrows. "You said afterwards you showed up so early and were so eager to finish your exam because you wanted to get ready for dinner that evening. Well, today's not so different. This isn't an exam, but we need your speed and accuracy, and you've got a big date afterwards, too." Nikita paused, feeling as though something inside him had been tugged, like a missed beat in a song.

Stasia cocked her head, brows furrowing in concern. "I do? I thought I told Pietr I'd be on duty this week."

"Hell, it's not with your boyfriend." Stasia rolled her eyes, mouth opening in a retort, but Nikita cut her off. "It's better than that, Stasia." He remembered where he had met Kate. He felt the familiar impulse to push the recollection into the flame of memory, to guard it, but with a sensation of lightness he continued speaking. "When we get back from this mission I'm taking you out to the best frybread restaurant in Koraalgrad. I know just where it is, if it's still there."

Stasia's sudden laughter drew the eyes of the other soldiers, Rurik and Gavrie, who watched their commander put on a face of affronted pride.

"I'm serious. Just the two of us --"

Rurik leaned forward, heavy hand resting on Stasia's shoulder as he interjected, "And it's a full moon tomorrow night." Rurik spoke in profile, keeping the left side of his face turned away, and he winked. Through some subtle command of body language, he transformed the innocent gesture into the suggestive leer of an old man. This drew a scowl from Nikita and another laugh from Stasia.