The dress was a problem, not in the same way as a locked door or protected files on a computer, those were easy to figure out, dresses were a whole new ball game and something she never got any hints, messages, or inclination about. Silk, satin, cotton, lace, cut, drape, sleeves; accessories, glittery things which made the black of the material shimmer and shine, she was utterly clueless and her face probably showed that, even she could sense her expression was one of pure and honest confusion, if not partial disgust over how low some of the cuts were on the backs and fronts of some of these dresses.

It was ridiculous, really. Anyone else would just walk into a shop, happily browse, maybe try some clothes on and figure if it was for them or not within moments. Emmeline's brain worked on a whole different wavelength of problems, issues which would be so minor to anyone else but her. She may have accepted how she was, not really having much of an option, but people weren't the same. Most believed that her golden hair was clearly a fashion choice, not a literal mutation. If anyone saw her eyes, if she dared to not wear glasses when out, they probably also thought it was some fashion statement, why would she want blue, green, hazel or brown eyes? Black and gold was so what she was in the market for.

With a suppressed shudder, she hesitantly let the material between her forefinger and thumb slip away. That felt very flammable, very thin too, don't get her wrong, her temperature ran higher than most people, if a doctor took her temperature they'd probably think she was running a fever, only it was all the time. She wasn't worried about getting cold, she was worried about setting something so thin alight if she gets stressed. As if she could feel her stress level spike up several notches, in response she shoved her slowly glowing hand into her jacket pocket.

Her earlier musings returned, she was attending something which she had seemed so enthusiastic about, when Bucky had waved the invite her way, she had seemed quite excited, a fancy party? Yes, sign her up, she hadn't ever really been to a party. Then it dawned on her, these people were all monsters in their own treacherous and secretive ways; maybe monsters were too harsh, but they were all dangerous in some way or another, she wasn't a total idiot. Sure, the event was for the first responders, it was a good cause, a damn good cause, but the people who were invited had been shortlisted by Valentina and that had Emmeline's brain turning to static.

It was all so well planned, the people who'd attend would be people Valentina would want to suck up to, no doubt. Emmeline could barely cope with a street, being shut in with these people was going to take a lot, so her enthusiasm was dwindling and the dress in front of her was mocking her, all in its sleek, sleeveless glory.

She felt out of place in this shop, she no doubt believed she'd feel the same at this event. At least, she guessed, her and Bucky could suffer together? That had her nodding slowly, joined pain in being somewhere they'd rather not. He was clearly scouting, and she, well, she was just there for the heck of it, really. Shaking her head, she turned away from the sleeveless dress. Her arms, hands, legs, down her spine; name a body part, and it was perhaps covered in a litany of scars. People stared, a lot. They stared even more so when something was before them that was an anomaly, and Emmeline accepted that she fitted into that category well and was signing herself up for pointless questions to be shot her way by ignorant people.

Shuddering again, Emmeline's eyes flitted sidelong, she was aware that she was being watched. The saleswoman present had tried to look busy, sorting out the little jewellery counter nearby, even rearranging some shoes, but every so often she looked at Emmeline with an assessing gaze. She was clearly trying to figure out if Emmeline was buying something, if she even had the money to buy something - Emmeline had seen some price tags, and the price was stupid for flimsy pieces of material - or if she was just wasting time and would leave.

Emmeline pressed her lips into a thin line; the saleswoman was giving off some really icy vibes that had her scratching her cheek in a totally awkward fashion as she sighed and sidled along to another rack of dresses. Glancing at her headphones around her neck, she was tempted to put them back on; having parted ways with Alexei, casually waving his way and turning off to return to her earlier quest of dress shopping, she had promptly shoved them back over her ears, the street and noise dulled out and she felt herself almost relax. It seemed rude to walk about the shop blaring music, especially if the saleswoman came to address her, which she seemed decreasingly inclined to do.

Or at least, that's what Emmeline believed before watching from a floor to ceiling mirror as there was movement. Emmeline raised an eyebrow, the woman was coming over, Emmeline reached under her glasses to pinch the bridge of her nose, was this good or bad? Did she want fashion advice from someone who was looking like she wanted to escort her out?

Before Emmeline could decide whether to just call quits, a voice piped up suddenly by her side. She jumped and looked startled, this woman snuck over really quietly. She seemed ignorant of Emmeline's reaction or didn't care as she slapped a rather false looking smile on her face. Emmeline found herself frowning, she was clearly about to be humoured, and she felt the strawberry milkshake in her stomach turn, she hated being humoured.

"Is there a particular style you are looking for?" Her voice was light, seemingly putting on her best customer service voice as her hands twitched by her sides. Every so often her brown eyes flicked to where Emmeline was hesitantly reaching out to touch something, only to retreat her hand back to her pocket.

Emmeline looked at the woman's name tag, Laura, Emmeline tilted her head, well, Laura and her sudden judgmental looks of trying to just place where Emmeline clearly flitted into this boutique, continued to smile, waiting for a reply. "Something that doesn't look like I'm trying." Effortlessness would be the one thing which would probably ease her jumping thoughts and worry.

Emmeline raised an eyebrow, Laura's smile stretched across her face languidly, so languidly it was almost creepy, Emmeline resisted a wince, were all salespeople like this? "We have several pieces which fit into the minimalist category."

Emmeline sighed, she watched Laura gesture to a rack nearby and Emmeline with the clear obliviousness of anyone who didn't quite understand what they were looking at, just picked up a random dress. She felt her nose scrunch up on reflex, it wasn't that Emmeline had anything against sequins, but she didn't feel like she was the type for glitter. The dress was a stunning shade of midnight blue though; the cascade of sequins though is what had her tilting her head in confusion. Other than not thinking she was the sequin type of woman, the dress itself also looked like an absolute nightmare to move in. It just seemed so impracticable, tight fitting, sleeveless, flaring out from the waist, she would probably trip and break her nose...

The little bell above the door jingled and Emmeline didn't see the displeased look which flitted onto Laura's face, she did however hear the sudden words which were spoken by someone she thought she hadn't that long ago said bye to. "Is too much sparkle. Makes you look like a disco ball. Very easy target."

Emmeline didn't turn, she did squeeze her eyes shut and resist hanging her head. She had said her farewells to Alexei, he had done the same, she thought he went off to do whatever it was he intended to do with the rest of his day. Not hang around her, least of all come seeking her out again. What did he want now? Without looking his way, she could easily imagine him peering around the door or now having come in, maybe learning near the door with his arms crossed over his chest and a wry grin on his face. His tone of voice sounded joking, if he wasn't smiling or grinning, she'd be surprised.

She inhaled slowly, shutting her eyes and exhaling, she turned at last. Sure enough, Alexei was indeed leaning, only instead of being near the door he had come to rest near a display of handbags. It was ridiculous, totally and utterly stupid, he looked so out of place just like she felt it being in this building. "Well, isn't this a surprise? Two times in one day, what do you want, Alexei?"

"Is not a surprise," he said, glancing at the handbags before pouting and shaking his head, clearly, he wasn't appreciating the expensive bags. "I am following you." That was simply spoken and had her blinking confusedly behind her glasses. Her reaction was quiet confusion while Laura now looked completely shocked by his admission, worried even that she may got a stalker situation happening in her store.

Was she even surprised Alexei didn't even try to lie? Not really. From what she could gather he didn't hold back and seemed fine with just coming out with truths. "You're...following me?" First apparently trying to seek her out, and now following? Emmeline didn't know what to say or do here.

"Da. Is boring. This is also boring. But less boring than continuing to sit in a cafe watching pigeons or go grocery shopping. Plus, you look stuck." Alexei declared easily as if he was telling her the time, or weather. He did seem to explain things with an ease which had her brain stuttering, but she watched him gesture vaguely around the rack of clothes, well he wasn't lying, was he? Emmeline was stuck.

Rubbing at her temples, she really hoped a headache wouldn't appear, she didn't do well with them; she felt a little irritated, she couldn't lie. She wasn't sure why she felt like this, the fact that she was blatantly having someone crash her days plan or irritated that he was right and she was trying to play off that she wasn't. The annoyance did go though, and it was replaced by something which confused her even more, relief.

It wasn't that Emmeline found Alexei's presence suddenly annoying, there was something strangely grounding and calming about him, even though he was clearly walking chaos and ignorance at times. But Alexei was also a distraction, he was also someone to suffer in this situation with; not that Emmeline went through life finding people to slog through uncomfortable situations with. Laura had been silent, looking between the pair and especially looking at Alexei like he was a stray dog that had just wandered in.

"I am trying to find a dress for that gala; remember I mentioned it earlier." Emmeline tilted her head, Laura was still looking between them, and Emmeline was trying to be subtle without naming or mentioning too much information. Against better judgement, she was going to ignore him tailing her through the busy streets.

"Ah, yes! For rich people to drink champagne and pretend they care about...what is it this time? Orphaned puppies? Rainforests?"

"First responders," Emmeline corrected, not that she thought Alexei would even know what Valentina's party was for, but he wildly missed the mark.

He stilled and nodded, thinking over something clearly before nodding again, "Noble," he was silent all for a moment before smiling her way. "So, you need dress to impress the people. This is important mission."

"It's not a mission, it's a party." Emmeline despaired, was Alexei really that bored that he was trying to make missions out of everything? Apparently yes as she watched him move his way towards her, he still looked out of place in this building; all bright lights, smelling of lavender with relaxing music playing overhead, he didn't seem to notice at all.

"All life is a mission, little sunflower. The dress is your camouflage." He said, his tone sounding thoughtful as he looked around the space with a sceptical eye. Too busy looking around what surrounded them, Alexei missed the blank look which flitted onto her face.

Little sunflower? Emmeline's brain just turned to static before shaking her head. She didn't sign up for a nickname, nor did she think she had ever been given a nickname, least of all one that sounded nice. Staring up at him, Emmeline just mused over how ridiculous Alexei was, but also, he was a damn sight more interesting than Laura. The woman cleared her throat, a short sharp sound which had both Alexei and Emmeline looking at her.

"Sir, are you with this lady?" Laura's tone had lost its customer service tone, she now sounded hard and sceptical, she clearly was still wondering if this was an unsafe situation.

"He's with me," Emmeline said before Alexei could respond, from his expression alone she could see he wanted to say some quip. The blunt way in which Emmeline answered and countered her own words, had Laura retreating a few steps, her professional mask back in place but her eyes hard and calculating.

Alexei beamed at Emmeline; she tilted her head and looked over the top of her glasses at him. "See, we are a team." She rolled her eyes; she'd just let him have it as he plucked a dress from a rack and held it up. "No. This is for a woman who wants to be seen from space. You want to be seen, but not from space. You want to be seen here, and here," he tapped his temple and his chest, over his heart.

Emmeline felt a laugh threatening to appear, she placed a hand over her mouth, but the sound still came out. Alexei heard the noise and looked her way, dress still in hand and it looking stupidly small in his grasp. Regardless of her not really understanding what he meant by his words, she waved a hand at him. "Red Guardian, are you an expert on evening wear?"

With a haughty expression, Alexei sniffed and shoved the dress back on the rack with a quiet clatter and crossed his arms. So sure, looking and serious, it lasted moments before a grin appeared on his face, it could just about be seen through his beard, the lights in the shop making his gold teeth glimmer a little more than usual. "I am expert on many things. Survival, propaganda, making good borscht. And I have watched many, many American movies. I know how rich people dress." Shrugging casually, he turned and scanned the racks with a critical eye which had Emmeline raising an eyebrow at, hearing a sudden startled noise come from him, she just tilted her head and watched him stalk off. "You need something simple, elegant. But with a secret."

Emmeline just stood and watched him, he wound up pulling a black dress out, made of velvet with a high neck and long sleeves, her eyes widened slowly, she was about to believe somehow beyond anything, Alexei had found her a dress, until she saw the back. The cut of it went daringly low, it had Emmeline subconsciously shaking her head, even though she didn't decline it when Alexei held it near for her to touch.

"Very conservative," other than the back, Emmeline had to admit it was a beautiful dress, it would fit it with everyone else, surely?

"Is not," Alexei argued shutting an eye and holding it in front of her. "Is a promise. You wear this, you walk in and everyone sees the front. Very proper. But when you turn..." with a dramatic sweeping gesture he turned the dress. "Surprise. A little bit of danger. Like a good spy."

Emmeline found herself smiling, she wasn't going to this thing to spy, Alexei had other ideas, clearly. Still, with her smile on her face she pointed at him and then at the dress. "A little bit of danger?" Why was she humouring this? Like, it was so stupid and far removed from almost anything she would do. Although there was a warm feeling in her chest, not her power manifesting, something content, humorous and enjoying how silly this was.

"Da. Everyone loves a little danger. Makes them feel alive." Alexei winked at her; the gesture was so comically exaggerated she couldn't help but laugh.

Startled by her own laughter, Emmeline reached under her glasses to rub her eyes. Her laughter was genuine and unforced, for a moment she forgot her earlier concerns on trying to fit in a room of people who would look at her like Laura did, like she perhaps didn't belong at all. At this point in time, somehow, Emmeline was just a woman in a dress shop, being advised somehow on dresses by a preposterous Russian man.

"Fine, I'll try it on." Emmeline took the dress from him after hesitating for several seconds. Alexei just smiled and waited for her to pluck up the courage to grasp the hanger, he didn't shove it in her hands, he just patiently waited and even gave a wave when she walked off towards the changing rooms.

If anyone told her this was how her day was going to go, she'd have laughed. It was like something from the Twilight Zone, no part of her ever saw this situation happening. The dressing room was plush, a carpeted cube with a three-way mirror. Emmeline kicked her boots off; she slipped out of her jeans and pulled her jacket off then dumped her top on the pile on the floor. She was glad Laura didn't try and intervene and see a need to aid her to change into this dress. The thought of her being near had Emmeline pulling her hair up into a functional bun for the moment, she didn't want her touching her to help her get dressed, she wasn't a child.

On the flip side of that, even with having already burned his hand today, Alexei was a strange and unnerving presence, evidently he had as much spatial awareness as a bull in a China shop, even with being burned he had sought her out, and he'd stood close at points and even leaned over her to open that cafe door. He either had zero fear or just decided that though she perceived herself to be a walking bomb, he was not afraid of getting burned again if she exploded...with any luck, she wouldn't.

The fact it was him giving her fashion advice had her rolling her eyes. No offence to Alexei, but she honestly thought he wouldn't know fashion if it slapped him across the face. Regardless, the dress she put on had her tilting her head, musing that it fitted perfectly and looked up at her reflection. She had to give him credit; she understood what he meant. The front was almost academic looking but looking over her shoulder, she could see the expanse of her back; there was something vulnerable yet powerful at the same time. Her eyes trailed over the scar which travelled down some of her spine, powers had to be stimulated sometimes, and that meant literally attaching things onto her that went into her nerves.

Reaching up and pulling her hair free, she shook her head and nodded. Putting her hands on her hips, she assessed for a few more moments. Nodding and pushing the curtain away, she held in a laugh when she saw Alexei, much to Laura's evident hesitance, examining a silk scarf with an intense level of concentration. Hearing movement had him dropping the scarf, for the first time his usual grin faltered. Straightening up, his gaze swept over her, not with a leering assessment but with a quiet, thoughtful appreciation.

Pointing a finger, he walked over. "That is the one, although..."

"Although?" Emmeline sounded confused, he sounded really thoughtful before she could stop him, he had reached up and plucked her glasses from her face with such a speed she was left flailing her hands in the air. She squinted her eyes shut and frowned unhappily, "Not funny!" She exclaimed annoyed, she kept her eyes shut but held out her hand, expecting him to give her glasses back but all she got was nothing. "Alexei, this isn't funny...give them back."

"But you can't wear them at the function. Open your eyes, Emmeline." Alexei watched the unhappiness flit across her face; he had crossed his arms and kept her glasses safely tucked in his hand. He was right, she couldn't wear sunglasses at the gala, but that didn't mean he had the right to just swipe them from her. He saw her head tilt, noting it was the first time she had heard him say her name. It wasn't just that reaction he noted, she was getting brighter, the air before him was warming. Alexei's eyes widened, he started fussing only to have her eyes open and glare up at him.

"Give them back." Emmeline held her hand out. There was a strange noise from Laura, which had Emmeline shooting her a look, she could feel herself warming up steadily and she'd rather not burn a nice dress.

Alexei did the opposite and it had Emmeline letting out an irritated noise which sounded almost like she was about to scream at him. He had grasped onto her shoulders, utterly oblivious apparently to what she said earlier that things burn if she isn't focused, and he turned her. Patting her shoulders and smiling he backed off as she looked at the mirror. Her shoulders were hunched up, and she still had a very grumpy face, but the tension slowly eased as she tilted her head.

"You look expensive. Black and gold, very expensive." Alexei nodded, sounding sure as he stood behind her.

"Is that a good thing?" Emmeline wasn't sure, she wanted to blend as much as she could. This seemed the opposite.

He gave a half-shrug, "Own it. It is you, you want subtlety, when you are clearly a walking star; subtlety is lost on you. So, you go to event, you burn brightly...not literally, and you enjoy yourself and their expensive alcohol."

"I can't drink alcohol." Emmeline admitted with an apologetic look sent to his reflection. Alexei let out a dramatic noise and even slapped a hand to his chest. The action was so dramatic and him, Emmeline smiled and let out a quiet chuckle.

"None? That is...that must be some crime," Alexei, admittedly, didn't know how to feel if he couldn't have vodka, not an alcoholic or anything but he liked a glass now and then.

"I can't metabolise it...wait, stop distracting me! I'm angry at you, give me my glasses back!" Emmeline scrubbed a hand down her face before rounding on him and holding her hand out again.

Alexei smiled, "You aren't angry, not really; you're feeling uncomfortable, which is understandable seems you hide behind these a lot. But you shouldn't need to, your eyes are unique."

Emmeline pouted and hung her head, "Stop complimenting me." She didn't do compliments, it made her feel weird. She hadn't ever been complimented, had she? She couldn't remember.

"Get the dress and I return your comfort blanket back." Alexei teased, holding the glasses above his head with a grin.

Emmeline stared at the floor before looking at his face then his hand. "I can fly, Alexei. Nothing is out of reach."

He gasped at that, "The surprises continue!" He did look up at his arm and then lowered it, seeing her just sigh, he held them out and watched her open the arms and balance them on her head. He smiled, happy at least to see she didn't hide her eyes behind the dark lenses as soon as the glasses were back in her hands.

Looking back at the mirror, Emmeline's expression went blank before nodding. "It is a nice dress." Alexei nodding, even letting out a happy agreeing noise. Emmeline rolled her head on her neck, clicking the joint loudly and looking down at the sleeves, missing the distant look Alexei sent to the ragged looking scar down her spine. "Fine. I will get it. I admit this one time, you were right."

"It is rare, but it happens." Alexei grinned suddenly when Emmeline turned and looked up at him before retreating into the cubicle to change. "You will need shoes..."

"Alexei, surely you have something better to do? Why are you hanging around me and doing this?"

Alexei listened to her voice, a little short as she was hidden away, the sounds of material moving could easily be heard. "As I said-"

"We are both bored, sure. I was stuck, yes. But surely you have something else to do?" Emmeline wasn't trying to get rid of her sudden company, she just didn't understand why. Opening the cubicle, she saw his distant expression go and be replaced by his usual laidback smile. "If you are hanging around me for more information, I don't know any more than what I said." It was the only thing which made sense to her, trying to learn more about the situation his daughter might be in.

Alexei sounded tired as he sighed, "This has been better than grocery shopping." He said, earning a raised eyebrow from her as she sidled around him towards the register, Laura looked almost ecstatic to have them finally leave. "But you caught me, I was just seeing if anything had slipped your mind."

"I can try and snoop information out." Emmeline said, Valentina was going to be at this thing, she could just...ask? Or subtly try. It probably wouldn't work, but even still if it eased the sudden distant disposition around Alexei, then she could try. Emmeline frowned and hunted out her wallet from her pocket, she could sort of understand, the alternative was grocery shopping then returning to a quiet apartment to think, to be left with all sorts of thoughts which would go around in a circle.

"That is kind of you," Alexei said, getting a sidelong look sent his way as she took the bag from Laura and left.

She could shop for shoes somewhere else, or tomorrow...against better judgement, Emmeline knew she was going to regret this, "I do need shoes." A wide grin appeared on his face as he opened the door for her and they left; Emmeline shook her head. This was so stupid, so utterly stupid; but she found herself feeling empathy for the much taller man beside her. She too understood how it felt to be without a cause, no wonder he latched onto anything which could be entertaining because the alternative was boredom.

The next hour or so was spent going in and out of shops, Alexei having a quip here and there about shoes and what they could be used for, other than obviously walking. In the end Emmeline bought black heels, the heel of which Alexei had said could probably be used as a weapon, if needs be. She didn't know how many people she'd be needing to stab with her shoes, but she humoured him at least with a laugh, until she realised, she wasn't humouring him and genuinely found the words awful, but funny.

As they stepped out onto the bustling sidewalk, Emmeline stuck near the buildings and away from rushing people. The afternoon sun was dipping in between clouds and skyscrapers alike; golden shadows stretched across everything as the noise of the city surrounded them. Emmeline tilted her head, the need to shut out the noise was quite high, but it would be really rude to stick headphones on when still with company.

"That wasn't entirely terrible." She admitted, readjusting the hold she had on her bags.

Alexei chuckled, a low rumbling sound which was accompanied by a smirk. "I think that is high praise, coming from you." Shoving his hand in his pocket he looked down the street before looking her way when she spoke.

"Thank you, Alexei. For the fashion advice and killing some boredom for us both."

"Anytime, Emmeline. Is good to have a mission, even a small one." She just rolled her eyes, her glasses back on, why everything was a mission with him, she did not know. She didn't mind seeing things as little missions to accomplish though.

Walking down the street, she felt a strange sense of lightness, a warmth which had absolutely nothing with the dormant sun-like ability which dwelt within her. It hit her suddenly as they crossed the road, it came from a completely innocent place of connection; sharing laughter over bad shoes, stupidly priced clothes and questioning fashion choices. Of course, she was still overly cautious as they walked down the street, it felt like people were just too close even though Alexei was walking on the roadside and she was still trying to hug close to the buildings around them. He was seemingly trying to shield her from the onslaught of rushing bodies on the street with them, subconsciously doing it or not, Emmeline had to admit she appreciated the gesture.

"I must admit, for a moment there, I did think you were going to spontaneously combust." It was perhaps the quietest he had been thus far. Emmeline looked at him with an unimpressed face as he chuckled away, him having already been burned by her today was laughing at her.

"Almost. It was tempting." She admitted, she had forgiven him somewhat for stealing her glasses.

Alexei laughed, it was a loud noise as he waved his hand in the air, even those actions seemingly toned down so she wasn't warily watching just where his hand was going. Yet again, she wasn't sure if he was aware he was doing it, but it eased her a little. Even though he was still very loud, and Emmeline wasn't good with loud at times. "To see that woman's face? It would've been priceless! She had the face of someone who had sucked a lemon. Bad customer face, not inviting at all."

"She wanted us out, Alexei."

"Clearly," he agreed but didn't seem to care about overstaying, evidently something he didn't care too much about because he was still with her. "But she shouldn't complain, she got a sale, you got a dress you look like you could burn the city down in while looking elegant, so win-win."

"Stop insinuating with the fire..." Emmeline despaired, he was sounding jovial about it, but she didn't like it, he muttered a quiet apology while she sighed. "Also, please stop with the compliments...if that even can be classed as one, I do not know."

Alexei sniffed, "To not know what is or isn't a compliment is sad."

"I grew up in a laboratory, in an isolated room with people who wanted to use me. They did not compliment my eyes, or my hair-"

"I never said anything about your hair," Alexei wished to cut in, even holding up a hand as she shot him a look. "I can though, it is the colour of-"

"No, stop. My point is the only compliments I got where if I exceeded a readout or achieved a milestone in power abilities."

"That is sad." Alexei sounded deflated for her.

"That was my life," Emmeline frowned, shaking her head, she looked at him suddenly with a clarity which just came from nowhere. "You had a similar experience, what and how are you like this?" He really did not come off as she thought, she had mused that already.

"Life is too short to be serious all the time. The bad experiences cannot stop you from having good ones; you should also not feel bad when these happen, you have no loyalties to those which did this to you, right? See, you agree, you nod, I speak sense, you are following." Alexei shrugged and looked about as they crossed the street. "My point, even former experiments, spies and soldiers deserve to be happy."

"Are you happy?" Emmeline asked slowly, curious really.

Alexei went silent, his face turning serious for a moment as he thought over her question. It wasn't too dissimilar to what Yelena had asked him. He wasn't fulfilled, no, he had been miserable but felt less so seeing his daughter at the time; right now, the misery was being kept at bay because of being with company, even if Emmeline had come off really against it, she seemed to warm up, no pun intended, to spending the day with someone.

Emmeline just waited, she readjusted the hold she had on her bags, looking around and wincing when a horn went off too loudly and a serious of other horns seemed to join in. Alexei saw her look pained before tilting his head in thought, "I would be happier if we went and got something to eat." His comment was offhanded and had her double taking at him, he just smiled.

Emmeline wasn't going to nag, he hadn't exactly answered her question, "I agreed to coffee-"

"You didn't have coffee." Alexei wished to point out, Emmeline's mouth shut as she pouted.

"Milkshake. I didn't agree to a shopping trip-"

"You tried to complain, but really I think you enjoyed yourself." Alexei grinned down at her, watching as she shook her head and bristled a little, she didn't like being cut off, it seemed. Which if anything made him smile more, he shouldn't find winding her up entertaining, but it was a little amusing just to see her little annoyed pout.

"I didn't agree to lunch." She said it quickly.

"Shopping is hungry work. We get food, we celebrate successful shopping trip, all is good. Come, I will introduce you to proper food. Not this...tiny portions on big plates nonsense."

Emmeline was dumbstruck, she should've said no. The apartment was calling her name, being out for way longer than she intended though she doubted Bucky was home yet. Did she honestly want to go home and sit in silence or watching cartoons? Appealing but she watched Alexei walk off so sure of himself that she found herself picking up her feet and jogging to catch up with him. Tucking her hands behind her back, she leaned forwards a little and smiled up at him, "Proper food?" She didn't know what he classed proper food as, but she was curious, mainly because truthfully, Alexei was hard to say no to. He possessed a gravitational pull that was less about charm and more about sheer, immovable presence; he was a boulder in a stream, the water had to flow around him, and somehow, it felt easier to just flow with him.

"Russian, wholesome. Strong food for strong girl." Alexei nodded, sure tone of voice and all as Emmeline raised an eyebrow, she decided to not remind him of her actual age. He seemed intent on this, and she just walked beside him with a wry smile.

Seeing as she wasn't disagreeing, Alexei smiled too and the pair continued walking down the street. As it turned out, where Alexei had in mind was a basement restaurant that looked like it had been picked up and moved from one country to the other; the windows were fogged, the walls were covered in dark wood panelling and the air smelled of dill, frying onions and not shockingly, vodka. It was also, to Emmeline, incredibly loud. She'd only stepped foot in and ten seconds later she was having a sensory assault that hit her ears like a physical blow.

It wasn't just the volume, but the sheer density of it, a true cacophony of loud customers and waiters, clinking of glasses, raucous laughter and a live musician who seemed to be in the corner belting out some folk song with aggressive enthusiasm. The room was crowded, bodies pressed together and heat radiating in waves. She couldn't help but stop dead in the doorway, her breath hitched and her eyes seemed to glow just a little, her pupils dilating, the blackness truly overtaking her eyes now.

It was too much, too many people, too much sound and too much heat. The natural heat inside her stirred, a sudden restless and agitated pulling, a chemical reaction to her sudden anxiety spiking. Alexei was two steps ahead before he noticed she wasn't following, he turned back, his eyebrows pulling together slightly. He saw her shoulders tense, her hands were clenched into fists by her sides, the poor shopping bag handles were getting crumpled beyond repair.

"Emmeline?" Somehow his voice easily cut through all the noise around them. She kept her mouth pressed firmly shut, this was worse than walking about the city by a long shot. She could just about shake her head, a sharp jerky motion that looked awkward, but she didn't care. Alexei looked from her to the bustling room, and to his credit, he didn't push. He didn't tell her to suck it up and it was fine, he simply assessed the situation, his eyes narrowing and realising he had screwed up as she stood there trying not to panic. "Too much," he stated, he got a sharp nod for that one as he could just about see her eyes from behind her glasses flick around, already assessing threats and ways out. "Fine," he turned and made his way to the door.

With casual ease, Alexei pushed the door open and ushered her back out onto the sidewalk. The sudden return to a bearable noise and chaos had Emmeline coming out of herself with a physical shudder. She leaned against the brick of the building, solid and unmoving as she exhaled slowly, she hadn't realised she had frozen up completely to the point of holding her breath. "Sorry," she found her voice and looked up at him.

Alexei stood before her, seemingly shielding from people walking past with his arms crossed. A scoff came from him, not a humorous one or spiteful, but one of pure dismissal. "For what? For having ears that work? That place is a madhouse, even on a good day. I forget how loud we can be. Food shouldn't come with the possibility of a headache." He looked down the street, his blue eyes scanning the traffic. His gaze landed on a cart parked on the corner a block away, bright umbrella shielding it from the sun. "Wait here," he said and held a hand up, Emmeline looked at him dryly, like she intended to move.

Emmeline inhaled and exhaled slowly, feeling herself calm as she watched Alexei walk away. He seemed quite determined with wherever it was he was going to. Any tension which was being kept tightly coiled in her was slowly dissipating, she could manage the street, she knew these noises and expected more horns, shouts and people just walking by minding their own business. Leaning her head back against the building, her eyes distantly watched people, they could be easily distracting to watch, something to let her mind wander.

A few minutes later, Alexei returned. In his large hands he held a paper cones filled with golden, spiral-shaped pastries, dusted heavily with cinnamon sugar. Steam rose from them, carrying the sweet fried scent of dough. "Churros," he held a cone out to her simply.

Emmeline stared at the offering, "Churros? That's your backup plan?"

"Street food is the heartbeat of any city." He said as if reciting a line from something. Emmeline just stood there still and looking at him. "And this looks better than the borscht they were serving in there. See, safe, and no accordion." Alexei said while lifting a cone up and taking a bite.

Emmeline hadn't even registered the instrument the musician had, no wonder it sounded like a strangled cat to her, it was an accordion. She took the cone; the paper was warm against her palms. She looked at the pastry, then up at Alexei, there was an almost childlike expectant curiosity to him at the moment, waiting for her to try the food. With a shrug she took a bite, the exterior was crisp, giving way to a soft and warm interior. The sugar melted on her tongue mingling with the cinnamon, it was sweet, uncomplicated and comforting. A low sound of appreciative pleasure escaped her before she could stop herself.

Alexei took that as a success as he stood there grinning, "Good, yes?"

"It's very good," she admitted as she took another bite. The sugar seemed to ground her, a quick hit of energy that soothed the frayed edges of her nerves.

With a nod to the side, Alexei turned and walked with her following suit. They just drifted; Emmeline ate the churros with a focus that was almost obsessive as if someone was going to snatch them from her. Admittedly, maybe she was hungrier than she first thought, she just hadn't realised until food was literally placed in her hand. Whatever chaos they had walked into was washed away from her mind as she just enjoyed the sweet treat in her hands. Alexei watched her out of the corner of his eyes, he remembered the cafe earlier that morning, a contradiction of seriousness and jokes, and clearly someone who had a love for sweets.

It was a thought that anything that made her, her, had been tampered down, stamped down by some and she was slowly trying to make herself whole again. Sweets no doubt were probably not allowed in a laboratory, made sense she was walking with her eyes shut behind her glasses savouring the sweetness of the churros. Clearly she was hoping if an obstacle appeared he'd deter her, that was some sudden trust that had him smiling slowly, she was a strange one, not wanting to be near yet revelling in company even if she tried to deny it.

Saying her name, had her eyes opening and looking at him curiously, Alexei nodded to the side, a small pocket park was nearby, and he decided that it was perhaps safer to sit eating eyes closed, then walking. "You have a secret." Alexei said, settling on the bench beside her.

With a half-eaten churro in her mouth, Emmeline blinked confusedly. Alexei saw her tensing before she reached up and pulled the churro from her mouth. "I have many. Be specific."

Alexei pointed a finger at her, "You have a sweet tooth. A massive one."

Any tension went and now she just looked confused, "What?"

Leaning back and stretching his long legs out, Alexei looked rather triumphantly at her. "Strawberry milkshake is practically a dessert. And now this, you are eating that churro like it is the last meal on earth."

Emmeline looked down at the pastry, then back at him. She would want to deny it, but she felt a little flushed at his observation. "Nein..."

"You do," he laughed, sounding delighted in embarrassing her for the moment. "Watch out, the girl with the sun in her veins likes sugar."

"It's just food." Emmeline said quietly, Alexei just laughed when she took an aggressive bite out of the churro and just looked more embarrassed than she did earlier.

"Comfort food. It makes sense. You have a fire inside you. Maybe you need something to cool it down or balance it." Alexei shrugged and ate some of his own churros with a thoughtful hum.

Emmeline chewed with equal thoughtfulness, though she fidgeted on the bench and wound up looking his way. She didn't mean to suddenly bog him out, but most people saw her and just instantly went from curious to potentially worried in moments. She was either treated with kid gloves or fear, the distance between both was marginal at best. But Alexei looked at her and saw someone who was not the age she insisted on, he just saw someone who liked strawberry milkshakes and churros, not a ticking time bomb, just a human.

"Fine. I like sweet things. It's very grounding, the taste is strong and it pulls me back to my body." She admitted quietly while picking at a churro before just eating it.

"Pain is grounding too. But sugar is better," Alexei nodded, he understood more than what she probably expected. Patting his knees, Emmeline looked up at him as he stood. "Come. We will walk it off and then, perhaps, we will find ice cream."

"Ice cream never lasts long with me." Emmeline said simply, she stood up though, crumpling the empty paper cone as she did so. "My brother joked about that the other day."

"Siblings do that, it's part of the job." Alexei waved a hand and turned and started walking again. "Are you going to Valentina's event with him?"

"If you're angling to be my plus one Alexei, no. But yes, I guess I'm his." Emmeline joked and got a cheeky grin for it, clearly, he was chancing it.

"Does your brother have a name?" Alexei asked offhandedly, she was seemingly content and full of sugar and relaxed.

Emmeline grimaced and let out a thoughtful noise, Alexei looked at her strangely for it. Did she eat too fast and have a stomach-ache? It wasn't that, clearly as she scratched her head in thought, "Yeah." Alexei looked down at her simply for that, Emmeline smiled, "Bucky." Even from behind her glasses Alexei could see her wince, he nodded casually before double taking and exclaiming loudly. Emmeline winced again and shot him a look; he whispered an apology while waving his hands her way.

"Your brother, is the Winter Soldier?" Alexei didn't mean to sound like he was totally fanboying, but he may have been.

Emmeline sighed, "Just...don't call him that. We're not blood related, more honorary, I guess. Adopted, even? No, that doesn't work..." Emmeline tapped her lip in thought, shrugging she smiled and looked confused when Alexei was just staring at her with wide eyes. "What?" She was confused as to what was happening, it seemed like Alexei was completely short circuiting and she didn't really know what to do.