The champagne in Emmeline's hand had begun the sweat, the condensation slicking her fingertips. She had insisted on declining a drink before a waiter decided her shaking her hand wasn't a deterrent but rather an inclination to wanting a glass. Bucky had just raised an eyebrow and practically smirked at her distraught expression, she looked from the glass to him and then at the retreating back of the man who handed her it; his tray was ladened with empty and full glasses alike.

"The probability of you reaching him is slim," Bucky had commented, Emmeline was stuck on the spot, and the man was getting lost in this crowd, the despairing noise which came from her had him smirking around the rim of his own glass.

"I'm stuck with something I can't drink. Surely there are nibbles at this thing? Maybe I can just leave it on the table..." Emmeline was wondering, they had barely entered the large space, the amount of people around them made the air buzz quietly, everyone having someone to talk to about whatever the current topic was, Emmeline hadn't a clue, what did people talk about at these sort of events? 

Bucky gave a nod at that, a slow measured thing while his eyebrows pulled into a frown. Emmeline watched the action with a suspicious look. "Yeah, no. Someone is more likely going to notice you left it and give it back to you."

Emmeline clicked her tongue, "Want it?"

"No." Bucky waved his hand her way when she just held the glass near to him. He had his own drink, and even that he was only half interested in finishing. Yes, clearly Valentina spared no expense on just about everything here, the surroundings, the items which were on display, plus the drink and whatever food was around. But Bucky wasn't exactly here to enjoy the food and drink, let alone the hospitality or lack thereof.

Emmeline huffed, she smoothed the front of her dress out with her spare hand and inhaled slowly. Setting her black and gold eyes on a nearby case, she couldn't help but find herself frowning. "It is a little uncomfortable, isn't it?" She asked, Bucky and her had started aimlessly walking, he looked at her curiously. "Being surrounded by these things," by that she meant items which the Avengers had required through their different escapades.

Bucky was going to reply, only for them to see the A, which used to be on the tower. He opened and shut his mouth, looking down at her and having her scrunch her nose up in return. "Yeah," it did feel weird being surrounded by such things, it was similar to being in any museum with artefacts, but it also wasn't; these were things which were more personal to the pair. It was hard to explain as they turned away from a case and just looked about at everyone else.

Much like them, everyone was dressed similarly, arguably the pair might've stood out more, clearly not entirely comfortable being present, but were here because they had an invite, but had their own ulterior motives. Well, Bucky at least had, Emmeline had listened to him explain before leaving that Valentina's assistant seemed to not wholly agree with things her boss said in some of her trial. Bucky was many things, observant was one such thing, Mel, she may have some loyalty to Valentina, but it didn't mean she was on the same wavelength as her.

Emmeline wasn't going to stop him going off in search of the assistant, though she had looked smugly his way while still in the apartment, Bucky had shot her a look before she rolled a hand casually in the air. "You'll easily sway her, brother. With your charm and good looks, who could say no?" Bucky had pointed at this was strictly business, and to his credit looked a little affronted by what Emmeline said, she just shrugged in return.

Staring at the bubbles rising in the crystal flute, Emmeline couldn't help but sigh; this drink was going to be flat if left in her hands for much longer. However, how nice it would've been to retreat into them, to get a little buzzed from the alcohol and not care that people were clearly eyeing the pair up with curious looks.

She for one thought she looked reasonably good, dresses weren't typically her thing but this one was a win, she had to seriously give credit to Alexei, and his weird ability to have fashion advice but no volume control. Regardless, she had done minimal makeup, her eyes had enough black about them that anything else would look too extreme, but simple mascara did the job of accentuating her eyelashes and framing her eyes. Her hair she had managed to curl and pin up and off of her neck and back, there was also no dark glasses within sight, which she still felt iffy over, but she couldn't wear them.

The large windows showed the city outside, distantly sparkling with bright lights and never-ending rushing, inside though it was quiet bustling, shared laughter over jokes, high end champagne being shared over stories while surrounded by people who might never cross paths again. In amongst all of this though Valentina Allegra de Fontaine moved through the crowds like a shark in a designer dress, fluid, laughing, smiling lightly and casually chatting to whomever was nearby before moving onwards; she owned the space completely, comfortable as if she hadn't just been on trial, she was also clearly aware to smaller fish perhaps inhabiting the same space as her. 

A few daring people had tried to come and talk to them; they had Emmeline looking blankly at them while Bucky was just a silent wall of metal and indifference. Needless to say the people walked off as quickly as they appeared, the pair shared a look, Emmeline even rolling her eyes. They were aware to what conversations would likely to happen, it'd start with asking how they were, as if they cared to know, then it'd move onto how they are really, are they enjoying the event, then the questions would no doubt turn more personal.

"Don't cause trouble," Bucky had spotted Mel flitting about and looked at Emmeline pointedly.

She held her hands up, "Trouble, me? No...I don't do such things..."

"You're so bad at lying." Bucky shook his head and patted her gently on the shoulder as he moved past her, Emmeline didn't even tense at the sensation of his hand skimming against her as she turned and watched him. Looking at the glass in her hand, she winced and tilted her head, she could already see the poor bubbles looking sadder and stiller.

Emmeline and her glass for company went walking off, just standing she felt weirdly seen and decided exploring this space was a good idea. Tanned stonework and staircases were dotted about; it was light and airy. She looked up at the high ceiling and only came out of her thoughts of admiring the architecture when there was a light and obvious cough from the side of her. Lowering her head and flicking her eyes sidelong at whoever was trying their hardest to not be obvious, Emmeline felt her eyes harden as she looked at the pair. The woman wore a beautiful dress, like one she had looked at herself, but lots of sequins really wasn't Emmeline, looked fine on this lady though. Her male counterpart had Emmeline raising an eyebrow at, if someone was trying to look stereotypical of a situation, that man's monocle was playing into that.

Who even wore monocles anymore? Emmeline felt her lips press into a thin line, he looked like he was meant to be a villain in some movie, the tuxedo really didn't help with trying to ruin the thought that went through her head. Emmeline turned and looked between them, they clearly wanted to approach her, so they could physically take those steps to close the distance between them. Was there public information out about her? Undoubtedly. Arriving with Bucky also probably piqued their curiosities to the point where they couldn't refrain from coming to her.

She really missed Bucky and hoped he was managing to get whatever information he wanted from Mel. Because the alternative right now was her feeling annoyed someone had dared burst her peaceful bubble of being left well alone to look around this building and the things on display. The sad drink in her hand was becoming appealing right now; alcohol wouldn't do her any favours but maybe she could dare it this one time.

Tilting her head, Emmeline decided to just dump the drink on a passing tray. The last thing she needed was to cave, drink some of the flat champagne and lose an aspect of control. These people didn't deserve to have to deal with that, even if they were annoying, that was mean of her, she didn't know if they were annoying, they just annoyed her because they'd disturbed her explorations was all.

"Before you ask anything, just know I'd much rather keep to myself. If you even do ask me something, chances are I will lie or humour you." Emmeline crossed her arms over her chest, closing her body language off because though she was aware chances were something like this was going to happen, it still didn't mean she was comfortable.

She thought her words were sensible and honest, best warn people they were likely to not get a whole truth from her, she didn't owe a stranger any truths, let alone about herself. She wasn't here to make friends with these people; she had just nibbled on to be a plus one and see what all the fuss was about. So far, she still didn't quite get it.

"But you are a marvel," it was the monocle wearing villain-to-be man who had spoken. The fact he readjusted the circular glass as if assessing her, really did cement Emmeline's prior thoughts.

"Yeah, if you say so." Emmeline responded, her words clipped which made her accent more prominent. Was she a marvel? She had no clue, she was many things, not a marvel.

"I must ask," the overly sequinned woman leaned forwards, the action had Emmeline leaning back. She didn't like how this woman eyed her up and down, it was analysing to a clinical degree, and Emmeline didn't like being looked at like that. "Your eyes, they are quite striking. Are they contacts, or is it some new procedure?"

Emmeline raised an eyebrow, opting to having black and gold eyes wasn't ever a thing she wanted. When she thought of what she wanted when she was a child, she wanted to fly, she now could, but she never wanted to change her physical appearance. Her mother had always said Emmeline looked like her when she was a girl, why would she want to change that? Even though things happened to warp that image now.

It left Emmeline feeling bitter, was this woman wanting a contact number if by some chance her eyes were done via some procedure? She understood people modified their bodies anyway they wanted these days, and that was totally up to them, but this woman did not appear to Emmeline to be a part of that community.

The back of Emmeline's neck prickled, bitterness changed quickly to anxiety which niggled in and caused her to still and just concentrate on breathing. Of course, her eyes would be the first thing to ask about, they were blindly obviously not normal.

"They're a mutation." Which was true, the black sclera not so much, that was a reaction to something manmade being inflicted on her, but the molten gold irises were a mutation. "Can't say they ran in the family." She tried to joke it off, try and joke at her own expense and got looks of what looked like pity sent her way. Emmeline's eyes narrowed at that; this was going great.

"We couldn't help but see that you came with-"

"I'd rather not talk about Bucky, when he isn't here." Emmeline cut off the man, she didn't see why she should stand and talk about the man, when he was off seeking answers or whatever it was, he was doing, Emmeline didn't even know anymore, her brain felt a little frazzled. 

The woman coughed, obviously it was her who did it earlier and much like then, it was obvious that she was covering up something, this time it was an awkward glance to her friend, partner, whatever he was to her, Emmeline didn't know and she didn't care. "He has quite the reputation is all, I'm sure William was merely curious as to question whether you think he is fully reformed enough to try and act within government."

Emmeline's breath stopped entering her lungs then as she stared blankly at the woman. She smirked and even let out a quite chuckle, thinking she was harmlessly being curious. To Emmeline it was a vulture picking at a festering wound, there would always people like this, people that believed evidently that if you were bad, then you'd always be bad. Bucky deserved redemption and had had it, but there'd always be these people lurking in the world.

Her eyes flicked to William, Emmeline frowned, even his name sounded like he should be some sort of villain, regardless of his stupid attire. He was chuckling too, maybe they had a private joke going on, maybe one had dared the other to approach her and talk to her and were getting some weird enjoyment out of riling her up? She didn't know, she did know however she felt suddenly restless, and restlessness never went well; she needed space, away from these awful people, a feeling hot and sharp was spreading through her chest.

"Yes, considering combined history and all..."

Emmeline watched as William trailed off and his woman friend waved a hand nonchalantly in the air, dismissing him with a quiet scoff. Emmeline now felt they were just talking amongst themselves and was going to leave, only the woman shot a look her way. "Tell us, your ability, does it feel like fire in your veins? Does it burn?"

"It is an interesting concept, for certain. Whatever did they take away from you to make you this way?" William just carried on, looking her up and down again like she was something to dissect.

Emmeline's stomach turned, Bucky had told her to behave, but these people were making it very hard, very hard. "If I lose control, I could burn you all without a second thought. It would feel like nothing to do so, I'd feel nothing. I have it within me to burn this city, and most nearby to the ground, and I'd still feel nothing. Because that's what Hydra did to me, they made me a good little weapon to wipe out lives and not care about doing so. They took away everything from me, my childhood, my mother, my chance at living a normal life like you...though you are by far more abnormal than me, by a long shot. Excuse me," Emmeline flitted her eyes between the pair, watching as their humorous expressions dwindled to nothing, they looked lost. 

William and his lady friend had no comeback, which had her bitterly smiling at them while stepping away from them and storming off. Anyone else who watched this left her well enough alone, partially because of how angry she looked, and she was evidently glowing a little. They wanted the truth, they could have the truth, the absolute burden of it that she lived with every single day of her life. But Emmeline had lied right to their faces, of course she'd care if she destroyed a whole city of innocent people, of course she would care, she wasn't a monster, no matter how she may have made herself sound like one.

Hydra had taken everything good from her, yes. They had twisted reality for her, yes. But they hadn't taken her sense of right and wrong from her. Emmeline knew if they made her do that, it was wrong, so terribly wrong and if she ever did something like that, then she'd hope she'd wipe herself out too, because the guilt of killing hundreds, if not thousands, wouldn't bear living with.

The doors which she had earlier come through were still open and she just walked out avoiding people coming in. She placed her hands against her stomach, "Atme, Emmeline, atme," breathe, Emmeline, breathe, she also repeated in her head. It was cool outside, refreshing and she didn't realise how stuffy it had become inside. Shutting her eyes and pacing, Emmeline looked slowly up at the sky and exhaled heavily.

She could hear the city, the honking of distant horns, the wail of a siren, the low rumble of engines idling; though these were more coming from nearby. Emmeline tilted her head and looked, there were parked limousines still present, the drivers evidently staying in case those they bought here wanted to leave earlier than planned. She had to admit some drivers looked bored, some were either standing smoking or checking their phones, they had been booked for the evening, so she guessed they had no choice but to stick around. 

Emmeline was going to return inside, only to double take. Standing beside a sleek vehicle was someone who stuck out like a sore thumb. Now Emmeline had encountered Alexei a few times, it was funny to see him trying to be casual, the chauffeur's suit and cap did look ridiculous on his frame. He wasn't within the car, he was leaning against the hood, arms crossed over his chest and looking up at the sky. She was confused though, how he came to be here, he did look entirely out of place, regardless of being a driver, he did just have the appearance of a tank being parked in a high-end car showroom.

Emmeline didn't think, she just looked around before making her way down the stairs and to where he was parked. Alexei heard her coming, his head tilted to the side as he turned and looked ready to open the door for whoever before stopping, his rigid posture disappeared, his eyes stopped narrowing her way and he straightened up with a grin.

"What are you doing here?" Emmeline blinked confusedly, how was it she kept crossing paths with him? She hadn't crossed paths with someone so many times before, be it accidental or not.

"I drive; Valentina needed a driver. Managed to pull a few strings here and there, so here I am." He explained it all so simply, that Emmeline just shook her head and blinked rather owlishly at him.

She was registering what he was saying, "You...wanted to drive her?"

"Gets me close to the action," at this Emmeline got a wink sent her way which had her straightening up and shaking her head. He was unbelievable, truly unbelievable.

Sighing she moved nearer, she leaned against the limo by his side. She could feel the cold of the metal through her dress, hanging her head back and staring at the night sky, she exhaled heavily again. Alexei's expression shifted, the boisterous energy dialled down a notch, he studied her face, now without glasses it was clear to see how expressive Emmeline really was and it was very hard for her to hide how weary she was.

"What happened? Did someone insult your hair, or dress? I will go inside and crush them." He joked, leaning forwards and appearing in her line of vision when she looked forwards.

Emmeline frowned yet found her lips tugging at the corners. The thought of him crushing the people inside was a funny thought, even if she was ignoring it was in defence of her being offended, she wasn't sure how to feel about that. "No, nothing like that." Emmeline replied too quickly that earned a low hum from him, he didn't believe her, clearly. She looked down at her hands, the faintest golden luminescence shimmered just under her skin, it was still a little brighter than usual, a sign of her feeling agitated. She willed it so much to dim, but it just didn't. "It was the people and their looks and questions."

"Questions," Alexei scoffed at that, he crossed his arms and fidgeted in his leaning position. Despite her wary looks, as usual, he leaned down and a little too close to her, his eyes looking at hers as he nodded slowly, "People love to ask questions they don't want the answers to." 

"I think they were hinting for a backstory. They wanted to know what it feels like to be...this," Emmeline gave the vaguest gesture to herself. "They were awful, Alexei. The people, not the questions, although they were bad too. I can see they just looked at me like some sort of curiosity, wanting to know if it hurts to have this power inside me."

Alexei frowned, he ran a hand through his beard before simply asking; "Does it hurt?"

"Sometimes. It's heavy, like carrying a star in your chest."

"So, you left." He stated obviously, or else she wouldn't be out here.

"I panicked," she admitted, her voice going quiet with the honesty of her words. "I didn't know what to say, granted what I did say probably won't go down well...but when other people approached, Bucky dealt with them. All he needs to do is look pissed, grumble something or be silent then they get the message and go away. But he went off to find someone." Emmeline shook her head and looked down at the ground. "I felt like I was going to explode. Literally, the heat rises when I am stressed, I could've burned the whole room down."

"But you didn't." Alexei pointed out, she had taken herself out of the situation. "You came out here and found me." 

Emmeline straightened up at that, her eyes widening a little before flicking sidelong up at him. "Yeah, I did."

Alexei smiled, she could see it through his beard as he nodded and looked around at the other cars and drivers, none of them paid any mind to them at all. "You could've incinerated them, just a little." He said in a low suspicious whisper, Emmeline frowned at him. "Singed their eyebrows, they would stop asking questions then."

"Alexei! I cannot do that, no." She gasped at his suggestion and though she was trying to sound horrified he would suggest such a thing, she also found herself laughing despite herself. The sound was bright and clear in the cool night air, it got a smile shot her way by him.

"Why not? It is a valid defence mechanism. Like a skunk spraying. Or a cat hissing. You are a very powerful cat."

"I'm not a cat."

"You have the eyes of a cat. Very intense, very golden." He pointed a finger her way, "And you burn things when scared, I have scar to prove it." He held his hand up then, in the light his palm and the healed skin were obvious, still a little pink and smooth from growing back.

Emmeline felt bad again, he still shouldn't have grabbed her but even still, she could only blame herself forever being on guard. She reached out before hesitating and hovering her fingers near to his skin, "Does it still hurt?" She asked worriedly, she really hoped there wasn't nerve damage.

"No," Alexei said, his voice softening. He didn't move his hand away, he waited, patient. "It healed. Just like I told you it would."

Emmeline hovered for several more seconds before committing to touching him. Her fingertips brushed against his palm, his skin was warm, solid and real unlike hers which always ran hot and felt too thin for her body. He didn't recoil, nor did he show any signs of being concerned about a repeat. To him, as shocking as it was to her to realise, her touching him was just that, something simple and easy that everyone did every day, it wasn't a threat, it as just a touch. The realisation settled something that was frantically buzzing in her mind. 

"I don't like hurting people," she whispered, her other hand coming up to cradle the back of his hand as her other skimmed where she had burned him, she was inspecting to make sure it had healed. Not that she doubted the healing abilities of a super soldier. 

"I know," she had looked horrified hurting his hand, she was a good soul really. "Control is like a muscle, you exercise and it gets stronger." That had her letting out a curious sounding hum, Alexei wasn't sure if she was agreeing with him. Slipping his hand finally from hers, he turned and nodded, he opened the passenger door and shut it after her. Clearly, she wasn't going inside again yet, so might as well be comfortable while talking.

"Should I be in here? What if Valentina comes back?"

Alexei huffed and waved his hand, "She is busy with long boring conversations. She will not need the car yet." He replied once he settled into the driver's seat and leaned back, the leather of his seat groaning from the action, he just looked up at the ceiling simply.

"Thank you, Alexei." Emmeline leaned her head back against the seat. The enclosed space felt heaps safer than being in there surrounded by all those people.

"Do not thank me yet," that had her turning her head and looking at him curiously. "I am going to tell you a joke."

"You don't need to." Emmeline said with a small wince, she wasn't that upset, sad, or unhappy that she needed cheering up with whatever he classed as a joke. Alexei looked a little put out so she sighed, "Is it a good joke?"

"Not really, you might not understand the nuance." Alexei replied, brightening up that she was willing to hear whatever it was he had in mind.

"Right. Go on then," she sighed, she was mentally preparing here, this was going to be awful, she just knew it. 

"Okay," he dramatically cleared his throat for effect and turned in his seat and looked at her. Emmeline stayed looking his way, watching curiously. "A man goes to the doctor. He says, 'Doctor, my arm hurts when I do this.' He lifts his arm. 'And it hurts when I do this.' He lowers his arm. The doctor looks at him and says, 'Well, stop doing that.'"

Emmeline stared at him, she waited for the punchline, and it didn't come. "That's it?" She asked, just wanting to make sure.

"That is it." Alexei confirmed with a proud nod.

"Alexei, that was not funny...that was so bad..."

"I told you, you do not understand the nuance. It is about the absurdity of medical advice." He paused, "Also, I tell it badly. The point is to make you laugh at how bad the joke is."

Emmeline shut her eyes and counted to ten, "It's a terrible joke, plus I didn't laugh."

"Terrible, yes." He was just sitting there completely agreeing with a grin and a nod.

Emmeline let out a short laugh, "You are ridiculous."

"I am ridiculous. But you are smiling," he couldn't disagree with her, but he could easily see the smile on her face as she clearly tried her best to deny her muscles doing it, he didn't wish to state he also got a laugh out of her, even if it was at his own expense. 

It was like stating it had her tilting her head, a look of confusion on her face before nodding. "Yeah, I guess I am."

"Smiling is better than burning down the gala. Though, honestly, it could do with some improvement. Even from here I can hear the background music, very slow and boring. If I were in charge, I would play something with more energy." 

Emmeline could only imagine, "I think you'd clear the room, Alexei." She joked; she got a wry grin from him for it.

"Let them clear, more room for dancing." 

"Can you dance?" Emmeline tilted her head, a playful frown on her face as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Alexei sent her a look, and she shook her head, "No, I would not like to find out." She wasn't calling his bluff, least of all here.

Didn't stop him still sitting there smiling away, his blue eyes looking bright in the lowlight of the car despite of the nighttime and shadows. Emmeline was usually uncomfortable when someone was solely paying her attention, unless she was comfortable with the person, but found she didn't mind this. It didn't completely weird her out.

"Why are you nice to me, Alexei? I burned you; I've been sarcastic, blunt...I mean, we're not...I don't know, why do you spend time with me?" The question slipped out in a jumbled mess before she could stop herself. It was too intimate and too vulnerable, she regretted asking, her hands tightening on her arms from crossing them tightly across her chest, trying to close in and protect herself from some bad inevitable answer.

The atmosphere in the car seemed to still then, she really felt bad for asking and was going to get out the car and just power walk back inside and find Bucky. Alexei continued to look at her, he didn't joke, smirk or grin like usual, he rested his arm on the steering wheel and looked at her seriously. "Because you are interesting."

"I think I'm a hazard."

Alexei rolled his eyes, "Maybe a small one," he put his forefinger and thumb together with the tiniest space between them. "But you are like a live wire, or a tiger. But you are also...you are trying very hard, Emmeline. You try to be normal, you try to be good, I see it." Alexei tapped his fingers against the wheel, some mindless tune without much rhythm. Emmeline's eyes just widened, she never took Alexei to be so observant. "Plus, you laugh at my terrible jokes even if you say you don't. Most people do not laugh."

Emmeline felt a warmth spread through her chest that had nothing to do with the sun inside her, it was a human warmth, solid and grounding. "I think you are the most alive person I know." She admitted quietly, she hadn't met someone who gave less of a damn about being them, than he did. Alexei was so unashamed to be himself, he was a rather open book, in a way, and that was refreshing to her, to someone who, as he said, tried to be like those around them. Emmeline wasn't wholly sure why she should keep trying to keep the pretence up, didn't Alexei already say something like that when he was with her shopping a few days ago?

Alexei blinked, looking genuinely surprised by her words before his face broke into a grin that was softer than his usual ones. "Da? You think so?"

"I do."

"Well, that is a nice thing to say." Emmeline nodded and looked out of the window. Alexei sighed and then seemed to realise something; she leaned away when he reached for the glove compartment. "Here," he held out a slightly squished paper bag.

"What is this?" She took the bag though when he held it out to her. Instantly having it in her hands, she could smell the sugar and cinnamon and sent him a knowing look.

Alexei just seemed to try and be nonchalant, sniffing and looking indifferently around as if there was something to suddenly pay attention to. "Churros. I bought them from a street cart before picking Valentina up. Eat, I bet the food in there is tiny and sad." He said, waving an encouraging hand her way.

Emmeline didn't believe he bought them on any off chance of seeing her and having a shared snack. But she still smiled, she pulled the churro out and snapped it in half, she held half out to him and had him oddly toasting her way, she just chuckled and shook her head. They sat in silence; the only sounds were them eating their respective halves of the churro. Whatever anxiety and panic she was feeling earlier had evaporated, what she felt now was a strange and quiet contentment. 

She had thought it before, being with Alexei made a strange sort of sense. He was someone who lived in a world of simple truths: eat when hungry, sleep when tired, fight when you have to and laugh when you can. Unlike William and anyone else inside, he never had tried to dissect her and analyse her with looks, he never even asked about possible radiation coming from her and infecting him in some way; yes, she was radioactive, but it was minute and wouldn't harm those around her unless she overheated. He didn't seem to care about that, or he didn't pay much mind to her burning him even though she was distraught about it, he didn't care about her past, how she really came to be in this time here and now. He just accepted that she was here, now, eating a churro in a tight-fitting black dress he had helped pick. 

"Why did you really become a driver? You could be anywhere else, doing anything else." Emmeline wondered, yes, while searching for him she had found he had been employed in other odd jobs. But it seemed driving was his main income. 

Alexei looked at the sky through the windscreen, the light pollution washed out the stars leaving only the moon visible, pale and silver amongst the haze. "Because the world is loud and people are complicated. Being here, it always held the possibility of being somewhere stable that Yelena could visit. Work and family, go hand in hand." Alexei said, sounding and looking suddenly tired, Emmeline looked at him sympathetically; because clearly the visit he had from Yelena was the first time he had seen his daughter in a long time. That must hurt, Emmeline wasn't sure, no family left to find her after so long to reconnect. Shaking his head, Alexei turned in his seat and looked at her fully again. "People are like puzzles to solve, Valentina is a puzzle I somewhat understand, I think. You, however, are one I am still figuring out."

"Have fun with that puzzle," Emmeline smirked, scrunching her nose up and trying to put him off doing so before he even began.

"Ah, a challenge. I accept challenge," Emmeline shot him a look, she wasn't challenging him to anything, Alexei just laughed and leaned against the steering wheel again. She was going to say something, but a passing horn had both looking towards the general direction of traffic. Alexei slowly nodded, "You best get back in. I do not want an angry Bucky coming in search for you." Alexei was already getting out of the car before Emmeline could reply, Bucky wouldn't be angry she walked off, if anything he probably expected her to escape outside at some point.

"Okay," she said when the door was opened for her and she climbed out. "I'd rather not go back inside, but okay." He clearly wanted her out of the car, and she didn't get why but would give the man space.

They stood opposite each other, and Alexei seemed to think over something before leaning down to be on the same eye line as her. "Here is what you say next time someone asks you any questions about your power, or what happened to you." Alexei bringing this back up had Emmeline narrowing her eyes, Alexei smiled and held a hand up, trying to dissuade her glaring. "You look them in the eye, you lean close, and you say; it hurts less than my feet in these heels."

Emmeline blinked, she stared directly at him and then down at her shoes. The fact was yes, they did hurt, heels also were something she was not accustomed to. Her lips twitched though as her eyes flicked back up at him, "That's not funny."

"It is hilarious." He was insistent on that. "You have the sun in your soul, and you are worried about your shoes. Price of beauty is pain, little sun, it is relatable, people love relatable." Alexei nodded, Emmeline shook her head, he was being silly. She was also totally going to overlook the familiarity in which he seemed to have now with nicknames for her. "Go on, try and say it." He reached out and as if ignoring how just touching her went last time, he patted her on the shoulder, encouragingly.

Emmeline tensed a little from the action and shook her head. "I'm not going to say that."

"Say it!" He laughed, a wide grin well and truly on his face and much easier to make out with him still having leaned down to look her in the eyes.

Emmeline sighed, he wasn't going to drop this. The sheer absurdity of it just didn't even register fully in her mind, people were still coming and going this event, not paying them any mind. "It hurts less than my feet in these heels." 

Alexei frowned, an offended noise coming from him that had her frowning in return. "Too quiet! Like mouse, small mouse squeaking. You are the sun! Be loud! Say it like you mean it!" Alexei was working himself up quite enthusiastically here, even clapping his hands together and fisting them with a sure nod. 

She looked at him, he was grinning, he was by far still the most ridiculous person she had ever met. He was also unlike anyone she had ever met, he had gate-crashed her shopping, uncaring about the burn she had inflicted on him, and now he was cheering and helping her get through a clear existential crisis. Alexei nodded encouragingly, Emmeline rolled her eyes, he really didn't take no for an answer. "It hurts less than my feet in these heels!" She said it louder this time, her voice carrying further for sure because some people did look around confused.

Alexei rolled his eyes and seemed to deflate, leaning his hands against his knees, he looked sceptically at her. "Come on, again!"

Emmeline looked up at the night sky for aid, a couple had just arrived and walked past looking at them confusedly. Their confusion just doubled when she wound up shouting the same sentence again, but much, much louder. Emmeline rubbed her temples, her face was flushing with heat, real heat this time from being embarrassed. But, above all of that, she was smiling, she couldn't help it.

Alexei laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated in his chest. "See? Bet you feel even better than before."

"Before I at least had a churro." Emmeline pouted, "I feel ridiculous." She admitted with a quiet laugh, which she did, listening to him and caving, she felt stupid, but it was also funny.

"I will supply more churros another time. But feeling ridiculous is better than being scared." Alexei said, his voice softening as he straightened up. Emmeline looked up at him and nodded slowly, he had a point, she supposed. Looking over her shoulder at the entrance back inside, she inhaled and gave a week double thumbs up to him while backtracking, Alexei grinned in return and mimicked the action while taking to leaning against the car, more or less coming to rest in the same position as she found him.