On it. Do you have an esper passport or should I give her your regular name to book it under?

I have an esper passport under 'Netlink'. Thank you.

Is there anything I should or shouldn't do Re: You and Wendy?

I don't think so but maybe I don't know what you mean?

(A pause of no texts for about 10 minutes. While agonizing over rephrasing himself he exchanges numbers and vague plans with Wendy, and leaves the event.)

I'm not sure either. Sorry.

We're not an item or anything, I'm gay.

Not that it would be guaranteed that we would be even if I weren't, that's just a concise way to express the extent to which we are not

This conversation is being difficult for reasons that are difficult to put into words.

I am actually very nervous about interacting with either you or her because it's more important that I get it right than usual and I don't know how to get it right (separate from the backlash). Agents and cashiers and online friends other people I don't necessarily have to stick with are OK. There are very few people I can do guiding with.

understandable!

fwiw I'm in the same boat? My backlash makes me act extroverted but I'm not actually. I am not experienced at making friends.

I think that helps. Wendy seems nice. I'll wait for travel details.

She's great. OK to give my agent your number so she can text you?

Yes.

I appear to be bi leaning towards straight. Fyi.

:)

(No reply due to internal screaming.)

This is Paula Bescond Traceless' agent. What dates do you need a hotel?

Soonest dates that work for me to visit Traceless and check personal and esper compatability. 2 or 3 days maybe more idk yet.

(Separately, he's now binging and live blogging Wendy's sci-fi. Every author loves reactions so this is fine.)

OK I got you Tues Wed Thurs at a place near his house

I'm doing airfare? Thank you.

I can do that too but he thought your agent was? Send your email so I can forward you hotel deets

He sends his email address. The Netlink one.

He can complain about one agency to another, right? That's allowed?

I'm probably going to drop them. They are too pushy. So I can't ask for one more favor on the way out.

I am probably capable of buying plane tickets with my esper passport. But if it's more convenient on your side can also skip that.

Can do 100%

Ok.

He continues to decompress and (over)think.

Wendy invites him to a gun range. A gun range?? When he wtfs, she just goes 'ok how about just chatting while touching more at my hotel before my flight leaves?'

Is that a proposition? Probably not? Best to assume not instead of the other way around. So he does go. And she gets to zero out her backlash after a bit more practice with clay that she wouldn't otherwise have gotten. She badgers him into platonic leg-entwining and then platonic back-touching.

It's nice. He maybe overthinks it, dwelling on the contact. If she's looking at him funny and open to... More... Surely he's overinterpreting?

He can't really practice, himself, without invading peoples' privacy. Except people on the street, in a public place where he could just see them. So he gets a little practice estimating distance and angle, at least. Wendy's enthusiasm is infectious. 

Then she flies back.

Then it's time for his flight. And the luggage and the car and all the rest.

And finally he can text Traceless,

I'm at the hotel and ready to come over now.

Address!

Behold, he knocketh upon the door.

The door opens! It's Traceless! He looks like his photos, if Theodore has seen those. Fistbump?

He meanwhile hasn't sent any photos.

"Hi, it's me, Netlink."

Fistbump!

"- at least on my end you're more compatible than Wendy is."