At least they are socializing.

That they are!

Eventually they're done with food and though Sadde would love to continue nerding about magic with Temperance she has a lot of things to do.

But first she finds Isra to ask, "So you're not into the whole monogamy thing right?"

Isra snuggles up. "No."

Apparently he thinks this enough on the matter.

"Then I might ask Temperance out. Or, well, not exactly out, but you get what I mean."

"Oooh, she is nice. I hope you two have fun." Pause. "Can I ask you two out some day? I think people don't do this here."

"Well if it's alright with her it's definitely alright with me."

The response to that is kissing. Or maybe for Isra the topic is already closed and he wants to do that instead. "Love you."

So many kisses! "Love you too. But I should get back to work, compile this new info..."

"Good luck."

And Sadde is aware that Temperance's preferences run hetero, so a couple of days later when he's feeling particularly boyish he knocks on her door again.

"Oh, hi Sadde!"

"Hello! How's research coming along?"

"Too complicated for words and it's going to be extremely complicated to understand and adapt any of it. It's great! How about your job?"

"Loads of fun! Coordinating everything is complicated, and with this much time to plan we're getting to explore a lot of possible strategies."

"Really, what sorts?"

"We have a whole decision tree about what to do depending on what they do, under what circumstances we'll act first, how do deal with unknown unknowns..."

"Oooh, interesting. What sorts of things? Or is some of it top-secret?"

"Not top-secret but better not discuss it out loud, just as a general precaution?" The Captain is very paranoid, commendably.

"Loose lips crash ships," Temperance says with a smile. And we can't be sure some people won't change their minds.

Precisely.

He proceeds to tell her about various possible scenarios and contingencies they've thought up, several of which taking the information about magic she's been unearthing into account.

Tactical applications of magic are very interesting too!

But eventually: "So, this is fun but my purpose in coming here was actually something else."

"Oh?"

"Do you... well, I suppose the social structures don't exist anymore, not on this planet anyway, but the sentiment is the same, do you want to go out on a date with me?"

"Of course!"