"-Yeah, let's go to one of those. Thanks."

"No problem."

They can go into one of the side rooms.

He does seem less nervous in here!

"My real name is Theodore, you can call me Theo. I'm being much less aggressive about concealing that compared to my backlash. Um... I think I felt more comfortable around Wendy when I got to know her a bit. Anxious is my default state. I'm probably theoretically open to a lot of ways for an esper partnership to work but I would hate ambiguous or unclear expectations, if that makes sense?"

"I'm Meghan. It does make sense yeah. I'm also open to a lot of things. I've just been doing snuggling shirtless and in shorts and we're compatible enough that if we just keep doing that it'll work more than fine and I wouldn't mind. But I don't think I'd mind other things. I...already got the IUD. Just in case. And assuming you can put up with me while I'm backlashed.

She flushes slightly

It's a still a little embarrassing to talk about but I should warn you up front, I get really desperately attention seeking, and I  can get...pretty obnoxious sometimes.You've heard the saying 'there's no such thing as bad publicity?' it's like that, when it gets bad enough. I'm getting better at...managing it but..well... Uh, it's not even slightly a secret because I'd rather be a little embarrassed about it then have people think I was being obnoxious on purpose.

"Backlash is such a way. Um." He also flushes a bit and glances away.

Guiding sex would be a very good way to get and keep his attention shut UP brain. This is serious esper business.

"It seems hard to tell how well we get along while backlashed without... Doing that. I'll want to get the NDA sorted before telling you mine but you should probably know mine before we spend time significantly backlashed together. It could go pretty smoothly with yours or... Not... Hard to tell. Um. I think general lightly clothed snuggling is a good place to start? And consider anything else, uh, later."

"Sounds like a good plan to me. Did you have any other questions or anything?"

"Hmm. Would you like to experience my power or demonstrate yours briefly since we're holding hands already and will guide back to zero? I think I said it before, but I have sensing and communicative telepathy. I think you said you have an unnoticeability power, right?"

"A-and, would you like to go sightseeing somewhere together while you are here? As a get to know each other thing? Or would you rather do that alone and... Let me arrange agency things, and then I fly to Toronto some time and, I guess, wait for a dungeon to happen where we can do the test guiding session thing with more of a medium amount than just a tiny bit of backlash...?"

"I do have an unnoticibility power. It won't really...work if we're actually touching,because of the guiding, and  I'm told it's a bit disorientating if I trigger it right in front of someone and it's also more expensive if somebody is already paying attention to me. I could do it anyway if you're really curious. Or I could just leave the room and sneak back in.  I'd be interested in yours.

"your friend mentioned the Field Museum. We could go there if you aren't already bored of it. Or if you have another favourite place we could go there."

He nods.

And then-

He hasn't been to the Field Museum in a year or so, which makes it new and fresh enough to be interesting. 

It's different in character to hearing someone talk. But still obviously communication, and not her own thoughts.

And, This is what sensing people feels like; Embers in the dark, dots on a RADAR screen, whispers in silence.

And, It's up to her if she wants to demonstrate her power.

"That's pretty cool. Why don't I just sneak back in here?" 

She gently reclaims her hand.

"See ya in a bit?"

...He lets go easily and restrains the urge to keep an 'eye' on her with his sensor.

"It messes with sensors too, by the way. You could maybe test it some other time if you'd like, but I think not today."

she slips out

And about a minute later he will be quite abruptly aware of her standing about a foot away from him.

"Boo."

He jumps.

"-Hi. God, esper powers are weird."

Handholding again?

"At any rate the Field Museum sounds fun. It's kind of a hybrid history and science museum. A lot of natural history. They have a room full of shiny gemstones, and an egypt exhibit, and some dinosaur exhibits, and some dungeon stuff..."

Handholding again!

"Sounds interesting."

She's maybe leaning on him a little bit.

Did he do something wrong? Misread the mood? No. It's just initial-grade backlash, same as he's got... Probably. Leaning is fine.

"Um... I'll call for a taxi there?"

"Sure."

She's a little fidgety while he's on the phone but she won't interrupt.