Dawn of the Epoch

Chapter LV - Evening

While Hongo and Virgil combed the streets in search of their arsenal, Hunter and Tiyana enjoyed alone time in the hotel.

“Double Windsor or Balthus? This feels like a Balthus night.” Hunter asked.

He had his hand outstretched. He held out a fistful of neckties.

Tiyana smiled wide, “Oh dear, we’re going out?”

“That’s right. Why not? The boys are away, so the two of us can play.” Hunter said.

Tiyana felt excited at the prospect of an evening on the town in elegant attire.

“Oh, that sounds wonderful, but what am I going to wear?” Tiyana said in mock panic.

“You have time to hit the shops. Take a driver from the concierge.” Hunter said.

“Oh…” On the one hand, Tiyana hated spending money on frivolous amusement, especially in an impoverished nation while they had the tyrannical enslavement of the human race by a despotic superhuman warlord to worry about, but, on the other hand, she wanted to wear a pretty dress. She could compartmentalize. She decided to find a dress.

That evening at dinner, Tiyana wore an elegant evening gown with semi-modest décolletage. As they dined, Hunter retold the story of the warehouse, but this time in more detail.

“Yeah, then she kissed me.”

“She what?” The rage in Tiyana’s voice filled the restaurant.

Hunter paused for a long time before saying in a matter-of-fact tone, “right, she went through a lot and understandably got carried away.”

“Understandably!?”

The situation spiraled quickly out of control.

Hunter tread softly, “She got carried away. I pushed her. Hard. Then things went sour.”

“She kissed you.” Tiyana said, seething.

“Tiyana, it wasn’t some sort of dalliance. It was awkward.”

“Awkward? Hunter, she’s an attractive woman. I’m not blind.”

“Yes, but, but, but, did I forget to tell you how ravishingly captivating you are tonight in that exquisite dress?”

Tiyana chuckled.

“I suppose I’m over it for now, but only because I want to know what happened next?”

Hunter finished the story. They finished their dinner. On the way out of the hotel’s restaurant they noticed a crowd in the adjacent ballroom.

“What’s going on in there?” Hunter mused out loud.

“A wedding?” Tiyana guessed.

“They’re playing our song.” Hunter said, looking into her eyes.

“We have a song?” She asked quizzically.

“We do now, dear.” With that, Hunter took her by the arm and led her into the posh milieu. They danced.