Payback

[Racetrack]

He grinned a bit wickedly and kissed her hand. "As long as we play it safe. All my friends seem to be having babies."

((Oh, unreliable 19th-century contraceptive measures.))

[Sapphy]

Sapphy made a face.

"I love kids... That aren't my own."

[Racetrack]

"I'm with you there. For another ten years, at least." He watched tenements and shops roll by. "Let me know if you wanna get off anywhere. Otherwise, I might just jump at some random moment and see if you catch on," he joked. Well, mostly joked. He was in quite the mischievous mood.

[Sapphy]

"Why don't you try that? See how far it gets you?" Sapphy grinned playfully.

[Racetrack]

"Well, if you're sure..." He waited till he spotted a reasonably priced clothing store that seemed as good a place to start as any, then jumped, landing on his hands and knees and straightening up to wait for Sapphy. He hoped he was right to have faith in her quick reflexes, or the carriage would roll away with her and he'd have a pretty dull morning on his hands.

[Sapphy]

Sapphy pretended to consider it before waving goodbye to Racetrack. Before the carriage turned the corner, however, she jumped off, landing gracefully.

[Racetrack]

He laughed, jogging down the street to catch up to her. "And I thought for a minute you were gonna roll clear out to Brooklyn and leave me behind."

[Sapphy]

"Blech, Brooklyn," Sapphy made a comical 'yuck' face before winking at Racetrack.

[Racetrack]

He smirked. "Oh, c'mon. It's a land of rosy sunsets and dreams come true!" He took her hand and scanned the garments hanging in the windows of the store he'd spotted. "Hmm, bit too shabby for you, don'tcha think?"

[Sapphy]

Sapphy shrugged, getting a little shy -- she always was whenever anyone wanted to buy her something. Her high maintenance was obvious and she was fairly embarrassed by it.

[Racetrack]

He saw her hesitation and nodded firmly. "We can do better. C'mon, this is really for me, y'know. Getting you a present will bring me way more satisfaction than losing it all at the tracks." He kissed her nose and mentally checked off a new body part as they continued down the street.

[Sapphy]

"I don't really believe you, but I'll take it," Sapphy grinned shyly, linking her arm through Racetrack's and resting her head on his shoulder.

[Racetrack]

For a while he just strolled down the street with her, enjoying the cuddling, the cool morning air, and the ruby-red sunrise, which you could just glimpse here and there throught a blanket of smog.

Still, he kept an eye on the windows, considering. "We could go practical, or we could go exotic. Have you ever had a craving for a china elephant or a big wooden cat with sequin eyes?"

[Sapphy]

"Or a pet," Sapphy laughed. "Could you imagine? In the lodge? It'd be as bad as having a baby."

[Racetrack]

"One of those big fluffy cats that look like featherdusters," Race suggested. "Or a really mean bulldog to guard the bunkroom so I can never wake you up again." He stopped to consider a jewelry-store window. "Beyond my means, I'm afraid."