A Large Hall in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Monday Morning

[lockestheway]

"...and thank you for your time," Peter finished. The speech had sounded easy: as far as public speaking went, he was apparently a natural. That was good to know, because right now he wasn't so sure that he'd said everything that had needed to be said, and he was entirely sure he'd said a lot of things he really hadn't needed to say

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[whenshewasnice]

After the speech, Natalie gave him a moment before appearing behind his dressing room door and knocking on it.

"It's me."

So, not a random sycophant. You know, in case he was puking his guts out.

[lockestheway]

... Damn it. Peter would rather stab himself in the belly with scissors repeatedly than have anyone see him like this, Natalie doubly so. He pulled away from the sink still feeling nauseous. Ran the tap, taking a big gulp of water before attempting to rinse the whole thing out.

Then he walked towards the door quickly, opening it halfway and leaning against the doorway. "Hey," he said casually.

[whenshewasnice]

God forbid one of the few people who actually knew him as a human being find out he was, in fact, a human being.

She quirked an eyebrow at him. "Quite casual for someone who just gave their first campaign speech."

[lockestheway]

Peter shrugged. His expression was fairly sedate. "It went well, didn't it?"

[whenshewasnice]

"It did," Natalie replied with a nod. "Audience seemed to appreciate you, and you didn't forget anything massively important."

[lockestheway]

"Then what is there to be worried about?" Peter said, shrugging expressively.

[whenshewasnice]

"Nothing, I guess," she relented, rolling her eyes. "Good for you, superman."

Natalie had been nervous.

[lockestheway]

Peter rolled his eyes, feeling strangely flush all of a sudden. "Look, let's just go grab lunch," he said, slipping out the door and pulling it shut a little too quickly.

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie gave the door a slightly pointed look.

He should have been glad she was willing to leave it at just that, though. She saw very little worth in poking him too hard. "Sure."

[lockestheway]

"Good," Peter said, checking his watch. "We'll need to be back here in thirty minutes to network. There's a place next door, they do sandwiches."

[whenshewasnice]

"Glamorous," Natalie replied with a halfhearted drawl. Truth be told, a sandwich sounded nice. So did a thirty minute break before networking. "I'm sure you'll be reminding me about all things schmoozing the entire time we're there."

[lockestheway]

Peter waved a hand vaguely at nothing in particular. "I'm sure you've got that handled," he said, walking out of the conference area.

[whenshewasnice]

Natalie followed him. Well, no, she walked alongside him. "Ooh, a vote of confidence."

[lockestheway]

"No, me hiring you was a vote of confidence," Peter said. "That one's just the truth."

He kept walking firmly onwards over the pavement, onwards along the street, and... onwards straight past the fancy sandwich shop next door.

[whenshewasnice]

Oh, apparently it was time for the eyebrow again.

"... Was that on purpose?"

[lockestheway]

"I just realized that we should probably eat local," Peter said. "Can't go to another country and eat the same stuff I can eat anywhere. It's my duty as an American and a Hegemonial candidate."

It had nothing to do with the fact he still felt nauseous and slightly faint, and had developed a sudden craving for something incredibly unhealthy.