>>41330971 >The change in topic was probably welcomed by both of them. And hearing about his mother went far into explain why Abris was they way he was.
Passionate, bold, confident. Like you yes?
>One on one tutelage wasn't a strange idea to her. Where she came from it was a rather common practice. Maybe there was some Power Keg on his mother's side?
>>41334043 Well, not quite like me. She's the one that keeps trying to get me to calm down a little in fights. But yeah, she's definitely pretty passionate! I can hear her shouting when she's training people in the garden.
>He looks around, before leaning in, a hand covering his mouth conspiratorially
Don't tell anyone I told you, but in the early days of my dad opening the restaurant, he asked her to be a waitress and had to ask her to stop since she ran everywhere and broke things.
>And as for meeting her...Abris goes a little red, tugging at his collar nervously
Well...I, it's maybe a little soon to be meeting parents just yet...I mean, this is just the first date and...
>He trails off, his voice slowly getting quieter until the only sound left was his mumbles and the hum of conversation coming from the other patrons.
>>41335508 >The redhead giggles both at the little secret now between them and his response to her teasing.
Joking joking! Yes too early for that, but maybe one day if we keep doing this right?
>Aside from that little moment of her past and her... well death wish, she thought this was going well!
Though probably not take you to see mine. Wolves my family now, so...
>She knew that the guard and mercenaries didn't have the best relations and she did catch Abris when he corrected himself. She didn't mind though... it was kind of true.
>>41336993 <"Maybe one day if we keep doing this?"
>Abris goes bright red and somehow manages to choke on thin air. Coughing and spluttering for a good ten seconds, he manages to quell it after some hefty back slapping. He clears his throat, trying not to turn an even darker shade of red as the eyes of the other patrons bore into him.
>Thankfully, he's saved by the arrival of the waiter, carrying a tray laden with food. He sets down a bowl in front of Lei
A miso soup for the lady...
>And a plate in front of Abris
And the barbeque pork ribs for the gentleman.
>He inclines his head to the pair
Please, enjoy your meal.
>He's about to go before Abris stops him
Hey, can I get a refill on the lemonade, please?
>The waiter pauses, before nodding once again and taking the glass away with him to be refilled.
>Abris turns back to the table, eyeing his food with anticipation, before looking over to Lei
Hope you enjoy it! I've never known Mr Merrit to make a bad dish, but I'm not picky. Dad says that's bad for a chef, but I say it means I can enjoy more things.
>Abris doesn't actually go for his ribs just yet, instead opting to start on the wedges that came with it. He still eats like a vacuum though.
>>41338030 >Well enough teasing. As fun as it was, lunch had arrived and it looked great.
Thank you.
>How long had it been since she had a real bowl of miso soup? Five long years, that's how long it's been. >But now the wait was over and she was quick to dig into her meal.
...Mmmmmmm~ Good! Very Good!
>Yes! This tasted just like she remembered it! Wow that brought her back to simpler times.
Of course it's good! I wouldn't take you somewhere with bad food!
>Abris claims proudly as the waiter comes back with the refilled lemonade. The guardsman nods his thanks and picks up one of his ribs as the waiter leaves.
Well, the food might not be so good for you, but it'll definitely taste good!
>And with that, he takes a chunk out of one of the ribs. He chews on it just as quickly as he dived into his wedges, but he puts it down and then takes a drink almost immediately after he swallows
Hoo...Barbeque's about as far as I can go with spice still...And even then, I need to take a drink...
>He sighs theatrically
How can I be a master chef without being able to eat something spicier?!
>Abris claims playfully as he picks up the rib he started on and takes another bite, following it up with another drink. Once he's finished with the drink, he picks up a potato wedge and aims it at Lei
>Abris was practically becoming one man palette of red at this point, managing to discover another shade as Lei expected him to feed her.
Well, I uh...
>Abris devolves into mumbling again as he carefully manoeuvres the wedge into the open mouth of his date. He felt like he was going to drop it, or worse shove his entire hand into her mouth.
>>41341666 >Once the wedge is placed in her mouth she closes it with an "Mmmmmm" sound. ...Clearly she was doing this intentionally. >Sitting back and actually savouring the wedge in her mouth however she finds that it, just like the soup, is very good.
Delicious.
>And points for not shoving his hand into her mouth!
>And that had solidified its place in Abris' fantasies for the next few weeks
>The meal proceeds quietly, intermittent chatter and playful banter proceeds as they enjoy their meals. The time comes to pay, and Abris pointedly refuses any attempt to go halfsies on the bill and pays with his MIGHTY PAYCHECK. That comes from an HONEST JOB not done by VULTURES.
>After a quick conversation with Mr Merrit, they were now standing outside the Strongest Style of Food in the evening, the illuminated streets of Kingsmeet keeping them company as Abris flounders in romance.
I...hope you enjoyed the food! I know he was glad to have us.
>He offers his hand to Lei once more, fighting the blush that threatened to occupy his face.
>>41345392 Yes. Food very good and great time with you~
>This date was probably one of the most fun thing's she's done in a while... not that that was a challenge when all she did was mercenary work and tinker with her gun. >Taking his hand with a bright smile, she nods.
>It was getting late, he couldn't think of much else to do for the moment and more importantly, he had to get up early tomorrow for his shifts. Now would probably be a good time to close things off.
>He takes hold of her hand again, struck once more by how good it felt to have that kind of intimacy with somebody not family as the pair walk back to the front of the Town Hall.
Well...I had a great time too! I'll have to think of something for next time though. Do you like Blitzball? There are some games coming up and it might be nice to see them with you!
>Abris stops and rubs the back of head his, the nervousness coming back.
Well, if you want to, that is. There's other stuff we could do.
>This dating thing is hard! How's somebody meant to eventually get married if the beginning bit's so tricky?