private A Pony in Anima City (Private with Illiad Easle)

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

She chuckled to herself, blushing as Ash kissed her, then set about getting into her disguise properly. As she took off the dress she momentarily revealed that the parts of Ash she did not know, namely everything from knees to shoulders, she had left blank.

Soon enough though she was back in her gazelle form with a few minor adjustments youi her figure what she had deduced when she wore it as Ash, allowing it to fit her like it had been expertly tailored to.

Once properly attired she turned towards Ash, "So, I assume this is a bit more formal than your cafe, what sort of etiquette is expected?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would smile, lacing up his shoes "Mmhm, a bit more class" he'd say with a smile "Normally, it'd take forever to get a booking, but..I happen to be in the good books of the Mayor" he looks to her "Seems my coffee is quit a hit in her office" he then looks at her in the dress and in her gazelle form "you look absolutely amazing Mari" he would say, offering his hand to her, "We'll take a cab there"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari was impressed by what Ash's words, "You didn't mention that before, does being friends with the mayor come in handy often?"

In regards to her appearance she blushed again, but nodded, "Of course I do, you helped."

She'd follow along with Ash wherever he led her, trusting him completely.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd smile "I try not to brag and it does every now and then" he would say to her as they waited outside for the cab he had called. which arrived five minutes later, he'd open the door for her, "After you" he would say to her with a smile.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari smiled as she entered the cab, the somewhat confined space reminding her a little of home, in the hive, so it didn't bother her any. She waved cordially to the driver as she waited for Ash to get in as well, not knowing what the proper etiquette would be for riding in a cab.

Idly she wondered what was in store for her, she was excited, if not a bit nervous, as this seemed the sort of thing one did on a date. Does he consider this a date? Should I?

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd smile and get in after her, sitting next to her. The cabby smiles and starts the engine, beginning to drive the restaurant. As the drive went, Ash would gently place a hand on her leg "I hope you will enjoy the date, it's been...a while since I've been on one, so i'm a bit rusty"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari was surprised when Ash put his hand on her leg as she thought the move was rather forward of him. Still, she didn't disapprove of it, and was, in a way, flattered that he felt comfortable enough to do something like that despite knowing what she really was. "Then we'll be in the same boat tonight, I can't say I'm the most experienced either." She'd place one of her hands on top of the hand Ash put on her leg, both to confirm she was okay with it being there, as well as to prevent it from going any further, for now.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd smile a little at her, closing his eyes as they were driven to the restaurant. It took about ten minutes, but they soon arrived, and he'd get out first, so that he could open the door for her. He would do so with a little bow, all the while thinking "H-how did I get so lucky, she is so beautiful"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

It was all Mari could do to keep the blush from overtaking her face as Ash did his gentlemanly things, if anything she felt a little intimidated by how much he was dong for her, wondering how, or if, she was supposed to make it up to him.

She'd take a moment upon stepping out of the cab to take in the scenery, this was a whole new place for her after all, and try and sense if there were any like her around.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would smile as he pays the cabby and leads her into the restaurant, telling the waiter the reservation name and they would be lead to the window table. The window had a great view of the lake that the restaurant was overlooking. He'd smile at her "order anything you'd like" he'd tell her, looking at the menu.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

It was all somewhat overwhelming for her, to be surrounded by so many other creatures and such culture, she could feel the snootiness of some, and the distinct envy of others, no doubt from how well she fit her dress, as she followed Ash and the waiter to their table, "Such a view, if only your café had a view like this... customers would never leave it."

She sighed, drinking it in until she was presented with the menu, while Ash said she could choose whatever she liked, and though he seemed to be doing well for himself, she wasn't about to take advantage of his hospitality. As she looked over the menu though she was intrigued by some of the offerings, Hmm... that, that looks like a carnivore dish... I don't think I've ever had anything like that before, the zebras and ponies always shied away from such things. Maybe I shouldn't go all in on it though... My stomach may not be ready for such things.

She would then search the menu for dishes that included, but weren't primarily, meat, like a garlic chicken pasta bowl, or spaghetti Bolognese (You didn't mention the restaurant's theme and I've never gone somewhere "Fancy" before so I'm simply guessing) paired with some sparking mineral water, or similar depending on availability.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The menu had a array of dishes for both carnivores and herbivores, how-ever the ones for herbivores were labeled as 'Vegetarian'. The pasta dishes were on the second half of the menu, where there were choices of garlic chicken pesto, spaghetti bollognaese, etc..

Ash would smile at her as he chose a dish of a steak and salad with a glass of champagne.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

As she had previously had spaghetti and enjoyed it before she thought it would be a safe bet to try the version that now incorporated meat to see if she could stomach it. Though before she decided to order she quickly and quietly asked Ash, "So, um, are all gazelles herbivores here? Or can they eat meat without drawing undue attention?"

His answer would determine if she ordered the spaghetti with or without meat. In either case she'd get a small Cesar salad on the side with sparkling mineral water.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd nod to her, "Oh yeah, it's pretty common place, given our mixed beastman and human dna, those who would normally be considered as herbivores can eat meat as well." he'd tell her, "Now, humans might tell you different, but that is just their ignorance" he would then smile to her "This a lovely end to the day, don't you think?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari would nod, encouraged by Ash's answer to get the spaghetti with the meat.

In response to Ash's question she'd smile back, "I suppose it is, it's not often that I get to wait for others to do things for me. Usually it's me doing things for others, or for myself."

She looked around the restaurant, "This place is nice too. While I'm not the most fond of jealousy it, like a lime, can add a nice twist of flavor to an otherwise ordinary meal. And there are more than a few creatures here jealous of us."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would nod "it is nice to be waited on every once and again" he'd say, "I do enjoy my work at the cafe, but sometimes, it is nice to just relax" he'd close his eyes and chuckle a little "Ah yes, they're probably jealous of both how beautiful you are, and the fact I am with you" he'd smile to her "i admit, I'd be jealous if I saw someone else with you"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari took another moment to simply enjoy the situation before she decided to be a little more assertive, "Unless I'm mistaken, creatures typically use dates to get to know one another, evaluate their emotional compatibility? Shouldn't we do something like that? I mean, determining if what we feel is more than infatuation is a moot point if we couldn't make each other happy."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He would smile and nod "Yes that is true, I guess I'm just a little nervous" he'd say, rubbing the back of his neck "Funny how I was totally fine before, but now I'm all nervous" he says to her, "Well, I suppose I could ask, what do you like to do when you're not working? do you have any hobbies?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari smiled kindly, "Don't be nervous, it's not like you could offend me."

She thought a moment on the question posed, "Well... before I came here I didn't really have free time. I was a scout, my family sent me to a new place to see if it would be a good place to settle, so between cultivating and harvesting my own food, investigating and trying to integrate myself with the locals..." she shook her head. "Before I was a scout though, back when I lived at home, I enjoyed reading, seeing things like monuments or natural wonders, so I suppose sightseeing is a hobby of mine."

She thought a moment longer before she nodded, "How about you? I mean, the café seems to bring you joy by itself, what else do you like to do?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd smile "Well there's plenty of sights I can take you to see, even the mayor's office" he'd tell her with a nod and listen more to her "Reading is a hobby of mine, I like fantasy and true crime mostly," he'd smile to her "I like to go for walks at night sometimes too, especially when in Autumn" He'd thank the waiter as their drinks arrived and he would sip on his champagne "Tell you what, on a day where business is slow, I can take to some of the sights around here"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari sipped at her drink as well, nodding to Ash's statement, "I'd like that."

Given he had not fallen for her return the question as a question bid, she thought up a new question that could be asked, "Did you always live here? Or did you move here from somewhere else?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He'd smile "Yeah I was born here, but my parents used to live in Japan" he'd say to her, "They were able to keep their identities as Beastmen relatively low-key, but after my mother fell pregnant with me, they wanted to bring me up somewhere away from the anti-beastman front, so they moved here" he would smile "It's not a utopia, there's still crime, but as you can see, the cafe is in a pretty safe area of Anima city" he smiles to her and then would blush slightly "Let me ask you this, are you enjoying working at the cafe?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Ash's story was pretty tame, at least to Mari, it was fairly common among the creatures back home to bear children in a place apart from where they began, that's how new herds, new hives, and new tribes were formed.

Per his question she shrugged, "I've only done it for a day and a half, so I think it's a bit soon to say I enjoy it. It is far better than scavenging in the garbage for food, and I'd say I prefer it to scouting. I'm sure, in time, I'd be able to say I enjoy it. I've enjoyed it so far at least."

She figured she'd take a risk, "You mentioned your parents, do you have any siblings? And, perhaps, are your parents still around?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

Ash would listen to her and nod "Fair enough, and I do hope in time you will grow to enjoy working there" he'd tell her, "And I bet it is better than having to scavenge for food in the trash, and I'll always make sure you have enough mineral water to last you, so you will never go hungry" he assures her then thinks for a moment and smiles "I'm an only child, so no siblings, and my parents are still around yes, they are both retired and living comfortably in a small countryside cottage." he thanks the waiter who brings them their food and begins to eat, "I call them at least twice a week, and see them on holidays" he looks to her "You said you have or, had, hive, I assume they are like a family to you?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Scarlet Rose

Mari's eyes darted around the room when Ash used the word hive, she spoke in a lower voice, "Careful now, that's not the kind of thing I'd like overheard."

She quickly smiled in an attempt to diffuse the tension she had caused, "Yes, my family is quite important to me, full of siblings and cousins and second cousins etc, but we can talk about the details later. Even though I was one of many, I know my mother cared about me... even if she had a cold way of showing it... and my siblings always looked out for me, and I for them when I could."

She thought about what to ask next as she tried the food, meat had an odd texture, not bad, but different. "So, all these food options you have, and owning a café, surely you have a favorite?"