Elros Namasi
Beltan noted the flush in her cheeks and the sparkling of her eyes, but his already overwrought mind couldn't possibly produce any more fight-or-flight chemicals. So his "Oh, I'm sorry if that was too forward," came out almost normal, if a little lighter and airier than usual. "The shrimp are all for me, though, 'cause I'm shellfish like that."
The moment the, very on-brand, dad joke left his mouth, he died a little inside. But he owned it, arranging his plate so the shrimp was all piled on his side and Xoana could reach out and snag more of the salad if she wanted to.
The moment the, very on-brand, dad joke left his mouth, he died a little inside. But he owned it, arranging his plate so the shrimp was all piled on his side and Xoana could reach out and snag more of the salad if she wanted to.
Menelie
Xoana wasn't sure that "too forward" existed in her world; she was a woman of action. But she couldn't think of a way to say that without it sounding just a touch too sexual for dinner conversation. However--
Her lips curled into a crooked smile as she tried to stifle her laugh into a delicate giggle. She, uh, wasn't ready for him to hear her real, full-throated laugh, which would best be described somewhere between a shriek and a cackle. The result was a decidedly un-delicate snort followed by a guffaw. "I..." another little giggle, that one was better. "That was hilarious!"
She wrapped some of the watercress around a scallop and popped into her mouth, enjoying how their flavors combined. Every time she snuck a glance at Beltan her heart skipped a beat. She loved how laid-back he was, even though he could be quiet. And he was funny? Gods a little fishes, Xoana thought, I might actually be falling in love.
Her lips curled into a crooked smile as she tried to stifle her laugh into a delicate giggle. She, uh, wasn't ready for him to hear her real, full-throated laugh, which would best be described somewhere between a shriek and a cackle. The result was a decidedly un-delicate snort followed by a guffaw. "I..." another little giggle, that one was better. "That was hilarious!"
She wrapped some of the watercress around a scallop and popped into her mouth, enjoying how their flavors combined. Every time she snuck a glance at Beltan her heart skipped a beat. She loved how laid-back he was, even though he could be quiet. And he was funny? Gods a little fishes, Xoana thought, I might actually be falling in love.
Elros Namasi
At first, Beltan mistook Xoana's stifled giggles for forced politeness and was in the middle of preparing an apology for his terrible pun when he was startled by her sudden snort and shout of more genuine laughter. Pleased that she enjoyed his humor, Beltan flashed her a grin and then proceeded to pass a lovely meal with her, making small talk punctuated by complimentary comments on the food and assurances to the waitstaff that everything was great, thank you.
Eventually, the time came to have their empty dishes cleared away, settle up with the restaurant, and wrap up the evening. While he had loosened up considerably and become more comfortable in Xoana's company as their date progressed, now that it was nearing the end he was feeling quite nervous again. Truth be told, Beltan had never seriously dated anyone. He'd joined the guard as soon as he was of age and dating opportunities were pretty low on the ground when one was stranded on a deserted island. Then, almost immediately after he finally made it home, one wild party later and bam! he was a single dad.
Speaking of... "So, I don't think we've gone over time, but I really should rescue the caregivers from my son. Would you like to come with me to pick Quetzal up and then he and I can take you home?"
Eventually, the time came to have their empty dishes cleared away, settle up with the restaurant, and wrap up the evening. While he had loosened up considerably and become more comfortable in Xoana's company as their date progressed, now that it was nearing the end he was feeling quite nervous again. Truth be told, Beltan had never seriously dated anyone. He'd joined the guard as soon as he was of age and dating opportunities were pretty low on the ground when one was stranded on a deserted island. Then, almost immediately after he finally made it home, one wild party later and bam! he was a single dad.
Speaking of... "So, I don't think we've gone over time, but I really should rescue the caregivers from my son. Would you like to come with me to pick Quetzal up and then he and I can take you home?"
Menelie
Xoana, while normally fairly carefree, also felt herself becoming more relaxed as their meal went on. Something about sharing food together had that effect, and the more time she spent with Beltan the more she enjoyed his company. Truth be told, this was her first real date as well. While she hadn't been exactly sheltered, per se, her father especially just doted on her and Pax and tended to be overprotective. She felt like everyone in her family (except Gran) still treated her like a teenager at best. It had been fun having some grown-up company.
At the end of the evening, Xoana did her best to conceal her disappointment. To be honest she'd sort of forgotten about the little guy, and she'd been hoping she could convince Beltan to stay a little later in her apartment. To get to know each other better... But, that would have to wait for another time. She'd definitely start brainstorming ways they could have a late night, if they so chose, without having to rescue Quetzal from the childminders. Or vice versa. She smiled brightly. "That sounds lovely." After all, Beltan's devotion to his son was one of many things Xoana found attractive about him, since family was so important to her as well, so she didn't want to make a fuss about it. He was nuts if he thought he was going home without a good-night kiss, however.
At the end of the evening, Xoana did her best to conceal her disappointment. To be honest she'd sort of forgotten about the little guy, and she'd been hoping she could convince Beltan to stay a little later in her apartment. To get to know each other better... But, that would have to wait for another time. She'd definitely start brainstorming ways they could have a late night, if they so chose, without having to rescue Quetzal from the childminders. Or vice versa. She smiled brightly. "That sounds lovely." After all, Beltan's devotion to his son was one of many things Xoana found attractive about him, since family was so important to her as well, so she didn't want to make a fuss about it. He was nuts if he thought he was going home without a good-night kiss, however.
