[Fun hadn't much featured in her life before arriving, well, here. Aerith was fun. And she'd gone to the trouble of packing confetti for a song and dance that didn't happen, she was absolutely going to use it.]
[She leaned into Aerith, laughing as she led them away. It was good to laugh. It was rare to laugh. But Aerith was like that. Things just happened, and they didn't entirely make sense always, but who cared? They were good things.]
[ Staying close to Mal while they walked, Aerith's in high spirits and it shows in the slight but cheery bounce in her step, her head tilting to the side now and again to bump against Mal in an absent gesture of affection. She enjoys Mal's company, maybe as something that's a little more than friendly, and it's easy for Aerith to forget herself, especially in nice moments like these. ]
Right there, those neon lights.
[ She smiles tipsily at the sight of the barbeque place and speeds up a little. ]
[And that's part of Aerith's magic. She forgets her own reservations, her own worries, when she's in her company. There's an optimism and brightness that sees what you can't. And she does not at all mind the bumps.]
[Moreover, the second they're close enough to where Aerith directs, the smell hits her and her stomach growls.]
Ok. It's official. You're a genius. This is already the perfect idea, I can feel it.
It's way better than spending the night at the bar, that's for sure.
[ Aerith gives Mal a smile that suggests it's as much to do with her company as it does the impending feast they're about to enjoy, before she's off and moving again.
She let's Mal' s arm go and opens the door for her, stepping to the side with a smile. ]
[Stars, that's a nice smile and thank goodness she moves for the door because it definitely causes a little moment in Mal's mind wherein everything comes to a little bit of a halt. She recovers quickly, though, sketching an exaggerated half bow before entering.]
[And taking a deep breath, with a smile. This world smells better than the ones she's used to, she decides. And do such fascinating things with food.]
Booth?
[She likes the idea of being a bit more...private, suddenly.]
[ Though a good part of her wants to, Aerith stops herself from taking Mal's hand again once they're both inside, instead opting to nod in agreement at the suggestion of getting a booth and head towards the closest one, grabbing a pair of menus on her way. ]
Everything is good here. We need to share dumplings and you have to have some of my samgyeopsal.
[ Uncertain if Mal wants to sit beside her or across from her, Aerith takes the safe route and plants the menus down in the ambivalent center of the table before scooting into the seat on one side, more than a little conscious about leaving enough room for Mal to join her if she decided to before she settles. ]
[She immediately shifts closer to Aerith, because that way she can at least use the pretense of exploring the menu to regain some of that closeness. She pulls off her fingerless gloves, shoving them in a jacket pocket.]
Dumplings, though, those I know. But you're going to have to help me navigate.
[ More than happy to push one menu between them when Mal joins her on her side of the booth Aerith steals a sideways glance in the other girl's direction. ]
They have dumplings in every kind of meat and veggie, and as for the rest. Hm, do you like spicy? Do you like meat? Noodles? Stew?
[ Her shoulder brushes against Mal's while she's leaning over the menu, pointing out things as she speaks. ]
Edited (oops! forgot to answer that question) 2022-06-02 02:59 (UTC)
That's the liquor they serve. We can drink to you getting a good meal.
[ Aerith had caught what Mal said earlier, but at the time was uncertain how to respond, now that she's had a second to think, however, she can't help but be happy that things have turned around for her friend.
Without hesitating, Aerith looks up at the person behind the counter. ]
Can we have a bottle of Soju, please? And some dumplings? All kinds. And some Banchanwhile we pick the rest of our food?
[She nods, eagerly, happy to go along with this. She sighs, closing her eyes for a moment, the smells floating to her Jedi senses and combining and swirling and...]
This whole place smells so good.
[She looks back at the menu, shaking her head.]
And such variety, too. And all these pictures look amazing.
[ It shows too. Aerith makes no effort to hide how pleased she is with Mal's reaction to this place. She still would have been grateful for getting sprung out of the bar, but it would have been awful if Mal wasn't. ]
Oh! Here, the Soju, and some banchan.
[ Little plates of various salads, fried things, pickled things, and other things are laid out in front of them, along with a glass bottle of alcohol and two short glasses.
Aerith wastes no time, first grabbing a slice of what might be tofu off one plate with her chopstick and popping it in her mouth before she chews while pouring them both a drink. ]
[She watches the chopsticks for a moment, nodding. Those, at least, she can figure out. They're close enough to how a lot of cultures eat, that she's seen. She mimics Aerith's gesture, thoughtfully chewing the tofu. It's a new taste, and she's not entirely sure what to make of it. Words to describe it simply fail to materialize. Huh.]
[Now, the alcohol, on the other hand, she can find words for. She takes a sniff of the liquor in the glass, swirling it a bit. Then she lifts her glass.]
[ Her answer comes quickly and enthusiastically, looking from Mal to the meal that's being set out in front of them and back to her once more, the smile on her face turning surprisingly bashful in the process. ]
[And she's about to and then...oh, oh there's that smile. It's a moment where it feels like her stomach drops right out of her body. Nobody has any right to look that beautiful. She hides the sudden, massive blush behind her drink. And does a lot less thorough a job than she thinks, in the moment.]
Yeah, it really is. Everything is...perfect.
[In that special way the completely unplanned can be.]
[ Glad for the distraction her drink provides Aerith downs half the contents before she sets the glass aside and ventures a look in Mal's direction.
The smile on the other girl's face makes her own grow wider, and she does what she can to ignore the giddy little flutter in her chest while she nods in agreement. ]
It's been a really long time since I've had a night this nice.
[ In a flash of courage she reaches across and lets her hand rest on Mal's. ]
[Had she ever had a night quite like this? There had been nights of drinking and carousing and furtive, stolen affection when she’d been in the military - but all of that was stealing a march on death. The next day, the next week, there were empty chairs. The Imperials hadn’t cared, and they had done their best to be…alive.]
[But that was a long time ago, or it felt like it - and it had never felt like this. Like a real connection growing, unfolding; and her initial instinct as a result is to pull back, to bolt, but…]
[Tentatively, she laces finger with Aerith, watching her carefully.]
We…really should. I don’t think I’ve had one that felt special…like this…before.
[Oof, urge to kiss the prettiest person she’d met on planet hottie rising. That would surely be a disastrously stupid move, though, right?]
[ Surprised - happily so - when Mal returns the gesture and takes her hand, her cheeks flush, the smile on her face widening into a grin. ]
Special? Well...
[ Trailing off, aware of the way her face felt hotter the longer she watched Mal smiling at her, Aerith shifts in her seat nervously before pressing on, leaning into the feeling of giddiness she can't help but be filled with at this moment. ]
It's a date then! And, I mean, maybe this can be too if you want.
I think that was going to be my line in a tag or two :P
[Yes, special. Oh, she'd had the occasional partner before, but it was...needs being dealt with, never...never something special. Never someone special. But Aerith's smile hits her like a blast wave, every time - and she knows that's something different.]
[And she's not going to run from it because life doesn't hand you that often. Master Skywalker always told her to believe in herself, believe that she had a better destiny than she herself believed. Stars, she hoped this was part of it.]
[But then Aerith has to go and say...that. And it feels like all the air has been knocked out of her. She wants to say 'why?' because Aerith...could be on a date with anyone she wanted. She had no doubts that Mr. Charmless had been one of many potential suitors. All of them better, part of her wants to say, than a former Imperial assassin who had been rescued, battered and broken, from a terrible fate. Who had limped her way into being a Jedi.]
[She felt unworthy. And like she didn't have butterflies in her stomach so much as a swarm of mynocks having a party. But there was only one possible answer to that.]
Oh, stars, you have no idea how much I'd like that.
[ It's been a long time since Aerith let anyone get as close as Mal now has the potential to be.
The pain of losing Zack held her back from getting into a situation like this, and while it wasn't where she expected to end up with Mal, now that she's here it's difficult not to get caught up in the warmth between them and the look on Mal's face when she tells Aerith that she'd like to call this a date. ]
Really?
[ Aerith's chest tightens, as she covers the top of the hand she's been holding with her free hand, nodding in earnest while she does her best not to think about leaning across the table to kiss Mal. It's clear they both feel the same way about what's happening here, but taking that step is still daunting, even if she's almost sure it would be received well. ]
[Oh, stars, she's blushing, she can feel it. She looks down, free hand drawing idle patterns on the wood grain.]
Pretty much since I met you, if I'm honest. Which, Jedi, kinda supposed to be, so, um. [She clears her throat a little.] You just...opened up to me and gave me friendship when you barely even knew my name. I mean, I was a stranger from another world, and...
[She stops, with a sigh.]
I ramble, sorry. Still not entirely convinced you're not some very pleasant dream, you know?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[She leaned into Aerith, laughing as she led them away. It was good to laugh. It was rare to laugh. But Aerith was like that. Things just happened, and they didn't entirely make sense always, but who cared? They were good things.]
[And her stomach rumbled, right on cue.]
Ooof, yes please.
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Right there, those neon lights.
[ She smiles tipsily at the sight of the barbeque place and speeds up a little. ]
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[Moreover, the second they're close enough to where Aerith directs, the smell hits her and her stomach growls.]
Ok. It's official. You're a genius. This is already the perfect idea, I can feel it.
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[ Aerith gives Mal a smile that suggests it's as much to do with her company as it does the impending feast they're about to enjoy, before she's off and moving again.
She let's Mal' s arm go and opens the door for her, stepping to the side with a smile. ]
After you.
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[And taking a deep breath, with a smile. This world smells better than the ones she's used to, she decides. And do such fascinating things with food.]
Booth?
[She likes the idea of being a bit more...private, suddenly.]
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Everything is good here. We need to share dumplings and you have to have some of my samgyeopsal.
[ Uncertain if Mal wants to sit beside her or across from her, Aerith takes the safe route and plants the menus down in the ambivalent center of the table before scooting into the seat on one side, more than a little conscious about leaving enough room for Mal to join her if she decided to before she settles. ]
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[She immediately shifts closer to Aerith, because that way she can at least use the pretense of exploring the menu to regain some of that closeness. She pulls off her fingerless gloves, shoving them in a jacket pocket.]
Dumplings, though, those I know. But you're going to have to help me navigate.
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[ More than happy to push one menu between them when Mal joins her on her side of the booth Aerith steals a sideways glance in the other girl's direction. ]
They have dumplings in every kind of meat and veggie, and as for the rest. Hm, do you like spicy? Do you like meat? Noodles? Stew?
[ Her shoulder brushes against Mal's while she's leaning over the menu, pointing out things as she speaks. ]
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Once upon a time, I was happy just for food. But everything there sounds delicious...but I think I'm feeling spicy tonight.
[She smiled, looking at each of those things in turn.]
Is there a proper order of things to get? Like, start with noodles, or...?
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I'd say you're definitely feeling spicy.
[ Shaking her head at the question she looked back at the menu and hummed thoughtfully, aware she'd been looking at Mal for a little too long. ]
I just start with dumplings and eat my way from there! You might like Jeyuk Bokum if you want to try something hot.
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You were going to make an exit, so I got some at the corner store on the way. But that sounds like a plan.
With some...Soju? [Said, pointing at the unfamiliar word on the menu, hoping she got the pronunciation right.]
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[ Aerith had caught what Mal said earlier, but at the time was uncertain how to respond, now that she's had a second to think, however, she can't help but be happy that things have turned around for her friend.
Without hesitating, Aerith looks up at the person behind the counter. ]
Can we have a bottle of Soju, please? And some dumplings? All kinds. And some Banchanwhile we pick the rest of our food?
[ Aerith turns back to Mal, hoping she approves ]
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This whole place smells so good.
[She looks back at the menu, shaking her head.]
And such variety, too. And all these pictures look amazing.
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[ It shows too. Aerith makes no effort to hide how pleased she is with Mal's reaction to this place. She still would have been grateful for getting sprung out of the bar, but it would have been awful if Mal wasn't. ]
Oh! Here, the Soju, and some banchan.
[ Little plates of various salads, fried things, pickled things, and other things are laid out in front of them, along with a glass bottle of alcohol and two short glasses.
Aerith wastes no time, first grabbing a slice of what might be tofu off one plate with her chopstick and popping it in her mouth before she chews while pouring them both a drink. ]
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[Now, the alcohol, on the other hand, she can find words for. She takes a sniff of the liquor in the glass, swirling it a bit. Then she lifts her glass.]
Do we toast?
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[ Her answer comes quickly and enthusiastically, looking from Mal to the meal that's being set out in front of them and back to her once more, the smile on her face turning surprisingly bashful in the process. ]
It's a really nice night.
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[And she's about to and then...oh, oh there's that smile. It's a moment where it feels like her stomach drops right out of her body. Nobody has any right to look that beautiful. She hides the sudden, massive blush behind her drink. And does a lot less thorough a job than she thinks, in the moment.]
Yeah, it really is. Everything is...perfect.
[In that special way the completely unplanned can be.]
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[ It's Aerith's turn to flush bashfully at the compliment, taking a moment to glance over towards the table. ]
But the food isn't even here yet.
[ Laughing quietly to herself she takes a deep breath before lifting her little glass to tink it against Mal's. ]
Okay, to both of us.
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To both of us. And yes...[A little cough] perfect. Just...fun out of nowhere. I'm loving every minute of it, and that's...rare.
[She leaned her head on her hand, smiling absently.]
It's the best night out I've ever had, and I can't see the food making it worse.
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The smile on the other girl's face makes her own grow wider, and she does what she can to ignore the giddy little flutter in her chest while she nods in agreement. ]
It's been a really long time since I've had a night this nice.
[ In a flash of courage she reaches across and lets her hand rest on Mal's. ]
We should do this again sometime.
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[But that was a long time ago, or it felt like it - and it had never felt like this. Like a real connection growing, unfolding; and her initial instinct as a result is to pull back, to bolt, but…]
[Tentatively, she laces finger with Aerith, watching her carefully.]
We…really should. I don’t think I’ve had one that felt special…like this…before.
[Oof, urge to kiss the prettiest person she’d met on planet hottie rising. That would surely be a disastrously stupid move, though, right?]
help they're so cute
Special? Well...
[ Trailing off, aware of the way her face felt hotter the longer she watched Mal smiling at her, Aerith shifts in her seat nervously before pressing on, leaning into the feeling of giddiness she can't help but be filled with at this moment. ]
It's a date then! And, I mean, maybe this can be too if you want.
I think that was going to be my line in a tag or two :P
[And she's not going to run from it because life doesn't hand you that often. Master Skywalker always told her to believe in herself, believe that she had a better destiny than she herself believed. Stars, she hoped this was part of it.]
[But then Aerith has to go and say...that. And it feels like all the air has been knocked out of her. She wants to say 'why?' because Aerith...could be on a date with anyone she wanted. She had no doubts that Mr. Charmless had been one of many potential suitors. All of them better, part of her wants to say, than a former Imperial assassin who had been rescued, battered and broken, from a terrible fate. Who had limped her way into being a Jedi.]
[She felt unworthy. And like she didn't have butterflies in her stomach so much as a swarm of mynocks having a party. But there was only one possible answer to that.]
Oh, stars, you have no idea how much I'd like that.
sorry about that!
The pain of losing Zack held her back from getting into a situation like this, and while it wasn't where she expected to end up with Mal, now that she's here it's difficult not to get caught up in the warmth between them and the look on Mal's face when she tells Aerith that she'd like to call this a date. ]
Really?
[ Aerith's chest tightens, as she covers the top of the hand she's been holding with her free hand, nodding in earnest while she does her best not to think about leaning across the table to kiss Mal. It's clear they both feel the same way about what's happening here, but taking that step is still daunting, even if she's almost sure it would be received well. ]
No worries, Cat Editing is a thing :P
[Oh, stars, she's blushing, she can feel it. She looks down, free hand drawing idle patterns on the wood grain.]
Pretty much since I met you, if I'm honest. Which, Jedi, kinda supposed to be, so, um. [She clears her throat a little.] You just...opened up to me and gave me friendship when you barely even knew my name. I mean, I was a stranger from another world, and...
[She stops, with a sigh.]
I ramble, sorry. Still not entirely convinced you're not some very pleasant dream, you know?
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