a Double Date?

Rafael remained paused in the doorway of the cafe for a moment, apparently captivated by the beautiful and unexpected sight, as he found the two Oni waiting patiently inside.

"Ah the pretty man..."

The redder Oni got overly excited by his appearance and strode over, intercepting his own approach to halt directly before him, before reaching over to take his shoulder; drawing him in a little nearer and lowering her fiery eyes close to his own blue ones.

"Have I captivated you!?"

Rafael went stiff - like prey caught in the clutches of a powerful predator, knowing its doomed fate

"Gently... remember."

Sofia caught up to Boacizi and tapped her high eager shoulder, reminding her to dial it back, quite a bit.

She released him, before stepping away a little, glancing about, then back to him again, before softly batting her eyelashes and giving a more sheepish smile his direction.

"A... uh... plea... please...? Nice to see you again."

"Yes... a pleasure..."

The taller Oni nodded, and then went for her seat, and he awkwardly followed Boa to a private table, just along the back wall, while Sofia moved away and sat herself down on the opposite side of the wide room to watch over them from a good distance.

"I'll just be off then..."

Maya, who'd been waiting in the wings, remained on her feet and went off for the entrance.

"Huh?"

Wait, I thought we had this table for two... if.... -?!

As she left, a different person arrived in Maya's stead.

"Hey."

"Hi."

Sofia chirped with surprise.

Luke sat down promptly opposite her at the small table, like it was totally expected, and looked around the place, till his eyes found the other odd couple.

"Maya said you might need some help watching over them..."

Sofia felt a little warmer, and a bit happy about the unexpected company, but also distracted from her task.

Is this a... Is that why Maya ducked off before...? Have I been set up too...?

There wasn't much going on across the room, as Boa and Rafael just watched each other cautiously, while waiting for the other to start a conversation off.

"She's all nice now; did you do that for her?"

Luke asked, sitting back into the small chair.

"Mostly..."

"She almost looks like she's lived here all her life too... nice job."

Sofia shuffled with enjoyment at the compliment.

"Thanks... it's not too much...?"

"Nah..."

The table under watch received a few items and a small plate of treats, but Boa and Rafael hardly seemed to notice.

They're eyeing each other like crazy... is that a good sign...? But they haven't said much... yet...

"Boacizi... you look very nice today."

Almost on cue; Sofia's ears overheard Rafael speak up.

"Why thank-you..."

The red featured Oni used her newly practised delicate smile.

"It is very strange... I feel quite different in this..."

Boa continued as she sat upright and looked down at her fancy dress.

"It's nice."

"Hum, I think so too."

They returned to quiet observation again, as Boa only had eyes for the trainee-Knight, who wore a casual shirt, and hadn't brought his blade with him either.

"Are things going well over there?"

Luke asked, as some drinks arrived at their own table.

While Luke kept himself calm and casual about the whole deal, Sofia started to feel stiff and flicked her sights back and forth between the other pair and her own close company.

"Uh... oh I think so..."

Sofia didn't feel the need to cast her eyes across the cafe now, until Luke caught her watching him instead, and gave a little smile of his own.

Sofia averted shyly, just as something suddenly developed on the far side of the cafe too.

"You are quite cute..."

Boacizi leaned towards Rafael and focused on his face, bringing her a warmer smile.

"I'd like to say - handsome."

"No - you are cute."

She reached over and ruffled his hair lightly, that he seemed to take well.

"Well I must say that you scrub up pretty fine too."

"Oh yes, I was scrubbed well - I have never smelt so fresh."

She shuffled her chair closer and brought her clean forearm up before his face.

"Here smell for yourself."

Sofia could tell the guy was blushing a little, but gently held her offered arm before his nose and inhaled a bit.

"I smell of sweet flowers do I not?!"

Boacizi said excitedly.

"Yes, it's quite lovely..."

They fell into silence after he let her limb go, as their sights shifted to each other's eyes once again.

Darn girl, those are some moves for sure... she has him eating out of her palm... or maybe he's just that desperate that she could literally get him to do just that...

"They look like they're getting along."

Luke didn't sound all that surprised, as he shifted a fraction to remain comfortable as he watched on.

"Yeah..."

Sofia returned her attention to the one she sat across from, and wondered if she could manage something half as brazen as what was going on over there, but more importantly - if Luke would be just as interested in it.

"Do you think it could work? A Human and a..."

Sofia shied off, but half-minded he answered.

"Sure... we're not that different."

Did he just admit that he'd be open to...? No - don't jump the Dragon Sofia... He merely said Humans and Oni were compatible... so...

Sofia took another bite of her little cake as she got jittery from her running thoughts, completely disregarding the others, before trying to speak again.

"Uh really...? That would be... I think it might.... You'd be- ah!"

She stumbled on her words, and apparently her lip too.

Ow - I can't believe I bit myself a little...!?

Sofia touched at her face, and found she'd gained Luke's full attention.

"You okay?"

"Just my lip...!"

Luke suddenly, but lightly reached over the tiny table and held her chin to take a close look.

"Let me see..."

He leaned over, holding her partly open mouth his way, while she felt her heart skip beats and froze under his intense gaze.

Oh gosh - we're so close...! He's drawn me near to him... is this... are we going to...? This slightly romantic situation... is this a perfect opportunity... for a kiss...!?

Sofia held her breath and watched him slowly get even closer to her.