The driver opens the door and bows as Natasia walks out, tipping them a few folds for their expedited service: Thank you, Your Highness. As always, please do not hesitate to call the Night Carriage. 

Natasia dips her head in respect: Thank you for your service as always. Professor, are you coming? *She looks back at Ardonia then walks to the service bot.* 

Ardonia: -she gives a quick thank you to the driver and speed walks to catch up to Natasia’s long strides- Coming coming.

Natasia sees Ardonia beside her and then asks the service bot if there is a corner booth with noise reduction on it and the bot says: Yes absolutely. There are at least 2 corner booths left with noise reduction.

Natasia: Wonderful, it’s just the two of us. 

The service bot nods and then escorts them to the booth. It’s a bit noisy in this beautiful diner, full of all kinds of beings enjoying the food. The aroma hits Ardonia heavily as the smell is full of many spices and heated meats.

Ardonia: Is this the diner all of the students talk about all day long? It’s wonderful here!

Natasia and Ardonia sit down at this plush booth that has not as much noise around it.

Natasia: Most likely. This is Saint’s. It’s been here for a very long time but he has some of the best food for any time of day.

Ardonia: -her tail gently wiggles under the table and the tip keeps brushing across Natasia’s ankle- I’m so excited~. I’ve wanted to find a way to try it~.

Natasia’s eyes look down at Ardonia’s tail and moves her shoe up so the tip touches her tail more and smiles slightly: Of course. I recommend this place to many residents of Lucid City and those who can come through and like to visit on their Visas. 

An older satyr man with large round glasses, silver gry rams horns, and a kind smile comes up to their table.

Saint: Well howdy now Tash, you finally bring a lady friend along~? Bout time!

Ardonia: -she blushes and giggles- Tash?

Natasia rolls her eyes but still smiles: Hello Saint. How are you? She is just a friend friend. My dear friend, this is Saint. He’s been in Lucid City for a very very long time. I would say he is possibly one of its first residents. Although…*She looks around.* He still likes to keep more of this style which has a rustic feeling to it.

Saint: -he smiles widely at Ardonia and firmly and excitedly shakes her hand- Pleasure to meet you darlin! You’re as pretty as a ruby berry! Thanks for puttin up with Tash’s sour face! What can I get you two?

Ardonia: -she laughs and tries to keep up with how fast he’s shaking her hand- I-It’s wonderful to meet you as well~. It’s my first time here so I’m not sure yet.

Saint: First time??? Well shit, lemme bring you a big ‘ol sampler! That otta do the trick! And for you Tash?

Natasia just chuckles and shakes her head: I’ll have your lunch special, the Monte Cristo bacon cheese with a vanilla, chocolate twisted shake. Thank you Saint. Take your time also.

Saint: I know how to cook, don’t tell me how long it takes. You’re too young to be tellin me how my kitchen works. Now I’ll be back in a bit. Tash you behave don’t you go scarin her off now. She’s a nice girl. -he turns on his hoof without listening to her response and heads back to the kitchen-

Natasia: Saint! Wha- ugh…don’t mind him. He’s been like this since I’ve met him when he looked a little younger and his hair wasn’t as gray. Heh. He just likes to tease me. *She rolls her eyes playfully.* I’m intrigued by how you may like the food.

Ardonia: -she’s still giggling from Saint- He’s such a card~. With a heart that big I’m sure the food is delicious. It’s so nice to see that you have friends even with your busy schedule.

Natasia blushes slightly: W-well I…you know, I can’t be too apart from the people then I won’t know if anything is going on. But enough of that, do you or have you made any friends since being in Resosia?

Ardonia: -she looks out the window- Mm. A few here and there…I enjoy chatting with Professor Nozelle. We exchange recipes.

Natasia: Ohhh well that’s good. I am glad that some of the professors are treating you well. You leave so quickly that I thought you didn’t like the environment outside of your classroom and I wanted to ask if there was anything I could do to make your stay more enjoyable.

Ardonia: What? Oh no no I absolutely adore the school. I love everything about it, especially the lounges. It’s a nice reprieve. 

Natasia smiles proudly: Thank you, I really take pride in that school so picking the best of the best to be able to teach here really helps. And you are one of the best from what I’ve seen so far. So…I’m assuming your husband is from here? Or…you both liked the area?

Ardonia: -she looks away again- He’s from Dzular originally..his family owned a few properties here and gifted him one as a wedding present. So he decided to move us here. It was quite the culture shock at first but I’m thankfully used to it now.

Natasia: I see. 

So she wouldn’t have made the choice to be here…Natasia thinks to herself as Saint comes over with their food and they both are distracted by the smell of their lunches.

Saint: -he sets down two large plates of food in front of them- Alright ladies here ya go! I do hope you enjoy Miss First timer! And Tash, I better see an empty plate. -he quickly leaves their table to check on the rest of his diner- 

Ardonia: Goodness he is so fast.

Natasia looks at her food with excitement: Yes he thinks he needs to be and won’t listen when I say slow down but I guess it’s fine…for now. Heh. Please enjoy.

She doesn’t wait for Ardonia to dig in as she takes her utensils and begins cutting into her food and eating it, savoring the taste. 

Natasia: Mmmmmm that’s splendid…

Ardonia: -she smiles and starts tasting the massive sampler platter and her eyes light up- Oh my~... -she quickly digs into the rest of the platter, wiggling happily at each new delicious dish- I don’t think I can live without this food now~...

Natasia smirks a bit as she continues eating slowly: I told you it’s very good. I don’t know what he puts in the food but it’s been a staple of Lucid City for more than 150 years. 

Ardonia: Really?? Isn’t that almost the edge of a Satyr’s life span though?..What would the city do without him?

Natasia pondered but smiled: Well I'm not too worried about that. He’s had this restaurant for 150 years but he’s at least twice that age. I don’t know how but he’s still here. I know he has a young son with his wife…so I doubt he will be leaving anytime soon. Hehe. All ages seem to like it here. 

Ardonia: My goodness..! Heh you know and gather the most interesting people don’t you?

Natasia has a very very slight blush on her cheeks but she keeps it together: Yes well, as someone who has been around for a very very long time. I feel like if I don’t have interesting people…I will utterly perish into boredom. And I’d rather not be bored…heh.

Ardonia: -she giggles quietly- I’m surprised then that you chose to spend such personal time with me. I’m quite a boring woman in comparison.

Natasia eyes her and looks deep in her eyes then a smile plays across her lips: You think yourself boring darling? Is that alright to say? Darling? Because I find you quite amusing.
Ardonia: -her wings flutter slightly when Natasia calls her Darling- I-I suppose it’s fine…Wh..What do you mean you find me amusing?

Natasia giggles from watching Ardonia’s wings flutter: I find you rather interesting to talk to, you also have such a mysterious way about you. I guess wanting to know you is something I wish for currently. So my curiosity has been piqued…I can’t say for how long though hehe. *She drinks her soda as she watches her friend’s reactions.*

Ardonia: -she looks out of the window and her wings wilt a bit- Heh well you know almost everything about me so I don’t know how much longer I can entertain you Dean Haile..

Natasia puts her hand on the table and slides it towards Ardonia: Ardonia? Is everything okay? Maybe you should take some time to just enjoy Lucid City. We have so many shops and markets that have different styles. I can introduce you to a few so you can get your footing. Also, if you need time to just relax, there are apartments and housing for our staff even if they aren’t there all the time.

Ardonia: -her eyes lighten up for just a moment at the thought of having her own space but she squashes it quickly- I promise I’m alright. Heh my um husband would prefer me to be home after work anyways..He denied the idea of moving closer since his family gave him that house.

Natasia: I get it. But still if you ever need to just take a break, then you have options. Everyone deserves to relax, especially my professors. I need you in top shape to mold the minds of these young people. They can be so…enthusiastic hehe. 

Natasia looks at Ardonia and puts some folds down on the table and signals for them to leave since lunch is almost over.

They both exit, waving at Saint. As they exit, Natasia looks down at Ardonia: Ardonia…are you happy?

Ardonia: -her eyes widen slightly- W-What do you mean? Of course I am..

Natasia puts her hands together: I’m just asking. I do care if people are happy. You just don’t seem to like talking about home.

Ardonia: -she absently waves her off- Home is just..boring. That’s all. Nothing that would excite someone as interesting as you.

Natasia smiles deeply, showing her teeth and steps closer to her, just one step, keeping her gaze on only Ardonia: You think me interesting?

Ardonia: -she hesitates for a moment but soon looks up at her and meets Natasia’s gaze- I do.

Natasia looks down and takes another step forward, the day seems darker as Natasia’s powers seep out: I think you are quite interesting as well, and would like to know more of you but…maybe over time. We should get you back for your next class, Professor. You don’t want to keep your students waiting.

Ardonia: Of course..Natasia.

Natasia bites her lip but then she hears a group of children laughing and walking by and backs up, looking in the direction of where the sound comes from. They both see a few different groups heading back to the main high school building and a chime of a bell for the hour mark.

Natasia: We should get back.