Sky is used to meals with colleagues, it’s not a big deal. There is, however, a slight tension in the air. They’re not sure if it’s the presence of Rawon - although they prefer to believe that it’s just the buildup of the increasingly tiring days.
Rawon shifts uncomfortably in his chair and continues to studiously study the menu. Aero, the sunshine that he is, an accommodating smile on his face, shoots off recommendations to Rawon.
Luckily for Rawon and everyone else in the restaurant the waiter arrives at the table and interrupts to ask if they are ready. Sky took care of all the order, and in the meantime, Aero turns and smiles at him, ready to start a conversation. Rawon interrupts Sky to ask for a potato, Magnificently Named Restaurant’s star drink. Sky nodded and waved him away, and Rawon sat back, no way out from Aero’s friendly, but piercing gaze. Just before Aero can say anything however, Rawon excuses himself and heads to the bathroom before the dishes arrive.
“Dashi, where are you going?” Sky asks when they run into Rawon on his way to the bathroom.
“The bathroom?” Rawon responds, bewildered at Sky’s sudden appearance, believing they were just at the table ordering the meals before Rawon stood up.
Sky eyes him intently and shrugs, nodding and turning back to the direction of their table without saying anything anymore, leaving Rawon in confusion.
Rawon continues on unfazed by Sky attempts at some strange form of intimidation and enters the bathroom. When he walks out, however, to his surprise, Sky was still there, seeming to be deep in thought. Rawon returns to the bathroom as he notices Aero approaching Sky.
Hey, Dashi, Rawon was startled by a voice in his head - it’s been too long since anyone did telepathy with him at all, any reason why you’ve been actively avoiding us?
“You okay Sky?” Aero softly asks Sky, further concerned by Sky’s sudden concentration at the bathroom door. Sky smiles at him and nods, still waiting for Rawon to respond even as they walk away from the bathroom.
“You seem a little distracted, are you sure everything is ok?” Aero double checks.
“Yeah, everything’s fine,” Sky smiles, mind still sharp - Rawon will have to either come back to their table or say something to her anyway.
“Magnificently Named Restaurant was a good pick. What made you choose this place?”
“It’s close, and the food is good. I come here quite a lot.” Sky can’t help but smile at the light choice of topic, pulling their chair and sitting across Aero.
“I realise we’ve never actually talked, let alone attend the same meal.” Aero comments and lets out a light chuckle. Silence - “It’s quite nice.”
Sky looks out the restaurant window and notices a bird perched on a hydrant, intently looking in. They squint in familiarity, but then turns their attention back to Aero, smiling.
“Yes. I do get so caught up in work.” Sky finally responds, “I agree though. It is nice.”
The moment was interrupted by Rawon pulling his seat coming back to the table.
“I’m not feeling too well so I might call it early. I’ll see you guys tomorrow, maybe do that extra training another day, apologies.” Rawon excuses himself and leaves the restaurant, the bird now gone from the hydrant.
Sky looks up across the table to find Aero looking at them, expression soft.
“I suppose we should see to canceling his dish” Aero thinks out loud as he waves down a waiter.
Sky nods as they watch Aero converse with the waiter, and he sits back down, tilting his head at Sky in question.
The two converse lightly about work before their meals arrive in an unexpectedly timely manner. That’s not the only unexpected thing, though, as Sky surprisingly finds Aero’s company extremely pleasant throughout the evening.
As the evening progresses they begin to move away from the topic of work and discuss the politics of Palmfall and Verdalia, and then learning about their backgrounds. Sky learns that Aero is the eldest of 3 and that he has a soft spot for Meredith, his cat - in which Sky talks about Meowmeow in return. Sky also learns about Aero’s expert background in technology and how, until his peculiar switch to law, was working on a system that analysed legal cases, predicting the outcome.
At the end of the night, Aero holds the door open for Sky, and the sky was clear enough to see the stars. Sky thanks Aero for a lovely evening and comments that he should come help her with technology as she has no clue what to do.
Aero smiles - and Sky, for the first time in their life, found themselves not knowing what to expect.
“I think that’s a smashing idea” Aero remarks, perhaps too excitedly.
Sky is not sure what they just did, but they don’t think it’s a bad thing, not really. Sky nods and waves goodbye, both walking off in opposite directions.
