Mall Adventures, Part II

After settling down, the group was talkative right away. Looking over the menu, Jess tapped a fork on her water glass.

"Okay... because things have been crazy around here for me... I think we owe some people a birthday." She grinned, looking at Sage, Mia, and Duo.

"That's alright..." Sage said quietly, looking mildly embarassed. Mia giggled.

"We go through this every year, Sage," she said. "We're having a birthday for you." Duo laughed.

"So... what do you guys say to having some cake?" Jess asked. Minako cheered.

"I'm all for it!" she said happily. "We should have them sing, too!"

"Oh no!" Makoto shook her head. "I hate that song." Sage turned bright red under his hair as Rowen laughed at his friend.

"Come on, Sage..." The blond shook his head.

"I'd rather not," he said quietly. The discussion continued as the waitress took their drink orders, and Jess managed to sneak in a cake order for the three birthdays and for it to come after they ate their regular meals.

Feeling mostly like snacking, the group ordered several appetisers on combination plates and other things just to share across the whole table for the time being. The meal was noisy and pleasant. Followed by a noisy birthday song from the entire Friday's waitstaff that sent the blood rushing to Sage's cheeks, they all headed back home very full.

Mall Adventures, Part I

The mall was crowded. It was odd for a weekday, but... for late June, it was normal. Jess was between sessions, as well as off from work, and they were bored... so the group had gone to the mall. After a while, they had split up to go to whatever stores they wanted, deciding that they'd all get back together later at Friday's for dinner.

Mia had stuck with Duo, since he was slower at the moment anyway. He'd made quite a bit of improvement over the past week or so... but Mia was watching how he was walking.

"How are you holding up?" she asked him.

"I'm alright."

"We can take a break you know." He nodded.

"I know."

"Well... don't push yourself, okay? Your limp's been getting worse." Duo sighed. "Hm?" He stopped.

"Alright," he said. Mia gave him a small smile and took his arm. She guided him over to one of the benches. She spotted the pretzel cart.

"Wanna pretzel?" she asked him, digging into her wallet for some cash.

"Okay..."

"I'll be right back." Duo sat down, stretching his leg out in front of him. He couldn't really move his foot around all that much with the aircast on it, but he could enough to stretch it a bit. Not that he had his full range of motion anyway right now. Mia came back and handed him a pretzel and a soda.

He took it from her carefully so she didn't drop her own. Turning the pretzel over, he looked at it funny.

"What is this?" he asked her.

"Cinnamon." Mia grinned as she sat down. "They had samples and I liked it."

"So.. you got two..."

"Yup." She looked at him. "What? Just try it."

"Cinnamon..." He quirked an eyebrow, but braved a bite of the pretzel.

"So?" He tilted his head back and forth a bit and then nodded.

"Not bad..." he said. Mia grinned again. He stuck his tongue out at her.

"We should probably start heading back towards Friday's when you're ready," she said. She tilted her arm so he could see her watch. He looked over and nodded.

"Alright," he said. "I don't wanna sit too long anyway... My leg'll get stiff." Mia nodded. "I'm probably gonna feel this later anyway." He smiled a bit. Mia leaned on his shoulder affectionately.

After they had finished the pretzels, they started their trip to Fridays. Mia let Duo set the pace. Surprisingly, they got there early. So, they got a table and Mia went to wait for everyone at the door.