"I really haven't, actually. I mean...I never really had great food..."
He glanced at her, then shook his head.
"Anyway, your mom is the chef?? Well, I'll just compliment her myself, when we get to your house."
Dart took a few more bites, chewing, savouring. The lizard never had had much else besides well...meat. Sometimes raw, sometimes cooked. Often what would make others call him a cannibal. An occasional seared mushroom wrapped in ferns.

Well, he didn't really care. The frilled lizard meat had always been sustenance for an empty stomach. He had always made sure to carefully avoid any from their own clan, but even for them that was quite rare. Only in battles during the winter, or a drought. Sometimes someone who simply died from lack of food. Dart had just gone without. Even if he had hated the person, he had still known them. He was not into the sick stuff of killing and conquering...raping, killing, raping, eating...he'd seen many of his own clansmen do such things.

They just didn't seem to understand that the other clans were made of anthros too. Ones with personalities, lives, talents and weaknesses. Or they didn't care, and just ignored the fact that another could do it to them one day, and often did.
It had taken himself a little time to understand that, but he couldn't help but enjoy the killing. Less so now that he was exposed to it less, certainly. But still...he did enjoy it. Being a good person, animals were good enough for him. Being a patient, reasonably controlled person.
He sighed and finished his sandwich, then took a drink of water. He'd forgotten about it.

And Ailane. The frilled lizard cursed quietly and told her sorry, then paused a moment before adding, "Thanks again for just letting me eat here. I don't have much money, to be honest."
In fact, he'd spent most of it on clothes. What he had had before those had been torn and ragged crap that barely held together.
Speaking of money, he should get a job too...he grimaced. The young man had no idea how to go about such things. He'd have to look it up. Or...he could ask Ailane. She wouldn't laugh at him. Though if she did, it would atleast be justifiable.

(Where did that come from
Apparently I haven't rped enough with him yet lol)

Ailane smirked slightly at his words.
"Yeah, my mother works as a chef here.. She's great, not only on making sandwiches." she spoke calmly.
She then rose an eyebrow somewhat at Dart as he genuinely enjoyed his sandwich.
"I've never seen one enjoy such simple food... Makes me wonder more to what kind of place he came from." she thought to herself, but she quickly shook it off as she knew it wasn't something she should ask about. He seemed already uncomfortable to talk about his talent in fighting, so she assumed his childhood wasn't a... "normal one", if one can say that.

Well, defining a "normal life" is hard nowdays. Although in the more classy houses, a normal life would be to have much money to go around and don't have much of a care in the world, this Ailane knew from experience.
After her mother broke off with her family to build up her own, Ailane and her had lived in poverty, so Ailane did know the hardships of growing up with barely anything at all. The more Gothic clothes she wore was her very cherished ones she had worked hard to get, saving money for months while helping her mother with the bills.

Ailane blinked as she realized she was still just standing by the eating lizards table. She peered over to her working comrade, who smiled and rose her furry hand into a fully open palm. That was the signal she had learned as "Take a five minute break.", although she had seen it quite often as the bunny thought Ailane was overworking herself.
Ailane nodded back to the bunny girl and went to sat down by Dart's table, feeling it would be rude to just go away, she blinked to his words as she Finlay realized he talked again.
"Oh! Don't mention it.. Oh? Low on money you as well?" she tilted her head a bit as she looked curiously at him. She hadn't really though that he was a guy with low income... with the thought in mind that he just a while back had several weapons on him that certainly would cost some amount of money.

((Oh dear.. I got so excited to write when I saw you write so much!! >w< Nehehe! I couldn't hold myself either! ;3 ))

(Sorry, just been kinda eh lately, gonna try to make a reply)

He realized she was now sitting across from him at the table, and he blinked before picking up his glass of water again and finishing nearly all of it in a few gulps.
"Are you taking a break? Oh..." he said, looking around for a second before continuing, "and when does your work end? I never asked how long your shifts are...and I've only been here for what...two hours? Or maybe a bit more."
Dart drew in a big breath and let it out quietly, thinking.
"Oh sorry I completely forgot your question. But yes...I've never had a job myself, after all...circumstances out of my control really."

The lizard spread his hands and shrugged, then looked back around him. The place was a little less crowded. People were even farther from him than before; he also saw none of the same faces that had been here when he came in. Except employees of course. Though he'd only noticed one besides Angie and Ailane. He was still around, hurrying between tables and taking orders.
He looked back to the feline, quietly watching her for a few seconds before taking his drink up again and finishing it.
Surprisingly...he was looking forward to seeing her house, meeting her mom, being able to actually - that was what was far more surprising than anything else that had happened since he had met this young woman, that he wanted to tell her about himself, wanted to trust her that much.

He rolled his shoulders, trying to get it all of his mind so that he could pay attention to her answer. But really...now he realized why it was so difficult for him to even listen while he was thinking more than superficially. He'd never had to really do it before, and therefore had no practice. There wasn't usually anything to think about before but killing, sex, and clan politics. Though there hadn't been much of the latter, there had been enough to matter.
He didn't enjoy it, but he was good at it. Used to be, atleast. When he was more naive. Which seemed very backwards, actually; but it didn't matter, because he understood.

(Whut. How? But I'm happy about it - enjoy lol)

(( That is alright, dear ^^ No worries! ))

Ailane shrugged lightly. "Well.. there isn't much people here right now, so.. Angie and Markus should be able to hold up, but I sit here in case something comes up.." she rubbed her neck gently as she spoke.
"Hmm, today my shift ends when the store closes at seven.. Then I'll have to stay behind and clean a bit, but... I should be off at least near eight." she peered a bit to the door to the kitchen before looking back to the lizard as he spoke again about a job and his circumstances.
"Ah, I see... You've had a rough time, haven't you? Just a guess though.."

After a short while with them talking, the dog Markus tapped Ailane on the shoulder.
"Um.. Your mother wants some help in the kitchen... apparently one of the stoves broke again..." he spoke lowly with a sigh, Ailane rolled her eyes.
"Am I the only one who can fix it?.. Geez, shouldn't the manager fully repair that junkbox soon...?" she said with a slightly annoyed tone, but then smiled a little to Dart.
"I'll be right back, Dart." and she walks towards the kitchen, Angie caught her though half way and spoke something lowly to her, snickering as Ailane gave her a light push and continued into the kitchen.

"Okay," he replied, smiling back at her.
"Guess something came up," he said to himself, sighing as he watched her walk away. His gaze narrowed when Angie came up to her...something clicked.
Dart blinked a few times before staring down at the table, his thoughts whirring through his head, most in a colourful jumble of bright colours; green and blue and yellow, some orange and pink...just swatches and rotations.

He shook his head, pressing his fingertips into his eyelids. It was giving him a headache. The lizard wished he had asked for more water...the zebra waiter that was still around passed by, and he motioned with his hand. He came over willingly enough and asked him what he needed.
"Just a fill of my glass, please."
The waiter told him he'd bring out a pitcher and to just wait a minute, so he did. The water was in a big clear glass pitcher, with lots of ice and a few lemon slices. The male lizard didn't care much for the lemons, but he was thirsty; so he poured himself his water as the zebra guy left to attend to a table he had probably interrupted him attending to.

He sighed again and sat back, drinking some of his water and waiting for Ailane. To keep his thoughts off of his shocking revelation, he could only think of killing, or perhaps he could try to cast his mind into a sort of oblivion, void...not to think right now would be a great things.
After a moment, Dart resisted that thought. What was wrong with this place, for thoughts, anyway? Sure there were people around, but not close, and it couldn't and didn't matter what they might think of him for any reason true or false.
So while he waited for her, me made sure to think about this new thing; ponder it, wonder at it, shy away and creep closer in awe at the same time...what a place and time to have such an epiphany! The lizard laughed to himself.

Ailane muttered inside the kitchen, having to be squeezed between two mayor machines to get to the broken part. She groaned as she managed to hit on the vial and smoke poured out at her. Coughing she quickly backed and shook her somewhat wet face.
"Okay... That should do it for a while... Don't overhead it next time!" Ailane pointed the screwdriver at the chef, who snickered lightly.
"Yes, yes.. Thank you, Ailane!" he smiled and went back to his work.

Ailane sighed and rubbed her head, moving for of her hair aside of her damp face.
"Geez, will they never learn to take care of it themselves...? Lazy basterds.." she sighed and made sure her scarred side was covered again before walking outside. Now there were less people inside the cafe as it was soon closing time. Ailane walked to Darts table.
"Aah, sorry about that... I'm sort of the mechanic around here.." she shrugged and peered at Dart, blinking slightly as she felt something was wrong.
"Hey... Are you alright?" she asked softly while tilting her head somewhat to the side.

The frilled lizard had drifted off a bit, and he snapped alert, looking around. There were even less people than before, and suddenly he saw Ailane headed towards the table again.
Without really thinking, he just stared at her as she came over, as she sat down, then looked away as she spoke.
"It's okay. And actually, I am fine. Just confused, I guess."
Dart smiled up at her, a genuine smile, then looked around again.
"Isn't it time for this place to close soon? And what time is it anyways...hey do you own a cell phone? Just curious."

Ailane tilted her head a bit more.
"Confused?.. About what?" she asked wondering, pondering on what might was wrong with him since for a second ago he looked very weird and distant.
She then nods a little at Dart's question.
"Ah, yeah.. It's about ten minutes or so until we close... I should probably start cleaning up.. Hm? A cellphone? Um.. No, I don't.. I haven't had the money to buy one." she shook her head a little, reminding herself that she rather bought a laptop than a cellphone since she had little need for such a thing. She had no friends to call nor much money to ring people anyway.
She peered at the empty dishes on the table and smiles slightly.
"I guess I can take these then. How about you wait outside while I clean up this place and... I and mother will meet you outside in about.. twenty minutes?" she picked up the plates and the empty glass and smiled a bit to Dart before walking towards the other tables to clean up.

Dart ignored her question about his confusion. That would not come later either, as his past was. This was to be analyzed once he got back to his room, slept on many nights, before he could tell her, or even hint at it.
What would be better was if she figured it out herself, and eventually reciprocated.
Not everything worked exactly the way you wanted, though. All he had was hope and patience, for now.
The lizard hadn't expected her to, but it was good to know for sure. He didn't either, of course. Maybe he could get one after he had a job for a while.

Maybe...get one for her too. Get a joint plan or something? As a gift for her birthday? But...when was her birthday? He would learn eventually, he supposed.
He nodded his head in acknowledgement and sat for a few minutes, just staring off into space. The male shook his head finally and got up. slowly walking outside. He'd prefer to wait out there, since there were still people around, and outside it was dark, cool, and there was a very fine drizzle coming down. Smiling up into the sky, he strolled over to a bench and sat, leaning back in a relaxed position.
His face still to the sky, he closed his eyes and waited the next fifteen minutes, then sat up straight after opening his pale yellow orbs.
A smile came to his face and he stood.

Just as Dart opened his eyes, Ailane and a similar looking woman walked out from the cafe, the woman locked the door as they closed it.
The woman had fairly similar colouring fur as Ailane, but had a more lighter tone and a less fluffy tail. She wore casual clothes which didn't stand out as much as Ailane's did, but more or less she looked like an every day city mother with her long brown hair tied loosely into a ponytail by her neck.
The cat smiled gently to Ailane and then blinked a little at Dart as Ailane walked over to him.
"Hey, Sorry for the wait... Someone had barfed in the toilet and someone had to clean it up...." Ailane sighed as she spoke to Dart, she then turned to the woman who gently touched her shoulder.
"Oh, and who might this fascinating man be, Ailane? A friend?" she spoke kindly and smiled to Dart and Ailane. Ailane rubbed her head a little.
"Er.. Yeah... Mom, this is Dart.. He goes in my school.. Dart, this is my mother, Carol.." she spoke and pointed between the two as she spoke their names. Carol smiled friendly and held out her hand to lightly shake Dart's hand.
"Aah, how nice to meet you, Dart. I never really though Ailane would dare to introduce her friends to me. always making me worried that I might embarrass her." she smirked a little to Ailane, who rolled her visible eye.
"It's because you often do, mom..." she moaned a bit, but got a pat on the head from her mother.
"Oh come now, dearest. I only tease with you. She get so easily flustered, one can't resist really!" Carol winked at Dart and snickered, Ailane could be seen with a small blush on her cheeks as she sighs and peered aside. "I already regret this...." she thought to herself.
Carol softly went to stroke Ailane's cheek.
"Oh deary, now she is getting all pouting again, are you, sweetie?" she grinned playfully, but Ailane quickly waved away her mother's hand.
"Mom..! Really? You make me seem like a five year old..." she muttered and set her hands inside her trouser pockets while Carol just chuckled at her.

"Its fine, and yes, good to meet you Carol," he said, smiling and shaking the paw offered.
"Fascinating? Maybe because I am a frilled lizard? And I believe," he thought, looking over at Ailane when her mother remarked about friends, "that she doesn't want you to know she didn't have any..."
He just smiled gently at their sniping.
"Don't worry, it's cute when you're flustered," he told her, sticking his tongue out at her.
Dart laughed and put his own hands in his pockets.
"So, how long of a walk is it to your house?" he asked, looking at both of them in turn, curious as to which of them would actually answer.
"Oh and Ailane, the walk there goes by the place where I put my trench coat and stuff, right?"

(I'm sorry for such a bad post after all this waiting, but I'll try to reply more often ^^)

(( Not a worry, dear ^^ I don't mind at all! ))

Ailane blinked as Dart commented on her being cute, this made her blush even more. She muttered lowly to herself and peered aside with a small frown.
"Yep... regretting this already." she thought to herself.
After she sulked at herself for a moment, she blinked to Dart as he asked about his coat and where their house lied.
"Aah, it's not that far really... and we can take the road to snatch your coat, don't worry.." she set her hands into her pockets and began to walk, Carol snickered softly.
"Oh deary. I did not think my little Ailane would become so into herself like this. Is she like this in school perhaps?" she smiled lightly to Dart as they moved along, Ailane walking somewhat ahead to avoid getting taken off guard once more by a comment pointed at her.

"That's good. I almost forgot about them."
Dart began to walk as well, keeping step with Ailane's mother.
The lizard didn't really know what to say to Carol's comment. Should he be neutral? That seemed best, but he wasn't even sure how he was supposed to go about that.
Of course, her mother honestly didn't seem like someone who'd get offended by much, or like someone who would be able to laugh it off.
"Well, she certainly doesn't cause trouble," he said, laughing. He had no proof of that, but it went in keeping with her character. "And she talks to me. I don't think you have to worry about her."
He smiled back, keeping on the lookout for the rock he had put his stuff behind.