Both Malia and Ryan strolled out of the building and down to the walkways of the headquarter heading toward the restaurant area of the headquarter. Malia looks around and see that all around her people from different races like the Asari, Drell, Salarians, Turians, Krogan, Quarians, Keepers, Protheans, Volus, Sangheili, Unggoy, Burmecian, Clavat, Goron, Selkie, Dwarf, Gnome, Draenei, Tauren, Angara, Geth, Togruta, Humans, and Terrans were still walking around. The headquarters weren't quite as busy as they would be during the day, but there were still people roaming around. It was a nice night, despite the slightly chilly temperature of the crisp evening.
Malia felt grateful for this, she just wanted to spend some time alone with Ryan outside of missions, she could not control her smile. They walked on in companionable silence for a while before they finally arrive at the restaurant named Dripping Drizzles that it is a two-floor restaurant which prepares and serves food and drinks to customers. This is one of many places that many members of the Gaia Empire go after missions to eat and drink. Both Ryan and Malia walked into the restaurant and once inside, Malia looked around the restaurant, it was a glamorous place with two floors with chandeliers and paintings. They walked up to the front desk to see an Asari barely paying attention to anyone that walked in or out, so Ryan approached her.
"Excuse me miss, table for two, please." Ryan casually said.
The Asari then looked up and saw Ryan and began checking him out and then said, "Certainly, sir, follow me." She said before she stood up and walked.
Both Ryan and Malia follow the Asari to the second floor and were led out to a balcony table. Then the Asari waiter pulled out their seats for them which they both sat on each side of the table.
"Here are your menus..." The Asari said with a smile on her face, "Just signal when you two are ready and one of the waitresses will take your orders." She said with a smiled before she walked away.
Malia looked around the restaurant nervously, the atmosphere quiet and exceedingly romantic with dim lights, red tablecloths, and chairs. Her eyes fell on her date, Ryan, who sat across from her with his hair slicked back, comfortably wearing a nice blue button up shirt with wearing a nice blue button-up shirt. Meanwhile, she is wearing a button short-sleeved V-neck lapis sweater and tight ocean-blue jeans while her hair was tied in a ponytail.
"Malia!" Ryan said getting her attention, "You've been oddly quiet..." He said, "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine..." Malia replied as she gave him a smile.
Ryan watched her closely, assessing her, but he knew that she wasn't alright, and it was almost as if she knew that he didn't believe her.
"You're many things, Malia..." Ryan replied, "But you're a bad liar." He said as he smiled at her.
Malia chuckled slightly, "That's obvious, huh?"
Ryan took her hand and looks at her, "Very." He spoke softly and Malia's hands were warm and comforting for him.
Malia knew that she would have to tell him the truth, and this was his way of showing her that he wanted her to be open about how she is feeling while Ryan was following her eyes carefully.
"We're friends, right? You trust me right?" Ryan stated with steel in his voice while still holding Malia's hand with his while she remained silent, "How many times have we fought back to back?"
"I..." Malia began before she paused hesitantly, "I just..." She said as their eyes met for a moment, before she turned away with a defeated sigh, "All of this..." She replied hastily as she pointed both herself and him, "I've never been on a date before." She said before she gulped, "So, I'm just a bit nervous about this."
Ryan chuckled, "That's normal for your first time." He said calming Malia for a little while.
"Have you ever even been on a date before?" Malia asked and Ryan pursed his lips for a moment, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
"Yes, I have dated other girls before..." Ryan replied before he swallows a little, "But honestly not often." He said and Malia chuckled a little.
"So, uhhh..." Malia fumbled with her words for a moment as she looked almost straight down, "Can I ask you something?" She asked, "Which I hope it does not offend you." She said, and Ryan gave her a nod.
"Shoot." Ryan answered the question.
"Why are you still single?" Malia asked and Ryan swallows a little, not really wanting to talk to her about my love life or lack thereof, "I mean, you're smart, sweet, and handsome." She said and Ryan looks at her, "To top it all off, you seem to be as good looking on the inside as you are on the outside, so I just find it extremely hard to understand how it's possible that you're still single."
Ryan chuckled a little and rubs the back of his head, "Do you really think that?" He asked, and Malia gave him a nod, "The reason, I'm still single, it's because I've never found the right woman." He said and Malia chuckled a little.
Just then their eyes darted away from each other when a female Clavat waitress wearing a white button-down blouse and black pants stood before them with her hair cascading down her shoulders in brown waves. Clavats are very similar to earth humans, but the only difference between them is that clavats have pointy, elf-like ears.
"Are you two ready to order?" The female Clavat waitress asked.
"I will have a plain hamburger..." Ryan said before he looks at Malia, "What about you?"
"Um... I will have a bacon and cheeseburger." Malia said as she looks at the waitress.
The waitress nodded before she walked away with the menus.