Chapter 14: Stood Up
"That poor girl. Her date clearly stood her up," Stahl, a line cook at the Ylisse Feast restaurant, spoke up as he looked out from the kitchen to the dining area. As the sun was beginning to set, the restaurant was getting near its closing time, and only one patron remained in the restaurant. She had been there for the last four hours; if anything, her optimism and determination were admirable, having only ordering a drink and salad. She was clearly waiting on someone else to join her, but was left to pick at her food, alone, save for the restaurant staff.
Robin looked up from the sink, in the same direction as Stahl, as he was finishing the last of the day's dishes. "Yeah, what jerk does that to someone?" Just from the looks of it, the girl went the extra mile in getting herself ready for the rendezvous. Her crimson hair was done up in a side braid and pulled over her shoulder, with a small amount of blush and lip gloss on her face, and quite the expensive-looking blue sundress.
Stahl heaved an audible sigh. "Should… one of us go and tell her it's nearly closing time?"
Robin dried his hands off on a nearby dirty wash rag and walked over to the counter, leaning over it on one elbow and staring out at the lonesome girl. He sighed and bent down to grab two plates of display pies from under the counter before walking out to the table. As Robin got closer, he noticed that the girl saw him coming and tried to discreetly wipe her eyes before he got close enough to see her tears.
As he went up to her, the girl spoke up. "It'll be just a little bit longer. I'm sure he's out in the parking lot right now." Robin could hear the crack in her voice and silently cursed the asshole that didn't show up. He set one of the chocolate pies in front of her, and the other one across the table.
She looked down at the pie and then back up to the server. "I… I didn't order any dessert."
Robin sat down in the chair across from her. "It's on the house, ma'am." He grabbed the fork and started digging into his own pie. "I'm here to also tell you that the restaurant is closing soon… I'm sorry, but I don't think who you are expecting… will be showing up."
The girl stared down at her plate, quiet for a moment or two, and soon broke down, her head and arms fell down onto the table with a sudden thud. The sympathetic busboy quickly stood up and walked hurriedly over to her side. Just at that moment, awkwardly realizing there was not much that he could do except lightly and reassuringly pat her on the back. She raised her head up and turned to Robin, tears visibly brimming in the corner of her eyes. "Be honest," she choked out. "Do you think I'm ugly? Am I not pretty enough? Is there something about me that would scare someone off?" She continued under her breath, "First date in years, and he doesn't even show up."
This caught Robin off guard. He stammered, "Well, umm... I mean, you certainly are hot. I-I mean, not hot as in like, 'oh, wow look at her, I'd like some of that.' No, wait I didn't mean to say it like that, because you are definitely attractive. N-not in a way that I'm coming onto you. You certainly are up there, like, above the average. Like..." Needing to stop himself, and hide his own sudden embarrassment, Robin grabbed his pie plate and took a huge bite.
Cordelia just stared at him for a brief moment of unbelieving silence before she brought her hand up to her mouth to stifle a laugh, though failing for the most part. Practically doubling over at seeing Robin's chocolate-covered face, her laughing increasing exponentially with the sight. "I'm… haha, I'm sorry. Your reaction was just too good." She took a few more minutes to compose herself and regain her breathing. She stood up and reached for her purse on an adjacent chair, still wearing a surprising grin. "Haha, I do have to thank you, though. I wasn't expecting to be so quickly cheered up from this, but your response was just too funny."
Robin stood still, trying to comprehend what he'd done, and while watching the girl pack up her items, admitted, "Well, I'm glad my awkwardness was able to help. And I'm sorry again your date never showed up."
"Well, I can look on the bright side, at least: I just dodged a bullet with a terrible person, I'm sure. And, on top of that, I met someone nice enough to try and cheer me up. Oh, and by the way, I'm Cordelia," she said as she held a friendly hand out to the white-haired comedian.
"I'm Robin. The pleasure's all mine. Glad to help someone in distress," he added, the last line heavy with false gusto as he shook her hand.
Cordelia giggled as she turned to leave. "Well, at least I know where I can find you. I hope to see you later, Robin."
Robin looked down at the table and then realized one of the pies had been left untouched "Wait! Wouldn't you like to take your dessert with you"
Cordelia brought her finger up to her chin in thought and said "Well...why don't we save it for my next visit. Judging by how much you've eaten I assume it's good so that's a good reason for me to come back isn't it." She waved with a smile to him as she exited the restaurant.
Robin waved to her as well, pie still coating his awkward expression, and stood staring at the door she exited through long after she'd departed. Confused on why his face felt so warm, his heart was beating so fast, and why he wanted, more than anything right now, to see her again soon.