Two was pretty sure this was the most awkward and embarrassed she had ever felt. She felt like everyone was staring at her, but not in a good way. She desperately wanted to leave, but she couldn't. Leaving now would be a failure. Leaving would mean losing to Three. It would probably destroy any chance at reestablishing a civil relationship with One. And it just might mean she was irredeemable sociopath.
She wasn't leaving, so she might as well try to get through this with the least amount of humiliation possible.
Why did I agree to this?
Out of the corner of his eye, One could see Two scowling in his general direction.
Why was he here? Because Five had looked so sad when he'd said no. And then so excited when he'd said yes.
And because it had been strongly implied that Two had wanted him to come. He hadn't really believed it, but he'd clung to the faint hope that it might be true. As she shifted uncomfortably across from him, it was clear she wanted to be here even less than he did.
Maybe they should just call it off now.
Why wasn't he saying anything? This situation had to be more familiar to him than to her. She was sure she'd had plenty of male companions in her life, but exchanging sweet nothings over candlelight was not her scene.
"Aren't you going to say something?"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Whatever you usually say to a girl on a first date."
"I remember exactly as many past dates as you do." He wasn't even looking at her, his eyes instead boring holes in his menu.
Two huffed but said nothing, trying her best to focus on the words on the menu. As long as they were here, they might as well eat.
Does it even count as a first date if you've already slept together? Even if I did remember a typical first date, there is no way this qualifies.
He wasn't mad at her anymore. He was mad at himself. His expectations had been completely out of line with reality and he had only himself to blame. Still, it hurt that she hadn't recognized him when he returned. He'd expected a warm embrace. Instead, he'd gotten cold metal pressed into his forehead.
Yet the truth was, he still wanted her. As much as he ever did.
The idea of having to respect a romantic partner, much less to treat him as an equal, was completely foreign to her.
She'd acknowledged, when they first began a physical relationship, that things with him would be complicated. But the truth was she hadn't really treated him any differently than any other companion.
Could she treat him differently? Could she approach their relationship on equal footing, yet still expect him to be subordinate on the Raza?
She supposed, if she was being honest, that was her greatest fear. Giving up control. Losing her authority.
"Dammit!" One suddenly slammed his menu on the table. "I hate getting played by that idiot."
Two looked up at One. "What's wrong?"
"Remember how Three so generously gave us money for this meal before dividing shares? You happen to know how much he gave us? And notice the prices on the menu?"
Two scanned the price list. They had just enough money to buy two of the cheapest item. She smiled.
"You have to admit, that's pretty clever for Three."
"I'm not eating crickets."
"What's the big deal? You've eaten them before. I've seen it."
"Not sober. Not knowingly."
"You grew up on a farm. You probably accidentally inhaled crickets all the time."
"You've never actually been on a farm have you?"
"Of course I've never been on a farm."
"Just order whatever you want. We can share."
Two smirked. "What if I want the crickets?"
Just then, the serverdroid approached. "We'll take a number eight to share," One said before Two had a chance to speak. The serverdroid gathered their menus and turned away.
"It's obnoxious to order for your date," Two admonished.