Hey sorry for the long absence, school projects are killing me but I never stopped writing, just didn't have the time to post something until now.
Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Capcom and Ace Attorney series
Clay's POV
I have to hand it to Mr. Starbuck this place is very regal yet sophisticated at the same time. I can see why it's called the Star Restaurant, to start if you look up at the ceiling, the way the lights are arranged you can see they form some of the constellations like the Big Dipper and Orion's Belt. The lighting of the whole place is in a twilight setting, the walls were plastered with the various planets in the solar system, and the waiters and waitresses are all dressed like galaxies.
"Wow I haven't been to a restaurant this nice since...well, never," remarked Apollo.
"Same here Pollo, come on our booth should be close by now," I told him.
Right away I spotted Athena off in the distance beckoning us over to sit. Mr. Starbuck was looking through the menu trying to decide what to eat.
"Well it's about time you got here, who were you on the phone with anyway?" Athena asked.
"Oh, it was Mr. Wright, he called to tell us that he's closing the office early and to tell us to enjoy the rest of the day."
"Oh, alright then, well hurry and pick something I already narrowed my choices down to three selections but I still can't decide."
"Well Athena I see that your appetite hasn't changed much since you left," Mr. Starbuck commented.
Huh? What did he mean by that?
"What do you mean Mr. Starbuck? What hasn't changed? We've only just met each other," Athena said a little inconspicuously. Why is Mr. Starbuck talking to her like they've been friends for a long time? And more importantly why is Athena avoiding his comment?
When I looked over to ask Mr. Starbuck what he was talking about the look in his eyes stopped me from asking. It may just be me, but I could have swore he looked a little disappointed and I think a bit hurt.
"Athena don't you-,"
"I think I'll go for this tasty looking pasta with oregano and chives with caramel flan for dessert," I looked over at the picture of the food she wanted and raised an eyebrow. Putting aside what just happened between Athena and Mr. Starbuck, I gave her a questioning look because the size of the dish is extremely large and that's not even counting dessert.
"Uh, Athena? Are you sure you can handle that?"
"Don't be deceived Clay, I may look small but my appetite is anything but,"
"Alright if you're sure Thena,"
"U-uh, d-did I say Thena? I'm pretty sure I said Athena. Yup I did," nice save Terran...not.
"Hey it's okay, I don't mind if you call me Thena. It actually sounds really nice when you call me that," is it just me or is she actually blushing?
"Well then, uh, T-thena, you know that is a pretty big dish and uh...i-if you don't mind maybe, we could, uh...," I was nervously pulling at the collar on my shirt right now.
"We could what Clay?" Thena asked. Thena...I don't know why but it felt right to call her that.
I was scanning our other two guests to help me dig out of this mess I got myself into but the looks on their faces showed that I was not going to get any help from them. Apollo has his all knowing smirk that says 'you're on your own dude' and has this look in his eyes that looks about ready to kill anything in his path. What did I di this time? Mr. Starbuck on the other hand is trying to not laugh but failing miserably.
"W-well I thought we could, you know...s-share the dish," I'm an idiot! I'm an idiot! I'm an idiot! I AM AN IDIOT!
"I don't see why not but I should warn you, I can eat more than you think," she said proudly.
"She can Clay, I can vouch for her statement," Apollo commented.
"Well I think I'll be okay, I have a pretty big appetite myself," that's a half lie but I won't admit that out loud.
"Perfecto," Athena looks so happy now, almost more than I would think.
After about another five minutes we all came to a conclusion of what we wanted. Athena and I are going to share the pasta and possibly the dessert if she is willing, Apollo is going to order himself a tasty looking rice dish with chicken and a small salad on the side, and Mr. Starbuck settled on a light bowl of veggie soup. 20 minutes later, the waitress brought everyone's dishes and it looks amazing, I hope it tastes as good as it looks.
"Finally, I thought they were never going to bring our food," Athena exclaimed.
"Easy there Tiger, the food's not going anywhere," Apollo teased.
"Hey I'm still a growing girl. I can't help it if I have a healthy appetite," she remarked. As cute as their bickering is, I'm starving.
"Less talking, more eating," I said as I made my way over to the pasta dish.
"I second that," Thena said as she began devouring our lunch.
"H-hey! Save some for me too Thena!" sheesh Apollo wasn't kidding.
"Oh, alright. But only because you asked me to," she said.
"Thanks," I wonder what would had happen if I didn't say anything.
One thing for sure, Apollo is having a field day with what's happening. I am never going to hear the end of it, of that I can say for certain.
Apollo's POV
To say that things between Clay and Athena are even more peculiar than before would be the understatement of the century. From calling Athena Thena to sharing a meal together I can't see how it could be any stranger. And unless I'm misreading this, I feel as if Mr. Starbuck knows more than he is really letting on. He talks to Athena as if he knew her his whole life. I'm not sure what exactly is going anymore but it's pretty obvious all three of them have some history prior to this meeting. Although I can't deny that what's going on right now is not humorous. Clay hasn't looked this flustered since...actually I don't think I have ever seen him flustered.
"So, Pollo, how do you like your rice salad," Clay asked.
"It's not exactly a salad Clay but it is very tasty. How's your and Athena's pasta?"
"Very good actu-,"
"It's delicious, muy, muy rico," Athena exclaimed.
"Sheesh Athena calm down and aren't you usually the one chastising me about indoor and outdoor voices?" I couldn't help but teased her.
"This is nothing Apollo you should have seen her before," said Mr. Starbuck.
"What do you mean?" I asked. So my assumption wasn't far off then.
"Yes Mr. Starbuck what DO you mean?" our little redhead said suspiciously.
Athena what is wrong with you today? You're lying there's no mistaking it if my bruise arm isn't proof of that. It's clear that you know more than you're letting on, you're always saying it's good to open up your heart and let others in. So why are you contradicting yourself and going back on your word? What is so bad that you can't even open up and tell us?
"Athena what is it that you're not telling us?" I asked and showed her my arm to know any lie would be futile.
"Oh come on Pollo let her enjoy her mean, kay? You can interrogate her later." Why are you suddenly defending her Clay? I know that it's not 'because she is a lady' excuse. Sheesh the more this mystery drags on, the more questions that follow with answers that have yet to reach the surface.
"Hmmm...alright I'll drop the subject for now," mainly because I didn't want to start a commotion in the restaurant.
After a while, we finished our meals, Mr. Starbuck and I were stuffed but of course Athena being Athena always somehow still has room leftover for dessert. Her flan finally arrived and I could already see that she was drooling slightly at the little treat she ordered. Clay even looked eager to take a bite out of it but with Athena staring carnivorously at the dish, it will be a miracle if he even gets a small piece of it.
"Hey Clay want to try some? It's really good, I haven't had any in so long," or maybe he will get something. Athena sharing food now I have seen it all.
"I love some Thena thanks, you know I never had any before but I love to try it," somehow hearing Clay call Athena Thena just seems so right.
"Hmmm, this is really good Thena I can't believe I never had this before,"
"Well i'm glad that you like it so much," well Athena seems to her old self again that's always good.
After a few minutes later, the waiter came back with the bill which Mr. Starbuck graciously paid for insisting he said he wanted to treat us and he's keeping to his word. On top of that, he's also left a very generous tip to which the waiter happily accepted.
"Thank you for dining at La Restaurante Estrella, come back again soon,"
"Oh we will that I promise you. Muchas gracias," Athena commented.
"So what do you guys want to do now? Since Mr. Wright gave Athena and I the rest of the day off we can do whatever we want," I said.
"Well I have to get back to work but you guys have fun," Mr. Starbuck commented.
"Yeah I should be getting back to guys," Clay interjected. Why did he sound sad just now? He's going to see us again.
"Oh...a-alright then Clay. Will you come back again tomorrow?" she asked.
"Of course I'll come visit you tomorrow that' what friends are for," he replied.
"Pinky swear?"
"Pinky swe-," why did Clay stop mid-sentence the minute their finger's interlocked?
"Actually Clay I'm going to give you the rest of the day off as well. I think you can use the time to catch up with some old friends of yours," Mr. Starbuck offered as he winked...at Athena? Why is he winking at Athena for?
"Really? Thanks Mr. Starbuck," well Clays seems chipper again.
Today has been filled with dozens of questions with very little answers and a roller coaster of emotions. So much has happened and it's not even noon yet. Only time will tell how this day will end.