3x → VIII [ Date with Asuka... crash it if you must? ]

[redfckngcomet]

Back-dated to before the mission.[ Ahh, Neo America, fuck yeah. Freedom was the only way, or so many colonies had thought during the One Year War. Char had left a small, handwritten note on Asuka's bedside table that morning, laying out what time he was going to be at one of the fanciest restaurants on the colony, which was so high-end that it had

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[stupidshinji]

[ It had been plaguing her mind for sometime now, and once the day had finally arrived, she practically fainted upon receiving the note. She'd gone shopping colony side beforehand, picking out a lovely black dress, not too childish but not too revealing either; just a simple number that showed off her shoulders, with matching heels and a silver chain necklace.

She arrives exactly on time, not a moment too soon and not a moment late. Clutching nervously to a purse, she glances about for Char, before spying that all too familiar dash of red and grinning, her anxiety momentarily forgotten. ]

Char! [ She runs up to him, but like a proper adult, she doesn't hug him in public, instead placing a hand on his cheek and leaning up to deliver a polite kiss to his cheek. ] Sorry if I kept you waiting. You rented this all out for me, huh?

[redfckngcomet]

[ Char willingly accepted the kiss, responding my patting her head, and motioning for the seat next to him. The seat he had chosen was an obnoxiously large, semicircular booth, with a round table. It was clearly meant for large parties of people, but Char was rich enough to rent out the entire section, let along the table. ]

For us, yes. I had thought that you wouldn't want too many people gawking at us.

[ Char remembered who he was talking to, and laughed, adding on to his comment. ]

They could get jealous.

[stupidshinji]

[ Asuka just laughs it off, then linking arms with him and guiding him to the booth. ] Let them. It makes it all the more fun for us, right?

[redfckngcomet]

Well, aren't you affectionate tonight? [ Char says laughing, allowing her to lead him. Usually, it was the gentlemanly thing for him to lead her, but if she got off on being the man, more power to her.

The Red Comet took his seat, the appetizer consisting of boiled shrimp scampi already on the table, with a garlicky dip in the center. He took a moment to look her over. The woman's ace in the hole: the little black dress. Said so much about her, the occasion, the way she felt, and how much the date meant to her. Smiling in approval, he reached up and removed his sunglasses, folding them and placing them on the table. The waitress them came out, grinning her I'd-rather-be-anywhere-but-here-but-please-ignore-that grin, and asked for their order. ]

Go ahead, Asuka. Get anything you like.

[stupidshinji]

[ Asuka leans up close against Char, figuring it the romantic thing to, munching on some of that shrimp and looking over the menu. ]

You sure? [ Looks to him for confirmation. ] Well, in that case... lasagna sounds great. Something hearty. And I'll have some breadsticks, too! And salad! With lots of dressing!

[ Nudging him now, suddenly energetic. ] What're you having? You'll let me share some, right? I've never been to anywhere so nice before!

[redfckngcomet]

Just how hungry are you? [ Char says, laughing. ] The prime rib, with a baked potato and a soup of the day. [ The waittress nods, dreading the arm-breaking weight of so much food on one tray, and scurries off.

Char then looked rather annoyed. ]

I think she forgot to ask for our drinks.

[stupidshinji]

Hungry enough to eat a house! [ Asuka laughs as well, feeling a bit more relaxed now. ]

And it's not a big deal. It just means we get to spend more alone time together, right? [ Her cheeks are a faint red as she says this, hands folding and unfolding on her lap. ]

[redfckngcomet]

That's right. [ He says this with a smile. He notices her blush and her nervous actions with her hands, so he places his own hand on her thigh, and then clasps his fingers with hers. ]

I'm glad you came, Asuka. I've been looking forward to this all week.

[stupidshinji]

Seriously? [ Asuka's blush deepens, but her smile widens when Char laces their fingers together. ] Same for me. I really... do like you, Char.

[ She gives his hand a squeeze. ] A lot.

[redfckngcomet]

I know you do, Asuka. And I like you as well.

[ The squeeze makes him smile warmly on reflex. For all her problems, she seemed genuine in her feelings. She reminded him a lot of Haman, only without the lust for power and dangerous ambition.

Just then, the television near the bar shifted to a breaking news report, with the headline "ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON PRESIDENT WILSON." And it centered on Haruka being led away in cuffs. ]

Captain Weston, you moron... [ Char muttered under his breath. He knew this would be resolved, but he knew why Haruka was carrying a block of C4 on her in the first place. Same reason Char had his beam pistol in his ankle holster, covered up by his pants. ]

[stupidshinji]

Isn't that Haruka? [ Asuka blinks a few times, noticing Char's discomfort. ] What's going on here, Char? And just who is President Wilson?

[redfckngcomet]

That's her, allright. [ He blinked, and turned to her. ] You didn't get the 'order?' Captain Weston believes we should be jingoistic and carry concealed weapons into Neo America.

[stupidshinji]

[ Exclaiming. ] But that'll just draw unwanted attention... or worse, provoke an all out war! What's the captain thinking?

[redfckngcomet]

He wasn't. And he hardly ever does, at least coherently.

[ It was just then that their food was brought out. The portions were, predictably, massive. This is a typical American restaurant, of course. The waitress left promptly after setting their food down, rubbing her arm from the weight. ]

Let's not let this ruin our night. [ He says, cutting into the steak. ] Let's eat.

[stupidshinji]

Of course. [ Asuka eyes her steaming plate of lasanga, before rising. ] I'll be right back. Just need to fresh up a little, alright?

[ She'll daringly lean over to plant a kiss on his cheek, then heads off towards the restroom. ]

[redfckngcomet]

[ Gladly accepting the kiss, Char nods, and watches her leave. Nothing can ruin this night. Right? Right? ]