Leukos texted back that he was available and asked where she wanted to go eat and where they could meet. He was beyond nervous, almost feeling sick on the notion of it all.

DH responded, she could see him in the lobby and they could go anywhere or she could suggest a place if he didn't have one in mind.

He agreed to meet her in the lobby and could decide from there where to go. He wasn't actually familiar with the area since he hardly left the grounds. Between Melody and Vale, he had no reason for adventure. Waiting in the lobby, he tried to keep his emotions under control as his tail flicked slowly back and forth in anticipation.

DH came out from one of the doors that lead toward the roof and hurried down. Catching sight of Leukos she chuckled //Yo!// she called out mentally as she reached him, tiger ears perked forward. // Picked a place to go?//

He was a little surprised, in the moment, forgetting yet again about telepathy. Okay. Composure. Taking a breath he gave a slight wave. //I'm not familiar with the area. So I don't know what's around.// he answered.

//Oh! Really? hmm.. I haven't been eating out much but I know a few places the mercs talked of// she smiled. //Any dietery restrictions? or you know something you like to eat the most? //

He couldn't help but give a slight smile. //No restrictions that I would know of, so I should be okay with anything.... Just anything but pizza.//

DH laughed //Let me guess, that was the only thing left to eat while mara waited for the cafeteria to be done?// she gave him a sympathetic look as she motioned to the door.

Happy he was willing to go out and try something new to distract himself. Wizard was still trying but they still had no luck finding any trace of her phone just yet nor how she left the base either. Everyone was leaning on teleportion because it was Alice and Zira wasn't around either. //Then I know a good place// her smile turned into a mischievous as she held the door open for him.

//...we do eat pizza a lot...// he commented blandly even if he was trying to joke with her.

Moving after​ her, he looked relieved she knew of some place to go. Although her mischevious grin both confused and excited him. //Lead the way.//

//So... quick question// she stepped outside and lead the way toward Belrad. //Or technically two// she said turning to walk backwards so she was facing him. //Can you fly..and if not... are you scared of heights? // she was smiling again.

He blinked watching her and trying not to avert his eyes. At least be respectful. No matter the amount of nervous embarrassment. //I can't fly. In fact... I've never flown before in my life.// he confessed honestly.

//Good! Then we get to find out. Mind if I carry you? // she flicked a wing out to the city, tilting her head slightly and waited for his response.

His hair glowed very dimly, unable to hide his nervousness. //... sure...// he answered, stepping forward and looked unsure of what to do next.

//Take a breath....try not to scream// She said with a laugh, sweeping him off his feet as she leaped into the air, slamming powerful wings downward nearly effortlessly as she propelled them toward the fly. If it wasn't his first time flying she might have tried a trick after a few seconds but because it was she kept her pace even to let him adjust, she didn't want to scare him from trying this again. At the same time she kept and eye on his heart, he showed any signs of panicking she was going to lower them right back down.

His eyes widened slightly as he tensed and gripped onto her suddenly at talking to the sky. It took him a few minutes before he began to relax slightly. It wasn't so bad, even if his heart was racing. Was that because of flying or.... He shook his head and his eyes scanned the scenery below. It was unlike anything he had really seen before.

DH watched him then smiled to herself as he took to flying quickly. She had a few that didn't want to land but where one constant bundle of fear the whole way there. She adjusted carefully for the wind and to fly past a pixie who was hovering and texting something on their phone. Soon after she was already descending toward the streets below and one in particular. By the time she landed she had slowed her flying and returned them to a vertical position before landing and lowering Leukos down. "Here we are " she motioned to a little restaurant that had food floating along on a small boats around a shief that continuously cooked as customers picked and choose what they wanted from the boats. She was loking around as if searching for someone in particular but in reality was looking for anyone with a dark soul or heart that might cause trouble. There was trouble in Criel and it wasn't only by humans.

Despite how fascinating flying was, he was far more relieved to have both feet on the ground again. A deep exhale as he looked to DH, and for a second a hint of color to his face when he smiled before it faded quickly, shoved down as he looked away and moved inside. He had never been to a place like this but it definitely perked his interest.

She met his gaze and was about to motion instead assuming he was shy when he turned away with a hint of embarrassment. Was he ..oh...oh dear. She blinked as she watched his heart and soul and even the faint glow of his hair which she had rarely seen before but heard mentions of form the people who has seen it flare up the few times he had been angry. Maybe that nervous tension wasn't shyness as she first suspected...or maybe it was. She could only tell so much and bleh just live in the moment..she could only ell or guess a few things it wasn't as if she could feel it.

Shaking her head she followed him, either ways he needed to get out and have fun even if for a little while before Mara turned him into a little mini me version of her...or Tri.

"One rule... " she said walking up be side him. "You have to take a plate with jello and try to pick it up with chop sticks" following him and allowing him to pick the seats while she carefully furled her wings in tightly. They were both getting looked that ranged from surprised to angry.

Leukos kept his expression more stoic as more eyes were upon them. He picked some nice seats and paused, pulling out the chair for her. That's a thing guys did, right? Taking another breath, his hair was settling but never lost it's colorful luster. He looked at her and tilted his head with confusion, "...Okay." he agreed. How hard could it be? Looking over the food that slid by on the conveyer, he pulled a few that looked good to eat. ".....Have you been here before?"

"Thank you" she nodded her thanks to him as she sat down. "This one in particular no, but I have been to a few in Belosh. " she glanced toward a sign and nodded. "It is the same idea. The price is dependent on the color of the plate...so" she pointed at one. "That one is more expensive than...that one and ...that one is the cheapest" pointing to one that carried jello and took it off the boat the moment it passed.

"At the end the plates are tallied and that is you price. Simple no?" she looked at him curiously to see if it was or wasn't as she pulled out a pair of chopsticks from their sheath.

He watched the plates, looking at the ones she pointed out. Nodding he watched her pull a plate of jello. Focused on it he held out his hand for chopsticks. Might as well humor her, already thinking about how best to approach picking up the jello.

DH looked at him with a flicker of surprised then chuckled as she handed him the chopsticks and picked up another set. "I suggest going for that last...it's not as easy as it looks and you need some warm up first" she said choosing some type of seaweed and pulling it off the boat, then another with fish.

Her quirked an eyebrow. "Really? How hard could it be?" he questioned mostly out of curiosity, willing to try now. Although, even gripping the chopsticks alone proved more than difficult. He narrowed his eyes in concentration. ".... what the..." he mumbled as he fought against trying to hold the two sticks of wood between uncooperating fingers.

DH was smiling and looked away for a moment before returning as a serious look even if her eyes were alight with amusement. "Like this" she said picked up the chopsticks then holding it out to him so he could imitate the form. "There are a few others ways but it is close to this" she said with a snap of the two sticks, reaching uo to snap them close to his nose before lowering them again so she could try,

His lips turned slightly in puzzlement as he watched her instructions and tried to mimic it with a very unstable success. He blinked in a flicker of alarm as she snapped sticks near his nose then gave a faint smile. Okay. Basic down. Now the jello. He started at trying to pick it up, trying to be gentle but never getting enough grip to prevent it from sliding from the chopsticks. He looked utterly confused and perplexed about how to even do such a thing. Maybe...it wasn't as easy as he thought. "....Can you do this?" he inquired, wondering if she had mastered such a feat.

DH finally laughed and shook her head. "No... It's hard and takes a while. Which is why I said it was a pre-requisite for eating here, just because it's fun seeing other people try to get it without slipping" she smiled as moved to the seaweed salad taking a bite before attempting to grab the jello with her own sticks until she just stabbed one and it slipped off before she got it to her mouth. "...like that..." she sighed and laughed.

Leukos looked slightly frustrated that he was unable to do it but looked at DH as she admitted she couldn't do it either. Watching her eventually stab it and still fail. He blinked before laughing. "..Oh..." He pulled some food that looked interesting and shakily and slowly getting the food to his mouth. At least he was kind of getting the hang of it. He seemed to smiling a bit more, enjoying this.

DH watched him move on for now and relaxed, eating what she choose slowly. after a few bites and some water to wash it down as it was brought over to them but some very nervous deer feral. She tilted her head "Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?" she looked curious.

He ate a few rolls that looked like they only had vegetables in it. Half-biting into a roll, he paused and coughed. "Uhm...Yes..." he finished chewing and took a breath. He contemplated how to bring it up but ended up getting far too nervous. "I... just wanted to know if you will help me find Melody. It's been three days with no contact and I don't think I can wait any longer..." he paused against, for some reason regretting even opening his mouth. He was terrible, wasn't he. He frowned. Maybe he still didn't have the courage to tell her what he really wanted to say

DH flicked her ears lightly as she eyed him seriously all of a sudden. "Have you asked Mara?"

His frowned deepened. "... no..." Dammit, he should have just told her... He was internally kicking himself.

"Well...." she smiled faintly. "I am not exactly SIU so...I don't see why not if you promise to follow orders. " she sighed and twitched her tail lightly. "Mara has already asked us to look into it. It is a little hard when we know the destination but nothing else. Wizard has been trying to ping her phone for the last three days without luck. " she frowned " As for transportation we have been talking about it and think Alice might have used Zira to teleport. Which makes things a lot more difficult since we have no idea where the Mafia is or where Melody would have ended up. At this point going to Criel and searching might be the only option....and that is a very low probability one" she looked troubled as she moved form the seaweed to the fish.

He seemed a little relieved as DH essentially agreed to it. "Of course... I think something happened. And not anything good. It's why I'm compelled to go as soon as I'm able to." he tried off and frowned, maybe it was a little obvious he had more to say, that something was missing. He took a boat of seaweed, trying it out and didn't seem opposed to it.

DH tilted her head slightly //Something else wrong? You've been a little out of it since you entered and it doesn't seem to be only of Melody// she asked kindly.

He furrowed his eyes and looked away, mostly frustrated with himself and now increasingly embarrassed. His heart was racing. How could he say it... Even though he was so incredibly scared to even speak another word. He dropped his head into his hands, trying to run hands through his hair but only ended up grabbing his horns and sighing. //....Yeah... But I don't know how to even talk about it... Even thinking about it is....terrifying..// he admitted and exhaled quietly, keeping his head down as he avoided looking at her.

DH silently reached out and lightly poke his nose. "Beep" she said quietly with a look of concern. //Maybe if you talk about it as if it where happening to someone else? It might make it easier// she sent quietly, she could see his heart she could guess but she wouldn't hurt them in this way. She will let him handle it on his own, just as she didn't try to matchmake others

Leukos frowned as she booped his nose, making only that much harder. He sighed and looked up to her with pleading eyes that desperately tried to find the right words to say. //....How...can someone.... cope with unrequited feelings.....// he managed to force out, looking down as he showed every sign of defeat.

DH grimaced and pulled her hand back turning serious. //... How to cope? // she thought about it with a sight. // To think of all the worse thing that could have happened and realize that while painful it isn't the end. // she said quietly/

He kept his gaze downward in somber thought. Leukos nodded slowly, //.....I suppose so....// he mumbled softly.

DH sighed softly // It does not mean that it is something about you. You are a different person and so are they. Love..is complicated ..//she chuckled softly. //it is why I try not to be a match maker because ... people change so fast in the short term and so slow in the long//

He just stared down at the half empty plate. //...I mean.... under the circumstances...It really wouldn't be matchmaking...would it?// he sighed, //....I guess,.. I just want to know.....if not now... is there ever even a chance...// he muttered, just trying to find anything about this to redeem.

DH went quiet as she took it inter consideration, trying to show she was serious about what mattered to him. Silently she looked back down at her plate and at the chop sticks there as she thought about it but the answer came much to for it to be anything else. She stayed like that for a moment before looking up. //Have you heard of the excuse that is given by humans and true races that they don't want to marry until they finish college? I want to see what is out there..not -who- is out there.// she said quickly with a hint of embarrassment.// If I was currently looking for someone you would be very high on the list if you were one stage older, your heart is pretty cute. // now she smiled a little sadly. //But I would give you a heart attack every other day...Wizard already worries and he isn't one who worries often. // she sighed. // What I want to say is .... I am not thinking of settling down just yet and making you worry is extremely unfair //

Leukos furrowed his brows tying to understand the statement. He had never heard of such a thing. He looked up at her once it was established he would be high on the list if she would consider anyone. If he was older, that was. Followed by a hint more of embarrassment when she mention his heart. Cute? Why cute?...….He sighed. It was probably true. //....It's not like you would make me worry more than I do about everything..... But....I think I understand what you're saying.// he took another deep breath, //.....So if anything....Not now.// he accepted. She was right, this was painful. But there was nothing else he could do but accept it for what it was. Nodding slightly, he began to eat the seaweed again, albeit it much slower this time. The upside to it all, was that he wasn't being declined over someone else, she just didn't want anyone at the moment. That reasoning seemed to make it hurt just a little less.

DH nodded sadly wishing she could help more but without compromising herself. Finishing up the fish she took another small plate with two egg rolls and thoughtfully but into one. She was indecisive but looked down at the second egg roll and chuckles slightly. //A little off topic but ..what has four legs and one arm?// she asked lifting the second egg roll, hoping he would humor her a little she didn't want him to leave with such a bad experience and it was.

He seemed deep in thought as he took up another boat that had some fish and tried it. It didn't seem like he was entirely too fond of it, but still ate it. //..Hm?// he looked at her and thought about the question, staring at her. //... an experiment from Haven?...// he answered dryly but was very serious about his response.

DH blinked then grimace //Ouch , got me there but no, just a -very- happy pit bull // she chuckled slightly almost glad she didn't go with her original joke. Eating the second egg roll she viewed the other plates with an almost predatory glance before taking off another jello plate.

Leukos looked utterly confused. //I don't get it...// he responded, trying to wrap his mind around how it made sense and couldn't figure it out. He leaned back slightly, thinking. //.... DH?...What is it like in Belosh?....Metas have rights there.... So.... // he looked at her, his thoughts trailing off as he wondered what it would even be like to have rights. Maybe Melody would be happy there... maybe he would.... probably not.

DH blinked then laughed //A pit bull is a dog sometimes known for locking their jaws and ripping. So four legs is the pit bull and the arm is well the arm of the intruder it ripped it from. A little macabre I know but it came to mind // at his next question she sighed and look thoughtful. //Well it is a little like here except you know that if there are any problems it isn't going to be blamed on you or you'll lose you freedom or life without proof. // she carefully speared the jello and cut a bit before balancing it with the other stick toward her mouth. //When Li adopted my brother .... she had him registered quickly in Belosh since she was from there as well. When he found me same thing and when I adopted Wizard I quickly had him registered too. There is more protection there and when heading to other cities. However it doesn't protect you from those who wish to ignore it or do you harm. // she trailed off and shook her head. // Sorry, I think you meant how is it over there right? Hot very hot, people are more open but there are still the same problems you face everywhere else. However Belosh is on its way to a good start... //

Leukos thought about before giving a faint snort. Oh. Okay. He actually started laughing. //...I get it now..//

He listened intently as she spoke of Belosh. //I was looking into being a Belosh citizen somehow...Getting Melody that right too. Just in case anything happened. I've never been there and neither has Melody. So I just...wondered what it was like there. If it really was as safe as they claim.//

DH smiled back in response before finally nodding. //It is ... safer than anywhere other than Sanctuary. Meaning ..you still have to be careful// she sighed and waved her hand out. // It also means that you have to be careful what you do. With SIU you are considered weapons... and therefore your damage doesn't blow back on you as hard as someone who is considered a citizen. // she trailed away and shook her head. //It is a different mind set but you are safer that is true, the people there are more open but you still have the same ones you find in other cities only less //

He nodded, //..Seems reasonable.// Leukos seemed interested by the idea so maybe it wasn't such a bad notion for the future. Although, Mara had adopted Melody, so she already had more rights than he did. Ha, it really was complicated.

DH looked at him curiously //If your thinking about it you will need to go live there for a while before you can apply and vouched for // she looked thoughtful. //I could do that if you ever decide to do it. If working with SIU I would do it....// she sighed. //Mara does have your interest at heart but she does cut corners..a lot//