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After the very eventful weekend that Uzumati had with the family in the countryside, the earthling was honestly ready to go back home to Tale. Padma's family had been very nice to host them for a few weeks but it was nearing the time for them to return home before winter started creeping back in. Today Uzumati was finishing up packing and balancing the goodies that he gotten from their countryside trip and realized that he had quite a bit more than he could take home. So of course he thought about his previous shopping buddy and after getting some directions from the family Uzumati stood outside with a small basket on his arm, the woven thing full of some homemade jams and cheese from the countryside. It had been a gift from the young geian he had helped against the dage and she had made certain to load him up with lots of jams, honey and cheese from her family's farm.

Now though Uzumati just had to pace back and forth awkwardly on the street as he tried to navigate his way to Lioe. Why had he thought that he could do this on his own again?

[Uzu 1]

Uzumati's expression brightened whenever he saw Lioe. Finally after a few failed attempts of slammed doors in his face the man had been successful! His mouth twitched upwards into a warm smile in greeting, something he was slowly getting better at, and Uzumati wasted no time in holding the basket out to his brother-in-law. Even though he wasn't really one to use a lot of words he hoped that the gesture would make sense to Lioe. He was offering it as a gift, a farewell of sorts and a thank you present for the help that he had received from the younger man last week when they went shopping together. He just hoped that Lioe liked the various goods tucked inside.

[Uzu 2]

A brow raised at the question, Uzumati taking a moment before nodding. "Mmhmm." He replied as he passed the basket towards Lioe. Well at least that was taken care of for the day. He had been spending the whole morning packing and helping to fix up everything since they were leaving tomorrow morning, but now he was at a loss of what to do. The basket had been delivered to Lioe and he had made certain to slip in some tea for Zadia after their evening together where he had learned of her fondness for the bitter brew. Now though Uzumati had to pause again and look at Lioe with curiosity. He had brought food which he thought Lioe may enjoy but he didn't really know what the younger man actually did. Their few interactions had been brief and mostly quiet...save for now when his stomach decided to rumble, the sound bringing a flush to Uzumati's cheeks as he took an awkward step back as if he weren't certain where to go next.

"Hungry?" He asked finally after a moment, glancing back to Lioe as he scratched his cheek thoughtfully. Maybe they could find some café or something together if the other man wanted?

[Uzu 3]

Uzumati was delighted that Lioe had accepted his invitation. While he wasn't the most sociable of people himself, Uzumati actually enjoyed the presence of Lioe out of most of his Belrean relatives. It would be nice to have a meal together before he left the country for spirits knew how long. While he waited on Lioe's return the man tugged at his vest, making certain he looked proper for the area, and then straightened his ponytail to make sure his mane of hair was somewhat tamed. Uzumati nodded when Lioe returned and said he was ready, the man starting down the street. While he didn't know exactly where to go there was the faintest smell of food in the air and so Uzumati decided to follow it. A few blocks later there was a street lined with shops and what looked like a cafe and possibly a restaurant near it. Uzumati blinked thoughtfully before glancing back at Lioe.

"Here, okay?" He asked quietly as he noticed the crowds moving about the street. Apparently this was a popular area for this time of day! Before it would have put Uzumati on edge when he first arrived but now it just made him slightly wary. He had learned that as long as they weren't in some shady area, one of those back alleys especially, that there was less chance of trouble. Plus it wasn't as if someone wanted to boldly approach the brute of a man who was standing guard as he waited for Lioe to catch up and pick a place to eat.

[Uzu 4]

"Mmm." Maybe that was where he had smelled the food? It wasn't as noticeable but Uzumati did sniff the air slightly as if testing the waters. Something really smelled good and it wasn't simply the coffee that lingered in the air. Uzumati had tried the bitter brew a couple of times and surprisingly liked the taste of it compared to tea before realizing that drinking it right before sleep ended up with him staring at the ceiling instead all night. It would be good to try to learn how to brew some back home so that he could take it before a morning hunt though since that surely would help him stay energetic while tracking down his prey. Despite his attempts to blend in better in Belrea it would not be a surprise for Uzumati to rip off the clothing as soon as they landed in Sauti, swapping for his familiar leathers and furs instead. No one could hunt properly in this get-up! Not in his opinion at least.

Uzumati ignored the stares and chitters of a group of younger Belreans as he walked past, the man striding towards the doorway. "Eat outside?" He asked Lioe as he took a moment to glance around at the small metal tables set up in the front of the cafe, the furniture appealing to Uzumati who preferred the outside to the cramped indoors. Most of the tables looked empty save for a couple of them but the inside was far more crowded with others simply walking out of the cafe with orders before going down the street to share in the nearby park or somewhere more private. The inside immediately made Uzumati tense up because of all the different smells and earthlings nestled inside, but he gritted his teeth and strode forward with confidence. He could do this. He had already survived several situations like this so this would be no different. Still, when he realized there was a black chalkboard with Belrean scribbles on it the man found himself turning towards Lioe as if asking for suggestions.
He would probably go along with whatever Lioe ordered as the lightning girl came towards them with a smile. "Hello strangers! Know what you would like to order?" It was fairly obvious that she was studying Uzumati but her gaze shifted towards Lioe whenever the leaf earthling gestured to his companion to go first.

[Uzu 5]

Uzumati pursed his lips thoughtfully as he pondered his options. This was a far better situation than him just pointing at something on the menu and hoping for the best. At least he could see some of the display pieces and pick them, but that wouldn't be a true meal since most of the things on display were treats and desserts. As the lightning girl waited for them to order, Uzumati finally made his decision with a firm nod. "Steak." He agreed since he was fairly starving after skipping breakfast in favor of getting everything ready in the morning so that he could spend his last afternoon out and about in the city. Even if he was not necessarily the biggest fan of the crowded areas in Belrea, Uzumati at least knew to appreciate it...and the food...mostly the food.

"Okay, lyari club with sides and the steak special." The girl repeated with an amused smile as she watched Uzumati's gaze wandering the display. "You sure that's all?" She teased lightly before watching as Uzumati took her words seriously and walked up to the display and pointed at a berry cobbler.

"That." He managed before glancing at Lioe thoughtfully. "Two. Worse case if Lioe didn't want the sweet then that just meant an extra serving for the leaf earthling who was ready to eat everything in sight at this rate. As the server took down the order, taking the coin from Uzumati and handed wooden number to Lioe for their food order, Uzumati found himself inching back towards the doorway.

"It's fine if you both want to take a seat inside or outside. We'll bring the food to you." Stated the girl politely before disappearing behind the counter to the kitchens.

[Uzu 6]

How did one pick a seat? Was there an ideal location? Uzumati was already a bit ruffled from the rush of Belreans that had come through but thankfully the appeal of food was stronger than their desire to investigate the appearance of the strange foreigner. Still, after taking a deep breath of the fresh air the man turned and nodded at Lioe. If they had their backs to the café that would provide coverage since there was only one way in and out of the front of the building whereas turning his back to the open street felt unsettling. Even if there was a glass window along the front of the café, it wasn't as if someone was going to break through to grab them...at least Uzumati hoped that was not the case.

Eventually he found a seat that he liked which unfortunately was next to the open street. Uzumati made a face, checked to see if it was bolted down before taking the metal chair, its twisted and open back designed to look like vines making the seat surprisingly light for him, and placing it by a lone table near the cafe where he could face the street. "Here." He motioned towards the second chair that was already at the table which was angled also towards the cafe, both of their seats on the same side of the table but spaced slightly apart to allow them room to eat.

[Uzu 7]

Uzumati blinked in surprise at the question. The man shifted, settling into his chair which was also positioned just far enough away from the table for him to be able to bolt at any given moment without hassle, and then after a moment he finally thought about his answer. "Safety." He stated simply as he gestured towards the street. "Never....expose back." He shook his head in distaste at the very thought. It would be far too easy to jump either of them if they were too focused on food with their backs turned towards the open area! He frowned thoughtfully as he glanced over Lioe and the area around them. It seemed city life really had far less worries than being raised in the wild, at least when it came to attacking each other over food. Even Uzumati understood that there could be dangerous earthlings, something that he thankfully had not dealt with in Belrea since he had stayed mostly near the family save for that moment in the mountains. His newest scars still ached at the memory of the dage's claws ripping into his chest and Uzumati was thankful that Zadia had kept his injuries a secret.

And then the food arrived. Uzumati grinned towards Lioe as if proving a point since they could see the door open from their current position, the server not surprising them as she dropped the trays of food and took their wooden number away. He had a glass of water for himself and was curious about the steak which came on a plate. The necessity of utensils was not lost to him but he still took a moment to ponder the things, twisting the cool metal in his hands as he waited for Lioe to take the first bite.

[Uzu 8]