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"I want a smiley meal! With a toy," Manuela proclaimed, pulling her rhinestoned jean jacket tight around her. It wasn't often that Mama would let them go out for dinner, she said it was unhealthy, but this was one of those rare days where she wasn't up for cooking.

"You can have whatever you want baby, just wait until we get up to the counter," Estelle told her, she sounded a bit annoyed, but no more than was to be expected after a long day.

The place was a sort of kid haven, loud and kind of grimy, with a massive colorful playground attached to the outerwall of the building. It was called McSmileys, and it didn't do much for the headache of any parent that entered. But the food was cheap and the kids liked it, so that was some help.

At Antony's yell, a head turned, teal ponytail bobbing gently with the motion. The girl took in the boy and then turned to see who he had shouted at. Spotting Manuela, a slow smile spread across her heart-shaped face. "Mama," Delilah whispered. "Manny's here."

Kova looked up from where she was fighting with a ketchup packet and chuckled. "Go say hi if you like, lovebug," she suggested. "I'll wait here."

Nodding, Delilah stood and made her delicate way over to the line. Then, still silent, she waved, her fingers going in a cutesy movement. A sensible person would have added a "hello" but this was Delilah.

It was then that Antony caught sight of the other girl, directing his princely smile at her as well as he gave them both a slight bow. It definitely didn't fit in with the setting, but he managed to look quite natural doing it.

"I didn't expect to meet friends here," he admitted politely, with a sweet smile. "My name is Antony, and you are?" he asked Delilah.

Shade looked at the kids, leaning forward to ask. "What do you want to eat?"

"Anything's fine," Antony said with a shrug as he kept his attention on the ladies. Shade shrugged and got into line.

Manny simply gestured to her mother at Shade's question, not sure who it was directed to. Well, it didn't really matter now, she'd hardly be able to eat until she spent some time talking to her friends. She grabbed onto their free hands, trying to pull them towards an empty booth. Feeling like she should explain it, she added, "Delilah doesn't talk much, she's nice though."

Delilah tranquilly allowed Manuela tug her about as well and she smiled again, sheepish, at Antony. Then, wiggling her hand out of her friend's grip, she clambered into the booth. Thankfully, she had learned modesty from somewhere (it was certainly not her mother) and she was careful to keep her skirts demurely down and tucked beneath her as she slipped further across the seat. "It's nice to meet you," she half-whispered. Then she considered Antony again, head tilted and a bit of her bright hair falling over her eyes. The strange little smile appeared again. "Very nice."

Antony blinked, looking at the ketchup and giving into his natural urge without realizing what she was doing. "Excuse me, ladies, I'll be right back with a napkin to clean that up."

It was bad enough that the place was noisy and gaudy, but to have ketchup on the seats? NOT acceptable, he thought as he headed for the small counter with condiments and napkins.

Manny crossed her arms over her chest, watching as Antony walked away. Well, that didn't work. As soon as he was out of earshot she leaned over the table. "So... Delilah, do you think he's cute?" She prodded, trying to think of the next way to set things up.

Manny bit her lip, straightening up against the back of her chair. She knew smiles like that, she'd seen them on TV. Now the question was, did Antony think the same thing? "I think you should ask him to sit by you when he gets back," she suggested, dropping her voice to a whisper.