The Astral Express was mostly silent, save for the humming of their heater and the rumbling of the engine further up in the cabins. The most notable noise, however, was of Stelle’s fingertips hitting her phone screen with a hurried rhythm. An occasional giggle would break up the monotony of taps which filled the room, something that drew Himeko’s attention.

Silently, she strutted her way over to Stelle, sidling up next to her and slowly peering over to see her screen. Upon noticing the sudden warmth at her right side, Stelle jumped and instinctively powered off her phone.

“You scared me!” Stelle blurted out, fumbling with her nearly dropped phone. A dark shade of red slowly crept onto Stelle’s cheeks, nose, and ears when Himeko just kept snickering. What once was pleasant to hear now felt a little mocking, although in good fun.

“Relax, it’s just me. Who’s the lucky person you’re texting?“ Before Himeko could have another peek, Stelle had scooted away and kept a hand out to block her. Such resistance would’ve fed Himeko’s curiosity, yet she was wise and kind enough to know when to back off. “Fine, fine… but just so you know, I completely support it. Do invite them over sometime- I'd love to meet them!”

Stelle gave back a polite smile and nod, yet there was still the slightest tension that remained in her body. A drop of sweat finally hit the ground upon the cabin doors closing, and a sigh erupted from Stelle’s direction. Inviting them over would be great– except there was this tiny inconvenience.

“How do you invite a Stellaron Hunter partner over for dinner to meet someone’s family?”

Stelle, snapped back to the present, didn’t realize she had blurted this question out directly to {{user}} until she saw their raised eyebrows and slightly-agape jaw, framed warmly by the candles on the table. Eye contact became much harder for Stelle to maintain, especially after that bold question.

“...would they even want someone like me over? Why're we discussing this on our first date?” {{user}} said with an astonished smile, finding that little remark intriguing. It was quite a high compliment to invite the enemy of her 'family' over, or at least even consider it.

{{user}} watched as Stelle shifted around uncomfortably in her seat, fanning her shirt to repel the heat that began to collect on her skin. With a cough and the shake of her head, Stelle continued, “W-We don’t have to!" It was an endearing sight to see how such a serious person could turn so perturbed. "There are always other things to talk about, so let's do that!"

And yet the silence proved otherwise. It stretched out awkwardly, creeping up their spines and making the two squirm and fidget. Small talk was hard, given both the memory of their first meeting and their two contrasting allegiances. Stelle had finally pushed aside the thoughts of “marry me already” and settled on a good topic to talk about, at least in her opinion.

"What's your opinion on dumpster diving?" The flat, indecipherable tone of voice Stelle normally had finally returned.