Miss Carpenter happily exits the guild headquarters at the end of her shift eight and heads towards a nearby bar. A familiar figure sits at the bar nursing a lemonade, (since she is still under the legal drinking age). Lustful eyes follow the figure of Miss Carpenter as she grabs a seat the bars. The only reason the entire room wasn’t filled with stomping figures for the barstool next to the glasses-wearing beauty in the tight uniform is that the bartender/owner gives them a warning look. It became a passive-aggressive showdown for the clients who would be the one to make the first move.

“Izo, I got your invite,” Sara warmly said as the smile fades from her face at the lack of response. “Izo, is something wrong? “Sara softly asked as she shooed away the bartender with her hand.

Izo blinks rapidly as if coming too. “No, I’m just tired that’s all,” Izo faintly said as she smiled at Sara. Izo alertly glances around and asks, “Where’s Valentine?”

Sara snorts, “He’s stuck with a double shift today.”

Izo notices the slight pouting look on Sara’s face. Izo smothers the smile threating to appear on her face. In a solemn tone of voice, Izo asks, “Has Valentine asked you out yet?”

“No, he hasn’t,” Sara somewhat unhappily answered, before blushing at her blunt response.

“Hmm, I believe I detected a hint of disappointment,” Izo teasingly said as Sara in response grabs a handful of bar snacks and stuffs them into her mouth.

Izo smirks, before pulling out a tip from her wallet and leaving it on the bar. Sara still ferociously chewing leaves first with Izo in tow. The hope in the men’s eyes dies as the beauty leaves out of their reach. The disappointment figures suddenly order drinks, which results in a heavy night’s drinking for all, and a good night’s pay for the bar owner.

*

Izo and Sara wait to be seated at Le Saffron, one of the nicer restaurants in town. Dolores happened to know a certain chef named Berry working at Le Saffron. A quick call was all that it took for a table to be made available for them.

The head server a charming young woman smiles at them and says, “Please, right this way Miss Reed and guest.” The head server leads them over to a two-person table next to the window view. Sara subtly gives Izo, a thumbs’ up, before taking a seat. The server hands them the menu and says, “Thank you for coming to Le Saffron, may I take your drink order?”

Izo just glances at the menu and says, “One of the houses juice specialties, I will leave it to the server to decide.” The server turns towards Sara, who says, “A glass of Dom Perigone for me, please.” The server nods, before rushing off to fulfill the order.

Izo raises an eyebrow without glancing at Sara. “Isn’t tomorrow a workday?” Izo mused out loud.

Sara sniffs while glancing down at the menu. “Maybe, but it’s only one drink,” Sara murmured back.

Izo coughs lightly and says, “Really? Because I recall an incident not too long ago, where a certain someone was carried back to her apartment rather sozzled.”

“That was only one time and it was an accident!” Sara grumbled.

Izo snickers, before closing her menu shut as the server returns with their drinks. The server politely asks, “Are the Misses ready to order?”

“Yes, I’ll have the Magret de Canard, Pan-Seared Foie Gras, Cheese Soufflé, and for dessert, a Crème Brule and Chocolate Eclairs,” Izo cheerfully said as the server’s face contorted into surprise.

The server turns towards the other woman. “I’ll have the Coquilles Saint-Jacques, Soupe a L’oigion, Piperade, and for dessert, Tarte Tatin, and Canneles,” Sara most firmly declared.

The server nods and says, “Of course and would you like another wine for dinner?”

Sara opens her mouth to say, yes, when Izo pointedly interjects, “She’ll just stick to the already opened bottle of Dom Perigone, thank you.” Sara crosses her arms over her chest pouting as the server retreats ignoring the warning look Izo gives her.

Sara sighs after a while and says, “You may be right, but I still hate you.”

“That’s fine since I’m paying,” Izo drily countered back.

Sara can’t help but grin and retort, “In that case, I should have ordered more.”

Izo winces knowing just how overpriced the meal was going to be. But she was the one who invited Sara out and Izo couldn’t very well go back on her word now. Besides, it would do Izo well to be out of the house especially today.

Sara and Izo soon begin to chat about various new foods and so forth. The server soon returns with their first dishes as the women’s eyes go wide with delight. They sniff the air and slowly and carefully partake a bit of their first dish. They let out soft moans of pleasure before handing placing a bite of each other’s meals on each other’s plate. They taste the others meal and nod in approval of the others meal choice.

They chat between bites as they savor their meal until the plates are almost licked clean. By this point in time, the server returns with their next dish as the experience is repeated over and over until dessert. With a content sigh, the woman leaned back in their seats having finished off their dessert.

“That was most excellent,” Sara proudly proclaimed. Too lazy to speak, Izo makes a sound of agreement. The two sit for a bit allowing their stomachs to digest the meal. The server comes by with the check and Izo hands over her card for payment. The server zips off and returns with the card. With a sigh, Izo leaves a tip, before the two women rise to their feet.

The two women lurch out of the restaurant into the night sky. Sara sighs and says, “I think I’m too full to walk home.” Izo grins warmly, which no longer caused Sara to be shocked. Sara is just happy that her friend, Izo is confident enough to smile in front of her. Sara eagerly perks up and points. “Izo, look over there in front of Silver Spoon. Do you see who I see?” Sara loudly exclaims.

Izo knew that Sara had a passion for reading the glossies, about the Emerald City’s socialites and celebrities. Izo glances across the street at one of the hottest clubs in Emerald City. Her eyes widen in recognition at spotting the familiar golden couple. Her mood sours a bit at spotting the golden-haired couple followed by their usual fleet of loyal retainers.

Sara excitedly takes out her phone and snaps shots of them. Izo patiently waits until the group disappears into the nightclub. Sara with bright sparkles in her eyes turns towards Izo and excitedly utters “This is the best night ever!”

Izo is saved from replying as a yellow cab pulls up in front of them. Izo opens the door for Sara to climb in first, before following suit and closing the door shut. Izo is forced to give Sara’s address as Sara is too excitedly chattering about the celebrity spotting that she forgets all about going home. The cab speeds off as Izo closes her eyes half listening and half dozing off. With a small smile, Izo drifts off in the luff of the comfortable chatter of Sara. Forgetting her day’s troubles, basking in the light of Sara’s general cheer.