Amon wasn't sure if Koh would answer his request for lunch. Seeing that their last talk ended on an extremely sour note, he couldn't blame her.

After obtaining ideas on cooking a proper Miqo'te meal, he worked to perfect the recipe most of that morning. He then requested a table at the Carline Canopy, arranged the food, and waited for Koh to arrive.

Amon felt strangely anxious about what was to come... as if this actually had more meaning to him than he realized at first. Times like this reminded him that he was getting soft.

When Koh finally did arrive - a bit late and disheveled as usual - Amon was almost surprised. He stood as she approached the table. Her brows furrowed up at him in suspicion, and she paused, waiting for him to make the first move.

He didn't know what to say, so he just pulled the chair out for her. He did, after all, have some manners.

Koh didn't sit. She didn't seem angry... just more... disappointed with him.

"What's this all about, Amon?"

"I just wanted to talk."

She looked away. "We've already talked plenty."

"I know," he sighed. "'Tis the problem. I never know when to shut up."

Koh's eyebrows lifted at that statement, and she decided to accept the seat. He sat down, too, across from her, hoping she'd notice the meal he'd worked so hard to prepare.

She didn't.

Instead, she pinned him with a sharp gaze. "So, what do you want to say?"

Amon folded his hands in front of him, leaning back in his chair and looking down at the table.

No... no... that won't do. You have to look at her for this.

It was difficult, but he lifted his chin.

"I wanted to apologize for yesterday." He wasn't accustomed to offering apologies or admitting he was wrong, but he did know when he was out of line. "The things I said, while not 100% untrue, were insensitive and they completely disregarded your feelings. I made something for you... in hopes that you can forgive me."

Amon motioned to the plate with the meat miq'abob he'd cooked earlier. He didn't know if it was a favored meal to the cat-girl, but he could hope that it would appeal to her despite the situation.

As he spoke, Koh's expression was one of increasing surprise. When she finally did look down at the meal, she stared at it in open shock. "You... you did this for me?"

"Do you like it?" He asked, sounding more worried than he probably should.

"Yes... I mean... I just..."

They sat in silence for a long moment, neither knowing how to continue the conversation.

"I was in a somber mood yesterday," Amon finally tried to explain himself. "That doesn't make what I said right. But, I admit, your concern for my situation caught me by surprise. I didn't know that anyone cared about..."

"Of course we care, you big dhalmel!" Koh blurted, then looked embarrassed, unsure how Amon would respond to the name-calling.

When she saw he wasn't insulted, she just shook her head in mock-disgust and took a bite out of the meat miq'abob. It must have been good because she didn't stop eating until it was gone.

Amon didn't interrupt her while she ate. He wasn't sure if his apology was accepted, but this was going better than he had anticipated.

When Koh finally finished, she complimented, "I didn't know you could cook like that."

"I've been learning."

"Ah." She looked down at her empty plate, working up the courage to say something. "I've been thinking..."

"Yes?"

"Maybe we shouldn't do these research sessions anymore."

"What?" It was Amon's turn to be surprised. "Why not? I thought you liked picking my brain."

"I do! I mean..." Koh spread her hands with a sigh. "I still have a million questions but... It's like I'm treating you like a test subject. And that's not fair to you, either."

"I see," Amon took a breath through his nose, then let it out slowly. For some reason, the thought of not participating in Koh's silly research sessions made him a little sad. "What if I say that I don't really mind so much."

"You don't?"

"Besides Noah, you're the only one I can talk to about... all of this." He muttered into his drink. "Even if some of the things I say upset you."

She blinked at him, pursing her lips. "Well... we... can still talk if that's something you want to do. Just... on your own terms. Not so much for science."

"Okay," Amon agreed, nodding slowly. "Let's do that."

He took a bite out of his own meat miq'abob, which had almost been forgotten in their exchange. He had to admit, it was pretty good.