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Catalina was trying to step out of her comfort zone, whereas her life back in Texas had been filled with wine nights with the girls and book club meetings, it was very different here in New York. Mainly because she hadn’t quite established her friendship circle which lead to a very lonely existence. She’d heard that Rainbow Rhythm was a fun place that was accepting of new people, which is how she found herself there one night. Looking around with curiosity she headed up to the bar, ordering herself a vodka soda as she slid onto one of the stools to wait for it to arrive. “Hello!” She greeted warmly as someone spoke to her, turning to face them a little. “What? Oh no! You’ve had a bad day? Mine was fine, uneventful, but do you need to talk about it? I’ve been told I’m a very good listener.” @itsjameson-o

Open (@bfmstarters)

Jameson had been in town for seven months and the place that they were a frequent customer of was Rainbow Rhythm. They needed to let loose after their day of work as a vet tech. There was too much stress and sadness and they needed something to let loose. They ordered themselves a whiskey sour and then waited patiently. They looked over to their right and saw someone sitting there and smiled, "How are you doing today? Please tell me it's been better than mine."

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“I don’t blame him, anytime I’m allowed outside I get so excited and run around a lot so…” she gestured to her outfit since she’d literally just been jogging, that’s how she’d been accosted by Roy in the first place. Though she wasn’t really looking at it like that anymore because he was such a little cutie how could he ever attack anyone? Instantly the dog had made her do a one eighty from fear to adoration. 

She was still trying to catch her breath a little when they called her ex a twat, spluttering slightly on the mouthful of water she’d just taken from her bottle a split second before. “You…yes, yes a total twat.” Not a word she normally used but if it wasn’t very fitting in this instance. “Soon to be ex husband, we’re in the middle of getting a divorce.” And Catalina hated the way her voice dipped slightly as she admitted it, swallowing, because she wasn’t finding letting go of her years long marriage easy. Even if he had cheated on her in the most spectacularly…twatish as Theo would put it…fashion. Hold on…had she just been sort of invited to dine at one of Theo Kent’s pop up restaurants personally? God if only she could somehow let her soon to be ex know about that, it would be more payback than cutting his dick off that was for sure, he’d be furious. “Yes, of course, thank you so much, I would love that.” Quickly taking the phone as she typed in her instagram in order to hit follow, showing it to them so they knew which account it was. “I can message you from my account as well so you know it’s me, also if you ever need any help with the events I would be more than thrilled to help. I’m an event planner so …” giving them a smile as she passed the phone back. “She is? Congratulations! That’s so exciting.” And she was not at all jealous, except how come everyone around Catalina got to have kids and she didn’t? She couldn’t help but have that thought pop into her mind which was unfair because it wasn’t the other’s fault. Far from it. @theokent

Theo loved it when Roy got the attention he wanted and beamed at their boy being petted and cuddled. "He's usually very chill at home but her loves it outside. Gets so exited to run around so I make sure to take him out for a big walk every day." They explained proudly. Other than their fiancée coming home, taking Roy out was their favourite part of their routine.

Relieved to hear that they just forget the woman but actually never met her, Theo relaxed a little, except, they couldn't help but make a face when she mentioned her ex husband. "Sounds like a fucking twat." They said without even thinking first and didn't even apologise about it. "Ex-husband, I hope?" Theo quirked an eyebrow, leaning down to scratch behind Roy's ear as they chatted. "Oh, you do? Thank you, I appreciate that. Tell you what," Standing up straight, they pulled their phone out of their pocked and handed it to her unlocked. "I've been thinking about doing a few pop ups in some restaurants here. Like a guest chef event. I just moved to New York so I don't have a stable job yet." Theo explained this to the woman, she seemed nice and of course they'd love for her to try their food if she liked their cook book. "Follow yourself on Instagram and I can send you an invite whenever I... properly organize this. I've been a bit all over the place with the move and pregnancy. My fiancée is pregnant."

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“No no, it’s okay - I’m easily scared trust me. I’m used to trail running back home so it’s not like there are many people around then, if someone touches you then…it’s bad. Here, it’s just a cute little puppy.” Her eyes went soft as she crouched down a little to give the dog the greeting he properly deserved, making cooing noises. “He’s just an excitable baby, I get that. You’re out on your big walk today, right? Did you get lots of good running in?” Letting out a soft chuckle before standing up straight again to engage in the conversation with the dogs owner properly. 

“Yes! You were the head chef there. No, no we don’t know each other, I just know of you.” Catalina quickly clarified, a shake of her head. “My uh husband always promised to take me to Louisiana to try your restaurant but then he took his mistress instead so I uh…yes, sadly never got to try it. I have your cook book though!” Her tone lifting slightly at the additional detail at the end, forcing herself to smile once more after having lapsed into a slightly less than happy faraway look. @theokent

As soon as she laughed, Theo laughed as well, not meaning to but it the misunderstanding was a bit funny. "We didn't mean to scare you really." They tightened on the leash and took the wet ball out of Roy's mouth so they wouldn't loose it. No need for a very sad dog at home because he lost his favorite ball. "He's still a pup. He's a rescue so we're not sure exactly how old is he but he's near one year so, yeah. He's already grown all he's going to grow but he's still just a baby."

At the mention of Cucina Paradiso, Theo frowned and tilted their head, not recognizing the woman in front of them. "I am a chef, yes. I worked at Cucina Paradiso for a few years. I'm sorry. Do we know each other?" God they hoped they hadn't slept with her and couldn't remember her face or name.

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As Catalina wandered along the promenade gazing across the water to the island of Manhattan she had earbuds in her ears, and it wasn’t unlike one of those moments where you feel like you’re in a music video. She’d had a lot of those since leaving Texas, mostly to sad songs to make herself cry, but today she felt oddly optimistic for once. Chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath having just paused on her morning run, minding her own business until a black Labrador accosted her out of nowhere from being. 

“¡Por favor no me mates! ¡No tengo dinero!” (Translation: Please don't kill me! I don't have any money!!) came out of her mouth before she could stop it, not realising what it was for a split second. Only to then notice it was a dog and laugh as her own stupidity. It had a ball in its mouth which it clearly just wanted her to throw, no malice intended. Seeing who she assumed was the owner walking towards her, Lina waved her hand to brush off their apology. “No no, it’s okay! He’s beautiful, hello Roy, you gave me a bit of a scare buddy!” She carried on laughing, scratching behind his ears. “He has a lot of energy!” Before her eyes widened. "Hey, you're a chef right? Cucina Paradiso?" @theokent

starter: Open! @bfmstarters

where: @ the promenade

Ever since moving to New York, one of Theo's favourite things to do when they had nothing to do, was take a stroll down the promenade with Roy, their black lab, and sit there overlooking the river for a while. Thinking about their fiancée working across the water always made them smile and reflect on how wonderful their life turned out after everything they had gone through the last few years.

Sitting there with their eyes closed, hand on Roy's leash, they felt the tug that meant that Roy moved, coming over to smell and demand pets from someone walking by so they opened their eyes and sit straight with a chuckle at their dog. "So sorry, he's very social. Roy, come here!

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“You can almost certainly interest me in your second two for one cocktail, thank you. Happy hour might be dangerous for you but it’s looking like a blessing for me.” Catalina grinned as she turned to the man standing next to her at the bar, thrilled as was obvious by the expression written all over her face. “But the rule is I have to have the same one as you, as in whatever you’re ordering, make it two. So we can be matching.” A perimeter she didn’t really need to set for herself but Lina was a bit of a people pleaser so she thought that might in some way appease herself to him. @oftatteredwings

for: @bfmstarters ( open! ) location: rainbow rhythm

"I've already drunk too much tonight, can I interest you in my second two-for-one cocktail?" Rhys questioned with an easy smile as he turned to the person beside him. "Happy hour is dangerous."

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Catalina looked between his face and the now abandoned half stirred coffee as she grinned back at him with an embarrassingly high level of enthusiast, the sight of Jasper always making her heart flutter for some reason. “Hey!” She waved back, mirroring his as well, bouncing on the balls of her feet somewhat. “It was awful wasn’t it? It just came out of my mouth, I couldn’t stop it, plus it’s ironic because you know…I see you here plenty so.” She laughed softly, a shrug of her left shoulder, a blush reaching her cheeks at the mention of her spilling things all over him. She was never going to live that down. She didn’t mean to do it, Lina just wasn’t the most coordinated of humans. Hand reaching up to her hair she looked a little surprised, but shook her head. “No…not that I know of. Thank you.” Not entirely sure what to say in return because she was so flustered by the compliment so blurted out. “You look nice too.” Before clearing her throat, nodding towards his coffee. “What did you go for?” @reveryfm

Jaspar looked up embarrassingly quickly at the cheerful voice he had become very familiar with in recent times, abandoning his task of stirring his coffee with one of the wooden sticks. He had long since given up hiding the small smile that flickered across his face whenever he saw her - he had let it slip too many times to pretend anyway. "Oh, hey." he replied with a small wave. " Yeah, much prefer the god awful pick up line to the coffee getting dumped on me. I think you're the sole reason the laundromat near my place is still in business." He teased as he looked up at her from his seat at a table. "...You look nice. Different. Did you change your hair or somethin'?" Jaz wasn't sure where the sudden and awkward compliment had come from, but then again, flirting was never his strong suit.

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Catalina chewed on a French fry she’d just dipped into a strawberry milkshake as she scrolled instagram on her iPhone. Not something she normally did too much of because doom scrolling had never served her in the past, but since she had managed to finish shooting off the emails she needed to before she was done with her food, she figured she’d treat herself. Though not a moment too soon a gorgeous woman had walked towards her, making Lina stop mid chew for a second just blinking at her, before clearing her throat in an attempt to bring herself back into the present. “No…no it doesn’t sound crazy, it sounds…perfectly logical actually.” Shuffling over on the booth so there was room for her to join, finishing off the rest of the fry she had in her hand. “Actually you saved me from myself, I’d just taken a bit of a tangent in my Instagram scrolling or…stalking I guess. Well not stalking. Healthy investigation? Maybe that would be a better way of putting it. Sorry now I’m just saying words, sit, sit. And no oh my god you don’t have to pay for my meal, did you want me to leave so you can your like…opening show tradition?” @theprophccy

who: victoria okoro & open ( @bfmstarters ) where: starlight

As she made her way into the familiar Starlight, she spotted the person sitting at the table she'd been headed for and froze in her tracks. Sure, it would make more sense to simply accept a different table, but something in her had her walking over to the occupied table anyway. "Excuse me," she started, having just reached the booth in the corner. "Sorry to bother you. I know this may sound insane, but is there any way I could join you at this table?" Victoria knew it'd be a long-shot, but she was trying to stay hopeful. "I'm about to start previews for my musical, and right before I open a show, I always come sit at this table and have the same exact meal. I know it's incredibly superstitious, but it's tradition." Maybe they'd either take pity on her and let her join, or find her crazy enough to get up and leave the table behind. Either way worked for her. "I'd happily pay for your meal," she added. Surely that'd help sway things in her favor.

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Who: @rxshingpxlse (Zeke) Where: A dive bar

Lina shouldn’t be telling anyone this, she shouldn’t even be confessing she’d so much as seen it because it was in someone’s personal office that she’d spotted it but…this was Zeke! Who she knew was a nervous wreck about the upcoming recast of Hairspray, after meeting in a bar not long after Lina arrived in New York City the two had bonded quickly over their similarly sunny personalities and of course enjoyment of each other’s company. Zeke was such a breath of fresh air in a city that never seemed to have much time for anyone that she’d immediately wanted to see him succeed as much and in as many ways as possible. She’d texted him to meet her at a cute little dive bar between the two of their places so neither were too put out, and broke into an excited if slightly manic grin as she spotted him. “Hey! Drink? Let me get you a drink - same as usual?” She’d not mentioned what she needed to talk to him about on the text, just that it was imperative they met as soon as humanly possible. “Sit sit sit!” 

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“Don’t be silly, we all need a little bit of chocolate sometimes, it’s what keeps me from losing it most days.” She smiled back at him brightly, a shrug of her shoulders. “I’m not judging you for that. Oh no you don’t have to…” before breaking off, blushing softly as she averted her gaze at his charming smile, the kind that was impossibly smooth. “Thank you, very much, you didn’t have to do that it’s just a muffin at the end of the day.” Pausing for a second before offering her hand to him with an even wider grin. “Catalina Moran, how do you do.” @axel--mathis

Axel put his hand up when she teased him about needing a muffin that bad. "Don't get it twisted. I don't need it. Chocolate's just my favorite." He was surprised though as she switched her order for a blueberry one. As she turned back to him he gestured to the woman behind the counter. "And put her order on mine." He pulled his wallet out and grabbed his credit card, making sure to put it down before the beautiful stranger could argue. "Thank you." he said, flashing a charming smile her way.

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Where: Aroma Delights Who: Jasper @reveryfm

Ines tried not to look like a total disaster as she paused outside the coffee shop, taking a breath and a moment to smooth her hair before stepping inside. There had been a couple of times now that Jasper and Ines had been at the same coffee shop at the same time, which meant every time the woman arrived she would look through the big window at the front to see if the man was there. Today he was. Pushing into the building she was engulfed in the scent of coffee mixed with fresh pastries, literally what she imagined heaven on earth would smell like. Tucking some hair behind her ear she headed over to him with a small smile. “Fancy seeing you here, do you come here often?” A small laugh going along with her big smile, something he never failed to put on her face. “Sorry, that was so impossibly cheesy but I thought it was a better way of making my presence known than upturning my coffee onto your clothing or something.” 

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Ines was just minding her own business as she stood in the line for a coffee, needing a pick me up after a particularly taxing meeting with one of her clients. Why people still thought releasing doves was a sign of wealth she had no idea - it felt archaic at this point. Dated romance. Old New York money seemed to disagree. Deciding to treat herself to the chocolate muffin calling her name through the display cabinet she had just placed the order when there was a tap on her shoulder. Surprise on her face she turned to look at the man behind her. “What? Oh…no I mean it’s okay, anyone who needs a muffin that badly can have it. Don’t worry.” Leaning over towards the barista. “Sorry, could I swap that muffin for a blueberry one, this gentleman is going to have to chocolate one.” She corrected, shooting him a bright smile. “Chocolate therapy helps a multitude of things.” She joked. @axel--mathis

who? @rxmorsfromines

where? aroma delights

Axel had come to the bakery directly after work. He had a sweet tooth, specifically one for chocolate. He waited in line, having already mentally chosen the last chocolate muffin in the case. When the woman in front of him included it in her order, he sighed and looked at the floor. He gently tapped her on the shoulder as the worker turned to grab more items. "Hey... I will pay for your entire order if you let me take the muffin."

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“Oh my goodness, thank you, a million times.” She was careful to tuck the receipt into an inside pocket of her bag so that the wind didn’t grab it once more, zipping closed said pocket for good measure. “Doughnuts? Sure! I mean, we don’t need to split them, I’ll buy you ten boxes of doughnuts if that’s what your heart desires.” She giggled, quickly nodded as she headed towards where the treats were being freshly made - and it smelled beyond amazing. “I’m Ines, by the way.” Holding out her hand by way of introduction. “I swear I’m not always this dramatic about bits of paper, it’s just a receipt for an event I’m planning and if I lost it then I wouldn’t get reimbursed for the cost and it’s…like more than my life is worth.” She chuckled. "I wouldn't be able to afford to eat for like a year." @oftatteredwings

"Absolutely no need to repay me," Holly said, quickly waving the other's offer off and shrugging their shoulders. They were just glad they could do a good deed and brighten someone's day with it. "Just happy to help." It sounded cheesy, too, they knew that —- but being cheesy was kind of Holly's thing now and it wasn't about to change any time soon. They cast a brief glance over their shoulder, eyes falling upon a doughnut seller ( Jesus, they were hungry ), and then back to the woman in front of them, smile appearing. "Unless you want to split a box of doughnuts with me."

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Ines was grateful on the daily that she had Kenzie in her life, even from a distance (well until the last couple of months) she’d been a total rock for the woman through all her marriage issues. Her maid of honour at her wedding the girls had been firm friends since Kenzie was in Texas for collage, and said friendship had never faltered. “I always want to get into my feels.” Immediately making grabby hands towards the wine as she pulled open the front door to reveal the tall blonde. The two of them couldn’t look more different honestly. “Hey baby, did you do something with your hair? It looks so cute.” Rising onto her tiptoes so she could reach up to wrap her arms around the other in a tight hug. “You’re staying over tonight right?” She’d assumed…I mean they normally stayed at each other’s places if they were hanging out int he evening.  @lavendcrhazed

WHERE: ines' residence WHO: kenzie & ines @rxmorsfromines

A quick knock on Ines' front door has Kenzie bouncing on the balls of her feet. She's anxious, the bag on her arm growing heavier with each passing moment. It's filled with everything they could need for a girls' night in, with some extras thrown in just in case. "I've got chocolate, face masks, trashing tabloid magazines, ice cream, and as many rom coms as I could find in the Goodwill bin that didn't seem damaged." She says as soon as the door is open in front of her. She holds up a smaller bag, this one slimmer and held tightly in her hand. "This one has the wine if we want to really get into our feels."

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“Motorbike, for some reason that makes more sense. Not that there are any problems with cycle bikes but I couldn’t really see you on one everyday.” Listening as he talked about what was clearly her pride and joy, she smiled softly, it was always so lovely to hear people talk about things that made them passionate. “I don’t know what a Triumph Trident 600 is but it sounds cool, as does red and black.” God how could she be so stupid as to just randomly take hold of him, could the ways she embarrassed herself in front of this (increasingly cooler - he had a motorbike for gods sake) man never end? “And uh knowing me I would end up on the floor let’s be honest. Probably taking you down with me, or at the very least your drink, so thank you for saving us both that headache.’ Sheepishly linking her arm through his again but not saying anything about it, relieved that the conversation was moving onto her weird drink choice. 

“You don’t have to! I’m just saying it can be a fun little addition. When I was growing up it always felt a bit like having candy but…allowed candy? Maraschino cherries are just sugar after all. You’ve had them before, right?” There was that nickname again that made her heart flutter in her chest all of its own accord, face breaking out into a grin as she laughed. “I won’t tell a soul, but which flavour milkshake? Because…that is really key. It’ll determine if this walk can continue or not. I mean I know I’ve embarrassed myself a fair bit but…you could commit the worst sin right here right now.” 

"Motorbike." He nodded, more than happy to talk about his baby. "Had her for a few years now, best thing I ever spent money on. She's a red and black Triumph Trident 660." Jaz explained, only to pause when she hooked her arm through his. He turned to look at her as they kept walking, with her rambling once again as she explained herself. Normally, Jaspar wouldn't say anything after she had pulled away, never really one for physical contact... but whether it was Ines' explanation, or the fact that maybe he was slightly touched starved through his own effort, he found himself shaking his head. "Nah, it's alright, I didn't mind. Wouldn't want you fallin' off the curb now, would we?" "Are you tellin' me now I gotta put cherries in any damn Shirley Temples you ask for at the pub?" Jaspar quirked an eyebrow up, intending to come off as teasing, but his tone felt a little flat even to his own ears. To try and prove he was joking, he took a leaf out of her book and kept talking. "Guilty pleasure? Drink wise?" He thought about it for a moment. "Alright, I like milkshakes. Y'know, the fancy ones with all the extra shit on top? But don't tell anyone, I mean it, doll. I got a reputation to uphold."

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“No? I guess that’s a good point! The trying on part I mean. I could pop into the changing room to see if it works. I just tend to get into trouble if it’s too small around the…” She gestured to her boobs as if that finished her sentence, because Ines knew on balance her waist was fairly small, it made finding things to wear in these shops a little more tricky. “Skylar? Oh damn that’s a cool name. Hi, I’m Ines.” She offered her hand out to the woman in front of her, a bright smile on her face. New York was known for being unfriendly but at least they were an exception to the rule it seems. “It’s lovely to meet you. I’m new in town, came from Texas, my brother lives here. As in…in New York, so I decided to move up here too.” Leaving out a couple of the details as to why.  @rxshingpxlse

Skylar shook her head when the other questioned it, "Nah. I don't think it would look bad on you or too tight. I think it doesn't hurt to even just try it on to see if it fits nicely on you." She said to the woman who was contemplating the top. "Maybe they have another one and we can both get it and match, that would be awesome. Especially since we both have wicked good taste!" She replied to the other before searching through the rack to see if there was another one. "I'm Skylar, by the way. I don't know if I've ever seen ya around." She said to her.

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“Do you really want to be the favourite by default, or the favourite because you earn it?” Ines teased, not noticing how he winced at the nickname because she was far too busy showering the dogs around her ankles with affection. Not to mention it wouldn’t change her use of it because old habits die hard - it was part of her vocabulary now. Probably more than Eli’s actual name. “Okay but you’re telling me, when does this place start to get a bit warmer? I know Texas has winters too but this is madness. I thought the icy wind was going to strip my skin off when I went outside this morning!” Ines exclaimed, finally standing up so she could give her brother the same warmth of greeting as she had the dogs. Then again it was more him that was giving her the love, easily melting into his arms as soon as they were wrapped around her. Face pressed against his chest as she let out a soft sigh, this just reminding her that moving to be nearer her brother was the best possible thing she could have done right now. “I mean, I’m never going to say no to that, but I don’t think it would make much of a difference at this point. He told me the other day that if I carried on fighting him when it came to alimony the money he gave me would be taking food out of his unborn child’s mouth.” She tried to laugh it off as it came out her mouth but instead her voice cracked, forcing her to clear her throat. “So that was…nice.” Averting her gaze.

"Uh, rude," Eli's smile is wide, unclipping as many of the dogs' leashes as he can at once. "I'm your only brother, so I'm the favorite by default." Once the dogs are loose they run straight to Ines, desperate for attention of the newest person around them. It's adorable, watching them crawl over each other for just the smallest chance of his sister's attention. He shrugs at her question, wincing slightly at the old nickname that still haunts him to this day. "The usual, you know? Just work and trying not to fall into a snow pile in a city that never seems to warm up." He crosses the space between them, wrapping her in a hug. He knows the past few months have been hard on her, between the divorce and the move, but he's so glad she's in the same city he is. "How's everything on your end? Or do I need to fly back home and give someone a piece of my mind?"

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“Would you like me to apologise for both jokes, your honour?” She asked with a tiny giggle, unable to help herself as they started to walk down the park path. “Your bike? Like a push bike or a motorbike?” Ines asked with genuine interest, not realising she had slipped her arm through his to link them until it was already done, immediately pulling it back again. “Oh god, sorry. Force of habit. I think it’s because I’m so terrible at walking in a straight line I’ve been doing it since I was little as a way to stay on…track…” She explained, words clunky as she laughed nervously, worried he might decide to tell her he didn’t want to hang out anymore. “Sorry.” Ines repeated, pressing her lips together. 

Maybe if she carried on talking about her odd taste in drinks, he would forget that she’d just been a massive dork for the…what…third time? Forth? Too many at this point of that she was sure. “Mmm…seriously. They’re delicious what are you talking about! Sweet syrup, and then the bubbles, and if you’re at a really good place they come with a cherry as well! It’s like an innocent delight. Why, what is your drink of choice? Or better, what is your guilty pleasure drink?”

"It was a little corny, so was the your honor joke." Jaz had to admit that her embarrassment was cute. Just a little. "But I s'pose I'll let it slide. You have a point, some of my favorite things are the least expensive things I own." He nodded, agreeing with the sentiment. "Not all of 'em though. My bike was pretty expensive." The relief he felt when he agreed to walk with him for a little while was bordering on pathetic, considering he had been pretty sure she would say no. Again, he smiled, and his cheeks were starting to ache because of it - smiling wasn't something he seemed to do often enough. "Great." He mumbled a little awkwardly, before the two of them started wandering down the street. Jaspar listened to her ramble on for a while, not daring to interrupt the defense she was putting forward. "...Shirley Temples? Seriously?" He snorted, shaking his head. "We definitely need to expand your palette."