An alpha stalked past, casting his nose in the air, he wrinkled it when the full force of the bakery-like scent hit him. He couldn't detect the scent he was searching for anywhere.
He stalked forward, barking orders at his subordinates, not giving the alleyway where Kand-Lei and the stranger were hiding a second glance.
When the shouts once again grew distant, the two emerged from the alleyway.
Kand-Lei was just about to ask a question when a sudden stomach cramp had him clutching his midsection and groaning softly.
The stranger worriedly suggested, "Let's talk over a meal?"
Kand-Lei looked up at him with a grateful little smile. "That sounds amazing. I am so hungry I could eat… hmm, fifteen cans of beans?"
The stranger chuckled a little at this response. He gestured to the street in front of them dramatically, "Lead the way then, hungry sir. And consider telling me your name while you're at it. I'm Darcy. Or Bai Qin. Either is fine." He belatedly introduced himself, sticking out a hand confidently.
Kand-Lei smiled a little, taking his hand and kissing the fingertips, an action that sent a jolt through Darcy. "I am Kand-Lei. But the people of this country call me Kelpie. You are welcome to either name."
He walked towards a restaurant he was familiar with, taking no note of the effects his actions had on Darcy. Such a greeting was considered very normal in his home country of Ne-zhin.
Darcy followed him a bit slowly at first, thumb rubbing repeatedly over the place where Kand-Lei had kissed his fingertips.
They stopped in front of a small restaurant. It looked decent but not too expensive, focused mainly on warm comforting cuisine and a relaxing atmosphere.
They were directed inside by a waiter and led to a little two person table right next to the heater.
As they sat down, Darcy observed the surroundings. It was the first time he had been to a restaurant where you didn't have to book in advance.
The restaurant was quiet at this time of night, the dinner rush was over and only a few scattered groups remained. Their little table included.
The decor was homely and casual, almost as if one had just walked into a relative's house for a meal. The soft, ambient lighting came from unseen sources, just as Darcy was about to say something the waiter returned with menus and set a candle in a little glass between them on the table. He vanished again, leaving them to choose their meals in peace.
Darcy was a little startled by the sudden appearance and subsequent disappearance of the waiter but decided to focus on food instead.
Kand-Lei looked up at him a little nervously. "I hope the cuisine is to your taste… Mr. Darcy."
Darcy grimaced at the formal term of address, "Please just call me Darcy, and I'll eat pretty much anything. Much to my parents' horror."
Kand-Lei gave a shy smile before he ducked behind the menu, hiding his expression as he uttered the next words. "Are you sure? I thought it was common in this country to remain formal, even after marriage." His tone was cautious and a little confused.
"Who told you that?!" Darcy asked, incredulous, "That's ridiculous! Most people I know hardly even use 'Mr' anymore!" He quickly shut his gaping mouth and tried to tone down his reaction when he saw that Kand-Lei was very confused and a bit downcast.
"My hu-...ex-husband told me." He twisted his fingers around the base of his ring finger. "He said that I should always call him Mr. and that because my name was too hard to pronounce he would call me Kelly." He picked up the menu again, ducking his head suddenly. "I apologise, I speak too much."
Darcy almost jolted at the sudden shift in demeanour. "Not at all, im sorry you have had such a bad experience in this country. I can assure you that we are not all so uptight!" His face, once thought to be sharp, softened when he smiled at Kand-Lei. "Kelpie."
Kand-Lei flushed a little, even though he had given his permission, it had been a long time since he had heard that nickname.
The waiter, sensing a pause in the conversation, chose that moment to reappear. "Hello there folks! I hope you're having a great night so far, what can I get for you?" He pulled a notepad from his apron with a disarming grin.
Darcy immediately launched into his order, specifying every detail with rehearsed precision. Kand-Lei just ordered noodle soup and a hot chocolate.
Seemingly startled at the simplicity of his order, Darcy quickly said, "You can order whatever you'd like, this is my thanks to you for helping me."
"Oh… I am alright." Kand-Lei murmured behind the menu.
The waiter chuckled a little as he took the menus and tucked his notepad back into his apron. "You'll just have to accidentally order too much dessert then." He winked at Darcy and walked off towards the kitchen.
The two shared a startled glance before laughing quietly. Kand-Lei seemed a little more relaxed now, finally settling into the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. He opened the drawer of the table and pulled out a well used chess set.
"I find that conversation flows better when the hands have their own task." He murmured as he set up the board.
"Are you a magician?" Darcy asked. Staring at the chess set that had appeared between them.
One of the white rooks was missing, replaced by a stainless steel thimble that looked surprisingly at home on the creased and faded chessboard.
"No. I have been here before. Each table has a different game. It is a wonderful idea, no? Although I confess," he squinted in a displeased manner at the board, "I am not very good at chess."
"That's alright. Neither am I."
The game started slowly. The conversation followed soon after.
Kand-Lei pushed his pawn forward. "So. The men chasing you…"