Explosive Blind Date | Sapphire & Staghound

          Sapphire can't believe she's going through this. That's all she can really think about as she brushes her hair. She's going to be far better dressed and decorated than her partner, Saphie knows that for sure.
          She takes a few more moments to preen, now beginning to shine her horns with a silk cloth and water.

          Hmm, but it is a blind date; maybe she'd be lucky and get the perfect man who sparkles more than she does. She is quite fortunate... Momo was right about the thrill; it has been awhile since she had one. Ugh, there's still the fact that it hasn't happened yet and could be a total bust.

          Next is some product for her horns and twinkling nails, making sure to get that nice glossy shine finish she oh so loves. Getting up from her vanity table, Sapphire does one last check on her outfit in her full-length mirror. Sparkly moissanite, blue flowing fabrics, and her beloved diamonds. And how can she forget her fine jewelry? A pair of silver earrings and matching necklaces, bracelets, and rings that clinked with wealth.

          Perfection.
          Sapphire grabs her purse and heads towards the door.

          Rolling out of bed, he had slept in again. Feeling groggy he brushed his teeth and splashed water in his face. Now more awake he checked himself out in the mirror, Staghound didn’t know who he would be set up with, so he wasn’t sure how hard he’d have to try with his looks. Everyone always says to look their best though, so he decided to go with that.

          Showering, and fixing his hair, it was already almost time to go. Stag wasn’t sure how this would go, it had been a while since he tried dating others, typically sticking to himself more and just staying home all day.
Putting on a nice suit, not like he had a choice with it being his only one. Stag then stared at his dresser for what accessories he wanted.

          Picking up his go to, Stag brought the muzzle to his face, strapping it under his ears and making sure it sat comfortably. It would be hard to eat, true, but as long as he ordered drinks with a straw he’d be good. Adding the other straps, he looked like a tied up secret agent, the leather pressing into the cloth and making wrinkles.
Stag liked it though, and liked how it made others look at him. Grabbing his keys, it was time to go, leaving a bit early to try grabbing a drink before his date got there.

~~~

          Sapphire tucked the handkerchief she used to grab the restaurant's front door handle back into her purse, scanning the dining room.
          Her hooves click against the shiny, moody burgundy floor tiles, and she honestly feels a little anxious. Ew. What if he didn't show...?

          If he doesn't show, she'll take that to her grave; nobody stands her up. It'll be their loss.
          Saph eyed the two-seater tables, spotting one with a vacant chair and a charcoal-furred buck.

          Quietly, she cleared out her throat as she approached. "Hello? Are you expecting someone?"

          Sitting at the table he looked strange using a straw to drink a bourbon cocktail, his legs were crossed until he noticed a doe make his way over to him, now sitting more proper.
          She looked beautiful and confident, which was his type of woman. His tail stayed wrapped around the leg of the chair.

          He nodded to her question, not responding verbally at first before realizing she might want an actual response, “Yes. I’m Stag, nice to meet you.” The buck spoke with a deep tone, stretching a hand out for her to shake. That’s what you do, right? I mean she screamed ‘business lady’ and that’s what he does for business.
          “I haven't ordered food yet, just a drink.” He kind of felt the need to state, not wanting her to think he was rushing it.

          Sapphire's first reaction to seeing how he was dressed was to turn around and leave, but she promised herself she'd try. His suit is moderately passable, an effort was made.
          He seems cute enough. Though all that brutish gear on his head strangled his handsome features, why deny someone the view of your face?

          Sapphire smiles and puts faith in 'Stag' that he washed his hands recently; she gave him a firm handshake before slipping into her seat. Purse in her lap.
         "Sapphire, it's a pleasure to be here."

          The buck really hoped he was going about this right, a lot of guys would be intimidated by having someone like her in front of them, but he found it intriguing. Whether that was stupid and he should be more cautious, he felt more confident with his straps.
         “So… what are your hobbies?” He asked, clearly trying to remember something. Stag looked up questions and topics to ask on dates last night and hoped it would go well.
          Stag didn’t even know what hobbies he’d say he does himself. Read? Does that sound too basic? He wasn’t sure if he wanted to talk about what he does as a job yet. That would probably make her leave.

          Sapphire's tail flicked, he definitely looked up some tips to first dates. Asking what her hobbies are before her profession...? She's unsure if she should be annoyed or charmed. However he's speaking to her without stuttering. She should give him some credit.

          Saph rested her elbow on the table and propped her chin with her palm, "I don't have many 'hobbies,' since they were all careers at some point. But singing and ballerina dancing. However, I practice piano to pass time..."

          Wow, even her hobbies all sounded really fancy. He didn’t relate to that at all and thought about lying to make himself sound cooler, but what would that even be? That sounded way more difficult than just saying the truth. “I mostly read magazines, look at fashion, watch buntube, and do bad concept sketches… I don’t really have any interesting hobbies.” He admitted, “I am trying to get out more though.”
          Stag thought more, he should probably ask about her businesses, that seems like something she likes a lot. He avoided eye contact for a bit before asking her, “What do you do for a career? You definitely seem really successful which is impressive.” Stag tried complimenting her, he knew some people were weird about how you talked about their money and he didn’t want to accidentally say something weird.

          Ugh he’s being self degrading. Sapphire is instantly annoyed. Talk with some confidence.

          Now he’s trying to butter her up. Mmmm. It’s working. But she’ll get to his question later.
         “Watching BunTube isn’t a hobby… And don’t downplay your own work, it’s bad practice.”

          She gestures to the waiter, wanting a drink herself.
          “One keratini, darling,” She coos to the waiter, “Come by in ten to take our orders.”

          The waiter nods, shuffling off to the bar.

          He nodded, “I mostly hire artists to do the designs and make the products, I’ll send them a messy doodle and they are able to understand it. I find that inspiring.”
Stag also ordered another drink, “Dracquiri, thanks.”
          Seeing her flirt with the waiter made him feel more confident, she seemed straightforward so he should be. “I actually have a small business around making toys, I mostly oversee everything and give descriptions on what I want made.” Stag spoke with the menu in hand, pretending to read it casually; it always felt easier for him to express things whenever there was a ‘barrier’ no matter how small it actually was. “I’ve thought about getting into stuff like-” Stag motioned to his muzzle, “But I kind of prefer buying those from others.”

          “You’re a businessman?” Sapphire instantly perked up, her turquenite blue eyes already seemed far more engaged than before.

          Saphie loves sex, don’t get her wrong, but she isn’t as into it as her peers she discovered.

          And sex toys typically look too cheap and tacky for her.

         “How large is your operation?” She decides to browse the menu since Stag seems to be. A nice fruit salad, perhaps…

          “I run a profitable jewelry store establishment uptown, Sapphire’s Brilliance Bijoux~ “ She nearly sings the name, hand on her chest to gesture to her glittering gemstones, “I designed these myself.”

          He’d never told anyone in person about his business, other than shop owners already in it, so he was surprised by her reaction. “I only started a few years ago so it isn’t that big. Also with such a saturated market. I really like the thought of selling everywhere though, taking in customer feedback and improving constantly. Using better materials and methods also makes it take longer but it’s always worth it.” Stag opened up more, talking about it because she seemed interested.
          Stag decided to order fries, he could manage to fit that through the muzzle basket, right? “I think I’ve seen advertisements for it in magazines and online, they look beautiful.” You could almost compare their love for ‘accessories’ which was pretty amusing. Both of these pride succubuns wearing things that made them more confident.

         "Mmmrr, thank you," Sapphire trills, all pleased, both at the complement of her stunning work and the tasty keratini drink set down in front of her.

          "You'll do fine, darling. Just confidence and consistency is the key. Find your niche," Sapphire says as she raises the drink to her lips.

          "We're ready to order." Saph caught the waiter right before they left.

          The buck went to take a sip from his drink but realized she was waiting for him, “Uh…” He paused, not actually reading the menu and just trying to think of what’s worked before when eating. “Fries, please. Thank you.”
          Stag started drinking after ordering, not really thinking about what he’d ordered being weird.

          Fries? Did he just order fries? here? In this reservation-only, high-end restaurant? Why the hell would he order fries?

Is he being cheap? Is he broke after getting a table here?

She glares at him a little before turning to the waiter, "A devilhair pomodoro, please, with an arugula salad side."
When the waiter scurried off, Sapphire crossed her arms and made a face, "That's... all you're getting? Fries?"

          Handing the waiter the menu before they left, he was about to take another sip before she spoke up. He was able to see she looked mad but had no idea why.
          When she questioned his order of fries he continued to feel confused, was that weird? Should he have ordered something fancier and just taken his muzzle off? That would’ve only felt weird too. “I don’t know what other foods could fit through my muzzle without getting squished.” The buck spoke so deadpanned, that would have also just looked ridiculous.

          "Celery... Baby carrots... Kabobs... Any of their skewer food? Their mozzarella sticks? Could've ordered something on the side, a dipping, to add more flavor,"  Sapphire sips her drink some more.

          Saph put one leg over the other, leaning back in her chair.

          “I guess… I never thought to use sauces. I always worry about things getting messy and dripping.” He started sitting and wondering about other options. Stag followed her body language, crossing a leg but staying sat up, the leather on his thighs seeming to press tightly but he stayed unbothered.
          His stomach growled, actually really hungry and excited to eat, even if it was something more silly.

         "So you… Don’t take off your muzzle to eat." Sapphire said, finding that silly.
          She assumes there’s some... Emotional reason. But he could just clean the bars! Or not put an obscene amount of sauce on his food. Saphie's tail swishes back and forth.

         “At home I take it off for eating, sleeping, whatever would be uncomfortable, not in public though.” He started tapping his tail against the leg of the chair, it was a huge comfort thing. Making him look intimidating but really he was the same as the other imps that have to wear muzzles. “I typically wear even more restraints but I wanted to be able to, well, lift food and drink to my mouth.”

          He noticed her tail but tried to act like he didn't, lifting his hand up to touch the side of his muzzle and then reaching behind his head to unbuckle it. Trying to rub away the red on his face, putting the cold glass to his lips.

          The waiter came back and Stag was quick to ask for more food, "Tofu lobster alfredo and white wine. Oh! And garlic aioli sauce." Hoping that would be more impressive, eating the fries though because he genuinely liked it. Wanting to cover his face with his hands but that would also be weird.

          The waiter nodded and scurried off, once more. Looking a little frantic.

          Sapphire rumbled a little, seeing that he's uncomfortable. This is a disaster.
          What is she going to say? No, put it back on. Forget what I said. Ugh.

          At least he's going to eat an actual meal, imagine going to a restaurant and eating fries. Fries! At a restaurant! Fries aren't even filling.
"I see..." Is all Sapphire really has to say. Not her thing.

          The silence was painful, only the busy restaurant ambience broke it, but even that didn’t do enough for the table. Stag put both feet on the ground but now one shook, some people might think he looked mad, but it was obvious now to Sapphire he was a socially awkward guy who didn’t get out much.
          Eating the fries as an excuse not to talk, he wished the alcohol was doing a little more than it was. The waiter came back, putting his food on the table with complete silence. The waiter only becomes more nervous and accidentally drops the sauce, causing it to splatter in the worst direction possible.

         ".   .   ." Sapphire glares at the sticky and sweet sauce that splattered all over her nice dress. All over her purse.

          She quickly and decisively stands, keeping her posture calm and robotic as she pulls some carats out of her wallet and slams it on the table. Swiping a nearby patron's napkin and wiping herself off as she storms towards the bathroom. Welp.

          Staghound sat stunned by what he just witnessed, sitting nervously, waiting for her to shout. But she didn't. Sapphire just walking away to clean herself.

          The waiter started apologizing repeatedly but Stag reassured it was fine, just asking if he could get a box. Knowing he should go say goodbye to Saph and make sure she was ok, he was... Incredibly nervous too, putting his share of the bill on the table, and a massive tip. Asking them to make sure Sapphire was fine. Putting his muzzle back on and leaving with his food, not wanting to see what kind of hellfire Sapphire could bring.

          This made him incredibly worried about his other dates set up by the church.