"I don't think it's weird, but I would like to know more." He picked up his glass of wine and took a drink.
"It's hard to explain. I think now that I'm starting to reconnect with the world again, I can see that I was lonely. But while it was happening, I didn't really think about it much. I had my cats, and I knew where there were people if I wanted them, I just didn't want them."
"Then I'm glad I get to help you reconnect with the world." The look in his eyes proved just how much he meant the words.
"Do you want to order anything else, or should we get the bill and go for a walk?" I asked.
"A walk sounds nice. Did you have anything in mind?"
I shook my head. "Not really. We could go down to Menhit's oasis though, maybe shift and do some running."
"That sounds good." He flagged down one of the servers and asked for our bill.
Not for the first time since reconnecting with him, I found myself smiling for no reason. It was like I'd filled the parts of my life that had been missing before. All I needed to do now was move the cats to the god realm and set up my new sanctuary here. I wasn't sure whether anyone here would be interested in adopting cats, but even if they weren't, it would make me happy to be surrounded by them all the time. It would just have to be a different set-up.
"Ready?" Ptah asked.
I nodded and pushed back my chair so I could stand. "Do we pay on the way out?"
"I already dealt with it. You can get the next one."
"Thanks." I liked the assumption that there was going to be another date after this one. And hopefully more after that. I supposed we weren't technically dating if we were already further into our relationship.
I looped my arm through his, and we left the restaurant. The air was the perfect temperature, and a light breeze ruffled through my hair. I leaned against Ptah, enjoying the warmth radiating off him.
I let out a loud sigh.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm just enjoying the company."
"I can understand that, the company is by far the best bit of the date," he said. "Though I'd happily eat a pizza while sitting on the floor of your sanctuary with you."
I laughed lightly. "Luckily, you won't have to do that. Menhit has set me up with a brand new sanctuary attached to her oasis, and it includes a big living space which includes a dining table. She said that I shouldn't be giving up so much space to the cats."
"That doesn't sound like something you'll be able to keep up."
"It's going to be different than the sanctuary on Earth. You'll see when we move the cats in next week." I was excited just thinking about it.
"So I take it I'm supposed to be helping you with moving the cats then?"
I reached out and placed a hand on his arm. "You don't have to if you don't want to."
"I'd help you do just about anything."
"Now that sounds like a challenge," I joked.
"What does?"
"Finding something that you wouldn't do for me." I tapped my chin and tried to think of something outrageous. "What about if I asked you to enter a ring with a matador?"
"In which form?"
"Bull form."
"It would be a challenge," he admitted. "Sounds like fun."
We turned into the oasis. The soft whistle of birdsong filled the air, and the leaves rustled in the breeze, adding to the peace and tranquillity of the place. It was hard to believe that this was going to be right outside my house soon.