"I—like what?"
"So… cautiously," Rex said with a teasing grin. "Like the food might explode if you chew too fast."
"And you know, there's no official rule that says you have to eat in slow motion."
"...I just..."
She blinked again. "Oh. Um. I just… eat neatly."
"Neatly?" He looked pointedly at the perfectly centered sandwich. "That's not neat. That's precision-engineered."
Elara ducked her head further behind her bangs. Her hands shifted slightly under the table, probably twisting into anxious knots.
"…I didn't mean to sit here," she muttered, almost inaudibly.
Rex leaned forward just a little, voice playful. "You keep saying that like it's a crime."
"I just usually sit… um… in the corner."
"Well," Rex said, glancing around. "Corner's full. So fate sat you with me."
"Not a fan of crowds?" His voice, calm and smooth.
Elara nods slightly, fiddling with her fork.
(Rex nudges a side dish toward her, pretending not to watch her reaction) "Then take your time. No rush."
