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“Ready?” Homura nodded, pulling the mask over the nose and mouth. Weisz adjusted his baseball cap, and slid his sunglasses on.
Homura’s hand slipped into his. He pushed the door open. The dimly lit street was silent, and empty. They let out a collective sigh.
“Where are we meeting everyone for drinks again?” Weisz asked.
“I am not sure,” Homura muttered, pulling out her phone. “Ah, we’re meeting at Bluegarden,” she added after a moment.
“Sounds good,” Weisz said, dropping her hand to hook his arm through hers. He dragged her down the sidewalk towards his Aqua Wing.
He quickly scanned the car for anything amiss, and Homura followed suit. It was untouched. He slipped into the driver seat, Homura next to him.
——
“Homura! Weisz!” Rebecca greeted them with a wave from her seat next to Shiki and Happy. Weisz slipped into the seat next to Hermit. Homura sat next to him.
“Hey,” Hermit muttered, not looking up from her screen. Pino waved at him from across the table and he waved back. Witch slipped out of the back and took a seat on Hermit’s other side.
“Look who’s here!” Sister said, waltzing in, Mosco dutifully behind her. She plopped down next to Shiki and Witch. “Let’s get this party started!”
An uninterested teen took their orders. The group chatted about work, and what they’d been up to in the break between season.
Practicing mostly, improving their skills. Rebecca and Happy’s channel was growing. Homura was sharpening her skills with her sword. Hermit talked briefly about their programming work.
Water was passed around as they chatted. As well as a huge basket of fries. Their drinks arrived shortly afterwards. Shiki raised his glass high, and everyone quieted.
“To Edens Zero!” Shiki declared, “and our continued adventure!” Everyone toasted.
Food was served, and comfortable silence settled over the table. Weisz caught Shiki’s eye from across the table. Weisz raised his glass slightly to Shiki, who did the same in turn.
Homura bumped his shoulder and he turned. She slid a slice of bread onto his plate. In return he flicked the croutons over to her.
“Anyone else need refills?” Weisz asked, standing, grabbing Homura’s empty glass. He took Sister’s empty glass, and Shiki’s as well.
He set down the glasses on the bar counter. He listed of the drinks, only to look up. He locked eyes with the star-struck barkeep. She blinked.
“Our drinks?” Weisz prompted. She got to work, fumbling an apology. “It’s fine,” he told her. “You a fan?” He asked.
“Oh no,” she replied. “My daughter is though. She’s actually in the back,” the bartender explained.
“Everyone would be happy to meet her,” Weisz said. “Before you say that you don’t want to interrupt, you’re not,” he added. He grabbed the drinks, nodding to her.
“Drinks,” Weisz said, placing them on the table. “And we’ve got a young fan who wants to meet us.”
“Everyone got something to write with?” Rebecca asked. The moment everyone was settled, a ten year old girl skipped out from the back of the restaurant. She let out a loud gasp at the sight of them.
“The crew of Edens Zero?” She asked, eyes wide. They all waved. “Ohmygoodnes… uhhh.. can you?” She pointed at the stack of napkins.
Weisz scribbled his signature on the napkin before passing it to Homura. They passed it counter-clockwise. Once it returned to Weisz, he handed it to the girl.
“Thank you,” she said. “I can’t wait to see the next season!” She grinned.
“Want a picture before we have to leave?” Shiki asked. The kid nodded. The whole group crowded in close, the girl giving a gap-toothed grin. The phone clicked.
——
“I love meeting fans,” Homura said with a sigh as they left. Weisz hummed.
“Yeah, I agree,” he said. “As long as they don’t leak out location to the press.. like some one did,” he added. Homura grinned, tugging her mask off as they made their great escape from the paparazzi. Weisz smiled right back.