"So, what are we doing?" I asked Alicia with puzzlement. I've never really been anywhere besides home and work, or well, university and home when I was still studying.

"Oh don't you worry your pretty little head. I'm drawing you out of your mind-space shell and showing you the wonders of shopping, eating at a cafe, and maybe a cinema."

I tilt my head in confusion, but all of those things can be done from home? Well except restaurant, but I can just order from that same restaurant and have it drone-delivered to my door? I have to ask.

"But Alicia, you can do all of that online. From home? Why would you waste time walking around and doing that?"

Oh, that got a reaction. She turns to me with eyes wide in surprise. Did I really say anything wrong? It's more efficient to do all of that at home, that means you can work on projects and eat or watch a movie at the same time? Also there's online catalogues for every clothing store?

"Oh my dear Eleanor, you can't think like that. There's no fun in sitting at home and doing everything on a holo-screen. Walking around with a friend, seeing new things, trying on different cute and clumsy clothes. The atmosphere of a quiet restaurant, or a warm loud bar. The enjoyment of sharing your thoughts with another right after watching a movie. There's so much wonder in doing things in person."

I don't get it. I really don't get it, but she's the one in charge so I'm not going complain. Who knows, maybe she's right, maybe doing things in person can be fun?

We spend the next few hours walking around into different stores. Some clothes, some technology after I accidentally got caught drooling over the latest model of the holo-band watch.

"Breaking news! The United States of North and South America, in joint effort with different countries in Europe, aswell as Japan is currently working on a brand new VR MMORPG called "ASCENSION". The game may not be out for a few years, but it will be unlike anything we've ever seen. You can visit their website for more information."

"Eleanooooor, what are you doing?"

I turn my attention away from the holo-screen, and see Alicia almost 10 meters away from me. Oh no, I did it again. I got so lost in my own devices that I didn't even realize she had left me. She walks back towards me and turns to the holo-screen as the ASCENSION logo fades out for the next story.

"Hmm? ASCENSION? That sounds fun, maybe we can play it together when it comes out?"

My face snaps towards Alicia, staring at her in excitement. If I had a tail it would be wagging so furiously right now. Oh, oh no I did it again. Got lost in my own excitement and totally shower her how much of a nerd I am. She gives me one of those slow chuckles that she does, and oh does it make me feel fuzzy. I don't know what she's doing to me, but that chuckle is absolutely a succubus charm ability, well, maybe not. But it totally is.

"Looks like you like that idea, hmm?" She gives me a seductive wink that makes me turn my head away in embarrassment.

Chuckle turned giggle turns my head back towards her as she gives me a warm smile. "Come Eleanor, let's go eat at a restaurant I know."

--

"Um, Alicia, what is this place?"

"Hmm? Oh it's a safe place for my kind."

Her kind? I tilt my head in confusion and she just looks at me, obviously not going to talk about this subject any further. We make our way towards the back of the, uh, this isn't a restaurant? This is a bar or a pub? But I'm not going to lie, it's warm and cozy and it does feel like a restaurant. Maybe it's daytime restaurant night-time bar? Anyways we sit down at a two person table at the back of the, restabar, and a waitress lady comes towards us.

"Welcome to Sophia! Are you two ladies here for a date?"

Date? What does she mean? We're obviously both women, how can we be on a date? I see Alicia with a slight panicked expression before she realizes I'm looking at her and she gives me a smile.

"Not today Cat, I'm just showing my little Eleanor here the pleasures of doing things in person, and the food here is a must for anyone." She gives the waitress, Cat, I assume her name is, a slight wink and Cat responds with a nod of understanding. Meanwhile I'm sitting here musing over my menu being completely lost. Turning my head away from the menu I slowly scan the room and I come to a realization, there's only women here? Even the workers are only women. Maybe that's what Alicia meant? This is a safe place for women to eat without getting hit on by men? But why did she say "my kind", like I'm not a woman? I'm confused. 

"Did you figure out what you wanted to eat Eleanor?"

I drag my attention back towards Alicia and out of the corner of my eye I see two women pulling back from each other. Had they been whispering something? I mean it's technically a public place but what can you be whispering about here? Alicia follows my gaze and she sees the two women, she has an expression I can't quite understand.

"Did you see something interesting Eleanor?"

"No I was just wondering what those two were whispering about, I saw them pull back from each other and it got me curious."

"Whispering? Oooh, yes. Whispering. No sorry my dear, I haven't the faintest clue." Alicia gives me one of those smiles again, and I just tilt my head in confusion which causes her to giggle. Oh her voice is so nice, it's like her entire being was handcrafted by a master artisan to just grab everyone's attention. With her magnetic pull and gravity-defying abilities, and her blue, gorgeously blue eyes. No wait, what am I even thinking. I'm so confused lately, am I attracted to Alicia? No that's a ridiculous thought. Locked away. Key thrown. She's trying to be my first friend and I'm happy with that.

We order our foot and eat over some small chat, the rest of the day is quite uneventful, we're just enjoying each others company. She was right though, this was a fun day. I hope she asks me out to do this again another time.

** Alicia POV **
Oh you're so cute Eleanor. Just you wait my little kitten, I'm eventually going to break you out of your little shell. Just you wait, one day you're going to be mine.