A simple dinner

"So, where do you want to go?" she asks, as you walk down the street together in the waning twilight. The lines of brownstones transform into high-rises, and then skyscrapers.

"As much as I hate to suggest it, how do you feel about the Rice Room? I can get a family discount there."

Nadia rolls her eyes, contrasting her grin. "Sure, Lev. The Rice Room it is. I could go for a shot of Jewel."

The sun is just dipping below the jagged urban horizon when you reach the Rice Room. As always, the crime den masquerading as a bar is nestled between and beneath massive skyscrapers, somehow hidden despite its faded brick face and worn wooden door, completely at odds with the clean contemporary surrounding it.

It has been a while since Nadia has been here - despite the fact that she is part of the family. Still, they serve classic Russian cuisine, and she is a Russian woman. You recall the times when the two of you would come here often, back when she had just arrived in New York. Things have changed a lot since then.

A familiar face greets you as you approach the door - the grizzled old man, Dmitri.

"Lev, good to see you. And is that you, Nadia? It feels like forever since I last saw your beautiful face. It reminds me of my dear Anya, bless her." The old man does the four-point cross on his chest, kissing a gold pendant as he finishes. Still, he seems thrilled to see your wife. You forgot how her absence had impacted others; people that had considered her family had seldom seen her for years.

"Dmitri, it is a pleasure to see you, and thank you for the compliment. I doubt I could ever compare to her, though." Her arms wrap around him in a warm hug, like that of a daughter. "Anya was a fine woman."

The old man says nothing until Nadia pulls away.

"So, what brings you here this evening?"

"Well, I thought Nadia and I could enjoy dinner together," you say. "It's been a while since I could take her out."

He nods sagely, before turning and opening the door for you to pass. "Don't let me keep you, then. Enjoy your dinner. And Lev, see you soon."

You thank him and guide Nadia inside, your hand placed on the small of her back. A common action for a husband and wife, but one that feels wholly unfamiliar to you; your fingers linger there, even as the door closes behind you, and Nadia approaches the bar.

Ana is there, alluring as always, with tight dark jeans and a white t-shirt, her raven hair tied back into a **** ponytail. Her bangs fall over her forehead, bouncing as she circles the bar and wraps you in a tight hug.

"Lev! I thought you weren't working today."

"I'm not - I brought Nadia to eat dinner."

Ana's warm expression melts as she sees Nadia, standing beside you at the bar.

"Hm, okay. Well, pick a table. I'll be with you soon."

You nod and point to a booth in the corner, away from the door and bar. You squeeze into the leather seat, back against the wall, while Nadia sits across from you. Your position affords you a view of the bar and other areas of the dimly lit room, while Nadia's only gives her a crackled painting. She seems content, though, and begins to look over the menu that was already placed on the table.

"So, what are you thinking?" she asks.

You stare at her over the flickering light of a candle, sitting upon an old coaster at the edge of your table. Her hair shines in the darkness, like freshly spun silk, and you find your eyes drawn the to peaks of her breasts, barely visible as the neckline of her shirt stabs into them. One of her bra straps, also black, peaks across her shoulder.

"That you're a rather beautiful woman," you murmur.

She rolls her eyes, a shadow of a blush on her cheeks, saying: "I meant for food."

You pause. "The borscht is rather good. I think I'll have that." And cheap.

"I'll have the same, then."

You nod in agreement, but soon find yourself in a moment of silence with your wife: what do you talk about? This is the first time you've really been **** to talk to her since she stopped "hating" you. Thankfully, your anxiety is relieved when Ana approaches.

Your cousin stands against the side of the booth, leaning against the leather seat and revealing her profile to you. As always, you are unable to look away. The perky shelf of her chest, the round curve of her ass - they draw your eyes in. You must have been staring because Nadia kicks you in the shin under the table. Her eyes narrow at you, her former flush gone. A faux cough breaks her lips.

"Well, going to answer her?"

"Uh, what?" you stutter.

"What do you want to eat, bonehead?" Ana says.

"Oh, right. The borscht, hot."

"Same for me. Oh, and a shot of Jewel."

"Make that two."

"Alright," Ana says, turning away. Your eyes are unwillingly drawn to her ass as she returns back to the bar, watching her plump cheeks climb up and down in the air.

Another kick on your shin, followed by: "Really?"

"Sorry," you say, and you mean it. It has been a long time since you have been anywhere with Nadia, and it seems you have forgotten how to act.

Your wife sighs but says no more. Distracted, you get up from the booth.

"Going to pee, be right back."

She waves her hand, and you head to the bathroom behind the bar, locking the door behind you. With a sigh, you pull out your phone and check the app; there are no changes in her score, which could be good or bad. Perhaps it had gone up, only for your furtive glances to lower it back down. You think, considering your options... You have one perk point left - perhaps that could be of use?

With a shrug, you open the perks page. Your eyes scan the dozens of nodes that represent auto-magical effects, any of which could be yours at the push of a button. Your heart alights as you see one that you believe will cure all of your problems. Or the love-related ones, at least.