Go with Clara to Ember Lounge, scope out the place before David arrives, and look for an opportunity to complete your Taste task.

The taxi pulls up outside Ember Lounge, a sleek cocktail bar with warm amber lighting visible through floor-to-ceiling windows. Clara practically bounces out, tugging you along by the wrist while you juggle your shopping bags.

"Come on! Sunday nights they have this amazing bartender who makes these killer espresso martinis," she gushes, leading you through heavy wooden doors into the dimly lit interior.

Ember Lounge lives up to its name—copper and amber tones dominate the décor, with low-slung leather booths and a long, gleaming bar where mixologists perform what looks like liquid alchemy. Despite being Sunday evening, the place buzzes with well-dressed professionals squeezing the last drops from their weekend.

"Perfect," Clara purrs, spotting an empty high-top table near the bar. "Park yourself there while I find the ladies' room. These shopping bags are killing me."

As she disappears, you set your bags down and assess your surroundings, eyes scanning for potential candidates who might fulfill your task requirements. The app said getting a man to buy you a drink would earn five precious Return Points—bringing you that much closer to reclaiming your former self.

A tall man with salt-and-pepper hair at the bar catches your eye, his expensive watch glinting as he signals the bartender. When he notices your gaze, he offers a small smile. You return it instinctively, feeling your cheeks warm as you quickly look away.

"First time here?"

The voice startles you. It belongs to a man who's appeared beside your table—late thirties, with thick brown hair styled in an undercut and warm hazel eyes. He's wearing a navy henley that stretches across broad shoulders, and his smile reveals a charming dimple in his left cheek.

"Is it that obvious?" you ask, your Irish lilt making the question sound flirtier than intended.

"Only because I'm here most Sundays and haven't seen you before." He extends his hand. "I'm Ryan."

"Mia," you respond, taking his hand. His grip is firm but gentle, and something about the brief contact sends a tiny shiver through your new body.

"Can I buy you a drink, Mia?" Ryan asks, glancing at the empty table in front of you. "Their pomegranate martini is legendary."

You blink, surprised at how easily the opportunity has presented itself. This is exactly what your task requires, and Ryan seems pleasant enough—handsome in a casual way, well-spoken, and not overly aggressive.

"I'd like that," you say with a smile that feels both foreign and natural on your lips. "Pomegranate sounds perfect."

Ryan signals to a passing server, who approaches with a friendly nod. "Pomegranate martini for the lady, and I'll have another Old Fashioned."

As the server departs, Ryan leans slightly against your table. "So, Mia with the lovely accent, what brings you to Ember on a Sunday night?"

"Shopping with a friend," you explain, gesturing to the bags. "She's just popped to the ladies'."

"Successful expedition, I see," he chuckles. "New to London?"

"Not exactly." You're surprised by how easily the lie forms. "I've been here a while, but I'm still discovering places."

Your phone buzzes in your purse. When you glance at it, you see the notification:

TASK COMPLETED!

Taste: Get a man to buy you a drink at a bar tonight

+5 Return Points!

Total: 27/50

A warm satisfaction flows through you—another task down, more than halfway to your goal. You slip the phone back into your purse just as Ryan's and your drinks arrive.

19:10 | Sunday 3 August 2025 | Ember Lounge, London

[Comfort Mode Level 2] | 03:05 hours remaining