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Hey there furballs! It's Monday which means it's time for the main story on my page, A Silent Soul! It's date night! But what's date night without a few implications? I'll let you all decide, hope you enjoy and I'll see you at the bottom of the page! :D

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We argued peacefully over who would be driving, but I finally gave in only because I had no idea where we were going and he apparently knew its exact location. Boy you should have seen the look I was giving him when he pulled to the side of the road to set the GPS on his phone. He made sure to mute the nasally computerized voice that came from the device, not wanting to give away the identity of the location just yet.

I recognized the area as the more wealthy side of town, but I could only imagine where he might be taking me. I secretly hoped it was a Japanese steakhouse because of how famished I was, but I knew my wallet wouldn't appreciate the hit it would have to take.

Finally after nearly 30 minutes of driving around lost and confused we pulled onto a small side street on the outskirts of town. There were no streetlights around, the headlights of the truck being the only source of light. Jasper brought the truck to a stop, glancing around momentarily. Seemingly satisfied with the location he turned the truck off, the light leaving with the power in the engine.

For the first time that night I actually grew fearful, knowing the situation I was currently in. I was just convinced to get into a car with someone I'd only known for a couple of weeks to go to a supposed restaurant, the location of which was apparently unknown to both Jasper and myself. Once satisfied with the location completely away from other people and no lighting whatsoever, it's the perfect scenario for-

"Hey, are you okay?" The grey wolf asked concernedly, placing a paw gently on my thigh. I shrunk away from his touch, pushing up against the door. I flinched at the look of hurt in his eyes.

"Hey what's wrong? Are you not feeling good? We can go back if you-"

"What are we doing here exactly Jasper?" I persecuted him.

"It was supposed to be a surprise, I was going to show you-"

"You don't have to show me anything, just tell me!" I shouted at him. A look of genuine concern dawned across his face.

"What's gotten into you?" He whispered quietly.

"What's gotten into me?! What's gotten into you?! You take me out to a dark alley with no people and no lighting for a supposed date night, what kind of idiot do you take me for?" I accused him, not knowing how wrong I truly was. He stared bewilderedly at me, trying to process what I was accusing him of. Suddenly, a look of understanding washed across his features.

"Oh Elijah... you thought I brought you out here to... oh my god I'm so sorry!" He started, throwing his door open and jumping out, leaving me alone in the truck. He circled around to my side and tried to pull my door open, but it was still locked from when we were driving. "Elijah please unlock the door, I'm not going to hurt you I promise." His muffled voice said through the glass.

The internal conflict raging through me was at its maximum. His eyes were silently begging me to push the unlock button on the side console, and eventually I gave in and unlocked the door. He slowly opened my door and helped me out. I didn't have any time to react as he wrapped his arms around me in an almost bone crushing hug.

He finally released me and ran his fingers gently across my cheeks where tears had unknowingly escaped, dampening the fur just under my eyes.

"Hey, look at me." He said quietly, his piercing jade eyes staring pleadingly at me. I hesitantly let my silver orbs rest on his gaze, signaling for him to continue. "I need you to know this. I would never, NEVER, try to push something on to you that you were not comfortable with okay? But that is not why we're here. If you trust me enough, I'd still like to show you rather than tell you and ruin the surprise. I promise you you'll be ten times happier seeing it for yourself. I'm sorry this turned into one big misunderstanding, a little more planning on my end would have remedied that, but I don't want this to ruin our night." He pleaded sincerely.

I didn't have to guess whether or not he was being honest, I could see it in the moisture that was beginning to fill in his eyes when I didn't give an answer right away. Finally after multiple moments of deafening silence, I rejoined his gaze and smiled softly.

"I'd like that." I replied. A grin overtook his muzzle after a moment, pulling me into yet another hug.

"Well come on! I didn't make a reservation for us to be late!" He responded, tugging on my paw.

"You made reservations? But there's nothing here, there's nobody here." I asked confusedly.

"Would you quit asking questions and just follow me? I promise it'll make sense in about 20 seconds if you just come with me." He replied. I couldn't resist the way he was squirming with anxious excitement a few feet ahead, so I conceded with a sigh and followed him deeper into the alley. We came to a stop at a dark red door, in which Jasper proceeded to knock on in a very strange rhythm.

Once he'd finished, a buzzing sound rang through the alley, followed by a clicking noise indication the door had been unlocked. Jasper looked back once more to make sure I was following before pushing the door open. I was shocked when I saw the luxuriously painted walls and plush red carpeting that matched the door outside. Jasper held the door open for me, allowing me to enter the establishment first.

I walked down the set of stairs and rounded the corner. The sight of the numerous booths set up in the restaurant was enough to take my breath away. Taking a deep breath of the air, I could pick out a distinct scent that made my mouth water more than any good steakhouse could.

"How did you know I liked Italian?" I asked the wolf.

"Just a lucky guess." He replied with a wink. A red panda who looked as if they'd been dipped in blue paint approached us.

"Jasper! It is so good to see you!" She said, a very distinct Italian accent heavy in her voice. I tensed slightly when she placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed both sides of his face, but I remembered that was their custom when it came to greetings.

"Elijah, this is my friend Michelle. Michelle, this is Elijah who I told you about on the phone." Jasper made introductions.

"Oh hello! I've heard so much about you, you're even cuter than I could have imagined! And I love your eyes they're absolutely stunning! Jasper you picked a good one out this time." She commented.

"Hey, he was the one who made the first move. I'm just a prisoner of love in this relationship." He teased.

"Oh I did, did I? Looks like you've got your stories crossed there mister 'cause you definitely made the first move." I replied, grinning mischievously.

"Nonetheless, you still have our reservations right? We had a little trouble getting here." Jasper asked.

"Oh of course I do you silly wolf. Follow me!" She replied, grabbing two menus and taking off across the small dining area. I looked in awe at the various murals that had been painted across the walls of the small hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Michelle led us back into one of the corners of the establishment where no other couples were currently dining, leaving our menus on the table she'd picked.

The table was covered with the dark red table cloth very similar to that of the floors and the door outside. A vase of roses was seated at the end of the table up against the wall, two candles on either side of it.

"I'll be back momentarily." She said before briskly taking off towards the kitchen. We seated ourselves across from each other, and I could help but grin at the new developments.

"I'm so sorry for doubting you back there, but this is fantastic! How did you find out about this place?" I asked curiously.

"I've known Michelle for as long as I can remember, and she told me about how her parents ran this really small restaurant that nobody knew about. She said she would tell me where it was as long as I promised not to tell anyone else because it's supposed to be a secret for those who found it on their own." He explained. Just as I was about to reply Michelle approached the table once again with a notepad and pen.

"Can I get you two gentleman something to drink?" She asked with a polite smile. "I'd like just a water please." I answered. Jasper grinned mischievously at me before replying,

"I'd like a bottle of your finest red wine please." He said elegantly.

"Sounds good, I'll return momentarily with your drinks." She replied with a wink before walking off. I watched her go before looking confusedly at him.

"Last time I checked you were definitely under the age of 21 sir." I commented seriously.

"Just another awesome thing about this place. Do you recognize the name 'Russo'?" He asked.

"Yes of course I do, they're super rich Italian connoisseurs that travel the world. What does that have to do with you ordering a bottle of wine though?" I questioned.

"The Russo's are responsible for inventing the world's first completely non-alcoholic wine. Don't ask how they did it they just did, but nobody knows about it because it is extremely expensive to make. This restaurant just happens to stock it regularly." He said matter-of-factly.

"But nobody comes here, how could they make enough money to buy something so expensive?" I pondered.

"Why don't you ask Michelle here?" He replied, gesturing to the blue furred red panda who was approaching the table. She set my water down in front of me, as well as Jasper's glass. She made a show of popping the cork from the bottle, pouring the glass halfway with the wine. "Thank you so much Michelle. By the way, Elijah here has a question for you." He relayed to her. Her bright blue eyes settled on me curiously.

"Oh, what does the cute puppy need to ask me?" She teased. I blushed slightly at her comment but let it slide.

"How can this tiny place afford to buy such expensive wine? With how few people knowing about this place I'm surprised you even stay open, no offense." I asked.

"Oh none taken little puppy, it is a very good question. The reason we are able to have such a unique product is because my parents are none other than Mr. and Mrs. Russo. They built this restaurant as a way for them to show off their passion for great Italian cooking, and they supply the establishment with the fine wine that your friend is currently dining on." She explained. My eyes widened, mouth hanging open as I stared in shock.

"Wait, you mean you're Michelle Russo? As in THE Michelle Russo, daughter of famous Italian connoisseurs Andres Russo and Wendy Russo?" I questioned frantically.

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance." She said with a small bow. I sat bewildered in my chair, looking from Michelle to Jasper and back again.

"You mean to tell me you went to school with the daughter of some of the richest people in the world?" I asked.

"Well, it's only been around for a couple of years now and when we met her parents weren't rich yet. But to answer your question, yes, I technically did." He replied, taking a sip from the glass.

"I assume you two are not ready to order yet, no?" She asked.

"No not quite, give us a few more minutes please Michelle." Jasper replied, opening up his menu.

"Of course of course, I'll be back in a few minutes to check on you two." She responded before leaving us.

"I have no words." I shook my head as I looked through the menu.

"I told you this would be a night full of surprises." He replied. "Have you decided what you want?" He asked.

"I'm stuck between the fettuccine alfredo and the lasagna. Both sound so good right now..." I trailed off, glancing between the two.

"Alright, you get the fettuccine and I'll get the lasagna, and we can eat off of each other's plates like other cute couples do. How's that sound?" He asked with a grin.

"I think it sounds absolutely adorable." I replied, shutting my menu.

"Not as adorable as you." He teased. I pulled my ears down to cover my eyes as Jasper stared with a look of complete adoration, head tilted slightly to the side and small grin splitting his muzzle. "Are you glad you listened to me now?" He asked.

"Definitely. I'm really sorry about that by the way, I feel awful for thinking you would try to do something like that." I apologized, white fur stained red with shame.

"I should have been a little clearer on a few things, I can understand where you were coming from. I'd probably have reacted the same way honestly." He replied, reaching across the table to hold my paws in his. He smiled thoughtfully at me, with which I returned as well. I even felt brave, leaning over the table to peck him on the end of his muzzle. Just as I was returning to my seat however, a gasp sounded a few feet away.

"My goodness you two are too cute. Holding hands and kissing, a match made in heaven if you ask me. Would you like more wine dear? And have you two decided what you want?" She asked, pouring the wine before Jasper could respond. We were both silent for a moment, getting over the slight embarrassment of the situation. Jasper recovered quicker than I did and put in our order. "I'll let the chef know to make it extra special." She said before leaving us alone once again.

"So what do you want to do this weekend? It's your turn to choose." Jasper asked me. "

We could go see a movie? I heard the new movie with Tom Cruise was pretty good." I suggested.

"That could probably work, do you want to go earlier or later?" He questioned.

"Later preferably, so that way as soon as the movie is over we can go straight home and snuggle and sleep." I teased.

"No complaints here." He replied. We made idle chit chat for a while we waited for our food, making flirtatious jokes the entire time. Finally after what seemed like an eternity considering I hadn't eaten anything since early in the day Michelle brought our food out.

"Sorry about the wait. The chef wanted to make sure that the meal was made to perfection for the two of you. So here you are." She exclaimed, setting the two heaping plates in front of us. I had to control myself from drooling on the spot as the scents of both plates flooded my senses.

"It looks and smells amazing, I don't doubt it tastes good." I commented, scooping up some of the fettuccine on my fork. Both Jasper and Michelle watched humorously as I took the first bite. I nearly melted at the taste, various flavors exploding and mingling in my mouth. "Oh my god it's fantastic, make sure you let the chef know please!" I commented, shoving another bite into my mouth for a second round of fight-night in my muzzle.

"He will be glad to hear, enjoy your meal you two." Michelle replied. Jasper began busily digging into his lasagna as well, and we'd both gotten halfway through our own plates before we grew curious of the others meal.

"How is yours?" I asked, watching as he shoveled another bite into his muzzle.

"Hmm, I'm not sure. You might have to taste for me and see." He teased, sliding some onto his fork and offering it to me. I happily ate the bite, acting as if I was doing a true taste test.

"It is pretty good, but I think my fettuccine is better. Would you like to try?" I asked.

"I would, do you mind?" He replied. I gathered a few noodles onto the fork, holding it out for him as well. He took the bite, making a show to chew thoughtfully.

"Wow, that is good. Kind of wish I'd gotten that to be honest." He commented.

"Want to trade plates?" I suggested.

"Yeah, I want some more of that." He chuckled. I handed the plate of fettuccine to him as he passed the lasagna to me. We dug in once more until we could simply eat no more. I felt ready for a nap after I pushed the plate away, leaning back in the comfortable booth chair. Just then Michelle joined us once again along with another slightly larger gentleman who was dressed like any other chef.

"Jasper, Elijah, this is Chef Reynolds." Michelle introduced us.

"Hello, I hope everything was good yes?" He asked, accent heavy on his voice as well.

"Can I shake your hand? Because that was absolutely fantastic." I replied, reaching a paw out. He grabbed my paw with both hands, shaking it up and down.

"Thank you so much, I made sure to put extra into it to make it better." He exclaimed.

"I think it would have been great anyways, but whatever you did made it that much better." Jasper added.

"Thank you so much, it makes me so happy that you enjoyed." He replied, releasing my hand from his grip to shake Jasper's as well.

"You can bring the bill whenever Michelle." Jasper told her.

"No worries, it is on the house." She replied.

"No I can't let you guys do that, bring that bill out there's no way I'm walking out of here without paying somehow." Jasper complained.

"Not my decision, my parents made sure to let me know that you eat free here, understood?" She replied.

"Fine, but don't think I won't leave a big tip for you." Jasper responded.

"Nothing I can do about that." She said with a wink. "Have a good night boys, come back again soon." She added, taking our plates and Chef Reynolds with her.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

"Yup, one second." He replied, retrieving his wallet from his pocket. He dropped a twenty on the table, prompting me to do the same. "Nothing she can say." Jasper exclaimed before standing up from the table. I followed his lead out of the restaurant, taking care to wave to Michelle on our way out.

"Drive safely!" She shouted as we exited. The drive back to the dorms was quiet, both of us feeling sobered from the huge meal. Needless to say we peeled off the straining dress clothes and collapsed into bed as soon as we got inside. I curled up with the gray furred wolf who wrapped his arms around my midsection protectively, causing me to fall into a peaceful sleep.

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*explodes from cuteness* Wasn't that just lovely? I had so much fun writing this, nothing like a classic date night, am I right? Anyways I hope you all enjoyed, I'll see you all either Wednesday or Thursday for In My Time of Need! Cya then! :D

Haha update: This was supposed to go up like an hour and a half ago but my dumb ass forgot to finish uploading it hurrr durrr. But now here you go. XD