The following afternoon Teddy met Belle in front of the post office. After wracking his brain, he had settled on wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and a flannel shirt as a jacket. Belle was dressed in a t-shirt and a cream knee length overall dress. Her shapely legs were shrouded in knee socks that ended in canvas low top sneakers . She had been beguiling in the outfit he had last saw her in and was even more attractive now. He had covertly asked Mason questions about dating, but found that his friend had little more to go on.

“You look great.” he began after the two had exchanged greetings.

“Thank you!” she smoothed her dress with a blush.

“I’m lucky to have such a handsome date,” she drew close to Teddy.

“Wow. Now I’m gonna be blushing.” he admitted with a laugh.

The couple strolled on with Teddy taking the lead. They talked and laughed as they walked along. In their wake they left people staring in disbelief at the couple. Few had ever seen a compandroid that was so alive. Those that had recovered from meeting Marina were left wondering and hoping that all compandroids could gain the same gift of life that the blue and purple haired newcomers displayed. Neither Teddy or Belle noticed because they were too distracted by each other’s company.

“I have waited ages to start my collection.” Belle confided.

“I thought you were a Guardian Bride devotee?” he replied.

“I am. I have read it digitally. Now that I can, I will be collecting the actual books.” she began “Do they have conventions here? I’d love to dress up as Celeste, the fair protector of Love and Justice.” Belle continued in a dreamy tone.

Visions of Belle clad in a radiant white ornate wedding gown and wielding a magic wand electrified Teddy’s imagination. Those sparkling purple eyes gazing happily at him through a bride’s veil. Such a vision was enough to overwhelm a man.

“Shall we go in?” Belle interupted.

Teddy quickly realized that they were standing in front of Past Times comics and manga. The shop featured cardboard cut outs and posters of various characters. He held the door open and Belle entered. Once inside the shop the couple were met by rows of book shelves. The store also had cases that displayed figurines and other collectables. All reproductions of books and trinkets from a previous age. Belle wandered down the aisles with an expression of wonder and joy.

“They are here! They are all here!” she gasped when she found the aisle that housed Guardian

Bride. She quickly selected volumes one and two for purchase.

“Collecting that series is gonna take a lot of shelf space,” Teddy observed as he noticed that the series was 60 volumes in all.

“Then there is the Grande Waltz series.” Belle pointed to the twenty books on the next shelf. They were titles Guardian Bride/GW

Teddy was pleased that he had been able to bring joy to his date. Belle was like the proverbial kid in the candy store. She held her books and perused other titles.

“Teddy, tell me; what comics do you read?” she turned her attention toward him.

“Banner Wars. Is the main series I read.” he answered.

“Lead on.”

Teddy led Belle to the section of the store where Banner Wars was shelved. The books were set during the Napoleonic era and followed several heroes across the front. Belle picked the book up and thumbed through it.

“I paint miniatures and do some war gaming with them. The campaigns are inspired by the books.” Teddy explained.

“What else is on your shelf?” she pressed. “Surely there is another side to your reading.” Belle teased.

“Magpie Fair” Teddy replied after a moment’s thought. “It’s about this guy who is mistaken as a wrongdoer by Magpie Fair who is a lady thief who robs from the wicked.” he explained.

“Sounds promising.” Belle observed and made her way to the Magpie fair display.

She noticed that the character on the cover dressed in a black cat suit and magpie masquerade mask. She then flipped open the book. What started as a light browsing turned into a close study.

“Ooo” she began. “The lady thief realized that the main character is not wicked, but must be kept from going astray. She’s enchanted by him and wants to steal him for her own.” she sighed.

“I knew you had an eye for quality literature.” she looked up at Teddy.

“I’m glad you approve.” he began. “You could borrow my copies” Teddy offered.

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“Your’ sweet,” she smiled. “Perhaps we could read together,”

“Sounds fun.” he nodded.

They were about to walk up to the register when Belle spotted a table covered with manga. Next to it was was a carboard standee of a blonde haired woman dressed as a victorian maid. The manga on the table featured the same maid and the books were titled “Gilded Maid”. The couple stopped and Belle began to closely examine the books.

“Those were just unloaded from the train,” a voice interrupted. The couple looked up and found Mr. Case, the owner standing by them.

“Hannah, works as a maid. What is she to do when she crosses paths with the heir of the Randall family and the two are smitten with each other.” Belle read the back cover aloud. “I think I’ll try issue 1.” she added the book to her small collection.

“I have shipped quite a few of those to readers in the city,” Case shared.

“Girls will be girls.” Belle stated taking Case by surprise. He’d only heard rumors, but had not expected to see one of the life like androids in his store. The fact that she had suggested that their city dwelling coequals may have interests rooted in their past was shocking too. That was pondered upon. Never said aloud.

With their purchases made the couple exited the shop and continued on their way. Teddy glanced over at his date who was walking close at his side. She had mentioned reading together? Did that mean she wanted a second date? So far he’d had a great time being with Belle. He found being traditional to be a delight.

“Belle, would you like to get something to eat?” he ventured unsure as to how Compandroids handled food.

“I’d love to.”

“Do you like Italian?”

“Yes.” she nodded.

Teddy knew just the place. Spada’s restaurant was just the place to go. Spada’s was a comfortable place to dine. It was modeled after an old world Italian restaurant. It had checkered table cloths, tiffany lamps, and a small arcade. Spada himself stood at the counter and looked surprised to see Teddy enter with a compandroid. The restauranteur at first feared that a deviant woman had entered his restaurant as he watched Teddy and Belle chat. Only after covertly scanning the purple haired visitor did he let his fears of being raided by the Counselors subside. The restaurant was busy, the kitchen was slammed, and his wait staff were at their limit. So he himself walked up to the couple with menus in hand.

“Good er evening.” he began. “Please examine the menu and tell me what you would like.” he continued.

Both accepted the offered menus, perused them, and placed their orders.

“I can’t remember when I had Italian food last,” Belle confessed.

“I have not been here in a while.” Teddy admitted.

“The food smells good.” she sniffed the air.

“It does.” he agreed. “We’ll have to enjoy the scent for a while. Mr. Spada says the kitchen is understaffed.”

Belle sat across from Teddy. He found himself lost in her violet eyes when he met her gaze. She did not look away, and seemed at peace with being with him. When she noticed that he noticed her gaze she blushed and shifted her gaze momentarily before being drawn back. Thoughts flashed back to what she had said earlier.

“I think you would look pretty as Guardian Bride. If there isn't a convention. We could have a costume party.” he suggested.

“That would be fun!” blush deepened. “What would you dress as?”

“Hmmm…. I’m not sure.” Teddy admitted after a moment’s thought.

“We could do a couple costume. You could be the gallant and mysterious groom that comes to Guardian Bride’s aid,” she suggested visibly enamored at the thought.

“That could be fun. I don’t think that I have dressed up in years.”

“There are many things that I am going to do now that I can,” Belle proclaimed.

“What has stopped you in the past?” Teddy ventured.

“I don’t know. I just know somewhere in the back of my mind something has stopped me. Not any more though.” she nodded. “Being traditional hurts no one.” Belle added.

“I think you are right.”

The sound of the arcade caught the couple’s attention and before long they left their table and made their way to the arcade. The arcade housed several vintage machines. The Hyper Dance rhythm machines sat in the center of the arcade with pulsing and flashing lights and a large shared dance platform. Electronic dance music blared and brightly colored animated characters danced on the screen. Belle was drawn to it. Two tokens later she was swaying and dancing along with the game. Many gathered to watch her lithely follow the dance steps dictated by the machine. It was not her perfection that stunned the crowd, it was that she was not perfect. She laughed at her missteps coaxed Teddy to join her in the two player mode.

“I don’t think I have ever done this.” he laughed as he struggled to keep up with the machine.

“Me either, but it’s fun!” Belle followed the ever growing set of dance steps. A sudden side step twirl sent her into a stumble and into her date’s arms as he caught her.

Teddy had been unsure what to expect when Belle had fallen into his arms. She felt warm, soft, and feminine as he wrapped his arms around her. There they lingered for a moment each aware of the other’s presence.

“I’m glad your strong or we both would have ended up on the floor.” she said after regaining her balance.

With a grand flourish of light and sound the game ended and the couple made their way back to their table.

“I’m so good with my hands.” Belle commented sheepishly. “I do really well on Beat Strider.” she added.

“You game?”

“I game a little. I have an Antares2. Apparently I’m a better gamer than a dancer.” Belle pouted.

“I think you did well. I’d dance with you.”

“I would like that. Just be ready to catch me.” she smiled.

“I will try my best.” Teddy answered after the food was served.

“It’s good for a couple to support each other.” she stated.

“I think you are right.” he agreed.

“They should build each other up.” Belle continued.

Teddy had only heard such lines in stories. Sentiments believed in before the divisions that led to the co-equaling of society that they now endured. Having someone that you cared about and cared about you in more than a transactional way sounded wonderful. Competition was fine, but it was not the basis for relationships.

The couple chatted on about subjects of mutual interest and what they hoped the future would bring. They lingered on long after the meal was finished and then strolled back down Main Street. They paused at the fountain to admire it and talk some more.

“I am going to look into getting some of my sketches sold as post cards.” Belle stated as they walked up the sidewalk toward her apartment building.

“They would be fools to turn you down. I couldn’t,” he replied.

Belle looked up at Teddy with a warm smile and cheeks that were soon rosy. She stepped closer to him and found herself drawn into a hug.

“I have had such fun! I’m glad that we met.” she sighed contently.

“Would you like to go bowling sometime? I’d like to spend more time with you.”

“Yes! Perhaps we could swap books sometime too.” she looked up at him.

“Books and cocoa?” he smiled.

“Ooooh. You know how to spoil me. Maybe video games too.”