"Thank you, Ty," Edward said, blushing. "I'm glad you like it." He took the cherry in the glass and ate it. "Mm, nothing like a popped cherry."

"You're welcome," Ty replied, "I can't finish it, though, I've already had too much alcohol."

"What, did you drink before coming here?" Edward asked, downing the rest of the wine left in the bottle.

Ty shook his head. "No. I'm just not good with alcohol."

"I see," Edward said. "Waiter!" he said, summoning a waiter. "For dessert, bring me three orders of chocolate mousse, please." The waiter left. "So, what do you want to do after this?"

Ty shrugged, swirling what was left of his drink in the glass.

"Dessert is served," the waiter said, handing each of them a chocolate mousse.

"Ooh," Edward said, picking up a straw, and sucking up. Ignatius grabbed a spoon and started eating.

Ty just stared at his serving, not making a move to do anything.

"What's wrong?" Ignatius asked Ty. "You don't like chocolate? Are you full?"

"I've never had chocolate before," he whispered.

"Well, consider this a heavenly first experience!" Edward said.

((Have to log off now. Sorry!))

Ty smiled and picked up his fork, taking a small bite of the mousse.

((That's alright. I'll see ya))

"Well?" Ignatius asked Ty. "What do you think?"

Ty looked up at Ignatius. "It's different, really sweet and really good, but different." He wasn't going to tell them that all he ever got to eat at home was bread, water, some meat and then whatever was left over after the dogs got to it. He wasn't used to anything fancy, expensive or that tasted this good.

"I'm glad you like it," Ignatius said, taking another bite.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Ty," Edward added, finished with his mousse. He started playing with his straw.

Ty just nodded, smiling slightly. He took another couple bites, then set his fork down and pushed the plate away.

Ignatius finished his mousse.

"Well, now that we're all done," Edward said, "what do you want to do now?" A waiter appeared and handed Ty the bill. "So, Ty, what's the cost?"

Ty blinked, then frowned. Was this some stupid trick? How was he supposed to know anything when he couldn't read?

Edward tilted his head. "What's up, Ty? Did the price startle you?"

"Honey," Ignatius told Edward. "Ty, are you illiterate?"

Ty's face burned and he ducked his head to hide his embarrassment. He'd never admit to it, but his mother had never done anything for him except given him clothes, a bed in the barn and scraps of food to eat when she remembered. He'd never been taught to read or write or anything and he'd managed to get this far with faking it.

"It's okay, Ty," Ignatius said. "It's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Yeah, don't sweat it, dude," Edward said. "We won't look down on you for it."

Ty looked up at them. "You mean it?"

"Of course," Ignatius said, taking Ty's hand and caressing it. "Why else would we go to this trouble to make you feel good about yourself?"

"Yeah, dude," Edward said, smiling. "You've got real friends in us."

Ty stared at them both for a moment, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, both of you."

Edward and Ignatius smiled back. Edward reached over and looked at the bill. "Hm, only $769." He pulled out his wallet and left the pay, and a $300 dollar tip. "Ready to go?"

Ty pulled his hand away from Ignatius's and nodded.

"Right," Edward said, standing up. Ignatius stood up after.

((So, what? Back to the Streets?))

((sure, or maybe to Edward's club?))

Ty stood and was ready to follow them to wherever.

"Right!" Edward said, heading out. Again, Ignatius led Ty out.

((To the Fairy Ring Club!))

((okay, and Ty had let go of Ignatius's hand, just so you know.))

Ty followed.

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