Pearl took another big swig of her drink, immediately regretting having brought up such a sensitive topic, and in public. By the time Jasper had finished speaking about it, the older woman had already gotten up from the table and came around to hug the giantess, appreciating that they were similar height with the younger woman sitting down. "I didn't mean to make it a difficult question, but I appreciate you telling me, Jasper..." she whispered in the woman's ear and kissed her cheek before returning to her seat. Pearl wanted to do more, but they were in public and she also knew a lot of Jasper's buttons now, so she didn't want to embarrass the woman.<br/><br/>At the mention of Mala, Pearl chuckled and grinned into her drink. "True... I swear sometimes that child of yours just wants to put me on a pedestal and squeeze the life out of me with hugs. But.. ah, I really don't mind. I know I'm a heavy glutton for positive attention, myself. That's why I find it so sweet that you seem to enjoy being praised." Pearl placed her drink down and leaned forward. "And there's a few perks to Mala loving me so much... She's happily told me a few more of your... mm, buttons." She grinned, leaning back properly in her seat once more and letting Jasper try to rattle her brain for what Mala could have possibly told her. The child was more than happy to shove a lot of information Pearl's way the moment they had told her they were going to try dating. Mala seemed to want the two of them to work out even more than they did and Pearl thought it was horribly sweet. "Mala just wants you to be happy too and you certainly deserve happiness."<br/><br/>A few questions in, Jasper seemed to hesitate and re-situate leaving Pearl to worry at just what was about to come, but when the question finally came, it wasn't nearly as bad as she thought it might of been. Still, Pearl stared at her food, picking it over gently with a fork as she thought. "Same as you, I suppose. Just tried making someone happy. I've noticed I tend to put other's interests' before my own--Aah, you and Mala actually helped me figure that one out! But, yeah... Money was no problem to come by as long as my lover was happy and I guess I started neglecting myself and my bank account along the way. It wasn't too terrible until Shay had come along. No one's tastes were as expensive as hers and she always wanted to go to nice places. She'd make excuses so she could slip by without paying her half and I'd always happily foot the bill because it made it easy and it made her happy." Pearl grew a little pensive, noticing she'd almost rubbed a shine into her silverware with her thumb while she was explaining. Her eyes shot up from her meal and she gave a large grin, waving a hand. "It's not much at all, though! I'll have it all paid off in a few years. Having that extra class to teach as well as my private lessons tends to make ends meet. A-And, having moved in with you, I don't have to worry about rent anymore!" With Jasper and Mala's appetites, the food bill quadrupled, but it was still a third less than what she was paying back when she lived alone.<br/><br/>Remembering where they were, Pearl pointed her fork at Jasper and squinted her gaze. "And don't think you're getting away with paying for all this by yourself. It's food, technically, so I should at least pay for half. It's only fair." But she hadn't realized Jasper already paid in advance and the waiters' knew not to take any payments from Pearl. The woman smiled softly and went back to eating her pasta, feeling the warmth in her body grow, letting her know she finally did achieve that level of tipsy she wanted. If Jasper hadn't known the the woman before her was on her way to being socially-acceptably drunk, Pearl's next question would likely hint at it. "My big bad tigress... This food is simply amazing, but it leads me to wonder what<i>you</i>taste like..?" Pearl giggled softly and rested her chin in her hand, staring at Jasper with a half lidded gaze.