Tobias smiled, then turned down the street and began walking, his hands tucked in his pockets.<br/><br/>â€œI know of a place that is, quiet, small and blissfully air conditioned...â€ he began, making small talk because not saying anything to her seemed weird to him. â€œNot to mention their pizza is pretty good too. Its kind of like a Mom and Pop place, which is what I like best about itâ€ the familiarity and comforting feelings that he associated with the place brought an energy to his voice and a smile to his lips. The smile came easy to his lips and it looked good on him. Talking about something that he knew and was familiar with, helped to put him at ease with the whole lying thing.<br/><br/>It was like a physical affliction and damn near painful to him. Making his whole body go into panic mode like that in front of Lily, troubled and embarrassed him. It was like showing weakness to the enemy and while she was not the enemy, she was not a â€œfriendâ€ either. Maybe while they were eating he could take a couple of his pills, something to take the edge off of how he was feeling. Though he did not like the slightly zombie feeling that they gave him, that numbness and detachment. It was not much but being a trained soldier, he liked being at a hundred percent. Ready and prepared to handle whatever situation might arise.<br/><br/>The trip to the pizza parlor was uneventful, though that could be largely due to the fact that Tobias took the less scenic route. Not liking crowds of people, he choose to avoid them as often as possible. Living in the city often meant having to deal with large crowds, but Tobias was not one to just admit defeat. So, he took the time to explore the city and map out the fastest though less crowded routes to the places he needed to get to. Which is why they were able to travel the streets without seeing or meeting more than perhaps 3 other people before they finally reached their destination.<br/><br/>The rich smell of baking cheese, tomatoes, fresh bread and spices filled the air. Making Tobias's stomach grumble in appreciation.<br/><br/>â€œMmm...just smell that...â€ he said stopping out front of the little â€œhole in the wallâ€ type place, â€œSmells good yes?â€ he asked Lily with a smile before nodding to the door. â€œCome on. Lets get something to eatâ€ getting to the door before her he opened it and held it open for her to go in first, him following close behind her once she entered.<br/><br/>â€œTOBY!â€ shouted a jovial man from behind a counter, the wrinkles in his face belaying his age though his demeanor was definitely more that of a younger man.<br/><br/>Tobias gave a big smile and proudly went over to shake hands with the other man, â€œSamuele! How have you been?â€he asked the other man who was already looking past him at Lily.<br/><br/>â€œCan't complain. I have my health, my business...â€ though the old man was cut off from a female voice from the back.<br/><br/>â€œIs that Tobias?!â€ the door, that must have led to the kitchen is pushed open as a tall woman who carried herself with an air of pride and dignity came out. â€œThere he is...come here so that I can look at youâ€ she says holding her arms out to him like he was her long lost son.<br/><br/>Samuele and Angela Ragusa, were a friendly couple in their 50's who had opened a pizzeria sometime in their 30's. They have raised three sons and a daughter, now they just work together in their pizzeria, with no plans of retiring as they both enjoy it too much. He was a large man, matching Tobias in height and girth, though age had caught up to him and he was more round in the mid-section. Despite this fact he was a strong man, who was not afraid to throw his weight around when he felt the need. He had began to go bald and now is sporting a shaved head, which his wife actually likes because it brings out his rich caramel eyes which are his best feature to her.<br/><br/>Angela was alike in his husband in term of being tall, though she stopped at about a good 6 feet even and was on the thin side. She was a proud woman who stood by her beliefs and her opinions, ready to fight and or argue a point into the grave if need be. With a natural motherly aura she treats everyone like her child and immediately puts people at ease when they are around her.<br/><br/>â€œCome sit sit. It has been a while since we have seen you Toby, we were getting worried...â€ Angela said as she led him to his usual table in the back. â€œWho is your friend? How are you going to just let her stand there and not introduce us?â€ Angela chastised him as Samuele just chuckled.<br/><br/>â€œUm well, just been busy with work and that is Lily....â€ Tobias explained himself, the smile still on his face as he allowed Angela to seat him.<br/><br/>â€œLily. Such a pretty name, bet it goes with a pretty face. Come child sit and relaxâ€ Angela said moving to partially guide Lily to the table like she had Tobias.