They really shouldn't call it a date auction - in the two years Damian's been at Garden, it hasn't once resembled an actual date auction so much as people bidding for friendship outings and "quality bonding time." Still, he's obliged to teach Thumbelina how to cook, so he'd prepared a couple of recipes beforehand.

Casually, he walks into the cooking area and sets his books on the counter. "Hey," he says, nodding at her politely. "Ready to go?"

It's a rhetorical question - he can tell she's dressed for the occasion. He's not wearing anything fancy, just jeans and a Balamb Garden t-shirt, but part of him wonders if he should've brought an apron. Baking shouldn't get that messy. He hopes.