We arrived at at a small restaurant. Which looked very ethnic, though I wouldn't pin down where I've seen it before. Colorful drapery and an inviting feeling as soon as you stepped into the establishment. This style of food was very different than what I was use to, but everything smelled so good. To my surprise, when we opened the door there was only one man inside. Sitting near the back, wearing headphones, and staring down at a device he was using to play music. He was dressed all in black. Sporting a plain black hoodie, black ripped skinny jeans, black boots, including a plain black face mask. He almost looked like a shadow. Dark almost black skin, faded black hair and grey eyes. I instantly felt intimidated. "Don't be scared. Trust me, they are more scared of you than you are of them. Especially when it comes to dating. Just take things slow and you'll be alright," whispered Ophiuchus as we walked up to them.

As we got close he looked up at us and I paused. His light grey eyes looked exhausted. "Maybe he has trouble sleeping," I thought. "Good morning Scorpio," smiled Ophiuchus. "Is it for you?" He sighed before looking at me. "Sure is. Well this is Olivia. I hope you both enjoy yourselves," he smiled before excusing himself. Scorpio didn't say anything so I just sat down slowly. "I hope this place is ok. I don't date much," he said softly. "It's ok. I'm not that picky," I smiled. "That's a relief. Order what you want," he replied looking down at the menu. "Ok," I said as I looked it over.

When our food arrived we didn't talk much. Till he spoke up. "You can leave when you like," he sighed. "It's fine I don't mind silence. I hate to make you uncomfortable," I said gently. "If you say so," he said staring into his drink. A little more time past and I finished my meal. "Thank you for this Ziro," I smiled. He looked up startled. "How do you know my name," he said nervously. "Virgo told me," I smiled. "You're friends?" Ziro asked surprised. "I like to believe so," I said back. "That actually make me feel more at ease," he slightly smiled. "I'm sorry if I made you nervous," I said sadly.

"People make me nervous, not just you," he replied. "All people," I asked surprised. "I don't trust them. All quick to betray you. All looking out for themselves," Ziro said softly as he bent his fork in half. I didn't say anything. "Sorry, I didn't mean to get so intense, I'll leave," he sighed getting up. "No no it's ok! I just didn't expect it. If that's how you feel there must be a reason for it. If you just want to talk; I'm here to listen," I smiled gently and he sat back down. "You're different from the usual human I meet. Alright let's talk then," Ziro replied and I nodded.

"Tell me. Are you afraid that you'll be stuck here forever. Forced to like these empty star people the gods have made for their own entertainment," he asked calmly and I paused. "I didn't think that was a possibility," I said quietly. "You could die here and no one on your planet would know what happed. You're friends, family, everyone would think the worst has happened," Ziro said sadly. I felt my heart drop. "I guess I was dumb to accept this deal, but at least I could have love at the end of it," I said optimistically. "I suppose that's one way to look at it. Have any of the other Signs offered you a star ring," Ziro asked seriously. "Star ring?" I asked nervously. "If a sign is taken with you, they can offer or force you to take a star ring," he explained as he put his hand on the table palm up. In his palm appeared a gold band with a black gem shaped like a star with the Scorpio symbol in the center of the gem. "Of course each Sign has its own color and symbol. If this ends up on your finger you are bonded to that Sign for your moral and spiritual life. You belong to them till they decide to let you go," Ziro explained making his ring disappear as he pulled his hand back. "So marriage," I said trying to understand. "Permanent marriage till they decide to cut you off. You could be together for your entire life or two weeks if something better comes along," he sighed. "Wow, that's crazy. Back home it's just till death do we part," I said slowly. "Well your life time is a nothing compared to us," he shrugged. "Have you given it before," I asked and he closed his eyes and sighed. "No one gets that close. While a lot of other Signs are open to the possibility, I don't see it as an option. I'm fine alone," he said almost disappointedly.

"It must be loney," I said without thinking and he raised an eyebrow. "Loney.... I suppose it is," he sighed. He stood up and I was surprised. "Walk with me," he said as he walked away. I quickly stood up and followed him. We walked silently but our hands slightly touched. He quickly moved his hand away and put it in his pocket. "Sorry I'm not much for PDA," he said quietly. "No problem. As long as your comfortable I'm glad," I smiled and he looked surprised. Ziro stopped walking and I looked back at him concerned. "You're not afraid of me. You care that I'm comfortable. You respect my boundaries not out of wanting me to like you, but out of understanding," he replied as he slowly took off his face mask. He shoved it in his pocket and smiled at me as he said, "thank you."

My heart sped up. He was beautiful and that smiled alone brought color to my face. He then got close to me as I just stood there. Then I felt a warm sensation briefly on my forehead and I blushed bright red! "W..what was that for," I stuttered covering my forehead. "You are so kind, so patient, even when it's just the two of us... I really like you," he whispered into my ear as his arms coiled around me. "I didn't take you for someone so forward," I said nervously. "Usually I'm not, but you somehow touched my heart and now all I want; is you," he said looking into my eyes as his hand traveled to my cheek. "I can tell Libra kissed you. So did Leo and Virgo. I can see all the touches like pins on a map. If Virgo seem to let you kiss them then I was right about you. You're perfect," he smiled as he slowly closed the space between us and he kissed me. It was soft and slow. Like he was still making sure it's what he wanted. We parted and he held my face. "I'd like to get to know you better. Would you like to talk for a while. Or do you have to go soon," he asked trying no to look disappointed. "No I, I would love to talk more," I smiled and he kissed the tip of my nose. I blinked and we were in his bedroom from what I could tell.

We settled in to his bed where he held me and we just talked about life. I told him how it was like back at home and he would talk about his troubles here. Nothing else happened we just talked till midnight. I awoke to see Ophiuchus staring back at me in bed from the chair in the corner. "Another long date. Either you're getting better at these dates or their making this too easy," he chuckled. "I felt like he and I could have dated in real life," I said embarrassed. "Wow seems like you got through to another tough cookie. I'm really impressed. Almost makes me what to make you try Ari again to see if you'd have a better time with them now that you have experience," he teased. "I'd rather just get to the end if you don't mind," I chuckled and he smiled. "Alright if that's what you wish then off to the next date. Say hello to Sagittarius," he smiled as he walked out the door and I trailed behind him.