A fun stream commission by  horsefever to show off my lizzie Kiriki! Aint she a cutie!

Original: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/40689154/

Kiriki and Dekar actually have a good few images to upload. What, after all this time, Zephr isn't uploading just prag? Yes, but that will come as well. Also, don't you all just want to squee when you see a happy lizzie about to snatch a confused kitty on a date and let their mutual crushing get the better of them? X3

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Dekar sat in his car, tapping the steering wheel to a non-specific beat to help bring down the tremor of his heart rate. How did he get this far? Hours ago, he stood like a wooden post and asked the cute lizard girl from his graduate program on a date, and she not only said yes, she answered so fast he was not even sure he actually asked her at all. It was like a trap had triggered even before someone stepped onto it. Perhaps it was best not to get into similes, but the blue tiger was losing options to calm himself down.

She said to pick her up at eight, and the dashboard's flashing numbers showed that he was just passed that time. The clock was a few minutes fast - a decision that Dekar made years ago and refused to change thus far - but now he was concerned that the rest of the world was now declaring the rendezvous time over. Did he have to get out and go to the house or call her or honk the horn or -

He did not need to create any additional possible options, because one was chosen for him. The front door of the blue house swung open with confidence, and a cheerful green lizard strolled out onto the porch. Kiriki still wore a few of those golden rings on her wrists and tail, but her attire changed from the blouse and skirt to a full red dress. The dress bounced against her body as she posed and waved toward his car, and an enchanted smile strode across her face. It was as if all of the tension he felt as dread within him was radiating as delight from her.

The lizard twirled around as she walked down the porch steps, and Dekar could hear an unfamiliar tune hummed across the yard. He thought he would be best to greet her verbally, but his mouth remained somehow frozen, half-opened. He had no sooner realized his mouth was agape when his date trilled.

"Good evening, Dekar! I didn't know you were out here,"
"Oh," Dekar stammered and chuckled to recoil from his stress, "I-I had only just gotten here. Just wanted to be sure the house was as blue as you said. Did you-"
"Hehe, it is real blue, right? My landlord seems to like colors that stand out. The kitchen is just so pink you want to leave quickly but not so pink you go blind in it,"

Dekar wanted to offer assistance, but Kiriki seemed too determined to get the date moving. Before he knew it, Kiriki was seated beside him, fastened in place, and hands held on her lap.

"Well, if anything else, it-it sticks out," the tiger mewed and started the car up once more.
"Yeah, but you should see it sometime. The girls are very vocal about the color choices, believe you, me,"
Dekar quirked a brow as he rolled the car back into the street. "The girls? I thought you lived alone,"
"I did for a few semesters, but it was...well after all these studies, I kinda miss being around others, you know?"

Kiriki was preaching to the one-tiger choir. Dekar came from a family of many - and one that continued to expand at a pace some mathematics professors would find intriguing. He appreciated time alone and focused on his work and delights, but he also still missed the occasional pair of younger siblings rushing in to play-wrestle with him or play GameBop or watch a movie. He remembered the dances his older brothers and sisters tried out for recitals and upcoming weddings and baby showers. He had not even thought to bring up the baby showers - more like downpours depending on the timing. Long-story short, the tiger had been just quiet enough thinking of his family, that he was immediately concerned that an awkward pause joined the conversation.

"Y-yeah, I know..." he responded quickly and let his shoulders lighten to reiterate, "Yeah...I haven't seen my family outside of video calls in a couple years now...how long have you been here, Kiriki?"
"Years," the lizard sighed and leaned back against the passenger seat. "Traveling back home is so costly, and with how rigorous I am going through these projects, I think I'm better off here until the projects are in their final stage. Otherwise I'd have to put more pressure on you, and while I trust you...I don't want you to be overworked because of me. You work hard, but even hard workers need to take a moment, you know?"

The car stopped at the traffic light, and for once Dekar felt the stress seem to pour down into the car and out onto the road. Talking with her so normally seemed to gel with him. He only spoke to her so much about life out of the project, and now he wished he had started so much sooner.

"Thanks...but I also don't want you to be left isolated from your family because of me - or work, rather,"
"Hehe, trust me, it is more the work than you I'd rather ditch," she laughed and gently patted his shoulder. The tiger blushed as she continued, "you make the work seem so much less like work, to be honest,"
"Oh? I uh...th-thank you,"
"Besides, I'd rather show you to my family instead of leave you behind to do all the dirty work. Let the rest of the team sweat it off a few days or weeks instead!" she grinned and sat proudly.
The reddened blue tiger smirked along with her and nodded,."They could use some time to work off the donuts Doctor Gangren brings in every day!"

The two laughed excitedly, the tension of their first date held back by workplace and educational memories. Dekar just had to get to the diner and not get distracted by her cute red dress and giggles for a bit longer...