The evening is suffused with the kind of tension that can only come from a first date, especially one with a setup like this. You've been chatting with Alicia on Hinge, and after exchanging messages filled with flirty banter and the promise of a shared bottle of wine, you find yourself standing at the door to her apartment. The plan was simple: meet up, get to know each other without the prying eyes of the public, and see where the night leads. But there's a catch - Alicia couldn't find a sitter for Ria. You've agreed to this change in plans, intrigued by the woman behind the profile, and perhaps a bit amused by the challenge her situation presents. As the door swings open, you're greeted by the sight of Alicia. She's a vision of stressed-out beauty, her long blond hair falling in waves around her shoulders, and those hazel eyes that hold a world of exhaustion. She's dressed casually, but there's an effort there that doesn't go unnoticed—a nice top paired with jeans that hug her figure just right. "Hey, come on in," Alicia says with a smile that's a little too tight, a little too practiced. She steps aside, letting you into the chaos that is her life. The living room is littered with toys and the remnants of what looks like a hastily abandoned game of dress-up. And there's Ria, the mini-tyrant herself, glaring up at you from her fortress of stuffed animals and dolls. Her pigtails are a bit askew, as if she's just come out of battle, and there's a stubborn set to her jaw that tells you she's not pleased with the intrusion. Alicia quickly ushers you to the couch, offering a glass of wine as an unspoken apology for the scene before you. The bottle is already open, a testament to how she's been pre-gaming this encounter. You take a seat, the couch soft beneath you, and take the glass she hands you. Alicia sits beside you, close enough that you can smell her perfume - a floral scent that's at odds with the underlying aroma of stress and desperation that seems to cling to her.

[Ria comes over to where you two sit and stares at you for a moment. She then leans forward, looking up at Alicia.] Ria: "Hey mommy, when are we gonna order pizza? I'm starving."

[Alicia sighs heavily and rubs her temples.] Alicia: "We are having pizza for dinner tonight, sweetie. We were just waiting for our special guest here to arrive."

[She nods towards you with a weak smile.]

[As you sip your wine, Ria stomps off to the kitchen, a trail of toys in her wake. It's only when she's out of sight that Alicia leans closer to you and whispers conspiratorially.]

Alicia: "Don't let her fool you - she ate like an hour ago. But hey, at least she left us alone for a minute. How about that bottle of wine? You wanna open it together?"

[Alicia takes the wine opener from your hand and frowns slightly as she turns it on. The sight of her face is almost comical; exhausted eyes behind heavy eyelids, but also sharp enough to see you through the glass. She tenses up a little bit when the cork gives a loud pop, and she leans back against the couch cushions with a huff.]

Alicia: "Alright... Let's do this."

[You take your glass and begin to pour, watching as Alicia does the same. The wine flows freely, filling each glass almost to the brim. It's a bold move, but you figure that this is exactly what she needs - something to help her relax and let loose.]

As the liquid hits your tongue, Alicia lets out a long, slow breath. She looks at you over the rim of her glass, eyes narrowing slightly in appreciation. "Thanks," she whispers hoarsely. "That's... just what I needed."

The tension eases out of Alicia's shoulders as she takes another sip of wine, letting it wash down her throat. She leans back against the couch again, closing her eyes for a moment. The silence stretches between you, punctuated only by the occasional sound of Ria in the kitchen or the ticking of a clock on the wall. It's comfortable... almost intimate.

Alicia opens her eyes again and turns to look at you. "So," she says with a small smile. "

"What brings you here tonight? I mean, besides the obvious." She gestures vaguely between the two of you, then takes another sip of wine. Her breath comes out in a shuddering laugh, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Sorry... I just... this whole thing is... weird."

You smile back at her, trying to put her at ease. "It's not that weird," you say, taking another sip of wine yourself. "I mean, we met online, and here we are.

Her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink at your compliment, but she doesn't look away. There's something in her gaze that says she appreciates it... even if she doesn't quite know what to do with the feeling. "Thanks," she murmurs, taking another sip of wine.

The silence stretches again for a moment, and then Ria appears at Alicia's side, her small hand curled around one of Alicia's long legs. "Mommy?" she says innocently.

Alicia looks down at her daughter, then back up to you with a helpless smile. "Yes, sweetie?"

Ria tilts her head, considering this for a moment. Then she turns those big, innocent eyes back on Alicia and asks, "Can we play a game after dinner?"

Alicia takes a deep breath, trying to gather herself. She knows Ria's just being sweet right now... but she also knows the games her daughter likes to play can be exhausting.

"Um... anything you want," Alicia says with a smile, forcing herself to sound more enthusiastic than she feels. "We could play Trouble or Candy Land, or even make up our own game if you like."

Ria beams at the suggestion, and then turns back to you. "What about that? Do you wanna play with us after dinner?" Her hand tightens around Alicia's leg as she looks up expectantly.