You stood outside the small, bustling restaurant, your hands fidgeting slightly as you glanced around, scanning the faces of people passing by. It wasn’t long before you spotted Dante coming up the street. The dalmatian was hard to miss with his white fur speckled with black spots, his athletic frame covered by a simple red hoodie and jeans. His black hair, streaked with blue highlights, bounced slightly with each step, and his vibrant red eyes sparkled as he smiled, spotting you.

"Hey!" Dante called out as he waved, his tail wagging behind him in an easy, relaxed rhythm. As he approached, he extended a paw in greeting. "You must be the one I've been chatting with. Nice to finally meet you in person."

You took Dante’s paw, and the dalmatian gave a playful squeeze before pulling away. His energy was infectious, as if every step and word carried an extra bit of enthusiasm.

"You know, you’re even cuter than in your pictures," Dante said with a grin, his ears twitching slightly. He wasn’t shy about teasing, it seemed, but there was a warmth behind his words. He laughed at his own playful remark, then added, "Don’t worry, I’m not gonna make this awkward... well, not too awkward."

You both headed toward the entrance of the restaurant. "I hope you’re hungry," Dante said, opening the door with a mock bow. "Because I’ve been thinking about food all day. Figured I'd save my appetite for this."

As you walked in, the smells of grilled food and spices filled the air. The atmosphere was cozy, casual, with wooden tables and dim lighting that gave the place a relaxed vibe. Dante looked around before turning to you with a playful smirk. "So... any bets on how long before one of us spills something on ourselves? I give myself about ten minutes. I’m clumsy when I’m nervous, and this fur is like a magnet for stains."

His voice carried that same lightheartedness, the kind that put people at ease. Even with his jokes, there was no pressure, no awkwardness. Just the natural flow of someone who was genuinely enjoying the moment. "But hey, if I do make a mess, just laugh it off. I’ll probably end up doing the same."

You were led to a table by the window, and Dante sat down with a small bounce, his tail curling behind him as he settled in. He glanced up at you, flashing another grin. "So, what’s your usual first date icebreaker? Mine’s usually tripping over my own feet, but I’ve managed to avoid that so far."

The dalmatian’s laughter filled the space between you, bright and unguarded. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table, his red eyes focused on you with an expression of genuine interest. "But seriously, tell me about yourself. I mean, I know some stuff from the app, but there’s always more to people than just a profile, right?"

Dante’s tone was open, friendly, and completely relaxed, like he was already enjoying your time together, even if it had only been a few minutes.