(Hellooo!)
Tali had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing. He agreed 100% with her. It did make it easier. It made it easier to leave as well. Tali worked with people in a not so traditional sense. He had to be smart about what he did, and doing just as Azusa said made it easy.
“Leaving so soon?” He asked with a feigned pout, offering her a goofy smile right after. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Azusa, and you’re not wrong. It’s good to understand people and it does make it easier to deal with people. I do the same.” He winked and waved his goodbye, leaning back in his chair.
(O.O Hello person!)
Azusa smiled awkwardly, taking her waffles in a to-go box. "I'll see you tomorrow then." You are so slick Azusa! Why don't you leave like that tomorrow during coffee? That'd be nice! Azu flinched to herself on her way out, the chime of the bell announcing her leave.
Home. One word that meant many different things. For Azusa, home meant a one-bedroom apartment. She had been saving up her money for an actual house, but found no real need to pay for it immediately. After all, she was alone for most of her life, a house would just be a lot of unused space.
Instead of getting to bed, though, Azusa ate her waffles and browsed through her TV's channels, not finding much to watch. She ended up watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory and chuckling to herself. She often found herself thinking about Tali in the Waffle House. He seemed nice, she thought, I really hope I don't scare him off…
(XD hellooooo! if you’d like you can call me Kat 👉👈 XD XD)
Usually Tali would have gone back to the clubs to find someone to fill the touch starved void in his chest, but he couldn’t find himself to do so after the Waffle House meeting with Azusa.
After she had left he ate alone and chatted with the waitress a little bit before he paid and offered her a tip.
His coffee was left half-drank, as he suddenly didn’t feel like doing his usual late-night hookups. He didn’t want to end up messing up and sleeping in past the coffee date with Azusa. She was fun to talk to, even tho he felt two-faced (no joke intended) in the way he had gotten her to talk to him.
Tali’s studio apartment was nowhere near modest. It overlooked the city, giving him quite the view of the city he loved so much. He could see the local bars. His car was valet parked in a secure facility behind the apartment complex, secure and safe.
(This night he had chosen to walk instead of drive. He was going to be drinking and he refused to drink and drive.)
He sighed as he looked around the wide space. It was always spotless as he hated messes, but all the clean, open space made him feel lonely. His apartment was only ever nice when he had someone visiting.
Maybe I should invite Azusa over sometime. Even just for a dinner.
(Heya Kat :) I mean you can call me Sam but uh… Should we timeskip, or do you have any plans for dreams/nightmares before the next day arrives?)
(Hiiii Sam! Let’s go ahead and give it a little skippity Skip)
(Sounds good! If you need me to change my response and not control what Tali does I'll be fine with that!)
Azusa woke up to her phone ringing. She pressed hang up for the seventh time. t was in that moment that she realized that it was Tali calling and she panicked. She picked her phone up and tried to call him back in a sleepy stupor.
(Nah that’s perfect! Thanks!!)
Tali had been trying to contact her for quite some time. At first he had been patient, but now he was starting to get anxious. Maybe she didn’t want to go anymore? Was he getting stood up? He didn’t blame her for standing him up. He wasn’t the most desirable of men and frankly it made sense so would stand him up.
When she whispered Tali breathed a sigh of relief and andwered.
“Good morning gorgeous, did you forget about our date?” His smooth voice teased through the speaker, a soft laugh following.
“I’ll forgive you if you did, but I really don’t want you to sleep through the date and then through your work.”
"I…was taking a shower? Sorry?" The lie was obvious, and Azusa facepalmed. Great job, Azu, bet he loves you now! "Look, I was staying up and eating my waffles, and I lost track of time, and… I understand if you don't want to go anymore…" Azusa sighed.
Tali snickered to himself. She was so cute. Nothing like any of the other women he had dated or hooked up with. Azusa was more… real.
“A shower? Mhm, suuure.” He teased, swinging his keys around his finger and leaning up against his kitchen counter. “I’d love to still take you for coffee, that is if you’re still wanting to go. I just need an address so I can pick you up, dear.”
"I-Oh! Yeah. Right. Um. 423 North Front Street. Uh, I live in an apartment, so I'll be waiting outside in… ten minutes?" Azusa put the phone on speaker and hurriedly started to undress, having slept in the same clothes she had been wearing the night before, putting on her work shirt and a pair of scuffed blue jeans. "That sound good?" She ran a brush through her hair, untangling most of the knots. The rest she used her hands for, combing her fingers in her hair.
"That sounds perfect. I'll see you in ten, then." He smiled softly to himself, checking his wrist watch for the time. "Do you need anything else for today. Azusa?"
Tali pushed off of his counter and made his way out of his apartment, humming a small tune to himself. He had been up and ready for quite some time now, dressed in his usual style and prepared for another day out on the town. Not that he'd be doing much. Maybe after his date he'd find something useful to do.
Not that he had anything useful. He'd usually be recovering from a hangover and a long, exhausting night at about this moment. That usually happened for half the day. And then he'd be off on his own for a little bit before he went back out on the town.
Today he didn't have anything planned. It was going to be a long day after this date.
"Uh, more time to get ready." Azusa joked, laughing a bit. "But yeah, see you in a few." Azusa hung up and sprinted to her bathroom, prepping for the morning. That included brushing her teeth, curling her hair, putting a little makeup on, packing her lunch–there was no way she was going to get all of that done in ten minutes.
(Sorry, just finished up a class)
"If you need it, I can wait for a bit." He offered, smiling at nothing in particular. "Take your time, I'll see you outside in a little bit." Once the call ended Tali took his time getting to his car, humming a familiar sort of hymn the temple had taught him.
It took him back to days where he would sit around the shrine and listen to the older, lesser deities sing as they did chores. He never had to do any. Or at least no one made him do any. Tali guessed they were afraid of him and he didn't blame them. It was slightly alarming to have someone like him around. Someone who's powers only benefited themselves.
The entire drive towards Azusa's apartment Tali's mind was preoccupied with the ethics of just telling her what he was right then and there. It would probably chase her off but that was probably better wasn't it? Better than letting her think she scored a date with a man who was actually handsome and quite normal. She wouldn't have to deal with his cocky nature and the superiority complex he so casually showed off.
He hesitated after parking, sighing as he got out and leaned against his car, waiting for her to come out. It was too risky. He didn't want to get stabbed if Azusa somehow ended up carrying a knife for protection or something. God. He really was an asshole wasnt he?
(Hello beautiful person!)
About five minutes passed by and Azusa finally exited her apartment, contemplating for a few minutes conversation topics for the two of them. She had to at least try to be organized like that. She dashed down the two flights of stairs and waved, smiling nervously at Tali. Part of herself was surprised she had even managed to get a date with this guy.
"So…" Azusa's brain stopped working. Words, Azusa. Anything at this point would work. He's staring at you~ "Why'd you ask me out again?" Oh, great. Nice job, me!
(Hello hello hello even beautifuler person!)
Tali waved back excitedly, his mood already picking up at the sight of her. She always looked so nervous around him. Tali knew he could be intimidating but was it that bad? He gave her a reassuring smile, tilting his head to show his interest when she spoke.
When the question finally processed in Tali's brain he couldn't stop the snort of amusement that left his throat. "S-sorry, I'm not laughing at you, that was just funny." He covered his mouth and turned his head away, snickering to himself. Once he was composed enough he turned back to her, taking in a deep breath.
"You're quite cute, you know that? I asked you out because I like you. You're a good conversation." He felt his face heat up so he looked away again, adding in a small: 'And you're pretty.' Under his breath. Tali was hardly ever shy. He was usually bold, brash, egotistic. He was only ever shy when it came to people he couldn't understand or outdid him in the bold sense.
Pull yourself together. Be Tali. You're better than most, remember? You have no reason to be shy. He really was starting to dislike that little voice. It was going to cost him another date with the woman in front of him and he did not want to lose that chance. It would be better that way, though. You know what you are.
"Sh-shall we go?" Tali gestured to the slim, dark gray sports car he had previously been leaning against. As long as he kept his body and mouth busy he wouldn't think of anything complicated. His life was simple. He got what he wanted by stealing faces. It's unfortunate you don't get what you need.
Azusa laughed. "Of course!" Her eyes widened at his mode of transport. "Where did you get the money for that, though? That probably cost more than my apartment and paycheck combined! I guess I took you for the humble type… My bad for assuming." Azusa felt a bit awkward now, knowing that he had the kind of money to get expensive and nice things. Why go for a woman working at a dead-end job? Sure, she could go back to school and probably be a good businesswoman, but Azusa never really liked college much.
Tali laughed at her reaction, opening the passenger door for her. "It was a gift." He wasn't lying. It was a gift. But he had already paid it off with the money he made from, well, doing his 'business.' So are you a prostitute now? Was he embarrassed of it? A little bit. Would he admit it? No.
"Ah… yeah… I'm not exactly humble… I guess I should try to be a little better with it, shouldn't I?" He feigned awkwardness, laughing halfheartedly. Truth was, he was proud of the car. Sure he had been given it but he paid it all off on his own. Some of that money was even from him actually working. So maybe he had been searching for a different lifestyle. He was just trying to figure stuff out.
"Don't worry too much about it. Business stuff."
"Oh, alright." Azusa stepped in cautiously–she didn't want to contaminate the car with her 'modestness', if that was a thing. She decided to ask the question that was bothering her. "So…why am I your date of choice on this decently alright Monday morning? Some women would kill to be in my place right now." Why did that remind her of the Tali she met at the party? Azu's cogs were turning. I mean, sure, I told him he was lucky, but he was insistent that he wanted me. Then again, he was so full of himself. Maybe they know each other? That wouldn't be too far of a stretch.
He gently shut the door and walked around to the other side to climb in. The repeated question made him wonder if she was feeling inadequate. He sighed, turning to her and looking her over.
"Do you want the truth?" He asked firmly, not waiting for her answer before he continued. "I've been with plenty of women who are, in some ways, better off than you. But they're not what I want. I told you before, I like talking with you and you've caught my eye. You're a good change, someone who confuses me as much as she interests me. Maybe I'm curious of where this will go? Maybe I'm genuinely interested in you. Just because you're not 'successful' in societies standards doesn't mean you aren't desired." Hypocrite. Where's this thinking in you? Why do you tell others it but refuse to take it to your own heart? Aren't you afraid of your real face? Don't you cover it so you don't have to look at yourself in the mirror?
Tali fell silent, looking away in… embarrassment? Shame? He didn't know what it was.
"Well, that's nice of you, but I don't want you to feel like you need to coddle me just because of my societal position. I hope you can understand that, Tali." Azusa relaxed a bit, putting her purse–a dark burgundy in color with a few tassels on the zippers, nothing too fancy–on her lap, putting her lunchbox on the car's floor. Azu fidgeting with her fingers while looking around. The car was sleek, neat, organized. Azu could count the steps it took for her to get from the apartment to Tali through the windshield–it was spotless. Azusa felt more ashamed that she wasn't dressed fancy or that she didn't put on a touch more eyeliner than she did when she was in a hurry.
(I laid down at 5, anddddd I just woke up. Dang man. I’m disoriented)
“Of course I can, Azusa. And I won’t. We are equals in my eyes.” He reassured her. He did see her as an equal, if not not greater than him.
Tali pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street, watching Azusa every time he was stopped at a light or stop sign through the corners of his eyes.
“Do I intimidate you, dear?” He asked out of the blue. They were getting close to the coffee shop and he just had to know. “You don’t have to be nervous around me. You’re fidgeting…” he noted, risking a glance at her for a split second. His anxiety was starting to spike, that inferiority complex part of him kicking in.
“I promise I’m a good guy.” Liar! Liar! Liar! “I won’t hurt you.” No, but she might hurt you if she knows what you are, Monster! “You have my word.” Your word is about as reliable as your real face. It hardly exists anymore. You’ll hurt her emotionally somehow, or she’ll find out you’re a monster and then she’ll run. You have no chance. No chance.
Tali wanted to scream at his head, to scream ‘shut up!’ and to argue with it. But he wouldn’t let himself interact with it. Interacting made it worse. He would ignore them, keep moving on.
“I’m not a man who’s big in his industry, you know.”
"I–a bit, yes." Azusa admitted. "I'm nervous, mostly. I haven't had a need for dates in…well, years. I mean that literally!" Azu chuckled to herself, her laugh falling flat. God, it's really been five years, hasn't it? No wonder you're this tense and unsure about yourself.
"But it's fine, just a temporary thing. I should be more focused on my social life now that I have a good, steady job, right?" She didn't expect the question to be answered. "Anyway, where are we going, exactly?" Azusa tried to distract Tali–or was she distracting herself?–from her own nervousness and insecurities.
“Really?” He asked, surprise lacing his tone. “Years?! Have you had any suitors? I’m sorry if that’s a little too personal, but it’s really been years? You’re such a gorgeous and fun woman, I’m surprised.”
And he was surprised. Surprised enough he hardly registered her other words. She didn’t seem the type to be like him but he had thought she had gone on at least a few dates recently.
“Oh. There’s a coffee place down by Center Street I love. It’s really quite nice.” He hummed, smiling softly. “I frequent it a lot. Especially when I need a little pick me up.”
(Hello amazing Kat!)
"Nope. The last person I dated was my high school sweetheart. He…was a bit too controlling for my liking." Azusa shrugged it off. It wasn't like it was some big deal that Diego had put her into a corner for most of those two years. It wasn't a big deal that he sweet-talked his way into her becoming distant from her friends. It wasn't a big deal that she came out of the relationship a broken girl, unsure of who to trust and what to do. It wasn't a big deal that her family didn't do horseshit about it–they didn't even care!
Okay, maybe it was.
Azusa looked at Tali. This had been the one person who didn't try to pressure her into being someone she couldn't be. Why was that? Did he actually like her, or was she just a new pretty face in this man's life that he wanted to try out? Azusa hoped it didn't matter to her, but secretly, it did.
(Heeellooo! Wonderful Sam!)
“Ah… I understand why you left him. Controlling relationships are… not good. Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do in a relationship. That’s up to you.” That was especially important in his line of relationships. He never got too attached, as he had to move on to the next one to get what he needed. And as much of a bad man as he was, he didn’t like to hurt people. He hated breaking hearts.
And yet he did it so often.
He did catch her eyes on him, but he paid no mind to it. He was used to people staring at him. It usually didn’t bother him unless he was having one of those strange days his confidence seemed to disappear completely.
Tali wouldn’t have an answer for her if he knew what she was thinking. He was a wreck of emotions and past learnings he couldn’t shake. He was the literal description of a soul in turmoil. On one hand he thought he deserved and ruled the whole world and should get exactly what he wants. On the other he felt like he was less than the dirt of the ground, a monster harming others.
He wouldn’t be able to decide if he just wanted to try her out or if he really did feel something for her. He didn’t know the difference.
