"It's a few miles from here, yeah. It's not too bad, though. Close enough to the city to have access to all sorts of stuff." Reese paused for a moment upon hearing the followup question, trying to keep his nervousness invisible. "Ah… more or less, yeah. It's most of what I do down here." He shrugged, sipping at his water once it arrived. Hopefully that's a satisfactory answer… I don't really want him knowing I'm fallen. He might think less of me. "I'm glad to have something fulfilling to do. Um… what's being a therapist like?"
Raz tilted his head curiously, though he tried to keep the millions of questions to himself. He often had to remind himself most interactions weren't therapy sessions. Not everyone liked to be interrogated. But this was the first angel he had met in years that wasn't Remy. How could he not ask questions. He decided for now, after just meeting Reese that pestering him with personal questions wasn't the be way to stay in good graces with him so Raz nodded and then gave a shrug. "Taxing. What humans go through is..unlike anything I've ever experienced. Knowing some live in such terrible conditions where they are not lived or appreciated or even abused is hard to hear about everyday. Most if not all are great kids and adults but the world around them has taught them to think lowly of themselves." He glanced up and gave a light laugh. "Sorry, that probably braught down the mood quite a bit. I honestly love my job. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. And I hope the work I do genuinely does help the beautiful individuals I work with."
"Mm… I know what that's like." Reese laughed weakly, but didn't clarify to what he was relating to. His biological parents back in heaven weren't exactly the kindest to him. He was sort of a black sheep in his family, and he frequently got into trouble over little things. His siblings were always so well behaved and just did what they were told. Reese had never quite fit in up there, and he was treated as such. He supposed he must have lived in a different area than Razielle, though, since they had never encountered each other. "It's fine. I'm the one who asked." He rested his chin on the knuckles of one hand. "What else do you do outside of your job?"
Raz' eyebrows creased with worry but he told himself not to immediately thing of the worst, against all instincts to do so. "O-outside if my job?" He hummed, a bit distractedly. "Oh, I don't do much." He sipped at his drink and gave a little shrug. "I'm not the most interesting angel on earth unfortunately. I mostly spend my days stuck in a book or roaming around the city, going to whatever sparjs my interest. Museums, local shops, cafe's like this one, nothing too special but I find it fun." He said "I guess dancing would be something I do, I find it a fun way to relax after a busy day of being a therapist. What about you? What do you do to entertain yourself while on earth?" He asked with a smile, toying with the straw in his cup.
Reese nodded along as he listened, toying with his sleeves a bit. "That sounds pretty interesting to me. I don't do a lot outside of farmwork, honestly. Sometimes I go to the town, meet some people, maybe barhop a bit." He shrugged and sipped at his drink. "I don't have a lot in the way of friends. I mostly just hang out with strangers who are friendly, or at least drunk enough to not care if I hang around. It's nice to have a little variety, I guess. I really do like hanging out on the farm, though. You should check it out sometime! Are you an outdoorsy kinda guy?"
Raz lifted an eyebrow in slight surprised at heating that Reese liked barhopping. Back when he had lived in heaven, many angels had an aversion to alcohol, Razielle included. Even now, he had a hard time holding down liquor, it making him severely sick after a few hours if consumption. Though it had been quite a while since Raz had drunk anything, perhaps now would be different. "I am, though I don't get out so much. Even this," he waved around them to the cafe, "is more than what I normally do after work." He laughed softly and nodded, "I'd love to, if you'll have me. I haven't been outside the city in quite a long time. It'd be nice to change the scenery for a while. I'd love to meet the animals a see what you do on a farm. Perhaps we could go barhopping after." He suggested with an excited gleam in eyes. While he wasn't that excited to get blackout drunk, Raz did like the idea of hanging out with the other angel. It was infinately better than staying home and doing nothing.
"Yeah, for sure! Glad to bring you along if you're up for it." Reese chuckled as he finished off his drink and set the cup down on the table. "I really like the farm, and barhopping is pretty fun, I think. Make sure you stay hydrated and have a big meal beforehand, though. If you're too drunk, the bartender'll cut you off regardless so you don't very alcohol poisoning or anything." He looked around and leaned back in his chair a bit, yawning. "I have a few close friends that I go with sometimes. A lot of the fun is meeting new people, though. Do you have a circle of friends or are you more of a loner?" He asked.
"ah then I'll make sure to go light on the drinks, heavy on the food then. Still don't know if I can hold down drinks." He laughed a bit embarrassed but he was still willing to try. He wanted to have fun for once. That couldn't hurt right? He glanced up and shrugged, "sort of? I mean I have work friends but we've never done anything out of going to lunch here and there. Definatepy not barhopping till the late hours of the night. You're actually the first friend I've made outside of work in a while." He admitted
"Sounds like a good idea. Definitely go easy if it's not something you're used to." Reese smiled softly, drumming his fingers on the table. He tilted his head slightly at the referring of the two of them as friends, but his smile didn't falter and he didn't mention it. "I'll be glad to show you the ropes. It's pretty fun once you get used to it. Maybe you could meet some of my other friends as well. What kind of flavors do you like?" He asked.
Raz nodded "I'd love to meet your friends, that'd be nice." He tilted his head in slight confusion, "flavors?" Raz blinked a few times, opening and closing his mouth in an attempt to form words. "Uhm, anyone I guess. I don't judge, so long as they don't do anything that hurts themselves or others. I honestly have never heard anyone describe meeting new people as flavors." He admitted with a laugh as he finished off his drink and food. "When should we meet up? I'm free after tomorrow morning, not too many patients on Friday."
"No, no, I mean actual flavors." Reese laughed, resting his chin on his knuckles. "I was going to give you some drink recommendations. If you like sweet drinks, you probably shouldn't go for any hard liquor like bourbon or vodka. It tastes awful. Margaritas and stuff like that with low alcohol percentages are probably a safe bet." He hummed thoughtfully. Razielle was definitely interesting, and he could tell that he probably didn't get out much. "Friday night works for me if it does for you."
"oh!" Raz laughed, shaking his head in embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, of course you'd mean the drinks not people." He sighed softly and nodded. "Most likely on the sweeter side, yes. The less alcohol the better. I like floral flavors if that helps, lavender, rose, that sort of thing." Raz added on, raking a hand through his hair and huffing another laugh. "I'll make sure to keep my day free tomorrow then." Raz reassured, a cheeky little smile on his face. He wasn't a drinking sort of person but the thought of going out at night to have a good time instead of staying cooped up inside made him excited.
"Floral flavors… hmm. I'm not sure what all has that kind of flavor. I know there's quite a few with fruity or minty flavors to them." Reese shrugged. He typically was more the type to do shots with his friends, so he wasn't quite as familiar with other, more flavorful drinks. "I'm sure you'll be able to find something. Most bartenders are pretty helpful, too. Just tell them what you're interested in and they can help you out. Especially if you're new to the whole thing."
“I'm sure they would. Might get a few weird looks from said bartender considering the drink will probably have this much alcohol it it," Raz pinched his fingers close together with a grin. "I honestly won't be surprised if the bartender asks for a ID." He fiddled with his empty cup and laughed to himself. "Honestly I probably won't be much fun at a bar but I appreciate you willing to hang out with me, truly, thank you Reese"
"Oh, they're supposed to ask for an ID regardless unless you're like, obviously really old or something." Reese laughed. "They always check mine too." He smiled softly at Razielle's last comment, propping his head up on one arm. "No problem. I hope you'll be able to enjoy yourself even if you're a little out of your usual element."
Raz pressed a hand to his heart feigning offense "I know I look young but I don't look that young. I've bought wine before with little to no issue." Jas shook his head in disbelief "me I could understand but I would have thought you'd be a common enough customer that they wouldn't need to ask your ID." Raz mused,nodding his thanks as the waitress came by to take their plates and drink cups. "A little is an understatement Reese. I've never actually gone out to a party to let loose and part till dawn. But I hope to have fun, who knows maybe I'll finally learn how to dance."
"Well, yeah, but it's just the protocol or whatever." Reese shrugged. "They're supposed to ask for it as an extra measure of safety, and so they won't be liable in the case that a minor is caught drinking there or something." He thanked the waitress softly as well and then turned back to Razielle. "Do you ever get any trouble from the people down here?" He asked curiously. "My name is common enough on earth to not arouse suspicion, but I've never met a human named Razielle."
Raz tilted his head curiously if not a bit confused before realizing what Reese meant. "At first, many of my patients thought it was a fake name, something to protect myself in case my counceling failed and I needed to protect myself. Many of the parents thought I was a coward to hide behind a supposed alias instead of esposing my true name. eventually that sort of wore off and kids just accepted I had a strange name. It probably helped that I was gay so as I got more comfortable with my patients and them up with me they just accepted I had a not so common name." Raz said with a slightly embarrassed laugh. "I've never actually thought about it that much until now, to be honest."
Reese nodded along, listening intently as Razielle talked. He definitely took a mental note when Raz mentioned he was gay, but didn't acknowledge it directly. "I guess it's good that they've gotten used to it. Like I said, Reese isn't too uncommon so people wouldn't question it at all." He hummed thoughtfully, considering. "I'm pan, by the way. I've dated my fair share of people, but you know." He shrugged. "I'm not currently seeing anybody."
Raz nodded with a small smile "you say it's common but you're the first Reese I've met being on earth." Raz noted, tipping his head slightly. "And none them worked out?" He asked carefully, silently chiding himself as a million more questions flooded his mind. What were they like? Why wouldn't someone want to be with Reese, someone who seemed so kind and outgoing. Raz realized a moment too late that he'd been silently staring for too long a moment and nodded quickly, "good! I-i mean not good but fine? I-im single too, which is fine, I'm sure you're not looking for anyone right now to start a relationship, not that it would be bad if you were. I'm just say good, for you! That you're I assume comfortable?" He groaned softly in embarrassment and buried his face in his arm to hide his blush.
"Mm, not really. Everyone has their reasons." Reese shrugged. "Most are scared of commitment, others simply aren't a good match. And some are dangerous and cruel and manipulative, and that's usually when I personally break it off." He watched Razielle curiously and laughed softly at the man's reaction. "I'm neutral on the subject. I'm not actively looking for a partner, but I'm open to anything, really. I like to go with the flow in life. It keeps things interesting, hm? I don't like sticking to the same routine every day. That's why I do my chores on the farm and then head to the city to see where the breeze takes me."
Raz peeked up from his hiding place and nodded in agreement. "I'm glad, not that you've had not great relationships but that you know your limits and when to leave something toxic. Many people who come in for my help have a hard time reizing what is an isn't a good relationship." He picked his head up and rested his chin in his palm, a light blush still on his cheek. He feigned annoyance and gently flicked Reese's ar when he heard him laughing but he couldn't help a smile plying at his lips. For a brief moment, as Reese spoke, Raz wondered if he had any chance. He wasn't looking for anyone either but it was nice to fantasies. Raz was the complete opposite of Reese. He liked order and knowing where life was taking him. Routine was close to essential to Raz. It kept him safe and sane, otherwise what would be his purpose down here. Would Reese want that? To be with someone who repied on that sort of stability in life or would he eventually grow bored. Raz shook his head slightly before the thought could go further. It. Was silly, Raz didn't know Reese, not to thmake ose assumptions so soon. They were just friends. "Yeah, me neither. Honestly I've been scare dto put myself out there like that, being an angel and stuff. I don't know if I could keep something so integral to my being hidden from someone I love so much."
"Mm. Some humans aren't very… good people. Especially here." Reese hummed thoughtfully, scratching at the back of his neck with one hand. He stretched out his wings for a moment, careful not to hit anything with them.
He'd been in a fair few relationships while he was down here, to be honest. Some of them, as he'd mentioned, had ended amicably enough with both he and his partner simply having different goals and interests. Others, however, were abusive and unsafe. Reese hadn't been treated kindly by everyone, for sure. Some of his partners had been manipulative and demanding and even threatening. Reese never stayed in relationships like that for very long, but that didn't mean he didn't still hold onto some scars from them.
"Yeah, I get that. It is hard keeping something like that from a partner." Reese sighed softly. "It's not like there's a whole lot of angel partners to choose from down here, either, so most of us are destined to be liars or lonely."
Raz' face fell into understanding. He breathed a humorless light "you can say that again." He had countless stories of abusers and narcissists from his patients, some patients even being said abusers and narcissists so far into their head to realize how much hurt they cause countless times Raz had question his ability, not as an angel but as a therapist. Could he helpbthese people or was it even worth it? Sometimes, as much as Raz thought of himself as a good angel, he thought some people truely deserved hell. He refocused his gaze on Reese as he broke the silence and thahnkfully is thoughts and offered a teasing smile. "Think their catching on?" He asked pointing skywards, to heaven. "Maybe this was meant to be. Us meeting. If too many human know about angel existence heaven will have a crisis. Maybe they'll send more angels down here, to give us more options instead if with humans." Raz rolled his eyes and giggled. He knew wit as impossible, but it was still funny to think about, how after all this time, he and Reese had met. "Well either way, I'm glad we met. Genuinely."
"Ha! Maybe they will." Reese laughed warmly, resting his arms against the table again. "I don't think heaven would much like us having our pick, though. They'd probably prefer us be alone and celibate. They don't really care for the whole… same-sex thing either." He ran his fingers through his hair and leaned back in his chair a bit. "Me, personally, I prefer it down here. Some people might suck, but most of them are a lot less judgemental of stuff. It's nice to be able to relax and be myself. Well… minus the whole 'having to hide being an angel' thing. It is what it is, I guess." After some hesitation, Reese got to his feet.
"It was nice to meet you as well, Razielle. I should probably get going to finish my chores, but I can meet you back around here tomorrow, right? You said you were occupied tonight."
Raz nodded solemly in agreement. "Unfortunately, you're not wrong." He replied. His years on Earth had finally opened his eyes to the problems of heaven. While back home, Raz had never really been a social butterfly, even after he discovered his preference towards other men, but he had tried to make connections with his fellow angels, just friends to not be so lonely. It was only now Raz realized heaven was never goingntontruly accept him. "Yeah, I suppose in that aspect earth is better." Raz agreed, a bit distractedly. He only glanced up when Reese moved and refocused "y-yes! yes of course. Im so sorry for keeping you for so long. And yes, I'll probably be back here after work, I quite liked this little cafe." He smiled softly and glanced around before giving a little wave to Reese. "I'll see you tomorrow for bar hoping."
"It's no problem! I enjoyed talking with you." Reese smiled and stretched, yawning a bit. His wings stretched out and fluttered for a moment as well when he stood, unbeknownst to the humans in the Cafe around them. "See you tomorrow." He waved and then headed out the door.
He headed back to the farm to finish doing the work he needed to do, although he was distracted thinking about Razielle. He didn't make any huge mistakes, but he did find himself going a bit slower than usual since he was having more trouble focusing. Once he was done, he decided to get ready and save the barhopping for tomorrow.
(Feel free to skip to the next day ^^)
