awww glad you made it. just text me if you need me to pick up anything for your achin self ;)
he was back in his usual attire, open vest layered over a black button-up, and was sat on the edge of a building. he was pretty near a convenience store, and the actual store wasn't too far if he sprinted. the first article was done, and the photos had been leaked. now, just to wait.
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She rolled her eyes but replied with, I'm actually running low on ginger oil. Mind picking me up some? I won't make you put it on me ;P
Hungry for lunch, she headed on down to the nearest cafe where the owners and waitresses knew her by name. It was her favorite place to hang out and chill, and it didn't hurt that the food was great and inexpensive.
aye aye, captain.
when he had obtained the oil, he texted her a quick hey, where are you at now? i have the stuff.
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FYI, that wording makes it sound like a drug deal's going down. She smiled idly as she texted him, pushing open the cafe door with her back. The cool glass was a stark difference from her hot back. And I'm at Kaisey's Cafe near the studio.
got it. and who knows, maybe it is a drug deal?
10 minutes later, nik (holding a paper bag and looking a bit ruffled) pushed the cafe door open. "ta-da. how'd it go?" he set the bag down in front of her, touching her hand in greeting.
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"Yessss, muh drugs," she said jokingly. "And Alex had me freestyle dance to a bunch of different songs while he did the choreography created for them. Basically taught them the difference between freestyle and choreography–and tried to kill me in the process, but what'chya gonna do?" She shrugged with a smile up at him.
"yikes. sounds like fun, but any lesser being would actually die." he took the seat across from her, leaning on his elbows.
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She flashed a toothy grin. "Good thing I'm extraordinary."
One of the waitresses spotted Tessa and smiled kindly before turning her attention to Nik, stopping at the table that they were at. "Oh, you've brought a friend? Didn't know you had those."
Tessa rolled her eyes. "Ha, ha. You're so funny Lydia." The girl chuckled and looked back at Nik. "Would you like anything?"
"oh, uh. no, i'm good. thanks!" he almost looked nervous, and he laced his fingers together over the table.
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"Alright then!" The girl scurried away, going to pick up more orders and deliver them to the chef.
Tessa turned her attention back to Nik. "You good?"
"yeah." he gave a long exhale. "yeah, i'm okay. i don't know why im worked up all of a sudden." his higher brain said otherwise, mostly along the lines of okay play dumb, bitch. you really out here bein nervous over a girl? thats new for your whore ass
he mentally told his higher brain to shut up, and smiled easily at tessa. "so, what's the ginger oil for?"
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She rolled her shoulders, wincing slightly. "Ginger oil has a warming effect on muscles, so it's good for relieving pain. I use it after dance lessons such as today's."
"ah. that's neat. so that's what you meant by 'put it on me'. i was… worried, for a second." he raised an eyebrow in a playful manner.
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She snorted and shook her head. "Should I even ask what you were thinking?" she asked, looking back up at him.
"probably not, considering i didn't even know what to think." he let out a huff, a more public-space-friendly version of a laugh.
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"Hmm." She looked up and murmured a 'thanks' to the girl from earlier, who had set a coffee down on the table in front of Tessa. Once the waitress had left, she said, "I'm not planning on taking up any contracts today, so I'm free."
(sorry! had to go to dance class, as well as take a test.)
"nice. are you more in the mood for picking off some bastard, or a chill day?"
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(It's okay!)
"I'm kinda in the mood for a chill day, if I'm being honest. What about you?" She took a sip of her still steaming coffee.
"yeah, i agree. lot of action lately. i'm pretty sure i have a full set of cards against humanity, so there's an idea." he shrugged.
"i'd have to go get it. if you want to come, feel free."
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"I'll come with. You heading out now or no? I'd like to drink my coffee, so I need to know if I'm taking it with me." She offered a small smile.
"i'll wait with you until you've finished." he reached out a bit, brushing his fingers over her knuckles in a silent request.
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She raised her brows but didn't pull back, letting him do what he wanted. "Fine by me," she said, an answer to both his statement and silent question.
((he wanted to hold her hand lmao if that was unclear))
he quickly laced his fingers with hers, smiling in an almost excited manner.
"so, the exposure is going well. people are reacting and writing, and a petition to stop it has been started."
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(thought so, but didn't want to assume incorrectly)
She slumped in relief, squeezing his hand once in thanks. "They'll soon connect it to me and all of my bigger hits, and find the majority of the network." She smiled at him. "Thank you."
"anytime, love. i'm happy to help." he rested his head on his free hand, eyes half lidded. this man is truly content.
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She idly studied him for a bit, trying to gauge his thoughts. "Shall we head over to get those cards? I'll bring my coffee with me."
"if you want to."
when they reached the overhang, nik ducked and dropped down the hole, ignoring the ladder. he made a sharp turn, walking up a ramp and ducking through a curtain.
he emerged with the cards, tucking them into his bag.
"i figure you don't want to play down here. it's shabby, at best."
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She sipped her coffee with raised brows. "Shabbiness I can handle–I lived next to a dumpster for a while. It's underground that I can't stand."
"understandable. where to?" he asked, choosing not to inquire about the fear of being underground. it took him a quick second to connect the dots, but he didn't let his expression change when he realized why.
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"Ah, I'll let today be your day." She shrugged. "I'll tag along with wherever you go–within reason."
