ArchivedLogs:Endings

Endings
Dramatis Personae Lilia, Joe
In Absentia	2013-12-13 Lilia lets Joe down easy, and life lines up with Joe's expectations
Location <NYC> Tick-Tock - Greenwich Village
The quiet sound of soft music and softly running water greets the entrants to this tea house, playing from speakers hidden and trickling waterfalls cascading down the rocky fountains by the entryway. The ambiance here is subdued, a quiet escape from the bustle and noise of the city, focused on only one thing: tea. Tea of very good quality. They serve it in over eighty varieties, black and white, green and oolong, rooibos and herbals and mate, flavored and straight up. The seating here comes on cushions or kneeling chairs around low tables, the decorations in earth tones, and the knowledgeable wait staff is always helpful with a recommendation or a snack suggestion to pair with your drink. Behind the long counter along one side is an entire wall of bins of loose-leaf teas, available for purchase by weight. At some point today, Lilia would have texted Joe details about a rendez-vous at Tick-Tock; regardless of whether he actually does intend to meet her there, she's gone /anyway/ and is currently waiting for him at a table near the front of the building. Today's Lilia is dressed in what could probably be considered mourning attire; a sleeveless black dress, with white blouse underneath to cover her shoulders, black leggings and black heeled boots; her coat has been hanged at the front of the tea house, and a black hat with veil is on the table in front of her. Her hair is short and gray, cut close to her head. She's drinking a black tea, with a small plate of madeleines in front of her, next to her phone that she's watching, almost hawklike, for messages. Joe's replies came about an hour after Lilia's original message, (Joe -> Lilia)Hey, sorry, just got this now. (Joe -> Lilia)I can make it though. omw now And true to his word, Joe is in fact at the restaurant when he said. The ugly man can only be described as 'transformed'. And it's not just the new suit, the shoes and a haircut which actually manages to tastefully deal with his receding hairline. The toad of a man is no more /handsome/ but he does exude a self-confidence that has not always been there previously. This translates slightly into an additional amount of swagger, but not as much as one might think. "Hey," Joe says with a half smile. He takes in everything about Lilia's appearance, expression, manner, and just nods. He pulls out a chair and sits, but everything about his demeanor says he knows he won't be staying long. His smile fades and he nods. "You doing ok?" Lilia trails one hand along the brim of her hat, quietly; if nothing else, the girl certainly has a flair for the dramatic. She hasn't really /looked/ at Joe yet, aside from a glance to confirm that it is indeed him, but instead just sits there, trying to formulate her thoughts. "Jean..." she finally begins, apparently refusing to budge on that nickname she gave him, "I wanted to tell you this in person because texting is just so... hn. Impersonal, I suppose. Rude?" There's a frown, a shake of her head, and one hand is lifted as if to halt any reply before she regains her composure. "I'm going to be blunt; I think you need to try seeing other people." Joe nods and actually manages to smile. "Well, for what it's worth, I appreciate you telling me in person. That takes real character." He takes a deep breath, nods to himself and stands again. "Take care Lilia." His face has taken on a poker-player's mask when he turns to go. He heads right for the door, and is gone.