Blind Faith, Heartache, Mind Games, Mistakes [Closed, January 2]

[dead_black_eyes]

Who: Lazarus Lawliet and Cesar Sanchez-Ortiz
What: Not quite friendship, not quite animosity; everything depends on where it goes from here.
When: January 2, Friday
Where: Tea-riffic Coffee
Warnings: Nothing yet!



Most of the coffee shops in the area recognize Lazarus as the owner of the controversial Espresso Yourself; fortunately, the one Cesar suggested isn't one of the ones that have a particularly strong opinion of Numbered; he gets a few glances when he comes in despite a non-ostentatious manner of dressing and holding himself, but what's known isn't given voice, and he's able to take a seat in a back booth without incident or comment after ordering a traditional cappuccino. As he waits for Cesar to arrive, his fingertips play idly with the edges of an envelope while his iPhone sits nearby. The number tattooed on his palm is visible at moments, and though he looks better than he did, the shade of his skin and the deep circles under his eyes say that he's been ill recently.

Comments

[dead_black_eyes]

The laughter fades quickly at Cesar's unimpressed grimace. It's exactly what he meant, but being groomed for chess tournaments meant that while some things didn't come naturally to L, or presented incorrectly, he was very good at swiftly correcting behavior that was deemed poor.

He follows Cesar's example; he's been drinking his coffee somewhat more liberally, and only the dregs remain floating at the bottom of his cup.

"Bus fare. Dark clothes. Phone on silent... common sense things," he says. "I'll take care of the important equipment, so... we should really be all set."

[evowhisperer]

Cesar nods, brows still together. It's starting to become more real as they talk about it, and he's starting to second guess what he's just volunteered for. Are they really going to do this? ... Should he call the whole thing off, and tell L that it was really all just his imagination?

L wouldn't believe him. If Cesar backs out now, L will just do this alone, and Cesar's not sure he could let him.

{I'll be ready.}

[dead_black_eyes]

"...Good. Then..."

He tugs self-consciously on the hairs at the back of his neck.

"I'm not good at parting ways. It's not that I don't want to say 'goodbye,' but there just doesn't seem to be a good way to say 'we've had our talk, and now we're finished, and I'm going home now.'"

[evowhisperer]

Cesar was just smoothing his palms flat on the table to push his chair back, but he stops, considering L's words.

He leans back again, turning the tablet to write.

This is where you stand up and remind the other person to communicate if any new information arises that could change your decision to meet.

[dead_black_eyes]

He peers at the typed advice.

"It comes so naturally to some. Maybe it's because I don't think that anything could happen to change the decision to meet on my end, so it doesn't occur to me to ask you. I guess... if you decide not to, let me know? I'll still go, regardless, but... I would probably be disappointed."

[evowhisperer]

I'll be sure to let you know.

He doesn't plan to change, but he also knows better than to promise it from the start. This whole thing is a terrible idea. What if he really does come to his senses before the day arrives? It probably won't happen, since he can tell already that he's deeply reluctant to let L go on his behalf if he won't go himself. He's had enough of sending this guy out to fight his own battles, and if worst comes to worse, Caesar will feed him misinformation to call the whole thing off.

The pad is lowered.

{I will see you.}

He's leaving.