savetheearth | [Closed Action]

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Who: Tamara (

wordsgate)
What: A nice chat... about stuff. Yeah, we'll leave it at that for now. At minimum Tamara will be confessing to having used her nasty little virus on Sam in the past.
Where: Sam's house
When: June 9th

[Well, the last time she tried this it sure didn't go very well. After being interrupted by that weird little creature, Tamara had completely lost her nerve to admit to the bad stuff she had done to Sam before they even met.

Oh well, it was just a minor setback. This time it would definitely happen. And this time she was going to definitely be sure to take advantage of a little something she's now mastered how to control. This time she's done her hair to make herself look more like the nicer version of her other self. Shoulder length hair, tied back with a ribbon, etc. She looks pretty much like a slightly older version of Takako.

This time she arrives on time since she was actually able to find his house all right and had far less primping to do in advance with looking like this. At least that interruption last time had something good about it.]

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[Meanwhile, Sam feels far less prepared than he did the first time she attempted to talk to him about this. Partially because he was so thrown off by the Vermedi appearance--he's already checked every room in the apartment twice, closets and the shower included, just to make sure it's not somehow hiding in his home without his knowledge. The other part is that he can't help but be aware that having Tamara in his home when they're alone has a slightly more intimate tone to it than their usual time together. Not that he expects anything to happen, but he's a little worried that she might think he's hoping something will happen, or...something. It's just awkward, particularly since he's admitted to himself how attractive she is to him.

Which is probably the reason why he's taken the time to make sure EVERYTHING is spotless. His mother is a precise enough person that their home is normally kept pretty clean, so it doesn't take as much time as it would if he lived alone, but he's still worried about having everything perfect.

The apartment is furnished more to his mother's taste than his, so it's sparsely furnished in an attempt to make the apartment feel as roomy as possible. What furniture is around is of a modern style, with some decorative accents that are a mix of art deco and a few pieces that are more traditional and Japanese. Occasionally in the back coming from the bedrooms you can hear a bird singing or a weird, feminine voice saying "Pretty bird! Pretty bird!" in Japanese--that's Wakana, his mother's pet Mynah bird. Sam's purposefully chosen to close the door to his mom's room to try to keep Wakana from being too distracting.

He almost considered removing the pictures of him when he was a kid that his mom keeps on the bookshelf in the living room, but she was upset enough about that the last time he moved them, so he decides against it. Even if he really thinks that picture of him when he was ten, with his too-big glasses knocked askew by his mom's sudden hug, makes him look like a dork. He did, however, hide a picture of him as a teenager with an old girlfriend of his in one of his dresser drawers. Not that he expects her to be in his room at any point during the day, but he'd rather be safe than sorry.

He just finished some final dusting in the living room a few minutes ago, so now he's sitting on the couch in the living room and nervously tapping his fingers on the arm rest. When she knocks on the door or rings the doorbell it's going to be answered pretty quickly, since all of his focus is on the door.]

[Well, it wasn't as if she had never been to a guy's place without parents around before. It's just that the other guys were either classmates that she was doing a project with or the ex-asshole. If anything, it was a bit weird that she had no objections. She's actually fine with more than just talking happening if he doesn't hate her after what she has to tell him. Within reason, of course.

Before actually ringing the doorbell though, she's going to take a deep breath and try to calm her nerves. It definitely didn't help to have this delayed, but there's no way she could have done this last time. Then she goes ahead and rings the bell and waits.]

[And he's up and at the door in a flash! He pauses for a second or two so that he doesn't look too eager, then opens the door with a charming smile, about to tease her for being on time, only for his words to die when he sees how she's done her hair.

He freezes and stares at her, his heart skipping a beat. Not in an "this is an Echo" way but in a "the girl that's been literally haunting my dreams is standing at my doorstep" way. It takes him a bit to collect himself enough to realize that he's been silently staring at her. When he does, he clears his throat and takes a step back, opening the door as he does so that she can come in. That being said, he doesn't quite have his wits about him enough to say a full sentence.]

...Hi.

[Well, it looks like her devious plan worked with how he's staring at her and can seem to barely form a coherent sentence, much less a good line. Though with the way he's staring at her she can't help but blush under that level of scrutiny. Or to giggle as he opens the door.

She'll step in and take in the surroundings. Not that it is hard for a place to be better than her dorm room, or more tidy and she can't help but think of how interesting it is that she seems to have rendered Sam completely speechless.]

Oh, so no teasing or cheesy pickup lines for me today?

[He closes the door behind her and leans against it, still trying to think of something to say. Her blush and her giggle isn't helping.]

Well...is that a request?

[To her this is just downright hilarious to see Sam just so unsure of himself which is so unlike him.]

I just think it's funny. But then any girl would be flattered by such a reaction to a new hairstyle. I guess you like it?

I, well...[He hesitates a little--does he really like it, or does he like it because it reminds him of Takako?]

...I do. It looks good on you. Simple, but elegant. [with a little shrug] But honestly, you're so pretty you'd probably look good with any sort of hairstyle.

Thank you. That's really sweet to say. [And yeah, she's definitely appreciative of knowing that Sam thinks she's pretty.] And truly, I have a lot of choice now.

Choice? [He pauses, and then his eyes widen as he gets it.]

Oh! You've learned how to control your hair?

[She nods.] I wouldn't have been brave enough to show up without concealing it otherwise.

[He's still smiling, but he almost seems a little disappointed by that.]

Tamara...even if you couldn't control it very well, you know you don't have to hide that sort of thing from me, right?

It wasn't for your sake, but for mine. A girl wants to look her best and not feel like a freak. That's true no matter who I'm with.

Weird powers or no, I don't think of you as a freak. But I can understand why you'd want a little more control over your appearance.

[This is coming from a guy that actually goes to a salon once a month and spends quite a bit of money to bleach his hair and get nice hair products (to help his hair recover from the bleach), after all.

He pushes away from the door and gestures toward the couch.]

Sorry, I'm being rude. Please, take a seat! Do you want something to drink? We've got water, iced tea, hot tea, I think a few different flavors of soda...and orange juice.

[Whatever he says still doesn't change the fact that she still thinks of herself as being weird and freaky, or the fact that anyone who isn't him is going to think so if they hear it.

She'll go ahead and sit down on one end of the couch.]

No, I don't need anything. But since I know you'll probably insist, tea is fine.

[with a laugh] C'mon, this is the first time you've come over to my place. I have to be a good host!

You like green tea, right? I think that's what you ordered at the cafe...[He heads to the kitchen and starts to dig around in the pantry.]

I like all tea actually, but green is quite good for you, of course. [She tries to smile.] I'll not ruin your chance to be a good host and will just sit tight then.

[In a bit of a sing-song tone.]

Thank you! You're too kind.

[Yeah, he's clearly enjoying himself--and maybe overcompensating a little in an attempt to cover up his nervousness.

He doesn't take too long to eat the water for Tamara, so he's back in the living room within a few minutes, and hands her a mug with the warm water and a tea bag in it. He's gotten a glass of iced tea for himself.]

Sorry it isn't loose leaf...

[She'll take the offered mug.] Who am I to complain when I'm a guest in your home? I certainly have no room to talk when I'm horrible at brewing tea.

But you should sit down too since I still have to tell you what I was going to say when we were so rudely interrupted last time.

Ah...right. [He sits down on the couch--purposefully putting a bit of space between them so that she won't feel uncomfortable--takes a sip of his tea, and gives her a nervous smile.]

So, what did you want to talk about?

[The space is definitely appreciated since being too close to him would make this all that much harder. She takes a deep breath, because really, this is just something she should get out all at once if possible.]

It's about something that happened before we even met. There was actually a reason why I disliked you initially, even if I have revised my opinion since then.

It's because one of your ex-girlfriends asked me to what I did to you that I did to my own asshole ex, though I revised my technique since then. I created a virus that I named after my other self. Her name is Fenrir, by the way. You were one I intentionally used it on and then I hacked your accounts and posted horrible things that seem to be untrue from what I've learned about you.

I know you'd figure it out once you learned her name. Even if I no longer feel that you are the horrible person I thought you were then, I cannot continue to keep that from you. I know no apology is enough to cover what I did, but I still do apologize and hope that you can forgive me for that even if I don't really deserve it. You definitely aren't on the level of my asshole ex and didn't deserve to be treated that way.

[And it seems like she's done saying all this and it is obvious from how she is looking at him that she means it when she's saying this.]

[At first when she starts to explain, Sam looks a little confused. But the name 'Fenrir' does sound familiar to him, and as she describes what the virus does he gets a look of recognition on his face.

He stares at her as he processes the new information. When he speaks, his tone is numb but a little shaky.]

You were the one that hacked into my Facebook and said that I cheated on her? And that photo--that was you, too?

[She nods in response.] She told me you cheated on her, actually. I only repeated on there what she told me, though the picture was my creation.

I'm guessing that she was wrong, you didn't cheat on her. You probably had a female friend you are close to and did things with that could be mistaken for being more than friends.

Of course I didn't cheat on her! [And now his tone is more aggravated.] She was really jealous and clingy, it's why I broke up with her in the first--

[He cuts off, pauses, and then groans and pinches the bridge of his nose.]

...Klara. She thinks I broke up with her because of Klara.

I really don't know. I only am guessing because if you were dating a girl now I could see her getting the wrong idea about me.

What I do know is a guy like what she described wouldn't treat me like his beloved princess and risk harm to keep me safe. And that if you forgive me I'll do what I can to be worthy of that level of regard.

[He drops his hand away from his face. Honestly, considering his feelings for her he's not so sure that the "wrong idea" would actually be the wrong idea.

And he's a bit conflicted because the rumors that are still surrounding him are pretty upsetting. But he can tell she's being genuine in her apology. He takes a deep breath.]

I'll forgive you. But...I'm not going to tell you "don't do this anymore" because I don't really think it's my place to boss you around, but--[He gives her a hesitant smile.] But if you do, at least try to do some research first?

[She gives a genuine smile at that. She was so afraid he'd hate her for it and there was no way she could admit her own feelings if such a thing remained a secret.]

I usually do as much as I can. Often it is her word against his and it's very easy to make yourself look like something much better than you truly are online. I know that doesn't excuse it and my only intent is to punish the ones who truly deserve it like I did with my ex. But I will try to be more careful and I'll send you a file that will make your computer immune to it like mine is.

[He can't help but smile back at her.]

Thanks! I might need a little help installing it. I'm really not good with that sort of thing.

Obviously I'm going to need to teach you that and basic security as well. And who better than a hacker, right?

[chuckle] Yeah. I could really use a teacher for that sort of thing, considering that our enemies are using the internet. I bet you're going to be really useful to us.

Who says I didn't already hack their little forum? Didn't have anything useful though.

[He laughs again, this time a little harder.] I should've guessed! It's too bad they were smart enough not to have anything useful for you to find.

They sure weren't interested in negotiations though, or didn't know what negotiations truly entailed.

Heh! Maybe it's not a concept in their culture? [He shrugs.]

Neither are names it seems. I bet the monster was their doing as well.

[His expression gets more tense at the mention of the monster.] ...Yeah. That was probably them.

It ran away at least, that's the important part.

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[Closed Action]

in which I tl;dr on Sam's apartment...

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