#jia ft. tehui.

[fadinglights]

"not  really.  there's  one  tattoo  that  i  wish  i  could've  drawn  better,  but  i  still  value  all  the  meanings  carried  by  my  tattoos."  she  explains.  "and  i  made  sure  to  avoid  tattooing  anyone's  name  on  my  body,  which  is  what  most  people  come  to  get  removed."  she  can't  fathom  why  someone  would  tattoo  another  person's  name  on  their  body  when  love  isn't  guaranteed  to  last  forever.  even  though  her  advice  might  not  be  heeded  by  everyone,  she  tries  to  caution  her  clients  against  it.  she  nods  at  his  attempt  to  comfort  her,  wondering  if  his  words  reflect  his  own  feelings  fresh  out  of  a  breakup.  "i  feel  fine  now,  really."  she  says.  there  was  a  time  when  her  close  friends  were  worried  about  her,  but  she  has  moved  on  from  the  heartache  and  refocused  on  things  that  truly  matter  to  her.  "and  soon,  you'll  feel  better  too."  it  feels  like  a  fated  coincidence  for  two  broken-hearted  souls,  who  have  recently  experienced  something  similar,  to  cross  paths.  "why  would  i  want  to  get  rid  of  you?"  she  asks,  before  jokingly  adding,  "i  haven't  even  picked  up  my  kitten  yet."  she  appreciates  that  he  has  adapted  to  the  playful  nature  of  their  conversation,  no  longer  as  timid  as  he  was  at  the  beginning  of  the  evening.  "no,  but  are  you  saying  that  you  are?"  she  squints  her  eyes,  as  if  doubting  his  words  before  whispering.  "maybe  i  should  find  out  for  myself  one  day."  it  has  almost  turned  into  a  game  of  sorts,  with  her  trying  to  see  how  many  times  she  can  fluster  him  throughout  the  evening.  "that's  right.  this  is  one  of  my  favourite  pizza  joints  in  the  city."  she  says,  fortunate  that  it's  conveniently  located  for  her  to  order  takeout  frequently.  "what  are  your  usual  go-tos  for  takeouts?"

"Not worthy, just...matching, i don't know" utterly unsure of his words, he rejected the idea to continue, he wasn't one to talk about things he didn't know about. And he was getting closer to it. "Do you regret some of yours? I really thought i was sure at that time, about the overall decision. But yeah, time is a wild thing, not sure how i would feel today with someone's elses mind embedded into my skin" Her nonchalance, a shield against the onslaught of emotions threatening to engulf them both, spoke volumes of the months spent in silent introspection, of the painstaking journey towards self-discovery and acceptance. Tehui couldn't help but marvel at her composure, her ability to navigate the treacherous waters of their shared past with such effortless grace. "It is better, as i mentioned, time is wild, it can wreck and embellished things equally, it wouldn't be hard to wake up one day feeling you had waste your years with someone who doesn't love you back, or doesn't mean anything to you...not that it happened to you. But im saying i understand" And he did. He had felt it before. The familiarity of their banter, tempered by the weight of unspoken truths, brought a flicker of warmth to Tehui's heart, a reminder of the fragile connection that bound them together. "Ouch, that speaks volumes, are you trying already to get rid of me?" he quipped, the yet hanging in the middle of them like a small promise. Not of break up but opportunity. "are you indirectly calling me delicious?" he messed with her, taking a bite of his own slice, mimicking her actions. "One thing this neighbourhood does right is their pizza"

[fadinglights]

“exactly  what  kind  of  attitude  makes  someone  worthy  of  tattoos?”  she  inquires,  a  sense  of  genuine  amusement  colouring  her  voice.  “well,  you  don’t  exactly  seem  like  the  type  to  cause  trouble,  but  it’s  not  really  a  good  idea  to  leave  it  up  to  someone  else  to  decide  what  to  put  on  your  body  forever.  what  if  you  end  up  regretting  it?  it’s  so  painful  to  undo  them,  trust  me,  you  wouldn’t  want  to  find  out.”  countless  individuals  regret  their  own  decisions,  and  relinquishing  autonomy  to  another  person  only  invites  potential  catastrophe.  “it’s  not  the  only  thing  that  caused  the  break-up  —  living  together,  but  i  guess  it  did  accelerate  the  process.”  she  remarks  with  an  air  of  nonchalance.  her  ability  to  speak  so  casually  now  stems  from  months  spent  digesting  her  emotions  and  focusing  on  her  own  growth.  she  shrugs,  not  wanting  him  to  worry  about  her  when  the  initial  reason  she  agreed  to  spending  time  with  him  was  that  he  looked  like  he  could  use  some  company,  not  vice  versa.  “it’s  better  to  find  out  sooner  than  later,  right?”  just  as  trees  shed  dried,  yellowed  leaves  to  make  way  for  new  growth,  she  holds  the  belief  that  life  operates  on  similar  principles.  "not  yet."  she  playfully  quips  as  she  studies  him  with  narrowed  eyes,  her  tone  evidently  light-hearted.  admittedly,  she  has  experienced  her  fair  share  of  romantic  misfortunes,  but  a  promising  intuition  pervades  her  being  and  she  can  only  hope  that  her  instincts  prove  true.  "regret  over  pizza?  never.  life  is  far  too  short  to  deny  yourself  something  so  delicious."  she  takes  a  bite  of  the  slice  before  her,  marvelling  at  the  explosion  of  flavours  on  her  palate.  "it's  so  good."

it's not the way i look, per se, just the way i act, don't feel like i have the attitude to hold them' not that venturing into tattoos was exclusive to having attitude, could be soft, loud, noisy, quiet, chill people and further more, he was just not sure how we would fit into all of that. her tone surprised him, he haven't been thinking about the tattoo lately, he had forgotten completely what was he's exact reasoning behind the decision, yet he hadn't seen it from that perspective. he never wanted to be a bother to anyone, let alone someone he was paying for a service. 'oh shit, really? i never thought of it that way' he would have been genuinely happy with anything at that time, he had been careful on closing someone with a style he wanted, minimal lines and intricate touches, yet he hadn't fantom how terrible of a decision making it was. somehow thankful for his own cowardly, happy to have avoided a disruption. he was ready to listen to her speak about herself this time, or not, whatever she was ready to give him. he was not gonna pressure into anything, not when they have all the time in the world to roam through details and stories. if that was something they're interested in. yet he couldn't help but hold his breath at her admissions, trailing every word carefully, like someone inspecting valuable art. not wanting to say the wrong thing. 'you tried it, right? not your fault it didn't work, coexisting with each other, lingering all the time. not every couple is ready for that or even wants it' was it something he wanted? he hadn't had that experience, never passed the test in the eyes of her ex, she would willingly stay over at his home for only a few matter of hours and viceversa. he knew some couples lived like that, in separate beds. he could see the benefits of it. and yet...he could help but wonder what making a home would feel like. sharing a life to the full extent. 'oh, definitely the pizza, you wouldn't regret me, right?' he flirted back, trying to seem confident about it. would they be the type of people who like to share their lives? was him too much?

[fadinglights]

“you  wouldn’t  look  silly  with  them.”  she  partially  comprehends  why  he  may  believe  that  his  aura  doesn't  harmonise  well  with  body  art.  however,  tattoos  are  embraced  by  individuals  from  all  walks  of  life,  not  solely  those  conforming  to  stereotypes.  “really?  you’re  going  to  let  the  tattoo  artist  do  it  freestyle  —  on  the  entire  arm?”  it  is  when  she  rubs  her  temple  in  a  pause,  now  thankful  that  he  didn’t  go  through  with  that  decision.  “that’s  silly  —  and  way  too  much  pressure  on  both  yourself  and  the  tattoo  artist.”  in  her  younger  years,  she  would  have  cherished  encountering  someone  so  open  to  experimentation,  only  to  learn  from  experience  that  this  can  easily  engender  a  recipe  for  disaster.  while  people  are  free  to  indulge  in  impulsive  changes  like  overhauling  their  wardrobe  or  embracing  a  new  profession,  tattoos  do  not  share  the  same  malleability.  their  permanent  nature  renders  them  ill-suited  for  impulsivity  or  indecisiveness.  although  she  hadn't  intended  to  divulge  so  much  about  her  past  relationship  on  this  particular  occasion,  it  appears  that  the  natural  flow  of  conversation  has  taken  them  in  that  direction.  discussing  her  past  no  longer  brings  the  same  anguish,  yet  it  remains  an  unpleasant  topic  to  delve  into.  not  because  she  perceives  it  as  an  invasion  of  her  privacy,  but  rather  due  to  her  desire  to  avoid  allowing  negative  emotions  to  linger  longer  than  necessary.  “yes,  for  four  months.”  she  shifts  her  feet  uncomfortably  on  her  feet,  indicative  of  her  creeping  unease.  “it  tells  you  a  lot  about  a  person  —  the  good  and  the  bad.  in  the  end,  it  just  didn’t  work  out.”  it’s  better  that  she  found  out  then  instead  of  later,  however,  before  her  blind  hopes  took  her  even  further  and  made  the  fall  harder.  casting  a  loving  look  at  the  feline,  she  looks  back  at  him  with  bafflement  when  he  raises  the  unexpected  question.  “what  would  i  be  regretting?  flirting  with  a  cute  guy  or  ordering  pizza?”  she  gives  him  an  incredulous  look,  but  it  is  obvious  that  she  is  only  joking  with  him.  with  deftness,  she  cleanses  her  hands  using  the  towelettes  provided  with  the  delivery,  proceeds  to  slice  the  pizza  into  portions  and  claims  a  piece  for  herself.  “let’s  dig  in.”

'pain doesn't strike me, just..looking silly, i guess? you look amazing, like they had always belong to you, that's why i didn't even flinch at them. me...for the other part...i don't know, can't imagine how i'd match them' he served, hugging himself for a few second, contemplative. he wasn't truly aware of how he looked for other. he tried very hardly not to think how other would perceived him, yet when it came to those decisions, changing something about his image strike him. 'oh, i was gonna do a full sleeve, let the tattoo freestyled' not sure if that was the response she was looking for, but it was the truth. he didn't mind what exactly would be drawn, as long as it spoke to him at the time of the creation. he wasn't good at deciding, so letting the other person chose didn't trouble him at all. at the assurance she was alright with the idea of the kitten, he smiled entirely, happy he had finally picked that date to trash her whole apartment down to the bare minimum, letting it free of the past. for all the hurt and pain that he had entailed in the failed relationship, he was somehow thankful for today. a good break of the solace he had felt in the last few days. her following words however catch him off guard, seeing himself reflected in her somehow was a strange sensation. she felt strong, firm. not like she was sobbing like him through the four walls of her apartment. yet, amidst that fog, he could finally have a sense of her persona. she had retained that information for the right time, letting him spoke of his own experience first, letting him realm free in his pain, only to admit her own with precision. he was thankful. 'you had to move? did you lived together? sorry if that's way too intrusive' he questioned where were their boundaries. not long ago, completely strangers. now not only exchanging their stories but wishing to create one of their own. could be too much, yet life had given him many burdens, not much time to enjoy his days. so now that he could, he was gonna take any chance he could. he let yet another smile through his lips, nodding at her words at the sight of the food, and then, going to the kitchen to prepare the meal for ashie. 'don't worry, i have yours...right...here' he spoke, positioning the plate on the floor, only to join the girls seconds after. 'so...we are alright? sure you're not gonna wake up tommorrow regretting all?'

[fadinglights]

“what  held  you  back?  the  pain  or  that  you  might  end  up  regretting  it?”  she  asks,  cognizant  of  the  manifold  reasons  why  someone  might  opt  against  a  tattoo  the  last  minute,  having  witnessed  such  instances  firsthand.  out  of  sheer  curiosity,  she  proceeded  to  ask.  “what  did  you  want  your  tattoo  to  be?”  for  a  person's  choice  of  tattoos  often  serves  as  a  telling  manifestation  of  their  cherished  values,  be  it  their  life's  aspirations,  cherished  memories,  or  an  homage  to  a  beloved  individual.  as  he  finishes  entering  his  contact  details,  she  retrieves  her  phone  from  his  grasp,  her  countenance  instantly  alight  with  a  smile  upon  noticing  the  feline  emoji  appended  to  his  contact  name.  ineluctably,  she  finds  herself  contemplating  the  striking  resemblance  he  bears  to  a  cat  —  initially  timid  and  reserved,  yet  genuine  and  endearing  once  one  manages  to  venture  closer.  "i’m  not  worried."  still,  her  expression  is  infused  with  gratitude  for  his  support.  she  isn’t  a  worrier  in  most  cases,  preferring  to  seize  the  moment  and  allow  the  unfolding  of  events  to  transpire  at  their  own  pace.  while  some  might  perceive  it  as  impulsivity,  to  her,  it  is  the  very  essence  of  spontaneity  and  unpredictability  of  life  that  make  it  so  enchanting.  "i  get  it."  she  nods,  her  heart  sinking  under  the  weight  of  his  narrative.  "a  breakup  is  never  easy."  she  comments,  punctuating  her  words  with  a  pensive  pause.  “i  just  got  over  mine  not  too  long  ago  —  it’s  why  i  moved  here.”  initially  disinclined  to  divulge  her  story,  it  only  seems  fair  to  reciprocate  his  authenticity.  perhaps  this  is  why  he  never  noticed  her  before,  since  she  was  nothing  but  a  shadow  of  herself  a  few  months  ago.  "for  now."  she  repeats,  her  face  adorned  with  a  cryptic  smile.  who  knows  what  lies  ahead?  having  expressed  her  gratitude  to  the  delivery  personnel  for  their  service,  she  closes  the  door,  placing  the  plastic  bag  upon  the  table  before  starting  to  unpack  the  paper  boxes.  "oh,  it  looks  so  good."  she  chuckles  as  the  kitten  leaps  onto  the  chair,  its  paws  placed  impatiently  upon  the  table.  “too  bad  it’s  not  for  you  though,  buddy.”  

'that's fascinating' tempted to get closer and trailed the ink down her arms he step a little closer, just to recoil a few second before the realization of how much of a creep he could look like stunned him. 'i envy you, i tried to get one once but...i chicken out, not sure my body is made for tattoos' he confessed, still admiring the drawing on her skin. he wasn't knowledgable in art, yet he surely appreciated beauty. and he was honest, he didn't think he could match the look of them. cardigans and ink weren't usually combined. he was a bit lost in thoughts as she spoke again, making him flinch with the touch of her hands only for him to have a phone given to him mere seconds after. how had they crossed the threshold and get there? exchanging phones away. he wasn't sure, yet he put in his name along with a cat emoji on her contacts. 'all done, send me a text and i'll know it's you, haven't maet any other new people' he really didn't mind about timing, he was often spending his free time on the clinic anyway. she could tell she was thinking, the machinery in her head roaming over. tehui wasn't sure what kept her thoughts alive but if there was anything he could help with, he would. 'don't worry about ashie, everything will be alright, i can help' he assured, drifting his eyes to the kitten, now chewing a toy playfully. yea, they were gonna be okay. the girl seem to have the attitude to take care of someone. not that he had put thought into that. well, maybe a bit, thinking how well she would fit in his lifestyle. at least as a friend. he liked caring people. he hadn't have much of that in his life. he enjoyed the gentleness and attention to detail they often had. along with her work, she seem someone to rely on. 'it didn't ended well' he vowed, adding softly, as that would corrupt the flow of the conversation so far. 'we weren't...in love, we just needed each other in different ways, and that doesn't hold a relationship' he wouldn't know, been the only one he had ever had, yet he was sure love had to be in the mix, somewhere over company and mutual appreciation, there must have been love too, right? he appreciated her words, smiling with tenderness, glad he could put his thoughts into words and not feel judge. 'we can take our time' he assured, nodding along, loosing a bit of the shakiness he had. 'we can just be two neighbors...attracted to each other, for now' he added, nodding once more, convincing more himself than the girl. the interruption didn't wen unnoticed. a lousy thunder in the middle of the echo of their voices 'great' he simply said, not sure if he was glad or disappointed about the intrusion.

[fadinglights]

"yeah,  i  design  them."  jia  nods  with  a  glimmer  of  pride  in  her  eyes.  "i'm  not  the  one  who  tattooed  them  on  myself  though,  it  would  hurt  too  much  for  me  to  focus.  but  now  tattooing  others  is  what  i  do  for  work."  she  didn't  grow  up  aspiring  to  be  a  tattoo  artist,  only  stumbled  upon  it  one  day.  as  an  art  student,  it  is  a  rather  satisfying  occupation  all  things  considered.  to  her,  the  act  of  transmuting  personal  significance  into  indelible  marks  upon  the  flesh  is  meaningful  work  —  an  art  form  teeming  with  liveliness,  unlike  static  paintings  confined  behind  museum  glass.  "great."  she  clasps  her  hands  together  in  anticipation,  before  she  hands  her  phone  over  for  him  to  type  his  number.  "i'll  send  you  a  text  then.  my  lunch  break  usually  starts  at  12:30.  sometimes  a  session  might  be  overrun,  but  i'll  try  to  get  there  asap."  before  she  gets  to  the  pet  adoption  paperwork  though,  she'll  have  plenty  of  shopping  and  research  to  do  since  it  has  been  a  while  since  she  has  last  taken  care  of  a  pet.  fortunately,  she  lives  by  herself  now,  so  there  is  no  roommate  that  she  has  to  discuss  with  first  before  making  the  decision.  she  cannot  help  but  smile  with  amusement  when  he  fumbles  over  his  words  again.  it  is  an  interesting  combination,  her  straightforward  attitude  juxtaposed  next  to  his  timid  nature.  "i  know."  even  though  she  hasn’t  acknowledged  it  verbally,  it  is  obvious  enough  that  he  is  dealing  with  the  aftermath  of  a  breakup  when  they  stumbled  upon  each  other.  she  finds  him  fascinating,  the  way  his  shyness  sometimes  holds  him  back  yet  his  his  unguarded  confessions  remain  refreshingly  sincere.  when  she's  asked  about  her  reasons,  she  cannot  exactly  articulate  what  has  drawn  her  to  him.  "it's  a  secret."  she  divulges,  a  tantalising  hint  of  revelations  yet  to  be  shared.  she  didn't  expect  things  to  accelerate  when  she  agreed  to  hang  out  over  coffee,  she  just  thought  it  seemed  like  he  needed  company  and  she  could  be  it.  "i  don't  want  you  to  feel  pressured  into  anything  you're  not  yet  ready  for.  we  can  just  take  our  time."  or  not  —  her  eyes  widen  from  the  premature  confession  that  slipped  off  his  lips.  "are  you  sure?"  her  blossoming  smile  already  betrays  the  fluttering  of  her  heart,  before  the  doorbell  chimes  and  disrupts  their  conversation.  "ah,  it  must  be  the  pizza  guy.  i'll  get  it."

he smiled, utterly contempt with the reply. he watched her silently, his gaze tracing the intricate lines of ink that adorned her skin like a map of her past. each tattoo told a story, a narrative of moments lived and experiences embraced. he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration, tinged with a hint of envy for her bravery in wearing her history so boldly. so, he remained silent, lost in the poetry of her tattoos, his heart quietly yearning to unravel the mysteries they held. 'shit, did you make those?' he finally replied, feeling like had taken years to come to the realization. if they weren't hers, at least she was hinting at them been part of the job. there weren't many other answers than a tattoo professional. he should have gather that information on his own, yet he didn't look so closer, taking the ink on her skin as part of her assemble. 'you have a...' date 'deal' he finished, swallowing down his words, trying to slow down things a bit. he had already somehow get her to adopt a random cat, he wasn't about to throw himself at her too. yet he couldn't help but wonder if they weren't already dancing with each other in some way. he could be dense, and he was surely not the best at flirting, his first and only relationship happening more for the interception of his friends than his own doing. he found himself caught in a labyrinth of uncertainty, his mind a chaotic maze of conflicting emotions. every interaction with his neighbor left him questioning the nature of their connection, unsure if their exchanges were mere pleasantries or the subtle dance of flirtation. he analyzed every word, every gesture, searching for hidden meanings and elusive clues. yet, in the end, he remained paralyzed by his own hesitation, unable to decipher the enigma of their relationship. and so, ready to continued to tiptoe along the delicate tightrope between friendship and something more, he stopped in his tracks by her next words, utterly astonished. 'how...' he questioned everything. why him? with the mess he was, he couldn't phantom the idea of someone been interested in him. 'how do you want me...?' he started, realizing late what he was saying 'no, i mean, why...would you want me im-' he was just an ordinary boy, unremarkable in every way, or so he believed. yet, there she was, with her gentle smiles and fleeting glances, offering him glimpses into the depths of her admiration. he couldn't fathom the reasons behind her interest, couldn't unravel the mystery of her attraction. 'i have to say...those...those things...the flowers, the letters, the stupid teddy bear, that is my past relationship' he tried to quickly explained, 'im not trying to discourage you, the opposite, actually. im very much attracted to you...shit this is not going well for me isn't it...' he really needed to get his thoughts together before she left him 'im just saying i might...not be in the best mindset yet...but i would love to try, i like you'

[fadinglights]

"i'm  saying  it  because  the  compliments  are  all  accurate."  jia  responds  with  a  serious  expression  before  her  facade  cracks  and  a  light  laugh  stumbles  out.  as  he  questions  her,  she  gazes  down  at  her  forearms  decorated  by  intricate  tattoos,  all  designs  hand-drawn  by  herself  before  she  has  a  trusted  artist  ink  them  on  her  skin.  each  drawing  carries  a  different  meaning,  cherished  souls  that  she  keeps  close  to  her  heart.  "want  to  take  a  guess?"  she  asks  with  an  encouraging  smile.  "great!  should  i  drop  by  on  tuesday  at  lunch  hour  then?  i'll  buy  takeout  for  us  to  make  up  for  having  you  work  overtime."  while  adopting  a  pet  has  always  been  at  the  back  of  her  mind,  she  definitely  doesn't  have  it  on  her  agenda  today,  but  the  surprise  is  thoroughly  welcomed.  "that's  really  thoughtful."  things  weren't  the  same  when  she  adopted  her  first  pet  —  or  more  accurately,  when  her  parents  did  many  years  ago.  it's  a  considerate  gesture  that  she  can  imagine  being  appreciated  by  the  hopeful  new  pet  owners.  looking  up  from  the  fluffy  creature,  she  can't  help  but  smile  at  the  sight  of  his  wide  eyes  and  crimson  cheeks.  while  she  can  be  naturally  flirtatious,  sometimes  it's  more  intentional  than  others.  her  head  tilts  to  the  side  as  her  gaze  lingers  on  him,  before  she  finally  parts  her  lips.  "maybe."  she  settles  on  a  vague  response.  "it  can  be  if  you  wanted  it  to."  she  leaves  it  up  to  him,  not  wanting  to  pressure  him,  though  his  flustered  state  reveals  enough  about  how  he  feels.  running  into  him  when  he's  only  starting  to  get  over  a  breakup  is  terrible  timing  and  potentially  catastrophic  depending  on  how  far  this  will  go,  but  she  can't  deny  there's  a  palpable  attraction  between  them.

'you're just saying that because i showered you with compliments, still...thank you' he chuckled, still believing in every word he had said. again, easy to tell she was a kind human, simply the way she carried herself when it comes to others seemed to comply with that. he couldn't help but wonder about her life, the only notion for him right now was that they had somehow ended in the same complex of apartaments, and their preference to throw the trash at certain hour. yet everything else was a blur, even though she was right there in his living room, now the proud owner of the kitten he was taking care of. destiny was a rare thing. her words only left more curiosity go his way, the word booked accentuating the deal. 'sorry for been nosy, but what is it you do? and launch it's alright, i'll be at the clinic most of the day anyway' he had way too many things to take care of tomorrow, but he was glad to add the adoption as one of them. 'oh, we usually give away a care package for adoptions, food for the first two months, a cat bed, small blanket, things like that' he explained, a simple thing he had implemented right before he started the job, wanting to incite more people on adopting, the beginning being often the hardest time. but he couldn't help his heart skipped a beat as he listened to her talk about preparing her apartment for a new pet. it was thoughtful and quite adorable. 'ashie...I like it," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. liking her spontaneity and creativity. looking at the small creature, she could easily be an ashie. 'do you like it' he bubbled, making his voice sound more acute, like he would talk to a baby, watching the small furr with tenderness. he felt a flush of embarrassment at her boldness, petrified to look at her, he stand his ground while looking at the tiny animal. his heart, still tender from the wounds of his past relationship, fluttered uncomfortably in his chest. he wasn't accustomed to such direct attention, especially not after the emotional turmoil he had endured. 'im...i....' utterly stunned, he dared to gaze at her, trying to decode her words, as simple as they seemed, he wasn't good on taking hints. 'are we flirting now?' he asked, feeling crimson covered his whole face by the second.

[fadinglights]

jia  wears  that  she  wasn't  fishing  for  compliments,  but  she  certainly  doesn't  mind  receiving  them  in  abundance.  "see?  you're  a  pretty  good  judge  of  character,  which  also  makes  you  great  at  what  you  do."  although  gentleness  and  kindness  may  not  be  qualities  people  associate  with  her  at  first  glance  due  to  stereotypes  about  tattoos,  all  it  takes  is  a  radiant  smile  for  her  bright  energy  to  shine  through.  now  that  the  elephant  in  the  room  has  been  acknowledged,  her  curiosity  about  his  recent  breakup  arises.  however,  she  knows  better  than  to  burden  him,  understanding  that  time  is  the  best  remedy  for  heartache.  "yes,  you  made  it.  congratulations  on  proving  your  teachers  wrong."  she  nods,  feeling  a  sense  of  pride  on  his  behalf  for  his  achievements.  "oh,  wait."  she  retrieves  her  phone  from  the  counter  and  checks  her  schedule  again.  "i'm  actually  almost  fully  booked  until  the  end  of  the  week.  maybe  i  could  drop  by  during  lunch  or  something  —  if  only  that  wouldn't  be  too  much  trouble  for  you,  of  course."  her  smile  carries  a  hint  of  apology.  since  people  choose  their  tattoo  artists  based  on  artistic  preferences,  she  can't  simply  cancel  and  have  someone  replace  her  at  the  last  minute.  "but  rest  assured,  i'll  be  visiting  pet  stores  every  night  to  make  sure  my  apartment  is  as  ready  as  it  can  be."  this  may  mean  cancelling  some  plans  with  her  friends,  but  priorities  are  priorities.  surely,  her  friends  would  understand  and  be  overjoyed  to  hear  about  her  decision,  as  it  means  they'll  soon  get  to  meet  the  adorable  ball  of  fluff  as  well.  "must  be  your  lucky  day,  then."  she  quips,  or  maybe  it's  hers.  she  jokes  before  casting  an  affectionate  gaze  at  the  cat  once  again.  studying  the  soft  grey  fur  of  the  animal,  she  gently  pets  its  head  as  she  contemplates  an  answer.  "ash...  ashie?"  naming  a  pet  is  never  an  easy  task,  but  she  usually  prefers  to  trust  her  instincts  rather  than  overthink  it.  "it's  cute,  right?"  leaning  forward  to  be  closer  to  the  cat,  she  touches  its  nose  in  a  light,  playful  tap.  "almost  as  cute  as  you."

his eyes shifted with nervousness, not really knowing how to respond without sounding like a pathetic soul. yet he couldn't help but think of the girl as a kind person, reveating in the memories where she had speared his own embarrassment even though it was clear enough that he was trashing out a whole relationship in the dumpster earlier. 'you pretty much made me feel good about having my whole past relationship on the floor, even though you could have easily turned away and get to your apartment without looking back' he started, exhaling in the middle of his saying like someone running a marathon 'so, you're caring, you're empathic...you're gentle...and you clearly are keen on cats, given the excitement you had as soon as i opened the door' he finished, without knowing how to filter his own words. he wouldn't admit it for one minute, but his sort of attraction for the girl had also play a little bit on his decision making. despite that, he was sure she had what it took to take care of the small being. and regardless of that, he wasn't kidding when he said he would continue looking after the fluff from afar. 'it took a little bit more effort but, we still got here, right?' the trouble was nothing more than past now. sometimes, he wonder if his life could've been easier if he was an extroverted person. if his relationship would've triumph, is his parents could've been more proud. but it didn't matter how much effort he would put into his interactions, he couldn't help his nature demeanor. 'yes, nice' he stumbles, knocking himself with the point of the table. he deserved even more pain than that to be quite honest, he was an utter mess in front of the pretty girl. the shy boy felt a flutter of warmth in his chest as he listened to her reassuring words. Her lighthearted response and genuine smile put him at ease, easing the tension that had been coiled tight in his stomach. 'thank you' he mumbled softly, his voice barely above a whisper. he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards her for being so understanding and supportive. and as she mentioned her work schedule and the possibility of taking time off to go to the clinic, he couldn't help but feel a rush of anticipation. the idea of spending more time with her filled him with a sense of joy that he hadn't felt in a long time. 'that would be great' he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement. 'again, thank you, it's not every day that i find so easily someone to adopt' he assured, petting the tiny creature. feeling his soft furr through his fingers. 'do you have a name in mind?' given that it was the question that had lead them to de adoption, he found it conveniente to ask it now, being the girl the one with the new rights of naming.

[fadinglights]

jia  nods,  finding  his  explanation  reasonable  enough,  though  part  of  her  quietly  wonders  if  he  has  always  been  so  trusting  given  how  it  can  both  be  a  blessing  and  a  curse.  “and  what  type  of  person  would  i  be?”  she  asks  with  a  quirked  eyebrow  teasingly,  before  a  small  chuckle  almost stumbles  out. she  nods  slowly  to  his  response,  thinking  about  how  much  she  leaned  on  her  own  vet  before  in  moments  where  difficult  decisions  had  to  be  made.  “that  doesn’t  sound  fair  though…  all  that  should  matter  is  you  take  good  care  of  the  animals  and  are  kind  to  people.”  even  though  he  may  not  find  himself  to  be  the  best  with  people,  he  exudes  a  gentle  and  authentic  energy  that  most  find  trustworthy.  “...  nice?”  she  suggests  when  he  seems  to  run  out  of  words,  trying  her  best  to  stifle  a  laugh  in  reaction  to  the  speechlessness  that  she  successfully  caused  before  she  takes  another  sip  of  the  coffee  he  made.  it  might  be  cruel  to  admit,  but  it  is  almost  too  endearing  to  watch  him  fumble  for  words.  “great.”  she  proceeds  to  place  the  order  afterwards,  “all  done.  it  shouldn’t  take  long.”  or  she  truly  hopes  so,  considering  now  her  hunger  is  much  more  apparent  after  the  mention  of  food.  “it’s  okay  —  i  told  you  i’d  help  you  get  used  to  it,  didn’t  i?”  she  responds  lightheartedly,  though  the  reassuring  smile  she  offers  is  as  genuine  as  the  first  one  she  gave  him.  “i  have  work  tomorrow  so  it’ll  probably  be  too  late  when  my  shift  is  off,  but  i’ll  see  if  i  can  get  tuesday  or  wednesday  off  to  go  to  your  clinic  for  the  papers.”  the  prospect  of  adopting  a  pet  that  she’s  fallen  for  at  first  sight  thrills  her  and  her  anticipation  is  almost  contagious.  

'usually you do, but i know the layout of your house is similar to mine and the rent you pay...so that part is settled' he explained mindlessly, not fearing he could sound like a downright creep in the middle of it 'and...usually we judge personality by a set of questions, and i think i already have a good idea of what type of person you are' finally glimpsing at her, shame pouring through him by the awkwardness of his explanation, should he had just gone through the usual procedure? instead, he sounded like he was trying to smitten her. mortified by the prospect, he did a mental note of trying to talk less. or think better. but the next words caught him of guard, letting a breezy smile fell through his lips. 'im not good with people, which ironically is something important in the career. we're not only trating animals but also their owners, so yeah...they weren't super keen on my introversion' he was thankful still for her kind words, at least he knew know that he wasn't completely throwing all his chances with her up the window. did he wanted those chances? coming so fresh out of his ex? but he couldn't help it, he had been drawn to the girl from the get go, something pulling him in. his self-consciousness only emphasized with his abashment. he fumbles for words, his tongue a prisoner of his own insecurity, his hands clammy with the sweat of anticipation. he knows he must seize this fleeting moment, this fragile chance to bridge the chasm between them, but the words elude him like ghosts in the night. 'im...im sure you have, but this one is...this one is...' perfect, he completes in his head, a clumsy attempt at charm, but it falls flat, landing with all the grace of a lead balloon. he welcomes the interruption of her taking the coffee, deflating like a high school boy with the inability of summoning courage. his cheeks flushed with embarrassment, struggling to articulate the simplest of preferences. the very notion of choice, of asserting his own will in matters so trivial yet significant, seemed foreign to him, like a language he had long forgotten. 'that last one...patty on top, seems good' he finally breathes, like it had taken all his efforts. he was pathetic 'sorry...im not really used to...well, this' deciding, talking to girls, making sure they were comfortable. his past have been lead by others, it was never really him who have taken any chances. this was foreign to him, yet he was astonished by the circumstances.

[fadinglights]

"is  it  really  that  simple?  i  thought  you'd  have  to  arrange  a  home  visit  or  something  along  those  lines." she  asks,  her  eyes  filled  with  curiosity.  while  she  knows  that  she  does  appear  to  be  a  great  fit  for  the  kitten,  she  has  expected  the  procedures  to  take  a  little  longer  given  her  experience.  not  that  she  was  the  primary  applicant  when  she  got  her  first  cat,  given  how  young  she  was  then.  "how  could  they  hate  you?"  they  have  just  met,  but  he  exudes  a  gentle  energy  that  she  cannot  help  but  be  drawn  to.  she  narrows  her  eyes  in  suspicion.  "you  don't  seem  very  hateable  to  me."  she  comments  frankly,  speaking  from  her  perspective  only.  she  could  remain  preoccupied  by  embarrassment  from  the  warmth  that  has  crept  up  on  her  cheeks,  or  she  could  focus  on  his  flustered  state.  without  a  doubt,  she  is  choosing  the  latter.  amusement  flickers  in  her  eyes  once  again  from  his  stream  of  compliments,  and  she  flattens  her  lips  to  suppress  a  chuckle.  "it's  okay."  she  echoes  at  last,  her  tone  intentionally  nonchalant  though  a  hint  of  playfulness  runs  under  the  surface.  she  leans  her  head  to  the  side,  as  if  in  deep  contemplation  for  a  second.  "i  have  cuter  pyjamas."  is  she  blatantly  flirting  now  or  is  she  purposefully  flustering  him  for  her  own  entertainment?  maybe  both.  she  grabs  her  coffee  from  the  table  then  and  takes  a  sip  —  it's  on  the  too  hot  side,  but  she  refrains  from  flinching  for  the  sake  of  keeping  her  composure.  "really?"  she  asks,  noticing  the  curious  faltering  of  his  voice.  "i'm  thinking  of  either  hawaiian  pizza  or  margherita..."  she  scrolls  down  on  the  menu,  before  something  else  catches  her  eyes.  "their  special  has  cheese  and  patty  on  top  though...  sounds  tempting."  she  may  be  rather  decisive  in  some  arenas  of  life,  but  picking  what  to  eat  isn't  one  of  them.  "i'm  indecisive  —  you  should  help."

his eyes brighten suddenly at the admission, always a hard job to find people caring enough to adopt, he couldn't believe his own luck in one night. the act of throwing his past relationship away a mere convenient player in today's events. he extends his hand, shaking the other's with enchantment 'lucky me and lucky...her' pointing at the small kitten, glad he found someone fitting to get her out of the clinic. 'we can take care of the papers tomorrow if you have any time, a simple sign and she'll be yours' usually, it took a few more steps in the way. going to the potentials caregiver's house and doing a list of protocol questions. still, he somehow trusted her, living close to her was also a given clue of the future whereabouts of the small fluff plus she had been nothing but amazing so far, even willing to be discreet with the whole ordeal of the fatal sequence that gad lead to their meeting. he knew right away they would be a perfect pair. the excitement on her face at seeing the tiny creature a mere proof of that. 'thank you, not that it was my own forte. my teachers hated me, but i loved animals way too much to care' he admitted, reminiscent of his old days at university. the effort that had taken him to finish at a somehow fast pace. turning to the kitchen, he starts the coffee machine without a trace of doubt, echoing her words with a pleasant smile. remembering how his diet had been taken over by his ex-girlfriend, he found the combination an ironic act of rebellion. a mere proof that the past has been more than buried. or so he thought. taking a few cups, he fills them up with beverage before going back to the living space, smiling away when the kitten decides to find comfort at his foot. 'i...i thought they were cute' he blushes, surprising himself with the admission. 'not that you're not cute now, it's...it's okay...anything you wear' he mumbled, letting the cups at the table, thankful to have something else to do than embarrassing himself. he stands in the glare of interrogation, the simple question of what he wants to eat a revelation. every meal, every choice, every moment, had been somehow dictated by his past relationship, her cravings, her demands. he had surrendered his autonomy willingly, drowning in the illusion of love, suffocated by the weight of expectations. so he stammers, his words stumbling over the debris of his shattered self-esteem. 'whatever...whatever you want' he cannot understand the notion of choice, cannot fathom the idea that his opinion matters.

[fadinglights]

jia's  countenance  brightens  at  his  response  and  she  swiftly  rises  to  her  feet  to  face  him.  "looking  for  an  adopter,  you  said?"  she  inquires,  extending  her  hand  for  a  handshake,  her  hopeful  smile  reminiscent  of  a  job  interview.  "maybe  you've  just  found  the  perfect  candidate."  having  fallen  in  love  with  the  kitten  at  first  sight,  she  believes  it  is  worth  exploring.  is  this  an  act  of  fate  or  merely  impulsive  behaviour?  not  quite.  the  notion  of  welcoming  a  new  pet  into  her  life  has  been  lingering  in  her  mind  for  quite  some  time.  "a  vet?  that's  amazing."  she  exclaims.  "that's  what  i  would've  chosen  if  academia  had  been  my  forte,"  she  jests,  playfully  poking  fun  at  her  own  lack  of  scholarly  achievements. "sounds  like  a  winning  combination  to  me."    she  grins,  asserting  her  right  to  choose  since  it  marks  her  first  meal  of  the  day.  after  waking  up  with  a  hangover,  she  had  spent  the  majority  of  her  day  engrossed  in  household  chores  before  immersing  herself  in  the  creation  of  new  tattoo  designs,  losing  herself  in  a  reverie.  a  hint  of  bashfulness  accompanies  her  movements  as  he  appears  to  take  notice  of  her  change  in  attire.  it’s  one  of  her  simple  go-to  outfits:  an  off-shoulder  top  coupled  with  a  pair  of  light-washed  denims.  "did  you  think  i'd  show  up  in  my  pyjamas?  that  would  be  borderline  rude."  not  that  she  has  a  problem  with  anyone  doing  it,  but  it's  simply  her  personal  preference.  seeking  to  divert  her  attention  from  the  warmth  creeping  onto  her  cheeks,  she  deftly  retrieves  her  phone  from  her  pocket  and  opens  a  food  delivery  app.  "now,  a  very  important  question:  pineapples  on  pizza  —  yes  or  no?"

he smiled at the tenderness in which she moved towards the blob of furr, glad that his own nervousness was just a passenger on the sidelines for the time being. 'she doesn't have a name yet, she's waiting on someone to adopt her' he explained, getting close to the pair with cautiousness, looking and the flurry animal with fondness. 'im a veterinarian, she came in a few days ago and we've been treating her' he couldn't phantom the idea of letting the animals alone in the sterile clinic, which meant he often had an array of creatures in his apartment, which hopefully his landlord would never found out about. 'coffee and pizza?' he asked with a playfull small, not utterly opposed to the idea though, often carrying strange meals in the rare hours he worked on. 'i haven't eaten, no. we can do what you want, im up for anything' he added, his gaze falling on her and her clothes. had she change outfits? he wasn't sure, yet the idea of her arranging herself to go to his house let a giddly feeling on his stomach.

[fadinglights]

filled  with  anticipation  to  meet  her  neighbour's  cat,  the  man's  nervousness  and  worries  go  unnoticed  by  jia.  she  quickly  heads  towards  the  couch  to  spot  the  fluffy  animal,  tentatively  reaching  to  stroke  the  kitten  under  the  chin  and  smiling  proudly  when  the  animal  yields  under  her  gentle  pats.  "have  you  named  her?"  she  asks,  already  enamoured  by  his  pet,  and  it  seems  that  her  sentiment  is  returned.  she  doesn't  mean  to  brag,  but  she  is  adored  by  all  of  her  friends'  pets  so  far.  while  she  is  far  from  a  loner  and  possibly  the  most  extroverted  among  her  closest  friends,  she  often  prefers  the  simple  company  of  animals,  and  it  is  a  sentiment  echoed  by  many. "so,  you  said  you're  making  coffee?"  jia  asks,  her  gaze  drifting  back  to  him  with  a  soft  smile.  "have  you  eaten  yet?  i was  thinking  about  ordering  pizza  earlier  since  i  found  some  coupons  when  i  was  tidying  up  my  drawers."  her  day  off  has  been  rather  ordinary  so  far  —  she's  planned  it  that  way  since  she  intends  to  sleep  till  noon  after  her  friend's  birthday  party.  she  hadn't  envisaged  that  it  would  take  such  an  unexpected  turn  when  she  left  her  apartment  earlier.

he smiled, nodding softly with his head at the change on her demeanor. at least he didn't seem to have to worry about any apathies towards his line of work, the young girl seemed excited about the prospect of animals. or well, at least cats. 'yea, a very tiny fluff' he had being slowly taking care of them and their recover, unable to feel easiness leaving them all alone in the clinic, he had taken the small job of taking them everywhere with him. which meant now his apartment was flooding with cats toys. 'fifteen minutes. great' a pinch of feared went through him, unsure if the girl was ever gonna come back. but he had to start trusting again. vicious cycles he had so often gotten used to at his now-old relationship. he ran towards the house. and before she could come back, he move through it meticulously, a flurry of activity as he polished every surface to a gleaming shine, or at least as well as he could within the time frame. each stroke of the cloth was infused with a quiet determination. as he swept away the dust of neglect and disarray, he started to panic while the clocked continued to pass, still afraid of the girl being a no show. yet the knock on the door appeared, a potent mixture of excitement and fear that threatened mixed in his veins. 'always on the couch, seems to be her spot' he answered, leaving space for her to entered to the now somehow-polished house.

[fadinglights]

"a  kitten?"  her  features  brighten  into  a  beam  as  she  clasps  her  hands  together  in  sheer  excitement.  "say  no  more."  she's  almost  beginning  to  wonder  if  the  stranger  has  a  curated  list  of  her  greatest  weaknesses,  seeing  that  she  loves  animals  and  cats  are  her  favourites.  suddenly,  she  remembers  the  laundry  that  she  still  has  to  throw  into  the  dryer.  "i  just  have  one  last  chore  to  finish  —  how  about..."  she  trails  off,  calculating  the  time  she  needs.  "i  join  you  in  fifteen  minutes?"  she  proposes,  bidding  a  swift  goodbye  before  she  heads  back  to  her  own  apartment.  moving  as  quickly  as  possible,  she  manages  to  handle  her  laundry,  changes  into  more  presentable  clothes,  and  polishes  herself  with  light  makeup  in  the  span  of  minutes.  it  doesn't  take  long  for  her  to  show  up  at  his  door  with  a  knock.  an  anticipating  smile  hanging  on  her  pink  lips,  a  toy  in  one  hand  and  a  snack  in  another.  "so,  where's  the  kitten?"  with  the  habit  of  interacting  with  the  strays  in  the  neighbourhood,  she’s  more  well-equipped  than  most  people.

a playful glint in his eyes and a chuckle dancing on her lips made way. not really minding the casual banter and teasing. at least he had been able of turning a sad and miserable situation into a funny one, even if it was as his expense. as they navigated the corridors, the inevitable conclusion of their unexpected interaction loomed in his mind, a specter of uncertainty that he couldn't quite shake. yet, his expectations were upended when it was him who seized the reins this time. happy to still have some type of bravado in his veins. he waited cautiously to the response, fearing he had crossed any irreparable boundaries. however, he exhaled at the reply, letting his dread poured away. 'i would love to treat you to a professional's coffee, but i have to go back home to take care of a kitten, if you don't mind the company' he assured, hoping the girl didn't have any apprehensions with the offer.

[fadinglights]

"maybe i should help you get used to it, being a good samaritan and all." she playfully suggests with a chuckle, unable to resist teasing him despite her initial intention to spare him. as they make their way inside, she contemplates the inevitable end of their unexpected interaction. however, she is pleasantly surprised when it's the introvert who takes the initiative and asks her for a coffee first. without much hesitation, she nods enthusiastically. "are we heading to the café, or are you making it?" she disregards her sensitivity to caffeine in the evening hours, knowing that decaf is always an option. with the fluorescent lights now illuminating the corridor, she suddenly becomes painfully aware of her outfit — an oversized t-shirt, a pair of sweatpants, and her hair tied in a loose braid — a casual choice that she wouldn't typically opt for when spending time with someone she finds attractive.

he couldn't avoid the crimson tint expanding while the girl spoke, his embarrassment only growing bolder by the seconds. and yet, despite the clamor of his inner doubts, a flicker of determination stirred within him, urging him to take the leap into the unknown. her playful comment tugged at the corners of his lips, a shy chuckle escaping him as he fumbled for words. 'pretty introvert overall, it doesn't help to have a pretty girl beside me' he stammered, his gaze flitting nervously away before returning to meet hers. Her suggestion to head back inside offered a welcome reprieve from the intensity of the moment, and he nodded eagerly, grateful for the chance to escape the chilly night air. 'yes, of course' with a shy smile, he gestured for her to lead the way, his heart racing with the thrill of her company. long forgotten the trace of the past he had left at disposal. somehow, he didn't want to end the encounter right there. so he took his last chance, like the stupid man he was 'does a coffee right now sound good?'

[fadinglights]

noticing  the  blush  tinting  his  cheeks,  she  reciprocates  the  smile  and  quietly  admires  how  utterly  endearing  he  looks  in  that  moment.  it's  a  captivating  combination,  really,  his  charming  appearance  and  the  subtle  shyness  that  manifests  as  a  rosy  hue  on  his  cheeks.  when  he  manages  to  fluster  himself  once  again,  she  can't  resist  the  urge  to  make  a  playful  comment.  "is  this  how  you  usually  act,  or  is  it  only  when  you’re  around  pretty  girls?"  she  jests,  a  glimmer  of  amusement  dancing  in  her  eyes  as  a  light  chuckle  escapes  her  lips.  "we  should  probably  head  back  inside.  it's  quite  chilly  out  here."  she  suggests,  rubbing  her  exposed  arms  in  an  attempt  to  shield  herself  from  the  cool  night  breeze.  normally,  she  doesn't  linger  outside  for  long  after  discarding  her  trash,  so  she  hadn't  thought  to  bring  a  cardigan  along.

he smiled, appreciating her efforts of appeasing the situation. trying not to recoil at the idea of this been the first encounter with anyone. at least the box was a representation of the good moments, the bad only living in their shared minds for the rest of his days. 'well, it's not really how i would approach a pre-...a girl' a pretty girl, he corrected, feeling himself utterly blushing at his thoughts. he didn't know if it was the stupid desire of retaliating her ex for getting over him so quickly or the clear beauty the other held in her hands, but he couldn't help but feel giddy at the introductions they were exchanging. 'well, look at us just two good samaritans recycling their shit' he slapped himself mentally, wanted to wrapped himself on a blanket and hide away. he just couldn't have a normal interaction couldn't him. 'i mean, not that your stuff is shit...i meant' he tried to fix it, only feeling like more of a loser. 'i don't know what i meant'

[fadinglights]

she  watches  silently  as  he  discards  his  final  belongings,  recognising  the  profound  significance  behind  the  seemingly  mundane  action.  releasing  the  past  is  a  necessary  prerequisite  for  embracing  the  future.  making  the  conscious  choice  to  leave  behind  memories  marks  the  initial  step  towards  healing.  “it’s  a  funny  place  for  introductions  but  it’s  nice  to  meet  you,  tehui.”  she  would  be  horrified  to  be  seen  in  her  defeated  state  fresh  out  of  such  a  painful  endeavour,  so  she  is  doing  everything  she  can  to  lessen  his  discomfort.  “what  are  you  apologising  for?  taking  out  the  trash?”  she  jests,  suppressing  a  chuckle  and  dismissing  his  concerns  with  a  casual  wave  of  her  hand.  “i  was  doing  some  decluttering  myself,  too.”    she  interjects,  tossing  her  own  plastic  bag  into  the  bin.  not  of  the  same  nature  as  his  today,  but  she  did  the  exact  same  thing  not  too  long  ago.  letting  go.  

the dimly lit alley didn't make justice to the girl. her presence seemed to illuminate the room, casting a spell that left him momentarily breathless. with each graceful movement, she exuded a magnetic charm that drew him in, her every gesture a symphony of elegance and grace. 'thank you' he whispered, still gathering the scattering pieces on the box, taking the last blurry photograph of the pile and ending the job by finally throwing the cacophony of shattered dreams on the closer trashcan. he glanced at her, utterly surprised by the admission. two months was still too long not to notice her, yet he couldn't blame himself for being blinded by love. summoning his courage, he approached her with a tentative smile, his heart pounding with anticipation at the prospect of introducing himself. 'im tehui' taking her hand softly, shaking in even more gently. in that fleeting moment, amidst the thrum of excitement and nervousness, he had forgotten about the debris of his past. 'again, sorry about this...is not a representation of my usual routine, just had to...let go of some things'

[fadinglights]

"don't  worry  about  it."  jia  offers  a  gentle,  reassuring  smile,  knowing  that  a  glimmer  of  kindness  might  be  what  he  needs  for  the  day,  or  evening,  to  be  precise.  sensing  the  man's  discomfort  from  being  seen  in  such  a  vulnerable  state,  she  latches  on  to  the  opportunity  to  change  the  topic  for  the  sake  of  his  ease.  she  nods,  confirming  his  statement.  they  acknowledge  each  other  in  passing  with  a  friendly  nod  and  greeting  here  and  there,  never  moving  past  brief  phrases.  "i  moved  in  two  months  ago."  when  she  was  a  fresh  mess  like  he  is,  so  it  is  particularly  easy  to  identify  with  his  pain,  even  though  she  doesn’t  mention  it  for  the  sake  of  his  sanity.  "oh,  i  never  introduce  myself,  do  i?"  it's  inconsistent  with  her  contagious  personality  —  which  often  comes  as  a  surprise  given  the  impression  the  elaborate  tattoos  on  her  arms  may  give  —  but  she  is  a  shadow  of  herself  when  she  first  moves  into  the  residential  building,  too  preoccupied  with  the  excruciating  heartache  to  pay  attention  to  anything  else.  "i'm  jia."  she  extends  her  hand  in  a  friendly  gesture.

lost in the melancholy of nostalgia, he failed to notice her presence until it was too late. the contents of his burden spilled onto the ground, a cascade of tokens from a past life scattered at their feet. embarrassment flooded his cheeks as he scrambled to gather the remnants of his shattered history. yet, as he glanced up, he was met not with disdain or pity, but with a gaze of unexpected kindness. her words, spoken with a sincerity that pierced through his defenses, washed over him like a balm to his wounded spirit. 'it's okay...thank...thank you' In that vulnerable moment, amidst the debris of a love long gone, he found himself captivated by the beauty of her. long forgotten the discarded trinkets and faded photographs, he recognize her slightly from a few sights, wondering how he had never notice the attractiveness. 'shit, sorry about this, im a mess...' tehui spoke shyly, grabbing the stupid teddy bear quickly, certain he couldn't have made a worse first impression 'i've...i've seen you before' he acknowledge, urging to change the subject, even though the remains where still on the floor.