RL with Azula: Date

[papillio_tempestatis]

The streets of Hunghung were as busy and crowded as ever, the cacophony of market noises almost too loud to think. Butterfly hoped Azula didn't think she'd missed her in the crowd and get swept up in looking for her; if that happened they'd probably never find each other, not unless Azula did something incredibly stupid.

She had to admit to being a little nervous; Butterfly didn't have dates very often, and she'd never asked Heather to her world in any way that would bring her out in public - she was only risking it with Azula because she could at least pass as a native under casual inspection. She hoped it didn't make a bad impression. At least she'd managed to find a place to eat that was somewhat off the main streets where the noise wouldn't be too intrusive and they could hear each other talk.

Butterfly took another glance at a nearby sundial. At least Azula would be here soon, and she could attempt to stop worrying quite so much.

Comments

[embersandashes]

Butterfly wasn't the only one who was nervous-- not only did Azula not go on dates very often, she wasn't quite sure she'd ever been on one at all. She'd only had one relationship in her life, and it hadn't started through dates.

Azula moved through the crowd easily, but it was chaotic, and she too wondered if they'd simply miss each other. Hopefully that wouldn't happen. Hopefully nothing would go too horribly wrong. Hopefully Butterfly was standing in one place, to make her easier to fi-- ah, good. There she was.

Azula approached her, stopping several feet away and giving her a polite nod.

"Jiá Xuan."

Was that too formal? Probably.

[papillio_tempestatis]

"Azula!" Butterfly smiled, coming over to her. "I'm glad you made it."

Azula's formality made her hesitate, but after a moment she held out a hand, deciding she was probably just nervous. After some of the things she'd heard other community members say about Azula, she wouldn't have been surprised if she didn't have many dates, either.

"You didn't have any trouble finding me, did you?" she asked, looking concerned. She didn't know if Azula's world even had big cities like Hunghung, even if it sounded similar to the Empire.

[embersandashes]

Azula clasped her hand instead of shaking it, a compromise between formality and friendliness. "Only a little. I think I looked for about ten minutes."

[papillio_tempestatis]

Butterfly smiled, giving Azula's hand a gentle squeeze. "That's good to hear. You may want to stay close to me; you do not have papers, so if you get caught by yourself and your presence is questioned there could be... trouble."

Not that she doubted much that Azula was perfectly capable of dealing with the guards, but she didn't much like the idea of outright killing them and even if she was comfortable with it, it could make trouble for everyone.

"Anyway, how have you been?" She turned as she spoke, intending to start leading Azula toward the restaurant.

[embersandashes]

Luckily, Azula had her worldhopping feather, and these days she was at least diplomatic enough to try to escape that way before she considered killing another world's guards-- especially when that world belonged to someone that she had just asked out on a first date.

"Busy," she responded, following Butterfly. "Working, as usual. Lisa still isn't happy about it, even after two years, but she's accepted it. Luckily, visiting a lot has helped with that, as has taking a class at a local college."

She paused. "And you? How is your... family?" She knew Butterfly had a father and a younger sister, but that was about it.

[papillio_tempestatis]

It struck Butterfly that she didn't really know that much about Azula's family. Or much about her life in general, in fact, though it sounded fairly happy from what little she did hear - or at least, not unhappy.

She glanced away when her own family came up. She couldn't recall whether she'd ever actually told Azula about what had happened to her father, but she didn't really want to think about it. "Lotus Blossom and I are fine. I'm afraid I haven't seen Father much since we left Bes Pelargic."

[embersandashes]

Azula was in the same boat about the majority of Butterfly's life. For example...

"Bes Pelargic? Is that your home?" She felt a little stupid about needing to ask that, but she hid it well. "You haven't talked about your life very much. I'm afraid I only know a little about it." Of course, it was very possible that that was exactly how the other girl wanted it.

[papillio_tempestatis]

"Oh! Yes, it is. Well, it was. We moved away a few years ago." She smiled a little. "It's amazing how much I can get away with, actually - most people tend to regard anyone from Bes Pelargic as being liable to be a little odd. I suppose neither of us has talked about our lives that much, have we?"

She rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. Perhaps that last hint was a little blatant, but it wasn't like Azula was particularly subtle most of the time. If she didn't want to talk about something, it seemed like she either avoided it as much as possible or outright said she didn't want to discuss it. Butterfly was starting to realize how little she really knew Azula at all, considering.

thank you so much for being so patient with me on this <3

[embersandashes]

"So we're both in the same boat, in a way-- we moved away from our homes." Of course, Azula had moved away from her entire world, but she still felt it was at least somewhat analogous.

"Do you miss it? I suppose you must in some ways, but do you regret leaving?"

No problem! You can see I'm running slow myself.

[papillio_tempestatis]

"I suppose so." She smiled a little, but her face fell again at Azula's question. "... I do regret it, a little, but there were very good reasons for it. A few streets were destroyed in a... dispute between a couple of the warlords, and it became difficult to live in the city."

She couldn't remember if she'd told Azula the real personal results of the battle, but she wasn't going to go into it now. Well, not unless Azula happened to be keen enough to notice the way Butterfly avoided looking her in the face as she finished that sentence, or the way her fist clenched.

I should be better now that finals are over

[embersandashes]

Unfortunately for Butterfly, Azula did notice. But fortunately for Butterfly, she assumed that her discomfort was due to anger at the destruction of her city and the loss of her home. Azula could relate.

"Perhaps we should change the subject. I'm sure we can think of something more appetizing to discuss on a..." Date. Her voice trailed off.

Sadly, finals are happening for me now >.>

[papillio_tempestatis]

"Y-yes, perhaps so." Of course, now Butterfly had to come up with small talk and make herself stop thinking about what had happened. She brushed a hand through her hair absently as she led Azula into the restaurant.

She lowered her voice as she gestured around. "I thought a real restaurant might be best. There are street vendors, but some of them are... questionable. Er, if anyone asks, you're from the country and this is your first time in Hunghung. It should explain your accent." Not that she expected anyone to ask. Aside from this location, she'd picked this restaurant because the owner was friendly to the Red Army and unlikely to ask for papers.

ouch 8( good luck!

[embersandashes]

Azula gave a nod. "Understood."

The restaurant seemed nice; she made a mental note to try to remember to say as much later. Of course, she didn't have much to compare it to as far as restaurants from this world went. "Do you come here often?"

Thanks!

[papillio_tempestatis]

"I'm sorry if it seems odd, but... I'd rather not have any trouble if we can avoid it." She'd never even taken Heather on a date, or indeed anywhere outside, for fear that having a woman with hair that color around would start people asking questions.

"Occasionally, yes. I happen to know the owner." Butterfly smiled and held out a hand to Azula as they were led to a seat. "Do you have any idea what you want?"