Welcome to Gaia! ::

Holding the paper in her hands, she waited at the cafe for the other party to appear. The neko was looking for a new place to stay, since her old apartment had been flooded. Living on the bottom floor had been such a convenience until then. Sighing, Jaiya sipped at her chai tea, curled up on the couch, legs tucked under her. The other, Natalia, was supposed to meet her here to discuss the terms of the apartment. A roommate. Jaiya never had one before.

Frowning at her tea, she blew on it more. It was still too warm. She didn't like it ice cold... but she couldn't stand it hot. It was quite a pickle. It was hard to make tea at room temperature fast. And got her weird looks. Sighing, she set the tea on the table, refusing to touch it until the steam stopped wafting off of it. Instead, her eyes moved to the cafe doors, wondering if each patron who walked in was Natalia or not.
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Dread filled every pore as Natalia approached the cafe. A roommate. A shudder overcame her. Honestly, she would rather just live on her own. If she could. The rent was getting too high to live on her own now. She couldn't possibly afford to live on her own now. Not without moving which she absolutely refused to do.

At least she could have some standards in who she roomed with. What a blessing.

Her eyes searched for her perspective roommate as she entered the establishment. What did she look like? Natalia inwardly curse, fishing out her phone and sending a quick text to the nightmare. She should have asked for some sort of photo.
WC: 114

A text. Jaiya uncurled from her position, grabbing her phone from the coffee table. A text from the potential roommate. Eyes moving up, she looked around for a phone, eyes bright with nerves but excitement. What was her new roommate like?

She sent a quick text in reply and watched for someone to immediately check their phone. Her eyes zeroed in on the fallen, a small smile coming to her pouty lips.

"Over here," she called in a husky voice, waving a hand towards the bright fallen. She curled her feet under her on the couch, tail wrapped comfortably around her.
WC: 101

She didn't need to know who made her phone buzz within her pocket. Nor did she need to know the contents. Natalia was pretty sure she knew what it entailed. Her new roommates response. Well---potential roommate.

She looked over towards the bakeneko and flashed them a light smile, waving back. She seemed pleasant enough. Lime green eyes stopped on the bushy tail. How---interesting. She wondered how it would feel stroking it. It wasn't unusual to see others with tails that were out of the norm nowadays but..she couldn't help the thought of possibly touching it someday.

Ah, she was getting ahead of herself. Natalia's face fell as she directed her attention over to the barista, giving them her order. There was no telling who this person may be. A bushy tail wasn't going to solve any roommate disputes that may come up. Or dictate what the person was like. She sighed, steeling herself and walking over to the darker nightmare. "Hello, I'm Natalia." She offered her hand for a shake and stared, expectantly. There was a lot that could be told from a handshake. "I presume you're Jaiya?"
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Jaiya's head tilted slightly, staring at the hand, before she extended her own and grasped firmly but very briefly. After that, she moved to grab her warm cup of tea, staring at the fallen beneath thick lashes. "Yes, that would be me," she murmured with a small smile, soaking up the warmth of the cup. Why did cafes always have to be so chilly? Of course, Jaiya was rather sensitive to the cold but still.

Ears flickering, she moved a hand away from her cup, gesturing to a spot next to her on the couch, moving her tail a few inches tighter around herself. "You're much prettier than I expected," she mused huskily over her tea as she took a sip. "I suppose we should cut the small talk, though. I don't like loud music. Or company over. I prefer a peaceful life," she pointed out in a near purr.
WC: 150

Interesting. Natalia lowered her hand. This Jaiya didn't seem to be one who was used to formalities. The fallen filed that bit of information in her head for future use. "Pleasure to meet you." Although she'd rather not. If she could afford her apartment without a roommate then she wouldn't even be here in the first place. At least she seemed...calm enough.

Green eyes traveled towards her hand and reluctantly took a seat next to the bakeneko. She'd rather be across from her. Not beside her. It was too casual for a stranger. She wouldn't be able to evaluate her motions clearly from the side. How annoying.

She straightened her skirt. "Thank you," The mention was weird. Why did looks matter? Did she sound that prudish? Jaiya wasn't what she expected but she didn't comment on it. Best to not make an enemy out of someone who she might be living with. Even if she already seemed slightly problematic. Natalia exhaled slowly. It wouldn't be too bad, think on the bright side.... "I'm not a loud person, you don't have that to worry about." she waved a hand and eyed her. "I can't promise that company won't be over. I do have friends." she tried raising a sympathetic brow. "But I promise that they'll be out of your hair. I don't have many friends that are rambunctious." A small smile graced her lips. "I do prefer to live a life of peace."
WC: 242

Jaiya considered the potential roommate, eyes watching her over the brim of her cup. She does have friends, hm? A small smile bloomed on her face. "I'm good with keeping up with rent. I have a steady job. And I generally keep to myself. I think I will be a perfect roommate," she murmured easily, without an ounce of shame at the slight boast.

"I'll sign the contract when you're ready," she continued, already deciding on her own that they would live together. There was no reason to reject her, after all. "Tell me a bit about yourself? What are you majoring in, Natalia?" she asked in her sultry voice, tail uncurling a bit, accidentally brushing against Natalia. She only drew it back to her a little bit.
WC:128

Jaiya was good with keeping up with rent. That was a relief. Natalia still wished that there was some sort of proof that she could check out. Like talking to past roommates and landlords. Unfortunately, that was impossible. And she couldn't be picky. Not at this time.

"What's your work?" she asked, curious. Having a steady job was vague. That could mean many things, including illegal activity. Something that she didn't want to associate with. At least she'd keep to herself if things went awry. "I do like being on friendly terms with my roommates." If she was going to have one, it might as well be someone that she wouldn't mind hanging out with for a few hours. Prepping meals for only herself proved daunting when recipes were typically for more than one person.

"The contract will wait for another day. I don't have the paperwork with me." This was a simple meet up after all. One of the fallen's eyebrows rose. "Don't you want to tour of the place before signing on?" Even though she couldn't be picky about a roommate, she wasn't going to lead someone into a living situation that they might not enjoy. "You can sign the paperwork then."
At least she seemed interested in getting to know each other. "I--" she paused momentarily as she felt something light brush up against her and looked down. That---that was soft. Was that accidental or was her new potential roommate trying to flirt with her? It wasn't like she apologized. Nor did she move that temptation away. Natalia cleared her throat and looked up at Jaiya. She couldn't get distracted; that was rude. "I already graduated," a smile came to her lips. "I majored in law with an emphasis in child psychology. What's your major? I assume you're still in college?" Natalia tried not to show her disappointment. A college student wasn't going to make much money. Sure, she recently graduated but....she knew that struggle with making enough money. Was still struggling to make ends meet in her internship. which was was she was here. But Jaiya didn't need to know that.
WC: 355

"I'm a graphic's designer for a magazine," she told her easily, smiling as she tilted her head slightly. Friendly terms? "Have you had a roommate before, then?" Jaiya asked the fallen curiously. Nodding, it made sense to wait another day. Surely the fallen wouldn't carry papers with her, why had the bakeneko assumed such? The idea of touring the place had her perk up a bit, ears twitching. "A tour would be nice," she replied breezily, eagerness well hidden. She had been ready to sign up for any rat hole. A graphic designer at the magazine company was nice and steady... but didn't pay well to live alone. And from home.

She blinked in surprise as the fallen said she graduated, tilting her head again. "Oh. I had assumed... you look rather young," she amended with the briefest of smiles. "I've graduated from Grendel a few years ago," she mused before stretching, legs coming off the couch. "I'm about done with my tea. Would you like to take a walk?" she purred as she stood up, large tail still resting a bit on the couch.
WC: 185

Natalia's eyes widened. Wow. Someone had money. "For a magazine huh?" She wouldn't have to worry about Jaiya not having enough rent. Nor would she have to worry about food. And power. It begged the question---why did someone who made a lot of cash need a roommate?

"I wouldn't call them a roommate. But I did attend the academy with another person staying in the same room." They didn't mesh well together. It wasn't a bad thing---but it wasn't great either. Natalia had spent many nights alone in the library because she didn't want to deal with confrontation. Needless to say, she didn't want a similar situation.

Great, she could do a tour. Natalia's smile widened. "I assume you know the address?" It was listed on the advertisement. But did Jaiya remember or keep the ad? She doubted it. No one hoarded documents like she did. Natalia assumed that nothing was kept. "I'm free the whole day." Fortunately. Usually she didn't get a day off as an intern. There was always work to be done.

"Looks can be deceiving." Although, Natalia was a recent graduate, she couldn't help but be a bit flattered. "But I imagine we aren't far off in age. I received my diploma last year." It had taken her longer than the "usual" four years to graduate. Law was a daunting enough subject. Adding the child psychology emphasis just made it longer. The two subjects weren't the most compatible.

How could she forget? Her coffee was still sitting on the counter top! Natalia stood as well and looked at her potential roommate sheepishly. "I just need to grab my drink." At least she had ordered it to go. "A walk sounds lovely." Just in case she needed to pull out from being Jaiya's roommate. The more information she was able to obtain, the better.
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Jaiya nodded along as she gathered her phone and bag. There were many questions she wanted to ask and she really wanted to get to know this bright, sun like fallen. A hallowed fallen, judging by the other set of wings. The bakeneko wasn't one to judge; she, too, was a hallow with her pupils and overly large fluff.

"I'll meet you by the door, Natalia," she murmured in her throaty voice that was practically purring her name, tail swaying behind her as she made her way through the coffee shop to wait in the said spot. She had a lot of work to do. But, that could wait. It was the nice thing about setting her own hours. As long as she made her deadlines, it was fine.
WC: 129