nishka//loki (nishka) wrote in paxletalelogs, @ 2017-04-23 14:13:00 |
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Entry tags: | aphrodite, loki |
And I don't want the world to see me
Who:Aurora and Nishka
What: Aggressive friendliness
Where: Pax
When: Very Backdated, Sunday, March 19, 2017
What: Prompt thread.
Aurora was staying home today on a lazy day, had soaked her hands and feet earlier and was doing more primping and cleaning later. So a lazy and vain day, but that was pretty normal for her. So she could be forgiven for not checking her mail until nearly dinner time, and was a little surprised to see the same woman getting delivery that she had seen..Several times the past week doing just the same thing.
Now she didn’t consider herself nosy, or to be the interfering type. Some people called her a busybody, sure but she thought herself to be more aggressively curious about the world (the people) around her. So what if she kept quiet and only slightly judgement tabs on the people around her and their habits, she meant no malice in it. So when her inner tally dinged about the woman who was very pretty obviously not in the best of moods and not properly taking care of herself she did to her what seemed most logical and stepped in front of her after the delivery man left, “Now dear, all this oily food is going to get you nowhere pleasant quickly, I don’t believe we’ve met,” She extended one soft, manicured hand, “I’m Aurora Nasseri, I’d love to help better than this,” She waved a hand over the food, “Than this could.”
Nish had been laying low ever since getting out of the hospital, only leaving her apartment when she had to. Her mistake that led to her bumping into Abel on St. Patrick's Day notwithstanding, she'd managed to avoid most people and retreat from the world into the cocoon of her apartment with a minimum of trouble.
The few times per day that she left her apartment were usually to collect her ordered takeout dinner; since she rarely cooked for herself and hadn't been out to buy groceries in over a week it was her only option. Sometimes she let the delivery guys come to her, but occasionally she used it as an excuse to stretch her legs, check her mail. This time she'd just been standing by the door, watching the sun go down with tired eyes.
She was dressed in loose yoga pants and a long sleeved t-shirt, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun. Her skin hadn't seen makeup in over a week, and her time in the hospital and recent lack of sunlight had given her a half-starved look. She accepted the food from the delivery guy with a muttered word and then turned back to the elevator, only to almost run right into a nosey goddess.
She was everything Nish wasn't anymore. Beautiful, healthy, well-kept, confident, chatty, outgoing. Part of her was extremely annoyed, and the other part was jealous. “Excuse me,” she said, trying to avoid the woman with the healthy glow, retreat back to her sanctuary.
The woman was a mess, but there was a beauty underneath that. Aurora had always had a way of finding those sorts of people, and was the sort of personality to appreciate their shine even when they weren’t exactly glowing. Some just needed help clearing the rust out, as it were.
Whatever this woman’s issue was, Aurora was going to help. She liked to look out for her fellow women, especially when she had been a mess so recently herself, and if there was any expert on healthy self-love and self-care within a 100 mile radius it was definitely her.
So she stood her ground, “There are few excuses for the state you are in, but I’m sure yours is reasonable enough,” She gestured to the woman with a look that aimed for compassion but fell a little short and landed in offended at her appearance, “Come up to my apartment, I’ll make you something healthier but lighter, less grease and help you get back on your feet.” It wasn’t so much an offer as a demand, she had that habit.
She had no idea who this woman was, having never seen her before, but her flat insistence caught her off guard. Nish’s normal self-confidence had been crippled in the hospital, to the point where she was finding herself often doubting her own decisions. So when this woman was nitpicking her food choices and her first reaction was to brush her off and retreat to her apartment like she'd intended, she again felt that uncomfortable doubt, looking down at the brown paper bag in her hand with a frown.
“Uhhm…” she said, glancing at the other woman nervously, part of her wondering if this was a trap, but the other newer part of her being easily led away by the other woman.
To be quite frank, Aurora was used to plowing people over or otherwise people just giving into her demands. It was something that came oddly easily even before she learned how to keep her temper in check and the art of manipulating people beyond just smiling at them. So she was able to transition smoothly to hooking her arm with this woman who, for all intents and purposes, was a stranger and begin pulling her towards the elevator.
“Now, my name is Aurora, and I am quite sure we are going to become friends.” People weren’t usually gray on Aurora, they either adored her or loathed her, but she had a good feeling about this, “You don’t have to tell me what’s got you in such a state, I’ll still help nonetheless don’t you worry Miss…?”
“Nishka,” she said automatically, allowing herself to be led away. Her eyes caught Stephan's at the front desk and he gave her a little nod and a grin, silently assuring her that Aurora wasn't about to murder her or something. “I'm not good at friends,” she admitted. Not anymore, anyway.
“A pleasure, Nishka, what a lovely name!” It was genuine too, she delighted in unique features and names and while she was the catty type to give fake compliments out of spite this was not one of those instances.
She smoothly took the greasy Chinese food out of Nishka’s hand and dropped it in the trashcan outside the elevator just as the doors opened. Nish’s mouth opened to protest the loss of her beloved General Tso’s chicken, but she was pulled into the elevator by the other woman. Aurora stepped in smoothly without missing a beat, “Socializing is one of my best talents of many, that and being a bit of a ham. Some say that is a fault, but I prefer not to listen to people I disagree with.” Her hand reached out to press on her floor, not even asking which one Nish was on.
Nish's eyebrows rose. “If only it was that easy,” she said, more to herself than to her companion. That was the problem, wasn't it? People judging her, assuming that the diary pages Abel had posted were true. She didn't have to listen to people if she already knew what they thought of her.
Even a month ago, knowing that other people thought nasty things about her wouldn't have bothered her in the least. But it seemed as if...while the drugs hadn't succeeded in killing her, they had managed to kill her self-confidence.
Aurora cast her eyes to the side, giving the other woman a critical examination, trying to build a profile for her in her own mind like she would a character she was playing, or even someone she was about to debate. The woman was a mess to say the least, with layers of mess going on that she was intrigued by, a curiosity that was only slightly stronger than her empathy.
She had always been drawn in by strong emotions, normally that just pertained to the passions like love, creativity and even anger, but this still pulled her in like a moth to a too bright bulb.
“It’s either that, or drown in it unfortunately.” The elevatordinged when it stopped on her floor, and Aurora kept her arm hooked to Nish as she stepped out towards her door as if afraid the other would bolt.
Nish frowned slightly. A shadow of her old self wanted to laugh at the comment, but right now it rung true for her far too much. She was drowning in it. Or she was. Now she was lying on the beach gasping for breath after being pulled from the sea, salt water stinging her lungs. In answer she gave an almost imperceptible nod, not really trusting herself to speak just yet, and followed the other woman dutifully to her door.
Aurora unlocked the door, stepping into her apartment with a welcoming sweep of her arm to her guest even as she stepped out of her shoes. It was a wonder really, that her feet weren’t more calloused than they were with her propensity for going barefoot.
“Mi casa, su casa.” She shut the door behind Nish and made her way towards the kitchen, setting her purse down on the counter before opening the fridge, “How about something fun eh? Pasta with light sauce and veggies.” Aurora’s father, perhaps would not be pleased with her letting a stranger into her home could rob her blind, hurt her or any number of terrible things. But she took hospitality seriously, that was her abuela’s and mother’s doing, and she still believed (for the most part) that phrase about building a longer table when you have more than you need--and she did indeed fit into that category.
Nish drifted through the apartment, looking around her with mild interest and feeling extremely out of place in this stranger’s home. She followed Aurora into the kitchen, hugging herself for lack of anything else to do as she watched the other woman putter around with an energy that just made Nish tired looking at it. Then again, as the owner of a brand new heart condition, everything made her tired these days.
“Uhhm,” she glanced around herself hesitantly, “look, you don’t have to do this,” she said, finally finding it in herself to protest this woman’s kindness.
Aurora only paused for a moment, having already pulled out a pan and a pot along with a handful of veggies but hadn’t started dicing them yet. She gave Nish her full attention though, having always thought highly of that particular courtesy though she slipped often, “It’s not about having to do anything, it’s about looking out for your fellow human, or especially your fellow human.” At that she starting cutting up a medley of veggies, putting together relatively simple dinner that would require little fussing but also little grease in her head.
When she was finished she dropped them in a stir fry pan on low heat before turning back to her guest, “You want a glass of water, juice..?” Aurora nearly offered her wine, but instinct told her not to and she was one to listen to her gut when it came to people.
Nish watched the other woman effortlessly prepare food for them, a skill she had never really been able to master. She knew a few recipes, but most of the time she ate out or relied on the simplest dishes to keep herself fed. Rafe also enjoyed feeding her, though she couldn't and wouldn't rely on him to do that all the time.
“Uhhm, sure,” she said to the question of a drink, somewhat glad that she hadn't offered alcohol. She had started to go to meetings, but she wasn't sure that she was strong enough to refuse alcohol that was offered to her.
She drifted over to the counter next to Aurora, watching her preparing the food and suddenly feeling as if she should be doing something. “Do...you need me to do anything?” she offered, though she was sure she'd be much help.
With a quick and easy pivot Aurora stepped smoothly back to the counter and retrieve a glass before before getting Nish a glass of filtered water from the fridge. She set it down in front of the other woman with an easy smile before going back to cutting veggies.
Lined eyes with meticulously applied shadow glanced up at Nishka before shaking her head, “No ma’am, you’re a guest, anyway, between me and you,” Aurora leaned in like she was sharing a secret, grin warm and merry, “This is pretty simple, but I’m good at it, and it’s healthy, I’m vain like that. In case you didn’t notice.” She winked at her, trying to help her relax and loosen her up.
Another pivot so she could put a dollop of rosemary infused olive oil into the pain and turn it to medium heat before turning back to the cutting board so she could pick it up carefully and scrape it all into the pan, only losing a small piece or two on the stove in the process.
A rubber spatula was pulled out from a nearby drawer so she could start stirring them, “Now, I’m going to give you a basket of the loveliest skin and bath things, you’ll love it. Happiness and relaxation is a whole self venture you know.” It wasn’t a request, more of a statement of fact leaning towards a demand on the first part. Which, incidentally was how many things came out when she said them.
Nish’s eyebrows rose a little and she took a sip of water. Before...the hospital, Nish had taken pretty decent care of herself. She’d spend time on her hair in the morning, and makeup, though most of the time it was understated and light. Moisturiser when needed. But after...it was the last thing on her mind. She couldn’t actually remember the last time she’d washed her face outside of the shower. “I...thanks…” she said, a little dubmstruck. “Do you do this for all of your neighbours?” she asked. A part of her had given up trying to protest this strange treatment and had just accepted the situation for what it was. So she’d run into someone who was strangely kind. She’d accept the kindness, even though at the moment she felt like the last person in the world who deserved it.
Aurora gave her guest a wry smile even as she stirred at the vegetables, “No, I am given to strong bouts of selfishness truth to tell, but women need to stick together through whatever kind of heartbreak.” She was insanely curious about what had gotten to Nishka so badly as to leave her in such a state, but was also patient enough to let it come out on it’s own. The woman’s heart had clearly been broken however, romantically or otherwise.
“Not to mention I take retail therapy to a new level, so gifts to you won’t leave me deprived, I assure you.” Self deprecating jokes were not her usual forte, but Aurora knew her faults well enough to make them at times. She left the veggies alone for a moment so she could fill the pot with water and set it to boil, adding in a capful of oil and salt in the process.
Nish felt a small smile tug at her lips, though just barely. She watched the woman work for a few more minutes, drifting forward as the smells started to entice her closer. She pressed her hands flat against the counter as she watched, her water between them. “You’re so put together,” she said quietly, watching the other woman. “I can’t even cook pasta without ruining it,” she said with a self-deprecating laugh. She frowned, and then looked up at her. “How do you do it?” This wasn’t anywhere near what was bothering her, her inability to cook had never been an issue for her. But...right now it was just one of the many shortcomings that were starting to gnaw at her, drawing attention to her general failure at life.
Aurora smiled at her as she got plates down from one of the cabinets before switching to grab herself a glass of orange juice. She considered how to respond to the woman’s question carefully, especially considering the state she was in and how that was probably the main thing that inspired her to ask it. By default she delighted in propping herself up, but this was of course not that sort of instance, “To be honest I can only cook a few dishes well by memory, and I tend to stick with those.” A couple of forks and napkins in hand she stepped over to the dining room table with place mats set down for their plates and coasters for the glasses, “I also have dietary restrictions, so my list of possible meals isn’t long. When you look at it that way it’s not that impressive.” Aurora smiled at her guest as she made their plates, gesturing for Nishka to follow as she set them down at the table.
“I’m sure most days but recent ones you’re more put together than you can see right now.” There was a confidence and level sincerity in her statement that said she believed it without being over the top which instinct said was the best way to reach her.
Nish followed her and sat at the table, looking at the food like it was some kind of miracle and allowing a smile. “Well, thank you,” she said, digging in. The food was excellent, and she found herself relaxing a little in the other woman’s presence, taking it as a nice break from fast food and loneliness.