| On the Way Home; Jingling all the way~ | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 30 2015, 09:38 PM (216 Views) | |
| MetalJimmor | Feb 6 2015, 12:33 AM Post #11 |
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Jing Li was surprised by the sound of the woman’s chuckle. It sounded rather nice, and was not at all what he expected from someone with her unusual articulacy. For a moment the tall man noticed that the woman was actually rather cute, something that had previously escaped his attention in the presence of potentially cheap food. Not to mention that off-putting fake smile of hers… He leaned in just slightly as she spoke about possibly not giving him the food for the asked price. A sudden flutter of worry crossed his mind. Maybe he had gone too far with his explanation? Oh no, I might not get the food after all! I should have said something about the trash can over there in the corner! Way to go, Jing Li. You blew it. “Oh!” He had truly forgotten all about introductions. “I’m… Jing Li,” he replied, suddenly unsure if he should reach to shake the lady’s hand or not. Was this a social meeting or all business? He wasn’t entirely sure. Just to be safe he unfolded his arms from across his chest and extended a hand for hers. “Nice to meet you.” He paused for a moment and retracted his hand, wiping it on his work shirt before extending it again. He just got off work, after all, and much of his body was at least a little sweaty even now. |
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| PeculiarLilliputian | Feb 6 2015, 01:37 AM Post #12 |
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Eyeing the hand in front of her, the green-eyed woman seemed to consider the situation for a moment. On one hand, denying him would be rude and potentially offend him, but on the other hand she would have to touch someone. Why are gloves not a required part of our uniform? She lamented internally, before reaching out to shake his hand. The vast size difference between their hands drew enough interest that she almost forgot how sweaty his was. Almost. "It is a... pleasure to meet you, Jing Li. You may refer to me as Mei, if you wish." Meizhen smiled at the tall man, the expression looking far more natural, albeit more mischievous, than earlier. "Would you consider it rude to inquire about yourself, Jing Li? Simple things, I assure you, such as what sort of work you do and how long you have resided in Republic City? And, of course, how often do you frequent Narook's Noodlery?" |
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| MetalJimmor | Feb 6 2015, 07:52 AM Post #13 |
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Jing Li’s oversized hand clasped around hers, and in that moment Jing Li became acutely aware of how tiny the woman was. He held her hand ever so gently as he shook it, careful not to squeeze too tight for fear of breaking her delicate little fingers. As she introduced herself he nodded. “Mei. That’s a nice name.” He released her hand and glanced to the side awkwardly. Hearing him compliment her name out loud just sounded weird. She smiled again, this time less unnerving and more suspicious. The sort of smile one gets before playing a prank. He raised a brow for a moment before retreating back to his normal expression, doing his best to keep his focus on what she was saying and not on his own misgivings. “Uh, sure. Ask away.” He was starting to feel like someone was playing a joke on him. Dangling cheap noodles in front of a hungry man then refusing him their life sustaining goodness. It was almost cruel. “Well.. I work at the construction site down the road. We’re building a building.” He nearly winced at his own awkward phrasing, but pushed on. “I’ve been living in Republic City for a few months now. And…” Jing Li paused, eyeing the girl for a long moment. It suddenly dawned on him that if he said he didn’t go to her restaurant she might take the noodles away from him. At the same time though, he didn’t want to lie. “… Not as often as I’d like. I don’t go out to eat much.” |
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| PeculiarLilliputian | Feb 6 2015, 10:25 PM Post #14 |
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Raising an eyebrow, the smaller woman looked almost taken aback at the compliment to her name. It certainly had been a while since she'd heard such a thing, after all. Quickly, her expression returned to one of vague mischief as she listened to the rest of his response. I was correct then... a construction worker, who likely makes less than he deserves. Staying silent as he finished, the green-eyed noodle peddler seemed to consider something for a long moment. She even went so far as to tap her chin, brow furrowed subtly in concentration. A large, physically capable man who appears to possess a generally enjoyable demeanor... his size would likely make him intimidating to most, which could be backed up by his strength... He could be quite useful to me. Or at the very least, an interesting diversion from most frequent customers... Smiling at Jing Li once more, Meizhen nodded and held the bag up to him. "I see... well, you have my belated welcome to the city, Jing Li. I hope it has lived up to your expectations sufficiently. As for this scrumptious meal, I shall gift it to you at an even more discounted price. You may take it without the exchange of money, so long as you swear to come by Narook's more often." Pressing the handles of the canvas bag into Jing Li's hand, she looked him over one last time, studying his response. "To provide you with greater incentive, I will offer to you an unusual arrangement. I am employed during the afternoons on weekdays, and evenings on Saturday. If you were to patronize the Noodlery during these hours, I would be willing to reduce or waive the price of your meals. So long as you do not inform your friends of this dealing, of course." |
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| MetalJimmor | Feb 9 2015, 09:05 PM Post #15 |
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Jing Li was more than a little surprised as Mei pushed the now free canvas bag of life sustaining food into his hand. He wasn’t sure what to say. He’d expected her to at least ask for three yuan in exchange for a full meal, even if he suspected there was something wrong with it that she wasn’t specifying. When she offered cheap or free meals if he were to show up at the restaurant more often his eyebrows raised just slightly. “I… Thank you. But I don’t understand. Is Narook doing some sort of promotional thing?” He had to admit, it was an effective business strategy. Sending out cute women with free food to compel men to come by the noodle shop more often. It was strange though, the few times Jing Li had ventured by Narook’s Noodles the place didn’t seem like that sort of restaurant. Still, this offer was too good to pass up. |
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| PeculiarLilliputian | Feb 9 2015, 11:22 PM Post #16 |
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Meizhen paused for a moment before flashing the bell-laden man a smirk. "Oh no, nothing like that. You see, Jing Li, I may be employed by Narook's Noodlery, and attempt to advertise for them... however this was purely my own doing." Her voice was back to it's usual near-monotone, although her expression remained amused. "I find you quite interesting, Jing Li. You appear very strong of character. In addition, I understand your predicament to some extent, and wish to assist you as a result." Pausing for a moment, the noodle-peddler looked over the giant of a man, studying his response before continuing once more. "Besides... I have yet to have a customer who jingles with each movement." |
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| MetalJimmor | Feb 10 2015, 12:58 AM Post #17 |
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Jing Li listened to Mei’s explanation, the look of surprise fading from his features. He nodded slightly when she finished speaking. The tall man considered what she said for a moment, regarding her with mild confusion. What exactly were her intentions with all this if she wasn’t interested in making money for her place of employment? Then a sudden realization came over him. “So you… Just want to hang out?” he asked with a tone that suggested he wasn’t entirely sure of himself just yet. His whole time in Republic City he hadn't had anyone really try to socialize with him before. Most seemed too intimidated by his size to approach him save for when he was dressed as a performer on a street corner, and even then he was just a source of amusement for the crowd. |
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| PeculiarLilliputian | Feb 10 2015, 01:48 AM Post #18 |
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The shorter woman seemed to consider Jing Li's proposition for a moment, her expression becoming far more quizzical. Did she mean 'hang out'? Certainly, she wouldn't mind socializing with the jingling man, at least until his sudden but inevitable betrayal. However, 'hanging out' meant doing so outside of working conditions. The situation could prove dangerous to her, especially if he was a particularly law-abiding citizen. And if he ever found out about the 'gang' she'd been a part of... Still, Meizhen concluded, it could prove to entertaining to finally have an occasional companion... and if he could be convinced to assist me, all the better. An almost nervous expression graced her face as she nodded slowly. Whether it was a good idea or not, she'd have to take a chance eventually. Isolation was not good, even for her. "If... that is within your interests, yes. Primarily in a workplace setting, mind you. At least for the time being. Would that be acceptable?" |
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| MetalJimmor | Feb 15 2015, 06:07 PM Post #19 |
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Jing Li watched as the woman’s expression changed. She didn’t look like she was plotting something now. In fact she seemed to have a look of insecurity about her. She was nervous, just as Jing Li was. The realization helped put the large, jingling man at ease. She wasn’t trying to rip him off or pull a scam, she was just trying to ask him if he’d like to spend time together. Of course what implications that may have was still up in the air. She never said the word date, though, so Jing Li was forced to assume this was something else. But what? After a moment’s deliberation Jing Li offered the young woman a shy smile. “Yah, sure. That sounds like it could be fun,” he responded. Though he still wasn’t sure what he was agreeing to he felt it was about time he started to socialize with other people. He’d been getting lonely since moving to Republic City, and he missed having people to talk to outside of work. |
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| PeculiarLilliputian | Feb 16 2015, 05:19 PM Post #20 |
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Despite the smaller woman's generally rigid demeanor, she couldn't resist a small smile at Jing Li's reply. Although she hadn't gone in with the intention of being particularly friendly with the jingling man, Meizhen found herself making a friend. Or, an acquaintance who could eventually become a friend. Although there is the alternative of him proving to be an incredibly dangerous enemy... "Your response is wonderful to hear, Jing Li. I truly intend to make this experience as enjoyable as is within my power." She nodded to him confidently, as if trying to reassure him that this was a wise choice. That sounded entirely too awkward... I hope that was not the case. Stepping back, the brunette studied the larger man's expression carefully, her own returning to it's normal mischievous look. "Shall I plan to serve you tomorrow afternoon, then?" |
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