The Monday Blues [Open; Lili]

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Of course it had to start raining, as if today wasn’t already bad enough. Elise has lost count how many times she’s been caught without an umbrella in this damn city. With a scowl she quickened her pace, wincing when her hand brushed her side. She knew that café had to be somewhere; it was just hard to tell where it was in this rain. It was sunny when she went there last, and had the best pulled pork sandwich she’s ever had in her life. It's worth it, she tried to remind herself as she dashed down the sidewalk. Besides, she was already at this end of the city, she mind as well make the trip.

The throbbing pain in her hand reminded her why she was even out here in the first place. She looked down at her wrapped fingers, her pinkie and ring finger. The doctor did a great job and the painkillers were already kicking in. The person who did this was probably going to get more than two broken fingers. She never did any sort of construction so Elise had no idea how bad getting your finger hit with a hammer could be, until her informant decided to teach her lesson by crushing them with each powerful blow of his hammer. She got what she needed though, feigning ignorance. He sang like a canary as he tried to threaten her. But he didn’t scare her, nothing scared her anymore.

Finally, as if the gods were giving her a break, the café appeared and Elise sighed in relief. She pulled open the door and was assaulted with delicious smells and warm air, helping to bring the chill out of her. The server, as if she knew what kind of hell Elise had gone through today, mercifully put her near the fireplace. As soon as she was seated another server put a mug of hot tea and the menu in front of her with a smile. Heaven, that’s what this place was. If she could afford living in this area she’d move here in a heart beat.

After she ordered her sandwich Elise started to relax. What she recorded was sure to net her a ton of cash, especially if she copied it and sold it numerous times. She looked down at her hand, sighing a little. At least it was her left hand, she could type with one. In her mind she had already decided on the story. I slammed it in a taxi door. Elise repeated it over and over until she believed it. At least it wasn’t her face; she could only claim bad break-up so many times until her coworkers started questioning her sanity and taste in men. My made up boyfriends, she thought with a laugh. This one she would chalk up to her clumsiness.

Elise sipped her tea with a content sigh and looked out the window. It was starting to pour now, but the way the weather was in this miserable city it could stop soon or continue for days. I guess I’ll grab another umbrella after this. Add another one to the growing collection.

ARIZONA of BACK TO NEVERLAND

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In some kind of stark, amusing contrast, Lili loved the rain. Well, for the most part. She loved the rain as long as she wasn’t stuck out in it without a coat or umbrella, but otherwise it was a soothing form of weather she saw as replenishing the earth. If there was one thing incredible about the United Kingdom, it was how beautifully green it was.

Cold air and rain, however… not a pleasant combination. Lili angled her umbrella against the wind and rain, letting the umbrella close only when she managed to find herself at the door of the café. Even closed Lili could feel the warmth filtering outside through the doorway, combined with the thick smell of fresh foods. Shaking the cold rain from the plastic wings of her furled umbrella, she stepped through the gust of warm air and into the store, the bell at the front signaling her entrance.

She was almost immediately attended to by a server, but when Lili noticed the familiar face of Elise, a woman she’d worked with several times on large projects, Lili requested to be seated with her and not elsewhere. Elise set her menu down just in time to catch Lili as she closed in, a grin plain on the Liechtensteinerin's face.

“Hah! Small world!”[/b] Lili greeted. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”[/b]

They’d worked and spoken enough by then for Lili to willingly consider Elise some kind of friend. Certainly she felt no degree of awkward by simply going up to her and saying hello. Lili noticed with some degree of worry how utterly soaked Elise was. Considering the rather uncomfortable temperature outside, the lack of any real protection from the weather left Lili tempted to offer her own umbrella.

“You wouldn’t mind, would you…?”[/b] She gestured towards the empty chair opposite Elise at the small café table. “I’ll be here for lunch, I wouldn’t mind keeping you company if you wanted me to.”[/b]

She hadn’t had much of a chance to socialize with Elise outside of work. This could be quite a lovely experience!

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She was lost in thought, the medication making everything a bit fuzzy. Warmth had seeped through her body and she felt slightly like she was floating. When Lili suddenly appeared, poor Elise nearly jumped with shock; and quickly came back to reality. No… no, no, no. She was not equipped right now to be social. Panic started to set in as she felt herself losing control of the situation. She should have been more observant, so she could have had this encounter on her terms. Why had she let herself day dream?!

“Hah! Small world! I didn’t expect to see you here.”

But then Lili had to go and be so nice, how could Elise be rude in return? God damn it Lili, she mentally cursed, why couldn’t I dislike you instead? Lili was such a sweet girl and was someone she genuinely liked working with. Hell, she might even go as far to say she trusted Lili, to a degree of course. She was always professional, something Elise highly admired in the other woman. Alright, so this might not be too bad. She wished that Lili had not caught her on a time when she was on heavy medication. She was consumed with worry that she might jeopardize this relationship they had.

“You wouldn’t mind, would you…? I’ll be here for lunch, I wouldn’t mind keeping you company if you wanted me to.”

“It is, and of course not!” With a wide, hopefully friendly, smile she gestured to the seat across from her. “That would be delightful, thank you! I usually eat my lunch alone so I welcome your company!”

For a second, she worried that it sounded to fake but she honestly didn’t mind Lili joining her for lunch. She could, after all, make small talk and such like a normal person. The problem was that she wanted so badly for things to go well so they could continue to have such a great working relationship without awkwardness. They could even be.. oh, she didn’t want to jinx it!

“Please excuse my appearance; I seem to keep forgetting my umbrella at home. Sometimes I swear if I didn’t have my head on my shoulders I’d forget that too.” Not true, she always planned ahead. But this weather eluded her still and she could have sworn the weather man said it was going to be sunny today. Actually, she didn’t even know how bad she looked right now. Oh no, what if she looked like a train wreck? Oh this was so unprofessional! Elise wasn’t even properly dressed; she was just in her plain clothes. And Lili, well Lili always looked lovely of course. Sometimes Elise wished she looked half as cute as the other woman did every time they met. Not like the drowned rat she probably currently looked like.

“Oh, where are my manners! Here, the menu. I always get the same thing here.” She quickly passed the menu over to the other side of the table; careful to make sure it was her good hand. “If you’ve never been here I’d suggest their sandwiches. They’re heavenly here.” Elise was starting to feel like she had control back and was starting to calm down. Lili was someone she could be nearly herself around. Relax Elise, everything is fine.

ARIZONA of BACK TO NEVERLAND

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Ahh, ignorance. She was entirely unaware of Elise’s current desire to hate her guts. After all, Elise had only ever been kind to her, and they seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Why should Lili believe there was anything wrong with her greeting? Hopefully the desire wouldn’t last forever. It was difficult (unbearable, even) to try and work with someone you couldn’t stand.

It was when Lili got in a little closer than she noticed something was a little… off about Elise. She seemed slow, eyes lidded lazily as if falling asleep on her toes. Her reaction was initially frightened, completely lost in her own world induced by medication. Even as she sat in the chair with her eyes in Lili, she wobbled sleepily. Lili’s previously excited expression faded into one of worry as she sat down in the chair opposite Elise.

“That would be delightful, thank you! I usually eat my lunch alone so I welcome your company!”[/b][/I] Elise cheerfully replied back. Whether it was a mask or not, Lili wasn’t sure. Maybe Elise was just lacking energy from a bad sleep. That wasn’t too far-fetched.

“I normally eat alone, too. My brother’s never home, and friends? They’re always busy.”[/b] Thus, this small stroke of luck was very welcome! It wasn’t very often she got the chance to spend time with people she enjoyed the company of. “You’re absolutely soaked to the bone, Elise. Been running around out in the rain, have you?”[/b] She asked playfully, scanning her appearance for hints as to what was going on.

“Please excuse my appearance; I seem to keep forgetting my umbrella at home. Sometimes I swear if I didn’t have my head on my shoulders I’d forget that too.”[/b][/I] Lili laughed at this, understanding the feeling all too well. Sometimes she wasn’t allowed to pace herself at all and rushing was the only way to make schedule. Honestly, to say she always remembered even just an umbrella was a lie. Luckily, though, she remembered it today—though granted, she was used to carrying it around due to the unpredictable English weather. It was a ‘just in case’ kind of deal, something instilled in her by her overly paranoid brother.

“Well, if you need to get anywhere after this, I’ll loan you mine? Maybe we’re going in the same direction.”[/b] Lili offered, lightly gesturing to the fairly large umbrella she had hung from the back of her chair while sitting. “I’m sure if could cover us both-- if you wanted to, I mean.”[/b]

“Oh, where are my manners! Here, the menu. I always get the same thing here. If you’ve never been here I’d suggest their sandwiches. They’re heavenly here.”[/b][/I] Elise passed over a menu, which Lili took and opened immediately. She had been here before, but only once or twice. She stopped in this time on a whim, realizing this as she passed by. Hmmm, she seemed to recall they had good sandwiches, but that was a long time ago…

She noticed it then! The wrapped hand, tightly bound in bandages. No blood, thankfully! But Lili was imagining something terribly swollen underneath the rain-dampened cloth. “Your hand… what happened to it?”[/b] Lili asked, voice laced with worry. “It’s not broken, is it?”[/b]

She was tempted to use her own hands to try and examine it, a gesture she often performed on Vash and his rather unnerving tendency to come home dressed in newly acquired bruises every single night. But it was okay with Vash, they were family. Elise was different. Agh! Curse that feeling!

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Mentally Elise had to keep shaking her head, trying to make herself more alert. She knew she shouldn't have taken that many pills, but she wanted the pain to stop right away so she could carry on with her day. Now she was paying for her foolishness. Hopefully Lili wasn't too perceptive and she could get out of this without making any mistakes. Wasn't she drugged once and still kept everything in order in her head? Oh probably once or twice by now. But Lili was like a friend, she could probably play this off as being ill. It wasn't a total lie.

“I normally eat alone, too. My brother’s never home, and friends? They’re always busy. You’re absolutely soaked to the bone, Elise. Been running around out in the rain, have you?”

So she had a brother too huh, although it sounded like they had a better relationship than Elise had with hers. Which was non-existant. He could be dead in a ditch for all she knew; not that she really cared either way. And her sister, well she didn't want to bother her sister. "I make my own schedule, so I usually just grab something quick and get back to work. It's nice to have a sit down lunch and relax, don't you think? And yes, I have unfortunately. I had errands to run today." Well it was kind of like an errand, she guessed. It felt good talking to the other woman. Elise didn't feel nervous anymore. It was just like two friends catching up. She hadn't gone out for lunch with.. well anyone, since she moved to London.

“Well, if you need to get anywhere after this, I’ll loan you mine? Maybe we’re going in the same direction. I’m sure if could cover us both-- if you wanted to, I mean.”

And then that had to happen. Would it be rude of her to refuse? She didn't know if she could go that long without awkwardness setting in. What if they actually did live in the same area? And then they ran into each other on the way back, she would hurt Lili's feelings. But she didn't want to hurt Lili's feelings by going with her and not really talking the whole way. She might think Elise only accepted to be nice to her. "I'm probably going home to change after this. I live up in Westminister, so I'm not sure if we're going the same way or not." After weighing the pros and cons Elise decided if they were going the same direction she would accept. Better for it to be awkward than appearing rude.

“Your hand… what happened to it? It’s not broken, is it?”

She waved over the waitress so the two of them could order. The question didn't throw her off, she had already anticipated it the moment Lili came over. It seemed like her nature to worry about things like that. Elise smiled at her, hoping to ease her worries. "Unfortunately yes, two fingers. Clumsy me, I was in such a rush. I was running late and in my hurry to get out of the taxi I slammed the door on my hand. But I'm alright, I already went to the doctor's." She put her hand on the table, so Lili could see it if she wanted. "I apologize if I seem a little... loopy. The doctor prescribed me some really nice medication and it's doing it's job very well." She was being awfully truthful for some reason. Well, she knew what it was. Lili's concern genuinely warmed her heart. Maybe she liked being fussed over once in awhile.

It couldn't be too bad having a friend.

ARIZONA of BACK TO NEVERLAND

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Unfortunately Lili was a little more perceptive than Elise wished. The weakened expression on her friend’s face, the way Elise swerved lazily to and fro as if ready to fall asleep. Something was definitely wrong, but connecting the dots was simple enough. She’d obviously been to the doctor recently, so medicine was a logical explanation, right? Regardless, Lili’s brought her phone up into her lap, ready to call for help at the drop of a hat – just in case!

"I make my own schedule, so I usually just grab something quick and get back to work. It's nice to have a sit down lunch and relax, don't you think? And yes, I have unfortunately. I had errands to run today."[/i] One of the perks of having her own little business. As the only boss and (currently) the only employee save her single volunteer, having her own schedule, free to do as she pleased was nice. She nodded her head in agreement.

“Bad day to do that kind of stuff. I learned that you can’t always trust what the weather says.”[/b] She sat her menu down, having looked it over a couple of times. “I just carry things around with me because as much as I love rain, I hate being rained on.”[/b] Being wet sucked.

The slowly changing demeanor of the woman across from her made Lili a little happier. It was almost discouraging to try and watch Elise struggle to keep herself coherent. It seemed like having someone physical to talk to was making things a lot easier on the poor girl.

"I'm probably going home to change after this. I live up in Westminster, so I'm not sure if we're going the same way or not."[/i] She replied. Lili thought over the general map of London in her head. Okay, they in Hackney… Westminster was closer, wasn’t it?

“Actually, I think I might live further away than you.”[/b] Lili finally said. Yes, she was sure that was right! Unless her memory was failing her, which she hoped it wasn’t. “I live in Kensington and Chelsea- it’s further away. I wouldn’t mind walking you back through the rain, if you want!”[/b]

After all, it would give them a little more time to hang out! If the lunch went well enough and she enjoyed her company as much as she did actually working together, Lili might have to arrange for another lunch or something! The server eventually came back to the table, and Lili ordered her little lunch before proceeding with the conversation as if they had gone uninterrupted.

"Unfortunately yes, two fingers. Clumsy me, I was in such a rush. I was running late and in my hurry to get out of the taxi I slammed the door on my hand. But I'm alright, I already went to the doctor's. I apologize if I seem a little... loopy. The doctor prescribed me some really nice medication and it's doing it's job very well.”[/I]

Ah, well, it was just as Lili expected. She gave Elise a very sympathetic frown. Lili had never broken a bone before and didn’t intend to start any time soon, the very thought sounded absolutely unbearable, and then she started getting macabre imagery in her mind related to the subject. She shook her mind and rid herself of them. “That’s unfortunate, I’m sorry! Do you know when they’ll be healed? And no, don’t apologize. I figured as much. Kind of put two and two together. Don’t you worry about that, you just heal up as best you can.”[/B]

And maybe if she felt like she needed some company or help, she could give Lili a call. It was, again, a perk of working alone. She always had time for others.

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Ahh, it felt good to almost be honest with a person, especially in a one on one format such as this. Elise hadn’t done that in awhile, not since leaving Luxembourg after school. Well, she hadn’t had someone be this nice towards her in a long time without ulterior motives. Friendship, trust, they could be nice feelings. But she also knew how dangerous they could be. Lili was really too nice, she hoped she had good people looking out for her. It would be a shame if someone hurt or corrupted this kind soul. Would she count as good people? Not exactly, unfortunately. But good enough if she was careful.

“Actually, I think I might live further away than you. I live in Kensington and Chelsea- it’s further away. I wouldn’t mind walking you back through the rain, if you want!”

Oh god, where was she again? Hackney was it? Hoxton and Shorditch sounded right in her head. She would have grabbed a taxi to the subway and figured out how to get home from there. It might be nice having someone accompany her. “As long as it is not out of your way Lili. I don’t know London too well, even less so right now, but if it’s on the way I accept. I don’t want to keep you from anything or anyone though.” As much as she hated to rely on other people she might need Lili to help her out. Oh damn it all, why did she ever think the dosage was just recommended? Clearly the doctor knew what he was talking about when he said one tablet and not three. Although she had to say, she was doing a remarkable job keeping it together. When the waitress came she ordered another tea and her sandwich. Food might help her out; the tea was doing a fantastic job warming her up already.

“That’s unfortunate, I’m sorry! Do you know when they’ll be healed? And no, don’t apologize. I figured as much. Kind of put two and two together. Don’t you worry about that, you just heal up as best you can.”

Lili was a bit more perceptive than Elise felt comfortable with. Well, everyone has a side to them you don’t see. No, she really doubted that was the case for Lili. It felt like what you saw is what you got with her. It was.. refreshing, as was her sympathy. She was glad to know that her story was accepted without question; that meant it would work on her co-workers as well. Elise knew by now not to get too ridiculous when it came to this stuff, people broke their fingers in doors all the time after all.

“It should heal pretty soon I suppose. I haven’t broken anything since I was a little girl so I don’t know how fast the healing time will be. I hope it’s sooner than later.” Crushed, not broken, she reminded herself. The doctor told her she might have permanent damage in them if she wasn’t careful, but she wasn’t going to worry Lili with that information. She smiled at her, before taking a sip of her tea. “I appreciate your concern though. I’m all by myself here so I don’t really get fussed over.”

Shift the conversation Elise, don’t be rude, she mentally chided herself. “How are things with you Lili? I haven’t seen you since.. the George wedding was it? The flowers were, of course, lovely as usual. You sure do know how to work with a theme!” It surprised her that she really did want to know how things with Lili were. And not just out of a professional stand point.

ARIZONA of BACK TO NEVERLAND

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Lili had plenty of friends, but very few of them were her age. She considered several times trying to enroll in one of the colleges in the area. She had planned to do so... and every friend she had (with a few exceptions) were much older men and women. She was thankful for Elise, despite not really knowing much about her darker side. Just having someone around close to her age meant more to her than Elise could ever know. Lili hoped whole-heartedly that the two of them could eventually become really good friends. Lili had enjoyed working with her as often as they did... too bad this was the extent of their casual relationship: an awkward luncheon with her drugged out of her mind.

“As long as it is not out of your way Lili. I don’t know London too well, even less so right now, but if it’s on the way I accept. I don’t want to keep you from anything or anyone though.”

Lili smiled nervously and waved off Elise's concern with a hand. Such nonsense, Elise. Even if the trip was out of her way, she wouldn't have told her that. Lili was a terrible liar, but she could hopefully count on Elise being unable to tell that she was being untruthful. Lili would have taken her home through a torrent even if it were several miles out o the way. She couldn't leave Elise on her own to fend for herself without feeling guilty about it immediately after leaving. Elise seemed so out of it. Going outside in her condition seemed very dangerous.

"Please, don't think anything of it," Lili gratefully took her sandwich when the server came back, thanking him quickly before turing back to Elise with concern. "Honestly, you look as if you could fall over at any moment." Ahhh, food. Who didn't love food? With a break in the conversation Lili took the moment to begin eating, but when Elise spoke again she promptly stopped.

“It should heal pretty soon I suppose. I haven’t broken anything since I was a little girl so I don’t know how fast the healing time will be. I hope it’s sooner than later. I appreciate your concern though. I’m all by myself here so I don’t really get fussed over.”

Lili's eyes drifted back to Elise's poor hand. Seeing people coming to her with injuries was an all-too-familiar circumstance. Her face contorted briefly, expression full of worry and concern. It was the same look she got with Vash, except perhaps a little muted due to the obvious difference between this girl here and her beloved, accident-prone brother. "Ahhh, I'll fuss over you all you want!"

Another bite of sandwich.

"The George wedding, yes... I think that was one of my favorites. It helps when the client actually knows what they want. Weren't you there for the Schmidt wedding? The bride had no idea what colors went together. It was awful." But now Lili was getting off topic. She checked herself mentally and berated herself. "Things have been well, business is booming at the shop, I made a new friend-- Ahhh, but Vash is being uncooperative, as usual. There is always Vash."

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Elise was so grateful when the food arrived. Eating might help absorb the pills better and she needed all the help she could get staying awake. How could she let this happen to herself, she was so vulnerable now! But now at least she wouldn't have to walk home by herself. Hopefully Lili didn't see her too much of a burden. She just wasn't in any shape right now to be denying help like that. She could trust Lili right? Lili was her friend right? Elise looked over the girl, and smiled a little. After all this time she was pretty good at reading people, and she was sure it wasn't just the drugs talking, and she decided Lili could be trusted.

She took a few bites of her food, listening to Lili talk. Her stomach was thanking her for the food, did she even eat this morning? “Ahh, you don't have to. I was only joking Lili. That is very sweet of you to worry about me though.” She replied, even though it would be nice to be fussed over. The only one who ever did that for her was her cousin and she didn't really appreciate his fussing when she get older. Oh these sandwiches were delicious, it was worth the trip every time. If she had more money she'd order some to go but she was stretched thin as it was.

Relief and disappointment filled her when they began talking about work. Did friends talk about work like this? Work was something she was good at, so it was easy conversation. “Yes, the Schmidt wedding wasn't even my account. Melanie couldn't handle it anymore and dumped most of it on me even though we were partners. Good thing we had you, or it would have been a disaster.” Ahh, it must be nice knowing your brother, she thought sadly. Elise was a little bit jealous of Lili. Wait, she made a new friend? Would that mean Lili was too busy to help her with accounts anymore? For some reason she felt panic, it made no sense. They barely knew each other, they were work acquaintances, there was no need to get worked up over her having a new friend.

“Aren't all brothers like that to their little sisters? What is your brother doing now that is stressing you out? And congratulations on the new friend, you sound a little excited. Is it a man?” Elise winked at Lili at that last part. Please be a man, she thought kind of desperately. Guy friends and girl friends were different of course, if Lili had a new girl friend and she hung around the shop she would feel so uncomfortable. She took a few bites of her sandwich, glad that the food was starting to make her feel a lot better.



AHAHA WRONG ACCOUNT GOMENS I FIXED IT

ARIZONA of BACK TO NEVERLAND

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It didn't take very long for Elise's condition to improve. He was visibly more chipper the more food she got into her stomach. It was no secret that eating food with medicine helped the body deal with it. Lili grinned happily, for a minute there she was worried she'd have to carry Elise home on her back, but that would have been awkward since Lili didn't actually have her address. "So it looks like you're feeling better already."

“Ahh, you don't have to. I was only joking Lili. That is very sweet of you to worry about me though.” Ah, joking or not everyone needed to be fussed over every now and then! Vash especially. Always Vash. The way he came home so hurt and bruised... it made her heart ache painfully. She bit her lip, a little embarrassed.

"I figured it was a joke, but I'd still be concerned." Her smile was one of sheepishness.

She listened with interest about her point of view of the wedding. It was a stupid wedding to deal with. No one had a clue what was going on, but the clients seemed happy, so wasn't that all that mattered in the end. "I-I wouldn't say that! Please, no. It was a group effort, I only supplied the flowers." Elise's face immediately shifted and Lili looked on with concern, but she must have recovered immediately because that sly wink of hers was of a much different emotion.

“Aren't all brothers like that to their little sisters? What is your brother doing now that is stressing you out?" Elise had a brother, didn't she? That response made sense.

"Nothing new. Still coming home with a new injury every time. He gets in fights with his coworkers now, apparently. I should follow him to the bank and kick some butt." And then she remembered how freaked out Vash appeared when she mentioned that to him up front. He stammered out that it wasn't needed. He seemed very desperate to keep her away from the bank...

"And congratulations on the new friend, you sound a little excited. Is it a man?”

"I always get excited when I make new friends! It's the one thing Vash can't get onto my case about--" Oh. Yeah. It's a man. That would make things difficult. "But um-- yes. It's a man. He'll get onto my case about that."

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It seemed like half of her sandwich disappeared, she didn't remember eating that much. She had been listening to Lili quite intently, afraid she would miss hear something and say the wrong thing. When she hyper focused on people's words she tended to forget what the rest of her body was doing. She forced herself to put the sandwich down and drink some water. It would be no good if she upset her stomach and threw it all up, that would be a complete waste of money.

"I-I wouldn't say that! Please, no. It was a group effort, I only supplied the flowers."

“You did a fantastic job anyways, we finally got her to change her mind on some of the colours when she saw the flowers you suggested.” She did a fantastic job on that account and all the others they had worked on together. “Don't sell yourself short Lili, flowers are such a key part of every wedding and you always do a lovely job. That's why I keep coming back to you after all!"

"Nothing new. Still coming home with a new injury every time. He gets in fights with his coworkers now, apparently. I should follow him to the bank and kick some butt."

Her brother had done the same thing when they were younger. The conversation wasn't something she was entirely comfortable with, and hoped that Lili wouldn't ask any questions about Elise's brother. “It might be a bit embarrassing, having his little sister come defend him. I'm sure you are more than capable of doing so, maybe you should follow him and secret and see what is happening before you do something. The situation might not be what it seems like.” Was that actually wise advice? It was just harmless snooping, she was sure that would put Lili in no danger. “Maybe he's taking a boxing or martial arts class before or after work.” That could be plausible, a lot of people did that kind of stuff in secret after all.

"I always get excited when I make new friends! It's the one thing Vash can't get onto my case about--" Oh. Yeah. It's a man. That would make things difficult. "But um-- yes. It's a man. He'll get onto my case about that."

The relief hit her sharp and fast when she said it was a man. Oh thank goodness, she thought happily. She could keep her new friend! Maybe Lili would end up dating the guy, it would be nice to see her very happy. It must be hard giving away so many flowers and not receiving any in return, Lili deserved a boyfriend more than anyone she knew. A little digging was in order!

“Don't worry about your brother, you're a grown adult woman. If you want to be friends with a man, do it. Be friends with hundreds of guys if you want to!” Well, hopefully not hundreds, because then Lili would never have time for her. “Is he a cute guy?”

ARIZONA of BACK TO NEVERLAND

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Elise seemed to much better now, eating like a champ with no sign of illness! This was good, very good. Lili was pleased to see her almost back to her old self, injury aside. She smiled, took a sip of her drink, and continued her own meal, listening to Elise's compliments while the back of her mind nagged incessantly for her to silence the girl.

"Flowers are key, yes... but it was still a group effort--" She began, but she was quieted by an abrupt subject change. As happy as Lili was to be appreciated for her efforts, compliments were hard to appear humble for and she was thankful that they would no longer be thrown at her. She smiled sheepishly.

“It might be a bit embarrassing, having his little sister come defend him." Said Elise, to which Lili replied with a quick nod. "I'm sure you are more than capable of doing so, maybe you should follow him and secret and see what is happening before you do something. The situation might not be what it seems like.” Lili couldn't agree with that, though, and frowned throuhg the chewing of her food.

"Elise, whatever's going on could be dangerous! He has bruises he tries to hide, but I always see them! And the blood on his clothes-- how can that not be suspicious?" Lili asked, her voice frantic and, to be honest, somewhat irritated by what seemed like the blowing off of very obviously dangerous problem.

Elise didn't seem at all convinced of Lili's worry. “Maybe he's taking a boxing or martial arts class before or after work.” Lili let out a somewhat defeated sigh.

"He could be, but why would there be lessons in his work clothes? They have uniforms for that." She took another sip to calm her nerves. "He worries about me all the time, about friends and boys and who I'm with. And I'm suddenly not allowed to worry about him?" Lili huffed unhappily. "How dumb."

“Don't worry about your brother, you're a grown adult woman. If you want to be friends with a man, do it. Be friends with hundreds of guys if you want to!” Elise paused, her smile growing more mischievous as she asked a question that made Lili blush and smile back nervously. “Is he a cute guy?”

She seemed to fold her hands over her mouth in thought - though in reality she was making a futile attempt to cover her shyly reddened cheeks - and stayed silent a moment before replying simply. "... Yes, yes he is cute." There was no lying here, so even a small fib wouldn't do him any justice. Lili's smile widened and she lowered her hands, speaking in a whisper. "He's ginger."

But sadly she had no pictures to show off, for that would be very creepy if she were to have random glamour shots of all of her friends. She usually only did that with family, but showing off Vash usually just ended in people being afraid. Vash hardly ever smiled anymore, even for photos...

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It was endearing, how much Lili clearly loved her brother even though he drove her nuts sometimes. Would she be the same way with her brother if they had stayed in contact? Of course she would never know, who knew where he, or her sister, was. Vash was a grown man though, she saw Lili's concern but if he wasn't going to tell her then maybe she was better off knowing. Elise could see what Vash would keep something bad away from Lili, tainting such a pure and innocent person like her should be a crime. If it was something bad Elise wanted to be there to make sure Lili was safe and she seemed pretty determined to get to the bottom of this.

“How about we snoop together? If he's doing something dangerous you shouldn't follow him alone.” Hopefully Lili would see reason and quit doing such risky stuff. Elise didn't like it, it made her stomach twist into knots. Funny, they were barely friends and she was already so worried about the other woman. Was this bad? Lili wouldn't find her creepy right, pushing her nose into things that weren't her business. Whatever it was that Lili's brother was doing it piqued Elise's interest.

Oh~? Lili's face was turning the cutest shade of pink. He must really be a cutie, to make her react like so. How nice, budding romance. She wasn't jealous of her new friend, not in the slightest. Okay maybe a little, but she was 95% happy for Lili. After all, she deserved it. It wouldn't hurt to tease her a little bit, right?

“A cute ginger huh?” She leaned forward to whisper, her face innocent looking except for the sly grin growing on her face. “I wonder if he's ginger all over~?” After a quick wink she leaned back and finished off her food. This is kind of fun.

A passing glance out the window revealed that the rain was coming to a light drizzle. Perfect, Elise still had so errands to run and thankfully she was a lot more coherent now. Actually, this was great, having Lili here. She needed to go clothing shopping and she liked having the opinion of a second person when buying work clothes. This was how women bonded, right? That is, if Lili wanted to go. No harm in asking though. If she said no they would just see each other later in the week when Elise needed to pick flowers for the Henderson wedding.

Even though her tea was kind of cold she finished it off, it would be a waste of money. “Since I'm feeling better I thought I'd finish my errands. I have to get a new blazer and some summer dresses for work. Do you want to come with me? I'd love to have someone's opinion. Maybe we can find you a cute outfit to impress this ginger of yours too!”

ARIZONA of BACK TO NEVERLAND

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Regardless of his reasons, Lili's overwhelming concern for his well-being in the face of apparent danger was hard for her to ignore. Lili would constantly ask and get vague answers, or answers she could almost call lies... but Vash lying to her was something she could never accept happening. She never kept secrets from him, especially not if he asked. The one time she did witheld information she regretted it almost immediately.

"Snooping together?" Lili repeated, mulling over such a thing with interest. She did threaten to follow him one day, and having back-up would make it an easier task. Vash hadn't met Elise yet so what suspicion would he have? Well, as long as his sister was nowhere in sight, anyway. “I'll be your distraction, alright?” Lili returned with a small smile. "Go there and leave and he'll think he has nothing else to hide."

Inside she felt a little guilty for this lack of trust, but every time he came home hurt she felt more that it was her responsibility to take care of him somehow... it was a funny thought. Funny, and depressing. "I just... hope whatever I feel is unfounded. I want to trust him, Elise! I just worry."

Ahh, but enough about Vash. Elise obviously had other things on her mind, with that sly smile given to Lili as she leaned forward to interrogate her on this new acquaintance. “I wonder if he's ginger all over~?”

"H-Hey! Hey, hey-- no. No, we're not thinking about that. I just met him!" Naughty Elise, she should have expected that! Was it Lili's fault she thought his hair color was cute?! Oh please, Elise you'd feel the same way!

Elise leaned away, winking, All Lili could do in response to that was attempt to brush off the teasing -- and fail. He cheeks were hot and probably obviously red, and now Elise's question were making rather unwelcome thoughts make themselves known inside her mind. No, bad Elise. Bad!

Ahh, but now she changed the subject, thankfully. Whatever unclean thoughts Elise had in mind were not welcome for long. “Since I'm feeling better I thought I'd finish my errands. I have to get a new blazer and some summer dresses for work. Do you want to come with me? I'd love to have someone's opinion. Maybe we can find you a cute outfit to impress this ginger of yours too!”

"I'll go, but let's be realistic it, Elise... I probably won't even see him again. I invited him to come back around but... ha. what are the odds?" With charm like that, he could have any lady on his arm.

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That was enough teasing today, since she wasn't quite sure what the appropriate amount of teasing was for new friends and she might have crossed the line already. Get a hold of yourself Elise, it wasn't like her to blurt things out like that. Even if she was mildly curious, it was not her place to ask such things. Besides, the errands needed to get done today, and she had other things to get done as well. This bum hand wasn't going to help things either. Poor Siegfried, today was the day she was supposed to redo his terrarium so he wouldn't be bored. At least now she'd have more time out.

“Lets be realistic Lili, did he say he was buying the flowers for his girlfriend? If not, you have an opening. He'll be back, even just to be flowers.” Perhaps Lili didn't see how cute she was? Most women didn't have a positive outlook on their appearance. Elise was practical though, she knew what her strong points were and what were her negatives. Most of all she learned how to hide those negatives with good make up and fake confidence. Lili was a lot cuter than she was, naturally so, and she had the advantage of not looking like such a young teenager like Elise did. "You're pretty Lili, he'll be back."

Quickly she waved down the waitress to get the bill before she disappeared again. It was always so difficult to get their attention. “Plus there's no harm in buying a new outfit just in case. If not, there's always other men out there. It'll boost your spirits.” The truth was that Elise hated shopping, and wanted someone there to make it less miserable seeming. Fashion was such a pain sometimes. One second the shoes she just bought were in, the next month they were out. It was too hard to keep track of. And the money wasted, it was enough to make her cry sometimes. For the price of a new pair of shoes she could buy a month worth of sandwiches here.

Elise took out her wallet for when the bill came, noting with satisfaction the wad of bills in there. Perfect. Hopefully it wouldn't seem to suspicious that she was paying with cash mostly. It was best to just get rid of this influx of money quickly so nothing looked out of place. “On the way we can talk about a plan if you're actually serious about snooping on your brother. No need to do it half-assed, it would be bad if we got caught.”

ARIZONA of BACK TO NEVERLAND