It had snowed a little that morning, but not enough for Jaluna to mind wearing her sneakers in the cold. The chill in the air had her naturally red face a deeper color than usual, a slight sniffle in sneaking through her nose as she struggled to fight fog growing on her lenses. She hadn't checked what the weather was like in Boston in recent days. Should she have warned the woman she waited for about the tendency for snow and storms to come and go like fairies in the wind in this area? If she recalled correctly, her friend that was coming to visit, @Ilya, hadn't been to New Jersey before. In a way, she felt bad making that change. Then again, it was nice to have someone visit her for a change, she had to admit. "I hope the cab driver doesn't get lost..." The girl mused softly, pulling her phone out of her oddly light sweater for the season. The clock on her screen didn't tick like the ones in her home- her home, which likely smelled bizarre from the variety of cat food and supplies she'd bought the day before to be ready. It was a good thing her landlord accepted pets, unlike the last place she lived. Especially short term, of course, it wouldn't really be an issue. Her eyes flicked back and forth down the road, both ways, seeking a car coming near. Every so often one would pass, clearly not a cab- but she felt confident that with each passing vehicle, her friend couldn't be too far away. "Lots of cars means traffic can't be too bad at least... Okay that's probably not true. The highways are nuts this time of year. But... A girl can dream, I guess?" With a laugh, she returned to wait in a slight silence- though she hummed slightly, under her breathe, she seemed to like the quiet of the snowy days of winter. Well, at least as quiet as it could be when she knew something fun was coming up- and not just her friend, either. "I wonder if it'll pass by while she's here? It'd be fun to show her the Santa that passes by regularly for the season. It's loud as hell, but... I have to admit, it does have its perks living here sometimes. Some things can be pretty fun." [OOC: Setting is in an unnamed town in Northeast NJ because I know that part of NJ best. The Santa thing is based on something that actually happens near me and felt like fun filler while I mentally cause a ruckus with myself xD]
It had definitely not felt as a normal typical day in the morning as Emilia had unnaturally crammed a week worth of meetings into one day. Despite having crammed so much into her morning she had somehow managed to make it to the airport on time. Which in itself was a rarity. Known for her ever growing lateness, Emilia had tried so hard to at least be on time for her plane ride. This in itself was a feat worth conquering in order to meet her new friend for the first time in person. Her whole morning after the countless meetings had been filled with rushing to make sure she had everything packed and to make sure she had Choji ready for the flight. Her cat had flown before, yet she had to prepare him. She made sure to pack some nice toys, a few days prior having received a text that told her that Harveste--- no.. Jaluna would be providing the cat food. With much haste, Emilia had managed to make it to the airport, thankfully she had the help of a speeding driver that had dropped her off in an un-conspicuous black car. The plane flight in itself was easy enough, having napped practically the whole way, Emilia had arrived full of energy. Use to the cold as Boston had been snowing a bit this week as well, Emilia had come prepared (along with the fact that she had made sure to check the weather ahead of time). It took not long for Emilia to gather her belongings, along with Choji's travel carrier and flag down a cab. She opened her phone, giving the driver the address to Jaluna's place, and relaxed waiting to arrive. Groaning at the high level of traffic, Emilia started to twiddle her thumbs. Just like Boston... Without much to do, she tapped a bit on her phone and started to play a small game, texting a few updates to her friend, she continued to wait. After her own games got bored, she opened Choji's cage and began to pet him with soft motions. The screech of the wheels could be heard within the cab as Emilia braced herself, Damn traffic... Cursing at it on the inside seemed to help as they continued at the snail like pace that had began from the beginning. ~~~~~ After what seemed like forever, the cab managed to actually get to its destination. Handing the driver the amount that was needed, Emilia opened the door and grabbed all of her stuff. Once she closed the door and had made sure all of her stuff was with her, the cab driver slammed on the gas and drove off. Rude... Emilia's own thoughts seemed to dissipate as she saw the girl whom she could only assume was Jaluna. She was approximately five feet tall, and had beautiful long brown hair. She wore glasses that rested on the bridge of her nose, and what remained eminent behind the glasses was clear green eyes. Emilia's smile drew upon her face, "Harve--I mean.. Jaluna?" She set her stuff down on the ground, and offered her hand, allowing Jaluna to either hug her or give her a hand shake.
The woman that had exited the cab was fairly tall, in Jaluna's eyes. She hadn't quite met someone with such a unique white hair before, with such vivid eyes of violet-blue to match the almost ethereal beauty that was one Emilia Roberts. For a moment, the young woman stood flabbergast- she wasn't quite sure what to say, to be honest. It took a moment for her to reach for the hand extended, a smile on her mild features. "It's good to see you, Emilia. I was starting to worry the cab must've gotten lost." A slight grin led to a little hug. She couldn't help wanting to make sure that this person before her was really, well, real. Letting go, she turned on her heels to find some of her guest's luggage and awkwardly lifted what she could with her two somewhat fragile hands. Her fingers, despite her somewhat pudgy build, were long and slender- her wrists fairly thin, showing her somewhat small bone structure and the way her veins gave a slight blue tint to small lines of her otherwise pale skin. "The apartment isn't too hard to reach is the good news. I'm not on the first floor like I used to stick with, but the noise isn't as bad as it was when I was always in first floor apartments, so that's a bonus. I actually have to exercise more than I used to to get my mail though." A small chuckle left her as she began to lead the way. Once inside, it'd be easier to chat more leisurely. "Did you and Choji have a good flight? I'm sorry I couldn't pick you up myself. I don't drive, actually, so... The cab would've been a matter of when rather than if..." She trailed off as she began to pull the bags with her up the steps, careful not to let them touch the ground even if it meant a little bit of grunting at points. "Choji's adorable, by the way. You both are. I just had to note it~" A flight of stairs was nothing when you had a reason to smile. And smile she did, all the way to the door of her little home.
Grinning as Jaluna seemed to want to help her carry her belongings, she started to answer to the small conversation that Jaluna had seemed to start. "Choji seems to enjoy himself more when he gets off the plane rather than when he is on it, mid flight." After she spoke she chuckled, "I actually enjoyed the plane ride significantly. It was quite fun if I do say so myself. I enjoy them all too much. Makes me feel more luxurious than I ever do. Do you like plane rides?" Emilia now questioned her friend, happy to have met her for the first time. Also, quite happy with the fact that she had hugged her, Emilia was grinning from ear to ear. Something that she was growing more accustomed to do for real rather than the fake smile she likes to use in her own real life. Grabbing Choji's carrier and taking her small backpack, Emilia offered to take one of her two suitcases from Jaluna as they climbed up the flights of stairs to her doorway. As the quaint door came into sight it brought a warm feeling into Emilia's body. "I love the location of your apartment. It makes me feel all warm inside. You should give me a tour!!!" Emilia was getting a little bit excited. Happy to be here in New Jersey for the first time. "Maybe while we are here we can explore the town too! You said you do not get out much? We can explore together! Find new things and make memories."
It was easier to giggle than to admit she could see it from both sides of the coin. Harveste had been on a surprising number of planes for someone who didn't actually travel all that much. It seemed like half her travels had been using planes, even if mostly to visit relatives. That was a reminder right there- call some of her family members. She hadn't really heard from her cousin in Israel, had she? The kids must've been all grown up by now. "I've been on planes before, both with family and by myself. I like it to some extent, but long flights get pretty troublesome. I'm not claustrophobic, but I think I'd like it more when I get off the plane most of the time too. I do love looking out the window while we're in the sky, though. It's amazing how the colors of the ground mesh, isn't it? Like a Monet painting!" Blushing lightly, she dug into her pocket to find the right key set, opening the apartment door with a tepid smile. The inside she couldn't smell had a mix of ferns and flowers, real and fake, randomly scattered in the rooms quickly visible when the wood door was left open to let in the cool air of the outdoors. It was cluttered, one might notice- but surprisingly, there seemed to be some sort of method to the madness. And it wasn't like there was no space at all- there was plenty of room to walk, places to sit- just a lot of papers and notes lying on the table, and a somewhat disorganized, densely packed bookshelf. "Exploring the neighborhood together sounds nice. I don't know this particular town as well as others in the county myself... I'll print out a map so we don't get lost later. Ah, I tried to get some supplies for Choji, but do you have a preference on the food he eats and such? I don't know that much about it... And the litter boxes at the store were kind of complicated sounding, so I got the simplest one I could find..."
Hearing the girl's passion about planes, Emilia's head bobbed up and down. "Yes. It does look like a painting. A beautiful one at that.." Now that she had met Jaluna she felt more content. I am actually doing things with this life of mine... Hearing Choji meow as the door opened she chuckled, "Well depending on what Choji is sounding like.. It seems he smells his favorite. And just the fact that you went out and did all of that is very nice of you.. You would not be a bad cat owner after all." A wink in Jaluna's direction let her know that she was joking. Her own thoughts taking her back to her time with Harveste in the game.. They had spent a good twenty minutes on the conversation of cats.. Just cats.. Shaking her head lightly at the thought, Emilia now looked in the apartment. "I love it..." Taking a small step inside, Emilia set her stuff down before walking over to one of the cluttered tables, looking back at Jaluna words came gushing from her mouth, "Is this all of your work? Can I read some?" With a rather happy smile, the feel and smells of the apartment seemed to make her feel more happy than her own house did.
Jaluna giggled a bit as her belief of the view from outside a plain was stunning was agreed with. It was always nice to the brunette when someone shared her interest in such a simple yet passionate view. "I think the view is why I prefer being in the passenger seat to being in the pilot's." Her words had been said haphazardly, and she didn't seem to notice it at first. Instead, she focused on Choji not long after she ended her statement. The cat was far more interesting than random memories from her youth. "I'm glad he likes it," She mused, hearing the mew from the kit as it joined them inside. If she'd chosen well, she was thankful- though she hadn't seemed to notice the wink. Instead, she focused on the idea of having a cat. "I wonder what it smells like in here, if he likes it. Must be nice." With a grin, she wandered further in with the bags she'd been carrying, peeking further into her little home. It never felt quite like this, as she never really had guests over. When was her last guest? Did the woman even know? Then, her friend had noticed the papers. Jaluna jumped lightly, surprised by how excited those pages seemed to make her. Perhaps it shouldn't have, though, she realized. "You must really like to read. But yes, you're more than welcome. Just don't mind the chicken scratch in the corners. I write notes after I write a draft of anything... And I know they're kind of, er... Illegible, anyway?" Her legs led her to the kitchen as she left the girl to the pages she'd found fascinating. From within, she called out. "Want anything to drink? I have milk, juice, diet soda and tea. I'm pretty bad at making coffee, but I think I have some instant leftover from last time dad came by, too, if you prefer that."
"You were in the pilot's seat? Do share..." Emilia's eyes followed Jaluna's gaze. The fact she was watching Choji. "If he did not, I am sure he would most likely never be as excited as he is now.." With a quick bending over, Emilia clasped the lock on the small travel carrier. The door swung open and out came Choji. Emilia grinned as she pet him under his chin. Watching as he padded over to Jaluna to sniff her. "He seems to like you." While Emilia herself was left to reading some of the pages Jaluna wrote, Choji was following Jaluna into the kitchen. The meow making sound right after Jaluna's question. It was almost as if it was saying. I want food.. And attention! Emilia grinned. "You write very well! And some tea will be fine.. Want me to help make some?" Emilia continued to read, while keeping her ears attentive. Ready to hear if Jaluna spoke to her.
Jaluna smiled as she piqued Emilia's interest with a past memory that she hadn't even meant to mention, or at least hadn't thought about when she did. "My aunt got me a flying lesson for my birthday when I was fourteen. I got to sit at the controls and fly- with help from the teacher, mind you- a small 'personal plane'. It was fun at first, but uh... It was an interesting way to learn my friend was scared of heights to the max, since she'd come with me, and... Well, I found out that some things aren't fun to learn from experience." A nervous laughter took her throat as the memory, like a post-traumatic flashback, left her silent otherwise for a moment. She'd enjoyed that lesson quite a bit- at least, until her friend had a panic attack in the back of the plane while her teacher was turning off the engine midair. "True fact: planes glide when the power goes out, at least for a while. Even more true fact, it's not fun to be taught that by the teacher purposely turning the plane off while you're in the air." By telling what had been coming to her mind, she was able to push the fearful memory out of her thoughts for a time. Choji's interest in her caught her attention, and she unthinkingly lowered herself to pet the cat as it sniffed at her, watching how it seemed to try to sniff the finger about to touch it before he actually let her do so. It had entertained her even more that Choji followed her into the kitchen- and perhaps it was because of that, the woman that normally tried to follow old etiquette of not letting a guest help in the kitchen was quick to respond in favor of Emilia's aid. "Sure, come on in! I have a few different kinds anyway, so it'd be good to know what kind you like." While waiting, she began to dig through some of the cat-food she'd bought before her friend's arrival. "And maybe help me pick what kind Choji will like best. He's been staring at the cans since I came in here, I think. Though maybe he was staring at me. I can't really tell, but something has his attention for sure."
Smiling gently, Emilia wished she had some sort of experience like Jaluna had. "What is your mom like?" Touching the important papers that littered everywhere, Emilia began to envision scenes from the stories that Jaluna had been writing. Spotting a nearby pencil and taking advantage of the fact that Jaluna had headed already to the kitchen. Her hand instantly flying across the corner of one of the pages. Quickly sketching out a small scene that she envisioned. Knowing Jaluna, she would most likely enjoy the inspiration and encouragement that the picture's vibe gave off. Now focusing on standing to her feet, Emilia began to walk towards the kitchen. Watching as Choji rubbed against Jaluna's leg. "Do you perhaps have any White tea?" Stepping closer to the cans of cat food that Jaluna had bought, Emilia pointed to one. "Friskies: Prime Filets Chicken & Tuna Dinner.. That is his favorite." Now focusing on the tea situation, Emilia returned once again to the thoughtfulness of tea. "What is your favorite color?" She would now take it upon herself to ask completely random questions, just to get to know her new friend.
