Rendezvous (WR)

[Djoser Aneksi]

Dj would be sitting around, a ton of food from a nearby restaurant laying around nicely on the bar. He would be patiently waiting for WR. He had a lot on his mind, and was rather exhausted of people, but was ready and willing to help anyone in need.

[WR Harthe]

WR arrived in a timely fashion, knocking on Dj's door as soon as a foot had reached the entrance.

"Yo."

[Djoser Aneksi]

"Hey." Is all he'd say as he ushered WR in. He'd gesture over to the food, and to a chair at a open space at the bar with a big bag sitting beside it.

Dj himself would make his way silently into the kitchen, standing and resting his arms adjacent to where WR would be seated.

His home was beautifully decorated with modern twists on Egyptian symbolism. A house that showed a more culturally charged side of Dj.

[WR Harthe]

WR sped to the chair as Dj gestured to it, setting their elbows on the counter and resting their head in the palms of their hands. They ignored the food for the time being, but they did blankly blink at the awkward lighting as their head finally caught up with their body.

"I'm in trouble." They finally said after a moment.

[Djoser Aneksi]

Dj would watch quietly until they spoke. He would seem a little more too the point than normal, but stayed warm and friendly as ever.

"That much I know. You need to tell me with who, why, and what you need from me. Be honest as possible or I cannot help you."

[WR Harthe]

They shrugged at Dj's forwardness and returned it with their own.

"Gang called the Droogs wants me dead 'cause I refuse to join 'em, which apparently makes me a threat. I want you to hold onto this key to my apartment. If I die or go missing or something, there's something I want you to find. You'd know when you found it."

They slipped a hand in a pocket and set a key on the table, sliding it in front of Dj.

That was all they would say, being almost as cryptic as they were over text.

[Djoser Aneksi]

"I will help you." Is all he would say with a smile. A thousand things ran through his head as he said it, but he wasn't going to say them right now. He picked up the key and put it in his pocket.

[WR Harthe]

WR narrowed their eyes at him. He didn't seem like his usual self, for that they were certain. But, it was neither their business to care, nor to pry. They weren't particularly close, after all.

"Thanks. It... means a lot." They finally said, plucking a random hors d'oeuvres off a plate and tossing it into their mouth with a satisfied hum.

[Djoser Aneksi]

Dj would notice that WR narrowed their eyes. He would simply raise an eyebrow before going and grabbing a bit of food himself.

As he did he would say "I don't know why you are looking at me like that. I am literally putting myself at risk by affiliating with you when I barely know you."

He'd finally drop the smile, looking over to WR before continuing.

"I'm not doing very well WR. However, I have people in my life much more important than me who I need to help. This is why you are here. Don't take my behavior as anything other than me being tired."

[WR Harthe]

"I'm looking at you like this 'cause I noticed," WR retorted bluntly, tossing another hors d'oeuvre down the hatch.

"Can't say you're not doing well then try to brush it off as being tired." They added, crossing their arms over the table.

"That's what my sister did before she killed herself. So, if you gotta let it out, let it out. If you gotta take a break from people, do so. Can't help others if you aren't doing well yourself."

[Djoser Aneksi]

Dj wouldn't even dignify the first retort with response. Continuing to drink like nothing happened.

At the mention of suicide, Dj would look over to WR, no feeling behind it, but in a way that suggested that was not an okay thing to say.

"I'm not taking my life, it is precious to me. Me not being well refers to things I don't care to explain and you don't care to hear. Please refrain from mentioning suicide to me in the future."

Throughout it all, his voice was calm and professional as ever, perhaps moreso. But by Dj's presence alone, WR could tell they hit a deep nerve.

[WR Harthe]

"Right, sorry," Was all they would say in response.

Clearly, they were scared, and the sudden mood change definitely didn't help. They slipped out of their seat and mindlessly paced around his apartment, contemplating but... lost.

This would continue until Dj said something or until a few silent minutes had passed. It was... strange, but little did Dj know, it was the only thing keeping them from hyperventilating.

[Djoser Aneksi]

Dj wouldn't it happen for a minute or so, before saying.

"You seem terrified. Just keep breathing. Whatever is going on, you have to be calm and act as rationally as possible." He'd say warmly. Sipping on his tea.

[WR Harthe]

"Yeah, right, I'm fine," They said between heavy breaths before stopping in front of him and clenching the countertop.

They took a few deep, heavy breaths, then retreated to their seat.

"Sorry."

[Djoser Aneksi]

"Apologies aren't going to fix the situation." He would say, handing WR some tea to relax.

"You need more help than you're asking for. I may be able to help if you want to ask." He'd say with a genuine expression. Still tired but wanting to help.