reluctant

the loiterer — “what you seek is seeking you”

Name: Kazim “Kaz” Vincent Tailler

Age: 27 years old (October 30th, 1994)

↳ Scorpio

Neighbourhood: Iron Hill, a five bedroom mansion.

Time in Iron River: Moved in April 2020 from Connecticut/NYC

Occupation: Financial Analyst 

Gender & pronouns: Non-binary demiboy, they/them or hu/hum 

Sexuality: Androsexual (attracted to masculinity)

+ POSITIVE TRAITS empathetic, reflective, open-minded 

-  NEGATIVE TRAITS bastard, lethargic, cranky 

She had the car set to be lifted, having shoved the lift arms in the right spots, wiping her hands off on her work pants. They’d be thrown in the wash at the end of the day, and she couldn’t be bothered to find one of her work rags. She burst into laughter at Kaz’s comment, shaking her head as she pushed the button on the lift that would pull the car up. “I still can’t believe that was on his profile.” She had downloaded the apps, once, when she’d been pushed into it, but she hadn’t lasted more than 24 hours before she’d deleted them. Her heart wasn’t in it, and she did better on her own. Why should she try to fit someone else in. “Alright, let’s see him. I’ll give you my expert opinion.” 

Kaz buried their head in their hands as Vivian’s recollection. Mostly, Kaz had sworn off the apps but it was a near-addiction that needed to be shaken. Finally lifting their head out, Kaz reached for the phone in their pocket and started trying to find the profile. “I trust your judgement,” Kaz wanted to affirm. Although it was weird in the context fo the professional relationship, it was from working with her on the shop’s finances that Kaz knew and trusted her. “It looks like he’s nowhere near here,” Kaz said. “I don’t recognise anywhere where his picture are set. But according to the miles, he is probably within the town’s limits.” Kaz gave the phone over before Viv had to get dirty and stuck into the car again. On the man’s profile, there was a picture of him on the beach, something that looked like a portrait for work, a chill vacation pic and it looked like he had friends. What was stopping Kaz? 

Kaz did not have an excuse to be around the riding school. Although Kaz found horses valuable in the way Islam did, they did not want to linger around the area. However, Kaz had driven up to the stables to see Addie. Their interest in ASL had started in high school, and Kaz had attempted to teach their great-aunt with hearing problems some, but she had had three languages in her already and learning a new one was not for her. Nevertheless, like any language one learns in high school, keeping it up in adulthood was another challenge. So, Kaz enjoyed being able to use it in a more normal social setting, as opposed to ASL being an intellectual pursuit. Seeing Addie across the stables, Kaz enthusiastically waved to get her attention. “When do your lessons end?” Kaz signed to her. “Let’s go to the Heights,” they added, fingerspelling the coffee shop name. “Or we can get dinner if you’re hungry.” 

So this was it. This was the payback. Colt blinked once. What was this person on? LSD? Colt glanced around to make sure he wasn’t on some teenager’s phone or like about to be the next victim of punk’d or whatever the television was doing these days. Colt violently missed Vann in that moment, and wished he was there. Vann would have a lot to say about gardens and them being full of abundance and fulfilment. Colt just blinked again. “Ain’t gotta be that deep, pal.” He was a simple man. This person though? Probably one of the crystal and oil people. Colt wanted to ask them if they were from Utah, by chance. Lots of weird people in Utah. “Nah, I got a lot going on right now. If I add another fuckin’ thing, I’ll really be in for one. It’s nice idea, if I was made of time, you know?”

If Kaz was sober, they were usually too withdrawn and shy to approach anyone. Now, they began to give unsolicited advice. “I think you can make time,” Kaz replied, as he began cupping the tomato plants in his hand. It took Kaz a full second to continue speaking as their brain started thinking about tomato soup, burgers with good tomato slices, and just hurling down another thought path before a ray of sunlight made Kaz wince. Stumbling back slightly, as if the sunray had knocked them out a bit, Kaz turned to the man. “For yourself, your community and those you love, I think you need a garden. The earth will thank you, and I don’t know if you’re religious, but so will whoever you believe.” Kaz nodded, pressing their lips together in a small smile. “Which is why I’m starting with sweet potatoes.” 

Kaz hated the fact that they owned a car, but it was a necessity. And, Vivian was the only person they trusted to give an accurate look at it. One whiff of their weak Wisconsin twang, and people thought they overcharge someone from out of town. But Kaz wanted to live in Iron River for as long as they could, and being constantly unwelcome just gave them unnecessary anxiety about not fitting. So here they were, seeking comfort from Viv in a car that probably needed checking but wasn’t in dire trouble. “Before you really get underneath the thing,” Kaz said, noticing it would happen soon. “I would like a second opinion on this date I have next week. I promise nothing gross on his profile! Last time, that image...was a mistake.” Kaz visibly shuddered. It was so unprofessional to show Vivian another man’s genitals, even accidentally.