The shift in Tasean's demeanor was swift as soon as the mark was revealed. Andrew almost instantly regretted showing it here. The anger in his voice made him worry for Rhythm even though Tasean didn't know her at all. It was no doubt partly fueled by the promise but that didn't matter precisely at that moment. He needed to calm his friend down.

"No, she didn't. I made this one of my own free will. I wouldn't have showed it to you here in public otherwise."

Andrew sighed.

"She's a strong girl but she needs the help. I don't know what happened to her but she sounds like no one bothered to teach her how to speak English so she had to pick it up piecemeal here and there. I'm pretty sure she's been homeless at some point. Not to mention she's got a way of getting herself into trouble."

He looked at Tasean.

"It's a promise I was glad to make and even though it's inconvenient for me I wouldn't change it."

Tasean calmed down, slightly when Andrew told him he had made the promise of his own free will. Something in the back on Tasean's mind was insisting that the girl also made his friend promise not to tell anyone that she had forced it on him. He had to meet this girl to try and get a feel for her true intentions. And if what Andrew was saying about her was true, he had another reason to see her. To see if there was anything that he could do. This is exactly what his Agency was for, to help mutants in need.

"Perhaps you could possibly arrange for her to come by the Agency's office? Maybe you don't know where she is staying but I could at least give her some numbers of some places. Nothing like a group home, but I know some people who would at least make sure she had a place to sleep at night, and enough food to eat" he told Andrew.

Tasean knew that kids forced to survive on their own rarely excepted help from other people. They viewed an already harsh world through hardened eyes, tempered by the violent and deadly life of the streets. He knew he probably couldn't get the girl to stay at the one foster home he had found that accepted mutants, but if she at least knew there was help out she might not find herself in so much trouble. And the less trouble for her, the less trouble for Andrew, at least until he could find a way to end that particular promise. He definitely wasn't going to let Andrew continue to be hurt by it, especially now that he had a serious interest in seeing just how far he could take his relationship with the man.

Andrew sighed in relief as Tasean relaxed. If that was how he felt about the promise then there was no way he was saying anything about the injuries he figured were caused by it. He didn't want Tasean trying to hurt her. The thought of it alone was difficult to bear considering he had a vested interest in the continued well being of both individuals.

"I can try I guess. Or you could come and meet her. She shows up regular to the Mansion so we can spar. Hence the, uh, bruises. She knows Muay Thai and is teaching me some of it to help out with the fighting."

He didn't really want to give Tasean the impression that he had to fight often. However the closer they became the more apparent that would be. Andrew really didn't want to see his reaction to finding out that he wanted to be an X-Man since part of the job description seemed to be risking your neck on a regular basis for people that probably wouldn't care.

Thankfully any such revelations wouldn't be happening today since they were in a rather public place.

Tasean rolled his eyes playfully. "We are spending to much time talking about this girl" he said, a lightness in his tone letting Andrew know he was in a playful mood. He leaned forward and then rested his chin on the back of his hand, his elbow on the table. "One would begin to think you prefer her company to mine" he said, a hurtful element entering his town, though his eyes still dance with humor. He lightly bit his lower lip and released it slowly as he looked into Andrew's eyes, a smoldering sultry look replacing the playful one for a brief moment. "That couldn't be the case could it?" he asked, the timbre in his voice causing his chest to vibrate just a little.

He smiled again before leaning back in his chair, the entire time his eyes lingered on Andrews, the jovial light returning to his eyes. Flirting was his game, and he would do it until Andrew asked him to stop. He wanted to break focus away from the promise, though it was still prominent in his thoughts. If it was causing Andrew issues, Tasean wanted to be able to get it off of his friend mind, at least for a brief moment or two.

Pale skin was a curse when you were trying desperately to hide a blush. Tasean was lucky in that respect. His dark skin was good for hiding that. Andrew on the other hand was fighting to keep that darned redness from his own cheeks and losing miserably. Tasean was a good friend but he was also a very attractive man. One that was currently flirting with him. Remembering something from his conversation with Lori, Andrew decided to wing it and see how he did.

"Why would that be? Speaking to you is much easier and distinctly more fun."

Ok so it wasn't the best of flirts but it would do. Besides, it was hard to focus on something he so completely failed at with Tasean smiling at him like that. Blasted distractingly good looking man! Maybe he'd do better next time? Nah, not likely.

Tasean leaned forward again, smiling at the blushing Andrew. "Is it now?" he asked enticingly. "Talking to you is always a pleasure."

Tasean began to fan himself, looking around. "Is it hot out here or is it just me?" he asked with a mischievous grin on his face. Slowly, and deliberately he lifted his polo shirt to wipe at nonexistent sweat on his brow. Because he did this, there was a brief view of his runner's abs, which he accentuated by blowing out a slow breath. He then lowered the shirt again, still grinning that same grin. "Sinfully hot my mother would say" he informed Andrew, stressing the first word.

He looked at his friend for a moment longer before beginning to laugh once again, this time leaning back in his chair as he laughed at his own joke and actions. "This is going to be a very interesting and fun summer" [/i] he thought to himself as he continued to laugh. Tasean was now quite happy that he had ran into Andrew once again, and decided he would be frequenting this particular cafe a lot more now.

And that did it. Andrew was no longer entirely functional. Oh his brain was there but it was busy with other thoughts, many of which involved dragging Tasean off somewhere a lot more private. There was no way that blush was going anywhere now. He was also beginning to hate that shirt just for getting in the way of his view. The man in question was laughing now but Andrew had yet to recover the ability of speech. That couldn't even have been fairly called a game since Andrew was certain he hadn't had much of a chance at all.

He was thirsty. Or at least that was the excuse he used not to say anything immediately as he flagged down a waiter and quietly asked for a cup of coffee. Andrew ignored the odd look he and Tasean got for his own blush and Tasean's laughter. The coffee came quickly enough and by then he had managed to regain the ability to speak to Tasean.

"Gee, I guess it's almost a pity we aren't somewhere cooler, alone."

The coffee was black. Andrew hadn't bothered to ask for anything to put in it. He drank it that way when his nerves were shot and Tasean wasn't doing him any favors in that department.

Tasean's laughter subsided as he gave Andrew a knowing smile.

"Yes it is too bad isn't it?"he said as he watched his red faced friend drink his coffee. "What ever shall we do?" Tasean asked, stretching languorously in his chair; his sandaled foot reaching out to brush slightly against Andrew's shin under the table before he sat upright in his chair.

Tasean began to chuckle again, this time only slightly as he cocked his head to the said, giving Andrew and inquisitive and thoughtful look. "You are full of surprises sir, very interesting surprises" he told Andrew. His body language spoke volumes too how much he was enjoying said surprises and looked forward to discovering even more.

As the majority of the teasing died down, so did Andrew's apparent discomfort. His flushed face was returning to it's natural color slowly.

"I guess we'll just make the best of it. Unless you happen to know someplace nearby that fits the bill."

The brief touch was easy enough to handle now that the conversation had died down a little and his embarrassment was beginning to subside. Andrew smirked ever so slightly at it but said nothing. Tasean's comment about surprises made Andrew laugh.

"And you aren't?" Andrew grinned, "Though it does help to know you might not hurt me if you catch me staring."

To stop himself from saying anything else Andrew took a drink of his coffee. The invitation was there, he'd passed it over easily enough in the conversation but it was there. That was how it had worked in the past, of course those had both been clumsy teenage fumbling. Come to think of it that's mostly what this seemed to be, for him at least. Andrew went with what he knew though.

Tasean gave Andrew a wicked grin. "Who says I won't hurt you for starring?" he thought to himself. "Not a punch in the face, but definitely some pain is always involved and heightens the experience. There is a reason the French call it la petite mort."

"So when is the next time you expect to meet your little sparring partner?" Tasean asked his friend out loud. He needed to change the subject, and quick because his body was beginning to show telltale signs of just how deep in the gutter his mind was going. "Perhaps I can get a session or two in with her?" he said as he leaned back in his chair once again, attempting to affect a nonchalant posture.

The wicked grin on Tasean's face was quite obvious. However Andrew was neither a telepath nor an empath so the thoughts that grin embodied remained unknown to Andrew. This was just as well since he probably would have ended up blushing again if the grin was any sort of indication. When he spoke it was in regards to Andrew's training sessions with Rhythm. Taking that as clear sign that the flirtation had passed for now Andrew answered quickly.

"Tomorrow actually, if you are keen to meet her. If tomorrow doesn't work then sometime in the next few days. We meet fairly regularly."

Andrew took a drink of his coffee. He wasn't entirely sure what to expect when Tasean met Rhythm. He didn't think it was going to be sunshine, lolipops, and rainbows right from the start. Tasean had been far too angry about the promise for that and Andrew hadn't even told him specifically what it was or the consequences there of. And he wouldn't. Not until after Tasean had meet the girl and Andrew had seen how they got on. He didn't like keeping such things from Tasean but he wasn't keen on seeing the man try and harm Rhythm, since he would be obliged to try and stop him.

Tasean nodded. "Tomorrow will do just nicely" he admitted. The sooner he got to meet this girl the better. It would also give him a chance to see it she knew the severity of what Andrew had done for her, and if she appreciated it. Tasean was not about to have someone running around recklessly who Andrew had promised to help protect.

"What time should I arrive then?" he asked. He was quite sure that his doctors wouldn't be recommended too much strenuous activity, if he had actually been back to the hospital after the initial visit. Besides, he didn't really have to do too much, he just wanted a chance to analyze the girl, and then make plans accordingly. He also would like another opportunity to look around the Mansion, and possibly meet some new people. Andrew's offer to help with the Agency was great, but Tasean would still need more help if he ever wanted to really make an impact.

Andrew finished off his coffee and paid his bill. Tasean did apparently have time tomorrow. He wondered briefly if it was because of his earlier anger or whether he really did have the time. It didn't really matter in the long run, he decided. Andrew was leaning back in his seat when Tasean asked what time to show up.

"Shoot for some time around eight am. I like to get the work out done before I start my day."

Hopefully it would go well. Andrew's mind kept coming back to Tasean's unexpected anger over the promise he'd made. Sure, he might charge in like a fool sometimes but he knew what he was doing. Not that any bad blood between the two would change much for him. Rhythm would still be Rhythm and he'd be obliged to protect her whenever she chose to show up and let him. Tasean would still be himself and Andrew was looking forward to seeing just where they went.

Tasean stretched again, nodding as he stood up. Andrew had paid his bill and set the time, so Tasean needed to go rearrange somethings to make sure he could be there on time. He was definitely not a morning person, but for this he could be, at least this one time.

"Eight's fine with me. Maybe the three of us can do a brunch or something afterwards, have a little chat hmm?" he asked, as innocently as possible, though he intended that chat to be more like a very serious talk.

Tasean brushed some lint from his shirt, thinking about Andrew's earlier reaction to his antics he grinned, deciding to tease his friend just a little more before they parted ways for the day.

"So how did you get over here Andrew? You know, my place isn't too far, if you want to come over, and then I could take you to the Mansion. Of course you would have to convince me to take you home...but then again, do too good a job at convincing, and I might not want to let you leave." he said, that wicked gleam returning to his eyes.

Despite the fact that he was very concerned about Andrew's latest promise, he was still very interested in the man. Tall, cute and originally southern, it was like Andrew was made to order. A southern gentlemen in the big bad north was a rare find, one that Tasean intended to keep for himself. He just needed to do a little more digging, to see if there were any other contenders out there.

Andrew stood moments after Tasean and nodded when Tasean suggested eats after the spar.

"Sounds good. I'm sure Rhythm won't mind."

Apparently Tasean wasn't quite done teasing him yet either. Now that just wasn't fair, teasing a guy like that. It made him wonder briefly if he could shut the man up with a kiss but he dismissed the thought. That only worked in books.

"I walked. Needed to clear my head and all that. Lead on, if you're so inclined. I've got plenty of time before Sam manages to scrounge up more paperwork for me."

This wasn't exactly where he thought this walk would end up when he left but Andrew definitely wasn't going to complain. After the hassle with Kate and Verdy maybe it was time he left women to their own devices for a little while. Tasean was here, apparently interested, and Andrew wasn't making a huge mess of things. It seemed like the best opportunity he'd get and one that he really didn't want to pass up.