milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Steph's in the Bar again, sprawled across a couch, reading.

It's a book on Arthurian History, and her eyes are a little glazed, but she's determined to get through it.

Don't ask why.

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"That's me! I'm good. Totally bored with reading, though. This stuff takes forever to get through. What are you working on?"

"I like reading. And that isnt a bad book, if a little dry."

He smiles faintly again.

"Possible cures. They usually dont work, but it doesnt stop me from trying."

Steph grins. "Well, one day one of 'em's gotta work, right? Just keep trying and you'll find it!"

Steph's optimism is painfully bright sometimes.

He eyes her.

"Maybe. We shall see. For now, I will be satisfied to not hurt anyone else around while trying to cure myself."

"... well, that's a good plan too," Steph says, pragmatically. "But why not aim high? I mean, you're smart, right? You could do it."

"I have tried a number of times. Every time, the end result has been less than a good thing. But, I am not giving up. I will keep trying."

"Good." Steph thoroughly approves of this plan. At least he's not a hopeless pessimist like some she could name. Stupid Zuko.

"What are you up to?"

Of course he doesnt tell her he is going to expirament on himself to try to cure himself sometime soon. He does have some sense of tact.

"Very little, lately," Steph says, unblushing. "Just kicking around."

And trying to figure out what the hell's going on in her own head. BOYS ARE CRAZY.

He nods.

"I hope everything stays good with you. This place seems to breed doom."

She laughs, a little wry. "Doesn't it just. It's like the Landlord doesn't think it's a good day unless someone's bleeding, emotionally or physically."

He nods, a little wry himself.

"Well, hopefully it will hold off for awhile."

He grins.

"I would like a little time to just be quiet and peaceful."

"That'd be nice, wouldn't it?" Another rueful grin. "I don't think many of us ever get what we'd like, though."

He eyes her.

"Very true... but I wish you did not have to have learned such so young."

She shrugs, a little awkward. "Well, it'd be nice, but - shit happens, y'know."

He nods.

"Sorry. Why were you reading that book anyway?"

"Just studying."

So Zuko doesn't know more than she does!

"It's kind of boring, though."

"Why?"

"Sey yourself a goal, perhaps? This might make it less boring."

She grins. "Already have. I'm taking a break every ten pages or so."

He nods.

"Good. What have you learned so far?"

"...uh, there's this castle on a rock and apparently this king wants it?" Steph tries, screwing up her nose with the effort of remembering. "It's totally hard to remember who's who."

He blinks, and facepalms.

"Ah."

He sighs.

"If you want to understand it, you might need to concentrate more."

Steph grins, unashamed. "Too much else to see and do 'round here. Maybe I'll take it upstairs and work on it later." She makes a face at that. "Stupid grounding."

"Grounding? And if you need help, I...."

He considers, and nods.

"I could assist you."

"No, it's okay. You have enough on your plate," Steph says, but she gives him a grateful smile. "Yeah, apparently, I'm grounded. Stupid brother."