(no subject)

[cutting_edgex23]

X slips downstairs from her shift at the nightclub, stopping by the Bar to grab dinner.

Then she settles in her usual booth with her laptop, two books, and a glass of milk.

All of this will keep her busy for quite some time.

Comments

[likesthecoat]

Ianto makes an uncertain little wave. "Hi. Can I ask what you're working on?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X looks up at him. She does not seem surprised that he's there.

"Okay."

Beat.

"I am studying."

At least one of the books is on making bombs.

The other one is probably about meditation.

[likesthecoat]

"A variety of subjects," he says, peering at the titles. "I approve. A well-rounded mind is a good . . . mind. Thing."

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is useful."

X falls silent for a moment.

And then, because people say it to her often enough--

"You can sit. Here."

If he wants.

[likesthecoat]

"Thank you," Ianto says and takes a chair at her table. "It's very useful, knowing a lot of different things."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

X pauses for a moment, studying him carefully.

"You know a lot, too?"

[likesthecoat]

"Yes," Ianto says simply. "For work. When my boss has a question I'd best have the answer."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh."

Beat.

"He asks a lot of questions?"

[likesthecoat]

"Yes," Ianto says. "And he wants us to know things. Figure them out."

[not_lugosi]

Usually Bela doesn't find a door to Milliways a day after she's been there. She did tonight, though, and she decides she might as well step through.

When she sees X, she waves and walks over.

"Hi. Are you busy?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X looks up mere moments after Bela's door opens.

And after another second of assessing silence--

"No."

Beat.

"You are okay?"

[not_lugosi]

"I am, yeah," she says, after the briefest of hesitations. "Mostly, anyway. It's been awhile since I last saw you. At least a couple of months, but I think time here goes slower. How are you?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X offers a slight shrug.

"I am okay."

Beat.

"The X-men are disbanded."

This next pause is not as long.

"I am staying here. Now. For a while."

[not_lugosi]

"Oh, so- can you not go back? Or is that your choice, staying here?"

She doesn't sound very okay to her.

[cutting_edgex23]

"I can leave."

Beat.

"The Institute has been destroyed."

She offers a slight shrug.

[not_lugosi]

"I'm sorry to hear that."

The funny thing is- she kind of is. It must be a Milliways thing. She shrugs it off.

"I'm glad you can stay here."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

Beat.

"I have friends here."

This next pause is slightly longer.

"You are working?"

[jv-034.livejournal.com]

John, still reading at the table, notices the girl, the books, and the laptop.

He may pop over slowly. "Hello, there. May I ask what you're reading?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay."

She's probably been watching his approach, expression blank.

"It is a book on explosives."

Beat.

"And one on meditation. It is useful."

[jv-034.livejournal.com]

Well, he figured this was better than invisibly spying on the titles.

"Yeah, those both sound quite useful. What kind of meditation? I've got a vested interest, if you will."

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head, studying him carefully.

"I do not understand."

[jv-034.livejournal.com]

"Someone suggested I try meditation. To achieve inner peace. I have in interest in knowing which books work, and which don't." A smile.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Oh."

Beat.

"I do not think this book works."

[jv-034.livejournal.com]

"Why not?"

And then, "Have you read any that do?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"It does not make sense."

She offers a slight shrug, nudging the book toward him.

"You can look."