milliways_bar | (no subject)

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X slips downstairs after her shift in the nightclub, half-glancing at the back door before she decides to forgo training for the moment.

It is more important to eat something. Just in case.

The fact that X-23 (and her soup) are settled at the bar instead of her usual booth is entirely unrelated to anything.

Except that she refuses to be uncomfortable in what is, for now, her home.

This is just proof of that.

[ooc: This post is open until it falls off the front page or X gets another EP, whichever comes first. Thanks!]

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"I haven't had pasta in a while. Maybe I'll try some tonight. I've only had a scone, so I should eat something more substantial. Have you ever had scones?"

X frowns for a moment, running through her memory banks.

Then--

"Yes."

Beat.

"There was tea, too."

"Oh, yes, there should be some tea to go with scones."

Except when you want alcohol instead.

X is silent for a few moments.

"I like milk."

Better than tea, at least.

"Milk is fine, too," she says, brow furrowing.

She hopes she isn't saying something wrong. Between X and Cal, Bela is often stymied for anything to say.

X studies Bela.

"You do not have to drink it."

Beat.

"It is okay."

"Oh, no, I like milk! I just thought-"

She smiles.

"Never mind."

X looks a little uncertain again.

"Okay."

Beat.

X eats another spoonful of soup.

"Pancakes are good, too. With chocolate chips."

"Cal mentioned that," she says, and her smile is much less tentative now. "He's my friend, too. My special friend."

Maybe her best friend.

"Oh."

X relaxes a little.

"That is good."

Beat.

"He is nice."

"He is," Bela says.

"He also has excellent taste in pancakes."

"Yes," X agrees.

"They are not too sweet."

Beat.

"You have had them, too?"

"I have," she says, grinning. "He made sure of it."

Bela likes having breakfasts with Cal after their nights together, even if she eats things that are a) not healthy and b) very fattening. Oh, well. She might not have too terribly long to live; she might as well enjoy good food.

"Good."

X sounds sure of that.

"Root beer floats are okay, too."

"I don't think I know about those."

Food is a pretty safe topic. She makes note of this for the next time she and Cal talk.

"Oh."

Beat.

"You can try one. They are not too sweet."

And X likes vanilla.

What the hell? She'll work out extra tomorrow.

"I'll give it a try. You're making me hungry."

She calls a waitrat over and orders spaghetti and a root beer float.

"I was working," X says.

"Upstairs."

Apparently she is explaining why she is hungry right now, too. Or at least why she's eating.

There is a slight hesitation before she orders a root beer float, as well. But it is polite not to make Bela eat alone, right?

"Oh?" she asks, not quite following, but following well enough. "How is your job upstairs going?"

"It is okay."

Beat.

"Lilly is not here anymore. But Inara is a good boss."

"I've never had a boss."

The waitrat returns with their orders. The rootbeer float is very good.

"I'm glad yours is nice."

"Oh."

X studies Bela. She may be a little curious.

"I have always had one."

She tries very hard not to flinch after she says that.

"Then I shall come to you for advice if I ever have one," she says, trying to make light of what she sees could be an unpleasant topic.

Twirling her spaghetti onto her fork, she pauses, waiting for any further inquiries. If she gets them, she'll answer. If not, she'll change the subject.

"Okay," X says.

After a moment she reaches for her own rootbeer float, taking a careful sip.

"I will try to help."

"Thanks. I'd like that."

If she gets out of her deal, she'll go into business for herself. A regular business. Maybe as an interior designer for wealthy clients, or owner of a shop. She'll likely never have a boss, but maybe, just maybe, she'll have a normal life.

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cutting_edgex23 - 2008-10-06 02:52 (UTC) - Expand

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