milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Suresh really doesn't know Elle's father like she does.

This wasn't a surprise for her. It doesn't mean she was in any less a foul mood in the time after their meeting, as she stalked through the halls of the Facility, more acutely aware of her confinement than she could ever remember being before.

For whatever that was worth.

The appearance of the bar when she returns to her room is enough to slow her pace, at least, though it doesn't stop her from slamming the door. When she's settled on a stool, the Bar greets her with one of Bela's books.

She snatches it up without complaint.

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And she doesn't know what that means. At least, or especially, when it comes to Sam.

She's not going to be saying that. Really, it's her first instinct to just say no.

But -

"Why?"

Edited 2009-08-20 04:34 (UTC)

Now it's Sam's turn to look frustrated.

"Because, okay? Do I have to have a reason?"

He sounds it, too.

"Maybe you remind me of someone -- you kinda do. Maybe I just want to do something about the fact that the idea of having a friend seems to be such a totally alien thing to you, 'cause if your life sucks that bad, well, it shouldn't, okay?"

Her composure, which she'd kept relatively even until this point, quickly deteriorates as he goes on, until her fingers are curled up against her palms and, quite suddenly, small sparks actually snap up at the ends of her hair.

It makes her jerk back, and probably stops her from hitting him. She looks down at her hands, and slowly loosens them, before walking away (without turning away from him, ever), to retrieve her book from the bar.

Once she has it, she steps back, though not as close as she had before.

"That demon didn't tell me about you."

Her voice is very, very low.

Sam stares at her.

"It didn't?"

Beat.

"Wait-- then how did you know?"

"It wanted me to know."

She's gripping that book rather tightly, maybe to keep her hands in place.

"But it didn't just say it. Some girl from your world told me, I didn't know she meant you until then."

"Some girl--"

There's only one girl he knows who comes here that might possibly have the first clue about this.

"Ava? You know Ava?"

Elle at least doesn't really have to struggle for this; all that yelling that went on the first time makes that name click easily enough.

"Yeah."

She doesn't add the homicidal demon-summoning one, because she honestly doesn't realize this is a secret.

With no change in her tone, "You might want to shut her up, if you care that much."

He opens his mouth.

Shuts it again.

Shit. Ava, dammit--

"Yeah." Quietly. "Guess I'd better talk to her."

Elle doesn't say anything.

She just turns, and starts to walk off toward the stairs.

He doesn't try to follow her, but --

"I'm not giving up on you, Elle."

That -

That's the last of it Elle can stand. Her frustration boils over, and feeling as constrained as she had back in her hellhole home, Elle does something stupid.

She whips around sharply, and flings Bela's book at him.

Not even caring if it does any damage, she turns away again, and very quickly, disappears in the direction of the stairs.

He's got good reflexes; pretty much has to, in his line of work.

Sam knocks the book away, sending it flying to one side and against a nearby chair with a thump.

Elle's gone. With a sigh, he picks the book up, glancing absently at the cover -- and then frowning at it.

After a few seconds, he takes it to the bar.

"Can you hold this for Elle, please?"

The book disappears.

"Thanks."

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