(no subject)

[noteful]

January was what one might call an eventful month, if one were being judicious.

But it's over, and February is looking promising.

Meg has a seat near the fire, and is flipping through a book of knitting patterns.

She's just not sure what she's looking for yet.

Comments

[thursdays_angel]

There's a slight disturbance of the atmosphere behind her at her shoulder.

Castiel tilts his head at the book of patterns.

"Why are they named?"

[noteful]

Meg jumps.

"You startled me," she says.

"Hello, Castiel.

"And I guessed they're named for the same reason anything is. So you can keep them straight, and identify them."

[thursdays_angel]

"My apologies."

Castiel frowns a little.

"You had stopped being startled," he observes.

It has been some time since Meg had jumped like that at his arrival.

[noteful]

"Had I?" she asks.

"Sorry, I've been a little . . . distracted, maybe, lately."

Or on edge. That would also work.

[thursdays_angel]

Castiel's frown deepens.

First X. Now Meg.

Is this a sign of something?

"Would you...like to talk about it?"

Thirteen-year-old boys asking girls to their first school dances have sounded less awkward.

Much less awkward.

[noteful]

Meg, having been a girl being asked to a dance by a thirteen-year old boy not too long ago, would have to agree. And it's almost, but not quite, enough to make her smile.

"I . . . there was a guy at home who was . . . following me around and harassing me. But it's taken care of."

[thursdays_angel]

Castiel, after speaking (or not speaking, as the case may be) with X, is not entirely confident in his ability to offer appropriate words of comfort.

He will try, though.

"Were you harmed?"

[noteful]

"No," she says.

"Just shaken up."

[thursdays_angel]

"Good. That is good."

Castiel moves around to take the neighboring chair.

"You reported him to the proper authorities?"

The Mounties, perhaps.

[noteful]

"I reported him to the proper authorities," she says.

Campus security.

And, more importantly, Laura and Parker. Who are not quite the Mounties, but who certainly got their man.

"I also told my friends, so everyone is on the look out, and aware.

"I don't think he'll be back."

[thursdays_angel]

Castiel nods.

"I am sorry that he caused you distress, but glad that that was all he caused you."

"It is important. Having people around you whom you can trust."

[noteful]

"Very," Meg says.

"I am fortunate in my friends.

"How have you been?"

[thursdays_angel]

"I have been as I usually am."

Castiel is never entirely sure how to answer that question. So little changes for him.

Except in Milliways.

"I have read the Anarchist Cookbook, the title of which was most misleading. I was asked for suggestions for a science fair project. And I met your acquaintance, Constable Fraser."

[fairytaleknight]

A teenage boy in a blue and white school uniform is sitting not far from Meg, reading The Sorrows of Young Werther in German.

Noticing Meg, the boy closes the book (marking the page with a finger). "Good evening," says Fakir.

(A few months ago, Fakir wouldn't have bothered. He is, however, gradually acquiring some manners.)

[noteful]

"Good evening," Meg says, looking up from her own book.

There's a slight, easy smile.

[fairytaleknight]

The woman reminds him, Fakir decides, of a friend of his guardian's. Raetsel spent a long and thankless time trying to teach Fakir social skills. Fakir dredges some of them up.

"Fakir," he introduces himself. "We haven't met."

[noteful]

"I'm Meg Ford," she says. "And now we have.

"And it's nice to meet you.

"Are you new?"

[fairytaleknight]

Fakir shakes his head slightly: no. "A few months."

However, Fakir only recently decided that he was at all interested in talking to other people.

"You?"

[noteful]

"A little over two years, now," she says.

"It just turned up one day, and it's been turning up when and where it wants ever since."

And, then, as the name registers.

"Do you know a girl named Duck?"

[fairytaleknight]

"Yes." Fakir's veneer of friendliness slips; now he just looks irritated. "Does she know everyone?"

Duck somehow manages to be a secret magical princess and make friends with half the town and three quarters of the bar while falling on her face six times a day. It's a neat trick.

[noteful]

Meg's eyebrows raise slightly, but her expression doesn't change much beyond that.

"I believe she knows a fair number of people, yes.

"I consider her a friend.

"But I haven't seen her in a while.

"Is she well?"

[fairytaleknight]

"Well enough," Fakir says shortly.

If she doesn't get herself killed trying to face the Raven.

"If you're her friend, keep her from meddling in things that don't concern her."

[noteful]

Her eyebrows raise slightly higher.

"As she is my friend, if she asks my advice, I will give her my honest opinion."

[noteful]

[OOC: And I am rapidly losing the ability to process the English language. Can I beg slowtime?]

[fairytaleknight]

[Oh, totally. *grin*]