(no subject)

[cutting_edgex23]

X slips in through the front door, windblown but not displeased.

It is always a good time, testing a new motorcycle, especially one that has been significantly modified.

Alien tech is the best.

So is a seat at the bar while consuming a bowl of soup and a glass of milk.

Comments

[maxwellsdemon02]

"Hey," Duo says, thumping down on the bar stool next to her. His hair is damp from the shower, where he immediately went after exiting the gym.

"What's shakin'?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X turns to look at him, head tilting very slightly.

"I was not," she says, very solemnly.

"Until you sat down."

[maxwellsdemon02]

"You calling me fat?" Duo asks, with a certain amount of scandalized delight.

[cutting_edgex23]

X just looks at him for a few more seconds.

Then she reaches out and shoves at his shoulder.

Gently.

(This is not a 'no'.)

[maxwellsdemon02]

He has never been so happy that he infected X with his sense of humor. He gives her a little shove back, friendly-like.

"How are you?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X does not grin, but she does not look displeased, either.

"I am better."

Beat.

"You are, too?"

She hopes so.

[maxwellsdemon02]

"Yeah. Got some first aid from Trowa, I'm not sick anymore. I've been lying low, letting my ribs heal, then trying to get my strength back. Feeling pretty good, now."

He'll head back when the door opens.

Should be soon.

[cutting_edgex23]

"We could spar," X offers.

"To test it."

The goodness of his feeling, that is.

[maxwellsdemon02]

He draws back a little and eyes her warily. "Not that I don't appreciate the offer. It's just, you grinding me into the ground might crush more than my ego," he says.

"I'm trying not to go back with broken ribs."

[battle_butler]

Alfred enters some time later than X. He's wearing a suit with a (fake) poppy attached to the lapel.

He settles down next to X with a smile, before ordering a pot of tea and some (chocolate) cake. And if Bar happens to provide far more than enough for one, who's he to argue?

[cutting_edgex23]

X shifts position to look at him, head tilting slightly as she makes a study of his appearance.

She does not look displeased.

"Alfred."

Beat.

"You are okay?"

The answer is probably yes, but sometimes it is polite to ask. (Right?)

[battle_butler]

Alfred glances down at the poppy on his chest, before replying, "I am."

It's good to remember and honour old friends.

"Yourself?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am better."

Her response is prompt.

It helps that it is also true.

"Than I have been. I went home."

[battle_butler]

Alfred nods understandingly. Though, he doesn't. Understand, that is.

"What were you, ah, having issues with back home?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am a weapon."

It's not exactly a reminder, but it is the easiest place to begin.

"People always want to use me. Or test me."

Or use her in their tests. Either/or.

[battle_butler]

Alfred rolls his eyes in a most expressive manner, to indicate what he thinks of them, a small shake of the head should clarify, just in case it wasn't clear.

"You are human. And quite capable of thinking for yourself." So, anyone who thinks they can simply use her, is stupid.

[cutting_edgex23]

"I am a person," X allows. "It is not the same."

Otherwise humans would make a lot more sense. (And people. Still.)

"But I was not. When I was small. They think it will be easy to make me like that. Again."

[lifethatisscratched]

One boy inching his head out from behind the Bar to look at you, X.


Should he really be back there?

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head, studying him carefully.

Her expression is perfectly composed.

"You are bartending?"

She does not see a sign.

[lifethatisscratched]

He shakes his head, slowly.


Then, with a smile slowly spreading across his face:

"I wanted to see if I could sneak back here without one of the rats seeing me."



(Mike Charlie, you little warrior.)

[cutting_edgex23]

X flicks a quick glance around the room.

"It was effective?"

All signs point to yes, but it is still useful to check.

[lifethatisscratched]

Slowly, he nods. "I think so. Do you?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X flicks another glance around the room, checking on the positions of the waitrats.

Then --

"I do not think it is unlikely."

[lifethatisscratched]

His lower lip juts out in a pout.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"No one is looking. At you."

She does not laugh.

"And the rats are not irritated."