milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

It's been a hard couple of days for the sous-chefs, but Utena is feeling all the better for having worked as much as she has. Taking a well-earned break from the kitchen, she heads into the main room and curls up with a delicate cup of tea.

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"Does she?" A pleasant smile. "Is she a friend of yours?"

Her smile is luminous.

"My only friend here, I think."

"Did you know her from before you came?"

Utena looks at him oddly.

"...No."

His eyebrows rise, a little.

Now that's interesting.

"I must admit, Miss Tenjou, it's strange that such a nice young lady as yourself only has one friend here."

She looks down into her tea.

"...I don't get out much."

"Perhaps you should. The people here are kind."

For the most part.

Sort of.

She looks unconvinced. "Well...perhaps I should. But I have been busy working, Joe-san. It is nice of you to come talk to me, though."

She smiles at him, cautiously friendly.

Roland's smile isn't nearly as cautious.

"It's always good to meet new people." Pause. "And perhaps I will meet your friend Miss Himemiya some time."

She looks confused.

"You haven't already met her? That is strange. I gather she meets more people than I do, and has been here longer."

"Has she? How long, do you know?"

"Longer than me," Utena says shortly, and knows she is being rude, but can't stop herself. She feels ill and tired and scared of this friendly-seeming man.

"I'd gathered," Roland says pleasantly.

"Perhaps you will meet her soon," Utena tells him, pleasantly enough, but she does not have Anthy's blankness. "She is easy to find. She has purple hair and a little monkey named Chuchu."

"Certainly seems like she'd stand out," Roland agrees. "How big is the monkey?"

"Small," she tells him, measureing with her hands. "A little bigger than a mouse."

"Never heard tell of a monkey that small." Roland doesn't seem like he doesn't believe her, though.

"We-ell, he might not be an actual monkey, then," Utena hedges, but she is clearly warming to ~~Roland~~ Joe. Anyone who likes Chuchu is someone she likes.

And we all know that Roland loves Chuchu.

"Then what is he?" A polite inquiry.

"I don't know!" she laughs. "He is Chuchu. A friend."

"Then that's all that matters, isn't it."

And a smile.

"Yes," she agrees, then yawns unexpectedly. She gets up, only slightly relieved.

"I'm sorry, Joe-san. I am very tired. It was nice to meet you."

"And it was very nice to meet you, Miss Tenjou. I look forward to speaking with you again."

The smile is still there.

She smiles back, cautiously, then makes for her room, catching herself on the rail, and heading slowly upstairs.

Roland watches her go.

Once she's out of sight, the smile is gone.

Interesting.

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