Not looking for help

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[Wufei had so far managed to avoid having to deal with a waiter or waitress through sheer force of will. If he refused to look up or acknowledge them when they approached him, they had no choice but to pause and then continue about their business. The second menu should tell them all they needed to know — he had no need of a drink or any kind of conversation before Catalonia arrived and if he had, he would have told them the first time they had tried approaching his table.

He had brought one of the books recommended by one of his teachers last semester and was doing his best to focus on it. Unfortunately, he had actually started going backwards because he had forgotten what it was he had supposedly read earlier, and he tried to repress his frustration with calming thoughts of how nice it would be to have his own space again and be out of the grasp of his meddling, self-named "sister".]

Comments

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Dorothy arrived exactly at the time she said she would, and not a moment later. She looked a bit odd, wearing long pants and shirt with long (but loose and billowy) sleeves in the middle of the summer, but it wasn't as though anyone would dare ask her. Besides, the looks she was receiving for the slightly odd fashion were better than what she would have received for any stitches and obvious scars and gashes...

She resisted every urge to comment on his actually being in Chicago as she sat down, seeing as that would probably start things off on the wrong foot. It was tempting, though... She settled for a vague smile and a shake of her head.] Enjoying?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

What is there to enjoy? [He waited a moment before setting his book aside and actually looking at her — the same Catalonia, not that he had truly expected differently. It didn't feel like they had seen each other only a short time ago, especially since the last few days had felt like an eternity.]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

Your book, perhaps. Or maybe the atmosphere of this place, for all I know. [She allowed herself a vague look around before opening her menu and looking through it, just as vaguely. She spoke to Wufei without looking up at him, for the moment.] So, Chang, you wanted to see me, right? Do you want to get straight to business, or would you rather exchange pleasantries first?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

I would prefer we focus on what is important, but you seem to enjoy dancing around issues instead of approaching them straight on. [Her first comment was not even worth formulating a response.]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

And that's stopped you from trying before? [She rolled her eyes, though she was still smiling a bit. She really was amused, after all...]

Fine. Let's focus on what's important. [Her smile dropped, but only slightly, and she idly messed with the menu in the meanwhile.] The ball is in your court, though, Chang. What do you want?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

What are you doing? [He set his menu completely to the side and watched her closely.]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

Watching my menu spin on the tabletop. [She even demonstrated that one. Then, she rolled her eyes, looking back up at Wufei. She set her menu aside as well. If he wanted her to be serious, then fine, she'd play his game. For now.]

Seriously, Chang. If you want an answer, ask the right question.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[Not funny, Catalonia]

What are you doing here? Why were you at that attack?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

I'm here because some college students actually go home for the summer. And if you're talking about the aquarium, I was meeting someone there.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

You were going to watch fish with someone? [Vaguely disbelieving — that's not really his idea of entertainment, not that he'd admit to many things being entertaining]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She spoke as though she was explaining the concept to a stubborn child.] No, Chang. fish are dull. I was just meeting someone there, on the stairs.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

Then a coincidence. Like your.. warning? [He's almost relieved. Almost.]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't respond directly, of course. She'd be here a while anyway, right?] I'm almost surprised you came. What did it?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

None of your concern.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

Of course it is. You're here, aren't you? [She leaned forward a bit, resting her chin on the back of her hand and just smirking a bit at him. Maybe if he looked up...]

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[An annoyed scoff, and he remained focused on the menu (as if he needed to look at it)]

Which should make it the end of the matter.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

We'll see. [And, with a sigh, she turned her attention to the rest of the room. This was certainly going nowhere... This couldn't be his only reason for calling her out like he did.]

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[] []

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Dorothy gave the waitress a smile -- practiced, nearly perfect, and nobody could tell that it was entirely fake unless they knew her well enough.] Yes. Water and a chicken wrap, please. [And then, she turned that smile on Wufei. It took a twinge toward the teasing, though, of course...]

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[]

[Wufei looked over the menu one last time, lazily, before looking up to give his answer] Half of a turkey reuben and a Pepsi. [Only then did he turn his gaze to Dorothy, giving her a half questioning, half irritated look as his only response to her expression.]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She just kept smiling at him before shaking her head.] You try so very hard to keep everyone in fear of you, don't you?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

What are you talking about?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

The waitress. Actually, most of the staff here is keeping an eye out to make sure you don't glare a hole through the table, or worse, attack an innocent person.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

They refused to leave me alone. [He scowled at the memory, but there was a flash of pride first — he had fixed the problem, hadn't he?]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[Dorothy just left it alone. Chang would be Chang, after all...]