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]

And what is that supposed to mean?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

Nothing. Had you met with Yuy and Maxwell before you saw them the other day?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

I hadn't, no. [A long pause... and then, an almost guilty look -- as guilty as Dorothy would get on a normal basis, anyway] ... I count myself lucky that they were able to get me out of there.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

Sally asked after you. [something mumbled about her nosiness]

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She frowned.] So that's the same hospital she works at? ... I see. ... I'm fine now.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

You're lucky you didn't need more extensive surgery. You would still be there talking to her.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, was that an insult meant for Sally or for me?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

Both of you.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[That won another laugh.] You're so kind, Chang.

I'm through talking about me, though. Let's focus on you for a moment, shall we? What are you going to do now that you're here? And I don't mean apartment hunting.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

Speak with a few old acquaintances. Evade Sally's attempts to find me 'the proper girl'. See if it's possible for you to stay out of trouble.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you cared. I should give you the same warning, though.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

I don't. [He rolled his eyes] Warning?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

To stay out of trouble. Especially if you're here because Heero and Duo need you.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

They don't need me.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

Would you bet their lives on that? [Even she was shocked by what she'd said, but it was already out, so no use in trying to take it back or show the surprise. She just took another sip of her water.]

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[It took Wufei a moment to process what she had said]

What? What do you mean by that?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She shook her head, purposefully making sure she gave off an overly calm air.]

I mean, what are you doing here if you don't believe they need you? Just keep checking up on me? I assure you, Chang, I know what I'm doing.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

[Only raising his voice slightly, but the tone change makes it sound very different (and the waitress flinches back away from where she had been about to offer them refills)]

I returned to Chicago for reasons that are my own, and it would be better if you kept to your own business!!

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

And yet you're allowed to ask me whatever question you want? How hypocritical, Chang.

But, that's fine, you don't have to tell me why you're here. It's enough that you are, I think.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

You didn't answer any of them, Catalonia.

My presence here is partly your fault, so I would think you wouldn't be unhappy about it.

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

I answered them as I could. If you were looking for different answers, then I don't know what to tell you.

As for my feelings... well, that much depends on how this all plays out.

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

"This"? What is there to have play out?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

The chaos occurring in this city. What else?

[pridefulscholar.livejournal.com]

What outcome are you hoping for?

[warbeauty.livejournal.com]

[She had to think about that one, actually. She stared into space for a few seconds, and then just shrugged a shoulder before turning her attention fully back to him.]

As cliché as it is... a better world.