Like the pajama game, but with less singing and dancing. Probably.

[cutting_edgex23]

X does not keep a messy apartment; this means that when she's having company she does not have to worry much about the state of things. She does, however take care to put several of her weapons storage containers into her closet. The rest get covered with a sheet. Just to be safe.

She is not sure whether the fold-out couch will need to be used as a couch, so she leaves it as-is.

And if she seems a little hesitant when she's escorting Parker and Meg through her front door--it'll pass quickly.

Probably.

Comments

[parkerlee]

Parker hitches her duffel bag a little higher on her shoulder as she follows Laura through the door.

She looks around, more than a little curiously. But the apartment looks fairly standard. And very neat and tidy.

"This is a nice place, Laura."

[noteful]

"It really is," Meg agrees.

Not a bad first other world to visit.

And it looks completely free of swords-in-stones.

(If Laura does have one tucked in one of those weapons storage containers, Meg would rather not know, thank you.)

[cutting_edgex23]

Laura has grenades and possibly a bazooka. No swords. Well--she does have a sword, but it is in Milliways.

"Thank you."

She says that very carefully, stopping halfway into the kitchen.

"I am supposed to ask if you are thirsty. Or hungry."

Beat.

"There are chips."

[parkerlee]

Parker sets her bag down next to the sofa.

"I'm good on food for the moment, but I wouldn't mind something to drink."

It's usually the tiniest bit awkward the first time you are invited into someone else's home (military bases don't count). The kitchen is usually the best place to break the ice.

Parker is still looking around.

"Nice cactus."

As plants go, it fits Laura. With the sharp pointy bits.

[noteful]

"Hey, it's The Cactus with No Name," Meg says.

And its very fabulous, if slightly ironic, nametag.

"Something to drink would be very nice, thank you."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Thank you," X repeats, a little less awkwardly this time.

"It is a metaphor. Rose gave it to me."

Then she opens the fridge.

"There is water. And milk. And tea. It is cold."

X forgot soda. And coffee.

Oops.

[noteful]

"It's a very nice metaphor cactus."

Meg isn't drinking soda or coffee these days, anyway, so no worries on her account.

"Milk, for me, please."

When she's done with this whole broken bone thing, Meg is swearing off milk for a month.

Until then, however . . .

[parkerlee]

"Tea for me, please," Parker says, stepping over to examine the succulent.

Her eyebrows go up as she reads the nametag: Cactus With No Name.

She will not start humming. Because once that earworm sets in, it doesn't go away without a fight. And it's a cactus, not a horse, anyway.

"Do you need any help, Laura?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"No. I am okay."

She doesn't even have to make two trips. And she entirely fails to spill either glass of milk into the tea.

"You can sit."

[parkerlee]

Parker nods, and pulls out one of the chairs.

"C'mon, Meg. Put your cast up."

It can't be comfortable standing in a cast on crutches for any great length of time.

Parker herself takes another of the kitchen chairs.

"How long have you lived here, Laura?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X stays quiet for a couple seconds, situating the drinks and very carefully dropping down to sit on the couch.

"Several months. Six?"

She seems a little hesitant.

X has never been very good with dates.

"I like it."

[noteful]

"I can see why," Meg says.

"Have you met your neighbors?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes."

X shifts position, resting her cheek against her upraised knees.

"Mr Simmons is my landlord. Inez owns the hardware store."

Beat.

"She has a son. He plays baseball."

She doesn't mean to respond to this as if she's being debriefed. But sometimes it is easier.

[parkerlee]

Parker's used to hearing Laura impart pertinent details in this manner.

"Sounds like a nice place," she says, sipping her tea.

"Boy. I bet they feel safer with you in the building."

"Oh...well. I don't know how well they know you. But if they do, I bet they feel safer."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I patrol," X says.

Carefully.

"It is not very dangerous."

[noteful]

"Well, that's . . . good to know."

She patrols?

"Have things been, um, quiet?

"No . . . aliens invading or anything?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes. The aliens are gone."

Beat.

"But people do not like graffiti on the walls. And sometimes there are burglars."

X shrugs.

"It does not take long. To check. But I like to be careful."

[parkerlee]

"I love how casually you say that," Parker grins. "The aliens have been sent packing. But we still have the occasional graffiti punks causing trouble."

"No aliens, guards, or uptight operative types. Just a nice, quiet visit."

"Were the only totally non-life-or-death decisions involve movies, snacks, and when to dive into pjs."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I like quiet."

This is true.

And then--

"I have pajamas now. Cessily helped."

[noteful]

"They're good to have. Confortable, for lounging."

Meg pauses.

"Who is Cessily?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"She was my teammate. Before."

Beat.

"She is a shapeshifter. Made of organic mercury."

This pause is a little longer.

"And she is my friend."

[parkerlee]

"It's good to have friends who can help you shop. Among other things."

Like thwarting alien invasions.

Parker sets down her glass of tea.

"So, ladies. Game plan for the evening? Not that I'm advocating a timetable and a whole lot of structure, but what do we want to do?"

[noteful]

"Well," says Meg, considering this.

"We need to make soup. And popcorn, which goes with a movie. Or movies. And paint our nails or play with hairstyles or something.

"And there has to be girl talk. Or gossip.

"And staying up too late. That's a given."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay," X says.

It's practically impossible to miss the fact that she's making a detailed list behind her eyes.

"I do not know when it is good to start the soup."

[noteful]

"Well, it doesn't take long to put everything together for it," Meg says. "But then it does cook for a while.

"So . . . we probably ought to start it soon, and then it can be simmering while we do other things?"