Give me a home in San Francisco. A big rock by the lake is okay, too

[cutting_edgex23]

It's cool out tonight, but X apparently doesn't mind.

She's perched on one of the larger rocks by the lake, legs crossed with her hands resting on her knees.

Someone may be meditating.

That does not, however, mean she is not paying attention to her surroundings.

She would not be X if she were oblivious.

Comments

[adamantiumloner]

Fall and winter are coming, and as Logan steps out of the treeline he realizes he's looking forward to it.

Just as aware of his surroundings as she is he notices her right away and shifts directions.

He approaches, but stands off a few feet, taking a moment to light a cigar and looking out over the lake. He's got nowhere in particular to be, so he can wait until she's through.

[cutting_edgex23]

She waits until he exhales the first bit of smoke before she speaks. (And if, in the meantime, she shifted her position on the rock so that the wind would not blow it straight at her, surely that is not relevant.)

"Logan."

Beat.

"You are okay?"

It's not that she thinks he is not, but --

It is a more useful thing to say than 'hello'.

[adamantiumloner]

He'd move, but she already has so he doesn't bother.

"Same as ever. You?"

[cutting_edgex23]

She turns to look at him, then.

"People do not make sense."

This is probably not an actual revelation for either of them.

But it is where she knows how to start.

[adamantiumloner]

"Not usually," He agrees, taking a seat on her rock. He takes a puff on the cigar and blows up, angling the smoke away from her.

"Someone in particular who's off, or we talkin' just folks in general?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X is silent for a little while, considering.

"Cal."

Beat.

"He does not listen when I talk."

This pause is longer, because she has to think a little bit more about what to say.

"He moved. To another world. But he is not prepared. It is stupid."

[adamantiumloner]

He almost says 'you try smackin' him?', but X takes things pretty literal. He almost says it anyways.

Sometimes a good hit is what a conversation needs.

"Thinkin' he's gonna get himself killed?"

That's usually what happens to stupid people who jump into situations unprepared.

[cutting_edgex23]

"His new world has aliens. And temporal rifts."

Beat.

"It is problematic. And he does not know how to buy groceries."

She offers a shrug, one-shouldered and quick.

"I tried to explain. What is useful."

This pause is longer.

"He thinks I do not know."

[adamantiumloner]

Logan listens and it's pretty obvious to him that the guy is a dumb ass. He puffs on the cigar a few more times, then snubs it out on the rock.

"Hm. I give him a few weeks before he starves or gets picked up by the aliens for doin' somethin' stupid."

[cutting_edgex23]

If X were someone else, she would laugh.

As it is she just falls silent for a little while, breathing.

Then --

"He talks at me. Not to me. Sometimes. I know."

Maybe Logan will understand it, too.

"And I do not like it."

[adamantiumloner]

He understands.

"You hit him?"

It is a pretty good way to get someone to pay attention to you.

[cutting_edgex23]

X's gaze flicks down for half a second.

"No."

Then she looks back up.

"It would be effective?"

She never tried it before, not with this.

It was not allowed.

[adamantiumloner]

"It'd get him t'stop talkin' down at ya. May not be that great if you plan on keepin' him as a friend."

It depends though, Logan has hit lots of his friends, but his friendships are mostly special cases. He doesn't have what you'd call 'normal' friends. Doesn't really want any.

"I guess if you ain't gonna hit him, the next thing t'do would be tellin' him he's a jackass."

[cutting_edgex23]

After a few longer moments of thought, X nods.

"It is a useful option."

To hold in reserve, that is.

"But maybe -- "

She frowns, very slightly.

"Maybe 'jackass' is better to try. First."

X matches Logan's delivery perfectly -- just in a higher register.

She may have to practice this.

[adamantiumloner]

"Maybe," Logan concedes.

"Just be ready t'tell him why, in case he doesn't already know."

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head a little, considering that.

Then --

"It will be relevant?"

Beat.

"To him."

[adamantiumloner]

"He might listen. Generally if ya tell someone they're a jackass they'll wanna know why. Or they'll get pissed an' try an' fight'cha, which is when the hittin' would come in."

He scratches a side burn and mirrors the shrug she gave earlier.

"Some folks don't know they're bein' stupid 'til you call 'em on it. He don't know shit 'bout this new world of his, an' could be he doesn't know it bugs ya the way he talks. Tell him, an' if he doesn't care, then screw him."

Someone might be proud of Logan for not sticking with the violent way to handle Cal. Who's to say who that is, but someone might. He is trying.

X needs friends, not more enemies.

[cutting_edgex23]

"He is not good at fighting," X says, matter-of-factly. "I would win."

And after a longer pause where she studies Logan consideringly --

"It is the not-caring that is important."

She nods once.

"I will remember."

X does not say thank you. But maybe she will buy Logan beer. And pizza.

(Or invite Pixie for pizza in order to give the man some peace. Or both.)

[adamantiumloner]

Logan would appreciate beer more than a thank you, anyhow.

[cutting_edgex23]

X will take root beer, herself.

Once she gets off the rock, gathers up Logan, and heads back inside.

But it is a nice night, and quiet.

They have time.