May 05 09:32:47 106 PA
From Chronicles
May 05 09:32:47 106 PA
Kingsdale - The Alibi
It is neither a breakfast nook nor lunch cafe', but the club has become a second or third hom for Leonard in the space of morning between those two meal times. He sits at a table, bursing nothing more potent than water and he enjoys the relative quiet while reviewing something of interest upon the pocket comp on the tabletop before him.
The club is Maya's home from home as well, providing the majority of her nutritional intake. Today, she is later than normal, and her normally explosive entrance is subdued, her feet taking her across to the bar, ordering a fruit smoothie. She takes it, with barely a smile, turning to glance around the bar.
Perhaps he's done too much review, and it isn't even midday, yet. Leonard's brow wrinkles before a hand rubs across to smooth it back down while the other powers off the device and returns it to a pocket. Definitely not 'easy reading.' A sip from his glass now accompanies a casual glance about the sparsely populated club. Whatever his former weariness, a smile cannot be contained as he notes Maya. Even without hugging, her presence is energizing, and he lifts a hand to wave. "Good morning."
The wave catches her gaze and Maya aims for her grin, failing badly, but her feet take her over to his table. She drops the drink onto the table, the lack of hug notable. "You know when you upset people? How did you make it better?" She drops herself into a chair, drawing up one leg to rest her chin on it, hazel eyes serious for once. "Make amends, you know." She hesitates, before adding. "Without having sex."
Leonard arches a brow at her style of approach, and its partner joins at the lack of embrace. Then a momentary blink follows at her question. "Well..." he begins, before he's anything resembling certain of what will follow, "Conversation. That's how I've attempted to make amends. Profuse amounts of apologies, as well, but I think that explaining my mistake, or intent, or momentary stupidity that led to the upset worked well enough. What's wrong?" Surprise is promptly replaced with growing concern. "If you don't mind me asking?"
Maya drops her leg down, her elbows hitting the table as she takes a slurp of her drink, the bunches falling either side of her face, drooping like their owner. "I tried that. He told me that I haunt his dreams, and that he can't talk to me, dance with me or talk to me without pain." When she lifts her head, the hazel eyes are glittering, unshed tears. "And he saved me and I just hurt him." She sniffs, ducking her head again, a quick swipe of her hand across her cheeks.
"Maya," Leonard's face falls at the sight of her own, but he pushes out a genuine smile in attempt to rebel against the pained mood, "if he thinks about you that much, then he should understand and accept whatever explanation you gave. He should be grateful for your company, not lamenting it, and if he's so pained that he doesn't want to be around you..." His shoulders roll. "it is definitely his loss." Leonard offers as best he can without knowing much in details.
Maya gives him a thoughtful look, her mind ticking away, clearly showing in her face, in her hazel eyes. Clearly she is considering his words. "Maybe." There is definitely doubts, and her face reflects them as she drinks the smoothie in silence. "I think it is my loss too. I miss dancing with him, and I miss talking to him." She shakes her head slowly, "I should go and sleep. This is my dinner." She waves the glass as she slumps back in the chair, taking another swig.
Leonard hmms softly as he considers his words, too, as well as hers. "It might take time to sort things out, so I wouldn't give up just yet. You're the last person I'd expect to." A soft chuckle is managed. "Nothing good is ever easy... and a bunch of other over-used quips. They're true, though, and if not... I doubt you'll ever run out of dance or conversation partners." He then nods firmly at the waving glass. "Sleep might be a good idea before thinking yourself into a hole. So is eating."
Maya gives him a steady look, the glass held still for a moment. "You are right. About giving up anyhow." Her face brightens and she puts the drink down, half finished. "You are right. I wouldn't expect a friend to give up on me, because I was upset, and I shouldn't do the same with him. You are so right. See, you making mistakes were for a reason, and if you hadn't, you wouldn't be able to give me the right advice, and ..." She pushes the glass away, bouncing back to her feet, offering the man a hug.
Which is welcomed, and heartily returned, since she is in more need of it. Leonard can't help but grin at her reasoning. "Mistakes aren't all bad, in the end. Tripping teaches one how to step over things. I'm glad that I could help, and thank you for finally discovering the nature of my misfortunes." The smile turns to a teasing one before softening. "If you'd like more mistaken advice, or just want to talk, I'm always available."
Unusually, he gets a light kiss on his cheek, the moment before the girl turns, heaving out of the club, the bounce back in her footsteps, jumping up the stairs. The door swings closed behind her, leaving her glass, half full, or perhaps half empty, on the table with him.
