(no subject)

[3nanashi]

It's late afternoon. The first show is at 6:00 -- 1800, Trowa still thinks of it really, but the translation is easy -- and most of the circus is making early dinners or otherwise enjoying the downtime before they have to get ready.

Trowa opens the door from Milliways into the trailer he shares with Cathy, and lets X follow him through.

It's a narrow room, combining kitchen and common room in a compact and tidy package, with doors to Trowa's room, Cathy's, and the bathroom. (And, behind them, to the outside.) It's all lived-in, in an impeccably tidy way.

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

X blinks.

Twice.

"But they do not talk."

Sometimes confirmation is nice to have.

Just in case.

[3nanashi]

Trowa shakes his head.

"Not like humans."

They communicate fine.

[cutting_edgex23]

X considers this.

Carefully.

"You talk to them?"

[3nanashi]

Trowa shrugs.

"Sometimes."

"The words don't matter. But they listen to tone of voice."

You are sure you are not a mutant?, X asked him once, and Trowa remembers her perspective on this. But as far as he's concerned, this is just a matter of knowing how to listen, and how to see, and how to monitor your own movements. If you understand how an animal thinks, you'll know how to make yourself understood; it's the same as humans, except that animals don't lie.

[cutting_edgex23]

X takes a few steps forward, attention seemingly fixed on the lions.

She's not hesitant.

"Quiet is better?"

Quiet and firm, that is.

X does not do wishy-washy.

(She was not built for it.)

[3nanashi]

"Calm is better. Quiet helps too."

Not that he's really worried about X getting panicky and loud.

If he was, he wouldn't have brought her here anyway.

He takes a few steps forward too, movements steady and deliberate, and in her peripheral vision. (It's habitual courtesy; it's also giving her room to move in case she needs it. Though in a way, that's habitual courtesy too.)

"Hi," he says to the lions. "I'm back for a bit."

[cutting_edgex23]

X watches the way the lions respond to Trowa, measuring it as best she can.

Then she moves, too, keeping a step or so back from him.

And, because it is polite (right?) --

"Hello."

She does not wave. And she keeps part of her attention fixed firmly on Trowa.

It is only sensible.

[3nanashi]

Trowa opts for the older of the males. He's the most easygoing, and the most open to meeting new people -- he was the first Trowa greeted, years ago, when he was still in his prime -- and besides that, he's in a drowsy friendly mood.

He reaches through the bars, offering his hand. The lion studies them both, and then pushes to his feet with a rumbling sigh. He pads over the couple of steps the cage allows, and shoves his great heavy-maned head into Trowa's palm to have his ears scratched.

He's still keeping an eye on X, but he lets his eyes half-close in pleasure anyway.

(His name is Reggie, for the record. But it's not a name that means anything to the lion, so Trowa only uses it when other humans want a label.)

[cutting_edgex23]

X slips closer by inches, though she does not reach out to touch.

Her breath remains perfectly even, and her scent entirely fails to change.

She is also careful, however, not to make too much eye contact. Or stare.

It is only polite.

[3nanashi]

Trowa's assessment of X as sensible keeps being confirmed.

Reggie blinks slowly at X, and butts his head a little more firmly into Trowa's hand. (A lion can headbutt pretty firmly, even being friendly, but Trowa's used to this.)

[cutting_edgex23]

X does not laugh, but something in her face brightens -- just a little.

And a few moments later she flicks a quick sideways look at Trowa.

It's a questioning sort of look.

Is this particular lion inclined to bite her hand off?

(Not that this really matters to X, but it would likely be unpleasant for some people, and explaining why she's missing a limb would be -- problematic. For Trowa. As regeneration on that scale is not a fast-paced process. Comparatively.)

[3nanashi]

Trowa regards her back for a moment, considering. (Considering Reggie, more than X. His mood matters a lot more.)

And then nods slightly in invitation.

X, as stated, is sensible.

He leaves his hand on Reggie's head, of course.

[cutting_edgex23]

X's approach is deliberate, as is the movement of her hand as she reaches out to brush against Reggie --

Near to Trowa's hand, of course.

It seems safest.

And once that is done she steps back, smooth and neat.

And, perhaps, smiling a very little.

Not that Reggie or Trowa are likely to tell anyone.

[3nanashi]

Reggie snorts a little at the touch, but puts up with it placidly enough.

X seems like a pretty tolerable human, even if she does smell kind of weird. And his ears are still getting scratched.

Trowa glances at X sidelong, and for a brief moment he might be smiling very faintly too.




It's another minute or so before he says, "I'll need to get ready soon."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay," she says in return.

Quietly.

"I should wait near the tent?"

The main tent, that is. X figures Trowa will pick that up from context.

[3nanashi]

Trowa nods.

"Or the trailer, if you want. But the tent's more central."

She'll fit in better.

"There are some booths and side shows by the front."

If she wants cotton candy and funnel cake or something. Or to win at a sandbag-and-target game.

There's not a lot, but having a few before the main tent is good for attracting audience members. And for keeping bored kids occupied before the show opens. (Also: extra revenue.)

"The ticket booth's over there too. I'll show you on the way."

[cutting_edgex23]

X just nods.

The 'thank you' is implicit.

And she makes sure to get funnel cake before heading to the tent to take her seat.

It is important.

(And it helps her blend in better. That is important, too.)

[maxwellsdemon02]

Not so long after (and not so long before the curtain rises) Duo shows up!

"You're full of surprises too," he says, pointing the Finger of Accusation at her. "Popcorn?" He offers her the box he's holding as he takes his seat.

He's wearing a mishmash of civilian clothes and Preventers gear, but he took a shower before arriving. His braid is still damp.

[cutting_edgex23]

X looks up at him, shifting so that her funnel cake is a little bit closer to him.

In case he wants some.

"I do not think so," she says. Carefully.

And then --

"No, thank you. Maybe later. If you do not eat it all."

[maxwellsdemon02]

"Hey, I'm a growing boy. I make no guarantees." It's not really a lie, but if he's going to do anymore growing, he had better do it soon.

"So, I've gotta know. Does he talk to you any more than he does to me?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X considers that, breaking off a piece of funnel cake and chewing slowly.

Then --

"I do not know how much he talks to you."

For one.

[maxwellsdemon02]

Duo sighs, thumping his head gently against the sound booth behind them. "I see how it is. You're ganging up on me. I never should have introduced the two of you. Next thing I know, Havelock will join in, and then I'll really be doomed."

He moodily eats some popcorn. His life is hard.

[cutting_edgex23]

X's expression remains composed.

"Maybe you will learn to think it is funny."

If anyone can do it, Duo can.

Right?

[maxwellsdemon02]

Duo points the popcorn box at her, this time. "I've gotta teach you some bad knock-knock jokes or something. You're throwing me off my game with all this deadpan snarking."

That's his job, X! Well, that and being ridiculous.

[cutting_edgex23]

X tilts her head for a moment, assessing Duo's offer, as it were.

Then --

"I like it that way."

Even in the midst of snark X is honest. It is a skill.