volume 2

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

[ Peter is, as he's want to do from time to time, standing outside in the pouring rain on some city street. This is a pretty common occurrence in his life, truth be told, which is why he's yet to go anywhere. At least the world isn't falling down around him while it rains, which is a definite improvement to many of the moments in his life.

Oh, he's definitely about to start walking, considering it's... raining, just give him a few more seconds.

Until then, he's just going to stand and start looking only mostly drenched, head tipped down to at least keep the water out of his eyes. And anyway, he's got his coat on, so what more could he possibly need? Peter doesn't really do umbrella's. ]

Comments

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. [ Alright, fine, he'll let that one slide. Considering he was probably going to be paying for it anyway.

Hands in his pockets, he waits for her to start walking before he follows. He can't help trying to enjoy the last few moments in the rain, even if he's starting to feel a little waterlogged. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Ami doesn't wait. She strides ahead of Peter, as if she knows this place as well as he does, each step buoyant with a sense of repressed energy.]

Keep up or you'll be left.

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

[ Look, Ami, there's no reason to walk fast right now. He's more than happy to just wander along behind you and slosh through the water collecting in the street. There might not be any roses around but he's going to... stop and smell the puddles. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She only pauses once she's about to step inside the cafe. There, she waits for Peter and flashes him a sidelong smile.]

If you're afraid of embarrassing yourself, I'll help you with the money.

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

Who said anything about embarrassing myself? [ Finally making it up under the awning of the cafe, he just... shakes his head at her. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Oh, look, that got him to come along. Ami grins completely irrepressibly, utterly unashamed of herself for her antics.]

Don't worry, I have a small appetite.

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

[ He shrugs, nonchalantly, holding the door for both of them. ]

Get what you want.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

Thank you! [Once inside, she calms herself to look over the menu.]

How about the tea, and one of those blueberry pastries? [Doesn't seem they have anmitsu. Shame.]

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

[ His should says all it needs to as he stays quiet for a few moments to stare up at the menu. ]

Sounds good.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She can't help herself, really. Peter does good dealing with her.]

Then, I'll find us a seat.

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I'll be there in a second. [ Peter goes ahead and gets what she asked for, ordering a large coffee for himself. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She finds a small table for two, out of the way, with at least a modicum of privacy. When Peter rejoins her, she seems a bit more natural.]

Thank you.

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

[ It takes Peter a few moments to find the table that Ami's picked, but he's wandering on over soon enough, trying to keep from dropping anything.

Setting her things down in front of her, Peter plops down in his seat with a sigh. ] You're welcome.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Well now that they've come to this, it bothers her. It shouldn't, really - hadn't she enjoyed everyone's acclaim and hurry to accommodate her when her classmates had been under her spells? - but there it is, like that nagging irritation watching Nephrite cast out and alone, or that vague drive to keep running and looking for herself even now that she's sure she knows the truth: indescribable, intangible, but real.

She almost sounds annoyed in her confusion.]

Why did you pay for it after all?

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

[ He shrugs, taking a sip of his coffee. ]

Why not?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

It may be kind of you to do, [She can concede that much.] But are you saying you don't mind being taken advantage of?

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

I would've offered anyway.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

And if you hadn't wanted to? What then?

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

Why's it matter?

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

No, it's nothing. [She backtracks easily.] Curiosity.

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

... Right. [ He's still giving her the stare down as he sips his coffee. ] I don't know, maybe I still would've.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

You're a nice person. [Her tone makes it hard to tell whether this is positive, negative, or simply skeptical.]

[askedtobe.livejournal.com]

So i've been told. [ Peter is leaning towards... not taking that as a compliment. But he's not entirely sure. ]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[Ah, she's had enough of puzzling it out. She shakes her head.]

It's nothing. Let's go ahead.

[She smiles suddenly, and turns her attention to their impromptu dessert.]