third floor common room - thursday evening - 10/16

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir was... not exactly pleased about his luck for today.

Today, of all days, this again, though the fact that others were in similar situations made him feel just a bit better about it. He didn't think that Penelope would mind him being green, especially considering his story about Elphaba, but it still was one more thing that'd be wrong during the dinner, one more thing than he wanted.

That said, he'd hopefully prepared a meal that would make up for it. Steak, dessert, and a light clear soup with vegetables to start them off. The food stayed in the pots and pans to stay hot and the iced pearlfruit tea he'd made was still in the icebox to stay cold.

Now, he just had to wait for Penelope.

[open, as common rooms are, but waiting for one; Penelope thread locked, if you please, and all threads will be before hers.]

Comments

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She inhaled on a sharp gasp. "Oh my goodness!"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He winced.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to bring it up, but it's true. I'm... well, the only thing known is that he disappeared. I hope to here, now, but yes."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I'm so sorry I was curious," she began, reaching a hand across the table in an effort to pat him, sooth him, something. "I'm at a loss for words. He's so nice, kind; maybe he could just stay here forever."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He let her hand land on his and smiled at her.

"No... no trouble," he said with a sip of his drink.

"And I'm working on something. I love him very dearly."

He tipped his head to the stove.

"I should get the steak out."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I would offer my help to you, if there is anything I could do," she told him, giving his hand another gentle pat before she drew back.

"Oh, yes, please." Penelope almost forgot about dinner, so wrapped up in their conversation was she.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He collected to plates and went to the stove to serve up the steak. He came back and put her plate down before placing his own. He poured a little more of the iced tea and held up the pitcher for her.

"I hope they're all right. I thought the recipe looked appetizing."

"But, er, yes. Trism is a good friend. If I ever get around to bringing a few people to the Emerald City, I'd have to do introductions."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She raised her glass to him so he could refill hers as well. "Thank you, and the steak looks amazing," she said.

Penelope waited for him to be seated before she picked up her fork and knife. "I wasn't aware that we could bring people back to our own dimensions. I would enjoy seeing this place of yours, the Emerald City."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"You can. I've gone to the United States, off the island, and to my own world in the far future," he said.

He refilled her drink and put down the pitcher.

"What've you been up to the last couple of days?"

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I haven't even been off island yet," she admitted softly. "I... might try that, but later." Later when she was more comfortable with herself. More courageous.

"Nothing, really. I worked last night and aside from that, this week has been very quiet for me. Which I don't mind much. And you?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"You work at Caritas, yes?" he asked as he started cutting at the steak.

"I've never really gone in there, I'll admit. I don't drink. For everyone's good."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Yes, that's right," she replied. "Wednesdays."

Taking a bite of her steak, she chewed and swallowed before she replied to that.

"Is there a reason why you do not?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He chuckled now.

"I've tried things," he said, "and I've discovered that their effect on me is usually... profound. Coffee usually leads to me needing a peeling off of the ceiling. Chocolate is extremely, er, good. And drink, well, one drink and I'm rather clumsy and thoughtless."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

She giggled. "Drinking does the same thing to me. My first experience was not too long ago actually. Draft beer. It's something. Chocolate is good, hmm? Like better than good?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He blushed and ducked his head.

Yes, very good.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"You're blushing," she giggled still. "What does this chocolate do to you?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"It's inappropriate to share the details with a lady," he said before dropping his eyes to her plate and urging her silently to eat.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"Oh," she said and did indeed pay attention to her plate as his gestures suggested she do. And yes, she was blushing while she ate.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He couldn't help the faint chuckle, though.

"I'm terrible at small talk," he had to admit.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"No, you're fine. I seem to be asking all the wrong questions this evening," she replied, lifting her hands to press against her hot cheeks. "I'm curious by nature," she explained. "Just tell me to be quiet if you like."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He shook his head as he looked up to face her, green eyes clear.

"I'm just a bit depressing and bizarre to ask questions of. If you'd like the answers, you can have them. I just don't want to upset you, to be honest."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

"I believe everyone of us can be bizarre at times," she said. "If you ask me anything about myself or my home, I'm certain it will come off sounding bizarre to you." Penelope smiled, looked back at him. "You are not upsetting me; I worry about upsetting you."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He shook his head.

"This place has shaken me out of most of things that disturb me anymore," he said, trusting that Penelope wouldn't ask about those things which still did.

"Don't worry."

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

No, she wouldn't. She was learning this evening that her curiousness was not always appreciated, even if it wasn't spoken.

"Thank you," she said and pushed her plate aside, finished with her steak. "It was very good."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

More that she wouldn't think to question Shell's habits in prisons or what he'd done to his own uncle or what being inside a freezing fishwell for three days alone might be like.

"There's dessert as well if you'd like," he said quietly, starting to think he'd offended her.

[bad-nose-job.livejournal.com]

No, no she wouldn't. Not at all.

"Is it... chocolate?" she asked with an impish grin, then laughed lightly, waving her hand. "Just kidding! Yes, I would love dessert."