(Untitled)

[undermyheel]

Claire did not do the holidays.

She did non-holidays.

This was pleasing to her.

Now, she's sitting at a table near the bar, sipping blood.

Comments

[sky_from_sea]

"Claire."

Anna's voice is very pleasant as pauses by a chair at Claire's table.

"Winter's been treating you well?"

[undermyheel]

A smile, "Well, the circulation is worse than ever, but I found gloves."

Claire gestures to the seat. "How are you?"

[sky_from_sea]

Anna sits, gracefully sweeping out her skirt as she does so.

"I'm faring rather well. It's--a nice change."

[undermyheel]

"This place is," Claire says.

She has an expression that says, much to my surprise.

"You aren't staying at the shelter are you?"

[cheng_hu]

"Evening Claire," Daniel says in a genial tone.

"Want some chocolate?"

[undermyheel]

"Love some," Claire says, half a smile.

"Thank you."

She gestures at a chair.

[cheng_hu]

He sits, and offers her a bar. It's not Hershey's, either.

"Been well?"

[undermyheel]

Claire looks at it with interest, and then at Daniel, pleased.

She takes the bar.

"I've been well." Since the incident. "How have you been?"

[rebelw_outclaws]

Oh, Claire.

Claire, Claire, Claire.

As Russ passes by her table, he deposits a package on it. It's wrapped, in several layers of newspaper, and tied with a colorful shoelace (liberated from Journey).

"Merry Christmas."

He doesn't stop; just continues on to a table in the corner where he can see the whole room at once.

[undermyheel]

Claire opens the package immediately.

A stake and some artfully arranged cloves of garlic.

Picking up the cross, Claire heads over towards Russ's table.

"But, darling, I didn't get you anything."

She hates holidays.

[rebelw_outclaws]

He's lighting up a cigarette when she comes over.

"Damn, you didn't burst into flames or anything. 'S that cross defective?"

[undermyheel]

"If it is, so's the sunlight," Claire says.

She takes a seat, and sets the cross between them.

"I gave up God when I gave up smoking."

[bass_line_blues]

Preston is plucking out a tune on his bass in the corner.

He raises a hand in greeting when he catches sight of Claire, looking moderately pleased to see her.

[undermyheel]

A small smile.

"Bass," she greets.

[bass_line_blues]

"Claire."

Still winning that bet with himself.

"Long time, no see."

[undermyheel]

"You don't call, you don't write," Claire smiles.

Crossing her legs, she reaches down to straighten her skirt.

"A girl could think you don't like her."

[lesper]

"Russ says he's not starting a war."

Les sits down.

[undermyheel]

Claire laughs, and presses a kiss to his cheek.

"Of course he does, baby."

[lesper]

"Yes," agrees Les.

However: Les means, of course Russ isn't starting a war.

[undermyheel]

Claire makes an agreeing sound.

"You actually spoke to him?"