(Untitled)

[veryscaryrobot]

A young lady of indeterminate age marches down the stairs, ramrod straight. Even accounting for the combat boots, her footfalls clank just a little louder than they should.

She makes her way to the bar, excitingly.

Comments

[cutting_edgex23]

X watches her from her own perch at the bar.

And eventually--

"Hello."

Beat.

"You are still here?"

[veryscaryrobot]

Cameron glances at her.

"Yes," she says, with a trace of confusion.

It seems self-evident to her.

[cutting_edgex23]

X offers a slight shrug.

"Sometimes people leave."

Beat.

"It is okay."

[veryscaryrobot]

Her head turns further, without any assistance from her shoulders.

"What is?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X appears undisturbed.

"Being here."

[veryscaryrobot]

"Yes," Cameron agrees, on the chance that this is the right response. There's a high probability.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay."

X is still watching Cameron.

Carefully.

[veryscaryrobot]

...Cameron is not going to break the silence. Or stop watching X.

Eventually, a passing fly decides that her nose will make an excellent landing spot. She blinks at it, goes briefly cross-eyed, and waves it away.

[cutting_edgex23]

"You cannot leave?"

X is doublechecking. It is important.

[veryscaryrobot]

"Not yet."

She doesn't sound concerned.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Okay."

X subsides into silence again.

Eventually she might even order food.

[veryscaryrobot]

When she does, Cameron turns away to order an elaborate timepiece -- part clock, part orrery -- from the bar.

And then to study it in silence.

[cutting_edgex23]

X eats her food.

She is still keeping one eye on Cameron.

And the timepiece.

[veryscaryrobot]

"Thank you," Cameron says clearly, and places it on top of the bar. A moment later, it vanishes.

She glances back at X. X is eating.

Maybe she should eat.

[cutting_edgex23]

X stops eating for a moment.

"You did not need it?"

[veryscaryrobot]

There's a brief pause.

"I did need it," Cameron says, as though uncertain of the question. "I don't need it now."