(Untitled)

[kitchen_maid]

Amy has a cup of tea, and is sitting at a table. She has a book, but she's mostly watching people go by. It's been an odd week and half, really.

[ooc: Locked to Peter, for to resolve things. ETA: And Caspian, for the picking up of pieces. Thanks.]

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[highking]

Peter comes in from the House of Arch and spots her immediately.

Really, it's almost as if he was looking for her.

He pauses for a moment, almost looking like he's going to turn around and go back, but then he gets a cup of tea of his own and walks over to her table.

"Hello, Amy," he says cautiously, not yet sitting down.

[kitchen_maid]

Almost?

"Hello, Peter," she says. "You can sit down if you's like."

It's odd to feel as if she has to give him permission, really.

[highking]

Well, y'know, "almost".

"Thank you," Peter says, sitting.

He turns his teacup between his hands for a moment before meeting her eyes.

"How have you been?"

[kitchen_maid]

"Fine. Bound."

Hey, it's news to him, right.

"You?"

[highking]

Peter blinks.

"Oh, Amy, I'm so sorry, I didn't..."

He sighs.

"I've not been doing so well, honestly."

[kitchen_maid]

"It's all right," she says. "I have a roommate, and Caspian's been looking after me, of course."

Amy looks at her teacup for a moment.

"I'm sorry to hear that you've not been well."

It sounds oddly formal, even as she says it.

[highking]

"I've been doing a lot of thinking," he says. "I..."

Deep breath.

"I think perhaps we shouldn't be... involved, right now."

[kitchen_maid]

There's an uncomfortably long pause in the conversation. If that's the right word for this.

"I think you're right."

[highking]

He looks up at her miserably - but there's a tiny bit of relief there, as well.

"I'm just... there are a lot of things I need to sort out right now, and it's not fair to you. I'm afraid I'm... I've... I haven't treated you as well as you deserve, and I'm sorry."

[kitchen_maid]

"Peter," she says, calmly, "there's nothing to apologize for. You are the first person who ever looked at me and didn't just see all the things that weren't there. And that meant -- that means a great deal. But this just isn't . . . it isn't working."

A pause.

"I've a favor to ask, if I may."

[highking]

"And I'm sorry," he replies, "because you deserve someone who can make you happy. I'm sorry it isn't me. But - yes, anything. What do you want?"

[kitchen_maid]

She gives him a slightly wavering smile. "We have . . . mutual friends. And anything you can do to make this less uncomfortable for them would be appreciated."

By "mutual friends," she means Caspian.

Another pause.

"I . . . hope that at some point we can start over as friends. But I kind of need to not be around you for a little while."

[highking]

"Of course. Would you like to talk to Caspian first, or should I seek him out? Whatever is easier for you."

Peter nods slowly.

"I would very much like to be friends as well. But I'll leave you alone until you indicate that you're ready to talk again`."

[kitchen_maid]

"I'll tell him," she says, after a moment. "And thank you."

Her smile is a ghost of her usual one, but it is genuine.

"Please take care of yourself, Peter."

[highking]

"You as well, Amy."

And he smiles in return, just as faint but just as genuine, then stands, and bows a little.

"Until we meet again."

[kitchen_maid]

"And we will," she says.

And waits until after he's left for the House of Arch to whisper, "Good-bye."