(Untitled)

[_wes_pryce_]

Continued from Here

Leaning on my cane, one book in hand, I walk out of the...of my office. "Cordelia? Is she

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[red_rosenberg]

I quickly took the extra hotdog for me before the whole lot, hotdog and cane alike, went crashing down and got bits of dirt and grass stuck to it. Unhygenic. I had to grin at what Anton said, that thing about Wesley smiling. That was kinda neat. More than neat. Nifty. Why? I had no clue. Maybe it was just getting a free hotdog. Almost done with my first hotdog, I took a big bite to finish it and looked at Wes, nodding, managing not to attempt to talk through a mouthful of sausage and bread and sauces. Swallowing finally, I found a proper answer to that. "Yup." Wow, riveting.

Making sure I had no sauce on the corners of my mouth by wiping quickly with the napkin it came in, because ketchup is amazingly unattractive, I started on the second happily.

"Pity you don't smile a lot," I said as we started walking. I wondered if he was tiring from it. I hoped not. But I kept the thought in my mind not to drag him around too much if he didn't want to - Angel may glare at me if he got hurt. Not that I was gonna suggest we turn back. "You got a good smile, for a guy. A Britsih guy, especially, seeing as a lot of 'em don't have nice teeth."

[_wes_pryce_]

Walking along side her, I enjoy being outside. The sun on my face, the semi fresh air, the laughter around me. I've really missed this. And Cordelia is going to give Angel hell for letting me 'go out on my own'. And after that it'll probably be my turn. I'm going to draw the line when she starts to attack Willow though.

At her words I blink at her and duck my head. I've a good smile? And it's a pity I don't smile a lot? Well, it's not as if there's a whole lot to smile about these days. First there was the worry fo making it without Angel, then there was the stress of Angel coming back. Actually, that's still going on. And being mother henned all day long by the three of them doesn't help a lot either.

"British people don't have nice teeth?" Confused I look at her and involuntarily try to remember all my english friends and family. I don't think there really was anything wrong with their teeth. Tossing away the paper from the now finished hotdog, I lean on my cane and look at her while I swallow the last bits. "What British people do you know that don't have nice teeth?" I ask her puzzled.

[red_rosenberg]

"Austin Powers," I said instantly, giving him an innocently look as I took another bite of the hotdoggy goodness. Swallowing that piece, I thought of more names to make up my arguement. "A science teaher I had, he had really bad teeth. And then there's Sean Connery, who isn't exactly a dentist's dream. Hmmm... Princh Charles, uhh... the whole Royal Family, I guess. I won't get shot for that, will I?" And there, super Willow appetite completed both hotdogs in quick succession. Well, I was hungry, and they were good as well. I felt full, but there was always a bit more room for ice cream, you can't be too full for anything extremely sugary.

"But maybe that's my Americanised mind judging from the point of view that most American spends a bazillion dollars on fixing their teeth whereas the British probably have their priorities just a bit straighter, if not their teeth." Wow, where did this conversation come from? Oh yeah, Wes smiling and lackethereof said activity. "So, um, why don't you smile?" I asked, and only afterwards I realised what a bizaaro question that was. "Okay, odd question, you don't have to answer that, unless you wanna," I said, absently wringing the paper the hotdog came in, feeling a bit nervous all of a sudden.

[_wes_pryce_]

"Sean Connery happens to have very nice teeth," I can't help but point out. "Besides, I think he's Scottish and not British." Who is Austin Powers? I don't think I know that gentleman, at least I've never heard of him. Not that this comes as a surprise of course. He's probably some famous actor or singer or whatever.

And listening to Willow babble on and on is quite amusing. It's very different from being around Cordelia. Who's main topic is usually herself, fashion, celebrity rich people and what a wanker Angel is. Especially that last one, if I didn't know any better I'd say she was starting to fall in love with the git.

Walking further into the park, I lean on my cane and try to ignore the pull at my side. I'm taking it easy right? My muscles just need to get used to being used again, that's all there is to it. And those stitches should hold up just fine.

"It's alright," I say, not at all offended for some reason. Frowning at her question I think that over. "I've no idea," I tell her a bit embarrassed. I don't really like talking about myself. "I guess there's not a whole lot to smile about,"I shrug. Not to mention that my father always told me I look like an idiot when I smile.

[red_rosenberg]

"Sean Connery has nice teeth? Okay, maybe I'm thinking of the wrong James Bond or something. Xander would skin me alive if I got them mixed up, even if it was just their teeth I got confused. I'm just gonna stick with Austin Powers and the Royal Family, that sounds safe."

I watched a bit as he walks. He seemed to be using the cane a bit more now. I didn't wanna turn back, and I didn't wanna offend him by suggesting we turn back, but I didn't want him to pull something. Owie. I'd say something when necessary.

"Well, there's Monty Python, and there's hotdogs. Those are two things to smile about," I pointed out with a quick grin, checking that the pathway was really clear before stepping in front of him as we walked, me going backwards as he walked forward. Xander used to do it a lot, and we found it most effective for walking and talking at the same time. "And books, and tea, and escaping the Hyperion."

[_wes_pryce_]

I'm once again tempted to ask who this Austin Powers is, but then I'd probably look extremely stupid in her eyes. Not to mention pathetic. Maybe I should ask Gunn, he thinks I'm a cultural idiot anyway. Can't do much damage to my reputation there. "Yes, better play it safe," I nod at her, trying to look serious.

Unconsciously I'm starting to glance around for a bench so we can take a seat. Maybe Cordelia was right and I shouldn't be out doing things yet. But then again, if they wouldn't have been so...protective, I might not have so much trouble right now. I'm sorely out of shape.

"Be careful, don't trip." Worried I look at her as she starts to walk backward. I keep my eyes on her and behind her alternately to make certain she doesn't trip. Without really noticing it I'm smiling a little smile at her as she sums things up to smile about. "Tea is always good," I agree. "Or biscuits. I've not been able to find any good scones here. But the donuts aren't altogether bad."

Quickly reaching out, I grab her arm as she threatens to trip over a small rock. "Careful," I say again, trying to hide a small wince when I feel some muscles pulling at my side. "And what about you? What would make Willow Rosenberg smile?" Nice going, Pryce. Distract her, well done.

[red_rosenberg]

I started when he reached out quickly to stop me falling over. Nono, I was very much not gonna let him hurt himself because I was walking backwards like a dork. "Ack." Gripping his arm to steady him just in case, I blinked at his question, and grinned, looking at him. Such blue eyes. "Um... well... ice cream, and Friday night movies... and computers and magicks. Amongst other things."

I let go of his arm, glancing down at the pavement and brushing a few strands of hair behind my ear, suddenly shy for some reason. I knew he must be getting tired or hurt or something by walking this much after not walking a heck of a lot in the hotel, but he hasn't complained. Maybe he's fine and I'm worrying too much. But still, I quickly glanced around.

"You wanna find a place to sit down for a bit?" I asked, looking up at him again, inevitable smile tugging unrelentingly at the corners of my lips. Gods, I'm such a dork. "There's one over there. Or we could keep walking, it's kinda... nice. Nice is such a mundane word, I'll think of a better one later."

[_wes_pryce_]

"Well, ice-cream is a very good thing to smile about I've found out. I don't know all that much about computers, but when they do work they're most definitely smile worthy," I agree with a nod. "And magic is very interesting." But is it smile worthy? It's actually dangerous if you're not careful. Though, I'm sure I'm worrying for nothing. Mister Giles will no doubt guide her and keep an eye on her. She's quite powerful in that regard that much I can sense.

I'm starting to lean a bit heavier on my can when she suggests we sit down on the bench. Trying very hard not show too much relief on my face, I nod at her. "That would fine by me." More then fine, it would be much appreciated indeed. Sitting down for a tick and then probably back to the hyperion. I wouldn't want her to drive home in the dark. Werther or not Cordelia has seen her. Cordy can rant all she want then, it's a very valid excuse not to drive in the dark.

"Nice is a very ni-...errr...good word. But by all means, if you can come up with a better one do inform me about it when you've figured it out." Sitting down, I let out a small relieved sigh and smile up at her. "And how do you like Los Angeles thus far? I know I've not shown you the most uh...ex-exciting places. I'm sure Cordy or perhaps even Gunn could show you those." When you come visit again, I almost added. But that would be rather presumptuous wouldn't it?

[red_rosenberg]

Slumping against the bench, I picked at the peeling paint at the back of it, looking at him with a quirked smile. "I like L.A. It's bigger. Feels bigger, people walk differently. I know, that sounds so insane. But? So true. Like, they know there are more people and more space and more... stuff. So... they look like they know. Sunnydale's small and people show it." I'm on a tangent - and this one doesn't even have a thread of sense, so I just shook my head, ending it right there.

"Exciting places? I'm not big on the excitement factor," I said, looking at him again. "Buffy, maybe, and, um, yeah, Cordelia. But I'm content with parks and gardens and libraries. No biggy." That, and I didn't know Gunn and I wasn't sure how long I could spend with Cordelia without my head imploding to save itself. Besides, this was nice. I frowned. Wait, was he trying to get rid of me already? With suggestions about Cordelia and other people? I hoped not. Maybe I was tiring him out or something.

Attempting not to fret over that issue, I tried to think of what to say. Then I got it. "Pleasant!" He was looking at me weirdly so I smiled and gestured to explain myself. "Um, instead of 'nice', there is 'pleasant'. 'Pleasant' has a whole lot of factors, and it involves 'nice' and 'simple' and 'enjoyable' and stuff like that. It's... it's a good word."

[_wes_pryce_]

I know exactly what she means. I grew up in a small town, away in the country on the Wyndam-Pryce estate. I didn't have any friends and there weren't many people around. Going to boarding school certainly was a shock. But an even bigger one was coming to the United States. Talk about your culture shock, I remember being quite overwhelmed.

"Oh! I could show you the few library's they've here," I tell her enthusiastically. "Especially the largest one. It's not as big and diverse as the council," and I have to frown at that. Quickly shaking that thought away, I look back at her again. "But it's quite impressive. I've spend many hours there." And anyone else would've been bored by now. Except Willow it would seem.

"And they do have lovely garden houses here." Giving her a shy smile I curl and un-curl my fingers around my cane. "We-we...uh...if you ever came back that is. And-and wanted to of course. We could go there." Of course she doesn't want to, Pryce you git. Why would she want to spend all day with a boring fool like yourself. A few hours in the afternoon she can probably handle, but a whole day? Who am I kidding.

"Hmm, what?" Pleasant? I blink at her as she rambles on, momentarily confused as to what she means. When it finally dawns on me what she means I can't help but laugh. "You're right," I nod between laughing. "That's an excellent word. Pleasant and nice. Very good thinking."

[red_rosenberg]

I grinned, taking joy out of making him laugh. Especially because at first he was staring at me as if I was a purple martian, then he got it, and it was a lovely thing to watch. Weird, huh? "Yeah, I thought so," I giggled, pushing hair behind my ears as a breeze mussed it up again, damned nature.

And, wait, he wanted me to come back? Hey, maybe he wasn't pushing me away after all. The idea of being able to go to L.A. now and then and be welcome and have a friend up here willing to tolerate me made me grin like a loon. "I'd love to come here again," I said, hoping that didn't sound horribly off topic. "Amd, um, yeah, going there would be cool. I mean, the libraries and the garden houses... that'd be nifty. Sunnydale doesn't have a whole heap of stuff, ya know? Stuff that I like anyway."

I shifted slightly where I sat - maybe he was just being polite? Okay, Rosenberg, get over yourself, Wesley's British but that doesn't mean he'll just pretend to like you for the sake of being polite. "That is, if you'd like to," I added almost shyly.

[_wes_pryce_]

Nodding at her, I smile and tap my cane absentmindedly on the floor. I'd love to take her to one of the gardens. I've gone with Cordelia once, and she liked it. But only for about an hour or two, then she had latched onto some rich looking fellow. Of course she gave me this look that told me that I was to understand and please act as if we hadn't been there together.

That had stung a bit, but it was Cordelia. I really hadn't expected anything else.

"We-we can do that the...errr...n-next time you come back. That is if you want to come back." Or need to, she's here because she needed something. Maybe she needs an excuse to come here and doesn't want to come all the way here just so the silly brit can show her gardens and things. What was I thinking? I hope she doesn't take that the wrong way.

Looking up with a sigh, I blink at her shy expression, answering it with a shy smile of my own. "Oh yes, I'd like to," I say softly. "I don't get many opportunities to go to such places with someone who'll app-appreciate them." Or go to places as such at all, it's not all that enjoyable on ones own.

[red_rosenberg]

"Oh, I think gardens are great places to go alone and all, for a bit of peace," I said, running at the mouth but I've sort of gotten used to not minding in Wesley's presence. "But it's even nicer if you can go with someone. It's nice to share things like with someone, like sunsets. And parks." I smiled at him, and glanced around the place - not too crowded and not too empty.

I watched a woman playing fetch with a pretty large labrador for a moment. Odd how doing nothing in particular can be completely enjoyable, as long as you got someone with you who was doing nothing and enjoying it too.

"Coming back here would be cool," I said with a nod. "You know, without a real purpose. Just to be here, see stuff, talk with, um, people." Whoops, almost said 'you' there. Didn't want Wesley to think I was crushing on him, especially because that'd be so totally untrue, right? I shake my head. "Hey, ya know, I could really go for some icecream, whaddaya say?"

[_wes_pryce_]

"You don't have anyone in Sunnydale who might enjoy such outings?" I blurt out before my brain catches up with my mouth. Dear god, that was so rude. I really hadn't meant for that to come out that way, as though she has no one in Sunnydale. Just because I've no one here doesn't mean she doesn't have someone there who liked to do those sort of things.

Go to gardens, read books, get lost in books, magic, just going for a walk, those sort of things.

"I think Cordelia would enjoy your visits very much as well." I know I would. And if Angel was uncomfortable, he'd just have to deal. We can't all sit in the dark and brood. Some of us like to have lives, even though most of us don't have that sort of thing. "And you could meet...uh...Gunn."

My eyes trail down the cane as I poke idly at some rock, not wanting to go back to the Hyperion yet. It feels good to be out of the Hotel for once. All I seem to do these days is go in to work, Gunn picks me up, work and then be dropped off at home by either Angel or Cordelia. Sod it, I'm not a bloody child.

"What?" Looking up startled I frown. Damn, my mind was wandering again. I really hate it when it does so at the most inopportune times. "Ice-cream? Oh yes, I think I'd like that." Getting up, I wait politely for Willow to do so as well, before walking over to the vendor. "My favorite is chocolate," I say. Because yes, Pryce, that's really important.

[red_rosenberg]

"You don't have anyone in Sunnydale who might enjoy such outings?"

I bit my bottom lip. "Oh, well, ya know, Buffy's busy a lot and Xander gets a bit bored. Giles would like it but he wouldn't want to hang out with me, I'm sure. So, um, no, but it's okay, walk by myself a lot." Wow, did I want to make myself sound even more like a loner? Or a pity monger? If I could slap myself without looking like a spaz, I would.

And icecream! I stood and walked with him to the vendor, and smiled. "I like chocolate too! Strawberry is nice, and so is vanilla. Everything else can be questionable, though. Mocha icecream, though, is the best. It only comes in little fancy tubs, but you watch, it'll hit the icecream charts and be as popular as cookie-cream."

[_wes_pryce_]

We walk slowly over to the vendor and nod at her explanation. "Yes, I've the same problem. Gunn isn't interested and Cordelia might be if it benefits her. Angel would be interested in some cases if he went to busy wallowing in his guilt and spending most of his time in a room brooding."

Letting out a small chuckle I order us both some chocolate ice-cream in an ice-cone. Handing one over to her I start to lick my own while we very, very slowly make our way back to the Hyperion. The sun is still out and it's a warm pleasant day. Makes me wonder how much of the summer I've missed thus far.

I blink at her as she babbles on about ice-cream. "Mocha ice-cream?" I say softly, wrinkling my nose. That sounds positively...actually, I've no idea how that sounds. I don't think I've ever had any mocha. "What?" Pausing, I push up my glasses and give her an unbelieving look. "Cookie cream? What is that?" Does that even exist?