ellectrical | (no subject)

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She's done this enough that she knows where to look in X's kitchen without having to ask. It's been about fifteen minutes she started, and various vegetables are scattered across the counters, one steel pot already on the stove. A look into the latter would indicate she's making soup, though it's not as simple as the kind X likes to order, nor is it coming out of can, the way Elle would normally choose.

At the moment, she's standing aside from the stove, using a large knife to slice up carrots across a cutting board. Elle's careful about it, the knife hitting the board at even and precise intervals.

(This really isn't her favorite part of cooking.)

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X considers that carefully, gaze fixed on Elle.

"If it were effective. Or efficient."

Which is to say 'yes'.

She pulls out another plate and moves the now sliced bread over to it.

"What do you do instead?"

It's not that Elle doesn't think she knows the answer. But with X, she rarely feels there's anything that, for whatever reason, she shouldn't ask.

"I have been helping rewire the store. Downstairs."

Mr Simmons has many skills. Plus, you know, friends.

"And helping Tomas with homework. He does not like mathematics."

Beat.

"And I work. At Milliways."

She breaks off here to get the butter out of the fridge.

Elle returns with the bread.

"It helps?"

"I like to be busy," is X's response.

"And useful."

It is not quite a yes. But it's close.

"I know."

She slips back into her seat. With another small shrug, "That's usually how it is."

"It is okay," X says.

She tries not to sound uncertain.

She smiles, and nods, nothing false or uncertain about it.

"I know."

Elle reaches for a slice of the bread, and starts pulling it apart between her hands.

"I just -"

Beat. She's staring at the bread, but only in apparent concentration.

Eventually, "It's weird."

X stays silent, watching Elle.

She does not break her gaze even while she starts buttering her bread.

It is easier, at the moment, than asking a question.

Plus she is not sure what to say.

It is weird for her, too.

It seems to take Elle a minute to notice that X is watching her. She shifts a little in her chair.

"Some of the stuff I'm doing now - I don't think it's - it doesn't make me useful."

She doesn't look away when she continues, "It's still okay."

X considers that, taking a bite of bread.

And once she swallows --

"You can be useful to yourself, too."

Edited 2010-11-09 03:03 (UTC)

There's a pause.

Then -

"I don't think I have to choose."

X shrugs, quick and just this side of awkward.

"Okay."

And after another few bites of bread --

"That is good."

There is a little bit of a question in that, at least around the edges.

"All the time."

Okay, maybe she's not quite entirely almost there.

X studies Elle in silence for a few moments, considering.

Then --

"Okay."

In a minute or two she will try on a very, very small smile.

Just to see how it feels.

After a moment, as she sops up some of the soup with a torn piece of bread, Elle playfully kicks at X under the table.

It's easier than reaching across the table. Though hopefully she doesn't catch Farrah or Steve by mistake.

They are quick and good at ducking. Maybe they have a training regimen.

X, meanwhile, kicks back.

Carefully.

Elle doesn't retaliate, but moves to take a sip of her soda in an entirely dignified, non-giggly way.

Well. Just a little giggly.

X doesn't laugh, but as she washes her bread down with a few sips of milk, she looks distinctly pleased.

It is a good day.

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