ellectrical: (leaving)
ellectrical ([personal profile] ellectrical) wrote2008-03-16 01:51 am

[OOM] December 2006

- clack clack clack clack -

She has the metal tray balanced in one hand, still steady enough that the pills don't rattle in their little plastic cup. Elle's other hand holds the curved end of a candy cane; the red pattern has faded from the other end and discolored her lips.

When it comes to celebrating the holidays, candy is as far as Elle usually gets.

She clacks past the windows without looking in, eyes focused on the bland ceiling instead. One fluorescent light is flickering, but she's pretty sure it's been doing that for at least eight months now. She can't really remember.

Her feet turn without her looking down, and she stops abruptly in front of the door. She bites down on the candy cane to hold in place while her right hand reaches out to unlock the door. It opens with a loud creak.

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-03-29 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
Peter looks at her for a moment, and back at the candy cane.

He reaches for it, and pulls his hand back at the last minute. It's kind of pavlovian: picking things up after Elle's set them down is generally a safer idea.

"Do you celebrate Christmas?"

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-03-29 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
"I can't exactly go shopping," he points out, not putting a whole lot of effort into the sarcasm. "I was just wondering. You spend so much time down here."

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-03-29 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
He jerks back, with a yelp.

"What was that for?"

It's more out of habit than any real belief that Elle requires a reason to zap him.

-- Still, it seems like a good idea to head toward the table.

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-03-29 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
Zapping Peter when he's annoying is like zapping fish when they're wet.

He reaches for the pills without much hesitation -- that's different from a random gift. "Thanks."

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-03-29 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
When he was a kid, Peter had a lot of trouble swallowing pills. Angela used to put them in a spoonful of applesauce for him.

He's gotten a lot better lately. Practice makes perfect.

The pills sit in his hand for a moment, though; he just looks at them. "You're the only person here whose name I know."

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-03-29 07:22 am (UTC)(link)
He shrugs.

"Is that bald guy your boss?"

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-03-29 07:36 am (UTC)(link)
"What's his name?"

He's still holding the pills.

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-03-29 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
Peter studies her expression.

Then he throws back the pills, and reaches for the glass of water.

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-04-04 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
He swallows.

Carefully, watching her: "Thanks."

He also picks up the candy cane, on the off chance that this appeases her.

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-04-05 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
He twirls the candy cane around his fingers like a baton. Not particularly skillfully, but then, it is a candy cane. "I guess."

"How about that Haitian guy? What's his name?"

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-04-05 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
Peter doesn't seem particularly upset by this.

Or particularly inclined to say goodbye. He looks at the candy cane, vaguely.

[identity profile] morelikeasponge.livejournal.com 2008-04-05 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
He waits until she's gone to open it.