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It is late afternoon in Central Park — still early enough for sunlight, but getting on towards the very beginnings of the evening commute — and dimly, Piotr wonders why it is he's come back here.
Really, he does know why. Piotr had needed to get out of the Institute, away from Westchester, and just plain away from people for a little while… and so had Laura. It was a vaguely odd alliance, but so far, it had actually been working out quite well. He's still a little anxious about returning to the park itself, but strangely, having Laura with him is making him feel better about it.
So, the massive Russian is sitting on the ground beneath a tree with his sketchbook open in his lap, trying not to think and instead sketching people as they wander by.
*
Laura is starting to take to being a person instead of a weapon, in small ways. Right now, that involves hanging upside-down from a branch over Piotr's head by her knees as if it's the most comfortable thing she could possibly be doing. At least she a) is actually wearing something under the shirt for modesty's sake and b) did not put up a fight when Piotr asked her to tuck the shirt the first time she'd ended up upside-down.
All that said, it's still a little hard to tell she's a girl anyway. Small, slender, wirey… not a great deal of curves and the jeans and shirt she borrowed from Kitty are not exactly cut to emphasize a feminine build. And her hair hasn't grown out very much yet— it would be short even for a boy.
Her head tilts as she dangles over Piotr, eyeing his work in the sketchbook. And her Russian, as usual, is impeccable, if terribly formal. <Is it not meant to bee the lady in the blue dress, Piotr?> she inquires. <Her nose is not that pointy.>
*
It's getting cool as the sun slides away and Lucy needs to find a place to stay tonight. Central Park is not safe, not for most people, but Lucy isn't most people. Most people would mind if something terrible happened to them but Lucy, under her pragmatism about not wasting money on a room if it isn't raining, knows that she wouldn't mind at all. She can't even feel particularly upset about it. It simply is what it is. She carries on until something happens to stop her, that's her plan.
"Miss, miss…" Someone seated on the ground grabs at the hem of her coat. Someone else's leer slides over her as though she's not wearing anything at all. A circle of people a little older than she is are playing guitars, not well, and singing something. Singing, Lucy finds, is never a good sign. She takes a different route to avoid anyone trying to convert her to something.
"Hey, baby." A lanky man in a long jacket comes loping up to her. "You lost?" She didn't change course soon enough. What about her attracts these people?
"Not lost." Lucy puts her chin down, takes a firm grip on her bag in case he pulls it away from her.
*
<Art is not always about capturing an exact likeness,> Piotr replies distractedly to Laura, his eyes still on the page. <That is what photography is for. This is like a lens,> he says, craning his neck to look up at her as he taps his temple with a pair of fingers. <and it is an interpretation of what I see that I draw.> After a pause, he adds, <…and I am not very good at drawing noses.>
With a shrug, Piotr's attention drops towards his sketchbook again, but the motion of someone loping along catches his eye first. And when he sees their destination, his mouth forms a thin line, a quiet, worried rumble coming from his throat.
…yeah, no, he doesn't like it. Piotr's shifting to get to his feet almost before he's really thought about it.
*
<But a lens is—> Laura begins to make the logical, literal-minded protest when she cuts off, alerted by Piotr's attention being caught. She doesn't move right away, just following his gaze, eyes flicking over details. As he gets up, she nimbly drops out of the tree onto her feet, which are bare. Again. Doesn't seem to bother her as she trots along after the much larger Russian attentively.
*
"I know where you can get something to eat." The man slides an arm around Lucy's shoulders— not for long, she shrugs him off like a child ducking an itchy sweater. "C'mon, sweetheart, nice girl like you shouldn't be out alone after dark."
"I'm fine." Lucy turns so that she's facing him, walking backwards as quickly as she dares. People are worse than the weather, as far as Lucy is concerned. At least the weather has patterns. Logic. You can trust it a little. People, though…
Lucy catches sight of a larger man bearing down on them and her eyes widen. She really hadn't counted on there being more than one. And that one is big enough she's not sure she can take him if she has to. Lucy tightens her grip on her bag until her knuckles are white. With her other hand, she hooks her fingers under the band of her bracelet. She doesn't want to do it out here, around people, but it makes her feel better to know she could pull it off and— and something. Maybe scare them into running away. By glowing. Running herself is probably a better bet, she can probably outrun either of them.
*
Even from this distance, that body language is familiar to Piotr. He immediately stops where he is with a slight wince, eyes flicking between the young woman and the man she clearly has no interest in dealing with.
"I am making her uncomfortable," Piotr asides to Laura, quiet so as to avoid making matters worse by having anyone else overhear his heavy accent. "Encourage that man to leave her alone? Peaceably. Please."
*
Laura stops next to Piotr, the massive Russian towering over her, and tilts her head at him. Well… pretty much everyone towers over her. She certainly isn't looming over the man bothering Karolina, who her gaze flicks to, then Karolina. Her expression is sort of a detached disinterest as she wanders forward, bare feet rustling gently through grass.
She does a slow blink, during shich her gaze shifts to the lanky man withut her head turning, and her voice is firm, if bored-sounding. "Go away."
*
"I'm fine, thanks," Lucy says to both of them. Okay, the two men aren't together, but having a barely emotive minion isn't making the second one look any better to Lucy. "I just…I don't need anything." She pauses, then looks closer at Laura. "Are you okay? You can come with me, you know." She steps back toward Laura, eyeing Piotr like a colt about to bolt before steeling herself to deal with him if she has to. She will, too, even if she doesn't know how. "We're both fine," she reiterates, glaring at the man who intercepted her.
"Yeeeah." The man looks at Laura, then at Piotr. He holds up his hands and backs off. "I was just trying to be helpful. Looks like you got that covered, though, man. Helping."
*
For his part, Piotr is now watching the proceedings from between his fingers, one hand having come up to cover his face and muffle the very quiet, tired muttering he's allowing himself.
This is fine. This is all fine. Why should today be any less ridiculous than any other. IT'S FINE.
He just waits for the lanky man to begin backing off, keeping his eyes fixed on him until he is, in his estimation, in a proper retreat. Okay. Good. That's one crisis averted.
Piotr's attention drifts back over towards the two young women, and he can't help but sigh. Now he just has to deal with this one.
*
Laura simply nods once to the lanky man as he withdraws, as if it was expected response. "Good," she opines, and her eyes flick back to Karolina. "I am fine," she assures Karolina, though she's not good at verbal inflections. "Piotr is a friend." She's pretty sure about that even though she's still getting used to the concept. But XIV is definitely her friend and Piotr and Kitty are a lot like them. Sort of. The logic is good, honest.
"He was concerned you were in trouble. Wanted to help. He does this a lot. It is not the worst flaw to have," she notes.
*
"A lot of people start out that way." Lucy is unmoved. The girl doesn't sound well. Flat, as though she's been drugged or compromised. The idea is terrifying, really, given how often she thinks about her parents doing something like that to her. "You'd be surprised what you can get away with if you seem nice." She steps between Laura and Piotr, sizing him up and taking stock of the situation.
This time Lucy's clenched fists aren't about holding onto her bag or pulling off her bracelet. She was ready to run when it was just her but if there's something going on that might hurt another person, she's not about to move. She watched something awful happen once, she's not about to be an observer again.
"I'm fine," she says to Piotr. "I'm just talking to your friend." And he can stay right where he is.
*
Piotr's expression softens considerably at Laura's words, his mouth twitching into a small, genuinely surprised smile. But he doesn't get a chance to say anything in response before Lucy has stepped between them and, slowly, that smile fades — first to a quietly puzzled frown and then, despite himself, a genuinely irritated wrinkle of his nose as his grip tightens on his sketchbook.
This. Is not. Fine.
"I am pleased you are unhurt," Piotr says in as even a voice as he can force himself to use, his accent even thicker as he puts more effort into maintaining his composure. He takes a small step backwards, jaw tight. "When you are ready, Laura, I will be by the tree. Da?"
*
"Da," Laura agrees, watching Karolina curiously, and her head tilts to one side. "That was not necessary," she informs Karolina. "Piotr would not attempt to harm me. It would be quite futile." A pause. "Though I… appreciate?" she seems a little unsure of that word. "…the intent." yes. That sounds right.
*
Piotr backing off is a good thing. Lucy exhales slowly as she watches him retreat. "As long as you're all right," she says to Laura. "I just…I know it can be hard out here for a girl if you don't have anyone. Thanks for that, by the way. Helping. You didn't have to. People don't."
Now that Lucy knows he's not a threat, she feels a bit guilty about treating Piotr with such suspicion. "I didn't mean to offend your friend but I guess better offend him up front than find out I have to fight him off once he closes the gap."
*
Even though Piotr is on his way back towards the tree already, there is a rather tired-sounding "I can still hear you," called back over his shoulder as he goes.
He knows it isn't the tree's fault — or, really, not even Lucy's — but he's had a rough week. Out of frustration, Piotr smacks the tree with the butt of his fist before he drops heavily down to sit underneath it again. Grump. Muttering to himself, he goes flipping through his sketchbook to try and find his place, his expression tightening further when he has to go past several pages of written notes to do so.
*
Laura's eyes flick to Piotr when he calls out, and then back to Lucy. "You would not wish to fight him off, no," she agrees. "He does not seem to like to fight very much but he is very impressive." A shrug. "I would not judge him by this outburst. I have been told it has been a very difficult time." Yes, he can still hear her, but she'd say this to his face, so… "Perhaps… talk?" she suggests, a little awkwardly, like she's really quite unsure if it's the appropriate action to take in the situation.
*
"I'll apologize to him." Lucy really does feel guilty now. "I used to be nicer than this," she tells Laura. "Really. I used to be a lot of things."
Nice. Clean. Warm. Safe. Lucy used to be Karolina. She approaches Piotr a bit awkwardly, as though she's still not sure she shouldn't bolt, but that's mostly guilt. Lucy wants to crawl in a hole most of the time but it's really hard to find a good hole to hide in when you're in New York City. At least one that's affordable for a girl with no money.
"Sorry," she says to him. "Your friend says you were trying to be nice, and…anyway, sorry. It's just you know how people are. Some people." She offers Piotr a little smile and wave. "I hope your day gets better."
*
There's a rather apprehensive expression on Piotr's face when he realizes they're both following him back to the tree, but there's enough 'awkward' in Lucy's body language that the tension leaves his shoulders. Before she reaches him, he allows himself a tired sigh and tucks his pencil behind his ear.
"Yes, I know. That is why I am like this," Piotr says with a very wry smile. It's… actually even true. Without getting up, he offers a hand up towards Lucy. "Thank you."
*
Laura did a good. Piotr, did you see her do a good? She didn't hit anyone or kill anyone or even particualrly threaten anyone and she talked. Like, effectively. To a person! Like Magic. She opens her mouth, then closes it as she remembers a VERY lengthy explanation about not discussing the things that happened with just anyone off the street. Riiiiiight. None of that.
*
"I try not to be rude," Lucy says. She's painfully aware that she's not that clean. Not filthy but not that hot-water-having, daily-showering kind of clean. She's long since past caring that her nails are ragged and broken, that they haven't been painted in weeks. "I guess the city is getting to me." She's still wary but she wants, so badly, not to be wary anymore. She wants for someone out here to be decent and trustworthy even though she knows that's a disaster waiting to happen.
*
After a pause, Piotr lets his hand drop, but at least he doesn't lose the smile when he does so. "To both of us, I think," he rumbles in agreement before he falls quiet. He isn't deliberate about taking in Lucy's current state, it's just… well, unavoidable. He's observant and she's right there.
"I was thinking we might get something to eat before returning to Westchester, Laura and I," Piotr says slowly, glancing briefly to said notable before returning his eyes to Lucy's face. "Would you like to join us?"
*
Laura perks up almost instantly at mention of stopping for food. The magic word. She eats… like a football team. A highschool football team. Also food in the Armory was… not very interesting. "Kitty showed me pizza yesterday," she says, finally showing some emotion. A little excited. Just a touch. "Can we get pizza?"
*
"Oh, I couldn't." Lucy isn't used to coming up with a way to say 'I already ate today' that doesn't sound like…well, like it sounds. "I mean, I appreciate…that's very nice of you, it is. Pizza is lovely," she assures Laura. "But. I shouldn't." She doesn't remember when she ate pizza last. Maybe the day she got here, when she could still pretend this was an adventure.
*
"Are you certain?" Piotr asks carefully, shifting to regain his feet. He tries not to loom, but… well, six and a half feet worth of solid muscle. There isn't much he can do about looming. "It is no trouble. And I should apologize somehow for having startled you," he says reasonably.
*
Laura tilts her head, wrinkling her nose, and eyes Lucy. "You should eat. If you don't eat, you can't do things you need to," she declares. "You do not smell like a hunter, so you should take this opportunity. It will make everything easier." Laura… does not know social grace. But she knows quite a lot about surviving.
*
One doesn't discuss money. Then again, one doesn't discuss how people smell, either. "No, I don't really know how to hunt. I mean, I can ride a pony and all that like any other girl but I've never hunted anything," Lucy admits. She gives Laura a little smile. She's used to weird kids. There's at least one at camp every summer. The reasons are always different but the outcome is the same—just a little off normal. Or a lot. Lucy's sure she's on her way to being one of those kids.
"I don't have any money," she explains to Laura. And that hurts to say, she's never not had money. It's just so much harder to find work — work where she won't be taken advantage of or exposed — than she could have imagined. "But it's kind of you to offer. You go have a good time. I'll be fine."
*
"Nonsense. It will be…" Piotr trails off, his brow furrowing slightly as he tries to recall the translation of the phrase he's looking for, and casts a questioning look to Laura. <My treat?> The literal translation is probably not right, anyway. He shrugs and waves his hand. "We were not going to make you pay your way. It is only pizza," he notes, conveniently leaving out the fact that he's very nearly dead broke, himself.
*
Laura just shrugs blankly at Piotr. She's even worse at colloquialisms than he is, to be honest. She considers what Kitty would do for a moment, and abruptly loops her arm through Lucy's, effectively stealing her. Also… she's got a surprising amount of muscle on her for such a tiny thing. "I do not have this money either," she counters. "If I can accept Piotr's offer, you can too. That is fair." Simple logic.
*
Lucy would tense up at being captured but Laura's simplicity is more charming than anyone's proper manners. She can't say no to that. "I suppose you have a point," she says, patting Laura's hand on her arm. She gives Piotr a smile. "I accept, then. Thank you. I would very much like to eat." And that's makes this the best day Lucy's had in months.
*