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Karolina has arrived.
*
Noodle extravaganzas involve huge, heaping bowls of buckwheat or wheat flour kneaded into long, serpentine forms. The cauldrons in the back writhe with these divinatory shapes and forms, and they overflow from the little plastic bowls lined in red and umber that drive the economic engine of Chinatown. This place is one of the few outsiders bother to visit, those deeper in too far off the beaten path, or insufferably esoteric with a language and locational barrier.
The talk of the town, in Mandarin and Cantonese and Sichuan and Korean, to name a few, might be the earthquake a few hours ago. Yes, there was one. Someone has to write a bbpost about that. Earthquakes near Central Park weren't especially powerful or long, but they clearly signal illegal subway construction, Stark Industries out of control, or the crocodile people coming forth to announce themselves.
Or, you know, a few buildings shook. Big deal, that. The servers struggle to move around the narrow aisles, wielding their big bowls and little bowls of noodles like Captain America flings his vibranium shieldif he were on Oprah. And you have noodles! And you have udon! And you have scalding broth! And
"—watch out!" cries a very English voice. Scarlett, that.
Just as one server misses, obviously the subpar Colonel States, or his knockoff Revolutionary Soldier, because that man promptly loses control of his footing and sends the tray sliding at a obviously frightening angle. He might behead someone entering (or at least bean them), and boiling soup and noodles go out of control in the worst form of Taiwanese silly string ever invented. Cue cries of alarm. Cue fearful looks.
Cue angry grandmother, about 1,805 years old, eating a century egg and muttering, "Fool!" in Cantonese, which matters not at all because everyone knows what angry, judgmental grandmother will be honoured, so says wise Confucius, tones sound like.
*
The door opens with a familiar ring of a very familiar bell, announcing a new customer into the very busy noodle palace. Few things are as wonderfully comforting as a giant bowl of udon noodles swimming in hot delicious broth. Of course, wearing hot delicious broth hardly counts as a comfort tool.
As always, Kitty Pryde has incredible timing. When she manages not to trip over her own feet, and exude some measure of grace, fate grants openings for disaster to befall her just the same.
The fluid and noodles fly only to get caught in a web of thick, curly hair. "Feh!" the Yiddish expletive emits loudly from her person as the first in a long series of erupting words of complaint. Of course, the tray follows seconds later, but thanks to the first blush of heat, her ability kicks in subconsciously, so it goes through her, to whatever patron lags just steps behind.
Broth has stained the very green dress she'd only purchased a day before.
*
Laura could smell noodles. Blocks away. Naturally, this resulted in her immediately wanting to track the smell and eat it, and Kitty and Piotr could go with her or not. Since Kitty's first in the door, though, clearly noodles became the group agenda very abruptly.
Her hair has grown out a touch since leaving Weapon X, into a short-cropped boyish cut. But it's definitely a rich dark brown now, and a bit less-unusual than the peach fuzz she'd had initially. The new white sundress she's wearing manages to push her just past 'androgynous' to 'girl', albeit a small and slender one.
The ruckus, of course, plus flying objects in their direction, triggers her programming. Despite the dress, she drops flat, dodging the tray that phases through Kitty and whistles by overhead.
*
…and right into Piotr Rasputin's chest. His reaction to catching a tray of boiling soup and noodles is just to stop in his tracks and squeeze his eyes closed, mouth pulled back into a thin, tight line. No pained noises or expletives — just a sharp breath hissed in between his teeth, and silence.
Well. His t-shirt and jeans might be a mess now, but he's certain there is some kind of silver lining. Somewhere. Surely.
"…sometimes I wonder why I leave the house," Piotr admits quietly, eyes still closed as he reaches up to delicately pull the front of his now sopping wet shirt from his chest. Ick.
*
Going down the back alley, kitchen door to kitchen door, is a last resort when it comes to looking for work. Lucy got lucky today. Maybe she just looks that skinny and pitiful but she's got a white smock over her street clothes and an apron over that so she can work in the kitchen and bus tables. Just her luck — and she is lucky, she knows it — that the usual bus boy didn't show up today. She doesn't speak the language but some things, like the crash of dishes and the rise of cursing, need no translation. Oh dear.
Lucy grabs a handful of rags and the mop bucket on her way out to the main room. Time to clean up. She's a go-getter, maybe they'll hire her on for good.
*
"Foolish boy! You pick up the tray. And go back to the kitchens!" This is shouted by a man of five feet and some inches, poking his grizzled head out of the kitchen to see the cause of the consternation. It is not the second coming of Kuan-yin. Nor is it that menace to society in red and blue pyjamas. He shakes his fist in the air. "Diana! Come out here, clean this up."
Who is Diana? That would be Lucy, whom the manager has decided to call Diana because whatever else she is, she's been forgotten promptly. "Yes, you take that front, and Alice, you will go and handle that. Many towels, get the towels."
It's a rough time in paradise, even as the smell of broth is now overpowering and delicious as a consolation.
*
Scarlett, the guardian of the lonely booth, flinches back as far as she can. Her wide-brimmed hat does wonders to safeguard her face, and even did it not, the fact she ducks unearthly fast behind her menu and snaps a word that means nothing outside Old Norse is telling. Very well, she will not be assaulted by the spirit of the noodle appendages. More buckwheat noodles slither onto the table and several hang from the lamp overhead.
A good many noodles, in fact, hang in the air from whatever helpful surfaces they can find. A dangling noodle sliiiiithers down and promptly falls Lauraward.
*
Seconds after she turns intangible, a very despondent Kitty groans loudly. "Why did I bother looking nice today?" Her fingers pluck at the noodles in her hair that have, quite magically, wrapped themselves around her curls in no time flat. She shivers beneath her fluid-soaked dress that is doused in brown broth. Her shoulders slump. She slowly inches into the noodle house to sink into a table.
A glance is cast over her shoulder at Laura and Piotr. She mutters something in indiscernible Yiddish, but to those semi-versed, they may catch something about the uselessness of dressing nice. For once.
The girl with the rags coming to clean up is cast an apologetic look, even if Kitty is not, for once, responsible for the disaster that befalls her. "Uh — " she frowns and then cants her head to spy Piotr. "Sorry. I probably should've caught that," or something.
*
Karolina has disconnected.
*
Karolina has connected.
*
Laura gets to her feet again just in time to peer upwards and crosseyed at the noodle that lands wetly in her hair, one end dangling down her forehead into her vision. Slowly, quietly, she raises a hand, and lifts the noodle from her head to peer at it, with a slight, thoughtful frown. There is a longish pause, after which she eats it, munching happily.
She chases Kitty to a table, waving to the short grumpy kitchen man. <I would like more of this,> She informs him in textbook— if extremely formal— Cantonese. <Three bowls, please.> She peers at Kitty, head tilting. "Are you having anything?"
*
"It is fine," Piotr says towards Kitty, not quite chasing after her yet. First, he holds up a finger and quickly ducks back through the door to stand outside the entrance of the noodle shop. It would be impolite to do what he's about to do indoors, after all.
The massive russian just peels his shirt off over his head with a grimace of distaste and begins to carefully wring the broth from the fabric onto a clear patch of sidewalk. Ick. Piotr casts a glance back through the door as he does, blinking once and flashing a smile at Lucy. "Oh. Hello again."
*
Rogue has left.
*
Food and Laura will never be separated in Lucy's mind. She winces at the sight of Kitty's dress and heads that way quickly to offer Kitty some clean rags to mop off with.
"The bathroom is just that way if you want to clean up," she says to Kitty, pointing. It's not much of a bathroom, but there's clean running water. "I'm so sorry that happened. I think someone might have been — " She drops her voice. " — drinking a little." Escandalo "I'll get some more rags. And see if there's a spare shirt or something."
*
Kitty gapes at Laura and her Cantonese followed by the question. And just as she's about to ask Piotr if he's ordering anything, she finds herself gaping further. Her lips part, her eyes stare and her body stiffens… all while her face reddens completely. The now-soiled green dress is forgotten when she realizes HOW incredibly awkward she's being, prompting her to clamps her eyes shut tightly. In doing so, Keith's words about Piotr's bare chest spoken just yesterday roll over her mind. .
"A bowl of noodles," she mutters finally in response to Laura's question with her eyes still painfully closed with tight creases in the lids enunciating the muscle effort at such a thing.
*
Laura follows Kitty's gaze with her own and tilts her head. "I still do not see what the big deal is, she notes, helpfully pointing Piotr out in case Kitty wasn't sure about the context. It is completely not helpful to have her muse that "It's a shame Keith isn't here, though."
She stands a bit to wave her arm at the kitchen again. <Oh, make that five bowls, please!> And then… a familiar blonde appears to help Kitty. Blink. Genuine surprise. "Oh. Hello Lucy. I didn't smell you. Are you working here today?"
*
Binx has arrived.
*
And outside, Piotr is blissfully unawares. He's just trying to make his shirt less horrible to put back on. He shakes the shirt out a few times, his nose wrinkled in mild distaste. He's making his friends wait and that is just terrible.
Also terrible are the looks that he's getting from the occasional passer-by, but, well. Nothing Piotr can do about that but look flustered and try to finish wringing his shirt dry so he can go crawl under a table and die in peace.
*
"Yes, just for today," Lucy says to Laura as she scurries past. Some of those rags for Kitty, mop bucket in the middle of the mess to deter people from tramping through, thank goodness 'Alice' is on her way from the back to help. Now, she scoops a pitcher of water off of the table and, skipping between broken plates and bowls and heaps of slippery noodles, she steps out the front door.
"Here." Lucy comes to the rescue with cloths and that pitcher of water from the table. "Let me help clean you up, Piotr, and then I'll look in the back for a shirt for you." She seems engrossed in the problem, and only the problem, as she wets a rag to sponge broth off of Piotr's bare chest. "Ooh, it's in your hair, too."
*
Having barely eaten over the past couple of days, because he was reading some fascinating research on the connections between nutrition and mental health, Binx has decided on heading to Chinatown. As he passes a little noddle house, he thinks, 'Yes, noddles. That's something I like to eat! I like spaghetti, after all!' So noodles it is!
Upon entering the rather small restaurant, he's greeted by an unexpected sigh. A noodle covered Kitty, a shirtless Piotr, and their friends attempting to help clean up. "Oh dear." He strides toward them. "Can help at all?" He smiles brightly, pulling two handkerchiefs from his jacket's inside pockets.
*
ROLL: Kitty +rolls 1d10 for a result of: 1
*
ROLL: Kitty +rolls 1d10 for a result of: 10
*
Kitty's eyes finally open as Laura casually doesn't notice what the big deal is. "It's not so much a big deal as an ohmygosh I'm ridiculously — " she begins to explain her reaction to Laura as best she can without outing the entirety of her reaction, only to get cut-off by some girl helping clean her boyfriend. There's a pang of something in her chest she'll think more about later. She normally lets things roll off her back; ignoring their currents and not letting them get to her. She can feel her temper bubbling pushing to the surface as she tries so hard to force it down. Control is not her forte.
Her lips turn downwards and part only to close again. Tension can be seen in each line of her posture. She takes a single step back, and then another. And then a third. Only to back up right into Binx. She offers him a tight smile (that actually comes out more as a grimace). "Thank you, Binx," there's an odd hardness to her words.
*
Karolina has disconnected.
*
Karolina has connected.
*
It is clear from Laura's expression that Kitty's explanation is failing. Badly. But also that she is trying to work this out. It's an aspect of Normal Person behavior she doesn't get and seems very central to a lot of her friends' lives. When Kitty's demeanor changes, she squints. That is… unusual. She hesitates, as thoughts occur to her and eventually coalesce into A Theory. "Are you upset because Lucy is helping him? She's very nice."
*
None of this is helping Piotr look less flustered. He's quick to hold up his hands when Karolina offers to help, though not quick enough to stop her short. "No, no, it is fine, thank — in my hair?" He makes an irritated noise and just reaches up to ruffle a hand over his head to knock any noodles loose, with a quick, exasperated look given to Binx. "…good afternoon. It is fine, nothing that will not come off in the wash," he assures him, giving his shirt one last quick shake.
Piotr takes a small step back so that he can hurriedly yank his shirt back on over his head, whether it's really ready for it or not. At least it's only damp and clingy now rather than soaking wet. There, see? It's fine. He's fine. Everything is fine.
*
"I'm so sorry for the mess," Lucy says to Piotr. She's obviously dressed like some sort of staff here so she feels kind of responsible for things, even if she is just a dishwasher. "Come on in and get seated, I'm sure food will be out in a moment. I think I heard Laura ordering. I'll get you more cloths if you need. And I'll bring your tea." She attempts to herd Piotr inside. Alice is mopping the floor resentfully — that splash and swish can only be described as resentful.
Inside, the offending waiter has been forcibly escorted out by the other waiters, leaving, well — Lucy — to fill in the gap. She gives Binx a wan smile. "Can I help you find a table, sir?" She's been in enough restaurants to know how this works, at least.
*
ROLL: Kitty +rolls 1d10 for a result of: 2
*
A frown forms on Binx's face as Kitty bumps into him, and at the harshness of her words. Harshness not directed specifically at him, but still harsh. His smile turns into a soft, gentle one. "Deep breaths, Miss Kitty. Whatever the issue is, we can fix it. But running away or, well, exploding won't help. You're a smart young woman. Let's take a seat and all this can be talked through, ya? He tucks away one handkerchief and puts his hand into another jacket pocket. After a moment, he brings it out, a lily in hand, and gives Kitty the flower. "Tada?"
"«It's good to see you again, my Russian friend!»" He says to Piotr in Russian. "«If you're sure everything is all right? Then I am glad!»" Although he does look to Kitty once more, worry on his face.
Binx clears his throat, though, and smiles to Lucy. "A table! Yes. Tables are good. They're where people usually sit at restaurants!" He's an observant one, you see. To Kitty, Piotr, and Laura he says, "Mind if I um…if I join your table?" It may be a table of troubles, but that doesn't bother him so much."
*
"No," Kitty replies to Laura with that hardness still present in her tone. For once she isn't running off her mouth. As others move into the restaurant, Kitty takes another step backwards. Binx gets an uncertain look breathing. Right. That helps things. In. Out. In. Out. The flower is regarded with a faint flutter of eyelashes. Okay. Maybe. Maybe everything will be alright.
And then Piotr says things are fine, and something snaps — a very different something than when it'd snapped with David. Her hands ball at her sides. And her face, rather than its abject embarrassed red, begins to pale. "Nothing about this fine! Nothing is fine! I put on the dress for once! I did my hair! I'll be dragging noodles out of my hair for days! I'm drenched! I went shopping yesterday and got mercilessly teased and then you're standing there — " she motions with her hand " — and some random young woman who you apparently know sponges — "
She stomps her foot once before turning on it rather than letting herself be ushered inside. The lily, however, gets a sad sniff when she realizes that, in her rage, she has effectively crushed it. She has regrets.
*
There might be a general concensus amongst his American friends that Piotr is a touch on the oblivious side, but the way he watches Kitty with a very minute tilt of his head might suggest otherwise. He doesn't really wait — just asides a quiet "We will be right back, I am sorry," to Lucy before he steps over to offer Kitty one of his hands, raising his eyebrows at her in concern. "Katya. Here. May we take a moment?" he asks, nodding his head at the door.
*
ROLL: Kitty +rolls 1d10 for a result of: 3
*
Laura blinks as Kitty has her— much-needed— outburst, and then looks to Piotr. Help me, I don't know what I'm doing. Everyone knows that look. So she of course relaxes when Piotr steps in, and turns her attention to Binx. Her Russian is just like her Cantonese— formal and a little too perfect. <You may sit with me while they talk,> she suggests. <Are you like Piotr?> Well, that sure could mean a lot of things, and she doesn't seem to be worried about the question being rude, either.
*
Oh dear. Lucy has no idea what she did wrong there but it was obviously something. Still. She knows when trying to explain will do more harm than good. Instead, she whisks a place setting from an empty table and places it next to Laura's before moving the chair over as well.
"I'm really sorry for, well, for everything," she says very quietly. "I'll bring some tea. I guess…" She casts about for a server. There's the muffled sounds of conflict from the back room. Apparently corrective measures are being taken for the waiter who was so — enthusiastic — with his little dance. "I guess I'll take your order, or send someone out to take it," she says to Binx. She manages a smile, she's good at smiling on cue. If there's anything she can't let happen, it's losing this job today. She was counting on affording a place to sleep tonight.
*
When the flower is crushed in Kitty's hand, even before she realizes it, Binx has his hand back in his pocket. It takes a moment, there's an obvious look of thoughtfulness and thinking on his face, and, after the moment, he pulls out another lily. "Another for you?" He hands it to her and smiles. "If you need more, just tell me." He glances to Piotr and then back to Kitty. "Deep, deep breaths." He tells her. "I know you're angry." Everyone knows she's angry. "And before you respond to anything, count to five and ask yourself if what you initially want to say is out of anger, or out of truth. Let truth guide your words, not anger or annoyance." He his tone is soft, kind, supportive. As much as they can be without knowing more of the situation.
Giving Kitty a gentle pat on the shoulder, Binx nods to Piotr and moves cautiously to the table. He smiles at Laura. "«Another who speaks Russian! Am I like Piotr?»" He pauses to consider the question for a moment. "«If you mean from Russia, than not exactly. My grandparents were. I grew up speaking Russian, however.»" He explains, taking a seat at the table.
He offers a sympathetic look to Laura. "No need to apologize. I have a feeling everything will turn out fine, once things cool down a little bit." He says softly, his accent, when speaking English, is that of someone who grew up in New York state. "You're very kind, tea would be lovely. Thank you."
*
The offered hand sees Kitty's gaze turning downwards as she considers it for a few beats. Her eyes hone in on the offered hand. There are few things that truly interrupt anger. Still small voices, however, typically do their work. But the lily's replacement has her releasing the very dead looking one. Binx even, almost receives a smile in turn.
There's a slight drop of Kitty's chin, a nod of sorts as she finally accepts Piotr's hand. But she say nothing, opting to focus on her breathing instead. In. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Out. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. And even as she breathes, she remembers the cafe, and she can feel the sharp sting of unshed tears build in her eyes. She forces them down. No. Not today. Once was enough.
Unfortunately, the fight to keep herself stoic only makes her seem angrier. Hardening herself requires a certain amount of armour. Fortunately, she also becomes, albeit temporarily, pliant and easy enough to guide away.
*
Rogue has arrived.
*
Rogue leaves, heading towards Chinatown [O].
*
Rogue has left.
*
Binx gets a brief, very grateful look from Piotr as he gently curls his fingers around Kitty's hand. He doesn't dare say anything more — he just offers a small, apologetic smile towards Lucy and Laura before he guides Kitty back outside.
He doesn't take her far, though. Piotr goes precisely as far as the nearest bench. He very gently guides her to sit down before he settles down next to her, still clasping her hand in his.
He lets the quiet hang for a long moment, studying his shoes. "I am sorry about your dress," Piotr says quietly. "Who was teasing you? That was not very nice."
*
Laura has learned— already— that there are times one just… withdraws. With Kitty that is when Piotr wants to pull her aside. Like now. So she settles down, simply bobbing her head at Binx when he correctly guesses what she means by the question. <That is similar enough,> she replies, satified, and smiles at Lucy. "Do not worry. I think Kitty is just worried because her dress got messy and Piotr had to take off his shirt and maybe you think he is…" how did Keith put it? He was trying to teach her to speak more 'casually'. "…a 'bitchin' stone fox'." She rattles it off in the sort of way one does when they're copying something verbatim from memory.
Then she frowns. "I do not know if that is right."
*
Lucy makes it to the back and she's grateful she doesn't understand a word of Chinese. "I need some —" The one other person in the room who speaks English, the young man who hired her on for the day, shoves a tea tray into her hands. "There's another man out there, I don't know —"
"NOODLES," the young man hisses. "HE GETS THE NOODLES LIKE EVERYONE ELSE."
Lucy stifles a small squeak of terror. "Okay. I'll tell him. Noodles."
She thinks she sees some staff trying to stuff the waiter into a large laundry sack. Strains of Gilbert and Sullivan drift out during pauses in the scuffle. Lucy turns on her heel. Right. Noodles. She marches back out with the tea tray, smile plastered on.
"Tea," she says brightly, as she returns. "And it's noodles. Only noodles. For everyone. Please don't ask." She gives Laura and Binx her best, radiant, showgirl smile. "It's my first day. Actually, I don't really even work here."
*
A little smile is offered to Piotr, but Binx doesn't interfere any more. He's seen much worse cases of anger and squabbles. This would be a quiet day for him in the therapy sessions he holds, sadly. He turns his attention back to Laura. "«I suppose it is, fairly close, isn't it?»" He responds. "«How is it you came to know Russian, if you don't mind the enquiry? I'm always curious whenever I meet someone who speaks it.»"
He can't help but chuckle at the phrase used to describe Piotr. "Well, Piotr is quite good looking. Kitty could've have percieved a…a threat to the relationship there?" He waggles an eyebrow up and down suggestively.
He smiles widely at Lucy. "What do you know? Noodles are exactly what I'm in the mood for! And tea. Thank you for the tea." He voice is kind and soft. "Well, for someone who doesn't work here, I think you're doing a marvellous job."
*
"I learned a lot of them when I was small," Laura replies promptly. "They are useful for operating in places I was going to be sent to. It is inefficient to not know what people are saying or read signs." An answer that probably begs more questions than it answers. As for the reflection on Kitty's behavior… Laura shrugs non-commitally. She suggested the possibility, but she doesn't REALLY understand the implications very well.
*
It's easy enough to guide Kitty to the bench. Making her talk, however, is more difficult, especially as she continues to feel that sting behind her eyes. Nope. Not giving in. Sheer stubborn will has one of her hands still balled into an angry fist. Focusing on something else seems to keep the tears at bay.
Her eyes drift downwards to glare at the mess that is her newish frock. "It's fine," she mutters. "And it just makes sense." Her jaw tightens and her nostrils flare. "Nothing goes right. Nothing."
She sighs softly at the question about who teased her. She glowers. "It's not a big deal. I know everyone thinks I'm unaware, but I'm not. I know I'm just a little bit ridiculous." Her jaw tightens and her eyes train on her feet now. "And a complete and utter disaster."
*
Ahh, but this does sound familiar. Piotr makes a quiet rumbling noise in response, watching Kitty with a thin, sympathetic frown. Once again, he remains silent and still for a very long moment.
Then he turns his eyes back towards the noodle shop, his fingers giving Kitty's hand a light squeeze before he makes a rather impulsive suggestion:
"We could just leave," Piotr notes, focusing on the sign above the shop's door. "Find a car and pick a direction and go."
*
Lucy sets out the tea and the little cups and saucers. "It is good to see you again, Laura. In case I didn't say. I'll be right back with your meals," Lucy promises. She gives Binx a genuine smile now, a grateful one. "Thanks for understanding. I think… I don't know. The man who threw noodles all over is singing show tunes now." She straightens, looks toward the back room.
"You know, my aunt did something like that once and someone had to come to the house and give her vitamins. They said it was vitamins." The expression now is one of realisation. "I don't think it was vitamins. Anyway, she went away for a while."
"Excuse me," Lucy says, when a clanging comes from the kitchen. "I hope that means food is ready."
*
"Useful for…operating in places?" Binx repeats Laura's, furrowing his brow. "Why would you be 'sent' pllaces when you're just a child." He seems rather quite confused by it all. Looking to Lucy, his smile returns. "Think nothing of it! I try to be understanding whenever possible. I find it makes life much more enjoyable!"
"Oh! Introductions!" He laughs, more at himself than anything. "You know, sometimes I forget to eat. Sometimes I forget to introduce myself! Robert Binx. Most people call me Binx." It's nice, it's simple. Nothing extravagant.
*
The squeeze at Kitty's hand almost instinctively earns one in turn. The unusual impulse cause her eyes to flit up in an effort to catch Piotr's as they narrow into relatively small slits. People can almost see the cogs in her mind turning as she works around the thought. She surprises herself but nodding slightly. "…alright."
*
Laura tilts her head to one side, and her eyes defocus briefly, but then they fall back on Lucy and she smiles, nodding. "It is nice you see you again, too. We keep seeing each other in these…" what's the word. "…restaurants." Yes, those.
"Because it is what I was supposed to do," Laura replies matter-of-factly to Binx's question. She clearly finds the question a little strange. Then a pause when he introduces himself, one crisp nod. "Binx. I am Laura."
*
"Alright. But first, we should have our lunch," Piotr says easily, rising to his feet again. He turns to offer Kitty his other hand. "We smell like noodles, so we might as well at least eat some. And make sure that Laura gets home safely." He nods his head slightly to one side, then to the other. "Then, if we still want to… we will go. For as long or as short a time we you want to go." He raises his eyebrows at Kitty, hopeful. "Does that sound okay?"
*
Lucy is lost in the steam that seems to roll endlessly from the kitchen where massive kettles of broth roil slowly, the contents waiting to be joined with noodles. Fortunately for her, the waiter who began the Noodle Fiasco has been bundled off somewhere. Alice comes banging back through with the mop and bucket, accidentally running the bucket into the back of Lucy's legs and sloshing dirty noodle water over Lucy's shoes.
"Oh, sorry," Lucy says instinctively.
"You know these people?" The English-speaking man wants to know.
"They're very nice," Lucy assures him. "They know accidents happen."
"Accidents?" He shakes a finger at her. "Shows what you know. Wait for the noodles. Then, get to the dishes."
*
Looking confused, Binx tilts his head inquisitively. "But, and I'm sorry if I'm lost here, but…if you were younger, why were you supposed to do…whatever it was that you did?" He shakes his head. It's the curse of psychiatry, always wanting to ask questions. "Well, it's nice to meet you Laura. Do you go to the same school as Kitty and Piotr?"
*
The hand is taken and used to help Kitty rise to her feet. She balances and manages a flicker of a smile at the comment about smelling like noodles. "Agreed. Laura needs to eat and get home and make sure that she's good. Then," she nods once. "Yeah. That sounds good." They seem to have reached an accord and her temper has been abetted.
Having decided to go back into the noodle place for lunch, Kitty actually gives Piotr's hand a tug to draw him back into the restaurant. With a stitch of a smile — weakened thanks to her outburst moments earlier, and the truth spouted therein, she steps to the table where Binx and Laura are seated.
"Hey," she say somewhat sheepishly towards Laura. And then Binx. "Thank you for the," her eyes turn down to the lilies she's still hold and her eyebrows draw together lightly. A glance flits between Binx and Laura and she asks idly, "You two know each other." OF course the girl who is working the room is cast a sheepish, nearly apologetic smile. "Hi. I'm sorry about — " she doesn't even know what to apologize for.
*
Laura perks and smiles as Kitty re-enters. "You look better," she observes bluntly, then shakes her head. "No. We do know though. Somewhat. We're talking." Speaking of… she looks back to Binx. "Because Weapons go where the Hand directs," she says, as if that totally explains everything. She, no, still doesn't really know how to explain herself. "Kitty and Piotr think I should. I probably will. I can see the value in staying there."
*
Oh, what timing. Piotr tries not to wince as they return to the table just in time for Laura to offer this explanation to Binx, releasing Kitty's hand only when it's time for him to draw out a chair for himself to settle into. Finally. All he says to Binx is a quiet, low "You do not want to know."
He runs both hands over his face before looking over the table. Tea. Piotr likes tea. Tea is simple.
*
Lucy returns with food. Actual food that is everything this little place's reputation promises, in spite of the chaos: delicious, loopy noodles, rich broth, delicate greens, slivers of meat. She gives Kitty a warm smile as she distributes the larger soup bowls with their ladles and the small serving bowls for each place.
"Oh, you don't have to apologize to me," she says to Kitty quite sincerely. "I'm sorry your lovely dress got spoiled. I just hope you can enjoy your meal."
*
"Hi." Binx says softly to Kitty and Piotr. "You're very welcome for them. Although…" He holds out his hand. "Let me see the slightly crushed one. I'll show you a little magic trick. It'll be worth it. I'll give it right back!"
He furrows his brow at Laura. "Weapon?" Despite Piotr's warning, he still asks. He should know better, but gosh darn it! Medical school trained him too well! His attention is quickly distracted by the arrival of food, however. "Noodles! Yum! Just what the doctor ordered!"
*
"Thank you," Kitty replies softly to Laura's rather blunt observation. "Good. I'm glad you've met." The comment about Weapons, however, causes her jaw to tighten. Nothing like training someone how to be a person over time. But the request for the crushed lily has Kitty handing it out to Binx. "I do like magic…"
The brought food earns Lucy and easier smile and a nod. "I should. Apologize, that is. I… I shouldn't have lost my temper. It doesn't happen that — " her lips purse and she frowns before lifting the lilies towards Lucy. "Thank you," she looks down at her dress. "For calling it lovely, I mean. It took a lot to find." She glances down at the two lilies in her hand that are whole. "Do you like flowers? I feel like maybe you should have some flowers. As an apology. For. Before."
*
Did someone ask Laura a question? Weapons? That doesn't sound like the three bowls of noodles Lucy brought for her. Because she ordered them. All other considerations are cast aside while Laura attends to the large portion of food in front of her. Imagine all the hilarious ways you can fail to eat noodles and they are probably about to happen. She clearly intends to put down all the food she ordered, though.
*
When Laura ignores the question to instead go after her food, Piotr tries not to look too relieved. "If you are truly curious," he offers towards Binx, suddenly looking very tired, "we can discuss it another time. I have been meaning to take you up on that offer," he admits, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "I think it might be… good. To talk."
He offers Kitty and Lucy both a small, encouraging smile, but doesn't cut into their exchange. Important to let them sort it out themselves.
*
"Oh, that's very kind." Lucy gives Kitty a sweet smile and might — might — bat her lashes unconsciously. "I love lilies. When I was young I wanted to be Lily Rowan from the Nero Wolfe stories. So glamorous and dramatic." She sighs heavily, hand to her chest over the heavy layers of apron and work smock. "Not at all like us mere mortals. But you must be Kitty, gosh, I should have realised. Piotr mentioned you when he and Laura invited me to lunch last week."
*
With the somewhat crushed lily in hand, Binx takes a deep breath in and places the stem between both palms. Slowly rubbing his hands back and forth, causing the flower to roll back and forth, he blows on the petals. Said petals, which had been crumpled, start to straighten and brighten. After a moment, they're flourishing like they were when he first gave Kitty the flower. "Tada! As good as new! Magic!" He holds out the flower with a great big smile on his face.
He looks to Piotr, he offers a smile and a nod. "My door is always open to you!" He gives the Russian a little wink as he starts to eat his noodles.
*
Lucy is cast a broader grin as she accepts the flowers. "Yeah," her cheeks flush, "I am Kitty. Kitty Pryde. What's you're name?" She shrugs and the grin continues, evidently the ugliness from before has been either forgotten or relegated to the back of Kitty's mind. "Wow! How did you — " her lips part and her head cants at Binx's trick. "Seriously! That's amazing! Teach me?" Because Kitty can learn magic. Maybe.
*
"Lucy West." Lucy tucks the flowers into her ponytail because that's not adorable. "I have to get back to work, but it was lovely to meet you. That was great magic, mister. You could be on "The Magic Land of Allakazam" with that kind of trick." She waves at the cluttered tables abandoned during the earlier kerfuffle. "I'm not going far. Work is…all over the place." The little restaurant looks like an explosion went off in here.