Monday Night at the Perk

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She stops in to grab a lattee and catch up on her non-verbal unit reading. So much new research to sift through. She sits, cup on one side, papers before her, highlighter at the ready.]

((Cj is seeing Kadaj, but feel free to use this post for your Perk patronage.))

Comments

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

Kadaj had been distracted the entire day and his thoughts tumbled around in his head, not making heads or tails. Yazoo went to that book seller to get a book he wanted and Kadaj and Loz walked around the town just staying busy doing nothing while he tried to sort it all out.

He was no closer to any answers than he had been the day before but when he saw CJ enter the coffee shop, he felt like he had to do something.

She was important somehow, she fit into his plans even though he couldn't see how just yet. It was the deep thrumming in his chest, the whispers just as he drifted off to sleep. Mother whispered...he whispered. She was key...and that was all Kadaj knew.

Leaving Loz outside, Kadaj entered in and stood at the door for a moment just watching CJ at a table.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She tangles her hand in her hair, reading. Every once and again she jerks the cap off the pen with her teeth and highlights long passages, then puts the cap back on with a snap of her thumb. Pausing for a moment she looks up and sips her coffee. Seeing Kadaj, she smiles softly, and waves.]

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

When he saw her noticing him, he nodded. There wasn't a line at the register and he went to the counter and ordered four muffins. Once Kadaj paid, he walked over to her table and stood there to watch her again.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Want to sit? [She caps the pen and stacks the papers neatly, pushing them to the side and moving her coffee to the center.]

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

Kadaj slid into the chair next to her. He dug in his bag and pulled out a muffin, setting it in front of her. "You're working," he said, looking over the papers strewn in front of them.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Not really. Just catching up. But you're here. Everything stops for you. [Taking the muffin, she picks a chunk from the top.] Thank you.

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

'I'm sorry' was just not in Kadaj's vocabulary because he honestly didn't know what he had to be sorry for. The muffin was as good as it got for him and he was pleased she took it. "What is it?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

My work? New research on body language. What your muscles and face and the sound of your voice say that makes your words make more sense. Or if you don't talk at all, how do people know what you mean. Do you understand?

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

"Yes." Kadaj tilted his head as if to read what was on the pages. So many words that held no meaning for him. But he did understand the concepts. It was those very things that kept him and his brothers alive so often, to be able to read a situation. "Why?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

I'm teaching it to my students. Body language is very imprtant. People know what you mean or want even without words. I read you all the time, Kadaj. You're very honest with your baody, even when you don't say much.

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

"What do I say?" Kadaj asked. He was smiling, watching CJ from beneath his hair.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

You say you want to trust me, but you're a little scared. Maybe not scared..[She stares at him]...trust. You wonder what I want. But then you told me that much at the house. I know it's still true because of how your shoulders are, and ythe way you walk near me, but how you handed me the food. You are so interesting to watch.

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

Sitting absolutely still, Kadaj listened to CJ. He neither confirmed nor denied anything she said, just ... listened. "What about Loz and Yazoo? Can you read them too?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She scratches her head] Do you really want to know? I mean, I pay more attention to you, but you might not like...um...

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

"I know my brothers better than anyone else, I don't think anything you say will bother me," Kadaj said with a shrug.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Loz is like an animal. He's capable of a lot of violence, but he's very gentle with you, and he's gentle with...others. Still...he could scare me, although he generally doesn't. He's someone who would clearly become fierce at a moments notice.

Yazoo too, but he's more graceful. He has an easy way of movement that tells me he's less impetuous than Loz, more inclined to think for a moment before acting. But only a moment.

And you...you...[she looks at him for a minute, trying to put in to words.] You could kill me but you never do. You, I trust.

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

"You shouldn't trust me," Kadaj said simply. He met her gaze neutrally. "You shouldn't trust us."

Reaching over, he takes a bit of her muffin and pops it in his mouth. "But you do." He shook his head. "You're a very confusing person, CJ."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She furrows her brows] I don't mean to be, Kadaj. I've never lied to you. Never hidden anything. I care about you for no good reason I can name. Like Shane. Like Jack. I want to make things better for you. If you want me to stop. To go away...just tell me.

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

"No." He shook his head, giving it a tilt to look at her with a smile. " Just confusing. That's all."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Kadaj?

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

"Yes, CJ?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Why did you stab the door and not me?

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

Giving CJ a sleepy smile, Kadaj stood from the table. He picked up his bag of muffins. "I felt like it," he said softly.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[Cocking her head to the side] That's the same answer I have for you then. Why I care about you three at all...I felt like it.

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

Kadaj seemed to consider that for a moment before he nodded. "Night, CJ."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Night, Kadaj.

[ac-brothers.livejournal.com]

He tapped on the window to gain Loz's attention before stepping out the door. A brief tug of war occurred over the bag before Kadaj won and he shoved at Loz in the direction of the park and where Yazoo was eventually supposed to meet them.