Chicken Noodle Soup (Stella <3)

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac let out a bored yawn as he lazily flopped on his bed, throwing his bag to the floor near his dresser as he stretched his arms and back. The pain on his stomach has disappeared entirely, and despite not being able to use his powers to accelerate his healing, the only reminder of that unfortunate (and incredibly unfair) scuffle with that bitch Moe was the bruise on his nose (which he artfully covered with a white bandage). His family acted rather fast, his father sending their family doctor/biomanipulator while his uncle went on and scolded the school administration about their poor security and mismanagement of their ‘witness protection’.

The days that followed were a bit peaceful though; he’s quite sure that rumors about Moe suddenly beating him up has surfaced already, but to his surprise, the smug and condescending looks are not to be found. It’s as if they’ve been threatened not to dwell on it. Amazing really. Now he wonders what his uncle did.

Flexing his jaw as he walked over his closet to change (not because of being hit there, but because of the fact that he can’t talk for a whole hour), he saw a familiar red box placed neatly inside the drawer where he keeps his underwear. In all the drama that ensued the past few months, he’s completely forgotten about the souvenir he got for his favorite Glowworm. Which reminds him, when was the last time they talked again anyway?

Changing into a more comfortable lounge clothes, Zac grabbed the little box and walked out of his room. It’s been long since he’s tasted her wonton soup, maybe he could tease her into making him one too. Cafeteria food has never been good enough for his taste buds.

“Hey Glowworm,” he said with a wink as the door opened, pulling her into a hug and ruffling the shy girl’s hair, “Did you miss me? I know you did. I have something for you here.” He promptly showed her the red box. “Mind if I come in? You have food in there too? I’m starving. Cafeteria food is nasty, I tell you that.”

Sorry Stella. One hour of not talking can really make his vocal cords go overboard when he finally gets the chance.

[Stella Pinyin]

It had taken Stella a little longer to open her door then usual; if the rather withdrawn girl was honest with herself, she'd say it would be fear that Alice was visiting her again. Still, even with that slightly unfounded fear, Stella couldn't bring herself to completely ignore the knocking and so opened the door just a crack.

"Ah, hello?"

Within moments the door had been thrown open and Stella found herself wrapped in the arms of one Zacary LaRousse. "Oh, hello Zac," she managed to stutter out, blushing furiously as she rather awkwardly returned the embrace, but managed to detangle herself and covered her mouth and cheeks with one hand to hide.

It had been nearly time for dinner, and Stella had taken to cooking her own meals rather then coping with the awkwardness of having to ask the cafeteria staff what everything was. Being unable to make out any more then different coloured mush took out the entire pleasure of eating. Still, she had not expected company and so had changed into her pyjamas. Having someone in her room while she was only in those was extremely inapropriate, her uncle had always told her so.

"What are you doing-" He was close enough that the bandage on his nose was stark against his darker skin. "What happened to you?" her embarrassment replaced with worry and she grasped his chin between two bone white fingers and tilted his head to get a better look. "Are you alright?"

Food, of course! Food helped everything! "Yes, yes of course," the light in her room was always rather dim, to help her eyesight, but since she had a guest she concentrated for a moment until the level of light was back to normal. "I have soup, let me just add..." her hands felt around for the dried noodles and then she took the two steps towards the small freezer to fish out some fish wantons.

"Oh, yes, it has been a while," Stella muttered as she wondered around to pick out her ingredients. "I, ah, hear you've been busy?"

[Zachary LaRousse]

“What took you so long to answer the door anyway?” asked Zac as he happily released the albino girl from his supposedly loving grip, “You’re not avoiding me, are you?” Because as far as he can remember, back when things weren’t as chaotic as they were (read: before the February dance), when he would frequently visit Stella to taste one of her delicious concoctions, it didn’t take more than three knocks before the mild-mannered girl would open her door and greet him. But now, it took almost a minute or more for her to welcome him in. Has he made things rather awkward by not visiting her as regularly as before?

At Stella’s prodding, Zac replied with a simple grin (which he hopes she can distinguish) and gave her own nose a light pinch. “It’s nothing. Got into a fight the other day. But you don’t have to worry, Dr. Kimiyo’s got it all covered.” She’s the best his father’s got in his speed dial anyway. “Nothing but an ugly bruise now. I just cover it ‘cause purple really isn’t my color.” And with a completely platonic kiss on her forehead, he happily let the girl be on the kitchen as he himself flopped on her couch, pulling his feet up the center table as he spread his arms across the sofa’s length.

Placing the red box on the side table to his left, he was just about to grab the remote and open the TV when he saw Stella in action. There’s just something about seeing a girl’s back as she prepares a meal for you that just makes a guy’s heart flutter. Even Zac, who looks upon Stella as the little sister he never really wanted but still had, felt a little warmer and fuzzier than he was a few minutes earlier. “You don’t have to make it too fancy Glowworm,” he chuckled, a permanent smile painted on his face, “You have the uncanny ability to make water taste good after all.”

Maybe he’d hire her as his personal chef one day. Hmm.

“I was. I do hope you’re not upset with what happened with L.C. back in the Valentine’s Day dance.” Apparently he hadn’t apologized yet. The nerve really. “If you should know, she suddenly vanished. I don’t know why.” Something with the circus, probably. “But yeah, it’s been busy. You?”

Mmm. Just the scent of her cooking is enough to make his mouth water. It’s illegal to have this much power over someone really.

[Stella Pinyin]

"Oh, I know, it was very rude," Stella murmured, twisting her fingers in her hair, "But you see,"... it sounded silly when she thought of saying it out loud. Alice was just... a little intimidating in her efforts to befriend her. That was all. "I was just busy," she finished somewhat lamely. "And you were busy with L.C. I am was very happy to hear you had found someone!"

And she had been! Very happy. Of course she had been. Why wouldn't she be?

"You got into a fight?!" Stella strained her eyes to see if there was something wrong with his face apart from the bandage. He still looked alright; that was, his features seemed to be where they were supposed to be. "Well, if you are alright..."

Still, how did that happen? It didn't make sense. Stella had had no idea of the talk; she had been given a note of exception from her guardian, on the compromise that Sean would have a one to one talk with her later, and while there had been some murmuring no one had really filled her in.

"It's just soup," Stella murmured bashfully, smiling to herself as she threw the noodles into the pan, and the wontons in the bamboo steamer. "And of course water can taste good, when you put more things in it." After all, she usually carried a thermos with warm water and some chinese medicinal herbs around with her. "This will be done very soon," about to go on to say, 'make yourself at home,' it was pretty clear he had done so already.

Then her face flushed again, though she could claim it was just from the steam. "Oh, yes, well," gnawing at her pale lip, the glowing girl shook her head. "No, it's ok. But, that's terrible!" Ladling the soup into two red enamel bowls, Stella fished out chopsticks and spoons and carried the bowls over to the couch, herself kneeling in front of the table. It was honestly more comfortable for her, and another reason why she avoided the cafeteria. "Here, I'm so sorry. Are you very sad?"

He didn't seem sad, but then, he was asian and in Stella's experience most of the people from the Asian community she knew kept their feelings tightly under wraps.

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac knew Stella meant no harm in her words (they were warm and really sincere, a stark contrast to the ones thrown at him at a daily basis) but still he couldn’t help but feel just a tad bit guilty. Even her congratulatory remark with him finding someone seemed a little sarcastic, even if he knows his little Glowworm is capable of no such thing.

She’s sweet, naïve and pure. And he plans on keeping her that way.

“Busy? With what?” That was something new. Not that he’s saying that his little ward shouldn’t have a life, but still. ‘Cause aside from him, he never really saw anyone pay much attention to her. Then again, half a year can really bring about many changes. Heck, in just one day he went from a multi-millionaire teen to a penniless hobo. (Not exactly, but close).

The mimic happily waved off Stella’s concern. No need to tell her; she’s already so frail and fragile on her own, telling her that may be her undoing, Zac thinks. “Don’t worry. I won’t die. Not yet anyway. I still have to conquer the world, remember?” he chuckled, rubbing his nose to hers. At least she doesn’t flinch as much from his physical advances as she did before. “It’s just that people don’t freaking know when a business is theirs or not. Don’t you hate it when people poke their noses into something they’re totally not involved with?”

“Take your time Stella,” he answered, yawning for a bit. He’s still a little full from the cafeteria dinner he had anyway (he had fettuccini carbonara tonight; needs a little more bacon according to him). The fantastic scent was easily making him hungry again though.

He could feel his mouth watering so much already, so he was rather thankful that the soup didn’t take much longer to make. The sight of her walking with two bowls in her hand is just wonderful. “You’d make an awesome wife one day.” If any guy can get past his scrutiny anyway. Heaven knows he’d be hugely protective of her.

Placing his feet down, he grabbed his spoon and blew on it a bit to cool it down before gulping it. “It’s even tastier than I thought it’d be. You’re awesome Stella,” he said, giving her a two thumbs up sign.

His smile got slightly smaller at the topic of L.C. though. “I am. Was anyway. With all the drama happening, I didn’t have much time to dwell on it.” How he wishes he had someone to talk to about it really. But JD and Robbie were sulking and brooding so much, while Mia’s all…Mia. He had no one.

“But enough about that,” Zac quickly added, bending over to his side to grab the red box and presenting it to Stella. “I got you this. Hope you’ll like it.”

[Stella Pinyin]

She hadn't been doing anything.... wait, that was not right.

"I met someone!" Stella realised, her face lighting up (literally) as the thought raised itself. "We met because she helped explain a baking show, her name is Avi and I am going to teach her how to fold dumplings!" It was hard for Stella to refrain from gushing, but to finally have a friend, and someone as lovely as Avi, was something that the white haired girl was extremely excited about. That the runner also liked cooking (well, cakes) make it even better.

His face got so very close, and Stella could almost see him perfectly clearly. She blinked, pale eyelashes against her cheeks, which had gone pink again. Clapping her hands over them, Stella pulled away. Quickly.

It did not get better when he made the commet about being a wife. "Well, ah, maybe," she murmured into her soup. "If I am lucky." It was unlikely she would find someone willing to marry her; most traditional chinese families they knew would not look that kindly on a meta, least of all one with such an obvious physical problem.

But it was selfish of her to dwell on her own problems when her friend was admitting to be upset. "Drama?" she asked, after finishing a mouthful of noodles. "Something worse then, ah, no L.C?" It must have been something really bad then... Zac never actually admitted or even looked at all sad. Looking at her friend with obvious concern, Stella reached out for the box absently and pulled it close to see.

"Oh, pretty~" she cooed, slipping it onto her wrist and holding it out. "Can you, ah," the tiny clasp was well beyond her eyesight's ability.

Still, while the braclet was lovely, and she told Zac as sternly as possible he shouldn't have, even Stella realised when she was being lead off track. "But, Zac," she started again, pushing a piece of boc choy around her bowl, "What is wrong? I mean, you are not usually sad. It's worrying for me."

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac had to squint just slightly and let his eyes adjust when Stella suddenly brightened. While he’s been around the shy Chinese girl long enough for him not to be surprised by such sudden outbursts, his eyes are a whole matter entirely. He had to blink and rub them a few times before they finally went back to normal.

“Met someone?” he asked tentatively, gulping down a mouthful of noodles. And yes, that did sound like something else, at least until the boy realized that this was Stella and she’s not at all used to the whole convoluted euphemisms of the English language (not that it’s entirely a bad thing anyway). “That’s nice,” he added, sounding very much like a father complimenting his five year-old kid, “You should introduce her to me sometime. Or even better, invite me to your dumpling folding lesson. I’d love to be able to cook for you in the future You know, since I owe you. A lot.”

Just a little excuse to know who this Avi is. He doesn’t want to be intrusive, but he’s mighty protective of his little Glowworm. And with his usual resources unavailable to him (read: minions and money), he has to do the whole reconnaissance thing on his own.

He reeled in a chuckle when he saw the pinkish shade build-up on his little pet’s cheek. (Please note that ‘pet’ here is used lovingly and not in a condescending way). “Nope. If they’re lucky. You should never sell yourself short!” He took in a bok choy piece before asking, “Your uncle isn’t talking you in some arranged marriages, isn’t he?”

Because if he was, well, Zac may just need to tell him such practices are long obsolete.

Zac simply nodded in response to Stella’s initial prodding. He was hoping the little bracelet

[/url] would distract them from it really. “Here, let me,” he grinned, wrapping his hands around Stella’s tiny wrist as he fastened the little trinket. “Fits you perfectly. Remind me to buy you more next time,” he teased, tapping her nose with his index finger.

But Stella seemed mighty determined to have him talk about it. True, it was the reason why he came to her in the first place, but he was hoping, well, he could get over it by not talking about it? In any case, the plan failed.

“I…really don’t know,” answered the pompous teen with a dejected voice. He promptly slid down from the couch and sat beside Stella, putting his head on her shoulders. “Fact is, I did a bad thing. And, I don’t exactly feel bad about it.” He lazily mixed the contents of his bowl as he talked; it proved to be a good substitute to prevent his fingers from fidgeting. “And while I don’t care much about the hate people are throwing at me, well, JD and Robbie, they’re…”

He sniffed for a bit, rubbing his nose on her shoulders. “…Robbie’s so depressed lately. I-I don’t know what to do. And JD. He…he hates me.”

Ok. So he may have been a bit too vague there. Sorry Stella. He’s just not used to the whole concept of talking about his feelings really.[/justify][/blockquote]
ooc:
This is crappy. D;. So sooooorry.
-Jam[/font]

[Stella Pinyin]

Avi and Zac and dumplings, what was not to love? "That sounds like fun!" Stella agreed, beaming even as she started to think about how much filling she would have to make, and what kind they would prefer. Prawn, definitely, Zac loved those ones, and she would have to ask Avi what she liked.... and they could cook them! She would need more bamboo steamers, and maybe an extra pot.

"I like cooking," the pale girl insisted, "It's not a matter of owing but I'd love to teach you as well! It will be fun!" Her kind of fun, without crowds and loud noises and people who stared. And cooking. Perfect.

But it was less perfect talking about her uncle. "He says when I'm older, he wants to introduce me to some people," she explained. "Apparently there were some people who knew my father who moved to America around the time we did. They're in Los Angeles, apparently. Businessmen, but they have sons, you know," shrugging, the white haired girl shook her head. "Don't worry Zac, it's not something I need to think about."

Her fingers ran over the little starfish and the shells around her wrist, but when Zac lent against her she stiffened, then slowly let herself touch his hair, a kind of soft patting like her uncle had done sometimes to comfort her when she was little. "What did you do?" she asked, "And I am sure you would feel bad, if it had really hurt people. So, it must not have been too bad," and she believed that with all her heart. Because if people had been hurt, then you feel bad. It was how people worked, after all.

"Your friends are sad too?" Without all the information, none of what Zac was telling her really connected, but she rested her cheek on his head, since it was so close to her face anyway. He had soft hair, and despite how much he touched her, it had not gotten any paler at all. "Ah, I could make more soup? And Robbie is nice, I am sure he will feel happy again soon. I mean, if you did a bad thing, why should people be angry at them?"

[Zachary LaRousse]

Unfortunately for Stella, considering how incredibly protective those two are of the albino girl, Zac and Avi would most likely clash the moment they meet. They probably won’t show it when she’s looking, but once she turns around, you’d bet that they’ll be trying to kill each other with their glares. The number of insults they can (and will) throw at each other would most probably overshadow the number of dumplings they’ll finish.

So for the sake of Stella’s sanity, it’s probably best that we hold off the meeting for as long as possible.

“Maybe then I can surprise you with a four-(even five-)course meal when your birthday comes.” He’s fairly sure he has his allowance by then (his father’s not that cruel) and he could probably take her out town (car will be with him too; it should be), but isn’t cooking for someone a whole lot special? But since he’s the guy who can burn water, well, Stella’s got a bucketload of teaching to do before anything else.

His nose twitched a bit when she talked about her uncle’s plans. He would’ve prodded further, had he not felt the subtle discomfort in her voice (apparently he’s not so dense around his little Glowworm; who knew?). “Just make sure you introduce them to me before anything else ok?” he teased, patting her head like a little kid, “I’ll test them out to see if they’re worthy.” He gave her one last wink and sneakily grabbed a dumpling from her bowl.

“It really wasn’t too bad,” he argued, worrying slightly when he felt her tense from under him. He breathed much easier when she began combing his hair though, a small smile forming on his lips. “People were supposed to take it as a joke. But a certain b-“ He promptly caught himself, telling himself such language around his little pet is unacceptable. “-boy ran out crying and the whole student body was swept up in anger.”

[/b] Somehow talking to Stella like this, whom he knows would most likely tell him the most morally right thing, scares him. Because with all that drama with JD and the magic mojo Ann pulled on him the other day, he feels like his barriers have weakened and he might just be on the verge of actually feeling bad about stuff. If Stella tells him he should, well, it’s the end of the world.

Not good.

“They are. And I’m to blame.” He smiled slightly when she mentioned making soup for them. “That’d be a great idea.” Zac thought he could somehow talk vaguely for the whole night, but with all these questions Stella’s throwing at him, well, he finally realized that it won’t be the case. So, with his head still on her shoulder, he cleared his throat and began his explanation. “Well you see, I dragged them into this prank of mine…”

It was hard, explaining the whole thing to Stella. Not only did he have to watch what he says, he has this feeling that the whole context of the thing was too much for him. It took him a little longer than he used too, and in the end, he was all but ready to take his head off Stella’s shoulder. “See, I’m a bad man. Feel free to kick me out of your room now.” Because clearly he doesn’t deserve sympathy like the rest of them.[/justify][/blockquote][/font]

[Stella Pinyin]

But boys didn't cry. Well, they weren't supposed to... Stella frowned slightly as she tried to puzzle that out while she defended her soup with her chopsticks from further plundering. "All the school is angry because one person cried?" she repeated, chewing on the end of one of her chopsticks absently. "I suppose that tears get much sympathy, yes?"

The fact that Zac had made someone cry had not escaped her, but she had chosen not to comment, not until she heard the rest of the story.

"My soup fixes everything," the pale girl said lightly, bringing her bowl to her lips. If she risked her spoon she might splash Zac, and besides, it wasn't uncommon to drink from the bowl back at home. "I will drop some off for Robbie." It would be good to say hello to him again, he'd been very nice the last time they'd talked.

The slightly amused expression faded however, and Stella's pale eyes filled with real concern. "Don't talk about yourself in that bad way," she said earnestly, moving her head to look at Zac properly. "You are not a bad man. It is not a good thing that people are angry at you, or that you made someone cry, but you did not force your friends to help you, and so it is not just your fault that people's anger spread." She patted the top of his head, smiling. "I'm going to make tea. You wait here, and don't be sad."

Because if soup couldn't cure people, tea would.

As she rose to her feet, a thought occurred to the girl and she made a beeline for the table beside her bed, passing a note to Zac. "Can you read this? I think.. It was left for me at the, ah, reception, maybe two weeks ago? I, ah, can't make it out," with an embarrassed shrug, Stella made her way over to the counter and ran her fingers over the boxes of dried tea before pulling one out and putting on the kettle. "I think it was from a student I met at the dance, but I am not sure. Do you mind?" Anything to do with her poor vision always caused her a little embarrassment, but she trusted Zac. There was really no one else she could ask about the mysterious note after all.

[Zachary LaRousse]

“Unfortunately in this world, yes,” Zac groaned, rolling his eyes, not really bothering to hide his contempt on how a single tear drastically changed his expected response, “Especially if you’re some kind of supposedly sweet and defenseless cross-dressing tranny.” Please note that the mimic doesn’t really turn to pejoratives at a daily basis. He may be mean and a big bully, but he claims that such insults are ‘just not classy enough’. Not to mention it showcases how dim and uncreative one is when turning to such things. So really, his sudden and thoughtless use of such a slur only emphasizes how upset he is with the whole situation. Or so he thinks.

His sour face did lighten a bit when Stella mentioned her soup. True, it does have that elating effect on him. Either that, or her company’s just too uplifting for him to stay depressed forever. Either way, he’s totally not saying no to that offer of a soup for his little blonde baby. (Yes, because he has this image of the trio supposedly being a family, even a dysfunctional one at that. Don’t ask who the mom is please). “He’d love that,” he grinned, instinctively wiping the side of Stella’s lips with his thumb, “I’ll bring it to him tomorrow. You have like a thermos I can borrow?” He didn’t bring anything with him after all.

Besides, returning it to Stella would give him another reason to visit her again. And maybe taste another one of her wonderful creations.

Stella’s words usually close the issue for Zac. There’s just something about supposedly seeing the world in those naïve and pure eyes that makes the teen trust her judgment with much faith. That she isn’t just saying that to make him feel better, or soften the blow. But for some reason, he isn’t quite sold on her speech about him not being a bad man. It made him smile brighter, but with JD breaking all his ties with him (he hasn’t checked Facebook yet though), it just doesn’t sit too well with him. “Thanks Stella,” he nodded, sneaking in a kiss to her forehead before she stood up, “I don’t think I can be that sad when I’m with you. I’m too busy stuffing myself.”

A note? To Stella? That was odd. He slowly opened the letter, not really listening to what his glowworm had to say about it.

SAY WHAT?!

He had to read over the thing twice just to make sure he got everything right. And even then, he still can’t place quite the right name for the feelings that suddenly bubbled from within. It’s not romantic jealousy, he insists, shaking his head as he crumpled the paper and hid it in between the cushions of the couch, More of a fatherly protective feeling. Yes, that’s it. A platonic feeling. Purely platonic.

Yes Zac, you tell yourself that.

“It’s nothing to worry about Stella,” he said coolly, trying to hide the traces of the green-eyed monsterworry from his face, “Just a little note from your classmate Jin about a groupwork you were supposedly doing. Important back then maybe, but since he’s not here now, you’re good.” He’s never one to lie to his Glowworm, but he tells himself that it’s for her own good. (Oh please). “Speaking of Jin, have you talked to him before? Outside of classes, I mean.”

[/blockquote][/justify]

[Stella Pinyin]

“為標尺，人民是天堂;到人，食品就是天堂。” Stella recited, then laughed softly. "It's a Chinese provrob. It means, to the ruler, the people are heaven; to the people, food is heaven." And it was true, food made her very happy, and she had had to work hard at learning to cook relying on touch and smell, rather then relying on sight. People always said if one sense was lessened or weak the others improved. Maybe that was why everything tasted and smelled so good.

As Zac read over her note, Stella was running her hands along a shelf to find a thermos suitable for soup; she had plenty for tea.... that one felt large enough. Carefully, slowly, she ladled soup into the neck of the thermos, spilling some down the sides as her depth perception miscalculated. Still, by having one finger through the rim of the thermos she could tell when it was full, and screwed the cap on. Wiping it down carefully, the pale girl carried it over and set it carefully on the table.

The contents of that note were so simple Stella felt slightly ashamed she'd stressed over it so much. "Oh, well, that's alright then," she said slowly. "I didn't know he'd left, that's too bad." She folded her legs and sat again, then quickly stood up as she realised she'd forgotten to get the tea. "Yes, he bumped into me at that dance," she replied as she poured the boiling water into her pot and spooned in the tried tea leaves. The teapot had a handle, and so she could easily carry that and two handleless cups back to the table.

"It needs to brew," she explained, then sat down again. "He knocked me over, but he insisted on taking me for coffee to make up for it. He was very nice about it, since it was not just his fault."

[Zachary LaRousse]

Zac did not understand the proverb, not one bit. Not even when Stella translated it to him. Why would the ruler think his people is his heaven anyway? That’s stupid. But since it came from Stella, he showed no sign of confusion or disagreement. Instead, he grinned and nodded, trying to look as interested with it as possible.

“So am I a commoner now? Since I prefer food over people lately?” he teased, playfully poking her sides. And really, it couldn’t have been truer. Food doesn’t throw shit on him. They don’t glare at him when he walks through hallways. They don’t blame him for something he did but they weren’t affected. God, it’s like he’s turning into some kind of a sociopath now.

The thought of ripping Jin’s letter crossed his mind, but then voted against it. Too much effort for something seemingly trivial. If he could successfully hide it, why bother after all. And besides, Stella might hear the whole ripping and ask about it. He’s not exactly sure if her hearing’s that strong, but considering the TV set’s turned off and the only sound Zac’s hearing right now (aside from their voices) is the sound of Stella’s soup being transferred in the thermos, he’s fairly sure she would.

And if she asks about it, well, he won’t know what to answer. He himself doesn’t know for certain why he feels that way; he doesn’t have a chance of explaining it to his Glowworm should that happen.

“Thanks Glowworm,” grinned the boy when Stella put the thermos on the table, holding her still to give her a kiss on the forehead. He tried to wave off her worry about supposedly overreacting, distracting her by pinching her nose bridge once more. “He did. I rather liked him as a roommate you know. He’s not nosy, not loud. He’s just there.” Which is more than Zac can say to his other ex-roommates. Like Xander whose ‘minions’ (ghosts he called them) messed the room up every night. Or that shapeshifter Tobias, who was a little too cocky for Zac’s tastes. And let’s not get started on Jesse Adams. “Speaking of which, how’re your roommates treating you? Sidra not giving you a hard time?”

When he saw Stella stand up and walk back with a teapot and two cups in hand, he promptly followed her and grabbed the tea set, insisting he carry them. Not only has she been pacing back and forth, he’s scared she might drop it. Shards are the least of their problem with the scalding liquid inside the pot. “Took you out to coffee?” Well that was new. “Did he tell you anything…noteworthy?”

Highly unlikely, since the letter says he never really confessed until then, but who knows.

ooc:
Late. Sorry. D;.
- Jam

[Stella Pinyin]

"Maybe it is a culture thing," Stella said serenely, pouring the tea and lifting her own cup under her nose to inhale the fragrant steam, then she took a sip and emptied the rest back into the tea pot, ready to re-pour. It was how she enjoyed tea,and it was how she encouraged others to enjoy it. But if they didn't, that was ok. It took time to learn how to appreciate tea the way the chinese did, or at least, how her uncle did.

"Cheeky," she giggled as Zac kissed her on the forehead then pinched her nose, swatting his hand away as she re poured her tea and inhaled the steam. "Sidra..." Stella did not like speaking ill of anyone, even if she was quite sure Sidra had threatened to turn her into a corset once or twice. "She is very talented," she tired, "she keeps to herself, and so I do not see her much."

She shrugged, not really wanting to admit she hadn't managed to befriend any of them. "You know me, I do not go out much," she apologised, hoping he'd drop it quickly. "I am sure they are all lovely girls though."

It had been... an interesting experience really. She'd had to send the first coffee back because she had not had time to explain that she did not drink milk, and someone had tripped over her cane when she'd forgotten to fold it up. "He just apologised for knocking me over, then we, ah, well, he told me a bit about himself, and something about broken dancing..." Stella shrugged and emptied her cup into the teapot again. "It was nice. But I did not know he had left. I am sorry he did not tell me."

A pale hand clapped over her mouth, "Oh, I am sorry! Very rude, I should ask, have you found someone to see again? I know L.C did not leave long ago but you, maybe, have found someone to help?"

[Zachary LaRousse]

“Probably is. Just like your awesome tea habits,” said Zac, his tone playful and his grin rather wide. He said it in jest after all; offending his little Glowworm is way last in his priorities so he’d prefer that she knows he’s merely teasing. Well, hopefully it translates to that. “I wish I had the same amount of culture exposure as you did. Shame Grandma Eunji died when I was little; I could’ve gotten so much from her, I think.”

A weird pattern in the LaRousse family really, the men outliving the women. His grandmother died when he was five due to cancer. His Uncle Bart’s wife – late Aunt Alice – died in childbirth. Aunt Sophia, his dad’s older sister, suffered a fatal fall while hiking in her mid-twenties. And of course, there’s his own mother.

Somehow he fears the same thing will happen should he choose a bride for himself.

At least she doesn’t chastise him so much when he steals a few kisses on her forehead. Seems stealing her first kiss really put his teasing into perspective for her. “I know, she’s a bitch,” laughed the mimic, finding Stella’s obvious reluctance to speak ill of anyone rather adorable. Then again, this is Stella and in Zac’s eyes, anything she does is almost always adorable. “I mean, I’d avoid her quite a lot too if I were you.” He and Sidra never really met eye-to-eye. You’d think that two people who think that they’re a cut above the rest would agree on something. Apparently that’s not the case. “You don’t have to always tolerate her Glowworm. Tell me if she does something that upsets you, even something as small as not washing the dishes after eating, and I’ll have a word with her. Got it?”

Not really a huge tea drinker himself, Zac barely drank halfway when they reached the part about Jin. In fact, he’s still blowing over his drink, the liquid far too hot for his frail tongue. “Broken dancing?” Please don’t tell me that’s a metaphor for that. “He said something about New York I think, before he left. Maybe we could find him there during the break?” Once his resources come back, tracking anyone would be easy. Or at least he believes it should be easy.

“Rude? Why?” That was certainly something new. “N’aww. It’s hard finding someone when everyone in campus hates you. And you can’t go to town to look for more.” He just hopes his ‘game’ won’t weaken by the time his punishment’s over. “I mean, you’re probably the only girl around that doesn’t hate me. Sad really.” Nope, he didn’t see supposed the implication of his speech just yet.

“I think I’ll be single for a while. I’ve been single for nearly a year before L.C. anyway, I don’t think there’s any difference to that.”