Kait could see the disappointment in Ed's face at Mera's departure and frowned slightly, disgusted with the interruption to her dinner. It wasn't so important what she ate as long as she ate. Why couldn't she be left in peace? Ed wandered on his way at last. She and Zac never talked so their table sunk into sullen silence. The cafeteria was even quieter now than before. Others drifted in and out for a bite to eat, and Terra and Ash chatted into the wee hours; the details of their conversation all their own.Terra leaned forward to Asche, sincerely hoping all was well. "Any new problems to report?"
Asche shook her head. "None. I'm beginning to think we've dropped off a cliff or something." She scrubbed her fingers over bottle brush hair, a sure sign her sharp mind was filled with more thoughts then usual.
Terra smiled. "I'm sure it will be short lived. It usually is." As she spoke, the others around her continued their almost laconic shuffle around the cafeteria. Chandler continued to stare at the food line, the drinks and foods available seeming not to appeal to his needs. Kait continued to shovel forkfuls of the stew into her mouth, not looking up or seeming to realize anyone was around her.
The quiet conversation continued as Ed finally looked at Kait, breaking the silence between them. "You're eating human flesh, you know. Reprocessed by Elliot's ingenuity into a creamy stew.. or chunky, it looks like today."
Kait continued to eat. All she wanted to do today was finish her stew and work on the problem of how much she owed "that guy" for new gun clips. And the companion at her table wanted to talk food. Lovely. She glanced up, glaring. "What?"
"It has a light, subtle taste. Really requires more salt." Ed's voice was calm and logical, as if dissecting a very simple problem.
Kait turned up her lip. "You're crazy." She went back to her stew. Chandler passed quietly behind her, keeping his free arm close to him. He took a seat several tables back from her, his bad arm kept from his body. He enjoyed the care he received at the hospital, but would never say so. He began to eat.
Ed watched Chandler for a moment, then looked at Kait. "Waste not, want not." He then dipped his fingers into her bow, pulling a chunk piece of meat out to hold in his two fingers. "Unique texture, don't you think?"
Kaits face turned, repulsed. "Ugh, gods! You could have asked first! Do I know where your hands have been? No! Do I stick my fingers in your food? No!" Of all the things he could have done, he had to mess with her food.
Ed shrugged. "I didn't think you'd want to eat it, but if your so inclined, then I won't stop you."
"Mister, I never asked your freaking opinion about my food! I just want to eat!" Her voice raised higher as her anger mounted. "Don't go sticking your fingers in my food!" Around them, the ensuing argument was being noticed. Zac had slowly opened one eye, watching them intently. Terra and Asche had broken momentarily from their quiet words to glance over. And Chandler, mid-raise of the spoon full of stew to his mouth, stopped a moment to consider what he had on his spoon.
Kait's comment garnered a chuckle from Azreth as Ed dropped the meat on the table with a thick splat. "My finger does not stink." He looked over at Chandler, who met his gaze, then shoved the food into his mouth. Ed shook his head and looked back at Kait. "Perhaps you have a misconception about fingers?"
Kait spat at him. "Oh, I guess you use something else to wipe your ass then! I swear I just saw you raking your fingers through your hair!" Behind her, Zac had what appeared to be a grin on his stoney visage at the sight of her fiery temper. It widened even more as Chandler contributed a warm sound of contentment from the stew.
Ed glanced at Chandler again, but quickly looked at Kait, not wanting to allow her barb to pass him. "Where I come from, we use leaves. But, perhaps, you have a different method," he said with a smile about her hygiene comment. "And as for working my fingers through my hair? I hardly have enough to work my fingers through." He leaned back a bit as the lobby doors behind him opened. Lieutenant Justice strode through them, the mirrored glasses covering his eyes as usual and a patch of dark stain on his pants. He glanced a bit at Ed, but continued walking.
Kait looked at Justice, then glared at Ed. "Next time, use more leaves! Now, go play in the rain!"
"Are you commenting on my posterior now?" Ed was beginning to grow agitated.
As amusing as he was finding all this, Zac knew he had to interject. "Hey Kid. Ease up, huh?" His voice was, as usual, firm and quiet.
Kait justed stared at Ed. "Tracks in the brain don't work together, do they?" She then glared at Zac. "He stuck his finger in my food!" She smacked his hand as he began to reach over and imitate Ed's actions. "Would you stop? Are you all against me eating for some reason?"
Ed didn't know Zac and wasn't about to start questioning his actions. He turned his head a bit to look at Kait. "What? I think you need to start over from scratch. We call this phlupp chatter, miss. And as for being against you, it depends on what your eating. That could be a relative of mine."
Zac leaned back a bit, smirking at first Ed, then Kait. "Christ, kid. Just eat and be done with it."
Kait gave them both a dirty look and slurped up a piece of meat into her lips. "Well, whatever relative it was, it has one less finger."
Terra glanced up from Ash and smiled at Justice's retreating back. She turned back to Ash, her concern for her friends well being of paramount. "So what is bothering you, Mira? Besides the usual things."
Asche rolled her shoulders, also watching the continuing banter. "You ever feel like you're getting the raw end of a deal, Terra?
Terra opened her mouth to respond, but gasped instead. Lieutenant Justice was only a few feet from her, a large blood stain growing on his pant leg. Asche followed her gaze. Behind her, Chandler pushed back his chair and began to move near the counter. Terra shook her head, The two women watched Justice as he walked toward them, each step of his steel-toed boots a loud echo in the cafeteria.
Asche rolled her shoulders, popping the tight vertabraes with a definitive crack. Behind her , Azreth shifted slightly in his seat as Chandler passed him by. The gunslinger looked about a bit, running the back of his work worn hand across his stubbled, unshaven face. Zac grew bored at Kait and Ed's arguing and stood, throwing the remains of the apple core across the room. Kait glared at him, but remained with Ed.
Terra heard the distinctive sound of tension and glanced down at Ash. "You need a massage there, Mira? I can work on your neck."
Asche shook her head. "Nah. I'm used to it by now." She barely glanced up as Zac slowly walked past her.
"I sometimes feel like I've gotten a raw deal, I think; but, what did you mean by it, Mira?" Terra's voice was quiet.