* Maria sits on the roof of the building that the Shanghai department is housed in. She likes roofs. * Lazar walks out onto the roof a coupla minutes later, done up in full clown costume. "Someone order clown for cheering up?" * Maria starts a bit and turns, blinking at Lazar. "Wha?" See? Big red nose? Silly shoes? Clothes what match less than Rei's? Funny, no? * Lazar honks his nose. Unfortunately, it's an illusion, so his fingers go right through it, but he has the good sense to make a *HONK* noise. * Maria giggles. Aha! You laugh! I is victorious! Heh. Sure, I guess. * Lazar powerposes! ... then falters slightly. "... can I change out of silly costume before any else see me?" *slight grin* And yes, you can. *grin* * Lazar changes back to his t-shirt, shorts, and sandals getup. "No pay attention to them down there. They just talk before think, no consider that maybe there things they no know." * Maria sighs. "I know, I know. An' I try not to let it get to me. ...'parently not hard enough, but I try." I no know what you past is like... but I know how feels to no really fit in. * Lazar palms his pendant, and drops his illusion. He's still really torn up from his run-in with ambition. "In different way, maybe, but..." * Maria nods, and winces at the big missing pieces. "Still not healed up?" * Lazar shakes his big ol' stone head. "No even close. For some reason, healing much slower than I do in Japan. No help that I really get beat to pulp." Ow. You need to take a vacation back, or something. ...it doesn't hurt, does it? * Rei is now known as SpiritRei Hurt? No, no pain... no really feel pain anymore. Much. It more like... more I damaged, more magiks what animate me used to keep together body. So less there for moving, thinking... more damaged I am, more tired. Right now, still very tired. * Maria nods. "Well, at least your body can't hurt, then." * Lazar chuckles. "Is bit frustrating to be tired but no able to sleep, though." * Maria giggles. "Yeah, that'd be no fun." But I no come up here to kvetch about my problems... you okay, little one? Yeah. I'm fine. 's just... I hate... I dunno. Bein' in the dark on all this? I don't like being reminded that I'm different. Don't like being reminded of growing up. No is good memories, then? No. I don't think I have any good memories. Not that I can remember well, anyway. * Lazar nods. "No want to pry into private things... but if ever want to talk about anything, statues very good listeners." Heh. Thanks. * Maria stands and walks over to Lazar, giving him a hug around the waist. Is problem with people sometimes... they minds tell them they only ones with feelings. * Lazar blinks, and looks down at Maria, confused. Thanks, Laz. ( Why a hug around the waist? 'Cause she can't reach any higher, duh. ) And between you an' me? I was really lucky to have a box, when it rained. * Lazar patpats Maria. "Is no problem, little one. That what big stone guy here for. Besides telling stories about were-creatures." * Maria heads back downstairs. * Lazar stands for a few seconds, pondering that, then blinks again. "... oy." *reactivates illusion; heads back downstairs as well*