paradisa | (no subject)

[ He smiles back, picking a nice red one to offer her. ]

After you, Clementine.

[Clem takes the apple with a smile.]

Are you going to eat three? Or four?

[ And then he takes one for himself! ]

First, how many would you have?

I'm not that hungry, so one should do it.

In that case, I will have the rest!

[Another of those wide eyed stares.]

--really? That's so much...

[She'll be climbing onto the bench at the table to sit. SHOWTIME.]

[ He just grins and picks up an apple for himself, taking a seat on the floor in front of her. ]

I could slice that for you.

Could you? Please! I can find a knife.

[She hops off to check the drawers.]<i/.

It would be my pleasure!

[ He stands to help her find a knife. ]

[Her mother always fretted over her using knives, though her father was the one more willing to let her try them out. Still, he'd watch her like a hawk to make sure she didn't cut herself.

Her brow creases as she wonders how they would feel knowing how often she handled a gun. That was more dangerous than a knife, wasn't it?]

Apples taste better when they're cut.

[ Good thing this knife only needs leaning on the table and really reaching to catch the handle. Frodo carries it back and opens up his palm to get that red apple from her. That's already the nicest one! ]

Last night might be the first time I've had them, else I don't remember. And they did taste best.

[ Because he was famished and tired of elvish bread. ]

[She hands over the apple, back to smiling.]

You said you were going somewhere, didn't you?

[ And he starts cutting that into slices, handing each one over to her. ]

I was, and not the most pleasant place either, but sometimes such things are necessary.

I don't think so, if something was chasing you. You still look tired.

[Not to be rude, of course. Just stating the facts! She pops a slice into her mouth, but starts piling the rest on a napkin.]

[ Frodo wonders how he looks now; not too terrible, he hopes. The last time he looked into a mirror he thought he seemed flabby and in need of a nice long walk.

Once he's done slicing up her apple, he takes his own and just bites into it, because hungry! ]

I am tired. I had hoped to reach the end of my journey soon.

Where were you going?

[She nibbles on a slice, watching him.]

[ Frodo chews and swallows a big bite of apple first before replying. ]

Its name is too terrible for the company. [ A closed door, mostly for secrecy. ]

You haven't told me where you came from, Clementine. Where you lived.

[She frowns, but she supposes it's fair to tell him more about herself before she asks questions.]

I lived in Georgia. Outside of Atlanta. I was in Savannah before I came here, though. [A touch of sadness, at that, but she's quick to move on.]

Do you know where they are?

[ Yep, almost finished with this one apple. He chews a little slower for courtesy's sake, and shakes his head. ]

No, but there are too many places I haven't yet heard of. Are they near anywhere? Gondor or Mirkwood?

[She shakes her head, too.]

I don't think we're anywhere near each other. People say a lot of us are from different worlds. We don't have hobbits or elves where I live.

[ He finishes up that apple and stands up to wander around the kitchen looking for a bin, speaking up so she can still hear him. ]

We even have dwarves!

Are they nice?

They were most kind and generous to my cousin. I have only met one myself. Gimli, a jolly fellow.

That sounds like a jolly name.

[ Except for when he discovers his cousins in Moria, and all the other dark things. Frodo nods and picks up another red apple for Clem. ]

Would you like another one?