Characters: Charlie, Grace, Wren, Evan and Wu
Setting: The courtyard, 1 P.M.
Forethought definitely let Wu make it all look easy; it had only taken a bit of planning and a wilful redirection of his thoughts to keep himself on task and timely, and in the end? He’d laden the picnic table in the courtyard with two generous bowls of food, four empty bowls to eat from and utensils to do so, and even a serving platter with mugs and a tea pot.
He’d learned a great deal over the course of his life, so even if lessons of etiquette and presentation had come later? They had still been retained, and were definitely observed now. Unreadable in his expression, Wu seemed at ease as he spread the empty bowls and utensils between four seats, laying cutlery by three of them and a pair of chopsticks by his own. He was hopeful for a lack of conflict from Charlie, and had even taken pains to prepare a vegetarian stir fry and rice, two dishes that seemed unlikely to cause offence. But the boy was wilful, and if today saw him continue to be so? Wu would just have to play a
very gracious host, and let the fallout fall where it would.
( Arrival of the rest )