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Reyna (reynaway) wrote in thedoorway,
@ 2012-12-07 18:08:00

Entry tags:

!log, jason grace, reyna

WHO: Jason Grace and Reyna
WHERE: At a deli near Potts Tower
WHEN: Thursday, Dec 6
WHAT: Jason and Reyna run into each other at lunch
RATING:
STATUS: log; complete.

Being torn away from her Legion and into this new world held a host of problems. The least amongst them was the issue of food, but it came up regularly enough to be an irritation. Back in New Rome, food was provided by the spirits, in as much quantity and quality as desired. They brought food to the tables and took the empty plates away, and all Reyna ever had to do was pull herself from her duties and remember to eat.

Here, there was none of that. She had limited funds, and was expected to provide food for herself. She wasn’t entirely helpless in that regard - she’d learned how to cook on Circe’s Island - but that was years ago, and cleaning up afterwards was a pain.

She was still sore and bruised from her spar with Lancelot, too, so on this occasion she decided to indulge herself by going down to a nearby deli instead of cooking for herself.

It was still quiet when she arrived; Reyna didn’t like crowds, so she’d chosen to go before the lunch hour rush. This allowed her some time to browse through the options on display as she considered what she was going to get.

Jason had been hiding in his room for a couple of days now, ever since he’d gotten back from his discussion with Reyna. He’d messaged Piper a couple of times, but just hadn’t felt like really, well, doing anything.

But he knew he still had to eat, so he made his way down to the little shop on the corner to grab a sandwich. Hoping not to run into anyone, he’d gone a little early - which, he discovered, turned out badly for him.

Reyna was there. He really hadn’t wanted to see her right now, not with everything that was flying around in his head at the moment, but he couldn’t help but stare at her, and the obvious injuries she bore.

“Reyna,” he said accusingly. “What happened to you?”

Reyna had seen him come in as she was looking for a table for her food, and despite the awkwardness between them she was happy to see him. Once they saw each other every day and spent the majority of their time together. Now, they barely even talked.

So when his gaze alighted upon her, she started to give him a smile...until he spoke. All of a suddenly she was very aware of the yellowing bruise on her cheek, where Lancelot had struck her with the hilt of his sword, and the cut on her forearm, where his blade had gotten a little too close. There were others, too, hidden by her clothing. She’d gotten in a few good strikes as well, and although she hadn’t seen Lancelot since their post-sparring pizza, she was sure he bore the marks of their fight as well.

“I was training in the gym against a very worthy opponent,” she said, keeping her reply level. The way he’d addressed her, it sounded as if he’d thought she’d gone to pick a fight.

“Apparently so,” he said, surveying her injuries. He hated to see her hurt - it made him angrier than he could really explain. “Who is the opponent who can cause such injury to the Daughter of Bellona?”

“Lancelot, of King Arthur’s Roundtable,” Reyna said, not without some pride. There was no shame in receiving injuries from a worthy opponent. In fact, it was a point of pride, especially when she could truthfully say that she had bested him. “Have you met him, Jason? The legends are true. He is a truly remarkable warrior.”

“Lancelot?” He raised an eyebrow, half skeptical and half impressed. Before he had come here, he would have accused her of trying to get the best of him, but in this place, you could never be sure which storybook character was going to come around the corner and greet you. Or knock you on your face. “I haven’t met him.” He frowned. “But if you are familiar with the legends, you know he also has quite a way with the ladies.” Now that part, he certainly didn’t like.

Reyna considered that. She’d focused on his abilities as a warrior and his impeccable courtesy, but she supposed she could see that he could be quite sought after. He was fairly good-looking, if one were to like the dark, bearded type, and capable and respectful. “Yes, I suppose I can see that,” she said with a shrug. “He is quite charming. But it’s his capabilities as a warrior that really sets him apart.”

“Pfft,” Jason spat dismissively. “I’m sure I could beat him. And I can be charming too, so I’ve heard. You know that most of the Aphrodite cabin wanted me, when I was at Camp Halfblood.” He wasn’t sure why he’d said that, and really most was exaggerating.

“You can be,” Reyna agreed, looking at him oddly. He was definitely not as enthusiastic about the fact that she’d fought Lancelot as he should be. “But you aren’t now. Bragging really isn’t that charming.”

“Not bragging, just telling the truth. Girls want me as much as they do him. And I can summon lightning. And fly. He can just flop a sword around a little. And smile. And make girls think he’s charming. I’m sure you’re far too smart for that.”

Reyna frowned. From the way he was going on, he sounded almost jealous. But why should he be? There was nothing to be jealous of. She did feel the need to defend Lancelot, though, because what Jason had just said was unfair to him. “That’s not very respectful to such a brave warrior. And what if I do find him charming? There is nothing wrong with that. He has been nothing but respectful and humble.”

“And too old for you,” he glared, but he caught himself and swallowed. “Right. Okay. I mean, that is cool, I guess. I just don’t want him taking advantage of you or anything, that’s all. You’re my best friend.”

“Do you think I’d be weak enough to let anyone take advantage of me?” she demanded, getting irritated now. “Please. Have more faith in me than that. Besides, it is not like that. We have a mutual respect for each other as fellow warriors, that is all. And even if it were otherwise, it is not your business.”

“As your best friend and co-praetor, it is my business what you do,” he said, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “And he is a well known libertine, so I would be remiss in my duties as both if I didn’t keep an eye on you.” HIs voice had softened by the end, but he still watched her nervously. “Just...don’t let him hurt you, that’s all.”

He may have softened his tone, but Reyna was still annoyed at this sudden overprotectiveness. And he had a lot of nerve warning her against letting another man hurt her when he himself had been the source of any hurt she’d experienced over the last few weeks. “When I start criticizing your choice in girlfriend, you can call it your business what I do,” she snapped. “Until then, do not cast judgements on someone you have not even met. Stories get twisted in the retelling, and Lancelot has been nothing but gentlemanly.”

Jason shifted his weight, shoving his hands in his pockets. A part of him knew that she was correct - that he had absolutely no right to judge her. But another part of him...well, she should be careful around men like that. Just because.

“Right. So far,” he said with a shrug. “And don’t you dare start comparing him and Piper. I know Piper. You don’t know this guy at all.”

There was no comparison between Lancelot and Piper, for the sole reason that Reyna had no interest in him, but that point seemed to have gone over Jason’s head. And even if Reyna were not romantically interested in him, she felt it necessary to defend him against Jason’s disparagement. The man had done nothing to deserve it.

“I know him well enough to know that he is undeserving of these accusations against him,” she said. “Or are you questioning my judgement of character?”

"Of course not," he said quickly. Although. Of course, he knew that he was. "I just worry about you, Reyna. I don't want you to get in trouble when I'm not around, you know?"

Well, this certainly wasn't going as he'd hoped.

"So," he said a bit weakly. "It was fun, though? Fighting Lancelot?"

“You were gone for over six months,” she reminded him. “I took care of myself and my Legion just fine.” It hadn’t been easy, but she’d held onto control and led the ranks through battles and fear, and for him to doubt her like this simply because he didn’t like who she was spending time with rankled.

“It was fantastic,” she said stonily. “The man wields a sword like others breathe air. It was refreshing to fight with someone not trained in our ways. It required me to analyze a new method of combat.”

“I guess you did,” he said, rather awkwardly. He’d rather backed himself into a corner in this conversation, and he didn’t like it one bit.

“Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...” He shook his head. “I know you can take care of yourself. I just...I care, okay?”

Reyna’s expression softened at this awkward admission. As a co-Praetor, she liked it when he was confident and strong, but sometimes, as a friend, she preferred him a little less arrogant - especially when it came to matters of her own well-being.

“I do appreciate it,” she said gently. “I would be hurt if you didn’t care. But just accept that I know what I am doing here, all right? And why don’t you get some food and join me for lunch.”

Jason smiled a little, and looked down at the ten dollar bill he had crunched in his hand.

“Yeah. Yeah, we can do that. I’d like that.”