Unit #440 - Alexandrov Apartment
It's just after dinner and whatever Mischa had still wafts through his apartment and into the hall to some degree. The apartment is otherwise quiet. Mischa sits on the couch after his dinner with a shapeshifting book in his hands, perusing a chapter on cultural beliefs — namely that of the Russians. There's a slight crunching noise being made in the corner of the room. The turtles have settled down to dinner just now too, each at one end of a generous piece of lettuce.
There is a sound outside the apartment. A pacing sound. Footsteps that stop at the apartment, wander back down the hall, then come back. After a while, there is a murmured conversation in the hallway, then a knock at his door.
Outside the door is going to be someone that he's not expecting. Someone who really shouldn't be here, but someone who needs an answer. Summer is there, holding a small bag, and dressed overly casually especially for the temperature outside. Jeans, hoodie, and running shoes.
The pacing goes unnoticed by Mischa for a long few moments before the knock at the door. He figures it was more than likely for one of the neighbors before going to make sure — and finding Summer outside. He opens up the door while laying his book on the end table near the door. "Come on in. What are you doing here? Didn't expect to you see about." He glances at her attire with a concerned eye before making a sweeping gesture to indicate that she should come inside. "Little hot out for a hoodie, isn't it? Do you want something to drink?"
"There's a meeting after this. I promised Toby that I'd go so he could keep the shop open." Summer looks grim, though whether that is due to the meeting or the fact that she's actually had to come here is hard to tell. "Nights still get a little chilly, and so I figured I'd dress appropriately." Thus, the hoodie.
There is a bit of trepidation in regards to entering the apartment, but she does finally enter. There is no point in lingering out in the hallway for this.
"I'm fine. I really only have a little while before I need to head out there." She takes a deep breath. "Though I'm guessing this'll be easier than I thought, since we've not really spoken in weeks."
"Yeah, I suppose so." Mischa says. There's not really any malice or discontent in his voice. It's perfectly neutral. He moves into the kitchen and retrieves a bottle of water from the fridge for Summer, setting it down on the coffee table should she choose to take it. He watches her with his hands in his pockets. "To be honest, there are a few reasons I haven't called or anything. I thought I was ready to date again but I guess I wasn't." It's his way of summarizing that not only was he a bit of a neglectful jerkwad… but that there's also a love spell on him making his life Hellish. He moves to sit on the arm of his couch with a soft smile, watching Summer contemplatively. "Tell me what you've been up to." It seems pretty obvious to him they've both reached the same conclusion if nothing else.
"So, it's over then." Summer nods at this, and holds out the bag. "I figured you'd want this either way. A parting gift, I suppose." Inside the bag are the last two volumes of the Wuthering Heights set that she was trying to procure for him.
The water is looked at, nabbed, and then pocketed for later. She really doesn't want it now but she may need it during or after the meeting. Saves her from stopping at a corner store.
"I've been living, Mischa, and I expect you to do the same thing," she offers softly. "There's a lot of life to live out there, and wallowing isn't going to do anyone any good." Not that he's wallowing, per se, but she wants to make sure that he's not.
Mischa nods a little bit at Summer before smiling. "Summer, really. I'm just going to trust that we'll always be friends and stay in touch. Maybe not at first. I know that might be strange for you, but… you're very special to me, regardless of the title of our relationship." He takes the bag and peers inside with a surprised look on his face, tilting his head. "Do you really want me to have this? It must have…" Cost a fortune and a half. He doesn't feel right about taking it, but at the same time doesn't want to seem ungrateful. And it is Wuthering Heights. "It'll be a while before I can really live again, Summer. For more reasons than I care to go into right now. But I'm ready, I think. When the time comes, I'll be ready." It's all a little cryptic. But he can't just blurt out 'oh hey, love spell time!'"
Summer has doubts that they'll remain friends after this. Will they stay in touch? Possible, but it's definitely awkward right now. His response just gets a nod as she moves through the room to look at the turtle terrarium and ensure that they're fine.
"What's the first volume without the remainder of the story? I was saving them, but…" There's no reason to be saving them for a special occasion any longer.
"You'll live when you can live, so long as you're not wallowing."
"Wallowing isn't really the word for it, Summer." Mischa reaches up to scratch at the back of his neck awkwardly, a blush spreading throughout his cheeks. "I'm just having a few… well, my neighbor did something really reckless. Her heart was in the right place, but once again she's managed to drag me into something I really want no part of at this point…" He reaches up to run his fingers through his hair before giving a faint shake of his head and looking back up to Summer. "It'll pass in time. Without too much more heartbreak, I'm hoping."
"Ever think it's time to move?" Summer shakes her head, then reaches for the turtle food. They have lettuce and the like, but a good supplement of protein never hurt. Dropping a few of the chunky bits into the water, she recaps the food and sets it beside the terrarium.
"I'm not going to ask, it's not my place any longer. I said what I had to say, and I don't want to make things more awkward for you." Except that she's likely going to anyhow. "I took your advice, and I'm spending time with Brett. I know you don't like him right now, but I think the two of you could be friends in the future."
That being said, she makes her way toward the door.
This brings a long pause from Mischa. He nods to Summer and then smiles a little bit. "We'll see, eh? It's not something I'd rule out right away." As for moving, he can't help but crack a grin that looks remarkably off-kilter and melancholy all at once. "I've been thinking about putting a down payment on a house, yes. One far out in the country to prevent me from having neighbors in the future." As he watches Summer leave, it's not without a slight tinge of regret. "Be careful, okay? Let me know if you need anything. I know I'm probably one of the last people you'd call, but I'm here for you."
"I'll tell Mr. Donato you had to work. Either that, or you should give him a call tomorrow. No clue what this is about, but it sounded serious." Just like that, Summer is out the door. Not that she doesn't care about his life. She's a friendly sort of person, and would likely help him find something suitable. If she lingers, she'll be a bit late for the meeting, and she doesn't want to incur the wrath of anyone, especially if the Pack isn't in the best of moods.
