xp_logs | Sooraya and Warren: Can the pasta sauce be saved?

xp_dust posting in

Sooraya and Warren talk. Warren is lucky he doesn't end up wearing half the pasta sauce.

Even though Warren knew (rationally) that he really should let all this go, he couldn't help but wonder about Haller and all those women. In all honesty, what else did he have to think about?

The wedding? No, he liked to send Hope random messages to annoy her at random times of the night, but that was more of a spontaneous kind of things.

Work? Illyana was surprisingly very competent and effective. He had seen Jones cowering in front of her the other day, and it actually made him happy in his soul. All he had to do was try to find someone to run Warren Cares... having Terry seemed to make sense but she was so busy.

Mansion gossip was more fun, and kept him wanting to actually check in every once in a while. Otherwise, he wouldn't have even bothered to show up as often as he was. Plus, he really liked the kitchen, and there was always someone to talk to, even if he barely knew them. Today, when he stepped into the kitchen, not only was there a delicious smell, but someone he had been wanting to talk to.

"Sooraya," he said, breezing in without a care in the world. "Have we talked ever? I know you, you know me, but do we really <i> know </i> each other?"

Bubbles rose through the tomato sauce and the scent of oregano, garlic and other herbs filled the kitchen as Sooraya slowly stirred the deep red mass. Yet, there was something still a little off... perhaps a little more spice? More arrabiata style? Or would the roasting of the tomatoes and bell peppers have been enough.

She was startled when she turned to find some chili's and a tall blond man suddenly appeared in her view and unleashed a flood of world on her. An eyebrow rose and she folded her arms over her chest. "Warren Worthington, as I live and breathe. And in an answer to your questions... yes, we have met, yes, we have talked and no, we don't know each other. I remember you had no idea how to handle the way I grew up."

Another person would apologize for forgetting, but not Warren. He waved a hand dismissively. "Oh good, then we can skip the small talk then. Listen. I'm dying to know and since I don't believe in talking behind people's backs more than necessary, I'm asking you directly. How in the world does your relationship work? I can assume it involves a calendar system, or some type of schedule. Both you and Jean are very busy women after all, and Haller also seems like he is appointment-only." He sat down and steepled his hands in front of him. "The way I see it, you must have a group chat where you can plan these things out. Who gets who when, etc. I just want to know if I'm right or wrong since I really can't understand how this works. I like my flings, they're good for one time only so I don't have much to maneuver."

Sooraya blinked and stared, sauce from her spoon slowly dripping on the floor. Finally she blinked again. "Say that again."

"Your relationship," Warren repeated patiently. "The one you have with Jean and Haller. The three of you. Together. Sexually, romantically, spiritually, whatever. I'm not here to judge. I'm just curious how it works. Everyone's talking about it but no one has the balls to come out and ask. I have the balls. So I'm asking. How....does...it....work?" He tilted his head. "Is it a triangle with interchangeable arrows, or is it more like a flowchart with Haller in the middle?"

She simply blinked again but then her eyebrow rose. "Me, Jean and David? In a relationship together? Okay, I don't know what you've been using, but those gossip magazine articles claiming you're sober are definitely wrong."

Warren harrumphed. "For your information, I only use prescribed medications now. That makes it acceptable. Also, you're not answering the question. In fact, you're deflecting which is something I learned from therapy which I definitely was attending. If you're not dating, then the entire mansion is abuzz for nothing and that seems so wrong. You can't make these kinds of promises and not deliver. Everyone knows about all three of you going out on dates, spending the night with each other, eating dinner together away from the kitchen. It's obvious."

Sooraya's other eyebrow rose to join the first one as she eyed him incredulously: "The mansion abuzz? Again, I don't know what you've been using or who you've been listening to, but I'd go straight downstairs to check if your head is working correctly. Because I'm kinda wondering how you are managing to run a business or do anything useful in this state."

"I've already talked to Haller. I know about his telepathic orgasm powers, but I'm trying to keep this conversation respectful and pg-13. I can respect you're not the kind to kiss and tell, so I'm not going to push much more even though you answered none of my questions and instead, keep suggesting I'm the one that's off their rocker." He gave his head a shake. "I'm totally sober and the amazing businessman you all love and care about. And if what you're saying is that none of this is true, then you should know that many people think it is. Maybe you need to see what vibes you're putting off. I'm not the only one wondering."

Okay, the urge to sit down and simply go lalala in her head wouldn't help here. "For the last time, I have no idea what you're going on about and to be honest, you're starting to annoy the hell out of me." A bubble in the sauce popped very loudly and Sooraya glanced over her shoulder to check on it. "And I've got this pasta sauce to finish, so no time to listen to you rambling on. Go find something else to do."

Warren rolled his eyes and stood up. "Fine, but you're still not answering the question. You should really talk to Hope. She'd teach you how to prepare for an interview." He went to leave and then stopped and turned around. "Oh, and if you add just a touch of brown sugar, I think you'd find that sauce will mellow out a bit more."

"Out!" Sooraya growled, satisfaction filling her when she saw him turn his back and disappear. It was a good thing he did... because it would've been a pity for half the sauce to be lost.