March catchall!

[cleptes]

WHO: Bela Talbot and YOU. (Yes, you)
WHERE: Here, there and everywhere.
WHEN: The whole of March.
WHAT: A few closed starters and open prompts. Feel free to make your own though!
WARNINGS: Edit:Warning for allusions to child abuse.


Herodotus Antiques (Maurtia Falls)

[The store was open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week. But sometimes Bela did work late into the evening to catch up on paperwork and the occasional stock take. January had been a terrible month and February wasn't much better because of the Russian invasion, so Bela was hoping that March would be profitable. As a means of trying to acquire high sales, she slashed a few prices of the items in stock and offered a few deals on others.

When Bela isn't standing behind the counter she can be found at the back of the store in the stockroom. She would be able to hear customers coming in by the small bell above the front door which rang whenever anyone opened it. Despite the poor performance of the previous two months, Bela is in a good mood and ready to greet potential customers when they come in the door.]


Heropa:

[She's house-hunting. For the future anyway. Bela is still short of the cash to make her grand move but at the very least she could find a nice spot to live in. Florida has the advantage of warm weather and attractions, but it also has the disadvantage of really unsettled weather too. Heropa was likely to be at the bottom of Bela's list for cities to live in - even with that in mind, it seemed insensible to rule it out completely.

When Bela isn't trawling through residential areas, she stops for lunch at a cafe and heads to a diner for dinner later. Maybe she'll end up staying the night in Heropa which meant she needed to find a decent hotel. ]



Wildcard! Anything else you want? Drop a comment or send me a PM and we'll work something out :>

Comments

For Enid

[cleptes]

[ Even though she had been in Maurtia Falls in the same housing complex for the better part of a year, Bela hadn't met all of her neighbours. People did seem to come and go - the last person she remembered leaving was Carl Grimes who quite rightly went to live with his father. Housing complex number two wasn't the most glamourous of places but at least it was a roof over her head.

Bela was getting ready to head out to work, making sure that the place was locked up and secured before she left. It was a chilly day outside, but not a rainy one. She pauses mid-step, realising that she had left her coat inside. With a sigh, Bela makes her way back to the apartment and quickly pulls out the keys from her pocket; they drop to the ground which draws out another sigh as Bela reaches down to pick them up.

Not a brilliant start to her day.]

hopefully this works?

[itstheirworld]

[Enid had heard about the Maggie look a like already, but that was one thing while seeing her was entirely another. Obviously she didn't know Maggie well enough to even call her an acquaintance, but she knew her face certainly enough to find herself staring when she saw Bela in the hall with her.

And by stare, we mean she froze sort of awkwardly to watch her out of the corner of her eye as she exited and shut her apartment door behind her. But for only just a moment. Because sure it was surreal to see someone like Bela, but Enid was just leaving and neither the type to really bother people she didn't know so turned her stare away after long. She adjusted her backpack over her shoulders and started to walk by her neighbour then.

She hopes her neighbour didn't notice her staring...]

works fine by me :>

[cleptes]

[ Bela was not aware of Enid nor whom she was connected to, but perhaps it was inevitable that they would meet one day.

As for right now she didn't notice Enid staring at her; what caught Bela's attention was the sound of footsteps making their way down the hall. Enhanced senses meant that Bela could pick up even the most quietest of sounds. Downside of that was the fact Bela could hear things she didn't want to hear.

She spares a quick glance over at Enid, offering a polite smile.]

Did you just move in?

[itstheirworld]

[Ah, just when she thought she safe to leave. Enid stops and breathes out, before turning back to glance at the her curious Maggie look-a-like neighbour. She wasn't much of the friendly conversationalist so she shakes her head in response first.]

No. [Not quite.] Arrived just a month ago.

[cleptes]

Really? [ Bela sounds a little surprised by her reply. ] I must have missed your arrival then. Last month was hectic for me, and that's putting it mildly.

[ Okay so she wasn't the only one who had been affected by the Russian invasion but details. ]

I'm Bela.

[itstheirworld]

[Enid doesn't react to the bit of surprise in Bela's voice, but she nods slightly. Last month was hectic for most people, she imagines, so she understands why they missed each other.]

True. Wasn't a lot of free time then. [She acknowledges. Besides she knows she keeps to herself mostly anyway.]

Enid. [She provides in turn.]

[cleptes]

Nice to meet you, Enid.

[Despite not knowing the girl, it didn't take much to be polite.]

Do you have that apartment to yourself or did they place you with other people?

For Jeff

[cleptes]

[ Lucifer's recent video worried Bela. Sure she knew that he was dangerous and not to be fucked with; it showed everyone exactly what Lucifer was capable of and what lengths he would go to. Bela didn't know Kitty very well, but even she understood that the girl didn't deserve that. Barbaric torture before being murdered so publicly.

She had saw the video from Mexico, making a note of whom had replied to it. One of the people being none other than Jeff. Bela was aware that he and Lucifer got along (or at least tolerated each other) and she also knew the possible danger that Jeff may have brought upon himself by associating with the devil in the first place. Unlike Jeff, Bela didn't really have much of a choice in the matter. The devil owned her soul.

After sending out a text message to him marked URGENT, Bela told Jeff to meet her at a hotel, far away from where she worked and lived. A bottle of scotch and two glasses were already set out on a table.]

[textualhealing]

[He's tried not to think too much about 'the incident' since it happened. A public murder and equally public break-up weren't really his usual scene anyway, too much drama and feelings involved, and ignorance was far easier than constantly worrying about it.

The text he gets isn't dwelled upon too thoroughly either, but he does notice the hotel being in a different location entirely from their usual sort of meet ups. Might be nothing. Could be something. Hopefully nothing. He dresses nice nevertheless, opting for a dark blue suit with a sky blue tie, and even shows up relative on time.]

Is this 'booty call' levels of urgent, or 'crap has gone to crap' levels of urgent? [He joins her at the table, lingering just beside it because it's probably polite to be invited. You know, just in case.]

[cleptes]

[The hotel itself was modest, nice enough to stay in but not overly luxurious. Just to be extra cautious, Bela had used a fake name to book a room in, so if he did spend the night, they should be both safe. And even if someone did see them leave the hotel together, it wouldn't exactly be out of the ordinary for them.

Bela is relieved when she sees Jeff approaching her and looking rather dashing in that suit- focus, Talbot.]

The second one. As much as I'd love it to be the first, this is important. [She gestures for him to sit down, glancing around for a moment.] Thanks for coming.

[textualhealing]

[Well, shit. This is actual serious talk? You can practically see him weighing up the idea of escaping while he still has the chance, just in case this is the kind of 'serious' that he doesn't want to hear about. But this is Bela, and he supposes he at least owes her a chance at talking to him about... whatever it is she needs to mention.

He takes a seat when offered, clearing his throat and rolling his shoulders back as if physically preparing himself for whatever may come.]

Sure, no problem. [He reaches for the bottle before them, pouring out two glasses without asking. That's what it's there for, right?] So, what can I do for you?

[cleptes]

[She picks up the closest glass to her and takes a sip, trying to decide the best way to say what she needs to say. Or indeed how much she wants to say to him without revealing too much about her past.]

You can listen for a bit. [Bela sounds serious, more serious than she's ever been with him.]

I want to talk to you about Lucifer. Like most people I saw his public execution of Kitty over the network - I was in Mexico at the time, but I digress. Your reaction and the subsequent exchange between you and Lucifer gave me some cause for concern, Jeff. He pretty much threatened your life and I don't like it when my friends get threatened.

[Which was true.]

But I can understand why you would wish to remain on his good side because of how dangerous he is; I've done the same. The truth is, Lucifer is from my world. I know that because he had encountered two brothers who have made it their life's mission to hunt supernatural evil. Those same brothers aren't exactly friends of mine, but they apparently have done their best to prevent the apocalypse. According to what Lucifer says anyway.

He owns my soul, Jeff. I can't do anything to stop him because he could just recall my contract with a snap of his fingers. I didn't make a deal with him directly - it was a demon. And since demons are underneath his domain, he could take ownership of any soul. I thought I was safe because the demon I made the deal with wasn't here, but Lucifer told me different.

[Going off his look, Bela takes a quiet sip of her scotch. Her expression is sad, vulnerable.]

I was fourteen years old when I made the deal.

[textualhealing]

[Jeff's kind of over being lectured on his 'alliance' with Lucifer, and is somewhat glad this isn't quite touching upon that. The story she tells keeps him quiet, brows lowering as she discusses demons and souls and a whole bunch of crap he'd have never believed until he arrived at this place.

The soul selling doesn't entirely surprise him, people do that sort of thing plenty, but what does catch him is the age.]

Jesus, Bela. Fourteen? Isn't there any kind of 'no selling to minors' when it comes to souls? [Not that he ever expects Lucifer to play fair, but still...]

early March-ish, probably shortly after returning from Mexico

[hisheartsdesire]

[If anyone could've or would've expected the Soviet occupation last month, it wouldn't have been Tobias Matthews. No, he hadn't the slightest inkling how short-lived his freedom would be, and so he hadn't visited Bela as he'd initially said he would.

Well, cabin fever in Mexico has changed all that, because Toby is taking every opportunity he can to get out of the apartment instead of playing video games or entertaining himself on the Internet. Especially the latter—he's had more than his fill of headlines about war and imPorts, so he could very much do without all that.

Anyway, it's roughly an hour or two after sundown when Toby comes around to Herodotus Antiques. Which is like two or three hours after Bela's closed up, but who knows? Maybe she's still around. At least, Toby hopes so.]

o7

[cleptes]

[ Unfortunately for Bela, she hasn't had much of a chance to catch up with her friends over the past while. Maybe now she could make up for lost time and hope that she didn't get kidnapped again any time soon.

As it happens, Bela is still in the shop a few hours after closing time. She was about to take the cash out of the register to put into the safe when she heard the bell at the door; Bela glances up to see Toby and offers him a smile.]

Hi, come on in. I'm closed now but I'm glad to see you again.

[hisheartsdesire]

[He smiles brightly at her.]

Thanks a million. Don't worry, I won't be buying anything—not tonight, at least. [Though he does glance around as if perusing the store.] But if I do see something I like, could I put a reserve on it? Perhaps a twenty-four hour notice at least, so I could send someone to buy it for me during business hours.

[cleptes]

Oh, absolutely. I'd be happy to hold something over for you, even for longer than twenty four hours if you need it. All you would need to do is tell me who is collecting it for you and that'll be fine.

[Bela has learned how to provide excellent customer service and to be accommodating ever since she opened the store almost a year ago. It was the small things that made people come back.]

Did you want to go out for a drink, Toby?

[hisheartsdesire]

Splendid! And yes, I would love to grab a drink, perhaps tell a story or two if you're interested.

[cleptes]

Yes, please. I'd very much like to hear some more of your stories. Just let me grab my coat first, yeah?

A weekend in late March

[flowerette]

[ Having endured the Russians and fallen to their brainwashing tactics, it took most of the month and Frederick's hard work to put Raina's mind back to normal. And after that whole experience, Raina believed she owed it to herself to cash in on that nice weekend out in New York with Bela. So there they are on their getaway.

Raina walks into the fancy hotel, dropping her bags onto one of the beds in the room before sinking down onto the mattress. ]

This is the closest thing to heaven. We have a jacuzzi, right? We need a jacuzzi. I even brought along some bath bombs to make it luxurious for us.

[cleptes]

[ Her time in Mexico meant that Bela was safe from the brainwashing and whatever other plans the Russians had. She was reluctant to add that onto the kidnapping that she'd already experienced.

The suitcase Bela brought with her was big enough to hold a week's worth of clothes, but she needed the space for all of the shopping she was going to do between spending time in the jacuzzi and sleeping.

She places her bag onto the spare bed, sitting down on the edge of it before lying back; Bela stretches out across the bed, murmuring in agreement with Raina.]

There is a jacuzzi- in the en-suite I believe. And bath bombs? Now that does sound lovely. Know what would make things better? A bottle of champagne. I can call room service.

[flowerette]

Mmmm. Yes, please!

[ Raina stretches out like a happy cat before curling into a ball and rolling onto her side to face Bela. ]

You know, for as much as it was terrible having our weekend delayed, I'm grateful for it now. I need this time to relax. Especially after my mind was tampered with.

[cleptes]

[ And Bela makes the call for the champagne, turning to face Raina afterwards. ]

I couldn't have put it better myself, Raina. What you went through was a terrible ordeal, and nothing I'd wish on anyone. Even my worst enemy.

[ ...Maybe. ]

Do you want to talk about it? I'll understand if you don't.

[flowerette]

I'd rather just forget, honestly. Put this whole black mark behind me and move on with my life.

[ It makes her feel weak and vulnerable to have fallen victim to the brainwashing -- even though it could have happened to anyone. And even though she was already emotionally vulnerable and far more accepting. But she still thinks she should have been able to stop it from happening. ]

Shopping is definitely the best therapy. How was Mexico, by the way?

[cleptes]

Mexico was lovely. Decent weather, reasonably priced and I had my fair share of tequila. [A grin.] I really wish you were there though. It would have been much more fun.

[ Raina would be excellent company as well as an amazing wingwoman.]

Although I was pleased to be able to come back and check in on my shop. These past few months haven't been great for sales.