4-

[chippedcup]

[Belle hadn't heard from Rumpelstiltskin in a while, and even though he usually does leave her to her own devices, it's actually unlike him to leave her alone for long, long periods of time. So she goes to check on him in his room in the Satis Tower, and that's when she sees his name plate empty. She just stands there, looking at it for a good few minutes. She should have known.]

Right.

[Crowley]

Feel like a drink right now?

[ooc: open for action in the Satis Tower!]

Comments

Belle

[onlyanapple]

I always feel like a drink.

Crowley

[chippedcup]

I'll meet you in the Lux? Or do you have some other drinking spot I'm not aware of?

Belle

[onlyanapple]

The Lux is still the best place I've found yet. I'll be there.

Crowley

[chippedcup]

I'll be there in a few too.

[onlyanapple]

[And, once she gets there, she'll find him lounging by one of the tables, with a plethora or drinks set out in front of him.

Let it never be said that Anthony Crowley doesn't come prepared]

[chippedcup]

[Belle laughs as soon as she sees that and takes the seat next to him, reaching out and stealing a particularly colorful one with an umbrella. Just because she wanted the umbrella.]

I see you've started without me.

[onlyanapple]

I had a feeling this might be a day where I was well prepared.

[He picks up a glass of wine, swirling the liquid for a moment before taking a sip]

So, to what do I owe the pleasure?

[chippedcup]

[Belle pulls out the umbrella and tucks it behind her ear, taking a sip of the fruity drink.]

It seems that I have found myself alone here, just like you.

[onlyanapple]

[Crowley watches her for a moment, contemplative]

I see. One of the pitfalls of living in a castle that decides it doesn't like people.

Were they important to you?

[chippedcup]

To be honest I'm not surprised it didn't like him. He didn't always like to play nice.

[She pauses.]

He was my true love.

[onlyanapple]

Ah, one of the rock the boat types, hmm?

[He's quiet a moment]

Well. Those are always hard to lose.

[chippedcup]

You could say that.

They generally are. Good thing I'm used to being without him. [She doesn't elaborate.]

[onlyanapple]

So you're saying you'll adapt?

[fanstheflame]

[whaddayaknow, guess who else happens to live in Satis? a certain teenage hunter is on his way down to the lobby, to see what he can see, and get out in the sun, and do ... well, things he hasn't decided yet.

when he sees Belle, though, he stops and frowns, because somehow, she doesn't seem herself]

Hey, are you okay?

[chippedcup]

Oh, hello Gale. I'm fine. [She obviously isn't, though. She turns away from the door to look at him.] How are you?

[fanstheflame]

[he can tell she's not - but he's from a place where EVERYONE is constantly lying about being fine, because that's how you push past it and live. he can respect her need to do that]

I'm doin' alright. I never thought I'd say this, but it's good to be living back here again. I guess I just missed my own space.

[chippedcup]

Where did you go? [She's curious, because she didn't know he left.]

[fanstheflame]

Oh, I stayed with friends for a few days, out in town. There was some stuff happening here that I figured I should probably keep my nose out of. It's all taken care of, now, though, so.

[read: he doesn't have to potentially deal with Katniss and Peeta's baby now, and all the weirdness that entails]

[chippedcup]

...The babies? [That's the only real thing that's been going on that's over now.] You didn't abandon someone with a baby that was yours, did you? [All the anger if you did, Gale.]

[fanstheflame]

What? [he looks suitably shocked] No, nothing like that. I have three younger brothers and sisters at home, I'd never abandon family. .... This is... A lot more complicated.

[chippedcup]

Oh good. [She was worried there for a second.] Sometimes things here are complicated. I think the castle likes it that way.

[fanstheflame]

Believe me, they were already complicated enough before the baby...

[chippedcup]

...And you probably don't want to talk about it.

[fanstheflame]

I'm not used to it, really. Everyone knows back home... Besides, you probably don't need to hear about it. This place gives everyone enough problems of their own...

[chippedcup]

[She pauses at that, and then sighs, sitting down on the steps at the top of the stairs.] And yet, if we all just keep our problems to ourselves, nothing's going to get better.

...The castle just sent my true love back home. You?