Duplicity Inbox

[cleptes]

You've reached Bela Talbot's voicemail. Sorry I can't answer your phonecall; please leave a message and I'll get back to you later.

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[cleptes]

It's a date. Do I need to bring anything with me?

[detectivedwloki]

No. Just yourself. See you then.

[David will be waiting, seated at what looks like a wholesome picnic. There's a blanket down, some fruit and sandwiches on paper plates - and a bottle of wine. He'll stand up politely when he sees her approach.]

Thanks for coming.

[cleptes]

[Bela takes in the picnic and how everything is laid out, giving David a smile. She liked how he stood up when she appeared.]

Thank you for the invite. This looks great, David. Really.

[detectivedwloki]

You like it?

There might be a surprise later, but that depends on if the myth about this fountain proves to be true.

[He looks wryly amused as if he doesn't actually believe it could be.]

[cleptes]

I do like it.

[She replies with a smile, taking up a spot on the picnic blanket.]

What myth about the fountain? I've never heard anything about it.

[detectivedwloki]

[He sits down opposite of her.]

Yeah. It's said that if you pay the fountain the proper tribute in the evening that it will grant you a wish.

What exactly that tribute is... is kind of hazy. As far as I know it's only a rumour but, hey, you never know, right? Stranger things happen around here.

[cleptes]

Do you want us to give it a shot? I mean it could be incredibly risky and we mightn't get exactly what we wish for.

[Bela teases him gently, pouring them each a glass of wine.]

We could just have a lovely picnic instead.

[detectivedwloki]

Maybe we can try something later.

[And he'll take the offered glass.]

Oh, and I got these too.

[He pushes forward a heart-shaped box of chocolates.]

Have to confess I tried a couple. I wanted to make sure they weren't tampered with.

[He wouldn't want them to be under some weird aphro so he had to check the chocolates were safe to eat.]

[cleptes]

Sure, we could give it a try. [Bela takes a sip from her own glass.]

Thank you for being the guinea pig to test out the chocolates, David. But even if they were tampered with, we would have handled it between us.

[She reaches for one of the chocolates, popping it into her mouth.]

Mm, that is good.

[detectivedwloki]

I just don't want you to take the risk.

After all, we're partners.

[cleptes]

Yeah. We are.

[Her expression softens at that, giving him a smile.]

We should get stuck right in to this beautiful picnic. Can't wait to try it.

[detectivedwloki]

It's not fancy.

[He sounds a little apologetic.]

Maybe next time we can go to a proper restaurant... if we have another date.

[cleptes]

Doesn't have to be fancy.

[She assures with a smile.]

But I wouldn't mind going to a proper restaurant with you, David. We both deserve a treat.

[detectivedwloki]

I'm not even sure of a good one in the city.

[He admits. He frequents only a few regular places. Picking up a sandwich, he begins to silently eat, glancing at Bela.]

[cleptes]

The Crimson is a good spot. I swear by it.

[She lifts one of the closer sandwiches and bites into it, finishing it off to ask him a question.]

Are you okay?

[detectivedwloki]

Huh? Oh...

[He looks down as he smiles.]

You just... look very pretty tonight.

[cleptes]

I-uh. Thank you.

[She can feel a flush rising in her cheeks.]

I don't think I did anything different but yeah, thanks.

[detectivedwloki]

You always look good.

[He replied without a second thought, sincerely.]

[cleptes]

Even first thing in the morning?

[She's touched by the sincerity, knowing that it's genuine. Bela just didn't know what to do with it.]

[detectivedwloki]

Yeah. Like it's effortless.

[He gives her a smile and sips his wine, eyes still fixed on her with a bit of a flirtatious twinkle in his gaze.]

[cleptes]

[Bela ducks her head for a moment before looking back at him. Oh. She can see that twinkle in his eye. It makes Bela smile widely.]

If your goal is to be charming and sweet, it's absolutely working.

[detectivedwloki]

I just want to be honest with you.

I've never been so comfortable in this place before. Until you came along.

[It's a great compliment, given how uncomfortable he can be around people in general. Especially when he wasn't working and so had something else to focus on.]

[cleptes]

I can't think of a time in my life where I've ever made someone feel comfortable.

[She laughs softly, before her expression grows more serious.]

The things I've done back home. Who I was there. I don't think you would like her very much, David.

So to hear that...well, it means a lot.

[detectivedwloki]

Listen, I wasn't an angel either. Sure, I try to do better but... I've made a lot of mistakes.

So what we've got is the here and now, yeah?

[cleptes]

Okay. I can focus on the here and now.

[Bela nods in agreement and takes a sip from her wine.]

Thanks for giving me a chance. I appreciate it.