Oh, I like the sound of her. Perhaps we would get along.
[She wonders if he had an interest in this other woman, but Bela keeps that thought to herself.]
Maybe everyone will go home at some point. When the city is done with us.
[Pouring out a glass of wine for each of them, she continues.] And we are getting to know each other, you're right. If you are prepared to share your fucked up history, then I guess I should do the same in return.
[Bela takes a sip from her glass.]
My real name is Abby. I grew up in a nice house. Rich parents. Huge backyard. Anything I could ever want. Speaking of my parents, they were shitty people - ignorant mother and an abusive father. He did things - [She pauses, taking a breath] - he did things to me that a parent should never do to their child. I've only ever told two other people that about me - you would be the third.
When I was fourteen, they died in a car crash. Unknown to me at the time, I had made a deal with a demon disguised as a little girl to 'take care of them for me' and it wouldn't cost me anything for ten years. The cost? My soul. The demon tricked me. Manipulated my pain for her selfish needs.
So if I go back home, I will need to face up to that.
You two joining forces? That'd be terrifying. [He smirks.
Honestly, her ponderance isn't far from the truth, but their relationship was complicated, to say the least. He's perfectly happy not to go into it.]
I mean, if you want to hear anything about my past... it's gonna end up fucked. I wish I was exaggerating. [He's serious as he grimly reveals that. Things haven't really gone well for him.
His expression shifts to anger when Bela goes into talking about her father.] That's awful that happened to you.
And... fucking wild that a demon is involved.
So... if there are demons, I'm guessing that means you know for sure there's a heaven and hell? [He lets the weight of that sink in. He'd been raised Catholic but didn't really believe any of it anymore. For her, it's not like she can avoid believing something when there's proof.]
I do want to hear about your past. Good or bad. [ Didn't matter to her. Bela wants to get to know Leon better and hopefully build up some more trust between them. She likes him. A lot.]
Yeah. It was a shitty thing to go through, but thank you for your sympathy. [Bela lets out a breath, feeling a little less burdened.]
I wasn't sure there was a heaven, until I met an angel from my world here. We never met back home, but I know he's from the same place as me as we both know another person. Who is also here.
[Bringing up Dean would be part of her complicated story. Which she'll probably tell Leon eventually.]
I'm a fan of old horror films. You know, Dracula and the like. One of the actors is called 'Bela Lugosi'. I thought it was a good name.
[He leans back a bit, taking a deep breath before giving her a single nod. He cares about her, as much as he doesn't want to admit it or allow himself to get attached here. And he's more than willing to open up to her like she'd done for him.]
Anything specific? [He plays with the corner of one of the fancy cloth napkins.] I guess, since you gave me childhood stories, I can tell you mine. No demon-pact, at least not that I know of, but my parents died when I was young too.
I was seven, but my memories of them are pretty vague and... sometimes I kind of wonder if anything I do remember might just be me trying to fill in gaps with memories I don't really have, y'know? But I remember my mom being nice. Caring. I don't really remember much of my dad. And I don't remember that night, but I've read the police report. [He sounds fairly detached as he talks about it all. It's always felt like he's talking about somebody else's life when he talks about his parents.] There was a shootout. The official report is it was a hit, maybe from another family. The whole thing was implied to be tied to organized crime.
So, I ended up in the system. Mostly raised in a Catholic Home for Children. St. Joseph's.
[He gives her a nod when she brings up heaven, but it's still such a difficult concept to get his head around. It'd be like someone telling him unicorns existed, or something.
But his face lights up when she mentions movies.] Well, that makes your name a thousand times cooler. I love old movies. And new movies, honestly. Movies in general. Are you mostly into monster movies or everything? Hitchcock? Old war movies? Actually, terrible old scifi movies can be fucking great to watch with someone. [He chuckles.]
[Her eyes widen when he reveals the fate of his parents, unsure if there was anything she could say to make a difference.]
Fuck. Leon, I am so sorry. To go through something like that at such a young age. [Reaching across the table, she places her hand atop of his and lets it rest there.] I could have ended up in the system, but I know that it's not always easy for kids to experience. Thank you for trusting me with this.
[Bela cares about him too, and has felt like that recently, even if she hasn't exactly told Leon that. Forming attachments here was a tricky thing, especially when people could just leave one day without warning.]
Mostly monster movies, but Hitchcock is a pretty good filmmaker. War movies, I can take or leave, but I do enjoy a good drama. [She gives him a bright smile, glad for the lighter conversation topic.]
You know what we should do sometime? Watch a terrible old scifi movie together. Curled up on a couch, with a blanket and popcorn.
[He shrugs a little, still not really showing much emotion about it. The actual event itself barely felt like his life. Had he struggled without parents? At St Joseph's? Absolutely. And those things... those could get rough talking about. He rubs his neck.] It is what it is, y'know. I really don't remember going through it.
[He nods when she mentions potentially ending up in the system, too. He'd wondered about that.] Were you already too old? Or did you have family that took you in?
[He'd also heard of friend's families adopting their kid's friend. Anything is probably better than ending up in the system, but it'd been the early 80s and placing older kids wasn't easy.
Movies are definitely a much easier topic.]
Alright, mostly US monster movies or like Godzilla, too? [He gives her a genuine, warm smile. A rarity for him.] That sounds awesome. Have you ever heard of... Night of the Lepus? Oh, shit, or, even better... Boggy Creek II? Maybe we could each pick a disaster of a movie and make it a double feature, hm?
My parents had money so I didn't have access to it until I turned eighteen. So I had people who came into my home to look after me. No other family.
[Maybe if she did have other family, she could have lived with them. It might have made her life easier when her parents were alive.]
Never seen Godzilla. Pretty much classic monster films - US or otherwise. [Bela returns the smile easily.] I haven't heard of either of those, but yeah, let's go for it. Pick those movies or something similar, make a night of it.
[She looks genuinely pleased, glad to find something in common with him.]
You know, despite some topics we've covered so far, I'm having a good time. I like your company.
I think mine did too... but it was all seized by the state.
Sounds kinda lonely. Did you still go to school? [He's not sure about the idea of having hired help come look in on him, though he guesses it wasn't that different than living with nuns in a group home.]
No Godzilla? Really? Some of the old ones are hilarious. A lot of the old fights are clearly guys in costumes and it's just great. [He smirks, smile turning into something more forced and polite when the waiter arrives with their steaks.]
Same. I always have a good time with you. [He says as he gives her another lopsided smile and gets his knife and fork.] Looks like they cooked these perfectly.
Lonely? Yes. Went to school? No. I was educated at home. [No one else really knew that about her.] Maybe we could rectify it and watch Godzilla here? Or Duplicity's version of it.
[She takes a sip from her glass, looking pleased when their food arrives and they could get stuck right in.]
Always? You're sweet. [Bela smiles fondly, placing down her glass so she could pick up her knife and fork as well.] Right? They look incredible.
[After half her steak is gone and a fresh glass of wine is poured, Bela puts another question to him.]
So, back home, did you work alone or have a partner?
Hm. Sounds super lonely. [He nods though, happy to switch topics to Godzilla.] They've gotta have a version here, right?
[He pauses mid-thought and then makes a face.] God. It's probably weird monster fucking in the suits stuff.
I mean. I'll watch it, but a good mascot suplex is gonna beat bad porn any day.
[He starts to cut into his steak, taking a bite and having to finish chewing before responding.] I mean. It's true so far. Each time we've hung out, I've had a good time. That counts as always.
[His jovial mood falters slightly at the question but he tries his best to take it in stride.] Usually alone. Sometimes I have a team or meet up with other operatives. But it hasn't been the same person twice. [He slices another piece of steak off, keeping the 'everyone I've worked with has ended up dead' part to himself.]
Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if it was some kind of bad porn.
[She wrinkles her nose before shaking if off, an amused look crossing her face.]
Oh. That's interesting that you've never kept the same partner. I've worked with people in the past, but like you, I've mostly been alone. Found it easier, you know? Only having to worry about myself.
[Taking a sip of her wine Bela considers asking some more questions about his life back home, but she's also aware that the circumstances weren't so great.]
Yeah, we were all trained for solo missions, but being able to link up with others is pretty vital.
[He says with a shrug, staring off for a moment as he remembers a few of the teams he'd ended up with. So many people dead. Clearing his throat, he sets his fork and knife down, a mix of full and just done with the steak.]
You worked alone but you got hired, right? You took jobs or something?
[He looks at her with a soft smirk, shrugging.] I dunno. If anything comes to mind, I'll just ask. Feel free to do the same.
Yeah... sounds familiar. At least from what I know about my friend's clientele. [Psychotic bioterrorist and corporations looking to steal scientific research. Definitely not great people. And he can only imagine the types who would be looking for magical artifacts and cursed shit. Yeah, definitely not people anyone would want to cross.
To help lighten the mood a little, he crosses his legs under the table, lightly nudging her ankle with his foot with a little smile.]
I'd love to split something with you... and I'd love to spend the night.
[His action does lighten the mood as Bela grins at him, nudging his ankle back in return, sliding her foot up a little before she stops, not wanting to take it too far. Not yet anyway.]
Good, I'm glad to hear that. Let me know what dessert you fancy and I'll call the waiter over.
Do you like chocolate? Last time I was here, I kinda eyed it but uh.... we decided on a different kind of dessert. [He gives her a quick, subtle wink.] No reason for us to be in that kind of hurry though. We can always have both. Dessert here and "dessert" back at your place.
I think they have cheesecake too if that's more your speed.
Oh, I fully intend to have "dessert" with you back at my place. [ She says, nudging his foot again. ] And I love chocolate. You can order us both the same or something to share if it's too much for one person.
Perfect. [His smirk widens even further when he feels that little bump against his foot. He's distracted enough that he doesn't notice their waitress approach until they're standing at the side of their table.]
Oh, hey. We'd like to get a slice of chocolate cake to share. Thanks.
[The waitress only takes a moment before they're back with a generous slice of dark chocolate cake adorned with some fresh berries. Leon scoops up a piece, making sure to get a good icing to cake ratio and a berry before holding it out for her to have the first bite.]
[Her eyes widen in delight when the cake makes an appearance, staring at it for a few moments until Leon takes a piece of it. Bela smiles when he offers her the first bite, leaning in to eat it in one go. When she's finished, she looks at Leon again.]
Mmm that is heavenly. Thank you for letting me have the first try, Leon.
[She gets a rare, soft, shy smile when she accepts the masterfully crafted forkful of cake and fruit. He looks almost boyish. He's cute to shift that smile into more of a smirk when he nods.]
Good. I'm glad you like it.
[He slices off a bit of cake and snags a berry before he scoops it into his mouth, nodding in agreement. He doesn't even wait until he's swallowed before speaking, though he does cover his mouth.] Perfection.
[Bela likes the smile that he gives to her. Well, she likes all of them to be honest. But it's nice that he feels comfortable enough to be like that with her.]
Perfection is the right word.
[Not just referring to the cake, but the evening as a whole.]
If I had this cake in my cafe, I'm sure it wouldn't last too long.
Nah, I think you could do better. Plus, I'd go with something like this but as cupcakes. I feel like people feel less bad about snagging a cupcake than indulging in a whole-ass slice of cake.
[He scoops up another forkful and takes a moment to enjoy how rich it is thoughtfully.] It's definitely better with the fresh berries though.
Then maybe I'll think about putting together some chocolate cupcakes with fresh berries.
[She watches him as he indulges in the cake, smiling afterwards.]
Sure, yeah. We can finish it off at my place.
[Raising her hand she gets the attention of a staff member, asking for the bill and for a box to put the rest of the cake in. The staff member takes the cake and returns minutes later with the bill and the boxed cake.]
Y'know, the funny thing about your place. I always want something when it's super late. Post fight - especially on a night where I do well. But, obviously, you've been closed for like eight hours.
[He smirks softly, fully acknowledging his cravings have the absolute worst timing.]
Perfect. And, yeah, I'm sure my dom won't mind.
[After getting the check sorted, Leon takes offers her his arm and leads them outside.] Still in the apartments, right?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
CW: reference of child/sexual abuse
[She wonders if he had an interest in this other woman, but Bela keeps that thought to herself.]
Maybe everyone will go home at some point. When the city is done with us.
[Pouring out a glass of wine for each of them, she continues.] And we are getting to know each other, you're right. If you are prepared to share your fucked up history, then I guess I should do the same in return.
[Bela takes a sip from her glass.]
My real name is Abby. I grew up in a nice house. Rich parents. Huge backyard. Anything I could ever want. Speaking of my parents, they were shitty people - ignorant mother and an abusive father. He did things - [She pauses, taking a breath] - he did things to me that a parent should never do to their child. I've only ever told two other people that about me - you would be the third.
When I was fourteen, they died in a car crash. Unknown to me at the time, I had made a deal with a demon disguised as a little girl to 'take care of them for me' and it wouldn't cost me anything for ten years. The cost? My soul. The demon tricked me. Manipulated my pain for her selfish needs.
So if I go back home, I will need to face up to that.
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Honestly, her ponderance isn't far from the truth, but their relationship was complicated, to say the least. He's perfectly happy not to go into it.]
I mean, if you want to hear anything about my past... it's gonna end up fucked. I wish I was exaggerating. [He's serious as he grimly reveals that. Things haven't really gone well for him.
His expression shifts to anger when Bela goes into talking about her father.] That's awful that happened to you.
And... fucking wild that a demon is involved.
So... if there are demons, I'm guessing that means you know for sure there's a heaven and hell? [He lets the weight of that sink in. He'd been raised Catholic but didn't really believe any of it anymore. For her, it's not like she can avoid believing something when there's proof.]
How'd you land on 'Bela'?
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Yeah. It was a shitty thing to go through, but thank you for your sympathy. [Bela lets out a breath, feeling a little less burdened.]
I wasn't sure there was a heaven, until I met an angel from my world here. We never met back home, but I know he's from the same place as me as we both know another person. Who is also here.
[Bringing up Dean would be part of her complicated story. Which she'll probably tell Leon eventually.]
I'm a fan of old horror films. You know, Dracula and the like. One of the actors is called 'Bela Lugosi'. I thought it was a good name.
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Anything specific? [He plays with the corner of one of the fancy cloth napkins.] I guess, since you gave me childhood stories, I can tell you mine. No demon-pact, at least not that I know of, but my parents died when I was young too.
I was seven, but my memories of them are pretty vague and... sometimes I kind of wonder if anything I do remember might just be me trying to fill in gaps with memories I don't really have, y'know? But I remember my mom being nice. Caring. I don't really remember much of my dad. And I don't remember that night, but I've read the police report. [He sounds fairly detached as he talks about it all. It's always felt like he's talking about somebody else's life when he talks about his parents.] There was a shootout. The official report is it was a hit, maybe from another family. The whole thing was implied to be tied to organized crime.
So, I ended up in the system. Mostly raised in a Catholic Home for Children. St. Joseph's.
[He gives her a nod when she brings up heaven, but it's still such a difficult concept to get his head around. It'd be like someone telling him unicorns existed, or something.
But his face lights up when she mentions movies.] Well, that makes your name a thousand times cooler. I love old movies. And new movies, honestly. Movies in general. Are you mostly into monster movies or everything? Hitchcock? Old war movies? Actually, terrible old scifi movies can be fucking great to watch with someone. [He chuckles.]
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Fuck. Leon, I am so sorry. To go through something like that at such a young age. [Reaching across the table, she places her hand atop of his and lets it rest there.] I could have ended up in the system, but I know that it's not always easy for kids to experience. Thank you for trusting me with this.
[Bela cares about him too, and has felt like that recently, even if she hasn't exactly told Leon that. Forming attachments here was a tricky thing, especially when people could just leave one day without warning.]
Mostly monster movies, but Hitchcock is a pretty good filmmaker. War movies, I can take or leave, but I do enjoy a good drama. [She gives him a bright smile, glad for the lighter conversation topic.]
You know what we should do sometime? Watch a terrible old scifi movie together. Curled up on a couch, with a blanket and popcorn.
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[He nods when she mentions potentially ending up in the system, too. He'd wondered about that.] Were you already too old? Or did you have family that took you in?
[He'd also heard of friend's families adopting their kid's friend. Anything is probably better than ending up in the system, but it'd been the early 80s and placing older kids wasn't easy.
Movies are definitely a much easier topic.]
Alright, mostly US monster movies or like Godzilla, too? [He gives her a genuine, warm smile. A rarity for him.] That sounds awesome. Have you ever heard of... Night of the Lepus? Oh, shit, or, even better... Boggy Creek II? Maybe we could each pick a disaster of a movie and make it a double feature, hm?
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[Maybe if she did have other family, she could have lived with them. It might have made her life easier when her parents were alive.]
Never seen Godzilla. Pretty much classic monster films - US or otherwise. [Bela returns the smile easily.] I haven't heard of either of those, but yeah, let's go for it. Pick those movies or something similar, make a night of it.
[She looks genuinely pleased, glad to find something in common with him.]
You know, despite some topics we've covered so far, I'm having a good time. I like your company.
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Sounds kinda lonely. Did you still go to school? [He's not sure about the idea of having hired help come look in on him, though he guesses it wasn't that different than living with nuns in a group home.]
No Godzilla? Really? Some of the old ones are hilarious. A lot of the old fights are clearly guys in costumes and it's just great. [He smirks, smile turning into something more forced and polite when the waiter arrives with their steaks.]
Same. I always have a good time with you. [He says as he gives her another lopsided smile and gets his knife and fork.] Looks like they cooked these perfectly.
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[She takes a sip from her glass, looking pleased when their food arrives and they could get stuck right in.]
Always? You're sweet. [Bela smiles fondly, placing down her glass so she could pick up her knife and fork as well.] Right? They look incredible.
[After half her steak is gone and a fresh glass of wine is poured, Bela puts another question to him.]
So, back home, did you work alone or have a partner?
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[He pauses mid-thought and then makes a face.] God. It's probably weird monster fucking in the suits stuff.
I mean. I'll watch it, but a good mascot suplex is gonna beat bad porn any day.
[He starts to cut into his steak, taking a bite and having to finish chewing before responding.] I mean. It's true so far. Each time we've hung out, I've had a good time. That counts as always.
[His jovial mood falters slightly at the question but he tries his best to take it in stride.] Usually alone. Sometimes I have a team or meet up with other operatives. But it hasn't been the same person twice. [He slices another piece of steak off, keeping the 'everyone I've worked with has ended up dead' part to himself.]
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[She wrinkles her nose before shaking if off, an amused look crossing her face.]
Oh. That's interesting that you've never kept the same partner. I've worked with people in the past, but like you, I've mostly been alone. Found it easier, you know? Only having to worry about myself.
[Taking a sip of her wine Bela considers asking some more questions about his life back home, but she's also aware that the circumstances weren't so great.]
Is there anything else you want to know about me?
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[He says with a shrug, staring off for a moment as he remembers a few of the teams he'd ended up with. So many people dead. Clearing his throat, he sets his fork and knife down, a mix of full and just done with the steak.]
You worked alone but you got hired, right? You took jobs or something?
[He looks at her with a soft smirk, shrugging.] I dunno. If anything comes to mind, I'll just ask. Feel free to do the same.
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[Finishing off her meal, she takes another few sips from her wine before topping up her glass.]
Okay, I'll ask you if I can think of something I need to know about you. [With her free hand, she runs her fingers along the inside of his wrist.]
Oh. I just thought of one. Well, two. [She grins.] Do you still want dessert and will you come home with me tonight?
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To help lighten the mood a little, he crosses his legs under the table, lightly nudging her ankle with his foot with a little smile.]
I'd love to split something with you... and I'd love to spend the night.
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Not yet anyway.]
Good, I'm glad to hear that. Let me know what dessert you fancy and I'll call the waiter over.
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I think they have cheesecake too if that's more your speed.
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I can get cheesecake some other time.
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Oh, hey. We'd like to get a slice of chocolate cake to share. Thanks.
[The waitress only takes a moment before they're back with a generous slice of dark chocolate cake adorned with some fresh berries. Leon scoops up a piece, making sure to get a good icing to cake ratio and a berry before holding it out for her to have the first bite.]
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Mmm that is heavenly. Thank you for letting me have the first try, Leon.
Now dig in before I'm tempted to eat it all.
[Bela says with a teasing smile.]
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Good. I'm glad you like it.
[He slices off a bit of cake and snags a berry before he scoops it into his mouth, nodding in agreement. He doesn't even wait until he's swallowed before speaking, though he does cover his mouth.] Perfection.
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Perfection is the right word.
[Not just referring to the cake, but the evening as a whole.]
If I had this cake in my cafe, I'm sure it wouldn't last too long.
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[He scoops up another forkful and takes a moment to enjoy how rich it is thoughtfully.] It's definitely better with the fresh berries though.
You wanna take the rest to go?
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[She watches him as he indulges in the cake, smiling afterwards.]
Sure, yeah. We can finish it off at my place.
[Raising her hand she gets the attention of a staff member, asking for the bill and for a box to put the rest of the cake in. The staff member takes the cake and returns minutes later with the bill and the boxed cake.]
I'm happy to split the bill.
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[He smirks softly, fully acknowledging his cravings have the absolute worst timing.]
Perfect. And, yeah, I'm sure my dom won't mind.
[After getting the check sorted, Leon takes offers her his arm and leads them outside.] Still in the apartments, right?
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[She would happily do it for him.]
No, I'm actually in a house now. It's been something I've been working towards for a while.
[Giving his arm an squeeze, Bela steers him in the right direction so he wouldn't get lost.]
It's much bigger than the apartment and it has a garden.
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ooc: I think we could wrap up here :>