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[ After slipping into a jacket, he keeps the connection live while making his way from 214 to her suite, muttering an unnecessary 'I'm on my way'. James only briefly pauses to ask -- ] Right, shit, do you need anything?
[ If Bela declines, he'll briskly walk and only hang up once he's knocking on her door with some level of urgency. ]
[ If Bela declines, he'll briskly walk and only hang up once he's knocking on her door with some level of urgency. ]
No, I'm fine for now. I have enough food to keep me going. [ As well as painkillers and medical supplies but she can explain that to him when he gets here. ]
Thanks for checking though. I appreciate it. [ Bela adds, preparing herself to get up from her bed that she had been resting in. ] See you soon.
Thanks for checking though. I appreciate it. [ Bela adds, preparing herself to get up from her bed that she had been resting in. ] See you soon.
[ He almost says something else but it's either a slip or forcefully forgotten. James announces through the video that he's there and disconnects as he's knocking. ]
[ By the time she hears a knock at the door Bela has reached it, tucking her phone away in a pocket. She's dressed in looser clothing as it's more comfortable and makes it easier for her to change her dressing when she needs to. Bela takes a breath before opening the door to him, offering James a smile. A tired one, but a smile nonetheless. ]
Hi. I'm glad to see you.
Hi. I'm glad to see you.
[ James is in joggers and the jacket, a grey long sleeve beneath, and without knowing her condition, he's stuffed his hands into the pockets of his sweats to keep himself from practically tackling her. His gaze sweeps the length of Bela, looking for anything out of place, bruises or cuts or worse, and his voice is as tight at his body. ]
Me too, just... [ stiffly enters the suite ] What happened?
Me too, just... [ stiffly enters the suite ] What happened?
[ Before telling him anything she closes the door behind them, hoping that they wouldn't be disturbed. She turns around to look at James, preparing to tell the whole story for the second time. ]
One morning, some demons came for me in my suite and brought me to a torture room, telling me I needed to be punished. Someone must have told them to get me because I'm not entirely sure what I was being punished for. [ Inhaling slowly, Bela continues. ] I was tied down and couldn't move - they burned me. With hot pokers, I think. All day, over and over until I was thrown in a cell at night with barely any water and moldy bread. Somehow, the marks they inflicted vanished overnight just so they could do it again the next day. For a week.
[ Her arms wrap around herself as she leans against a wall. ]
They left me with a permanent mark that's still healing. I can show you.
One morning, some demons came for me in my suite and brought me to a torture room, telling me I needed to be punished. Someone must have told them to get me because I'm not entirely sure what I was being punished for. [ Inhaling slowly, Bela continues. ] I was tied down and couldn't move - they burned me. With hot pokers, I think. All day, over and over until I was thrown in a cell at night with barely any water and moldy bread. Somehow, the marks they inflicted vanished overnight just so they could do it again the next day. For a week.
[ Her arms wrap around herself as she leans against a wall. ]
They left me with a permanent mark that's still healing. I can show you.
[ There's a point where James tightly crosses his arms, prepared to hear something horrible. The more Bela reveals, the tighter his grip, until he's shaking with a rage that leaves him wanting to find one of those pokers and jamming it down the throats of every demon that touched her.
He needs a minute to process, to breathe deeply, before he's stepping closer to Bela and unwinding his arms to then hold them out for her, should she want to be touched. Just because all but one physical reminder has magically evaporated doesn't mean the psychological trauma has dissipated enough to welcome such things. ]
And there's nothing you could come up with? For why the fuck they did this to you?
He needs a minute to process, to breathe deeply, before he's stepping closer to Bela and unwinding his arms to then hold them out for her, should she want to be touched. Just because all but one physical reminder has magically evaporated doesn't mean the psychological trauma has dissipated enough to welcome such things. ]
And there's nothing you could come up with? For why the fuck they did this to you?
[ It's the first time she has ever seen James like this, but Bela isn't going to hide the truth from him. Or with anyone she's gotten close to over the past few months. Had anyone else been tortured like she was? She heard whispers of people having to carve their sins into their skin in order to leave a torture room.
She watches him extend his arms out to her, stepping in to close the gap between them without hesitation. Bela slips her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest and breathes out slowly to keep her emotions in check while she thinks. ]
I don't know - maybe...oh. [ Fuck. ] Last month at Lucifer's mansion I had a small snoop around, but I didn't take anything. I just looked.
She watches him extend his arms out to her, stepping in to close the gap between them without hesitation. Bela slips her arms around his waist, resting her head against his chest and breathes out slowly to keep her emotions in check while she thinks. ]
I don't know - maybe...oh. [ Fuck. ] Last month at Lucifer's mansion I had a small snoop around, but I didn't take anything. I just looked.
of course it is! see you later
and try to stay out of trouble until then, please?
[ Ava manages to wait at least three hours before she's too anxious to wait any longer. Luckily Tech kept her occupied but she's more than ready to see her friend. She comes bearing a bottle of booze, some chocolate and a box of tissues - all of which seem essential when comforting a friend from the movies she's watched.
After having to knock on her door with her foot because her hands are full, she waits. ]
and try to stay out of trouble until then, please?
[ Ava manages to wait at least three hours before she's too anxious to wait any longer. Luckily Tech kept her occupied but she's more than ready to see her friend. She comes bearing a bottle of booze, some chocolate and a box of tissues - all of which seem essential when comforting a friend from the movies she's watched.
After having to knock on her door with her foot because her hands are full, she waits. ]
You didn't even take anything?
[ It comes out more as an incredulous statement, because how the fuck is that at all justified? A punishment of that level seems to come after a crime worthy of it (subjectively), unless it was meant to send a message or Bela managed to see something not meant to have been? Nothing registers as punishment worthy of such maliciousness in his eyes, though, and James lets off a sentience she won't understand the words of but will definitely catch the meaning, it being in Belter creole and Mandarin, a blend of how others speak back home.
Afterward, the Earther kisses Bela's hair and buries his face there to breathe her in. ]
What do you need? What can I do?
[ It comes out more as an incredulous statement, because how the fuck is that at all justified? A punishment of that level seems to come after a crime worthy of it (subjectively), unless it was meant to send a message or Bela managed to see something not meant to have been? Nothing registers as punishment worthy of such maliciousness in his eyes, though, and James lets off a sentience she won't understand the words of but will definitely catch the meaning, it being in Belter creole and Mandarin, a blend of how others speak back home.
Afterward, the Earther kisses Bela's hair and buries his face there to breathe her in. ]
What do you need? What can I do?
[ There was nothing she could do about the punishment now. Apart from making sure to tread very carefully in the future so she doesn't risk being punished again. Bela absolutely believes she didn't deserve something so harsh (nor did anyone really) but Lucifer is a bastard and liked to play by his own rules. She does hear those words and while they don't make sense to her, Bela gets the impression it's some kind of swear or at least an expression of anger.
She can feel herself relaxing in his arms and lets out a soft sigh, holding onto him just a little tighter for a few moments. ]
All I need is for you to stay for a while. I don't want to be alone.
She can feel herself relaxing in his arms and lets out a soft sigh, holding onto him just a little tighter for a few moments. ]
All I need is for you to stay for a while. I don't want to be alone.
[ It takes Bela longer than she likes to answer the door to Ava because moving still hurt and she doesn't want to over exert herself whilst she is recovering. Slowly, she opens the door to see her friend standing there with an armful of goodies. ]
Hi, Ava. Thanks for coming...and with gifts too. You're so sweet.
[ She smiles at her before standing aside to allow Ava space to enter. ]
Do you need me to help you with those?
Hi, Ava. Thanks for coming...and with gifts too. You're so sweet.
[ She smiles at her before standing aside to allow Ava space to enter. ]
Do you need me to help you with those?
[ As James returns the pressure and begins to gently pet her hair, he puts as much conviction into his tone as possible. ] You never have to do this part alone, alright? Even if...even if it isn't me you call first, don't try doing the After alone, Bela.
[ Even if their relationship didn't evolve any further romantically, he'd still be there for Bela.
In turn, the hug has a calming effect on him as well, that volcanic eruption of rage burning down some. ]
[ Even if their relationship didn't evolve any further romantically, he'd still be there for Bela.
In turn, the hug has a calming effect on him as well, that volcanic eruption of rage burning down some. ]
I meant to reach out to people, but after I got cleaned up and changed clothes, I was exhausted. Just passed out until the next morning.
[ They're having a nice moment so she doesn't want to bring up the full details of who had found her and took care of her. ]
Never meant to worry you, but I'm just glad to have you here. [ Eventually (and reluctantly) Bela pulls back to look up at James, gratitude in her expression. ] We can go to my room for a while, if you like. Or just sit on the couch.
[ There's still the matter of the mark they left on her, but Bela also doesn't want to ruin their moment. ]
[ They're having a nice moment so she doesn't want to bring up the full details of who had found her and took care of her. ]
Never meant to worry you, but I'm just glad to have you here. [ Eventually (and reluctantly) Bela pulls back to look up at James, gratitude in her expression. ] We can go to my room for a while, if you like. Or just sit on the couch.
[ There's still the matter of the mark they left on her, but Bela also doesn't want to ruin their moment. ]
Edited 2021-12-22 19:06 (UTC)
[ He assures Bela that it's fine, there's no judgment being placed, only emotional, knee-jerk reactions. The point is she's not alone now, that she's home.
James smooths her hair with both hands one last time, ending the motion by cradling her beautiful, haunted face. ] We can go to our room, sure. I can draw you bath, I can try to rub some muscles. Make you soup? Or tea?
James smooths her hair with both hands one last time, ending the motion by cradling her beautiful, haunted face. ] We can go to our room, sure. I can draw you bath, I can try to rub some muscles. Make you soup? Or tea?
[ After a few moments she tilts her head slightly to press a kiss to one of his palms, then looks at him again. ]
I like the idea of tea and a massage. [ Bela smiles. ] Already showered when I woke up and I'm not too hungry at the moment. But having the options is lovely so thank you for that.
[ The smile grows warmer as she reaches for the hand she kissed. ]
Ready when you are.
I like the idea of tea and a massage. [ Bela smiles. ] Already showered when I woke up and I'm not too hungry at the moment. But having the options is lovely so thank you for that.
[ The smile grows warmer as she reaches for the hand she kissed. ]
Ready when you are.
[ Though still holding onto some of his tension, James manages a poor excuse for a giggle-like laugh, Bela's kiss being softly ticklish. He scrunches his nose at her and the sound, linking their fingers while accepting her hand and moving into her room. ]
Things still working out here, then?
[ James would feel better knowing she had supportive suitemates, the kind that could help her out if anything arose with regards to herself post torture. He's of course either willfully ignorant or otherwise that Peter is one such suitemate. ]
Things still working out here, then?
[ James would feel better knowing she had supportive suitemates, the kind that could help her out if anything arose with regards to herself post torture. He's of course either willfully ignorant or otherwise that Peter is one such suitemate. ]
[ Once they're inside her room, Bela closes the door behind him. She's probably spent more time in his room than her own, and it's probably because he had less suitemates than Bela did. ]
I think so. My suitemates include a teenage boy and a giant, talking cat creature but it could be worse I suppose.
[ In one corner of the room there is an area set up for making tea (or coffee) since Bela didn't always want to go to the shared kitchen. She takes off the sweatshirt she was wearing, dropping it on a chair. Underneath, she's wearing a tank top. ]
They have their own routines so I don't always see them.
I think so. My suitemates include a teenage boy and a giant, talking cat creature but it could be worse I suppose.
[ In one corner of the room there is an area set up for making tea (or coffee) since Bela didn't always want to go to the shared kitchen. She takes off the sweatshirt she was wearing, dropping it on a chair. Underneath, she's wearing a tank top. ]
They have their own routines so I don't always see them.
[ He takes the same step to remove his jacket and set it aside, leaving him in the long sleeves and joggers. His body won't shake the negative feelings entirely, and so, James crosses his arms with a slight pinch between brown eyes. ]
They'd help you, though? If you needed it?
[ James has seen Ferroc, but as for the teenager, it could be one of a few. Suddenly, in light of the situation, he wants to meet them and assess them. ]
They'd help you, though? If you needed it?
[ James has seen Ferroc, but as for the teenager, it could be one of a few. Suddenly, in light of the situation, he wants to meet them and assess them. ]
[ Bela watches him as he folds his arms, noticing the look on his face. Could she say anything to alleviate his feelings? Perhaps not. All she can do is tell James what happened and be straight with him. ]
I believe they would, yes. Ferroc - the cat - I helped him once before. They're good people.
[ She busies herself for a moment with getting two cups, placing them down so she can look at him again. ]
They just weren't there when I was taken. It was sometime in the morning.
I believe they would, yes. Ferroc - the cat - I helped him once before. They're good people.
[ She busies herself for a moment with getting two cups, placing them down so she can look at him again. ]
They just weren't there when I was taken. It was sometime in the morning.
[ A look of relief washes over Ava upon seeing her friend, even if she looks like she's still recuperating. ]
Hey! I couldn't come empty-handed. [ She's close to dropping the stuff in her hands, but she refuses Bela's help. ] I got it! Let me just set this all down so I can greet you properly.
[ Her gifts get put down on the nearest available surface, then she holds out her arms to Bela. ]
Permission for a gentle hug? [ In case anything too strong could hurt her. ]
Hey! I couldn't come empty-handed. [ She's close to dropping the stuff in her hands, but she refuses Bela's help. ] I got it! Let me just set this all down so I can greet you properly.
[ Her gifts get put down on the nearest available surface, then she holds out her arms to Bela. ]
Permission for a gentle hug? [ In case anything too strong could hurt her. ]
[ Having people who cared about her is something that Bela has gotten used to over the past few months. Sometimes, she found it strange. ]
Permission absolutely granted, Ava.
[ She doesn't hesitate in stepping forward and accepting the hug from her friend, slipping her arms around Ava in a gentle embrace. It feels nice and Bela knows it will help her recovery. ]
Feel free to hold on for as long as you like. I really don't mind.
Permission absolutely granted, Ava.
[ She doesn't hesitate in stepping forward and accepting the hug from her friend, slipping her arms around Ava in a gentle embrace. It feels nice and Bela knows it will help her recovery. ]
Feel free to hold on for as long as you like. I really don't mind.
Cool. How about an hour? I wonder what the record is for the longest hug ever...
[ Rather than an hour (that was just a joke), Ava lets go after a minute. ]
So what do you feel like? Eating, drinking or crying? [ The third option was the saddest but could also be therapeutic. ]
[ Rather than an hour (that was just a joke), Ava lets go after a minute. ]
So what do you feel like? Eating, drinking or crying? [ The third option was the saddest but could also be therapeutic. ]
I have options? Well, now.
[ Bela says with a slight laugh, feeling all cried out from yesterday. Peter had been gifted with that experience and he had made her feel better. But she still wasn't back to her old self yet. ]
Going to go with options one and two - eating and drinking. Follow me to the couch with the goodies.
[ She indicates with her head towards the middle of the shared suite to a rather comfortable couch. Bela didn't sleep there the night before, as Peter insisted she stay with him. ]
[ Bela says with a slight laugh, feeling all cried out from yesterday. Peter had been gifted with that experience and he had made her feel better. But she still wasn't back to her old self yet. ]
Going to go with options one and two - eating and drinking. Follow me to the couch with the goodies.
[ She indicates with her head towards the middle of the shared suite to a rather comfortable couch. Bela didn't sleep there the night before, as Peter insisted she stay with him. ]
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