During her sleep, she dreams. They are a mixture of both her life in Hell and the life she led in the suburbs. Brief flashes of memories and images that when jumbled together, don't make much sense. But at least they weren't nightmares though. Maybe the presence of James beside her - well, tangled up around her had prevented the nightmares from coming.
When Bela stirs the next morning, she is greeted by a familiar (and furry) sight. Her cat from home peers at her owner with an expectant gaze, looking more than comfortable on the bed. Sitting up straight, Bela blinks a couple of times to make sure her cat wasn't just a dream.
"How-?"
The cat meows and then moves to inspect Bela's bedmate as he sleeps, pawing gently at James' face. This makes Bela snort with amusement, surprised that her cat was being so friendly towards him.
He stirs without waking once Bela shifts upright but comes to once Bast makes contact, giving a mild jerk of surprise that comes with a slight snort. James blurredly blinks at the feline, waiting for his brain to catch up, and then laughs softly with both brows popping upwards. His tone is awed. "Holy Pluto, it worked..."
Now that James was awake, the cat seems less interested in him and makes her way back to Bela, rubbing her head against her arm and purring softly. Bela looks utterly delighted and confused at the same time, reaching down to scratch Bast beneath her chin. "Worked?" She asks, glancing over at James. "Did you have something to do with this? Because she means the absolute world to me."
He isn't offended, used to the whims of cats having had some on the farm. Besides, she's meant for Bela.
James yawns and rubs a hand down his face, then props himself onto one elbow. "I asked Emmanuel, when he was offering." He sort of shrugs, given the position he's laying in. "Figured it couldn't hurt and that maybe He'd give you a stuffed animal or a photo, because why the real thing, right?" Sure, He's Jesus/Santa/whatever, but they're still in Hell, in a punishment experiment.
"I would have loved a photo, but having her here with me is so much better." Bela can't hide the look of utter joy on her face as she looks down at her purring cat, then back at him. "Thank you, James. Really. That is one of the nicest things that anyone has ever done for me and I -" she reaches over to touch his face with her free hand. "I do appreciate it."
Just then, a thought occurs to her.
"Could you have asked Emmanuel to give you something or is it a one time wish kind of deal?"
His heart swells at the sight, at the knowledge that this gift went beyond his expectations. James had wanted a positive piece of home for Bela as well as the sort of companion only animals can be. He nuzzles against her touch, not unlike the cat (without realizing it), smiling ear to ear. But James is quick to bring up a finger in admonishment, angling his head downwards a bit and looking partially through lashes at her. "Don't do that. I wanted to do this for you, Bela. I would do it again."
Maybe James could have asked for more, but it didn't feel right, nor did it feel like an available option. He'd wanted something from home for Gabriel as well, and he could certainly think of something for himself, and yet when he'd stepped up to Emmanuel, Bast and Bela were the first things on his mind.
By now, her cat has jumped off from the bed and starts to explore her new surroundings, sniffing around every surface and object in the room. Such a curious creature. It doesn't surprise Bela that Bast was like that.
She listens carefully to his reply, feeling touched when he said that he would do it again. Ever since their conversation last month Bela thinks her feelings have deepened towards him, though she can't quite put them into words; even so, they were absolutely there.
"Then I won't say anything more other than being forever grateful for your kindness and generousity, James." She replies softly, her eyes shining with emotion. Then Bela shifts closer to James, slipping an arm around him at the same time while her other hand fully cups the side of his face.
He presses into her touch while settling both arms at Bela's lower back, his cheeks taking on a faint tinge of pink. "You're welcome, Bela. I'm happy to bring you one ounce of joy in this place because you deserve it more than you think you do." James shifts forward to kiss her softly, speaks in a hushed tone. "I care about you."
Bela releases a slow breath after he says that to her, needing a moment to process them. She also takes another moment to consider what to say in response, wanting to echo his sentiment. "For the longest time I didn't think I deserved anything like this. Or anyone like you."
She gives him a gentle kiss in return and remains as close as possible. "I care about you too."
James nuzzles his nose against hers, steals another kiss in the process. "I've been wanting to ask about your name back there, but you can tell me about when you're ready. And you can be the first person here I reveal my middle name to."
Like an exchange, but also the sort that deepens their bond by exposing more information, more personal details.
"I'm ready now." It is something that Bela always wanted to tell him, but there was an uncertain feeling within her every time she thought about it. She does trust James without question, even more so than when she told him about her father a few months ago.
"Abby is my real name. Short for Abigail. When I decided to embark on a career as a professional thief, I couldn't use my real name. I had to create a completely new identity to make sure the authorities were unable to get me." It's a practical reason, one she think he will understand.
"I had a more personal reason for changing it too. That name carries a pain that I don't know if I can fully let go of. My parents gave it to me and they were awful people. I didn't want the name to hold power over me, you know? So I chose something for myself that no one could take away."
"No, I get that. Obviously, the first being the wisest option for protection and in case you needed to move and change it again. And then the other, that's absolutely fair. Some believe words and names hold power...I'm guessing there's a bit of that where you're from as well?" Beyond how she meant it, that is, what with the whole supernatural elements.
He's also curious about the origin. "Where did you come up with it?" The dropped "l" he's used to seeing in Bella, the surname. She seems like she was always Bela, the name fits that well.
"Names can invoke a kind of power, yes. In magic." Bela explains, glad that she had told him. "I'm not a magic user, though. Nor do I hold any kind of power." But she is very aware of the witches and warlocks in her world.
The next question makes her laugh softly. "I got it from an actor. I'm a fan of old horror films and it just seems to have stuck. His name was Bela Lugosi, and he was most famous for portraying Dracula - you know, a vampire."
Realization visibly dawns on his features. "Lugosi, right. Your username?" It's less of question and more of a confirmation. "Even though I'm hundreds of years ahead of you, certain names - " he pauses to raise a brow, since this comes full circle " - are still floating around because they had that much of an impact, and Bela Lugosi is one of them. If this place ever gets one of his films, we should watch it together."
"Incredible. I didn't think his legacy would last that long." Bela replies, shaking her head with a smile. "We are absolutely going to watch one of his films if we find it here. Should we find several, I am proposing a marathon." Her smile turns softer. "You know, you're the second person to have realised that about my username. The last time was...oh, a few weeks after I arrived."
She finds it amusing in a way.
"So, I believe I am going to learn your middle name?"
"Yeah, sure. Absolutely. I've never seen one before." As he's long since told her, his thing was more space gladiators, and Lugosi definitely didn't dip into that genre.
Pronouncing the Italian name properly, James says, "It's Riccioli. Some of my ancestors were...I think you call them Italians?...and that was one of their surnames. If I'm remembering what one of my moms told me correctly."
"Riccioli." Bela repeats with a smile, her pronunciation flawless. "I've been to Italy before and I've always had a fondness for the country. And it's people too. Their language is beautiful as well, but I wouldn't say I was fluent in it."
She reaches over with a hand, smoothing it through his hair and ruffles it with affection.
"I like the name. Thank you for telling me, James."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the next morning
When Bela stirs the next morning, she is greeted by a familiar (and furry) sight. Her cat from home peers at her owner with an expectant gaze, looking more than comfortable on the bed. Sitting up straight, Bela blinks a couple of times to make sure her cat wasn't just a dream.
"How-?"
The cat meows and then moves to inspect Bela's bedmate as he sleeps, pawing gently at James' face. This makes Bela snort with amusement, surprised that her cat was being so friendly towards him.
She didn't like anyone but Bela.
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James yawns and rubs a hand down his face, then props himself onto one elbow. "I asked Emmanuel, when he was offering." He sort of shrugs, given the position he's laying in. "Figured it couldn't hurt and that maybe He'd give you a stuffed animal or a photo, because why the real thing, right?" Sure, He's Jesus/Santa/whatever, but they're still in Hell, in a punishment experiment.
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Just then, a thought occurs to her.
"Could you have asked Emmanuel to give you something or is it a one time wish kind of deal?"
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Maybe James could have asked for more, but it didn't feel right, nor did it feel like an available option. He'd wanted something from home for Gabriel as well, and he could certainly think of something for himself, and yet when he'd stepped up to Emmanuel, Bast and Bela were the first things on his mind.
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She listens carefully to his reply, feeling touched when he said that he would do it again. Ever since their conversation last month Bela thinks her feelings have deepened towards him, though she can't quite put them into words; even so, they were absolutely there.
"Then I won't say anything more other than being forever grateful for your kindness and generousity, James." She replies softly, her eyes shining with emotion. Then Bela shifts closer to James, slipping an arm around him at the same time while her other hand fully cups the side of his face.
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She gives him a gentle kiss in return and remains as close as possible. "I care about you too."
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Like an exchange, but also the sort that deepens their bond by exposing more information, more personal details.
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"Abby is my real name. Short for Abigail. When I decided to embark on a career as a professional thief, I couldn't use my real name. I had to create a completely new identity to make sure the authorities were unable to get me." It's a practical reason, one she think he will understand.
"I had a more personal reason for changing it too. That name carries a pain that I don't know if I can fully let go of. My parents gave it to me and they were awful people. I didn't want the name to hold power over me, you know? So I chose something for myself that no one could take away."
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He's also curious about the origin. "Where did you come up with it?" The dropped "l" he's used to seeing in Bella, the surname. She seems like she was always Bela, the name fits that well.
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The next question makes her laugh softly. "I got it from an actor. I'm a fan of old horror films and it just seems to have stuck. His name was Bela Lugosi, and he was most famous for portraying Dracula - you know, a vampire."
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She finds it amusing in a way.
"So, I believe I am going to learn your middle name?"
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Pronouncing the Italian name properly, James says, "It's Riccioli. Some of my ancestors were...I think you call them Italians?...and that was one of their surnames. If I'm remembering what one of my moms told me correctly."
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She reaches over with a hand, smoothing it through his hair and ruffles it with affection.
"I like the name. Thank you for telling me, James."
Fade out?
Yes! :)