she_sells_seashells: bitey (bitey)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Snow's death is announced on television the day after it happens. The announcer speaks of "sudden illness".

There are going to be emergency elections to replace him in three days. Without advance notice and the standard scheduling of elections, they're going to be setting up polling places in the Capitol at a limited number of sites. Some outlying neighborhoods will be served by schools and the like. But most of the city will be congregating at the Memorial Dome to cast their votes for the next president.

(There follow thirty solid minutes of campaign ads. The district imports comptroller, the chairman of the traffic control commission and former Gamemaker, the deceased Snow's personal assistant, and a handful of lesser individuals are running. Bell hates them all.)

"Suppose the Memorial Dome caught fire," she says to Sherlock and Tony, frowning at the TV.
sicaria: Smiling. (⑶ you charming creature)
Author: sicaria
"That would be lovely," says Sherlock.
she_sells_seashells: bitey (bitey)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Can you get me in and out again? I need a view of it and to be within a few blocks. Ideally it'd be in the early morning or at night, I don't really want to kill random voters."
sicaria: Dressed up. (⑺ primarily innocence)
Author: sicaria
"Hm," says Sherlock.
ferratus: Thoughtful or uncertain. (⑼ debatably)
Author: ferratus
"Yeah, we can get you there," says Tony.
she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"How?" Bell asks.
ferratus: At a distance, walking. (⑻ step inside)
Author: ferratus
"I have friends. The kind of friends who'll send a train if I say I wanna visit."
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Will I be stowing away again, then?"
ferratus: Uncertain, wary. (⒀ keeping watch)
Author: ferratus
"Yeah. Although how much hiding you have to do depends on who I call."
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"...Should I be feeling vaguely sketchy about you calling Capitol friends to get things done? Or should I not even ask that question?"
ferratus: Holding a blanket. Watchful or hiding upset. (⒁ turn the lights off carry me home)
Author: ferratus
"If you're talking about how I met them, then yep. Sketch as hell."
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"But not so sketchy that you wanted Isabella to curse any of them for you?"
ferratus: Thoughtful or dubious. (⑽ it's never that simple)
Author: ferratus
"Nope."
she_sells_seashells: bitey (bitey)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Okay." Bell is now done asking questions about that. "The train station's at least functional enough again that a train could appear at it and stop and accept passengers. The next question is where to put me. I can do it from a block away, but I won't be able to see as much detail about what I'm doing. If I'm up close I can start the fire near a celebratory torch or a heating vent with something flammable near it, and it won't look as suspicious. Are any of the friends you could call observant enough to find it suspicious that our train station catches fire and then we get on a train at it and then the Memorial Dome catches fire?"
ferratus: Quasi-innocent. (⑷ maybe a little)
Author: ferratus
"Some of 'em, but I'm not gonna call those ones."
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Okay, good. Where can we put me relative to the Memorial Dome without getting caught?"
sicaria: Smiling, perhaps angrily. (⑷ consider yourself murdered)
Author: sicaria
"As close as you like," says Sherlock. "I will take care of that part."
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"You're victors, you can show up anywhere and people will just assume you have a reason to be there, but insofar as I'm recognizable at all it's not in a way that has me looking like I belong in the Capitol," says Bell slowly. "I certainly don't look like I live there; I'm covered entirely in colors that are found in nature. You have some place where I won't be looked at and still has a good view out?"
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"We can alter your appearance so that you fit in just fine, which will also make you unlikely to be recognized."
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Ah," says Bell. "Uh, do we have specific alterations in mind here? I can live with dyeing my hair blue and painting little white triangles all over my face, but I'm less enthusiastic about cosmetic surgery."
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
"Superficial adjustments will be sufficient," she says. "Plenty of people who live in the Capitol have no surgical alterations at all."
she_sells_seashells: seacreature (seacreature)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Okay. Dye and makeup and one ridiculous Capitol-fashion outfit from Bar, I guess, and then I stand around looking like I'm... waiting for somebody? before I go in and vote? and find a place to start the fire, and then I suppose I have to run away looking terrified when everyone else does - where can I go then? I don't strictly need to see what I'm doing but I can keep the collateral damage down much better if I can."
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
"I can accompany you if you like," says Sherlock. "I have some leeway to wander around the city by myself."
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Even with the Memorial Dome on fire? You don't think a Peacekeeper will insist on escorting 'you and your friend' to a safe place?" asks Bell. "Even if you can take a Peacekeeper, having to take a Peacekeeper isn't very discreet."
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"I am very good at finding places to hide and then hiding in them. I cannot tell you right now from memory a good vantage from which to watch the Memorial Dome burn without being disturbed, but I can find one when we get there."
she_sells_seashells: (chilly)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Okay," says Bell. "We'll go with that, then. Since Tony can't always find a door - might be a good idea to look for one to Capitolize me starting now? I completely made up the triangles and blue hair thing, does that make any sense or should it be something else?"
sicaria: Serious, intent. (⑿ you know it is my choice)
Author: sicaria
"That would be adequate but perhaps not optimal," she says. "Geometry is good... I will think about it."
ferratus: At a distance, walking. (Default)
Author: ferratus
Tony gets up and opens a door.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Nice, first try," says Bell, getting up. "May as well start with the blue hair. I know blue hair is a thing. Unless it became terribly last season when I wasn't looking."
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"Painting your face in angular high-contrast abstract patterns would be both fashionable and an effective disguise," says Sherlock.
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"High-contrast. So not white, but maybe more blue? Shades of blue? Blue and red?" Bell asks, going through the door.
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
"Blue, red, yellow, and black," Sherlock suggests, following.
she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Quartering my face centered on my nose and a triangle of the opposite color in the middle of each section," suggests Bell. "Half my hair navy blue and half white, curled into obnoxious ringlets and with a stupid little hat pinned to it. And stick me in a dress with enough ruffle to it that no one can tell I'm a skinny District kid. My own parents won't recognize me. Which, come to think of it, could be important."
sicaria: Looking over shoulder. (⑹ look what the cat dragged in)
Author: sicaria
"A fine plan," says Sherlock.
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell goes up to the bar and orders pots of makeup and dye in the relevant colors, and pins, and a stupid hat that she bases on the District Four tribute escort's hat but with changed colors and a higher lace-to-fake-flowers ratio, and a truly, epically stupid dress that's mostly gray on the left and mostly sky-blue on the right, with accents in red and ruffles in canary yellow.

She picks up her items with undisguised disgust, but thanks the bar politely.
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
"You will look like a disaster," she says. "But not a recognizable or a memorable or a notale one."
she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"That's the idea, yes. Ugh, Capitol aesthetics. We should do my hair here. No point leaving evidence around the house we don't strictly have to." She heads for her room.
sicaria: Dressed up. (⑺ primarily innocence)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock follows.
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
There is a bathroom in her room. Bell reads the instructions on her hair dye, takes the stick out of her hair and sets it aside, and starts combing out minor tangles with her fingers in the mirror.
sicaria: Sitting on a log. (⑻ who sits by herself)
Author: sicaria
"Do you need any help?"
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Yeah, actually, this stuff gets combed in," she points out a little comb attached to each package of dye, too small to effectively detangle but decent for incorporating a substance, "and I can't see the back of my head." She's smoothing out her hair and making a zig-zagging part down the middle with her fingernail. "If I hold the left half out of the way can you comb the dye into the right half and vice versa?"
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"Yes I can," says Sherlock.
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Swell." Bell double-checks the neatness of the part. A Capitol person would have had this done by a professional stylist; she only has to stand up to casual scrutiny, and there'll be a hat, but she really shouldn't half-ass it. Finally she gathers the right side of her hair into a pigtail, smooths down stray wisps on both sides with drops of water from the faucet, and says, "Okay, start with the blue on my left?"
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
"All right," she says, and there she starts.
she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
When Bell's hair is blued, she picks up that half and twists it into a pigtail to keep it out of the way while Sherlock bleaches the other side. It's not supposed to stick to anything but hair, so she's not worried about her shirt or the blue stains on her hands, but she does get out of the way so Sherlock can rinse dye off of her own hands before doing the second half.

Finally her hair is its ridiculous two-tone self, and she holds both sides out and away from her head so they don't touch each other while the dye sinks in. "Do I look suitably disastrous?" she asks dryly.
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
"Not yet," says Sherlock, just as dryly. "But we are certainly headed in the right direction."
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
There's not a hair dryer in the bathroom, but there's an exhaust fan; Bell flicks it on with her elbow to speed up the process. "As long as I'm here I should probably get a bra. I don't have one yet, but it might be a good idea now that I'm eating regularly and everything. Didn't get one last time because Isabella's friend was in the room when I was picking stuff."
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
"You may as well, then, yes."
she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
The catalog is around here somewhere. There it is, sitting on the bed. Hands occupied, Bell manages to flip it to somewhere in the middle of the bra section with her feet and peers at the pages.
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"That one's pretty," Sherlock comments.
she_sells_seashells: engaged (engaged)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"It's all right -" begins Bell, when it occurs to her that Sherlock's opinion on her underthings could actually become relevant at some point during the life of this garment. "Yeah. It's pretty." It is, and as long as she gets it sized right it won't be impractical, either, she doesn't have to get the plain-looking one just because human makers of such things tend to compromise between usefulness and appearance.
sicaria: Looking up, thoughtful. (⑼ a brief and thoughtful moment)
Author: sicaria
"Were you going to say something else?"
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"It wasn't my first choice, I was going to go with something plainer, but I like it okay, and you're, you know, in a position that entitles you to opinions on what I wear," shrugs Bell. Leaving ambiguous whether that position is 'girlfriend' or 'funder of the purchase'.
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
"Well, if you are pleased with it, then so am I."
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"My instincts towards plain stuff are mostly about the fact that manufacturers don't make the fancier stuff durable or sometimes even comfortable. But Bar can," says Bell, kissing Sherlock's cheek. She stretches a finger away from her grip on her pigtails and pats her scalp. All dry; she lets her hair fall.
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
Awwww. Sherlock smiles.

"Fashionably disastrous," she says, running her fingertips down the blue side.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Grand," says Bell. "It'll wash out eventually."

Here she is on a bed with her girlfriend. She snuggles up.

And then she observes that she didn't have to ask her brain what would drugged Bell want?

"All done pretending," she reports.
sicaria: Grinning, perhaps smugly. (⑴ I always know)
Author: sicaria
...Sherlock grins.

A kiss seems like a properly thematic celebration! Doesn't it?
she_sells_seashells: (smile)
Author: she_sells_seashells
It does! Kisses kisses.
sicaria: Grinning. (⑵ tell me you saw that)
Author: sicaria
Many kisses. Snuggly kisses. Lovely snuggly kisses.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
The loveliest and snuggliest. They're not even keeping Tony waiting. They're in Milliways. Bell loves Milliways and she is so fond of Sherlock. She is a happy Bell even with her stupid hair.
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
It is very stupid hair, and Bell is very lovely anyway. Funny how that works.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Isn't it just.

"Do you get people trying to talk to you in the Capitol? I imagine nothing like Tony does, but enough that I might have to introduce myself or something if we're standing together?" Bell asks when cuddly kisses have calmed to mere cuddles.
sicaria: Dressed up. (⑺ primarily innocence)
Author: sicaria
"I am extremely good at discouraging casual conversation," she says. "Perhaps not infinitely good. But it would be best if you spoke as little as possible; your accent will be incongruous."
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"I can try to talk like a TV personality," says Bell, doing a vaguely passable job of shifting her vowels around. "But yeah, I'll default to shutting up, I'm not that good at it and could forget."
sicaria: Looking over shoulder. (⑹ look what the cat dragged in)
Author: sicaria
"Handily, shutting up is an easier skill to cultivate," Sherlock jokes.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell snorts. "It is. Maybe it's just because I've been coming here so long, but even the accents from other worlds don't sound as weird to me as Capitol accents do." She pauses, thoughtful. "Did you notice - well, of course you noticed. Do you know why your alt and Tony's have different accents?"
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"Yes," she says. "For much the same reason I can speak flawless Capitol and Tony cannot, I think. They formed their speech habits in different contexts."
she_sells_seashells: engaged (engaged)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"What do you mean?"
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
"I was frequently in the Capitol as a child. The other Sherlock spent much of his time with someone whose accent differed from the local one. The effect is similar."
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Oh. I wonder why. He obviously didn't have your reasons."
sicaria: In bed, not sleeping. (⒀ no rest for the wicked)
Author: sicaria
"Evidently not," she agrees.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Snuggles. "Lemme know when you want to go home," she says. "I'm liable to just fall asleep if it's not soon, fair warning."
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
"I would not mind if you fell asleep."
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Oh, okay then.

Bell snuggles up. And she falls asleep.

"Blue effervescence," she mumbles into Sherlock's shoulder.
sicaria: Looking over shoulder. (⑹ look what the cat dragged in)
Author: sicaria
"Quite so," Sherlock murmurs.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Yes," agrees sleeping Bell. "Boots brightness pencil."
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock laughs softly.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell continues babbling at a more or less steady rate throughout the time she spends sleeping.

Uninterrupted, this will amount to an hourlong nap.
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock would not dream of interrupting.
she_sells_seashells: (smile)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Halfway through pronouncing "incandescent", Bell yawns awake. "Hallo there," she says, presenting Sherlock with a kiss.
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
"Are you aware that you speak nonsense in your sleep?"
she_sells_seashells: (irked)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"...Huh? Nonsense? What kind of nonsense?"
sicaria: Looking over shoulder. (⑹ look what the cat dragged in)
Author: sicaria
"Completely arbitrary words without any syntactic structure."
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Oh. That's weird. I wasn't even narrating my dream? In my dream I had a daemon like Isabella's except mine was a dragon and, for some reason, named Sponge."
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
"No dragons, daemons, or sponges were featured."
she_sells_seashells: (skyward)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"How strange. I wonder why I do that. And how the words are chosen."
sicaria: Looking up, thoughtful. (⑼ a brief and thoughtful moment)
Author: sicaria
"I have no idea," says Sherlock.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"It just occurred to me that I forgot to add a section in the Belltower guestbook about the power a lot of us seem to have in common, which I don't have - the immunity to psychic stuff. I'm not even sure if Isabella has that," frowns Bell. "I should go add that as long as I'm here. And buy the bra." She stretches and sits up; a tendril of white hair falls in front of her face and she frowns at it and brushes it aside before wadding up all her dyed tresses and sticking her stick through them as usual. "Then home? Or is there anything else we should do here?"
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
"No—home, I think."
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell nods and goes up to the Belltower. Sherlock can accompany her or not, as she likes.

In it, she finds a box that turns out to contain several dozen unicorns, tied up with a pretty ribbon and addressed to Shell Bell. She grins.

She also finds the guestbook right where she left it. No new entries yet, but she adds to the template at the front and then to her own, so the full thing now reads:

BELL SWAN
"Shell Bell"
Human
Pearl Beach, District Four, Panem, Earth; world "Atlantis" (not worth this name yet but I'm going to fix that)
September 13, y53 (Panem years; help matching to standard calendar appreciated)
Ranae Swan (née Haien), Sharles "Shark" Swan
No siblings
Grew up in District 4, found Milliways age 6 and 1-2 times/yr thereafter, traded seashells for adequate nutrition and read books, faked slightly touched in the head to get away with keeping clamshells near all doors. Began work on clam boat age 8. Age 13, began being recognized as various alts and trading advice as an alt of assorted empresses for stuff. Age 16, selected in lottery for the Hunger Games (coercive gladiatorial combat of teenagers in subject Districts under totalitarian Capitol) but was replaced by a trained volunteer (she died). Age 18 (by calendar, some uncounted difference subjective), encountered Sherlock and Tony Stark in Milliways, decided to overthrow the government, faked my death by 'running away to Atlantis' for parents, stowed away on train to move in with the Starks, and later met Isabella Amariah (next entry) in Milliways and founded Belltower.
Sherlock and Tony, aforementioned; Matilda, who has contagious magic and is nice about trying to infect people with it
Sherlock is my girlfriend
Any person from the Capitol of Panem can be considered my enemy, but Isabella Amariah is going to help me with the most pressing one
I have a stick that does fire and some other small magical artifacts (generator, cornucopia, water-purifying-and-generating unicorn figurine, minor protection amulet)
I do not have the mental opacity property in any form
Overthrowing the Capitol
Any resources, particularly magical or high-tech things the Capitol cannot expect/match, are highly appreciated
That's pretty much it

And then she tears out the last page of the book - it has spiral binding and the paper comes out clean - and writes a note to Isabella on it, notifying her of the change.
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock awaits her downstairs.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Shell Bell comes down with the box of unicorns, discreetly solicits the selected bra from Bar, and links elbows with Sherlock on their way out.
ferratus: Giggling. (⑴ ehehehehe)
Author: ferratus
"Aww, you got a present!"
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Yeah, Matilda left us a bunch of extra unicorns," says Shell Bell. (The box now also contains the bra.) "Also, reportedly, I talk in my sleep."
ferratus: Quasi-innocent. (⑷ maybe a little)
Author: ferratus
"Well, that's adorable. Love the hair, too."
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Really? I hate it, but," she shrugs, "must blend in by looking as ridiculous as possible. On the day of it will also be curled and under a stupid hat." She transferred her Capitolish clothes to the box too and some ruffles are poking out. She produces the hat and holds it up.
ferratus: Smirking. (⑵ well this should be fun)
Author: ferratus
"It's ridiculous, but it's a cute ridic—oh my god that hat."
she_sells_seashells: (skyward)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"I know, right? It's a tweaked version of what the District Four escort wore this year. More lace, less other crap, different colors. The dress is worse." She pulls it out.
ferratus: Smiling uncertainly. (⑶ not sure you caught that)
Author: ferratus
"...When you take over the world," Tony announces, "I am going to call you the Empress of Ruffles and no one can stop me."
she_sells_seashells: (irked)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"I regret showing you this thing," groans Bell. "See if I grant you an imperial title, so there."
ferratus: Giggling. (⑴ ehehehehe)
Author: ferratus
"My humblest apologies, Your Ruffliness."
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell laughs. "I wouldn't wear anything like this if I weren't trying to go undercover in the Capitol!" she protests around helpless giggles.
ferratus: Quasi-innocent. (⑷ maybe a little)
Author: ferratus
Tony finally cracks up.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Seriously, I'm going to rule in jeans and a t-shirt and a crown made of coral and abalone and pearls," says Bell. "And everyone will take their fashion cues from me, too, because I will be in charge, and then maybe people will stop wearing this kind of eyesore nonsense." She hefts the box. "I'm gonna haul this upstairs and make sure everything fits. Back in a minute."
ferratus: Smiling uncertainly. (⑶ not sure you caught that)
Author: ferratus
"Okay, Your Ruffliness," giggles Tony.
sicaria: Grinning, perhaps smugly. (⑴ I always know)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock glances after her, waits a beat, and then sits in Tony's lap and kisses him. Because he is a glorious impossible creature and she loves him transcendently.
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell makes sure the dress fits. It does, the hateful thing. The hat is supposed to sit on top of her hair, not around her head, so it can be skipped. Her bra fits; it goes on and her shirt - there isn't actually any dye on it, she notes, that's good - goes back on over it.

She departs her room and promptly tumbles down the stairs. Her amulet survives the fall, and so does she; she lands sitting on the bottom step facing the living room.

And staring at a most peculiar scene.
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria




Sherlock goes still.
ferratus: Thoughtful or uncertain. (⑼ debatably)
Author: ferratus
"What—oh," says Tony.

"Um. Hi, Bell! So, we have something awkward to tell you..."
she_sells_seashells: (irked)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"...Yeah?" Bell says, blinking. "Do you now."
sicaria: Annoyed or distant. (⒁ belongs to no one)
Author: sicaria
"The awkward thing in question would be that we have been fucking since we were sixteen," says Sherlock.
she_sells_seashells: (mad)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Ah-huh," says Bell. "I'm guessing that you didn't plan for me to find out at all and if I hadn't fallen on the stairs there would have been several feet of distance between you by the time I got down here. That's swell." She doesn't even muster a sarcastic tone for that last remark; it's as deadpan as the rest of it.
sicaria: Serious, intent. (⑿ you know it is my choice)
Author: sicaria
"We did not know how to tell you, or when," says Sherlock, extricating herself from Tony's lap. "Or how strongly you would disapprove."
she_sells_seashells: (mad)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Well. It wasn't any of my business before the other day. But 'since you were sixteen' incorporates a period of time between us getting together and having that perfunctory monogamy conversation. And I'm under the impression that even when people are not being monogamous they're at least entitled to information on the subject of how they're being not-monogamous. So there is some disapproval. Yeah. The 'when' should've been 'before saying you wanted me to hack my brain so I could date you'. Sometime before then."
sicaria: In bed, not sleeping. (⒀ no rest for the wicked)
Author: sicaria




she_sells_seashells: (preoccupied)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell plants her elbow on her knee and her forehead in her hand. "I don't know what to say," she says. "Did you think I'd care that you're siblings, is that it? I didn't kick up a bit of fuss about the alts thing; if you didn't expect calm sanity from me on the subject before that you should've after."
ferratus: Uncertain, wary. (⒀ keeping watch)
Author: ferratus
"Look," says Tony, "right now, you are the only person that knows. Because people in general would care that we're siblings, they would care a lot, and it would be a whole big disgustingly public problem. So we just—don't. Let anyone find out. Ever."
she_sells_seashells: (irked)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell leans back against the stairs. "And that would be fine if neither of you were trying to date anyone else. Except maybe your alts and each other's alts, I suppose they'd understand."
ferratus: Thoughtful or uncertain. (⑼ debatably)
Author: ferratus
"I don't really date," says Tony. "I fuck a lot, but it's kinda not the same thing."
sicaria: Serious, intent. (⑿ you know it is my choice)
Author: sicaria
"I did not think of it," Sherlock says quietly.
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Oh, that stings. If she'd been actually planning to cheat on Bell that would have been better; Bell would have felt like something about her presence in the situation even mattered. Bell looks away, biting her lip.
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"I did not think of Tony, during our conversation. And then we just... didn't," she says, gesturing between herself and Tony. "Until the other Sherlock."
she_sells_seashells: (irked)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"That's something, I guess. I guess it's more than something. Technically there has been no cheating. Just... omissions."

Omissions aren't great either, but adding technical cheating (instead of the vague, non-technical cheating of Having A Thing With Tony that persists even between acts) would be worse.
sicaria: Dressed up. (⑺ primarily innocence)
Author: sicaria
"Yes," says Sherlock.
she_sells_seashells: (preoccupied)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell still doesn't like it. But she can't think of anything else to say.

It would be much easier to decide what to do at this juncture if only she hadn't stopped pretending yet. If that were true, she could just... abort. Apologize for insinuating her person where she was superfluous and withdrawn into herself.
sicaria: In bed, not sleeping. (⒀ no rest for the wicked)
Author: sicaria
ferratus: At a distance, walking. (⑻ step inside)
Author: ferratus
Tony sighs.

And gives Sherlock a gentle push Bellward.
she_sells_seashells: (irked)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell looks quizzically at this behavior. What's Sherlock going to do? Kiss her and make it better?

(Why does that have to still sound so comforting?)
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock regards the floor with intense expressionlessness.
ferratus: Uncertain, wary. (⒀ keeping watch)
Author: ferratus
"You guys," says Tony, "you are so sad it hurts me, please just like - have feelings at each other or something."
she_sells_seashells: (mad)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Have feelings at -

Well.

Ostensibly, Bell's the one who's good at that, here.

She closes her eyes. She tries to pretend she's talking to her recorder. (It's not recording incriminating secrets; it's upstairs.)

"I hate not knowing things. It's an effort not to be hurt by it even when the things have nothing to do with me. I need information to know what to do; the idea of blundering around not knowing what's going on is one of the worst things I can think of. I mentioned about how I was scared of tracker jackers and that's why, they make you not know things because all of a sudden anything could be a hallucination. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt about that, I try to assume that people who like me won't want me to fall down the metaphorical stairs because I didn't know there were metaphorical stairs there. And every time I find out that isn't true - when I was nine and of all the trivial things found out that my dad's real name was not in fact 'Shark' and that was just what everyone called him, every time I find out that I've been misled even for the most benign reasons, I hate it. Because all of a sudden, anything could be a lie."
ferratus: Holding a blanket. Watchful or hiding upset. (⒁ turn the lights off carry me home)
Author: ferratus
"My full name's Antony," Tony offers.
sicaria: Dressed up. (⑺ primarily innocence)
Author: sicaria
"I'm sorry," says Sherlock. "I don't feel like that is enough, but it is true."
she_sells_seashells: (irked)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"I know your name is Antony. They called it at the Reaping," Bell tells Tony distractedly.

She's not sure what to say to Sherlock. Except:

"Is there anything else I should know?"
sicaria: Looking up, thoughtful. (⑼ a brief and thoughtful moment)
Author: sicaria


"I don't know how to filter," she says helplessly. "I know too many facts. There is nothing remaining as substantial as this. I would transmit my entire knowledge of the world to you if I had that capacity, but I do not."
she_sells_seashells: maybe (maybe)
Author: she_sells_seashells
That's... well, that's actually the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to Bell, as far as she can call to mind. She is momentarily too stunned by how sweet that is and does not say anything at all.
sicaria: Sitting on a log. (⑻ who sits by herself)
Author: sicaria


she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"That's sweet," says Bell aloud, after the silence.
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria


Slowly, Sherlock smiles.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell smiles back, ever so tentatively.
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"I am very fond of you and I do not want to do things that make you unhappy," says Sherlock.
she_sells_seashells: (becalmed)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"I'm very fond of you, too," says Bell.
ferratus: At a distance, walking. (⑻ step inside)
Author: ferratus
"And I'm fond of both of you," Tony chimes in. "And now you're less sad! I feel good about that."
she_sells_seashells: engaged (engaged)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell laughs. "Okay then," she says.
ferratus: Quasi-innocent. (⑷ maybe a little)
Author: ferratus
"Hugs?" he offers, holding out his arms.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (maybe)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell is willing to receive a hug. In fact, she's even willing to get up and go across the room for it.
ferratus: Smirking. (⑵ well this should be fun)
Author: ferratus
Huuuuuuuuuugs.

Tony likes hugs. Hugs are great.
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock also desires to participate in hugs!

Look, there she is.
she_sells_seashells: (skyward)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Well isn't this snuggly.

Bell approves.

(She decides that she should probably play Sherlock a certain locked fragment of her recorder's history, sometime soon.)
sicaria: Grinning. (⑵ tell me you saw that)
Author: sicaria
This is extremely snuggly! And everyone approves of it! Best hug.
she_sells_seashells: (preoccupied)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Later, when Tony has become weary of activities that do not involve fancy machines and the possibility of electrocution, Sherlock and Bell are snuggling just each other.

"In the interest of full disclosure," Bell says, "there is a thing on my recorder that you should probably hear."
sicaria: Looking up, thoughtful. (⑼ a brief and thoughtful moment)
Author: sicaria
"...Yes?"
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell disentangles herself and goes up to get it. She descends the stairs in a usual manner without falling over even slightly.

"This was not originally intended for sharing, so please keep that in mind," Bell murmurs.

She swallows, and unlocks the material, and presses play.

"-nice to me. Uh," the recorder says in her voice. "Geez. Lock starting fifteen seconds ago until end of segment. This is all starting to add up to me having a crush on Tony. It does look like that, doesn't it. Is that weird? I think that's maybe weird. I'm moving in with him and Sherlock, have no indication of anything other than friendliness and a general desire to acquire allies with which to overthrow the Capitol on his end - okay, pathetic, Bell, you have a crush on the first guy you meet from your own world who knows you're not insane, that says loads about your discernment, huh? You're not that lucky. You're the unlucky version, if you were a lucky Bell you'd be running a magic empire, right, the first guy you meet from your world who doesn't think you hit your head as a kid isn't going to also be a good idea to crush on, is he? I mean he is nice - so nice, they're both so nice and he's cute but - I think I'd better just not do anything, my judgment could be compromised. There will be plenty of time for - for everything after all this is over, I don't think he likes me except in the sense that - well. He's being charitable. He's a nice person is all, maybe he'd have a dozen poor Fouries living in his house if Sherlock met them in Milliways and they could be presumed displeased with the Capitol, I don't know. I don't know nearly enough to feel this way and I've gone and done it anyway. I'm not sure I want to kill it. Probably could, right, that's my thing, but I think I'll let it live. For now anyway."

There's a bit of silence, and then the hubbub of Milliways as Bell presumably exits her room to mingle with the patrons.
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
"Tony is very lovable," says Sherlock. "And he likes you."
she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"This was recorded a while ago," Bell says, tucking the recorder into her pocket and ducking her head. "By now I have the idea that he pretty much likes most people, including a vaguely dismaying fraction of Capitol-dwellers."
sicaria: Looking over shoulder. (⑹ look what the cat dragged in)
Author: sicaria
"That is true," Sherlock agrees. "I predict a near certainty that if he heard this recording or a summary of its contents, he would want to hug you."
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Well, that would be embarrassing, that's why I waited for him to go away."
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"I see," says Sherlock.



"How do you feel about him currently?"
she_sells_seashells: (unsettled)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"Well, I still have a crush on him, or I wouldn't have thought this relevant. I haven't killed it, yet."
sicaria: Looking over shoulder. (⑹ look what the cat dragged in)
Author: sicaria
"He likes you," says Sherlock. "Not just in the same way he likes anything that has recognizable emotions."
dark_light: (engaged)
Author: dark_light
"...As in the relevant sense, or as in I am at least marginally distinct from a puppy or the next-door neighbors?"
sicaria: Smiling slightly. (⑸ smiling as she falls)
Author: sicaria
"I don't know how to translate. You and he have very different experiences of the world. If you told him this, he would think it was sweet, and want to hug you and tell you that he likes you. If you asked him to kiss you he would say yes."
she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"That... does indeed fail to translate into something I know how to label," muses Bell.
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock shrugs.

"I am very good at Tony, even though I am not very good at anyone else."
she_sells_seashells: (preoccupied)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell hesitates.

But Sherlock said that she'd transmit her entire experience of the world if she could. And Bell believes her. And she can do something just about that sweet. If she wants to.

Bell hands Sherlock the recorder. "You can listen to anything on this. It's... basically my brain. There's only a handful of locked parts and most of them are locked because the other person found out I was recording and wanted it done, not because they're like what you just heard. Mostly I've been willing to rely on strangers not knowing how to work it and friendlier types never getting their hands on it."
sicaria: Dressed up. (⑺ primarily innocence)
Author: sicaria
Sherlock takes it.

And—stops, for a moment, doesn't move, doesn't speak, doesn't breathe, doesn't do anything at all.

And then she hugs Bell.
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Bell hugs her back, tight.
sicaria: Reaching for something. (⑽ just a touch)
Author: sicaria
"Thank you," she murmurs.
she_sells_seashells: tricky (tricky)
Author: she_sells_seashells
"You're welcome," Shell Bell murmurs back. "Um, if you could tell me which things you're listening to, that would be - good. And I'll want it on me whenever I'm in Milliways and whenever I need to work something tricky out."
sicaria: Serious, intent. (⑿ you know it is my choice)
Author: sicaria
"Yes," she says. "Yes, of course."
she_sells_seashells: maybe (Default)
Author: she_sells_seashells
Nuzzle nuzzle.
sicaria: In profile, looking down. (⑾ time to go home)
Author: sicaria
Later, she will listen to things.

Right now: snuggles.