Who: Belle and Fang Where: Eve What: drinking and talking When: recently Warnings/Rating: PG Status complete
Belle wasn’t as flirty the second time she went to Eve. For one thing, she was mostly there to play pool, and for another she would feel awkward picking up girls in front of Fang. She could have gone to another lesbian bar, of course, but she liked this one. Fang was right about it being the best.
She was getting her butt handed to her at the pool table when she decided she needed her first drink of the evening. She resigned in an attempt to retain her dignity, and at least got a laugh out of her opponent. It was a nice laugh. Belle made a note to send over a drink when she hit the bar. “Bon soir, Fang!”
Fang would actually feel a little better if Belle picked up a girl. She was still a little jealous of her relationship with Vanille and couldn't shake that.
"Evenin'." She gave Bella a grin and a free drink.
Belle accepted it with a grin and a wink. “Send one over t’ the pool shark in the pink shirt, s’il vous plait. She already owned my ass once, she might as well get a drink outta it.” She sipped her whiskey and took a seat. “How’s life?”
“I’ll send her top shelf,” Fang said, giving the pool shark a knowing smile. That wouldn’t be the first time she’d done that.
“Thanks.” Belle said with a laugh. “So how are you?” She assumed Fang was just too busy to hear the first time she’d asked.
“I’m pretty good, all things considered.” Fang flashed her a grin, resisting the natural urge to flirt. Adjusting to a new celibate life was still a challenge, but Vanille was worth it. She’d prove she was in it for more than the flesh.
Belle was pretty sure Vanille was climbing the walls now that she wasn’t getting sex either. She felt a little bad, but it was better in the long run for Vanille to be with Fang. She was just glad Nicholas was entertaining enough to hold most of her attention. “That’s good, I guess.”
“To tell you the truth I’ve never had one o’those ‘normal’ relationships. The whole datin’ thing.” She smiled sheepishly. “How about you, how you doin?”
“I’m alright now that I’m in the right body again.” Belle made a small disgusted face. She didn’t mind being Jim, but she was glad to have her own body back.
“All that bakin’ right?” Fang pretended like that didn’t amuse the ever living hell out of her.
Belle snorted. “Yeah, I still gotta get rid of all the damn cookies.”
“Did you bring some here? You really shoulda.” Fang jerked her thumb at one corner. “Those ladies would love you.”
“I got some in my car. I could bring ‘em in.” Belle shrugged. “I ain’t lookin’ for love. Just lookin’ t’ unload some baked goods ‘n’ scamper before dawn.”
“That’s what she said,” Fang retorted with a chuckle. She pointed at the glass. “Want another?”
“That’s what I meant.” Belle noted with a snort. “Sure, I’ll take another. Gotta keep this place in business somehow. I’d hate t’ have you sleepin’ on my couch.” She winked at Fang, to let the other woman know she was joking. “How’re things going with Vanille?”
“Things are...goin’..” Fang poured her the drink, then rubbed her shoulder a little bit. “Well I suppose. We...well she’s bein’ kinda..it’s adorable.”
Belle laughed. “Adorable, huh? I’d say that’s a pretty good description.” She downed her shot and leaned one elbow on the bar. She hated not being able to smoke in bars anymore. All the good conversation was inside, but she talked best between puffs.
"Well she's being extra adorable. An' sweet." Fang wished she could pour herself a drink. "She wants to make sure it's not just sex. Which is fine, because it isn't."
“Mmhmm.” Belle said with a nod. “Bet you’re dyin’.”
“Dyin’ so hard.” Fang laughed. She didn’t wear sheepish looks well but there it was on her face again. “Jus’ feels like eggshells.”
“Yeah? She made it sound like your dreams are real rough, is that part of it, or are you just nervous about fuckin’ up?”
“Nervous about fuckin’ up...” Fang trailed off, turning her head away a little bit. “What she tell you ‘bout them?”
“Just that they sucked and she didn’t blow up some cities.” Belle shrugged. “Sounds like bullshit t’ me. These dreams are all shit.”
“Ye...yeah..” Fang nodded, shaken at the memory. “They’re real shite. I’d like to pretend they aren’t happening. But I can’t. I’d protect her if I could. Take on any thing. Destroy anything.”
“But none of that changes what our brains vomit up when we sleep.” Belle shrugged. “Ain’t about bein’ strong, it’s about bein’ there for her.”
“Least I don’t have those powers. Better abs.” Fang smirked. She wouldn’t mind weilding some kind of powerful magic though. Tear down the sky.
“Pff.” Belle noted. She didn’t know what powers Candra would gift her in the dreams, and she didn’t care, either.
You wouldn’t like to be able to summon great balls of ice or command some fantastical monster?”
Belle shrugged. “Nah, not really. I’m happy with what I got. Seen people with powers, they put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us.”
“True enough. Or pull on the Saris. I should wear those more often.”
“Saris? I love those. So beautiful.” She had a couple of them stashed in her closet, just for fun.
Fang took out her phone to show her a picture she’d taken to show Vanille. “It just showed up one day.”
“Oh, that’s not what I was thinkin’ of.” Belle whistled. “That’s pretty sexy.”
“Thanks. I keep havin’ to fight the urge to wear it. Don’t know if I want to be that person.”
Belle shrugged. “Clothes don’t make you into somethin’ you’re not, but sometimes the dreams can. I dunno what t’ tell you, I’m as clueless as you when it comes to that shit.”
“I like’m..” she shrugged. “Kinda worry it might freak Vanille out. She don’t talk ‘bout the dreams much, even to me...”
“I dunno what t’ tell you.” She tapped her shotglass on the bar. “If you think it’s important you should ask her about it, but they upset her pretty bad. Dunno why, but I don’t even understand my own dreams.”
“I think she feels guilty. I don’t know if I do.” Fang leaned against the bar. Bring down Cocoon to save Vanille? She’d do it in a heart beat, Cocoon’s people be damned. She wondered what kind of person that made her.
Belle shrugged. “Dunno. Only one way for you two t’ get over it, hein?” She decided she wanted another shot after all. “I need a personal driver at this rate. I’ll take another, and square up my tab.”
“Talk about it?” Fang made a face, then poured Belle another drink. “I can call someone for you. I’m almost off shift but I don’t drive or I’d take you myself.”
“Don’t or can’t? If you crash my car you gotta explain it t’ Vanille.” Which meant she more or less trusted Fang wouldn’t do that. “But a cab’s just as easy. Might as well trade the damn car in for cab fare at this point. Don’t know why I even bother havin’ one.” Well, except to store her spy stuff, and it would be awkward trying to run a stakeout from a rental car.
“Cars are shite,” Fang responded. “I haven’t had a license since the accident.” But the first person who accused her of being scared of cars was going to get punched.
“Oh yeah, I forgot about that.” Belle wouldn’t fault her for that particular fear. “Desole, chere, forget I mentioned it.”
“It’s okay. Just prefer my own feet or the bus.” Cabs very rarely. Only once in recent memory.
Belle nodded. “I prefer not gettin’ mugged, so I’m gonna take a cab.” She pulled her car keys out and slid them over to Fang. “I’ll meet you t’ pick these up tomorrow.”