Is it love? I don't know, I've never experienced love before.
Who: Alice and AJ What: NEWSING When: 12/31 Where: Places status: Complete rating: PG-13 for Alice
Alice was the kind of person who tended to go through life extremely mellow and centered, with the occasional outburst. She wasn’t emotionless, she’d just mastered the ability to view the world through cynical eyes, and had stopped caring.
Today, though, as she made her way off the bus, her eyes were dancing, and there was a smile plastered to her lips. The world looked wondrous, the sky extra blue. She felt things, and it was amazing.
AJ was out walking Winona. It was a bit colder than she liked, but so long as she kept moving the cold didn’t have a chance to sink in. She was on the sidewalk when she nearly bumped into the girl climbing down off the bus. “Oh, sorry, I...”
She paused. “Alice, right? It’s been a while.”
“Alice, yes. Oh, it’s the girl with the two letters!” Alice broke into a smile. “Did you enjoy your hat? Wasn’t it the best hat, love?” She seemed a lot more chipper than the last time they met.
"Why, yes. Yes it was. Still is, actually. I wear it a lot." AJ gave Alice a smile. "How are you? How've you been? "
“I’m glad, it suited you, love.” Alice clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. “Quite good. I’ve had some surprises in my life that have been...quite pleasant.”
"Oh?" AJ asked, breaking into a smile at the happiness she could feel in the other. "That's wonderful!"
"I've made some friends, and a lover." Alice said, her smile fit to bursting. She spun around, then stilled. "She's quite lovely."
AJ wasn’t one to judge anyone on sexual orientation. She didn’t really have the opinion that a lot of people (especially where she came from!) held on homosexuality as a sin. She was beaming, incredibly and genuinely happy for her friend. “That’s wonderful! Good for you, Alice.” She said, smiling. “Y’know, I started seein’ somebody, too. Not long after you and I first met.”
It was fortunate, otherwise there might be a stabbing. Alice tilted her head. “Did you? What are they like? Bloke? Bird? Somewhere in between?”
“Bloke.” AJ said, grinning at how strange the word sounded coming out of her mouth. “Man. He’s a detective, though he’s moving into the private sector. His name’s John.” She loved him very, very much. It was obvious.
"He's a cop?" Alice found that fascinating. "I've met a few cops. I had a friend who was a detective, but she got transferred." She missed Aveline something fierce, sometimes. "You sound like you're in love."
“I am.” AJ admitted, blushing deeply. “He was, but now he works for a different agency.” She added. AJ had never had a problem with the police. She’d never even been pulled over for a speeding ticket.
"Brilliant," Alice replied, with her usual dryness. But her eyes were sparkling with genuine happiness. For both of them. "How serious is it?"
“I... I dunno.” AJ said, thoughtfully. “Pretty serious, I guess. I’m absolutely in love with him and he is with me.” As far as she knew. That’s what they both claimed, anyway. “We’re not living together or anything. Not yet. What about you and your girlfriend?”
"I moved in with her. My flat was rather terrible to begin with, so we were planning anyway, but we were curious and had a grand time together." Alice spoke rapidly, with an intriguing sort of rhythm to her voice. "Is it love? I don't know, I've never experienced love before."
“I don’t know,” AJ said, giving a gentle shrug. “I’m not exactly an expert on these things. I guess if it feels like it, then it is?”
"How will I know if that’s what I feel?” Alice tilted her head, uncertain. She felt a great deal of respect for Sada, and joy when around her, but love at first sight was something she just didn’t believe in.
“I have no idea.” AJ said. “You just... know. At least, I did.” She smiled softly. “Though, it took a while to figure it out.”
“When are the wedding bells? They’d need to be particularly pure and bright. You’re glowing.” Alice took AJ’s hand and patted it.
AJ laughed and shook her head, squeezing Alice’s hand. “No way. We’ve only known each other a few months. That’s definitely not long enough to get engaged.” She was grinning shyly, though. “But I can see it happening. Y’know... sometime in the future. The far, far future.”
“Eloping seems to be a thing around here. Just watching the network has been fascinating, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, lots of people do it, don’t they? I think my big brother would kick my ass if I tried.” AJ said, breaking into a little grin. “And my roommate who’s quickly becoming my best friend might be a bit miffed if I don’t ask her to be my Maid of Honor.”
“Take a road trip to Las Vegas,” Alice advised. “Rent a mini-van, you’ll have a grand time.”
AJ gave a laugh and shook her head. “I’ll keep that advice in mind. When we’re ready for it.” She paused a beat. “Won’t be for a long time, I assure you.”
“Want to wager?” Alice’s eyes glinted.
AJ paused. "I'm usually not a gamblin' girl, but I'll take that bet." She grinned. "What’re we bettin'?"
“You make me apple pie if you win, and I make you tea if I win.” It was a safe enough bet for either of them, and something that would be fun to lose as well as win.
AJ gave a laugh. “That sounds like a bet I can make without a mark on my conscience.” She said, then held out her hand for Alice to shake.
Alice reached out, and took AJ’s hand. Oh, she had plans. She had plans....