[D3 EA] Some Kind of Bliss

[Chantelle Rossette]

Exuding calm, Chantelle thanked whatever forces had blessed her, she was so fortunate, and it was the least she could do to share some sliver of that good luck with others. “De firs’ ting, I daresay, is gettin’ a goo’ nigh’s sleep an’ a ‘ot showa. Tings always feel betta afta a ‘ot showa.” She helped herself to more of her drink, “den we can tink abou’ introducin’ you to de Courts. Dey’ll ‘ave a betta idea of where to star’.” Tiffani would find out that most of the Returned had been in similar situations at one time. Chuckling, “an’ den, as if bein’ back wasn’ enough of a culture shock, we ca’ tawk abou’ catchin’ you up on all de changes in de world since you were gone.”

[Tiffani]

Tiffani listened to Chantelle's suggestions with a grim face knowing this was going to be monumentally difficult. She was alone in the world. Truly alone - even if her family were still alive. She had been an only child when she was snatched, her father's angel, her mother's reason to live. Did they have another child? Was I replaced? If she were 50 years old, she could try returning ... but it would mean her parents would be in their mid-70s.

Tiffani rubbed at her eyes with the very thought of it - this magical nonsense was overwhelming, especially to someone who wanted to dedicate her life to science.

"Alright ... admittedly it has been a day or two since I've been able to take care of myself. I must look positively dreadful. I've been watching other people, and, damn, Chantelle ... the internet? Cell phones? Even the cars look like something out of a science fiction movie. It's incredible!"

As she began talking about the changes in technology since 1985, her mood changed, suddenly becoming animated, excited, thrilled, even, as if she had already forgotten the figurative quicksand she was currently standing in.

"So ... what do we do?"

[Chantelle Rossette]

Glad to see the young woman looking happier, Chantelle smiled warmly. She rifled through her purse for a moment, finding a pen and some paper and writing down her address in lettering as precise as her grooming. “Dis is my address, I ‘ave some commi’men’s to see drough, bu’ if you come by aroun’ eigh’ tonigh’, I can introduce you to Jack, an’ ge’ you settle’ before I nee’ to ‘ead ou’ again for a spell.”

[Tiffani]

"Uh ... alright," Tiffani says, some of her earlier doubt returning. She takes the paper and looks at the address, but she has no real idea where this place is in relation to here, but she would figure it out. Chantelle was already doing more for her than she ever imagined - who says curiosity killed the cat? Sometimes, it saves the cat.

Tiffani grew a little apprehensive about being left alone again, but she willed herself to back off. The last thing she wanted to do was over-burden Chantelle by acting like a child. Maybe this Jack person will be an interesting friend. Who knew?

"I'm guessing, then, that you're heading out now?"

[Chantelle Rossette]

“I ‘ave some time,” Chantelle answered kindly, “if you ‘ave more questions.” Besides, she’d gotten so distracted that she hadn’t finished her cake. Waving a waitress over, she requested another iced mocha, “an’,” she smiled to Tiffani, “woul’ you lik’ anoder drin’? my trea’?” the egret gestured for the young woman to order something.

[Tiffani]

Tiffani sat for a time thinking it over. In fact, she cursed under her breath hating the position she found herself in. Yes, Chantelle offered - it wasn't like she asked or begged for a drink like some panhandler. Still, though, she didn't want to take advantage of Chantelle's kindness.

But all she had was British money and she highly doubted they took pounds, pence, and quid. Finally she sighed and said, "Okay ... yeah, I could use an almond cappuccino ... but only if it isn't too expensive!" she added hastily.

She had a little bag with her, not quite a full purse, but it was all she had when she had been taken - everything she owned in the world was in that bag. She pulled out a mirror and began arranging her thick mass of curly hair with her hand. "I look positively terrible, death warmed over as my mum used to say."

After a minute or two of primping and fluffing, she snapped the mirror closed and stuffed it back into her bag. "So might I ask what you do ... in this world? I mean, you must have been like me once. How did you ... you know ... how did you reintegrate into society?"

[Chantelle Rossette]

Chantelle had nodded in agreement, and the waitress hurried off to make their drinks. “Mais, I was lucky. No’ as much time ‘ad pass when I go’ back. I jus’ pick up li’ I neva bee’ away, an’ no one notice.” She was well aware that having a job and a home put her in a much better position than most Changelings, especially as something seemed to have happened recently, with a large influx of the Lost—including herself— escaping the Hedge in the last few months.

“I’m a singa, I wor’ in a lil retro ba’, singin’. Da Spring Quee’, mais, she still a studen’ at de Community College. De Autumn King,” she glanced at the young woman, “I daresay you’ll wan’ to mee’ ‘im righ’ soo’, ‘e owns a boo’store in de French Quarta, it’s near my place.”

[Tiffani]

"You were definitely very fortunate," Tiffani said, a bit of sadness in her tone. She closed her eyes for a moment, steeling herself against the wave of homesickness that seemed to invade her thoughts from nowhere. She couldn't afford it, couldn't allow those feelings to overwhelm her.

"A singer, hmm?" Tiffani said, trying to get her mind off the feeling of emptiness that caused a chill breeze to blow through the cafe as if someone had set the air conditioner too high. "If you sing in a retro bar, well, I know it's a long shot but, uh, do you sing any songs from my time?"

[Chantelle Rossette]

“Mais, Lounge is mo’ retro dan dat, bu’ we do songs from all ova in de jazz-lounge fusio’ style. Very proba’ly some songs fro’ your time, bu’ you migh’ no’ recognise dem.” Nibbling on her cheesecake, “if you go’ suggestions, I’d li’ to ‘ear dem.”

[Tiffani]

"Oh, uh ... well, I'm more into the metal scene. Yeah I know, I don't look the part but I've never been very interested in conforming anyway," Tiffani says, taking her drink and taking a long sip from the cup. Probably a bit too long for a cappaccino. "It's pretty far away from the jazz scene, I'm afraid." She shrugs, "But it was kind of a long shot anyway."

"But still ... maybe I'll come watch you one of these nights. I'm not really a big jazz fan, but live performances are always more interesting to watch regardless of what it is. Uh, as long as there isn't a cover charge or drink limit. By the way, what's her name? The Queen of Autumn?"