[D3 LE] Helping Hand (Chantelle's Apartment)

[Jack Doyle]

He nodded. "I don't really remember it, but I know everyone was afraid of the flu for a time."

[Chantelle Rossette]

Chantelle rolled her eyes, “at de ra’ we goin’, people goin’ be real afrai’ of de flu all ova agai’.” Explaining flat earthers and antivaxxers to Jack was going to be interesting. “You loo’ li’ you were abou’ ten? tweleve? whe’ de Gentry ta’ you?” It was strange to think that the retro-chic bar where she worked was downright futuristic to him.

[Jack Doyle]

He nodded. "I think so. Most of my memories are pretty vague, lost to the monotony of the workshop. Only the stories my father read me are clear."

[Tiffani]

Tiffani sighed with unashamed relief when she finally walked up to the address given to her earlier by Chantelle. She had to pretty much ask for directions again and again as she had no map, and certainly no GPS, and she had no idea where anything was except the park where she emerged from the Hedge. But never mind all that now, she was here, she made it, and that's all that mattered.

She rubbed her hands together a bit nervously, thinking in her mind all kinds of worst scenarios. Nothing horrible, mind you. She didn't invision she was walking into the lair of a serial killer or anything that dramatic. But she did wonder if Chantelle really wanted her to show up here or maybe she was just being nice. The kind of offer you give because you don't think the other person will really take you up on it.

Before she had time to second guess herself, she just reached out and half-knocked, half-pounded on the door, stood back a few feet, and waited for someone to answer.

[Chantelle Rossette]

Chantelle put her drink down once more and crossed to the door. Cracking it open, she spied the young woman and smiled broadly, opening the door further, “Tiffani, fameux, I was worry; di’ you ‘ave trouble findin’ de place?” For the moment, the egret blocked the portal with her body, hiding Marcus and Jack from Tiffani’s line of sight, wanting to warn her before revealing her friends to the newcomer.

[Tiffani]

"No, not really," Tiffani answered even though it was only a half-truth. "I mean, I had a little trouble in places where the street signs were missing, but other than that, uh no."

Her eyes narrowed just slightly as she noticed the strange way in which Chantelle was blocking the entrance with her body - as if she were afraid Tiffani would actually come inside. Usually, once a person confirms the identity of a visitor, they open the door fully and beckon the visitor inside. This, on the other hand, wasn't a good sign.

"Okay, look, I'll leave ... really, I didn't mean to bother you ..." And she wasn't kidding. She really was about to leave.

[Chantelle Rossette]

“Don’ be coo-yon, I didn’ ax you to come all dis way jus’ to turn you away.” Smiling, Chantelle’s chocolate coloured eyes were kind. She was wearing a different dress, and there was a pair of violent gashes on the egret’s left forearm, angry and fresh, but effective first aid had clearly been applied. The scent of flowers, beyond just the floral perfume of new blooms that surrounded the Spring courtier, wafted from the apartment, carried on warm air that promised it was cosy inside. Under the flowers was the aroma of hot cocoa.

“I wan’ to introduce you to my frien’s, why don’ you come insi’?” With a dancer’s grace, Chantelle moved back, opening the door further. Tiffani would be able to see the spotless kitchen, and that there appeared to be one or more Changelings seated at a small dining table, but would need to step inside to see them clearly.

[Tiffani]

Tiffani was half-turned and ready to step away from the door when Chantelle intervenes. She listens to the egret-woman say her piece, still standing in that half-turned position, motionless, until Chantelle is done speaking. She seems to think it over for a few seconds - she wanted so much for this to be real, that this wasn't some kind of trick. The last 34 years of her life had been a trick.

She looks at Chantelle over her shoulder and then, after what seemed like an eternity, Tiffani nodded and turned back around, remaining silent. Perhaps even a bit timid as her mind warred with itself as to whether her Keeper had set this whole thing up. But no, she approached Chantelle, not the other way around ... right?

Tiffani gave Chantelle a wan smile, hesitated for a second right at the door, and then stepped inside - her attention now turning to the other Changelings sitting at the table.

[Chantelle Rossette]

Gently shutting the door, Chantelle indicated to the small wooden doll with dancing eyes, “Tiffani, dis is T’Jack,” the prefix meant little, and it was obvious why she used it, “you’ll rememba I mention ‘im earlia. An’ dis,” she gestured towards the massive, almost 7-foot tall werewolf, apparently oblivious to what a strange pair they made, “is Marcus. Careful, ‘e bites,” she teased.

“Mais, ‘ow abou’ a mug of ‘ot cocoa?”

[Tiffani]

Tiffani could only stand there and stare. Sure, she had seen another Lost on occasion, but she just hadn't been back long enough to truly get a handle on the crazy diversity of the Losts' true forms. A doll and a werewolf. She had to remind herself that, no, she wasn't going insane. This kind of thing really was possible where the Fae were concerned.

She knew she should say something like, hello, pleased to meet you, or, how do you do, or ... something. She was raised better than this and even 34 years in Arcadia couldn't erase the values her parents taught her. But her parents never instructed her on how to have a conversation with a doll and a werewolf. If they knew she were having such a conversation, they would probably be on the phone with the best psychiatrists money could buy.

And so, after perhaps several agonizingly long, awkward seconds, Tiffani finally smiles, gives a short little wave and nervously says with nervous simplicity, "Uh, hi!"

To Chantelle she half-whispers, "A mug of hot cocoa spiked with some vodka maybe." Tiffani takes a deep breath and gets her thoughts together. "Right, yes, just the cocoa, thank you."