First Stanza: [Action/Written]

[burns_so_brightly]

[The gentleman walking out of Community Building 1 does not live there, and in fact didn’t even walk in there in the first place. He’s dressed in a suit, tie, and trench coat and is tossing a fedora between his hands. Julian Bell walks through Luceti with a smile, as if this is nothing more than an exceptionally lucky day. He’s keen to explore and peers into every shop, sometimes actually going inside. The library holds his fascination for some time, and he’s delighted to find his own published books of poetry there (even if he’d admit it’s a faintly narcissistic pleasure).

He eventually sits down at the tea shop to read, looking for all the world like this is a vacation day and not the day after his death. That part, he’ll address once this actually sinks in.

At night, he’s at Cloud Nine, enjoying a Scotch on the rocks and a cigarette and listening to the music. For a crappy oppressed town, this place is doing very well!

Eventually, he works past an unusual (for him) nervousness and writes over the journals.]

Am I allowed to take any empty flat, or is that supposed to be assigned?

-Julian Bell

Comments

[herotypical]

[ laughter. she scrambles to deflect the compliment even as she drops her gaze. ] I'll let the horrible barmaid know that she's expected, then.

[burns_so_brightly]

I'd like that.

[The server appears. Julian orders two caramel macchiati before turning back to Buffy.]

Where do you work as a barmaid? I must come try your horrible drinks!

[herotypical]

Good Spirits. The local watering-hole. The best local watering-hole. Don't let the shady folks over at Cloud Nine tell you otherwise.

[ there's just enough affection in her voice to suggest she holds those shady folks in awfully warm esteem. ]

[burns_so_brightly]

[He laughs.] For a lot of Communists, there's an unusual degree of competition in this town!

[herotypical]

I like a bit of healthy competition, me. Keeps the blood flowing.

[burns_so_brightly]

Do you make martinis?

[herotypical]

I do indeed do martinis. I also do a variety of drinks of my own concocting, for the brave and the bold.

[burns_so_brightly]

Hmm, a beautiful barmaid who makes martinis and invents her own cocktails. I'll have to think about this a moment.

[herotypical]

Please. Take your time.

[burns_so_brightly]

[The coffee comes. Julian takes his and sips.] What about when you're not working?

[herotypical]

[ her fingers close around the mug but she lets hers cool. ]

Oh, you know. Shopping. Recently? Skating. Socializing. Long walks on the beach and through the frankly rather eerie woods.

[burns_so_brightly]

[Women and shopping. This is where it's sometimes nice to swing both ways. The rest, though, convinces him even further that she's a philosophical type at heart. She just doesn't know it. Now he looks a tad nervous, and it's because he is.] Would you...like to have company on one of your walks on the beach and through the frankly rather eerie woods, one of these days?

[herotypical]

Wh-what? [ a little taken aback. she had been describing her patrols, of course. the concept that julian bell might be suggesting some sort of a...date? doesn't cross her mind.

she's too busy thinking about stakes and crossbows. ] Uhm. Sure. If you want to...if that wouldn't be too...dull.

[burns_so_brightly]

[His smile is back, relieved.] I'd love to.

[herotypical]

You'll have to dress warmly. Got it?

[burns_so_brightly]

[A massive shrug.] Of course!

[herotypical]

[ briefly, she wonders if she should ask him to bring a weapon.

nah. she just sips her coffee instead. ]