Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 17, 2021 17:03:02 GMT -8
It is nearly 8 o'clock. Eis stands in the kitchen of her modest apartment, within view of her front door. Though it may seems a little improper, she's changed into sweats and a loose, light, dappled maroon shirt. It is her home after all; no sense in not being comfortable. The smell of fresh brewed coffee swirls about the house and a kettle whistles on the stove. She'd heated the water for tea, but made coffee just in case it was more to Bella's liking. Mugs and spoons and sugar and everything they might need, for either, were set on the table, which stands halfway between the kitchen and the door. The television is off, and there is no music. She would hardly know what kind her guest would enjoy. Her worn, but comfortable looking brown couch was recently cleaned, as were the tan carpets in the living room. The rest of the floor was aged, hard wood. Eis lives alone, with no pets. It is quiet. Peaceful. For some. For others? Sometimes the silence can be unnerving. Isolating. But there would be no chance of silence on this visit. Bella would see to that. Undoubtedly. And Eis has no intention of sitting in silence, either. There is much to say. She'd taken nearly the entire afternoon thinking about what she'd say. What she'd ask. What lessons she'd attempt to impart on the fragile young Wizened. Perhaps not all that young... but Eis has never asked. Everything about Bella's demeanor speaks of an innocence and youth that Eis has long since lost. On both accounts. The latter is unavoidable. The former is the reason she's lived long enough for the latter. She checks the white, plastic clock on the wall. Still some time. Bella isn't late, yet.
|
|
|
Post by Bella on May 17, 2021 20:59:05 GMT -8
Bella walks up to Eis's front door with a smile. Instead of her usually theatrics and garb; she's wearing a dark grey Henley style shirt, black yoga pants tucked into her regular boots, her hair tied up in a messy bun, a small black clutch purse and her headphones down around her neck. She also has a small gift bag with her. She not wearing her almost corpse-like makeup today either, instead opting to go with a more natural but still fitting her aesthetic makeup. She gently knocks on the door, hard enough to get Eis's attention but not so hard as to be obnoxious.
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 18, 2021 3:19:27 GMT -8
That must be her. Eis crosses the gap and opens the door. She gives the girl a once over. Yes. Bella, but muted. The familiar rustle of her mantle is a comforting reminder of their shared loyalties. The Fairest takes notice of the gift bag, but says nothing. It would be rude to make assumptions.
“Come in. I’ve made coffee and there’s water for tea.”
She steps back into the house and leaves room for Bella to step through. The view of the apartment from the door shows a staircase by the foyer to the right, the table that serves as the dining room ahead and the living room to the left. The kitchen is in the back. Eis’ apartment is sparsely decorated; only a handful of nameless paintings of nature scenes and a pair of wooden bookends on her short bookcase that look like children playing hide-and-seek.
“Help yourself. We’ll retire to the living room when you’re ready.”
Eis, herself, goes to grab the kettle off the stove and prepares herself some Earl Grey with milk and sugar. Another box of mixed, herbal teas is also set out. Afterwards, she takes a seat on the far end of the couch, swiveling to face where Bella would sit.
|
|
|
Post by Bella on May 18, 2021 15:44:52 GMT -8
Bella nods with a smile and calmly walks into Eis's house. She looks around a bit before addressing her host. " You have a wonderful place! Do you prefer guests take off their shoes prior to entering?" She asks with a small tilt of her head. She then lifts up the gift bag and hands it over to Eis. " I brought you a thank you gift, It's a first edition of one of my favorite books 'The Halloween Tree' by Ray Bradbury, thought you might like it." Bella adds kindly.
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 19, 2021 1:49:13 GMT -8
Eis gives a dismissive flick of her free wrist. But smiles politely.
“It’s just a place to live. I prefer to maintain a low profile. Do as you please with your shoes.”
She takes a sip of her hot tea, startling a bit as it nearly burns her lips. Her body is normally much cooler than most, though she embraces any source of warmth she can. No matter how intense it may be.
“Thank you. I haven’t read that one yet. You can leave it here, on the coffee table. I’ll put it up later. Or perhaps take a peek at it before going to bed.”
She eyes the younger woman, curiously. She’d had a lot to say over the phone. Eis would have to tread lightly if she wants to avoid the proverbial ‘flood gates’ opening.
“Once you’re settled, please, begin. Level with me your concerns. I’ll offer my input afterwards. Though I warn you; I don’t tend to sugar coat things. You’ll get only straightforward, honest answers from me.”
|
|
|
Post by Bella on May 19, 2021 19:05:43 GMT -8
With a nod Bella quietly and deftly takes off her large boots and sets them gently by the door. She then grabs a mug and pours herself a cup of coffee with a little bit of sugar and cream, turning her drink into the rich color of buckskin. She pulls her gift to Eis out and sets it down on the coffee table as she makes her way into her hosts living room, curling up in a chair before taking a long sip of her coffee, its warm caffienated creaminess settling what remaining nerves she had and helped her jaw to stop clenching and her shoulders to lose their tension. At Eis's words she gives a nod and a small smile.
"I wouldn't ask for any less. I will freely admit that i wear my heart on my sleeve and my passions and desires sometimes get me into trouble without me meaning to cause any." Bella says before taking another sip from her drink. She giggles before saying "Part of me wants to rattle off all the things going on in my head but.....I don't think that would do me any help in this case." She pauses for a moment, seemingly so deep in the underworld of her mind that shes gazing upon the gates of Tartarus itself before continuing, "I guess the most important question I NEED to ask is...How do I control myself? How do I ground and center myself so that I can better focus my energy so that I can still be ME without coming off so strongly that I risk alienating the very people I'm trying to build relationships?" She asks curiously and with a genuine want to make her Court mates proud to have her around. "I spent a fair bit of time after our phone call going over and over that entire meeting and realized that I was so hungry for MY need for a familial connection with you all that I forgot that maybe...maybe thats not what YOU all are looking for, and after coming to this realization I decided that while I still want to be friendly and want you all to feel like I'm a safe person to come to if help is needed....if none of you want/need that to be a family connection...that's okay. I'm okay now with just be colleagues, acquaintances or friends if thats all you all want...but I wouldn't be me if I wasnt my usual Hot Topic Energizer Bunny self *She says with a giggle*...but I want to temper it to better help the Court... and if you can I'd love if you could help me out with that." Bella finishes before letting out a sigh she didnt know she was holding on to and taking another long sip of her coffee.
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 22, 2021 16:34:39 GMT -8
"Hmm. So you've done some self-analysis." she responds. She takes a sip of her own drink before continuing, eyes on Bella thoughtfully. "I'll address the meeting of our Court members first. You're right; not everyone is looking for the same thing. I'm only just getting acquainted with Rowan and Gavin, myself, but I don't think family is what they're looking for right now. Rowan seems to struggle to find himself, and my impression of Gavin is that he wants to be seen as more than just what his Mien represents. But family? Hah!" Eis shakes her head, holding a bemused smile. "I'm not even sure you want either of them as family. And, as I've mentioned before, that is a door that remains closed when it comes to me. You'll have to forgive me for maintaining a little privacy for my reasons. That only really leaves Samedi himself."
Eis pauses. She turns to look over her shoulder towards her bookcase. She seems to consider something. After a moment of quiet, she turns back to face Bella once more. "A fable comes to mind. It may be one you've heard, but you'll have to indulge me. It starts with a partridge, who made her home in an oak tree. One day, her friend the crow asks if she'd like to join him in the field to eat some sweet corn. The partridge agrees, and the two enjoy the afternoon together. When the partridge returns from her outing, she finds a rabbit has taken up residence in her home. The partridge demands that he leave her home, while the rabbit claims he's in the right for taking up home in an empty residence. Their other friends can't seem to decide who to support, so the two seek out an impartial judge; an old cat who lives by the river. The partridge and rabbit explain their story and each pleads their case, while the cat listens. The cat responds 'Let me look on you more closely. My eyesight is going.' So the partridge and rabbit oblige. And the cat... kills and eats the both of them." Despite the dire nature of the tale, Eis grins. "A simple story warning against trusting strangers. But, you see, Samedi is a stranger. To most of us. He's impossibly old, powerful, and eccentric. I doubt he even remembers what it was like to be human. How can you truly know a being such as him? You may have only risked a faux pas in trying to bond with the rest of us... but you risked suffering the same fate as the partridge when you got so close to Samedi. Tread lightly around him. We swear allegiance to the crown he wears, but he is still dangerous and unpredictable. Approach him and his Knights respectfully. It is what's best."
Eis' dark orbs drop away and she stirs her tea a little. This would have been a lot to take in for some. Best to balance it out. "If you want to know how to direct your energy, I suggest you make yourself useful - no - indispensable to the Court and the rest of the Freehold. Everyone isn't going to like your personality. This is just a fact of life. So why change? If I really cared what people thought about me I'd have crumbled a long time ago. Be yourself. It's all you can be. Just give others more than just a personality; give them deeds. If you accomplish this, you're bound to earn others' trust. Perhaps even friendship." Eis knows close bonds are what the girl craves, and she's not about to tell her that she's wrong for it. What is good for Eis isn't good for everyone. It would be rather sad if it were.
|
|
|
Post by Bella on May 23, 2021 21:48:56 GMT -8
Bella quietly nods while drinking her coffee. Taking her time to digest the advice of her mentor.
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 25, 2021 12:15:55 GMT -8
Noting her quiet acceptance, Eis frowns thoughtfully towards the younger woman.
“Feel free to put your two cents in, dear. I can’t be sure if you’re just a good listener or I’ve just lost you. You have no questions? Comments?”
Eis had, after all, unloaded quite a bit on young Bella. For one so full of energy most of the time, she seems uncharacteristically quiet.
|
|
|
Post by Bella on May 26, 2021 17:07:53 GMT -8
Bella blinks quickly as she is brought out of her inner reflection. " Oh! No, I'm okay! I was working on digesting your words." She says quickly with a placating smile before adding " I'm gonna try and tone down things but between the meeting at the La Palazza and this?" Bella pauses. " - I think that i was going about what i want all wrong and i will try to not forget what i've learned." Bella takes a deep breath and then says " I want to make a new family for the one i lost but...i also need to respect that not everyone wants the same. So for now, I'm content with being colleagues with people and maybe in the future friends but i will do all i can to respect boundaries and personal wishes." Bella takes a sip before continuing, " As for Papa Saturday? Well... whatever affection misplaced or not...has gone and he is just my boss now." *Bella shrugs but still has a sad look in her eyes* " I really do appreciate your help and insight, I feel like i got off on the wrong foot with you so-" *Bella gets up, sets down her mug and walks over to Eis and puts her hand out with a small smile.* " -Hello, my name is Bella Knott, I've been a member of the Court since 2016 but mostly just focused on my studies and work until recently. Pleased to meet you and I look forward to working with you." She finishes
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 31, 2021 17:01:24 GMT -8
Eis nods, slowly. There's hope for Bella yet, it seems. She's taking it all in stride. Making connections and plans for the future. It saddens her, though, that Bella's revelations seem to be a shedding of innocence. But with such things comes growth. Maturity. And fewer moments of vulnerability that put her in this situation in the first place.
The Snowskin is nearly ready to congratulate her for being so forthcoming, when the girl stands. It takes a moment to register what she's doing, but her facilities catch up and she notices an extended hand. Starting fresh? How novel. Eis shakes the extended hand and even smiles a little; amused by this turn of events.
"A pleasure, Bella. I look forward to it as well." She can't help but feel a little awkward after releasing the handshake. This isn't an unpleasant evening - no, it isn't that - but she can't find a damned reason to fault Bella or push her away. It's really almost... nice.
"Come now, have a seat. Can't have you standing around so formally. Tell me about your studies. As a teacher of history and a scholar of the occult, I'm always keen on sharing ideas. What interests you most? You know... an particular area of study?"
|
|
|
Post by Bella on May 31, 2021 17:22:34 GMT -8
Bella smiles brightly before nodding and then sitting back down, her slight form allowing her to curl up slightly. She takes a sip of her coffee before answering Eis's question. " I've been studying various magick systems as well as The Underworld and its denizens. I'm a practicing Neo-pagan and I love researching various pantheons and their various afterlives and the dead." Bella says passionately, her dark eyes practically glowing with excitement about getting to talk about something she's extremely passionate about.
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 31, 2021 17:55:05 GMT -8
“Does this interest come with a level of expertise? The dead and dying, and all that sort of thing? The rituals and spells we come across after our... ‘journeys’ are a potent arsenal against those who mean us harm.” she says, being caught up in the enthusiasm. She’s genuinely curious now to know what Bella is capable of. And that’s where she’s most comfortable; knowing the strengths and weaknesses of her allies. Her stuffy, educator demeanor quickly gives way for her scholarly interest.
|
|
|
Post by Bella on Jun 6, 2021 17:07:03 GMT -8
Bella nods a little bit before frowning, such an alien expression on her face.
"Death, the dying, and what comes after has always been...like a familiar presence in my life. I work with it both in my personal life and outside of it. I'm currently studying to be a Mortician. I want to help the living overcome their fear of death and help people see that Death is a state of transformation..of rebirth..it can be scary but its not the end...not really anyway." Bella says passionately. "From a non-mundane sense...Ghost and Spirits CAN be antagonistic but...I want to try to come at any situation dealing with the Dead and other Underworld with a sense of empathy, ima-" Bella stops briefly to consider her next words before taking a deep breath and then continuing. "Imagine that you were in so much pain or were in a unimaginably horrific situation and 'fell asleep' and when you woke up...no one could see you...hear you..touch you. Imagine screaming and ranting about strangers in your home but nothing gets done about it. Imagine watching your loved ones place you in a box and bury you. Imagine never being able to hug them...to let them know to not worry...to let them know that you aren't in pain any more." She sniffs slightly before taking a sip of her drink to give her a bit of extra strength to finish. "Imagine having all that pain...all that anger...Wouldn't you fall into the baser state of wanting others to be just as miserable as you? I feel that even I would fall into that pitfall." Bella says with a humorless laugh. "No, i try to come into any encounter first with compassion and empathy before resulting to anything else...if that doesnt work then...they need to excised so that no one else gets hurt if they cannot overcome their pain."She finishes her explanation with a sad smile
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on Jun 6, 2021 18:02:06 GMT -8
As Bella describes her interests in an impassioned, personal way, Eis' have to stifle the urge to roll her eyes. Magic is business to Eis. Not some 'bleeding heart' charity. But the more Bella carries on, the more the Snowskin is able to push beyond her opinions and cling to the interesting bits. The prospect of this younger woman being able to interact with those 'beyond the mortal coil'... it isn't just interesting. It's incredibly useful. By the time Bella is finished, Eis realizes she's been holding her mug inches from her mouth for quite a stretch. For all she knew, her mouth was hanging open as well.
"That this 'encounter' is something possible for you is... well it's... glorious." Her lips spread into a bemused grin, but her eyes are hard an intently focused. "I mean, your desire to help these poor souls is admirable. Of course. But this is a rather niche resource to tap in to. I'll be frank with you; if I were to come across a dying man on the street, and there was nothing to be done to save him? What I could learn ends with his passing. But you..." Her lips are getting dry. She raises her drink to her lips again, hands shaking a little as she wets them with another sip. "Your abilities could bring the recently dead's secrets to light! That's no small thing. think of the possibilities!"
She's doing it again, isn't she? Being incredibly overbearing and quite possibly 'creepy'. Eis' intellectual curiosity can sometimes get the better of her. The soft front of decency gives way to obsession so easily for Eis. Perhaps... she should explain herself.
"I don't mean to be off-putting, dear. It's just that I have a need to know things. We discussed, at some length, our connections to Autumn. With Lord Samedi. But my need to understand magics stems from more than safety or vengeance. I... need it. The more I understand, the more competent I feel. The more powerful I feel." She shakes her head. More to herself than anything else. "I know too well what it feels like to be powerless." She continues, softly. Her eyes level with Bella's. "It's terrifying. It's the wrong kind of Fear. The kind that cripples and envelopes you. Chills you and drowns you. That's why I seek out Fae secrets... that's why I chose Autumn. Because what is more powerful than magic? The stuff of storybooks and legends..."
|
|