the world is quiet here

an indie muliti muse blog. cordelia, 25, she/her.

[xrestingwitchfacex]

Here we go.

[anesotericconundrum]

[russian-thespy]

The First Meeting

[anesotericconundrum]

Illya:

Illya despised the feeling of defeat. It was not something he dealt with often for the specific feeling. As his hands balled up in fists at his sides, he let out a long, deep breath and turned to sit back down at the table. He could remember the words of the file, stating that he was to play well known business man traveling to France with his fiance. “I won’t question your calls, if they are actually good. However, that might not happen as much as you would like it to.” He stated coldly. “What exactly do you need us to do?” Illya asked, turning his attention back towards the speaking bosses.

Her boss and Izzy both let out a small laugh. “She’s effective. And you’re effective, which is why we brought you both her. Don’t make it complicated. It’s weapons smuggling. New warfare which we do not need. You are dealing with a biological weapon. We need it destroyed. This is a joint task force. Both of our best men are working on the science but we need our best to get it.” Izzy listened absently, bio weapon, important, yadayada. She reached into her purse and pulled out a lollipop, immediately eating it. “Well I won’t you let you down.”

[adamwoodly]

New Years Party

[anesotericconundrum]

Adam:

Adam leaned again the side of the window, his eyes on the scene happening outside. Everyone was jamming together for the new years countdown. He sighed, trying to get his mind clear when he heard her voice. Adam turned towards her, his face strained. “Tell you what?” He questioned, currently able to actually answer her question. 

Belle moved towards him, steps quick, eyes focused. “Why didn’t you tell me you were writing those columns, why you were telling our story. You wrote about Gaston and Christmas and the cabin. You wrote about our first kiss, me leaving. Why didn’t you tell me?”

[adamwoodly]

New Years Party

[anesotericconundrum]

Adam:

Adam didn’t have time to hear Belle’s response before he was on stage, feeling the spotlight on him. There was an small awkward cough that escaped him before he started to speak. “Good evening everyone. As my friend said, I’m JWA, but my friends call me Adam.” He started, figuring a introduction was the best start. “I was told to come up and here and talk about my column for a few minutes, so I’m going to try the best I can.” As he looked across the audience, he found Bella standing there and he let out a breath, trying to figure out how to tell not only the audience that this column was about her, but to tell her. “Everyone likes to ask me ‘Where do you get your inspiration for the column?’” He smiled. “I think it’s the small smile that seems to at that question that makes people assume my answer is going to be a girl. Someone that I cared about just as much as Dave cares about Emma.” His eyes looked for hers again before speaking. “Well, the truth is, those people are right. It’s very much about a girl.” Adam made sure to keep contact with Belle as he continued talking. 

“I had met her a little over a year and a half ago. At first the two of us really didn’t see eye to eye, but over time, something changed and somehow we ended up together. The next few months proved to be ones of trials that somehow only brought us together, even when people were tearing us apart.” He couldn’t help the odd laugh that passed his lips as he thought over those memories. “A majority of what happens in this column, happened with us. The cabin they find in the woods. The fears. The laughs. All of it happened with us. And more. There are some things that happen in the column, that I won’t comment if they are true or not.” He laughed again, remembering the audience was there. “Unfortunately,” His voice paused before continuing. “Like most couples, time seemed to play the separation game and we ended up splitting up. Which brings us to tonight.” His eyes moved through the crowd again before stopping on Belle. “I guess what I really wanted to get across, was that inspiration can come from anywhere. Support can come from anywhere. Love,” He paused, looking back tot he audience. “Can come from anywhere. I never really was one who welcomed that kind of stuff in my life, but sometimes friends, family, or partners will come from anywhere. And when you have a connection like that, something so strong that it inspires you to do whatever, you have to fight for that.” Without realizing it, he found her eyes again. “Don’t ever let it go.” There was a pause where he held her gaze before hearing coughs in the audience.

“Well, thank you everyone and enjoy your new years.” He spoke before moving off the stage and weaving his way out of the room and into the hall, moving towards a window that looked over the city. 

Belle could feel her chest rising and falling with heavy breath. Her hands were clammy and she swallowed the drink again. She could feel a pair of eyes on her, turning to see her mother, glaring, angry, Belle had to look away. How could she not realize that those were their stories. She saw Adam looking at her, glancing back to her. Everything he said, hitting her in a way that made her shake. All those times together only to succumb to time. They weren’t a modern fairy tale....she didn’t want to be. When he was finished Belle closed her eyes for a moment, letting it all sink in. She could see her mother coming towards her and Belle dashed off. Tears were falling down her cheeks as she ran to the hall where she saw Adam. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

[adamwoodly]

New Years Party

[adamwoodly]

“Well, hopefully you will be able to find something to do while your here.” He teased, trying to get her to feel at least a little bit better. Adam paused at her question and scratched the back of his neck. “Well, um…” He wasn’t sure how to explain it, but before he even could and announcer was up on stage and starting to introduce the next speaker. “Since we are rounding closer to midnight,” The speaker started, “I do believe it’s time for us to bring out another guest. I am proud to welcome our next guest. His columns have been taking the paper by storm and I’m sure we are all hoping to see more of them soon. Everyone, please welcome the writer of A Rose By Another Name, JWA!” Adam had been hoping they weren’t going to call his name, but next thing he knew, the spotlight was on him and he pushed a smile onto his face before looking back to Belle. “Excuse me.” He said to her quietly before setting his cup on the table next to him and heading towards the stage. 

[anesotericconundrum]

“Hopefully.” She crossed her arms, not really sure what to say. Turning her attention to the announcer she groaned that was until she heard the title. She loved reading those columns, she always read them at work during her break, they kept her from stabbing the people she hated. “OH I love these...” Belle turned to Adam but noticed he was gone, his drink on the table. “Adam?” She looked around until she saw him walking on stage. “Oh my god.Oh...my god.” She chugged the drink she had in her hand before reaching out for another one. “Oh my god....”

[adamwoodly]

New Years Party

[adamwoodly]

Adam took a small sip from his glass as she spoke and looked up to see her mother in the distance. “Ah, I see. Another fun mother daughter night.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I would love to be with the boys, but I am required to be here tonight. It would probably actually be rude of me if I didn’t come tonight.” He laughed. 

[anesotericconundrum]

“So much fun, look how much fun I’m having.” She smiled sarcastically. Belle tilted her head unsure of what he meant. “Required to be here. What are you even talking about?”

[adamwoodly]

New Years Party

[anesotericconundrum]

adamwoodly:

Adam had been in the middle of sweet talking his boss, his boss’ wife, and some of their friends. Luckily Mrs. Potts has been willing to work with him on his talking. Adam didn’t know how to actually have a conversation with these kind of people, so having someone help him was much needed. He was in the middle of trying to figure out how to explain the inspiration he had for his stories when he felt someone run into him and ended up having some of his drink spill on his hand. Of course he knew the person didn’t mean it, so he turned towards the person and tried to be pleasant. His smile faded when he got a good look at the girl in front of him, feeling a lump for in his throat. After a small cough, he spoke. “Belle?” He questioned. “Wha- What are you doing here?” He asked her, almost completely forgetting the other people around them. 

Belle swallowed staring at the man before her, unsure of how to act, what to say, so took a nice big sip of her drink. “What am I doing here.” She pointed to her mother laughing with some other woman, “That’s what I’m doing here, mother has requested I come along. Figures. Umm, what--what are you doing here? I figured tonight of all nights you’d be with the boys.”

[adamwoodly]

New Years Party

[adamwoodly]

The car pulled up to the front of the building and Adam let out a shallow breath. He wasn’t made for these kind of events, but yet here he was, about to enter a room full of rich people he used to make fun of. Eventually he got out of the car and made his way inside, following a long line of signs that lead him into the grand ballroom. It wasn’t long before he was swarmed by people. It was a mixture of his bosses and their spouses, along with some new people that they wanted him to meet. He continued his way into the big room and continued to be followed by swarms of people. Once he reached the bar, he ordered himself a scotch and moved into the crowds of people. Every so often her would introduce himself and explain the difference between the name of the author of his column and his own name. Eventually his eyes found a large banner that hung on the curtains behind the stage. Listed on it was the name of the authors who were special guests tonight. He felt happy to know that they put JWA instead of his actual name. Eventually he drew his eyes away and continued talking to the people around him. 

[anesotericconundrum]

Her mother kept fussing about, her hair, smoothing her dress, anything to make Belle look “more presentable.” She didn’t even want to go to this stupid party. Getting out of the car, Belle huffed and slouched and dragging her feet behind her mother. It was another ploy, to find her a suitable husband or something, ugh, she didn’t want this. She made a beeline for the bar, ordering something very sweet and very much filled with alcohol. She sat at a table, scanning the crowd, her eyes made her way to a banner JWA, she read his articles often. They amused her, but they was also something about them that gave her butterflies in her stomach. Was here then? She wouldn’t mind meeting him. Brown eyes scanned the room, her mother was already sweet talking someone and Belle ran off, she wasn’t paying attention, her eyes still lingering on her mother when she bumped into someone. “Oh, whoops. I am so--” Belle stopped mid sentence as if she lost her breath. “Sorry....Adam?

[adamwoodly]

New Years Party

[anesotericconundrum]

Adam:

Adam stood in front of the mirror in his bathroom and felt a bit of nerves in his stomach. He usually wasn’t this nervous about parties, but he also didn’t usually go to parties where he was the guest of honor. The Journal was throwing a New Years Eve party to which they were honoring some of the writers and somehow he was one of them. His column A Rose By Another Name had been one of the most read and most talked about stories from the journal. Of course when writing, he had kept himself under an alias. Only signing the end of the column with JWA. A big reason he did this was so that no one would know he was the writer, because then the people who knew him most would know just who the story was about. 

Realizing what time it was, he quickly hurried up and finished getting ready so that he wasn’t late. The company had sent a car for him to take and it felt weird to see a black sedan sitting in front of his Brooklyn apartment. Even with working in the city, he couldn’t get himself to give up his small apartment. Adam made his way down the stairs and into the car, watching as the driver got in and drove towards the city. Hopefully tonight will be something to remember. 

Belle sat in bed most of the day. Mostly to spite her mother, partly because she was bored as all hell. She flipped through the channels mindlessly put on movies, anything to distract her from the screeching French that was coming out of her mother’s mouth. Finally the door opened forcefully her mother furious. “Belle get up now! You have to get ready, we have a party to go to. Get dressed and look presentable.” With a groan Belle rolled out of bed. She was in no hurry to get to this party, it was just another excuse for her mother to sell her to the highest bidder. She found her gold dress and tossed it on with out much care and sat at her vanity while Ginny did her hair. “I don’t want to go” she sounded like a spoil child but at this point she didn’t care. Putting on her shoes Belle finally made her way to her mother who fussed over her the way to the party. “What even is this party for now.” Her mother fixed a curl and huffed, “I don’t know, something about the Journal, we were invited by the wife of one of the editors. She’s a dear friend of mine.” “You have friends.” She was smacked on the shoulder, “Behave.” Belle leaned back, crossing her arms, hoping this night would be over sooner rather then later.

[adamwoodly]

An Odd Reuniting

[anesotericconundrum]

adamwoodly:

Adam could hear the small but that was off beat to his own phone going off. With a slight, teasing smile, he nodded towards her phone. “Is that my favorite person on the other side of that buzzing?” He teased, hoping to break some of the tension. Hearing her question, he sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “Hectic. But, nothing I couldn’t slowly work through. I’m um, actually working in the building down there now.” He told her, pointing down the street behind her some. “How are things with you?” 

“Oh yes. it’s everyone’s favourite. I’m supposed to have lunch with her. I hate having lunch with her.” She grimaced. Her mother still buzzing her. “Oh wow, that’s lovely. I’m a few blocks down. Working in a stuffy little room, cataloging books. Ya know typical job stuff. SO are you liking your job? Is it going the way you wanted?”

[adamwoodly]

An Odd Reuniting

[anesotericconundrum]

adamwoodly:

Adam had moved his hands into the pockets of his jacket, nodding his head a little bit. It was definitely awkward between the two of them, but there wasn’t really much they could do about it. Everything was going so fast with them and they stopped. Went their separate ways. Hearing her question, he nodded his head. “Yeah. It’s fine.” He said. “Um, you okay? I honestly wasn’t paying much attention as I was walking down the street.” 

Her phone was buzzing, would her mother never cease to this day, that woman, she drove Belle mad. And now this, her day was only going to get so much better. She huffed a sight. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little preoccupied I’m more then sure that was my fault and I’m sorry. So how’s--how’s everything?”

[adamwoodly]

An Odd Reuniting

[anesotericconundrum]

adamwoodly:

Adam didn’t have a lot of time, so when he heard the person starting to reply he was about to comment back when he heard his name. Finally he took a look at the person in front of him. His breath caught a little before he spoke. “Belle?” He questioned back to her, still finding it hard to believe it was her in front of him. “Um, hey.” He finally said, smiling a little bit. 

“Hi.” She mumbled back, staring unsure of what to do or say. She crossed her arms, phone still in hand. Belle looked back and forth, it wasn’t like they had broken up on bad terms. No, things were fine, they just needed to do their own things, live their lives. “Phone okay?”

[adamwoodly]

An Odd Reuniting

[anesotericconundrum]

adamwoodly:

Things had been crazy for Adam since graduation. Somehow he had gotten himself a job that took up most of his time. Belle had been busy with her life as well and things seemed to have fallen out. They had both decided it was best to take a break and let each other go off on their own. Adam spent a few months away, making things easier, but was now back in the city and ready to settle into his official office. Walking towards the building, he had been looking at a text he received from Cory and not paying attention to the person walking right in front of him. As he crashed into them, his phone fell to the ground and he stumbled back a little before catching himself. “I’m sorry.” he apologized out of habit. He hadn’t looked up to see the person as he bent down to pick up his phone. 

Belle yearned for the days of lounging in her sweats, shirt covered in ice cream watching movies all day. But that was no longer the case. She was surrounded by books, hundreds of books, catologing and putting each one away carefully. Her phoned beeped, her mother asking her to join her for lunch. She sighed rolling her eyes and grabbing her bag. Who knows what she wanted this time. She wondered out of her building towards another, her mother sending another text, causing her to stumble into someone. She groaned. “Just be lucky you--” She stopped the voice throwing her off. “Adam?”

[anesotericconundrum]

Springtime

[adamwoodly]

Adam stood in the mirror, looking over the clothes that Belle had bought him for today. As he looked over the spring colors, it was obvious to see his lips curl up a little. It wasn’t that he minded dressing up or anything, but usual his ensembles weren’t much of this nature. Although, he truly didn’t care because he knew it would make Belle and that’s all that mattered. He worked the bow tie around his next, fixing it so that he would be ready for the day. Weirdly enough just as he finished with his shoes, completing the look, his phone went off and he looked down to see Belle’s name on the screen. A small smile formed at his lips as he considered not opening the door just to bother her, but he figured he did that enough already. Making his way through the apartment, he opened the door just in time to see her coming up the stairs. Leaning against the door frame, he waited for her and smiled. “Aren’t you a vision in green?” He teased. 

[anesotericconundrum]

Belle marched in and gave another little twirl, her mint green dress ruffling about. “I know I am.” She grinned cheekily. Belle brushed her back and smoothed out the wrinkles. She took a look at Adam and grinned, “Don’t you look nice.” She walked up to him, straightening out his bow tie a bit. Belle placed her hands on his shoulders and looked up. “Ready to go then? The parties of the rich and famous beckon us.”

[anesotericconundrum]

Springtime

Belle twirled the mint green skirt around and around grinning from ear to ear in delight. Spring was her favourite time of year, the air was filled with the scent of flowers, everything was bright, colourful. A new beginning really. Her phone lit up. A text from Adam, the rose gold watch around her delicate wrist told her she was already late but he could wait. She grabbed her bag, a cookie and flounced out the door. The only downside of going to Adam’s was taking the subway, the dark and damp nature of the machine didn’t mesh with the bright happy feeling above ground. Still she put her brave face on, ran her card through and sat down in an empty seat. Pink flats shuffled back and forth as she couldn’t keep her legs still. But finally the train lurched to a stop and Brooklyn called her name. Hopping off she crossed the street, straying far away from Gaston’s bar and half walked, half skipped to Adam’s. She text him letting him know she was coming up now and he should open the door. 

[adamwoodly]

Adam moved over to the other side of Mrs. Potts bed and smiled as he took her hand. “We are just happy to know that you are okay.” He said. Mrs. Potts looked back up to Adam and smiled before shaking her head. “Adam James, don’t you make me cry. Don’t any of make me cry.” She said, holding scolding finger. 

[anesotericconundrum]

Belle smiled and nodded. "Okay, no tears, not aloud. Can I get you anything though? Some water, juice. Flowers? This room is kind dreary."