Hey, you wanna see something cool?

Rp blog for one Beatrice "Beetle" Greene, Changeling, derby gal, and true vintage rockabilly. Faceclaim is Tiffany Abreu

[with-catlike-tread]

There's a new girl at the gym, her skin patchy in places, making way for a thin wire-like mesh with something flittering underneath. She looks a little lost, or maybe she's just trying to decide on a plan of attack.

It’s leg day for Kat, and she’s near the middle of her workout, a sheen of sweat on her tawny fur. Her rounded ears flick toward the new girl half a second before her amber eyes do. She doesn’t stop her reps, but she’s keeping an eye on this newcomer.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle narrows her eyes curiously at the watching gaze, deciding it’s probably not hostile she approaches, heading for a machine next to Kat and giving a smile and an up-nod as she passes. Now she’s closer, the movement under the gaps in her skin are easier to discern, little shining bugs, butterflies, beetles and the like, all fluttering about like they’re caught in a net.

[with-catlike-tread]

Kat can’t quite stop her narrow pupils from dilating because -  bugs! Fluttery bugs! And she gives the woman a bright smile.

Full of sharp teeth. She’s not trying to be scary, she really isn’t. Her tail is curled up behind her in a lazy question mark.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle laughs, noting the reaction to the movement under her skin, it’s certainly not an uncommon one

“Hey, how’re you going?”

[with-catlike-tread]

“Hey. Not too bad, ‘n you?” Kat finishes her set and stops to stretch a little. “You look a little lost, you need help or anythin’?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Just having a look around, I’m new in town gotta scope out all the amenities”

[with-catlike-tread]

“Oh yeah?” There’s a slight shift in her posture. New doesn’t always mean trouble, but it sure doesn’t mean trust, either. “Where’re you comin’ from?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Here and there, I travel a lot. I was in LA when I last settled down, but I’m from London originally.” Beetle smiles, sitting down on a nearby machine rather than using it.

[with-catlike-tread]

“What brings you here, then?” She she starts another set with a quiet grunt.

[beatrice-beetle]

“Oh I was just passing through,” Beetle smiles, shifting to start her own workout given Kat has resumed, “but then it turned out my estranged uncle and his fiancé live here, so I’m sticking around for a while”

[with-catlike-tread]

“Oh yeah?” She speaks in between reps, and only glances at Beetle. “Must’a been a hell of a surprise, findin’ somethin’ like that out.”

[beatrice-beetle]

"Good god was it ever, I hadn't seen him since I was a kid, but he's still exactly how I remembered him. It's nice to have some family again though"

[with-catlike-tread]

There's a new girl at the gym, her skin patchy in places, making way for a thin wire-like mesh with something flittering underneath. She looks a little lost, or maybe she's just trying to decide on a plan of attack.

It’s leg day for Kat, and she’s near the middle of her workout, a sheen of sweat on her tawny fur. Her rounded ears flick toward the new girl half a second before her amber eyes do. She doesn’t stop her reps, but she’s keeping an eye on this newcomer.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle narrows her eyes curiously at the watching gaze, deciding it’s probably not hostile she approaches, heading for a machine next to Kat and giving a smile and an up-nod as she passes. Now she’s closer, the movement under the gaps in her skin are easier to discern, little shining bugs, butterflies, beetles and the like, all fluttering about like they’re caught in a net.

[with-catlike-tread]

Kat can’t quite stop her narrow pupils from dilating because -  bugs! Fluttery bugs! And she gives the woman a bright smile.

Full of sharp teeth. She’s not trying to be scary, she really isn’t. Her tail is curled up behind her in a lazy question mark.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle laughs, noting the reaction to the movement under her skin, it’s certainly not an uncommon one

“Hey, how’re you going?”

[with-catlike-tread]

“Hey. Not too bad, ‘n you?” Kat finishes her set and stops to stretch a little. “You look a little lost, you need help or anythin’?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Just having a look around, I’m new in town gotta scope out all the amenities”

[with-catlike-tread]

“Oh yeah?” There’s a slight shift in her posture. New doesn’t always mean trouble, but it sure doesn’t mean trust, either. “Where’re you comin’ from?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Here and there, I travel a lot. I was in LA when I last settled down, but I’m from London originally.” Beetle smiles, sitting down on a nearby machine rather than using it.

[with-catlike-tread]

“What brings you here, then?” She she starts another set with a quiet grunt.

[beatrice-beetle]

"Oh I was just passing through," Beetle smiles, shifting to start her own workout given Kat has resumed, "but then it turned out my estranged uncle and his fiancé live here, so I'm sticking around for a while"

[with-catlike-tread]

There's a new girl at the gym, her skin patchy in places, making way for a thin wire-like mesh with something flittering underneath. She looks a little lost, or maybe she's just trying to decide on a plan of attack.

It’s leg day for Kat, and she’s near the middle of her workout, a sheen of sweat on her tawny fur. Her rounded ears flick toward the new girl half a second before her amber eyes do. She doesn’t stop her reps, but she’s keeping an eye on this newcomer.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle narrows her eyes curiously at the watching gaze, deciding it’s probably not hostile she approaches, heading for a machine next to Kat and giving a smile and an up-nod as she passes. Now she’s closer, the movement under the gaps in her skin are easier to discern, little shining bugs, butterflies, beetles and the like, all fluttering about like they’re caught in a net.

[with-catlike-tread]

Kat can’t quite stop her narrow pupils from dilating because -  bugs! Fluttery bugs! And she gives the woman a bright smile.

Full of sharp teeth. She’s not trying to be scary, she really isn’t. Her tail is curled up behind her in a lazy question mark.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle laughs, noting the reaction to the movement under her skin, it’s certainly not an uncommon one

“Hey, how’re you going?”

[with-catlike-tread]

“Hey. Not too bad, ‘n you?” Kat finishes her set and stops to stretch a little. “You look a little lost, you need help or anythin’?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Just having a look around, I’m new in town gotta scope out all the amenities”

[with-catlike-tread]

“Oh yeah?” There’s a slight shift in her posture. New doesn’t always mean trouble, but it sure doesn’t mean trust, either. “Where’re you comin’ from?”

[beatrice-beetle]

"Here and there, I travel a lot. I was in LA when I last settled down, but I'm from London originally." Beetle smiles, sitting down on a nearby machine rather than using it.

[with-catlike-tread]

There's a new girl at the gym, her skin patchy in places, making way for a thin wire-like mesh with something flittering underneath. She looks a little lost, or maybe she's just trying to decide on a plan of attack.

It’s leg day for Kat, and she’s near the middle of her workout, a sheen of sweat on her tawny fur. Her rounded ears flick toward the new girl half a second before her amber eyes do. She doesn’t stop her reps, but she’s keeping an eye on this newcomer.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle narrows her eyes curiously at the watching gaze, deciding it’s probably not hostile she approaches, heading for a machine next to Kat and giving a smile and an up-nod as she passes. Now she’s closer, the movement under the gaps in her skin are easier to discern, little shining bugs, butterflies, beetles and the like, all fluttering about like they’re caught in a net.

[with-catlike-tread]

Kat can’t quite stop her narrow pupils from dilating because -  bugs! Fluttery bugs! And she gives the woman a bright smile.

Full of sharp teeth. She’s not trying to be scary, she really isn’t. Her tail is curled up behind her in a lazy question mark.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle laughs, noting the reaction to the movement under her skin, it’s certainly not an uncommon one

“Hey, how’re you going?”

[with-catlike-tread]

“Hey. Not too bad, ‘n you?” Kat finishes her set and stops to stretch a little. “You look a little lost, you need help or anythin’?”

[beatrice-beetle]

"Just having a look around, I'm new in town gotta scope out all the amenities"

[with-catlike-tread]

There's a new girl at the gym, her skin patchy in places, making way for a thin wire-like mesh with something flittering underneath. She looks a little lost, or maybe she's just trying to decide on a plan of attack.

It’s leg day for Kat, and she’s near the middle of her workout, a sheen of sweat on her tawny fur. Her rounded ears flick toward the new girl half a second before her amber eyes do. She doesn’t stop her reps, but she’s keeping an eye on this newcomer.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle narrows her eyes curiously at the watching gaze, deciding it’s probably not hostile she approaches, heading for a machine next to Kat and giving a smile and an up-nod as she passes. Now she’s closer, the movement under the gaps in her skin are easier to discern, little shining bugs, butterflies, beetles and the like, all fluttering about like they’re caught in a net.

[with-catlike-tread]

Kat can’t quite stop her narrow pupils from dilating because -  bugs! Fluttery bugs! And she gives the woman a bright smile.

Full of sharp teeth. She’s not trying to be scary, she really isn’t. Her tail is curled up behind her in a lazy question mark.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle laughs, noting the reaction to the movement under her skin, it's certainly not an uncommon one

"Hey, how're you going?"

[with-catlike-tread]

There's a new girl at the gym, her skin patchy in places, making way for a thin wire-like mesh with something flittering underneath. She looks a little lost, or maybe she's just trying to decide on a plan of attack.

It’s leg day for Kat, and she’s near the middle of her workout, a sheen of sweat on her tawny fur. Her rounded ears flick toward the new girl half a second before her amber eyes do. She doesn’t stop her reps, but she’s keeping an eye on this newcomer.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle narrows her eyes curiously at the watching gaze, deciding it's probably not hostile she approaches, heading for a machine next to Kat and giving a smile and an up-nod as she passes. Now she's closer, the movement under the gaps in her skin are easier to discern, little shining bugs, butterflies, beetles and the like, all fluttering about like they're caught in a net.

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

A woman wearing a vibrantly coloured rockabilly dress with geometric mesh tattoos covering her arms approaches Nevy's table, "Mind if I join you? This place is busier than I expected, and I think I'm going to lose it if I don't get a coffee soon"

Nevy glances up and smiles.  “Sure thing.  You already put in your order, or…?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Well, you do seem like an authority on the matter, so I’ll take your word for it” Beetle laughed, “I suppose it is the moors that contain the likes of Heathcliff”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

They snicker with a little grimace. “Honestly, the object of the languishing isn’t even the point, for me. It’s all about the languish itself!” They pose dramatically. “Sitting alone and forlorn as the wind trails its fingers through your hair, gazing with sad loneliness at the horizon as it tragically fails to show that which you wish…” They chuckle and drop the pose. “The sheer *aesthetic* of it!”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle laughed heartily, leaning back on her seat and watching the display. "The dramatics certainly seem to suit you"

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

A woman wearing a vibrantly coloured rockabilly dress with geometric mesh tattoos covering her arms approaches Nevy's table, "Mind if I join you? This place is busier than I expected, and I think I'm going to lose it if I don't get a coffee soon"

Nevy glances up and smiles.  “Sure thing.  You already put in your order, or…?”

[beatrice-beetle]

"Well, you do seem like an authority on the matter, so I'll take your word for it" Beetle laughed, "I suppose it is the moors that contain the likes of Heathcliff"

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

A woman wearing a vibrantly coloured rockabilly dress with geometric mesh tattoos covering her arms approaches Nevy's table, "Mind if I join you? This place is busier than I expected, and I think I'm going to lose it if I don't get a coffee soon"

Nevy glances up and smiles.  “Sure thing.  You already put in your order, or…?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle slumps down into the empty chair with a huff, “Yeah, just a matter of waiting now. My least favourite part of anything.” she shrugs, and offers Nevy a bright smile “I’m Beetle, by the way”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

“Nevermore. Awesome name club buddies!” They proffer a fist for a proper bumping.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle grinned, returning the fist bump with gusto

“Nice! That as in ‘quoth the raven’ or is there another reason?”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy grins and thumbs toward the elaborately-embroidered coat draped over their chair. “Guilty as charged. Edgar Allen Poe and Mary Shelley are my gods, and I their disciple.”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Worthy gods, certainly, many a sleepless night can be attributed to the likes of them. Are you a writer then, by chance?”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

“Yup!  Writer, artist, freelance weirdo.  How about you?  Entomologist?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Aspiring one in my youth,” Beetle laughed, “My uncle gave me the nickname when I was a child and it rather stuck. My preferred poison is rollerderby now”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy’s eyebrows shoot up.  “Roller derby?  They have pro leagues for that?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Mm, some places do, but it’s not really career material. Not for me anyway.” she shrugs, “I do odd jobs to compensate, spent a bit of time as a personal trainer, but I’m not sure I’ll pick that up again”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy chuckles. “Don’t blame you there. I’ve been trying to spend more time in the gym lately, and it has been a fresh level of Hell.”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Hey, if you need help or want a gym buddy hit me up! It’s looking like I’ll be in town way longer than I thought, so quite frankly I’m in desperate need of company”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy gives a lopsided smile. “No offense, but having another person there specifically to give me attention while I’m out there sweating and dying… won’t really make anything easier.”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle raised her hands a little,

“Say no more, that’s entirely reasonable, forget I offered” she laughed, and shook her head, pausing briefly “So tell me, what does a ‘freelance weirdo’ do when they’re at home, anyway?”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

“Oh, you know.  Writing, painting, wishing I lived closer to windswept moors so I could get some proper languishing done.”  They grin.  “The usual.”

[beatrice-beetle]

"All very worthy pursuits, although, have to say, I'm not certain windswept moors are really all they're cracked up to be"

[ossie-oswald]

Beetle is pacing a little in front of a park bench as Ossie passes by, the tail end of her conversation clearly audible. "Alright sweetheart, I promise I'll give you a ring tomorrow if and only if you go to school. And don't you try to loophole your way out of it, I know you know what I mean, okay?"

Beetle said ‘go to school’, but all Ossie heard was ‘grand-niblets’. He stopped in place, politely waited for Beetle to finish the call, and then beamed at her widely.

“What ho what ho, my dear flesh and blood! I say, I don’t mean to pry, but- er, who were you just speaking to?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle looked up, somewhat surprised, then smiled

“My- er, a friend.” she made a face, “It’s complicated”

[ossie-oswald]

“The sort of complicated that requires tea and pastries to discuss?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Is tea and pastries your solution to everything? Because I’m starting to think it is” Beetle laughed, “But I certainly won’t say no”

[ossie-oswald]

“I maintain that there is no problem that cannot be solved with tea and pastries.”

He offered an arm and began to make a bee-line towards his favourite teahouse.

[beatrice-beetle]

“I’m sure there’s a few, but it certainly can’t hurt any”

She followed, linking her arm with his as they went. Once they were settled at a table with tea and such on the way, she frowned a little and bit her lip before finally speaking,

“Her name’s Laura, she’s a delight, honestly. Full of energy and curiousity and kindness. Troubled, but that’s to be expected all things considered.”

[ossie-oswald]

Ossie organized the logistics of getting the tea, naturally, and then sat as attentively as he could.

“Where is the complexity, then, if you don’t mind me asking?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“She was maybe five years old when we got out, and I was… Well I was a mess. I jumped ship immediately and left her behind in London for a good six months or so,” Beetle winced a little, “I really wish I hadn’t, but it was what I needed at the time. So now I’m marked as ‘iresponsible’ or something and the freehold won’t let me take her out of London.”

[ossie-oswald]

“Oh, er, well, that’s truly a shame.”

He deflated a little, almost certainly sad that he didn’t have grand-niblets to spoil.

“Still, I did find that London had excellent resources for those of us in that sort of position. She could certainly be doing a lot worse, hm?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“She certainly could be… But, and maybe it’s selfish, I don’t like to be so distant, I tried staying in London for a spell, even joined Summer so they’d know I was serious, but I couldn’t do it. There’s just- too much there”

[ossie-oswald]

“I think I know what you mean,”

He offered a sympathetic look, reaching a hand across the table to offer support.

“You ought to wait a while, see if they end up changing their minds on the subject. I don’t suppose there’s anything else you could do about it.”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle laughed coldly,

"It's been four years, I doubt any more waiting will change anything" she shook her head, "By rights I should let it go, it's not really my business. But nobody's been able to work out who her family actually is, and I- I saw three children disappear over there, I don't want to lose another"

[ossie-oswald]

Beetle is pacing a little in front of a park bench as Ossie passes by, the tail end of her conversation clearly audible. "Alright sweetheart, I promise I'll give you a ring tomorrow if and only if you go to school. And don't you try to loophole your way out of it, I know you know what I mean, okay?"

Beetle said ‘go to school’, but all Ossie heard was ‘grand-niblets’. He stopped in place, politely waited for Beetle to finish the call, and then beamed at her widely.

“What ho what ho, my dear flesh and blood! I say, I don’t mean to pry, but- er, who were you just speaking to?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle looked up, somewhat surprised, then smiled

“My- er, a friend.” she made a face, “It’s complicated”

[ossie-oswald]

“The sort of complicated that requires tea and pastries to discuss?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Is tea and pastries your solution to everything? Because I’m starting to think it is” Beetle laughed, “But I certainly won’t say no”

[ossie-oswald]

“I maintain that there is no problem that cannot be solved with tea and pastries.”

He offered an arm and began to make a bee-line towards his favourite teahouse.

[beatrice-beetle]

“I’m sure there’s a few, but it certainly can’t hurt any”

She followed, linking her arm with his as they went. Once they were settled at a table with tea and such on the way, she frowned a little and bit her lip before finally speaking,

“Her name’s Laura, she’s a delight, honestly. Full of energy and curiousity and kindness. Troubled, but that’s to be expected all things considered.”

[ossie-oswald]

Ossie organized the logistics of getting the tea, naturally, and then sat as attentively as he could.

“Where is the complexity, then, if you don’t mind me asking?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“She was maybe five years old when we got out, and I was… Well I was a mess. I jumped ship immediately and left her behind in London for a good six months or so,” Beetle winced a little, “I really wish I hadn’t, but it was what I needed at the time. So now I’m marked as ‘iresponsible’ or something and the freehold won’t let me take her out of London.”

[ossie-oswald]

“Oh, er, well, that’s truly a shame.”

He deflated a little, almost certainly sad that he didn’t have grand-niblets to spoil.

“Still, I did find that London had excellent resources for those of us in that sort of position. She could certainly be doing a lot worse, hm?”

[beatrice-beetle]

"She certainly could be... But, and maybe it's selfish, I don't like to be so distant, I tried staying in London for a spell, even joined Summer so they'd know I was serious, but I couldn't do it. There's just- too much there"

[ossie-oswald]

Beetle is pacing a little in front of a park bench as Ossie passes by, the tail end of her conversation clearly audible. "Alright sweetheart, I promise I'll give you a ring tomorrow if and only if you go to school. And don't you try to loophole your way out of it, I know you know what I mean, okay?"

Beetle said ‘go to school’, but all Ossie heard was ‘grand-niblets’. He stopped in place, politely waited for Beetle to finish the call, and then beamed at her widely.

“What ho what ho, my dear flesh and blood! I say, I don’t mean to pry, but- er, who were you just speaking to?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle looked up, somewhat surprised, then smiled

“My- er, a friend.” she made a face, “It’s complicated”

[ossie-oswald]

“The sort of complicated that requires tea and pastries to discuss?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Is tea and pastries your solution to everything? Because I’m starting to think it is” Beetle laughed, “But I certainly won’t say no”

[ossie-oswald]

“I maintain that there is no problem that cannot be solved with tea and pastries.”

He offered an arm and began to make a bee-line towards his favourite teahouse.

[beatrice-beetle]

“I’m sure there’s a few, but it certainly can’t hurt any”

She followed, linking her arm with his as they went. Once they were settled at a table with tea and such on the way, she frowned a little and bit her lip before finally speaking,

“Her name’s Laura, she’s a delight, honestly. Full of energy and curiousity and kindness. Troubled, but that’s to be expected all things considered.”

[ossie-oswald]

Ossie organized the logistics of getting the tea, naturally, and then sat as attentively as he could.

“Where is the complexity, then, if you don’t mind me asking?”

[beatrice-beetle]

"She was maybe five years old when we got out, and I was... Well I was a mess. I jumped ship immediately and left her behind in London for a good six months or so," Beetle winced a little, "I really wish I hadn't, but it was what I needed at the time. So now I'm marked as 'iresponsible' or something and the freehold won't let me take her out of London."

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

A woman wearing a vibrantly coloured rockabilly dress with geometric mesh tattoos covering her arms approaches Nevy's table, "Mind if I join you? This place is busier than I expected, and I think I'm going to lose it if I don't get a coffee soon"

Nevy glances up and smiles.  “Sure thing.  You already put in your order, or…?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle slumps down into the empty chair with a huff, “Yeah, just a matter of waiting now. My least favourite part of anything.” she shrugs, and offers Nevy a bright smile “I’m Beetle, by the way”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

“Nevermore. Awesome name club buddies!” They proffer a fist for a proper bumping.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle grinned, returning the fist bump with gusto

“Nice! That as in ‘quoth the raven’ or is there another reason?”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy grins and thumbs toward the elaborately-embroidered coat draped over their chair. “Guilty as charged. Edgar Allen Poe and Mary Shelley are my gods, and I their disciple.”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Worthy gods, certainly, many a sleepless night can be attributed to the likes of them. Are you a writer then, by chance?”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

“Yup!  Writer, artist, freelance weirdo.  How about you?  Entomologist?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Aspiring one in my youth,” Beetle laughed, “My uncle gave me the nickname when I was a child and it rather stuck. My preferred poison is rollerderby now”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy’s eyebrows shoot up.  “Roller derby?  They have pro leagues for that?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Mm, some places do, but it’s not really career material. Not for me anyway.” she shrugs, “I do odd jobs to compensate, spent a bit of time as a personal trainer, but I’m not sure I’ll pick that up again”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy chuckles. “Don’t blame you there. I’ve been trying to spend more time in the gym lately, and it has been a fresh level of Hell.”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Hey, if you need help or want a gym buddy hit me up! It’s looking like I’ll be in town way longer than I thought, so quite frankly I’m in desperate need of company”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy gives a lopsided smile. “No offense, but having another person there specifically to give me attention while I’m out there sweating and dying… won’t really make anything easier.”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle raised her hands a little,

"Say no more, that's entirely reasonable, forget I offered" she laughed, and shook her head, pausing briefly "So tell me, what does a 'freelance weirdo' do when they're at home, anyway?"

[ossie-oswald]

Beetle is pacing a little in front of a park bench as Ossie passes by, the tail end of her conversation clearly audible. "Alright sweetheart, I promise I'll give you a ring tomorrow if and only if you go to school. And don't you try to loophole your way out of it, I know you know what I mean, okay?"

Beetle said ‘go to school’, but all Ossie heard was ‘grand-niblets’. He stopped in place, politely waited for Beetle to finish the call, and then beamed at her widely.

“What ho what ho, my dear flesh and blood! I say, I don’t mean to pry, but- er, who were you just speaking to?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle looked up, somewhat surprised, then smiled

“My- er, a friend.” she made a face, “It’s complicated”

[ossie-oswald]

“The sort of complicated that requires tea and pastries to discuss?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Is tea and pastries your solution to everything? Because I’m starting to think it is” Beetle laughed, “But I certainly won’t say no”

[ossie-oswald]

“I maintain that there is no problem that cannot be solved with tea and pastries.”

He offered an arm and began to make a bee-line towards his favourite teahouse.

[beatrice-beetle]

"I'm sure there's a few, but it certainly can't hurt any"

She followed, linking her arm with his as they went. Once they were settled at a table with tea and such on the way, she frowned a little and bit her lip before finally speaking,

"Her name's Laura, she's a delight, honestly. Full of energy and curiousity and kindness. Troubled, but that's to be expected all things considered."

[ossie-oswald]

Beetle is pacing a little in front of a park bench as Ossie passes by, the tail end of her conversation clearly audible. "Alright sweetheart, I promise I'll give you a ring tomorrow if and only if you go to school. And don't you try to loophole your way out of it, I know you know what I mean, okay?"

Beetle said ‘go to school’, but all Ossie heard was ‘grand-niblets’. He stopped in place, politely waited for Beetle to finish the call, and then beamed at her widely.

“What ho what ho, my dear flesh and blood! I say, I don’t mean to pry, but- er, who were you just speaking to?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle looked up, somewhat surprised, then smiled

“My- er, a friend.” she made a face, “It’s complicated”

[ossie-oswald]

“The sort of complicated that requires tea and pastries to discuss?”

[beatrice-beetle]

"Is tea and pastries your solution to everything? Because I'm starting to think it is" Beetle laughed, "But I certainly won't say no"

[ossie-oswald]

Beetle is pacing a little in front of a park bench as Ossie passes by, the tail end of her conversation clearly audible. "Alright sweetheart, I promise I'll give you a ring tomorrow if and only if you go to school. And don't you try to loophole your way out of it, I know you know what I mean, okay?"

Beetle said ‘go to school’, but all Ossie heard was ‘grand-niblets’. He stopped in place, politely waited for Beetle to finish the call, and then beamed at her widely.

“What ho what ho, my dear flesh and blood! I say, I don’t mean to pry, but- er, who were you just speaking to?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle looked up, somewhat surprised, then smiled

"My- er, a friend." she made a face, "It's complicated"

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

A woman wearing a vibrantly coloured rockabilly dress with geometric mesh tattoos covering her arms approaches Nevy's table, "Mind if I join you? This place is busier than I expected, and I think I'm going to lose it if I don't get a coffee soon"

Nevy glances up and smiles.  “Sure thing.  You already put in your order, or…?”

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle slumps down into the empty chair with a huff, “Yeah, just a matter of waiting now. My least favourite part of anything.” she shrugs, and offers Nevy a bright smile “I’m Beetle, by the way”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

“Nevermore. Awesome name club buddies!” They proffer a fist for a proper bumping.

[beatrice-beetle]

Beetle grinned, returning the fist bump with gusto

“Nice! That as in ‘quoth the raven’ or is there another reason?”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy grins and thumbs toward the elaborately-embroidered coat draped over their chair. “Guilty as charged. Edgar Allen Poe and Mary Shelley are my gods, and I their disciple.”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Worthy gods, certainly, many a sleepless night can be attributed to the likes of them. Are you a writer then, by chance?”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

“Yup!  Writer, artist, freelance weirdo.  How about you?  Entomologist?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Aspiring one in my youth,” Beetle laughed, “My uncle gave me the nickname when I was a child and it rather stuck. My preferred poison is rollerderby now”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy’s eyebrows shoot up.  “Roller derby?  They have pro leagues for that?”

[beatrice-beetle]

“Mm, some places do, but it’s not really career material. Not for me anyway.” she shrugs, “I do odd jobs to compensate, spent a bit of time as a personal trainer, but I’m not sure I’ll pick that up again”

[thats-what-the-raven-said]

Nevy chuckles. “Don’t blame you there. I’ve been trying to spend more time in the gym lately, and it has been a fresh level of Hell.”

[beatrice-beetle]

"Hey, if you need help or want a gym buddy hit me up! It's looking like I'll be in town way longer than I thought, so quite frankly I'm in desperate need of company"