learn to fall

Beatrice Larson. 22. Warlock. “Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

[beatricelarson]

charlottexkingsley​:

“Chilis in the chili,” Charlotte said, nodding sagely–and immediately taking another long drink of her wine. But, looking around the bustling market, she pointed out some of the brightly colored food vendors. “That place had some, like, sausage and bratwurst–it smelled super delicious,” She said, pointing at a green-and-red colored stand with white ribbons. “I think that place had some sandwiches and wraps and stuff.” She said, this time pointing at a red-and-white colored stand with green ribbons. “And… I don’t know, there’s a lot of food, honestly. I’ll be honest, I was mostly focused on the chili.”

Beatrice watched as Charlie pointed out all of the different stands, eyes wide. It all sounded so good. “I mean the chili smells really good so I don’t blame you there. There really is a lot of food, I can’t really make my mind up.... would it be overkill to get a little bit of everything? Or not everything everything. But. Enough.”

[beatricelarson]

vbianchii​:

Valerie knew how easy it was to get sucked into staring at a phone. More often than not, she found Twitter more entertaining than her coworkers, and she was probably one of the few people who still had a daily streak on Candy Crush. So as the other woman spoke, Valerie found herself smiling. “Well, thanks. I’ll probably run into you someday with my nose in my phone, anyway, so… good to know I’m not alone,” she joked. “I’m fine, yeah, no worries. I just got off work, so my brain isn’t exactly in its finest shape.” She brushed her hands off on her pants before offering one out to Beatrice to shake. “I’m Valerie, by the way.”

Beatrice couldn’t help but laugh when they implied that she had her nose in her phone. “Oh, I don’t normally have my nose in my phone, I’ve usually got my head in the trees.” She was well aware that the expression was head in the clouds, but trees was more apt, in her situation. “It’s just that the stupid thing went and died, again.” She sighed, shoving it back into her pocket. “As long as we’re both okay. I know what it’s like when you get off work and you’re in brain fog mode.” She said, taking Valerie’s offered hand. “I’m Beatrice. Most people call me Bea.”

[beatricelarson]

bridgette-kingsley​:

“Huh. I just met someone who was from there. Chicago specifically,” she replied. Bridgette rolled her eyes at the mention of LA and New York. She wanted to visit them but they didn’t seem like the first places she wanted to go. “Yeah, too close to spring break to go to Miami or New York.” She definitely wanted to go somewhere where she couldn’t possibly run into anyone she knew. “What about somewhere in Europe or South America? You ever think about going there?” Bridgette set her travel book down and turned her body to face Beatrice more directly. 

“I’ve only been to Chicago a few times.” Beatrice had enjoyed her time there, as much as she enjoyed herself in any large city. It was before she’d formed her pact, while Papa was still alive. She hadn’t cared about their surroundings as much as the company. They were the only kinds of vacations they could really afford to take, going into the city for the weekend. And she would have been happy with a tent at a campground, but it was fun to go into the different museums. Beatrice wasn’t that surprised when Bridgette turned down her suggestions. They were just very different people. “I haven’t thought that much about it but I would like to see the rain forest.” She really hadn’t given much through to traveling abroad, but she would much rather go to South America than Europe. She wasn’t sure if she could stand being in a plane for that long. At least with South America she had the option to drive. “Is there anywhere specific you’d want to go there?”

[montanaj]

Every single day, Valerie had to remind herself why she’d come back to Edgewood. She didn’t hate the town; she’d grown up there, and it shaped her to be the person that she now was. But there were certain parts of herself that she’d rather have left behind… and now that she was back again, those parts of herself came rushing back with little remorse. The last time she lived in Edgewood, she was still figuring herself out, trying to find her place in the world. Similarly, she now was trying to find her place in the town that she’d left behind… and part of that meant taking a job that she wasn’t excited about, but that she needed in order to pay the bills. Once her shift was over, she immediately threw a jacket on over her uniform, hoping to look more fashionable than she had just moments before. Rushing out the back door, she started her walk to her car, not realizing that someone was in her way. “Shit – I mean, sorry. I didn’t see you…”

[beatricelarson]

Beatrice wasn’t paying attention to where she was walking, staring down at her phone in despair. She was supposed to be meeting up downtown with friends, and when she’d pulled her phone out of her pocket to be sure that she had the right meeting time and place, only to discover that it had, once again, died on her. Of course, she thought, sighing. She knew that the devices days were quickly becoming numbered, but she didn’t want to tell Charlie and Wyatt that they were right. She was trying in vain to turn to the device back on and not paying attention to where she was walking, and didn’t see Valerie coming out of the back of the restaurant. “I’m the one who was too focused on my phone.” She said, holding up the useless device and waving it around. “Really, you’re fine. I’m the one who should be apologizing. Are you alright?”

[beatricelarson]

bridgette-kingsley​:

“Hm. Where are you from again?” Bridgette asked, not remembering where the girl was from because she didn’t pay attention the first time. “I’m not sure. I guess sight see and go out on the town. See what different places have to offer,” she added. She didn’t think she wanted to go with her friends, just be by herself since she was always surrounded by people. If she wanted company, she could go out and find it easily in a city. Anywhere was good as long as it was far away from Edgewood. Maybe even find somewhere else with a large magical community to see how it different it was from Edgewood’s community. She was even open to going somewhere to learn more about magic outside of being home and around her siblings. “Probably not somewhere colder, unless there’s places that interest me. But I’m open to any where really.”

“Illinois.” Beatrice said, letting out a self conscious chuckle. She listened as Bridgette spoke. “Right, okay, so somewhere with cities and night life. LA and New York are too obvious. Miami? You’ve got beaches and it’s warm. Perhaps too close to Spring Break right now, though.” At least she’d been right in her guess that Bridgette didn’t want to go see National Parks. Personally she would love to visit Yellowstone. If she were to plan a trip that would be her first stop. “I’m probably suggesting all the obvious places that you’ve already thought of, haven’t I? Sorry.”

[beatricelarson]

charlottexkingsley​:

“Of course not.” Charlotte just nodded and gave Bea’s arm a placating pat. Something always works until it doesn’t, but Bea was an adult capable of making her own adult choices. Unfortunately those choices also included horrific puns. “Oh honey, no,” Charlotte groaned, then laughed. “Chilly chili is not what we want on a day like to day. But chili with more chilis, now that might be something I could get behind.”

Beatrice knew that her phone was going to give up on her sooner rather than later, and that she should really give it up before it go to the point and she was left stranded. But. Phones were expensive. And it’s not like she was totally helpless in the event of an emergency. “You know I’m not good at puns.” Beatrice said, swatting playfully at Charlotte when she groaned. “That said I could get behind some more chilis in the chili. Probably. What else have they got?”

[bridgette-kingsley]

“Okay, so like, what’s the best place to travel to?” Bridgette asked, brushing her hair out of her eyes. She blew a bubble with her gum and then popped it loudly as she flipped through the travel book she’d recently purchased. “Or, like, where’s the best place that you’ve been? Preferably outside of the US or on the west coast or east coast of the US. Definitely not the Midwest and definitely not Texas.” She was trying to better herself, or at least kick her nasty habit, and she figured that the best way to do that was to leave Edgewood. As much as she loved her home, she’d never gotten to see the world as an adult and it was a place filled with bad memories. It seemed like the best move for her. 

[beatricelarson]

Beatrice looked up from the magazine that she’d been perusing. “Well, I haven’t really traveled that far.” Moving to Edgewood was basically that farthest she’d ever gone from her home town. “What are you hoping to get out of the trip? Like do you want to sight-see? Do you want to go somewhere warmer? Somewhere colder? Do you want to connect with nature or do you want night life?” Beatrice knew that the placed that she dreamed of traveling probably weren’t the kind of places that Bridgette wanted to travel, knowing that the witch wouldn’t want to visit the National Parks in the same way that she did.

[beatricelarson]

dominic-kingsley​:

“For sure, but you know I’m not one of them,” Dominic said with a smile. To be honest, an intentional hear attack might even be considered attempted murder. Well, that thought kinda dampened his mood. “I didn’t say there was. But flashy is not everyone’s style. Especially with ‘modern’ decor being all neutral tones.”

Dominic laughed. “No, I guess you aren’t. You know, I played baseball in middle school. For a short time.” He’d wanted something normal and away from his family, but with his sleep deprivation from avoiding nightmares it was impossible to find the energy for sports. “Now I watch soccer sometimes, but still wouldn’t consider myself a huge sports fan. Do you ever watch the Olympics? A lot of that stuff is probably more your speed than ball sports. Like maybe figure skating or gymnastics?”

Beatrice could feel the disgusted expression forming on her face as Dominic mentioned modern decor. She didn’t understand the aversion to color. So many work places were already so sterile, why did they want to carry that into their home? Also gray was not an accent color, it was just more boring!  “Well that’s a problem for them. Honestly makes me just want to give them even more flashy gifts, just to spite them.”

“Baseball?” Beatrice said, squinting at him before shaking her head. She couldn’t see it. “I love the Olympics.” She said, laughing at how easily he’d read her. “Figure skating and gymnastics are some of my favorites but I like the slope sports too. And the luge. I get really nervous? But there’s a thrill to it.”

[thequeensofbeauty]

LISA TEIGE I photographed by Julie Pike for Costume Norway (October 2018)

[beatricelarson]

charlottexkingsley​:

“Mmhm, I know, it went swimming last year more than I did.” Charlotte hummed. “But if you want to get a new phone, all you have to do is ask–Wyatt and I can help you.” It often left Charlotte ill at ease, wondering just how much of this was Bea’s forgetfulness and how much was influence from her patron beckoning her to disappear in the forest. “Excellent,” Charlotte smiled. “How do you feel about chili?”

“It went swimming more than I did.” Although it was true that Beatrice was know to just jump into the water, fully clothed, without checking her pockets, she was also famous for putting her phone in the pocket that it was most likely to fall out of, or forgot to zip her bag after she put it in. “I know. But this one still works, there’s no need to replace it.” She would have to replace it sooner rather than later, she knew. But it still worked. You didn’t replace things until they were broken. “Chili sounds... well I would say chill to make a joke but it just doesn’t sound right.”

[beatricelarson]

dominic-kingsley​:

Dominic laughed at her joke. “I would hope not. That would be a bit rude.” He thought about all of the times he’d purposefully tried to surprise people as a kid, but the idea of intentionally trying to cause a heart attack was so outlandishly cruel it looped around to being funny.  “It really is a popular bird, I guess for its flashy look. Do we know any sports fans of the Cardinals down in St. Louis? Or maybe the ones in Louisville?” He asked, mostly joking. This bird was way too pretty to pass as sports merchandise. 

“No doubt that it’s rude, but there are mean people out in the world.” While no one had ever tried to actually give her a heart attack, she’d certainly been pranked and scared over the years, some more friendly than others. Being the weird kids had it’s drawbacks, mostly the fact that it left you open as a target. “Nothing wrong with a little flash.” Beatrice said, before wrinkling her nose and shaking her head. “Dominic. Come on, you know I don’t really know much about sports, why would I know what teams the people I know are fans of?” Sure, they could wear the shirts, but she had a hard time keeping tracking of which teams were from which sports, much less which logos went with which names.

[beatricelarson]

charlottexkingsley​:

Looping her free arm around Bea’s, Charlotte rolled her eyes, fondly. “I feel like I’ve failed you as a stand-in mentor–you’ve lived in the Kingsley Academy for how long now and you still can’t remember to plug your phone in? For shame!” She sighed dramatically, but quickly perked back up. “But you made it here, that’s the important part. And no, I did not, but I’m due for a refill, so let’s go fix that!” Patting Bea’s arm, Charlotte headed back towards the line for wine. “Oh, also, did you eat yet? They’ve got so much food here, it’s unreal.”

“I do plug my phone in! My charger just only works fifty percent of the time and the battery doesn’t hold a charge that well any more. This phone has gone swimming more than once.” Beatrice defended herself even though Charlie was right, she could stand to be more diligent in charging her phone. “Well then, lead the way.” Beatrice said, following her lead as she patted her arm, happy to follow where Charlotte lead. “I’ve nibbled, but I could eat.”

[beatricelarson]

heatherpayne​:

“Thanks. It’s nice to meet you too,” Heather said, finally thinking about social graces after she realized that she should introduce herself. She didn’t think that the other looked too out of sorts, considering the situation. What Heather was going to remember from meeting Beatrice was how she handled the situation, not how much of a mess she was. She nodded. “Yes, let’s shake.” She held out her hand. After shaking, she said, “So, is that good.”

“Yes, I think that seals the deal.” Beatrice said, nodding affirmatively once they’d shaken hands. Heather was, admittedly, a little strange, but Beatrice knew that she wasn’t on her best footing and couldn’t exactly judge anyone, not that she’d want to, in any case. “Really, I can’t thank you enough for helping me out with this.” She said, gesturing towards her head.

[beatricelarson]

karenfrompta​:

It took all of Karen’s self control to only chuckle instead of bark a laugh when the girl protested that she shouldn’t be thinking of how busy she was because it’s Christmas. “Hence the to-do list!” she exclaimed, keeping the polite smile on her face. Someday this young girl would learn what that meant, how different Christmas was as a parent, and then she’d understand, she thought to herself with a shake of her head. At the topic of skating, Karen waved the notion away with the hand not holding her hot chocolate. “Oh I do know how to skate. I’m from the Northeast, we went skating every year. And I taught my children to skate as well,” she added, gesturing to the ice where her children were certainly holding their own better than some others. “I’m just sitting this one out. I do agree you might have dressed a little warmer for the skating rink though,” Karen acquiesced, looking the girl up and down. “You must be freezing.” 

“Yeah, and your to-do list is still going to be in the same state of done when you’re home. It’s Christmas, you can only get the Christmas skating experience at Christmas. Enjoy it!” Beatrice said, steam rolling right over her protests. “You know how to skate, you have no excuses. Your kids will be fine, and they might act embarrassed if they see you on the ice, but I can promise you that they’re going to look back on it fondly some day. If you won’t skate with them, then skate with me.” She said, thinking back to her own days of being embarrassed by her own father when she was out with her friends and he was the chaperone. He would take every opportunity to join in on the fun, and while it was mortifying at the time, she was so grateful to have those memories to look back on. “It’s fine as long as I don’t fall down! That’s when it really gets cold. This is actually much cozier than it appears. But, well. Ice is ice.” She punctuated that statement with a shrug.

[charlottexkingsley]

“Oh good, you made it!” Charlotte exclaimed as soon as she spotted Beatrice. She rose from her seat at the picnic table and made a beeline toward the warlock, carful not to spill any wine. “Here I thought you might’ve changed your mind, you didn’t answer any of my texts.”

@beatricelarson​

[beatricelarson]

“Here I am!” Beatrice said, dropping into a mock curtsy, straightening out her skirt and eyeing the wine glass that Charlie was holding. Maybe she shouldn’t have worn such a light shade of pink, after all. “I didn’t get any texts?” She said, confusion lacing her tone. She pulled her phone out of her pocket, tapping at the home button and frowning when it didn’t respond. “Correction. My phone died. I didn’t get any messages because my phone died. Sorry.” She stuffed the useless phone back into her pocket and shot another glance at the wine glass in Charlie’s hand. “Don’t suppose you’ve got one of those for me?”

[beatricelarson]

dominic-kingsley​:

Dominic’s hand shot out to grab the bird before she dropped it, but she got a hold of it. Pulling it back, he laughed. “Sorry Bea. I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack.” He hadn’t seen Beatrice in a few weeks, but he was sure he’d see her around more for the holidays. They didn’t talk much, but he found her to be a nice addition to the Kingsley household and was glad that his mom and Charlotte had someone else around the house. “Thanks,” he said as he took the bird and turned it over in his hands. “I think the bright red bird really goes with the season. I’m not really sure who would like it though,” he thought aloud.

“Most people usually don’t.” Beatrice joked, knowing how easily she startled, how caught up she could get in her own head. She’d startled her fair share of folks over the years as well. Now that she’d more or less recovered she could more fully appreciate Dominic’s company. She always enjoyed spending time with him, glad that he didn’t resent the space she’d carved out for herself in his family. Grateful, even. “That’s what I was struggling with, too. You see a lot of cardinal ornaments and decorations, and the red on this one is truly eye catching. It’s what drew me to it.”

[dominic-kingsley]

Dominic wandered through the stalls of the German style outdoor market, admiring all of the crafts. It was impressive the skill that it took to make these things, and while he wasn’t exactly crafty he did enjoy having something technical to do with his hands. He’d already done the bulk of his Christmas shopping, but now he was looking for something unique to get his mother, or whatever caught his eye as perfect for one of his partners or sisters. He chuckled at the thought of his mother having to disrupt her perfect decor for whatever little trinket he got her. At the next stall someone was examining an interesting piece. Dominic came closer for a good look. “Wow, I was also looking for something like that. And it looks really well made.” He directed the second comment to the vendor with a smile.

[beatricelarson]

Beatrice startled at the voice next to her, almost dropping the glass bird she was holding. She was pretty sure it was a cardinal. “Dominic! You scared me.” She said, adjusting her grip on the bird and holding her other hand to her chest for a moment, before moving to push her hair out of her eyes and she turned to face him more fully. “Here,” She said, holding out the bird to him. It was cute, but cardinals weren’t really her thing and she couldn’t think of anyone on her list that would appreciate it. It was a really great little sculpture, though, and she was hoping to come away from the booth with something, she just wasn’t sure what, yet.