THE WORLD OPENS AS A DREAM, NIGHTFALL SETTLING AS FINE DUST. dishes have scattered themselves against the living room table, the space itself unused to company... from Back Home, the detective's best friends have come to visit: the cousins, George and Bess, the both of them a contrasting pair ( Bess, with her blonde hair in a tight ponytail; George, close cropped head of brunette. They're both watching Nancy expectantly, bellies full of homemade dinner. That was so delicious, Wanda... Bess begins. ). on the other side of the sectional couch, the detective sits with her lover's feet across her lap, wine glass loose in her grip. at the comment, she beams at the woman, a poke to an exposed ankle.
❝ SHE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHEFS, ❞ says she, chest heavy with pride. ❝ i made dessert, but the next time y'all visit... you'll be in for a treat. ❞ Nancy takes a sip of her wine and Bess jumps at the lull in bragging, springs forward with a sweet question, curiosity curling itself around her tongue as a friendly snake. How did you two meet? Don't tell us - [ she looks towards Wanda. ] You met her on a case. and the timeless woman stirs, a chuckle in her throat.
Well... // ( the detective interrupting, ) Oh, god.
❝ we didn't meet on a case. we weren't supposed to, anyways. ❞ back when their interactions were means to an end, when speaking felt more professional than personal. ❝ but she helped me, something new for a change. i was stuck, me and a bunch of other people. being underground is a terrible thing, even worse when a bunch of folks are panicking about escaping. i was investigating someone in the crowd, trying to get enough dirt on him to accuse him of larceny. we were down there for a while, in the dark, and then the dirt started shifting. ❞
WANDA [ @nexusbeing ] SHIFTS WHERE SHE SITS, a hand reaching to rest against Nancy's. ❝ and there you were. right among them. looking like you knew exactly what was going on, looking like nothing was a surprise to you. ❞ and the detective cannot stop herself when she brings wanda's hand to her mouth, a small kiss delivered to warm skin. from the other side of the couch, Bess squeals in gentle delight.
❝ ... THAT SOUNDS LIKE NANCE. ❞ George speaks with spring in her voice, warmth and satisfied joy in her mouth. reminiscence somewhere not too far behind. ❝ always two steps ahead of everyone else. i'm glad you're appreciating that about her - used to drive us wild, Back Home... ❞