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Post by Isabella "Bella" De Louge on Nov 21, 2013 19:59:04 GMT -5
The streets of Domino were filled with people who were on their way to various destinations in a hurry, yet it seemed like they never bumped into anyone, it was almost like watching a dance unfolding before her. Considering that it was a little after noon, most of these people were probably on their way to lunch right now, a nice break away from all the work they had to do. Fortunately for Bella, she had the day off from working at the flower shop and instead she was here to buy supplies for her upcoming adventure at the Domino College. She was going to be living there, it would save her money on trying to go to school and pay for her apartment.... plus she heard that the apartments were nice and big so she would have room to sneak in her ferret 'Shadow' and have plenty of room for the both of them. Plus hopefully a change of setting would help out poor Shadow who had recently lost his friend 'Peaches'
Bella wasn't quite prepared for her move though, she needed to buy up some supplies to take with her. She put her hand up just above her eyes and looked up at the sky. There was a slight chill in the air, though the sun was shining brightly up in the sky. From the looks of things, you would think that it would be warmer out with some much sun, but it was all a trick... once you actually got out into the air it was considerable cooler then you would believe. Bella made her way along the sidewalk towards a couple a local shops that tended to have bits of everything inside of them. She wasn't quite sure how she was going to manage to carry all that she needed, but Bella would do her very best. Signing softly, Bella turned and noticed a Pet shop just two stores down and making her way over there slowly through the crowd, she found herself standing there looking in the window. It left her with a sad feeling, because not only had Shadow lost his friend, but Bella had also lost her friend also... and she had to worry about Shadows health because he wasn't looking so great lately.
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Post by Dantè O'Bryan McClary on Nov 22, 2013 19:21:29 GMT -5
Through the staccato sounds of wandering footsteps, and bustling crowds scrambling for their deviating destinations, a steady rhythm of metronomic footfalls could be heard among the chaotic crossroads that manifested as Downtown Domino. Dante' McClary, usually a full recluse, in rare fashion was walking amongst his peers, on a day that clearly communicated the fact that the looming coldest season was indeed on a steady advance. Most frustrating to Dante, however, was that even though surrounding atmosphere was chilly and crisp, the sunset colored leaves floating about understandably portrayed that autumn was clearly in full effect. So, regardless of the remaining weeks before Fall was to turn into the unmistakable bleak misery that represented the local winter, it seemed that Mother Nature was content introducing Dante' early to the frigid abyss that awaited him.
After realizing his oppressed reality, the fire-eyed, snowy haired, winter-trialed specimen couldn't help but be conspicuously displeased. A look of clear discontent became coherent upon his face, and a paltry frown plastered itself upon his usually indecipherable features. To Dante', though approaching winter was a unwelcome cerebration, this day was particularly loathsome because not only was he required to deal with his frigid and unavoidable reality, he was also forced among erroneous society to walk among his vexatious peers. Dante' assiduously averted his apathetic gaze from prying passerby, disinterested in social scenarios, feeling cursed with an interminable mission to escape the unending tribulations of his infrequent yet monthly shopping only incited by his collegiate needs. Though he incessantly tried to appear with indifference regarding people, that was simply fictitious in nature. Similar to society's wariness of the introverted individual, Dante' displayed the same caution regarding his surrounding citizens. Because for Dante', most of his occurrences with other people hadn't gone as originally intended.
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Post by Isabella "Bella" De Louge on Nov 22, 2013 19:54:26 GMT -5
Isabella gave a gentle sign as she tore herself away from the window of the pet shop. There were too many distressing thoughts running through her head as she stood there. Perhaps once they were settled into the dorm, Bella could return here and have a look at the ferrets that were available. Just maybe there would be a ferret waiting for her that she could take back with her to Shadow... something to cheer up the little guy who was having such difficulties as of late.
"Maybe next time, Mes petits"
Her heart was still hurting from the loss of her long time pet and friend, but she really had to put it behind her for now and focus on the task at hand if she were to get anything at all done. Isabella started walking back towards the general shops that stood just a couple feet from where she now stood. It felt as though the temperature was continuing to drop and it would be a good idea to get her things quickly so that she would return home. It was to be her last night there before she and Shadow would be living in the dorm rooms. Most of her belongings were already transferred over, but because of needing to gather her last minute items, she had opted to stay at the apartment for one more night.
Lost in the middle of her dazed thoughts, Bella found herself bumping shoulders with someone who was walking in her opposite direction. Bella hadn't meant to be careless, and she had grown up having manners drilled into her brain until it reached the point that even though she had trouble talking to others, Bella still had manners and behaved accordingly. She gave a gentle bow, her movements graceful and light, true to her French upbringing.
"I am very sorry monsieur, Veuillez me pardonner"
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Post by Dantè O'Bryan McClary on Nov 22, 2013 21:57:46 GMT -5
No matter how much Dante' tried to avoid society, it seemed to find a way to follow him. Regardless of his conscious aversion to the people in his surroundings, he always seemed to run into them in some way or another. Dante' was broken out of his passive camouflage as another person, also with snowy colored hair, bumped into him. Taking a startled step in the other direction, Dante' took a deep breath, bracing himself for contact with another, not looking forward to a conversation with his conveniently clumsy individual. He slowly turned around, initially to confront the person who haphazardly ran into him, but he received a shocking realization when he turned and saw the Blue-Eyed White Haired spectacle. As the heartfelt french apology flowed the girl, he didn't even need the tone of voice to be able to recognize who the girl standing across from him was, even facing the ground in slight bow. Dante's eyes lit up slightly, noticeably shocked, yet also somewhat happier in spite of who he saw in front of him.
"Bella," he said, more of a soft statement than a monotonous murmur. It was so quiet that it was unlikely that anyone other than him or his friend would be able to hear what they were saying. It had been a while since he had seen her, mainly because of the busy life of preparing for the first semester of college; between seeing his adviser and moving into the school's dormitory, he had a hard time finding time to do much of anything else. Although he called her frequently, which he considered not the same, he was internally quite content to see a familiar face. Dante' had missed his friend Bella, because regardless of their initially bumpy start, she still was the one person he had met where he always enjoyed being graced with her company, regardless of how little managed to express that in words.
"How have you been, Bells? It's been longer than I'd like that I haven't gotten to see you."
Though the air was cold, and the breeze was harsh, he was glad that at least for now, he had something to be glad about in today's outdoor adventures.
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Post by Isabella "Bella" De Louge on Nov 22, 2013 22:25:49 GMT -5
It seemed a sufficient apology to bow and say her apologies, she hoped that it would be enough that the other person would accept it and then be on their way. She wasn't really in the mood to carry on a conversation considering that the pet shop had reminded her of her unhappiness of late. Just as she was raising her head once again, the soft sound of her name was voiced. Bella was sure that she wouldn't have known anyone in town, but when her eyes met up with his, she knew instantly who it was. While yes, he lived here in town as well, Bella had not seen him in a little while. There were indeed calls back and forth between them, but it was rare for them to run into each other in town without it being preplanned.
"Dante"
Bella had smiled upon seeing him, he was her best friend and she had missed seeing him very much. Yes they had talked, but Bella had very little interaction with other people so his absence had been noticeable to her. Her eyes lit up a little more as she took a few steps closer to him so that they could talk easier considering all of the other people who were walking around them.
"It has been a little while since I have seen you. I am... I wish that things have been better. How have you been?"
Her smile had faltered slightly, she had talked to him recently, but she hadn't mentioned anything about her pet since the last time they had talked it had just happened and she had been hurting a bit too much to say it out loud. Bella enjoyed his company more then anyone else, most people she kept her distance with, but not him. Yeah they hadn't been close at the beginning, but things had changed and now he was pretty much the only person that knew her this well.
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Post by Dantè O'Bryan McClary on Nov 23, 2013 1:15:04 GMT -5
Despite the fact that Bella's answer came out rather casually, wishing for a better time but continuing her sentence onward to the following question, Dante' couldn't help but feel that she had a rougher time than she was willing to currently admit. His face dropped ever so slightly from his inherently even expression, betraying sadness that something likely unpleasant had befallen her. He looked at her with a near distinguishable curious glint in his eyes, silently wondering if talking about whatever had gone wrong would be helpful to her. Nevertheless, he didn't mention it even once, because he figured that if Isabella wanted to talk about it, she'd probably mention it. After all, he knew most of the things they had told each other, they wouldn't tell anyone else; it wouldn't be unfair to call them two introverts of nearly the same kind.
"I've been alright," He started, looking away slightly as he spoke. "A tad bit busier than I'd expected for the new school year."
He considered truly a shame that somehow, getting ready for college was still a pain despite living alone in the Academy already. Surprisingly enough, despite living on campus for four years already, college granted you more freedom, both to fail and succeed all on your own. Dante' didn't necessarily like being as busy as he had been recently, but he figured he'd appreciate it later, for current preparation he believed to be his savior down the line. He couldn't help but have a nagging feeling though, that perhaps if he had been around a little more constantly to support Bella face-to-face than he could have possibly been of more help to her. Though he quickly shrugged said feeling away, because if he held onto something as grim as that, there was truly the possibility that he wouldn't be helpful to anyone.
Despite the subtle hint, however, Dante' wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't at least try to see if there was anything he could do to help her. So, he decided to ask a question that would probably be better asked elsewhere.
"Wish it could be better, though? What happened, Bells?"
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Post by Isabella "Bella" De Louge on Nov 23, 2013 1:30:18 GMT -5
Most people would never notice a change in his expression, but Bella was a whole other story, reading Dante was about as easy as reading herself. So often he kept up that easy look, but she had years of practice in learning what certain things meant and she could see what anyone else might overlook or dismiss as nothing at all. She tried to appear happy though, knowing that perhaps it was her words that caused the change just then...
"Well I'm sure anyone could be busy having to get ready for the new school year. I've been getting everything moved over to the dorms as well so I can understand how easy it is to get wrapped up in everything. That's why I had to come here, in all the packing, I realized that I was missing a few things that I might need over there."
Bella smiled softly, as she spoke to him, Dante was such a dear friend and she truly enjoyed talking to him and being in his company. Often just being around him helped to calm all of her nerves, especially in places like this where the crowds easily would have her withdrawing back into herself. Right now though, her nerves seemed to be standing on end whenever he asked her what was wrong. In a way, Bella had hoped that he wouldn't mention it, but he was her best friend and of course he would be curious about her words. She should have been smart and just said she had been fine, but because it was Dante her guard had so easily dropped around him. She held her hands together and her eyes had dropped down, seeming to study her shoes for the time being. Her voice was very soft and her eyes kept a firm gaze upon her shoes because she didn't know how else to say this without ending up with tears in her eyes.
"Um..... well, well you see.... Peaches, she was really old and a little over a week ago. She, well she's gone now... she was older and just couldn't hang in there anymore" Bella bit her lip, she had been having so much trouble getting that out and she had to do it so she wouldn't cry in front of him.
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Post by Dantè O'Bryan McClary on Nov 23, 2013 15:11:18 GMT -5
Dante' was glad that Bella understood him much better than he could currently manage to explain himself. Through the gruff exterior of his persistent personality, Dante' deep down, despite his exterior indifference Dante' did have a softer side, one that he had issues expressing to others. Regardless of his exterior facade, Bella always seemed to be able to understand his intentions, and for that he was grateful; because having to express what he was feeling to another instead was incredibly unlikely to go well for him.
"Yeah, I understand how you feel. I've mostly already moved in, so I'm pretty much dealing with running errands for the dormitory," He responded, empathizing to her process of packing and running around gathering things for her departure. It really was a bigger expedition than most people would probably realize, regardless of the fact that they had been living on their own for quite some time. Regardless of their prior expeditions at the Academy, it appeared that their trip to college was going to be something different altogether.
After he asked Bella what was bothering her, he noticed her gaze drop to her shoes almost automatically. Apparently he was spot on when he thought it was something significantly affecting her. Though it was certain that Dante' had no idea what was coming because the break in composure he displayed when she told him about Peaches would be noticeable for more than just Bella if any others were around.
"What?" He replied, seemingly unable to comprehend the situation for a few seconds before turning away slightly. After pondering a second, he looked back towards her, raising his hand slightly indicating he was considering something, then returned it to it's original position. After, he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out, and he closed it again. It was clear at this point Dante' didn't know exactly what to do, because a situation like this was foreign to him. However, in the end, he decided to go with the only thing he really knew how to do in this kind of situation, and that was to be himself. Slowly, he approached Bella, with only eye contact and without a single word, and embraced her in a soft hug.
"I'm sorry, Bells," He started, taking a deep breath, before continuing onward. "You know, with all the times we've hung out, she like my pet too."
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Post by Isabella "Bella" De Louge on Nov 23, 2013 18:48:21 GMT -5
Bella had kept her gaze firm upon her shoes, he heart hurting a bit as she thought back to that day whenever she woke to a terrible sound coming from Shadow and finding her beautiful friend no longer with them. It had broken her heart and she had felt so very miserable since that time. It had only been over the past couple of days that she had managed to pull herself together enough to finish what she needed to do for moving. It took her a moment to realize that he was hugging her, and whenever her head tilted up, she noticed that he was looking a bit strange as well. She knew that he had spent much time around her ferrets and they had been quite attached to him as well.
"I just don't know what Shadow is going to do without her.... he hasn't been looking well since then and I am so worried about him too"
Her voice caught a little, she didn't voice how much she was missing her as well. Bella had to think more about Shadow instead since she couldn't bear losing him as well. Dante was being very sweet, though she knew he was probably uncomfortable doing this.... perhaps he would bare with her for another few moments as she hugged him back gently, trying very hard to pull herself back together before he could get more uncomfortable. They were best friends, that much was sure, but she knew how he was because of being able to read him so well.
"I'm sure we'll find a way to manage, I've just been trying to keep busy with the moving, but Shadow seemed to be very lonely."
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Post by Dantè O'Bryan McClary on Nov 27, 2013 5:59:37 GMT -5
The ferrets so dear to Bella had been an important part of Dante's life too, over the years. Being around Bella frequently, her pets had been important to him too, like the smaller members of their tightly knight group of companions. Though he never mentioned it to anyone, he cared strongly for them as well, and while he didn't have as much time with Peaches as Bella had, the news was not something he was exactly well prepared for. He couldn't help but feel like their visits would be just a little lonelier without her. Even more so, he was worried about Bella. Her pet had been with her longer than he could ever imagine any other ferret being alive. Although Peaches had a good life, he hoped Bella wouldn't be permanently affected. After all, he knew one thing for sure, seeing her cry hurt him every time.
"Hopefully, Shadow just made himself ill from grief and will get well in due time. It bothers me too though, Bells."
When he heard her voice catch, he nonchalantly held her a little tighter. Normally he wasn't one for contact, but didn't mind with Bella. In addition, she was in a time of need right now. Though he rarely showed his emotions to others, he wasn't one to leave a close friend regardless of his personal preferences. Especially since, in reality, she was the only person he could refer to as a close friend. Though, when he hugged him back, he couldn't help but look away from her slightly. Though showing no other signs of emotional difference, this was Dante's way of being embarrassed. Only because he wasn't used to being close to anyone like he was. Nevertheless, it wasn't something that bothered him overall.
"I'd imagine. Peaches has been with him almost since Shadow has been born, hasn't she? Maybe after the move he'll be a bit better when we have time to play with him more?"
He tried to offer a helpful suggestion, trying to recommend a possible solution to this disconcerting situation. He didn't want either of his friends, Bells nor Shadow, having any more trouble.
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Post by Isabella "Bella" De Louge on Nov 27, 2013 23:43:25 GMT -5
"I'm sure that he will get better, but it hurts to see him looking so lonely and watching him whenever he barely wants to move around anymore."
Bella didn't mean to, but she held him a bit tighter so that she wouldn't end up crying. Despite the fact that he was holding her now, she new that he wasn't good with emotions and tended to be a bit awkward around people who were having trouble keeping their emotions in check. She bit her bottom lip lightly, trying to calm herself down. Dante' was holding her a little closer, though she quickly noticed that he turned his head and wasn't looking at her. It wasn't a surprise and she didn't take it wrongly, they had been friends for a long time after all.
"I think he would like to see you again soon Dante', I'm bringing him with me to the dorms even if I have to smuggle him in there. You should come by and see him to see if that does help cheer him up a little bit. I was being a bit silly, I was looking at the pet store over there... I thought... well I know I could never replace Peaches, but I thought that maybe in a week or two, if he's not better then I might see if a new young ferret might help bring him out of his shell. He's only a year old.... I don't want him being lonely already."
His suggestion made her feel grateful that he cared about them so much. Bella couldn't believe that she had gotten herself such a wonderful friend. He might seem cold and distant to everyone else, but she got to see a different side of him that she found to be really nice and caring. Still Bella didn't want him to keep being uncomfortable so she pulled back slightly, taking his hands in her own and smiling softly at him. Perhaps deep down she still hurt, but Dante really did make her feel better.
"Thank you Dante'"
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Post by Dantè O'Bryan McClary on Nov 28, 2013 8:36:07 GMT -5
Though Dante' wouldn't admit it, he realized long ago that he actually enjoyed hugs from Bella. Despite his stoic exterior, her contact with him, regardless of the wall he seemingly kept between himself and others, helped him feel a little more human than usually possible. And although feeling human wasn't the first thing Dante' had on his mind, it was nice to know he wasn't always as lonely, strange, and outcast as he seemed to be. The fact that he had one person that wasn't in his family who cared about him was something he appreciated more than he knew how to properly express. He was thankful for her caring for him despite his flaws and shortcomings, and in the end he was also glad that he had a great friend like Bella.
"Yeah, I could imagine" He replied with a slight frown, expressing his agreement in her feelings regarding Shadow's behavior. It was hard for him to watch as well, not only as it hurt Shadow, but his friend Bells as well. As he began to loosen his embrace, he felt her pull back, before she took his hands in hers. Still looking away at first, he slowly began to glance in her direction, his face betraying slight surprise, but not at all objection, though it wouldn't be noticeable to many others.
"No problem, Bells. I just hope I could at least help you feel a little better."
Though the world saw Dante' as intimidating, unapproachable, and uncaring, Dante' himself was none of these at all. Though socially inept, and intimidated by society around them, Dante', for the few that he cared about, did try to make their lives better, though he was horrendous at expressing that. It was hard for him to express much of anything to anyone properly, and it embarrassed him to know that. Still, Dante managed to circumvent reality today by, regardless of emotion, assisting Bella in her time of need. For the ever introverted Dante McClary, that was certainly a start.
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Post by Isabella "Bella" De Louge on Nov 29, 2013 11:38:20 GMT -5
Bella smiled softly at Dante' he really was great to have around. She wasn't used to having anyone around who would be there for her without wanting something else in return. He really want important to her and she couldn't be more grateful to have him by her side whenever she needed him to be there most. She squeezed his hands gently, though she did feel a bit sorry for doing so because she was pretty sure that her hands were freezing from the cold air by now and she hoped he didn't mind her cold too horribly much.
"You did make me feel better Dante', I couldn't thank you enough for that. You are the most amazing friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for being here with me."
She really was feeling better thanks to him, he lifted her spirits whenever he was near her, and she hoped that whenever he came by the dorm that he could lift up Shadow's spirit as well. He needed to be a little happier and Bella apparently wasn't doing a good enough job in helping him to get over his loss. Bella glanced back over at the pet shop, perhaps she should at least get him a new bed and some toys for over at the dorm, after all he had to go through the loss and now a new home... she really felt terrible for putting him through so very much.
"I feel terrible for asking more of you, but are you busy today?"
She knew that she should probably wait until the move, and he was probably busy since he didn't go into town often. But she really hadn't thought today through very well and getting everything she bought today back to the dorm and then picking up Shadow might go easier if she had a little help.... and perhaps it was selfish of her to ask it of him, but maybe the sooner Shadow say him, the sooner he could start feeling better if Dante' could cheer him up like he had done for her. Bella looked down at their hands together, he was only just starting to be able to look at her again, and she felt embarrassed for even thinking about wanting to ask him to come around with her today. He had to be busy and she shouldn't be bothering him...
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Post by Dantè O'Bryan McClary on Nov 30, 2013 18:55:42 GMT -5
Dante' couldn't help be surprised by Bella's sudden expression of her appreciation for his actions. As she squeezed his hands, Dante' looked past her slightly, a little embarrassed, almost fidgety in nature.
"I didn't do anything really that special," he replied, "I just said how I feel, right?"
Dante' wasn't good with situations like this, and he never really has been. Ever since he was little, he was always the awkward black sheep of the social groups. When he wasn't involved in avoiding the rest of his peers for the point of being an introvert, he was usually off reading a book alone in his own personal corner. So, other than Bella, Dante's past is nearly void of social interaction on the level that Bells and himself were currently upon. To Dante', it was rare that he ever got to converse with someone on this level and he didn't know how to handle it. Still, Bells was the one person that had stuck with him, regardless of his brash exterior, and consistently accepted him and his ever evolving personality. So it was unsurprising, that for Bella, he at least wanted to try.
Looking back at her, he squeezed her hands lightly as well, "But I really am glad you feel better, Bells."
He became curious, however, when she asked him if he was busy today. Originally, as Dante' was out here to finish some errands, but he was fortunate enough to run into Bells in the way. Unfortunately, this had delayed his errands slightly, as he had never gotten the chance to finish the tasks he had at hand. Luckily for Bells and him alike, he did have some time that he could spend with her after he was finished with his errands, so if she wanted his time immediately, it seemed as if Bella simply had no choice but to accompany him. Not like Dante' would mind that at all.
"Well, besides for the errands we seem to both have to run, I'm not at all busy today, Bells. Why do you ask?"
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Post by Isabella "Bella" De Louge on Nov 30, 2013 19:20:33 GMT -5
"Of course you did Dante', it might have just been how you felt, but still means a lot to me"
There was a soft pink flush to her cheeks as she spoke, keeping her eyes averted from his own. Maybe most people wouldn't think much of just having someone cheer them up, or it would be just a simple matter to them.... but for Bella it meant much more because she had never had anyone like him in her life before. Her family only treated her like an object to be shown off, and most everyone else ignored her all together so there wasn't anyone there to be kind to her or offer her this type of support and kindness. Dante' was the first person to come into her life who accepted her and cared about her as a person so she couldn't help being a little overly thankful sometimes.
It was a little surprise to her whenever he squeezed her hands as well. Dante' really wasn't a people person and she knew it. Yes, he talked more to her, but she liked to think that it was because they were so alike and they had just had the good fortune of being great friends like this. Still, she knew that even though they were friends, sometimes he still had trouble being too 'touchy' around her. Which she accepted since she was that way most of the time as well.... At least around other people, even Bella didn't know why she was okay with touching Dante' whenever so often she would flinch away from everyone else.
"Um, well I don't want to get in the way of your errands. I was just thinking that maybe if you have some free time then you could help me get some of these things over to the dorm. I didn't really plan ahead so I don't know if I can carry it all. I also need to get Shadow from the apartment and move him as well..."
Bella felt bad about asking, she didn't really like to ask favors of anyone, but he was her friend and she thought that maybe it would be alright to ask.... if he was busy then it was okay, after all this was so out of the blue and he did have errands like he said.
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