something in the orange

Belle had never really been a stranger to isolation. At least, it wasn't something she had considered to be particularly negative. She liked her own company - she always had, was certain that she probably always would. Maybe it wasn't the healthiest way to look at it - maybe that was something that she needed to work on. Still, she shrugged softly as the other woman spoke, offering a gentle smile, "Mm, not so much. Or maybe I'm just used to it." Perhaps that had been a little sadder to admit than she'd meant it to be - but it was out there now. "Mm, it feels like there has been a lack of calm around here recently, huh?"

“perhaps.” he considers her words for a moment. “perhaps it is self-inflicted as you suggest. but i’ve done unspeakable things and i can’t imagine there’s any coming back from it,” halbrand says, supposing it both vague and true enough to admit. maybe the blame is only his own, but he's gone too far in his pursuit of peace to turn back now. if he's to end strife in middle-earth, it would mean losing the part of him that might think to reach for the light. an admirable sacrifice, even if no one seems to think so. “may i ask what guides you? to the light?”

@gildedwcrds: ❛  if you look for the light, you can often find it. but if you look for the dark, that is all you will ever see.  ❜ (from alice; for anyone)

Alice tilted her head as he spoke, considering the question. "Does it really evade you, though?" She questioned, tone still gentle, "Or is there something else holding you back?" She supposed there were a lot of things that could do that - hell, she hadn't quite realised just how held back she'd been without her memories. Not that she had done anything about that - but she wasn't sure where anyone else stood on it quite yet. She managed a soft smile, shaking her head, "Nobody is doomed to the darkness. You might just need a little more guidance to get out."

Flynn was not necessarily one for the beach, but he had to admit it was a nice view, especially when the sun was going down. Considering how nice it was, he was not surprised to find he was not alone, but he was surprised when he realized just who it was sitting on the beach. No, it could not be…could it? Could she have ended up here too? It seemed too much to hope for, and yet there she was. "Ra-Rapunzel?" he sputtered, "Is it really you?"

Rapunzel had always loved the beach - more often than not just being comfortable spending time by herself. Still, she didn't mind the company, and had looked back towards her sketch as the other had started to speak. She paused at her name, quiet for a moment as she turned to look at him - but failing to recognise anything about him. "I-- That's my name but..." She cut herself off, unsure what to say next, "I'm sorry, do I know you?"

balthazar bowed his head to the unwinged female, a small smile on his features. "thank you." he replied, tucking his wings in tight and sitting across from the others. balthazar had gotten many strange looks since waking up in these strange lands - a lot of people grasping to touch things that they shouldn't be. "are you going to comment on the wings as well? i'm so tired of people commenting on my wings."

Alice offered a gentle smile as the other sat down, raising an eyebrow as he began to speak. "I mean... Now that you've brought it up--" She began, a soft tease in her tone before she shook her head, "No, I won't." She fell silent for a moment as she took another sip of her tea, before her shoulders moved in a gentle shrug, "Besides, those wings aren't the strangest thing I've ever seen." Well, she supposed they would have been but... Recently, it seemed things had been coming back to her; an entire life she had lived somewhere else that wasn't here. "Other people might not be so used to it, though."

"nobody said i have the right to remain silent!" from Sarah ( @gildedwcrds )

Sarah huffed as he spoke, though she knew that he had a point. She glanced around, as though checking that they were definitely alone - the last thing either of them needed was to get caught out here. "The last thing I want to do is get either of us in trouble," She whispered, "But you're right. It is suspicious, and nobody else is going to try and figure it out." She paused for a moment, glancing up at him, "But what's your plan? I'm with you, but we need to be smart about this."

@ivycovestarters

The library, it seemed, had always been a place of solace for Belle. Whether that was in this life or... another. The fragmented memories that constantly played in her mind were soothed when her head was in a book, or when she had the chance to lose herself in her writing - opportunities that seemed a little harder to come by these days. The library itself had been busier than she had expected it to be that afternoon, and she'd tried a few times to get the man's attention before he had finally looked up. Belle laughed softly, shaking her head, "No, no, you don't have to leave. I was actually just looking for a seat and this one," She gestured beside him, "Is the only one left. Do you mind if I sit?"

@ivycovestarters

Admittedly, Megara had been a little surprised by the knock at the door. Usually, she wouldn't have bothered answering it, knowing that she wasn't expecting anyone but... Well, for some reason, she had decided to. If she was being entirely honest, it had taken a lot of restraint not to laugh at the stranger on her doorstep, but she had invited him in to wait out the rain regardless. Megara shrugged, letting out a quiet laugh as he spoke, "It's no trouble," She answered, waving a hand dismissively, "Though I'm inclined to ask what it was you were expecting from the weather with all those grey clouds?"

@ivycovestarters

He'd been sitting there for most of the day, Sarah had noticed that by the time she'd come back from her break and he hadn't yet moved. She'd left it a little longer before she'd finally approached the table, more out of curiosity than anything else. Sarah offered a small smile as he started to speak, shaking her head, "You know, you've been sat here for ages and you haven't ordered anything," Sarah began, raising an eyebrow, "Can I get you anything? Coffee, water, something to eat?"