#bdrptingting

@princess-ting-ting​, @agentgrumpy-gils​

Every time that Belle and Ting-Ting decided to eat lunch together, Belle got stressed out. It was better than eating alone in her cubicle (and getting tut-tutted at by her manager (cubicle eating was discouraged, as it was supposed to be a break)), however, Belle had to travel down three floors and weave her way through the cubicles until she found Ting-Ting’s and hoped that she was there. Otherwise, she would just have to hover awkwardly. 

It was always a process, and always on Belle, because it made little sense for Ting-Ting to come up to the sixth floor when the cafeteria was on the first. 

She managed to find Ting-Ting easily this time and smiled at her. It was nice to see her after the hectic last few weeks. When Ting-Ting finished up, they headed to the conference room on the Finance floor. It was usually empty and they would often eat there for lunch together. (Still a bit discouraged, but at least less discouraged, especially if you were eating with someone and not discussing work.) Belle reached out to open the door and slipped into the room, not paying much attention. She didn’t expect anyone to be in there. She was in the middle of giving Ting-Ting an update on the twins:

“I swear they’ll start walking any day now. Aidan is very determined but I think Bell--” she cut herself off when the door clicked shut and Ting-Ting and her were staring at Gil. From the bar, Gil. From the Hunger Games, Gil.

“I didn’t know you worked here!” Belle said, flustered, instead of any of the other things that came to her mind. 

@princess-ting-ting

John was trapped in faeryland.

This was a very funny sort of thing for Belle to know, because she did not know John Darling well by any means. She liked him well enough, of course. He was polite, smart, and kind. All very acceptable qualities in a person. He had been there when she fainted in the middle of class. Had helped her when she had taken time off after Opal was born. To Belle, he was a stand up gentleman, but no one she was close to. Though, she thought of him with a pang, considering she had last seen him when her waters had broken. 

And now, she knew that he was in faeryland. That he was, more than likely, trapped. This was not information that she had necessarily sought out. Wendy, John’s supposed sister, had told the knights and Belle, who had listened quiet and solemn, had volunteered to tell Jane. She knew her best, after all, even though she did not know her especially well either. 

So, she had in a tense, awkward phone call that had not lasted long at all. 

There was more business to attend to for Belle, however. Because she knew someone else who was close to John. She had been over at Ting-Ting’s several times when John had texted or popped ‘round as she was leaving. Belle had seen the two of them out together multiple times. And she had made the elective decision to tell her what had happened. 

Belle was very much of the opinion that she should know. And she trusted her to handle the information appropriately. 

Sending a text, under the guise of checking in the morning after the fog, Belle invited Ting-Ting over, and when she opened the door, she greeted her with a soft smile. “Thank you for coming, I’m so glad you’re alright. Here, tea is just about to be ready.” 

Belle gestured for Ting-Ting to take a seat on the couch next to the bassinet where the twins slept peacefully. She made the short trip to the kitchen, ignoring the slight burning pain in her abdomen. Gathering the tea and mugs (she knew how Ting-Ting liked hers), she brought them back and took a seat next to her. 

@princess-ting-ting​

A few days after Howl had left, a package appeared on the Acheron’s doorstep. It was a gift basket, full of items. A few toys for Opal, a new cologne for Hades, and a jar of miscellaneous...goo for Belle. It swirled in its jar, shimmering, and looking as if someone had dumped a bunch of glue and glitter into it. Belle had no idea what it was. She hadn’t unscrewed the lid, lest she let out whatever the reagent or spell it was. 

It wasn’t that she thought it was dangerous. Belle trusted Howl more than that, but she didn’t want to waste the gift, whatever it was. 

The note attached to one of the jars simply said: share with a friend.

So, Belle had done the logical thing and called a sorcerer that she knew and trusted to ask what it was. Of course, Ting-Ting had said that she would need to examine it closer and, so, Belle had invited her over with little hesitation. Opal was out with Hades, so they had the house to themselves.

“Hello! Please, come in,” Belle said, pulling the door open when Ting-Ting knocked.