✎ iii. (video)

[typeright]

( Ah, convenience. Or inconvenience, really, how the Vine is so intent on catching these scenes. Jules is in her kitchen, sitting down with a couple of steaming mugs. Tea, one could assume. With her is a blonde woman; a little taller than Jules, and she speaks with a soft Irish accent just slightly tempered by years of London exposure.

Jules slides

Comments

video;

[brands]

Something's up.

[It's said as a statement, not a question. Fang eyes the phantom suspiciously, and her eyes narrow.] There's no way you got out easy after what everyone else put up with.

video;

[typeright]

( The phantom eyes her right back, looking vaguely amused, and not necessarily in a pleasant, friendly way. ) Interesting friends you have here.

( Jules just shoots the phantom a brief look, before dragging up a smile - admittedly, a little subdued. ) My bad days are rather simpler than other people's bad days. I count myself as thankful, really.

video;

[brands]

[Fang smiles, but it's not friendly. Her eyes are sharp, cold.] Yeah, I'm real interesting. You got something else to say?

[Her expression softens, a fraction, when she addresses Jules.] Bad days are still bad days. [she jerks her head in the direction of the phantom.] I could take care of that problem for you. Should be easy enough.

video;

[typeright]

( The phantom just gives a faintly mocking look towards the mirror, rolling her eyes a bit as she sips some more tea. ) I'd rather save my breath.

( That earns the ghost a sharp look from Jules, a rebuking Rachel! before she rubs her forehead, tries another smile - more forced, now - and wrinkles her nose apologetically. ) Sorry. Um. If it's not too much trouble-- ( But she pauses, looking guilty. ) She's just a normal person. Not like the kind of... horrible things that have been popping up. ( Attacking her isn't quite something she's up for, truth be told.

No, she instead tries a bit more cheer. ) It could have been much worse. My brother's fiancee is utterly unbearable.

video;

[brands]

Yeah, yeah, you're above this conversation, I got it. Now do me a favor and shove it. I'm talking to Jules here.

[Fang crosses her arms, scoffs.] That thing is not normal. It's the same as the others, something conjured up to hurt you. It'd be better if you got away from it.

video;

[typeright]

( With another thin smile, the phantom simply stands, taking her mug and pulling Jules' one away from her hands. For the moment, at least, she's dropping these off at the sink.

Jules slightly relaxes, releasing a nervous breath. ) Of course. You're right, it makes perfect sense to get away from it. ( But she looks over her shoulder at the thing, expression unreadable for just a moment. ) It is rather nice to see her again, though.

( Ah. A cough. ) Right. Um. Yes, I'll simply-- go out, I think. ( A bit nervously, a couple of fingers twist through her necklace. )

video;

[brands]

Nice? Come on, then. You can get together better company than that.

You can visit me and Vanille, if you want. [a pause, she glances off to the side.] We've got plenty of room.

video;

[typeright]

Mm. ( She takes a second, brushing some of her hair out of her face and just slowly dragging her fingers through it. Thinking.

At that, a little smile perks up - genuine, relaxed, rather than showing the strain, although she's shaking her head. ) That's very nice of you, Fang, but I've--

( What was that? That was a scoff from somewhere off-screen, an incredulous "Fang? Is she part of a motorcycle club?" heard in the background. For a second, it looks like Jules might shoot back a sharp response, but just for a second.

Instead, she just bites the inside of her cheek. ) I'm very sorry about her behaviour. I'd be very glad to visit. Maybe we can ( a little pause, shoulders raised as she tries to summon up something to say) Maybe we can think of that new cocktail for you.

video;

[brands]

[Fang doesn't seem at all bothered by the insult. She has a good friend who rides a motorcycle, after all. But she pays attention to Jules' body language, and nods, encouraging.] Go ahead, tell her off. [she drops her voice to a conspiratorial tone.] You want to, right? Don't be scared.

[louder now.] It's fine. Don't worry about it. [a wink and a grin.] That sounds good to me.

video; fuu html

[typeright]

( Oh, goodness. That encouragement catches her a shade unprepared, so that she flounders for a brief moment. ) Oh-- no, no I'm quite happy as it is. ( really can't you tell ahaha... ha. Hm. ) She's a lawyer, arguing with her can only ever end badly. ( Although, it really is very tempting. )

All right. I'll just pop over, then? ( The more she thinks about it, the more eager she is to get out the door. Jules grins right back, even if it's a bit more contained and subdued than usual - there's effort there, at least. )

video;

[brands]

Come on. You can't be happy with her talking to you like that. [An eyeroll, but she settles after a moment, and doesn't press the subject further.]

Yeah, that's right. We're by the lake.