OTA - I should be so lucky

[cleptes]

WHO: Bela Talbot
WHERE: Bela's house and the forest
WHEN: 3rd - 5th February
OPEN TO: OTA
WARNINGS: Swearing

---

Background - no prompt: - 3rd

Bela had come across the letter whilst she was out gathering firewood near the outskirts of the forest. She saw a flash of red poking out from beneath the brush and went to investigate it, in the hope that it was something useful.

That was several hours ago.

Now she was seated by the fire in the inn, turning the letter over in her hands and trying to decide whether or not to open it. Was it a test? The letter was addressed to her and she was the one who just happened to find it outside; dismissing it as just a coincidence didn't feel right to Bela. She was worried that there may be consequences if she didn't open it, but there may also be consequences if she didn't.

She frowns, lifting her gaze to the roaring fire. There is a pause, and then Bela tears up the envelope, tossing the pieces into the flames and watching it burn. Choice made. Now she won’t know the contents and they won't affect her.



(i) House #33 - 4th

The next day, Bela found another envelope. It was lying outside her home on the porch, like someone had placed it down for her to find. But there was no one around who could have left it there so her natural conclusion was that the 'Observers' were playing a trick on her. With a shake of her head, she bends down to pick up the envelope and look it over, noticing the seal. It's the same as before, even her name is written exactly as it was on the previous envelope that she had destroyed.

A finger traces over the letters of her name before she flips the envelope over and cracks open the wax seal with a fingernail, pulling out the contents. Bela reads the letter, only to re-read it to make sure that was she saw wasn't just imagining the words.

She could go home.

Of course there was a catch to it. Bela had to follow the instructions as depicted in the letter. And yet, there is doubt. A little voice nagging at the back of her mind, telling Bela that it wouldn't change a damn thing, even if she does end up doing as the letter says. The voice tells her that she is stuck in this village indefinitely.

Which is why Bela finds herself seated on the bottom step of her porch, much like she was months ago when she first arrived. In one hand is the letter. The other rests on the steps, fingers drumming an anxious beat on the wood.

What to do?


(ii) Forest - 5th

On the following day, Bela rises early and slips into the inn to grab a sharp knife before heading into the forest. She's got her backpack with her, containing some food supplies, water and extra clothing in case it became a long night. Part of Bela thinks that it's a stupid fucking idea. The other part of her really wants to go home.

Even if it meant killing something.

A rabbit wasn't enough according to the letter. She would need to go after something larger and arguably, more difficult to hunt. Which was just her bloody luck. Bela didn't know how to hunt and even if she did, the only weapon she had on her was a knife. A firearm would make the job easier (and cleaner) but why should it be easy for her?

By nightfall, Bela still hasn't killed anything.

If anyone happens to find her, she's leaning against a tree, backpack beside her and a small fire lit about a foot away; at least Bela knows how to make one. Her coat is pulled over her body like a makeshift blanket, and she is wearing several layers to keep out the chill.

"For fuck's sake!"

She yells out into the surrounding darkness, contemplating on giving up and going back to her home or the inn. Stamp out the fire and take her things with her, forget about the damn letter and the trouble it had brought. But she wants to go home. That thought alone should be enough to keep Bela going. Maybe the forest wasn't a good idea. There had to be an easier way to fulfill the request of the letter.

Not yet though. She will sit a little while longer.

Comments

ii

[digging]

The thin curl of smoke is what's pulled Karen out here, a strange sight on a cold, winter night when camping out is neither needed nor particularly advisable, a bounty of free beds under free roofs for the taking and a storehouse full of food to last them all through to spring.

It's impossible to be completely silent out here, so she doesn't bother trying, the crunch of her footsteps announcing her approach well before her actual arrival, bundled up herself with earmuffs and layers of scarves, gloved hands shoved deep into the pockets of her coat. She blinks once she reaches the circle of firelight, eyes adjusting to the brightness, and then falters. She couldn't say why, but Bela is one of the last people she expected to find at the end of this string.

"Um," she begins, brow pulling into a crease. "Hey. Everything okay?"

[cleptes]

The sound of footsteps catches her attention and she looks up to see Karen making her way over to her spot by the tree. Sensibly dressed for the weather- which doesn't surprise her - and she is glad for the company. Karen isn't the only person who didn't expect her to be out here in the forest; Bela hadn't exactly planned for it either, but the letter she received had thrown a wrench into her usual routine.

"Honest answer?" It's something that she is capable of on occasion. "No. Not really."

With a sigh, she zips open the front pocket of her backpack and takes out the red envelope, holding it out for Karen to see.

"A few days ago I received an envelope with my name written on the front. I threw it into fire because I didn't trust what was inside. I thought it was a trick, you know? The Overseers just being wankers." A pause. "The next day, I found another envelope outside my house and I opened it. You can read it if you want."

[digging]

Karen's heard of the letters — Most of them have by now, she thinks, with as small as the community is and as fast as gossip can travel. She pulls one of her gloves off, stuffs it into her pocket and then tentatively accepts the proffered envelope.

Frowning, she pulls out the letter from inside and reads it by the firelight. "Jesus," she whispers, and then glances back up to Bela.

"Do we know of anyone who has been punished in any way because they didn't do what the letter asked?" It's something she probably should have been looking into all this time, but her attention has been focused elsewhere.

[cleptes]

Bela shakes her head.

"I don't know of anyone, no. Unless the constant reappearance of the letter can be counted as a punishment." The letters were a new phenomenon to Bela, only hearing about them recently. "Maybe I can be that one person that bucks the trend."

She says it lightly enough but it doesn't reflect how she is feeling on the inside about the whole thing. Bela is wary of expressing vulnerability and her fears, seeing them as a weakness - she could be doing a better job right now of hiding them, but it isn't working.

"Destroying it won't solve the problem."

[digging]

"Shit," Karen says, a general assessment of the entire situation, and then passes the letter and its envelope back to Bela. She pulls her glove back on, frowning as she presses the fabric down between her fingers.

"I'd heard about people being asked to do things, and they get little rewards in return, but nothing to this level." Maybe it coming to this should have seemed inevitable to them all, but even after everything, she apparently isn't that level of pessimist yet.

"What are you going to do?"

ii

[3ofswords]

Don't go out at night, especially unarmed. Mark's advice was simple, hardly necessary: Kira had been navigating snowy paths full of things that wanted to kill him for months before the village, though things referred to people and paths to Manhattan's snow-clogged streets and alleys. The cross-town bridge had been especially dangerous, guaranteed patrols of men with automatic weapons and ski masks above and below.

No one had to tell Kira to stay indoors, except when they did. Poking his head casually in at the inn, and a little less casually at Bela's place hadn't turned her up. His sinking feeling hadn't been a feeling, but he thinks--people still know when shit is wrong, sometimes. He can live with a hunch if that's all he's going to get, these days.

At least he's got several sharp objects to his name, a heavy jacket, and a decent sense of direction. Marking trees is almost a habit by now, quick knicks at elbow-height marking his path. The fire draws him first, then the familiar voice.

He lets himself stomp on snow and sticks as he approaches, hands deep in his pockets. "I thought our thing was staying in civilization while other people camped out of doors for our benefit," he says, rounding a tree to enter the little clearing.

[cleptes]

In hindsight, she probably shouldn't have gone out at all and ignored the letter, let it sit there for another while before making a final decision about what to do with it. Maybe even ask someone else for advice. Bela assumed that the instructions had to be carried out alone in the end but asking for guidance wouldn't be against the rules, right?

Hearing someone approach, she diverts her attention to see who it was; she is relieved that it is someone familiar. It would appear that the forest seemed to be the most happening place in the village, given that Kira is the second person to come across her tonight.

"I'm trying something new." Bela says wryly, doing her best to make light of the situation. "Change up my routine, you know?" How long she could hold the lightness was up for debate. "There is only so much that a person can do in this village."

She indicates to a spot nearby, inviting him to join her if he wanted to. Two people against any potential dangers in the forest was better than one.

[3ofswords]

He feels they're familiar enough with each other that Kira not only takes the seat at her side, but opens his over-large parka and sits hip-to-hip, wrapping part of it around her against the chill. "Yes, well, we've certainly exhausted a few options." It isn't as dry as it could be, with his arm at her back and his chin finding her shoulder.


He looks out at the treeline, then up through his lashes at her face, over the top and imploring. "Bullshit aside, though, why am I out here letting my ass get damp with yours?"

[cleptes]

The body heat and the extra layer was greatly appreciated by her. As was the company of course; Kira didn't have to stick around in freezing conditions but here he was. Bela laughs lightly at his question, her expression sobering quickly afterwards as she goes on to explain the reason why she was out in the forest.

"I received a letter. Two letters, if you count the one that I burned a few days ago. I found the second one outside my door the following day and then I remembered what was discussed at the last town meeting so I became concerned." A moment passes. "The letter told me that I could go home if I killed a living thing so I thought hey, there should be something to hunt out here. Something larger than a rabbit. The only problem being I’m not exactly a hunter and I am close to giving up on my quest."

[3ofswords]

Well, that would certainly explain the close eye he was having to keep on his fucking goat. Bodhi he trusted with Aurora, Hoshi never strayed far from home unless he was on Kira's shoulder--but he hated to saddle anyone with Bethany if he didn't have to. She spent most nights in a bed of hay in the small cellar. Sometimes Aurora even kept her company.

Judging by his track record the last time he was here--Kira wonders how soon it will be before Bela does go home, and what animal he might get saddled with in her absence. Nobody could just leave him pictures to tear up or mix tapes to bury in shoe boxes.

Not that they were anything that requires mix tapes. "You don't have a copy of that letter, do you," he asks, lifting his chin, though his arms keeps its hold. "I've gotten one of those before, but it just asked me to steal something." And it hadn't lied about the reward, his photo of Chiyo tucked into his deck of cards, safe in his pocket.

Forest

[zomboligist]

That's not the sort of thing Ravi likes to hear coming from the wilderness because, honestly, that's a sort of frustration that makes him wary. This is why he shouldn't be out here looking for samples of environmental aspects, and yet, here he is, being an idiot because what else has he got to do with his time.

Finding Bela as the one who's so wildly frustrated, he's not sure he knows her enough to be surprised, but he can be plenty sympathetic. Tucking one of his vials into his pocket, he gives her a curious look as he wanders closer to the fire. "Are we telling ghost stories? Because I've got a doozy of a horror tale."

[cleptes]

If Bela had a choice she wouldn't be out here either but she thought it was the right call for her situation and now that she had company, she felt better for her decision. Mostly. Bela wasn't really enjoying the cold nor the quiet - the latter was rather unsettling.

Ravi gets a small smile and a wave before she tucks her hand beneath her coat again.

"No, but that is an excellent suggestion." She nods to a spot nearby. "Pull up a chair and regale me with your gruesome story."

Perhaps she will tell him the real reason why she was out here in a little while.

[zomboligist]

Ravi glances around, longing for a comfortable chair that's never going to exist, and instead taking an uncomfortable seat on a hard rock, wondering how he even starts with this story. "Well," he begins, because why not start telling people? It's not like he's going back to Seattle and he's hardly going to drag Major's name into it.

"Do you believe in the undead?" he asks, narrowing his eyes, like he's trying to judge whether she's going to buy into his story.

[cleptes]

His question has Bela raising an eyebrow before she answers. "It's not something I've really thought about, but given the circumstances on how I was brought here, I suppose I have more of an open mind now."

Little does Ravi know about the truth of the world that Bela comes from. She failed to mention the supernatural element: magic, demons, vampires, evil spirits. As for the undead (she's assuming zombies) there was certainly a possibility of them existing where she is. Bela just hasn't come across them yet.

"Is that what your story is about?"

[zomboligist]

"It's not just a story, it's been my entire life before I got here," he says. "It's strange, still, talking about it so openly. When I first got here, I didn't tell a soul, but it's not like whoever's keeping us trapped is rushing off to tell the world." Besides, Ravi had been about to do that, he just needed the cure first.

"Where I come from, zombies are real," he says. "They're all over Seattle and they're the same as you and me, but very into the Goth look," he advises.

i

[girlwednesday]

Having finally gotten over the last few months of whatever-the-hell this place had been doing to her and the people closest to her, Felicity finally found it in her to go exploring again, finally felt up to meeting people.

The entire environment doesn't lend itself to someone of Felciity's talents and yet, she's come to make herself useful here and there - if only to find herself frustrated and back to feeling useless again a day later. she's always interested in hearing how other people cope, especially people she's never met before so, as she passes the house, she goes to greet the woman sitting there, only to have her attention pulled by what she's holding.

It gives Felicity pause and then, oh so nonchalantly, "Hey, so. You got one, too."

[cleptes]

Company wasn't what she was expecting whilst sitting on her porch, but she watches the other woman approach her house with interest, wondering why she was coming over. Her words were a big clue and it didn’t take long for Bela to figure out that it was about the letter.

"Yeah. I did." She says with a nod. "Hello." Bela adds, figuring that she ought to be polite to her. They haven't met and she doesn't think that she has seen Felicity even in passing. "When did you receive yours then?"

In case there was a pattern or a rule that only a certain amount of people received a letter at any given time. Bela wants to clarify that before asking a further question of her, like the contents - she's curious to find out if Felicity got the same instruction as she did or if it was something different.

[girlwednesday]

"Two months ago."

Honestly, Felicity's both surprised and a little disheartened to see the envelope in the woman's hands, simply because the task required for what she'd received in return had been gut-wrenching to her, even if other parties had found them almost insignificant. And though she wants to ask her if she has the same conditions, Felicity also doesn't want to run the risk of ruining her chances, either.

"It wasn't what I was expecting."

Honest enough.

[cleptes]

"Then you and I have that in common." She admits, toying with the corner of the envelope distractedly. "Why couldn't have I gotten a nice gift basket instead? At least I would have put it to good use."

Bela shakes her head, believing that she could have made a better attempt at lightening the mood. The situation with the letter has really thrown her for a loop. Normally she would know what to do when faced with a problem, but she's coming up with nothing for this.

"Do you still have the letter? Or a letter, if you got rid of the first one?"

[girlwednesday]

"I don't think this place does anything nice."

Felicity says it with a wry smile and a lift of a shoulder in what could be a half-shrug. She honestly isn't sure that there's a way to lighten the mood, depending on what the letter says and when asked if she still has hers, she has to think.

"I'm not sure. Oliver might've gotten rid of it after--" She clears her throat. "It said I had to hurt someone and." A breath. "It's probably back at the house. Why?"

i

[majorlyugh]

Major is out, taking Minor for a walk. The pup's grown significantly since he first arrived, and Major's been diligent about teaching him commands, as well as training him to walk on a lead (thanks to Wanda). He finds that going out into the forest is a good spot to do some training; that way, he doesn't have to worry about bothering Ravi in whatever latest experiment he might be conducting, and he gets to enjoy the fresh air.

He likes getting out in the early-ish morning with Minor, when the village is still relatively quiet. He likes starting his day off this way, with his lungs full of woodsy air and his circulation going. He takes Minor out for an afternoon walk, and then an evening walk to wrap up the night. He'll let him out as necessary if Minor needs to relieve himself, but they've gotten into a fun sort of pattern between the two of them. Sometimes Ravi even joins them.

On this particular afternoon walk, he takes a slightly different trail, wanting to mix things up a bit. Of course their options are far more limited than they would be back in Seattle, but variety is variety, however sparse. As they approach Bela's house, he notices something bright red in one hand, while the other seems to be getting rid of some anxious energy. She seems distracted on top of it.

He makes his approach a little louder than he normally would, not wanting to sneak up on her.

"Hey," he offers, once close enough to not have to shout. "You all right? You seem ... preoccupied."

[cleptes]

Bela hears the sound of footsteps coming her way and looks up to see who it was. She remembers Major from before but they haven't spoken to each other in a while. From their previous conversation Bela thought he was a friendly person, even if she didn't know a lot about him. As for the dog she gives the animal a cursory glance - Bela was more of a cat person - but she didn't want to appear rude.

"Hey." She stops her drumming to look at him. "I'm okay. And you're right about me being preoccupied. I received an unexpected piece of mail." Waving the envelope for emphasis. "Do you know much about the letters that people get here?"

She didn't know a lot herself.

[majorlyugh]

Major gives Minor's lead a little tug, which prompts the pup to stay close to his owner's heels. With an upwards hand motion, Minor sits attentively, which is rewarded with a piece of jerky. He's instructed to lie down, which he does, grateful for the little reprieve (and also hoping for another treat if he does this part well). Major reaches down to give his head a little scritch before standing back up to see Bela waving the letter around.

"Oh, yeah, those," he says with some disdain in his voice. "I've never gotten one myself, but I've talked to folks who have. They're from our -- uh, you know." He makes some vague gesture above his head, towards the clouds and sky. "Them. Whoever "them" is. They always request something in return for something else, usually a trip home. But from what I've gathered from the other folks, there's always some like ... catch to it. Like there are suspicions you don't really go home, they just make you think you do. I think some of them have asked for like, injury? To another villager? Others have asked for stuff to be stolen." He flicks his chin towards the envelope in her hands. "What's that one asking?"

[cleptes]

She watches him settle down the dog, noticing how well-trained the animal was. Maybe Bela will find a pet of her own one day - or maybe a pet will find her. Preferably a cat.

Major could possibly give her some more insight into the letters, more than what anyone else has told Bela so far about them. So she is quiet when he speaks, taking everything in and making sure to actually listen to him carefully to not miss a word. When he asks her about the letter itself, she doesn't answer him right away, letting out a sigh.

"For me to kill another living creature. If I do that, then apparently I get to go home." Bela replies finally, turning the letter over in her hands. "Although, now I am starting to doubt that after hearing what you’ve just said."

[majorlyugh]

"... Oh." That's .. different. It seems like the letters and the demands are escalating in violence, and Major isn't quite sure how to feel about that. It isn't good, though, he thinks, regardless of the motivation behind it. Is there motivation behind it? Or is it just some sick game the watchers or whatever are playing? What's the point?

"Yeah, I would, um," Major starts, glancing down to the puppy before looking back up at her, "I wouldn't take what it says at face value. Don't take anything you ever get at face value. There's .. usually something else going on. Some ulterior motive, or some hidden trick. Like, we have these feasts every so often. Remember? I wasn't here for it, but I heard that there was one feast where all these people got really sick for no apparent reason, but then all these other people had this .. temporary ability to "heal" those who were sick. The last one, where I saw you, I think was just .. food. But I don't know what the motivation was behind it. They don't .. really reward us for things, you know? They might make you think that they are, but they aren't."