in a heap of people

[she_sells_seashells]

They go home after a couple of days, without incident. The colors in Bell's hair are fading, albeit incompletely.

A bit later, when there is not the question of whether Sherlock can accompany her unnoticed, Tony finds a door and in they go.

Other Sherlock - whether this is their other Sherlock or some other other Sherlock, Bell cannot be immediately sure - is in the main bar area. Bell waves!

Comments

[she_sells_seashells]

"I usually -" She gestures at the recorder. "Do my thinking alone, aloud. I'm estimating half an hour, will you be terribly bored?"

[ferratus]

"We've got hot chocolate and snuggles," says Tony. "We'll keep. You want us to clear out and wait for you downstairs?"

[she_sells_seashells]

"If you don't mind. You could check the Belltower, if you do get bored or if I take longer than expected or something."

[sicaria]

"All right," says Sherlock. She gives Bell a hug and a quick kiss, then detaches, leading Tony out.

[she_sells_seashells]

Bell talks to herself.

[sicaria]

Tony and Sherlock head downstairs.

They finish their hot chocolate. They snuggle.

They have another round.

[self_composed]

They observe a familiar face. (And her also-familiar, oddly pale companion.)

[sicaria]

"Hm," says Sherlock.

[ferratus]

"Is that...? No, hey, it's totally a new one!"

Tony waves.

[self_composed]

"...Does one of me know you?" Bella asks Tony, tilting her head. "Hello."

[ferratus]

"Hi!" he says. "Yes, one of you does! How many of you have you met? Are you new? Have you been to the Belltower?"

[self_composed]

"Just one other. Why, are there lots? My personnel officer ran into her kid and we've been interacting since. I've been here several times. What's the Belltower?"

[ferratus]

"I've met two!" says Tony. "You're number three! And Shell Bell, that's ours, she's heard of tons more. She made the Belltower it's for yous to congregate in we can show you if you want come see come see."

He runs out of breath and stops babbling excitedly.

[self_composed]

"Shell Bell? Oh my word that's precious," laughs Bella. "Belltower? Is it a literal tower in the backyard or something? Because that's what I would do, assuming I could get Bar to give me the local equivalent of a building permit."

[ferratus]

"Nope, it's a room upstairs," he says. "The Bells are kinda strapped for cash so one of my alts is paying for it."

[edgeofyourseat]

Alice, meanwhile, is looking at Sherlock.

[sicaria]

And Sherlock is looking at Alice.

[self_composed]

"Well, that's silly, if it's a Belltower then a Bella should be covering it. Bar takes imperial asters, I'm not going to run out any time soon," says Bella, grinning. "Let's see the place and I assume it'll convince me to fund it."

[sicaria]

"This way," says Sherlock.

[ferratus]

Tony bounces along after her.

[self_composed]

And Bella follows.

"Well, this is cute," she says. "Very cute indeed for a limited budget. ...That looks like Forks," she adds, peering at one of the landscapes. "Which one put that up, your Shell Bell or the other?"

[ferratus]

"I think Bell said something about the other one doing the decorating, Sherry what's her official nickname—"

[sicaria]

"Amariah," says Sherlock. "And I am Sherlock, and this is Tony."

[self_composed]

"Sherlock? That's a girl's name where you're from?" blinks Bella. "Oh, a guestbook." She picks it up, reads it through lightning-quick, and then picks up the nearby pen and fills it out equally lightning-quick.

[sicaria]

"Not traditionally. Would you be at all interested in helping Bell take over our world?"