( ACTION/TEXT ) - BACKDATED After the Blizzard. ( OPEN )

[clevermind]

( ACTION - Genessia )

[After the Blizzard, Belle resumes her usual daily tasks. She goes to work, stops at the library and then heads home to take care of her flowers, prepare dinner and clean up.

The fever comes on gradually, as if each task pushes her body a little more than it's able to handle. She feels warmer and her cheeks begin to appear flushed. Belle doesn't truly notice that anything is amiss until two days after the blizzard when she's leaving for work. It's harder to breath and she feels the sudden rush of a headache, however she's sure that it'll go away once she's outside; fresh air is all she needs.

Belle gathers her things and then heads off towards work. She doesn't make it very far before sagging against a nearby wall, her basket slipping from her hand. Her limbs feel weak and after a moment of resting against the wall Belle feels her legs give out and her body crumble to the ground.]


( ACTION - Home Alone - Stone Ridge Apt)

[Belle is thankful that someone had found her and brought her home however she isn't sure what to do with herself. She's read through the stack of books next to her bed and has been told on more than one occasion that her fever is too high to do chores or spend long periods of time out of bed.

She manages to move from the bed to the couch, where she curls up with a blanket. Belle doesn't have much in the way of movies but she begins to look through the books that she had left on the coffee table.

Belle concludes that she must have fallen asleep because she wakes to the sound of a knock at her door.]

Yes? [Her voice calls the short distance to the door before she forces herself to her feet. Belle wraps her blanket around her shoulders, realizing that she's in her night gown and not wanting to appear improper when she answers the door.]

Who is it?


( TEXT - To Friends & Coworkers )

[Belle doesn't want to take up to much of anyone's time but she does want to inform her friends and her employer that she's gotten sick and will be at home for a few days. It's the responsible thing to do, even if Belle isn't thrilled by the idea.]

To whom it may concern,

I regret to inform you that I have a a rather severe fever. I am very sorry to everyone but I won't be able to attend work and other plans will need to be postponed until I am well again. I'm at home if you need me for anything.

Thank you,
Belle

Comments

[Text];

[justwords]

I'm coming over. You should have called me.

[She will save the Doctor Lecture for later, but now she leaves a note for John telling him where she is before grabbing her bag and leaving for Belle's.

She arrived a few minutes later and rapped on the door and called out. ]

It's Martha.

[Text]; to [Action];

[clevermind]

Oh Martha, you really don't have to worry.

[Belle stares at her phone and when she doesn't get a reply she waits for the inevitable knock on the door. She wraps her blanket a little tighter around her shoulders though Belle is far more comfortable knowing that it's a woman at her door and not a man.]

Yes, it's open.

[She steps towards the door just in case Martha can't hear her to open it. Belle isn't able to speak very loudly right now.]

[Text]

[chocobosnap]

Belle! Are you okay? Is it serious? Can I bring you anything?

Iggy makes great soup, I can bring you soup and medicine and blankets if you want or anything else!

[Text]

[clevermind]

It's just a fever. Please don't worry Prompto.

I'm happy to hear that you're safe, I was a little worried about the storm.

[Text]

[chocobosnap]

I am worried. Will you let me bring you some soup?

We were relatively safe. We went out to get some other friends of ours, I'll tell you about it when I come, if you want.

Let's just say our apartment is crowded. Very crowded.

[Text]

[clevermind]

You're welcome to come over Prompto but I don't know if I'll be very good company.

I can offer a rather empty apartment.

[Text] > [Action]

[chocobosnap]

I know you're sick. Don't worry, I just want to help, you don't have to entertain me! I'll be there soon!

[It only takes as long as it does for him to walk to her place from his in Nova City and he knocks at the door, calling.]

Belle! It's Prompto!

[Text] > [Action]

[clevermind]

[Belle doesn't get a chance to reply. In the middle of their conversation she falls into a light sleep, her body forcefully reminding her that she's sick and tired. She wakes to the sound of Prompto calling through the door and quickly pushes herself to her feet to answer.]

I'm coming.

[She pauses at the front door, running her fingers through the loose strands of messy brown hair before pulling her blanket a little tighter around her shoulders. She doesn't think she looks good enough for visitors but he's already here so...

Belle opens the door, offering Prompto a small smile.]

Hi. Please, come in.

[Action]

[liveandforgive]

Cloud.

[unaware of the fact that Belle had collapsed in his time spent in the Dream Docks, his first inkling came from the collective text message she'd sent out earlier. so the knock at her door comes from her neighbour with a fresh, clean blanket in one arm and a little bag in the other, thermometer, small towels, and a couple of packets of chicken noodle soup in case she didn't have anything.]

Thought I'd check up on you.

[it was worth a shot anyways. if she wasn't feeling up to it, he was still leaving the bag and blanket for her.]

[Action]

[clevermind]

[Today Belle has managed to brush and tie back her hair. She's still looking a little pale but it's better than how she had first felt.]

Cloud, please come in.

How are you?

[She remembers seeing him on the network but she hadn't been able to reply. It isn't exactly an opportune moment to have gotten sick.

Belle moves to the couch once she has let Cloud inside, placing a hand on the armrest to steady herself. She dislike staying seated for so long without a book or a purpose but she still gets dizzy spells when she stands for too long.]

[Action]

[liveandforgive]

[Belle's certainly not the same bright and cheerful person she usually was. but he wasn't about to blame her in the slightest.

thankfully, much has managed to calm down since he returned from the Dream Docks with Weiss.]

Guessing at least better than you right now. [he retorts with a hint of a smile. when she seems to pause to steady herself along the armrest, Cloud doesn't wait to step in by her side, a firm hand resting upon her shoulder, ready to catch her in the event that she fell over before she even had a chance to sit down.] You taken your temperature lately?

[Action]

[clevermind]

[Belle's expression softens as a weak smile pulls over her lips.]

It's just a cold. I should be well again soon. [She really doesn't want him to worry about her. Cloud has plenty of other things to worry about.] Thank you. I think I should sit back down.

[Belle lowers herself to the couch slowly, making sure that she doesn't make her head spin again.]

I haven't. I don't feel as warm as I had yesterday though. [She's going mostly on touch.]

[Action]

[liveandforgive]

[amongst those things to worry about? he'll just add Belle to that list. there was no way he was going to leave her to fend for herself if she didn't have to. lord only knows if he was the one that was sick she'd be knocking on his door all the same. but she let him in... Cloud was grateful for that much.]

Well try to get comfy.

[as Belle settles herself down to her couch, Cloud remains by her side. if she'd had this long enough, unless it was the flu, she most likely wasn't contagious anymore. he'd join her shortly, but first,]

It never hurts to double check. [he places the extra blanket he brought with him along the arm of the sofa in case she needed it.] Did you have anything to eat yet?

[Action]

[clevermind]

I will try.

[Belle smiles softly at Cloud. She can tell that he's worried about her and, while that hadn't been her intention, she's happy to know that he cares about her.] I don't have a way to take my temperature. I've been using my palm.

[As far as Belle knows, her palm is enough to tell her temperature.]

I had some broth around 11.

[Action]

[borntolove]

[Guess who's knocking at her door not too long afterwards]

[Action]

[clevermind]

Hello?

[Belle calls through the door as she pushes herself to her feet.]

Who is it.

[Her blanket is wrapped tightly around her shoulders to keep away the chill and also keep her decent since she is only wearing her nightgown.]

Re: [Action]

[borntolove]

Hallo, Belle.

It's me. The Doctor. Can I come in?

[Action]

[clevermind]

Yes. You're always welcome.

[She pulls open the door and rests her head against the wooden entry way as she offers the Doctor a soft tired smile.]

I don't think I can be an adequate host today.
I'm not feeling well, I don't want to get you sick.

[However, he's welcome to come inside anyway.]

text.

[molestedbytailors]

WOMAN WHAT HAPPENED. NEED A BOOOOOOOK?

text.

[clevermind]

I'm just a little sick. If you have the time I wouldn't say no to a new book to read.

Action | Backdated like you wouldn't believe

[lunarlegionnaire]

[Having not been on the text she'd sent, Marc has no idea that Belle's down with a fever. He had only thought of making good on his dinner invite last Christmas, one neighbor to another. Not to mention check how she'd been doing ever since the night they'd met, though he'd been Moon Knight at the time.]

It's Marc Spector, your neighbor in Room 104.

[He's a little worried at how her voice sounds from the other side of the door. She sounds a little strained. Like she's not entirely well.]

If... this is a bad time, I can come back later.

Action | <3

[clevermind]

[Belle wraps her blanket a little tighter around her shoulders before running her fingers through her long chestnut brown hair before opening the door. She doesn't expect everyone to know that she's unwell and she doesn't fault Marc for his arrival though she feels bad that she can't receive him properly.]

Hello. It's fine. I'm sorry. I've been a little under the weather for a few days.

[Her expression softens as she leans against the door.]

It's very nice of you to stop by Marc.

Re: Action | <3

[lunarlegionnaire]

[The door opens and Marc feels a rush of... delight? Relief? At seeing Belle again. But any sign that would've betrayed having met her before is lost in the concern in his eyes.]

And it's very nice of you to see me. If I'd known you were sick, I would've thought better of troubling you.

[The old soldier holds up a pot between them. Even from here, it's deliciously warm and its scent has the lightest hint of spice and tomatoes in it.]

I made some dinner. I was hoping we could share it, but... I could leave it here for you instead. It's alright if you need rest.

Action

[clevermind]

[Belle shakes her head softly, hoping to chase away any linger concern that Marc might have. She doesn't want to worry him and she's happy to finally meet her mystery neighbor.]

I would really appreciate the company, if you don't mind me feeling a little unwell. I've been locked within my room for days and it's frightfully dull.

[She smiles warmly as she pushes the door open and gestures inside. The apartment is clean and clear except for the small stack of books that take up sections of tables and counters. Belle doesn't like having books on the floor and it causes the other surfaces in the apartment to be a little cluttered. The kitchen table is clear, as well as, the counters around the stove.]

Please come in and sit.

I don't think we've formally met. I'm Belle.

Re: Action

[lunarlegionnaire]

Thank you so much.

[Gingerly he steps in, taking great care not to upset any of her stacked books. Other than the telltale signs of being ill, her apartment's as he remembers it. His eyes gently linger on the couch, whence he'd sat as she cleaned his wounds. Not because he'd asked her, but because she'd wanted to.]

And I'm Marc, the hermit in Room 104.

[There's self-deprecation in his soft chuckle as he sets down the pot and a smaller container he'd brought with him.]

You know, I've seen you on the network a few times. It just... never really occurred to me that we live in the same building. But better late than never, right?

[He opens the pot and the most pleasant of spicy vapors rise and fill the small apartment. Marc gives a contented sigh, then turns to Belle as if he'd nearly fallen into a reverie.]

Oh, uh, let me set the table.