genessia | Off with their heads

Entry tags:

Off with their heads

Who: Belle French and Jefferson
What: Belle took up the bounty Headhunter and Jefferson tags along.
When: 9th May
Where: Storybrooke to Everglade
Rating: PG

[Belle every so often would find herself wanting to do a bounty. It had been at least a month since the last time and as she read the newspaper she couldn't help but be interested in one in particular. Closing the paper and placing it to the side she moved to get changed into something that was much more comfortable and suitable for possible combat.

Once she was ready she picked up her sword and placed it in it's sheath before leaving the house. She was pretty sure she would have to do this alone, but yet at the same time she would wonder if perhaps she should have asked someone as she walked. Perhaps Toby? She didn't know where he lived, so it wasn't like she could just walk to his place and ask. Jefferson? Seemed like a better option since she had some idea where he would be. But did she knew if he could help, no idea. But she thought it would be a nice experience never the less for the both of them.

Pulling out her device, she figured to just call him, using voice to see if he was close by.]

Jefferson? Are you available, right now?

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[ As far as Jefferson's day was going, he'd spent the majority of the morning sketching out his own crude map of Genessia City. He didn't need to do it considering he already had the real deal straight from the box of mystery itself, but he wasn't going to rely on it. This way he could mark important places more easily and do things his way.

...and it gave him something to do.

The last thing he expected was for someone to call him, so the sudden ringing made his pencil jut away from the line he was forming. Ugh. At least he hadn't put it in ink yet. He shuffled through his pockets until he found the device. ]

Belle?

[ He scrunched up his face and glanced at his project. It could wait for later. ]

I can be. Did you need something?

[She paused, pondering on the exact words that she wanted to say. She didn't need to ask for help, but considering the bounty she was going for, she couldn't be sure she could handle it by herself. Maybe perhaps it was the comfort of someone she knew being there helped as well.]

I just wanted to see if you were busy. I read the news paper and am planning on taking on one of the bounties. I though I would at least ask if you'd be interested in helping me solve it and getting the man behind the beheading... or woman, I suppose.

... beheadings?

[ It was the only word he could get out, and he sounded like a deer in headlights.

He doubted Belle knew what had happened to him in Wonderland, but that didn't stop the memories from rushing back. With the exception of his breath blowing against the device and creating occasional brief crackles of static, he didn't attempt any other sort of response for what must have been at least a minute. Eventually he tried to gather some sense of composure to answer but it was obvious he was forcing himself to sound as normal as he could manage. Which was very obviously not normal. ]

...I hadn't had the chance to read it yet.

[ Jefferson paused, his eyes moving to the spot he had put the paper. He probably wouldn't read it now. ]

I can't -- I can't fight. I'd be dead weight.

[ But already that troublesome desire to protect her was brewing in his subconscious. He knew she didn't need it, that she was plenty capable and wise enough all on her own... but she'd called him for a reason. Did she know his secret? Did she think he knew something that could help? Helping probably was the right thing to do. But what if they got caught and he... they -- off with their heads?

Damnitdamnitdamnitdamnitdamnit. ]

Sometimes the best time to learn is on the field. Besides I'll be there and I'll bring something for you, if you'd like.

[Belle just wasn't sure she could handle it by herself. She didn't know much about who she was after and that was at least nerving to her. Now she was wondering if she should go back and grab a bag and a couple more weapons just in case.]

Though you also don't have to come. I just thought I would at least ask.

I'm coming.

[ His response was so quick, so firm, that he surprised even himself. Where the hell had that come from?

Jefferson exhaled, trying to calm himself. He hated this idea. He hated it so much. But it wasn't going to happen again. Not to him and not to Belle. If they put an end to this no one else would get hurt. No one else would suffer the same fate that he had.

So he had to do it. ]

Belle... you could have asked a lot of people but you asked me.

[ He hesitated, finally getting his tone to come out softer. ]

You've had my back since I got here. I owe you the same.

I was expecting to try and talk you into it a bit more.

[She was still walking, her mind making sure she knew where she was at the same time.]

I could have, but I guess you have the advantage of being someone I know from home, so I guess that sense of closeness helps.

[She smiled smiling, but it was not obvious over the phone.]

Ah, I should ask where you are?

I guess you're just persuasive.

[ That and the definition of madness is trying the same thing over and over expecting different results. Even though he was running the risk of walking right into losing his head again, maybe preventing anyone else from experiencing what he had would give him just the smallest sense of closure that he'd never had the chance to get. And those victims? They didn't deserve to go without justice. That much he believed fiercely.

A sense of closeness... the way she said it calmed his nerves just a bit. Despite his reservations a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. ]

Don't worry about it. [ It was still embarrassing that he didn't have his own apartment yet, so he dodged the question. ] Tell me where you're at and we'll meet up.

[She would like to think that maybe she was persuasive, but considering the amount of times Rumple had chosen power when she always believe and thought he wouldn't... She sometimes would question it. But for now she would like to believe it.

She had soon found herself stopping with the walking. Maybe she should stay still for the moment.]

Currently in Storybrooke and was about to walkthrough to Fayren. So meet outside the sucarchway?

Got it.

[ The sounds of a chair moving and the shuffling of paper could be heard coming from his side of the connection. Quickly enough the mild commotion ceased and silence hung in the air. Unbeknownst to her he was studying the hat he'd arrived with, trying to decide if it was good luck or the opposite. Either way, might as well take it along and look the part. ]

Listen, um. If you're bringing something for me to fight with... it should probably be something I won't accidentally decapitate myself with.

[ Ha ha. ]

So no swords, daggers or a chainsaw. Got it. I'll get you a cross bow. No possible way you can decapitate yourself with that.

[She had turned and make her way back, hoping she could find the one she used at least once. Might take her a little longer than before though. Once she grabs a bag and puts a few other things in, she makes her way. After thirty minutes she was finally outside and waiting.]

[ Jefferson, admittedly, made his way there in a much less hurried pace which gave him plenty of time to second guess himself. He could only hope that things went right. That he was a help and not a hindrance. That he didn't impale his own foot with an arrow.

When he saw Belle come into view, he let that train of thought drop. He had to at least try to act like he wasn't terrified. ]

Ready to head to our possible doom?

[ ... yeah, that wasn't exactly what he had planned on saying. He was trying to make light of things in his own way, but his vaguely grim expression betrayed just how unsure of himself he really was. ]

Edited (i had to fix a thing LMAO) 2016-05-13 18:01 (UTC)

[Belle had grown use to having to do this kind of thing every now and again. Not often, but every so often. More so to try and see how her skills were now compared to before and also to see if she could handle herself for the most part.

After all to go on an adventure means the possibility of getting into trouble. When she see's him, she moved the bag, holding it out in front of her.]

I am prepared for that possibility. [Because it always was a chance that could happen.]

I assume you want to know how to use the crossbow?

[ He didn't really want to take the crossbow from the bag, but he did. Everything about it felt so off. The weight of it in his hands was so foreign and strange that he had to curb the impulse to shove it back where it came from and call it a day. ]

I guess you're braver than me.

[ Which was a good thing, because he wasn't feeling so tough in that moment. ]

If you don't mind. I've only figured out that you're not supposed to point it at yourself.

I guess with things happening often both back home and here, I have to be.

[She smiled slightly, she figured she would have to teach him how to use to at least.]

Yes, like with most weapons you don't aim it at yourself, you keep it the other way around.

What kind of things? Here, I mean. Besides the occasional casual beheading.

[ He wasn't going to bring up Storybrooke unless she did. He still didn't find it to be his place to ask what had gone wrong with her and Rumpelstiltskin, and he wasn't so sure he wanted to know what other kind of nonsense he was unaware of. Ignorance being bliss and all that. ]

Even if I want to play dead so the bad guy leaves me alone? Because I feel like in that situation shooting yourself might be helpful.

[ So far running his mouth was the only defense he had. ]

Can you show me how to hold it?

If you mean here, we've had things like our fears manifesting for one. That... was not exactly fun. Back home I would need a list of things that have happened.

[She had helped a friend and had to confront what she had, but she didn't let it get to her really. Nodding slightly she looked over.]

If you think playing dead will actually work. [Since she had to show him, she stops walking for the moment.]

I'll be quick, so first carefully hand it over.

Oh. Doesn't that sound pleasant.

[ Stopping the slight cringe that crossed his face was basically impossible. He had enough problems with regrets and fears without them manifesting. And Storybrooke? Yeah. That sounded like a solid pass.

He simply shrugged at rather playing dead would help or not, but he was more than happy to hand the weapon back over to her.The second he put it in her hands, he withdrew his own like his life depended on it. He really wasn't looking forward to getting it back. ]

Have you always known how to use one of these or did you learn here?

No, I kind of had to learn in Storybrooke, so when I arrived here I already knew how.

[There was another reason she had to stop as she faced it down for the moment. Right now it didn't have any arrows but it did need to be cocked. So placing her foot in the stirrup at the front of it, she then pulled the string back. It really wasn't easy considering, but she managed.]

That is one way of cocking it back and usually not the method I would do considering how hard it actually is due to it's design.

Did things go to hell that bad?

[ So much for not asking about it. Jefferson really needed to learn when to keep his mouth shut.

He crossed his arms and watched, his curiosity overriding his blatant aversion to the whole thing. ]

Just how many ways are there? Shouldn't one be enough? Are you sure I'll be able to do this?

[ He stopped himself. ]

I'll quit asking questions now.

Well at one point we had a situation where... How do I explain it... made us see the worst in others. It... was not something I enjoyed really.

[That mirror was something she would not want to see again.]

There are three, the other two are using a rope or other form of thing to pull it since you need a certain amount of strength to do it by hand, but asking questions is good and I will encourage it.

[ Did that have something to do with her fallout with Rumple? Before he could think it over, another much more alarming thought entered his mind. ]

No one was hurt, right? Emma fixed it?

[ What if he had -- would? -- done something to hurt Grace? If there was something wrong Belle would have already told him, right? He swallowed deeply, trying to keep himself under control. If he didn't want to die before he got the chance to even go back home, listening to her instruction was probably a good idea. ]

That sounds a bit... difficult?

It was fixed.

[Which was a good thing really, but she paused for a moment. Maybe she should focused on what they were meant to, or at least she was meant to, think of possible battle plans should they actually need to use them.]

It is. But once you get the hang of it, it's easy enough.

Edited 2016-05-29 19:03 (UTC)

[ It sounded like an issue better left alone for the time being. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear more about it anyway. ]

Okay. So after that, then what?

You just aim and fire at the intended target.

[She just simply holds it up. She wasn't going to actually fire because that would not be the best idea right now.]

You fire by using the trigger here.

[She places her finger gently against it for the time being.]

And that is it.

Here's to hoping I hit said intended target. But I think I get it.

[ He exhaled and held out his hands to take it back from her. ]

Off we go?

[She nodded slightly. Finally they were heading off and with that time, Belle was planning on using her head to think up a good enough battle plan.]

I will admit, I was actually worried on my first bounty, but you get better with time.

Oh, I might get better but I'll still probably worry. Worry is up there among my great talents.

[ He wasn't sure if he was trying so hard to bring levity to the situation for her sake or his own. Both was a good answer. ]

Do you have any strategies in mind or are we just coming up with one as we go?

Hopefully they won't have any supernatural part to them and that they are doing this with something like an axe. If that is the case the plan will actually be quite easy.

[Just corning him if that was the case in her mind.]

But if they do...?

[ Leave it to him to fully expect the worst situation possible. ]

Well. I would need to think on it some more. I don't do magic and we know you don't. So one way would be to keep our distance.

I should probably try that thinking thing too. Not fair to make you do everything.

[ He hesitated. ]

Are we supposed to bring this guy in alive or just...?

I don't mind having to think it over myself. I have to sometimes after all on other bounties.

[She nodded slightly, she knew they were getting closer and closer to there goal.]

I believe they prefer alive, yes.

Fair, but this time you don't have to. I mean, I said I'd help you. I'll do that in any way I can.

[ His grip on the crossbow tightened, but the tension on his face eased slightly. ]

Okay. [ He nodded to himself more than Belle ] I figured. Just checking.

[She nodded as they had soon reached there destination. All that was left to do was find the culprit and hope that they can catch him.]

They never really give much on physical description so he have to figure it out by body language.

[ He pulled the brim of his hat over his eyes just a bit, equally as an odd measure of comfort and and because it was a good way to obscure his constantly moving eyes. He knew from what point on they had to be as aware as possible. ]

Finally something I'm good at.

[ He mumbled the comment, but still loud enough for her to hear. Really, he wasn't all that confident in his ability to shoot arrows but reading people like a book was generally an easy task for him. ]

Finding a guy with something big enough to take heads off shouldn't be too hard.

[She nodded, quietly walking through the crowd, her eyes drift off now and again, thinking she had spotted the person, but only finding nothing instead. Turning her head she looked back on the other, checking to see his reaction.]

What do you think about the guy over there?

[He seemed shifty enough compared to the rest.]

[ Jefferson hadn't suspected anyone at first. None fit the bill. When Belle directed his attention toward a certain fellow, though, his intuition gave him the distinct feeling that they had their target. The body language certainly suggested something. He casually leaned closer to Belle, his voice low and his eyes flitting between the man and her. ]

You see the way he keeps touching his face? The fact he won't look directly at anyone? He's got something to hide. I'll bet you my hat that's our guy.

[She nodded slightly, keeping her voice as low as she could so he could still hear her.]

Then I'll make my way over, though how does touching ones face show he has something to hide?

It's a nervous tic.

[ His answer was plain, but there wasn't much else to say about it. ]

I'll stick nearby. If he tries to bolt see if you can't get it to be in this direction. He probably won't expect two people.

[She nodded, slowly but surely making her way. Out of the corner of the guys eye he could see her and he could see what she had. That was enough to make him start moving away. Hoping to be able to get to the door.]

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