IC Contact for Little Hades

[cryogene]

"This is Elsa. I've never owned my own device for talking before, but I am assuming you're trying to contact me."

Comments

ACTION

[royalpassport]

[ After his conversation with Elsa-- his very first Flamr connection, at that!-- Jefferson goes about tidying up the shop, tidying up himself, and preparing a pot of tea. He's all about making a good impression, one that tells her that he's charming and rakish enough-- not to mention a good deal more exciting than the princes and noblemen she must've been surrounded by-- to slum with.

After all, it isn't every day that he gets a chance with a queen.

Even for their land, Jefferson's style was always a little unusual. Here, it's slightly toned down... in that he's finally ditched the long coat and traded in all his leather for lighter materials. Those fashion choices hadn't exactly meshed well with the heat here, after all. Today, he's in shades of red and burgundy, dressed in a button-up shirt, a waistcoat, and an ascot-- each piece patterned, and none bearing the same pattern. Instead of breeches, he's wearing a pair of black jeans (something Kenzi turned him on to).

He has to admit, for as much as he misses his old look, this is a lot more comfortable.

Anyway, he's likely still fiddling with and fussing over the shop's displays by the time Elsa arrives. ]

[cryogene]

[It unfortunately takes her longer than she likes to find his shop. But the important fact is that she eventually does. There's the unfortunate sheen of sweat across her forehead as she enters the building-- why does this place need to be so hot?

Her eyes look around the shop and at all the hats. He's a very talented man. When she lays eyes on him and sees him in the middle of straightening a display she goes over to join him.]

It looks lovely.

[She reassures him, and reaches out to put her hand over his arm to stop him from fussing too much. The need to have everything be just right in its place and in order is something she understands, but things really do look wonderful.

So she supposes it's not very helpful for her to take one of the hats on display and put it on on her head. Both hands hold it in place, and she turns about to face him fully. He's very handsome, even if what he's wearing is completely mismatched. It suits him somehow.]

Do you sell very many?

[royalpassport]

[ The 'bell' at the door gives off something of a rusted screech when it opens, though Jefferson is still too absorbed in his attempts at making the displays look just right to really look away from what he's doing until Elsa places a hand on his arm.

She's really quite stunning, especially in person. That she's put one of his hats on her head certainly doesn't hurt, either. Jefferson gives her a quick once over before he offers a broad smile. ]

I do all right for myself.

[ Noooot exactly a direct answer to the question. The truth is, hats aren't in high demand in Hell. ]

But where are my manners? [ He gives a theatrical bow. ] It's a pleasure to meet you, Queen Elsa. Well. In person, at any rate.

[ He would say 'in the flesh,' but seeing as they're both dead... It might be a touch insensitive. ]

[cryogene]

[His bow earns a wide smile, and she's very quick to move in closer to pull him upright.]

Please, just Elsa. I'm not the queen of anything here.

[The fact that he's so charming keeps her smile on her face even as she says it. She doesn't wear hats, that's Anna's sort of thing, but she's feeling inclined to pick out one or two and barter for them because he's made them.]

Do you have anything that will help give me shade when I'm outside? I'm afraid I may melt if I stay out for too long.

voice | un: detdecker

[couldkillthedevil]

Hey, Elsa. This is Chloe Decker. I just wanted to call and check in; see how you were doing after that whole... incident.

[cryogene]

Things are...getting better. I found someone who could help with the pain, and I've been trying to rest and stay as calm as possible. I don't want to lose control and wind up doing something to cause damage to your house.

[couldkillthedevil]

Better the house than anyone else, but that's good to hear. Little Eden's a quiet place, so I doubt anyone will bother you. Feel free to stay as long as you need.

[cryogene]

Thank you so much for helping me, Chloe. I --

I'm not sure how I can ever repay you. I know you don't need the house, but I'd like it if you would come by. I could make tea, or...well, whatever you like.

[couldkillthedevil]

No repayment necessary. Really. I just wanted to help.

I wouldn't mind stopping by. Tea would be nice, actually. Are you sure, though? I don't want to drop in on you if you'd rather be resting.

[cryogene]

I'm used to being alone, but that doesn't mean that I want to be. I'd honestly love the company.

voice | un: j.lyman

[hardballsy]

Hey Elsa, it's Josh. [Pause.] We, uh, met at the job fair.

[He almost adds I was the guy hosting it but then he thinks that's silly, of course she knows who he is. Of course she remembers.

...right?]

I just wanted to say hi and see how you're doing.

[cryogene]

Josh.

[She sounds so happy to hear from him that it's obvious she not only remembers him, but was hoping he'd contact her. Having been cooped up and busy getting through her horrible physical alteration, she's done a horrible job of keeping up with anyone.

so to have Josh reach out makes her smile. Even if he can't see it, it's obvious in her voice.]

I'm...so glad to hear from you.

[He can also probably hear the blush that's there now too.]

It's been a few days since I've spoken to anyone. I'm used to that, but I've still been lonely anyway.

[The thing is she means to imply that she's happy he's made her feel less so, but that isn't conveyed very well at all.]

[hardballsy]

[Oh.

He blinks, not that she can see it. And not that she can see it, thankfully, but his cheeks go a little pink as well.

Somehow, he manages to keep it from his voice.]

It's no problem. I figured — since you're new and everything...

[A little warning pops into his head: Get it together, Joshua.

It sounds a lot like CJ, which is weird.]

— a few days?

[cryogene]

[She makes a vague, non-committal sound that confirms what he's just asked without her having to elaborate more than she needs to.]

I started growing something out of my head, and was in too much pain to be social until Lucifer helped me. I haven't wanted anyone to see me since.

[Because she doesn't like the icy nubs of horns that are present. They make her look like a monster and she doesn't want Josh to ever think that she is.]

But if you needed something, I wouldn't be able to say no to seeing you.

[hardballsy]

[OH. Right. Yes, he saw that. He saw her talking about how she's a threat to everyone's safety, how she can potentially literally make Hell freeze over.

That whole thing.

Okay.

Whatever Lucifer has to do with it, he really doesn't want to know. He's heard that name far too much lately, and... no.

Just — no. No, he's not going to ask, he's not going to warn her, he's not going to make the Ice Queen panic and cause an incident.

No.]

I don't need anything other than to know you're doing alright. Between that headache of yours and how you were at the thing, I... settling in can be difficult. So...

[cryogene]

[She wonders if this is how Anna felt when she first met Hans. Annoyingly giddy, like her stomach might twist in knots at any second. Of course, comparing Josh to Hans is the worst possible thing she can do. Josh is like a prince in her eyes- charming and a gentleman. He wouldn't ever try to kill her and steal her kingdom.

Forcing herself to count to three in her head and exhale slowly before she responds, there's a hint of muffled nervous laughter.]

So...

[Oh. She's supposed to be saying words to move the conversation along now.]

I was hoping you'd pick up on the hint that I wanted to see you.

[Criticizing him probably isn't what he's looking for. But sometimes men just need someone to tell them what to do.]

We didn't have the time to speak at length when we first met.

[hardballsy]

[And again: Oh.

Josh has to take a second to wonder what in God's name he was doing wrong while he was alive that it was so difficult to get dates. He thinks it was probably work and the fact that he was buried in it constantly, but there was also Donna, and —

He's getting ahead of himself.

It's probably not that. Even if it sounds like it.]

Yeah, that's — I'd like that. I was hoping, actually, that I could talk to you about your impression of this place so far. We could do that over coffee?

[cryogene]

Do you think we could find hot chocolate instead?

[Coffee makes her so jittery, and puts her powers more on edge. No one needs that. Maybe that's asking for too much though. So she quickly adds on--]

Coffee will do too, of course. It's just that hot chocolate is my favorite.

[And reminds her of Anna, who she misses so much it feels like she's been torn apart with no hope of ever being put back together again. Not that she expects Josh to know or get that. ]

I can meet you wherever you like though. Really.

[hardballsy]

Yeah, of course.

[Really, the last thing Josh needs is more caffeine.

The hot chocolate thing poses a problem, however, which is:] You're gonna have to come for my office for that, though. Can you keep a secret?

[cryogene]

I've kept some secrets for almost thirty years. I think you can trust me.

[And lucky for him, she remembers where he's said his office is.]

If you're there now, I find my way to you in thirty minutes.

[Not that she's going to rush. Except she's definitely going to.]

[hardballsy]

Good. 'Cause hot chocolate is frowned upon down here. Just about everything sweet is, but I've got a stash. So — shh.

[But that was a gentle shh.]

I'll be here. Take your time.

[cryogene]

[Take her time. Right.

She rushes to change from her formal dress into something more modern, like she sees others here wearing. It's much shorter than she's used to, but it's so hot here that she doesn't mind.

After making sure her braid is perfectly in place she hurries her way over toward him. She doesn't run though, because she's a queen and her heels make running difficult. But she's there promptly on time, knocking at his office door before walking in.

She's so excited to see him again that she's completely forgotten that she didn't want anyone to see her with the nubs on her head. They're entirely out of mind as she smiles over at him and clasps her hands against her stomach anxiously. ]

You don't think I'm old, do you?

[It's an out of the blue question to ask but she's just seen one of the fliers around town for a certain party that she's not invited to on account of being a spinster.]

[hardballsy]

[Sorry, what?

Josh blinks at her as he rises from behind his desk, taking in how pretty she is, appreciating the fact that she seems to have found a wardrobe more suited for — not Hell, he thinks, but... the heat, at least. And day-to-day life.

Except not life.

He blinks again, stupidly.]

I'm pretty sure you're younger than I am, and I'm not old, so no. Definitely not. What...? [Hold on. The cogs are turning.] Oh! The party? Chase's thing?

[couldkillthedevil]

Ah. Well, in that case, I'd definitely be up for meeting you. If you just give me a little time, I can be over within an hour. How's that?

[cryogene]

I'm almost thirty. I hadn't thought that was old, but--

[She bites at her lip, nodding. It isn't that she wants to go because it's a party, but she just wants to find a place here. And part of that involves meeting other people. ]

How old are you, Josh?

[Her head tips to the side as she asks him, and she just barely hides her curious smile that implies she's asking to figure out the age difference between them.]