Different World, Still a Klutz

[cereal_suits_me]

There is a small *pop*.

And then Bella Swan materializes, standing in the doorway with a very befuddled expression gracing her features. Has she been here before? Maybe. But the place doesn’t seem altogether very familiar. Scuffing her shoes on the floor as she walks, she slides her fingers through her hair to shield her face from being noticed by

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[topazandblood]

Oh thank someone, Edward was getting ready to do something drastic. Nothing so melodramatic as Italy, but he was getting a little desperate.

He sneaks up behind her and sets a hand on her hip, speaking next to her ear, "You should be more careful where you walk. You could hurt yourself, tripping over something like that."

[cereal_suits_me]

The Voice. He is here!

Her balance regained, Bella’s heart skips a beat as she whirls around and wraps Edward in a hug. Thank God, of all the people she knew, he found her. Wherever here was; she didn't care.

“Whoops. Sorry,” she mutters into his shoulder.

[topazandblood]

Edward smiles and wraps his arms around her, kissing her hair softly, "I think I might be able to forgive you. I'm just glad you're here..." And there's another of those pesky human emotions -- relief. Every fibre in his body feels relieved as he holds Bella to him.

Typist: Welcome, lately XD Fancy meeting you here.

[cereal_suits_me]

When he verbalized her exact feelings, Bella smiles widely, “Wherever here is…”

Pulling her head back, intending to take in her surroundings, she is easily distracted by the vision of his beautiful face. For some reason, the power of his dazzling features never lessens. She blinks. It was so not fair.

[topazandblood]

"It's a very strange place, but I'll try to explain it to you, if you'd like."

He returns the smile and strokes her cheek gently, happy to be able to touch her again, after so many months. "What's the matter? You haven't hit your head already, have you?"

[cereal_suits_me]

"Hmm?" Snapping out of the dazzle-trance was harder every time, "Oh, no! I'm fine, it's just... Your doing it again."

There. Bella could think properly again, and she quickly took the opportunity to glance about the room. It took all of her focus not to simply give in to his gentle caresses. Then again, if he were comfortable where they were, why couldn't she be also?

She instantly felt her whole body relax, and she asked, "Explain away."

Typist: Can I write in past-tense. It's easier for me.

[topazandblood]

"Which? Oh -- the dazzling? Forgive me, it's hard to turn it off," he teased, stroking his fingers through her hair. He couldn't seem to get enough of touching her again. Though in his defense, it had been nearly five months since he saw her last.

"Mm, perhaps we should sit. It's a bit of a long story. Do you need anything to eat? There's a very well stocked kitchen."

[cereal_suits_me]

Bella laughed at his concern.

"Just because I'm a human doesn't mean I'm perpetually hungry," she smirked, contented enough to simply be standing beside him. "Maybe later. Explain first, I'm curious."

[topazandblood]

"Curiosity killed the cat, you know. But very well."

He made a show of taking a deep breath and began speaking, "Once upon a time there was a mansion. In this mansion, there were thousands of people who came from every kind of place and time you could think of. Some of them are familiar -- I know Romeo was here, at one point, and I shouldn't be surprised to see Heathcliff. All are very real. No one knows how they got here, a few know how to leave, but most just stay in the mansion and find ways to amuse themselves here. About five months ago, a dazzling young vampire happened onto this mansion. Unfortunately, he was without his beloved. So he has spent his time here searching for her, and met some interesting people along the way. Then one day, his beloved reappeared, and they lived happily ever after, or at least until she gets herself into some other mortal peril. The end. Or the beginning, I suppose."

[cereal_suits_me]

Bella bit her tongue to keep from laughing. It didn't work. Sometimes Edward could be so ridiculous. One thing was for sure, he never ceased to amaze her, in one way or another.

"What a wonderful story," her voice was sarcastic. "But really, Romeo?"

[topazandblood]

"Romeo, really. And all sorts of fantastic creatures. Angels and demons, for instance. I think we also have a sea beast -- or lake beast, more accurately." He leans closer, his tone conspiratorial, "And there are vampires here, if you can believe that."

[cereal_suits_me]

Playing off of his words, Bella gasped, her eyes growing wide, "No! There can't be vampires here. Really?"

Grabbing the hem of his shirt, she brough her face close to his, "Can I go see them? Please?"

Then, thinking to herself, 'Maybe one of THEM will take pity on my impending-doom romance.'

[topazandblood]

"Vampires! Now now, Bella," he scolded gently, tapping her nose lightly. "Vampires are dangerous creatures. Are you certain you'd want to meet one? I hear they bite."

[cereal_suits_me]

"That's okay," Bella knew she might be crowing in on dangerous turf with this one, "I kinda like that idea. Maybe I'll get something out of it, like eternal life."

She shrugged innocently.

[topazandblood]

"Bella..." His voice took on a warning tone, his expression more serious. "No, you know how I feel about that. If I have to hang a sign around your neck that says 'Do Not Bite', I will. Please just be patient."

[cereal_suits_me]

Gazes up at his wonderful face with wide eyes, "Edward, you know very well that I'm being as patient as I can."

Slowly, she reached up to touch the cold, smooth skin of his cheek with her fingers, "I'm really trying, I just -- I love you."