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( o p e n )

Who: charlie (

notready) & OPEN
Where: multiple places
When: now and any time!
Rating: pg (for now)
Summary: charlie takes to exploring more of wonderland...

beach;

[ She doesn't remember the last time she'd gotten to see the ocean.

Certain things had sort of prevented it, so Charlie had stuck to the same old routine around the diner and only thought about things she should have. Having the kid, figuring out what to do after that. So, the sand and sun and water seems like a good idea until she actually gets there and takes a look around. Then, it's just a reminder of the desert and how much she misses everyone. She had Michael and she had Alex, but it didn't bring back the people she had lost, or the fact that she couldn't shake the perpetual sense that something wasn't right.

There's a sigh, and she eventually plants herself into a spot close to the surf, bare feet and legs stretched out to touch the water. Whether or not she ends up wet when the tide comes in doesn't matter. She's determined to be happier about things, and she smiles at whoever happens to walk by. ]

hedge maze;

[ Charlie hadn't gotten out of the mansion since she'd arrived, so it's a lot of random exploring and hesitantly breaking the safe shell she's built around herself since then. She finds herself just outside the maze, peering up at the hedges and remotely curious. No one had said anything about it being dangerous, which means it should be okay to walk through. Right?

She's not entirely sure about it, but she doesn't let it stop her, wandering in. Further and further, turning corners and trying to remember which direction she'd come in case she had to run back. However, that really doesn't do much good at all, and after a while, she does her best to convince herself she's alone. Except-- ]

... hello? [ Turning around, she glances behind her and keeps walking. ]

anywhere else;

[ It's impossible to miss this girl. She might be walking the length of a certain floor to see if the rooms really going on for an eternity. Or she might be sitting at a table in the tea room drinking coffee and people-watching. In fact, it's also likely she's just sitting in the garden and looking at the fountain. Pick a place, and she's there! ]

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Rounding a corner, she'll come across a man sitting reading on a bench.

He doesn't look up, apparently seriously studying the text.

"Are you lost?"

Charlie.

[Michael had asked her to meet him here, and, while he was usually right on time, a certain hairy feline had tried to escape his room. He was here now, and he hoped she hadn't been waiting for very long, though he wouldn't ask.]

Thank you for coming.

[It was later in the day, not super late, 'cuz he had a date with his sega that he couldn't miss tonight, and he wouldn't be out and about for too long. The beach was nice, almost like a vacation spot, and he was glad to finally get to see it. He'd been super caught up in exploring the inside of the mansion, and he was just now getting to the grounds.

Though, he was going to keep exploring. He was going to be very thorough.

When he sees her sitting on the edge of the dock, toes in the water, he kicks his boots off, yanks his socks down, rolls his pants up, and plops down right next her.]

Hey, I'm Garth.

[He sticks his hand out, then dips his feet into the water, shrieking a little at how cold it was.]

[Except, she isn't alone. When she turns around she'll find herself facing a man of average height with a neat if outdated haircut and a suit that's cleaner than one would expect of someone in the middle of a hedge maze.

Michael had observed the woman making her way through the maze from above, and decided it piqued his curiosity enough to be worth introducing himself.]

So are you a fan of logic puzzles, gardens, or simply curious?

[ On instinct, Charlie's hand curls into a fist, but his question sort of catches her off-guard. Instead of defending herself, as she'd first thought she'd have to do, she simply takes a step back and forces her heart to calm. ]

Never was much of a fan of the first two. [ A pause, and she's looking at him now. ] Being stuck inside's made me feel a little restless.

She's not nearly curious enough to ask him what he's reading or why he's even sitting around in a place like this. People do strange things in Wonderland, and that's not really the strangest she's had to deal with.

"No," Charlie says immediately, biting her lip. Then, there's a sigh. "Maybe. It's pretty easy to get turned around in here."

[ She's sort of grateful he hadn't put up a fight about the place she'd decided on, and there's a smile when she sees him there. Charlie walks straight to him. ]

Sure. [ The smile is a little wider. ] What did you need to see me for?

[He doesn't even flinch at the brief, threatening gesture. There is very little a single punch from a human can do to a body piloted by an archangel, and anyway, she's quick to back off.]

I understand the feeling. I'm not one to enjoy closed spaces.

[For one thing, hanging out in small rooms is a great way to get warded in or lured into a circle of holy oil.]

Though I do have to say that the view from the roof of the mansion is much more scenic than the one in here.

With a final squint at the book, he closes it and looks up.

"You're not too far from the center, actually. If that's where you were aiming for."

[The corner of his mouth begins to curve, he was going to smile, but then he remembers why he's here.]

I need your opinion on something.

[Now he's full on frowning.]

If you don't mind.

[Bigby was by himself in the tea room, secluded in a corner where he could smoke in peace. He'd been isolating himself lately, finding the silence far more comforting then being around people. He was in one of his moods and he could hear Collin in his head telling him to suck it up and to stop acting like a fucking brooding bitch.

Stupid pig.

He glanced over at the table next to him to see a girl watching him curiously. A memory tickled the back of his mind - what was her name? He'd met her somewhere before.]

Take a picture, it lasts longer.

[Smooth, Bigby. Very smooth.]

[ Oh, she remembers him. There's definitely no mistake about that, thrown off by his comment and then completely amused by it. She's used to this sort of talk--or had been. Things change, people change, and she knows Wonderland does that to people. To what extent, that she isn't familiar with, but she can give the guy a break. And rather than run off or dump her drink into his lap (entirely by accident, of course), Charlie gets up and sits with him. ]

Maybe I like lookin' at the real thing. [ Her smile is small. ] Bad day?

[ A little of it is the waitress in her trying to coax a bit out of him. A little of it is genuine curiosity. ]

[Of course she takes that as an invitation to sit across from him. And there was that stupid pig in his head telling him it was animal magnetism. If only he could threaten the idiot ham to make him breakfast or send him packing to the Farm.

I'm the best friend you've got here, Bigs. Ain't that a sorry sight?

Yeah, he was losing it.]

Nothing to look at really. [He exhaled towards the ceiling, sparing her the worst of the smoke.] And hasn't anyone taught you that every day is a bad day in Wonderland?

[ She's not entirely sure she wants to ruin this guy's happy mood, a bit stunned as he practically throws himself into getting his feet in the water. After a second, when he introduced himself, Charlie finds herself smiling. Then, there's the slightest laugh. He might not have been someone she'd have expected joining her, but it's cute. ]

Hi. [ She leans back a little, stretching out her legs. ] Charlie. [ She'd have pointed to the name badge she usually wore, but she hadn't had that for weeks now. ] It's nice, huh?

[ The beach, obviously. ]

[ Now that... she could disagree with. Charlie's not blind, doesn't have a problem going after what she wants, but there's also that small voice in the back of her head telling her to be careful. Oddly enough, it sounds like Michael and Jeep, and those are not the people she wants in her thoughts right now. The conversation is also a different sort of distraction, eyes on his face as he smokes. It also makes her crave a cigarette, but she'll manage without seeming like too much of a bother. ]

I guess that'd be up to me. [ She sips at her coffee, wondering. ] And they've told me plenty. It's just a little easier to think about stuff here than all the things going on back home.

[ Charlie looks up and gives him another smile. If she tried to explain the situation, she'd probably sound crazy. Talking about angels and God is one thing. Actually being involved with their plans and trying to avoid them another. She doesn't think this guy needs to know about that; it'd only add to whatever's bothering him. ]

You wanna talk about it?

[Stuff going on back home - yeah, Bigby can understand that. There's always stuff going on back home. He spends most of his time here wondering if anyone picked up where he left off. Did they find the killer? Was that sick bastard Ichabod Crane ever dealt with? And Bloody Mary - that was one chick who needed some serious Mundie meds. How was life in Fabletown without him? It kept him up some nights.]

Not really. [He tapped his cigarette out in the small ash tray and reached in his pocket for his crumpled pack. He slid a cig out and offered her one - she looked like the sort who wouldn't turn her nose up at a smoke.]

Doubt anyone is really missing me back home. Funny thing is, this place really isn't all that different. Same shit, different day.

[ She doesn't turn her nose up at the gesture. In fact, she's grateful for it, smiling as she takes one from him. How long had it been since she'd smoked last? It's not as if she probably couldn't get that stuff from the closet, but it still weirds her out, so she'd gone without. ]

Thanks. [ Held between her fingers, she waits for him to offer her a light. ] I bet everyone thinks that 'bout home though. It's probably not true, really.

[ And there's a thoughtful look. ]

You just have to find the right sort of people to make it better. [ A tip of her head. ] I mean, I don't think you're so bad.

[Bigby takes his lighter and flicks it, holding out the flame so that she can light her cigarette before lighting his own. He takes a long, deep drag and exhales, chuckling softly. Not bad, eh? That's another ghost from his past that's pulled from his memory.

You're not as bad as everyone says.

How many women were going to haunt him? It was starting to become far too many to count.]

You haven't known me long enough. How do you know if I'm bad or not?

[He grins - yeah, he's a bit amused.]

[ Charlie leans over the table, cigarette to her lips so that when it catches she can suck in a mouthful. It tastes familiar and different all at once, like it's been a lifetime since she's had anything like this. It's almost nice, leaning back and looking at her coffee before glancing back at him. It's true; she didn't really know anything about him or where he'd come from or what he was like. But that hadn't really stopped her before. Besides, it's not like she's actually opposed to those things. She wouldn't have sat with him here or at the bar if she had been. ]

I don't, but something tells me you aren't. [ She takes another drag from the cigarette, looking him right in the eye. ] Would you tell me if I was wrong?

[ If there was the slightest thing off about it all? She doesn't need another angel surprising her either. ]

[Bigby shrugs and admires the way she enjoys her cigarette. How long has it been since he seen someone else smoke? It feels damn good to have a partner in crime, he must admit, and he smiles.]

You're wrong but not many people know who I am here. It's strange, considering everyone knows me at home. Bad is my middle name. I know that sounds like a come on but it's true when you're the Big Bad Wolf.

[Bigby takes another long drag before he smirks.] Not that I really expect you to believe me.

[ There's a slight twist to her expression, and then, she laughs. Maybe it's a little rude, but it's not as if she'd been expecting that. Angels, vampires, Wonderland. The Big Bad Wolf? Her life feels like a fairytale. ]

Say I do believe you. [ Charlie places her half-smoked cigarette into the ashtray, going for her coffee instead. ] Is all that stuff really true? The stories? 'Cause it seems like everyone's getting everything wrong these days.

[ She smirks right back. ] It's not the weirdest thing I've ever heard.

[What a place Wonderland was that being told you were sharing a smoke with the Big Bad Wolf wasn't the weirdest thing the girl had ever heard. He didn't think he'd ever get used to the laughter as a response. Centuries of gasps and horrified stares have conditioned him to expect nothing else.

Still, she wasn't moving away and her company wasn't bad. He decided to go with the truth, for what it was worth.]

With me the stories tend to err on the side of caution. They're a bit too tame. Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, The Boy Who Cried Wolf - all of them are true but there are far more stories that are never told and they tend to be more gruesome.

[ If she was honest with him about the things she'd seen and done, he might not have believed her either. So, she's had a lot practice trying to accept things as they come and only questioning the important parts. Somewhere, she's still a little wary, but he hasn't been exceedingly terrible, and aside from his general surliness, which she suspects is more him than anything else, it's pretty nice. She doesn't have to sit around wondering who she's going to have to push away when they tell her they're worried about her. ]

Now I know you're just tryin' to scare me away. [ Her smile is a bit softer, drinking the rest of her coffee and taking up the cigarette again. ] But it's in the past, right? Does that sort of thing matter anymore?

[ Forgive and... well, not necessarily forget, but something to the equivalent. ]

Depends on who you ask.

[He is being vague on purpose. It was one thing to talk about his past as though it was a source of pride. It was another thing to acknowledge that it was all a front. Being big and being bad hadn't been important for a very long time but he would never admit it out loud. He had a reputation that kept people at arms length and sometimes he rather liked it that way. Other times... well, he'd rather not talk about that.]

Been a long time since I was wearing grandmother's old dressing gown, I have to admit. These days I've been tamed. I'm the Sheriff at home, a position I should really start up again here. If there's one thing Wonderland needs it's a Sheriff.

[ Her eyebrows go up just a bit at that. Sheriff? Of course, it would sort of make sense, especially with the way he's talking to her and that particular air that just says so. Every girl likes a man in a uniform, but that's something she really shouldn't be thinking about right now. ]

If you think that's what it needs, then you should do it. [ She shrugs just a little. ] It ain't like there's a whole lot stopping you. All those things you said-- it's supposed to make you a better person. Dunno if it actually counts in Wonderland, but it won't hurt to try.

[ Charlie considers reaching across the table and squeezing his hand, but he might not like that. So, she finishes the cigarette and drops her own hands into her lap. ]

Bet you'd smile more, at least.

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Hedge Maze

lobby; action

beach; action

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Tea Room

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