we are convenient to major metropolises

[cross_and_bow]

This vampire nest was supposed to have six vampires in it. This trip to L.A. was supposed to involve this nest as the first stop of several. This time Sherlock's information is imperfect.

[Fuck,] says Bella, after having burst through the door, masked and armed with her stake, [they're having all their friends over today - help -]

Comments

[bitofafiction]

He laughs.

Then he joins the hug.

[cross_and_bow]

Juliet emerges from the room a bit later.

She looks like she's being eaten alive by some admixture of guilt and revulsion.

"Do you want to kill her or should I?" she asks Minus in a small voice.

[eversomuchfun]

"All the same to me, love," he says softly.

[cross_and_bow]

Juliet's not sure what to make of 'love'. Reflex? Is he really that able to separate her from the creature in the other room? She swallows, and goes and gets a pentagon from Golden, and stares fixedly at the door that conceals ex-Juliet.

The pounding noise stops.

Juliet finds a corner to scrunch herself into, and she cries into her knees.

[eversomuchfun]

Sherlock gently detaches himself from the other two and goes over to Juliet and sits down beside her.

[toblameforit]

"So, um..." says Tony, turning to Golden,

"...who are you again?"

[luminous_regnant]

"Bella Cullen, Empress Regnant of the Golden Empire in the world that I have named Aurum," says Golden. "My nickname when there's more than one of me around is Golden. That one is Juliet. There are lots of several people, including you, and not all of them stem from forks due to the afterlife - I've met one other instance of you in particular, but Shell Bell is familiar with more."

[cross_and_bow]

Juliet doesn't seem to be able to look Minus in the eye. Or form a sentence.

[eversomuchfun]

He rests his hand lightly over one of hers.

[toblameforit]

"Nice to meet you, I guess," says Tony. "Uh, thanks for taking me out of the creepy death tunnels."

And he hugs the not-vampire Sherlock.

[cross_and_bow]

That startles a moment of eye contact out of Juliet.

[I don't see how you can stand to touch me, after -]

[luminous_regnant]

"You're welcome. We're going to see about conquering the afterlife and installing something less appalling. You all got out easy, not having been processed yet."

[toblameforit]

"Well, that's nice."

[eversomuchfun]

[Because you are not she,] says Sherlock. [And she is not you. And it does not please me to see you so unhappy.]

[luminous_regnant]

"It's what we do," says Golden.

[cross_and_bow]

[The... the fallout shouldn't be about me feeling guilty. How are you, what do you need?]

[eversomuchfun]

[I am... not well,] he says. [And I don't know what I need. But I know I would rather be with you than anywhere else right now.]

[cross_and_bow]

Juliet hugs him.

He may notice that she doesn't have her old strength anymore.

But that's all right. They finally found a mint.

[luminous_regnant]

Golden starts making notes in the Bellbook. When she's finished - it only takes a few seconds to describe those of the events that are for public consumption - she offers the book to Tony and non-vampire Sherlock collectively. "A summary, albeit one skewed towards the interests of my template and not either of yours."

[bitofafiction]

Sherlock picks it up and starts reading.

[eversomuchfun]

And Sherlock hugs Juliet some more.

[cross_and_bow]

[I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry.]

[eversomuchfun]

[I know,] he says. [I love you.]

[cross_and_bow]

[I love you too.]

[eversomuchfun]

Snuggle.

While Golden is still here, they should probably deal with some practical matters, but they don't have to deal with those right this second.