tatianalovell:

Well, you know, darling. You could always hire a personal shopper, aka, me. And you won’t have to go about it yourself. (/shrugs causally as if it were the most logical thing to do) That, or you need to learn to take compliments in better, sweetheart. (/smile lifting to her eyes) 

(/blinks, almost hesitant in answering) This room…his office…because (/shakes her head, physically rejecting the words escaping her mouth) I can’t find it in myself to ever admit these things to his face. Last I remember is seeing his face and (/raises her free hand, twisting it upwards so that her palm faces the ceiling) fighting him or getting angry with him. I don’t know if I can manage a proper conversation with him anymore. But with you…and being here, I think it’s the closest I’ll get to that. 

(/nibbles on her bottom lip, slight apprehension flashing over her face as  their eyes meet once more, before she inhales softly; taking in his encouraging smile as an unmentioned promise) 

Okay. (/spoken softly before squeezing their interlocked hands gently) I wasn’t always so nice and I really disliked it when he acted like I was something he could corrupt. While I may not like killing, I’ve hurt people before - emotionally. And those are the ones that usually take the longest to heal. I thought it was all a good game - breaking couples apart and tempting those already taken because it made me feel wanted for once in my life. But I learnt that that had consequences. (/another inhale) They ganged up on me. My victims. They banded together and pulled a bag over my head while I was heading home through an alleyway once. (/her other hand reaches for his hand already on her face, guiding it toward her nose) They aimed for my face and broke my nose; I never knew so much blood pour from my face before. (/redirects his hand to her neck, shivering on contact) One tried to choke me because I was a ‘useless fucking tease’ that stole her boyfriend. I still get nightmares sometimes…recalling the time I was wheezing for air as the others pinned me down. Maybe that’s why I’m so sensitive there…because I expect people to literally take my breath away instead of the pleasures of bite or a kiss. (/shakes her head out of her own musing, a blush tinting her cheeks at the deviation before taking both his hands and placing it on her chest with attempted humor for respite)

These are real. (/noting how his hands fit over her body before leading them to either side of her rib cage  They had a certain fondness of kicking me here until some broke and others cracked. It kind of made breathing that much harder, you know. (/biting her lips once more, a hint of a mischievous smile as she crossed his hands behind to her ass) This is real too. (/erupts into a small chuckle before freeing his hands from hers, a look of indecisiveness pirouetting over her face before she shuffles down the edge of her shorts, taking his left hand to run his fingers across the circular scar that situated itself just above the right side of her pelvic bone) And that’s…where one of them burnt me. With a cigarette. Almost like a scarlet letter, I guess. Never been really fond of smoking since - had too many memories tied to it, you know. 

When the police found me…I just told them I was mugged - so the reports never showed. I suppose I was just ashamed of what happened - shocked, maybe. But, I came to understand what I did was wrong and what the word tease meant - it’s why I’ve come to despise that word. I- (/unknowingly casted her face downwards again, uncertainty riding up in her throat) Is this what karma feels like? Because the two people I’ve ever confessed to loving, left me…abandoned me. Or is because there’s nothing to love here? 

Does that mean you go on and by the clothes without me? If it’s so I just might think about it and hire your services. I’m taking compliments okay, I probably missed when you made one, sorry. 

I get it. [and he really did, even if he didn’t like playing the role of the guy that broke her heart] You can let it all out, Tati. He’s not here, but I am and if it’s not bothering you that we’re not the same person - lay it all out on me. Tell me what you couldn’t tell him, I’ll listen and I’ll keep it a secret between the two of us. Anything you need. 

[the story was nothing he would expect. It chilled him deep down to the core of his bones, making his chest ache for her. He couldn’t possibly put himself in her shoes, but he felt for her] I am… so sorry that ever happened to you. Jesus… [Warren’s first instinct was to hug her, but like Marcel, he felt she was more fragile than she let people know] You’ll be okay, I won’t let anyone do that to you ever again, Tati. [He stroked her hair and cupped her face to give her a gentle kiss on the cheek, holding down on any harsh movements, as if breathing wrong would crack her surface like a porcelain doll and break her to pieces] Do you still have nightmares? I can come spend the nights with you, hug you till you fall asleep and be there if you wake up startled. I don’t know if I’ll do you any good, but I can try. 

There’s nothing you should be ashamed of, Tati. No, this is not Karma. This is just life being fucked up. You’re better than to let those silly thoughts get you down. Tati, you are an amazing girl, you hear me? You are what every guy is looking for and you should be glad that dumb asshole got out of your way and left you alone. He didn’t deserve you, love. He’s just some idiot who can’t have a proper social encounter like a normal person, so don’t even think of letting him get you down. 

Viv: I was talking to Mari the other day and she was telling me about the Romans and gladiators and shit. She said it might be possible to find a time machine and go do that, be a gladiator. I think she was just fucking with me, but I wanted to ask anyway.
Warren: Never mess with time for stupid reasons like that one.

tatianalovell:

And what’s the harm with updating your wardrobe every now and then? (/half-attempt of teasing him by implying his clothes are out of date) Like that sweet smile for one. I don’t think anyone has the ability to come up with such a dashing grin that it lights up my own. (/a small smile surfacing onto her face in emphasis) 

(/falls forward at his pull, shuffling a few steps closer to him as her smile becomes a grateful one) …thank you, Warren. I- (/takes a mini breath before beginning) There was something I always resented in…the…relationship and that’s because I didn’t know a thing about him. It took…no longer being together for him to actually tell me something and it frustrated me - a lot. I wanted to know more about him - his past, his likes and dislikes, what made him tick…because I think a part of me wanted to share that bit of myself. But… (/swallows) He always had a way of pushing me out and no matter how much I wanted to let him in, I know I couldn’t - not without him reciprocating anyway. (/steps even closer to Warren as if she couldn’t stand the emptiness of the room itself) 

But it’s funny. During that time…I ended up learning more about you than my actual boyfriend. And…I felt connected - to you, to this place…more than I had originally intended. I wanted to run before; did you know? I wanted to leave this place because I didn’t want to live the rest of my life doing something I didn’t want to do. But now…I find myself not wanting to leave - because I don’t want to be alone anymore. (/small pause, finding ease in continuing the more she spoke) You told me that you were an orphan, that you love hot chocolate and despite yourself, feel a certain loneliness. Though, I’m afraid you don’t know much about me…and for that no-smoking mishap…I guess I should tell you a bit about myself, huh? (/lowers her head to look at their joint hands, finding difficulty looking him in the face now) 

I liked my old clothes and they were far from done when fire accidents kept happening to them. Not to mention I hate shopping. [he smiles again, unable to keep a straight face when she was smiling at him] You’re just saying that because of your personification. [he points out with a wink teasing her back]

[he listens and doesn’t step back when Tati comes closer, but grows very unsure of what the point of all this is] I think I understand that, yeah. [he nods once. Warren keeps his eyes on hers, trying to see past the captivating blue and into the true meaning of what she was trying to tell him] I get why you’d feel closer to me, but why to the room? His office as a matter of fact. 

I wish I can say I’m surprised, but I’m honestly more shocked when someone says they want to stay here. Wanting to run away from here is perfectly natural, many have tried. [Warren’s face took over a slightly surprised look at the second part] Tell me more about yourself, Tati. I want to know. [he got his free hand over her chin and lightly tried to push her head back up so their eyes can meet. When he managed to get a hold of her gaze again, Warren gave a reassuring smile] Please. 

tatianalovell:

(/pouts openly) Any luck of that power transferring business happening again? (/shrugs with a small smile) I’d have other reasons for calling you special.

(/notes his hesitation and takes his hand again, lacing her fingers between his as she starts moving to the center of the room, which happens to be where Marcel’s desk in) Closure. Don’t worry, darling, we’re not going to mess anything up…I just need…

Well, you said I could talk to you if I needed to, right? And I mean…really talk to you. Does the offer still stand? Because…I’m about to do something that really scares me and I need to know if it’s as okay as Grey says it is - leaning on others.

I hope not, I hated it last time and I had to go shopping for a new closet, because nearly burned mine. [tilts his head to the side, smiling] Like…? 

[looks down at their joint hands and then at Tati’s face. He tightens his grip against her fingers and pulls her closer. One hand went back to touch the desk and prevent him from smashing into it] Right. [nods] You can trust me with anything, Tati, and I’m gonna do everything I can to help with whatever I can. 

Viv: Is he still here?
Warren: That's just some files I read on him, he hasn't been here at all.

tatianalovell:

Is that so…train me sometime? That I do. Um, well…

Follow me? (/reaches forward and tugs at his hand toward Marcel’s office, beckoning him in when she opens it) 

It’s my power, Tati. It’s not something I can teach you. [chuckles] You know, that thing that makes me special and unique in this big house of possibilities. 

O..kay… [takes a step back voluntarily and then turns around to look at the office] What are we doing here?

tatianalovell:

(/jumps a little) Oh hey. You’re really going to have to teach me how you do that, darling. Don’t think I’m quite that great with sneaking up on others yet. Nor that fast. 

I have years of training so I’m really good at it, too. What am I doing here again? The texts got me curious and you know I’m not that good with being patient. 

Okay, I’m here! 

Viv: Do you know how to get a time machine?
Warren: I think there was this guy who could do some time jump power thingies, but other than this it's a lost cause.

Tati: Same thing. :P
Tati: Neither. But...nevermind. It's okay if you don't want to.
Warren: NO I WANT TO I'M COMING DON'T MOVE!!