Familiar Face, But Not The Same

[Shannon Marks]

(Tag: Bellamy Shaw )

As much as she was used to the routine, Shannon still found herself growing impatient each time. Although with the recent issues cropping up, Shannon could understand if it would take a little longer. Sighing, she leaned against the side of the entrance and once again observed those who passed by. She was likely a familiar figure at this point, from the number of times she took position outside the Magistrate's building. She was starting to identify the people who passed and the people who left the building itself. Those that walked by were also learning to avoid her gaze. That or hurrying through before she essentially dissected them with her eyes.

Each time someone left the entrance, she would glance over. Each time, she was let down, and returned to her watching with a huff. This time though, the figure that exited was familiar. A brunette, but not the one she was looking for. Still, it was a "friendly" face in a sea of strangers. Or at least someone she could speak to without feeling a little awkward. "Hello Bellamy." She greeted with a nod. "Seems like they're keeping you longer today." Again, she knew the reason why. That didn't mean she had to be happy about it though.

[Bellamy Shaw]

As of late, it was difficult to find any time away from the work Bellamy adored. She was lucky to work within a field she manage to find the joy in, else such lengthy hours might have grown wearisome. Bellamy had always been something of an optimist in the world they lived in, so despite the difficulty she still seemed happy.

Tired, but joyful nonetheless.

As she walked, she briefly caught the eyes of someone familiar. Instinctively, she smiled from the corner of her mouth; something small, but genuine all the same. She'd met Shannon a fair few times now, and while she had a bit of a reputation for an icy demeanour, that wasn't something Bellamy held to heart.

Shannon was hard not to look at, beautiful as she absolutely was. Bellamy could easily admit that. Just not to her face. Or out loud at all.

"Oh, Shannon, hello." She greeted her in return, knowing all too well she wasn't the face she was looking for, "Yes, it's been quite hectic. Almost daunting, really. I'm sure you've heard it all." And as such, she wondered if the Inquisitor really wanted to have it reiterated by herself.

[Shannon Marks]

Bellamy Shaw. Someone Shannon had limited experience with. She had met the brunette largely due to the fact that she was friends with Jessica first and foremost, rather than Shannon herself. Still, she'd only recieved kindness from the other woman. Which was why her expression at least softened somewhat with the hints of a smile when the brunette addressed her. Shannon could be nice. It was just that most times she didn't bother trying.

Ah yes, the two issues that were likely the reason both brunette a were being held back longer. She only nodded in response, having heard even more so on he subjects with her own job. Although the praetor could be privy to some developements the Inquisition had made. Maybe it would ease the tension around the whole thing. "The Inquisition is putting more effort into discovering the source of both problems now that the Magistrate is involved." She said. "They're sending more inquisitors into the Outer City to search for the missing humans, while some of us are questioning the vampires that had them." It was a definite step up from the little they'd originally done. "As for the mysteriously turned vampires, they're being questioned." That was all she would say on that.

[Bellamy Shaw]

What Bellamy got felt like a very stock standard approach. It was like being relayed information as she deserved it. She wasn't necessarily Bellamy Shaw with a place in the Magistrate. She was just a person who just happened to approach this conversation.

She curled her hands together in front of her, holding them steady.

"Forgive the intrusion - that is, if you consider this an intrusion - but," She paused briefly. Shannon was a little daunting. Everyone who dealt with her knew that on some level. Now wasn't the time to feel it, "These people need to gain our trust. Can we trust in the way they're being treated to try and get answers?"

Always advocating, this instance was no exception. There were those above Bellamy's head that saw something harsher as the only way to respond to disobedience; how she felt on that matter was incredibly obvious to all.

[Shannon Marks]

She'd seen that kind of look before. Those sort of subtle signs that someone appeared to be bracing themselves for what they were about to say. Shannon had seen them more often than not. She wasn't exactly the most bubbly, approachable type. The only ones who were devoid of such actions were those in her own coven. She didn't blame Bellamy for showing caution. The fact she apologized prior to even asking her question showed she didn't want to anger the inquisitor. Because what Bellamy was asking was whether or not the Inauisition knew what it was doing.

Her blue eyes narrowed and she observed the girl in silence for a while. Her expression wasn't one of anger, or even annoyance. It was just thought. She would actually consider the question, and what it implied. "They aren't being hurt." She finally answered. That was why she'd asked, right? "But...We want answers. The others might get rough, but at the end of the day they're still vampires who had wanted a better life like a lot of the ones we already have. You can trust our methods."

[Bellamy Shaw]

When eyes narrowed on her, Bellamy remained stagnant. She'd dealt with a great many difficult individuals above her before. More to the point, her own sire carried a kind of fearful air she hadn't been so swept in ever since she'd been turned. She wasn't worried, per se, but she didn't want to offend the important person to her colleague; her friend. There was a worthwhile connection there and she didn't want to ruin it.

Relief washed over her in a wave at the concept of people not being hurt. It was all she asked for, and it seemed genuine enough. She didn't know this woman all that well but she had to believe in the company kept by those she knew.

"Don't doubt the trust I have in you." She said then. Though she should have spoken about all Inquisitors - she had been in her last question - this time she was directing Shannon herself, "I believe you."

[Shannon Marks]

It was almost impressive, the way she managed to survive under Shannon's gaze. Most would crumble or even crack just a little. She was reminded of another particular brunette, and her respect towards the one before her grew just a tiny bit. Little anyone did could earn it in large portions. The only one who'd managed that was her sire. He'd practically saved her life from either being miserable, or outright ending.

Shannon was in for a shock though. Trust? Not only that, but belief in her. It was such a strange thing to hear being directly addressed to her. And it was being directed at her, if the way Bellamy spoke was any indication. If the blood had still been pumping regularly through her veins, Shannon might've managed a small blush. As it was, she only averted her eyes for a moment out of minor embarrassment. That was a rare thing for the blonde to feel indeed. "...Thank you. I don't hear that often." She admitted. In fact, she almost never heard something like that from anyone outside her coven. Even then it was rare.

[Bellamy Shaw]

Despite the small shift of a previously caught gaze, Bellamy didn't stop looking. She wanted to take in everything she could while she had the time to do it. Everyone deserved the courtesy, as did they deserve the lack of complete assumption. Shannon might have looked away, but her reasoning behind it was her own to keep.

"I think very few consider the individuals in a larger body." She replied, shrugging her shoulders. It was easy to throw the entire Inquisiton together in one lump sum, "Even if you're not succeeding, you're trying. To me, that makes all the difference."

[Shannon Marks]

It was, admittedly, a little odd getting that sort of praise. Not that it wasn't nice, but Shannon wasn't particularly used to it with the organization she worked with. Maybe it was all sweet words. Although as she observed the brunette, she was more inclined to believe the words were meant to hold their weight. There might've been something else to them. Maybe it was kindness on her other friend's behalf. Still, she had to chuckle and shake her head.

"You're too kind." She said, smiling a little more noticeably now. Certainly wider than she had been before. "But thank you again." The praise, as unexpected any of it had been, was nice. "I can't speak for all members of the Inquisition, but typically we do try." She felt she should add. She could think of some cases where effort hadn't been as high, regretfully.

[Bellamy Shaw]

Bellamy knew without fail that kindness cost nothing. Believing it, and in turn getting someone to believe that was where all the difficulty held itself. People always struggled with the niceties, and she never blamed them for that difficulty; there looked as if so little in life was worth celebrating now.

Her own eyes glanced briefly to the better smile she was offered, and she couldn't help how the sight of it made her own grow. It was a nice sight to see, if nothing else.

Nodding her head, Bellamy thought then to stop bothering the woman who was clearly waiting for someone else. It could be minutes or moments before another person passed and she might find more interesting, but a question found itself in her head and she couldn't help but ask the usually stern, perhaps disinterested party; "How are you, by the way?"

[Shannon Marks]

After that, Shannon was fairly sure their conversation was over. Holding one wasn't exactly the blonde's forte, so she wouldn't have faulted the other woman for leaving. However, Shannon wasn't left behind to wait on her own. That was surprising in it's own right, and her blue gaze once again took in the friendly brunette.

"I'm alright." She said after a few moments of silent thought. With the Inquisition investigating the issues that Bellamy no doubt knew about, Shannon found herself slightly busier than normal. Though she'd rather be busy than stuck twiddling her thumbs trying to find something to do. She could hardly complain. But now she couldn't help returning the question. "What about you? How have you been?"

[Bellamy Shaw]

The question seemed surprising, if not for the fact that their conversation was continuing than for the fact that someone had actually asked her. Bellamy tilted her head a fraction as she listened. Alright might have seemed like an average word, but she was certainly grateful to hear it. It was better than anything bad. And when it was turned on herself, she had no trouble answering,

"I'm good." Bellamy admitted then, nodding her head once, "Despite all the chaos and all that, I feel good. I'm optimistic."

As she always was. It had always been her nature and it was the thing everyone knew about her. Where most were willing to complain about a workload, she was always the kind to embrace it. "Well, if you ever need anything, or... I'm not sure; if you'd just like someone to talk to, I'm not that hard to find." She explained. Though she knew Shannon had the obviously great connection with Jessica, she wondered if it would be so bad to have another person in her corner.

[Shannon Marks]

Shannon nodded her head a little at the brunette's response. It was good to hear that the other woman was fine as well, in more ways than one. That appeared to be the general feeling for optimists like her and Jessica. Much as Shannon could admire it, she didn't think she could keep up that kind of thinking for long. Shannon was a pessimist at heart, and always would be. But she could appreciate the outlook of an optimist here and there. "Good to hear." She remarked with a small smile.

Though the following offer once again took Shannon by surprise. The other woman seemed to be fairly good at doing that- Shannon wasn't used to it. Still, the blonde let out a short laugh. Not so much of a derisive one as one drawn from amusement. "Now I know you're being too nice to me." She responded with a crooked smirk. "I'm not exactly a great conversationalist, Bellamy. I'm surprised you've lasted this long even." She wasn't lying; this was probably one of the longest conversations she'd had with someone not part of her coven. Reinhard was likely the only other person to get much out of Shannon, but that was understandable. Not Bellamy seemed to be taking second place to that, and they'd only lasted minutes so far.

[Bellamy Shaw]

That small laugh sounded laced with disbelief, and Bellamy could only smile towards it, if only to acknowledge that she heard it in the first place. She knew what was likely coming next, but she always wanted to give the benefit of the doubt. People often took a kind word for what it was and never delved down the avenue further.

The idea of being too nice put a curious crease between her eyebrows as they lowered a touch.

"I don't find you off-putting at all, if that's what you're implying about yourself." Bellamy tried. Of course, she heard as many stories as everyone else did. If face value was anything to go by, it would surely be enough to deter most people from her company. "Honestly, I've only ever heard you talk about work, and a conversation like that can drag, even with the best of people."

She exhaled a short laugh then. Sure, in these walls work was always the topic of conversation. Someone always needed something. Someone always had something to say. "There has to be more to you than chasing runaway vampires and their neglectful sires." She continued, the curiosity on her face now etching itself into her tone.