Chapter Text
“All I’m saying is that it’s important you take your work seriously.”
“I had a chance to work another shift at Pumat’s shop, Caleb! We need the money!”
“You need to get an education."
Voices echoed off the stairwell walls as twin footsteps made their way up. Beau paused where she stood and watched curiously as two figures appeared on the landing ahead of her.
Her muscles were already starting to ache from lifting boxes and suitcases all day and she really couldn’t wait to be done so they could order some food in and crash out on their newly unpacked mattresses.
The two newcomers were definitely a welcome change of pace.
One of them was a man - older than her, paler, scruffy-looking, ginger - and the other was a younger girl - a little scruffy-looking, little bit of green in her hair, teenage, backpack on one shoulder, younger sister, maybe? - and both of them stopped when they saw Beau.
“Sup.” Beau said, lifting a hand lazily as a greeting. She wasn’t super hyped about meeting new people while she was sweaty and unkempt and just generally in a shit mood. She also wasn’t super happy that Jester and Fjord were grabbing the last of the boxes from the van and not there.
“Hello.” The man said. He had an accent that pulled at his words, and if Beau cared just a little more, maybe she could have identified it. He nodded at the open door and the boxes just outside of it, “I take it you’re the new tenant.”
Beau took a moment to appraise the pair, thinking about how bitchy it would be to ignore them. But Fjord’s voice had already begun bitching at her in the back of her head, so that probably wasn’t the best plan.
“Sorta, yeah.” Beau said, desperately hoping that these two weren’t going to be that kind of overly-friendly neighbour, “I’m moving in with two friends.”
“That’s good.” The man said awkwardly.
The girl had already brushed past him and was walking along towards one of the only other doors on this floor. A set of keys jingled quietly in her hand as she walked, but that was the only sound she made.
Beau found herself silently praying for either Jester or Fjord to appear and save her from this awkward conversation.
“My name’s Caleb Widogast,” He said, reaching out and extending a hand towards her, “my little friend here is Nott.”
“Not what?” Beau asked. She did shake Caleb’s hand - she may be an arsehole, but Caleb was just trying to be nice - but that didn’t stop her from wanting this conversation over as soon as possible.
“Just Nott.” The girl piped up, suddenly appearing at Caleb’s side again. Her backpack had disappeared and now that Beau was closer, she could see some kind of bandana tied around Nott’s neck that she was fiddling with nervously. It looked like it might have the bottom half of a face printed on it.
Beau almost wanted to pry further, but luckily she was saved by Fjord choosing that moment to stumble out of the stairwell. He was carrying a box with the word ‘kitchen’ and a cute little illustration of someone making pancakes adorning the side.
It looked like he was struggling, so Beau rushed forwards to take the other side. The box wasn’t all that heavy, but Fjord’s muscles were all for show and Beau didn’t really want him to drop all their crockery.
“Thanks,” Fjord muttered, groaning a little as Beau took the box from him and set it down.
He blinked in surprise at the two unfamiliar faces, but a charming smile quickly replaced it. Even slightly sweaty, in an old shirt and his hair a mess, Fjord still managed to pull himself together enough to reach out a hand towards them. (Beau almost envied his natural charisma. Just not enough to do anything about it.)
“I don’t think we’ve have the pleasure of meeting yet. Name’s Fjord.” He said, smiling easy and letting his accent put a pleasant twang on his words. “This here’s Beau, and our friend that’s just coming up the stairs now is Jess but she likes to be called Jester.”
Caleb shook Fjord’s hand. Beau only really cared when she saw how Caleb seemed to both shrink into himself and lean into the greeting. It was a subtle thing, but she knew that it would be fun to tease Fjord about the look on both their faces.
“Caleb. Widogast.” Caleb said, stumbling just a little over his words. Beau tried to catch Fjord’s eye but he wasn’t playing.
“Caleb,” Fjord repeated, nodding once like he was committing the name to memory. He turned his attention to Nott and held out his hand again, “and you are?” He asked.
“Nott.” Nott waited a second before quickly shaking Fjord’s hand, letting her hands fiddle with a thin chain around her wrist. “Just Nott.”
Fjord smiled, but he glanced at Caleb to make sure.
“Nott. That’s a lovely name.” Fjord said. Nott smiled shyly, but still a little weary. “So, you two live here?”
“Ja, we live just down the hallway.” Caleb said, pointing vaguely towards his front door.
He looked like he wanted to say something else, but his attention was stolen away by a third person’s loud voice announcing her presence.
“This is the last of them!” The person said - more sang, actually - hefting a large box and setting it down on the ground. Beau was so used to Jesters Jester-ness, that seeing the slightly bewildered look on Caleb and Nott’s face nearly put her on the defensive. Then she took a second to think about how this loud, blue-haired and dressed, awkward and freckly lady would look to someone who lived a quiet life.
Their expressions were probably very much warranted, in all fairness.
“Caleb, Nott, this is Jester.” Fjord introduced, awkwardly clearing his throat.
Without prompt, Jester stuck her hand out towards Caleb, beaming at him. It took him a second, but Caleb did shake her hand. That obviously earned him a few points of goodwill.
Nott was just as apprehensive when she shook Jester’s hand, but something in her body language was much warmer than Caleb’s reservedness.
“What’s that stain on your shirt?” Jester asked, turning her attention back towards Caleb. She was blunt, and that seemed to catch him off guard.
“I- excuse me?” Caleb seemed more confused than offended, but still Beau saw Fjord shift uncomfortably.
“There’s a stain on your shirt,” Jester repeated, now pointing at the offending stain.
“Oh that,” Caleb said, looking down at it, “that’s just ink.”
“Are these people bothering you, Caleb?” Yet another new voice said. This one sounded amused and just a little cocky.
(Beau was beginning to get a sinking feeling that the neighbours in this building actually talked to each other).
The owner of the voice was a man leaning against his own door frame. His clothes were a little gaudy and he had a lot of gold piercings in his ears. The shirt he was wearing had a low neckline and there were multiple tattoos very clearing on display. If that wasn’t enough, he was also holding a glass of wine.
Beau instantly disliked him.
“They’re our new neighbours, Molly.” Nott said.
“I was wondering when that place would be filled.” Molly said idly. He subtly began to hide the glass of wine, but he didn’t try that hard.
“Is Yasha back, then?” Caleb asked, nodding towards Molly and the glass of wine.
“She’s back tonight, actually.” Molly said, a wicked smile on his face. Beau let herself glance at Fjord. “You’re welcome to join in the celebration.”
“Do you still owe me a drink?” Caleb asked.
“I don’t see why not. You still owe me a story.” Molly said, taking a sip of his wine. He looked over the three newest tenants with a slightly appraising look.
Evidently, he liked what he saw in them because the wicked smile grew a little bit.
“You three are also welcome to join.” Molly said.
“I don’t think we’ve been introduced, my name’s-” Fjord said, putting a fair bit of charm into his voice.
“I’m Jester!” Jester had moved quickly to stand in front of Molly. He barely flinched with Jester’s loud voice - in fact, it only made him more amused.
“And it is wonderful to meet you, Jester.” Molly said, defly shaking Jester’s hand and kissing the palm of her hand. Caleb met Nott’s eye and Nott’s shoulders shook with a little, suppressed laugh.
“It’s nice to meet you too!” Jester proclaimed. “That’s Fjord, and that’s Beau.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Mollymauk, and I sincerely hope you will join us this evening for drinks and celebration in the Leaky Tap.” Molly said, a thick theatrical air around him.
“We may well join you, if that’s alright.” Fjord said, a small smile on his face. He was beginning to feel a little at-home while they chatted with their new neighbours.
“Well shit, I’m down to get drunk tonight.” Beau said, shrugging.
“I’d say that’s a plan then.” Molly said, lifting his glass in a mock toast.
Beau watched as Jester continued to chat animatedly with this Mollymauk guy. He seemed a little shifty, but so did the entire neighbourhood. And Jester practically seemed to vibrate when Nott mentioned something about fortune telling, honestly, Beau tuned out at that point. She was more focussed on the conversation she was meant to be a part of between Caleb and Fjord.
Something about the whole situation… it didn’t feel entirely shitty. And maybe Beau could get used to that.