strangetrip | [EP] Maria and Brad

Maria decided to take a page out of Liz's book and waitress. She enjoyed the casual attire and lack of uniform. She liked she could make her own hours. She liked that she could take breaks whenever she wanted. If only real life could be like this.

She was still learning the ropes of the Madonna Inn. She knew her way around now, but the quirks of each person was still a mystery to her. Her fashion remained the same which was the 90s with hints of hippie inspiration from her mother. Today Maria wore jeans and a tank top. She brought an order out and placed it on the table. "Here you go. Hot out of the oven."

---

Brad was also at the restaurant. He was working on some writing he had started when he first got here. What was first letters to his mom and brother were now stories of the Inn. The creative writing class had always been one of Bradley's favorite classes. He found writing about the Inn and the events that transpired calming in an otherwise nerve-wracking place. As he went to write on the next piece of paper, one of his full ones flew off the table and drifted away. On that paper was the beginning of the retelling of the attack on the Inn.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"In Gotham, yeah," Snow answered without hesitation. This kind of strangeness wasn't unknown there, though that didn't make it any less devastating when it happened. "Where I was born... no. There's a lot about here they'd never believe."

"Yeah. I barely believe some of the stuff myself." He admitted. "But I'm getting better. The whole appearing back here after leaving for four hours and people who have magic make the weird hard to ignore."

Snow shook her head. "Magic's just a word for what's left to the powerless once everyone else has eaten their fill." It was one of the few lessons her stepmother had taught her that she insisted on holding on to. She didn't always know if she thought it was true in all cases, but she did very much believe that magic was not everything it was cracked up to be. "Anybody who tells you otherwise is a huckster with a hand in your pocket."

Bradley looked surprised and then he looked thoughtful. He replayed the words over in his mind and it seemed to make sense to him.

"I guess growing up where I did, most people who did magic on TV and the movies were either the hero or the bad guy." He replied. "I never thought about it like that."

I know it sounds cynical, but it sounds more realistic

Brad paused as he regarded his papers.

"Hey... if I wrote about my story before I came here... do you think you might read it?" He asked, looking back up. "I won't be hurt if you say no. I just... haven't spoken to anyone about what happened. I thought it might be easier to write it like a story."

And I'm more comfortable with you.

That visibly caught Snow by surprise, her dark eyes going wide. It made her look younger and softer, if a bit like a startled deer. "Why would you want to tell me?"

The story part she didn't question. There were things in her life she could only face when they were fairy tales.

Bradley considered his answer quietly.

"Because you'll read it and I don't think you'll treat me differently after." He said. "No offense to other people here, but some of them strike me as the type to baby or get that sad sort of look when they talk to you after.... I don't want that."

He wanted someone to know. He felt the desire to share, but he didn't want to be treated differently afterward.

Snow hesitated. Not because she didn't think she could bear the story, whatever it was, but because she didn't know about her ability to be a consoling presence or a sympathetic ear to anyone. But then, that didn't seem like what Brad was asking for. He wanted to let the story out. And she... could understand that.

She nodded. "All right. If you want."

"Thanks," He replied.

He felt awkward after she accepted, but he also felt relieved.

"I guess I'll have to start on that after I finish this." He said. "I'll... probably just leave it for you on your door or something."

I don't think I want to watch her read it

"You don't have to do anything," Snow assured him. Because yes, while she was willing to do that for him, she didn't exactly have a timetable of when she'd be willing to do that. If it took a day or a year, she'd understand either way. A story came in its own time. She wasn't about to rush him. "It's your story. You do what you need with it."

This is why I like her.

Bradley nodded.

"Thanks," He said with a brief smile. "I'll let you know whenever I get around to it."

[[Fade?]]

[EP] Maria and Brad - OTA

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