InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I have no chin?!"

Isla Sloane has an arrow with your name on it (deochfala) wrote in cirque_rp,
@ 2017-11-24 00:37:00

Who: Isla & Open
What: Catching an unneeded breath
When: November 1st, 2 a.m.
Where: Out back of the Hanged Man
Warnings: TBD

It never failed to amaze people, how Isla could balance on such small surfaces, or how she and Lila could do such intense poses and be so small. Isla loved her acts in the Hanged Man, she got to show off her strength, grace, and flexibility, and the audience always ate it up.

Tonight, she'd done one of her high wire acts, performing tricks and keeping her balance on an extremely thin wire, strung between two poles and very high off the ground. Isla didn't look down, she kept her poise and let her muscles go through the movements. When she finally stepped off onto one of the platforms, she flashed the audience a smile and bowed, then shimmied down the pole to the ground.

She stepped out of one of the back tent flaps, enjoying the feel of the breeze on her skin. The Cirque was still in full swing, but she knew she could have a few quiet moments back here."

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instrumentalit
2017-11-23 12:46 pm UTC (link)

Everything that Gabriel had hoped Le Cirque Nocturne would be had been blown out of the water by the reality of it all. He (and Iggy) had been drawn to the Tower of London as soon as he'd gotten off the plane, not having a need for a map or any assistance despite never having visited the city before. Before he had been able to process what was happening, he had been invited inside and taken to a curiously empty trailer, where he's promptly signed a contract and been sent on his way with the instruction to find The Ringmaster once the night's show had concluded.

Not sure what else to do while he waited, Gabriel decided to explore what would be his new home. With his pack still on his back, he set about wandering the grounds and familiarizing himself with things.

It was during his explorations that he noticed a pretty lady exiting one of the larger tents. Her costume signified that she was a performer, and so Gabriel thought it only polite to introduce himself to one of his new colleagues.

"Hi there," he said, approaching slowly in case she didn't want to be disturbed. She was clearly taking a break and he didn't want to bother her if she wasn't okay with it. That would be a bad start. "Could you tell me which tent this is? I'm trying to work out the layout and not doing a very good job of it so far."

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deochfala
2017-11-23 12:59 pm UTC (link)

Isla looked up at the new, unfamiliar voice. The man towered over her, as most people did, but she still looked up at him pleasantly. "Just joined up, have you?" she asked, sinking down onto an overturned crate.

"To answer your question, though, this is the Hanged Man. Acrobatics, aerialists, things of that sort. Or high wire acts, if you're me." She sighed and extended her legs, stretching out the muscles. "I'm Isla," she told him, folding them back under herself once she was satisfied. "What do I call you?"

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instrumentalit
2017-11-23 01:08 pm UTC (link)

Nodding in response to the question, Gabriel laughed. "That obvious?" he asked, shifting the pack on his back to show that he was only teasing. His attention was quickly caught by the tent behind the lady as she explained her role, his eyes widening a fraction. "How high is high?" he asked, eyes flickering between the tent - The Hanged Man - and the arealist stretching out in front of him. He was already very impressed.

It was nice to have a name to match to a face. Holding an eager hand out, Gabriel nodded. "Isla," he repeated, smiling at the sound of it on his tongue. It was a pretty name. "It's nice to meet you, Isla. I'm Gabriel."

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deochfala
2017-11-23 01:14 pm UTC (link)

One corner of her mouth turned up. "Only slightly," she told him. "You look like you took a wrong turn on your way back to university." She tilted her head at his question, thinking. "40 feet, I think," she said, after a moment. "That's what they tell me, anyway."

She stood to grasp his outstretched hand, giving it a firm shake, but not too hard. It wouldn't due to bruise his hand. "A pleasure, Gabriel," she replied. "Have they told you where you'll be working?"

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instrumentalit
2017-11-23 01:34 pm UTC (link)

Gabriel could see what Isla meant. With his pack, his layers, and the excited expression that seemed etched on his face, it wasn't surprising that she had made such a comment. Anything he was going to say in response to that was foregone by his next, however, which was prompted by the revelation of just how high high was. "Forty feet?!" he exclaimed, both surprised and a little horrified. He sometimes got vertigo from looking out of a window higher than the third floor. "That's insane!"

The touch of Isla's hand was cool in his own, though he wasn't surprised given the temperature outside and the sparseness of her costume. He resolved not to keep her for too long. "Not yet," he said. "I have to wait until the Ringmaster is free. He'll be telling me everything, or so I was told after I signed the contract."

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deochfala
2017-11-24 11:02 am UTC (link)

Isla smiled at Gabriel's reaction. It wasn't unusual for people to say things like that, especially audience members and new arrivals. It was old hat for her by now, but she could understand why they felt that way. People looked like dots from that far up.

"It's simply a matter of getting used to it," she replied. "Well, and very good balance, but that's almost a prerequisite in our little corner."

She nodded. "Kennet's probably in the big top this time of night, but he'll find you eventually," she told him. "He's a bit uncanny that way. Some friendly advice: trying to rile him is like poking a sleeping dragon in the eye. It will not end well for you. But yes, he's good at laying down the rules and a basic introduction to life here."

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instrumentalit
2017-11-24 03:09 pm UTC (link)

"I'd be eating the ground from the afterlife if I ever tried that," Gabriel said, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're one brave lady, Isla."

Listening closely, Gabriel made a mental note of what he was being told. Don't piss off Kennet, who he guessed must have been the infamous Ringmaster. "That's the last thing I'd want to do," he said. "I want to make a good impression and work for my place here. Annoying the boss isn't on my list of things to do."

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	deochfala 2017-11-26 11:34 pm UTC (link)
	Isla grinned. "I'll admit, it takes a certain type of person to get up there nightly and find joy in it. I suppose I'm one of them." "Then you'll probably be fine," she told him. "Kennet is very...how shall I say this. Prickly? Particular? I'm sure you'll see soon enough. And he tends to punish people when they act up." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

instrumentalit
2017-11-27 04:57 pm UTC (link)

The word 'probably' wasn't overly reassuring but Gabriel tried not to let his uncertainty show. From what he had heard, the Ringmaster was a formidable person whom he would do his utmost to keep sweet. If that wasn't possible, Gabriel would simply attempt to avoid the man altogether.

"I'll make sure to be on my best behaviour then," Gabriel said, aiming to sound lighthearted but coming up a little short. "I don't want to get kicked out before I've even started. Then what would I do with myself?"

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deochfala
2017-12-03 08:05 am UTC (link)

"Lord only knows," Isla replied. She personally made it a habit to not raise Kennet's ire if she could help it, and for 15 years, she had mostly succeeded. It didn't seem wise to make him angry.

"So what is your particular gift?" she asked. "Not that it's required, we do have a handful of regular humans floating around. But it seems more likely that you'd be gifted in some way, if you joined up with our merry band."

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	instrumentalit 2017-12-03 08:38 am UTC (link)
	The thought of displeasing the Ringmaster was quickly discarded as Isla inquired about Gabriel's gifts, a wry grin forming on his face as he bluntly said, "I see dead people. Hear them, too. Feel what they feel, that kinda stuff." Then, with a small shrug, he continued. "If you think that's a gift. It can be sometimes, I guess." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	deochfala 2017-12-03 09:18 am UTC (link)
	Isla raised her eyebrows. "A proper medium," she mused thoughtfully. "Well I'm sure they'll find a place for you. And you might speak to Papa Ghede, he runs the puppet show, as well as dealing with our roving pack of spirits." Then she tilted her head. "But you do not always think so," she continued. "I suppose that's understandable." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

instrumentalit
2017-12-03 09:39 pm UTC (link)

Gabriel listened closely, making mental notes to follow through on Isla's advice. Although he hadn't asked how long she had been at the Cirque, it seemed that she had a wealth of knowledge that he would do well to tap into.

"Sometimes it can be a lot to deal with," Gabriel admitted, not having any qualms with being so honest to a relative stranger. He had always been a very open person. "Especially if there are a few at once, or they're especially strong. I'm trying to get better at it all, so I guess I'm in the right place."

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	deochfala 2017-12-04 11:10 am UTC (link)
	Isla nodded, listening closely as Gabriel spoke. "I imagine Ghede feels the same at times," she replied. "Though I'm sure the experience is different for everyone. I have no experience with spirits myself, so I can't really say. But I'm sure you'll find your feet soon enough, more or less. In at least for what passes for normal around here." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	instrumentalit 2017-12-04 06:05 pm UTC (link)
	With a grin that held only a hint of nerves, Gabriel nodded. "I hope so," he said, briefly glancing around at the silhouettes of the surrounding tents. "I'd like to make a home for myself somewhere. This seems like the perfect place for a new start, y'know?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	deochfala 2017-12-11 08:12 pm UTC (link)
	"You'd be surprised how many of us feel that way," Isla replied. "Or perhaps not. A large gathering of supernatural creatures that are allowed to be as they truly are? For some, it's the escape and the fresh start they're looking for. I know it was for me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

instrumentalit
2017-12-11 10:17 pm UTC (link)

There had always seemed to be an idea of escape whenever Gabriel thought of circuses; never settling in one place for too long, never coming across the same faces. Everything was new and exciting. While he had never envisioned himself being a part of such a thing, it was reassuring to know that his assumption held at least a little truth.

"Are you happy here?" Gabriel went on to ask, hoping that he wasn't overstepping any lines by asking what some people would consider a personal question. "i don't know how long you've been here but it seems like the new start worked out for you."

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	deochfala 2017-12-12 12:22 am UTC (link)
	Isla thought about his question for a few moments, and then nodded. "I suppose I am," she said at last. "I've been a part of this merry band for...well, it'll be 16 years this Christmas. And one doesn't stay in one place for so long if they are unhappy there. At least that's my thought." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

instrumentalit
2017-12-12 02:47 am UTC (link)

It surprised Gabe to learn that Isla, who looked to be in her late twenties at the very most, had been at the Cirque for so long. He was still processing the knowledge that supernatural creatures existed, having learned such a thing only a short time before when signing his contract. It was a lot to take on, though given his own gifts, it wasn't as jarring as one might have initially thought.

"I think you're right," Gabriel said, his expression softening considerably. He understood from experience what it was like to stay in a place that bound and smothered, rather than inspired and excited. While not everybody experienced things in the same way, it was a good sign to him that Isla had decided to stick around for so long. If he were lucky, he would come to feel similarly. "I just hope I can say the same someday."

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