InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "It's only time."

Harper Byron (takenover) wrote in cirque_rp,
@ 2017-08-24 10:02:00

Who: Halle & Orion
What: Exploring Siem Reap
When: June 8th, early evening
Where: Siem Reap - around the town
Rating: Probably lowish?
Prompt: Glass Slipper

Being a little further from the temples was nice; every step that Halle took away from the holy site helped her to feel a little more stable, a little more in control of her own body. She could remember, vaguely, a feeling like this one when she had first possessed Katya's body, but it had subsided quickly as the other consciousness faded into sleep. Years later, she had just been unprepared for the sensation of a contest for control.

But everything was okay. Siem Reap was a little further out, and Orion was excellent company. They had found noodles, of course, along with a wide variety of other local foods to sample – savory BBQ pork and rice with green tomatoes, delicious fish curry, chili-dusted sour fruits. While the food was good, though, the experience was more fun for Halle. The Night Market was delightful, full of people and things to see, everything from kitschy souvenirs to carefully-crafted handmade goods.

One of the stalls was filled with handmade spiritual items, including charms to ward off spirits and hand-written prayers for exorcism. Halle scrunched her nose at these, idly leaning up against her companion's side as they browsed. "Not the things I'd be shopping for, myself."

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intoashes
2017-08-24 04:04 pm UTC (link)

A lot of places in Europe or western Asia, Orion could say he had been before the age of 10. His family tended toward the more nomadic and antsy variety given their supernatural natures. If they were not staying in one country they would visit a cousin or ten for a day and then travel back to their intended week stay. While most Americans might have considered it travelling the world, Orion had never been to eastern Asian countries like Cambodia. The architecture intricate like that of India, but unique to the area as well.

Where any other outdoor market might have looked at him- the way he dressed- and instinctively thought poorly of him, it was not the same amongst the night market. Though there were a few glances from other foreigners in his direction and a judging stare between him and Halle when her focus went to any number of goods.

Orion let her small frame take comfort at his side, not thinking anything of it. "Most of it is nonsense anyway. Hookey imitations." Still, he moved them away from the stall, wrapping his arm around her shoulder protectively.

A few stalls over between a deep fried sausage vendor and more Buddhist trinkets, Orion stopped and stared at a Chinese sculpture of their version of a phoenix, Feng-Huang. "I think this place is set up to taunt us,' he scoffed. "But you shouldn't worry all too much about-" he pointed toward the other stall. "Baba Violette wants me to have more friends and you're one of two I got. And definitely the cuter one, no offence to Ghede."

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takenover
2017-08-24 05:21 pm UTC (link)

Honestly, Halle didn't see too much difference in Orion's appearance from that of other travelers. Maybe his overall impression was a little more "wild" than the humans in general, but not in a bad way. Or maybe she was just biased; she was pretty fond of his appearance, at this point. She also didn't consider the visual dichotomy they presented: a tall, somewhat unkempt man with a small, very well-kept woman. Dark and light, mellow and bubbly.

Well, usually bubbly. Orion's arm around her shoulder might have made her feel better, but Halle was nowhere near as perky as usual. Cambodia might have been lovely and the food great, but the atmosphere wasn't working for her at all. "I know. I think I'd know if it was the real deal, and you would know because we'd be moving on pretty quick, but... I still don't love it."

It was comfortable to let him lead her away, though – although she found herself smirking at another reminder popping up so quickly. "At least no one's trying to exorcise you?" She considered the statue for a moment, but then allowed the next stall to draw her attention – there were more girly things there, things made out of patterned silk, clutches and purses and tops, and other goods made out of delicate paper and wood. A minute or so later, she was the owner of a pretty new fan, one that she flipped open.

Cambodia was also way too warm. "Well, I'm glad to know that I can out-pretty Ghede," she smiled, nudging him gently with a shoulder. "And that I make the list. But you should have more friends, I agree with your Baba. You're nice – there isn't a reason not to."

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intoashes
2017-08-24 05:52 pm UTC (link)

Blue eyes glanced toward the small blonde in contemplation. "Is someone trying to exorcise you?" While he did not know the exact rules of the Cirque, nor how exactly she was occupying her body, but the idea that someone inside might be trying to mess with her made him uncomfortable. Trust was not an easy feature amongst his family (beside Bitsy) and personal attacks meant a lot of bad things.

Orion had inspected the bird statue while she moved to the next stall over, keeping her in the corner of his eye, just in case. The entire time at the market he had not bought a single item, no trinkets to remember the place with, but he had been happy to accompany her- even if his invitation had been to hang out at his trailer rather than go out.

The fan reminded him that others found the environment hot and humid. Orion's body did not react to it, as much as he preferred drier climates, heat meant little to him. "He's a close second." Orion gave a soft laugh and scratched his chin in his typical self-conscious manner. With a shrug, he took her hand and lead them further away from the spiritual trinket stall and Phoenix statue. "I'm not used to staying around, nor used to people wanting to know me."

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takenover
2017-08-24 06:14 pm UTC (link)

"No, no one is doing anything," Halle offered with a slight shake of her head. No one at the circus had been doing anything wrong or unkind; it wasn't like she was being threatened. "I guess I'm just feeling a little sensitive, here. I've never felt so unstable before." And she had never felt uncomfortable in this particular way before at all. Even with a little more distance between herself and the temples of Angkor Wat, she could feel Katya's consciousness awake beneath the surface of hers.

With her hand in his, the little blonde followed Orion's lead, letting him guide them for the moment. The market was busy, but not unpleasantly crowded, and it was so much more interesting than more modern shopping. She would take something outdoor like this over a mall any day, down to the strings of light hanging above their heads. "What made you come to the Cirque? Is it okay to ask?" She felt like the latter was a fair question, and seemed to mean it genuinely – if he didn't want to talk about it, she had no intention of pressing the matter.

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intoashes
2017-08-24 06:32 pm UTC (link)

While glad that no one had tried anything, Orion's uncertainty about being around a hundred creatures- half of which were Fae- and not having more family to counter them lingered. However Halle's powers worked, he found he felt protective over her well-being as well. Of course, he did not know when that feeling had crept in, but he accepted that it was there- one of the few similarities between Bitsy and himself was the ease of accepting instincts.

"My cousin, Nik, was there." He shrugged. That had been the answer over and over again- short and sweet to anyone who asked. Glancing back at her, his eyes travelled around them until he spotted a small cove away from the market they could sit at. Guiding her along he waited until they were tucked away to speak any further on it.

"We moved to America to try and find Nik, stayed with other cousins over the years. We weren't exactly in a rush, but Baba Violette has her own plans and sights. He happened to be with the Cirque, so we joined up too." Orion shrugged again. "Not that I really know the guy, nor does Violette after as long as she had been the head of the family."

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takenover
2017-08-24 09:56 pm UTC (link)

It hadn't occured to Halle that he might not want to talk about his history because they were in public; the Market was crowded and there was plenty of noise, and honestly she had gotten used to the open atmosphere of the circus. It had been so nice to be able to talk about things and do things without getting strange looks. She hadn't ventured far since arriving, so she hadn't thought much about changing the habit for a couple of weeks.

Now, though, she felt a little silly for not thinking of it, and ducked through the crowd behind him, still attached at the hand, until they were out of the way a bit. Only a little, though, because they weren't really talking about anything supernatural. Not really.

"That makes sense. And it's cool that you have so much family. Like, you knew people in Rome and you had people in America... when my parents died, there was no one else. They had lots of friends, I mean, but no other family that they were close with." This wasn't said with any sense of depression, just a touch of wistfulness if anything. Halle had a unique take on grief, being so well-acquainted with the spirit world. "That you even have a head of the family is amazing to me."

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intoashes
2017-08-26 01:12 am UTC (link)

"Family has a different meaning to us. Everyone who has a relative somewhere along the line is a cousin." His face turned away to laugh, but when he looked back the smile had softened. "Baba Violette is the only one I'm related to. Iris was her daughter. Talbot wasn't even Romani."

Orion have another shrug. He didn't really talk about his parents. Shit happened, one left and the other died. He did not feel the need to dwell on it too long. The only thing it taught him was to keep going and distrust Fae.

Leaning his head back against the wall, he lives half of his life in his head.

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takenover
2017-09-02 05:19 pm UTC (link)

Iris, Talbot. Parents, Halle understood, but his relationship with his parents had clearly been different than hers with her own. They had been close, close enough for them to go to fantastic lengths to get her back after she had died so young. And close enough for her to have tried to do the same. Unlike Halle, though, her parents had already passed beyond the Veil. They were too far for her to reach.

"Is that a bad thing? Being with someone who isn't Romani?" She had no intention of pressuring him to talk about his parents; she didn't want to talk about her own, either. Why should they focus on bad memories of people that weren't there any longer? "And where does Bitsy come in?"

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intoashes
2017-09-06 01:25 am UTC (link)

Bright blue eyes looked up from staring at his hands and his palms turned up. "Being with them. Not so bad. Marrying is frowned upon. Having a child with a gadji makes for a confusing life," he scoffed. "There is shunning that happens when you can't speak the language or know the culture."

There was so much more to it than that, so many minute details about the culture that went into how outsiders or half-breeds were treated, but that was not for Halle to know- nor any gadji really. Secrets became a way of survival when half the world did not trust you.

"Bitsy is a cousin. Her mother died in child birth and father couldn't handle a gifted like her. So Baba Violetta decided that she was to stay with us." The old woman had that kind of authority within the extended family. Her soft appearance, long white hair, and knowing eyes hid the hard hand of a woman who had an elongated life because of her power.

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