And in the flames, Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire

[lilith-qliphah.livejournal.com]

Wednesday
August 12th
Day 73
Just after dark

The dance show is thriving since I started and the pudgy little manager is beside himself with joy over the money he is raking in because of me. The other dancers would hate me of course, if I hadn’t persuaded them otherwise. Some I still encourage though, just to keep things interesting. Besides, I don’t cut into their shows and despite their amusing and sometimes painful attempts to learn, none of them can handle fire quite as well as I can. Funny that.

Usually I’m out front, smiling in my revealing costumes, convincing the poor clueless patrons to come inside the tent and inducing them to pay for more private shows with the girls later. Since my style show is new and not done every day it tends to draw more people and this is one of the slower nights of the week so tonight, I agreed to dance. Before stepping out of my trailer, I summon an old Middle Eastern style dress for my performance. Leaving my hair down I grab my bag containing the tools for the dance, which I have no need for but one must keep up appearances, and skip off for the tent.

The lights are off and the tent is dark as I enter the stage. I smile as my fingers ignite in a burst of blue and white flame, lighting the tent and then the music starts. Tilting my head back, my body sways like flame as I slowly run a finger in a line from my neck down to my stomach, leaving a trail of fire on my skin. As I raise my arms, a rope of fire drops from each hand and I begin to spin, circling myself in trails of flame…

[OPEN TO LUCIEN/MARBAS]               [CLOSED]

And in the flames, Her shadows play in the shape of a man's desire

[lilith-qliphah.livejournal.com]

Wednesday
August 12th
Day 73
Just after dark

The dance show is thriving since I started and the pudgy little manager is beside himself with joy over the money he is raking in because of me. The other dancers would hate me of course, if I hadn’t persuaded them otherwise. Some I still encourage though, just to keep things interesting. Besides, I don’t cut into their shows and despite their amusing and sometimes painful attempts to learn, none of them can handle fire quite as well as I can. Funny that.

Usually I’m out front, smiling in my revealing costumes, convincing the poor clueless patrons to come inside the tent and inducing them to pay for more private shows with the girls later. Since my style show is new and not done every day it tends to draw more people and this is one of the slower nights of the week so tonight, I agreed to dance. Before stepping out of my trailer, I summon an old Middle Eastern style dress for my performance. Leaving my hair down I grab my bag containing the tools for the dance, which I have no need for but one must keep up appearances, and skip off for the tent.

The lights are off and the tent is dark as I enter the stage. I smile as my fingers ignite in a burst of blue and white flame, lighting the tent and then the music starts. Tilting my head back, my body sways like flame as I slowly run a finger in a line from my neck down to my stomach, leaving a trail of fire on my skin. As I raise my arms, a rope of fire drops from each hand and I begin to spin, circling myself in trails of flame…

[OPEN TO LUCIEN/MARBAS]               [CLOSED]

Drink up me hearties, yo ho

[ares-thracian.livejournal.com]

Wednesday
August 12th
Day 73
Evening

“We kindle and char, inflame and ignite
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We burn up the city, we're really a fright
Drink up me hearties, yo ho” I sing loudly as my sword comes down and I grin at the CRACK and THUD as it hacks cleanly though bone and flesh.

“We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.” I swing my sword back and up, bringing it down hard again, with another CRACK and THUD.

I grab my shirt, wiping the blood from my face and look around the slaughterhouse. It looks like Phthonus's house after I finished with him, the fuck. Juno’s cunt I am a messy boy aren’t I I sigh and go outside yelling for the boys, they’ll clean it up, and I’ll pay them well for it like I always do. If Simon comes in here and sees this, he’ll scowl so fucking much he’ll end up with a few more permanent lines on that ugly mug of his and Hades knows he doesn’t need anymore. The man’s face already looks like a paper bag that got stuck under an elephant’s ass for fucks sake. Still a good guy though and more importantly he knows how to mind his fucking business, so I think I’ll be nice spare him the aneurysm.

The boys come striding up and I give them instructions to clean up and salvage any of the meat they can, and just toss what they can’t save to Zeus and Hera. The boys have been slowly trying to learn the butchering trade anyway so it’ll give them something to practice on. Not that I’m any use for teaching them, I’m a different sort of butcher after all, though if they show a decent liking and aptitude, perhaps I will teach them my preferred trade. I take a quick shower and change, walking to town heading straight for the inn. It’s raining but its not like I’m going to fucking melt and I haven’t been there in a bit. I like to check up from time to time, see how things are going with Laclos and make sure he hasn’t pissed off any more gods. Besides, Luke’s busy and I’m bored out of my fucking mind.

I get a whiskey from the bar and take my usual table, propping my feet up on the chair next to me and take a long sip from my glass as I look around.

[OPEN]                [CLOSED]

 

Drink up me hearties, yo ho

[ares-thracian.livejournal.com]

Wednesday
August 12th
Day 73
Evening

“We kindle and char, inflame and ignite
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We burn up the city, we're really a fright
Drink up me hearties, yo ho” I sing loudly as my sword comes down and I grin at the CRACK and THUD as it hacks cleanly though bone and flesh.

“We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot
Drink up me hearties, yo ho.” I swing my sword back and up, bringing it down hard again, with another CRACK and THUD.

I grab my shirt, wiping the blood from my face and look around the slaughterhouse. It looks like Phthonus's house after I finished with him, the fuck. Juno’s cunt I am a messy boy aren’t I I sigh and go outside yelling for the boys, they’ll clean it up, and I’ll pay them well for it like I always do. If Simon comes in here and sees this, he’ll scowl so fucking much he’ll end up with a few more permanent lines on that ugly mug of his and Hades knows he doesn’t need anymore. The man’s face already looks like a paper bag that got stuck under an elephant’s ass for fucks sake. Still a good guy though and more importantly he knows how to mind his fucking business, so I think I’ll be nice spare him the aneurysm.

The boys come striding up and I give them instructions to clean up and salvage any of the meat they can, and just toss what they can’t save to Zeus and Hera. The boys have been slowly trying to learn the butchering trade anyway so it’ll give them something to practice on. Not that I’m any use for teaching them, I’m a different sort of butcher after all, though if they show a decent liking and aptitude, perhaps I will teach them my preferred trade. I take a quick shower and change, walking to town heading straight for the inn. It’s raining but its not like I’m going to fucking melt and I haven’t been there in a bit. I like to check up from time to time, see how things are going with Laclos and make sure he hasn’t pissed off any more gods. Besides, Luke’s busy and I’m bored out of my fucking mind.

I get a whiskey from the bar and take my usual table, propping my feet up on the chair next to me and take a long sip from my glass as I look around.

[OPEN]                [CLOSED]

 

The Tower (La Maison Dieu): The Lord of the Hosts of the Mighty

[hopeorfaith.livejournal.com]

Just after midnight, Wednesday

Hope

There's a light sound o'rain outside. Tuesday's customers all gone 'ome now, carnival shut for th'night. Tired, but not enough t'sleep. Didn't sleep so well yesterday, either, after Simon left us. Sat up for a long time an' Faith smoked half a dozen cigarettes. Felt the nicotine in our blood all night. An' I dreamed, there was smoke an' flame, chokin' hot even in sleep, and then... A great white light and a raised arm, arm tha' b'longed t'a man an' also was somethin' else, knotted sinew transformed into... I dunno. Somethin' beautiful, somehow, kind o'beauty t'make the heart ache, an' then 'e says one word an' 'is voice was a greater sound than anythin' I heard before -

Azrael -

Woke with it ringin' in me ears, heart poundin', sheet beneath me sweaty, thighs damp. Don't make no sense, none at all. Looked over at Faith. Started t'speak an' she just said:

"Heard it too."

Bin under my tongue like a cool stone since then, that name. Azrael. Whatever it is. Don't know much 'bout angels. Thought they was all fluffy an' winged. Not like a great bright shadow. Though shadows ain't bright neither. Don' know how t'describe it. All I knows is that now 'm sitting at th'table wi' a deck o'cards an' I'm preparin' t'do somethin' proper stupid cos I need t'know more about what the 'eck's goin' on. Watch th'gleam o'Faith's cig. Wait 'til she's finished that. Wait. Azrael.

Faith

Got ter read Management's cards. Ain't no other way forward I ken see. Know it's dangerous. Ain't stupid. Know people think 'm reckless. Maybe I am. But can't jus' sit 'ere, week after week. Not knowin' all we do now. More frustratin' havin' a bit o'knowledge then havin' none.

Knew when Simon left we 'ad t'do it. Queerest feeling when 'e was 'ere. Keep thinkin' 'bout it. A blank card. Never 'ad that afore, not ever. Sometimes pictures ain't clear... But never blank. An' then there was th'dream. Know Hope 'n I 'ad somethin' similar. Know what she won't admit to an' all about th'last part. How 'is name ran like th'biggest climax. Don' know what that says 'bout us, bein' turned on by a bloody angel. Weren't really like that, neither. Jus' the closest way o'explainin' it. Didn't wake up wantin' t'run over t'butcher's shop an' shag Slaughterman. It was jus' something... Sounds queerheaded, but like it was somethin' so beautiful there weren't no way of feelin' it 'cept all over like that.

An' 'ere we are. Put out me cig.

"Ready, then?" I ask Hope.

"Only three cards," she says at last. "Jus' a three card spread."

As if only lookin' at three cards fer Management'll make 'em any less pissed off. Not bloody likely. Still, I agrees t'it. Maybe best we go fer somethin' simple. Past. Present. Future. Shiver a bit though it ain't cold. Pull a shawl round our shoulders.

Look at the deck 'til it shuffles.

"You want ter deal or shall I?" I asks.

We begin. ( onward )

The Tower (La Maison Dieu): The Lord of the Hosts of the Mighty

[hopeorfaith.livejournal.com]

Just after midnight, Wednesday

Hope

There's a light sound o'rain outside. Tuesday's customers all gone 'ome now, carnival shut for th'night. Tired, but not enough t'sleep. Didn't sleep so well yesterday, either, after Simon left us. Sat up for a long time an' Faith smoked half a dozen cigarettes. Felt the nicotine in our blood all night. An' I dreamed, there was smoke an' flame, chokin' hot even in sleep, and then... A great white light and a raised arm, arm tha' b'longed t'a man an' also was somethin' else, knotted sinew transformed into... I dunno. Somethin' beautiful, somehow, kind o'beauty t'make the heart ache, an' then 'e says one word an' 'is voice was a greater sound than anythin' I heard before -

Azrael -

Woke with it ringin' in me ears, heart poundin', sheet beneath me sweaty, thighs damp. Don't make no sense, none at all. Looked over at Faith. Started t'speak an' she just said:

"Heard it too."

Bin under my tongue like a cool stone since then, that name. Azrael. Whatever it is. Don't know much 'bout angels. Thought they was all fluffy an' winged. Not like a great bright shadow. Though shadows ain't bright neither. Don' know how t'describe it. All I knows is that now 'm sitting at th'table wi' a deck o'cards an' I'm preparin' t'do somethin' proper stupid cos I need t'know more about what the 'eck's goin' on. Watch th'gleam o'Faith's cig. Wait 'til she's finished that. Wait. Azrael.

Faith

Got ter read Management's cards. Ain't no other way forward I ken see. Know it's dangerous. Ain't stupid. Know people think 'm reckless. Maybe I am. But can't jus' sit 'ere, week after week. Not knowin' all we do now. More frustratin' havin' a bit o'knowledge then havin' none.

Knew when Simon left we 'ad t'do it. Queerest feeling when 'e was 'ere. Keep thinkin' 'bout it. A blank card. Never 'ad that afore, not ever. Sometimes pictures ain't clear... But never blank. An' then there was th'dream. Know Hope 'n I 'ad somethin' similar. Know what she won't admit to an' all about th'last part. How 'is name ran like th'biggest climax. Don' know what that says 'bout us, bein' turned on by a bloody angel. Weren't really like that, neither. Jus' the closest way o'explainin' it. Didn't wake up wantin' t'run over t'butcher's shop an' shag Slaughterman. It was jus' something... Sounds queerheaded, but like it was somethin' so beautiful there weren't no way of feelin' it 'cept all over like that.

An' 'ere we are. Put out me cig.

"Ready, then?" I ask Hope.

"Only three cards," she says at last. "Jus' a three card spread."

As if only lookin' at three cards fer Management'll make 'em any less pissed off. Not bloody likely. Still, I agrees t'it. Maybe best we go fer somethin' simple. Past. Present. Future. Shiver a bit though it ain't cold. Pull a shawl round our shoulders.

Look at the deck 'til it shuffles.

"You want ter deal or shall I?" I asks.

We begin. ( onward )

Are You There? Do You Swear You Won't Forget Me?

[lugh-thecelt.livejournal.com]

Wanda's Garden
Dawn, Wednesday 12 August

It will hurt.

I know.

It will burn.

I know.

You could die.

I know.

Lúgh.

You should not risk yourself.

I know.

Lúgh.

But I will.

Why?

I love her.

Lúgh.


My eyes open. Dawn is here. Rain drops patter against the window and splash across the paving stones of the walk outside. Someone has called me out of slumber and away from Shadow. I shift Eris off of me gently, smiling down at her as I push myself off the mattress. Leaning down, I kiss her softly on the lips. If she wakes, she won't be alarmed by me not being here. I rarely stay with her past dawn, though I might be back before too long.

I feel the dull draw towards town. The call of one of them. One of the women that have pledged themselves to me. That I have vowed myself to. It isn't urgent. No emergency, but I don't like wasting time where they are concerned.

Shirtless, I let Shadow take me into its dim form and bring me to where the call comes from. Stepping forth, the rain falls lightly on me, soaking my arms, chest, hair. It runs in rivulets down my face and back. I'm in Wanda's garden.

"You called," I whisper to the house and let the shadows whisper it in her ear. "I'm here."

[OPEN to Wanda]

[CLOSED]

Are You There? Do You Swear You Won't Forget Me?

[lugh-thecelt.livejournal.com]

Wanda's Garden
Dawn, Wednesday 12 August

It will hurt.

I know.

It will burn.

I know.

You could die.

I know.

Lúgh.

You should not risk yourself.

I know.

Lúgh.

But I will.

Why?

I love her.

Lúgh.


My eyes open. Dawn is here. Rain drops patter against the window and splash across the paving stones of the walk outside. Someone has called me out of slumber and away from Shadow. I shift Eris off of me gently, smiling down at her as I push myself off the mattress. Leaning down, I kiss her softly on the lips. If she wakes, she won't be alarmed by me not being here. I rarely stay with her past dawn, though I might be back before too long.

I feel the dull draw towards town. The call of one of them. One of the women that have pledged themselves to me. That I have vowed myself to. It isn't urgent. No emergency, but I don't like wasting time where they are concerned.

Shirtless, I let Shadow take me into its dim form and bring me to where the call comes from. Stepping forth, the rain falls lightly on me, soaking my arms, chest, hair. It runs in rivulets down my face and back. I'm in Wanda's garden.

"You called," I whisper to the house and let the shadows whisper it in her ear. "I'm here."

[OPEN to Wanda]

[CLOSED]

A modest quest- with shopping list

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Wednesday august 12(day 73)
Late Morning


After I left the Apothecary, seeing as there was no one at the salon, I closed early and took myself down to the library.  lotsa books there and kinda empty. Except it didn't feel empty. and after i'd been on a good wander I started to find things. Things like a book sticking out that once I looked at it had stuff about tattoos. and slowly I began to compile decent reading list. Left  a note on the desk so nobody thinks I've stolen the books and took myself back to the Salon. Spent the night reading.

Interesting stuff that. About the history of tats and the stuff they put in the ink.  hope i'm ready to mix my own stuff. i've done black before. s'easy .it's colour I'm thinking of experimenting with. might wanna practice o parchment first before touching real living skin. anyways i've compiled a list of starter ingrediants.

And just like the previous day, there's a definite lack of customers. I guess the first rush is over and now business is down to a trickle. I'm hoping it'll pick up again later this week. Still if I can get a few each day it'll be alright. I may need to do some more advertising or something.  Still I'm gettin; restless and It's probably about time I got some basic supplies in like food an such. And there is the whole half  a pack of clove cigarettes thing.

so I put up the back soon sign up an go next door to the General Store.

[open to Kate]

A modest quest- with shopping list

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Wednesday august 12(day 73)
Late Morning


After I left the Apothecary, seeing as there was no one at the salon, I closed early and took myself down to the library.  lotsa books there and kinda empty. Except it didn't feel empty. and after i'd been on a good wander I started to find things. Things like a book sticking out that once I looked at it had stuff about tattoos. and slowly I began to compile decent reading list. Left  a note on the desk so nobody thinks I've stolen the books and took myself back to the Salon. Spent the night reading.

Interesting stuff that. About the history of tats and the stuff they put in the ink.  hope i'm ready to mix my own stuff. i've done black before. s'easy .it's colour I'm thinking of experimenting with. might wanna practice o parchment first before touching real living skin. anyways i've compiled a list of starter ingrediants.

And just like the previous day, there's a definite lack of customers. I guess the first rush is over and now business is down to a trickle. I'm hoping it'll pick up again later this week. Still if I can get a few each day it'll be alright. I may need to do some more advertising or something.  Still I'm gettin; restless and It's probably about time I got some basic supplies in like food an such. And there is the whole half  a pack of clove cigarettes thing.

so I put up the back soon sign up an go next door to the General Store.

[open to Kate]