Chaos Plot Reactions!

[thefinaljedi]

Who: Anyone/Everyone affected by Helios' nasty bout of Possession Sickness
What: Picking up the pieces
When: August 11th/12th
Where: Wherever there was bad mojo!
Summary: Apep, an Egyptian god of Chaos, possessed Helios and wrecked havoc. Those involved are going to have to cope with their injuries, mental traumas, and newfound night terrors!
Rating: R, for possible trigger warnings for descriptions of violence and bad language.


Nothing is ever easy for them House 46 folks. Gawddamn!

Comments

[thebellthatbinds]

It's a nice lullaby.

[Rubbing her thumb idly over the slightly uneven scars of the burns on her fingers she tries to remember those days spent in the caravan. It felt so far away, just glimpses of places, blurry faces and pockets of warmth from the evening campfires as Adele's song wraps around her like a blanket.]

I don't remember if Father sang to me but I think one of the other travelers did.

[fleurdesel]

It's an old one, but familiar.

[Slim fingers massage Sabriel's scalp in practiced motions, habits she picked up taking care of Fleur when she'd been young. It's warm and comforting to be able to do this for Sabriel.]

What would they sing for you?

[thebellthatbinds]

[Whatever lingering tension might still be held in her shoulders eases away as Adele's fingertips run over her scalp. Even her wings slowly uncurl as she relaxes.]

Mn, stories and poems, songs of warnings while on the road. I don't remember them now though, it's been so long...

[fleurdesel]

[She doesn't have much by way of nails, which makes the massage all the more gentle. Once she's certain that Sabriel is relaxed and that her short hair is thoroughly washed, she tips it back a bit further with a soft murmur.]

Keep your eyes closed, Petite Cloche.

[thebellthatbinds]

[Letting her head tip back with Adele's guidance she breathes a soft, relaxed sigh, keeping her eyes closed as she was told.]

It's been...a while since I last had short hair.

[fleurdesel]

I have never had my hair shorter than my shoulders.

[A carafe of warm water and a bowl set under the chair helps in rinsing out the suds. Adele is careful enough and Sabriel is still enough that it's done neatly.]

I blame my mother and grandmother for it. They've always ha their hair long. Every little LeBlanc girl, and for a short while the one LeBlanc boy, attempted to mimic it. My sisters have since turned to trimming and styling their hair sort but I can't quite bear to part with it.

[thebellthatbinds]

You have such lovely hair Adele, I think you made a good choice in deciding to keep it long.

[Reaching up to brush a droplet or two of warm water from her forehead looks up at the older woman with a soft smile. It was always a pleasure to hear more about Adele's family.]

Ellimere, Sullyn and I all got our hair cut into bobs a couple of years ago, I had been considering doing it again before the graduation ceremony from the College.

[fleurdesel]

It was one of the few times my mother wasn't critical of me, when she'd wash and brush my hair. [She snorts a laugh, soft and wry.] She meant well. I know that now, but at the time...

[She lifts a shoulder and finishes rinsing the lather out of Sabriel's hair, smoothing her fingers along the wet mass of it before pouring a measure of conditioner into her palm.]

That would suit you well, I think. Something angular, a little longer in the front than the back. Very elegant.

[thebellthatbinds]

It's what's in fashion back home. At least, in Ancelstierre it is; short bobs with waves and curls, but my hair never took the curling too well.

[Sabriel eyes the conditioner curiously as Adele pours a little into her hands.]

It would be functional too, wouldn't get in the way.

[fleurdesel]

No, but with the right conditioner, such as what I have here, it'll be sleek and straight, framing your face nicely.

[Adele moves her hand around into Sabriel's field of vision, the cream thick, almost a mousse on her palm. Tinged a faint gold by mineral oils and without any fragrance whatsoever, it's the ideal condition for any hair type.]

And that is of the utmost importance.

[thebellthatbinds]

[Sabriel nods as she blinks down at the cream. The faint golden glimmer of the conditioner makes it seem even more luxurious that it really is. Then again, it's been a while since Sabriel last spent some time on herself like this...not since she and a Shifted Adele went shopping months ago.]

We should have an outing sometime...it's been a while since we last did.

[fleurdesel]

With your hair this short, you could probably invest in earrings. Nothing heavy but perhaps light chains in blue and silver? Or feathers.

[She brushes Sabriel's earlobe with her clean hand, nodding to herself. They'd have to go out and find her something cute to wear to match the new haircut.]

Tomorrow afternoon, so you might rest. How does that sound?

[thebellthatbinds]

That sounds perfect Adele, thank you.

[At the mention of earrings she can't help but think of Touchstone's earrings; two simple golden hoops...gold to fit the Royal family's red and gold colours of course. Hot on the heels of that memory comes a dull pain, an ache that resounds hollowly in her chest. Despite what mix up of emotions there had been regarding Viral she still cared for Touchstone very much...and she missed him.]

I think...could we look for a pair of silver hoops?

[fleurdesel]

[Still humming when she rubs her palms together, Adele begins to comb the cream through Sabriel's damp hair, massaging it into her scalp in slow, easy movements.]

I am certain we could find some that would suit you, Petite Cloche.

[thebellthatbinds]

We'll find some for you too.

[The last time someone else washed her hair was...well, it was when the Charter Sending had done so for her at Abhorsen's house, and it had been nowhere near this gentle or leisurely. The gentle brush of fingertips over her scalp was so relaxing, added with the lingering fatigue from her recovery and the soft hum of Adele's song made it hard to stop herself from dozing.]

[fleurdesel]

Matching earrings?

[Her smile becomes soft and fond as she brushes the last of the conditioned hair from Sabriel's forehead. It's a sweet thought. One she didn't mind in the slightest.]

I'd like that.

[She keeps her voice low and warm, carefully rinsing the cream from Sabriel's hair in time and binding her hair up in a towel shortly afterward. Soaking up the worst of the wet before she starts to trim.]

[thebellthatbinds]

Something blue...or gold for you and silver for me.

[Once her hair has been bundled up she gives her eyes a quick rub to try and push back the sleepiness. It wouldn't do to fall asleep while Adele was cutting her hair after all. Drawing her hand lightly over the wrapped up towel over her hair she murmurs in more of an idle afterthought than any sort of worry.]

Have you cut hair before?

[fleurdesel]

Gold would get lost in my hair. Blue it will have to be.

[Adele takes a step back, resting her hands on Sabriel's shoulders as she rubs at her eyes and attempts to wake herself. The question pulls a soft chuckle from her.]

I've been trimming my niece's hair as long as she's had it. I don't know why- but she won't go to anyone else. If it's a fancy cut you want I am not the woman to ask, but a simple trim? I can manage.

[thebellthatbinds]

Blue is good.

[With a small smile Sabriel tips her head back to look up at Adele.]

I think I can understand why she would be so particular. This has...it's been lovely so far, Adele. Very relaxing.

[fleurdesel]

I've six older sisters and they each have at least one daughter each. This much is something I've done for each of them many, many times. LeBlancs are high-strung, they need something like this. I do not mind sharing my experience.

[She huffs a soft laugh and pulls a comb from her pocket, starting to trim once Sabriel was still.]

[thebellthatbinds]

That's a lot of girls.

[For one family it sounds like a lot anyway...it's not like she can really compare her own to Adele's. Sitting still as Adele starts to cut her wings give a little stretch before tucking back in against her back.]

The ladies we used to go see in Bain were never so gentle in their ministrations. They weren't terribly rough either but there were many girls to see to and only so much time.

[fleurdesel]

Some have sons, but girls are the norm for my family.

[It's harder to trim when there's less to trim, but she does what she can to make every cut precise and even. Takes less than she should for each snip- she can always go back over and trim off more. She can't make Sabriel's hair grow back out again.]

It is supposed to be a treat- getting one's hair done. Finding a stylist that understands that can be something of a chore.

[thebellthatbinds]

Not all stylists have the energy to wash and cut over two hundred girls' hair. When I first arrived at the College they took my whole class to get their hair trimmed.

[Turning her hand palm upward Sabriel catches a small lock of hair as its snipped, running a finger over the wet strands.]

When Ellimere and Sullyn and I went it would be, the trip to Bain itself would be a little vacation for the three of us.

[fleurdesel]

I imagine not! [She shakes her head at the idea. Two hundred girls? Ten was the most she could manage and it was usually an all day ordeal.]

Marie and I would return to our father's cottage to spend our breaks- when we had them. Leaving the city rather than visiting.

[thebellthatbinds]

[Sabriel chuckles with a soft smile, happy to listen and exchange stories with Adele to the sound of the quiet snipping of her scissors.]

If it were possible, I would have liked to go back to the Old Kingdom for the Midsummer and Midwinter holidays. Before I had to leave the college I had only been to the House twice when I was a child, but it's beautiful.