HEY, i think i just saw PIPPA GRAVES-SEONG walking down the strip. stop by to catch up and you’ll learn the TWENTY SIX is working as a/an RECEPTIONIST AT SNELL LAW FIRM and lives in SOLSTICE APARTMENTS. given they are KINDHEARTED but FRETFUL, it’s unlikely that they ARE NOT a vampire. i bet you can find them tearing up the dance floor to PANIC ROOM - AU/RA and you’ll know why they’re called THE FRAGILE BUTTERFLY.
trigger warnings for intro : bullying, transphobia, murder, burglary
pinterest : link
Ever since she was little, Pippa knew there was something different about her, and it wasn't the very obvious one that she was the lone adopted child of the big family, even if she couldn't recall memories of before being in the Graves-Seong troop. It would take her a few years to exactly pinpoint it, but when she did come to the conclusion that she was a girl who hadn’t been living her life as one up to that point, she was still quite young.
Unfortunately, she would never get the chance to make this revelation known to her parents, although from what memories she’s been told from her siblings, they would have been accepting. She has little memories of her own of her parents, and some she’s not sure are even her own or just feel like they’re hers from how many times she’s heard them recounted.
When Pippa was just a year old, still a baby, a home invasion that was intended to be just a simple burglary would go wrong, resulting in the death of their parents.
What Pippa actually remembers from her childhood is being raised by the circus family that her parents had been a part of before their untimely deaths. It was definitely a unique and, possibly eve, unusual upbringing, but also accepting and supportive environment.
Still, that didn’t mean the childhood didn’t come without its hardships in addition to the family’s tragedy. Not only did her gender identification make her a bit of an outcast, it also didn’t help that she was seen as a freak from the circus, as she was often spending her free time practicing or performing the art of trapeze rather than more normal extracurriculars.
This would only worsen during her teenage years, where she would eventually drop out of high school to begin traveling with the circus for the first time. There was nothing tying her to Aurora, West Virginia any longer with her siblings moving onto other things, and she was certainly tired of the peers that seemed to only exist to torment her.
Pippa would stay traveling with the circus for years, not only getting to be alongside the people she knew as family, but the opportunity to see more of the world than just the Eastern town she grew up in. She would never return to school, and, to this day, lacks a high school diploma or GED.
She would eventually get tired of never knowing one place as home after traveling around for so long, though, and decide to follow after her brother Dusty by moving to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Her resume wasn't very impressive, with not much listed on it other than work as a trapeze artists and references made out of other circus members, but she managed to get a job at the local law firm. Somehow, the girl that was always so full of anxiety knew how to remain calm in times of other people's crises, and she finds the work fulfilling in way working at the circus never was.
She often makes her own clothes, even if they can seem a bit unique, with lots of bright colors and different textures. Some pieces are very obviously homemade, but she has gotten better at it over the years. (Heavy Andie from Pretty in Pink inspiration for this headcanon.)
Personality-wise, she is generally more soft spoken and hates confrontation. This is partially just a natural characteristic of her personality, but also just reminds her of the bullying she would face as a child. She much more likely to run away from a situation than fight against it, as which can be seen from previous decisions.
Bo didn’t much like the holidays. Once, perhaps. When they still had family, when there were people around them that had that holiday cheer. When there was gift-giving and good food. Now the days that should bring cheer brought them nothing but sorrow. The smile they offered strangers was replaced by an ever present frown, and the ability to escape any conversation that turned to the holidays. Even on the radio, Bo offered advice to people who were looking not to go and join family or friends. But mostly they spoke of other things. New music, changing weather, world politics.
And they went home absolutely exhausted. Just the idea of having to make it through the December month was turning their mood sour. So when they entered their regular bodega to find it packed with carollers, they quickly shot to the back of the place and riffled through magazines they didn’t intend to buy, keeping an eye on the front and praying nobody was going to start singing. “Sorry,” they said when someone appeared in their line of vision. “Do you think those people are going to leave any time soon?”
AS MUCH AS PIPPA ENJOYED ALL THE HOLIDAY movies constantly playing on television channels so that she could flip through them and always find at least one good one, even she could admit that the hustle and bustle of the time of year wasn't always as jolly and enjoyable as the classics made it out to be. There were plenty of scrooges walking around, especially in such a crowded city as Las Vegas, and if one thought that working at the law firm would slow down, the blonde could attest that some holiday spirit hadn't meant any less legal battles and feuds from going on. Hoping to be able to able to grab something quick after work as scheduling appointments and volleying phone calls for nine hours on end all day had left her little energy to also pick a recipe and craft it up on her own, she normally wouldn't have minded a display of carols if it hadn't been between her and her usual panini that she had ordered, as proved by the grumbling of her stomach that was barely covered up by the many footsteps in the crowded area. Eyes blinking, she almost hadn't caught on that the person next to her was speaking to her, an ever present assumption that she flew under most people's radar without notice. "I don't know, how many songs have they already gotten through? I can't imagine the acoustics are very good in here considering all the bottles of soda." It was a weak joke and the smile she attempted to pair with it faltered a bit when she realized such, tucking some hair behind her ear as it was rare she stayed still for long without fidgeting. "If you don't want your order to get stuck behind all of theirs go ahead and add whatever you were going to get to mine; I don't mind. Consider it a part of the holiday spirit that isn't annoying."
closed starter for: @fragilcline ( pippa graves-seong )
location: bambi's home at stargazer villa's.
date and time: december 19th, 10pm.
Skincare wasn't really Bambi's thing per-say, sure they had the whole basic steps to keep their acne away but anything beyond that? They weren't really super invested into it, unless it came to spending time with their baby sister Pippa. They would do anything for their younger sibling honestly, always giving her the time of day no matter what they was in the middle of ( even if that was in the middle of a crime scene much to the annoyance of certain cops ). The sorta middle child of the Grave-Seong siblings always felt a protective love and care for Pippa; remembering times when they taught her makeup and caught her stealing clothing from their closet ( teaching her which things DID NOT go together until they both were on the bed giggling ). So moments like these where they are just able to relax with a stupid movie on the TV, Bambi is okay with a cucumber facial if it makes their baby sister happy.
"Okay so please explain the plot-line of Pretty Woman again before I agree to watch a movie that has a woman dressed like that on the cover?" Dark eyes cut over to the VHS tape before they grabbed a cucumber that slid off their face, making a slight huffing noise. "Oh by the way I got a new dress that doesn't look good on me but it's in my closet if you wanna try it on." A little white lie but she doesn't need to know that, Bambi was a compulsive gifter.
DESPITE HER BEST EFFORTS, Pippa rarely knew a hint of calm when locked within the chambers of her own mind; it was as if her nervous system was in a constant state of unrest and preparing her body for impact regardless of what was going on around her. Working in a law office where her mind was kept busy with any aid the attorneys could possibly need did give her a bit of respite away from her own thoughts, as she was rarely sat behind the receptionist desk just twiddling her thumbs. It was her free time that was more of a mental prison, though, trying to explain that to anyone came with its own concerns: who was crazy enough to complain about time to herself? She'd much prefer to fill it with others, though, as someone who had been in Sin City for quite too long, friendships were few and far between still, especially with her meek persona. That's when her family came into the picture, always there to be her saving grace even if it was from her own self-derived concerns were what she needed protection from (at least, when it wasn't childish bullies that she thought she could outrun by growing up—it turned out some adults could be just as cruel over some differences). Bambi especially, would always be able to provide the warmest embrace for the blonde to run into when needed, and there was an effortless smile on her face once she had finished twitching her lips to test if the clay mask she had applied to her skin had fully dried yet. Their setup couldn't be more complete, with a plethora of skincare Pippa had practically dumped from her tote bag onto her sister's table, a selection of snacks and goodies, and fuzzy slippers her toes were wiggling around in. The only thing missing was a good romcom, and for once, her smile didn't wilt even when the forensic analyst gave a critical look at the movie's cover. "It's practically criminal" honestly, a bad pun off her sister's career "that you haven't seen it yet, and it came out six years ago. It's practically romance comedy gold." Then again, maybe her opinion was a bit skewed as a hopeless romantic who struggled to see herself ever fitting into the movie genre she adored so much. "This guy hires an escort after she helps him with his car—and before you judge it, hear me out, hear me out—they start getting closer so he just, pays her to stick with him for the entire week." Her clay-coated nose twitched at her own description, shaking her head. "I'm not doing a good job explaining it at all; you just have to watch it. They have this chemistry that you can't put into words." Though, there was a long list of movies Pippa would boast the same compliment to. "Are you sure? Maybe you just need to add the right accessories to really make it look it's best; I can help you with that, if you want."
with: @boneyardstarters
where: outside twice sold tales
when: december 27th, 1996 ( a friday )
"Wait, wait — hold the door, please...!" Vyvyan's voice was faint but purposeful, adorning a belated holiday outfit of velveteen red and fur-lined white around the shoulderless collar, barrettes pinning back the fine baby hairs of her parted raven locks, and she stumbled over her steps as she scampered for the creaking metal of the library door. A stack of books had become a precarious balance beam in her arms, her white cane shoved underneath her arm — it would be impressive if she didn't think she was about to fall flat on her face and send them scattering everywhere in her plight to get through the door with the donations in tow. Breathless when she reached the threshold, she was choking on her own saliva as she sought for words. "I'm — I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry, I have a holiday show and... these are children's books for the, um, the book reading today..." Trailing off, she realized she must sound strange, and her mouth contorted awkwardly. "Sorry," she blurted it out again compulsively, "I didn't think anyone would be here so soon after Christmas." Now that she had well and truly made an ass out of herself, she blinked, lifting her chin, her false purple eyes seeking a face based on the sound of breaths alone. "Thank you, um... if you're not going, instead of... coming, can you help me bring these in?"
THE DOOR WAS HEAVY BUT PIPPA managed to hold it open, turning towards the voice and allowing a breeze of chilly air to swoop into the library's entrance as her hip propped against the wood. Bashful eyes would've normally avoided eye contact at all costs, finding it safer for her gaze to land upon someone's nose or mouth as a center than awkwardly wondering if she appeared as a deer in the headlights by boring into someone else's, but at the familiar friendly face a soft grin spread across her features. "No worries, you don't gotta apologize," she offered softly to one of the first friends she had managed to make in Las Vegas, a feat all in itself for Pippa who was all but socially intimidated by her own shadow, much more by any other living, breathing person. "Oh, uh, the law firm closed for the week between Christmas and New Years and...I didn't really have anything else to do." Already, the blonde was internally cringing at her own explanation and how it reflected on her, boring and uninteresting and friendless, but tried to keep her smile from wavering too much as her mind went off with such a thought. "I was just getting here, no worries. Great minds must think alike or something, right?" A giggle left her mouth as if to go along with the saying, hands already taking a few of the books off the top. "Would it help you if I took them all in? Then you can make it to your show a bit quicker. I'm sure all those holiday shows are packed." Not that she had ever stepped foot in the burlesque club herself.
Sunny was out much too late these days, when the sun went down sooner and their clients stayed out later. Usually, when those ended in something more than just sitting around, drinking something, looking pretty, they barely dared to brave the streets and sleek off back to their little humble villa. Now, they smelled like wine, cheeks rosy, and jacket thrown snuggly around their body, and felt much braver than they should be feeling.
When they heard footsteps and screams behind them, their first reaction was to move out of the way instead of jumping, and watch the kids stomp off with some amusement. Then they looked back the way they'd come from and frowned. "Oh... they didn't steal your wallet or anything, right?" Perhaps they'd misheard who the screams were actually from. "I'd chase them if I could, but I fear I can barely walk a straight line. I can stay call the police if needed!" They called towards the stranger, no idea if their alcohol-meddled brain was sensing the situation correctly or if he was just making things up.
A LATE NIGHT AT THE LAW FIRM was unusual for Pippa, as she shouldn't known what she was signing up for when lawyers frequently had the stereotype attached to their profession of being dedicated to their jobs. Perhaps her role hadn't provided much in terms of winning a case, though, her support in the form of handling all phone calls and calling in for food when she noticed some employees going too long without nourishing themselves made her feel plenty important. Pulling her crossbody over her body, though, she was happy to finally be leaving for the night, as there were leftovers in the refrigerator just practically begging to be reheated upon her return home. The kids that had ran around her had scared her, admittedly due to her being easily spooked, but they were ultimately harmless, rushing past her and only leaving her a bit dizzied as she had gotten spun around. "Oh, no, I think I'm perfectly fine. I just didn't expect them all to run past. I'm sorry if I spooked you." Straightening her shirt that fit the business casual attire she was required to wear, she then grinned up at the other, though they had earned a quirk of a blonde eyebrow at the walking comment. "Oh, are you walking home? Why don't we walk together?" The suggestion was made mostly as the blonde knew she wouldn't be able to fall asleep that night with the possibility the other, even if they were a stranger, didn't make it home safe, even if the way their paths crossed was insignificant. "I'd feel better walking with someone else, after getting easily spooked. Where do you live? I'm heading towards the Solstice apartment building."
"Are you kidding me god himself would have to come down and give me a talkin' too before I would miss this!" Jasmine could help but gush with excitement, her little pink impala wasn't the best car to be driving in the rain but either way she was determined to make it to Noelle's- she needed this after the failure of a conversation she had with her brother. "It's crazier, it's weird out there on top of it- I can't put my finger on it but it's like there is always someone out their watching me, eyes following you but I'm choosing to chalk it up to my over-active imagination and too many long hours writing at the paper." She rolled her eyes, trying to shake off the sense of weird she had. It felt better being here, Noelle's was like a giant safety blanket and she was happy to be curled under it with her friend. "Oh yes please, do you want me to leave my boots and jacket out here? They are soaked and I don't want to get your house messy."
THE STARK DEDICATION, EVEN IF EXAGGERATED FOR HUMOR, had a smile curling across her lips, no hint of worriment that it was usually tinged with, as if even at her most cheerful, her worries were much too advantageous at coloring even the brightest of moments. It was an admission the twenty six year old refused to make out loud, that she wasn't sure anyone had made such an effort, the short stint the blonde actually spent in public schooling before running away again filled with scenes of sitting at lunch tables by herself or whisper she agonized over being about her when she walked down the halls. "He might be trying," she joked softly, no real confidence behind it in hitting. "Have you seen rain like this here before? I haven't seen anything like it since moving here," she supposed that didn't supply her with a lot of comparison to make. If anything, she was just happy that this rain storm wouldn't result in her having to go shove rain water from pooling in the tops of circus tents this time. "Well, hopefully there's no reason to go back out in it. Maybe it'll provide some cozy vibes for the movie night." Not that Noelle required much help in setting up; hosting was fun even if she lacked many people outside of her family to actually have over, the prior point proven by how she had set up an assortment of snacks. "Do you have a big story coming up? Or is that a confidential kind of thing?" She had no interest in prying--she could understand the restrictions of such a job. Rounding around the corner to pull another blanket from the closet to set upon the sofa, the apartment wasn't large enough for her to disappear of entirely, she called back, "You can leave them by the door, if you want! Can I get you something to drink? Oh, let me put the popcorn on the stove!"
It did not matter if her taste was lame. Rhett was just looking for something he had not seen before. He could make up his own mind whether it was lame or not. "Hey, I ain't lookin' for high art. I'm jus' lookin' for somethin' entertainin', so I can't imagine your choices would be any worse than anyone else's," he said, then added honestly, "Whether th' cinematography's good or not, I prob'ly won't even notice." He was definitely leaning more towards comedy at the moment, so it sounded like she was on the right track. "Yeah, somethin' like those would be good. I'm definitely lookin' for somethin' t' take my mind off things." He was glad she had not suggested a horror movie, because he had more than enough of that in his life.
IT WAS ALMOST A KNEE JERK REACTION she had inherited early on in life, unable to keep from prefacing her own words or suggestions with a warning. It was as if her mind thought she could beat someone else to the punch of belittling herself, it wouldn't hurt so much if they had agreed. ( It didn't, and yet the coping style of constantly having her thoughts jump to the worst case scenario even over something as mundane as a simple conversation. ) A shaky smile was offered in response to the assurance, the blonde rejuvenated in her desire to help with the newfound confidence that she could. "I like all the happy-go-lucky ones for that reason, too. There's no fun in getting off of work just to get more stressed out." Considering the injuries she heard described through the phone and the high pressure scenarios, it essentially crossed any desire to see gore in horror movies or the tension of an action thriller. "I'm starting to think everyone's looking for a distraction; I feel like I usually don't see it this crowded. I guess people still aren't in a rush to get back to the drive-in still, though." Luckily, she hadn't been in attendance for that and had instead slept right through the fiasco after a twelve hour shift. "Oh, or what about My Cousin Vinny? That one cracks me up every time. Although, you're not a lawyer, are you?" He hadn't looked like one, but the blonde refused to presume. "I guess that wouldn't really help take your mind off of work."
It was the feeling he imagined he would experience if someone had taken a bug zapper to him and sapped his energy out of his body — he could barely lug himself to the door when he heard the doorknob jingling from the living room whilst his spouse was otherwise preoccupied. The lingering effects of his tonic-clonic seizure, primarily his body refusing to work with him in the ways he was willing for it too, were a mild and atypical annoyance in the back of his conscious. He couldn't get a word out before he was smothered in her arms, and he was unsteady, managing to wrangle hold of his balance at the last moment and clutch on tight, a bit breathless. "I'm okay," his voice was a little stilted, distant, but he would bounce back — he always did, in the end, "It was a GTC, um, I guess Dahlia couldn't get a hold of Roma at first, so... she must've called you." One hand pressed against his eye when she pulled back enough, hopeful to alleviate the pressure of a lead weight throbbing in the back of his skull somewhere. "D'you think you can get me back to the couch? I feel like one of those gelatin molds." His Australian shepherd, Ganon, had parked himself at the radio host's feet. Keeping hold of Noelle's forearms, the ghastly discoloration of his face was emphatic when he smiled. "Yeah, come in, please..." Taking a couple shuffling steps back, he patiently waited for his youngest sister to shut the door and lock it before he threw an arm around her shoulder, leaning his body weight against her. "Get here okay?"
AS SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN EMERGENCY SERVICES, though not directly on the scene, the blonde should've known to keep her own panic at bay if she wanted to actually be of aid in the situation. When it came to helping others when they were at their most stressed, such a feat seemed much easier than it was one of her own family members her anxiety was overflowing for. Despite Dusty's appearance on the other side of the door quelling her initial concerns that he was stuck on the floor somewhere inside with no way of calling for help, just how unstable his balance was didn't leave the youngest Graves entirely relieved, though she bit her tongue from outright disagreeing that he didn't seem okay. Characteristic smile that was shadowed by her own internal tension crossed her face, she did her best to reel in her anxiety to instead focus on hopefully taking care of him--it was only fair since a the eldest, he had practically raised her himself at the loss of their parents. "Yeah, of course, just don't let go of me. Sorry for pulling you away from the couch and making you come all the way to the door." Even in a situation like the current one, something felt off about just letting herself in. Thank God her work only required her to help through telephone lines. Following his slow steps into the house, she kicked off her soaked tennis shoes without letting go of him, not wanting to cause any more disorder than she already had by trailing the bad weather into across the floors. Arm under shoulders, her movement towards the sofa was patient as ever, only following his lead. "It's a pretty bad out there, I'm not gonna lie. I bet half the Strip is flooded, and it still doesn't seem like it's letting up any time soon. But I didn't have any major issues getting here." If anything, her driving was more impaired by her worry. "How're you feeling, though? Do you have a headache, taken anything for it?"
Open Starter -- @boneyardstarters
Where: Blockbuster Video
When: Anytime in August
After the events of the full moon, Rhett was in need of something--anything--to distract himself. He could have stopped in to any of the casinos, but he did not really want to blow a ton of money in the process of distracting himself. Same went for any of the shows. Chuck E. Cheese was a cheaper option, but he would have felt a little silly going in there, even if he might have been able to snag some goofy prize. So Blockbuster it was. He had managed to find a cheap TV/VCR combo when he had gotten his radio, so grabbing a couple of movies and heading back to his trailer seemed like a good enough way to spend the evening. There was just one problem: he was not really sure what he was in the mood for. Probably not a horror movie; he had enough of that in his life. But he was not sure that he wanted a comedy either. So, finding another person coming down the aisle towards him, he shuffled over and asked them, "Yeah, sorry for bein' that guy, but d'you got any recommendations? I jus' can't decide what I want t' watch."
THE HUM OF HER SEWING MACHINE wasn't exactly the background noise Noelle preferred when creating hems, and especially when she had her crochet hooks in her hands, she needed at least something to entertain in the background, even if her attention was more focused on counting stitches. It would land her at the movie rental store often, especially when she had run out of the latest season of whatever medical or crime drama she was watching. Poised in front of the selection of latest releases, her blue eyes were scanning the offerings with a critical eye, though, she probably could've picked up each one and found a way to finish them all before the next week. Blinking at the person who spoke up, she tried not to appear on edge, though, it could be argued that any simple social interaction put her in such a state. "Oh, I don't know if I'm the best to ask; I'm not someone who is big into cinematography. My taste might be kind of lame," she laughed, before realizing that may have been the most unhelpful answer. "But I can probably help. What kind of movie sounds interesting for your mood? I like those dumb Adam Sandler ones, y'know like Big Daddy or The Wedding Singer. They're always my go-to when I don't know what else to grab."
5. How do they dress? What styles, colors, accessories, and other possessions do they favor? Why?
Noelle's closet has always consisted majority of clothing she has crafted herself ever since she had mastered working a sewing machine. When younger, it became necessary when she was creating her own costumes for her trapeze acts in the circus, but she realized she preferred the clothing she made herself, as the fit and style was always unique and perfect for herself. She wears a lot of pastel colors and patterns such a florals, plaid, and polka dots. Since she has also picked up crocheting as a hobby, sweaters are common in her wardrobe despite the desert weather of Las Vegas, as well as crocheted hats and tote bags.
27. What do they strongly like and dislike in any category? Why?
Noelle's biggest dislike out of anything is probably people who are unnecessarily abrasive and confrontational; as someone who is naturally on edge and nervous naturally, anyone getting in her face or being combative right off the bat only stresses her out more. Anything that is big and bold and in one's face is probably not her taste, as subtly is an art she appreciates.
