picture me counting cards, dear

[ofparadice]

la-sangradura​:

open to: everyone location: lotus hotel & casino

It had been no more than a few weeks since the explosion, and Ilya had been bound to the Lysytsya Manor just as he felt he was regaining his freedom. When he had made his return seven months ago, it was a slow transition back to it all following an even slower translation of what his body still remembered in comparison to his mind. The rules, however, had been broken despite the best efforts of the Foxes themselves trying to protect their ceremonial figure heads. There was a bitter thought that had they not strayed— had they not bitten the hand that fed them— the incident could have been avoided. Against the advisement of legal teams and those in higher ranks, Ilya left the bland marble castle of his childhood home and back into whatever glamour Las Vegas could offer. He shouldered some looks, but the flash of recognition is what stuns. The revolving door of the Lotus Hotel spins one too many times as he passed through, knuckles burning where defense had demolished the blinding light whose click was mistaken for another weapon. His collar was pressed against his throat as he dragged inside, the fox pulled in by the scruff of his shirt. Eye contact with his savior, or another problem to be dealt with wasn’t binding as he tore himself away to the entrance’s bar, out of breath and tongue bitten under curses.

”What the fuck?” He muttered, finally English hitting the air. 

...

Talia wanted to be taken seriously in her family. That she was a force to be reckoned with, even she didn’t feel ready to initiate. Knowing it was her destiny, she fought against her fate in an attempt to carve out her own path. It didn’t matter because no matter what she chose, she saw her ending written in stone. Now, it was time to stop fighting back and accept her circumstances. She was on her own at the Lotus, realizing how many people had been exposed from the autumn festival explosion. It was their luck that the Asena’s hadn’t been exposed either.

Her eyes spotted him as he walked up to the bar: hopefully he didn’t recognize her at all, but the last name Arslan came with its own crutch, “you alright?” She asked softly, looking at him as he stepped to the bar, flustered, looking like he needed a drink. Maybe she could just talk to him. Talia was acting dangerously, without her family here for backup, but she saw an opportunity and went for it.

[ofparadice]

deidiavoli​:

killer cupcakes / open to all 

The entirety of what has been happening for the Foxes, for one Nadia James - it wasn’t good news. The explosion that happened, the many mistakes that followed - Nadia was enraged and so much of it was pent up. She always acted like the put together, conceited woman, but at the heart of it all - she was a psychopath and a psychopath could only take so much before they snapped. Walking into her own bakery that morning, Nadia thought of all the things that went wrong - and suddenly, a rage overtook her. She began to throw everything, baking sheets, dough she had set aside, muffin and cupcake tins - anything she could find and when she saw someone come in, she growled. 

“Get the fuck out or watch the bloody show! Would you like a sodding cupcake or a fucking rip to the neck?! Pick one, darling, I’m not very picky this morning!” Nadia screamed, throwing a premade croissant at the patron’s head, only to get quiet with wild eyes. “Today, I swear, someone will learn why this bloody bakery is called Killer Cupcakes, I swear to fucking God.” 

...

Talia had suspicions that there were other’s like the Asenas, lurking in the darkest shadows of Vegas, but to actually see it, in front of her eyes had been enlightening. There were more players in this game than she had originally thought and knew this could only get worse. She watched as the baker seemed to lose her mind over someone taking her damn time, but to Talia, she seemed to be a bit more familiar. Her mind returned to the meeting her family had, all named associates of the Foxes and this one, seemed to be one of them. “Can I just have a chocolate croissant, please?” Talia asked, hoping to avoid a pastry to the head. She could return to her family and tell her exactly where one of them worked, “then I’ll leave happily.”

[ofparadice]

heldfate​:

“Me? Bleak? Будь ласка.” Comment was made beneath her berath, intentions without malice as exhaustion stayed on the forefront of her demeanor. The Foxes and October were never a good pair, a yearly duo that bred chaos over all else. Her shoulders remained tense at the thought of something coming, unable to see or stop whatever it would be because the unknown was an enemy she had yet to figure out how to defeat.

That tension was only somewhat eased now, Alejandra’s presence serving as something more familiar than not. In turn, Ivanna felt like she could relax a bit more – she’d never wronged the female, nor had she ever been wronged by her. There were rare exceptions to their family’s offered protection, Alejandra being one of them because of Ollie, and Ivanna knew better than to cross her own brother. Her natural maternal instincts that extended towards Alejandra were mostly out of respect at that point. “I am.” The femme nodded once, shrug lifting her shoulders in the slightest. “Is everything okay?”

...

A small smile appeared on her face, “I only joke,” she admired the other, seeing the toll today was taking on her today. “Gerovit’s causing you stress?” Alejandra asked curiously. Alejandra wasn’t sure if Ivanna knew about Oleksander being back, or even if she knew it was all a hoax to begin with. She didn’t want to let a secret out that she wasn’t sure about. His return weighed heavy on her mind, but couldn’t share her worries or concerns with anyone.

Shaking her head quickly, “I’m fine,” it was a common phrase that escaped her mouth often, “just tired. It’s nice to dress up and dance the part for a couple of hours as Vicky’s, but all day in this heat is something else,” she joked with her.

[ofparadice]

deidiavoli​:

“You seem appreciative of what you have though - so many people want more and more. You just seem like you - like you already know that more can be dangerous, that what you have is just good enough.” He smiled, and shifted a little in his chair. “How is it being a journalist? Well - it’s not exactly a walk in the park, I’ll say. A lot of late hours, a lot of chaos, and you really have to get into a story. There’s no chance to ask for forgiveness and people might think you’re heartless, but - but there’s something to be said about wanting the truth so bad you can just taste it - you live for it. My parents instilled that in me - the truth is all we have.” He smiled, shrugging. “I started the newspaper with my family, so it feels like something bigger than me. It could be something I give to my children, you know? My father - My father would have wanted it that way, I know he would have.” Altan smiled sadly at the thought, at the sad thought that his father was no longer here to see any of it. 

“See me hurt? The thing is, Alejandra, I’m willing to take that all on. I’ve been hurt more than you think and I’m a journalist - I got thick skin.” He laughed as he got a little closer. “Listen, you told me now and I heard your warning, so it’s on me if I get hurt, right? It’s on me.” He smiled, flashing her a wink. “No need to feel guilty now.” 

He took a sip of his drink and looked back, listening intently. “Sounds beautiful. Miami is great too - I’ve been a few times with a few friends. Lovely culture.” He smiled. “Oh, Turkey? To me, it’s the most beautiful place in the entire world, but to others it’s dusty and too loud. It’s full of good people just trying to make it and do the best they can. That is who my parents are - there, my mother was a photographer and my father was a professor. They came to America for me when I was young, but at their own expense. I knew I wanted to give back to them.” 

...

Shrugging, “I try to,” her parents taught her to be happy with the things she had and forget about the things she didn’t. She loved to dance and it just happened to give her anything she might want to buy, but it wasn’t about that for her. She just wanted happiness in this bleak world. She listened to his words, curious about the amount of truth that had been withheld from her. Alejandra didn’t know everything about the man she thought she was in love with, the man who was the father to her child. He faked his death and then reappeared. Who knows what else there was that he was hiding from her.

“Did your father passed?” That seemed to be the only explanation once she saw his sad face. She didn’t want to pry, with anyone, but she would listen if he needed to talk. “I understand wanting to give something to your children,” she said with a tinge of sadness in her own voice. She didn’t want to think about her child, it hurt too much and she refused to acknowledge it anymore.

She rolled her eyes, “you should run, is all I’m saying, but if you’re not going to listen to me, I can’t help you.” Alejandra’s life was too complicated to have anothers life intertwine with hers. She wanted to protect him from anything that might follow her. “From what I remember, it was,” she was young, around eight, when she moved to Vegas, but she remembered the water most of all. “I’m sure they are grateful for all that you’ve done for them.” Nodding, “it sounds like a beautiful country.”

[ofparadice]

countcrfcit​:

Azra smiled once her eyes settled on Talia, feeling more at ease that the person she almost bumped wasn’t a stranger. “There’s nothing worse than wasted whipped cream.” She laughed softly, nodding her head as the calm set in. Her fork dug into the slice, quickly placing the bite in her mouth. “It’s not going to let you down — promise. It’s delicious.” She paused. “How are you enjoying the festival?”

...

“I agree, but it’s okay, it’s just me,” she smiled, grabbing a napkin from near by to wipe the whipped cream off her shirt. Berkan had worn her out and Talia lost the will to fight anyone anymore. Her mother was a fucking thorn in her side, irritating her to no end and she was worried that one day she was going to give up the fight against him. Shrugging, “it’s been fine. A break from Berkan, which is more than warranted after all the things he’s been making me do for the family,” she knew she couldn’t tell anybody exactly why she was doing it. Berkan made it clear that the arranged marriage was supposed to be hush, “and you?”

[ofparadice]

pullumtendies​:

…

Julian hadn’t been occupying the club as usual since their night together but it’s mainly to prepare for what was going down later today. He knew he needed to go into it clear headed and ready for anything to go wrong so when he lifted up his eyes and noticed the brunette. He knew he was in trouble because his eyes didn’t leave her until she saw him and made her way over to him. A small smirk dances across his features as he shrugs his shoulders slightly. “People watching. You enjoying yourself?”

...

Grinning, “oh?” She asked him curiously, “any fun observations?” Alejandra wondered if she was interrupting him. After their night together, she hadn’t heard much from him. A small part of her disappointed at the fact, but she wouldn’t let it get to her. If that was all he wanted, then so be it. It had been nice for her to have a small distraction, even if it was just for a little while, “trying to as best as I can,” she had been working the booth for Vicky’s all day. Men would ogle her without shame as she walked around in her little nymph outfit she put of for today, “tired though, ready to go home.”

[ofparadice]

crrisptrepidation​:

—

You don’t fucking say, Marley couldn’t help but think, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She got what she paid for, she supposed. She could just be grateful that it’d gotten her this far. Not that she thought her soon to be ex-husband would be coming after her that quick, if at all–hell, he wouldn’t have been getting home until right about then anyways, to find “Sophie” and her things (as well as a good chunk of his money) all gone–but her getaways are one of the only things Marley would rather be safe than sorry about. If this hunk of junk had been her downfall after all these years, she never would’ve lived it down. 

Her lips flashed a quick grin at his joke, her eyes no longer able to resist rolling once his back was turned, but then his gaze was back on her, weighty and persistent. She’d been about to tease him, a retort about something being stuck in her teeth on the tip of her tongue, but before she could, his back turned once more. The disappointment that flooded her was sudden and cold, frown turning down the corners of her mouth just so. 

“What gave me away?” She took a casual step back, hands slipped in the back pockets of her shorts, giving the car a once over–and if she managed to clock that the license plate was very much not a California one…“Nebraska, born and raised.” Not where she personally would’ve chosen, because who the fuck knew anything about Nebraska, but she’d make it work. “Came out here to live my life long dream of bein’ a showgirl.” She flashed her brows suggestively, tongue caught between her teeth in a grin. “Think I got a chance?” He didn’t seem like a blusher, but Marley was willing to try anyways, if not just to turn his gaze back to her.

Bingo. Whether it was the added touch of the showgirl detail that had done it or not, the next words out of the mechanic’s lips were music to Marley’s ears. She forced herself to tamper down the excitement, face softening and brown eyes widening in a faux show of surprise, like unable to believe he’d do a thing for a stranger like herself. “You mean that?” Words spoken with a breathless edge, head shaking slowly. “Not the most…that’s more than I think I could even ask for.” As if on cue, Marley’s eyes glossed with tears, an embarrassed laugh passing through her lips as she turned her head, quickly swiping them away with her fingertips. “Oh, God, I’m sorry.” She laughed again. “It’s just…I’ve been havin’ a real hard time and this is…the nicest thing somebody’s done for me in a long time. Thank you.” Her fingers nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ll have to let me make it up to you some other way.” God, when had Marley’s life become something straight out of a porno?

...

“The accent,” he smiled back at her with a nod. Of course she wanted to be famous, Dominic thought to himself. There was no reason to move to Vegas unless there was some goal they wanted to achieve. It was a hell hole that only locals chose to live and die in, “well I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for out here,” he gave her the encouragement she’d need to do something in show business, it was a stupid one though. Nodding, “I think you’ll do great here,” she had the looks that people would love, the small town country back story that others would swoon for. If she could dance then he couldn’t see why she wouldn’t be able to make it.

Nodding, “it’s really nothing, I swear,” it was just the labor he could comp for her, parts he would have to order and find in the back if they had them. It wouldn’t be too complicated for him, “you just might have to wait. I gotta do it in my spare time, if that’s okay?” Cyrus always did tell Dom that he had a soft spot for a sob story and a pretty face. “It’s okay,” he grabbed the cloth tucked in his work shirt, “no need to cry. Hopefully this will make it all a little better.” Dominic shook his head, unable to take anything she offered, “it’s really fine, I promise.” Dominic really was a fucking sucker.

[ofparadice]

heldfate​:

The amount of pretenders wandering the streets became unsettling, weighing on Amaia’s mind heavily as she wandered without a care in the world pinned to her exterior. She knew every person that passed her by had secrets buried deep inside, ones that would never surface even if that person was on their deathbed. She was the same some odd years ago, the same even now as she stood there and stared at flowers she didn’t truly need. “Do you live in a silent movie?” The implication of black and white films tying in with the genre was very much present, focus still elsewhere and not on Dominic as Amaia’s head canted at the bouquet displayed before her.

“I suggest purple, maybe even yellow.” Amaia shrugged, lifting up two different options and turning towards him now as she held them out. “Get a nice vase for either one of these and prop it up in the kitchen or something. It’ll do wonders, I think.”

...

Avoiding her glance, “practically,” shrugging, “but it’s more like shades of gray.” That went for both his home decor and the kind of life he led. The military straightened his ass out, but Dominic knew when he came back home, he would have to bend the line between right and wrong. Shaking his head, “my ex made it a bit more livelier, but I got rid of all her shit once we ended things. Even if he wasn’t home much, he didn’t need a single reminder of Marley anywhere near him. However, Marley made her presence known quite often and it was slowly driving him crazy.

His eyebrow raised, “it’s not too much?” He questioned the idea of something that colorful in the place he resided in, “I don’t think I have a nice vase, to be honest.”

[miraydanerarchived]

ASLIHAN MALBORA DARMADUMAN | 1. BÖLÜM

[ofparadice]

crrisptrepidation​:

—

“Not on the menu, I’m afraid.” Marley’s nose scrunched, as if truly sorry, but her smile did not falter, cheek balanced on the palm of her hand as she took him in. He looked like shit. Handsome as ever, of course, but she could practically see the demons floating around his head, keeping him torturously awake–for how long now? When was the last time he’d shut those pretty little eyes of his? Now, Marley was no angel, far from it, but her presence seemed to exhaust him these days. Maybe her own tormenting could drown out whatever it was else keeping him from the peace he longed for…at least for a little while. Dominic Murphy was a broken, broken man, long before Marley had had anything to do with him…and maybe a twinge of guilt pulled in her stomach at the idea that she’d deepened the cracks threatening to break him completely.

“Do have coffee, though.” Lifting the pot she’d carried over with her, she filled the empty mug set before him, filling her own as well before setting it back down at the end of the table. “What’re we doin’ awake at this hour, hm?” Her fingers danced over the sugar packets, plucking an ungodly amount from the container, and beginning the work of ripping them open to sweeten her drink.

...

Glaring back at his ex, he shook his head, “do you enjoy fucking with me, Marley?” Dominic couldn’t understand why she continued to be this relentless with him. She had gotten as much as she could out of him, but still demanded more, “haven’t you taken enough from me?” There was no way to get her off his back, not when she continued this shit. Taking the coffee from her, he sipped the warm liquid, grasping for calm that it might offer him. Dominic didn’t want to acknowledge her, but in a public place like this, he didn’t want to lose his cool. “You know I can’t sleep,” he reminded her, “or have you forgotten already?” It was a habit of his to wake up when the nightmares tormented him and for the last six months, she had been there, soothing his terrified mind when nothing else worked. When she left, they came back and he’s been dealing with it since.

[ofparadice]

countcrfcit​:

open to: everyone (capping at 0/4) location: three fates diner

Azra couldn’t help but take a look around at everything the diner had on display. It was the desserts that caught her eye as she walked along the counter, grabbing a small plate from the side before cutting herself a fresh piece of cheesecake. Her eyes focused as she began to lift it onto her plate, not realizing that the person in front of her was inching towards her arm. Cheesecake fell from her knife onto the plate, Azra fumbling with the plate a bit before successfully steadying it in her hands. “Shit — that was close. I didn’t get any of the whipped cream on you, did I?” She questioned, pausing to take a look at the damage — if there was any. “I hear they make it with fresh bits of cooked pumpkin.”

...

Talia looked around at the desserts, trying to find something that caught her eye, but in all honestly, she was tired and ready to leave the market. She was tired of playing nice and was ready to act like herself finally. “You’re fine, Azra,” she looked at her “cousin” making sure there was nothing on her, “calm down.” Talia’s eyes, finding the pumpkin cheesecake and ordered a slice for herself. “It better be good, because I’m getting a slice.” Talia had managed to take a few moments to herself, without Berkan hovering over her. She wondered if he was exhausted of babysitting her.

[ofparadice]

heldfate​:

OPEN TO: everyone LOCATION: elysian market

Amaia hadn’t gotten out much as of lately, holed up in her office while she sorted through files and finished decorating the room. It was nice for the city to be revived again, brought to life before her eyes as the Autumn Harvest kicked off in full swing. She’d missed the last few years, remembering just how much she actually liked being outside. This time would be different, though, because Amaia needed to keep her eyes peeled for any type of suspicious activity. There was a lot of shade within the sunlight cast across Vegas, shade that she had every intention of exploring… no matter what it took.

She walked slowly along the streets, eventually landing herself at Elysian Market. The several small displays outside the shop were enough to draw her in, fingers extending out to brush against a few of the petals as she glanced at each one carefully. The coffee in her other hand was already almost empty as she sighed quietly, mostly to herself. “See, I’d buy half the store if I could, but I’d need an actual garden for that to happen. Yeah, that’s way too much work.”

...

Dominic did his best to blend into the crowds at the market, avoiding any extra attention. The growing horde of people shot his emotions into high gear as he tried to remember this was no different than a mission. His own head wasn’t in the right place to be grabbing the cargo off the trucks, so he was here, making sure that no one knew what was happening behind the scenes.

He was thankful for the stores participating for the event, all for a cover of what the Brothers were doing in reality, “I should probably get something green for my place,” he mumbled, knowing it had been drab since he kicked Marley out and set her things outside his door. He hadn’t wanted a single reminder of her, “or just anything that looks alive.” He wasn’t there often, just for attempts at sleep, but maybe something could fix the place up a bit.

[ofparadice]

briellefournier​:

=

Brielle loved the piece of junk that she rode every single day and she affectionately called it that because it kept doing this type of thing to her where it would just die randomly or she’d push it too far and she’d up with a hefty check from the mechanic who spent all day fixing or changing pieces. 

It was more trouble than it was worth but she didn’t have it in her to let it go. Which was ridiculous since she had a brand new bike at home. Peering over at the bar, the brunette smiled. Her spirits were suddenly higher. “Smart place to put a shop. You send the customers over to the bar to get them full on alcohol before you slide the bill their way and hope the alcohol makes it easier for them to swallow and pay for the work done.” She paused but was still headed in that direction. “I’ll be back. If I take too long, call me!”

...

Nodding, “yeah, the theory is if we get people liquored up enough, they’ll be more likely to accept all the work we recommend.” It was a small joke, but he did tend to notice people were less reluctant to agree to the work that he recommended. “Sounds good,” he mumbled, taking the bike to the garage as he took the shell off, looking around the inner workings. Tasks given to him to focus made the days easier for him. It was when there was a lull of nothing that drove his mind crazy.

“Yep, the gear box is all fucked,” he mumbled to himself, “and the alternator is shot.” He looked at the amount of cash the stranger gave him and knew he could get it all done today with the parts he had in stock, but he might have been missing a piece or two. Looking through supplies, he found what he needed and began to work on the old machine, concentrating on fixing what was broken, getting his mind off other things.

[ofparadice]

heldfate​:

OPEN TO: everyone LOCATION: out back of gerovit house

Ivanna had spent the majority of the day showing her face to a crowd that used to fear their family name. She could practically feel eyes burning into the back of her head, the target on their backs as she sauntered across streets and sidewalks to find little entertainment in the harvest. She moved elegantly, almost unbelievably so since she was tense the entire time. One day at time was all she needed to take it by, which was why the act was dropped the second she’d stepped out back of Gerovit House. Thanking people for donations, coaxing others into entering their name in raffles, braving a smile towards some of her worst unknown enemies… it was all so bleak to her.

With her back pressed against the cool wall of the building, Ivanna allowed herself a moment to breathe as she kept herself on high alert. Much like any animal detecting potential prey, her ears catch onto movement somewhere behind her before Ivanna was turning slowly to find whatever shadow lurked in the dark. A cant of her head later and she was allowing a scowl to settle back onto her features, where it belonged. “Front door’s on the other side.” The comment is made as more of an icebreaker than an actual suggestion. “Something tells me you are not here to make any generous donations or earn yourself a decent meal del, though.”

...

“Damn Ivanna, you sound so bleak,” Alejandra mused as she spoke to the redhead. Working at Vicky’s, Alejandra learned a lot about the Lysytsya’s from Ollie’s whispers as they shared a bed. He trusted his sister more than anything and that meant she could too, at least before he disappeared. Alejandra felt like their family had taken care of her and things changed when he left her alone when she was pregnant. A shock that came to her when she thought her child’s father was dead, but only that he faked it.

Shaking her head, “I just needed a break, from everyone,” she sighed, leaning up against the wall, “are you okay?” She asked, trying to not push the boundaries with the Lysytsya woman. Alejandra didn’t know where she stood with her.

[ofparadice]

pullumtendies​:

ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES w/ @ofparadice​ (Alejandra Ruiz)

Dark orbs drift around his surroundings, the fact that everyone was in such a vulnerable position was unsettling. He leans against one of the walls of a building by the market. Standing here makes him feel like he has better access on checking out everything around them including the windows in each building. He raises his eyes up towards some of them, knowing how easy it is to set up shop in one of them and quietly take someone out without someone even seeing you. He drops his gaze when he hears someone approach, noticing it’s Alejandra. “Fancy seein’ you here.”

....

Alejandra walked away from the rest of the vixens for a moment of peace. She was on display for Vegas to see in the little nymph outfit she managed to find, but it was all too much. The crowd was a lot and it felt like a repeat of Halloween last year all over again. The heat was unbearable and she felt like she was on the edge of a panic attack. Grabbing some water, she disappeared between the buildings to avoid any sort of attention, but she spotted someone else, “what are you doing hiding back here?” She teased Julian with a smile. She had seen him a few times since the night she spent at his place and wasn’t sure what to make of their relationship.

[ofparadice]

deidiavoli​:

“Oh, I bet it is hard to keep secrets in life for you - everyone probably trying to become close to you to learn how deep and dark your secrets go. People do the same to me, you know - always. They love to figure out secrets from the journalist. I don’t have that many that I don’t write about though.” Altan laughed, as he kept his hand on her back, respectfully. He didn’t want to do anything that was unbecoming, that was even perceived as impolite. He had the feeling that Alejandra had been told this many times, that others were going to cross her boundaries without telling her and he didn’t want to be just another face to that. 

“No, I don’t think anyone can be remotely deserving of you, Alejandra. That is true, but I’m willing to try, or at least throw my hat in the ring and you can’t blame me for trying, can you?” He looked her in the eye, her dark eyes something he wanted to certainly remember for the night. He twirled her a little bit as he continued to dance with her, tilting his head to the side. 

“Cuba is a beautiful place, I’ve heard. Do you miss it at all?” He asked, genuinely interested. “Me? My parents and I came from Turkey when I was about ten years old - we were from a place outside of Istanbul. It was one of the best places I know, but it’s nice to come to America for all of that opportunity. The thing is though - people like to judge before you even know. They hear the accent and think you’re worth nothing, therefore you’re targeted and hunted down sometimes. Precisely why I started my own newspaper, for the paper who are hurt in this city and being their voice or at least trying. Sorry - sorry, I’m rambling.” He chuckled, blushing. 

....

A small sad smile appeared on her lips, “I know too much already to go asking for more,” she sighed looking at him. Her life had become a tangled mess, Ollie being the number one reason. It was a side she hadn’t seen of him: inconsolable rage due to the loss of their child. Alejandra reminded herself that he left, he couldn’t protect her and that guilt wasn’t hers to bear, but she still did. “How is that? Being a journalist, I mean,” she asked, trying to take the attention off herself, it was better that way.

“You flatter me, Altan,” she wasn’t meant for another, knowing the problems that followed her were too great for anyone else to take on.  A sharp chuckle escaped her lips, “you can try of course,” she offered him, “but there’s no guarantee,” she didn’t want to lead the poor man on when she had so much more to deal with, “I just don’t want to see you hurt,” she said honestly.

Shrugging, “I don’t remember much of it, I was quite young.” She thought about the stories her father and mother told her, “my parents said it was beautiful despite the problems with the government. They said Miami was as close as they could get, but even then, they were forced out due to overpricing things.” She knew her parents had gone through a lot to raise their daughter and her choice of profession was a spit in their face as her father repeated to her over and over again. “Was Turkey beautiful?” Shaking her head as he apologized, “there’s no reason to apologize, it’s nice to listen to.”

[ofparadice]

pullumtendies​:

ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES w/ @ofparadice​ (Talia Arslan)​

Berkan walks up behind his sister who is looking at the crystals on the table in front of her. He reaches up and plucks his sunglasses off his face, furrowing his brows. “Don’t tell me that you’re getting into this whole crystal thing.” He murmurs as he reaches past her to pick up one of the black ones. “The last thing we need is the house full of theses.”

...

Rolling her eyes, “I am just admiring them,” staring back at her older brother, “you could use some cleansing though. You’ve got bad juju all over you.” Maybe it was his ruthless pursuit of power or that he was still insistent on giving her away. “Or maybe this one to manifest the power you so desperately desire,” she rolled her eyes, setting the crystal back on the table.