DATE & TIME: January 24th, 5:30pm LOCATION: Dressing Room - Tent STATUS: Closed for @knxwsbest
Where had it begun? Who had whispered it into the shell of her ear first? Or had it come floating by in the breeze—attractions no longer, monsters on display no more. Whoever, wherever; it was coming, the sun quickly descending from its throne amongst the clouds. Her hours in her cage finished, she leaves to ready herself for the evening performance. A routine made over this past year, but one that is becoming increasingly difficult to follow. And yet, here she is approaching the tent that serves as their dressing rooms. A few vanities and racks of handmade costumes, glittering and almost gaudy in the dim-light, without spotlight. Here she is forgetting for a moment that they were to stay away for tonight, to hide or make it early back to the train.
Only a few weeks ago—seemingly hours, seemingly a day or two—had she stood in the conductor’s car, clipped wires, train halting like a failed heart, played innocent, then escaped into Vegas lights, the dreams of a girl half realized then, freedom tasted, love bloomed. But now, her heart pulls half towards the light of the ring, the sound of music, the awe and scorn of the crowd; like honey to ants, like sacrifice to gods.
In some small part of her mind—it’s own world, it’s own reality—had she thought that the rebellion wouldn’t touch her performances, wouldn’t reach its hands and rip out the beating heart of her reason here. Somehow, she thought she would be able to have this, the one tie to her Father, the one tie to herself.
(Would she risk it all for those around her or would she retreat into herself, serve only herself? But hadn’t she thought it was worthwhile against the Vegas skyline only last week? Hadn’t anything been worth it then?)
Mind scattered, unsure of where to go, her hand dances along the countertop until it scatters tubes and containers to the floor. Bending down to retrieve them, Li Hua looks up to Sol who has entered the tent as well, her dark figure cutting against the light of the world outside, “Sol, I didn’t know you would be in here. Are you looking for something?” Couldn’t expect that this woman had come for any other reason—how could she? This woman who would guide her, would settle the swaying of her heart.
