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 Posted: Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:54 pm
 Alex Park originally purchased this house for his own use, a large house for a small family. When his siblings tagged along, it just barely housed them all, even feeling crowded at times. But since Daniel has long since returned to the mainland, and both Alex and River have gotten married and moved in with their respective wives and children, Elliot was left all alone in the four-bedroom house. She tried to live by herself for a while, but decided it was much too lonely, and so invited her coworkers from the circus to move in with her. Somehow, despite three adults, a pig, and a goat all living under one roof, the house has managed to stay relatively neat and clean, mainly because Elliot has very little to do during the circus' off seasons. First floor -- kitchen, living room, guest/animal room, bathroom Second floor -- Popcorn's room, Elliot's bedroom, Finnian's room, bathroom
Residents
Elliot Park (Owner)
Finnian Buckley
Sierra "Popcorn" Mikain
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:34 pm
 
Elliot stood in the backyard of her house, the wet grass soaking her bare feet. She didn't know why she wasn't wearing shoes, she just must have... forgotten when she got dressed. She was dressed in all black. It was a funeral, afterall. She had never been to a funeral before, because her paternal grandparents had died when she was just a baby and her maternal grandparents were too far away, so just her mother had gone to the funeral. When Bokonon had died, Alex had gotten rid of the body and buried it by the fence. She had stayed inside all day, while her big brother took care of it for her. This was her first funeral. But she knew that she should at least wear black.
Her toes were beginning to go numb, but she didn't notice. Instead, she stared at the hole they had dug in the ground, inhaling the scent of damp earth through her nose. Kazak, her beloved little pig, was about to go in that hole. Well, Kazak wasn't really there anymore. What was left wasn't anything different from something kept in the butcher shop, but that hadn't really sunk in yet.
She was silent, immersed in her thoughts, though she wasn't really thinking anything. Just about the hole, Kazak going in that hole, and the hole getting covered up again. Her face was as blank as it always was, and she sniffed before reaching up to rub the heel of her hand against her eye.
River had been there since the evening before. When she had gotten a call from Elliot, her usually monotonous voice strained with worry and panic, she and Zhi headed over, leaving Jeremy in the care of Alex. She had been the one to buy that pig for Elliot when Bokonon died, and so she felt a little responsible to see him off. She had known that the pig was getting sick -- it had been all Elliot could talk about for weeks -- but it was still a bit of a shock. So she stayed with Elliot until the very end and covered the pig with a blanket early that morning.
She stared at the hole for a little while, though she had different thoughts than her sister. Had she dug it deep enough? Kazak wasn't a big pig, but still, she wondered if she should dig out another inch or two. But even River knew that was inappropriate, so she stood her ground. Elliot's sniff caught her attention, and for a moment, she thought the woman was crying. But Elliot hadn't cried yet, it wasn't in her nature to shed tears easily, and she certainly wasn't going to start now. And so River walked over to Elliot and wrapped a protective arm around her baby sister's shoulders and gave her a supportive squeeze. It was the least she could do, but really, it was hard to know how to act around Elliot. At least today, anyone could tell that she was sad.
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Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:09 pm
 Today... Today wasn't really a great day. Avian usually tried to find a silver lining on days like this. He really couldn't think of any besides being there for his friend. But, that really wasn't a good thing. He really would have liked avoiding having to console someone. He was a happy go lucky guy, not to good with these situations. However, he was going to stick it out. Elliot was a dear friend who always showed him tons of kindness, so he made sure to be here for her today. The man knew how much it hurt to lose something, even an animal. Each chicken the rancher lost burned a small part of his heart. And knowing how much his friend cared for Kazak, Avi knew she was in pain. Though, he did feel a bit awkward as he stood with her and her family. The man was dressed in a black suit and tie, very odd attire for him to begin with, which made the situation even stranger for him. He stood on the other side of Elliot and kept quiet as River consoled her sister. He kept a frown on the whole occasion. Turning his head back at the hole and to Elliot over and over. He really had no words to say, which was weird, he loved to talk... He would have sighed, but he knew it would be in bad taste. He looked over one more time to his friend and placed his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her with a small rubbing motion.
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Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 10:05 pm
 
Instead, she was inside with an equally as pathetic man. Finnian didn't know how to handle death at all. Death didn't come up very often in his comic books of choice – not without some revenge to drive the superhero onward or something big to overshadow it. But, nothing like that had happened here. It had happened without much warning – they were all unprepared for it – but, it was still quiet. Even now that everyone was outside, preparing to drop the dearly departed pig into it's grave, it was silent and slow.. Strangely natural, but, at the same time, it felt out of place. He felt out of place, hence why he chose to stay inside and stare from behind the couch instead of comfort Elliot as Avian did. He swallowed and stole another look at the woman who had come in, wondering if she was in the same predicament as him or if she really was so thirsty that leaving the funeral outside was a necessary evil. The woman glanced back at him, meeting his wet eyes, and groaned, “All this over a pig..” She muttered out before setting the cup down, leaving back outside and allowing Finnian to sink back into the couch.
Zhi's frustration at the situation evaporated as she approached the group, almost drowning in the emotion flowing off Elliot. It really wasn't much compared to when, say, an actual funeral, but this was Elliot. It always felt like a huge deal whenever the girl showed any sort of emotion. Zhi couldn't just stand around without making some kind of effort to comfort the girl, but Elliot was already covered on both sides by Avian and River. There was no way Zhi was going to shove River out of the way, so she pushed Avian instead carelessly and slipped her arm around Elliot, being careful not to ruin River's positioning. Her other hand went to pet Elliot's hair and her chin rested on the girl's shoulder. They would have to get Elliot a new pet later – maybe a sheep? Or a turtle? Turtles lived a long time, didn't they? She made a silent note to go visit the pet shop and ask sometime that week. “...Are you ready?” She questioned slowly after those seconds of thought, not wanting to sound like she was unconcerned with the situation, but she really did want this to hurry up. The faster this ended, the faster Elliot got over it with a puppy and maybe a sleepover or two.
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High-functioning Marshmallow
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Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 9:22 pm
Elliot knew she should be touched. Her friends had all come out to support her. Avian had dressed up, he had come without a complaint. River, too, and Zhi. Both of them had given her the utmost support. Even though Finnian was inside, she understood that that was his way of dealing with it. It was enough to make her heart swell with love for these people, but for the time being, she was much too focused on the hole to notice the comforting pats and hugs. It was like she was in a trance, and she didn't snap out of it until Zhi spoke. There had been silence for so long, it had startled her. "Oh... yes, sorry..." she quickly apologized, though she didn't know why. Maybe it was because her own voice sounded oddly distant to her ears.
River took this as her cue, and after stroking Elliot's hair one more time, she knelt down by the sheet next to the hole, and pulled it back, revealing Kazak. Elliot couldn't help but think that he looked like he was sleeping. What an odd sensation. "Elliot, do you want to say anything first?" she asked delicately, noticing the strange look in her sister's eyes. The smaller redhead seemed a little startled to be addressed directly, especially when it was a request. Say something? To who? About what? About Kazak?
"...If no one minds," she said after a moment of thought. She didn't wait for any confirmation, though, before continuing. "Um... Kazak... Kazak was a pig," she began, in a tone like she was delivering a report. "He was a good pig. River bought him for me for a birthday present. When he was a baby, he was so small I could wrap both hands around his middle." She paused for a minute to rub at her nose. "He liked berries and wearing sweaters. His favorite color was green. He'd only wear hats if they were green, he liked it so much." Another pause. She stared at the hole, not the pig next to it. That was too intense for her right now. "He was a good pig. The best pig. I was happy to have him. I hope he was happy too." With this conclusion, she fell silent. Then, after a moment of contemplation, she looked at the others, Avi, namely. "...Would anyone else like to say something?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:54 pm
Avian's frown only got sadder as he saw his friend act so upset. He would have said something, but he was quickly removed from Elliot's side, which was okay with him, he wasn't as important as family! So, the large man stood awkwardly awaiting any progression in the ceremony. And before he knew it, he was listening to his red headed pal give a speech about her departed friend. One, that caused a sniffle in that powerful face of his. When Elliot finished, Avi looked over, making eye contact with the woman and gave her a small, consoling smile. And, the green haired man saw this as his cue to speak. Which, he had planned to do since he heard of the occasion. "I-If I may," His voice was as tense as his entire body, which was surprisingly a lot, "Kazak was an extraordinary pig!" Avian was never great with public speaking, but it never stopped him from trying, "He was smart, and brave, and gentle, loving too, a wise pig, and even fashionable," The man's tone was of one reading off a list. And as he felt his mind going blank, he gulped and looked over to Elliot once more, "And he was a good companion... A good friend." The last part felt a bit awkward to him... But, it was the best he could do, nothing... Else came to... Mind... "And his name was cool..." He murmured to himself.
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High-functioning Marshmallow
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Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 11:53 pm
When Avian finished speaking, she opened her mouth out of obligation and spoke up, “I would like to say something.” She stopped the stroking motions she had on Elliot's back and glanced down at the pig's body for a second, frowning at it. ...God, it was gross, but sad nonetheless. Still, she didn't want to keep staring at it's unmoving form, so she forced her eyes up towards the others. “I didn't know Kazak. I met him once or twice, I think, and we didn't interact much then.” ..Zhi had pretty much refused to touch the animal, always being reminded of her own little childhood farm at the sight and of how the pigs behaved there. Who was to say that the pigs here were any less apt to bite? “But, I know Elliot. And I know that any pig she raised must have been as kind and good as she is. If there is a pig heaven, then I'm sure he must have earned the right to be there and he's very content right now.” She glanced at River both to see if she wanted to say anything and if she approved of what was already said. Elliot seemed pretty distracted, so she figured that River would likely have to be the one to finish this up.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:22 am
Both of the Park women were silent as the others spoke. It was such an odd sensation, having everyone talk about Kazak in such a fond way. Elliot wasn't good at feeling things, it had always been difficult for her to value emotion over thought, but she could honestly sense the affection from her friends. Not just for Kazak, but for herself as well. She had loved these people so dearly for so long, and this was the first time that she was struck by the realization that they loved her too. It made her relaxed, oddly enough.
River, on the other hand, was much more tense. She was uncomfortable. She did not deal with death well. She coped well, and she acted like it didn't bother her in the slightest, but this sort of situation made her painfully uncomfortable. It was just so intimate, so personal, so sad, and she shifted her weight in an unconscious attempt to relieve some of the tension. "Those were nice speeches," she addressed her wife, sister, and friend, and her voice cracked slightly. She cleared her throat, but didn't say anything else. She wasn't going to make a eulogy. She wasn't eloquent in the slightest, she always had trouble with her words, and there wasn't anything she could think to say. Her mind was, effectively, a blank slate. "Elliot, if you're ready, though...?" There was another pause before the small redhead nodded, and her older sister crouched down again. This time, she seized the blanket upon which Kazak lay and wrapped him up again, before lowering the bundle into the hole in the grass. Part of her just wanted to hurry up and get this done with, so they could go back looking forward to happier days, but for her sister's sake, she tried not to rush.
Elliot quietly watched her beloved pig disappear into the hole dug earlier. Well, now the hole wasn't really a hole, wasn't it? She sniffed loudly again, and as she reached up to rub at her nose again, she noticed that she had begun to cry. At first she was startled -- when was the last time she had shed actual tears? But then she was met with another mix of emotions -- sorrow, but also embarrassment. She tried to cover her face with her hands, but it wasn't enough, and so she turned on her heel and gave Avian a one-armed hug. "I-I'm sorry," she croaked. She had selected to cling to Avi because he was closer, and because a part of her had a feeling that Zhi would just get cross with her, for getting her clothes wet or something else along those lines. But picking one person to hug made her feel a little self-conscious, and so with her free hand, she reached out to grasp Zhi's.
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:28 am
Avian couldn't help but start to feel just a tiny bit awkward. River's spouse didn't seem to be a huge fan of him... Is the normal conclusion that most people would come to. However, that overly trustful heart the goddess bestowed on the chicken farmer let it slide to anxiety from the death. It was a sad time after all. The man could understand if there was some tension! Finnian wasn't even around, and he was supposed to be the 'rock' of this family. Unfortunately even with these thoughts, Avi could only stand and feel out of place. That was, until, Elliot's small frame came towards his. It had been many years since the touch barrier had been broken between the two friends, Avian being one for hugs, hand shakes, and other friendly interactions, had gotten used to being outwardly friendly with his red head friend. However, going off just a few moments ago, when Zhi pushed him off, he was a bit cautious of the hug. But, seeing Elliot's distressed nature, he gave into his nurturing nature. He smiled calmly and wrapped an arm up to the woman's had and petted her gently. "It's okay," Avian spoke comfortingly, mimicking the way his mother talked with him, "You did a good job taking care of him."
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:45 pm
The pig was buried, River approved of Zhi, and green-haired guy was comforting her friend. Zhi frowned slightly that she just got a hand-hold from Elliot, but, well, it was probably for the best – she didn't know how well she would hold up with all those fluids ruining her funeral outfit. So, she took the redhead's hand and squeezed it, patting it with her other hand as she looked over to River. “...Are you okay?” She said low enough to where Elliot hopefully wouldn't hear her – she didn't want the girl to think that River was bothered by this all. But, well, it was obvious to Zhi that the woman wasn't feeling well, whether it was a physical ailment or something more emotional that Zhi hadn't predicted from a dead pig. She wasn't going to just let go the crack in the woman's voice earlier as she looked at River with a face full of concern. This entire situation was concerning, to say the least; neither Elliot or River ever seemed to exhibit sadness or anxiety – the last she remembered Elliot crying was.. well, never and River was always a ball of energetic joy.
Speaking of balls of energetic joy, the doorbell had rung within the house, drawing Finnian's guilt-ridden gaze from the scene in the backyard to the door in a mix of reluctance and relief. Not one to leave someone hanging and not wanting to draw the occupants inside so he would have to face them, he turned and half-scurried, half-dragged himself to the door. When he opened it, though, his face fell into one of perpelixity as he stared at the short, little clown standing there, a wide smile and bright green eyes full of.. well, Finnian wanted to believe 6,000 watt light-bulbs with how shimmering they were, but even he knew that couldn't be true. ...Could it? While he mulled over this, Mimi, her face smothered in white finger paint, aside from the pink cheeks, held her arms out wide at the man. “HI! HI HI HI HI HI!! I'm Mimi – MimiRELLA! Because clowns should have secret identities and Mimirella sounds cool – oh, oh, oh, mister, mister, is this – ah, I don't remember, I don't – this is bad! Who is it? I'm here for – fooooorrrr....” Her volume rose the longer that last note continued, her eyes rolling about as if the name would fall out of the sky.
“A-ah..” Finnian cleared his throat, frowning as he sounded most unheroic while he tried to respond to the child before she continued. He would think with the brightly colored costume, she would be a villain here to destroy the super friends, but.. she seemed much to happy to be that! He smiled slightly, feeling happy himself with the change in atmosphere, perking up with his chest out and hands to his hips. He breathed in the bubbly air with a broader grin, feeling more like himself. “My little clownling, are you searchin –” Before he could suggest the trio's superhero identities, the redhead bounced up and shouted to interrupt him.
“ELLIOT!” She excited reported while in the air, taking a big breath when she hit the ground, and jumping again to shout next, “PARK! I'M HERE FOR HER! EXCUUUUSSE ME~!” With that said, she hopped past Finnian, the man following her after a short pause to consider the safety of allowing a random, young clown past him so easily before he decided that clowns always equated to happy and cute. It was a good thing he had never heard of Harley or else he would have tackled Mimi before she made it outside. “ELLIOT! OH NO!” She clapped a hand over her mouth as she saw the crying and looked back at Finnian, who had opted to stay by the door and watch, not comfortable enough yet to actually dive back into the grave atmosphere outside. The man averted his eyes and the girl averted her head to lock gazes with Zhi. The woman looked blank for a second, any concern she had for either of the redheads gone as realization made it's slow way into her mind.
“Oh, yes.” She stated – Mimi. She had forgotten about her.
“NO! Oh, no! No no no no no! ELLIOT! Ms. Park! TIGRESS! I'M SORRY! I didn't mean to be late! Wait, wait! I have it! I have it! Here, here – STAY THERE!” She waved one hand frantically at the crying Elliot, while her other hand want to one of the pockets in her baggy costume, pulling out a little baggy of balloons. She took a red one up to her lips and blew it up in a flash, “LOOK! A SNAKE! I MADE YOU A SNAKE! I can make other stuff too! I PRACTICED! Like you said I should, Mrs. Park!” She pushed the long, red balloon at Elliot before taking a green one out and blowing it up, showing it to Zhi afterward, who was trying her best not to seem amused by the antics, “A WORM! I can make a leech, too, and.. and a piece of corn and a green-bean!”
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High-functioning Marshmallow
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:01 pm
[[Gonna end this day all half-assed like. =D
River is delighted by the arrival of Mimi, and totally forgets what they're doing. Elliot feels better and she spends the rest of the afternoon asking Mimi to make her balloon snakes. It was not bad times.]]
- END DAY -
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