Wishing Washing [Macedonia/Public]

America was certainly a much more different place than Macedonia, and the Balkans on an even larger scale. In the Mid-West, the land was mostly arid and dusty and chokingly dry. This sort of environment was a wasteland compared to Macedonia. Although both regions remained parallel in some odd fashion, but mostly it was due to the fact hat both were struggling economically. If money made the world go round, then Alexis was in Purgatory.

The woman drew the damp blouse across her face. She didn't dare drink the water hat had accumulated in the basin of the quarry; God knows how long it had stood stagnant. However, she had little choice but to wash her clothing in the pond since there were no wells nearby in addition to the tight water rations at Ragtags. Alexis gazed at the minuscule ripples caused by her washing. Back in her homeland, she could have easily done the same thing in a river or lake, and still would have enough to drink and bathe in. How she hated skipping baths! How the woman's caravan hated skipping baths! Sleeping on the roof wasn't all that bad (the clusters of stars overhead really helped clear her mind), but it reminded her of being homeless. Being dirt poor with a dirt floor was better than having no roof over one's head.

The Macedonian woman sighed, desperately craving a cigarette. It was a little past three in the afternoon judging by the path of the sun. Alexis stole a glance at the soggy pile of laundry that was, like her, baking in the sun. Shaking her garments clean of as much dust as possible, Alexis stretched each piece of clothing across a sun-bleached rock to finish drying. As for Alexis, she stretched and yawned as slowly as possible. She had just performed her afternoon show and the evening one wouldn't be for another couple of hours so...

"What's the harm in a little nap then?". She asked herself ad she rolled her apron into a decent-sized bundle. Adjusting her close-to-middle-aged body across a rock that was so mercifully situated in the shade of the quarry wall, the woman crossed her bare legs and grinned. This America didn't have to be paradise, but it could never beat the feel of home.

((I love rping with you, why don't I do it more often?? XD))

Cosim had been out taking a walk in the dusty desert-- well, a walk wasn't quite the word for it. He was seeing how far he could get away from the caravan until he felt the need to turn back.

Originally he had only planned to stay there until the canival had traveled far enough that he could walk freely out of it without being tracked by the law. And he had gone far enough away-- several times. But he had never left. Of course, one reason had to be Sonya-- even if he could take her away with her, would she even want to go? The carnival folk were like family to her by now... like family to him, too, but he wouldn't outwardly admit so. That was another reason he was afraid to leave, even though he thought he needed to, like a bird needs to migrate.

He hadn't been voicing this to anyone, lest it manifest into action, lest he would leave. Or something. He was getting to the point where he would stop and think. And go back. But then, looking over, he spotted someone out on the rocks near the quarry. He would go there and reflect usually, before he went back. About how many hands it took to chisel out the rock, how much blood and sweat had poured into the abyss before the memory of all of that hard work was flooded with dirty water. It made him feel good-- great even, about humanity and what they were capable of. But it looked like someone was already there-- someone just as capable.

Alexis-- the only other woman he had real respect for. She was the only one besides him whose act required real risk. She was more like family than anyone else there (even those who really were his family). Perhaps she had conversation to dispel his thoughts.

Not knowing she was trying to sleep, he walked up and jokingly stepped his foot on her abdomen. "Wasn't it you who told me to always be vigilant, to always be in control? And you're here like an open target. I'm disappointed, really." It was almost like a son and his mother... although a bit more strange.

The dusty air of the prarie was probably just as potent as any opium as evident by the way Alexis eyelids drooped lazily until they shut completely. She was surprised at exactly how tranquil this landscape could be. The dull gum of the nearby village and the occasional cry of a chicken hawk were melancholy and seemed to drift farther and farther from the Macedonian's consciousness.

That was until a hefty boot started to prod her stomach. Snapping to attention, Alexis grasped at the calf of her would-be assailant until she got a clear view of exactly who it was. "Cosim!" The woman groaned and flopped back onto her makeshift bed. "Can't a woman sleep in the desert just once without getting startled half to death?". The severity of her tone was only lessened by the grin both in her yes as well as her lips. Most of the time, Alexis avoided such barren terrain like the plague unless it provided a decent water source. Although the still, mineral-rich waters of the Harry was far from being anything close to high-grade, it was better than none.

Stretching her arms until she heard her stiff back pop a few times, Alexis stood to check on her laundry which was at least half dry. That being the case, she supposed that there was enough time to chat. Between work and more work, there was hardly enough time for leisurely banter. "So Cosim, what brings you to the biggest birdbath this side of nowhere?". Alexis glanced behind him but did not see any sign of the strongman's blind shadow. "And where's your girlfriend? Is she asleep?" The Macedonian laughed and patted her co-worker on his back. He had really found a gem girl as a companion. Although Alexis wouldn't say so, both were the talk of the women's caravan. It seemed that they were quite the underdog of items. Alexis had taken a shine to the man's loyalty and dedication to his job. And even though his large stature might suggest otherwise, he was careful in just about everything he did, especially around Sophia. Alexis wished that she had been that attentive of a lover way back when.

"Does Sonya know you're here? Not that it's any of my business, but you know how much she thinks of you. Wouldn't want to panic the poor girl." The Macedonian sloshes her feet in the deep brown water as she questioned Cosim. By the look on his face, it seemed that Cosim was in deep thought of the abstract kind rather than the attentive focus he maintained when working at the carnival. "You seem to have a lot on your mind there, Cosim? I'd give a penny for a thought, but I'm sort of strapped for any cash, you see." Alexis chuckled dryly as she motioned to her skirt's pocket liners. Honestly, she was surprised that she could keep lint there.

He laughed, putting his foot back on the ground. "Better me than a vulture." What brought him there? That was something more difficult to pass off with a joke. "I usually come here when I take walks-- but I guess this was a bad time to take a walk." Well, maybe he could joke a little bit. But he didn't feel like joking at the moment.

And where was Sonya? That seemed like the only greeting he ever got. She certainly had made a home there. "She's a busy lady," He shrugged. Not to mention she didn't particularly like to leave the carnival. "Too busy to bum around with me." But, come to think of it, they were hardly ever apart. She would wait outside the women's car for him every morning, and from then on, they were usually inseparable. He never wanted her to miss one of his shows. She may have been blind, but she followed along with the crowd-- when they sucked in a breath over a risky stunt, she did too, with worry. The same went for applause. The allure of a strongman show was to see how much he could lift before being injured. At least someone was in the front row who didn't come to see a horrific accident.

If he knew how much he was talked about, he would have been mortified. He did have a reputation of sorts to maintain, and if Sonya or anyone who eavesdropped on them was spreading it that he was the definition of 'gentle giant' when no one was around, well, there went his rapport. "She... Doesn't exactly know where I am." He admitted. A little unfair since he always had eyes on her when she was out and about, but he wasn't near as fragile. "I told her I was getting ready for the next show..."

...Which partially answered he next comment. He was pondering something he didn't want Sonya to know about. But he trusted the Macedonian, and really had no one else to turn to, sometimes. Itakshir treated most everything like a joke, and Arash, well, they weren't on good terms. "I'm not sure... That this is where I was meant to stay." He said bluntly after folding himself to sit at the quarry's edge. He wasn't sure if she would give any thoughts to him, but he was glad he finally said it.

She laughed along with the strongman. The look of chagrin was priceless, but Alexis wasn't the type to poke fun at a friend because of he had a fear of looking soft. In her opinion, men should be nothing less than masculine but the tenderness that Cosim exhibited so exclusively to Sophia was heart-warming. It made the meager, straight-rail pace of day-to-day existence seem much less bleak. It wasn't like Cosim and Sophia parading the fact that they were together. In fact, it was quite the opposite: they were in their own little world, population: 2, needing no one else but each other. In this day an age, it was a rare and splendid sight to see. The very essence of love symbolized hope.

Hope, however, had seemed too elusive for too long for Alexis' young friend. "What exactly do you mean by that?" Alexis leaned forward, arms propping her torso at an angle to her legs. "Is something wrong with Sophia?" The Slavic woman was ligetametly concerned about Cosim's well-being. He wa as close to a son that she had outside of her own family, the Macedonian side. Placing an arm on his shoulder, Alexis shook him lightly enough to demand his attention. "Cosim Zahorchak, what is the matter? Is it the circus? Your pay? Friend, tell me what it is that is troubling you so," her weary face was beginning to show the creases of age that were gradually settling on her features. "And you really shouldn't amble off without telling Sophia where you are. What if something happened to you and she had no idea where you were?"

Alexis sighed and stood up slowly, picking up a bright red vest that had delicate, hand-stitched floral patterns embroidered across the bosom- a piece if her performing ensemble, all handmade in her native country. "Here, the clothes are dry; help me fold these while you tell me what puts such a shadow over your face."

((Ffff ; A ; sorry this is late; I was sick, but I'm fine now~))

He didn't know why, and he certainly couldn't control it, but that little blind woman had complete control over him. Not purposefully, and he certainly hadn't done anything for her unwillingly. It was why he was 'The Golem' on stage. While most of the audience wouldn't have a clue to it's meaning except "leviathan". 'The Golem of Prague' was a tale he remembered from his childhood-- a centuries old Jewish legend. The colon was created out of clay to serve and care, with no other function. Once he had nothing to care for, the life was out of him. He was Sonya's golem-- as odd as it sounded. And perhaps now that he'd cared for someone, if he left... how would he live without her?

"I'd never let anything happen to me if she would be left alone." He responded automatically. But... He glanced down at the manacles on his wrists as he carefully folded what she'd given him. "But I don't belong in this place. I don't... Attach to things. Or i shouldn't." Sonya hadn't the slightest idea of all he'd done to earn the manacles, and perhaps neither did Alexis.

"I... Isn't there always something bigger you feel you should leave for? Some... Higher purpose?" Not that he believed in much of a god anymore. "The urge to change things... Just look at this place."

The fervor in his voice was replaced with sadness. "I was traveling alone before... I'm wanted by god knows how many police outposts... It would be hard for someone else to run with me." Then, he added quickly, "If I decided to leave, anyways."

((No problem c: I'm glad you're feeling better~))

Slowing the pace of her folding, Alexis listened to the man's reflections intently. He had a right to be worried; the police in America were organized, much more so than those in Eastern Europe. Unless Cosim stayed on his toes, it was only a matter if time before the authorities caught up with him. Alexis wasn't entirely aware if what Cosim did to earn the ire of the law, but crime was a crime. Even so, se didn't press the issue since it was a time that the steonman would much rather forget. True, Cosim was gruff and intimidating, but he always seemed to be more defensive than anything. Sort of like a bee or bear- don't bother him and he won't bother you.

"You do have a right to be worried, but you can't keep running from your past forever," the Macedonian gestured to the craggy, dusty landscape that surrounded them, "I'd they can find you in this dump, they can find you anywhere." That was more than likely not the response that Cosim was hoping for, not that there was much hope within him in the first place. "However, that is why we move and refer to you only by your stage name. You are a gentle being, no matter how much you deny that," Alexis smiled with her coffee stained teeth. "I can tell those things."

Taking the bundle of clothes from her companion, she tucked them into the frayed wicker basket which she then balanced perfectly on her head. She motioned for him to follow her as she made her way up the incline of the defunct quarry.

"You'd better know a good raindance if you want to change this town, Cosim," Alexis stated flatly. "And don't give up a good deal when you have one. It may not look like it now, but you have a great home with the Ragtags: food, shelter, friends. Many people in this life are lucky to even have a third of what you have now." She glanced in the direction of the tall man without moving her head an inch. "I don't know if you keep the faith or not, but I'll tell you that it is quite comforting to know that there is a plan for everyone, criminal or saint alike. I was in a state like yours once upon a time. Thought that I could evade concequences for my actions. Truth is that no one can, and no one has or will. I am still paying for my actions." Her voice was darkened as she recounted the number of times she had rebelled and paid for it. Others she knew were still paying for her actions.


"Cosim, I don't know what you did or why, but you will face a consequence for every action you ever do, just like me and I'll be damned if I watch you squander opportunities moping over 'what-it's!" She barked at him and swatted he nape of his neck (he was too tall, honestly). "You are one of the most enduring people I have ever had the privilege to meet, so don't let that fear of the unknown scare you away. You are in good hands, Cosim." Alexis beamed a motherly smile. She really didn't want to see him be eat up with guilt, especially with someone like Sophia on the sidelines. Cosim was a good kid, no matter what anyone else said.

Her answers only served to affirm the thoughts he had tried to push away. Perhaps this was as good as things would get... but they were good enough for him, weren't they? What more could he really want? It really took a mother to knock the selfishness out of a child. Although, he had to roll his eyes at the 'gentle' part. That would be forever denied.

He followed her after lifting himself to his feet. "But... what could be so wrong about wanting other people to have those, too?" He was too much of an idealist for his own good. "There are people who have everything, and then people who have nothing-- we're the only ones who are in-between." Somehow that was worse, being able to see both sides. "Consequence comes from man, not faith," He remarked with a sigh. He gave up on faith long ago. "The real issue lies with changing the man to be... well... good." And if he had to beat a few skulls in along the way... well, that wasn't really working-- hence why he had landed with the carnival. Now he just had to settle for signing autographs for small, future men in broken english with one tagline: "be good".

And he supposed that was enough, for now. He would figure it all out later, he resigned with a smile when she hit him lightly. He really was in good hands, but he suspected it was strange because no one had watched or worried over him before. "I believe that."

Alexis walked on, stone-faced, as Cosim continued to explain his part of the argument. Not that he didn't make a lot of good points, it was that he was too busy polishing his pair of rose-colored glasses. "Well, aren't you the little superhero? Cosim, while I appreciate your dedication to helping your fellow human beings, the world doesn't always work they way you think it should- believe me, I learned that the hard way. Sometimes it isn't about what what you want or don't have, it is what you already got that is worth celebrating."

The Macedonian gestured towards the campsite that the Ragtags had built just recently. "But what is also important is how you can help others with what you and they have on hand to offer. Would you ask an old man to give up his trusty cane to use it in the construction of a new home? How would he get around then?" Alexis moved the heavy basket from her head to her hips as they walked through the dusty camp. "I admire your tenacity, and maybe I am selfish because I care, but don't donate everything you are for every frown you see. For every one person that dies, two are born that same second, or that is what the doctors say," the older woman sighed and leaned against an unstable-looking wagon.

"Boy! Faith has everything to do with it!". Alexis lightly swatted the strongman's head with her apron. It was too hot out to get angry. "Does a god make a man stop believing in him, or is it by the man's choice that a god no longer or has never existed? And it isnt just faith in the divine, it's the faith you put on yourself that makes the most difference!" The Slavic woman alternated between fanning her face and Cosim's. "You can't 'make' the world and every creature with a pulse abide by what you think is right. It is what you do that makes the most difference to both yourself an everyone around you. Life isn't fair, but consequence is everything. Do what you must, change what you can, but most importantly of all- strive to be happy!"

((ohmygoddd I am sorry this is so sloppy and late. Was writer-blocking like whoaaa :( ))

Her opinion was completely new to him. Why shouldnt he try his best to help someone unhappy (with what he thought were the best solutions)? If he had used her ideology, would he have ever taken Sofia away from Mystique?

He would have said yes, he'd take the fake away from the old man. If there was a family that was going to live in the house. How long was an old man going to live, weighted against the lives of a couple and children? But he kept quiet, only giving a "hmm" in recognition.

"I do have faith in myself, most of the time." He replied quickly. "Just... Not many other people."

He was happy when he tried to change things... Did that count?