Asha was growing impatient at all the questions. Choosing her words carefully and keeping secrets was annoying her as well. She set down her cane to search for some bowls. Kicking things aside on the cluttered desk, she finally found three. "Pardon the mess... Asha's in house cleaner has... taken a vacation... A very long vacation." She scoops helpings of the broth into the bowls and then hands one each to Larxene and Aqua, saving the last one for herself. Taking a sip, she smiles at how well this soup came out. "Yes... Pooka was looking for Asha's daughter. She wandered off. And I need her to come back home before you greedy soul thieves do any more damage." Watching Larxene for her reaction, she interrupts her before she can say anything more. "And before you ask. Yes. I know all about your cursed Circus... and what you fools are doing to all those poor people." Asha sits down cross-legged on the floor in front of Larxene and Aqua, smirking at Aqua's wide eyes.

Larxene eyed her carefully as she moved through the room. What'd she need three bowls for? Her mouth went dry. Wasn't there eyeballs in that pot? If this woman had a house cleaner, they must have done a poor job. Larxene nearly said that aloud, but held her tongue. She could see the woman growing impatient with her. They were technically guests. Maybe she should apologize? She took the bowl carefully, seeing the steam swirl in the air. The scent of the mixture hit her nose, making her stomach turn. They were guests, She reminded herself. The performer held her breath and took a sip. Her eyebrows raised involuntarily. This really was good. She has a daughter? Larxene thought for a moment. A child wandering into the circus isn't too unheard of but, would she have to tell this woman what'd happen to her? Her eyes widened. The breath in her lungs seemed to have left her for a moment, causing the grip she had on the bowl to loosen. It's contents covered her lap now, the empty bowl clattered to the floor in front of her. She shot a glance to aqua, then locked eyes with Asha. She did know. So….why were they really here…?

Aqua jumped at Larxene spilling the contents of her bowl. "A-Are you ok..?" She managed to ask, even though she didn't want to say much. She was too confused and afraid to inquire much more. Asha shook her head and grinned wickedly before tossing Larxene a rag to clean herself. "Yes... Asha knows all about the show you sinners be running in each town. Most of the folk here have lost their souls because of your company. Asha doesn't feel like scolding ya... but your charm needs fixing. Using a fractured charm could prove fatal to ya, girl.." Asha lowers her gaze and drinks another helping of soup. Aqua is now visibly shaking from listening to them both. Souls? Charms? Fatal? What has she gotten herself into?!

Larxene cursed under her breath, trying to ignore how hot the strange soup actually was. She mumbled an apology and began dabbing up the mess with the rag she'd been given. Giving a short nod to Aqua, she spoke again. "I….how do you know about that?" Her eyes widened a little at the woman's last words. Fatal? Nobody told her it'd be Fatal. Did the others know that? She'd have to tell Xigbar once she got back. "How am I going to fix it, then? Is that something that…..you can do?" she asked, hoping she wasn't being intrusive. But Larxene couldn't help but wonder…. How someone like Asha could know about what really happens at the Circus. Who could she be connected to? She unfastened the trinket from her neck and held it in her palm. This isn't how she wanted Aqua to find out at all. There wasn't much else she could say to try to defend herself, now. She needed to apologize. Would it be too late?

Asha lowered her voice, speaking in complete seriousness. "I realize that you both are quite confused about the events that are happening this evening. Asha will try to answer as many questions as she can. But the fact is... Asha was once part of this... Circus... Though it wasn't much of a circus when it started. Asha was the one who helped start all this mess. She made the original few trinkets. 'Twas a curse... Laid upon myself... Perhaps if Asha never shared her talents... Things would be the same." She focused on a small purple and black rock dangling from her staff and flicked it a few times as she spoke.

Larxene's mouth went dry. Could she be lying? If she were lying, it's not like she could just strike up a conversation like this with Xemnas. "What made you decide that this was a good idea?" She finally asked, holding the trinket in her open palm. "This isn't a way for anyone to live, you know." She knew she'd probably overstepped some kind of line with that. She couldn't even imagine what her life could have been like if it *weren't* for the Circus. Could she even call it that anymore? Larxene chewed her tongue for a moment, watching Asha's movements. Who else did this woman know? Her eyes narrowed a little. She obviously knew Xemnas, right? And she said she had a child… Larxene shifted uncomfortably. After a few minutes of being lost in thought, she spoke again. "Is there a way out?" She stared at Asha, unblinking. "Once you're in, I mean." She gestured to the broken pendant in her hands and glanced at Aqua. "…..can you get out?" Apprehension laced her voice. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hear the answer.

Asha grit her teeth and closed her eyes. She took a few deep breaths before speaking softly again. "You need not tell me about my wrongs. Asha knows the burden she has placed on the people of this world..." She takes the stone off of her staff and squeezes it in her hand. "Asha knows... Asha knows the most." Her expression quickly changes as her gaze jolts back to Larxene, staring her in the eyes intensely. "Of course there is a way out. There is always a way out... as long as you have free will. Free will is something not even the white haired demon can take from you. ... At least... not yet."

Larxene shook her head, somewhat in disbelief. "Of course we have free will. We all do." She murmured, her voice faltered shortly after. What could she mean by that? Can their souls be taken too? …..Why not, right? Her brow furrowed. "If he can really do something like that, why hasn't he done it already?" She asked, still studying Asha's movements. What was so important about that weird little rock? "How did you come across someone like Xemnas, anyway?" She had a handful of questions at this point, she didn't know where to start. If what she said was true, and she really did have a child, why would her daughter be so drawn to something so awful? She took a moment to rationalize. What if this kid of hers shared Asha's abilities? That'd be possible, wouldn't it? But….what could a kid do, that hasn't already been done? She had to know. it'd eat away at her if she didn't at least ask. "Why would your kid end up at the Circus, anyway? If you can even call it that, anymore." She finally asked. It's not like the kid would want to see an actual performance, right?

Aqua looked up, listening to Asha and Larxene talk. She truly wanted to know more, but she was deeply confused about the whole thing... and didn't want to ask any stupid questions. So, she sat there listening closely, allowing her soup to grow cold. Again, Asha hesitated, honestly debating whether or not to share such personal information. But she knew that these two had something entirely different about them. The spirits were acting strange lately, the signs were all there... Things were beginning to change. Placing the stone back in place on her staff, she stood up and turned to look for something. Several moments pass by of Asha shoving things to the side, and tossing items in corners. Finally, she gave up and decided to use her usual "finding things" technique. Channeling her strength into the staff, the stone began to glow a pale purple as objects began to slowly rise from their spots. Jars and books and papers all floating in midair as she continued her search. Aqua gasped in shock at the magic around her, gripping tightly to her floating bowl of soup. Although this time, she wasn't scared... for nothing could top the giant furry monster that took her here...that and the lightning in Larxene's hands. Asha finally found what she was looking for. An old scrap of paper. Tapping her staff once more, the purple glow faded and everything settled into place with a racket of clangs and clatters. Ignoring the even worse mess, she sat back down across from Aqua and Larxene and began to speak once more. "The foolish child is looking for her father. Asha could not keep her away forever. Foolish foolish girl... That part certainly not inherited from Asha." She handed what looked like a dated and weathered street show flier to Larxene. "Twas not we who found Xemnas. Twas he who found *us*" Her gaze drifted from Larxene and rested on Aqua, making the girl uncomfortable.

Larxene sat in silence, wondering for a moment if what she had asked was a bit much. She watched the woman rise to her feet. It probably was a question she shouldn't have asked. It makes sense though right? Personal information to strangers, and all. Her eyes widened as the color sprang to life around the staff. A smile played on her lips at the sight of the objects floating. What could she be doing this for? Looking for something, Larxene wagered. She glanced over to Aqua, hoping she wasn't …..too… afraid. She winced at the sudden sound of things falling back into place. Her Father? Well…..that would make sense, wouldn't it? Is it Xemnas? Her stomach turned. That….could explain why she talks so poorly of him. Larxene snapped to attention when the paper was presented to her. Muttering out an apology, she took the worn page into her hands. She squinted, trying to make out what exactly was in the picture. The staff. That was Asha. But someone else was with her. She brought the paper a little closer to her face. Whoever he was, he a bandage over his eye. A smirk threatened to surface on her face, She couldn't help but think of her coworker, Xigbar. The Bandage is even on the same side. Her eyes widened. Wait. She blinked a few times, looking again for verification. She swore under her breath, looking up to Asha in a mix of disbelief, amusement, and horror. "No fucking way…"

Aqua leaned over to look at the paper along with Larxene. She knew who both people were in the picture, though she spent such a short time at the circus. To be honest she was just as surprised as Larxene... though admittedly a little less. Asha gave Larxene a crooked smile at her reaction. She laughed heartily before managing, "It seems you know Asha's idiot. Yes. That is him. Asha found him after one of his street shows. Had to put him back together again too... fate does strange things. Twas like stitching a doll back together. A pleasant challenge." She continued to laugh, reminiscing in memories that Aqua truly didn't want to know, based on the few things the woman had said already.

Larxene glanced over the faded paper one last time. "W-would, er…" Asha's words rang in her ears. She had to put him back together? She couldn't even imagine. Could that've been how he lost his eye to begin with? She shook the thought, choosing to speak again. "Your daughter, though. Would she even be able to recognize him now, if she saw him?" She paused. "Would you?"

Ashas face fell. She let larxenes question sink in for a while. Truly thinking hard about the answer. He mustn't have changed much. He couldn't have... Unless he had another accident. Suddenly, a second thought struck her. Again, she took the stone from her staff, much more urgently this time. She studied it carefully with a scowl. Gripping it tighter she let out a small growl and muttered things in a language Aqua didn't recognize. "You know... You must be right. That idiot doesn't know when to stop!" Again, she goes into a fit of jibberish. "Soul stealing doesn't just take from others! It changes you! All of you!" Aqua sat up straight, truly afraid of the sudden anger this woman was showing. Asha took a deep breath and calmly spoke again. "She... Might be able to tell... Although... How different is he?"

Larxene raised her eyebrows in silence, waiting for Asha to regain her composure. She glanced to Aqua, hoping that she wasn't too spooked at the woman's sudden outburst. Larxene herself wasn't too taken aback by this, though. She didn't mean to be the one to break this kind of news to her. But what could she do now? Her eyes narrowed a little. "What do you mean? I certainly haven't changed at all." The performer stated, doubting herself immediately after she ended her sentence. ….Had she changed? …how do you know if you've changed? It made her wonder if Xigbar exactly knew, himself. Larxene shook the thought upon hearing the woman speak again. "I…well…" she looked down at her hands for a moment to think. She never noticed anything different. He's always looked like the regular ol' Xigbar she knew. "I think it might be best if you saw him for yourself." She spoke, hoping that she hid the doubt in her voice. That sounded bad… that sounded so much worse than it was, didn't it? What could she say now? Larxene shifted in her seat. She technically wasn't lying.

Asha tried to speak again, but Aqua interrupted her with a confident voice. "You... You can't leave. Can you?" At this question Asha smiled looking proud of the girl. "Otherwise you would have left with your daughter to go to see him together." Asha cackles as Aqua finishes her conclusion. "That is right. Such a smart girl. The signs were right about you. But yes... Asha would have left ages ago if she could, if not only to smack some sense into that idiot.. Asha cannot leave. This house is the only thing keeping my free will. You see, Asha have no soul. Twas taken from me." She lays her staff across her lap and taps the wood with her nails.

Larxene's eyes widened, glancing from Asha to Aqua. Why hadn't she figured that out? She swore under her breath. Maybe there really was something about her. The performer nodded, listening to Asha's explanation. Everything she said made sense. Well, she personally hasn't seen anyone function normally without a soul. Everyone that attended the circus looked like hollow-eyed zombies after showtimes, though it…..could vary person to person…right? She narrowed her eyes for a moment. "A-Alright but, why can't….." she cleared her throat. "Why can't he come to you? Instead, you know? You uh….brought us, so…" She gestured to Aqua and herself. "Why not him?"

Asha bit her lip, and began to play with the skulls hanging from her necklace deep in thought. "You see young one... Tis not that simple. It has been ten years since we tried to escape that damned circus. Your ringleader does not like to give away what he has. Everyting in the world must be his. From what I understand... My street rat made a deal wit him. Xemnas let us go free, and he stays to work for him." Her eyes dart to Larxenes staring at her intently. "But mortals should know better than to make deals wit the devil. He let us go, sure, but at a heavier price. Your ringleader couldn't let someone who had the power to make trinkets go, no... No... So he took Asha and Maggies souls. Put em in jars... And has been using my power ever since..." Aqua gave a concerned frown and looked at larxene, slowly starting to understand the role souls play. "Asha cannot leave, he cannot leave. Asha would fix your trinket if she could... Let... Let the spirits protect my Maggie... That place be cursed."

Larxene froze, Asha's words finally sank in. "S-So…." Her eyes narrowed for a moment. He doesn't like giving away what he has. Larxene certainly didn't need to be reminded of that. Memories from the day she joined the circus came flooding back for an instant. She shot a glance to Aqua. They looked so much alike… letting out a sigh, she took a moment to think. Making a deal with the devil is the best option for some. That's what she told herself, anyway. "He….He did that for nothing, then?" She asked, finally finding her nerve to speak again. She stared at Asha waiting for a response. "Xigbar agreed, and Xemnas still…" She shook her head. Did he really believe that they'd be safe? She imagined herself taking Xigbar by the shoulders and shaking him. "Okay, Alright." Larxene folded her hands in her lap. "So what are we supposed to do now? I mean, Do you know what he'd do to me once he finds out I'm not on the job? Or what he'd do if he knew about her?" She asked, pointing a finger at Aqua.

Aqua held her breath, finally understanding a bit more of the dangers of the circus. She truly didn't want anything bad to happen to either of them. Asha looked over the both of them before standing up once more. She rummaged around for a small doll and held it tightly, sprinkling something on it. "You are quite right. Xemnas will be furious if he finds that you have disappeared. There is much to be done in the future, and we cannot lose either of you. Especially Aqua. Her soul is just what this demon has been looking for all this time. Stronger than my soul ever will be. If he takes hers... That may be the end... " Her voice fell, as she tried to explain the gravity of the situation, but couldn't find a proper way to continue. Aqua turned to Larxene and spoke. "Y-you must go back then. Perhaps I could stay here, with Asha and we will find a way to... To fix your necklace? If that is the first thing that needs to be done..." Aqua cursed herself after saying that. What was she doing?! Volunteering herself to help end this nightmare? She had a normal life to get back to... She couldn't just escape her own life, could she? Asha hands the doll to larxene and nods sternly. "Yes that is the best we can do for now. Larxene, you must go back and find a way to put this in Xemnas' tent. Asha has a plan... Once that is done you may come back here whenever you can. Pooka will come to aid you when you need. Understand?" Aqua shook quietly, not liking all these hasty decisions. She didn't have much choice in the matter though.

Larxene listened quietly, unable to shake the uneasy feeling that had begun to creep up on her. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if Xemnas did manage to do anything to Aqua too. A Doll though? She narrowed her eyes a little. How on earth would he NOT notice that? Her breath caught in her throat upon hearing Aqua's input. "I….okay, but, How am I going to go back without my trinket?" She asked, unsure of how she would even get back in the first place. This isn't how she wanted Aqua to find out about any of this, at all. She looked down at the doll in her hands, turning it over a few times. Would Xemnas take her soul too? For leaving? Or for knowing things she shouldn't?

Asha looked at Larxene and tried her best to think of a way to say her next few words. "For now... You must deal with your trinket being fractured... However, if you do what Asha says and place the doll where it needs to be, Asha may be able to fix it for you sooner than you think." She nodded before adding, "And this time, you may use a faster mode of transportation." Asha dug in a pouch she had tied to her staff and grabbed a handful of yellow powder. "Pooka will be back for you as soon as he can be... Depending on how well things go... Let Asha know when you are ready to leave." Aqua reached a hand for Larxene, and hesitated for a moment. She didn't know fully what was going on... But she had little reason not to trust this performer, despite what she had heard that night. "Larxene... T-thank you. Again." She smiled softly before taking her hand away, she hoped that didn't sound too strange.

Larxene wanted to protest, but bit her tongue to stop herself. Deal with it? After all of this, she's told to just 'deal' with it? "Will it….." She paused. How could she still meet her quota if it's broken? "Will it ever stop hurting?" She finally asked. Asha must know what she was talking about, right? There wasn't much explanation needed. She was somewhat hopeful for the woman's response, not wanting to relive that strange pain in her chest for each performance. Powder? What? She stopped herself. At this point, it's probably best not to question it. "How am I going to sneak something like this into his tent, by the way? He hardly ever allows anyone to come in, let alone leave it empty. A-and surely he'd…..notice something that looks like this?" Larxene asked, gesturing to the doll. She hoped her tone wasn't offensive. She blinked a few times, processing what Aqua had said. After all of this….was she really…thanking her? Larxene shook her head, finally meeting her gaze. "I'm sorry I got you wrapped up in all of this, uh." She hesitated for a moment, trying to think of how to word her next sentence correctly. "I didn't want you to find out this way." She looked away from her. She was awful at apologies, but something about this girl made it more difficult.

Asha looked at larxene with a bit of sorrow in her eyes. She took a deep breath before saying, "F-for now... The pain will still be the same... Asha be sorry..." She looked down for a few seconds before losing the compassion in her demeanor, "as for hiding my doll... Just toss it inside something, under something... Or in a corner somewhere. It doesn't need to look good... Just needs to be near Ashas soul, or where he keeps it... Take yer time. Be safe. Do what you must." Aqua smiled at larxene again, trying to make her feel reassured, though she didn't know how much help that would even be.

Larxene nodded silently. Maybe it wouldn't feel too badly after a while? She'd get used to it. It wouldn't be that bad. She was tough. She nodded again confidently after some thought. "It's alright, I…." She paused, looking down at the doll again. She still didn't know how she would manage to do it. "I'll figure it out." She thought for a moment, about the strange 'dog' that brought them here. Pooka. Surely someone noticed him. Someone would notice if he returned too, right? A creature that big? And, you know… minus a face, and all. She pushed the thought from her mind. She'd cross that bridge when she got to it. She turned to face Aqua, returning the smile. She couldn't help but feel like she should apologize again. Whatever shred of normalcy this girl had in her life could be taken away at any given moment, moreso than it already was. "I should probably get back, now." She stood, Hoping that whatever punishment Xemnas would lay out for her wouldn't be too horrific. "What….uh." She glanced up at Asha. "What am I supposed to do with the powder?" She asked, hoping to whatever higher power there was, that she wouldn't have to eat it. Or put it in her nose. She scrunched up her face involuntarily at the thought.

Asha smiled at her question, "Child. You don't have to do nothing but stand there. Have a nice trip. Best of luck." She tosses the powder at Larxene as it puffs into the air, swirling in a much larger cloud than what was thrown. The substance gets thicker and thicker, but suddenly clears, as Larxene then finds herself in front of the Circus Gates. The grounds themselves are completely bare and silent, being as early in the morning as it was. Lucky for her, everyone should be asleep, so no one was there to witness her sudden appearance.

Larxene coughed a little, giving a quick glance around to survey the surroundings to make sure she really WAS alone. She didn't want to think of the strange questions that'd come up from it. She turned the doll over in her hands, making her way to the Ringmaster's tent. She was curious to know what kind of power the little thing possessed, but she didn't get a chance to ask. The performer hoped that he wasn't 'in' at the moment. What'd she even say to him? Surely he would ask questions, right? The doll did look a little peculiar. How would she explain where she'd gotten it? Hesitating for just a moment outside the doorway to his tent, she listened hard, trying to pick up any shred of a sound. Nothing. Taking a breath to steady her nerves, she stepped through. Part of her wanted to call his name, to see if he'd answer, but she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. The performer looked around quickly, holding the doll to her chest. Where would she put this thing without it being found? Her eyes fell on the doorway opposite to the entrance. She hadn't been in that room before. It'd be a better bet than this room right? It had to be. If Xemnas were actually in the tent with her, He'd make himself apparent by now, wouldn't he? No use sneaking around too much anymore, at this point. She stepped through. The bed caught her eye first. So he DOES sleep. …..right? That man was terrifying enough, he had to have something normal about him, didn't he? Though he had an odd amount of ….Jars. Her breath caught in her throat after realizing what the jars held. Souls. Her eyes darted back to the door for a moment. A sudden fear of being caught washed over her. She didn't want to know what he'd do to her in he found her in there. Without a thought beforehand, she dropped the doll on the floor of the tent and shooed it under the bed with her foot. Asha did say it just needed to be close by, that'd be close enough, right? A chill went down her spine, causing her to make a somewhat hasty retreat to the exit. Larxene rubbed her eyes with her index finger and her thumb. She honestly wanted to just forget the things she saw in his other room. She wanted to just go back to her tent and sleep. The realization that Xemnas could very well be lying in wait for her, in her room dawned on her as she moved to step inside the doorway. "May death be swift, then." She murmured, stepping inside slowly. Sighing in relief to find her tent vacant, She let herself drop onto her bed in silence.