Circus Serafini

NorthernSoul · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **NorthernSoul** on Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:23 pm

Elephants walked through the streets of Greenhill.

They moved with surprising grace; their footsteps were quiet and muffled by the chatter of the crowds and the blare of music from the carts behind. Their small, muddy-brown eyes watched the crowds that were gathering to line the pavements through balding eyelashes. Across their backs were spread huge red cloth banners that proudly proclaimed: 'The Circus Serafini has arrived!.

Behind them trailed the circus itself. At the forefront of the procession, just behind the first row of elephants came the Serafini's wagon. Its sides were painted in a vibrant blue and adorned with silvery angelic figures that were frozen, leaping from cloud to fluffy cloud. Trapeze ropes and ladders hung from poles jutting off the edges of the wagon and members of the circus' namesake troupe swung effortlessly from them. The women were small and lithe, all hipbones and collarbones. The men were lean and sinuous. They were all wearing the silver-blue costumes of the troupe.

Hanging by the backs of her knees from a trapeze bar, Carla surveyed the upside down faces of the passing crowd with her hard blue eyes, a few strands of dark hair falling down into her field of view. They'd been to Greenhill before, but only as a place to spend a night. Her father had always been adamant that this stifling little town was too small to merit an extended stay and run of performances. But times were hard and they were having to go to more and more places like this. Small towns filled with people will small minds. With a strain of taut stomach muscles and a long reach up to the pole above, she righted herself and sat gracefully on the pole, looking down at the excited children tugging at their mother's skirts and the elderly men frowning with disapproval but unable to conceal their interest. She would hate to live in a place like this, she inwardly declared to herself. A life on the road, a life in the air above the big ring, was the only life worth living.

Further down the procession, Tom bent down to stroke the well-brushed mane of the mare, Florica, who was becoming a little jumpy at having to stay so close to the wagon in front. At a few murmered words of encouragement, she was soothed and he stood back up again, nodding at the girl, Hazel, who was similarly balanced on the bare back of the horse next to him. Unlike Carla, he watched the assembled crowd with a warm but guarded curiosity. Along with the other performers, he waved to the children, a small smile spread across his features at the sights and sounds of a new place and the ancipation of another performance to prepare for.

At the head of the procession, standing atop the acrobats' wagon, was Raul Serafini himself. Decked out in his ringmaster's outfit of red and gold, he cut a striking but composed figure as he raised a metal loudspeaker to his lips and the procession moved on through the town.

"The Circus Serafini has come to town! Welcome one, welcome all to the Circus Serafini!" He bowed theatrically and smiled to the crowds.

"The fair will be open tonight and tomorrow? Tomorrow, ladies and gentlemen, is the first of our performances!"

BikerAngel · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **BikerAngel** on Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:56 pm

Devon's head tilted this way and that at the sounds of the crowd. Gasps and claps and some murmers as the entire world seemed to march through the streets before them. His entire world at least. To him, this was everything. Being here, performing, was everything. He was on top of it all.

His feet were nimble and quiet, walking closely behind a few of his closer friends and listening to the sounds of their feet to keep himself headed in the right direction. His mostly blindd eyes had been tied with a midnight blue blindfold to make things look more mystical. It was all in appearance he had been told. Give them a show, give them a reason to ask for more and they would be eating out of the palm of your hand in no time. Even if the little he could see was darkened by the fabric, he saw so much more with his eyes covered. He smelled the wet roads underneath him, the sounds of scuffling feet and calls of enjoment. He could barely wait to set up for tomorrow. He ran only a side show but it was a show he lived to perform. It was the reaosn he got up every morningto do his job. Without the circus, he was nothing at all.

The excitement bubbling around him was enough to make him want to do a backflip, and he might have if it weren't for the fear of losing his way and getting lost in the crowd. He could celebrate later. He wished with every ounce of hope in him that later would come sooner, because he was practically shaking with the anxiety, and time still ticked on as he walked down the roads. "Quite a city." He muttered to one of his friends close by. "There should be alot of peopple at the show tommorrow."

imogen_22 · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **imogen_22** on Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:51 pm

The procession slowly made it's way through the town, winding impressively through the crowds, which only seemed to grow bigger as they went on. Little girls and boys tugged reluctant looking fathers' and mothers' sleeves, trying to drag them closer to the action. Most adults wore mildly amused but still skeptical expressions, though a notable few looked on with unhid disdain. After all, circus folk were riff-raff and not to be associated with.

It was those disapproving folks that Hazel couldn't help but pull her attention away from as she stood, balanced on the back of a beautiful white stallion, shifting position without consciously thinking about it. Not that she was looking for anyone specific, of course. Obviously she wasn't keeping an eye out for a familiar head of tousled blonde hair. Because that would be stupid. Incredibly stupid.

As she pirouetted, one leg extended in an arabesque behind her, Hazel forced herself to relax. Alright, if she hadn't seen him yet, after a good 20 minutes of parading through town, obviously he wasn't here. If he hadn't moved away a long time ago, he just wasn't coming to the performance. It wasn't as if stuff like this, circus entertainment, interested him. And honestly, what were the chances of him remembering the exact name of the circus?

With these calming words running through her head, becoming a sort of chant, she took a deep breath and managed to calm down. Marginally. Hazel plastered a cheery smile on her face, shook her black hair, took to her movements with more energy. Rio, her steed, gave a little head shake, obviously much more at ease now that her body wasn't so tense. It was the first thing any equestrian learned; horses can feel everything, even the slightest contraction of the muscle. And if the rider is tensed up like a pretzel, it isn't exactly reassuring to the horse.

Hazel forced herself to make eye contact and smile at members of the crowd-rule number one of show business: make each member of the crowd feel special, even if they're just as forgettable as the next person-and executed a swift and graceful illusion, earning her a small eruption of cheers from the nearest cluster of people. Her grin was almost genuine as she continued her little dance on the back of the horse, returning Tom's acknowledgement with nod back. It was fine. Everything was going to be okay.

Or at least she thought so, until she turned again and was met with a familiar blue gaze. James. Hazel gave a little gasp, stumbling back in her shock. She very nearly fell off the horse, had she not somewhat awkwardly grabbed the side of the saddle and prevent herself from sliding to the ground. Once she was sitting and stable, Hazel very hesitantly looked back to where she'd seen him. He was still there, arms folded across his chest, lips tightened into a thin line. There was not the faintest trace of the playful big brother she'd grown up with, save for his eyes, but even they had grown cold and narrowed.

Hazel forced herself to meet that gaze squarely, green eyes blazing. Let him glare and be angry. She was happy with this life, she had a family that loved her, and she didn't need him. She stuck her chin up in defiance, gaining satisfaction from the appalled look that came across his face, and turned away, continuing her routine with more vigor than ever.

And as the procession passed her brother and he melted into the crowd, Hazel couldn't help but feel sick.

Irish Wolf · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **Irish Wolf** on Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:56 pm

It was near the end of the circus procession that Dubhlainn could be found. Every step of the lean man brought a great clinking sound, like he was wearing plate armor , from all the sword sheathes hitting each other. Almost half his collection of blades was attached to his bloody sash, curved and straight ones, exotic weapons and ones that would have looked normal at the hip of a dashing soldier. You couldn't tell it from just glancing at the swordswallower but the finest weapon (in his option) was the battered looking infantry saber, swing off his left hip. It was his grandfather's sword, from back in the great civil war that had wrack the country.

Around the weapon covered man, strode four large dogs. Great shaggy beasts, their fur a blending of several shades of gray. Each one looked wary, eyeing the crowd like their master was carrying very large money bags through a prison, who's door were thrown wide open and occupants were drooling just inside the shadows. Oh course, as a pack of guard dogs, these should have been expected or at least demanded, least they be lacking in their duty.

Phedre · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **Phedre** on Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:29 am

Mei was on her platform, performing her impossible looking twists of joint and muscle. She smiled shyly at the crowd. Then she smiled bigger, her mother's voice echoing in her mind, telling her that the sign of a truly great contortionist is her smile. For if you can smile like your contortions aren't the most uncomfortable things you can make you body do, than you are truly talented. Mei stretched her smile ever larger as she rested the soles of her feet next to her ears, her lower back pinched as it folded over itself. Her jaw was getting sore from leaning so harshly on the wood of the platform. She watched as faces from the crowd grew astonished as she came by.

Mei smiled at each as well as she could, her head be somewhat limited in movement. Her feet went on tiptoes and she walked her feet around her head, down her side, and back in a normal position with the rest of her body, but only for a moment. Mei gave a small flourish as she bent back, grabbing her ankles, her face peaking out to the crowd. Mei's heart was fluttering with exhileration. She loved this. And though the white faces may not appreciate her art as well as they should, it amazed them no less for their ignorance. Almost more so because they didn't know that she worked hard to hone her craft and they saw only the fruits of her intense labor. Still smiling, Mei twisted her small lithe body into yet another impossibility.

Out of the corner of her eye, Mei saw a shimmer and a flash of color and she knew that Julia was nearby. She and Julia worked together in the tent that displayed educational and exotic acts. Namely, things like her Oriental contortionist act and Julia's, or "Leala's," Egyptian belly dancing. It was the tent where acts went that were seen as too scandalous or shocking for open public, but brought in a lot of money, particularly from the gentlemen.

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Julia shimmied her way down the street in her least revealing costume. It was the only time she was allowed to perform in public, was the grand march into a town. It gave the gents and ladies an idea of what was to come inside the exotic tent and whetted their appetite so to speak. Julia had a sword balancing on her head as she performed a sword dance, sauntering down the street next to the great wooden platforms, clowns, animals and workers. Julia flashed a suggestive smile at a group of young men as she "accidentally" let her sheer scarf slip a fraction down her shoulder.

Julia removed the sword from her head and began to dance with it, careful not to damage any part of her intricate costume. The Boss would have it out for her if anything got ruined. They were in hard times and everyone was tight on money. Casting her eyes down demurely, Julia moved her hips in a most shocking manner before moving on. Honestly, Julia couldn't wait to be done with this life. She missed having a home and a family around. But, fate had brought her here and here she would stay until fate blew her somewhere else.

Balancing the curved sword on her head again, Julia flexed her stomach and undulated her hips, hearing the disapproving tones following her down the street. In normal circumstances, she'd be in a wagon, not performing on the street, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Hearing the voices and whispers, Julia blushed slightly, cursing silently as she smiled grandly and flourished her hands at the crowds.

whiteangel · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **whiteangel** on Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:48 pm

A few long, golden tendrils of hair could be seen for the briefest moment before disappearing over the crest of the hill. That is if you could call it a hill. The Wisconsin terrain never boasted much intrigue or diversity in terms of topography, except perhaps for the variety of flora. Lloyd Swanson buried his fists deep into his trouser pockets, rocking forward and back on heel and toe. He had to force himself to stop clenching his teeth, trusting in his daughter's character alone that he was making the right decision. He'd watched her from the last porch step as she fled from the house. Their recent conversation repeated in his mind.

"Please, papa? I know that you're worried and that you have a fierce dislike of the circus but..."

"Don't bother me with excuses, Ellie. I believe that you fully understand my consternation, and they are well founded. To have this abomination." Lloyd had stopped mid sentence, running a roughened hand across his face. His anger wasn't derived from his young daughter, and thus she needn't receive the brunt of it. He reached his long, lean arms forward to rest on her shoulders. For a long moment he stared deep into the eyes that pained him with their innocence. He emitted a heavy sigh, "Try to find a friend once you're there. Keep yourself safe, you understand?"

He had watched his daughter's eyes light instantly and she took one step forward into his embrace, "Ohh, thank you! I'll return at an acceptable hour, I promise." She ran to fetch her hat from a hook near the door and donned a shawl. Lloyd followed her out the door and stayed on the step as she nearly flew away. Just before the hill that led away from their home and down to the main street of town, Eliza turned with a broad smile, "Don't worry. I love you!"

And then she was gone, off the see the new circus in town. He refused to stand with the crowd that signaled their welcoming. Though he'd allowed their presence, he certainly didn't approve of it. The last time a circus had paused in the town he called home, he'd lost a wife. He didn't want to lose a daughter.

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Eliza blushed to herself as her skirt, blowing in the wind as she bounded down the embankment, rose slightly above her knees. One hand flew to grasp it and hold it tightly around her legs, the other hand perching firmly atop her head to keep the hat from from catching away in the breeze. She could hardly believe her luck that her father, so opposed to the circus for reasons she couldn't be sure of, had allowed her to attend the welcoming parade of the Circus Serafini. She'd never seen a circus before, but had heard great things from friends who had traveled to other counties and towns to see them. Exotic animals, flashing costumes, and women flying through the air? How could she not welcome such a wonderful array of talent into her small town?

At the bottom of the hill, she turned and continued her sprint west. By the time she arrived at the scene, she was well out of breath but still wide eyed. The spectacle before her was beyond anything she could have conjured in her imagination.

"The Circus Serafini has come to town! Welcome one, welcome all to the Circus Serafini! The fair will be open tonight and tomorrow? Tomorrow, ladies and gentlemen, is the first of our performances!" A glamorous, ruby dressed man greeted. His smile was even dazzling, and Ellie immediately pegged him for the leader of the troupe. The ringmaster? Yes, she believed that is what his position was called. As she stood cemented in her place, watching sequins and horses pass before her eyes, she quite quickly forgot her father's advice to find a friend in the crowd. She could only hope that she would catch the eyes of one of these outstanding individuals, parading by as though it was the most natural thing in the world to balance on a horse, belly dance in front of hundreds, hang upside down, or lead a pack of beasts with easy grace.

BikerAngel · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **BikerAngel** on Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:26 pm

Devon turned as he heard the most wonderous of gasps. They had reached the place where the circus would set up and he was mostly free now. Bing mostly blind, he was no good with setting up and would most likely need to be out of the way while everyone set up. The circus was a wonderous thing to watch, a wonderful thing to be part of, but took more work than people would have expected. he had to admit though, setting up had never been his favorite part of performing and although he would set up a million tents by himself if it meant returning his sight and putting him back up on the highwire, he would just as well skip out on clean up duty.

He followed the gasp of a girl, apparently female by the voice, or rather a very feminine man, but he still had his money on female and found his way to her easily. His blindfold still secured, he made sure to move his feet lightly and nimbly so as not to get lost or fall into the path of some of the other performers off to do their own jobs. Somehow, he found hismelf standing in front of her, a smile on his face as he faced her, turning over his shoulder as if watching the other performers without really seeing them.

"You're first time to see the circus, miss?" He asked with a smile, turning back to her(*Eliza). He felt the wind blow and felt a brush of cloth from her flowing skirt. He put that peice of information away, trying to picture her in his head. It really didn;t matter to him but it was just something he did. If he couldn't see, he made the most of what he did know.

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Lily hummed lightly to herself, her tutu shining lightly in the midafternoon. She loved the way it sparkled. Skipping along next to some of the more advanced performers and not seeming out of place at all, she blew a tiny kiss to the crowd, listening to a few of them grant her the expected 'Awwww's . she knew she was adorable. That was what got to everyone. People had told her before that she had a thick head for attention and it would get her into alot of trouble someday. She didn't know what they meant though. She couldn;t help it if she was irresistably cute and she would always think that way till the day she died.

She stayed close to the chimps dancing around close to her, following her like they were magnatized right to her body. She was their master but their friends as well and she picked up one of the smaller ones on her back, smiling as she looked up at the crowd watching awed around her. She waved happily to them all, drinking in their attention and gaspa like she lived and breathed them all. This was what she enjoyed. She loved the crowds. everything was so much bigger but she wouldn't trade it for the world.

NorthernSoul · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **NorthernSoul** on Sun Apr 12, 2009 2:11 pm

After snaking through the progressively more crowded streets of Greenhill, the procession finally reached the field on the outskirts of the town where the big tent and all its satelites would be erected.

With a light and elegant step, Raul climbed down from his position at the head of the leading wagon and, almost as one, the procession itself began to dissasemble. Wagons were wheeled slowly around and unfolded into side-show stands or to reveal brightly-coloured signs proclaiming the arrival of the circus. Every member moved with a purpose honed by the setting-up of thousands of shows and the ringmaster only needed to suggest the slightest change or direct the placement of a stand occasionally.

The Seraphim acrobatic troupe set about unloading their cart of various rope ladders, trapeze bars and props. Carla heaved a canvas bag containing the more extravegant (and for now, secret) parts of their costumes and trudged across the bleached grass to where the frame of a small tent was slowly being levered into place. It would be attached to the back of the big top and would form the changing rooms for the performers; akin to the backstage of a theater.

Raul approached his daughter and deftly placed his top hat on her head, taking the canvas bag from her in one movement.

"There, much more appropriate, I think," he said, with a laugh, as he walked with her across the field.

"Father, I'm seventeen, not seven. I can manage that by myself," said Carla, with a flash in her blue eyes as she reached for the strap of the bag dangling his shoulder.

"I know you can," said Raul, with a smile, switching the bag to his other shoulder, out of her reach. His dark eyes looked out across the field to where the town was spread out below them, nestling beneath the hill for which it was named. "Have I ever told you how much you look like your mother, Carlotta?" he said, after a fashion.

"All the time," she said, with a roll of her eyes. Inwardly, she would never grow tired of hearing her father compare her to her mother. Sometimes she worried that she could not remember her face (for she had no photographs of her) and it was a relief to know that she could look in the piece of polished brass she kept in her trunk and know she looked upon something that resembled the mother she missed so much.

"Do you want me to go down to find a market? We've got the salted pork but it would be nice to eat something that didn't taste of an old boot for once. And it doesn't look as if these townies have much else to do in this hole of a place but drag a plough across a field," she said, gesturing towards the valley.

"No-" Carla looked at her father in surprise. "No, I would rather you did not go into the town, my dear," said Raul smoothly, depositing the bag of costumes outside the little tent and turning back towards his own private caravan. "Send one of the others to do it. I want to talk to you about The Seraphims' act for tomorrow. Now, in the Washington trapeze section towards the end..."

Across the field, Tom had dismounted from Florica and led her across the grass to where the hay cart had come to a halt. He stroked her nose and she snorted with contentment into his hand before dipping her head to munch at the edge of a haybale. Tom tied a rope that trailed from her harness to the frame of the cart and began to unload the grooming equipment and props for the riding performance he would be involved in the next day.

As he lifted a trunk from the cart, hefting the weight onto tanned shoulder, he looked at Hazel with curious green eyes. It was no secret that she was from Greenhill. They had passed through a nearby town briefly several years ago and suddenly Circus Serafini had acquired two new performers. No one minded, as long as Hazel and her mother had pulled their weight. They did and, as many here tended not to do, were never questioned about their past or their motives for joining. Tom had been glad that someone had talented as Hazel was with the horses had joined them. Now, though he had no wish to pry, he sensed her tension and wondered if her family still lived in Greenhill.

"Are you alright?" he said simply, not placing too much emphasis on the question, should she be unwilling to talk and wish to brush it off as a passing comment.

imogen_22 · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **imogen_22** on Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:30 am

Hazel, as impossible as it seemed, managed to all but forget her little encounter by the time the procession reached its destination point. Almost. Or at least, that was what she told herself. But still, those cold blue eyes remained in the back of her mind, consistently trying to push their way to center stage.

With a sigh she leapt with practiced grace from the back of white steed, and followed her fellow horseman, Tom, to the temporarily set up hay cart. Rio snorted, bumping her shoulder with his muzzle before digging in next to Florica.

Hazel gave his strong, ivory neck a pat before hurrying across the field again. Although she would’ve liked to stay with Rio and his calming presence, there were hundreds of things that needed to be unloaded and unpacked, and Raul would most certainly not be happy to find her curled up in a corner.

She clambered onto the cart that she, Tom and a few other circus folk were unloading, getting the smaller and lighter things from the back. Although Hazel was strong-she had to be, what with all the core work she did in her performances-her lithe, wiry form wasn’t exactly ideal for heavy lifting.

With spider-like quality Hazel hopped nimbly onto the ground, the horse-riders costumes and a sack of well-used torches in tow. She was about to comment to Tom, with trademark sarcasm, on the positively delighted expressions of older spectators at the affect their arrival could have on their precious little ones, when he spoke first.

“Are you alright?” The question, so casual in tone but thick with implications, took the words right out of Hazel’s mouth. Hidden by her two large bags, she bit her lip. She had been half hoping that the fact that this had once been her hometown would remain forgotten to her fellow circus folk, which it had been, up until this point. She had nothing against Tom-he was a nice guy. Quiet, admittedly, but nice. But at that moment, she very much wanted to clock him over the head. He, of all people, having worked closely with her for a fair many years, should know that her history was not a conversational subject.

“Hm?” she finally said, pretending for a moment she hadn’t quite heard him in an effort to control her temper. “Oh, I’m fine. Peachy, actually. Just a slight complication…” she trailed off, again hit with those hard, blue eyes. Okay, ‘slight complication’ was obviously an understatement.

“So,” Hazel continued quickly, skating over the topic, “Did you see the looks on some of our less…enthusiastic spectators?” she grinned, but her comment sounded less impressive now. “Priceless.”

FoxyRoxy · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **FoxyRoxy** on Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:30 pm

Coming in trudging behind where Hazel and Tom were working were two huge elephants, one with a petite looking figure on top of it. "They are only less enthusiastic because they fear what they can not do..." the comment came from the lips of the blond, a somewhat sarcastic smirk hitting her lips. She had only caught the tail-end of the conversation, and well she had noticed it too. She didn't get the stop in this town, it didn't look like much money was to be had, yet then again she was just the elephant lady. She gave a command and the elephant lowered itself so she could climb down. She gave it a good whack (which was equivalent to a love tap) on the elephants side. Another command sent the two elephants to join the others nearby.

Her ride in the parade had been behind the horses, slow and unbearable in some ways. Today had been about showing off some of the elephant's skills and they walked down the streets. She would have one elephant jump on the back of the other and walk on two feet for a little ways. Another time the crowd caught her swinging in the trunk of the bull she had been riding. Some thought it didn't take much for her job, but to have the animals trust you that took a good lifetime. She smiled as fake as the next person, but she did whatever she had to get the job done. She did love her elephants more then people sometimes, they weren't as complicated

She glanced over at the group that would probably be put to work, setting up the big top, which meant Leora didn't have much time to waste chatting with others. She was put to work also, since the animals didn't really trust anyone else to led them, it made relaxing a rare and somewhat treasured past time. Someone off a little ways was shouting about a big dumb animal, "HEY...don't call her that, she is sensitive," she shouted back at him, and turned again to Hazel and Tom, "don't get you panties in a bunch about it, people always come, Mister Boss Man wouldn't have it any other way."

It had always been the same, another town, another crowd to conquer using their skills. It was a life that few understood, yet few fully got to experience. She couldn't conceive any other job she rather be doing. Someone had come along and given Leora her work clothes, and she sighed..."well the tent isn't going to set up itself, even though it would be nice, check you guys later."

Someone else was shouting her name, "Hey hotcakes, if your so eager, why don't try yelling a little louder, cause you know that will only make me want to walk slower," she said as she went to find somewhere to change out of the sequined attire she was wearing.

Phedre · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **Phedre** on Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:44 am

John watched the passing spectacle with a tormented soul and a burning heart. If he had had anything to do with the situation, these riff-raff wouldn't be here. He watched with disgust as a belly dancer shimmied her way past the crowd. O Lord, help me to reach my fellow townsmen. Let me be Your voice in this dark place, shielding our innocent children from this temptation wrapped in glitter and music. And so John silently prayed over the crowds as they got more and more excited at the new thrills going by. John watched with hot eyes as girls performed in next to nothing and a group of clowns played at being drunk and making it seem funny. Unless they really are drunk. Such slovenly behavior!

John wanted to try to preach now, but knew his voice, as thunderous as it may be, would not be heard over the roar of the crowds and the music of the circus. John made mental notes about some of the things he wished to address at his next sermon. John just felt in his heart beat faster as his thoughts gained momentum and fairly stumbled over itself. Fists clenched at his side, John wondered how people could watch this and not feel the heat of Hell at their necks.

Now, John wasn't a bitter man, nor a man who didn't enjoy life. He wasn't the sort of man who thought that fun was sin or music and dancing was a sin. John saw a distinct line when it came to things; he saw most things in black and white. He felt that if something distracted one's thoughts from God, instead of inhance one's godly thoughts or propell one's thoughts to Heaven, it shouldn't be engaged in.

For instance. A delicious pie. At the first bite of a freshly baked apple pie, one notices the flakey crust, a hint of cinnamon, the sweet tanginess of the apples. It all washed over your tongue, stringing out your senses. This in turn causes one to thank God for such a wonderful dish, for the apples and the hands that prepared it. On the other hand, one doesn't exactly have such godly thoughts when watching a scantily clad woman, or man for that matter, display themselves in flight, in acrobatics, or in dance. No one thinks, Thank you God for that woman turning flips on the back of that horse. She is a testiment to your wonders and creation. No, one is more likely to be thinking about her flexibility, her daring, or her clearly outlined body. Such thoughts rarely turn your heart to God.

And so, in this manner, John saw the circus as a deterrant from the holiness and goodness that he felt should pervade all human existence.

As the parade began to die down, if someone were to look at the tall, somewhat disheveled looking man standing by the big oak tree, they would see a man with determination at his jaw and a holy fire burning in his eyes. If that person could read minds, they would be hearing thoughts so hot with passion, their hair would be singed.

whiteangel · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **whiteangel** on Tue Apr 14, 2009 6:12 pm

Truly Eliza had been so enamored with the feast for her eyes, that she'd hardly noticed the approaching fellow. The whole of the circus was now setting camp, bodies acting out of practiced hurry as they worked to set up tents, booths, rope lines, animal cages, and more. Perhaps it was youthful bliss, but it seemed to Eliza that everything caught the light just perfectly, making each fabric glow and shimmer. Several scantily clad performers caused her to tilt her head in such a way that made it appear that she was looking elsewhere, even though she wasn't. Her naiveté prevented her from completely understanding the purpose for such seductive and showy costuming, yet not enough to prevent her from blushing ever so slightly.

"You're first time to see the circus, miss?" A lean, swarthy looking fellow had approached her while Ellie took in the scene.

"H-hello. Yes." Eliza stammered, glancing around. She was uncertain as to why she of all individuals had been approached. Before continuing, she allowed herself to take in the gentleman before her. He seemed younger than many of the other performer's she'd seen, and he certainly had an air of mystery about him. Perhaps that was due to the cloth secured over his eyes. He wasn't accompanied by elephants or dogs, and she couldn't quite tell what his role in this circus was. She laughed at her own inability to find words. "I'm sorry. Yes this is my first time, I mean. Is it so plain to see?"

Though she asked the question, Ellie wondered at how much he really could see with the blindfold covering his eyes. The placement of the blindfold made him both unsettling and intriguing. Eliza found herself wondering if he was watching the blush rise to her cheeks or the awkward way she was handling herself. She'd never spoken to a bona-fide member of a circus, however, and doing so had her nearly trembling with excitement.

"I'm sorry if I...well, it would seem that...shouldn't you be helping the others set up?" Eliza looked at him questioningly, then blanched at her rudeness. "Oh! But please don't mistake that I'm bothered by your company. This all seems so exciting, you see, and if I had the access to such wonders I know I'd be helping in any way I could be found useful."

NorthernSoul · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **NorthernSoul** on Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:21 pm

As soon as he saw her reaction to his question, Tom realised that Hazel did not and most likely would not want to talk about her ex-home town or the people, he supposed, she and her mother had left behind.

He nodded at 'slight complication' and set the trunk down before heading back to the cart. He took out a tin from a battered box in the depths of the cart and retrieved a cloth from his back pocket then set about polishing a set of saddles that one of the others had unloaded. He liked the rich, earthy, almost sweet smells of well-worn leather and the oatmeal the horses fed on. It was a very different smell to that of the chemical reek of the kerosine he used to breath fire with and he much preferred it to that.

"Yes, I did," he said, as he sat on the back of the cart and rubbed cream into the seat of one saddle. "Though I'm sure-"

He was interrupted by the thud-thud of heavy footsteps and the appearance of Leora sitting astride one of her charges. She climbed down from it with as much grace with which he and Hazel had dismounted from their horses and dispensed a quick-fire of characteristicly Leora-esque wisdom before hurrying off to set up the big top.

Tom smiled to himself, the faint scars that snaked out from between his lips shifting as he parted them to reveal surprisingly white teeth.

"I was going to say I'm sure that people will still come but it seems Leora beat me to it."

Across the grass, some twenty yards from where they were unloading for their act, Tom's green eyes alighted on a girl, obviously a Greenhill resident, who was talking to Devon near the gate to the field. She was pretty in the fair, soft-skinned townie way that had often fascinated him. How, he wondered, did they keep themselves so clean? Their faces were never grubby and their hands, at least, certainly not the ladies', were not coarse or calloused like his own were.

And some of the circus women wore trousers like the men and most pinned up their skirts to more practical lengths. But townies like this girl wore long, beautiful dresses; their beauty as much a part of their function as their status as clothes themselves. It was like they wore a costume day-in, day-out and they seemed perfectly at ease doing so.

Tom had heard some of the other men in the circus recounting stories of their encounters with townie women, often mocking their naivety, gullibility or inexperience, but to him, it had always seemed that they knew something he didn't. Some aspect of their lives that he did not (perhaps could not) understand.

He shook himself from his revery as a familiar figure; petite and forcefully energetic, marched across the field towards Devon and the townie girl.

"I doubt you could help with very much," said Carla, who had left her father sitting in his tent looking thoughtfully at a rejigged plan for the acrobatic performance the next night. She looked at Eliza sceptically, looking her up and down without a morsel of subtlty. Her first thought was to send this townie packing, perhaps bundling her of with a couple of juicy rumours about the attractions of the sideshow that she could tell her friends about. But then the idea of letting her know exactly how different, how much more romantic and exciting the world of the circus was to a static life led in a town like Greenhill struck her.

"But we can see what you can do. If you do want to help, that is," she said. Her ice-blue eyes scanned their immediate surroundings, searching for something suitably exotic for Eliza to help with. "Why don't you and Devon unload the exhibits for The Curiosities," she said, pointing to the wagon parked next to the horse cart. Carla referred to the star of the Serafini sideshow; a 'museum' dedicated to all manner of weird and wonderful exhibits, containing stuffed animals of rare and foreign species, tribal relics from around the world and even a fiji mermaid her father had 'obtained' from an anthropologist in Chicago.

Then she gestured to Hazel and Tom.

"After that," she added with satisfaction, also wanting to impress upon the sickly-looking townie the more unglamourous aspects of the circus. "You can help Tom and Hazel groom the horses."

BikerAngel · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **BikerAngel** on Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:41 pm

Devon was surprised to hear her respond to him, her voice soft and shaky in a way that told him all the scenery was quite fascinating to her. He felt a brush of confidence then, a proud smile on his face. He loved when the audience took in all the sights. It had been her breathless gasp that had brought him closer. He had never heard anyone so excited before. it was like she had her own aura drawing her into all the wonders and excitement.

"Perhaps a bit, miss." he said with a confident smile he directed as well as he could her way. He heard the hesitation in her voice and the slight whisp of her head as she turned to see exactly what his job was and the confidence he had felt dwindled if just the slightest bit. Perhaps she was expecting to be greeted by someone more important than himself. A year back he would have been eager to meet her on the side and tell her with a glint in his eyes that he was an acrobat, swinging from trapeze to trapeze a hundred feet from the audience where the sky was his world, and he would do it without a doubt that awe would not strike his crowd. Instead, he bowed his head down slightly, feeling ashamed now that she had expected a more riveting performer and he cleared his throat.

"I am only a fortune teller, I fear." he answered her confusion that she had not voiced. He knew though. it was his job to notice those things over people didn't. It was his job to know what people left unsaid. He was keen without eyes, picking out the little movements people made. Listening for hesitations and emotions that were all masked under their voices. In a way, not seeing made his job easier. He did not have to deal with tricks of the eye. He didn;t need to see to beleive and his confidence level spiked in the dark where he was cursed to. "An accident on the high wire and now I have to get used to my land legs." he felt a pink flush across his cheeks. He didn't know why but addmitting to the accident made him ashamed of himself. It hadn;t been his fault but what the fall had left him with was certainly something to be afraid of.

"Well...I would love to be helping- but I am blind." he brushed long, fingers against the cover of his blindfold. "I mean, past the blindfold and all, and don't worry. It's only natural to wonder."

He heard feet coming their way and recognized them to be Carla. he would recognize those dainty steps anywhere. She told them to help unload the wagon and nodded. That was somehting he could do. He wasn;t yet familiar enough with the lay out to set anything up but he could certainly unload a simple wagon. He turned to the girl he had met and smiled widely at her. "Looks like you've got a job. Would you like to help out? This is as good a chance as any and perhaps you will get a chance to meet more...alluring performers, miss..." He hesitated, realizing he did not yet know her name and sh did not know his. "Oh, excuse me, miss. I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Devon Jenings." He stuck his hand in her general direction as they made their way towards where Calra had said the wagon was, his feet moving carefully over the ground, memorizing the land he would be spending so much time on.

Phedre · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **Phedre** on Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:53 am

After the parade, Mei and Julia headed back to their shared wagon. Since neither of them were married or had any family to speak of, they had been bundled together with a couple of other stragglers in the same wagon. Mei was quickly peeling off her skin-tight costume, opting to wear the loose cropped pants and tunic, traditional Chinese garb she got from her mother. She turned to Julia, who was taking off her glittery sheer confection she called a costume and changing into a dress.

"So what do you think of the town? It's certainly smaller than we are used to," Mei asked Julia, trying to make conversation.

Mei was beginning to annoy Julia. They were friends well enough, but Mei was talkative and chipper, where Julia liked silence when she could get it and had been a little out of sorts lately. She figured it was because she was getting thoroughly sick of circus life. Julia sighed lightly and said somewhat shortly, "It's fine. It seemed a lot of the people weren't exactly ecstatic to see us parade into town." It was true. Julia had seen more than one fellow who practically burned her at the stake with their eyes and more than a few women look at her almost with disgust. What she had failed to notice is the large amount of the crowd look at her with admiration and fascination.

Mei shrugged and finished getting dressed, putting on her flat worn-in shoes. "I suppose, but what could we really expect coming to such a small conservative town? Besides, there are plenty of people who looked happy to see us. See you later." Mei had taken Julia's unspoken hint and ducked out of the wagon, setting out to help where she could. She headed over to where the curiosities were. They were her favorite, even though she knew most of the things were frauds or overblown in story.

Julia finished dressing and sat on the back of the wagon, her legs dangling out the back. She had one shoe off and one on. Julia gave a tired sigh and let her dark gaze wander over the bustling scene before her. She saw Mei's slight figure receding in the distance, going to the curiosities no doubt. Julia looked down at her feet and the ground below them. A hot tear trickled it's way down her cheek and into her lap. She wiped it quickly away. She knew there was no use in crying or feeling sorry for herself. She would pray, but Julia hadn't prayed in a long time, feeling distant from God ever since...the incident. Although it had happened years ago, it still burned Julia's heart. Mei helped her as much as she could, and she was a good friend, but Mei loved the thing that Julia had come to hate and Julia couldn't understand it.

Sighing a heavy sigh, Julia finished lacing up her other shoe and hopped off the back of the wagon, setting out to help set up. Of the Boss saw her sitting doing nothing, he would have her head for sure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

John watched the abomination setting up camp. His eyes were squinting in anger and pent-up frustration. How had Lloyd ever allowed this? He would surely try to talk some sense into that man. John was about to turn and head over to Lloyd's house when he caught sight of a familiar figure. John looked in disbelief as he recognized Ellie. Talking to circus folk no less! With a face mixed with disbelief and anger, John marched over to where she was standing with a young woman and a man with a blindfold.

"Eliza Swanson! What are you doing here?! Does your father know you're here and talking to these...people? You need to come with me right now, young lady." John was hardly in a place to be yelling at Lloyd's daughter, but it seemed too much to John at the moment. His eyes snapped with anger as he grabbed her by the elbow, nodding to the young woman and the man who he realized too late wouldn't be able to see his terse greeting. "Excuse us please," John said by way of a farewell.

John moved to practically forcibly drag Ellie back to her father and give them both a lecture like to burn their ears off. His thoughts were racing and he just couldn't come to terms with how Lloyd had let this happen. John was breathing somewhat heavily and he knew he was quickly reaching a temper. So he took a deep breath, not wanting to fly off the handle. John knew he had a temper had been asking God to help with this as of late. It was his greatest struggle.

whiteangel · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **whiteangel** on Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:43 am

Ellie felt her cheeks redden a bit more, though her nervousness eased as the man admitted that her naiveté of the circus was apparent. So apparent, it seemed, that even a blindfolded man could take notice of it. Her bright smile and amicable disposition faded slightly as the man's cheer dimmed. If she wasn't mistaken, he seemed almost saddened...or ashamed. His quick briefing on the cause of his blindness was accompanied by an apologetic description of his current position in the Circus Serafini: fortune teller. Eliza didn't think this was anything to feel ashamed of. In her opinion, cleaning out the cages of monkeys would seem most wondrous if only because it happened within the ropes of such extravagance.

"A fortune teller? How marvelous! Is it really true that you can read the fortune of others? You will have to tell me what fortune has in store for myself." Eliza's eyes lit up at thoughts of what her future might hold. She was sure that most things in the circus were a ruse, but none the less she tried to be encouraging to this performer. She was about to continue when a new face entered the scene.

The voice of the young woman behind her held a hint of familiarity that Eliza couldn't at all place, and she turned with a bright smile to observe her new acquaintance. Eliza had the tendency to look for the best in everyone, which proved to be both a strength and a weakness. For example, it prevented her from catching the slight cruelty and mockery in the lady's voice. However, it also saved her the pain and embarrassment of understanding that she looked so plain and uncomely to this person who was offering her an inside glimpse at the circus.

"The curiosities, you say? You cannot be serious! Would I really be allowed to lend a hand?" Eliza was brimming with excitement. Her eyes were wide and shining, her hands were clasped tightly together before her, and her smile was bright. To help with this exhibit called the 'curiosities' was beyond anything she'd imagined she'd get the opportunity to do, and surely the circus horses were much more glamorous than those her father owned. She turned back to the blindfolded man as he offered to accompany her around the grounds, and then introduced himself. "Who are Tom and Hazel? I'd be much obliged if I were allowed to help. You've no idea, thank you. Oh and I am-"

Eliza had been about to introduce herself, the vowel taking shape on her red lips, when someone beat her to it.

"Eliza Swanson!" Ellie felt herself grow rigid, immediately recognizing the owner of the voice. It was fortunate that she didn't have to force herself to turn and face the preacher. It was unfortunate that he forced her to do so, grabbing and tugging at her thin arm. Once at a distance, Eliza watched with concern as he caught his breath.

"Mr. Harper, I am sorry to cause you such distress. But yes, my father is aware of my presence here at the Circus Sefarini. It should comfort you that I am well warned of the dangers a circus holds, and am surely covered by his prayers as well. If you have issue with my attendance, perhaps it would be best to take it up with my father. I assure you, however, that fear for my well being is not necessary.I am most grounded in my faith. I appreciate your concern. Have you come to pray over this event, sir?"

Though Eliza was trying to be polite, she cast her glance discretely back towards her newest and most promising acquaintances. If she could only impress upon John Harper that all was well, then she could continue in her acceptance of the young woman's offer. Imagine the tales she could tell her friends! Surely they wouldn't have been approached by circus performers, and beckoned behind the scenes to participate.

BikerAngel · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **BikerAngel** on Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:57 am

His smile reappeared as fast as it had disolved and his good nature returned when her voice chimed back at him most excitedly that a fortune teller was such a marvolous job. On any other occastion he would have argued this case for he found it rather dull sitting in a darkened tent, picking out the obvious things and returning them to people in a fashion that made it seem as though he could read minds and hearts. At first it had ben exciting but nothing was as wonderous as flying abouve the heads of a crowd, something he would never do again. Her good will and attitude was enlightening to him though and he brightened immediatly. If she was just saying all this to make him feel good about himself, she was a master at lieing, for he couldn't detect even the slightest bit of a hesitation or false words in her speach.

So entranced was he that he didn;t even realize they had been approached by another man till he was right on top of them. Devon jumped back a step fearfully, shocked at being caught by surprise and his body ridged with displeasure. He didn't like to be snuck up on and although this man had practically stormed up to them, he was surprised he hadn't heard him and took a few short seconds to calm his heart back down, listening as the man went onto talk about the horrid circus like he didn't even exsist.

A frown caught on Devon's face as he listened quietly. The way the man called Mr. Harper spoke about them, refering to them in a way that made Devon's fists clentch a bit, wass enough for Devon to think twice about who he had approached. He knew there were many people who enjoyed what they did as performers but there would always be those who looked down their noses at them like they were nothing but trash that should be taken out and forgotten. Devon took pride in what he did even as a small sideshow and this man had him angered as he heard him pulling Eliza away.

Devon sighed, broken. He had been hoping to have made a new friend, something he did his best to do in each town, always looking for a new face...or voice in his perspective, to meet.

He knew it was not his place to intrude upon this converstaion taking place though so he stayed where he was, fingers brushing the air till he found a crate and hopping up onto it, sitting patiently.

***************

Lily hummed lightly to herself, singing as she pranced off, helping carry some of the smaller things into an oval shaped cage that had been set up for her performance. Four of the chimpanzees already running about the cage, the smallest in her arms still. she barely went anywhere without the baby one clinging to her back. She loved to be seen with the animal. She loved the way people watched her tiny form. She really loved to show off.

Prancing happily, she spotten Mei jump from the back of a wagon and a ways off, Devon slide casually onto a crate, looking slightly depressed as his head turned towards a large looking man who didn;t look pleased to be there at all. Lily scowled lighhtly, a face that was hardly threatening on her tiny six year old face. She did not like when poeple were unhappy towards the circus. If he didn;t like it here. She just wanted him to leave.

Not bothering to change out of her tutu for to her it was as much a part of her as her own skin, she marched her way to the back of her wagon and continued to unload smaller peices of her set up, letting some of the stronger men unload the larger things.

imogen_22 · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **imogen_22** on Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:43 pm

Hazel couldn’t help but smile in relief when Tom let the subject drop. She knew many that would continue to press, overcome by their own curiosity, but thankfully, Tom was not one of those types. He opened his mouth to respond to her question, but was cut off by the approach of three elephants, one of which had a petite figure astride.

She grinned at Leora’s comment, but she was gone before Hazel could respond, off to get angry at some poor soul that dared insult her precious creatures. So instead she turned to Tom, saying, “I suppose so. But most of them will come just to turn to their neighbor and rant on about how scandalous we are, I reckon.”

Tom, however, was looking past her when she glanced up from brushing Rio. Frowning, she turned and followed his gaze across the field, to where their fortune teller, Devon, was chatting with a pretty girl that looked strangely familiar to Hazel. A townie, no doubt. She, however, did not wear the disdainful expression that many did when conversing with circus folk, but rather an enthralled smile, her cheeks flushed with excitement. With a jolt, Hazel realized who the girl reminded her of; herself, before she joined the circus.

Hastily shaking away the feeling, she looked back curiously at Tom. Now what exactly was so intriguing about this girl to him? Obviously she was pretty, but she did look like just about every other young town girl.

“Here comes trouble,” she commented, nodding at the preacher who was making his a beeline towards the girl, looking livid. Sure enough, the man barked a scolding at her, making a move to drag her away. Hazel was suddenly hit with a wave of anger at the preacher, and narrowed her eyes. She remembered what it was like, to always be told what to do, and expected to listen.

Huffing, Hazel marched over, stepping into the pair’s path. She rearranged her features into a sweet smile, but there was no mistaking the acid behind it. “Excuse me, my dear sir, but are you this girl’s father? Because I believe she very clearly explained that her father permitted her to visit us the fine afternoon, and if you are not her father, which you don’t seem to be, I don’t believe you have the authority to escort her away against her own will.”

Phedre · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **Phedre** on Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:48 pm

John was about to tell Ellie to go on then, but he was going to go have a little chat with her father when a particularly livid girl strode up. He gave her a look seething with disdain and annoyance. "Pardon me, miss, but I don't think that this is any of your business, really. If I have no business, as you say, to drag this young woman away from the presence of people such as you, than you have even less business interrupting a conversation to which you have no place being in."

Clearly dismissing the girl and turning toward Ellie so that his back was toward the stranger, John addressed Ellie, with a tight smile. "As I was going to say before we were so rudely interrupted. As long as your father knows where you are, though I highly doubt he knows what exactly you are doing, I guess I'll leave you to it. But know that I am mentioning this to your father. I don't know how he would feel having it known that the mayor's daughter is conversing with trash." John gave the strange girl a pointed look with the last comment and strode off across the field.

The nerve of some people. Really. John's face resembled a storm cloud at the moment, daring anymore circus folk to approach him at the moment. He made his way across town to Lloyd's home. Along the way, he saw many people from his church, waving at them and smiling as he passed. As mayor, he had the best house in town. Stretching his long legs to take the steps two at a time, John stood at the front door. He knocked on the door, waiting to talk to Lloyd, calming himself down.

FoxyRoxy · **Tips:** 0.00 INK by **FoxyRoxy** on Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:46 pm

Leora found her self and her animals setting up the big tent, surprised the scrutinizing eyes of the Boss Man hadn't made an appearance yet. "Hut, Hut," she called commanding the elephant to follow the lead of the man doing most of the work. The others seemed to be doing ok, yet she was a little worried about one of her females, who seemed to have been a little busy between towns.

She never thought she would find herself envious of an elephant.

"You know doll face...boss man isn't going to let you keep your baby." The elephant flapped her ears in response, and snorted as if to say 'yeah right'. She turned when she heard the voices a little ways off, glancing at the townies. One was a preacher, she could hear the hellfire and damnation in his voice even though he wasn't preaching. The other was a girl, pretty little thing, was spunky too, making Leora take an immediate liking to her. Of course there weren't many people that Leora didn't like, she spotted Mei exiting her wagon, "Hey Mei," she called as the girl was on her way to help out setting up the curiosities.

She noticed Julia then too, and noticed she looked a little down in the dumps.

"Hey Leora, pay attention," she turned back to the task at hand moving the beasts to where they needed to be, and to payback the fella who was yelling at her, she keep giving him a look and a couple of winks. He stumbled a couple of times, causing a chuckle from the blond's lips. She was going to have to be adventurous and find someplace in town to get a nice glass of iced tea, or something else.

After she was done working that is.

Circus Serafini

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Circus Serafini

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