Snippet #2191008

Before responding to Avalin's question, Evie hesitated a moment to consider what their options were and to see if Jack would say something. When no one spoke for a moment, she quietly suggested, "We could go look at the various games and booths first, and then, maybe..." She paused, cheeks flushing, looking up at both of her friend's faces before continuing, "And maybe then we can go see the mutants and the acts?" Jack and Avalin did not object, so they started off going around to the various booths, laughing and having fun. It was the most fun Evie had had in a long time. She was slowly beginning to lose her awkwardness and was able to laugh more easily. She only tripped a couple times, skinning one knee, but she paid it little attention. Something like that had no power to dampen her mood. Soon, the cheery group of friends was ready to enter the various tents.

They visited the main freak show tent, which had a pleasant looking exterior that was only slightly faded. Inside, however, it was much darker, and Evie had to wait a moment for her eyes to adjust to the candle lit 'room.' When she was able to see clearly, she saw that all the mutants were locked in cages. She immediately wondered if any of them were dangerous people, but when she saw their weary expressions, she wondered if the bars were there to protect the mutants. Whatever festive air was created by the lights strung across the walls was dampened for Evie by the ugly cages. Were they supposed to look like caged animals?

She winced when she heard a young kid crying by one of the cages. The man inside, who had some sort of wings, stood staring coldly at the girl. Evie let out a small gasp when she saw the father come and kick the cage, and she hoped that he would go no further. Thankfully, the man was satisfied with that, and he walked away, dragging the crying girl with him. Evie shyly came closer as the mutant sat down and spread his crooked wings. He closed his eyes as if shutting out the world. Though her eyes were automatically drawn to his odd, bird like legs and wings, there was also plain concern on her face for him. Avalin, however, seemed even more transfixed. After a few minutes the man had not looked up, and Evie figured it was time to move on. Avalin merely waved them on and stayed with the bird mutant.

First, Jack and she headed to a tent that was connected to the main tent. Apparently, this was a tent for water based mutants. One of the mutants was tossed a key, and he unlocked the chains and floated to the top before he was dragged out by a large man. Then his arms were restrained, but it seemed like the men holding him were holding him up more than restraining him. A plain look of discomfort crossed the man's features as he took a shaky breath. People began to murmur about how unnatural he was, and Evie nearly winced. Her ma always told her that people were people, no matter what they looked like. She also told Evie that everyone should make themselves useful, usually accompanied by a scolding for dilly-dallying when she should have been working.

Sorrow and concern were plain in Evie's eyes as she looked at Jack and motioned that she was ready to move on to the next tent. They went to a tent with many young children, each with some unusual feature. For the most part, they were either tired and hungry, or as interested in the spectators as the spectators were in them. Soon after, Evie heard music starting, heralding some performance. She quickly followed the sound, and found herself in a performance tent that was already filling fast. She and Jack found a seat, saving an extra seat in case Avalin decided to join them, and watched as the woman began dancing with two snakes. Evie was amazed that the woman was blindfolded, yet danced so gracefully. She was tall, and she resembled a snake not only in looks, but also in how she moved. Evie was transfixed, as though she had been charmed along with the snakes.