Phillis Circus

"Excuse me! Sirs! Or... or misses, it's kinda hard to tell from down here... I uh..."

The discussion between both stiltmen had cut off, as both of their attention had turned to the funny-looking dark-skinned man in a contrastingly bright outfit. They almost mistook his excitement for one of a little kid that had just won one of those rigged chance games. He fidgeted, stammered, rambled...

"Those suits are awesome! Um, can I ask how they work? Are they comfortable? Is that magitech too, like the dodgems? Or is that me getting a bit too excited, hehe..."

The stiltmen turned back to each other for a moment before letting out a roar of laughter between one another. A friendly one, no less. When they looked back to Syed from their great height, the red-dotted visors resting on their heads lifted up to reveal both a male and a female face looking right back at him. Their smiles were nowhere near as big as Syed's, but still they shared one. "If it didn't take so much effort," the woman laughed again, "I'd lower myself to your level and shake your hand or something. Really! It's nice getting attention every now and then." Using the levers by her hands, she swung one of her smaller mechanical arms at her coworker, nudging him slightly.

"Guy's got a keen eye but not keen enough," the other stiltman snickered, loudly enough for anyone below him to hear. "No magitech here, kiddo! Just a bunch of handmade craftswork." He brought a mechanical hand closer to his face, as if to admire its finger-like tendrils. Basking in his own ego. "Only a circus would allow us to build our dreams and actually use them. It's fascinating I tell you - fascinating."

"Yes, quite!" the sister laughed back. The visor then lowered back on her face, its red dot glowing brightly before settling back to its normal lighting. "Now I don't mean to be rude, good chap, but we must resume our duties. You see, you're coming rather close to a restricted employees-only site. Wouldn't want people flocking about back here where backstage magic happens." From behind her visor, the woman winked - not that Syed could see it, though. "Please return with your friend and--"

"Hey Syed! Something came up so we're regrouping earlier than we had decided! Do you know where everyone else is?"

A lovely woman and a robed purple-haired man appeared from out of nowhere, approaching the ecstatic man from behind the stiltmen's range of vision. The patrols looked down to see who the voice belonged to, before turning simultaneously to see where they had come from exactly. While the stiltmen were just outside a small restricted employees-only, chatting to someone who had come from a guest-filled area, it was easy to see that the duo came from directly behind them. From the back of the big-top, the large tent which basically has its whole perimeter lightly fenced off to keep guests from sneaking into its various little openings to the backstage.

The brother stiltman narrowed his eyes at Aria, though he retained a light tone of voice as opposed to a serious one. "Excuse me, ma'am? Sir? What were you doing back here? Clearly this is labeled as a restricted area, so that you are..."

"Perhaps they were just looking for their friend," the sister replied back, now walking towards the restricted area. "You always get so riled up over the littlest things, Stevie."

"Yes, because that's our job... People are not supposed to be back here, sis. Go secure the rest of the perimeter please?"

The sister stopped in her tracks, mere steps away from the back curtain Aria's group had used to escape the big top. However, the other two she and Lucien traveled with were not in sight. The sister stiltman let out a deep sigh before turning back to her brother and the three ants below him. "Thank you for the lovely chat, but I do suggest you three depart from this area right away." She shook her head visibly, the red dot on her visor lagging as it shook along with her. "We've already had to kick out a handful of unruly teenagers caught sneaking around back here earlier today. It would pain me dearly to have to do that a second time."

Her brother watched as she left the scene, but he remained where he was - standing beside Syed, Aria, and Lucien, and keeping a keen eye on their every moment.

Meanwhile,



Trixie and Estelle were huddled up behind another employee-only tent. Had it not been for the tiny fences and signs blocking off this section from the main walkway, these tents could have easily been confused with those open to the public. Once the female stiltman began making her way around the other side of the big top, Trixie let out a deep sigh. "That was close," she whispered to Estelle. "What do we do now?"

Phillis Circus: Rear Restricted Entrance of the Big Top

What were they doing?

Estelle could only watch with gritted teeth and disbelief at how Aria and Lucien had carefreely wandered away from them, straight towards Syed and under the watchful eyes of two of the circus’ members whom had been in conversation with the electromage. Against all belief, it seemed as if the pair had forgotten that they had just been traipsing through a restricted area, and that indeed the location they were within right now was still restricted and not open for the public to be walking through. It was fortunate for the illusionist and summoner that the two stiltmen didn’t seem to be as dangerously bothered by it as she was sure that the cold man they had seen before would be… but even then they had been playing with fire. They could have just as likely gotten thrown out of the circus entirely. And maybe, potentially, still could.

Estelle shook her head. The way towards joining that group was entirely blocked with one of the two stiltmen conversing with the others. It’s partner had stomped off with multiple clanks to go around the side of the large Big Top, to disappear from view. Peeking her head out, meerkat style, to look around in all direction, Estelle made doubly certain that the coast was clear of any other circus performers, before darting towards the next closest tent, holding Trixie’s hand inside her own.

"That was close," Trixie had whispered to Estelle. "What do we do now?"

“We get out of here,” Was Estelle's reply. As they quickly dashed across the open space, in full sight of Syed, Aria and Lucien ahead of them (but thankfully with the stiltman’s back towards them), they skidded behind cover of the next nearest tent, to take another moment to breathe and make sure no one else was about. Estelle had planned a path that would take them from diminutive tent to diminutive tent, until they could reach the fenced perimeter and climb over. It would take some time, but it was the smartest way out of here.

Slowly but surely, from tent to tent and other stacked pieces of equipment and crates, Estelle and Trixie reached the fence. Pressing her back to the fence, Estelle cupped her hands out in front of her waist, providing a step for Trixie to jump onto and be boosted up and over the top. As soon as she did, Estelle gripped onto the metal bars of the fence and began to quickly hoist herself up, working off adrenaline to clear the top as well as she could. She was no natural climber like Lisette had been, but Estelle had spent much of her youth climbing things that she shouldn’t have to have developed a partial affinity to it. Fortunately, once done, the coast now seemed clear, although they were now a fair distance away from the rest of the Pride, and tired to boot. Their entire stealthy infiltration of the Big Top had taken its toll, and Estelle exhaled heavily.

“Phew…” She collapsed onto the ground, leaning back with her hands to support herself up.

“You okay, Super Sis?” Trixie asked, sitting down with her legs crossed facing her.

“Yeah, just… phew… that was a close one…” Estelle smiled back at the smaller girl, and then drew quiet. Her eyes flicked to the massive, colourful tent they had came from, and her smile faded.

“Er…” Trixie began to frown. “Are you sure you’re okay, Super Sis?”

“Do you trust him, Trixie?” Estelle asked, glancing to her friend. Trixie tilted her head to the side in confusion. Him?

“You mean the cap guy?” She asked.

“Yeah. I mean… he said some things but… who knows if he’s telling the truth?” Estelle frowned. “I don’t know if you had any better luck, but I’ve not seen any of the missing people we came looking for so far… and I don’t remember his face being on one of the posters.”

“Ah… maybe?” Trixie frowned again, puffing her cheeks in thought and tilting her head to the other side. She couldn’t really remember what the faces on the missing posters were, though.

“I mean… this circus is weird alright, but so is he. I’m not sure if he’s actually telling the truth or not. Not to mention…” Estelle frowned heavily, pushing herself off the ground. “His grand plan is to set things on fire in a crowd filled stage. That’s both crazy and dangerous. And again… I’ve still not seen any definitive proof that these guys are up to anything. They’re weird, sure, but… I’ve seen a lot of people before that are weird. We could even be considered weird, couldn’t we?”

“I… guess?” Trixie pondered Estelle’s words some more, actually smiling as she hopped to her feet as well how Estelle was actually considering this and giving it some thought. Leave it to Super Sis to know what to do! “So what do we do?”

“I’m not sure,” Estelle shook her head, a large grimace crossing her features. Trixie's own enthusiasm began to deflate. Estelle started to walk back towards where they had seen the others, this time on the safe side of the Big Top’s perimeter fence, with Trixie following at her side. “I don’t entirely trust that weirdo, but he doesn’t give us any choice, does he? We’re going to have to go to that performance if only to make sure nobody gets hurt. But regardless of whether he’s telling the truth or lying… I’m going to smack the crap out of him!”

Phillis Circus
They built the suits themselves? Syed's grin only spread wider, his eyes widening in awe, every inch of his mind focusing on their words intently. "Oh my word you guys are amazing..." he breathed. He couldn't help it. He really just couldn't. It was fascinating, just as they said. And it was good, just for once, to meet someone who shared his love for technology... let alone two people. If it were any other situation, he'd give pretty much anything to just be able to sit down with them both and discuss their inventions. Sure, he was no inventor himself. But he'd love to learn about it all the same.

Unfortunately work was work, and it wasn't just the stiltmen who had to go back to it. The heavy weight of their own job returned to his conciousness - the missing people, Eric, that room. Such a shame they both occupied opposite sides. And these people seemed so decent. Other than the shrine, which made him angry just thinking about... was this place really the source of the dissapearances?

His smile did falter slightly at the mention of a restricted area though. And vanished completely when Aria and Lucien strode right out of it and started talking to him. Cue instant suspicion. And Syed, being the honest person he was, just locked up completely like a rabbit in headlights. He fixed his gaze on the other two, looking borderline betrayed. He did spot Estelle and Trixie run off a small distance away, although he did his best to not make it too obvious. Well at least they took the more subtle approach.

"Hey, I like the hat!" Lucien grinned, giving him a thumb up as oblivious as ever, panda shirt and all. Gods damnit. This was not the time.



"What the fuck were you doing?!" Moira suddenly bellowed. She threw her hands into the air, before striding over to both Aria and Lucien and literally knocking their heads together. The pair recoiled and gave her a fleetingly confused look, rubbing gingerly at their heads, before Moira suddenly wrenched them both by the collar and pushed them both to their knees. And with her strength? They were helpless to her steely grip. Syed gave out an exclamation of alarm, although Moira simply bent over and hissed at the pair. "Apologise. Now."

She got looks of confusion all round, although she ignored them entirely. Instead she flicked her hair back as she gazed back up to the stiltman. Bloody hell that hurt her neck.

"We'll get goin' then," she promised, hauling the pair back up. "We were just lookin' for our friend, before this dork started fangirling all over you. Dark hair, kinda gormless lookin'," she explained loudly and without the slightest trace of nerves. "Not all there in the head. Trenchcoat. Think he might have the shits, judgin' by the sounds he was makin' in the loo earlier. Last thing we want is for him to have an accident. You seen him?"

Syed gaped. She was lying. She was actually lying to the stiltman. Lying with a half-truth - abeit a harshly worded and not entirely factual one - but lying all the same. Still, he spotted Xan and Lute leave the fortune tent as the stiltman's attention was fixed on Moira. He tried as subtly as he could to tilt his head in the direction Estelle and Trixie had dissapeared off in - the last thing they needed for them to get involved too.

Phillis Circus: Rear Restricted Entrance of the Big Top

The stiltman Stevie retained his narrowed eyes as a big lady approached him, demanding the others' apologies for wandering into a restricted area like it was nothing. The one that was 'fangirling' over the sibling patrols had locked up in an instant, not only when the other two came in from nowhere, but also again when she strode up. Stevie took it as a mix of worry of punishment, and... of this woman.

Even from Stevie's height, he'd be lying if he denied his fear that the she-hulk could snap his stilts into two if she wanted to. Well, she probably couldn't, but she... probably could. Especially judging from the way she knocked the two's heads together - Stevie shuddered. He would hate to be on her bad side.

The woman exuded confidence - angry confidence, if anything - about her explanation of whom they were searching for. So they really were just looking for somebody. And if he's as dumb-looking as she said, it would make sense that he may have wandered into an area he wasn't supposed to. Upon her last words, the stiltman looked up beyond the long-winded path of tents on both sides. The flashy colors at night always made such a beautiful sight from that height, especially with all the loud little fleas jumping about and through them. And with his visor on now, everything was pretty much magnified.

"Gaumless... trenchcoat... and the shits. Sounds like quite a guy." He shook his head. "I probably bumped into him earlier without knowing. There are quite a lot of gaumless-looking people in this circus to tell them apart, if you know what I mean." He winked, though it was for naught from behind his visor.

"If you head back down that way, the portaloos are on your left-hand side towards the center of the fun tents. Assuming you haven't checked them yet, that is. I apologize for not being much help." He shrugged before turning away from him and heading towards the big top as his sister did for a final sweep. "I... should get going now, though. Sorry for the holdup in helping you find your friend. Haha... hah."

He bought it. He actually bought it.

---

Trixie continued to ponder Estelle's words. Her suspicion of that funny looking guy... made sense. He'd been flipping out and desperately - too desperately trying to get them to listen to him without giving them so much a breath of respite. She hadn't seen the number of performers Estelle had while they were all inside the big top, but aside from that mean angry guy who was probably the big boss and that weird girl playing with dolls, Estelle was right in that... there was nothing really suspicious going on in there.

And then the guy was gonna set the tent on fire, when they were all in there? He sounded like he knew what he was doing and readily expected the guilders to follow through with his plan. But what if they didn't? Or, or what if the whole thing is a bluff or something?

She brought a finger to her chin and pretended to scratch at a long beard that wasn't there. If only Aria and Lucien hadn't taken off, they could discuss this now that they were in the clear. But at least they found Boss and Sparky. All they had to do was catch up now, and then they could--

"Peekaboo!"

"Ahhh!" Trixie jumped like a frog at the sudden voice. She scrambled after Estelle and embraced her tightly. It was almost as bad as the trauma back at the horror train.

The new face burst with laughter, tears forming by her squinting eyes as she gripped onto her stomach in a poor effort to control herself. Once her laughter died down, she swept away the tears from her face, still smiling widely at the duo. "Ahh, priceless. No one ever expects jump scares at a circus! Brilliant, no?"



Trixie gulped. She didn't even try to say anything in response, instead clutching onto Estelle tighter. When the magician girl noticed all the tension in the pipsqueak's grip, her smile softened from one of a jokester to one that was almost as caring as a mother's. "Hey kiddo, chill out n' cheer up. It's just me. No harm, no foul, right? Still comin' to tonight's big show?"

She extended a hand to Trixie, to which the prankster hesitated, exchanging glances between Sammie's palm and her eyes. When Sammie noticed this, her smile began to drop - but before she could pull back her hand, Trixie reached for it quickly and shook it. She forced a smile - though Sammie merely took it as one of those signs of bravado children give after a scary ride. "Yeah, we'll be there. Y, you can count on us!"

"Awesome!" After the shake, Sammie gave the little one a thumbs up before nodding at Estelle. "I hope you two and your friends have been enjoying themselves. Erm, wherever they are!" She glanced around for a moment. Though the stiltman was a walking distance away, the magician did not make it obvious whether she recognized the group by him as Estelle and Trixie's companions or not. After all, as gatekeeper, she had seen quite a numerous amount of people throughout the day. "It's so easy to get lost here when people split. But usually the big meeting point is at the grand performance. Makes enough sense, don'tcha think?"

The conversation didn't drag on too long, though Sammie was unfortunately not in a rush to leave the duo for her preparation. Only when she noticed someone peeking their head from one of the big top's restricted entrances did she decide to leave. "Ah, I'm running late. Toodles! See you at tonight's show!"

With that, she jogged around the guilders and hopped over the fence with diligence, before disappearing into the Big Top. All the tension within Trixie's tiny body was released in an instant; she dropped her shoulders and her arms with a loud sigh. She had been... sighing quite a lot since they arrived at the circus. "Phew. You don't... think she heard any of that, do you?

"Mmmaybe we should catch up to the others now..." Trixie began tugging away at Estelle's wrist again, towards the group of four by the departing stiltman. Thankfully they were away enough from the restricted areas to be completely overlooked by the patrolman.

Phillis Circus: The Big Top's Rear Perimeter Fence

“That was a close one, huh?” Estelle said with a heavy sigh, her shoulders and chest deflating from their ‘on-edge’ position a second ago. Sammie had not only scared Trixie but also frightened the hell out of Estelle too. The idea of them sneaking the whole way through the Big Top, narrowly avoiding multiple members of the troupe, to then sneaking from tent to tent outside and abseiling over the top of the fenced perimeter to then finally being caught by one of them… would have been excruciating. But it didn’t seem as though Sammie had seen them at all, instead encouraging them to visit the Big Top’s Grand Performance in just a short while. The show was close to beginning, with the rest of the circus’ patrons all making their way towards it.

"Phew. You don't... think she heard any of that, do you?” Trixie asked, looking up at Estelle with a bit bottom lip, and Estelle nodded back with an apprehensive look, shifting to one of hope in trying to lift Trixie’s spirits back up.

“No, I don’t think she did. I mean, if she did… then she’s a damn good actor.” Estelle’s cheeks opened wide with a bright, charming smile. “No, I think we’re good, Trix! Just… let’s keep our guard up though anyway.”

“Yeah!” Trixie nodded in agreement. “Mmmaybe we should catch up to the others now too..." Trixie began tugging away at Estelle's wrist again, towards the group of four by the departing stiltman. The two moved at a brisk, hurried pace, and were fortunate enough not to encounter any more scares along the way. As they rejoined the quartet that had been talking to Stevie the stiltman, they came just in time to find Moira smacking both Aria and Lucien on the head yet again, yelling loudly once more. And then turning and yelling at Syed as she demanded to know where Luke and Xandra had disappeared to, already forgetting to the electromage’s own heavy sigh. But no sooner had her angry tirade begun, but Lute and Xandra slowly turned up as well, the former busy in thought as he replayed his ominous encounter with Elisa inside his mind…

“Guys!” Estelle shouted out as she and Trixie caught up to everyone else. “Is everyone okay? Did you find anything out? Because we found something… well… weird…” Estelle’s eyes glanced to Aria, the two remembering their frankly bizarre encounter with Crispin. Where to begin with what the man had said? It was suspicious and seemed to corroborate with their mission somewhat, referencing missing people but… considering everything they had seen and heard with him, who’s to say he wasn’t simply… delusional?

Before Estelle or any of the others could truly begin however, they heard a loud, deafening trumpet echo all throughout the circus’ grounds, shocking all of the Pride to attention. After the trumpet sounded, a voice, in a calm tone, resonated loudly over a broadcast.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The Phillis Circus' Grand Performance is about to begin! Please make your ways to the Big Top located in the center of the Circus and take your seats. There is still some time to use the restroom and order some food and drink to take within."

Estelle’s eyes snapped towards the others. There was no time to stand outside and explain everything that Crispin had told them, or for Syed’s group to explain what they had seen in one of the restricted zone’s tents… or even to explain Eric’s bizarre disappearance. They couldn’t miss the show. Not with how Crispin had said he planned to set things on fire. The best they could hopefully manage would be whispers inside… and hope no one would overhear them…?

“The show’s starting…” Xandra spoke aloud, to Estelle’s grimace.

“We… we need to see this show,” Estelle replied to confused stares. “We just… ugh! We kind of do!”

Phillis Circus: Outside the Big Top

Xandra scanned the area around them. Following the blaring trumpets, some guests were making their way to the Big Top immediately - children rushing, with older audiences taking their time. Others did as the emcee recommended, instead making their way to the snack stands and wrapping up their games first. From where the Pride stood, they could see quite a queue building up from outside the portapotties further down the pathway of tents. Trixie scrunched her nose just thinking about how nasty that place must've smelled.

"Seems we still have some time," Lucien grinned, watching as a pair of kids rushed straight passed him and into the tent behind them. Luckily they have gathered within reach of the big top, so there would be no need to rush to sit if their discussion took longer than necessary. Before any chatting could stir up, he held up a finger to excuse himself. "Give me juuust a sec."

He bumbled after the children to poke his head inside the Big Top, if only for a moment. He was joined by Xandra shortly - whether she followed him to keep him out of trouble or check things out herself was left unsaid.



As expected, the audience seating was mostly clear - and the room itself was incredibly massive. While the tent itself was huge just looking at it from the outside, it betrayed just how much it could withstand inside. Dangling lights, tightropes, and trapezes adorned the fabric ceiling, keeping the entire stage well-lit, well prepared, and beautified. The stage was remarkably clean, with many of the larger props having been shoved to the side and hidden beneath large and ~mysterious~ blankets. The audience could only guess what was hiding beneath them. Aside from a few others already getting seated in random areas throughout the tent, there were vacancies in about every section: up front, in the middle, towards the back, to the east, west, and south.

Both guilders returned to the Pride promptly. "Yup yup, it's way bigger on the inside than it looks from out here. If we beat the rush, we have a lot of room to work with." Lucien nodded to himself for reaffirmation.

Xandra followed up with her usual no-nonsense examination. "It's not much to work with, but if we figure out a plan early enough, we can get whatever seats we need to before they fill up. Whether we need to split up, stay together, take the seats towards the front or the back..."

Trixie laughed nervously, catching the others' attentions. Keeping her voice low, she spoke up about what had gone on in the big top - quiet enough that no one else outside of their cluster could hear them. "Might be good to take both the front and back... uhh... that crazy cap guy said he was gonna set stuff on fire when it was his turn."

"Someone's going to... what?" The metallurgist blinked rapidly, unsure of whether she was correctly processing the information she just heard. What fool could possibly even think to set a near stadium on fire that was full of innocent people? Should they not stop him instead?

With another unsure giggle, Trixie shrugged. "That's what he said, right, Supersis? Lucy? Ari?"

Lucien retained his large smile, though sweat was visible across his face and neck. "Yeah yeah, pretty much that... So there's the matter of escorting the audience members safely..."

Phillus Circus-Big Top

Pheeeeeeeeeew.

Now that she thought about it, perhaps it hadn't been the best decision to go waltzing out like that. Still, she didn't want to risk using more illusions especially since they might need them later, and she especially didn't want to take chances with how easily and quickly the members of the Pride could run off and vanish just like that. Luckily they didn't get into any trouble, and though the tall mechanical men seemed a bit suspicious they weren't about to get kicked out.

"What the fuck were you doing?!"

THUMP

"Eeeeeeee-"

Aria clutched her head where it had been slammed into Lucy's. She looked through her lowered bangs at Moira, wincing at the angry woman. She and the summoner were shoved to the ground and onto their knees before they could react as Moira seethed at them and they both stammered out hasty apologies in fear of more wrath and painful repercussions.

They were yanked back to their feet as Moira started to gruffly explain that they were merely looking for Eric- Not like they could have said what they were really doing. Luckily the guard was convinced and soon left, leaving a much more relaxed atmosphere behind until another hard whack was given to her and Lucien's heads.

"I already said I was sorry-" Aria whimpered as Moira started to shout again, this time about where Xan and Lulu had gone. "I'm not going to be much use with a concussion you know-"

Luckily and rather surprisingly everyone had managed to gather finally, and yet before Estelle and the rest who had met Crispin could explain what had taken place the announcement broadcasted over the speakers scattered around the fair. They looked around in surprise- They needed more time to plan this out!

"Yes, we'll need to make sure everyone gets out safely while remaining calm. If they stampede and panic, it's not going to end well." She added her bit in quickly, Perhaps we could have Lulu help with broadcasting sound and direct people to exits and calm them down? But then Crispin also mentioned that we might possibly need to fight while the performers flee. Should we go retrieve the things we hid outside? Now the show's started perhaps there would be less security, but then they'd have to sneak back in as well."

Phillis Circus - Outside Big Top
"Might be good to take both the front and back... uhh... that crazy cap guy said he was gonna set stuff on fire when it was his turn."

"Wait, what?!" Moira suddenly exclaimed far too loudly, while a small spark of electricity jumped from Syed's temples in shock. So not only have they come in here and found no evidence of any kidnappings, they had actually found someone with the intent to commit arson?! At this rate they'll be defending the circus instead!

"But then Crispin also mentioned that we might possibly need to fight while the performers flee. Should we go retrieve the things we hid outside? Now the show's started perhaps there would be less security, but then they'd have to sneak back in as well."

"What on Ddeaer is going on?!" Syed spoke in a hushed whisper, running his fingers through his hair. What on earth have they found out? The name Crispin vaguely registered as a name he had heard before, which considering how odd of a name it was wasn't entirely suprising, but he couldn't connect a face to it. "Hang on guys, wouldn't threatening arson make this Crispin guy the criminal?"

"No more than what you did," Moira cut in. Syed tensed. "And I'm all for gettin' my shit back, but even I gotta admit I ain't gonna be able to hide it in there."

"But we don't even know what's going on!" the mage hissed. "Why are we confronting anyone?" The only person he would was the owner of the shrine tent, and... he didn't know who that was. He looked to Estelle, desperate for some sort of indication one way or the other. But even she looked conflicted.

"Urgh!" he finally threw his arms in the air. "If you guys want to arm yourselves go ahead, but we'll go in there and grab a seat at the front while we still can. If only to try and make sure nobody dies." The last words were spoken with a good helping of annoyance in his tone. He felt like they were going in blind. The things the others had said so far just raised yet more questions, and they just didn't have the time to answer them. And with the decency of the people he had met already... he could already feel a deep sense of dread in his stomach. And that wasn't just because of the creepy clowns wandering around.

And with that, he went to head towards the Big Top, stopping only because Moira hadn't moved. She fixed her eyes on the others in turn. "We're... trusting you, you know." She didn't say anything more. She didn't really need to. She knew that if they were even contemplating this, they must have a good reason to. And she knew Syed thought the same, that was why he was acting as he was. It was going against his own views and what he had seen.

She shrugged, and the pair went to join the queue into the Big Top.

Phillis Circus: Outside the Big Top

“…I’m going to stay near the back,” Estelle decided, speaking up after Moira and Syed confirmed they would take some of the seats nearer the front of the performance ring. The swordswoman wanted to stay as far back and as close to the exits as possible, in order to help make sure that the path was clear for audience members to flee through. It wasn’t an easy decision. The proactive part of her personality wanted to stop the strange baseball capped pervert they had encountered before he did something as grossly dangerous as what he had planned, but she couldn’t think of any way to easily do so, short of finding a member of the circus and reporting to them what Crispin had said. But she also felt that that was… just as equally dangerous. As much as she hated Crispin’s plan, the alternative he left meant having their investigation come to a screeching halt. What on Ddaear were they to do?

“I’ll help make sure people are able to get out without stampeding over themselves, if it has to come to that,” Estelle gritted her teeth and sigh, shaking her head. She then turned to Aria, and nodded at her suggestion on making use of Lute’s abilities. “I think that’s a good idea. Lute… we’re going to have to count on you a lot.”

“This is still… ridiculous…” Xandra brought a hand to her forehead and gently stroked it. “Someone’s going to set fire to the circus? And we’re allowing it? Leader, is this… is this really wise?”

“We didn’t find anything else out, though…” Lucien shrugged. “Did yo-”

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE SHOW IS ABOOOOOUT TO BEGIN!!”

“Crap!” Estelle exclaimed. “No more time! Come on!”

With that, the red haired swordswoman dashed into the giant tent as quickly as she did, scoping for the nearest empty seat available to her. On the right, sandwiched inbetween a group of guests were a pair of free seats. Uttering a number of ‘excuse me’ and ‘I’m sorry’, she managed to seat herself down in one of the seats, and lean forward to look down at the circus ring below with great trepidation. The curtains to the Big Top’s exits fell shut in order to block any of the sunlight from outside to creep in, the circus performers preferring to control all of the spotlights within, as the show, to a conflagration of trumpets and drums, drew ever closer to the Big Top’s main show!

“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CHILDREN AND ELDERLY, ONE AND ALL…”

An infectiously energetic voice rang out throughout the number of speakers positioned about the tent. Spotlights placed along the ceiling of the tent all turned, first from illuminating the audience of the tent to focus on the circular performance ring below, and a small platform where the emcee would stand. Brandishing and twirling a microphone with deft skill in one hand, she raised it up to her lips as her other hand shot to a point in the sky, as the show’s introductory music reached its full, climatic ending. It was the circus’ own gatekeeper, Sammie.



“THE PHILLIS CIRCUS PROUDLY WELCOMES YOU ALL TO OUR GRAND PERFORMANCE!”

At that, a loud trumpeting burst was accompanied by a loud explosion from a cannon resting behind Sammie, its turret pointed into the sky. From it was shot a figure that began spinning and flipping in somersaults through the air, cresting nearly the very top of the tent’s ceiling, before gradually arcing downwards. The figure landed both safely and dramatically in front of Sammie with his hands held high, cocky grin plastered on his face, as confetti burst in to shower them from the sides of the ring. A rapturous applause deafened immediately from the assembled audience.



Max Powers, the circus’ human cannonball, was their Grand Performance’s opening act.

What was to follow would be a memorable show that was impossible to forget.

Phillis Circus: the Big Top - Audience (Back)

Trixie followed in immediately after Estelle, taking the empty seat beside her towards the back of the room. She leaned over to the redhead and cupped her mouth, about to whisper her stupendous idea... until realization dawned and her expression dropped. "Wait... our weapons though!" she squeaked instead, nearly bouncing in her seat. They had never covered what they were gonna do about those! Even considering Crispin's dumb plan, was the Pride of any use without their weapons? Boss said she'd be unable to hide hers, and Trixie's were always visible on her as well.

"Wha... how do we..."

She understood one thing well enough, though: everyone will freak out over the big top being lit on fire. It was clear that some of the Pride members would have to escort the innocent audience members before they get hurt - and Trixie assumed that's what Estelle wanted to do since she was in the back.

But what about the tall security people outside? And the performers in general? Would they... try to help? Or... they're not so bad guys that they'd try to kill everyone or something during the panic, would they!? Being the exaggerative runt that she was, Trixie began to nibble on her exposed fingernails, worry etched in her eyes. So who were the good guys and who were the bad guys? Could they really know!? Like - what if the bad circus guys weren't bad guys at all and that fiery dude was actually the bad one and this was his grand scheme to kill everyone at once and...!?

She began pulling on her pigtails, about to scream in total confusion, but Estelle quickly took notice of her jittering and calmly squeezed the prankster's thigh. The redhead maintained her eyes on the stage, on the lookout especially for that arsonist freak. Trixie took numerous deep breaths before composing herself well enough to speak again.

"Supersis... um... Supersis..." Trixie nudged the arm of her heroine to retain her attention. Despite who the bad guys were and weren't, it was best to focus on the simpler tasks. Lest she start flipping out a second time. "When all the innocent people start running out - I'll go with them. Like I'll pretend I'm a part of them." The elderly couple sitting in front of Trixie looked over their shoulders and hushed her snappily with fingers to their lips, but Trixie ignored them. "I know where our stuff is stashed. I can sneak back in with everything! I'll be quick as a... uh... that cannonball guy. Is that okay??"

Phillis Circus: the Big Top - Performance Stage

Throughout Trixie's mini panic scene, Sammie the emcee detailed just what else the human cannonball was to do as the man set himself up again in the cannon. The audience cooed along with Sammie's words, as she confidently motioned with her hands just who was going where and what would follow.

"...towards the tightrope, to my dear sister in the eastern end!"

An irate magician girl standing high up at one end of the tightrope, atop a stabilized stand, flicked her wrist at the audience. She rolled her eyes and sighed loudly as opposed to greeting the audience back with enthusiasm.

"And once he reaches her, he'll be flung directly across the tightrope to the opposite end, where our younger sister stands!"

Indeed on the opposite end stood another magician girl, bearing the same exact clothing and body structure - though a lot more jolly than the other magicians. She winked and waved brightly to the audience gawking and cheering at her.

"And then! Once he reaches her, he will--"

BOOM!

Before Sammie could even finish her explanation, Max burst out of his cannon. The entire audience gasped in unity. Sammie merely pinched her eyes shut and plugged her ears to avoid any potential deafening. "Go Max, goooo!" she called out.

Just as was explained, the human rocket flew at an impeccable speed to the magician girl at the eastern end of the rope. She grumbled to herself as she held out her cape from behind her to the side, as if she were a matador fighting a bull.



Once Max was close enough, Cammie twirled with perfect timing - and swung her cape at him like a baseball batter. In an instant, Max's flight was redirected to the western end of the tightrope. He hadn't lost any of his momentum, instead soaring faster and faster through the still airs. The audience cheered him on even more during his solo flight to the other magician girl. She bounced foot to foot, waiting for Max to come closer and closer.



With precise timing but a lot slower speed, Tammie also held her cape to the side and swung with it as well. And in an instant... the human rocket was gone. The audience as a whole gasped once again.

But Max was not gone for long. In the midst of this, Sammie had removed her hat and held it out to the side, as far away from her as she could get. The smug on her face unfailing, she stood upright and kept her eyes on the audience the whole time. Once Max was hit with Tammie's cape, he suddenly flew right out of Sammie's hat back towards the ceiling. Though her clothing and hair blew to the side as a result from Max's speed, she stood unfazed.

Max began to descend once reaching his peak height, summoning incredible applause and screams from the audience once again.

Big Top - Front seating
"Excuse me, sorry, oh was that your foot? It was both of them? Oops." A snicker.

Lucien squeezed through the seats. The front was particularly packed... which was to be expected, as Lucien was in fact the last of the group to arrive. The reason why was evident in his hands - a tub of popcorn and a massive, share sized soda. You could always count on him to not take things too seriously. Or at least appear not to.



Syed looked up from behind his hands. He was already finding this somewhat difficult to watch, even if he did feel the need to keep an eye out for this arsonist guy. Did these acts always have to be so dangerous?! He'd be much happier if they were doing nice, safe things. Like card tricks or pulling coins from behind the ear. Anything. The sight of his best friend did relax him somewhat, although he couldn't help but give a lop-sided smile at the sight of drinks and snacks. "Lucien... priorities. You've got-"

"Scoot up, yeah?"

Syed gave him a somewhat disbelieving look. These seats were only designed for one each. Nonetheless he did so anyway, although Moira swore with annoyance when she ended up with the summoner sandwiched awkwardly between the pair or them. "There ain't no room you twat!" The offer of popcorn shut her up fast though. At least until she started shouting with glee at the dangerous acts going on on the stage.

"Lucien, you need to tell me what's going on," Syed whispered, pulling his hat off his head and plonking it on the summoner's. Lucien looked a little distracted for a moment, happily chewing on his snacks as he watched the magnificent stunts be preformed. He soon enough went to whisper in Syed's ear though... abeit stopping every once in a while to cheer with everyone else. Which was better than the mage was doing - he had covered his face with his hands again.

It didn't help that he knew fully well that one of those girls was the one who had seen them earlier - and as they were situated right at the front they had nowhere to hide.

---

Big Top - Stage Scaffolding
Poppy took a deep breath, her eyes closed. Her fingers readjusted their grip on the beam she held, suspended from the ceiling by ropes. A trapeze. Any minute now, on their signal. It'll all be fine. Just pretend everyone has a rat on their head like usual. She opened her eyes, and a small, distant smile pulled slightly at the corners of her mouth. She had pulled herself together. She was ready.

She was so ready that she didn't realise they had given the signal. Luckily this was par of the course for Poppy, so they gave her another. She jumped, pushing and pulling herself a little to keep her swing fast and high. She quickly readjusted herself on the swing so she was suspended by her legs. She wasn't as good as Isabella when it came to this kind of thing, but that didn't matter. That was why Isabella was the main acrobat. All that mattered was that Poppy could catch when the time came... and show everyone what she had.

Phillis Circus: Big Top: Middle Seating

Xandra took one of the few remaining spots in the middle rows of the seats, picking a seat right beside the aisle, a thankfully prime spot to be able to move in any direction, be it to the stage below or the exits above, if she were to need to. She still wasn’t absolutely sure what was occurring with this circus, or what her and the Pride’s plan was to be. Glancing her eyes over the rest of the crowd, she quickly made certain where everyone else was: Syed and Moira were greeted by Lucien towards the front of the stage, whilst their leader Estelle and the small Trixie were seated near the back, close to one of the exits. And within the middle row as well, yet some sizeable distance from her, were Aria and Lute sitting together.

Being separated like this made it all even harder. What were they to do when things were to… to go wrong? The reports that one of the performers planned to create an arson scene… not to mention the lack of evidence of any of the missing people they were searching for… it all sent Xandra’s head spinning until she was dizzy. What were the Pride supposed to do?

She wasn’t sure, but she was certain of one thing she could do now at the least. Reaching into one of the pouches clipped to her belt’s buckle, she retrieved from it the group’s communicator. Hopefully its’ range would be effective enough to reach from the Circus, back to the village of Morris where Marcus and Amy were. The pair of them might be able to offer them more help or advice… because although they hadn’t yet found any definitive evidence, they had found that disturbing shrine dedicated to Amy... and so it was the beautiful cleric might know something that could actually help them.

The signal was going through, and the connection was made. She could faintly hear Marcus’ voice audit from the device. However, the cacophonous din of the crowd and show from inside… made it almost impossible to hear him or vice versa. Xan cursed, leaping up from her seat and running back up to the tent’s exit. She didn’t like leaving the scene like this, but she needed to talk to both of them asap.

---

Phillis Circus: Big Top: Back Seating

“That sounds like a great plan,” Estelle nodded back to Trixie, imparting the small prankster a warm and confident smile. “Perfect, even! If push comes to shove and we need to get our gear, then… you’re the fastest one here to do so. But you wouldn’t be able to carry everything, could you? Have you tried lifting Moira’s sword? I tried that one time and almost broke my back. That wasn’t fun, let me tell you… huh?”

Estelle suddenly stopped, her eyes focusing on the aisle inbetween the rows of seats, and the figure quickly rushing towards the exit.

“Xan?” Trixie’s eyebrow shot up. “You think she found something, Super Sis?”

“She’s on the communicator,” Replied Estelle. “She’s contacting Marcus and Amy…! Clever girl!”

“Ohhh, yeah! Marmar and Ames! Hella yeah! They could help with the weapons, too!”

Phillis Circus: Big Top

As Max descended slowly back down to the ground, somersaulting and spinning once again, he was suddenly lurched to the side in mid fall and sent flinging back up into the air after his foot was hooked with by a very large and proud elephant’s drunk. Being flung back into the air to spin again and again, the ground below bore witness to the circus’ next amazing act:



Abram, the mighty and powerful beast tamer, who was in fact juggling three of his prized animals into the air above him! His elephant, lion and gorilla all floated up and down and lunged from side to side, caught in the momentum of Abram’s might swings and bouncing back up again. Abram laughed heartily underneath.

“Oh… Max… wasn’t expecting you…?” Poppy blinked her eyes in a half daze as the spinning human cannonball was sent into her awaiting arms at the apex of her trapezium’s swing. “I thought it was meant to be Isa…”

“You say this every time, Poppy!!” Max moaned as the two started to swing backwards. “How many times have we practiced this already?!”

As the circus’ show continued, the various members of the circus performed their acts to aplomb, with the various magicians also performing their wondrous tricks with Abram’s animals – not just the three he was juggling with but the others that were performing around the circus ring – balancing on balls and hand standing about.



Above them, on the parallel scaffolding facing the one Poppy started on, Isabella stood with her body neatly poised and ready to begin. The din of the crowd around her dissipated into silence, her mind replacing it with a cool and calm void. She was in her own world now. She stepped forwards, her eyes still closed shut, and walked off the side of the scaffolding with her hands held out to grab the waiting trapeze.

Phillus Circus-Big Top

Aria had ended up sitting in the middle few rows, a similar distance from the stage at Xan but nearly halfway across the top from her. Everybody had ended up scattered around the top but perhaps it was better this way- it means that they would be able to cover any area of the circus if anything happened. Lulu had ended plopped down besides her, giving her the chance to explain what Crispin had said was going to happen later in the show.

"- and that he was going to set fire to the tent during his act, giving a chance for other performers to bust out of here."

Lute had muted those around them, giving them the chance to speak while the acts were going on. It was unlikely that any others could hear them over the loud circus music playing, and somehow Aria had managed to relay most of the information while only being distracted by the acts now and then. She recognized some of the performers from running into them earlier- literally in the human cannonball's case.

She nearly missed glimpsing Xan's departure from the tent in a hurry, and while she wasn't quite sure why the illusionist knew that she could trust her friend was doing something very important. Xan had always been better at coming with ideas than she was.

Her attention shifted briefly back to stage only for her to do a double take. Was that guy juggling animals? And oh Gods was that an elephant? The man must've been at least on par with Moira's strength- she absentmindedly rubbed the developing bump on her head with a wince- if not more.

What she was most nervous right now was when exactly Crispin's act was. He hadn't been the most specific, and Aria much disliked the idea of having to be on edge waiting for something to happen.

"I don't suppose they have a flyer with the acts in order," she mumbled to Lute with a sigh. As wonderful as the show was, it was also making her very nervous. Right now the scary lady from before was standing on the platform, but there was no sign of the next act. Would it be the fire-breather's? Or was his at the very end? She wrung her scarf, attempting to not seem too nervous in case people noticed but stared intently at the ring's entrance that the performers entered in and ready to leap into action at a moment's notice.

Big Top - Front seating
"And you didn't shoot him down?" Syed hissed. To be honest, it was quite difficult trying to talk so quietly with Lucien - the only reason they were able to hear one another at all was because they were practically sat on one another's lap. Of course, as they were sat at the front they had no idea what the others were doing. He brought a hand up and flicked Lucien's ear. "That idea is stupid all round."

"Ow!" Lucien put a hand over the ear for protection, although he still had that smirk on his face. "It's the best lead we've got, you know?" He shrugged, then stared back up at the stage. "Oh wow Syed look at this. He looks stronger than you Moira. Oh, listen. What do you call a man with an elephant on his head. Squashed."

Syed snorted despite himself, although he slapped his hands over his ears regardless. "No don't jinx it!" he laughed, cringing at the sight of Abram and his animals. Were these people suicidal or something? He leaned past Lucien to look at Moira instead. She was usually quite competetive with things like this, and took poorly to the thought of others matching her strength all round. But here... she had sank low into her chair, and was fanning herself with a leaflet she had snatched from the person sat at her otherside. Oh my. What a man. A man's man. Was it her or was it getting hot in here?

"So what does this Crispin guy look like?" Syed asked, now trying to avoid looking at the trapezes as well. He sure as hell couldn't see a net. He may as well be sat here with his eyes closed to be honest. It'd probably be more comfortable for him. He focused instead on the soda Lucien had offered him, giving it a cautious abeit pointless sniff before sipping through the straw. He did need a drink more than he'd like to admit, especially if he had to focus.

---

"Um..." Poppy replied faintly, looking entirely unfazed by Max's friendly berating. Instead she just gave him a small smile. "A lot. You're heavier than she is..."

The pair reached the height of their swing back, before Poppy put all she could into pushing the trapeze forward again. Three, two, one...

Her arms detatched at the shoulders bloodlessly, the momentum sending Max flying high into the air once more. However, this time it was entirely intentional - and he was very quick to let go. A part of the plan. Poppy giggled a little to herself, thoroughly enjoying the liberation of her act. She swung her body a little more, before releasing the bar she held with her knees.

And soon she was flying too as she span in the air, much to the screams of many in the audience. However the arms Max had now released flew straight back towards her and reattached, allowing her to land back on the platform with her arms outstretched. She gave a bow, then jumped back onto the trapeze to support Isabella.

She was happy.

Phillis Circus: the Big Top - Audience (Back)

"WHAT" Trixie called out with a sputter - along with a bunch of other audience members seated nearby her. Did that - did that lady's arms just... pop right out of her shoulder sockets!? Was that normal? There wasn't any blood either!? Heck, she didn't even look like she was in pain! Once again, Trixie tugged on her pigtails. What the!?

The prankster began to heave, a mix between exasperation and shock, as her contorted face glanced around everywhere. Like the cheat codes were lost in the air somewhere. "I didn't know we could do that!" she slumped back into her chair, and promptly began yanking on Estelle's arm. "Supersis! How come no one ever told me arms could do that!?"

---

On Stage

"And there you have it, folks!" Sammie announced with a wide smile. She motioned with her arms as she called out the performers' names. "Give it up for Max and Poppy!"

The audience roared with laughter. Even Lucien was close to dropping the bucket of popcorn to the floor in shock. These performers... were something else entirely. Flexibility and gimmicks were one thing - but the way that human cannon flung himself around, the acrobat detached her arms, the beast tamer juggled his pets like they were bowling pins... it was no wonder this circus garnered so much attention even as a stationary attraction.

Anyone who wasn't blind could see the sheer look of joy on their faces - well, most of their faces. One of the acrobats looked stern while the other seemed to space out halfway through her own act, but even then, there was no fear or shame in their visage. They knew what they were doing (for the most part). They had the skills and choreography to prove it.

Trixie was among the audience that screamed with uncontrollable enthusiasm. Even she was drawn into how sincere their performance looked, having completely forgotten the reason why they were there in the first place.

Below the tightrope and trapezes stood Cammie, holding his ("her" to everyone else) cape out in front of him. He waved it up and down a few times, rippling it like a flag in a breeze. But his deadpan eyes remained set on the audience before him, as opposed to whatever shenanigans were going on around or above him. His twin sister Sammie snickered from behind him.



And still no sign of that crazy arsonist.

---

Back at Morris...

The two guilders left behind - Marcus and Amy - walked down the paved roads at a comfortable but cautious pace. During the time that had passed, they had done their own investigation within Morris. They checked out whatever clues they could lay their eyes and ears on - calmly searching the town for missing faces, eavesdropping on passersby for any information on the circus or missing people, asking villagers simple questions on what they know about them.

While they had reached a couple whose daughter had gone missing overnight sometime ago, they had no info whatsoever that could point in any kidnapper's direction. Their house had already been spotchecked for fingerprints, strands of hair or clothing, and any other incriminating evidence. It seemed as though their home had been completely untouched - even their crops were left without a single scratch.

At some point during the Pride members' walk and calm conversations, their communicator buzzed with noise. Xandra's voice. Though it was difficult to make out exactly what she was saying due to the background noise (and surely Marcus' voice was barely going through as well), there was no mistaking that something bothered the metallurgist. Had they found something?

The background noise soon died down, and her voice was much clearer. Some static still interrupted the signal due to the communicators' distance, but each side was much more audible to one another now.

Amy and Marcus locked eyes for a moment, a sense of dread evident it Amy's own, before the mage handed her the communicator. She brought it close to her mouth and paused for a moment before speaking.



"Xandra, what is it?"

Morris: Big Top

… A stampede? And he was supposed to use his skills to redirect the audience to the right exit? Under other circumstances it was a feasible idea, not to mention easy to accomplish, but in a site that big? But wait, there’s more! Arson! That was the worst part. A tent like this was liable to burst up in flames and with the number of people inside, it was impossible not to acquire losses. All for what!?

“This is not a good plan! The casualties weigh far more than the gains and… and Madam Elisa said something shitty was going to happen to me! What if it all goes wrong because of my bad karma!?” Not to mention they were weaponless and… Oh, who the hell was this “Crispin” informant anyway!? “Ohhh, Maker’s flaming ass, I think my stomach hurts,” Lute groaned and slouched back against his seat, draping an arm over his eyes and making dry sobbing sounds as the fantastic performance below continued on. They were unarmed and possibly pitted against the circus’s private militia. The virtuoso knew for one that he wasn’t going near Abram and Pandu if a fight so much as started… Provided that he didn’t faint from expending all his energies to broadcast the safety instructions.

‘Oh will you stop your whining!?’ Delilah wasn’t having any of Lute’s self-deprecating crap and told the man to get his act together. Following her orders, he sat up and faced Aria, tuning down further the volume of the nearest people around while he surveyed the area. All right, there was an exit in the center of the tent, past the red aisle, while there were smaller ones on the left and the right. But holy mackerel, how was he going to reach the people on the furthest reaches of the tent!? “Delilah says you might have to cover me for this one, Aria,” He sighed, leaned back and then massaged his forehead, “sorry for being luggage.” When he reopened his eyes, Lute noticed that the illusionist was fiddling with her scarf the way she did when she was unsettled by something. “Oh geez, here I was being a selfish little pig, not realizing you’re nervous too! Well… Don’t worry about it, Aria! I have your back! My eyes are trained on the smallest lick of fire! You don’t have to panic about missing the cue while I’m here!” The Guilder nodded cheerfully and, true to his word, leaned forward and glared at the stage with a righteous vengeance (although he looked more like an amazed fan rather than a scout) while the crowd erupted in unabashed cheering.

Phillis Circus: Big Top

Isabella dropped from her platform with her eyes still serenely shut, her long slender arms reaching out and grabbing the awaiting trapeze to send her gently gliding down forwards to the next set of trapeze awaiting her. She flipped and shifted her body around, so that her legs rested across the next swing’s bar, and she let go of the first to swing backwards, supported only by her legs. Her hands stretched and reached out as her swing continued to arc backwards, this time reaching her companion on the approaching swing: Poppy, who had her own arms reaching out to grab Isabella. Her hands clutched onto her superior’s own, gripping her as Isabella’s legs left the middle swing, her whole body and fate held within her companions’ hands.

Swinging back like a pendulum, Poppy and Isabella drew back close to where Poppy had first started off, before arcing back down again with frightening speed. And at the apex of their swing’s height, Poppy released Isabella to spin over and over again throughout the air, aimed towards her starting trapeze.



As this death defying act continued within the Big Top’s suspended midair, so too did the performance on the ground. The large, muscular foreigner Abram, juggling his huge and weighty pet animals, laughed over and over. The circus was his second home, and this performance his life. The people here and the animals were his friends and family, as close as a replacement to his own back home whom he dearly missed.

Constantly juggling his animals over and over, he finally released one, his lion Lidya, named after his second daughter. She was sent hurtling across the ground, aimed directly towards Cammie, at the hushed gasps of everyone watching. Cammie, in his usual apathetic form, simply looked at the barrelling lion without any concern. He simply moved his body, swishing his cape to the side as he did, and Lidya was deflected, barrelling back along the ground in yet another direction:- a repeat of the stunt performed with their human cannonball, Max.

This time again, Cammie sent their target to his sister, Tammie. With a wink and blown kiss, Tammie held her cape out to the side like a matador, and with a simple swish as Lidya passed, the lion was gone.

Only to reappear again out of Sammie’s held out hat, barrelling down through the air like an errant rocket, directly in the path of the still spinning Isabella!

“OH MY GODS!” A gasped cry screamed from amongst the crowd.




“Waa waa waa!” Trixie’s feet started pounding on the ground. “That lion’s gonna… gonna… gonna eat her!”

Estelle’s own mouth dropped in horror and fright at the impending collision. There was nothing anyone could do!

Except Isabella herself, who flicked her body up in another midair somersault, to narrowly avoid Lidya’s maw. Her foot touched atop the lion’s head, using it as a stepping stone to fling herself back up again into another flying somersault – and catch the trapeze awaiting her. Whilst below, Lidya fell into her Master’s waiting arms, and returned to Abram’s juggling procession along with her sisters.

The still and silent tension that had gripped the audience as they watched the unbelievable performance suddenly erupted into frenetic applause, with members of the audience standing on their feet and wildly cheering and exclaiming. Even Estelle and Trixie were caught up in the excited fever, pumping their fists in the air and loudly screaming. Whatever may or may not have been occurring behind the scenes at the circus, they couldn’t deny one thing…

…and that was that they were incredible.

---

Phillis Circus: Big Top: Rear

In the back of the Big Top’s tent, where the majority of the circus’ performers had gathered before emerging into the main performance ring to act, a certain figure’s head suddenly popped out between two folds of curtains, his head swishing from side to side as he checked that the coast was all clear and empty, before stepping out and dusting himself off.



Stealth Mission: GO!
Eric had by now searched the majority of every tent in the circus’ grounds bar the Big Top to little luck, leaving this as the only place left to search around and pray that he could find his missing niece. Fortunately, the coast was relatively clear in the back areas, with most of the circus staff focused on their performance playing out in the front of the Big Top’s main circus ring. Those that were left were patiently waiting for their turn to arrive, their concentration fully focused on listening out for their cue amongst the roaring din of the crowd screaming outside. Both of these helped to make it easier for Eric to slink between various crates and pieces of equipment to stay out of anybody’s sights. So far, so good, but still, he had yet to find his missing niece, and with each passing second, Eric was growing more and more irate. He could feel anger and rage brimming and bustling inside his body. Either that, or he needed the toilet again.

“Balti, Balti, where are you…?” Eric quietly whispered to himself, his eyes dodgily turning from side to side. Jogging and exaggeratedly diving and rolling from cover to cover, Eric began to make his way from one side of the tent where he had entered to the other, randomly and haphazardly searching with no particular direction in mind.

How hard could this seriously be, though? He had literally scoured and searched everywhere else in the circus so far! Every ride, every tent, every portaloo… what was left other then this Big Top? His niece just had to be here somewhere, and he would find her, no matter what!!

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaap~~~~

“Hey… did you just hear something…?” Asked one of the two performers a short distance away from Eric, on the other side of the cover he hid behind. Their voice immediately made him freeze on the spot.

“Huh? Yeah, I did, actually. What was… oh my gods, what is that smell?”

“Was that you?!”

“Me?! Don’t blame me!”

“Ew!”

Eric flopped onto his stomach, and began rolling away from the pair, and his cover, this time towards the curtains’ bottoms. He needed to flee the scene of the crime as quickly as he could, and this was the best way possible. Crawling under the curtains should prove a lot more effective to trying to push apart an opening between the folds of two curtains…

…but then there was no guarantee of what he might roll into on the other side.

And what Eric found, as his body bashed against the felling of something solid hitting his stomach… made him stop immediately.

“Uh oh.”

“And who…”

Eric’s eyes focused first on the foot he rolled into pressed against his stomach, before gradually rising up, up and over the figure of the glaring man in the red waistcoat looking down at him, and the regally refined woman standing next to him. He could feel his stomach drop. Or maybe he just needed the toilet again.

“…are you?”

Big Top - Stage
Poppy smiled serenely to herself. It was going well, of course. It always did. Everyone was being as amazing as always. Although humans in general were amazing. She herself was human and she thought herself pretty amazing in some ways. The others were more amazing though. She didn't mind.

She released her hold on her own trapeze, holding her arms outstretched in a swan dive in mid-air. And in midair, she allowed her limbs to sepeate into many pieces at the joints... an odd take on the idea of taking flight, really. If it didn't look so gross it would almost give the appearance of wings.

She decended, throwing her hands further down to grab a hold of one of the large hoops suspended on ropes. To most people it would be out of reach, but Poppy... she had a larger reach than most. She pulled herself back towards her hands in midair, finally coming back together and spinning herself back so she was upright and sat on the hoop. And with a faint, somewhat vacant smile on her face, she dipped her now reconnected hands into the small pouches at her hips and began to lazily throw glitter into the air and over the crowds, swinging all the while.

---

Big Top - Front seating
Syed froze on the spot. "Wait..." he paused. The description was very, very familiar. His eyes unfocused as he pondered. The name was familiar, the description was familiar... that picture was familiar.

In fact, the description matched the picture Lady had given Moira. Oh no. Please don't have it be Lady's son to be the one who's planning to commit arson. Please please please let it be someone else who looks like that please.

Moira was oblivious to Syed's spiralling panic. Hell, everyone was - Syed was probably the only person in the whole damn crowd who wasn't enjoying the spectacle, his own rampant paranoia rendering it just too painful for him to watch. Instead he found his eyes darting across the stage nervously for the man who fit the bill, not daring to linger much in case someone else did something which freaked him out.

Instead, Moira found popcorn simply falling from her slack-jawed mouth at the events unfolding before her. Cor blimey how had she never been to something like this before?! She threw the leaflet back to her side, although the person she snatched it off didn't seem to notice.

Wierdass bullfighter magic tricks! Flying animals! Flying men! Some girl who took the term loose joints to the next level, and another woman who span around like she defied gravity or something! And most importantly, Abram's muscles. Phwoar.

Eventually she couldn't help it - she stood up, sending the tub of popcorn tumbling and spilling across the floor as she shouted loudly. Come on, throw another animal at one of them, that will be fun! Luckily Lucien didn't mind - he had already stood up and started cheering himself. Much like most of those around them were by this point.