Hag didn't say anything to his sister she asked who should she meet. "I don't know where they are. They usually go on shows, like everyone does. However, I recall hearing Mina sleeping, so why don't we pay a visit to her?," Hag asked as he let go her hand, wondering what had caught her with gripping his hand as if there was no tomorrow. Finally, the time to close the circus and move onto a next town had arrived. And successfully, everyone was leaving. Just because he wanted to grant her sister's wish, he had killed every bad soul that went through the gates and had absorbed their souls with his rings.

Hag then called Esme to go with him as he walked towards the place where she sleeped but didn't find her there. Just as he left, he saw her walking to the target practice field. "Mina! Hey, come here! I want to introduce you to someone!" he told her. Mina had to be nicest person in the carnival. He knew of her soul-hunter personality, but other than that she was...magnificent.

Vol didn’t go back to his tent, he didn’t wish to sully the memories of the time he had spent there. Each lover, at the time he was making love to them, was the most important person in the world, after himself naturally. When their souls fed his other hunger afterward their importance remained, after all they had given him what he needed to survive. He treasured the memories for hours afterward, just as he treasured his memories of Aldrei.

No one ever believed it of him. He was crude and forthright and made no bones about his nature, inclinations, or desires. People did not like that. He didn’t care. He wasn’t an evil person, at least he had never considered himself so. He was shallow, self centereed, callous, and coldly selfish. Not evil.

He didn’t even consider his first kill of the day to be evil; the woman had treated her son in a manner no woman should ever treat their own child. He had given the boy a chance to become whatever he wanted and had taught him the value of self-reliance. He did not consider that evil.

He was pretty sure that what he had aided Baba in today had pushed him over that edge. He also knew he would do it again and feel no more regrets then as he did now. He could now claim that title of “evil” though the definition of evil tended to be illusive. On one hand the setup had been so dark and unnatural that one couldn’t help but call it evil. On the other only three people died, and they fed two. Normally he himself consumed half a dozen all by himself. So was it evil or not?

Vol didn’t like trying to define morality; thus this question bothered him. He didn’t like thinking on it but he couldn’t seem to help himself. He needed a distraction.

Vol picked up a bucket of chicken heads that had been laid out near the animal quarters and called the wolverines. He found an empty space, this meloncholy mood didn't suit him and he didn't wish to run into anyone else while he was brooding. He whiled away the remaining time playing “fetch” with the wolverines He tossed a chicken head, they raced after it, bringing it back or gobbling it up as they felt so inclined at the moment. No one ever tried to define the morality of a wolverine, they simply were as their natures made them. He had once lumped himself in the same category.

Mina had almost reached the traininggrounds she had established when they arrived in this area, when the sudden sound of Hag's voice reached her ears. She froze and flicked her tail lightly, turning around to look at Hag. He seemed to have a new girl by his side, one she didn't know yet. She didn't look or feel as disturbing as the others, but appearances could be deceiving.

She walked over to the duo and glanced at the girl before slightly bowing her head to him. For some reason the air around him felt less cold, it made her feel a bit more at ease around him. 'So, who is this?' she asked.

Hag looked at the knife thrower and showed her the new ghost that had arrived to the carnival. "Mina, this is my sister. Esmeralda, or Esme. Esme, this is one of our primes examples of excellent workers. Mina, the best knife-thrower I know and an excellent worker," Hag said. "Now, Esme will be my assistant, so she will be informing me on everything that happens. Just so you know...in case you see her around."

Esme felt a strange sensation. She looked behind her, a thoughtful frown on her face.
Was that... a child crying?
It sounded faint, like an echo, but it was there. She was about to ask Hag if he heard it but it faded a moment later. When she turned back around Hag was introducing her to someone. It was a very pretty girl.
Esme smiled and nodded to the girl. "It's nice to meet you. I really hope I can fit in here."

---

Chance squealed excitedly and gave the dagger a lick. The blood tasted exotic, a mixture of snake and Kodama blood.
"Yummy!" she said, twirling around. She stopped when she spotted the three people who got blood on them. "Oh," she said in a regretful voice. "Look. They got all messy. Silly Billys," she said, taking the hand of one of them, a woman, and another who was a man. "Come on, we can go to Kodama's tent and you can get clean."
Her eye's flashed orange and her stomach growled as she led them towards the tent.

Kodama smirked as he watched Chance drag off two of the people he got blood on "oh chance, you sure love your local cuisine" Kodama bowed to the remaining people who were awe struck and disgusted at the pair "Thank you ladies and gentlemen, if you have questions, complaints, money, nude photos or anything you wish to give us, please do not....we are performers of the highest caliber and do not need your charity....well maybe dirty pictures but send those to me" he let out a loud laugh and started to follow Chance and the two others to his tent.

he threw open the flap soon after Chance went in, the tent was chaos, knifes plunged into the ground they stepped on, fun house mirrors all along the tent making a make shift maze out of them some of them broken glass on the ground. Kodama licked his lips and fiddled with the long braid he called a beard before sitting on a old TV set he knew Chance was in here but he could not see her. "i hope you are going to clean up any mess you make Chancy" he smiled picking up a stale bag of popcorn, he knew feeding time was close the way her eyes shined orange still gave him goosebumps in all the right ways.

Mina glanced at the girl again before looking back at Hag. Sister? This unhumanly male had a sister? She had never expected something like that, she never even expected Hag to have any family. 'A sister?' she asked out loud, looking at the girl.
'Nice to meet you Esmeralda. I'm sure you'll feel.... at home, here.' she said, a bit hesitantly.

'I'm just about to go practice my knifethrowing. If you wish you can come along.' she stated.

Hag looked at Esme once again when Mina asked if she wanted to come along with her. "You see, sis? Not everyone is mean here. We have good hearts like hers. Now, I have to go...I must have a few words with some workers...." And without any advice, Hag disappeared in a cloud of smoke. He reappeared in front of Kodama and Chance's tent. Without even knocking, he just stepped inside and looked at Kodama, who was eating popcorn. "Kodama...may I be informed about what were those screams and cries of fear about? You startled several other spectators...I'm sure Chance did too." Hag was being pacific this time, and both Chance and Kodama knew he could be a crazy, deranged and psychotic boss if he wanted to.

Violet was in her tent, practicing some moves as she was getting ready for the next city she'll be participating in. Slowly, Violet placed her hand on the ground and lifted her whole body with it. Then, she twisted her arm completely and landed in a crab-like position. She loved twisting her limbs like no one else could, and it amused her to a certain extent. But as much of a shy and sensitive person as Violet was, she was also a vicious, mercyless and violent hunter when it came to hunting preys and absorbing their souls. She had never protected the weaks, mostly since she killed her parents and deemed everyone a weakling. With one final move, she sat on the ground and put her hands on her head, then slowly started to spin it until she managed to spin it 180º degrees without breaking her back-bone, something that amused her. She released a soft giggle and returned her head back to her normal state. "Funny.."

Vol felt better after he cleared his mind. Morality could be dealt with later. Sometime in the future; he preferred to live in the Now as many of his animals did. With a pleasant laugh as the last chicken head was greedily devoured by the wolverines, he turned and headed back. The animals frolicked, that was really what it looked like, behind him reveling in the cold—entertained, full, and content.

Vol hoped that their next stop wouldn’t be colder than a witch’s teat, however his animals would hate it. This was as close to their homelands as they had been in awhile. Vol could summon the animals when needed but he preferred to keep them near, it allowed him to build…well not a rapport but at least a grudging acceptance. In some of the hotter places they had been however he had broken down and returned them home, summoning them only when he needed them. They were so lethargic and listless in the heat.

As he walked he began to whistle again, his good mood returning. He was full at least and that was good. They would be done here soon. That too was good.

He stopped when he saw Violet through her tent flap, she was sitting on the ground and almost but not quite giggling. And as usual she was 80% naked.

He frowned as he stopped near her on the other side of the tent entrance, the wolverines wandering inside to give her a cursory sniff before heading off to explore in their loping gaite. Vol leaned easily on his cane, and raised an elegant eyebrow.

“Aren’t you freezing Miss Violet” he said. He himself was dressed in both vest and tail coat and while he wasn’t freezing he wasn’t particularly comfortable either. “In this, well I don’t have an appropriate expletive at the moment, town I’m surprised you don’t freeze in place.”

Chance had led the two blood covered people inside the tent, not caring about the third. The man was for her. She liked seducing men before eating them. It gave their flesh such an interesting flavor it nearly got her off as much as them. The girl was for Kodama, because the clowns were partners and looked after each other.
She took out the girl first, doing a handstand and wrapping her legs around the woman's head and falling backward, bodyslamming her into the ground and knocking her out. Kodama could finish her off however he wanted.
The man whirled around. "What the hell?"
"Now we have privacy," Chance said, bouncing over and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"You're fucking crazy!" he shouted, pushing away from her.
Chance made a pouting face. "That's mean!" she exclaimed and looked back at Kodama. "He's being mean to me Koko!" she accused and looked back. "If you can't say something nice..." she said and the man screamed as her eyes glowed bright orange and her teeth sharpened. "... then die." she finished, her voice deeper and demonic.
Blood spurted everywhere as she ripped his neck open. He gurgled and struggled to get away. Chance shoved him to the ground and began feeding, ripping him to pieces.
She was in the middle of eating when interrupted. It was Hag. She snarled like an animal, hissing and growling in warning for him not to take away her meal. She dragged the remains of the man away, getting into a crouch ready to protect her food.
When she was in this state Chance was more like an animal then a person.

---

Esme nodded. "Thank you. I hope I can fit in here."
She liked Mina so far. She seemed nice. It would help if she had a friend here.
Hag disappeared moments later and Esme fought the surge of panic at his absence. Instead she looked at Mina and nodded. "I'd like to watch you."
She actually was interested, after her brother had praised the girl's abilities so much.
Esme heard the scream of someone else dying and winced, shivering a bit. "Do you ever get used to it?" she asked Mina. "The screaming... and the dying...?"

Mina nodded as Hag vanished and looked at Esme, the girl he had left behind. 'Very well, follow me.' she stated, her face emotionless as usual even though her voice was kind.
She led her to the trainingfield and made her knives float around her again once they stopped moving. Looking up at the sound of a scream, Mina's face was grim once again. She looked at Esme, hearing her question, and shook her head. 'You never really get used to it. It get's bearable once you get used to the aftermath of feeding, but you never get used to it. Our collegues are of a whole other class, they enjoy killing and the screams don't bother them. On the contrary; they thrive on it.' she sighed a bit. 'Just try to avoid the clown-duo, they're completely nuts. Most dangerous people in this place, simply because they don't give a sh... crap, about what anybody says or does to stop them.' she stated. She started to throw some knive at the targets she had set up, flicking her tail lightly and,hoping the girl would accept her advice.

(woops, double post)

Kodama like his food to stew about before he partakes, he was never much for "long pig" but since himself and chance paired together he found himself indulging in her tendencies more and more, he only watched popcorn in hand as she ate "should have been nicer, she would have made it much less violent, but then I wouldn't have a show hahaha" he laughed and watched as hag came into the tent.

He looked over to chance who was into entertaining someone right now but kodama offered hag some of his popcorn "hey ya boss man, come for the dinner or the show?" He asked with a smile his black eye flickered in the light of his tent.
"Screams? Oh you know just the seasoning of a great meal...right chance?" He asked to the animal that wore chances skin "I was only showing a small crowd some tricks, you just clowning around and the like this lead to that, chance got the munchies and we decided to try the local cusinse" he said popping another hand full of popcorn in his mouth "I was saving mine for later but I'll share if you want, just don't try to take hers, she can be very protective of her catch" kodama smiled kicking his feet up on a bucket.

Violet looked at Vol and slowly stood up. She was always like that, dressing in almost nothing for her shows or just for training. She needed to be almost naked, as clothes weren't made for stretching that much. "N-No...M-Mister Vol...I..I feel...I'm not freezing. Don't worry...I'm fine..." she told him shyly with a blush on her cheeks. She liked Vol in a platonic way. She knew she would never have him because he was the usual ladies-man, and who would choose a freak like her? "I was just working up, M-mister Vol. Th-those are nice wolverines, aren't they?" she asked a bit frightened by the huge monster he tamed and the monsters that had more than once swallowed a person whole.

Hag looked at the sweaty and disgusting man who was as gross as Vol...maybe even wierder. "No, Kodama. I am surely not here to stop you or your beautiful girlfriend from devouring such tasty humans. I am here because if the screams continue to happen in the other town we are visiting...we are going to have problems. I mean...c'mon, Kodama. You know that if people leave the other tents, we lose souls...we lose food...we lose everything...for your next act, find a way to aislate the sound of your tent. Have as much of a bloody and gory feast you want...but keep the people of the other tents out of it." Hag took a bit of popcorn and lifted his mask a bit to eat it, then lowered it once again. "Oh, and we are leaving in two hours, so you better pack your things and hop into the carriages. England is our next stop." Hag then left his room to his office. Mortimer was there, waiting for him.
"H-Hagger...a-are you sure you want to go to that town? I-I wouldn't recommend it..." Mortimer said in his usually spooky and shy voice.
"Mortimer, fear not. I'm pretty sure we can tame those religious freaks. The world needs to see our workers acting and showing their abilites, why should we prive those close-minded cristians from seeing it? Besides...I heard religious people have delicious souls..." Hag said the last part with perverted tone.
"V-Very well, Master. I shall then inform the whole carnival of our departure. I take you have already informed Chance and Kodama..."

Slowly, Mortimer disappeared and only Shadow was left, who flew to the highest point of the carnival which was the flag above's Hag's office. "Attention please! Attention please! All workers must put their things away, for we are leaving to England in a few moments! Pack your stuff in the corresponding cages and hop aboard the carriages! Every human left behind in the following ten seconds shall be murdered and their souls shall be delivered to the closest workers! Thank you for you attention..." Shadow said in a voice that could be heard all over the carnival, then disappeared as well. After the ten seconds concluded, screams could be heard and the people were slaughtered. The souls went to people all over the carnival, from Vol and Mina to Esme, Chance and Kodama. The ticket booth at the entrance disappeared and the whole carnival was submerged in a dense, black mist that was impossible to tresspass. No one could get out or in, except for the workers.

Vol shrugged easily. It still looked uncomfortable; he was a creature of comfort all the way.

“Suit yourself. Nice is perhaps not a word I hear used to describe them much, but yes they are. Healthy and strong. It’s been a good day for them. They are in a playful mood. See?”

He gestured at two of them romping around Violet’s tent, under and over everything they could find. Vol winced as he heard something glass break.

“Sorry about that, whatever it was. I’ll make sure to get you another.”

Before he had a chance to say anything further he announcement came over the Shadow-speaker.

“Finally” he said with feeling. “This place is at the ass end of nowhere. I almost feel sorry for those that live here.”

With a mental command he pulled the wolverines back to him, reaching down to pet one absently before sending them off to the cages they traveled in. The abrupt deaths of the people around suddenly flooded the area and nearby souls rushed towards himself and violet.

“Full for today” he muttered shooing the things towards Violet. “Won’t be greedy. Enjoy Miss Violet. I had hoped we would be heading someplace less cold, but instead we seem to be trading dry and cold for wet and cold. Joy.”

With that he turned and headed to tie down a few last loose ends before the carriages took off.

Violet had a constant blush on her cheeks the whole time Vol and his wolverines were in her tent. The sole prescence of that man made her shiver, but not in fear, just...like a crush she had on that man. As soon as he left, she absorbed the souls until nothing was left. She looked around shook a bit. "It's indeed cold..." Violet though, gladly they were exiting that glacial paradise and going somewhere a little more...exciting. Maybe...
Quickly, Violet started to put away her acrobat stuff to do her jumps and leaps. She put on a tank-top and some long jogging pants when she was done packing. As soon as she exited her tent, it was suddenly folded as if it was magic. Then, put into one of the wagons of the carriage. She hopped aboard and she waited.

Baba chuckled to herself as she sat in an armchair in her tent/wagon. It was such a lovely day and then Hag made it so much more amusing with that announcement. Any soul that fluttered near her ended up trapped in her mirrors. With her eyes closed, she leaned back and snapped her fingers. The tent folded itself up and stuffed itself into the compartment of her wagon meant for its storage. That done, the wagon rose up on its twin chicken legs and, four wheels spinning uselessly in midair, ran in its jarring gait to stand beside the office and await transport.

She swore to herself as the wagon jerked about while moving. She hated, hated, hated that! Stupid thing insisted on taking her everywhere. It even attacked the cart Hag had given her and fixed itself to take that one's place. One of her more "successful" projects.

Mina looked up upon hearing the announcement, her eyes bright in joy. Leaving this cold, gloomy place would be good, so good for her. She didn't even mind that they were going to England, which was most likely even gloomier and wet than Russia. Their presence here had weighed down the air and made it unbearable for Mina to walk around the carnival grounds. She cringed lightly when the souls near her entered her body, her tail flicking lightly and glowing ever so faintly as the souls were stored inside it. She held her head a bit, her amber colored eyes gleaming red for a moment before settling in a semi-state; not completely ruby-red, but not amber colored anymore either.
Mina found this to be her favorite state; on the edge of losing control of her mind, but not in a frenzy. The whole carnival seemed lighter when she was like this, she didn't feel gloomy anymore, nor did she dislike the dark pressure of the carnival.
A wide smile appeared on her lips and she retrieved her knives. 'Ah, so much better.' she cracked her neck. 'I'll see you around Esme.' she stated, before walking off again. Her body was aching for some action right now, the surge of the souls that entered her body heating her up. She hoped to encounter Vol mostly, in this state, to enjoy his flirtatious behavior while she could, though she would enjoy Shadow's company right now as well.
She headed towards her trailer and kept looking around in hopes of encountering anybody at all.

Esme heard the announcement, then felt the rush of souls that entered her. She wasn't really that hungry so they entered the ring on her finger instead. She watched Mina leave and wrapped her arms around herself.
How could she be in a carnival full of people and still feel lonely?
Esme vanished and reappeared near one of the carts that had already been packed up. It looked to be full of tent spikes. She moved on to the next one, hoping to find somewhere she could tuck herself in to for the trip.
She managed to find a cart that was full of what looked like rope and tent material. It was probably the best she would find. Esme ghosted her way inside and made a nest for herself out of tent material and coils of rope. Curled up like a kitten, she laid quietly until they started to move. She wondered where Hag was, or Mortimer, or Mina. She wondered about the people she hadn't met yet and when she would meet them. Would they like her? Would she be accepted?
Looking up at the sky outside of the cart, she started to sing softly to herself. It was a song in an old tongue that few knew anymore. It was a song of the night and the comfort that darkness brought.

---

Chance finished her meal, her eyes returning to normal as she rubbed her full belly. There was blood all over her mouth and hands and splashed on her outfit.
"I made a mess," she said in her childish voice. She looked up at Kodama and giggled. "Does Koko wanna cuddle?" she asked with a sultry smile. It didn't matter if he didn't. She could go and cuddle with her Billy doll/corpse. But sometimes it was nice to have someone who could cuddle back.
The announcement had her pouting. "Oh poo," she said, folding her arms and her lower lip poking out in a pout. "I don't wanna pack," she whined, stretching out on the ground in the gore. "I wanna be lazy for a little while. I'm like a kitty. Meow," she said, playfully swatting her hand like a paw at Kodama.