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Too much was happening too fast. Change, ironically, was the only constant in the life of an Emendator, and today was an example of a whole lot of it coming down upon them at once. Evelina, the Paradoxes, the Carney Folk showing up, and now Alicia. Gilbert had an idea as to what the situation was with the young woman, but he wanted to see the scene just to make sure, with his own eyes. Additionally, it might give him an opportunity to divest himself of some of this hardware before rejoining the people near the Carnival. Unless, of course, the situation is less stable than he figured.

James was also feeling the pressure, though the reasons for it were more personal. If something bad had happened to Alicia, then this would make it the second time that he had lost his friend - the same friend - right in front of him. This time was surprising. The first time, the one in his original timeline, was bloody. It was an awful way to go. She was torn and chewed to death by an army of animated corpses while he was powerless to even ease her passing by putting a bullet in her skull. Then again, if she had just manifested some new ability, that would be just fine.

The pair entered the eastern passage of the Plantation House, Gilbert followed by James, and immediately hit the stairs. The tromping sounds of two pair of boots drummed irregularly upon the wooden steps, becoming more hurried the closer they came to the top. There was the slightest pause as they came to the door, still slightly ajar from earlier. "I'll go in first, if you like." Gil didn't really wait around for an answer, quietly slipping inside the giving the place a look. This was remarkably fine with James. He recalled some book or another that warned against meddling in the affairs of wizards. Or in this instance, discretion was the better part of valor. Both seemed to fit in their own strange ways. For a moment as Gilbert did his thing in the room, James envisioned him bedecked in a pointed hat an crappy blue robes with wide star and moon patterns, suitable for third-rate Shakespearean butchery. Maybe it was his subconscious making a joke to diffuse a tense situation, or maybe James was just a little cracked.

"It is safe. You may come in." The sound of Gilbert's voice was surprising. Sorrowful, with a twinge of hope. James said nothing, but came inside the room. He saw Gilbert, still holding the rifle from earlier, but also Alicia's pendant of Santa Muerte. He looked at it for a while before holding it out to James.

"Alicia..." began Gilbert, unsure of how to explain this to so young of a Paradox, "...she has gone where I cannot follow. She has been taken up."

The look of confusion was apparent upon the face of the hogshifting blackneck. "You gonna have to try that one again, okay?" said James, choosing to use his words slowly and decisively.

"She has been taken up. Moved on. Found peace, in her own way. If I am correct, Alicia has moved on to true rest from the tedium of the living world. It happens with Paradoxes. She may have accepted something core about herself, or performed a service that put her at peace. Or she merely let go. I can see much of what happens in the world; the actions of humanity. But I cannot look into the mind and soul of another. Her reasons are her own. She is gone, James. Free."

Numbly, James took the pendant. Santa Muerte. The Mexican folk saint of Death. His head hung low. "They named the baby after me, Mr. Hat, sir. But you know, 'cause you know damn near ever'thang. Imma say it anyway. Last thing she done, give me a picture of the baby, tell me his name. They named him after me. Now she gone again. I dunno what to say."

"Do you need a minute?"

"Yeah, uh huh."

"We will talk later. I am returning to the Gate to see why these people were able to recognize an Ascension by secondhand description. James? This happened because she allowed it to. On some level, she needed this. It really is okay. We will miss her." Unless he was wrong, of course. The timing was very close to other unexpected events. For now, Gilbert kept his opinion to himself and quietly left the room. James remained, giving thought to his departed friend.

---

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As the Carnivale started to move passed the gate, Gio informed them they could set up across the road from the Kitchen House. It was the largest plot of open land closest to the front gate and away from the main house so it only made sense. Samson nodded and Jonesy lead the caravan of trucks and trailers down the main road slowly and into the grass. The line of vehicles following in a large line as far into the grass as they could and over to the tree line before Jonesy stopped the main truck. Climbing out of the lead truck, Samson leaned on his cane as he walked, toddling along s he glanced around. Jonesy was slowly to follow but eventually caught up.

The trucks all pulled up and parked. Slowly men started jumping out of them and heading over to Jonesy and Samson. None of them looked like anything in particular. Perhaps just hands to set up and run the place? They didn't look like they were any sort of act or had any talents but hey, looks could be deceiving right? "Alright you slackers, let's get this place set up. We got a show to put on this evenin'!" he yelled out once all the rousteys had gathered around.

"You serious? We're setting up here?" one man called out from under his mustache. Jonesy stepped up and got into his face.

"Yeah and if you got a problem with it you can take a powder for all I care Burley, now get to work," Jonesy snapped at him in a firm voice.

"Oh come on, we have been going for weeks, this place ain't got nothing for us and you know it. Management just taking us on a shit cruise," Burely barked back.

"Hey, enough, we do what she says," a new voice said as it crept through the crowd. A young man came though, holding his side as if he had a cramp and looked slowly around the group.

"You heard the boy, now get to work," Samson said. Burley didn't like it but kicked the ground and stormed off motioning for the other men to follow as they started to unload. Jonesy looked over towards Samson and the boy. "Ben, management say anything to you?"

Shaking his head he plucked a cigarette from his pocket and lit it up. "Naw, you know her. She's even worse than the he was when it comes to explainin' herself," he said before exhaling a long puff of smoke. Jonesy spit onto the ground and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"We'll ain't that fun," he said before starting to walk off. Ben turned slowly and took a long look at the place. "I'm gonna find Libby and check in," Jonesy added as he headed along the line of trailers.

"Well you got any ideas?" Samson asked and Ben shrugged.

"I got a hankerin' or two."

"Care to explain that?" Samson asked.

"Naw," Ben said as he started to walk towards the road.

---

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Sophia looked over towards Faith as she decided to join her, and gave her a little bit of a nod as she walked along down the main road that went directly back to the kitchen house. Sophia honestly didn't know what to do or even think when it came to Evelina and Alicia seeing as they both were gone now. "I honestly don't know, we should let the Emendators find out if they know anything i'm sure they will let us know whats up." Sophia said softly as she walked a little bit further until they were just outside of the kitchen house, looking over at the building for a second. She still needed to finish cleaning her little mess in the kitchen house, as she thought about going to clean it all after she watched them for a little bit.

"So any thoughts on why they are even here?" Sophia asked looking over at Faith for a moment, she didn't really have much time to interact with the fellow Paradox. She watched as the men started to all get to work, noticing as one of them started to make his way up the road, as she watched Ben for a little while as he walked closer. She also started to wonder what they all had exactly as well which was what she really wanted to know.

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Andromeda took another breath, looking at the caravan of vehicles. She felt something like a spiritual itch the more she watched them and she knew that it wasn't a good idea for her mentally. The more she looked at the circus that was about to set itself up, the more her mind flashed back to her final days alive. James and Gilbert had already gone inside, so Andromeda forced herself to follow after Faith and Sophia to the kitchen house. She couldn't dwell on her past - she knew that. It didn't matter that training was over - she still needed to keep up and follow through on those lessons as best as she could.

She knew that Sophia had asked Faith, but Andromeda couldn't help but wonder that as well. She hadn't seen a deviation like that in the loop before. "...I think it might have something to do with Eve's impromptu vacation," Andromeda admitted. She didn't know nearly as much as the Emendators did, but it made sense to her. Eve leaving was the largest change so far and now there was a circus troupe. "Maybe Eve sent them here..."

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At Alexandra's question, Bart's reviews in his pocket almost felt heavier. "No. I haven't." He said, not making eye contact with her as he responded. His lips were pursed, uncomfortable at the idea of reading through them. He wanted to know what was written about him so badly, but he felt as if there wouldn't be much nice to say, and the mere thought of seeing what Eve would say put him in a borderline terror. He looked back at her after a second and said, "I'm scared to, ya'know? I haven't talked about it with anybody yet, but Faith and I really messed up working with Eve." He tapped his foot for a second.

"But we can't live in fear." He pulled the reviews out of his pocket, and looked down at them. "If we do, we'll never grow. We'll never change. That's my take on it anyway." He looked back at Alexandra. He didn't want to open these, not one bit. But he knew he had to. He just couldn't bring himself to open them up and face what'd been said about him, especially given Alicia's warning that these were pretty bad in general. He settled on an idea. "How about this? I'll open mine if you open yours." He offered. Whatever he was about to go through, it might be easier if he didn't have to do it alone, and he thought the same might be true for Alexandra.

---

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Faith was unsure of the situation. Truth be told, she didn't trust anything going on, even if the Emendators were seemingly okay with it. Did Eve plan for the circus? It did seem like something she would do, but then why not stay to see the fruits of her labor? And what of Alicia? "I don't know, and call me paranoid, but I don't trust it. A lot of things are happening all at once and I think I made myself clear before, but I don't appreciate being left in the dark. If Eve did send for them, then why did she leave before they got here? Surely she would have greeted them herself."

Faith looked over at the others, aware she was opening up just a bit with those she didn't really consider friends, but not so much enemies. Either way, Faith would not sit idly by and let things continue. "Don't know about you ladies, but I'm in the mood for a circus. Hope they have some cotton candy or funnel cakes." Faith made her way over to where the circus members were setting up.

---

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The whole thing was too close in timing. Gilbert had his doubts. Not about Alicia's condition; much like the Carny Folk he was able to recognize an Ascension when it was described to him. How they knew was a matter he wished to discuss, and greatly. Despite the generally pleasant visage he presented to the world around him, Gilbert gripped the stock of his rifle tightly enough to whiten his knuckles. It then occurred to him that he was still armed. Well, he had the option of jogging back to the Mill and putting things away, or going to the Gate and putting address to his concerns about their knowledge of affairs he thought were limited to Emendators and Paradoxes. True, the voice in his head promised answers this evening, but if the safety of Ville au Camp or any of its residents was in question, he was obligated to act upon his concerns.

Exiting the Main House found him staring across the grounds. Through the trunks of slender trees and the parts of clear space that allowed view to the main road, he glimpsed the convoy of trucks belonging to the Carnival making their way down to the clearing across from the Kitchen House. That would put him even farther away from the Mill. So be it. There wasn't a law that said he couldn't carry firearms into his own Kitchen House, and if there was, there wasn't a soul that was going to try to stop him and even fewer that might succeed. So he was going to pack two lever-action rifles while venturing toward the Kitchen House. No problem. From inside, he could keep an eye on what the Carnival was up to and take care of some business for himself. Apparently, Emendators were not above peering through windows to spy on people.

Gilbert rounded the lot around the Kitchen House and moved to ascend the ramp. There was a decent amount of urgent work that required his attention right then, especially considering the time was advancing nearer to mid-morning. From the porch, Gilbert could see a total of three Paradoxes: Faith, Andromeda, and Sophia. It seemed that his pressing business might have to include them, too. Best to get them involved sooner rather than later. He called to them, "Ladies, if I may have your attention?" He gave a warm, inviting smile and held his arms out as if gathering the attention of a much larger group of people. The rifle in his hand, matching the one sheathed on his back, belied the inviting look on Gilbert's face. Nevertheless, he continued. "The Carnival will take a good while to set up. I believe we would just get in their way right now. In the meantime, I would like to invite you inside - we can keep an eye on them from there and stay out of their way. But more importantly..." Gilbert nodded back into the building, "I am making pecan pancakes. Maybe sausages. Come along." Gilbert stepped inside of the Kitchen House and set himself to finding a suitable frilly apron.

---

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Taken up. Whatever the hell that was supposed to mean. James wasn't sure if he bought it, but who was he to question the assessment of someone who had been alive (or aware of his life) since before recorded history? It just didn't sit right with him that Alicia went for over a year of additional training, only to let go of everything now. He didn't get it. Probably never would. Was this his own future, eventually? Sooner or later, would he have some change of mentality that would cause him to explode in a flash of light and leave a couple of his more personal items behind for others to mourn over? Or in this approximation of life, who would care enough to mourn in the first place? Alicia was the closest friend he had there. Who else might care if he lived or died? And WHY was he the one who lived again, when he was a damaged soul. Surely Alicia was so much more useful to the cause than himself.

James looked at the cameo in his hand. He had seen it on Alicia many times in life. He wasn't a firm believer in her faith or anything, but he clasped it around his own neck nonetheless. He picked back up the discarded picture that she had handed him earlier, just before the Ascension (or whatever it was supposed to be) and stuck it into the front pocket of his overalls. The former was something to keep with him. The latter was something to keep safe, tucked away in his room.

The heavy sigh that he let out seemed to creep into every part of the room in which he stood. James had seen this woman die once. It left an impression. This was different. He had already mourned her, Lord knew that he had. There was a brief period in this ...afterlife... or whatever it was, that he got to see her again. She took away some of his pain, if only part of what he felt for her.

"Aight there, Taco Belle," he said to an empty room, "If'n this is legit, and if you just takin' your leave for the next go around, that means I gots a damn good chance of seein' you again. Keep a eye out fo' me. Yo might not know it, but friends like us ain't gonna just leave it at this." James knelt and recovered her bottle of tequila, something she had promised they were going to share anyway. This was something he would sample for himself later while remembering his friend fondly.

James set his cowboy hat back upon his head and stepped out of the door. He would insist upon volunteering to help clear the room out when it was called for, but right then there was a sense of melancholic finality. He peered back into Alicia's room, tipped his hat, and spoke his last goodbyes. "Be seein' you, Miss Gonzalez. Promise." The door closed with a quiet clicking sound. It seemed to trigger a flash of silent tears from James. He loved that woman like a sister, and though he would never be family in the traditional sense, he was simply grateful to have been a part of her life. Two of them actually, however briefly.

With heavy footfalls, James turned away from the room and headed to his own on the same floor. He crossed over the porch and past Alexandra's room, stopping at his own just long enough to drop off the picture and bottle. There was still a week of "down time" and a mysterious carnival that had appeared. Closing the door to his room from the outside, James looked blankly toward the stairs leading down and out of the Main House.

"Now what?" he said aloud. It sounded equally sad and ominous.

---

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Samson chuckled a bit as he watched Ben head for the road and then shook his head as he started making the rounds with the Carnie folk to make sure things were in order and starting to get set up. Jonesy stopped by a car where there was two women and one man. The man got out and the two had a few words. The man did not look happy. "Well hell what are we supposed to do? We can't be running kiddie shows Jonesy," the older more heavy set woman said as she got out of the car and slammed the door.

"Ma-ma, it ain't Jonesy's fault," the younger girl said as she sat in the seat. "Ya just gotta trust Management, we'll get through it."

"Right, she stays cooped up and drags us all over the damn place. She ain't no better than the last," the older woman snapped.

"Well we trust Ben and Ben trusts her so let it go ma-ma."

"Libby's right, we just gotta trust him Rita-Sue," Jonesy added as he placed his hands on his hips. "I'm gonna go get Colossus set up," Jonsey said before kissing Libby, the younger one, on the cheek before walking off towards where the largest truck was getting unloaded.

What came to Gio's mind was anyone's guess but he made quick strides to the house, leaving a note and slipping it under the door of Gilberts room and then stepping through a portal he opened in the house and closing it behind him. That left Gilbert being the only Emendator on the grounds now and no one to open more portals for them to move.

Outside Ben came up to the road and took a long puff from his smoke before catching notice of the women standing outside of the kitchen house. He seemed to be hit from behind and his eyes closed for a moment as he stood there before they opened again. Stepping forward he crossed the street and over to the girls, staying on the grounds instead of stepping up to the stairs coming out. "How long ago she leave?" he asked rather bluntly as he held out the pack of cigarette's, offering one to them if they wanted it.

---

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Alexandra's face fell at Bart's sudden change in demeanor following her question. He didn't have to say anything for her to realize that he felt the same. It was plainly written on his face. The corner of her lips twitched, and her gaze gravitated back down to the envelope, labeled Personal Reviews, in her hands. It was quite the phenomenon how people's opinions could hold so much weight on one's soul, particularly so for someone like herself who had claimed to be untouchable by such things. But perhaps that had always been a farce, a means to convince herself and others that she was stronger than she actually was. In the end, one would have to be less than human in order to not be effected, even an inkling, by the words of others.

Her gaze came back up to meet Bart's when he spoke up again. She let out a soft sigh at his words. "I get it. I messed up too with--" she replied before trailing off. "Everyone." She looked away from him before staring down at the ground. The word was hard to get out, and it had been even harder to accept these past several months. She screwed up majorly, both in this life and in the previous one. She saw that now, and it still weighed heavily on her conscience. But she also knew that she had to move on from it, or it would eat her alive.

"Live and learn," she finally exclaimed, punctuating Bart's words with seemingly newfound conviction. Her gaze met his again but this time unflinchingly. She then raised the envelope up, as if making a toast. "To new beginnings," she declared, before promptly ripping open the envelope. She pulled out the review sheet, unfurling it as she found a spot to sit down and read it.

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Sophia looked over towards Andromeda when she came up to join them as well, she thought for a moment at Andromeda's suggestion and shook her head slightly. "I don't think it would be something Evelina would do. I think she would be the person to greet them, unless of course she was out on some kind of important mission." Sophia said, giving a slight shrug as she leaned herself up against the railing a little bit while looking at Faith. Although she did feel the same way as well, she didn't like being left out in the dark a lot of the time, but the Emendators had thousands of years of experience then they all did. "I'm curious about the attractions they got set up." Sophia said, as she turned to hear Gilbert's voice.

Though she already did have breakfast not to long ago, she could get a little bit more food after all they were on vacation now anyway for the week anyway. "Even though I just made myself something I wouldn't mind some pancakes and sausages." Sophia said, then her eyes turned to see the man named Ben approach them, for a second Sophia looked at him like he was stunned or something along those lines. She looked at Andromeda, Gilbert and Faith for a second before answering Ben's question. "I think it was sometime late last night or in the early morning." She answered, and then eyed the group of carnies for a second.

"We were about to get some breakfast though, maybe you'd like to join us?" Sophia offered, as she eyed the box of cigarettes he offered she wasn't much of a smoker when she was younger she did give it a try but just ended up being a snotty coughing mess and decided to not ever do it again and shook her head a bit. "No thank you, but thanks for the offer though."

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Andromeda couldn't help but grimace slightly as Faith wanted to go back to the circus grounds. In her experience, the circus could be a deadlier and crueler place than it was often thought of - she hadn't experienced funnel cakes and cotton candy. She felt a bit calmer as Gilbert came, especially when he called it a carnival instead of a circus. She knew that he had to know of her history - but the others didn't. She hadn't exactly mentioned to the other Paradoxes what had caused her to die at a relatively young age.

"...This might be a completely unneeded thing, but I can't have tree nuts or peanuts..." Andromeda then mentioned to Gilbert uneasily. Even if she was able to eat them in this new life, she didn't think that she could make herself do that. While most with peanut and tree nut related allergies had mild symptoms, hers were severe - the sort that could easily become life threatening if not properly managed. She glanced at the offered cigarette and shook her head lightly. Between the mentions of the circus and nuts, she was feeling incredibly uneasy. But she knew that she had to control her fear - or her fear would control her. Unfortunately, that could be easier said than done.

---

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As Faith got closer, Gil came out and spoke to them, offering to bring them inside for food. She had a feeling it was on purpose. As if he didn't want them to get close to the circus. Faith fought ignoring him and continuing anyway. She wanted desperately to see what they would do. But, reasoning fought her and she conceded. "Fine. I could eat, I guess."

Faith turned and walked over to the others, following them towards the kitchen house. She glanced back at the set-up. Ben came over to them and Faith let Sophia answer. "Not much of a smoker." She wondered if smoking affected them. Could they still get lung cancer? Could they feel high? Maybe she should....

No, no smoking. She needed her mind (and lungs) clear.

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Bart looked on with a smile as she ripped open her reviews, and opened his in kind, albeit with a bit more care Prying open the envelope, trying to avoid tears, he fished out his reviews. "To new beginnings." He agreed, nodding his head. Though he was trying to keep up a face of courage, he couldn't stop his damn hands from shaking. Holding the paper in his hands, he looked down on it, trying to force himself to read the words in front of him. He drew a deep breath, and read on. He flinched a bit as he started to read. Good and bad things were said of him, and though they weren't as bad as they could possibly be, he found it hard to be happy with what was in front of him.

These didn't hold back much, and maybe, he thought, that was a good thing. What it did tell him, more than anything, was that he had to keep trying to be better, to think more before acting, and consider the effects his actions could have on the lives of everybody. He'd never considered himself with the sense of entitlement this painted him as having, but if it was there, he trusted that the Emendators said what they were saying because they identified a problem that needed correcting. As he finished, he folded them carefully back up into the envelope, and back into his pocket. He looked back at Alexandra as he finished reading, and waited for her to finish, before asking, "How bad's the damage?"

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The frilly apron selection was hanging just inside of the door, near the coatrack and stand for galoshes. Charming if old-fashioned, and highly convenient for the cook on the go. He selected one that was obviously not meant for a man of his breadth, complete with a pocket in the front decorated with a lovely floral pattern. While he took a moment to tie the strings around his waist, Gilbert dipped into his memory intrinsic to humanity's history. It was one of the best, most useful things about being an Emendator, in his opinion. Truthful knowledge of the human condition from the beginning of civilization. This time, he used it to find out more about their guests.

It didn't take but a moment, as it usually did not, but when he brought his thoughts back to the present a confused look crossed his face. Gilbert turned and walked the couple of steps back outside, narrowed eyes taking in the scene in front of him. The young man who was with the carnies, Ben, was speaking to his Paradoxes. He stood, listening to the commentary all around while giving Ben a piercing, inquisitive look. It seemed that breakfast (or second breakfast, in Sophia's case) was a welcome concept by all of the Paradoxes, though response hadn't come from the young man present just yet.

Gilbert smiled in the manner that he usually did and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Addressing Andromeda, he proclaimed, "Then yours shall have chocolate chips." He nodded, and then looked back to Ben who had apparently decided to begin interacting with his people. Perhaps he meant well. But what The Hat gleaned from his look into history gave him more questions than answers; such unknown factors that he wanted to know more about before he was comfortable allowing them around the newer Paradoxes alone. Another factor was that the people of the carnival now outnumbered the total Emendators and Paradoxes combined present in Ville au Camp. This had not gone unnoticed by the eternal soldier. Some instincts never went away. "Benjamin? Ben... when was the last time you had a decent breakfast? Come along inside. Pancakes and pork sausage, and we will see if we cannot get some hot coffee brewing and a glass of cold milk. Or whatever strikes your mood this morning. We have, and to spare. And I feel that we should get acquainted. Do you not?"

Back again inside the Kitchen House. There was breakfast to prepare.

---

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James stood in the gallery, near the top of the steps for a couple of minutes. He was trying to figure out for himself exactly what he was feeling at that moment and he was coming up short. There were aspects of this whole dilemma that were painfully familiar. Enough at least to remind him of old wounds, if not actually reopen them. He remembered her death in his own timeline. This flash of light and sudden disappearance at least seemed like it was more merciful a passing than before.

He remembered Alicia's words from when he first became a Paradox. She had told him that she was not the Alicia of his timeline, not completely. She had the memories, technically she was still the same person, but this Alicia was of another history wherein there was no Undead Uprising. There was still a United States and the dead stayed dead. Whatever fairy tale universe that was, however, she was still murdered in it. James hoped that his friend found peace - one thing he could not have for himself.

Sighing, James put his hands in his pockets. He debated where he should go now and what he should do, now that he had free time. The mental debate wasn't which activity he should get into, personal training or working with his Paradox abilities, going fishing maybe, or just sitting on the porch and enjoying a glass of hot chocolate early in the morning; the debate was whether to do anything at all or crawl back into his bed and wait for the day to pass. James felt a slip of paper in his pocket, which he pulled out to inspect. It was his Emendator assessments. He unfolded it and read it again.

"Intelligent. Personable. Patient. Protective. Leadership qualities." Then his voice lowered, "Rage. Dangerous. Darkness in him." To be fair, it wasn't anything he hadn't said about himself. James was dead. These people had tested him, trained him, and still wanted him around. Hell, they even had a lot of good things to say about him, despite everything he was and everything he did. Being a Paradox meant something different from being perfect, and loss, apparently, was part of that.

All hell breaking loose. One week of down time. Fine. James wasn't going to crawl into bed and wait to die or get over it. He had new friends, or at least new allies now who needed him to be who he was, darkness and all. Loss and all. Okay, James was going to go get some breakfast and meet this new challenge head on. With a resolute look on his face, James descended the stairs and began walking toward the Kitchen House. Tequila later.

---

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Set up continued for the Carnivale, the rousty's doing their job as tents began to go up and signs were hung. Different people started milling about beyond the grunt workers. Two women joined at the hip, a woman with a goatee walking around, a man that looked so tall he could make Gilbert fell like Samson, and so many more.

Over at the kitchen house Ben shrugged a bit and shoved the pack of cigarette's back into the front over his overall's. His head tilted to the side as he listened to the conversation and then glanced over towards Gilbert. "Naw, not really," he said before his eyes turned back to Andromeda. His hands came up quickly and he grabbed her by the cheeks. His touch wasn't hard but it was firm as his eyes closed. There was a warm tingling that came from his fingers. It spread quickly from his hands and would flow through her body.

The grass around him started to die and is slowly moved out from around him until everything within ten feet of the two that was one green had died. Pulling back slowly he opened his eyes and he gave her a soft look. "She'll have nuts," he said towards her before pulling the cigarette from between his lips and ashing it. "You won't be havin' anymore trouble with that ma'am," he added before taking a few quick steps back and sitting down on the ground. Pulling his knees and draping his arms over his knees. He looked out over the grounds and then back over towards the group. "Got any eggs?" he asked as if what he had just done was nothing big. His brow cocked a bit and he sighed. His eyes flickers but he didn't say anything. "Actually, Management says pancakes would be fine if you have any pecans."

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Sophia looked at Andromeda for a moment, she knew that food allergies were really bad, though luckily her own was just to pollen which was really annoying during the spring and fall time. "Chocolate chip pancakes sound really good actually." Sophia said, giving Gilbert a friendly smile she was up for eating anything really. She would obviously have a smaller portion she wasn't fully hungry or stuffed yet. In the distance Sophia watched as the carnies started to set up shop even more as tents were put up, and seeing the other people as well that she assumed were their acts as well. Though As Sophia was about to head inside as well, she looked over her shoulder as Ben made his way over towards Andromeda seeing the guy putting his hands on her cheeks.

For a moment Sophia instantly thought that the man was attacking her, but it seemed to be doing something completely different, she looked down at the ground as she noticed that the ground started to die around the two of them. And then he let go of her as Ben went to sit down on the ground, Sophia turned to stare at Gilbert with a confused look. Things shouldn't really surprise her anymore, she lived through an undead infested world, lost her hand and lived, then dying and being brought back to life. And now fighting un seeable monsters that traveled through time, and being a time traveler with powers. "How did you do that exactly?" Sophia asked, she had a feeling that he probably wasn't going to be willing to reveal that at all.

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Alexandra settled back down in her seat, closing her eyes for a moment as she took a deep breath. When her eyes opened again, she forced her gaze to take in the words written on the slip of paper. These weren't just any words though. These were the thoughts and reviews of the Emendator's and Elder Paradox about her. Was she truly ready for the sting that their words would surely pack behind their punch? Maybe. Or maybe not. It was hard to say.

She shook herself out before resting her eyes on the first review. The corner of her lips twitched downward. The first few lines weren't bad per say. It was more that it was just hard to reflect upon that trying time immediately after her training with Nancy. Her brows lifted slightly and a small breath escaped her as she read the next line. She felt a swell of joy in her heart when despite how broken she had been at the time someone still saw good potential in her. Her eyes welled up with emotion as she moved onto the next review.

Her head tilted to the side, and she found herself nodding her head in solemn agreement. The words made sense. Kind hearted and spirited. Her lips twitched upwards again at the surprisingly pleasant words. Maybe this won't be as bad as I thought it would be, she thought to herself. Shit. Never mind. Her heart sank down into her stomach as the reviews took a turn for the worse. Perhaps the statements weren't all bad, but they certainly weren't great either. She cringed, a shiver going down her spine, as she read the words that were no doubt Nancy's. However, she tried her darndest to push through it.

In the end, she had mixed feelings as she finished reading the last review. She felt ashamed of what she had done since arriving, and she felt this heavy weight pressing down on her shoulders to become better. To become something worthy of respect. Yes, she was better now than she had been, but she wasn't quite there yet. She had more growing up to do and a lot of crap to make up for. She looked up from the paper when Bart's voice broke the silence in the room. She pursed her lips as she pondered his question for a moment. "I suppose it depends upon who you ask," she replied, standing up with a roll of her shoulders. "Some seem to think I am not broken enough, but I say I have been broken just enough to vhere I can still be mended."

Live and learn. It was becoming her new mantra. Glancing back down at the slip of paper, part of her wanted to rip it up and throw it away. However, she decided that would be counterproductive. She would keep it, if only in the future to be able to remind herself of how far she's come and to guide herself back onto the right path when she strays away. She folded the paper and shoved it back into her pocket before looking over at Bart again. "I need some fresh air--and some food. I think I'm going to go head over to the Kitchen House, if you vant to tag along," she stated with a small smile. She then headed out into the hallway and made a beeline for the front porch.

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Truthfully, Faith didn't want pancakes, with nuts or chocolate chips or otherwise. She didn't want to sit here enjoying breakfast, pretending everything was all right when it clearly wasn't. She didn't want to forget that a fricken' circus was setting up shop outside, two of their numbers were gone, and NO ONE WAS TALKING ABOUT IT OPENLY! She could scream. She wanted to, but she held it in.

She looked over to Ben as they made their way to the kitchen house. He oozed creepiness. Which was saying something considering all she had seen thus far. Before she knew it, Ben was at Andromeda, grasping her cheek. Faith sprung into action, "Hey!" She was nearly on him before he dropped his hand. Andromeda appeared all right. Faith eased up, still eyeing the man. He spoke as if he cured her of her nut allergy and maybe he did? It wasn't the strangest thing to assume, was it?

Still, Faith was uneasy about him. If Gil was okay with him though, then was it all bad. "Just who the heck are you? And what the hell is going on?" The last question was directed to Gil, or anyone else for that matter. She didn't wake up today high, did she? Didn't drink the Kool-Aid? She wanted answers and she wanted them to be answered today. Time loop be damned.

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Andromeda noted Gilbert's reaction - allergies were still an issue for Paradoxes then. That was good to know - and a bit disappointing. She knew that she could live a full and content afterlife without peanuts, but since periods were no longer an issue, it would have been nice had the other medical problems been resolved. Admittedly however, chocolate chip pancakes were amazing - so she wasn't complaining about the nut substitute itself.

Her eyes widened as Ben grabbed her suddenly. "What are you--" she said quickly, a reaction from pure shock - and a worry that he might be about to choke her or something. Though she knew that since he was making physical contact, she could...well, she could defend herself if needed. Yet then there was a warm tingling sensation and Andromeda looked at him, entirely confused and perplexed as she had a sudden craving for...nuts?! She had a deathly fear of them and yet, here she was, craving them. She couldn't begin to even think of the words to describe that emotion. Yet while the others started pestering Ben with questions and accusations, Andromeda just looked at him.

She then spoke: "Thank you," she told him, her gut telling her that he was telling the truth. "You didn't have to do that - whatever it was - but I appreciate it."

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The initial grab for one of Gilbert's students was met with a guttural instinct to hurtle himself over the railing and dislodge the newcomer from Andromeda. From his vantage, he could tell two things - the grip was not forceful, and something less obvious was occurring. Were it a painful or otherwise negative, Andromeda looked to be able to remove herself, were she willing. But in truth, The Hat was not absolutely certain what was happening, except that it was not immediately harmful. If anything, it looked like a variant of a Paradox ability; one with which he was very familiar and in fact possessed by a Paradox residing in Ville au Camp at the present.

Gilbert's eyes narrowed a bit at the young man's seeming indifference to what he had just done. Though he offered little in the way of explanation, the act itself said much to the seasoned immortal. He already knew that these people were not the standard, cut-and-dry carnival types. Not all of them, in any case. The psychic pull that he felt from within their ranks was proof enough of that. Some minor demonstration was inevitable. What Gilbert did not like about it was the disruptive nature of it to better establish the rules in what was beginning to seem like a chess match. That was for Emendators.

He remembered thinking about the numbers involved. Were they not invited by then Emendators' informal leader, Evelina, Gilbert likely would not have been as welcoming. Tactically, this scenario was not favorable were it to come to opposition. But that was just the way that his mind functioned, even as his face radiated friendship and involvement. Perhaps this was why he chose to give the boy a friendly nod while others reacted in more open ways. Especially Faith.

"Miss Masters?" he began, a touch of professorial authority in his voice, "What is happening is breakfast. Pecan and chocolate chip pancakes. I would appreciate it if you would help me." He understood her concern. It was a natural reaction, if a bit immature by his standards. Then again, his standards of maturity were impossibly high, considering things. Nonetheless, he gave her a knowing nod and waved her toward him. Some conversations should be kept between Emendators and Paradoxes, and preferably over a mixing bowl.

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This wasn't exactly what James had been hoping to see, as he neared the Kicthen House. The guy from the Carnival was there, who was getting looked over by Gilbert, viewed wistfully by Andromeda, and yelled at by Faith. Or was she yelling at Gilbert? It was hard to say without a little background on the situation. How he envied the Emendator's trick of being able to zero in on events within human history. It might have been useful here. But no, he was thankful for the gifts that he acquired since being dead. Not as flashy nor useful as some, although the ebon wereboar was fairly certain that fate put his gifts as they were for a reason. Andthey were pretty cool, actually. Hogwild. It had a ring to it. Maybe hyphenated, or two separate words entirely. Well, he'd get back to his new superhero name after a while. For now, he came for breakfast and to talk to the people in charge.

"Hey hey... Anybody gonna answer fo' that bigassed patch of dead grass, huh?" he remarked, looking around at the faces present. He could tell that something was definitely going on as he walked up, and so attempted some levity to change the mood. Ask the questions pertinent to the situation when not in mixed company. "Well, we just get someone to seed that later. Probably me... but anyways! Mornin', Miss Andy. Miss Faith. And mornin', Miss Sophia! You all lookin' fine this day. Maybe one of y'all can fill me in on what was just goin' down. First, I'm hungry. We can give it a talk over bacon." He turned to Gilbert, calling out, "Yo Gil, my man, we gots that good Bacon, right? ...wait, that seems kinda unsettlin'..." Considering that he now changed bodily into a rugged, porcine form, it might just. But not enough to keep that man from his BACON.

Absently, James fondled the Santa Muerte pendant around his neck. That wound was still fresh, but he was going to push beyond it right now, until he had better answers. "Naw, fuck all that. Brang on th' SWINE." Giving his last utterance consideration, that might make an excellent battle cry for him. "Brang on th' SWINE", indeed.