@Aleranicus I'm sorry, but I was a bit bored, and I felt I've mentioned Perigot enough that he warrants a fancy CS (although I'm more than happy to have him be an NPC-type of character or put him in some other role). :3
Yes, I know, Auguste is quite full of himself, but he's a good man, beneath all that pomp and circumstance that is...
— Toby
A True Name
A Stage Name
The Date One Joined the Circus
Act
Mystical Power
Compulsion
Why One Joined the Circus.
A Biography
A Connection
The Audition
Monsieur Auguste Perigot
Yes, I know, Auguste is quite full of himself, but he's a good man, beneath all that pomp and circumstance that is...
— Toby
A True Name
Auguste Perigot
A Stage Name
Atlas, the French Hercules
The Date One Joined the Circus
1840
Act
Perigot is the resident strongman of the circus. He amazes visitors with great feats of strength and fortitude. Displaying an unbelievable level of strength and a remarkable talent for surviving physical blows that seem virtually guaranteed to kill any other human being.
Mystical Power
As part of his contract with the Ringmaster, Perigot has been gifted with increased physical abilities, he is incredibly strong and resistant to physical damage.
Compulsion
"Compulsion, ah, you want to know what my particular compulsion is?"
"Yes."
"I see, well, it's quite simple really, I can no longer read any books. A heavy price to pay for a man of learning, like me, but we must all sacrifice something for our gifts..."
"That's awful, Perigot!"
"It is a terrible curse indeed," Perigot agreed, sniffling slightly and very sadly. "However, a true scholar does not give up when faced with what appears to be the most insurmountable of obstacles."
"What do you mean?"
"I have found another way to study the ancient tomes. As it turns out, Madame Toby is a voracious reader and she serves as my eyes. In turn I have taught her much, she knows the the languages of the old masters almost as well as I do and with her generous help my work continues...albeit at a slightly slower pace."
"Yes."
"I see, well, it's quite simple really, I can no longer read any books. A heavy price to pay for a man of learning, like me, but we must all sacrifice something for our gifts..."
"That's awful, Perigot!"
"It is a terrible curse indeed," Perigot agreed, sniffling slightly and very sadly. "However, a true scholar does not give up when faced with what appears to be the most insurmountable of obstacles."
"What do you mean?"
"I have found another way to study the ancient tomes. As it turns out, Madame Toby is a voracious reader and she serves as my eyes. In turn I have taught her much, she knows the the languages of the old masters almost as well as I do and with her generous help my work continues...albeit at a slightly slower pace."
Why One Joined the Circus.
"Perigot?" Toby began, putting down the half-empty flask of whiskey which she had been drinking onto the simple barrel which served as their table.
"Yes, Toby?"
"Why did you join the circus anyways? You've never told me that...we're friends right? Surely, you owe me at least a story?"
"Oui, oui, I suppose I do," Perigot said smiling, slowly smoking from the pipe he held in his hand. "You see, Madame Toby, I may be an expert on all matters of the occult, the arcane, and the supernatural...but most importantly I am a man of science."
"What?"
"You are confused, I see, but let me explain, I came here for answers, not the answers which you sought, no, answers of a much larger scope, answers pertaining to the very nature of reality and the fabric that surrounds our world."
Toby could not help but laugh at her friend, he was always so ridiculous, "Of course, Monsieur August Perigot, the great scientist and thinker was looking for the truth of all existence! While, I, a simple peasant wench was asking questions far too vulgar for such an enlightened scholar."
"Precisely Toby, precisely," Perigot added with an even louder laugh. "Fear not my old friend, one day, in the distant future, I am sure, some of my genius and ambition will rub off onto you."
"Yes, Toby?"
"Why did you join the circus anyways? You've never told me that...we're friends right? Surely, you owe me at least a story?"
"Oui, oui, I suppose I do," Perigot said smiling, slowly smoking from the pipe he held in his hand. "You see, Madame Toby, I may be an expert on all matters of the occult, the arcane, and the supernatural...but most importantly I am a man of science."
"What?"
"You are confused, I see, but let me explain, I came here for answers, not the answers which you sought, no, answers of a much larger scope, answers pertaining to the very nature of reality and the fabric that surrounds our world."
Toby could not help but laugh at her friend, he was always so ridiculous, "Of course, Monsieur August Perigot, the great scientist and thinker was looking for the truth of all existence! While, I, a simple peasant wench was asking questions far too vulgar for such an enlightened scholar."
"Precisely Toby, precisely," Perigot added with an even louder laugh. "Fear not my old friend, one day, in the distant future, I am sure, some of my genius and ambition will rub off onto you."
A Biography
"What do you wish to know?"
"Where are you from, Mr. Perigot? You have a funny accent," one of the children asked, stifling a giggle with her small hands.
"Paris, of course...France, do you need to see it on a map?" Perigot incredulously answered. "First arrondissement, a lovely district found in the heart of that ancient city. Although it was much different when I lived there, now, I am afraid, it has been surrendered to hordes of invaders..tourists I believe they are called?"
"What's with your clothing?" a young boy, Johnathan, interjected.
"Ah, well you see, my young charge, I am a member of the aristocracy, a man of great standing...or well I was, once, in a different time. A man of my status must be well-dressed at all times..."
"A-aristocracy, what does that mean?"
"It means he was born with money and grew up to be a spoiled brat," Toby said, interrupting Perigot with a mischievous look on her face, just as he was about to reply.
"Non, do not listen to her children, it means that I am man of great learning and culture."
"Does that mean you're a doctor?"
"No, not quite, I'm a scientist, you see, I have dabbled in many things in my time. Chemistry, alchemy, and magic chief among them."
"You're a wizard?"
"He prefers the term occultist, Elizabeth."
"Indeed, children, Madame Toby is correct. Wizard, warlock, magician, and witch are all terms that bring about so many unwarranted assumptions and so much unfortunate history," Perigot replied, nodding gratefully in Toby's direction, having missed the sarcasm that was apparent in her voice.
"Where are you from, Mr. Perigot? You have a funny accent," one of the children asked, stifling a giggle with her small hands.
"Paris, of course...France, do you need to see it on a map?" Perigot incredulously answered. "First arrondissement, a lovely district found in the heart of that ancient city. Although it was much different when I lived there, now, I am afraid, it has been surrendered to hordes of invaders..tourists I believe they are called?"
"What's with your clothing?" a young boy, Johnathan, interjected.
"Ah, well you see, my young charge, I am a member of the aristocracy, a man of great standing...or well I was, once, in a different time. A man of my status must be well-dressed at all times..."
"A-aristocracy, what does that mean?"
"It means he was born with money and grew up to be a spoiled brat," Toby said, interrupting Perigot with a mischievous look on her face, just as he was about to reply.
"Non, do not listen to her children, it means that I am man of great learning and culture."
"Does that mean you're a doctor?"
"No, not quite, I'm a scientist, you see, I have dabbled in many things in my time. Chemistry, alchemy, and magic chief among them."
"You're a wizard?"
"He prefers the term occultist, Elizabeth."
"Indeed, children, Madame Toby is correct. Wizard, warlock, magician, and witch are all terms that bring about so many unwarranted assumptions and so much unfortunate history," Perigot replied, nodding gratefully in Toby's direction, having missed the sarcasm that was apparent in her voice.
A Connection
"This is doesn't concern you, Perigot."
"I'm afraid it does, Monsieur Caldwell. You see, Toby is my friend, one of my most closet friends in fact. As such I must insist that-"
"Perigot! Look, that's nice but-"
"Now, I must admit, I do not have many friends and I find it very troublesome to make new ones. As you well know, I can be a difficult man to get along with, but she has always tolerated my eccentricities and my obsessions. Therefore, I am afraid that I cannot in good conscience allow you to-"
"Enough, Perigot! I don't care! Step aside, this is between me and that damnable woman."
"Non, I will not Monsieur, if you wish to-"
"Perigot," Toby said with a loud cough, rising unsteadily to her feat, wiping the blood from her mouth, and placing a heavy hand on the shoulder of the Frenchman. "It's fine, I'll be fine, just step aside."
Perigot hands tightened around the sword cane he carried, his knuckles turning white as the wood screamed in protest from the pressure of his grip, "As you wish, Madame Toby."
"I'm afraid it does, Monsieur Caldwell. You see, Toby is my friend, one of my most closet friends in fact. As such I must insist that-"
"Perigot! Look, that's nice but-"
"Now, I must admit, I do not have many friends and I find it very troublesome to make new ones. As you well know, I can be a difficult man to get along with, but she has always tolerated my eccentricities and my obsessions. Therefore, I am afraid that I cannot in good conscience allow you to-"
"Enough, Perigot! I don't care! Step aside, this is between me and that damnable woman."
"Non, I will not Monsieur, if you wish to-"
"Perigot," Toby said with a loud cough, rising unsteadily to her feat, wiping the blood from her mouth, and placing a heavy hand on the shoulder of the Frenchman. "It's fine, I'll be fine, just step aside."
Perigot hands tightened around the sword cane he carried, his knuckles turning white as the wood screamed in protest from the pressure of his grip, "As you wish, Madame Toby."
The Audition
"Ladies and gentleman!" The ringmaster shouted. "Next, for your great entertainment, I humbly present to you, the strongest man in the world! Our very own French Hercules, Atlas!"
Peaking out from behind the curtain, Toby scoffed loudly to herself, Perigot always had to be such a braggart. Strongest man in the world, I wonder why he hasn't claimed the title of strongest man in the universe already?
Stepping into the center of the ring, wearing a simple leotard, adorned with blue and white stripes, Auguste was far smaller than most other strongmen of the day. It was true, Toby thought, that he was larger than most normal men, but he was nowhere near the giant that other men of his profession were.
Pausing in the center of the ring, Perigot offered a quick bow, and then waved for the stagehands. A loud murmur escaped the audience as a large horse tram or car, drawn by two horses was brought out. The car was full of performers, clowns, jugglers, and acrobats...the performers who had mere moments earlier entertained the audience.
"Silence, please!" The Ringmaster said, his voice no longer a shout, but still somehow carrying across the circus tent.
Smiling, Perigot, slapped his hands together, stretching his fingers as he walked towards the center of the horse tram. Bending his knees, he brought his large hands and arms beneath the metal carriage. Toby felt sure she could have heard a pin drop, so quiet was the audience.
With a loud roar, almost like that of a lion, Perigot pushed his arms skyward, raising the horse car above his head. Toby of course, knew that he was not done, she had seen his act enough times. Spinning slowly in a circle, he raised and lowered the tram effortlessly above his head, smiling the entire time.
"Behold! Atlas! The Incredible French Hercules!" The ringmaster finally shouted as Perigot gently lowered the tram full of his fellow circus performers to the ground. Raising his hands triumphantly above his head, Perigot gracefully accepted the roaring applause and loud cheers that followed with a simple nod of his head.
Peaking out from behind the curtain, Toby scoffed loudly to herself, Perigot always had to be such a braggart. Strongest man in the world, I wonder why he hasn't claimed the title of strongest man in the universe already?
Stepping into the center of the ring, wearing a simple leotard, adorned with blue and white stripes, Auguste was far smaller than most other strongmen of the day. It was true, Toby thought, that he was larger than most normal men, but he was nowhere near the giant that other men of his profession were.
Pausing in the center of the ring, Perigot offered a quick bow, and then waved for the stagehands. A loud murmur escaped the audience as a large horse tram or car, drawn by two horses was brought out. The car was full of performers, clowns, jugglers, and acrobats...the performers who had mere moments earlier entertained the audience.
"Silence, please!" The Ringmaster said, his voice no longer a shout, but still somehow carrying across the circus tent.
Smiling, Perigot, slapped his hands together, stretching his fingers as he walked towards the center of the horse tram. Bending his knees, he brought his large hands and arms beneath the metal carriage. Toby felt sure she could have heard a pin drop, so quiet was the audience.
With a loud roar, almost like that of a lion, Perigot pushed his arms skyward, raising the horse car above his head. Toby of course, knew that he was not done, she had seen his act enough times. Spinning slowly in a circle, he raised and lowered the tram effortlessly above his head, smiling the entire time.
"Behold! Atlas! The Incredible French Hercules!" The ringmaster finally shouted as Perigot gently lowered the tram full of his fellow circus performers to the ground. Raising his hands triumphantly above his head, Perigot gracefully accepted the roaring applause and loud cheers that followed with a simple nod of his head.
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