[IC] The Dark Carnival

[Minarawr]

Mina's act started off with the light dimming. Mina was brought down on a swing, usually used for the more acrobatic acts. She stepped down and the spotlight shone down on her as she bowed for the audience. She made a wide gesture with her arms and her blades came off her belt and straps around her legs, circling around her body. Most people assumed she was holding them up on strings and she let them believe that.
The lights brightened and a table with numerous items on it was lid up. Small plates, bottles, even tiny hoops were stalled out on the table as targets. Mina grabbed two knives from mid-air and tossed them towards two targets, hitting it dead center, receiving some small claps from the audience. She then took four blades and juggled them around before rapidly throwing them at four tiny hoops, going through it without knocking them over. This made the audience more excited and she received more claps. She continued to increase the number of knives and decreasing the size of the targets until she had one circle of knives left. She grabbed all the knives and bowed again shortly before tossing them all into the air. She jumped up, twisted in the air and kicked the blades into their final targets, landing on her hands perfectly balanced while all the knives hit their goal.
Cheers and a massive flood of applause rose from the crowd and Mina got back on her feet, smiling and bowing. She was handed a microphone and spoke into it. 'May I request a volunteer for my next performance?' she asked the crowd as helpers returned her bone knives to her and removed the targets to make room for a large wheel.
A lot of calls sounded from the crowd, but eventually a young man was chosen to be strapped onto the wheel and joined her in the ring. 'Very brave of you sir.' Mina smiled as the helpers strapped the man onto the wheel. 'I insist nobody tries to copy this, as it is very dangerous when performed incorrectly.' she said, before giving the microphone away.

New blades had been given to her and she tossed them up and down. She threw some knives at the man, landing them precisely above his head and below his groin area, causing him to yelp in fear. She tossed some more blades, all correctly hitting their mark, before moving onto the second stage of her final act. The wheel started spinning and the man was looking quite frightened by now. Mina took four blades and tossed them rapidly. When the wheel stopped the four blades were embedded around the man in a perfect cross. She was again applauded massively and bowed. Next was her final trick, her blades were returned to her again and she took out a blindfold, covering her eyes.
The wheel spun again and Mina took out numerous blades. She threw them all in the blink of an eye, the man screaming in fear when she did. The audience gasped in fear, but when the wheel stopped the man was unharmed and the blades had spelled Mina's name below him, his legs forming the "N". Mina took a final bow as the helpers released the man from the bonds. 'That was the show. Have a pleasant night.' she smiled and walked out of the ring under a rain of applause and cheers.

[Mortimer]

Mortimer kept the same old plain face during the whole event, clapping when she did something but that was it. Deep inside him, she thought the girl not only was doing a perfect job, but she was exceeding the limits. She was perfectly good at the job of knife throwing, so good that he almost couldn't believe it. On the other hand, Shadow was cawing over and over again, shaking his wings as Mina did outstanding demonstrations of her ability with the knives.

After the show was over, he walked over to Mina and Shadow spoke on his own mind. "Wow! Mina that was amazing! You really did an amazing job back there! Way to go!" The next words spoken were obviously from Mortimer's mind, but still spoken by the wicked crow. "You surely exceled yourself back there. That was not only a perfect demonstation, but the proof you are one of the most valuable workers here. Congratulations. Do you want to take the souls of the people now...or shall you wait until they disappear in the exit?"

[Minarawr]

Mina was looking at the audience as they passed by and congratulated her on an amazing show, thanking her for the experience and a fun night. Some people seemed to be hanging around a bit longer, who would probably become Mina's meal later on.
Upon hearing Shadow's familiar voice behind her she smiled and turned around. 'Thanks Shadow.' she said, happy the crow could be a bit nicer for once. Mortimer's compliments made her smile brightly in joy and she nodded a bit. 'Thank you Mortimer sir.' she answered. 'I've seen some people hanging around, I'll stick with that I think.' she stated.

[Mortimer]

Shadow grinned when she acknowleged his compliments. Mortimer simply returned a gentle and well-mannered nod with his head. "Excellent. Some are leaving the circus, let me take care of those then." Mortimer walked to the center of the tent. It was now empty, no one was around and they were either outside with Mina or heading home. He pointed his black ring up into the hole in the tent and a dark mist started to propagate from the ring. There were thousands of faces on the mist, revealing they were souls. Suddenly, screams of agony only the workers could hear started to appear and more souls started to enter his ring. A thunderbolt sealed the ring once again, and Mortimer looked at Shadow. "Nice Job we have here," Shadow joked.

[Minarawr]

Mina gave Mortimer a nod back and walked off to get a hold on at least one of the people still hanging around. Shortly after she left alone she was flocked by a group of males, all suitable to be her meal. She couldn't help herself and simply invited all of them to come back to her trailer, all of which willingly agreed like a group of little puppies.
She retreated to her chambers with the flock of love-struck males behind her, all of them believing they were the only one Mina had invited to her trailer.

[Mortimer]

Mortimer disappeared shortly after, and sent Shadow to make Mina's hunting a bit more easier. The crow searched the group of males which were each one going on their own and slowly speaked on their ear. "Come on! Come on! Hurry up! Mina the throw is waiting in the trailer! She's just waiting for one of you boys to make her happy...." Shadow was indeed pure evil. Shortly after, he entered through one of the windows in the trailer and sat on the table next to where Mina was standing. He had always enjoyed to see the workers killing the innocents and absorbing their souls. "You are having a tasty meal, Mina!"

[Minarawr]

Mina looked up from the white, drained corpse of her previous victim. Her eyes were a feral golden color as she was feeding and she glanced at the crow and smirked lightly, licking her lips delighted. She was a completely different person when she got her hands on a soul, certainly after a while of not feeding.
She simply glanced at the row of men lining up in front of her trailer. 'Have you been a nice birdy again this time? How sweet of you to bring me a gift.' she stated as she moved on to her next victim. The male was drained in just a few moments and she dropped him next to the others.

[Mortimer]

Shadow cawed in happiness when Mina complimented him and how nice he had been. Seeing the corpses everywhere, he went on to one of them and started to peck on its eye until he ripped it off. Then, he ate it and flew on top of Mina's shoulder and sat on top of it, absolutely happy that Mina had become such a savage and vicious hunter. Shadow's beak was covered in blood.

[Minarawr]

Mina smirked again as she drained another victim and took a seat on her couch. 'Perhaps I'll save a few for tomorrow...' she murmured to herself.She giggled sadistically as she saw Shadow's actions and brushed over his smooth, black feathers as he landed on her shoulder. 'What do you think, little bringer of darkness? Save a few for now, or finish my meal in one go?' she asked him with a deadly, honey-toned voice.

[Mortimer]

Yet another caw of happiness escaped Shadow's beak when the beautiful girl brushed him. It just brought chills down his spine and made him happier. When she asked wether she would have to save or finish, it wasn't an appropriate thing to ask to a spawn of chaos like Shadow. "Finish them! Make them suffer! Feast upon their souls!!!!" Shadow told her and shook his wings, then rubbed his side against her face in a way to show his affect towards her.

[Astarael42]

Vol strolled through the milling people, a predator among innocents. Some, he knew, were not so innocent. There was an old saying, like recognized like. He easily recognized the dark souls in this throng. He wondered if anyone would choose them, dark souls often had dark effects. He imagined Hag probably would want them for something or other, he left them alone. That was the first of his two hard and fast rules. What Hag wanted, leave alone. The second was just as vital; Carnival brethren were off limits.

They were not what he had a taste for at the moment anyway. His smile was charming, his eyes alluring as he wove through the crowds. He stopped here and there to politely chat with people, women and men alike. His behavior was so very gentlemanly that most didn’t even hesitate to pass a few moments with him.

A woman passed him, one he might not have noticed at first. It was the small boy clinging to her hand, watching everything with wide eyes, but not the wide-eyed innocence one might expect. What he saw was darkness, a hungry soul that understood far too much of the world. Vol’s smile was brief, fleeting, and dark. This pair would do nicely.

Vol sneered elegantly. He could guess why the boy was so worldly. He looked at the woman holding his hand. Skinny, dirty, and worn with long coarse black hair that hung below her waist she would appeal only to the most desperate, but as he looked her over he guessed that that was how she made a living. Appealing to the most desperate. Her soul was bitter, harsh, and thick. And exactly what he wanted at the moment. He would put aside his physical lust, for now, for a chance at the perfect meal.

Vol put on his most charming smile but the predatory look in his eyes didn’t dim. It heightened. He didn’t think the woman would notice, her greed would be her undoing. He reached out an elegant gloved hand to stop her.

“My dear” he said soothingly, his voice all charm. “Pause a moment will you?”

The woman stopped and turned to eye him, her own eyes filling with a greedy light at the sight of him. Vol was handsome, charming, and dressed very very richly. Everything a shrewd whore could want.

“My dear might I talk to your little lad there? He’s such a charming boy. So bright and pretty.” Vol leered just as he suspected the woman’s johns did right before she sold her son’s body just as she sold her own.

The woman acquiesced quickly and Vol grinned. His eyes lit with pleasure that few could miss. So easy, and so pefect, this woman and her son; a son which undoubtedly hated her for what she did.

“And you too my lady?” Vol kept his voice smooth, debonaaire even. It was appealing, and he made a fairly irresistible picture.

Without hesitation the woman sidled over to him, slipping her arm around his waist and purring.

“Of course my lord. I have just the place where we can have a nice, private conversation, just the three of us.”

“No need” said Vol easily slipping an arm around the woman, clasping his cane behind her back. His other hand gripped the boys hand fairly tightly, not wanting the lad to run. He had something to teach to boy; Vol would not allow him to be truant at the lesson he would teach. It would give the boy a chance at life; not to mention it personally amuse Vol a great deal.

He led the pair back to his tent, ignoring the people who looked on with disgust. Even some of the others in the carnival frowned. He didn’t care about them any more than he cared about the strangers and visitors who frowned at them. Those who knew him knew that he must have a different plan than the obvious, but few bothered to take the time to know him. Vol’s tastes were eclectic and for the most part he believed if it had a hole it could be fucked. This did not extend to children. That was depraved even for him.

Inside his tent he smiled at the woman, a smile that displayed all his lust, all his pleasure, and all his malice. The woman was not shrewd enough to notice that last bit, strangely the boy was and he shivered as he watched Vol from unblinking eyes.

“Slip into something more comfortable while I entertain your son here” he said, his voice lyrical and compelling. He talentlessly groped her, just to put her more at ease. She was familiar with a lack of polish; undoubtedly those she serviced wanted only to do the deed and move on. Vol could lack talent, if he really put his mind to it.

When she was out of sight, behind a dressing screen in the next room of the tent, he addressed the boy directly.

“Do you like your life boy?” he asked quietly, his voice low and dark, hinting at something the boy had only ever dreamed of.

The boy shook his head. The boy looked resigned to what was to come next, Vol knew this was at least in part very familiar to the lad. But Vol had something else in mind. Something deeper and darker and at the same time much more freeing.

“Would you like it to change?” Vol watched the boy, waiting for his response.

The boy hesitated not even a second before nodding vigorously.

“Then Watch. Learn.” Vol’s voice was so intense and dark it might have scared a weaker lad. This one seemed to lean forward, eager to find out what the way out was that Vol offered.

Vol laughed and called to the woman…“Come on out and join us dear one”

The woman, naked and trying to look alluring, swayed out. She was not beautiful. She was not even pretty. And she stunk of body odor and desperation. In this moment, however, she was perfect.

Eager to please, smiling insincerely, she rubbed her breasts provocatively. At least that’s what she thought the movements were. A true expert in the art could have set her straight. Vol however enjoyed it, licking his lips at the site of her. It was not her body, however, that he hungered for. It was her soul.

Vol, smiling with lust, cozied up next to her. He drew her in his arms, and kissed her, sweetly like a lover might. Then, without hesitation or warning, he slid his blade between her ribs. He mouth pressed tight over hers he swallowed her gasps of pain.

The blood ran freely as she fell to the floor, eyes slowly glazing over. Vol slowly licked his lips, savoring the taste of her as she lay dying. It only heightened his hunger. Vol turned to the boy eyes gleaming with lust and something far darker.

“If you can finish the job, for she’s still alive you know, your free to go. Only you can save yourself. If you do not, well” he gestured and a quartet of wolverines, snarling and hissing, appeared at his feet. The threat was clear, but it wasn’t needed.

Before Vol had even finished the boy was trying to strangle his own half-dead mother. Vol laughed delightedly and drank her soul as she died.

*****

Several minutes later the boy walked from the tent, eyes calm and focused. His hand clutched a small knife, a gift from Vol. No one stopped him as he left the carnival grounds.

From inside Vol’s tent snuffling sounds could be heard along with a myriad of hissing and snarls. Vol walked out, a brilliant and charming smile on his face, twirling his cane easily, delighted with the world. Behind him the wolverines were devouring the body he had left them. What they didn’t eat would be cleaned up by far less natural means.

It had been a tasty soul, bitter like really good coffee. Her fear as her son killed her had lent a dark undertone. It was the pre-show appetizer he needed; a bit of energy and it whet his appetite for what would come after the show.

*****

His act would start soon enough, he wanted to give the wolverines time to eat before performing. Unlike many animals they did better on an full stomach. Most trainers kept their animals hungry to encourage the viciousness, and thus increase the drama of the act. Wolverines were always vicious.

When he noticed a large crowd gathering he headed that way, curious to see what had drawn the eyes of these human sheep. They were bleating their excitement and clapping like idiots.

He almost laughed out loud at Kodama and Chance enthralling the crowd. He did not find their act amusing, but he loved the way the nearby people leaned in, entranced, and then leapt back in fear and awe.

When he saw the snake he clapped elegantly and enthusiastically, encouraging those around him to do the same.

“Simply fabulous” he cheered and tipped his hat at the pair. “Aren’t they amazing! Not to be missed. It’s to die for!”

He grinned at the two clowns, the malice in his eyes and grin apparent. He wondered if they’d be up for putting on real show. Something to truly bring some fear to this pathetic backwater burg.

[Minarawr]

Mina smirked again and giggled delighted at the bird's response. 'Finish them? Very well, my feathered friend.' she stated, gesturing the next soul to come before her. Now that she had eaten her fill, these souls were merely for entertainment. Some she brought inches towards the her lips, the lips they all longed for so badly, only to drain him moments before he would taste them.
Some she allowed to roam her body for a while, though never granting them access to the fun activities, before draining them and tossing them onto the pile. Some she froze in place with a mere word before sadistically cutting their skin with her boned tail, bringing them to agonizing pains until they pleaded, through clenched jaws, for the mercy of death. Once she finished she let out a satisfied sigh, a softly sadistic smile curled upon her lips. 'How was that birdy~?' she cooed.

[Mortimer]

Oh....that was heaven...well, hell for the feathered Shadow. The whole time he was tight on Mina's shoulder and he was about to collapse due to excessive emotion. Death, suffering, despair, agony, and souls entering another body were the things that absolutely fueled him. One could see how his eyes were completely red. He was absolutely charmed by the way Mina was killing everyone she teased in such a perfect way. "Yes! I loved it! I love how you torture those pathetic and meaningless humans...I love to see their life escape from their eyes...that last sound they make before their soul abandon their body. Oh yes...I can hear it...I can hear the agony of the souls escaping your mouth and it's so delicious...The screams of despair...Mina...you are one of a kind...A true killer of nature!" Shadow complimented her in every way possible as he was marveled. Now he had two masters, one that needed him and one to treasure.

[Minarawr]

Mina grinned once again at the bird's charming compliments. 'Like a song of fallen angels, is it not?' she stated when he mentioned the last sound humans made before they died. She brushed over the bird's feathers again softly, leaning back on her couch comfortably and smiling at the amount of praise she received. 'You're such a nice birdy. It was so nice of you to bring me all those souls. They were delicious.' she brushed past his beak gently while flicking her tail leisurely. 'Certainly that last one.' she leaned her head back, recalling the male's face before she killed him. She had drowned in that sweet agony in his eyes as he regained his senses, but couldn't move as she cut open pieces of his skin inch by inch. 'Did you like that one too?' she asked with a smile as she nuzzled the soft feathers in the bird's neck.
'It made quite a mess though. I'm going to have to clean up.' she sighed a bit.

[Mortimer]

The more she talked about the deceased corpses and how they looked, the more thrilled he was with her. "Exactly...the song of the wicked angels...fallen and sent to hell for having committed homicide. There's nothing better than killing someone and watch him die until life leaves its body." Shadow then cawed when she nuzzled him cutely, making him like ever more. "You are welcome, Ms. Mina! You deserved them after the most spectacular knife-throwing show I've ever seen in my entire life. Oh...that last soul...you really enjoyed that, didn't you? I almost had a heart attack just from watching the young male scream in pain. "Want me to eat it?" he asked, trying to be at least useful.

[Minarawr]

Mina smiled at the bird, keeping her hands in the movement of brushing past his feathers. 'Well thank you Shadow. I truly had the time of my life with these souls.' she licked her lips again at the thought of the male she finished off so cruelly. 'I really enjoyed that one.' she said dreamily.
She giggled a bit when the bird offered to eat the corpses she had scattered around her trailer. 'That's a nice offer birdy, but I don't think you can eat them all.' she nuzzled his neck again gently. 'Feed as much as you like though, I'll call the helpers to clean up tonight.' she stated. She used her sharp, bony tail to cut off a piece of flesh from the nearest corpse, pinned the piece of flesh on the tip of her tail and held it up for Shadow, dripping with fresh blood. 'Eat your meal while it's still warm.' she giggled.

[Mortimer]

Shadow grinned once again. It was great that the workers had these dark sides and fetishes behind their normal routines. It was incredible to see Mina killing mercilessly such innocent boys and then feed a sadistic bird with their remains. Shadow looked at her tail as she cut off a rather large piece of flesh. Once it reached him, he opened his beak and started to munch before swallowing it, blood dripping from his beak. "It's delicious, beautiful Mina. If you are sleep then you may go to bed, I'll have the workers clean this up. You have worked way too much today, my lovely princess."

[Minarawr]

Mina watched with a delighted and interested smile as the bird munched the piece of human flesh down. She brushed the blood on his beak off with her finger before licking that off as well. 'Surprisingly tasty indeed.' she stated with a grin. She arched her back a bit and got on her feet. 'That will be very helpful my lovely. I'll take a shower and then head to bed.' she nuzzled the bird a final time before starting to untie her corset. 'You are such delightful company. You should visit me more.' she giggled.

[Mortimer]

As "gentle-bird" he was, Shadow let her go as soon as she untied her corset. He didn't want her to think he was a pervert. "You are welcome, my gorgeous princess. I'll make sure to visit you again and have another buffet." Summoning the shadow powers Mortimer had given him, but on a much lesser level, he managed to melt the corpses down in the shadows and leave the trailer completely empty. Then he disappeared, as much as he didn't want to leave her.

[Minarawr]

Mina giggled a bit. 'I'll be looking forward to it, birdy.' she stated as she slipped her corset off her, right before he left. A light smirk crossed her lips and she shook her head lightly. 'A tiny bringer of chaos and he's still a bit shy.' she muttered to herself playfully. She headed into the shower after undressing completely and took a nice hot shower. After she finished she dried off, crawled into bed and shut her eyes to get some well-deserved sleep.