((*Hugs Dravvy* D8))

Watching the people around him, Raphael smiled fleetingly at Evan and Spider, glad that they, at least, could be comfortable in eachothers company despite the way they both seemed to feel about everyone else in the Circus. He also noted Will's attraction to the coffee pot, and only pulled his attention away from the others in the van when Violet spoke.

"Ah," He replied, glancing towards the van door and momentarily wondering whether Selvai and Disera would soon be joining them. "Exhausting sounds about correct. But that's to be expected if you haven't been out there in a while," He smiled at Violet, picking up a astry and looking at it before taking a bite. "I suppose that should be a complement," He added after swallowing, laughing quietly. "No doubt you'd have been glad to be absent had you shown up two week ago,"

The Ring-Master took another bite of his pastry, leaning back in his chair and listening to the girl as she spoke. "Maya's alright," He chose delibrately to avoid the previous week. There was no point dragging it up again. Sure, he'd made an exeption with Karene, but that woman needed to know, in case Cersis, for example, ever decided to show himself again. Violet, well. He'd explain if she asked. "Julian's also fine, and Dravius is the same as always," He laughed, "Though, I suppose there are a few changes, I'm not too sure about what's going on, however. It all seems to have bypas.sed me, somehow," He continued, referring to whatever was going on with Maya and Dravius at this moment in time. He realised he still needed to speak with Dravius about things. Not to mention he hadn't seen Nylat all day. Where was she, anyway?

Raphael shook his head, then returned his gaze to Violet, noticing her slight flush. He raised an eyebrow slightly, his face amused. He knew full well who that blush was for. "Ah, a number of people do the cooking, they take shifts," The blonde scratched behind an ear, dropping whatever was left of his breakfast back on the plate, before levelling his eyes on Violet.

"Now I have a question. You left 2 years ago to find your life on the outside. What's brought you back, hm?"

~~~

Nothing. Yeah right.

Maya inhaled deeply, raising her eyebrows at Dravius's words. "You don't pull an ex
pression like that for nothing," She said in response to his drawn out comment, on the verge of throwing another pout at him. She wasn't successful in that venture however, as the Co-Master chose that moment to echo her earlier actions.

She was glad to think she was a little more prepared this time around, though it still took her a little by surprise. Still, she wasn't so out of it she didn't really notice, and she hadn't fled. That accounted for something, she supposed.

The butterfly could only smile at him when he pulled away, having felt him smiling into the kiss, her face still slightly flushed. Keeping that under control really wasn't all that easy. As Dravius set off, she walked with him willingly, giggling at his face when he tried to focus his eyes on the following Sapphire butterfly. She waved the little creature back towards her van just as the Co-Master stopped by his, releasing her hand.

"Oh. Alright," She replied, crossing her arms behind her back and looking at the small group of gathered people. She pulled her attention away when Dravius re-emerged, watching him hop towards her. "Maybe you should get some more of those, and what's with the guitar?" She laughed, glancing at his footwear and the instrument before responding to his question. "I'm not sure. I don't really need anything, and stop looking at me like that,"

She huffed, prodding him in the side and glancing around, then shrugging. "I only ever really go into town to have a look around anyway... And usually cause that's where you seem to go everytime we stop," She smiled somewhat sheepishly at him, then, to avoid having Dravius see her blushing again, trotted off slightly in front of him, only slowing down to walk beside him when they reached the group of people. Maya watched them with just as much interest as they watched her when they pas.sed, laughing slightly and clinging to one of Dravius's arms as they headed towards town.

~~~

 Like Dravius, Maya watched many of the windows as they pas,sed, though she seemed to pay little more attention to people too. She couldn't really let her guard down in any town or city, and it was almost an instinct that she kept her eyes open.

The young blonde noticed the youths seemingly before the Co-Master, and chose to walk on his opposite side. She was always uneasy around people such as they, hence the reason she never went into town alone, and watched them warily as they walked. There wasn't much time for her to react to their angry nature, and the fact Dravius seemed to be getting away with a lot of physical abuse, their aims missing the male by quite a distance.

When the Co-Master did finally realise the group, Maya watched their reactions carefully, gently tugging on one of his sleeves. She was far, far better around such people than she had been at a younger age, though their attitudes we're still unnerving. She watched them for a moment, then decided it might be best to move away before those people actually decided to do something violent.

"Dravius," She murmered, pulling her eyes away from the youths to look up at the Co-Master, a small frown on her face. "I think we should move a bit further on," She paused, then let go of his sleeve. "Please?"

Dropping her shoulder bag onto the corner of one of the chairs Violet considered her next answer carefully. Raphael was definitely keeping something from her, but it felt more like he wasn’t about to mention it unless she pushed at the subject. “My natural curiosity doesn’t want to let that hint slide,” Violet admitted as she slipped into the chair next to Raphael, “but I don’t think it’s a good idea to ask about that right now.” Looking at the spread of food that lay on the table uncertainly Violet considered eating, but dropped the notion quickly. To begin with she had a lot to tell Raphael, and she was feeling slightly queasy, something that happened more frequently these days whenever she got nervous. “And the tiring part was acting like a normal person, I guess. I couldn’t find a night job and I’m nocturnal at heart, so sleeping schedules was difficult for me. And then there was the fact that I don’t exactly have many talents. Necromancy…isn’t really a good thing to put down on my resume.” Grinning awkwardly at that comment Violet felt herself settling down in Raphael’s company. The girl was glad she had found the blonde-haired man first, as he always seemed to ready to offer anyone a smile.

“And I’m glad to hear everything is fine,” Violet said, smiling. “It doesn’t feel like the circus has changed that much since I left, but I’m pretty sure the biggest change would be the members.” Settling deeper into her chair Violet could only shrug in a fretful sort of way in answer to Raphael’s cutting question, her blue eyes dropping down to gaze at her hands, which were fiddling with the hem of her shirt. “Things got tough, I didn’t have any education because I couldn’t afford and didn’t want to attend college or university, so I started running out of money since no one would hire me. And honestly, even though I’ve definitely changed in my time out in the ‘real world’, I still feel like everyone looks at me with that sort of piercing look at just makes me feel more freakish than I already am. I mean, I got kicked out of one apartment just because I enjoyed taking walks by the cemetery at night. The landlord got antsy and some of the neighbors complained about it.” Violet lifted her head and looked at Raphael squarely. “I decided if I couldn’t be myself, then I wouldn’t stay there,” she murmured. “No one accepted who I was except for you and Dravius. You two let me stay here and gave me a home for a time. I can’t credit anyone else for that.” 

((Stupid internet went out and the stupid company took till now to fix it D:))

"Uh, yeah.  Kioko Fuurin."  The pyro looked up at the woman, curious how she knew her name.  She smiled nervously at her, relaxing a bit when she revealed she was a cicus member.  Not a stranger trying to cause trouble, then.  "It's nice to meet you, Karene.  Um, are you a performer in the circus?  I guess you talked to Raphael or someone else if you know my name already."  Kioko patted Sid once more, then retrieved her fallen crutch and stood.  "I think the circus is going to start back up soon, if you are.  We just got back from a vacation,"  A dark look crossed the albino's face fleetingly.  "It wasn't much of a vacation, honestly.  Alot of bad things happened while we were at the beach." 

"But, everything's over now," She continued.  She looked down at the small dog as he pawed at her foot.  "Um.  I think Sid is hungry.  I should probably head to the food van."  Kioko smiled once more at her.  "I guess I'll see you later, Karene."

-------------

The blue skinned shifter was about to return the strange woman's greeting (and comment on Evan's less-than-happy one), when the sight of Kanec shifting into the sea creature form he had taken earlier before taking the form of a hawk and flying away caught her attention.  "Hey!"  She glared straight upward at the circling shifter.  "That jerk, rubbing it in like that."  

"Hang on, Selvai, guys.  I need to go deal with this."  Disera huffed.  Stepping away from the closely packed group, she spread her wings and launched herself upward, flying up to meet Kanec.  "Okay, you've got my attention.  Now what?" she asked, resisting the urge to pout at the other shapeshifter.  Bad enough she lost their contest, but now he was making fun of her as well.  And in front of everybody! (or at least the people who were around the food van).  

She would definitely have to get back at him for that.  Disera momentarily distracted herself with plans for vengence.  Maybe take some fleas from Maya's new puppy and plant them in his van.  Or update that old coat of his with pink frills and lace ribbons.  The shifter silently cackled at that mental image.  No one would even remember her loss after seeing Kanec in something like that.

--------------

"Ah.  Of course, Will,"  Selvai replied automatically, blinking in surprise when he realized what he'd said.  He was distracted from any questions when Disera took off after Kanec.  The magician glanced upward once to see her confronting the brown haired shifter, then turned his attention back to the others.  "I apologize for Disera abruptness.  She can develope tunnel vision sometimes, I'm afraid.  She doesn't mean any rudeness by it, but her attention sometimes wanders."  

Following them into the van, Selvai retrieved a plate for himself and proceeded to pick out a few food items for himself.  He chose a chair a few seats away from Evan, far enough away from the nervous man that he wouldn't be crowding him, but still close enough to be heard if either of them chose to begin a conversation.  "So far, our time here has been... eventful," the magician replied to Will's question.  "To be honest, I was hoping this place would be rather quiet and boring.  Although I suppose with so many different types of unusual people in one place, it's impossible to avoid confrontations completely."  He chose to omit any mention of the previous day's encounter with his brother.  

Noticing Raphael and a teenage girl he didn't recognize sitting close by, the magician waved at the Circus Master in greeting, turning his attention to the pair.  "Good morning, Raphael, miss.  I don't believe I have made your acquaintance yet."  He told her.  "I am Selvai Mayoso.  Are you new to the Circus?  Or perhaps a returning member?"

[[glad to have you back. o3o]]

Violet. Well there was one person Will did not know. Maybe she had left just before she joined... she'd have to do some research. She nodded in her direction, for Will was a friendly woman who must greet everyone. Graveyard walking? Dr. Kirk couldn't help but imagine mall goths and think about Lestat. Probably a necromancer. Did those exist? Sure. She was a necro-something anyway. Or a graverobber. But graverobbing made her think of Frankenstein and she thought that was swell. Will refilled her coffee mug and then walked over to the table, snagging a muffin on her way.

She made a noise as she sat down, sitting opposite Selvai and somehow taking up enough space that she was over crowding everyone around here. "Ohh yes, quiet. A word that has no meaning here. I've developed a bit of a hermitage because of it." She dusted muffin crumbs off of her mouth and continued to drink her coffee. "But even then it is easy enough for me to get out of confrontations. However, I know how tiring they can be. I hear aaaallll about them." She stared down at her now empty coffee mug and shrugged a shoulder.

"And I wouldn't say it's because they're unusual; normal people are just as likely to create ridiculous fabrications and fight over them." Her good-natured smile replaced her disappointed frown over her empty cup, and she leaned back. "It just proves you're all very normal, healthy people."

Spider harrumphed at this, but refrained from commenting. He was looking decidedly blue due to his very messy confrontation with his syrupy pancakes, and Evan really couldn't help but let out a tiny chuckle when he looked over to see the cranky spider boy with a stained face. It really defeated his crankiness. He just looked silly. "I think you got more of that on your face then in your stomach," Evan said, and handed him a napkin. Spider had the decency to look somewhat embarr*censored*ed, and tried in vain to rub his face clean.

The talk about confrontation made Evan want to start complaining again. Or at least vocalize to Raphael that Zinc had been obliterated from existence, because maybe he should know about that... but it had been established that Raphael didn't care. So Evan wasn't even going to try. Under it all he realized he was still very angry, as well as horribly sad, but he really didn't want to cause any more trouble. Besides they'd probably just start hitting him and calling him a pathetic waste of a human being if he mentioned he was disappointed in this whole darn place and everyone in it.

So he instead looked at Will. "Do you... " He hesitated. He wasn't sure what to ask. "Something of mine was stolen. Do any members have an affinity for shiny things, and the ability to filch something without the person in question knowing it?" Evan paused. "It's very, very important... " Evan couldn't quite stress how important it was verbally, because being melodramatic and saying something like "his life depended on it" would only make Gervaise scoff. Perhaps even Penelope, too. "And... if I just get that back I guarantee you'll never here from me again." He finished, letting out a small sigh before rubbing his eyes. And he'd be so glad to go.

"That's a pity, Evan, I quite like you. Not very many gentleman around here." She paused, seemed to inwardly debate with her self, and then finished. "With the exception of these fine fellows." As she waved a hand around the table. "Don't let what those girls did bend you out of shape. They're They're going through that phase. The one where they're insufferable and you'd like to strangle them. So don't feel bad, they do that to everyone." Will rubbed her chin. "As for your stolen ob
ject, I am very disappointed in my neighbors. I hear that has been happening a lot lately. I have a list of suspects. I'll look after breakfast."

"Somehow, I doubt it," Raphael laughed, rubbing an eye and focusing the other on Violet. "I don't think many of our members have changed at all, so I wouldn't worry." The Ring-Master paused in thought, then shrugged before he continued, his tone somewhat amused. "You might not recognise Maya, however. She's one of the few who have changed noticeably, in a physical sense, anyway. She had a bit of a... Well. Phase, just over a year ago. Something very similar to a week long metamorphasis," He shrugged again, then smiled. "She looks the same, more or less, despite the now gold hair and the fact she no longer resides in a child's body."

Leaning forward, the blonde crossed his arms on the edge of the table, the thin, single lock of long hair falling gracefully over one shoulder. He listened to Violet in silence, then sighed and leaned back, allowing his arms to fall over the back of his chair. "I see. That's usually the issue when someone chooses to leave. Many find it difficult to re-adjust themselves to living outside the Circus grounds." He glanced up from where he was looking, which had been the table, to watch Violet with a sympathising gaze. 

"Understandable," He murmered with a sigh, before he raised an eyebrow at the girl and smiled slightly. "I take it this means you're back for good?... Your van's the same as it was when you left it, if that's the case. There was never really any need for us to make use of it, so it should be untouched."

Crossing his arms, the Illusionist turned his gaze to Selvai when the Magician went ahead and introduced himself, before he frowned at Evan's words. Thieving members?... That's all he needed. As Will spoke, the Ring-Master silently concluded he'd probably have to address those Shadow twins at some point. Although he hadn't been present when all that took place, he had heard about it. Same with the thief, if it turned out that way. It was bad enough when Yama's cloak went missing. He was usure, however, of whether he'd blame the members so quickly. Although they may be the only available suspects, everyone in the Circus knew very well that thieving was not tolerated. And so they should, really. Dravius' harsh view on the subject was a bleak reminder that any form of theft was not accepted. Hell, even Raphael was not all that lenient with thieves, though he was pretty sure the Co-Master could probably uphold that rule on his own. He was certainly intimidating enough.

With a sigh, the blonde watched the blue-faced Spider for a moment, holding back a quiet laugh, before he glanced towards the van cieling, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. It really didn't help that they didn't know what it was they were looking for. "What is it that's gone missing?" He asked of Evan, pulling his gaze from the cieling to look at the Blodwen. "We won't find this possible thief if we don't what they've taken." 

~~~

"Nice to meet you, Kioko," Karene replied with a smile, watching Sid for a moment before returning her gaze to the pyro. She laughed quietly at the younger girl's question, shaking her head. "Nah. I'm not one of the performers. My ability isn't exactly perfomance material," The woman glanced off across the Circus grounds, her ex
pression amused. "I'm more... Security, I suppose. Though that's not entirely accurate either. Many members are involved in that sort of thing, same as with the Circus construction."

Looking back in Kioko's direction, the woman's face became somewhat mellow as the girl continued. "Hm. Raphael highlighted the weeks events for me, so I can understand," She murmered, catching the albino's dark look. "That's also how I know your name, and the names of the others I have yet to meet."

Glancing down at Sid as Kioko mentioned the puppy being hungry, Karene smiled slightly, crouching over to stroke the small dog. "Alright. Might be a good idea to get some actual dog food for him. The people who work in the food van might have some lying around somewhere. I'm sure they'd be happy to help if you asked." The woman straightened herself up, still smiling at the the little animal when a sound of rushing wind caught her attention. She glanced over her shoulder in time to see Disera fly off, eventually coming to seemingly confront the Shapeshifting Kanec.

Kanec, with a few lazy spirals, was soon flipping and twisting in the air, not really one for hovering. At Disera's approach, he continued, but stayed close by so she could hear. "Oh, I just wanted to see your reaction. Haven't had a good joke since...Anyways. Why are you so worked up about this, hm? Nylat never got this mad. Then again, she might've. I don't stick around long enough to find out." He twisted a few more times, slipping between forms. Pegasus, eagle, gryphon, and plenty more, before returning to hawk, landing on Disera's head, looking down at her. "Getting worked up isn't healthy, anyways. Distracts you from more important things, ya know. Like food and such. Though I'm not sure how that would affect you. Hm. If you died, would you just be able to be summoned again, or would you be gone gone? Like forever?" He wasn't intentionally getting off subject, it just happened. 'Swhat he got from overthinking things.

~~~

Nylat flicked her ears at the sight of Kioko and Karene, tilting her head curiously. When had Karene returned? Oh well. Shaking the curiosity from her head, she approached Kioko as she made her way to the food van, falling into step beside her, matching her crutch-aided limp with her own limp. She flicked her tail, watching Sid for a moment before speaking. "So, Kioko... I've heard scattered rumors that you're a bit lonely in your van, no?" She yawned, still a bit drowsy from her sleep during the ride. Stretching, she lagged behind for a second before catching up, shaking out her pelt. "What would you say to joining me, hm? I'm rather alone in my own van, in case you were wondering. Which is likely you weren't. Anyways. Opinion?" She thought it through again in her mind, and even if Kioko had twice as much stuff as the Circus member who'd joined with the most, she'd still have plenty of room, even with two beds and Nylat's own.

Dravius looked down as Maya began pulling on his shirt sleeves, as did the clump of hoodlums, and immediatly a wide grin spread across the tallest one's face. Well, tallest of the other boys. He was still at least three inches shorter than Dravius. His teeth were yellow and cracked, rather nasty looking. "Well, what've we got here? A cute little Circus freak? How's about a kiss, eh?" The leader's voice was coarse and thick with saliva, and his grin stank of nicotine.

Dravius surveyed the grimy man's grin, wrapping an arm around Maya's shoulders. "No, no, that's okay. Bye then!" He turned on his heel and led Maya away quickly, coughing softly. "His breath smells worse than my van..." He muttered, sticking his tongue out in an ex
pression of disgust. "Oh! Store!" Dravius made a quick left turn into a black-and-white painted building, pushing his hat back from his forehead. The store was painted oddly on the inside, a wall of red an white stripes, black and dark green checkers on another. The remaining walls were a creamy white, and there were clotes in folded piles everywhere. The Co-Master started rooting through piles of shirts, a concentrated look on his face. He then turned a bit to the right, shuffling through pairs of loose pants in every colour of the rainbow, setting aside a white, black, and plain jean pair.

Dravius was humming a slow tune under his breath, his hair falling into his eyes. He then in quick sucsession pulled a pair of black shoes identical to the ones he was wearing, just in better condition and settled them on top of the other clothing. Two shirts later, he had his arms filled with clothing, and settled it onto a counter, rooting around in his pockets to come up with the correct amount of money. Setting it on top of his purchases, he noded at the cashier's offer of a bag, and took the change given to him. It hadn't taken long for him to do any of this, and he walked out of the store to sit on a bench next to it, settling his instrument in his lap, and crossing his legs onto the wooden bench.

Dravius began plucking at the strings of the guitar, tuning the strings with prescision. "There we go." He began strumming gently, then launched into a slow tune, his head moving back and forth to the tune. He was singing under his breath, not loud enough to be heard unless you were sitting right next to him, "Windmill, Windmill for the land. Turn forever hand, in hand, Take it all there on your stride It is tinking, falling down. Love forever love is free. Let's turn forever you and me. Windmill, windmill for the land. Is everybody in?" The tune was slightly sad, winding around the bench. Dravius' voice wasn't anything exceptional, but it was alright for a song like this. He was looking intently at his left hand forming the chords, concentrating on moving his fingers to make the notes perfect.

Maya had been looking at Dravius when she heard the other males voice, and turned to look at the grinning youth with no change in ex
pression. She did however, look somewhat repulsed by his leering comment. Yep. No wonder she hated people like this. The blonde was barely able to react when she felt the Co-Master move next to her, not bothering to fight against him as he pulled her away, and shivering at the hoodlums bleak suggestion.

She felt her lips twitch at his comment. "Your vans not as bad as you make it out to be," The girl glanced over her shoulder, then sighed and watched the floor as she walked. "Then again, maybe I'm just used to it," She shrugged again, then smiled at him, which wasn;t entirely genuine. She really hated people like that. But they were everywhere, there was no avoiding them, really.

When Dravius mentioned the store and turned sharply, Maya grasped onto his waist. She hadn't been paying much attention to where she was headed, and the movement had caught her off guard. She huffed at Dravius in silence, watchng as he pulled himself free and started burying himself in clothes. It never mattered what he was doing, Maya knew. He always looked like he was concentrating fully when focusing on something as miniscule as shopping. Or even eating strawberries. Even then, she knew, not much pas.sed Dravius' notice. As engrossed as he seemed to be, he always seemed to notice what else was going on at one time.

Smiling, she watched him buy whatever it was he'd picked up, then followed him out of the store, flopping beside him on the bench as he tuned the instrument he'd brought with him. She watched him in silence, then looked at him when he started singing. To avoid laughing outwardly at him, she quickly looked away, a smile playing on her face. When she did look back at him, she noted his attention being on his hand, and watched the smae place for a moment, her head tilted in curiousity.

After a minute or two, the girl glanced off, then slipped from the bench and walked a few feet back the way they had come, peering into another shop that was full of glas.s sculptures. One of which happened to be a small, intricately cut butterfly. Maya smiled slightly as she looked at the huge number of pieces, ranging from flowers to small, coloured glas.s landscapes. Some people had such beautifully directed skills, that was certain.

Violet couldn’t help but giggle at Raphael’s comment on how Maya had gone through metamorphosis, as he had put it lightly. “I don’t think I’d want to be around her at that time,” Violet said with a smile. “It sounds like a much more dramatic version of teenage puberty, and seeing Maya in a mood-swing probably wouldn’t be too pleasant.” As she shook her head ruefully at the image that had popped up in her mind when the Ringmaster had mentioned this, Violet could only grown in disgust as her overly long bangs flopped over her eyes, obscuring her view somewhat. “I haven’t cut them in ages,” she remarked in an offhand way, fingering the black locks gingerly.

“I guess it was,” she answered truthfully, wondering if living in the circus, surrounded by others with similar problems and abilities had sheltered her from what life was truly like. “Life at Majikus, if you don’t mind me being cliché, was truly magical. Oh, we had our bumps in the road, though often they were different from the average ones people in the outside world experience, but still, it felt like one large, mostly happy family.” Violet gave Raphael a tight smile at that. Her issue had been her crippling shyness, and the black-haired woman was hoping desperately she had been cured of that, even if only slightly. “I suppose that after I healed from my childhood, I wasn’t prepared for being viewed as an eccentric as opposed to being a monster.” Leaning forwards and viewing the others sitting at the table Violet could only bite back an utterance of surprise at Raphael’s kind offer. “I noticed an influx of new members…you’re kidding me when you mean my van is still untouched, right?” Violet was touched by this, her eyes softening slightly and getting moist at the thought of her belongings staying exactly as they had been for almost two entire years.

“That’s…just amazing,” Violet struggled to say, at loss for words.

[Bah, I'll make her interact with more characters next post, hopefully. xD] 

"Pffft."  Disera flapped her wings to keep hovering, then blew an errant strand of hair out of her face.  Got all over the place whenever she flew around like this.  Maybe she should start wearing it in a ponytail.  Or borrow one of Selvai's clasps to keep it back and out of her face.  The shifter blew out an irritated breath when another dark strand fell in front of her eyes.  "I hate my hair," she muttered sullenly.  Tucking it behind her pointed ear, Disera considered Kanec's reply.

"My reaction, huh?  You mean like this?"  She asked, sticking out her tongue at the other shifter.  "And if you didn't stay to find out, how would you know if Nylat got mad or not, eh?  And I'm not worked up," the blue skinned woman continued defensively once her tongue was back in her mouth.  "Or mad," she added quickly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. 

"The only thing distracting me is you, Kanec.  You're like a pointy eared shiny thing.  I try to go get something to eat, then I see you and I'm suddenly hovering in the air and talking with a bird sitting on my head."  Disera rolled her eyes upward and tilted her head back, trying to look at the other shifter.  She poked him slightly with one fingernail.  "Who said you could sit up there anyway?"

"I'm not sure what would happen if I died," she said quietly.  "I guess I'd just disappear for good?  It's not something I like to think about.  Death and dying and all that.  I'd have to ask Selvai, he'd probably know.  He's pretty smart about magic and summoned creatures."  Disera looked downward at the food van, not surprised that everyone had already gone inside.  "And he's waiting for me to in the food van, too.  I should probably go join him."  She looked back up at Kanec.  "Did you already eat?  Wanna come with me?"

------------

"Security?  It's too bad you weren't here last week, then,"  Kioko said quietly.  "But it's good that Raphael told you everything that happened, so you know who all the new people are."  She smiled at the brunette, looking over at the food van.  "Okay, I'll see if they have anything for Sid here.  Bye, Karene.  It was nice talking to you, too,"  Heading for the food van, the pyro watched as the pup scampered ahead of her.  She barely noticed Nylat's presence beside her until the hybrid spoke to her.  Kioko paused for a moment to listen, not sure she'd heard the question right.

"You want me to share your van?" the white haired girl asked hesitantly.  "I-I'd like to, Nylat.  The van is too big for just me anyway, and since Yama's not there it is pretty lonely."  The pyro looked down at the ground fleetingly.  "I've been by myself for along time before now.  I thought I was okay being alone, but now I can't stand it."  She glanced back at Ny, biting her lip nervously.  "If you're really okay with it, I'd be happy to move my things in.  But only if you're sure.  I don't want to crowd you or anything."

"Ah, I should probably hurry and get some food for Sid," Kioko said.  Hobbling into the food van, the pyro quietly spoke with one of the cooks there, smiling in gratitude when they produced a small bag of kibble style dog food and a bowl.  The pyro settled on a table in the corner, away from most of the other people in the van who were eating their own meals.  Pouring the dog food into the bowl, she placed it on the floor for the small dog.  "There you go, Sid."  She scratched him behind the ears as he busied himself with the kibble.  "I guess you need some water too, hunh?"

Nylat shrugged. "I'd be glad to share with you." She followed Kioko into the food van, even, and curled up at her feet, still speaking. "You might not believe it, but I am lonely most of the time. You don't know how hard it is to be different even among those who are different." With a flick of her tail, she closed her eyes, not sleeping, but rather, resting. Still alert, but not as aware of things directly around her. "Anyways, I need a few hands around the van." She opened her eyes and winked at Kioko. "No apposable thumbs, ya know."

~~

Kanec chuckled a bit. "Nylat gets mad at anything. My sticking around would make it worse. And you are worked up. And mad. 'Hit dog yelps the loudest.' I heard that a while back. Makes sense, no? As fo sitting up her, I said so." He beat his wings, shifting this ime into a bat, and looping quickly around Disera. "And I am not a shiny elf, thank you. I can only change into animals, not other races of human. And you didn't have to come up here. You could have just let me be." With a flare of his wings, he pulled to a stop, beating his leathery wings to stay airborne. "And I did not mean to bring up a sore spot, ya know." His voice was considerably kinder and less joking. Maybe I'll ask him some other time." At her offer of joining them, he shifed into his human self, his wingbeats never wavering, and it seemed his mood was considerably lightened. "Of course I'll join you for breakfast."

Dravius had stopped singing, switching songs several times in quick sucsession, the tip of his chopped off tongue poking out of his mouth. He had also ceased watching his hands, tapping his feet on the wood of the bench in time with the quickly swapping musical tunes. The songs had also picked up tempo as he had gone along, getting into upbeat sings quite swiftly, then descending back down into slower fare. His hat had slipped to the side, his black roots poking out from under the checked cap.

Suddenly, Dravius stopped short his playing, muttering chords and time signatures under his breath. He glanced at the faint ink marked on the inside of his arm, arranged in a musical scale. He began to softly play the song, Run, that Maya had sung before, managing to miss only a few notes throughout the entire song, which was remarkable considering he had patched together the tune from any circus mambers that happened to know a shred of the song, and gathered it into a rather amazing representation of the song. He slid one leg down to the ground, the other still hovering in the half-crossed position.

When the song ended, Dravius cracked all of his fingers, small grooves in his fingers where they had been pressed against the higher, sharper strings. His face had been stuck in an even deeper ex
pression of focus, his brows furrowed deeply together. He was still strumming absently a minute or so later, when a group of five young men walked up, but Dravius didn't notice them until he cought a mouthful of cigarette smoke blown towards him by the leader, covering his mouth and nose with one hand.

"We wasn't done with you, freak," One of the younger-looking thugs piped, glaring at the much taller Co-Master. "Shuddup, idiot," The one with the long hair growled, smacking the smaller upside the head, and then tapping hot ashes into his buzz-cut hair. "But 'e's right, fist-bait. Youse is from the circus what rolled in, uh?" He asked, crossing his arms in an attempt to look intimidating. At Dravius' nod, he took a long drag on his cigarette and let the smoke out through his nose, a rancid grin spreading across his greasy face. "Then youse can't stop us from havin' some fun with the carnie lady, uh?" Suddenly, Dravius' lips curled back from his sharp teeth in the beginnings of a snarl. "Yuh. I can, townie." He stood, long fingers curled tightly around the neck of his guitar. "And I will, jait-bait."

One of the smaller toadies had crept off towards Maya, under the sight of any others, and came up behind her. He was only about as tall as she was, and had a thin, rat-like face, with several missing teeth. " 'ay Ba-bee. Les' go have some fuuun." The small, disgusting man grinned, his teeth as yellowed as all the other's. "You come wiff us and you'll be outta this wuuuurl." He had a habit of drawing out words, looking hungrily at Maya, raking his eyes up and down the girl. Another small goon soon joined him, whispering rather lewd things to his cohort,sniggering intermitantly.

Dravius noticed both small boys and strode over, lifting the by the collars of their ragged jackets, lifting them to eye level and growling, "I...suggest....you leave...before you lose the skin on your face..." He looked furios beyong words, and the small men were trembling, reaching out with booted feet to vainly try and reach the ground. They nodded madly, and Dravius tossed them to the side, turning back to the leader. "Go." The one word seemed to echo throughout the street, and he was practically oozing malice.

Maya had still been rather taken with the shop display when the sound of the song she'd sung a few days ago her turn her head.She watched Dravius as he recited the entire song, slightly surprised and somewhat impressed by the fact the tall male had just come up with the entire thing. She was pretty sure he didn't know the song before she'd sung it, and smiled slightly at the fact he seemed to have remembered it.

When the Co-Master finished and the group approached, she recognised them immediately, and sighed inwardly at their appearance. It was another of those typical things. She should have known they weren't likely to just give it up. She could have hope though, she supposed.

Watching Dravius with an obvious concern, though she knew she probably needn't worry, the appearance of the ragged young man went almost unnoticed until he spoke. When he did, Maya could only look at him. She really would rather not think about what he was implying, besides. She was now trying to ignore an inner, nagging fear. She really hated people like this. She continued to watch the vulgur hoodlum in front of her, almost glad she was more or less obscured by her cloak as his eyes ranged over her, though she shifted slightly in an attempt to cover more. Her look, despite her uneasines, almost dared the young man to come closer. She was likely to kick him if he did, and that wasn't saying anything lightly. The girl's life-long dance hobby had, naturally, made her physical kicks very powerful, and they usually proved extremely painful because of it.

At the arrival of the second young man, the girl fleetingly lost her nerve a little. One, she could handle, two, probably, if it came to it. If anymore of them decided to come over here though then she might have a problem. Not that she couldn't run, she was certainly fast enough, but there were only so many people one could stand up against.

Maya took a slight step back as the two conversed, ignoring their sniggers, wary and once again very much on edge. The lads didn't really have much chance to do anything, however, as at that moment Dravius seemed to have noted the two that had bypas.sed his sight earlier. Maya, rightly relieved, slipped behind the Co-Master a little as he threatened the two, an obvious shudder running down her spine at the sound of his voice. She was painfully reminded of how Dravius had been when he killed Break, and it did nothing for her nerves, though she knew it wasn't the same.

With a slight frown, the butterfly watched Dravius when he addressed the others, then slipped her hand into his and pressing gently, more concerned over his behaviour. She jumped a little however as a new voice joined the fray, sounding just as dangerous as Dravius'.

"I'd do as he says," The Sword Master stood a ways behind the hoodlum group, one dark eye visible through the strands of black, his entire aura deadly. He was focused on a wicked looking blade that he held in his hand, a finger of the other running up it's spine in a very offhand sort of way. The rest of his knives were "conveniently" visible around his waist, just underneath his black jacket. Well. No point letting the Co-Master get all the threats in first. Besides. That kid had been in trouble enough this week.

((Runnnnn. <3 *flees to Youtube* Maya must next sing Footprints in the Sand. :D Don't forget. And pff, Julian. Ya know what, Nylat should just poof there to be a part of it. xD))

((Uhm... Det. People die all the time. That would mean she'd be in pain constantly. xD Unless you have a distance, or something, in mind. o3o

And pffffft Ny. They'll be back soon. xD))

[[so emo.

buh. i guess i'll post or something.]] 

Ah yes. What had been taken? Why hadn't she thought to ask that? Will looked expectantly at Evan.

The look Evan gave Raphael was a bit more bitter than he intended. But Gervaise wouldn't stop prattling on and that was so very irritating. But what was missing made his face crumble. He dropped his face in his hands and sighed, the sound muffled and thick over his hands. "My watch, my pocket watch... the only thing she ever gave me and I lost it. Oh she'll never forgive me." She's dead. She's been dead for ever and ever, Galahaaad. "Shut up Gervaise." Evan mumbled dully, sniffing and rubbing his eyes.

Tell them what happened or do not? Spider didn't really want their help. He didn't want to be tied to this place anymore and getting help from them would only put them in debt and Spider would rather bash his face over the table than have to stay here any longer than he wanted to. There were too many problems. Spider remembered when he used to sit in the attic and wish horribly to be able to go outside. And now he wished he had never left.

Spider frowned, and put the napkin back down on his plate. It had done little to get rid of the blue stains on his face. "It happened last night. I was talking with Zinc in our van and Evan came in, and he told us that Maya was okay and there was nothing to worry about." Spider paused. "Zinc was talking about... waiting for Yama and then leaving and-" Spider threw his hands up, making a loud popping noise. "Gone! Zinc just... poof!"

"Yama said his body had been disintegrated." Evan added, still muffled and sounding a bit less like he was going to start crying. "And so we got really scared and we went to go get Yama because Yama would know what happened and that's when Evan noticed his watch was missing."

Evan made a noise of grief.

Spider continued, "But when we got Yama and we told her what happened, she didn't think the same thing happened to the watch because... because Zinc left a... a mark and... well there wasn't anything in Evan's pocket. So she's under the impression someone stole it because she'd had things filched already."

Will had been silent during Spider's explanation. "Disintegrated?" She asked, eyes wide. Will looked at Raphael, her eyebrows slanting in a slight frown. Would they let her get a sample of that? "But... how... if he was..." Will stood up. Members disintegrating was far bigger news than a missing pocketwatch! But then... well, they both were a little bitter right now. They probably even thought one of the members was responsible for that.

That really was too bad. Will didn't like to think that they thought everyone here wanted to hurt them, but she realized that was exactly what they thought. Will doubted that Wendigo woman was afraid of anyone here, but she definitely didn't like them. But was it for the same reasons? Had they become too insensitive? Too comfortable with the people they had known for ever and how things were that they couldn't show courtesy and understanding to someone who didn't understand this foreign new environment? 

For being mobile orphanage, you'd think understanding and patience would be very important. Of course somehow they were being run by some of the... well. Will just thought they could be a bit better. Perhaps it was time their glorious leader had a pep talk. Or a group scolding. 

((I really don't know Det. o_o Why not just keep her as she is?

And. *Hugs Zomby* D8 Feel better soon. *Hands coffee*))