((Julian, you manly man you.))

The taller man's face had not changed, other than a subtle whitening of his face as Dravius lofted his minions, but at the sound of Julian's voice, he whipped his entire body around, gaping briefly before stepping back in order to view both men at the same time. "Well, looks as if the carnies're ganging up on us, uh?" He laughed nervously, which evoked a wave of titters from the remaining two behind him, the other's scampered off when dropped to the ground.

"Oh no, three against two. How unfair for you." Dravius crossed his arms and grinned, more a baring of teeth than a smile. "Please leave. I don't wish to get violent." He enunciated with clenched teeth, his one eye dark and threatening. When the Co-master felt Maya's hand in his, he squeezed gently, his rough fingers wrapping around the girl's. His entire being seemed to contradict what he had just said, moving his focus to Julian. "The shows are two day a..." At the beginning of his sixth word, Dravius began coughing hard, his back arching slightly as he forced the air out of his lungs. At the apparent distraction, the lead hoodlum grinned greasily and jerked his head towards the boy. The two remaining thugs raced forewards, bearing switchblades casually. Dravius was still quite incapacitated, hands over his mouth and nose. The two blades were thrust forewards, as high as the two could reach, which happened to be just above his top rib, butr Dravius straightened up and looked rather dissapointed.

"Honestly, you could've at least jumped or something," He tsked, tugging the knives out of his lower chest. "Or have known which side my heart was on." Indeed, the thugs had stabbed on the opposite side of his chest, and not very deep, either. How sad. Dravius tucked the switchblades into his pocket, poking a finger through the slits in his shirt. "Now I've got to sew this, hmm?" He seemed unperturbed by the bleeding happening under the slits, and the thugs and looked flabbergasted, shrieked quietly, and then run as fast as they could away.

"What.....what're you?" The only hoodlum left stammered, eyes flicking to Julian and back to Maya. "Why ain't you screamin'?" He seemed honestly confused by the fact the Dravius was still just staring at him, and not flailing about in pain. "I'm not a what, I'm a who, moron. Dravius. Co-Master of the Majikus Circus, at your service." He made a mock bow, sweeping and sarcastic.

((Fff. Of course he's manly.))

"Week long puberty," Raphael snorted. "That's one way of putting it," He laughed quietly, raising his eyebrows at Violet's next statement. "Hm. That's the point of our existance. Can't say we've set much of an example lately, but hell. No-one had any control of that," He exhaled through his nose, then leant forward and crossed his arms on the table. "As for your van," He shrugged. "We had a few spare, so we didn't need to make use of yours. You can go take a look, if you wish."

The Ring-Master smiled at the girls reaction, then glanced down the table when Evan chose to answer his question regarding the missing item. The mention of the pocketwatch being given to him made the illusionist feel sympathetic towards the Blodwen. Losing something given to you by someone important was usually a big issue. Maya and her mothers locket was a good example, though the girl had never actually lost it. No doubt she'd feel exactly the same as Evan, however, at this moment in time.

The tall blonde, however, had little time to respond when Spider spoke, and he listened in silence to the Blodwen's deion of what had taken place. His ex
pression became increasingly worried, and very much confused. He shared Will's look with a frown of his own, then scratched a temple. He knew Zinc wasn't entirely of this world, but to havehim simply dissapear was still unusual, even in the Majikus. On top of that, what were the chances a thieving member would take the watch at the precise time Zinc was disintegrated?...

After a moment of silent contemplation, the Ring-Master stood, still frowning slightly. "That's... Very strange. No-one just dissapears," Raphael ran a hand through his hair. "Yama was probably our best chance at finding out what happened. Having not been a magic-user, I'm afraid I can't provide much light on this," He bit his lip lightly, looking at the van door, before turning his gaze to Will. "How much do you know about magic, or creatures of another world, for that matter?"

Before he got an answer, he looked at the clearly distraught Evan, then shook his head. The mans seperation from the item was obviously causing him great distress, and it really didn't seem fair he had to suffer if it could be helped. "Actually. That can wait. I'll as.sist you with finding Evan's watch first, then it might be an idea to go and look at this mark, if Spider allows us to check out the van," Raphael exhaled slowly through his nose, then smiled slightly at Spider. "Thank you for letting us know. Evan?... Your watch, are there any distinguishing features? There are a few in the Circus, no doubt. And I'm pretty sure you want yours found as quickly as possible,"

Of course. There was still no solid evidence that it had indeed been stolen. And of not, then helping Evan get a hold of this important item might take a little more time than expected.

 ~~~

 Julian. Maya felt a little better with him being here. There was, with him, no chance of him losing his temper far enough to cause some serious trouble. She was pretty sure Julian had never lost his temper in her presence, anyway.

The butterfly turned her gaze on Dravius when she felt the pressure he exerted on her hand, and watched him carefully up until the point he started coughing. The hoodlums suddenly became a second priority to the young woman, in light of the Co-Masters illness. And, of course, the Sword Masters presence made her worries regarding those people a little less prominent. Because her concern and focus were entirely on the tall, white haired male, she missed the thugs approach and the obvious threat they carried.

Julian, who had kept his eyes on them, didn't miss their movements, and immediately held the knife he carried in a manner that would allow him to quickly intervene should he need to. His sharp eyes, however, caught every subtle movements those boys made. It wasn't difficult for him to deduce that their angle was wrong, everything about their movements were wrong, and their strikes would be in no way fatal. There would be no serious damage to the Co-Master. The most Dravius would get was a cut. Or at least, a cut compared to what he usually did during shows. 

A little less wary, the Sword Master slipped the knife back onto his belt, then stood and watched as Dravius immeidately recovered from their, as he knew it would be, useless attempt to harm him. Well, they probably deserved the shock of stabbing someone only to realise it really accomplished nothing. The thought made his lips twitch. It really was just too bad.

The whole thing had happened on such a short space of time, that Maya's reaction was cut short before it pretty much took hold. The sudden, ice cold fear that hit her squarely in the stomach dissolved as soon as Dravius stood from the attack. She noted the positions of the blades, and having watched the Co-Master do this many a time immediately realised that neither one was fatal. It didn't stop her feeling just a little shaky, however. She'd grown accustomed to Dravius and techniques of pretty much just stabbing himself, but to see someone else do it with a genuine intent to harm. Well, spoke for itself, really. It also wasn't nice to know he was being hurt for simply looking out for her.

She watched pas.sively as the two thugs ran, then, watched Dravius' retort to the thug leaders words. Imbecile. How could he take an attack so lightly? Maya was almost irritated with the Co-Master for his seeming lack of ragard for anyone else's feelings.Mainly hers. Sure, he couldn't feel pain, but that in no way made her worry any less. She was going to end up having a heart attack if he kept doing this to her.

Giving up on trying to reason with herself, she dropped her forehead against Dravius' upper arm, closing her eyes. Julian had walked over at this point, completely ignoring the final thug as he pas.sed, and pausing by the Co-Master and Maya. "Might be a good idea to head back, hm?" He asked quietly, the butterfly opening one eye to glance at him sideways.

The Sword Master shrugged, then headed off up the street towards where the Circus was situated in the distance. He made sure to go slow enough that the hoodlum could still see him. Just in case he wanted to continue. Maya watched him go, her forehead still pressed lightly against Dravius' arm, before she eventually pulled away and glanced at the shop window behind her. She could always buy the crystal butterfly later, she supposed. With a quiet sigh, she glanced only fleetingly at the stranger, then grasped Dravius' hand again.

"Come on," She murmered, tugging lightly on his hand and keeping her eyes diverted from his face. "You need to go stitch yourself up,"

Nylat flicked her ears. "Don't worry about heavy stuff. I can move that well enough, even when my stiffness is at its worst." She yawned as Kioko left to fetch food, then smiled at the pyro's multiple questions and queries. "Well, if it's her cloak, you oughta return it. And to return it, you must go to see her, no? And I think I just heard Raphael say something about her. So, I as.sume she's here."

~~

Kanec glided down to the ground, shifting into a tiger as he approached. He slipped in the food van just behind Disera, helping himself to a raw steak pas.sed to him by a cook. As he leapt up into a chair beside Raphael, setting the steak on the table, he voiced his opinion. "I haven't seen nor heard of a missing or stolen watch lately. I could look into it, though. No one ever sees a fly on the wall." He took a large bite out of the steak, barely chewing before swallowing. He took a few more large bites in this way, before finally taking the rest in his mouth and swallowing it whole.

[[so manly he knits manliness.

also for what it's worth i'm not blaming a circus member either. o-o]]

"He isn't dead!" Spider exclaimed, but didn't have any evidence to back it up. If he wasn't dead why had he exploded, and why hadn't he seen him? Wouldn't he have come to say hello in dreamland? And he didn't bother correcting Raphael. Of course no one just disappears! Stuff like that didn't happen. Spider's lower lip wobbled. No amount of "sorry"'s or "thank you"'s helped. He stood up and headed quickly for the door. Everything had to go wrong! Awful awful everything everything!

Yama leaves, and Evan comes, and everyone is mean, and then Zinc disappears! At least Yama was back... but he hadn't even know Yama for as long as he'd known Zinc. It was like loosing his sister all over again! But worse, because Sh'Yama hadn't exploded in front of his eyes. "Oooohhhh why does everything have to be so awful?" he asked himself, as he slouched back to his van.

Spider realized he had no intention of going back to his van, and kept walking. He wandered aimlessly forward, hands on his head and frown on his face as he slinked and twitched pa.ssed vans.

About to answer the Circus master, Violet couldn't help it when her attention deviated from her current conversation and locked onto the rather odd one going on close by. "I feel like I'm missing something," she said with a rueful grin, clapping one hand to her forehead in a gesture of exasperation. "But if it's helpful, I'll let you guys know if I see a... pocket-watch? I don't think I've..." At that moment the raven-haired woman was inwardly ranting at her terrible education. She felt like a complete dunce considering the fact that everyone else at the table seemed to know what a pocket-watch was. It sounds rather...useless, she thought. If you can keep a watch about your wrist I don't see a point to having one you can put in your pocket, and there's also considering the fact that a normal watch can also fit into your pocket. Squeezing her eyes shut Violet could already feel a hot flush traveling up towards her cheeks, staining her pale skin a delicate red. "Oh...just...don't mind me," she muttered, and crossed her arms in an embarra.ssed manner, looking away from the others. 

Nibbling on the inside of her cheek nervously Violet hoped that the conversation would carry on and hopefully leave her out of it. I don't need to prove I'm more of a fool than I've already shown myself to be, she thought. 

Kanec, after both Spider and Evan departed, yawned widely before leaping from his chair, shifting into a scruffy-looking dog. "Well, I'm out for a stroll in the town. I'll be back before long, no worries." He flicked his long tail and padded out through the door, trotting through the Circus grounds to the edge of town, where he rolled in a bit of dirt, to better fit his facade. everyone stayed clear of mangy strays. Not that he was mangy. But he wanted people to think so. Helped him stay undiscovered.

As he walked calmly through the streets, he payed little attention to anyone aound him, using his sense of smell to guide himself. Well, sight, too, but mainly smell. As he wanted, people steered clear of him. He shook, a dust cloud forming around him, and continued on, trotting through alleys and ducking into alcoves every now and then when an Animal Control vehicle sped by. Being identified as a 'freak' while trying to escape being captured by them was not much better. Sure, cityfolk loved their shows, but that was where they were considered 'servants' of a sort. They were being entertained. But having them in town. That was something else. Or, at least, that was how Kanec saw it.

He stopped to stretch for a minute, only to be greeted by a low growl in the alley beside him. But, it didn't seem animalistic. It seemed more of a humanoid growl. Turning, the hair on his spine raising in a warning, he bared his teeth, ready to protect himself. But what stepped from the shadows was not what he expected.

It was a young boy, with shaggy blonde hair that seemed to match his own for all the dirt in it. His eyes were the same green as Kanec's, and he walked hunched, tensed like a cat about to pounce. In his arms was a small orange tabby kitten, and on his head an albino rat. As his waist, stuck through a belt loop, was a bone dagger. He set the kitten down and Kanec could see makeshift bandages around its middle. The rat scampered down from the boy's head and suddenly the bone dagger was in his hand. The boy bared teeth like Kanec did, canines filed to a point, and Kanec took a step back. He had almost been sure, but...could it?

((See? I can write novel-posts if I want. :D Gonna update Bios after I reveal the boy's identity. Anyone figures this out--DON'T SPOIL IT.))

The lead hoodlum had been looking more and more anxious by the second, and suddenly lost his nerve and bounded away, with a loud squeak. Dravius sighed and examined one of the two switchblades, flicking it in and out thoughtfully. "These are really quite sharp," He murmered, dimly feeling Maya place her forehead against his tricep, and nodded, shifting his guitar to settle it on one hip. "I do believe that would be best. I should like to hang from a tree for a bit."

The red stains on Dravius' shirt were spreading, but not enough to concern him at this point. "One time I accidentally broke one of those big ol' shelves. I was bending down and got up too fast. It was quite a sight, really. I had bits of glas.s in my hair for days." He reamrked absentmindedly, watching Maya gaze at the store front. "I've all my stuff in my pockets. I'll stay out here if you wanna go in, just so I don't break anything." He laughed quietly, pulling the bloody cloth away from the right side of his chest. With his other hand he released Maya's gently, touching his fingertips to her's, smiling softly.

The town was nice, now that you stopped and looked around, with trees dotting the sidewalk, poking up through shallow circles in the concrete. A park was visible through the buildings, with children running around with loud yells of joy circling around them. Must'a been nice....was Dravius' slow thought, with him chewing on the place his lip ring used to be, sinking his teeth into the scarred flesh. He suddenly dug his hands into his pockets and fished out a palmful of quarters. He had spotted a stand on the corner that sold ice cream, the wrinkled old man running the small cart standing wearily. "Would you like some ice cream?" Dravius asked Maya, pointing to the small seller, who was wizened with age, round gla.sses slipping down his crooked nose.

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

Sid had been almost ridiculously pleased that The One Who Smelt of Firewood had deciphered what he had wanted, and plunged his entire face into the bowl, making small, "Nomnomnom" noises in spite of himself. The ear scrath was nice too, and Sid licked The One Who Smelt of Firewood's hand gratefully.

The only thing missing was....Oh! Water. Sid plunged his muzzle into the water the same way as the kibble, eating as if someone was going to take the provisions away from him. When he withdrew his small round head, it was soaked through and looked much smaller due to the fact that all of the fur was sodden. He put his front paws on The One Who Smelt of Firewood's un-hurt leg, dripping water all over her in the process. When she moved away, he whined and squiggled towards The Brown One with his rump in the air, grinning playfully.

Sid pounced on top of The Brown One, bouncing off of her shoulder and landing on his back. He yipped and tried again, his legs splaying out over his back. He barked a hello, licking the fur at the nape of her neck. The Brown One tasted of cat and dog, and fox, and also of Person. She had a lot of mixed up smells, but she still seemed rather nice. Like an old she-cat Sid had met a while back, who would play with him sometimes, if he wasn't too rough.

Sid tugged on The Brown One's ear gently, standing unsteadily on her back. Suddenyl he lost his blaence and fell over, lying on his side and panting slightly.

((Is fine, Zomby. We just won't find the watch, in that case. xD Not on one of the members, anyways. o-o))

Gold. Dented. Engraved flowers. A latin phrase, and his name. Raphael nodded slightly in response to Evan's deion. Knowing all this, the watch shouldn't prove to be too hard to find, if one of the Circus members had indeed taken it. At Spider and Evan's departure, Raphael's ex
pression became tinted with both concern and sympathy. He would have gone after them, but considering what he knew of their views regarding him at the moment it was probably best to leave them be. He didn't wish to upset either of them any further if he could help it.

After a moment or two of quiet thought, the Illusionist sighed inwardly, before turning his gaze to Will. "Shall we go take a look around?... Or would you much rather prefer going to take a look at this mark the bogeyman left behind?... Disera could always accompany me if you wish to choose the latter." He smiled slightly, the ex
pression half-way strained as he moved his gaze to Violet when she spoke. Her flustered words made him chuckle lightly in response as he crossed his arms loosely over his chest.

"If one of the members has taken this watch it shouldn't take too long to find, so you needn't work yourself up so much," Raphael replied, waving a hand. "Why don't you go take a look at your van?" He suggested, sliding his hands into his pockets and raising an eyebrow. His attention was then pulled elsewhere at the sound of clinking, and he watched, slightly amused, as Sid attacked a metal bowl full of kibble. It was pretty obvious the little animal hadn't eaten in a while.

Waving a hand in greeting to Kioko and Nylat, the Ring-Master exhaled slowly through his nose before he looked back at the group around the table, his ex
pression thoughtful. Well. It was probably about time he went and combed the Circus for this missing watch.

~~~

Maya had still been gently pulling on Dravius' hand when she heard the quiet noise that signalled the lead hoodlums flee. She glanced over her shoulder, watching him until he dissapeared from sight, then went back to tugging on the Co-Master.

She had to roll her eyes slightly at the males statement ragarding the switch-blades and tree climbing. "Of course they're sharp, and what're you?... Part monkey? Come on." She grumped, frowning slightly and still trying, very much in vain, to move the Co-Master from where he stood. The butterfly had to pause and look at him in slight bewilderment when he went and completely changed the subject. Shelves?... She was sure she hadn't heard anyone mention shelves. What was he talking about?

The young woman's head was tilted slightly, her ex
pression confused. "Glas.s in your hair?... Like I haven't seen that before. You jumped through your van window to save Alto's friend, remember? You probably had the whole window embedded in your face." She snorted quietly, a very small and amused smile on her face, and went back to tugging. "And it's alright. I can come back later."

She threw a somewhat subdued glance at the little crystal butterfly, then dropped her hand when Dravius released it, looking at his fingers. There was absoloutely no way she was going to move him if he didn't wish to do so. The thought made her pout and huff a bit. Stubborn mule. She eventually looked up at him again when he mentioned ice-cream. What?... He was serious, wasn't he?

Maya let out an explosive sigh, then puffed out her cheeks. "Dravius," She replied flatly, prodding him sharply in the side. "There is no way we are staying out here until you get those wounds sorted. You can't feel it, but you shouldn't be so flippant," She paused, then bit her lip and looked elsewhere, looking as though she'd probably said too much. She continued regardless, however, her voice quiet. "You got lucky this time," She murmered. "Lucky those idiots didn't take into consideration the location of your heart or any other vital organ."

She looked over at the little old man running the ice-cream cart. "Also... You might give that poor guy a heart attack if you walk over there. Your still bleeding, you know." Pulling her gaze from the old man in the distance, she pouted slightly, keeping her gaze diverted. "If you want to stay out here, that's okay. But, Dravius, sort these out first," She placed a hand just beyond the spread of blood on his shirt, smiling in a concerned sort of way at him. "And maybe put one of your new shirts on, too,"

Nylat smiled at the little puppy as he tackled her time and time agan, chuckling slightly. As Raphael waved, she raised her uninjured paw in greeting, before turning her attention to Sid. "Little One, you're going to hurt youself if you fall from me too much." She flicked her tail, lightly brushing against the puppy. He amused her, so innocent and nearly worry free. She couldn't ever remember being like that. She'd had a hard life from the beginning. She needed to relax more. She glanced up at Kioko, flicking an ear. "So, do you wanna go ahead and move your stuff?"

((Short post because I'm leaving Kanec ou for now.))

((*claws at closet door*  Lemme out, Ny!  I've posted!  D8))

Disera sighed unhappily at Spider and Evan's exit's, but turned her attention back to Raphael.  "I guess, if you want my help, I'll go with you to look for the watch.  Maybe go with Kanec's suggestion and buzz around the circus for a bit."  She waved good-bye as the other shifter finished his steak and left for his stroll.  "Seeya later, then.  Be careful around the townies."

She turned back to the others.  "Welp, what's the plan, guys?"

The magician beside her spoke up.  "I have no problem inspecting this mark, if Yama and the others have no issue with my being inside their van.  I cannot guarantee I can tell them anything new about it, though.  But I will do whatever I can."

"So, we look for the watch, then Selvai here swings by Spider and Yama's van and pokes at that wierd mark.  Sound okay to everybody?"  Disera asked.

"It is fine, Disera.  But you should finish your breakfast first," Selvai told her, gesturing at the plate of food she had barely touched.  The shifter rolled her eyes, but picked up her fork.  "Okay, dad."

He twitched slightly.  "Please don't refer to me like that."

"Why not?  You've got the gray hair already."

"It is white, not gray."

"Sure it is."

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

Kioko nodded slightly at the hybrids words.  "You're right.  I'll take it to her after I move my things.  And if you get really stiff, I'll help you move things, no matter how heavy they are," the pyro said earnestly.

She nibbled at the food on her plate and watched Sid climbing over Nylat.  The pyro smiled slightly when he licked her hand, and scratched him behind the ears, laughing quietly at Sid's interactions with Nylat.  "You're so cute," the teen cooed.  She looked up at Nylat when the hybrid spoke.  "Okay.  I'll move my stuff when breakfast is over.  And then I guess I'll go take Yama's cloak back to her." 

Nylat nodded, flicking her tail. "And I don't usually move anything heavy. If I'm too stiff, I won't. It's no big deal. And that sounds like a plan to me." With a sigh, she flopped her head on the ground, yawning. "Maybe I'll go hunting later. Or convince someone else to. I need raw, bloody meat. Not what they serve here. And I can't really hunt at the moment." She grinned up at Kioko. "We'll be interesting roommates. A couple of cripples is what we are."

~~~

Kanec growled as the kid stepped forward, but decided to try peace before fighting. Shifting into his human self, wings flared for balance, his hais dusty, he had to sidestep to aviod being stabbed by the small dagger. Again and again the boy lunged, eventually backing Kanec into the alley. How the two had switched places, he was not sure. He flicked his ears, sighing, and glanced at the boy. Appearing only around ten, Kanec was not suprised that the boy was tiring. He thought he saw something in those eyes that was familiar. But, he'd been so young... "Daniel?" The boy's head snapped up, and his gaze fixed itself on Kanec. If it were possible, the boy was tenser, until the kitten hobbled up, mewling at him and pawing at his bare foot. For the first time, Kanec got a look at the kid. He was dressed in dirty jeans and a shirt near shreds, and appeared like he'd rolled in mud. The shifter took a step forward while the boy picked up the kitten, the dagger back through his belt loop. But as soon as he took that step, those piercing green eyes fixed themselves on him, and that dagger was out, though the kitten remained in his arms. "Daniel...Is that you?"

The boy nodded, and the dagger was slid back through the belt loop, and the albino rat scurried up to his head again. Kanec was shocked. He dropped his arms. "Daniel, it's me, Kanec. Remember?" He shifted into a fluffy white persian, and Daniel smiled, causing Kanec to sigh in relief. He shifted back, taking another step toward Daniel, but he just stepped back, keeping the distance the same. "Okay. I understand. You don't trust me. It's been nearly eight years. You probably barely remember me. What are you doing out here? I mean, it's dan--"

"Was left." Was the kid's reply. He snuggled the kitten, who mewled again. "It's okay, Lily." As the kitten quieted, he turned his gaze back toward Kanec, and shuffled his feet. "Was left, long time back. Mommy and Daddy never came back for me. Took lotsa boxes. Mean man took me from the house. I found a doggy, Delilah. She kept me safe. And warm. But ano'ter mean man took her away. Then I found Snap and Lily. They talk to me. And Snap finds food, too."

Kanec listened intently, nodding occasionally. So, Daniel probably hadn't been too educated when he'd been abandoned. That much could be said from his grammar. He shifted into a lare wolf, and knelt on the ground, letting Daniel sget on his back and sit just behind his shoulders. The boy set Lily down between his furry shoulderblades, and instructed her to stay. The kitten sat, seeming to smile, and Kanec stood, starting slowly out of the alley. At this point, he didn't care what people thought. Now they avoided him with fear. A growl made sure of that. "So, Daniel, you can talk to Lily and Snap?" The boy nodded.

"And Delilah."

"Ah, yes, Delilah, too. Want to come with me? There are alot of nice people where I live, and even a big puppy I think you'll love." Daniel's eyes sparkled and he nodded enthusiastically. Kanec grinned, and picked his pace to a lope. He'd never before thought he'd see his brother again.

((Added Daniel's bio. *flees))

EDIT: And I edited some bios. :D

The Ring-Master had been about to repond to Disera's words when Kanec upped and left, watching the shifter go in silence, his face thoughtful. Shrugging slightly once the winged male had left his sight, the blonde Illusionist moved his gaze back towards Nylat and Sid, a smile barely visible on his face as he watched the little animal frolick around. Well, at least someone was enjoying themselves today, at any rate. The bowls of kibble were situated not far from Kioko, both now empty, and were soon picked up by a pas.sing Circus member who worked within the food van. She was chuckling gaily by the time she reached the counter, having caught sight of the excitable Sid.

He pulled his gaze back towards the group around the table when he heard Disera's voice, gently rubbing the area underneath his right ear. He didn't answer her immediately, because in truth, there wasn't really much of a plan. They were readying themselves to look for a pocket watch, not infiltrate the government. Raphael, smiling slightly, raised an eyebrow at Selvai when the magician spoke. "That sounds like an idea," He murmered in agreement, nodding once in Disera's direction. "Alright," He added, watching the blue-sknned woman converse with her summoner.

With a quiet laugh, he waved the female shifter over. "Come on then. Let's go scour the Circus for this missing watch,"

~~~

Stood just outside the Circus grounds, Karene had been watching the crowd outside the boundary she'd established, smiling at their apparent excitement and the quiet buzz of voices. There were a number of children there, each one craning their necks to get a better look at the decorated vans and milling members, waving madly when one of the performing members noticed them. Even the older people of the crowd were beginning to show an initial excitement at the sight of this temporary set-up.

Inhaling slowly, the caramel-haired woman turned her sight away and watched the path that seemingly led in to town, raising an eyebrow at the approahc of a dark haired figure. "Good afternoon, Julian," She greeted, faking a salute and inclining her head. "Whatever were you doing out there?"

The Sword Master paused at the sound of Karene's voice, then shrugged, slipping his hands into his jacket pockets as he continued his approach; Throwing an uninterested glance in the direction of the milling crowd. "The usual. Just sorting the flyers." He responded, pas.sing the woman and heading off in the direction of his van.

Karene rolled her eyes. "Nice talking to you, too," She grumped as the dark male left her sight. She snorted quietly, then crossed her arms and glanced back towards town. It wasn't too long before the murmer of the nearby crowd caught her attention again, though. And going by the sight of that one crying child, the poor kid had probably just spotted Julian and his knives. At that moment, a tall and somewhat spindly boy entered her vision, and she watched him walk off with a slight furrow between her eyebrows.

She didn't know that kid, but he was obviously a member of the Circus. One of the new ones, probably. He certainly didn't look happy. With a frown, the woman uncrossed her arms, then glanced over her shoulder towards where he had emerged. By the time she had looked back she lost sight of him, and sighed quietly. She must have missed one hell of a week if all the newer members looked like that one. Not that they could be blamed, really. Not from what she'd heard, anyway.