Dravius had jumped at Maya's flared wings, ducking slightly out of habit. It always made him feel bad to be frowned at, especially by Maya, although she never looked all that mad. She just had...a physical inability to look any sort of mean. "Mmm. Important," He nodded, shrugging briefly, then looking over at Maya when she took his hand. It was really just a habit, although that particular set of stitches on his hand was iching terribly. He pulled his hand towards him when the girl let go of it, rubbing his palm on the rough material of his pants.

Dravius huffed, standing up on the branch and blinking at Maya's question. "Raphael said something about performing before, but I don't think that's it." While he was rubbing his hands together, he caught sight of something written on his wrist, and squinted at it. "Tomorrow....is...huh?" He looked up, and Maya had hopped off of the branch. "Uh..uh.." He looked around, stuffing his hands in his pockets. How was no one else noticing that today was Valentine's Day? Unles Maya was aware of it, and waiting for him to do something. He took a deep breath, and slid off of the branch, smiling crookedly and saying, "Yes, but. Uhm. Did you know." He pulled a marker out of his pocket and scribbled out the "Tomorrow" on his wrist and replaced it with  "today", holding his hand out to Maya.

Dravius loved chocolate, but he didn't eat it very often, owing to the fact that it went straight to his head, but it was usually the case on Valentines that any town the went to smelled like it had been dipped in a vat of chocolate, than had flower petals sprinkled over it. Shaking his head to clear it, he withdrew his hand, and put both in his pockets.

After a few moments silent contemplation regarding Dravius and the familiarity towards this town, Raphael had been on the verge of turning and heading, again, towards the vans in the hopes of getting to his own. He'd been hoping to get the set acts for this week organised, ready for the opening show tomorrow night. Saying that... He probably wouldn't do it until tomorrow. He had plans for tonight. It was, after all, Valentines. Why not throw a bit of a party?

The blonde Illusionist had barely taken a step when Julian appeared, having emerged from thin air a few feet away. "Done." He said simply ,hands in his pockets and an unreadable ex
pression on his face as he approached, his eyes on the main tent.

 "Ah... Excellent." Raphael responded with a slight smile, following Julian's gaze before sighing through his nose. "You took your time. It's not like you to take this long when distributing flyers." He raised an eyebrow, arms crossed as he watched the dark haired Sword-Master.

"... If you must know. I decided to pay a visit to my... Home town. It's not too far from here," Julian replied, before waving a hand and walking back towards where his van was. The answer he had provided had Raphael looking very confused. It took less than a second for him to realise why those words had made him think. Dravius had said this town was familiar, and although it wasn't prominent, Raphael felt the same in a very offhand sort of way. Now, however, the Ring-Master knew why.

Stepping off quickly, the tall blonde made his way quickly to where he had a better view of the town, smiling slightly. Julian's home town was the town he, Dravius and the others had visited, not long after finding both Maya and Kanec. This town was the very same in which they had met the butterfly and the shifter, Maya's home town, and one of Kanec's thieving hotspots.

 Well. No wonder this place was so familiar.

~~~

Performed here before?... Maybe. Though for some reason Maya couldn't bring herself to believe that. She was pretty sure Raphael would have known the town immediately if they'd performed there previously. He had information on most of their visited towns, as did Dravius.

Frowning slightly at the buildings in the distance, the butterfly winged teen crossed her arms behind her back, then looked over her shoulder when she heard a rustle that signified Dravius  jumping from the tree. He was smiling like an idiot.

"What?" She asked, dropping her arms and turning to face him, raising her eyebrows in a confused sort of manner. She watched him in silence as he seemingly scrubbed something off his arm, replacing it with a scribble of a marker, before holding his wrist out to her. She spent a few seconds looking between the Co-Masters face and wrist, before smiling at him sheepishly. "Uhm. No... I didn't... Wasn't really paying much attention to the days lately..."

She bit her lip, looking back at his wrist as he pulled it away, mumbling under her breath something about not fogetting before. Shaking her head quickly, she grabbed Dravius' arm with both her hands, smiling cheerfully up at him.

"But!... We're going into town anyway so. It's not a complete disaster, huh?" She said, looking suddenly a little excited. It would be the first Valentine she'd actually have any reason to celebrate, after all. "Oh, oh wait... I'll be right back," She murmered, letting go of the Co-Masters arm and sprinting off back towards the vans.

Upon reaching her own, she jumped into into it and started rummaging around for a pair string sandals that tied around the ankle, before picking up her cloak and running back out, being sure to jump on Dravius when she got back to him. She wrapped her arms firmly around his neck, hugging him tightly for a minute before finally let go of him and dropped to her feet. Blowing a strand of hair away from her face,  she started tugging lightly on the Co-Masters arm, still smiling as she started walking towards town. Her excitement was pretty obvious, and she probably would have been running around if not for the wieght she was pulling along behind her.

((Waitaminute. Wouldn't this be the town with that one hospital. With the butterfly mural? Or am I mistaken? xD))

Nylat nodded as she followed Kioko, flicking her tail as she kept stride. "I can eat human food, yes, my human bit allows that. However, seeing as I don't often, it has a tendency to screw with my stomach. If we get hungry in town, don't worry about buying me anything. There are bound to be a few squirrels or birds around." She glanced at the town they were walking toward, and flicked an ear, sniffing. This was familiar. Very familiar. Lost as she was in her thoughts, she missed Kioko's last question, trying to figure out what it was. She set her ears back, the fur on her spine rising in agitation at not knowing.

~~

Kanec, shrugged. "I'm fine. Just stretching. It's usually worse." At her ascent, he glanced up and flared his wings, soon ascending himself to a branch just over her, and slightly in front of her. He lsitened carefully as he furled his wings, settling his back against the trunk of the tree, crossing his legs and laying back one ear to better listen with the other. When she was done, he thought for a moment, then answered.

"Well, once, actually. Long ago. Probably just about a year before Raphael, Dravius, and Nylat found me. Long story short, these wings," He shuffled his feathers, "Are the enemy of the heart. As for what to do. I say to say what needs to be said, and hope all goes for the better." He flicked his other ear up, tilting his head curiously before inquiring, "If I may ask, who is it you need to tell? Or would I be overstepping my limits?"

"Good, I thought I was the only one who forgot. I'm terrible at remembering things.." Dravius grinned sheepishly, rubbing a shoulder with his right hand. He bent over slightly when the shorter Maya grabbed his arm, a look of surprise crossing his features. "No, you're right!" Maya's nearly-always-sunny disposition was infectious, and he grinned sharply. "Oh, alright," He shrugged and rolled his shoulders back, staring at the town with a tohoughtful ex
pression on his face. His inability to remember what it was about this town was bothering him, and as he looked at a stray butterfly hovering by his nose, he gasped and nearly yelled, "Butterflies can't grin!" Immediatly, the image of a terribly painted butterfly flased into his mind's eye, and then the memory of someone bumping into him. "Oh! Nnn!" He was almost absurdly pleased with himself for remembering, and looked around for Maya.

Dravius, being in no way prepared for what seemed to be an *censored*ault hug, he staggered with the sudden impact of Maya wrapping his arms around his neck. "Woah!" He caught himself and quickly hugged the girl back, walking behind the girl, before saying excitedly, "Maya, I remembered what it is about this place. It's where I met you!" He grinned, waving his free arm in the air. "I really want to go, now." He trotted slightly ahead of Maya, grinning hugely. He was far too excited about his revelation, and added, "This is also the town with the really bad ceiling mural in the recouperation room." His grin faltered for a moment, then returned at double force. "Wait, did you live here?"

((Spiduuur. I'm not actually sure Fluffy will be able to post until the weekend... I never see her on throughout the week. :/ Your more than welcome to post for Florence and Ana though while we're waiting. :/))

Maya, focused entirely on making her way towards town, took a moment to look over her shoulder at Dravius's somewhat excited voice, still smiling. The ex
pression was replaced by instant curiousity at the Co-Masters revaltion that he'd finally pinpointed why this place was so familiar, and she listened intently to him; Her ex
pression becoming a little concerned as all was revealed.

He'd met her here?... But then surely that meant- Ohhh no. Maya, looking more than just a little stricken, watched the ground as she walked, allowing Dravius to pull her along with out her seeming to still have that giddeness that had made itself apparent earlier. The butterfly was tempted to ask the tall, white haired male about the mural, but bit her lip sharply at his last question.

Oh no. No no... Now she knew for certain why she'd felt so apprehensive. She hadn't ever expected to come back here... She'd never thought she'd face this place again. Unfortunately for her, her past was suddenly making this entire thing really hard... There was most likely someone here she wasn't sure she could face... But at the same time... There was a certain excitement building within her. Excitement, and a feeling that came very close to making her want to cry.

"Yes." She answered Dravius, shaking her head quickly. Her voice seemed to have lost any enthusiasm it had had previously, and now sounded uncertain. Scared, almost. Yes. She had lived here, with her mother, no less. And chances were her mother was still here...  And that was the problem.

As much as Maya wanted to see her mother again, the mere fact she'd run away all those years ago just made the guilt a little unbearable... I mean really, she couldn't show up and hope everything would be fine... How could she face her after leaving her behind all these years?... Sure. At the time, it seemed for the best. Maya had honestly believed she was doing her mother a favour by leaving, considering how she had suffered for having a "freak" as a daughter, but she had been only 11. She had not in any way thought it through, not properly; Not once considering the hell she'd put her mother through, nor thinking about what would happen should she show up here again... Not to mention... As far as any of the Circus members knew, that particular family member wasn't alive. Oh god. How was she to explain all this?...

The entire thing was being made worse by the fact the blonde had actually been looking forward to spending time with Dravius out here, considering the day and all. Plus, she didn't want to ruin Dravius' day... But how could she possibly enjoy herself with this hanging over her head?... So much for Valentines

Without realising it, the blonde teen had actually fallen behind slightly, or would have done, had she still not been holding onto Dravius's hand. Still, the closer she got, the more hesitant she seemed to become, her eyes firmly on the gras.s and her ex
pression unbearably conflicted. Shaking it off as quickly as she could, Maya stepped up, walking so that she was no longer being pulled. She didn't want to worry Dravius, and she didn't want to silently mope and ruin the rest of the day. Of course... Forgetting was much easier thought than done.

Nylat shrugged off her first omment, about to reply when Kioko made the remark about it being Valentine's Day. She hadn't noticed the colors until the pyro had pointed them out. Before she could even think about responding, though, Kioko had dashed away across the street. Sighing, she sat down and waited, growling at anyone who came too close, though there weren't many. At Kioko's return, she flicked an ear at the bag, before she asked about their destination. "A park would be nice. But, let's find one that isn't crammed with lovebirds. Eyeck." After a few steps, she glanced back. "Who's that for, anyways?"

~~

Kanec nodded at her comment, as well as to her confirmation of his answers. When Disera alighted on the same branch as him, he thought nothing of it. Competitive nature vs. Competitive nature. Just a way to stay even without scaling the whole tree. What caught him completely off guard, however, was what followed. He was relaxing, barely gripping the branch, but preferring balancing, his wings spread slightly to brace against the tree.

At her words, though, he nearly fell, only a last minute reflex of grabbing the branch as it pas.sed saved him from doing so. He hung there for a minute, watching her go, completely set off. This was just, completely unexpected. What...just happened? After a moment, he shook his head clear, and let go of the branch, shifting into a hawk on his way down, gliding up and out in the direction Disera had fled, hoping to at least find her and, possibly, clear things up.

After a while of hearing nothing but the beat of his wings and the whistle of the wind, and seeing nothing but trees, Kanec finally found Disera. He dropped further into the trees, shifting into a bluejay to better fly through the foliage. He flew just above Disera, trying to find words in him, but kept drawing up a blank. Finally, he sighed, "Did you really mean it?"

((Thar. Kanec's reaction. Happy, Maya?))

[[;3;]]

The rest of her family is dumb and not nearly as special. They probably wouldn't even notice she was missing. Oh well, like he was one to follow the "law" and "ethics" or whatever. It wasn't exactly kidnapping, was it? If she walked on her own two legs? No... no, it probably was. Oh well. Better he than a seven foot tall guy in a dress or something. Never know what kids will run in to when they're off on their own.

Ana clasped her hands behind her back. "It's really his fault for introducing me as such." She said, nodding her head at Florence. In response to Karene's question, Florence stuck his tongue out, making a "nyeh" noise. Proving just how unrelated they were. Not that being a first cousin once removed made you very similar in manners anyway. 

Raphael? Ana wondered who that was. Of course she immediately thought of the angel, and then the ninja turtle. But then went back to angel, because angels were better. Her lips twitched a bit at Florence's nickname. Dark Clown? Well, he certainly was dark. Still wouldn't be a name she'd share with the family though. Maybe she would be Dark Bird Girl. Dark Death Seer. Ana glanced hesitatingly at Florence, and then followed him as he followed Karene.

He didn't seem to want to talk about this Raphael, because he made a noise of extreme disappointment as he started following her. She wasn't sure what that meant. But she had nothing to worry about as long as Florence was around. Or was it the other way around? "Who is Raphael?" Ana asked Karene, and then blinked and looked at the dual haired man that walked up. "..." Staring was rude. She looked back at Karene.

Florence liked staring, so he did that all he wanted. "Well hellloooo, Cruella." He said, waving a hand at Selvai. "Skin any puppies lately?" He added his grin to the end of his question. "Joking aside, you're new. Get a lot of newbies lately, Karene? Jeez, this place." Florence held his hand out to Selvai. "Hi. I'm Florence." He introduced. "And that is a little girl and her pet crow I found on the way here."
 

Kanec landed in the tree on a branch just above her. After a moment of listening, he shifted into a lemur, wrapping his tail around the branch and dropping down to unsnag her antlers. It was harder than he expected, and he talked as he did so. "Well, if it's no joke, why are you embaras.sed? There's honestly no reason..." He unlooped the vine around a prong before pausing, then resuming both action and speech. "Honestly, I rather envy your antlers. Even in a place like this. I'd much rather have them than my ears. Do you know how hard it is to stay sane when you can hear people whispering yards away, most of the time about yourself? As for the wings, I'd love to have three pairs. Even if only two actually were of any use. Bat-like wings are better in some cases than feathered, and vice versa." He paused again before dropping into Disera's lap, holding the vine in a small paw. He grinned before dropping it and scampering to a tree just a few feet away, sitting down before he shifted. He splayed his wings out against the tree, situating himself before her furled them. "To tell the truth, there is no reason to be freaking out about this." He laid his ears back pleasantly, smiling slightly.

Ater a moment, he ganced up at the sky, realizing it was actually quite late in the morning. A flock of crows milled about overhead, probably waiting for their numbers to swell. Only a split second was used to determine his next action. Well, today had started rather unexpectedly, why not go with it? He looked back down at Disera, and smiled to himself, feeling his own cheeks heat a bit. "Well, to tell the truth..." He paused, chewing his lip nervously, then picked back up. "..I love you, too." Then he stood and crossed the short distance between them before bending down and lightly kissed Disera on the forehead, then shifted in a flurry of black and creamy brown feathers. As a crow, he beat his wings to join the m*censored*ive group above, same aside from his green eyes.

((Thar. Be happy.))

~~

Nylat laughed a little at Kioko's words, ficking her tail as she set off along the street. "Well, you never know how many people could be in a town. A for scaring them off--it's a bad thing to do on Valentines Day." She glanced back at Kioko's nervous reaction to her final queston, and nodded, leaving it at that, before trotting ahead, waiting occasionally for Kioko to catch up. Finally, she got to a nearly clear park, and sat down beside a bench, laying ehr ears back. How could she have forgotten the day? Not that she minded. She didn't have anyone anyways.

Dravius was still looking at Maya after he had spoken, and saw the subtle shift in her ex
pression. It made him just a bit worried, and his blinked twice and asked, "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" He mentally analyzed his statement, rubbing a spot just above his bad eye. Her lack of enthusiasm was sudden, and Dravius slowed down slightly, watching her carefully. He wrapped his fingers in his free sleeve, sighing slightly, and looking at the ground.

Dravius still kept moving, at a rather fast clip, especially for Maya, whose legs were smaller than his. He looked slightly worried still, and at her answer, he smiled slightly, and said, "Well, that's nice to know," He shrugged, and turned back towards the town. The cicrcus always parked relatively close to the towns they performed in, so by now they had hit the pavement, and it was now that Dravius realized he was lacking shoes. He shrugged and looked around the town. The entire town smelled like a candy shop, and Dravius inhaled the sugar-scented air, grinning.

"Man, Valentine's day smells nice." Dravius remarked with his exhale, looking at the mas.sive amounts of pink, red and white dripping from the town's walls and store fronts. "Woah. Lotta pink," Was the rather intelligent statement from Dravius, and he grinned at what seemed to be a cotton candy stand that sold the confections studded with candy hearts. "Oh, mah god." He promptly bought one, and trotted back to Maya, holding it out to her. "I can't eat a lot of sugar, but this looks good, right?"

"No no, might as well get it over with." Really, Florence just hated the introductions. Oh I'm Bob Smith and I can barf rainbows. Oh I am the Circus Master, here is a van. Gigantic waste of time. Not like Raphael was the little brats charge. He was. And it was all going to come down to what he thought was best, so why not just skip the middle man?

Noticing Selvai's hesitation Florence did not flail around with his hand. As much fun as that would be, he'd rather not further injure someone during a first impression. He also did not mention that being told to not do something made him want to do it even more. But eh, what was the fun in constantly bothering someone who was obviously injured?

Not nearly as fun as bothering someone fully capable of punching him in the face. "You know, I don't blame them. This place can be a bit..." Florence made a noise, and waved a hand a bit. This of course explained everything about what this place was. He glanced at Violet. "Hello, you. Someone else I don't know. Let's a.ssume I don't know anyone here anymore. Florence Adder."

"Do?" Ana asked, staring intently at Karene. Had he been telling lies? Her eyes shifted to bore into Florence's skull. "I'm not peculiar." Her clipped tone made her sound a little offended. The truth was that she was a very clipped liar. "I can not juggle. I do not have any Circus skills." Ana crossed her arms. "I'm eleven." What could you expect an eleven year old to do, you silly grown up? DeeDee was eying the birds swooping around in the sky. But he couldn't join them because there was a ribbon down here and those were the best things.

Florence hummed. "It isn't anything that can benefit the circus. But there is something. Isn't peeping into other peoples heads one of your specialties? I'm sure Ana wouldn't mind, as long as you didn't voice it quite so much." Poor girl was quite sensitive about it. Years of therapy and trips to the psych ward did that to a person. Not that he'd know.

What on earth was that swiss-cheese face babbling about? Anaconda's frown deepened and she wondered if she should give everyone the silent treatment. Ignoring them was the best course of action. Instead she decided to address the new people. "I'm sorry about your arm, Mr. Selvai." She said. It was the least of his worries, as far as she could see. And then she turned to Violet. "..." After a moments more eerie staring, uttered a greeting, "Good day."

"Dravius loves getting bothered." Florence said, staring at Selvai's arm. "Do you need a re-bandaging or handful of pain relievers? His van's easy to break into, if not open. Does he still have nails in the floor? Funny little weirdo." So Dravius was still around. Florence wracked his brain for any other members that were part-time nurses. Hard to know who was still around and who wasn't.