A parade at dusk.

[Masque Fleur]

The sun had just set in the sky and the shadows of night crept upon Brightstone. Few people wandered about the streets as many were getting ready for bed. But sleep wouldn't be had yet, no, not yet.. Not when the evening was as perfect as this.. There was a warmth in the air that didn't belong to winter.

Through the night air a faint sound of music could be heard, barely enough to catch the ear, but instantly enchanting. The music itself was strange and mysterious, willing curiosity into the mind. It grew louder, slowly weaving its way throughout the streets, shops and homes. And as the strange music grew louder, colour and light exploded in different places and voices could be heard. Fleur lead his troupe through the streets, the lantern carriers bringing light and life to the streets they passed. Fleur himself had a lantern that hung from a rope trailing down his arm, The flickering shadows that cast of his face and that of the troupe added to the atmosphere of it all.

By then most of Brightstone had been ensnared by the parade, some lining the paths to watch in wonder. Trapeze artists swung on their flying trapeze's that seemed to appear above the heads of the crowd and fade away when not in use. Jugglers were tossing all sorts of objects through the air over great distances, obstacles and through the parade and even the surrounding crowd.The acrobats danced, weaved and performed their tricks with such fluid movements that it seemed they were born to do it. His newly hired fire performer Trip sparked a flame into his hand before curling it up into massive, spectacular dragons and other assortments of animals that flew and weaved through the place, all the while the music played its way from every corner of the village, ensnaring the senses and compelling the people to watch on.. Transporting them to a perhaps even more mysterious and magical world.. All sorts of magical creatures could be seen roaming near the troupe, some ferocious looking.. While others, small and cute like fairy's.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

All of the children were tucked safely away in their beds whilst the adults packed up the training equipment for the night. Robin, on the other hand, was wide awake and swinging deftly, wrapped in the aerial silks. Evening was the best time to train anyway since none of the gypsy children were up to giggle and watch his personal performances in the big top. "Dim the lights!" shouted the Ringmaster on the side stage, and in no time at all he really was alone. Rob twisted his arms into the red material and turned himself over and over. Higher he went until the stage was far below his feet and his arms were locked into place. He breathed out slowly and relaxed for the moment. What else was there to do but train that night?

Music curled around his head then and he smiled. It was quite far away though and he'd not heard the tune before. It was almost intoxicating. Robin opened his eyes slowly. That style of music was not altogether unfamiliar, but the source was completely unknown. "Torino!" shouted Rob, slipping down much faster than he should have to touch down on the stage lightly. The ringmaster did not respond. Without hesitation, Robin swiped up his red performer's vest from the steps and skidded down, the entrance flaps to the big tops slapping against each other in his wake. Another circus was in town, and Robin would be damned if he'd let it move by without a good look.

Ahh, said Rob inwardly, grinning like a chesire cat. The street performance was incredible; it seemed that the performers were magic-handlers too and liked to incorporate it into their acts just as Robin did in his. The knife thrower and aerial silk artist watched every person in turn, but soon his eyes were locked onto the figure at the head of the parade. Damned if I'm missing out, was all he thought. Without hesitation, Robin stepped directly into the parade and seemed to melt in as though he was part of the crew. Anyone watching would have thought he had been anyway; he wore only black training tights and a long red vest that swept to his ankles. He skipped along, waving and beaming at the people so as to not create suspicion but did nothing else to throw off anyone else's performances. The transition from one circus to another was irrelevant as he simply took part. Ahh, I love these guys. he sighed to himself.

 

[Masque Fleur]

Fleur nearly danced ahead of his parade, the lantern swinging around him. All in all, he simply looked like a mysterious performer and leader of a troupe.. If only people knew the deeper, darker parts of his being and that of his troupes. Still, tonight would be harmless. A simple parade to spark peoples interests.

He wasn't too surprised when he noticed a boy joining his parade, the music that played often drew people in.. But what was of mild surprise was the fact that the boy was already wearing circus clothing. Perhaps I have found a new performer? The words coiled pleasingly in Fleur's mind.

A little further down the street, as if on some que, the entire parade stopped. Everyone froze, Lanterns suddenly dimmed and all the wonderful music froze also. It was as if the whole world came to a stop. The audience watched on, captured by the silence almost as much as they were by the music. Then, after another few moments, The circus exploded into performance again. Blackjack blasting fireworks constructed of cards into the air while other performers weaved out through the card, dispersing the parade. At one point you had Blackjack sitting on a house of cards as tall as the buildings themselves as if it where simply a chair and at another, trip making flaming jousting knight clash. The entertainment was brought throughout the thronging crowds.

Fleur himself danced among the crowds for a few minutes before disappearing in multicolored apparation smoke and forming back again just over the shoulder of Robin. "So how do you like my circus..?" His voice was so strange.. It awoke some part in your mind that screamed 'danger' yet you wished nothing more then to listen to it.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

Robin trooped along undisturbed for what seemed like moments but was probably at least an hour; that was what that kind of magic did to you. Time passed more quickly than people realised and Rob looked up to see the night sky quite black. Had he really just skipped his training to come and be a part of another circus' parade? Well, it certainly was 'magical' to watch some of the stunts being performed around him, Robin acting his own part masterfully by doing nothing except look pretty and give the women in the crowd winks. He saw such an incredible talent with card play and simply laughed when an explosion of cards rocked the street. Well, Robin didn't have his juggling balls with him so he simply caught a good handful of cards right out of the air to keep for later.

Everything was quite jolly until he felt an ethereal presence at his shoulder. Rob did not jump on reflex but had leaped on the inside. Goodness, the man had given him a fright. Robin turned his head slowly and found himself face to face with the troupe's master. Such extravagant, twisted make up he wore, with fine clothes and a general air of menace that made Rob want to recoil. Rather than flinching or shuffling away to melt into the crowd once more, Robin quirked an eyebrow luxuriously and grinned.
"Rather," he said in his swarthy English accent. "Consider me impressed." The strange man was probably wondering just what exactly Rob was doing traipsing around in his parade. Rob hadn't counted on performing for these people anyway, but now that he looked into Fleur's strange and beguiling face he felt the sudden urge to show him exactly what he was capable of. Don't be ridiculous, growled Rob inwardly to himself. This is another circus on our territory. What are you doing, boy? He was trying to clear his head, but was simply too dazzled. "I hope I've not been a bother tonight," he said instead, looking for a window to either begin a performance of his own or simply run.

 

[Masque Fleur]

Fleur tilted his head to the side very slightly as a slow smile crossed his face. By the looks of his clothing, he had to be from a circus.. And to be from a circus you must have circus skills. How peerfect.. I've been needed some new performers The thoughts that went through Fleur's head were of absolutes.. This boy would join Fleur's circus, it was only a matter of time.

Fleur's presence seemed to block out the cheers and shouts of the crowd around them. Suddenly it seemed they were much further away but the music kept swimming through Robin's head. 'I hope I've not been a bother tonight', Fleur flashed another smile "Why of course not, You perform as well no? Ask for what you need and it shall be brought to you.. Join in, perform.. Please the crowds as every performer lives to do" He chuckled slightly before adding, "Listen to the music for a while, enjoy yourself and enter my world.." The words seemed to innocent and fantastic, if only Robin new the double meaning behind it.

Oh yes watch the circus from the paths, be enraptured by the music for it is wonderful. But be warned not to get too close, dare not step out to the parade.. Nor take a performers hand lest you drift into Fleur's clutches and join him forever.. For once you enter his circus you will never leave.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

'Ask for what you need and it will be brought to you...' Robin's eyes glittered in the dancing light of the street. "I would like to perform with you," he said slowly as though every word was costing him a pretty penny that he was dying to pay. He turned his head and a thrill ran down his spine as he looked at Masque Fleur once more. "I need eight daggers with fifteen centimeter blades and leather-bound grips at the handles." Rob informed Fleur. It didn't occur to him to summon his own from La Grande even though he had his wand stashed away in a pocket of the vest. Whatever the garishly dressed man suggested, Robin accepted and it seemed that it would be a trend that followed. Not moments after he asked for his implements did they appear, eight shining knives that were instantly his own; they felt as though they were made for him.

His eyes were alight with mischief then and he did a nimble little forward walk-over, just for the sake of merriment. Robin had already tucked the knifes carefully into the little hooks on his vest so that they did not move as he tumbled around the street, artfully dodging the other performers and their acts. Fleur was forgotten for the moment. There was only the music, the lights and Robin, soon to be joined by the spinning of razor sharp knives. Rob never performed with the blunt ones, oh no. It was a thrill even to himself; one slip and he could lose a finger, or an eye; or worse. But he had not yet, and the arrogance of youth told him that he never would. That remained to be seen. As it was, Robin was pulling out the daggers one by one, throwing another and another into his blurred hands till all eight were dancing high above his head even as he skipped down the street. He could hear gasping and shouts of delight and fear, and he knew not whom they were directed to. It didn't matter anymore.

 

[Masque Fleur]

And there it was 'I would like to perform with you, Just as fleur had thought. This boy was his now.. Another puppet for his wonderful kingdom of performers. The music and thrill would keep him wanting more, he would never leave. Fleur's eyes followed with a devilish smile as the boy asked for knives. Brilliant He thought. They were in need of a knife thrower after.. Well after the last one tried to run away. He watched in delight as the boy set off through the crowds, juggling knives rather spectacularly, earning shouts of delight and gasps of fear.

After a few hours the performance was drawing to a close and the parade was moving on to their camp, just outside of town. A few of the members of the crowd toddled along with the parade.. following the music and magic. But more importantly, The knife juggler would follow too and would be welcomed better at the camp. Fleur gave a wicked grin as he danced before his parade as it moved on, Tonight..was a good night.