Thread: Carnival: Shadows And Whispers Under The Big Top (Dane Stalling & darkangel76)

The lights were bright and hot, though Ava knew her make up wouldn't smear. It never did. For all the shows she'd done, she never once faltered, never once had not been that picture of perfection. She arched a brow at Albert's words, a tiny smirk crossing her red lips. Oh, the man was truly emboldened tonight. Her dark eyes flitted down to where that girl had sat, her slender frame rushing down the emptied aisle and out the main entrance. Albert never backed away from a challenge. It was what made him the manthe performer, the artisthe was. Whoever that girl was, she'd be putty in Albert's hands once he found her and no doubt the envy of every girl watching them now. Pity he'd have to let her down easy once they packed up to leave. Ava's smile broadened as she spun in a graceful circle, the parasol allowing her to find her center. Calm and cool, she turned away from Albert and made coquettish gestures toward the crowd below. It was darker than she thought as she stared into the tent housing the cage. But Felicity was still able to see its shadow as the light from the lamps lit behind her glinted off the shiny metal. Her nerves were beginning to falter when she heard someone from behind snicker and comment that she'd be too afraid to enter. A muscle flexed in her jaw and suddenly one foot stepped in front of the other. Before she knew it, she was inside and very much alone with...'the monster'. A chill ran along her spine, her flesh breaking out into goose bumps. Her tiny fingers clutched at her purse and she wondered why she'd chosen that moment of all times to meander into this wretched tent. She was afraid and could be watching Albert that very moment! But no. Instead she was in a cold and dark tent listening to... The hisses and burbling were unmistakable. Words. Felicity heard words. She strained her ears and tried to make them out as she listened. She knew those words or, she thought she did. They came from a book her governess had read to her when she'd been but a child. The story had given her nightmares at first, the woman chastised for reading such things to a fanciful girl with a too vivid imagination. But that hadn't been the end of it. No. On a particularly cold and dreary night, the story had returned and those nightmares had turned into something elsewonder. Felicity took a step closer, her heart racing as she forced herself to move closer. She'd show that boy she wasn't afraid. Her free hand clutched her skirt, gripping it so tightly that her muscles began to ache. Monster...monster...what manner of monster was it that hissed and wheezed and rambled of things she knew? She...Felicity turned her head slightly and caught sight of her suitcase. Her green eyes widened and she looked straight at the cage. The monster had stepped forward, his face now fully illuminated by the light from the entrance from which she'd come! She gasped audibly, her eyes trying to drink in just what it was she was seeing. Never had she seen a face such as this! She stumbled back a step, then two. But her suitcase... She saw it. It was there! Her lower lip began to tremble. She tucked her purse into one of the pockets of her skirt and began wringing her hands together frantically. This was a dilemma! Just what was she to do? Felicity glanced over her shoulder. The entrance was so close. She could hear the low chatter of the people waiting in line. Her green eyes caught those of the boy who'd teased her, who'd mocked that a girl such as herself wouldn't be able to stand any time alone with a monster! Facing forward again, she heard those almost incomprehensible words. They reminded her of such wonderful times. Times before her eyes had been fully opened to what her life would soon become. Back home, her parents had a list of suitors waiting for her to call on them. None of them appealed. None of them would understand her want for more...for life! Felicity eyed the suitcase, though that monster was far too close to it for her comfort. Teeth chattering, she edged closer and tried her best not to faint. H-how... she began as she pointed at her bag. Her eyebrows furrowed and she winced stepping back as panic began to take over. My...my bag. She wasn't sure if she should scream or cry, so a soft sob bubbled up and she brought her hands to her face. Everything was going completely wrong! This was a disaster! She was a disaster!