It started with a glance. The poster was gold and crimson with big fancy black lettering. "Enjoy a night at "Cirque de Terreur!" But the images didn't seem terrifying. At the center was a blonde man, his hand extended, his blue eyes flashing with some sort of dangerous interest behind a pair of rectangle glasses. His garb was Victorian chic, black and red. Around the supposed ringleader were performers in black, with red sashes. One man, who looked so much like a woman, was contorted so his head touched his back. Another man had two swords in each hand, looking ready to juggle. The one in his mouth, though, was tip pointed down. Twins, by the looks of it, walked above the ringleader on a paper thin line on their tip toes. Each bent at a ballerina's pose, they looked like priests in flowing gold trimmed white and red robes. In one corner was a ban with insanely thick eyebrows with a flamboyant blonde man, both had their arms around each other's shoulders but had a knife pointed towards each other's ears. On the last spot was yet another blonde man with a brilliant smile. His black tux had tails and a ruby vest with gold designs. His back was bent so it looked like a backward "C". Huge white bears circled his legs like purring cats. Despite this, he had his hands up in a very "look-at-me" way. His soft blue-violet eyes were so alluring even behind those oval wire rimmed spectacles. One of his bear's pure white coats was marred by the duration of the cirque as well as the location.
As he stared at the poster, his sister had squealed in excitement. "A circus? How fun! Let's go, Ivan!"
Ivan grimaced. He was more of a hermit or shut in. It was a miracle in itself that his older sibling had been able to drag him out for some sun. "Aren't we too old, Katyusha?"
"One is never too old for a circus!"
And so, Ivan went to Cirque de Terreur with his sister. Red was the theme, apparently. Red lights, banners, stands, carnies, it was almost dizzying. There was a Ferris wheel, kiddie rollercoasters, teacups, and a contraption that spun seats around and upside down. It made Ivan nauseous just looking at it. The smells of food were almost too much to take. Salty pretzels, sweet funnel cakes, fruity smoothies. Ivan coughed a lot, but his mouth watered.
"Souvenirs! Handmade souvenirs!"
"Oh! Let's get one, brother." Katyusha grabbed the much larger man's hand and brought him to one of the few stands in a cool blue color. A small blonde with warm brown eyes smiled invitingly. His hands held up little statuettes of animals and important performers.
"Anything you find interesting, folks?"
"Oh, there's so much to choose from." The well-endowed woman checked over the wares.
Ivan scanned the wooden figurines absentmindedly. They had been crafted with the greatest care and were phenomenal. Then the line of panted objects was broken by a large hand. Ivan looked up to see a second blonde man towering next to the other; he was about the same height as Ivan himself. His cold blue eyes, behind narrow, long, rectangle glasses, glared stonily into Ivan's dark violet-reds. A spark of lightning went off between them. Both lifted their lips and growled lowly.
Katyusha and the small salesman broke away from the wares, both had very shaken expressions.
"Brother!"
"Su-san!" it was strange to hear Japanese pass his lips with a Finnish accent.
The Finn pushed Su-san back. Su-san snarled. "L'ke me…"
Katyusha pulled Ivan back. "Sorry…Ivan, please, calm yourself."
Ivan turned away before he lost control. Su-san was just like him. A monster. A beast. It was a mistake to come to the cirque.
"Brother!" the woman tried to wade through the crowd to get to the man but he had gone too far. "Brother, wait!"
Ivan began to halt when he collided with a small body. A really small body.
"O-oh! Sorry, sir!" a little man held up his hand in an apologetic manner. The other had a basket filled with soft linen and three tiny wriggling beings.
The little man's face was hidden by his top hat but Ivan knew a smile came across his lips as he followed the taller man's gaze. "Baby polar bears. Want to pet them?"
"What?"
"It's okay, sir."
"Uh…no, thank you."
The smaller man shrugged. "It's alright. I hope you enjoy the show." Then he strode away, the crowd seemed to part for him. Ivan stared after in awe. He was so graceful and sure in the way he moved; it was mesmerizing.
"Ivan!"
Ivan flinched as Katyusha's hand caught his elbow. He had to smile, even if it was forced, it was for her. "Sorry, sister."
The woman's grey-blue eyes pouted and had a wet sheen. "You've got to be careful, Ivan. That could have ended badly."
The man sighed. "I know." Katyusha, him, and his youngest sibling Natalia, looked out for each other. Basically they had raised on another since their parents abandoned them. Katyusha had taken it upon herself to be a mother and keep her siblings in good health. Ivan felt a twinge of guilt form in his heart. "Sorry." The way he was made his sister's job a very hard one.
"It's fine now, Ivan. Let's just enjoy the circus-oh look!"
Ivan cringed at her sudden outburst.
"It's the big top! The show's about to begin!" and again, the large man was dragged in the woman's wake. The tent was crimson with gold trim and tassels, and nearly as tall as the Ferris wheel. Inside it was packed but still the tent was very roomy. Everyone found seats in the layered stands around a huge ring with a chain-mail curtain around it. The lights dimmed for a long minute when a lone shaft illuminated a man strutting out into the center.
It was the man at the center of the poster. His tux was Victorian chic, all red and black. A cane was held in his gloved hand. A silver skull topped the black bar. The man's dangerous blue eyes searched the crowd; a smile grew on his lips. The ringleader raised his voice. His tone dripped with authority and power.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen! Greetings from the entire Cirque de Terreur!" he bowed deeply. "I am sure you will enjoy our performances. But there is one thing I must say first. Anyone who is easily frightened, please . . . exit the tent."
People broke out in hushed whispers.
"Many of our acts can be dangerous and frightening to watch, ladies and gentlemen. That is why we have this chain curtain between you and I. Also, with some of our performances: do not make a single sound, do not clap, breathe in whispers. It is much safer that way."
Dangerous blue eyes narrowed even further. That smile grew to something that promised horror. Ivan felt a shudder go down his spine. Katyusha hung onto his arm but didn't leave the tent.
"We can go, sister, if you want."
"N-no . . . I'll be okay."
The ring leader bowed deeply again. "Without further ado, I introduce our magicians, Arthur Kirkland and Lukas Bondevik!"
Two little men walked out into the growing spot light. One had messy blonde hair, insane eyebrows, and a cocky grin. The other was expressionless, with combed hair. One strand stuck out in a curl though. Both had dark capes about their shoulders, reaching their ankles.
Their act was quite astounding. Each spoke in Latin and fairytale creatures appeared from the darkness of their cloaks. The creatures strained against the chain curtain, reaching for the audience. An ogre raised his huge club but was stopped by conjured ghosts. A sort of battle ensued between magicians. Arthur sat upon a glowing white unicorn. Lukas perched on an ugly green troll. People "ooh"ed and "aw"ed as one by one the creatures died in puffs of smoke until only the wizards were left. They crossed their wands and a huge plume of orange and red flew up. It unfurled into a graceful phoenix. The wings strained against the chain and its call was a deafening musical note. The heat it created caused Ivan to loosen the scarf around his throat.
When the phoenix burned out, the chains sizzled and glowed. The air's temperature took such a sudden, drastic dive that many people gasped.
The wizards bowed like their ring leader had and stepped out of the ring. The ring leader came out again as the roar of clapping began to calm.
"Our next performance will have some splashing. Please welcome Michelle!"
The lights went on to show a large fish tank with Great Whites swimming around. Everyone leaned forward as a young girl with silky brown hair stepped onto the narrow glass edge. She dumped a bucket of chum into the tank. The sharks went crazy. People shrieked when the girl jumped into the plume of fish guts and blood. Every one held their breaths urgently searching for Michelle. Five minutes passed and the red was beginning to settle.
"Oh my . . .! Brother, there!" Katyusha pointed in astonishment.
Ivan squinted. There, on the bottom, was Michelle lying on the sand as if asleep. Was she dead? Did she drown? Before people began to panic and call an ambulance, the girl sat up. She smiled and waved. A shark circled her. She grabbed its dorsal fin and was pulled up to a standing position. But she had no legs. A bright shimmering blue mermaid tail had replaced her legs. Gasps rang out in the crowd.
Michelle swam around easily. She circled all the sharks and kissed each on the nose. A few Great Whites looked like they were playing with her in a friendly manner. Then one large shark brought her to the surface. She sat on the edge and allowed people to see her fin split into two slender legs again. She jumped off the fifteen foot tank into the ring leader's arms. The audience gave her a standing ovation.
"Thank you!" she yelled and waved at the crowd.
The man set her down gently. "Thank you, Chelles. That was great." He turned back to the crowd as the lights went dim again and was in the spot light.
Ivan found himself enjoying the performances. These people were strange and kept him on the edge of his seat. The contortionists Wang Yao and Im Yong Soo bent in the most unbelievable ways on high places that weren't stable or safe. They climbed the chain curtain all the way to the top using only their mouths and feet, and bending their bodies in odd angles.
The Vargas brothers walked the tight rope around each other, reciting religious verses in Italian. They jumped around too but didn't even wobble.
A strong man, by the name of Ludwig, showed off his strength by juggling famously heavy objects like elephants and truck engines with ease. He was supernaturally strong!
A pair of blonde siblings, Vash and Lili, brandished guns. Vash actually ate the bullets his little sister shot into his mouth. Then he chewed and spat out a flower for Lili. Lili did the same but spat out a little dog sculpture for Vash.
Music was played next by Roderich and Gilbert, the former at piano, the latter at a violin. Through their melody, Ivan saw creatures being made out of nothing. They acted accordingly to the notes. Fierce when the beat was aggressive, and docile when calm.
Then came something Ivan didn't so much enjoy. The ring leader warned the crowd to be silent during the next performance. "If you draw attention to yourselves, you might just cost yourselves your lives. This curtain won't be able to hold them back."
The lights dimmed again but to a strange red hue. People fidgeted as three men came out. The first one was the smallest, had silvery hair with a puffin on his shoulder. He led two taller blondes to center stage. One had his hair spiked up and was grinning excitedly; the second was glaring and was more stoic. The silver haired one took the stoic one's glasses. He was Su-san, from the stand, Ivan realized.
Ivan knew already what was going to happen. He clenched his eyes shut and held his ears with his hands. Katyusha pulled her brother's face into her chest to help.
The silvery haired one got up on a swing and was raised to a safe height above the blondes. He held out an opal talisman. It shined oddly in the red light. The spiky haired one turned to the crowd. "Remember! Stay quiet! We can't guarantee your safety." The other only nodded silently.
The silvery haired on began to chant in some dead language. The two bigger men convulsed. They were brought to their knees, howling and screaming in pain. Their clothes ripped, their bodies morphed and grew hair. Bones cracked and reshaped themselves into that of beasts. Their faces elongate, fangs grew long. Once done, the men were huge animals with dark fur and swishing tails. They moved with unearthly grace and power, their eyes had slits for pupils. They were werewolves. Full werewolves; savage and bloodthirsty.
People gasped quietly, remembering the warning from before.
The wolves' eyes swept across the crowd hungrily. But the man above them held their attention when he whistled. He made them do certain tricks like common house pets for a while. Then he made them battle. Fur flew, roars and yelps filled the tent, and even blood splattered the hair layered ground. Finally, the man stopped the beasts.
His swing shuddered.
By the look on his face, that wasn't supposed to happen. He quickly tried to turn the beasts back to men but couldn't finish the spell. The swing broke and he plummeted to the earth.
People screamed.
The wolves howled as they ripped through the chainlike a knife through butter. The other carnies had seen this coming the moment the tamer's swing shuddered. They had started protecting the crowd. The magicians made shield and used their creatures to intimidate the werewolves back behind the curtain. Ludwig and a swordsman blocked the exits. A woman brandishing a frying pan accompanied them. Vash and Lili loaded tranquilizers, waiting for the "go" from their ring leader.
The commotion caused Ivan to look up. Katyusha was trembling. It was his turn to protect her. The one with black fur that spiked up everywhere had broken through Lukas' shield and was racing through the crowd. He didn't chomp on anyone; his nose had caught a scent. Ivan's scent.
By the time indigo eyes were level with his violet ones, Ivan had stood up. The beast halted mere inches from him, snarling. The man growled in response. It was animalistic in nature and sound. The wolf was about to chomp on him when the magician Lukas pulled a chain around his throat. The beast choked helplessly and was dragged back into the chained circle by the small man.
Su-san was already there, his head rested in the Finnish salesman's lap serenely. The man with the amulet was unharmed but a little shaky. He quickly turned them back into men before anything else could happen.
The ring leader took center stage again. "Well . . . that happened. I thought you were warned several times, people, to be quiet. It seems our net will need to be repaired once again," he shook his head in frustration. "And we had more acts. If any of you want to see the entire performance, please come back tomorrow. Thank you though, for staying this long, ladies and gentleman."
People were filed out. Everyone was shaken and awed. Katyusha clung to Ivan's arm. She was silent and trembling. Ivan knew that a circus was a bad idea! He just KNEW it!
"Excuse me."
The pair halted just outside the red tent. Their breath was fogging in the late autumn air.
A clean cut Japanese man bowed. "Sorry to disturb you, sir and ma'am, but ring leader Alfred wishes to meet you, sir."
Ivan blinked. "Uh . . . I-I have to get my sister home, I can't."
"But, sir . . ."
"Go on, brother, I'll wait at the Ferris wheel for you." Katyusha detached herself from her younger sibling.
Ivan's eyes widened. 'No! No! I don't want to go to the ring leader! I used you as an excuse!' "Oh . . . okay."
The Japanese man nodded to Katyusha as she left then waved for the taller Russian to follow. He led Ivan to a cluster of Trailers all painted quite colorfully in dizzying hues and designs.
"Alfred-san, I brought him."
The ring leader turned away from the wizard Arthur, his dangerous blue eyes quickly spotted Ivan. "Hi, dude! Glad ya came! Thanks, Kiku."
What happened to that serious gentlemanly speech? He sounded like a wannabe punk!
"Privet . . ."
"Let's get down to business, shall we? I know that you know that I know what you are."
Ivan nodded slightly after processing the man's quick dialogue. "Kind of figured,"
"You really saved a lot of skins! Kudos, dude. But Berwald told me you smell wild and don't have much control."
Who was Berwald? And about control, the show showed soooooo much of it. "So?"
"We have a secure environment where you can learn to control your inner beast!" Alfred was like a kid in a candy shop.
Ivan was taken aback. "Are you suggesting. . ."
"Duh! Dude, I want you to join Cirque de Terreur!"