Disclaimer: Count Cain belongs to Kaori Yuki, not me.

Le Cirque Anormal

Chapter One

By Birdie

In a dark mansion, there was a dark room. A room with peeling wall paper and shattered windows. The light of the moon beamed in through heavy clouds. The house was old, forgotten. And yet, 7 people crowded around a table, waiting for the news that one man was about to tell them...

Alexis folded his hands together and smiled. He sat at a round table, surrounded by his closest minions and dearest nemesis. The minions were obviously Jezebel, Cassian, Michaela and Ida. The nemesis were obviously Cain, Riff and Merryweather.

"Alexis, why are we here?" Cain asked impatiently. He had been called out here, to the middle of nowhere, for a reason which he had no idea of. Above all, he had no intention of seeing his father again: the brute who abused him as a child.

"Patience, dear Cain," Alexis smirked. "It will come in good time."

"I'm sick of waiting!" Michaela snapped. She slammed her fist against the table in a tantrum only matched by Merryweather. "Alexis, what is the meaning of this?!"

The card master smiled icily, unfolding his hands and standing up. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he said to each and every one of the people in the room. "As you know, DELILAH has been uncovered."

There was a little cheer in the room from three people, but was soon silenced by four pairs eyes angrily glaring at them.

"Yes, DELILAH has been uncovered, and if I was to stay in one city, the police will catch me for sure and put me in prison. So, in my new scheme, I have decided to create a Freak Circus, which makes travelling so much easier, and you, my dear friends, are welcome to join me," Alexis stopped. "And that is not a request, it is an order."

"So what you are saying Card Master," Jezebel inquired, running his hands through his long blonde hair. "Is that whether we're want to join you or not, you have to join you?"

"That is correct."

"Is there no choice?"

"Unfortunately not."

Jezebel shrugged, his face with a "it's not as if I had better things to do anyway" look.

"Does anyone disagree with my plan?" Alexis asked, his eyes scanning each face on the table.

Cain and his companions raised their hands.

Slowly and hinting, the Card Master picked up a long leather whip and gripped it hard. "Are you sure?" he asked again, smiling.

The hands went down. There was silence for a few minutes.

"Ah, that is good," Alexis said. He sat down and folded his hands again. "Well then, let's get on with the important matters."

"Like what?" Riff asked.

"Financial problems, like who will pay for the funding."

All eyes seemed to be on Cain, who was obviously the richest out of all of them. The young man grumbled and muttered "I'm only paying a little." He didn't like the idea, but the idea of whipping was even worse so there was no outburst yet. The count's father smirked and looked at Jezebel.

"You could ask Lord Gladstone for a little money, Jezebel." He hinted, winking.

Jezebel went red and fidgety. "I will only do that as a last resort, sir." He muttered. Beside the doctor, Cassian growled menacingly at the thought of his lover being anywhere NEAR that pervert Gladstone.

Alexis returned to his normal sitting position. "Right, next. Who will do the transport?" Alexis shrugged. "I might as well. I have a nice, lady-friend who works in wagons." He let out a broad smirk, and the rest was left to the other people's imagination.

"Now, we need to sort out the roles for our circus."

Everyone blinked. "Places, Alexis?" Ida asked.

"Yes places," Alexis nodded. He looked at the little brunette sitting next to Jezebel. "Cassian, you use to be in a circus. Tell us, what different roles were there?"

Cassian thought for a moment, recurring that happened so long ago. "Well," he muttered. "There is the 'Ring Master', who is the leader and master of the circus. Then there is performers, like jugglers, jesters and people of stilts. If you have a Freak Circus, Card Master, you must have a bearded lady and midgets. An animal tamer is very good for all sorts of shows, and so is a psychic."

Alexis nodded. "Very well said, Cassian." There was a broad smile. "I will be the Ring Master," he announced. "You will be my minions and do as my every command, or punishment will be held. I will be firm but just with each and every one of you, and in return, you will do my bidding. Is that understood?"


"Yes Ca—RING master." The people replied in unison.

"Now, shall we call for more parts?"

"Cassian and Merryweather should be the midgets!" Michaela called.

"You witch!" Merry spat, lunging across the table but failed as Riff grabbed her by the dress (in a gentleman's way) and pulled her back.

Cassian went red but held his anger. "Michaela shall be the animal tamer," he said. "She can do tricks with her spiders."

There was agreement in the room. Jezebel spoke up next: "Cain shall hypnotise people with his poisons, and get them to hand over their wallets to us."

"Ingenious, Jezebel..." Alexis pondered, wondering why he didn't think of something like that when he was younger.

"Jezebel shall be the bearded lady," Cain spat, glaring at the blonde man. He wanted to see the doctor be humiliated for all the misfortunes he bestowed on people. "We can cut his hair and make it into a beard."

Jezebel growled in anger, glaring back at the young count. "Ring Master, you will not let that happen will you?!" he cried, turning to his foster father. Cassian sniggered a little behind his hand: he thought the was quite amusing.

Alexis smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Actually, I must agree with Cain. It will suit you Jezebel, and I'm quite sure it's better than putting Cain or say Riff, in a dress and beard. You will be quite natural at it, I think."

The doctor cursed under his breath. Damn his childhood of being a cross-dresser!

"Riff shall The Man on Stilts!" Merryweather chirped. "He is tall enough to be so!"

To this, everyone agreed. Riff seemed to have no objections either.

"Can Owl join?" Ida asked their Ring Master. "He and I can be musicians."

"Alright, you and him can be musicians and jesters. Is that alright?" Alexis said, looking at the girl. She made no signs of disagreement so that was settled. "And that will be it, then."

Although not everyone was happen about the way it was chosen, the suggestions stayed the same and everyone was made to play their part.

"Now," said Alexis. "There are a few rules you must comply before joining my circus. They are:"

1) No one is to disobey the Ring Master without a very good reason. The punishment is whipping.

That seemed fair to everyone.

2) No one is to disobey the Ring Master for the sole purpose of a whipping.

Cassian gave quick glances to Jezebel. "Excuse me, Cassian?" Jezebel whispered, frowning. "Is there something wrong?" Cassian shook his head and said no more.

3) If someone has a pet, it must be kept under control and must not disturb other people.

All eyes turned to Michaela, and there was mutterings of "Hear that, Michaela? Keep those spiders in check!". Only Alexis looked at Jezebel and said "I don't want bird droppings around the place, you hear? And make sure they don't chirp at 5 o'clock in the morning!" Jezebel nodded slowly, wondering how that was going to be possible, but he agreed. They moved on.

4) No one is to steal other people's lovers.

Everyone's eyes turned to Michaela again, then to Cain and Riff. Merryweather looked around, confused. "What is it, Riff?" she asked. Riff blushed, and shook his head to drop the subject. Cassian smirked a little "I'm glad Gladstone is not joining this group" he said with content.

5) No one is to leave without the Ring Master knowing.

"What happens if there is an emergency?" Ida asked.

"What sort of emergency?" Alexis asked back, leaning over to stare into the girl's face.

"An umm... emergency that we cannot tell you about. An emergency consisting two people." She muttered.

"Oh? Name me an example." Everyone leaned across the table to hear what Ida had to say.

"Never mind then." The girl said quickly, looking down at her lap, her face red.

"I will be adding more rules as time goes on," Alexis announced. "But that will be it for now. You are all dismissed. We shall assemble in a month's time outside the West gate in London. Is that understood?"

Everyone nodded. "Yes Ring Master." They said, before standing up and leaving. Little did they know, someone else was listening outside, and heard everything their said......

To Be Continued......

A/N: NO ONE IS READING THIS!!! I can't believe it! It was voted for, but no one is reviewing! Morien Alexander! Nikkler! Where ARE you?????? Does this fic suck so badly???