Edward stood in his tent, pacing back and forth. He could feel the headache begin as his other face whispered to him, cruel and vile things that he would never want to subject himself to hearing. He was raised a proper gentleman, the kind that was supposed to detest freaks. He wasn't supposed to be one. At least that was something he did correctly. He did detest himself. He was an absolute monster, and he had so much fear that he would destroy everything he had created for himself at the freak show. He had been locked away in that disgraceful asylum. He wasn't insane, only cursed. Although, he supposed, there wasn't much of a difference.
You're higher than these people, better than these people.
You should just wipe them off the earth, eradicate them.
Edward, you're a bloodthirsty monster.
Edward heard this voice saying these things time and time again. The demon was constantly taunting him, driving him to the point of insanity. He could feel himself slowly losing his resolve, his carefully plated façade of everything being fine besides the mute face on the back of his own. As far as everyone else was concerned, the other face could very well be mute. He was the only one who could hear the face, which obviously didn't help his constant pleas of sanity when he was locked away. The freak show was as good a place as any for him. He fit in here more than most places, besides his awkward demeanor and his clear aversion of opium and alcohol. He didn't want to let his guard down. What could be harmless intoxication for some could be the difference between whether Edward gave into the demon's bloodlust or not.
Edward jumped when he heard a small voice through the crack in his tent.
"Hello?" It said, clearly feminine and also clearly nervous. He couldn't quite place whom it belonged to, as there were a few young women in the troupe, but he knew which one it wasn't.
"Hello. Do you need something?" He called back, inching his way towards his tent exit. He adjusted his black suit jacket and pulled the flap back, coming face to face with a beautiful blonde girl. He smiled, tipping his hat, and joined her outside. "Anything I can assist you with?"
"Well, yes, there is." She said, nervously twisting a lock of long, golden hair. She opened her mouth to speak, debating with herself whether or not Edward was the one she should be trusting with something of this manner, but there wasn't anyone else. Besides, Edward was well off somewhere, although he wasn't necessarily still in possession of such wealth. She wasn't sure. There was a lot of uncertainty surrounding all aspects of this grandiose idea she'd thought of. "I, well, I want to leave this place. And I need your help to do it."
"Francis, why would you want to leave?" He could hear the whispers of his other face asking for him to ask directly for her deepest suffering, but he couldn't bear to see the gorgeous girl cry. Her big blue eyes were already glistening, and Edward had no idea how to handle a crying girl. He wished she'd have gone to Victoria, as Edward was sure she'd know what to do.
"Oh, Edward!" She cried, dramatically throwing herself into his arms and shaking with sobs. "I can't do this anymore. I like it here, I do. But-" she broke off as a sob shook her body and caused her voice to break. She was being dramatic, even Edward could tell, but as a lady of high class he could relate to the way she was acting. He had seen many a lady swoon for less than Francis had seen, so he had to give her some credit. Edward patted her back gently, hushing her with sentiments of reassurances. "I was supposed to be married to a gentleman! A man of class! Someone that my parents would approve of. But I'm here and I want to be with my mother and I want to be courted by a gentleman and I can't stand this stupid tail!" By the time she finished her tirade, she was out of his arms and seething, her mouth set in a firm line.
"Dear lady, do not fret. You are not alone here." He said, gesturing to himself, "My parents are far more disappointed in me than yours are of you, I assure you. I'm sure if you genuinely wanted to continue the life that you were born into, you could. But the truth of the matter is your tail would have to be removed, or you would have to lie to the man you marry. No one out there is accepting, no one who is normal is going to look at you the way you deserve to be looked at." He saw her smile, knowing that flattery was a way to make this woman feel better.
"You're right, Edward. However, my mother is a wonderful woman. She accepts me as I am. But I fear men in my class have already heard tales of my deformity." She sighed, and shrugged. "Although, I'm sure there's someone out there for me to marry, regardless of my parents approval." Her smile spoke like she had someone in mind. "There's also hope for you, Edward. Marriage isn't out of the question for you."
He had never thought of marriage as a real possibility for himself, not with the demon face constantly behind him. He would enjoy being in love, he supposed, though it baffled him. Who would love him? Who would look at him like he'd seen women look at handsome men that danced with them at balls he had attended? Surely that wasn't really a possibility. He was surrounded with people like him, but he still couldn't imagine one of them loving him.
"Nor you, my dear lady. You attract attention everywhere you go, and not just because of your extra appendage." He tipped his hat. "Do you still want to run away? After this quickly shifting exchange, I certainly hope you continue to grace us with your lovely visage."
"Well, I'm less inclined to do it. I'm sorry for acting so foolishly, Edward. You must have been so startled. A crying girl throwing herself at me would've been quite a shock." She giggled behind her hand, porcelain cheeks reddening with embarrassment. He thought to himself that she'd make a good wife for a wealthy man, the kind that other ladies are envious of.
"Freedom such as this will treat a young lady like you marvelously. I see that it already has. You're much warmer towards everyone, and you've made friends with the whole troupe more or less. You should wait a little while to rush into marriage. I know you feel old in society, but happiness is a good look for you. Marriage sometimes changes that." He hoped she wouldn't take his compliments for more than friendly comfort, but he also knew that she received this kind of attention all the time.
"Why thank you, Edward. You are a sweet man." She kissed his cheek and he felt them flush under her lips. "Thank you for talking me out of leaving, Edward. You're a kind man." He watched her saunter away as they said their goodbyes, and wondered what there was to do with the rest of the morning. Tonight their guest would be arriving, and he had to make sure Victoria wasn't working herself into the ground.
A/N: Thank you for reading! If you could kindly review, I would appreciate it. I would also like to thank all of my wonderful reviewers.
