"That's it, Skyco. That is the way to be a hunter. Never be in a hurry, never rush things. Wait until the prey is in your grasp, then strike swiftly and strike hard. Don't miss or it may be a long time before another opportunity appears."
-'Spirit Quest' by Jennifer Frick-Ruppert

After a successful tour in the southwest, the troupe was enjoying their last night before hitting the road again. A few of the newer members had deep roots from the British Isles and had proposed a bonfire since it was also Guy Fawkes Day. Given that everyone in this particular troupe fell somewhere on the pyromania scale, it wasn't all that hard to convince people to go along with it. By sundown, there was one giant bonfire in the center with smaller ones scattered through the camp and along the edges, one of which somehow was host to a small, informal stunt competition involving said fire. Skull laughed and threw himself into the craziness wholeheartedly, though eventually the immortal stuntman bowed out, citing unfairness. However, he was shameless in egging on the antics of those who continued on.

Behind the laughter and bright eyes on the stuntman's face, the instincts of The Handyman were alert. Something wasn't right, but also not lethal to anyone in or with the troupe currently. Lack of lethality did not mean lack of a threat, a fact he knew quite well. with a smile, he made his excuses to the troupe and allowed his Cloudy instincts to come to the forefront of his mind as he strolled through every part of their camp. Most people never managed to set off his instincts in such a way that they were a mixture of warning and anticipation like this. Not even his wife when they had first met nor their kids Charon and Claudia, despite how bloodthirsty they could be. He grinned. Whoever it was would be a fun fight, should that be their purpose. If there was a little spring to his step as he approached his trailer, no one was there to see it. With the very faintest light from the fires at his back and his eyes flashing more violet than red with a bloodthirsty grin, he looked more demon than human. Especially with his Flames purring in anticipation just under his skin, staining his hair violet but leaving the tips of his hair its original red color.

Yes, he was definitely excited to see who was lying in wait.

He felt the Mist Flames on the other side of the door and licked his lips. Perhaps they would be vicious like his wife or devious like his daughter with Flames like these. Or, maybe they were nothing like the two most important women in his life. As he opened his door, all of his personas were bright and alert in his mind with their own strategies ready, pending on who their 'guest' was here for, because each of them had their own ways of toying with people seeking them out. So with all the panache of being a showman, Skull throws open the door to his personal territory, and announces his presence, the hitmen in his mind purring at the challenge the man before them exudes.

"Welcome to the abode of the Immortal Skull. Who might you be? You do not appear to be a fan of the great Skull."

Skull's dramatic flair didn't startle the man lounging on the love-seat as if he owned the trailer, not the Cloud. His Cloud bristled and seethed, barely pacified by the silent promise of blood.

"The famous Immortal Skull." The man drawled, the mask now obvious. "Or should I call you Wilhelm Martin, the man who ran away to the circus after he got married. Chantal, I believe her name was. Such a lovely woman, if a bit quiet."

The masked man spoke in accented German with such a casual tone, as if he could've been discussing the weather, and Skull-Claire's Flames stilled, both at the unspoken threat and to prevent his Flames from destroying everything in the vicinity. He needed to know how this man found out about Chané without her consent, found out enough to know she preferred not to speak even though her tongue had been regrown. Becuase if she had known, she would have gotten a message to him via Firo or Ennis or the Gandors. This masked man was no longer a considered a prospective fight for Claire or Vino. Now, he was prey for The Handyman and Skull, an unknown in the underworld as of yet. Skull now needed information on this man and playing along with whatever he had planned would be the easiest way to find out what he needed. At least the masked man didn't know about Charon or Claudia. As of yet, they weren't tied to Skull or Wilhelm or Chantal. Yes, his family could take care of themselves but he relished in the fight and often had to hold back while fighting alongside them.

"What do you want? Who are you?" Skull's German was defensive and wary.

It seemed that the man hadn't looked beyond Wilhelm, so that's exactly who this man would get. A young German immigrant, recently marrieed and working the circus with a wife that indulged him. A man that was hardworking and protective of what was his, with a reckless streak a mile wide. The identity was a civilian one that he had bought and was going to bring into the Underground in the next couple years. However, his guest had missed that Wilhelm was a purchased name and it would ultimately be his downfall, no matter how long it took. Claire wouldn't allow for any threat to come to his wife or kids, even though they were immortal. None of his personas would either, and they would be vicious in their defense.

The masked man radiated smugness. "I am Checkerface and I have a proposition for you Skull."

Skull listened as Wilhelm melted back into Claire. They were now four in number and they were the most vicious of any that had been created because they were built to thrive in the underground. When the man was gone, he would contact Chané (not Chantal because there was no more use for other identities now), Charon and Claudia. Then Firo, the Gandors, Ennis and Maiza. They would plan the masked man's end and he would never see it coming.

(The Man in the Iron Hat thought he had gotten a civilian Cloud named Wilhelm to throw to the sharks for his amusement. Instead, unbeknownst to him, he got the Cloud-Storm-Sun hitman Claire of the aliases Vino, The Handyman, and Skull.)