Alright, here we are at a fresh new chapter! Hopefully now with a firm schedule in mind I won't have any hiccups again. Hopefully…
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy, and thank you so much for the support and encouragement. You guys rule!
Chapter Four
Lucille sat in shocked silence as the large man struggled against his shackles, her eyes widening at the loud howls he was producing. "I thought they didn't put them in chains…" she muttered.
Francoeur caught her mumbled words, and though he understood her concern for the creature (since she had shown him much of the same kindness), he could also tell that the man was not human.
"Lucille… that man… not man… more beast than human."
"What, you mean- like, a werewolf or something?" Raoul scoffed at the flea. "Aw come on, big guy. Those chains are totally fake. They probably added them for theatrical effect or something. Especially the burns on his wrists. Plus, there's no way that a werewolf could exist. I mean, it's just not logical…"
A blank look from the giant, chemically-modified singing flea shut him up pretty quickly.
"Illogical, yes. Impossible… not so much." Emil piped up, his own gaze watching the captive warily.
They all breathed a collective sigh of relief once the beast was led away, a few of the other patrons jeering loudly at the massive retreating figure.
Elrick soon made a reappearance, his form condensing from a cloud of ruby smoke. "I hope the evening is to your liking, my friends! Fortunately for you, the show is almost over." Several boos and hisses came from the more inebriated section of the crowd, and he seemed to sigh in remorse.
"Yes, yes, parting will be such sweet sorrow. But our night hasn't ended yet! So, for now, please direct your attention towards the sky." His gloved hand swept upwards.
A bright spotlight illuminated the tent's ceiling, and the forms of Mina and her brothers were clearly seen. A brief fanfare on a single trumpet alerted them of their cue, followed by an intricate drumroll. "Brace yourselves for the death-defying stunts of the Flying Musketeers and their lovely Sabre!"
The four acrobats each raise a hand in silent greeting before their act truly begins.
Athos and Porthos each took a trapeze, the brothers stepping onto the bars and off the high rise, both calmly swinging into the air. The blonde soon sat on his swing, flipping until his knees locked around the metal. Though he did it so quickly, it had appeared that he was in danger of falling off.
A portly man several rows down from Lucille and Francoeur's group hiccupped loudly before declaring, "These blokes're 'solutely nutters, they is. But I'll b'damned if t'aint the funni'st shit've seen!" He guffawed, pointing towards the dangling trapeze. "Pretty damn good, too."
Mina soon joined her brothers, stepping alongside Porthos before beginning to dangle as well, her crossed ankles keeping her from plummeting several feet straight down.
Maud whimpered, burying her face into Emil's shoulder. "I can't watch this anymore…"
Francoeur was starstruck. These people were amazing! He had never seen a human so flexible, not to mention how strong each part of their anatomy was. He jumped a bit when the last brother, the one clothed in black, crept to the edge of the platform and performed a perfect handstand.
He was soon airborne, the golden blonde stringing him along by his ankles.
The rest of their act was much the same, with the siblings creating stress-inducing aerial acrobatics for their "customers". The foursome soon began tossing one another back and forth between the pendulum-like apparatuses, causing some of the more faint-of-heart to faint.
Many of the audience members struck up a morbid game of chance, trying to guess which form would hit the ground first if they all lost their grips.
Lucille clapped happily once all of the troupe were back on the ground safely, turning to the rest of the group with relief. "Goodness, I don't think I can take much more of this excitement…" Maud nodded, her pale face clearly displaying her feelings about the whole evening.
The ringmaster stepped out of the shadows once more, his hat in his hands. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have experienced the darkness of humanity tonight. Freaks, abominations, creatures that belong only in one's most twisted nightmares have been paraded before your very eyes."
His earthy gaze swept along the stands, lingering a bit longer than normal on Francoeur and Lucille before continuing on. "However…" Misty wisps of fog began to curl along the edges of the ring. The spotlights caught the water droplets just right, giving the mist an ethereal glow. Elrick bowed his head sagely, his volume lowering slightly. "Our final act is the light that filters through the avarice and despair in the world. She lights the way into wakefulness, away from the blackened core that brings us such hellish visions."
Anya winced at the introduction that the wispy man was spinning for his audience. She wasn't some sort of saving grace, and she certainly didn't "filter through the avarice and despair of the world." She couldn't even filter her own sadness, let alone that of others.
As the black-haired man wound down his speech, he gestured for her to step forward.
Well, let's get this over with…
The petite figure stepped into the light, the pureness of her dress amplifying the fog around her. Elrick took her hand in his, the man kneeling before her before laying a delicate peck on her knuckles. "I present to you, Anya, L'ange de Paris!"
Gasps of shock and whispers met her ears.
"Are those… wings?!"
"That can't be possible… can it?"
"Is that really an angel? Aren't they supposed to be beautiful beyond measure."
Her cheeks darkened at that last comment, the tint not going unnoticed by the ringmaster. She finds my presence flustering… interesting… He smirked, oblivious to the slightly scathing comments from the audience. Rising once more to his feet, he returned his top hat to his head.
"Now, my angel, sing for the sinners. Wash us clean with your voice."
This part of the speech she could handle. Elrick had always cued her with the phrase, even when she was younger. She nodded wordlessly and stepped into the center of the ring.
Francoeur perked at the sight of the small figure. This was definitely different than the rest of the night's acts. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad… His eyes widened once her scent hit him. The perfume was the same that he had followed earlier…
He shook his lover's shoulder, catching the redhead's attention quickly. "Lucille… that girl. Her scent… is like yours…" Lucille gaped at the beautiful pearlescent wings that hung from the petite girl's back. "Is she who you smelled before, Franc?" At his nod, her brow creased in thought, hazel eyes taking in the angelic outfit and extra appendages.
"What is a girl like that doing in such a disgusting place…" As a haunting melody encircled the tent, the woman fell silent, her attention latched onto the singer.
I pray you bring us life, and help us when we're lost
And help us to be wise, no matter what the cost.
Let this be my prayer, when we lose our way,
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace,
To a place where we'll be safe…
The large white appendages spread, their combined lengths almost spanning the entirety of the circle. Even though she didn't like the attention, Anya was glad that she was able to spread her wings when she performed. They flapped without a thought, stirring the mist about. Sparks of light danced across her dew-soaked wings, making them even more ethereal than before.
I wish that we find light, and hold it in our hearts.
When stars appear at night I know just where you are.
Let this be my prayer when shadows cloud our days,
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace,
Give us faith so we'll be safe…
Her wings fully unfurled, the girl flapped once, sending herself into the air. With each pump of her powerful wings, she climbed higher, nearly soaring over the tent. Not once did her voice crack or falter.
A place where pain and sorrow will be ended.
And where the weak and broken shall be mended.
Where we'll remember we are all God's children,
Reaching out for mercy, reaching to the sky~!
Pale arms lifted into the air, reaching for an invisible savior before curling around the girl's chest. The plumage folded over her back, encasing her within a feathery cocoon before she dropped from the air.
A scream broke from the audience, the owner being a certain redhead.
She's going to die!
Right when she would have hit the dirt, Anya unfolded her wings, the rushing air around her acting as an updraft that carried her upwards again. Her eyes were soulful as she gazed out into the crowd, the bright minty green catching with wide, yellow orbs as she proclaimed her next lines.
I ask that life be kind, and watch us from above,
I hope each soul will find another soul to love.
Let this be my prayer, innocent and brave…
Her shoulders flexed, tightening her wings and allowing her to gently bank towards the ground. Her bare feet gently touched down on the soil, the feathers tickling her back when she folded her wings, tiny hands pressed against her chest in a praying gesture.
Lead us to a place… guide us with your grace…
Give us faith so we'll be… safe~
The last chords of her song floated through the air, ringing across the tent before dissipating. Silence soon descended, and Anya shifted anxiously.
"… if that t'aint an angel, I'll eat me hat!"
Laughter followed the statement, along with several loud cheers and whistles. Soon the stands were writhing with applauding patrons, popcorn and hats flying through the air.
A small smile split her lips and she gave an appreciative curtsy, the ends of her hair sweeping the dust.
When she rose, Elrick was by her side, the ringmaster wrapping an arm about her waist possessively.
"Has our angel cleansed your souls? Do you feel holier than before?"
Raucous laughter met his questions. "I thought so… but it was worth a try, I must say." The man felt Anya tense against him, his arm still attached to her hips. He couldn't help but savor the sensation; her tiny little body pressed against his, how well her form fit into his side.
Now now, enough of that… you have a show to finish. She will be back in your arms before long. Elrick reluctantly loosed his hold on the angel, biting back a frown when she took two steps away from his presence.
"I hope you all enjoyed our performance tonight! Join us again tomorrow night, and for the three nights after that, for more thrills than ever before! From the Cirque do Cauchemars, we bid you adieu!" Grabbing the girl's hand and pulling her against him once more, the ringmaster threw down his left hand. Thick smoke dark as pitch roiled forth, masking their exit from the tent.
"That was amazing! We have got to come back again, before they leave town!" Raoul was still revved up from the show, his hair bobbing furiously as he spoke. Emil simply nodded along to his babbling, an arm wrapped around Maud's shoulders as the tired woman tried to keep her eyes open.
Lucille and Francoeur followed along behind them, the flea's arm encased in between hers. "I'm still stunned from the last act. That girl was amazing…and her voice…"
"Definitely unique."
She sent a bright smile at her lover, gaining a chirrup in reply. But the grin fell not long after as the redhead recalled Elrick's forwardness with her. "I hate to leave her here, though… that ringmaster was a bit of a creep."
Raoul, having fallen behind the front couple, shrugged indifferently. "Ah well. She's kind of his property, Luce. Not a lot we can do about it… Anyways, so about coming back…"
The brunette's banter quickly faded into the background, Lucille's mind going into overdrive. I wish we could help her somehow… I's obvious she isn't happy…
But what could they do? It wasn't as if they could simply take her… right?
"Wonderful work, mon ange, absolutely beautiful!" The duo were in Anya's room, Elrick singing the girl's praises. He hadn't been able to tear his eyes away from her while she performed her aerial ballet, the dark orbs filled with desire and want. He held her close to him, one arm about her shoulders while the other sat on her hip.
Oh, if only we could stay like this forever…
Anya grit her teeth in a grimace, quickly peeling away from the man's tight embrace in surprise. His forwardness had shocked her, slightly terrifying her. "T-thank you, monsieur… I did my best."
"… why do you run from me, Anya?" Elrick's tone seemed hurt, his eyes conveying sadness.
"Forgive me, sir. I'm just sore from the show…" Why had she lied? Was it due to the strange glances he had been giving her throughout the show? Or was she truly tired?
The fib seemed to work since his mood shifted, the tall brunette gasping in concern. "Forgive me, little one. I had no idea… I should have asked."
He quickly excused himself, giving the girl time to change and wishing her a good night's sleep before lighting the lamp by her bedside and leaving.
Once the bolt clicked into place, her lungs released a whoosh of air. She hadn't even realized she had been holding her breath… A groan escaped her when she flopped onto her cot, her hands moving to cover her eyes.
What's happening around here…? First Elrick starts acting strange, and then the werewolf begins to act up, even more so than usual… I shudder to guess what may happen next…
Her nightgown replaced the gaudy silk of her costume, the intricate dress laid lovingly across the back of her chair along with its matching collar. Her hands smoothed over the soft fabric, still curious about where the ringmaster had purchased it, but not too keen on asking him.
Anya soon tucked herself into bed, blowing out the candle and dousing the room in shadows while she slipped into unconsciousness.
Woohoo! First chapter of the new year, guys! *pops confetti blaster* I should have the next one up in the next couple of days, so jes be patient. And let me know what you think. Any feedback to tell me what I'm doing right or wrong is greatly appreciated.
-Tenshi