Xemnas stood in the center of his tent, arms folded behind him, as he stretched his shoulders back and stared coldly at his tent door. Xaldin was to his left, waiting as patiently as he could, though he showed up early for the meeting, because he was the better subordinate. He always had been when it came to orders. Behind him was his desk, with three soul jars sitting neatly on top. One with a bright green soul, the other with a small pink one... and the last remained empty. But, after this meeting, Xemnas hoped to change this. His living quarters were in the back of his tent, neatly tucked away. Something seemed odd about it recently, but he couldn't quite place why. At last, his other guest entered the tent sheepishly. Like a dog who knows it tore up it's master's shoes. And yes, that's what he was... nothing more than a mangy dog. "Yea Yea Yea.. I know.. I'm late. I'll grovel later." Xigbar pushed his way past the curtains and took his place to the right of Xemnas. The ringmaster let out a deep sigh and gave the escape artist a cold stare. Clearing his throat, he began the meeting. "I realize that this meeting has been called at such short notice... But... It has come to my attention... that one of us has been harboring someone at this Circus, who is not a performer..." Xemnas watched both of them carefully to look for any kind of reaction. Xigbar seemed to freeze for a moment, before playing it off and pretending to stretch. How... comical.

Xaldin remained unmoved; waiting for the Ringmaster's meeting to get started. He had caught wind of strange rumors floating around the grounds, but didn't think much of it until now. If Xemnas summoned both of them, then something must be up. He sat quietly, waiting for the 'fashionably late' escape artist. If his coworker DIDN'T have anything to do with this, his tardiness definitely wasn't helping him. He turned his attention to the doorway, picking up the sound of footsteps. Xigbar. Xaldin's eyes narrowed. He looked guilty. The performer took a breath as if he were to speak before holding his tongue, hearing the ringmaster's voice. Not a performer. The last sentence seemed to ring in his ears. He blinked slowly, arching an eyebrow at Xigbar's reaction. Something wasn't right. One of us? It didn't make much sense to only question the two of them. Why not call for a meeting for the entire crew? "Understood." He spoke slowly; anger began to build in his chest. "Where should we proceed with this information, Ringmaster?" His eyes fell to the jars. They held some significance to this, otherwise they'd be tucked away somewhere, would they not? Peculiar…

Asha had already told Aqua what she had to do tonight. Though for some time she debated on whether to tell the girl what would happen if she failed… she concluded that it would cause unnecessary worry. She would not fail. There was no room for it. Slipping a white half-mask on, she reminded herself of what would happen. She would swap places with the doll that she had Larxene place in the Ringmaster's room. Once there, she would have no magic to aid her, and approximately 60 seconds before the effects of the soulless to take place. Asha had already ordered Pooka to lie in wait at the circus, so that once she had acquired the jar with her soul, her pet could take her back home swiftly. Straightening the mask, and gripping tightly to the powder she had in her hand, she began to utter the enchantment, and begin the switch.

Xemnas took a step back, turning to the table behind him. Carefully, he picked up the jar with the pink soul in it. Studying it, he could see Xigbar tense out of the corner of his eye. 'Perfect… I have his attention…' The ringmaster grinned before continuing. "Do not misunderstand me… Everyone at this Circus is suspect of harboring this person… However, you both have the most authority when it comes to the others. So I trust you could get more information. After all… you are my eyes and ears." Passing the jar from hand to hand, he stepped away from the desk and continued to explain. "You see.. this person has a very special soul, one that I have great interest in. So if either of you find her, you will bring her to me. Understood?"

In a small flash, Asha had found herself in a small curtained room, under a bed. She could hear that familiar deep voice droning in the other room, outside of this one. That was the Ringmaster, no doubts about it. Gritting her teeth she tried to remain as calm as she could as she crawled out from under the bed. This endeavor was certainly getting more dangerous by the second. She had hoped that no one would be inside, but by the sounds of it, that demon was talking to someone. Creeping up to the curtain as swiftly as she could, she listened for anything else, while counting the seconds in her head. 12….13….14…. Another voice, one that she had longed to hear once again. "So I take it yer sure that it's a girl? That certainly narrows it down a bit…" Shutting her eyes tightly she tried as hard as she could to not get distracted. Focus on the soul… She could feel it, it was very close. Crouching down again, she slipped through the curtain and ducked behind a desk. 20…21…22….23…. There were three in the tent with her. She recognized them each. Xaldin, whom she remembers joining the circus shortly after it was created. Xemnas, the Ringmaster and cursed demon of prophecy that her clan had set out to destroy so very long ago. And of course… her very own fool of a man, Xigbar. They must be talking about Aqua… this isn't good. Focus. 30…31… 32…. 33…. Two jars sat on the table above her, one empty and the other, with her very own soul, which began to shine brightly from her being so close to it. Xemnas was holding another jar, one with a pink soul. 'That's Maggies soul…. That lusizi Udoti….' Focus Asha… focus. Reaching up, she took the jar with her own soul as quickly as she could, trying not to draw any attention to herself.

Wait a sec…. Xigbar turned to look at the desk behind the Ringmaster. A change in light caught his eye. He would have assumed it was just his mind playing tricks on him…. but lately he couldn't afford to think like that. No. He was right. Something was off. Asha's soul was gone, leaving only the empty jar on the table. He honestly wasn't sure how to react, squinting, he looked back at the Ringmaster, who was staring at him with his cold orange eyes. "What is it, Xigbar?" Taking a long sigh he shifted his weight, "Er….well… it looks like yer missin' something." Waving an arm, he motioned to the table. Xemnas chuckled, it was a laugh that Xigbar never wanted to hear again. "It appears you have gotten braver, or perhaps more idiotic…You know I do not enjoy games…. Return the jar to me." He held out his hand and stared at Xigbar even more coldly. Putting his hands up in defense, the escape artist pleaded, "Look… I have no idea where it is, alright?"

Xaldin took notice as well. He'd never seen such a reaction from a soul before. …strange. But the empty one… He returned his attention to Xemnas. He felt that Xigbar had begun to tarnish the title of 'eyes and ears', and with the way his coworker currently acted… It definitely seemed suspicious. He thought for a moment. So it was a female they were looking for. Of course. He blinked slowly, waiting for a description. Nearly every time there was some form of trouble, a female seemed to have something to do with it. His eyes narrowed, not appreciating the sudden subject change. Who were they looking for? Why would Xigbar feel the need to swipe one of the ringmaster's jars? Buying time for someone? His gaze switched between Xemnas and Xigbar. It really was misplaced… Something didn't seem right.

'This is it… UNkulunkulu ungisize…' Asha held her breath, watching Xemnas and Xigbar from behind the desk. This wasn't good. Xemnas still held the other jar, no doubt using it as a threat. For if he drops it… it will be lost forever. 39…..40….41….42….43…. "I tire of your lies, Escape Artist. Tell me where it is immediately, otherwise you know what will happen to this one…." Xemnas extended his arm to the side, holding the jar by the lid with the tips of his fingers. 47….48….49….50…. Jumping to her feet, Asha stood to face the three of them. "Looking for this?" She held up the jar, and looked over each of their faces quickly. Each of them were startled, but Xigbar visibly paled. Before any of them could move, Asha reached in the pouch on her waist and threw some powder down on the floor, causing dust to accumulate in the air. As they all stood coughing, she leapt over the table and out of the curtained tent, gripping tightly to the jar. 55….56….57…58….

The smoke cleared quickly, and each of them regained their breath after coughing so much. It was her…. Xemnas growled so deeply that it barely sounded human. Summoning a laser in his hand with a flash, he held it to Xigbar's neck. "You….planned this didn't you?!" The performer looked back at him as calmly as he could, despite the circumstances. He held his hands up in defense, but before he could say anything, Xemnas spoke again. "But… it would seem I am mistaken in this assumption.. You are as surprised as we are… if not more… curious…." Though his voice began to soften, he still kept his stance with the laser at his subordinate's neck. "Xaldin. Bring this woman back to me, and if you cannot, kill her." "No!" Xigbar jerked to the side, away from the sword, only to have it put back in its place. Xemnas smiled and held out the jar again. "Oh yes. And you won't be able to see it because if you dare move a muscle I will destroy this feeble soul." Xemnas turned to Xaldin and nodded to him, to let him leave.

Xaldin stood defensively for a moment, The soul shined brighter than before. Such a strange sight… He shot a quick glance to Xigbar. Judging from his facial expression, He recognized her. The performer turned his attention back to the intruder. His eyes narrowed. He recognized her too, somehow. But from where…? He took a few steps back, finally clearing the strange smoke from his lungs. Straightening himself, he stared intently at his coworker. He really didn't know what this was about, but nothing would make him object to the ringmaster. Nothing. Instead he focused for a moment on the jar in Xemnas' hands. The soul inside was fairly small, and pink in color. What did it have to do with Xigbar? He turned his attention back to Xemnas when he spoke, thankful that he was given some kind of orders. He gave a curt nod, not wishing to know the details of the new situation. He turned on heel to leave. Killing her would be lazy. Bringing her back alive seemed more profitable. Tracking her down, however… Xaldin smirked, setting off with haste. To him, this was just a setback. Why was the other one empty? Clearly it held some form of significance. There was also an outsider being sheltered somewhere on the circus grounds. As important as that was, this soul thief needed to be dealt with. Now, here could she have gone…?