I set the mail down on the table and felt a pair of wooden arms wrap around my waist. I smiled and relaxed, making myself comfortable. " He's not angry anymore." I thought as I held back a laugh. Drocell was being oddly touchy but I wasn't gonna complain. Honestly I kinda liked it. It gave me a sense of belonging. I noticed him looking down at where I had placed the flier but my eyes stayed focused intently on his face. " I am thinking to myself perhaps we should go to this circus, we have not been out properly for some time now." My eyes widened as I stared at him. " Really!? " He nodded very faintly, studying my reaction. " We'll go tonight along with the Earl and his butler." My smile must have been too wide because Elizabeth moved further away from me. I was just so happy. Drocell hasn't taken me out in months. He removed his hands from my waist and I immediately pouted. All he did was laugh and pat my head before walking back to his work room, humming as he went. All eyes were on me yet again.

To avoid Mey-Rin's questioning I quickly followed my fiance and sat down where I had been before. He worked for awhile before I broke the silence. " You do know I'd never run off on you, right ? " He didn't answer. " Drocell." I whispered, quickly wrapping my thin arms around his neck before looking up into those violet eyes I loved. " I love you, I'm yours. Nothing can ever change that. " I laughed lightly. " After all, I sorta like being trapped in here with you all the time." "Oh, do you now ? " I laughed as he picked me up and twirled me around before bringing me close to him. He kissed the top of my head. " I love you too my precious little doll." My smiled only got brighter. All too soon the clock stuck nine meaning it was time to serve dinner. I sighed. Time seems to pass too quickly when I'm with Drocell. I pulled my gaze away from his and we walked through the dark halls hand in hand.

The trip to the circus was rather uneventful. I mostly just stared out the window while Drocell watched me. The carriage soon left us as I looked around in awe. It wasn't anything like I had expected. Compared to this, Drocell's shop was tiny. Everything was so colorful, so fresh, so...new ? I paused. "This feels weirdly familiar." I didn't have much time to think as Drocell had pulled me towards him. He looked at me pleadingly. " Stay close, I don't want you to get lost." I rolled my eyes, sticking my tounge out of the corner of my mouth. " I'm not some little kid." At these words Drocell froze but quickly regained his composure. I gave him a questioning look but he ignored me. Performers greeted us, smiling. After twenty minutes of excited rushing around I pulled him towards the big top. Drocell seemed nervous as we walked through the crowd. I knew he hated being outside but I didn't think he'd be this scared. He seemed lost, like a small puppy in a sea of people. I pulled him along, focusing completely on the big top. The show was almost starting when we took out seats. I noticed Ciel and Sebastian a few rows down from us.

Bright light illuminated the stage as a young boy threw knives at targets around the tents. The crowd gasping in fear and excitement. I was impressed. Knife throwing was a skill I definitely didn't have. I watched the blonde boy until finally he finished. A range of cheers erupted from the audience. " Humans are so easily pleased." Drocell muttered under his breath while glancing around. " You were human once too you know." He didn't reply, he didn't even look at me.

I turned my head back towards the ring only to find myself staring into bright violet eyes. I froze. Everything around me stopped, I couldn't hear the crowd, I couldn't smell the popcorn. My breath caught in my throat. The ring leader stared back at me with a look of shock but snapped back before the audience took notice. " He's attractive". I thought, my eyes scanning his body and face. He winked at me, causing a blush to taint my cheeks. The ring leader continued on with the show but every few minutes he would glance back at me. The audience didn't notice but the performers did. The knife thrower had his attention fully on me. I could only hope Drocell didn't notice.

Everything was going fine until the last act. That's when things started to get messy. " For this, we'll need a 'elper." His eyes searched the crowd until they landed on me. A moment later I was blinded by the spotlight. " How about this lovely ...lady?" The ring leader had paused, uncertain but still smiling. He extended his hand which I gracefully took. I don't remember too much after that , all I knew is I was rushed to the doctors tent. Later I was told that the tiger had grazed my cheek during it's performance. Let's just say when something like that happens to a doll, the result usually looks more painful than it is.

Drocell had been unable to come with me but for once I didn't mind. Removing my hand from my cheek the performer's gasped at the sight of my shattered jaw and chin. " Are ye alright ? " The auburn haired man in front of me asked with concern. I couldn't speak properly so I just nodded. My eyes never left his. We stared at each other just like we had when he was in the ring. Ciel and Sebastian were nowhere to be seen. " Where did they disappear off to?" Drocell was pacing outside , I could see his shadow on the tent walls. I knew he'd be worried.

I jumped as I felt a hand graze my cheek. The ring master was still in front of me, closer now. He looked from my broken cheek back to my eyes. I found myself lost is his violet eye's. They were so much like Drocell's except instead of Drocell's cold, emotionless stare; he held a soft, gentle gaze that could make anyone melt. " I'm alright, that tend'd to happen a lot being made out of the materials I am has it's disadvantages. The main one being that I tend to break easily , I suppose i'm not very practical in that regard. It looks worse than it truly is ... I'll be fine." I blushed, mentally cursing my self for rambling. This always happens when I'm nervous. He looked unsure but tried to smile regardless. " I'm glad ye'r alright." I tired not to laugh. He had the cutest accent I'd ever heard. Before he left to go check on Sebastian he glanced back, gave a cheeky wink and left the tent. If only I had seen the shadow from outside move into the room before I had allowed myself to blush maybe things would have turned out differently. I suppose that doesn't matter now. It's better not to dwell on the past.

Drocell took it upon himself to fix me, mending the skin together with his blade. Like always I sat through a long lecture about how reckless I was and how we would never be coming here again. I already knew that though. Something about the way he was acting during the show told me. I sighed lightly as he finished and walked out of the tent. I have no idea where he went in that time but suddenly my eyes because heavy. I tried to fight it off but eventually gave in.

Rose's Dream

Darkness surrounded me. I could hear nothing but the harsh,bitter breeze. My whole body felt as though it had been covered in a layer of ice. I tired to move only to find myself lifted off the floor. I was hanging in mid-air, my body dangling. I tugged at my wrist but ended up cutting them slightly. Warm, sticky blood spilled from my wrist at dangerous speed. Soon my entire dress was covered in the heavy red substance. My wrist began to burn. The darkness around me closed in, trapping me where I hung. I never screamed or cried out for help. I wasn't going to be hurt unless I did it to myself. I have nothing to fear. " Why does this feel so familiar?" I spoke to no one but to my surprise I got an answer. " You really don't remember, do you ?" I knew that voice...Joker. Before I could reply the strings that bound me were broken and I fell to the floor. A skeletal arm was held out to mine as I stared up into violet eyes. " How can you not remember ?" I didn't reply. "Jester?" He whimpered lightly, his eyes cutting me like a knife. He pulled me up, holding me in his strong arms. " I'll just have to make you remember." He tilted my head up. His lips dangerously close to mine. He leaned in and...

I awoke with a jump. I should be used to this nightmare by now, it happens frequently but this time was different. This time I was saved from the rope's. " Who has saved me ? " I thought back, going through every detail I would recall. " Auburn hair, violet eyes." Drocell ? "No..." The ring leader , but why was he in my dream ? I wondered as I opened my eyes fully, rubbing the sleep from them. Still slightly startled by my dream I glanced around. Guilt drowned me the moment I saw Drocell sitting in the chair beside me. Worry etched across his face. He jumped up, grabbing me into a hug. His breath was quick as though he were struggling to breath. He was probably terrified. This only made me feel worse. The circus performer's were also in the room but I barely payed them any mind. I was too focused on the man in front of me.

Someone grabbed my arm, pulling me out of Drocell's reach. He didn't seem too happy about that. I looked to my capture and smiled slightly at Joker. "Glad to see ye up and about, gave us lot quite a scare." The blonde boy who Joker had referred to as Dagger during the show stepped forward. He studied me intensely. " We were afraid Betty 'ad broken ye'r jaw or somethin'." His voice sounded strained. Drocell glared at them both. Joker's smile disappeared for a moment but once he saw me staring it returned. " So...What's ye'r name? " Everyone stared at me, Dagger was inching closer by the second looking overly hopeful. I shifted uncomfortably under their gaze's. " Rose, Rose Keniz." My voice was low and he had to strain to hear me. Dagger froze in place, shaking slightly from anger. Joker looked at Drocell for a second and then back to me. " That name don't suit you." He reported bluntly before turning to the other performer's. " What do ye think we should call 'im." My eyes widened. Never had I been told my name didn't suit me. People usually just smiled and nodded telling me it was a lovely name for a lovely girl. Drocell had named me. It was the name he had chose and while I never liked it, I never hated it. The other circus performers looked at me curiously, each thinking. Dagger just seemed to get worse by the minute, tears were evident in his eyes, he was ghostly pale and looked ready to kill. It seemed like they had all made an agreement that I was unaware of. " I've got it!" Joker exclaimed, his voice a slightly higher pitch. The boy known as Dagger was watching Drocell closely, analyzing his every move. " We'll call 'im Jest." The other's smiled happily. Drocell just stared at him, anger dancing across his eyes. " I am thinking to myself that her name suits her fine." I nodded in agreement although I did feel touched by my newly given name. " It seems so familiar though." Joker just laughed which only fueled Drocell's anger. " We were wonderin' if ye'd like to join this here circus." My eyes lit up as he said this. The two children seemed to notice because they laughed and high fived each other. I've always longed to travel and see the world. " Why?" I questioned trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. Dagger opened his mouth but Joker spoke hurriedly before he could speak. " Y'er a livin' doll, most people ain't seen that before."

I felt myself being dragged away from him until I was once again in Drocell's arms. He held me tightly, a little too tightly and I fought against him. He was hurting me, only slightly but enough for me to feel unsafe. His wooden hands dug into my side and I winced as the porcelain shattered. Once her relaized what he had done he dropped his arms immediately and looked at me. It was too late though. Dagger and Joker looked livid. I just sighed still feeling dull and tired. Drocell seemed to pick up on that. " You need your rest, let's go home." Before I could object Drocell wrapped three string's around my waist and began pulling me. He didn't even get to the opening of the tent before a knife broke the strings that bound me. Joker and Dagger were standing behind us. " You bastard ! How dare ye lay a hand on one of our family." Dagger pulled me towards him, holding onto me for dear life. " Family ?" My voice barely above a whisper. Dagger looked as though i had stabbed him. He sunk to the floor, sobbing into his hands. I moved forward but Joker pulled me back. " I don't think it's safe for you to leave with 'im." My head was spinning. On the other side of me Drocell held out his hand. " Im sorry, I didn't mean to grip you so tightly. I am thinking to myself perhaps we should go home." Every word he said seemed to make Dagger sob louder. Something tugged at my heart. I wanted to hug him, to comfort him, to protect him. My heart was racing. Drocell's eyes looked dull. He gave me a small yet warm smile, the kind only he could give. He left without another word.

Joker smiled, about to welcome me into the troupe but I stopped him by placing my fingers on his lips. " I'm sorry." I had an overwhelming feeling this wasn't the last time out path's would cross but I needed Drocell. He was my life, my reason to live. I wasn't ready to leave him just yet. Joker's eyes saddened but I didn't give him time to speak. I ran without looking back. I ran from that tent, from the crying boy , from the looks of shock.

The rain was pouring but It didn't slow me. After awhile of searching I finally found him sat up against a tree outside, perfectly still. The clothes he wore were drenched by rain, the cloth sticking to his skin. He didn't move as I sat beside him. Worry took over as I shook him slightly looking for anything that might indicate life. He looked over suddenly causing me to jump. " You followed me ? " I nodded but didn't speak. Our eyes locked. The world around us seemed to pause. Drocell smiled as he moved our foreheads together. " How could I not ? " I whispered softly. " After all I sort of like being trapped in our little shop with you." I smiled weakly as the lie rolled off my tongue. The thought of being trapped in that place kept me up at night but right now all I wanted to do was make him happy. His arms made their way around my waist as he kissed me softly. It felt as though he were afraid i would break if he used anymore force.

We made our way to the entrance where our carriage awaits. Ciel and Sebastian has already left. Drocell glanced at me before shaking his head disapprovingly. " This is why we don't leave the shop often, your dress is filthy." I giggled in response which made him smile slightly. The carriage pulled away the moment we got inside. A yawn escaped my lips. " I've slept far too much today." I thought as I closed my eyes. I was thankful when a dreamless sleep overcame me.