#circusofdreams

“These ones are really easy to wear. It’s basically a headband that has the veil loop loosely around the eyes,” the snake lady said.

Nadine placed the veil over Blue’s head and adjusted the way it hung. Blue looked in the mirror and shifted back and forth seeing the way it swished. The fabric was light, almost see through, but an overlay of lace had been sown on to obscure the image beneath it.

“What do you think about this kind? Do you like it?”

She nodded in response still watching the mirror. She liked the way it flowed.

“Do you want to try this kind? It’s a little different to wear. It gets tied and pinned.”

She thought for a moment before shaking her head. The headband style was easy. She could put it on herself easily but she wasn’t good with tying up her hair and didn’t want to try to pin and tie a veil.

“Alright Blue what colors would you like? You can have any of these.”

Nadine laid out more veils in front of Blue. She looked through them and picked a green veil and another that was yellow.

“Do you like the purple one you’re wearing?”

Blue nodded, swinging her feet.

“Good! I think that color looks really nice on you. And it goes well with your dress. Actually wait right there I think I have something else you may like.”

Blue turned back to the mirror bobbing her head to make the veil move.

“Found it!”

Nadine came back over and pulled Blue to her feet. Nadine had her pull her arms up and tied a beaded hip scarf around her waist.

“What do you think?”

She watched as Blue turned this way and that in the mirror. Blue nodded and smiled.

“That one was always a bit shorter, just remembered that I had it stuffed down in the trunk. And it’s the same purple. You could probably wear any of the veils with the scarf. All the colors would match.”

Blue twirled watching herself in the mirror. She liked the way it looked. It was fun. Nadine was nice to share and give her these. She turned back to the snake lady and took her hand, pressing it between her palms gratefully. Nadine smiled back her.

“You’re welcome kiddo. If you ever need help with them just come to me.”

Blue nodded and waved goodbye as she left Nadine’s tent. She went to put the extra veils away and went to find Josiah. She was stopped in her search by Lutz, the wolf man.

“Trying a new style there Blue?”

She nodded.

“Looks nice, like a little princess from Lastrot. All you’d need to do was braid your hair up and you’d fit right in.”

Blue pulled a piece of hair forward and twisted it around before raising her arms in an exaggerated shrug.

“You don’t know how to braid?”

She shook her head.

“I could show you sometime if you want,” Lutz told her, pulling forward a braided lock of his own hair.

She nodded and he shooed her away.

“Josiah is in the main tent with Artemishia. They’re fixing some of the benches. Go and see him. I can teach you later.”

She gave a small wave and hurried to to main tent and stage. She wanted to show Josiah what Nadine had given her.

Part 6 

Little by little she came back. She was still quiet as ever but she wasn’t hiding anymore. The cast was still curious but seemed to decide that she had always been a mystery and there was plenty of time to solve it. Their pace of life returned to normal.

One thing had changed though. Since she was a surprise act Morpheus didn’t want the audience to recognize her when she was just helping with the tickets or seating. She tried to hide her face more, finding an old cloth and using it as a kerchief, and smudging her face with charcoal. Still Morpheus wasn’t satisfied with this.

“A mask would work better you know.”

Her nose scrunched up. Apparently she didn’t like that idea.

Nadine spoke up as she walked past, “Masks are irritating. They come loose easily. A veil would do the same job and rest more securely.”

Blue’s features smoothed out. Apparently that idea wasn’t as detestable.

“Well then she needs a veil.”

“You can have a couple of mine kiddo. I have plenty.”

“Good that’s taken care of then.”

Morpheus turned his wheelchair and rolled over to talk to the twins. Blue went off looking for something to do. Today there was no show. Everyone was resting. She had already finished her chores. Maybe she would see what Josiah was doing. Or she could go to the river and relax. She decided to do the latter for now, she could always find Josiah in the evening.

The river was calm and lazy. It was a quiet sort of day. She skipped some stones and then climbed out on one of the wide flat rocks that was sitting in the water. The stone was warm, the water cool. It was a refreshing time  away with no interruptions. She was able to think about the sideshow and about herself. She wasn’t sure what exactly Morpheus expected of her. She was a helping hand and now a sometimes preformer. She always felt like Morpheus had more planned than just the sideshow. They were all different in some way whether it be in appearance or abilities. It made sense for them to band together. It didn’t make sense to die. Their acts were amazing already. Why was death part of the show? That had always confused her. There was something larger here. She just wasn’t sure if she wanted to know what that was.

After a while she headed back to the camp. It was about midday and lunch was probably being made. She decided to wait for now and just listen.

Part 5

Morpheus leaned back onto his cot. The show was going brilliantly. After showcasing the Blue Angel their attendance had doubled. Everyone wanted to see death reverse. Everyone wanted to see an angel.

Morpheus didn’t showcase Blue very often. The constant stream of attention would be too much for the shy near silent girl. Showing the revival process over and over would just be another act. Besides they were known for death not life.

The cast’s interest in her had increased as well. Hearing her speak more even if it was just singing reminded some of them that she wasn’t actually mute. Seeing her wings either up close or from backstage had also been quite a shock. Before the performance only he had been privy to that fact that she wasn’t human. The ensuing spike in interest seemed to cause her to revert back to how she had been when she first arrived here. She clung to the shadows, her small size allowing her to slip into them, and she refused to speak. Usually she was a little more vocal with him, but there had been nothing but nonverbal cues from her. Morpheus would be concerned except for the fact that every now and then he would hear her quietly singing to herself in her tent. If this continued for too long he might try to coax her back out but for now she could continue.

Blue was also on her cot. She wanted to sleep but couldn’t. It bothered her. Other than a quick hi, Josiah hadn’t talked to her at all since their performance. Was he mad at her? She hoped not. Everyone was looking at her weird trying to see her wings. She made sure to keep them hidden. She didn’t like all the attention. But she did want Josiah to still be friends. Thinking about it a bit more she made up her mind and padded out of her tent.

She walked towards Josiah’s tent and was glad to see that lamplight spilled from the edges. She went up to the tent and picked up a stone, using it to knock against one of the support rods. The flap unbuttoned and Josiah poked his head out.

“Oh hey little one. Did you need something?”

She nodded and he stepped from the doorway allowing her to come in.

“What did you need?”

She looked away and fiddled with the edge of her dress. Josiah waited patiently. She would find a way to show him what she wanted.

“You mad at me?” she asked, her voice barely audible.

He blinked surprised that she had intiated the conversation, “Mad at you? Why would I be mad at you?”

“Cause the act.”

“I’m not mad about the act. We were both performing.”

“But you don’t talk.”

He was confused at first before he realised that she meant he didn’t talk to her. Her habit of cutting sentences to reduce the amount she spoke sometimes got in the way of her meaning. Josiah let out a sigh. He hadn’t been purposely avoiding her.

“I’m sorry Blue. I didn’t realise I hadn’t really talked to you. I’ve just been confused. I knew that you would be singing when I came back. I was prepared for that. I was stunned to see wings. At first I wasn’t sure if I was hallucinating but the others talked about wings as well. I was just trying to make sense of it. I was trying not to stare, didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

She looked at him and gave a small understanding nod.

“Still friends?” came her next question.

“Of course we are. Don’t worry little one, we’ll always be friends.”

She smiled then giving an enthusiastic nod. She let out a big breath and yawned. She smiled again and turned to the doorway giving Josiah a small wave.

“Hey Blue?”

She paused and looked back to him.

“If you ever feel comfortable enough could I maybe see your wings without the haze of just coming back.”

She looked away then and started fiddling with the hem of her dress again. Josiah worried for a moment wishing he hadn’t asked, but then she turned towards him. With a small shimmer of displaced magic her wings appeared. They tucked tightly against her back but she eased them out slightly. Josiah looked them over making sure to keep his distance. He didn’t want to test her comfort.

“Thank you. I’m glad that you felt you could share them with me. They’re very beautiful.”

She tucked her head seemingly embarrassed.

“Go get some sleep little one. You seem very tired.”

She nodded, her wings once again disappearing as she turned back to the door. She gave a small wave before leaving and going back to her tent. She was happy and felt like sleep might come a bit easier.

Part 4