#everrin circus

 The world beyond the Mist was a sprawl of a city that petered out into fields as far as the eye could see. It was different from her home, and that was a delight.

 At the edge of the city was a tent, all white and red stripes, and vehicles parked around it. A circus?

 She dived, curiosity getting the better of her.

 There was a buzz of noise about it. Animals and people, all shouting back and forth, running between the tent and the caravans, setting up yet more tents and enclosures.

 There were creatures – Beast, really, with a capital B – that she’d only ever read about in stories and folklore.

 Like she was now, really.

 She landed on a post by one of them that mostly looked like a horse with wings, a bird’s head, and talons on its feathered front legs rather than hooves.

 It cocked its head to inspect her with one bright eye.

 She folded her wings tight against her back and didn’t quite meet its gaze.

 “Is that one of Fen’s constructs left lying around against?” said someone behind her. “I didn’t think she was working on anything like this.”

 The creature clicked its beak, partially unfolding its wings.

 She turned her head to see a woman standing there.

 “Oh, you’re not – Fen!” The woman turned to yell for someone.

 “I’m not a construct,” said the bird.

 “What are you, then?” To her credit, the woman didn’t seem too startled by her talking.

“The phoenix. Where is–”

 “What is it, Hunt? I’m fine-tuning some really delicate – oh you’re a beauty, aren’t you?” Another woman poked her head out of a nearby caravan, welder’s goggles over her eyes. “Oh, you’re a real spark of genius, aren’t you? I bet they’re kicking themselves for losing you.”

 “It’s not–”

 “No one made me,” said the phoenix. “Except maybe I made myself.”

 This one jumped, pushing her goggles back into her hair. “Well fuck.”

 “I’ve never heard of a phoenix sighting,” said the first.

 “Only kid’s stories. Damn, and it was just out here?”

 The phoenix spread her wings, readying to take off. Maybe this wasn’t a good spot for a break.

 “No – wait, wait, sorry. Let’s start again.” The woman with the goggles held out her hands as if to stop the phoenix from leaving. “I’m Fen. This is Hunt. What can we call you?”

 The phoenix hesitated. Her old name was – not known out here, but if people came looking…

 It was also a name for the person she had been, not the being she’d become.

 “Spark,” she said. “You can call me Spark.”

 “Delighted to make your acquaintance.” Fen smiled. “What brings you to our circus?”

 “Curiosity,” Spark replied, folding her wings back in. “I don’t remember the last time I went to the circus.”

 “Well, you’re in luck, my friend, because the Everrin Circus is the finest that travels the Mist.” Fen spread her arms to encompass it, bowing.

 Spark laughed.

 “Would you like a tour?”

 “Aren’t you fine-tuning something really delicate?” Hunt asked, sounding gently amused.

 “That’s not needed until this evening.” Fen waved her off. “Now.” She held out her arm, which was wrapped to keep her sleeves tight against her wrist. “Or you can walk, but riding in style?”

 Spark hopped from her perch to the ground and didn’t grumble as she barely came up to Fen’s waist. This new form was ridiculous.

 Hunt stayed behind as Fen led Spark into the chaotic noise and bustle of the circus.

 “We’ve only just pulled up here,” Fen said. “Normally it’s a little quieter of a morning, but this is also our first day here so it’s all the set up.”

 Spark craned her head to see what she could. “It seems so chaotic.”

 “It is. Organised chaos, but all the same. You’re lucky to have found us here, actually, this is our last stop before entering the Mist again.”

 “You travel it a lot?”

 “Sure do. Which world are you from? We might have been there before.”

 “I don’t know its name.” Spark shook her head. “But it only recently joined the Mist.”

 “Oh, wild.” Fen was silent as she thought that over. “So – are there other Phoenixes there?”

 “No, I’m the only one.”

 “Oh.” Fen fell silent as she led Spark nearer to the side of the big tent, down an avenue between the fabric of it and the ropes holding it in place. “That must be lonely.”

 Spark blinked. “I – I guess so.” It wasn’t that she hadn’t considered it, exactly, but it was definitely something she hadn’t been intentionally thinking about.

 “Sorry,” Fen said. “Didn’t mean to send you–”

 “Fen!”

 “Asin! Fancy seeing you here!” Fen looked up, grinning and spreading her arms wide in welcome. “I’ve made a new friend.”

 “And the drones for tonight? Are they – oh that is cute.” A woman – shorter and curvier than Fen, white and blonde and harried looking, a tablet in her hands – blinked down at Spark.

 “I’ve never been called cute before,” Spark said, spreading out her train a little. “Not looking like this, anyway.”

 “Fen?” The woman tensed, a crackle of electricity playing at her fingers. “What have you done?”

 “I – nothing!” Fen laughed. “Asin, this is Spark. She’s a phoenix from Off-World. Spark, this is Asin, my cousin.”

 “… Sorry,” Asin said. “You said phoenix?”

 “Yup. She can stay with us for a while, right?”

 Asin shrugged faintly. “Sure, why not. Welcome to Everrin Circus, Spark.”

 “Thanks?”

 “It’ll take her a minute,” Fen said in a stage whisper. “Now come on, there’s so much more to show you.” She ushered Spark past Asin. “And yes, Asin, I’ll get everything finished before opening.”

 Spark followed her, bobbing her head to Asin. She hadn’t meant this to be ore than a brief visit, but… well, if they were going to be so welcoming…