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High-functioning Cranberry
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 Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:26 pm
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel Silent, Nathaniel stared at the man, searching for a reason to not trust him. Nothing quite came to mind, and it was hard to see him clearly through the slits in his mask. It was all hard to trust. But it would be enough. Here was a place to stay, to sleep, to work. Nathaniel wouldn't give the opportunity up. He looked away a little, taking a bit more time before deciding for sure. He nodded. "That's fine." His fingers kneaded the cat's scruff. "I had a long trip, though. I think I'll find a place to nap." He turned to glance behind him, as if searching already. His mask spun back to the man again. "Please find me once you've decided where and when I'll start." After a moment, his head lowered to the kitten. Staring at her, deep in thought, he was disconcerted at her shivering. She didn't feel cold anymore. It was as if she were... frightened. His head shot up to look at the man again. "And on second thought, I think I will keep this cat." He spun on his heel and started walking calmly away from the man. His head lowered a bit, cuddling the kitten closer. Her shivering seemed to be calming down now. Did this mean she really did fear that man? He slowed, lowering his shoulders a bit and looking at the floor softly. He turned around again. "By the way," he whispered as loud as he could, "May I know the name of my employer?" Masquerade. Every face a different shade. Masquerade._______________________________
Look around, there's another mask behind you...
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:42 pm
"welcome" Yes, he got the kid to join. Not one person had refused to work there yet, a 150 year streak was perfect.
"My name is William Siff. You can call me Mr. Siff."
He placed his hands in the pockets of his jeans and walked towards the boy. When he caught up to Nathaniel he pulled his right hand out and put it on his left shoulder leaning over a little. He wanted to make sure the boy heard him. Of course hew as sure that he might also be able to see in his mask a little if he looked a little more closely around him. After all, there was no way to take the soul if the windows to that soul was hidden. A name would surfice for now though.
"If I can have your name, I can take you to a tent where you can stay that will be dry and safe."
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High-functioning Cranberry
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:04 pm
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel Nathaniel didn't feel a great comfort with the man coming closer to him. He felt even less comfort with the man locking his hand on his shoulder. It kind of stung; his sensitive skin felt like it was being ripped slowly by the man's strong grip. He kept his heart as calm as he could, however, focusing on keeping his guard up. This man, Mr. Siff, didn't seem so... trustworthy. Nathaniel wasn't sure what other way to put it in his head. The soothing voice and face of Mr. Siff just didn't seem real. They had to be fabricated. The man also seemed to be leaning uncomfortably close, as if--Nathaniel snapped his head away, quickly backing up and shaking Mr. Siff's hand off his shoulder. "N-Nathaniel," he rasped quickly. He then bit his tongue. Siff had caught him off guard; he had gotten flustered and panicked. It won't happen again. He still kept his face away, though, as he tried again. "Just Nathaniel." Keeping his last name to himself was his own business, not even pondering it, but keeping his face hidden was another matter. No one would see his face. Not even his eyes. He made it so his head was lowered to the ground, as if he was shy or something. "And I would appreciate it if you didn't touch me," he whined in that thin voice. He fabricated his pathetic tone, hoping it would throw the man off. Throw him off the trail of his face and onto the trail of his sensitive skin. He spun on his heel again, bringing the kitten close to chest protectively and trotting briskly away once more. He needed to find a quiet place to wind down.Masquerade. Every face a different shade. Masquerade._______________________________
Look around, there's another mask behind you...
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:21 pm
"Nathaniel, let me lead you to a tent... if it's not too much to ask I'd like for you to follow me okay."
He smirked after Nathaniel turned, even more interested in this kid's back story. For now he'd play to the illusion of being a nice guy. He wouldn't break a trust that he's building till he's fully lowered Nathaniel's gaurd and draw him into his trust. Siff turned and followed Nathaniel passing him first and then looking back at him after getting a few feet ahead. He walked towards the big top looking forward. His hands moved to cross behind his back as he held one arm. Siff walked tall and almost proud of something that seemed to not exist there. Nothing that existed except the lies that he had weaved and the reality he created that was unlike the truth in almost every way.
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High-functioning Cranberry
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:47 pm
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel As Mr. Siff passed him, Nathaniel shied away and veered to one side to avoid any more possible physical contact. He followed obediently and turned his head around, glancing at the carnival now. It held an eerie air about it, like it held a silent history that didn't belong to anyone. Like it was keeping secrets. He didn't see anyone around, either. That was to be expected, though, as the sky had just unloaded on the world. A ways away he caught a glimpse of someone, but ignored it. All he wanted to do right now was find his tent and get some rest. He looked down at the cat again, pulling her up and bringing her face to his. The kitten's nose touched his mask and he let out a satisfied humm. In front of him, Mr. Siff was slowing down and he lowered the kitten quickly, glancing around the man to a medium sized tent. He kept his distance from the man, yet wouldn't deny his curiosity and caution.Masquerade. Every face a different shade. Masquerade._______________________________
Look around, there's another mask behind you...
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:32 pm
He stopped to show the young man a tent he would share with one of the more seasoned workers that had stayed there longer. Grace, a girl who was both a healer and worker with the animals. Of course she wasn't so much a working type but the least she did was keep new comers from breaking rules for which they did not know. Hopefully this kid wouldn't be so disobedient as the knife thrower, young illusionist, or the new Angel he had in his deck. No pieces on his playing board would disobey. At least, not without getting away with it. That and pieces that no longer caught his interest would also suffer for their misfortunately boring air. Such as Bobby's parents, whom he took with him, leaving their bodies laid upon the top performing platform above the trapeze in the big top.
"Before you get some sleep, I would like you to stay with Grace and help her with the animals. You seem fond of them. After work I'll show you where /you/ will sleep Nathaniel."
He opened the tent door and stepped to the side giving Nathaniel more than enough room to peek in at Grace. She was a blond haired, tall girl. She had on her red and black dress that showed off the side of her hips and collar. Of course she was busy Meditating in the corner. She hummed as she held a baby bear cub feeding it. She kept herself very busy and ignored Siff for the most part.
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High-functioning Cranberry
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:49 pm
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel Nathaniel peeked his head inside the tent like a shy little kid. Practically hiding behind the cat, he glanced up at Mr. Siff before sneaking slowly into the tent and glancing around. An array of medical supplies and books were ordered on shelves. For a circus, this was slightly nicer than he had expected. Grace was also nicer than he expected. The air around her was calm and sweet; this consoled Nathaniel enough to come closer. He approached the woman and the... bear on her lap. He stared at the bear for a moment before returning his gaze to her. Once he knew he had her attention, he held out the cold, unconscious kitten to her. She was an animal doctor after all. The kitten looked sick, probably from the storm she was sitting in for a while, and had fallen unconscious in his arms soon after he calmed her down.Masquerade. Every face a different shade. Masquerade._______________________________
Look around, there's another mask behind you...
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Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:59 pm
Seth eventually found Siff with the new comer keeping his distance as much as possible. He couldn't hear their conversation from afar but he knew it wasn't a good one. He could tell the boy was shaking from the Ringmasters over whelming appearance. Being trapped in the Carnival for so long Seth got use to watching people from far away. He studied their body moments and could sometimes read what they're saying. The only thing the illusion got out of the conversation with Siff and the boy was his name. Nathaniel. At this point he was wishing he could stop the kid from giving Siff his name but it was to late. All he could do now was follow the two sense they were leaving the area. He was guessing that Siff gave him a job and was leading the male to his tent. Sadly, he was right. Seth had seen Siff do this a million times with each new worker, naturally catching onto the act after a while. He stood far away from the tent waiting for Siff to make his way out.
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 3:55 pm
Grace turned to the boy and pushed the kitten back.
"Siff? What are you doing."
She looked at the boy with an almost regretful and sorrowful look. Upset that this young boy was also stuck here as well as the rest of them. She felt that Seth shouldn't be too far behind. With the way Seth had been acting lately, the way he made it his business to try and break the rules to others.... maybe for good intentions but still, it was the wrong thing to do. After glancing over the kitten and then looking back to the hungry bear cub she was nursing she shook her head. Her attention was drawn to the masked boy.
"Until I am done nursing this bear... I think it would be best you keep the kitten warm with you."
"Ahem..."
Siff spoke up, in more of a way to get attention rather than to actually clear his throat. Grace was beating around what he wanted, knowingly or not it annoyed him. He stood by the tent door keeping the way open neither inside nor outside of the tent. He allowed for the kitten to be inside now it was with it's new /owner/. But only with Nathaniel would the kitten be allowed indoors, if his magic kept working /strait/ like he wanted.
"Grace, give Nathaniel a days worth of work, tonight I'll bring him to a tent that I'll have set up for him to stay in."
Of course, he might as well also mention. "Don't let the boy out of your sight, or I'll find him." Since, it was known that if Siff ever dropped off a worker on someone else they better stay with that person or never be seen again. His plan of course was to introduce Nathaniel to one of the most caring, yet respecting of Siff, workers to take care of the boy. Not that his form of respect was any different then forcing people to do what you want out of fear. Fear of knowing, fear of what they didn't know.
"I'll be sure to do that. Thank you Mr. Siff."
Slowly she stood up after her insincere remark. Of course she tried to not make it so distasteful to have him go after her when the boy has been taken on his own separate path. The last thing she wanted was to outright say " F'ck you. I don't need you giving me another helpless kid who you are only going to torture while you make me stand and watch." But she was surely thinking it. With as much as she's seen in this carnival it was a wonder how she still kept going. The things she's seen in her healing of both people and animals, the miscellaneous jobs she had to take for the many she has seen fall here. Anyone got hurt, she would have to heal them for Siff, keep his secrets, keep his lies. All she knows for sure is, that for the longest time, before most of these kids were born... maybe even before there parents it was only Siff, herself, and Victoria, the gypsy. If anything she found it odd that Siff would not torture a single young women so long as she worked here and he was the boss. Which was rather unfortunate for Bobby's mother since she had his father.
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Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 4:38 pm
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel What was happening here? A secret fight between the two? Certainly something was happening here without his knowledge. And it was hard to see her expression clearly with his mask on. He frowned beneath it, squinting his eyes to look at her perhaps clearly, though it did no good. He was glad in times like these that he had this thing shading his expressions; no one would peek into his private matters. His feelings. She turned her attention to him again and he straightened softly, eyes locked on her. She seemed decent. Nothing like Siff. Quietly, Nathaniel obeyed her request, bringing the cat close to his chest again. His head went down to it, looking it in the face and petting it again. Carefully.
His head rose again to the two speaking. He stared at them intently, all the while kneading the cat's scruff. He was silent as the grave. This was a tactic of his; if he needed to concentrate, he would be silent and motionless as to not give away what he was thinking. It also helped when feeling any emotion; when he cried he never hiccuped on his tears, when he was happy he rarely laughed, and when he was angry he refused to let it escape in a bark or growl. Hiding his emotions fully protected him very often. It was a way of life for him. Stroking the kitten, he now stared at them with suspicion, and with complete silence. Masquerade. Every face a different shade. Masquerade._______________________________
Look around, there's another mask behind you...
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High-functioning Cranberry
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Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:36 am
((Sorry for my not-posting so much . . . work and school are fighting over who has control of my life now.))
Huck smiled as they hung out in the tent. The rain did let up, but he was also thinking there was something a might queer about Siffy-boy. How he claimed to own their souls. Maybe just a scare tactic. Go see the farmer's daughter, the farmer's cleanin' a shotgun out on the front porch. That sorta thing. he thought as he sat there. The scar was hidden a little bit thanks to his shirt, but he was beyond that. The initial reaction was done.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 2:26 pm
Siff smiled and looked back out to the gray sky and drying grounds. Already the grounds were drying but the canvas of the old fashioned, poorly maintained canvases. After observing the new weather that took the area he glanced at Nathanial out of the corner of his eyes turning his head only slightly from the outdoors.
"Be sure to help Nathaniel feel like home."
Grace rolled her eyes after Mr. Siff's comment. The bear had finished eating and started crying for it's family. She set it aside after petting it a bit to calm the baby bear down. A toy had been handed to it that was very warn down for it to bat around a little to be a little more entertained. Grace stood up and brushed off her dress. The heavy fabric made deep yet quiet wiping sounds, as the fabric of the layered dress poofed out. Dust fell, but her dress would be dirty again soon anyway. There was no way to keep anything clean here. After brushing off her dress briefly Grace met eyes with Mr. Siff.
"We have work to do, and I would appreciate if you would go about you're own business so we can get busy with our things."
He stared at her for a little bit before looking away. He took his hands off the door but held it open with his body. Siff waited for a moment locking his sight with Grace both on Nathaniel.
"I'll let you two get to work. Anyway, I need to go do paperwork."
He turned on his heal and left the tent letting the curtains close loosely. And like that, Siff had made his exit. He walked pensively down Midway towards a part of the carnival just opposite midway on the other side of the big top. He walked around the big top slowly. In no rush to get to where he was going although he walked down some of the paths that was known to get most all workers lost if they didn't know the way. Tents, stiffly made stood up at odd sized heights in tight quarters shifting in and out. The gaps between the tents became the maze of what was a major part of the Carnival. The further Siff walked down the paths between the tents the more foggy it became before long he disappeared from sight, not even a person a few feet from him could spot which direction he took. His steps were quiet, his breath nonexistent as he entered his domain undetected only to appear on the opposite side of the maze. Far from the big top and all else. A forest existed at one time, and around two of the last curved trees was set up a colorful tent in mint condition. copper and iron beams, polished, held up the red and cream striped canvas tent. A sign hung on a pole near the curtain like doors that held gold calligraphy like metal workings on the wooden sign that said "Willaim Siff". The tent was small,
Grace knew where Siff was going. Only two people left in the Carnival knew of the tricks and paths to get around to just about every place that existed there. Of course it had been many years before she even went near the chaos that a person would have to overcome to find The "true" center of the Carnival. It originally was the edge of the carnival, that small tent but now was the center. The back surrounded by the unknown while the other half existed for the workers. She took her eyes from Nathaniel hoping to not make him feel intimidated having had both Siff and her looking at him. Grace picked up the bear cub with the toy and held it to her shoulder.
"Sorry about Mr. Siff. And, hopefully I don't give you too much work your first day."
Grace picked up with her spare hand an old fashioned suit case.
"I need to take this cub with me to the other bears... unfortunately we lost her mother to old age... If you would follow me please okay Nathaniel."
She started her pace for the back entrance of her tent. Secretly she hoped that Siff would let Nathaniel go. But not the only thought she had, she also didn't want him to get lost here. She knew what could happen if Siff found him. Sure he's found her, and she knows the consequences of being found alone looking around the grounds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Senna was staying very quiet as she sat next to Bobby. She worried about Seth's safety outside alone but at least it had stopped raining. Sure as hell she would give Seth crap if he got a cold. British Cabbage and pork stew to help get over his cold and she would /not/ make any scones or biscuits to go with it.
"Seth needs a good bend over a knee... I think. I wonder if his parents allowed him to act this way."
She thought aloud. Almost a slip more then trying to actually say how she felt about him.It took her a moment to realize that she had said those thoughts aloud in that way.
"Not that I'm his mother or anything... I shouldn't criticize someone I don't know. or their past. Stupid."
"My mouth" She thought. "It just runs and runs without my thoughts ever finishing..."
((I did this half paying attention, any Grammar or errors please let me know so I can fix them 8I))
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:33 pm
Seth walked as Siff made his way out so he could follow him. By now he already knew his route but never caught him. He followed the man around the tent until he got to the fog that it. He ran in blindly hoping to get him each time but would always lose him. He sighed making his way out of the fog and back to the midway. He glanced at each of the members before looking down and kicking up some of the dirt."Sorry, I just took off without tell anyone where I was going."
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 6:55 pm
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel Nathaniel kept his eyes on Mr. Siff's face, careful not to lock eyes but still searching for something in them. There was still something here, an exchange happening between the two, that Nathaniel wasn't catching. What was it? Were they related; just siblings playfully nipping at each other? Where they lovers? Nathaniel's cheeks flushed and he nearly shook his head in disagreement with the idea. Definately not. But the silent relationship was still there, holding tension between them. And somehow, Nathaniel was the source of it. He felt responsible for Miss Grace's uneasiness and Mr. Siff's unusually cocky eyes. And why else would they both be looking at him every few seconds? What have I gotten myself into?
Mr. Siff left and the room was calmer, the density in the air vanishing like magic. Nathaniel watched Grace cradle the bear as if it were her child. He felt a pang in his chest, something foreign that he had pushed back for so long. He ignored it, though, and followed her out obediently. Looking down, he still stroked the sweet kitten, glad that it was starting to feel warmer. Nathaniel swallowed, now taking a good look at Grace. She looked kind enough. He took the dare. "Miss Grace?" He rasped, catching up to her to look at her face; it almost made him feel guilty that she didn't have the same advantage. "What can you tell me about this place?" Nathaniel was quite careful with his words. What can you tell me? Masquerade. Every face a different shade. Masquerade._______________________________
Look around, there's another mask behind you...
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High-functioning Cranberry
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:10 pm
"Not much... But I can say that siff isn't very lenient with rule breaking so I would be careful to follow his lead. Other than that, you can spend time with me, and I'll make sure he doesn't give you any crap for being a kid and all."
Grace smiled a little... she realized how awkward this whole situation might be for the boy. Nathaniel would have to find out on his own about the place without asking questions... without breaking rules. A difficult task to learn stuff here that way but it's better than the alternatives.
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