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High-functioning Cranberry
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 Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 6:25 pm
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel Nathaniel acted as if he were already asleep when Grace told him to stay in his tent. He took a few deep breaths after she left. Grace puzzled him sometimes. They didn't know each other that well, Grace had lived in this dump for who knows how long, probably encountering a variety of scumbaggery, and she hadn't even seen Nathaniel's face before. And yet she seemed to care about him, even worry about him. It just didn't make any sense. If he was honest with himself, he wished she didn't have to worry about him. He wished they never met.
Sitting up, he rubbed his feet a bit and stared at the entrance of the tent. He waited in the quiet to be absolutely sure Grace was gone before getting up. He felt something nudge his back and he turned, looking Ambrose in the eye. He smiled and pet the bear, who was obviously concerned. "Don't worry. I'll be right back."
He snuck out of the tent and into the night, the mixed guilt and excitement of disobeying Grace gnawing at his stomach. He turned as he felt there was something behind him; he had the feeling of certainty that something was close to his back. But there was nothing there.
The carnival sure was creepy at night. The shadows seemed to become long and dark, and it felt as if turning your back on one would cause it to come alive and follow you. Turning to look at it would only make it run back to it's original spot, hiding and watching in excitement as yet more shadows you've turned your back to begin to churn and shift towards you.
Nathaniel quite liked this description in his mind, imagining by himself the shadows all around him toying with him as he turned his head. It gave him chills that he rather enjoyed. Biting the inside of his cheek, Nathaniel approached the entrance of the Carnival. He looked up to the rusty, dusty sign that proclaimed the lonely camp's title. How many lonely souls had walked under that sign? Nathaniel neared the edge of the camp, though felt something pulling him down with every step he took. By the time he got a few feet from the entrance, he was on his knees and breathing heavily. What is this?! He not only felt like gravity had played a trick on him, but he felt the overwhelming sensation that, yet again, someone stood behind him. It was as if he was being condemned from behind, a pair of eyes--or perhaps a dozen pairs--narrowing their gaze on him disapprovingly and beating down on his back. Along with this, it felt like he had a bag over his head, his source of air constricted to a small bubble of hot smoke around his head. He gasped for air as he looked to his arms. They seemed enveloped in shadows. All these sensations together made him terrifically afraid. Like he didn't ever want to get this close to leaving again.
He gasped. It clicked in his mind what this was all about. And who must've been behind him, watching him at that moment. Masquerade. Every face a different shade. Masquerade._______________________________
Look around, there's another mask behind you...
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Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:04 pm
Huck nodded a little. "Heard 'bout the same. 'Course, th' rest is kinda fuzzy. M' folks had a bible they used t' read t' me an' my siblin's back home in Kentucky. Woulda been nice with pa." he said, remembering back to his home. A small cabin out by a village past the cool waters of the Big Sandy, north of the old Clinchfield trestle. He missed home, but there was always that allure to traveling. Dad was a brakeman for the line before he lost an arm two miles out of Paducah when they were coupling up a tanker to take into town. They didn't get much from the railroad, but enough to make it through the winter. Huck's brothers Jed and Ray worked there now.
He shook it off. "I'm sure we can, darlin'. We just gotta figure out how t' beat th' odds here." he said, partially musing aloud.
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Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:05 pm
Though Siff certainly wanted to rest after all that had been going on he couldn't help but feel obligated to keep work despite his weakening state. Which he was starting to admit to himself as he walked around the carnival. A lot was going on that he wish he could keep in tight control if it hadn't been for the free will gifted to the humans from the powers that be. He sighed and followed Nathaniel feeling that he could cause some trouble if he ran across Bobby in the caravan graveyard or Victoria in her tent. He pondered what would be the best course of action and hoped his disapproving presence was enough to intimidate Nathaniel back into the bear's tent. It didn't appear to be working and he wondered if showing himself to lead Nathaniel back would be a good option. Although Mr. Siff's last option was to get Nathaniel to hate him. It would make it much more difficult, just as it did with many carnival members before Nathan joined. Including Bobby's parents who both were very rebellious because they hated not feared him.
Siff stepped out of the darkness behind Nathaniel and put his hand on the kid's head.
"Nathaniel. We need to speak. Would you mind accompanying me to the bear's tent?"
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"The odd's here are feeling somewhat slim... But I think if we can beat whatever has a hold on this place then we could leave. As much as I don't want to say this out here I feel as though it might be Siff."
The sun set rather quickly and it was already dark by the time she really considered riding this bike. Senna was really started to feel uncomfortable being outside and wanted to go back to the tent to see if Bobby was there.
"Can we go to Bobby's tent. I want to make sure he's okay. And being out here is giving me the goose bumps."
She rubbed her arms loosening the sleeves on her shirt so that they would come down to her wrists.
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John walked over to sit next to Bobby and put his arm around his son's shoulders to comfort him. He patted his shoulder a little and then rubbed.
"What's the matter son?"
Izabel, his mother walked over to a cabinet and pulled out a few blankets for her son and started making a bed. She glanced once or twice out of the corner of her eyes seeing her husband with Bobby and then drew her attention back to what she was doing each time.
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Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:32 pm
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel Nathaniel lurched forward a bit as he felt a cold hand press down on his head. His eyes became blurry, and he realized he was on the verge of tears. He lifted his head a bit, his sight looking just outside of the carnival's property. There, beyond the entrance, was a small bundle of simple white flowers. The sight of them sent a handful of tears out of his eyes, pressing up against the mask. I'll be back for you someday. He frowned lightly, keeping this promise to himself as he pressed his lips together. He wouldn't let any more tears fall.
He quietly got to his feet and, with eyes to his feet, walked back to the center of the carnival.
Nothing was said on the way there. Nathaniel suspected Siff was doing this to frighten him. And he's doing a damn good job about it, too. The shadows seemed to bow to him as he marched between them, letting him pass and closing in behind him. They finally got to the entrance of the bear tent and Nathaniel was gripped with anxiety. He feared for himself now that it came down to the moment of truth. What was Siff planning to do? He entered the tent, at least taking solace in the bears' presence. Though as soon as Siff entered behind him, that precious comfort was lost. The bears and their comfort couldn't possibly compensate for the distress that Siff was causing Nathaniel.
Without looking up at him, Nathaniel turned towards the man and mustered up the little courage he had left before speaking. "Where's Perrine?" He kept the word count to a minimum, lest his fear show through too much.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: Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:17 pm
He smiled walking into the tent. The bears back away a bit in his presence. His smile left when Nathaniel spoke. Somehow he knew that was the first thing that he would ask about. He really wanted to wait much longer before giving perrine back.
"Did she go missing?"
He asked. Siff knew exactly where the kitten was but decided that lying would be the better lie to keep her to himself for now. He leaned forward looking around a bit patronizing before standing up strait with his hands behind his back.
"She doesn't seem to be here... Did she run away? She's feral so sometimes it's hard even for me to keep track of the kitten."
The gloves on siff's hand's gripped tighter has he held his hands together behind his back. In general it felt as though the control of the Carnival was being lost. So many disobedient members joining and getting even his most obedient members to fight him back. His thoughts mostly stuck in a dark place as he contemplated the fate of Nathaniel and Perrine. He stared at Nathaniel with an analyzing look.
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Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:54 am
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel Siff knew something, no doubt about it. The only doubts Nathaniel had at the moment were his levels of bravery. He didn't think he had the guts anymore to outright accuse Siff, as was his first inclination. That arrogant ship had long since passed, ever since Nathaniel felt the first shadow set its gaze on him outside the bear tent.
Speaking of which, Nathaniel saw something in the corner of his eye as Siff situated himself in the room. After carefully watching Siff's face while he spoke--though also being very careful to avoid eye contact, mind you--Nathaniel paused for a moment before turning towards the corner of the tent.
Ambrose was nearly up against the edge of the tent, looking down pensively. Theo was hiding under the giant bear, curled up and letting out a light whine. Nathaniel felt his heart speed up. Again, his arrogance somehow brought him to believe that being with these bears would be a comfort, a sort of protection. They only served to prove Siff's point.
Nathaniel turned back towards Siff, about to swallow nervously but worried that it would show, and lowered his shoulders a bit. "You wanted to speak with me, Sir?" He dropped the matter of Perrine all together. If Siff pleaded ignorance, there was nothing else Nathaniel could pry about for now. All he could hope was to get some detective work in later on and at least confirm that Siff took the kitten. And all he could afford to focus on now was Siff, lest he try any funny business. 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 Sep 23, 2013 1:05 pm
"Oh, I did want to speak with you. About your job here."
His hands gripped again behind his back as he thought about the perfect deal to make with Nathaniel. One less kid to be a problem if he agree to such a deal. Siff pondered a moment before speaking again.
"I want you to know that your job is to be done every day without complaint. You are not allowed to near the gate at night again and I want you to be on your best behavior and cause me no troubles. Can we agree on this?"
He then loosened his hands and pulled them out in front of him. He straitened his gloves a little being very particular about how they fit before offering his right hand out to Nathaniel.
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Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 9:13 am
Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade.
_______________________________Hide your face so the world will never find you...Nathaniel Nathaniel had his head bowed, but his eyes were set on the ringmaster. What on earth was he playing at? Certainly there was some fishy business going on here. The man set a verbal contract and held out his hand to seal the deal. Nathaniel got a terrible, strangling feeling in his chest as the hand was held out. Something was very wrong.
"I'll do the best I can, Mr. Siff," Nathaniel started, turning away slightly, then raising his head to the ringmaster, though his eyes were on the man's mouth--he didn't dare lock gazes with him again. "Though, if the kitten keeps running away, I can't guarantee I won't be out at night." What else of the contract did he find funny that needed to be clarified? Without complaint. Best behavior and without troubles. Taken literally, what was Nathaniel to agree to? Already seeing the shadows around him move and the awful feelings he gets from Siff, how could he suspect any less than a deal with the devil?
No, he wouldn't shake that hand. Not until he knew all of it; everything he was agreeing to and more. He wanted to know why the bears were huddled in the corner, and why the rest of the carnies seemed to do the same. He wanted to know why shadows moved around here. He wanted to know where his cat was. Surely Siff knew all of these things; the pure control the man exuded wasn't blind arrogance. He surely knew it all. He just chose not to tell.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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