A Night Full of Possibillities

[brittney]

Night had just fallen as Erika Harper walked into the large theater the Cirque Du Freak would be performing in. Already, there was a large crowd sitting in the seats closest to the stage, clearly eager to see what type of people would be here. Not wanting to attract attention, she took a seat a row or two back from the people that were seated, but it was close enough to the stage that she could see it clearly.

Soon, the show started and she watched, mesmerized by the types of creatures that came out from behind the curtain. There were so many different things that she had only read in books and she couldn't believe that she was seeing them in real life. Minutes passed before the last act came out. He had really curly red hair and a couple of scars across one side of his face. He doesn't look that different, she thought to herself as she leaned forward slightly in her seat as she waited for him to say something.

[Larten Crepsley]

Larten stood in the spotlight and looked around for a moment to let the mood settle. Then he spoke, "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Larten Crepsley and I am going to shock you with a marvolous creature that none have seen before. Be warned. If she is startled and bites one of you there is no antidote." With a satisfied grin the Vampire pulled out Madam Octa's cage and took off the cover to reaveal..... nothing. Pretending to be worried Larten looked around, "Oh dear. It seems Madam Octa has gotten loose. Be careful. She likes to crawl up the legs of unsuspecting people."

As if to prove Larten's point Madam Octa began climbing up the leg of a human girl a few feet from the stage. Larten caught sight of her and said, "Don't move! Don't even breath." He slowly stepped forward towards the girl with his eyes trained on the spider. Madam Octa sat still for a moment and then.... a blue of red, white, and blue sailed through the air and onto Larten's head. The Vampire was still and he slowly pulled his flute out. Even he had to be careful of the spider. He placed the flute to his lips and began playing. A strange melody filled the air. Once Madam Octa heard that she slowly slid down Larten's head and onto the floor.

The spider began tap dancing and then swinging on her own thread and finally with the help of Mr. Tall made a web in Larten's mouth. Larten opened the cage of Madam Octa's cage and the spider leapt into it. Clearing his mouth Larten said, "And that ladies and gentlemen was Madam Octa the amazing spider." He smiled and bowed to the crowd and watched as they left, but one seemed to stay put. He started to turn away.

[brittney]

Erika watched as Larten stood in the spotlight for a few seconds before he began to speak. She listened as he introduced himself and the animal that he most likely had in the cage he had with him. She began to get worried when he took off the cover and she saw that there wasn't anything in the cage. As he spoke, she thought she saw something out of the corner of her eye, but didn't pay much notice to it until she felt something crawling up her leg.

Looking down, she saw Madam Octa and stayed very still, barely breathing as Larten began to walk over to her and the spider. She could hear the gasps of the people around her, but her attention was only on the spider, Larten, and not being bitten. She felt relief when the spider left her and landed on Larten's head. She watched him he stood perfectly still, almost inhumanly so, and pulled out a flute. She watched as he put it to his lips and began to play. As the melody filled the air, she smiled a little, enjoying the sound the flute made. Her eyes closed and she let the music relax her, clearly soothed by it.

Before she knew it, the music stopped and her eyes flew open just in time to see the spider leap into her cage, Larten say his departing speech, and the crowd leaving. Slightly confused, she sat in her seat and wondered, That's it? There's no more music or any other acts? Whatever, I should probably go home now. As she thought this, she remembered that the Harpers residence wasn't her home and that that couple weren't her parents. I don't want to go yet, she thought to herself as she remained in her seat for a while longer.

A few more minutes passed before she sighed and stood up. She knew that she couldn't stay here with these people. She wasn't a freak. Not unless you count seeing your parents being murdered by a strange creature right in front of you when you were eleven as being a freakish feature. As she walked down the aisle towards the exit, she took one last glance behind her at Larten, Madam Octa, and the others.

[Larten Crepsley]

Larten walked after the girl and stopped her, "I noticed you seem a little troubled. May I ask why? These shows aren't meant to be dangerous, just entertaining." The Vampire had given Madam Octa to one of the other performers to return to his van. He beckoned to the girl, "Come. Walk with me." Larten felt something from this girl. Something that he felt needed to happen, but what? The Vampire stepped into the moonlight and took a deep breath, "Not many young people come to these shows." He turned to the girl, "Why did you come tonight if you don't mind my asking."

Larten felt the slight breeze ruffle his hair as he looked at the girl. She was pretty in a good way. Not in a way that he wanted her, but in a way that someone had to ask for her at some point in time, but Larten sensed that the girl was not all too happy with the life she had. The Vampire didn't know what the girl's life was like, but he did seem to sense things about others. An idea struck him, "If you don't want to go back home I can show you around and give you a sort of backstage pass to meet the rest of the troupe."

[brittney]

As she looked back, she saw Larten approach her and turned her body to face him. When he asked why she seemed to be troubled, she crossed her arms over her chest, not wanting to tell a total stranger the secret she has been keeping for the past six years from everyone except the people that had handled the adoption papers and the Harpers. The Harpers rarely talked with her about it, almost like they wanted to erase it from her memory, so she was used to keeping it unsaid.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when Larten beckoned to her as he spoke next. She began to walk beside him, her arms still crossed as they left the theater and into the moonlight. She had to fight back the urge to go back into the security of the theater and the bright lights it had in it instead of standing out here in the dark with a man she didn't know. At least there are some people close by, she thought as she glanced over at the van and the troupe. She looked back at Larten when he asked her why she came tonight. "I like circuses," she said simply, not wanting to offer more information than that.

Just as a breeze ruffled Larten's hair, she looked up at the sky with an unsmiling face. She didn't expect Larten to say what he said next, but things usually didn't go as she thought they would in her life. When he offered to show her around and meet the rest of the people, a sudden smile appeared on her face, the first one since she began to speak to this man. "Sure, that would be great," she said, her eyes brightening at the thought of meeting the others and seeing what they did for a living. She never got to meet circus people before and she was so excited to meet them finally, even though they were kind of weird.

[Larten Crepsley]

Larten gave a smile and said, "Who would you like to meet first?" Then he said in a joking tone, "Madam Octa?" Even he wouldn't want to meet her first. Larten was just trying to break the ice and get the girl to smile a little. Usually he was stiff and stern, but this girl was making him be the total opposite. There was definately something about her that he wanted to know. It had something to do with her past, but he wasn't going to push her if she wasn't ready to tell anyone. The girl's blonde hair shown brightly in the moonlight. She was very pretty indeed, but Larten was only interested in showing her around and nothing more.

He heard his name being called and he saw Cormac Limbs, "Hello Cormac. Out enjoying the cool night air?" He gave the other man a stern look and Cormac knew what it meant. Larten turned to the girl, "This is Cormac Limbs. Everyone seems to like his act the best though I don't know why." Larten had a gleam in his eye. He most definately knew why Cormac's was the best, but he was pretending to torment the poor man.

[brittney]

Before she could reply to Larten's question, she heard someone call out Larten's name and she turned to see the man that could grow back limbs at will. She smiled at him before turning back to Larten just in time to catch the slightest hint of a stern look at the old man's face. She listened as Larten introduced her to Cormac Limbs and kind of laughed when the red-headed man pretended to torment the other guy.

Reaching her hand out to Cormac Limbs, she said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Erika." She purposely didn't say her last name, because she knew that it would be way too confusing when she said two last names instead of one like most people do. She still hated how the Harpers forced her to have their last name added to her and forced her to go by it instead of her original, birth last name. She pushed the thoughts back before the emotions she was feeling showed on her face. "Everyone did such a great job tonight," she added after a moment.

[Larten Crepsley]

When Larten heard the girl's name he was impressed. She had a good, strong name. The Vampire smiled and said, "I'm glad you think so. The lineup switches up a lot so no two shows are ever the same." The Vampire paused for a moment and then said, "I will be leaving soon to visit some family that live in the mountains." Larten did not give out much detail after that. Erika had a secret, but so did he. He turned to Cormac, "Will you keep Madam Octa safe while I am away?"

The performer nodded, "For you Larten? Anything." Larten nodded and turned back to Erika, "Would you like to see other performers? Evra Von? Sive and Seersa? Truska?" Larten hoped that the girl was enjoying this. Not many people got to meet the troupe and Erika was a lucky person. "You can choose and I will lead you there." His face was serious, "The only one I will not take you to is the Wolfman. He is too dangerous for one as young as you. Even when he's in the shows loud noises can snap him out of his trances. When that happens there is pain." Larten was trying to make sure the girl would not get hurt.

[brittney]

Erika saw the man's smile and she couldn't help, but feel happiness course through her at the sight of it. She felt like there was a chance she could trust this stranger, like maybe she didn't have to be alone after all. Plus, she was so interested in the cirque and the members of it. Soon, though, she heard that he was leaving soon and she found herself feeling disappointed. She was planning on tracking the circus and maybe someday talk them into letting her stay with them. She didn't mention this, though. She won't say anything yet. The time wasn't right.

She quickly composed herself as Larten turned back to her and continued speaking. When he said that she could choose whichever crew member she wanted and he would lead her to them, she started to say something, but instantly stopped speaking when his face turned serious. She listened to the warning he gave her about the Wolfman. "I don't want to see him, anyways. Can I meet Madame Truska?" she asked as she looked up at him.

As she did, she heard someone approach her from behind and instantly grew tense. Her instincts were telling her to run, but she knew that she was in no danger. Why did she feel like this, though? Turning around, she saw the snake boy, the one named Evra. "Hi, there," she said, now knowing why she felt nervous. She always got that way around snakes and some other creatures.

[Larten Crepsley]

Larten nodded and waved to Cormac, "Have a good night Cormac." He led the way to Lady Truska's van and knocked on it, "Enter," came a broken voice in english. Larten opened the door and said, "Good evening Truska. I've brought someone to meet you." He watched as Truska came over then she seemed to go rigid and distant. "Truska?" The woman shook her head, "Speak later. Me Truska. You?"

Larten knew that Truska had seen something. He would wait until Erika was safely away. Night was his domain and some of the performers were getting ready to sleep. "Truska this is Erika. I invited her to meet you and the rest of the performers." The mysterious woman nodded and Larten looked at Erika, "Truska doesn't speak very good english. You can ask her questions, but it may take some time before she answers. I'll be outside." Larten stepped away in case Erika wanted some time alone with Truska.

[brittney]

Erika was glad when Larten led her away from Cormac and the snake boy. She instantly began to feel calmer when they had a good couple of feet from Evra and soon she was looking forward to meeting Lady Truska. I wonder how she can grow a beard like she did during the show. Was she born with that ability or did she somehow develop it later on? She wondered as they finally arrived at the woman’s van and she watched as Larten knocked on the door. She soon heard a female voice say in a broken-type of English to enter. She stood still as Larten opened the door and Truska approached them.

The moment Truska went rigid and distant; Erika wondered what was wrong with her. Should they go get help or wait until it passed? Before she could even open her mouth to say something, Larten said the woman’s name and she shook her head, as if waking from a nap or some sort of trance. What does she want to talk to Larten about later? She wondered as the woman went on to introduce herself and asked who she was, though not in so many words. Again, Larten was able to reply quicker than she could and was actually glad for it. She wasn’t sure she could find her voice at that moment. She was suddenly very nervous.

She listened to what Larten said before she watched him leave the van. She wanted to ask him to stay with her, but couldn’t find her voice yet. Instead, she slowly walked over to a chair that was free and looked at Truska. She remained still for a few seconds before she finally managed to say, “Um, what happened a few minutes ago. Y’know, when you went still and had that faraway look on your face?” As she said this, she looked down at the floor, twirling a strand of her blonde hair out of habit.

[Larten Crepsley]

Truska hesitated, "I have vision. You in it. Your future bright." The woman bit her lip absentmindedly, "Ask Larten truth. You tell truth. Pasts coiencide." The woman went on. She was being cautious. Not many people cared for Vampires.

Outside Larten went began wandering around the campsite. He found himself stopping at the Wolfman's cage and he looked at the creature inside. The Wolfman was sleeping peacefully, but sensed Larten's presence. The Vampire moved on before the Wolfman woke up. He saw some lights go out in some of the vans and knew that the performers were getting some sleep to be rested for their chores the next day. Larten of course would be leaving within the next few days and so his chores would be taken care of by the performers.

He had pulled weight around the circus and was respected by all. Larten spent a few more moments wandering around and then decided it was time to head back to Truska's van. Erika would need to be getting home soon and he needed to know what Truska had meant by she would speak to him later. Truska only saw visions when people's lives would be changed drastically. His already had which left.... Erika. The Vampire quickened his pace and got to Truska's van faster than normal. He knocked on the door.

"Enter." Came Truska's voice. Larten entered and smiled, "I think it might be time for Erika to go home. She can come back tomorrow and visit more of the performers if she wants to." He nodded to Erika.

[brittney]

Erika listened to what Truska carefully and then sat there for a few minutes, wondering if this woman met that Larten was somehow connected to the strange creature that had killed her parents. Shaking her head, she stood up and said, “N-no, he c-can’t be connected to that. He just c-can’t be.” She felt tears beginning to brim her eyes and she quickly wiped at them, not wanting to start crying in front of a total stranger, even one who could see visions about things that she didn’t understand and wasn’t sure she wanted to understand.

When she decided she should probably leave, a knock came on the van’s door and she turned towards it just as Truska gave the person permission to enter. Larten’s smiling face appeared as he opened the door and entered the van. She listened as he said that it was time for her to go home and that she could come back tomorrow if she wanted to. Not saying a word, she left the van and began to walk towards the street that would lead her back to the Harpers residence. She didn’t bother to wait for Larten or Truska to say anything. She barely even noticed the way the night made her body tense. She just wanted to get away from the thoughts that had entered her mind back in Truska’s van. This was such a bad idea, she thought as she continued to walk, her arms crossed over her chest and her pace quick.

[Larten Crepsley]

Larten followed after Erika, "What did she tell you? Her visions are not normally meant to be said. It causes too much pain and anguish." Larten gave a sad smile, "I'm sorry that she had a vision. Please. I just want to know." He took a deep breath and said, "Look. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I'm just trying to be kind. Either way I am going to find out." Larten made a face, "But I would rather have it be willing from you than unwilling from Truska. You seem too good a person to be hurt like this." The Vampire did not know why he was behaving in this fashion. Something about the girl was making his goodness show.

He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and went on, "Erika I am sorry. I was only meaning to show you around not make you think badly of us." His face fell and he removed his hand, "I guess you should be returning home now. If you still want to meet the performers then you will always be welcome here. But in the morning you cannot ask for me. I sleep during the day and I should be returning to my van soon." He started backing away, but stopped. "Erika I need to know. What happened in your past? Does Truska's vision have anything to do with that?"

[brittney]

She heard Larten's footsteps and his voice calling after her as he caught up to her. She was trying her best to keep the tears at bay, not wanting to show how much the things that Truska had said had hurt her.

When he told her that he didn't have to tell him if she didn't want to, she turned back towards him to see his face. He was giving her a small smile before making a face as he continued to speak. Why does he care so much? she wondered as she stood a few feet away from him, her arms still crossed over her chest. I'm just someone that happened to stay longer at one of the Cirque Du Freak's shows and happened to meet the one freak that could see the future.

She tensed when he place a gentle hand on her shoulder. Then she listened as he continued to speak. After a few minutes, his face fell and he removed his hand from her shoulder. When he said that she should be returning home now, she began to turn, but stopped when he said that she could return to the Cirque if she wanted to, that she would be welcomed there, but she wouldn't be able to ask for him during the day. She could feel a part of her ache at the thought of not seeing him until nightfall and didn't understand it the least bit. The only time she felt this way was shortly after her parents had died and she wouldn't be able to see them anymore. She realized that a part of her was beginning to see Larten as a father figure. How can I feel that way in such a short time? She wondered as she watched as the man began to back away from her.

Once again, she was beginning to turn away when out of the corner of her eye, she saw him stop and begin to speak. She didn't turn back to him though as he asked about the vision and her past. Finally, she said in a low whisper, "Yes, it has to do with my past. It probably has to do with my parents and the thing that killed them..." She trailed off, wondering if she should tell him that he had to do with the vision, too, even though she didn't know how he coincided with her past.