"And finish!" The stumpy balding ring master boomed, standing in the center of the ring, watching Calli, Eri and Jaq perform the final move on the finale. He heard the musicians stop and the lights went down. It was brilliant. Such a dramatic way to end the show.

"Lights up Hal!" He yelled, clapping his hands as he stepped towards the high wire net.

"Brilliant, simply fantastic! All of you! I can't believe how much you lot have worked on this. I'm blown away." Stopping, he waited for the girls to come down. In the front row, Dorian, Taegan and Winslow sat clapping. Balder turned and gave them a thumbs up.

"Excellent! Although, Taegan, do you think Clarabelle might leave Binky in her caravan for the big event?" The blonde laughed and shook his head, face painted in his night's makeup, dressed in a bright red and yellow outfit.

"Do you want all your appendages? Binky goes where Clara goes, sorry Balder." The man sighed and nodded.

"Fair enough boy, you win."

Eriyenna grinned, wiping her face with her hand and walking over to the boys. Her heart pounded in her chest and she was excited; that was awesome. The purple-haired witch would hug everyone if she wasn't so sweaty.

She paused to smooth the purple tights to her trapeze outfit before speaking, "That was beyond benny. I hope our tent is so full of folks tonight that we'll have to cram 'em in standin'!"

Calli climbed to the ground with a grin that was just short of manic. Perhaps not even that.

"This is going to be great!" She enthused, not even directly speaking to anyone.

She cartwheeled in a wide circle, too excited to be still, drunk on performing. She landed on her feet, bounding over to Eri to give her a hug.

"I am so happy!" She said, almost teary she was so excited.

Jaq followed Eri and Callie's decent, backwards sommersaulting off the ladder and landing on her feet. The girl was breathing hard as well, the adrenaline on fire in her eyes. Performing felt so much better than sneaking through windows and crawling across rooftops. Not quite as dramatic as that bakery fire, but still... Jaq stood next to Eri, hands on her blue sparkling hips. She was happy with her outfit for the final number. It contrasted Eriyenna's in that their colors were opposite; Jaq's leggings were blue and her tank-style top was purple, and both were splashed with silver. It accentuated her curves beautifully. The two of them moving fast enough through the air looked like the magical lights sailors told legends of, hovering over the ocean. Add Callie and we make a legend of our own, she thought.

"Wow! I've never felt...well, ANYthing like that before! What a rush!" The girl laughed, shaking her now green and yellow streaked hair out of her face. "Is that what it feels like all the time? And getting to do that in front of people?! Who are paying?! Man...I could get used to this!"


*(Sorry if I got a little overcreative with the costuming...in my head, that's what I pictured...)*

Balder laughed and motioned the girls over to the front row where the rest of the original troupe were. He looked around for the other performers and stage hands.

"I want everyone here! Now, come on people! No time for dallying!" He clapped his hands and raised them in a beconing motion. Taegan stood up on his chair.

"Oi! All you lot! Git over here before I sick Clara on ya!" Balder nodded at him, pulling out a cigar.

"Good stuff lad."

Kynth staggered over to where Balder was, and sat on the ground, cape around his midsection. "Phew! Didn't know chasing those two clowns could be so tiring!" he said, with a laugh.
He had fun on his rehersal, he had pulled off all the twists, flips and swings expertly, and landed in the net, like a captured cod.

"Looking forward to tonight!" he lay down on the ground "Cheering makes me work harder."

Hal had turned the lights back up and was in the process of climbing down. He had missed a few cues in the beginning, but found he wasn't too shabby at light work. He enjoyed the follow spot, as it was as easy as keeping his eyes on the performer and making sure they didn't go dark.

He was thoroughly amazed. The show was spectacular! His eyes were still wide (though, that could have been his default eyelid position), and he was smirking in a half-smile. "That was... amazing!" he blushed a little,"You were great, Calli."

He had missed one of his cues when she had appeared. He had recovered quickly, but it was still a mistake he would have to rectify in the performance. He would be prepared for her this time.

Calli reddened a little and played with her hair. She was planning on pinning it back behind some masks for the show, so this was going to be her last opportunity to engage in nervous habits.

"Thanks Hal." She said softly, "I think you're doing great with the lights."

She took a hold of his wrist as she walked over to where Balder had them all sat down.

"Aye, a fine job indeed, Hal!" Jaq chimed in, smiling at the passive as she headed to sit down in the open seat next to Teagan. The adrenaline was still pumping through her body, but her breathing wasn't quite as heavy now that she'd stopped moving. The sitting down part made it better as well.

Eriyenna chuckled at Calli's modesty, smiling warmly at the younger witch with Hal in tow before gratefully taking a seat on the front row. The dress rehearsal had gone so well, she almost wished there had been an audience already.

"Oh, Kynth, I can't wait to watch you chase them around the ring again. Although, I will be sore from laughing tomorrow." The purple-haired musician smirked, not minding at all how she felt tomorrow if tonight was even more enjoyable than this morning.

Having heard Taegan's threat ring out across the camp, Tristaan thought it better to not be eaten. He'd experienced enough general chroven unfriendliness in the course of a month to suit him for quite some time. Wandering up from behind the crowd, he stopped to hover behind Calli and Hal.

"Hey, kids. Benny work up there." He grinned. It was obvious everyone's talents would have a place to shine.

((P.S. I totally forgot but I sooooooo want a Hal thread. Us passives should be hangin'. Should'a had something going before the in-game month changed. Bad me. But. It would be nice. Jade?))

He tilted his head back and looked at Eriyenna, a confused look on his face.
"Is it that funny?" He mentally pictured it in his head.
"Yeah, I see it now." he sniggered.
"Your singing calmed me down, just what I needed. I don't think I've heard anything as beautiful."

He saw Tristaanian approaching. He quickly sat up and span around "Hey there, old man!" He laughed. Kynth was older than Tristaanian, but he called him old man anyway "You doing anything tonight?"

The passive did his best not to look unsure as to what the wick meant. Reaching a hand up to rub the back of his neck, he blinked thoughtfully before answering, "If you mean in th'Circus, I'm just around t'make sure there's no trouble. That way all eyes are on th'likes of you, of course. Other than that, I ent one for th'stage." Really, he had the privilege of being able to enjoy the show as mostly part of the audience, unless some unforeseen need arose during the course of the evening.

"I tend t'do all m'best performin' out of th'spotlight, ye chen?" Tristaan added with no small hint of mischievousness. Though his intention was to imply his sword skills more than anything else, he wasn't really about to spoil any perceived double meaning.

((just for clarification, it really is TA-egan. its not a spelling error. lol. phonetics - Tay-gan))

Taegan dumped himself back in the chair as everyone finally made their way over. He looked at Jaq as she sat down and smiled politely. Over the other side of Dorian, Winslow leaned forward and smiled broadly at Jaq with a little wave. Balder was waiting patiently for everyone to sit down or at least pay attention. Once he was somewhat satisfied, he nodded.

"Good job guys, good job. Right! Now I have your full attention there are somethings i want to say. Firstly, I am so impressed with your routines I can't even begin to say how much more they are than what I imagined. Your all...amazing! And the costumes! I am stunned at your creativity! It's going to send everyone into a tizzy. Secondly, lighting and music, great job guys! Hal, your cues were a little off, but I have faith you can do it son. I'd suggest counting things in your head, for example, when Eri starts singing, count to four from the second verse in, then turn your spotlight. Calli should be right there, waiting to begin." His expression turned a bit more serious and he looked at all of them.

"Thirdly. There is a situation I am sure you are all aware of. The wicks being hauled out of Vienda by the gollies. Now, tonight, I honestly don't expect many of the gollies to come, which is a bit of a shame, but can be understood. But there might be a few stupid ones that will. All you stagehands, that means you especially Tristaan, I need you to keep an eye out for fights. I do not want a riot in my tent! If you see something happening, get there and get there fast. Remove the wick from the situation and see if you can calm the golly with a free drink or a different seat. If its the golly thats starting trouble, I need them out. Tavien is a golly, so he can probably help. But usually, an offer for some fresh air and free stuff can bring anyone around. If they are serious trouble, come and get me." He looked sternly. Nothing would wreck this for his troupe, his family. Not even a lousy golly with a temper. Clapping his hands, he smiled at them again.

"That all aside, I don't know how religious you all are, but I usually say a little something to Alioe at dress rehersal. So, feel free to close your eyes, hold hands, or just sit there and pick your teeth." Taking a breath, he closed his eyes and spoke, hands clasped in the last clap.

"Alioe, tonight we perform under your guiding spirit. It is a tense day and age, please help us soothe those who's hearts are filled with anger and hate. Help us to bring some joy and distraction to those who have had pain, suffering and anguish. Protect us from injury and keep our flying performers safe." He paused. "And Alioe, please, if you could see fit in your heart, please don't let it rain." Opening his eyes, he smiled at them foundly, like a father.

"Right! Off with ya scoundrels! I want everyone performing to be backstage by twenty third of the clock. Show starts at twenty four of the clock SHARP! People will start filing in about an hour before the show, there are some wicks I have hired to help with the ushering. The arena will be already set up, so don't worry about that. Make sure your makeup and your costume is pristine, and try to have something to eat. Hal, keep the lights nice and low, when the show is due to start, turn them down to darkness. I will enter, throw the spotlight on me as we have practiced, then follow what you have rehearsed." He stood, hands on hips.

"Good luck guys."

Hal nodded to all of Balder's comments, agreeing silently. He was regretful of the wick situation in Vienda, and decided if a fight broke out he'd pin a light on the offenders to make them easier to spot. When Balder addressed Alioe he bowed his head awkwardly, scratching the back of his head-- his parents hadn't been very religious, and Old Rose, needless to say, was not, either. He didn't understand the point of talking to someone far away who may or may not exist. But, like Balder, he didn't know who was religious among the group. He glanced at Calli, wondering if she was religious at all...

Eriyenna sighed and smiled, relaxing a little after all was said and done. She felt like one of her own instruments, tuned tightly and waxed for playing her part in the performance. She could definitely use a little nap before everything began for real, but the purple-haired witch was unsure she could unwind enough to even sleep.

With a grin and a tinkling of bells, she was up and off towards her kint. She could at least reorganize all her sheet music before curtain time.

Hal would have seen Calli with her hands clasped together in prayer. She finished with a sigh, smiling gladly at all her circus family and then at Hal.

"So, what do you want to do now?" She asked, sounding softer and more centered than usual.

When he saw Calli's head bent and hands folded, Hal closed his eyes tightly. If she was praying, then he would, too. He still didn't quite understand it, but he would try. When the prayer was finished he made his way to her.

The difference in Calli was very noticeable. Hal wasn't necessarily uncomfortable with it, as Calli seemed happy. Very content, in fact. But it was different, and he wasn't sure what to do with it.

"We only got a few hours," he said,"I don't know what we have time for... I guess... we could walk?" he proposed, trying to be helpful. Calli usually liked walking (and running, and doing cartwheels, and backflips...), but with her all relaxed and unwound as she was, maybe she wouldn't feel like it...

((I'd like to have Hal interact with Tristaanian, if we could. He hasn't interacted with adult passives, yet. And I think it'd just be fun ))

((Hells yeah, let's!))



Calli smiled, still looking relaxed and loose limbed.

"Yeah, that sounds like fun." Calli looked over at Tristaan. "Hey Tristaan, want to come for a walk?"

She hadn't spent as much time with him lately as she had on the trip up to Vienda. She wanted him to feel included.

She also wanted to know where Sarinah was so she could go plait her hair later or something else equally girly. Sarinah was a wealth of information and completely wonderful besides.

Tristaan was glad for Balder's sincere words to Alioe; it was nice to know that the passive wasn't the only one who took her presence seriously, even if he wasn't one to speak out loud most of the time. He seemed to talk to her best in his journal, but he felt it was often easier for him to say what he meant in writing instead of speaking, anyway.

He smiled at Calli before glancing at Hal, teasing with a hint of humility, "Oes, I'd like a walk before it's time t'get all gussied up ... But I don't want t'be third wheel t'your cart or anythin'."