It took Calli almost half an hour to find an open space to perform in, just outside of the Traders Market. Once she did she quickly put her collection box on the ground and cast Wild Lights. It was one of the few spells she could do well, mainly because she had to be able to use it well. She didn't have anyone to give her background music tonight, so the show was going to be all on her.

She started by shifting from side to side, letting her legs move and kick up. She danced in a circle, feet moving in smaller and smaller rotations. She launched herself into a cartwheel, no longer aware of or caring about whether she was being watched.

She twisted and rolled and writhed and then she...

Stopped.

Calli held a handstand, stock still, waiting for her next move. She'd been taught to do statue tricks a few years ago because they encouraged coin. It was the only time she'd allow herself to be still. It was a move in and of itself and had proved surprisingly useful even in the rare fights she got into.

She waited for the sound of coin.

(This thread doesn't need mod'ing but if anyone wants to introduce themselves to Calli, that's awesome!)

Tingggg the sound of the coin hitting the ground told Calliope that she had a fan-and money.

"That was plum marvelous, young lady!" a short round man exclaimed. He had been watching her entire performance with eager eyes. He saw the potential in the girl and was hoping it would mean more potential for his business.

He could see, almost feel, the joy that her dancing gave her. She would be a crowd pleaser for sure and would definately bring in a more diverse crowd.

Balder King always believed a crowd of any sort was a good crowd, but it would be nice to see a couple men instead of the usual flocks of women attracted by Taegan.

He waited for the girl to stand and then held out his hand. "Balder King, ring leader for the very famous,er, soon to be famous 'Balder's Circus'. You are?"

Calli flipped out of her handstand, turning head over tail until she was in front of Balder.

"I'm Calli! I'm, um, the ringleader of me." Calli put her hand out and shook Balder's, "You run a circus? Do you have performing chrove?"

Calli smiled brilliantly, distracted from performing by the idea of a real, live circus

Balder took a moment to respond. He was pleasantly shocked at how charismatic she seemed.

"Um, well yes we do actually. Taegan, our resident animal trainer, actually performs with one." and rocked back on his heels with his chest out and pretended to announce the next act of the circus.

"And now for your viewing pleasure, men and women alike, get ready to marvel at the great Taegan Jank as he courageously puts his head inside of a ferocious chrove's mouth!" His voice rang deep and loud. Almost everyone had stopped to stare at the plump man only to realize there was nothing really interesting and continue on their way.

He cleared his throat and settled himself down.

"It's nice to meet you, Calli." he said with a genuine smile. "Any interest in show business?"

Calli smiled, mouth open as Balder's voice boomed across the market. She thought it was awesome.

"That was great Mr King!" She said enthusiastically, "I love show business! I even got to see Zelda DeVonne once, in person."

Calli clasped one hand over her heart and raised the other dramatically, "Oh my love has left me, broke my heart so deftly, I shall never care for love again!" Calli sang, not as well as DeVonne but pleasantly still.

Calli clasped her hands in front of her chest, eyes shining with happiness.

"She's the best ever! If I could be half as good as her I'd die a happy a wick." Calli jolted as she thought of something, "Hey! Do you have singers in your circus?"

King was impressed by the sound of her voice. She danced marvelously but sang just as beautiful.



"We ran out of singers last week." he jested then lit up as if he had just thought of something brilliant. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, pay close attention as our own Calli-" he paused his loud announcement. She hadn't mentioned her second name. "Umm...you haven't mentioned your last name." he whispered and then cleared his voice to finish his exclamation. "Calli somethingorother takes the stage and graces your ears with the most wonderful song as your eyes stare in wonder at the ease of her movements!"

"My full name is Calli-oh-pee Bard, my Ma always said it had a ring to it." Calli laughed, "Geez, you reckon people coming to see a circus would want to see me?"

Calli extended her right leg, indicating towards a body that was almost entirely straight up and down. She got mistaken for a boy on occasion, especially now her hair was shorter. She was long and lean all over.

"I look like a greyhound. All my sisters say so." She said with an air of finality, as though anything her sisters said had to be true, no buts about it.

Balder chuckled. Calliope reminded him of his own childhood. She always seemed so innocent. "Yes, my dear, people would line up for hours to see you."


"Your sisters were jealous of your talent." Balder explained. "Now what do you say?"

[I'm so so so so so so sorry for the late reply. I'm getting back into the groove of things.]

((np, mate, have a good one!))



"Yes!" She said loudly, doing a small leap into the air and landing on one foot, "Wait, my sisters are not jealous! Terpe got Kensers as an animal when we were choosin'!"

Balder stood there confused for a second. Shouldn't a girl be happy when someone else picked her over her sisters? He thought that girls were most likely to think everyone else was jealous. It was definitely going to be different now that the circus wasn't all men and he enjoyed that.

He smiled, "Then come this way, girl. You've got to meet the rest of the family." He said gesturing for her to follow.

[Late late late, I'm sorry. I'll post another thread for Calliope to meet everyone.]

((No worries! ))



Calli grabbed then coin he'd dropped and quickly bit it while his back was turned. It was good. Calli smiled and pocketed it, matching Balder's gait, step for step.

"Who am I going to meet?" She asked after a few minutes spent walking, she looked around for caravans or a bigtop.



((Balder's gait...))