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 Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:28 pm
"I suppose you're right. Therapy-groups can't really solve everything, eh? But we can always make sure that you don't get taken back. We get that with a lot of folks around here. Besides, if everyone who could be taken away was taken away for one reason or another," Aiden smiled, really meaning this, as it was quite true, "Cirque would be pretty empty."
Aemilia's comparison of Aiden to an actor was a very good one. He changed, as easy as can be, to suit the exact person that he had to be. Now, he needed to be the friendly, cheery welcomer for the newcomers. Later, he might turn into the mad boss, or the one that everyone could talk to, and he would just listen and relate as best he could. One could really know, and Aiden himself never exactly knew when to expect a change. Whenever it was necessary, he had always assumed.
"So, hopefully we'll be able to protect you here whenever we go back to your world. I have a hunch that your act will become quite popular," he smiled, as pleasant as always. He said that to many newcomers to Cirque, but, truth be told, many, if not nearly all, of the acts because quite popular, so he never really felt as though he was leading someone on.
"Yes, I would assume you're right. Fresh air does everyone well, not just women, mind. Need help finding anything, though? Sheets? Pillows? I could help you with that. Make your...erm, cage feel a little more like home," He joked, patting Aemilia lightly on the shoulder.
"I was thinking about going on a walk, anyway. You want to come with? Maybe we could find some bed-linens on the way."
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:59 pm
She listened to him speak, eyes fixed on a point somewhere above the nearest trailers as she processed what he was saying. In a sense, she was safe as could possibly be with this rag-tag montage of characters. Allowing her eyes to slide back towards him, her smile was soft as she spoke, "Makes sense. And is much appreciated."
Saying nothing more on the matter, she shifted her weight on her elbows as her legs swung gently beneath her. It was a calm night and she felt at ease next to this strange man. He was nice enough, though she wasn't completely sure about his personality. She wasn't even sure if he found her presence particularly appealing, or if he was simply being nice because he had to. It didn't matter whether he did or not, really, as she knew he could easily remove himself if need be, but the thought nevertheless crossed her mind unbidden.
When he invited her along for a walk, she hesitated as if considering before nodding and giving him a beaming smile. She appreciated company, and being invited to participate in something non-work related. Or atleast that didn't involve mucking stalls. "I'd love to. Gives me someat to do." Heaving her petite form off the side of the cage and letting her feet hit the ground below, she glanced about, "Though you'll have to lead the way. Don't really know m'way about."
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:18 pm
"Fine by me," Aiden said, grinning as he stood up straight, and took Aemilia's hand, dragging her off to one direction. He began walking at a brisk pace, and then turned around abruptly to joke with her.
"Ha! I might wind up giving you a tour of the place anyway," He teased, as he tried to figure out exactly where to go on their walk. Now wandering around somewhat aimlessly, he began to talk to Aemilia once more, and all the while, he thought of where, exactly, extra bedding could be found.
"So, other than the animal cages, where all have to been around here? I'm trying to figure out exactly where to show you." He paused, smiling at other crew members who just happened to walk by, and adding a polite and cheery, "Hey you!" to a couple of them. Ahh, yes, the ever-so-useful 'hey you'. Polite, playful, and it can be used without actually knowing the other person's name. Perfect.
"You know, someone else might have some extra bedding. Probably one of the girls...," He began listing off the girls in his head one by one, ticking them off on his fingers, "Perhaps Ankita or Dahli?" Pausing, he begrudgingly added, "Grete, maybe? Oh! There might be some in the new girl's trailer. The crowded one that you opted out of, you know." He smiled back at Aemilia, hoping that she was able to keep up with him.
He did like her. At least, he did right now. As long as she was able to help out around Cirque and do her work (and not anger or aggravate him), then, hey! He would continue to like her, and probably even like her more. She seemed unique and spunky, a quality that was always welcome in a performer. And, for that matter, a friend of Aiden's.
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Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 10:44 pm
Mildly shocked by the touch of her hand, she didn't draw away until he let the hand fall. Raising it to tuck the stray colourless curl behind one ear, she smiled easily when he turned to joke with her. Her bright eyes were alight with interest as he spoke, chuckling as she shrugged, "A tour would certainly be a way to pass th'time." His aimless wandering, though it took her some steps to realise that's what it was, was somewhat worrying as she wasn't sure if she'd be able to find her way back.
"Should I leave a trail of bread crumbs?" She knew that much, a few silly stories her caretaker had bestowed upon her. As he set her with an inquiry, she shrugged, "Mostly amongst the cages, not really elsewhere. I was handed over to a couple of the more seasoned muckers and they put me to work straight away." She nodded greetings to the crew who walked by, though she recognised few.
"Grete?" The mumble was low, and nostalgic. The name of her caretaker. With a charming smile, she looked up as he glanced back at her. She kept up easily, despite her short stature, "I'm sure they're lovely lasses, but I believe I'd make it just one too many." She was enjoying Aiden's company, and as far as she could tell, she wouldn't do anything out of her way to make him angry.
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 10:08 am
"Well, I'm offended!" Aiden joked, "All the time I've spent around here, you would think I knew my way around - and I do! And, you know, breadcrumbs would probably be eaten by some of the other animals. Or possibly really hungry crew people."
He stopped walking, and glanced around at his surroundings. Perhaps he should take her to see other things first, and get the bedding last. They were somewhat close to the trailers that he suspected would have extra bedding, however. Pondering these options briefly, he decided to go ahead and get sheets and a pillow. Granted, it would have to be carried, though it wasn't as if it would be very heavy. And, worst case scenario, Aiden would carry them for Aemilia. He didn't particularly want to, but again, it wouldn't be very heavy.
Quite sure that he heard Aemilia say something, he paused once more to see if she would repeat herself, but instead she said something else. Huh.
"Oh, I believe you, and, actually, agree with you. Sleeping somewhere that's cramped is never particularly fun. I was just teasing you," He smiled, beginning to walk again.
Thinking back to the girls he listed earlier, he tried to think which one would have clean, extra sheets. Now thinking out loud, he said, "Now, I would hate to bother Ankita or Dahli. They might be busy. And I believe Grete has someone else staying in her trailer at the moment, or something like that. So, that means off to the girl's trailer!" That one was actually closer than all the others, so it was better for the two of them. Not as long to walk, and then they might not get lost in trailer-ville, so Aiden could take Aemilia on the tour quicker.
Once to the trailer, he tapped on the door lightly. "Ladies?" he called, after there had been several minutes passed with no answer. Shrugging, he fished a key ring out of his pocket, and fit one into the door. Opening the door slowly, he now called, "Anyone home?" Shrugging to Aemilia, he replied to his own question, "Guess not. Everyone seems to be off doing something. Well, come on, I'm sure we'll find something."
After rummaging through the cabinets of the small, dingy trailer, whala! He spotted some sheets, and an extra pillow. Pulling them out, Aiden looked to Aemilia.
"Will this work? If it does, then I suppose we can be on our way!"
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Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:48 pm
"No offense meant, sir." She smiled broadly, "Merely wishing to make arrangements in the case that, being the busy man that you are, I'm left to fend for myself mid-tour." Her shoulders rose in something akin to a jovial shrug before continuing her response, "But y'right. Any bit of food left unattended'll be scooped up by scavengers before it hits the ground, more than likely."
When he halted suddenly to look around, she nearly collided with his back before coming to an abrupt stop herself. A part of her wondered for a moment if he'd ended up lost himself, but then again the Ringmaster seemed the type of man to know the layout of his own Cirque no matter where it moved. Waiting for him to continue, her mix-matched eyes roamed over their surroundings in an attempt to remember the set up for herself at a later time before she bounded after him, mildly afraid she'd lose him.
The name 'Grete' made her smile softly once more, but she said nothing. This was more in amusement that she would encounter someone with the same name so far from home, and in such strange circumstances. Following him first to the door and then into the trailer, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the light before she inevitably twisted the few rays present to work as some sort of subtle spotlight for Aiden. She hoped he wouldn't take too long to go about it, and sure enough a pillow and accompanying sheets were procured quick enough. Offering a hand to carry the bundle, she smiled, "Will work right enough, thank you."
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Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 11:56 pm
Well, that was thoughtful. Smiling at Aemilia due to her conjuration of the light, he handed her the pillow and sheets and nodded. It took so much less time than he had expected, and that was a good thing. He would hate for one (or more!) of the girls who actually board in this trailer to walk in, and be startled by the two people rummaging through their things. Granted, things would probably calm down once it was realized that Aiden was there, but there was always the chance that things wouldn't calm down. Then what would happen?
Making his way out of the trailer, he gestured for Aemilia to do the same. Once out, he brushed his hands off on the front of his jacket and sighed. Now was the time that he would actually have to figure out where to go next. Getting the idea to take her to see the inside of the big top (and hopefully, she hadn't already seen it), Aiden once more gestured for her to follow.
"Say, do you think you'll need anything for your act?" he asked, "Because, if you do, I figure I can take you down to the supply trailers, as well. That way you can get a feel for where everything is." He would've added, 'and how it's organized', except it really wasn't. Most of the time, it took a great deal to find anything of importance in there, as everything was in random boxes. Some of those boxes were labeled, but most weren't, and more often than not, the labeled boxes still had things in them that didn't belong.
Deciding to keep it a secret that he was going to take her to the big top, on the matter of where they were going, he simply offered her a, "Well, if you should need to see what is in the supply trailers, we'll do that a little later. There's something I'd like to show you first."
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:52 pm
Of all the things Amee did not want to appear to be, a theif was one of them. She had done her fair share of pick-pocketing in the days before joining the Cirque, but she most assuredly did not want that reputation to follow her here. Thus, she was mutually glad of the fact that the pillow and sheets were procured quickly and the residents of the trailer didn't stumble upon the two of them rummaging through personal effects, whether or not Aemilia had actually participated in the rummaging or not.
Following the Ringmaster, she gave an exploratory sniff before lifting a hand to swipe beneath her nostrils. No sign of blood; good to know she wouldn't be making a fool out of herself. Fixing him with a smile when he spoke, she hesitated before supplying a mildly abashed response. She hadn't given such an idea much thought.
"Ah, actually, I don't really know. I mean, I suppose I might but... I haven't worked out the fine kinks of it just yet." Glancing about for some assistance in formulating her answer, she stumbled over the next few words in her lack of assurance, "Except... maybe... some metal juggling balls? As heavy as y'like... heavier the better... actually." She shrugged with a shy smile. It was an idea she'd mused over the other day, perhaps working some light and invisibility into contact juggling. An idea, most definitely, but one that could be explored.
When he continued speaking, she gave a small sigh of relief before answering, "If y'need to get back to things after y'show me... this, there's no need to bother tonight with it. I can always bug you another day." Intrigued by what he was to show her, she looked about trying to gauge their location before letting her eyes roll back to the man.
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:47 pm
"Metal juggling balls? That can be done easily," Aiden nodded, smiling as they neared the big top. "Those will probably be in the supplies trailer. And, if not, then I'm sure we can borrow some from one of the jugglers. It's not as though you wouldn't give them back. Thought about what you're going to wear? We might could start gathering things for your outfit, too. Just so you're already prepared."
As Aiden walked towards the big top, he glanced at Aemilia over his shoulder. Then, he stopped walking, and turned quickly on his heel to face her. Holding his arms out in a grand gesture, he gave her a wide smile.
"Here we are! The big top! Oh, and if you've already seen it, well, then," Aiden frowned, but then quickly came up with what he wanted to say, "Well, if you've already seen it, then you get to see it again!"
Now he walked inside, but waited for Aemilia to come in before going any further. It would be impolite to do otherwise, plus he thought that it would make him seem like a better host if he waited up for her. His eyes flicked about the interior. The big top was void of people, except for the occasional person or persons that would come in to gather their things, or set something up. Those people, and other crew members who were in the middle of cleaning up for the next show. Two girls in pale pink leotards and bright make-up gathered their props (seemed like it was mostly an array of hoops) and began to walk out. As they did so, Aiden smiled and waved, then turned back to Aemilia.
"So, what do you think? Grand, isn't it?" He pointed to all of the many rows of seats. There were a large number of seats, and when the tent was filled, it seemed as though it would look like there were even more people in those very seats.
"If everything goes well, then you could very well be performing in front of a full house," Aiden said, as means of motivation. Suddenly, his face fell, and he turned to look Aemilia right in the eye, "You aren't afraid of crowds, or got stage fright, do you? If so, I'm sorry. Just forget what I said."
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Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 6:56 pm
Her eyes were wide before creasing with an appreciative smile. Costume? She hadn't even been here long enough to come up with a complete act much less design a costume. Swallowing briefly, she let her lips part in a broader grin before answering him slowly, "I hadn't. Is there someone I should see about that?"
She saw the big top long before they approached it's entrance, of course, though she didn't know that was where they had been headed. Eyes widening in shock as he spun around and gestured to the large tent grandly, her mouth fell open in a slight gape before a beaming smile that gently shielded her apprehension of the huge structure.
Big buildings meant bad business from Aemilia's experience, but she swallowed the knot of fear that threatened to block her throat and followed the ringmaster inside the 'main event'. Looking around the large, mostly empty place, she felt reassured by it's dark atmosphere rather than the blinding white she had last experienced in so large a facility. The tension eased from her muscles as she watched the people around her going about their business. The amount of seats was inconsequential. Perhaps when Amee experienced a crowd first hand she might suffer some stage fright, but as far as she knew, she was unapprehensive.
Round eyes roaming back to Aiden, she laughed brightly, "Very grand, and as far as I know, I don't suffer from any fear of the stage nor crowds."
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:04 am
"Well, that's a good thing," Aiden chuckled, patting Aemilia on the shoulder. He really couldn't imagine what it would be like if she did have stage fright. All he did know was that it would be quite the inconvenience. It truly would be.
"For costumes, there's a big trailer filled with all sorts of things. Then, if you can't find something that you like, then I'm sure that we could stop in a town and look for a seamstress, or something," They had to do that a couple times in the past, from what Aiden could recall. It was a bit of a hassle, but it was better that than nothing. Besides, then the acts are actually happy with what they wear.
"If you need to go check out the trailer, just about anyone could take you. Someone that could be a mentor would probably be best, since the trailer may or may not be locked. So, I could go with you, Scarlett... Though, she might be busy," Laughing nervously, Aiden continued, "Right, but if you need to know everyone that could go with you, I'd be more than happy to tell you." Well, maybe not more than happy. Maybe not even happy. But that sounded good, right?
Regardless, Aiden gestured for Aemilia to follow him, and then began to walk toward another section of the big top. The backstage, to be exact. Once there, he made another sweeping gesture to the small lighted mirrors and vanities for putting the finishing touches on costumes, and the supplies crate. It was a cluttered space, but it was easy to tell where things went. Somehow.
"This is where you'll be right before you go on. It's a bit of a small space, but it works. Just remember that you'll have to share the vanities with other people," He added nervously, "There was this one fight that occurred between two ladies quite a while ago over a vanity. Quite frightening, really."
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 10:13 pm
She blinked a few times when he patted her shoulder, unused to human contact, though she didn't pull away. Infact, seeing as how no one really knew her here just yet, no one would've really noticed the pause or slight flickr in facial expression.
"Seamstress?" Her bright eyes looked at him with interest, unsure what exactly that term referred to, though it obviously had something to do with costumes. Her gaze strayed, taking in the surrounding expanse of space and all that went on inside it. The big top was like it's own little world, carrying on within itself with little concern for the outside. It seemed to breathe on it's own, even, oozing excitement as it did so even with it's gaping, empty seats.
Ah, a mentor. She thought she recognised the word, but was also positive she did not possess one. Shaking her head, her curls bounced over her shoulders as she spoke, "M'afraid I don't have one of those. Where might I get one? A mentor?" She certainly didn't figure Aiden to be one. He was the Ringmaster, and the idea that a person could have multiple titles was inconcievable for the time. She looked at him levelly before following, staring at the mirrors.
She loved mirrors! Catching her lower lip between her teeth was the only thing that could quell her bubbling excitement. Seeing onself was often taken for granted, but for someone that mirrors were very knew to - it was a surprise everytime. The cluttered space was not important, but the little lights around the mirrors were ... cute. Yes, that was it. "I think sharing'll be all right." At the mention of a fight, though she did laugh a bit. A cheery sound - not so much a giggle, per say, "Result of stage fright?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 9:31 pm
Watching Aemilia as she stared at herself in the mirror, Aiden couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and smile. He wondered what, exactly, she found so fascinating about them, but it wasn't really his place to ask. He would come off as rude, and, with all of the different places that the Cirque members get picked up from, it could be a very normal reaction to such things. Ah, well. Shaking his head, he returned to her questions.
"You can get a mentor just by talking to some one that can be a mentor and asking them to be yours," Realizing how silly and repetitive that sounded, Aiden decided to clarify, "Just ask one of the older Cirque members, and they'll be able to help you. Some people right off the top of my head that can mentor are Scarlett, Dahli, Grete, Ankita," He paused, counting them with his fingers, "Let's see, they've all been around for a while. Then there's Lucrezia, who's a fairly new performer, I believe she can mentor. There might be a couple others, you should ask around." Aiden gave Aemilia another smile. Hopefully she understood all that. He really didn't want to say it all again.
"I suppose stage fright could've been the reason for that. Who knows? Everything was fine one moment, and then the next, they were both pulling hair and clawing at each other. That was not a pleasant fight to break up," Sighing, Aiden glanced down at his feet. One of the women in said fight had wound up hitting Aiden when the fight was getting broken up. Aw. Poor guy.
"Well," He said, regaining a cheery demeanor, "Is there anything else you'd like me to show you? It'd be my pleasure."
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Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:34 am
She caught the raised brow and smile in his own reflection, but rather than feel embarrassed she simply laughed at herself and made a face before standing away from the magnificent thing. She'd have to see if she could find a mirror to keep in her trailer when she got one. Even if it was just a broken shard, she'd love it all the same.
"We can only have one mentor, then?" She'd have to give this much thought. If she was going to succeed, she wanted to be sure that she got the best help she could. Her mix-matched eyes narrowed briefly, though she smile did fade as she thought back, "I don't think I've met any of those people..." She trailed off, the fact that he had said the name 'Grete' suddenly weighing in on her. It wasn't her Grete, she knew that, but the name still caused her to pause nevertheless. She hadn't known there was a Grete here, however, and that made things somewhat ironic.
Frowning, she caught the inside of one cheek between her teeth for a moment before she looked at the ringmaster again. "Sounds like they were nervous." Her lips curled slowly into a smile before her features brightened considerably and her thoughts moved on. No use dwelling on things. "Were you injured?" Though the smile didn't fade, her eyes spoke of concern and she resisted touching his shoulder lest he be unaccustomed to touch and, heaven forbid, fire her.
"Nothin' that comes t'mind. I apprec'ate what you've shown me, though."
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 2:56 pm
"Yup. One mentor. Otherwise, it might get confusing, you know," Aiden said, casting a sideways glance at Aemilia. The thought of her not knowing even one of those people hit him as sort of strange. Yes, she was new, but... really. Perhaps Aiden was just a little too cynical for his own good, but what were the new recruits doing these days? Just sitting around? And doing the tedious jobs, of course. Okay, so they do that, and that's something.
Or, at least, it's another something that Aiden doesn't have to do. As he was thinking all this, he realized that his expression must've soured somewhat, and he instantly put a smile back on his face, and placed a reassuring arm around Aemilia's shoulders as he began to lead her out of the Big Top.
"If you don't know any of them, you should go and meet them. They can help you out, and they are nice people," To which he added, "Almost all of them, anyhow. And as for me getting injured in that fight...well." He rolled his eyes as he remembered the entire incident. What had been wrong with those women?
"Yeah, I suppose so. A couple scratches here and there, but nothing too bad. One of the girls got torn up pretty bad. Everyone was afraid of the one that hurt her so badly after that," Aiden chuckled, and then realized how horrible it must've sounded that he laughed. He instantly cleared his throat, and glanced at Aemilia quickly.
"Well, I'm glad that you've enjoyed your little tour," He quickly began talking again, as if to casually change the subject, "I believe your next tasks would be to go and find a mentor. And a place to stay. That's probably more important, you know."
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