Test Drive #1 - London, England, Earth 1845

[thegreatestlittlemod]

The last few days of a stop are always either the slowest, or the busiest. The gray days of London in the autumn don't seem to be helping this to be the busiest, with rain driving customers away.

There are still some customers jogging between tents and ducking under game awnings, using coats and hats to try and keep the water off, but tips are few and far between, and a lot of audiences are empty, leaving performers sitting and waiting, or ducking into each other's shows to watch or just say hi, and those on the game alley shouting across the aisle at each other. Food vendors move up and down the aisle and tents with hot cocoa and kebobs to keep people warm.

A few people are out in the city proper running errands for themselves, each other, or the Ringmaster, often in pairs. Maybe the goal is to find six spools of ribbon in one exact color, or to capture a whole bowl full of raindrops from under a specific shop sign, or to replace some pants you tore in your last show. Whatever it is, you're down to the last day to find it.

Are you determined to put on a show despite having an audience of five? Are you chatting with your fellow carnies, bored with the slow day and wondering where you're going next? Are you seeking out something strange and confusing in jolly old London with a friend?

Or are you determined to enjoy the circus on its last day in your city, not expecting a surprise in store for you when it starts to pack up its doors tomorrow?

Comments

[unofficial_ambassador]

“That's decidedly less mortal than usual with us, I’d imagine, but I can think of better ways to spend my time than recovering from the results of that.”

[humeansfox]

"Yes, needing to take time off to heal is never a good time." Especially when other shapeshifters just did it so much quicker than foxes.

"You said you have been doing this since you were 15, correct? Was it always tightrope walking? Have you been at this circus that long?"

[unofficial_ambassador]

“Oh no. I could dance when I arrived, but the balance required for the rope came later.” She smiles broadly. “Running away to the circus sounds much more romantic as a fantasy than it is in real life. I did my time mucking out stables and posting bills.”

[humeansfox]

"It does take quite some time to get that sort of balance and movement down." Luckily for her, kitsune were naturally gifted at it. "I do not mind other jobs, though. Even the animals here have fascinating tales."

Though the tales told by mundane animals tended to be much simpler than the ones that usually catch her attention. They did tend to be less confusing than a human's speech, though.

[unofficial_ambassador]

“You should meet Ryo when you have the chance, down at the kitchens. I'm sure he has some stories to tell.” Until their arrival (and Taylor’s shortly afterward) she hadn't thought that insects could be cute. “V has an animal act as well, but it's a bit different.”

[humeansfox]

"Ryo and V...yes, I will speak to them. How do you mean V's act is different?"

[unofficial_ambassador]

“V’s animal companions live on his body as tattoos when they're not participating in the act.” She’s not sure if animal speakers could talk to them or not.

[humeansfox]

"Oh, that is different. I wonder how that works...perhaps I'll ask later." Or was that being too nosey? She doesn't know. Humans were often weird about that. "There are so many wonderful acts here!"