The Soulless Collection

[Ripcage]

Gelle & Grigori
The Ringleader turned her attention to Grigori specifically. Her tone was serious as she spoke. "I assure you, we try our best to understand the needs of our animals and provide for them." Perhaps she took his comment of the animals being misunderstood personally?
The panther that Gelle was petting rolled over on its back and pawed at him. "I think he likes you," the Ringleader said to Gelle.

Zephyr
Zephyr could hear the clown snicker as he walked away. After he could no longer hear the clown a familiar voice whispered in Zephyr's ear, "I remember the circus. All the little animals and clowns, even a necromancer once." It was Targe. He let out a slight snicker as blue-ish mist swirled and he took shape before his master's eyes. "Have you ever been to a circus before now?"

Jaslen
Sarah never looked away from her desk and papers as she replied, "When my schedule allows it, yes." She flipped through a small stack of papers and set them to the side. "Was there something you needed, Jaslen, or were you just stopping by to say hello?"

Celeste
The men turned their gazes away from Celeste after some distance was put between herself and them. She was out of earshot and could no longer hear their whispers now though.

[The SheoDovah]

"I didn't mean any offence. I meant that most people misunderstand these wonderful creatures and always attack them first." Grigori told the ringmaster whilst watching Gelle pet the panther.

[Hissien]

Zephyr

Zephyr looked at the spirit-guide, wondering why he had chosen to appear now of all times though honestly he doubted very much that Targe had much else to do. "Once, though that was many decades ago, when my siblings and I still traveled together. " Zephyr began with a resigned sigh. These memories were bitter sweet at the very best, and downright painful at their worst. "I believe one of the animals escaped, were it not one of the more harmless ones I suspect it would have been much more eventful." Zephyr said. "Did they even have such things when you were alive?" Zephyr asked referring to the circus.

[Justice knight]

"I would tell you to take a holiday, but I'm pretty sure this company would fall apart without you," Jaslen said, "And nothing in particular, just to say hello."

[The-Shadow-One]

Gelle giggled softly as he continued petting the panther, hugging it once they've gotten used to each other. "And I like panthers!" He said excitedly. Hands running through the fur he belly rubbed the big kitty.

[Archer]

Celeste, not wanting to give up just yet, decided that if being next to them wouldn't work, surely there must be another solution. So, she looked above them, perhaps for a ledge or a window she could listen from.

[Ripcage]

Gelle & Grigori
"Oh? And what experience do you have that would lead you to believe such things?" The Ringleader questioned Grigori. It seemed that despite his claim to not meaning causing offense, the Ringleader still wasn't too happy. This probably wasn't going to end well...
Gelle, on the other hand, had things going well for him. He was approached by yet another panther. This one licked its muzzle as it neared the child and eyed it curiously.

Zephyr
"People have been searching for ways to set aside the troubles of daily life for ages, Zephyr. Whether they called it a circus back then or not matters little, the point of it all has remained the same." Targe replied as he gazed around, he ignored the riftling's sigh knowing he didn't like to speak much of distant times. Targe instead chose to discover why Zephyr was here, of all places. "Tell me, why do I get the feeling you are searching for something particular in this cesspit of glee and happiness?"

Jaslen
Sarah set down the papers she had in her hands and turned to face Jaslen. "You are most certainly correct on that point, so hello to you too. Now, are we done?" Jaslen could tell she was annoyed by something from the tone in her voice. Whether it was Jaslen's presence or something else getting on her nerves, he couldn't tell.

Celeste
A small balcony was situated conveniently above the group, however the group was crowded near the front entrance of the building. The building had several windows, but Celeste noticed they were all shut. Most likely another point of entry was going to have to be found, or made.

[Hissien]

Zephyr

The Riftling paused in his melancholy for a moment, and adjusted his hair. "Well that is a very good observation. You are correct in thinking that." Zephyr began, his status as a mage dependant on being able to be mysterious at times. "You remember the young Riftling I found scampering amongst my graves yes? The furry one with the white coat? It's his birthday. And I have a gift for him." Zephyr said with a mysterious grin on his face. He held a rock in his hand for a moment, letting a silence fall.

"He has power. How much I know not, but far more than I. Whilst I cannot claim it as my own, I can claim it for... Her. " He said taking care to not mention his mistress directly. He crushed the rock, turning it to sand. "I sense that he is destined for great things, and by securing him as an apprentice, I will be too." Zephyr said explaining himself, for once. "Apart from that, I needed a break from my current protege. He's been getting... Antsy lately." He said to Targe.

[The SheoDovah]

"Some people view panthers as vicious beasts and... okay, can we drop this? I meant no offence and i apologise for any that i caused." Grigori said to the Ring master as he watched the panthers along with Gelle.

Hidden:

There, i posted! Are you not entertained you big cage of a pony? Yeah, i went there.

[The-Shadow-One]

Gelle reached out to the newly come panther, patting it on the muzzle. He giggled like a child could, his other hand still entwined with the other panther's fur. "Friendly panthers!"

[Ripcage]

Gelle & Grigori
"You'd do well to watch your tongue in the future." The Ringleader said harshly to Grigori. Meanwhile, a chubby little man walked into the panther's pen with a bucket in hand. All of the panthers lifted their heads and focused on him as he set the bucket down, Gelle and Grigori could smell that it contained meat. "It's feeding time, we should probably leave the animals be while they feast." The Ringleader informed the two. "Was there anything else you wished to see while you were here or shall I lead you back to your mother?"

Zephyr
Targe scoffed at the mage's little display. "Well aren't you an ambitious one. And what makes you so sure that She won't just toss you away like a worn doll once the child is hers?" The spectral guardian turned away from Zephyr and let out a disgruntled sigh. "Speaking of your current underling, what do you mean he's been getting antsy?"

[Hissien]

Zephyr

"It seems as if he holds on to the smallest things I say, every gesture, every critique for good or ill seems to have some sort of meaning to the boy. You can see it when you look at him. In the old days I would have sworn he was finally getting bold enough to attempt to assassinate me, though of course he is no match for me, yet." Zephyr said haughtily and bluntly. "No, something is bothering him though I have yet to have a reason to approach the subject. It just wears on oneself to be constantly surveyed in such a manner." The riftling said with a hint of exasperation.

[The-Shadow-One]

Gelle looked up at Grigori, his little frown as he patted both panthers on the head and began to shuffle out so very uncharacteristic. "Do you have bears?! Or or leopards?" He asked, his little fists clenched, and that frown gone, in excitement. So much more excitement than needed.

[Archer]

Celeste meandered her way around the building, her eyes wary for an alternative entrance, such as a cellar or, failing that, a window that was just a little less public than the rest. As she searched, she found herself wondering why exactly she was going to such lengths to listen to a group of old men, but then decided that what little she heard seemed interesting enough.

[The SheoDovah]

Grigori smiled at Gelle after his younger brother asked about the bears and leopards. "Piggy back?" He asked the furry child and hoped that he could stroke a bear or leopard

[Ripcage]

Gelle & Grigori
The Ringleader looked up to the other pens only to see that the other animals were being fed as well. "I'm afraid we cannot see them at this time. The bears especially, they have a slight attitude towards strangers that get too close. There are other things I could show you though; like our Riftling performers, perhaps you'd like to meet them?" The Ringleader smiled at the two boys, most likely hoping they wouldn't be too disappointed.

Zephyr
Targe shook his head. The ancient being had a hunch on what the underling's actions signified and found the situation slightly humorous. He stood for a moment, gaze affixed to Zephyr, racking his mind in search of times when another acted towards him in such a way. But with each memory, a scene filled with feelings of grief or animosity played out. Targe tried again, yet failed to recall anything of the sort. He swore that he had experienced such things, but could he be so ancient that the memories held within him were starting to slip through the cracks? The thought of that bothered him and even though Zephyr couldn't see it, he could feel his guardian's uneasiness.
"If you tire of him, then be rid of him." Targe spoke as he shifted his gaze and pushed his thoughts to the back of his mind. "I would gladly carry out such an order."

Celeste
Celeste noticed two windows, one of which was open, and a back door behind the building. Interestingly enough, a tall, conveniently placed ladder was leaning on the building across from the one she sought entry to, and upon closer inspection Celeste could see a folded piece of parchment on its lowest step. Chances were that the contents of the letter didn't concern her, but a peek couldn't hurt. At any rate, the paths that could be chosen were obvious and all that was required of Celeste was to reach a decision and act upon it.

[The-Shadow-One]

Gelle nodded and beamed brightly. "Yeah!" He half squealed in excitement possibly bursting an eardrum somewhere in the world. "That'd be fun! Fun fun fun!"

[Justice knight]

"You're obviously very busy, forgive me," Jaslen apologised, "But make sure you do take a break."

[Archer]

Celeste, as curious as she was, was on her own little mission and decided that she had no time to read the letter. But, that didn't mean she might not have time later, so she pocketed the letter, before making her way to the back door, intending to check whether it was locked.

[The SheoDovah]

Grigori lifted his brother onto his back to give him a piggyback. "I would love to meet them." He had been enjoying the day so far and was glad that Gelle was having a superb time.

[Ripcage]

Gelle & Grigori
The Ringleader began walking and motioned for Grigori to follow after Gelle was on his back. "Our Riftling performers are quite skilled at a variety of magicks. One of their more popular acts involve Seftha users dueling with swords created from sand." The Ringleader informed the two as they approached a large tent. "They're probably practicing at the moment, but I could ask them to put on a show just for the two of you if you'd like?"

Jaslen

Hidden:

Working on Luminita's sheet by the way. It should be posted soon.

Sarah sighed and turned back to her work. "Maybe once I get this done, but that won't be anytime soon." She flipped through a few of the papers on her desk, making small mutterings as she did so, and placed them to the side. The amount of paperwork on Sarah's desk was evidence that she could probably use some help, but maybe Jaslen was better off trying to talk to her later since she still seemed slightly irritable at the moment?

Celeste
An unopened letter has been added to Celeste's inventory.
The door was locked, but that didn't mean it couldn't be opened by other means. Celeste ought to be weary of the amount of noise she made if she intended on breaking the door down though, as someone might hear her.

[Hissien]

"I may traffic in death but I am no murderer, Geist." Zephyr warned the shade with what would have been a soul chilling glare to anyone else. But his expression softened on the old spirit, seeing that the knight was either joking or simply speaking with the indifference that a long existence of watching mortals die would cause. "I apologize, I did not mean to insult you in such a way." Zephyr said, with a slight nod.

"I tire of your presence, observe my assistant, lest he get himself into trouble. If he does something I need to be aware of alert me immediately, but otherwise, leave me alone for a little while." Zephyr said with a dismissive gesture.

[Justice knight]

Knowing it was best not to test her, Jaslen decided to leave Sarah to it.
He left the room, shutting the door behind him with a gentle sigh.

[Archer]

Celeste instead decided to go through the open window, rather than busting down a door or taking the time to try and pick the lock. Like I could even bust down a door, anyway. she joked to herself.

[The-Shadow-One]

Gelle grinned. "Really? Wow! That's so cool! Can we have that?" His face was over Grigori's shoulder, he had to lean and do his best to do that. "Can we?"