Unfortunately, Ashlion sees no signs of the invisible Ruanna.
Aives the Smoke Dragon shudders at Delamar’s grisly fate. ”I had heard good things about the way you run things. I would like to join you, if you’ll have me. My ability to breathe smoke isn’t just good in a fight, but it’s a proven crowd‐pleaser, too.” He exhales, the green cloud transforming into a small dragon that flies around your heads.
"We have two rules here, then, that you need to follow; One, bring no harm to the family. Two, You protect the family and the family protects you." With that, she pats the man on the shoulder and turns to re-enter the tent to announce the next group of acts.
"Wait," the tiefling says, turning back to look at Aives. "You can demonstrate your good intentions and we can send a message at the same time." She grins. "Ready to go on?"
Build Up #1
The Flamboni Sisters
Build Up #2
The Smoke Dragon
Both the Flambonis and the Smoke Dragon perform competently, earning cheers from the crowd.
As the buildup begins to reach its conclusion, Tasha slips back through the tent flap.
"Ready for the big time, Love?" she asks. "Because you're on. You get the main ring!"
Without waiting for the half-elf's response, she dashes back through to the main ring.
"And now for a woman that gets me hot under the collar," she shouts to the crowd as she mimes fanning herself. "Ruinë the Flame!"
"What? Main? Tasha, I-!" she calls out after the tiefling dashes out and away. She doesn't have time to complain too loudly, because she hears her starting to make the announcement. Without thinking further about it, she scrambles up to get into position.
Clearing her head on the way up, she wastes no time with her act and leaps right into her takeoff, grabbing the the swinging ring and twirling around in it as she builds up enough momentum for her sweep which she then executes flawlessly. She ignites the ring into flames as she flips through it, adding to the danger and excitement. As she progresses through each phase of her of performance, she nails each and every single step and by the time she finishes, a huge grin is spread across her face.
She throws her hands wide as she finishes, the crowd roars with applause. Laughing, she spins in a circle in front of them all, basking in the glory on the single best performance she's ever put on in her life.
Ruine puts on a spectacular performance indeed! The crowd leaps to their feet, cheering and hollering for more!
Tasha's elation shows as she gives her own applause to Ruinë's performance as she returns to the ring.
"Now nothing may be able to top that folks, but we've got some performers that are happy to try!" she shouts out.
"We have the Dwarven Thowers!" She gestures stage left. "Fidget's Fireworks!" She gestures stage right. "And our very own Somber Tom!" She steps to the side of the center ring, revealing Tom and his flying blades.
Finale #1
The Dwarven Throwers
Finale #2
Fidget's Fireworks
The lights go down in the tent. Tom waits for the crowd to quiet before he signals Grelda who lights the line of alcohol encircling the center ring. Tom spins and twirls in his scarf, blurring the lines between himself and the fire dancing around him!
Tom stops suddenly, the tattoo on his forearm blazing and the "SCRAAWWW!" of a bird of prey breaking the drum roll that was building!
THWIP! THWIP! THWIP! Tom's daggers fly out at his targets! They burst into flame, the center exploding into a phoenix!
As the finale comes to an end, the overflowing crowd’s cheers echo throughout the circus grounds. Your debut was a success, and the message to the people of Escadar is clear—the Circus of Wayward Wonders is here and prepared to give the Celestial Menagerie a run for its money!
Tasha moves through the performers as the crowd exits offering congratulations and support to everyone. She especially focuses on the family's new performers, Fidget and Aives.
When she finally finds Ruinë, she stands looks at the half-elf with a wide smile.
"You were incredible," she says before stepping up to embrace the woman tightly. "I knew you would be wonderful. I just knew it." She relaxes her hold just enough to look down into her eyes. Her smile fades slightly as she considers something. Finished considering, she leans down and gently presses her lips against Ruinë's.
When she finally pulls back, she says softly, "You deserved something special."
Ruinë can't contain her happiness. Giddy, she bounces on her heels and claps her hands when Tasha approaches. She says "Did you see that, they loved me!"
When Tasha compliments her, she smiles even broader. She moves in for the embrace, and then when she lets go she closes her eyes and leans forward to place her forehead on Tasha's like they always do. Except...
When Tasha's lips touch her own, her eyes flash open for only a second before she returns the kiss. When Tasha pulls away, Ruinë takes three steps backwards and does a back flip, proclaiming loudly before rushing forward and throwing her arms around Tasha again, burying her head in the crook of her neck.
"What would you like to do to celebrate?" Tasha asks with a grin. "Dinner? Drinks? Whatever you'd like is yours tonight."
Ruinë puts her hands together and thinks "Uhmmm. I am hungry."
"OH!" she blurts out, thinking of something. "Is it too much trouble to go to town for a meal? I don't want to take up your time or anything. But I really could go for some spiced wine, it's been a long time since I've had some."
Tasha nods with a smile. "Spiced wine it is for the belle of the ball," she says.
After checking with some of the others and letting them know that they'll be heading into the city for a few hours, she exchanges her ring clothes for clean, simple, and non-intrusive garments. She then leads her companion down the road towards the city to find a nice clean tavern for some spiced wine.
As Ruine and Tasha head into the town, Emilia Flamboni approaches Somber Tom. "Hey, you did a great job tonight. Keep it up, hot shot." She gives the juggler a kiss on the cheek and a winning smile.
***
Due to its role as a home of sailors and soldiers, Escadar hosts numerous gambling dens, brothels, drinking holes, fighting rings, and drug houses. These dens of iniquity are freely tolerated as long as they pay heavy taxes to fund additional city services and submit to inspection by any officer at any time. Ruine and Tasha are able to find a tavern that suits their tastes and enjoy some spiced libations.
It's much later in the evening when the tiefling and half-elf make their way back home. Stumbling into their shared wagon, Tasha giggles. "I don't think I should have had those last two glasses," she says in a slightly slurred voice. Her hands fumble as she begins removing her clothes for bed.
"You were just so amazing out there tonight. Everyone's eyes were fixed on you." She giggles again. "I shouldn't say it, but I was a little jealous."
Wearing just her trousers and a single boot, she moves closer to Ruinë. "Part of me wants you just to myself," she says, pulling her into an embrace. "The other part of me was so proud." She leans down and presses a clumsy kiss against Ruinë's forehead.
She stumbles away to the bed and sits down to remove her remaining boot. She drops down onto the blankets and attempts to slide her trousers off. She gives up when they get stuck on one leg.
Her voice loses most of its levity. "I'm not blind to what people want. To what you want," she says, looking away. "And I probably wouldn't even say anything, but I think I'm drunk, so ..." She kicks at the stubborn garment and finally manages to divest herself of it as it falls to the floor.
She plops onto her back. "I guess what I'm saying is that you can have me however you'd like me tonight," she says softly, her eyes closed. "Get me while the getting's good."
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Ashlion is delighted by how well the performance went, although he's not hugely happy by losing Ruanna. He celebrates loudly with the rest of the group, rolling a large barrel of spirits into the center of the camp and then breaking it open to pass out drinks and good cheer to everyone.
Alcohol makes Ashlion even louder and when Grelda gets within reach he is swift to grasp her and proceeds to lavish attention on her. Tygrah soon butts in and commands that they 'go and celebrate properly'. Ashlion has no qualms about this, although he doesn't quite start taking Grelda's clothes off until they get out of the firelight.
They don't quite make it back to the wagons however and Ashlion soon has Grelda up against a wagon (it might be the Flamboni's but he isn't stopping to check) and hoists her easily off the ground to make the whole process... easier.
Grelda moans as she returns Ashlion's vigorous attentions. Unbound by her turban, her dark braids tickle the barbarian's shoulders as she leans he head against his. Her nails dig furrows into his back and she wraps her legs around his waist as the wagon rocks in time with their movements.
Ruinë stumbles back to the wagon, giggling far more frequently than she is accustomed to and finding everything that Tasha says absolutely hilarious or extremely deep and thought provoking. When they make it inside Tasha leans in to kiss her forehead, she awkwardly puckers her lips thinking she is coming in for a kiss only to have them met with open air as she kisses her forehead instead.
She quickly relaxes her lips when she realizes that no other kiss is forthcoming and when she says she wants her to herself she whispers back "You can have all of me if you want, Tasha, I have no thoughts in my head or feelings in my heart for anyone other than you. I love only you this way."
Should I have said that? I probably shouldn't have said that? Why can't I say that? She probably didn't notice I said that. Quick. Do something else.
Pulling off her boots and skirt, she begins to tug at her shirt, trying to pull it over her head. She fails when it catches on her necklace and it pulls tight. With her shirt wrapped over her head and her arms still in her sleeves, Tasha says she can have her however she likes. And so without being able to see properly, she falls on top of the tiefling's body clumsily.
Speaking through her shirt she says "I'm stuck. It's caught. Can you touch me, I mean it, I meant fix it. I mean. Help."
Once the garment is removed, she looks down at Tasha laying below her, swaying gently on all fours because she is slightly unsteady herself. "I would very much like all of you tonight and do not want to miss out while the getting is good."
She swallows and asks "Does that mean I'm allowed to kiss you again? Like earlier? On the lips? It made my insides all warm and I really liked it. Am I talking too much? I think I'm talking too much."
"I like listening to you talk. Your voice makes my toes buzz," Tasha responds, keeping her eyes closed. She then puckers up and waits.
Tom takes his earnings to a bar near the Celestial Menagerie. Tom sits down at a crowded section of the bar and orders a drink.
After nursing it for a few minutes he starts animatedly scratching and itching all over!
Once he's sure the rumor will take on a life of its own, he slips out the door.
Ruinë tries to lower herself gently to the awaiting lips, but her clumsily does so and presses her lips against Tasha's with a little more oomph that she had intended.
As they kiss, Ruinë touches Tasha's body. While this isn't a new experience for her as she is using to touching Tasha almost every day to patch up her wounds, she touches her in new ways she's never done before. If she hadn't the spiced wine she would probably be asking permission, but tonight, she doesn't talk anymore. Throwing caution to the wind, she lets her lack of clarity drive her to take full advantage of what Tasha was offering.
Tasha attempts to kiss the half-elf back, but when the woman's hands begin roaming to other places, all the old feelings come back and she hides herself deep within. The only way to get through is to pretend that her body isn't hers and let Ruinë do as she pleases.
The end result is the tiefling going limp and not resisting or responding to anything her love does.
As other couples pair off for the evening, the Amazing Axel sidles up to Mordaine the Magician. ”Hey, uh, so I was thinking—“
“Not on your life, bird brain,” Mordaine replies without looking up.
***
The morning after the circus’s first performance, the workers cheerfully attend to their morning rituals. As the circus settles into its routine, you can turn your attention to the somber reason you traveled to Escadar: to find information about the failing aeon orb atop the Erran Tower. And that information most likely lies within Moonstone Hall. Three likely avenues of investigation present themselves: you can ask around town, seek out historical or religious records, or speak to Chief Constable Andera Paldreen to see if she has any pertinent information.
Tasha is awake long before dawn and the impact of the drinking and Ruinë's attentions send her to the compound privy in a rush. Once she's finished emptying her stomach, she cleans herself up and returns to the wagon to don her civilian clothes. "I'm going to talk to the Chief Constable," she says when she notices the half-elf waking. "I'll be back by lunchtime."
~~~~~
Grelda hands Tasha the journal you found in the wolf caves before she leaves. ”Andera is mentioned in this. She might enjoy reading it.”
Andera is able to arrange a short meeting with Tasha after only one hour of clearing her other appointments. She offers the tiefling a firm handshake. ”Allow me to congratulate you on clearing your plot of land and establishing your circus in town. I appreciate your uplifting of the civic mood. Now, then, how may I be of assistance?”
"First off," Tasha begins, "I would like to thank you for having faith in us and I hope that you enjoyed our first performance." She smiles at the woman and then sets the journal on her desk. "Secondly, in the process of clearing out some of the wilderness, we came upon this and since you are mentioned in it, we decided that it was only right that you get a chance to read it."
She gives the woman a chance to peruse the journal before continuing. "And lastly, we discovered something disconcerting while we were in Abberton. There is an ancient tower there that ... well I don't know very much about magic, but it does good things for the region and now it's, for lack of a better word, failing." She crosses one leg over the other. "We believe that information related to why could be found within Moonstone Hall."
Andera’s eyes light up as she looks at the book. ”Juniper Winzel. This brings back memories. Winzel eluded the law for a long time. Finally apprehending her was more than just a feather in my cap—it was the start of my career. Really, I just had a hunch and the luck to be in the right place at the right time.” Andera pauses and flips through the journal’s brittle pages. She snaps the book closed with a look of triumph. “I always knew she had another hideout! I don’t believe in fate, but for you to find something of hers on that plot, at this point in my career? It’s a remarkable coincidence. I’m going to give your names to my staff; you’ll be able to reach me without an appointment any time you’d like.
”As for Moonstone Hall, it’s an abandoned and buried temple to Aroden that the city wants to keep clear of smugglers or other criminals. I have therefore posted guards at its only entrance in the Woodworkers District. I’ll allow you to make a full exploration of the site if you promise to clear out any criminals or troublesome monsters that may be occupying the site.”
Andera provides Tasha with a quickly drafted writ stating that its bearers have her permission to enter the site. ”You’ll find its entrance in the Woodworkers District near a mermaid fountain. Report back to me with whatever you find. You are free to keep anything of value you discover as recompense for your trouble, except for any evidence of criminal wrongdoing, which you should return to me, along with your report.”
Tasha stands and shakes the woman's hand. "Thank you very much, Constable. I hope this is the beginning of a long and beneficial relationship between us. And feel free to come by and see any of our shows - no charge for the local constabulary."
With the writ in hand she returns to the compound to relay what she found to the rest of the family.
"So some of us," she says, "are going to investigate Moonstone Hall to see what we can learn. Everyone else keep an eye out for more overtures from Dusklight. Hopefully, she'll realize that we're more trouble than we're worth and leave us be. But I won't hold my breath waiting for her to display that much wisdom."
Spiced wine was evil.
I'm never drinking ever again she groans as flops about in bed, trying to rouse herself for her morning prayers.
Ruinë had clearly too much and now it felt like the wall was repeatedly slamming into her face over and over again. She throws her arm over to where Tasha is supposed to be and finds it empty as she flops her hand about feeling for her. What had she said? Going to town for something? Maybe? Stop thinking. Ouch.
Crawling from the bed, she drabs some robes and makes it outside a few minutes later than she should for the rising sun. With her head hung low, she staggers to her spot with her hands on her head before falling to her knees to begin her prayers.
Later, when they are done, she finds a barrel of water to dunk her head in to try and clear it, but it only ends up making her wet.
From across the camp, Grelda smirks at Ruine's struggles. Sitting in communion with her familiar, the half-orc has the glow of somebody who had a thoroughly enjoyable night.
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Ashlion, who seems unreasonably wide awake and vigorous for someone who drank so much and then spent most of the night not sleeping, walks over to Ruine with a mug. He hands it to the half-elf without saying anything, but smiles and mimes drinking.
The mixture is incredibly potent and brings tears to Ruine's eyes, along with a vicious burning sensation, but it does clear the fogginess in her head quite effectively.
"RECIPE FROM MY TRIBE!" Ashlion says proudly. "YOU DO NOT HAVE RIGHT SPICES BUT STILL GOOD. WE FEED TO CHILDREN SO THEY GROW UP STRONG!" He's even making the effort to be quiet...
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"WE HAVE MANY THINGS THAT SHOULD BE SOLD. DO THIS BEFORE WE VISIT NEW HALL. SHOW DUSKLIGHT WE ARE RICH AND POWERFUL!" The barbarian opinions when Tasha returns with new assignments.
Ruinë takes the mug and drinks from it gingerly "Thank you Ashlion, I greatly appreciate it. I'm never drinking spiced wine ever again."
She sips the mug and forces it down, hoping it will ease the pain in her head.
When Tasha returns, Ruinë seeks her out though not immediately. She pulls her aside and says "About last night . . .", watching the tiefling to see how she responds.
"I had too much to drink last night and I don't remember what happened after we got back. I hope you had fun?" Tasha replies, looking away.
Ruinë deflates, as if the wind was just knocked out of her, even staggering back a step. She doesn't try to hide it and she just eventually looks away and says in a tiny whimper "Oh."
"I.. forgot... I am supposed to help Tom with, uhm, his t-tattoo." she says, tears forming in her eyes as her voice breaks. She puts her hands over her face and runs away from Tasha as fast as she can.
Her begins to pound again, though this time it's not from the wine.
"Yeah, you should probably go be with ... Tom," Tasha replies, even though the half-elf is long gone.
Ruinë runs to find Tom flipping some daggers into a stump behind his wagon. She runs up to him, calling his name "Tom!Tom!" and throws herself into his arms as she sobs heavily. She speaks incredibly fast with her face buried in neck, sobbing "Idranktootootoomuchandandandmessedeverythingupw-w-w-withTasha."
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Ashlion may not be the most sensitive soul, but he is quite perceptive and the drama playing out behind the next wagon is clear enough when Ruine stumbles away crying. So he swipes another mug of his tribal hang-over cure and goes to find Tasha.
"THIS WILL DISTRACT YOU." He says, sitting down just within arm's reach and offering the mug. "RINGMASTER, YOU AND SUNSHINE ARE UPSET. LAST NIGHT, LET ME SEE. YOU HAD SPICED WINE, MUCH SPICED WINE, AND THEN THINGS CLEARLY WENT WRONG. I KNOW THIS NONE OF MY BUSINESS BUT I MUST TELL YOU SOME THINGS. FIRST LOVEMAKING WHEN DONE PROPERLY IS AN EXCELLENT THING THAT EVERYONE ENJOYS, BUT IT MUST BE DONE PROPERLY. AND THAT IS ONLY WHEN EVERYONE INVOLVED WANTS IT. TYGRAH AND I LOVE EACH OTHER VERY MUCH, BUT SHE IS GREAT WITH CHILD. SHE ACHES AND MY SON KICKS SO SHE IS NOT OFTEN IN THE MOOD. I UNDERSTAND THIS, SO WE DO NOT MAKE LOVE AS OFTEN AS WE DID BEFORE. THIS MAKES SECOND POINT." He emphasises this by raising a second meaty finger. "TWO PEOPLE, OR MORE, CAN LOVE EACH OTHER WITHOUT NEEDING TO MAKE LOVE. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE 'WRONG' OR 'BROKEN', WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT. YOU HAVE HORNS. SUNSHINE HAS POINTED EARS. I AM LARGER THAN THREE OF LITTLE KNIFE. THESE ARE JUST PART OF WHO WE ARE, THEY DO NOT MAKE US 'WRONG'. I AM SURE LITTLE KNIFE CAN STILL SATISFY A MAN OR WOMAN IF HE TRIES!"
The barbarian flashes a brief smile, but it falls when Tasha doesn't respond. "ANYWAY. THIS FAMILY WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU RINGMASTER. I DO NOT CALL YOU THAT AS A JOKE. YOU ARE THE RINGMASTER OF THIS CIRCUS, EVERYONE LOOKS TO YOU FOR STRENGTH AND GUIDANCE. YOU ARE CHIEF OF THIS TRIBE AND THAT IS MIGHTY JOB. I KNOW THAT BEING CHIEF IS HARD, AND SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE FRIENDS AND LOVERS WHO ARE CLOSE TO YOU, WHO CAN ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE WHEN 'NOT CHIEF'. SUNSHINE IS THAT. SHE LOVES YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE AND YOU DO NOT NEED TO FORCE YOURSELF TO MAKE LOVE TO HER. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU, AND THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT." He shifts closer to the tiefling and slowly extends a thick arm around her shoulders. "YOU CAN ALWAYS COME TO ME, GRELDA AND TYGRAH TASHA. WE ALL CARE FOR YOU, BUT NOT TO MAKE LOVE TO. YOU ARE TOO SKINNY FOR US! BUT IF YOU NEED HELP, ADVICE, MAGIC, OR SOMEONE TO FRIGHTEN AWAY ANNOYING MEN, THEN WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. I ALSO GIVE GOOD HUGS." He adds, gently pulling Tasha into his warm flank.
"YOU ARE SAFE WITH US TASHA. I PROMISE."
Tom is INDEED hiding behind his wagon.
Ruinë is upset, but she starts to explain anyway "Oh Tom, it's terrible! We went out for dinner to celebrate our success last night. Dinner was great, but really it was the wine that I was after, it's so tasty and it makes me feel fuzzy. Anyway, we both had six? Or maybe it was seven? I can't recall, we had a lot of the spiced wine. When we got back to the wagon and were crawling into bed, she said, uhm. Something like 'You can have me any way you want me' and. and..." She can't finish and starts sobbing again. "Maybe that's only what I wanted her to say? I can't remember. I think I misunderstood and I was selfish. And I wasn't thinking straight. Stupid!" She bangs her head with her hands several times repeating "Stupid!Stupid!"
"I just wanted to show her how much I wanted her, but I guess I don't know what I'm doing. I just should be so lucky to have her there at all. I should pray to forget the burning feeling that I have inside and just be happy to have her touch her forehead to mine."
She puts her hands on her head and complains "My head hurts again. I'm going to lay down again. Can I do it here? I don't want to go back to my wagon."
When he agrees, she crawls into a ball and pulls the blanket over her head.
Tom approaches the fire the rest of his friends are sitting by and takes a long look at Ashlion before changing his mind. Instead of talking to any of them, he walks off to find Grelda instead.
"Grel... can I talk to you for a minute?
Grelda smiles up at Tom. "Of course. How may I assist you?" Basil folds his wings and assumes a comfortable perch draped over the witch's shoulders.
"You wanted Ash, and you got exactly what you wanted..." Tom looks embarrassed for a moment before barrelling on, "Emma Flamboni kissed me after the show and I didn't say anything... I just sorta.. ran off."
"Well, that seems like an odd reaction, for all that you've been flirting with them since the circus started. Perhaps if you understand exactly what you were feeling when it happened, it might explain why you ran away. Were you surprised? Scared? Excited?"
"It's easy to flirt.. I just didn't expect it to work! Sef and Ruine can't keep it together through the hurt Madame Gaslight put on them.. why should I deserve time with Emilia?"
Tom starts to cry, but in that way a young man cries while trying to keep it together so that nobody else sees.
"I don't even think they know how much of that hurt is MY fault. She told ME to make so many of those arrangements.. and I was so pesh addled that I did everything she said."
I shouldn't pursue Emilia, because I don't deserve that kind of happiness... Just look at how I've ruined that happiness for others."
"Oh, Tom," Grelda says. She places a gentle hand on his back, rubbing it. "None of this is your fault. You are not responsible for what Mistress Dusklight made you do. If somebody is stabbed, do you blame the knife, or the person wielding it? Dusklight used you, and it is horrible, but she is the only one that should pay for her crimes. You deserve to be happy, as much as anybody else."
Tasha sits and listens as Ashlion expounds wisdom in a manner that is unusual for him - talking.
"But ... what if ..." she finally says after he concludes his uncharacteristic speech. "What if two people want different things. I mean, Ruinë wants ... that. I know she does and I want to make her happy, but ..." She wraps her arms around herself. "I can't. I just ... can't. I want so much for her to be happy, but I don't know if she can be with me."
She takes a deep breath and pushes away the weak version of Tasha. She sits up straighter and squares her shoulders. Her voice takes on her normal confident tone when she speaks. "That's the only solution," she says with a nod. "What I want doesn't matter. She deserves to be happy and that's not with me."
She pats the half-orc on the shoulder. "Thank you for your wise words my friend," she says. "You've helped me see the truth."
With that she rises from her seat and heads off to get Tom to help her sell off some of the lucre that they've acquired.