The Circus

It is the late 1700’s, and you’re part of “Master Red’s Marvelous Wonders,” a traveling circus. Some of you ran away from abusive parents and have been “graciously” taken in by the ringmaster. Some of you decided that a life in the circus would be adventurous and glamorous, only to be proven wrong. Some of you have been sold by your parents for a little pocket money. Some of you have been born in the elephant cage. Or maybe you have some other sob story that you’re trying to get me with.

Whatever your reason, you are in the circus, whether you like it or not.

Now, life in the circus, whatever you thought before you joined, is not glamorous at all. The person in charge of the circus is called Master Red, a jolly man with an easy laugh—until he gets backstage with his workers. He is not a kind man, secretly called “Rusty” behind his back. He is balding, with a crest of jet-black hair, but if seen up close, his eyes are cold, his hair is streaked with grey, and wrinkles line his face. Not a kind man at all.

However, most—most—of the children are close-knit and friendly to each other, relying on each other’s shoulders to carry on and keep a will to live. They are the only family they have now. (Keep in mind, “friendly” does not always mean “loyal.”)

—For your character—

Name:

Age: (only a few adults are allowed, I’m afraid. I want our characters to be mainly children, because they were the ones who saw the worst of the circus.)

Gender:

Appearance: (please, try to describe your character with more than one sentence. And I’d prefer if you didn’t use an image, but if you do, please add a description.)

Personality:

History: (Not too long, por favor…haha.)

Role in the circus: (Keep in mind, most children were not put in the ring, unless, of course, you are a freak or a contortionist or whatever. Most worked the grunge jobs behind the scenes. Also, please add if they are happy doing their job or not.)

Other:


**One quick note: Rusty is no one’s character. He is completely open for anyone to use as they wish. But please keep him alive, unless we all come up with a plot that threatens his death.

Have fun!!!!

Okay, I guess I’ll start:

Name: Dent. His real name is Jacob Ludland, but no one knows that, not even Rusty.

Age:[/b] 14

Gender: M

Appearance: dusty-black hair cut raggedly across his eyes. Angry, pale green eyes. Small but lanky form, not particularly strong. A long scar runs across his cheek.

Personality: A very strong-willed person, and hates anyone bossing him around like a slave. He hates Rusty with a passion, but is pretty much forced to his knees in front of him; he has to admit that he cannot fight him. Rusty has overcome him too many times. But despite that, he’s a very kind person, a comforter, and is very loyal companion. Sometimes he has a very volatile temper, though, and his moods are unpredictable. If the others want to talk to him, they have to time their entrances carefully.

History: Dent was captured by a gypsy camp when he was seven and was forced to work for them, stealing and begging and cheating many people out of their purses. He grew up with them, christened Dent, and considered them a family after he got over his homesickness. But they betrayed him when he was eleven and sold him to Master Red. He’s tried to swallow his dismay and pretend to be indifferent, but the betrayal hurts, and he dreams about it at night. He wishes he was back home with his family, before the gypsies took him. He’s sworn never to betray any companion as the gypsies betrayed him.

Role in the circus: Dent officially works as sort of a janitor, cleaning up after the crowds have left. Unofficially, he serves the ringmaster. He hates it, and Rusty knows (and enjoys) it. Dent would much rather be working with the wild animals, particularly the lions. They remind him of himself, and they’ve always gotten along.

Other: I believe I told you about the nightmares he has. Oh, I do have one more thing: his scar. A rather bitter but humorous story, that. On his second escape attempt, seven months after the gypsies’ betrayal, he stole a whip from the lion’s pen and ran. Rusty cornered him a ways away from camp, but Dent had a whip, and Rusty hesitated. Dent got a little overconfident and flicked the whip at Rusty to impress him a little. He ended up whipping himself in the face. (what a loser…haha.) Needless to say, Rusty was not impressed and easily recaptured him.

Name: Rogue (her real name is Robyn)

Age:14

gender: Female

appearance: Crazy blue eyes that you could get lost in, long black hair, very very ghostly pale skin, very skinny (she barely eats) medium higth

personality: She's a beautiful soul. Rogue is very neat and tidy she loves to watch over others, kind, funny but once you get her temper boiling your in for it. She has alot of talent she's shy but loves to comfort and gives great advice.

History:Rusty has hated Rogue since the day she was born. Rogue was eight when she was forced to use her gift at the circus. Her parents couldn't keep her because they were too young and unable to marry thus having to give up their baby which was Rogue.

Role in the circus: She's pretty much a puppet she has stiches everywhere that came come undone and she has unexpected visions.

other: Up for love and for friends!!!

Name: Chase

Age: 15

Gender: Male

Appearance: Longish black hair with pale brown eyes. He is medium tall, and almost literally skin and bones, having not been fed well at all by Rusty, the result of his continual attempts to escape and fight the circus master.

Personality: Chase is extremely argumentative, if asked to do something he doesn't want to, he will refuse. If he sees something that he doesn't like, he'll do everything in his power to deal with it. He's managed to bloody Rusty's nose on occasion, but the adults - especially the clowns, generally help subdue him. Rusty uses the clowns to keep Chase in line as a result of his extreme fear of them.

History: Chase had run away from an alcoholic father who repeatedly beat him and had been trying to force him to work as a cutpurse on the streets. He'd gone to the circus because he had believed his father would never look for him there, the result of Chase's fear of clowns. He'd offered to help with the odd job as long as Rusty made sure he didn't have to go anywhere near the clowns.

Role in the circus: Helps operate some of the sideshows, but is also forced to work alongside Dent and to help set up some of the shows.

Other:

Name: Flip (I don't remember my name but Rusty does, it's James Wester, but I don't think that will be a big point.)

Age: 14

Gender: Male

Appearance: 5'7", wiry, gray eyes, messy dark blond hair, tanned skin.

Personality: Always has a sadness about him which deadens his feelings. He hasn't cried since his mother died. He doesn't share much of what he's feeling, he mostly is logical.

History: He ran away from home when his mother died and the circus took him in.

Role in the circus: Because of his incredible flexibility he works as a contortionist. But only when the regular one is not available. He is practically oblivious that he is treated badly.

Other: I can role my eyes independently of each-other and focus in on objects at the same time. Also I can block out things with my mind (such as certain sights and sounds).

Sounds like a jolly good (depressing) time..lol

Name: Cowboy (everyone thinks his real name is Jack Winston but it is actually Christian Neyland)

Age: 17

Gender: Male

Appearance: Cowboy stands tall enough to look his age and wears a decent ensemble of clothing, nothing too ratty or dirty. His sandy blonde hair falls in his blue eyes so he is constantly running his hands through his hair. When he smiles his face seems even more handsome than it is, but when he frowns the ghosts of his past play across his face. His hands are usually dirty from work, work that keeps him nicely fit and chiseled. In the hot summers he rarely wears a shirt and gets even more tan than his naturally tan skin could have thought possible. He usually adorns an old coyboy hat that hangs around his neck and rests on his back.

Personlity: Cowboy keeps to himself but takes a leading role over most of the kids in the circus. He watches over them and helps them with their work. He is easygoing with a good sence of humore, despite current situations. He is there for mostly anyone and came charm his way through anything. He can get a temper and has gone up against Rusty who can only break him by threatening one of the younger kids.

History: No one knows much about Cowboy, not even Rusty. (They all think his real name is Jack remember?) There are lots of stories about him and some of the older performers are afraid of him because of the stories, even Rusty is a little scared. Some say that Cowboy ran away from home, some say he is running from the law, some say he killed a man, some say he killed ten. Each story has some truth in it in some way. But no one knows the real story (since the request was to keep the history part breif you will just have to find out more in my posts)

Role: Cowboy works most of the lighting for the shows, and makes sure no fires are caused by the candles while the performances are going on. He also takes care of all of the horses. He doesn't mind his work and only stays because of the kids, there are so many other places he could go.

Other: Cowboy is deaf in one ear.

I call Dent!

Name: Lark (real name Sophie Lansky)

Age: 14

Gender: Female

Appearance: http://kristyvictoria.deviantart.com/ar ... -1-8218224 (Long, curlyish dark brown hair, ice blue eyes, a little short).

Personality: she usually hangs out with others but is a listener, not a talker. She can be rude but has times where she is suddenly friendly and nice. Rusty is kind of afraid of her because of how mysterious she is and isn't as evil to her as to the others. She does laugh and joke along with others but it doesn't sound completely happy (not insincere; she does laugh sincerely but it's just not as full and heart-warming as other people's laughs). Her smiles never last.

History: she was abandoned by her parnets and shunned by her town because she had strange psychic powers. She was found in the streets outside the circus when she was eight.

Other: She is a psychic before and after the show. Her readings are EXTREMELY accurate and are almost never wrong; if so, they usually just got confused and happen in a different way then she saw. She loves to sing, although rarely anything happy. That's why they call her Lark. She is also a dancer at the show. Oh, and up for love.

So when do we start?****

Name: Charles "Charlie" Britton

Nickname: Jester

Age: 16

Gender: Male

Appearance: Charlie stands about 5' 9" and weighs only 120 lbs. His build is incredibly slim and looks as though he has no muscles. His eyes are a stormy blue-gray that either betray all or nothing of what he's thinking. His hair is dark brown, almost black, and cut unevenly down to about his ears. He dresses according to what mood he's in that day. His trademark item is either his hat or gloves (Yes, they're really rainbow).

Personality: Charlie's nickname, Jester, fits him perfectly. Being trapped in a circus doesn't bother him at all, and he finds his work fun and satisfying. He couldn't care less about what others think of him. He has a sense of adventure and a good sense of humor. He acts immature and gets in trouble all the time, though he always manages to get out of it. He's witty, has a sharp tongue, and goes about his business casually, without rush. Most of the adults (with the exception of a few of the clowns and Rusty) love him, as do many of the younger children. Charlie tries to be a good role model, but most of the time he just does whatever he wants and ends up in trouble in the process. If Charlie isn't happy, it's easy to tell (as explained in appearance), though it's rare.

History: Charlie grew up in a house where his parents wished he had never been born. When he was nine, he slipped away and was taken in by the circus. He's lived there ever since and enjoys his life, to an extent.

Role in the Circus: Assistant Lion Trainer and Part-time Contortionist.

Other: Afraid of heights and isn't fond of spiders, but loves clowns. He also has a rarely seen scar on his chest from one of the lions when he was younger. He's not up for love (at least not right now).

Okay, the Discussion Thread has been created! Just to let you guys know!

***ok if you don't mind I'm starting... but if I'm not suppose to tell me and i'll delete it***

Rogue (Robyn)

I waited for the show to be over, every night seemed like hell over here everynight painful. I hated to eat because it just made my stomach get knots and it felt like no matter what I ate the food came back up eventually. I had stitches all over my body, (except my face) because I was the human rag doll, or so Rusty called me. The night was dark and so many lights flashed it hurt my eyes. I ran inside quickly to see my face it in the mirror how long had it been? To have seen myself.... for what I truely am?

Dent sat down on the hard-packed dirt ground, his back pressed against the tight canvas tent, listening to the gasps and laughs and thunderous roars of applause from the audience. He smiled bitterly. At least they were having fun.

How long before the show ended? Three hours? Three minutes? There was no way of knowing. Sighing, Dent stood and started for one of the cages, resting off of its wheels behind the tent. He pressed his face against the bars, whistling huskily. If Rusty found out he was here, he'd be starved for a week.

One of the dark figures in the corner responded to his whistle, standing and shaking off the hay with a soft rustling sound. She padded over to him, pressing her large, feline face against the bars next to him.

Dent pulled his face back to a respectful distance. It didn't matter how well the lioness knew him; if desperate, a starving animal would try to eat him.

He rubbed her ears. "Hey, girl," he whispered. "How are you?"

The animal responded by pushing her head up into his hand, her moist breath warm on his arm.

Dent smiled, running his fingers roughly behind her neck. She purred, a deep, threatnening sound if he didn't know what it was.

Flip-

The clowns were out now, bouncing around in their big shoes. Occasionally one of them would "accidentally" slam another clown in the nose and the crowd would roar with laughter. But it was the same old tricks they always did, and I didn't even get close to twitching a smile like I had when I'd first saw them. I hoped that the show would end soon but didn't count on it. Whenever Rusty got a great crowd like this, he would usually send out more acts then usual.

Lark (Sophie)

I wandered around the tent singing a song I had made up one day. I spotted Dent over by the lions and my heart melted. Go sit by him! the little voice in my head screamed. I cautiously stepped forward towards him, still in my short, sparkly purple dress and eye make-up from dancing at the show.

"Uh, hey Dent," I said , sitting next to him and trying to sound remotely cheery.

"Oh, hey Lark," he said scratching a lioness under her chin.

"LARK! GET CHANGED AND GET IN YOUR RUDDY TENT RIGHT NOW! AND DON'T DAWDLE THIS TIME! THE SHOW IS ENDING IN 20 MINUTES!" Rusty roared at me.

"But Rusty, if it's 20 minutes, why should I wait in that nasty little tent for at least 10 minutes?" I demanded, standing up and glaring at Rusty, hoping he would just let me have mm way.

"Oh, I'm sorry, did I interrupt a touching moment?" he said, feigning sadness and gesturing to Dent and I. "Well, TOO BAD! YOU'LL GET CHANGED AND GET IN THAT TENT RIGHT NOW!!!" he bellowed at me, his face turning purple.

Great, he had to be in a bad mood now! I thought rolling my eyes and going into the small tent I shared with Rogue. In about 5 minutes I had changed into a long black dress and hundreds of necklaces and bracelets and I was now removing the old, sparkly make-up in exchange for black eyes and bright red lips. I sighed as I tied the head rag over my dark, curlyish hair.

All this just to get people to have their fortunes read (even if there was no one more accurate than me)? I shook my head at all of Rusty's over-eccentric ideas and headed out into my fortune reading tent. I looked around for where Dent could be but he was no longer near the lions. None of the others were out either. I shrugged and walked into my tent. I waited and waited. Rusty had lied! The people didn't even start coming out for about half an hour!

Finally, I had a young man a few years older than me walk in and buy a fortune.

"Take a seat and let me begin," I said airily; another one of Rusty's over-the-top ideas.

The man nervously took a seat.

"Give me your hand," I whispered. He reluctantly held it out, shaking a bit.

I took it and as I did, he began to interupt. "Shh, boy; it's coming to me," I whispered and my eyes rolled back into my head as a vision appeared. The man remained silent but shook from head to toe.

It was an image of the man, though slightly older. He was being wed to a rather plain girl that obviously came from a wealthy family. Another vision came of the man cradling a baby and in a new vision, the baby had died of what looked like pneumonia and it's parents were weeping terribly. And the final vision was of the man and woman not long after their baby died. They were in the church yard when I watched as a wagon was moving and about to run over the wife. The man noticed in the nick of time and shoved her out of the way; only to fall to the ground and be run over by the carriage. Then his wife was weeping over his crushed body as he lay there.

"What did you see?" the man asked anxiously.

"Well,..." I explained the whole story to him and when he emerged from the tent, he looked rather green. Some people just don't understand hard times, I shrugged.

"Next!" I yelled.

[Cowboy]

Cowboy walked absentmindedly around the circus grounds, near the horses, away from the sound of the show. He had heard enough after three years at the circus. He checked the horses to make sure they were all tied up then sat down on a tree stump and pulled his hat down over his eyes. He whistled an old tune and watched the people across the field leave the big top. Some of them wandered into Lark’s tent desiring to know their futures, while the nonbelievers left to reminisce about the show.
Cowboy pulled his hat off and pushed his dirty blonde hair out of his blue eyes. He knew Rusty was in a bad mood and would want him to get all of the lighting down in the big top so they could get ready to move on to the next village. A few of the older workers that usually packed up the tents where sick; so he would have to help with that too.
He waited until all of the crowds where gone before jogging to the big top. Rusty was barking orders to the workers and brandishing a whip. The animals where all already in their cages and the children and some of the adult workers where packing up the smaller tents.
Cowboy stood at the mouth of the big top and was about to enter when a horse angry voice came from behind him.
“Where have you been boy?” Rusty lashed his whip at Cowboy, but Cowboy turned and put his arm up and the end of the whip curled around his arm saving his face and back. Where the whip had wrapped around his arm still stung, but he wouldn’t let his face betray him. Anger splashed over Rusty’s face as Cowboy pulled the whip from his arm and entered the tent. He muttered unintelligent words under his breath and made sure no one was looking before rubbing his arm.
Soon everything was packed up and they were ready to move. Rusty decided since the show had run late they would wait until the morning to move. Rusty retreated into his carriage and the performers into theirs. The children where left to sleep outside on the ground.
Cowboy started a fire and all of the kids huddled around it. Cowboy sat a few yards away from the children and watched over them until they all fell asleep. Then he laid back on the damp ground and pulled his hat over his face to block out the moonlight. In a matter of minutes a dream of his past was flooding his mind.
“Jacob, we can’t just leave Christian alone!” Cowboy’s mother yelled as his father threw their belongings into a few old suitcases.
“We’re not leaving him alone.” He said answering the knock on the door, “Besides, he’s eight; he can more than take care of himself.” Colorfully dressed women walked into their small crumbling house. The women took him by the hand and his mother began to cry and scream. The women lead him out of the house and the last image he had of his parents was his mother sobbing into his father’s chest while his father took a wad of money from the gypsies and putting it in his pockets.
“Come Christian, I am your mother now.” Said a the dark haired gypsy on his left and she picked him up knocking his hat off his head so it fell around his neck and carrying him to a wagon where other women and men and children sat in the back amongst the hay.