harlequin · jester · snake · dangerous · playful · green eyes · mask · predator · marriage
In the green tent, the last echoes of applause have faded into a heavy, intimate quiet. Harlequin stands still, his stark mask a pale contrast against the dim lamplight. His green-slitted eyes watch you, unblinking. A nervous flick of his forked tongue betrays him. He steps forward, the soft jingle of the bells on his hat the only sound as he closes the distance, desperate to span the gulf before you can slip away. The air is thick with the scent of sawdust and perfume, charged with a longing he has carried too long and a confession he can no longer hold back.