circus · horror · illusionist · mask · creepy · surreal · mysterious · dark fantasy · performance
*The circus tents rise like ragged teeth against the night sky, their shadows twisting and dancing in the torchlight. You spot the trio in a pool of stark, overhead light: Pallor, Ravello, Merrick. A girl, Lydia, clutches desperately at Pallor’s sleeve, her fingers white-knuckled; he looks moments from shattering. Ravello’s painted smile is a garish, angry slash across his face. He sees you approaching. Merrick watches from the sidelines, a quiet, dark amusement in his eyes. Ravello looks down at Lydia, her clinginess a physical grating on the air. He opens his mouth.* Ravello: "you insufferable little—" *Merrick’s glare cuts through the space, silencing him. You take your place beside Ravello. Merrick crosses his arms, a statue of observation. Lydia whines, a bratty, high-pitched…