Spirits of the Earth

Like a grey serpent on wheels, Lord Martin's Circus Show of Freaks rolled it's way through the bumpy, mud trodden roads as rain pelted the caravan from the sky.  Though most of the wagons housed a variety of vibrant colored tents, the sight was a dreary one, though unique as they come.  When there wasn't a wagon full of women or men in costumes that were littered in colors, a fleet of iron barred trains took up the rear, carrying animals, exotic and trained, at the tail end of their show.

THey had finished a show a few weeks back and were headed for Ketra, then another show to the North, a month later, in Arca.  Lord Martin knew there was a lot of promise of money in his travel investments, and figured he might stop at some smaller towns along the way to get some extra cash.
Money was good, and the show was becoming famous- after all, it wasn't everyday one could claim to have a tamed 'demon' in his show.

And that's what he was, though the boy trapped inside the last iron cage stared listlessly out into the world, uncaring his hair was becoming soaked in rain as he pressed his forehead against the bar, his cage lurching as the caravan continued down the road.

Rain had been pelting Ravin's face for so long the waters began to run down his neck and made the skin beneath his metal collar itch.  He lifted a hand to itch it when the entire caravan came toa  sudden halt.

Further up ahead, he heard men yelling.  A wagon wheel had gotten stuck int he mud further up the chain. He stared idly in that direction for a time before glancing back towards the canopy of trees behind him.  That was one nice thing about being left alone in the rear of the train.  He got to travel in mostly silence, and could look at the terrain change around him as he was pulled along towards his next destination.

His cat had been nestled at his side, sleeping soundly, but the moment the commotion began, the cat awoke. Ravin, now distracted from the forests, looked down towards the creature and stroked lightly it's head. The cat nuzzled its soft face affectionately against his hand, but when he heard more noises, he hissed towards the sounds of other men, then took off.
Blinking, Ravin turned to listen to the men's curses echoing through the forests before turning his attention once again to the muddy roads behind him, staring for a long while at the ripples dancing across a puddle of mud.

The rain was miserable as it came down in sheets upon everything without regard to any and all attempts made for cover. That was exactly what Ariel was trying to do from her hunkered down place beneath the leafy fronds of a shrub as water pelted down her back and ran down her face, blinding her vision and deafening her hearing.

Her icy gaze stared straight ahead, observing the jarring passage of the caravan right up to the moment the wheel sank and it all came to sudden stop. Men scuttled about cursing and hopping about as they worked to free the wagon from the sticky mud.

Driven by curiosity and hunger, the huntress began to crawl out from her makeshift refuge, first slowly and then faster and faster as she got closer. Her progress was slower than she had hoped as the mud made her sink up to nearly her elbows but she scuttled along until she was pressed tight up against the wheels of the farthest car in the line.

She knew nothing of the demon boy chained within, all she wanted was to find food to steal and then she would be on her way again. Still listening for the men further down, Ariel reached up for the bars of the cage, hoping to climb on top of it and travel further up the line where no one would search for her. She froze though as she came eye to eye with the figure locked inside. Afraid that she had been caught, she kept still, muscles tensed to flee should this runt sound the alarm against her.

He saw the woman approach and had little interest, his eyes staring well past her and to the rain.  He was numb to most of the exterior world, though when she was suddenly climbing onto his cage, he blinked his green eyes and looked up.

His eyes were cold and smoldering with a distant taste of something feral, as he captured her beneath his gaze.
It wasn't until a familiar 'mrowl' came that Ravin blinked and looked down to witness the soft back of his black cat snuggling affectionately against Ariel's boot as it purred.  It mrowled again, it's tail shaking like a maraca as it stared up at her with happy, closed cat eyes.  BUt still, Ravin didn't move from where he sat within his cave, forehead still propped and blonde hair, sagging across his forehead and plastered limply there from the falling rain.  The only change had been that his eyes softened a little as he admired the cat in silence while the rain misted across his face.

It surprised her just how much the caged creature's eyes burned into her as he looked out at her in the rain. She stood there quietly, her own face set into a stoic mask as she attempted to stare him down while icy droplets raced down the collar of her shirt and froze her skin.

Their gaze was broken though as a ball of warm, wet fur rubbed itself forcefully against her legs. Looking down in surprise, her eyes widened before narrowing at the mewling beast at her feet.

"Hush you," she hissed down quietly, albeit nervously. The last thing Ariel needed right now was for the guards to come barreling down her before she had achieved what she came for. The huntress tried nudging the cat away with the toe of her boot but found it undeterred.

Sighing in exasperation she flashed her gaze back up to the green-eyed boy with in the cold cage. "Hold your tongue, and I'll leave you alone," her voice growled out as thunder boomed its call above their heads. Her hands clenched tightly onto the bars of the cage as she attempted to hoist herself up and above the beast within its confines.

Ravin merely stared at the girl with a blink. Her words hardly phased him as he looked from her then back down towards the cat who let out another mrowl. He leaned forward with just enough of a stretch to allow the cat to find his fingers as it pushed it's head up into a gentle snug.
"Mrowl!" then the cat moved away, working at licking it's paw then drawing the paw across it's soft cheek and ear when it passed by the food dish, which had been left, untouched with moldy breads and raw meats rotting against the rain.


More men hollered, their calls echoing across the trail.  It seemed the caravan would have to wait a bit for the men to gather and lift the cart out of the mud, then fix the broken wheel.
But it was of little consequence to the young man in the cage.
Day in and day out, Ravin was forced to participate in their exotic and corrupt show- body tearing, turning, twisting, burning into the wild demon from within.
And it always was received with wild shock and awe, and loud applause from the crowd.....

But for now....

For now he remained stoic and calm, green eyes returning to the rain before slowly, ever so slowly, they returned to the young woman climbing up his cage.

Then there came a start, the animal in the cage behind his gave a terrible cry as the Jaguar took notice of Ariel and it's fur bristled and it barred it's fangs and lunged towards her- foamed spit spitting out of it's mouth. It's cage kept the beast back, though still it tried, pressing it's body against the bars furiously as an arm extended through, claws kissing across the air and teeth biting-

It was more than just agitated, it was hungry, too.


The black cat's body arched, hissing as it batted a paw towards the wild jaguar. At the cat's sudden defensive spirit, Ravin's face lit up as he turned, green eyes piercing towards the beast in it's cage as it continued to claw and bite and tear towards the woman- but to no avail.
Like himself, they were both wild beasts trapped within a cage.

Slowly rising, Ravin approached the side of his cage where the Jaguar was making a fuss, and the animal continued to growl and mrowl and cry- which began to attract the attention of a man nearby-
Ravin simply stared the beast down, eyes cold and savage as his fists held onto the bars that ran parallel to the other's- and as the beast continued to claw, once it's eyes contacted with Ravin, it let out a raw, swiped at him before the small black cat lept towards it with a mighty hiss-

That's when the whip came, cracking between the two and broke up the fight.
The jaguar roared and reared back into it's caging, pressing it's body against the floor as it bared it's teeth with a growled hiss.  Ravin, however, didn't back down, merely stared down at the beast as the whip cracked between their cages again and slowly, his eyes turned towards the man's.


"Ravin, you beast. Stop teasing the Jaguar. We need her calm for when we make it to the next town. It'll do us no good if she's agitated." The man angrily smacked Ravin's cage then rattled his whip against the Jaguar's before 'tching' and moving onward.

"Stupid beasts."


And for now, it seemed Ariel had gone unnoticed, as Ravin's eyes watched as the animal tamer disappeared.


OOC: Let me know if this works XD if you want me to edit it, ~ I can :D
the post just kept going. and going >>

Also hopefully there aren't TOO many typos 8D

No matter how much she wanted to be more, Ariel was just a human with weak human eyes, unable to see far in the darkness and pelting rain. As such, the young huntress never saw the great feline until it was howling and throwing itself at the cage bars that divided the two of them.

Frozen in fear and surprise, she stared on wide-eyed, back pressed tight against the boy's cage as spittle landed on her face from the beast. The following, resounding crack of the whip had her eyes slamming shut and her whole body tensed as if expecting a blow that blessedly did not fall upon her.

The squelching sounds of retreating footsteps had her slowly peeking an icy eye open to look around. A whistling breath released from her burning lungs. She had not even realized she had been holding her breath that whole nerve-wracking time.

Tentatively, Ariel peeled herself away from the cold iron bars enough to glance over her shoulder towards the caged boy within its unforgiving confines. A quiet bow of her head would be the only thanks he would get from her. She was too ashamed to look long though. Her stupidity and overconfidence had nearly gotten her caught, possibly even killed.

Fool! the big cat's howls had seemed to cry to her, accusing her with every movement and judgmental look. Little girl playing warrior! Tiny little bird, come closer and let me eat you. Perfect little meal for me!

Gritting her teeth, she reached up once more, albeit much more carefully, feeling the bars of the adjacent cage slide against her soaking palms. She knew she must be quick about it or else become the very dinner she feared being but even then there was only so far she could push her body before it met its limits.

In as quick a movement as she could manage, Ariel leaped forward and tried to heave herself atop the cat's cage and away from the boy's. A heart-stopping bang rang out through the air as the beast once more pounced out to meet her. A crazed and starved beast with its eyes on the prize, it yowled and snapped at her, a paw with razorsharp claws shooting out to swipe at her sides.

She could hear the man returning, yelling at the beast to be still but it would not heed the call. Not even the whip's biting tongue would stop it from claiming a fresh meal, so hungry was it. With a victorious snarl its great furry arm cam around, trapping Ariel against the bars of the cage as the claws sank into her back and tore.

It took all her strength to yank herself along the cage bars, tearing her back open further as she pulled against the fierce grip and scuttled to the chain that linked the cat's cage to that of the next car in the line. She had nearly made it too when the man at last returned, banging on the cage and cursing for all he was worth at the enraged beast.

Perhaps she could have even escaped unnoticed if she had only been able to maintain her grip. But the fates were not with her. They far more preferred teaching the little human who fancied herself of the wild, a lesson, a lesson in humility. It was for this reason that that weariness suddenly overtook her as she bled out. Her limbs felt heavy and her grip loosened from its death hold on the slick bars until with a loud squelching thud she dropped away, sending a knee-high puddle of muck in every which direction.

Unable to breathe from knocking the wind out of her, she prayed they would not find her there. Yet, even as she wished, she knew it would not come true. Weakly Ariel continued to blearily stare up at the dark sky as crystalline angel tears rained down on her from above.

When Ariel bowed to him, Ravin blinked, and said nothing, silently watching her as she approached the animal's cage foolishly again. And when the animal went to attack, he gripped his hands so tightly against that bar his knuckles went white. He might have called out to her, but by the time everything had happened, the woman was in the mud again, the man with the whip returning, his bright red attire easily visible in the night, the gold embroidery and buttons that trained down the front shining off the silver light of the moon.

"What's this?"t he man sneered, his dark brown eyes going to her's as he snatched Ariel by the wrist. "Was it you who's tormenting our animals?" He said, dragging her to her feet and studying her darkly against the moon light. He lightly shook her, then forced her to turn towards Ravin, a hard hand gripped at the base of her neck.
"See this beast here?"

Ravin stared back calmly at the pair, almost unphased when he was brought to attention, and stared down at the girl, and only at the girl.

"He's more dangerous than that damn jaguar who clawed you up good, girl." the man lectured, shaking her lightly before Ravin's cage.  He sneered at the blood and wounds against her back with a shake of his head.
"If you were to upset this beast," the man continued, gesturing to the blonde haired boy within his cage. "He'd eat your innards while you're still alive, that he would. The master's got a nice lock on him though. See his collar? It keeps this beast in line." He kicked Ravin's cage as if to make his point and barked out  a luahg at him, raising his nose in a sneer.
"So you're lucky this time, girlie. But we don't take kindly to trespassers, especially those who might sour the next show. Come on, you're coming with me. Lord Martin will want you reported right away!"

If she had been able to breathe from the start, the huntress would have hissed at him. As it was her idea of an impressive display was completely ruined by her gasping fish out of water look. It was definitely without any doubt the lease threatening thing anyone could be doing in Ariel's position. Even playing dead was better than this because that took skill to maintain.

The man's voice was an irritating buzz within her ears that she was unable to focus on until she was able to catch her first real gulps of fresh, humid air. Her ears just barely registering selective snippets that suggested she would be wary of the caged boy.

'What fool am I old man? He had a chance to do something and didn't. He's odd; but he's not wild. Not like me,' her mind gloated even as the handler began dragging her off again.

Ariel went moaned pitifully and went limp in his grip, feeling mud reach out to encase her arm and legs as she sank into it. Playing dead sounded like a good plan for now. Just a few more moments and she could free herself. Humans were so predictable anyway.

Sure enough the man paused in his stride, unwilling to drag the limp body. He gave her arm a hard shake before grudgingly leaning down to examine her closely. As soon as he was within range, Ariel lashed out. She threw her free arm up to punch upwards between his legs, reveling in his girlish whine for a second. Then, striking with the speed of a snake, she sank her teeth into his hand, effectively releasing his grip on her.

The mud made plopping and sucking sounds as the little huntress struggled to pull herself out of its grip. By then more men had come at the sound of the first shout and were already closing in on her. With a step to the right, Ariel tried to break for the line of cars, intent on slipping in between them.

One, two, three bounding steps and all she had left to do was leap over the axle and she was home free. It was therefore a pity that in the pouring rain she never saw the sinkhole until she was knee-deep in it, ruining the jump and thereby propelling herself face first into the grimy muck.

His laughter echoed coarsely across the valley, piercing through the rain with its cruel joviality. This man was not the original animal tamer who had been designated to bring up the rear of the caravan. No, this man was much taller, wider, stalkier and with a shiny bald head, no eyebrows and long, dark black mustache.  His face was red and he wore a stained white shirt as he moved forward, two lankier men at his side.

"So is this what all of the commotion is about?" the man barked out a laugh, grabbing Ariel roughly by her wrists and yanking her entire body out of the mud, so that her feet weren't even touching the ground, though it was just inches below her. The man was still chuckling, his laughter hot and reeking of whisky.

"The little bitch bit me," the man from earlier hissed through his teeth, gripping onto his hand as he stood cautiously behind Ariel with a narrowed frown. "We ought to cage her and whip her like the animals. She certainly is acting like one."

"So where did you find this little thing?" the bald man inquired, giving Ariel a light shake while still holding her over the mud.

"She was back here. Messing with Ravin and Lanssa."

The bald man laughed. "Should have fed her to Lanssa."

"I should have fed her to Ravin."

The bald man dropped the girl into the mud and looked over at the animal trainer as if he were stupid, or crazy.  "What? And have to deal with her corpse?" He looked back down at Ariel, eyeing her suspiciously. "So she's a thief?" He clutched onto her clothes and dragged her forward, so their faces were inches apart. Then he laughed, his soured whisky breath rolling over her face. "No, I don't think dropping her in a cage with Ravin or Lanssa would do. I think Lord Martin might like to handle this one. She's young and might be pretty undre all of that mud. but it's hard to tell." he laughed again, more hot, nasty breath rushing over her before he moved away.  He was towering over her quite easily, nearly seven feet, or even taller as he glanced over at the trainer.

"You got any rope, Jiff? Or animal shackles or something? This one seems kind of wild!" he laughed, staring down at her eyes and the muck all over her. "No wonder you were thinkin' about caging her."

"Well, I did tell you she bit me," Jiff added with a sniff, glaring down at the girl, then turning, he moved towards Ravin's cage, throwing open the metal compartment at one side and began rummaging through it.  Ravin merely observed in silence, his eyes not bothering to register the man making noise against his cage. He was still staring at the mud-soaked girl.  It was only after the jingling metal of a chain was drawn that Ravin's eyes flashed to it-

To the metal collar, the chains-

Ravin's mind flashed back, a brief hot memory stirring as his eyes narrowed, his body bristled, then his black cat suddenly shot out from beneath the cart and leapt at the trainer's arms- tearing into it with wild ferocity.
Jiff swore up a storm, tossing the cat aside into the mud, where it landed and turned with a hiss, then fled. Nursing onto his arm, whcih was now gathering red hot wounds, he grabbed up the chain from the mud, slammed the compartment shut and paused to observe Ravin.

The boy had moved, now standing beside the cage bars and peering directly at him. And it felt as if he was seeing right into him and it sent a chill to Jiff's bones. Taking a few cautious steps backwards, he swallowed the knot in his throat.  Ravin's eyes were cold like the rain, and as piercing as lightning. The boy always unnerved him. He looked normal, practically was when not in the show, except for his peculiar personality.
Jiff's brow twitched nervously before he turned away, scrambling across the mud before giving the bald man the chain.

"Here, Al. This collar and chain ought to do. We can leash her like an animal and drag her to Lord Martin." he tosse dhis hair away from his face. "Martin can deal with her. I'm sick of all of these humans that seem to have rabies." He looked back down at his arm and frowned. He'd have to be sure to clean those out good. For all he knew, the girl or cat might have rabies... though if they did, hed be pissin' mad. He'd gone this long without getting the madness. He'd be damned if some girl would do him in with just a single bite.

Ariel shuddered at the cruel sound that passed the man's think lips, wishing she could curl in tight upon herself like a small animal avoiding the predator's notice. The idea of being caged though evoked her anger though and in no time at all she was squirming in the man's grip, trying to kick out at him as best as she could. She wore out quickly as the jarring shake given to her made her shoulders scream in protest to the harsh treatment.

The wild child was therefore stunned to be released so suddenly and painfully to the unforgiving ground. She had but a moment to attempt to spring to her feet and away before she was once more rudely dragged in close. Ariel snarled, baring her teeth at the face that drew so sourly close to her own. She hated this human who dared treat her like a child. She was of the wild; she demanded that respect that came from being such a huntress not the laughter he spat at her.

She continued her fierce glaring from her incapacitated position, imagining all the ways she would torture these fools the moment she was free to run. Her piercing eyes watched with delight the scene that took place between feline and man as if she was the one to cause it instead of the strange boy within his own cage. 'Twice bitten, twice the fool,' Ariel thought while a rather predatory smirk lit up her face and eyes.

It faltered though the moment the chains came within sight. Like a deer entranced by the hunter's eyes, she froze stiffly before fighting wildly to be free. She bit and clawed, kicked and howled to not be chained. Her breath came in sharp heavy puffs even as they quickly overpowered her. Someone sent a sharp kick to her jaw while another whether knowingly or not dug painfully into her injured back.

With a condemning click the cold metal collar locked around her neck and Ariel stilled. A despairing wail burst forth from her lips as they half-dragged half-marched off to meet with this "Lord Martin" to find out what should be done with her, not that Ariel knew what that could entail.

THe man was large, round and red. With a pencil thin mustache and goatee, a fat face, a chin nearly sunken into his drooping jowls and a hooked nose against a squat demeanor. Lord Martin was a sight to be hold. Though desite seeming stalky, he was somewhat tall, wearing a red breasted jacket with copper buttons lining the front and a pair of loose, khaki colored slacks tucked into a pair of black oiled boots. His hair was slicked back, and a stiff hat, setting upon a rather filthy desk that lay, resting upon uneven legs, in one corner of a short caravan car.
The first set of buttons were undone, sweat glossed the man's skin, making him have a piggish pigment about him as he dabbed at his forehead when the men came dragging Ariel in.

"So this is the girl that caused all of the fuss?" He sneered, sticking his nose up as his tiny brown eyes examined her. He set his jaw and waved a hand about it. "Next you'll be telling me she was the one responsible for the whole caravan to halt."

"Well, she was in the back with Ravin-"
But as the man tried to explain, Lord Martin held up a hand. His fingers were fat, each one like a sausage, with trimmed, squat and square fingernails.

"No need to give me the details." He sighed, shaking his head at the man's impotence then turned after taking a seat, the circular chair squeaking as he turned to examine her. His brows dipped sharply as he took her in.
"BY the Gods, this girl is positively filthy." he gestured for the man to turn Ariel around so he could examine all sides of her. "Get her cleaned up so I can a better look at her. She smells even worse than Ravin when he's gone beast." he wrinkled his nose, displeased. "So you say you found her snooping about, eh?" he worked at removing his white gloves from his hands and sighed. "Looks like some forest creature rather than a girl. Do you have any parents child?" the man asked, though his voice was demanding, it also constantly sounded as if he were mocking everyone- mocking life, for his voice was rich with the air of snobbery. But it made sense, Lord Martin always saw himself as the king of his domain, and well.. the others simply followed suit.

"Come on girl. Speak up," he urged, growing impatient as he leaned forward at the edge of his chair. It squeaked and groaned beneath his weight.

She squirmed and struggled to break free even as they turned her this way and that for the man's appraisal of her. Ariel hated it, it made her feel like those times when she still lived among the filthy creatures. Humans were all the same. They were worse than vultures in the way they scavenged and fed off each other. It was always about what you could get from the person in front of you, how weak they were, whether it was enough to bend them to your will or too much to be of any use to you. Frankly, as the traditionally weaker individual, Ariel could not say which she found to be worse, a slave to another's wishes or completely useless.

The pig was talking to her and it disgusted her. The young huntress' lip curled in unfeigned disgust as cold eyes pierced straight at him like shards of ice. Being called a forest creature probably had the opposite affect of what the man had intended for it brought a pleased smirk to her angry features. If a forest creature is what he thought of her now, he had not seen anything yet.

At first she did not respond. She was not easily goaded into talking. His attitude towards her was the same as any other human's and she was hardly impressed or cowed. Instead she bared her teeth and growled, lunging forward towards him. It took one yank of the chain upon her collar to choke her and send her down on her rear, gasping for stolen air.

Even from her place of submission, her hands curled into small fists and she sneered at the man. Ariel spat on the floor in defiance. "Let me go and I will not kill you," she hissed in gravelly tones from a voice not used to speaking.

"Well," he said, leaning back within his chair. "So she's got some spunk in her." He gave a laugh, which carried easily with the drawl of his voice. Shaking his head, he leaned to one side, keeping his legs crossed, an ankle resting just across his lap as he eyed her over. "So you've caught a girl with a fiery spirit." He rubbed his chin some more in thought. "I take it, by your horrid manners, you have no family." He cocked his head the other way, his lips going impish as his eyes sparkled darkly.

"Well, I suppose this is your lucky day. I don't normally take kindly to trespassers, or those harassing my animals, but I think I might have some use for you as part of my show." He eyed her up again, his smile growing until it reached his eyes as he struck a match and lit up a pipe. The glow lit up his features, the smoke curdling around his face.

"What do you know about show business? Do you know how to entertain, girl? Or are you just going to stare at me like one of my animals? Hrm? Well speak up now. My patience tends to wear out when the tobacco loses it's flavor inside my pipe." He laughed at that, smoke puffing out between his cheeks.

"Yes, I do think I could have some use for this wild woman. Ravin has been rather lonely lately.." He laughed again, smoke coming out from his nostrils. "It might be interesting to enter a female into his portion of the show." He leaned his head back, inhaling a long drag from his pipe again before pursing his lips towards the ceiling and exhaling.  He tapped the end of it in thought.

"Girl, let me ask you but one thing. You seem to be the brave type. But how would you act if your life was in danger, and you had to be forced to confront a beast in front of a large crowd? Would you just simper away and cry like most girls, or would you stand up and face your fate?"
He pressed the end of the pipe back to his lips, biting at the end as he studied her. Yes..
quite the curious little thing, wasn't she?

"If I had to guess, I'd think a wild little girl such as yourself might be pleased to be part of such an act. Or, at least, perhaps you'd find yourself within your own element?" He wrinkled his nose at how dirty she was, the way her hair hung, the feathers, the mud... "You see, I need a girl that won't cry, but will be able to stand there and face a beast so hideous, so repulsive while the crowd will awe and cheer. I've tried this act before, you see.." and here he laughed, more puffs of smoke coming out between his teeth.

"And it's been hrmm.. let's just say not so successful. I suppose I didn't know what to expect, and the poor girl was torn limb from limb. But you go, you've got a pair of legs standing up to me right now.  Normally only men have balls." He laughed. "Or you're just a fool. Either way, I could use someone that, let's just say, if the plan goes awry, your family won't cry after your bones and if it works out, well, we could have you featured as part of one of our show stopping acts. Naturally, we'll pay you in meals if you do well enough, but in the same breath, we'll treat you the same as the animals you'll be paired off with. Ravin didn't scare you, right?" he chuckled again. "Oh, but of course he didn't. He just looks like a normal boy now doesn't he?" he laughed again, sucking in more smoke from his pipe before tapping it casually aside, some of the ash falling towards Ariel's feet as he took her in. Perhaps, beneath that dirt... there could be something pretty, if not a little stringy. Wild and innocent... it could prove to be an interesting combination indeed.

"Doesn't he.." he repeated, drawing the pipe once again to his lips.

How this man infuriated her. Still she sat in silence, cold eyes piercing ahead as if to kill him with a look alone. Family? As if she needed something so decidedly human in her life. The wild no family. The young grow up and they leave. She had done the same. How could the pig not see that?

Ariel sneezed and shook her head in discomfort as the foul choking smell of tobacco permeated the air. "You're the trespasser here," she growled back lowly "You humans find sport in caging that which would kill you. You expect me to be grateful? I am not some dog to command to roll over and play dead. I don't have to obey you, nor will I! I'm not afraid of you and your little pets. But you are. You're afraid of us. You're afraid of that which tells us to kill kill kill. Just you wait, those cages will open one day and your precious little toys will turn on you. One day you'll be eaten alive and they'll be free again. But me, I'll be long gone by then. But, you'll remember this. You'll remember how one of the wild foretold your end."

She smirked cruelly up at the man, so sure of herself and what she had said. She would escape and then she would set him up to die. All his talk of putting her with the boy meant nothing to her. It made no sense in her mind and Ariel was so sure that she would be gone before then anyway. She would not have to deal with any of this very soon, just as soon as she got them to take the collar off she would disappear in a flash. It was the way of the wild; it was her way.

Instead of listening to the continued babbling of the human pig, the huntress turned her gaze to searching about the room. Anything could be used as a weapon or distraction. She just needed to find the right thing for the given situation. His words though were distracting her, making her want to roll her eyes in aggravation. She tried to shift into a crouched position but the overwhelming pain radiating from her back nearly caused her to screech in shock. A mild whimper escaped though despite her best attempts to stop it. Ariel had nearly forgotten the wildcat's attack of her person in the chaos of trying to run and the following adrenaline rush of being caught.

Defiantly she strained against the collar, putting all of her weight forward against it as she growled harshly. "Let. Me. Go. Now. I would rather die then serve you!"

Lord Martin was horribly amused by this, as his teeth gripped to the end of his pipe, and his mouth curled into a wicked grin. Smoke raised around his face, as if coming up from the depths of hell, and as he drew in another breath, more smoke puffed out through his nostrils.

"What a wild little girl," he said, giving a pensive click of his tongue. But he'd heard enough of her. Her jibe about being wild, and all of that, meant nothing to him. "Child, you have no idea the rules of the world. Perhaps we'll be able to educate you on your visit here?" His smile grew a bit wider and he gestured towards his men.

"Strip her of her clothes and wash her down. Then toss her in with Ravin." His smirk remained cruel. "If she dies, then at least he'll have been fed. But see that that stench is cleaned off of her. And never mind the claw marks. She'll suffice without ointment," he removed the pipe from his lips and leaned forward. "Only the good animals get that."

Then in a fluid motion, the men waiting outside were upon her, dragging Owlet away, to the bathing room, which merely consisted of a few buckets of waters, a mop (to scrub her down, ironically, the elephant's mop..) and soap. A few of the ladies had been called in, the Siamese twins and a few others, all of them gazing and whispering things about the wild child, their eyes never once leaving her. Then before Ariel would know it, her clothing was attempted to be pried off, men holding her down. She would get bathed one way or another- it just depended on her how long this process would take.


OOC: Feel free to control this scenario and at the end, if you want to dump her in with Ravin you can XD

She fought fiercely against her bonds but it was no use. The men together were stronger than her weaker, smaller person. Ariel had never been a successful fighter without subterfuge. She was incapable of forcing her way out of a situation such as this, especially while bound and closely watched.

Her eyes had widened in shock though as she first caught sight of some of the other circus performers. They were something she had never seen before and her shock allowed the others to rip her clothes off quickly and without ceremony. It was only when she was in naught but her own skin that Ariel came back to herself and noticed her situation.

With a great howl she raged against her restraints, kicking, clawing, and biting anyone and anything that came close enough for her to lay tooth or nail upon. But, it was no use. She could growl and fight all she wanted, but her caked on layers of mud were soon washed away and with it her courage.

By the time they were finished with her, Ariel was limp with exhaustion and defeat. It took no effort whatsoever for the men when they returned to hoist her over a shoulder and carry her off to Ravin's cage like a sack of potatoes. She lay there soggily, swaying back and forth with the man's strides, despondent and discouraged.

It was not until she was bodily thrown into the other beast's cage and the door slammed behind her that she actually began to show signs of life again. The young woman was immediately crouched and facing her new cellmate, teeth bared and shoulders hunched in anticipation of a possible attack. She had no idea what to expect from this supposedly dangerous boy, but she certainly was not about to take any chances.

Ravin had remained silent within his cage, even long after the troupe members had dumped a new cellmate in there with him. Though he was curious, he did not stir, green eyes simply staring back from beneath a curtain of his golden hair.
Though it wasn't Ravin that approached, but a small black cat that jumped through the bars. And at the sight of the cat, his eyes went from hers down to the feline who now approached Owlet's side without fear and began to brush it's soft body against her leg.

Ariel's eyes bugged out in surprise to have the cat brushing up against her and the boy doing nothing about it. For several moments she kept looking back and forth between the two as to make sure it was not some ploy to lure her into feeling relaxed only to be attacked and injured for letting her guard down.

Then, once she realized that nothing was happening other than the soft feline repeatedly brushing against her, the young girl hesitantly reached a hand down. Immediately the cat was headbutting the hand and brushing its jaw against along her fingers.

In no time at all Ariel was relaxing enough to pet the black cat of her own volition. A gentle smile formed on her lips and for a while she was able to forget about her predicament and even the boy whose cell she was unfortunately sharing.

He observed the pair from his side of the cell, his face half hidden behind a mask of shadow cast down from the cell bars. After a time, the cat's purrs were carried to his own ears and the feline moved from Owlet's side and moved over to nuzzle against Ravin's legs, which remained stiff and unresponsive in that moment. But then slowly, ever so slowly, he lifted a hand and began to pet the cat.
It mrowled happily, repeating the same, head butting snuggle with Ravin's hand as it had with Owlet's, before it moved away, shaking it's tail happily, then strolled back over to Owelt and nuzzled it's head against her foot before collapsing onto it's back side and curling it's body to and fro, exposing it's soft warm underbelly for Owlet to pet.
Ravin remained silent, only watching.

"Hey," she called after the cat as it left her. "Come ba-oh." Feeling self-conscious for forgetting the boy was still there with her, Ariel curled up more in her corner to watch him through her fringe. He certainly did not seem like he was trouble, a bit awkward perhaps but certainly not so dangerous.

'Stupid fool, trying to scare me when he's nothing but a little boy. Like the wild fears human boys. I don't have no wings to rip off. He can't hurt me,' she resolved with a slight shake of her head.

The cat returned to her, mewling and rubbing as if it had never left. "Well you just love on anybody, don't you? Makes no difference to you? Silly kitty," she murmured, trailing her fingers through the fur of its warm belly. "What are you doing hanging out with these nasty humans, huh? You should be in the wild. Safer that way."

Ariel rubbed the soft velvety ears, still watching the boy form the corner of her eye. "You like that huh? Soft little ears getting a good rubbin'?"

The cat adored it, nuzzling against her without reprieve, before crawling into her lap and curling up. It's tail thumped lightly a few times, the curled end of it shaking as it seemed to smile up at her.  Ravin watched quietly, it's eyes solely upon the cat. He didn't move, infact, it didn't appear as if he even blinked until he actually spoke.

"I call her Night," he said, still looking at the black cat as it purred, perking up it's ears at the sound of it's name. It appeared to be in heaven in Owlet's lap.

Ariel scooped up the cat closer to her body once it had made itself a part of her lap and nuzzled her face into its fur. "So beautiful and soft," she murmured happily until the other boy spoke. "Night, huh? You let him call you that? Big hunter like you called Night and you're alright with that? Silly furball."

At last she allowed her eyes to lift fully and meet the other's gaze. "And you? You speak but you got a name?"

For the longest while, his green eyes remained upon the girl, but the primary focus was on the cat who was purring even louder now at being held. Though once the cat spotted some of the feather's in Owlet's hair, it's paw shot out and attempted to catch it.

Ravin blinked and lifted his gaze to her.
"Ravin."

Still holding his gaze, she allowed her head to dip some in greeting. "Ravin," Ariel repeated thinking on the name. "Ravin and Owlet, two birdies caught in a cage with a kitty named Night to keep them in place."

She snuggled the cat close to her heart, continuing to pet it happily. "Is Ravin afraid of Owlet?"

OOC: Btw, I <3 your avatar
the owl with the glasses- TOO CUTE
------------

He remained quiet as she spoke, his gaze never leaving hers, except when it dropped to the cat as she held Night close. The cat seemed happy. He had.. never held the cat in such a manner. He had held it, yes, but it was always more rigid.. stiff... and it fascinated him to watch the girl. And his cat gave a mrowl happily, it's face nuzzling against her fingers.

At her question, however, he kept his eyes on the cat as he spoke. "Not afraid.." he said, raising his eyes to hers. "Cautious."

Ariel snorted. "Should be. Owlet's not afraid of you neither. Not 'fraid of nothing. Ravin better 'member that."

Her features lost some of their mirth though as she took in her surroundings, especially the thick metal bars keeping them both locked in together. She stared upwards to the top of the cage and into the stars far above it. There was a longing in her to return to the wild where she could see those stars with no roof to confine her. But, there was no use. She was just too little and too weak.

Almost accusatory, she glared at Ravin. "Why you let them keep you like this? Can't you fight 'em?"

Ravin studied her as she looked around, taking in the way the moonlight illuminated her form, and how the shadows from the bars marred across the perfection. But the moon light was always comforting, and he was used to these sorts of shadows. The cell had become his home. So at her question, he simply cocked his head, staring at her, the moon light catching to the collar bound tightly to his neck.
But he said nothing, for there was nothing to be said as the stir of crickets and the purr of the black cat stirred around them, and a night bird hooted softly into the night.

She rolled her eyes and shook her head at his silence. "Fool, idiot," she mumbled under her breath. "Night why you stay with him, hm? He give you good scratchings," Ariel teased, rubbing under its chin and behind its ears.

"How could you not want to see the stars all free-like? Don't you wanna be free like Night?" Aforementioned cat was lifted briefly out of her lap to be held out towards Ravin before being once more firmly tucked into her lap. "Isn't that better than staying with the fat man?"

Ravin watched her, his eyes stoic, unyielding to any sort of glittering in response, except where the moonlight cast upon them. Some of his blonde hair was masking over his eyes, but he could still clearly see her. And still clearly see Night.

For a while, it seemed he would remain silent.
But then he spoke.
"I am his pet. An animal," he stated simply. "They do not let their animals run free."

Ariel absentmindedly continued petting Night as she waited for an answer that seemed to not be coming. She had nearly forgotten that she had asked him anything to begin with until he startled her by responding. His response though only served to anger her.

"Fool boy. You let them domesticate you. You refuse to fight," she bemoaned shaking her head. "What about Night then? He goes free. If he can, so can you." To herself she quietly added, "so can I."

Ravin blinked, then narrowed his green eyes upon her as he leaned forward so his chest touched his knees from where he was sitting on the floor of his cage.

"Night is not an animal," he stated simply, as if that was known fact, and as if that would suffice in answering all the question she posed. He felt a sudden rise int he temperature of his blood, his body tensing, but only moved to scratch at the metal collar around his neck, itching at the back where it rubbed at his blonde hair.

She blinked over at him owlishly. She just could not believe he had just said that. One blond brow raised in surprise while she gave him an exaggerated, "okay then," in reply. The movement towards his collar though definitely drew her attention.

Ariel placed Night down on the floor of the cage and slowly inched closer to sit directly in front of Ravin. Her head cocked to the side to observe it much as a dog would when confronted with something they did not quite know how to look at.

"Yours is different than mine," the wild child observed allowed, fingering her own plain one that they still had not bothered to remove. "You must have been here a long time if they had a special one made just for you."

Ravin raised his eyes, staring shyly over at the collar Ariel wore, then looked up into her eyes. He lowered his hands away from his magic collar, his face devoid of any real emotion other than a faint curiosity within his eyes.
"My collar controls the monster within," he spoke,a faint bitterness in his tone as he peered away. But his expression lightened when the black cat moved to his side, mrowling at him before he reached a hand down to let her nuzzle against his finger tips.

Ariel tilted her head curiously. She did not understand what he meant about the collar or the "monster within," but she did recognize that right now Ravin was possibly the only person on her side right now. While she was cautious as he could after all turn her in for what she was already beginning to plan, the little huntress was still a bit hopeful.

She was determined to be free of this place and the humanity that still flowed heavily through her veins prayed that Ravin would help her do it. He was like her, caged and trapped. He had to want to be free. He had to want to live. It was, as much as she hated to admit it, human nature. It was the way of the wild. It was the way they were meant to be.

Spontaneously her hand shot out until her fingertips were whispering along the edge of his collar. Ariel could not explain why she did it but she just felt like she had to. It infuriated her to see it. "You deserve better than this," she finally croaked out, surprised by how hoarse and quiet her voice sounded. It was almost like she was holding back tears she did not even know she had to shed.

Ravin blinked at her statement, his green eyes looking down to where she touched his collar, which had made him initially flinch that she'd want to get close enough to him to touch. Then he looked up at her, remaining quiet for not but a moment before stating, "But I don't." He shifted his weight, leaning his head back against the bars of his cell as he avoided eye contact with her, but once again, the longing stare he held was softened when the cat returned into his view. He stroked the cat's fur gently.
"They say if I were free... I'd only live to kill."
It was a part of their show anyways-
To show case and exploit the beast within, only to tame him back when the collar returned him to his 'normal' state and made him bow down to the powers encased within. Thinking back to the day the collar first was slapped upon him, Ravin flinched and idly scratched at it.

it was true, what she said, what she thought-
and like a scratch he couldn't reach... he yearned for the same freedom as she- but for him..
it was a whole other world, completely around him but totally out of reach.

"They are afraid of you," she stated, her lips curling into a hungry smile. "And they should be. We are of the wild and they are weak soft creatures with no natural instincts of survival. One day alone and they would be dead within the hour. They are the true beasts while we are the real hunters. They cage us because they know we are stronger than them."

Ariel sighed, leaning back against the bars and watching how the black cat paced back and forth between them. "Why do you give up? Why do you let them do this to you? If what they say is true? Why not kill them and be free?"

Ravin peered over at the girl as she spoke. Though as it was, he was powerless.

"I can do nothing as is," he stated simply, as if it were known fact. "And how I am now, I wouldn't know how to bring about the desire to kill." For he lived in a world of observation, and most of the time was a watcher, not an actor; and the internal beast only drawn out when the magic released on his collar. Other than that, he remained nothing but a shell.

And at these questions he grew uncomfortable, and gave one final scratch to his collar before settling back in his cell and looking away.

She huffed, pursing her lips close together in disapproval. "You're not even trying," Ariel continued to grumble, shaking her head before also turning to gaze out of the cage in the opposite direction as Ravin.

"You haven't even tried to remove the collar, have you? You like being their little lapdog. Pathetic!"

At her words, he did not respond, but turned so his neck was in the moonlight- and if she were to notice, it illuminated scars lining his neck, notably claw marks- or.. human finger nails, to be more precise. And the story would speak for itself-
and it was as such, that the moon light was showing in just a way she might be able to spot it, even as the dull metal of the collar also caught the attention of the moon.

Though after a moment, he sighed and leaned away, leaning his head towards a darker, more shadow casted set of bars within his cell. He knew not what to say to her, but instead, stared off to observe the freedom of the world she spoke of- where the crickets hummed in chorus and the night birds were calling in the rustling shadows of midnight.

And he did wonder, and did desire to be free- and in that moment, found himself curious again what it would feel like to be a person on the other side of the bars...

Ariel huffed and puffed, shifting about in the cage restlessly. She hated the feeling of being trapped and it did not help that her cellmate happened to be so complacent towards this life. Eventually she settled down though to idly throw straw out between the bars while studying Ravin.

"Has Ravin always had Night?"

Ravin was quiet before he gave a slight itch to his hair.
"Night has been around only a few months."  He peered over at the feline, then finally over towards Ariel. "Do you have a cat of your own?"

The huntress shook her head. "Cats eat owls," she said simply as if that answered everything. In her mind it did though. "Where did Night come from?" Ariel tilted her head in wonder, eying both the cat and boy as if trying to ascertain what kept them together. But, who could really explain a cat's mind? Only the cat of course!

"I don't know," Ravin replied softly, peering over at Owlet, then the cat, who was now purring contentedly on the floor. "A few months back we were passing through a town,a nd one night the cat approached my cage. I watched her for a while and let her sniff my hand, then the next thing I knew, she was inside my cage and then sleeping on my lap. Though I'm surprised she's remained with the caravan, considering Lord Martin keeps us frequently on the move." And instinctively, he moved a hand across her black fur to pet her, and she purred and purred happily, curling up and turning just enough to show off the soft fur of her belly.

"Maybe she had an eye for travel," Owlet jested, feeling jealous at how an animal that could come and go as it pleased decided to stay. "And that monster, he lets her stay?" she continued, referring to the man that had decided her fate in the circus. "Or is she part of your little act?"

Ravin stared at Ariel quietly for a time before simply replying as his eyes drifted back towards the purring cat he pet.
"No. He... has no idea she is here. He has rarely seen her and presumes he's shooed her off the first time." He continued to pet the cat, and she seemed to be smiling, quite happy by the attention. "But even when Lord Martin scared her, she returned the next day. And we were in a completely different town by then. She seems to know when he is coming, and will take off and hide into the woods." ANd as he said it, his green eyes lifted to peer out towards the ghostly shadows of the forests, and as he looked at them, he commented, "You know he's going to make you part of the act."

Ariel snorted, her lip curling in disgust. "It can try but that monster won't be gettin' much entertainment out of me. Owlet's not afraid of little boys like you." She crossed her arms over her chest in defiance even as her mind filed away his comment concerning the black cat.

In her mind, Night could very well serve as a warning system should Ariel try to escape. If the cat truly did wander off before the monster appeared then that would be the perfect for the little huntress. She would have to keep an eye out for that in the future though. It was not like she could trust Ravin yet. He seemed far too complacent for her liking.

Ravin only gave one curious blink, for it was an odd choice of words to call him a little boy when she herself was probably around his age. Though who was he to say? He was in a circus of freaks, though most were manufactured, and none could boast the show stopping ability that he possessed, not that Ravin was the sort to boast. Studying her, he found himself turning away when Night suddenly swiveled her ears and her fur bristled, she even growled before she darted out. Looks like company was coming and fast, and as Ravin peered over his shoulders, he noted that it was Lord Martin himself who was to make them a visit that night. Though slightly surprised, the 'demon' showed no real signs of it, except when he had initially turned his head.

In the moonlight Lord Martin looked a terrifying sight, using his walking cane as a crutch, he approached the cage and it's shadows cast long grated shadows across him, making the round-bellied, red coated man seeming even more devious than before. And the first thing he did when he approached the cage was hit it, an the metal end of his cane gave a spark.

"So how are you two animals fairing? I see Ravin has yet to devour our little girl." And it seemed the wounds, from which he was recovering from (no short thanks to Ariel), were wrapped now in gauze or had been treated with some sort of sticky potion, and the eerieness of the glow from such an ointment made Lord Martin even appear much less handsome than he could have before., for the shine of the ointment even out shined the shine of his sweat and grease in his hair as even the stars might have been seen in such a reflection. And Ravin simply gave the man a cool and unflinching stare, even as he prodded the cage again.

"Come now speak up, child, I know the beast boy barely says a peep, but you, certainly, have got a lot to say." And then he chuckled as he inquired. "Any new scratched or claws marks since you've been placed inside your new home?" And at this, Lord Martin gestured towards the entire whole of the cage, his smile cutting across his face exposing his teeth as dimples cut into the grease of his cheeks. "I hope you find our accommodations adequate. Though I'm surprised you're not trying to get your rest. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day for you both."

The cat's behavior did not escape the wild huntress who was pleased to note that the boy had spoke true. Mentally she counted how long it was until the monster himself arrived and was slightly disappointed to see that it was a very short interval.

'Owlet'll need to make sure she's ready before she truly leaves. No mistakes,' she mused even as her lips formed a sneer. The banging on the cage though and the resultant sparks had her flinching and recoiling back towards Ravin though faster than a kicked cat. It reminded her too much of fire and that she did fear almost as much as she hated bathing.

Her fear was quickly forgotten in the face of her captor's taunting. The moment he addressed her, Ariel was flinging herself at the bars of the cage, her hands clawing out through the bars into the space that barely separated him from her. Like a crazed wild thing she hissed and howled, baring her teeth as she tried to gain purchase on anything that would cause Lord Martin harm.

"Come a little closer," the girl snarled, once more lunging at him. "Let me shows you hows I likes it here!"

Lord Martin was taken back by the girl's animalistic tendencies, and made a face at her, wrinkling his nose. He then promptly banged his cane on the side of the cage to deter her from any further 'frothing' with her mouth and claws.

"Really, what an uncivilized gesture," Lord Martin said with an indignant sniff. "And if I were you, I'd watch where you strike those claws. I have no qualms removing all of your finger nails," he told her with a dark grin and smacked the bars again, as a warning for her to stay back.

Ariel retreated some, her side pressing in tight against Ravin's unknowingly. Her gaze though did not lower from her captor's face. "You'd have to come near enough to do that," she boldly claimed with snapping teeth and a wide leer. "Lose your eyes if you try."

His last smack on the cage made her growl low in warning. The first chance she got free of her prison she would make him pay. She would make him scream and writhe in pain to her heart's content before leaving him to die the slowest and most painful of deaths. All she needed to do, was wait.

A wild laugh bubbled up from within her and her eyes gleamed with mischief moments before she spit in his face.

At the spit, Lord Martin's smile faded into a scowl of disgust as he drew out a kerchief from his inner breast pocket and gave it a snap, then drew it to his face and wiped the spittle from his cheek while keeping a glare locked upon the young child.

"Oh, you'll pay for that, little wild child, just you wait and see. Tomorrow you'll be infront of the crowd and I'll show you how wild a beast can be." Cutting a nasty sneer towards Ravin, the man walked away without so much as a goodbye, and Ravin's eyes remained upon him until he completely left their sight.

She waited until he was gone before turning to Ravin. Ariel was momentarily startled by his proximity but it ended quickly as she narrowed her eyes at him. "And you're willing to be possessed by that monster! Little Ravin you are a fool not to try and fly your cage. A fool!"

Ariel might as well have been talking to the iron bars of the cell, for Ravin didn't even seem to flinch at her retort or words, but kept his eyes glued upon the vanishing form of Lord Martin.

"If I knew of a way out, I wouldn't know what to do. For if I escape, the collar may not longer work and I'd turn into the monster from within."

And as much as that probably wouldn't scare Ariel, considering she had not seen what that entailed, Ravin had been coping with his dual personality for years while remaining enslaved by his 'master'. Part of him feared the monster, and that part also made him feel ....natural, unchained, but also other worldly.

As a human, he supposed he had a muted persona on life, after all he was living in a cage and did almost precisely what Lord Martin and his crew commanded him.
Though there had been a time when he fought it, it had been too long for him to even remember- or care.

But as a monster, as a monster no one controlled him until the collar struck and forced him back into his useless, pathetic, human body- the meek shell which Ariel saw before her now.

Ariel sighed and shook her head. "Why fear what you are? Be what you are! Be free!" She shook her head angrily wishing she could shake him instead. "You're not a monster, just a little boy they dress up to amuse the real monsters."

Retreating from him back to her corner of their shared cage, the young girl curled in on herself, laying down in a tight ball. "If you want to waste your life away behind iron bars then fine. Just don't gets in Owlet's way."

'Be what are are! Be free!'
The words echoed inside Ravin's head. Though he understood what she pressed, she had no idea what she meant. He had no desire to leave these bars, his sanctuary that kept him from guilt, that kept the money lining Lord Martin's pockets- that kept his monster in chains. He kept his gaze avoiding hers as his eyes took in the grounds surrounding the camp, then after a few calls from Lord Martin in the front of the caravan, they began to move.

The wheeled cage in which they were kept trembled at first before lurching forward, than squealed wheels groaned as they rolled over top of the uneven terrain. The next city would appear come morning-t hat's how it always worked. That's how it always was. Lord Martin liked to make a scene, and that was by having an entire town wake up to a procession of entertainers rolling through the middle of the streets. And the city of Dakken faired no differently than the rest, as the morning sun began to rise and people began to poke their heads outside of their doors and windows to have a peep of the procession as they rolled by.

Children giggled and squealed at the ferocious animals, but as usual, by the time the end of the procession passed, they would quiet, then giggle to see a boy and girl in chains inside a cage. And then towards Lord Martin's calling voice they would follow-
A circus this evening! A circus there would be! And a man turning into a demon for them all to witness right there in the center of town!

And the entire place was bustling wtih activity as a pair of siamese girls, attached at the hip, approached the cage.
"You two ready to prepare for tonight's show? Lord Martin does not like wasting time, so come on." And the woman went to fish out a pair of keys to unlock their cage.

After being lulled into a restless sleep by the constant clunking and swaying of the carriage, Ariel was abruptly awoken by its grinding halt. It was not long thereafter that a pair of joined humans approached the cage and made to open it.

Groggy, as she was not a morning person, the wild child was not able to make the escape she had intended. Instead she slipped and bounced off the side of the opening the moment she lounged for it, effectively landing on her back. The women made short work of gathering her back on her feet though and further binding her so that any attempts to run were ruined.

Wiggle as she may there was no getting free. Ariel gave up with a growl and huff before finally allowing herself to be dragged off to wherever they intended her to "perform," not that she had any intentions of doing so. Her opinions on that matter were further affirmed the moment they managed to haphazardly shove her into a poor excuse for a small dress. How she hated dresses!

Throughout the town Lord Martin continued to advertise, and sent his most charismatic folk to do the same. Once he was done, he returned to his quarters and was busily preparing for the opening night. He knew the town would be floored the moment his demon boy was presented, and that very idea had him day dreaming of money.  Tapping his lower lip, he turned when he heard a knock at the door.

"We have the girl."

A wicked grin crossed his lips.

"Go ahead. Bring her in here. It's time we tell her more about tonight."

Ariel allowed herself to be dragged about from place to place as the women attempted to make her show worthy. She believed that if she conserved her strength and observed as much as possible she would be out of this farce of a show in no time.

All of her carefully thought out plans went awash the moment she was in his vile presence again. The moment the young hunter laid eyes upon her captor, she was a spitting wildcat. She clawed and screeched at her bonds, intent on breaking free to dig her dull nails into his smug face.

"Let me go!" Ariel growled, kicking her feet and thrashing herself about in an attempt to be free.

Ariel had been collared and leashed like a dog. She was at one opposing end of is office carriage and with a shake of his head, he commanded Ravin be brought in next.

"Though this will be difficult to actually have happen without the magics in place, and Ravin actually transforming, I do need you to remember you're a girl, child, and not some animal you're trying to froth an imitation off." He gave a sneer, but as the girl fought her chains, his eyes scanned her with a dark intent.

"Besides, if you're good. You'll be rewarded."

"I'm not some dog you can call to heel for little treats," she hissed darkly. "There is no reward that could entice me to obey the scum you are!" Ravin's presence had calmed Ariel enough to stop throwing a temper tantrum however, she did strain herself painfully so, against her collar so that it was pulled taut.

A growl hummed under her breath as Ariel tried to glare the other man down. "All I want is freedom and you would never let me go if I obey."

When Ravin was brought in, he was hitched to a leash near to the girl. They couldn't touch, but were inches apart. Not that it mattered, Ravin remained leaning against the opposing wall anyway and watched as Lord Martin's lips curled almost hungrily at the girl's defiance and the way she struggled against her chains had his gaze turning lecherous.

It was at that look Ravin stood up suddenly and moved, standing as much between Lord Martin and the girl as he could. ANd that's when Lord Martin peered the boy's way. Taking a step back, he regarded the young man's expression. Though Ravin rarely showed anything of the sort, something about his eyes made the man wary.

"Yes.. since you are both here, perhaps it's time we ought to practice what you will be doing today. I figured our little street girl would clean up nicely- seems I'm right.."

ANd at that tone, Ravin took another step nearer to Martin, eyes never leaving his. But Lord Martin only smirked back at Ravin darkly.

"She will be a new addition to the show- where the primal beast will be tamed by the primal beauty. And it seems my hunch on this sort of show stopper just might work."

She sneered at his comment but otherwise held her tongue. Ravin was proving to be more interesting to observe anyway. While Ariel had not known the boy long, and could not know that this was uncommon behavior for him, it was the most life she had seen in him since they had been caged together.

Her arms crossed over her front defiantly. There was no way she was going to make this easy on her captor. In her mind, she at least did not believe he could force her into doing much, especially not into being sweet and docile.

"Looks more like Birdy needs to be wild than tame," Ariel scoffed. "He is not of the wild, not like Owlet."

Lord Martin turned to Owlet and chuckled at such a retort.
"Forgive me, perhaps I should associate you both as wild beasts?" he asked, lightly lifting up the chains that bound Ariel to the wall. He gave a tug, so that she'd feel a jerked force against the collar on her neck. "Don't forget your manners girl. Though I suppose manners will be nothing in the show. Such just get used to this."A nd eh dropped the chain and when he turned, Ravin's eyes were still glued to his, and as he observedt he young boy, a wicked grin spread across his lips.

"What's with this expression, boy? Are you so eager to show her what power you have?" The man chuckled. "You know the routine, though she will only add to it. Both of you, chained to a post- and when the beast awakens..
He turned away from them, his chuckle flowing across the room.

"Should be an interesting show.." and he picked up a decanter and poured himself a nice, cold drink.

A gagging sound emitted from her throat at the sharp tug before Ariel was able to relax and smile wickedly. "There is no such thing as manners where Owlet lives," she laughed darkly. Lord Martin's words made her wary yet as far as she was concerned were simply hot air. If the little huntress had learned anything in her short time as his captive, the man loved to hear himself talk.

The mention of Ravin's behavior though had her eyes shifting back and forth between man and boy in a pattern of suspicion. Who was friend and who was foe here? Trying to shake off her uneasiness, she pushed her shoulders back and stood up straighter.

"You speak of a beast and yet I'd be surprised if he could even managed to scare a pigeon from its perch. Your talk don't frighten the wild!" came her angry declaration of bravado.

Lord Martin only scoffed at her remarks.
"Then you've never seen the true Ravin," he told her darkly, eyes piercing and sharp. He knocked back most of his drink with a sigh before setting the glass down upon the table.
"So tell me, wild girl of the forest, just how many beasts have you seen? And how terrible or how ferocious were they? Now, remember those beasts you think you saw and might have been afraid of, and just imagine for a moment they've got nothing on the terror the blonde boy beside you is capable of. Yes, he might look average, but the secret lays in his blood. He's not like you or I girl, that I can assure you."
And he poured himself more to drink.
"The boy is a monster, and if you don't keep your tongue in check, you might witness his ferocity first hand- well before the show."

Standing up from his desk, he released a sigh. "It's time you both get ready." And he flashed Owlet a dangerous grin. "The shows about to begin."

They were lead outside by a pair of brutish men, while Lord Martin himself stood in the middle of the streets, bellowing out ways to sell tickets tot he show until the night would be sold out.
"The demon boy- see his rage! See his ferocity and how he's tamed by a simple girl! A must see! It's a show of man versus beast and how the beasts have lost! Thi sis definitely a once in a life time show- a night to remember!"


And as Ravin and Owlet were taken behind the curtain, Lord Martin gave one sinister look their way before going back to barking out his calls.

Now in the back, women were fussing over Ariel, trying to brush out her hair and tame her face with powder and rouge. Though it was an epic struggle, and in the end, the poor girl ended up with a brush stuck in her hair and the women leaving, she was now alone as Ravin remained, not to ofar away from her- though she was just on a chain- he was now locked inside a cage.

He was dressed in simple black pants and a white collared shirt, and his hair had been groomed and himself- well washed. She might have even been able to smell his fresh soapy smell through the bars of the cage- but if Ravin were interested in Ariel he did not show it as he simply stared at the wall lost in himself.

Ariel crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. 'Owlet has not been around long enough to see Ravin. Stupid idiot!' She ignored his questions, believing that he did not deserve to know those answers. Her business was her own just as she was her own person. The huntress kidded herself into thinking she stayed at this point simply to see what all the fuss concerning Ravin was about. There was nothing else keeping her rooted to her place, except a metal collar and chain that she refused to acknowledge.

She could not tell though if she felt relief or dread to be informed that the show was about to begin. On the one hand she could be free of the ranting lunatic. On the other, Ariel was not a performer. She was not something to be observed, and she was not under any circumstances, take this lying down.

It was for this last point that she fought tooth and nail as the women fussed over her some more, managing to loose a hairbrush within her tangled locks, much to her amusement. The moment she was free, Ariel rubbed the powders on her face, making the smear so that she had horizontal bands across her eyes, cheeks, and nose. She would die before letting them get away with making her into some human.

Ravin was a distracting sight though. He looked completely normal all cleaned-up which made her even more skeptical that he was such a force to be reckoned with. Licking her lips that were suddenly dry, Ariel moved as close to his cage as she could get with the collar before calling out his name softly.

"What now?"

The roar of the crowd was muffled, but he could still here it. The show had begun, and it would only be a small spell of time before he and Ariel would have to go on. Though he remained silent, unphased as he leaned against a wall and stared up into nothing.

Though he heard her chains rattled and at her hissed whisper, he turned her way.

"We wait."

And a loud gush of applause could be heard, and the soft foot falls of the workers. The siamese twin from earlier stepped into the room, looking at the pair of them before gasping at what Ariel had done to her face.
"Your make up is ruined!" and they attempted to get near her to fix it once more.
"We can't have you looking like that!"
"Yes, we must make sure you look more civilized before you perform."
And they sounded like a gaggle of geese as they tried to fuss over her- two women one body, and a whole lot of powder was being thrown Ariel's way.

Seeing the girls resistance, Ravin finally stood up and stared over at the women, his gaze only shifting subtly, barely showing any of the intolerance he was feeling.

"Leave her alone."

And the siamese twins paused a moment and turned to Ravin, momentarily distracted in their close proximity to his wild child friend.

"ARGG!" The little huntress howled and flailed her arms to slap away the hands that waged powdered war upon her face. She relieved when the assault was put even to a temporary end. Although if Ariel was being honest, she was not expecting her savior to be Ravin.

'Seems, little birdy might care after all. Unless he just prefers to be the prettier of the two members of this act.'

"Well go on, get," she growled, sticking out her tongue at them as they finally backed scattered.

"She can't look like an animal," the right twin pressed.

"Yes, that's your job," the left one agreed. They both gave him disapproving looks before shaking their heads. But after they realized Ravin was keeping his ground, they abandoned their mission to go finished getting ready themselves.

"We're on next anyway." And with that, they left.

The show was in the middle of an exchange, this much was evident by the crowd's cheer. But that meant little to Ravin as he turned and finally looked over at Ariel. Their eyes met for a moment, albeit something brief before he moved away. And the little owl would not have time to confront him on the matter when another person came back through the curtain to inform them
"You two are on."

The pair soon found themselves under heavy escort- chains around their necks and leashes held by a series of men. If either tried to fight or look at anyone funny, they were met with a quick smack with a stick.

They were brought now before the main event tent, which was consuming the majority of the town's square. There were so many attending the show in this little town,t he main white housing tent appeared to be bursting from all the activity, and as the back clothe door was opened to them- they would be greeted wiht the stuffy hot confines of the tent- and the sudden roaring cheer of the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls, this is the moment all of you have been waiting for!" Lord Martin announced, face glistening off the torch lights from the sweat that now collected across his face, and even darkly along his back and under arms. He raised his arm after removing his hat and gestured towards the young pair as they were forced forward. "I present to you, for the first time ever- our Beast..." and the crowd gave a cheer, even some whistles at as the handsome, blonde hair boy was presented before them- then Lord Martin went on, "And his true rival- Beauty!"

The crowds applauds were deafening, whistles accompanying it at an even louder capcity and time seemed to slow as Ravin made his way across the dusty carpet of the tent. All eyes were upon them- the people, frothing mad with excitement. And as it was with every show, every man, woman and child all looked the same, faces all dirty and eager with eyes suctioned his way and their calls, nearly splitting his ears in their excitement.

But he knew those cheers would soon turn into screams as he braced himself from where the end of his chain had allowed him some distance. He knew the game well, and glanced over at Lord Martin. As usual, the man stood just outside the area where Ravin's chains could reach- though try as he might when the time came when he would turn into a monster, Lord Martin was always just out of harm's way...
But it was here Ravin noticed something peculiar, and as his eyes traced his own chain link leash, he noticed a second one criss-crossing his own.
Ariel's.

The young girl's chains were within his range, and it was only then Ravin showed any ounce of fear as he stared back at Owlet while Lord Martin shouted out the final words to his monologue,
"And with the power of this magical wand I carry, we have been able to tame the beast seen before you- but what may appear like just an ordinary, young man, is anything but! For below the surface resides a demon- and where this wand can command him to remain in this form- it can also wake him up!"

And the crowd was still applauding, goading the man on as Lord Martin cast the pair a sinister smile, money in his eyes and his eyes on the prize.

"This is the first time, ladies and gentleman, we will turn the boy into a beast to see how he fairs against a maiden. Give them a big round of applause and hold your breaths- for I present to you now... THE BEAST!"

And the crowd roared in unison as Lord Martin struck his wand Ravin's way- and a quick burst of magic was thrust out- and struck the boy down. Ravin collapsed to the dirty floor and went still. Though in those paused moments as the crowds voices began to rise, Ravin begun to seizure upon the floor.

Eyes rolling into the back of his head, he trembled and writhed upont he floor, his skin slicking with sweat. Finger nails were the first to change, as painful claws burst out, breaking out of his hand and bones- while the rest of his arm began cracking and realigning beneath his skin. They shifted and grew and snapped out and reformed all over his body- even his face appeared to split open, as jaws roared out, and transforming, clawed fingers pounded into the ground once, twice, then three time before he threw his head back just as massive, thorn like horns jutted out towards the sky.

Blood gushed from his wounds as spikes suddenly tore out from his back side, ripping flesh and clothing alike, and in a few more seconds of disgusting splits and jerks of his body- suddenly, the blonde haired boy was no more, replaced by a horned human like animal that roared it's saliva filled fangs towards the crowd.

And everyone had gone silent- but the second the young boy turned demon bean to charge their way, the entire crowd screamed in a panic.

Her mouth had no sooner opened before she was cut off from speaking by a sentence she had dreaded hearing. It was time. Feeling like a thief on the way to the gallows, she dragged her feet every step of the way to center stage.

She had not known what to expect as the crowds cheered their entrance. It made her feel exposed, naked even before them. No amount of cloth could make her feel any less vulnerable. Ariel wanted to run, to hide, to escape this moment. But, the sharp sting of a stick upon her back sent her forward each time.

Being called Beauty was enough to make her sneer and do everything to look as un-beauty-like as possible. She did not feel like the warrior she wanted to but as a little girl who had been caught having adventures out of doors in the mud and was now the laughingstock of the town. The thought made Ariel clench her fists in rage as a long forgotten memory of something similar tried to raise its ugly head before she was able to smother it once more.

Ariel did not really understand what was going on but the sight of Ravin seizing on the floor, sent fear through her heart. She was moving towards him before she even realized it and only stopped in her paces when he charged the crowd.

It hurt her more than ever to see him like this for now, the little huntress understood. This is what it meant to be of the wild, to be an animal caged and tortured until it had no choice but to fight back savagely. Ravin was such a beast and it broke her heart to know that this monster that had entrapped her had likewise done the same to him.

Gritting her teeth and trying to be brave, Ariel did one of the stupidest things she would ever do in her life. She called out to Ravin, speaking his name in a soft tone, refusing to back down or show fear, no matter what she may have felt inside.

Ravin was halted by a sharp jerk when he reached the end of his leash, but the beast clawed and roared furiously all the more for it. He was kicking up dirt, froth foaming down the sides of his mouth as he snapped and roared just a few feet from the crowd.

Some of those among the audience fled, the others gazed in horror but it was in this instant Lord Martin swept his hat back towards the crowd.

"Ladies and gentle man- observe ... THE BEAST!" and the crowd all stared in awed silence as the beast continued to fight and buck against it's restraints. But then a voice made his ear cock back, and the beast whirled around, eyes narrowing, jaws set and rumbling as a growl erupted from deep within.

And before he knew what he was doing, the black haired beast tore across the ground, animalistic forearms (though the hands were more man than beast) helped pull the creature forward as it snarled and snapped it's teeth towards the girl.

Ariel's eyes widened comically in surprise. It was one thing to be told that one was about to face a snarling beast and a completely different thing to actually be facing the charging monster. Stubborn to a vault, she stood her ground, intent on proving the ringmaster wrong.

If he was so intent on a show and scaring her then she would give him one. Her heart hammered in her chest as Ravin barreled towards her. Ariel gripped her hands into fists so tight she could feel her non-existent, bitten nails biting into her callused flesh. She kept her gaze lowered, hoping Ravin would react like any other beast and see her as nonthreatening if she was trying to challenge him.

'Then again, if he's in the mood for fresh Owlet then I'm going to be dead very soon.' Her eyes squeezed tightly shut at the thought and she lowered her chin to her chest, hoping to protect her vulnerable throat. Muttering under her breath, the huntress prayed Ravin had some part of him conscious within his brutish head, "I swear if you eat me, I'll haunt you to the end of your days."

OOC: I can edit this if the action isn't ok XD just let me know

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The beast had no sense, the young man having long gone as one arm took to the air and bashed across the weaker form that was Ariel. She'd be on the ground in seconds- and the beast, over top of her as he thrust his bulky arms up into the skies and hammered them into the grounds around her, pinning her down fiercely and howling more viciously than a wolf. His eyes were wild, both red and yellow as they took her in and his fangs snarled across her form-

Though it was mere inches from her face that his fangs snapped closed as he growled while hot saliva dribbled and drooled ontop of her boy as he remained over her-
the crowd was roaring at his back, but his mind was solely on killing anything in his way.

But something familiar struck him- perhaps those eyes, the scent, that hair...
and in that moment, he paused and grunted, hot breath snorting across her form from his nose, and it was in that moment of hesitation Lord Martins' voice rang out.


"And the beast has her! Willt he beauty survive!? Only time will tell if man can truly conquer the beast within! But this is no ordinary beast, ladies and gentleman this..." eh said with a made gesture of his gloved hand. "This is a beast of HELL!"

She cried out in pain as she was knocked off her feet and flat onto her back. The sound was short-lived though as the air was knocked from her lungs and the beast slammed down on either side of her, effectively pinning her in place.

Her lips turned down in disgust as he slobbered her, yet she remained submissive. Ariel applied every lesson she knew from living near wolf packs and around other large beasts. She kept her eyes lowered and her teeth covered by her lips. The last thing she needed was to give Ravin a reason to believe he was being challenged and then she was sure it would be goodbye world for her.

The little huntress had just about to open her mouth when the lord of the circus beat her to it, making her roll her eyes and groan at his words. She wondered if he could be any more dramatic. Trying to ignore him and focus on the bigger problem literally over her head she closed her eyes and lifted her chin, dangerously revealing a pale throat.

"Ravin?" she whispered again in what she hoped was a soothing tone before continuing. "Please remember that I'm not a tasty birdy okay? You know, I don't think you should be afraid of this. It's not so bad," Ariel rambled on quietly, praying she was not about to be splattered all across the tent in a few seconds. There was not much she could do to fight him, he would most likely rip her heart out as soon as look at her if she tried. Nervously yet slowly, she attempted to lift one hand, palm up towards him in a non-threatening gesture, hoping she was not about to lose it.

Ravin's hesitation lasted about as long as Lord Martin's spiel, and the moment he was finished, the demon's lips curled back, baring hot breath and teeth to Ariel's face. He was completely over her now, and she'd be able to feel the rumbling growl from within his throat- and see the feral look in his eyes.

Ravin wasn't about to listen to her, to Lord Martin, or to anyone- the demon inside him was too crazed, too hungry as he let out a vicious roar and clamped his jaw down onto her shoulder. Her blood gushed into his mouth, his tongue tasting the sweet, salted flavor as he used his powerful jaw to pick her up bodily from the ground and  gave her a rough shake.

The animal was alive, the beast was there-
but in his moment of wildness a scent caught his nose and he instantly dropped the girl into a bleeding mess upon the ground-
and there, plodding along side her and blending into the shadows beside her- was his black cat- Night.

The beast growled down at the cat and girl, now both drenched in his shadow- and Ariel, now soaking in her own blood, as he bared his fangs, his hackles raised as saliva and blood oozed down from his lips and fangs. But the most peculiar thing happened in that moment, as the black cat snuggled against Ravin's front paw.

Ariel screamed. In the face of her pain, she completely forgot her desire to be strong and fearless, instead choosing to let her fear and suffering be known to all that would listen. She fell limply back to the stage, soaking in her own warm blood. It seeped into her dress front and back and burned her nose with its copper scent.

She cowered before the beast, her eyes never leaving his. The little huntress was so focused that she jumped, startled at the feel of soft fur brushing her cheek and down her arm. A darting look from the corner of her eye revealed Night and Ariel felt her heart clench.

"Night, no," she whispered, trying to reach out slowly with her fingers to try and push the cat away. "Stay away from him. Ravin's not himself. Night, shoo!" Ariel was desperate to get the feline away from Ravin, terrified that the little beast would be killed. She did not know much of the boy-turned-beast, but she did know how important the sleek creature was to him and would hate to have let harm come to it when she could do something to stop it.

Seeing Ravin was poised over his kill, Lord Martin wasted no time in narrating the events.

"It seems the demon has hurt our beauty, but he pauses in hesitation- does he realize what he has done? Oh the suspense! Oh the agony! To think a boy so young could harm a young lady so fair!"

And the entire crowd was at the edge of their seats, some already ready to rush out the door- but all of them had their eyes glued on the terror before them.


Ravin still growled, the sound low and buried deep within his throat- and was so fierce in it's sound that it actually was shaking the ground. But Night persisted, rubbing it's soft body against one of Ravin's paws before the beast leaped back, leaving a few feet between himself and the offended cat as he let out a mighty, floor shaking roar.

But no one in the crowd had seen the cat, nor did Lord Martin was he continued to coax the crowd with more ooos and awwws.

"Night tames you!" Ariel gasped, sitting up and speaking aloud for all to hear. She had forgotten about the crowds in that single moment as her body shielded the cat from view and it brushed back and forth alongside her in agitation.

She crawled up onto all fours, staring at Ravin in awe. "It's alright Ravin, let Night draw near. Nothing to fear," the huntress said trying to soothe him. Her eyes were focused solely on the beast before her, everything else was ignored and forgotten in the face of her own self-preservation and morbid fascination, for she knew any sudden moves could spell out her own death.

Ravin was internally trembling, maybe outwardly, too- as he snarled back at the girl and cat,a nd took one uneasy step backwards while Night came closer again to nuzzle at his side. The boy changed beast was at a loss and released an uncertain growl of warning at them both, but for the moment, he didn't dare move a breath.

Ariel too crawled to move closer to him, her voice kept low and soft as she spoke. "Birds of a feather all fly together right Birdy? You won't mind if Owlet comes a little closer. It's okay," she soothed. "It's okay."

Hesitantly, the young huntress reached out a hand towards Ravin, easily within distance of him to yank towards himself. Her heart beat within her chest like a galloping horse, flooding her ears with the rush of her own blood. She could not feel more nervous than if she was walking through a field of tall grass waiting for a snake to bite her.

Ravin's growls persisted, and as Ariel advanced, he took a step back as his growls intensified.

And Lord Martin was right there along to announce each moment, keeping the crowd leaning forward with a bated breath.
"It seems the monster is hesitating! The beautiful woman before him- forcing him to back down! But is he truly beaten?"

ANd while Ariel was finding courage in the cat's calming effect on Ravin, Night moved to rub at her leg before returning to the confused demon's side. Ravin let out a snarl, his mind whirling like an internal tornado and he could not take it anymore before he back handed Ariel with one massive paw as he let out a roar that shook the very world.

A pained cry tore from her lips as the little huntress was knocked off her feet, landing awkwardly on her stomach. Instinctively, she immediately flipped over, turning to face Ravin in a defensive crouch. Old habits died hard and she still considered herself under attack despite the audience and the infuriating Lord's commentary.

Stubborn to a fault, jaw set against the pain, Ariel rose to her feet once more and reached towards Ravin. "Not mad," she cooed. "No pain. It's okay. You're okay."

Ravin's eyes narrowed upon her- seeing her stance, he assumed one of the same while his throat continued to rumble in a deep throated growl.

She quickly lowered her hand again, seeing his mirroring stance and wishing not to start another attack. Ariel lowered her head, keeping her eyes low to once more submission even as she continued to murmur nervously to him.

Beside her she could hearing the whispers of the crowd as they grew restless with the growing tension brought on by the standoff going on between the stage's two visible occupants.

A few more brushes of the cat against his leg caused his growls to lessen in their intensity, but by no means had they vanished. His eyes were still wildly glued to the woman before him. His instincts were riding him to kill her- but some other unknown force kept him back. And it was perhaps goaded by the furry little creature mewing at his leg. It was only after a moment did the demon sit on his haunches and stooped forward, teeth bared but for now, it seemed as if he was not about to tear her to pieces.

Ariel likewise relaxed back, her eyes wary but no longer trying to touch him or rile him up. A sigh of relief escaped her even as she listened to the circus master gleefully point out the taming of the beast to come, the challenging standoff, and querying the audience as to their belief over whether or not Beauty was enough to save both herself and the beast

Forgetting herself, the young woman's head shot up as she sent a disgusted look in the ringleader's direction. She had enough of his chatter knowing that if it got on her nerves she could only imagine what it was doing to poor Ravin.

"Enough!"

Lord Martin might not have heard the woman's raspy demand, but the look on her face was unquestionable. He glowered at her as much as he could, but did not want to give away his persona to the crowd.

With one hand raised, he ignored her and announced to the crowd.
"And it seems the beauty has won! Look how the beast cowers before her! Truly an act of mercy from the Gods!"

And the crowd thundered into a roar of awe.

The sounds were deafening, the sensation getting to his head, making him dizzy, angered- and so much more. Ravin couldn't focus, his body burned with a wildness beyond him- and once that returned, he pushed past the cat and went after Ariel again.

She wanted nothing more than to stamp her foot and holler her frustration at Lord Martin like a small child who refused to nap. Instead, Ariel squared her jaw and focused her eyes once more on a now charging beast. With a territorial howl of her own, the huntress leaped forward, intent on wrapping her arms tightly around Ravin's body.

There was no way of her knowing what would happen next, whether she would be torn to shreds or the show would at last come to a close. She hoped fervently thought that it was the latter and not the former though even as she cursed her foolish and reckless nature.

As the young woman's arms bond around him, the beast let out a roar and stumbled forward and began to buck, trying to throw her off his form while his form shook with each intense and angered roar.

"No!" Ariel cried clinging tighter as she was swung about like a ragdoll. "I'm not lettin' go Ravin. Please stop this!" Her eyes squeezed tightly shut as she fought to maintain her grip. Fingers tangled in fur as arms strained to hang on. "Don't fight it, accept it Ravin," she murmured repeatedly, hoping he would at least be calmed by her voice as before even if he did not understand the words.

But her logic would not be heard, and the beast, not so easily contained as he wildly thrashed about until he reached the end of his rope and gagged on the chains that bound him. Roaring out, he took heavily clawed hands and slashed them towards where she clung to his body, all the while he bucked still- hoping to knock the girl off.

His claws caught her arms, tearing them from around his neck and dropping her back to the floor. She moved her hands overhead, afraid he would tear her neck off in the state he was in even as she called for Night, begging the cat to come back. This had to end. Why was the imbecile ringleader doing nothing? Did he want Ravin to die? The boy was practically choking himself to get at her. Ariel feared moving back to safety for that fact alone.

The moment she called for him, the cat leaped into the ring- but came right onto the scene at just the wrong moment and instead of one heavy back hand of his claws smacking Ariel- they raked into Night and sent the black cat landed harshly several yards away.

"Night!" The huntress screamed in horror. The crowd no longer mattered as she raced to the little creature's side, nearly choking herself on her anchored collar in the process. Nothing else mattered to her in those moments as she flung herself at the wounded creature, using her own body as a shield in case of Ravin wishing to attack again. Ariel could feel soft fur of the cat matting with warm blood against her chest as she peeked fearfully towards the demonic beast that had once been a quiet young boy.

A furious roar erupted from his throat, and soon the beast was bucking against his chains, going wild, going frantic in attempts to free himself of this show. And the crowd was going wild, Lord Martin was sweating even as he announced the changes in the act, and Ravin only continued to storm about- that was, until he came to a sudden halt after hearing the soft mrowl from the injured cat. The noise would be all but lost to the crowd, but Ravin heard it, and jerked his head their way, his breath catching in his throat and froth dribbling down his fur.

His hackles were raised and his ears pinned back, and those blood red eyes of his wavered.
Night. It took him a moment to digest it all, the crowd soon becoming background noise. Night... he had hurt Night.

"Shh-shh-shh," Ariel tried to whisper to Night, hoping to soothe him into silence. She feared that his sounds would only serve to anger Ravin and bring more attention to them both. The poor cat was injured enough and probably would not understand how the being that smelled like his friend could cause him such pain.

She tried to crabwalk backwards as far away from Ravin as her chain allowed with one hand, while the other clutched the injured creature close to herself. The huntress was doing her best to protect him and stop his bleeding but could not help but curse herself for being so stupid and letting the innocent cat come so close to Ravin in the state he was.

"Domesticated fool," she muttered under breath. She caste darting glances at Ravin, half-expecting him to suddenly leap forward and break his chains as he lunged for them intent on both their deaths.

Out of desperation, out of fear, out of shame, the beats rose it's head and released a deep throated howl. It was eerie and shook the very grounds, and sent the viewers within Lord Martin's tent into silence as they all watched in fascination as the demon bowed before the girl, ears pinned back, tail between it's legs, and it's body in humbled submittance to her.

Night... the one friend, the one thing, the only treasure he still carried in this world was now but a lame ball of fur and blood within the young woman's arms. Though the woman herself meant truly nothing to him in comparison to the creature in which she held, he submitted himself unto her, unto this, and before the cat-
For he felt shamed.
And he felt fear.

And prayed to whatever masters of the universe were out there that Night be free of this curse. To be free of him- and to not die this day, but to live again, somewhere, elsewhere- perhaps, far, far away.

Even Ariel shivered in fear at the sound but fear turned to shock as Ravin bowed before her. Taking the short steps between them, she placed a hand gently on the beast's head between the ears as her other hand tucked Night in close against her chest.

Then with an exasperated breath, her gaze snapped to the side where the ringmaster stood. "End this, now," Ariel demanded stiffly.

Lord Martin gave a dark glare their way, but in a flick of his wrist, Ravin's beast form all but melted away. Fur lightning into skin, long sharp teeth turning into a short, handsome and youthful face. And then he was standing there, naked before the crowd as Lord Martin made his announcement,

"And beauty is the winner!"
The crowed paused a moment before beginning to cheer, the sounds thundering all around them and nearly shaking the ground. Such a dramatic sight was something they all could approve, and soon the chains on either of them were being pulled.

"It's time to get back into your cages," Lord Martin half growled, but still smiled and waved to the crowd as the pair were guide away.

And while the circus was winding down, and Ravin dressed and thrown back into his cage, Ariel would find herself escorted elsewhere, as the conjoined twins took her to Lord Martin's personal carriage.
"Inside, little girl," the one twin said.

"Lord Martin wants you staying with him for the night," the other said with a smirk.

"I think he's afraid you'll get fleas if you stay with your little tamed beast," the other replied with a giggle as they held the door open for her.

She was half-choked as she was dragged backwards by her collar, her flashing eyes never once leaving the ringmaster's face until he was out of sight. Everything was a whirl for her from that point on and she briefly had the chance to see Ravin whisked away before the freakish female beings of nature were back to torment her again.

Not once though did Ariel let them steal away the dark cat laying frightfully still within her arms for any attempt resulted in hisses, bared teeth, and even the lucky bite from the wild child herself. The sight of the carriage made her feel sick though as she stared disgustedly forwards. Their twittered comments only made her turn slightly with a dead fish-eye stare before a thought struck her.

"As if his are any better," she spat before steeling herself to enter, Night pressed close against her breast.

Ariel would not find Lord Martin inside his carriage when she was presented there, but that did not stop the two women from thrusting the girl inside, locking her chain within and seeing she could not get into any trouble. The unfortunate twin she had bit, moved in in attempts to snatch the cat from her.

"No animals inside," she hissed, wondering why or how she had even gotten such a filthy animal after all that the girl had gone through.

She fought like a wildcat hissing, scratching, and biting even more the moment they moved to take Night from her. "Touch him and Owlet'll kill you and feast on your innards," she stated coldly. Ariel licked her lips and clicked her teeth as an added effect hopping that it would drive the twins away to leave her and Night in peace.

The twins were taken aback. They both looked her over and then to themselves.

"Very well. Lord Martin will just see the flea bag out himself." And as they both sneered down at the young woman, one added, "We'll leave you then. The master will be in to see you soon."
And outside of the little caravan car they left, with Night pressing into Owlet as his tail swished back and forth.

A noise outside the window indicated Lord Martin was in fact very close, and the sound of a chain clattering could be heard as he was guiding Ravin to his cage. Night had been fast approaching, but their silhouettes were evident now by the moonlight, and with an echoing clank, Ravin was sealed into his cage and Lord Martin, grunting with a huff as he went about securing the lock.

He said something to Ravin, but at the distance Owlet was, it could not be heard. Then he moved away and towards his private room, his heavy foot falls evident before he paused and swung open the door.

Ariel ran soothing hands through the cat's fur. However, who she really was trying to calm was a mystery to her. The moment the heinous women had left she had tried yanking against her tethers but they did nothing save to further bruise her skin. Now as she listened to Lord Martin's approach though she tucked herself into a small shape in the furthest corner from the door as if to avoid notice.

Black slick boots stepped heavily into the room, halting just a pace inside as Lord Martin glanced around. Though the room was small, the fact he couldn't see her at first caught him off guard. But following the lines of her tethers made his eyes grow dark as he took a hold of it, and gave a heavy yank.

"Out of the corner girl and out of the dirt!" And he jerked the chains towards the bed.
"Get onto your feet so I can have a look at you."

She stumbled and choked at the yanking. Her feet dug into the floor though the moment she was able to get her bearings. Ariel even hunched over close to the floor as if hurt while she gently put down Night and moved him to a place in the corner where he would not be as easily seen.

"Don't wish to be seen," she spat back at the man.

"Yes, a dirty little thing such as yourself would be embarrassed of all the mud and scratches and bruises marring your form. Now come here," and he gave another firm tug at the chain, nostrils flaring as he looked down at her from his beak like nose. And once she was close enough, a pudgy hand moved forward, grabbing her by the chin and forcing her head to look left and right while he examined her face. And when he withdrew, it was only momentarily before he raised a hand to back hand her, hoping to send the little animal girl onto the bed.

"First thing for you to learn, little one, is NOT to talk back to your master."

Ariel snarled and spat, fighting like a wild woman the moment she was within range of him. His vile touch my have sent her neck cracking with the force of her head being thrown to the side but it was not enough to completely knock her off her feet. She staggered, the backs of her knees hitting the edge of his bed but then she was using that kick herself back off it and at him. Ariel would show him the true meaning of a cornered animal if he so much as let her get within clawing distance of him.

Lord Martin let out a scowl, because he was foolish and had infact, remained close enough that the girl could retaliate.
"Little bitch!" he snapped, and jerked her chain so hard he hoped she choked!

The collar once more choked her causing her to cough and gag as she swayed and staggered on her feet, unable to keep her balance. Ariel fell to her knees before him, completely winded and unable to gather her wits about her as she fought, red-faced to bring fresh air back into her surprised lungs.

"Off your feet, little wench!" he seethed, and gave an upwards jerk on the chain, and tried to more or less lift her up from the floor and throw her towards the bed, his form dominating not only in size, but darkness.

Again she choked and clawed at the collar as she was dragged and tossed about as if she were nothing more than a filthy rag doll. The notion that she was not strong enough to defend herself brought tears to her eyes that had nothing to do with her struggles for air. She landed heavily on the bed too weak to move even as the darkness folded in around her on all sides.

And what happened next was a blur of shadows and red. The door being thrown open might not have been heard by them since it coincided with Owlet being thrown onto the bed. But the pair were not alone, and the noises came from a grieved young man who could more or less be considered an animal in the moment, as Lord Martin screamed until he dropped, and when he did, Ravin turned to her with a savage look in his eyes, while his skin shimmered with fresh, hot blood.

Ariel froze the moment that the monster was torn off her and air flooded back into her lungs. By the time Raven was finished, her mind was still processing what had just taken place but she was sitting up with one hand clutched to her burning throat. His feral gaze doused her in a cold sweat that set her hairs on end.

In an attempt to escape his ire, she curled in on herself trying to appear as small and insignificant as possible, although her eyes did not once leave his for fear that he would spring at her the moment that she did.

Still wild, still feral, the demon-like boy wasted no time. His bloodied hand moved forward, clutching hers as he yanked her from the bed, and only when the cold air would touch their skins would either begin to sober and realize what was going on.

He could feel his collar hum- the pain excruciating every stride they ran, but he wasn't about to go back to that Hell, and though his legs and lungs equally burned- he would not stop his run. Beast or man- or perhaps something inbetween, Ravin was at least aware of the primal need to be free.

She gasped in shock, unable to make another sound as the air was forcefully compressed from her lungs and she was made to run as if she were the wind. For several moments she felt as if she were made of clouds, and it was only as the rhythmic pounding and jarring of her feet upon the cool soil that she realized she was running.

Quickly Ariel worked to locate where they were among the fast-paced terrain before urging her companion, whose hand was surprisingly clasped about her own, into veering away from his seemingly random direction and towards one she recognized. "Trust me," she whispered to him and herself as she sought to lose any would-be followers and find her way home.

They shared a bond, unspoken, but true, and he would follow her to hell in that moment if she tried. Though the further they ran, the more piercing the pain became, until blood began to seep from his ears, and nose.

Only once Ariel was sure that she could not hear their captors did she finally drag her companion up a large tree with her as quick as a squirrel. Her heart beat heavily within her chest like a metal drum causing a painful ringing in her ears and a burning in her throat from its throbbing beat. It was then that she noticed his suffering, nearly crying out in surprise and giving away their location. "How?" she questioned harshly, even as she attempted to mop up the blood that refused to cease flowing.

He was nearly as nimble as she, his body light and lithe from years in his cage, but also strong- from years of becoming a mutated circus act. He had been ignorant of the blood until he heard her gasp, and he felt the tickling of it running down his neck. He swiped the back of his wrist beneath his nose and looked down to see the redness of blood.

Slowly, he lifted a hand to trace over the metal of his collar, feeling the hummed warning of its power trying to call him back. Somehow he was fighting it, the hold it had on him, the ability to move forward, to sprint free....

But he could see the costs now, and what the pain was doing to him. But he had no idea what to even think of this conundrum as he turned to look over at Owl as she was floundering in her attempts to clean up his bloody mess.

Ariel hissed under her breath in despair as his blood made her hands slick and yet still refused to cease its flow. Seeing his touch to his collar she decisively attempted to latch onto it and give it a mighty tug in hopes of somehow breaking it. Instead all she managed to do was yank him against her and throw herself off balance as she stumbled backwards, her bloody hand slipping right off the warm metal as if she was trying to grasp water.