It was pretty popular on Hamino, so I thought I could post it up here too.
- mentions magic, demons, etc
Deep into the night when not even a mouse was stirring, a dark shadow loomed across the small town of Nevis. The night air lost its warmth, the wind carried whispers of the unknown, the very earth shivered -
A large tentage of bright yellow and red warped into existence in the middle of a previously empty field. The ambience of the night returned to its calm state, embracing the foreign entity as if it had always been there.
The Midnight Circus has arrived.
In the day, the Midnight Circus lures in droves of curious town people to watch the show.
But at night, that's when the real party begins. You see, the Circus is not what it seems. It was created by a joint effort between a warlock (G. Wash) and a crossroad demon (T. Jeff). Well, less of a joint effort and more of a trying to pull one over the other.
The warlock wanted to create a safe space for poor humans with nowhere left to turn, but he was unable to do it on his own, so he seeked the help of a crossroad demon.
Well, being a sneaky demon, T. Jeff decided to nitpick on G. Wash's phrasing and twisted the deal so that whoever that goes into the safe space can never leave.
G. Wash realising he had been hoodwinked, used his powers to bind T. Jeff to him. And now, they have to deal with each other and the rest of the poor souls they pick up.
"You can check-out any time you like, but you can never leave!" ~ Hotel California, the Eagles
However, after a decade, they realised that the continual and persistent mingling of magic between two powerful beings, was causing certain side effects to the people inhabiting the safe space. (At that point it was Washington, Jefferson, Lafayette and Madison) It's causing them to manifest as supernatural beings aligned with their personality and character and they essentially became immortal, souls forever tied to the Circus.
Type of supernatural being
Wanted a safe space, dealt with a demon (not wise), got tricked, but tricked the demon back (aye)
Tricked the warlock, but is now bound to the warlock
High Elf (with Foresight)Â
An ability to see into the future, guides the Circus to find the people they need to help
First to be 'fostered', entire family and house was torched to the ground
Fortune teller at a booth outside the tent
Licht - due to his illness, he is forced to feed off souls (Although he is firmly against killing people, Jefferson has no such qualms and goes soul hunting for his new smol, soft human that he, in no way, adores)
Second, he was extremely ill and was left for the dead in fear that he was possessed
He stays backstage and helps out, he's not in the best of health :pensive:
Shapeshifter (fun fact: he has the intense fear of forgetting who he actually is after shifting and losing the man that loves and was loved by his wife and child)
Third, lost his wife to illness, weeks later, found out his daughter died at sea, on the way to accompany her father.
Freakshow (he almost never does this because of aforementioned fear, and the crew understands)
(Fun fact again! Out of all the crew, he felt the most unhappy of being robbed of his chance of an afterlife, since he can never be with his family again)
After their father died, they lost all their wealth and home to greedy relatives and were left on the streets to die
Sphinx (she's smart af, she's fierce af, and she would rip anyone who crosses her in half)
Animal tamer (given that she's half lionness, she can communicate with the big cats, and she loves all of her fluffy kitties)
Elemental spirit (can switch between all elements, as with all elemental spirits, but is most comfortable with fire and water, ironically)
Pixie (smol, fierce and can pack a punch)
Acrobat (she can FLY. She's practically hovering on the tightrope)
Thrown out of the family because of... Reasons...
Acrobat (he can fly too, but he's more of an adrenaline junkie, actually practices walking on the tightrope and all the tricks properly)
Hercules Mulligan & Maria Reynolds
Herc was trying to help Maria out from her abusive relationship with James Reynolds. James finds out and uses this to accuse Maria of cheating on him with Herc to gain sympathy points. Herc and Maria were then chased out onto the streets, with nothing but the clothes on their back
Disclaimer: Herc and Maria are not a couple, but if want the ship to float, you can have it.
Mountain Dwarf (large, stocky and skilled craftsmen)
Strong man (even when he was a human, he was hella strong!)
Siren (she doesn't sing at all after turning to a siren, because she absolutely abhors the non-consensual aspects of it)
Latest token human after a decade (what supernatural being will he be?? Who knows???)
Mother and brother died of illness one after the other, he survived but with no home or money. He was out on the streets near the tent when he was beckoned by Lafayette who gave him a ticket and told him to enjoy the show, and if he wanted to escape from this town, he has to go backstage at midnight. Which he did.
You never know when the Midnight Circus arrives.Â
You never know how the Midnight Circus leaves.Â
But you sure as hell know that you'll have a good time!
"In the eyes of the humans, we," Jefferson emphatically gestured to the four men, "look like people of suspicious motives, or... tastes."
"Ah. So that is the reason why the tarven lady looking at us with such..."
"Disgust. The word you're looking for is digust." The demon deadpanned. Washington frowned but did not correct him.
Madison and Lafayette looked at each other and sighed. They were used to such back and forths and knew when to keep silent when they going at each other.
"We need a cover," Jefferson declared. "A reason for a group of men - and possibly ladies, to travel together."
"What do you suggest..." Washington pinched the bridge of his nose. After spending nearly a decade with him, he knew when Jefferson is trying to push an agenda.
"A circus!" Jefferson cackled in glee. "It's perfect, and it's not like we can't pull it off! You can use your magic to entertain the masses and whip up a few illusions. And the Elf can use his fortune telling magic to lure people in."
Jefferson kicked his legs onto the table in front of him. "We'll have the cash and a cover. Win-win really."
"You know very well I don't have enough power-" Washington started, before narrowing his eyes, " you want your magic back."
"Just a lil bit. Enough to stop losing my mind!" Jefferson shot back defensively, "and Lafayette said he Saw a circus..."
Washington pressed his lips togther, "Fine."
He turned to Lafayette, "Did you manage to See the name of this 'circus'?"
Lafayette gave a sunny smile, "The Midnight Circus."
This is really just a lighthearted, slice of life, zany, crazy AU with feelsy moments 'cause everyone has an angsty backstory ÂŻ\_(ă)_/ÂŻ (Bet I fooled ya with that dark and mysterious coverart haha)
I'm sorry, for such a long post, but I get really wrapped up in details!!
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