the novelty of thieves

Hester Louisa Griggs seventeen years old pickpocket extraordinaire

[charlotte-soames]

Circus Girls | Hester & Charlotte

[charlotte-soames]

She clasped her hands to her chest dramatically with a laugh as she Hester spoke. “Well I think that they’re certainly missing out at such an excellent critic! It just means that my food gets to improve tenfold with you here.” As much as Charlotte was joking, a part of her was very serious. The food she made was a mere imitation of what the locals she borrowed the recipes from could create. It was magic watching them, and she could never imagine doing half of what they could. Of course, she did what she could to honor the original dish: buying the same ingredients, sticking to the local way of preparation as much as she could and serving it in a way that could be enjoyed by everyone. That was the point of what she did. She didn’t want to change something that wasn’t broken to begin with.

But not even Charlotte, who was an adamant lover of food and everything that it stood for, could abide by her own rules. She experimented with other local spices, with other ways to serve and prepare it. Conventional was not in her nature and she very much doubted it ever would be. “I promise I’ll do my best to rid my head of those thoughts though,” she promised, a slim finger drawing a quick cross across her heart before she turned back to her gathering and bustling. Her hands quickly groped above blindly at the shelves that lined the walls and a juicer was soon found, as she pulled the small device down. This stall may as well have been her second home, and it certainly held a very ‘Charlotte’ charm as she had been told. Everything there was organized chaos. Pots and pans and cutlery and cooking devices were littered in their spots. A knife was soon extracted from the towering pile of pans and she deftly sliced the citrus fruits, pushing up her sleeves before getting to work squeezing the juice out of them. 

A small pout formed on her lips as she turned to look at the younger girl. “Oh, I don’t believe that’s true in the least!” she protested. “You seem like the type of soul that has plenty of stories to tell. It’s just a matter of seeing who will listen to them.” Charlotte adored listening to stories almost as much as she adored reading them. Growing up in the orphanage, she had been one of the few children who could read. The beat up, musty books that the nuns did manage to give them had been read more times than she could remember, and upon being adopted, she had been beyond delighted when she realized that her father had a very well stoked library. But listening to stories were just as exciting for her. “Give me a hint at the very least,” she pleaded, suddenly becoming impatient to hear what the other had to tell her. 

[hester-griggs]

"I swear my loyalty to you and to you alone, my liege." She made an exuberant curtsey and straightened up, smiling a smile that was alight with mischievous laughter. The young girl was often in charge of her own entertainment, so she managed to squeeze enjoyment out of every situation she possibly could.

Hester smiled when Charlotte promised to banish such thoughts from her mind. Hester sought to see those she cared about were actually happy. She hated to see their hearts broken and their minds full of unease. It was so important that she was able to provide goodness in the lives of those she cared about.

"I have stories, surely, but no tact or discretion on the proper way of presenting them. I always ruin my own stories." She smiled widely. "So, I'll skip the murder and dissembling of my story and jump to the part where I just reveal the important part." With a brilliant, beaming smile, she withdrew the olive-colored, delicate ribbon and thrust her arms forwards, holding it before Charlotte. "Ta-da! For you!"

(OOC NOTE : Sorry about the lateness and the shortness of the post. I'm tryin to get back in the groove))

[levi--black]

Creatures of the Night - Levi & Hester

[levi--black]

Levi had grabbed at the stranger’s shoulder quite roughly in the midst of the collision, and he didn’t realise his fist was still twisted into the folds of her clothes until she took a sudden step back. Although no stranger to having his name called out by various females, the sound of; ‘Mr Black.’ being spoken jarred him and he quickly let go.

“Excuse me?” A deep frown was evident beneath the shadowed rim of his hat as he took his own retreating step backwards and stole a moment to observe the girl. Dark eyes roamed from head to toe and then back again, inconclusive. He did not recognise her. At least not right off the bat, or uniquely. She was one of his many beloved Reveur’s no doubt. He would not lie that they all looked the same to him. After a while they had all sort of blended together into one. Had it been another time, Levi may have come to the conclusion that the girl wanted to meet her hero and perhaps have him sign his name in elegant cursive letters on a sheet of paper and he may have been enthralled to entertain her. This particular night, however, all he wanted was to be left alone with a nice bottle of red and a carved roast. “Please be kind enough to look where you are heading, miss. The next gentleman you crash into may not be quite so charming.” He half scoffed, half snickered, tipping his hat and flashing her the hint of a corner-mouthed smile.

[hester-griggs]

Hester was not one to brood. In fact, the girl had an uncanny ability to seem exuberant. She was not one of those young women who was annoyingly chipper or sunny, but there seemed to be a spirit in her that was determined to live life to its fullest, despite the reality of the state of things. Hester knew darkness, and was largely ruled by it. But she was determined to always find a way to make her life fun - if not, what did she have to live for?

So, a more undignified Hester Griggs might have been irritated to have collided with a performer who did not know her name. She supposed that was excusable. More people knew her by face, after all. The local pickpocket often garnered a bit of a reputation.

"My apologies, Mr Black. Hester Griggs!" She offered her arm out for a handshake, demonstrating the difference between the well-maintained manners of the other ladies her age and her own, self-taught manners, or lack of manners.

But he was not very warm in his reception. She quickly withdrew her arm, quirking her eyebrows. "I might be inclined to believe you, but I have been told you cannot have less than nothing. No gentleman could surely have less charm then you, right?" She held her head aloft. "You seem rather cross."

[levi--black]

Creatures of the Night - Levi & Hester

Warm drizzle found itself a home in the narrow shoulders of Levi’s coat as he stepped out into the rain. It was a mild night in central Berlin. Muggy and close, with no toying breeze to finger playfully at the tails of his clothes or nudge at his hat; just an air of soft melancholy and a steady grey downpour that reminded him – not altogether too fondly – of London. Only the sounds and the smells were different, beyond the monotone of twisting pathways and tents and flash of crimson amongst the crowd, that is. Another may have been tempted to close their eyes and block out their ears in order to imagine they were back home in England. Levi did not. Just tugged at the brim of his hat and buttoned the collar of his long, heavy military coat a little closer. He was not a man inclined to nostalgia.

Taking his time to light up a cigarette - a manoeuvre that saw him gently the cupping the flame from the rain – he hunched his shoulders and prepared himself for a full immersion into the crowds. It was break time. He had precisely all of an hour before he was required back at his tent in preparation of his next act. And while the exiled Black had never quite reveled in the company of the peasants below him, his stomach currently protested otherwise. The food being prepared at nearby stalls smelled delicious.

The Reveurs were, as always, out en-masse. And as Levi slipped into the trails of Circus-goers treading forever foreign paths, their black and white costumes embellished with a single element of red almost called forth a scoff. The Reveurs. Dreamers. Romancers. Silly peasants who adored him so. How he loathed and loved them both at once.

In fear of his such royal status leading to him being mugged by an army of crazed fans, Levi – whose face still wore the powered mask of his act, all snow white landscape with deep black holes that the damp weather now smudged around his eyes – shouldered his way a little briskly through the surge. Head down and shoulders high, he aimed for the circus gates. Not quite caring for the snacks being served round about, despite whatever his stomach had to say on the matter – he hoped the midnight streets of Berlin might offer a little more for a man of such high status as himself.

A cosy late-night wine bar, tucked away somewhere down a deserted, cobble side-street perhaps.

He was just entertaining this most exquisite of daydreams, when something half his size, and weighing just as less, came cannonballing square into him. Sending him staggering off to one side (out of surprise, he would later say, not at all because he had lost his balance) the impact knocked the wind from his chest and in a moment of snap reaction Levi snatched out, grasping a hold of the first thing that brushed his fingertips. Hoping for stability, but finding the opposite instead, Levi was met with pure entanglement as both he and the offending pint-sized projectile fought a losing battle and together they toppled down.

[hester-griggs]

Hester sometimes found herself forced to follow the crowd. She had no choice, some times. Usually, it was as simple as she had posed as one of the crowd, and had to follow until circumstance permitted that she break from the crowd and head her own way. Too often, she pretended to be apart of a group and had to follow until they entered another building. She held the door open for everyone and then turned away.

That was usually the case.

However, there were some instances that were more unfortunate than others. And this was one of those unpleasant times where she found herself feeling rather foolish. Naturally, she was going to keep her cool, because mistakes happened to everyone, even the best, like her. It was how one dealt with the situation that actually determined the level of expertise.

See, Hester had been doing the usual. Slipping her hands into the pockets of others, pocketing what she could. Today was no different - except that when she had managed to bump into a man and take his coin purse, his watch chain had fallen loose and was now hanging out his pocket, attached to a lacy part of her own dress. She followed as closely and quietly as possibly, working quickly and deftly to detach herself from the man.

Hester knew that moments like this should indicate that she should get her act together and pursue a new, more appropriate way of life, but all it made her want to do was pull off something more daring or risky. Something with a bigger payoff.

She had to follow the gentleman and his group out of the circus and into the streets of Berlin - which should have been terrifying for a seventeen year old girl who had never been in the city before. But Hester was accustomed to wandering strange streets, and had developed a keen sense of direction. Her only concern continued to be escaping this unwanted attachment to the gentleman before her-

"Excuse me?"

Oh, blast!

The man had turned and seen that she seemed to be connected to him by his watch chain and had made a very logical, apt conclusion - she was stealing from him.

She didn't hesitate. She ripped the chain off of her and turned to run - there was no way she would risk taking an expensive chain right in front of him. She threw it at his face and took off running down the street. He attempted to follow but did not keep it up long. She continued her dash before swinging around a corner of a building.

She let out a cry of surprise as she collided with a figure. She felt them grab her for balance and she quickly lifted her head to identify them. It was one of the performers, so, of course she knew him. Hester knew everyone at the circus - she had to in her line of "work."

"Mr. Black!" she breathed, pulling away as she bowed her neck, playing the part of the innocent.

[charlotte-soames]

Circus Girls | Hester & Charlotte

[charlotte-soames]

Charlotte let out a mock gasp, but her eyes were crinkled with delight and teasing even as she spoke. “Don’t tell me you’ve found someone else who feeds you,” she started before losing her act completely. Those things never tended to last very long, besides. “I may have to find a new taste tester if that’s the case, but I’m afraid it would be a terrible shame to lose my best one.” The young woman may have fed plenty of circus members and coerced them into playing taste testers for her, but she wasn’t without her favourite ones. Either that, or whenever she cooked or tried out her new dishes, they tended to find her first. She’d jokingly claim that it was their noses and stomachs that led them to her. If she were being honest though, she wouldn’t have it any other way. Some of the people that she was closest with at the circus had met her that way but it had been more than the food that had sparked and built up those friendships. 

Her eyes did light up a little curiously at the movement because it wasn’t without her notice. She had to admit, that she had quite the curious personality. Both the nuns at the orphanage and her parents had said she had a nose for trouble and that there was the possibility of it completely ruining her chances of something or other one day. Curbing the appetite had done little else but make Charlotte restless though, so she had learned how to control it and allow it to exist in her finely structured world. The skill was perhaps the only lesson of hers that had stuck at the end of it all. That being said, she motioned for the younger girl to follow her into the stall, pushing the door open wide revealing the mess inside, but allowing the delicious aroma to spin from the confines of the enclosed space. “Wealth to spare? Well, Miss Griggs, I would be ever so delighted to hear about this tale over a drink,” she teased. 

The cart was still a mess of course, but she bustled about, clearing the mess of things off the tiny table she had managed to squeeze in there with a sweep of her arms. “Make yourself at home,” she said over the clatter of pots and pans as she placed the armful of dishes into the sink. “I think the stools are under the pile of notebooks and bobbles somewhere.” Her slim hands quickly found the pitcher that she kept hidden up amongst the shelves before she went to the basket that perched precariously on top of another counter that was filled with lemons, limes and oranges. “How does the local’s version of lemonade sound to you?” 

[hester-griggs]

Hester smirked at Charlotte's words, her eyes shining with the ghost of childish delight, though she was no longer a child. She was surely a woman, even if she did not behave as a lady. But Hester saw two very different meanings to the words - one did not have to be one to be the other, necessarily. There were many ladies who had not yet reached womanhood, and there were women (like her) who were not yet ladies. (Though, if she were being scandalously honest, she did not ever foresee herself being much of a lady - and she preferred it that way.)

"Of course I haven't!" she said lightly. "They've all learned from your mistake. You feed me once, and I return, just like a stray mongrel! They wouldn't dare risk it." She laughed jovially, always thrilled to place herself on the outside of good society, where she happily felt she belonged. "You'd never lose me, my friend, so put all thoughts of it out of that head of yours!" She grinned, for it was true. She could not see herself forgoing her helpful and pleasant alliance with the Soames woman. She liked her too much.

Charlotte motioned her inside and, despite the heat, Hester plunged into the stall. She had become quite hardy in her time. While on the road, she could not always guarantee she had somewhere comfortable to sleep. She had slept outside, atop the train, and in even in a crate that had once held some sort of circus animal. She had been piteously ill-dressed in both freezing and arid weather alike. She had gone without food, water, and shelter. A bit of unwanted heat would bother her minimally.

"I'm not a story-teller, alas," Hester said. "I always jump to the punchline. No, best to skip to the point of the story, I think, though I can do so over a drink, certainly!" Hester was a riddler of sorts, but she never did enjoy telling stories. She found herself to impatient with words to enjoy telling a story, though she loved hearing them - part of this was why she so enjoyed listening to Oscar.

Charlotte commanded her, in the gentlest of way, to get comfortable and Hester did just that, embracing the mess and extracting the first stool she could find, settling upon it with the pleasure of someone happy to find rest anywhere. Though the stall was warm, at least there was a break from the sun. "It sounds absolutely wonderful!"

[poppet--murray]

Reconnaissance || Poppet and Hester || 10 o' clock

Posters, flyers and yellowing newspaper clipping lay strewn about Poppet’s normally tidy car. Skimming over an article one last time, Poppet scoffed. Ainsworth’s Circus was praised over and over for their ‘extraordinary’ trainers and ‘gifted’ animals. 

Their centrepiece seemed to a lion by the name of Goliath, but they had animals too numerous to count. Every one was just a circus animal, though. Lions, tigers, elephants, she’d seen them all performing before.

No matter how much she looked for a kindred spirit, however, she and Widget remained the only two people she had ever heard of training kittens.

Ainsworth and his mediocre cronies hadn’t a single kitten, but Poppet had eight. She’d been training intensely for months, creating an entirely new act and training two new cats from scratch. It had been tiring, but Poppet had never been so sure of an act in her life. It was wonderful, and she knew it was better than anything she’d ever done. 

Still, she couldn’t help but hold a little curiosity as to what the acts looked like. She wanted to see these animals, and she knew that they wouldn’t risk mucking up their debut in the expo with something they seemed so celebrated for. They’d have to be practising during the ten o’ clock set-up time. 

It was for this reason that she’d enlisted Le Cirque des Reves’ local pickpocket, Hester Griggs to assist her. If anyone knew how to slip in and out of where ever these trainers were rehearsing, it would be Hester, who, Poppet hoped, would be arriving any moment. 

[hester-griggs]

Hester did not really care to rival the other circuses, as she had no act to be competitive with. Naturally, her loyalties lie with the Night Circus before any other place - but she would be lying through her teeth if she said she was not at least a little curious, interested and, yes, excited to check out the other circuses. She would never change loyalties, but she would not say that by checking out the other circuses, she was being disloyal. It wasn't like she'd be paying for anything there.

And there would be a whole new crop of performers, followers, and visitors with full pockets ready to lose some money. Hester simply could not pass up that opportunity. She was planning on going on a little spree and taking all she could. It would give her a little break from the constant survival game, and she could boast that she had done her part of combat the other circuses.

Honestly, Hester didn't get the whole competition aspect. She was happy enough to exist among the battling performers, using the chaos as a shield for her own illegal behaviors. She would thrive among the competition and high-strung emotions of the circus people. Like she said - she was a bit excited.

Oddly enough, she had been enlisted into the help of one Poppet Murray, the kitten tamer. It seemed Poppet wanted to get some information on the other animal trainers, and had chosen her, of all people, to assist her. Thought of remaining out of the competition flew from Hester's mind as she was finally given a shining opportunity to prove her worth. She could finally be of concrete use to the circus. She was pleased to be allowed that chance.

She almost looked happy, close to prancing towards Poppet's car as ten o'clock approached. She liked to present the image of youth and innocence, making her the least likely subject of theft or any other wrongdoing. She hopped up the steps and knocked, humming to herself as she turned her keen eyes on the landscape around her, giving it the once-over.

[charlotte-soames]

Circus Girls | Hester & Charlotte

[charlotte-soames]

Her eyes vaguely followed Hester’s mop of hair as she made her way through the group before losing her completely and she focused her attention back on the task at hand. They were a rowdy group, but most of the people that came to her stall were rowdy simply because they were hungry and she couldn’t blame them. She would be too if she were wandering (okay, really she’d probably run at some points because she would become so excited at something or other) around a circus in the boiling sun. And food was energy for the body, which eventually meant more energy to run around and explore. To be honest, she was just happy that she could be a part of that process, even if most people didn’t view it that way. 

Thankfully, another lull came as soon as she completed the orders for that group and as she wiped the sweat from her forehead, there was satisfied little smile on her face as she leaned out to drop the latches on her cart front, before it dropped upon her turning around to see the mess that she’d have to eventually clean up. Even if she did do her best to clean as she went, things still managed to pile up. She had no doubt that she’d be up to her elbows in water scrubbing her pots and pans. The pout was nothing more than a momentary fault in her giddy attitude though and she was heading towards the door, and poking her head out into the somewhat cooler temperature. “Hester, darling!” she all but trilled. The younger girl was leaned up against her cart examining something in hands that looked like a chain.

Charlotte was very aware of what the girl did for a living, but she wasn’t one to frown upon it. After all, she had, to a certain extent done that very thing before she had been adopted into the Soame family. Her outlook on those that made a living off the streets was only another thing that coloured her in the eyes of society, but the young woman did her best not to dwell on the matter too much or for very long. She wasn’t there anymore, after all. She was at the circus and everyone came from a different walk of life there. That being said, it was most likely why she had taken a shine to the younger girl the way she had. It was almost nostalgic to have someone there who understood in a way others didn’t and to be honest, she missed that part of her life more than her mother and father would have liked.  

“You must have been wandering in the heat for ages,” she started, words tumbling from her mouth, not choosing to ask about the chain in that exact moment as she went down the several stair steps to the ground. “Did you want a drink? Or maybe some food? I still have some left over if you do.” Her eyes crinkled before she smiled a little apologetically, “You can come in if you’d like, but I’m afraid the cart is stifling hot.” 

[hester-griggs]

Charlotte was one of those odd people who always seemed so sincerely happy to see her. It was simply not what Hester was used to. She did not have a problem with being relatively unwanted; she could understand why. She stole from people, so most people looked at her as a potential threat to their goods and reputation. She fully respected people's choice to judge her on her career choice. But there had been little options for her. A poor family, a bad father, no mother... Hester could be doing much more indecent things to make a living. However, she could understand the merit in the good and decent people's disdain.

And Charlotte was everything good and decent, yet she seemed to have some sort of affection for Hester that the younger girl could not understand nor fathom, so she did not try too. That pleasant disposition had always puzzled her, anyway. She had only ever seen the dirty evil of the world, so it was hard for her to look on any part of it (beyond this circus) with the happiness Charlotte managed to. And yet, Charlotte's manner seemed so authentic, unaffected, and easy. Though Hester was baffled by happy people, and often wary of them, this about Charlotte made her ever fonder of the woman.

And, of course, the food was a perk. The way to Hester's heart was a warm meal.

So deep were affectionate thoughts of the woman, that she did not notice the shifting of the cart, and was caught quite unawares as the back door was thrown open and her name was called. As a reflex, she moved her hand into one of the pockets she had sewn into all of her dresses, tipping the chain inside. It was not as if she were trying to keep Charlotte ignorant to what she did - Charlotte knew, and she was one of the few who did not seem to judge. But Hester pined to think she may ever put one of the people she was fond of in a position where the authorities came to them for information on her. It was simply not a place to put one's friends in. The best to do was to involve Charlotte as minimally as possible.

"Charlotte!" she cheered back, hoping to cover up the hiding of the chain, though she was almost certain she had not been quick enough - this time. The woman immediately began to fret over her. Hester imagined that, if she had an elder sister, she would speak the way Charlotte did. So kind. So worried.

"The sun has done me wonders. My hair is not quite so long as it was last summer, so it is nice to have practical reason for the length." Many had thought her hair too short for someone approaching womanhood, but it was nice for her pickpocketing gimmicks - and the weather was perfect for it. She had eaten a little earlier -  but she was hungry, naturally. She was always hungry. She was very far from starving, however, and it was only then that she forced herself to impede on the kindness of others. "I won't turn my nose up at a meal, but it's a drink that I'd appreciate the most. I've eaten today, actually. I've been doing well for myself. So well, in fact, that I have wealth to spare." She withdrew something from her pockets and hid it behind her back, hoping to spur Charlotte into asking her meaning.

[hester-griggs]

Treasure Trove || Hester & Edmund

[edmund-wakefield-deactivated201]

At her inquiry of anybody needing a ribbon, he paused and smiled. “Actually I do, I-” And then he frowned, he couldn’t remember who he was going to say. He knew there was someone he knew that would like a ribbon, but he couldn’t remember who it was. His anger bubbled up, but he managed to push it away. It was just another scar the injury had left. The longer his memories stayed away, the less likely they seemed to return. “I’ve forgotten  It doesn’t matter,” He brushed away, trying to regain his playful demeanor he’d had before and hoping she hadn’t noticed.  

He chuckled at her her eagerness to smoke. He’d almost forgotten what that was like too. It was such a common thing now that smoking was hardly a special occasion. Obviously she wasn’t new to it though, there was no coughing for one thing, and she seemed to enjoy it far too much. “Well, let us hope you are never seriously ill then,” he commented. Doctors weren’t all bad, just incredibly infuriating. 

He smirked at her answer to his investigation. She was good. “Ah, no you see, I was a street rapscallion myself, and I had to strive to speak the way I do now. I had a horribly common voice and that all had to change. So what’s so complicated about you? What’s so special about a young little pick pocket?” He asked with a grin, snatching his cigarette back and inhaling deeply. 

[hester-griggs]

She held on to his cigarette, intending to hold on as long as she could. Typically, she did everything to reduce her burden on those around her, but this was different. Firstly, because the cigarette had its own demands on her that even she was a bit unprepared to oppose. And secondly, because she was in this rally of witty banter, and to loosen on any front was to give up the advantage she thought she had - the advantage of mystery. For while she knew very little of Edmund, he knew even less of her. She would not let her advantage slip. Anytime she had any sort of feeling of power or superiority, she had to cling to it. Who knew when it would return?

He could not recall who could use a ribbon, for which she was glad. A scheme was forming in her head to present Charlotte with the ribbon, and she would hate to feel obliged to deliver it elsewhere. No, she was certain the ribbon should belong to Charlotte. She smiled at his words, or rather, she flickered a smile at his words on doctors, and said, "For many reasons, let us toast to that." She raised the cigarette aloft. Illness would be the least helpful thing to her. To others, it was a break from obligations. To her, it could mean a death sentence.

"You, a child of the street? But your words are even prettier than mine," she responded, the ghost of a tease playing on her lips. Hester felt at liberty to tease all, for they could think no lower of her than what was true. It was a very freeing position, poverty. "I would hardly seem to complicated if I were to unravel the knot. Perhaps I'm not the complicated one, but you're looking at me through spectacles of your own quirks of thought that make me appear to be the one to be figured out. Never try to reason someone's character without first reasoning your own." For someone who had to live so practically, Hester loved to speak in riddles. And she never answered a question straight. "I would hardly call myself special, so I pose that question to you, as you are the one who has deemed me so. What makes a young pickpocket so special?"

[thenightcircus-rp]

[hester-griggs]

Treasure Trove || Hester & Edmund

[edmund-wakefield-deactivated201]

He watched her unwind it from her hair and frowned a little. “Don’t throw it away though. You always end up needing the things you throw away,” He said, leaning back against the train again and flicking more ash off the end of his cigarette. She didn’t seem to bothered by his anti-complement, even slightly please. She was certainly an interesting one. 

“Seventeen you say? Well you’re life is practically over anyway, what harm will a cigarette do,” Instead of fishing another on out, he simply passed his over, it was half finished already but he didn’t want to give the girl too much. He looked at her curiously, studying her as he did with almost everyone. “Yes two weeks would be a nice break if I hadn’t had 4 weeks of the torture already,” He teased lightly with a smirk. Perhaps he’d go against doctors orders in the end and take it off early anyway. It already felt good as new as it was. What was the point in two more weeks of hell. 

He chuckled at her remark, he supposed it was nice, although he usually dodged the questions well enough, unless he was in the mood for showing off. “So tell me, where did someone like you, learn to talk so proper?” He raised an eyebrow. He knew her kind, he’d grown up with them, but not one of them talk as well as she did. “I’ve known a fair few pickpockets in my time, and they’ve all been much rougher than you,” He pointed out, smiling as if he’d revealed a secret.

[hester-griggs]

"Good advice," she said lightly, though she had fully intended to keep it. Of course, if she could give it to someone else, she would like to be able to provide any service, she liked to do what she could. "Unless, of course, you know of anyone in need of such a ribbon - If I have no use for it, I would love to be of assistance to someone who could truly appreciate it." She wound the ribbon around her fingers once, and then tucked it out of sight.

She tried to hide a smile or a look of anticipation as he offered her his cigarette, for she did not want to appear to be a slave to any habit. Hester strove so much for individuality and independence, that she considered anything that she relied on or was dependent on to be a vice, to be a very threat to her way of living. Yet an eager smile flickered onto her face as she took the cigarette - propriety be damned - and brought it to her lips.

She drew in the nicotine, held it in her lungs, gently tasted the subtle change it inspired inside her, before she released it. How long had it been since her last cigarette? Probably nine days, possibly ten. She remembered to listen to her companion and responded mildly, "Six weeks sounds tough. Doctors rarely persuade me into doing anything - mostly because I avoid them." She smiled lightly, before drawing in another breath.

She ticked her head. "Someone like me? I suppose I should feel insulted. I've always spoken properly - any street rapscallion can easily be literate." She smiled coyly, tapping the cigarette so ash fell from the stick. "Who's to say I am not rough? I may be more complicated than you could surmise from an initial meeting."

[charlotte-soames]

Circus Girls | Hester & Charlotte

A strand of damp brown hair stuck to Charlotte’s cheek as she slaved over the wood powered stove and oven that the circus had been kind enough to provide her with and she swiped it away quickly enough and without a second thought. While the heat was enough to make any normal person cranky, the ever present smile was still on Charlotte’s face when she turned around to deliver the fresh and steaming hot plate of kosha mangsho to its awaiting customer. It was a short reprieve being away from the stove, but as soon as she had the next order she was back to bustling around the small space that smelled of delicious smells and spices.

Charlotte adored what she did at the circus. She had lived and breathed it since the moment that the first food hawker back in London had let her help him prepare his wares for the day and she knew in that moment that she’d never be happier doing anything else. While most society girls would have been simply appalled at the fact that they’d have to work, Charlotte had taken it all in stride. Working helped her feel like she was engaged instead of sitting passively by sipping her tea and watching the world go by and that sort of attitude certainly helped her earn her keep around the Circus of Dreams. 

It wasn’t to say that she didn’t enjoy sitting and sipping tea, but there was a time and place for that and she didn’t think that she could stomach doing that one activity for the rest of her life. Oh, no. A life of movement and a life of adventure were much more her cup of tea so to speak. So even though she had learned that her food cart could get ridiculously warm in the Calcutta weather, especially when she had the oven or stove going, Charlotte still smiled through it all. She couldn’t quite remember which of the food hawkers it had been that had told her a smile was the cherry on top of every dish and sale. Being where she was though, sales weren’t really her primary concern. It was about sharing her joy of food with everyone else around her, and what better way to do that than to smile while she worked? 

And so she worked through the heat and the sweat, smiling all the while until the line began to dwindle so that she could have a bit more breathing room. It was only in one of these rare breaks as she tided up her work space and began to put things away that she didn’t think she’d need, did Charlotte spot a familiar flash of brown hair and a cheeky smile not unlike her on. “Hester!” She would have continued the conversation if it hadn’t been for the small tour group that had suddenly materialized from the crowd already calling out orders. Instead she gave her a quick apologetic grin, before motioning for her to meet her around back at her food cart’s door. She realized with a start, that this small group would probably clean her out for the remainder of the night, but it wasn’t an unpleasant start in the least bit. Any time spent with the young girl was time that she was quickly learning to enjoy. 

[hester-griggs]

Hester had seen the man in front of her tuck a watch chain into his pocket, though he had forgotten to properly fasten it to his vest. She knew that this meant if she could get close enough, it would be easily enough to snag the chain, pull it from his pocket, and hold on to a nice-priced item with little to no hassle. Her hands were folded and hidden in the folds of her dress, perfectly hiding the small piece of hard wire she had kept for such occasions. She was so glad she had kept the thing - though, when one had next to nothing, one often accumulated what one could.

She had been following them for quite some time, doing her absolute best to look as nonchalant as possible. She allowed her head to turn and her eyes to wander, seemingly taking in the sights that had already become so familiar to her. It had not taken her long to explore the entirety of the circus. She had nothing else to do, and the key to her success was constant movement between locations. It followed naturally that she should become well accustomed to the circus.

She soon found that the group she was following was headed towards Charlotte's food cart - a suspicion confirmed as one of the gentleman pointed out her cart and confirmed that the party indeed wanted to get their meal there. Hester smiled to herself, now overtaking the group and approaching the cart as though that had been her intended destination the entire time. This made it too easy.

She swerved, placing herself at a particular angle from the cart. Charlotte's eyes rose and found her, calling her out by name. Hester had not anticipated it, but she could not be upset with Charlotte - she esteemed the woman too much to be disappointed by her. She raised a jovial hand, responding, "Charlotte!" in turn.

Charlotte served her better by motioning to request her presence at the back of the cart, just as the party Hester had long been trailing arrived at their destination. Perfect. She bowed her head politely to her friend, and then made her way through the crowd, aiming for the back of the cart. "Excuse me," she repeated. In the hustle and bustle, she fished the wire out, slid it into the gentleman's pocket, and retrieved what she had come for.

Without inspecting her catch, she pushed through the crowd and circled the cart, coming to the rear entrance. She leaned against it and smiled to herself, withdrawing her hands from the folds of her dress.

"Oh..." she searched for words. "Bother!"

The chain itself was not in great condition, and had no watch attached. It seemed the man was attempting to keep up appearances. She sighed, disappointment briefly marring her mood. Still, the chain would fetch a decent price. She must not be so gloomy. Charlotte would surely help her pick up the mood, anyway.

[hester-griggs]

Treasure Trove || Hester & Edmund

[edmund-wakefield-deactivated201]

At least she took the observation well, playing along with that slight smirk. Yes, he would stay and play a little longer, she seemed like an adequate waste of time. “Well I don’t suppose it was very hard. You wear it atrociously.” he teased, pushing off from the railing and taking a few steps closer. He squinted and leaned in a little, still a few paces away. “It doesn’t match your eyes,” He said as if that explained it. 

He saw her watching him smoke and he raised an eyebrow. “Under normal circumstances I would offer you one, but you look about 10 and far to young for bad habits like this,” He said, waving his cigarette a bit and inhaling the smoke once again. He chuckled slightly, exhaling the smoke and raising the other eyebrow challengingly. 

His smile slipped as he mentioned his injury. “Yes, I injured it in a bear fight, or some other heroic tale, I assure you,” He said, trying to get out of the serious talk. “Two weeks hopefully, then I’ll be back to spinning for my supper as usual,” He shrugged. He wasn’t going to let on how much he longed for the thrill. Nor didn’t he want to burden this meeting with the depression of illness and injury. 

He looked her over for a second, and her appearance seemed to fit her lifestyle. “So you’re a pick pocket,” He started, not giving anything away in his facial expression. “Are you homeless? Ever lived on the streets? Orphan?” He reeled off curiously. It wasn’t his job to judge her lifestyle, it wasn’t as if he hadn’t done a few misdeeds in his life. 

[hester-griggs]

She smiled indulgent as he told her she wore it terribly. If there was anything in this world Hester truly did not like, it was the supposed 'gentleman' who found every excuse to compliment and flatter. Hester never felt pleased by these sorts - as though she needed their approval, their acceptance. It was as though she could not be attractive or clever or talented until they informed her that she was. His honesty and refusal to flatter was refreshing.

"I've never worn ribbons, really. Not for decorative purposes, anyway. However, I've found myself in possession of one and until I find a proper use for it - well, the expression is waste not, want not, is it not?" He came around and surveyed her, informing her it was the discrepancy in color that made it so unflattering. "In that case, perhaps some waste is occasionally necessary." She reached up and began to unwind it from her hair.

He must have noticed the way her eyes lingered upon his cigarettes, for which she was mildly abashed. She preferred to be an unintelligible enigma. If people could understand her thinking, half of her cover was blown. She blamed it on the drug's addictive qualities. "It isn't proper for a lady to disclose her age - unless some rewards could come of it. Therefore, I have no qualms whatsoever in telling you that I am of the ripe old age of seventeen."

She had not heard the details of his incident, for she could not be picky about the sort of information she received. Any information, no matter how scanty, was appreciated. All she had known was that he had been injured - she had not even known until she had seen him what sort of injury it was. "Two weeks may be a nice rest, if you can keep your mind occupied."

He had deduced her trade easily, though he may have known it from the others - even those performers who did not know anything about her, knew what she did to survive. She laughed. "You're curious! Must be a nice change to ask the questions rather than be interrogated for the tricks of your own trade. All I'll say on the matter is that this circus is a better home and family than anyone could ever possibly require."

[hester-griggs]

Treasure Trove || Hester & Edmund

[edmund-wakefield-deactivated201]

It had been almost 4 weeks since the accident, and all he had left to prove for it were a few persistent bruises and this damn sling on his arm. 4 weeks since he’d performed. If he didn’t have some excitement soon, he swore he would go crazy. He tried to act like his usual self for the benefit of others, but he was grumpy and quick tempered all the time. The sooner this cast was off the better. 

He walked along the side of the train, kicking stones as he went. He felt useless, like he wasn’t a contributing member of the circus anymore. Fishing his cigarette case out of his pocket he lit one up and inhaled the comforting smoke. Drink had been his solace almost every night for the past few weeks, it wasn’t like he was addicted, because he knew that as soon as he was able to perform again he’d no longer need it. It was just something to numb the pain and boredom. 

As he reached the end of the train he sighed and prepared to turn around again when he saw a girl sitting on the edge, fiddling with her hair. “That’s a pretty ribbon,” He said with a slight smirk, flicking some ash into the grass. He paused a few paces away from her and leant against the railings on the back of the train. She couldn’t be anymore that 16 or 17, and she wasn’t a performer, he knew that much. But yes, he’d definitely seen her before. 

“Who did you steal it from?” He asked casually, a mischievous glint in his eye as he took another drag on his cigarette. Perhaps this girl could provide some source of entertainment for the time being. He needed some sort of distraction. 

[hester-griggs]

Hester's senses had been tested in her experience as a criminal - it was important to always be aware. She could hear someone approach, so she tucked away her sash and money, placing them under the folds of her dress. The dress itself had once been nice, but it was a plain cut and cloth, and had been patched as nicely as possible. She tried to keep her clothes clean and nice to blend into the crowds, though she did not care much for fashion. She did not look so ladylike now, for dirt caked her boots and she had pulled on some fingerless gloves to better handle her treasures.

She knew someone was approaching, but she did not panic. It would be a visitor, and they were the only ones who would truly persecute her. Besides, she was hoping it was Sybil, so she could give the ribbon to her - she doubted she would be keeping it.

She looked up and saw that her hopes were in vain. Edmund Wakefield stood before her - Hester knew the performers well. Her love for the circus often ensured she knew everything there was to know about the place. She had seen his act, of course. She had seen everyone's. She appreciated that his act took both physical and mental discipline to perfect. It was one of the acts she, herself, would love to learn - though many would probably say it was terrible unladylike. And their disdain would only make her want to do it more.

She did not think she had ever properly introduced herself to him. She rarely did - she preferred to stay out of the way. She continued to attempt to work it into her hair, angling the mirror so she could look at him as she responded, "Thank you." She suppressed a small smirk at his clever observation, responding, "I'm not certain, but it did look very pleasing on her. I cannot manage to wear it as well as her. I'll probably find some other use for it."

She caught sight of his cigarette and longed for one herself. It was a rare treasure when she could manage to steal a cigarette, and it had been quite some time. She enjoyed the feeling of maturity the drug gave her. She would not, however, condescend to ask for one. She never asked for anything.

She put the mirror down and turned to look at him, her eyes falling on the sling. "I heard you were injured - though I was not there when it happened. Do you know how long you will be out of commission? You must be going absolutely mad not being able to perform your act." She knew that if she had the talent the performers did, she would be frustrated not to be able to display it.

[hester-griggs]

Treasure Trove || Hester and Edmund

Hester liked to sit on the back of the train, her feet trailing over the ground as she laid out her treasures from the day next to her. This was early morning when all of the visitors were moving on, and most of the performers were cleaning up and getting ready to rest before another long night of work. Hester was a bit of an insomniac and did not need much time for sleep – a few hours before the circus began would tide her over until the next time she had to retire. She might have had a steadier sleep schedule if her life were any steadier. But survival was a job that demanded all of her time.

She knew no one at the circus would let her sit and starve. If she became too desolate, there would be those who would give her food, lend her money, and see to it that her basic needs were met and that she wanted for nothing. But Hester could not think to stoop to that level. The young girl was much too independent to think of being someone’s ward. The circus had given her a place to consider her home; making sure she took care of herself and did not give the workers anything more to worry about was the very least she could do.

Hester had not had the best of nights, when looking at the actual product of her labor from the long night. A ribbon, a handful of petty money, a sash, and a handful of small buttons and twine. The buttons and twine were typical for a day of pickpocketing - they always somehow worked their way into her possession. The sash was, by far, the most valuable of the lot. The money would help her get some food and drink, but the sash could possibly bring a pretty penny - or, it could be a good gift.

Hester loved giving gifts - it implied she had control, and that she was an adult. She was independent and doing so well she had extra. That was what it implied, anyway. She thought it was important to keep up appearances.

She looked at the ribbon and ran it over her fingers. She looked out across the tents of the circus, and slowly began working the ribbon into her hair. She just wanted to know how it looked. She reached into the folds of her dress and pulled out a small shard from a mirror. She checked over the ribbon - it looked good, though she doubted she would keep it.

[thenightcircus-rp]

Accepted.

What should we call you? You can feel free to call me Johnni.

How long have you been roleplaying? On forums for about 3-4 years. This would be my first Tumblr roleplay, so I’ll be very open to criticism and help.

Which character are you applying for? Hester Griggs has stolen my heart.

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