ADAM STONE is a SET UP and 34 years old. Originally from MEMPHIS, TEXAS, they have been with the circus for 6 years. They look like ED SKREIN and possess the ability of TIME DILATION. They are known to be CLEVER, DAUNTLESS, and INDEPENDENT, but can also be COMPETITIVE, INCISIVE, and STRONG-WILLED.
CHARACTER THEMES: worry, the unspoken, time, immediacy, loyalty, anticipation
SUMMARY OF ABILITY: Adam can slow down time in small, controlled bursts for a few seconds. During this time, he can perceive and react to events with incredible detail, giving him the upper hand in situations requiring quick thinking, precision, or escape. Additionally, if Adam is physically touching someone, he can bring them into the slowed-down state with him.
BIO
Adam was born and raised in Texas with just his mom. He was ten when she passed away and her best friend, X Vaisman, took him.
He grew up with the Vaisman family, and became best friends with Kenzie. As they got older, he ended up having to cash quite a few checks that Kenzie wrote, getting into fights on her behalf with their friends.
When he was fourteen, Adam’s ability developed in the middle of a fight. One moment a fist was coming towards him, and the next everything was moving slowly around him before speeding up a few seconds later.
He kept this ability secret for about a year until he and Kenzie were crossing the street one night and a car came speeding along. He didn’t hesitate, taking her hand (without knowing if it would do anything) and pulling her through time with him, out of the way of the car. It felt like minutes but was only seconds and the car continued on, right through the spot they both would’ve been.
The cat was out of the bag and they both ended up learning about their abilities. Adam wondered about others but never enough to do research lol. He used his skills in fights etc etc im getting bored. He was probs in trouble with some people for one reason or another and this was around the time Kenzie joined the circus.
So he ended up joining it a day after Kenzie lol bc besties obvi and getting away from the problem people.
He does set up and general crew stuff around etc etc.
ELLIOT ANDERSON is a SECURITY TEAM MEMBER and 34 years old. Originally from ATLANTA, GEORGIA, they have been with the circus for 3 years. They look like GARRETT HEDLUND and possess the ability of REGENERATION AND HEALING. They are known to be KIND, INTELLIGENT, and PENSIVE, but can also be ANXIOUS, REACTIVE, and SARCASTIC.
CHARACTER THEMES: depression, self-loathing, anxiety, anguish, regret, self-worth, hope, loyalty
SUMMARY OF ABILITY: He has the unconscious ability to rapidly heal from any injury he sustains. He still feels the pain of said injury but it enables him to regenerate damaged or destroyed tissue with far greater efficiency than an ordinary human. He can also help heal others with injuries by touch but in doing so he absorbs echoes of their pain.
BIO
Elliot was born in Atlanta, Georgia, with his two older brothers and many younger siblings. Life wasn’t easy in the Anderson household, especially with their father and mother.
He trailed after Hunter and Ryan like a shadow, learning how to be street smart along with their other siblings.
His abilities developed when he was fourteen and Bobby glassed him for talking back. Elliot felt glass shattering against his skull, blood running down the side of his face as he fell to the ground. The siblings who were home ran to help him, wiping clean the blood before realizing his skin had begun to stitch itself up.
The second part of his ability developed a few weeks later when Bobby ended up ragging on one of his other siblings (open), and broke a bone. Elliot didn’t know why but he felt compelled to put his hands on the broken bone, grimacing all the while. When he removed his hands, the bone was healed and he felt an ache – an echo of the pain his sibling had felt that faded after a while.
Over the years, he would use his abilities to help his siblings if they ever got in a rough spot, and it helped himself. Especially with the sarcastic mouth he had on him – getting into fights wasn’t uncommon. And even if sometimes they didn’t want him to use his ability on them, he would help his siblings out too. Echoes of their pain was better than them having to walk around with an injury.
He’s close to his family in many different ways/with different dynamics. So when five years ago some of his younger siblings went to the circus and never came home, he, Hunter and Ryan began to look for them.
While looking for them, they were attacked by Pursuers who’d caught their trail and Elliot was captured for what would be the two worst years of his life. They were keen to learn more about those with abilities – keen to understand how each one worked. How to replicate them. They wanted to see the extent of Elliot’s regeneration. How fast he could heal and from what. Would he pass out if they cut him open? If they cracked open his ribs and poked around inside? Could he heal around a knife? What sort of bullets took longer to heal from than others? And on it went. Because we’re going full emo in this mfer, he thought of his siblings. But he gave up hope of getting out after the first year. Of them finding him. And by the second year, Elliot wanted to die. But they never figured it out. (obvi he’s gotta be decapitated LOL) Pain was his constant companion.
But his brothers did come for him. Hunter and Ryan finally found and rescued him. And with the three of them together, they continued their search for the circus and stumbled up in it by chance, reunited with their family three years ago.
While it’s clear that Elliot’s changed in many ways, and he’s developed some coping habits (he can’t block windows, doesn’t like locking doors of rooms he’s gotta be in (trailer or train), has to pace before he can fall asleep, + more to come), he’s still the Elliot his siblings remember in other ways. He still can be found with his nose in a book, or a sarcastic comment ready to go. He’s still kind and quick to react. His anxiety is obvi worse and there are still some panic attacks but his family tends to close rank quickly if he’s with them and while not all are good at handling him when he has them (Hunter lol), he knows they won’t ever leave him on his own.
The Circus may not be home per se, but his family is.
NOAH CALLAHAN is a ANIMAL HANDLER and 28 years old. Originally from MADISON VALLEY, MONTANA, they have been with the circus for 3.5 YEARS. They look like JACOB TOO TALL ELORDI and possess the ability of ANIMAL WHISPERING. They are known to be ADAPTABLE, DILIGENT, and RESILIENT, but can also be INCISIVE, RESTLESS, and SELF-SABOTAGING.
CHARACTER THEMES: guilt, remorse, inner peace, atonement
SUMMARY OF ABILITY: Animal whispering is the ability to communicate with animals on an instinctual, almost telepathic level. Through subtle gestures, eye contact, and emotional cues, the user can understand animals’ feelings, intentions, and even faint impressions of their thoughts. This connection allows the user to calm, guide, or influence animals’ behavior, fostering trust and cooperation in a way that feels entirely natural. The animals respond as though they can sense the user’s intentions, making it possible to work with them effortlessly, even in challenging or chaotic situations.
BIO
Jack grew up on a ranch in Madison Valley, Montana with his parents and siblings.
Having grown up around animals, it wasn't surprising when his ability of animal whispering manifested. Like his mom, he was able to communicate with the numerous animals around their ranch, from horses to cows to the many dogs they've had.
Jack had decided he wanted to be a vet early on and ended up going to school for it. He worked hard, visiting home when he could and focusing on his school work.
He was 24 and in his second year of veterinary school when tragedy struck. He got news that there'd be a fire on the ranch and his family hadn't survived.
Jack immediately returned to what was once his home. All her saw was the wreckage of what was left. He was mourning his family and their animals when he heard barking in the distance. His golden retriever Avery who'd managed to get away. Through her eyes he saw glimpses of a struggle, piecing together what must've been an attack.
His parents had never spoken about what happened to their extended family, all Jack knew was that they'd died. But he suspected that this had something to do with it. He combed through the wreckage of the house for any signs of information and eventually found a small safety deposit box of sorts bc idc and in it was a journal. His mother had detailed her past and the loss of her family.
Jack learned about the Pursuers this way and knew he had to get on the road. He dropped out of school, unable to pay and too guilty for having been gone when his family needed him.
He'd just made it to Phoenix with Avery when the Night Circus appeared. He was drawn to it and maybe he hoped to get answers, having read about it once in his mom's journal. He ended up staying, having found a home after his own had been taken from him.
He's been part of the circus for nearly 4 years, working as an animal handler. He's not one for showmanship but he knows animals, and even though he never finished veterinarian school, he was knowledgable enough to make a difference.
LEVI HENDRIX is a PUPPETEER & TINKERER and 37 years old. Originally from CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, they have been with the circus for 7 YEARS. They look like MICHIEL HUISMAN and possess the ability of ANIMATION. They are known to be CONFIDENT, PERCEPTIVE, and RESOURCEFUL, but can also be ARROGANT, IMPATIENT, and STUBBORN.
CHARACTER THEMES: confidence, compassion, concealment, exuberance, facade, creation
SUMMARY OF ABILITY: The user can give life to inanimate objects, animating them to act/move on their own accord. Though capable of operating purely independent of their animator's control, they can still function as extensions of their will, allowing the animator to potentially be able to command, control and otherwise influence them to varying degrees, which can even include causing the target to fly on their own power.
BIO
Levi grew up in Chicago with a bro and single mom. Their mom had the ability to make drawn things real (a picture of a flower becoming a flower etc) and Levi grew up admiring her gift before his own manifest.
It started small, with a robot built out of legos that began to move because he wanted it to. Then it turned to other things as he grew older – items coming to life around him. His mom helped him learn control but also cautioned him against showing off because of dangers that existed around them.
He lived life mostly devoid of true joy for a while, finding that the concealment of self was harder when he was pretty much meant to show off lol.
Eventually, he stumbled upon the Night Circus. It was a late night. He’d just broken up with yet another girlfriend. He hated his job as a lawyer. And there, on a pier by Lake Michigan was the circus. He convinced his brother to come with him, and eventually they were both mesmerized by the spectacle before them.
He left the circus that night, feeling like there was something more for him. Levi went back the next day, hoping it was there and it was. On a whim he joined and was whisked away into a world unknown.
While he stayed in contact with his brother, it took about two years before they were back in Chicago and he convinced him to join with him, knowing he wasn’t any happier in his life.
The two Hendrix brothers are known to cause a bit of trouble but with Levi’s charming smile and his brother’s quick-thinking, they usually managed to get away unscathed. Levi’s puppet show is a hit with everyone from all ages, and he often includes people in it – animating their hats or watches or even their shoes while they’re still on. Additionally, he creates little animated items that add to the Circus's whimsy.
The Night Circus is a far cry to what his life had been before but Levi is grateful for it nonetheless.
CORALINE “CORA” DEVEREAUX is a PANTOMIME and 29 years old. Originally from PARIS, FRANCE, they have been with the circus for 2 MONTHS. They look like ELLA PURNELL and possess the ability of INTANGIBILITY. They are known to be CURIOUS, DETERMINED, and FREE-SPIRITED, but can also be BRAZEN, REACTIVE, and REBELLIOUS.
CHARACTER THEMES: distance, longing, potential, belonging, transience
SUMMARY OF ABILITY: She possesses the ability to pass through matter, known as "phasing", by passing her atoms through the spaces between the atoms of the matter she wants to move through. In this way, she and the outside matter can temporarily merge without interacting, each being unharmed during the process, making her, for all intents and purposes, intangible. Hence, she can easily walk through walls and barriers and when attacked, she can shift into a "phasing" state to allow any oncoming danger to harmlessly pass through her. She passes through matter at the same speed at which she was moving beforehand, phasing through it with no loss in momentum. She is also able to allow additional matter she is in contact with, living or otherwise, to become intangible and phase along with her.
BIO
Cora was born in Paris, France to a well-to-do family. She was intellectual and curious about the world around her and could be found running around the city with friends.
She was the youngest of several siblings and like them, was sent to boarding school in Sweden for high school.
Everything seemed fine until she turned 15 and she began to feel off. She’d drop things more easily and get headaches frequently. One night, she was having a nightmare, she felt like she was falling only to wake up screaming, phasing through her bed and several floors below to another dorm. No one understood what was going on, and those who might have kept their mouths shut.
Referred to as “the incident”, it didn’t take long for rumors to spread about Cora and her abilities continued to be problematic. She lasted about another two weeks before she was withdrawn by her parents. They told her never to tell anyone what was going on. Things were still difficult after a year, and there were more incidents that occurred, so they moved Cora to a family home in Normandy.
It wasn’t as fast paced as Paris but it ended up being good for her. The water provided peace and space to think. She had a tutor and despite missing out on the life she could’ve had, Cora was still scared of herself until she gradually began to learn more about her abilities and practice in a less public space. She used that intelligence and her natural curiosity and began to research what she could about matter and molecules and everything in between.
She remained in Normandy for several years before finally gaining enough control of her abilities to feel comfortable going out into the world again.
Cora still felt like she couldn’t get close to anyone, always fearful of hiding who she was. Especially because she heard rumors. Everyone had. About odd things happening and then people disappearing. Something seemed off about it and so she kept to herself for the most part. Traveling around the world.
Eventually, she cut off her parents as well, when they reached out claiming they had someone who could help change things for her entirely. As tempting as it would have been when she was 15, Cora in her 20s couldn’t imagine life any other way. Eventually those people who they claimed could help finally came after Cora.
She was on the run for 2 years before eventually finding the Night Circus a year ago. She’d returned to Normandy and was promptly scouted by Genevieve Westwood who invited her to the show and later, convinced her to stay.
She’s been with them for about two months, and has nearly perfected her act as a mime. Her act has her using her abilities to their fullest potential, creating an act that’s full of thrills and laughter for all. She enjoys being able to use the abilities she spent so long hiding and is grateful to the Circus for giving her a home. She’s made fast friends with some members and is ever curious about their skills, learning about them all as they hit the road.
OTHER
CONNECTIONS: Older siblings who have abilities that she never knew about. They probably kept them hidden from the family. Could've been searching for Cora and found the Circus, or could've found the Circus and then found Cora. Open!
ACCENT: Cora is from France, but her tutors were good and American TV and her years practicing alone in Normandy mean her accent isn't very noticeable. Also, traveling all over the world, she spent a few years traveling through America and perfecting her accent on the road.
BECKETT RHODES is a RIGGER & SAFETY MEASURES and 49 years old. Originally from PHOENIX, ARIZONA, they have been with the circus for 15 YEARS. They look like ANDREW LINCOLN and possess the ability of TELEKINESIS. They are known to be EFFICIENT, INUITIVE, and PATIENT, but can also be DISTRUSTFUL, INTENSE, and RETICENT.
CHARACTER THEMES: protection, recompense, leadership, perceived control, responsibility
SUMMARY OF ABILITY: The ability to manipulate and control objects with the mind without physically touching them, especially over long distances. Depending on the user's skill, they may be able to levitate themselves and other objects (including heavy objects), and form protective shields.
BIO
Beckett grew up in Arizona, the oldest of several brothers. He was always looking out for them.
His powers manifested when he was a teen and his parents didn’t know what to do. But something told them that they had to protect Beck and his brothers who also manifested abilities too.
Eventually Pursuers came after them and killed his parents. He and his brothers got away by the skin of their teeth and were on the run for many years, trying to keep a low profile. He had been trying to get a friend out too but they were killed when he failed to save them. Ended up driving a lot of his focus into protecting those closest to him.
In his 30s, he encountered the Night Circus and ended up joining. Not much of a performer, Beck is a rigger, helping up circus equipment, such as tents, stages, and rigging for aerial performances. He uses his ability to make things efficient. During performances, he serves as a security measure, especially for trapeze artists. They have no nets so if anyone were to fall, the audience would see them descend gracefully to the ground.
He’s been here for years and views the Circus as his home. But he doesn’t think it’s for everyone, and he’s aware of the inability to leave, more so because he tried to depart early on.
So when Odessa Kashirsky demanded to stay in the Circus, he tried to get her to reconsider but she was stubborn as anyone he’d met before and remained resolute. For some reason, he felt he was responsible for not convincing her to leave, so he’s spent the past year looking out for her and showing her the ropes, so to speak.
Their friendship has recently grown into something more, but Beckett is hesitant, only in that he wants what’s best for her, and he’s not certain he is.
JAKOB GRAVE is a FIRE BREATHER/EATER/PERFORMER and 32 years old. Originally from NEW YORK CITY, they have been with the circus for 2 YEARS. They look like BILL SKARSGARD and possess the ability of PYROKINESIS. They are known to be CHARMING, PLAYFUL, and RESOURCEFUL, but can also be GUARDED, IMPULSIVE, and RESTLESS.
CHARACTER THEMES: suppression, indulgence, control, selfishness, love, freedom
SUMMARY OF ABILITY: Jakob can generate extreme heat and produce flames from his body. At more advanced stages of this power some can erupt constant fire around their whole body. Jakob isn't quite there yet but he's doing his best to practice consistently to remain in control.
BIO
Jakob grew up in a comfortable family with his twin brother, Felix. However, their parents were strict and often controlling.
Around the age of 12, his brother began to change. Through their twin bond, or just because he knows Felix, Jakob could see the change in him and sought to be his brother’s keeper. He’s grateful that Felix didn’t push him away during this time.
While he never fully understood what was going on with Felix, he was always there with him, trying to help, even indulging in similar risky behaviors just so he could keep tabs on his brother.
When he was 16, however, his own abilities manifested when he got so angry, he ended up setting an asshole’s backpack on fire. He eventually learned about his own abilities and struggled to control them.
Felix was the one who helped him most during this time, with no one else to turn to. He helped Jakob keep his emotions in check, an anchor of sorts. They looked out for each other.
But Jakob had always felt deeply, his anxiety manifesting in accidents and incidents. For the most part, they managed to go undetected until two years ago when he was caught on a stalled train on the New York City subway in July. Heat didn’t usually bother him but he didn’t like the feeling of being trapped. The power had gone out, people were pushing, the doors weren’t opening, it was already sweltering, and he lost control.
Reports said the explosion was caused by some faulty electrical work that ended up costing two lives. Jakob laid low after that, doing the opposite of what Felix was doing now. He pulled back from socialization, guilt eating at him.
Shortly thereafter, the Night Circus appeared and Jakob ended up going with Felix, something about it drawing him in.
The two brothers ended up staying with the circus after that night and Jakob, through some cajoling, ended up exploring the extent of his abilities, through performing. It felt better to be in control in an environment where everyone had something going on. He still fears hurting someone, but he’s in a much better place these days.
NYLA DARLING is a MEMORY ARTIST and 29 years old. Originally from TORONTO, they have been with the circus for 5 YEARS. They look like VICTORIA PEDRETTI and possess the ability of MEMORY ABSORPTION. They are known to be GENEROUS, CREATIVE, and INSIGHTFUL, but can also be GUARDED, MISCHIEVOUS, and PARTICULAR.
CHARACTER THEMES: authenticity, self-expression, resonance, compassion, self-sacrifice, altruism
SUMMARY OF ABILITY: Nyla can absorb memories of another person through physical contact of their skin. She can sometimes project memories to others through touch as well. If given prolonged intentional exposure to someone, they can sometimes feel like they have vertigo. She's since learned to control her abilities.
BIO
Nyla Darling grew up all over, her parents always a bit flighty, taking them where the wind led. Her father was a wildlife photographer and her mother was a painter who did portraits and murals as they traveled.
Some of the work she did was in hospitals and she'd bring Nyla along with her. It was there that Nyla got her first glimpse of what people did to help others in a tangible way.
When she was 12/13, Nyla’s abilities manifested. It was hard to control it and her mom was the first person to give her a pair of gloves to prevent unwanted memories.
She turned to art during this time, sketching out memories she’d absorbed as a catharsis of sorts, like she was emptying her mind onto the blank page. It helped her adjust to her newfound abilities and refocus on her goals as the years went on.
Nyla ended up becoming a travel nurse, taking a page out of her parents nomadic lifestyle but also doing something she’s wanted to do since she was a girl, seeing nurses work as her mother painted murals on hospital walls.
With her abilities more under control the older she got, she was able to mostly execute her work without issue. But there were instances where she’d slip and work became harder. Sometimes she’d see someone with broken bones and bruises who claimed to fall down the stairs, but when she brushed their hands or took their temperature, she could see their memories of abuse come flooding through. Or she’d see the memories of people who hated hospitals because of their loss. The emotions that came with the memories could give her a headache sometimes too.
She would move to different hospitals over a few years post grad, traveling around Canada but her exhaustion grew. Nyla wanted to help people in a tangible way, but her abilities meant that she couldn’t fully be herself in doing so. She always had to come up with an excuse for knowing something she shouldn’t. Or for always knowing what questions to ask a potential victim. Nyla found the pressure of keeping her secret to be too much and after three years she took time off, trying to find a renewed sense of purpose.
Enter the Night Circus. One night outside of Vancouver, Nyla found herself in the black and white tents. They were there for five nights. A rare stretch of performances and Nyla went to everyone. She was captivated by the wonder of the place and that was something noticed by a scout. While they didn’t know Nyla’s exact gift to start with, they knew she was one of them and invited her to stick around and see what the Night Circus was really about.
She joined five years ago and works as a memory artist. Rather than trying to describe an effervescent, intangible memory in hopes of someone capturing it, people can share their memories with Nyla and she does quick but detailed sketches of said memory. Just like she’d done to help herself when these abilities first manifested.
People leave her tent with a tangible memory in their hands, drawn with expert precision, details picked up from the now shared memory.
And while her official nursing days are behind her, Nyla still seeks opportunities to help where she can, offering her medical experience to help around the circus as well. The Night Circus isn’t what she’d expected five years ago, but it’s the first time she feels like she can still help people in different ways, all while being who she really is.
