Chapter 1~ New Recruits!

I awake to murmurs outside. Since I was a first stringer- or one of the main circus performers- I have my own tent and thankfully don't have to room with anyone. But regrettably the thin tent fabric doesn't block sound, making it easy to hear the terribly loud crowd bustling around the main performance tent. Sighing to myself, I got up and began my morning preparations. I carefully laced a dark blue corset top with black ribbon and lace embellishments before slipping into a long flowing black skirt, it had blue fabric ruffled underneath the high-low style. Black lace stockings covered my pale legs while shiny heels strapped themselves to my feet. I tied my long plum hued hair into two low pigtails before placing a blue rose at each base. I moved over to my vanity in order to paint an intricate blue rose on the side of my right eye before outlining it n black, then I drew black thorns curling around my cheek and neck. As I turned to leave I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror, mismatched eyes darkened as the pigment grew more prominent, luminescent blue and glowing purple stared back.

I made my exit and began walking until I found Beast, another first stringer. She really was beautiful even with her prosthetic leg, although her costume didn't leave much to the imagination. She was the beast tamer of our troop, outfitted in black leather and armed with a whip she knew how to use. Her tight black curls were worn short and drew attention to her pale face. She regarded me with dark red eyes framed by thick fake lashes before smiling slightly in greeting, then she returned her attention to the center of the crowd. I followed her gaze and saw our ring leader, Joker, in all his orange headed and sharp toothed glory. Next to him was Dagger, our knife thrower.

"We have newbies that wanna join up," she informed me. I nodded in understanding before noticing a blue haired boy with a single ocean blue eye and medical eye patch.

I couldn't exactly tell from a distance, but he seemed only a bit older than myself. I watched as he tried to throw knives. The target was probably farther than what he was used to because when he would throw the knives would lose momentum. Suddenly as the small dagger was just about to fall short of the board it shot back up and hit the bull's-eye! Scanning the crowd, I noticed a man dressed in black with bright crimson eyes and a smirk; he held a small pebble between his fingers in a flicking position. After watching for a bit, I found out that the mysterious man was the one responsible for the boy's marksmanship. Whenever the boy's knife fell short the man would flick the small rocks in order to propel the knives into the target.

My eyes widened slightly at the trick before a smirk found its way onto my face. I didn't allow the others to catch on though, these two "new recruits" obviously wished to gain access to the circus, and if my hunch was correct then they were sent here to investigate. I looked up with determination set in my gaze, I will aid them in order to stop this twisted circus. The gods know that those people no matter how kind they were to me, were doing something I could never forgive.

After the morning test of knife throwing, I had wandered about before grabbing some breakfast and then continuing on. Without thinking I found myself at the entrance of the main performance tent. Quietly slipping in, I found Joker, Dagger, and now Doll with the newbies. Apparently the tests weren't finished yet, so I was unable to practice. As I looked up I noticed that they were having the boy walk the tight-rope...without a safety net. He looked pale as a ghost whenever he accidentally glanced down. Being the kind person I am, and because I didn't want to clean up the mess if he fell, I decided to lend a hand. I smoothly walked past Joker and Dagger as well as the man in black so that I could climb up the ladder. I stood next to the boy and the crouched figure of Doll. She was dressed in white, as usual, with a rose styled headpiece covering one eye. Her face was void of any emotion and her clear blue eye was focused n the work before her.

I allowed a giggle to escape before smirking, "My, My! It seems that the newbie is scared!" my mocking tone caused the boy to turn and glare at me, his eye widened before returning to normal a second later. I look at Doll as she finished tying the safety rope, "Did you tie it tight enough?" she nodded in reply, I smiled and gave her a soft pat on the head before addressing the boy once more, "Don't look down and empty your mind. Don't think about what could happen, just focus on getting to the other side."

I stepped backwards onto the rope with no support or security, "Wait! That's not safe, don't act foolish!" the boy gasped out in protest, causing me to simply smile and continue walking.

"Then," I smirked, "come get me," The challenge was there. He met my gaze and for the first time I noted his appearance. His navy tinged hair was short but still managed to frame his pale face, he was thin but slightly toned- though I wouldn't class him as the working type, and his face, only slight in its femininity, seemed set in a stoic mask of indifference. His lone eye held a dark spark of hate and intelligence as it fixed on my own strange gaze.

Only one thought occurred after my assessment, this boy was cute.

He stared back at me, panic written in his expression, before nodding and the slowly stepping onto the rope. His eye never left mine as he walked, every time he came too close I would step farther away, inching us carefully to the other end...until he lost his balance. I looked a him with wide eyes as I rushed forward. His hands found my waist as I gripped his arms for support. For a moment I thought we both we going to fall to our apparent deaths, but by some miracle from the gods a small pebble sailed through the air and hit the boy. I managed to balance us our to prevent our fall. If I wasn't still slightly panicked, I would have laughed at the absurdness of it all. I gave him a small smile in relief before pulling him the rest of the way.

Once we were safely on the solid surface of the platform, I curtsied and then quickly climbed down. When I had made it to the ground I saw that the boy had followed. He was panting hard while the man in black was trying to conceal his amusement at the boy's antics. What a peculiar relationship these two have. I smiled to myself before turning to Joker and the others.

"I believe these two have done well, don't you? The boy has certainly proven himself," I smirked while our eyes met before addressing our ring leader once more, "Why don't you let them join Joker?" I finished with a sweet smile.

"I s'pose, but there's still one more test!" Joker declared with a flourish, causing me to laugh at the boy's startled- and slightly miffed- expression. Joke invaded the boy's personal space sporting his special "I'm-going-to-kill-you" glare, "For your final test..." Joker built up the suspense causing the boy to gulp, "...Show me a big smile!" Joker gave a cheesy grin to demonstrate while I sweat-dropped. The boy looked like he was going to be sick before glaring at the man in black, who was trying but failing to hide his snickering.

I stepped closer to the boy gently whispering, "All you have to do is smile, even if its fake," he tensed up at our close proximity, "Everything you have done so far will be wasted if you quit now. Smile for me please?"

Seconds passed and I thought he had given up after all, but to my surprise his stoic face lit up into a child-like innocent smile. It, while being heartbreakingly cute, was so fake and out of place for him that I almost started laughing. The other first stringers smiled in return, not noticing the fact that the smile was obviously forced. I stepped away from the crowd ad watched the two new members. The man in black watched the boy carefully, never leaving his side, almost like a predator eyeing its prey. They always stood very close to one another and would exchange looks every now and then. New recruits don't just pop up every time we reach a new town...they are definitely here to investigate. I was starting to piece everything together and if I was right then things are about to get very interesting.

Afterwards the new members had been taken to get their costumes. When they returned, the boy was dressed in blue, black, and white resembling a pirate while the man simply added a top hat and skull pendant to his tie. Everyone gathered for the announcement, I stood tall even though I was shorter than most of the people in the room. I almost rolled my eyes at Joker's rambling.

"This one 'ere will be henceforth known as Black!" Joker pointed to the crimson eyed man. The name certainly fit he had a dark aura that radiated the cold feeling of danger and death, he seemed soulless.

"Yes, please refer to me as Black from now on," the man gave a close-eyed smile simultaneously making all of the females in the room swoon.

Joker simply continued on and gave a rather harsh pat to the boy's back, "And this young 'un 'ere is Smile!" I giggled at the boy's clear distaste for his new show name, "Why don't ye say a few words Smile?" Joker gave a toothy grin, trying to be friendly.

Black smirked at the boy while goading him, "Yes Smile, why don't you address your fellow performers?"

He had an annoyed expression but Smile replied awkwardly, "I look forward to working with you..."

With that said everyone returned to their various tasks and jobs. I continued to watch the two before approaching with a fake smile that quickly morphed into a smirk. I tapped Smile on the shoulder before stepping back a bit, giving him some space to turn around. He looked shocked to see me.

"It wasn't very smart to go undercover," just to mess with him I got really close almost purring in his ear, "We don't like slackers..."

I was rewarded with a bright red blush, but it was soon replaced by a cold glare as he regarded me, "Who are you? And what are you talking about!?"

I giggled delicately while flashing my eyes towards the man, they both glowed eerily, "Calm down," I smirked before dipping into a low curtsey, "My name is Siren. Siren Sin. It truly is a pleasure to meet you..." I purred, much to my amusement his face lit up once more.

"My lord, she seems to know of our intentions," Black explained quietly. Hmm, so Smile's the one in charge here? That means that Black is a servant and Smile is some kind of noble...Wait! If I could just use that then I would know. The "young lord" seemed irritated while he eyed my with clear suspicion.

I flashed a seductive smirk before offering him my hand, "Why don't you come practice with me for a bit? I promise we can speak after, I'll even consider answering some of your questions," I reached to grasp his hand but he backed away before I could make contact.

Joker and Dagger had returned to check up on the new recruits it would seem. They both smiled, but Joker as the only one to give me a pat on the head with his skeletal hand, "I see ye 'ave met our Siren," Joker gave me a fond look, "Beautiful voice this 'un, we 'aven't heard a thing like it!" I smiled internally a the praise while setting my small lips into a childish pout, Joker sighed in understanding, "Smile word to the wise, this 'un 'ere thinks 'ur special if she talks te' ya"

I blushed slightly when I realized what he had said. I mumbled an embarrassed, "Shut up." before glancing at Smile.

Smile put on an innocent act as he nodded. He grabbed my hand sending a temporary jolt through my body as I gathered information, "You will answer any and all of my questions, you will act as my informant through the entire investigation, is that clear?" He had whispered quietly but still managed to hold authority in his voice.

I smiled like the Cheshire Cat, "Crystal clear my lord," he visibly shuddered at my tone.

He gave a curt nod, "Alright then, lead the way..." I smirked in response. This is going to be fun!