Colette was a little surprised to see the girls approaching; she had assumed they'd either beat her here, or go elsewhere. She rarely ventured out with her little family and couldn't suppress the small amount of almost child-like glee she felt at going out tonight, and meeting her friends at such a venue. The night was young and the air sweet with wine, perfume, and subtle spices. Tonight was not a night for hiding in the campsite but for exploring, and no place merited such ventures as France.
Her lips curved into a smile at Asmodeus's neat spin of his hat, the way his attention shifted so immediately. She would miss his elegant torrent of speech; he was one of few people that she felt comfortable in silence with. As ringmaster, her voice was her greatest tool, but with the magician, it could be enjoyable to sit quietly, smiling and winking and sharing in private jokes and a fine glass of wine. She only wished she'd thought to ask how much he'd collected in "donations" tonight--at a time in the past, she may have objected to his involuntary little collections, but that was before she'd witnessed his generosity in adding to the circus's coffer. And a circus had expenses, just like any other business, and like, many European businesses, they were involved in the time-honoured practice of theft. No harm there--in fact, it was probably expected, anticipated. And of course, entirely justified.
Colette bowed her head as Asmodeus rose and smoothed his clothes. His appearance was neat enough already, but she'd noticed that he took pride in looking as smooth and trim as an ermine, though his garb was significantly more... purple.
She relaxed into her cushions. She would enjoy a philosophical discussion with this glass of wine--and perhaps one or three more. Then she'd join the festivities, speak with her fine ladies and be at ease. A little wary still of stepping down from her show-master's stand, presenting herself in a common, comfortable way, she swirled her wine. How fitting that she felt most at home, most safe in her over-the-top caricature, that a simple life or even night out felt to her so complexly confusing.
Ah, but that was what wine was for. Nice and simple. She took a long sip and breathed deep, thinking to herself with a sad smile, "Vive la France."
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