Colette braced her hands against her dressing table, safe within the narrow confines of her own cabin once more. She probably could have afforded a larger ship, but she liked the small space, the embrace of worn wood surrounding her and dulling the noise of the outside world. She stared at her reflection in the dusty mirror. "Showtime," she whispered to herself, beginning her preparations for another night. Bold makeup was expertly applied to emphasize her eyes and catch the audience's attention. She pulled her hair smoothly back so that it could hide under her gleaming top hat, she wiped her palms nervously and downed a small glass of an angry liquor, settled her nerves. All traces of anxiety or confusion had to be smoothed away before she exited this little cabin. She had to be ready to take the reigns of the little show and drive it through the next few grueling hours without any mishaps.
The competition in town may have thinned the crowds a little, but the story of the explosion--being spread through town by little Marie at this very moment, if she guessed correctly--would bring in a wave of would-be witnesses to another spectacle. "Tempting Fate," was one of the circus world's claims to fame, and it was certain that in this bustling town, half their audience tonight would be hoping to see some trapeze artist fall, some animal attack, some area of the camp ground bloom with flames. It would be entertaining, more so than a typical circus. She wanted to feed the increased enthusiasm for danger without actually putting her cast in more danger than could be avoided. Even typical shows had their death-defying elements, and tonight's would have to push the limits if they wanted to impress the crowd and intimidate Jacque in the same night. There were a few roustabouts right now constructing a few impressive fiery displays, a sort of homage to the burning wreckage that had been cleared from the camp grounds only hours earlier. Tonight should get the town talking, to say the very least.
There were wheels in motion, turning and spinning and bringing all recent events to one spectacular conclusion--if luck would have it. Colette felt that luck had not been on her side in a while. She reached out, brushed a thumb over a short note that was stuck into the frame of the mirror. "Thanks--love you, A." She'd done her brother some favour as a young girl, had woken to find the note wrapped around a small coin and a wilted flower. She'd kept it, of course, as girls often keep tokens from those they admire. After his death, she'd started holding onto ever scrap of cloth he'd worn or even touched. Her favourite red jacket had been his, and she'd had it tailored to suit her new job.
Tailor... Colette paused in her ministrations. The Vapeur's resident seamstress had a knack for acutely accurate perceptions of events both present and past, when the mood struck her and the cards favoured her. Colette's brow wrinkled in thought. No reason not to look a little ahead, yes? Just to make sure that everyone would be safe. Jacque was a murderous cad, yes? She had to protect her circus, yes? And what better way than to strike first?
"After all," she told her reflection innocently. "I know we don't want to let this prank war escalate. Why not deal the final blow now, instead of dragging it out?" Her reflection stared back agreeably. Colette drummed her fingers on the scratched wooden surface. "It wouldn't be difficult, would it? If a stink bomb can be smuggled into the ring--as is being tested now--why not a poison? And, if not the ring--too many casualties, too much attention (not that they're innocent)--then why not someone's quarters? Oh, I don't know. Jacque's. For example." Her reflection merely stared.
Colette inspected her nails. "If the bomb succeeds tonight, we'll pay our merry seamstress a visit. See if an unfortunate accident just so happens to lie in the Hirondelle's future." She picked up her top hat and tucked it under her arm, coiling her whip in one hand as the liquor snaked through her veins, finally calming her and quieting her nagging doubts. "Just as a precaution, of course. No need to do anything rash."
"Of course," agreed the mirror's face. "That would be absurd."
Exit Ringmaster.
No comments:
Post a Comment