Fights and Flirtations

Alexandra fumed as she stormed out, down the stairs, through the hallways trying to find her way out of the castle. She and Marguerite had had their disagreements before, as all friends, families and co-workers do, but in her mind none were as bitter or as close to the truth as this one.

Rita had never been fond of Society, at least outside of opium dens, brothels and laboratories, while Alexandra reveled in it. She loved the luxury of high society and how moving in those circles came naturally to her, partially due to her skills in dressmaking.

But it was Marguerite’s last words that really hit home: “If you took that silk off of your eyes you might find your own ship and tinkerer.”

Alex knew well who she would like to have courting her. In fact, that very magician had made it plain he was interested, but the fortune teller knew his habits with women. And she personally preferred a familiar lover over a new one in every town like many of the circus folk did.

Caught up in her own thoughts, she stumbled and almost fell as she turned the corner at the bottom of a spiral staircase when a pair of strong arms caught her.

“Slow down, Alexandra,” Asmodeus murmured as he held onto her until she righted herself.

The fortune teller straightened sharply. “What are you doing?”

“Making sure you don’t kill yourself. These stairs can be rather steep.”

“I’m fine Asmodeus!” The fortune teller yelled suddenly, turning her back to him, “Why don’t you just leave me alone?” The magician grabbed her by her shoulders and spun her around. Alexandra glared daggers at him. “So, why?”

“Because, I…” the magician paused, carefully choosing his next words, “I’d rather not see you get hurt.”

To his surprise, Alex neither slapped nor yelled at him. Instead, she just stared.

Encouraged, Asmodeus slipped an arm around her waist and started guiding her down the hallway to an exit of the castle.

“Look, Alex, don’t take Rita’s words too hard. You’re a part of this family you’re the only one who knows how to properly dress all the acts. And I don’t think your fabric is just a collection of rags, we need it to properly clothe the Cirque.”

The fortune teller half smiled, “I do suppose Colette would still look like a ragamuffin I hadn’t come along…”

“Exactly,” Asmodeus continued. “Also you have your own ship, a rather fine one at that. And as for a “tinkerer” I know you’ve had offers before…” Asmodeus trailed off, a sly grin on his face.

A reddish tinge coloured Alexandra’s cheeks at his words. “Yes, I suppose I have.”

“Of course, none of them are quite the caliber as I am…” He said squeezing her corseted waist fondly.

Alexandra elbowed him sharply in the side, stepping out of the circle of his arm. The magician winced, laughing, “All right, all right...”

They walked in relatively comfortable silence out of the castle and across the field to the Cirque. The sun had started slanting through the trees as Alexandra and Asmodeus neared where the ships were anchored.

The magician bowed and opened the door to her ship. “Come on, we need to hurry to get ready in time for dinner. You’re the only one besides me even remotely knows how to behave around royalty. And we need to get you out of those regular clothes and into something fit for dinner with a king.”

The fortune teller stopped, turned and glared at the magician, “you’re not getting anywhere near my corset laces.”

Asmodeus grinned fiendishly, “I wouldn’t dream of it. So, I’ll meet you here in ten minutes, it shouldn’t take that long for you to find something proper to wear.”

“Very well, I’ll see you shortly.” Alexandra replied before firmly shut the door to her ship and hurried to her wardrobe.

The fortune teller hadn’t been in this high of society lately, as the recent fortunes of the Cirque had lead them to choose smaller cities to perform in, but she still had her finer dresses neatly stored in a cedar chest. Alexandra quickly sorted through them, trying to find one that would be suitable for dining with a king. Finally, she settled on an old style blue watered silk dinner dress with a full, high bustle. The fortune teller loved the deep square neckline and elbow length sleeves both edged in antique gold lace and a graceful waterfall bustle.

Quickly changing into the fancy dinner dress, Alexandra fixed her hair with gold pins, wrapped a fine black lace shawl around her shoulders and hurried out of the ship to meet Asmodeus.

“Ah, perfect timing!” He greeted her, gesturing with his ebony and gold tipped cane. The magician looked dapper in a subtle black brocade tailcoat lined in flashy red satin. His waistcoat was fine gold silk and his pants smooth wool. A red jeweled cravat pin flashed from the intricate knot of white silk.

Asmodeus offered Alexandra his arm and, after a moment’s hesitation, she took it and they walked together back up to the castle for dinner with the King.