The Carnivale (open,R rated)

Prologue -

Long ago, the Carnival meant something. It brought mystery and intrigue to the masses and so once a year, the townships and cities were treated to the oddities of the globe. Psychics, freaks, harlots, dancers and acrobats. A penny could buy you a ride on the Ferris wheel, a stick of spun sugar perhaps. Or maybe a wander through the strange hall of mirrors. A nickel could get you a peek at the Bearded Lady, the Wolf man. And for the adult crowd, a dollar could buy you half an hour with one of the dancers. Anything was possible in the Carnival. Shock, amazed or simply disgusted, the people would come from miles around and the Carnival would flourish. An unending tradition that was respected as much as it was reviled. But not anymore.

As the years passed, the people began to change. The children were no longer satisfied with cotton candy and Ferris wheels. The freaks were explained as abnormal genetics and misunderstanding, the psychics slated and proved false and the dancers deemed no longer so entertaining. The mystery had been destroyed by modern culture and science. The people had lost their imagination. And so it came to pass, the people stopped coming and the Carnival moved on, never to return. That is... until now.

So roll up, roll up, watch your wallets and children. The Carnival has come to town!!!!!

******

Two days before -
So far, the summer had been intolerable. It hadn't rained for over a month. Around the city, the glass and steel reflected the heat and light down onto the street, making them even more unbearable. People rushed about in sweat soaked shirts and suits, desperate to stay in the shade. Cars drove passed with the windows rolled up and the air conditioning on full. In the buildings, the air conditioning worked harder than ever, creating a buzz in the air that was matched only by the heat haze that rose from the street below. Modern living had come at a price, it seemed.

Out in the suburbs, things were not much different. The greenery offered some tolerance, but the heat still took its toll. The air still buzzed with air conditioners while sprinklers fought a losing battle to keep the lawns a minor shade of green. Out here, the streets were abandoned. No children played on their lawns, or in pools and sprinkler sprays. Cars were covered up with tarps and sheets and windows were kept closed with curtains drawn to keep the rooms cool. There wasn't even a breeze to lift the heat haze from the tarmac that had already turned soft and spongy in the afternoon sun. It would come as no surprise then, that a convoy of trucks and trailers were almost passing the neighborhoods by before they were noticed.

Appearing as though a mirage through the haze, the oddly colorful line of vehicles slowly made their progress through the suburb's avenues. The rumble caused a few curtains to twitch and some even dared brave the heat to open their front doors and watch it the spectacle. The front wagon, a huge monstrosity of old metal sported the most color and laden with baggage, held a huge sign down the flank. Painted in bright colors, the words, "Runner's World Carnival" could be seen. More people ventured out of their houses to see the convoy pass. Who were these people and where had they come from? There hadn't been a carnival in this city for over a century. Onward the trucks rolled until they left the suburbs. It stopped only at he city limits to set up. The lead truck then split from the convoy to head into the city itself. Hands needed shaking and paperwork filing. Setting up was left to the other folks of this odd line of traffic.

As usual, the first man out as it were, was Hoss, a large boulder of a man and the head groundsman. Quickly, he started laying down his orders of what went where, the arrangement of the trucks and rides and of course, the absolute safety of everything. And soon after that, tents started going up and people started emerging from the trucks. All manner of freakish oddities appeared, getting involved with the work along with Hoss and the other workers. Everybody pitched in in this troupe.

It had taken nearly two days to speak to and deal with the relevant people of this city and Blade Runner was exhausted already. Finally though, everything was done and they had headed back to the site. Greeted warmly as always it seemed, Hoss was waiting for them. Blade jumped down from the truck and then moved around the other side. In the darkness, it was hard to see the other person in the cab, but as the man opened the door, a dainty hand took his and his twin sister Dahlia stepped tenderly from the monstrosity. Making sure the smaller twin had her footing firm on the ground, Blade let her hand go and moved to Hoss. "How goes things?" He asked his friend.
"Perdy good right now, Boss." Hoss replied in his deep southern drawl, "Ju get done what needed done?"
Blade nodded his head before looking around the fast growing camp. "We've been granted a permit for one week from today."
"Wonderful!" Hoss replied, then half turned quickly, lifting tree trunk that was his right arm. "Y'all watch those footin's!" He yelled, "One loose peg an' that'll all come dwn, ya hear?" He turned back to Blade, "Pardon Boss, but I gotta.." And he quickly left todeal with the ground pegs that would hold up the main tent.

Blade turned back to the truck to find Dahlia still stood by the truck. In this heat, she seemed to be taking advantage of the shade given by the monstrosity, but such was not the case. Ever since her teens, the girl held something of a chill around her. In truth, she was simply waiting for her brother to come back and take her inside. Blade moved to her shoulder and politely removed his stoather hat. Clutching it between his thumb and forefinger, he held out his arm to her and once she took it, he put his cane in his other hand and led her from the truck to a large caravan behind it.

Across the main space, Hoss was busy hammering down the tent pegs when a rather large lady named Beatrice came to him. "Hey Trish." He said to her as he chewed on a smoking stogey while throwing his weight into the 15lb lump hammer, "What can I do ya for?"
Beatrice cocked her head to one side and ran her fingers down the lush moustache and beard she sported. "Everything went well with the planning office?"
"Uh huh." Another huge throw with the hammer before he looked around and then down at her. For such a rounded woman, she was incredibly short, barely 5ft if she was an inch. "Is that all ya'll was wantin'?" The woman shrugged her shoulders at him and then waddled away. Hoss gave a slight shudder of disturbance and went back to hammering down the rest of the pegs.

It was easily dusk before the carnivale was ready to open and while the troup prepared for their first shows of the evening, Blade and Dahlia were still in their caravan. It had often been said how this pair were so perculiar. A few of the carnivale knew the truth, Hoss being the main one, but it was generally believed that the Runner twins were far more than what they appeared. Dressed as though they were stuck in the 18th century and Dahlia so utterly silent, it was often left to rumour exactly what, where, why and how they came to run such an outdated and frankly freakish carnivale.

As the sun was going down, the people began to arrive. The main tent was all ready to go and some light fun and activities were to be had by the bucket. The Ferris Wheel was turning without a hitch for once and the adults tent was already filling up for the choochie dancers to perform. The freaks' tent as all ready also with Beatrice, the Bearded Lady already lounging on her expenie looking sofa. Maggie and Mary, the Siamese twins were perched neatly on their stool, showing off their conjoined bodies proudly. Lewis, the Wolf Man paced up and down his 'cage' as he gave his mass of furry hair another quick brush through and the clowns and misfits were happily entertaining young children with juggling acts and funny faces.

The main attraction though was yet to begin. Blade had been ready for some time and was pacing the floor of the caravan with frustration. Dalia was taking her sweet time as usual. "The show starts in five minutes, flower!" He called aross the living room. A few seconds later, his much smaller and much slimmer twin emerged from the bedroom. Covered in a long silk cloak; soft pink in colour ad matching pink ballet slippers, she gave a small twirl and then made for the door. "I know you don't like doing the shows like this." Blade said as he took her arm,"But until we can find a replacement, you're the best we have." He kissd her cheek lighly and then led her into the back entrance of the main tent. A few seconds after that, he left her to focus her mind and stepped out to a full house.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" He called as the mic came down to him. And welcome to my world famous World Carnivale! My name is Blade Runner and it is my privilage to bring you this wonderful and magical show!" From both wings of the tent, acrobats and clowns emerged, dancing and larking around to the crowd. "This shall b a night to remember!" The mic went back up and Blade tossed away his hat and coat to join the acrobats and rouse the crowd. The happier they were, the more money they spent......

Jason O'reily had a garage near the outskirts of the city. His main customers were those living in the suburbs. Him and three other mechanics worked on a number of cars every day. Waterpumps, transmisions, alternators, tuneups, oil changes, replacing engines and more. The heat had not stopped the customers from coming in. If they wanted to get some where they needed to have their cars.

He had huge fans going in the work bays to keep air flowing and moving. It helped but not as much as the air conditioner in the office. While they were working they heard the rumbling of trucks and stood in the bays doorways looking at the colorful trucks that were passing by. Jason wiped his hands on a shop towel, cleaning the grease off and read the name on the lead truck.

"Carnival eh." he had heard of them, his grandfather had talked to him about them but he had never been to one. So when the day was over he went out to where they were setting up to just watch. He knew that for anything to go on in the city they had to have a permit of some kind. The second day found the carnival open and ready to receive the people of the city. He figured he would go and see what it was like.

He looked around at the rides, the games the so called freak shows and was amused. Then he paid his way into the main tent to watch the. He watched the man called blade Runner make the introduction and the acrobats and clowns come in to do their thing. It was alright but it nothing spectacular. But that did not seem to be the case for the rest of the people. The seemed to be enjoying it.

Once the acrobats had finishd their set, the clowns made as a filler while the next act came out. Snake charming, then bull riding. Hoss enjoyed that part imensely and would often pitch in as a rider when one got injured. The bull riding was followed by some mild magic acts, disappearing rabbits, birds and the odd wallet. Forty minutes later, Blade could see the crowd start to become bored, so he nipped into the back to ralley some more clowns while Dahlia made her final touches. The clowns did their pece and handed out some cotton candy and sweets to the children, bringing them to the front rows. Then Blade came back out and took the mic once more. "A big hand to all our fine acts tonight!" He called, rousing a loud applause, "But alas, they are done for tonight." He continued sadly. This got an audible sigh of disappointment from the crowd, but Blade spun around in the centre circle. "I do however," He said more happily, "Have one final performance for your enjoyment. If you could please welcome, our carnivale's most precious flower."

Above his head, a large glass-like snowflake began to float down. "She is said to be the most delicate flower of the desert, and the most beautiful. A stunning vision of grace and fragility." The snowflake landed silently behind him and began to turn around, turning faster and faster. The light began to sparkle from the structure as it caught the light. "Please welcome My beautiful twin, Dahlia Runner!" Blade called.

The spinning snowflake began to rise up once again to reveal Dahlia stood in a classic ballet pose. This caused a huge cheer from the crowd at the ingenius entrance of this small woman. She gave a graceful bow and moved forward on her toes to Blade. She bowed lightly and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. Blade smiled, "And what delights do you have for us?" He asked her. Of course, she did not answer, she never did. Instead, she placed a finger to her lips in a hush motion and smiled. Then, from her pretty pink tu-tu skirts, she pulled off a rather large looking white flower. In her other hand, as though from nowhere, she held an old oriental style fan. She held the flower out and wafted the fan underneath, making it float. More cheers came......

He watched the acts and applauded but he was not that impressed. Not until the man called Blade came back out and introduced the last act of the evening. He watched as the Snowflake like device slowly decended from the top of the tent and then as it began to spin. Now this was different he thought. He wondered what the act was. He hoped it would be something interesting.

When it slowly rose to reveal a young woman in a ballarina's outfit he lifted a brow. She moved to Blade on her toes and kissed the man on the cheek. Blade introduced her as his sister and then she moved away pulled out a large white flower form somewhere and an oriental fan. The crowd seemed to like it and he had to admit he was intrested. His grandfather always told him that the people in the carnivals was an odd bunch of people. Once most of their tricks and such had been explained away the carnivals had disapeared. Now one was back and he had to admit it was interesting.

He watched the woman intently to see what her act was.

Dahlia floated the flower for a few seconds and then gave a quick flick of the fan. The flower dashed away somewhere and she moved across the centre cirlce towards the children. A clown arrived, dancing and jigging about, wth a large satchel filled with paper flowers and snowflakes. The children were encouraged to take a handful and trow them up for Dahlia to play with with her fan. She danced around in an almost perfect ballet as she wafted the flowers this way and that. The children were enthralled by it all. Everything so far seemed to be an ordinary trick of moving air and paper, but when she moved back from the children, the paper flowers and snowflakes seemed to follow her. Stranger still, Dahlia began to twirl around and the paper objects copied! Round and round she danced until there was a spiral of pink and white moving above her head. At this point, one of the acrobats entered and took Dahlia by the waist and as she turned, he lifted her up. The fan high above her head, she twirled it around in silence as the crowd watched in s much silence. Above her, the delicate sugar paper flowers and snowflakes formed what could only be described as a slow tornado. The crowd were now very much impressed and then suddenly, with a loud bang, the tornado of paper exploded and millions of tiny snowflakes fell on the children. The acrobat put Dahlia down again and backed away as she bowed to the now standing avation.

After a few seconds of applause, Blade took the mic again and bowed to is sister. "What a performance!" He called. "Dahlia Runner, everyone!" Dahlia smiled and took another bow, but as she rose up again, she spotted someone watching her rather closely. Blade picked up on this and waved the spotlight over to him. "You Sir!" He called, "Yes, you!" He waved the man down and took the white rose from his lapel......

Jason watched with wonder as she made the flower dance and disapear and then the paper ones float and dance about. Now that was something that he knew no one could do. It was not a simple trick of using the fan to make them float. When she moved away from the children the paper flowers and snowflakes followed. The woman moved so gracefully that it was enthralling to him. She was lovely and well formed and that also caught his attention.

When she made the paper snowflakes and flowers explode into a shower of flakes over the children he stood and applauded with the others. But his eyes seemed like they could not take themselves away from her. Suddenly Blade was looking at him and waving at him to come to the center of the tent, as a spot light landed on him. Now what were they wanting him for. But he shugged his shoulders and stepped down from the bleachers and slowly walked out to them. He looked from the Blade's sister to him then back to his sister Dahlia, a slight smile on his lips.

Blade smiled warmly and held out the mic to the man, "What's your name?" He asked politely.....

Jason raised a brow as Blade stuck out the mic and asked him his name. "Jason." he said, "Jason O'riely.

Blade grinned wider, "Well Jason, Jason O'Riely." He chortled, "What did you think to our show tonight?" Around them, the crowd began to cheer again......

He looked back at the crowd in the bleachers and then turned back to Blade. "Entertaining." he said, then looked at his sister. "Also quite interesting."

Blade nodded his head in agreement, "Glad you think so, Jason." He replied, then handed Jason the white rose. "And for our final trick." He said, addressing the crowd, "A kiss for our lovely flower.".....

Jason wondered what he was talking about. A final trick? He took the white rose and looked at it and then the woman.

Blade moved the mic away from his mouth for a second and leaned over to Jason, "You're suppose to kiss her on the cheek." He whispered....

He turned and looked at Blade. Kiss her on the cheek? Why not. He grinned then turned and moved to her and kissed her cheek.

As Jason's lips touched Dahlia's cheek, the woman suddenly disappeared in a plume of white rose petals. Once again, the audience were on their feet and applauding loudly. "Thank you!" Blade called as he placed a hand on Jason's shoulder, "And thank you." He said. He then pulled out a foil ticket. "For being such a good sport, here's a free pass to all our attractions for the rest of the night." A clown then arrived to lead Jason away. "And that's all for the main show tonight, but fear not, we shall be back tomorrow for another magical evening!" More applause.....

Jason was taken aback as she suddenly disapeared and a shower of rose pedles floated to the ground. Now that was truely impossible. He was right next to her. He had felt the warm flesh of her skin of her cheek on his lips. That brief kiss had sent a strange sensation down his spine. Suddenly he was given a pass to the rest of the shows for that evening and then lead away. He looked around to see if he could see where she had gone to.

Blade made his way to the back curtain and grinned as he poked his head around to find his sister glaring at him with her arms folded. He laughed quietly, kissed her forehead and moved her out of the tent. The clowns came back in to entertain what remained of the audience as they left and then the tent was empty. Dahlia returned to the caravan briefly to change and then went to the clairvoyant tent to ply her actual trade. As she made her way there, she stopped a few times to accept thanks for her performance and hand out some more paper flowers to the kids......

As the clown left him he sighed. He wondered where she had gone and how she had done it. He began walking about the carnival thinking of that slight kiss to her cheek when he saw her in the distance heading for a tent. One that had Clairvoyant written on a cloth above the door. He again raised a brow, as he headed in that direction

Dahlia entered the tent and smiled to Chloe, a young girl of no more than 16 with a lucious mass of blonde curls. Chloe smiled back and took her seat next to Dahlia as the first customer entered. Dahlia pulled a soft purple shawl across her shoulders and then drew the cards. Chloe spoke their meaning to the other person which caused some confusion, but after explaining that Dahlia did not speak, things progressed as normal. The person left with their reading and fortune told and the pair waited for the next customer to enter....

Justin waited for the person that had gone in to emerge and then entered the tent and looked at Dahlia and the young girl there. He stood there and smiled at Dahlia and placed the white rose on the table. "So what do you see in store for me."

Dahlia looked up with a look of surprise which seemed to mirror in Chloe's soft blue eyes. As Dahlia picked up the rose, Chloe opened a new deck of cards and put them on the table. "Miss Dahlia was not expecting to see you again." Chloe said politely as Dahlia shuffled the cards and then placed seven on the table, face down. Dahlia then leaned lightly towards Chloe and nodded. Chloe nodded back and then faced Jason once again. "Miss Dahlia says that your rose will be fine as payment." And yet, Dahlia had yet to utter a single word. "Your reading will be subjective." Chloe continued. "So you mustn't take everything you see at face value. Miss Dahlia does not speak, so communicates through me."

Dahlia turned over the first card and held it up to Jason. Five of Swords. "You work hard for a living." Chloe said, "And are strong in your work." Dahlia turned the second card. The Fool, but upside down. "You have been taken for a fool in the past." Next came the Shaded Sun. "And it has made you suspicious of others." The next card was the Tempest, "You have a strong temper and you remember those that have upset you." Dahlia turned the fifth card to reveal the Three of Swords. "Your work is about to become easier for you." Chloe explained, "And you can relax a little." The sixth card revealed Death, upside down. Chloe lifted an eyebrow, "Don't panic. When Death is presented upside down, it means that a new life will come to you. It could be as a person, a pet, or a new opportunity." Dahlia turned the last card and dropped it over the Death card. She moved away from the table and into the back of the tent without warning. Chloe made to stand, but instead looked at Jason and smiled. Dahlia had drawn the card showing The Lovers. Chloe chewed her lip and improvised. "Perhaps the new life might be of a romantic nature." She offered, then gathered up the cards. "Thank you for coming." She said, "And Miss Dahlia thanks you for your time." She quickly clutched the cards and moved to the back of the tent with Dahlia.......

Jason sat down across from her and watched as she slowly delt out the cards and the young girl explained each one. He really never beleived in fortune telling, psychics and the like. He didn't think anyone could do such things. He had read and watched shows about them and how they made general readings about a person that would make them think they were having their future read.

It was plain to see he worked for a living and probably hard, as for being taken as a fool, every one had been one time or another. As for remembering those that upset him, well he figured everyone did. When she turned over the lover's card it seemed that it upset Dahlia and made the young girl a bit nervous and made her say something even more general. Now that was not like the pyschic's he had read about. They usually tried to make a big thing about it to make the customer feel as if what they were saying was all true.

He was tempted to follow them into the back of the tent, but decided that would not be a good choice. Those that worked for the carnival usually took good care of their own, and all she would have to do is call out and there would be a number of the roustabouts that would be there ready to pound him into the ground. He exited the tent and figured he would go home. He had seen what he had come to see, though he would not have minded talking with Dahlia alone. He began walking towards the entrance of the carnival.

As Jason walked back towards the gates of the carnivale, he was surrounded by people all having a wonderful time. To his left, the coochi tent was brimming with noise an lewd calls aimed at the dancers. The freaks tent to his right was also buzzing with people entering looking happy and leaving again mystified and for some, sick to their stomachs. The further he went, the more he would see. The tents and stalls aimed at the children were packed with them and their ever tiring and soon to be bankrupt parents while the main Ferris Wheel and the other more modern rides aroundit were sparkling with lights and filled with noise and laughter and joyful screaming. More clowns and misfits were dancing around to entertain passing customers and no dount lifting a few purses and wallets along the way and then right in front of him, a strange oddity.

Out on a break from their stool, Maggie and Mary were taking a stroll towards their caravan, which happened to be right across Jason O'Riely's path. They stopped and smiled, putting a hand on each prospective hip. The pair were literally joined at the hip. Mary nudged her sister and grinned as she spotted the foil ticket in his front pocket. "Hey there Handsome." They both chimed. It was clear they were European, possibly Polish or Ukrainian an they were quite beautiful in their own right. Moving smoothly up to the man, they both beamed their best smiles. "Have you seen our show yet?" Mary asked, ""We're the only upright siamese joined this way in the world. Would you like to see?" The giggle they both gave made it clear what they wanted.

A few second after that, Hoss arrived and slapped their conjoined backsides with his shovel like hand. "Leave him alone girls." He ordered in his long Southern Drawl, "He looks like a one gal kinda guy. Off wit cha." Dipping his hat, Hoss showed his respects to Jason and smiled. "I done seen you at the main show this evening." He said, "Seemed like ya had fun. Have you had a good look round? We got some ace side shows ya might like. Betcha could go a round on the hammer with our strong-man." He pointed over to where a high tower stood with a big bell sat atop. There were several men attempting to hit the block high enough to strike, but none of them had managed it yet. "You don't gotta pay tonight, why not have a go?"

While Hoss was trying t encourage Jason to stay a while a play, Blade passed by in his periferal and he wasn't happy. Dahlia had walked away from a customer without finishing her reading and without reason, and had refused to see anymore customers. He walked across the main line of goings on and towards the caravan he shared with his sister. Entering without knocking, he caught Dahlia in barely her underwear and slammed the door shut loudly. "What the hell are you doing?!" He yelled at her.
'I'm having an early night.' She replied, but no by speech. Her words were heard only in her brother's mind.
"You had a queue of waiting people!" He yelled again, "You can't just walk away from that kind of money!"
'I'm tired and upset.' Came the response.
"Yes." Bladesnapped, "You had a reading that made you uncomfortable. Big ho-ha, it happens. You put it aside and move on."
'You know it doesn't work like that, Brother.' She told him, 'A bad reading can echoe onto others and it has consequences.'
Blade conceeded the point, but, "You could have at least left Chloe to carry on for you? She's a fine enough reader to cover for you."
Dahlia shook her head, 'They come to see Dahlia Runner, not Chloe Fairmont and she is nowhere near ready to walk my path. I cannot leave Fate to such an unsteady hand.'
Blade sighed and rubbed his temples, "Fine." He said, "Rest for tonight, but only this one time, understand? We can't afford to lose the money your tarot bring in and we absolutely cannot afford to lose the energy."
'Fair enough.' His sister replied silently as she pulled on a long cotton nightgown, then a light wollen shawl. She moved to the door of the caravan to take in some of the night air before she slept.

Blade left also, half turning as he left her alone, "Don't go beyond the caravans." He warned.
Dahlia wandered a few yards, giving a small smile of comfort. Despite the lights and noise and the intolerable heat, she seemed at peace. The heat was the least of her thoughts. It had never bothered her and indeed, those that would often stay close long enough, weren't much bothered byit either. Even in the vicious heat of the Mojave, Dahlia carried an ability to cool and calm. For a good twenty minutes, she wandered around the caravans, but never crossed the boundry into the happenings of the carnivale. One could see her if they were willing to look, but would they dare cross the line between paying customer and uninvited trespasser?

Jason noticed how happy the people were. The carnival was taking their mind off the heat, even though with night the temp had fallen to a bareable degree. One did not try to work out in it but just walking around or watching things, it was not to miserable. Jason wore a grew T shirt and a pair of light pants and a pair of boots. He was comfortable. It seemed quite a number of the people of the city was flocking to the carnival, a much needed diversion.

When the twins made their way over to him and started talking, he had a feeling he knew what they wanted. But he didn't want to say anything that would make them angry or sad. He was thankful when a big hulking man came up and shooed them off. He looked like he was one of the roustabouts. He started talking to Jason and was trying to get him to go try his luck ringing the bell at the strength contest. A number of guys were trying to show off to their lady friends or wives. He chuckled and said, "I have no lady to try and impress." he told the big man.

That is when he noticed Dahlia walking about the vehilces, trailers and tents used for the carnival people to live in. It was not that far from the tower and bell. A grin crept on to his lips and he said, "But why not. Maybe I can show these guys how to do it." He walked over to the tower and stood there waiting his turn and watching Dahlia. When it came his turn, he took the large wooden mallet feeling its weight and balance and moved his hands on the handle. All the guys were trying to swing the hammer while standing straight up. They were not using the full force of their body. Taking a deep breath he let it out slowly, bent his legs, almost squating then brought himself up and swinging the mallet, using his weight and the strength of his arms. The mallet came down, hit the mark. The metal slide went sailing up and hit the bell. It rang loudly as Jason sat the mallet down on the ground. The crowd around the game started clapping and cheering. Jason looked over at Dahlia a smile on his lips.

Hoss followed Jason to the game andgrinned as he watched the man take the mallet and swing it. He even nodded in approval at the man's method. Jason hit the mark dead centre and sent the slide sailing towards the bell. It chimed loudly and a small applause came from the people around him. Even the strong-man himself, a giant almost by the name of Andre and not that bad a look-a-like for the famous giant, gave a hefty applause. In broken English, Andre tried to coax Jason to have another go with some added weight on the slide and Hoss egged the man on to until he noticed the distraction. At this point, he made a slight adjustment to stand and block Jason's line of sight.

"I think Andre wants to challenge you." Hoss said to Jason with a laugh, "Fancy another try?" He knew who Jason was looking at and moved a step closer. "Gorgeous philly, ain't she." He whispered, half turning his head towards the wandering Dahlia. "I done seen the way ya'll was lookin at her in da show, but she way outta yer league." He smiled as a polite notice not to bother the woman, but Hoss had been there, tried his luck and failed miserably yeas ago an he knew who and what she was. Jason O'Riely had little hope at best, but deep down, he also knew the man would try anyways.

Seemingly oblivious to all the noise, Dahlia continued her wanderings, but she was keenly aware of everything going on. The applauding coming from the strong-man's bell game caught her attention briefly, but whe she turned her head to look, her view was blocked by Hoss. Perhaps he was congratulating the winner, or checking to see if the other man was cheating. She passed it off as either or both and carried on wandering for a short while longer. Once she reached the edge of the carnivale, she turned around and began wandering back......

Out of his league? Well perhaps she was, but that had not stopped him before. There had been a few that had seemed that way but they all had come around. Perhaps it was his bad boy look at times and the motor cycle he drove. It was a Harley and it rumbled and roared when he drove it. He looked the man that was called Andre over. He was a big and strong man. He didn't like it when the man blocked his view of Dahlia, but the way he had moved it seemed as if he was trying to protect her. That he could not be mad at or blame him for.

"So you want me to try again eh?" he asked. He shugged his shoulders and took the new mallet from Andre. It was alot heavier then the other. Jason was no bodly builder, but moving engines and transmissions around, as well as working out at home in the gym he set up in the garage kept him in good shape. Taking a deep breath and letting it out he took another one before lifting the mallet and again using the same technique he lifted the mallet over his head and brought it down hard on the pad, sending the slide once more to the top ringing the bell. He placed the mallet on the ground and looked at Andre and then Hoss.

"Well she may be out of my league." he said to Hoss, but tell her I hope what ever was wrong with her in the psychic tent that she is better. She didn't look to good when she left." He turned to Andre ans smiled and gave the man a slight bow before turning and walking again back to the entrance of the carnival.

Hoss furrowed his brow, then gave a slight shrug, "Sure, whatever." He replied, then gave Andre a slight nod. The giant lookd all about ready to rip someone apart for matching his latest record. No doubt the giant would be piling on the weights late to raise the bar against further embarrassments. And indeed, a few minutes later, Andre was packing up his stall to do just that. As for Hoss, he followed Jason briefly, making sure he did not cross the line of stalls into the carniale's homes and the stood and watched the other man leave. Jason's seeming concern for Dahlia's well being had't gone unnoticed and he would have a word with Blade about it later. He watched for a while, then went back to his own business.

The carnivale carried on for a few more hours and then it was time to close down for the night. As the last of the fun-goers left, suitably drunk and more suitably penniless, Hoss pulled the wire gates across the gateway and shut down the generator for the lights on the corniche. Once that as done, the rest of the night was left to the clean-up crews. If Blade insisted on anything, it was that his carnivale was always spotlessly clean. The crews went to work, the various people of the carnivale finished locking up their stalls and Hoss, once done overseeing everthing, went to the Runner's caravan. He knocked firml once and then entered. Blade was sat with one of his circus hands going over the takings for the day.

On seeing his friend, Blade excused the circus hand and put the money in a lock-box and invited Hoss in proper. "A night-cap?" Blade asked.
Hoss nodded, "Thanks," He said. "Is Dahlia ok?"
Blade lifted an eyebrow, but then smiled as though he knew why she had been asked about. "She had a bad reading." he sad lightly, "It's nothing serious. She'll be fine tomorrow."
Hoss nodded and drank the expensive brandy without another word. Once done, he put the glass down again. "The clean-ups are out in force and everything is shut down for the night, Boss."
Blade sipped his brandy and nodded his approval, "Very good." He replied, "I'll do my inspections in the morning."
"Sure thing, Boss." Hoss said, then gave the man a nod and left.

With his brandy soon done, Blade moved into the bedroom and undressed. Across the fairly large room, he checked his sister briefly, then slid into his own bed. He arranged the pillows as needed, leaving enough room at his side should Dahlia wake during the night. It wasn't an uncommon event. His sister often had disturbing dreams and would sneak in next to him for comfort, more often than not, with another pillow to cuddle up with or her old blanket.

The night passed without distubance and Blade woke to find Dahlia snuggled up against his front with her blanket clutched tightly in her hands. He kissed her forehead lightly, rose, showered and dressed, and started his day. The sun was already high - though it was summer - and the heat was intense. Around the camp, his odd family were going about their business, setting up and making adjustments for the evening's entertainment. Washing lines had been set up between various tents and caravans and the kitchen was already cooking up a storm for the hard workers. Blade made his greetings in the usual manner and helped himself to a large plate of hash and bicuits........

Jason had noticed the big man Hoss following him. He grinned and shook his head. It seemed everyone was protective of Dahlia. Once out the gate of the carnival he mounted his Harley and started it up. Out of one of the saddlebags he took his Black Leather Jacket out and put it on. Even though it was warm out, he was no fool. Heavy boots, pants, and leather coat along with his helmet kept him alive. It had saved his ass a couple times when he had to lay a bike down.

He turned the bike looking back at Hoss and waved to him as he gave it some gas and took off. The night was still a bit early so he went to a bar to have a couple of drinks. As he sat at the bar he wondered about the woman called Dahlia. As he thought of her he heard a couple men next to him whispering. They were half drunk and didn't think they would be over heard. They were talking about how much money they had seen being spent at the carnival and how much they must have for one night. They talked on how they were going to rob the carnival the next night after they all had bedded down and take care of anyone that got in their way.

He didn't know if it was just the booze talking or if they were really planning something. He didn't want to get a couple of guys in trouble with the law unless they really were going to do something stupid. So he decided to go back the next night to see what would happen. He went home and called one of his guys and told him he was taking the day off and to open up and run the shop for the day, before he went to bed.

In the morning he woke up and for some reason could not get the mental image of Dahlia out of his head. It was as if it was burned into it. He stayed home most of the day and then when the heat of the day waned a bit, he rode down to the carnival again and paid his way in once more, looking around to see if he could spot the two men.

Things were moving along nicely within the carnivale. The numbers were substantially more than the night before. Word had spread and a local newspaper had now got involved. The afternoon edition had shown the show from the night before and some of the carnviale people had posted up the picture of Dahlia and her dancing flowers above their stalls as a mark of pride. Today, there were more news folk floating about. They took pictures and asked a few locals if they were enjoying themselves; regular stuff. They were really waiting for the main show later. Yesterday, they had missed the disappearing act and wanted desperately to catch it on camera. Of course, it had been made clear from the start that no filming was allowed in the tent, but no doubt someone would have a camera hidden.

In their tent, Dahlia and Chloe were already making good money and collecting the precious energy from the customers. Most left happy, some not so, depending on what the clairvoyant told them, but all wanted to know if she would be doing the main show again. The latest customer was a reporter for a regional tabloid. He left with a puzzled look on his face. Dahlia had told him a few things about himself that no other living person could hav known. He had written everything down in his jotter, but it still mystified him how she had known such things. This being the case, he was quick to pull out his cell. He dialled a number and started walking down the main corniche. "Yeh, it's me." He said quickly, "Look, we don't have much time. I don't know how she did it, but that weird carny woman knows. You need to shred the reports right now. I mean it! Get rid of them, every trace!" He hund up the phone, but wasn't looing where he was going and slammed into someone. "Hey!" He said sharply, "Watch it asshole, I'm walking here!"

Jason was looking around and trying to decide if he should go back and have another reading done. It was a chance to see her again, but he was afraid that she would get up and leave again if he did, and that would not be good for those that were waiting to see her. He spotted the two men that had been in th bar. They were walking about, close to the line of the carnival and where the living quarters were. He could see them caseing the place and which trailer was the one that had the money.

He still didn't have anything concrete that he could call the cops on. They had done nothing wrong yet. Looking over at the trailers and tents was not illegal and as long as they didn't cross the line they were just customers at the carnival. As he was watching the two men, he heard another man talking, and the voice was getting closer. Something about the werid carny woman knowing and to get rid of the reports immediately. As he was about to turn and see who it was, the man ran into him and yelled at him as if it was his fault. "Well if you were looking where you were going you would have seen me standing here!" he snapped back, and gave the man a glare that would curdle milk.

The news reporter glared back and shoved his way past to leave the carnivale. A few seonds later, Chloe emerged from the tent to have a quick smoke. Dahlia didn't allow her to smoke in the tent, said that it interfered with the energies and her senses. She lit up and took a deep breath of smoke before having a quick look around. She spotted Jason and stoo up a little straighter. Inside, Dahlia sensed this and called out to her with her mind.
'What has you on edge, Chloe?'
Chloe gave a small shake of her head as she took another smoke, "Your beau is back." She said back into the tent, "And looking to head this way."
'What beau?' Dahlia asked.
"The guy that freaked you out yesterday." Chloe said, "The Lovers over Death?" She felt Dahlia groan in her mind and laughed quietly, "Do you want me to send him away?"
'No.' Dahlia replied, 'So long as he pays.'
"Very well." Chloe said as she finished her smoke and stubbed it out on the ground.
'Chew a mint before you come back in here. I can smell that stench already.' Dahlia scorned.
Chloe sighed and pulled out a pack of extra strong mint chews and popped a few in her mouth as she went back inside.....

He chuckled as the man walked away. He didn't think the man had enough guts to do anything. He turned, and headed for the tent that would have Dahlia and the other woman in it. The two men from the bar were no problem, as of yet. He would find them again and make sure that if they tried anything they would regret it. He saw the one young woman outside the tent smoking a cigerate and it seemed like she was a bit distracted. Then she crushed out the cigerate and reentered the tent.

He sighed and took a deep breath and approached the tent. No one else was around, since it was still early and it seemed all those that wanted to see her had for the moment. He pulled back the flap of the tent and stepped in taking out the money it would cost for a reading. He smiled at her and said, "Well shall we try it again?"

Dahlia looked up from the table and regarded Jason mildly. Chloe smiled. "Would you like a more detailed reading this time, or a basic as before?" She asked.....

Jason sat down and looked at Dahlia, drinking her image in even more. "I'll let the two of you decide that." he smiled.

Dahlia looked down again and unwrapped the tarot. She drew 12 cards this time, placing them face down. "Ten bucks." Chloe said....

He paid the money and waited to see what was going to happen.

Dahlia first turned the card closest to him. It was The Fool, but upside down. "You need to tread carefully." Chloe said. Dahlia turned over the second card, to her right clockwise. The Shadowed Man. "There is danger coming your way. You need to keep watch over those you care about." The third card was Death, upright. "The danger is very close. You must act soon." The next one was the Nine of Swords. "You will work hard to protect yourself and others." Four of Suns, "If you act quickly, you will be rewarded." Six of suns, "More so by the ones you care about." The Tempest was next, "Don't let your temper rule your decisions." The Snake, "Or you will be betrayed." Single Sword, "They may not succeed, but still be cautious." The Goddess, "Um.." Chloe stammered as she looked at Dahlia. A small nod and she smiled again, "The one you may save is someone you are infatuated with." The Lovers, "She has your heart." And finally, The Naive, "But she is nieve about you. Perhaps she doesn't know or believe that you are important to her." Dahlia moved her hands away from the cards and looked across the table briefly. She had that look again, but had refrained from walking away...

Jason kept his eyes on Dahlia as the cards were turned and read. He listened and it seemed that she had more insight on what was going to happen that night. When the lovers came up and the one young woman said that the one he might save had his heart, he smiled again. It was not hard to see that he indeed was infatuated with Dahlia. Of course she would not be able to have the same feelings for him. They were after all complete strangers. "Any thing else?" he asked.

Dahlia didn't move, but Chloe lifted an eyebrow. She looked to her mentor briefly, nodded, then shuffled the cards a final time. She put the deck on the table and pushed them over to him. "Pick one." She said....

Jason spread the cards out and picked one and pushed it towards Dahlia.

With a small smile, Dahlia turned the card over. she then pushed it back to him with the same smile, but slightly dulled. It was a card that had no business being in a tarot deck. It was the king of spades. Chloe furrowed her brow and looked at her mentor with confusion.....

The card was not of the tarlots but of a regular deck of cards. Now this was strange and he wondered what it ment. "This is not a part of the deck. How did it get there and what does it mean?"

Chloe looked to Dahlia again, but got nothing from her. Dahlia leaned over the table slightly and stared right into Jason's eyes. It was as though she was trying to communicate with him, but he wasn't hearing her. 'Take what you know to Hoss.'.....

As she leaned closer and looked into his eyes, he felt something, like a prickling sensation in his mind. But he did not hear anything. He leaned back and then stood up. He smiled once more. "Glad you are feeling better then last night." he said softly. "

Dahlia sat back in her seat as Jason stood up. She shook her head in disappointment and snapped her fingers at Chloe. The girl jumped up quickly and brought a pen quill and slice of paper. Dahlia took the pen and wote down what she had been trying to tell him. "Take what you know to Hoss." The note said.....

Jason took the paper and read it. He was not sure what she was trying to say. He really didn't put much stock in the reading of cards. He was to practical of a person. It was his upbringing he supposed, plus he had never had them read before. He just thought she was able to read his body language and pick up on a few things. Perhaps Hoss had talked to her the night before and she knew he was infatuated with her. He smiled and turned and left the tent.

He looked around and saw the man called Andre and his game set up again. He was not going to try again and make the man mad again. He just wondered around the carnival until he caught sight of the two men. They played a couple games and looked as if they were just enjoying the carnival. He hoped they were smart enough not to do anything stupid. Finally they seemed to be leaving. They headed for the gate and then out to a car. Jason waited a bit more as he saw them drive off. He then looked around once more and went to his bike and drove of to a small hill that over looked the carnival and the living quarters of the carnival people.

He got off the bike and sat down and waited. He waited until the patorns left and the carnival people made for their quarters. He had a small pair of binoculars and watched Blade and Dahila head to their trailer. He carried a strong box which Jason figured had the nights take in it. As the lights went out he noticed two figures moving into the living quarters area . The fools were actually going to try it. He shook his head and put the binocs away and headed down the hill. They still had done nothing wrong and if the turned away....... But it didn't seem like they would.

The two men made their way to blade's trailer and moved up to the door, listening to what was happening in he trailer as they looked around to make sure no one was coming near them. Seeing no one one man took hold of the door handle and yanked the door open. The second man ran in and pointed a gun at Dahlia and Blade. The second man followed the first and pointed a gun at them. "Hand over the money and no one gets hurt." the first man said, "All of it." The first man moved up to Dahlia and put the gun to her head and grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back to the door. "Yell out for help or do anything stupid and I'll blow her brains all over the place."

Jason moved up quietly to the trailer and to the door. Licking his lips he took a deep breath, stepped up on the step, grabbed the second man by the back of his shirt and an arm and pulled him back quickly flinging him hard to the ground. He then lunged forward and grabbed the first man's hand that had the gun in it and pressed his thumb into the area between the thumb and trigger finger, hard, and yanked back on the hand. The pain made the mans hand opened and the gun dropped to the floor. He spun the man around, balling the fist of his right hand and buried it into the mans face, knocking him out of the trailer. The man fell on his back next to his friend. Jason followed as the first man tried to get up. Jason kicked him with his the heavy boot of his right foot. It connected with the man's head and he fell back down again. He grabbed the first man and pulled him up and again hit the man, and heard the cracking of bone. The man went limp and he dropped him to the ground.

Kicking the guns away from them he turned to the door of the trailer. "Call the police." he said shaking his hand, open and closing it. It was bruised and bleeding.

The night wore on, but Dahlia knew pretty early on that Hoss had not seen Jason. What customers came after Jason were unsubstantial and her reading of him interfered greatly. She could only give very basic and general readings and many left disappointed. Some even asked for their money back! Dahlia made no argument about it and paid them off. She did her show in the main tent, using butterflies instead of snowflakes this time and though it had the same result, Dahlia just wasn't her usual magikal self. The kiss of course, was done right; Blade kissing her cheek lightly and her vanishing, but he knew soon enough also that something was wrong. She told him about Jason's reading and her feelings on the matter, and she told him about the note for Hoss that never arrived. After that, it took merely moments to inform the head groundsman and his best rabble of misfits, but Dahlia could not say when the danger would come, only that it was close. The strange family were put on guard, but it seemed that the robbers were just a little smarter than Blade and Hoss had taken them for.

The carnivale shut down for the night, Blade and Dahlia had been in their caravan for less than half an hour when the robbers came. They had guns and Blade, though he had his rapier tucked away in his walking cane, did not use it. One of the robbers snatched Dahlia away from him. She was far too precious, so he did as he was told and handed over the lock box. What a surprise they would get however; it would be empty and by the time they would realize, the entire family would know who they were, what they looked like ad it would not take long to find them. Besides, attacking one's own kin was a death penalty in this family. However, and as Dahlia had predicted, their saviour arrived.

When Jason attacked the robbers and saved Dahlia no doubt from a bullet to the brain-pan, Blade grabbed for her and spirited her away into the bedroom. By the time he had checked her over and got back, both men were on the gound unconscious. Hoss and his rabble arrived seconds after that, Hoss sporting his old rifle, loaded and ready. Blade held up his arms to say everything was safe and well and then moved to Jason. "Thank you." He said to the man warmly, "You've saved our lives tonight and our takings too. I congratulate you." At his side, Hoss coughed lightly and leaned the gun up his shoulder. Blade nodded to him and the big man stepped forward.
"Hand it over." He ordered, "The card and note Dahlia gave you, give it to me."......

Jason saw the whole crew of carnival folks come running towards Blade's trailer. He shugged his shoulders when blade thanked him and said he had save both his and Dahila's lives. "Couldn't let these two scumbags hurt honest and hard working people." When Hoss came forward and asked for the note and card that Dahila had given him, he was a bit confused, but he dug in his pants pocket and dug them out and gave them to the big man. He had no idea why he wanted them unless Dahlia had told him about it. He had thought that she had only wanted him to see Hoss about the reading she had given him.

He had a feeling that she had wanted him to tell Hoss what he knew. But how did she know that. "Best get the cops here to take these two away." he told Blade. "Is Dahlia alright?" he asked. His hand was begining to throb now. It was not broke but it hurt, and was bleeding and badly bruised from hitting the one guy.

Hoss took the note with a nod, looked it over, then put it in his pocket. He adjusted the rifle on his shoulder and levelled his gaze with Jason. "Next time she tells ya'll to do summats." He said coldly, "Make damned sure ya do it, understand? Ya'll seen their faces and we coulda caught 'em sooner if you'd gone done what she told ya. She don't do dis kinda thang without reason, ya hear?" He then looked down at the unconscious men. "I'll drop a dime in da morrow." He then nodded at his rabble and four men stepped up to carry the attackers away. Hoss then followed them a few seconds later.

In the meantime, Blade came back to Jason and looked him over briefly. In his mind, he could hear Dahlia telling him to invite Jason inside. His hands were important and needed attention. Blade nodded to the request and half turned towards the caravan. "Come." He said politely, "Dahlia will tend your wounds and you have more than earned a drink from me." He stepped up into the large home and left the door open for Jason to follow. Inside, the interior looked like it could come right out of a 18th century novel. The furniture was ancient in style, but immaculately kept. Dark woods with pale coloured walls and intricately patterned rugs. Pictures on the wall dipicted many locations and looked just as old. Some pictures were news clippings from various eras and they showed the age of the carnivale.

Within a small and quite modern kitchen, which happened to look rather odd in the current setting, Dahlia was filling a ceramic bowl with hot water from a stove kettle. Once suitably filled, she opened a cupboard and took down a large stoneware pot. As soon as she pried the lid off, the smell from the pot was rancid. Dahlia took out a large spoon and scooped a generous load into the water. The smell intensified and frothed in the water, turning it a luminous green in colour. She brought the concoction to the antique coffee table and then collected a few soft wash cloths. Once everything was set up, she smiled to Jason and invited him to sit down on a long sofa. Meanwhile, Blade was pouring out two large doses of his favourite brandy. He too looked to Jason with a smile. "We don't bite, you know." Then a small laugh, "Well, I don't anyways. As for my flower, you'll have to ask her yourself." He held out the brandy for Jason.....