Samuel Sullivan is the name. My carnival is one big game.
I've been through a lot in this old life of mine, and I don't expect it to get easier anytime soon.
Samuel Sullivan is the name. My carnival is one big game.
I've been through a lot in this old life of mine, and I don't expect it to get easier anytime soon.
I’m afraid I’ve gotten her into the same pattern of sleep as myself.
Ah well children generally need a consistent sleep schedule, or you could always tire her out hours before.
Hmm. Perhaps it harks back to when we used to lie awake at night and talk about everything. I’ll need to be popping the blankets over her soon, though. Anyway, how are you, Leah? Since we last spoke, I mean.
I’m afraid I’ve gotten her into the same pattern of sleep as myself.
Gavin walked into the grocery store not paying attention to anything around him. He wanted to get in and out as quick as possible. He grabbed a basket and was on his way, getting various ingredients for potato and macaroni salad that he had planned to make for the new woman he met. Ashley? He couldn’t remember her name right at the moment, but it wasn’t like that actually mattered. Usually he had someone else do the shopping, but he felt like doing it himself since it was going to be light. All he needed were some potatoes, some elbow macaroni, a couple eggs… and… He didn’t bother writing a list, he believed he could list off the things he needed in his mind. This time he couldn’t. He mentally cursed himself for not making a list, but believed that the ingredients would come with him as he passed the item.
He went down various aisles even if he didn’t think any of the items would be needed for the recipes. He ended up having to waste more time. However, he was still focused on the ingredients and still didn’t bother to look around or pay attention to anything happening around him. So far he passed the produce section and managed to remember to get some onions and celery, among other things. He knew something was missing, but he didn’t know what. He went down the snack aisle, looking up and down, nothing catching his eye as something he would need. A man’s voice caught his attention and he quickly moved aside, not bothering with a smile.
He was about to continue to walk down the aisle, but that small disrupt from his concentration made him look around. Maybe he should ask someone. He turned back to ask the man that had passed him. He made a quick judgement on whether he would know how to make macaroni or potato salad. He heard someone else come closer to him and turned to look. Since he was much nearer, he decided to ask him the question. He didn’t usually confront a man, and if there was a woman present he would have gone with her, but something about this man’s face seemed familiar. “Excuse me,” he asked and continued after he got the other man’s attention, “but you wouldn’t happen to know some of the ingredients needed to make macaroni or potato salad, would you?” He lifted his basket. “See, I’ve got most of it, but I can’t help but think something is missing.”
The minute Samuel stepped into the grocery store, he immediately felt like a lost puppy. Usually, Julia and Peter would be the ones to get the weakly shop but both had been struck with some sickness bug and everyone else had palmed off the chore to him. Regardless of his status within the carnival, when it came to chores, Samuel was always on the same level as the rest of his family. Carnival master or not.
Looking down the rather large shopping list, Samuel heaved a sigh and noticed the little note at the bottom from Julia. ‘Remember to get a shopping cart - you’ll need it!’ A small chuckle left his mouth as he walked over and grabbed one of the carts heading for the first few items on his shopping list. Salad foods. Dressings for the salad. Extra bags of potatoes. Julia had ordered the list in the order of the isles in the store, which was very handy for the lost carny man.
Turning a corner into a new isle, he noticed a rather lost looking man. He thought he might approach but decided that the grocery store people might not be as open to the carny approach as others. Still, the surprise came when the man spoke to him.
Listening carefully, he eyed the quiet man sizing up the crackers next to them before returning his attention to the man again. “Well, let’s see,” he said, rubbing his chin. “Well, it looks like you have the ingredients for the salad. Maybe potatoes? Some sort of dressing?” He suggested, looking to his shopping list. “I’m not going to lie, friend, I’m just as lost as you are. This place is very strange to me.” Nodding to the man behind him, Samuel decided that he might have a little more experience in the making of such things.
“Excuse me, fella, you wouldn’t be able to help us figure out the ingredients for such a meal?”
- Virginie is left silent for an extended moment, she hasn’t heard the word “friend” pass anyone’s lips since she last saw Kiara. - I will, to see her when I think she’s ready. And until then, to see how things are going here. I don’t live in New York anymore, so I don’t know when I will manage to stop by again, but I will. It’s ironic how at times I think this place is like an island disconnected from the troubles of the rest of the world, for better or worse, and then they destroy just that. I am sorry that happened.
Not sure on how Virginie would approach his next move, he went with it anyway. Opening his arms wide he took a short step forward, offering the comfort of his hug. It just proves how strong this family is. We may be a little island, but we often reach out to those mainlanders like your self.
Of course, darlin’. Iris glances into his eyes, making a quick mental link before digging a coin out of her pants’ pocket. Normal quarter, right? She holds it between two fingers, making sure he gets every angle of the coin. But why would you want that? Diamonds are worth so much more, right? In one swift motion, Iris slams it into her palm and covers it up with her free hand.With a triumphant smirk, she uncovers a pile of diamonds after rubbing it for a few seconds. It’s one of my “smaller” tricks, but you get the idea, right?
Samuel watches as the coin transforms before him. A grin takes over his mouth as his eyes lift to meet the young lady’s. Very impressive, miss. I’d say you’d fit in very well here. I guess it’s all just a matter of sorting dates then planning your opening night. He holds up his beer towards her before raising his eyebrow. Do we have a deal?
Excuse me that word. I’m not going to try and make you change your decision. Maybe it’s just as good as mine.
You’re right. I’m sure that she will have a much easier childhood this time. How could she not with you around? Know that word dejà-vu? I could imagine that she might experience something like that. Maybe that’s what the rain does. - Virginie shifts some gravel with her feet as it comes back to her why she is so sure that Kiara has memories from her old life left. The letter. Child-Kiara mentioned memories of Virginie in it. - No, I’m actually pretty sure she will have that.
Even if you can’t face the thought of seeing her just yet, please still stop by. I consider you to be a very close friend, Virginie. A person from the outside who understands my pain. You’re always welcome here.
I’m always looking for work. It’s how I get my kicks without paying from illegal substances. Most people call me a magician, but I prefer the term “illusionist”. Instead of pulling rabbits out of hats, I pull dragons out of thin air. Interested?
Samuel couldn’t help but frown a little at the thought of a young lady taking ‘illegal substances.’ Illusionist? Our carnival seems to be lacking in a magician, so I would be more than happy if you could join us. I’d need a demonstration, just to make sure that your show is ‘family friendly.’
Paul looked at the man talking to him, Pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. He light his and then offed out both to the man. Some thing about him seemed familiar but Paul couldn’t place it. He wondered why he was here.
“Friend? I don’t have many friends and the ones i do i know there names” Paul said circling the man. He looked for any quick exits if he needed one Not many came out to the area and who comes out to an abandoned house with not real intentions. He found the best one he could think of a broken window. Backing towards it her answered the mans question with a lie. ”I was out for a walk and saw this place seemed interesting” He said part of it was true he was indeed out for a walk but he came here for a bigger reason of it just looked interesting.
“What brings you out here he asked pulling another drag off of his cigarette.
Samuel turned down the offer of a cigarette while steadily watching the man as he showed hints of hostility. As he circled him, like some wild animal attempting to intimidate his prey, Samuel stayed still so as to not provoke any further suspicion from the man.
“Curiosity,” he relied, finally getting a word in as the man seemed to near the window. “I adore old buildings.” Samuel could tell that although the man was putting up a semi-aggressive front, he seemed a little wary of the old carny. “Let me start by saying that I mean you no harm, sir,” he said, holding his hands up and facing the man. “My name is Samuel, and I’m simply here to explore.”
Taking a step forward towards the man, he offered his hand and gave a smile. “Now you know my name, I hope we can be friends.”
Claire’s mind had already been made up. It was something she’d joked about once, in an offhand remark to Peter, but those words were ones she never forgot. And here she was, sitting in the back of a taxi, mentally chanting those words to herself while staring out the window to the sight that lie off to the side. There had been a time not so long ago where she’d gone for answers: the carnival. It was where this whole war had begun, when she jumped off the ferris wheel for the world to see.
Maybe she could start the end by coming back.
The blonde paid the driver and offered him a slight smile before stepping out of the cab, though she stood in her spot for a few long moments. Samuel wasn’t at the top of her list, not by a long shot. But he deserved a second chance, didn’t he? After what had happened to him at the Halloween event, and the toll that must have taken on him…Claire could set aside her personal feelings to see how he was doing, and to see if she could find any more clues and answers for her current mindset.
With one hand tucked in the pocket of her jacket, Claire got on the already long line and waited her turn. How many people here were like her? Did they come here for the attractions, or for the temporary peace of a sanctuary? A frown tugged at one corner of her lips with the thought, and she kept her gaze downcast and simply waited for her admittance to go in. When she got to the booth, she took out the cash to pay and nearly froze-Samuel was right in the booth.
“Samuel…” She spoke before even realizing she did, and gave a slight smile afterwards. “Didn’t expect to see you in the ticket booth.”
Samuel was pleased to see just how many people had actually made their way out of their homes just to visit his carnival. It gave him a warm feeling in his heart when he saw the smiling faces of the public just knowing that the excitement that was busy tickling away inside their stomachs was ready to be unleashed on the attractions.
Bending down in the ticket booth to grab more tickets for Kiara to hand out, Samuel popped his head back up to see none other than Claire Bennett herself. This brought a smile to Samuel’s face. There was nothing he loved more than to see a familiar face, and considering their past together, she was a very familiar face.
“Well, Claire, someone has to sell the tickets,” he said, motioning over to another carny to take over so he could talk to Claire. As Simon made his way over, Samuel kissed Kiara on the cheek and told her to behave before exiting the booth and walking into his carnival with Claire.
“So, tell me, what brings you to your old home, Claire?”
