Private A Jester's Playground

[Leven Jeyd]

"This vessel is a lie, a lesson in fluidity."

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Time: Nighttime.
Tagging: Xobos Yakieer ~ Cali Ziiva

Excitement could be drunk right out of the air as the people walked the premises, their eyes full of wander and joy as they took in the crowded and joyful surroundings. The carnival had made it to Zeltros, and now in the outskirts of the capital city stood a land of magic and amazement. Colorful stands offered food and games, blinding lights of several shapes and forms hid the rust of the metallic structures that were the attractions, hiding any warning of risks behind the happy and welcoming facade of ferris' wheels, carousels and many other amusement rides that sprawled over several acres of land. People in weird costumes walked among the visitors displaying their extraordinary skills; some swallowed fire, other juggled vibroblades and others gallivanted merrily through the crowds while standing in tall stilts.

In the center of it all, a large tent striped with every shade of pink and red to honor the host species of the carnival stood. All walk ways led to the tent, for within its heavy folds the real surprises that the carnival had to offer awaited. It was none other than the tent of Great Master Feltt's Acrophylia, the outer rim circus that had gained fame and renown in the later years. Now hordes of people made their way towards its ring to witness the show. People grinned in anticipation, murmurs of the many rumors surrounding the circus' artists filling the silence and the pheromones Zeltrons were so well known for inflaming the aura of thrill that hang over everyone like a weighty blanket. The circus had always had such an effect, a beautiful lie wrapped in an unnerving feeling. A circus was not only amazing, it was weird. And that happy fright is what kept people coming back to seek something they didn't know they lacked.

People began to fill the stadium quite quickly, tall bleachers surrounding the central ring. The place was so big it was easy to forget it was just a piece of cloth held up by pillars, it looked like a marvelous building all on its own. Soon enough, the last rays of warm sunshine that the sun Zel provided disappeared behind the horizon, followed by the quick setting of night. All tickets sold out, the Acrophylia buzzed with the shushings and murmurs of the crowd that impatiently waited in the darkness for everything to begin. All voices were cut off when a large spotlight turned on pointed at the center of the circus' arena, there stood a tall and slender man wearing an eccentric costume.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! Welcome to this our humble house of wonders, our castle of dreams. We are delighted to have you join us on this finest and most darkest evening." The ringleader's voice boomed with effortless confidence as he addressed the crowds, every gesture of his hands and expressions on his face hypnotic. This man was no other than Grand Master Feltt. "And now it is time for you to feast your eyes on the galaxy's most spectacular of creatures, its most talented of artists...make sure not to blink, or you may miss the glorious freaks of the Acrophylia!" As music erupted, the spotlight suddenly disappeared and the crowd was consumed in darkness once more as excitement reached its peak. Only a moment after, visibility would return as the opening act of the circus commenced, clowns and dancers and acrobats taking to the center of the ring in a menagerie of unadulterated and inhuman talent. As the acts progressed the ringmaster would continue to appear, sometimes in the ring, sometimes in the bleachers alongside the people, to announce the next artist.

About two hours went by and the people were still as enlivened as they were in the beginning, delighted by the mind-blowing performances they had just witnessed. And as the show neared its end, everyone awaited the most famous number of all. "Our story nears its close, and soon it'll be time for you to say goodbye to the wonderful freaks that have stolen your heart. But prior the sad departure, there is one last anomalous, atypical, astonishing creature for you to meet before everything's over. Ladies and Gentlemen, ready yourselves to meet our very own Jester!" The power of his voice died down to a whisper as he neared the end, the lights dimmed and the music which had been lively and boisterous suddenly transformed into something soft and enthralling.

Hanging from a feeble-looking hoop from the highest part of the tent's ceiling was a small looking girl, perched upon the curve of the hoop like a delicate bird. As all eyes fell on her, she began her performance. Her body balanced over such a meager surface effortlessly, and progressively the hoop began to sway from side to side as though she was dancing in the air, her body twisting and turning in ways no normal human could ever hope to achieve. People were rendered absolutely silent by the beauty of it, until a round of surprised gasps and ohs filled the ring as the girl's skin and hair began to change color with the music. As the performance gained energy, the Jester suddenly jumped from her hoop only to land on another one several meters to the side, scaring the audience to death for there was nothing that would save the young artist should her grip fail her. And in a symphony of amazement, surprise and fear, her performance moved the crowds to cheers and some even to tears as it reached its end. The hoop descended and her feet touched the ground, Grand Master Feltt walked towards the Jester and offered his hand which the girl took as they bowed together in front of the audience.

Suddenly, the girl changed form once more until she looked identically like the ringmaster, earning a laugh from the crowds, and after that she quickly shaped herself in the image of many of the other performers that had taken to the arena throughout the show before settling on her own appearance once more; leaving the audience forever in doubt if the famous Acrophylia was truly filled by many freaks, or just one with many faces. The ringleader called for the final goodbye to Jester the Skingchanging Acrobat, and the show was at its end. The people reluctantly began filing out of the bleachers and leaving the tent, and the artists disappeared into the backstage of the circus for well deserved rest.

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: Formal Eye Mask, Ceremonial Dress, Knight Saberstaff
Mental State: Silent.
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Leven Jeyd |

One thing about ruling a town that Xobos had quickly begun to learn was that your time very quickly became not your own anymore. She had gotten used to it, before being knighted. The ability to take on missions that she pleased, targets that struck her the wrong way, and recover as many days as needed. That was the routine she had maneuvered herself into. Yet after the knighting and the ceremonies that came with it, her time had been much, much more constrained. Even after clearing the mines and getting her town back to somewhat working order, there was barely a day between the experience and the next time she was needed. It was tiring, and certainly not something that Xobos had been used to.

This was why when a certain pink alien had invited her for a long weekend trip to the planet of Zeltros, and the opportunity to take off from her place of work with the knowledge that the imperial Zax would be there to look over it, there was absolutely nothing that could stop her from saying yes. With her things packed, including her saberstaff, she took her personal shuttle first to the planet of Naboo to pick up said pink alien, then onto Cali’s homeworld. It took all her concentration to keep the ship from crashing mid hyperspace jump with how many times her defacto host had tried to climb into her lap, forcing her to install a strict, “in hyperspace, in seats” policy unless said otherwise.

Despite whatever her exterior looked like, she was as excited for the next few days as the Zeltron was. Cali was just more..outwardly expressive of such things. Not that that was a bad thing, it just keep Xobos on her toes. And as a sith, and a new Sieur, that was far from a bad thing either.

And the weekend had been as enjoyable as Cali had bubbly promised. Nights out on the town filled with dancing, seeing new sights, and delicacies that she had never eaten before. Ever moment seemed to bring something new, but her guide was right next to her through all of it. Literally. Cali had not left her side once, most certainly not through the multiple massages that Xobos had been dragged too. Despite her initial reluctance, she had to admit there was something about how those Zeltron fingers worked that just….loosened her up. Stress was apparently deeply ingrained in her bones, or at least that’s what the masseuses had said.

By the final night, Xobos felt rejuvenated and ready to take on whatever Garde Noire had waiting for her when she got back. Still, there was time for one more night of fun, and this was one that she had picked. While out dancing the night prior, a poster of the traveling Acrophylia circus had caught her eye, and it had taken very little persuasion to get Cali to agree to make it their final date of the weekend. With their dress picked, Xobos in a semi floral dress with a matching mask, as well as her saberstaff clipped tightly to her hip, and Cali in whatever she deemed appropriate for the night, they made their way to where the circus was being held.

Since they had gotten their tickets late, they found themselves sitting near the top of the tent. Regardless, the view down to the center circle was plenty easily seen, and the circus started off to be extremely enjoyable. As the night progressed, she found her arm looped tightly around Cali’s shoulders, pulling her close. This weekend had been absolutely perfect, and the night was shaping up to be the best cap to it. Even as the circus began to draw to a close, there was no sadness in her heart, only a pure joy that had not existed for a very long while.

The final act was something..different, though.

The other acts had been enjoyable to watch, but many were not things she hadn’t see before. Animal tamers, twi’lek’s missing headtails, freaks like that. They were no more freakish than her. But the final act, the jester, there was something different about her. She could feel it, even as the woman twisted and turned throughout the air in inhuman ways. Murmuring lightly, at a level only her Zeltron companion could hear, she let her musing flow forth. “There’s something about this one…a rippling in the force..can you feel it too?” After Cali’s answer, Xobos remained silent for much of the rest of the performance, sight glued to watching the woman’s every movement. Only when she dropped down to the floor, changing her appearance to look exactly like the ringleaders did she speak again, this time with a breathy gasp preluding her words.

“A changling..proficient with the force..” The ringleader made his final goodbye, and people began to leave the tent, but not Xobos. She sat, glued to the spot as her mind raced with thought about what she had just seen. It would have been so easy to just leave, move on, but there was something about the girl that just..called to her.

After a few minutes, and the venue was practically empty, Xobos began to stand, looking to her companion with a slightly sorrowful glance. “I’m afraid we might need to..work a bit on our final night together. I don’t think I can just leave without at least speaking to that girl.” With a slight, reassuring smile, Xobos turned to make her way down from the bleachers, fully intent on finding a way to meet this girl, whether the ringleader was appreciative of her advances or not.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: White Dress
Tags: Xobos Yakieer | Leven Jeyd

Xobos had been busier than usual since she was made a Sieur on Illyria; at least that's how Cali felt given how full the Miraluka's schedule had been. Zeltron might not be monogamous, but that didn't mean they couldn't form attachments or cared about people for more than their positive vibes. The people of Zeltros weren't vampires. The happier people around them were, the happier they were; just how it worked, so of course they wanted everyone happy. Cali wanted Xobos happy. Hopefully the cute thing was, but she started to feel a bit anxious on Naboo. Like, she could handle herself on Illyria.

Tired of being on a remote world, the pink woman bounced over to a terminal and hooked up with her Miraluka. Where else could two cuties avoid the galaxy than Zeltros, right? That's where they should go. Just the two of them chilling, relaxing, and having fun. Thankfully Xobos didn't seem to disagree, or Cali was at least able to tempt the other woman enough to agree to the excursion.

Of course Cali tried to sit in Xobos' lap on the way. Why not? The pink one argued the ship could fly itself once the hyperspace engines were engaged. Not that her dutiful partner seemed to agree requesting a strict 'no lap time while in the pilot's seat' rule. Next Xobos was going to say no furry cuffs too! Well, despite how unreasonable the request was, the Zeltron happily agreed anyway and found her seat. Instead, she filled the time talking, which Cali was exceptionally good at doing.

Thankfully they weren't on the slowest transport to Zeltros, and the trip didn't last too long. What's more, Cali snuggle squished her partner aside and leaned over to pass along her personal authorization code to orbital command. "There aren't that many pink girls roaming the stars. They like to make sure we get home," Cali explained whether that was entirely true or not. She hadn't seen the point falling into the normal flight pattern and undergoing unnecessary checks.

Once planetside, Cali got them checked in and then started showing Xobos all the cool spots. Like, there weren't many uncool spots because that was the point of Zeltros, but some places were less touristy than others. Sometimes a pink thing needed a private place to enjoy their partner's company, so there were 'secret' places not on the regular maps. You could stumble across them easily enough, but everyone made it clear to not spread the word.

Dancing, drinking, lounging, and even singing...

Massages and spas too! Naturally Cali made sure to get them into a few of those early on seeing how wound up Xobos was. Her bright eyes watched the Miraluka with a smile on her hips the whole while.

Part of her wondered how Xobos was doing in ways the other woman didn't speak about. Part of Cali's staring was wondering whether to bring the topic up or not. They had lots of time to talk too, so there were opportunities for Xobos to be the one to bring it up first, but so far she hadn't.

"Circus?" Wide-eyed, Cali peered at the poster Xobos indicated. Well, like, if her cutie wanted to go to this Circus, Cali didn't have any reason to say no. So, of course! A toothy grin followed as they bound off to collect some tickets.

That they ended up in the back at the top didn't perturb Cali, especially seeing how Xobos didn't seem disappointed. Allowed the Zeltron more opportunity to snuggle close without risk of the Miraluka turning a scarlet hue. Maybe after today she'd be less-- Yeah probably not. Cali threw all sorts of curve balls at the Miraluka. Adron trained her how to slay people with a blade, Cali taught Xobos how to stop worrying and learn to love everything... except the people she slayed with a blade, of course.

A soft purr of agreement followed Xobos's sudden comment about the Force and the last performer. The night had been a delight, as expected; though she had to admit the closing act was something else. While she didn't sit up any straighter or lose a millimeter of her smile, the Zeltron's eyes were trained on the show put on before their eyes. It was captivating in more ways than one as her Miraluka suggested.

As the people filed out and Xobos remained seated, Cali curled up against the other woman's side; her head rested upon the Miraluka's shoulder. It seemed obvious what was about to follow. Why point out the obvious? 'Everyone's gone.' Yes. 'We're still here.' Yes. 'You're staring.' Yes. 'I need to speak with that girl.' Of course you did.

With a reluctant sigh, the Zeltron felt her partner pull away to descend below. Not that Cali was letting Xobos get away that easily. She rose to her feet and slowly began to hop down the stairs after Xobos. "Yep, me too."

 

[Leven Jeyd]

"A Game of Cat & Mouse"

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Tagging: Xobos Yakieer ~ Cali Ziiva

"You, my sweet, are a wonderful little monster." Master Feltt's speech had lost its booming presence, replaced by deep and pleasant notes. The man would surely make an exceptional singer if he put the time to it, but right now he was too busy marveling at the impressive stack of credits that lay before him. The upkeep of a circus was a lot more steep than people tended to believe, it was only recently that their revenue started making a difference that actually allowed to spend on improving the quality of life of the circus' performers. Not that they had a salary, or personal belongings of note, or that they stopped working inhumane hours in conditions that violated any and all safety regulations...But a better bowl of food was enough to boost the morale of the freaks.

"But I already know that, Ringleader ~" The voice couldn't be described as anything but luscious and smoky, perfectly modulated. The youth behind its tone was evident, yet it flowed with flawless honeyed words that spoke of a mastery in deceit that was well beyond her ears. Of course, it was not the intention of the girl to deceive the Ringleader - yet. After all, he was the one she had picked all her tricks from.

The man clicked his tongue several times, pointing at her with a long finger while slowly swaying it up and down. "Keep that forked tongue of yours behind your teeth, Jester. Now, scram." The girl flashed him a toothy grin, he had known she intended to ask for something. In no rush to make her demands right away, she stuck her tongue out at him, except it was truly the tongue of a serpent and it slithered like one before disappearing once more behind her lips. Before the man had time to reprimand her, she moved away and let him be.

The backstage of the Acrophylia was widely different from its arena. Here the magic died and it was replaced by the most pure form of a circus' eeriness. Artist sat in small stools in front of broken mirrors removing their makeup or costumes. The clowns sat around a makeshift table, playing some game of dice with sour and cruel faces as if they hadn't been smiling and making people laugh just a moment ago. And in the middle of it all was the Jester, the grin she had sported seconds ago exchanged for a cold and calculating expression, her social masquerade dropped as soon as she realized something was off. Something felt...weird.

The Jester disappeared into a different tent, a small one divided into several smaller spaces that served as rooms. If you could call something with walls made out of hanged spare sheets and a roll mat meant to replace a bed sprawled on a dirty and partially straw-covered floor a room. Now in solitude, her pale hands quickly grabbed hold of a mirror and she began frantically inspecting her own reflection. Her face, her neck, her chest, arms, feet. Her body was buzzing with a feeling she couldn't quite place, a pull, and the Jester had always been afraid that one day her body would betray her and stop doing her bidding. Nothing could be wrong with her body, her body was all bodies, it was perfect, it was everything.

Frustration began building, and it wasn't until she stopped focusing on her physical form and payed attention to her mind that she realized the feeling was coming from within her. As she calmed down, this feeling suddenly felt more familiar. She had experienced it before, like that one time she had a strong urge to leave a circus tent that moments after would catch fire like dry leaves covered in fuel. Or the time she refused to do a cannon act, earning herself the ire of Feltt, and later watched from a safe distance how the cannon blew up to pieces with another artist inside. But this time it was different, the urge felt almost tempting instead of deterring. And a thought, certainly inspired by whatever this feeling was, was made clear in her mind: Hide.

For some reason, she felt like playing a game of cat and mouse and not one to refuse herself any wants, the Jester took to the heights of the tent's pillars, moving through them skillfully. Her figure, small and shadowed, was veiled by the many decorations, silks and nets that already hang from the pillars, an incomplete cover but quite an effective one. People rarely looked for hidden thing in 'plain sight', and right now she was the perfect measure of hidden and exposed to go completely unnoticed. She did not know what it was that she was looking for, but this feeling was making promises. Something interesting was going to happen, she just knew it.

Meanwhile, one of the clowns walked towards Feltt who was still diligently counting his earnings. "Ringleader. Two ladies are still in the main tent, sir." Feltt stopped after counting the last credit chip, and turned his unnaturally green eyes towards the gloomy and intimidating clown.

"Do they look wealthy?" He asked, to which the clown nodded. If they didn't, someone would have tried to kick them out by now. Instead, a feline smile stretched Feltt's lips as he popped his top hat back on his slicked-back black hair and grabbed his cane. Good thing he was still wearing his costume. He then strode towards the main tent, meeting the miraluka and the zeltron halfway there.

"Ladies! Master Feltt at your service. I hope you have enjoyed the show tonight. Now, what may I help you two with?" His intense eyes took both of them in, trying to decipher their purpose and hoping it was a profitable one. His gaze seemed to linger on the zeltron just a little longer than was strictly necessary...

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: Formal Eye Mask, Ceremonial Dress, Knight Saberstaff
Mental State: Silent.
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Leven Jeyd |

If Xobos had been any other sentient or alien in this galaxy, perhaps the looks that she received making her way down the circus’ steps would have unnerved her. They were piercing, glaring gazes that bore into her soul and attempted to determine exactly what she was doing here. Or why she was here with such a gorgeous counterpart. For any other person, there was a good chance they might be scared right out of the arena. Luckily, if that was the way that one chose to look at it, Xobos already felt like an outcast in her own mind, or at least had for most all of her life. Looks from others would not deter her from finding out exactly the information she sought after.

Having her pink alien companion at her side the entire time helped more than Cali would ever know. She would make it up to her later if this turned out to be a dud of a lead. If that was the case, Xobos would absolutely be making some sort of desert later tonight. Nothing made Cali smile more than a plate of warm cookies in front of her.

Folding her hands in front of her, she may have given off the passive, almost an non-chalet demeanor as she crossed the center circle that had been set up. While her outward appearance may have spoken that volume, it couldn’t have been further from the truth of what she was actually doing. Through the force, she was feeling out every nook and cranny in front of and around them, searching for this mysterious joker character. The small feeling of the woman that had been felt during her performance could be felt much more significantly now. Whatever this creature was, Xobos had never experienced a changeling with this strong a connection to the force.

It was almost surprising to be even able to feel this creature’s connection at all. To her knowledge, she had never run into a changeling that could be felt in the force. As they continued to walk, Xobos leaned over to speak softly in Cali’s ear. “Have you ever felt a being like her have any connection to the force? You…do get out more than I do.” It was true. Most all of Xobos’ business revolved around Illyria now-a-days. Cali and her business was practically galaxy-wide at this point, or at least throughout the entire core. There was a much bigger chance that Cali would have felt a being like this one.

By the time that her companion answered, the ringleader of this entire setup had made his way over to the pair. Even with her sight totally through the force, she could see where the man’s gaze had fixated. Xobos’ was by no means a jealous person, but there was something about Master Feltt’s look that had her taking a single step more forward, making sure that she would be the center of the conversation. If this went bad, as far as she knew, she was the only one of the pair with a weapon. It’d be easier to get them out of here if she could take the focus away from her Zeltron.

When prompted with the question, Xobos nodded slowly and folded her arms, regarding the man in front of her with a gaze that would be described as distrusting and disapproving. “I wish to speak to your performer, Jester. Or whatever her real name may be.” She framed her question without a shred of a doubt of what she wanted. There was a stoic, hard sound to her words, showing that she was not one to be toyed with.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: White Dress
Tags: Xobos Yakieer | Leven Jeyd

There were people giving them funny looks? If Cali had noticed, it didn't cause her radiance to dimish one lumen. Step. Step. Step. Down they went toward the ground floor where all the performers had pranced about. Bright eyes peered over at the Miraluka as they descended; a broad smile on her pink lips. Like, what was there to be worried about with Xobos there? She was strong, persistent, and trained in combat.

Not that Cali approved of the method of that training trying to kill her Miraluka all the time, but Xobos had survived through it all.

As they crossed the ring, the Zeltron's gaze swept about the area and even over those still loitering inside the tent. Like, looked like only the workers were left. Well the show was over so that made sense. They looked super serious too. Probably wanted to clean up. But, hey, the two of them weren't in the seating area any more so they could get to it, right?

When Xobos' whisper tickled Cali's ear, she slowly turned to look over at the pretty woman at her side. "Hm? Changeling?" A few disheveled tufts of pink hair flopped to the side as she rotated her head a bit to the side in thought. "Don't think I've met one before. 'Course, probably cause they don't usually show off their abilities, you know? Upsets people. They like things to be predictable." Despite her demeanor, the Zeltron could drop real world observation and advice when the situation called for it. Cali just didn't spend all day being super serious with a grumpy frowny face. Like, she wasn't constipated.

Just then they came to a stop as the Ringleader ventured forth to intercept them. Cali smiled at him too. Even grinned when he seemed to be looking at her in particular. Gave him a little wave. It was only polite to say hello, right? She didn't speak up though because Xobos wanted to investigate and she liked doing the hold one-step forward thing. Probably trying to keep the pink creampuff safe, despite Cali reassuring the other woman she could handle herself. Hadn't been hopping planets selling weapons and survived by luck alone.

Xobos even rolled out the serious tone too. Guess she was reall wanting to meet 'Jester.' Cute name, but probably not her birth one. Stage name. Had to be. Cali wouldn't mind meeting her -- him, them, it -- too. Didn't get to see Changelings often. Seemed like a pretty cool ability, not that Cali ever wanted to be anything other than pink. Might prove useful in certain circumstances though.

 

[Leven Jeyd]

"Kitty white and Mousie gray"

Location: Inside the tents of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Tagging: Xobos Yakieer ~ Cali Ziiva

​

Jester kept on moving through the beams, her malleable body and the gained skills after a life of hanging from places making it an easy task. Her eyes, so clear they were almost white in color and quite unnerving, glided through all that was beneath her as she tried to find whatever it was that was calling to her. She was a curious thing, and oh, did she love surprises. For someone who lived in an intinerant circus life could be pretty boring. After all, magic was not magic to the magician and there was so little in the galaxy that could possibly be more impressive than this their humble art. No, Jester had to find her own fun. And when it appeared so suddenly like this, she held on to the exhilarating feeling of the chase like a starved cat to a bird's carcass. Jester thrived off of this feeling, what was life without a little danger?

"Kitty white so slyly comes
To catch the mousie gray,"
​

Her own, cunning and fruity voice singsonged in her mind. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary so far, but she was sure to find it and sooner rather than later. Throughout her short life she had always had her way, not always immediately though and this had bred a potent form of patience that only surfaced when something had her interest. To Jester things were simple: what was striking was to be sought after, and studied and absorbed and cherished, until the moment she was no longer engrossed and then just as easily the treasure became trash, barely a memory in her ever active mind. That did not diminish her persistence to keep on looking for the next toy, her hands were restless and her thoughts needed food. People or objects, it was the same to her. They just had to be different from the rest.

"But mousie hears the kitty come,
And quickly runs away!"​

As Jester reached the main backstage tent, where she had been moments before running to look for her mirror, Master Feltt flashed his best grin to the two women. Self-absorbed and egocentric like he was, the Zeltron's smile and wave was more than enough for the Ringleader to assure himself of her interest. The other one, however, did not seem to approve of their silent interaction. He didn't have to forget that his main concern was getting credits from them, but there was nothing wrong with pursuing more...personal interests too. "Ah, our sweet little Jester." Jester was her name, the only name he had cared to give her at least and if she had any other, he was not aware of it nor did he care. "Quite the striking creature, although I can think of others just as, if not even more breathtaking," His eyes once again reached Cali, and a fleeting wink was offered to the Zeltron.

"Run, run, you dear little mouse,"
​

Feltt then pushed his green eyes back to the Miraluka, although that certain spark that the Zeltron inspired was certainly not there. He wasn't really making much of an effort to hide his intentions, then again he didn't know doing so would have been wise. "I'm afraid we no longer offer Meet the Cast sessions, it did not go very well for us..." He said, with fake worry. Master Feltt couldn't care less what his freaks went up against so long as they were good to dangle fifty meters above ground or he could get a decent replacement in time for the next show. Of course, revealing this was certainly not an option. However, that greedy glint returned to his emerald eyes and the smirk accentuated on one corner of his lips. "Jester dear is too precious to us, we are not easily swayed to have her meeting strangers." The message was clear, he wanted something in return for them meeting his main star. Credits, preferably. Although other arrangements could be made...His gaze went back to the Zeltron.

"Run quickly 'round the house."​

Jester's mood would have soured by now for not finding anything interesting, but that pull that had awakened within her grew stronger with every move among the beams and poles that kept the tents up. It was then that she heard her name called by the familiar voice of Master Feltt, and when she caught sight of the man's colorful suit she perched herself upon a beam from where she could overlook the entrance to the main arena. She could see Feltt's legs, and the feet of two other people. Women, judging by the dresses. A long, amused, close-lipped smile stretched on her face as the the intrigue within her reached a new height. This was not her first time overhearing conversations, and this one was about her! What could two strangers want to do with her?

"For kittycat is catching up,
And she might eat you for her sup!"​

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: Formal Eye Mask, Ceremonial Dress, Knight Saberstaff
Mental State: Silent.
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Leven Jeyd |

That little wink did nothing for Xobos’ heart, skipping a beat when she saw the flirtatious action toward Cali. Outwardly, she made no movement, no outward show of emotion toward such actions, yet it tore her up on the inside to have to hold back. It wasn’t that showing off her sith side was something that she was averse to, at least not fully in front of the zeltron. There was just the little thought in her mind that if she did make any violent move toward the man that her chances with meeting the Jester in any sort of kind scene would be essentially out the door. If possible, she didn’t want to have to draw her blade here. Xobos had no authority on this planet, whether Confederate or Illyria. No one would care if she was a knight and getting the Zeltron police on their tail wasn’t exactly something she wanted to bookend their trip with.

A peaceful solution was needed, and even as her rage seethed at the bottom of her stomach, something that the former jedi to her side could probably feel by now, and perhaps even the Jester herself, she was determined to find that solution. Releasing a hot breath through her teeth slowly, purposefully, Xobos attempted to bring her mind to a levelheaded place. “I am sorrowed to here about your..problems with meeting the cast. I imagine someone with your immense..” She paused, attempting to make her words sound as truthful as possible. “..grace, would have these meetings all the time if it did not mean putting your own people in harm’s way.” Bowing her head as her words were spoken, there was an air of reverence toward the stagemaster that Xobos attempted to conjure. If she knew anything, these types of people loved having their ego’s stroked.

Raising her head, the edges of her lips curled slightly into a slight smile. Xobos had no problem with stroking the occasional ego or two if it meant getting her way in the end. “I muse say though, my charge,” Pausing, she motioned toward Cali with an open palm in a reverent way. “Princess Ziiva, heir to the providence of Garde Noire, was amazed by your Jester’s spectacular performance and would desperately like to meet her. I understand it is not something you…normally do, but I’m sure we can come to a perfectly acceptable arrangement on all sides.” With a smile, Xobos reached into her side pouch, shifting through it with the tips of her fingers. The sounds of credit’s clacking together could be heard easily enough, and she kept it up for long enough that stagemaster’s greed would surely be stroked.

She would wait until that that very distinctive look of total greed encompassed the man’s eyes before pulling out a handful of credits. In the palm of her hand, the Illyrian Knight counted out a large pile, ever so often looking up at the man with a slight smirk. “I would say…five hundred credits, five times the price of admission for myself and the princess would be a fair price to meet with this Jester.” Xobos held out the pile of credits for just a moment, before letting out a muse of thought, shaking her head and pulling the credits back. “No no no…for a man of such high standard that offer must be insulting. Let us go to..seven hundred and fifty credits for a private meeting with Jester.” A smile crossed the edges of her lips as she looked toward the man once more, holding out the credits toward him. She knew the greed would win out, or at least, the ability to get closer to the supposed princess. There was always a way to play these games, and hopefully she had Feltt all figured out.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: White Dress
Tags: Xobos Yakieer | Leven Jeyd

Cali stood in her spot slightly behind Xobos as the two bantered. Her bright eyes looked were often with Feltt even when the Miraluka was the one talking. A warm smile stayed perched upon her lips, and a slight rotation of the head followed a meaningful look from the man. She was just the pinkest, more innocent little Zeltron that ever was on Zeltros. All party, no sense, right? Of course people were wrong on that front, but they were a very bubbly people.

Course, Cali knew what was going on here. No way a traveling merchant hadn't dealt with situations like this countless times. Seemed Xobos felt like trying her hand at the exchange though, which did manage to tear Cali's eyes from Feltt briefly at her sudden offer. Not even being introduced as a princess managed to break her rapt attention on the man; because she was quite pleased to play that role if her Miraluka wanted her to. She was, after all, just the cutest.

Her hands slipped behind the small of Cali's back, which caused her to lean forward just a bit where she stood.

Xobos meant well, and you really only got better by being forced to interact with others, but Cali could tell her love had a ways to go when it came to stroking egos. The pause could be easily brushed off with the production of credits, but it would have been better had the lie rolled off the tongue more readily. And the bribery -- the offering -- itself was... Well, time would tell. There were a few ways the scene could play out, and the Zeltron was going to let it happen naturally without interjecting. She had faith in the cutey.

 

[Leven Jeyd]

"Lying has a Price and Profit"

Location: Inside the tents of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Tagging: Xobos Yakieer ~ Cali Ziiva

The fiery emerald eyes of Master Feltt fell on the miraluka once more, a certain intensity to his gaze. There was no doubt that his heart skipped and his ego purred with every word that came out of her. He was an easy man to please. Money, women, compliments. Greed, lust and pride. Yes, those were words that fit him very well. But then again, sin was something common among those of his kind. The circus was filled with monstrosities and wayward souls, he was no exception. However, many of these sinners were slickers and gamblers and cunning men, and Feltt was nothing if not the king of them all. The fact that the woman's tone had suddenly gone from cold and demanding to pleasant and flattering did not go unnoticed. She was behaving obsequiously, currying his favor...and he had no problem with that.

It was simply impossible to say if Feltt believed her claim about this enticing Zeltron's ascendancy or not, but the impish gleam in his eyes and the too-sweet smile on his lips spoke of satisfaction. He definitely had no objection to this development, whether truthful or not. And if he had, it would have immediately vanished as soon as Xobos produced a bag full of credits. The clinking of the chips was the language of his soul, sweet poetry to his ears. But of course, an actor knew his script and even though he could salivate at the idea of getting his long fingers on those credits, his priority was far from unpleasant. "Oh, you must forgive me, your Highness. I could not have known," His theatrics were certainly convincing and they checked out, no one would assume that a Zeltron in Zeltros was more than any of the other many Zeltrons of Zeltros.

He extended his hand to ask for Cali's, and if offered he would place a kiss upon the back of her hand. "Although I must say, even my lowly eyes could recognize there was something special about your spectacular self, your Highness." His voice was laced with a luscious tone, nothing short of suggestive. Only after did he return his attention to Xobos, "Of course, your offer is more than enough." He addressed her courteously, but shortly. Then he offered his arm to the Zeltron, not about to lose an opportunity to get closer to the stunning pink alien. "Please allow me to escort you." And with that he began walking towards the backstage tent.

Meanwhile, a pair of attentive ears had not missed a single word of their conversation. Yet her skin had crawled with unease after the first words of one of the women, a dark feeling permeating through her skin. She did not like it, Jester did not enjoy anything that made her feel things that were not of her own choice.

A princess they said? She had never seen a princess, and she knew she would never see a princess in this circus. The Jester was, if that was possible, even more sharp minded than the Ringmaster. The old man was getting scammed, and while she doubted that he would fall for it, it did come as a surprise than he played along. Of course, the surprise lessened considerably soon enough...they wanted to pay seven hundred and fifty credits to speak to her? The Jester would have giggled if doing so wouldn't give away her position, and if she didn't have such a bad feeling about this.

Why? Why did she feel like fleeing and at the same time wanted to stay? For a creature that had always been in control, this sensations and pulls were near infuriating. Whatever the source of this was, she wanted it gone. And it had seemed to strengthen as the two women drew near. Alas, they were too near. If she moved now, she would risk being seen. Then again, with Feltt on their side her fate was pretty much sealed. Her face contorted into a scowl at the thought.

"Jester dear! Come here, my freak." The voice of the Ringmaster rang through the tent as he called for her like one would call for a pet. He searched the eyes of the other artists present to see if any of them would point him in her direction. Of course, no one had seen her. The little brat would never stop giving him trouble. An awkward moment of silence ensued, and the Ringleader had no choice but to chuckle and turn his emerald gaze to Cali. "She is a playful one, our Jester, patience is required." Only a few meters above them, she sat. And her white eyes threatened to burn through the two newcomers, but they settled mostly on the one with some strange form of mask covering only her eyes. Who are you? The thought rung in her mind like an annoying little bell.

The ripples and waves that this unseen influence was forcing onto her grew stronger by the second, and like the petulant and impatient child she could sometimes be, the Jester made the decision that she wanted it gone now. The best way to do that, of course, was ridding herself of the visitor that seemed to be inspiring this revolt in her senses. Jester knew nothing of the Force, and therefore had no reason to believe that this feelings were something that would never go away once awakened. So, wiping her face clean of her animosity and skittishness, she curled her lips into a smile and proceeded to let herself fall from the beam. Her body turned while in mid air, allowing her to land safely on her feet as though she had just come out of nowhere. Her white eyes met Feltt's, the man more than doubled her in height. "Yes, ringleader?" She asked, with a practiced obliging tone and a sweet voice.

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: Formal Eye Mask, Ceremonial Dress, Knight Saberstaff
Mental State: Silent.
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Leven Jeyd |

If there was one thing that Xobos could count on, it was that Cali would pick up on practically any scheme that she might throw out there. Almost immediately after introducing the Zeltron as royalty, she could sense the woman straightening her posture and putting on a more…dignified look and feel. It seemed to very easily confuse or trick the ringmaster as well, something that only served to put a slightly wider smile on her face. She very much did not like this man, nor the vibe he put off when gazing at her zeltron, but she needed to play nice for now.

And it seemed as though her offer was being accepted. The ringleader made his moves toward the Zeltron, the second part of her plan began to play out, whether anyone realized it or not. With his attention focused on Cali, Xobos was able to blend into the background, focusing her attention on finding out exactly where the little jester was. Even as the ringleader called out for the girl, Xobos was searching throughout the tent with the force. And it was not long until she found the changeling, staring at them from high above.

Perhaps it was the first time something like this happened to Levan, especially when it came to when she was changing, but she would begin to feel as though someone was watching her. Xobos would be making no physical motion, but through the sight of her use of the force, she would watch the trickster watching them underneath her. That feeling would continue to permeate throughout her being, even as Jester began to make her way down to the floor of the tent.

Even once she hit the floor, the unnerving feeling of someone watching her through not so physical means could be felt, though perhaps now she would be able to tell where it was coming from. The miraluka, who’s mask, now that Jester was much closer, would be seen to have no eye holes whatsoever. Yet she was not blind, and the clues were there for the changeling to figure that out. There was the chance that Jester may have heard about a Miraluka before, but how her species saw was much more of a closely guarded secret.

Once the girl had appeared, and Xobos had gotten a good look at her, nodding slowly at what she saw in the moment, she turned toward the ringleader with a look of slight annoyance. “Ringleader, we very much appreciate you giving the princess the opportunity to speak with such a lovely performer, but our credits did pay for a..private meeting.” Making a motion to the other actors, then to Feltt himself. It was a kind motion, trying to keep up her façade as best as possible, but it was obvious that she might need some help from her Zeltron to convince the man.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: White Dress
Tags: Xobos Yakieer | Leven Jeyd

Who did Feltt think Cali was? Of course she extended her own hand out for the man to kiss the back of it. Zeltrons loved theater. Life was played out on the grandest stage of them all; the pink and red cast members just knew how to enjoy it more. "I see nothing so lowly about your eyes, Ringmaster," the pink one purred. Well, there was nothing lowly about his eyes.

Next the man offered an arm, which again Cali could only accept with a renewed smile and a widening of the eyes in delighted surprise. Continuing to play up the moment, the Zeltron remarked, "I would like that." There were various reasons why. Played to the circumstances. Robbed him of one arm. Made it more difficult for thugs to take any action the two women wouldn't see coming, since they weren't going to risk shooting the Ringmaster -- and Cali doubted they were crackshots. Oh, but Pink Thing, they performed acts requiring accuracy and even marksmanship! Yeah, in a perfectly controlled environment, with no immediate danger, and with stationary targets. Change the variables and suddenly things got hard.

A little giggle followed Fellt's call for Jester to appear. "It must be so hard keeping track of someone so nimble and able to look like almost anyone," Cali said nreathless as she hung upon the man's arm. Her other hand lay atop that arm as well as her bright eyes peered over at him expectantly. Royalty was nothing if not wide-eyed about the world. Commanding, certainly, but also caught up with politics and appearances not able to escape all that often and just be.

"That's quite alright," Cali replied as Fellt soon commented patience being necessary at times. "There are often unscheduled disruptions. If we became irate at such things every time, why we would never find enjoyment in life."

Once Jester dropped in on them, Cali pressed gently up against Feltt's side at the sudden arrival. It wouldn't last long, of course, as the 'Princess' regained her composure and deigned not look at the Ringleader out of feigned embarrassment. "Oh," she did turn to look at him after Xobos' pointed remark, however. "I would ever so love it. I believe," the Zeltron turned to draw up along his side for a moment as she gazed into his eyes, "a Zeltron like myself could help improve your relationship with your dear Jester. After a little...Girl Talk?" The smile returned in full as she awaited his decision.

What did she mean? Whatever his mind came up with that was pleasing, naturally. Why force feed details to someone when you laid the ground work and let them ruminate on what it all meant. What were Zeltrons known for? So how could Cali improve their relations? Oh, my, look at the time...

 

[Leven Jeyd]

"I Spy With My Little Eye"

Location: Inside the tents of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Tagging: Xobos Yakieer ~ Cali Ziiva

Eyes.

Watching.

She's watching me.

Jester was not shy about keeping her glass-like gaze on the miraluka, still flooded with that bothersome alarm that made her skin crawl. She took her time to inspect the mask carefully, convinced there was some sort of trick that kept the woman's eyes hidden away while in fact she could see her. But even then, how could she see her? She was hiding. Jester was good at hiding. No one ever found her unless she wanted to be found. Something was wrong with this person, she was convinced of it. These people meant trouble, and all trouble that was not initiated by her was bad. Yet her skittishness did not show, she kept that slightly unnerving smile on her lips.

The curve of Feltt's lips, however, was a completely different story. The man was perfectly content, satisfied even. His full attention placed on the pretty Zeltron clinging to his arm. "You are too kind, my lady. A beauty with a warm heart and a bright mind, the greatest marvel in the universe if you ask me." His rich baritone voice was flirtatious and poetic as he shamelessly tried to woo the woman. Pauper, pirate, poet, pawn or queen; nothing could take from Cali's beauty and with a bag full of credits in one hand and the nice lady on the other, Feltt couldn't care less about the tale they decided to tell. Life, after all, belonged to good storytellers. And the Ringleader knew when it was his time to write, and when it was his time to ride along in someone else's narrative, specially if they were the profitable kind.

The Jester perked up once more when she heard the mention of a private meeting. It had been her hope that that detail laid forgotten, but it hadn't been. She didn't like strangers. Or more precisely, she didn't like strangers that suddenly threatened her usually impervious sense of confidence and control and made her alarms go off in all the wrong ways. And still, this were the drawbacks of not being the head of the lion. Feltt soon looked at her with a sharpness that threatened punishment should she try anything with the visitors. Jester knew that look too well. And he spoke again, "Of course, of course. The ladies should be allowed to chat in confidence. I'm sure you will find our sweet Jester to be just as entertaining both in and out of the arena." He said, and once the lingering artists had exited the tent, he followed. They were left alone.

Jester still kept her eyes locked on the Miraluka.

You can see with no eyes? Can't you? Blind but not blind.

You spied on me.

Her little musings rippled inside her mind. Of course, Jester had been eavesdropping on the adult's conversation for a while but she saw nothing wrong with that. But this woman doing whatever it was she did to find her when she was hiding? Outrageous, unacceptable. The silence between them was growing too long, and it would be Jester the one to steal the first words. Her white eyes finally met with Cali's and her head leaned towards one side not unlike the gesture a pup would make when made curious by something. "You are no princess, are you? ~" Without mincing words, she gave voice to her guess in a silky and enthralling way. The girl took a tentative step forward, analyzing and sizing up the two of them, testing to see if the strange feeling changed if she walked closer. There was no kind of aggression coming from the Jester, simply unbridled curiosity.

Her head then turned towards Xobos, but instead of clear eyes she would be met with pale and milky ones. Blind. It had been an attempt to see if she could still see, somehow, while her vision was impeded. Of course she could not. Then her eyes returned to normal, and her pale hands rose to cover them as she tested out different ways while trying to figure out the stranger. Without yet lowering her hands her head tilted backwards to point towards the beam she had been perched upon before. She spoke again. "You saw me. But you couldn't have." Both were stated as facts, her question unasked but clear. Only then did she let her hands drop, her concentration once more placed on the two of them. Waiting.

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: Formal Eye Mask, Ceremonial Dress, Knight Saberstaff
Mental State: Silent.
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Leven Jeyd |

There was something calming, relaxing about no longer having to play nice. The moment that the ringleader left the tent, she could feel her shoulders droop slightly in response. An relaxed exhale pushed past her lips, the charade no longer needing to be played. Acting in such a way, like she did not have control of the situation, was not something she could keep up for long, and the sleezy way that Feltt flirted with her zeltron pushed her to what limited acting limits she had. Any longer and the man may not have had any hands by which to make his magical show come to life.

But now, they finally had time alone with the target of their talks, the magical jester. What had been a stoic facial expression that had plastered her face since coming down into the ring slowly started to peak into an amused smile as she watched Jester attempt to figure out how Xobos was seeing. The milky eyes obviously did her no good, and the statements that came after had her tilting her head in interest. So the little thing could sense when she was looking at her, an interesting development to be sure, and one that Xobos would keep in mind.

There was some digging that she wanted to do before revealing more to Jester, however, and one part was how she came up with the thought to question Cali’s “royalty.” “And how do you figure that my companion is not royalty? It is not a proper way to act to question such things.” Of course, Xobos could not care either way if she questioned or not. What she wanted to find out was just how perspective the changeling was. This was an information gathering opportunity after all.

She allowed the girl..boy..whatever form she wanted to take on plenty of time to answer, waiting expectantly. After she had spoken, Xobos would kneel down to her level, giving Jester an even better look at the mask. No holes to see through, no secret viewports, nothing. Just a normal piece of cloth covering where her eyes should be. Reaching behind her head, her lithe fingers undid the metal clasp, pulling the cloth apart to reveal something the changeling could not mimic at this time.

Where the being’s eyes should have been was a flat, smooth surface of skin. No eyes, no blindness, just skin. Smiling lightly, she watched Jester’s reaction expectantly as she spoke softly. “No eyes…yet I see. I see you. I see how special you are. I see using the same power that is making you feel very uncomfortable right now.” Letting the words hang in the air, Xobos began to replace the mask over the smooth skin. She had no doubt that Jester had no idea what the force was, or why she felt so nervous around Xobos and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Cali. Now the process of trying to convince Jester to lean into that power would begin, and how hard that would be might just determine whether or not the changeling left with the Miraluka and Zeltron that night.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: White Dress
Tags: Xobos Yakieer | Leven Jeyd

Cali smiled as the artists left. She smiled as the Ringleader left. She smiled when the three of them were left alone. Then her bright eyes swung around to gaze upon the elusive visage of 'Jester,' the Changeling. It hadn't all been an act. In fact, she didn't think there'd been any acting at all involved. A little lie Xobos told, but that hadn't much influenced the Zeltron. Cutey is what a cutey does. A little flirting went a long way; just happened that being passed off as a Princess made flirting all the more appealing to most.

A wide, lidless stare met Jester's own as the question was laid between them. "I dunno, what do you think a 'Princess' is?"

With a soft giggle, Cali extended her left hand to the side and conjured over one of those oversized circus stools. After it glided smoothly across the ground before it was set down behind the pink one, the Zeltron slowly sat down upon it. "I think I'm magical enough to be a Princess. I'm certainly cute enough. Wealthy enough. And I have a dark knight at my side. So, am I Princess in your eyes?"

She turned to look over at her Sithy Girl as Xobos seemed inclined to tempt and tease. "It's not for everyone," Cali said, seemingly carrying on with her own line of thought. Her attention soon back on Jester. "Not many can use it, and even among those that can... Well, you probably work hard on your acrobatics, right? Endless practice to make something few could do even if their life depended on it appear as easy as breathing. Of course, magic isn't for parlor tricks. This isn't sleight of hand."

Now her right hand extended and three throwing darts lifted into the air. They sunk into a wooden board set up off the side for such an act.

The pink one's eyes shifted back to Jester. "No strings. No mirrors. And no safety net." Even as she continued to smile, Cali alluded to things Xobos might not. Dark Siders had an interesting look on things as evidenced by Xobos humoring Malvern's training methods. Danger was part of living they'd probably say. They weren't wrong, but this was more than 'you might be hit by a hovercar' tomorrow; this was magic, and there were certainly dragons.

 

[Leven Jeyd]

"Can you do mine?"

Location: Inside the tents of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Tagging: Xobos Yakieer ~ Cali Ziiva

Anyone who was new was a wonder in the eyes of the young changeling. No matter how bad her first impression was of these two, her attention was purely eclipsed by them as she tried to identify and pick their inner workings apart until she could understand them. It was an instinct, one she could not quite comprehend, to thirst over the foreign mind. Yes, she was as curious as the proverbial cat. Whether it would kill her or fill her with the desired satisfaction that knowledge brought was the surprise revealed at the end of each day. And her visitors shone with the promise of great knowledge and great danger.

The white eyes of the Jester traveled from the Miraluka to the Zeltron. The answer to the Sith question had been very clear and in the tip of her tongue, yet it was whipped right back to the depths of her mind as the pink lady extended a hand and summoned a chair to her side, the inanimate object moving under the power of her will. That strange feeling strengthened, and the bright spark that had been ignited in the gaze of the young aerialist was drowned by the discomfort the display provoked. This time she took a small step back, her body speaking of the feelings and the words that she didn't seem to be very capable of properly expressing. She was not scared, the Jester did not really understand fear. But she was wary, and confused...and all the more intrigued.

The girl, or at least a girl she was at this moment, hang on to every word spoken by the Zeltron. When the darts were influenced by her and thrown towards the board, her eyes followed them swiftly before returning back to the pair the second after they stopped moving. Alert, cautious. For a moment what the woman showed stopped being mesmerizing and began being seen as a threat. The Jester teetered a thin line between the unknown that inspired her childish wonder and the incomprehensible which was a challenge and a menace to her ever-thirsty intellect. She had never witnessed the Force before, and as such was skittish about believing this was actual magic. Yet the proof was there, deep within her she knew it was true. And now she no longer felt secure.

But then the Jester collected her thoughts once more, allowing the sharpness of her wit to cut through the warnings set off by the demonstration. Her mind, when it suited her, was as malleable as her body and this idea was one that catered to many of her deeply rooted desires and fantasies. Real magic. In what many would believe to be an unsettling and too sudden change, the Jester had pushed aside the questioning, chary and cautious disposition for a little grin. Defense mechanism, maybe, mask upon mask upon mask.

This was either a trick or a truth, and in any case she wanted to uncover it. Her sweet voice spoke once again, "I have never seen a royal," She began, looking once more towards the Miraluka. "But I know the more something resembles a fairytale...the more fake it is. Master Feltt knows it too, he taught me." Ratting out the man without a second thought or care, she explained her simple reasoning and exposed her assumption that the Ringleader had never truly believed them either.

Then her grin grew a bit wider as her eyes returned to Cali, "You are not a princess, but you make for a great magician." The compliment was filled with the honesty only those of young age were capable of having. It was a statement even, rather than an attempt at pleasing the Zeltron. "I like magic." An afterthought, a conclusion reached only after processing the recent events. She had not liked it immediately, no. But she wanted to, and to the changeling that was just as good as a reality, it was an order to herself. She would try to decipher how this real magic happened, and then she would like it, it was decided.

Her own resolve to understand and learn from the two seemed to gain her back some confidence, and so when the Miraluka - the one who more strongly emanated that energy that made her nerves frizzle in an unsettling way - knelt to be level with her, the Jester did not back away. Indeed, her eyes immediately resumed the task of exploring the mask.

There was no lie in the woman's words, it did not allow her to see. But then, when she removed the bandages to reveal a lack of eyes the Jester could not have possibly imagined, a look of puzzlement took over the girl's face. Her hands once more raised to her own visage, touching the skin at the corner of her eyelids as though she was imagining how it would look and feel to have no eyes at all.

I see how special you are.

The words resonated within the changeling, and when the Miraluka revealed to know that she had been made uncomfortable by this whole experience, something within the child changed. A puzzle piece fell into place, a newly formed concept. Truth, this was all true. "Magic." She stated, using the only name she knew to refer to all that had been presented to her in such a small amount of time. "I can do your magic?" She asked. It had been alluded to, yet her curiosity required firmer confirmation. Then another thought sparked in her vast mind. If she was like these people then maybe they...

Her body changed right in front of Xobos, and now before the Sith lady stood what was a younger version of her own self, even a modest bandage covered her eyes and a small ceremonial dress her body. The changeling's voice carried a tinge of hope, "Can you do mine?"

Maybe they are like me.​

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: Formal Eye Mask, Ceremonial Dress, Knight Saberstaff
Mental state: Silent.
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Leven Jeyd |

Curiosity was such a wonderful thing to see in perspective student. It made them malleable, perhaps in suspectable to the ways of influencing their views on certain matters. By the twinkle in her eye, Xobos could tell that the little changling in front of her had never been told of the force or any sort of real magic. She was fascinated just to see Cali do her little tricks, something that Xobos was more than happy to allow to occur while she watched the girl. It was as though she could see the gears turning in her mind, trying to find the hidden wires or how this magic was really occurring. When it dawned on her that it was indeed real, jester would be met with a knowing smile from the Miraluka.

The question of her magic did not cause her smile to fall, as it was expected once she showed the girl her eyeless face. The Miraluka’s head shook lightly from side to side, giving a little shrug as she did. “Perhaps not my exact kind of magic, as only my species can preform it. However, there are many types of magic someone like yourself could learn, including ones similar to the style that let me see.” Her smile lasted throughout the entity of her little talk. She wanted the little thing to feel as welcome as possible in her presence.

But what happened next..this did cause her smile to fall for just a moment.

What she was saw was the changling change into herself. Perhaps the earliest known memory that she had of herself. It was vaguely what she looked like when she had been marooned on Roon by her tribe. It was before she had been taken in by Adron as his apprentice. A horrible time in her life, where the voices tortured her to madness. She didn’t exactly appreciate the little changling bringing up these memories and was forced to let out a slow exhale to keep the anger from rising in her chest.

After a few moments of reflection on Jester’s new form, her mind switched to recognizing what the girl had asked. That was a question that was not going to be the most fun in answering. There were ways to answer it in a way that wouldn’t scar the girl, but who knew how Jester would take it. “Unfortunately…I cannot. Neither can my friend here. But there are reasons for that..” Taking a soft moment to softly exhale, still herself for the onslaught of questions to soon follow, she turned to look at the Zeltron. Motioning for Jester to do the same, she continued, “Cali here is a jedi. They believe in using their magic in certain ways that are different than how I, as a Sith, do. You..” Pausing, the Miraluka looked back at the changling with a soft smile. “Are different than both of us. You are a changling. As far I can tell, a very special one.”

There wasn’t time to get into how both her and Cali were different in their views of the force, and how the sith were more…practical, at least in her opinion. For now, all Jester had to be was convinced of a few base facts. “See, there are changlings like you in the universe. But very, very rarely..are they able to do the kinds of magic that sith and jedi are able to do. It just doesn’t happen. But this is partly why we wanted to speak to you.” Xobos fell silent now, allowing for the questions to come forth. She was sure that Jester would have at least a few, but all she could hope was that she had the answers needed to convince her to come along in the end.

 

[Cali Ziiva]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: White Dress
Tags: Xobos Yakieer | Leven Jeyd

Cali watched the Jester with big eyes and a small smile on her lips. As the Changeling stepped through their responses, the Zeltron's expression remain unchanged. Though internally she did fleetingly worry about some disturbance in the other's emotional output. It was still there under the surface; the woman/Changeling sought to hide it from others and probably herself, but a pink girl knew these truths.

"Thank you," Cali replied with cheer. "But I am a Princess. You'll see. Cause, you know, sometimes fairy tales do happen." Not often enough, but every now and again. Because if they never happened (were fake) than Jester was going to have a very disappointing encounter with her Xobos. Cali couldn't see remaining part of the circus as being the right or best choice. Sure, training could be dangerous, but if not them then another. And others might be less interested in Jester's personal interest or opinion.

After Xobos had spoken, the pink woman leaned forward and mimed hiding her mouth from the Miraluka as she 'whispered' to Jester, "I'm not really a Jedi. I was just trained by one. Long story." A giggle and wink followed the 'clarification.' Maybe it was keeping it simple for Jester, but that was perhaps too simple. Zeltrons made terrible Jedi. They also made terrible Sith. It was all the passion and desire to instill passion in others -- positive energy especially. They were quite good at it.

As she sat back, Cali stared at Jester a bit longer. "Never tried changing my appearance before. I know some that aren't Changelings like you can do it though. I think it's a pretty difficult skill to learn." A beat. "Are you looking for other Changelings?" Xobos was interested in a Changeling with Force abilities, but Cali was interested in Jester because they were Jester. No judgment. Obviously an unusual circumstances like this needed investigating and they didn't have all night before the Ringleader wanted more money for more time. A Zeltron couldn't help but inquire about the person behind the mystery though. There was just that 'itch' that said Jester needed someone to talk to.

 

[Leven Jeyd]

"Sith and Jedi"

Location: The tents of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Tagging: Xobos Yakieer ~ Cali Ziiva

Many types of magic?

For a second her mind immediately went to the categories she was familiar with: slight of hand, manipulations, escapes, illusions...But of course, the changeling understood that there was a different and deeper meaning to the words of the Miraluka. After all, this was real magic and not tricks to be performed for an audience. And she could learn it? Why hadn't the artists at the Acrophylia taught her already if this was possible? A smile stretched on her face, excited at the prospect of achieving this knowledge.

Of course, what she had in mind at the moment was nothing but the brief demonstration Cali had offered, and she was as excited about some simple telekinetic feats one could only imagine the shock that would be finding out that this real magic had infinite possibilities to offer. The Jester's mind was a blank slate, she never even heard bed-time stories about force users. There was no time for fantastical stories when one had to pretend to live in one, if only to provide that sense of amazement to others.

Then she her form had changed, and the girl could see and slightly feel that it had inspired something in the Miraluka. Not something good. Leaning her head slightly to the side as she wondered if she had made the woman angry, some people didn't enjoy having their likeness replicated - but this seemed to be something else. Without asking, she returned to her own chosen appearance. Curiosity shone in her eyes, but also concentration as she waited to hear Xobos' reply. For the longest time she had wanted to know what she was, and maybe that day had finally arrived.

When the Sith Knight's answer to her question finally arrived, the brightness diminished almost completely. They weren't like her. A part of the girl, the more egocentric part, told herself that this was good. She was unique. Like the woman had put before - she was special. Yet it also meant she'd have no answers for her questions. For why she felt the need to delve into the minds of others and feed, or why was she able to do this. Magic, maybe? Was that why she could learn? The girl took a moment to sit on her thoughts, trying to come to terms with them.

As Xobos continued explaining, a look of utter confusion overtook the girl as her clear white gaze returned to the alleged princess. A Jedi? Jester could have sworn she was a Zeltron...and what was Jedi anyways? She knew many species and had never heard of it. That train of though, luckily, was cut short when Xobos' next words brought clarity. Jester didn't know what a Sith was either, but by the sound of it it looked like they were the practitioners of this many different types of magic. Schools. Yes, that made more sense. When Cali clarified that she as trained by a Jedi, Jester's thoughts were confirmed.

Too focused on her thoughts and the many things going through her mind, the Jester allowed her lithe body to plop down in the ground into a cross-legged, seated position that made her look even smaller than she already was. Her brow was slightly knitted in concentration as she took everything in, like a sponge. "A Changeling?" The name made sense, whoever chose it wasn't being incredibly creative but that was fine. "So changelings can't do your magic, but I can do both." The fact was exciting to her. "How do you know I can do your magic? I've never made things fly." The first question, referencing the darts that the Zeltron had thrown.

No matter the answer, the Jester liked what the not-blind woman was hinting at. Whatever this Sith and Jedi stuff was, she wanted to learn. In her short existence she had already been taught, through experience, that knowledge and skill were useful tools. And real magic? Well, that just might be the most useful tool of all. "You can teach me to be Sith and Jedi?" The question was directed at both of them, ignoring the fact that there was a bit of an oxymoron to her wording. Sith and Jedi didn't go hand in hand, but Jester did not know this.

Then her attention returned to Cali, and she offered the woman a small smile as the Zeltron revealed that just like there were changelings like her that could learn their magic, there were non-changelings that could shape their appearance. Jester liked Cali. And because she liked her, the girl didn't hesitate to answer the question even though maybe she would have feel inclined not to do so in a different scenario. "I want to learn more about being a Changeling. But I have never met other Changelings, so I can't." Jester didn't actively seek to find her kind, trusting that sooner or later she'd discover everything there was to know about her wonderful little self. But speeding the process by meeting those with similar abilities was something that interested her.

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Location: The tent of the Acrophylia, Zeltros.
Wearing: Formal Eye Mask, Ceremonial Dress, Knight Saberstaff
Mental State: Silent.
Tags: | Cali Ziiva | Leven Jeyd |

The atmosphere from when they had first entered into the tent seemed to have changed greatly in their favor by this point. Jester was seemingly keenly interested in what Xobos had to say, and having Cali along eased her to a point of suggestion. Even the fact that they were not changlings like her did not seem to faze her greatly, beyond the normal level of disappointment. Xobos was worried that when that was revealed, Jester would clam up, not allow them to talk anymore or, worse yet, find enjoyment in that fact and just want to stay at the circus.

“How do I know that you can my magic? Well..” Reaching out, slowly, she began to take Jester’s hand in her own. Resting the smaller girl’s hand lightly in her palm, softly as she did as to not scare the skiddish creature, Xobos took to trying to gain Jester’s vision. Once she had the girl’s gaze, she held up a single finger, beginning to raise and curl coinciding with her inhales and exhales. It was a simple breathing exercise, one that Adron had taught her very early on in her training.

Eventually, the girl would begin to feel more and more at ease. Her vision, whatever the changling would consider normal, started to phase into something much different. It was how Xobos saw the world, a world of reverberations and greys. Every object around them pulsed with the force, while wisps of power floated around their heads. It was the most pure way of truly seeing he force. And through the Miraluka, Jester would get her very first taste of the world that could be opened up to her.

After allowing her to take in as much as she pleased, Xobos began to end the little exercise, allowing Jester’s vision to return to normal. “I know you can because I can feel it within you. The same way you know that I can see, or that you know I’m..different.” The sith removed her hand from the changlings, slowly moving to take a step back and stand to her full height. From there, she gave her a little smile, cocking an eyebrow as she did so. How Jester reacted to the little show would be another intriguing caveat to their conversation.

Hearing the girl’s final words to her companion, Xobos began to realize it was time to make her play. “If you were to come with me, back to the place I call home, I can promise you a better life than you would ever have here. The knowledge you seek, of people of your kind, can be opened up to you. The magic you’ve seen, and magic you have not been exposed to yet can be taught.” Her smile had begun to fall, replaced with the more serious look that typically graced the Miraluka’s face. Knowledge and a better life may be enticing to some, but it was not what had originally drawn Xobos to the sith arts. And something told her it wouldn’t be what enticed Jester the most either.

“And..I can offer you the power to take on your own life with the freedom I know you crave. All you have to do..is follow me.”