Unknown Secrets

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella looked at Leah, "Sure, a tour will be nice, but I don't think I'm all that nice... I did just stick a knife to that girl's neck, but whatever." She shrugged, "Where should we start first?" She had no clue about anything when it came to circuses, "What is it you do here?" She asked, "You seem a bit... everywhere, while not actually doing anything."

Logan
Logan turned to Oberon as the guy caught up, "Noticed you sniffin' around the new girl," He said with a smirk and a chuckle, "Somethin' wrong with your nose?" He teased. Every shifter here knew that humans were off limits. It wouldn't surprise Logan if Richard killed any shifter for doing the dirty with a human.

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah
“Follow me!” Leah said, grabbing her hand and dragging her away, eager to be away. “Me? I just help out where people need me, but in the show I play the cheetah. See, the animal part of the show starts with all of us standing in a circle around the animal tamer, that’s you, then there’s a big whoosh of smoke, and we ‘turn into’ animals, and I’m the cheetah! Oberon’s the tiger and Logan’s the bear, by the way.”

---

Oberon
Oberon grinned at his friend. “She smells nice,” he shrugged offhandedly as he picked up his abandoned tools and got back to work. “Citrus and woman. Makes my whiskers curl.” He hadn’t been with a woman, human or shifter, in years. Most of the female shifters around here weren’t his type, anyways, and he was the only tiger. “Just harmless flirting. Besides, she’s scared of me. I can’t be with someone as a man if she can’t accept the cat.” It wouldn’t stop him from having some interesting dreams, though…

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella blinked at Leah, "What is this, a magic show?" She shook her head, "Well, no wonder that one guy smelled like wet cat... and they really need to be more careful with these animals. What if they got out into the public? Even well trained dogs bite people." She looked around as they walked, a little uncertain about them holding hands... but Leah was so childlike that... it was hard to say no to her.

Logan
Logan shrugged, "Just remember Richard's rules..." He smirked, "Then again, you tend to break those all the time. And, hell, she probably won't last long. Fuck her, then wave to her as she goes." Logan shrugged again, "She doesn't have to like your cat if she's not her much longer than a week." That being said, Logan didn't spend much alone time with anyone else. People tended to worry about his... size...

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah
“You really don’t have to worry about it,” Leah said, pointing out the different attractions going up. “I’ve been here almost my entire life and there’s never been an incident. Richard trains everyone really well.” She trailed off slightly at that. She hadn’t needed much training, at least not that she could remember, but then she’d started out as a cub in the petting zoo, surrounded by kids feeding her bottles all day long. “But you’ll see! Now come on!”

---

Oberon
“That’s true. It’s not like I can have a real relationship around here. I’m too grumpy, to quote Leah. Besides, I’m a loner. Even before this I didn’t have a clan. A quick fling would get her out of my system, and Richard can bite my furry ass.” Still, he’d show her respect, flirt when Richard wasn’t looking, and probably get nowhere.

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella followed after Leah, taking in everything she was pointing out. She still had her doubts... but what was she supposed to do about it now?

Logan
Logan grinned at Oberon, "There ya go. Sleep with her, then move on. It's not like it's going to be a big deal. And if Richard has a problem with it then he can just deal. It's not like you're going to marry the girl. And worst case scenario he fires her and gets a new tamer."

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah
Leah showed her around until set up was nearly complete, chatting about this and that and everything that struck her fancy. She returned to the RV reluctantly, peeking in to make sure the hyenas were gone. Not only were they gone, but the place was spotless as well, and Vella’s things had been neatly lead out and put away for her. There was still a lingering smell, but by that evening it would be faint enough that only a shifter would notice.
“Wow…” she breathed. “You really scared them, didn’t you?”

Oberon
He grinned back. “Right.” Still, that wasn’t what he wanted. He’d never admit it to anyone, but he was tired of going it alone. He was sick of policing this odd excuse for a clan and he was sick of taking the fall and getting punished to protect the weaker ones. He’d never been sure exactly how he’d fallen into the role of leader, but somewhere along the way he had and now they were his responsibility. He shoved aside thoughts of long legs and citrus scents for the rest of the day, throwing himself into the work until everything was set up and they’d be ready to open tomorrow. But the job wasn’t over yet, he knew. They still had to show Vella the routine. Which meant he’d be shifting yet again. Goodie.

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella looked around, running her fingers over the counter in the search of dust, "Eh, I suppose it's good enough." She turned and grinned at Leah, "And I grew up in the Bronx. There it's kill or be killed, basically. So I've learned to just... command instead of ask when I want something done. Bitches seem to understand that a hell of a lot better and it tends to happen with less argument."

Logan
Logan did what he did best... hammered large nails into the ground. All day. It didn't bother him that he did this every time. It was easier for him, anyway. He didn't mind the work, didn't mind how he had really put his back into every swing or lift. It honestly helped to clear his mind. It was physical labor that he didn't have to think through. By the end of the night he was sweaty and gross and just wanted to shower and sleep... and without thinking that's where he headed, back to the RV to shower.

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah
Leah stared at her a moment, then suddenly grinned. “You’ll fit right in here, then. I think you’ll make a great animal tamer! You’ve already got Veronica and her gang down, now you just need Sebastian and his girls, and everyone else will respect you, even if you are a-a new person!” She caught herself again, bouncing happily. “We should change real quick and get ready for rehearsal!” She bounced to her half of the closet and pulled out her uniform, an easy to remove and showy unitard.

---

Oberon
Oberon glanced after Logan, shaking his head in amusement. He’d probably never connected the fact that a new animal tamer meant a practice. They had to change anyways, but he’d better go catch him before he crashed. “Logan, wait up!” He called, jogging after him. “You know we’ve got rehearsals, right?”

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella shook her head, "There's a difference between humans and animals, Leah," She sighed, "I'm terrified to ask this, but what am I supposed to be wearing?" From the looks of Leah's outfit she definitely wouldn't like it. Still, she followed Leah to the closet, "Do I have to wear a costume?"

Logan
Logan frowned, stopping mid stride before turning to Oberon, "Why? We don't open till tomorrow and - oh." He sighed, "Crap. I'd forgotten. Think this is going to take long? I'm tired... and hungry." He tilted his head, "Hmm... I wonder if Boss-Man will let me eat my honey during the rehearsal..."

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah
Biting her lip to keep from saying something she shouldn’t, Leah fished out the sexy animal tamer outfit from her closet. “Here. I was having to play the tamer before, because no one really cares about the cheetah. It wasn’t easy, though, no one really respects me. The only reason they listened to me was because Richard made them. I was just glad I had to stick my head in the tiger’s mouth, not the lion’s!”

Oberon
Oberon laughed, clapping the bigger man on the shoulder before striding past him to the RV. “I doubt it. Since when does he care about us? Let’s just hurry up and get this over with. Then you can have your honey and I can make myself a burger.” He would have much rather preferred a nice, juicy steak, but who could afford real meat here? Richard only bought them the bare minimum they needed to survive. The humans, of course, got a living wage, but the shifters? Not so much. They weren’t ever allowed to leave the circus, so Richard was in complete control of their necessities, buying their food, clothing, and everything else they needed. They had a set amount to split between them, and to minimize infighting Oberon had set up a shopping list that the others wrote on, and each week he chose the necessities off of it and gave it to Richard.

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella was scrunching her nose at the outfit as Leah showed it to her, but when she actually heard what she was supposed to do she froze and stared at Leah in surprise, "Whoa. Wait. I have to do what?!" Vella stepped back, "Oh, hell no. Not gonna happen. No way." She shook her head, "Are you all crazy? Like Hell I'm going to stick my head into anything!"

Logan
Logan sighed, his shoulders slouching. He'd much rather be sleeping than rehearsing. And he would much rather have a nice salmon to go with that honey instead of just a spoon... but it wouldn't happen. No way Richard would spring for a salmon... but just the idea of it made his mouth water. He entered the RV after Oberon, opting to take a really fast shower since he was so gross. Once he was done he dressed in his uniform, tight leotard pants with his chest bare. His grizzly paw mark was still wet from the shower, but Logan paid no mind. Richard always had the most... revealing outfits that were still child safe, so millions of people have seen the mark on his left pec.

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah
“But you have to!” Leah said, suddenly worried. If Vella wouldn’t do the trick, it wouldn’t be her that would be punished, but Oberon. The humans were never punished for doing wrong, after all. They were humans. The shifters were just animals, lesser, and whenever things went wrong it was always their fault. After all, Oberon had scared her earlier when he’d swiped at Richard, and now Vella wouldn’t perform right, because he’d scared her so Oberon would be punished again, and oh! “Please, Vella? Please do what Richard tells you to, I promise, the tiger won’t hurt you. He’s been here for ten years, nothing has ever happened.”

---

Oberon
Oberon would have loved to shower but he’d already taken his bath earlier, so he let Logan have it. While Logan showered he pulled on his own leotard, his paw print half showing on his right hip. However, he was sweaty, so he stuck his head under the sink faucet and rinsed out his hair, not minding the cold. Water was water was water. He waited for Logan to dress, then led the way back to the big top.

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella stared at Leah, "You're.... you're kidding, right?" She shook her head, "Leah, you're asking me to stick my head in a wild animal's care how well trained he is. Anything could go wrong. A kid could scream out and starltle the thing and them BAM. No more Vella. Painful death for me." She shook her head again, "Nope. No way. You better come up with a better reason to try and convince me."

Logan
Logan ambled his way to the main tent, a bottle of honey in his hand. Once he was stopped and waiting for everyone else he popped the bottle top and poured the honey straight into his mouth, giving a soft sigh when he injested it.

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah
“But he’s used to screaming children! People have been performing this trick with him for ten years, please, Vella!” She felt her eyes watering, desperate to protect her protector from punishment. She chewed her thumb, shifting from side to side as she swayed in anxiety. “You won’t be hurt, you won’t be! Ask anyone, he’d the best we’ve got! That’s why he does this trick, and not the lion like everyone expects! Just come on, let’s go to practice, and you’ll see!”

---

Oberon
Oberon headed to his usual spot and took his place. Slowly the others started to file in, individually or in groups, dressed and ready to go. Soon, everyone was there but Vella and Leah. What was taking them so long? He was hungry, dammit, he wanted to get this over with so he could eat!

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella stared at her before shaking her head, "I'll go to practice, but I promise nothing." she took the outfit and walked off to the bathroom, changing quickly. The dress was incredibly short, the whip incredibly fake, and the hat incredibly annoying. Still, she walked out of the room and back into the main area, "Really? People actually go for this and believe it?"

Logan
Logan could hear the small angry rumbles from Oberon's stomach. Holding his hand out he offered Oberon some honey, "Want some?" he asked, only ever offering to share with people he thought were 'friends'.

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah
Leah sighed in relief as Vella went to change. She quickly changed into her unitard. Her usual outfit exposed the cheetah print on her navel, but this covered it. She didn’t understand why most of the other shifters liked to cover their mark and felt exposed when it was out. Her mark was what made her what she was. Sure, being a shifter was a bad thing, but why admit it was bad? She had to have pride in something. So why not the thing everyone hated most?
When Vella returned, she gave her a smile. “You look a lot better in that than I did, that’s for sure!” She giggled, her anxiety forgotten as she grabbed her hand. “Come on, we’re gonna be late, we’d better hurry or the boss will be mad!”

---

Oberon
Oberon shook his head and waved the honey away. “Thanks, but no thanks. You know I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.” He actually hated honey, and couldn’t understand how Logan could down the stuff by the jar. But that was what made Logan the bear and him the tiger. Honey, water, they all had their vices.

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella grunted as Leah dragged her to the main tent. The dress was a bit tight on her, but she highly doubted that Richard would exchange it for a better fitting outfit. When they reached the tent there was a circle of people standing and waiting... all in weird leotards, some with visible animal tattoos on some part of there bodies, "What the... what's going on?

Logan
Logan shrugged at Oberon's response, then chugged some more. As he was swallowing he noticed Leah and Vella running into the tent and elbowed Oberon none-too-gently, "You're girl's here." he said, grinning like a fool, "And showcasing quite the curves."

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah and Oberon
Leah led her to her place then let go, running to hop to her place on the stool between Logan and Oberon, waving at the two. “Sorry!” She whispered to them. “She didn’t want to come, I accidentally mentioned she had to stick her head in your mouth.”
Oberon sighed. Dammit. This was going to take a while. He glanced over at Richard, who had been waiting with a scowl on his face. Yeah, this was going to be the most fun practice ever.

---

Richard
Richard walked over. “And what took you two so long?” He said, shooting a look at Leah, who hunkered down on her stool. “It couldn’t have taken that long to give a tour and change. So, Vella, you ready to learn how to be an animal tamer?”

@ Aikofox
Vella
Vella was standing in the middle of the circle, frowning at everyone. She finally turned to Richard and shook her head, "Don't you yell at her. I'm the one who made us late." She turned in a full circle, looking at everyone, ignoring some of the looks that the males were giving her, "What's going on? What are we practicing?"

Logan
Logan continued to sit there, eating his honey. He wondered how well Vella would take all this. He gave Leah a supportive smile, holding out his honey to her, "Want some? Always makes me feel better."

@ Jaguar's Heart

Leah and Oberon
Leah giggled and stuck her finger in the jar. “Thanks, Logan.” She popped her finger in her mouth, savoring the sweetness. Honey wasn’t her favorite, but it wasn’t bad, and she liked it on her biscuits. Hamburger was definitely better though…”Oh no!” She cried, hands going to her mouth in horror. “I forgot to set the hamburger out to defrost!”
“We’ll figure something out for you,” Oberon said, glad he’d set out extra for himself. It wouldn’t replenish him as much as he’d hoped to if he was going to share, but oh well. “Now hush and pay attention, time to start.”

---

Richard
“We’re going to do a quick run through of your act. Did Leah tell you anything about what you’ll be doing? We’ve combined a traditional animal act with a bit of magic and illusion, making our ‘animals’ into shifters.” Richard gave her a rundown of what she’d be expected to do, then nodded to the special effects crew, who started the show. “You don’t have any lines, just pretend to crack the whip and be commanding and the animals will do the rest.” He launched into his introduction, gesturing grandly to the imaginary crowd as he announced them. “Now crack the whip, and the smoke will appear.” He readied the remote that would force them all to shift, waiting for her cue.