canon: the devil's carnival

[painteddoll]

These are stories I do not wish to be shared.

The implications are disgusting. I will not be made to look pathetic.

I will. Not. Be. Pitied.

Comments

[bookofjohn]

You? Pitied? I don't think so.

[painteddoll]

[But speaking of pathetic... Glaaaare. No one asked you, little Johnny. Her fingers curl to claws, but stay at her sides. And she hisses.]

[bookofjohn]

...What?

[He visibly backs up a step-and then ever so slightly leans forward hands curled into fists.]

What did some kid toss you aside or something? [at that he shakes himself visibly.] You're huma-Can't help having feelings can you.

[As long as they don't drag you down and destroy you utterly.]

[painteddoll]

[If venom could drip from a glare... Well, with a look like that, she wouldn't have to keep killing bugs. The snarl that goes with it is short and guttural.

In case you didn't get the notice, sinner, we only have one big feeling around here: scorn. Human emotions are ancient and unwanted. ...No, archaic. And, more than that, unnecessary. Drained out. No longer part of the package deal.]

[bookofjohn]

[John recoils at that look, backing up one step and then another and then he stops.]

what are you going to do to me that hasn't already been done?

[It's trying, trying to be brave but it doesn't sound brave at all.] It's not like I'm poking a lion in a cage.

[pause] ...Do carnivals have the animals or is it just circuses?


[He has been thinking about this and literally cannot remember. It's hard to remember details like that.]

[painteddoll]

[...Hm. Finally a good question. One that gives Doll pause, too. Ultimately, she shrugs. Does it matter? She'll be happy to do it, anyway. They all will be.

Animals? Here? Dogs, frogs, cats, bears...sure. Ah! She pulls a rolled-up poster out from thin air and sticks it out for him. It's an advertisement for The Scorpion's act. She shrugs. There's an animal for him.]

[bookofjohn]

...That's not an animal that's an ins-that's a person.

[his eyes go wary] ...and a knife thrower

[painteddoll]

[Don't think she didn't catch your little misstep, John. Arachnid, actually. She makes a snappy little pinching gesture at him, mimicking the claws of her Scorpion's namesake. And shrugs. All men are animals. Maybe they just can't smell it on each other.]

[heardyoucall]

You again.

Trouble?

[painteddoll]

[Fancy that. Doll blinks, but then defiantly turns her head away and shakes it. We have no troubles here.]

[heardyoucall]

No trouble? It definitely seemed like it.

[painteddoll]

[No. Doll keeps shaking her head. No, no, no. Nothing that can be helped and, moreover, nothing she wants help with. The more attention it gets...that's when the trouble would begin.]