FreckersFrog

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

As they reached the next town, Faolan immediately set about finding them a place to stay and a way to earn money. He took another bouncing job, not as rowdy as the first one, but having Lucien there to help earn the wage was good. He doubted he would have been able to support both of them on the meager income he was expecting. They found cheap lodging in a boarding house nearby, and although they had to sleep in a room with six beds, all of them full, it was comfortable enough for a night's rest. Faolan then took a construction job, which earned them some more cash during the day, and the two set out within the next two weeks. Faolan wanted to make sure they reached their next destination in time for his solo field trip.

He had bought a map of the surrounding area and located a shortcut through a wooded area. Most would not venture through the bayou of Louisiana unaccompanied by a guide, he was told, but Faolan was an experienced hiker, tracker, and hunter, among other things. To pass the time as they traveled, Lucien had asked him to teach him how to fight and show him correct form for training, for which Faolan was happy to oblige him. Although his "affliction" made him strong on its own, Faolan still valued physical labor and strength training. It helped him relieve excess energy and keep his mind sharp as well, the adrenaline was a good grounding point for him.

During the training, Faolan was actually surprised by how quick Lucien was to pick everything up. He seemed rather small and sleight for his age, but he was a fast learner and willing. Faolan enjoyed their training together, and accelerated the process more quickly than he had anticipated. He expressed his surprise when he felt Lucien's punch for the first time, and judged his reaction time. Although, of course Faolan was quicker and stronger, Lucien was already advanced for someone who had done absolutely no physical training before. Not to mention his high stamina; the lad never complained, even during the longest walks. The two seemed to be getting along well, and Faolan was more glad for his company than he anticipated.

During their current trek towards their next stop, Faolan had decided to take a mid-afternoon break to eat and re-hydrate. He was sitting on a rock, drinking from a canteen, when Lucien had begun to speak. He looked over at him and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. He raised his eyebrows, completely caught off guard by the lad's words.

A moment of silence hung between them before he responded, screwing the lid shut on the bottle and placing it back in his bag. "Lad, you don't have to do this." He said, then looked back over at him, resting his hand on his knee as he leaned forward, shaking his head. "It's none of my business." He hadn't asked Lucien about anything he had seen or noticed, nor had he really given it much thought since the lad had healed his wound. This was partially out of self-preservation; asking questions of someone tended to get them curious in return, and that he intended to avoid at all costs. The rest was out of respect for Lucien's privacy, simple as that. He didn't want the boy thinking he owed him an explanation.

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

"Oh, I have no doubt of that. I would feel safe as a swaddled babe in your care, madame." He gave a half mock-bow and winked at Ivory. Once he straightened, he took a small silver trinket from the pocket of his vest, and opened it as if checking the time. Once he had glanced down at it, he swiftly tucked it away again and pressed his palms together. "I must thank you, Ms. Ivory for enduring my presence for your act. Lucien, shall we?" He asked the ringleader, then gestured toward the exit. He had other acts to scout.

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

Faolan nodded, glad for Lucien's agreement and his trust. It would make things easier when he had to leave him alone, especially if the time was extended due to...unforeseen circumstances. "Ah...that's another thing." He continued, letting his eyes fall a bit as he spoke, "I may be gone for different amounts of time. Two, three days, maybe a week, possibly longer. I'll try to get back to you as fast as I can, wherever you are, but it can be difficult to gauge at times." He paused for a moment as the truck rattled loudly over a patch of loose road, before adding, "Might make you nervous, but try not to worry. I'll come back for ya' eventually." He thought he should add this addendum. He had never traveled for longer than a couple weeks with someone before. If Lucien planned to stick around for the long haul, he ought to be fully aware of Faolan's routine.

At Lucien's acceptance of these terms, he leaned back into a comfortable position against the back of the truck bed. "Oh," he said, almost as an afterthought, "If you ever feel like takin' off on your own, just let me know. I've got my own way of doin' things, not sure if it'll be up your alley or not." He meant this entirely, and had no expectations about how long Lucien would stick around. Despite his laid back demeanor, Faolan knew there were times when he was hard to be around. Aside from this, the lad had fought for his freedom, both externally and internally, and the Irishman was not about to hold him down now that he had it.

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

Geralt did not say a word to Ivory as Lucien left the two alone. Her distaste for his presence was clear. Exactly why she disliked him was unclear, but now was not the time to ask. Besides, the tougher nuts always had the more delicious fruit.

He clapped as Lucien finished his speech, impressed yet again by the man's way with words. He gave Ivory the side eye while she stood next to him and raised an eyebrow at the "winter fairy" comment. That little nickname had to be her idea, she seemed the type who would appreciate the irony of it all. He wanted desperately to make a comment, but knew it would only drive her further and further away from him. Her crossed arms, stone-like expression, and the slight lean away from him was enough to indicate her desire for silence, at least from his direction.

When Lucien and Ivory exchanged places, Geralt stopped clapping and gave Lucien a nod of approval, then turned his eyes on the routine. Almost everything he had done up to this point had been with a posture of ease, relaxation, and poise, but now he focused intently on the scene unfolding before him. Of course, he had seen aerial silk performers before, and especially liked the ones with no costumes at all, but he needed to study this performance to learn Ivory's...ins and outs if he planned on using her at any point.

And he was not disappointed.

She traversed the silks as if she were light as a feather, her body moving fluidly as she twisted up and through her routine. He was absolutely impressed, to say the very least. She was much stronger and more agile than her body would betray, but he could see her muscles working through her tights and in her arms and stomach. She was indeed an extraordinary specimen. He had seldom been more impressed by a display of physical prowess, and found this show even more entertaining than the erotic silk dances he had seen. That was all flash, no substance, and this was the perfect mixture of both. But he would never let Ivory know that, well, not until the most opportune moment.

He let his eyes slide over to the crowd for two brief moments during the act, and the males of the audience were completely stunned, practically drooling. They were disgusting, and he found himself sneering at their pathetic displays of idiocy. A look of hatred crossed his face, but only briefly. He was in pleasant company, and despite his disgust, he needed to maintain an air of decorum that was only benefiting of his station.

When the performance was over, he clapped again, this time a little more enthusiastically, and leaned over to speak to Lucien, "She is absolutely stunning. What a performer." He kept his voice flat, hard to read, but he knew this compliment was not only deserved, but would be welcomed by the Ringleader as well.

When Ivory approached, he smiled and gestured toward her, "That was certainly exhilarating. Wonderful show, you had the crowd totally mesmerized." He paused and cocked an eyebrow, "I would happily volunteer, if Lucien is unavailable. Although, I fear I might make too tempting a target for you."

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

Faolan added a dollar to the pile of cash on the table for Father Cyril, and gave the priest a nod and a wave as the two departed. Once they were out of town, Faolan could breath a sigh of relief. It wasn't that he disliked civilization, it was more that it didn't agree with him. Besides, he had interrupted his routine to come back here for Lucien, now he felt as though his journey had finally begun.

Wanting to regain his strength, the Irishman hired the two a ride out of New Orleans. The two agreed to sit in a truck bed as their driver made their way to a town called Eunice. It was about three and a half hours to their destination. Faolan lounged in the back, stretching his long legs out across the bed of the truck, closing his eyes and turning his face to the sun for a bit, feeling his strength replenishing slowly as they moved along.

About an hour into the drive, Faolan flagged Lucien's attention and leaned in to discuss the "plan". It was best if he was aware of how Faolan's routine worked. He would save the details for...well, possibly forever.

"So," he began, keeping his voice low and grateful for the high bed walls that protected their conversation from the sound of the wind, engine, and prying ears, "This is how it works: every three and a half weeks or so, I need to go off a ways on my own. Like this last time. I can't take you with me on this...errand, so you'll have to stay behind wherever I leave ya'. Mostly, it'll be in or near town that I leave ya', I don't plan on ditching you in the woods somewhere." His attempt at a joke sounded a little too serious, Faolan had not yet mastered sarcasm.

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

Faolan raised his eyebrows slightly as Lucien explained, and he finished off his beignet. He had certainly thought all of this out, much farther than Faolan would have anticipated. The lad was naive, yes, but smart all the same. For the first time since his proposition, it struck Faolan that they may make a good team.

A twinge of doubt gripped his heart at this thought, and he decided to leave that emotion buried for another time.

"It's good that the two of you won't have any bad blood. Makes the road harder." He paused for a moment and then added, "I hope you're traveling light, by the way, more than one bag on your back will make the distance double." At least this was one thing that Faolan had not had to learn the hard way.

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

"Oh, there is no denying her particular brand of charm, is there?" He said as he turned at the sound of approaching footsteps. His eyebrow immediately cocked when he laid eyes on her. The twinge of unhappiness on her face was a complete contrast to her outfit, which was festive to say the least. Not to mention low-cut and form fitting. He did not even try to hide his amusement as he looked her up and down. His excitement for her performance grew with each passing moment.

His expression fell slightly at her first words to the two of them, but his smirk remained. "That I did, Lucien, and fortunately I was not too late to turn out fifty-percent of your patrons. I'd say my tardiness will be forgotten come tomorrow when we are counting a fat purse." His wicked grin intensified as he stepped back to get a better look at her costume. "And, I must say it is lovely to see you again, Ms. Ivory. Your dress perfectly compliments your eyes...well, currently anyway."

If this were any other greeting with any other woman, he would reach out to take her hand and kiss it, but he knew better with Ivory. It was clear that their first meeting had left a bad taste in her mouth, and he was not about to make it worse by offering to touch her. He decided he best respect her space until he melted that bit of frost that had settled on her heart, she was certainly not as polite as her Ringleader.

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

Faolan nodded at Lucien's explanation as he traced a bit of wood on the table with his finger. He did have a way of making Faolan feel a bit better about his choice of words. He was a polite lad, which probably had something to do with his up-bringing. Faolan had not been raised with similar values; being from a small farm in the bogs of of "emerald isle" was a disadvantage in polite society. Most heard his accent alone and decided he would be uncouth, rude, and ignorant. He didn't mind that they thought this, and didn't even mind if his words or actions proved them right, he only minded if he owed someone something and did not pay. This included a swift kick in the ass, or payment for some favor they had done him. As far as he was concerned, he and Father Cyril were now at a zero balance, and that was something he could live with.

"Well, lad," he said after a moment, "you do have a way with words, I'll give ya' that." He reached for another beignet, not able to let them sit and waste on the table. "I'm glad the two of you could come to an agreement," he added, mouth half full, "But it doesn't seem like you would have listened if he said no." The determination in Lucien's face and voice during their conversation had been plain to see. He was not ready for priesthood, and Faolan doubted he ever would be.

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

Of course, Geralt had expected not to get too much information about his performers from Lucien on the first time. Everything he needed to learn, what he could use, would be found in his interactions with each person individually. Over time, he would find out everything he needed to know.

"Of course," he said as they approached the tent, "I don't mean to pry, her accent left me intrigued." Among other things...He left out his thoughts about how her abilities could be used in other activities outside of performances, especially those from her vampiric background. These were thoughts for another time, however, right now he needed to focus on the task at hand.

He followed the ringleader into the side entrance of the tent, careful to stay out of view of the audience and peered over the entirety of the setup. The targets, he had absolutely expected, and with her level of skill the distance made sense. He had not been ready for the long silks that hung from the ceiling, however, and felt his breath catch in his throat as he noticed them. This was certainly interesting, he may have underestimated this girl.

She must have a powerful body hidden under all of those clothes...

"Now this-" he interrupted his own thoughts as he whispered to Lucien, "--is certainly something. I can't wait to see how she handles these." He gestured to the silks, measuring the distance with his eyes.

Cirque D'étoiles (1x1, FxM, MxM, FxF)

Faolan nodded to the priest as he left, not feeling the need to continue their conversation. He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back in the chair, watching Lucien as he went about his business in the kitchen. At his observation, he responded with a "Mmm." and a nod, but felt his face flush slightly. Probably the fatigue.

At Lucien's next comment, he shook his head and slid down a little in his chair. "Nah. Appreciate the sentiment but...once I'm up, I'm up. We'll take it easy on the road 'til I've got my strength back." He paused a moment, glancing around the sparse room and letting it breathe a moment before continuing.

"He doesn't like me." He said, keeping his tone flat. It was a matter-of-fact statement. Not that he cared much for the priest's opinion for what it was. He was certainly indebted to the man for all he'd done for him, almost no one would accept a stranger in off the street. Priests back home had shown less care to pregnant homeless women. So, while Faolan didn't care about the priest's opinion, he did care about making sure he had paid his share. Leaving debts open was something he was not fond of, if his actions on the ship had shown anything.