Log; Ongoing

[citadelspirit.livejournal.com]

When; Friday night
Rating; PG-13
Characters; SHODAN (citadelspirit  ) and Road Kamelot (dreamsofnoah  )
Summary; SHODAN goes to find a possible compatriot by visiting the Circus Carnivore.
Log;

Being an AI, she had never even thought about circuses, let alone been to one. All she knew was that they came from the Latin word for "circle," and they probably involved hordes of screaming insects sitting in chaotic rows and spilling food all over the floors. From her quick investigations, they usually centered around staged acts of bravery and physical prowess, often involving rare or unusual animals. Predators were common -- lions, tigers -- as well as large impractical beasts like elephants.

The screaming insects were definitely there, although she didn't see the masses of small children she expected from a circus. Then again, with a name like "Carnivore," it hadn't sounded like an everyday mindless diversion. More like a freak show, or a thriller. She sat as close to the front as possible, shifting her jaw as she toyed with the cybernetic ripsnake stowed in her hard palate. The chill of metal was comforting in this smelly animal pit. Everything reeked of fur, smoke, dirt, dust, and human. So much human. It was revolting, and for a while she kept her silver-threaded scarf pulled up around her nose to cut back the stench.

The show was fine, even entertaining at times, although she wasn't the whooping and cheering sort. She sat still, hands by her sides, green eyes tracking the animals and humans back and forth through their acts, watching for Road. From a few images she had dredged up across the Network, Road seemed like a silly little child. But, she hated humans and had resources, and right now, that was more important than image. Her fascination with wild animals would lend her well to backing SHODAN's creations -- maybe she would grow a Rumbler to add to the circus as payment, or else to establish trust. It would suit Road's tastes in monstrosities.

Comments

[dreamsofnoah]

It was an unusual show, not quite what you'd expect from a circus but far from what it would be like if it catered to Road's real tastes. At the beginning, back when the Mad Hatter owned it and had offered her a place as his assistant it had caught her interest. It was something new and dazzling to play with, and she'd been thrilled when he left the City and left it all to her.

But she'd grown bored of it as she grew bored of all her toys that didn't present some sort of challenge. Still, Road liked having money to waste on the sweets and toys and useless fineries that'd she'd grown used to in her spoiled life back home, and the circus kept her provided with that.

Besides, what else was supposed to keep her occupied with all the Exorcists gone?

That was why she'd been curious about what SHODAN could really do. A distraction, a new game, some plotting and scheming to spring a nasty surprise on the Black Order if any of them should turn up. Together with more of her family arriving, it had managed to quiet some of her growing discontent with being stuck in the City for so long.

Though it did mean she needed to meet up with the...woman? Or whatever she wanted to call herself, Road didn't care as long as she wasn't human. She slipped into the vacant seat next to her in time for the final act of the show, oohing along with the crowd, her smile refusing to betray whether she was genuine in her enthusiasm or merely mocking them.