A/n: Hello! And welcome to my Black Butler story. I hope you give this a chance because I'm so excited on typing it! I have most of the story figured out so hopefully, updates will be quick.

But anyway, here's some information about the main character of this story.

Preferred Name: Camellia (She does have an actual birth name, but that will be revealed later on)

Age: 21

Appearance: Golden eyes; midnight-black, wavy hair that reaches past her chest; Slender body; pale skin

Past: After a horrible, traumatic event at the age of eighteen, Camellia ended up homeless. Miraculously enough, she had been able to survive on the streets by mere begging. But, once the circus came into the town, she decided it was best to audition since anything else would be better than living on the streets. With unbelievable talent, she was accepted onto the circus and eventually, she became a first-stringer as an aerial acrobatic.

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I was so thankful for how cool the alleyway provided. The town of Brighton was unreasonably hot today and I doubt I would try to leave my spot any time soon. Well, I felt tired anyway... and dirty. I could feel my sweat and dirt infused on my skin and surely, my raven hair was tangled in disgusting knots that will surely take a while to brush out. My clothes were torn and matted with even more dirt. On top of that, I was sure I smelled horrifically.

I picked up the tin can that I had kept all the loose change from 'caring' people. I rattled it to confirm that I indeed didn't have enough money to get myself food. I let out a low sigh as I felt my stomach grumble.

The streets at the end of the alleyway was bright and I could see people walking by in their proper clothes and not a care in the world as they laughed along with friends. It wasn't that long ago when I once had all of that... No, this was the better route. I no longer need to dwell on the past just because I'm starving. I need to prevail through this.

Suddenly, a man clad in silly clothing walked into the alleyway. He didn't walk far enough to reach where I sat but he did seem to stick something up on the brick wall. He didn't dare to give me the time of day as he already made his leave when his job was done.

I forced myself to stand up. My legs buckled under me but with the support of the wall, I was able to slowly walk over to whatever paper he had taped up. With sullen eyes, I scanned the colorful page. "Noah's Ark Circus," I read aloud to no one in particular. The poster had performers on it, each portraying their supposed talents. I continued to read the page. "Come and enjoy a wonderful night of unbelievable sights. This show will put you in awe and have you on the edge of your seats..." I leaned in closer to the poster as something else was written in a finer print. "If you believe you have the talent to join us, please do audition during the mornings at our site!"

My heart fluttered in my chest. This was it. This is the one that will save me from this hell.

I ripped the poster down from the wall and frantically looked around for anyone who could help me find the circus. I ran up to one strapping gentleman who wore a navy blue tailcoat. "Excuse me, sir-"

"Ugh! Disgusting beggar, I do not wish to give you any of my money," he spat out with pure hatred in his eyes.

"No, sir, I wasn't-"

"Get away from me!" He then turned his heel and attempted to flee but I was able to grab his arm before he could do so. "AH! Your filthy little hands are ruining my coat!"

I only tightened my grip on his absurd coat. "Sir. Just tell me where the Noah's Ark Circus is and I'll be on my way," I growled at him with such ferocity. Fear was evident in his facial features as he gawked down at me with wide eyes.

"I-It's down the street and to the right," he sputtered out, trembling under my touch. "Y-you can't miss it. There's all these tents there."

I released my grip and shoved him away. "Thank you, sir," I told him with an innocent smile. I glanced around and noticed some onlookers, all of them with expressions of terror strewn on their faces. "Nothing happened here. Be on your way," I dictated. Slowly, each person continued on with their walk and didn't give me a second glance. Much better.

I went the direction where the man told me to go. In the distance, I saw the tents he had mentioned as well. There were many set up. Of course this was the circus I was searching for.

I cautiously approached the entrance, now a little bit nervous from the sight of extravagantly clothed people strewn about nearby. All of them glanced over to me, eyes narrowed in a judging manner. They were scanning me from head to toe, probably wondering if I was worthy to be in their presence. "Are you here for auditions?" one of them asked, a woman with short, raven curls and clad in mostly black to match. She looked the most intimidating.

"Yes, I am," I answered, straightening up to make myself look more confident.

"Ah, you have great timing," A man with a patch of dark hair within his blonde locks told me. He looked to be someone close to me age. "We're still doing auditions but since it's such a warm day today, not a lot of people have come around. So, you're also in luck!"

I beamed at the news. "That's fantastic."

The light feeling began to fade as I was beginning to feel self-conscious of how poor I must look in front of the entertainers. Then, the realization hit me. I was wearing a skirt. If I was going to try out with the one I truly want, my clothing won't do.

"Is something the matter, Miss?" One freckle-faced girl, one I haven't noticed upon meeting the circus people, asked me. She wore worn-down clothes just like I did but hers definitely looked more well-kept. That's probably why I haven't seen her. She was the only one within the group that wasn't wearing quite fancy, colorful clothes.

"Oh, I was hoping to audition for aerial acrobatics but..." I glimpsed at my loose clothing once again and frowned greatly at it. The people seemed to get why I wasn't so keen to audition in my attire.

"Beast, can we wash her up and give her appropriate clothes to wear for her to audition in?" The girl asked the dark-haired woman. My eyes widened at the generous offer. Before I can decline, "Beast" had already agreed once giving me a look again. "Yay! Follow us, Miss!" The girl grabbed onto my hand and began tugging me inside.

"Dagger, please inform Joker that we have another participant but it will be a while," Beast told the man. He saluted her and dashed off. Then, the two ladies lead me to an isolated area with closed off walls. "If you don't mind me asking, are you?..."

Beast didn't want to finish the question, but I knew exactly what she was asking me. I definitely did look the part. "Yes, ma'am. I'm homeless," I responded with no shame in my voice. "Thus why I look atrocious... and smell atrocious, I'm sure."

"Miss, you're quite pretty!" the young girl piped up, her grip on my hand not once loosening. "We'll get you cleaned and dressed up and I'm positive you will look magnificent." The three of us walked inside the closed-off zone. Ah, this was a bathing area. "Please, go ahead! Beast and I will pick out some clothes for you while you're washing up."

"Wow, you're both so generous," I muttered in awe. "You truly didn't have to do all this for me. I'm homeless after all."

"Even people on the streets deserve a chance," Beast replied in a sympathetic tone. I stared at both of them... Surely, they weren't?... "Please go on. We'll be back with fresh clothes... Oh, we never got your name. You can call me Beast, and this is Doll." The freckled girl gave me a warm smile as her name was mentioned. My, what a precious girl.

"I'm E-" I felt my throat close up as I began to say that particular name. No, that person had disappeared a year ago during that incident. I have absolutely no desire to be called by that wretched label.

A faint, ancient memory of beautiful flowers appeared in my mind along with an older woman with the same stunning, gold eyes as mine. "I-I'm Camellia," I started again, now remembering the name of the flowers.

Those were my mother's favorite.

"That's a beautiful name," Doll complimented.

I grinned at that. "Thank you so much. I'll go ahead and wash." The three of us then parted ways, so they can find an outfit for me to wear and I can finally bathe for the first time in months.

~*~*~*~*~*~

When I finished bathing, Doll and Beast had come back with the clothes they mentioned they were going to pick out for me. It was a simple white outfit with stretchy, breathable fabric. Although it was a bit loose from my unhealthily thin body, it was unquestionably better than my torn, soiled clothes.

"I was right! You truly do look magnificent, Camellia!" Doll commented as we started walking to the place the auditions were held at.

"You are too kind," I murmured. It really has been a while since someone genuinely told me I was beautiful... Thankfully now, I do not reek of dirt and sweat. My midnight black hair no longer represented a bird's nest and my skin was free from filth. I felt like a whole new person.

We reached an area where a lot of people have gathered. Doll, Beast, and I pushed through the crowd to get to the commotion. But, it was the audition itself, and two people were there before me. Sadly, it looked like they were performing quite poorly. One lass was trying to walk on the tightrope provided and could barely balance herself so she fell off instantly. The other, a young boy, was trying his best to throw daggers at the target but either it keep being thrown into the ground a foot away or he overshot it.

"Joker," Beast called out to a red-haired man... a handsome red haired man. He must be the leader of all of Noah's Ark Circus. So if I were to impress someone, he's the one I want to impress the most. "We have one more person to audition."

Joker's amethyst eyes landed on me and immediately, he shot me a charismatic smile. "Why 'ello there, precious. 'Ee 'ave a particular skill you want to try out for?" he asked me.

"I want to audition for aerial acrobatics," I answered him. "But, I will try out for anything else if you need me to."

"Go on ahead and try whatever 'ee would like," Joker grinned.

I glanced around at all the props provided and noticed the hoops that were hung high into the air with a netting below it. A trampoline was nearby...

I bolted towards the trampoline, bounced onto it, and shot myself perfectly towards the hoops. Easily, I zoomed through the hoop and was able to grab onto it before I could fall into the netting. From the round of gasps I heard below me, I knew that was a good sign. I swung my legs so I can get some momentum. With one final swing, I threw myself to a higher hoop with a front flip. I latched my legs around the metal ring and let myself sway upside down.

I could see everyone below giving me a round of applause for my small performance. I continued to do a series of spirals, twists, and many more I could possibly do with my flexible body. Surely, they were, indeed, impressed with my audition. "You said you can do more?" Joker shouted up towards me. I nodded my head, a smile on my face. With multiple flips from one lower hoop to the other, I perfectly landed on the ground on my feet. "You 'ave such flexibility, dear dove..." He leaned in close to me. "With your talent, you already passed. But by all means, try whatever you want!"

I knew from that point on, I knew I was a part of Noah's Ark Circus.

A new chapter in my life; I can finally move on from the dark past I so desperately want to forget.