.03 | No Future

It was opening night and everyone had been chatting excitingly about the show. No matter how times they did this a year everyone still got giddy for opening night.

The buzz around the circus was a feeling everyone could feel together. It was a moment where animosity between people was forgotten and the harmony of circus magic began.

Something prickled and pulled at her skin, the buzz of the atmosphere turning from a normal night to something more majestic. Merida always loved the shift in the environment because for a few moments she could simply close her eyes and imagine herself in the circus as someone else.

Someone other than the beast.

Sometimes she would imagine herself on top of the elephant, riding with a sparkly silver dress and a cute silver head ban to match. Other times she would daydream she was an acrobat, flying high in the air as the freedom of the wind whipped around her body.

Her cold hard reality settled into her bones when she opened her eyes and stared at her face in the mirror of her dressing room. She wore a gold V-neck style dress, the front radiating gold shimmers so bright she had to squint at times when she caught the reflection in the mirror.

It was all glam and very eye catching which was the effect that Killian liked to go for in her act; Entice the audience of a beautiful young maiden but surprise them by the beast she really was.

Killian chose most of her wardrobe.

Her hair had been styled in loose curls, her right hand carefully setting the last curl into place as she turned off the curling iron and placed it on her boudoir. Her hands daintily placed silk black and gold gloves upon her hands, pushing the fabric up her arms and over the blemished scars on her wrist.

Her eyes rose to the mirror once more and she paused. Her eyeshadow was vivid gold and her eyebrows were even bolder. It made a statement.

It was no surprise he chose a gold dress.

Gold was flashy.

It radiated luxury, elegance and virtue, which were ironically three things she didn't feel she could relate to in the slightest but Killian insisted on a lot of gold in her wardrobe.

Her eyelashes were coated in a thick blend of mascara while her cheeks had been painted a nice bronze to highlight her face. Beneath the makeup was a chained little girl whose eyes dulled in comparison to how they used to be.

Merida took the antique wooden white brush from the brush holder and flipped it over in her hands, the initials on the back were her mother's. Her fingertips brushed the initials and for a moment she was taken back to when she was a kid.

When her mother was still alive.

She quickly placed the brush down and took a last look in the mirror before getting up and making a beeline towards a certain individual who she had wanted to talk with all day but hadn't had the time.

Until now.

Merida made her way out of the back of the big top tent, her eyes wandering around the string of lights and extravagant decorations that took over the large space they had been allowed to set up at.

The place looked entirely different now that it was night time. Merida much preferred the moon over the sun anyhow.

There was a hum of magic in the air as the stars overhead twinkled with delight, as if the stars themselves were anticipating the magic that was to happen in the tents tonight.

In the field there was the red and white big top tent and two smaller side tents that were reserved for the side acts. All three made the field become something else entitely. She took a moment to take it all in before continuing on to her destination.

Her feet were still bare and the grass tickled her. For once today, she smiled at the feel of nature beneath her toes.

The primal beast in her loved nature.

She noticed the set-up crew had also put out a large carnival area for whomever wanted to partake in the post circus events. The carnival only stayed open an hour or two post show, but it was a heck of a money maker and Killian only set it up when the location would pull in many paying guests.

Seeing as they were setting up the carnival area and getting the games situated this location was going to be prime for Killian's business. Her heart darkened when she thought of Killian, nearly ruining her brisk walk in the humid night temperatures.

An ever-present frown fixed upon her face as she strolled along the grass, making her way towards the first side tent that housed a few of the side acts.

Once inside she walked towards the section marked 'Carnies Only' where her eyes met the back of a long tangle of black curly hair.

"Hello, Merida."

Francesca, the middle-aged resident clairvoyant sat with her back to Merida, but her voice was inviting and angelic as always.

She read from her crystal ball to visitors in one of the side tents. Everything she did was with the utmost care for her guests because Francesca had a true gift of picking out snippets of someone's future. It could be as vague as seeing a child, but whose child it was she couldn't tell you. Other times it could be as descriptive as knowing the who, what and when about a situation.

However, Francesca was always adamant on reminding her guests that this was just one possible future, as she believed in alternate timelines and even parallel universes. Fran was a nice enough woman, but her mind was so far beyond the normal human mind. Sometimes Merida couldn't keep up with the way she operated.

Francesca's cobalt eyes glanced at Merida in the mirror of her own boudoir and they acknowledged each other with a silent smile to one another.

When Killian was around Francesca would fall silent for the most part. She didn't like him, and he always put on her edge. She was one of the few around here that felt the same about Killian as Merida did.

Francesca owed a debt to Killian, who had generously bailed her out of a bad situation.

However, Killian never did anything out of the goodness of his heart. He saw her abilities and knew the circus could capitalize on a clairvoyant act. She was stuck until her debt was paid off in full.

Merida didn't think Killian would ever let Fran go, but she kept that to herself.

"Francesca." Merida meekly spoke as she walked towards the older woman.

Fran was the age her mother would be now if she had not passed away. It made Merida's already fragile state even greater as the similarities between Francesca and her mother started to pour through her mind. 

Same dark hair. Same age. That motherly tone. The kind smile.

Stop it, Merida. You're only torturing yourself .

"I sense a heavy sadness today, Merida." Fran offered, turning in her seat to look at Merida, giving her undivided attention as bright orbs stared up at Merida with concern.

"We're back where we buried my mom." Merida spoke, no smile or even hint of emotion appearing upon her face.

She was a mask.

Fran gave her a sad smile, nodding silently.

She wasn't there when her mother passsed, seeing as Killian had picked up Fran many years later. 

"I heard Alonzo speaking briefly about being back where she was buried."

Alonzo was the resident strong man.

He was a big burly man that amassed to a hulking height and a strong physique. He could squish a watermelon with his bare hands and most everyone stayed away from him. He was a hardened soul, but every now and then he showed signs of having a soft heart.

Most people just stayed out of his way, including Merida.

Out of the corner her eye she could see Alonzo coming out from his changing room, his footsteps thunderous. Alonzo stared at two women, murmured something a gruff hello and exited the tent.

Merida returned her attention to Francesca.

"It is. Killian mentioned I could go see her once the weekend was over." She murmured.

Fran stood from her seat, her robe of purple and silk cascading around her tall and bony frame. Her robe was more like a cloak as it tied around her throat. It was embroidered with silver stars and crescent moons along all the sides, with curly loops of silver in between it all. She truly embodied the clairvoyant woman act.

Francesca brushed her hair out of the way of  face, her eyes looking at Merida with a mixture of hope and sadness.

"I do hope he holds up his end of the bargain. You deserve to see your mother, Merida." Her voice was sincere. They both knew Killian was a wildcard, hot and cold and rarely in between.

Merida heaved a resigned sigh and looked up at Francesca, speaking before she lost her nerve.

"I need to ask you something." It spilled from her mouth quickly.

Merida awkwardly tried to get comfortable, her hands clasped one another, wringing themselves with a sudden nervousness. The black and gold silk gloves covered her scars, but Francesca had known about the scars that marred her wrists.

Francesca had been the one to find her that night.

"I knew you did. Ask away." She smiled sweetly at Merida as if she were her own daughter, which brought a lump Merida's throat before she could ask Francesca her question.

"Well, two questions." Merida corrected, a hesitant but small smile gracing her features.

"Did you tell Killian he would wield the Ringmaster's Treasure?"

Her question was in a soft whisper, one that somehow made the air feel like it completely disappeared out of the room.

Francesca stared at her Merida severely, her thick black eyebrows drawing inward as she looked around wearily.

She grabbed Merida's lithe little hands, her eyes glancing at the silky gloves that covered her arms to the elbows. She moved Merida to the partition that covered Fran when she changed.

She fanned out the partition so that their bodies were covered, and Fran put a finger to her lips as to silence Merida from speaking. She nodded at Francesca's request and for a moment she stood there as the clairvoyant gazed at her seriously.

"He came to me a week ago. It wasn't the first time he had, but his future was always so cloudy and unpredictable I had never once seen him with the-treasures,"

"Until a week ago."

Merida felt her insides swirl with dread as she could only imagine the power that Killian would wield if these ancient artifacts were found, and if they were even real.

Killian had been dead set on finding them as his father before him talked about them all the time. His father's ramblongs put this wild goose chase into Killian's head, and he had searched ever since, driving him madder than he already was.

"I saw them, Merida. I saw Killian in a very violent display of chaos that assaulted my vision, but that was all I saw. It was so vivid I blacked ou. I woke up with a nosebleed on Alonzo's couch. Killian hasn't spoken to me about it since."

Merida was stone faced.

Her bottom lip twitched as a nervous tremor coursed itself down her body. She swallowed thickly as the knowledge that had just been passed to her made her want to curl up in a ball and hide away for eternity.

She knew her visions weren't always precise, but with Merida's luck this was a sure sight of the future.

Francesca sighed, her pouty lips one of the most striking features on her face. She was truly an enigma, one that Merida had looked up to so many times.

If only she could be so lovely...

Francesca gently took Merida's hands in her own, her eyes calming slightly from the previous conversation they had about Killian and the weapons he may possess in the future. Her grip was soothing, despite the silky gloves covering her hands.

Merida looked up as Francesca's face became more severe, "Do not tell anyone of this, Merida. Not even Alonzo knows the reason for my black out. Killian hasn't said anything since and I haven't asked. All I know is that he is hot on the trail of a mutant who can help him get what he wants."

"This isn't good." Merida mumbled, nodding to her words about keeping it tight lipped.

There was no outcry of protest from Merida because at the end of the day she was a slave to Killian and the circus. The things he would do to her if she even dared to speak of this to anyone outside of the circus made her feel nauseous.

Her body shivered and Francesca lifted her right hand to Merida's curls, running a finger through one of the of stray ringlets.

"Why have you not come to me for a reading yet, Merida?"

Her words were earnest, but Merida shied away from her touch at the thought of Francesca reading her future. Her eyes dulled again, even as Fran looked at her with a doting smile.

Her own smile thinned out considerably, disappearing behind a stoic face. She shook her head sadly at Francesca.

"I have no future, Fran. And if I did it's very bleak. I'm caged in every which way. My present is also my future." Her words were whispered with a hint of contempt.

The smallest tear slipped from the corner of her eye as it slid down her face. Francesca tsked slightly and used her thumb to carefully wipe the tear before it reached her lip.

"No matter what the present may seem like we all have a future. You know this in your soul, but you he has you conditioned to believe otherwise."

The mention of Killian made her skin prickle with something horrible. Merida's entire demeanor shifted, her body growing taut and stiff. A tremor ran down her spine.

Francesca saw it and nodded slowly, "You see. Your body even responds in protest to his conditioning."

Merida looked away from Francesca's prying eyes.

"Can I tell you something, Merida? Something I saw in my vision with Killian."

Merida looked up at Francesca, their bodies still hidden behind the changing room partition. The colors and swirls on the partition were dark and deep, purple and blue's mixed with a tinge of silver. It was very similar to the cloak that Francesca wore.

"I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyways." Merida offered with a weary look.

Francesca sighed, her eyebrows drawing in as if she were concentrating on something in her mind that Merida could not see. She opened her eyes and nodded to herself,

"There it is. I wanted to make sure I had the details right."

Merida awaited with fear as to what Francesca was about to tell her. Her palms grew clammy and she politely slipped her hands out of Fran's. She was so close to the woman she could smell her perfume wafting towards her.

It was inviting and smelled like floral.

"I saw you in my vision with Killian." Her words were carefully spoken, as if making sure she didn't spook Merida into fleeing. She knew how Merida could be so fearful of things so she took it slow.

Merida raised a brow and huffed, "That's not surprising. He told me I would be there to witness it all. He promised, actually."

Francesca smiled as if she knew something Merida didn't.

"You were there, but you weren't with him. You were opposite of him, and I got the distinct feeling you were trying to stop him." Francesca murmured in a hushed tone as Merida's eyes widened considerably.

Stop Killian?

"There's no way I would ever dare-"

"I saw flashes of color around you. Specifically red, white and blue. Whatever that may mean, but I saw it." Francesca was quick to interrupt Merida's meek protest, and continued even as Merida's mouth hung open agape.

"Dare I say your aura felt...free." Francesca whispered with such conviction that Merida almost felt faint.

Free?

Merida didn't even use the word free in her main vocabulary.

What would freedom look like?

What would it feel like?

She shut her mind off so fast that Francesca saw the shift in her aura quicker than Merida realized what was happening.

Her eyes glowed a dangerous primal color and she took a giant step back from Francesca. When she looked up at the  woman her chest was heaving up and down, her insides swarming with confusion at the concept of ever being free.

It panicked Merida.

"Your vision is a lie. Or it's in a parallel universe like you talk so much about." Merida ground out between gritted teeth.

Francesca looked at Merida's spooked state with empathy. She shook her head at Merida's quivering form, her primal eyes  glowed as a warning that her emotions were swarming, and her body was having a hard time adjusting.

"I know you don't believe me, but I truly feel this was something real. This vision was a premonition! You must promise me something-"

She quickly stepped up to Merida despite her state and gripped her face between her long thin hands. Francesca looked down at Merida's primal eyes with no judgement.

Only love.

"You must promise me that if given the chance at freedom you will take it. You take it, Merida and never look back."

Francesca's voice wobbled as her eyes moistened, threatening to smear her mascara and eyeliner that she had worked so hard to paint on. She didn't seem to care though. All she cared about at the moment was Merida.

"Say it, Merida." She coaxed as if this was her last will and testament.

Without thinking, Merida found her lips moving of their own accord.

"I promise."

Her voice didn't sound like her normal voice. There was a change in her tone, and she wondered if Francesca could hear it as well.

"Good."

Francesca smiled and stepped away from Merida, removing the partition to it's natural state.

Merida stepped a few steps away from Francesca, the tension from the conversation dissipated as quickly as it had begun. The normal circus feeling in the air came back and Merida found herself in a slight daze.

The moment was gone just as soon as the resident contortionist, Isabella, arrived at the door with soft colored pink hair in big southern curls. Her eccentric silver dress reached her knees blinded both Fran and Merida. Her shoes were also silver and glittery. They resembled ballet flats. They were worn, but still sturdy.

Isabella was a pixie-like girl, small and loud, severely bipolar, but still not as cruel as the twins or Killian. She couldn't have been taller than five feet. She could also bend in ways Merida had never imagined. She was quite the showstopper. Her background in bombs and explosives was something that Merida never would have guessed given her bubbly demeanor.

The rumor was that Isabella had eluded the government and was now living the circus life with a new identity and a completely new hairdo. There were things whispered about her blowing up corporate buildings and selling her bombs to enemies of the state. Merida didn't ask and Isabella never offered up the real history to her life.

"You gal's ready?" Isabella's eyebrows wiggled up and down.

Merida noted they were just as pink as her bouncy curly hair. Fran looked at Merida, nodding for her to follow Isabella out.

"I'm always ready. See you at the circus, Merida." Francesca called out in a dreamy voice.

Isabella, completely undeterred by Merida's mutant abilities, grabbed her left hand and pulled her along.

"Come on, pet. Killian wants to see you before the show."

Oh, joy. 

Merida allowed Isabella to pull her along, her eyes watching as every step she took brought her closer to the person who could twist her stomach in ways no one else ever could. Isabella giggled and eyed Merida with a gleam in her grey colored eyes. 

"Don't take long, sugar. I want some time with him too, ya know."

She winked surreptitiously at Merida before pushing her abruptly through the tent flaps of the big top where Killian awaited her. 

Author's Note:

Okay, Merida is a poor bean with a primal streak of anger. She hides it so well around Killian because she is so damn afraid of him. I can't even imagine how she feels being around him. She needs to tiger-slap the crap out of him, but I understand how she has something like Stockholm Syndrome but more out of fear than her caring for Killian.

I feel for this poor little bean. Her entrapment makes my heart ache. She is so messed up in the head. Sometimes I feel like she feels that she deserves this life. Ughh STEVE COME RESCUE HER PLEASE! MAKE HER BELIEVE IT IS NOT TRUE!

Not entirely sure who I would give face claims to for Francesca and Isabella, but Angelina Jolie with long black hair was a vibe I was going for in regards to Fran. Isabella reminds me of a Harley Quinn-type and I didn't mean to write her like that..It just came out xD

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter update and the introduction of new characters!