{The Circus of The Forgotten}

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter's entire form went rigid as her hand found it's way through his hair, the shorter bits pushing back and then falling forward as they always had, his breathing seeming to stop momentarily. The words absently filtered into his thoughts, as his demonic voice attempted to sway him into disbelief, but what seemed to snap his thoughts back into place was the moment when her lips pressed to his forehead. Affection seemed to radiate from the action, and he was finally capable of relaxing. His breathing hitched, and he sputtered another cough before his lungs settled for deep, ragged breaths, his chest still heaving, but not nearly as violently as before. Without his conscious knowledge, his arms reached out, swathing the siren in an embrace, clearly reminiscent of a lost child. His eyes slid closed, but he didn't sleep. The emotions continued to rage within him, but the fear that had come to be the prominent feeling was ebbing away, and opening the door to allow Baxter to regain some of his supposed control.

 

[QueenofDorks]

Jinx absently toyed with his hair, continuously weaving her fingers through to continue the gentle petting upon his head. To soothe him like a little child suddenly startled by nightmares. She flinched at the slightest contact of touch, feeling his arms as they wound around her. Seeking for warmth and comfort in the time of his newfound fear. It was prominent, still lingering, but dulling. At least his ragged breathing had stopped, as well as his coughing fits, thankfully. While one hand remained entangled in his hair, the other smoothing over his back and continuing to comfort the demon till he regained his control. She took in a breath, "Quand je marche dans la rue


La rue vers le Sacrй-Cњur


Je me souviens des promesses," a softly uttered song bubbled out of the siren's mouth, "Au nom de l’amour


Je vais t’attendre lа


Viendras-tu pour moi?" The lyrics were heavy with French, her native language, and a song briefly remembered as a lullaby when she was a mere child.


[The song is The Sacred Heart by The Civil Wars c: ]

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Painful memories flooded Baxter's mind, memories that had been long suppressed surfacing. Memories from before he had come to the circus, memories of his dad, and the death of his mother. He winced as he laid there, curling into the comforting embrace of the siren, though his mind had long forgotten it was her that sat there, coddling him as the fear waned. A song began to filter into his thoughts, seemingly guiding him away from the painful memories, and sliding easily into ones that were happier. Memories of after he joined the circus. When he met Sera. When he met everyone. How he had earned his place there, and the respect he had come to have for everyone he worked with. Then slowly the memories faded, and his mind seemed to shut down. His thoughts went blank, and he was in an almost blissful, if not emotional, unconsciousness.

 

[QueenofDorks]

The Following Morning...


Jinx shifted around in the small kitchen of her trailer, dragging down various ingredients, and spices as she set to make breakfast this morning. Not only for herself but for the still unconscious, perhaps sleeping, demon that laid in just the room over. Last night, with the help of Nikolai, she managed to get him into her trailer. Merely to monitor and look out for any signs of a another emotional breakdown, one she could perhaps settle. So far there had been no signs of such a thing. She removed a pan from a cabinet above her then set it down on the counter, aside to be used for later. She just needed to add a few particular spices to the mix... but, unfortunately, a knock came at the flimsy door and drew her away from the process of baking, the siren wiping her fingers on a date towel. When she opened it she faced Nikolai. He looked up, "Jack... he wants to see you," he muttered, his hands wringing together. Such words shot fear through Jinx. She hesitated, glancing inwards... then bobbed her head. "I'll go now. Can you watch over Bax in the mean time? Sera might even want to see him... she is an angel. She could probably fix him up more than I can." She asserted as she stepped down the few steps, and slipped past the werewolf. Striding into the direction of the main part of the circus grounds.

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter had remained basically in the state of a coma through the night, not even really moving as he was carried from the place where he had collapsed to Jinx's trailer. Finally, conscious thoughts ebbed into his mind, and it started with hearing a certain man's voice mention that Jack wanted to see someone. His first thought being, why would Jack want to see Sera? Then the memories of what actually happened seemed to flood into the demon's mind and he sat up suddenly. His eyes snapped around, and it took him a moment to realize where they were. Not to mention the fact that they hadn't completed the hunt the night before. Shame crept up Baxter's spine, and his head dipped down, dropping his face into his hands. He groaned softly, all the motion making his entire form ache, something he hadn't felt in ages. He slowly lowered himself back into a laying position, figuring he'd just wait for Jinx to return before announcing that he was conscious once again.


Sera sat in her chair in her tent, slowly unwrapping the bandage from around her old injury. She studied the grotesque burn scar that now covered her hand and arm, wincing. She pressed her lips together, and glanced around, sighing. Softly, she began to sing, mostly a hum, her other hand developing a soft white glow. She passed that hand over the other, watching as the main portion of the injury faded, leaving behind the scar. She sighed, "I should have known." she muttered to herself, and leaned back in the chair. She had been able to heal the wound itself, but the scar would forever remain as it had been demonic flame that burned her rather than regular flame that hadn't been fueled by emotion. She sat there for a moment, and then stood, striding out of the tent. She needed to get her mind off of herself, and so she went straight for the tent that belonged to the nurse, hoping there would be injuries she could help with rather than focus on her own problems.

 

[QueenofDorks]

The curtains of Jack's tent swept aside as Jinx brushed her way through, steadily approaching where the Ring Master sat perched in his chair, legs kicked up on a footrest. A good book nestled in his lap. "My dear siren. Just whom I asked to see. And without the presence of Baxter too. I'm thankful you didn't have him accompany you." He mused as his eyes leveled to hers, one hand moving to close the hardcover of the book. His legs slipped from the furniture and he stood, raising himself to full height. "How did your hunt go last night?" He prompted, eyebrows raised with the evident question that she had been dreading.


"It was going well. Till Bax figured out that said target happened to be his father gone mad. You deliberately placed him there, didn't you?"


The sly man maneuvered past the clearly annoyed siren, pausing at the vanity that was lined with anything that piqued his fancy; books, jewels, et cetera. His calloused fingers plucked up a cigar from a set adorned in a fancy box. "I did. I wanted to show what would and could happen if he avoided your treatments. If he stepped out of line and potentially put everyone at risk once more. I did what I had to. There's no shame in that, child."


"But it scared him half to death! When I reached the grounds he couldn't even breathe. I had to calm him down."


"Good. It did what I had hoped for. And did you finish the target in his absence?"


Now Jinx hesitated, wanting to shrink back away from his evened gaze. Like a child who had went against their parents word. She wrung her hands together, head tilting aside. "No..." she uttered, guilty and ashamed by her lack of desire to kill the target. She had wanted to assure herself that Baxter was alright, at least. Otherwise, if she hadn't reached him in time, who knew what could have happened him. His fear could have gotten the best of him, spur him into offset of emotions. And said emotions could have triggered him to burn down the circus tents once more. Jack was frowning now, the thin press of his mouth asserting and serious. "I'm afraid that a punishment will be decided for you, Jinx. Baxter had already suffered enough. You, on the other hand, have not. You will pay for your carelessness and lack of ability to fulfill your duty. You are dismissed. Details about the punishment will find their way to you later."


Nikolai had heaved himself inside the trailer that belonged to the siren, switching off the oven that had been on for pre-heat and then setting aside the mixing bowl and the differing assortment of spices that were left out upon the counter. Outside his wolves waited, sitting down upon their haunches. Their ears pricked upwards and listening to their master's movements within. The werewolf wiped his hands clean with a spare towel, tossing that aside afterwards, and moving closer to the bedroom. Make-shift and cozy, a bed in the middle. Nothing more, it was tight corridors so not much could fit without blocking a way to get out of bed or out of the room in general. "Bax," he addressed in a whisper, "you awake?"


This morning Becca was buried underneath the work of patching up carnies and adjusting various headache medications on others. Two targets proved to be a difficulty for most as it seemed. Having to go off little they knew of the supernatural, and adjusting to how they moved and acted when approached in a fight. It brought on multiple injuries which left the medical tent overfilled and flowing with patients. Just as soon as Sera slipped inside, the nurse took notice right away. "Sera!" She called, waving a hand over. "I could use you're help if you don't mind. Angelic magic could be the best of use at the moment. Please?"

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter shifted slightly, tilting his head to peer at the voice that whispered to him. "You don't have to whisper, Niko." he said dully, his entire being feeling drained. He moved again, carefully sitting himself up and turning so that there was a wall of the trailer behind him, and leaned against it heavily. "What are you doing here?" he asked, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. He hurt, and not in a good way. "How'd last night go?" he managed, cracking an eye open to peer at the werewolf.


Sera smiled, "I'll be glad to help, Becca." she said lightly and pressed herself into helping where she could. She patched up wounds, stopped bleeding, and anything else her abilities would allow. Though scars remained on most, as supernatural caused injuries were always hardest to cure. Many had asked her about her hand, and she would just smile and dodge the questions. Most knew what had happened, having been gathered in the area waiting for their turn to perform. By the time her services weren't necessarily needed, she had gone to using her magic with her good hand, keeping her scarred hand hidden from sight as best she could.

 

[QueenofDorks]

Nikolai felt relieved at the notable fact that the blonde demon was awake. The unfortunate fact? That it appeared he was in pain this morning. "Jack called on Jinx. So I was his messenger to alert her. In return she requested that I watched you in her absence." He replied, recapping what had happened in the briefest of summaries he could manage. The werewolf maneuvered himself in and perched on the edge of the bed. Though he shifted his body at a certain angle while he sat so he could face Baxter. "Last night went well. Killed my two targets; both were witches. Sisters to be exact that had gone mad." He paused, and now hestitated, wavering about whether or not he should prompt his own question. "I uh... I heard about last night though. Are you doing okay?" He asked after a minute pause in their conversation.


Jinx was making her way across the circus grounds after being dismissed from Jack's tent. Whatever punishment he were to prepare would surely be the worst. He gave a target, an order, and expected all too be completed within a night, returning only at dawn if need be. But she hadn't, pinning her as someone who needed to learn once more what the rules enforced. She sighed wearily, and averted her eyes to the medical tent. Pain radiated from within, most likely from those that had gotten the worst of the worst with their targets. She didn't entirely want to return to her trailer so soon. Perhaps a little detour? The siren moved over and brushed aside the curtains, stepping her feet inwards to the premise of the makeshift medical center.

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter scoffed slightly, the fact Nikolai had heard somewhat surprising, yet not at the same time. "I hurt like I never remember hurting before." he croaked, his head shifting as he forced himself to lean it up off the wall so he could talk properly. His blue eyes leveled on the werewolf. "My night consisted of starting out rather amazing, then running into my father. Of all people!" he scoffed again, laughing. "He's gone completely insane, and the emotions are burning everything alive. His latest victims that I know of being a van full of children and the soccer mom that was ferrying them either to or from a game." he sighed, his head dropping forward slightly so that he was looking at his lap. "I went into full panic mode. I had been told he was dead." he stated, shaking his head. "The only reason I was able to get back here was because Jinx used her compulsion to send me running back her." he growled, the anger that seemed to bubble within focused at himself rather than the siren. "The order being to run, and basically not stop until I reached the grounds. Hence why I hurt like I got run over by fucking train." he scoffed.


Sera looked up as she heard the material of the tent rustle, and a smile spread on her lips when she spotted Jinx. She finished tending to the supernatural she had been healing, and then moved over to the siren. "Jinx!" she greeted warmly, "Are you hurt?" she asked, as though her mind had only connected that she had walked into the medical tent. She took her hand, her own two already glowing softly, "How did last night go? Is Baxter alright?" she asked, working to pass her healing magic to the siren to help whatever injury might have occurred while she spoke.

 

[QueenofDorks]

Nikolai's face creased into a grimace as Baxter spoke, the hunting experience seeming rather terrifying for the demon. Then again, he sure as hell would have been embedded into a similar state if he saw his parents. The thought alone of an encounter sent shivers down his spine. "I'm sure you can manage to recover though. If you regain your energy enough to at least stand I can help you across the grounds so you can return to your shared tent with Sera." He offered as he smoothed a hand over the side of his face, a yawn eliciting from the tired and worn out werewolf. "Merely saying that because I doubt Jinx wants to keep you in her bed for the majority of your resting process. As much as concerned as she was for your well being, the siren isn't entirely generous." He scratched his head and began to rise to his feet, getting ready to leave.


Jinx blearily stared as Sera approached, her hand cupping around her own in preparation to heal. "Um, well... I don't really need any injuries to be fixed or healed. I was popping in to see how things were going." She explained, withdrawing her hand away to only return it back to her side. At the mention of Baxter and if he was alright made the siren divert her gaze away. She compressed her mouth together in a tightly pursed frown and then she released a sigh. "Our target last night happened to be a demon. That certainly struck a nerve with Bax but I calmed him down. That, however, did not last as the demon was discovered to be his father." She explained, unraveling the story of what transpired from last night. "He... panicked. It was terrible and I had to use my compulsion ability on him. This morning he was still passed out from the emotional breakdown. I left Nikolai to watch over him."

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter glanced around at the small trailer he had woken to find himself settled in, and sighed before settling his eyes on Nikolai. "You're exhausted, and I'm just sore as shit. I'll be fine, Nick, but thanks anyway." he said, pushing himself from the bed with an audible groan. "I've got a hunt to finish anyway. We didn't get our targets, and I'll be damned if that bastard has another day to take out a hundred more victims." He said with a low growl. He maneuvered his way through the trailer, forcing his aching muscles to do his bidding as he pushed passed the werewolf. "One stop on the way, and I'll be back with the head of my father on a pike." he stated before slipping out of the trailer and pressing his way to edges of the circus' grounds. He knew Jack wouldn't be happy that their hunt hadn't been completed, and now that the knowledge of his father being alive wasn't such a shock, it was easier to keep his head about him as he settled into the idea he was once again on the hunt. Being a demon, he knew his father would be somewhere in the shadows, as even for someone insane, it was clearly difficult to go on a murder spree in broad daylight. This was Baxter's advantage. He just had to locate the demon now.





Sera listened, her eyebrows knitted together with worry for both her friend and her brother. She gasped softly when she heard that the target had been Baxter's father in the flesh, having thought the man being dead for all these years just as Baxter had. Her eyes grew wide as she listened, worry restricting her chest for the demon she had come to love as family. She lifted a hand to her lips, the one marred from the still fairly fresh burn. She blinked a few times, her eyes dropping as her thoughts carried her away, and she flinched as she realized which had it was that was lifted, and quickly dropped it again. "Oh dear... This isn't good at all. I do hope you and Bax are alright." she said as her eyes lifted back to Jinx's face. She glanced across the tent, and took in a breath. "Do you need anything, Jinx? Becca and I have this all under control now, so I can probably leave the remaining in her capable hands." she offered with a warm smile.

 

[QueenofDorks]

A protest began fo form halfway in Nikolas' throat. But the words didn't venture from his open mouth, instead remaining stuck in his throat. His eyes wavered upon the flimsy RV door that thudded against the doorframe, Baxter's retreating figure growing smaller by the minute as he faded into the overgrown brush of the circus grounds. Man, the demon was stubborn. The werewolf scratched his hand through his mess of hair and sighed. Well, there went babysitting the temperamental daredevil.


Jinx's eyes feebly wandered to the hand that had been raised upwards to Sera's face; the one with the faded scars that warped her smooth skin. The scars that had been caused by Baxter. Ever since last night's events, the ones besides facing Bax's old man, the demon had been embedded into her thoughts. Amongst the many conflicted feelings that raged inside her was anger. She had been such a fool to give in so easily. Let alone succumbing to the pleasure. Her thoughts easily drew to how his lips felt pressed against her's, hasty and rough. The siren didn't realize she had been staring till Sera withdrew her hand out of Jinx's eyeline of sight.


"I don't need anything," she assured dismissively, asserting her eyes elsewhere. "I'll return back to my RV, check up on Bax. Then drink till I receive my doomed punishment." Her shoulders dipped into a shrug, "I just thought you should know about Bax and what happened. Knowing him he probably would have kept it from you."

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Sera gave a gentle, but warm, smile and reached for Jinx's hand once again. "Thank you, Jinx. I'll leave Bax in your hands for now. I know he can be a handful, but he has a good heart." she said softly, gently squeezing her hand before releasing it. "If you can dig it out of him, that is." she joked warmly, a laugh bubbling from the angel as she turned slightly. "He seems to relate to you, in some way. I think with the emotions issue that both a siren, and his type of demon, have. If anyone can help him figure things out, I have hope that it could be you." she smiled, "But don't worry, I won't blame you if you don't want to teach him. I do understand there are somethings he will inevitably have to learn on his own. He's just stubborn and far to hard headed most of the time." she laughed softly, shaking her head. "Anyway, I'll return to helping the wounded. Good luck, Jinx. I hope Jack doesn't go to hard on you. For yours, and for Bax's sakes." she sighed, and walked back into the medical tent where she resumed helping the wounded where Becca's abilities lacked slightly.

 

[QueenofDorks]

How, of all people, could she help Baxter? The self-corrupted demon who seemed enthralled in his anger and the occasional love of teasing with vast innuendos. Sure they shared similarities with emotional issues and dwelling on the need for control. Hell, Jinx herself still struggled with maintaining control. Drowning the carnal desires with endless one night stands and the intoxicated ecstasy of turning someone on, the feelings that would dip inside her and ease the monster that tugged and pulled at her mind. How could she aid him besides rough kisses and sex that ended them both on a high, numb to their surroundings? Still, Sera seemed hell assured that she could aid her brother. Regardless of his dense stubbornness.


A breathy goodbye came from the siren and she turned, moving out of the medical tent. Along her return to her RV, she crossed paths with Nikolai whom seemed intended on heading for Becca and the various wounded she was caring for. Her steps slowed, "Is Bax up?" She prompted, brows knitted together with curiosity.


"Oh, he's up. Hell bent on finishing last night's hunt though."


"What?!" Jinx gasped aloud, hand inclined outwards in a shove towards his arm. "And you didn't stop him? The fuck, wolf boy?" She stomped her bare feet passed him, crossing the circus grounds; pace quick and angered. This further proved that the demon trickster was far too gone to attempt at a lesson of control.

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter moved as quickly as his aching body would allow, his mind clear and focused at the task at hand. Almost completely calm in his thoughts, only the roiling, bubbling pit of anger that was ever present in him settled in the pit of his stomach. It was the calmest Baxter ever could recall aside from his coupling with the siren. It surprised him, though he didn't dwell on it long, for fear of losing that small moment of control he held over himself. Just a mile or two more. He thought softly, his feet numbly moving across the ground as he zeroed in on his father's presence. Now that he knew who exactly his target was, it was easy enough to locate him. The connection he had to his father, by blood, made it simple and easy to sense the other demon. A low growl bubbled from his throat, "This time." He whispered softly, anger seething in his words, "This time you won't get away alive. Father." he hissed.


On he pushed himself, part of him knowing that a certain siren would be on his tail as soon as she found him gone, and that was something he didn't want catching up to him. She would stop him, or at least try. Baxter wasn't about to let that happen. He was going to kill his father, and that was that. His eyes cast sideways as he passed the alley where they had found his father the night previous. Crime tape blocked it off from the public, and police cars with flashing lights lined the street. He caught the glimpse of several stretchers with black body bags as a man that appeared to be an E.M.T zipped it closed. So. Someone had found the scene of the massacre.


His eyes closed as he pressed forward, a small groan bubbling forth, but being quickly stamped down. He took a slow, deep breath, inhaling slowly. Energy swirled around his mind's eye, and he knew he was drawing off the large group of humans that worked over the scene. Easing their pain and sadness, while making himself stronger. Though he was careful. He couldn't take to much, or he would tire them. Once he released the breath, he severed the connection he had created, and kept moving.


Finally, well into the day, he arrived on the far side of town where the bustling city backed up against mountainous hills. He strode forward. There was little distance between him and his father now. He still ached, but he was certainly stronger now that when he had left the circus grounds that morning. He had drawn small portions from the area around him as he had walked through the city. Not enough to hurt anyone, but enough to make the coming fight easier on the demon. He moved through the trees fluidly, his speed picking up as he went. His eyes set on one place in particular where he could feel the raging, hungering power that was his father.


He crested a hill, and descended to the other side, knowing he was safe from the city. The battle that was going to ensue was as well. No worries of human life, as far as he could tell. Good. He continued onward, until he came through a thick portion of trees, surrounding a rocky outcropping that was the perfect hiding place. From the shadows of the cave there came his father. Power swirled around the older demon's feet. The grass and flowers died where he stepped, and the trees around them all grew sickly. Baxter's hands clenched as he fought the urge to just leap at the man and attempt a killing blow right then. This battle had to be played smart if he wanted to defeat this man.

 

[QueenofDorks]

Her feet maneuvered across the forest floor, Jinx racing to reach Baxter. Fear swelling up inside the siren.


What would he do when he faces his father? The actions or words that might just spew from him... what would they be? How would his father retaliate?


"Godddamit Bax," she uttered out from her mouth. "You're such a fucking idiot." She compressed the urge to throw a tantrum - to scream and cry, feeling absolutely helpless in this situation. Helpless, helpless.


She ran into the city, fleeing the prying eyes that followed her through the streets. Dodging and twirling around the passerbys on the sidewalk. Bare feet came scraping rawly against the ground, the figure of Jinx halting abruptly. The alleyway was crawling with paramedics and police personnel. They hadn't left any evidence behind... right? No DNA tying to Baxter or Jinx? All she could do was hope, hope that there was nothing. Otherwise Jack would have her and Bax's neck. She would rather have them both keep them.


Where is he? Where could he have gone?


Such thoughts twirled and twisted inside her mind, nagging and gnawing.


Then came a pull - no, a wave of deeply vast emotions that were darkly inherited over time. The madness that warped from it. She followed, climbing out of the city and to where more secluded land laid ahead, sloping upwards into a hill. The snarls, inhumane and reverabrated, cut through the silent of the air - harsh gusts of wind whipping past, promising that storms were on the horizon.


Her eyesight adjusted to the scene before her - two bodies adjusted into fervent fighting, blood and hands flying -- flames glittering.


"Baxter," she shrieked, voice hoarse, "do no do anything even remotely idiotic. It's not worth it! Stop, stop, stop...!"

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter and his father, deep in heated battle, seemed to snarl and lash out just as the sound of the siren's voice broke through the otherwise silent surroundings. A fist came smashing into the side of Baxter's head, sending him backwards several feet. He growled harshly, quickly twisting his body and leaping to his feet. In the same instance his muscles clenched and he leaped toward the siren. His body met with that of his father's as they locked into a grappling, fist throwing melee. He managed to get a hand up on his father, and tossed the older demon several yards away. His chest and shoulders heaved with the labored breath as he stood with his back to the siren.


His fists clenched, "Jinx! Why did you follow me! Damn it!" he snarled, taking only a mere nano second to glance at the woman before locking his eyes on his father once again. He tensed, waiting for the coming attack. Fire nearly engulfed every portion of the area where he and his father battled, only to be quickly swallowed by the opposing demon. Each feeding off the other's flames. He growled as the other man began a slow walk toward them. "Watch yourself, siren. I don't want your blood on my hands." he snapped before rushing forward to engage his father once again.


An evil seemed to burn in Baxter's eyes, small yet slowly consuming him. Mostly due to him feeding off his father's power to keep from being over powered by the insane demon. The blonde man knew he had to finish the battle soon, or end up lost in the madness that was threatening to overtake his mind. It was a battle on two fronts for Baxter, and the demon was afraid he was going to lose one of them. "Drain the energy!" he called to the siren, "He can't feed himself and the two of us!" he called, the wind being knocked from his chest as a swift fist met with his abdomen, cutting off his words. As long as Jinx could keep herself from trouble then she may have just given Baxter the key to winning the fight against his father.

 

[QueenofDorks]

Her feet scraped along the grass, avoiding the fire that danced about the opposing demons - father and son at each other's throats. She swallowed down the dread that had begun to build up in her throat and forced herself to maintain a level head.


There was a stinging amount of hurt that raked through her as, rather than referred to as Jinx, she had been reduced to merely siren. Fingers grasped wildly for her knives, slipping the blades out from the garter strapped to her upper thigh. The negative energy seeped everywhere, a part of her - the part that she maintained locked and under key - surged at such energy.


She could feel the skin under her eyes ripple, veins surfacing and spreading thin. The siren forced herself to quell that dark being of her, slicing open her finger to let the pain bring her back to reality.


"I can't drain this kind of energy - not mentally. It has to be physical." She uttered in reminder, then, flexing her wrist, she hurtled the blade in the older demon's direction. "I can help you fight, however."


Bare feet dodged the fire, side stepping the leaping flames to join Baxter in the ultimate battle of father and son. A second knife sliced the air, pinpointed for the opposing man's knee. She leaped forward, weaving side to side to avoid any retaliation.


Her eyes casted back to glance at Baxter, hoping he wasn't too far gone in the madness to fight.


Perhaps after all she could drain the older man of power. She needed to get up close and personal, first of all.


But the consequences of it? Highly major and life threatening to those around her - in this case, Baxter. The darker side of her stirred, begging and pleading to be freed from it's encasement within.


Was it a risk she could take?

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter faltered, stumbling as flames raced toward him. He let his legs drop his weight, hitting the ground hard and forcing himself into a dodging roll. He felt the heat of the flames graze along his form, the sickly scent of melting cloth reaching his nose quickly. Damn clothes these days. They've almost all got an off form of plastic in them. At least it's not exactly flammable. His thoughts seared as he came to his feet again, clawing at his shirt as he ripped it off of himself before the half melting, half burning cloth could cause any real harm to the demon. Then the thought returned that had originally made him falter once again. She had said physical. Jinx wouldn't be able to feed off of his father's intensity without some form of physical interaction between him and her.


A snarl ripped through him as yet more anger, this rush being more jealousy than true anger, tore through his already ragged emotional state. He wasn't about to let his father taste the woman he practically (yet silently) adored to the point of worship. Not that Baxter would ever admit to something like that, but the thought was still there. "No!" he snapped harshly, racing after the siren. "Not him, Jinx. Anyone, anything, but him." he practically pleaded when he was within earshot of the woman. All care for the older demon overhearing him was thrown to the wind. An odd sensation overtook Baxter, an icy burn of near devastation at the thought of Jinx doing anything with the other demon, the feeling only being worsened by the fact that it was his father.


He swallowed thickly as he heard the older man begin to cackle, blood streaming from fresh wounds caused by the unexpected knives that had found their mark. Shit. Baxter knew he had given away a weakness that his father wouldn't even think twice about exploiting. More fires of anger washed over him, leaving the blonde demon suspended between a hot and cold burn of emotion. He twisted his projection, turning from chasing down the siren to bee-lining for his father. "This will end!" he cried out, coming to an explosion of a collision with the elder demon. Finally locked into a grappling brawl that would, hopefully, finish the dangerous battle of the two demon's wills.

 

[QueenofDorks]

Jinx had been hastily making approach of the older demon, her wrists flicking and tossing one blade after another. Each hitting their mark with precision. Baxter's father didn't seem to find this a bother in any way possible; the madman cackling as the fires burned brightly around them and flickered further along the obstruction of the incline of the hill. Surely a call would be made if anyone caught the sight of spiraling smoke that arose from their location. One would suspect arson, considering the harsh autumn breeze that was present and the lack of sun that rarely blazed in the sky this time of the year. Regardless, it was best they book it as soon as the fight with the man was concluded. That's if they could scrape by without any harm inflicted upon them. Within mid-stride, her feet ceased to an abrupt halt -- Baxter's words had finally snagged her attention.


The harshness of the tone, voice pitched into a desperate plea, was so unusual that it had caught the siren off guard. Her acute hearing sensed his own vast stride, working his way to cease any intentions of draining his father of power. Had he thought her that dense? That she would taste the insanity on his father's lips just to free him from all abilities and power? It hadn't been at the forefront of her mind but, rather, the other physical option of draining him. The dark, gruesome version. Maddening cackles drew her from her thoughts and she quickly registered the sight of Baxter launching himself at his father; full force with not even the slightest hesitation. In the process a scream had pried open from the young demon's mouth. Jinx, finding gripping motivation within her, continued with her risk.


Jinx vaulted over the grappling father and son, landing on charred, black grass behind the older man. Her eyes briefly passed Baxter's face. She, herself, found a moment to plead a flimsy apology. One hand then lunged forward, through the back of Baxter's father and straight through his chest cavity. Blood pooled freely from the wound, clawed fingers coming free. Within it's tight grasp, encased with oozing blood and a spare lurch of a beat, was the damn demon's heart. Curious, dark hazel eyes observes the organ as her victim stumbled, slipping to the ground with a guttural gasping stutter. A hissing breath sucked through her teeth at the very temptation to consume the maddening power that spiraled from the bloodied heart she withheld. Her darkened gaze found Baxter's, a faraway look glinting in the brown eyes of hers.


"I never intended to kiss him y'know," she finalized, shaking away the silence amidst the crackling flames. Assuring whatever terrifying feelings that pulled at Bax to retaliate in a fervent manner. Scarlet covered hands released the organ then, reality finally gripping her thoughts into a more proper mindset compared to the dark, threatening voices that clawed for control. She swallowed thickly and averted her gaze from Baxter and the dead body of his father that laid between them at their feet.

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter froze as his body auto-piloted itself mere feet backwards from the fatal blow the siren initiated upon the power mad demon. Blood flying and oozing from wounds and dismembered organs alike as he stared, wide eyed at the siren. His thoughts drew blank, the moment seeming in slow motion as the corpse hit the charred ground, the forest fire blaze growing in size as all the withheld power lost it's grip upon the flames. The blonde demon just stood there. With a deafening whoosh the larger flames died, all source of emotional power gone, and all that remained was the smoldering embers. A testament to the battle raged.


I never intended to kiss him y'know The words seemed distant and jarred. Baxter attempted to make sense of it, but it seemed as though he was far away and no longer with the present. He cringed at the squelching thud of the heart hitting the ground reached his ears, far louder than the words the siren had spoken to him. His throat felt thick, hot tears burning his eyes as they found the body that was once his father. The memory of when their ringmaster, Jack, had first told him that his father had been killed coming to mind. He blinked rapidly, forcing the unwanted emotions down as he cleared his throat.


"Whatever." he stated simply, his voice low, distant. A far cry from when he was merely exhausted. For once, the demon seemed devoid of emotion, even the constant anger he carried with him seemed gone. His eyes dull and grey rather than their normal piercing cyan. He stepped forward and crouched, holding a hand out above the corpse and quickly it was devoured by flame and turned to ash. When he straightened, his dull gaze passed over the area where they were located and closed. "Get out of here. I'll restart the fire so the humans think it's a forest fire and there won't be any remains of us or my father." he stated in nearly a monotone before taking several deep breaths to prepare to stoke the embers back to life.

 

[QueenofDorks]

Jinx, poised with utter stillness, watched blankly as the stoking fires leapt into the air as if into one last drawn breath. Then it was released, flames dissipating into one vast whoosh. Still, the air was warm from the onslaught of sudden intensified heat. Her fingers, stained in the blood of an once insane father, wiped absently against the side of her leg; staining white, frilly stockings a copper red. An attempt to rid the evidence upon her hands that stemmed from the gruesome act. The eery quiet that followed the once raging forest fire and the fighting father and son was found to be disturbing of the siren. What could she do to fill it? Hazel eyes observed the damaged and charred scenery, which ultimately told her otherwise to not make the slightest peep.


Though she couldn't help but promptly note a sight she had never been witness to. Tears pratically blurred the unusual gray eyes of Baxter; these tears being ceased from falling upon his face. The emotion did not appeal his prominent charming features. It merely blurred what she saw of him; the trickster flirt that would never quit his attempts to get underneath her skin. Had killing his father upset the demon? Her mind tried to unravel around such a possibility. As the ashes of the mad demon drifted against the ground, Jinx moved silently. Despite the words that grasped at her ears, a cold denial to her assurance.


Even as he uttered the demand to vacate the premise, her bare feet refused to budge.


"'Fraid I'm not going to leave Baxy. I don't want you going off an emotional rage over..." her hands waved at the massacre around them, "this." She should have spoke softer, lighter. But she couldn't. She wouldn't. She would use whatever tone available to prompt a more familiar behavior from him. Not converse with this man that seemed incapable of emotion at this very moment. Selfish as it was, she couldn't prevent herself from being kind. She had nearly lost her own control.


"C'mon... your father's madness is pratically present in the air. Can you start the fire at a further distance?"

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter sat there - crouched, and quiet. His breath was barely noticeable with the hum of burning embers. He slowly lifted himself, turning to face the siren, his cold, devoid gaze rising to pierce her own. "Leave." he stated, much to calmly, her prodding seeming to have no effect on the demon. "I'd rather not turn us all to ash." he finally added after a moment's silence. "I wouldn't be able to tap the power efficient enough from a distance." he sighed emotionless, lifting a charred, bleeding hand to brush hair from his face. The locks of hair smeared with black and a dull crimson.

 

[QueenofDorks]

Jinx's chin tilted upwards. The motion was defiant and cruel. His words stung her, the dull tone biting into her mind. How could he act like this? If she hadn't act, if she hadn't pulled the heart free from the mad demon's chest cavity, they'd all be suffering. His father was a monster. How could a man dwell in the loss of a father who had lost his mind and soul years ago? She curled her lips into a scowl.


"He meant nothing to you," came the lurking words at her tongue, finally uncoiled and released from her brain. "He was a mad dog waiting to be put down. I did what had to be done. What you never could do."


Stocking clad feet pivoted across the charred grass, ash swirling and sizzling in the air. Embers flared and dulled. Her shoulders were tense and these emotions... they clawed relentlessly, suffocating her all at once. A shuddered breath loosened and the anger was upon her again. Anger for slipping and losing control. Anger for Baxter reducing himself to an empty shell that didn't quite suite him who she had grown to know. Her teeth bared into her bottom lip and, with such vexation and indignation, the Siren began the trek back down the sloping hill. She wouldn't wait. Not for him, not for this lacking Baxter.


She would seek out something or someone to occupy her mind from the leering madness that threatened to break free from its own confinements. The slithering creature that laid underneath her skin. She needed a distraction.

 

[InactiveCoffee]

Baxter watched as Jinx’s chin tilted upwards in a clear and defiant gesture. Something deep in his mind stirred, the blank darkness that swallowed the demon shifting. When her words bit out, they stung. He meant nothing to you. He was a mad dog. It had to be done. You could never do it. Each statement dug into the demon in icy cold waves. Her body pivoted, leaving the area, her shoulders tense. Something told him that he had stung her, but at this moment, he couldn’t fathom how.


He watched her go, the small portion of himself finally pulling forward and emotion rose once more. Only rather than anger, it was sorrow. When she had disappeared, he sighed, “He meant everything.” He whispered, staring at where she had disappeared from his sight. “Even if I was only a boy then.” He sighed, lifting a hand to brush over his face. He turned, his gaze falling on the charred remains of what was once his father. He rubbed at his burning eyes with the back of a hand, feeling the wetness of tears against his hot flesh.


He took a deep breath and let it out in a rush as he pulled his gaze from remains to the forest around him. He slowly outstretched his arms, and concentrated carefully. Power swelled as he drew off the remaining power that was once his fathers. I won’t let you taint this forest. He thought as he pulled on the power, the embers dying to nothing as the heat built in his hands. He breathed slowly, forcing to keep thoughts of Siren locked away for the moment. He had a job to do.


Once he had drained every burning ember, he pulled his hands together to let the power form into a single ball of energy in front of his chest. He took another steadying breath, and slowly pulled the power into him, letting it mingle with his own. He grunted from the effort, and it was slow going before he had the power contained and turned his attention to the forest around him. He could already hear the fast approaching sirens. He had to get to work. He focused carefully on building an innocent flame, fueled by the sorrow that threatened to swallow him. That would be the emotion that would give the humans as little trouble as possible. He let the flame build until it was a roaring forest fire once more before breaking the connection and escaping back to the circus, the forest burning as he went.




Sera stared at the horizon where black and gray smoke billowed toward the heavens. A silent prayer passing through her thoughts that Baxter and Jinx would return safely. The angel honestly had no idea what she would do if Baxter was lost. Yes, he was a demon, but he was also the closest thing she felt she had to family. Something she had never had before her time on the earth, and something she didn’t want to let go of. She had found herself a secluded space to sit as she waited for their return. Silent tears slid down her cheeks, the sorrow that struck her rather suddenly. She knew it was something to do with Baxter. She only ever felt his emotions when he truly needed someone to hold them. She wondered if he would tell her about it or not. Maybe she would need to ask Jinx? She took a deep breath, wiping her face with her sleeve as she pulled her knees to her chest. She buried her face into her arms, letting the soft sobbing ebb its own way gone. The only way to let loose the emotion was to acknowledge it.