The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
Kesi was so excited to be at the circus. She had dreamed her whole life to be taken here, and now it finally came true. She turned twelve and the circus came to Alexandria! Mama and Kesi could join Papa and Nem and they could be a real family again. Not just that… but their family got bigger! Kesi had a whole circus family! The lion tamers, the fire dancers, everyone was her family! Things were going to be great!
… Or so Kesi thought. There was one problem in this that Kesi hadn’t anticipated: Her father. Somgi had never much liked his daughter for reasons that were beyond Kesi. When he returned to Alexandria for a short reprieve from the circus, he would always beat and belittle the younger girl, with Nem typically trying to shield her from the worst of the hits. Kesi had thought that when she was at the circus, and he would be exposed to her on a daily basis, this behavior might change.
Instead, the man treated her like a slave. He made her do the most menial tasks. He’d continue to belittle her, to hit her, and to make her feel worthless. But Kesi still had hope. She had only been with the circus for a couple of weeks. There was still a chance to turn things around right? Make papa proud? If papa is proud, then Nem would be proud too! Then things would be happy again.
Today was a different day than others. Kesi wasn’t running around fetching things for her father. She wasn’t sent to the market or helping with the animals or slaves. She got to train. She finally got to do what Kesi had dreamed of doing since she was a little kid playing circus with her brother. She got to work with the performers. And if Kesi worked hard, really, really hard… she could be a performer! And if Kesi was anything it was a hard worker. She will be a performer.
Kesi had always been small for her age. She was fairly light and incredibly quick. It made sense pairing her to train with the acrobats first. Kesi always wanted to be an acrobat. They would fly in the air and perform impossible stunts, and they would look so pretty doing it. They were the stars of the show. If Kesi was an acrobat, Nem would watch her. He would see her every day. He could be proud of his sister and everything she accomplished then. Every time she flew through the air… he would know just how hard she worked.
With her small, light frame Kesi was told she could make an excellent flyer. They paired her with a girl her age to train. She had been with the circus much longer than Kesi. Feiyan. She was so pretty, Kesi thought upon first approaching her. She looked so different. She wasn’t from Egypt, but she wasn’t from Greece either. Clearly she was from somewhere very far away.
She was a rising star, Kesi heard. She would be perfect to learn from and practice with. Maybe they could be friends! Kesi never had friends before (at least not ones that weren’t secretly bullies). It’d be nice to have friends, especially circus friends! They could be stars together!
“Hi!” Kesi said brightly when she approached Feiyan. “I’m supposed to practice with you today. I’m Kesi!”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Kesi was so excited to be at the circus. She had dreamed her whole life to be taken here, and now it finally came true. She turned twelve and the circus came to Alexandria! Mama and Kesi could join Papa and Nem and they could be a real family again. Not just that… but their family got bigger! Kesi had a whole circus family! The lion tamers, the fire dancers, everyone was her family! Things were going to be great!
… Or so Kesi thought. There was one problem in this that Kesi hadn’t anticipated: Her father. Somgi had never much liked his daughter for reasons that were beyond Kesi. When he returned to Alexandria for a short reprieve from the circus, he would always beat and belittle the younger girl, with Nem typically trying to shield her from the worst of the hits. Kesi had thought that when she was at the circus, and he would be exposed to her on a daily basis, this behavior might change.
Instead, the man treated her like a slave. He made her do the most menial tasks. He’d continue to belittle her, to hit her, and to make her feel worthless. But Kesi still had hope. She had only been with the circus for a couple of weeks. There was still a chance to turn things around right? Make papa proud? If papa is proud, then Nem would be proud too! Then things would be happy again.
Today was a different day than others. Kesi wasn’t running around fetching things for her father. She wasn’t sent to the market or helping with the animals or slaves. She got to train. She finally got to do what Kesi had dreamed of doing since she was a little kid playing circus with her brother. She got to work with the performers. And if Kesi worked hard, really, really hard… she could be a performer! And if Kesi was anything it was a hard worker. She will be a performer.
Kesi had always been small for her age. She was fairly light and incredibly quick. It made sense pairing her to train with the acrobats first. Kesi always wanted to be an acrobat. They would fly in the air and perform impossible stunts, and they would look so pretty doing it. They were the stars of the show. If Kesi was an acrobat, Nem would watch her. He would see her every day. He could be proud of his sister and everything she accomplished then. Every time she flew through the air… he would know just how hard she worked.
With her small, light frame Kesi was told she could make an excellent flyer. They paired her with a girl her age to train. She had been with the circus much longer than Kesi. Feiyan. She was so pretty, Kesi thought upon first approaching her. She looked so different. She wasn’t from Egypt, but she wasn’t from Greece either. Clearly she was from somewhere very far away.
She was a rising star, Kesi heard. She would be perfect to learn from and practice with. Maybe they could be friends! Kesi never had friends before (at least not ones that weren’t secretly bullies). It’d be nice to have friends, especially circus friends! They could be stars together!
“Hi!” Kesi said brightly when she approached Feiyan. “I’m supposed to practice with you today. I’m Kesi!”
Kesi was so excited to be at the circus. She had dreamed her whole life to be taken here, and now it finally came true. She turned twelve and the circus came to Alexandria! Mama and Kesi could join Papa and Nem and they could be a real family again. Not just that… but their family got bigger! Kesi had a whole circus family! The lion tamers, the fire dancers, everyone was her family! Things were going to be great!
… Or so Kesi thought. There was one problem in this that Kesi hadn’t anticipated: Her father. Somgi had never much liked his daughter for reasons that were beyond Kesi. When he returned to Alexandria for a short reprieve from the circus, he would always beat and belittle the younger girl, with Nem typically trying to shield her from the worst of the hits. Kesi had thought that when she was at the circus, and he would be exposed to her on a daily basis, this behavior might change.
Instead, the man treated her like a slave. He made her do the most menial tasks. He’d continue to belittle her, to hit her, and to make her feel worthless. But Kesi still had hope. She had only been with the circus for a couple of weeks. There was still a chance to turn things around right? Make papa proud? If papa is proud, then Nem would be proud too! Then things would be happy again.
Today was a different day than others. Kesi wasn’t running around fetching things for her father. She wasn’t sent to the market or helping with the animals or slaves. She got to train. She finally got to do what Kesi had dreamed of doing since she was a little kid playing circus with her brother. She got to work with the performers. And if Kesi worked hard, really, really hard… she could be a performer! And if Kesi was anything it was a hard worker. She will be a performer.
Kesi had always been small for her age. She was fairly light and incredibly quick. It made sense pairing her to train with the acrobats first. Kesi always wanted to be an acrobat. They would fly in the air and perform impossible stunts, and they would look so pretty doing it. They were the stars of the show. If Kesi was an acrobat, Nem would watch her. He would see her every day. He could be proud of his sister and everything she accomplished then. Every time she flew through the air… he would know just how hard she worked.
With her small, light frame Kesi was told she could make an excellent flyer. They paired her with a girl her age to train. She had been with the circus much longer than Kesi. Feiyan. She was so pretty, Kesi thought upon first approaching her. She looked so different. She wasn’t from Egypt, but she wasn’t from Greece either. Clearly she was from somewhere very far away.
She was a rising star, Kesi heard. She would be perfect to learn from and practice with. Maybe they could be friends! Kesi never had friends before (at least not ones that weren’t secretly bullies). It’d be nice to have friends, especially circus friends! They could be stars together!
“Hi!” Kesi said brightly when she approached Feiyan. “I’m supposed to practice with you today. I’m Kesi!”
This time it’s going to work.
Taking a deep breath, Feiyan leapt forward and performed a front ariel. Her feet missed the beam … again … and she fell to her backside on the sand. “Balls!” she exclaimed. She had picked up that expletive from some of the older acrobats. Why they used that particular word was a mystery. What was so significant about balls? Balls were just … balls. They were round and bounced and rolled and were often painted in vivid hues. Still, saying it lessened her frustration at her own failure.
Standing up, the rising star of the Tempest of Set brushed the sand from her bare bum and legs. She usually practiced nude. Actually, she did almost everything nude. Clothes were itchy and they got in the way. She dressed in a glittering short skirt while performing and her torso was painted in pretty designs. When not performing, she preferred to wear nothing at all. Feiyan didn’t see how women could even walk in those tight shifts they were so fond of. Lihua wore them sometimes, but she was certain that she never would, even when she developed curves like her older sister. At eleven years old, she still had the body of a child.
She looked toward the long and narrow wooden beam sitting on top of two sawhorses at either end. All of the acrobats and funambulists used it when practicing new stunts where they had to stay on a straight line. Her bum ached from hitting the ground so often, but she refused to give up until she perfected the move she wanted to debut when the new routine was ready to be performed.
Feiyan loved surprises. She loved being surprised and she loved surprising others too. In the program that Masika had recently choreographed, Feiyan was supposed to do two front walkovers on the feet of acrobats that were held up by their hands. That was easy. If she could do front arials instead, both the performers and the audience would be awed. The routine wouldn’t be ready for months, so she had time to work on her arial. She could do them with no problem on the ground, but they were obviously not as straight as she had thought they were.
Swinging herself back on the beam, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had just raised her arms and was about to leap forward when a voice coming from the tent entrance interrupted her. Kesi, the circus owner’s daughter. Masika had told her that the girl would be practicing with the acrobats today, and Feiyan had offered to show her the ropes since they were about the same age. What she really wanted to do was assess Kesi’s skills to make sure she didn’t have the talent to surpass her and take away her rightful place as the future star of the show. That was probably what her father planned for her to do.
Then again, Master Somgi didn’t treat her well. Feiyan had seen her doing some of the most menial jobs in the circus, those that were usually handled by the lowest of slaves. She had even seen him smack her once. The exotic young acrobat was an actual slave and she was treated better than this pretty girl with the bright smile standing below her. Feiyan felt a bit sorry for her.
“I’m Feiyan,” Skipping forward, she executed a cartwheel and two back handsprings before flipping off the beam. This time, she landed perfectly on her feet. She had first learned that move when she was eight and it came as easily to her as breathing.
She walked over to Kesi, grinning warmly. “Before we practice together, I need to see what you can already do.” Feiyan waved one hand to indicate the equipment the acrobats used to practice and perform on. “Show me.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
This time it’s going to work.
Taking a deep breath, Feiyan leapt forward and performed a front ariel. Her feet missed the beam … again … and she fell to her backside on the sand. “Balls!” she exclaimed. She had picked up that expletive from some of the older acrobats. Why they used that particular word was a mystery. What was so significant about balls? Balls were just … balls. They were round and bounced and rolled and were often painted in vivid hues. Still, saying it lessened her frustration at her own failure.
Standing up, the rising star of the Tempest of Set brushed the sand from her bare bum and legs. She usually practiced nude. Actually, she did almost everything nude. Clothes were itchy and they got in the way. She dressed in a glittering short skirt while performing and her torso was painted in pretty designs. When not performing, she preferred to wear nothing at all. Feiyan didn’t see how women could even walk in those tight shifts they were so fond of. Lihua wore them sometimes, but she was certain that she never would, even when she developed curves like her older sister. At eleven years old, she still had the body of a child.
She looked toward the long and narrow wooden beam sitting on top of two sawhorses at either end. All of the acrobats and funambulists used it when practicing new stunts where they had to stay on a straight line. Her bum ached from hitting the ground so often, but she refused to give up until she perfected the move she wanted to debut when the new routine was ready to be performed.
Feiyan loved surprises. She loved being surprised and she loved surprising others too. In the program that Masika had recently choreographed, Feiyan was supposed to do two front walkovers on the feet of acrobats that were held up by their hands. That was easy. If she could do front arials instead, both the performers and the audience would be awed. The routine wouldn’t be ready for months, so she had time to work on her arial. She could do them with no problem on the ground, but they were obviously not as straight as she had thought they were.
Swinging herself back on the beam, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had just raised her arms and was about to leap forward when a voice coming from the tent entrance interrupted her. Kesi, the circus owner’s daughter. Masika had told her that the girl would be practicing with the acrobats today, and Feiyan had offered to show her the ropes since they were about the same age. What she really wanted to do was assess Kesi’s skills to make sure she didn’t have the talent to surpass her and take away her rightful place as the future star of the show. That was probably what her father planned for her to do.
Then again, Master Somgi didn’t treat her well. Feiyan had seen her doing some of the most menial jobs in the circus, those that were usually handled by the lowest of slaves. She had even seen him smack her once. The exotic young acrobat was an actual slave and she was treated better than this pretty girl with the bright smile standing below her. Feiyan felt a bit sorry for her.
“I’m Feiyan,” Skipping forward, she executed a cartwheel and two back handsprings before flipping off the beam. This time, she landed perfectly on her feet. She had first learned that move when she was eight and it came as easily to her as breathing.
She walked over to Kesi, grinning warmly. “Before we practice together, I need to see what you can already do.” Feiyan waved one hand to indicate the equipment the acrobats used to practice and perform on. “Show me.”
This time it’s going to work.
Taking a deep breath, Feiyan leapt forward and performed a front ariel. Her feet missed the beam … again … and she fell to her backside on the sand. “Balls!” she exclaimed. She had picked up that expletive from some of the older acrobats. Why they used that particular word was a mystery. What was so significant about balls? Balls were just … balls. They were round and bounced and rolled and were often painted in vivid hues. Still, saying it lessened her frustration at her own failure.
Standing up, the rising star of the Tempest of Set brushed the sand from her bare bum and legs. She usually practiced nude. Actually, she did almost everything nude. Clothes were itchy and they got in the way. She dressed in a glittering short skirt while performing and her torso was painted in pretty designs. When not performing, she preferred to wear nothing at all. Feiyan didn’t see how women could even walk in those tight shifts they were so fond of. Lihua wore them sometimes, but she was certain that she never would, even when she developed curves like her older sister. At eleven years old, she still had the body of a child.
She looked toward the long and narrow wooden beam sitting on top of two sawhorses at either end. All of the acrobats and funambulists used it when practicing new stunts where they had to stay on a straight line. Her bum ached from hitting the ground so often, but she refused to give up until she perfected the move she wanted to debut when the new routine was ready to be performed.
Feiyan loved surprises. She loved being surprised and she loved surprising others too. In the program that Masika had recently choreographed, Feiyan was supposed to do two front walkovers on the feet of acrobats that were held up by their hands. That was easy. If she could do front arials instead, both the performers and the audience would be awed. The routine wouldn’t be ready for months, so she had time to work on her arial. She could do them with no problem on the ground, but they were obviously not as straight as she had thought they were.
Swinging herself back on the beam, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had just raised her arms and was about to leap forward when a voice coming from the tent entrance interrupted her. Kesi, the circus owner’s daughter. Masika had told her that the girl would be practicing with the acrobats today, and Feiyan had offered to show her the ropes since they were about the same age. What she really wanted to do was assess Kesi’s skills to make sure she didn’t have the talent to surpass her and take away her rightful place as the future star of the show. That was probably what her father planned for her to do.
Then again, Master Somgi didn’t treat her well. Feiyan had seen her doing some of the most menial jobs in the circus, those that were usually handled by the lowest of slaves. She had even seen him smack her once. The exotic young acrobat was an actual slave and she was treated better than this pretty girl with the bright smile standing below her. Feiyan felt a bit sorry for her.
“I’m Feiyan,” Skipping forward, she executed a cartwheel and two back handsprings before flipping off the beam. This time, she landed perfectly on her feet. She had first learned that move when she was eight and it came as easily to her as breathing.
She walked over to Kesi, grinning warmly. “Before we practice together, I need to see what you can already do.” Feiyan waved one hand to indicate the equipment the acrobats used to practice and perform on. “Show me.”
Oh wow! That girl was really, really good! She really was a rising star! She shined so brightly, like the gods themselves were blessing her. When she did the tricks, Kesi couldn’t take her eyes off of her. They were so smooth as if she was meant to do that.
Could Kesi?
She had a warm smile too. Kesi felt her shoulders go back. She was a little on edge. If she was a star, she could have been a bully. Kesi didn’t like bullies. Then again, Feiyan was a slave. Slaves were the last people that should be bullies. Right?
Show me. Kesi was nervous. She never had training- not as Feiyan had. Everything she learned was from running in the streets, playing with the other children in Alexandria. Everything she learned was self-taught. Kesi was a good climber, a good runner a good…
Hooper? Kesi’s eyes landed on a hoop. She had one of those at home. She would throw it in the air and catch it, twirl around with it and pretend she was at the circus. It was fun. Was performing just like playing? Kesi never performed before not ever. Even when Nem and Kesi played circus as kids, Nem was the ringmaster and Kesi was the audience.
Kesi was excited. This was an unknown. She loved the unknown. It was fun it was… chaotic. It was the heart of what the Tempest of Set was, and how she was raised. Kesi always worked hard to excel at the unknown, even if it scared her. And this was a moment to prove herself. She was born in a circus family, raised by a circus family, and now that the family has grown she had to earn her stay.
She held the hoop in her hand, swinging it around and twirling with it to test its weight. It was more evenly split than the one she played with as a child. It should be easier, Kesi thought, except for the fact that she wasn’t used to such balance. She would have to adjust for it, wouldn’t she?
With a deep breath, Kesi began. She did a spin, and then another spin before she tossed the metal ring up in the air. She did a one-handed cartwheel, one of the few acrobatic things she did learn, and as she came up with her hand in the air she hoped… and prayed… and…
She caught it!
Thank you, Set. Kesi thought as she kicked her leg back with a small hop, twirling in place to do another trick. Once more she tossed it in the air, spinning once, twice, three times and…
She gave it a little too much strength, Kesi stumbled forward, catching the ring. It wasn’t quite where she expected it to be. She smiled sheepishly at Feiyan. “I’m not as good as you are,” She admitted honestly. Of course, she wouldn’t be. Kesi just hoped she didn’t… prove to be hopeless? “But I wanna learn!” She said earnestly.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Oh wow! That girl was really, really good! She really was a rising star! She shined so brightly, like the gods themselves were blessing her. When she did the tricks, Kesi couldn’t take her eyes off of her. They were so smooth as if she was meant to do that.
Could Kesi?
She had a warm smile too. Kesi felt her shoulders go back. She was a little on edge. If she was a star, she could have been a bully. Kesi didn’t like bullies. Then again, Feiyan was a slave. Slaves were the last people that should be bullies. Right?
Show me. Kesi was nervous. She never had training- not as Feiyan had. Everything she learned was from running in the streets, playing with the other children in Alexandria. Everything she learned was self-taught. Kesi was a good climber, a good runner a good…
Hooper? Kesi’s eyes landed on a hoop. She had one of those at home. She would throw it in the air and catch it, twirl around with it and pretend she was at the circus. It was fun. Was performing just like playing? Kesi never performed before not ever. Even when Nem and Kesi played circus as kids, Nem was the ringmaster and Kesi was the audience.
Kesi was excited. This was an unknown. She loved the unknown. It was fun it was… chaotic. It was the heart of what the Tempest of Set was, and how she was raised. Kesi always worked hard to excel at the unknown, even if it scared her. And this was a moment to prove herself. She was born in a circus family, raised by a circus family, and now that the family has grown she had to earn her stay.
She held the hoop in her hand, swinging it around and twirling with it to test its weight. It was more evenly split than the one she played with as a child. It should be easier, Kesi thought, except for the fact that she wasn’t used to such balance. She would have to adjust for it, wouldn’t she?
With a deep breath, Kesi began. She did a spin, and then another spin before she tossed the metal ring up in the air. She did a one-handed cartwheel, one of the few acrobatic things she did learn, and as she came up with her hand in the air she hoped… and prayed… and…
She caught it!
Thank you, Set. Kesi thought as she kicked her leg back with a small hop, twirling in place to do another trick. Once more she tossed it in the air, spinning once, twice, three times and…
She gave it a little too much strength, Kesi stumbled forward, catching the ring. It wasn’t quite where she expected it to be. She smiled sheepishly at Feiyan. “I’m not as good as you are,” She admitted honestly. Of course, she wouldn’t be. Kesi just hoped she didn’t… prove to be hopeless? “But I wanna learn!” She said earnestly.
Oh wow! That girl was really, really good! She really was a rising star! She shined so brightly, like the gods themselves were blessing her. When she did the tricks, Kesi couldn’t take her eyes off of her. They were so smooth as if she was meant to do that.
Could Kesi?
She had a warm smile too. Kesi felt her shoulders go back. She was a little on edge. If she was a star, she could have been a bully. Kesi didn’t like bullies. Then again, Feiyan was a slave. Slaves were the last people that should be bullies. Right?
Show me. Kesi was nervous. She never had training- not as Feiyan had. Everything she learned was from running in the streets, playing with the other children in Alexandria. Everything she learned was self-taught. Kesi was a good climber, a good runner a good…
Hooper? Kesi’s eyes landed on a hoop. She had one of those at home. She would throw it in the air and catch it, twirl around with it and pretend she was at the circus. It was fun. Was performing just like playing? Kesi never performed before not ever. Even when Nem and Kesi played circus as kids, Nem was the ringmaster and Kesi was the audience.
Kesi was excited. This was an unknown. She loved the unknown. It was fun it was… chaotic. It was the heart of what the Tempest of Set was, and how she was raised. Kesi always worked hard to excel at the unknown, even if it scared her. And this was a moment to prove herself. She was born in a circus family, raised by a circus family, and now that the family has grown she had to earn her stay.
She held the hoop in her hand, swinging it around and twirling with it to test its weight. It was more evenly split than the one she played with as a child. It should be easier, Kesi thought, except for the fact that she wasn’t used to such balance. She would have to adjust for it, wouldn’t she?
With a deep breath, Kesi began. She did a spin, and then another spin before she tossed the metal ring up in the air. She did a one-handed cartwheel, one of the few acrobatic things she did learn, and as she came up with her hand in the air she hoped… and prayed… and…
She caught it!
Thank you, Set. Kesi thought as she kicked her leg back with a small hop, twirling in place to do another trick. Once more she tossed it in the air, spinning once, twice, three times and…
She gave it a little too much strength, Kesi stumbled forward, catching the ring. It wasn’t quite where she expected it to be. She smiled sheepishly at Feiyan. “I’m not as good as you are,” She admitted honestly. Of course, she wouldn’t be. Kesi just hoped she didn’t… prove to be hopeless? “But I wanna learn!” She said earnestly.
When Feiyan met new people, she neither liked nor disliked them at first. She was polite to everyone, partly because she knew she was a slave and if she angered the wrong person, she could be beaten, sold, or even killed. Some of the slaves were beaten regularly and some of them disappeared without a trace. Maybe they didn’t do their jobs right or they were too slow or broke things a lot.
Even at eleven, she knew that the reason she was treated well was because she served a purpose. She was a rising star and some people came to the circus to see her tossed through the air while doing breathtaking acrobatic feats. But if she did something bad, even once, she could be sent away to somewhere awful where she would have to scrub floors or wash clothes all day.
The Tempest of Set was her home. The performers were her family. It was where she belonged and she wasn’t about to do anything to endanger her position. If that meant killing those she hated with kindness then Feiyan would do it … and then get her revenge later. When somebody insulted her, she bowed humbly and never said a word. If they found a scorpion in their bed a couple of nights later, nobody would ever blame it on the exotic little girl with the sweet and innocent nature. Scorpions were everywhere. Sometimes they crawled into beds by accident.
She had recently taken to getting rid of acrobats who were good enough to be a threat to her. It was fun.
She knew she couldn’t do anything to Kesi, as she was the circus owner’s daughter. All she could do was hope that she didn’t have much talent and then teach her enough acrobatics to satisfy her father but not enough that her skills would ever surpass her own. Feiyan was truly hoping that the two of them could be friends. There were no other acrobats so close to her in age.
As she watched Kesi perform with the hoop, she didn't feel as she had anything to fear. Spinning around and catching hoops was easy, but she was quite impressed with the other girl’s one-handed cartwheel, a more difficult move that some of the aspiring performers didn’t have the balance or strength to pull off. Kesi also caught the hoop. That was rather rare for someone who had never been taught. She stumbled when she caught the hoop after spinning three times, a good sign that she she would never be a threat to Feiyan. She would need to test her further to be sure.
“I’m not as good as you are. But I wanna learn!”
Feiyan preened. She never tired of flattery. And it was true that she was a splendid acrobat for her age. “You haven’t been training for as long as I have. I started shortly before I turned three.” At that time, she had not been able to speak the language of the Round Eyes and had learned by imitating the moves Masika showed her.
The other girl’s enthusiasm was contagious. Feiyan grinned. “You have potential, Kesi. I’d love to teach you!” She flounced over to the balance beam, her long braid bouncing against her back. Swinging herself upon it, she began walking its length, as effortlessly as if she was strolling on the sand. “Balance is very important if you want to be an acrobat.”
At the end, she hopped down, though her first instinct was to flip like she had done before. She didn’t want to hurt Kesi like she’d done to a promising acrobat last month. That stupid girl had thought she could flip from it too and had broken her leg, ending her career before it even began. A slave like Feiyan, she now chopped vegetables all day, sitting on a stool.
“Try to do what I just did … walk across this beam without falling off.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
When Feiyan met new people, she neither liked nor disliked them at first. She was polite to everyone, partly because she knew she was a slave and if she angered the wrong person, she could be beaten, sold, or even killed. Some of the slaves were beaten regularly and some of them disappeared without a trace. Maybe they didn’t do their jobs right or they were too slow or broke things a lot.
Even at eleven, she knew that the reason she was treated well was because she served a purpose. She was a rising star and some people came to the circus to see her tossed through the air while doing breathtaking acrobatic feats. But if she did something bad, even once, she could be sent away to somewhere awful where she would have to scrub floors or wash clothes all day.
The Tempest of Set was her home. The performers were her family. It was where she belonged and she wasn’t about to do anything to endanger her position. If that meant killing those she hated with kindness then Feiyan would do it … and then get her revenge later. When somebody insulted her, she bowed humbly and never said a word. If they found a scorpion in their bed a couple of nights later, nobody would ever blame it on the exotic little girl with the sweet and innocent nature. Scorpions were everywhere. Sometimes they crawled into beds by accident.
She had recently taken to getting rid of acrobats who were good enough to be a threat to her. It was fun.
She knew she couldn’t do anything to Kesi, as she was the circus owner’s daughter. All she could do was hope that she didn’t have much talent and then teach her enough acrobatics to satisfy her father but not enough that her skills would ever surpass her own. Feiyan was truly hoping that the two of them could be friends. There were no other acrobats so close to her in age.
As she watched Kesi perform with the hoop, she didn't feel as she had anything to fear. Spinning around and catching hoops was easy, but she was quite impressed with the other girl’s one-handed cartwheel, a more difficult move that some of the aspiring performers didn’t have the balance or strength to pull off. Kesi also caught the hoop. That was rather rare for someone who had never been taught. She stumbled when she caught the hoop after spinning three times, a good sign that she she would never be a threat to Feiyan. She would need to test her further to be sure.
“I’m not as good as you are. But I wanna learn!”
Feiyan preened. She never tired of flattery. And it was true that she was a splendid acrobat for her age. “You haven’t been training for as long as I have. I started shortly before I turned three.” At that time, she had not been able to speak the language of the Round Eyes and had learned by imitating the moves Masika showed her.
The other girl’s enthusiasm was contagious. Feiyan grinned. “You have potential, Kesi. I’d love to teach you!” She flounced over to the balance beam, her long braid bouncing against her back. Swinging herself upon it, she began walking its length, as effortlessly as if she was strolling on the sand. “Balance is very important if you want to be an acrobat.”
At the end, she hopped down, though her first instinct was to flip like she had done before. She didn’t want to hurt Kesi like she’d done to a promising acrobat last month. That stupid girl had thought she could flip from it too and had broken her leg, ending her career before it even began. A slave like Feiyan, she now chopped vegetables all day, sitting on a stool.
“Try to do what I just did … walk across this beam without falling off.”
When Feiyan met new people, she neither liked nor disliked them at first. She was polite to everyone, partly because she knew she was a slave and if she angered the wrong person, she could be beaten, sold, or even killed. Some of the slaves were beaten regularly and some of them disappeared without a trace. Maybe they didn’t do their jobs right or they were too slow or broke things a lot.
Even at eleven, she knew that the reason she was treated well was because she served a purpose. She was a rising star and some people came to the circus to see her tossed through the air while doing breathtaking acrobatic feats. But if she did something bad, even once, she could be sent away to somewhere awful where she would have to scrub floors or wash clothes all day.
The Tempest of Set was her home. The performers were her family. It was where she belonged and she wasn’t about to do anything to endanger her position. If that meant killing those she hated with kindness then Feiyan would do it … and then get her revenge later. When somebody insulted her, she bowed humbly and never said a word. If they found a scorpion in their bed a couple of nights later, nobody would ever blame it on the exotic little girl with the sweet and innocent nature. Scorpions were everywhere. Sometimes they crawled into beds by accident.
She had recently taken to getting rid of acrobats who were good enough to be a threat to her. It was fun.
She knew she couldn’t do anything to Kesi, as she was the circus owner’s daughter. All she could do was hope that she didn’t have much talent and then teach her enough acrobatics to satisfy her father but not enough that her skills would ever surpass her own. Feiyan was truly hoping that the two of them could be friends. There were no other acrobats so close to her in age.
As she watched Kesi perform with the hoop, she didn't feel as she had anything to fear. Spinning around and catching hoops was easy, but she was quite impressed with the other girl’s one-handed cartwheel, a more difficult move that some of the aspiring performers didn’t have the balance or strength to pull off. Kesi also caught the hoop. That was rather rare for someone who had never been taught. She stumbled when she caught the hoop after spinning three times, a good sign that she she would never be a threat to Feiyan. She would need to test her further to be sure.
“I’m not as good as you are. But I wanna learn!”
Feiyan preened. She never tired of flattery. And it was true that she was a splendid acrobat for her age. “You haven’t been training for as long as I have. I started shortly before I turned three.” At that time, she had not been able to speak the language of the Round Eyes and had learned by imitating the moves Masika showed her.
The other girl’s enthusiasm was contagious. Feiyan grinned. “You have potential, Kesi. I’d love to teach you!” She flounced over to the balance beam, her long braid bouncing against her back. Swinging herself upon it, she began walking its length, as effortlessly as if she was strolling on the sand. “Balance is very important if you want to be an acrobat.”
At the end, she hopped down, though her first instinct was to flip like she had done before. She didn’t want to hurt Kesi like she’d done to a promising acrobat last month. That stupid girl had thought she could flip from it too and had broken her leg, ending her career before it even began. A slave like Feiyan, she now chopped vegetables all day, sitting on a stool.
“Try to do what I just did … walk across this beam without falling off.”
Kesi had to admit: She was nervous when she was first told to go to Feiyan. She wanted to be friends with her, but a part of her was… scared. In the past the people she sought to be close to, the kids in Alexandria, hurt her. They bullied her, they forced her to do things that she didn’t want to do, all because she was a freak.
But Kesi had to remember something. This was the circus. Here, everyone was abnormal. People came from all walks of life, like Feiyan! She was beautiful. She was exotic with the most interesting eyes that Kesi had ever seen! It was almost like she was permanently squinting. It was so odd and different, but gorgeous. She was a freak, but in the very best way.
Perhaps Kesi shouldn’t be thinking so kindly. Feiyan was, of course, a slave. But with the way she had been treated by her father, she was no different. So in this way… Feiyan was almost like an equal right? And she could have been a bully if she wanted to. She could have laughed when Kesi stumbled, or told her that she’d never be good enough to be an acrobat. Instead she said:
You have potential, Kesi. I’d love to teach you! Kesi wanted to jump up in the air. She wanted to hug her. Her face broke out into the largest grin and she felt a surge of pride. She had potential! And with the rising star as her mentor, Kesi was sure to excel! She’d make papa proud, she’d make mama proud, and most importantly she’d make Nem proud!
Kesi watched as Feiyan climbed onto the bean. She walked across it like there was no difference to solid ground. Kesi clapped as she hopped down. She made it look so easy. She made it look like this was something a toddler that was taking their first steps can do!
“I think I got this!” Kesi said confidently. She honestly thought she did. While, obviously, there was no balance beam to practice on as a child, Kesi did find herself balancing on a lot of things. Running through Alexandria causing trouble with the other children (or running from the other children) required a lot of core strength. She found herself cutting through alleys, climbing up walls, and balancing on things she absolutely shouldn’t be on. Kesi lived the life of a street rat for someone who never had to live on the street.
She climbed onto the beam fairly easily. Once on she took a second to collect herself. Her feet wanted to go one way or the other. She picked a spot in front of her and walked towards it. It was slow, cautious. It was no where near as natural as Feiyan. But she didn’t fall. That was important. Baby steps. Kesi had to prove that she could learn. She knew she was no where near performance ready. But one day, maybe, she could be?
She hoped?
Kesi went to take one more step at the end of the beam only to realize there was no where left to go. She dropped down rather ungracefully, but at least she didn’t land on her face. “I can try again. I can try to be better!” Kesi offered sheepishly. “I went too slow didn’t I?”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Kesi had to admit: She was nervous when she was first told to go to Feiyan. She wanted to be friends with her, but a part of her was… scared. In the past the people she sought to be close to, the kids in Alexandria, hurt her. They bullied her, they forced her to do things that she didn’t want to do, all because she was a freak.
But Kesi had to remember something. This was the circus. Here, everyone was abnormal. People came from all walks of life, like Feiyan! She was beautiful. She was exotic with the most interesting eyes that Kesi had ever seen! It was almost like she was permanently squinting. It was so odd and different, but gorgeous. She was a freak, but in the very best way.
Perhaps Kesi shouldn’t be thinking so kindly. Feiyan was, of course, a slave. But with the way she had been treated by her father, she was no different. So in this way… Feiyan was almost like an equal right? And she could have been a bully if she wanted to. She could have laughed when Kesi stumbled, or told her that she’d never be good enough to be an acrobat. Instead she said:
You have potential, Kesi. I’d love to teach you! Kesi wanted to jump up in the air. She wanted to hug her. Her face broke out into the largest grin and she felt a surge of pride. She had potential! And with the rising star as her mentor, Kesi was sure to excel! She’d make papa proud, she’d make mama proud, and most importantly she’d make Nem proud!
Kesi watched as Feiyan climbed onto the bean. She walked across it like there was no difference to solid ground. Kesi clapped as she hopped down. She made it look so easy. She made it look like this was something a toddler that was taking their first steps can do!
“I think I got this!” Kesi said confidently. She honestly thought she did. While, obviously, there was no balance beam to practice on as a child, Kesi did find herself balancing on a lot of things. Running through Alexandria causing trouble with the other children (or running from the other children) required a lot of core strength. She found herself cutting through alleys, climbing up walls, and balancing on things she absolutely shouldn’t be on. Kesi lived the life of a street rat for someone who never had to live on the street.
She climbed onto the beam fairly easily. Once on she took a second to collect herself. Her feet wanted to go one way or the other. She picked a spot in front of her and walked towards it. It was slow, cautious. It was no where near as natural as Feiyan. But she didn’t fall. That was important. Baby steps. Kesi had to prove that she could learn. She knew she was no where near performance ready. But one day, maybe, she could be?
She hoped?
Kesi went to take one more step at the end of the beam only to realize there was no where left to go. She dropped down rather ungracefully, but at least she didn’t land on her face. “I can try again. I can try to be better!” Kesi offered sheepishly. “I went too slow didn’t I?”
Kesi had to admit: She was nervous when she was first told to go to Feiyan. She wanted to be friends with her, but a part of her was… scared. In the past the people she sought to be close to, the kids in Alexandria, hurt her. They bullied her, they forced her to do things that she didn’t want to do, all because she was a freak.
But Kesi had to remember something. This was the circus. Here, everyone was abnormal. People came from all walks of life, like Feiyan! She was beautiful. She was exotic with the most interesting eyes that Kesi had ever seen! It was almost like she was permanently squinting. It was so odd and different, but gorgeous. She was a freak, but in the very best way.
Perhaps Kesi shouldn’t be thinking so kindly. Feiyan was, of course, a slave. But with the way she had been treated by her father, she was no different. So in this way… Feiyan was almost like an equal right? And she could have been a bully if she wanted to. She could have laughed when Kesi stumbled, or told her that she’d never be good enough to be an acrobat. Instead she said:
You have potential, Kesi. I’d love to teach you! Kesi wanted to jump up in the air. She wanted to hug her. Her face broke out into the largest grin and she felt a surge of pride. She had potential! And with the rising star as her mentor, Kesi was sure to excel! She’d make papa proud, she’d make mama proud, and most importantly she’d make Nem proud!
Kesi watched as Feiyan climbed onto the bean. She walked across it like there was no difference to solid ground. Kesi clapped as she hopped down. She made it look so easy. She made it look like this was something a toddler that was taking their first steps can do!
“I think I got this!” Kesi said confidently. She honestly thought she did. While, obviously, there was no balance beam to practice on as a child, Kesi did find herself balancing on a lot of things. Running through Alexandria causing trouble with the other children (or running from the other children) required a lot of core strength. She found herself cutting through alleys, climbing up walls, and balancing on things she absolutely shouldn’t be on. Kesi lived the life of a street rat for someone who never had to live on the street.
She climbed onto the beam fairly easily. Once on she took a second to collect herself. Her feet wanted to go one way or the other. She picked a spot in front of her and walked towards it. It was slow, cautious. It was no where near as natural as Feiyan. But she didn’t fall. That was important. Baby steps. Kesi had to prove that she could learn. She knew she was no where near performance ready. But one day, maybe, she could be?
She hoped?
Kesi went to take one more step at the end of the beam only to realize there was no where left to go. She dropped down rather ungracefully, but at least she didn’t land on her face. “I can try again. I can try to be better!” Kesi offered sheepishly. “I went too slow didn’t I?”
Feiyan could be a bully when she felt threatened. She had even bullied a few bullies. They had fun of her exotic appearance. They had not been members of the Tempest of Set, just children who came to see the show and taunted her when she performed outside for the crowds. She had said nothing to them then and had even pretended she was intimidated.
But after the performance while the mean girls were preparing to go home, she liked to hide in the shadows of the tent and trip them as they walked out. She had even wrapped one of the tent cords around the neck of a teenager who had been particularly vicious. For a moment, she had pulled it tight enough that the girl began to struggle and then she had let it go and darted away to the sound of the bully's screams.
There was no need to torment Kesi. From what Feiyan had seen, her life was already miserable and she felt a bit sorry for her because of the way her father treated her. She also didn’t have the talent to take her place as the rising star of the Clique, but she might be able to find her own place in the Tempest of Set. The petite eleven-year-old wanted to help her succeed. Maybe then Kesi’s father would quit being so nasty to her. He would see that she had worth and maybe he would even start to respect her. Perhaps when they got older, she and Kesi could even share a tent together. Feiyan didn’t think her sister would mind.
She watched Kesi walk across the beam with a practiced eye. It was clear that she had never done it before, but at least she didn’t fall. That in itself was quite surprising. Almost everyone fell off as soon as they tried to take a step. Feiyan had had Masika to hold her hand when she was learning and the beam had been much lower. Kesi’s dismount wasn’t bad either. She landed on her feet and not on her backside.
“I can try again. I can try to be better! I went too slow didn’t I?”
Feiyan smiled. “You did very well for your first time. Almost everyone falls off immediately, but you made it to the end. You have good balance so that’s something I don’t have to teach you. You actually went a bit too fast for someone who is just learning. You need to figure out how to walk before you can run.”
She jumped back up on the beam, her long braid flowing behind her and bouncing against her back. “Come up here with me and I’ll show you what you need to do.” Feiyan looked down. “Or is there something else you would like to try?”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Feiyan could be a bully when she felt threatened. She had even bullied a few bullies. They had fun of her exotic appearance. They had not been members of the Tempest of Set, just children who came to see the show and taunted her when she performed outside for the crowds. She had said nothing to them then and had even pretended she was intimidated.
But after the performance while the mean girls were preparing to go home, she liked to hide in the shadows of the tent and trip them as they walked out. She had even wrapped one of the tent cords around the neck of a teenager who had been particularly vicious. For a moment, she had pulled it tight enough that the girl began to struggle and then she had let it go and darted away to the sound of the bully's screams.
There was no need to torment Kesi. From what Feiyan had seen, her life was already miserable and she felt a bit sorry for her because of the way her father treated her. She also didn’t have the talent to take her place as the rising star of the Clique, but she might be able to find her own place in the Tempest of Set. The petite eleven-year-old wanted to help her succeed. Maybe then Kesi’s father would quit being so nasty to her. He would see that she had worth and maybe he would even start to respect her. Perhaps when they got older, she and Kesi could even share a tent together. Feiyan didn’t think her sister would mind.
She watched Kesi walk across the beam with a practiced eye. It was clear that she had never done it before, but at least she didn’t fall. That in itself was quite surprising. Almost everyone fell off as soon as they tried to take a step. Feiyan had had Masika to hold her hand when she was learning and the beam had been much lower. Kesi’s dismount wasn’t bad either. She landed on her feet and not on her backside.
“I can try again. I can try to be better! I went too slow didn’t I?”
Feiyan smiled. “You did very well for your first time. Almost everyone falls off immediately, but you made it to the end. You have good balance so that’s something I don’t have to teach you. You actually went a bit too fast for someone who is just learning. You need to figure out how to walk before you can run.”
She jumped back up on the beam, her long braid flowing behind her and bouncing against her back. “Come up here with me and I’ll show you what you need to do.” Feiyan looked down. “Or is there something else you would like to try?”
Feiyan could be a bully when she felt threatened. She had even bullied a few bullies. They had fun of her exotic appearance. They had not been members of the Tempest of Set, just children who came to see the show and taunted her when she performed outside for the crowds. She had said nothing to them then and had even pretended she was intimidated.
But after the performance while the mean girls were preparing to go home, she liked to hide in the shadows of the tent and trip them as they walked out. She had even wrapped one of the tent cords around the neck of a teenager who had been particularly vicious. For a moment, she had pulled it tight enough that the girl began to struggle and then she had let it go and darted away to the sound of the bully's screams.
There was no need to torment Kesi. From what Feiyan had seen, her life was already miserable and she felt a bit sorry for her because of the way her father treated her. She also didn’t have the talent to take her place as the rising star of the Clique, but she might be able to find her own place in the Tempest of Set. The petite eleven-year-old wanted to help her succeed. Maybe then Kesi’s father would quit being so nasty to her. He would see that she had worth and maybe he would even start to respect her. Perhaps when they got older, she and Kesi could even share a tent together. Feiyan didn’t think her sister would mind.
She watched Kesi walk across the beam with a practiced eye. It was clear that she had never done it before, but at least she didn’t fall. That in itself was quite surprising. Almost everyone fell off as soon as they tried to take a step. Feiyan had had Masika to hold her hand when she was learning and the beam had been much lower. Kesi’s dismount wasn’t bad either. She landed on her feet and not on her backside.
“I can try again. I can try to be better! I went too slow didn’t I?”
Feiyan smiled. “You did very well for your first time. Almost everyone falls off immediately, but you made it to the end. You have good balance so that’s something I don’t have to teach you. You actually went a bit too fast for someone who is just learning. You need to figure out how to walk before you can run.”
She jumped back up on the beam, her long braid flowing behind her and bouncing against her back. “Come up here with me and I’ll show you what you need to do.” Feiyan looked down. “Or is there something else you would like to try?”
Kesi felt a strange surge of emotion. It was warm and wrapped around her heart. It caused her stomach to bubble and her veins to pulse. It brought a smile to her face, one that was genuine and true. If there was one thing that Kesi wanted in her life- it was to be desired. She was used to her father throwing her away because of the lack of potential. Yet every time Nem patted her on the head, Kesi felt that warmth. Every time her mother smiled at her, Kesi felt that warmth. And now hearing Feiyan say that Kesi did well… she felt that warmth.
She almost felt like she was a puppy with her tail wagging excitedly. The compliment was enough to keep Kesi going, to keep her wanting to get even better. Kesi wanted to impress Feiyan now too. Feiyan was her teacher… just like Krieos was! But Krieos never was impressed with Kesi, not that Kesi minded. She didn’t think that man was capable of anything close to that feeling. He was a bit of a grump.
Wait, she was getting distracted. She needed to focus. Kesi climbed up onto the beam quite easily. She wished that was a trick in itself, but somehow Kesi thought that climbing might not be so entertaining for the audience. Though there was something that always impressed Kesi… and that was tightrope walking.
It took a lot of balance and an extreme amount of poise. It really looked like it was dancing with death. A slight breeze and the performer would tumble to her death. But what Kesi liked the most was not the chaos of it… but the control. She didn’t have to rely on anyone else when she was balancing on the tightrope. It wasn’t like the trapeze artists, who had partners that they flew through the air with. It was just Kesi, the rope… and whatever the mighty Set had in store for her.
“This is good,” Kesi said chipperly, referring to the balance beam. “I want to get really good at balancing. Because one day I want to be a tight rope walker! Isn’t your sister training to do that too? I saw her one time and she looked amazing. I think they’re so cool, the people who can do that!”
If Kesi so much as said those words to her father he’d laugh at her failure. He’d tell her the only worth she had would be scooping up the animal dung, and even then that was questionable. He wasn’t very nice. And Kesi didn’t dare speak her dreams and goals to Nem or her mother because if she failed at them then she would fail them. That was worse than whatever her father said. That was worse than death. She would never want to fail them. She’d rather lose herself to the Nile again. But it was nice to speak about her ambitions to someone, and Feiyan didn’t seem the type that would get down on her for that.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Kesi felt a strange surge of emotion. It was warm and wrapped around her heart. It caused her stomach to bubble and her veins to pulse. It brought a smile to her face, one that was genuine and true. If there was one thing that Kesi wanted in her life- it was to be desired. She was used to her father throwing her away because of the lack of potential. Yet every time Nem patted her on the head, Kesi felt that warmth. Every time her mother smiled at her, Kesi felt that warmth. And now hearing Feiyan say that Kesi did well… she felt that warmth.
She almost felt like she was a puppy with her tail wagging excitedly. The compliment was enough to keep Kesi going, to keep her wanting to get even better. Kesi wanted to impress Feiyan now too. Feiyan was her teacher… just like Krieos was! But Krieos never was impressed with Kesi, not that Kesi minded. She didn’t think that man was capable of anything close to that feeling. He was a bit of a grump.
Wait, she was getting distracted. She needed to focus. Kesi climbed up onto the beam quite easily. She wished that was a trick in itself, but somehow Kesi thought that climbing might not be so entertaining for the audience. Though there was something that always impressed Kesi… and that was tightrope walking.
It took a lot of balance and an extreme amount of poise. It really looked like it was dancing with death. A slight breeze and the performer would tumble to her death. But what Kesi liked the most was not the chaos of it… but the control. She didn’t have to rely on anyone else when she was balancing on the tightrope. It wasn’t like the trapeze artists, who had partners that they flew through the air with. It was just Kesi, the rope… and whatever the mighty Set had in store for her.
“This is good,” Kesi said chipperly, referring to the balance beam. “I want to get really good at balancing. Because one day I want to be a tight rope walker! Isn’t your sister training to do that too? I saw her one time and she looked amazing. I think they’re so cool, the people who can do that!”
If Kesi so much as said those words to her father he’d laugh at her failure. He’d tell her the only worth she had would be scooping up the animal dung, and even then that was questionable. He wasn’t very nice. And Kesi didn’t dare speak her dreams and goals to Nem or her mother because if she failed at them then she would fail them. That was worse than whatever her father said. That was worse than death. She would never want to fail them. She’d rather lose herself to the Nile again. But it was nice to speak about her ambitions to someone, and Feiyan didn’t seem the type that would get down on her for that.
Kesi felt a strange surge of emotion. It was warm and wrapped around her heart. It caused her stomach to bubble and her veins to pulse. It brought a smile to her face, one that was genuine and true. If there was one thing that Kesi wanted in her life- it was to be desired. She was used to her father throwing her away because of the lack of potential. Yet every time Nem patted her on the head, Kesi felt that warmth. Every time her mother smiled at her, Kesi felt that warmth. And now hearing Feiyan say that Kesi did well… she felt that warmth.
She almost felt like she was a puppy with her tail wagging excitedly. The compliment was enough to keep Kesi going, to keep her wanting to get even better. Kesi wanted to impress Feiyan now too. Feiyan was her teacher… just like Krieos was! But Krieos never was impressed with Kesi, not that Kesi minded. She didn’t think that man was capable of anything close to that feeling. He was a bit of a grump.
Wait, she was getting distracted. She needed to focus. Kesi climbed up onto the beam quite easily. She wished that was a trick in itself, but somehow Kesi thought that climbing might not be so entertaining for the audience. Though there was something that always impressed Kesi… and that was tightrope walking.
It took a lot of balance and an extreme amount of poise. It really looked like it was dancing with death. A slight breeze and the performer would tumble to her death. But what Kesi liked the most was not the chaos of it… but the control. She didn’t have to rely on anyone else when she was balancing on the tightrope. It wasn’t like the trapeze artists, who had partners that they flew through the air with. It was just Kesi, the rope… and whatever the mighty Set had in store for her.
“This is good,” Kesi said chipperly, referring to the balance beam. “I want to get really good at balancing. Because one day I want to be a tight rope walker! Isn’t your sister training to do that too? I saw her one time and she looked amazing. I think they’re so cool, the people who can do that!”
If Kesi so much as said those words to her father he’d laugh at her failure. He’d tell her the only worth she had would be scooping up the animal dung, and even then that was questionable. He wasn’t very nice. And Kesi didn’t dare speak her dreams and goals to Nem or her mother because if she failed at them then she would fail them. That was worse than whatever her father said. That was worse than death. She would never want to fail them. She’d rather lose herself to the Nile again. But it was nice to speak about her ambitions to someone, and Feiyan didn’t seem the type that would get down on her for that.
Kesi was certainly enthusiastic about learning how to walk on the balance beam. Though Feiyan had given her an option to choose something else, she seemed determined to master the first thing she had tried. She had initially thought that Kesi’s father wanted her to become next star of the Clique and had forced her to learn acrobatics. Now she believed that the other girl had not been coerced but was genuinely interested of her own free will. Maybe she thought that she would impress her father by performing with the Clique. If so, Feiyan was determined to help her succeed.
The exotic young girl had always been envious of children who came to the circus with their parents. Sometimes the smaller ones would ride on their father’s shoulders or hold their mother’s hands. And the way the parents gazed at their offspring made Feiyan’s heart ache. The circus was her family, but she missed having parents of her own. Were they still alive? Were they in some other part of the world still searching for the daughters that had disappeared eight years ago? She had peppered Lihua with questions about their family when she was younger, but her older sister remembered little of her old life. She had not forgotten her native language, though, and the two still spoke it when they were alone.
Seeing the way Kesi’s father treated her had ended the desire for parents. It was possible that her own had been cruel too and had deliberately sold their daughters into slavery. Though she was a slave and had to do everything the ringmaster demanded of her, there was no bond between them and he basically ignored her. It seemed strange that he abused his child but not a slave of the same age.
Kesi vaulted back onto the beam and Feiyan faced her. So she wanted to be a tightrope walker. Feiyan had tried it and hadn’t been very good at it. It was so slow and took a lot of concentration. She would much rather fly through the air than walk so carefully upon a thin wire. “Yes, my sister is excellent at walking the tightrope. When you’re more advanced, you can work with her, but I can show you the basics.”
Feiyan grinned. “You know what tightrope walkers do when they’re learning? They start on a beam like this one and then eventually it is raised higher and higher and higher! I hope you’re not afraid of heights. Then they start walking on a rope a few inches off the ground and that gets higher and higher too. “
She pointed at the middle of the beam. “See that thin line? That’s the one you will eventually need to stay on. But right now, you can use the whole thing like I do.” Feiyan held out her hands. “Here. Take my hands and we’ll do it together. I’ll walk backwards and you walk forwards. You can use me for balance until you are ready to try it on your own. When we are finished today, you will be able to walk across the beam, turn around, walk back, and jump off so you land on your feet. Then tomorrow, I’ll teach you some more tricks.”
The pace Feiyan set was ambitious, but she thought that Kesi would be able to do it. And she was right. The ringmaster’s daughter worked hard and didn’t give up and she listened to her instructor’s advice. After she had mastered the basics of walking on the balance beam, Feiyan called a halt to their practice. “I think that’s enough for today. Are you as hungry as I am? Let’s go to the cooking area and I’ll show you another kind of trick.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Kesi was certainly enthusiastic about learning how to walk on the balance beam. Though Feiyan had given her an option to choose something else, she seemed determined to master the first thing she had tried. She had initially thought that Kesi’s father wanted her to become next star of the Clique and had forced her to learn acrobatics. Now she believed that the other girl had not been coerced but was genuinely interested of her own free will. Maybe she thought that she would impress her father by performing with the Clique. If so, Feiyan was determined to help her succeed.
The exotic young girl had always been envious of children who came to the circus with their parents. Sometimes the smaller ones would ride on their father’s shoulders or hold their mother’s hands. And the way the parents gazed at their offspring made Feiyan’s heart ache. The circus was her family, but she missed having parents of her own. Were they still alive? Were they in some other part of the world still searching for the daughters that had disappeared eight years ago? She had peppered Lihua with questions about their family when she was younger, but her older sister remembered little of her old life. She had not forgotten her native language, though, and the two still spoke it when they were alone.
Seeing the way Kesi’s father treated her had ended the desire for parents. It was possible that her own had been cruel too and had deliberately sold their daughters into slavery. Though she was a slave and had to do everything the ringmaster demanded of her, there was no bond between them and he basically ignored her. It seemed strange that he abused his child but not a slave of the same age.
Kesi vaulted back onto the beam and Feiyan faced her. So she wanted to be a tightrope walker. Feiyan had tried it and hadn’t been very good at it. It was so slow and took a lot of concentration. She would much rather fly through the air than walk so carefully upon a thin wire. “Yes, my sister is excellent at walking the tightrope. When you’re more advanced, you can work with her, but I can show you the basics.”
Feiyan grinned. “You know what tightrope walkers do when they’re learning? They start on a beam like this one and then eventually it is raised higher and higher and higher! I hope you’re not afraid of heights. Then they start walking on a rope a few inches off the ground and that gets higher and higher too. “
She pointed at the middle of the beam. “See that thin line? That’s the one you will eventually need to stay on. But right now, you can use the whole thing like I do.” Feiyan held out her hands. “Here. Take my hands and we’ll do it together. I’ll walk backwards and you walk forwards. You can use me for balance until you are ready to try it on your own. When we are finished today, you will be able to walk across the beam, turn around, walk back, and jump off so you land on your feet. Then tomorrow, I’ll teach you some more tricks.”
The pace Feiyan set was ambitious, but she thought that Kesi would be able to do it. And she was right. The ringmaster’s daughter worked hard and didn’t give up and she listened to her instructor’s advice. After she had mastered the basics of walking on the balance beam, Feiyan called a halt to their practice. “I think that’s enough for today. Are you as hungry as I am? Let’s go to the cooking area and I’ll show you another kind of trick.”
Kesi was certainly enthusiastic about learning how to walk on the balance beam. Though Feiyan had given her an option to choose something else, she seemed determined to master the first thing she had tried. She had initially thought that Kesi’s father wanted her to become next star of the Clique and had forced her to learn acrobatics. Now she believed that the other girl had not been coerced but was genuinely interested of her own free will. Maybe she thought that she would impress her father by performing with the Clique. If so, Feiyan was determined to help her succeed.
The exotic young girl had always been envious of children who came to the circus with their parents. Sometimes the smaller ones would ride on their father’s shoulders or hold their mother’s hands. And the way the parents gazed at their offspring made Feiyan’s heart ache. The circus was her family, but she missed having parents of her own. Were they still alive? Were they in some other part of the world still searching for the daughters that had disappeared eight years ago? She had peppered Lihua with questions about their family when she was younger, but her older sister remembered little of her old life. She had not forgotten her native language, though, and the two still spoke it when they were alone.
Seeing the way Kesi’s father treated her had ended the desire for parents. It was possible that her own had been cruel too and had deliberately sold their daughters into slavery. Though she was a slave and had to do everything the ringmaster demanded of her, there was no bond between them and he basically ignored her. It seemed strange that he abused his child but not a slave of the same age.
Kesi vaulted back onto the beam and Feiyan faced her. So she wanted to be a tightrope walker. Feiyan had tried it and hadn’t been very good at it. It was so slow and took a lot of concentration. She would much rather fly through the air than walk so carefully upon a thin wire. “Yes, my sister is excellent at walking the tightrope. When you’re more advanced, you can work with her, but I can show you the basics.”
Feiyan grinned. “You know what tightrope walkers do when they’re learning? They start on a beam like this one and then eventually it is raised higher and higher and higher! I hope you’re not afraid of heights. Then they start walking on a rope a few inches off the ground and that gets higher and higher too. “
She pointed at the middle of the beam. “See that thin line? That’s the one you will eventually need to stay on. But right now, you can use the whole thing like I do.” Feiyan held out her hands. “Here. Take my hands and we’ll do it together. I’ll walk backwards and you walk forwards. You can use me for balance until you are ready to try it on your own. When we are finished today, you will be able to walk across the beam, turn around, walk back, and jump off so you land on your feet. Then tomorrow, I’ll teach you some more tricks.”
The pace Feiyan set was ambitious, but she thought that Kesi would be able to do it. And she was right. The ringmaster’s daughter worked hard and didn’t give up and she listened to her instructor’s advice. After she had mastered the basics of walking on the balance beam, Feiyan called a halt to their practice. “I think that’s enough for today. Are you as hungry as I am? Let’s go to the cooking area and I’ll show you another kind of trick.”
