» Night is a Wire, [private]

[Theodoric Bagman]

1377 WORDS TAGGED FOR VERA Coming in to the carnival grounds, there were plenty of moving posters displaying the more prominent acts in the circus. Acrobats, elephant riders, fire eaters… and Teddy. Of course, his posters didn’t call him Teddy. They billed him as ‘Theo the Mystic’ or ‘Theo the Illusionist’, and had such taglines as ‘exotic enchantments’ and ‘Mysteries of the East’. Really, they could have all said ‘Teddy the Bullshiter’ and would have been much more accurate. Lacing up his boots, Teddy felt butterflies in his stomach tonight. He performed six nights a week, twice per night – three on weekends – and he’d been doing it for about seven years now. He wasn’t all that good at math, but it added up to so many shows that he ought to have been over stage fright by now. Though, Vera Rose had never been at any of those shows. It was nearly ten thirty, nearly time for his final show of the night. Holding people’s attention for very long was difficult, so his shows, like most others, ran about fifteen minutes, sometimes thirty if the crowd was hot. Well, he didn’t know about the majority of his crowd, but he knew one audience member would be nearly scalding. If she showed… Tightening his bracers to his arms, Teddy glanced at himself in his mirror again. The back of his tent was his residence – swathed in dark blues and emerald greens with an ornately carved dresser in one corner and a table and three chairs in the other. In the middle of this were a pile of red, orange, and yellow silk pillows and three or four furs from more exotic-type animals. That was his bed; he hadn’t slept on a standard bed since Hogwarts. Beneath everything, the floor was covered in an expensive, intricately patterned Persian rug. The front room, where his stage sat, was nearly the same, just no dresser or chairs. Large, overstuffed pillows dotted the floor in a haphazard pattern akin to that of tables in a restaurant. The front room had more purples and pinks and a thick haze of incense hung in the air. Lanterns and half melted candles gave the front room a warm yet dim glow. Much bigger and numerous lanterns and candles adorned the rear living space. Checking the time, Teddy went to his table and sat down, crushing up a little more fire powder. In school, he’d excelled at charms and potions. He was good at coming up with new ways to mix things and his specialty had been dry concoctions. For NEWTS, this hadn’t meant anything, but in the circus, it meant special effects that you could not produce with a wand that would astound even the most seasoned magical customer. He noticed his hands were shaking and he gave himself a silent pep talk. Tonight was no different from any night. Vera was just another customer during work hours. He had to stay focused. His whole act depended on concentration, charisma, and confidence – none of which he had when Vera was around. He was tongue-tied and clumsy and bashful around her, to his chagrin. He could be Teddy around her, but not here, not at work. Right now, he needed to be Theo. Teddy put his hood up and slid his wand down into the hidden compartment in his scimitar. He grabbed a mashed up bit of charcoal and got some on his finger and rubbed it around his eye. He then coated his hands in the fire powder and gave himself an once-over in the dresser’s high backed mirror. He looked the part, but, tonight, he didn’t feel it. He caught himself biting his lip nervously and shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He needed to focus. He needed to focus! Focus focus fo-… His mental process was halted as the crisp sound of slow cymbals and a snakey flow of a pungi. The instruments were enchanted to play themselves and always gave Teddy his five minute warning. If all had gone as plan, Vera was out in the audience, right now. Teddy turned from the mirror to look at the long black and gold silk hanging that separated one side of the tent from the other. His breath caught in his throat. What if she didn’t like his show? What if he forgot his lines? What if she thought it was stupid? What if he messed up a trick? Teddy sighed deeply, trying to pull himself together. As the pungi tooted out a long, slow note, Teddy knew the demiguise powder would be working. It made him totally invisible on stage and he had it rigged so certain spots on the floor triggered the powder when needed in the act. With a flick of his hand, the flames on his side of the curtain were snuffed out. He stepped forward, knowing it was time – now or never. Taking another steadying breath and shaking out his hands, Teddy rolled his shoulders and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he was Theo. With another flick of his hand, the black and gold partition lifted in the middle, just high enough for him to pass under. Though, the audience wouldn’t see him. They would see the curtain lift, see the dark void within it, and then, slowly, start to see a very small flame hovering in midair. Behind the layer of demiguise dust, Teddy was rubbing his fingertips together, igniting the fire powder on his hands. The more space be put in between his palms, the bigger the flame grew. The ingenious part of it was, the powder burned, not his hands. That had taken quite a while to perfect. Though they could still not see him, Teddy could see the audience plainly. He was standing only five feet in front of the nearest row of pillow-sitting patrons. On the next row, near the middle, he saw her. She had actually came! Thankfully, the demiguise powder had not ignited yet, so he was still hidden – for a moment, he’d smiled at her, but quickly regained his Theo exterior. Behind him, the black and gold curtain dropped and, only a second later, the demiguise powder caught the flames off his hands. The result was a wall of fire – it last only an instant, but as the flame dissipated, Theo seemed to slowly materialize out of thin air. His head was down and his arms were spread wide, balls of flames still dancing in his hands. Slowly, they grew dim as well. Though, just before they went out, Theo slapped his palms together, silencing the instruments and the audience in unison. He let the silence linger only a moment before looking up only enough to gaze predatorily at his audience. Behind him, the instruments began to play once more, soft and even. It took only a few moments for Theo to size up tonight’s target. He was good at reading people and he could spot the skeptics a mile away. They were right to be skeptic. It was all just sophisticated parlor tricks, but his job was to make them believe that they weren’t just tricks, that he held some sort of power that they – mere mortals – could not begin to even hope of possessing. He lowered his hands to his side and rested one on the hilt of his scimitar. “Another evening draws to a close,” he said slowly, softly, in his Theo-voice, foreign and thick with animal magnetism. “Many wonders you have seen tonight – a man knows – but, a man senses a nonbeliever in this place.” He pulled his scimitar from its hilt and pointed it at a man in the crowd, a top-hat-and-tails-wearing popinjay. “The nonbeliever doubts a man knowledge,” he said in an offended tone, stepping down slowly from the stage, giving little care to personal space while his own presence took up most of the room. He walked up to the man in the top hat, still pointing his sword at him. The man – like most – seemed to think about reaching for his wand but that would have been rude and ungentlemanly of him, and so –like most – he simply sat there looking haughty and unimpressed. …Not for long…

PATHICE PRODUCTIONS @ ATF.

[Vera Rose]

Burning desire awakens the beast within
Feel the diabolical blood raging through my veins

Vera was wary of being at the carnival, alone, so close to the moon. She wasn't stupid. People were glaring at her, or gawking and whispering, and she knew exactly why. Everyone still thought her the savage beast that had mauled at least three people at last year’s carnival. Some, as soon as they lay eyes on her, packed up their families and left the fairgrounds, not wishing themselves or their children to be in the line of danger. The bright lights and cheerful music playing did nothing to soothe Vera’s mind. She wanted to yell and cry and scream of her innocence. Her eyes were stone as she followed the signs to Teddy’s tent, quickly ducking in before anyone else scurried past her in utter terror of what could happen. People were too quick to judge. They relied too heavily on the garbage that the Daily Prophet preached, and on the propaganda of the Ministry. Vera had no love for either. One of them had made her into a social pariah and the other had let her rot in a prison for seven years without a crime to her name.

As soon as the werewolf entered, her heightened sense of smell was assaulted by the smoky scent of incense. The entire place was dressed to the nines in Middle Eastern décor, with colorful throw pillows and carpets and metalwork that could only be Persian in descent. If she knew no better, she would think the man living here had appeared, mysteriously, from the Arabian desert somewhere, wore a turban, and charmed snakes for a living. But, Vera did know better. It was the home of a very British, very dashing man named Teddy Bagman. The very same Teddy Bagman she had snogged and groped the day before. Thinking such thoughts brought a blush to her cheeks, but she quickly busied herself with finding a nice, comfy pillow to sit on for the duration of the show to distract herself from him. Him.

A fuschia one looked rather nice, so Vera sat her shapely bum right on it. The dress she had chosen to wore made her fit right in with the bright colors of the tent, and the gold even matched her eyes to some degree. She’d worn it – a new dress she’d bought with some saved up funds – just for him. It showed an ample amount of cleavage and back, but not so much as to attract the wrong kind of attention or the wrong kind of people. Her very wild, very unmanageable hair was swept into a loose ponytail almost to the side of her head and she had woven in a few orange flowers thanks to a beauty spell she had gotten from a customer. It was all for Teddy. Vera wanted to impress him, to see that lusty glint in his eyes like she had yesterday, to know that she had done that to him yet again.

She let the flush cross her cheeks and stay there, because she really couldn’t dream of thinking of anything but him at the moment. It was a sickness, really. Suddenly, instruments began playing themselves and it made her snap out of it. She wasn’t here just to gawk at him, was she? Am I?... No. Vera really liked him, and really wanted to see his show. The show which was just beginning, it seemed.

A partition opened on the stage, and the room hushed a bit, not knowing what exactly was happening. Some people kept on blabbering though, and Vera didn’t hesitate to send a clod glare at the little blonde bitch behind her. It silenced her almost immediately. Suddenly, a little fire began to float amidst the darkness, and Vera could see some movement around it. Was it Teddy? She sincerely hoped it was. A second after she saw the little movement, a wall of flame erupted on the stage, and then blinked out of existence just as quick. Was he okay? Did he burn himself? Was that supposed to happen? Vera was wrought with worry for a moment before she realized… He was a professional. He’d done this most of his life. And plus, why was she worrying about him? Why had she had that little panic attack in her head when she thought Teddy was hurt? Biting her lip, Vera continued to watch the show, watched him emerge - unscathed, thank Merlin! - from the flames, with little flamelets skimming across his fingers.

Suddenly his hands clapped together and everyone went silent. The only sound that could be heard was probably Vera’s heart pounding in her chest. The instruments began again as Teddy – it wasn’t Teddy, really, just the persona he wore on stage – peered out at the audience. He wasn’t looking at them, he was looking into them. Vera couldn’t help but squirm a bit when his eyes swept past her; there was raw power in that gaze. He reached for his scimitar and a few people went reflexively to look for their wands, sensing danger. The werewolf knew better. “Another evening draws to a close,” Teddy said in that rich voice of his. His Theo voice. “ Many wonders you have seen tonight – a man knows – but, a man senses a nonbeliever in this place.” The metallic ring of his scimitar being removed from its holster pierced the night air. Teddy was pointing it at a man in a top hat. Probably a pureblood from the air of arrogance that wanker got around him…

“The nonbeliever doubts a man’s knowledge,” Teddy got off the stage and started towards the man. The blade he held in his hands was sharp, and the man he was pointing it at took note. He was debating whether or not to reach for his wand, but that was the cowardly move, was it not? She could smell the distinct aroma of fear in the air; after all, Vera had smelled it the entire time she was in the stinking carnival. He was rightfully frightened! Teddy looked menacing his that scimitar and his costume and his no-bullshit attitude. Vera had to resist the urge to fan herself. She was sitting pretty close to the man, in the same row, a few pillows down, so she had a perfect view of Teddy’s muscled arms and didn’t hesitate to take advantage. For the sake of her fellow audience members, she put on a phony look of surprise and shock, but anyone with half a brain could see through it. Sure, Vera didn’t know what was going to happen next, and she wanted to know just like everyone else, but she didn’t have the scared anticipation for the “illusionist’s” next move.

Unless that next move is to kiss me…

Cold sharpened blade cuts my skin
Pure blood flows under the full moon light

Tag: Teddy
Wordcount: 1146
Notes: wearing THIS under THIS with her hair like THIS.. p.s. she's such a whore. lmfao
Lyrics: The Beast Within by Funeral Winds
Credit: Template by Emily

[Theodoric Bagman]

1034 WORDS TAGGED FOR VERA Never had Teddy been more distracted. Vera was a delicious vision. He liked her hair like that, and her dress was painfully fetching on her curvy form. The flush in her cheeks and the way were breasts rose and fell in their fabric prison were enough to drive any man wild. Perhaps, most men – she was a lovely woman – though, Teddy had waited a very long time to get Vera Rose to notice him. He wasn’t going to let some fop in a silk hat steal her attention. Yes, the man had been giving Vera a sideways look and Teddy had noticed. Also, he looked the skeptical type, yet more people here looked more skeptical… But none of them had been eyeing Vera’s backside. Perhaps Teddy had a slight jealous streak, but, after fifteen years, he felt he was somewhat entitled to have a little seniority pull over other suitors. Staying in character was ever so difficult. He wanted nothing more than to turn to Vera and kiss her backwards against that pillow her shapely ass was residing upon. He could picture it in his head – her gasps, the way her eyes would flutter close, the way she’d whisper his name, the way she’d grip his shoulders as he thrust deep inside of… Teddy realized he’d been holding a second longer than intended. He pulled back from the man in the top hat and sheathed his scimitar, looking disdainfully down at the man. “A man will prove himself. Follow, nonbeliever. If a man is as false as you think, then there is nothing to hesitate for. …unless, nonbelievers are more cravenly made in England.” The man in the top hat huffed indignantly. Teddy had insulted his mother land and he had to defend it! Little did he know it was Teddy’s mother land as well, but that was half the fun of it. The man rose and Teddy stepped to the side, bowing low and gesturing towards the stage. The man went and Teddy followed, pointing to where the man ought to stand. The woman with the man sat clutching her handkerchief, looking distraught. The man gave her a calming wave of his hand and a smug smile that screamed that he felt no danger being onstage with a hack like Teddy. Stupid Englishman – all pomp and puffery until things got any thicker than afternoon tea. Teddy had never been that sort of Englishman. From urchin to carnie, he’d never had a desire to wear top hats and scurry off to a smoking lounge to escape women. He much preferred being the bloke who entertained said women while their men were off congratulating each other on being masters of their tiny, doily-covered universes. Though, now, with Vera, Teddy wasn’t scanning the crowd for someone to seduce into his bed – not that he did that sort of thing every night. Yet, with Vera, he wouldn’t mind trying to have a go at it with her every night. The thought made him cut his eyes at her and wonder what sort of corset she had under all those cumbersome, bothersome clothes. …or garters. Teddy loved garters on a woman, the kind that strapped to their lace stockings and hooked onto the bottom of their corsets. Good Lord, was there anything sexier than a woman dressed in all that, lying in a bed, purring your name? If there was, he didn’t know if he could handle such nirvana. Getting his eyes off of Vera and getting his head back in the game, Teddy continued his act – tricks, powders, and a little showmanship and Teddy had them all eating out of the palm of his hand. At the end of his act, as usual, he made the ‘nonbeliever’ vanish. Really, he was just bound behind a layer of demiguise dust, but it stunned both the man and the audience nearly every time. Tonight was no different. The man vanished and Teddy walked back into the crowd, starting his opening lines. He explained, in his Theo voice, that all the payment he required to bring the nonbeliever back from the abyss was a kiss. He started at the lady the man had been with, but when he knelt down to her, the woman hid behind her handkerchief and simpered. “No? You will not save him? Even at such a low price?” He stood, shrugging, pretending to be concerned for the man’s safety. With a quizzical look, his eyes searched the room and landed on Vera. “If you will not save him, perhaps someone else will…” Teddy walked over to Vera and knelt down beside her, touching her cheek. “A kiss to save the nonbeliever? Such a small price to pay…” Not waiting on her to kiss him – like he did in most shows – Teddy leaned in and stole a long, slow kiss. It was overly friendly, by society’s terms, and some ladies gasped and some men harrumphed, but Teddy didn’t break the kiss till he was good and ready. “A man is satisfied,” he whispered, just before snapping his fingers. The enchantments holding and binding the man were released and he got off the stage, top-hatted and wobbly, to thunderous appalause. Teddy stole another quick kiss before getting to his feet and dropping his act entirely, going from Theo to Teddy in half a second. “Ladies and Gentleman, you’ve been a lovely audience. My name is Theo Bagman and I’m here every night. A round of applause for our volunteers. Do visit the midway before leaving the carnival tonight. Safe travels,” he added before plucking Vera out of the crowd that was headed for the exit of the tent. He helped her to her feet and gave her a slow smile, not saying a word until everyone was gone. “Well? Horrendously pretentious, I know, but, besides that, how did you like my show? It’s all just tricks, but it fools most people. You were very convincing at being shocked by that kiss. Maybe you ought to come to all my shows – you’re quite the actress, Miss Rose,” he took her hand and kissed the back of it. “You ought to run away to the circus.”

PATHICE PRODUCTIONS @ ATF.

[Vera Rose]

Burning desire awakens the beast within
Feel the diabolical blood raging through my veins

Vera had noticed Teddy's target looking at her. He had a lady friend sitting right next to him, and he was checking out other women? What a disgusting excuse for a man! But the werewolf had eyes only for Teddy; and those little glances he sent her way let her know that he only had eyes for her. Her... wait, my what?... Teddy sheathed his sword and stepped back from the man with a wandering gaze. His female companion was getting very worried now, her mud-colored eyes practically bulging out of her head. It was rather amusing really, but Vera refrained from laughing so she wouldn't ruin the anxious and fearful mood of the audience.

"A man will prove himself. Follow, nonbeliever. If a man is as false as you think, then there is nothing to hesitate for. …unless, nonbelievers are more cravenly made in England." Teddy said in his Theo-voice, provoking the man further. The little insult would definitely draw him in to protect his pride and ego. Sure enough, he stood from his seat with a smug little smirk on his face and followed her... damnation!... Teddy to the stage. Vera could almost hear the girl's teeth chattering next to her as she feared for her escort's life. The girl seemed really daft, in Vera's opinion, because, honestly, why would Teddy harm the very people who furthered his career? Some people are downright stupid...

And some people are downright sexy... Vera was drawn to the stage after a few gasps of shock from her fellow audience members. The man had disappeared into thin air, but all she could think was good riddance. Teddy had that predatory glint in his eye again as he surveyed the gathered people. It sent shivers down the werewolf's spine even if he wasn't looking at her directly. She randomly wondered if he was a predator between the sheets as well and speculated he probably was. Vera was pulled from her thoughts by that sexy voice of his. He explained that the cad could be saved, but everything had a cost. The price for his life was a kiss.

A blinding jealousy came over her as he knelt to that drab, ugly, skinny, boring, scared-shiteless little bitch who was the man's companion. She shrivelled away from him - add insane to that list - and Teddy retreated from her. Vera had no claim on him, really, so why was she so jealous? They had only re-known each other for a day! Shaking her head a bit, she almost didn't catch him locking his eyes on her: his next target.

"A kiss to save the nonbeliever? Such a small price to pay…" Her heart beat fast in her chest as he touched her cheek... and then his lips were on hers and nothing else mattered but them. Especially not the nonbeliever or his highly annoying lady friend. Vera had to force herself to remember she was in public; that meant no kissing him back with the ferocity she wanted to, no winding her fingers in his hair to pull Teddy closer to her, and definitely no moaning. She wa quite the vocal one, she was, and tried very hard to muffle her little whimpers and quiet moans in the kiss. Teddy released her and immediately she felt the absence of his skin on her skin. "A man is satisfied," he whispered. Trying to look at least a bit violated - and failing miserably, but it was the thought that counted, Vera resisted the tremendous urge to pull him back and kiss him how she really wanted to.

With a snap of Teddy's fingers, the man reappeared on the stage, looking no worse for wear. Of course, Vera could care less, but she did look for curiosity's sake. Teddy kissed her once again, apparently as eager to do so again as she was, but it was painfully brief for propriety's sake. After the raucous applause died down, Teddy dropped the entire Theo act and dismissed the thoroughly mystified audience. They fled from the tent at a much quicker pace than Vera would've imagined, and before she could make to stand up, Teddy came and helped her. A gentleman, too!

Smiling at her, Teddy only spoke once everyone had left. "Well? Horrendously pretentious, I know, but, besides that, how did you like my show? It’s all just tricks, but it fools most people. You were very convincing at being shocked by that kiss. Maybe you ought to come to all my shows – you’re quite the actress, Miss Rose," she blushed and giggled at the compliment. Sure, it wasn't sexy, but it was physically impossible to be sultry all the time; not to mention it would get very boring indeed. It really was a nice show, when push came to shove. Although Vera would've enjoyed it much more if Teddy's costume lacked upper-body coverings. Ever the gentleman, he took her hand in his and kissed the back. It wasn't something that happened to her often and she relished the moment. "You ought to run away to the circus."

The thought of running away caught her by surprise. She'd never really considered leaving Hogsmeade, now that she was there. Honestly, it seemed like a good idea. Vera wouldn't be hated or feared - alright, maybe she would, but to a lesser, more tolerable, degree, she would get to be with Teddy, and she would see the world! It did seem like a wonderful life. But, considering that the werewolf couldn't just up and leave Honeydukes, her salvation, it still wasn't really an option. Still, Teddy's comment made her realize that he would possibly be leaving at the end of the summer and she wouldn't have his kisses to keep her warm during the winter.

The show really was a nice one, when push came to shove; it showed impresive feats of magic and was suspenseful and all the things a proper show should be. Sure, Vera would have enjoyed it much more if Teddy's costume lacked a covering for his upper body. "You did catch me off guard, actually, but I can't say I still didn't enjoy it," she said coyly, entwining her fingers in his and stepping closer to him. "I really liked it! That whole fire trick at the beginning was amazing, and you were amazing." Vera reached up and kissed him again, a congratulatory one this time around, for being so ruddy brilliant. It made her wish she knew fancier spells to show him, to impress him with. But the woman had many other things she could do to impress Teddy.

Still holding his hand, she broke the kiss and hummed in satisfaction. She could be kissed by him all night and not care about a single other thing. But tonight... tonight she was going to go on a proper date with Teddy Bagman. The one she had denied him all those years ago. "So where is the presentable Mr. Bagman I was promised?" Vera joked, smiling broadly. No matter how much she liked his costume, she did want to see how he looked in normal, gentlemanly clothing. "You should probably go change, we have the entire night ahead of us.... can I come and watch?" she asked wickedly. The werewolf had teased him before and wasn't above doing it again, especially after the reaction she had gotten out of him. Vera smirked and waited for the witty comeback that Teddy would surely have.

Cold sharpened blade cuts my skin
Pure blood flows under the full moon light

Tag: Teddy
Wordcount: 1250
Notes: wearing THIS under THIS with her hair like THIS
Lyrics: The Beast Within by Funeral Winds
Credit: Template by Emily

[Theodoric Bagman]

976 WORDS TAGGED FOR VERA Did he mean anything by that ‘run away to the circus’ line? Of course he had. Why, even now, in his trunk, the letter from Kizzy – the carnival’s seer – was proclaiming her prophecy. One way or another, Teddy was going to end up staying in Hogsmeade, most likely for a woman. Truly, that was a terrifying prospect. Teddy knew no other way to live than out of a tent. Yes, living in a stationary spot would be novel, for a few weeks, maybe, but what about a month from now? A year? Could anything hold his interest that long, keep him as satisfied as his current life did now? He wasn’t entirely sure he knew what real people did anymore – what was life without shows and practice and pitching tents and feeding the animals and duping the rubes? What did real people do all day? Work? Sit at home? He didn’t know if he could live like that. However, when Vera laced her delicate fingers around his calloused hands, he wondered if he ought to perhaps just give it a try. "I really liked it! That whole fire trick at the beginning was amazing, and you were amazing." With such praise, it was hard not to puff up like a swelling balloon. He tried to look gracious and humbled, but he was simply too pleased with himself for impressing her. Though, all bravado left him as Vera gave him another kiss. As chaste as it was, Teddy still felt a giddy tingle skitter down his spine. Her little noise of approval made him step a little closer to her. He wanted so badly to pull her into his arms and tote her off to his bed. It was just there, just a few feet away behind that curtain. Teddy bit his lip and looked at her hungrily. For a moment, he forgot himself as he envisioned her wholly nude form writhing with his amid his pillows and furs in the candlelight. He let out a shaky breath and started to move in for the kill, but her words stopped him and made him realize what a cad he’d nearly been! The shame! "So where is the presentable Mr. Bagman I was promised?" Indeed, Teddy was wondering the same thing. He moved back from her slightly, trying to make it look as natural as possible. He’d promised to be a gentleman for her tonight and here he was ready to rip that dress in half. Disgraceful! "You should probably go change, we have the entire night ahead of us.... can I come and watch?” “Oh! Yes! I’m sorry, I’ll…” Teddy had reached up into his hair, pulling out the beads that adorned his longer locks. Though, at Vera’s last words, he stopped, hands still in his hair and a shocked look on his face. Teddy was made, was designed, if you will, to be quick of tongue and sharp of wit. He made a living doing just that, only with a silly accent. Though, around Vera, he was neither charming nor loquacious. Mouth slightly agape and cheeks pinking at the prospect of getting Vera Rose alone in his private chambers, Teddy smirked sheepishly and shrugged, tugging one of the beads out of his hair. “Well, I usually charge for that sort of thing,” he began, before looking her up and down. “Though I have a special on right now for attractive and cheeky lycanthropes.” He threw her a wink before walking back towards the stage, unraveling another bead from his hair. “In all honesty, though, you might want to stay in here. I won’t be long. I wouldn’t want you to ruin your reputation.” Indeed, he meant that truly, but did she have a reputation to uphold? Seeing as she was a werewolf, were silly things likes prudery and etiquette something she cared about? As quick as he could, Teddy disappeared into the rear of his tent, the big flap dropping down behind him, obscuring the back room from view. He unlaced his braces and unfastened his chest piece while rubbing at his eyes with a damp rag. He couldn’t’ go out with charcoal on his face. Theo did that, not Teddy – well, at least, not tonight. Tonight he needed to be presentable; a gentleman not a carnie. Fat chance, but he’d give it a try, for Vera’s sake. Besides his costume, which he had a few variations of, Teddy only own one set of nice clothes. He had loose day shirts and comfortable trousers, but, as far as something to wear for a respectable night out? Well, his church clothes would have to do. He didn’t look it, but Teddy – on certain more major religious holidays – did indulge in a little organized religion. Christmas, Easter, and such occasions found him taking in a midnight mass or two a year. He didn’t go often, and his clothes were a bit out of style, but they’d have to do. As he looked at his cream-colored vest and pants, he wondered if he ought to have gone shopping. Well, too late now, he supposed. Putting on some brown penny loafers, a white shirt, and his cream pants and vest [click me], Teddy rubbed the last bit of makeup off his face and snatched up his brush. He pulled his hair back and grabbed a bit a leather (an old shoelace, actually) and tied his hair back at the nape of his neck. He looked himself over in the mirror and decided that, sadly, this was as good as it got. Returning to Vera, he held out his arms, presenting himself to her. “Do I look the part,” he asked with a smile before offering her his arm. “Tell me, Miss Rose, what shall we do with ourselves this fine evening?”

PATHICE PRODUCTIONS @ ATF.