A Most Grotesque Display (jobros x fem!reader circus au)

4- runaway

unknown pov:

there, in the gloomy yet bustling streets of grievestown, stood a tall figure with a dazzling tailcoat and large hat. this would be the third time I've seen this stranger today, scanning the streets in search of something.

perhaps they were some sort of noble from a distant land, looking to make a profit off of this shit town and its shittier people. i pondered, and did so for a while, until my curiosity about this person became too much to handle.

who would show up to this place in such a bizarre outfit? what were they here for? were they lost?

steadily rising from where i once sat, as I've grown weaker over time, i did my best to make myself look presentable and not like the result of a horrible accident. the bandages on my face didn't make me seem the most approachable in the slightest, and my ratted pink hair was left knotted around the rubber bands that were supposed to keep them still.

my clothing wasn't too good, either. a few holes in my shirt exposed patches of my skin, and stains galore dyed my once vibrant blue shirt in a dirt-like tone.

soon enough, i had realized i was taking too long focusing on my appearance, running after the stranger when they started walking once more.

nothing interesting ever happened in this town, and when something did, the townsfolk would call it an act of witchcraft, or voodoo, or whatever would justify the violence they would cause soon after.

that's how i ended up in this situation, anyway-- fishing for scraps in the trash and stealing bread from the tired baker.

gathering what little courage i had, i stumbled after the strange stranger and gently tapped their shoulder when in range, putting a tiny smile onto my dirtied face in hopes of making myself seem friendly.

 im almost positive they would look at me with disgust, shoo me away and maybe kick me to the mud, but i wanted to hear something new. something about someone I've never known. something different.

"excuse me," my eyes widened with surprise when the person turned around, revealing the kind face of a young woman, "are you lost? I've never seen you before."

the way that she looked at me was... odd. it was as if she was both relieved, yet anxious at the same time. "no, i actually know this area pretty well... say, why do you have those bandages on your face?"

"im pretty clumsy." i lied. 

"and what of your hair? its horribly unkept."

"i haven't the time to care for it."

"and the dirt on your clothes and face? goodness, you're far too thin, as well!"

with each little jab this woman made at my pride, i could feel myself regretting approaching her bit by bit. i knew she'd feel too entitled, too high up on her horse, to even want anything to do with someone like me.

"i apologize for my unsightly appearance, but i would appreciate it if you didn't make me feel as if i were on the same level of a worm."

the stranger took my hands into hers, looking down at me with a gentle expression. "tell me, girl, where is it you live?"

"thats none of your business."

"you live on the streets, yes? is it the townsfolk that have actually given you those horrible injuries on your face?"

"it doesn't matter-- since you know your way around here, i guess ill be taking my leave-"

her grip on my hand grew tighter, her strength overpowering my own as i attempted to get away from her the best i could. "no, you wont be going anywhere until you answer my questions. now, do you have some sort of luck? maybe a strange power? or perhaps have strange things happen to you?"