Below The Surface - A Lackadaisy Fanfiction

Underground...Welcome to the Circus

If anything, she was downright pissed with Lacrimosa's persistent calling: nonetheless, a promise to burn a place to the ground was a promise...

Roxanna had no last name—at least as much as she was aware of: she had not known her father, nor her mother. It was as if she had been stripped away from her family right at birth. Yet those bright blue eyes reminded many people of her father. Some schmuck who worked on the railroads, many would point out to her. Point, blank period: nothing more or less, and she never questioned it.

Growing up alone, she had practiced agility, gymnastics and balance over the years of her life: even earning herself a spot in a nearby Circus. She found her place as an acrobat. A damn good one, if that. She raked in the money, but her job was toxic. It was all worth it when she heard the crowds roar her name: Roxanna the Radiant. It was a redundant name at first, but better than whatever insult was thrown her way by someone of higher wealth. Though, her acrobatic skills and dreams were halted. The circus she worked for, that would travel from place to place, shut down just last night.

She wasn't mad, per se. It was like an awful weight alleviated off of her chest. Now, she could focus on not only her acrobatics, but her life of crime, too.

She let out a small hum: the circus shut down because the Ringleader died "mysteriously". In reality, the real reason why Roxanna wasn't made was that she had killed him, all in the name of self defense and protecting her friends, her second family. However, a blazing fire took more than just one life, and it cost her most of her tail. Her tail...it was merely a nub, now.

Now a pang went through her heart: she would not see them again...but she hoped the best for them all in heaven. They deserved the peace: they really did.

She kept her head down as she passed through the bustling streets of St. Louis, wearing a cream coat with a matching cloche hat. Her coat and dress ruffles had fluffed and rustled every stride she took. Her heels clicked on the concrete, her eyes narrowed.

She got caught up in her head, in unraveling thoughts, up until she had been rammed into. She let out an exasperated yell, falling to the ground.

"Esther! You okay?!"

"Agh, scheiße...yeah, I'm fine, Rose..."

Roxanna looked up, brows furrowed. She stared at the tuxedo cat in front of her, frowning. Esther rubbed her arm, letting out a sharp sigh. She mustered a small smile, trying to appear friendly.

"...apologies: I didn't mean to run into you." She brushed off her pants, rising to her feet. She bent down slightly, holding her hand out.

Roxanna hesitated, but pressed out a gloved hand, grasping Esther's and bein hoisted up. Rose perked up, her own green eyes sparking.

"Do you know where the...Maribel Hotel is?" Rose quickly looked at the address sheet. Esther shoved the paper into her pocket, clamping a hand on her sister's mouth.

"Rose, you can't just ask random people something like that!" She scolded.

"But we're lost!"

"So?! We could get mugged!"

As the two sisters argued, Roxanna cocked a brow. Mugged? She pondered.

"...you speak as if this is New York." She blurted, eyes narrowed. Esther and Rose turned to look at her.

"We just came from there!" Rose exclaimed, smiling broadly.

"Rose!" Esther exclaimed.

"What?!" Rose made a small face.

"You won't get mugged in the daytime." Roxanna held up her hands reassuringly. "That only happens at night: trust me, I'd know."