Le Cirque Des Cassés

Chapter Four: Dancer

"Masochism; the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from one's own pain or humiliation."

Dancer walked to the kitchen with Whisper, thinking of Child. She viewed the name as fitting, seeing as Child is the youngest person to come to the cirque. Dancer had been a member of the Cirque for many years. Long enough so that when she first arrived only Ringmaster, Lion, Whisper, Blade and Target were there. They, along with Dancer, formed what the cirque referred to as The Veterans, those who have been at the cirque for the longest amount of time.

Due to being there so long, Dancer had been able to see many faces arrive. She was there for each person who arrived there. And the few that managed to leave. Throughout the time she had been there very few people had been rehabilitated, and were able to return home and to normal life. It was always an occasion when that happened. The whole cirque mourned and celebrated at the same time. The cirque was a family, it was always sad to see family leave. Dancer had also noticed that those who leave never come around again, they avoid the cirque, or maybe just couldn't find it. 

That's the thing about always being silent. Dancer, through her silence, has learned how to observe and how to listen. A skill she has noticed some of the others cannot have. Dancer also had the advantage of not hallucinating. 

"What took you two so long?" Bite asked as the couple entered the kitchen. 

"We were talking with Ringmaster and the other veterans," Whisper replied.

"You mean you were talking Whisper. Dancer couldn't speak even if Ringmaster threatened her into it."

"I mean, yeah. But my Dancer speaks in her own ways," Whisper defended.

Dancer had walked past the two, heading to the sink to wash her hands. As she washed her hands she looked down at her arms, wrapped up with cotton as cuts healed, both to aid the healing and to hide the cuts to keep those who worried from panicking. Unlike many of the other masochists of the cirque, Dancer did not have a sadist partner. She supposed she could ask Lion or Cut, but they were both too extreme for her tastes, and she knew better than to go near Blade, no matter how close with Target Dancer was, Blade was Target's and no one messed with that. Flame and Poison usually worked with each other, due to their bonding over their lack of touch with reality sometimes. 

Due to that, Dancer chose to simply harm herself. She was always careful though, and she always had her lovely Whisper there with her just in case she lost touch with what she was doing. After washing her hands, Dancer set upon the task of starting the sandwiches. She pulled out the needed materials, and then paused. She walked over to Whisper and gently tugged on her sleeve.

"Yes Dancer?"

Dancer held her hand by her knee and then tapped her own lips slightly.

"Oh, food for Child. I didn't think to ask," Whisper said, she paused for a moment, "Darling, could you go get Child? I suppose she can be in here with us today, as long as we keep our eyes on her. I don't want her to have the ability to hurt one of us. And if it's fine with you two."

"It's fine by me. Besides, maybe she could help by grabbing and putting away materials," Bite said. Dancer gave a nod of agreement with Bite.

"Alright then. Child is likely with Snake," Whisper said. Dancer nodded and then set out to find Snake and Child. Due to Child being new, they didn't know what she liked to eat yet. And Bite did have a point, Child is small enough to weave between the three of them to put things away easily. Dancer first headed toward the main tent, she didn't see Child or Snake leave after the meeting. Last Dancer knew they were talking with Doll. 

Dancer entered the main tent and found Snake holding Child, still talking to Doll. Dancer walked over and gently tapped Snake's shoulder. 

"Yes Dancer?" Snake asked, turning around to face Dancer. Dancer pointed at Child, clapped twice and then made a motion indicating that she wanted to hold Child. "Why do you want Child?" 

Dancer tapped her lips twice and pointed at Child. 

"I think Dancer wants to take Child to the kitchen for food," Doll said softly. Dancer nodded.

"You and Whisper will keep her safe right Dancer?" Snake questioned, once Dancer nodded, Snake handed Child to Dancer. 

Dancer stood still for a moment, making sure Child was okay with this arrangement. Child nodded at her, and with that Dancer set off back toward the kitchen. Child seemed to relax some in Dancer's arms. Maybe due to the realization that Dancer, much like her, didn't speak. Maybe due to the fact that Dancer's skin felt warmer than Snake's, something they all noticed long ago is that Snake's skin can stay so very cold. Nonetheless, in silence, Dancer carried Child to the kitchen.

"Hey," Bite said gently, "Do you wanna help us make sandwiches for everyone Child?" Child nodded rapidly, making Bite giggle gently. "Alright then Child. We're gonna have you grab what we need for us, and then at the end you can help Dancer make a sandwich for yourself, alright?" Child nodded again. 

"Perfect," Whisper said quietly. Dancer carefully set down Child, who eagerly awaited a command. 

"Child, in the fridge there is a drawer with lunch meat and sliced cheese in it, can you bring those to the middle counter for us?" Bite asked of Child, who quickly moved to do so. As Child gathered the materials, Dancer went to a cupboard and grabbed the bread they would need and Whisper was grabbing bags of chips. 

Quickly, they managed to get through all the sandwiches for everyone in the cirque except Child, and a few other exceptions. Snake and Wolf both ate other food that they prepared themselves with Whisper's supervision. Whisper and Bite quickly got started on bringing the food out as Dancer got a small stool for Child and they started on her sandwich. 

Child had chosen PB and J as her sandwich. Together they set everything up, and started making the sandwich. After everything was spread onto the bread and all that was left was to close the sandwich Dancer held a finger up to Child, who gave a confused look in response. Dancer then carefully took the knife and gently carved a heart shape into the peanut butter on one slice of bread. Child's face lit up, and she jumped up and down some. Dancer laughed at it, and carefully closed the sandwich, handing the plate to Child and opening the door. 

Child carried her plate into the dining area. There were two tables in the dining area. One table held Ringmaster, Lion, Wolf, Blade, Target, Bite, Cut, Voice, Dancer and Whisper. The other sat Flame, Poison, Switch, Doll, Snake, Blind, and the Twins.  

Dancer noticed that Snake had left a seat open for Child, in between her and Doll. Dancer smiled gently, it was a kind gesture from Doll and Snake, those two were best friends and by allowing Child to sit between them, it showed that they cared about Child. Child quickly walked over and took the seat for her, Snake smiled gently and hugged around Child's shoulders, not having food herself yet but still sitting with all the others. Dancer walked over to her seat by Whisper. The cirque was a lot to handle sometimes, but Dancer loved it. Dancer also loved every single person in that room as family, and she hopes to never lose any of them.