Elements

Old Friend

        The crew had performed 5 times that week. After their last performance, Sorsa had refused to even look at them. The camp was now getting ready to move on to the next town. They had finished their business here. Their supplies were full, and the people were sufficiently satisfied with the performance that the circus had given them. The town was buzzing about one act in particular though: the flying trapeze act. They had been mesmerized for 5 nights in a row by the figures flying through the air. It was like the performs had defied gravity several times in that one act; which they had, the audience just didn't know how to truly comprehend what was happening. 

        Sorsa was much less agreeable about the subject. After the first time she had done it, she was furious. Now she wanted revenge. Her fear of the act was gone. Now it was just nerves. But even she tried to do the act as they had rehearsed it, the elves would end up throwing her around anyway because it supposedly "made the act better." Well she had news for them: she was not their rag doll to just throw through the air whenever they felt like it! She had tried to do her part, and she was denied it.

        She hadn't spoken a word to anyone since her first performance. The only noise she really made was screaming when the elves decided to throw her around. Of course then they would mute her and she wouldn't be able to make noises after that anyway. Whenever the elves passed her or came near her she gave them the cold shoulder. She didn't even speak to Airn. The only thing he got from her was cold, hard emotion of anger and hatred. 

        The whole thing about her being like this was starting to concern everyone. Before this she had upbeat and positive about most things, and very serious about others. She could make everyone laugh and she was always talking to someone. Now she was cold about everything and never said anything to anyone. 

        Her handmaids had not yet returned to the circus since they left to Sorsa's palace. Laora and Della were supposed to have come back days ago, but they still hadn't come yet. Sorsa felt slightly lost without them. They had been a source of guidance and support that a woman desperately needed in stressful times. When it came to magic she was nearly always lost. Laora and Della had helped with that a lot, giving her tips and tricks on how to do things better. Ever since they left she now had to go by feeling, hoping she was doing it right. 

        She was exploring the camp more often now. Her tent had nothing for her to do in except sleep and get dressed. She and Airn normally walked together, but today Sorsa wanted to be alone. She felt dreary and thought that the morning air would help clear her head. Her anger had finally gotten to her. She didn't want to be angry anymore, and yet at the same time she wanted to be angry with Morn and elves. She starting to get confused. This conflict had to be resolved, but she didn't know how to solve it. 

        Sorsa walked deeper and deeper into the camp only looking at the ground. After a long while of walking, not knowing which direction she was headed or where exactly she was walking to, Sorsa walked right into someone. 

        "Ouch!!" the person she landed on cried. "Watch where you're going!!" 

        Sorsa picked herself off the ground. "I'm sorry," she replied. Sorsa finally looked at her surroundings. She was at the very edge of the camp, by the forest. She was told to stay in the middle of the camp so as not to give and spies or wanderers at the edge of the camp any ideas about who she is. It was much drearier than the middle of the camp, slightly dark. It was all too quiet; not at all what a circus should be. Of course, there weren't many people who stayed in the outskirts of the camp. 

        The day was cloudy with sunshine peeking though the cracks in the patchwork of clouds. Sorsa had run into a woman around her age. She had obviously not had an easy life. Her hands were callused and had long fingers. She was taller than Sorsa was. She wore a simple gray dress with a sash around the waist. Her hair was a light brown with highlights that was cut down to her chin. She had an annoyed look on her face.