Quiet Laughter

“The circus is in town.” Royal announced to her brother hoping to pull him out of his current broody funk. She added, faking a shifty grin when Tighe turned and looked at her, “It’ll be fu~n.”

The Fae turned back to folding his laundry and Royal dropped the false grin, replacing it with a scowl. As she watched her older brother place his clothes into his dresser, Royal tried to puzzle out the reason for Tighe’s current mood.

It had been over a hundred years since Maynard and Itsuki were executed. All their belongings had been removed the night following and their rooms occupied by newcomers. Tighe wore out the last of the clothing Maynard made him long ago and Royal never mentioned Itsuki even when asked.

Lately having a New England town house had become popular. Thus Master Karnik bought himself a town house in New York and hopped a train to their new home. A much smaller home that required some being left behind.

When the Master announced the move and the lack of space for everyone, Royal remembered Tighe looked somewhat happy. That was until the Master listed those who would be coming. Then he lost the hope he had briefly gained, packed his single allotted suitcase and moved to New York, resigned to his fate.

The resignation turned to delight once Tighe saw the top of the line steam powered locomotive that they would all be taking to their new home. The fact that the trip began on the fiftieth anniversary of his arrival as a possession of Master Karnik was a welcomed bonus and thus allowed Tighe to freely wander so long as Royal was with him.

He began to smile more, started chatting up random strangers and slowly returned to the young man that Royal grew up around. Tighe even grew comfortable enough to shift into his preferred feline form, a black and white kitten to cozy up to the few children on board. Royal felt bad each time she had to pry her brother off of an affectionate little girl or happy little boy’s lap and return to their private car.

Then one night, she was called to the Master’s side…

“How very prompt of you, Royal.” Karnik said as way of greeting. The vampire was sprawled out along one of the seats, peering up at her upside down where she stood in the aisle.

Off to the side, Royal could see Kazumi glaring at her through his long silvering black hair. He had his legs stretched out in the seat with his back to the window. She ignored the aging werewolf and focused her attention on her Master.

“Have you sufficiently overseen the preparations?” Karnik asked lazily when she nodded he inquired “And how is my lovely little Tighe?”

“Yes Royal, how is the little bastard?” Kazumi asked before she could answer Karnik. “Found any other man to whore himself to lately?”

“Tighe is well, Master.” She responded politely. “I’m certain he’d be honored to know you asked.”

“I am sure he has missed me.” Karnik answered Royal, but turned his gaze to the aging werewolf, and glared.

The Fae hid a smirk and knew this would the perfect opportunity to rid herself—and Tighe— of a bothersome annoyance. Already Master Karnik was poised to do away with Kazumi, all he needed was just one more reason.

“That must be the reason he’s been keeping himself busy.” Royal demurely purred. “He’s found his way into every train car and young passenger’s lap. Why just recently fraello— ”

“Nobody cares what the fucking bastard is up to.” Kazumi snapped. “He could get thrown from the train and no one would care.”

Karnik kicked Kazumi out of his lounge. "I would miss any of my harem that isn't present." He swiftly pinned Kazumi to the ground and pondered what would be the most entertaining way to do away with a toy that was past its sell by date.

As Kazumi sputtered and stammered excuses and begged for mercy, Royal sensed this was the time she had anticipated. For 2600 nights she dreamt of this day, this exact moment. And now that it had come...

Karnik jumped to his feet in one quick smooth movement, Kazumi dangling from his hand by his shirt collar. Karnik let him hang there, kicking and choking whilst he mused aloud, “What to do with a tired old dog.”

  “Master, if I may?” Royal said politely. She bowed her head in apology for interjecting.

  “I would be more than happy to deal with the issue of Kazumi with your permission, Master. Please do not put yourself out by occupying time with this trash.  Allow me and it shall be done quickly and efficiently.”

He enjoyed Kazumi’s struggles for a few moments more, but it wasn't anything he hadn't seen him do before. His shining moment of entertainment had come, and had passed many moons ago. Still, there was time for a grand finale, and Royal never failed him.

He tossed Kazumi at her. “Make it entertaining.” He told her.

As Royal lifted her head, she deftly drew her blade and it began to dance in the light with movements faster than could be seen with human sight. Kazumi only had enough time to draw a quick breath before he was on the blood covered floor in pain.

She kicked him hard and Kazumi didn't even whimper.

Karnik leaned back against the side of the train. “That was graceful only on your part. You could have made much more of it.” He said disappointed.

“It's hard to do anything inventive and appealing with such talent.” Royal replied wiping her sword off on a clean patch of Kazumi's clothing before sheathing her blade.

  “As the old saying goes, 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.'”

Karnik looked down at the old blooded wolf lying on the floor, his fingers twitching, not even trying to raise himself up.

"Point." He conceded. “Get rid of it.”

“As you command.” Royal said bowing grasping a hold of Kazumi's arm and dragged him to the door between compartments. As she slid open the door, Royal jerked Kazumi to his feet and whispered in his ear.

“I wonder if you can learn one last trick, old dog?”

  “And what's that?” Kazumi surprised her by asking.

  “Let's see if you can fly!” Royal said with a smile then shoved him out the door and off the train.

Karnik was briefly amused on Royals direct method of literally getting rid of the mangy old cur, he even grinned, but it was over too quickly. It was just the steady rhythm of the train, the landscape slipping by and Royal standing to attention.

Back to square one: boredom.

Royal sensed her Master’s ennui as she shut the door. She really didn’t even need her Fae senses to tell her he was bored. The rabid look in his eyes dulled. The brief grin on his face faded. All quite human signs on an inhuman monster of boredom.

“Shall I retrieve someone to who is able to entertain you far better than I?” Royal inquired.

Karnik sprawled back down in the ludicrously uncomfortable chairs. "Yes. Surprise me." He said. He needed something to distract him from these doldrums.

Tighe hardly reacted when Royal told him the news Kazumi was lying in a broken heap somewhere between Denver and Springfield. In fact, both Faes shared a giggle and refused to say a prayer to his ultimate fate.

“Tighe.” Royal said in the present with an obvious hint of worry in her voice. “You’d been looking forward to seeing the circus for two weeks.”

“What’s the use of going?” he replied with a sigh. His sister gave him a puzzled frown before glaring at him.

“You’ll see some kids.”

“Who I’ll never see again.” Tighe responded emotionlessly. “And who I can’t go home with even if I wanted to with all my heart.”

“You can still play with them.” Royal retorted. “And what about the animals? How many times have you or I seen a lion hopping through a hoop? Or an elephant standing on a ball?”

Tighe cracked a grin, “And don’t forget the clowns.”

Royal pounced upon the crack in his depressing armor, “Yes! Didn’t the ones in the parade look kinda like some of the Knighted?”

“You thought so too?!” her brother exclaimed bouncing up and grasping her hands in his own. “I thought it was just me!”

“No!” Royal cried letting some of her brother’s joy rub off on her. “Come on let’s go, I got the tickets and everything!”

Without another word both Fae’s slipped between realms and reappeared outside the massive multicolored tent that was erected in the city. The combined scent of the circus coated Tighe’s senses.

There was the tangy feral scent of lions and tigers pacing in their steel cages. The dusty aroma of a leathery elephant. The other hand there was the sickly sweet smell of cotton candy and caramel apples. The air dripping with buttery popcorn and salty peanuts.

The crush of humanity was sweaty with excitement and from the warmth of those around them. Lead laced paint practically oozing from the pores of dancing clowns. White powder took to the air with the acrobats.

Loud notes from the band fought with those of a nearby organ player. Disguised by the larger battle, a man playing a set of spoons and a monkey turning a jack in the box snuck in for the kill. Hawkers bellowed over the musical mayhem announcing show times to view the traveling freak show and incredible feats of strength.

“What do you want to see first?” Royal asked her brother and began pointing out the sights. “The bearded lady, Harriet? Madame Madelyn the psychic? The strong man Mr Biggs?”

“Let’s see Madelyn!” Tighe animatedly exclaimed. “I already know my future and she’s probably a fake but—”

“It’s always fun to play with them.” Royal interrupted grabbing her brother’s hand. “Why people want to play at powers they don’t understand I will not understand.”

“People want to be seen as special.” Tighe said as him and his sister walked toward the small blue tent in the distance. “Saying they can see the future makes them feel important. Nearly everyone wants to know what lies ahead. They need those who say they can see the future and those who admit to being psychic need them.”

“But nobody really wants to know what’s ahead. What they really want is assurances.”

“Yup. People want to know if they’re doing right. That all their struggles are not in vain and if they hear otherwise, the fortuneteller is dismissed. So they must comfort their customer to keep their own morale up.”

“Nasty circle.” Royal replied as they approached the tent.

Up close they could smell the scent of some exotic incense, see the material of the tent had small bright yellow stars sewn on it. Inside the dim interior, sat a small decaying table of mismatch wood and two chairs. Behind which was the figure of a woman swathed in what appeared to be mismatched crochet afghans.

“Welcome.” The woman croaked and motioned them to the chairs before her. She smiled beneath her yarn prison as Tighe bit by bit crept to the chair and sat down. Royal stayed by the doorway. Something told her to keep her distance.

“You wish to know your future?” the woman asked him. Tighe smiled brightly and nodded.

Another smile crept across her face as she pulled out a stack cards wrapped in white silk. As the woman drew the silk away and started shuffling the cards, Tighe began to feel a tad lightheaded. When the woman began laying out the cards, the Fae started feeling like he smoke some marijuana.

“In the future, I see new friends.” the woman began pouring over the ten cards she placed in a straight line next to a cross formation.

“I see me falling out of this chair and hitting the floor.” Tighe said with a quiet chuckle as the world spun.

Correction: Some good weed.

Madame Madelyn lost her ever present smile and Royal rushed to her brother’s side, drawing her sword. The psychic had only a second to blink before she had the point of the kitana at her throat. At that moment, they both had come to important realizations.

He’s a Fae!

She’s a witch!

“My apologies.” She told Royal calmly scooping her cards up from the table.

The woman wrapped the cards back in the silk and returned them to the folds of her clothes. Madelyn drew her hood back and a strangely youthful face peered back at Royal from a curtain of white hair. The Fae assassin wondered how such an old sounding voice could come from someone who appeared no older than forty.

“I had thought that the purple was a hair dye mistake.” The witch told them.

“It isn’t.” Royal snapped as Tighe slumped in the chair giggling. She refused to lower her weapon until she was certain her brother was fine.

“He’s very lucky my magic mixing with his own didn’t kill him.”

“You can thank human genes for that miracle.” Royal replied. “Because if fraello had died, you would as well.”

“I do apologize.” Madelyn told her demurely. “Perhaps I may go obtain someone to carry your boyfriend so we can go some place where he can be more comfortable?”

“Fraello means brother.” Royal snapped. “And you’re not moving until I’m sure he is fine.” She heard a crash and a familiar giggle behind her.

“Ally! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Tighe whined. Royal cut her eyes from the amused witch to her brother slumped on the ground, his head on the chair and sheathed her sword.

“I really do apologize.” she told the Fae rising to her feet and darting out the back of the tent.

Royal shook her head and took a seat by the chuckling mass of awkward waving limbs that was her brother.
-----------------------------------------

Hunter Troy hated meetings—especially those ones involving the blood politics of natural born vampires. As an heir of the esteemed Troyes family, it was up to Hunter to sit in on the conferences that duty required attendance but his father and uncle felt were beneath their notice.

Today for instance, an envoy of witches disguised as a traveling circus was introducing themselves to the gathered representatives. Another visitor, a pack of werewolves, was also making their rounds. Lurking in a corner, Hunter saw the local representative of the necromancers.

Hunter shivered as the cold eyes of the death magi passed over him as she scanned the room. Despite the relatively old practice of having a necromancer employed exclusively, the vampire had never gotten over his initial fears of them. The witches his family had engaged in the past did not have the same power at their fingertips as the gray eyed female. Nor did any of the werewolf guards patrolling the estate have the same dark aura surrounding the young white haired mortal.

“Tell me, Troy.” A man at his elbow said. “What do you think of the latest audacious act of that harem boy?”

Hunter turned and saw one of the sons of another high ranking vampire family at his side. Shame I can’t remember which family the man belonged to.

The oily looking man tried looking poised and collected but it was rather hard when a six foot slender mass of lithe muscle with long silver blond hair and enchanting sea green eyes, deck out fine black clothing was right next to you. Hunter’s heighten perceptions picked up the jealousy oozing off the man’s skin as a few pretty girls winked at him.

“And what particular ‘harem boy’ are you talking about?” Hunter inquired. “There are just so many. ”

The vampire aristocrat pointed to the black haired man speaking to one of the visiting witches across the room from them. Judging from how close the vampire’s head was to the ceiling, Hunter estimated the stranger to be taller than even him. Hmm…

“His name is Karnik,” the vampire told. “He claims he has a few fairy connections and feels he should have a voice in how we pure bloods run things because of them.”

“Fae.” Hunter corrected seeing the stranger in a new light. He finally remembered the family the man he spoke with belong to and duly recalled none of them were very bright. “They’re called Fae and depending on which type he has a connection to, Karnik is either the baddest ass in the room or the scariest shit.”

As he walked away, Hunter missed Karnik cutting his eyes toward him and delivering a devious slow grin to his retreating back.

Meghann Eris Troy hated meetings as well. She especially hated that she was required to dress impeccably—meaning jammed in a dress two sizes smaller than she actually was making her svelte build abnormally disproportionate. She hated the shoes that pinched her feet but added to her five-four height. She completely despised her maid who kept washing out the cornflower blue dye from her long hair despite being told constantly not to. Most of all, Meghann hated the man chatting with her.

“So what do you say, Lady Meghann.” The upstart asked as he tried staring down her top.

He never saw the palm strike that caught him right under the chin or heard Eris angrily stomp off. He did however see a woman horribly dressed in a crocheted nightmare briefly speak with one of the visiting witches and both rushing off. Then he simply passed out.

Hunter found his cousin an hour later tearing off her dress in large messy strips in an empty room upstairs from the conference area. The hotel staff had been kind enough to send for some of her clothing which lay folded on the bed. Judging from Meghann’s dripping blue locks of hair, the staff had enough time to also be nice enough to dye her hair.

Or not, Hunter thought seeing stains of blue on the destroyed dress. My dear cousin must have dyed her hair herself.

“Hey if you’re done gawking, do you mind unlacing this fucking corset?” she snapped at him. “I can’t get the right angle to snap the whale bone.”

Hunter smirked as he closed the door behind him then went to his cousin’s side to assist her. Two hours of industrious labor, fine tune primping and quick stitching, lay in ruins from Meghann’s ministrations. He sighed at waste of a nice dress and snapped the whale bone with the powers of his mind, turning around so to give his cousin some privacy.

Honor dictated he at least give the young woman that. It hardly mattered that Meghann and him used to take baths and swim together as children. Or that neither he nor his cousin were what you would call “normal”. Hunter still followed etiquette that formal society dictated.

“Remind me to dismiss my maid.” Meghann snapped sliding into a comfortable pair of slacks. She merciless threw the remains of her dress away from her and set them on fire as they flew past Hunter.

“She’s been with the family for fifty years.” Her cousin said as he leisurely sauntered toward the smoldering bundle and stomped out the fire.

“I don’t care if she’s been with the family for a thousand years!” she snapped and tugged the simple cotton shirt over her head. Meghann pulled the shirt over her bosom and began viciously tucking it into her pants before speaking again.

“That stupid bitch doesn’t obey, the first rule of being someone’s servant. I told her when she washed my hair to make sure the dye didn’t come out…and what does she do?!”

“Takes it out so you’ll look presentable to society.” Hunter replied with a smirk. He chances a look behind him and assured that his cousin is dressed, Hunter turns back around.
“Manners and hobbies notwithstanding, you are a lady of society.”

“The motorcycles are not a hobby!” Meghann snapped just as the room was invaded.

The absent envoy member had returned along with Madame Madelyn carrying a giggling mass of legs and lavender hair. Before either vampire could blink another female marched in the room, shouting at the two witches to unhand her fraello.

As if the scene couldn’t get even more chaotic or strange, the last person in had a sword in her hand. Hunter reacted with pure instinct then and drew the saber at his side and took a protective position in front of Meghann. Royal brought her kitana up and shoved the two witches and her brother behind her.

“O~o!” Tighe squealed. “Pretty swords! They shiny!”

“I demand you drop your sword and tell me who are you and what are you doing here?” Hunter demanded.

“I’ll be willing to tell you who I am and what I’m doing here but I refuse to relinquish my blade.” Royal replied evenly and Hunter’s eyes narrowed.

“I have you know, young lady—” Hunter’s announcement was cut off by Tighe’s loud guffaws. Before the situation could get any worse the witches spoke up.

“There was an incident involving these two and this one needed a place to recover.” The witch holding Tighe told Hunter.

“I thought this room was empty, so we entered without a thought.” Madelyn added. “I apologize.”

“You’re a shitty psychic, Maddy!” Tighe exclaimed before going suddenly pale. “i think i’m gonna barf.”

“Drop ‘em!” Royal ordered and the witch was quick to obey. Almost before his feet touched the ground, Tighe was already in the other room where Meghann’s bath water still cooled. The sound of retching reached them long before the scent.

“Mind explaining precisely what went on?” Meghann demanded.

She pointed to the two spell casters. “I know you two are from that envoy of witches. But what—” Meghann then pointed at Royal who still had her sword and guard up. “Exactly are you?”

“One quarter Fae.” Tighe replied in a rough voice as he stumbled back in the room. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and continued, “I’m three-fourths Fae.”

“So you’re with that Karnik guy, right?” Hunter inquired. It was Royal’s eyes that narrowed this time.

“We belong to him, yes.” She replied. “How is it you know him?”

“Yeah, Hunter.” Meghann said. “Who’s Karnik and how do you know’im?”

“Karnik is one of the other representatives at the meeting downstairs.” Hunter answered.

“He’s here?!” Tighe screamed. “Oh Kami, he’s gonna be so mad. Shit! Shitshitshit. ”

Royal glanced at Hunter and both sheathed their swords at the same time then she went to wrap her brother in her arms.

“Calm down, it’ll be okay.” She told him.

“It won’t!” Tighe cried. “Remember that time you and I went out and almost got mugged? Even though you took care of the asshole, Master Karnik refused to let me out his sight for a month!”

“I’m sure you won’t have worry about slumber parties with Master Karnik anytime soon.” Royal told him. “You won’t be seen before you’re done getting well.”

He shuddered and whispered, “You don’t know that.”

“Well, I don’t know about you but I, for one, want to leave this place.” Meghann said with a grin. “And seeing how you want a better place to crash I got the perfect solution!”

She nudged Hunter with her elbow, “Wanna take ‘em to our place?”

Hunter smirked, “Sounds fine. I’m somewhat curious about Miss One quarter Fae’s sword.”

“It’s a kitana, and my name is Royal Kimura.”

“A pleasure.” Hunter replied with a short aborted bow. “I am Hunter Troy, this is my cousin Meghann Eris Troy.”

Royal bowed low, careful to never remove her eyes from the vampires in front of her.

“I’m Tighe Abracomas.” Tighe introduced himself and added with a smile, “Hey Meghann, can I call you Meggy?”

Royal and Hunter burst into laughter at the murderous look Meghann shot Tighe.
-----------------------------------------

Far away from the black polluted skies of the city lay the countryside where the Troy family kept their summer home. Modeled after the grand ancestral Troyes châteaux, the mansion sat nestled in the before a thick forest and behind rod iron gates.

Royal pulled her slumbering brother closer to her in the carriage. A sight that didn’t go unnoticed between Hunter and Meghann.

The foot man carried Tighe inside and laid him on a couch in the study while Royal, Meghann and Hunter sat down in surrounding chairs. A maid came in briefly and set out some tea for everyone to drink.

“So your mother was half Fae and your father was a full blood Japanese human while Tighe’s father was full blooded Fae.” Hunter said an hour later.

“Yes,” Royal replied and sipped her tea. “It also explains why I don’t have the typical strong Japanese features. My mother’s Fae genes are more dominant than my father’s. Thus I have blond hair and my eyes aren’t slanted.”

“So why does Tighe have funky hair?” Meghann asked.

“It’s a trait of the Abracomas line. I hear all of them had the same hair and eye color as him.”

“Had?” Hunter inquired as Tighe yawned and nuzzled deeper into the cushions. “So Tighe is the last of his line?”

“So I understand.” Royal said with a secret smile. “Most of the noble Court families had a tradition of conceiving one child. It’s now somewhat biting them in the ass.”

Megahnn snickered, “Kinda sounds like our species.”

“You have to admit the wisdom behind it, though.” Hunter argued. “When you have immortality and the ability to procreate, it’s not wise to have too many children. In just a few centuries you could possibly completely run out of resources.”

“That same type of wisdom also promotes inbreeding.” Royal retorted. “There’s this guy I know, Garai Kaikala—”

Tighe’s scream interrupted her and all eyes jerked to the slumbering Fae. His face was scrunched up, as if in distress and his feet twitched like he was running from some foe. The Fae whimpered and curled into a tight protective ball.

“Looks like fraello hasn’t forgotten about that.” His sister murmured as the two cousins tore their eyes away from Tighe. Before either Hunter or Meghann could ask, Royal responded.

“Long story short: The ass hurt him.”

“He kill him or at least get him back?”

Royal shook her head and answered Megahnn, “Fae rule one: do no harm. You break it, you generally get served a death sentence.”

She sighed, “I pretty much lucked out when I killed those who murdered my parents. It was to protect Tighe so I got marked then exiled.”

“How long ago was that?” Hunter asked.

“Earth realm, it was around three hundred years ago. Time in the realm of the Fae runs differently and depends on Queen Titania and the Unseelie King’s whim on exactly how much.” Royal explained.

“Fae culture is fascinating.” Hunter said. “I’ve heard of Queen Titania, but who is the Unseelie King.”

“He’s the guy who rules the Court during Fall and Winter months. Since I was born in Summer, thus a Seelie Fae, I don’t know much —or really anything — about the Unseelie Court.”

“So the season determines who rules?” Hunter inquired as his cousin let out a bored yawn.

“Just who rules Tuatha Eire, not who is King or Queen of the two Courts. Seasons also decide which type of Fae you are.” Royal took a sip of tea. “If a Fae is born in Summer or Spring, they are Seelie Fae. If a Fae is born in Winter or Autumn, they are Unseelie Fae.”

“Uh not that I find this whole conversation extremely educational. ” Meghann announced raising her hand as Tighe cracked his eyes open. “But I’m going to go and work on my motorcycle, ‘kay?”

“What’s a motorcycle?” Tighe inquired as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. Hunter sighed and rolled his eyes, preparing himself for the predictable speech his cousin was readying. Sure enough Meghann’s eyes lit up.

“It’s the most awesome creation ever.” She exclaimed. “Hunter and I saw this French circus performer in New York with one and we just had to have two built, since it’s no fun to rid alone.”

“So it’s a machine?” Royal curiously asked. Already her mind began figuring out how something one could ride could become a weapon.

Meghann nodded and Tighe’s face fell. Royal looked over and patted her brother on the head.

“You can’t help it you have more Fae blood than me. And it isn’t your fault Faes and machines don’t mix.” She told him. At the Troys curious expressions, Royal explained.

“There’s an odd anti-social thing between Faes and mechanics. A pure blood Fae lays even one finger on an antique pistol, the thing will somehow break into small pieces.”

Meghann looked absolutely horrified at the thought of her prized motorcycle being reduced to scrap metal.

“But that’s only pure bloods and only if they touch it.” Royal told her. “I’ve noticed with Tighe so long as he’s not the one operating the machine, it doesn’t break. I have enough human blood that tech isn’t an issue with me.”

“But that also means you can’t teleport unless a purer blooded Fae is close.” Tighe added. He noticed Hunter begin to look at him curiously and his Fae logic took over before his human mind could curb his mouth.

“Why doesn’t fraella go see the motor cycle with Meggy—” Meghann angrily rose to deal with Tighe nicknaming her but Royal rolled her eyes and motioned for the vampire to sit down with a shake of her head. The Fae continued oblivious of anything happening.

“And I’ll stay here with Hunter green eyed! That way everyone gets what they want. Hunter gets questions answered, Meggy can go do more interesting things and fraella can tell me all about motor cycles!”

“I don’t really care to—” Royal began but one look at her brother’s gleeful face made her sigh.

“So tell me about this motorcycle…”