The First Act (SAMIR)

[Archibald Hoffman]

Archie grinned a fool's grin as sweat beaded his brow. Staring out at the crowd with nothing but applause filling his senses, he was keenly aware of the rapid rise and fall of his chest, his breathing heavy and labored. He'd been the closing act tonight, and his body was tired from the rapid shifting from man to tiger to man once again. He had to transform fast as to not freak out the children in the audience as it was a rather gruesome transformation when done at the normal speed. His shifting was always accompanied by the sound of bones cracking and breaking to form a shape entirely new. It sure as hell tired him out to speed up the process, but the last thing he wanted was for his guests to be disgusted, particularly those of the younger variety. Yet, it was all worth it to bask in the roar of the crowd and to see the equally as prideful faces of his troupe. He turned to the troupe that stood alongside him in the circle, bowing as the show closed out. Many alongside him were outcasts just as he, shunned by society somehow for their oddities or circumstances. It always filled him with overwhelming joy to see them in a place they felt they belonged in. Slowly the throngs of people ushered out the opening to the big top tent. As they were filtering out, Archie called out with a final dramatic bow, "Auf wiedersehen!" Behind him fire shot out of cannons in the ground for a last bit of fanfare. 

When the last of the crowd filtered out of the tent, the troupe dispersed, rushing out after the crowd of patrons and chatting excitedly amongst themselves. Archie always held social events after shows at the circus, wanting to build a sense of community between the residents of Astaria and the performers. Herr Hoffman's Enchanted Cirque only recently made its base in Astaria, and many of the troupe members were from out of the state, some even the country. He desperately wanted them to make connections and feel at home here. 

Archie sucked in a harsh breath, standing by himself in the center performing circle, already feeling the harsh claws of loneliness sink in. He sat there for a minute, sitting in it before trotting outside the main flaps of the tent to join his troupe in the socializing. There were many small clumps of people sprawled out across the circus grounds, performers and patrons merrily conversing. Archie flitted from group to group, thanking the patrons in his thick German accent for their attendance. He shifted into a tiger for a few kids that begged him. He always had a soft spot for children and could never say no and he happily gave a few kids a ride on his back around the big top tent before returning them safely to their guardians. He'd then shift back and make his way to the next group.

Exasperated from the shifting and conversation, Archie found a quiet spot just a ways from the crowd, watching contentedly from the picnic table he sat at. 

@lupin

[Deleted]

Just a few days after he first emerged from the mirror in Haven and met Jaina, he’d received a mission from the Cabal: join this circus, and use that as a cover for future operations in Astaria. More information to come. However, if he ran into a man named Luca Moretti he was to get as close as he possibly can, surveil him, and report back. He was warned not to engage in combat with this man, and was given a picture and general description, but knew little else about him or what the Cabal could possibly want with him. That was their arrangement… they told him what to steal, what to deliver, who to transport, what doors to unlock. He didn’t ask questions, and outside of when his skills were needed, he was allowed to live his own life.

Samir watched from behind the curtains as Archie transformed, leapt around. His new - temporary, he reminded himself - boss certainly was something else. He walked out into the ring with the others as the show ended, taking hold of the clown and the tightrope walker’s hands as they all took a bow, as the lights dimmed and the performers began milling around talking to the crowd. The mirrored interior of his jacket shimmered in the stage lights, throwing rainbow spots of light all around the big top.

He knew how to be Lupin the thief, he knew how to be the Marvelous Mazdani, master of illusions. He didn’t know how to interact with others outside of a role, as Samir. That, and he’d quickly learned that performing in the circus took it out of him… manipulating mirrors for 15 or 20 minutes at a time took an intense amount of concentration. He watched with a bemused smile as Archie went from group to group, his German accent cutting through the chatter. The man was always moving, always talking, and Samir didn’t know whether watching him made him jealous or tired.

When Archie came and sat at the picnic table Samir had retreated to post-show, he made to get up. He’d not been here long at all, so he doubted the Ringmaster wanted to talk to him one to one… or maybe he did? He wasn’t leaving, after all. “Bonsoir, Monsieur Hoffman. I can leave if you are needing time alone?” He raised a brow, idly twirling a stage knife in his left hand. “If not, I just wanted to say I am glad you allow me to come on the stage.”

Samir turned bright red, gripping the stage knife’s haft and blunt blade in his hand. “Ah, my English is not so good. This is why I stick to the illusions.”

Archibald Hoffman

[Archibald Hoffman]

Archie ran a hand mindlessly through his hair, watching lazily at the people walking by. It was a bit wild and greasy. He longed for a shower, but he'd have to wait. Archie always waited until all of his troupe members hit the showers first, and then he would. While he had a trailer separate from the shared tents and trailers of the performers, he always attempted to be one with the troupe. He knew his power wasn't all too exciting on his own. They were the true treasures of the cirque, he just had the funds to make it happen.

It wasn't until a moments rest that he noticed he was not alone at the table. Archie gave a warm smile. It was a tired one, but a happy one nonetheless. In front of him was Samir, a recent addition to the family. He had never had much of a chance to get to talk to him one on one. Being a recent add-on to the show, Archie had found himself too preoccupied with other matters to give him a more welcome introduction. While he hadn't the pleasure of knowing Samir firsthand so far, he'd heard praises from some of the other veteran members of the circus about how the new recruit was acclimating and performing.

"Ah, Herr... Mazdani, yes?" Twinkling green eyes met gray, "You must stay, I insist, my apologies, I did not see you there, the kids have me a little worn out," he laughed, something low and warm, shaking his head at himself. Watching as Samir played with the knife in his head, Archie offered up another smile, one that fully reached his eyes, "Nonsense, allow me to thank you. You are a marvelous addition! I'd say we're quite -..what is the word..- fortunate, yes, fortunate, indeed to have met you, Herr Mazdani!"

Archie crossed his legs and leaned with his back against the table, "And a fine illusionist you are," he beamed, filled with pride letting loose a chuff without even realizing it. He'd taken note of Samir's blush, finding it charming. Leaning in towards Samir, perhaps too closely, but Archie was never a good judge, at least not yet, he asked excitedly, "Tell me, Herr Mazdani, what is your story? We all have one," His eyes glittered with anticipation, "What brings you here? I have yet to have had the pleasure in speaking with you," Samir seemed like a private man, at least to Archie and boy was Archie curious. 

@lupin

[Deleted]

“I was fortunate to have seen on your website you were in want of an illusionist, and I was in want of a job and a way to travel the world, so, things have worked out quite nicely.” Samir’s blush gradually faded, and he returned the warm smile, but did lean slightly away from the other man’s questioning gaze. Archie wasn’t too much older than him, but he seemed so much more mature, authoritative. Unafraid to take up space. The man’s self-confidence was contagious… was it weird to think he reminded him a little of his father? Samir wondered if he’d one day have that sort of presence outside of when he put on a persona for a job.

“I thank you vraiment for zis compliment,” Samir said, slowly smiling wider, letting himself feel a little proud of himself for once. He was particularly happy with the trick where he passed cards between palm-sized mirrors, it was a nice opener, and then of course the classic trick where he ‘survived being sawn in half’ with the help of two mirrors within the split box. At the end of his set he disappeared in a puff of smoke with the help of his jacket.

The tricks he had come up with were interesting to watch, and his showmanship got better and better every show; the other performers had told him so. They were all so nice, part of him wished this wasn’t just a cover. That he could stay with them forever.

The other part of him, admittedly, felt trapped. It had been years since he’d had to stay in one place. Since he couldn’t travel wherever he wanted by walking into a mirror. But there were a lot of eyes on him in the tent he shared with the other junior performers. He preferred that part of his powers remain a secret, but he still kept a large mirror in his area… just in case.

Samir adjusted himself, gesturing at his stage makeup: black kohl around his eyes that made his already striking gray eyes stand out even more, contouring on his cheeks, glitter that hit all the right places and extended the effect of his mirrors. The effect was haunting, mystical. “My father taught me how to do makeup, believe it or not. Used to do drag in San Francisco. How he ended up in France with my mother is beyond me. Taught me how to tell stories, put on a good show while I did so. I have not seen him in almost fifteen years. I would like to find the man, but given all I remember other than that is that he was tall, had gray hair and called himself George… I am not overly optimistic.” He rested his chin on a fist. It wasn't the whole truth, but it was the truth. “Figured I was definitely not going to find him sitting still in Monaco, so here I am.”

Archibald Hoffman