Ooh - this chapter was a challenge, but so much fun at the same time!

The circus itself was obscured by a mist, so they couldn't see past the entrance or glimpse inside from above while descending downhill. Occasional lights escaped between the canopy of tents, trailing a tail of shimmering sparks, and a smell of both foreign and familiar scents. Puffs of mist rolled between their feet while they stood in line, changing colour depending on whom it touched. Lilac wisps grasped at Nyx's heels and calves as though they were inviting her to play, eager to lead her into the circus itself. Speaking of which, Karlach had the biggest and most infectious shit-eating grin on her face, and those around her couldn't help but smile as well.

Wyll waved his arms in an exaggerated motion, and Nyx caught sight of Lae'zel walking down the footpath. Wyll called out, "Ho, Lae'zel! Decided to join us after all?"

"Chk! There is nothing to do at camp; every single blade in my possession has been sharpened. Might as well put them to use when you inevitably get yourselves into trouble."

Karlach guffawed. "Aww! You were worried about us?"

She crossed her arms, her yellow gaze narrowing. "I won't go so far. You've only proven yourselves useful."

Wyll and Karlach shared a knowing wink, prickling Lae'zel's rankle and drawing another 'Chk' from her.

Nyx placed the entrance fee into the masked entertainer's hand and stepped through the threshold. The curtain of mist lifted to reveal a place drenched in twilight; part dream, part illusion. They gaped at the moving black sky; pastel clouds shaped like dragons and griffons swooped overhead, racing each other to catch bright shooting stars. The silhouettes of aerialists swung on threads of starlight, leaving fireflies and laughter in their wake. The display of light and colours from the movement above was reflected in the prismatic material of the tents and stalls below. Their fabric seemed alive, reaching out to brush against their legs, and the sound of wind chimes rang out at every touch. An acrobat appeared from the first stall, juggling lanterns filled with will-o'-wisps; which would slip free mid-performance to swirl in playful patterns before being caught again, giggling and welcoming newcomers.

"I'm surprised that you bought some of these," Nyx said after popping another moonspiced date into her mouth.

Astarion peered into the unassuming paper bag in his hand, eagerly fishing out a candy. "One of the few things I can taste other than blood."

"Oh? You can't taste food?"

"Unappetising, rather - but these", he jiggled the bag flashing her a fanged grin, "Are delightful."

A smiled quirked at her lips.

The Circus of Last Days turns everyone back into children.

As evident from the wistful and awestruck expressions of the others as they munched on the candies, gawking at everything in sight. Even Lae'zel was entranced. Tav had insisted on buying her a packet of dates after she refused to spend her own money on 'such extravagance' - which Lae’zel was now devouring with equal zeal.

Curiosity got the better of Nyx. "So, what does it taste like? Better than bear plonk, I hope."

His pitched laugh escaped him, then a thoughtful crease lined his brow while chewing. They passed another acrobat, whose shadow leapt from his feet to dance around theirs.

Astarion mused, "Like, nostalgia. Flavours I can vaguely remember, but cannot place."

She nodded sagely; it was much the same for her. The acrobat's shadow held out a hand to hers. Nyx’s shadow took the proffered hand, and they casually danced together. Astarion's shadow fisted his hands on his hips, tapping an impatient foot. Nyx snorted at Astarion's quizzical expression when his own shadow chased off the acrobat's to dance with Nyx's instead. The lighthearted joy of their dancing shadows seeped into her being, and a stolen glance found Astarion's expression soft as well.

A loud bang boomed across the sky, making both them and their shadows jump.

"Mommy, Daddy, look!" the children squealed in excitement, pointing at the sky.

One of the aerialists and a dragon cloud had collided; the resulting mist and lights congregated into a duel between the aerialist and the dragon jostling rapiers over one of the stars. Seeing a dragon standing upright, wielding a sword in one claw while balancing on a tightrope at the same time, was more entertaining than Nyx would've imagined.

"Come one, come all! Try your luck and survive the darkest sprawl."

Some of Tav's group broke off, including Nyx and Astarion, to venture in different directions. Nyx and Astarion listened to a djinni boasting about his challenge. "Ah, a contender!" He beckoned to the man who came forward, and gestured with a swooping motion to the contraption next to him. "Behold the Chamber of Lost Senses! How long can you remain inside? No sight, no sound, no distractions - only you and your own thoughts for company." The man said something, and the djinni barked a laugh. "Sounds easy, you say? Lasting longer than ten minutes gets one hundred star tokens! Many have tried, many have failed."

Nyx's eyebrows climbed into her hairline. Their entrance fee was equivalent to five star tokens; one hundred tokens could be redeemed for a plethora of curios from the vendors that she wouldn't have paid the asking price in coins for. The moondates, for example, being roughly one star token for a bag when they usually cost five times as much in coin - the more outlandish items can go up to ten times.

With a hand to his chest, the djinni said, "Alas, if you get out before; your coin stays with me."

The man puffed out his chest, handed over his coin and clambered into the open chamber. The plain, undecorated pod sealed silently. While the crowd waited, the djinni put on a show of magic and fairytales. He had barely introduced them to the hero and his quest when the man banged against the chamber walls. Muffled cries came from inside. The djinni placed a hand behind his ear and leaned in. "Is that capitulation I hear?"

More muffled cries of agreement came from inside, and the djinni opened the capsule with a flick of his wrist. The man spilled out, relieved to be released. His friends asked whether something had happened, and he shook his head; they frowned at the chamber in disappointment while he mumbled something about it being 'too quiet' inside. 'Creepily so.'

Nyx scoffed, rolled up the bag and gave it to Astarion. She said, "Hold my dates."

He tilted his head, and she added, wagging a finger at him, "I know exactly how many candies are in there."

His incredulous look morphed into a challenging grin. "I'll keep them safe for a price."

She arched an eyebrow at him.

"Hmm, let's say... Thirty tokens?"

What a chancer!

"I'm already paying to take part. Ten tokens for watching my dates."

He tutted, "Twenty-five and I pay a tenth of the participation fee."

She was about to reclaim the bag, but he quickly hid it behind his back and lulled, "Twenty, and twenty."

"Deal." She stepped up onto the stage, proffered the coin and climbed into the chamber without ceremony. The lid closed on curious faces. Darkness enveloped her, and the chamber seemed to tilt backwards. Nyx settled into a comfortable position, closed her eyes and focused on her breathing.

Her mind had reached the floating calm of a deeper meditative state when the djinni's magic probed at her periphery.

She projected at it, "I thought you said no distractions."

"Yes, but your time's up."

"And you're kicking me out because I won?"

A wispy laugh echoed. "Kicking you out? I've never had a contender who wanted to stay longer willingly."

"I like it here."

He harrumphed, "I don't think so."

"Disappointed?"

His wispy amusement returned. "Surprised - and no, the occasional winner does wonders for my coin pouch. And before you get any ideas, you are barred from taking the challenge again."

Nyx rolled her eyes as his presence receded and the chamber opened.

"Behold! A winner!" His voice sounded like a cannon going off in Nyx's ear.

The twilight itself made her squint at the surroundings, yet she managed a flourishing bow to an applauding audience. A hundred star tokens later, and half the crowd was clamouring to go next, the djinni winked at her. She returned to Astarion, trading her dates for his spoils and coin.

He counted out his share and chuckled, "Easy." A sly smile split his lips.

She returned the grin and informed him, "It was a onetime affair. Unfortunately, the djinni will not let me go again."

"No matter, my dear, I knew it was a winning bet. Shall we see what else is on offer?"

---

Nyx had bought several more bags of dates and handed them out to her companions when they met up. The others showed off their own collection of tokens and redeemed items, including various trinkets blessed by Leira; the goddess of illusion. From Gale's bottled starlight dew that glows when spoken to, to Shadowheart's bracelet of dream beads that captures one dream per night and replays it to the owner when held to morning sunlight.

Disbelief coloured Halsin’s voice. "Silvanus, is that a Roving Mauler?"

They peered in the same direction, but Nyx couldn't see past the dense moving crowds. Halsin led them to a stripped tent. Within was an undecorated table, and upon a chair sat one of the most curious creatures Nyx had ever laid eyes on.

The multi-limbed lion was surely a wizard's experiment gone awry. A pin-wheel of limbs encircled a head fixed at its centre. It blinked slowly, one eye enlarged by a monocle that tracked their approach. Its lips curled back into a sharped toothed smile. "Good people, I am charmed to make your acquittance. Sir Harold, at your service." He tipped his black top hat with one of two white gloved paws jutting up from the pinwheel. Two more sported gleaming black buckled shoes that were firmly placed on the ground, and the last gripped a stylish wooden walking cane to the side.

Gale asked, "What service exactly?"

"Why, what else would a gentleman offer other than tea? Sit, sit!" Harold rose from his seat while they took theirs at the impossibly large, yet intimate table.

They tried not to gape as Harold rolled to-and-fro, around-and-round like a cartwheel, gracefully setting the table in a flourish of magic and practiced expertise, his top hat never once falling off. He flung coloured marbles into the air, which shimmered and became floating teapots. Some of the pots were stout, sporting more than one spout; others were long flutes; and there was at least one of every size, colour and pattern in between. His gloved limbs poured them tea of different hues, offered finger sandwiches cut into shapes resembling geometric topiaries atop silver plates and guided flying napkins to their proper places upon laps.

He settled himself between Tav and Halsin, magically adjusted his chair and took up his saucer and cup. The steam curled in patterns of flowers around his jaw and he took a long sip. Nyx and the others regarded their own cups.

Wyll straightened, preened his tunic, and asked Harold, "Sir Harold, may I ask what wonders you have prepared for us?"

He beamed, his mane ruffling in delight. "The honourable Blade of Frontiers has been served Serpentcoil Mint; most invigorating."

Wyll inclined his head, unaffected by Harold's familiarity, and brought his drink to his lips. Steam rose from the cup like tiny writhing serpents and vanished into giggles. Wyll's eyes went wide after swallowing and said, "It is hot, but it feels like sweet crisp ice travelling down my throat."

Shadowheart peered at the menu and tapped it with a finger. "Mine is Starlit Oolong, fitting."

Nyx took the menu and read the title:

The Circus of Last Day's Most Refined & Singular Tea Service, Presented with the utmost courtesy by Harold, Gentleman & Host Extraordinaire.

Then her eyes searched for the Starlit Oolong's description:

Speckled with motes of glowing dust makes the eyes shimmer with constellations after every sip.

Tav gasped, low and behold, Shadowheart's eyes glittered with starlight that faded slowly, but the mischief remained.

Nyx silently identified each of the other's tea while they tasted theirs.

Gale chuckled and said, "Oh, mother was so angry after the books in our library started waltzing at midnight. Woke the entire house every night for a week."

Dreamroot Chai - Spiced and soothing. Each sip recalls a fond memory, more vivid than the last.

Halsin's lips didn't move, and yet his voice rang across the table. "Time shared with friends is never wasted."

Friendlyleaf Green - A grassy, refreshing brew. Your cup will deliver compliments in genteel tones when surrounded by fine company.

Tav laughed, and Karlach agreed wholeheartedly, after which a glowing halo appeared over Tav's head.

Moonpetal Brew - Silver blossoms steeped in starlight, tasting of honeyed rain. Grants a soft halo glow when one laughs.

Karlach quipped, "I think mine was made by a big teddy bear and stirred using flowers. I love hugs."

Velvet Earl - Dark, smooth and faintly floral. Warms the heart so deeply it feels like being embraced.

"Chk! I've never been there, why show it to me?" Lae'zel frowned, her eyes cloudy as she drank more of hers.

Rose of the Forgotten - Petals of a bloom that grows nowhere twice. Drinking it grants a momentary vision of a place you've never seen.

Nyx dared a sip of hers and wondered whether she shared Wyll's until her reflection in the tea winked back at her as she set the cup down.

Luneblossom Secret - Pale, delicate, and ever-chilled. After drinking, your reflection may briefly wink back at you.

Astarion grumbled next to her, "I don't like tea, but oh well." He played along and sighed afterwards, blinking in surprise when whizzing sparks flew from his mouth. Nyx showed him which one of the brews he had, and he remarked, "Hmm, reminds me of someone I know."

Candied Ember Infusion - Sweet with a hint of smoke. Breath steams with harmless sparks when one sighs.

Harold cleared his throat, his lips glittering as he spoke, "My lords and ladies, I am honoured to have such esteemed guests. Please let us talk at length while we drink and eat. However, a disclaimer is in order." The others shared amused glances while sipping more tea. He continued, "Each delicacy is prepared with the utmost gentility and care. I accept no responsibility for unexpected bursts of nostalgia, glimmers of starlight, or excessive giggling. Kindly sip and savour responsibly."

They promptly did as Harold suggested, digging into the tiered cake stands filled with sandwiches - except for Astarion, who returned to savouring his moonspiced dates.

Gale asked Harold whence he came, and the Mauler spoke at length of his home plane. Rolling grasslands of gold, hunting antelope with his pride, but always staring into the setting sun wondering whether there was more to life than chasing after momentary amusements. "Thus, dear friends, I left the life of savagery behind to peruse the stars, and Madame Lucretious allowed me to set up shop."

Tav and the others shared some of their own adventures, sans tadpoles, mindflayers and the Chosen. Nevertheless, Harold was enraptured, his monocled eye growing larger at the retelling of battles won and monsters slayed. "How marvellously splendid! I -", he was cut off by a strange humming sound. "If you would excuse me for a moment. I believe my neighbour may need my assistance." He disappeared behind the draped fabric at the back of the tent. They continued their discussion among themselves, laughing at the effects of the tea and the sandwiches. Harold returned, his expression pensive but polite.

Tav probed, "Everything alright with your neighbour. Anything we can help with?"

"Here we go again." Astarion sighed, sparks flying.

She ignored Astarion and his sparks.

Harold clutched his gloved paws together. "I didn't want to burden you with the request until you finished, but at your ladyship's behest I've been asked to confer a message."

They leaned forward, curious faces waiting for him to continue. "My neighbour, Ssyzithra, extends her invitation."

Tav's tone became cautious. "Why might that be?"

Harold nodded and said, "I cannot say, but what I can say is that Ssyzithra does not grant her services to just anyone. She has a rare gift and wants to share her visions with you."

Nyx blinked, surprised at the casualness with which he mentioned 'visions'.

Gale shifted in his chair. "Visions? A psychic, you mean? That is exceedingly rare indeed."

"You can't be serious. Surely it's a ruse." Astarion said over his cup and received a long look from Tav.

Nyx nodded and amended. "A show."

Harold twirled his moustache. "It is no mere show. Neither she nor I have reasons to deceive. Besides, she is pureblood Yuan-ti."

Several of their eyebrows bobbed. Karlach scrunched her nose. "I don't get it."

Gale provided, "They call themselves the snake people of Malatra. Should a genuine seer call on us, a pureblood Yuan-ti would fit such a claim."

Wyll frowned into his empty cup. "And just as likely to carve us in half. They're dangerous, to say the least."

Harold fussed at his gloves. "My esteemed colleague has left her violent past behind as much as myself. A past that is not for me to tell. Regardless, she it the picture of civility - you have my assurances."

Tav patted Harold's strained hand atop the cane. "I believe you, Harold. We're just being careful, especially with the unrest in our city lately."

His grip eased, and he smiled at her. "Yes, my lady, you are quite right in that estimation. I'm sure Ssyzithra will be thrilled that you decided to meet with her, given these troubling times."

--- --- ---

This is the picture of 'thrilled civility'?

Astarion scanned the interior belonging to the 'Temple of the Untold'. In the mist stood a small domed pavilion supported by coiled beams. Its roof arching low, herding them into a series of dim hallways, candles illuminating snake motifs on the walls that writhed when they passed by.

A waft of heavy, nut-scented incense swept down the hallway, the light ahead bringing whispers in an unknown tongue. Astarion's hands rested on his daggers, more out of habit than fear.

Wyll squinted at the snake motifs. "Do you think she's really Yuan-ti? Why would she be here?"

Astarion felt Nyx, Tav and Gale probe at the surroundings with their magic.

At least everyone still has their wits about them.

Those not magically inclined were watching the shadows.

Nyx said, "Madam Lucretious has a reputation for taking in the weird and the wonderful. She won't put her own people or her patrons in any kind of danger. I'm thinking this is merely part of the show."

Tav quipped from the front, "I agree; the magic is as benign as can be. A convincing performance though."

Astarion glared at the slithering snake motifs, but their group's collective unease settled when nothing more happened.

A performance, a hoax or the real deal? He wasn't holding his breath for the latter.

The chamber widened into a circular room, richly decorated with tapestries, carpets and spacious floor pillows. A voice he assumed belonged to Ssyzithra suggested they make themselves comfortable. He, for one, would not sit down - if anything, he'll be the one lurking in the shadows. Nyx sprawled on one of the pillows, gesturing for him to sit. Her eyes shone with amusement after he shook his head. He'd rather be an observer than a potential participant.

Ssyzithra's voice accompanied her humanoid silhouette, which darkened the entryway at the far side of the room. An unexpectedly smooth intonation came from it in slow, soothing words that rhymed pleasantly as she made her way to them. "Travellers from afar, I've beckoned to my temple under the stars."

The ambient candlelight was swallowed by the blackness of her skin, reflecting off polished scales on bare arms. She was covered in layers of light green silk, complementing the colour of faint veins crisscrossing her arms. A veil hid most of her face, but green serpentine eyes studied each of them intently.

Well, let's see the show then.

The 'seer' sat across from Tav, her veil moving slightly at the sides of her face as though smiling. Tav asked her why she had beckoned them to her temple. Ssyzithra's hand moved to her side, and she snapped her fingers. "I've sensed your arrival."

"Chk."

Astarion tutted under his breath too.

The curtains at the back of the room stirred, and a long black snake sailed over the floor to Ssyzithra. The serpent curled itself around her arm and draped itself like a living shawl around her shoulders while they spoke. "This is Zephonya, my familiar and confidant. We would have you stay for a reading."

To Tav's credit, she followed up with another cautious question. "What is the price of the reading?"

The snake brought with it a box winding along its coils and dropped into Ssyzithra's lap. She set the box aside. "This reading is a trade for my life, and the lives of those around you. I must do my part to aid you in whatever way I can."

"I'm not sure I follow."

"You only need concern yourself with the reading."

They shifted uneasily whether standing or seated, but as soon as the snake charmer started her rituals, they were transfixed.

The snake brought several other tools, and Ssyzithra collected them, humming in a low voice. She poured water in a long cascading stream into a small hand-held basin, sitting within a tripod, atop an open flame. Her fisted hand cast powders and herbs into the vessel from the box. The concoction hissed, and black smoke rose from the liquid. She fanned it into her face, humming all the while. Astarion heard the snake charmer's heartbeat and breathing slow. Eventually, her eyes dilated into large black discs as whatever she inhaled took effect.

Purposefully drugging herself?

Astarion had to give her credit too; merely out of dedication to her craft.

She retrieved more items from the box and laid out a shed snakeskin on the ground before her. Smoothing it out in rhythmic motions attuned to her humming. With cupped palms she showed them a collection of - stones? Astarion found himself leaning in to glimpse a better view.

"Nagamani pearls.", she said, cooing at them in veneration. The snake shivered around her shoulders, and she stroked its body which was locked in perpetual motion. "Gifts from Zephonya." She tossed the dark green pearls onto the shed snakeskin mat.

Her black eyes were nearly indistinguishable from her skin as she studied the patterns of the pearls before her. She smudged the lingering plume of trance smoke over the reading, her movements hypnotic and fluid. The smoke coursed between the pearls like water. There was no sound in the chamber other than her humming; even the candles bobbed at the rhythm. Her audience was mesmerised. The snake lifted its head and flitted its tongue against her cheek. Ssyzithra's voice was surprisingly steady for how engrossed she seemed to be. Her readings came in quick succession.

"Three gems shimmer in unison - vigilance, or be swallowed by the Whispering Crown."

Astarion straightened, taken aback, and his ears perked. He shared knowing glances with the others.

Why did that make an alarming amount of sense?

Her hands moved over the mat, rearranging the patterns of the smoke between the pearls.

"Red daggers dance in the dark - beware the blade that smiles with many mouths."

What?

"A child of chains reclaims the throne. Destroy it, or kneel."

Ugh, I hate riddles.

She waved her hands, but the smoke dissipated and her eyes returned to green. They stared at her while she closed her eyes and rubbed her head.

Tav repeated the first reading, and she asked, "How did you know? We have told no one since we got here."

The snake shifted around Ssyzithra's shoulders to give Tav a pointed look, flitting its tongue.

"A vision." Gale answered.

Ssyzithra swooned. Both Tav and Gale motioned to catch her, but the snake hissed, baring long fangs that shouldn't fit it its maw. Tav and Gale kept their distance as its mistress leaned on one arm, humming to herself and the snake once more. Ssyzithra straightened and said onto their concerned expressions, "No need to worry for me; the visions are too generous at times."

A nuisance, more like.

Astarion was eager for Tav to ask Ssyzithra again how she knew about the Elder Brain when the ground beneath their feet moved.

Astarion widened his stance and threw out his arms to compensate for the quake. "What in the hells? Please tell me this is part of the show!"

But Ssyzithra and the snake were as disorientated as the rest of them.

Lae'zel steadied herself against a nearby wall. "It's psionic!"

Ssyzithra seconded, "The Whispering Crown! It seeks to break its chains."

Muffled cries echoed outside.

The quake passed, and those who were seated stood. Tav touched her temple and shot a curious glance at Ssyzithra. "The Emperor confirmed it was the Elder Brain. He thinks the Chosen's control will slip the longer it goes without the three netherstones to keep it at bay."

Ssyzithra removed her veil and said, "I felt its whispers as soon as it reached this city." She gestured to them with an open hand. "You each hold a key, a step closer to its ruin."

Nyx drew her mouth in a line and replied, "Speak plainly."

"Thank you, my sweet." Astarion sidled next to Nyx. "We need answers, not more riddles."

The snake circled Ssyzithra's shoulders several times before she spoke again. "Visions in dreams are all I have to give. The answers you must find yourselves."

Instead of giving them straight answers, Tav thanked the snake charmer! Who promptly gather up her pearls.

Astarion snapped his head to Tav. "Really? It's clear she knows more than she's letting on."

"We already have more information than before."

"Information? It was nonsense." He waved a dismissive hand.

"I'm sure we'll figure it out if we put our tadpoles together."

He scoffed. Am I the only one taking this seriously? Pouting, he crossed his arms and scowled at the shifting motifs, trying to glare them into keeping still.

Tav chuckled and teased. "Come on, Grumpy-pants, let's go make sure everything is still in one piece outside."

He didn't give her the satisfaction of responding to that ridiculous namesake.

Only when his companion's footsteps receded, did he turn to join. But he came face-to-face with the snake charmer, his reflection staring back at him inside huge black discs.

Shit!

Before he could reach for his daggers, she shoved a potion bottle into his hands, ripped off the cork and dropped one of the pearls into it. Her lips were moving, but no sound escaped them. The potion bubbled, filling his nose with an acrid smell and black smoke blurred his vision.

He choked and sputtered, "Are you insane!? What are you -"

"Shhh." Her eyes were closed, and she swayed slightly. "The visions are talking."

"Preposterous! I'm leaving."

Her eyes shot open again, fixing him in place. "Chaos and Order will come to head. Chaos must make the deal - if a bargain isn't struck, more than the Whispering Crown will fall."

"Damn you to the hells! What are you blabbering about now?" He motioned to shove the disgusting potion back into her hands. She took a step away from him, smiling a smile lined with sharp teeth, and hummed. More smoke bubbled from the potion, enveloping him completely. Her words repeated like a chant. "Drink the venom. Walk where chaos dreams."

The humming faded, and when the smoke cleared; he stood with his companions outside the pavilion, corked potion in hand.

Astarion waited for something to happen, anything... but everything seemed… normal. Well, not any stranger than it was before - clouds chasing after stars, masked performers juggling magical creatures and the ground wasn't shaking. Grateful that he wasn't about to start hallucinating nonsense, he relaxed his shoulders.

Gale whistled. "Is that what I think it is?", pointing at the potion. "She must have really liked you."

Astarion sneered, "Well, I didn't like her."

He shrugged, an annoying glint of amusement in his eyes. "Yuan-ti venom is said to induce lucid dreaming. Powerful magic you’ve got there."

"If you like it so much, then you take it."

"Doesn't work that way."

Astarion wanted to wipe his smug smirk from his face. "What are you talking about?" The one time he actually needed the walking encyclopaedia to spill his guts, the wizard had the audacity to walk away!

Pfft, lucid dreaming - I don't want or need that.

Astarion took aim at one of the tent tops and swung his arm, but the potion did not go anywhere. It was stuck to his hand. He vigorously shook his arm, still the potion remained affixed to him like the leech from the swamp.

"Get off!", he snarled, prying at it with one of his daggers, but only ended up cutting himself instead. "Damn you!" Swearing viscously, he flailed as hard as he could.

I can't believe I'm being accosted by a snake charmer's potion!

"Astarion, what are you doing?" Nyx's query made him snap upright, clutching the potion to his chest.

Feeling utterly foolish, he replied over his shoulder in a high pitch. "Nothing, nothing. I, uh - " He cleared his throat. "Just give me a moment, my sweet."

"Alright, Tav wants to meet up in an hour and head back to camp. I'll be at the mask stall."

"Yes, yes, - be there in a moment!"

She left. He glared at the potion, bristling. He grabbed his backpack and shoved the infuriating piece of junk into its depths.

Good riddance! His hand finally came free. I'll deal with you later.

--- --- ---

Masks hung on the displays like cascading waterfalls. Plain silver masks worn by some of the performers, a signifier to their goddess Leira. Other masks were ornate, dripping with glass beads and ribbons. Some were shaped into animal faces, while others leered at you with silly expressions. A brightly coloured palette caught Nyx's eye. Upon closer inspection, it was a collection of makeup wells. The plaque next to it read 'Disguise kit'. She was admiring the variety of hues and shades: primary colours, base colours and a guide on how to mix them to create an endless range of colours between. Nyx was debating whether to trade her tokens to get her hands on the guide. It alone would be useful for her own art, and perhaps the kit itself could be of use later?

Astarion found her nose deep in the guide, though he looked miffed while taking in the painted faces on display.

She asked casually, "Was that your first reading?"

"That obvious?" He slipped one of the sliver masks from its hook and held it over his face.

A smile quirked at her lips at his expectant gaze from behind the eyeholes. She said, "No, much too plain for you."

The comment lightened his mood, and he searched for another.

She folded up the guide and set it back down on the table, musing while she scanned the masks. "We used to dabble in divination when I was a teen. Nothing serious, mostly messing around. There was this one man who stayed with Tufani for a few months. Now, he had a gift."

Astarion posed with a different mask; a gold one so bright it made her eyes water.

She shook her head. "Too gaudy.", and she continued with her tale. "He wasn't nearly as - 'close to the divine' like Ssyzithra was back there and his 'premonitions' were minor - like uncannily predicting the weather for days at a time or helping us choose a stopover spot brimming with animals and clean water."

Nyx selected a dusky blue mask, patterns outlined in muted gold. "His communion was also unsettling to watch at first until he explained how it worked. And it wasn't all that different from how we use our own magic. Then it became more interesting rather than strange... Ssyzithra was really something, and that reading is going to stay with me for a while too." Astarion made a distracted noise of agreement, and she showed him the mask.

He tilted his head. "Why this one?" He took it from her, turning it around and peering through the eyeholes.

She peered back. "Leopards are stealthy and graceful. Their spots are a source of beauty and lethality, allowing them to melt into the shadows and strike unseen. People had once thought they were the shadows themselves before realising it was a resourceful big cat prowling the forests. Sound familiar?"

His face lit up with his wicked grin, and he purred, "Carry on like that, and you'll make me blush."

"That shade of blue really suits you too."

Cue more pleased preening from him. "Every shade looks good on me, darling. Especially yours."

She narrowed her eyes at him in amused suspicion. Careful, we're going to make the shopkeeper blush at this rate.

He winked and asked, "So, which one would you pick?"

She scrunched her nose, frowning at the selection. "But there are no dragons about."

"Hah! Should have known." He searched the walls and his eyes settled on the clock set above the entrance. "Hmm, ready to move along, love?"

"One moment." Nyx grabbed the disguise kit and headed for the counter.

---

Most of them were gathered near the exit waiting for the few stragglers to arrive.

"Yoo-hoo!"

Excitement stirred in Nyx at recognising the voice. Strolling between the tents, a grinning Tav at her side, was none other than Madam Lucretious. A tall woman that commanded attention with her enigmatic presence and extravagant attire. She shimmered with prismatic light; fireflies swirled about her feet and stars streaked though her midnight hair. The others murmured amongst themselves.

She stood proudly before them, appraising them through long lashes. "Oh, my lovely Tav you did not tell me that all of your companions were such delectable tall glasses of fine elixir too."

Murmurs turned to grins. She introduced herself formally as the owner and ringleader of the circus then gasped, her hands going to the sides of her face. "Nyx! Is that you?"

Eyebrows climbed into hairlines, and before Nyx could properly greet Lucretious she was swallowed up in a squealing sea of kaftan, jingling talismans and moonspice perfume. Lucretious released Nyx from the hug, gave her a once over and squirmed in delight, "Dressed to kill as always." She clasped her hands together. "Oh! Keetjah is going to be ecstatic when I tell her."

More surprised looks were shared between the others, and Tav asked, "You and Nyx know each other from Tufani?"

The sea of kaftan twirled and Lucretious announced, her head held high. "When the Circus of Last Days and the Tufani Caravan joined forces, it is a show of the century and one I will remember for many more." Rings glittered on her fingers as she waved arcs in the air. "We inspired generations of poets, broke twice as many hearts and made thrice as much coin."

Nyx quipped, "I recall even more effort being put into poaching Tufani dancers afterwards."

She made an indignant sound and shivered. "Oh, 'poaching' is such an ugly word. I was offering a career and fame. I don't know what Keetjah does to foster such loyalty."

"When have you last seen them? How are they?"

Lucretious gave a soft smile. "Still saddened by your departure, but other than that you know Keetjah - she'll fight the gods themselves to take care of her people. A woman after my own heart."

The sudden worry gripping at Nyx's stomach lifted with Lucretious' last words. Nyx asked, "And Sanika?"

"Oh the spitfire didn't stay put for much longer than you. Continued on her pilgrimage."

Nyx nodded sagely, her heart feeling both light and full at hearing the news. "Good. That's good."

"Speaking of which, where is Clive?" She fisted her hands on her hips and elongated her neck to peer over Nyx's shoulder.

"You know he'll drop whatever he's doing when you come calling."

"Oh that rascal will, won't he? But we'll have to catchup more later. I simply wanted to make sure no one was too badly shaken up after that ghastly quake." She shimmied her shoulders for good effect. "Let me not keep you further, Tav here tells me you're needed somewhere else. And I have it on good authority that Ssyzithra met with you too." After surveying their unsure faces, she said, "Ssyzithra is an odd kitten, but her visions are quite on point." She touched her nose briefly. "Anything she knows and said to you will be treated with the utmost confidence. You have my undying word." A long gaze took in each of them again and she nodded to herself. "Now, I also need to do the rest of my rounds. Don't be strangers! Toodeloos!"

Madam Lucretious saw them off, zealously blowing kisses with both hands and waving until they stepped through the exit.

--- --- ---

On the toll of Illmater's temple bell at noon, like clockwork, Notch scurried from the fields and propped himself up on the logs at the campfire, trading the missives strapped on his back from Jaheira for incentives. Tav read the messages to the background noise of Notch happily squeaking as he feasted on cheese, berries and seeds. The eager and expectant faces of her companions became concerned when her shoulders slumped.

Since I am a troll, that is exactly where I'm going to end the chapter.

Generally I was aiming for something surrealist and slightly off-key with the Circus. Hope I achieved depicting the strangeness of it.

I've a good couple of things to share!

While I was searching for the weird and the wonderful I stumbled across the Roving Mauler, and upon further research found a delightful Reddit post which was the main inspiration for Harold (with the same namesake).

The Complete Roving Mauler - Racing Terrors of the Plains by Oh_Hi_Mark_(?)

Harold, The Roving Mauler by onyxeagle274

Roving Maulers are inspired by the Greek Buer demon

And since the Graphic Design bug bit me again; here is the menu for The Circus of Last Day's Most Refined & Singular Tea Service. I had a lot of fun making the star tokens, created with Canva and GIMP. This is a full A4 PNG. Links to the full resolution Mock Up (reduced version featured here) and the plain one are provided below. Should you want, please feel free to use these in your own campaigns. If you'd like the star tokens separately as well, let me know!

- Tea Service Menu, Mock Up, Full A4 Res PNG

- Tea Service Menu, Plain, Full A4 Res PNG

So, Nagamani (snake or stone pearls) are a bit of medicinal folklore from Asia and Africa. They are speculated to be concretions, similar to kidney stones, that look like black gemstones and develop in certain species of snake's heads - but it is still largely debated whether they really exist. I was looking for some divinatory tool for Ssyzithra and these were just what I needed.

One last parting comment, I had a look-see on mobile for World Anvil and was mortified that the pictures of the fic get stretched to the point where the characters look like earthworms - an epic fail on WA's browser responsiveness part. I'm hoping its only on my mobile. If not, opening the image up in its own tab should solve the issue on mobile. I'm a near-exclusive desktop user (very luddite of me I know), so it's all good from this side.