A Seed of Misfortune

[METHUSELAH BRECKENRIDGE]

"Next time there's a big test in summer school, you better help me or I'll come after ya worse than before!"

A cacophony of immature laughter erupted from the open window of the first floor dorm room. In an almost pure white blur that burst past grungy navy curtains came a person discarded aggressively like an animal's toy. As the object slammed against the ground a heap of desert dust erupted in the air, dissipating almost as quickly as the meaningless guffaws from before.

From the disrupted rubble revealed a pint-sized preteen sprawled on the ground. His milky complexion was dirtied by the rusted dirt that had formerly exploded around him. Fresh cuts and bruises lined his appendages, which caused the child to wince in pain each time he tried to move. As the person rolled to his back in a pre-pubescent groan, their delicate face teetered upon the possibility of either being a male or a female. Upon closer inspection this child was indeed a boy, though with his dirtied face it almost was impossible to tell. His once platinum blonde hair and the top of his button-down was soaked to the brim with water.... From a toilet. Swirlies, wedgies, keep away with his glasses...

Yep. This was a perfect first day for him.

The boy thought to himself with absolute negativity that he really shouldn't appear to be such a dweeb. What choice did he have? He got off from an airport this morning and had no other choice in attire. He was given directions from a lady to go towards the manor for information an details. Of course then a little detour came his way and before he knew it he was suspended by his ankles and head deep in a dingy old toilet. Now, instead of heading for the main office for registration, he was on his way to the infirmary to be patched up. Or, at least, he assumed the building with a red painted cross over a white field was a hospital.

Sighing heavily, the boy stood up, standing much less than five feet tall. He frowned as his hands dusted off his black schoolboy shorts. Darn, he couldn't get a break anywhere! His eyes were still shielded with dust from his contaminated glasses, so the boy removed then to cleanse the lenses with possibly the only clean segment of his shirt. As soon as he replaced them however, he was in for a terrible shock.

Of course! Both of his lenses were cracked!

Great, now he had to wander to the place blindly. He couldn't even count the fingers on his hands without his glasses. With a defeated sigh he stumbled forth without vision. It was funny, really, to see such a clumsy boy navigate his way by waving his arms and peering through clouded eyes. Fortunately, he found his way by going straight ahead. His good fortune was abruptly ended once he tried entering. Bump. That wasn't the door. Bump. That wasn't the door either. Bump. That was the door, but it was closed shut. And according to the jostling of the doorknob, it was locked. Great.

Just great.

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[AVEIRA STERLING]

She didn't know this boy. That meant one of two things. Either he was new or he wasn't supposed to be there. But.. he clearly wasn't a threat. Actually, it kinda looked like he needed help. Soaked to the bone, wandering around like he was Hikaru without a cane, yeah. She'd step in. As amusing as it was, watching him wander around helplessly, she was supposed to help people like him.

Hopefully he wouldn't be another ass or child. She had had had enough of those personalities. Was it really so hard for the people of today to raise mature children?

Aveira was almost silent as she approached the boy, ruby eyes taking in every detail. She really didn't want to end up in a fight, but the boy seemed harmless. Kinda like a newborn bird. It was actually kinda cute. "Excuse me, do you need some help?" Of course he did, but some people didn't like getting help. "My name is Aveira Sterling, and I'm head of security."

[METHUSELAH BRECKENRIDGE]

The more the boy fumbled with the door, the more upset with himself he got. The more upset with himself he got, the more he wanted to cry. He could feel a sniffle arise and his already clouded eyes fog up. With every strength in his body he forced it back and took a deep inhale. He couldn't allow himself weakness in a situation like this. No, he was in a new world that he needed to survive. Outward strength was of the essence.

As the pattern went, the boy visibly tensed when he felt a presence loom behind him. Naturally he felt compelled to feel fear whenever a force with unknown potential approached him, especially when he was at a moment of uselessness. His eyes nearly shut themselves as he expected a blow, and two follow ups for flinching. Instead, he was greeted with an arguably benevolent voice, one that didn't sound like the person producing it would hurt him. This was enough for him to turn around with less squared shoulders, as he looked up to attempt to find a face lost in his vague vision.

"Oh! Um, I uh..." His words stumbled over each other as he realized what a total wreck he looked like and that he wasn't prepared for harmless conversation. His face flushed red as a tomato, as it usually did in these scenarios. In a quick, few, unprofessional breaths he tried to regain himself. "Oh, uh... Yes ma'am, I would certainly appreciate it. I was just...a little clumsy is all and I need to patch myself up. Is the infirmary open? My glasses have been shattered therefore I cannot see a thing."" The boy stuttered at first but then composed himself long enough to deliver a polite question. He hated lying, but he dreaded even more the idea of what exactly could happen to him if he snitched. If one were to listen to his voice after his episode it sound like he possessed a reluctant lying tongue. Despite being on the edge of feminine and pre-pubescent a sophisticated accent touched his voice to indicate that he was not from around here. With this voice he cleared his throat and took another exhale. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Sterling. My name is Methuselah Breckenridge, though most know me as Oliver." With his introduction he gave a half-bow with his torso. Being as he was disoriented, this seemingly polite gesture did nothing for him except it almost made him tip over. With a wild flounder of his arms he caught himself on a post, bumping his head against one of the rough edges. In a girlish yelp he jumped backwards, almost falling on something else as he rubbed his throbbing forehead. No doubt he would get an obnoxious bruise later.

"Oh um, ma'am, do forgive me for my um... Ineptitude I'm naturally just a bit clumsy... Heh...

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[AVEIRA STERLING]

Was Yuzki like this when he was a child? Trying to be all mature and proper but tripping over himself? Better question...did Yuzki even have a childhood? For all she knew he never got to be a child, or he didn't remember it. She'd have to ask him about it later.

Either way, she liked this boy. He was all awkward and clearly had been raised right.

"The infirmary is open. It's normally open 24/7 so that anyone who needs help gets it." Certainly she would have been the first to be told in the infirmary was going to be closed. "Maybe the door is just stuck. Would you like me to try?" Where was the receptionist? They should have opened the door for him. Unless they just found the poor boy amusing. Which Aveira did too, but still. It was wrong to sit there and watch the poor boy for that long.

"And then you can tell me what really happened." Lying to the living lie detector. Had he really thought that would fly? Then again, he probably didn't know.

[METHUSELAH BRECKENRIDGE]

Oliver tried his absolute best to keep focus on the lady in front of him. She literally looked like someone took a picture of her and with a cheap editing software smudged her image into nothing more than a diluted white smear. It hurt his mind and messed with his coordination, so he decided it would be best if he just leaned against a post. Yep. Now he was in balance. Sort of.

"Oh, thank you for enlightening me. I am sure that this won't be my last time visiting here. I do admit that I'm rather accident prone." Oliver laughed uncomfortably as if he was afraid to do so. This woman held a high position, so it was best to bow before her and do whatever she said. "I'd be really gracious for that, ma'am. I hope they're open... I also have a few prescriptions that my instructor told me to fill out and receive here..." Surely he would go here for multiple reasons right? He needed a new inhaler, allergy medication, EpiPen, new glasses... He certainly had a new hangout if he would be laughed out of the dormitory.

At the mention of his lie Oliver's face once more turned a vibrant crimson. He'd been caught for his misconduct, a fact that sent unpleasant shivers down his spine. "Oh uh um no ma'am! It was nothing I'm perfectly fine I um-" Oliver stopped when he knew it was hopeless. How did she know? She must have just been more observational on his words than most... Oh well. He sighed. "I do not like to lie I really don't I'm so sorry oh..." He blurted unprofessionally, his lip bitten by a mix of baby and adult teeth. He really was the physical incarnation of a late bloomer.

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[AVEIRA STERLING]

Aveira watched him for a moment. No wonder no receptionists had opened the door for him, it was slightly amusing to watch him struggle around. "My gift basically makes me a living lie detector Oliver. The moment you felt bad about lying I could feel it." It had felt like ice had been dropped right down her spine. "If someone is hurting you, you should feel secure in telling me. My job here is to keep you and others safe." Funny. She went from serving humanity by taking their sins and now she served them by making sure they were as safe as possible.

But she couldn't push him to tell her names. If she did he wouldn't feel comfortable around her and it wouldn't matter what her job was. Aveira got the door open in two jerks, making sure to keep it open for him. Today was a very good day to wear a long-sleeved shirt. Sure it was hot in the summer but today it was worth it. "If you need my assistance getting around, you're free to hold onto my elbow until you get new glasses. But you have to be careful not to touch my hand, skin to skin contact puts my power into overdrive."

[METHUSELAH BRECKENRIDGE]

Lie detector? Was his instructor correct? On his way to the circus, he was told of a new sanctuary. He was told that he would be cared for just as he was in his former boarding school. His mother would be also told a lie that would allow him to live without contact with her. He didn't like it, but he couldn't come back to her any time soon... All because of this new 'thing' he had. He couldn't face her now that he wasn't even truly himself anymore. Oliver tried to shake off these thoughts as pessimism and self regret came to him. What did this 'Circo Phantasia' hold for him? Well, he was soon to find out.

"Lie detector? Oh... Is it true, then? Are there humans here with superhuman abilities?" Oliver asked her, nearing to her side as he struggled for a guidance. The boy's mind had been wired for science. That was just how he was raised. He knew yhe serum he had taken modified his DNA and reconstructed his interior. Was Aveira like that? Did she have modified DNA? She couldn't have 'just been psychic'. That was silly and illogical. Oliver dared not to intrude however, it wasn't his place nor was it polite to question anyone let alone a lady. "Again I really do apologize... I'll um... I will tell you later." He mumbled below his breath, his head dipping down so that his boring green eyes his beneath his bob of blonde hair. His blind eyes traced to his deep brown loafers, his feet ineptly pointed towards each other.

His head perked up with her offer, something that sent a hesitant smile to his face. "Oh! Yes ma'am please if you don't mind..." His English accent squeaked out in an unsure voice. His hand almost reached for her until he heard her warning, sending him back to rub his hands together as he tried to think of what to do. "Oh... Well... Please do tell me if I endanger you. I will do my best to not touch your skin mistress." With that Oliver gently clasped a pale hand of Aveira's sleeve. She could probably feel the tension held in his shoulders and the slight quiver that came from him. In that sense, Oliver was like a scared little bunny.

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[AVEIRA STERLING]

Was she going to have to explain her power? It seemed like it. Aveira lead him into the infirmary carefully, keeping a careful eye on him in case he tripped. "I was created in a lab to detect feelings of guilt, of 'sins' if you will. That's why I'm head of security, I can tell when someone's okay to be around or not. And when someone touches my skin I can see the memories of these sins as if I were the person committing them." She could feel the memories stir as she thought of them. She didn't want to start another slip into insanity so she took a deep breath.

"You'll find here at Circo that everyone has something special about them. Some are things you can't see, like mine, and some people even have wings." He was obviously the bookish type. He seemed to be a nerd taken right out of nearly any book or movie. This was going to be hard for him to take in unless he saw them for himself. "And we're all here so we can be safe. We're a community, and while we're not perfect," He had obviously run into a few imperfections. "we're safer here than we were among normal people."

He called her mistress. It was nice to be treated with respect. Still... it was kind of her fault. She always introduced herself as Aveira Sterling, and normally ended up asking people to call her Averia. Maybe she wouldn't ask that of him, just so she could hear it again.

She lead him over to the receptionist. He would be okay now, right? "Would you like me to stay until you get things settled, in case they don't have spare glasses?"

[METHUSELAH BRECKENRIDGE]

What is with unnatural creations occurring from laboratories? When did science fiction all of the sudden become a reality. Oliver looked up to his escort, his gaze certainly off center. The mention of sins set his mind off balance. Sins, in essence, didn't exist. Well, not really. To him sins were another term for bad intentions. Just sort of black-and-white. Oliver nodded with this information and took it in somberly. "I see... In that case I won't ever touch you. You have my word." Oliver stated hoping that he could assure her. What would she see from him? He didn't do anything except lie when asked about. He didn't steal, he didn't break rules... He was clean as hand sanitizer. Maybe he did something he forgot about? In any case it would be best not to upset his superior. He didn't want for a staff member to hate him.

Well, his logic was soon to be dismantled here. What kind of other oddities stayed here? Were there ones that defied manmade fact, no comprehensive reason at all? How was he going to take that? Ugh, nothing made sense anymore. Not to him, anyways. But of course he was going to have to witness the bizarre on his own before placing judgement. Who knows, maybe there'd be a monster much more terrifying than a school bully. "I... If that's the case... Maybe I can fit in better. Or, at least, with my newfound ability I have a chance at defending myself." He was going to turn attention on him completely, though that did bring up a point. Will he be able to protect himself with this odd gift he possessed? He hoped so. "Is there anything I should know about this place... Not just rules, but is there any known way for me to get by without diverting too much attention to myself?... I um apologize for my odd questions ma'am... I only received my 'gift' less than a month ago... It has proven difficult to get used to them." Oliver mumbled the last few sentences as he realized they were all useless rambling. She probably couldn't care less for him, she was just paid to nod and listen.

With her final question Ollie's pleasant yet discomforted smile returned. "That would be... Lovely, ma'am. I would really appreciate it."

[AVEIRA STERLING]

"I'm sorry. I can't help you with that Oliver." He was asking her how to find his place and, honestly, she didn't know how to do that. Sometimes she even questioned if she found her own place. "All I can is that, with time, you will find your place." He would make friends, have a family, and one day he would leave. That's what everyone did and that was the ultimate plan for nearly everyone of Circo. The only people who stayed were either... well. Failures or staff. Aveira Sterling was obviously staff...

But sometimes she felt like a failure too.

"Now go along. I assume you don't want to be blind forever." Like, and yet unlike, Hikaru. Maybe she should introduce the two boys. If nothing else, they could bond over falling on their faces and running onto walls.

[METHUSELAH BRECKENRIDGE]

A bit of dismay came to Oliver as Aveira stated that she didn't know how to help him. He supposed it would just have to be a dog-eat-dog world. Maybe there would be people here that actually liked him, maybe some that could help him with his 'gift'. The thoughts still seemed so surreal to him, but, as a scientist, he had to have his mind open to all sorts of possibilities. Just as long as they didn't revolve around mythology.

In a clear voice a receptionist asked for a clarification of a person in the office. "Oh, I'm coming!" He called out with a premature voice. As Aveira dismissed him a polite smile came to his face. She was nice. Formal, but nice. There wasn't a thing wrong with that. "Thank you, mistress!" He gratified genuinely. In a sloppy bow to her he nearly stumbled over as he turned to try to scope out the office. Within just a few bumps of the doorframe Oliver soon found his way to finally get his second chance at his arrival to Circo.

~~~~~~~~~~~
After about a half an hour's worth of vision testing, pill bottle filling, cleaning up and record filing Oliver was once more ready to take off to his designated location. With new found centimeter-thick rectangular glasses and a pocket inhaler, Oliver exited the office in a fresh uniform, soft-shouting a "Thank you!" along the way. With his vision restored and his self esteem patched up for now he felt a bit more comfortable addressing his superior. Oh, his superior. Was she still here? After glancing around the room with now not-useless eyes he spotted her, or what he assumed was her. She had white hair like her blur told him, with a bit of red mixed in. It had to be her. Oliver approached slowly to this lady and stood a few feet in front of her, barely taller than her sitting down. "Miss Sterling? Do you... Still mind helping me?" With the question asked Oliver adjusted the bridge of his glasses with a push of his pale pinky. His fingers then interlocked with each other in front of him as he nervously awaited her answer. Quite honestly he wouldn't blame her if she said no.

[AVEIRA STERLING]

Thirty minutes. About three or four times Aveira had gotten up to leave. Thankfully for Oliver though, she had decided to stay. In an effort to entertain herself she had taken a box of tissues, quietly folding them into different shapes. By the time her newest charge had returned Aveira had a nice little tissue flower garden and was trying to fold one into a crane.

It probably would have worked better with paper, but tissues were cheaper to replace.

And then he finally returned, and with glasses too. That was good, she had been worried they wouldn't have glasses for him for a few days or so. "Of course I'll still help you Oliver." It was her job but she wouldn't voice that. He'd think she was only helping him because of her job.

The red-eyed woman looked into her lap, where she'd put her garden. "Here." The picked out the best one, holding it out to him. "I was bored." That got rid of one of the flowers, now what to do with the rest...

She had absolutely no clue.

[METHUSELAH BRECKENRIDGE]

Oli watched as Aveira offered him a paper flower, his hand instinctively reaching for the folded tissue. He looked at the little flower as if he was looking into the eyes of god itself. He was given a gift, something rare to him. He glanced back up to Aveira with green eyes shaded by a glass curtain. Rapidly these eyes filled with a sense of gratitude and honor. Ms. Sterling this means a lot to me thank you so very much..." He blurted out in a rush of emotion. Maybe this was why he didn't have friends. He would have an emotional reaction every time the doctor gave him a lollipop. Oli then backed up a few feet and gave a rather sloppy bow to the woman, staggered a bit due to the effort of trying to be polite. His mind then raced with slight anxiety as he tried to figure out what to do next. What would his mother say? Oli awkwardly cleared his throat and stuck out his hand for Aveira to take so she could stand up. It was the chivalrous thing to do, right?

"I forgot to gratify your waiting for me. To the Ringmaster's office?" Before he could confidently finish his question, he felt a bit... Wrong. Why? In a small gasp he withdrew his hand and shoved it nervously back into his pocket. What was he thinking?!"Oh, what a fool I am! I completely forgot I couldn't touch you I'm so sorry..." Oliver apologized profusely, backing up slowly. Would she get offended that he forgot so quickly? What an idiot he was! "Please do forgive me..."

[AVEIRA STERLING]

She found use for the other flowers. Given his reaction to being given the first flower, and his almost terrified reaction to forgetting he couldn't touch her, he was going to start crying. Honestly it was kinda cute. Had he been so shocked and amazed when given his new glasses? She kinda wanted to shower him with gifts and kindness just to see if he would cry.

Was that a bad impulse? Hmmm... She'd examine the morality of it later.

"I don't need to forgive you for anything, Oliver. You forgot, but you didn't touch me. No harm done." She probably would have been pissed off of he touched her though, at least within the seconds before the power overtook her. After? She'd be too busy trying to remember who she was. And then Yuzki would have come rushing in. Emotional upset coming through their bond and it coming from the infirmary? Aveira doubted even the Ringmaster would have kept him away.

If he was scared now, how would Oliver have reacted to an upset vampire? "And I'm not going to hurt you. You don't have to back up." Why did everyone always think she was going to hurt them? Sure, she thought about it way too often to be healthy, but still. She could control her impulses.

Really, no wonder the boy had been bullied.

Aveira picked up all the other flowers, placing them cutely around the tissue box. There. It looked pretty cute and got rid of them. "Now let's go see the Ringmaster." She stood with ease, heading towards the door. "What do you know about him so far?"

[METHUSELAH BRECKENRIDGE]

Oli looked up from beneath his now fogged glasses to Aveira, who didn't seem to be upset with him. He had nearly broken his promise and she was fine with it? Oli shook his head and tried to get rid of his insistent pessimism. She had forgiven him, everything was going to be alright. Now to get rid of the developing water in his eyes...

"A-are you sure? I nearly broke one of your most important rules... I-I can make it up to you, if you want..." Oliver was practically a free ticket to slave labor. In his mind, if he obeyed the every whim of someone he felt in debt to, he would win over their respect and attention. As a decent person would expect, this was never the case. Oliver was a desperate child. He wouldn't give up on himself until he'd gain a companion.

With her mention of her threat, a small smile creeped onto Oliver's previously shaken face. "Oh, I didn't think you were going to hurt me... It was instinctual, really. I'm just a little guy in a world full of people much bigger than I. I suppose I am just hesitant for no reason, forgive my unusual behavior." Oli explained now calmly. He neared her once more as the pair neared the door. Back into the blinding sunlight they went, though he made sure Aveira went first.

"Well, I just know that he owns the circus. I was told on upon my arrival here that he is a bit more peculiar than most men. He possesses a good conscience, though lacks a settling demeanor... Is that true? What do you know of him?" Oli asked Aveira curiously with a teeny voice. He made extra sure that he would trip over his own feet as he hopped down stairs.