The Greatest Show on Earth

[Pixie]

The Carnivale Exotica had a long history of being one of the strangest circuses in the 'Verse. The ship was a self-contained show that could run in between the planets it visited, but the performers preferred an old-fashioned big top in the dirt of a vacant lot. They were in one such lot, now. The roustabouts had already erected the giant tents and the rigging for the aerialists, but the show was not scheduled to run for another couple of days.

The performers and artists were practicing their talents or out boozing. Pixie flounced through them all, excitedly jabbering about the upcoming show and how well everyone was doing. She was wearing a black and white tutu, a short-sleeved white shirt, and a black corset. It was rare for her to bare her arms; they were both quite covered with scars, and on a show day would be well-hidden. On her legs were two different stockings. The left leg was black and white checkered, the right a rainbow of stripes that did not fit in with her black and white aesthetic. When she reached a dirt ring well away from the others, the girl ignited her juggling sticks and began tossing them into the air. Most performers would have started juggling first, then lit the sticks when they felt comfortable. Pixie was not most performers. She reveled in the danger of it, and the tips of her fingers showed scarring from countless past burns already. Her white gloves were fingerless and cotton; they offered no protection, and actually were a hazard. But no one told her how to do her job, and she hadn't killed herself yet...so that was a good thing.

After a successful few spins and an escalation into a beautiful, fiery dance, Pixie abruptly shoved the sticks violently into the dirt and put them out before stomping off, leaving them hissing and hot on the ground behind her. The ridiculously large black bow on her head bounced as she walked.

She had a sudden urge to see the big cats, and to see Noelle. It had been a few hours since she'd caught sight of the leopard trainer, and the petite clown was suddenly anxious. She found the other woman in the arena with her cats, of course, and Pixie went right up to the bars. She gripped one bar with both hands and rested her chin on top, watching the display until Noelle noticed her.

[Noelle "Sapphire" Star]

Noelle was glad to be on solid ground again, and so were her cats. She'd made sure the large cage was floor-less, with nothing else to seperate the earth from Banshee and her sister Auora. The young woman was sporting her usual blue and white hair, along with her tattered black pants. To compliment the pants her black mesh top with only a black tube top beneath it, showing her pale skin through the top.

She sat cross-legged on the ground, watching the two white leopards enjoy the ground beneath them. Banshee was rolling herself around when suddenly Auora made her move, pouncing upon her sister. Noelle gave them a laugh as they played, or sparred as she called it. She'd give them some more free time before it was time to get to work. They had a few days before the first performance anyway.

Noelle stood after watching them a few more minutes, giving the gesture for Banshee to give her a hug. The big cat gladly pranced over to the girl and stood on her hind legs, leaning into her trainer. Giving the cat a rub behind the ears, "Good girl Banshee," she smiled and let the cat go back to her play.

Tilting her head to the side Noelle the feeling she was being watched set in, her eyes glancing around. Then she turned slowly, finally seeing her audience. A smile curved onto her lips, Pixie. "Hey Emmy. Any trick you wanna see our girls do for ya?" She hadn't seen the younger girl in awhile, which was out of the ordinary. It didn't bother Noelle in the least that she was around alot, she enjoyed the company. Noelle always refered to the cats as theirs, ever since she'd let Pixie name Banshee when she'd gotten them nearly seven years ago.

At the sound of Noelle's voice Banshee perked up again, her attention going from Noelle to the now acknowledged Pixie. At a run she moved towards the clown, stopping short right in front of her. Noelle watched her carefully, then felt at ease when Banshee rubbed her body against the bars almost asking to be pet by Emily.

--------------
Cats!

[Pixie]

Noelle did not notice her at first, which was fine with Pixie. She was able to watch the playing cats and Noelle in her element. The woman had one of the cats stand up to hug her and Pixie almost clapped, but she contented herself with an affectionate gaze. That's when Noelle turned to see her finally, and Pixie rose a couple of fingers in an ironic little salute.

Emmy. If anyone else ever were to call the girl by that name, it would end badly for them. But Noelle could probably get away with calling Pixie whatever she wanted. The girl was hopelessly smitten with the leopard trainer and her enormous furry charges. The clown-girl blinked and then smiled softly, a rather genuine smile that did not match the usual bright and toothy smile she offered others.

She let her hands trail down the bars as she sank to the ground, kneeling in the dust and sitting on her heels. She was obviously completely unconcerned with getting her costume dirty. "I don't want to see them do anything, Nell," she said quietly. The voice she used for Noelle was also a lot different than the one she normally used. Although it was just as high-pitched and sing-song as normal, it was subdued, almost shy. Normally it was full of overconfidence and zeal. "I like to watch them play...like they were before. Having fun." Her grin this time was rather toothy. Like a predator's, but softened by the drawn lines of makeup around her lips.

[Ryleigh Kidd]

Within the hustle and bustle of very excited and energetic folks, one with less grace was helping move this and that around for the entertainers. A modest pile of boxes were balanced in a pair of arms, face and identity mostly hidden from looking at her front-on. Though, by being less-than eccentric, Ryleigh Kidd was somewhat easier to spot in the Circus crowd than a dull penny amongst glittering jewels. With her current lack of perception, the woman was clumsily bumping into people and mumbling her apologies as she tried desperately to get all her work done. Ryleigh was still, in essence, an 'intern', you could say. Still learning and studying, with a lot of time spared to help out with the behind-the-scenes chores. Another thud as she stepped over a performer's feet - followed by a lot more apologising.

"Sorry-- Sorry! L-look out. Comin' through." Ryleigh did her best to dance around the next person, almost spinning fully to avoid the stomp of whatever animal was being led passed. The trainee let out a huff as she set the boxes down in their destination, leaning over them a second to catch her breath.

Being here for not nearly long enough, Ryleigh sometimes wondered if she'd ever fit it - then wonder if that was even important. All she wanted was to learn, really. Have her little escapes from reality with something almost unreal. Well, very real. Very dangerous. That thought appeared to be the only thing that didn't phase her. Neither did all the dangers around her. This green as could be new employee someone managed to integrate herself in a life less ordinary.

"Hey! Kidd! You done with jus' those two, or you reckon you could bring the rest over there?" The words were of course, chiding and mocking her stopping to rest. Like she wasn't cut out for this? Ryleigh snorted.

"Yeah, yeah. Go wash an elephant." Kidd waved at him offhandedly, muttering under her breath, as she moved off to lift up some more. Her throat cleared as she paused beside him, an innocent smile aimed his way as she 'happily' hefted about more crates.

"Those toys go to the leopards. Some of 'em got misplaced."

"Roger that."

Her cargo in hand, Ryleigh continued to bump and dodge her way through, eventually reaching her destination. The unassuming woman was dressed in her usual sleeveless padded vest, appearing as though the arms had been torn off, and just simple khaki cargo pants, brown working boots on her feet. Carefully, she set the box down by the cage, clearing her throat so as not to interrupt any conversation.

"Toys for th'leopards." She noted, offering a quick smile to the clown at her side, before nodding to the cat handler.

[Noelle "Sapphire" Star]

Noelle smiled sweetly at Pixie's words, she always seemed to bring out the friendlyness in the leopard trainer. She looked back at her cats, nodding slightly. "That's my favorite too, unfortunatly that doesn't bring in the money nor keep me my job." Noelle blew a few strands of hair that had fallen into her face away. "What've you been up to today?" As she walked towards where Pixie was sitting one of the newer members of the circus appraoched. Ryleigh.

She was carrying a box, Noelle gave her a questioning look. Then she got her answer, noticing that the woman smiled at Pixie. Her jaw clenched a bit, the new arrivals always made Noelle feel a little uncomfortable. Especially when it came to Emily, the trainer was older now, she could protect her friend now. Not to say that the young clown couldn't take care of herself, Noelle knew that for a fact.

At Ryleigh's nod in her direction she nodded in return, "Thank you..I was wondering where they ended up." Her voice was nearly a mumble, she kept her gaze going between Ryleigh and Emily. As she approached where her friend was sitting on the opposite side of the bars she motioned for Banshee to move. The large cat did so without hesitation and went back to play with her sister Auora. Once the cat moved Noelle took her spot, sitting close to Pixie. "How goes the training Leigh?" Her voice was still sort of a mumble, but her question was genuine.

[Pixie]

At Noelle's words, Pixie nodded in agreement. Their customers, like most humans, were vile, selfish creatures. It did not matter to them if the leopards wanted to perform or not; they just wanted to see the show. However, at least most of the performers had chosen this life. Not Pixie, perhaps, but she did not know anything else. She was about to respond when she heard the rumble of a throat being cleared, and turned quickly. A big, brilliant smile was already stretching across her lips, her mask being fixed before she met the gaze of whoever was behind her.

Ryleigh. A First of May; someone new to the circus. The clown girl cocked her head and waggled her fingers in an enthusiastic greeting, the smile fixed on her lips. Pixie did not exactly have a problem with Ryleigh. She was a woman, which was for the best, but beyond that Pixie did not harbor much of an opinion of her yet. She did not know her well enough. When Noelle came to sit beside her, she reached through the bars to gently wrap a twist of hair around one finger. An affectionate gesture; the girl had always loved the colors in Noelle's hair.

Unlike Noelle's shy reaction, Pixie released Noelle's hair just as gently as she had trapped it, then trotted right up to Ryleigh and tried to peek into the box. "Hi Ryleigh! Toys, Nell! Can I see them?!" she asked, clapping excitedly as she rocked on her heels and turned back to look at Noelle. Her smile did not quite reach her eyes.

[Ryleigh Kidd]

Both women appeared to have their own reactions to the newcomer's presence, which Ryleigh handled with her easy-going grace. Or something close to grace. Her social skills weren't terrible, nor was she ever rude or unkind. Sure, she could make witty remarks or speak under her breath, but there was always a joking humour to it all. It was how she helped ease herself into a working relationship with people. After the Black Boar, Ryleigh was always going to have a little uneasiness about her, but was more than elated she was on a more friendly and upstanding vessel. Even if it was a little kooky. But kooky wasn't a bad thing. Exchanging a glance between the two women, she peered into the box herself. She hadn't looked inside. Ryleigh had a firm, almost rigid mentality about going through other people's things. She was protective of her own personal belongings, too.

"Must be big toys for big cats." Ryleigh estimated, head canting to the side as she pictured giant toy mice on strings and large balls of yarn.

At Noelle's question, the Ryleigh gave the cat tamer a glance, her expression going to a unsure half-squint. Something of a wince to suggest she wasn't entirely sure how to answer that question, or there was an embarrassing lack of progress thus far. A little, nervous laugh escaped the trainee as she rubbed the back of her neck. As per usual, she hadn't factored in the amount of danger involved in fire-related performances. She had seen the young clown clearly more adept and masterful with her juggling, and Ryleigh was looking to breathe that stuff.

"It's ah... well, it's goin'... I mean I'm still learnin' the basics... and the safety measures..." Kidd trailed off, not looking to bore them both with her menial failures so far. But she wasn't throwing in the towel just yet. There would be a long, hard road before she'd ever consider quitting. Ryleigh was a stubborn one. Results would show in due time.

"Knife throwin' is lookin' good, though."

A small confidence boost at the mention, maybe? Ryleigh was never one to pat herself on the back, and usually needed telling she was doing something good, or right, before she actually realised. Her parents weren't ones to overly praise her, but she was never academically overachieving. Lazy in that area, you could say. Sometimes, though, she knew what she was good at. Even allowed herself a little gloating from time to time. Just a little.

Pale eyes going back towards the box, Ryleigh gave another peer into the top. It was probably up to Noelle as to showing what was in it, and Kidd was a little curious herself, now. What 'toys' did they make for larger animals? Ones not usually considered the kind you'd raise or buy toys for...

"How's the preparations goin' for you two?" She asked, almost grasping at some kind of conversational opener to try and get to know other people around here - and seeing as these two were her age, it might be a nice place to start. Though, far as she knew they'd been here a lot, lot longer than her. Again, she felt a little like an outsider - which she was, there was no denying that. Ryleigh didn't mind it so much. In time, she'd probably find her place.

[Noelle "Sapphire" Star]

Noelle smiled sweetly at Pixie's toying with her hair, somehow she was the only person the leopard trainer felt comfortable near. Perhaps it was due to the fact that they had both grown up together in this life, neither of them knew much outside of the circus world. Noelle wasn't sure she wanted to. She watched carefully as Pixie went up to Ryleigh, her gaze showed the protectiveness that she felt towards the smaller girl.

When Emmy looked back at her, Noelle's face immediatly softened and she smiled once again. "Have at it."[/color] She gave a small wave with her words as if ushering the pair to do as they pleased about the toys. Noelle was starting to feel a bit better now regarding the current situation. Her eyes went to Ryleigh this time, "Afraid I can't offer advice on the fire, not really my thing. If you need pointers or such on the knives though..I could help ya out."[/color]

Noelle picked herself up from the ground, dusting off her pants a bit, then headed towards the exit of the cage. Auora and Banshee didn't even take a moment to notice, they were very involved in their playtime. It wasn't often enough that they got to feel real dirt, they obviously were going to take full advantage. Walking slowly towards the other women she answered the question, "So far so good...I think the girls would prefer to just play all day, but it'll be time to get to work soon."[/color] She'd nodded her head towards the white leopards when she referenced to them as 'the girls.' "Go ahead and toss 'em over the top, they can have a bit more fun."[/color]

[merrit]

Erik sauntered into camp with his dufflebag slung over his shoulder and a man with a lot of boxes on a mule following slowly behind. His long brown hair hung limply at his shoulders and looked a little dingier than he'd like it to. His brown leather duster also looked a little dirtier than it had been in a while. He took a deep breath and felt the moist air cooling his lungs. The scent of the circus filled his lungs, which really meant dung, alcohol, and cheap food permeated the air. It was quite refreshing to him. He had been away for some time now and it was kind of like coming back home, which was rare for Erik considering he never really stayed with any group too long.

He had been with this group for a while before a contact of his told him he had trouble on his tail. So he parted ways with this menagerie of eccentrics, to take the trouble that was chasing him away from these people. He waved to a few of the hands as he made his way through the chaos that was the unloading of the ship. He stopped and turned to face the man following him.

"Just take the stuff and put it by the forward port landing strut, it'll be out of the way and fine there."

The man nodded and drove off to make his delivery. Erik stood and watched for a moment before he lit up a cigarette and made his way further in the throng of people. He finally came upon the area he was looking for. The Cat pens. He was really quite happy and interested to see how Pixie and Noelle had been doing since he last saw them. No doubt the two would be together as they always were inseperable. Sure enough the two were sitting at the cages talking to some one he didn't recognize. A small smile spread across his face as he took the last drag of his cigarette and snuffed it out on the ground.

"Well I'll be the son of mokney's uncle, look at you two. Still look the exact same. I don't quite know how that's possible. How are you doing Noe? What about you Pix, how have you been?"

He listend as the two told him how they had been with great interest. He thought of these girls like his little sisters at times though he would never admit that let alone anyone else say it.

"So who's the May?"

[Pixie]

The little clown rocked back on her heels and took a step back from Ryleigh. Although she was very friendly, Pixie was still very shy. She chewed daintily on one painted nail, watching Ryleigh's actions with interest, as if sizing her up. "I'm sure you'll get it soon, Ryleigh!" she said with a girlish grin. "You're super-good! I'd be way too scared to breathe fire!" She put her fingertips to her lips and giggled.

When Noelle offered to help Ryleigh with her knife-handling, Pixie's head cocked and her smile became fixed. Her eyes hardened ever so slightly and her body tensed, but she quickly resumed her sweet facade. In answer to Ryleigh's question, "I'm almost ready! I have just a few more things to work on." She tugged on her skirt and adjusted her bow.

The arrival of Erik caught the clown by surprise. A man. He'd been here before, and she had known him for a long time, but he was still a man. She smiled, though, and spread her arms in greeting. "I've been wonderful! Good to see you back." She tapped one finger to the tip of her dot nose. "You just can't stay away, huh?" and she tipped him a wink.

She made a huge gesture at Ryleigh in response to his question. "This is Ryleigh. Ryleigh, this is Erik!" and she backed away. Pixie felt safer once she was standing next to and slightly behind Noelle, peeking out from behind her as if slightly bashful. Really, new people and men just made her uncomfortable.

[Ryleigh Kidd]

In regards to the box and the toys, Ryleigh decided to open it up, revealing a treasure trove of oversized cat toys. Something was pulled out. It was long, knotted and twisted like rope, yet colourful and frayed at either end. To pull about between them? Ryleigh wasn't sure; giving it an odd look before she tossed it over into the pen. There was also a big wicker ball for them to sink their claws and teeth into, and bat around of course. Ryleigh went ahead and threw that, too, watching as it bounced a little across the ground. There was still a few more things, but Pixie had shown some interest in seeing them, so she left the box open. Noelle's offer piqued her attention, and the new recruit lifted her head up. Generous offer. Ever since she'd gotten here, the young woman had gotten along easily and professionally with the workers and labourers of the Exotica. Just like any other job. Well, mostly. The performers themselves were some odd birds. They had their quirks. Some were stand-offish. Others wrapped up in their art. Friendly, kooky, wary, bizarre. There was so much difference from the worlds she knew that it still made Ryleigh herself feel like the weird one.

"Thanks. That'd help me out loads." A small smile came to her face, but she waved her hands about out of habit, "Long as it doesn't take up too much o' yer time. You got your own act to work with."

As for the fire breathing... Yeah. Ryleigh was being ambitious with that. But if we didn't strive for something outlandish and dangerous once in a while then there wasn't much excitement. Maybe it was like an early - very early - mid-life crisis. Or just a result of events that had transpired in her life to date. Something to make up for it all. Crazy? Ryleigh was as stable as a young woman could be. At the bubbly young clown's encouragements and appraisal of her current level of aptitude it might've boosted a little of her confidence. It was hard to tell. She wasn't used to praise, and it caused a small half-smirk. A response almost left her lips, but they closed as soon as someone else appeared and started to talk. Ryleigh cocked her head around, gaze leaving the leopard trainer and the clown as she took in Erik's appearance. Normal lookin', which wasn't unnatural to see. Ryleigh had to wonder what he did around here - or had done. Must've been here for a while, though. He knew Pixie and Noelle pretty well.

As for the 'May', Pixie beat everyone to that explanation. Kidd turned to Erik completely and stuck a hand out towards him. All business-like and polite.

"It's a pleasure. I guess I'm sorta an intern. Help out around the ship, sometimes a co-pilot if there's one needed. Mostly trainin' to be part of the entertainment. Tryin' to specialise in fire breathin'." Was she rambling? She was rambling, wasn't she? Ryleigh was never sure if people wanted her to talk more than needed. But she shrugged off that awkward sensibility and added in, "Whadda you do 'round here?"

[Noelle "Sapphire" Star]

Noelle watched Ryleigh as she took out a couple of the over-sized toys. Glancing at her cats as they made the flight over the top, Banshee happily pounced at the wicker ball. At the woman's reply to her offer the trainer simply shrugged, "The cat's wouldn't mind a little less time being asked to do tricks I'm sure. An' the blade dancing has been the same routine for a few years so I don't practice as much anyway." Noelle did notice the momentary change in Pixie at her and Ryleigh's exchange, but she said nothing.

It was then that the women were approached, Pixie beat them to a greeting. She smiled "Didn't think you'd be coming back Erik. Been the same ol' same ol' around here for the most part." Noelle watched as the petite clown introduced Ryleigh to Erik then backed away closer to her. Out of her protective instinct towards Pixie she reached to Pixie, it was just a slight touch. Noelle's way to let her friend know it was alright, she was there for her.

The leopard trainer didn't say anything else, she simply watched Ryleigh and Erik. Though she found herself curious as to why the pilot had left the carnivale in the first place. Perhaps she'd ask him later on, out on the floor there were alot of ears around, even if you couldn't see them.

[merrit]

Erik watched as Pixie introduced the newbie and then backed away. He had forgotten how timid she was around men, mostly due to her "father". Erik hadn't been with the ship and show when that whole ordeal went down, he was saddened by what had been done to her. He knew if he was there when when that sick clown was around and started doing that, his life would have been much shorter. Yet, he learned to long ago Pixie was never gonna quite trust him. Of course his up and leaving at a moments notice wouldn't make it any easier for her to have any trust in him.

Erik then turned his attention to the outstretched hand of Ryliegh, he took it and gave a firm shake with a big smile. The girl was cute a little tom boyish but cute. Apparently they were going to be spending time together if she was one of the co-pilots.

"Well when the ship is planet side and doing shows, I'm one of the daredevil acts. When we are up and flying, well I'm one of the pilots. Sounds like I'll be seeing a lot more of you once we get back into the black."

His hands went back into his jacket and pulled out another cigarette as he stepped slightly away from the group. Not enough to be seperate from them just enough to where the smoke wasn't going to blow towards them or the cages. He never understood how the other folks didn't care if their smoke went towards the animals or not.

"Didn't think you'd be coming back Erik. Been the same ol' same ol' around here for the most part[/i]"

Noelle was a little warmer towards Erik than Pixie ever was but that was cause he gave her the respect she deserved and didn't treat he like a child. Yet, at times he still felt she was a tad stand offish with him, but it didn't seem like it at the moment.

" Yeah I wasn't sure if I was gonna be back, but I missed the family a little too much so I decided to make my way back here to meet up with every one. I can tell you more about everything later./"

His eyes flicked around looking for those who would poke their nose into whatever he was saying or doing. That was the one thing he did learn about working here was to watch what you say cause it could come back to bite you quick. Everyone here was looking to make a quick buck and wouldn't hesitate to throw you under the bus to do so... well not every one there were a few that weren't like that. Pixie and Noelle weren't, but that was mostly because they never really talked to a lot of people any ways.

"So Ryliegh, how did you get mixed up with this band of folk? Get too drunk one night?

He laughed as he said that knowing how many people that actually happened to, himself included though it was one of the best nights of his life.

[Pixie]

As the new woman greeted Erik, Pixie's eyes hardened as she studied them closely, as if sizing them both up. Noelle's touch roused her from her predatory stare and she grinned at her friend. Then she lost interest, like a child, and began trotting over to watch the big cats play. She wrapped her hands around the bars and stared, but listened to everything.

The two pilots would be spending time together, which was good. Maybe it would draw them away and Pixe would have Noelle to herself again. Her hands tightened on the bars and her stare became blank. She was glad Erik had pulled away to smoke. Her father had smoked. Bad men smoked...she shook her head as if to clear it.

Erik was not bad, not that she knew of. A man, so not good either, but not completely bad either. And part of the circus. She couldn't do anything, couldn't touch him. The Ringmaster would know, he wouldn't like it. Carefully arranging her face into a pleasant mask, she released the bars and turned back around to face the others.

She trotted up to the women again and rocked a bit on her heels, hands behind her back. "Don't you be mean, Erik," she chided. Turning to Ryleigh, she grinned. "This place isn't as bad as he's pretending."

[Ryleigh Kidd]

An appreciative little nod was given towards Noelle for her kindness, or maybe professional foresight? Helping to train one of them to make sure there were always more acts. There was only a barely-there grin. Ryleigh was never one to receive a lot of assistance in life. Learning to do things for herself had been the reason she was out here in the first place. Reason why she'd been thrown into various worse situations. As hard as it was going to be to related to the performers around here, Erik himself seemed like an average sort. Or looked. Granted, appearance wasn't everything, and he did say he was a daredevil of all things. Guess they did have something in common.

"We prob'ly will." The young woman noted with a small smirk.

Obviously standing there, Ryleigh was unaware of anything going on amongst this little Circus family. No need to know all the little secrets hidden away, and a part of her was fine with no personal burdens. Every other family had it's problems, and she was betting soon enough something might crop up. Something might go wrong. Maybe she'd end up in a disagreement with a performer. Or get caught up in a fight. For now, and probably for a while, Ryleigh will most probably stick to a safe, yet friendly distance. Those cutthroats had been like watered-down Reavers at times. Left her a little edgey with all these people around her at all times. At her back. Unable to see them if she were busy with something else. Just little... personal insecurities, you know? Straightening, shoulders rolling, Ryleigh dropped the slight slump and regained a little less of her awkward stance. A crooked smile followed.

"I'll try t'be int'restin' company." She chuckled, hands slipping into the pockets of her cargo pants. To be more interesting that this lot was an impossible task in itself. Erik would probably know that better than her.

His question of how she got here, and Pixie's subsequent joking chide eased a little more of Ryleigh's undercurrent nervous ways. They were almost like family. In a strange way. Not like any family she'd known, yet they all had this sense of each other. Erik never ran up to hug them, but spoke almost like a brother. The 'drunk' thing also piqued her interest. Maybe a story she'd end up hearing on the bridge sometime.

"I just... sorta stumbled upon a show. I didn' have any work and was stuck planetside. Sounded like somethin' I kid would do. Run away an' join the Circus. Offered somethin'... diff'rent from all th'other ships I'd been on."

There was a slight chuckle as she scratched the bridge of her nose, the idea she'd had a set plan to make this place her home sounding more and more like one of those old, old tales. Well, her last name was 'Kidd' after all.