Recent Posts

The rings were smaller than the shifter remembered or he got bigger. Either way the rings would still be on fire. When they lit Carrick’s Gryphon form hesitated and shirked away from it but was reminded he had a show to put on. The singing was the first reminder the gasps and cries of excitement was the second and then there was Larry Zoo. Someone Carrick was beginning to think wasn’t all there. Or he forgot who he was riding. Either way one of Carrick’s forms would be having a word with Larry if there was another... The Gryphon let out a loud screech hoping to deafen Larry Zoo.

The shifter was a showman however and this was his world so when he felt the spurs he flew as high as he could while spinning until he was at the highest point he could fly. Carrick backflipped in the air and then started his quick descent to the ground hoping Larry Zoo and his spurs were afraid of heights and was to stupid to hold on. He wasn’t.

Before he hit the ground Carrick snapped his wings open zooming through the first ring. A feather caught fire and fell off before it was a problem. Larry Zoo pulled on Carrick’s neck practically choking him as he tired to stay as close to the body as possible. His cowboy hat didn’t make it. Smacking the top of the on fire ring the hat fell behind as Carrick barrel rolled through the second ring slowly building up speed as he started zooming through the rest of them.

“Dumb beast! My hat!” muttered Zoo as he kept hold on Carrick’s side with the spurs. One thing you don’t do is insult the ride. His Gryphon form loved attention and had an Ego that put Carrick’s to shame even with knowing he was performing the Gryphon’s tail thrashed behind him. One more time... if he did something one more time...

They were close to the last ring on fire, only a few feathers were singed that was fine. He could clean them later. What he couldn’t do would be take back the last stunt he pulled as Larry Zoo decided another kick would encourage more speed. It didn’t. Carrick arched his back at the last ring sending Larry Zoo face first into a flaming ring of metal. There was a loud clang a shriek from Carrick’s Gryphon form and then a falling Larry Zoo who was fumbling at his face and trying to kick a steed who wasn’t there.

Carrick could hear the audible gasp from the crowd as Larry quickly fell to earth cursing behind a bloodied nose. The shifter sighed and adjusted himself into a dive. Before hitting the ground Larry was caught in one of Carrick’s claws then tossed upwards on to his back. “Ka-ill you.” he said as he landed holding his nose on Carrick’s back. The crowd erupted in cheers as Larry Zoo threw his hands up in the air as if it was all part of the show.

Circling the center ring Carrick spotted his target and snagged the cowboy hat before landing. Larry waved his hand about and Carrick with his claw tossed up the hat trying to catch it on his head. Larry Zoo responded in kind by kicking him once and catching his hat. The lights dimmed and Carrick and Larry ran off from the stage as the lights dimmed.

---

“I don’t care who that thing thinks he is!” shouted Larry when they were behind the curtain and the next act was on. Larry was yelling at the woman with the beautiful voice and Carrick still in his Gryphon form decided to go over and giv him a piece of his mind. He gave Zek a look like, ‘Can you believe this guy?’ he looked to his bloodied sides and gave a sharp chirp. ‘Spurs!

His body felt heavy, was it a half hour already? bird like beak gave another sharp chirp and he started to alter back to his humaniod form. His sides were bloodied and he was sweating heavily. His body felt like it was on fire.

”**** you Larry Zoo, come at me with spurs again and I’ll make ya eat ‘em.” Carrick said as someone tossed him a blanket. He heard the singing again this time louder like before when she was near. Hiss heart started to race a bit and he looked up to the singer she was.... average looking. The Princess was far more attractive by comparison. Not that anyone would compare her.

”Will ya sing fer me again?” he asked breathing heavily feeling his body go heavy as the woman smile nodded. “We aren’t done yet.” before Carrick started to shift again his vision went dark.

”Sounds... boring... and wet.” he said a little confused, was Iceman into anime training? He wondered if he could ask to fly in an altered gravity field then decided it probably be more work than fun. He had flown against the wind before it was the same right?

She agreed with him but he didn’t really feel like she sold it. He folded his arms while still in the air his tail flicked in her direction not sure what to make of her. Other than she couldn’t really fly. Even with her powers. Not fly like he could at least. She was another grounder who could experience a form of floating.

”I can do that too.” he grinned smugly, ”It’s called waving.” he said still flying. ”Ya going to the danger room now?” he asked curiously.

”Could always tag along. If ya want to fly.” he said lowering himself, ”I can take on students.” he didn’t know if he could teach her how to fly seeing as she didn’t have wings but he wasn’t going to tell her that.

Carrick hated dressing up. His bow tie reminded him of a collar that was too tight. His tail and wings kept fighting the suspenders. His shirt felt tight to his shoulders and pulled his sleeves tight around the wrists. He grumbled and fought the urge to just flex his scrawny arms and rip the shirt. She told him she liked it when he dressed up so here was looking like a man in a with wings and a tail that was visibly uncomfortable. Maybe if he was lucky one of his other forms would tap in and rip it all?

Speaking of uncomfortable. Carrick eyed the sheen on the now plastic roses. He might have bought a favor from the mansions plastic manipulator to make the roses he got for the Princess last forever. He didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing but he thought of it on the fly and ran with it. Two diamonds well spent at least he thought so.

Until he started to over think it again. ‘Mate!’ ”Yeah, usually what happens now. Constructive criticism would be helpful now boys. Nothing?” he asked to himself before he felt an overwhelming source of pride. Gryphon approved so it was enough for him.

Carrick hated using doors but knew she appreciated it so he knocked on her door instead of the window. It was Valentines day. Not something he normally cared about other than the occasional gig but now he thought ahead and got a girlfriend... well they haven’t discussed what the were really but Carrick was hopeful he has been spending the night a few times a week at least so she had to be interested right?

Gifts went out to the moms, flowers and a note thanking them for keeping him out of jail. He recalled it was an important date to his real mom. It didn’t feel right not giving them flowers. The nervous shifter hoped the Princess didn’t relocate his guitar. Today was a special day. Even if he didn’t give the details about the date to her just that it was a holiday designed to spend money on the each other..

Zek was a clown. Never a more perfect role ever existed for someone Carrick knew. He seemed to have perfected the role since Carrick last saw him. ”I know him.” Carrick said pointing out Zek in makeup as he dodged a leg sweep. “Yeah? Who cares?” said a stage hand who was busy moving something heavy behind him. Obviously not interested in a stirring performance or talking to someone in a loincloth.

“Carrickkkkk.... time to get ready... oh and here...” the charmer handed Carrick something that looked like breakaway for a horse but it had something resembling a ball gag to it. ”That’s gonna be a no for me love...” he said missing the rest of Zek’s performance wishing he could see the rest of the show. ”Not really me thing... We can try at some point. We don’t like the whole leash thing.” it restrained the neck and it didn’t let him move which was important while performing.

“.....” the charmer hesitated her forked tongue flicking at him. He should have done what she wanted. It was working so well before right? “.....jussssst don’t talk when you ssssshift....” The shifter smirked, ”Careful darling, yer starting to sound like an Ex.” he laughed and then took a few steps away from everyone behind the curtain.

It was a quick and painless shift which was weird, normally he could feel them. This one seemed almost peaceful. Maybe it was the singing. The glassed eyed Gryphon hopped in front of the curtain and lowered as was requested by the song. Someone hopped onto his back.

The Ring Master cleared his throat and waited for the spot light to turn on him before speaking, “And what a bunch of rambunctious Rrrrrrrrapscallions!” he turned quickly brandishing his cape the spotlight turning a hue of blue as fire erupted up from around him. He twirled his mustache a bit as he spoke to add to his character.

“We spread the word this was a show to remember, we have some... creates nay beasts, fearsome yet beautiful forgotten by time and trust me... they are all very real...” the flames behind him died down. Grabbing his hat into a bow and lifting his cane. “I give you the last of his kind, a creature straight out a fairy tale... The one and only Gryphon!!!!” the spotlight died down and he vanished into the darkness hoping Carrick still remembered most of his stunts. The boy was always unpredictable at best.

Carrick’s large form folded it’s wings and snapped at the person riding him. They had spurrs. What a @@@@. His bird like beak opened and he chirpped once before hearing the singing again and his eyes glossed back over. He was performing. He almost forgot.

Spurrs aside Carrick lowered and let out a loud roar before charging out feeling the spotlights on him. Once it was following him he snapped his wings open mid run and leapt into the air belting out a screech and turning while the rider hang on. His heart was racing, he could hear the ‘awe’ , some were screaming ‘look’ while someone Carrick was tempted to dive bomb called him a ‘fake’. This was what he lived for, an audience.

The shifter gave a little nod when she started laughing, ”Yes?” he answered shrugging shoulders mid step not giving her the whole truth. ”Used to. Then I used to be only human to.” he said looking back and watching his tail making sure it looked right with the rest of his dancing. ”I’ve ripped enough pants in me life not to worry too much about it. Most people are gonna gawk at the Irishman whose got wings and a tail. Figure I’d at least give ‘em a show! Just ideally I don’t rip the pants.”

”Hop’nhead?” he said looking back to her quickly eyeing the steps his body still keeping pace but his movement rocking a bit while he studied. He raised his eyebrow, wondering if he could do something with his wings if he was supposed to break it up a bit.

His tail flicked behind him, ”Feet together, hop, bro/chick/whatever, what, ****” he said counting the steps. Then responded with a little wave of his hand, ”Me? Never, was taught ta flush.” leaning back and then jumping his wings opened slightly and then snapped them back in mirroring his feet as he hopped.

He grinned rocking his shoulders a little more gave a nod to Raine, ”Like what?” he smirked then mocked a version of the face she just gave him. He attempted the change she did a second before but it was thrown off from one of his wings trying to keep pace. Carrick dragged a foot in response trying to compensate for his wing slowing him. He laughed keeping his hands above his elbows he was learning and he was having fun.

”Step n’ touch!” he announced going back into the dance. ”Didn’t know I was learning from a pro, fer how long? What night! Hit a party got some handouts, then I actually learn something I can use in the real world!” he said snapping his fingers rocking back and forth. There was no shame on the dance floor.

”Help yerself, to the booze. Been wanting a top hat since before the wings, so it’s spoken for.”

After some intense hoping around he could feel his toes again, unfortunately that meant he could also feel the toe he stubbed earlier. The shifter’s mismatched colored eyes fixed on the toe then to the voice of the woman behind him sitting and eating while he was busy putting on a show. How long was she there? Was he just that oblivious to the world around him? Shifts had a tendency to put blinders on everything after he woke up in a strange place having no idea how he got there.

>>>"Rough day? Sleeping inside is usually a better idea then sleeping outside."

He overreacted and hopped back it was part of his character ”You have pink hair!” he said fighting the urge to point. ”Sorry, I thought we’re just stating the obvious today.” he smirked and looked down at himself in his ratted jeans, bare feet and dirt over his person. ”I mean, I woke up... that’s a start right?“ he said confidently until he looked around then decided to pinch himself for good measure. Usually his dreams involved the Princess more in some capacity and less... he sniffed the air, fish... usually in involved no fish.

”I even have a bed inside. Yet fer some reason, a dirt nap sounded more comfortable.” he sighed and shrugged his shoulders. His other forms all had their own thing and he found it was easier to let them do what they wanted. It made the voices less, noticeable. His sniffed the air again and progressed further into the kitchen.

Walking past the pink haired girl he looked at the food his stomach growled, ”What’s fer... breakfast?” he asked knowing it was well past that time of day.

”That’s right champ... clear the evil... get the poison outta ya.” he said giving himself a pep talk. The shifter dry heaved in the corner of his cage where he already spewed from earlier. ”One last show... then ya can sleep it off...” he caught a wiff of some garbage or a porta-john. ” Oh that’s the on-hurrrrrrphhh!!!!”

A few minutes later Carrick stood wiping his mouth on his arm shaking it off. ”Like a champ.” he took a pull from the cigar and exhaled trying to get rid of the taste of vomit. He looked back at the food wondering if he should scarf some more before he went on. “O’Conner, sssssssoooo nicessss to meet you, heard sssssooooo much about you.”

The shifter looked to the vomit again and then inhaled through the cigar the ashes turning into a bright cherry red as he pulled. ”Sssssssorrryyyyy. Have we met?” he said trying to be funny as he sighed and turned towards the voice. The singing he could be heard again in the background and he ignored the woman with a weird lisp. It was closer now and he wanted to see who was singing because... what a voice.

Mismatched colored eyes fixed on the woman from last night the one who sang and the one whose voice he had been hearing in the back of his head. It was so beautiful even his beast form questioned it, ‘Mate?’ It also happened to be the source of the woman with the lisp.

Carrick was hungover and pretty sore from the night before but he turned on his swagger leaning into the bars his tail flicking behind him. He purred forgetting she had a snake like tongue that flicked at him, ”Been thinking about that voice all night, love. Hands down the best voice I’ve heard. Care ta sing ta me again before I go on and turn up the wow?” the Tarzan loincloth really help him pull off the confidence and the whiskey.

“I do need you at your bessst.” she said as she stepped forward into the light. The woman was wearing the same thing as last night which wasn’t anything to outstanding and her scaly complexion reflected the light as she got closer. He eyed her tongue flicking at him again and his pupils rounded and then glossed over. The purring grew louder from the shifter the closer she got. His eyes met her cold snake like eyes and he smiled flashing his pointed canines. She wasn’t normally the type of woman he went for but he seemed enamored. He was in love.

The snake lady opened her mouth and began to sing, “I need you in the besssst ssssshape tonight. You’re going to make ussss ssssoooo much money.” The shifter crouched down to get closer to her. ”Anything fer ya love, just name it. I’ll give ya the sun yer name till me dying days. Just... don’t stop singing.” she gave him a wide smile glad mutant hybrids were so easy.

She unlocked the cage and Carrick dropped the bottle of whiskey and the cigar into the pile of hay below him zonked out of his mind. He was in love what did he care? The shifter hoped out of the cage and followed the love of his life to the door into the big top. “You’ll know what to do when you go out there. Just put on the besssst ssssshow you’ve ever done and I’ll ssssssing to you. All you want.” she said smiling more while her tongue flicked at him.

”Sure thing.” he said lifting his thumbs up now concerned for his cue. The singing still giving him a stupid grin on his face.

In the big top another ringmaster walked out, one Carrick didn’t recognize. “Ladies and Gentlemen.... Welcome to the best show. Where all our performers are up for grabs....” the lights dimmed and the music started. Meanwhile Carrick clapped like an idiot waiting for his cue the singing still echoing in his head.