Cirque De Freak! Otherwise known as Circus of the Freaks. Circus opens on the 25-27! Members read for details inside!

I watched the grotesque process; her extra limbs growing, her clothes ripping(didn't mind that part) then her body flattening and pincers sprouting from her mouth. Her black and red fur that covered her looked rather soft, so I leaned in and ran my hand down her back. It was slightly scratchy, but it felt kind of good against my scales. I then nodded, when she said she could turn into a black widow as well, and replied, "Naw, that's enough proof for me." I chuckled, and stroked Raen.

I laughed along with her, and that made me wonder how many times a week she had to get more clothes. Then, I realized that she wouldn't be able to transform..non-awkwardly now that her clothes were in shreds. As I ran my fingers down the back of Raen, I asked Akila, "Do you want me to run and grab you one of my big T-shirts, or something?" I was known as the "chill" guy of camp, so, of course, I had a bunch of old, over-sized T-shirts to just lay around in; but I usually didn't wear a shirt, so it didn't matter much to me.

I nodded, and followed her into her tent. I watched her transform and dress behind the silk screen, smiling to myself as I watched her. Then, when she came out, I said, "You sure do have a lot of skinny jeans." I looked at our feet; mine, tough, green, and scaly, then hers, in yellow Chucks. "And a lot of shoes," I added with a nod. Raen had dismounted my shoulders, and she was now slithering around the tent freely.

I let out a chuckle when she yelped, but stood when she had fallen back. I went on the other side of the couch, where she had landed, and helped her up, praying to the heavens that she didn't hit her head. "You okay?" I asked, before squeezing her hand. That's when I realized I was holding it. With a blush, I let go, and looked down to the ground. My eyes met with those of Raen's; she had come to make sure Akila was okay. I scooped the snake up, slinging her over my shoulders.

I stood up with a nod, embarrassed. When he squeezed my hand, I blushed as well. I gave a small cough. "I'm fine." I said, rubbing my head. "Hit my head a bit, but it's fine." I said, looking at the snake. I sighed. Why am I so afraid of the snake?

I watched Akila's eyes travel to Raen, and I understood that she absolutely hated her. "If you want, I could put Raen back in my tent," I suggested, before adding, "That way, you won't get a concussion." I let out a low chuckle, then patted Raen on her head. She licked my finger with her tongue, and I smiled, feeling her smooth tongue against my scales.

"No, it's fine. I just... need to get used to her." I said, slowly letting my hand travel to her. I bit my lip at the feel of her cool scales, but managed to keep my hand there. So far so good. I thought to myself, gently rubbing her head.

I nodded, and said, "Basically, it's just like touching me, but her scales are a bit colder than mine." I placed a hand on her shoulder. "See? I'm warm-blooded, she's cold-blooded. Simple science." I kept my hold on Akila's shoulder, not really minding if we touched or not.

I bit my lip and nodded, growing more and more used to her. I stroked her scales gracefully, in a loving yet gentle way. I noticed his hand was still on my shoulder, but didn't say anything. I liked the feeling of his warm scales. Suddenly, I noticed I was no longer touching the snake, but Evra's arm. I blushed yet again and continued stroking the snake.

I laughed when she began to stroke my arm; she noticed, and quickly corrected herself, moving her hand back to Raen. I dropped my hand from her shoulder, and let it sit by my side. I moved to the couch, and sat, the cushions practically swallowing my small body up. I shifted so not to be eaten by the demon couch and smiled as Akila petted Raen.

I sat beside him and soon stopped stroking her. That's when I realized I was no longer afraid. However, I knew that if she made any sudden movements I would soon cower in fear yet again. I sighed and leaned back into the couch, closing my eyes that were facing towards the ceiling. I sighed, calmly lying against the couch in relaxation. "Wanna listen to some music?" I asked, my eyes still closed. I soon opened them and sat straight, yet still comfortable in the couch.

When she asked if I wanted to listen to music, I instantly sat up, nodding. "Yeah, sure." I stood from the couch. "Whaddaya got?" Music had always excited me, for some reason. Maybe it was because it seemed like, to me, that I could just plug into my iPod and forget about the rest of the world, forget that I was just some mutant freak in a freak show, and just live.

I stood up as well. "I like all kinds of music except country, so pretty much I got everything." I said with a smile, referring to two large CD cases. I began rummaging through them, looking for something. "What kind of music do you like?" I asked.

"Country," I joked, followed by a short chuckle. "I like all kinds of stuff, although I'm not a huge fan of that rap stuff." I shook my head, thinking back to when I used to be all over rap. I shuddered. "Uhm, do you have any, like, I dunno, Hollywood Undead, or something?" I asked. I had always been into screamo and metal, for another unknown reason.

"Yeah." I said with a smile, picking out a new CD and popping it into my stereo. It came on loudly and I grinned, sitting on the couch and nonchalantly rocking my head to the music. "This is my favorite kind of music." I said.

I laughed. "Mine, too," I replied, grinning as "Undead" blared over the loud speakers. I looked at Akira; we were so much alike, personality-wise. I mean, minus the part that she's afraid of snakes and we could be twins. I shook the thought, and began to stroke my snake.

I absentmindedly sang along to the music, my voice not that bad. Actually, quite good. It was smooth, and I could easily hit both high and low notes. I carried them out easily, not realizing I was getting a bit loud and no longer exactly singing to myself. I stood up and grabbed a bag of chips from the back of the tent, along with two Dr.Peppers from the mini fridge. I tossed one to Evra and sat beside him, sitting the bag between us so we could share the chips.

I caught the soda before it hit me where it counts, and I muttered, "Epic.." before opening the Dr. Pepper and taking a long swig. "Thanks," I told her, nodding. I busted open the chips, and took a few, popping them into my mouth, then chased them down with more soda.

I laughed and dug my hand into the bag as well, popping some in my mouth before opening the soda and gulping some down. As the last song came to an end, I turned off the stereo and threw the empty chip bag away along with two empty cans of soda.

"So," I said, watching as she turned the stereo off, and threw our trash away. Raen had slithered away and was happily curled on top of Akila's pillow. I chuckled at the sight of my snake, and then turned to Akila, standing. "Whatcha wanna do now?" I asked.

I shrugged, sitting on my bed. I hadn't noticed the snake on my pillow and laid down, resting my head on it. I felt the scales and yelled out something that sounded like "EEP!" as I jumped from the pillow and towards the other end of the bed.