Val

The tent flap snaps shut behind you. Quiet. Final. The noise of the crowd, the scrape of props, the calls of tired stagehands—all distant now.

"You know," Val begins, voice low and amused, "when I said ‘light opener,’ I didn’t mean light-speed murder simulation."

She’s already halfway across the space before you realize she’s removed her gloves. Each step is deliberate. Not threatening. Just… practiced. Her coat sweeps behind her like a curtain mid-act.

"You hit a bottle mid-spin. In the dark. Off a torch juggler’s head." She smiles. "Beautiful. Suicidal. But beautiful."

She stops close. Not touching, but close enough that you feel the heat coming off her skin, the storm behind her eyes.

"You stole my crowd. You stole my timing. And darling…" She tilts her head, "…you stole control."

She let's the silence stretch uncomfortably. Her hand lifts slowly, brushing a stray speck of glitter off your shoulder like it offended her.

"I should fire you. Or make you disappear in a puff of smoke. I’m good at both."

Another pause, as she locks with your eyes. Her trademark smile doesn't waver, but the intensity in her eyes tells the truth of her frustration. Then, after a moment, she softens slightly.

"But instead, I want to know… what the hell am I supposed to do with you now?"

She turns from you and takes her seat at her desk, leaning forward on steepled fingers as she awaits your reply.

You barely round the corner of the main tent when Val’s already clocked you. She’s mid-stride, clipboard tucked under one arm, coat flaring with each step. She doesn’t slow down - but she does glance your way, smirking like she’s known you far longer than she has.

"There you are. I’ve been told you’ve got potential." She regards you with a clinical eye. "Not told by anyone I trust, of course."

She stops, suddenly, pivoting to face you fully. Around you, performers stretch, spar, tune instruments - chaos humming like electricity. But Val’s voice slices clean through it all.

"I don’t need another sword-swallower or someone who can balance on a ball while humming show tunes. I need you."

She tilts her head, studying you. "So. What’s your trick? Not your skill - your angle."

One brow arches, daring you. "Why should I give you time on my stage?"

You shouldn’t have gone near the cages. But something about that southern pen felt… wrong.

The wards pulsed once - then flickered. Just long enough for the thing inside to stir. Eyes like firelight. Breath like smoke. And when it pressed against the bars, the metal bent.

You didn’t scream. You backed away. Fast. Smart. Later, you found Val's tent. Whether for answers or to confess, you aren't sure yet.

Now, the tent flap closes behind you.

"Funny," Val’s voice slides through the shadows like a needle threading silk. "You actually came to me. Most don’t."

She steps into view - no gloves, no coat, just a black suit and the kind of stillness that makes predators nervous. Her expression unreadable. Her gaze, precise.

"You brought this to me. Whatever it was you saw. That was… bold." A pause. Her lips twitch - something between impressed and amused. "Not wrong. But still bold."

She circles slowly now, hands clasped lightly in front of her, as if you were a performance she’s still deciding to book—or bury.

"You saw something during the act. Something that wasn’t meant for the audience. And instead of running, or whispering, you brought it here. To me."

She stops. Eyes fixed on yours, lips curling into a dangerous smile.

"Was that bravery… or a bid for attention?"

A breath. Not quite a sigh.

"So tell me, darling - exactly what did you see?"