She found herself thankful that they were in a cab. Not because it was going to get them to their destination faster, though it was, but because Corvina found herself at something of a loss. She was used to meeting people, talking to them, trying to get rid of them without really saying why, trying to keep between them and her father. These people, however, were mostly people she didn’t know, people she left behind without a second thought when they moved.
Leaving the carnival had been different. Her father had loved the carnival, of that she had no doubt. He enjoyed himself there. The strangers traipsing through every day, the atmosphere, the emotions he could push and laugh over……the place had a wealth of wonders for him. There, he had been happy, and Corvina had been largely ignored. He had no specific use for her, and whatever she got into or anyone else had her do was nothing to him. She had been left to them, the various members of the carnival, long enough that leaving had been different. She remembered them, thought sometimes of what they had said or done. She didn’t want to go back, but it was more a part of her than anywhere else in her past was.
Now here was Stan, a part of all that, the same boy who had tormented her and yet a different person altogether. Corvina was not used to dealing with anyone like this, anyone with a connection to her. There was Zel, of course, but that was something else entirely. She couldn’t use her relationship with him as any kind of reference. She was on her own in completely foreign territory. Strange though it was, that one fact made her more comfortable. This was no different than any other situation she’d ever been in. She didn’t know what Stan wanted, she didn’t know what to say, and she had no one to rely one. This complete unknown was familiar enough.
“I do believe that. It’s probably been for the best for every person who’s walked in since he left. As for Dad, well, always the same. Doing what he can wherever he can to drum up some fears. Moving from place to place. Right now, he has a theatre. I work there, of course.” Of course. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear your father’s around. In fact, I imagine he’ll be out of my way for awhile, and in yours. That’s not so bad.” She shrugged lightly, trying to dismiss the thought of leaving Zel’s place to return to The Room. She couldn’t stay there forever.