Mr. Faire's Scarebrook #2 (complete)

    The new sign is being erected outside the gates of the Neighborhood. Bram and I stand side by side as it’s attached to the great iron gate. Bram’s arm is wrapped around my waist and the bright grin on his face means more to me than anything.

    “Scarebrooke, the Neighborhood of Nightmares,” Bram murmurs off the sign. He squeezes my hand tight then brings it up to kiss my knuckles. “Such a fitting name for home. How ever do you do it, Button Eyes?”

    “You treat me as if I am the first person to name a town,” I chuckle. “It is just a cute name. Nothing to be too awed by.”

    “Ah, but it is!” Bram pulls me in for a soft kiss. “For ages we were just the Neighborhood. But now we have a name, we’re legit!”

    I roll my eyes and straighten out his tie. “Calm down, love.” I smooth down his collar and pat his chest. “We were always legit. You just like to put me on a pedestal.”

    Bram smiles down at me. “Aren’t you excited for the grand re-opening?”

    “Of course I am. We’ve been planning it for months.” I take hold of his hand and walk back into Scarebrooke. All around the Neighborhood, there are streamers and fairy lights hung up, decorating what is to be our most important night of the year.

    We recently added the new name, as well as a few more attractions. The Neighborhood was becoming tight, so we expanded, adding on to the already quite large section of the Carnival. We now had the Greenhouse and the Kindergarten, taking in strange and exotic plants and creatures, as well as the children that have started filling up the place. There’s also the new church, which is small, but it has become one of our favorite projects.

    Ever since we retired our music box routine, Bram and I have been trying to create a new act just for the two of us. We’ve done small things here and there, but we want to incorporate something big and wonderful to combine our styles.

    “I got us our costumes, by the way.” I’m brimming with excitement to see him in his new clothes. The outfit I had picked for him is going to make him look absolutely stunning. Not only is it going to show off his body, which he usually keeps covered, but I had added something extra he won’t be expecting.

    “Did you now?” Bram opens the front door and I rush in. I take the big boxes with our costumes and set them down on the table. “I sure hope you didn’t pick me out something that goes against my modesty,” he teases.

    I kiss his cheek, brushing his hair away. “It’s a bit more revealing than you’re used to, but it will suit what we have planned.”

    “Oh my,” he purrs. “I hope it’s not like that lingerie you got me for our wedding night.”

    I give him a look. “That was for me. I still don’t understand why you thought that would be for you.”

    “The lace was soft,” he snoots.

    I open up the box with his outfit and watch him eagerly. His long fingers touch the dark blue material. He marvels for a moment, bringing out the waist coat and holding it against his chest. “Why, Button Eyes! This will show off all my ample cleavage.”

    I giggle and nod. “Your rib cage is beautiful. You should show it off more.” I help him off with his coat and shirt. He slips on the waistcoat and I button it up for him. “Oh, good. It fits you like a dream.”

    Bram poses a bit. The waistcoat shows off most of his ribcage, including the glowing heart I had given him when we got married. “My, my,” he says as he spies himself in the mirror. “I cut a rather dapper silhouette with this look.”

    I hug him tight, nuzzling to his breastplate. “Wait till you see what I had specially made.”

    “You spoil me, Button Eyes!” Bram watches as I open up a tall hat box. Inside is a sculpted pumpkin head.

    “You’ve gone above and beyond!” Bram takes off his top hat and wig, and places the pumpkin head on. The eyes light up and open as his golden coins glow. “How do I look?”

    I giggle and clap my hands, staring up with big mooney eyes at him. “You couldn’t look better!”

    “Now, what about your look?” Bram opens the box containing my new dress. 

    The dress is a blue that matches his new waistcoat. The sheer fabric layers itself, creating a waterfall effect for the skirt. The bodice is covered with crystals that sparkle all the way down to the gloved fingertips. 

    “My, my, my,” Bram runs his fingers down the fabric. “Dare I say it? But this may be lovelier than your wedding gown.”

    I giggle and take the dress from the box. “Care to help me put it on?”

    “I’ll do more than that,” Bram sighs as he follows me to the bedroom. “I’ll even help you take the old one off.”

    “Don’t you go and get any ideas, love.” I lay the dress down in the bedroom and already Bram is unzipping me.

    “You know I have no thoughts rattling around this skull of mine.” His finger traces down my back and I shiver for a moment. “Nothing that has not already existed before, anyways.”

    I swat his hand away. “Today is busy! We have no time for any of your extracurricular notions.”

    “You’re right,” he scoffs. “How dare I still be in love with my wife and want to make epic passion to her hourly. Damn my life!” He sighs dramatically.

    “You’re the one who said it.” I step out of my clothes and into the new gown. Bram’s fingers quickly button up the back and he runs his fingers through my hair.

    “I have a blessed life,” Bram whispers into my ear. “I could not ask for more even if I knew of something more I wanted.”

    I smile and push the pumpkin up enough so I can press a loving kiss to his lips. As we do, there is a knock at the door.

    “Who could that be?” Bram leaves as I put away the boxes.

    As I’m tucking the boxes into the closet, I hear Bram scream. Dropping everything, I rush out to the entrance, where I see Bram hugging someone. The screams have turned to laughter and the man Bram is embracing stands up, clapping his hands to his shoulders.

    “It’s been far too long. I can’t believe you’re here!” Bram gasps.

    “I heard on the wind you were close by, so I thought I would stop in.” The man is rakishly handsome. His skin is deep olive and his hair is thick and wild. His eyes are bright lavender and when he sees me, I notice all his teeth are quite sharp.

    “And who is this beauty?” The stranger asks. “You never had her when I was around, Bram.”

    “Miksa, this is my wife! Her name is Coraline.” Bram puts his arm around me. 

    Miksa throws his head back laughing. “Wife? You got married?”

    “And willingly too!” Bram chortles along. “Button Eyes, this here is a very dear and old friend of mine. This is Miksa.”

    Miksa bows low before me. “A pleasure to meet you, Lady Caroline.” He takes my hand and kisses it. “Another Doll, I see.”

    “It’s Coraline,” I grumble. “And what might you be?” I ask.

    “Once I was a hapless performer with your husband.” He claps his hand on Bram’s shoulders. “Back when this was just a tent and some old bricks for seats.” He laughs and then looks back to me with his striking eyes. “But I am a Dhampir.”

    I furrow my brow at him. “I thought those were only legend.”

    “Then you are looking at the legend.” Miksa pats his palms to his chest. “Half human, half vampire in the somewhat living flesh,” he chuckles. “Back in the day, I would seduce people in the audience and Bram would pickpocket the onlookers.”

    I turn and glare up at Bram.

    Bram flinches and he takes off the pumpkin head. “It was all so I could turn legitimate! I had no money. How could I? Miksa and I did what we could to build up everything we had.”

    Miksa chuckles. “Those were the days,” he sighs. “Back then, I had as many warm bodies as I pleased.”

    I grimace and shake my head. “So why are you here now? Just to visit?”

    Miksa shakes his head. “I was hoping I could get a new job here in this place. I’ve fallen on quite hard times.”

    “That’s terrible,” Bram murmurs. “Of course, you can stay here! The carnival is always open for people like you. We can find you a place right away.”

    I tug on Bram’s sleeve and turn away from Miksa. “We are far too busy for this! We have so much still to do for tonight.”

    “It will be fine,” Bram coaxes. “Miksa will blend in easily. Plus, it will be nice to have someone like him around.”

    I frown. “How long has it been since the two of you last saw one another? People change, Bram. I don’t want to ruin what we’ve got going here.”

    “He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Bram tries to assure me.

    I scoff and shake my head. “You don’t know that!”

    “If the lovely lady doesn’t trust me, then maybe she could handle my new placement.” Miksa comes up beside us. He puts his arms around both of us. “I don’t take up much room, I swear.”

    I slip away from both of them. “You came on the wrong day,” I scold him. 

    “You sound like my mother,” Miksa grins at me and winks. “I don’t mind whatever you have for me.”

    “We could have him be a tour guide for the night,” Bram suggests.

    “He doesn’t even know where he is,” I huff. “How can he guide if he doesn’t know where to go?”

    Bram hums and thinks for a moment. “A good question.”

    “You seem like a smart cookie, Lady Caroline,” Miksa replies. “What would you have me do?”

    “It’s Coraline,” I grumble. “And I suppose if you must do something, we could partner you with Edgar.”

    Miksa smirks. “Is he hot?”

    I roll my eyes. “He’s usually a raven.”

    “I didn’t hear a no,” Miksa purrs.

    I turn and glare up at Bram, who just shrugs. “Ok, fine.” I go to the door. “Bram, you continue to get ready and meet me at the church. I’ll get Miksa here set up with Edgar.”

    The fairy lights have all flickered on as the air turns cool and dark. Miksa walks beside me, matching my stride to keep up with me.

    “Please tell me you are nicer to Bram than you were acting at the house,” Miksa yawns.

    “Of course I am.” I glance up at Miksa. “I’m just aggravated right now I have to deal with this when it’s the most important night we have.”

    “And what is of importance?” Miksa looks around. “He always wanted a place like this,” he murmurs softly. “I never thought he’d make it.”

    “That was your biggest mistake. You shouldn’t ever count Bram out. He always finds a way.” I glare up at him.

    “Leaving was my biggest mistake,” Miksa’s voice goes quiet. “I left with some rich pretty boy, thinking I could live the rest of my life kept.”

    “Please don’t go into any more detail than that,” I grumble.

    Miksa sighs deeply. “I thought it would all be so easy. He had his wife for the day and he had me for the nights. I was kept well and I thought the passion wouldn’t end, but-”

    “It ended?” I grump.

    Miksa smiles down at me. “You’re a viper, aren’t you?” He then chuckles and looks around. “The wife was fun when he was away.” He then shrugs. “Guess I took too much honey. They sealed me away and locked me in a tomb.”

    I drop my hands and look up at him, my annoyance turning to sympathy. “Oh-” I whisper.

    “For years I thought about finding my way back here, back to Bram, back to the place that only ever felt like home to me.” He closes his eyes. “It was so horrible there.”

    I touch his arm and step closer to him. “Do you know Robin?”

    Miksa sniffles and wipes the bloody tears from his face. “He was the one who found me,” he laughs softly. “I guess he thought I was a Doll or something.”

    “Robin brought me here too,” I smile. “I had been trapped in a coffin in the basement of a morgue.”

    Miksa arches a brow. “So you get it.”

    I hold my hands before my dress. “You came on a busy day. I suppose I can only fault you that,” I sigh.

    “You don’t need to get jealous either. Bram saved me back in the day. He took me in and saw a purpose in me. But we were only friends no matter how many times I offered him to be more.” He grins at me. “How did you do it?”

    I laugh and shake my head. “I was a viper.”

    “Oh, so he likes the chase, does he?” Miksa laughs. “You’re lucky, I’ve never met anyone better than Bram.”

    “Me too.” I then look up and see Edgar come flying down. He perches himself on my shoulder. 

“The ticket line is huge! We’re going to have a remarkable turnout for tonight’s re-opening.” Edgar fluffs up and shivers.

“That’s wonderful,” I smile. “Edgar, I want you to meet Miksa.” I motion to the Dhampir. “He’s new, just arrived.”

Edgar gives me the stink eye.

I nod and huff. “Yes, I know. But I was wondering if you could shadow him for the night. Show him the ropes and keep an eye on him? I’ll owe you big time.”

Edgar turns and looks to Miksa. “You’re trouble, aren’t you?”

Miksa grins. “And what are you?”

Edgar grumbles something in another language in his breath. “Fine. I’ll keep an eye out for him.”

“You have no idea how grateful I am, Edgar. Thank you.” I kiss his beak and he goes and sits on Miksa’s shoulder.

“If you need anything, just come fetch me or Bram.” I wave them goodbye and head on to the church.

I walk inside and see Bram standing at the altar. He’s looking up at the stained glass window as light pours through it. He turns as I come inside and I can’t stand the beauty of him there.

“Oh, wow,” I whisper.

Bram steps down. “Is that good?”

I run up to him and hug him tight. “Very good.”

“Was Miksa any trouble?” Bram asks me. 

“I hope not.” I fix the collar on his waistcoat and smooth it down. “He had nothing but good things to say about you.”

“I’m glad he’s back. I’ve missed him.” He fixes my hair and nods. “Well, are we ready?”

I nod excitedly. “Edgar told me the line at the ticket gate was huge.”

“Then let’s get into our places. Break a leg, Button Eyes.” He lifts up the pumpkin just enough so we can kiss, then he leaps up onto the rafter of the church. 

I step outside, seeing people already coming in through the gate. A young couple is walking alone, holding hands as they argue over where to go first. The girl drags her boyfriend to the church and I step out to greet them.

“What’s in here?” She asks me.

I shake my head. “I wouldn’t go in there if I were you,” I whisper. “It is not a safe place, especially for young lovers like you.”

The boyfriend laughs. “This corny old thing?” He and the girl step inside behind me. As the doors close, I count down.

“Five, four, three, two-” They start screaming from within and lights flash from the windows. I hear Bram laughing and, moments later, the couple comes tripping and falling out of the church.

I smirk and peek inside as Bram adjusts his clothes. “Good job, my love!”

“You’re my muse,” he chuckles and bounds back up into the rafters. “Come in now, I want to see your routine.”

I turn and see more people coming our way. I slip inside and start dancing. As the doors open, I’m twirling and spinning on the altar and music plays. The viewers take pictures and murmur softly before I’m ripped up in the rafters. I hear screams below as Bram sits me comfortably down. He leaps from the ceiling as the doors slam shut.

“Who is next?” He roars and screams fill the small church.

The re-opening was a rousing success. As we close the gates on Scarebrooke, we all applaud and celebrate. As Bram is serving champagne, Edgar comes and sits down on my shoulder.

“How was Miksa?” I ask him.

“No fucking clue!” Edgar squawks. “I’ve been trying to find him.”

My shoulders slouch and I groan. “Ok, uhm...Where was the last place you saw him?”

“We were going through the greenhouse and he slipped away from me.” Edgar sighs and I start walking. “We were giving a tour to this group of stuffy looking businessmen.”

I go into the greenhouse and peer around. “I already looked in here. I didn’t see anyone.” Edgar grumps.

“But did you try the shed out back?” I say as I make my way to the back door.

“Of course I didn’t. I didn’t even know there was a shed!” Edgar flies off my shoulder as we step back outside. He perches on the windosill of the shed and tries to peek inside. 

There’s a red tie hanging on the doorknob of the shed.

“Uh oh,” Edgar whistles.

I snap open the shed door and someone screams.

“Lady Caroline, how are you? Did the night go well?” Miksa poses naked on canvas bags of potting soil. A poor young man is trying to hide himself under a tarp. 

I pick up a broom and start swatting Miksa with it. “What the hell do you think you are doing!” I snap at him. “You don’t do this sort of shit here! What if Bram saw you like this! How dare you act like you can act however you want here!”

Someone grabs my wrists, and I turn to see Bram standing behind me. “I knew he’d do this,” he sighs. “I was just hoping he would be smart and not get caught.” He takes the broom from me and continues smacking Miksa with it. “My wife gave you a chance!”

“Ow! Please! God, you two!” Miksa snarls.

I help the young man gather his clothes and take him aside so he can dress. 

“Stop hitting me!” Miksa whines.

“You best be glad I’m only hitting you with a broom! Remember when I stopped that guy from actually killing you?” Bram snarls.

I have Edgar show Miksa’s booty call out and return to the shed to help Bram scold his friend. “Is this a usual thing with him?” I ask.

Bram huffs. “Let’s just say he’s a sucker for a pretty face and a thick wallet.”

Miksa chuckles, smiling up at us like he is innocent. “You did say I should start an act as the human dog.”

Bram whacks him with the broom again. “This is not the place for you if this is how you’re going to treat it. If that’s what you want, then we can set you up at the cabaret with Muna.”

“Is he hot?” Miksa chuckles.

I go over and start smacking him upside the head. “You listen here! We’re family here and if you are so in trouble like you claim, then you will take the hint. Do not hurt this family or I will gut you with my bare hands!”

Miksa sighs and drags his hand down his face. “I’ve been lonely for so long, I just...I just want a little closeness. And seeing you and Bram, I just...I just let the jealousy get the best of me.” He frowns. “You have everything I want, Caroline.”

“Coraline,” Bram snaps. “And that’s Mrs. Tricksenstein to you!”

Miksa frowns and looks away.

“We want to help you,” I say softly. “But you gotta let us do that. You can’t just seduce and exploit our customers. You could get all of us in a world of trouble! Mr. Faire and Bram have worked so hard to keep all of us safe here.”

Mika leans back. “Maybe I should leave.”

“No,” Bram’s says staunchly. “I made a mistake letting you walk away last time. I’m not letting you go to the wolves again.” He holds his hand out to his friend. “You’re staying, and that’s that.”

Miksa scoffs and takes Bram’s hand. He stands up, butt naked and unashamed about it. “So, what are you going to do with me?”

“Put some damn clothes on first.” Bram shoves Miksa’s clothes into his hand. “Second, you’re going to stay with us until you can be trusted.”

“What? Are you telling me I’m grounded?” Miksa tries to joke, but the serious looks on both Bram’s and my face make his smile vanish. “Oh...Shit.”

We lead Miksa back to the house and give him the spare room. As he sits on the bed, he looks around. “You two don’t have any kids? Seems a shame.”

“All of Scarebrooke is our family,” I reply. “That includes you now.”

Miksa smiles at me. “I haven’t been family to anyone in a long time.”

“You’ve been my family all this time. That never changed,” Bram replies. “There’s a bathroom through that door. Wash up, you whore.” He closes the door behind us as we head upstairs.

“You knew he was going to do that, didn’t you?” I smirk at him.

“It’s what he always did,” Bram scoffs. “I thought maybe if he dealt with you, he’d behave for maybe a day.” He stands behind me and undos the buttons down the back of my dress.  “And I was hoping after all this time, he had changed even a little.”

“He never got a chance to,” I murmur. “The only reason I left him alone with Edgar was because, well…” I turn and put my arms around Bram for comfort. “He was trapped like I was.”

“Aww, Button Eyes,” he kisses the top of my head. “I’m sorry you were nice to him.”

I chuckle and squeeze him tight. “It’s ok.”

“But he did have a good idea,” Bram murmurs.

“Hmm?” I feel sleepy as he holds me.

“We should make some kids. I bet Robin knows where we could find some, too!” Bram says excitedly.

I look up at him like he’s a bit crazy, but really, I’m not mad at the idea. “Are you sure?” I ask.

“I think it would be fun,” Bram takes the pin from my hair. “Everyone is having kids these days. Seraphimo’s little one is an absolute delight.”

“If we could build one ourselves,” I murmur. “I think I would really like that.”

Bram kisses me. “I’ll start going to the graveyards.”