The Circus | The Tattoo Artist | The Paisley Carousel
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The Amber Sorceress waited impatiently inside the smaller circus tent in a red velvet lounge decorated with mirrors that showed the past, present and future of the lounge's guests. Her Greek consultant had stepped outside briefly to check on the status of the Paisley Carousel. Legend had it, the Paisley Carousel was a gift from the ancients and it had the ability to transport the rider back in time. One only had to buy a ticket and get on.
The Circus Tattoo artist was currently with a female client who had requested a large tattoo of a wolf on her back. The Amber Sorceress could see the Tattoo Artist's reflection in the lounge's mirror as she inked slow, deliberate lines on the woman's back. Just then, the Greek consultant stepped back into the lounge, picked up her paisley silk scarf and draped it carefully around her shoulders. She shivered and glanced briefly at the glowing pewter flask on the table next to her.
"Why do you suppose they left this bottle here?" Aurora picked up the bottle and twisted the cap to see if it could be easily removed, but it was screwed tightly in place.
"I'm not sure. Maybe we could bring it with us. The Tattoo artist is almost finished and she said her little girl wants to go for a ride on the Paisley Carousel."
"Should be fine." Aurora checked her purse for the tickets and reapplied her lipstick.
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The Tattoo artist appeared suddenly, leading a small girl by the hand into the lounge.
"So how does it work?"
Aurora explained, "The Paisley Carousel was a gift from the ancients. A long time ago, the people of Paisley City became poisoned with opulence and greed. Many were seduced by the desire for immortality and eternal youth. However, their lustful nature came with a price. It was only due to the efforts of the Golden Sorceress that this vast marshland didn't end up with a terrible curse! According to legend, when the Cauldron's contents of poisoned Gold were dumped into the water, the winding river system of the Paisley City marsh began to form the familiar curled designs known as "paisley," and it took many years until the area was declared clean and people were allowed to return."
"Perhaps that explains why this bottle was left here for us to investigate." The Tattoo artist picked up the glowing flask and put it in her leather satchel.
"Are we ready?" Aurora put her keys in her purse and led the way to the Paisley Carousel. The Tattoo artist placed her little girl on the pink and purple paisley horse. Then she climbed on the blue and yellow paisley horse opposite the little girl.
Aurora stood next to the lever, waiting.
"Ok!" The Tattoo artist shouted and waved.
Aurora pulled the lever and the Carousel started to grind slowly forward. The little girl clung to her horse and when the Carousel started to pick up speed, Aurora found a seat and sat down.
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