Gardenia's Diary: Entry- 3

Entry- 3

Date- November 13

Dear Diary,

Goodness, has it really been that long since I last wrote in you? Well, I guess I’ve just been so busy. Being in the Atelier faction is hard work. Since I’m in the lowest class at the Circus, we have to do more and pay more for Circus fees and stuff. I’m finding it hard to scrape by for some food and other luxuries. It’s annoying really, and I would complain more, but it’s not like anything can be done about it so why bother? I’m already missing my pampered life back home.

However, I’m not going to spend this entry writing about my woes as a worker, but rather about something very ‘eventful’ that happened today.

Here I was, on my way to find a quiet place and finally get started on reading my book, when I came across a deaf panhandler at the entrance of the Circus. His face and most of his body was obscured by his hat and large coat, and he was playing a very odd instrument. I believe it’s called a Harpsichord, but I had to look that up after the fact. I had no idea who he was at the time, or why he was there, but I felt bad for the poor man. Taking pity on him, I actually deposited some of my own earnings from today into his tin cup. Okay, it wasn’t some, rather half, but I really felt he needed it far more than me.

Only after I left did things REALLY get interesting.

I found one of the empty tents again-seriously they lie around a lot, huh-and started to read my book, humming to myself the tune the man played when all of the sudden I felt a pain to the back of my head. I looked about and I saw that a coin was on the floor near my boot, that someone had gone and flicked it off my head. I was annoyed, but then afterwards I was frightened when I heard a series of scraping noises followed by horrific moans. The tent was getting darker as the sun set, and then I saw a floating figure come forward. I was so startled that I threw my book at the specter, only to hear a yelp of pain and a man revealed himself.
He was a Haunter, and he was very angry with me. He yelled and berated me for a good number of minutes, scolding me about how I nearly broke his hand and other such nonsense.
I was hurt, honestly, at such words but also scared and I hate to admit it but I begged him to not tell Mr. Dark about what happened. I still didn’t want to get in trouble, and he threatened that he would rat me out. After some convincing though, amazingly he relented and promised that he wouldn’t tell. Don’t know how much I can trust him though. He is a Haunter, after all, and a rude one at that. Such vile manners! Despite all of this though, I felt very bad about hitting him in the hand so I actually took it and spent the rest of the time massaging the bruise. He seemed apprehensive the whole way, like he didn’t trust me or he wasn’t used to interactions. With his attitude, I can’t say I’m surprised.
However, we managed to have a pleasant conversation. I don’t know why, but I found myself opening up to him about my situation, even my childhood. I told him far more than I did Willow. Believe it or not, he also told me a lot about his own experiences too. It was such a shame he was that lonely as a child and treated so badly by his parents. I know he said to not pity him, but I can’t help myself. Even if he was mean to me.
He also said that I shouldn’t feel bad because I’m no longer that fragile little flower in the corner of the room. I don’t know why, but that made me swell up inside. I still felt a little uncomfortable though, he kept staring at my face. A few times, he even inched his free hand along the edge of my mask, and I was scared that he’d remove it, but thankfully he didn’t.
After we talked for a while, I had to leave in a hurry for my next show. I needed to earn back the money he took from me, after all. I managed to catch his name on the way out, Mr. Charles Seager. It’s a nice name, I just wish he was a little nicer.

I have to say though, I did find him very attractive --

*There are several scribbles of black ink across the following words, making it unreadable until the next sentence*

What is wrong with me?! I really shouldn’t be drawn to men that I know are cruel. Especially a ghost! At least, I think he’s cruel. I don’t know, he was pretty benign at some points…

Dear me, I have to stop rambling. I’m only confusing myself more.