Nightmares ~[Grimm X Reader]~

~ Chapter 4: Unusual Troupe ~

          You let out a shrill scream and Ghost instantly rushed back to your side, standing in between you and whoever made you scream in terror. Though after turning around, you didn’t think Ghost would be much help here since the figure stood an entire foot taller than you. 

         “My sincere apologies. I did not mean to startle you.” The voice of the figure was smooth, sincere, and mellow and you were able to take in the appearance a lot better after your initial reaction. They were a tall male with a mask much fitting the theme of everyone else here, where there were vertical marks above and below his eyes. His eyes were the same color as the burning flames above your heads, these were one of his most attention-grabbing features since they took up most of his crescent-shaped head. His cloak covered his entire form, but even then it didn’t touch the ground due to his height. 

         Ghost had drawn their Nail in an attempt to look menacing, all they wanted to do was ensure your safety. The tall figure saw this and took a step back not wanting any altercations as he looked to Ghost. 

         “I do not wish to harm you or your friend, but I assume you are the one who summoned my Troupe and I here?” He looked down at Ghost, who began to slowly put their Nail away giving them a nod. “Well met, my friend. Well met… I feel it is rude not giving a proper introduction. I am Grimm, master of this troupe, and you are?” His eyes traced from Ghost up to you, and you cleared your throat. 

         “Y/n, my name is Y/n.” You stated simply, afraid to make eye contact due to how Grimm’s eyes burned into your soul, like the literal flames around you. Grimm gave a gentle nod as he closed his eyes, taking in your name to remember it.

         “Y/n, a fare name for a lady such as yourself.” His comment caught you off guard as your cheeks tinted light pink. This caused Grimm to let out a soft but gruff chuckle before turning to Ghost.

         “... And I assume you have no name, little vessel.” 

         ‘Little Vessel?’ You thought to yourself, not sure what he meant by that. Ghost looked back at you after Grimm’s comment and you spoke up, “I call them Ghost.”

         “Ghost… Never have I heard someone take that as a name, but I suppose it fits you well.” Grimm began to walk around the perimeter of the large room, as he did so his arm slipped out from under his cloak. Long nimble fingers on his hand that he brought up, snapping briefly and the room erupted with more light as the sound of fire ignition was heard. You stepped back, now basically in the center of a grand circus arena. Your eyes becoming wider at the sight of such a large area, in a tent you swore was smaller from the outside. You looked to Grimm who had been watching your expressions and gave a gentle smirk and a light chuckle once more, before turning back to his pacing.

         “We were called here by you, Ghost. You lit our flame, but you are far from saying farewell now. I would like to discuss this with you in a more private manner, no offense Lady Y/n.” He nodded to you, clearly keeping a very gentleman-like persona. 

         “It’s fine… I’ll leave then.” Your voice was now soft and weak, not wanting to leave Ghost behind here. They looked at you with their empty eyes, but you could tell that they would be fine after a bit of internal conflict. You waved to them adding, “I’ll be outside on the bench.” and with that, you began walking out of the arena. The masked figures all looked at you now though you noticed. Every one of them stopping to take a second or two to watch you walk by. 

         You caught on to this and began feeling unsettled beyond all belief. Afraid of why they were doing this. You looked behind yourself from time to time, only to see their empty eyes. Though as you were looking back one time you, you bumped into someone and with a bit of surprise you yelped.

         “Oh! Sorry there lovely! I had seen you and your little friend enter, and I had to see the young lady was who walked in to greet our Master!” A joyous female voice bellowed as you were caught from falling. When you looked up, a female bug was staring at you with much fondness, her mask covering half of her face instead of fully like the others. She was able to show a wide range of expressions this way, which she did with ease. “What a dear, what a doll you are! I am Divine, it pleases me to meet you. You are?”

         “Y/n…” You stood up fully now, unsure of Divine much like you were of Grimm.

         “Y/n…” She echoed with a day dream like expression. “I like it, such a lovely girl! Beautiful, beautiful! Your smell was that I had caught…” She started, now slinking around you, taking in your physical appearance at all angles. “What once was joy, is now sadness. A girl who was praised and loved all her life by others, now believes she is alone. A familiar smell, one I am graced with too often. Blind to the possibilities around you but not by ignorance, but because of fear. Fear of loss once more. You two share something without knowing.” She spoke in riddles, stopping in front of you once more. Your face covered in confusion, she then let out a loud laugh. “Haha! Time will only tell if your scent changes.”

         “I really don’t know what you mean by all of this…” You mumbled to her as she waved to you.

         “You will, you will. Don’t worry your pretty head. Well ta-ta for now lovely! Take care!” and with this Divine left you. Without a second thought, you rushed out of the tent feeling so much more relieved. 

****

         You sat on the bench, Elderbug still in a huff.

         "This better not be here forever. I don't trust them. Especially since you're closer to danger." He said looked down at you sitting on the bench. You let out a soft sigh and looked down, shaking your head.

         "I'll be fine. I always have been," you told him with a shrug. You were only waiting to see Ghost exit the tent in one piece. Your eyes never leaving the entrance, and your memories looped of Grimm's outgoing charming personality along with Divine's words. You didn't know what she met. Or why your chest filled with anxiety when you entered, but once you left you felt like you could breathe again. It was confusing and nothing like anything you had experienced before.

          After some time, Ghost did exit the Troupe's tent. They quickly walked over to the bench and you instantly noticed something flying next to them. You coward away in fear, but the creature was interested in you no matter how you felt. It had large eyes like Grimm just not red but grey, and instead of a tall and thin body, it had 6 tendrils, like wings and small bug-like body. Ghost only seemed confused and a bit unsure shrugging to you, pointing to the flying creature that was trying to curl around your neck to rest on your shoulders then pointed back to the tent while making a crescent shape with their hands.

         "T-this thing came from Grimm?" You asked awkwardly as the young Grimm made itself comfortable, you didn't want to disturb him since you feared what he could do. Though all he wanted at the moment was a comfy place to rest a chirp quietly. Ghost nodded and made a motion as if they were collecting something, then drew a flame in the air again. "... Do you have to collect flames for him also? For this little guy, I assume." You looked down at the childlike Grimm, deciding to gently pet him on the head, which was a good idea since they chirped with joy before resting his head right by your neck. 

          Ghost put their hands on their hips, looking at the creature getting too comfy since they needed to get going. You let out a soft chuckle at their actions before moving the child yourself. He let out a sad cry as you pulled them away from around your neck, but knew he needed to go to Ghost as his father had ordered. 

         "Well, I'm not going to keep you waiting… We'll be fine here. Elderbug is upset and agitated, but other than that I don't think we'll have a problem with the tents here." You told Ghost with a sincere nod, who looked worried despite your words. Though with nothing else to really do, they patted your hand gently before doing their usual wave. Leaving with Grimm's child. Leaving you to look over at the red looming tents, gaining an uneasy feeling once again.