POPOVSKY CIRCUS - Menagerie

[Ignatieff Popovsky]

Through a series of gated entrances, visitors to the Circus can see two large enclosures, and a number of smaller waggons. Assembled, this makes up the very large mobile menagerie of magical creatures that travel with the Popovsky Circus. The roster of animals, beasts and exotic creatures from around the world number over a hundred. Some live in magicked habitats inside their traveling caravans. Others, like the white elephants, travel in specially constructed transports. Still others are kept in a combination of physical and magical cages inside of the large enclosures where they are on display. The more intelligent of these also put on shows of their own in separate sideshow areas near the Menagerie.

There's also a schedule of these shows posted next to the entrance, and on stands every third or fourth attraction. There are special boards near each cage that give a description of the creature, its native habitat, and a fairly good amount of detail about its powers. The Creature Handlers of the Circus are always nearby to ensure that if their charges are becoming tired of visitors, that those parts of the menagerie can be closed.

Just a sampling of the exotic creatures involved:

Dark Wolves: Wolves that have a limited form of shifting movement and can move between shadows
Cyclops: Like the giant
Yeti: Yes, the Abominable Snow-Creature
Irish Imps: Leprechaun relatives
Chimaera: Three-headed monster is the one the circus has
Japanese Ogre: Troll-like but more intelligent
Oni: Transforming creatures of Japanese Culture
Kamaitachi: A weasel with sharp appendages
Ittah-Momen: Like a white lethifold, a deadly ribbon of cloth
Abellio: A mobile, semi-intelligent apple tree with occasional golden apples
Buxennus: A mobile, sharp leaved bush
Epona horses: highly intelligent, but otherwise normal
Verbeians: River-dwelling beings similar to kelpies
Necker: Strange wyrm-like creature that dwells in marshes, can transform to human shape
Brosnian Kraken:
Bakeneko: Cat-like creature
Ubagabi: A hag-like being that can diguise itself as different flora
Kludde: Dog-like creature with wings

The Circus also keeps a variety of more mundane things like Unicorns; Pegasi and White Elephants for various performances.

Although many of the creatures are rated XX, XXX, or XXXX by the Ministry of Magic, the Circus has Ministry approved cages and restraints for them. Some of the more intelligent also perform in the Parliament of Monsters at 2 PM each day.

[Professor Dalloway]

The school year was effectively over, but John had come to the school to look over the campus of Hogwarts and see what had changed since he'd been a student here long ago. he found that Hogsmeade was a little differnet, and there was even some construction going on with some of the older buildings being upgraded, painted or improved. The Three Broomsticks had held his attention for just a little while -- a bite and a drink -- before he headed back out to the street. He had a meeting with the Headmaster to see what the class assignment might look like. For now, he was only thinking of this as a substitute or adjunct assignment, unless they needed him full time.  So, with time to kill, he wanted to stroll around and see what was going on in town.

When he reached the street once more, he saw the circus tents in Hogsmeade Green and was intrigued. A Circus was the last thing he expected to see in Hogsmeade, but there were a larger number of people than usual going to and fro from the green. He headed that way, and was soon engulfed in a stream of people all headed for the huge gates that he saw with statues and banners and flags. He adjusted his straw boater on his head against the sunshine, and clamped a pipe in his teeth as he headed for the tickets booths. Once past that, he noticed that the students for the school had their own special entrance, so that meant there might be some Hogwarts students about although it was end of term. He bought his ticket, and headed into the circus, and decided to follow the signs to the Menagerie. Magical Creatures were not John Dalloway's specialty, but he was interested to see what they had. The announcements over the PA system told him that a show was going to start with one of the Cyclopses, so he headed there and joined in to watch. The big fellow was about giant-sized, but dressed in a suit and tie and wearing a gigantic bowler hat on his bald head. It wasn't the image that John had expected of a large sentient creature like a Cyclops, whose giant cousins were rather brutish. True to the announcement, helpes/handlers of the big Cyclops was pouring tea for ladies, while he was using a large chisel-like object in a deft fashion to put sentiments onto small obelisks of stone that were being sold as souvenirs. He drew closer when the audience was invited to ask questions of the Cyclops in between autographs and obelisk-signings. He didn't light his pipe, he just stood, and listened near the back of the crowd, enjoying the sight of the whole spectacle, and looking over at the other Creature attractions. Apparently, they had a Chimaera as well as some other very odd Magical Creatures. The moving tree looked interesting. In all his travels, he'd never encountered anything like it. In the meantime, he decided that an obelis with some ancient runes inscribed on it would make a nice paperweight for his desk once he was teaching. He walked up to the line of people waiting. Oddly there were only a handful of people that wanted one, perhaps they were overawed by the size of the carver.

"I'd like to have the Egyptian symbol for Life carved into mine, and your name, if you please," he said to the Cyclops and his assistants. The cyclops worked fast, and with considerable skill. Pleased, John wandered on with his heavy but interesting souvenir. Evidently, the Cyclops was well-read and widely traveled, since he had no trouble knowing what the Ankh was.

 

[George Finkleton]

After crossing a series of gates that guided one inside the Circus arena, George proceeded towards a stream of wagons, which collectively were assembled in such a manner that it resembled that of a menagerie of magical creatures. These creatures weren't the lot you'd see near the vast Hogwarts Grounds or deep inside the dark, mysterious Lake. They had been transported across countries, to be placed on display for visitors at various time intervals. They would be performing as well, and that was the beauty of it all. Magical Creatures was something that always found an interest in George, even when he wasn't in the right mood. Having heard that a show was to start with the Cyclops, he had headed there to watch. He stood in a slightly tilted way, observing the creature which much interest; but his mind was deviated elsewhere. He was wondering what was taking Georgina so much time. Did she understand the clue he gave at the end of the letter, mentioning that he loved the creatures? Knowing Georgina, and the strange way she seemed, there was a fair amount of chance that she would take notice and be here; or not. Her logical mind was something that he doubted, but something reassured him that she'd be there. Some odd feeling of hope. Not that it worked always, but it was good just to think so.

The audience was invited for obelisk signings by the Cyclops and though he was sorely tempted to do so, he was restrained by another view. A man dressed in a Greek costume, with an odd hair color of brownish black and a long brown cloak that covered his body was standing by a cage whose board described the creature contained within as 'PEGASI'. The man had grey eyes, and for a moment; just a moment George felt a certain resemblance to his father. He shook his head immediately and smiled shrewdly, knowing that it was perhaps an illusion. What would his father do in a place like this? Besides if he was escaping from the noses of the Ministry, why would he be here taking such a huge risk? He dismissed the thought, and smiled in a sly manner whilst looking at the Cyclops. The event made him aware of his surroundings, and he chose to concentrate on the sentient creature that was dressed up in a suit and tie with a bowler hat; making him look like a comedian or something. As his were physically looking at the exotic creature, his mind wandered. He was hoping that the illusion would prove true. After all, his father was gone way too long. He would be lying to himself, if he claimed that he didn't miss him. Still, the very thought of him rescinded in his mind as he smiled in a more genuine, natural manner. Things were finally looking up to him.

[Ignatieff Popovsky]

Satisfied that things were running well around the circus grounds, Popovsky headed over to meet with some of his key acts for the show in the Big Top at 2 o’clock. One of the key acts was the acrobatic flying show, headed by his daughters on their pegasi. He reached the compound and greeted the various beast handlers on the way to the performers dressing rooms located near the enclosure. These were designed to connect with the spacious corral that had been set up for the shows dozen pegasi. Some of these animals were for the stunt flying and acrobatics, and were trained for that. Others were more for racing and special flying acts. When he arrived at the tent, two circus employees were rolling up the flaps on the window that looked into the corral. Here, visitors to the circus could watch the trainers and performers working with their animals. These windows were large and gave a wide panorama of the pre-show activity. There were already a number of families that were waiting for the flaps to open fully so they could watch, so Popovsky paused and saw that Ludmila, one of his daughters was already in the corral in working clothes, leading her Pegasus around and examining him. She waved back.

He walked over to the doorway and passed into the area where the trainers and performers were starting to get their animals ready. He checked in with all his daughters, and the young men that were their counterparts in the shows. The conversation ran its usual course, and there was nothing wrong with any of the beasts today. They were rested and in top form for the first show of the day. There were a couple of additional passes and exchanges that had been practiced by the troupe, but all the rehearsal time had gone well so far. Popovsky was pleased as he spoke with each, and in fact, they would be ready to include some audience members in some minor participation in one specific act. Katerina and Natalya soon started working with their animals as well, so with his business concluded, Popovsky wandered back out to check on the next performing act for the afternoon spectacle.

[Matthew Garrow]

It had always been his plan to go to the Circus..he was supposed to meet Hugo and the gang there...but upon arriving Matthew had been..pleasantly distracted. He saw a face that he hadn't guessed he'd see here and followed it, because that was what he did. It was decided. His 'target' of sorts brought him to the Menagerie, a part of the circus he didn't plan on going too. It was full of animals, large (and small) creatures..which was anything but what Matthew was interested in being surrounded by. But of course that wasn't how it worked, if he wanted this he needed this. If that made any sense. Moving through the area with a little hesitation he silently moved up behind the familiar face he had followed to this quiet section of the Circus grounds. But he didn't get too close, or alert his presence, just yet.

The boy in front of him looked around. Eyes pausing on a man nearby..looking at the Pegasi... but he then shook his head and looked away. Matthew didn't understand it, but he didn't pretend too. He could figure it out one day, perhaps. Moving a step behind the other he spoke in a calm voice, "Interesting beast you've decided to let hold all your attentions there George."

[Professor Dalloway]

The runes on the Japanese pagoda-like structure part way down the row attracted John. He'd been to Japan, but had never studied the as many of the variants of ancient Kanji that were used in spell construction. Some of these were in use on the banners hung to either side of the Japanese ogre's caravan. This creature, smaller than the European ogres that were classed as dangerous by the Ministry, was also more intelligent. John decided to study what the ogre was doing in his special enclosure. He was wearing some traditional Japanese armor. Apparently, he was intelligent enough to be painting pictures and using runes on the pictures, so he sat for a while and talked with the ogre's handler.

It turned out that the ogre was a very old example of his type, well past his prime, and perhaps he almost seemed to be enjoying his 'retirement' from raiding villages and causing mayhem. His handler had worked out a sort of written communication using runes, since verbal communication was very minimal at best. John knew that runic symbols to guard against Oni were still incorporated into Japanese architecture, and it was one of the few cultures where muggles employed these symbols as much as the magic-using folk. Figurines were also used. The artwork of the ogre was simplistic, but John spent some time studying examples of what he'd produced, interested in learning more. He noticed that some of the art actually resembled debased versions of later forms of kanji. He thought on this, and wondered whether it was another form of phonetic symbols. This would be worth further study.

[George Finkleton]

It was highly likely that George was hallucinating. He had been through quite a lot in that particular year, including several twists and turns and the very aspect that he hadn't seen his father for more than nine months, would make it natural to anyone to hallucinate about him. Not that he had any genuine respect for his father, for lately he had been disillusioned by the thought itself. Still, he had handled his emotions well; and showed an aura of coolness and composure. Little did he realize that he was being watched. It was someone familiar, though George had no clue as his entire attention was diverted to this short, stout man standing beside the Pegasus. There was still some time before the Big Show would start at two and instead of otherwise roaming around with Georgina, he had chosen to be at the quieter, peaceful side of the Circus. Magical Creatures fascinated him from the very beginning, though it couldn't be said that he excelled at the subject of understanding and caring for them. It was more of an admiration than interest and hence he hadn't achieved excellence. Besides, his priorities had changed ever since that fateful event at the Towers. He had become more sophisticated, mysterious and secluded to himself, which was good in a way; because not many knew of his plans and the way to execute. This was an advantage he'd want to share till he got to something.

Someone had then addressed him from behind in a calm, yet familiar voice. "Interesting beast you've decided to let hold all your attentions there George." He turned his back, and noticed his famous former adversary, now someone he detested to meet. George always had crazy feelings when it came to M. Garrow. Though practically he was grateful to him that he was part of something that changed his viewpoint on several things and changed his attitude towards people in general, he could never feel at ease with him. Memories of that fateful duel would portray slowly in his head. This angered him most of the time, but he remained cool. Again, he wished he were gone; he wasn't noted. After all, what does one need to do to get a peaceful time alone? Still, as a matter of courtesy and diplomacy; he replied in a formal manner. "Some people have unique interests. Surely, you'd understand that." There was coldness in his voice, but it was natural. Matthew was somewhat a distraction always, though George chose to be more polite than he needed to. It would depend on the former how far would he like to proceed to take the subject further.

[Matthew Garrow]

Following George here was an idea that hadn't sprung on Matthew right away. He had arrived at the circus late, like had been expected, and even upon seeing Hugo and his gang near the big tent he had been hestitant to move forward. He was here to meet them, but for somereason something was holding him back. He didn't know what it was then, and still didn't now, but he used that feeling to cut up something to do. He followed Geroge to this section of the circus with the hopes of finding some inkling to retreat back to familiarity. With George sitting in front of him Matthew's mind was gone. He spurred memories of all the things that had happened between them before, and everything that had happened around that in the past. Their second meeting always fresh in Matthew's mind. Curses cast in the darkness of night, not something that Matthew wasn't used to. Yet,something he hadn't found himself acomplise with for a long while before that fateful day. He had been mainly keeping to himself, or at least just as much as he could, being him. Alright, that wasn't particularily true. He wasn't keeping to himself, but at least he wasn't as 'out there' as he had been back in first year. That was the truth, wasn't it? You gotta admit, verbably attacking a ministry employee because of something a father who has whipped him since he was four had said
once wasn't the wisest move a twelve year old boy could make, but he had done it then hadn't he? Now he wouldn't even dare speak to someone from the ministry, mostly out of fear of being found out for planning his father's murder, but it was the thought that counted, right?

Reminising of the past had left Matthew with a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He thought about the relationshp between George and himself. It was a dark and dirty monster that delved in the depth of people's most passionate emmotions. It was made of their underlying hate, covered in long hairs of interest and bathed in a hidden respect. A hideous creature
is Matthew was to admit it to himself, but a creator always loves his creation..or so the stories say. At least, the stories he read, which in themseves were very few. When he spoke his words, George paused. There was a moment or two of silence before the younger boy spoke in reply. "Some people have unique interests. Surely, you'd understand that." Matthew smirked at the boy, "Is that your attempt at an insult George?" He retorted. "If it is, it isn't very good, now is it."