Author: Watchet, Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:32 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

"He will, yeah. I'm pretty sure they'll be waiting for us to break the news to them tomorrow." As they curled up together after saying what had been on their minds for so long, he gave her a little smile back. "Tomorrow." All of that nervousness which had been building up until now dissolved like a flock of butterflies in the wind. A peaceful night passed as the morning light gave way to a new dawn. The familiar sounds and chatter of animals and trainers starting their day gently pulled him out of his sleep; one of the few times he had slept so soundly. The light coming in through the gaps in their tent told him that he hadn't overslept, and the dandelions outside were still yawning.

Today was the day–it was now morning and he was sure everyone from Nina to Ponty were waiting expectantly for Chia and him. Butterflies stirred in his stomach and he brought a hand to cover his mouth. It had been years since he felt nervous like this…but he was excited too.

He leaned over to whisper in Chia's ear like he was telling her a secret. "Psst~ Chia, are you awake? It's almost time for breakfast." Seeing how comfortable she was, he didn't want to get up before she did. The flowers were beginning to catch their first rays of sun, and the birds were starting their morning gossip. The sweet smell of a warm day carried Nina's potpourri spice on the wind. Remembering the whirlwind of emotions last night, everything he had said and heard was as clear as before. The night before it was like he had been walking on air; now it was like he was flying with a steady breeze at his back. He was glad he had met her, his partner in more ways than one. 

'My boy,' Ponty used to say before adjusting his black top hat. '–Do you know what a circus is? A circus isn't just a group of acrobats, animals, and dancers inside a couple of tents. No, no–a circus is place where dreams come true!' The ringmaster was right. Even a simple thing like knowing the one you love shares the same feelings you have for them could come true. 

Author: Chia, Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2020 10:09 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Chia listened to his confession and she felt a tinge of guilt that she had never spoken up. “No, Milori… We are still best friends…” Her voice was quiet but also earnest as she moved to look at him once more. She didn’t want to hide from him. “We are also just so much more too and we never even realized it. If it wasn’t for Nina always teasing us… I don’t know if I would have ever realized it.”

All eyes were normally on them. Their romantic act, the way they danced together, and just about every other interaction they had clearly spoken about what they were and yet they had avoided it until the very last second. “You really did startle me coming out of that bush,” she chuckled as her hands held onto his harder.

“I was scared I wasn’t good enough for you but I probably would have never forgiven myself in the end if I never told you.” Her face lit up red as she snuggled in close to him. “Milori? Can.. we sleep together? Like when we were kids and snuggled together, you know before Nina told us that’s only something couples did.” Her smile was contagious but if they were a couple that meant they could.

She got changed back into her nightdress and climbed into his hammock with him. The hammock was much more comfortable than she remembered as she snuggled her head to his chest. He certainly had gotten much taller than she had. Her arm went around his waist as she closed her eyes. “So, I feel like we need to tell the troupe just to satisfy everyone’s curiosity or we’ll never hear the end of it… You know Jacque will tell people.”

There was a yawn that left her lips. “Tomorrow… At breakfast?”

Author: Watchet, Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2019 10:39 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

They were partners for years, all the way back when they were children. They weren't children anymore, but in a way they both were somewhat afraid that things might change. If she had chosen Jacque, he would have accepted it. Even if it meant she gave her heart to someone else he knew it was hers alone to give. Nervously she opened the flap to their tent, then she pulled him in. They kissed, but not like in their performances. This one was deeper, more earnest, intimate. They were pouring their hearts out to each other in that small moment. All the while, he was smiling like a fool–the happiest fool in the world. A fool because he didn't recognize the one person he could spend the rest of his life with was beside him all along. A fool because if he thought she would be happier with someone else, he would let her go. As Chia began to speak up, he held her hands as they were holding his face. The weights were finally lifted off their shoulders as they hugged, and he leaned his head against hers. 

"It was the same for me as well. We were good friends–best friends. If we stayed just friends forever, I'd still be happy. In a way I convinced myself not to speak up because I thought that was how things were. You and I would receive flowers and gifts all the time, but when Jacque asked if you wanted to go out with him…it surprised me. I couldn't stop thinking about it, but I probably wouldn't have worked up the courage to ask you how things went if I didn't follow after you two." He gave her a small squeeze as he added: "If Nina hadn't given me that little push, we would've never known, wouldn't we? She's always been looking out for us." She was like their big sister, even if they weren't related.

He listened quietly as she told him more about how she had felt at that moment when she and Jacque kissed. The more they talked the more he realized how deep what he initially saw as friendship really was. 'You two really are a pair, you know?' Came Nina's voice in his mind, recalling all the times the dancer would say that with her cat-like smile. It was true. They knew each other inside and out, more than best friends or even siblings. They knew what the other was feeling and thinking without any magic. "I didn't hear anything up until I saw you kiss. Up to that point I was lying to myself, saying I was on the lookout for trespassers in case you two crossed paths with them. Part of me was going to turn around when it happened, but the rest of me wanted to stay. Even if I misunderstood, I wanted to know. Not knowing was scarier than hearing the truth. But when you said…you said you liked me, I didn't know what to do. I was confused, but I never felt so happy. All of that tension and wondering 'what if' disappeared." Holding her at arm's length, his amber gold eyes looked into hers. "I guess that makes two of us; I was scared to give myself a chance."

Author: Chia, Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:34 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

It must have been weird seeing the flurry of butterflies and fireflies as Milori chased after Chia in the dead of night. The summer winds had begun to die down and the callings of autumn now hung over the air as the warmth was being ushered out for a new season. It was a good night for a love confession if one had to be romantic about it. Chia, on the other hand, thought that it was terribly embarrassing. What if what she said had ruined their act or worse them?

Why couldn’t she have just kissed Jacque and tried to shove it down?

Because… She thought… That would be lying to herself.

With that answered now after asking the same pointless question in her head fifty times she pressed the pillow harder onto her face as she hid under the blankets of her bed. She had almost missed the signal that Milori had given her since it wasn’t his normal reaction to entering the tent. He had always barged in but right now he was being respectful of her feelings which she was grateful for. It gave her time to come up with some quick bravery.

It took a few seconds for her to even work up the courage to get out of her bed and wander over to the tent door. She hesitated before pulling the flap to the side and let her blushing face see Milori who was getting as equally red as she was. There were a few awkward moments where they didn’t say anything. Their eyes just held a steady gaze together and stayed that way until Chia finally moved. Cautious she took his hand and pulled him inside the tent.

It was a wordless action but it spoke a million words. Her fingers knitted with his and she held his hand as they walked away from the front of the tent if only for a bit more privacy from the nosy ears of the circus. There was hesitation again as she turned on her heel and looked up at him now. Now Milori wasn’t too tall to the average man but to Chia, he was very, very tall. She pursed her lips and bounced on her toes.

Would it mean anything?

Now that she had a clearer head to think about it… They did it all the time.

The noisy little bug in her head kept making her more nervous until finally she pushed herself up and planted her lips to his. Gently and certainly without a lot of practice on either of their ends she deepened the kiss into something longer than they were used to. She could hear both of their hearts beating like crazy as she brought her hands up to his face and held it gently. Her thumbs rubbed against his cheeks and her forehead was pressed against his. There was a stifled inhale of hair that made it sound like she was cold but that wasn’t why she shivered.

Silence hung a bit longer before she looked up at him from their current position. “I’ve loved you for a long, long time. I didn’t want to ruin anything we had and I was scared that you didn’t feel the same way. The way you came out of the bush it honestly scared me more because you had heard me confess something I had wanted to hide. I was scared of losing you and instead of being brave like you’ve always taught me to be… I hesitated a lot.” She gave another stifled inhale of air as she moved her hands and hugged herself to him. He was very warm and it comforted her.

“I didn’t know it was love until Nina got on me about how cute we looked together. I probably didn’t even realize how deep it was until Jacque kissed me earlier. It felt wrong and it felt like I did you wrong in that moment even if we weren’t together. I suppose my heart felt like we have been for a long time.” Her voice was quiet as she shied her face away from his. “I was so shocked and scared when you came out of the bush that I failed to realize also how happy I was when you asked me. It made a very terrible weight come off my shoulders. I love everything about you and our performance. I was trying to be content with things staying the way they were as long as I didn’t lose my very best friend. So I didn’t tell you. Not because I didn’t trust you but because a part of me was too weak to tell you. I was really scared of rejection.”

Author: Watchet, Posted: Sun Sep 22, 2019 5:08 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Yes! She said yes! The butterflies in his stomach were now in his head and Chia took off. Milori caught a glimpse of red on her face before she became a blur, running away. He went after her, cloud of iridescent blue butterflies in hot pursuit. The fireflies were twinkling in the mix as well. As Jacque was left behind by the two half-fairies, Nina emerged from the shadows and consoled him. "Don't take it to heart Jacque, there's plenty of fish in the sea. You'll find your special someone one day, you'll see." She gave him a reassuring wink before slipping away again. 

It took Milori a while to track Chia down in the dark of the night, finally returning back to their tent. Before going in he paused, and lifted a small corner to listen. It was quiet, but he picked up that someone was inside. The butterfly storm in his head had calmed down and he wondered what he should do next. Normally he'd barge in and ask if she was there, but maybe he should wait. Instead of popping out of thin air he should give he a little hint that he was close by. Chia normally said what she thought so him showing up out of the blue must have really surprised her if she lost her balance. Leaning close to the tent door, he pulled up his legs to float and whistled a little tune as a signal to see how Chia would react. 

The dandelions below were snickering, having been the ones to give her hiding place away when he asked. For something that didn't have eyes, they were very good at eavesdropping. Maybe it was because they liked spreading themselves to new places on the wind, like rumors. As he kept an ear to the tent, he checked his cheeks and forehead with his hands. Was he blushing? His face felt a little warm. Maybe he was just happy.

Author: Chia, Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 9:02 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

She was so mad at herself for agreeing to go on a date with Jacque. Maybe she was trying to fool herself. Her mouth was dry now. “I’m so sorry Jacque.”

“It’s okay… Everyone knew. I just thou-“ He was cut off by the sudden butterflies and a Milori.

He was here! OH MY GODDESS! He had heard her! Her face turned as red as her mother’s curls. “Mi— Milori.” She had stumbled backwards onto her butt. Her blue eyes were staring directly into his. “Yes…” It was a simply answer but soon she was scrambling to her feet and running away in embarrassment.

Chia threw herself onto the bed and hid herself under the blankets. Oh my goddess. Oh my goddess… It was her brain screaming it over again and again. This wasn’t how she wanted him to find out… IF he EVER found out. He looked so happy though.

So maybe… He liked her too.

Author: Watchet, Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 8:50 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

"…I'm pretty sure I love Milori." The half-fae peeked out from behind a shrub just in time to catch the last bit of their conversation, and his response was…complete shock. Wait, what was happening? Didn't he see Chia kiss Jacque? They went out together and she had put on a dress she didn't wear very often for it, but she said she liked him? The butterflies that flocked around him were fluttering about erratically as if to mirror the boy's confusion. 'I love Milori.' It was the first time he had ever heard those words. The plants were being noisy and he could hardly focus on what they were saying when it was all running together like melted custard. Then, it finally clicked. Nina's warning, the looks the troupe members gave them, Ponty's unusual clearings of his throat for no reason, the giggles of the younger performers when their parents were whispering. One by one the fireflies buzzing in the air lit up in succession.

He could hardly believe his ears! The palms of his hands were on his cheeks as he spun backwards in the air. The next moment he came flying up and out of the branches, eyes wide and shining with a flock of butterflies and some fireflies trailing behind. "Is it really true?" Milori asked, still half in disbelief. "Do you like me??" The way he said the question was so painfully, bluntly innocent that it was hard to be mad for him crashing in on a supposed private meeting.

Author: Chia, Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 7:12 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Jacque had always been able to make her laugh. Chia had never noticed before that whenever he got her flowers that it could mean something more. She thought back to Milori when she shouldn’t have. Maybe that’s why because they couldn’t tell. They were intimate with each other for their act… Wouldn’t that make it harder for them to see there was something there?

They had laughed and talked their way by the lake now. “Hey Chia?”

“Hmm?” Chia followed through the motions almost like how Milori and her would. Their lips met and it felt wrong. She jolted back for a moment and Jacque looked confused.

“Is everything okay?”

“…I don’t think this is right Jacque.” Chia looked up at him with her blue eyes and saw how sad he was. “I shouldn’t have accepted.”

“Why?”

“Because I like someone else… I would dare say my whole heart belongs to him.”

Jacque looked at her and he just wanted to hear her say it. She had a troubled look on her face. He knew this was the first time it was ever confirmed. “Who?”

“…Milori. I'm pretty sure I love Milori.”

Author: Watchet, Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 11:16 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Milori was listening in when Chia went to get the door. Jacque's voice was easy to recognize, and he would blush easily. He always became really shy when Nina or Chia were around, but sometimes the other troupe members would give him this…odd look that he wasn't sure about. The half-fairy got along well with him, though he got along well with everybody. Sometimes Milori would tease the big cats with catnip, which he discovered did have the same effect on them like the small house pet variety. But that was only when they didn't have shows to put on. He peeked curiously out from his hammock as Chia went out on her first date. As the door closed, he had a little smile on his face before swinging back up. Not long after, Nina came in having heard everything. "So… Chia has a date?" There was that teasing tone in her voice again, like when she got them to practice to where they were very close to each other. 

He dangled upside down halfway out of his hammock. "Mhm~ Did you see her on the way out? She picked the primrose-pink today." Nina gave an exaggerated sigh and put a hand to her forehead. "You airy-fairy boy… Aren't you a little bit worried that Chia might discover that she's interested in someone else?" He looked puzzled and crossed his arms and legs so he was upside down midair. "Is…that a bad thing?" Nina leaned on her elbow with a cat like smile. "Oh no, not at all. Not at all~ But, don't say I didn't warn you." And with that, she slipped away leaving him with more questions than answers. After a while, he still wasn't sure how to make heads or tails of it. But he thought he should at least make sure Chia and Jacque were alright. Taking a handful of seeds he blew them on the breeze and cast a bit of magic on them. The dandelion seeds drifted and settled down in various places, little sprouts popping out. More seeds that were small creeping vines were dropped off as well. 

A few times people had tried trespassing on the circus grounds, and they were lucky to have caught them before anything happened. If he heard anything from the plants he would alert the bouncers right away. And just to be sure, he slipped out of his tent to follow the seedling trail. In the dark of the night, no one could see him as he flew above the tents with ears ready to pick up the slightest whisper. Milori's worry turned to relief as he found their silhouettes in the light of the lanterns, near the benches at the edge of the main tent. He hadn't picked up on what they there saying but he heard snippets and laughter. He was ready to turn back when he saw them lean close, then they kissed beneath the moonlight. 

Author: Chia, Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:27 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

She wasn’t nervous at all while he hurled the knives. After all, one bad move from either of them and she was liable to be killed. It had been determined that only they could perform something like this well. They were lithe and well in tuned with each other. As soon as he let her down they had what appeared to be a romantic moment between the Pauper and Princess. It was damn near convincing for everyone standing there. He spun her around as they bowed with the rest of the performers. This was the life.

Chia’s hair was let down and it looked like a river of auburn over her shoulders and down her back. Her blue eyes watched Milori for a long time as she chuckled. She played along and spun to one side before spinning to the over and taking his mask. She put it over her face for a moment and chuckled. “It was. We did better tonight than any other night I think.” She moved it just slightly so one eye was free to fully look at him. “Maybe it’s a sign we have good luck.” She watched him take off her shoes and she wasn’t far behind him. “Aye, at least with all the new little ones running amuck there will still be lots of sounds… Just nothing like tonight.”

They got to their tent and she brushed out her hair nimbly after changing into her nightdress. “Just a few more shows left and we can go back to Jasumin for the rest of the season. I heard they are even gonna let us train the next trapeze users.” She chuckled a bit in excitement. “I’ve never taught anyone before but if you are with me I’m sure–” She was cut off.

There was a knock on the pull and she slid up. She looked towards Milori and shrugged a bit. Shyly she slipped on a robe and opened the flap. It was the animal trainer. He was a few years older than Chia and Milori. “Jacque? How can I help you?” He was a tall boy, much taller than Milori. He was human which didn’t bother Chia any but she could tell from his features.

“I was hoping that maybe,” the boy rubbed his neck. “Well, despite what the others think…” He stopped realizing maybe it was a bad thing.

“What the others think?” She tilted her head.

“Nothing, don’t worry about it.” He held nervous laughter as he put his hand to his neck and rubbed it. “Chia?”

“Hmm?” She looked a bit more nervous thanks to him dragging it out.

“Would you go on a date with me? Nothing big… Like a walk around the circus? You aren’t seeing anyone are you?” He sounded excited.

Chia blushed a bit. “Well… No. Sure, I suppose. I’ll take a walk with you.” It wouldn’t hurt. She shyly looked over her shoulder at Milori. She was sure that he had heard everything. “Let me… get dressed?”

“Yeah! I’ll be waiting right here!”

She was quiet as she went to her folding screen and changing into a simple little dress. “I… guess I’ll be back?” Jacque offered her his arm and she took it carefully. She had never been on a date before.

Nina hadn’t been too far away and she peeked in the tent. “So… Chia has a date?” Nosey as ever but she couldn't let those two play house forever.

Author: Watchet, Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 10:06 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

After so many years their acts were as natural as breathing. Their timing was perfect, they read each other well, and improvisation felt like part of the show. The night was drawing to a close as the last portion of their act drew near, yet there wasn't a hint of anxiety in him. The blindfold was put on, he stood by the knives, and he took one in his hand. With a flourish, he bowed and with his next movement the knife flew from his hand. Even without using magic to guide them, Milori knew where they would hit. He heard Chia signaling him amidst the noise, his sensitive ears well tuned to picking out sounds from others. The knives flew, and flew, and flew until they all landed safely–and with that the cheers turned into a roar. Pulling the blindfold off, he grinned broadly and held out his arms, triumphant. Chia was let down and they went up to each other, kissing right in front of the audience. Confetti and flower petals rained down as the trumpets blared, calling the greatest show of the night to an end. All the performers gave one last bow before Ponty thanked the crowd for their unwavering, wholehearted support.

The tent cleared out and the ground was swept up by one of his dust devils, and everyone was changing out of their costumes. The hours passed so quickly on nights like these, he could hardly believe it was just before midnight. Fanning himself with his mask, he caught up to Chia and playfully tapped her on the shoulder before floating to her opposite side. "I'm over here~ What night, wouldn't you say?" He pointed up at the moons, one full and bright while its sister was waxing in. "If you tilt your head like this, it looks as if they're smiling with the stars as the eyes." He still had his sea-blue leotard with patchwork diamonds on, floating lightly off the ground to kick off his shoes. "It'll be hard to get used to the quiet when we finish our tour for the year."

The crowd's excitement was contagious, and he felt like butterflies were inside of him every time. But it wasn't because he was nervous, it was a good sort of flutter. Like he was dancing in the stars. Nina's parents had retired and they were now teaching the younger members how to get their poise and movements just right. Watching those lessons brought back memories of when they were the ones learning to dance, to move and trust as partners. Chia was his closest friend, his best friend. They didn't keep secrets from each other, they even shared a tent. At times it was like having a sister, and everyone here was a big family–related or not.  

Author: Chia, Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 9:24 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

“Ladies and gentlemen now is the moment you have been waiting for.” Ponty was ever the entertainer. “The stars of our big top!” The dwarf put out his hands as from the shadows of the tent walked Chia and Milori arm and arm. “The enchanting Princess and the ever-charming Pauper!”

The crowd roared with applause. It was odd seeing the giant portrait of the two of them outside now. It had been that way for a couple of years at the very least. Chia’s hair was pulled back but left long and curly touching the mid of her back. Their outfits were contrasting enough as she wore a soft pink. It looked more like a dress than anything.

Together they climbed to the top of the tightrope. They were known for a great many things but perhaps once of their most spectacular shows were the dances they performed in the air. It had taken a long time to get it down as they moved along the tightrope together in an unusual fashion. It was almost mesmerizing then as if on accident Milori let Chia go and she began to fall. A trapeze appeared and she caught herself with ease as she swung back and forth. The crowd was like fire as she Milori came down as she hung upside down. Her hands caught his.

Their shows were like electric.

They performed a great many tricks on the trapeze and finally ended their big show with a big of a twist. She was hooked up to a spinning wheel. Her eyes were glued to his. “The Pauper and the Princess will now show their trust for each other!” Nina came out and presented Milori with a set of throwing knives. “As the Pauper throws knives near his beloved Princess!… but that’s not all! He will do so blindfolded!”

Chia would use a series of low whistles and other things to tell him when it was fine to throw. With all the noise it was almost impossible for others to hear it but them.

Author: Watchet, Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 9:04 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Being so light, he had to get used to carrying with most of his strength. Usually if he couldn't lift something he would cast a spell on it and it would move, or he had levitation to do the rest. Hearing about the terrible accident from Nina made him nervous, especially since he said he would teach Chia how to swing on the trapeze. He gave a slow nod to Nina as she told them how important trust was, especially between partners. He'd been hurt before and had come to terms with it, but he didn't want Chia to go through something like that. Chia was the one doing the teaching this time around, and he followed after her instructions the best he could. "Like this?" He said, honey-gold eyes looking at her from beneath his blue curled bangs. He wasn't sure if he his arms were too loose or stiff. "If you fall I'll have the ivy catch you before you land." He said to reassure her. They were one of his fastest growing plants for their strength. With Chia's instructions, he had to get used to placing his full weight of his feet against the ground. His steps were a bit slow as he didn't have the free movement as he did in the air. When he felt himself tensing up, he reminded himself not to worry too much. The sooner he got used to the pattern, the more flexible he would be. He imagined he wasn't on the ground, and that he was moving through the air. 

Years passed and that initial hesitation was just a memory. Now, whether it was on land or in the air he was able to move freely. Countless hours of practice with Chia meant they knew each other's movements, each other's habits, and even what the other would say. Chia was able to walk the tightrope and swing from the trapeze like the best of them, and the troupe surprised them saying after much consideration, he and Chia would be the circus' new main act. Ponty was dancing on clouds–figuratively of course. He couldn't wait to get the fliers printed. Everyone else had been working hard to add new routines and ideas to their acts as well and Chia's mother never failed to visit when they were onstage. Things between them didn't change much from the old days, but many things had changed. The crowds were bigger, the cities they went to were more welcoming, and they were the talk of the town. They had a regular schedule touring around the continents instead of going wherever people would give them space. And with that meant scheduled periods where they would be 'off the circuit', to both rest and practice for next year's shows.

Author: Chia, Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 8:06 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

“Mother said if there was something we were good at to practice it. We were taught dancing from a young age since we hold a lot of festivals. That’s how I found out I could contort myself various ways.” Chia calmly explained as she put her leg down. “So I tried to see how far I could go with it. Turns out I can bend my body in ways my sister cannot.”

Chia blushed a bit more and watched Milori. He was her age after all and his jaw was really dropped to the ground. “The bard’s college? It’s in Jayou and no… You just have to be good at singing, dancing, and all of that. Most Rosenites are actually really good at it but a lot of them don’t want to pursue a music career. My sister Holly can’t contort like me but she is a very good dancer. She can also play instruments better than I can.”

They were taken to Nina and Chia thought she was quite pretty. “Maybe you can help these two.” Ponty was rather mysterious about it. “You’ll find you’ll like the girl. She’s just as good as you are.”

Nina was exotic to say the least. She had on basically almost nothing but the silk seemed so exotic. Not that Chia wasn’t used to silk but this seemed to be mixed with something else. Though she couldn’t put her finger on what. “You are adorable.” Nina came over and got on Chia’s level. “What’s your name?”

“Chia.”

“Well Chia… If I know Ponty, and I really do… I would say that the reason why he brought you to me is to let you two know something.” She put her finger to her lips. “You two are going to be partners.”

Chia blushed a bit and looked at Milori. From the way things sounded he didn’t know about it. “How are we supposed to be partners? We don’t know each other.”

“And that’s why you are with me!” Nina was quick to take Milori and position his hands onto Chia gently. It was a dancing pose that Chia knew rather well. “Ponty told me yesterday that you were from Sularia… So instead of starting at the bottom its time for you to teach Milori.”

“But what for?” Chia had one of her hands on Milori’s shoulder and one held by his own.

“For trust. It’s very important that you two trust each other so much that you can read each other easily. You could easily hurt yourselves or worse if you don’t. Long before you joined us Milori we had an accident from an acrobatic act where the partner didn’t trust his for a second. He ended up falling from the trapeze and dying. Trust is the most important thing you can have.”

Chia’s eyes were wide for a moment and she looked at Milori. “We should probably trust each other.” It was so childlike and cute that Nina laughed. Nina had some music start and Chia helped to place Milori's feet. "It's like this. Then you go like this." She moved his arms just right to catch her as she instructed him to lean her down. "Cause if you don't I can fall and hurt my butt… My brother dropped me once when we were at a party. I don't think my butt stopped hurting for a week."

Author: Watchet, Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 7:39 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

The ringmaster let out a hearty chuckle as Chia described her past experience in testing the limits of her flexibility. "Oh, dear me. You must've given your poor sister a fright with such a stunt! Ahem, though yes to find a person snugly fit inside such a place would indeed scare the daylights out of anyone." The dwarf said, attempting to maintain his composure. It was no surprise now why he chose to start a circus–his childlike amusement for the unusual and extraordinary allowed him to understand what viewers would enjoy seeing. When Chia then gave them a small demonstration Ponty whistled in approval and tilted his top hat up to reveal his eyebrows. "Marvelous, absolutely marvelous! I must say, you're already as good as Nina despite being half her age! You must have had a considerable amount of practice little lady. Not all dancers can raise their legs so effortlessly and hold their pose steady for so long!" Milori's jaw dropped, speechless. He thought she'd show off a swan form like ballet dancers; he didn't expect her to be that flexible! The boy's shock had the ringmaster chuckling to himself again. "Congratulations, dear–you've finally made him awestruck!"

Rubbing the back of his head, he grinned again bashfully after snapping out of it. "That's pretty good! So where is the bard's college that she's going to? Does everyone there have to be as flexible as you to enter?" His question sounded naive, but he really hadn't seen much of anywhere until he joined with Ponty. Ponty told him not to worry about it too much and said it was because he was still young. Also he told him not to think less of himself if he didn't remember much about the time before he was found by the troupe. Whether rain or shine, the ringmaster always took on each new day with a smile. Ponty was the one who helped him learn how to smile in front of people and not be so self-conscious. Even when things were difficult, a smile could turn things around. That was why Milori decided to stay, he liked making others happy and seeing them smile made him happy too. 

Author: Chia, Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 6:35 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Chia was glad she was catching on but then he asked her about the stupid flexible thing. She blushed and looked away for a moment. “I… can.” She looked him in the eyes. “I once fit myself into my sister’s toy chest and scared her to the point where she screamed for our mother until she showed up. She had nightmares for weeks…” Chia had climbed down safely and picked up her shoes. She didn’t really like them. Mostly she was like her mother, bare feet were best.

She listened to Ponty and nodded. “So… It’s not that bizarre? My sister told my mother never to let me do it again… I mean I did it anyways but Mother wasn’t too happy. I managed to fit myself into the cupboard in our kitchen where our cooks were and I scared all of them when they went for a pan.”

Chia waited for a moment before she pulled her leg up straight against her. “You mean you can’t do this?” She was even balancing on her toes. Her leg was almost pressed against her face. “I know my sister can’t and it makes her mad. She’s going to the bard’s college soon.”

Author: Watchet, Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 6:26 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

It was tough at the start, it always was. Milori knew from experience. He had started out much closer to the ground when he joined, as he had to get used to walking instead of levitation. For him floating as a habit that was hard to break. Whenever he felt he was falling he'd use it to slow his descent. Chia was a fast learner though, even for trying something for the first time. She had a good eye for picking up on what to do and figured out why the pole made things safer than more dangerous, contrary to what most would think. "Yup, that's right. That's better than the explanation I was going to say. We can continue tomorrow. There's a lot of warm ups we do before our routine and you can meet the rest of us here! We're all pretty unique thanks to Ponty." He wanted to ask her more about Sularia having only known the circus, but decided to wait when she was settled in. Climbing back down, he landed softly next to the support pillar beside the net. Looking at Chia he grinned, "Is it really true? Miss Nina can bring her leg behind her back straight up and have both legs apart on the ground without trying. Can you do that?" 

"Karenina, or Nina as well all call her is one of our dancers. She was born in Abed to a pair of traveling minstrels who went around the world singing, dancing, and playing music. As wonderful as their performances were, they weren't getting enough recognition so I offered to have them join the troupe as one of the main acts. You'll be seeing much of them along with Milori, I'm sure." The portly dwarf winked at the two. With a tug, he began to undo the knots to the safety net to give them more space. The little seedlings uncoiled themselves and began to take root at the base of the support beams, blooming small blue five-petal flowers. These plants were quick to sprout but didn't last long, by tomorrow they would wither and return to the earth. 

Author: Chia, Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 6:06 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Milori was always a blast and Chia was fully engulfed in what he had to say. “It’s like I’m not even here anymore.” Angela chuckled a bit and waved at the Ring Master. “Take care of my child.” It had an undertone that made the Ring Leader sweat if only for a little bit. “I’ll be back to check in on her.”

It was an odd case for sure. Normally, no one brought their child to be dropped off. Chia was used to her mother’s magic that it wasn’t shocking to see the stage grow. She kicked off her shoes and looked more at home as her toes played with the grass. She climbed up instead of floating showing that she was used to playing with her other siblings.

She put her foot on the rope and began to wobble back and forth. “Think of it like… The slender brick fence only slightly worse.” She spoke out loud as she realigned herself enough to be handed the pole. “People in Sularia use magic for everything so they are less impressed by others using it. So I understand Ponty a bit on that.” She moved her foot just enough to take steps closer but she began to lose her balance. She floated for a single second if only to reposition herself.

“This isn’t so bad. The pole is used as a counterweight.” She spoke almost mirroring the things Milori was talking to her. “I saw Mother using her scales and she weighs things until they are even… So… This pole is like that and we’re the centerpiece of the scale… So to speak.”

She breathed in steadily. “It will take me a bit until I can walk on this I think.” Her legs were only slightly shaky. Like her mother had told Ponty the girl had good balance but it would take more than that.

Ponty stood at the bottom. "Also my boy, Lady Angela told us that Young Chia is quite good at being flexible. A talent one might say. We should see just how good she is." Chia blushed a bit. She didn't think her mother would have brought that up to strangers.

Author: Watchet, Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:47 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Most kids would 'oooh' and 'aaah' over him floating without any movement, but Chia went right up to him, checked a few things and then did the same thing. His eyes lit up–for the first time there was somebody out there who could float just like him! Right away she wanted him to teach her what it took to be a show-stopper, and her enthusiasm was infectious. "Alright, I'll teach you! But don't get bored and give up halfway!" After she moved in, he and the other performers set up the net lower than it usually was. The tightrope was tied lower down the poles so the fall wouldn't be as high. And before he climbed up, he spread a few handfuls of tiny seeds on the ropes of the netting. Blowing a puff of air, the seeds came alive and turned into tiny vines that melded with the net. Their tendrils traveled up the poles in thin green spirals until they reached the tightrope. Even though the safety net was secure, having those plants in it made it easier for Milori to keep things under control. Looking down from the perch he waited for Chia to come in with his hands on his hips.

Waving at her, he called out: "Ready? Let's practice walking on the tightrope first. We'll get to the trapeze swings later!" He then laid down in mid-air and kicked his legs, as if swimming. He floated about the tightrope until she was on the platform and landed back on. With twirl of his fingers, a balancing pole flew up to his hand. It was a hollowed stick with different sizes of weights in them. The weights were small metal balls that gradually increased in diameter. The pole he brought up was the heaviest one, to help the girl get her bearings on balancing while on the tightrope. With how light as she was, it would be more difficult than using a lighter pole, which would be easier to shift around. "First, hold this with your hands. Since we're both pretty lightweight we start using the heaviest poles first instead of the lighter ones. For other people it's the opposite, but this is so we can keep our balance in case we can't float. Ponty says it's so people don't complain for us using magic. If they think we have it easier, they'll believe we don't work as hard and won't be as impressed."

Author: Chia, Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 5:28 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

Her blue eyes scanned the boy that was brought over by the weird ring leader. She liked odd people and her mother must have known this man would be honest and true. She tilted her head at Milori and suddenly her mother had her hand to her back and gave her a little push. Chia’s face flushed a little and shook her head. “I’m not very good at any of it… I want to learn. I think I could be good.”

Once he was midair she walked around him and waved her hands under where he was floating. Angela held a stunned face for a moment before Chia pulled herself up and copied him. “That’s not so hard.” Most kids would have been stunned by it but Angela chuckled a bit.

“I think they will get along fine. Both of them are half-fae. Light as a feather.” Angela could tell just looking at the boy and Chia’s ears almost gave her away if it wasn’t for the fact her mother had pointy ears too.

Angela snapped and all of Chia’s things were in bags and boxes next to her. Chia lost her concentration and fell down on her butt staring. “Just like that Ma?”

“I am not stranger to kicking my birds out of the nest. If this is what you want to do then you will have to devote yourself to doing it. Can you do it?”

Chia looked over at Milori and up to Ponty. “Yes.”

“Then, I want you to get talented and invited me to every show and practice… Can you do that?”

“Yes,” she nodded and stood up to dust herself off. “I’ll get better. You’ll see!”

Angela smirked a bit and looked at Ponty. “I can give monthly stipends for her to be here. I would rather my daughter be well kept.”

“We are all family here ma’am. Chia will be fine.” Ponty reassured her and looked at the two of the children. “If you get better well known you could have your own big tent like the stars! Sometimes to look forward to.”

Chia nodded and jumped to grab Milori’s hands. “TEACH ME! I want to be a star too!” She looked so excited and confident. Something Milori would get used to in their time together.

Author: Watchet, Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 10:35 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

They were staying around Jasumin Lake for the next few weeks. The area was open and full of flat spaces which made setting up the tents easy. Most people wondered why circuses always picked those sort of spots, and it wasn't just to stand out–though that never hurt either. "Hoy, Robin Goodfellow!" The stout dwarf ringmaster bellowed down below the net. "Enough teetering on the ropes my boy, there's someone you should meet. We've found ourselves a new face to join our troupe, and I think you'll find them mighty interesting!" Pontius Higgins Mycroft, or Ponty as everybody called him, was the one who started it all. He began from nothing, going into the entertainment business when he had two left feet and jokes drier than hardtack. But he had an eye for talent and value, and that was how he got together some of the best from all over Revaliir in the same ring. He was standard dwarf height, dressed in his colorful pinstripe suit and shined top hat. When he first met the man the most memorable thing was his incredible mustache that seemed to defy gravity itself. Milori joined the troupe himself a few years ago and became fast friends with the rest of the performers. Even though they never stayed in the same place more than a month, the circus felt like home.

Dangling upside-down from the tightrope, the boy floated down and pulled up his blue feathered mask. It matched well with his hair, also a bluish tinge. It was how Ponty gave him his stage name, 'Bluebird' among other things. He skipped into a sprint to catch up with the ringmaster where he saw a beautiful lady with red waves of hair towering over them both. He nearly missed the little girl next to her, hidden halfway behind the woman whom Ponty said was her mother. "Ah-ha! Here he is–Milori, our own little Bluebird of the highwire! Come, give the little lady a hello." Without hesitating the blue-haired boy gave a sweeping bow, his hair falling over his shoulder in a braid. "Nice to meet you two. Like Mr. Ponty said, I'm the one who walks up on the tightrope and swings on the trapeze up top. Are you good at swinging? Trapeze is no fun when you fly solo." Out of habit he then pulled up his legs and 'sat' in midair. His costume had a lot of small sequins and feathers sewn to it to make him easier to see. As he crossed his legs his feet were covered in blue and white striped stockings without shoes. He looked back at the girl curiously with his amber-yellow eyes.

Author: Chia, Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 10:00 PM, Post Subject: The Big Top [P/R]

(Backstory to the circus!)

“Mama?” The small auburn haired child was delicately balancing on the slender brick row as her mother walked beside her.

“Hmm?” Angela turned her head to look towards little Chia. She had always been an odd child. She was great at her studies, dancing, and other odd talents that the goddess noticed the small one had.

“Can I run away and join the circus? I heard Aubrey talking about it this morning in class. She was mad at her parents and she wanted to run away.”

“Are you mad at me?”

“Well… No, but I think it would be fun.”

“So why do you need to run?”

Chia was hesitant as she stopped herself and looked towards her mother. “You aren’t mad?”

Angela shook her head and pushed herself up to kiss her daughter’s forehead. “If it makes you happy… and it is your dream then do it.”

Before she knew it they were at the edge of a beautiful big circus. Her mother became fast friends with the ring leader and everything seemed well. That was when a little boy was pulled aside. He looked so lightweight just like her. She blinked and subconsciously from Chia’s nervousness she pushed her hair behind her pointed ears.

“Boy, this is Chia… She is going to join us. She’ll be your partner from now on so you have to take care of each other.” It wasn't hard to see how nervous Chia was thanks to the blush across her face. Her blue eyes were stuck to the boy. Just like that? Apparently, just like that.