(Author's Note: This story is actually my longest one. I really love Hetalia and this is kind of inspired also by my reading of the novel Night Circus which I highly recommend. This beginning part is rather short I know but it's just a teaser. Trust me I have the entire thing written down. The delay is typing it all up. I won't be that person who never finishes a story. Enjoy~)
Prelude
"Let's start at the beginning. A very good place to start."
-The Sound of Music
The ringmaster takes off his top hat and gently sets it down. He picks up his glasses, wipes them off just below the heavy glitter on his jacket, and for the first time all night the lamplight comes into focus. A sigh. Off slips the jacket over his sweat dampened, tan skin. He takes such care folding the thing and securing it away. Across the small space he now occupies his brother, the animal tamer, watches as if taking such care is narcissistic. It very much is. The ringmaster cares greatly about his uniform, smile and all. Looking good is important, after all, he can only be a star once a night… for a few hours. Shiny boots, black pants, one by one the pieces off his costume come off- except one. Both sit across from each other, still wearing their masks; the charming ringmaster and the fearless animal tamer.
Outside of their boxcar lies a line of others. The other performers, settling into their small rooms after their shows: after another long day. A magician, no THE magician, argues with his beautiful assistant. Neither bother with fake smiles any longer than necessary, sometimes they can't even hold their masks through the entire show. Another set of brothers are as silent toward each other as they are during their separate acts. And though the contortionist reaches out, offers a snack or two, the tightrope walker just turns away… Farther down that man that plays such sweet love ballads all day pretends the imprint of his old wedding ring doesn't match with the woman's- who drives her motorcycle through a loop of fire.
In a city near the old train tracks a stranger makes a new home. He's come here because he's heard there's a circus in town. A circus that's been growing in size and popularity recently. A circus rippling with tension and emotion just below the surface. He carries no luggage. He doesn't pay for his room. In the morning no one will even recall a stranger at all, but for an odd feeling…
All the performers settle down for the night. Each one thinks their act is done, at least for a little while. A smile spreads across the stranger's face. All before had only been prelude.
Let the main act begin.