Familiar: Eye of The Jabberwocky
Chapter 1: Carnival
The beeping of the heart monitor next to the bed was a usual sound for the boy in the bed. It was one of his few companions in this home of sickness. He only had a few companions; the heart monitor, the doctor and his nurses, and a deck of cards his doctor had given him. They were full of characters from a various amount of tales he'd once read in his bed. The tales were a mix of Alice in Wonderland, Humpty Dumpty, etcetera. The boy loved his cards, they were unique like him.
He was unique in many ways; his eyes he covers with his long raven colored bangs, and his sickness that his parents gave up on. They had left him in an abandoned building when he was a baby, a terminally ill baby. The doctors hadn't given him a week, but so far he's lasted fourteen years.
"How are you feeling Leo?" The doctor asked as he walked into the room with a smile and a nurse following over to the blinds, where she opened them. At this Leo was glad his bangs were like curtains, the light hurt sometimes.
"Same as ever." Leo muttered, shuffling the cards in his hands.
"We have people coming today, they are looking for a child. They think your a nice child that would fit into their family. They have been notified about your illness, and they are willing to pay for treatment." The nurse said, standing next to Leo.
"Are they coming soon?" Leo asked, still shuffling his cards.
"In an hour. We have time to bathe you and eat if you'd like?" The doctor said.
"What's the point, it's going to end the same way. They'll look at me and run off like everyone else."
"Oh. Leo don't say that!" The nurse yelled. "If they don't adopt you then I'll take you out to the new circus in town."
"Circus?" Leo asked. "What's a circus?"
"It's a legal way to say freak show, it's where gifted and unusual people perform different acts." The doctor explained. "I think a boy your age will like it."
"I want to go." Leo muttered as he looked up.
"A man with silver hair and a red eye came by, passing out this flyer." The nurse said as she gave Leo the flyer. "I think you need to get out more, exercise your legs."
"Fairytales Against the Clock Circus, where we fight time." Leo read. "What a weird name."
"Well first you need to eat lunch and I'll see if I can get you tickets for tonight." The doctor said.
"Alright." Leo went to get out of bed when his heart gave a loud beat, placing pain in his body. Luckily the nurse caught him and laid him down.
"Leo are you ok?" She asked tucking him in.
"M-my cards." Leo muttered. The cards had fallen to the ground when Leo had gotten sick.
"I'll get them, just lay down and rest. I'll get your medicine." The nurse said as she stacked the cards together. Once they were in their pack she hurried out of the room.
"Leo, you know you aren't getting better. The hospital is spending so much on your treatment and it's not even working."
"It's helping a little, but I know what your saying. I'm going to die soon." Leo said, his nose bleeding.
"We can only treat you till your eighteen, then the state refuses to help you, unless someone pays for you."
"Will I even live that long?" Leo asked just before his nurse returned with the medicine. She used a towel for his nose as the doctor pulled the fluid from the bottle into a syringe and put it in Leo's IV.
"Take a rest and we will wake you up when your visitors arrive." The nurse said, seeing Leo's eyes droop. The teenager moaned a little before closing his eyes. It seemed like it had only been a moment when he was awoken by his nurse and doctor.
"Leo, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Leo sat up with the assistance of the two, that's when he noticed four people standing in front of the bed.
"Leo these are the Baskervilles and Vessalius."
"Hello." The woman of the group said, stepping up toward Leo. Her eyes were crimson red and her hair was close to black. The smile she wore was warming. "I'm Lacie Baskerville - Vessalius. I heard you needed a home and cared for. I thought my brother needed a child of his own, then I heard about you."
"I'm Leo, just Leo." Leo struggled to hold his hand out, just barely able to lift it an inch. Lacie pouted sadly and held Leo's hand in hers.
"That's a unique name, I love it." Lacie smiled. "Don't worry Leo, we will take care of you."
"Don't waste money on a dead man, I know how all of this is going to turn out." Lacie remained smiling, the blonde haired man behind her copying her look.
"I don't see a dead man." The white haired man said behind Lacie said.
"Oswald get over here and meet your son-to-be." The blonde said to the man hanging out in the corner. Leo looked over and watched the man stare at him. After a few seconds Leo turned away.
"He doesn't want me. I understand that look already." Leo said and looked down at Lacie's hand.
"No that's just Oswald's face. He's not good with children so he doesn't know how to act around them. Oswald get over here before you hurt his feelings." The blonde said again. This time the man walked over slowly. Leo looked at the man as he got closer. Soon he stopped in front of Leo, staring back at Leo's bangs.
"I'm Oswald Baskerville, Lacie's brother."
"I'm Levi!" The white haired man yelled as he hopped on Oswald's back. "You can call me Grandpa Levi if you want!" This time the blonde jumped on both of them.
"I'm Jack Vessalius, call me uncle pretty please!"
"I'm a weird one." Leo muttered and looked at the small family.
"You'll fit right in." Lacie said.
"I'm going to go see about those tickets Leo. Be a good boy alright." The nurse said a smile coming to Leo's face.
"Thank you."
"Tickets?" Jack asked.
"To the circus, a man came passing out flyers. I've never been to one and I'd really like to go." Leo said excitedly.
"Lets all go, a family activity to bond. I will bring my daughters so they can meet you Leo." Lacie said happily, squeezing Leo's hands.
"We were going to take Leo, he needs us if he gets ill again."
"All of you can come, the circus would love for many customers to enjoy our gifts." A new voice said and everyone in the room turned toward the doorway.
"Mr. Flyer-man, I thought you left." The nurse said smiling. The man had a single eye showing, his silvery white hair covering the other. The doll on his shoulder was cackling, Leo seemed to be the only one that noticed.
"I was looking around before heading back. This room was loud I thought about coming in and checking out what was going on."
"Are you really part of the circus Mr.?!" Leo yelled excitedly catching the mans attention.
"Why yes I am. I am the final act." He said and skipped over. A lollipop was shoved in Leo's face. "A gift." Leo smiled and struggled to pick his arm up. In the end Oswald ended up taking it and handing it to Leo.
"Thank you Mr. Circus man." Leo smiled wide at the man.
"Wait, I've got more." The man said and dug into his coat pocket, pulling out seven tickets. "Courtesy of Against the Clock Circus." He placed them in Leo's hands, holding Leo's hand a bit. "We hope to see you there." The man released Leo's hands and got on his knees. "Tell the ticket collector you're Xerxes guest."
"Yes." Leo nodded turning on his side to look at Xerxes. With a smile he climbed under the bed, the sheets hiding him. Leo reached a hand down and pulled the sheets up. No one was under the bed and Leo smiled, Lacie helping him sit up. "That's amazing!" Leo laughed a bit.
"Leo has a cute laugh." Lacie said and looked at the tickets. "We need to get two more and we will be good." Lacie picked up the tickets and counted them, coming up with nine. "What, there's nine now. Hm." She smiled. "Your are talented Mr. Xerxes."
"Leo how about I take you to the shower and get you dinner." The nurse said with a smile.
"Ok! Do I have to take the machines with me?" Leo asked with a pout.
"We'd like it, then we can give you medicine if you get ill." The doctor said.
"Come now, it will be hard for him to drag that to his seat." Jack spoke up.
"We want to make sure he's alright."
"Come on, it's only for an hour or so."
"I want him to have fun at the circus." Oswald said. "Kids deserve to have fun." Leo smiled up at the man. The doctor himself sighed and looked at Leo.
"Alright, I'll bring an IV just in case. You deserve to have fun Leo, so lets get you ready." Leo smiled wider and stood up with Oswald's and Jack's help. Jack smiled at the boy and talked to Leo as the three followed the nurse.
Once the door shut Lacie smiled. "That boy is so wonderful dad. He's so excited."
"Hope he can join our family." Levi smiled down at his daughter.
A few hours later the Baskervilles had picked up Lacie's daughters and headed to the circus, Leo practically bouncing in the limo and in line as they waited to get in. Each time they got closer Leo would bounce a bit more.
"Leo calm down before you get sick." The doctor said and placed his hands on Leo's shoulders. The teenager only bounced less and headed toward the ticket collector. When they reached him Leo looked him up and down. He had silver glasses and light brown eyes that match perfectly with his hair."
"Tickets." He said and Oswald handed over the nine tickets.
"Xerxes said to tell you we're his guest." Leo spurted out in excitement.
"Aw, that Hatter invited you. Your seats are first row seats one through nine." The man said and ripped the tickets in half. The group walked into the circus tent. The staircase led down to the seats and stage, so Oswald led the way to make sure that all of them got to the right seats, the tent already packed.
Leo looked at all the people, never had he seen so many in his life time. He was a little scared of this many people and clung to Oswald a little. The older man just walked until they reached their seats. Everyone started piling into them, Leo second to last. As he released Oswald said man patted his head.
"Uh…it's…ok?" He said unsure of himself, Leo just smiled at him and sat down. The crowd was chatty but silenced as the light went down.
A single light illuminated the center of the ring. A man walked into the center, his hair brushed back and a wide smile on his face. "Come and see things your eyes won't believe! Some say they are aliens…some say they are strangers…some say they are not of this world! We will not conform to the madness, whether they scorn or whether they attack us! Come one, come all! Welcome to the freakshow!" The stage lit up and the man was not alone with darkness anymore, but a stage of people, many of different appearances. People began to clap so Leo joined in, a smile across his face.
"My many companions and I have traveled around the world and back, collecting more and more freaks for our show. Now we are back. We have a special show tonight, don't you think so Xerxes?" There was a small silence as people looked around the stage for the spoken man, not one appearance. People began to murmur about the show when a voice rose up.
"I think we have a decent show!" A yell from behind Leo caught his attention, making the young teen turn as well as the group of people around them. "I was hoping to watch it from up here with my new friends, guess I'll be down in a second!" At this Xerxes pulled a blanket from his coat and threw it over himself. "Why is everyone staring at an empty spot!?" Came a yell from the stage, making the crowd turn in surprise. There stood Xerxes and a series of claps broke out as he bowed in place.
Leo clapped over and over as he smiled in amazement.
"Today is a special day, for we have a special ending for tonight." The man said.
"Don't spoil the surprise Yura, then we wouldn't have a focused audience. Shall we introduce our acts of tonight?" Xerxes asked.
"Tonight's act will involve Raven, a blindfolded dagger wielder. He's more than he seems."
"Next will be the B-Rabbit himself, his love of fire is almost deadly." At this Leo flinched, hating the word. The boy that waved his hand in the air caught Leo's attention. There was a similarity between B-Rabbit and Jack that was stunning upon appearance. The one thing B-Rabbit had that was different were a pair of black rabbit ears. One was torn, leaving a dangling uneven ear.
"Don't forget the Queen of Hearts. Born without one and is gifted with scissors." The man held up two scissors, Leo able to see his red and golden eyes since his hair was tied back in a bow.
"Now now, don't forget our lovely ladies Bandersnatch, Equus, Leon, and Zwei. That girl is Dee and Dum wrapped up in one." Xerxes smiled. "Lastly our very own Humpty Dumpty, he's the snake boy of the show, watch out for his snakes."
"Oh and the very last act you will see tonight, our own Mad Hatter Xerxes and I will be performing a little trick we named Miracle." The crowd looked on in interest as well as Leo and his friends. "Shall we start the show?"
"Only if Raven's ready." Xerxes and Yura looked over to see Raven with a handful of daggers in each hand, and a blindfold on. A nod was given and the fellow circus acts backed up.
"Please refrain from talking or moving, I might hit you." At this Leo gave a shudder of fear, wrapping his hand around his chest. His heart skipped beats making his breath come out as shudders. Oswald noticed this and patted the teens head.
There was silence as Xerxes walked over to a cage, releasing them. It was a flock of ravens, but Leo noticed the doves hidden in the flock. He counted at least ten and looked at how pretty they were. It wasn't a second later they began to fall, daggers hitting them. Leo gasped, not only him but the people around him. He was intrigued how well Raven could throw, but upset when the birds fell.
People began to murmur about animal cruelty when Raven spoke up. "Relax, the bird were illusions, look now where my daggers really hit." Lacie, who had her eyes covered looked to see targets, daggers protruding from the center.
She joined in the clapping, eyes wide as could be. "Thank you! Thank you! Now I need a volunteer." People who had cheered stopped and became quiet.
After the first acts were done all that was left was Humpty Dumpty's and Mad Hatter's performances. "Humpty Dumpty is our gifted snake trainer, the only difference is that he can speak to the snakes, and his flesh is nothing but scales." Yura said, Leo entranced after so many performances. He'd never seen so much amazement and excitement. His heart beat faster as he bounced up and down in excitement.
Yura began backing away as a giant snake slithered onto the stage. People watched with amazement, well until the snake opened its mouth and the boy from before climbed out. A woman fainted up in one of the top rows, but Leo only paid attention to Humpty Dumpty. The boy was around Leo's age and his body matched his snakes.
"That was comfy." Humpty said. "Claude find the keys to the snake cage, I must have left them in your stomach." Humpty patted his pants, feeling for the keys. "Can you spit them back up for me." The teenager held up his hand. The giant snake only slithered away from him, toward the stand. People gasped as it approached them, Leo a little scared himself. When the snake reached the stand it was in front of Leo, staring down at him. He stuck his tongue out and wiggled it, catching sight of Leo and leaned down. It's head was in front of Leo, nudging the messy haired teens hand. "Claude!" Humpty yelled but the snake just nuzzled Leo's hand until he petted his head.
Leo smiled at the snake, no longer fearing it but petting his scales over and over. All of a sudden the snake hacked and spit up the keys Humpty was looking for right into Leo's lap.
"Claude! That's rude! I'm sorry if he dirtied your clothes!" Humpty yelled up to Leo.
"It's fine sir!" Lacie yelled back and hugged Leo.
"May I have my keys sir?"
"Can you stand Leo?" The nurse asked and Leo pushed himself up, the keys in his hand. The nurse got up with him and helped him walk over to the edge of the stands.
"Don't force yourself kiddo." Xerxes said, popping up behind Leo and snagged the keys. "Just sit and have fun watching." With that Xerxes climbed on the edge of the stands and jumped to the stage below. The nurse led Leo back to his seat and sat down, asking a few questions before going back to her seat. "Humpty needs to control his snake better wouldn't you say Emily." The doll cackled again before speaking.
"He needs to take care of when he sheds." A few audience members chuckled while Humpty growled. He walked over to a chest of snakes and unlocked it. Immediately snakes poured out and wrapped around Humpty's body.
"Now I need a volunteer from the audience." Several hands went up in excitement. Leo just continued to watch as Humpty and three volunteers did multiple tricks for ten minutes then Humpty gathered all his snakes back into the chest and switched places with Yura and Xerxes.
"Humpty will now join the crowd and bring down our lucky volunteer." Yura explained as Humpty made his way to the stairs that led to the stands. "Lets see who deserves a miracle." He looked around at the people in the stands.
"I've actually picked the perfect young man in need of a miracle." Xerxes said and looked from Yura to the stands where Leo's new family sat. "Leo was it, come on down for us." Xerxes waved at Leo and Humpty walked toward him.
"Oh Leo you were chosen that's great." Lacie said excitedly.
"Um, I-." A hand was extended to Leo. He looked up at Humpty before nervously taking his hand. With help Leo got to his feet and was led to and down the stairs and to the center of the stage.
"Now don't tell us just yet, lets see what your life's been like." Yura took Leo's hand and turned it over to his palm. Yura smiled as she traced the pattern on Leo's skin. "You're fourteen correct?"
"Yes." Leo nodded.
"Why are you in the hospital Leo?" Xerxes asked.
"I am ill."
"How long have you been in the hospital?"
"Fourteen years?" Leo answered a small silence following.
"Everyday?" Yura asked.
"Every single day."
"Your parents must be in poverty than." Leo glared, not at him asking about his parents, but for the damn smile he wore.
"That's none of your business."
"Ah." Yura turned his head to the side and smiled at the boy even wider.
"Alright then Leo, tell us what's wrong with you and make a wish."
"My body is attacking itself. I'm not going to last longer and I know it." Leo muttered that last part, hiding behind his bangs. Xerxes patted his head and held up another lollipop.
"Make your wish and tell us what it is."
"What will a wish do?"
"Make a miracle happen." Xerxes smiled.
"Ok…I wish…I wish…" Leo muttered looking down. "I wish I wasn't going to die." Leo bit his lip as he tried to hold tears back. "I don't want to die. I'm scared." Xerxes patted Leo's head again. Leo looked up at him his tears running past the length of his bangs and down his cheeks. Xerxes continued to smile as he stuck his tongue out and plucked a few hairs from Leo's head. "Ow!" Leo let out.
"By tomorrow morning this boy will be in the best health he could ever be, come back tomorrow to see the outcome!" Yura yelled. "This boys illness will be all gone and he will live like a normal boy his age would!"
"Hey Leo. Want to meet the circus and get autographs from them?" Xerxes whispered to Leo, whom lit up.
"Can I really?" Leo whispered back with excitement in his voice.
"Just stay here with your family after the show and we will take you backstage to the tent area. Many will be happy to give you autographs, we don't do it often."
"Ladies and Gentlemen this concludes our show for tonight, tomorrow will be full of magic." The stage light went out and the stands lit up, everyone leaving except Leo and his friends and family. Once the stands cleared all the light lit up and Leo was still on the stage, Xerxes waving him over to the tent flap. The Baskervilles and Vessulias hurried down the stairs with the doctor and nurse.
"Can we go back and meet the rest of the circus, please?" Leo begged to the doctor and nurse.
"Yeah!" The twin girls yelled in agreement.
"I guess it's alright, but we can't stay long. Tomorrow is a long day if you want to come back." The doctor smiled down at the boy. Leo looked as happy as he could be.
"Really! Ok then I'll be quick." Leo said and followed Xerxes out into the dark night. "I don't have a pen or paper?" Leo said, upset at his realization.
"I can fix that." Xerxes said and pulled out a pen and matching notebook with Emily on it. "I'll be your first signature." At this Xerxes opened the book, scribbled his name, then handed it to Leo. Leo smiled up at the man, almost running into him when he stopped. Leo stopped himself in time and looked around at where he had followed. They were all in the center of tents several people passing by with looks at the group. Leo looked around at all the new faces and tucked the book close to him and smiled. "Oi, gather around for a moment everyone!" Xerxes yelled, getting the circus folks attention. A variety of them stopped what they were doing and walked over to Xerxes. "This boy here was our miracle volunteer tonight. He wanted to come visit the whole circus before going back to the hospital. He also wants autographs if you're willing." Suddenly a boy a little older than Leo jumped in front of him, scaring him a bit. It was then that Leo remembered him as B-Rabbit.
"I saw you on Elliot's act, Claude really liked you!"
"E-Elliot?" Leo asked, unsure of who it was.
"Oh right, uh Humpty Dumpty. You can call him Scaly like all of us."
"Hey!" A yell came from the boy next to B-Rabbit.
"Anyway I'm Oz, just Oz." Oz held out a hand to Leo.
"I'm Leo, just Leo." Leo smiled and lifted his hand the best he could. He couldn't reach Oz's hand so the boy connected with Leo's.
"I'll sign your book for you." Oz said and took the book from Leo. "So your fourteen and never been to the circus."
"I haven't been out much." Leo said as Oz passed the book to Humpty, aka Elliot.
"How long have you been sick like this?" Elliot asked as he signed his name.
"Ever since I was a baby, I've been on medication to help with the symptoms and pain."
"What!? That means you barely haven't a friend!" Oz yelled and grabbed Leo's hands. "I'll be your friend Mr. Leo, I can visit you everyday!"
"You'd visit me…I'd like the new face. Thank you Oz." Leo smiled happily at Oz, glad he now had a new companion.
"Was it wise coming to see the circus, in your condition we wouldn't want you to get hurt." Raven said passing the book.
"I'm fine right now. The doctor came so if I get ill I'll be fine." Leo's smile widened.
"It's still dangerous."
"I might die in a year or two, hell I could die now and I can't stop it. I know that much. I just want to get out a bit more before I die."
"Have you not been paying attention, big brother Break will make you healthy! Then you can explore all you want!" The girl, Equus, said, shoving Oz away and grabbed Leo's hands like Oz had.
"No one can avoid death." Leo said with a sad smile.
"Break's a magical person." Equus blushed.
"Sharon, you hurt my arm." Oz muttered getting up.
"Is it fun?" Leo asked, confusing the group around them.
"What?"
"Being in the circus, being unique and able to go anywhere you want without a care. Is it fun?"
"Uh, it has its ups and downs, but fun as anything. We're like a family here."
"A family." Leo frowned. "I've never had one, is it fun too?"
"Very much, your parents over there seem close to you."
"We aren't Leo's parents. My brother Oswald is going to adopt Leo tomorrow. We're going to pay for his treatment."
"They didn't want to deal with me, a sick baby. They left me a day after my birth at an abandoned building. The states been paying for my treatment, but I'm turning eighteen in four years, then they refuse to help me."
"That's dirty. Break will heal you we promise." Equus, Sharon, said.
"Thank you for the words but I'm sick not stupid."
"Are you doubting me? I'll show you tomorrow." Xerxes didn't flinch at Leo's disbelief, he seemed happy about it.
"Leo hurry up, you need to rest. We don't want to repeat last time." The doctor said and held out a hand.
"Ok, I'm coming." Leo said holding up his hands for the book and smiled. "I'll be back tomorrow then." Oz butted in, snatching the book from a cat man of some sort.
"See you tomorrow Leo, you're always welcome here. Don't worry about anything. Break will make you better. Promise." Oz said and placed the book and pen in Leo's hand, but they fell to the ground, through Leo's fingers. "Oh, Le-." Oz went to pick the book up when he looked at Leo. Not only Oz, but others noticed the blood rolling from Leo's nose, and his pale complexion.
"Whats wrong? Leo?" The nurse said. Leo gasped and fell back hitting the ground.
"Leo!" The doctor yelled and ran over to the boy curled up on the ground. He kneeled down sitting his bag down. "Get him laid out straight." The doctor said to the nurse when she kneeled down.
"Alright." She muttered and turned Leo onto his back, moving his limbs flat out. Leo's mouth and nose were bleeding rather fast so the doctor hurried and dug out the IV. He took the cap off of the needle and pushed it into Leo's hand. The nurse taped it to Leo's hand before grabbing the fluid bag.
"I'm glad I grabbed two bottles just in case." The nurse said as the doctor drew fluid from the bottle and pulled it. He pushed it into the IV, slowly Leo became less restless. The medication knocked him out, which made everyone a little nervous.
"Is he alright?" Sharon asked.
"He will be alright, this happens a lot. It actually happened this morning. We should get him to the hospital, he needs to rest for now."
"Will he be back tomorrow?" Elliot asked, not sure how to word his thoughts.
"He just needs to be at the hospital." The doctor said and pulled out his phone. The nurse stood up and smiled at the circus folks.
"Thank you for making him so happy and excited, I hadn't seen that face in so long I forgot he had it. He's growing up so fast."
"He's really a smart kid, he's excelled at our home school program." The doctor said after hanging up on his call. "The ambulance will be here, just keep an eye in him. Sit with him please." He said to the nurse. She nodded and sat down, patting Leo's head. His eyes pushed themselves open, looking up at the nurse.
"How are you feeling?" She asked, earning attention.
"Weak, very weak."Leo whispered.
"Do you need something to drink?"
"Yes."
"Can someone get him some water?" The doctor asked and kneeled down to the boy.
"I'll get it." Elliot said and hurried inside a tent down the row. When he returned the doctor had Leo resting against his shoulder. "Here." Elliot said and handed the glass to the doctor.
"I hear the ambulance." The nurse said as the doctor fed the water to Leo.
"Alright, I'll get him and you follow behind with our things and the IV."
"Yes sir." The nurse kneeled down and picked up the bag. The doctor used all his strength to pick Leo up, the IV bag stuck between them.
"Oi Leo, hold on a second please." Oz said as he ran over to the doctor and nurse already heading for the parked ambulance. The paramedics were already in the back getting a gurney. The two stopped as well as Oz. "I'm not Break, but I know a few tricks." Oz dug into his coat pocket and pulled out a bouquet of flowers. "A get well present from the circus, we'll see you tomorrow." Oz laid the flowers on Leo's lap and smiled. They watched Leo get strapped down and taken to the hospital. As the ambulance took off Sharon picked the book up off the ground.
"Lets finish passing this around and give it to him."
"What a genius idea my lady, I'm sure he'll be most happy." Xerxes said and with Oz's help they dragged everyone to the mess hall, well except for Xerxes and Elliot.
"Did you really do magic on him or is it another scam?" Xerxes looked surprised at the question.
"It was real magic, I've got to set his hair I snatched on fire to complete it."
"You know you weren't the only one taking hair, so was Yura. You might want to make sure he's not planning anything."
"Why the sudden interest in that boy."
"I just think it's unfair that he's so sick. He pushed himself here and if you and Yura made him think he was ok then that's awful, I don't think I could handle a circus like this."
"Don't worry brat, unless Yura's planning something else."
"He'd be a monster to harm a sick kid anymore." With that Elliot turned on his heels and headed for the mess hall.
"Hm, it looks as though Elliot is growing close to death. We must watch him, right Emily?" The doll cackled as Xerxes followed the young circus performer. No one noticed the candles illuminating the tent belonging to Yura Isla. The silhouette of said man holding something over a candle flame.
The next morning was an early and bright sun rise, which had shone into Leo's room. The curtain bangs he had seemed to be out of his face because the sun shone into his face and woke him up. The raven headed boy rolled over and curled up under his blanket. The teenager let out a moan of discomfort and rolled again, the blanket falling to the floor. With another groan the teenager sat up and climbed off the bed, grabbing his cards off the night table. He thought of playing a card game with the doctor would be a good thing to waste time with. It wasn't till Leo took a step did he realize there was no struggle and took another. He took a small jog-like steps towards the door. It hadn't hurt so he took off in a full sprint, after removing his IV, out of his room.
His arms and legs moved like a normal body and Leo stared in wonder. He ran down the hallway to the staircase he'd never used. He knew where he needed to go and he felt he had to go. He rushed down the stairs, several people yelling from above, but Leo continued to run. It didn't take long before he made it outside and ran toward the circus grounds.
They had performed on the abandoned grounds the town never bothered to do anything with. As Leo broke to the outside the wind slapped him in the face, his bare feet smacking the ground below. In his clenched hand was the deck of playing cards he had grabbed before sprinting, but Leo wasn't noticing anything. He was to busy thinking of everything he needed to say to Xerxes. The thought sped him up and it wasn't long until the circus tent tops came into view and Leo's adrenaline rush kicked in and he hurried more, not caring for how heavy he was breathing.
It was too early for anyone to be up and training, possibly at breakfast. Leo just ran through the camp, scaring the animals around him. Their cries alerted the circus folks, whom walked out of their tents to see what the commotion was about. Oz, Raven, and Elliot came from the same tent just as Leo passed by them.
"Hey!" Oz yelled and chased after Leo. Said boy looked up, looking for the board that had Xerxes on it, but found one that said "Mad Hatter" instead. Leo ripped open the flap to see Xerxes standing in from of him. Both looked with wide eyes at one another, Leo catching his breath. He fell to his knees and looked up at Xerxes with a smile.
"I-I can run." Leo muttered as the groups of people came to see the problem. "My chest doesn't feel heavy and I'm not bleeding. Thank you."
"Leo get up. Why aren't you in the hospital." Oz said as he and Elliot dragged Leo to his feet.
"I needed to say thank you."
"You should be asleep, you might make yourself ill!" Elliot growled.
"But, I don't feel sick. I just ran ten blocks here without one nose bleed. I couldn't do that before."
"Would you say my magic is real now?" Xerxes smiled.
"I have to be tested, but I think I can." Leo smiled.
"Still lets get you in a chair at least, the mess hall should be empty." Raven said.
"Someone carry him before he hurts himself. His feet are all cut up already." Xerxes said, swinging his cane around. "Humpty will you do the honors?" Xerxes said as he walked away.
"I don't need anyone to carry me." Leo objected, but Elliot lifted him up anyway. He weaved his arms under Leo's legs and torso. "Hey!"
"Your pretty light kid." Elliot smiled down at Leo as he walked.
"My names Leo, call me that." Leo muttered as he pouted and stared up at Elliot. The older boy didn't notice until Leo brought a hand up. A finger lightly ran down Elliot's face, the half the had scales. "Does that bug you?" Leo asked.
"My scales, no."
"I was talking about me touching them like this." Leo ran his finger down again.
"Not really."
"They feel weird, like the good weird." Leo smiled one of his eyes showing through the gap in his hair. It was a dark purple, almost black, with golden specks in them. They were almost controlling, so hypnotic that Elliot didn't know how long he had been staring at Leo.
"Your eyes are…beautiful." He muttered, Leo staring up at him.
"Thanks, I've been needing a hair cut, but I haven't made any time for it."
"Leo what's in your hands." Sharon asked as she ran forward, happening to see the cards.
"Oh, they're fairytale playing cards. My doctor gave them to me when I was little. I was so excited that I got ill and had to wait to play. They're precious to me. If you would like to see them I'll show you."
"We'd love to Mr. Baskerville." Xerxes said in a taunting voice.
"That's not my name, I'm just Leo alright." Leo muttered, curling up a bit.
"Those Baskervilles are adopting you right?"
"Still they aren't my real family, they're not my real aunt, uncle, father, and grandpa. I'm going to find them one day.
"And do what? they didn't want you the first time." A girls voice said from behind Elliot, making the boy stop and turn around. Behind him stood Zwei, or Noise.
"Noise, shut up." Elliot said.
"Your undesirable by your own flesh and blood, what makes you think they'd want to see that shadowy face of yours. I really don't understand what's so great about a kid that was suppose to die years ago. Your parents don't want a dead beat in their home."
"Noise shut it!" Elliot yelled. "You're undesirable too! You should be lucky the circus took you in!"
"Your just as much as a freak! Mommy dearest didn't favor you did she, leaving you on the circus' door step. Noise and Elliot glared at each other, Leo feeling the tension. "What was she like when a snake slithered out instead of a baby when she pushed."
"Shut it! You deserve to be in an asylum, locked up with all the other nut-cases."
"Just be quiet before the ring master hears you two." Sharon hushed, but Noise snapped at her before returning to Elliot. "I have my abilities, but your a scaled freak who can only control snakes, I'm at least a hypnotist."
"What makes any of you different from me?" Leo asked Noise, taking the two fighting in shock. "You've both been abandoned by the people who should have taken care of you. We have differences, but what makes his reason worse then yours or mine?" Noises face was red with anger as well as tears threatening to fall. She reached up in a swift moment and pulled Leo to the ground by his hair. She kneeled down and held Leo up by his hair, a glare plastered on her face.
"You're not a freak like us! That's the difference so don't group us with a dead beat like y-!" Noise's hand shook as it fell from Leo's hair and flung to her mouth. The force knocked her on her backside and she skid back from Leo with her free hand. "Y-y-your e-e-eye!"
"Did it scare you?" Leo asked getting to his knees.
"I-i-i-it's-!" She pointed at Leo's face.
"Gone? It is. My guardians removed it from me the night they left me. I don't like stitches, so I never had it sewn."
"It's so-!"
"You've managed to scare Noise, that's a first." Queen of Hearts said, a smirk on his face. Noise on the other hand got on her hands and knees in tears.
"I'm sorry for judging you, please forgive me. I'm so sorry, so very sorry!" She begged scaring people.
"Uh, Ms. Zwei please don't cry. I've heard worse, please don't cry." Leo begged on his knees. "Uh, I know lets start over. Lets be friends Ms. Zwei."
"Noise are you ok?" Oz asked as he kneeled down to the girl.
"A-a friend…yes. I would like to be your friend Mr. Leo." Noise shot her hands up and held Leo's. "I would very much like that!" She seemed to force it out.
"I want to be Leo's friend!" Sharon yelled.
"You can all be my friends, I love meeting new people." Leo laughed.
"Mr. Elliot would like to be your friend too Mr. Leo." Xerxes said with a snicker.
"Hey!" Elliot yelled.
"Ok, everyone can be my friend." Leo smiled up at Elliot, the blonde just smiling back.
"Leo!" A yell came angrily. Leo turned with a wide frown and turned to see his nurse and doctor running over to him. "What the hell are you doing out alone."
"I think I'm better. My body's not hurting."
"That doesn't mean anything! We were worried about you young man! Your coming back to the hospital and testing for infections!" The nurse yelled. "Your all dirty, the first thing we are doing is bathing you young man! Oh look at what you did to your feet, lets hope you didn't step on glass or rusty nails!" The nurse said stomping over to Leo.
"A shower sounds nice, but I don't need your help today."
"Leo come on, lets go." The doctor said offering a hand. Leo shook his head to the side and stood up easily.
"I don't need help, but I've got to go. I forgot about the Baskervilles bringing over papers." Leo smiled. "I'll see you all later alright." Leo looked back at the group. "Sorry for waking everyone up." The nurse took Leo's hand and pulled him toward the exit of the circus grounds, a car waiting for them
A/N: Hello, finally been working on Pandora Hearts again. It's been forever, but I got my muse back. I found an old circus fic I wrote freshman year of high school, but with more knowledge of Pandora Hearts I decided to blow that fic up and remodel it. I'm proud of this fic and hope everyone will like it when it starts moving along.
I decided to do Elliot x Leo because its my favorite ship and I can make it as tragic as I want with their personalities.
I do not own anything except the plot bunny, finally caught the rascal.
The introduction to the circus are lyrics from Skillets, Freakshow song, Album: Rise. Love that album.