Moyashi-neechan: Hello, dear readers! It's me again delivering another AU story! I know I know I should be writing something else (Still Doll, Deviance, The Inevitable Path ^_^') but this one just won't let me go. So here it is. *nervous laugh* XD Don't worry though, I'll get to those stories later. Now, this story is not as depressing or as twisted as the others. Promise! Cross my heart!... Okay maybe not but really! Believe me! =3 This fic is one of my lighter works. Enjoy~
Disclaimer: I do not own DGM or any of its characters. No matter how much I wish for it, it will only and always be owned by Hoshino Katsura.
The Trapeze Artist and The Clown
I.
Rough Beginnings
..
.
I have to get out
..
.
I want to go home
..
.
I want to see Big brother
..
.
I want to go back to China.
..
.
Lenalee carefully went out of her room. She checked the hallways, making sure that the men cloaked in red are nowhere nearby. When she found it safe to continue, Lenalee walked with extreme caution in the eerie, empty passages.
She had to get out of the place now. It was scary. It was terrifying. The people that live here are very very cruel. Very evil. She thought as cautiously passed doors after doors. She felt cold but her heart pounded rapidly in her chest.
..
.
She could remember clearly that boy,
The one who waved at her before going inside that scary room
With lot and lots of people in white
And the giant blue dragon lady.
She didn't know him
And she's sure that he doesn't know her as well,
But he still waved "hi" to her like a friend.
..
.
Lenalee stiffened when she thought she heard a door opened. Then she walked faster. I have to get away!
..
.
She remembered how after the boy entered the room,
Screams followed after.
It was terrifying.
She wondered if the boy was doing fine.
She was worried.
They didn't know each other but he said "hi" to her.
He seemed nice.
They could be friends.
Lenalee wanted friends.
So she let her curiosity took over her and peeked inside the room.
And there,
She saw a scene that she knows will haunt her forever.
..
.
There was a sudden shout and angry voices. Lenalee sprinted into a run, never caring if her steps were loud enough to wake everybody in the castle. I have to get away! I have to get away! I want to go home! I want to go home!
..
.
She remembered seeing the boy floating saw high up in the air.
She could see and hear him screaming in pain.
He was really really hurt.
He was screaming and screaming but none of the people in whites do anything.
The blue dragon lady was telling them to stop but they don't listen.
..
.
"Get back here!" a loud voice called her. Lenalee didn't stop. I have to get away. I have to get away! She pleaded her shoes to make her run faster, just like whenever these people forced her to fight those scary and evil floating monsters. Please, please, help me. I just want to go home.
..
.
She remembered the boy screaming and screaming.
Then he saw her, peering inside the room.
She remembered his eyes staring at her,
Pleading,
Crying,
Asking for help.
Then she saw him explode and turned into something white.
Monstrous monstrous white.
She ran away screaming and crying,
Absolutely terrified.
..
.
"I said get back here!" a man yelled at her. Lenalee didn't look back. She knows that those men will be sending those papers towards her now. She didn't like those papers. They always made her feet unable to move. Faster! Make me go faster! I don't want to stay here anymore! I want to go back to China! She pleaded her shoes to grant her wish. The people inside the castle are going to kill her just like that boy, the one that could have been a friend. I want to go home!
Lenalee made a sharp turn in the corner, barely dodging the wretched paper. She continued to run. Hurried footsteps became louder and louder. They're going to catch me! Lenalee felt terrified and crying. The people will catch her and hurt her and kill her. Please shoes, make me run faster! Make me fly!
Lenalee felt all of her hopes crushed when she realized that she had reached a dead end. No! She turned around and saw all those scary men in red blocking her way. No! No! No!
One of them tried to reach her but she cowered away, fitting herself in the corner like a trapped mouse. No! No! No! One of them frowned at her, glared at her as if she had done something really really bad. Lenalee didn't like it. Lenalee cried. And Lenalee pleaded in her mind. One of them started talking, his voice scaring and terrifying her whole being.
"You are an Exorcist."
No!
"You are very precious in this war."
I want to go home!
"You have to stay in this place."
Please!
"You have to stay and fight."
Please shoes!
"Whether you like it or not."
Help me!
Lenalee felt a sudden surge of strength and warmth in here feet. She looked down and saw her shoes glowing with green flames. She smiled. Thank you. Then she quickly flew above the stunned men's heads. I will go home!
She heard the men yelled at her angrily. She flew side to side to side, trying to dodge all the papers they sent towards her. Lenalee saw a window. A way out of the castle.
She felt her determination rise. She had never flown as high as the castle's towers before. She had never flown faster than this before. But she was willing to give it a try.
I will go home.
I will go back to China.
I will go back to Big brother.
With a loud cry, Lenalee forced her shoes, her legs, her whole body, to go faster towards the window. She closed her eyes.
…
..
.
Lenalee heard a distant shout of "Stop!"
But she continued to fly
Faster
And
Higher
And then
…
..
.
There was nothing else but the wind.
.
The sounds of the wind
The feeling of the harsh and cold wind
..
.
Lenalee opened her violet eyes.
There was nothing but blackness and twinkling dots of white.
..
.
It was very cold.
.
But she smiled.
..
.
I'm free!
..
.
She dreamed that she was back in China.
.
She dreamed that she was in her old room,
Hair a tangled mess,
Eyes still blurry with sleep.
.
She dreamed of smelling something burning in the kitchen,
And then running towards it.
.
She dreamed seeing her brother smiling sheepishly while holding a coal black fish,
Saying "Breakfast is ready?" embarrassingly.
.
She dreamed herself smiling.
I'm home
..
.
Lenalee opened her eyes and blinked. Everything was too bright. She tried to sit up but she collapsed back into the bed as her body hurt like hell. Wait, a bed? She glanced at her outfit and was surprised that it was no longer black but white instead. Huh? Then she took a better look at her surroundings. She was in a room. Her eyes widened with the horrifying realization: She failed. She's back at the Black Order. She instantly felt panic and fear. No no no no! I'm here again! They got me again! I don't want to stay here! I want to go home!
Despite the pain her body screams, Lenalee scrambled out of the bed, falling into the wooden floor with a loud thud. She struggled to stand up. She kept forcing her shoes to activate and let her fly away. I have to get away. They'll come back and lock me up. They'll come back and lock me up. I don't want to stay.
She heard hurried footsteps and Lenalee stopped moving. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest. No! She frantically hid beside the bed, wracking her brain to come up with another plan to escape. She had to get out. She can't take any more of this. She misses her brother. She wants her brother to be with her now more than ever. Big brother, I'm so scared. Where are you? Please save me. I'm scared.
Think happy thoughts. Her brother always says that whenever she's down or frightened. If you think about those then you'll soon become braver and you'll be able to go through anything! Lenalee thought of bamboos and greens. Of rice and tofus. Of laughs and cries. Of her father and mother and brother. She thought her home and room and found herself calming a little bit. Her brother's advice worked like a charm. Thank you, Big brother. She thought as she slowly stopped her sobs.
She heard the door creaked open. Lenalee stiffened with alert. She had to have courage. She already managed to fly faster and higher last night. If she tried hard again this time, maybe she'll be able to surprise them enough for her to jump out of the window again.
Footsteps became louder and louder until it stopped. Lenalee was sure whoever it was, it was already on the opposite side of the bed. Then she heard the bed sheets and covers being rustled.
"Where did she go?" a male voice asked in a very weird manner.
"Mana?"
Lenalee froze at that voice. It sounded like a child perhaps younger than her. She bit her lip. They're going to hurt another one again.
Again, footsteps and Lenalee crouched. She needs to be prepared. She had to be really fast to escape. She took a deep breathe. I also need to be faster if I want to take the other child with me. She didn't want anyone to get hurt again. She won't let those scary men hurt anyone again. She will take the child away from them. Perhaps they could go together to China as well. Her Big brother wouldn't mind having another younger sibling. I'm sure of it.
She was startled out of her thoughts when a man's face suddenly appeared in front of her.
"There you are!" he said with a smile.
Lenalee instantly reacted. She yelled and tackled the man and pounded her little fists in his chest.
"Hey! Stop hurting Mana!" a brown haired boy from the doorway ran towards them.
No! Lenalee hurriedly stood up and stomped at the downed man before grabbing the boy's right arm and trying to drag him out of the place.
"Come on!" she told him. "We have to get away! He will hurt us! Come on!"
The boy tried to snatch his arm back but she only tightened her grip. "What are you saying? Mana won't ever hurt me! He won't hurt you too! He saved you!"
Lenalee didn't listen to him. "No, we have to get out now. They'll kill you! They'll kill us!" She said as she frantically looked back and forth to the man, the boy, and the door.
Her fear intensified when he saw the man getting up, shaking his head a little bit. No!
"Trust me! Please, we need to run! You can come with me! You can come home with me! Come on! Let's go! They'll kill us!" she pleaded.
The boy looked at her and she saw in his gray eyes fear and anger. Lenalee was surprised. Why is he angry at me? I'm not scary….Am I? Lost in her thoughts, she loosened her grip and the boy then pulled his arm free.
"Are you crazy? Mana will never hurt anyone! He saved you from the river! And I have no other home! This is my home! I'll never go with you!"
Lenalee felt confused. River? Save? Him?
Lenalee felt hurt. He won't come with me?
Before she knew it, she was sobbing and crying. "Why won't you come with me? I-I want to keep you away from them. They-they will kill you. They wi-will hurt us. I-I don't want that to happen. I…I…" Then she felt herself being embraced. The arms holding her were warm. Really really warm. It made her feel safe.
"Shhh…shhh…don't worry now. No one's going to hurt you here. I won't hurt you. So come on now, don't cry." The man, who she had tried to beat up, soothingly said.
He was kneeling and giving her a hug. Lenalee sobbed even more. The man…he's not hurting her and he's…nice…
"Aww…come on stop crying…" he said as he pulled himself away from her. Then he wiped her tears away. His face looked kind. His brown eyes were kind. Lenalee cried even more.
"Little girl, why won't you stop crying?" he asked as he pulled his face into long and sad one. It looked funny but Lenalee still can't stop her tears.
"Ah! I know… Allen said something you don't like, right? That's why you're crying!" he exclaimed as his gaze turned to the boy with brown hair.
"A-Allen?" she blinked as the boy's image blurred because of the tears.
"So, I'm right! Now, now, Allen, say sorry to the little lady~" the man reprimanded in a sing sang way.
"What?" the boy's gray eyes were wide in disbelief. His mouth gaped with horror. "Bu-But she hurt you!"
"It's because I surprised her and scared her. So it's fine." The man explained.
"But she tried to take me away!"
"I know she didn't mean it."
"But I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Of course you did something wrong, look at her."
Lenalee felt the man pat her head. "She's crying."
The boy, Allen?, snorted. "It's not my fault that she's a crybaby."
Lenalee frowned at that. "I'm not a crybaby." She muttered.
The man ruffled her hair. "See, Allen. Now you made her sadder. Say sorry now."
"But-But-"
"Allen~"
"No!"
"Allen~ What did I taught you?"
Lenalee watched as the boy looked away and squirmed. He looked shy and angry and…Why does his face look red?
"Allen~" the man called again.
Had it been another situation, Lenalee would have laugh. The two of them were very funny. It was like back at her home whenever her mother will force her brother to braid his hair. Komui will always complain and hide whenever that happens.
She looked down in sadness. She misses everyone. Her family. It was a terrifying day when those monsters turned her father and mother into dusts but it was made even more terrifying when those men in black and yellows took her away from her brother.
"Come on now, Allen. Make the little lady happy!" the man exclaimed.
She saw Allen's face turn redder.
"A-L-L-E-N~"
"All right! All right! I'll do it, Mana!" the boy yelled as he stomped his way towards her.
She looked at the smiling man beside her. His name is Mana? Then she felt someone holding her hand.
She looked down in front of her and saw Allen kneeling and holding her right hand. He was scowling.
"I'm sorry." He snapped while looking to the side.
Lenalee blinked. Huh?
"No, no, Allen. That's not right." The man, Mana, told the boy.
"Do I really have to?" Allen sent a pleading look to Mana.
"Yes!" the man replied happily.
The boy grumbled as he finally looked at her in the eye.
Gray meets Violet.
"I'm so sorry for whatever bad I've done to you." Allen said, his gray eyes never looking away.
"I hope you accept my apology." He added as he kissed her hand.
…
..
.
"Ewww!" both of them cried.
Lenalee instantly pulled her hand away and wiped it over and over again in her dress.
Allen immediately spatted over and over again and made choking sounds in a corner.
Mana, on the other hand, just laughed at them.
"Now that's better! I'm glad you two like each other!"
Lenalee couldn't help but glare at Allen.
Allen couldn't help but glare back.
Mana clapped his hands. "All right, children. I'm sure the two of you are very hungry. Let's go downstairs for some breakfast first. Let's just share stories and names later as we eat." He said joyfully as he ushered the two children out of the room.
It was a very crazy and memorable morning. It was at that moment that Lenalee decided that Allen was a jerk. It was at that moment that Allen decided that Lenalee was a crybaby. They both hate each other.
Lenalee then discovered that Mana and Allen have found her in a river unconscious while they were walking towards the next town. She must've had fallen asleep while flying but she didn't told them that, they might think that she was crazy. It was bad enough that Allen thinks that she was crazy. She didn't want him to have proof! She just lied and told them that she can't remember.
Mana asked her what did she meant by someone after her and trying to kill her. He was worried because someone might hurt her. It was even made worst since she did say that they might hurt Allen too. Lenalee was very happy with that. Mana was very nice. He wants to keep her safe but…she didn't really know what to say. She only told them that some scary people took her away from home and her brother. They kept her locked up in a castle and forced her to do scary things. She also told them about the children they hurt. Then she lied about how she escaped and ran away and ended up in the river.
Mana became furious at that while Allen stayed quiet. Lenalee knew that they're quite upset about that. She knows so because she was quite angry and scared about it as well. Mana then asked her where her home is. At that question, Lenalee felt really really sad. "China…" she answered.
Both the man and the boy blinked at her answer. "China?"
Lenalee felt dread. They didn't know where her home was. Come to think of it, she never knew where in the world she was. What would she do? How can she go home? She can't think of any answers and she became afraid and she started to cry. She felt Mana hugging her and telling everything will be all right and they will help her. She could see Allen staring at her. She could still see that he's angry but at the same time not angry. She can't understand why though.
It was then that Mana suggested that she travel with them. He and Allen were performers and they travel all the time. Perhaps if she comes with them, they will find her home. Lenalee…Lenalee liked that. Mana is nice. Allen is…well he's annoying but Mana is nice. She will not be alone. She will be safe.
"I…I would like that." She managed to answer. The man just beamed at her and then addressed the boy across her.
"Isn't that nice, Allen? Now you have a sister!"
Both Lenalee and Allen were disturbed at the idea. There was a moment of silence and Lenalee felt insecure. Allen doesn't like me. What if he says no?
She saw the boy stared at her in those moments before making a little smile. "I don't mind, Mana." He muttered.
The Mana clapped his hands with joy. "Wonderful! Oh, I believe we hadn't properly introduced ourselves yet." He bowed then smiled at her. "My name is Mana Walker." Then he gestured at the boy. "Then that is my son, Allen Walker. Pleased to meet you Miss…"
"Lenalee Lee." She answered happily. "My name is Lenalee and I'm pleased to meet you too!"
Days and days passed by and as it turns out, Lenalee quite enjoyed staying with them. Both Mana and Allen were clowns. They always travel and work with a circus to perform. It was no wonder Mana always smiles. They always perform wonderful acts and stunts that could make any person really really happy. She was even amazed at Allen who could juggle and perform even with just one hand. Lenalee always wondered why so. Allen's left arm never moved much. He never even removes his glove on it. Whenever she asks Mana about it, he always tells her that Allen should be the one to answer it. But…Allen, the jerk! He rarely talks to her nicely. He's always teasing her and calling her "Princess"!
"Hey, Princess! Get up it's time for us to go!" Allen drawled on her one morning.
"Princess?" she asked.
"What? Don't like it, Your Highness?" he mocked.
Lenalee frowned and hissed "Princess?"
"Mana always tells me stories about princesses in castles." Allen shrugged. "You used to live in a castle right? So you're a princess, Princess."
Lenalee flared at that. "No, I'm not! You…you…jerk!"
Allen blinked then laughed. "Nice princess, but you have to do something better than that. 'Jerk' doesn't have much effect on me. Your Highness…" he told her smugly.
She was about to strangle him when Mana came in her room and told her that it was time to go.
Ever since then, the name just stuck. Allen never called her by her name. "Princess" this. "Princess" that. It was even made worse since Mana managed to pick it up and started calling her "Princess" too sometimes. It was horrible!
But aside from that, everything was nice and fun. Whenever they get a job at the circus, she gets to see the whole show for free. Sometimes she was even allowed inside the performer's tents where she could see the acrobats, and knife throwers, and lions, and many others. It was so wonderful that she wished her brother could be there with her and see it as well. I miss home. But...in her situation, she can't do anything yet. She's not sure where she is. She has no idea how to get back to China. Right now, the only thing she could do was stay with Mana and Allen and hope that in their travels they will be able to find her way home.
They're inside a tent. Lenalee was doing some warm ups. She tried to copy every movement Allen made.
"What are you doing?" the boy asked after noticing her mimicking.
"What does it look like?" she answered back.
This was how their mornings always go. Mana will go away for a while: looking for food, a person, or something they don't really know. The two of them will be left alone and... things always go awry after that.
She couldn't really understand why Allen was always angry and mean and rude at her. She would always see him say nice things to Mana and other people. He always smiles at them and talk politely. But for her... it was like he's an entirely different person! He always made fun of her and call her names. He always frowns at her. He never smiles at her. The only time Allen will treat her a little bit more nicely was whenever Mana was around. Sometimes...she thinks the boy absolutely hates her.
Lenalee bent her head to the side as Allen bent his. The boy growled.
"Stop it." he said as he bent his head to the other side.
"Stop what?" she asked innocently as she bent her head to the opposite side as well.
"Stop copying me. It's annoying!" Allen exasperated.
"No, I'm not." Lenalee insisted. "I just happen to do the same things as you do."
The brunette rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. So what are you going to do next, princess? Wear my costume and put make-up and perform with Mana?"
She frowned at the nickname but let it slide. Me being a clown? She imagined herself wearing those ridiculous outfits and the white and red paint. Then she imagined herself performing with Mana and Allen. She sighed. It seemed nice and fun. They will look like a family.
"That sounds nice..." she said wistfully.
Gray eyes stared at her before glaring. "Really, princess?" his voice asked with anger.
What did I do? Lenalee was confused. Allen is always angry at her even if she's doing nothing. She crinkled her nose. "Of course." she answered with a hint of annoyance. "I would love to perform with you and Mana." she added.
She saw Allen's eyes widened as if surprised. Then it narrowed in...an emotion she can't understand before he looked away. "Like you could do that. You don't even know how to juggle!"
Violet eyes stared at gray. He's right. Allen is annoying but he's right. Up until now, even after she had stayed with them for a long long time already, she still didn't know how to do an act or a performance. Mana has been kind enough to teach her how to read and write English together with Allen. It was a blessing since in the Black Order, she was only taught how to spoke that language. But other than that, nothing. Mana never bothered to teach her any tricks. She never thought about it before but now that Allen had brought out the issue, she can't help but feel a bit... miffed. Allen was taught to perform while I wasn't. Allen can go with Mana and perform with Mana in the circus while I can't. Why? She felt heaviness in her chest. Do they think I'm no good?
"Princess?"
Allen's voice snapped her out of her reverie. She must've been quite for a long time. The boy was already staring at her again with this...unusual expression. It wasn't annoying but it rather seemed... kind.
"Don't you dare cry on me. I don't want to upset Mana because of you crying." he warned. Then he looked away. "Do...Do you really mean that? Do you really want to perform with Mana and I?"
Lenalee can't understand what he's trying to say but she nodded. "Yes, I really really want to. It will be like a family!"
Allen looked at her oddly when she said the word "family". He looked as if she said she saw a fairy or something like that. There was a moment of silence before Allen sighed.
"Fine." he said.
Huh?
Allen then took some of his props from Mana's suitcase. It was four red balls. He threw one in her direction. She caught it and gave him a questioning look.
"I'll teach you juggling, princess."
Lenalee blinked. For real? Then Allen threw another ball at her. She caught it and the boy reprimanded her. "Not like that, princess! You're supposed to catch that ball while you throw the other one to me."
Lenalee blinked. It is for real. She smiled. Maybe...Allen doesn't hate her after all. "I know that, jerk!" she retorted. "Let's do it again." she demanded her voice full of determination. I want to perform with them.
She was crying in a corner of their tent. She cannot bring herself to watch the show. I can never perform with them. She thought sadly. I can't do it right. She's not a clumsy person but as Allen taught her that morning till noon...
When they we're juggling together, everything was fine. Then soon after, Allen left her and she was juggling two balls alone. The boy threw a third one at her; she missed catching it in surprise and confusion. After that failure, she tried again. She tried to make a rhythm and finally, she managed to juggle all the three balls but then...Allen added another one and everything fell apart again. But even after that, she refused to give up. With several tries, Lenalee finally succeeded in handling all four of it but...again... Allen added another ball and everything went hell.
Lenalee sobbed. Stupid balls. Lenalee couldn't understand why she kept failing juggling all five balls. Whenever Mana does it, it looks so easy. Allen was even more amazing since he does it with only one arm. If they can do it, so why can't I? She sobbed even more. Am I no good?
There was a roar of laughter and Lenalee felt hurt. Mana and Allen are performing and making people smile. She wanted to do that too. She wanted to do that together with them. Being just a watcher was...sad. She's alone. She doesn't like being alone. I want to be with them.
She then felt something warm in her feet. Her shoes... they were glowing faint green as if trying to comfort her. She smiled ruefully as she wiped away some of the dust in her black footwear. It has been a long time since she last flew, that being her night of escape from the Order. But ever since she travelled with Mana and Allen, she had not used it even once.
Sometimes, she did yearn to dance in the skies and to reach the stars and to feel the wind in her face. She misses all of that but she refused herself such indulgence. They might see me. She dreaded. They might see me and take me away and lock me up. Then she felt cold fear. They might take away Allen too and hurt Mana. And she will never forgive herself if she brought that upon them.
There was a thunderous applause and she instantly knew that Mana and Allen had finished performing. She wiped away her tears. Mana will be upset and Allen will call her a "crybaby" again if they saw her like that. Satisfied that her face is perfectly tear-free, Lenalee walked out of their tent and went into the circus exit. Mana and Allen will pass that way to change their clothes.
I wonder… if I practise enough will I be able to perform with them? She thought as she twiddled her fingers in front of the exit, waiting. And waiting. And waiting. And… Lenalee pursed her lips and crinkled her nose. Mana and Allen never took this long to come out. What is taking them so long?
Then, there were loud sighs of astonishment and sounds of amazement coming from inside the circus tent. Her curiosity was piqued. Lenalee then thought that it will be better if she looked for the two clowns inside the circus tent. It will be easier. I will also be able to see the show. She really wanted to know what was new and amazing that people just keep sighing and clapping, and shouting.
She went through the exit and silently walked towards the backstage. She immediately saw Mana and Allen peering through the stage, watching whatever is happening above them. Wait, above?
"Mana! Allen!" she called.
"Shhh!" the brunette shushed her.
Lenalee puffed her cheeks. Stupid Allen. She opted to talk to the man instead."Mana?"
The older clown regarded her with a smile, face still caked with white and red. "Hello, Lenalee. I haven't seen you during our performance."
She felt guilty at that. Mana always says that I'm their favourite audience. She might have upset them with her disappearance. "I'm sorry." She mumbled as she looked down. "I wasn't feeling well." She lied. Well…it's not really a lie since she really isn't feeling well. She really really felt sad. She cannot watch them like that.
"Really? Maybe it's not good for you to be here, now. Why don't you go to sleep?" Mana told her, worry still obvious in his face despite the make-up. At the same time, Allen tore away his gaze to whatever he's watching and stared at her. Lenalee was expecting him to say something nasty but nothing came. Gray eyes just kept looking at her with…worry?
She immediately raised her hands and shook her head. "N-no. I'm fine now. I just lied down in our tent a while ago. I feel better now. Promise."
Mana looked as if he didn't believe her but then he just smiled. "If you say so, Lenalee."
A roar of cheer filled the circus tent and the three of them were startled.
"Aww!" Allen whined as he went back into watching the current show. "We missed something!"
Mana laughed. "Don't worry, Allen. I'm sure they'll do it again tomorrow night." He said as he patted his son's head.
Lenalee felt at lost. She really seemed to be missing something great.
"Lenalee, why don't you come here with us?" the man invited her.
The girl, without further ado, ran and squeezed herself between the two clowns. Allen glared at her.
"What are you doing, princess?" he whispered angrily.
"I want to watch too." She retorted.
"But why here? Why not beside Mana or beside me?"
"But I am already beside you and Mana." She held Mana's left hand and hooked her arm with Allen's right arm to emphasize her point. "See?"
Allen fumed and wrenched his arm away from her. "Whatever."
"Allen," Mana chastised. "Don't talk to Lenalee like that. It's not very nice."
The boy ignored the man. He never even spared him a glance. But there was fury in those gray eyes as he grumbled something like "Lenalee this, Lenalee that. Stupid princess."
"Did you say something, Allen?" the older clown asked. His voice still kind but coated with something like anger.
"Nothing." The boy answered defiantly.
Meanwhile, in the middle of the two, Lenalee didn't hear any of their talk. She was immediately captivated by the show above their heads. "Wow!" she sighed dreamily.
Two people were performing in the air. They we're dressed so beautifully and colourfully. They were twirling and spinning and jumping and… "Wow!" Lenalee exclaimed. It was like they're dancing in the air.
The woman then grabbed something: a hanging bar. Lenalee looked around and saw that they were many hanging bars up their heads. What are they for? She then saw the woman swing herself, her body dangling in the air. Drumrolls echoed inside the circus tent. Lenalee felt her heart pound fast with anticipation. All of the audience were silent like her. All were waiting what will happen next.
Then, the drums stopped and the woman let go of the bar and hurled herself high up in the air. Then she made the most wonderful pose: She was balancing herself in the air with one leg. Her body was perfectly arched backwards and her arms were spread like a bird about to take flight.
There was a collective gasps of awe everywhere in the tent. The woman looked so gentle and breath-taking and beautiful. She looked like a…like a…
"Angel." Lenalee heard Allen whisper.
She nodded in agreement. Lenalee never had seen angels before but Mana always tells them stories about it. He says that angels had wings and halos. He says they were the most kindest and beautiful creatures. Angels were God's servants. Angels were people's guardians. Lenalee knew the performer is no angel but she's sure that if she ever saw one for real, it will look something like that woman currently suspended in the air.
For a moment, time seemed to stop itself as the woman stood gracefully above them; a soft smile adorned her kind face. Lenalee felt like she liked the woman. She looked so nice. Then her violet eyes travelled downwards and then she realized that…Oh no! Lenalee panicked. There's nothing on the ground to catch the woman if she falls. No nets or pillows or anything soft. She will get hurt if she falls! She looked up again and to her horror, the woman seemed to starting to descend. There were no hanging bars near her. She'll fall! She'll fall!
"Princess?" Allen noticed her agitation. Mana held her shoulders with concern. "Lenalee?"
"She'll fall." She whispered frantically. "She'll fall!"
Lenalee felt warmth in her feet and an idea formed in her head. My shoes! She could fly there and save the woman. It was risky. The Order might see her but… I've got to try! Lenalee knew how much it hurts to fall from somewhere up so high. She knows since it always happen to her when she fights those monsters. I've got to do it now!
She didn't noticed the look of shock in Mana's and Allen's faces as her black shoes glowed green and turned into boots with green flames flaring on the heels. Power and strength surged within her. Her violet eyes burned with determination.
"I have to save her!" and with that Lenalee took off.
Moyashi-neechan: Ooh, a cliffie... *nervous laugh* Sorry about that. This was supposed to be a long one-shot fic. But as I was writing err typing, I noticed that... well... it's starting to become a very very very long one-shot fic and the last thing I want is readers getting bored because of its ridiculous length. So yeah, I cut this fic into two parts.
This two part story is just a prologue. Yup, I plan to make this into a multi-chaptered story corresponding to the DGM canon plot line. The story format will be fragmented (like most of my works). But that's in a distant future. I've got to finish at least Still Doll first.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of AllenXLenalee pairing so yeah... I can't promise you guys any romance between the two. But as the fic progress... well let's just see where the plot bunny takes me.
Notes:
1. The timeline is about Lenalee's early third year in the Black Order. As far as I'm concerned, she was a reluctant Exorcist in the organization for three solid years before Komui came, right?
2. The papers Lenalee is talking about in the first part? Those are the talismans CROWs use to incapacitate Exorcists.
3. Blue dragon lady?... Do I really have to tell?
4. Allen's attitude: Mana has just taken him in. So, the gentleman therapy isn't in full effect yet. But I think I already gave you a glimpse of the fact that he does act nicely and politely...just not around Lenalee though.
5. Yes, I just love sibling rivalry. Poor Mana, oblivious to his adopted children's competition.
6. The trapeze performance in the last part? If you have watched the anime Kaleido Star, you'll be able to know the Act's name. Not to mention that you'll be able to imagine the performance easier. Sorry! I just can't write the trapeze act perfectly! XD
Anyways, sorry for the very very long note. The next chapter will not have none of this... much. XD Hope you enjoyed reading this! Till next time, my dears~