Hey everyone! This is my first Black Butler fic! It begins in Book of Circus, hope you like it!
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN BLACK BUTLER!
It seemed like with every passing moment the chatter of excited children and eager customers grew louder. The sound would usually make her stomach churn with anxiety when she first started, but now it was like music to her ears. She stood up from her chair and gazed through the small opening of her tent to see how much of an audience they were expecting. She watched as the newer members of their troupe worked behind the booths or tended to the equipment. Most of them were understudies, but they weren't going to be doing performances just yet. They still had a lot more training to do before they could be first tiers. She watched as people hastily ushered inside the big arena. They were certainly having a big audience tonight. That would make Joker happy. And if Joker was happy, she was happy.
She moved away from the front of her tent and smiled to herself. She enjoyed performing, really she did. The sound of applause after she would finish her act was reward enough, but personally it was the end of the night that she looked forward to the most. After a successful night of performances and with a crowd as big as this one, they would all celebrate. She wanted tonight to be one of those of celebrations. The end of the night where nothing else in the world mattered and everyone was happy. She sat back down and played with the little flame that flickered on her candle, pushing her long black hair over one shoulder and rested her chin in her palm. The small lights around the edge of her mirror shined on her face as she absentmindedly traced a finger on the little painted star on her cheekbone. A light breeze passed through her tent, giving her goosebumps on the bare skin of her legs, but didn't care. She sighed and rested her head on top of her dresser and watched the wax slowly trickle down the edge of the candle. Her blue eyes momentarily glanced at the picture she had of her and the rest of the troupe. Her family.
"Blaze? Blaze, can I come in?" Joker's voice called from outside, making her snap her head up.
"Um, yes!" she replied, wrapping her silk robe even tightly around her body. As Joker walked in she felt warmth rise in her cheeks. She silently hoped it was too dark for him to see. He blinked as his eyes fell on her.
"Why aren't you dressed yet? The show's about to start" he said.
"Already?" she asked in surprise, to which he nodded. "Well, don't worry, I'm doing the final act"
He rubbed his forehead with his prosthetic hand, somehow without scratching himself. "Blaze, I'd feel better knowing you're in the arena waiting for your cue"
She folded her arms over her chest. "Joker, have you ever known me to miss my part?" she said, taking a step closer and fixed the front of his jacket. "And how many times do I have to tell you, you don't have to call me Blaze when we're alone"
He gently wrapped his hands around her wrists and pulled her hands away. "I'm serious, Blaze" he said in a soft, but firm voice. "There's no such thing as a one man show. We all work together"
She sighed and tucked her hands under her arms. "I know" she said, looking down in embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I'll…I'll get ready" She added, feeling her cheeks flare.
Joker gently took her chin in his good hand and raised her head so that she could read the silent 'thank you' in his eyes. She gave him a small smile as he let go. "I'll have Doll help you with your makeup" he said, walking back towards the entrance of the tent. They could distinctly hear the noise of the crowd. "We have a big audience tonight, Blaze" he added.
She smiled at him. "Then we'll give them something to remember" she said. That was always their motto.
Blaze saw a grin appear on the edge of his mouth before he left. It made her feel a little better, but still, how annoyed he must've been with her just now! She quickly brushed away the thought before it could disturb her for the rest of the night and yanked open her wardrobe and glanced through her selection of leotards.
Life was strange. At least, she thought so.
It wasn't too long ago when she had nothing. She had lost everything and became homeless, starving, and lonely. And then she found Joker. Or rather, Joker and his group found her. He wasn't Joker then. He was just a boy. A boy who was taken in by a man he called Father. And it was because of him, she had a place to call home too and someone to call family. Back then, she had nothing but the clothes on her back and now here she was standing in front of a wardrobe and picking the appropriate attire for her performance. Blaze ended up choosing a black and purple leotard. Purple was Joker's favorite color. It was long sleeved glittered in different places, the bottom stopped just where her thighs started and like any leotard it fitted to the body.
After Blaze changed into her attire, she stretched her leg towards the ceiling while balancing on the other. She did the same with the other leg and then arched backwards until her hands were flatly placed on the ground behind her feet. Of course the leotards were able to let her move more freely. Doll entered the tent just as Blaze moved to balance on her hands, almost hitting the porcelain-like girl in the face. Doll widened her eyes in surprise as she stared at the foot that was pointed to her nose. Blaze quickly propped herself upright and gave her an apologetic look.
"Perhaps you should announce yourself before entering someone's tent" Blaze suggested.
"That would be the safer thing to do, wouldn't it?" Doll said, walking over to her dressing table and grabbed the powder. "Start with the leg?" she asked.
Blaze put her hands on her hips and looked at the old red burns that went down the side of her right thigh. "Always" Blaze replied, placing her foot on the chair. Doll began to pat powder on her thigh as she spread a little color on her lips. She moved on to powder her face as Doll began to do her eye makeup.
"There. All done" she said. Blaze stared at herself in the mirror and admired Doll's work. The purple shadow on her eyelids spread a little farther than the ends of her eyes and the black line on the bottom pulled into an elegant curl. "It's almost time" Doll said, looking at the clock and sprinted outside.
"Doll?" Blaze said
The porcelain-like girl stopped and turned around. "Yes?"
"I want to celebrate tonight" she told her. "Let's have a good show"
Doll blinked at her and then laughed. "Why? When everyone else dances, all you do is sit in the corner" she said coolly, before running towards the arena.
The end of Blaze's mouth twitched upward. It was true. While everyone else danced in celebration after a successful night's performance, she would sit in the corner and clap her hands to the music. She would be happy and smile like everyone else would. The first tiers always assumed that she was shy and didn't know how to dance. They were wrong of course, she knew how to dance. But the way she danced was different from the way they danced. She was scared that it would give her away and they would know. So she never danced, but...maybe this time she will.
"Blaze!" Joker called.
"I'm coming!" she called back, running out of her tent and towards the back of the arena.
Tonight has to be perfect she thought to herself. For Joker…
End of Chapter 1. I'm sorry if this chapter was a little short or if my OC sounds like a Mary-Sue, but it'll get better. Please fave/follow. If you enjoyed it please review and let me know! :)
