Tears of Success 1
By: Makoto Almasy
Rating: PG
Summary: Things go wrong for the ice-skater Makoto and someone offers to help her with her problems.
Disclaimer: Nothing's mine.
AN: Sorry about the boring title. I couldn't think of anything nicer. Trowa's character has sort of changed too.
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"Looks like it's going to be a good show tonight," Catherine commented to her quiet companion while she looked around in the arena where millions of hopeful faces gathered in their seats, chatting to each other excitedly on what they expected from the performers. The business at the circus Trowa and Catherine worked in everyday seemed to be taking a break from the exhausting exercise and training they had had to go through to put up a good show. The manager had decided he needed a long holiday away from the circus and travel to a sunnier country where there were no wars going on.
No wars. Hmm… Trowa thought. Well it was true. That was how the world was today. There was no fighting between people and no signs of mobile suits. Military equipment and bases vanished in front of the public's eyes along with the Gundam suits. The day felt so empty without the sound of gunfire echoing in the air. Like most people around her, Catherine didn't approve of wars starting everywhere on Earth or the space colonies. It wasn't right for anyone to die innocently and fight for no reason. Presently, life was perfect for everyone to live in.
There was no such thing as terrorism or war being mentioned among the media. Every country was at peace for the moment. How long this peaceful living would last was still unsure in people's thoughts. A minority of the public worried that something would go wrong at any time and didn't keep their hopes too highly. What could happen if the peace was broken yet again and a terrorist decided to ruin the world or start another war? More people would die innocently.
Trowa couldn't help having these fearful thoughts in his seat. He was paying no attention to the noise behind him as he waited patiently for the show to begin. It was Catherine's idea to come watch young ice-skaters entertain the audience. The age range was from 14-18. Quite a variety, wasn't it? Trowa was hoping to have a nice quiet time reading or looking at the stars in the night sky rather than watching an ice-skating show with a noisy audience. But then, he wanted to make Catherine feel better by letting her have her way for a night. Actually it was nice to go out after a long war and do something entertaining.
It was part of relaxation. It could take your mind off every worry in your head. This was what Trowa was trying to do, wasn't it? I'm here to…enjoy myself and forget the bad things. Yeah that sounds right He leaned back in his chair to straighten his posture.
He didn't realise Catherine still tried to talk to him as he sat silently, thinking he hadn't heard what she said just a minute ago.
"I said tonight is going to be a good show," she repeated and smiled lightly, "you looked like you drifted off in another world."
"Sorry about that, Cathy. Didn't mean to," Trowa admitted timidly, looking at his lap.
"Oh smile for your sister. Please?" Catherine pouted. "It won't make me happy if I don't see you smile tonight." Trowa frowned briefly at his sister's demand. First she wanted him to follow her to a show and now she wants him to give her a huge smile. What else did she want her little brother to do? He flashed a quick smile on his face, adding a hesitant chuckle. "See? That wasn't so hard. Now keep smiling throughout the whole show to prove you're enjoying yourself." Catherine's enjoyment was cut off when Trowa stood up from his seat with another emotionless façade.
"I need to splash some water on my face. It's getting hot in here," He excused and walked across the balcony, heading towards the EXIT sign.
"But Trowa, the show will start in five minutes. They won't let people in after the show begins. You won't be able to come back in," Catherine warned. It was too late for him to listen to her warning as Trowa's shadow shrunk into the open doorway. Why did he walk off like that? He hadn't changed that much over the past months had he? Catherine sighed and turned her head back to the empty ice-rink. Sometimes she really couldn't understand Trowa. It was hard to talk to him about almost anything personal.
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Trowa followed the directional arrows in the ceiling. He didn't think the public toilets were opposite the changing rooms that the ice-skaters had to use to get dressed before their performances. Mobbing fans could easily wait outside the changing rooms for hours to be the first to receive autographs. Trowa was certain these skaters weren't popular or took part in the world Olympic games. They were only doing this show to impress the crowd. Who knows? Maybe a popular skating instructor would notice the skaters tonight and approach them with a chance to compete in the Olympic games, hopefully to win gold medals for their country.
Trowa found the toilets were clean everywhere. The mirrors had no leftover water drops and the taps were shiny. He noticed the water flowing out the taps were crystal clear and undoubtedly safe to drink. He didn't want to leave Cathy alone like that but he did mean what he said on the arena getting hot. Who would have thought a show full of amateur skaters would sell out this quickly. Perhaps a celebrity skater was going to have a guest appearance and his or her fans were desperate to come and watch. Popularity wasn't a friendly experience to have as a celebrity. All you'd ever get were crazy fans stalking you outside your hotel room.
Trowa rubbed the water over his closed eyelids and across his face, his hot skin absorbing the wetness immediately. People were very excited about this show. He could see it on their faces. Music began to sound in the ceiling. Looked like the show was starting now. Would it matter if he weren't allowed in? He could go outside for fresh air if he wanted to. This was for Catherine's enjoyment. Not his. He left the men's room and turned right down the long corridor. The men's changing room was open and he could see male skaters in glittering coats and tight trousers leave in a line. More than two conversations were happening at once, which was difficult for Trowa to listen altogether.
He wasn't exactly sure why people adored ice-skating. Was it the music or the dazzling movement? He found that working in the circus allowed the performer to have more freedom in the air and ground because one would be able to jump as high as he wanted and stay off the ground for a long time. Trowa was a naturally acrobatic person so of course the audience was impressed by his agility. He was happy being the silent Doukeshi that made the children's faces sparkle delightfully. And the animals loved him too.
"Get ready people! We're up after Mia, ok?"
Trowa turned around to see three teenage boys and one tiny girl sprint past his slow walking, skinny body. He knew he was going to be late and the security guards wouldn't let him pass into the arena. If he could, he could take a peek through a curtain or something or watch the show by a TV screen in the front reception. Thinking of this possibility, Trowa decided to slow his pace and take his time walking. The classical music vibrated off the wall and the ceiling loudly. He wondered if skaters used gentle, pop songs to dance to rather the usual classical tunes. Classic music had a touch of drama and shear excitement, which was probably the reason why skaters use it to their performances.
The applause from the audience boomed down the corridor and was louder than the music playing a minute ago. They sure liked the performer, didn't they? Trowa saw the main arena entrance and noticed other people were disallowed to enter. Two security guards kept shaking their heads, asking the latecomers to leave. Trowa turned the other way and decided to walk in another corridor away from the arena's doorway. Somehow he did feel quite guilty for walking off like that just as the show was about to begin. Catherine was right. He'd miss out on all the entertainment. He did deserve it after being a professionally cool circus performer for nearly a year. He was a definite favourite with his sister, doing daring stunts not many would do. It was his turn to be entertained.
He spotted the same group of teenage skaters walking in the opposite direction. It seemed the corridor he was walking down also lead to the arena. He could tell they had finished their show and were on their way back to the changing room.
"GOOD LUCK, MAKOTO. HAVE FUN!!" The girl suddenly called as she and her friends passed Trowa. The three boys gave instantaneous thumbs-up signs to the next performer. Who was this Makoto? Trowa wondered. Sounds of exhausted panting neared his back and he straightaway worked out this person was Makoto.
"Phew, thank god I made it. Thought I was gonna be late. Uh excuse me," A tired female voice passed him and elbowed his left arm. Trowa looked up and saw the girl turn around apologetically with her head over her shoulder while she continued to run forwards. "Sorry, didn't mean to hit your arm." Beyond the jade colour, the girl's eyes seemed to show signs of hopeful reassurance - as if she wanted Trowa to accept her apology. The Doukeshi thought she had wonderful eyes. Dark, wonderful green eyes that couldn't be turned away from. The girl called Makoto pivoted her head back to the front. Her ponytail of brown, wavy hair swaying from left to right as she disappeared into the FIRE EXIT door, which had to lead to the ice-rink.
Well if people weren't able to get through the front door then this secret doorway the skaters will do fine. I could still watch the excitement come to life Trowa quietly closed the door behind him and saw a group of nervous skaters lining up while they watched the current skater twirling in the air, making the audience gasp. It was funny how no one seemed to notice him come into this restricted area. They were too busy looking in awe at the brilliance the show was giving tonight.
"Excuse me, are you performing as well?" Trowa could tell the woman was a skating coach from looking at her sportswear. She seemed to have been watching for more than an hour, according to the red cheeks and tired eyes on her young looking face. Trowa guessed she was the same age as Catherine. A moment of silence gave the suspicious coach an obvious answer. "Please make your way back through the main entrance where the rest of the audience are. This area is only for the skaters performing."
"Rika, he's with me. Let him stay if he wants to." A familiar voice rang Trowa's ears. He saw Makoto poke her head behind the coach who was called Rika. He finally had the chance to get a better glimpse at her and was no more than amazed at the green dress she wore. The green shade was slightly lighter than the green eyes she had but the dress suited her figure perfectly. She nodded to Trowa invisibly before walking out to the rink. The applause became louder at her arrival. Why did she let me stay? Maybe she likes me…well Catherine did say some girls like me when I perform so it wouldn't be a surprise Trowa was impressed by Makoto's swift movement in her body as she twirled in numerous jumps and landing perfectly on her blades. Rika looked him up and down strangely.
"Are you her new boy in life?" She asked.
"Uh…no I met her just now actually," Trowa replied, "You see, we…"
"Yeah, Mako-chan. You're the greatest. See guys. Told ya she'd woo the crowd. She's one of the best skaters among our club! Check out her flying camel," A girl cheered, causing Rika to leave her conversation with Trowa unfinished and move closer to watch the show. The other skaters cheered as well and clapped their hands encouragingly when Makoto's face turned to their direction, adding a wink to say thanks to them. Trowa assumed she must be one of the well-known faces in this club and had to admit this girl moved like a swan. His thoughts were almost losing control while he watched Makoto sway to the music. None of the audience could get enough of this girl. She impressed the crowd all right. Hasn't she been twirling around too much? What if she gets dizzy and makes a mistake? Trowa spotted Makoto's body sway a little awkwardly at times on the ice rink. Was she used to this?
"Dammit, she's turning too fast," Rika mumbled, "Something doesn't look right. I didn't tell her to do more than ten twists. Darn, she should have stayed at home to ease off the headache. Why does she have to be a little stubborn? I know how she loves the crowd but this is madness."
Trowa was surprised and never thought she was ill before the show started. She certainly didn't look ill when she saw him. Maybe she wanted to perform tonight because she loved seeing the crowds fill up in absolute pleasure. She had the same idea as Trowa. He knew in his heart that the crowd liked his clown act and it made him secretly happy.
The reaction in the crowd suddenly changed into a more serious gasp as they watched. The other skaters saw the shock on the audience's faces while they observed the fallen female skater on the ice. Makoto had somehow made a mess of her show tonight and it really upset her.
"Oh no. I did warn her!" Rika yelled and looked at the other teenagers gasping behind her, "Hey, contact the guys and tell them to turn off the music. Makoto can't continue." She skidded into the ice-rink to see what had happened. This moment occurred too soon for Trowa to catch. What made her collapse onto her knees? How could it be ruined? She was performing greatly a minute ago - so what went wrong? This was some entertainment.
TBC.