A soft breeze carried the smell of cotton candy and elephant shit over the midway. It did little to ease Bruce's anxiety. If it were Batman strolling past the carnival games and concession stands he would have been able to ignore the human sense most strongly linked to memory and kept the emotion it triggered under control. But it was Bruce Wayne who moved through the crowd and it was Bruce Wayne who remembered.
The night the Flying Grayson's were murdered was neither his first nor last trip to the circus but it was the one that stood out the most in his mind. He found he could never visit a carnival or big top without reliving the tragedy. He didn't realize that he had stopped walking and was staring at the late summer sunset pensively.
"Master Bruce, I am compelled to point out that such heavy brooding in public may be compromising to your identity. At the very least a less depressing facial expression would go a long way toward blending in with our current surroundings, "Alfred gestured to the smiling families, carnies and performers around them.
Bruce sighed and began walking again, knowing Alfred was referring to the conversation he had with Dick several days before. He hadn't forbidden Dick from participating in this… stunt. He had merely stated his disapproval and his concern that performing in public may rouse suspicion regarding Dick's Nightwing persona.
"It's not just himself he puts at risk when he steps into the spotlight like this," he said as they neared the main tent. "The costume alone is a red flag."
Bruce nodded toward a colorful poster that graced the side of the big top. It pictured two men swinging from a trapeze. One was dressed in a full red leotard and a white mask that resembled a death's head. The other had on a similar outfit in blue but his face was not hidden and he grinned broadly at the world while large block letters proclaimed:
Hills Bros. Circus Proudly Presents
The Amazing Deadman –Aerialist Extraordinaire
Performing Alongside
Richard Grayson
The Last of the Legendary Flying Grayson's
One Show Only
"Master Dick's background is not unknown, sir. I doubt anyone will think it odd that he should wear his father's costume tonight," said Alfred, well aware that was not the only reason for the other man's dark mood.
"It's still a risk," Bruce huffed. " Besides I don't like Brand."
Alfred glanced at the man in red on the poster. Deadman was stage name of Boston Brand who had recently inherited the one ring circus and was determined to make it succeed. He was also an old friend of the Grayson family. Since their short meeting a few hours ago Alfred suspected he would not be such a favorite in the Wayne home.
"In any case sir, I do believe they are getting ready to begin. Shall we find our seats?" Bruce knew that this was not a request and followed his valet to the turnstile at the entrance without argument. The sudden roar of the crowd and the roaming spotlights were disorientating at first but they quickly recovered and found their seats.
When Bruce looked into the empty center ring he imagined he could see a small boy, hunched over and crying as if his heart were breaking. He looked away and it was gone. That boy was now a man but it still troubled Bruce to see him in any pain. Since that night he had gone to great lengths to keep it from happening again.
Without shifting his gaze he leaned toward the man next to him and said, "I worry, Alfred."
"I know you do, sir," Alfred said patting his hand. "But it will mean the world to him that you did come tonight."
Bruce raised his eyebrows but before he could respond the lights dimmed and the ringmaster's voice boomed throughout the tent.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Hills Brothers Circus of Wonders!"
Bruce and Alfred rose to their feet with the rest of the crowd and added their applause to the hundreds of patrons. Bruce even managed a small, sideways smile at Alfred but inside he could still not shake the feeling of foreboding that had been nagging him all afternoon. Dick was in the circus again and, even though it was only for one night, Bruce was afraid it would somehow cause the young man pain again.
It was a superstitious thought but still…Bruce Wayne would be happier when Dick Grayson left the flying to Nightwing. At least then Batman could keep his eye on him.