Okay so, I've just finished my exams, and I have a two week holiday coming up starting of next week, but after that updates will be every Wednesday! I make a promise to keep to schedule for this, otherwise it wouldn't at all be fair.
I'm not sure exactly how many people are following this, but if you are thank you so much! I look forward to developing this more - this is one of the first times I've ever published an 'OCxMainCharacter' story before, but thus far I'm enjoying it. I have a way to go with my style, but I hope it's manageable and such ^-^ Anyhow, enough from me, do enjoy!
It wasn't his idea to go, in fact, he didn't want to at all! Nevertheless, the big puppy-dog eyes got to him way too easily for him to continue to refuse. Not just from May either - Mable started to join in too.
Usually, Mikey would be so pumped to go to a circus - like hell yeah, circus! Cotton Candy, hot dogs, candy apples, nachos, the lot! - but a freak circus? There were levels of rightness, and that was beyond wrong. It's not that he had anything against 'freaks' - a deep insecure part of him would say that he'd be a total hypocrite if he had an issue with freaks and such - but it's more the fact that he worried if it'd be just too much for Mabel. She wasn't exactly like other little girls, of course not, she had a mutant turtle as her father. Either way, the whole thing seemed overly cruel and awkward.
"Alright! Okay, okay, we can go." He pouted, finally giving in to the adorable yet upset looks from his two favourite girls.
"Yes! We can go as a big family outing!" May threw her arms up and around his neck, planting a rather sloppy kiss on his cheek. A chortle broke from Mikey, to which spurred Mabel to cling to his leg, hugging and squeezing, burring her face into his thigh, which brought out another gleeful laugh from Mikey. As much as it tickled, he couldn't help but still feel somewhat unsure about the whole idea. His girls were happy and excited though, so he'd make sure he was just as much.
"Sounds like a hug party," Donnie chirped in, leaning in the doorway to the kitchen, where the giggling was growing. "Is that am I missing out on this time?"
"We're going to see the circus!" Mabel cheered, her face pulling away from her daddy's leg and beaming up to her tall uncle. "Circus, circus!"
"Aw that'll be fun for you guys." Patting his niece's head, she laughed and reached up to snag his wrist and dance about him, tugging and turning him to follow her bouncy dance.
"You have to come too!" Mabel urged on, grinning as wide as she could up to the purple masked turtle. Donnie glanced over to Mikey and May, who were still hugging it out and watching their daughter twist round him. Mikey grinned, much like his daughter, an instant thought of relief if his brother would be there with him - it'd certainly make him feel less awkward in his own shell watching performances with potential other mutants.
"You're more than welcome to come," May said, a sudden spark of an idea lighting her features - a sight Mikey was more than happy to be up close and personal to witness. "In fact, why don't we take out the whole family?" She then looked directly to Mikey, catching him in his stargazing expression.
Then what she asked hit him. Yeah, what about the others? Mikey and May had come over to spend time with them all anyway, so what a good time to ask. It'd be a good way to get everyone out and have fun together. It was rare that they could all go out at one time, so in a sense it would be a nice treat for them all. As well as keeping his own small family happy too. Mikey took a quick glance to Donnie, who looked as if he'd been thinking something similar as his smile grew once their eyes locked.
"I'm certainly up for that, I'm sure the others will be excited to join too." There was a slight up-beat to his voice, Mikey picking up that he liked the idea himself.
"Yay! Family fun, family fun at the circus!" Mabel sang, finally releasing Donnie's forearm she had stuck herself onto, and instead ran around the kitchen, skipping and in great spirit for the evening planned.
"I'll inform the others to keep their schedules open then." Don snickered, watching his niece's bed hair flowing wildly behind her as she galloped about.
"She'd going to be a little madam in the morning you know?" Mikey laughed; looking back to May once Donnie had his coffee and went off to do his own things for the rest of the morning.
"Yes, but it'll be worth it." She smiled, placing another kiss on his cheek - a softer and longer lasting one than before - and gripping his hand to encourage him to chase after his rushing little girl. Not like he needed much hinting and encouragement to get Mabel even more excited and energetic!
The drive out to the open land of New York didn't take as much time as Raphael had originally thought. The City That Never Sleeps must've had a more calmer night than usual, which he was extremely grateful for. He was pretty sure the others were grateful for not being stuck in any traffic too. Once the major break of the city was miles behind them, the clear spring night sky looked so much fresh to Mabel as she gazed out at the new land. Well, new to the point where she'd never seen anywhere outside of the city in the dark before. Donnie had chatted to here all the way, pointing out different nebulas and star combinations, it was his turn to keep her awake for the ride, as Mikey had fallen asleep on May instead - Mabel however was far too excited to possibly sleep and miss a single second of the family's new adventure.
They'd manage to get to upstate New York in excellent time, but once they were all parked up and paid, they sat in the middle row, only to realise that they had missed the first half of the show. Fortunately the performance was having a short interval.
"What's that?" Mabel asked, pointing at the tall tightrope posts, which dangled with ribbons and fairy lights.
"That's where the acrobats perform. Acrobats are people who perform acts that show their balance, agility and coordination. It's very interesting." Leo spoke, leaning towards his niece and pointing so that he could explain fully how they were used.
"Awright Wikipedia, calm yer shell." Raph sniggered, whacking Leo in the shoulder with a hearty laugh and brotherly fist. Scoffing and rubbing where he was hit, he shook his head as Mabel looked up to him to wonder what he was doing, realising and then giggling. The announcer broke over the gentle collection of voices in the rows, the loud voice sending a surprise jump from everyone, causing them to fall quiet and look to the middle of the performing ring.
"Next up are The Jugglers! But, don't be fooled, these humans aren't as skilled as the dogs!" The audience laughed, while Raph and Donnie exchanged a rather confused look. Mabel clapped as the comedic music began and the dressed up couple came out from behind the curtain, followed by a few dogs.
"This doesn't look very freakish to me..." Mikey murmured, to which May elbowed him to keep quiet, as Mabel was so intent on watching. As he looked back to the ring, he saw the dogs suddenly stand on their hind legs and adjust their mics on their collars.
"Who's ready to see some clowning and extreme juggling then?" The canine spoke fluently, to the family's great surprise. The audience members whooped while the turtles and May were open jawed.
"You were saying Mikey?" Raph patted his shoulder from the row behind and laughed as Mabel was bobbing up and down in her excitement of joining in with the cheering noise.
"I take back what I said, but I was not expecting that!" Mikey exclaimed, joining too with the applause as the canines and humans participated with jokes and juggling, as well as other tricks.
It set the mood for the evening, as much as Mikey was paranoid about how he'd feel watching a freak show, it really wasn't as bad as he had thought, and some part of him felt guilty for being so careless of thought. He looked about to his family as they watched and laughed, taking in the sight of everyone enjoying the entertainment. He was disappointed that Splinter couldn't be there with them all too, but he knew Splinter had his own reasons for not coming - reasons he completely respected and wouldn't question.
The next hour however was lightened with cheerful chuckles and hilarious outbursts. As the final act drew to a finish, the magician asked for a final volunteer. Mabel's arm instantly shot up, Leo and Raph both lifting the young girl even higher in an attempt for her to be picked. Unfortunately, the lights only briefly flashed over them, and a girl was drawn out from the front row. The magic trick encouraged the audience to chant along with the magician as a smoke pellet was dropped in front of the volunteer, fading suddenly to reveal her in a big, poofy pink dress. Mabel's face dropped into a saddened pout as she realised that that could've been her in the pretty princess-like dress. The magician danced with the girl briefly, saying how beautiful she looked and they received a wolf-whistle from the volunteers' partner, who was agreeing and nodding along. With a final twirl, the magician dropped another smoke pellet to reveal her back into her normal clothes. The audience clapped - even Mabel who had thrown an upset over the missed opportunity - and the magician helped the girl back over the barrier before bowing, saying farewell and her thanks.
The performer dropped a smoke pellet and vanished, the ringmaster replacing where she once was and received an applause of his own.
"My friends! Thank you so much for staying with us for this wonderful evening; it's been a great pleasure to perform for you all! But alas, our time is up, for we have shown you our all," The performers all started to come back into the ring, standing in an ordered line behind their ringmaster, "You've been such a brilliant crowd, and I will make sure we come back to visit New York again!" He turned and held his arms out to his crew, to which they all bowed. Mabel's clapping started to draw out while the last monologue from the main boss man finally finished and the lights all flickered on above them. She was not at all happy that she didn't get picked or that her father had the majority of her candy floss.
Everyone was picking up their stuff and talking, but Raph noticed his niece's bottom lip sticking out and beginning to tremble.
"Wassup sweetie?" He asked, stepping down to her row and kneeling beside her. She held his hand and looked with sodden eyes to the ring.
"I wanted to wear the pretty dress." She snuffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her free hand. His heart melting at her turmoil of a letdown, despite his and his brother's attempt to get her seen, he decided to help the young girl out.
"What's wrong, sugarfluff?" May stroked Mabel's hair when she noticed her puffing and reddening cheeks. Raph looked up to May and stood, still holding Mabel's hand.
"She wanted ta be the one ta wear the dress for the last one, right?" She nodded and wiped her eyes again. "So, ta fix it, we're gonna make that happen."
"What?!" Leo stumbled over the row to stand behind Raph, pulling on the back of his oversized jumper. Rolling his eyes and reaching an arm behind himself to smack Leo's hand away from him, he grinned down to Mabel who was wide eyed gawping at him.
"That's right! Let's go find us that magician. And if she dun wanna do it, then ol' Uncle Raphie will make sure ya get to wear a dress one way or another." Mabel whooped and threw her arms up, the threat of crying washed away completely with the new promise that Raph made.
"You can't just go to her and demand her to perform again!" Leo grunted, tugging at Raph's jumper once more. He turned, narrowing his gaze and grinding his jaw at his brother's persistence to not make their niece happy.
"We're just gonna ask alright, stop getting yer shell in a bunch. You guys comin' or not?" He looked back to May and Mikey who smiled and nodded, clearly not minding at all. If it'd make their daughter happy then they'd be happy. Leo shook his head in disbelief - or what Raph sensed as that anyway. "C'mon Donnie boy, ya can finally ask how they managed ta do it all."
"...How did you even know I was thinking about that?" He asked quietly, after winning the battle against his coat's zipper.
"We all knew Don." Mikey laughed, smacking him against his shell whole-heartedly.
"Uncle Leo?" Mabel's voice called softly, with a slight pleading tremble. Leo looked down into his niece's face, reading her expression clearly.
"Alright... Okay, I'll come too. But you better not be rude Raph."
"Psht, I ain't rude ever." He shot back, grinning and scooping Mabel up and putting her on his shoulders. She giggled and held tightly to the top of his hood, turning to look over her shoulder to check that her family were keeping close behind.
Carefully, Raph lifted a leg over the barrier and made his way to the curtain where he last saw the performers exit. The others followed closely behind, May giggling as Mikey held her hand and tugged her along too, playfully bumping into her and giggling in return.
"Over there!" Mabel whispered and turned Raph's head to where she was looking. He let his eyes scan and then lay upon the magic hat walking down a small path leading away from the main group of huddled performers.
"Well guys, what shall we do? Sneak over all secret and ninja like, or stroll right through?" Raph asked quietly, keeping an eye on the group of performers.
"Sneaky sneak!" Mabel chirped, nodding enthusiastically, exhilarated by the whole thing.
"We'll be able to go past by that shrubbery if we're careful and quiet." Donnie added his input, excited himself. He was impressed by the evening's outcome and wasn't really prepared for it to end so soon. By helping them get to the magician, he'd be able to possibly figure out how some of the tricks were made as well as Mabel having her chance to join in with the magic too.
"Two at a time I say, that way we'll get across faster. But we'll go first. Keep yourself low Mabel, okay?" She patted Raph's head in understanding and pressed her chest down on top of him, her fingers intertwining under his chin. Darting quickly to where Donnie had pointed, he gestured over for the next two to follow. Mikey and May ran over, followed shortly by Don and Leo. Once in the shaded safety of the taller bushes, they quietly made their way to a clearing further down the path. The trailer wasn't too far off but it was at least secluded partially from the celebrating circus cast.
"Ima put you down now, so that you can knock." Mabel's little warm palms moved from Raphs chin as she wiggled to be lowered back to the earth. Skipping up the steps of the trailer, she grinned and rasped against the door before jumping back down and running behind her mother's legs.
A few short moments later the door unlatched and gently swung open, standing the magician half way through taking her blonde locks down from her tightly pinned back bun.
"Oh! Uhm, good evening," Surprised at the family in front of her, she stepped down and grabbed at her hat, unsure exactly what to expect. "If you're looking for the toilets, they're actually the other end of this trail, right by the back of the tent."
"We ain't here for yo portaloos," Raph grunted, crossing his arms. Leo nudged his arm, shaking his head at his brother's harsh attitude. "Urgh, what I mean is, yer Metal, right?" Raising her brow, she dipped her head and held up her hat.
"That's me. How can I help you all?" She looked round the mostly hidden faces, feeling slightly cautious at the confrontation.
"Can I vol... volen...uuh." Mabel's little voice grew shy, although a small ounce of courage brought her peeking out from behind her mother.
"Volunteer," May helped, running a hand through her child's hair and smiling, encouraging Mabel to come further out. "She wants to know if you could possibly involve her in a trick."
"Yeah! The lights kinda didn't show exactly how eager she was for being picked." Mikey piped up, an attempt to get her to help them out.
"Well, uhm..." She looked down to the child and smiled, nodding and turning to reach back into her trailer. "I'm sure that'd be fine. What trick would you like to do then?" Mabel's face lit up as she stepped further out from her hiding place, her hands swinging happily at her sides as she thought quickly.
"The dress! The dress please!" She yapped gleefully, and Penelope couldn't help but grin in response.
"Good choice. Follow me this way then, back to the tent." She gestured behind them, to which they turned and walked, accompanied by Penelope who led the way. "Oh uh, just ignore this guy, go right ahead to the ring through the curtain and I'll get the lights all sorted so we can see what we're doing." She instantly held her arm against the large stomach of the greasy looking older man, who had noticed the small group and came over to intervene.
Waiting for the family to go behind the curtain, Penelope moved her arm away from Erdan's pot belly and turned to face his reddened face.
"What exactly do you think yer doin?!" He said through clenched teeth, pointing dramatically to the curtain.
"I'm showing that family a few tricks. Don't burst a blood vessel or two, nothing more than the one trick. Now, are you going to turn the lights on in there or do I have to do it myself?" Penelope was at no real advantage for height or size compared to the bouncing belly of the big guy, but she knew that he had a soft spot for families - plus he knew she had dirt on him that she would happily dish out to Boss if he refused.
Huffing in a macho way, his 'don't care, stop bothering me' attitude was more bravado than anything. Following her into the tent, he quickly disappeared off to better illuminate the middle ring while Penelope greeted the excited looking family, despite over half of them still wearing hats, scarves and hoods to cover their faces. Nevertheless, she wasn't stupid.
"If you'd like to take a seat in the front row, we can begin. Are you ready?" Penelope looked down to the suddenly rather timid looking young girl. She was watching where her family sat, the lighting from above the rows making it hard for her eyes to see completely, but she had an idea where they were. She saw a few hands rising and waving at her, which regained some of her excitement and bravery, as she looked up to Penelope and nodded.
Holding her hands out, she looked towards the small huddle in the front row, and mentally ran through her performance earlier as quick as she could. She did not want to disappoint the family or their young girl - it'd likely ruin her outlook on circuses for the rest of her life, and even magic.
"Our beautiful assistant here look's amazing in her attire, wouldn't you agree?" She paused and grinned at the small giggles she heard beside her, shyness she assumed. "Well, how about we give her a stunning dress to match her dazzling smile?" Penelope's small audience whooped, and she dropped the pellet down, holding Mabel's hand as she twirled her out of the smoke. She gasped and giggled, a bright yellow sparkling dress bounced along with her movements, Mabel overjoyed with the magic.
"See Leo, totally worth it." Raph nudged his brother before joining in with the applause, Leo's mouth opening but managed to make no real sound come out. Twenty further minutes were spent - after Mabel was poofed back into her original clothes - performing various little tricks so that the rest of her family could be involved. Donnie was mostly fascinated with how they could possibly work, and even though he had his doubts about any real source of 'magic' being active within the tricks, he allowed himself to enjoy the close-up personal act. Mabel tugged on his arm while they both watched her parent's trying out different tricks on each other that Penelope had quickly walked through with them. May had more of a knack for it than Mikey did, but he wasn't fazed at all with his efforts. His family were happy and that made him happy.
Once the cards were packed away, Penelope crouched down and held them out to Mabel, who had shyly approached her with saying goodbye.
"Can I not take the pretty dress home?" She asked with a low whine.
"I'm afraid that the magic only works with me around." She chuckles lightly, Mabel's eyes suddenly widening.
"Can we bring you home then?" She perked, the rest of her features lighting up as she looked from the girl up to her parents.
"Yeah, can we?" Leo murmured, probably louder than he intended, as his brother and the girls looked his way with slightly shocked expressions. He responded with a forced laugh, then a cough.
"Well..." Penelope said, looking back to Mabel, "I have to stay here I'm afraid. But, I don't think we'll be leaving the area any time soon, so if you want to come visit then by all means-" She glanced to Mikey and May, "It'll be my pleasure to show you more tricks."
"That'll be nice, maybe we can take a trip out at one point?" May smiled, lifting her daughter up while Mabel nodded enthusiastically, biting back a yawn, "Thank you for staying this extra time for us."
"And for the cards!" Mikey added whilst shaking the pack Mabel had forced onto him. Penelope stood and smiled, nodding to them.
"Card tricks are the best way for any magic act to start out." Penelope waved as Mabel snuggled into her mother's shoulder, suddenly sleepy from all the excitement and the lateness of the evening. She slowly waved back, barely able to keep her eyes open while they turned and walked to their vehicle.
Discarding their thick clothes into the backseat, they waited briefly for Don and Leo to catch up.
"What, ya tryin ta convince her to actually come home with us?" Raph sneered, buckling down and laughing as Leo busied himself with the seatbelt as a distraction.
"Actually, we were asking if she'd take payment, but she refused. So no. Now if you may, concentrate on driving please as I'm tired." Donatello placed a hand on Leo's shoulder, letting him know he had his shell. Grunting in a letdown of his humour, Raph set off back on the main road heading home. 'Lightweights' he scoffed, and then grinned to himself, please for actually allowing himself to attend the evening. Originally, he didn't want to come; with the promise of sweet food and his young niece clinging to his neck, he couldn't exactly refuse. Glancing in the rear view mirror, the peacefully smiling face of the sleeping young girl was all that he'd ever need to be convinced to go out for some quality time, even if he did get stuck with being the one to drive home.