Everybody gathered in the main tent, there was a long table with chairs by its sides. Lina was with Gourry, Zelgadis right behind them.
"Wow!" Gourry said, catching glimpses of some of the performers, most of them were human. Even though it was odd, there were some trolls and ogres among them. There were some fox people too, and for all they knew, there could be monsters and dragons among them.
"Dilgear and that boy aren't here yet," murmured Zelgadis.
"You know, I wonder who that Miss 'Leah they were talking about," Lina said, taking a seat for herself. Gourry and Zelgadis sat on either side of her. They sat near the end; by the big chair were the boss sits. Plates, forks, spoons, and cups were placed before them, "Oh I can't wait for the food! I'm starving!"
"I wonder if they know about your appetite," Zelgadis smirked, and Lina casted him a glare.
"GAH! Watch it! You almost tipped it over!"
Lina and Gourry reacted to the yell, twisting their heads to see what's happening. Dilgear and that boy from earlier, Aaron, came in pushing a semi-large bowl. Inside was the mermaid. Her tail was bent like she was sitting, her arms were crossed over the edge of the bowl. The two pushed her to the table, two seats down and across from Zelgadis.
Lina leaned closer to Gourry and whispered, "doesn't she look a bit like Amelia?" Gourry looked over.
"Nope, her hair is the same color, but it's wavy and longer. Also her eyes are a darker color," he replied, playing with his fork. Lina shrugged her shoulders.
Dilgear and Aaron sat on both sides of Amelia. She nudged Dilgear, "Are those three the new recruits?"
He nodded, "yup, they'll probably start out doing chores," he glared at the three for a moment and turn his attention back to Amelia, "It's been a while since we last had a feast,"
"Yeah," she smiled sadly.
A loud cough went through the area. Everyone turned their hands to look at the boss, standing at the end of the table, "Will everyone sit down, please? Thank you,"
Everyone took their seats.
"We're all here to welcome our newest helpers, and to feast in their honor of joining us at this time!" he lifted his hand, pointing at the three, "Tim, Arc, and Irmina!" everybody started to clap. Dilgear casted them a glance of disbelief, but he knew better then bring it up now. "Now, let's feast!" everybody cheered as people came in with large serving trays, placing them each in the middle of the table before sitting down themselves.
Lina and Gourry attacked the plates of food before them, after a mere second, Lina stopped. Everyone else was staring at the two. Lina nudged Gourry, who stopped.
"Uh, sorry, we were hungry; it's been awhile since we last eat," Lina said sadly. Lina is a great liar, Zelgadis thought, as understanding fell over the circus workers.
The boss laughed, "Don't worry we have plenty of food, and we have another big eater here too, but not as messy," his laugh was loud and joyous, which lifted the mood even higher. Everybody started to chow down.
Someone who eats as much as Lina, besides Gourry, I wonder who this person is, thought Zelgadis as he ate through his plate of food. He decided to keep his hood on, so no one can see his face.
Lina, on her seventh chicken leg, noticed that the mermaid girl was on her sixteenth serving of ham, broccoli, AND mash potatoes. Lina watched her eat and talk to her companions beside her. Something's off, Lina thought, squinting her eyes. Suddenly Gourry's fork came out of nowhere and stabbed the piece of ham on Lina's plate. She averted her eyes from the mermaid and to the guy beside her.
"Hey," she growled, stabbing her fork into the ham, "that's mine!" she jerked it away and took a big bite.
Amelia was silently glancing over to the three newcomers. They seem like Miss Lina and the others, but they look nothing like them.
"Ms. 'Leah, will you tell me another of your stories tonight?" Aaron asked with a full mouth.
"Don't speak with your mouth full," she chided, "and don't I always?" she smiled at the young boy, who beamed back at her.
"Well, we have two more shows tomorrow, and we're off to the next town," Dilgear said, taking another bite of his rare steak.
"Only here for two days?" Amelia asked, surprised, "we were in Lincliff for almost a week, why only two days?"
Dilgear shrugged, and continued to eat. Amelia glanced at the boss. He was a heavyset man, gray hair and goatee. He always had a wide smile on his, but when he isn't happy, he can be a very scary person, like the time when she was forced to join. She shivered at memory.
The boss noticed that most of the food was gone, and dismissed everyone except for Lina and her companions.
"Irmina, Arc, Tim, I am so happy you three can join," at first Lina didn't pay attention, but then realized Irmina was her fake name.
"Oh, yes, Hahaha," she replied, "We thank you for the wonderful feast you present for us,"
He grinned widely, "My pleasure, now to the matter of your jobs, Tim," he pointed at Gourry, "you seem like a strong man; you will help out with the more heavy jobs. Irmina," he turned to Lina, "Can you cast spells?"
Lina nodded, "Of course,"
"Good, our last female magic performer quit, and I've been looking for a new one. Now Arc," he gestured towards Zelgadis, "You can help out Aaron with his chores,"
"Aaron?"
"The young blond boy sitting by Ms. 'Leah…the mermaid," he replied, "now off to bed, girls sleep in the blue tent, and guys sleep in the red tent, go on, off with ya," he said, pushing them out of the main tent, "and your jobs start to tomorrow!"
The three walked off.
The boss watched them off till the disappeared around the bend. He walked back in and was greeted by a mysterious cloaked figure, only his yellow gaze can be seen through the darkness of his hood.
"New recruits?" he hissed.
"Aye, but I caught one of them staring at the mermaid. They may know what's going on," he said hesitantly.
"Bah! They might have stared at the princess because of her new beauty," he replied in a low voice.
"What if they know who she is?" The boss asked, his body trembling slightly because of his nerves.
"I'll deal with them; no one must know the truth of this circus, or your luck will run sour like once before," he said, before turning around and walking away.
"Of course, sir," The boss said, bowing slightly.