Three chapters at once?
Chapter 11
Rival Hearts
"I can't believe she took my friend away," Alluka whined as they finally reached the pagoda.
"Don't worry, friends never separate for long," Canary consoled as she headed into their temporary home.
Killua caressed his sister's hair as he agreed and also headed into the pagoda.
The next day was filled with a certain oddness as last night's events began to unfurl. It didn't leave Killua's mind that he not only made a move on Canary last night, but Contessa's older sister did as well. He grew increasingly irritated by this. Canary didn't seem to like Esmerelda's attention, but she surely didn't seem to refute her either. He clutched on tightly to Canary's present which still lay in his pocket as he dreaded in having some sort of love rival.
There was no mentioning of White Day as the trio headed into the village, only images of the circus finally arriving to the quaint village. Everything was a lot busier than usual, even for this time of day. It seemed that the circus would perform in four shifts: morning, noon, afternoon and night which left the non-preoccupied members of the circus selling small wares amongst the village. Everything was being held in the large courtyard which usually held the village's busy market.
They learned that Esmerelda wasn't meant to perform until late into the night which kept them busy during the day as they visited many merchant tents which ranged from food to clothing. They noticed the two sisters huddled at one particular tent which read: Full Moon Predictions. They headed over to the familiar faces just before the first showing would begin.
Many of their customers were young women but among them were also men seeking to hear stories of fame and fortune. Alluka watched her friend in amazement as she finally witnessed an accurate palm reading. Nanika begged to come out as she witnessed the wish granting similarity, yet Alluka had to continuously shut her back in.
As Contessa worked and Alluka observed, Esmerelda decided to make chit chat with Killua and Canary over a bottle of wine. She had an enormously flirtatious air about her concerning Canary which continued to irritate Killua to no end. Esmerelda would even go as far as to caress her slipper up Canary's calf which the butler surprisingly just ignored. The three spoke about Kukuroo mountain and their childhood, so Esmerelda told a few things about herself in exchange.
Apparently, their circus, the *Hiro Troupe was one of the largest Nen based circus' in the world. Clad in their red and gold attire, they traveled from continent to continent entertaining people with their Nen abilities. They usually only traveled to large cities and busy towns, but the circus director made an attempt to visit *Odayakana Village frequently since one of his most favored performers was from there. He agreed to visit there once a year to help the village thrive economically with guests from the circus just as long as Esmerelda performed every night.
"I don't necessarily go about gabbing to just anybody who would listen, but I must say, either the wine or simply Canary-chan's presence is making me go absolutely light headed," Esmerelda admitted as she finished her story and swirled her wine about whimsically. Her legs crossed daintily across her lap and her arms perched on the bench she sat on as she seemed to revel in the moment of teasing Canary. Killua made sure to always keep an eye on this overly playful person.
"My baby sister Contessa is very hot headed, but she's talkative and good. I don't think I can say the same for myself, however," she continued drunkenly. "I'm only interested in what people can do for me. In other words, using filthy men." Esmerelda spoke as she shot a nasty glare towards Killua. Killua decided that Esmerelda was one of the worst kind of people.
Killua and Canary had neither taken a sip, yet it seemed their companion was quite tipsy.
"I am quite sorry," Esmerelda drawled, "I simply cannot handle my drink. It just seems my natural flirtations grow stronger with each sip," she mentioned with a coy smile. "They do say though that Transmuters are some of the boldest seducers, I guess it's just not something I can contain," she mentioned as she began caressing Canary's hand.
Killua rolled his eyes dramatically at Esmerelda's bold claims, which did not go unnoticed by her. The way she touched Canary continued to eat away at Killua.
Canary finally reacted towards the flirtatious girl and grabbed her hand away roughly. "It does not matter what you do with those urges, just as long as they are not aimed towards me," she spoke.
Esmerelda shot back in surprise, though her smugness never completely left. She took her hand back and nursed it like a stray cat. "Well that's surprising, I have never been rejected before."
"Well I don't see how any of that is her problem." Killua responded smoothly. Esmerelda held a stern gaze on Killua, which he boldly returned. She then finally relaxed back into her seat as she suddenly began piecing the puzzle together. Her smirk only deepened. "I see, well as my grandmother used to say, you can't win them all," she answered as she then stood and waltzed over to begin working again.
The three companions left the sisters to work eventually as the first showing began. The first show was mainly based off of animal companionship. The animals came in many different variations as monkeys and even twin tigers. They seemed to trust their human counterparts with their lives. Canary noticed the animals didn't view the humans as their master's, but as their equals as they willfully played alongside their humans in complete sincerity instead of as a forced performance. There was no sign of abuse from either side. There was even a few instances where the animals could perform Nen as well, though it was only in instances of Shu or Ko as they interacted with the props on the stage.
The performances would last for two hours until an hour-long intermission which would then greet the noontime performance. The three ate at one of the many food stands during the intermission before making their way back into the circus tent. The second performance was based more on physical abilities as some performers hung in midair in intricate formations and others tested their skill on the tightrope. At one point, more than five people were stacked amongst each other on the thin string. Another performance showcased skilled contortionists as they danced around each other on the stage. Alluka watched in amazement as she could only dream to be that flexible.
The afternoon performance was none other than a large-scale play in which Esmerelda acted as a pair of lovesick twins who could never find love despite their many attempts. Killua groaned during the production. 'I wouldn't be surprised if she wrote this herself.' He thought grimly. The play seemed to also carry a lot of comedy as trap doors and body configurations could be made on the spot. Contessa joined the companions throughout the play as Esmerelda was her only help and her absence only thickened the line at their merchant tent. In the end, the twins ended up finding love with each other's suitors and decided to exchange them. Though the play may have left mixed reviews with Killua, Alluka now seemed to be awestruck with her friend's older sister.
The night performance wouldn't begin until seven that night which meant the three still had time to burn until then. Esmerelda invited them to eat at her parent's teahouse which surprisingly left them all in good cheer, even Killua, as the girl had exponentially eased back her interest in Canary.
Connie and Esmerelda's parents joined them for dinner as most of their usual guests were enjoying the circus instead. They sat at a large round table which was only reserved for their most rambunctious of guests. Alluka sat between Esmerelda and Connie, but seemed to be too wrapped into whatever Esmerelda was saying to pay attention to her friend. It seemed that Alluka finally found her first crush.
However, no matter how hard Alluka's heart seemed to jump outside her chest, she didn't dare mention one word to Esmerelda. However, when Esmerelda rose and announced her need to prepare for the next show, Alluka quickly shot up next to her.
"Esmerelda san!" She called. This surprised Esmerelda, as well as the rest of the party, though she gave the girl her full attention. "When can we expect to see you again?" She asked with the most obvious look of admiration in her eyes.
The older girl's eyes shown with pure power as she realized this young girl had suddenly been struck by her. She couldn't help but to shoot a haughty look towards Killua as he watched in irritation.
Esmerelda slowly caressed Alluka's cheek. "You will soon see me as one of the final acts. Just make sure to get a good seat." She professed as she then slunk her way out of the teahouse.
Alluka insisted they leave early in order to get a decent seat, but Killua made sure to grab the girl before entering the tent. Contessa and Canary entered the tent before them as Killua gingerly laid his hands on his baby sister's shoulders.
"Listen, Alluka, I know you're getting older and more things are becoming less clear to you as you begin making your own way, but always remember, I will always be here to protect you," he confessed. He dug into his pocket and revealed Alluka's present which seemed to pair well with her fair skin. "I usually give you your White Day and birthday presents separately, but I've decided to give you this two days early. Happy birthday, baby sister." He continued as he then placed a kiss on his younger sister's forehead which immediately beget tears from her.
"Big Brother… you're the greatest big brother in the world!" She exclaimed through tears. She hugged tightly onto Killua as he calmly pet the weeping girl.
When the two finally made their way back into the main circus tent, they realized that both Canary and Contessa were holding their spots. Alluka rushed to sit next to Contessa as Killua sat between his little sister and Canary. The circus seats left for very little room as their legs were practically hugging each other.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please let me introduce the final portion of the night, 'What the Eyes Can't See.'" Spoke the circus director, Ahomana-san whose name respectively meant "Thunder". He was a large and muscly man who seemed to do without a shirt. His brown skin and many tattoos called to his island descent. He bowed a final time before disappearing right before their eyes as his hands joined in a clap of thunder. This garnered much applause from the audience. It seemed that tonight would mostly pull towards illusions.
The first half seemed to mesmerize the audience so much that besides the audible gasps heard from all over, there would mostly be a large hush surrounding them. One act showed one man as he seemed to have swallowed fifty-two swords only to bring them back up again. Another showed a contortionist who was very good at losing her head. The performances even excited Killua, even as he watched every showing with his Gyo activated. He could only assume that every able-bodied person who could use Nen would be doing the same.
He checked over to Alluka and Contessa and was somewhat proud that they had caught on so soon. Of course, he knew that Canary would be using it. He glanced over towards her and realized she was so lost in the showing that she was now at the edge of her seat. He grinned and only placed his hand gently over hers. This seemed to relax her grip under his touch as she eased back into her seat.
Killua didn't realize how long he had been holding Canary's hand, but knew it must've been long enough so as their palms began to grow sweaty underneath the hot circus tent. It left a funny feeling in Killua's stomach, but not in a bad way.
It wasn't until the next showing was announced that Canary slowly took her hand from his.
"The last show of the night features none other than the alluring Esmerelda in a social dance of her people." Spoke a different host. This new host seemed to be the director's son, Ahomana or "Storm" who performed earlier in the day with emitter abilities and wild hogs who could stack against each other and volley his attacks. He was muscly and shirtless just as his father, and was noticeably much larger, and much more handsome.
Instead of disappearing instantly like his father, Ahomana leapt back in a series of back flips and barrel rolls that eventually led him to disappear behind the stage. This immediately caused large applause from the audience as such a large man demonstrated his flexibility. Even Killua was impressed.
Esmerelda's performance began with smoke cascading over the stage. She rose slowly from an elevator from below in a glamorous red sari that was beaded and laced delicately in gold. She knew all eyes were on her and she smiled like a thief.
Before the music began, Esmerelda summoned two clones of herself which gained great murmurs and then applause from the audience. Suddenly she nodded and the stage became black with only three spotlights. The music began slowly.
A small wooden block tapped rhythmically as Esmerelda and her doubles began mimicking her ticking hips to the beat, which began to excite the crowd. A large drum then joined in and the dance waved over their bodies with the sound of the bass thrumming through them. The dance began to become more intricate as a flute and other instruments began to join in and liven the stage.
The performance seemed to go on forever as increasingly more clones began to appear on the stage. They all circled around each other and mesmerized the audience with their intricate belly dancing.
Killua didn't have to strain his eyes to realize which one was the original Esmerelda. He could just see it in the smarting look she gave him as if to say, "Either way, I won." Killua didn't have to look twice to realize his sister had become totally transfixed by now. Her eyes were almost greedy as multiple Esmerelda's appeared before her and danced around the stage. On the other hand, he looked towards Canary and realized she was only politely enjoying the performance.
Killua decided to do a little taunting of his own.
He caught Canary's hand again, but then intertwined their fingers which earned a jeer from Esmerelda on stage especially when he leaned into Canary's ear and began speaking softly into it. For all Esmerelda knew, Killua could've been speaking straight nonsense into her ear, but she knew better than that by Canary's expression. Esmerelda could only dream of leaving Canary so utterly flustered.
She decided not to torture herself anymore while she performed on stage as she mourned the first lover to slip from her fingertips, yet not before witnessing Killua nibble at the nape of Canary's neck. This called for a large amount of rage on Esmerelda's end as she dreamed of Killua's demise during her finale. The stage was now full of her body doubles as fireworks and confetti graced the stage in one last succession of dance, but it would go unnoticed as Killua's lips now lingered over the girl's beside him and he caressed her velvety skin. Esmerelda seethed. Their eyes were only engrossed with each other. When the performance was finished, her doubles returned back to her body and she bowed multiple times as cheers enveloped the circus tent and flowers and candies were thrown at Esmerelda's feet. He could tell her smile was forced.
He then leaned in slowly to finally seal his long awaited kiss, but suddenly the vibe changed and Canary was ripped from his grasp as she escaped the tent. He rose from his chair in surprise before realizing Esmerelda's now loud and mocking laughter erupting from behind him.
Hiro – translates to "hero" in Japanese. I thought it was a very straightforward name considering the circus is full of WHOLESOME Nen users lol
Odayakana – translates to "peaceful" in Japanese. This is the first time I've mentioned the village name.
This chapter really shows how far Killua is willing to secure his bonds as Esmerelda threatens both his relationships with Alluka and Canary.
