I haven't submitted in forever. I KNOW.

"Talking"

/Thinking\ Just in case anyone forgot

Luke watched another pole be hoisted into the air, the boxes of bleacher sets being transported into the middle of the ring. He wondered what it would look like to see the big top really go up.

"What does everyone else do?" he asked his blonde friend.

"They nail big iron pegs into the grown to keep the bottom of the tarp down." Gai responded.

"Oooh..."

An hour later, after Luke had collapsed from his training and Gai had a good natured laugh, the two were called into the ring to help pull up the poles that held up the edge of the tent, and also marked where the circus ended. Luke's arms and legs were sore from running, however he helped pull and push the poles up best he could. Ion was running around everywhere with two of the Dark Wings' helpers, they were delivering props into their proper places in the ring, and also bringing in the tightrope to be set up.

The circus performers and a handful of Dark Wings members began setting up the bleachers, however Jade was absent, and Luke wondered why.

"Tarp ahoy!!" a few Dark Wings yelled from where the tarp had been folded accordion style on the ground. The call was echoed by everybody in the ring, and Luke followed suit when the circus performers quickly abandoned the bleachers they'd been setting up. In a large rush of wind that picked up the end of the tarp, the colorful layer was thrown over the top of the poles, multiple smaller gusts of wind pushing the top to keep it up and others pushing the sides out. In an instant they were covered by the big top, and the circus actually looked like a circus.

"Wow..." Luke mumbled,

"New Guy, Tear, Asch," Noir called, stepping into the tarp, "Come out here and help secure the tarp."

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Got it."

"Coming!" Luke finished excitedly. He quickly jogged out of the front opening of the tarps, and found Anise standing on the head of two Tokunaga, one on top of the other, tying up one of the corners which made the entrance into the big top. York was on the other side of the opening, also standing on two Tokunaga, tying up the other side.

A Dark Wings member gave him a few large metal stakes and a hammer, telling him to hammer one stake into each metal-lined hole in the tarp that he came across.

Three hours later, everyone was gathered in the mess hall that had been fully assembled while they'd preformed their street show. Luke hadn't even noticed that, in the past few days of coming into the mess hall, that one end, instead of having a wall there, was blocked off by a blue tarp. That served as temporary protection from the weather while the rest of the mess hall was assembled.

"Alright everyone, the big top is up and the bleachers are set. All the props are in place." Peony nodded approvingly, "Tomorrow, we start the New Guy's training on the trapeze, and then we get to working on the show." Everyone voiced their approval of the plan, and Luke was practically bouncing in his seat in excitement.

---

Luke had a hard time going to sleep that night, his mind buzzing hopefully with thoughts of what he would learn.

"Luke." Jade's voice asked right before he managed to fall asleep.

"....?" it took him a moment to realize Jade was talking to him. He was so used to being called New Guy (by everyone except Tear) that his real name sounded strange,

"Wh...what?" Luke propped himself up on one elbow, rubbing his eyes with his other hand. He glanced at the digital clock on the wall, situated near the door so that everyone could see it from their beds. The glowing red numbers said '12:05' in blocky digital text. He looked up at Jade groggily, but then noticed that the man was standing there in his full circus uniform, "J...Jade?"

"Come with me." he ordered flatly. The usual fake pleasantness in his voice was gone; his tone completely serious. Luke couldn't see his face due to the darkness, but he could just tell that Jade's expression was completely straight.

"Uh...s-sure." After kicking off the sheets Luke followed Jade out of the trailer. Asch grunted something in his sleep as Luke shut the door, but other than that there was no noise. A few work lights were set out near the big top, glowing with golden light like streetlights, put there by the Dark wings. "Um...wh-what's wrong?" the magician has his back to the younger member, and didn't turn around.

"I wanted you to explain something for me." Jade pulled something out of his pocket; Luke heard the crinkling of paper. He turned back and said, "Explain...The picture on this Poster."

Luke's heart stopped. Jade was holding a poster identical to the one he'd ripped from the wall in Sharlen.

"Well?" the magician stared at him with an expression that was a mix of being angry and not impressed, "This is you, isn't it?"

"I-I...I..." he stuttered, "Jade--"

"I'm waiting." he interrupted.

"I..." his shoulders sagged slightly, "Y...yeah...that's me..."

"I thought so." he folded the poster up again, however he was somewhat startled when Luke grabbed the front of his uniform,

"Jade, please! I'm begging you, don't tell anybody!" he asked weakly, "Please, I don't want anyone else to know about me!"

"....." Jade blinked once, staring down at him.

"I-I'm trying to avoid the soldiers and stay out of trouble, really! I-I'll do anything, just please don't tell anyone!" his mouth twitched to a very slight smirk,

"I never said I would tell anyone." Luke stared at him, wide eyed, "I merely asked if the person on the poster was you."

"A-ah...?"
"You assumed too much." Jade pushed Luke's hands from the front of his uniform. As he began heading back to the trailer, "Ah...but you're a bit late." Luke stiffened,

"Wh-what?"

"I've already told the ringmaster."

"What-!?" his voice rose a few octaves in pitch,

"He'll probably want to talk to you tomorrow, however I doubt he'll go sharing that piece of information." Jade then went back into the trailer, saying a simple 'Goodnight' over his shoulder before he closed the door.

Luke clutched at his hair, squeezing his eyes shut.

No, no, no, no, no!! Nobody was supposed to find out...! Nobody was supposed to know... They weren't supposed to know that he was...

He sank to his knees. Despite Jade's assurances that neither he nor Peony would say anything, it still wasn't supposed to be like this. Nobody was supposed to know what Luke really was...

"Hey New Guy," Erika knocked him in the back lightly, "I know Natalia isn't the best cook but you gotta eat something." Luke poked the almost over-cooked eggs around his plate wordlessly, "...New Guy?"

"Lemme alone..." he mumbled,

".....Okay." she mumbled, straightening and stepping away from him to put her plate in the sink,

"Alright everyone; the Dark Wings are done with the Big Top." Peony said, "The first few shows are the same as they were at Barluu; go freshen up your memories." everyone filed out except Luke; he could feel the eyes of the other circus members on him briefly however they all left anyway, "So. Luke." Peony leaned against the edge of the table next to him,

"...yeah?" he asked weakly,

"You're the noble that's gone missing."

"......yeah..." his voice was a whisper. Peony sighed,

"Well this is quite the pickle you've gotten me in. I could be arrested if I don't turn you in."

"I know..." he moaned, clutching at his head,

"So you better not get caught."

"..." Luke opened his eyes and stared up at Peony, "Wha...?"

"I won't get in trouble if you don't get caught." the Ringmaster said, "Simple as that. So, think you can stay out of trouble until this whole 'Missing Noble' thing calms down?"

"S...Sur...Yes!" Luke's eyes brightened considerably, "Yes! I can! I will, I promise."

"Good." Peony grinned, "Now, get in the big top! Asch and Natalia are waiting to teach you the routine."

"Y-yes sir!!"

Wonder what's gonna happen now?