The days passed by quickly as the night of William's first show in the circus drew closer. Before he knew it, he was in the standby area, waiting for him and Charlie to be announced. He decided he wanted to step outside for a minute, needing some fresh air. His hands wouldn't stop trembling and it was driving him mad.

"Calm down. This is nothing. This is different than the parlors. There will be kids this time. Families… and… and they shouldn't laugh at me in a cruel manner. They'll laugh in an entertained manner… I hope. I think." William put his face in his hands. "Oh for heaven's sake why am I lying to myself? I'm a nervous wreck!"

"Magician Man nervous?"

William gasped, looking to the side of him to see a muscular man with a thick mustache standing not too far from him.

"O-Oh. Um… Hello. Wolfgang, was it?"

"Oui."

"Noted… Um… Yes… I… I admit I'm not exactly confident in… well doing a perfect performance on my first try. I … I enjoy performing for others but sometimes I just… I just choke and get so scared. Scared of being laughed at or looking like a fool because I'm not like other magicians. I'm so scared of failing after all the failure I've put up with already."

"Magician Man." Wolfgang walked over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Failure is something you should not fear. It should be something you should welcome."

"H-Huh?"

The strong man gave a small grin.

"Little secret. I used to be a very scrawny strong man and a bit shy too. When I first joined this circus, I barely knew any English. I had come all the way from France and knew nothing of the English save a few words to get my point across. I came off as dumb to some and a fool for thinking I could be a strong man with my stature." Wolfgang chuckled a bit. "And I guess I was making a fool of myself with my small talk and scrawny build in front of crowds, but I used those failures as a way to want to strive to be better. I worked hard to become stronger and with help from Wigfrid, Wes, Charlie and all the kind circus folks I learned to speak English much better, even if only a select few could understand me entirely, they never gave up on me." Wolfgang patted his back. "And I'm sure, they won't give up on you. Especially Charlie. So, don't be afraid of failure. Look at it as an opportunity to become stronger and better. Do you understand, Magician Man?"

William nodded, relaxing his shoulders a little. "I do. Thank you for that, Wolfgang. I feel better about this." He took a deep breath. "I can do this. Even if I screw up I'll just use it as part of the performance."

"Very good, my friend." Wolfgang gave him another pat on the back. "Hehe and after tonight's performance Wes and Wigfrid will be making dinner so you have something to look forward to."

"Oh the dynamic duo's special. I'm looking forward to that quite a bit."

"As am I. I know Wes will be making my favorite. Frog leg sandwich. I haven't had any in awhile so I'm looking forward to that."

"I'm quite fond of carrot anything so I heard Wigfrid will be making a vegetable and meat stew. I'm honestly excited to see how it compares to my brother's wife's stew. She has some standards to live up to." William grinned.

"I'm sure it will be great."

"William?"

William and Wolfgang looked to the entrance of the tent to see Charlie poking her head out.

"We're up. Are you ready?"

"Yes." William nodded, picking up his hat, putting it on. He looked to Wolfgang, giving a smile. "Thank you for the advice, Wolfgang."

Wolfgang nodded, giving him a pat on the back.

"Knock them dead, Magician Man."

William grinned, laughing a little before joining Charlie's side, both making their way for the performance tent.

"He surprised me." William whispered to Charlie. "He's probably the kindest strong man I've ever met. Well he's only strong man I've ever met but still, I wasn't expecting someone like that."

Charlie giggled a bit. "Wolfgang appears scary and menacing but he's really just a big teddy bear. He's a kind man with a heart larger than life. I'm not surprised he warmed up to you - you're also bunking with his best friend Wes. Those two are as thick as thieves."

"Just taking a guess here, but is Wes also from France? Not trying to imply anything just… I would think with their common interest in frog legs and Wolfgang mentioning there were only a few who could understand French."

"You're right about that actually. Wes is from France as well, though he's mute - it's not just his code of being a mime. While he understands French perfectly and can jot down translations he just can't speak it."

"Oh… That's… Kind of sad. It never crossed my mind that he was already mute to begin with."

Charlie's gaze softened. "Not many people do but Wes makes it work. It doesn't bother him since that's all he's known. People have asked at least here in the circus if he'd want a voice but he just brushes it off. He has his way. Especially with his personality."

"As far as I can tell he's very kind too. I woke up one morning and found a note from him saying to do my best at practice. He even left carrots for Judy."

Charlie smiled softly. "That's Wes for you. He loves making everyone smile and feel good about themselves. He even sneaks bananas to the monkeys and helped me find a necklace of mine when I thought I lost it."

"A mime who enjoys spreading happiness through actions. Sounds fitting."

"That's our Wes. Hehe, even brings out Wigfrid's soft side."

"As I noticed.. Are they…?"

Charlie gave a grin. "They don't publicly announce it but yes."

"I see. I'm curious about Wigfrid herself."

"You can find that out later. For now." Charlie looked to the stage waiting for them. "We have an audience waiting for us."

William nodded, looking to where Parker was, the man grinning as he saw the two waiting for their cue.

"Ladies and gentlemen, for our next act, our newest addition to this circus." Parker announced to the audience. "Feast your eyes on the amazing illusions of the one, the only, The Amazing William Carter and his lovely assistant, Charlie!"

The crowd applauded as the two took to the stage. Charlie gave a sweeping bow, William quickly following suit.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Allow me to mesmerize and entertain!" William called out feeling some confidence rush up. He scanned the crowd with his eyes, spotting his brother in the crowd. He relaxed more, feeling like he could do this. Jack's watching. I gotta do my best here. He got me this job. "And with my lovely assistant, Ms. Charlie!"

Charlie waved, giving another bow.

"What shall we do, Mr. Carter?"

"Hm… Well, let's see if our little friend would like to come out and play." William tipped his hat off. "Would you mind?"

"Not at all!" Charlie took the hat, holding it up for him.

William grinned, reaching his arm in.

"Hm… Now where did that little trouble make go- Oh!" William pulled his arm around, revealing Judy in his hand. "There she is!"

Judy looked to the crowds, squeaking a bit, letting out a yawn.

"Looks like someone was napping in my hat again."

The crowd clapped, a few people laughing, several children letting out squeals.

"And seems you've charmed the crowd little lady."

Judy squeaked, letting out another yawn.

William chuckled, setting her down on a table, giving her a carrot.

"Now don't running away now-"

The table started moving around the stage.

"Oh my!"

Judy let out a squeak, holding her head up proudly.

"Seems she's decided she's up for a joy ride!" Charlie remarked as the crowd snickered.

"Indeed, indeed." William brought a hand to his chin, before pulling it away, looking at the scarves that were sticking out of his sleeve. "Oh dear, seems I have something in my sleeve here. Ms. Charlie?" William held out his arm to her.

Charlie giggled, grabbing on to the first scarf, pulling it out as more followed.

"Goodness, where did all these come from?"'

"Your guess is as good as mine-" one of the scarves came undone as William's back met with the stage floor. "OOF!"

Charlie grinned tugging hard on the scarf William was still holding onto yanking him right back onto his feet. "I got your back Mr. Carter!"

"Why thank you my dear! I suppose I fell for your good looks." He felt heat rush to his face. Wait, did I just say that out loud!?

Charlie blushed a bit, quickly hiding it with a giggle.

"Such a charmer, isn't he ladies and gentlemen?"

The crowd cheered, some laughter mixed in as well.

William grinned giving a bow.

"Thank you, thank you, you are far too kind!"

"Is there anything else you would like to share with us, Mr. Carter." Charlie smiled.

"Well." William dug around in his other sleeve before producing a rose. "A thank you, to my wonderful assistant for helping me with this show and being able to come here."

Charlie blushed, taking the rose into her hands, a small grin on her face. "Why thank you."

The crowd let out an audible "aww" at the sight of the two.

"GO WILLIAM!" Jack was heard cheering as the magician blushed.

Oh Jack. Always supportive in his own ways.

William gave another bow.

"And that is all for tonight, ladies and gentlemen. I shall return with more illusions in the future."

The audience clapped, cheering for them as the two left the stage.

"William that was great!" Charlie squealed a little bit. "You were a natural!"

William blushed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Y-You really think so?"

"Yes!" Charlie grinned widely before throwing her arms around him. "You did wonderful! I haven't felt that happy on stage for a long time!"

He felt a grin come to his face, bringing his arms around her, spinning her a bit. "That means a lot to hear Charlie- Em Ms. Charlie."

Charlie sighed happily.

"Charlie is fine, William."

William smiled warmly. "Charlie it is."

Goodness she's adorable… and I made her so happy.

"Ayeeee! You two were wonderful up there!"

Wigfrid came rushing over to them with Wolfgang and Wes right behind her.

"Charlie, I can't remember the last time I saw you smiling that much on stage. You were glowing up there with William!"

She giggled. "I couldn't help it. I was having so much fun. William's wonderful to work with!"

"Ehehe? I try my best."

"See, Magician Man? Nothing to it."

William smiled gently.

"Thank you, Wolfgang."

Wes gave a thumbs up before making a sign with his hands, bringing a hand to his mouth.

"Aye, agreed, Wes! We are all finished. I believe it's time to celebrate. We shall feast like we were in Valhalla!"

"That sounds wonderful. I'm starving." William laughed. "I was getting a little jealous of Judy with her carrot!"

"Well you'll have better than rabbit food!"

"Come on then!" Wigfrid ran off, the others following behind.

Charlie giggled, taking one of William's hand in hers.

"I really did I have a wonderful time up there, William. Thank you so much."

He smiled squeezing her hand gently.

"The pleasure is all mine, Charlie. That was the best performance I've given thus far. Before it was all stuffy parlors and cruel laughs."

"Well, it'll be different from this moment from now on."

"Can agree… and I hope we have many more wonderful shows together."

"I'm sure we will." Charlie moved a little closer to him. "We just have to always give our best."

William huddled a bit closer to her. "And I think we can do that just fine."

"That we can."