Cirque du La Terre
Chapter XXV.
The Cirque wrapped up the rest of the week uneventfully. The shows were as amazing as always. Bee had fully recovered and was better than ever on the silks. However, Longshot was nervous as ever as the week approached its end, closer and closer to their two week break. Normally, he'd be rejoicing at the opportunity of a small vacation since he wasn't a performer, but now…
"Excuse me?" Iroh asked with a ludicrous expression. "You want him to do what?"
"Perform with me, with us," Bee said, hand gesturing to the other Aerialists standing outside the big top. Longshot stood awkwardly by Bee, unable to look Iroh directly in the eye. Iroh just stared at the aerialists as if they'd grown two heads and lizard tails.
"He's never performed a day in his life! Let alone on silks!" Iroh exclaimed. He wasn't being unkind, but he honestly didn't understand where this whole idea came from. Well, that wasn't entirely truthful. He'd noticed the longing in Longshot's eyes since he joined the Cirque, but he never thought he'd act upon it! Iroh had the sneaking suspicion that this was all Bee's doing. Bee's eyebrow arched to her hairline and Longshot wanted nothing more than to turn into a small, insignificant blade of grass. Jet, Ty Lee and Azula stood behind Bee like a shield though. He was stuck.
"I can teach him!" Bee pressed. "I have been teaching him. He's a fast learner and I know he'd be able to do at least the basics by three weeks!"
"But the crowd doesn't want to see basics," Iroh argued. "They want to see advanced aerial work. Nobody's going to be wowed by a boy climbing up and down a silk!" Longshot blushed and crossed his arms, trying to recite the entirety of "Dear Old Shiz" in his head as a distraction.
"I can create a routine that will be breathtaking, I assure you," Bee said heatedly. "Please, why won't you give him a chance?" Iroh blinked and stared, mouth open at Bee. His demeanor fell and his shoulders slumped. He looked from Bee to Longshot, who froze when she felt Iroh's gaze upon her.
"Longshot, what do you think about all of this?" Iroh asked. Longshot looked at Iroh like a deer caught in the headlights. He stumbled over his words as he tried to find the right thing to say.
"Well, I've always wanted to perform…" Longshot trailed off. He shuffled his feet. "And Bee's been teaching me so…" Iroh's eyes softened and his lips turned up in a small smile. Longshot's heart thumped hard against his ribcage.
"If you really want to do this Longshot, then I won't stop you. You deserve it," Iroh said, clasping Longshot on the shoulder. "Just, don't hurt yourself." Bee let out a victorious cry and fist-pumped in the air as Ty Lee clapped excitedly. Azula let out the smallest of smiles and Jet seemed pretty smug with the change of events. Longshot just blinked at Iroh before smiling, relief flooding his body.
"Th-thank you so much!" he stuttered out. Iroh just laughed heartily and walked away, twirling his cane in his hand. Longshot whirled around to Bee, who grabbed his face and planted a sloppy, excited kiss on his lips. Longshot wound his fingers in Bee's hair, deepening the kiss until Bee was clutching his face like there was nothing left to hold on to in the world. Every feeling Longshot was having- excitement, relief, love- was poured into that kiss. He heard Azula say a rather vulgar comment but he ignored it. The only thing he was aware of was kissing Bee. When he pulled away Bee looked utterly shocked. She looked at Longshot with wide eyes and smiled, pulling the tall boy into a hug.
"This is going to be amazing," Bee said as she clutched Longshot to her. "I can tell. We're going to be amazing." Longshot smiled and buried his face into Bee's neck, planting a kiss on the pale flesh.
"We better start practicing as soon as possible," Longshot said. Bee separated herself from Longshot, arms around his waist.
"I have the perfect idea for costumes!" Bee exclaimed. "Just think- purple and green. I'm Thinking green for you and purple for me, with ribbon and maybe some glitter and-"
"Bee," Longshot warned. Bee shut up and just smiled.
"Right, routine is more important right now," Bee said sheepishly. Longshot just shook his head and smiled. He loved it when Bee became over-excited like this. "So, when do you want to start?"
"Soon," Longshot said. "The moment we get to Columbus." Bee smiled and kissed Longshot on the cheek.
"Okay. Get ready for the hardest two weeks of your life."
When they arrived in Columbus, Ohio it couldn't have been drearier. Rain drizzled from the sky like tears from a melancholic mime. Slate colored clouds hung low and rolled across the atmosphere. Positively everything seemed to be painted in shades of grey- the cars, the buildings, the people.
When they reached the hotel they were staying in, Bee was obviously confused.
"A hotel?" she asked, hesitant hope rising in her voice. She hadn't had a decent shower in weeks, not to mention a comfortable bed since she ran away from home. Longshot, who sat in front of her in Suki's truck turned to look at the girl behind him.
"Yeah," Longshot confirmed. "When we do this team up we usually stay in a hotel since we'll be here for almost four weeks." Bee just stared at Longshot like she was seeing God for the first time, wide eyed and full of wonder.
"Oh my god," she said. "I'm taking a shower as soon as we get our key cards." Suki cackled in the driver's seat.
"You'll have to fight your way to the bathroom," she said. "That's the first thing on all of our minds right now." She pulled into a vacant parking spot near the large trailer boasting "Cirque du La Terre" that Iroh always drove. The ringmaster jumped out of the trailer and waited patiently for the rest of the caravan to arrive.
A smaller red struck pulled up next to Suki's, Aang behind the wheel .Cinnamon and Zuko waved to Suki, Bee and Longshot. Longshot waved back with a smile, but Bee wasn't paying attention. All she cared about at the moment was her shower. Iroh quietly motioned for everyone to get out of their cars. Longshot saw Toph, Jet, Azula, Ty Lee, Katara and Teo get out of a black van across the parking lot. The rest of the crew seemed to have already vacated their vehicles and headed to the hotel lobby. Bee bounced on her heels as she waited for everyone to gather around Iroh.
"Okay guys, this is how the rooms Iroh be set up," Iroh said. "Katara, Toph, Suki, Ty Lee in one room-" he handed Suki their room cards, "Cinnamon, Azula and Bee in the one next to them." He handed Cinnamon their cards and motioned for the girls to head off. Bee waved Longshot before briskly walking towards the hotel, determined to snag the bathroom.
"Now for the boys," Iroh said. "Young, Aang, Longshot, you all are together. Teo and Jet, you are together." He handed key cards to Jet and Longshot. Longshot looked down at the cards with disappointment. Too bad Bee wasn't rooming with him (considering she was a girl), but at least they'd be beside each other.
Jet took one look at Longshot before swiping a card from his hand.
"I'll be in the shower if you need me," he said to Longhost before practically flying towards the hotel. Longshot laughed and cordially handed room keys to Pipsqueak and Aang.
"You guys go ahead," Longshot said. "I'm going to help unload everyone's stuff." Aang and Pipsqueak just nodded before heading off to their room. As Longshot turned to begin unloading the trailer he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Oh no you don't," Iroh said, stopping Longshot in his tracks. "You can take a few hours to relax. Everyone can unload their own stuff." Longshot blushed and grabbed his bag full of clothes, stuffed animals, and keepsakes along with his guitar. Iroh gave him a knowing look as Longshot walked towards the hotel, searching for him room.
It turns out they were on the second story of the small hotel. Longshot walked across the balcony in front of the rooms until he found the one that matched the number on his card. He could hear Aang and Pipsqueak conversing behind the peeling forest green door.
Longshot set down his guitar into order to place the card in the slot. He watched the little light turned green and he twisted the handle. Cold air instantly rushed to meet him as soon as he opened the door. He shivered from the contrast of temperature. As Longshot walked into the room, the smell that was distinctly hotel room flooded his nostrils. He inhaled and sighed. The room was rather small with two beds and a table between them with a green and gold lamp. The walls were an off white and sported indistinctive watercolors paintings. He could see his reflection in the mirror that hung over the two sinks in the back of the room beside the door to the bathroom. When his eyes landed on one of the two beds in the room, he couldn't help but grin.
"Hey Longshot," Pipsqueak greeted from his position on the other bed closest to the bathroom. He lay on his stomach as he watched the TV sitting across from him on the dark wood dresser. Aang sat on the floor, back leaned against the same bed. They seemed to be thoroughly entertained by some animated comedy.
"Hey," Longshot said back with a smile. He placed his bag and guitar in a rather ugly plum-colored armchair in front of the window and walked towards the unoccupied bed, staring down at its magnificence. He stood for a moment or two before finally just deciding "screw it" and flopped down on the fluffy mattress. All of the muscles in his body relaxed as he bounced lightly on the bed. He kicked off his converse and wormed in way under the covers, savoring the feel of the fabric. In no time, Longshot had fallen sleep.
Steam swirled around the small bathroom as Bee thoroughly shampooed her hair, massaging her scalp and working the substance from root to tip. Soapy foam trailed down her neck, back, and chest. The scent of hotel-brand shampoo wafted through the air. Normally Bee wouldn't touch the stuff, be she was desperate for some real cleanliness.
The hot water rushed down Bee's skin, relaxing muscles and turning pale skin pink from the temperature. Bee sighed.
This was nice.
The aerialist washed the shampoo out of her hair and worked conditioner into a lather in her palms, spreading it evenly through her choppy locks. Eyelids closed over glass eyes, water dripping from long eyelashes. Suddenly there was a loud knocking on the door.
"Okay Bee, I know you like to be clean but Cinnamon and I would really like to wash the stench of circus folk off of us," Azula shouted over the sound of rushing water. "So if you don't mind, hurry up and wash your ass!" Bee groaned. She was just getting used to the scalding water. She washed the conditioner out of her hair, reveling at the softer, lighter feel of her hair. Cold air immediately sent goose bumps down Bee's arms and a shiver up her spine when she turned the water off. Almost blindly, she reached for a towel. She wrapped one towel around her head and used the other to dry off her body, frowning at the stickiness of water that refused to leave her flesh. This is why she hated hotel bathrooms- the lack of ventilation.
"Bee!" Azula yelled again, banging on the door. She reached to rap her knuckles on the wood again but stopped in her tracks when it opened to reveal a very disgruntled teenager.
"I'm. Out." Bee said in a clipped tone, towel wrapped around body. Azula just blinked and laughed nervously.
"Well, I'll just go in then," Azula said, cautiously stepping around Bee. Bee sighed and stepped out into the hotel room, shivering because of the air conditioning. Cinnamon had seemed to have left- there was nobody else in the room. Bee walked over to her bag and rifled through her clothes. She had seen a coffee shop from across the street and she was going to ask Longshot to join her for a cup. Her eyes roamed over the many choices of outfits she had. Bee bit her lip, looking until his eyes landed on a lovely yellow and black silk scarf. A smile graced her face as she picked it up, remembering where it came from. She quickly grabbed a black v-neck tee, a pair of dark wash skinny jeans, and a cream colored military style jacket with gold buttons.
"Dude, wake up. Your girlfriend is standing at the door," a voice said in Longshot's ear. Longshot shifted but remained horizontal on the bed, clutching a pillow. Suddenly a fairly fluffy yet hard surface came into contact with the side of his head.
"What the hell?" Longshot exclaimed, shooting up from the bed, throwing the pillow in a direction he hoped his attacker was in. Turns out he threw the pillow opposite of where his attacker was standing and instead hit Aang in the back of the head.
"Longshot!"
"Oh, sorry!"
"Bee's waiting for you outside," Pipsqueak said as Longshot apologized. "And she looks like he plans on going somewhere. You better get out there." Longshot just looked at Pipsqueak for a moment before sliding off the bed, sock feet dragging across the carpet. He squinted at the muted white light of a cloudy day as he opened the door.
Bee severely contrasted with Longshot in her wardrobe. Longshot was wearing a pair of old faded jeans with a dark red cotton Henley with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows and sock feet, whereas Bee donned a pair of perfectly fitting dark wash denim jeans with a fitted v-neck tee, cream military jacket with gold buttons and white boots. Around her slender neck was a yellow and black scarf that looked familiar to Longshot. It was the one Longshot had gotten for her to make her feel better after the horrible episode in the soda fountain. Bee's hair was brushed away from her face. Longshot was sure his was all over the place and sticking out at strange angles.
"Well, you look ready to go somewhere," Longshot said, rubbing his eyes. Bee arched her eyebrow and smiled.
"Would you like to get some coffee with me?" Bee asked, arms crossed leisurely across his chest. Longshot blushed.
"Of course. Just uh, give me a moment to fix myself." Bee rolled her eyes and walked up to Longshot, petting down his hair.
"You look fine," Bee said, head cocking to the side. "Just get some shoes on. The coffee shop is just right across the street." Longshot sighed and straightened his shirt, which had become wrinkled as he slept. He stepped inside to grab his grey converse and pulled them on, tying the laces tightly. Bee waited patiently outside, examining her reflection in the window.
"Ready," Longshot declared. Bee smiled and held out her hand. Longshot took it immediately, Bee's hand warm in his.
Bee led Longshot down the steps and into the parking lot. Longshot looked across the street to see a small establishment called the Jasmin Dragon Café. The sign was wooden and the name was carved in loopy script, painted white. The background was green with red flames and a white dragon serving as the C in the name.
As they walked in a bell jingled and the smell of coffee tingled at Longshot's senses. There were few people sitting at the round tables near the bay window by the door, save for a rather old lady reading a novel while nursing a cookie and a cup of decaf coffee, a younger man typing away at a laptop as he sipped a caramel macchiato and two college girls chatting happily with their frappes. Longshot eyed the chocolate biscottis at the counter as they approached a boy of about eighteen with brown hair, a freckled nose, emerald colored eyes in a in a navy apron. Longshot spied a curious pin on the boy's apron in the shape of a pair of cold spectacles with jewels instead of glass the colors of the boy's eyes.
"What can I get for you two today?" he asked, hands on the counter. Both teens scanned the chalk board above the counter that displayed all of the different orders in white and green chalk.
"I'd like a grande nonfat mocha," Bee said.
"And I'd like a medium drip and one of those chocolate biscottis please," Longshot asked with a smile. The boy nodded and walked off to the array of coffee machines to prepare their orders. Bee stole a sideways glance at Longshot, who was smiling to himself.
"What are you thinking about?" Bee asked. Longshot blinked and looked at Bee, smiling sheepishly.
"Well, about you and about the show," he admitted. Bee smiled crookedly.
"I can't wait to begin practice," she said. "I have the perfect idea for this one part where we'll both slide down the silk and do a dance routine." Longshot smiled and butterflies hovered pleasantly in his stomach.
"You know, you never told me what song we're performing to." Bee opened her mouth just as the barista walked back up to the counter, coffee orders in hand.
"That'll be seven fifty please," the boy said. Longshot automatically reached in his pocket but Bee swatted his hand away.
"My treat," she said, handing the boy a ten dollar bill. Her eyes landed on a jar by the cash register for a donation to keep arts in the schools. The boy quickly handed Bee her change as Longshot grabbed both of their coffees and his biscotti. Bee smiled at the boy and rolled up her dollars and coins and put them in the relatively empty jar. The boy just looked from the jar to Bee, a grin spreading across his face.
"Thanks," the boy said. Bee smiled and nodded before following Longshot to an empty table by the man typing away at his computer. They sat across from each other. The table was made out of wrought iron and painted black. There was a small menu on it along with sugar packets. Longshot set Bee's coffee in front of her and took a seat, scooting close to the table's edge.
"That was cool," Longshot said as Bee sat down in her chair. "Putting your change in the jar I mean."
"Anything to help," Bee said with a smile as she wrapped his fingers around her coffee. Longshot just smiled as he uncapped his coffee and dunked his biscotti.
"So, speaking of arts, what is the song we're performing to?"
"Well, let's just say that it's rather wicked."