I OWN NOTHING BUT THE STORY LINE AND THE CHARACTERS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW FROM THE ANIME/MANGA! Only Aurora, Victor, Alibaster, Melony, Serah, Lydia, and Rydia are mine!
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Circus
"Don't go running off, Rydia."
"Of course not, Mommy. Ooh, can we ride the carousel?"
"Perhaps later, dear. We need to go watch the main event first, don't you agree? It's about to start and we must get good seats."
Ciel couldn't help but frown as he listened to Aurora talk to the other child. It reminded him of how his mother would talk to him. He hated that he kept comparing Aurora to his mother but it seemed that his mind was going to do that whether he wanted it to or not.
It was just the five of them: Aurora, Alibaster, Rydia, Sebastian, and himself. The others had all stayed behind at the Drakeford Manor. They had stopped by to speak to Agni and the siblings earlier that morning and Ciel and Sebastian had gone off to retrieve some records.
"Then let's head to the main tent, shall we?" Alibaster grinned, leading the way.
"Oh, can we come back afterwards? I want to win a teddy bear!"
"Of course we can; anything you want, dear."
Ciel smiled, unaware that Sebastian was watching him until the butler leaned down to level his mouth to his ear. "Would you also like a teddy bear, my lord?"
Ciel felt his face heat up and glared at the taller man in embarrassment. "Of course not! I'm not a child."
"Technically you are," Aurora replied with a smile. "Indulging on those child-like pleasures is not a sign of weakness or wrong, Ciel. It's nothing but natural."
Ciel fixed his hat and turned his head from the woman. "Let's be on our way, shall we?"
Aurora continued to smile as she followed the rest of them to the main show.
"It's quite elaborate," Sebastian commented as they all got seats towards the back of the tent.
"Yes," Ciel agreed. "But no more than any other circus."
A few words were exchanged between them all before the lights dimmed and one light in the middle focused on a single man in the ring.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls!"
"Oh?" Aurora tilted her head a bit, a smile spreading across her face that made Alibaster glance at her in confusion.
He appeared to be a man in his middle twenties with purple eyes and long orange hair with extensions which were bleached at the tip and braided at the strands. There was a blue tear drop under his left eye and four golden hoops in each ear. With a yellow bow and a purple coat trimmed in gold, he wore a black and lavender checkered vest with a white ruffled button up shirt with puffy short pants and black and white boots that reached up to his knees and curled at his toes. There was a glove on his left hand but his right had was that of a skeleton; a prosthetic. In his fingers he held different colored balls.
"Welcome to Noah's Ark Circus!" He began to juggle them. "My name is Joker. Pleased to me 'ee!" He gave a bow and let the balls fall on his head before giving a smile at the applause and pulling a blue one out of his mouth. "Tonight you'll see performances to stun and amaze 'ee!" More figures ran out around Joker and more lights began to shine. "And now, with a great broze from our fire-breathing Jumbo, the show of the century begins!" A large man stood up from behind Joker and the group scattered as a huge burst of fire spread out from the large man, beginning all the acts of the Circus.
Aurora couldn't lie; she was enjoying herself. She did notice that most of the performers were young, but not children. Most were in their early twenties. Now that she thought about it, there weren't many people older than that in employment with the Circus, at least from what she had seen.
There was one act that she liked the most, though, and that came from the Snake Charmer. She should have invited Melony to come with them.
"Last but not least, the star of our troupe!" Joker cried out as a woman came out, a whip in one hand, a tiger following her.
Aurora gave a frown as the woman in the ring placed a foot on the back of the large cat.
Alibaster caught it. "Calm down now, tiger."
Joker called out for a volunteer from the crowd and Sebastian stood up almost instantly.
"Oh dear," Aurora sighed as he was called down.
"Sebastian?" Alibaster cocked a brow as the butler moved towards the ring. "What is he planning..."
"He can't control himself;" Aurora sighed.
"Control himself?" The man looked at her. "What are you-" His eyes widened as the butler moved past the circus performers to kneel in front of the tiger and pet it. "Dear Lord, he's insane."
"He's doing it to tease me."
"Tease you'? Why would he do that?" Aurora's reply was silent.
Alibaster couldn't help but laugh as Sebastian continued to pet the tiger, resulting in the large feline biting his head a second time. "Now I get it."
Sebastian was obsessed with cats. Aurora was, technically, a cat; a tiger, to be more specific. Alibaster found himself wondering if his obsession with feline happened before or after he met Aurora.
"He's an idiot!" Ciel growled from Alibaster's other side.
"Mommy, is he going to be okay?" Rydia asked, gripping to Aurora's sleeve.
"Of course he will, dear. He knows what he's doing."
Ciel was none too happy with his butler as they exited the tent.
"I didn't tell you to go that far!"
"My apologies, my lord," Sebastian replied, clearly pleased with himself. (The man has sparkles floating around his head; come on, let him live) "I've lived many years, but cats are such whimsical creatures, I still can't quite read their moods." With his words he shot Aurora a look. She kept er gaze ahead of them, only letting a smile curl the corners of her lips.
Ciel continued forward with an annoyed face. "What was the point of attracting unnecessary attention-" He sneezed and turned to glare at the butler. "You know I'm allergic to cats! Stay far back."
"I'm sorry, you're allergic to cats?" Alibaster raised a brow. "Then how can you be around Aurora all the time?"
"Because Aurora is a woman, not a feline!" The child growled. "And it's rude of you to see her as anything but."
Alibaster looked taken aback for a moment before letting a large smile spread on his lips as he moved after the younger Lord, Rydia in tow. "You're right; how rude of me."
"Such a rowdy group we have," Aurora smiled as she and Sebastian watched after them.
"Yes," He agreed. "And I have a feeling that it's just going to get worse."
"More than likely. Then again, it can turn out to be quite entertaining. It has so far. Perhaps being immobile for the last thirty or so years have made me..."
Sebastian turned to the woman beside him, a frown on his face. "Cat, I just wanted to-"
"There you are! Hold on a sec! You in the tailcoat!" It took every ounce of restraint not to turn around and kill the man running up to him.
"Oh, Mr. Joker, right?" Aurora smiled at the Ring Leader. "I apologize for my companion. He can't control himself around felines, I'm afraid."
Joker gave a surprised look before giving a short bow to her. "There's no need for you to apologize, Madam. And Joker is fine; never been one for proper etiquette, ya know?"
"I can tell," She giggled. "But it suits you just fine."
He grinned at her again and turned his gaze to Sebastian. "Gave me a scare, walking right up to the tiger like that. We have a doctor on staff. Better let him have a look at 'ee, I reckon."
"Do you mind if I come along?" Aurora automatically asked. "If there's something wrong then it would be better if I heard how to take care of it; I'm afraid he can't do too much without me."
Sebastian gave a smile, closing his eyes.
Joker nodded with another smile of his own. "Of course, of course. Please, come on back."
"I don't mind if I do," Sebastian nodded. This was the perfect chance to search for the children that had gone missing.
Joker led them through the back tents, members of the circus shooting them glances. Aurora ignored them all, listening to Joker as he happily spoke to the two of them.
"I must say, I don't normally see women dressed like 'ee," He was commenting. "Normally it's all dresses and the proper like."
"Well, like you said, I was never one for proper etiquette," She replied. "I like wearing pants better than dresses. The skirts always get in the way; unless it's a special occasion."
"I'm sure during those occasions you're quite the beauty, missus!" Joker grinned. "It's almost a shame, really." He then began to scratch his head nervously. "Not that 'ee don't look stunning enough already, that is."
"I'll take that as a compliment, then."
Sebastian took a side glance at her. Her attire had changed a bit...he hadn't noticed.
Still in her leather boots and pants, she now wore a turquoise tiered blouse, the lace trimmed ruffles spilling from the shoulders down the front, matching hems on the sleeves. A string of pearls sat around her neck, her black hair pulled over her left shoulder. Why hadn't he noticed?
"Ah, Snake! Is the doc in the medical tent?" Joker had led them up to another member and Aurora's smile spread further. This had been the other person that caught her attention during the show.
Snake was young and lean with golden eyes and short white hair. His pale skin interspersed with scales. In thigh-high boots and a high-collared jacket with baggy sleeves that were long enough to cover his hands and a striped black and white shirt, cinched at the waist and neck with two belts in each location. There was a snake wrapped around his neck, that pointed off towards a tent with it's tail, and another that was currently eating a rat on the box beside him.
His eyes followed the three of them as they left, his golden eyes locking with Aurora's until she turned around the corner.
~Such interesting people here,~ She smiled.
As Joker led Sebastian up to a man in a wheelchair, Aurora took a look around. Apparently several of the people in the Circus had fake limbs; and several of them were the main acts, too.
"Did you really get bitten by a tiger?" The Doctor asked, looking at Sebastian's head. "I don't see any wound."
Sebastian straightened up, sparkles flying around his head again. "Just an affectionate nip."
"Then there was nothing to be worried about after all," Aurora sighed in relief. "Then again, since there wasn't any blood we should have known. Her teeth would have punctured deeply."
"You know of tigers, miss?" Joker asked her.
"I...know a bit,' Aurora answered. "I've dealt with a few animals here and there before. In my line of work it's inevitable."
"Just what kind of work do you do?" The young man now with them, Dagger, asked.
She gave him a wink that made him blush. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"I'm just glad you're all right," Doc smiled.
"Too true!" Joker smiled. "I was afeard the troupe leader'd kill me for letting a customer get hurt."
Sebastian turned to him. "You aren't the leader?"
Joker raised up his skeleton hand. "I'm more or less the hired replacement. The real one's scary."
Dagger grinned. "Don't blame me if you get yelled at for saying that!"
"Such an interesting bunch you have here," Aurora smiled. "It's nice."
"Why, thank ya, miss!" Joker grinned.
"Doc, would you take a look at my leg-" A new voice entered the tent and they all turned to see the woman, Beast as she was called, enter in.
"Miss!" Dagger grinned happily.
"You!" Beast growled.
Dagger moved towards her and knelt down. "I'm here for my leg, too! Yet more proof of the red thread of destiny between-"
Beast ignored him and glared at Sebastian. "You're that posh freak! What are you doing here?! You wrecked my show-"
"Beast!" Doc cut her off. "You can't talk like that to a guest! This isn't his fault; it's yours for not being able to control Betty!"
"But he walked up to her without-"
"No buts! You're a pro, aren't you?"
"Now, Doc, please don't shout in front of our guest," Joker raised his hands up. "And here we were just getting compliments on how great we were."
"I'd be more worried if there weren't arguments," Aurora assured him. "All families argue; it's natural."
Joker stared at her in surprise before his smile returned.
Aurora watched the next events with a sigh and a hanging head. Sebastian had decided to get too close to Beast's prosthetic leg and embarrassed her. She pulled her whip out and began to attack Sebastian; he happily dodged them with that damn smile on his face, pissing her off even more.
"I do apologize," She spoke to the man that stood beside her. Joker glanced at her. "I'm afraid he likes to show off, despite what I say."
"I take it he does this a lot," Joker commented as Dagger decided to throw knives at the butler that now stood on top of a pole in the tent.
"Unfortunately. His...athletic abilities can be quite a pain when we're home." Joker whistled as Sebastian caught all of Dagger's knives.
Beast cracked her whip. "Don't get cocky!"
She went to attack him but Joker moved forward, catching the whip with his cane. Aurora caught the look he shot Beast when he landed; a warning look. She let a huge grin slide across her face as Sebastian dropped to the ground again, handing Dagger back his knives as the Doc was in a panic.
"Was that really necessary?" Aurora asked him.
"My apologies," He smiled at her. "I may have gotten a bit carried away."
"A bit?" She side-glanced him. "Are you trying to-"
"That was might athletic, sir!" Joker moved towards them again as Beast backed off with the flowers he had given her. "I kinda like to scout you."
Sebastian was in his face in a blink of an eye. "Really?" Joker took a step back. "Truth be told, my current master is so spoiled, I'm quite disgusted with him."
"Master? Be thee a servant, then? I took 'ee for gentry, dressed up so fine..."
"Me, gentry? Hardly." He placed a hand on his chest. "I am merely one hell of a butler."
Joker glanced at Aurora as she sighed and shook her head. "Are you as well?
"A servant? Not at all. Sebastian here was just sent along with me since I wanted to see the circus."
"Is he not your husband?" Dagger asked her.
Aurora stared at him before laughing. "No, no, just an old friend. I am...single, as the younger ones nowadays say."
"Younger ones?" Dagger titled his head. "You can't be that old! About Joker's age, I'd say."
She smiled. "How kind of you."
Sebastian turned back to Joker. "Now, was that true? If so, I'd very much like to join you."
Joker blinked. "Not having me on, are 'ee?"
"I never jest."
"Truly?" Aurora placed a hand on her hip, a frown gracing her lips. "You'll leave just like that?"
He turned and gave her a short bow. "My apologies, ma'am." He raised his head a bit. "If you'd like, you could come with me. I'm sure the lady here could use some help in taming her tiger."
"No thank you," Aurora shook her head, ignoring Beast's comments in the background. "Though I'm sure the life would be exciting, I have two children at home to look after. They've already been abandoned once; I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I were to be the one to do so to them."
Joker looked at her in shock. "You take care of orphans?"
"Indeed. I think of them as my own so they're not orphans anymore." She smiled.
Sebastian closed his eyes; she was speaking of Ciel and Rydia. Then she also took care of all three of the Drakeford children over the years.
"It's a shame then, but it can't be helped," Joker sighed. "It's an admirable thing you do though, missus."
She smiled back at him. "If you do take this man, be sure to knock some sense into him. Don't take it east just because he's...flashy."
Joker nodded. "Of course, of course. You can join us any time you like!"
"Joker," Beast stomped forward. "You can't just decide that!"
The man raised up his hands. "But he's got such talent."
Aurora turned her head as Sebastian spoke of introducing him to another person. "I'm afraid I've grown rather tired." She turned back to Joker. "I greatly enjoyed the show. I'll have to come back before you leave town again."
"But of course, missus," Joker grinned happily. "If you let me know ahead of time, I'll even get you good seats in the front!"
"Truly? For me? But why?"
"As one who goes out of her way to take care of orphans, you deserve something special," There was a sparkle in his eyes as he spoke, a sort of adoration. "So please, do send word."
"I'll be sure to do just that," Aurora smiled.
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