Author's note: Moving on with the second chapter in order to make things a little clearer for you. All the Kooza character have their show names, but also a second one that has been carefully picked. As well as a window to every other circus world! You´ll see!

2. The King's Diamond

"We don't fit in well

'Cause we are just ourselves

I could use some help

Gettin' out of this conversation, yeah

You look stunning, dear

So don't ask that question here"

Ed Sheeran

It was dark all around the Innocent, even darker than what it seemed, until he felt that there was people around him. His eyes were closed but he knew those individuals, each and one of them. Guido should be scare, terrified and yet his heart is steady. He feels safe somehow, and he isn't wrong. These are his friends, after all.

"Is this really necessary?" the trapeze artist was not looking forward to have Guido back in Kooza. She doesn't hate the boy per se, but his presence only means that the Trickster will again play his usual antics.

"C'mon, Morguiane! It's been a while since he was here. See? He is wearing the wrong costume but that red nose gives him away" observed Snug.

"He doesn't have the kite" objected Starveling.

"True, but still" his partner insisted.

"Don't you dare!" barked Lear and his acolytes shut up. "Ahem. Where's the Trickster? He would know"

"Who knows? These days not even I can keep track of his movements" Morguiane frowned. The Bad Dog walked towards Guido, smelled him and wagged his tail. That was his friend, all right.

"Mustard seems to have recognize him" one of the contortionist chirped.

"Give me a break" the trapeze lady went back to her things. The rest of the crew looked at her wearily but did not call her back. There was no point in doing do.

On top of the tower, hiding behind the curtains, the Trickster and his loyal leader of the charivari were watching the whole scene. The magician had been waiting for the Innocent to come back for a certain time, but Lear had brought him without his consent. There were certain things to tell Guido, of course, but he had arrived too soon. The Trickster wasn't ready yet for him. He could always use his creation as a screen to hide from the Innocent but the boy would seek him out, and that wasn't meant to be yet.

"Morguiane surely knows when she's not happy. Well, no big deal. Her loss" the charivari gave out a sneer. The Trickster looked down but said nothing. A single look at the large man was all he needed to tell him what he wanted. "I'll go fetch him right away" the charivari nodded and walked down the stairs while the magician smiled. "Ok, people. Show's over" he towered over the sleeping Guido. "This little man is coming with me"

"C'mon Ninurta! Just a little longer. We wanted to be first" pleaded Snug.

"Not happening" the charivari frowned.

"Please" Starveling gave out his best puppy eyes along with the dog.

"Keep dreaming" he wasn't moved.

"I'm the King! It's my right!" complained Lear.

"Ok, now guess who send me" Ninurta picked up the Innocent from his peculiar "bed" while the monarch guessed and was taken back when he did. "Atta boy" the charivari climbed the stairs, leaving the party in an uneasy silence. The large acrobat went up until he reached the King's balcony, where a smell tent was. He went inside and suddenly he was in a huge room, the Trickster's hideout. "Poor thing! He looks bushed" Ninurta put him in the magician's large bed, right next to the illusionist himself. "Orders?" the Trickster seemed to ignore him at first, his white eyes fixed on the book on his lap, but in the end he smiled and made a silence gesture. "I'll put them all in bed" Ninurta smiled and walked out. The Trickster looked up and tuck Guido in with his best duvet and cushions. There was plenty of time before them. Hu? Someone was at the door.

"Ok, this just made my night" it was Morguiane. "I thought it was going to be you and me only" she frowned and the man shrugged. "It isn't funny" the Trickster got up, pointing out a further side that he used as library. He sat down on his favorite chaise longue and the trapeze lady on his knees. "Why are you so hard to get?" the magician smiled. "Trickster" she retorted playfully and his white eyes shone with a rogue light. Their faces were almost touching. A featureless snigger floated in the room.

"You make a lovely couple. You know that, right?" two golden eyes floated in the air right between the two lovers and Morguiane snorted.

"Madsen, you dog!" grunted the woman and one the gilded eyes blinked as a Cheshire smile appeared bellow them, making the Trickster smile.

"Happy to be of service, love. Kuz, darling. How come we are always talking of sharing but hardly have time to see together what's on the table?" joked the strange feline. "I have been keeping an eye on the boy all evening, I deserve my prize"

"How about not getting kicked?" nitpicked Morguiane. The Trickster sighed at this suggestion and gave the cat a top hat that was on his desk.

"Ah! Thank u, darling. I missed you so much, sweet hat" Madsen smiled again and disappeared in the air. The magician looked at the woman and she finally understood what he was up to. Perhaps he wasn't as unprepared for Guido as he wanted everybody to think.

After all, the Trickster found him the first time and arranged their first meeting in the magic box.

Getting inside the magic realm of Kooza is always an exciting experience. Following the canon, the Innocent and his roguish mentor will not talk at all (except for Guido's gestures) and the Trickster will have his white eyes.

More to come real soon!