Day 21: Kiss for Good Luck

The Prima Donna's Pre-Performance Touch Up

In…out…in…out.

Donatella had stressed to Mirtala that deep breathing exercises before performing would calm her nerves. Every performance, they'd come together and breathe. Mirtala, always a bundle of energy as a child, would puff out her chest and hold it for as long as she could. Sometimes, it lasted until her face turned blue, and her mother scolded her to take the exercise seriously.

As an adult, Mirtala found herself sitting in front of her mirror, back straight, shoulders squared, breathing as her mother directed. She stared at herself, her reflection's chest rising and falling with every breath. And yet, the Mirtala in the mirror's eyes were dull. Her foundation couldn't hide the dark spots that had formed underneath them. Her hair was flat to her head, brushed but undone and lacking its usual oomph.

Mirtala sighed, exhaling the rest of the air trapped in her lungs. She strained her smile. An uneven, awkward line cut into her cheeks. Brow creasing, she let her expression fall, fearing she was going to get wrinkles before the age of twenty-five.

The flap to her private tent fluttered. Groaning, she turned from her dresser, calling, "Dion, I already told you! I need five more min-! Oh!"

Chloe's telekinetic hand zipped the flap shut. She was already slipping off her jacket, wearing one of Bobby's tank tops. Wrapping the sleeves around her waist, she had taken two steps forward by the time Mirtala sprung and snatched her in an embrace.

"Chloe! I thought you were going to stay in the stands!" she squealed, pulling her shorter girlfriend up and spinning in place.

It was a habit she hadn't been able to break. She was a rather clingy person, choosing physical affection above all else. And hearing Chloe chuckling, her voice muffled against the crook of her neck, Mirtala giggled, coming to an abrupt stop to place Chloe back on solid earth.

Chloe steadied herself, "Well, I wanted to say good luck. This is the first time your entire family will be performing as a unit in quite some time, right?"

Mirtala's mouth quirked in something like a grin. She rubbed her hands, the fabric of her acrobatic leotard suddenly too scratchy for her liking. She glanced at her dresser, tapping her flats on the grass. Various makeup instruments had been scattered and unused, her lips bare without even a touch of chapstick.

Chloe's voice lowered. "I see. The problem is still transpiring."

She sighed, dropping her head. "You've always been able to read me. I'm just glad they've quieted down because the audience is beginning to arrive." A laugh rattled out of her. "But it'll be fine! It's almost showtime. TheAquatos always get it together by then, so - so, yeah."

Mirtala dragged herself to the dresser and slumped in her seat. She rested her elbows on the smooth mahogany, her fingers massaging the counter and rolling tubes of lipstick. Outside, the chatter continued undeterred, with smaller acts performing tricks, enticing more to see the Aquatos and other adjacent troupes.

But before and after the show, the concerns persisted. The in-fighting between her siblings steepened. Mirtala wasn't one to insert herself in their arguments, choosing to smile and pacify until it blew over for the night. Today, the conflict was between Dion and Frazie, her oldest brother and sister bickering over a variety of topics. Sometimes, it involved Raz. Other times, it was how Frazie had poorly managed the permit situations in different cities to receive permission to set up their act, for Dion had been too occupied trying to advertise.

It wasn't like she had ever been able to stop them. She was always overshadowed. Ever since she was a child, she was simultaneously present and invisible, keeping her mouth shut. She didn't want to worsen the rifts in her family, and placating everyone had been her only option for years.

"Here. Let me help you," Chloe said, breaking through Mirtala's silence.

She reached for one of her chapsticks. Uncapping it with a flick of her thumb, she gently pressed it to Mirtala's lips. Her palm held her cheek, her touch cool, almost inhumanely so. Mirtala closed her eyes, melting, as Chloe quietly applied the chapstick. She heard another click, followed by a stronger, smoother pressure to her mouth. It was lipstick, Chloe commenting the red hue looked the best on her, and Mirtala hoped Chloe would make her glow brighter than a spotlight.

"The mascara is next, then the eye shadow," Chloe said, and a third click followed.

The thin fibers brushed against her eyelashes. Chloe's hand was deft, flicking with precision. Mirtala wanted to rest against Chloe forever, nestling next to her. She didn't care what color combination Chloe chose as she felt the brush paint her eyelids, trusting Chloe's sense of style (even if the wording on Bobby's tank top was crude and would have made her mother scoff - not that Donatella considerably liked Chloe much.)

Chloe whispered in her ear. "And now, the second to last touch."

Mirtala waited. And waited. And waited still. Until the sound of the zipper opening stunned her awake.

She turned in her chair, facing the empty tent. "Chloe?"

Rising to her feet, Mirtala noticed her reflection. A gasp caught in her throat. Golden eyeshadow brought flecks of hazel to her deep blue eyes. Her lashes were curled, full, and dark. The striking shade of scarlet on her lips, she wanted to see them pressed to Chloe's mouth. She was beautiful, simply beautiful. Threading her fingers through her hair, she lifted the locks and felt the oomph she was missing.

"I've grabbed both of you to state a fact. You're upsetting Mirt with your inane arguments."

At Chloe's sharp voice, Mirtala jumped, Her awe was dashed instantly. She hurried to the flap and tore it open. And her mouth dropped wide open, hands clapping her cheeks.

Chloe stood with her arms crossed in front of Dion and Frazie. Although Chloe was shorter, they balked before her. She glared with such intensity, she could've made an alien warlord quake in his saucer. She evenly looked between them, her scowl such a rarity that Mirtala's heart leaped.

"I don't care what excuses the two of you muster. Aren't you older than me? You can't control yourselves as adults should?" Chloe snapped, and she jerked her head away as Frazie tried retorting. "Enough. Either maintain your composure or fight elsewhere. Now, focus on the performance tonight without further bickering, and if you can't, fight where Tala doesn't have to witness her idiotic older siblings having a spat."

"Y-you can't just - I mean, if - h-hey! Don't speak for Tala. If she has a problem, she knows she can always tell-"

Chloe's finger shot out, cutting off Frazie's poor rebuttal. "As I said, don't trifle me with justifications. I'm taking my leave now. Goodbye."

Mirtala was gobsmacked. While she had raised her voice to her siblings, she had never seen someone so efficiently push them off their high horses. Dion noticed her as Chloe scurried into the flap. He tried to call out to Mirtala, but Chloe reached over and pulled down the flap. Dion uttered a frustrated huff, their sister rubbing her arm and glancing away.

Sighing, Chloe zipped the flap and turned to Mirtala. "And now, the final-"

"Why'd you do that?" Mirtala murmured, leaning into her.

Chloe blinked, pressing her lips together. She stared at Mirtala with eyes that have seen beyond the atmosphere. "I…oh, I see. I might've worsened the problem. I'm sorry for acting without thinking."

"No, no!" Mirtala quickly shook her head. "They actually needed that like a good kick in the pants! I just don't get why you did it."

Chloe tilted her head, then reached up and cupped Mirtala's face. "Because the prima donna of Aquato circus sulked by herself due to their arguing, and I couldn't stay idle while she was sad."

Mirtala wasn't one to shy away from asserting herself. She knew how to get what she needed. But in her family's struggle, she stayed in the background. Witnessing their strife, unable to help as a child, she hadn't wanted to cause more trouble than they already experienced. It was better to come around with a smile to bring everyone together.

But Chloe took affirmations to a whole new level. She was one who thought ahead, making plans and following them through. If she thought an injustice was occurring, she pursued and squashed it if the one being harmed couldn't defend themself. Actions and words alike were her way of showing she cared.

Mirtala giggled and cupped Chloe's hands, keeping them on her face. Rocking from side to side, she asked, "So, what's the final touch?"

Chloe's eyes lit up. "Ah, yes. This is the final touch."

Leaning up, Chloe kissed Mirtala. It was the moment she had been waiting for the second Chloe arrived. Around Chloe, it was like walking on the stars, warm and light. She couldn't help herself when she trailed off to Chloe's cheek, leaving a smattering of lipstick stains to neatly cover the right side of her face. And the beaming smile she wore only enticed Mirtala for more.

"This was supposed to be a single kiss for good luck tonight," Chloe said, amused, her freckled complexion far redder than before.

"Oh? But it is! Because…" Mirtala clapped her hands together and slanted to the side. "...Chloeee, my most beloved Chloeee, can you do me a favor?"

"Depends."

She rocked to the other side. "Have you ever been shot out of a cannon?"

"I haven't."

"Well, one of our performers injured himself, and he was supposed to be in the cannon tonight."

"I see."

Mirtala came so close that she was certain she was all Chloe could see. "Do you wanna be shot out of a cannon?"

Chloe paused.

"Yes. I do want to be shot out of a cannon."

"Perfect! Dad will be thrilled to hear I found a free replacement!" She pumped her fist in the air, only to stop when she remembered Chloe's attire. "By the way, what does your shirt mean?" Mirtala wrinkled her nose. "I know it's Bobby's, but it's, uh, unique."

Tugging on her loose tank top, she replied, "Oh, Gorecore Works? They're an underground metal band he's quickly become fond of. The various blood splatters and disembodied corpses are their logos."

She stuck out her tongue. "Ewww. We're gonna get complaints from parents that their kids are seeing something inappropriate."

"Well, it's safe for work. I can wear it at HQ, and I should be able to wear it in a public circus setting."

Snickering, Mirtala pointed at her dresser. A shaky, barely visible teal telekinetic hand formed and pinched the scarlet lipstick tube. "My mom's gonna yell at you just like when she lost it after you broke the spaghetti in half."

"And again, I'll prove my point to her."

With a quiet grunt, Mirtala tugged over the lipstick and set it in Chloe's hand. Chloe uncapped it, cupped Mirtala's cheek, and reapplied the coat. Mirtala sighed, Chloe's other fingers running through her hair, and she didn't allow inhibition to stop her as she rained a steady stream of smooches on Chloe.

Chloe slightly waved the tube. "I'll have to keep reapplying it the more you kiss me. It's a very wet lipstick."

She pouted. "But I'm the prima donna who needs more kisses for good luck."

"Hm. Acceptable. I should tell Bobby that he doesn't need to hold my seat."

Mirtala's fingers tickled down to Chloe's hips. "Oh, tell him later. Let's keep playing dress-up."

Chuckling, Chloe slipped her arms around Mirtala's neck and dragged her down for another kiss, whispering, "That's more than acceptable."