Coulrophobia – Lisa Davis
The bright colours, the familiar smells of popcorn and cotton candy, and the comforting sounds of children laughing bought a smile to everyone's faces as they made their way into the carnival grounds even though they were thousands of miles from the comforting familiarity that was home on a rear day off. How they found out about and decided to go to the local carnival on one of their rare days off was beyond her comprehension considering that a bunch of United States Navy Seals were wondering about with a childlike excitement that she hadn't seen in a long time from any of them. Lisa had resisted going to the carnival vehemently but none of the men would take no for an answer, no one more so than Sonny who simply ignored her protests and resistant as he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, carrying her all the way to the car and then from the car to the carnival grounds without a single ounce of remorse.
"Sonny, would you put me down?!" Lisa requested loudly once more as she tried to twist out of his firm hold once more catching several snickers and grins from the rest of the team who were following behind as others from the crowds glanced at the commotion before they returned to what they had been doing. "I'm here against my will but I'm not stupid enough to try to escape and have you come after me!" She added on sending a glare towards Blackburn who did not have the decency to at least try and hide his amusement at the situation she found herself in, after all he had been the one who had ordered everyone to load up which Sonny had taken quite literally to mean carry her. The carnival really was the last place she wanted to be on her seldom day off but here she was.
Sonny stopped abruptly and had her back down on her feet within seconds as he held onto her as the blood rushed back through her body. "Well hold up there just a minute Davis… no one is holding you against your will… We're at a carnival to have some fun." He said before he reached up and bopped her nose with his finger making her want to kick him but she refrained from doing so despite how much she wanted too. Sonny had never seen Lisa resist something as much as she had resisted their trip to the carnival, and he had no idea why but he figured he would find out soon enough.
"Yeah come on Lisa. How can you hate the carnival?" Mandy held her arms out and swirled around uninhibited as she let her hair down knowing that they all needed some mindless fun and a break from the heaviness that was their job.
"I don't hate the carnival, I just hate…" Lisa bit down on her tongue as she stopped herself from finishing her sentence knowing if she did then she would never hear the end of it from the men around her as she ran her hand through her hair. She looked at Sonny who had cocked his head to the side which almost mimicked Cerberus' head tilt before she looked away knowing those soulful eyes of his would have her spilling what it was that she hated about carnivals.
"Hate what?" Ray had seen Lisa flustered before but not like she was, and he was quickly realising that maybe it had not been a good idea to force her into coming with them as he stepped closer to her but maintained his distance as she looked like she was becoming stressed which was not a look that was seen on her often, if ever. A quick glance at Sonny showed his remorse rising as the rest of the men watched on in wait to see what she would do next as she already looked like a caged animal.
"Nothing… nothing… I need ice cream and cotton candy immediately." Lisa shifted from side to side on her feet as she tried to shift the attention away from herself before she glanced around the area and blanched as her fear materialised several feet away from her.
"Lisa?" Jason had seen how she paled and how her breathing became shallow as she stood straight as if a rod had been placed up her spine. Her eyes darted towards him as she shook her head hoping he would let it go but none of them were going to before her eyes once again flickered in the direction of where she had been looking when she had become rigid.
"Oh!" Clay realised what was going on before anyone else did as he followed her gaze. He couldn't help the childish grin that made its way to his lips before he schooled his face seeing that everyone was on edge as they had not figured it out but he also did not want her to feel terrified or embarrassed at something that was beyond her control either. He also realised why she had been so against joining them but now he understood.
"Oh what?" Sonny felt like shit because whatever was going on was something he had not figured out but he hated watching the panic that was rising within Lisa as she curled her hands into fists and dug her nails into the palms of her hands in what he was sure was painful. He glanced at Clay at his exclamation which did not prove insightful before he focused back on Lisa whose fight or flight reflexes looked to be kicking in.
"It's the clowns." Clay spoke cautiously and kept his voice soft as he nodded towards the two clowns that were making balloon animals for a group of excited children as the parents watched on as he stepped forward into Lisa's line of sight seeing the Sonny had turned his attention towards the clowns to glare and growl at them for inadvertently upsetting Lisa. If there was one thing to describe Sonny when it came to Lisa it was protective. Clay also knew that everyone had instinctually glanced over towards the clowns before turning their attention back to Lisa.
"Really?" Ray could not keep the surprise from his voice; surprise that Clay had worked it out before anyone else and surprise that Lisa had a fear of clowns.
Lisa wanted for the ground to open up and swallow her whole, or for the petting zoo animals to get loose and run wild so that everyone's attention would not be on her as she felt her cheeks flush as the blush rose on them. She really did not want to ruin their day of fun but she couldn't control her reaction despite how much she wanted too especially as it was a ridiculous fear to have but she had been scared of them ever since she was little and apparently it did not matter how old she was, it was one fear she could not get rid of but she really did not want anyone to know about it either. Now she stood in front of Navy Seals, a Commander, and a CIA analyst in the middle of the carnival grounds deeply embarrassed. Just great, she thought with a frown.
"I say we get you as much ice cream and cotton candy as you can handle, and then lets find where to get a balloon or two from." Mandy was surprised at the revelation but knew that they could not stand still all day, and there were not many other things to do in the near vicinity. Mandy was also trying to catch Sonny's attention but saw Clay give him a sharp elbow to his ribs to draw his attention back to them and away from the clowns that he looked like he was trying to kill with his gaze alone.
"Balloons? Really?" Jason questioned her. It seemed like the day was going to be full of surprises given that they had learned that Lisa had a fear of clowns, and then there was how relaxed and childlike Mandy was acting as she almost demanded that she get a balloon.
"Yes Jason, I want a balloon." Mandy crossed her arms over his chest much like a petulant child that was not getting her own way as she retorted sharply ignoring the smirks on the guys faces. She had always loved balloons since she was a little girl and could recall every time she had gone to a fair or a carnival how she would get a balloon and would have it tied around her wrist so that she did not lose it, and this carnival would be no exception.
"Now that sounds like a plan then you and I can hit the ferris wheel. Keep those clowns away from you." Sonny stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Lisa's shoulder then pulled her in close to his side knowing he was not about to leave her alone not when it was his fault that she was in the position of having to face her fear of clowns even though it had been done inadvertently.
"Okay, so Sonny and Lisa are going in search of ice cream and cotton candy and then to the ferris wheel. Mandy and I will go to find her a balloon. I say we meet back here at 3 then head into town for food and drinks." Jason knew that gave each of them at least three hours to relax and unwind with some fun at the carnival before continuing on to explore the local cuisine and nightlife. Everyone would either pair up or split off to do their own thing as everyone nodded in recognition.
SEAL TEAM
Sonny helped Lisa step off of the platform from the ferris wheel after they had been stationary at the top for a while just taking in the scenery and spotting their team members in a relative familiar and comforting silence but he could feel how tense she still was and could see the way her eyes were glancing around for any signs of clowns constantly. "Where to next Miss Davis?" He asked as she immediately tucked herself into his side with her arm going around his lower back as his arm found its way to her shoulders again.
"You don't have to be my bodyguard Sonny." Lisa replied immediately even though her actions said differently as she relaxed in his presence and all but melted into his side.
"Who else is going to keep me in line?" Sonny immediately replied with a wry smile, as he saw her smile and shake her head softly before she glanced up at him with that all knowing look of hers that told him she knew exactly what he was doing or at least attempting to do but she was not going to call him out on it.
"Thank you. I'm sure you'd rather be with the rest of the guys beating them at whatever shooting game they have found and are now competing at." Lisa could imagine the guys standing lined up and having a fierce competition to see who could win the game and claim the title of best shooter. It would be full of ribbing and jabs as they all tried to win. "So how about we go find them so you can beat them? Have you very own mad minute at the carnival?" She knew that he was trying to keep her mind occupied but she was content to be surrounded by those she loved in Bravo and watching the grown men act like children as they fought for the title over a carnival game.
"Never mind being with you Davis'…" Sonny grinned at her as he tipped his cap towards her before his grin turned into a boyish rogue smirk. "But I don't mind claiming my title either so I say let's go and find them." She laughed as they changed direction and headed for where they had last seen the rest of the men, complete with Mandy who had a balloon tied to her wrist, from the relative safety of the ferris wheel to enjoy the rest of their day off even with the chances of sighting a clown or two.