A/N yes, I have returned after a year and a half. Sorry about that! I struggle with motivation. I'm making no more promises... So I will update when I can!
Ella woke the next morning with a dreadful headache. No morning run today for her! She looked over to the table beside her cot. There was a vial of blood and a bottle of water. Mr. Crepsley must have dropped it off before he went to sleep. She drank the vial and chugged the entire bottle of water, immediately feeling some relief. It now didn't hurt as bad to have her eyes opened.
Evra came in a few minutes later. "Knock, knock! How's our party animal this morning?" He said coming in to sit on the side of Ella's cot.
She groaned as she sat up. "I am never drinking again. Thankfully, Mr. Crepsley gave me a vial of blood and it helped with the headache a bit."
"Oh, so you've already seen him this morning?" Evra said as he chuckled.
"No, he left it on my table... Why?" Ella's eyes got big as she realized she had no memory of the last half of her night. "... Evra, please tell me I didn't make a fool of myself."
"Nah, you were pretty tame for an intoxicated person... except for your awesome dancing!" Evra jumped off the cot and started badly mimicking her moves from last night.
Ella laughed and threw her pillow at him, "Surely I wasn't that bad!"
Evra stopped and smirked, "Well why don't you ask Mr. Crepsley? You looked pretty cozy in his arms!"
Ella turned bright red. "No! Ugh, Evra you said I didn't make a fool of myself! What do you call that?!"
Evra was laughing harder now. "Really though, it was kind of cute! You two slow dancing and looking into his eyes... That is before you passed out." He continued to laugh.
Ella groaned as she threw herself back down on the bed and covered her face with her blanket. "I'm so stupid! Goodness only knows what he must think of me now. He'll probably be angry with me when he wakes up."
"I doubt he would be mad. In all the years I've known him, he has never stayed at a Cirque party for longer than 10 minutes. Much less get up to dance with someone!"
"Ahhh I'm so embarrassed!" She pulled the blanket off her head.
"Don't be! We all think you guys looked cute together!"
"Ugh stop teasing me. You're supposed to be my friend." She said angrily.
"No, I'm serious! Real talk: I have never seen Mr. Crepsley look at someone the way he looks at you. He's always been such a stiff, but around you, he actually smiles." Evra said seriously. "And you always blush when you're around him."
Ella immediately got defensive. "Yeah because I always find some way to embarrass myself around him. And maybe he smiles because someone has actually taken the time to talk to him and joke with him. Besides, he is my mentor. It's completely inappropriate." She folded her arms and looked away from him. "He's also like two hundred years older than me and he would never see me in that way!"
"But you do." Evra said quietly, risking to further her anger.
She snapped her head to him. "I most certainly do not!"
"Then who is it that you have a crush on? You admitted you like someone last night."
Dammit, she thought. Forgot about that part. "Well it's not him. That would be ridiculous."
"Fine, fine. I give." He said, raising his hands in surrender. "I'll let it go... for now."
Ella glared at him. "You better. Now get out so I can get dressed."
"Aww you're not mad at me, are you?" Ella didn't answer. "Don't be mad..." Evra smiled at her mischievously and slowly approached her with his hands up.
"Evra, don't you dare!" Ella said, looking up. She tried not to smile but as he got closer she cracked. "Evra!" She screamed as he launched at her, tackling her down on her cot and tickling her. She laughed hysterically while trying to block his attacks.
"Are you still mad?" He asked as he paused, still straddling her on the cot.
"Fine, no!" She said with a smile.
"I don't believe you!" He launched back down and continued the attack, both laughing loudly.
They were interrupted by Hans coming into the tent. "Woah now what did I just walk in on?!" He said, smirking with an eyebrow raised.
Evra quickly dismounted her and they both sat up in the bed, hair disheveled. "Nothing!" They both exclaimed at the same time.
"Mmmmhm." Hans hummed, crossing his arms and still smiling. "Well Mr. Tall is looking for you two. You're late on your chores." He turned to leave but stopped, "Sorry to interrupt..." He said slyly and made kissing noises at them as he left.
"People in this place sure know how to make things awkward." Ella laughed and looked at Evra who was mortified by Hans. "Now get out so I can change." She laughed, shoving her friend. Joining her in laughter, he left her tent so they could begin their day.
Mr. Crepsley woke that evening automatically agitated as usual to leave the comfort of his coffin. Nerves rattled him as he remembered he would be presenting his gift to Ella tonight. He quickly got dressed and exited his tent. Knots formed in his stomach as he searched for his young student. Since everyone was preparing for the show tonight he decided to check her tent first. Not thinking, he entered without knocking and found her getting dressed. She had just pulled her dress on and the zipper on her back was undone. Mr. Crepsley turned fifty shades of red as she turned around to see her intruder.
"Oh, hello." She said, slightly embarrassed.
Mr. Crepsley put his hand on his forehead, "Please pardon my intrusion, I had... other things on my mind. I will leave and let you finish." He turned to leave but Ella stopped him.
"Oh no I was done. Besides, you could help me zip my dress since you're here." She approached and turned her back to him. Nervous hands raised to grasp the zipper and he paused. Her exposed back looked so smooth and he felt the urge to graze her delicate skin. Catching himself once again being inappropriate towards his young assistant.
Ella sensed his hesitation. "Is everything ok? The zipper isn't stuck, is it?" She turned the upper half of her body in an attempt to look at it.
Grabbing her shoulders, he turned her back around to face away from him so he could zip her up. Partially, too, so she couldn't see how flustered he had gotten. "No, I just-" He took a deep breath and pulled the zipper up. Composing himself, he grabbed her shoulders again and gently turned her around.
Ella looked up at him in concern, "something is on your mind." She stated, offering him a kind smile to encourage him to tell her.
Mr. Crepsley fumbled around in his pockets and pulled out two small pieces of paper. "I, uh, got you a present. Since I forgot- well I mean I meant to give it to you, uh- here.." She giggled as he handed his gift to her. She blushed as she reached out to take it.
Ella brought the two pieces of paper closer to read it and her eyes widened. "What?!" She let out a gasp. "No way! Are you serious? How did you even- what!? Ahhh!" She jumped up and down with the biggest smile he had ever seen plastered on her face. "I can't believe you got me tickets to see the Metropolitan Opera perform Turandot! How did you even find these?!"
Mr. Crepsley smiled at her obvious approval of his present. "There is a big city about 30 miles from here that the Met happened to be performing in. It was merely a coincidence that they would be performing your favorite opera." He said proudly.
He remembered? She felt butterflies at this thought. She took a deep breath as she tried to compose herself and looked him in the eye. "This has got to be one of the most amazing and thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me. I wish I knew how to fully express my gratitude... Thank you... Thank you so, so much..."
She slowly approached him and put her arms around his neck to bring him into a hug. Their bodies were completely pressed together and her head rested on his chest. He could smell the sweet smell of her shampoo as he wrapped his arms around her small waist. He closed his eyes and let himself be completely submerged in the moment. Both of their minds were swirling with feelings and emotions they had never before experienced. Yet, at the same time, they were both completely denying it.
Ella pulled back slightly to stand on her tiptoes and press her lips against his rough cheek. His stomach did a flip when he felt her soft lips against him. Reluctantly, they pulled apart from each other and he awkwardly straightened his jacket. "Finish getting ready, I will see you soon." They shared one last smile as they parted ways.
Before the show, Ella sought out her friend backstage. "Evra, Evra! You'll never guess what!" She ran up to him excitedly.
"You got-" He started to say but was quickly interrupted.
"No! Mr. Crepsley got me tickets to see Turandot tomorrow night!"
"The opera you like? Really? I'm impressed!" Evra did a sly smirk. "Did you thank him with a kiss?" He busted out laughing.
"No, of course not-" Ella paused. "Well I did but-"
"I knew it!"
"No! You are insufferable.. It was just a kiss on the cheek! It was innocent!"
"No you kissed him!"
"Keep your voice down will you? And friends can kiss each other on the cheek. See?" She stood up and pecked her best friend on his cheek.
Of course, Hans happened to be passing by them at that moment. "Oooohhh what did I walk into?" He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and a cocky smirk on his face.
Ella rolled her eyes. "Nothing, Hans, you walked in on nothing." She was a bit agitated.
"Sure, sure." Hans said casually as he walked off.
Mr. Crepsley walked to the tent they would be performing in, passing by a group of cirque members that were undoubtedly gossiping. However, the topic of discussion piqued his interest when he heard a familiar name.
"Yeah I'm pretty sure they're a couple now. I mean I saw them twice now in compromising positions!" Hans addressed the group.
"Oh my gosh Ella and Evra are like, the perfect couple!" Leah squealed. "Sweet Ella isn't so innocent now!"
Mr. Crepsley's stomach dropped upon hearing their words. Well I guess his suspicions of Ella having feelings for Evra are now confirmed. But why should it matter to him? He's her mentor, her guardian. He ultimately just wanted her to be happy. It's not like he actually felt that way about her. He scowled as he thought back on all of the inappropriate thoughts he has recently had about her. He was simply being a man with certain impulses. Everyone has them. It had been a long time since he had been with a woman. That's what has made him have such thoughts. He felt as bad as Murlough. At least he can control himself, unlike the impulsive vampaneze. Thoughts of him instantly made him feel sick. What would her life have been like if he hadn't found her in time that dreadful day? He couldn't think about it. He has grown to care for her so much... She trusts him and he would protect her with his life.