Chapter 3

Clown's, role holders, and performing, Oh my!

Thank you to all that reviewed! I wasn't really expecting any but i got some! I'm glad you all like it :D it really moved me that people actually like my stuff TT^TT

I woke up with the feeling of something heavy hugging me and breathing on my face and neck. I turned my head to the right seeing the Ringmaster of the circus, turning to my left I seen the Warden of the Prison. "Joker?" I asked with a yawn.

White hugged me closer and mumbled against the pillow. Black growled but soon started snoring again. I held in my giggles as best as I could but these two were just so, what's a word mommy would use...um cute? I gently poked White's face causing him to twitch his nose, much like a rabbit would. I couldn't hold in my giggle for that. It was so cute!

"Aaaaw!" I said gushed. "Just like a rabbit."

I turned slightly and poked Black, probably not the best thing to do. Black grunted and snuggled against me more. I giggled softly and layed there a bit longer.

I began to think about what mommy is doing and if she knows I'm even gone. Does she even care for that matter? I mean with all the rules you would think she didn't, but mommy cares for me right? Otherwise she wouldn't be so strict. Just thinking about mommy made me sad, and I felt a tear slid down my face. A finger brushed it away and kissed my cheek. "It's alright." I heard White's soft cheerful voice yawn out. I turned over and snuggled into White's chest before sobbing.

After a few moments of crying on White, I calmed down and looked up at White with a smile.

"So White, what are we doing today?" I asked excitedly with sniffles here and there.

"Well, we've got to practice more for the show tonight, if you still want to; then I've got to make sure everything is organized and ready." replied White.

"Oh, okay. When should we go practice?" I asked as I heard Black snort in his sleep. I turned over and giggled. "Black sleeps weird!" I giggled and pointed at him.

White laughed and said, "Yes he does, but so do you. You were attached to us all night." I let out a silent giggle and looked back at White.

"Did it bother you?" I asked.

White shook his head and sat up. "Not at all. We should wake Black up shouldn't we?"

I jumped up and nodded. "Yeah!"

Black snorted and glared at us. "Don't even try it!"

I jumped at his sudden outburst, thinking he was asleep. Black sat up, scratching his head while yawning.

"Aaawww!" I exclaimed pouting. "I wanted to splash water on Black!"

"You got a fucking death wish, kid?" growled Black. I yelped and shook my head, I don't know if Black is serious or not but I don't want to find out! I got out of bed and looked out the small window seeing it was early morning.

"Hey White! Can we go already?" I asked excitedly.

White nodded and got off the bed stretching till you could hear popping sounds. "Of course."

"Wait! Is there a kitchen here?" I asked looking around for another door that didn't lead to the bathroom, the closet, or the exit.

"Why? Ya hungry or somethin'?" asked Black as he stood up and stretched. I nodded as Black put on his warden hat and picked me up. White opened the door and allowed us out before he came following after us. I giggled and smiled as I looked around the jail while Black carried me to the kitchen.

We walked down the long hallway with its stone cold gray walls giving off a boring chilly effect, like you were in an old abandoned castle. Black opened a door and took me off his shoulders, placing me on the ground. I walked into the kitchen and looked around. I ran to the fridge and my face lit up at the sight of food. I grabbed some eggs, bacon, ham, and cheese before closing the fridge door and putting the food on the little island in the middle of the room. I began prepping the food feeling White and Black stare at me.

Finished preparing and cooking breakfast I put the omelet's in front of the two red headed adults.

"It's not much but it's the best I could do." I said before digging in myself.

"Hm not bad kid!" I heard Black say as he scarfed down on my cooking.

"Yes. Did you learn this from your mother?" asked White as he ate more slower and nicer, unlike Black.

I nodded before taking another bite. "Mommy had me do all the cooking at home!" I replied cheerfully.

Even though Mommy made me cook when I didn't want to I eventually got use to it and enjoyed it! It was fun to make all the different recipes. I smiled sadly at the memories of mommy praising me for doing such a good job.

I finished my last bite and came out of my flashbacks of Mommy's happy faces. I looked at Black, seeing he was finished first and was resting his head on his hand staring at some random object. Looking toward, White he was still eating. Jeez White is a slow eater! I took Black's plate and mine putting them in the sink and washed them waiting for White to finish.

After a slooow breakfast, White and I were walking through the Circus, with me clutching his shirt. There were clowns everywhere! Why are there so many CLOWNS?! I couldn't wait to get into the gigantic tent where tonight's show was being held. I was so nervous, I was going to be up like fifty feet in the air, dancing on a tight rope... in front of people... with no net?! I began panicking as I thought about the last time I was on a high wire.

"So shall we get started?" I heard White's voice ask me, breaking me out of my panic.

"Huh?" I asked confused cocking my head to the side.

White chuckled before replying, "For the performance tonight."

It took a few moments before I nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah!" I cheered as we entered the tent. Although it looks scary to be up on the high wire, it's fun!

White and I were once again standing in the middle of the high wire finishing up our dance. It went really well! I smiled at White when we finished. "That was amazing!" I cheered.

White smiled at me and nodded. "Yes, you did quite well!" praised White. I giggled then looked down.

I quickly glance back up at White, trying to not focus on the ground.

"White-sama!" a small voice sounded out.

We looked down and jumping slightly when I seen a clown, no a faceless clown staring up at us and waving. White sighed and led me back to platform before we climbed down.

The clown child approached us and began talking to White.

"White-sama, we need you to do double check and make sure everything is as you want it." said the Clown.

White nodded and looked back at me.

"You don't mind waiting here for a bit, do you?" asked White. "I've got to double check things for tonight's show."

I nodded at him and then he left. I stood there for a few more moments before slipping out of the tent. It's too boring to just wait, even though those evil creatures known as clowns were out there I still wanted to see the rest of the circus.

I quietly snuck through the Circus dodging clowns and running away when the spot me. Although right now I'm currently running away from one that decided to chase me. I ran through countless pathways before losing the clown. I checked to make sure before I collapsed on the ground breathing heavily. Just as I thought I was at peace I heard a loud RAAAAAWWWRRR! I jumped and looked toward the sound. All around me were four cages holding two tigers, a lion, and 2 elephants.

"Woooow!" I said on awe. I approached the tiger's cage and stared at the orange and black striped large cats. One of the Tigers stood up and approached me.

"Hi there Mr. Tiger." I said quietly so I wouldn't frighten him. He growled at me as he neared the edge of the cage. "How are you today?"

The tiger sat down and just stare at me. "I'm guessing okay?" I extended my hand out to have the tiger sniff it.

"Can I pet you Mr. Tiger?" I asked as he sniffed my hand. He didn't say anything so I petted his head.

"Wow! Such a soft kitty!" I whispered in awe. I heard the large cat purr in response. I giggled and scratched behind his ear. He purred some more before his head snapped up and looked to the right growling.

"There you are!"

I looked the same way seeing the Jester part of Joker.

"White!" I greeted with a wave and a smile. "Are you done checking everything?"

I patted the tigers head before skipping over to White. White looked down at me and nodded. "Yes, now we must prepare you for tonight. Let's be on our way."

I nodded and waved back to the tiger. "Bye Mr. Tiger!" I yelled over my shoulder before grabbing White's hand.

Time went from afternoon to dawn to night in no time and it was time for the show to begin. White stood beside me after he did the introduction for the performances, and we watched all the other acts do their thing. I looked at the crowd and seen how many people were there. Almost everyone of them were Faceless and some of them had faces. Wait faces? I looked at them again and gasped. I tugged on White's sleeve and pointed at the people.

"White! Those people have faces!"

White looked at to the crowd and nodded. "Those are the other role holders, love"

"Role holders?" I mumbled. "Ah! Right! They've got important roles like you and Black right?"

White nodded once again. "Wait! Where is Black?" I asked scanning the crowd again.

"He's back at the Prison, the Warden isn't allowed to leave the prison unattended." I nodded slowly in understanding, but Black left yesterday. So why couldn't he come now? Oh well.

I took a deep breath and straightened the short dark red dress the faded to orange with a split at the side showing part of the leotard that I wore and stepped on the thin wire, following White out to the middle once again. I took a deep breath and got into position. White took my hand and the show began.

"Ready, sweetheart?" asked White. I nodded and then the mask at White's waist spoke up.

"Don't fall dumbass!" teased Black.

"Now Joker, don't scare her more than she already is." scolded White.

"I'm not scared!" I yelled at him before White made the first move.

White took a step forward, then another, and then one backward, causing me to take two steps back and one forward. It was kind of like a waltz except on a tightrope. White dipped me down and swung me around to the other side.

The dance seemed to memorize everyone in the audience and the role holders couldn't believe what they were seeing. Some new child whether it was a new foreigner or a new role holder, it was quite rare to see one pop up. If it was a foreigner, there hasn't been one for over at least twenty years. Since Alice was in Wonderland.

Twisting, turning, and walking on the tight rope. White and I came to the last step and finished. The crowd cheered and clapped as White and I bowed. We walked of the high wire and climbed back down to the ground. I could see the role holders give me a strange look as I left the ring when White was busy ending the show. I entered the dressing room and changed into my regular clothes.

I skipped out of the dressing room and returned to White. I stopped when I seen White talking to those people with faces. He's busy, I'll come back. I turned around and skipped to Mr. Tiger's cage. "Mr. Tiger!" I called out as I reached the tiger's cage. I noticed the cage was unlocked and approached the cage door. I jumped inside and walked toward the tiger after closing the door. Mr. Tiger stood up leaving, I'm guessing his brother or sister. He sat in front of me waiting or me to pet him. I brushed my hand over his head and scratched behind his ears.

He purred ad bit the edge of my dress tugging me towards the other tiger. I followed the order and walked over to the tiger. Mr. Tiger layed down and pawed the spot between them. I walked over to the spot and layed down between the two tigers, resting my head on Mr. Tigers chest as the other tiger repositioned himself and curled up next to me trying to keep me warm.

White's POV

After all the questions the role holders asked me about the girl with a face to see if she was a role holder or a foreigner. I walked toward the dressing room in search of Raven, the daughter of our last foreigner , Alice Liddell. Of course I didn't tell those fools about our new toy. I completely ignored them. I entered the dressing room and searched around to see if Raven was still in there, she wasn't. I sighed and made my way to the animals cages, where Raven was at before the show. I searched the area between the dressing room and the walk to the animal section to see if she was wondering around. Reaching the animal cages I walked toward the tiger's cage to see if she was there. She wasn't outside but what caught my attention was that she was INSIDE the cage with the tigers, sleeping between them.

I shook my head and looked toward the door seeing someone left it unlocked. Those idiots left it unlocked again? I growled as Black's voice cut through from the mask at my waist.

"Fuckin' clowns, why don't ya just kill em' already, Joker?"

"They're essential to keep the Circus intact." I mumbled opening the cage door and walking inside. The two tigers shot their head up and growled at me.

"Calm the fuck down pussy cats!" Black yelled through the mask.

"I just want to take the young lady back with me, so she'll be safe and warm." The two tigers glared at me but didn't move so I approached the sleeping girl.

The two tiger brothers stared at me watching my every move so I don't try anything that could upset them. I crouched down picking up the small child and made my way to the exit making sure I didn't wake her up. Closing the cage I locked its door and sighed. Must I do everything myself. Carrying on with the task at hand, I carried Raven into the changing scenery from the lively Circus to the bleak Prison.

Black walked out of one of the cells covered in blood and approached me.

"She knocked out?" he asked as he walked beside me staring at the sleeping girls face.

"Yes, she fell asleep in the tiger's cage." I replied.

"What the fuck was she doing in a tiger's cage?" asked Black.

"Did you not hear me the first time, Joker?" I sighed and adjusted the girl in my arms."She was asleep. She must have went there after the show, she seems to love those two oversized house cats."

Black snorted and opened the door that led to the large bed room. "Don't see why."

"Neither do I..."

I began undressing the girl and handed her clothes to Black. "Will you wash this, Joker?" I asked as I went over to the closet and pulled out one of my gray shirts.

Black nodded and said, "Sure" before going down to the laundry room. I stared down at the naked girl before slipping the shirt over her head and pulling her arms through the holes. That's I realized we need to get Raven her own night clothes.

Deciding we would get her clothes in the morning, I changed into my red and black striped pajama pants and going shirtless. I turned my head as the door opened and Black came in.

"They'll be freshly clean in the morning." he said before he changed into the exact same pants I wore, also going shirtless. Black picked up Raven and put her farther up on the bed. Carefully laying her down on one of the pillows, Joker and I climbed into bed next to her and got comfortable. Black threw the cover over all three of us and put his arm over her waist as I hugged her chest. Smiling at the girl's sleeping face once more I quickly fell asleep.