Disclaimer: Ok, honestly, I feel like the last chapter wasn't up to par, but I wanted this to be its own chapter, so it was just the cruel hand of fate. I don't own Hey! Arnold, so on and so forth, but I own the plot and the OCs, so on and so forth. Maybe I'll make this story a little smutty, so on and so forth, but we'll see how the cards fall. So on and so forth.
HA
Popcorn. Fresh and hot, steaming with salt and butter. Pink cotton candy swirled around a stick and elephant ears slathered and drowned in cinnamon sugar. The Elephants and Lions, the Performers and the Patrons called out to one another. Management was in the Big Top, riling up the crowd for the next act. A slim trombone broke out of the band pack, entertaining the audience with his notes. Hands would take a large swig of a dark bottled alcohol before continuing their laborious job – sweating whiskey and vodka, rum and beer and anything else they could smuggle in.
All around the five siblings the life of the Circus flowed, not softly or even gracefully but punching and kicking – having never been to a live circus, they were overwhelmed. Martin felt as if he couldn't breathe as he watched Tess getting a large popcorn and a thing of cotton candy. When a tall and thin man shove past her and knocked the kernels out of her hand, all four boys were about ready to pounce. But when she turned on her heel and swiftly kicked the man in the backside, they knew she'd be fine.
"Watch where you're going buddy!" she shouted, her face growing red as the man turned to confront the small girl who had the audacity to kick him.
Okay, so, maybe she wasn't exactly fine per say . . .
"You ran into me you little bitch!" the man shouted back, his face going as red as his hair. Tess, though, would not be intimidated, as she threw down the food she was holding so she could roll up her sleeves.
"Little bitch? Little Bitch! Don't you dare call me that, asshole, I'm a LADY!" It was a mixture between a growl and a shriek, and it was the only warning the man had before the fourteen year old dove for his waist, tackling to the ground before punching him square in the nose. Tim and Max shot forward in an instant, ripping their little sister from on top of him, while Tobias and Martin stopped him from advancing on her.
"Just what the fuck is going on here?" a deep voice shouted, before the crowd that had gathered parted. A man, large enough to fit the voice and a tall red top hat on his head, approached the two groups, his eyes narrowing on the man. Before he could defend himself, though, Tess opened her mouth.
"This asshole ran into me, then blamed me and called me a LITTLE BITCH!" she accused in that same growl shriek sound, and the large man turned to her with an apologetic look on his face.
"I am truly sorry about this, Miss. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?" he offered, and the small Gammelthorpe looked thoughtful for a moment before her eyes also narrowed on her enemy.
"Yes, I would like for him to buy me some more popcorn and cotton candy; as well as an apology and free passes to all of your events for myself and my four brothers." She issued, motioning to the boys. Max and Tim simultaneously smacked their foreheads, Martin massaged the bridge of his nose and Tobias cheered. The larger man nodded, unhappy but willing to comply.
"Yes yes, of course. I'm D.W. Holmes, proprietor of this Funhouse Fleet, and if you or your brothers require anything – anything at all – you just let me know. Now, Erik, I believe you owe this young lady an apology." The red head identified as Erik glowered for a minute, before looking at the Gammelthorpes with masked hatred.
"Terribly sorry for the inconveniences, Miss, it's been a busy night and I'm not all sure where my head's at. Let me buy you a new 'corn and 'candy." He offered quietly, making his way over to a stall before returning a few minutes later with the largest popcorn and cotton candy available.
"Thank you, and it's alright." Tess gloated, while Erik sneered before turning and making his way towards the big top. D.W. followed him, and everyone who was still partially interested watched as the young red head was smacked in the head by his boss. It wasn't the friendly kind like Meilin had done to Hao the other day either. Slowly, the crowd returned to their activities, and soon everyone had forgotten the incident between a grip and a patron.
Turning to her brothers and eating her newly acquired popcorn, Tess smiled innocently, as if she hadn't beaten up an older man. Before anyone could say anything, the circus band picked up, and the five had to rush to the Big Top so they wouldn't be late for the show.
*
The punch was clean and direct, meeting zero resistance as it connected with the cheek of a young man. Staggering back, Erik lifted an arm to wipe away the blood running from his nose as D.W. cracked his knuckles.
"Just what the fuck was that Erik?" he snapped, crossing his arms as he waited for the young man to gather himself. They were alone out behind the elephant tent, and the smell of the large animals was almost enough to cover scent of vodka. Almost but not quite.
"I'm sorry D.W., it won't happen again."
Erik knew that was the wrong thing to say when the fist that collided with his cheek moment before now made contact with his stomach. The older man punch him once or twice for good measure, seeing as the kid wasn't defending himself anyway, before stepping back again. He watched with a glare as Erik stumbled onto his knees, coughing and shaking as if he were going to throw up.
And well he should, the experienced showman thought with a frown, it might sober him up. Before he had a chance to act on the rage welling within him again at the sight of his drunken worker, D.W. was alerted to the sound of the band gearing up. He was needed at the Big Top.
"You're damn right it won't happen again Erik. Because if it does they'll find Jimmy Hoffa before they find you." Was all he said before delivering a swift kick to the boy's side. Smoothing his hair away from his face, D.W. Holmes replaced the top hat that had been sitting calmly on a nearby crate, and disappeared.
Erik stayed on his knees, coughing out blood and stomach acid to try and relieve the pressure in his abdomen. Hesitantly getting to his feet, he swayed for a moment before looking at the lights of the large red tent through his good eye. Full of vehemence, he wiped more blood from his mouth and nose.
"Fucking asshole." He muttered to himself, before making his way to help set up the smaller stages for the sideshow freaks.
*
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" the man hollered enthusiastically as the Gammelthorpes took their seats in the stands. The lights had been all been put upon him as he stood, gathering attention as the next act got into position. Martin quickly recognized the man as D.W. Holmes, and was amazed that he had gotten to the tent so fast.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my esteemed delight to introduce to you our next act;" he began, taking off his hat to hold in front of his chest modestly.
"About four years ago I was travelling in the Far East when I heard a tale the was both amazing and tragic. In the province of Shaanxi in Central China, there was a village. Now, the people that lived there were able to do strange things with their bodies, bend them in ways that are unnatural. The government and local villages were calling them demons, and slaughtering them out of fear.
"When I arrived at the village, I too was afraid. But instead of dwelling on it, I decided to help these poor people. So I brought the whole village back to the states with me.
"So if I could direct your attention to Stage Three, and introduce that village, here to perform for you now: I present the Red Tent Troupe Acrobats!" he climaxed with an exaggerated bow, before backing away while the spotlights all moved to the third stage, where twenty four people stood in a circle. Oriental drums, brass, flutes and strings picked up as they all began moving in unison. Their bodies contorting in strange and almost painful ways, bending over backwards while doing flips and head stands.
Martin sat, transfixed as the performers moved faster in order to keep up with the accelerating tempo. His mind couldn't even comprehend half of the things they were doing, only that in was unnatural and fascinating at the same time.
"OH!" Tess suddenly shouted, making him jerk and spill some of the popcorn, "There's Meilin and Hao!" she pointed with her cotton candy, and Martin's eyes immediately followed its path, and he was amazed to feel his heart speed up at the sight of the small Chinese woman he met only yesterday. They were moving towards the center of the stage, and the majority of the spotlights focused in on them.
She and her brother were wearing the same clothes as the day before, and were performing what appeared to be a mirror routine, each one taking turns balancing on the other to create a reflection. At the end of their spotlighting, Meilin ended up balancing one-handedly on Hao's head as he stood and performed a one eighty. Slowly he brother got onto his knees, and when he did Meilin did a back flip off and the two stood in unison, embracing the ows and awes and applause, before retreating to the back ground as the group got ready to perform more stunts.
Fifteen minutes later, the large group gathered once more, and bowed as the music ended. All five Gammelthorpes stood up to cheer, disrupting a few patrons around them, but no one said anything. Meilin was the only one to see them, and she smiled and nodded, but did little else.
After the Acrobats were cheered for on final time, D.W. Holmes ushered the crowd to turn their gaze up, up, up and up – to the top of the Big Top where the Trapeze Artists were next to perform. It was another hour of watching stunts and women riding elephants and men taking cannonballs to the stomach and lions almost-but-not-quite eating their tamers and clowns running around stupidly before D.W. once again took the stage. For the whole show, all Martin could think about was Meilin, and how much he wanted to see her.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank you all once again for stopping by to pay us a visit. Unfortunately I conclude the end of the show, but remember you can still view the sideshows and play the games we offer. And we'll still be here for a few more weeks, so you are more than welcome to stop by again. And so I say adieu, and I'll see you soon."
With that he vanished in a puff of red smoke, and when it cleared he was gone. The audience gasped and cheered, amazed at all they had seen that night. But it was late, and children fell asleep against the shoulders of their parents as the crowd slowly dispersed into the cool night air.
Getting to his feet, Martin stretched, enjoying the sounds his popping joints made as he and his brothers and sister left the tent as well.
"Well, that was cool." Tess informed as her brothers followed her. Tobias nodded vigorously, being much more awake than his siblings.
"I'll say. That young Trapeze Artist was smokin'." He leered, laughing as Max and Tim both smacked the back of his head.
"Who was smokin'?" a voice interjected from behind them, and the group turned to see Meilin – now dressed down in a grey jacket with jeans – standing with a petite brunette wearing almost the same thing. At the sight of the brunette, Tobias's tongue just about rolled out of his mouth and onto the dirt.
Meilin saw his look and laughed, turning to her companion with a smile.
"Apparently you." Her friend also laughed, but blushed a very pretty rosy pink as Tobias grinned cheekily.
"She's right, actually. You've got to be the -" he was interrupted by Martin slapping a loud hand over his older brother's mouth.
"Slow down there, Tiger. You don't even know her name." he smiled, and this time it was Meilin who blushed.
"Right, guys, this is Dinah. Dinah, meet the Gammelthorpes I was telling you about: Tim, Max, Tess, Martin and -"
"Tobias Gammelthorpe, and may I say it is an honor and a privilege to meet such an exquisite and talented beauty such as yourself." He gushed, kissing her hand as Dinah outright laughed.
"Mhmm. Well, Meilin, why don't we show these lovely patrons around, let them get to know the Circus Life?" Dinah offered, and Meilin agreed while taking the arm closest to her – which just so happened to be Martin's – and the two girls started the tour of the Red Tent Troupe.
Just behind the Strongman's Tent, Erik stood eves dropping. At hearing Meilin so comfortable and cheery around the group that had caused him to get reprimanded, his blood grew hotter than boiling. As he watched their backs disappear, he took another swig of his vodka from his coat pocket and brooded, madder than a wet hen that his girl, his girl was acting the way she was around someone that was definitely not him.
Heads would roll for this.
HA