Emerging from the shadows of the tent, DeDeDe's figure was received by a sea of fans, cheering and clapping along as he rushed to the center of the ring. He waved back to his spectators and smiled as Rose neared the center of the ring as well. Her pretty red lips broke into a smile as she brought a microphone close, introducing the performer.

"People, say hello to DeDeDe… aaannndd Kirby!" She stretched her arm as a gesture and Kirby jumped up from the shadows, skipping next to DeDeDe as the audience cooed and laughed.

Rose nodded her farewell and disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving the penguin and the puffball alone.

At that, a happy melody erupted from the shadowed orchestra as many Waddle Dees ran around DeDeDe and Kirby, throwing food in their direction and the performers catching it expertly.

Outside the tent, hearing the muted sounds of the orchestra, Rose stood watching the show from a different point of view. She didn't seem too pleased with how the actors were behaving, seeing as before the act started, DeDeDe got into a nasty fight with Kirby. It was such, that even Stranger had to step in and try to separate the two. And to think it all started with a simple raspberry.

"What's going on with these people?" Rose asked herself, closing the tent flap and stepping aside as the Dees ran by her with empty plates of food. She sighed and fixed her hair, slapping on a fake smile before entering the tent again. She waved back to her fans, said a few jokes, and exited the ring, wiping the plastered grin off her face.

Needless to say, Kirby's and DeDeDe's performance didn't go well…

Inside Mystifying Athelas' trailer, everything was calm and quiet. Only the sounds of subtle footsteps could be heard, rapping against the melodious silence. Stranger was busy in the small kitchen, making mint tea for his mistress and him, while Athelas had her nose buried in a book. Neither spoke a word, but they were comfortable in the silence.

Stranger poured the water into the teapot, the crinkling sounds of the liquid sounding grave, as though it violated their privacy when it sounded. Athelas looked up, smiled to herself and kept reading. While Rose introduced the next act, Knuckle Joe, Athelas decided to retire, having changed into something a bit more comfortable than her long, heavy, hooded cloak. Instead, she wore a pair of jeans, light brown boots, and an everyday hoodie, feeling free from the clothes that are required as a Wanderer. She had her hood down, soft locks of dark blonde hair falling from the hasty bun in her head, kept together by a pair of senbon, while her blue eyes scanned the yellowed pages carefully and thoughtfully.

In due time, the smell of tea engulfed the room, and Stranger kept fidgeting around the kitchen, cleaning up what was already spotless in an attempt to keep busy.

Suddenly they heard a rap on the door. First one, then another, lastly the third— slow as if uncertain. Both Athelas and Stranger snapped their heads at the door, and Athelas shifted on the chair, lowering her feet from the table. She closed the book with delicacy and fixed the stray hairs.

"Come in," she called out, placing the book aside on the table.

The lock clicked and Rose's image could be seen across the door frame. The girl gave a hasty smile before climbing the set of retractable stairs and entering the trailer. She gestured for Charge to follow, and the knight jumped inside, rushing to his lord's side.

"Rose, Charge, what a pleasant surprise!" Mystifying Athelas said, smiling at the two.

Rose was still in her uniform, but she was the one in charge of introducing and ending the shows, so she couldn't change yet. She shifted in her feet, the heels clinking against the wooden floor of the trailer, before she approached Athelas. Charge Knight maneuvered himself and jumped onto her arm, climbing to her shoulder and nuzzling against her cheek. She smiled sadly and addressed Athelas.

"Why of course! We… rather, I…" she gave Charge a gentle push, feeling uncomfortable at the knight's mask's cold metal touch, "Came over to discuss some matters revolving around the circus cast."

Rose seemed to have ignored Stranger's presence, not even glancing at him, but then Stranger didn't mind. He just kept fumbling about in the kitchen. When she heard the sounds of silverware twinkling, she looked over through the corner of her eyes, raising a brow at the ribbon she saw that held something together upon his back. The teapot whistled, Stranger picked it up, and walked towards Athelas, blushing and with a cup of tea in hand.

Rose stifled a laugh as she read what the apron he wore said…

'Kiss the cook'

He nervously shuffled around, sitting next to Athelas and stirring the tea to keep his hands busy.

Athelas followed Rose's gaze and chuckled at the sight.

Stranger had also changed into something more causal. He wore a clear-white turtleneck, a pair of jeans, and some sort of loafers. He edged the chair closer and snatched a glance towards Charge Knight, seeing him snuggle Rose's lap. The Wanderer then looked back at Athelas as she sipped her tea.

"Well, even though you can blame Marx's attitude on me…" she hesitated, "I have been noticing their behavior."

Rose scoffed and accepted the cup Stranger offered, stroking Charge while answering to Athelas, "Don't be silly, dear. I don't blame anything on you. It's just… I've been watching them a bit closer than usual. I'll list them out to you: First, there's Torch who lashed out at Sword…"

Athelas hummed a yes and motioned for Rose to continue.

"Of course, then there's Marx… and…"

There was an awkward silence as Athelas controlled herself as to not laugh.

"Yeah…" the female Wanderer answered sheepishly, but that was dismissed by Rose.

At all this, Stranger and Charge had no participation whatsoever, for when the ringleaders spoke, they spoke. Meaning no one can interrupt them. Stranger turned to look at Charge and heaved a sigh at the cat-like knight. Why on Earth was he so possessive of Alis—Rose!

Rose kept on talking, "I've heard that Meta Knight's been advancing on Fumu. And that poor girl is so shy! Whenever he's around her, she melts into butter. I can't have that!"

Then Charge Knight cut in, rising a bit from his position in Rose's lap, "Let's not forget that disgusting excuse of a snail, wanting to run away with Rose."

"Ha! Oh Charge, you make me wonder sometimes…" Athelas muttered, sipping some more tea.

Stranger felt out of place, as though no one noticed his awkwardness except himself. Athelas cast him a glance and he smile briefly, but after that nothing happened. The room went back to silence. Rose was obviously thinking something over, Charge had gotten off her lap and was waiting for his mistress on the ground, Athelas was comfortably sipping tea… and Stranger was there doing nothing.

"What if all we need is a change of scenery?" Rose suddenly blurted, looking up at Athelas.

The other woman looked confused, "what?"

"I mean, think about it. We've been in Ripple Star for a month, first practicing, then advertising, then advertising again, and now performing."

"Don't we stay at least two months in each planet?" Stranger spoke, resting his head on his hand somewhat wearily.

Rose scowled and looked over to Athelas for some sort of help. Of course, Athelas had to go along with Stranger. So Rose lost this one.

"Fine," she said. She crossed her arms and thought some more, occasionally looking down at the expectant Charge Knight on the ground. He blinked twice and a smirk quickly spread over the ringleader's lips. Now she knew how to win the game. She always got what she wanted, not to worry.

"See…" her voice drifted as set the fine cup of chine aside, joining her hands and resting her head atop them, resuming that coy personality of hers.

Athelas and Stranger had their eyes glued to her, waiting for her to go on.

"They say there's a shinobi on Rock Star."

She saw how they simultaneously leaned closer, both intent on what she just said. Her smirk grew, now she knew they were all ears…

Bingo.

Knuckle Joe rushed through the flaps of the tent. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and heaved a breath, turning to meet an expectant Athelas. She had a serious look on her face, her hands were crossed over her chest, and naturally, Stranger stood at her side, loyal as always. They had slipped on their formal clothes and were now ready to present Knuckle Joe, him being the last performer of the night.

"Err… reporting for duty!" the small strongman said with a salute.

Athelas seemingly chuckled and jerked her to Stranger. At that, the Wanderer walked past Joe and out of the ring, ignoring everyone until he got to the middle.

"Viewers …" he sighed, waiting for them to calm down, "Spectators, please give a warm welcome to… Knuckle Joe!"

Short chapter, but it's because I have something big planned for the next one ;D Don't forget to review!