Mike yawned as he watched the bear train: It was started to grow late but the mouse let him train longer than usual today. He felt pensive as he the cub run around.
It's been awhile since I let the kid train: Months. He thought
If I were to describe them it be: progressive. And I don't just mean my relationship with Sophie:
"Hey baby, that ass is big enough to start a controversy!" She threw me into the kid with her trunk after that. Glad to see I can't get away with everything.
Apparently Locke let Pitch sleep in his parents trailer, I didn't bothering asking why but it does explain why Pit and Locke would come into the tent so early. It wasn't easy, I can say that without a doubt. Never mind the fact I gotta transport the goods for circus animals, but on top of that I gotta bring the makeshift equipment to the tent.
That includes bringing tires, sand bags, a Mirror and a mat. I'm glad the tent is down the hill. I think Sophie finally realized how much pain I must have been through so she decided to help bring the things up hill willingly. I ain't complaining, I get a nice view, Damn it. Went off topic.
Anyways that kid despite being a little too quiet for the first couple of sessions has an amazing work ethic and a quick learner too. But I noticed something was off. He answered in a couple words usually one or two. I was going to ask Locke, but the kid just told me anyways. Like it wasn't even shit... I want to chew out both of those bears.
Locke was planning to have his parents and Pitch's come to reconcile so that his mother wouldn't eat me considering the amount of time we spent together. We even had balloons up and everything, but yet again he freaking heard us:
"Anyone tell you it's rude to eavesdrop?"
Pitch nodded. "Sorry. Can't tune it out." He pointed to his ears. Mike didn't get the Gesture.
Locke decided to give Context. "He has really good hearing. My theory is he's part bat because of how they're curved." The tips of his ears pointed upward sort of like a hound-dog, but it still resembled a bat.
Pitch scoffed and retorted. "I think your part clown because of the of red fur you have on your head." They both jovially smiled.
"Come on you both can tease each other later, We need you help move this stuff out the tent before someone comes..." Sophie said. "Let the kids play around for a bit at least Soph. They earned it." Mike said. Sophie narrowed her brow, he noticed she looked concerned. "Worried about the humans?" she shook her head"No, after the cub incident business has been…dreadful. If I were to put it bluntly. It's-"
"Get in there, you worthless cub!" An albino bear was thrown into the tent, he rolled and landed face first in the dirt across from them. Following him were two animals one of them was a gorilla, it was average size for a child but it towered over his companion, Django. He combed his hair back with his hand and looked into the tent. "Oh my apologizes, this runt wouldn't get into tent when I asked him to." He bowed to the occupants, he looked around the tent and noticed the new additions. His partner froze as he saw the balloons. The orangutan crossed his arms, he was clearly annoyed.
"What is all this trash doing in my tent?"
"Your tent?" Mike exclaimed annoyed.
"Yes, my tent, no one hear has the talent or appeal to bring in the masses like I can."
Mike scowled at the orangutan, "Well, last time I checked you aren't wearing a red tux and matching top hat, but since you asked sooo nicely we'll leave."
Django smiled playfully. "Thank you, glad to know you small vermin aren't all savages." Either the sarcasm went over his head or he just flat out ignored it. To be honest it seemed like a mix of both, a sour cocktail of vanity and ignorance, not a good combo.
Mike clenched his fists furiously, "Piece of-" "We'll move the equipment out as soon as possible." Pitch quickly responded he didn't want any trouble, he brought friends for a reason, friends being operative word here.
"You'd better, before things get... unpleasant for you both." He pointed to his friend behind him, he was still staring at the balloon un-moving, he looked scared to say the least. "Muh, muh"
Django sighed and threw his hands in the air. "Seriously, my threat becomes moot when my enforcer has his head in the clouds." He noticed the balloon. "Ok, I'll remove it then." He stepped on the cub and walked past the group to pop the balloon. The sound made the gorilla flinch and hold his ears.
"Honestly I don't know why you freeze up when you see these things. But I will help you since your so useless with them there."
"Maybe if you actually talked to him, he'd tell you why." Pitch stated he turned his gaze to the floor.
"Or bother to care about anyone else." Locke added. Django scoffed and ignored the two as he looked at the cub.
"Moongo pick up the cub." The gorilla complied and pulled up the Grey cub on his back. He noticed a book laying in the dirt near his feet, he sneered and picked up the book. Both Pitch and Locke noticed as Sophie and Mike had moved the gear. He noticed their gaze but feigned ignorance. He opened the book then rolled his eyes.
"Such drivel, a waste of paper." He ripped the book in two. Leaving Locke mouth wide open and Pitch's fist clenched and his toes curled firmly in the ground. "Oh I'm sorry was that yours?"
He's trying to get a reaction, I won't give him the satisfaction, besides he's injured. Pitch knew that, even others knew, but Locke had something to say. He coughed and cleared his throat. "Oh, do you have something to say, I was expecting the disgraceful cub to retort-"
"How long do you think the humans will care about you?"
"They will never tire of the great-"
"They will. Your act is bland, you do the same tricks over and over, and expect them to eat it up...but eventually they'll grow tired."
"Well then I'll-"
"You'll become irrelevant." Django was getting annoyed he didn't like being interrupted. Better get used it... "Now listen hear you-"
"Isn't that why your training that cub? To make them forget about you? Have a brand new face for the humans to adore, then out no where you return to make them remember you.' He scoffed 'How'd that turn out for you?"
"Don't act like you know about showbiz, you ignorant buffoon. I am the Grrrreat Django, I carried all of you wretched creatures to the lap of luxury, without me you'd all be in the forest rolling in your own filth, so LEARN YOUR PLACE!" He stamped his bandage foot, only one of them saw, Locke, his eyes twitched. Hell hath no fury... Django turned to Pitch. "As for the disgrace of a performer-"
"Vile." Locke growled the venom in his voice caused to stop Django.
The sound was grating as a knife being dragged to the floor, almost fitting since the words that erupted from his mouth were aimed directly at his heart. "You are the most Vile, Vicious, and Vacuous animal I have ever met in my life. Your presence not only brings me more disdain for you, but your poor attempts at defending your actions reek of what the circus serves to humans: Garbage, In fact your lower than that maggots. They wouldn't even dare touch you because of your repugnant smell that emanates from your head. In short; Burn in hell, you Moronic Marsupial."
"Technically I'm not a-"
"I don't give a Damn!" He stormed out of the tent in anger. Django paused for a moment, dazed by what happened he didn't even blink. Pitch had a small laugh and followed his friend. Moongo tapped Django on his shoulder to snap him out of his trance. "Find me the knives." He said as cub gulped in fear.
The trio walked past the play area on the circus grounds. Locke still upset as he hunched over stamping his feet on the ground. Pitch was the first to comment. "Still mad?"
"I'm absolutely livid." Locke responded with a growl.
"Get over it, you don't need to worry about him." Pitch said sincerely.
Locke softened a bit, but his bitterness still stuck with him. "I can't believe that tool. He's faking his injury just to get sympathy from others." Pitch shook his head.
"Come on, give the tang the benefit of the doubt."
"I don't doubt for a second that he used his leg as an excuse to use and abuse others." He looked at him knowingly.
Pitch narrowed his brow and stared at him, his expression was cold, but had a calmer vibe to it. "And you hate the fact he used something to his advantage?"
"Yes, he's a despicable and vile creature, second to the humans."
"I guess your coming in third then." he closed his eyes. They both stopped dead in their tracks. Mike looked at the both of them in shock. He knew where this was going. "Kid, let's just..."
"To clarify, I didn't mean to make it sound like your the same as him. He's on a whole another level, but ranking wise your third." Locke narrowed his brow, he looked away briefly, then stared at him. "Based on what? Are you mad that I constantly beat you when we play fight? if that's the case that's pet-"
"Petty, yes for the both us. But that's not it.' He sighed and closed his eyes.
"For months you decided to keep something from me and despite me asking, you always found a way to wriggle out of it." He opened his eyes to stare at his friend, seems that he inherited something from his mother after all. It shared the same intensity as his mother but more calm, less bitter, focused even.
"I was busy-" He exclaimed.
Pitch held his arms behind his back. "Yes I understand that, but a couple of months ago you finally decided give the book I wanted for so long… was it pity or did our friendship finally meant something to you?" Locke stood firmly to his friend.
"I never would use our friendship as a tool, let's get that straight right now. I..." He looked at his friend. "I was afraid- you'd be smarter than me if you continued to read more. I suppose I deluded myself into thinking that it was for the best, but I can't..."
"Speak for me? Is that what your going to say." His expression hardened for a moment. Locke nodded. Pitch cracked his knuckles and walked forward.
"Hey! Don't be rash kid!" Mike shouted. Locke stared at him dead in his eyes. Whatever he did, he deserved what was coming to him. He felt something around his neck.
He smiled softly. "That's all I wanted to hear, the truth." He said as he lifted him up and twirled him of the ground. He chuckled. "You really gotta be dramatic?" Locke grinned.
"I have to when someone's lying to themselves, specially if their my dopey, smart friend."
Mike smiled at the sight. However something, no, rather someone had to interrupt."Yo lazy bones, we got a problem!" Mic shouted as he ran to Mike out of breath.
"The kids- they're gone! I went out to check our inventory- and when I came back the mice were missing! All- I all found was a bottle of that stupid hair gel spilled on the ground." Mike's eyes grew white, his temper flared up like a forest fire.
"m-m...Mother f-" Mike slapped him upside the head.
"Really? In front the them?!"
"I don't care! Where the hell did they go?!" His fists shook.
"I just told you, I don't know!"
Mike scowled in response. "Just peachy. Where could a bunch of mice just disappear like that!"
Pitch's ears twitch as he heard something close by. His nose picked up an odd scent, almost human."I can take a guess...Follow me." He placed his nose to the ground sniffed the odd scent.
As they walked past the trailers pitch stopped in front of a familiar place. Suppose it's time to reconcile with them…"Here of all places!" Mike shouted.
"Just calm down Mike, we need to-"
"You don't get to say anything!" Mike interrupted Locke, he pointed his finger accusingly. 'It's because you and your parents that we have to bend over backward just to send things that you don't need. Friggen' ingrates!"
Locke was about to retort when they heard sounds coming from the trailer:
"No, no, no it's step, step, twirl. Not step, step, pivot get it right..." A feminine voice said.
They looked at each other quizzically.
Pitch broke the silence. "Alright let's see what's behind door number one."
They opened the door to find the bear's parents ordering the young mice. Each had a unique dress or suit on them. His father wore a red top hat, while his mother had a yellow bow on her ear. Which matched the mice, sans the top hat. Both teared up a bit as they saw their son.
Mono spoke up first. "S-son. Look…" He scratched the back of his head. "Ok guys, it's fine, we don't need to rehearse. Just do what we taught you. On the count of three. One. Two thr-"
"Dad, what is going here?!" Pitch stuck his out hands openly, he wasn't shocked just confused as well as everyone else. Varuna interjected. "We know that you like cute little musical numbers and songs. Soooo, we decided to try organize something to say that were sorry." She smiled innocently "Plus swaying into you into choosing who you'd side with." Mono blurted out. Much to his wife annoyance. "Now again, I can show you the w-"
"No! No! No!' he said as snorted. "That is s-sweet of you, but nooooo" He struggled stifling a laugh. "Stop this. We need to just talk, that's all." He gave a stern look.
"And please give back the children to Mike. You literally are forcing children to do dance for my amusement. Just...Just them give back." He shook his head ashamed.
"Thank you, the voice of reason!" Mike shouted again.
"To be clear we love to dance though, and I love these suits!" One of the mice said.
How did they even get the suits on them...Questions for later. Pitch thought as they walked to Mike and Mic.
"Hey guys, mind leaving I need to talk to them." Mike gave a thumbs up and round up his siblings out of the trailer. Locke nodded and followed suit. It was just them now, The cub sighed and scratched his ear. "Dad, Mom.' They looked at him intently."I know both of you want the best for me… I appreciate you both for the love, and consideration you put in. But-" He focused his gaze on both of them.
"It's my future that you're fighting for and it's time I actually stepped up and fought for it instead of leaving it alone. As much as a confined bear can do." Mono smiled proudly for a brief moment. His mother shared the same look although a bit softer, she narrowed her brow.
Mono coughed. "Let me help Locke home, wouldn't want him to go by himself." He walked out of the trailer, not before rubbing his child's head. And now there were two.
His mother smiled and pulled him into a hug. "I missed you, Pitch."
"I did too, It doesn't change the fact we need to talk." She pulled him back as they stared at each other.
"Whatever could-" The roles were reversed now.
"We need to tell everyone about what happened. It's not fair the mice are scapegoats. It's my responsibility."
She narrowed her brow. "No, it's mine alone. No one needs to know."
The cub sighed. "There's a saying here that here that would sum up your problem here. But the irony is to harsh here." He kissed his mother on her cheek. He then placed his paws on them.
"No one is to blame here. The humans cut my ear when practicing there routine. You couldn't have predicted that..."I know someone who could though. Lousy friend. A tear fell from his mother eye, he wiped it away and kissed her again.
"No one will think differently of you if you tell them now. I-I respect your decision to protect me, but when others have to be placed through turmoil. It's…' He struggled with his words.
'It's something that doesn't sit well with me. Even if you don't tell the truth now...I will have to tell the others, they have a right to know and the mice have a right not to exploited." He yawned and walked to the corner with the ripped up box.
"We can sleep on it, ok?" He rolled over it curled up.
Varuna stood motionless as she watched over her son. She seemed lost for a moment...
She held her cub close in a loving embrace. She just wanted the best for him tears escaped her eyes as she saw his ear .
He must of ran straight to her after it happened, Good boy. "Mom". She looked down at her cub frantically. "P-please don't cry, it's g-gonna be ok..."
She smiled solemnly, "I'm the one who should be saying that ."
Twice, she put him danger. She just wanted the best for him.
"Don't". Pitch wiped his tears in his mother's fur. Don't cry mom, it's not your fault it was d-"
"The humans fault. It's their f-fault." She stammered interrupting the cub. "N-No. Django made them do this... I saw him throw..." She shushed him and thought about this new revelation. She just wanted the best for him...
"No, tell your father the vermin bit your ear. Django won't be harmed." She knew him this would not go unnoticed or unpunished. They couldn't afford the orangutan killed, hurt at best. "But why can't -"
"If you care about everyone don't tell them what happened we need him, he's the star attraction. " He grew silent then nodded his head. She sighed relieved "Good boy." She couldn't be at fault now, She just wanted the best for him...
Present:
He's changed so much, Is this my son? She pondered as looked at her son, she saw his left ear. I was there...I should have been there. He wouldn't have gotten hurt if I was there. It's my fault- No, it can Never. Be. My Fault.
As night entered the circus. The albino cub stared at the barrel in front of his cage. On top of it were unused matches...Things seemed almost clearer now as he rubbed he scar on his arm.