A/N: I tried my best to pair every troupe member with an act that fit the description of their ability, though I couldn't really find an act for Coltopi so I ended up making him in charge of the ticket booth that also goes for Franklin. I couldn't match any of the circus acts with his ability, so I made him an animal trainer(Please don't kill me _-_). If the act doesn't exactly match then my deepest apologies. I tried super hard to find one that did.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter x Hunter or any character used from it.
The night had finally arrived when the circus would have their usual grand opening to the public. Everyone quickly worked getting ready and practicing one last time their acts. The Magician walked endlessly through the tents looking for one particular person, who it seemed that he wouldn't find. He wanted to ask a favor from this particular person.
He stopped in his tracks when he saw the familiar Saint Paul cross on a familiar long black coat. "Kuroro?" He called out to the owner of the long black coat.
Kuroro was currently discussing certain things with one of his assistant 'Pakunoda' and the person who was in charge of the ticket booth 'Coltopi'. He looked over his shoulder to the Magician who had just called him. "Ah! Hisoka, What do I owe for this visit?" He rarely spoke with the Magician, unless he needed to go over a few things involving his act.
Hisoka strolled over to the group in no real hurry. "I have something to ask from you~ "
Kuroro nodded over to the two behind him and they left alone him alone to talk to the Magician privately. "Shall we speak here or in my own personal tent?"
"I would rather talk in a more close setting~ " They were currently standing outside by the housing tents.
"Very well. Follow me"
The Magician followed Kuroro to his personal tent; which was a bit bigger than the others. Of course he would have a bigger tent than the others, He is the ring master.
Kuroro offered him a seat. "Please take a seat. I hope this doesn't take long since it's almost opening time"
Hisoka took the offered seat as Kuroro took his own behind his desk that was filled with books and papers. It was surprising to say that he still had a small space in the middle to write or look over papers. "Do not worry it's merely a small favor that I will like to ask~ "
"A favor? I thought you had something to discuss"
"Oh I do"He took out his deck of cards and begun to skillfully shuffle them. "I was wondering if I can go last tonight~ "
"Is there a specific reason as to why I should do this favor for you?"
The Magician shrugged."Not really. I just wanted more time for my act, if you don't mind?"
Kuroro sighed. He looked down to a paper that laid in front of him, His gray eyes skimmed over the names of who would be preforming in what order. "I can put you after Nobunaga, if you like?"
"Perfect!~"He stood up from his seat."Thank you,Kuroro" With that he turned on his heels.
"Hisoka"
The magician stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder, waiting for him to continue.
"You better have a good reason for messing up my order"
"Oh I do~ " With that he took his leave to put the finish touches to his outfit and face paint shapes.
'What could be so important for him to mess up my order' Kuroro thought, His gray eyes fell to the paper that held everyone's names and information on their acts.
"Danchou?"
He raised his head and saw Pakunoda standing with a clipboard in her hands."It's time?" He asked.
She nodded and excused herself. He stood up and fixed his long black coat before smoothing back his already slick back hair. The opening of the circus was always tough and tiring but he didn't complain because he was doing something he enjoyed, even though he's done if for as long as he could remember.
-v- •ῳ• -v- •ῳ• -v- •ῳ•-
The circus finally opened and people were starting to enter the Big top. A few stayed outside to look at the small stands that offered either different types of candy,games,food, and small souvenirs. Some Parents wore the expression 'This-better-be-worth-my-money' as they walked along side their children who were beaming with excitement. Pakunoda and Shizuki volunteered to help out to direct people to where they would sit. In about a couple of minutes the seats were filled with people of all ages. Children excitedly chattered with their older siblings and some parents who asked their children to behave, while at the same time making small talk with other parents around them. As you walked up the stairs you could see that there was an empty seat that was closest to the stage, that had a green ribbon tied around the chair.
"I didn't expect this much of an audience" Kuroro happily said to his performers.
"Yo! Danchou, Why is Hisoka going last again tonight?" Nobunaga asked, showing him the list of how the acts would go tonight."I thought you said that you would change him from always being last"
All the other performers were also wondering as to why Hisoka was going last once more, even though Kuroro had said that he would move around the list. The Magician acted like they weren't talking about him as he popped his head out the red curtains. He wanted to see if the child had arrived yet, and also wanted to see if Pakunoda had tied the green ribbon to the chair that he had requested for the child.
Their ringmaster looked over the paper before answering his question."I know I said that I would change around this order, but I have my reasons as to why he's going last again"
"I'm not trying to question your reason but I wanted to have a bit more time for my act"Nobunaga mumbled.
"My apologies, Nobunaga. I trust that rest of you are okay with the order of the acts for tonight" He glanced at the other performers who in return nodded."Good. I hope tonight goes as smooth as always"
"Danchou, It's time" Shizuki informed, pushing aside the curtains to walk into the backstage.
Kuroro nodded. He inhaled before nodding and walking out from behind the curtains.
"Shouldn't you be out there with him?" Feitan glanced at her with a questioning glance.
"He instructed that tonight he wanted to go out alone"She replied, sitting down on one of the chairs.
Uvogin turned his attention to Shizuki."Why the the hell is there a green ribbon tied around one chair?" Beside him were the weights that he was going to use for his act tonight.
She shrugged."I have no idea" she was ordered not to tell the others why there was a green ribbon around one chair, not that she really knew why. All she knew is that Hisoka ordered it and no further information was given.
"Is there some famous fool coming here?"He asked.
"I heard that there might be"Shalnark said from beside him.
They continued to talk among themselves while in the background they could hear already hear Kuroro welcoming and thanking the audience. First performer of the night would be Uvogin and just when Kuroro finished talking, Uvogin grabbed the weights without a problem and walked out the curtains.
Hisoka hid his smile, still looking out the curtain. Not wanting anyone to figure out that he was the one who request the ribbon in the first place.'Where is he?' He thought as his gold eyes stayed glued onto the empty chair. He wasn't the type to be called impatient or even be considered, but he would be lying if he said that his patience wasn't wearing off. He softly tapped the wooden floor, trying to calm his nerves done.
Uvogin's act last for about 25 or 30 minutes, He didn't even know really with him only paying attention to the empty chair. He didn't hear the crowd go 'Wow' as they watched Uvogin pick a weight up and put into his mouth, walking around around the stage with the weight in his mouth like it the was the most normal thing ever.
"Who are you waiting for,Hisoka?" Machi asked, walking up beside him.
The Magician teared his eyes away from the chair to look at the girl beside him."Oh no one in particular~ " He answered her before once more looking out the curtains.
She scoffed."You can't lie to me. We've all been together for a while and I'm pretty sure everyone knows just about when someone is lying"
He couldn't help but to laugh at that."I still don't think that you or anyone else are able to figure me out just yet~ "
"Of course we can't"She replied.
Uvogin walked back in carrying the weights. Shalnark offered him a rag and a bottle of water, which he happily accepted. Feitan carried two fire staffs as Kuroro announced the next performer. As always the crowd went wild when Feitan started to twirl the fire staffs before throwing them into the air and easily catching them.
"Danchou was right there is a pretty big crowd tonight" Uvogin said, resting on a nearby chair. He ran his thick fingers through his gray spiky hair.
"Yup. I guess this place is packed with people with hefty amount of money" Shalnark remarked.
Hisoka pulled away from the curtains and walked over to take his own seat. He pulled out a deck of cards and begun to shuffle them. If you actually took the time to watch him skillfully shuffle, you would be pretty amazed on how many different ways he could shuffle those cards.
Uvogin and Shalnark were busying talking about other topics aside from the circus. Machi was still looking out the curtains. Shizuki, Nobunaga,Phinks,Franklin,Bonolenov were busy playing a card game, just trying to pass time until their turns to go out and present their amazing acts. And well Hisoka was trying to keep his darker side from coming out and doing something he might regret later. A few minutes later and Feitan came back in, sweat dripping from his smaller build, Shalnark offered a rag and a water bottle and he took it without a thanks.
"You're up,Shalnark!"Uvogin shouted to the light blonde hair boy.
Shalnark thanked him, carrying a small device in hand. For his act he would always use a couple of people from the audience, his act consisted of Puppeteer and he used the audience for it.
Hisoka threw his deck of cards into the air and they disappeared in a light pink smoke cloud. He walked over to Machi and peeked out the curtains.'Still not here~ 'He thought looking at the empty chair.
She followed his line of sight and saw that he stared at the chair with an intense gaze."You were the one who order the ribbon?"
"Maybe~"He responded with a mischievous smile.
She dropped the conversation and merely looked at the audience, trying to figure out what Hisoka was waiting for. She knew that Hisoka was waiting for someone and she was rather curious to see who it was that he was waiting for. Her turn to go out in stage finally came, She walked away from Hisoka, and walked over to two medium size ropes that had stage balls on each side of the ropes.
The others could hear the mummers of the audience when the lights went out. The rest of the performers agree that Machi's act was rather a beautiful sight to watch. Machi's act was Poi spinning. Using ropes that had stage balls that light up in the dark at each end of the rope, creating a beautiful effect when she spun the ropes around in variety of rhythmical and geometric patterns.
After Machi act was over, Kuroro informed them that they will be taking a 15 to 20 minute break before starting once more. Their Ringmaster happily walked into the backstage followed by a tired Machi.
"Good job for the ones who have presented their acts. I didn't expect many audience. I even think that we might have a small aftershow" Kuroro said taking a seat and taking a bottle of water that Shizuki offered him."Where's Pakunoda?"
"She's helping out Coltopi, Danchou" Shizuki answered.
"Danchou, I would like to volunteer for the aftershow!" Nobunaga said, raising his hand.
"Me too, Danchou!" Uvogin added.
He looked over to Shizuki who was writing something down in a clipboard."Though if we decide to have one, we needed the audience to make an additional fee when they bought their ticket"
"We could schedule one for the next time" She suggested, looking up from her clipboard.
He nodded."Of course. Make sure to write it down for we can add it to the fliers"
"Yes,Dancou"She said, writing down a small note.
Kuroro glanced at Hisoka. He stood up from his seat and walked over to him."Don't think I didn't notice that green ribbon,Hisoka"He said in a hushed tone that only the Magician would hear.
"I didn't think you wouldn't~ "
"So, Who is it that you're specifically saving that chair for?"
"I can't lie to you, can I? though if I don't want to tell, then I don't need to. I rather like my reasons to stay private~ " He said, without turning away from chair. It was already the middle of the show and the brown eye child hasn't showed up yet. What if he didn't come?. He wont be able to see if this is the child that he had been looking and longing for.
Kuroro sighed."Please don't grip the curtains with your crushing strength"He ordered before walking back to the other performers to discuss matters of their acts and such.
-v- •ῳ• -v- •ῳ• -v- •ῳ•-
The small break was over and Kuroro walked once more out from behind the curtains. He thanked the audience for waiting and then went on to introduce the next performer who was Franklin. He was in charged of the animal act, his act wasn't as amazing if you have seen the same act a 'dozen' times, but the audience still 'Wahh' and 'Wow' at the act like they had never seen that before. Today Shizuki offered to help him out and he agreed to it.
The rest of the show went as usual. After Franklin's act, it was Phink's act which was called 'Stage Combat'. His act wouldn't seem like it was an act for the circus, but Kuroro agreed to have it anyways. Stage combat is designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing any harm to the performers. Phinks and Shalnark both walked out the curtains. Shalnark beforehand had agreed to help Phink's with his act, since the last assistant he had wouldn't practice with him in fear that Phink might actually strike him and everyone knows that he tends to pack a pretty good punch, if you're not careful.
After Phink's act was over, Kuroro asked for everyone's attention as he explained of the next act and how it was rather beautiful and special. Bonolenov unwrapped the white hospital wrappings around his head, body, arms,hands,and legs. His act was given the name of 'Dancing Warrior'. He walked out from behind the curtains and through out his act Kuroro explained a few details of how the holes on his body formed beautiful music and a bit of backstory of where Bonolenov came from and why he had the holes in the first place. The others rather enjoyed the music that he made when he danced around.
Hisoka continued to look at the empty chair with an absent expression. He didn't have time to actually admire the music of Bonolenov, not like he hadn't heard it before though. His mind started to make up possible scenarios of why the brown eye child hadn't shown up. Some were a bit foolish while others were a bit dark. His fingers tapped against his thigh as he continued to look at the empty chair.
Bonolenov finished and audience was rather speechless since the past circuses didn't have an act like the one that they had just witnessed. Kuroro cleared his throat and then welcome out Nobunaga, who would be doing the usual 'Knife & Sword juggle'. He always liked to add a bit extra to his act, which as always the audience enjoyed it. This time he decided to only do swords instead of doing knifes and swords like he usually does. He skillfully juggled them. Throwing them up into the air while sometimes even dancing around and grabbing them before they hit the ground.
The Magician could see that it would be his turn next and he was feeling rather unmotivated to go out there and perform. He didn't feel like performing the new tricks and illusions that he had created for his special child. These ungrateful children would grow bored and tired of watching, maybe even start complaining to their parents if they could leave already. He wanted to run back to his tent and wait until Kuroro or the others told him that the empty chair with the green ribbon now was being occupied by a child with cute brown eyes and who was wearing a little bit too much green, not the he was complaining or anything. This mind set was starting to make him seem out of character, it was possible that if this child was making him act out of character then he was probably the child that he has been searching for. His special child.
A small tap on his shoulders brought him out of his thoughts and he was rather annoyed by the sudden interruption. Hisoka looked to his left and saw Machi pointing out to the stage.
"It's your turn,Hisoka"
He quickly composed his thoughts to the best of his ability."Of course~ " He couldn't do anything now unless he wanted to ruin his always composed image that everyone seems to have of him. He ran his hands over his already slicked back hair and nodded.'I guess I shall start with or without my special child' He thoughts opening the curtains and stepping out onto stage.
This chapter is dedicated to everyone who commented,favorite and followed this story of mine. I'm truly grateful for them and I'm always happy to see that there's someone who wishes to read more to this story.
P.s I know that in the second chapter I believe I said that Machi would be part of Shalnark's act but I decided to give her an act. I will be editing the first and second chapters. Fixing the errors that I didn't fix the first time and possibly changing a few parts.