IN
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For about a week, Leon had been living without the pressure of the Circus Festival weighing down on him. Though, he had a new dilemma.
Sora was evading him.
Without her working at the pizzeria or needing to be around the Kaleido Stage property for a show to perform, seeing as the Kids' Stage was closed now that the weather was deemed too chilly for performers and audience members alike to be out by the pool stage, Sora was hard to find.
He knew he could go over to her dorm, but he had a feeling that her friends would make sure he kept away from the redhead's room, especially with the dorm supervisor being amongst her friends.
In truth, they could not stop him from coming to her room if he really wanted to go there; however, he did not think that it would be a good idea. Besides, he was not sure what he would say to her if he did go to her room.
His history was true.
His title was true.
The treatment of May and the training he put her through had both occurred by his own hand.
I have no words of comfort to offer.
He could not see what he could say that would move her heart. He did not have any good reasons for her to be his partner since he did not want her to be his partner for the festival.
He didn't want her to go at all.
The place would tear at her compassion and gentle heart; rip them to shreds until they were tethered rags or no longer existed. That was something that he would not want to happen. Since he was the partner for whoever wanted to go and she was disgusted with him, she will continue to reject him as a partner, therefore keeping her away from the festival.
He could shoulder her disgust for a while more.
After the deadline for the festival, I shall try to properly reconcile with her.
He did not know how he will be able to work things out with Sora, but he was determined to keep trying, be it for months or years. Then, perhaps, they could be partners and he could help her become a star after he explained the idea of the Angel's Maneuver.
If she wanted to try it, then and only then would he continue the training with the least amount of pain for her. Rushing it and the time limits were what made it painful for his sister.
Sophie was ambitious already, but Alen pushed even more stress onto her.
Gradually is the way to go. Leon was certain of it.
Sadly, for all his thought poured into the festival and the Angel's Maneuver, Leon had underestimated a key element that would destroy his intentions:
The tenacity of both May and Sora.
IN
The next morning, he received a call from Kalos.
"Will you allow for retries?"
Leon held his cell phone a little too tightly. "It depends. Who is asking?"
"May."
His grip on the phone loosened.
IN
It had been quite a while since he saw May.
The last he had seen of her was when her shoulder was hurt and he basically knocked her down a peg or two with her superiority complex, especially in regards to Sora.
Yes, he was very surprised.
"You have asked me for another trial." It was supposed to be a question, but it came out a statement.
The girl in question stood on the other platform, looking quite ragged and her hair loose and a mess. Her arm was still in a sling. He wondered what she had in mind with only one functioning arm.
"No," she clarified with the barest hint of insanity and exhaustion, "I have a trial for you." Her hand unhooked the swing as she continued with even more pomp than before. "You say you're 'The God of Death'?" she chuckled, a strange sound was to it, "Well I'm still here, so that must mean I'm a demon created by you."
Her eyes were wide as she proclaimed, "If that's the case, then you'll catch me for sure!"
With that, the girl jumped off of the platform. Leon quickly unhooked his trapeze, a little unnerved by the mental state of May.
The girl twisted around wildly and she let go of the bar way too early. Leon's eyes widened at her recklessness, trying to follow the erratic movements of her body and hand. He slipped down from his knees to his foot, managing to catch her before she met the floor in another accident.
The room with its spectators was silent except for May's heavy breathing.
"Well," Layla said after letting the shock wear off, "it looks like May is Leon's partner."
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Everyone waited for the duo to come down.
Once they did, the customary Kaleido Stage congratulations were given, even if no handshakes or hugs were shared, as per usual. Layla had been the first and only one to shake their hands. May beamed with the attention; Leon looked impassive.
Layla followed May out of the room, intent on giving the girl the laydown of the festival, seeing as she and Leon will be going with Layla's recommendation. She passed Sora, the disappointment clear in her blue eyes, but no words were exchanged.
Sora's hand fisted.
Her friends filed out of the room. Leon was the last to come near her.
He did not speak until the others had left. "It's done now."
Her head bowed, her bangs covering her eyes. "You have your partner, as it should be."
He frowned a little at that.
"You and May…you two have so much in common, I knew that telling her about my failure was the right choice," she murmured.
"You were the one to tell May to try again?" he asked incredulously.
She was silent for a few moments, then, her head lifted up, and tears glistened in her eyes.
"You and I…we're not meant to be partners," she whispered.
His hand reached for her, but then she recoiled. "A small group from the stage will be going to watch. I'm coming along to show my support." Her head turned away from him. "No matter what the situation is, you and May are still members of this stage."
"So…congratulations," she said and then hastily left the practice room.
He stared wide eyed at where she used to be standing, feeling even more affection for her support and feeling a cold sliver of despair.
Not meant to be…
What devastation those words caused inside him.
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AN: I'm sorry! These things need to happen! ; _ ;