Maggie rubbed her eyes in an attempt to will away the tiredness that was threatening to overtake her. She was strangely comfortable in this makeshift sleeping area the boy made. She wasn't sure how he would have managed to get an elephant onto his stage, though. They were much too big for that, weren't they? She couldn't fully remember. Either way she was thankful the sounds outside were beginning to die down, his singing was beginning to put her to sleep, somehow, and that was the last thing she wanted. She heard Pooka earlier in the night. Nothing could make her forget that sound. She waited silently for Demyx to return, so they could get on with their search.
Demyx crawled back into the fort, dripping with water. A huge smile was painted on his face, and his eyes were teeming with energy. "I'm back! Ya know.. I don't know what it is about performing, but whenever I'm done, I always feel so great! Like I just woke up from a nice nap!" Demyx messed with his damp hair for a moment before speaking again, "So are you ready to go look for your Dad?"
Maggie sat up a little, hearing the boy's voice. Oh… He's wet. She moved her feet closer to herself in silence, listening to him speak. Performing makes him feel…better? Maybe she could try one day, too. She shook the thought for now and nodded her head. He heard it earlier too, didn't he? Everyone hears Pooka when he talks. "My dog," She spoke, not wanting to raise her voice too much. If they were to run into Pooka, he could help. Surely he couldn't forget Xigbar's face, right?
Demyx peeked outside the tent, making sure the coast was clear. At this point it was very late, and all the shows were concluded. Everyone was likely getting ready for bed. It was the perfect time to start their mission. He raised an eyebrow at her question, a dog? "You have a dog too? Is it lost like your Dad? We can find him too if you want! Come on!" He motioned for her to follow him as he crawled out of the tent and climbed onto his stage, which still had puddles on it.
Maggie followed him as instructed. Though, she didn't fully understand why she had to be so quiet all the time. Not that she wanted to talk, but still. Other guests were here earlier, and they certainly weren't quiet at all. Could it be because they were related? She sighed to herself. When she found Xigbar, she'd ask. He'd explain everything, wouldn't he? She was brought back to reality when the boy spoke again. No…no, that's wrong. Pooka never gets lost. That wouldn't make sense. That'd take so long to explain, though... She stayed silent, moving more toward the benches. The girl couldn't help but look back at the somewhat wet stage area. Now wasn't the time to ask, but she couldn't help but wonder. Where did he keep that elephant?
Creeping up to the door to his tent, Demyx turned back to Maggie and whispered, "Ok. I'm gonna take you to his tent now, but we have to be super extra quiet cause people are trying to go to sleep…. that and we will get in trouble for just walking around. Or at least I will… So stick close by me ok?" He held out a webbed hand, waiting to see if she would take it before stepping outside into the dark of night.
She murmured to herself and nodded, closing some of the space between them. The girl was hesitant at first, but drew a breath and took his hand. His hand felt strangely different in hers. The concept was a little….strange, too. Why would she need to do this? Everyone's asleep? Would that mean her dad's asleep too? ….did he even sleep at night? She couldn't remember. Maggie nodded her head once more and spoke. "Ready."
Demyx nodded and held her hand gently, exiting his tent on tiptoe. He lead her quickly across the grounds diagonally trying to take the shortest route to Xigbar's tent. He managed to make it there fairly quickly, though he could feel his heart pounding as he nervously looked around him, making sure no one saw them. Tugging the curtain to the second tent back, he guided her inside, not wanting to announce their presence just in case anyone would find them. Letting out a sigh of relief, he spoke quietly, "We made it!" Demyx had never really been inside Xigbar's tent. Well at least not for long… Looking around, it kinda looked similar to his own tent. At least the stage part. It didn't seem like anyone was in this room, but maybe he was in the back? Pointing to the curtain in the back Demyx offered, "How about we try back there?"
She watched him curiously. Why was he so nervous? She couldn't really recall her dad ever being mean, and well, this boy seemed nice enough, would he be mad at Demyx? They'd get in trouble for walking around? That didn't seem right... either way, though. her dad was just in here, right? She followed him inside and narrowed her eyes a little to adjust her sight to the dim lighting. She loosened her grip on his hand and walked slowly through the disheveled rows of benches. Despite being drawn to the stage to try and imagine what his shows were like now, it was still empty. He wasn't here. Her shoulders dropped a little for a moment, staring blankly at the stool in the center of the stage. Brought back to reality once again, she straightened her posture once she heard the boy speak. Another door? Of course, that'd make sense. Maybe he did really sleep at night? She couldn't remember anymore, it'd been too long. She nodded to him, signifying that she was ready to continue. She held out her hand and whispered, "Okay." Maggie blinked, waiting for him to take her hand again.
Demyx's tail twitched back and forth in thought. Why was it so quiet? He never really thought Xigbar to be the quiet type… but who knows. He smiled at Maggie, trying not to show his concern that he might not even be home. Taking her hand again, he led her to the curtain in the back, behind the stage, and tugged it aside, entering the back room with her. Just as he was afraid of, it looked like no one was there either. Where could he be? The desk in the corner was littered with papers, weighed down by a sharpened letter opener. The hammock in the center of the room was empty, and it didn't look like it was used in a while. Could he be somewhere else in the Circus? Demyx didn't think so… he never really saw anyone hangout together except for Axel and Roxas sometimes. "This is weird… I-I'm sorry Maggie. I don't know where he could be. It's a mystery…."
The girl stood for a moment in silence. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but it wasn't exactly this. Letting his hand drop, she made her way to the desk. Looking over the scattered papers for a moment, she recognized Asha, her mother. It was strange, they both seemed so happy in that picture. She couldn't fully recall the last time she smiled that way. There weren't pictures of any sort of her lying around, that she could see, anyway. Her shoulders dropped a little, hearing Demyx speak up. "You...You don't?" She asked, keeping her voice low. Where could he have gone, then? Certainly not back to her mother, or the both of them, that's for sure. Ten years, and for what…? She looked back at Demyx, waiting for a response. Tears welled in her eyes. It was sudden, and foreign to her. He was supposed to be here. How long did they wait? Wouldn't he want to see the two of them again? She stepped toward him and spoke again "You don't?"
Demyx hesitated for a moment afraid to answer her. She was upset, and that made him upset too. His voice wavered as he answered her again, "I-I don't know where he went... I'm so sorry... B-but we could look for clues maybe? Maybe there's a note somewhere that says where he went?" Demyx desperately tried to keep things positive. He couldn't have gone far... Right? Performers weren't allowed to leave for long...
Maggie shook her head and brought the palm of her hand to her cheek. She didn't understand what this feeling was in the pit of her stomach. Clues? No. He's never left notes before. Has he? She couldn't remember much. Where could he be? Did he have friends he could be visiting somewhere on the grounds? She turned back to his desk. Did Pooka find him? Is that why he was here earlier…? Tears continued to fall, catching her off-guard again. "Why is…" She dabbed her other cheek with her hand. "Why is this…happening?" She murmured. It felt strange. Demyx would tell her, right?
Demyx looked at her, sadness tugging at his heart. She was really upset… "Why is… what happening? Why are you crying, you mean?" He looked away from her for a second, wondering why she even asked. Shuffling his feet back and forth he hesitantly answered her, "Its cause your sad, Maggie. Thats what happens when someone is sad. Tears come from your eyes…." Looking around the room again, he tried to think of something else to say. He really wanted to help her find Xigbar, because she seemed really lost without him. Demyx supposed he would be too, if he lost his Dad… Did he even have a dad? He couldn't remember, and he didn't think so. "Maggie, what do you think we should do…? We can't stay here for too long I don't think…."
Xaldin paced around his tent and rolled the sleeves to his shirt to his elbows. It wasn't right. Something was off. He expected anger and a punishment when he returned empty-handed but instead, he was met with calmness and a dismissal. It was nearly unnerving. What else was happening here? What wasn't he seeing? The ringmaster knew that woman, didn't he? She's tied to Xigbar too. Thinking of his coworker had sparked an idea. What Xigbar didn't know, wouldn't hurt him, right? He stepped out of his tent and into the night. Thankfully it was quiet. After all of the chaos today, this was much needed. Perhaps he'd find some answers here..? He continued on in silence to his coworkers tent. Xaldin slowed to a stop, picking up the faint sound of voices. What on earth? He slipped inside silently and took cautious steps forward. Who is…? He closed in on the doorway to Xigbar's sleeping quarters. Was he alone in there?
Maggie dabbed at her eyes again. It didn't make sense. She didn't want to be sad. She didn't want anything to come out of her eyes. What should they do…? She just wanted to find him. That's what she came here for. Maybe Pooka would know?
"Demyx." Xaldin spoke somewhat sternly as he stepped through the slightly smaller doorway. "What are you doing in…." His voice faltered as he lowered his gaze to the strange girl. "Who do we have here…?"
The girl's eyes widened, looking up at the man that loomed over the both of them. She shot a glance to Demyx. Was this a friend of his?
Demyx felt his blood run cold as his antenna stood on end in fear for a moment. "AAAA! X-Xaldin!" He whirled around to gape at the tall man, stepping in front of Maggie, trying to hide her by just standing in front of her. "We were uh… we were just uh… uhhhhhhhhhh.." Demyx couldn't figure out what to say. Xaldin was one of the scary ones. He never really had the chance to talk to the large stern man, but then again he never wanted to. What was he doing here? Did he hear them? Was his hearing supersonic? It had to be! "This…. this is my friend. I was…. giving her a tour. She wanted to know what was inside our tents….yeah." He nodded confidently, though he was visibly paler than usual. Who knew that scales could pale?
Xaldin arched an eyebrow, listening to the boy's poor attempt at an excuse. He glanced at the girl. A strange sense of familiarity struck him. This certainly sparked his interest.
Maggie however, spoke up. What was he talking about? Tour? Is that why they haven't found him? He told her they were going to find her him, and that was it! She eyed both of them cautiously before speaking. "You said….You said we were going to find ….dad." She looked down at her hands for a moment. How could he do this? "No tour…"
The taller man's eyes widened a little. Dad? What in the name of…? Oh. A sly grin crept across his face. This could land him back on the Ringmaster's good side, he wagered. "I believe I can assist the two of you." He began, shooting a steely gaze to Demyx. His meddling wouldn't go unnoticed, he was sure of it.
Demyx looked at Maggie and back to Xaldin. He didn't really want Xaldin to know the real reason why they were there, he honestly wanted this to be their own mission. Sighing, and looking back at up at Xaldin defeatedly, he murmured, "Youre right... Xaldin, we are looking for Xigbar, have you seen him? It's strange that he's not here... And I don't know where else to look." He glanced at Maggie apologetically, "It's... It's uh... Pretty important."
Xaldin closed his eyes as Demyx confessed. He wished he could argue the subject, but she did look strangely like him, as much as he didn't want to admit that. "Yes well, it is also important that you follow the rules set for employees, Demyx." He spoke somewhat sternly, glancing at the girl.
Maggie watched their exchange carefully, unsure of what was happening. Demyx looked nervous. He did technically lie, didn't he? Would he get into trouble now because of her?
He wanted to escort them to Xemnas then and there, like a hunting dog awaiting praise, but even he knew not to disturb the ringmaster during nightfall. Xaldin cleared his throat. "However, I will tell you that Xigbar has been sent away for the night. He hasn't been the most obedient of employees as of late." He began to turn away. "I will return for the two of you tomorrow." The man couldn't help but glance back to Maggie. It was slightly unnerving. "and Demyx, I'd be more cautious if I were you. This is no place for 'friends.' " With that, he made his leave, hoping that the two of them would do the same.
No place for friends? What? Was that man not a friend of his…? Maggie blinked, admittedly a little confused. "Now what…?" She whispered, waiting for the boy to respond.
Return for the two of them tomorrow?! Oh no... I guess the fun is over... Demyx turned to Maggie with a sad, but still fearful face. He forced a smile and spoke softly, "We should.. Head back... It seems like he's not here tonight... I'm really sorry Maggie..." Demyx looked down sadly and hugged himself, trying not to show his disappointment.
Maggie watched him carefully. She didn't understand his sudden change in expression. If that man was going to come back tomorrow, wouldn't he help, then? Wouldn't that mean that her dad would be back then, too? She nodded her head slowly. Ten years was a long time, but what's another day added on, right? She held her hand out, waiting for Demyx to take it. She couldn't help but wonder what Xaldin meant, when he told the boy to 'be more cautious.' She thought in silence for a moment before taking a breath to speak. "Are…are we …'friends'?" She asked. Speaking this much felt strange. That concept alone was a little sketchy to her too. Part of her wished that her memory wasn't so clouded.
Demyx took her hand gently and smiled at her, forgetting about his worries for the moment. "Of course we're friends. Friends help each other! I-i promise we will find your Dad soon, ok?" He kept his smile, and led her out of the tent, making sure that no one else saw them on their way back to the fortiest fort to ever fort. Even though the secret wasn't kept for long, he was sure that the Ringmaster would make an exception for someone looking for her family.