This chapter went through SEVERAL iterations! It took me a long time to get this in a place that feels right. I apologize for the time it took. Life kinda hit me at work and... I needed time off. But in that time, I discovered a lot about this world I'm writing in and I'm excited to get back on track. Sorry again guys. But thank you for your patience.
When the girls didn't find Valerie or Rusty in the market, they raced back to the inn. In the dining area, they found Snickers and Jack trying to help Rusty with his new leather cuirass while Valerie was enjoying afternoon tea. She had her quiver full of arrows and bow sitting next to her pack, which leaned on her chair while she ate.
"Valorie!" Bluey and her company ran to her table. "We have so much to tell you!"
"We found the colorful people!" Indy exclaimed.
"The colorful people?" Snicker echoed.
"You found them?" Rusty asked as he turned to face them.
"They're the circus!" Bingo added, raising her arms over her head.
"There was a ring master with a whip!" Chloe began to explain, "And a bunch of funny looking circus performers! And they wanted to sell all their tickets and…!"
"Girls! Girls," Valerie raised her hands and quieted them. "Not all at once, I can't understand you all when you're talking so fast. Now, this is no way to enjoy afternoon tea. Have a seat." She motioned to the chairs next to her. "Jack, Snickers, please finish helping Rusty into his armor, he's only half done." Valerie giggled. "And it fitted improperly. The belts are supposed to lace through the pauldrons."
"But…," Indy tried to protest.
"Sit, please," Valerie eyed her and waited for her to sit in a chair before she stopped.
Jack and Snickers scratched their heads as they examined Rusty. "Too bad it didn't come with directions," Rusty sighed as Jack helped it out of him.
"I know," Jack agreed, "I guess putting on armor was supposed to be common knowledge in this place."
Snickers chuckled. "Like changing clothes." The boys laughed and tried again with Rusty's armor.
"Now then, let's do this properly." Valiere arranged a few cups and plates that were in the center of the table. Each table had a number of cups, tea strainers, saucers, teaspoons, butterknives, forks, napkins, and plates for each seat at the table. A large teapot, a small metal pitcher of cold milk, a small saucer of lemon, and cup of sugar cubes all sat in organized fashion. Just off the center, closest to Valerie, rack of three plates with sandwiches neatly cut at the bottom, some scones in the middle, and small deserts on top. When all was arranged, Valerie picked up the tea pot and poured a modest helping into Bingo's cup. She was the closest to her, sitting on her direct left. "Now, Bingo, would you like any milk, sugar, or lemon with your tea?"
"Six sugars please," Bingo said with her best impression of a fancy lady.
"You certainly like your sweets," Valeire giggled. "We'll start with three." She took a pair of tongs and dropped three cubes of sugar into her cup. "Now, Bluey? What would you like?"
"Um, we really have something to tell you," Bluey said impatiently. "It really can't wait."
"Bolderda…mm," Valeire caught herself and cleared her throat, "I mean, nonsense, Bluey. It can wait. We'll talk all about it when everyone is served. Now, sugar, milk, or lemon?"
Bluey huffed and propped her head on her arm with her elbow on the table. "Milk and sugar please…"
"Bluey, elbows off, if you please," Valerie said politely.
"Okay," Bluey replied. Valerie put in some milk then readied the sugar.
"How many sugar?"
Bluey stared at her cup. "Um… three?"
Valerie nodded and dropped three cubes inside her cup then turned to Indy. "Indy, what would you like?"
"Valerie," Indy groaned, "This is about the colorful people that Beauty was talking about!"
Valeire sighed. "I know, but I said we'd speak when everyone is served. Now…"
"Indy can't have any of that stuff," Bluey interrupted. "Her mum says so."
"Bluey, Indy can speak for herself," Valerie scolded calmly.
"But she's right," Indy nodded then began counting on her hand, "I can't have wheat, dairy, gluten, salt, sugar, or any foods with additive ingredients."
"Oh. Hmm. I see. "Valerie poured her tea and gave a smile, "Then plain tea it is. This has none of that, I'm sure. I just won't give you any condiments. Even lemon?"
"No thanks," Indy shook her head, "I don't really like lemons."
"Very well," Valerie nodded, "Chloe?"
"Just lemon and sugar, thanks," Chloe replied.
Once everyone was served Valerie took a seat in her chair and served herself then put one sugar in her teacup as well as some lemon before she began sipping at it. "Now, Indy, why don't you start us off. From the top. What is it you found?"
"Well, it was actually Chloe, Bluey, and Bingo who found it first," Indy replied as she went to sip her tea.
"Pinky up, Indy," Valerie critiqued.
"Oh, sorry," Indy did as she was told and tried to sip her tea carefully. It was still very hot.
Valeire nodded in approval and turned to her left. "Then why don't you tell us what you saw, Bingo?"
Bingo struggled with her cup but put it down when she heard her name. "Oh. We found a circus!"
"Yeah, they're the colorful people!" Bluey exclaimed.
"Bluey, wait your turn," Valeire scolded softly again. "Bingo, continue."
"Like Bluey said," Bingo replied, "They're the colorful people that Beauty was talking about."
"I see," Valerie nodded. "Then did you see any urczars? Any animals at all, Chloe?"
Chloe shook her head. "Well…we didn't get to go in. But we did see the ring master. At least, that's what Bluey says."
"Yeah!" Bluey nodded, "Because he was in a red coat with a tail and stuff. Everybody knows ring masters have red coats with tails on the back of them."
"Bluey…," Valerie eyed her. Bluey sighed and sat back in her chair. "Sit up, no slouching."
"Why? Your trying to teach us manners, aren't you?" Bluey glared and crossed her arms.
"Bluey doesn't like learning about manners," Bingo giggled.
"So, I see," Valerie giggled with her. "Bluey, I'm not teaching you manners. Not necessarily. It's afternoon tea. There's a certain way to go about it."
"Why?" Bluey asked, "What's the point of all this? Why can't we just drink tea and talk whenever we want to?"
Valeire sipped her tea. "Because you're meant to enjoy it. It reminds you of simple things in life. When you're stressed or nervous or just need a simple cup of tea, afternoon tea is a small pleasure in life that offers just that. Why don't you take a sandwich, Bluey?" Valerie motioned to the bottom plate on the rack.
"I know what afternoon tea is… but it's not any of that to me." Bluey grumbled and reached over the table then took a sandwich, bumping the sugar in the process and dropping a cube. "Oh, sorry, Bingo."
"That's alright," Bingo smiled then giggled.
Bluey brought the sandwich to her mouth only for Valerie to stop her yet again.
"Ah ah ah!" She pulled the sandwich away and looked at Valerie with a puzzled face. "Place it on your plate."
"But…"
"Plate, Bluey," Valerie eyed with a smile, taking a sandwich for herself. The other girls followed her example, and all waited. "No, take your knife in your right hand…," she took her butter knife and flicked it to enunciate, "And your fork in your left." The girls followed and Bluey huffed and did the same. "Good, now cut the sandwich like this." She cut the sandwich in half and took the half in her mouth. She waited to swallow before talking. "Mm, very good." Bluey and the other girls had trouble with their utensils. Bingo had scrapped her plate at least three times before Valerie cleared her throat. "Err, maybe it's too early for you, Bingo. "I forget how old you are."
"I'm five," Bingo smiled.
"Ah, then, it's time you started to learn, at least," Valerie smiled.
"And Chloe and I are seven," Bluey smiled, "And I think Indy too."
"Yeah, I'm just as old as you are," Indy rolled her eyes as the table giggled.
Valerie arched a brow at her, "And you three still haven't learned to use a fork and a knife? I learned when I was Bingo's age."
The girls slumped their shoulders and sighed. Eventually, even Indy started to join in on Bluey's begging. "Can we please talk about the circus?! This is important to Beauty! And that makes it Important to me. I promised we'd help find her family…"
"And they might have our friends too," Chloe added. "Mackenzie, Coco, and Honey might be in trouble!"
"You found Mackenzie, Coco, and Honey?" Rusty asked as he stretched his shoulder, adjusting to his new arms and racing his way over to their table. The other boys joined them too.
"Where did you see them?" Jack asked, not waiting for Rusty's question to be answered.
Snickers didn't wait either. "Are they okay?"
"Well," Bluey scratched her head. "We're not sure. We didn't actually see them. Or the animals. But we're sure it's them. It has to be!"
Indy nodded in agreement. "It has to be. There are too many coinsi-din-nents-es."
"Er, that's… coincidences," Valerie cleared her throat again.
"Who cares?" Bluey said slamming her hands on the table, "They could be in there and we aren't helping by learning how to have afternoon tea!" Bluey grunted and sat back down in her chair with a grumpy glare. She didn't glare at anything in particular. She just wanted to be grumpy.
Valerie sighed in defeat. "I understand. I'm sorry, girls. I was only hoping we could enjoy this together before we ventured on to the next thing… I suppose we could just skip to business. Indy, Bluey, tell us everything."
"Finally!" Bluey sighed in exasperation.
"We found the colorful people," Indy started as the boys took a seat at the table. "They're a circus that's in town right now."
"They're going to have a show soon," Bluey added, "I think the ring master said it was after tomorrow."
"That's right," Chloe nodded. "And they're trying to sell all the tickets. The ring master said so!"
"Could anyone go into the circus at all. Even without tickets? Maybe just to sight see?" Valerie asked as she folded her hands and listened.
"Umm," The girls scratched their heads.
Eventually Chloe was the one who answered. "It didn't look like anyone was allowed inside."
"Hmm." Valiere rubbed her maw thoughtfully. "I was afraid of that…"
"What are we going to do?" asked Bingo.
"Can we buy tickets for the circus?" Jack asked as a suggestion.
"I'm not sure how much they are," Valerie replied, "If we could I'm not sure we'd all be able to buy very many…" The table was silent. All were forming their own plans and quickly discarding them for another. But soon Valerie filled the silence again. "It seems to me… we'll need to recon."
"Recon?" Indy asked while arching her brow.
Rusty and Jack were both more than eager to answer. And Jack managed to be the first to answer. "It's when you make a small team and send them to scout out the area. Right, Rusty?"
"That's right, private Russel," Rusty winked. "Me and Jack can go. We've had plenty of practice, mum. We can go out and be back in a jiffy."
"I'm glad you're up for it, boys," Valerie smiled, "But it's not going to be that simple. We'll need more than two to go. And quite frankly, I'm not sure I can go." She scratched her head and began to blush, "I... haven't exactly been the… best tenant in circuses… or at least… once they bring out the snakes…"
"S-snakes?" Chloe asked, shrinking back into her shoulders.
"Oh! Yes!" Nodded Valerie slowly. She shivered and took a moment to recompose. "Every circus, for goodness knows what, has a creature called a baskiserp. I giant snake-like creature with a body as long as three houses and as tall as I am. I can't even stand the little snakes, much less one that size. Never again, I say. And I know for sure they'll have an act with one in it. If I happen upon that tent during our escapade I'll scream so loud the whole city will hear me." Valeire shivered again. "So… someone else should go."
The table went silent again. None of the children were sure of how to continue with this new information.
"Well," Snickers began, finally breaking the silence. "I can't go. Even though I want to." He wiggled his arms and legs. "Look at these little arms and legs. If we have to do sneaking, I can't sneak around very good with them. I might fall over at a bad time."
"Well, I'm very good at sneaking," Bluey smiled, "So I'll go with Jack and Rusty."
"And I'll go too," Bingo raised her hand. "I'm pretty sneaky too."
"Alright," Valerie smiled, "Then its settled. Bluey, Rusty, Bingo, and Jack can go and the rest of us will wait here." The other agreed in unison. It was back pats and well wishes to the four until Bluey realized something.
"Wait!" Everyone turned their heads to watch her. "What if we find the urczars? Won't we need Indy to speak to them?"
"She's right," Bingo gasped, "They won't listen to us. Even if we say Beauty sent us to find them."
Indy tensed. She wasn't a fan of the circus either. She hated the way they treated animals. Rumors or not, she didn't want to see the animals hurt. But she realized it didn't mean she had to stay away from their suffering. "Bluey's right… maybe I should go too… even if I don't like the circus."
"It'll be okay, Indy," Rusty smiled, "And placed a hand on her shoulder. Maybe we can free the other animals too. If they're mean to them."
Indy smiled, "Thanks, Rusty."
"Very good," Valeire smiled. "Well, Rusty, since we're the ones with money, I say we should go and buy the tickets. The others will stay and wait."
"Right," Rusty agreed, "Don't worry, Indy. You'll keep your promise." Valerie and Rusty left the inn, leaving the others behind.
"I suppose we can enjoy these sweets while we wait," Chloe smiled as she picked a frosting covered cookie.
"Yes!" Snickers excitedly sat up and wobbled. "Can I have the one with sprinkles?"
"Sure," Chloe started to serve the pastries. But Indy was very quiet. She had just remembered something that she had forgotten to mention. "Indy? Oh… right… you can't have any… can you?"
Indy didn't answer favoring looking at her hands than at the pastries or her tea. "My power to understand animals hasn't been working lately…" The girls and boys stopped moving and stared at her. Indy looked up from her hands and at the group. "What if I can't talk to the urczars this time?" No one ate for a while. They started thinking about solutions, but no one could give her one. Indy laid her head on the table. "I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep my promise after all." No one said a word.
Bluey bit into a cookie, lost in thought. There had to be a reason Indy started talking to animals before. She contemplated while she chewed and swallowed, but nothing came to mind. However, all that thinking called for another cookie. Or perhaps one of the pastries would help.
Near lunch time, Honey and Coco were going to feed the herbivores again. The hope was the Mackenzie would be waiting for them there, since they hadn't seen him for afternoon tea or between their other work hours, cleaning the other cages and pens.
"He's not here," Honey sighed as she looked around. She looked behind the water barrel and briefly around the tubs but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. She wiped her nose and sniffed. "Maybe… maybe he didn't want to see us."
"No way," Coco shook her head. "Mackenzie wouldn't be that mean. Maybe he's helping Oliver with the carnivores. Or maybe the older boys are making him help them again in the big tent."
"Maybe…" Honey echoed hopefully. "I hope so… but I also hope not. At least it would mean he didn't run away and leave us."
"Mackenzie wouldn't," Coco assured, "Maybe he'll show up while we're feeding them. Let's just get the feed and start. I'm sure he'll come back."
"Okay," Honey replied glumly.
Honey and Coco poured bags of feed into their feeding wagon again, then took the small scooping buckets and started to wheel it over to each trough. They had covered at least half of the animals when they started to realize Mackenzie still hadn't shown up. after filling two more troughs Coco noticed Honey had stopped.
"Honey?" she asked with concern. Honey didn't answer. "Honey what's wrong?"
Honey took off her glasses, cleaned them and sighed. "Mackenzie probably doesn't want to see me right now… I hope he's okay."
"I'm sure he is," Coco assured her, "It's like I said. Boys just need time. He's probably very busy to help us. He'll be here to check on us soon. Or he'll meet us when we feed Victor. You'll see." The tent flap moved and caught both girls' attention. "See, there he is now."
Both girls ran to the tent flap. They needed to see she was right. But they were both disappointed as they saw Oliver whistling his way inside.
"Ah, there you are," He chuckled, "Hard at work I see. That's a good look." Both girls' shoulders dropped, as did their gaze. Oliver clicked his tongue and hummed thoughtfully. "Well, now, what's with the long faces, eh?"
"We thought you were Mackenzie," Coco replied.
"We haven't seen him all day," Honey added. "I… said something mean and… I think he's avoiding me."
Oliver smiled softly. It was nice to see these children care so much about each other. "Now that's just a bunch of nonsense, that is. Mackenzie was here earlier, while you were feeding Victor." He took a deep breath and postured himself in deep thought. "Depending on how he acts… he might be better or worse off then you two to be honest…"
Honey and Coco looked at each other in concern. They hardly heard anything else he said accept "worse than". Coco took a step forward. "Wh-what do you mean?"
Oliver smiled again and relaxed. "Nothing. It's nothing to worry about… I think. If it helps, you could say… he's been promoted. You remember that Doberman from earlier? The dancer?" Both girls nodded.
"She danced beautifully!" Coco said putting her hands together. "I wish I could dance like that."
"So do I," Honey giggled a little. "She's really mean though."
"Heh," Oliver chuckled hysterically for a moment. "That's taking it lightly, but yes. You're right. Mackenzie is her personal assistant now. He'll be taking orders from her now. In the meantime… He and I made a deal." The girls looked up at him curiously and watched as Oliver positioned the water bucket under the spigot. "Continue to help me as you have and…" He turned the water on and looked at them. "I'll help you with Victor. No one knows him better than me."
"But you're afraid of Victor," Coco commented. She didn't mean to sound mean, but one had to admit, he didn't exactly display a lot of confidence when he was around Victor."
"Well… not exactly… I'm not, but… Well… Look, I'll tell you everything later." He shut the spigot off and picked the bucket up. "Right now, we have others to think about and we have all evening to think about Victor, right? So?" He plopped the bucket in Coco's hands. She quickly found herself too weak to carry it and dropped it making it slosh all over her and the ground. "Go on. Finish up. Meet me later. By the leafine tent. We'll go over some things then. Alright?"
The girls looked at each other. The were hoping he was going to help, but with this new information they felt a little better and Honey was motivated to work again.
"Okay." Honey gave a curt nod and picked up the water bucket from Coco's hands. "You take care of the feeding… I'll handle the water."
"But there's so many of them. Only Mackenzie was strong enough to water them fast enough."
"That's true," Honey nodded, "But I'm the one who was mean to him. So if he's not here to do anymore, then It's up to me to do it for him."
Coco smiled and nodded. "Okay."
"Okay?" Oliver smiled at them. "Great. See you soon!"
He left the girls to their work, and both began to finish their chores in the herbivore tent. Their concern for Mackenzie had weighed them down, but knowing he was still looking after them, they were able to manage the tough tasks alone.
Donna hummed a nonchalant tune as she was brushing Mackenzie's raggedy fur. Mackenzie fidgeted as she met a rather stubborn not and fought with it.
"Ow! That hurts!" Mackenzie started to push.
"Ah ah, assistant," She sung, "Sit up straight. Otherwise, I'll be very cross."
"What does that even mean?" Mackenzie huffed, "Look, I didn't even want to be your assistant! I don't even know what I'm supposed to do."
"Oh, is that all?" She laughed to herself having seemed to ignore what he said in the beginning. "Why didn't you say so my a-dorrrr-able assistant? You see, all you have to do is fetch my costumes, get me breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or any meal I want, really. Deliver all my messages, read my fan mail to me. Make my bed, change my sheets; weekly; take my dirty dishes, make my tea; morning and afternoon; announce my presence before entering every public space, and above all," She paused for dramatic effect, but also because another stubborn knot found itself under her brush.
"Ow!"
"Ah there we are," She giggled to herself and began to her finishing touches. "Where was I? Ah, yes. And above all, worship me every hour. You must pay me a minimum of three compliments on the hour. It's essential to my health. My doctor says so."
Mackenzie looked up at her with a puzzled face and look of disbelief. "What doctor? And how am I supposed to remember all of this?"
"Just memorize what I told you," She giggled giddily and began to worship her work in the mirror in front of them. "There, all done. What do you think?"
Mackenzie's fur was much more colorful than before. The black was more pronounce and the white much cleaner and spotless. His fur was neatly brushed, and the top was swept to the side with his floppy ear. He wore a bowtie around his neck, and a red button up vest with a white undershirt and a grey suit jacket. He didn't like formal cloths but at least his fur felt a bit softer than usual. How it got that way, though, he'd rather not talk about… ever.
He stared at himself in utter disappointment. He swore he'd never look like this but how far he had fallen… "I look like a board school student."
"The cutest board school student!" She hugged him from behind and stood up, clapping twice. "Now, assistant. It's time for you to get to work. But first, I have a gift for you."
Mackenzie's mood lifted a little. "A gift? F-for me?"
"Mm hmm," She replied, waiting for his excitement to regale her.
"Well… what is it?" He asked, admittedly eager to get a gift from a celebrate, even if he didn't like her at all.
She giggled and picked up his old fanny pack. It was heavily discolored by the mud. "First, we have to get rid of this old thing. No sense in carrying around garbage, right?"
Mackenzie's eyes went as wide as he could make them and he reached out for it, "Wait! No!" The fanny pack was tossed into her brazier with a magic flame that had no source of fuel. It lit up quickly and dissipated in front of his eyes. He was horrified. That fanny pack was with him for so many journeys. So many field trips and vacations. His father bought it for him the same day he was lost. It was a sense of comfort to him… now it was gone. "Wh-why did you do that?" He was restraining himself from hyperventilating. He didn't want to see how she reacted to him in that state. He knew she'd only make it worse.
"Tut tut, no need to be so attached to something so rubbish. Here." She handed him a leather satchel with a strange design and buckle. A golden chain hung outside of it. Mackenzie took the satchel, but he stared at the brazier where his fanny pack was burned. He couldn't believe it was gone, just like that! Everything he kept inside of it was gone too. Nothing was left. the things his mother and father bought for him. The things he brought to every trip, just in case. the things they'd ask him for because they knew he was carrying them. His compass, pocket knife, glow sticks, and his small first aid kit. All gone in a single second.
"There there," the Doberman pat his cheek and slithered behind him then rubbed his shoulders. "It was only trash, assistant. Nothing more. Besides, I gave you much more beautiful and useful things that will help you be a better assistant to me. Which is all that matters now." She kissed his cheek and walked away pompously. "Your welcome."
Mackenzie was too sad to blow up at her. Even if he wanted to yell and shout how she was wrong, he reasoned his actions could put Coco and Honey in danger. So, he kept quiet and instead sadly looked down at his satchel, almost in tears. He opened the satchel and thought he saw a plethora of things inside. But that couldn't be. It had to be the design. He reached in and felt a handle. He gripped it and pulled it out. It was longer than it felt. He kept pulling until a whole tent pole was in his hands.
How did that even fit? He wondered. He tried to stick it back in, and it returned as easily as it was taken. In fact, it felt like the bag had sucked it back in. He then inspected the second pocket where the golden chain was dangling from the outside. This pocket was normal, with a single item inside. "A pocket watch?" He picked it out and put the satchel down on a nearby table to examine it. He looked up at Donna who was eagerly waiting for him to do something. He just wasn't sure what. Mackenzie found a button beneath the chain, where there was a large nob. It opened into the clock. One he still hard a hard time understanding. He still couldn't quite remember how to read the I's and the V's or the X's all stood for. Sure, he understood what the hands meant, but the characters made it harder to read. He wished it were numbers. And just then, when the thought had crossed his mind, they all morphed into numbers. He gasped and jumped a little. He then looked up at Donna who was very pleased with his reaction.
Donna motioned at the watch as she poured herself some juice and drank from a golden goblet. Mackenzie looked at the watch and started to inspect it for other things. He turned the nob where the button was and the whole face of the clock flipped over. It became a map! He forgot all about his fanny pack. This was amazing! He bought it closer to examine it closly only to see as the map rotated with his orientation. The center of it was a black dot. And surrounding it was a series of numbers and letters. He recognized these. At least, the letters. The "N" meant north. The "E" and "W" were east and west, respectively. And the "S" was South. These were directions. He didn't know much about the numbers. Accepted they were called… bearings? "Woah…Y-your giving this to me?" he asked, somewhat humbled, but… confused. Why was she giving him this? What was he going to do that she needed him to have these things?" He didn't listen to the list of chores she gave him, but he knew none of them needed this. "Wh-why?"
Donna had a large grin on her face. "My assistant needs to be ready for anything. And by anything, I mean everything." She covered her mouth and let out a strange laugh. Mackenzie looked at the watch and flipped it again only to be surprised by a bright light. He guessed it was supposed to be a touch, or a lamp. Donna closed it and pat his hand. "Now. Keep these with you at all times, mm? And don't forget them or give them away." Her smile slightly faded in favor of a mild glare. "You won't get rid of my precious gifts will you…? Assistant?"
Mackenzie's back straightened. He felt a slight chill in his spine. "N-no…"
She brushed his chin and giggled in a way that made him feel… odd. He didn't want her to do it but… he felt a small part of him like it. She was pretty, but he couldn't forget how moody and mean she was. Still, he couldn't understand why she was being so nice to him. "That's a good assistant. Now!" She recomposed and started to walk to the tent flap leading outside. "Come, assistant! I must speak to my useless boyfriend about my act after tomorrow. He says he has to speak to me about it. I'm not sure why. It's perfect if I do say so myself."
Which you always do, Mackenzie thought as he rolled his eyes and followed.
"It'll be magnificent. You'll see. We should be having a rehearsal soon. Not that I need it," She laughed to herself and covered her mouth daintily. Donna looked over her shoulder and noticed Mackenzie barely paying any attention to her. But her smile never faded. "But enough about my brilliance, hmm? Why don't we hear about why such an adorable collie like you began working for my boyfriend without me noticing. Hmm?" She looked over her shoulder again, this time with Mackenzie looking up at her. She waited rather patiently for an answer.
Mackenzie didn't really want to say. He wasn't even sure why Donna wanted him as an assistant in the first place. He kept quiet for some time before Donna snapped her fingers demandingly. "Hurry, assistant, speak up. I can't hear you."
Mackenzie had to give her something. He went with a half-truth. "We were in the forest and needed a place to stay. So, when they stopped to put Victor back in his cage, we got a ride, and he hired us. When we made it into town."
"Ah, so you saw my dance then," She smirked was she looked at him with a side-eye.
Mackenzie remembered her dance. He did like it, but knowing how mean she was now, he wasn't sure he enjoyed it as much now. "Yeah, it was good."
"Wasn't it?" Donna giggled. "Yes…"
Mackenzie quietly scoffed to himself. He had to admit he was surprised she accepted such a lukewarm compliment. Maybe she didn't care. As long as she got a compliment, she must have been happy. Mackenzie and Donna reached the outside of a large tent then stopped. Donna turned around and leaned over to his height.
"Listen carefully, assistant. It'll be our little secret," She smirked slyly as she whispered. "Sheffield… is useless. Reliant on that that whip. Take that from him and he will become nothing…" Her smiled faded and became stern. "You will not touch it…" Mackenzie sunk into himself discreetly. Something about her eyes made him uncomfortable. But just as quickly as it came, it went. "…not yet." Mackenzie scrunched his brows. What did she mean? Before he could ask, she straightened her back and barged right into the tent, throwing the flaps aside as she entered.
"Ah, Sheffield, my dear!" She sashayed to the table where Sheffield was seated, shuffling about with some papers, and composing from her sudden outburst. "Have you missed me so much that you needed to see me so soon?"
Mackenzie followed her inside and looked around the tent. It was well furnished with patterned linens and neat trinkets. And while the tent was rather large, it was even bigger on the inside, looking like an entire museum accept the art pieces were living, exotic birds and beasts chained to their place. There were also some paintings of him and Donna by themselves or together littered about. Mackenzie and Donna had to walk a bit of a distance to make it to the table where Sheffield sat.
"Ah, Donna," Sheffield appeared nervous. "Love of me life. Keeper of me heart. Beauty that outshines all… beautiful girls…" He was stalling, even Mackenzie could tell. He rolled his eyes. It hurt to watch. Sheffield eyed Mackenzie as soon as he noticed. "I see you… brought your new help…" He smiled plastically at Mackenzie who didn't even bother to pretend to be as pleasant. Sheffield then scrunched his eyes at him, seemingly confused. "He looks… different than yer last one… a little… well dressed."
Now it was Mackenzie's turn to be confused. He arched a brow and eyed Donna who seemed to laugh it off. "Something this cute? How could I resist? Tell me," She went behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Well, he is a collie. My last one was a hideous bulldog. Doesn't he look dashing? Only a few hours and he's already been the most helpful assistant every!"
I didn't even do anything yet! Mackenzie chuckled hysterically to himself. Sheffield put on another plastic smile.
"Er… yes. Quite…," Sheffield nodded. He caught something on Mackenzie and eyed a shiny golden chain. It didn't take him long to figure out what it was. "Is that my watch! I gave tha' to you as an anniversary gift! He's been stealin' from you!" Sheffield tried to come around the desk to snatch it, but Donna stepped in front.
"Ah aah!" She raised her hands and smiled at him calmly. "Don't be so on edge, my dear. I made good use of your gift. See? Now he will be able to find me, run errands for me efficiently, and be prompt about it. A perfect use for your gift. A perfect gift for a perfect assistant. And I have my strong… handsome man to thank for it." She came to his side and twisted a strand of fur on his head as she rubbed his shoulder. "Don't be jealous. He'll never replace you. He's much too young anyway."
Thank goodness, Mackenzie sighed quietly in relief.
"Yes. Too young. Too small. Not long my big… strong… burly Irish terrier. Hmm?" She rubbed his shoulders and rested her head on one of them.
Sheffield relaxed and chuckled sheepishly. "Well… I suppose that's true, heh." He fixed his tie, as it had suddenly felt a tad bit too tight.
"Good boy," She pat his shoulders and tore away before snapping and pointing at a chair. Mackenzie instinctually, without even thinking, grabbed the chair and pulled it back. It was a bit tough since it was twice his size, but he managed just fine and was just in time for her to take a seat swiftly. It wasn't till he was done that he realized what he'd done, and face palmed behind the chair so no one could see him scold himself. When did he become so easy to boss around? "Now! What's this about you needing to speak to me about my act? Have you called me here just to tell me how perfect it is? You flirt!" She giggled in her chair as she waited for just that.
"Oh… yes… that…," Sheffield scratched his head. "Er… it's not the act actually. Although it's very beautiful, the highlight of the show! The best part, my personal favorite, in fact."
"Yes," She smiled. She loved the attention, but she knew there was something he wasn't telling her.
"It's actually about yer request… Ehmm… you see… We didn't… sell out all the tickets… But we're going to let the show go on. We have enough audience to entertain. Made quiet profit too." He smiled to try and lighten what seemed like a bad message to Donna. "I'm sorry, I know what it means to you, but… this is a business decision. And we have to deliver a show, yes? So, we're keeping on schedule, and starting the show the day after tomorrow. If we get more buyers, we get more buyers, just like you want. But you have to understand. This is my circus, and I'm putting my foot down. We're not waiting for the audience to fill up just to start one show. Especially if we're sticking around for a week."
Donna's eyes widened a moment. Her smile was still there but plastic. Then it all transformed into a frown, which eventually degraded into a fit of rage. "WHAT!?" She stood up in a flash of lighting and her voice echoed deeply in a way that both boys found unnatural and frightening. The room became suddenly dark. The animals around the cried out and tugged at their chains. A cloud of tan dust circled her like a cyclone and a small storm of lighting cracked and thundered around her.
Mackenzie jumped back and landed on the floor, crawling back into a coat hanger. Why was she so angry?
Sheffield also staggered back and was quick to try and calm her down. "I was just saying! It's a plan for starters! I open to feedback!" He chuckled nervously as she seemed to easily push the heavy desk aside with a flick of her hand. He started crawling back, "Donna, love! You can't expect me to squeeze water out of a rock!"
She stretched her hand out and he was picked up and brought in front of her. she had him by the collar and closed the distance even more. "Then stop… squeezing… stones! You idiot! Think! Water comes from streams, lakes; rivers! Even trees! But you're looking in stones!? Stop thinking! About! The money!" Donna inhaled sharply to continue but she stopped. She glared at him but started to mellow out. She sighed and set him down, the room began to brighten, the storm settled, and the dust went away.
Mackenzie could hardly believe what he had seen. He stood up and hid behind one of Sheffield's coat hangers. He felt something snake across his shoulder and gasped. Seeing what it was, his eyes widened. Sheffield's whip! It was hanging carelessly by his tailcoat. Like he didn't think anyone would steal it. Mackenzie looked at his satchel and at the whip. Both Sheffield and Donna were distracted with each other. He could take it now! Then he'd be unable to hurt the animals! Honey and Coco would be so proud of him! He turned to see Donna putting Sheffield down and dusting him off and fixing his collar. He didn't forget what happened only seconds ago. She made it very clear not to touch the whip. Mackenzie clenched his fists. Was he really going to let this opportunity pass?
"Forgive me, Sheffield, dear… your right…" Both boys looked at her with arched brows. Did she really just say that?
"I'm… right?" he asked in utter confusion. She batted her eyelids at him and stroked her hair. He cleared his throat and tried to appear more manly. "I mean, of course. I'm glad you saw it my… er... I mean, that you approve. I wasn't sure if what I was sayin' was right, but now that you agree, I see that it was. Thank you, love."
Donna sighed and returned to her seat. "Oh, but… it is all so depressing to admit. I hoped the whole town could see my act three times over, but… alas… the circus must come first…"
Mackenzie deadpanned at her. "Why does he even like her?" He looked up at the whip again. They were still distracted. Now was his chance! Mackenzie reached for the whip. His hand hovered over the leather tip of the black whip as if to grab it but he hesitated. He wanted to take it; he really did. But once Sheffield finds out its missing he'd go straight to Donna and she'd know. She got angry over the audience numbers. How much angrier would she get if he disobeyed? Mackenzie pulled his hand back and looked over to see if they were looking at him.
"Donna… love… You know I love you. And your amazing act… I really wish I could help… but… well…" Sheffield buckled under the weight of her pouting face and sighed in defeat. "Why don't I just see what else we can do? Maybe we can squeeze a few more with… discounts perhaps? Eh, maybe the grannies get in free in't so bad after all…"
"Oh, Sheffield," Donna sighed whimsically, "You are so very considerate. Thank you for thinking of me. I do hope that… we both get what we want from this town." Both of them began to laugh as they embraced. Although Sheffield wasn't too sure what was so funny. Still, if she was happy, he was happy.
Mackenzie looked back at the whip for the last time. He went to take it but hesitated again. This was his last chance; he was sure of it! But he just couldn't bring himself to do it. He sighed and dropped his arms as he eyed the whip. So close but so far… Whatever Donna wanted, he knew too nervous to get in her way. Whatever that power was sent chills up his spine.
"Now, I need to rehearse, darling. If you require anything of me, find me in the main tent. Tah tah!" Donna wiggled her fingers at Sheffield and strutted away then sang and single word "Assistant!"
Mackenzie jumped. "C-coming!" He turned to run but not before eyeing the whip on last time. He sighed, having felt tired from his own mental struggle about whether or not he'd take it and gave up. "…Sorry, Honey."
He was so disappointed with himself. When he looked up he saw Donna smiling down at him. But it didn't make him feel any better. "Good boy." She let out a strange chuckle then left the tent. Mackenzie turned his head to see Sheffield trying to figure out how he was going to move his extremely heavy desk back. Mackenzie couldn't get the image of her moving it with ease out of his mind. Was she an adventurer? Were all of the circus hands and performers adventurers? If so… what was she?
Mackenzie turned around and ran out of the tent to catch up with Donna. She stopped and turned to face him. "Let's keep that meeting between us, hmm?" Mackenzie didn't reply, but she took his silence as agreement and left with a sinister chuckle. Mackenzie stared at her uncomfortably and rubbed his arm. His mind was stuck thinking about everything he'd just seen. Just who was Donna? Something told him he didn't want to know…