Chapter Text
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Once upon a time, at Hullabaloo, the famous circus, there was a story to be told. Our tale begins with Mike Morton, the beloved acrobat, who was admired by everyone. They all considered him the star of Hullabaloo, a sentiment shared by many. Even with the arrival of new performers, none could overshadow him.
After a fantastic performance, Mike walked backstage to greet his brother, Murro, who clapped and said, “That was wonderful, brother!” Mike bowed in response to the compliment. Just then, someone slapped him on the back and chuckled, “Yeah, Mike! Amazing as ever, the great star of Hullabaloo!”
Turning around, Mike saw it was Joker, his best friend. He nodded at him while everyone else left the tent to watch the next act. Taking a moment to cool down before his next performance, Mike was soon interrupted by noise from outside. He glanced at his friends, who looked just as confused. Curiosity piqued, he walked outside and spotted Bernard, the ringmaster, talking to someone. Once their conversation ended, Bernard noticed Mike and approached him.
“Ah, Mike, that was a wonderful show, as always,” he said with a polite smile. Mike nodded, pleased to receive praise from him. However, he couldn’t shake off his curiosity. Joker, sensing the tension, asked, “Um, Mr. Bernard, is something wrong? It looked like you were talking to someone.”
Bernard glanced at the two of them, aware that Murro was still inside—Mike knew his brother preferred to avoid Bernard. With a sigh, Bernard replied, “Ah yes, that was a client who wanted to offer me a very special performer. He mentioned she would be arriving tomorrow before we open again.” As Bernard left to check on the next performance, Joker and Murro speculated about who the new performer could be, but Mike could only think, 'Wait, did he say she?'
·𖥸·
Mike was diligently practicing alongside Murro, both focused on perfecting their act when a sudden commotion drew his attention. He turned just in time to see Joker striding toward them, an excited grin plastered on his face. “Hey, they’re bringing something!” Joker exclaimed, his voice carrying a mix of intrigue and mischief. Curiosity piqued, and both Murro and Mike exchanged glances, wondering who or what could be making its way toward them. A flicker of hope ignited in Mike’s mind—perhaps it was a new animal set to join their circus family.
As they approached the source of the excitement, a cart loomed ahead, covered by a tattered curtain that fluttered in the breeze. Suddenly, the cart jolted, and the workers yanked back the curtain, revealing an uncanny sight. Long, spider-like legs emerged with an eerie grace, soon followed by a head that was partially obscured by a grotesque mask and cascading hair. The figure moved with her hands tucked against her body, simulating the motions of a spider, which sent shivers through the onlookers.
Whispers began to creep through the gathered crowd, their speculative murmurs painting a picture of fear and fascination. Mike caught snippets of conversations that brandished words like “freaks” and “monsters.” Murro, a mix of curiosity and concern etched on his face, muttered, “Huh, it can’t be her?” At that, Joker turned to him, eyebrows raised in surprise. “You know who it is?” Murro sighed heavily, resignation flooding his voice. “If it is her—according to the chatter among the guests—she's from that freak show run by Max. She was once a crowd favorite, but when her novelty wore off, she commissioned a mechanic to create those legs for her. Now, she’s the human spider act, just trying to scrape a living together.”
Joker nodded in understanding. “Yeah, in this world, you’ve got to hustle.” As he watched her navigate the path, Mike felt an unexplainable pull of empathy. She finally reached the ground below, but misfortune struck when she stumbled over a rock, tumbling ungracefully onto the dirt. In a flash, her mask slipped from her face, revealing a young woman who looked to be around Mike's age, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and embarrassment. Before anyone else could react, Mike instinctively rushed forward and caught her, cradling her in his arms.
In that fleeting moment, he felt an inexplicable connection with her, something raw and unspoken emanating from her gaze. But before he could summon words of comfort, Joker’s voice broke through his thoughts, snapping him back to reality. “Mike.” Suddenly aware that he was still holding her, Mike quickly helped her regain her balance, guiding her back onto her four legs. She nodded in silent gratitude, her voice barely rising above a whisper as she breathed, “I—I am so sorry—” but the words faltered as a cough interrupted her.
They turned to see Bernard, his usual authoritative presence softened by a gentle smile, offering praise. “Mike, how kind of you to help our new performer, Violetta.”
“Violetta?” Mike murmured, staring at her. She met his gaze, and for a brief moment, hope flickered in her eyes, a stark contrast to the apprehension that had clouded her expression moments before. Bernard clapped his hands sharply to capture everyone’s attention. “Alright, folks, back to work! We have just a few moments before the show begins.” The crowd dispersed quickly, and Bernard leaned in toward Mike, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “Come with me, Mike. There are some things I need to discuss with you—alone.”
Turning to Murro, who was cautiously holding Violetta’s mask, Bernard instructed, “And Murro, please guide her to your area. I will join you shortly to go over her role and help her settle in.” There was an underlying note of disdain in Bernard’s tone that sent a ripple of unease through Mike. As Murro nodded and walked away with Violetta, returning her mask, the fleeting smile that graced Violetta’s face was momentarily heartwarming, but it left Mike confused.
He hadn't seen her smile when he caught her. But what did it matter to him? After all, he was just a performer like everyone else. Bernard led Mike into his tent, the air thick with anticipation. Once inside, Mike stood expectantly while Bernard settled into his chair behind a cluttered desk laden with papers.
“I know you have questions, and you can ask, my boy,” Bernard said, his gaze steady and firm. Mike nodded, carefully choosing his words. “Um, yes, I was wondering if I should prepare to practice with Ms. Violetta.” His heart sank a little, hoping to find a way to work with her, but Bernard’s laughter rang out, bright yet dismissive.
“Hah! Oh, Mike, I should have anticipated your good-hearted nature. But about that…” Rising from his chair, Bernard paced slightly. “She’s come here to perform and plans to work alongside Murro—that’s it. You shouldn’t get involved with her.” The disdain in Bernard's voice returned, sharper this time. Mike nodded, feeling a tugging at the corners of his heartstrings as Bernard placed a hand on his shoulder, a gesture meant to convey both camaraderie and segregation.
“I’ll let the others know soon, but you must understand, that performer is... different from us. As you’ve observed, she is deformed, and we should treat her as such.” The weight of Bernard’s words sank deep into Mike’s consciousness. He understood that, like Murro, Violetta was to be viewed through a lens of pity and separation, a burden rather than a person. The realization left him unsettled. He had never been one to embrace coldness, often straddling the line between kindness and indifference. “Yes, I understand,” he replied, though uncertainty lingered in his tone.
Bernard’s smile was both approving and knowing, but Mike found himself lost in thought, pondering the expectations that now loomed over him and the choices he had yet to make.
·𖥸·
After the talk had concluded, Mike found himself in a small, dimly lit corner of the tent, clutching a set of colorful juggling balls. Despite his physical engagement in practicing his juggling routine, his thoughts were tangled in the web of confusion that the discussion had woven around him. A lingering question echoed in his mind: why was he so fixated on that performer, Violetta? It was strange to feel this way about someone he knew he would likely never see again.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice Joker walking up to him until the latter’s voice cut through his reverie. “Ah, Mike, what’s wrong? It’s rare to see you upset after meeting Mr. Barned.” Joker’s tone was playful, but concern flickered in his eyes as he studied Mike’s expression.
Mike felt a swirl of perplexity settle over him, and just as he was about to articulate his feelings, Murro, another friend, entered the scene with a weary sigh, as if he had just stepped out of a long conversation. “So, how was she?” Joker asked lightly. For a moment, Mike thought he was imagining things, as the words felt like they were drawn from his own troubled mind.
Murro and Joker peered at him with raised eyebrows, as if he was expected to delve deeper into his own thoughts. The silence grew thick, filled with unspoken questions. Finally, Murro cleared his throat and replied, “She was a very pleasant lady, but quite shy. She spoke in a formal manner and apologized repeatedly for even the smallest things. Despite her occasional clumsiness, I sensed a genuine sweetness in her demeanor.”
“Still, it’s surprising to see a freak show performer joining us,” Joker remarked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. “Even if she does look a bit like a monster.” His remark hung in the air, met with a shared sigh from Murro as he understood the implications of Joker’s words. Mike’s attention flitted between them, feeling the tension rise.
Seeing their reactions, Joker chuckled lightly and patted Murro on the back. “My apologies; I totally forgot how sensitive you are to that term.”
“It’s alright, Joker,” Murro replied quietly, his voice tinged with a mix of understanding and concern. “I know you didn’t intend any harm, but I can’t help but worry about her. She truly seems like a lovely person.” As he said this, Mike felt a wave of mixed emotions—nervousness drifted through him, but surprisingly, envy surged to the forefront of his mind. He hadn’t anticipated feeling this way; all he wanted was an opportunity to meet her. The daunting thought that he might not get the chance hung heavily on his heart, especially given the restrictions placed on him. This overwhelming sensation was unlike his typical feelings when encountering new people; Violetta felt different.
Joker, clearly sensing the turmoil wrought across Mike’s features, met his gaze with an understanding chuckle. “Well, if I’m right, Violetta will be coming to the tent after your performance to meet everyone. Barned has ordered it, which means we’ll all get to meet her.” He winked at Mike, who felt a jolt of excitement mixed with relief. The prospect of encountering Violetta without disobeying Barned’s explicit request felt like a small victory—at least that’s what he thought, convincing himself that this was a fortuitous turn of events.
·𖥸·
Mike had just concluded his performance, taking a deep, respectful bow as he soaked in the applause and cheers from the audience. A wave of exhilaration washed over him, though it was tinged with an underlying sense of urgency. He had hoped to wrap things up quickly so he could finally speak to Violetta, the enchanting performer who often haunted his thoughts. As he stepped off the vibrant stage and walked into the dimly lit tent, a shroud of disappointment engulfed him. Instead of finding Violetta waiting, he was met with the sight of Joker and Murro, huddled together and whispering intently.
“What do you mean we can’t tell him?” Joker’s voice was low, carrying an edge of concern.
“Joker, you saw how excited he was about seeing her. For now, let’s just tell him that she didn’t come. I’ll find a way to talk to her later,” Murro pleaded, his brow furrowed with worry. What they failed to notice, however, was that Mike had approached them with his arms crossed, a curious frown creasing his forehead.
“Can’t tell me what?” Mike inquired, his tone mingling confusion and a hint of frustration.
Startled, both Joker and Murro turned to face him, their expressions shifting from concern to mild panic. Joker nudged Murro, urging him to take the lead in this delicate situation. Murro sighed heavily, his shoulders dropping in resignation. “Mike, if I tell you this, please don’t be upset,” he began, bracing himself for the impact of his words.
Mike raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Is it because Violetta didn’t come? If she’s busy, then there’s nothing we can do to change that.” Despite his disappointment, Mike tried to steel himself, convincing his heart that there would be another chance to connect—maybe even next time. Yet, the expressions on his friends' faces told a different story; they were heavy with apprehension.
Murro’s sigh was deeper this time as he continued, “About that… Violetta did come, just as we expected, but she arrived much earlier than we anticipated—while you were still performing. When we got there, she was already leaving, so I…” His voice trailed off as he searched for the right words to temper the blow.
Joker took a step forward, eager to fill the silence. “We asked her to stay for a little while to meet you. You know, the star of the show. But here’s where it gets strange—when we mentioned your name, she panicked,” he explained, his eyes widening as he recalled the incident.
“Panicked?” Mike echoed, bewildered.
“Yes,” Joker confirmed, his tone serious. “She started apologizing profusely, saying she had to leave right away. We assured her it was okay and even asked if she wanted to come around again, but…”
Mike's heart sank at the thought of her refusal.
“She said no,” Murro added, his voice laced with disappointment. “She’s very busy and can’t come again, which I suppose I should have seen coming. Later, I found out that this was her last chance to be in this section of the circus. Mr. Barnred made it clear she needs to stay in her designated area—the one near the carousel. At first, we thought that was fine, but then it hit us: when we asked about visiting us, she didn’t actually say no.”
Joker chimed in, “Violetta didn’t refuse initially when we asked if she could visit, but the moment I mentioned you, that’s when her answer changed.”
Understanding began to settle in Mike’s mind, but it felt strange. He should have felt relieved; after all, this could make it easier for him to avoid her. Yet the thought that she might be deliberately avoiding him pierced through him like a shard of ice. He shook his head, trying to dismiss the idea. “Wait, maybe we shouldn’t overthink this,” he suggested, his voice steadying. “What if she meant she can’t come immediately after my show? Perhaps she has another performance scheduled right then. We could try to catch her during her practice hours.” He noted that they had the freedom to roam around the circus during those days.
Joker and Murro exchanged thoughtful glances, contemplating the possibility that Violetta had misunderstood their intent, thinking they wanted to meet her after the show. They proposed that Mike should let them visit her, hoping to encourage a quick greeting—just a fleeting moment to bridge the gap between them. But Mike waved their suggestions away, insisting it was fine. He relished the opportunity to wander through the whimsical landscape of the circus and felt certain he would encounter her eventually. Still, beneath his calm façade, a subtle anxiety flickered. The thought of waiting to see her felt increasingly daunting, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths might not cross again as he hoped.