Chapter Text
The clock tower bell tolls, signaling the end of another work day for the citizens of Ragunna City.
Weary bank employees rush out of Averardo Bank, eager to go home and fill their next hours with the much needed rest and relaxation.
Gondolas carrying the officer workers from the Court of Mercury arrive in droves at the pier to take the exhausted workers home.
Some hungry folks head for the resident’s favorite, Trattoria Margherita, famous for their innovative specialty dishes and tasty treats.
Among the hurrying crowd stands two outliers lingering beside the pier, watching the Gondolas come and go.
Sitting on top of a purple prop box, a little girl with pink and purple hair enjoys the Triple-Scoop Ice Cream her tall companion bought for her.
On the other hand, her companion leans on a lamppost, throwing a slice of tangerine in the air and catching it with his mouth.
Girl Carrying Prop Box [Stage Magician]
“Are you sure she’s coming?” she asks in between nibbling on her favorite treat.
Hero on Mast [Flying Knife Captain]
“Yep! I’m positive,” he replies almost instantly. A grin crosses his features, his excitement palpable as he recalls, “She said, she’s free for dinner after her work shift today.”
Girl Carrying Prop Box [Stage Magician]
“But aren’t the regular work hours already over?” The little girl stares at him, her expression a complete opposite of his. “Most of the Emissaries should have arrived from the Court by now.”
At the mention of this, both of them turn to the next batch of Gondolas arriving from the Court of Mercury. None of them, however, carry the one they’ve been waiting for.
Hero on Mast [Flying Knife Captain]
“Yeah. I even saw the guard you fought with earlier,” he says with a laugh that draws a pout on the young girl’s face.
She doesn’t want to be reminded of the fourteen forms that the guard demanded from her earlier. Especially not when she’s eating her beloved ice cream.
Still, she has a hard time believing that while she was out fighting for her life just to get a permit for them to perform in the city, the Circus Leader beside her somehow met an old friend on the other side of the building.
A special old friend at that.
It has been three years since their last meeting. Three years since she left the Circus of Savants—for the Court of Mercury of all places.
The little Magician studies the Circus Leader as he gazes at the incoming Gondolas, his eyes sparkling in anticipation.
Out of all people, she knows about his fondness towards their old friend the best.
When their friend left the Circus and the Magician took over as second-in-command, she witnessed how he looked so gloomy whenever he stared at one of their friend’s portrait.
If she asked about it, he’d excuse that he was missing everyone pointing at every portrait in their gallery. But his eyes always lingered on one picture.
He would also talk about their friend’s favorite food and how cute she was when she ate. Once the Magician pointed it out, he then rambled about their other crew’s favorite meal and added that they all looked cute too.
But she knew better, rolling her eyes at his attempt.
The Circus Leader can fool anyone, but he can’t fool her.
Despite all that, what the little Magician really wants to know is whether their old friend shares the same sentiments. She never did know, even before.
She surveys the remaining Gondolas that had arrived at the pier and frowns.
Doubt fills her, and she questions again.
Girl Carrying Prop Box [Stage Magician]
“So you really think she’s still coming?”
He doesn’t miss a beat.
Hero on Mast [Flying Knife Captain]
“No. I know she’s coming.”
It takes at least thirty minutes before the little Magician excuses herself, her sugary treat long gone.
She reasons that another idea crossed her mind for a magic trick and wants to prepare it with Pero as soon as possible.
She also adds that she’d rather not be a third wheel if their old friend does arrive.
He only chuckles at that, still hopeful of their friend’s arrival, even when there hasn’t been any Gondolas coming within the last few minutes.
Another thirty minutes pass, and not a Gondola in sight.
Still, the Circus Leader doesn’t lose hope. Her words promising dinner together echoes in his heart.
He couldn’t believe his luck when he saw her earlier that afternoon.
The feelings that lay dormant deep within the crevices of his heart ignited at the sight of his favorite lead partner.
He closes his eyes as memories of the Circus’ golden years flood his mind, filling him with enough warmth to fight the cold night breeze.
The audience loved it whenever he and the previous Star Performer both soared high and flew around the stage during their summer specials.
If there‘d somehow be a lack of male voices and they had to resort to his singing, everyone still felt the chemistry in their voices. Even he felt it.
And he can never forget all those times they danced together during Circus’ anniversaries.
He sighs, wondering if he can go back and relive all those moments.
They lost contact with each other when she left for the city three years ago, and the Circus of Savants focused more on performing at other islands outside of the Court of Mercury’s influence.
Now, the one time that he decides to visit their ugly, old building is actually how he ends up crossing paths with her after all these years.
He wonders why he hasn’t visited sooner.
The only regret he carries until now is not expressing the enormity and depth of his feelings before she left. He can hardly even remember what held him back.
???
”Oh no! I’m so sorry!”
The man opens his eyes and looks up at the voice.
Delight and relief wash over him as a lone Gondola draws near, carrying a blonde girl in pristine white. She stands abruptly and bows to him.
Shiny Blond Girl [Protocol Officer]
”I’m sorry! My supervisor gave me a last-minute task. I tried to finish it as soon as I could,” she explains, her voice shaky. She stands upright when she asks, ”Did you wait long?”
Hero on Mast [Flying Knife Captain]
“Hey, no worries. You’re here now,” he speaks with a soft and gentle voice meant to comfort her.
It seems to work when he sees her shoulders relaxing.
When the Gondola arrives closer to the pier, the Circus Leader holds out his hand for her to take.
A smile blooms on her beautiful face before she places her gloved hand on his.
He grins in return and pulls her back to land.
Shiny Blond Girl [Protocol Officer]
“I thought you’d already left by now,” she says, a soft blush staining her cheek at their sudden closeness.
Hero on Mast [Flying Knife Captain]
“And miss seeing your puffy cheeks again? Hell nah!” He replies with a laugh and a soft pinch on her cheek.
This earns him a pout and a playful hit on the arm which only makes him laugh all the more.
Eventually swayed by his infectious joy, she giggles along with him.
A warm feeling spreads across his chest as his grin threatens to break his face.
But before he could say anything else, his tummy grumbles in protest.
Her eyes widen, and his smile turns sheepish.
Shiny Blond Girl [Protocol Officer]
“Oh no, you’ve already grown hungry.”
Hero on Mast [Flying Knife Captain]
“Yeah, but I’m sure you are too,” he says smoothly, placing her hand on his arm, and leads her to a familiar path. “C’mon, does Trattoria Margherita sound good for you?”
She nods and gives an ear-splitting grin which he returns with his own.
Shiny Blond Girl [Protocol Officer]
“Always!”