APH Fic Circus chapter 4
Title: Circus
Author/Artist: Me!
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Eventual Germancest, Germany, Prussia, America, Sealand, China, England
Rating: T
Warnings: None for now.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Gilbert, a new performer at the circus with a little secret etched into his back. Ludwig, a long time performer who is half snake.
“You’re Gilbert right?” a childish voice asked. Gilbert looked behind him and lowered his head to see a boy who barely reached his waist with blue eyes and the biggest eyebrows he had ever seen.
“Yeah.” Gilbert said.
The boy held out the stack of papers he had been clutching. “Yao told me to give these to you and have you and Ludwig to go into the town and hand them out.”
Gilbert took the papers noting the colors and images popping out. “Who made these?”
“Lovino Vargas did.” the boy answered. “You need to go now just so you know, before the sun sets.”
“Alright.” Gilbert said. “Any chance you know where Ludwig is?”
“South of the camp and in the trees.” the boy said. “When the chores are done he guards the south portion of the circus.”
“I’m peter by the way.” the boy, peter, added.
Gilbert looked at him in interest. “The kid who does magic?”
Peter grinned. “The one and only. I do a lot of the special effects; you’ll be able to see it in a few days.”
“What kind of effects?” Gilbert asked.
“Senses and illusions for the other performers and the audience, though I don’t touch their abilities. Whatever they can do is because they practiced it.” Peter said. “And safety for everyone.” He tilted his head to the side. “And you really should go.”
“I’ll go find Ludwig.” Gilbert said as he walked off. He dodged other performers, boxes, tents, ropes, and the occasional animal until he had come to the end of the camp. “Ludwig?”
He spotted a snake crawling through the grass. “Seen Ludwig anywhere?” Gilbert asked it.
“I’m right here.” came Ludwig’s voice from the top of the tree. He landed on the ground. “What is it?”
Gilbert held up the flyers in answer. “We need to hand these out in town.”
Ludwig sighed. “I need to put on a few more clothes first.” Gilbert glanced down to see that the other was once again not wearing shoes. “Go to the east side edge, it’s the one that faces the town, and wait for me there.”
“Will do.” Gilbert said rolling his eyes and giving a mock salute.
He jogged lightly to the other side. Alfred was there on guard duty, when he saw Gilbert coming up his face brightened.
“Going into town?” he asked Gilbert.
“Was asked to hand these out.” Gilbert said holding up the flyers.
“Oh.” Alfred said crossing his arms. “Waiting for Ludwig then?”
Gilbert nodded as he leaned against one of the trees. “Why exactly do we have guards? Isn’t the snakes enough?”
“We’ve been attacked before in the past.” Alfred said. “Having someone at all sides of the place makes us feel a bit more safer. The snakes watch over the night when we’re all asleep. Plus the dogs and occasionally if Yao is feeling slightly agitated a tiger or two.”
“A…tiger?” Gilbert repeated.
Alfred nodded. “He warns us though before he lets them loose. Word of advice, don’t leave your tent when they are walking around.”
“I’m here.” came Ludwig’s voice. Gilbert turned his head to see Ludwig practically completely clothed, even his lower face was covered and he was finally wearing his boots, walking towards them. “Let’s go.”
“Oh, and Alfred?” Ludwig said turning his head towards the shifter. “A little message.”
“Shoot.” Alfred said crossing his arms.
“It’s from Yao.” Ludwig said. “‘If you get sick it’s because you’re not wearing a shirt even though it’s almost winter time and you if you do get sick don’t bother to come to the healing tent to get medicine because it’s your own damn fault and stupidity for not wearing proper clothes in the first place.’”
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“Don’t look back.” Ludwig said quietly as he and Gilbert walked through the town finally having finished handing out all of their flyers. “Two men are following us.”
“What?” Gilbert asked starting to turn his head.
Ludwig grabbed a lock of Gilbert’s hair and used it to keep Gilberts face forward. “I said don’t look back.” Ludwig hissed. “Don’t let them know that we know.”
“Well what do you want me to do?” Gilbert hissed back.
“Just keep walking. I know what to do.” Ludwig instructed. “The next alley on your right, turn there.”
“And leave ourselves like sitting ducks?” Gilbert said.
“Just do it.” Ludwig snarled all but pushing Gilbert into the alley. Gilbert almost groaned when he saw the wall, a dead end.
“Young un’s.” came a voice at the beginning of the alleyway. Ludwig and Gilbert turned to see two men had followed them. “Got some coins to spare?”
“Absolutely nothing.” Ludwig said placing his hands into the pockets of his robes. “Can’t help you.”
One of the men grinned to show blackened and missing teeth. “Oh but we think ye can help.”
“What the hell do we do?” Gilbert hissed.
“Stay very, very still.” Ludwig breathed. From a corner of Gilbert’s eye he saw something move in the shadows. When one of the men stepped forward the shadows jumped. Snakes wrapped themselves around the men who were now screaming.
“One reason I always go into town despite my appearance.” Ludwig said to Gilbert. “Is because my friends are very protective over me.”
Gilbert felt his own scream get caught in his throat as he saw one snake bite the men. “Are you killing them?”
“Snake venom isn’t all deadly.” Ludwig said as he stepped around the fallen men. “They’ll wake up in a few hours feeling dizzy, that’s it.” He looked to where Gilbert stood frozen. “Coming?”
Gilbert forced himself to move as the snakes slid off the men and into the shadows again.
“Some of the snakes venom, we use back home to help with injuries among other things.” Ludwig said as they walked.
“What kinds of venom do you have?” Gilbert asked.
“All kinds.” Ludwig answered. “Some for physical wounds, some to sleep, some are even antidotes for certain poisons.” He gave Gilbert a side look. “Some to kill.”
Gilbert felt a shiver go down his spine. “And have…have you ever used that one?”
Ludwig looked at Gilbert carefully before he smirked. It was the first time Gilbert saw him do something even remotely close to a smile and it caused another shiver to go down his back.
“Yes.” Ludwig said simply. “Many times.”
“Why?” Gilbert whispered.
Ludwig turned his head once more. “Mostly to protect my home and friends. We are the undesired of society and sometimes some people attempted to get rid of us. I had to protect everyone.”
“And besides.” Ludwig added. “I hate most humans.” He gave Gilbert a look, the hidden message was obvious.
“Why do you hate humans?” Gilbert asked.
“Why did you run away from your home?” Ludwig countered his eyes shining. His smirk showed his pleasure.
Gilbert hesitated as his mind weighed the options. “I ran to save my life from my father.” he said quickly. “Why do you hate humans?”
“Because of the way they treated me as a child.” Ludwig said smoothly. “Why was your father trying to kill you?”
“I was different.” Gilbert said evasively. “What was done to you as a child?”
“How were you different?” Ludwig asked, not looking at Gilbert; his tone said he wasn’t expecting an answer. “Oh, look. We’re home already.”
Gilbert looked around to see that as they had walked and talked they had reached the circus.
“We’ll be having a performance soon.” Ludwig said. “You’ll get to see just why we are so famous.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Be careful you fools! You will damage the piano!” Gilbert heard a man yell. Gilbert glanced up to see a man dressed in a blue suit and vest yelling at the helpers who were moving the piano.
“What is his problem?” Gilbert said under his breath.
Matthew, who was helping him hang the curtains, heard him and gave a quiet laugh.
“That’s Roderich.” Matthew informed him. “He gets pretty worked up when it comes to making sure that the stage is perfect.”
“We use music?” Gilbert asked turning back to pinning the curtains.
“It sets the mood and it works.” Matthew said shrugging. “You play?”
“The flute.” Gilbert replied.
“You play the flute?” a new voice asked. Gilbert looked to see Roderich staring at him. “How well?”
“Well enough.” Gilbert said shrugging.
“How well is well enough?” Roderich demanded. “Because if you play a certain degree of well enough then I will include you in the band.”
“I don’t really want to be a part of some little band.” Gilbert said his attention going back to the task at hand with the curtains, which he might add refused to listen to him.
Roderich sniffed lightly. “Spoken like a true uncultured barbarian. Music is the language of the soul. It expresses that which man cannot even hope to bring to words. Those who waste what little talent I am sure that they have are the utmost fools that I have ever had the displeasure to place my eyes upon.”
“Well no one is asking you to place your eyes upon it.” Gilbert snarled. “Now shut your mouth aristocrat before I shut it for you.”
Roderich gave another condescending sniff. “Barbaric, driven to violence. Violence is the language of drunks and fools. Which one are you, a drunk or a fool?”
“Boys enough.” Matthew warned in a surprisingly stern voice. “You know Yao and Arthur hate it when there is fighting in between us. Now if you can’t be nice to one another then leave each other alone.”
Roderich huffed as he turned back to the settling of the instruments that were now being brought in.
“Should you ever change your mind and decide to enlighten yourself with some knowledge and skill.” Roderich said without looking back at Gilbert. “I am always willing to attempt to pass on any amount of knowledge, even to the most hopeless.”
Matthew quickly grabbed Gilberts hand and kept him in place.
“I know he’s a bit hard to get along with.” he said in his quiet voice. “Just ignore him.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gilbert glanced once more into the audience and gave a low whistle.
“Full house.” he said.
“Usually is.” Alfred said as he walked by. He glanced towards the window where one could see the stars and moon and gave a low groan. “No moon whatsoever in the sky. I hate those, those are the worst ones to try and transform into a wolf.”
“You still can transform?” Gilbert asked turning to him.
Alfred nodded. “I can transform anytime I want, even during the day. It’s just a lot easier when the moon is out, especially when she’s full.”
He perked up however when he saw Yao and another man walking towards the other side of the stage.
“Showtime.” Alfred whispered. He glanced at Gilbert. “Make sure to get a good view.”
“I will.” Gilbert promised.
Alfred gave one more grin before he almost bounced off to the backstage. Gilbert turned his attention to the center of the stage; Yao and his companion had come on and the audience had fallen silent.
“Greetings everyone.” Yao started. “It is a great pleasure to have all of you here. I am Yao Wang.”
“And I am Arthur Kirkland.” the other man, Arthur, said.
As one Arthur and Yao spread their arms and in unison said,
“We are the caretakers of this circus. Now without further ado it is our greatest pleasure to introduce to you, the audience to the circus, Circus of Secrets!"
Author/Artist: Me!
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Eventual Germancest, Germany, Prussia, America, Sealand, China, England
Rating: T
Warnings: None for now.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Gilbert, a new performer at the circus with a little secret etched into his back. Ludwig, a long time performer who is half snake.
“You’re Gilbert right?” a childish voice asked. Gilbert looked behind him and lowered his head to see a boy who barely reached his waist with blue eyes and the biggest eyebrows he had ever seen.
“Yeah.” Gilbert said.
The boy held out the stack of papers he had been clutching. “Yao told me to give these to you and have you and Ludwig to go into the town and hand them out.”
Gilbert took the papers noting the colors and images popping out. “Who made these?”
“Lovino Vargas did.” the boy answered. “You need to go now just so you know, before the sun sets.”
“Alright.” Gilbert said. “Any chance you know where Ludwig is?”
“South of the camp and in the trees.” the boy said. “When the chores are done he guards the south portion of the circus.”
“I’m peter by the way.” the boy, peter, added.
Gilbert looked at him in interest. “The kid who does magic?”
Peter grinned. “The one and only. I do a lot of the special effects; you’ll be able to see it in a few days.”
“What kind of effects?” Gilbert asked.
“Senses and illusions for the other performers and the audience, though I don’t touch their abilities. Whatever they can do is because they practiced it.” Peter said. “And safety for everyone.” He tilted his head to the side. “And you really should go.”
“I’ll go find Ludwig.” Gilbert said as he walked off. He dodged other performers, boxes, tents, ropes, and the occasional animal until he had come to the end of the camp. “Ludwig?”
He spotted a snake crawling through the grass. “Seen Ludwig anywhere?” Gilbert asked it.
“I’m right here.” came Ludwig’s voice from the top of the tree. He landed on the ground. “What is it?”
Gilbert held up the flyers in answer. “We need to hand these out in town.”
Ludwig sighed. “I need to put on a few more clothes first.” Gilbert glanced down to see that the other was once again not wearing shoes. “Go to the east side edge, it’s the one that faces the town, and wait for me there.”
“Will do.” Gilbert said rolling his eyes and giving a mock salute.
He jogged lightly to the other side. Alfred was there on guard duty, when he saw Gilbert coming up his face brightened.
“Going into town?” he asked Gilbert.
“Was asked to hand these out.” Gilbert said holding up the flyers.
“Oh.” Alfred said crossing his arms. “Waiting for Ludwig then?”
Gilbert nodded as he leaned against one of the trees. “Why exactly do we have guards? Isn’t the snakes enough?”
“We’ve been attacked before in the past.” Alfred said. “Having someone at all sides of the place makes us feel a bit more safer. The snakes watch over the night when we’re all asleep. Plus the dogs and occasionally if Yao is feeling slightly agitated a tiger or two.”
“A…tiger?” Gilbert repeated.
Alfred nodded. “He warns us though before he lets them loose. Word of advice, don’t leave your tent when they are walking around.”
“I’m here.” came Ludwig’s voice. Gilbert turned his head to see Ludwig practically completely clothed, even his lower face was covered and he was finally wearing his boots, walking towards them. “Let’s go.”
“Oh, and Alfred?” Ludwig said turning his head towards the shifter. “A little message.”
“Shoot.” Alfred said crossing his arms.
“It’s from Yao.” Ludwig said. “‘If you get sick it’s because you’re not wearing a shirt even though it’s almost winter time and you if you do get sick don’t bother to come to the healing tent to get medicine because it’s your own damn fault and stupidity for not wearing proper clothes in the first place.’”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Don’t look back.” Ludwig said quietly as he and Gilbert walked through the town finally having finished handing out all of their flyers. “Two men are following us.”
“What?” Gilbert asked starting to turn his head.
Ludwig grabbed a lock of Gilbert’s hair and used it to keep Gilberts face forward. “I said don’t look back.” Ludwig hissed. “Don’t let them know that we know.”
“Well what do you want me to do?” Gilbert hissed back.
“Just keep walking. I know what to do.” Ludwig instructed. “The next alley on your right, turn there.”
“And leave ourselves like sitting ducks?” Gilbert said.
“Just do it.” Ludwig snarled all but pushing Gilbert into the alley. Gilbert almost groaned when he saw the wall, a dead end.
“Young un’s.” came a voice at the beginning of the alleyway. Ludwig and Gilbert turned to see two men had followed them. “Got some coins to spare?”
“Absolutely nothing.” Ludwig said placing his hands into the pockets of his robes. “Can’t help you.”
One of the men grinned to show blackened and missing teeth. “Oh but we think ye can help.”
“What the hell do we do?” Gilbert hissed.
“Stay very, very still.” Ludwig breathed. From a corner of Gilbert’s eye he saw something move in the shadows. When one of the men stepped forward the shadows jumped. Snakes wrapped themselves around the men who were now screaming.
“One reason I always go into town despite my appearance.” Ludwig said to Gilbert. “Is because my friends are very protective over me.”
Gilbert felt his own scream get caught in his throat as he saw one snake bite the men. “Are you killing them?”
“Snake venom isn’t all deadly.” Ludwig said as he stepped around the fallen men. “They’ll wake up in a few hours feeling dizzy, that’s it.” He looked to where Gilbert stood frozen. “Coming?”
Gilbert forced himself to move as the snakes slid off the men and into the shadows again.
“Some of the snakes venom, we use back home to help with injuries among other things.” Ludwig said as they walked.
“What kinds of venom do you have?” Gilbert asked.
“All kinds.” Ludwig answered. “Some for physical wounds, some to sleep, some are even antidotes for certain poisons.” He gave Gilbert a side look. “Some to kill.”
Gilbert felt a shiver go down his spine. “And have…have you ever used that one?”
Ludwig looked at Gilbert carefully before he smirked. It was the first time Gilbert saw him do something even remotely close to a smile and it caused another shiver to go down his back.
“Yes.” Ludwig said simply. “Many times.”
“Why?” Gilbert whispered.
Ludwig turned his head once more. “Mostly to protect my home and friends. We are the undesired of society and sometimes some people attempted to get rid of us. I had to protect everyone.”
“And besides.” Ludwig added. “I hate most humans.” He gave Gilbert a look, the hidden message was obvious.
“Why do you hate humans?” Gilbert asked.
“Why did you run away from your home?” Ludwig countered his eyes shining. His smirk showed his pleasure.
Gilbert hesitated as his mind weighed the options. “I ran to save my life from my father.” he said quickly. “Why do you hate humans?”
“Because of the way they treated me as a child.” Ludwig said smoothly. “Why was your father trying to kill you?”
“I was different.” Gilbert said evasively. “What was done to you as a child?”
“How were you different?” Ludwig asked, not looking at Gilbert; his tone said he wasn’t expecting an answer. “Oh, look. We’re home already.”
Gilbert looked around to see that as they had walked and talked they had reached the circus.
“We’ll be having a performance soon.” Ludwig said. “You’ll get to see just why we are so famous.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Be careful you fools! You will damage the piano!” Gilbert heard a man yell. Gilbert glanced up to see a man dressed in a blue suit and vest yelling at the helpers who were moving the piano.
“What is his problem?” Gilbert said under his breath.
Matthew, who was helping him hang the curtains, heard him and gave a quiet laugh.
“That’s Roderich.” Matthew informed him. “He gets pretty worked up when it comes to making sure that the stage is perfect.”
“We use music?” Gilbert asked turning back to pinning the curtains.
“It sets the mood and it works.” Matthew said shrugging. “You play?”
“The flute.” Gilbert replied.
“You play the flute?” a new voice asked. Gilbert looked to see Roderich staring at him. “How well?”
“Well enough.” Gilbert said shrugging.
“How well is well enough?” Roderich demanded. “Because if you play a certain degree of well enough then I will include you in the band.”
“I don’t really want to be a part of some little band.” Gilbert said his attention going back to the task at hand with the curtains, which he might add refused to listen to him.
Roderich sniffed lightly. “Spoken like a true uncultured barbarian. Music is the language of the soul. It expresses that which man cannot even hope to bring to words. Those who waste what little talent I am sure that they have are the utmost fools that I have ever had the displeasure to place my eyes upon.”
“Well no one is asking you to place your eyes upon it.” Gilbert snarled. “Now shut your mouth aristocrat before I shut it for you.”
Roderich gave another condescending sniff. “Barbaric, driven to violence. Violence is the language of drunks and fools. Which one are you, a drunk or a fool?”
“Boys enough.” Matthew warned in a surprisingly stern voice. “You know Yao and Arthur hate it when there is fighting in between us. Now if you can’t be nice to one another then leave each other alone.”
Roderich huffed as he turned back to the settling of the instruments that were now being brought in.
“Should you ever change your mind and decide to enlighten yourself with some knowledge and skill.” Roderich said without looking back at Gilbert. “I am always willing to attempt to pass on any amount of knowledge, even to the most hopeless.”
Matthew quickly grabbed Gilberts hand and kept him in place.
“I know he’s a bit hard to get along with.” he said in his quiet voice. “Just ignore him.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gilbert glanced once more into the audience and gave a low whistle.
“Full house.” he said.
“Usually is.” Alfred said as he walked by. He glanced towards the window where one could see the stars and moon and gave a low groan. “No moon whatsoever in the sky. I hate those, those are the worst ones to try and transform into a wolf.”
“You still can transform?” Gilbert asked turning to him.
Alfred nodded. “I can transform anytime I want, even during the day. It’s just a lot easier when the moon is out, especially when she’s full.”
He perked up however when he saw Yao and another man walking towards the other side of the stage.
“Showtime.” Alfred whispered. He glanced at Gilbert. “Make sure to get a good view.”
“I will.” Gilbert promised.
Alfred gave one more grin before he almost bounced off to the backstage. Gilbert turned his attention to the center of the stage; Yao and his companion had come on and the audience had fallen silent.
“Greetings everyone.” Yao started. “It is a great pleasure to have all of you here. I am Yao Wang.”
“And I am Arthur Kirkland.” the other man, Arthur, said.
As one Arthur and Yao spread their arms and in unison said,
“We are the caretakers of this circus. Now without further ado it is our greatest pleasure to introduce to you, the audience to the circus, Circus of Secrets!"