APH Fic Circus chapter 3
Title: Circus
Author/Artist: Me!
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Eventual Germancest, Germany, Prussia
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.
Running through the forest breathing heavily, the weight on his back slowing him down. He trips on a tree limb or root, it’s hard to tell in the dark. No time to stop for anything, the footsteps behind him are growing louder.
He immediately gets up and starts to run again. Too late! The hand reached out and grabbed the weight on his back, bending the bone, and pulls him backward.
Looking back fearfully he saw the glint of an axe in the moonlight brought up before being swung down.
Gilbert jumped up in his bed, a scream trapped in his throat, sweating and breathing heavily.
“A dream, just a dream.” he sighed in relief. As he lay back down onto the bed. “Not real.”
He rubbed his eyes as he slid out of bed and walked to the flap of the tent to peer outside as quietly as he was able to.
“Dawns still a few hours away.” he said to himself. “Means I got a few more hours of sleep.”
As he walked back to his bed he saw Ludwig on his own bed. He seemed to be sleeping soundly and, this caused a shiver to go up his spine, the giant snake was curled around and on him. When he looked closely he saw the snakes eyes were open however they didn’t seem to follow him when he moved.
Gilbert shook his head. “Weird.” he mumbled under his breath as he slid back into bed. He fumbled around to find a comfortable position before he relaxed and was soon asleep.
Ludwig opened his eyes and watched Gilbert sleep for a few moments. The corner of his lip twitched slightly before he closed his eyes once more.
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“So what exactly do I have to do?” Gilbert asked following Ludwig.
“Ordinarily new recruits have to make breakfast.” Ludwig said entered the dining tent. “But it turns out that Feliciano and Lovino are quite the cooks so they have taken over the kitchens. You’ll be something like an assistant, helping out anyone who needs it. Don’t worry though, we’ll find something for you.”
“And what is it that you do?” Gilbert asked as they got in line.
“I am a performer.” Ludwig answered. “However when we are not performing we have to help around just like everyone else.”
They quickly got their plates and food and found a place to sit.
“Unless you get an official post just come with me and do as I do.” Ludwig said in between bites. “If I can’t find something for you someone else will.”
Gilbert nodded slowly.
“Eat up.” Ludwig advised. “The first day is sometimes the hardest.”
“What do we have to do first?” Gilbert asked as he finished.
“Feed all the animals, which include all the snakes, the bears, the lions, and the tigers.” Ludwig said. He picked his plate up and motioned for Gilbert to do the same.
“We put the used plates in here.” Ludwig said placing it into a barrel halfway filled with used plates. “To be washed for later use.”
“Memorize where we go and where everything is.” Ludwig said. “Tomorrow we’ll see how much you remember.”
Gilbert rolled his eyes as he followed Ludwig through the maze the tents made until they stopped outside one that rivaled the dining tent in its size.
“We keep the animal food here.” Ludwig said as they walked in.
“The metal boxes painted red are the ones with food for the snakes.” Ludwig said. “The blue ones are for the lions and tigers. The yellow ones for the bears. All of them have meat but they are all different kinds, depending on the animal that it feeds.”
Under Ludwig’s instructions Gilbert picked up a single yellow box, Ludwig picked up a red box, and together they carried the blue box.
“How long have you been here?” Gilbert asked.
“Ever since I was around six years old.” Ludwig answered.
“And how old are you now?”
“Nineteen, we think.” Ludwig said.
Gilbert looked at him over the box. “You think?”
Ludwig’s eyes locked with his. “You remember what I said last night right? Don’t ask questions that you won’t answer.”
“I don’t understand how I can’t answer that.” Gilbert retorted.
Ludwig snorted before he said “Its ‘I think’ because I don’t know when I was born. I don’t know how old I actually am and to tell you the truth I don’t know my real name, if I ever had one. Yao gave me the name Ludwig. Where were you before this?”
“With my parents.” Gilbert said. “Stuff happened that I needed to run away from them. Where are your parents?”
“Don’t know.” Ludwig said as they reached one edge of the circus. He hissed lightly and after there was a rustle from the bushes snakes had appeared. In front of them was the giant one, almost as if it was leading them.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Gilbert asked as he watched Ludwig open the lid to the red box and take out yet another smaller box.
“What is that stuff that happened that caused you to run away?” Ludwig asked without looking at him.
“Why is your hair so long?” Gilbert asked instead. “I mean no offense or anything but you look kinda girly.”
“A tribute and it helps with the show.” Ludwig answered. Opened the lid to the smaller box he extracted a struggling mouse.
“A tribute to who, how does it help with what show, and what are you going to do with that mouse?” Gilbert asked.
In answer to the third question Ludwig held the mouse out, which was squeaking wildly before one of the snakes snapped forward and clasped its jaws around the mouse before swallowing it whole.
Gilbert felt his breakfast start to go up from his throat.
“If you’re going to get sick please do it in the bushes over there.” Ludwig said without looking at him. Instead he took out another mouse and held it out to the snakes.
Gilbert pressed his hand over his mouth as hard as he was able to as he watched the snakes feed.
“It’s alright if you don’t watch or go away while I’m doing this.” Ludwig said. “Different people have different reactions. I won’t judge you.”
Gilbert shook his head with his hand firmly pressed against his mouth. The giant snake slithered closer to Ludwig and around his legs lightly. In answer Ludwig took out a different and bigger box from the red box and this time he took out a live rat which he held out to the giant snake.
This time when the snake eagerly ate the rat Gilbert lost it as he jumped to the bushes and quickly vomited his entire breakfast onto the ground. Dimly he could hear Ludwig finish with the feeding.
“It’s a part of nature.” Ludwig called out to him. “This is how they eat in the wild, and this way we have their trust and somewhat friendship. They help guard the circus.”
Gilbert gasped lightly and closed his eyes as he took in deep breaths.
“And in the other boxes.” he said. “You have live chickens or something?”
“No, the meat for the other animals are already skinned and cut.” Ludwig said. “It’s just pure meat. Do you need another minute?”
Gilbert shook his head as he spat onto the ground. “Think my stomachs empty by now.”
“To the dangerous animals that will rip us apart then.” Ludwig said. “Leave the red box here, someone else will come to take it back later.”
Gilbert saw the snakes return into the forest surrounding them. The giant snake hissed once before it followed.
“The snakes a she just so you know.” Ludwig added.
Gilbert looked back at him as they carried the box between them once more. “What?”
“The big one that is always with me.” Ludwig said. “It’s a female. One of my closest and oldest friends.”
Gilbert shook his head once more. “You never answered my other questions about the tribute and hair thing.”
“For the show it’s a bit hard to explain.” Ludwig said. “We are performing in a few days so you’ll be able to see everything there.”
“And the tribute part?” Gilbert prodded.
Ludwig was silent for a moment. “Yao has long hair. He saved my life.”
Gilbert looked at him. “How did he save your life?”
“Why did you run away from your home?” Ludwig asked.
Gilbert fell silent with a glare as they entered the tent where the lions, tigers, and bears were waiting to be trained and fed for the day.
Author/Artist: Me!
Character(s) or Pairing(s): Eventual Germancest, Germany, Prussia
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.
Running through the forest breathing heavily, the weight on his back slowing him down. He trips on a tree limb or root, it’s hard to tell in the dark. No time to stop for anything, the footsteps behind him are growing louder.
He immediately gets up and starts to run again. Too late! The hand reached out and grabbed the weight on his back, bending the bone, and pulls him backward.
Looking back fearfully he saw the glint of an axe in the moonlight brought up before being swung down.
Gilbert jumped up in his bed, a scream trapped in his throat, sweating and breathing heavily.
“A dream, just a dream.” he sighed in relief. As he lay back down onto the bed. “Not real.”
He rubbed his eyes as he slid out of bed and walked to the flap of the tent to peer outside as quietly as he was able to.
“Dawns still a few hours away.” he said to himself. “Means I got a few more hours of sleep.”
As he walked back to his bed he saw Ludwig on his own bed. He seemed to be sleeping soundly and, this caused a shiver to go up his spine, the giant snake was curled around and on him. When he looked closely he saw the snakes eyes were open however they didn’t seem to follow him when he moved.
Gilbert shook his head. “Weird.” he mumbled under his breath as he slid back into bed. He fumbled around to find a comfortable position before he relaxed and was soon asleep.
Ludwig opened his eyes and watched Gilbert sleep for a few moments. The corner of his lip twitched slightly before he closed his eyes once more.
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“So what exactly do I have to do?” Gilbert asked following Ludwig.
“Ordinarily new recruits have to make breakfast.” Ludwig said entered the dining tent. “But it turns out that Feliciano and Lovino are quite the cooks so they have taken over the kitchens. You’ll be something like an assistant, helping out anyone who needs it. Don’t worry though, we’ll find something for you.”
“And what is it that you do?” Gilbert asked as they got in line.
“I am a performer.” Ludwig answered. “However when we are not performing we have to help around just like everyone else.”
They quickly got their plates and food and found a place to sit.
“Unless you get an official post just come with me and do as I do.” Ludwig said in between bites. “If I can’t find something for you someone else will.”
Gilbert nodded slowly.
“Eat up.” Ludwig advised. “The first day is sometimes the hardest.”
“What do we have to do first?” Gilbert asked as he finished.
“Feed all the animals, which include all the snakes, the bears, the lions, and the tigers.” Ludwig said. He picked his plate up and motioned for Gilbert to do the same.
“We put the used plates in here.” Ludwig said placing it into a barrel halfway filled with used plates. “To be washed for later use.”
“Memorize where we go and where everything is.” Ludwig said. “Tomorrow we’ll see how much you remember.”
Gilbert rolled his eyes as he followed Ludwig through the maze the tents made until they stopped outside one that rivaled the dining tent in its size.
“We keep the animal food here.” Ludwig said as they walked in.
“The metal boxes painted red are the ones with food for the snakes.” Ludwig said. “The blue ones are for the lions and tigers. The yellow ones for the bears. All of them have meat but they are all different kinds, depending on the animal that it feeds.”
Under Ludwig’s instructions Gilbert picked up a single yellow box, Ludwig picked up a red box, and together they carried the blue box.
“How long have you been here?” Gilbert asked.
“Ever since I was around six years old.” Ludwig answered.
“And how old are you now?”
“Nineteen, we think.” Ludwig said.
Gilbert looked at him over the box. “You think?”
Ludwig’s eyes locked with his. “You remember what I said last night right? Don’t ask questions that you won’t answer.”
“I don’t understand how I can’t answer that.” Gilbert retorted.
Ludwig snorted before he said “Its ‘I think’ because I don’t know when I was born. I don’t know how old I actually am and to tell you the truth I don’t know my real name, if I ever had one. Yao gave me the name Ludwig. Where were you before this?”
“With my parents.” Gilbert said. “Stuff happened that I needed to run away from them. Where are your parents?”
“Don’t know.” Ludwig said as they reached one edge of the circus. He hissed lightly and after there was a rustle from the bushes snakes had appeared. In front of them was the giant one, almost as if it was leading them.
“What do you mean you don’t know?” Gilbert asked as he watched Ludwig open the lid to the red box and take out yet another smaller box.
“What is that stuff that happened that caused you to run away?” Ludwig asked without looking at him.
“Why is your hair so long?” Gilbert asked instead. “I mean no offense or anything but you look kinda girly.”
“A tribute and it helps with the show.” Ludwig answered. Opened the lid to the smaller box he extracted a struggling mouse.
“A tribute to who, how does it help with what show, and what are you going to do with that mouse?” Gilbert asked.
In answer to the third question Ludwig held the mouse out, which was squeaking wildly before one of the snakes snapped forward and clasped its jaws around the mouse before swallowing it whole.
Gilbert felt his breakfast start to go up from his throat.
“If you’re going to get sick please do it in the bushes over there.” Ludwig said without looking at him. Instead he took out another mouse and held it out to the snakes.
Gilbert pressed his hand over his mouth as hard as he was able to as he watched the snakes feed.
“It’s alright if you don’t watch or go away while I’m doing this.” Ludwig said. “Different people have different reactions. I won’t judge you.”
Gilbert shook his head with his hand firmly pressed against his mouth. The giant snake slithered closer to Ludwig and around his legs lightly. In answer Ludwig took out a different and bigger box from the red box and this time he took out a live rat which he held out to the giant snake.
This time when the snake eagerly ate the rat Gilbert lost it as he jumped to the bushes and quickly vomited his entire breakfast onto the ground. Dimly he could hear Ludwig finish with the feeding.
“It’s a part of nature.” Ludwig called out to him. “This is how they eat in the wild, and this way we have their trust and somewhat friendship. They help guard the circus.”
Gilbert gasped lightly and closed his eyes as he took in deep breaths.
“And in the other boxes.” he said. “You have live chickens or something?”
“No, the meat for the other animals are already skinned and cut.” Ludwig said. “It’s just pure meat. Do you need another minute?”
Gilbert shook his head as he spat onto the ground. “Think my stomachs empty by now.”
“To the dangerous animals that will rip us apart then.” Ludwig said. “Leave the red box here, someone else will come to take it back later.”
Gilbert saw the snakes return into the forest surrounding them. The giant snake hissed once before it followed.
“The snakes a she just so you know.” Ludwig added.
Gilbert looked back at him as they carried the box between them once more. “What?”
“The big one that is always with me.” Ludwig said. “It’s a female. One of my closest and oldest friends.”
Gilbert shook his head once more. “You never answered my other questions about the tribute and hair thing.”
“For the show it’s a bit hard to explain.” Ludwig said. “We are performing in a few days so you’ll be able to see everything there.”
“And the tribute part?” Gilbert prodded.
Ludwig was silent for a moment. “Yao has long hair. He saved my life.”
Gilbert looked at him. “How did he save your life?”
“Why did you run away from your home?” Ludwig asked.
Gilbert fell silent with a glare as they entered the tent where the lions, tigers, and bears were waiting to be trained and fed for the day.