Chapitre 12: Arc 1, Chapter 12: The Show-Stopper

"We're going to the circus~! We're going to the circus~!" Fumeko skipped and sang ahead, almost mockingly at Jotou, whilst Hotaru and Jotou walked side by side.

The large tent propped up in Kria Park around noon—when the show was to begin. The three shuffled into the benches, under the purple and yellow tent.

"Now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever been to an actual circus," Jotou whispered, a little louder to be heard apart from the chit-chat around.

"I snuck in when I was very little; I didn't get to see much though. This will be an experience for the both of us! It better be a good one for those horribly expensive tickets. Curse international laws of pricing…"

Fumeko, wide-eyed, peered to the centre where the grass was pressed on by the countless circus props, ready to be performed with and upon. Ropes hung from the roof and the ringmaster was stood in the middle.

The sunlight disappeared and the entrance shut. "Shh! It's starting!" Fumeko leaned forward.

The portly man, purple and yellow garments from his shoes till the top of his hat. With his arms out wide and a crack of his whip, "WELCOME ONE AND ALL, TO THE GREATEST SHOW YOU WILL NOT WANT TO SKIP!"

At the halt of his words that somehow projected all around the tent- "POOF!" Smoke and glitter puffed up the stage! Within the clearing dust were dozens of performers, drums beating from, somewhere…

Two short strongmen, locked by their knees and walking on their arms. A jester with too many bells on his hat. A little girl on the ropes with a unicycle!

All of them teasing their own portions of the show before the smoke puffed up and they disappeared again!

Ooo's dispersed through the crowd. Jotou and Hotaru peppered in some of their own claps; all the while Fumeko watched with a childlike gaze, both of her hands grasped onto the wooden seat in front of her.

One by one the performers showed off their tricks and talents; some hilarious and some death defying in the dim lit tent. "AND NOW! THE GRAND FINALE... THE AMAZING ASOBI!!!" the ringmaster announced as a puff or rainbow smoke replaced where he stood.

Her hair raven-black, a top hat with a white ring she held with two fingers as she emerged. With a grin that could brighten up any room she tossed her hat into glitter, her hands wide out and gloved.

A black blazer and a white shirt—a black bowtie to complete. Her short black skirt reached a little above her knees where white stockings continued till her kitten heals—the uniform of a magician.

"I hope you enjoyed the show! But the treats would not be complete without some tricks!" melodious and high; however, the crack in her tone wiggled Hotaru's ears.

She whipped out a wooden stick and held it out like a wand, "Shimmering Shower!" she flicked her wand across, making a rainbow above her head and as she did, beams of light shined in neon colours showering down like water around the stage from the tent top.

'Woah… this is really cool magic…' "Hey Hotaru; what would you say her level of magic is?" she whispered while the shower continued—claps and the cheer of children following.

Hotaru faced her, a light smile upon her lips, "Hm… It's hard to judge. Maybe an intermediate? I mean," Hotaru showed Jotou her hand as blue particles of water formed and glowed, "It's difficult, but not too much."

"I think you two should just be enjoying the damn show," Fumeko verbalized, eyes still glued in front.

Jotou glanced over to her, "This, coming from the conspiracy theorist? You're not the least bit curious that this place was attacked by a velatos last night and everything seems fine?"

Fumeko started to moan, "I-I, I am… but don't distract me from the best part!"

"I thank you all for coming for the show! I hope you were entertained, mystified and laughed to your heart's content! And now, the grand finale!"

Asobi waved her wand, "Dazzling Outburst!" from her wand shot out fireworks from crimson to green to gold and silver.

She reached out her hand and her hat popped out of thin air; she grabbed it and spun it back onto her head, "Good Day!" she disappeared and exploded into a white firework—cheers and claps rivalled the blasts.

The three of them approached the ringmaster. "It's unsettlingly silent, isn't it?" Hotaru queried Jotou who shrugged.

He was about to walk out of the tent into the performers' rooms, "You're Master Zayexiwovu, right?" Jotou called out just as he held the flap up.

He put on a smile, his whip rolled up under his arm, "Why yes, that would be me!"

"That, show, was, AMAZING!" Fumeko felt springs in her knees.

"Why, thank you young lady!" he took a bow before adjusting his hat, "Sadly, that was our last show," his lips still reached from ear to ear.

"Huh? Why!?" Fumeko jumped in front of the other two.

The ringmaster sighed, "You see, last night a velatos attacked while we preparing for today's show. My circus was already on its last legs and after yesterday, my performers said it would be their last show. It was good while it lasted, but nothing lasts forever."

"Actually sir, that's why we're here! You posted a velatos sighting at the Adventurers Guild, yes?" Hotaru queried while Jotou dragged Fumeko back by her heels.

The ringmaster's smile turned to a frown, "Oh," he shivered, "I went to the Krialin, but some folks guided me to report it to the Adventurers Guild and so I did. I do hope you find the root of this matter and end it."

Jotou held onto her tightly, but Fumeko slipped out, "I can't believe this case destroyed such a fantastic business! What can you tell me about the matter?" detective mode had activated.

"Uh, actually, I was in here while the velatos was in the back. I only heard the noises and before I could see what was happening the velatos was gone. Asobi can tell you more about it," he ushered the three into the smaller connected tent at the back.

Mirrors and dressers were set till the end, chests open with various items. Asobi sat, plucking out an eyelash from her jade-green eyes and held it in her hand in front of the mirror. "Poof!" It disappeared into smoke.

She turned noticing their guests, "Oh hello!" her voice was way more upbeat if not squeaky as she got up and skipped over.

Only now did they get a full look at her. Light pink lipstick and black hair like polished silk that went past her shoulders, hiding her ears, which seemed to stick out upon closer inspection.

"Are you… an elf?" Fumeko noticed from the side, the little sharp points at the ends, hidden by strands of hair.

"That's what they call me! And," Asobi gasped, "Aww! A dog-girl!"

Hotaru's eyes closed in a growl and her ears ticked, "Please don't call me that… I'm part-human and for the record, twenty-five percent wolf, not dog," her head could fry eggs.

"Oh sorry! Wolf-girl then!" Asobi waved her hands in apology. Hotaru's snarl only grew louder within her shut mouth.

Jotou stepped in front of her, "She doesn't like that either; it's Hotaru. I'm Jotou and that's Fumeko-"

"-Detective Namora; I need you to tell me what happened with the velatos last night. Apparently you were in the performers room when the velatos attacked?" Fumeko continued to Asobi.

"A velatos…? Oh, oh! That thing from last night? Yes, I was here!" Asobi's teeth glistened, standing on the tips of her toes.

"By the way, where are the performers? I wanted to meet the clown that rode a bicycle over the ropes of fire," Hotaru turned to the ringmaster, less tension in her tail that swayed.

Jotou and Fumeko both turned, "…Why?"

Hotaru shrugged, "Because Jotou said she was once afraid of clowns and I wanted to know what there was to be scared of." Jotou rolled her eyes.

"They all left the moment the show was over. Packed their things and moved on. I kept their earnings with each of their belongings right before the show began," he placed his whip on the dresser.

"All of them?" Jotou knitted her brows.

"Sadly, yes. Only Asobi has stayed behind and even for her, this is her last show," he took off his hat, holding it to his chest.

"Anyhow," Fumeko switched her attention, "How and why did the velatos run away? Did it get someone?" questioning Asobi again.

"Nope! Not a single performer was harmed. I scared it away with my spectacular magic!" she flourished her wand and flexed her arm.

All three of them glanced at her in confusion… "Okay… What did it look like?"

"Look like?" Asobi's eyes went wide and she covered her head whilst her knees dropped to the floor, "It was so scary! It was big, had sharp teeth! And no legs!" her voice changed again.

Fumeko furrowed her brows, staring back to her companions before looking once more to Asobi, "Where did it run, or, slide or slither off to?"

Asobi leapt up, "Deeper into the forests of the park. I was going to pursue it, but I was held back by my fellow performers!"

"Okay, we can… definitely… track your problem down," Fumeko stepped back.

"Oh, thank you! My only wish is that justice is brought to this beast," the ringmaster put his hat back on.

"Give my party and I a moment to discuss?" Jotou requested, but didn't really wait for a permission as she ushered Hotaru and Fumeko into a huddle at the side of the tent.

"We're gonna help them?" Jotou hushed.

"Big and no legs? Anyone, and I mean anyone, would describe a velatos the same way; cloaked in black shadow with ruby red eyes. This story doesn't seem right… She 'scared away' a velatos?" Fumeko relayed.

"Have you ever heard of a person killing a velatos with no magic?" Jotou seeded some doubt.

"Maybe she's an exception… but there's too many things not adding up."

"Still, we have no other commissions and we can't not investigate. Even if the chances are low, there MIGHT be a velatos," Hotaru inputted.

Fumeko raised her head slowly, peering over to the ringmaster and Asobi with glaring eyes while Hotaru spoke… …her head fell back into the huddle.

"So, we take up their commission then?" Jotou queried and the other two nodded. They broke the huddle, "Good news. We'll investigate your velatos problem," Jotou announced.

"If," Hotaru added, "Ms Asobi would join us," she fluttered her eyelashes.

Fumeko grinned, "Would be useful… Seeing there are no more circus shows and you scared one away? We could definitely use your help!"

Asobi glanced over to the ringmaster, twisting her wand in her palm. He replied, "You're no longer working with me dear. You are free to go with them."

Asobi looked to the three of them, "Let's hunt down a velatos!" with a wand in the air, bubbles squirting out the top, she ran out of the tent.

They all glanced as she ran past and out, "She doesn't know velatos come out at night does she…"