The Beating Heart

Pt 2 - Scaly Boy

I was not expecting to bump into one of his comrades first. Sometimes I got really clumsy. I was so nervous and excited in the same time to meet my brother that I didn't see the man in front of me. I was ready to introduce myself but that had to wait. The man I bumped into was more surprised than I was. I assumed they didn't have much of visitors after the show was off here. I fell down and looked up, slightly disappointed.

„What the....!" I wanted to cuss. I really did.

I was stopped by him. Oh god. What a look. He was smiling at me shyly, stepping back and kneeling down, handing me his hand. I would say he was scared of me but at that moment I knew he wanted to help me. He was that kind of person. Incredibly shy around people but gentle and nice. Those were things I liked about him. But let's save this for later. This was the first time I met Snake.

„Are you okay? Says Wordsworth." I was charmed. He was the snake boy I've seen before during the show. He was interesting. Most people would say he was ugly. Ugly meant different in the world I knew. I had to disagree though. I knew beauty very well. It was the thing I loved most in my life. Beauty was something. I looked him up and down. He was lean and well-built. I wondered what I'd found under his striped shirt and pants. His pale scaly skin. Was it smooth and soft under the touch just like snake skin was? I wanted to know. I had to know. His messy white hair, one strand falling into his eyes. I swallowed hardly and took his hand. I got up, putting the strand of hair behind his ear. I coughed and let go of him. Stepped back.

„Yes, I am. Thank you, Sir. I didn't see you. I am sorry. It was my fault. I was waiting for someone... else." The thing was I wanted to see my brother. Badly. But meeting Snake instead? It was really good bargain. I looked into his golden eyes. I was lost. Delicately lost. I would drown. I had to look away and I smirked. I hoped I'd have some time after talking to my brother. I definitely wanted to spend more time with this scaly boy.

„Who are you looking for, Ginger? Says Emily." He purred. I started to notice it was probably his snakes who talked. Sure. He had them all over his body. It was so easy not to notice when all I had in front of me was him with his... Enough. Not now.

„He looks suspicious. I don't like him. Says Goethe." I raised my eyebrow. Those snakes were annyoing. I coughed. Gave them my best smile. I only wanted to see my brother, dammit!

„My name is Drocell Keinz, Sir. I am the butler in the Mandalay household." I bet he knew who I was talking about. From what I knew people in circus were kind of poor. Name of Mandalays was nothing for them. Just like for me. I had to follow the rules though. Manners. I was here because of my father.

„I was informed there might be person here who could possibly be part of my family. My brother works here and I'd like to meet him." I smiled politely and crossed arms on my chest. I wondered if he already knew who I meant. I was almost sure he did. I mean... We did look alike, me and Joker.

„Oh..." He stopped talking for a while, frowning. He watched me closely, things running through his head. „You mean... Mr. Joker? Says Wordswoth." I nodded impatiently. You are really stunning, Mr. Snake, but could you be faster, please? I didn't have much time to spend here.

„Follow me, Ginger, says Emily." He purred again and turned around, walking back into the tent. I heard laughing. I frowned and shrugged. Whoever was there, was having fun apparently. I sneaked inside, following Snake. He was leading me to the backstage. I said nothing and followed. Just like good servant I was.

Then I saw my brother again, laughing and bumping his shoulder into the girl standing next to him. He wrapped an arm with his bone hand around her and squeezed. He laughed again, grinning at her. She looked down and smiled, blushing faintly. From that look I knew everything. That beautiful girl with black curly hair, impressive breasts and body, she adored him. He on the other hand... was probably just messing with her, being her friend. The way she looked at him again... Poor girl.

„Ye were outstanding tonight, Beast. You and Betty, ye could win them all over, ye know..." Joker ran fingers through her thick hair and kissed her cheek. She blushed again and looked at me and Snake, probably hearing his footsteps. Joker went silent and looked expectantly at me and Snake.

„What ye need, o' Snake? Who is this young lad here?" His accent. There was something about his accent. I bet he was not excited about being interrupted. I was sure he was tired after all the performances. I would surely be. Snake opened his mouth and then closed it. He frowned.

„Ginger said his name was Drocell something and he was here to see his brother or something like that. He surely looks tastey, Boss. You should check him out, if ya know what I mean, says Emily." Snake blushed and stepped back, slightly ashamed of what one of his snakes said. I must have caught Emily's eye if it was possible for snakes. I was not sure.

„Brother, ye say? Is that true, Sir?" Joker looked at me and grinned. That man was surely full of excitement. Such an optimist, I'd say.

„Yes, Sir. My father... I mean... Lord Mandalay sent me here to investigate my family matters. My name is Drocell Keinz, not Drocell something..." I said, totally not amused. „I serve as butler in Mandalay family," Here we go with that name again, „and I recently found out my older brother works here. I... I think it's you, Sir. With all my respect... look at us closely. We look alike. If you want me, I have more evidence with me." I blurted it out. I looked at him. I knew there was a lot to process but I stayed positive. He was my brother, wasn't he? It should mean something!

Joker just stared at me and started laughing. „My brother? Oh, ye're so funny, lad..." He stopped suddenly, realizing from the look at me that I might actually be right. „Ye're not joking, aren't ye?" I shook my head. No, I was 100 % sure.

„That's a surprise, Sir. I mean, can I call you Mr. Drocell? Um... follow me, please. This is not the discussion I'd like to have in front of my comrades. We'll catch up later at the dinner, okay, dear?" He let go of the girl and hushed her away. Same with Snake. Then my brother looked at me closely, grinned and threw himself around me. „I have a little brother!" He was ecstatic. He dragged me right into his private tent and pushed me on the couch. God, I loved him already. He was so positive!

He sat next to me, poured golden liquoir into two glasses and handed me one. He smirked.

„So... will ye tell met the story about ye, little brother? How is this even possible?" He was curious about the story. So was I. I coughed a little and then started to tell him about our family.