Immortality is Mortal [Popee the Performer]

Still Perishable (CH1)

There are those moments when Popee feels the fear kick in.

To say the least, life seemed to be unlimited to Popee—quite literally. He couldn't count the amount of times he's gone through death; it's as frequent as taking a bath twice a day.

They don't have to worry; they come back as good as new the next day.

Then there's the fear, it pitches in with the inevitable thought that it's possible that one day they'll die, and this time, they're not coming back.

But Popee, since when was he ever cautious? He'd dismiss the worry as soon as he sees another exciting trick, and with that, he dismisses his dearest friend Kedamono's safety. But Kedamono doesn't. Despite the few times the wolf has had the courage to leave him to suffer alone; Popee knows Keda's treated him better.

But Popee cares; he just doesn't exactly have the life that taught him how he should show it.

But here he is, staring at his book of tricks on a Lotus position against the side of a wall. This time, the page about High Wire immediately caught his attention. Balancing on a wire isn't something new in the Wolf Circus; however, Popee is feeling very much on top these days, and what more to do to express his feelings than doing the most dangerous acts unprofessionally?

"Err, we don't really have the best memories of that, do we...?" That was immediately Kedamono's reply when Popee basically shoves the page into his face. "Does it matter?" Popee responded, taking back the book for him to excitedly gaze at.

At this point, Kedamono already understood that whatever his partner wanted, he had no choice on it. Despite planning to relax today, it's clearly impossible when Popee's around.

His mask of concern falls, revealing another one with furrowed eyebrows. "Guess it doesn't." Besides, it's just practice—he says that a lot to himself to make it sound better, "But—we don't ha—""I got it!" Before he could make an excuse, Popee proudly shows off a rope on one hand, and a balance pole on the other.

As soon as Kedamono removes his paws from tying up the rope to the post, Popee rapidly jumps on the string without a thought, "Wait, Popee, be careful!" He reaches out to the blond. Popee doesn't exactly understand why he's still being all too careful, seeing as the rope has been tied merely five feet away from the ground.

Popee ignores the other's small warning, smirking at the ground beneath him. This is how he wanted to feel—on top; the best entertainer; and superior. Yet, he still yearns for the praise and approval of higher performers.

He lifts his chin to the air with a deep breath before twisting his back and jumping into a backflip, landing back on the rope with a little stumble. He grins and turns back to his companion, who encouraged Popee further with his amused clapping.

A bigger beam appears on his face, basking in all of his 'audience's applause, before ending the act with a confident bow.

This action, however, completely ruined his stance, resulting to Popee staggering to keep on the line—but alas, he falls into a wave of sand; he's lucky he's still awake and coughing, though his sight is dizzy. His face must be bleeding again.

He forces himself to his butt, sandy hands formed in fists. And like the brat he is, anger clouded his senses more than his bloody injury. From the corner of his blurry eyes, he sees the familiar purple feet running up to where he sat in pain.

"I told you to be caref—""I was! I just stumbled, is al--"A cough of blood ends his sentence abruptly. Kedamono's mask visibly shows his concern, even when Popee rudely declines his helping hand. The blond attempts to stand on his two shaky knees, but his legs gave away, sending him back to the ground.