The Girl and the Fire-Breather

Pining

---------------------Later that night---------------------------------------------------------------

Angelo's eyes snapped open.Something had woke him up. It was still dark outside but he was a light sleeper.

Pushing off the blankets in one swift move that showed off his agility as an acrobat, he stepped out of his caravan and looked at the large gates that housed the field where their caravans were situated. Sure enough, the gates were swinging violently as if someone had just come in. The blue sheep that lived in the same field were busy trying to push the gates shut with their tiny pink noses, grumbling under their breath all the while. Angelo had never understood their obsession with detail, but if it got things done around here, so be it.

But who was it who had just came in? Looking down at the flattened, slightly burnt grass a few feet away from him, he had a pretty good idea just who.

Angelo walked over to the nearest caravan, painted a rich fiery orange, tinged with hues of gold and red. Perfect for the fire dancer himself. He didn't bother knocking, nobody did around here.

"Marocco?" He said, pushing the door in. He turned and saw Marocco lying face-down on the bed. It was strange for the fire dancer to be back so early from a night out. "Is everything alright?"

There was no answer for a few seconds. Then Marocco pushed himself up to face Angelo.

"Perfectly all right." he said, winking, before burying his face in the pillow again.

----------------------------------5 days later. In Lena's home, back in Everett-----------------------------------

Morning light was streaming into the kitchen. Lena’s pet ant crawled around the kitchen, rubbing its bristles against whoever’s knee was available. Lena sat at the kitchen table staring out the round porthole window as the light streamed in. Mama broke off part of a large block of freeze-dried wheat and berries into a bowl, smashing it with a mortar to release the ice-cold milk inside, which ran over the cereal. She turned around, shaking her head as she watched her daughter studiously ignore her.

"Lena, eat up." Mama slid a bowl of cereal over to Lena. "What's wrong now?"

Sighing, Lena rested her head on her hand. She was sick of this. "You know what's wrong."

Mama swished her peasant skirts impatiently. "Enough of this, Lena. Yes, we know now it wasn't black magic. But it doesn't mean you can just go around picking up random strangers, and…” she grimaced, “Who knows what disgusting germs you may have picked up from him? He probably has 5 girls a month, and you, my innocent baby.” Here, Mama came over and tried to kiss Lena’s head gently.

"Don't touch me!" Lena pushed her mother's hand away annoyed.

Angrily, Mama drew back. "Listen Lena. I have something important to tell you. Your Papa and I have decided it’s time for you to marry, if only for you to shut up and get your priorities right. We found a suitable man for you, and he's just ever so near us. Please, Lena," she took her daughter's hand, seeing Lena's face horrified from the news. "Do this for us. He is coming around tomorrow to meet you,and he's ever so kind, and sweet."

"And rich." Lena snapped. Mama's frown grew."Well, yes. You don't expect us to approve of you gallivanting around with circus folk do you? You're changing, Lena, and it’s time to nip this tomfoolery in the bud." With that, she kissed her daughter's head and walked out of the room.

When she knew her mother was out of earshot, and no one was around anymore, Lena allowed the tears to fall.

-------------------------------------That same night, in LenStone---------------------------------------------------------