Valencia

2

The next day, Victor visited the circus once more. It was later this time, the stars only shining brighter in the light of the circus. There was no line to shift forward in. He handed his ticket once more to the barker, anxiously shifting from side to side. The barker waved him in again. He felt the warmth rush on once more, breathing in the buttery air. Before he could even take ten steps, he was startled by a voice.
"Hey! Hey you!" The concessions boy from the day before ran up to Victor. "You're the one with the vanilla root beer, spices of cinnamon and rum, right?" He asked.
"Uh, I suppose so?" He said with a slight blush.
"Ah perfect! I knew I couldn't mistake you! It's my day off, and well, I can't leave. So, could I tag with you for the ride?" He smiled with bright eyes. Victor could do nothing but blink with astonishment.
"You're talking to me?"
"Psh, of course? Who else would I talk to in here?"
"Well you can certainly stay with me," Victor smiled. The boy happily attempted to wrap his arm around him, despite his short stature getting in the way.
"I'm Miguel, Miguel De L'Ortez. And you?"
"Uh, Victor Hawkins. It's a pleasure to-"
"Y'know I like ya Vick. You stand out." This statement made Victor's heart stop.
"Stand out?"
"Like a star," he said shyly. Victor froze. Not because of the winter wind, but because of the sentiment. Victor had never considered himself outstanding. But now someone did. "Wow, cat got your tongue? Here, come on." Miguel dragged Victor into the back area of a bright blue tent. Slivers of the spotlight shone off of the stage, showing ropes and rigs in the wing. Victor gasped lightly at the clangs of swords from in the lights.
"Brother! Your treachery ends here on the plank!" A voice called in a courageous manner.
"Alas, that's where you are incorrect with your assumptions!" A slightly deeper voice responded. One laughed before the slashes began once more.
"Who are-"
"Shh. It's getting good. Popcorn?" Miguel held out a paper box of popcorn.
"Where did you get that?" Victor inquired. Miguel shrugged. Victor listened into the scene quite intently, slowly becoming absorbed by the living storybook. At a moment, he thought he caught a glimpse of a sword, or was that just the lighting reflecting off of the blue and silver curtains? He didn't know. At the end of the show, a performer was pushed off the set, landing safely on a pile of hay backstage. He noticed Miguel and Victor sitting in the dark and he walked over.
"Oi Miguel, who's this?" He asked. He was the one with the deeper voice. He had sandy blonde spiked hair, a pirate's outfit, and an eyepatch over one of his aqua eyes.
"Malvolio, meet Victor. Victor, meet Malvolio," Miguel said, forcing the two into a handshake. Victor was slightly intimidated by Malvolio. He was a few inches taller than him, yet clearly younger.
"Pleasure," Malvolio noted. Before Victor could say anything, Malvolio held up his hand. He counted on his fingers from five, and at one, an identical looking actor dropped from a rope leading up to the stage. He ran over to the group, his pirate coat trailing behind him.
"A newcomer!" He said. He had a higher voice, though other than that he was exactly identical to Malvolio in every way. "The name's Mercutio. My brother and I act as pirates in this show. Which position are you working? What's your anomaly? Why-"
"Shush, Mercutio. He's just a friend of Miguel. And keep it down. No one can hear about the anomalies," Malvolio whispered to his twin.
"Anomalies?" Victor asked. The twins shared a nervous glance.
"Miguel, can we tell him?" They asked in perfect unison. Victor found it odd. Miguel looked around before getting the group to duck under a giant old set piece.
"Tell him."