Bungo Stray Dogs oneshots

Show time~

Character: Akutagawa Ryunosuke
Features: Ichiyo Higuchi

"Five minutes till showtime!" The leader calls as the stage hands rush around, finishing up their last minute preparations.
"(Y/n) are you nearly done!?" He hollers causing me to jolt suddenly as I complete the final adjustments to my dress.
I let out a small sigh and think of everything that has led me to this point, my parents debt, the discovery of my special ability and my eventual descent into the hell of the circus. I was interrupted from my train of thought as the leader storms into my area with a bright red face.
"(Y/n) you stupid girl, are you deaf!?"
The leader shouts as the anger becomes much more evident in his voice causing me to flinch slightly at the volume.
"Yes sir I heard you the first time." As I turn to look at him his face becomes even redder if its humanly possible and now resembles a ripe tomato rather than the leader of an esteemed circus.
"Don't get smart with me girl don't forget I own you now!" He is screaming now brandishing his signature cane in his right hand in an attempt to seem threatening. In all honesty it seemed quite pathetic as I could kill him in an instant if I desired, I would have done it by now but knowing him there would be severe consequences. Plus there are plenty of good people who came to see my preform today and I couldn't disappoint them, despite the horrid conditions I really do love to preform.

"I apologise sir I forgot my place momentarily, I can assure you it won't happen again." My efforts to calm him seem to work as his face slowly begins to revert back to its natural colour.
"Feel grateful that I'm in a generous mood and I'll let it slip this one time." He turns and heads off to find some other unfortunate soul to harass. I let out a small sigh as I gather my precious book from the table and check my reflection one last time before heading towards the main stage.

As I weave my way through tents I try to ignore the glares sent my way from all the other trainees.
"Hey (Y/n) wait up!" I turn to see my friend Louise bounding through the crowd with little regard for the poor people that had the bad luck to be in her way. The jealous glares stop as the other trainees turn back towards the tasks to avoid being yelled at. "Louise how many times have I told you to watch where your going one of these days you may bump into someone a little less forgiving than people around here." As I scold her as she looks down with guilt before springing back to her usual happy demeanor.
"But I brought you some great news, I was listening in on the leader earlier and he said that there was going to be some important people in the crowd at tonight's performance." She turns serious before grabbing my arm and dragging me behind a tent. "I'm only telling you this because this may be your only chance to get out of here." She looks at me with a wide smile which I can't bring myself to return.
"Louise you know I can't." She looks at me as if I've told the funniest joke.
"What do you mean there is pretty much no reason why you shouldn't do this." I let out a small sigh realising she doesn't get the reality of the situation.
"Louise if I leave then my parents will still be in debt and the leader will force them to be in his shows, I couldn't do that to them."
"(Y/n) they sold you to the circus to cover their own debts why do you still care about them!?" She is yelling now causing some people to look towards our hiding spot. If I don't do something now people will complain to the leader and Louise will get punished.
"I'm sorry Louise I just have to do this, I'm not asking you to understand or to accept it I just need you to know." I turn on my heel and head towards the main tent. As much as I hate to admit it the offer did tempt me a little bit the idea of not having to live under the leaders rule and not worrying about my parents debt. I shake my head slightly at my ridiculous hopes the real world is no where near as kind.

The tent seems larger as I grow closer and seems much more sinister the closer it gets. As I reach the main entrance for performers I am met with the leaders angry face as he glares at me.
"Your late you were meant to be here ten minutes ago the twins have been stalling!" As he yells spittle flies everywhere causing me to wipe my cheek.
"I apologise sir I was held up on the way here." my attempt to calm him seems to work as he roughly shoves me towards the curtain. "See me after the show!" He takes his leave as I stand tall ready to give my best performance.