Ta Dah

Dimitri watched silently as the others in the circus worked to finish setting up things. Having done his part early on he had time to get changed and rest. He would have a long night ahead of him and he could tell it wouldn’t be easy. Watching as the very last tent popped up in the center of the ring of tents. Looking to his silver pocket watch he tucked it away; it was just in time for the sun to set. They had done this so many times it’s almost hard to imagine things any other way. They’d show up in time to open their gates at dusk and vanish by dawn, seamlessly and silently with out a trace. Save for the lingering scent of candied floss and popped corn. It is almost enough to remind you of what once was; yet not enough to make it seem real. Then your memories fuel the belief that it was simply a blissful dream. Save for the mysterious ticket stub you would find deep within your pants pocket. Though it isn’t like you would think much on it, given the very rare possibility that the place actually exists. Yes, soon they would open their gates to the many wanderers lured in by their curiosity.

Seeing a raven come towards him Dimitri stuck out his arm for the bird to perch. “What brings you here old friend?” He coos to the winged creature as he gently stroked its feathers. He truly adored the overlooked beauty in the bird; it was pity in his eyes for others who didn’t see it the same. Noticing the bird carried a note on its leg Dimitri gently removed the slip of paper. Looking the note over he noticed it was from the ringmaster and frowned at the largely printed Urgent. Looking to the bird he smiled warmly, “You did very well.” he praised reaching in his pocket to offer a treat. Standing Dimitri made his way along the dusty path to the Ringmaster’s caravan. Though he couldn’t figure out what it was that was so urgent to call him there at this time of day. Stopping before a worn emerald green wagon house Dimitri made his way cautiously up the sunken wooden steps and opened the solitary deep red door. Inside he was instantly met with the scent of beeswax hair grease and whatever herbal concoction the old man managed to get his hands on that month. Solitary each might have a chance to be tolerable yet together they proved a smell more potent than that of a week unclean she man. “You wanted me?” The youth spoke doing his best not to breathe in too deeply.

Looking up from whatever book he was studying intensely the Ringmaster stood. “Ah, Dimitri! You came.” He greets warmly getting up to set up two cups of tea.

Watching as his bird glided off to the back of a chair Dimitri took a seat of his own. “Did I have any other choice?” He questions while petting his bird once again, a jesting tone obvious in his silk like voice.

“No you did not.” The ring master answers matter of factly with a cheery grin as he sat down a porcelain teacup for both he and Dimitri. The ringmaster wasn’t terribly old a man, however he was far from young too. Well that was only as far as looks could do. With chestnut colored hair spotted with grays and a face only barely wrinkled from grin lines and sun. The man didn’t appear to be one bit over thirty. Then again with all things in the world, especially in this life if there were anything Dimitri has learned, it would be the simple knowledge that nothing was ever what it seemed. No matter how genuine there was always a secret held in the dark. So while to many it would come as a great shock to find the man successfully past three hundred and thirty-two. It was simply a common thing to Dimitri. And why wouldn’t it be? Especially when your mentor in magik made as much of a fuss over their birthdays as the ringmaster would.

Accepting the teacup Dimitri sat back taking a sip as his gaze flew over to the ever odd clock on the wooden wall. “Didn’t think so.” He murmured watching as slowly the tiny ballerina on the clock made her way across the sunny blue sky. Bringing with her a curtain of stars that seems to shine and glimmer as if they had a life of their own. Sipping the bitter liquid in his cup, Dimitri looked to the busied man. “So why did you call me here?” He inquires looking to the man as he sat calmly across the wooden table.