Circus Circus Part 2

“How did you enjoy the performance?” Ari asked, both of his arms being held onto by one of his pretty Island Girls.

“Unlike any I have ever seen. Quite innovative actually.” Olin complimented. “I am actually kind of happy I stayed the day. Would have been a shame to miss this.”

“Olin!” Ari tsk’d. “You weren’t planning on ducking out so early, were you? Perhaps the reports of a fun-loving, playboy Ragnulf were greatly exaggerated?“

Olin laughed. “Ari I am trying very hard to make a good impression and you're making it very difficult.” He teased giving him a charming smile. “Best behavior Olin.” He said in a parody of his father’s command.

Ari made a disgusted noise. “Best behavior? I’ve seen the parties you’ve hosted, and what’s this now I hear? You are DJ’ing raves? In the Sprawl?

“I am!” Olin said with a broad smile. “Which is barely tolerated, honestly.” He said his tone was flat. “Maybe you should visit Arkangel. See me in my natural habitat. I might be, relaxed once my father's inquiry is done, it’s like the sword of Damocles over my head. Sort of buzzkill.”

“Then first thing tomorrow, we let the sword fall, get business out of the way, and then the resort is yours to explore and enjoy. Perhaps take an excursion to an upscale hotspot?”

“Sounds like plan.” With a sly smile. Inside Olin grumbled but Ari you could easily say No to, not on his island, not when there was business to attend to. There is a transaction happening, but that was the root of everything surrounding Olin. This for that.

“I’ll make sure the bar stays open for you,” Ari promised. “Or should you need anything, any of my girls would be delighted to bring you what you need.”

Well paid furniture, Nikita reminded herself.

“First thing tomorrow.” Olin said with a nod. “Then the party can start.”

“Business before pleasure? You’ve truly changed,” Ari added with a chuckle. “See you in the morning.”

Olin shrugged innocently. “Makes the pleasure all the sweeter.”

It wasn’t Ari who held Olin in an iron grip. He might bitch, complain and whine and even though he was the black sheep of the family … his family where hard people to say ‘No’ to. They knew every pressure point to make him jump when they wanted him to. He learned the hard way some battles were just not worth fighting. This was one of them.

“Can I show you back to your cabana?” Nikita asked, after Ari and ‘his girls” had left the circus tent. Brynn and Kiki, armed with brooms and dustpans hurried to sweep out the rows where people had been sitting.

“By all means …” He held an arm out to link with Nikita.

Kiki paused a moment to sigh and wished he would link arms with her.

Rini also stopped as she picked up the discarded unicycles, wishing Olin would link arms with her, but, she was also willing to accept knowing it would never be.

Kiki watched Olin walk away with the Lamp. “I hate to see him go …” She tilted her head. “... But I like to watch him leave.” She giggled to Brynn. “Should have taken a picture.”

“Maybe he’ll be back for an encore performance?” Brynn offered. “Lucky Rini and Rakki, bringing him in the ring with ‘em.”

“I hope. Why can’t we do magic tricks.” Kiki pouted. “We’re tall enough. Sorta.”

“I know. But no, Mr. Motel wants us to learn the death wheel instead. You can’t pull someone like Olin outta the audience for a Death Wheel!”

“Ugh Rini and Rakki always get the good acts.” Kiki sighed sweeping.

“Less convening, more cleaning,” Motel barked. “After the piss poor performance the two of you gave, you’re lucky you do more than just sweep up, you don’t have talent for much else.”

“Yes, Mr. Motel! Sorry, Mr. Motel!” Kiki called back and pantomimed his words silently with an exaggerated face as soon as the man's back was turned.

Tier and Taika were securing the wheel of death towards the back of the tent, while Rini and Rakki packed up the concessions to prevent mice or bugs. Tier helped make sure the plastic bins were full of unpopped corn kernels, and he had no problem putting the bin on a higher shelf. He smiled over and gave a wink to Raikki, who was placing alcohol bottles back on the shelf.

Feng gathered and packed all the accessories and tools used during the performance before climbing up and securing all the ropes, and checking the pulleys and buggies used during the performance.

“You were amazing, Feng,” Brynn told her. “I was watchin’ the crowd an’ they gasped, even the ones that seen the show before.”

Feng looked down as she secured the ropes. “The fire did all the hard work.” She winked. “You should think about learning some aerials, I think it would spice up your act with Kiki. Everyone loves aerials.”

“Mr. Motel says we’re not pretty ‘nuff for that sort of act,” Brynn parroted. “Cute clowns. He says leave the sex appeal to you an’ Rin and Rakki.”

Feng scoffed, sliding down a rope. “Don’t listen to the old windbag.” She said … not too loudly. “You don’t need sex appeal. It's all about timing and crowd control. You want to do aerials. Do them. Pick and apparatus.” She encouraged.

Brynn, who very much listened to ‘that old windbag, looked nervously towards where Motel was giving Tier direction. “Maybe me an’ Kiki could practice and get good an’ then show Mr. Motel.”

“See.” Feng ruffled the girl's hair playfully. “Smart. Practice and make your act so good he can’t say no.”

“I will!” Brynn said happily, skipping off to help Kiki and tell her their latest plan.