The Circus is in Town! (Open) (1,630 views)

[113shoe]

It was another cheerful day in Roo Island. There were screams of fun and excited laughs of tourists rang though the air, a common sound here. But there was a new attraction that had appeared overnight, settled among the quieter part of the land. A collection of tents and carts were placed among the clearing, each with a symbol to show they were all of the same. This was the circus, the Seti Circus. 

For now the sight was still and quiet, proably from the exhausted crew resting after setting everything up. The only life of life among the tents was one lean and noble airax, soaring among the network without a single trouble. The bird's flight was effortless and smooth, easily rounding the tighter corners between the tents. Soon the petpet was circling one of the larger tents, soon perching on the purple arm of Miko as he stepped out of his home among the circus. 

"Looks like we're all ready for tonight." The ruki smiled, looking at the masterpiece of the circus. He knew it might not seem as much now, but tonight would be a true show. It always was. But the quiet was nice once in a while for Miko, and the workers deserved a rest after such work. "Come Magic, let's see how Roo Island has changed since of last visit." It had been so long since Miko had been back where he first came into the circus. The airax chirped in eagerness as he started to traveled out of the circus, ready to see what there was to see. 

[Maddie]

Among the crowd of excited tourists towered a tall, flashy-colored disco kacheek. He was wading his way through the mass of bodies with an apologetic grin; he had a tendency to push people around thanks to his fairly large build. That being said, he couldn't deny that his anticipation to reach the end of the crowd played a minor part in his rowdy behavior. The circus was in town!

Dude spared a look back from where he came, wondering if his younger brother and sister would be alright on their own. The three had visited Roo Island together as a family. Dude had always wanted to take his siblings to the circus, but never had the opportunity to until now. Unfortunately, the two didn't seem as excited as he was. His little sister, Star, was busy investing herself in a game of dice-a-roo. That little go-getter! She didn't take kindly to losing, and with a game of luck, she'd be there all day! Thankfully his little brother, Cici, stayed behind to keep an eye on her. He probably appreciated being away from the crowd of people, anyway. Cici was never a people person. While Dude was busy musing on these things, he suddenly found himself on the other side of the crowd. The circus tents were in sight!

Dude suppressed a bout of excitement. All this giddiness made him feel like a child - not like that was a bad thing. He let his eyes wander over everything in awe, and consequently caught sight of a split ruki strolling along with his petpet. Deducting from how the ruki was dressed, Dude was certain he was associated with the circus in some way. What better way to figure out when they'd open? Dude approached the stranger with a wide, eager grin, waving for his attention.

[113shoe]

This was simple amazing. In all his life Miko had never seen so many people in one place like this. Yes, the island was always an attraction and the circus has seen quite the audience, but he still remembered Roo Island in its younger days. So many faces and neopets in one crowd, showing a change among the years. He stayed on the edges of the bustling fur and tails in the crowd, Magic clinging to his shoulder so that she wasn't separated. That was always such a maze to travel the crowds.

"There's a lot of activities here." He commented to himself, fixing the rim of his hat to get the sun away. He started to imagine how many of these tourists would come to his show. It could have been in the hundreds and hundreds in his audience! All watching his performers act their hearts out in the ring. The very thought made his nerves tingle in excitement. It always made him excited to think about the circus. It was his life and heart after all.

Movement caught the corner of his eye as someone in the crowd starting coming in his direction. A rather tall, rather colorful kacheek. The ruki slowed his pace to a stop as his attention was waved down, straightening himself out on his cane. His face held a peaceful and cheerful, which was probably etched into his face over the years. Magic puffed herself out a little more as well, matching her master's regal appearance.

[Maddie]

Dude paused a moment to verify he had caught the ruki's attention before speaking in a deep, booming voice (in order to be heard above the crowd). "Hello, sir! I could not help but notice your attire matches that which is typically worn by circus employees," he began in unnecessary length, crouching slightly to lessen his intimidating height. "Sorry if that is presumptuous of me, but I was just wondering if you know when the show will begin." He smiled in recognition of his own tactlessness.

[113shoe]

Despite all the noise that Miko could hear around him, the stranger's words rang clear in his ears. It was loud, but he was used to loud noises and picking out the important pieces. Just another skill you pick up with show business. So he wanted to know about the circus, huh? Always something Miko was more than happy to talk about.

"You could say I an part of the circus." He answered, undeterred by the kacheek's height and voice. He could have said that he was actually the ringmaster, but he wasn't one to boast about himself. Plus if his fellow was going to come to the show, then he'd just see for himself. "As for when the performance starts, it begins when Nightfall starts to come in." He never planned an exact time when the circus started, but to him to show began when the moon started to rise. It was just tradition.

He looked over the kacheek again, still a little taken back by the height and color. Magic had twisted her head around and looking over him from head to tail, her eyes flicking and bobbing with every little move. "May I ask what your name is boy?" He asked, his face still keeping that common charm to it.

[Maddie]

"You may address me as Mr. 70s, sir!" Dude replied with a slight head bow and tip of the hat. "Or, if you prefer, my friends just call me Dude." He snorted in a humorous manner and rubbed his nose, surveying the area. "The island sure is packed today, huh? And when nightfall swings around, well, maybe there will be even more people! Gee, for me... finally having the chance to attend the circus..." He sighed contentedly and returned his attention to the split ruki. "–It makes my aging heart race with excitement!" he finished with a warm grin, aware of his sentimentalism. "Heh... May I ask your name, as well, if it is not too much?"

[113shoe]

"Dude." Miko repeated to himself, lifting a very slight brow. That was a very interesting name for such an interesting character. The ruki couldn't help but chuckle a little under his breath as Dude's more childlike side started to shine, smiling a little more at the antics. His was more than used to seeing full grown neopets act like kids, as well as children that come. "And yes, it really does seem like an active hour around here." That just meant that his show might have the highest audience yet. He might have to check things again when he returned to the circus.

"As for me, my name is Miko." He introduced himself, bowing himself in a manner of tradition. "And the airax in my company is Magic." The bird on his shoulder chirped and squawked as her name was called, her feathers smoothing out and puffing her chest out a little in pride.

[Maddie]

Dude could not resist brushing the airax's feathers back, chuckling quietly to himself. "Quite a beaut! Did you train her to sit on your shoulder like that? That's incredible! I was never much of a petpet tamer. All I have is a rock that I keep in a shoebox." He rubbed the back of his neck and laughed in a good-humored manner that eventually quieted down to silence (or at least inaudibility considering the amount of chatter all around the two).

Wondering if Miko was busy, Dude paused for a moment before braving to ask, "So, do you want to grab a coffee with me at the Art Centre? Sorry if that is audacious of me to ask! Especially if you are busy, you have every right to decline." He clasped his paws in the front of his chest and had an embarrassed, yet hopeful look in his eyes.

[113shoe]

Magic cooed and chirped as Dude rubbed against her feathers, her tail fluffing up in enjoyment. She sure loved the attention. "She's really is as beautiful as she is smart." Miko said, probably not helping with the bird's ego at all. He had trained her well in more than just staying at his side, but why give anything away that could be showed tonight? His antennae twitched slightly as Dude fell silent, leaving only the buzz of the crowd around them. It could never be truly quiet around here. That's as likely to happen as Terror Mountain melting. The very idea made him laugh slightly.

When the subject about getting a drink sprang up, the ruki tapped his fingers against his cane, his metal gloves clicking together in thought. "It wouldn't hurt to get away from the crowd for awhile." He finally agreed, smiling at the kacheek. The circus crew could rest in peace and he still had a few hours to actually relax.

[Maddie]

Dude pumped his fists and uttered a quiet "yes!" to himself. After straightening his hat, which had nearly slid off his head, he recovered his manners with a "Thank you, Mr. Miko. At times I may come off as foolhardy, but in all honesty I am just a very social creature."

He smiled sweetly and began to walk towards the Art Centre, pushing through the crowd and motioning Miko to follow. "I arrived on Roo Island with my younger brother and sister, but they both got caught up in their own things and left me on my own. How could they!" He held a pout before laughing to show he was not being serious. "I'm not actually mad at them; They're both adults. Plus, now I have the opportunity to socialize with the interesting cast of characters the island has to offer - such as you, Mr. Miko!"

[113shoe]

This kacheek just seemed to get more and more joyous by the second. It was fun to think about, and even funnier to watch it happen. The soft smile Miko had in his face never left as he followed Dude to the centre, his extra limbs making it child's play to catch up with him. Even if a path was being cleared, he found himself weaving around a few neopets that crossed his way. He wasn't hard at all, so he never missed a beat or lost sight of Dude. Not like that was hard in itself. The guy was a rainbow.

"Mr. isn't necessary Dude." Miko explained once he found himself right near the kacheek. "You can just call me Miko." He wasn't that old yet for the title. "And besides, I'm sure you'll find your siblings soon enough." The more he talked with Dude, the more interested he was. He hadn't met Miko for more than a few minutes and he was already acting like they made known each other for years. It was nice, he had to admit.

[Maddie]

"Oh, sorry. I was just trying to be polite," Dude reasoned. "I even call my wife 'Mrs. Bijou' sometimes. She also thinks it's too formal, aha ha. That's my cue to call her honey bun or sweetie pie instead." Dude paused a brief moment, distracted by a passerby brushing against his tail.

"Anyway, so just Miko. Got it," he laughed. "Habitual formality comes with years of working in customer service. I'm a shopkeeper," the disco kacheek explained in a casual tone. "May I ask what your position in the circus is, Mis-uh, just Miko?" He snorted and knocked his fist against his forehead in a playful, self-chastising manner.

[113shoe]

"It's perfectly fine my friend." Miko insisted, brushing the thing aside. He didn't mind the name issue as much as you might think, but then again he wasn't the type to fret about little things. Oh well. As he weaved through the ever active crowds, he had to make a little leg room for himself with a tap of the cane. Boy did this stick come in handy at times. He listened to Dude discuss about his career as a shopkeeper, nodding his head in understanding. That would certainly explain a lot about this personality. He looked like a face you would want to greet you at the store.

"You'll jut have to see tonight." He simply said about his place in the circus he called home. It was always good to build a healthy amount of curiosity in potential viewers, making them want to come and see the answers for themselves. Magic seemed to agree, chirping slightly as she adjusted her wings properly.

[Maddie]

"Aw, a cagey fella, aren't you?" Dude smiled, evidently disappointed in Miko's answer. Shortly after, the couple reached the end of the crowd. Dude nodded his head towards the Art Centre's coffee shop and joked, "Maybe once I have a couple drinks in you, you'll be more open to my questions." After laughing at his own joke and apologizing for how distasteful it was, he walked ahead and held the door of the coffee shop open for the hobbling ruki. "After you," he insisted with a head bow.

[113shoe]

Miko only shrugged his shoulders at the remark about not directly answering Dude about his job. What would have been the fun in just telling someone everything? A little mystery never hurt anyone now did it? After a while he heard Magic squawk as the crowd came to the end, alerting the ruki of the approaching shop. He smiled at the sight, now eager himself to get a drink. It had been a while since he had a nice drink on Roo island.

"We'll just see about that." He joked himself, that smile still etched onto his face as he past Dude and into the cafe. He took a few seconds to look around the area, noting things that had changed from before. It looked a lot more cleaner and modern, much unlike when he was a kid. But it definitely looked more inviting. The airax on his shoulder chattered slightly as she looked around, but she soon settled after a stroke down the back.