Circus ⚜ Ch. 7

The hype surrounding the Roma carried over for days. In fact, it was getting difficult to do homeworks just about anywhere because of everyone's (loud) excitement. Desperate to get good marks on his law work, he took his books elsewhere, trying to find someplace quiet.

When all else seemed to be failing, he finally stopped by the dungeon. Opening the heavy door, he slipped inside, expecting silence.

What he heard, however, was familiar and strange.

Scuffing. With a bit of rhythm to it.

Going forward to investigate, it suddenly stopped. He waited, and it didn't start again, so he opened a book and continued reading.

After a couple minutes however, the scuffing began again. A bit unnerved being down here in the relative darkness, he called out. "Am I interrupting?"

He heard a girl gasp, and coming around the corner, raised his brows as well. "Kezia?"

She looked embarrassed. "Andrae. What on earth are you doing down here?"

He held up his book and noticed she was wearing dancing shoes. "Are you... dancing?"

She nodded and wrung her hands. "I needed an open space. I'm trying to fix the choreography for my biggest recital. It will help determine if I get into the Arts school."

He nodded and came closer. "We went to go see the Roma the other day. I wanted to take you, but you've been hard to find."

A smile pulled at her lips. "You know to call us Roma." Her eyes then widened in horror and she clasped her hands over her mouth.

Andrae just stared at her for a moment, piecing old clues together. "You're..."

Defeated, she nodded. "I'm an outcast too," she said quietly. "I didn't even mean to pass the entry test, but I'd read so much over the years, I guess I was well spoken enough. And when I said my passion was dancing, they thought I meant ballet..."

Andrae put down his books and stepped closer to her, taking her hands. "You were kind enough to not leave me when you found out I was from the circus. And you can rest assured that it would take a hundred men to drag me from you, no matter what you are."

She smiled sadly. "You know I was so mad at you at first - for scaring me, not because of who your family is."

He chuckled. "Sorry about that..." When she wouldn't meet his eye, he gently lifted her chin. "I won't tell a soul. But maybe you should at least see them. I'm certain they came for you."

She nodded. With a sigh she said, "Maybe you could get your fortune told by my aunt. She's the only real witch in the family. Technically a mage, I believe."

He raised a brow. "I already did."

She looked interested. "What did she say?"

"Things about gold strings, gold letters, and dancing," he said, kissing her forehead.