forum I'm bringing dead ideas back. Please forgive me. (Closed) (O/O)

Started April 24, 2019 by @Dirt

tune

"You will not see your brother again," Nathan's mother clarified as soon as they got him. "Who knows how long this is going to last? I will not have you influenced, you hear?"
"Mom, look at me," Nathan requested quietly. She refused to. "Come on, please,"
She ignored him again. He marched up to her, anger igniting in him.
"He's been sober two years now, Mom. It's over!" he reminded her angrily. She bit her lip, flushing red.
"Your brother is not a good man, Nathan. He hurt all of us, drove your father away." Sje whirled to face him, eyes shining, and grabbed the front of his shirt. "You seem him again and you are no longer my son. Understood?" she spat.
Nathan was about to nod when he met her stare: anger. All anger, rage, hate. There was not a single hint as to if she loved him,and that was enough.
"he's better than you. Always was, always will be," he shouted bitterly, shoving the woman away.

Aimi finished her task. Glad to be done with it. Gosh people could be messy. Though once done, instead of rushing to the mess tent. She ran back to her own tent. Being in costume all day wasn't as fun as juggling knifes. And the Baggy balloon pants, and "overly tight" shirt as she put it, where getting on her nerves. Besides that, she had to put her knifes away. It seemed as if Aimi was always last to supper. She waved to her fellow performers, glared at the ones she didn't get along with, and sat at a table.

Nathan ran. He didn't know where, but he ran.
Will was already gone. He'd have to call him from somewhere, let him know what happened.
He let his feet guide him forward, tears streaming down his face as the situation hit him. He ran all the tears out, heart pounding. He only stopped when his legs have way.
He collapsed onto his knees, heaving breaths through dry sobs. When he gathered the courage to look up, all he saw were lights. Lights upon lights, carving out the shadows of tents. He'd run to the circus.

Dinner didn't last long once Aimi had arrived. Most had already finished, and had already began to clean up. Aimi ate as the others bustled around her, but soon got up and decided to go for a walk. She though if the past week. How at first they sold out of tickets, and ever so slowly the town had gotten bored of them. Aimi smiled to herself, before she spot something in the distance. At first she though one of the animals escaped, and that frightened her. But once close enough she saw it was a person. "Oh my gosh, are you okay?" She called out. Keeping her distance for safety.

Nathan looked up at the sound of someone calling out to him. Unsteadily, he got to his feet. He looked around before spotting the woman who had called. She was standing a few yards away, having stopped walking.
He took a faltering step towards her. Once he stood close enough to see, a flash of recognition shot through him. "You were the last act tonight," he said faintly.

"Um. Yeah." Aimi watched him carefully, almost taking a step back when he got closer. Though there was still some distance between them, she wasn't sure if this was safe. "Can I help you with something?" Her tone wery. If he was going to jump her, she didn't have any thing to defend herself with. Her best bet being to run as fast as she could.

Nathan noticed her backing away and stopped moving. "Sorry," he apologised. "I probably seem like a mad man. Could I borrow a phone, just to call my brother?" he asked through a tight throat.

"Right, yeah of course." Aimi patted her pockets till she found her phone. As she did enjoy pants with lots of pockets. She took a few steps twords him untill she was an arms length away. "Here." She held out a small, old hand me down phone. "Do you uh, wanna come back to the tents untill your brother gets here?"

Surprised by the offer, Nathan took a minute to answer. "That'd be great, thank you." Discreetly wiping the tears away with his sleeve, Nathan followed the woman back to the tents.

"Do you need something to eat?" Aimi looked around. Most of the tents where already taken down. But she was sure she could find something.

"No, don't worry about it," Nathan assured her, dialling Will's number. It rang a few times, but no one picked up. He tried again and got the same resulting. "He's not answering," he said dumbly, hanging up for the second time.

Aimi watched as he hung up again, and frowned. "Is there a parent we can call? Maybe the police if you really need?" She knew she couldn't stay and watch this strange till his family came for him. She had to be helping, especially if she didn't want any of her stuff to get misplaced.

Nathan jumped, automatically shaking his head. "No, no. That's okay. I, uh, I'll get out of your hair. Would it be acceptable if I sleep on the grounds just for tonight? I'll go unnoticed, promise," he added sheepishly.

"We're actually getting ready to leave." Aimi mentioned to aroumd them. How it seemed like everyone was busy doing something. "There's no one else we can call? No other family?"

"Not that I know of," Nathan admitted nervously. Where would he go from here? He had noone, nowhere and nothing. He was screwed, basically.

Aimi sighed, she was a little annoyed at the whole thing. "Look, where does your brother live? We can call you a taxi or something? Don't worry about money I'd be happy to help out." Though she didn't have much money. The whole growing up in the circus made it less of a job and more of a life.

(oof sorry it took so long)
"No!" Nathan exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "I don't need your money." He could tell the woman was getting impatient. "I'll just, leave. Thank you for your help!" he thanked her quickly and headed for the door at a steady pace.

(No need to apologize. ^^)

Aimi jumped back at his out burst, almost toppling over. "Okay then." she sounded unsure. Especially because she was just trying to be nice. She bit her lip, suddenly wondering if he was okay. "If you have no where else to go-" she willed herself to shut up, though she had a tendency not to listen to herself. "You could always come with us." Ah yes, tell some strange kid could join them. Her father would mostly get mad at her for this. But Aimi knew something was off. The kid seemed to be running from something.

Nathan stopped a step away from the door. The offer struck him deep– he wanted it so much. "I couldn't just join in the middle of nowhere," he tried to declare, but it came out like a question. His hand didn't move from the door, but he held his breath.

"Its not that uncomen for kids to runaway and join." Aimi wanted to slap herself. Why was she still talking? Better question, how would she explain this to everyone else? 'ah yes I convinced the kid to join us. I'm sure no one will come looking for him and sue us in the end.' her own sarcasm making her flinch.

Nathan felt her flinch behind him. He turned around to face her. He found it hard to believe he could actually be wanted in a place like this. "Are you sure?" he asked tentatively, fearing for the answer. "I would hate to be a trouble," he added in case she needed a reason to turn him away.

Aimi took a moment. She could still say no. She could turn the kid on his way. "I'm sure," she chewed on her lip some before continuing, "but just till your brother gets back to you." It seemed fair. At least then he wasn't nescacerly running away. More like taking a vacation. Sort of.

Nathan sensed her hesitation. "I really don't know what to say. I– thank you." He stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do now that… he'd been accepted. "Is there, uh, anything I could do?"

"Well, we're packing up right now. Taking down the tents and loading everything else up. But its best you meet with the Ring Master. He should probably know you're joining us." Aimi ran a had through her hair, pushing is back out of her face. "I can take you to him."