Chapter Three

Throwing the remains of the big top into its storage Lucy stretches, popping a few bones. Turning around she smiles coming face to face with Rico who pulls out a vail of flowers.

"Well, hello there my love. What a surprise." She smiles laying her hand on his face before taking the flowers with her other. The aroma of the strange variety of flowers wafts into the air. "Interesting." She mumbles pulling her hand away holding the flowers close to her face. "What are these? They smell so familiar…"

"Russian Sage, Tulips, Tiger lily's, Siberian fawn lily's, and Peony's if I remember correctly." Rico replies holding a hand under his jaw in thought. Lucy shakes her head, moving the flowers to kiss Rico's forehead.

"Well, thank you my love."

Pulling away she takes his hand leading him through the other caravans were everyone is preparing to leave. Milo and Remy move several pieces of metal onto another cart Yukiko tying them down.

Once everything is secured, they move to their own carts as Rico and Lucy make their way towards the front of the caravan. Getting into a heavy truck they start moving forward pulling the other carts slowly behind them.

Hours passed as they moved through the bumpy back roads, stopping only when the moon hung above the tree line. Pulling off into an empty field they disconnect and retire to the dining table for the night.

"So, as we move forward, we are going to reaching a small town of Prosper. They have an open field where we can set things up for a few nights. What do you all think?" He asks, showing the road map that morphs and lifts upon the dark parchment. Soft glistening lines dance across the page showing where they were at to the small town in question.

"We will have to see if anyone would be willing to come and put up their stalls if they are nearby or see if any of the citizens want to try and sell and enjoy the shows." Lucy responds, as she places her hand over the map. Which enlarges and shows the outskirts of the town.

"Oh! oh!" A young boy with dark hair jumps up and down, fist tight on the table as he continues. "Papa! Papa!"

Rico hums looking down at the young boy who Milo picks up throwing him over their shoulder.

"Yes Alex?" Rico questions, Alix smiles throwing his hands out before cheering.

"Can I join the show this time?" He asks a large smile almost identical to Rico's own spreads across his face. "Please!" He pleads.

"Let me think about it." Rico responds, a hand under his chin in thought as Lucy gets up to put things away. Placing the parchment into a leather-bound tube, she tightens the lid before throwing it over her shoulder. Holding her hands out Milo plucks the boy from behind his shoulders and hands him off to her.

"Do you think Papa will let me?" Alex questions, taking a big yawn. Burying his face into Lucy's neck as they walk from the table rubbing his back as they go.

"Maybe."

With that, they disappear within a large gold and red cart the lull of music slipping out through the windows.

One by one each retreat to their carts, as the moon made its way over the dark inky sky.

But as soon as the night had fell into silence something dark crept its way through the grounds. Body hidden in shadow, not even the moons light from above pierced its vailed form. Slinking across the dying grass it stops before the tree line eyeing the blank darkness of moss and woodland before throwing something within. Breaking the darkness with small beads of light no bigger than a firefly.

"How many shall die before you see what he sees?" The figure mumbles before disappearing into the forest leaving the trail of dead underbrush behind it.

The next morning Milo is the first to awaken, staring up towards the ceiling their white orbs unmoved as the sun started to filter in through their open window. The nearly invisible illuminant arm moves to pull the curtains closed blocking most of the light that filtered through the dark sheets.

"Morning." Milo mumbles, moving to grab their mask off the nightstand.

"Matin…" He mumbles back burying his face into the pillows as Milo moves to his feet. Getting up they stretch and scour the room for their clothes.

"Anything in particular for breakfast?" They question, pulling a dark autumn brown sweater over their form. Turning to face Remy who lays on his stomach watching them above the pillows edge.

"Dormir?" Milo chuckles, turning back around to nudge the top of Remy's hair in a sort of kiss before grabbing a pair of jeans off the dresser.

"No more sleep my dear we must be up to prepare for the new day." Remy groans, slipping out of the bed with a little help from small ink-like tendrils that pull him.

"Bien bien je suis éveillé…" He groans as a small closet nearest the bed opens, and several pairs of clothes come towards him. Eyeing each one Milo makes his way out of the cart and out into the morning sun. Yukiko and Katie are already up doing stretches as Henry pulls a small tank with him, a young girl with aquatic features hangs over the edge talking to him as he pulls.

"Morning Lilith, Henry!" Katie yells waving as the mentioned duo stop and wave back. Her sights soon turn to Milo who gives her a quick wave before making his way towards the middle of their caravan. Rico and Lucy are already their contemplating the morning meal as they draw over.

"Morning Milo." Lucy pats his back nearly knocking him to the ground as Rico digs through a crate to grab some stuff. Pulling out eggs, bacon, toast, and sausage he lays it out on a table.

"Do you think we will have enough before we reach Prophet?" He questions over to Lucy who looks the ingredients down. Checking a clipboard, she nods as she starts to mark on the list. Rico takes the items, rolling up his sleeves he is watched by little Alex who waves joyfully at Milo.

"How far are we from Prophet?" Milo questions, Lucy turns to face him placing the clipboards under her arm she counts on her fingers before chuckling as Milo eyes her fingers.

"Just a five- or six-hour trip. We shall make it by the high sun before setting thing out for the show." Milo nods, feeling a tug at their pant leg. Looking down they are meet with a very awake Alex who holds his leg tightly.

"Yes?" Milo questions, lifting their leg up to inspect the boy.

"Guess what!" He cheers, making Milo raise a brow in confusion. "Papa is letting me preform!" He continues before Milo could say anymore. Prying him from their leg Milo holds Alex against his side.

"Oh really?" They question taking a quick glance to Rico who nods. "Fantastic!!" They cheer making the boy squeal as he holds him up and spins around.

"On one condition." Lucy juts in, "I am preforming with him."

Nodding Milo stops as Alex hysterically laughter continues.

"Now I wish to get there sooner. Can't wait to see what you two have planned."

After a while everyone rounds the picnic table to eat, chatting and stories from Rico ring through the table. Once done, things are packed, and they return to the rode.

The outskirts of Prophet coming into view only five hours later. Within reach they put a few rides up as the sun makes a rapid decent.

Their last night of peace, well hopefully not their last.