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dgray_man2008-06-08 07:59 pm
[fic] Bring in the Clowns, Eloped (AKA Komui is going to kill him)
Title: Bring in the Clowns
Summary: Allen thought his life would finally get on the right track as he starts his career as a traveling salesman. Unfortunately, he seems to have
On the bright side, at least they have popcorn.
This fic has been posted to another d. Grayman comm and to my LJ at: http://battlejoy.livejournal.com/114371.h
"So he’s here,” Allen looked up at the dark-haired man entering the trailer. He was resplendent in a suit of white sequins, but against all tradition, the man wore a beret instead a ring-leader’s proper top-hat. “Hello, my name is Komui Lee. ”
“Boss, you can’t really think that you can hire another person when we have trouble keeping afloat as it is,” Reever blew a stream of smoke with an exasperated sigh.
“Oh I didn’t hire him. I won him in a poker game,” Komui waved Reever’s objections off with a wave. Allen really wished he hadn’t let his teacher slip out of his sight on the riverboat. Next thing he knew he had woken this morning with a note pinned to his shirt and the captain informing him that Cross had exited at the previous stop and he was about to be tossed overboard since it turns out that Mr. Cross never had a ticket for either of them.
Still, it seemed that his former teacher had sold him to the right people. “Welcome. I’m sure Reeve has filed you in on your benefits as slave labor in the Lee Family Circus: travel to exotic locations, exercise in the outdoors, all the stale popcorn you can eat…”
“’Exotic locations’, my foot.” Reever grumbled, “Our next stop’s St. Louis.”
There was slight warning rap on the trailer door before the door opened. Allen turned to see the new person while Reever implored, “Lenalee, speak reason to your brother.”
Puzzled, the girl tilted her head a bit to look at them since the brim of her hat which had slumped forward, obscured her vision.
“Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to do that.” She smiled as she tried to make her way in the trailer. But she was having a hard time opening the door while keeping the parcel under one arm, since the other one held a crutch.
“Here, let me help you with that, miss,” Allen got up to chivalrously take the box from the young lady and open the door. “My name’s Allen, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Lenalee,” The Ring-leader rushed over becoming more agitated by the second, “What did the doctor say? It’s broken? Isn’t? Isn’t! I knew it! We didn’t treat it in time and it got infected and the fever has gone straight to your brain! You’ll be succumbing to shock any second!!” Allen felt a little bombarded by the hysterical man who continued to babble. ”Don’t go into the light
The girl was rolled her eyes, “He said that it’s only a sprain and healing fine. I’ll be back to normal by the end of the week.” Lenalee looked past her brother to Allen. “Lenalee; the pleasure’s mine. But if you wouldn’t mind, could you help me to my trailer?” Of course, Allen quickly agreed.
“Lenalee,” Dramatically, Komui reached to his sister as the two teens left. “Big Brother will be happy to help.”
"One second, Boss.,” Reever lay a hand on Komui’s shoulders. “I have a few invoices for you to see.”
____
On the way to Lenalee’s trailer, Allen took a second to regard the young girl and slightly adjust his first impression of her. He had thought she was a couple of years younger than he because of the set of pigtail braids framing her face. But she now appeared to be about his age. And pretty.
She was watching the small bunches of milling visitors, frowning slightly. “They must have just gotten through with the midday show. We usually have much more business,” A moment of worry passed over her face before she quickly shifted back to Allen, “So Allen, what kind of talents did my brother hire you for?”
“I do have some experience as a clown. Pretty decent juggler, too,” Allen blushed since he really wasn’t one to brag. It had been years since he had been in a circus.
Maybe it was best he was back with a circus. He hadn’t really taken to his apprenticeship as a traveling salesman. He never even got a sale but it might be because he spent a majority of his time running from angry husbands and creditors that were after the man supposed to be training him. “But I don’t think your brother is expecting to actually pay me.”
“Times are a bit rough everywhere,” Lenalee conceded, “But I’m sure everything will pick up soon. If you are patient I’ll make sure you are paid well.”
“I don’t really have anywhere to go so,” Allen trailed off. Considering that his teacher hadn’t even left him enough for a cup of coffee at the five and dime, he didn’t know he had a real choice and they did seem to be nice people.
“This is my trailer.” Lenalee indicated a well-worn wooden trailer, with the familiar garish advertisements of the ‘astoundments’ present at the circus.
Allen went up the stairs and opened the door. He was instantly flashed a vision of lily-white skin and long dark hair. “AH! I’M SORRY MA’AM! I DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING!” He yelped flinging his hand over his eyes.
He tried to back up but found himself stepping back into Lenalee, who had hobbled up the stairs as best she could. “Allen, what’s wrong?”
Allen felt two hands grip his collar and then slam him against the nearest wall.
“Who the hell do you mean by ‘Ma’am’?!” Allen’s eyes flew open at the voice snarling at him.
It took a couple of blinks as Allen tried to piece together in his head the masculine voice with the finely featured face painted thickly with stage makeup and the dark streaming hair in twin pigtails. A glance down confirmed that he hadn’t walked in on a young woman dressing. The young man in front of him was in fact a man and not naked; he was wearing a set of white tights and undershirt. And to think people called Allen pasty.
“Kanda, what are you doing here?” Lenalee asked.
Kanda let go of Allen and turned back toward the vanity in the room. He yanked up a bunch of blue fabric studded with rhinestones and sequins and shook the offending garment in Lenalee’s face before fling it on the ground. “That is it, Lenalee. The last insult! We should have fired that accursed woman the first week she showed up! You tell your brother, I quit!”
“But Kanda, you have a contract and-“ Lenalee was cut off as Kanda stomped past her to storm down the path.
Allen and Lenalee noticed that another young man was making his way towards them. Kanda made a point to shove the redheaded newcomer as he went past, which caused the small white terrier at the boy’s side to bark and growl. Kanda snarled and made an attempt to kick the small dog, which yelped and ran to hide behind the panther slowly making its way up the path. The panther and Kanda both shared a jaundiced glance of bitter enmity before they both continued in their respective directions; ignoring each other’s existence.
For his part, the newcomer jovially yelled after Kanda, “Hey Yu, did you forget proper pants?”
The young man skipped up the step, flanked by the two animals. “Heya, Lenalee. Don’t worry about Yu. He’ll calm down soon enough. He’d rather die than break a promise.” The young man turned his one visible eye toward Allen. “Hey, you must be the new guy. Lavi Bookman.” Lavi reached out to shake Allen’s hand.
“Allen might be our new clown.” Lenalee elaborated.
“Allen Wa-“ Allen was interrupted by the rough sensation of a very large, jungle cat rubbing against his leg. The small terrier was more wary and kept a safe distance behind Lavi.
“Don’t mind, Lulabell. She really does think she’s a house-cat. Lulabell, get off of that!” Lavi scolded his panther, who had made its way to lie down on Lenalee’s bed and curled up in a patch of sunshine. Lenalee giggled.
Lulabell looked over at Lavi as if to say that she knew that she was also the biggest house-cat in the world and did he really think he could interrupt her when she wanted a nap? The small dog, tail wagging, followed the panther and curled up on the rug in front of Lenalee’s bed.
“So how’s the foot?” Lavi indicated the ankle that Lenalee was keeping all weight off.
“I’ll be back in about a week,” Lenalee going to go sit on the spare chair. “It’s really not worth that much fuss.”
“Good because your temporary replacement just about lost it when some guy in the front row tossed a bouquet at him. During Yu’s curtsy, no less.” Lavi laughed pointing at his left shin. “Plus if you didn’t notice, he ran his stockings. That would mess any macho guy up.”
“Wait a second, that guy was impersonating you?” Allen set down the box over on the vanity. Lenalee nodded, then she took off her straw bonnet.
“Well, you are looking at ‘the Lovely Miss Lenalee Lee, the world renowned trapeze artist!” Allen didn’t quite recognize the name but considering her age, she’d be just reaching her prime. And it was just the way of the business that they inflated titles. Allen had seen a large poster in the manager’s office with a young woman trapeze artist featured prominently. “We wouldn’t get any ticket sales if Lenalee wasn’t luring in all those scores of boys, desperate for their hearts to be broken. Like siren’s song, her lithe body beckons to the lost as she glides through the air like a dove.”
“He’s teasing,” She commented. “We have several terrific acts but sadly, we couldn’t afford to reprint the posters after-“Lenalee’s explanation was cut short by the sound of a weeping woman rushing in.
“Lenalee, is it true that you’re going to be crippled and the doctors want to amputate your foot?” The thin woman’s mascara was running, causing her already stressed face to grow more haggard. “I’m so sorry! If only I hadn’t tripped and hit that support for the safety net, you wouldn’t be hurt!”
“Miranda, you do know that no one ever believes my brother, right?” Lenalee tried to reassure the other woman.
“And that is Miss Miranda Lotto, the magician’s assistant.” Lavi whispered to Allen. “Don’t worry. You’ll get used to this.”
It was then that a frighteningly loud rumbling sounded. Even the serene Lulabell was startled from her nap. Then they noticed that the eerie sound was coming from Allen’s stomach.
“Um Lenalee, your brother did say something about stale popcorn being available?” Allen asked a bit hopefully.
The second fic is somewhat shippy but not at all fluffy. It is set in that regular canon that all fanfictions belong it; not true canon but snazzy tophats are still in vogue. No Allens have been hurt in the making of it. (At this point, anyway.) Better title suggestions are welcome.
Working Title: Eloped (AKA Komui is going to kill him)
Genre: Humor/Romance
Rating: PG
Synopsis: Waking up, Allen makes a couple of realizations, and yet some remain elusive.
Only posted to my personal journal here so far: http://battlejoy.livejournal.com/114910.html
Allen was surprised to find just an empty hotel room. He glanced back to find his partner still on the bed holding her left hand, looking horrified. She looked normal, though it was unusual that she was still dressed in the clothes from the previous night. Her chest expanded and contracted as it looked like she was about to hyperventilate.
"Lenalee what happened?" It was then that he noticed the gold band around her finger that matched the one on his cursed hand. He then remembered the previous night.
"Oh my God!" Lenalee gasped, "My brother! I ran out and got secretly married! Oh my-" Lenalee gasped. "But I told Komui I would never do that! How could I've done this to him? I promised!"
Allen was now fully awake. The one thought that truly hit him was that, while he had witnessed Lenalee laugh and weep and live, she was always so strong and composed. But seeing her panic and spazz over her brother, this was the only time he really was struck by the thought that Lenalee and Komui were blood related. "Ano?"
"I eloped. I eloped. I eloped. I can’t believe it. I eloped“. Lenalee was chanted to herself, trying to let the idea sink in before turning to him and pointing, “And you have stubble!"
Allen's hands flew up to the offending nubs of hair on his chin. He could still go a week before he really needed to shave the patchy, nearly invisible hairs on his face. But with the last week he hadn't had any time. The two of them had rushed off after rumors, camped out, and then they tracked a stray Akuma to the sleepy hamlet somewhere in the mountain.
After they saved the town, the next thing Allen knew they had been dragged to some hybridized wedding and harvest festival, as the guests of honor. Then, surrounded by a handful of joyful, newly wed couples and dozens of enthusiastic villagers that were diehard romantics, the fatigue and peer pressure swept them away to the point that saying 'I do," seemed a reasonable thing. They had a priest there and everything.
He couldn't even blame the alcohol since that mostly flowed afterward and that explained why they had still had all their clothes on. They'd passed out quickly after they had reached their room.
Allen didn't have much time to really dwell on the realizations that some kisses had occurred between the time they were declared man and wife and before they fell asleep. (And they were REAL kisses and involved HIM, at that!) He still had an upset partner who was taking this thing hard.
"Lenalee, calm down," Allen went around the bed to sit by her side. "The village didn't even have a records clerk to file the certificate. We still have it and we haven't-." Allen stopped because he couldn't even say the words 'consummated the marriage' just yet. His cheeks burned just thinking those words. "We can get it annulled the next city we visit."
"You don't understand," Lenalee covered her face with her hands, taking a steadying breath. "My brother worked so hard to come to the Order. I *promised* that he'd be there. I know he said he never wanted the day to come but he’d eventually consent. I feel like I betrayed him by not letting him give me away."
Allen grabbed her hands and looked down at them. She was calmer but what type of partner would he be if he didn't try to comfort her more.
"Well that day can still come. We'll just get an annulment and one day you'll have the biggest and grandest wedding the whole Order can give. Your brother will look so proud as he walks besides you. You'll look even more beautiful than you did last night," Allen insisted.
"In the front row; cheering you on?" Allen ventured.
Somehow, that line didn't seem to be the right thing to say. She, calmly and coldly, said, "Allen Walker. Sometimes, you are an idiot."
Then Lenalee Walker, his exorcist partner, his current wife, and, still secretly, the girl of his fantasies, stately strode to the restroom. All in all, it wasn't a really bang-up start to a marriage.
"I will never understand women," Allen muttered.
Criticism, feedback, and comments are always welcome. I especially enjoy outright flattery, but flames are cool too. Replies are replies.