Chapter 9

Relena claps her hands in appreciation with the rest of the crowd around her. Everyone but Vincent, who sits with his arms crossed and eyes closed. “And now, a performance with a lion, the king of beasts, and a young clown!” A clown with half a face mask flips to the center ring as a spotlight is shown on a curtain. It parts to show a lion as it roars and runs towards the clown. Relena’s eyes widen in surprise as the lion gets within a claw’s reach of the seemingly unsuspecting clown. The clown leaps forward into the air and spins before stopping the spinning and landing one handed on the lion’s back. “That was amazing!”

Vincent scoffs lightly to himself, not having seen it. The clown shifts so he rides with a leg on either side of the lion. He waves to the crowd and Relena gets a look at his unmasked side of his face. “It’s Trowa.” Trowa gets off the lion and lets it run back behind the curtain before flipping around the ring as the spotlight aims upward at the trapeze performance. Catherine swings through the air and lets go, spinning through the air. Trowa leaps into the air onto a tightrope, extending his arms in time to catch Catherine.

The crowd bursts into shouts and applause. Catherine and Trowa walk across the tightrope and bow to the crowd before getting down. The manager takes center ring again. “I thank all of you for coming, and I hope you enjoyed yourselves. Have a wonderful day.” He bows as well before heading to the back of the tent, allowing the crowd to disperse at their own discretion.

Relena gets up and starts heading to the back when a hand grabs her wrist. “Just where are you going?” She looks over her shoulder to look at Vincent. “I was going to go visit Catherine and Trowa in the back.” Vincent tightens his grip on her. “You’re not going anywhere unless I say so, understood?” Relena looks at him with a serious expression. She opens her mouth to speak, but she is interrupted. “Hey there!” Relena looks at the voice and sees Catherine with Trowa close behind, both still wearing their performance uniforms. The two reach Relena and see Vincent holding onto her wrist. “So, are you guys doing well?” Relena smiles lightly at Catherine. “Yes, we’re good; we really enjoyed the show.”

Vincent lets go of her wrist and stands there, sulking. Trowa looks at Relena and gets her attention. “You seem happier around Heero.” Relena blinks at his comment and Vincent grinds his teeth. “You seem rigid and contained around him, so different from your calm and free self around Heero.” Vincent steps towards Trowa. “Will you shut up about him all ready? We don’t care about him.” Vincent starts walking away. He looks over his shoulder at Relena. “Come on, we’re leaving. Now.” The edge in his voice makes Catherine wince. “Well, I suppose you two have things to do, see you later Relena.” Relena smiles politely and nods, waving at the two as she follows Vincent.

“I think she realizes that he isn’t any good for her.” Catherine nods in agreement. “He isn’t, he’s such a control freak.” Trowa looks at the two and sees someone start following them. “I see Duo is stuck following them around. I’m sure he must hate it, being forced to be silent.” Catherine lightly chuckles. “Maybe, but who knows for sure.” Trowa sighs and heads to the back of the tent. “Well, our part in this is done. It’s time to continue on.” Catherine follows him and looks back behind her shoulder. “Stay safe Relena.”