Running Away To Find The Circus

[Christobelle Montgomery]

The twenty-four year old redhead was possibly experiencing the biggest crush of her life, and it was driving her absolutely mad. Robin. She couldn't stop thinking about Robin. She'd only met him the once, but he'd come closer to her than most people had ever done in her life. Christa was easily forgotten, easily ignored. She was so shy and mousey, her red hair was probably the only thing that kept her from fading completely in to obscurity.

She only hoped that Robin remembered her. Even if he didn't, it wouldn't matter. All she wanted to do was see him again, just once.

So, drawing her jacket around her small frame for warmth, Christa walked briskly down the streets of Brightstone, until she found what she was looking for. La Grande. She didn't want to intrude too much, but maybe she'd catch him when he was on a break, or she'd find a quiet vantage point from which she'd be able to see him. Pulling the hood of her jacket over her head, she shyly stepped in to the circus grounds, looking around to catch a glimpse of the man who had been plaguing her thoughts for so long.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

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Torino Lichester's POV​

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The entire circus was in an uproar. One entire week without Robin, gone without a trace. Torino was worrying himself sick, thinking that he had stolen away that night to live with his real parents. However he had contacted both of the Professors and both confessed to know nothing of his whereabouts. He could only assume that he had traveled too far on a walk and gotten lost. If that was the case, then the children would have found him by now. Robin wasn't stupid enough to venture outside the village when the circus needed him so much, which was why everything was chaotic at present.

The Ringmaster pushed back his long black curls with his hand and sat down, watching the performers sit and chat with worried faces while the children darted in and out of the surrounding forest, yelling for Robin to come out. Torino's last and most dire thought was that Robin had been kidnapped by someone. Few people knew who he was since they had only been in town for a few weeks, but his adopted son was handsome and talented. Who knows who could have taken a liking to him in this unfamiliar country? Out of the corner of his eye, Torino spotted a small, red headed figure lurking at the edge of the encampment. Without hesitation he leaped up and headed towards the girl that he just recognised. "Oi! You!" he bellowed, startling the acrobats and scattering them out of his path. "Where is my son?!".

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

The place seemed to be absolutely mad, there was an uncomfortable, worried vibe in the air, that really wasn't making Christa feel any better about being there. Oh, why am I so stupid! Christa admonished herself, wanting to kick herself for her foolishness. I don't belong here at all, really, I have absolutely no right to be here. What reason is a silly crush to barge in to the circus grounds! There was no sign of Robin, either. Perhaps that was it - people seemed to be frantic, Robin wasn't around...where could he be? She hadn't seen him when she was walking through Brightstone. Stupid, stupid girl! I shouldn't be here...

She just about jumped a foot in the air and nearly ran away when the ringmaster made his way towards her, yelling about his son. His son was Robin, was it not? Christa gasped, her hands twisting uselessly around her skirt in nervousness, quite terrified. Christa hated confrontations and here was one right now. "I...I...I d-don't know, sir," she spluttered, looking at her feet. "I haven't s-seen him since...since...y-you know." She was terribly embarassed about that whole ordeal. "I j-just came to see him, i-it was foolish of me, p-please, forgive m-me?" she stammered, working her way through an apology. But all the while, in the back of her thoughts, all she could think was where's Robin?!

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

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Torino's POV​

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He could see that he had scared the pants off of the poor girl, and Torino calmed himself immediately. He was the Ringmaster, after all. Being able to excite or calm people was his forte. By the look on his face, Christa could soon see that he was only agitated out of worry. Now that he was thinking straight, he took one look at the girl's face and berated himself. That was not the face of a psychotic kidnapper. The frightened doe-eyed look was pitiable rather than hostile, and though Robin was highly likely to go running off with a girl, Torino trusted him not to leave for an entire week of his own free will. This girl was innocent. "I apologise," he said to the girl heavily, a line of worry creasing over his forehead. "As you can see, my son is not here. He disappeared over a week ago when I left him to train in the big top alone one evening. There's been no sign of him since, and I've been grilling everyone for information. If I have startled you, please excuse me." Startled was an understatement.

With nothing more to say, the girl could probably find her own way home. Torino turned and slumped back to the faded red stool at the entrance to the main tent. A few sympathetic glances were thrown his way by the other performers. Everyone missed Rob. But Christa was not left entirely along; the twins, Sabrine and Thomas, snuck up around her side and tugged on her shirt in unison. No one else noticed their arrival and they were completely focused on Christobelle. "Excuse me, miss?" whispered Thomas, staring up at her with wide eyes. "Will you help us? We think we've found Robin." he said, looking at his sister. "But we daren't try and fetch him. It is a scary place that holds him," added Sabrine. Both twins were still holding onto her shirt as if Rob's life depended on it.

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

Christobelle, when she'd attended Hogwarts, had been sorted in to Hufflepuff, and with good reason. She did not have the courage of a lion, the intelligence of an eagle, or the cunning of a snake. She was a leftover, shy, average, and while she was warm-hearted, far too scared to ever open up to anybody. She was just Christa the Mouse (or, badger, rather), the girl who stood in the background and never pushed herself forward, the girl who was always too shy to speak her mind. But she was nothing if not kind, and she had the eyes and mind of an artist. She could tell a lot about people just by looking at them, and for one thing, she knew there was a lot more to Robin than met the eye. And the ringmaster, she could see the worry and fear in his eyes - obviously he loved his son very much, clearly he was desperate to find him. Christa had seen that look in people before. Never in her own parents, but just people on the street. Worry, fear, sadness...Christa saw it everywhere she went, and she didn't leave the house much. The world was far too scary and often depressing for people like her.

But a badger wasn't completely useless, and neither was Christa. And as the two young twins approached her, Christa wished with all her heart that she could do something, anything to help. Seeing the misery around the circus, a place that to her symbolised such joy...Christa wanted to do something to rectify it. But what could she do? "Y-you've found him?" Christa repeated, looking at one and than the other, her eyes equally as wide. "A-a scary p-place, you say?"

Now, Christobelle's natural instinct was to run. She wasn't the lionheart her brother was. But there was no way she could turn her back on these children. The circus needed Robin to be the happy place it was supposed to be. She wanted Robin to be safe, and she wanted to see him again, more than anything. And so, with more courage than she had ever shown in her life, Christa nodded at them, and mustered up a small, slightly reassuring smile. "I'll do it. Show me the way, I'll bring him back. I promise."

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

The children leaped into action immediately, each taking a hold of her hand and pulling her over to the edge of the trees. Being innocents, they did not take into account the fact that Christobelle was a complete stranger to them and could have been a complete stranger to Robin, too. The Stammering Lady was brave enough to help them find their Uncle Rob, which was all they cared about at the time. "This way, this way!" whispered Thomas loudly, practically dragging Christa through the undergrowth. The only reason that they had said nothing to Torino about their suspicions was the fact that Torino scared them, too. They had grown up with him of course, but of late his moods were powerfully stormy and many a child was sent away crying for even minor pranks. If he suspected them of lying, the twins wouldn't know who to turn to. The Stammering Lady seemed to know Rob, and anyone who knew Uncle Rob was automatically a friend.

"We don't know why he's gone to the scary place," explained Sabrine as she dragged Christa along with less force than her brother, mindful of poor Christa's nerves. "But we explore father than the big people" which were the adults "realise, and we found another circus." Sabrine spoke as though the very thought was appalling. It was unwritten law that no circus should operate so near to another so as to attract the other's business. "Thom and I hid at the edge and saw a shadow in a private tent that looked so much like Uncle Rob, we couldn't ignore it." Sabrine stared up at Christa as the pair stumbled to a halt for a brief rest. "Circus wars are a bad thing. These others are bad things. Uncle Rob would never go with them except-" Thomas cut in, "-Except if he were under a spell." He said darkly, looking quite frightened.

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

Christa allowed herself to be dragged along by the kids, all the time thinking to herself how on Earth did I get myself in to this? and I really hope Robin's okay. She hadn't heard anything about another circus - actually, she'd heard some passersby mention it briefly, and suspected they weren't talking about La Grande because of the 'dark aura', but Christa didn't think it was nearby, so she hadn't paid much attention to it at all. But as they approached it, Christa realised that this was definately the place. It wasn't her idea of a circus, not like La Grande was.

The innocence in the children's eyes and expressions and words meant that there was no way Christa couldn't trust them. She had to take them at their word, they had no reason to lie to her when they were so worried about finding Robin. "I-if he's under a-a spell, I g-guess I'll just have to...have to b-break it." Christa was honestly terrified. But she couldn't back down on these kids. She'd given her word and she'd go through with it, no matter how frightened she was. They needed Robin back. So once they were there, Christa turned to them with a nod. "T-thank you. Now...you should g-go back, I...I don't want you t-to get in trouble," she added, wanting the kids to be safe, too. Pulling off her jacket, Christa left it on the ground, and pulled out her wand. "I'll come back...w-with him, I-I'll make sure of it." Turning back to the camp, Christa swallowed, and cast a Dissilusionment Charm on herself, rendering herself invisible. There was no turning back now. Quickly, Christa headed towards the tents, looking for the one that would hold Robin, keeping her eyes and ears open incase anyone spotted her. Once she'd found it, she cautiously entered, ending the effects of the charm so she'd be visible to him.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

Robin stroked the marks on his neck absently as he stalked about the small tent that he was situated in. Some people had their own tents, others preferred to share, but for some unfathomable reason he wanted to be left quite alone when he wasn't performing or in Fleur's presence. He was as edgy as a pacing wolf in a cage, though not to escape; to perform once more. The music was always in his mind, calling him to juggle and dance till he was dead. Every night he practically collapsed into bed and slept like the dead. It couldn't be said that he wasn't looked after, for he certainly was; he would soon become used to the 'unintentionally' grueling performances. But Robin was wearing himself out sooner rather than later, and he would be much better off in La Grande for that reason amongst the many that favoured his home circus.

He was shirtless as usual though he was no longer sweating with exhaustion. Robin eventually stopped his pacing and slumped down onto the blood red covers of his round bed, wanting only to fall back and sleep. But a vision appeared to him at the entrance of his tent, an angel he surely recognised. Rob smirked and slid to his feet, approaching the angel like a wolf once more. He circled her, not even questioning why she was there, until suddenly her stepped forward till they were almost nose to nose. Still smiling, Rob slid his arm around her waist and buried his nose in the angel's hair. Even if she was a vision, she smelt heavenly.

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

Christa was extremely relieved to see Robin once more (and her heart certainly agreed, skipping in a rather immature fashion that she didn't quite appreciate, not in this situation). He was still alive, which was the most important thing, and aside from the marks on his neck and waist (that gave Christa quite a start when she saw them - what had they done to him?), he was in one piece. However...there was something Christa couldn't quite place. Something that seemed quite off. It most likely had to do with the aura around the circus, but still...one look at Robin made Christa uneasy, and not in a pleasant way.

But when he approached her, Christa froze up, unsure of what to do. He came so close to her, circling her like a predator with their prey...and he put an arm around her and buried his face in her hair. And Christa didn't want to do anything. Oh, she was scared of the contact, that was for sure, but in a way, she also really enjoyed it. Having someone this close to her, someone she had a bit of a crush on...it was maddening, in both a good and a bad way. Part of her wanted to stay and be held by him. But she knew there was something wrong, that Robin wasn't himself. Who knew what he might do to her, in this state? The children were right, most likely, and he was under a spell. "Robin," she murmured, struggling slightly and reaching for her wand. "I-I'm sorry..." Looking in to his eyes - eyes that weren't the eyes she remembered from when she was with him before, eyes that were marred by tiredness and something else, Christa waved her wand. "Finite," she said, mustering up confidence. It was basic magic, not hard to pull off. First year stuff. She was fine with that. But there was no change, so either the spell was stronger than she was, or it was a completely mysterious type of magic that she didn't understand...

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

Robin hummed into Christa's ear and lifted his hand to stroke her cheek. She was a lovely doll-like creature that he wanted to keep for himself. Perhaps he would ask permission of Fleur to keep her here with him. Surely he could see how lovely she was, too? Her clothing was always so striking as well. She would be able to contribute. Such dreamy and wistful plans were running through his head as he held her close, but why was she not responding? The angel had frozen in his arms and was now struggling slightly. He felt her shift as she removed her wand and spoke an incantation. All at once, Robin was filled with an inconsolable rage. His arm around her waist tightened and he threw her onto the bed in one smooth swing as though he was tossing a frisbee and not a person. Her landing was soft but his vicious look towards her was not.

"Why did you come here?" hissed Robin, prowling up to the bed and planting his hands either side of her head. There was nothing intimate in the way he hovered above her, only blind malice in his eyes that was not Robin at all. His pupils were glazed over somehow and the music began to play louder in his head. Rob bared his teeth. She was a betrayer, a traitoress. Fleur's voice spoke in his mind, telling him that she was trying to cast a spell over him and take him away from the Kingdom. He would choke the life out of her, he would! Robin's arms were shaking though not with strain as still he glared down at her. But he did not move.

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

Christa closed her eyes as she felt Robin become suddenly angry. She had to supress a scream as he threw her on to the bed, letting herself flop down as gently as possible so she would not get hurt from the impact. She didn't - the bed was soft and the velocity of the throw wasn't too much, so she was not at all hurt. Not physically, at least. Internally, she could feel her heart breaking as he leered at her, viciously. Not a look that suited his handsome face at all, and certainly not a look she would have expected to see on Robin, of all people. Christa swallowed, squirming slightly as he held her head. Oh please, please, don't hurt me, she begged, silently.

"I-I only c-came here because eh-everyone's w-w-worried about you. A-at La Grande, they're...they're barely c-coping, and...and...and you're not yourself!" she blurted, fearing for her life right at that moment. "Wh-what have they done to you?" she whispered, meeting his malicious gaze with her own terrifed one. "P-please, Robin...please d-don't hurt me." He could curse her, hit her, strangle her...and she was at his mercy. Christa couldn't fight back. She wasn't in a position to do so, and even if she was, she wouldn't. She was not a fighter at all. She couldn't even do practice duels at Hogwarts, she was always too afraid of hurting people.

Fearing for her life, the strangest thought came in to her head. She remembered being little, and watching Disney movies at home (while her brothers played with construction toys or what not, Christa would play with dolls and watch girly movies). And how the handsome prince always saved the beautiful princess, breaking whatever curse was placed upon her by kissing her. And the strangest idea came in to Christa's mind - she was by no means a beautiful princess, and usually the prince saved the princess, not the other way around, but what if whatever spell placed on him could be broken by a kiss? If it didn't work, she'd most certainly get killed or at least severely injured. Kill me, then, but I am not dying without having my first kiss, she thought (she was, after all, a bit of a romantic at heart). In a gentle movement, she moved her face up to his, meeting his lips with her own in a nervous, yet determined kiss.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

What was this rubbish about La Grande? What place was this? It wasn't that Robin couldn't remember his entire life before the Kingdom of Circus, he simply thought of it as the life of someone else. Sometimes he recalled happy memories, but it was as though they happened to someone else that was not him. Strange ... where was his happy memories of this place? He knew ecstatic joy when sharing his talents with the people around him, but Robin remembered a warmth of another life that was not present here. She was confusing him. The angel asked him not to hurt her, and suddenly he wanted to very much but at the same time did not. If he simply wrapped his hands around her throat and squeezed, the angel would not fight back. He would be rid of its troubles. But before he knew it, she was kissing him.

Robin felt a shock akin to electrocution charge down his entire body. His eyes widened and though the only sound he made was a small "Mm!", he was gasping on the inside. What on earth was going on? Suddenly he was aware of an uncomfortable pain around his neck and midsection, and a tingling running up his back. His eyes were no longer glazed over but wide and stricken with pure shock. But most of all, he was aware that the 'angel' was just a woman. Christobelle. Kissing him. Robin had never been more confused in his entire life, but as soon as he registered her lips on his, all thoughts flew away. Rob scooped her up into his arms till they were standing and brought her against him. What had been such a determinedly innocent kiss he was now deepening in his suppressed passion for her. This was a Robin that was completely unreined; in his right mind, himself and kissing a woman he only now realised that he had loved at first sight. It was a long time before he released them for breath, and during that time he had completely taken her mouth as his own, unwilling to waste such a chance. He was panting, staring at her. "Christa..." said Robin softly, the look on his face only describable as anguished adoration. Had she meant that kiss?

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

Never having kissed anyone in her life (well, she'd possibly kissed a boy in preschool or first grade, back when she was a little less shy than she was now and had been playing families or something), Christa was unsure of what to expect. And in the first moment, her heart sank somewhat as he seemed to be nothing but uncomfortable. She shut her eyes tighter, ready for the pain of whatever he'd do to her when...he pulled her up and in to a tight embrace. But Christa did not struggle. Not this time. She could sense that it really was Robin kissing her, the real Robin, not him under a spell. And there was a passion in the kiss, a passion Christa had always wanted to feel and yet been too shy to search out. She moved her arms so they were wrapped around Robin, partly worried someone would steal him away, and partly because she needed to hold on to something before she fainted. It was Robin, the man she hadn't been able to get out of her thoughts, and he was kissing her. Her, of all people! And although she was such a shy, awkward girl, she actually found herself enjoying the kiss, not resisting, but actually (very shyly) reciprocating.

They seperated, and Christa opened her eyes, glad to see that it was true and Robin really was back to his normal self. "Robin..." she began, gazing back at him with shy adoration in her eyes, a blush forming on her cheeks. She'd broken the spell - she made a mental note to pay more attention to kids movies - and she'd actually kissed someone. Not just anyone - Robin, of all people. Biting her lip, she looked away. "Um, ah...we have to get y-you out of here. I-it's not safe here and everyone at La Grande...th-they really mi-miss you." Inwardly, she was squealing. It was like a dream she would never own up to coming true. "I-is it safe for us to go? We can't st-stay here long bu-but..." she trailed off. Well, if she'd gotten here alright, she could get out safely, right? Even if her thoughts were a bit of a jumble at the moment, thanks to that kiss.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

He couldn't help it. Christobelle said his name for what felt like the first time and he reached out to stroke her cheek softly. Robin was blushing and he knew it. What was it about her that made him fall apart like he was? Where was all his charm and suavity? His face was so open as he held her in his arms, and ever single emotion that he was feeling was plastered all over it for only her to see. Damn. How could he go out in public with her? Robin was a walking jello next to the woman. He was looking at her tenderly and his thumb brushed her lips once. Even after what Torino had said about those five girls (Rob shuddered in embarrassment to himself) yet she had still come to save him from ... Oh shiza, thought Robin. They were still in the tent not far from the outskirts of the camp. If anyone came in at that moment (if Fleur came in at that moment) he and Christa would be doomed. Literally. Without the music spiraling over his head like a merry-go-round, Robin couldn't bare to stay a moment longer. The place reeked of decaying dreams. It was the only way he could describe it.

Robin did not let go of Christa. If anything, he held her closer and pressed her tight to his side as though trying to protect her form the very walls. "I think you're right," he said slowly, rubbing the back of his neck painfully. Damn, why did his skin hurt so much? He'd think about it later. Robin looked down at Christa and smiled for the first time. He looked more like Robin than ever with the self-assured, go-lucky grin. "Contrary to popular belief, I am able to aparate." he said to her. "Hold on to me." Robin wasted no time in clasping her to his chest and dematerialising. They were spinning incredibly fast and then suddenly they touched down at the edge of La Grande's encampment. Robin's way of aparating was completely different to the sucked-in-a-tube feeling, but no less nauseating. He shook his head to clear it and gave a lopsided grin to Christa. "You wouldn't want to go out with me, would you?".

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

He's so cute when he blushes, well, he's so cute all the time... Christa thought to herself, a little embarassed by her own naivety. She was twenty-four and she was acting like a schoolgirl with a silly crush. The way he looked at her...nobody had ever looked at her like that before. It was unnerving, but not necessarily in a bad way. In fact, despite the fact that her face was a similar shade of red to her hair, she managed to break out in to a small smile, frankly quite relieved that Robin was safe, and overwhelmed and overjoyed that he'd kissed her. Even if she'd initiated it, it was still...wow. But it was no time to think about that now. Nodding simply, Christa wrapped her arms around him tightly and held on as they disappeared, reappearing outside La Grande.

"Um. I...I think everyone will be glad t-to see you," Christa stated awkwardly, letting go of Robin and stepping back, looking down at her hands. Now he was home, where he belonged, and Christa supposed she had to go home too, to where she belonged. After all, it was none of her business to be here, anyway. She was not one of them, just an outsider, and as much as she would have loved to stay with Robin, she didn't want to intrude. But that next question almost floored her. "Wh-what?" Christa repeated, stunned. Her? He wanted to go out with her? Christa was so tempted to respond with "but why would someone like you want to go out with me, of all people?" or even, if she were a more snarky sort, "I bet you say that to all the girls, don't you?" But no, Christa instead gave a broader smile than she probably had in years, and nodded with some degree of enthusiasm (which was more than a little enthusiastic by her standards). "I...I...I'd really like that!" she exclaimed, beaming. She'd never had a boyfriend before, and she didn't know much about relationships, aside from what she'd read, but she liked Robin an awful lot, so of course she was willing to go out with him.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

Contrary to his playboy appearance, Robin had no idea how real relationships were meant to work. He'd gone out with one or two girls before, but he'd always ended up flirting with someone else and not knowing what he'd done wrong. To flirt was his most basic instinct, and ever since he had met Christa he'd never looked at another girl twice and not even noticed the difference. When he woke up, he was thinking of Christobelle. When he went to sleep, he was thinking of Christobelle. Now that he was going out with her, he'd probably never want to let her out of his sight even for a moment, despite the fact that he disliked his annoying new habit of turning into a blushing fool whenever she was around. Someone shy and quiet, the opposite of Robin in every way, yet dominating his thoughts in a way that he was sure no one else would. Most embarrassing yet; he only knew her name and nothing else. All of this could be seen passing over his face because he was in such close proximity to her, and he blushed again. Dammit.

"Really? Good. That's settled then." he mumbled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. Obviously he was no good with words anymore, so instead her simply leaned in and pressed another kiss to her lips, much soft and sweeter than the one in the circus tent. If he couldn't say anything of worth he may as well have shown it to her, anyway. The kiss had barely ended before Robin was knocked to the ground. Instantly he tensed and tried to roll over, seeking out his would-be attackers in the dim light. But the smaller figures were shouting "Uncle Rob, Uncle Rob!" into his chest, and finally he recognised Sabrine and Thomas who had been hiding in the woods all along. Indeed, Sabrine was pink as though he had been giggling very hard and Thomas was giving him a rather smug look. "Damn but it's good to see you!" he laughed, swinging the twins up into his arms as he got to his feet. Robin smiled at Christa, but that was before Sabrine said something that made him stop dead. "Uncle Rob, when did you get tattoos?". What tattoos...

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

Such behaviour was unlike the small red-headed woman. Her first instinct was always to hide away from any attention, to stay well away from the spotlight. She was not courageous, oh no, in fact she was pretty terrified of everything.
Then why did I go? Why did I say yes to him?
Well, Christa had honestly not been able to stop thinking about him, at all. And while she told herself that it was useless, he would never think about her again, and that he treated every girl like that, something within her just wanted him to notice her, desperately wanted him to like her back. It seemed that he did - well, at least she really hoped he wasn't just playing a joke on her. It all seemed pretty truthful, though - after all, she had saved him from a life of torment at that other circus, hadn't she? She trusted Robin, and though she was surprised and astonished that he'd ever want to date her, of all people, she was quite flattered by it and more than happy to say yes.

She practically melted in to the kiss, not resisting at all but simply enjoying the wonderful sensation of it. It was a lot sweeter than the one before, having been filled with so much urgency, but this...this was lovely. Christa felt that she could most definately get used to that. They broke apart slowly, Christa gently opening her eyes, her cheeks tinged a soft pink, before Robin was knocked to the ground. Christa's hands flew to her mouth, until she saw it was the children who had helped her find him, and she gave a small giggle - suppressed by her hands. It had been so long since Christa had actually laughed (apart from the odd wry chuckle at a book), she'd almost forgotten what it had felt like. She had to abruptly stop, however, when the little girl pointed out the tattoos. Christa had, of course, noticed them, but she had failed to bring them up, suspecting Robin wouldn't have needed her to talk to him about them. "These bands..." she started, shyly trailing a finger around the elaborate design on his waist, around to his back. "I...I hadn't seen this chain," she whispered, moving her finger up along his back to where the chain met the other band around his neck. "They...they must hurt, a lot. D-do you feel okay?" she asked, a little awkwardly.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

Robin looked down at himself and his stomach dropped. There was a long and intricate band running around his entire waist to join at the navel, which explained the stinging pain in his midsection. His skin was slightly pink which suggested that it had been done recently. His mouth was slightly open and his eyes were narrowed as he touched the band lightly, hissing at the contact. Real tattoos? They had marked him like property? His hand flew to his neck where he could feel a slightly raised pattern feeling similar to the one he was looking at. The fine line of pain at his back; Rob reached around and traced up his spine. It felt like ... a chain. He had been marked to look as though in shackles. Robin's grey eyes filled with a passionate fury; The Kingdom of Circus had been very daring, hadn't they? He should go back and burn the place to the ground, scatter the performers and ... suddenly the pain of his markings wasn't so irritating as he felt cool, soft fingers on them. Was Christa ... ? Holy hell, mumbled Robin inwardly. Christobelle was touching him; running her fingers over his waist, up his back and all the way up to his neck. His skin quivered where her light fingers left a different kind of feeling that was altogether more pleasureful.

Robin took a hold of her wrists in a firm but not frightening grip. Leaning in, his lips just inches from hers and his eyes boring into her, he whispered "You don't want to be doing that." There was a passion in his gaze that was unmatched by any he had ever felt; it seemed that she couldn't even touch his bare skin without sending shivers down his entire body. Any longer and he might have thrown them to the earth and ... no, now was not the time to think about it. Sabrine and Thomas were staring opened-mouthed at the two, and as Robin looked at them his mood abruptly changed and he threw back his head and laughed heartily. "Come on, you lot. Let's go home."

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

The bands looked so painful, yet at the same time they were so intricate and - dare she say it? - beautiful. What the marks represented was ugly and abhorrent, but looking at the design...it was very impressive. Perhaps it had to do with who the marks were on, as well as the actual design...Christobelle had to suppress a blush at that, biting her lip and looking down. She perhaps left her hand to linger a little too long on his neck, but she found she quite liked the feeling of his skin beneath her fingers, and therefore found herself quite unable to move her hand. It was embarassing, she was twenty-four and she could barely act her age. Act normal for once, please, just act normal, she told herself, as she found her wrists being grabbed by Robin.

"Oh," she muttered, wanting to look away in embarassment but unable to look away from his eyes. "I...I'm sorry..." she whispered, the look he was giving her setting her heart aflutter. She'd never felt like this before, and while new things often scared her, oddly enough Christa wasn't overly scared. A little hesitant, but happy to lower her defences and open her heart for Robin. "Um..." she began, finally looking away and biting her lip. "I...I guess you should go, but I...I just wh-want to ask you...um...c-could I paint you?" she blurted, her face reddening once more. "I...I'd like to paint a picture of you...um. If th-that's okay wh-with you, th-that is."

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

Sabrine and Thomas took the silence that followed as an opportunity to burst into giggles and scamper away into the undergrowth. Robin didn't notice in the slightest. His mouth was slightly open in shock as he regarded her with disbelief. The very Robin side of his brain was going wild with insinuations at her words, but he swallowed them all and forced himself to look at the situation innocently just was she was. Well; just as he thought she was. Perhaps there was a side to her that he knew nothing about ... or perhaps it was wishful thinking. Whatever the case, the words 'to paint him' was making his skin quiver again, and she wasn't even touching him. Robin swallowed, lost for words. Seconds later he berated himself. Where had the old Robin flown away to after getting Christa as a girlfriend? His face relaxed into a suave half-grin and his posture eased to a sideways slouch. "Darl, you can do anything you want to me. Want to make it a date?" he asked, cocking an eyebrow in a look that suited him well.

He was being a bit skeevy, he supposed, but that was his way. If Christobelle minded then she shouldn't have accepted his proposal to date. Then again, she'd probably only accepted because he was being a vulnerable fool at the time. Luckily for her, there were likely to be many more times that Robin would be completely unmanned by her, so she had nothing to fear. In the meantime, Rob was dancing in his head with glee. She wanted to paint his picture! Would she make it a date? Damn, he muttered inwardly. The idea of a date with Christa was making him feel all ... vulnerable again. She'd better not learn to take advantage of this, he thought nervously.

 

[Christobelle Montgomery]

Oh dear, oh dear, what have I said now? Christa thought to herself, raising a hand to her mouth and biting down on her thumbnail. There seemed to be a very awkward silence. This is why I should stay home... she mused, her face burning in shame. It was all Robin's fault, the childish side of her argued. If it hadn't been for the way he made her heart skip a beat, the way he plagued her thoughts...the way he kissed her...she wouldn't have dared to be so bold as to have made such a suggestion. She didn't know what Robin did to her, but he completely disarmed her and Christa honestly found that she didn't mind, because it was him.

She looked up at his suggestion of a date. A real date? Christa had never been on a date before, the closest she'd ever gotten was a male friend of hers dragging her to the Yule Ball in her seventh year (she'd awkwardly stood on the side, refusing to dance, while he'd danced with a girl Christa believed he later went on to marry). "Uhm, um...um...okay," she replied, giving a tentative nod. What was she supposed to do? What was she meant to wear? What was she meant to say? She almost fainted in terror at the thought of conversation. With Robin! Who was sure to have lots of interesting stories, and she? She who only saw sunshine a couple of times a week, who holed herself in her room all the time...her heart raced in anxiety. Surely she'd bore him sometime soon, and he'd go find a beautiful, well spoken, clever woman, someone who was much more deserving of him than she was. "Um...M-monday?" she suggested, tentatively. Of course, Christa had no plans - she never did - but she wanted to pick a day that was fine with Robin. He had to recover, and he was busy with the circus, naturally.

 

[Robin Lichester-Raven]

Robin saw the look in her eyes and couldn't help but soften his demeanour. Christa looked terribly nervous at the thought of a date with him and though he would never admit it to anyone, he too was on edge just thinking about the date. He'd probably act like some ridiculous great lout who didn't have a clue how to to entertain her or understand her hobbies at all, and no doubt he'd stare and blush constantly and make her uncomfortable. But the urge to alleviate her fears was far greater than his own fears; Robin smiled gently and took her hand. "Monday, then. Lunch time, I think." Drawing her hand to his lips, he kissed it gently and let her free again, beetroot red but rather pleased with himself. He wanted to offer to take her home just to spend more time in her company, but the tattoos were burning slightly and he realised suddenly that he was extremely hungry. Almost as though on cue, his stomach growled in protest; if possible, Robin went even redder. "Well, I'd better go feed myself and everyone else. Lord knows what they've been eating in my absence," he muttered sheepishly.

Rob looked at Christobelle one last time and gave her a tentative smile before turning towards the circus. Already he could see a few specks of light in the distance where his family were out to search for him. He backed away slightly as if unwilling to take his eyes off of her, then turned back and headed towards the camp. Damn, he had a date on Monday with Christa. He really couldn't hate the Kingdom of Circus now for for they had done to him; they'd gotten him a girlfriend (and she liked his new tattoos). Robin grinned.