Chapter Text
Recently, a travelling circus arrived in your town.
If their massive setup didn't already draw attention to them, the persistent advertisement certainly did. You've thought about going, but the tickets are way out of your current budget. Still, it's cool to see the cast on the street occasionally, even if they're simply passing out flyers and not performing. Most of them wear relatively similar pink costumes, however, who you're assuming are the main performers all have distinct and colour coded outfits.
An old man shouting tears you away from your thoughts.
He's going on about how the circus is demonic, kidnapping people, etc. it's probably just some crazy guy. You try to tune it out to the best of your ability.
That is until you notice a person in blue on the sidewalk as you unintentionally get closer to the situation. He must've been pushed to the ground or something. The knees of his pants ripped and he's got a scuff on his boot.
Judging by his outfit, he's likely apart of the circus. He seems to be maintaining his composure, the only giveaway to his annoyance is the way his eye twitches from underneath the mask. Without thinking, you pull the old fart away from the circus worker, which earns you a cane to the shin more than once. Eventually, the geezer ends up walking off angrily grumbling in the near distance.
You offer your hand for him, however the performer doesn't take it, instead he slowly pushes himself off the floor and begins to tidy his suit. He dips his head and tilts his tophat as a form of recognition. "Thank you, kindly passerby." there's an awkward (atleast it is for you) beat where he just examines you under his gaze. You're the first to speak up.
"Your pants got torn, if you have some time I can fix them." you pull out a small sewing kit and gesture towards his knees. He grimaces at the sight of the holes of his suit. Custom and well tailored outfits aren't cheap by any means, nor are the repairs, so he's inclined to agree to the offer.
-
In the time you've propped him up on a booth seat and a stool to repair his pants, he's gotten introductions out of the way. Apparantly, he was the Ticket Taker, or 'Bilheteiro'. Basically, he's the guy who lets people into the circus. Normally, you'd assume that a role that simple wouldn't warrant a unique outfit, however, he also has his own attraction at the circus.
A mirror tent.
In a way, it's fitting. Someone that well groomed surely needs to use a mirror when making themself 'presentable' to the public eye.
As you finish up the stitchwork on his right knee, you look up and notice him looking over the menu.
"If you'd like, I can make you a drink once I'm done fixing your suit." you tell him, starting on the other leg.
He gives a polite nod before bringing his focus back to your needlework. "That'd be appreciated."
"You speak way too formally." you snort. Ticket Taker lets out a weak chuckle at that. "And you speak too hesitant. I don't bite."
You pull the needle out, shutting the gap. You take a moment to find your scissors and snip away the excess string.
"Pfft. You're making it weird." you lightly tease.
His suit certainly doesn't look brand new, but you personally think the stitches add a bit of character.
"I'll take a double shot espresso." .. "And thank you for repairing my suit."
You nod at him and let out a quiet 'you're welcome' before putting your apron on and starting to prepare his order.
It feels like there's a stare burning through the back of your skull, but whenever you look back at him, he's focused on his scuffed boot, attempting to polish it. His gaze is not directed at or near you. You're probably just nervous.
Setting down his drink, you give him an awkward smile. The tension in the room fades and you return to your spot behind the counter.
"Enjoy your espresso, sir."
. . .
"Do you like the circus?"
"Hnm?" your attention shifts back to Ticket Taker. "Could you repeat that? Sorry, I was zoning out."
He repeats himself.
"Do you like the circus?"
"I can't say I've visited," you fidget with a coffee stirrer, searching for your words. "I'll have to check it out eventually."
Ticket Taker stands up from his seat, reaching into his breast-pocket.
He pulls out a yellow ticket and slides it over the counter. Your eyes widen a little.
"Don't worry, I do plan on paying for my drink the proper way." he assures you. 'Consider this a token of my appreciation."
You're pretty sure you just saw the smile on his mask grow. Creepy, but that's kind of the circus' whole gist. He returns to his seat, holding his coffee, not yet drinking it.
"Wow,, Uhm..Are you sure? I know the tickets are quite pricey, are you allowed to just give them out like this..?" you ask.
Ticket Taker turns his head, and a quiet, unconcerned gaze is all you receive in response.
"May I have a straw?"
"I didn't take you as the type of guy who uses straws." regardless, you bring him one from the counter.
"I'm not allowed to remove my mask in public." he clarifies.
It makes sense, to an extent. He hasn't once told you his real name or given any hints as to who he is outside of his stage persona, but he can't even take off his mask to drink his coffee when infront of others? That must be really inconvinent for him.
He stays for a while, mainly to finish his drink, but your brief conversations with him have stopped. Today's been a slow day, but as it goes on more customers have shown up to keep you busy. Before you know it, the Ticket Taker is already making his payment and leaving.
"Do visit the circus, won't you?"
The chime of the door signals his exit,
and with that, it feels like he's left as quick as he came in.
-
Admittedly, you put more effort into your appearance than you normally would, but you didn't want to show up to the circus in your half sweat-through work clothes.
You bring a jacket just incase it gets cold later, put your shoes on, pocket your ticket, and off you go.