Hey Solo! How's it hangin'? -Triton

 

Up n’ left. Ha. You’re the clown boy, right? Thanks for takin care of D-man.

 

*snorts* Yeah I’m the ‘clown boy’. And I think he’s taken care of me more than the other way around… but you’re welcome.

 

Hey, no offense man! I just mean terrorist n’ clown don’t really go together, ya know? But you couldn’t pay me ta get that close to them lions! I like my fingers *wiggles scar covered dirty hands* how they are!

 

*smiles* I didn’t take offense to it. And if ‘terrorist’ and ‘clown’ don’t go together… I don’t think you’ve ever really met your brother. *wink* But seriously, if you need anything, just let me know. I’m happy to help.”

 

Thanks man! I dunno many people now days, so its always nice ta have more friends. You think you could show me them lions sometime??

 

Sure, they’re always up for company. And so am I. *smile*

 

*hopping from foot to foot in place*

Oh oh oh! What ‘bout the trapeze??? Can I try that?

 

*chuckling* I could show it to you sure. I could show you just about anything. But if you’re planning on using them we’ll have to get permission and one of the people who specializes in it. Just so we don’t mess up the equipment, or ourselves.

 

And the high rope?? Can we go now?? Please??

 

*laughing* Sure, follow me. We’ll go see the lions first, then find the people we need for the other stuff.

 

*Absolutely transfixed like a little kid looking around everywhere*

Woah. I never been to the circus. But I read about ‘em. It’s so- BIG!

*trips over his own feet then jumps back up quickly*

Ow. That there, *gestures to where he fell* never happened.

 

*grinning at Solo fondly* It is a lot bigger than most people think. I don’t think Duo had ever been to one either before he and Hilde came to a show during the war. *chuckles as Solo trips over himself* No worries, I didn’t see anything. Come on, the lions are back here. *moves through to the back of the tent and heads for the lion cages*

 

*Eye bulge in sockets when he sees the cats* Wow… They’re fluffy. *goes to touch one against Trowa’s protests and the lion just bows it head and purrs*

 

*shaking his head Triton goes to pet the beasts as well* They took to you the same way they did me. Immediately. *he chuckles quietly* So which are you wanting to see next?

 

*looks like he wants to just curl up with the lions, still petting* ummm. The tightrope?? Then we don’t haffta bother anyone else.

 

How do you know I do the tightrope? Generally I just get knives thrown at me by my sister. *He chuckled but he was curious. He left off petting the lions himself and pointed to a different tent, the big one that could be seen from miles around* We’ll need to head over there for the tightrope though.

 

It’s in your stride. You walk almost in a straight line. And you lead with the balls of your feet, like you’re cautious to step with your whole weight. *he turns back to the lion for one last pet*

Livin on the street, you learn how to read people without words.

 

Oh *Triton blinked at him* I hadn’t realized I did that. *he smiles at him* Well let’s go walk a tightrope then. *he winked* Though I’m sure now that you’re back, you won’t have to live on the streets anymore.

 

*laughs nervously* Well, you know what they say; once a street rat, always a street rat. Guess it’s in my blood, ya?

 

*Triton looks over at him with a serious expression* Probably, I’m just sayin’ you don’t have to scrape by anymore. You can do something you’ve always wanted to try now. I know it’s not the same and it never will be, but you’ve got a new gang to run with now and we’ll look out for you as much as you want us to. *He led the way to the big tent and the tightrope tied off to one side that was for practicing.* We’ll use this one first, if I think you can handle it, we’ll go up. *He pointed to the ladder a few feet away and the barely visible line connecting it to a similar ladder across the tent.*

 

*He climbs up to the lower -practice- rope*

So, you just walk it. Like just go??

 

*Triton chuckles* No, make sure you keep the center of your foot on the line. You’ll be placing your feet directly one in front of the other, most people don’t actually walk that way. This one’s just as thin as the one up there so if you’ve never walked a balance beam or anything it might be a bit advanced. Just try to keep your balance and don’t worry about falling. I’m here and there are pads set up for in case falling happens. Don’t try to go to fast at first, slow is technically harder, but until you know how you need to move to get across it, slower is safer.

 

*Solo nods, suddenly not so sure of himself. He takes one step, then another, then freaks out and falls off*

 

*Triton laughs as he catches the other man* You were doing well, don’t over think it. You’ll always fall that way. Have you ever walked on ice before? Okay... not ice cubes, but a frozen puddle or lake or something?

 

Uh… No… <Only seen a lake like once> he stands up and tries again, getting about halfway across before falling*

Ouch.

 

Well then that example won’t help at all. *smiles* You’re doing good, just don’t try to rush it... it might help if you do it barefoot... but it’s also more painful. If you feel like you’re going to fall, just jump off. You’re less likely to get hurt that way or get hung up on the line. *Triton has very painful memories of slipping off the wire*

 

*shakes his head* Nah, I’m good with shoes on. (He’s ashamed of his feet) *He tries again and gets all the way across. He does so a couple more times, then tries jumping in the middle.*

 

*Triton watches him carefully ready to catch him if necessary.* Good! You certainly catch on quickly. *Triton smiles at him just before he jumps... then when he does his heart leaps into his throat* Confident much? *he raises a brow at him ready if Solo misjudged the give in the rope.*

 

*He lands it, then tips himself over just standing* Ya know, this is kinda my second chance at life. *Solos sitting on the floor with his legs crossed* So I’m gonna live it to the fullest. Even if it means a couple broken bones or some scars.

 

*Triton smiles at him* Go for it… though I’ll try to make it so the broken bones and scars are less than they could be where I can. *He sits down next to him.*

 

*Solo flops backwards onto his back, staring at the top of the tent* It’s weird to be alive, you know?

 

*Triton smirks* Just imagine how weird it must be to be dead. *He’d thought about it numerous times, especially after watching Heero blow himself up. But he’d ultimately decided he would rather be alive... getting punched in the face by Catherine helped to.* I’d rather be alive though... I’ll save the adventure of death for when I literally have nothing left to live for.

 

Don’t say that! *he stumbles over to Triton* You’ve got a lot of people who care. I care. So you can’t quit living.

 

*Triton laughs* That’s what I’m saying you weirdo. I want to live right now. I’m always looking for more things and reasons to be alive. I want you to do that too. *He smiles up at him.*

 

*Solo shakes his head and bounces back up to his feet* So, higher now??

 

*Chuckling Triton rises to his own.* Sure, after you. There’s just enough room for three people on the platform, so don’t worry about having to get out of the way or anything. *He gestures to the ladder and the platform at its apex.*

 

*Visibly swallows and pales a little, he starts climbing* This is…. *looks down* Way higher.

 

*Triton smiles at him and shakes his head slightly as he climbs behind him.* Don’t worry about it. There’s a net to catch you if you fall. Just make sure to maneuver yourself so that your back hits the net and you’ll be fine. You’re less likely to get tangled in it that way.

 

Okay. *He takes a couple of steps before wavering, then falling into the net, laughing like an idiot

 

*Triton laughs and calls down to Solo.* Free fall is fun, in and of itself. Are you going to need any help getting off the net, or are you good?

 

*Yelling obnoxiously up at Triton* I’m good!! *He rolls and tumbles his way back over to the ladder and climbs back up* Your turn!

 

*Triton snorts,* Why do I need a turn? *Walks out across the line anyway, upon reaching the middle he jumps into the air flipping himself over and twisting so that he lands facing Solo again.*

 

Because I said so? Haha *He walks out again, and makes it out to the middle* So what’s a trick I can do?

 

*Triton shook his head with a grin,* Well we’re both out here now. You could trying turning around on the rope, or jumping. I’m not sure how acrobatic you are… but if you’re confident you can try whatever you think you’re capable of.

 

*Tries a turn and wobbles a little, settles, then jumps and falls, laughing like a maniac.*

 

*Triton watches him with a grin, glad that he seems to be having fun.*

 

Okay, what’s next?! *Solo is laying in the net, staring up at the top of tent*

 

*Triton drops down to the netting beside him.* Well, what would you like to see or do next? You mentioned the Trapeze earlier, you still wanna see that?

 

Hecks ya!!!

 

*Triton chuckles at his enthusiasm and rolls his way off of the net.* Well, let’s go find my sister then.