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 Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 9:11 pm
It took all of Kari's willpower to not exercise her talents and bring Whitman straight back onto safe, firm ground. As it was, she merely watched, cringing and vowing much scolding as he continued to risk his neck. Watching him drop onto the net nearly made her heart stop, so she felt more than a little relieved to see him bounce up.
Evie, finally realizing that the performer was Whitman, began to bounce even more as he waved to her. She gave a cheerful wave back, eagerly tugging on her mother's arm. "Mama, mama, LOOK! 's Wh'tm'n!" the toddler declared, not realizing the rather forced nature of the smile on Kari's face.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 4:28 pm
Whitman rolled off the net, landing firmly on the ground and began the next part of his routine. It was a series of complicated tumbles, most one after the other. One of the other perfomers joined him, while others continued juggling or acrobatics.
For the first time in a long time he was grateful that the show was almost over. He wanted to go see Kari and Evie and maybe take them both out afterward. The carnie thought of the two of them almost as family, especially since they hadn't rejected him out of hand because of what he was.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:39 pm
While Kari was happy to note that Whitman was safely on terra firma again, it still made her nervous to see him, as well as another performer, doing what looked like more neck-breaking tumbles. She flicked her tail in a gesture of nervousness but continued to watch nonetheless. He seemed quite skilled, even if it was mildly nerve-wracking to watch him.
Evie was blissfully ignorant of the apparent danger of such tumbling, as well as that of trapeze performing, and, thus, she was quite enjoying herself. At one point, she leaned over and tugged gently on her mother's arm. "Muuuuuum, c'n we keep 'im?" she asked, having to speak up a bit to be heard over the crowd.
Kari had the good grace to simply give an ambiguous smile before returning most of her attention to the circus below. Despite Evie's question and feeling an urge to scold Whitman for trying to injure himself, she had to admit that she was having a good time.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:45 pm
Another switch of an act or two and the show was done for the night. Whitman waited at the performers entrance side of the tent until most of the crowd was gone approach Kari and Evie. He hopped up and walked along the side of the ring until he reached the area of the bleachers they were in.
"Enjoy the show, ladies?" He grinned widely and flipped himself into a handstand, while balancing on the narrow ring edge. The carnie was pleased with his performance, though unaware of how deep Kari's fear ran.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:54 pm
As soon as the show ended, both mother and daughter were disappointed. So soon? It had been so much fun, though Kari's enjoyment had been tainted by the mild--or, really, rather terrifying--fear that Whitman would snap his neck doing something complicated up on the trapeze. Heights and those without wings did not go together well.
The crowd began to thin, and Kari and Evie still hadn't moved much except a bit closer to the ring, mostly because Evie was too busy twirling and babbling happily about everything she had just seen. Kari caught sight of movement out of the corner of her eye and heard Whitman's voice. She opened her mouth to respond as she turned, but instead of an affirmative answer, she simply snapped her mouth back shut.
Evie, not realizing that Whitman was balanced in a rather precarious spot, headed straight for her favorite male being, still full of giggles. "Soooooo cool! Lots o' fluffies 'n stuff, yeaaaaaaaah!"
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 5:59 pm
Whitman laughed and turned the handstand into a cartwheel when he saw Evie coming close. "I'm glad you had fun..." He crouched to scoop her up when she got close, acting as if nothing was odd about perching on a ledge about three and half inches wide. "...wanna go have an early dinner or something?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:08 pm
Evie might not have seen narrow ledges as a danger, but having had several tumbles of the multi-story nature in her life, Kari knew exactly what improper balance on a less-than ideal surface could lead to. Broken bones were not high on her wanted list, for her or for Evie.... or for Whitman, which is what really made her wonder.
"Errrr, Evie? Maybe you'd better let Whitman get on the ground first?" Kari pointed out, taking a few quick steps forward to rein in the little girl before Evie could start into her enthusiastic leap up at Whitman. She flashed Whitman a fanged smile, obviously a bit nervous with his precarious perch.
Looking a bit puzzled, Evie waited, though she continued to dance from foot to foot with the impatience typical of a young child.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:15 pm
"It would've been alright, Kari." Whitman stood up and step down from the ring edge. "I do more dangerous things during the show...and I have for years and I'm still here." He walked over and picked Evie up.
"You want a piggy back ride?" He nuzzled the toddler's cheek and glanced over at Kari, offering a gentle smile so she wouldn't think she was ignored.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:28 pm
Kari reluctantly let Evie go and flicked a non-smile at Whitman. "It only takes once," she said with a sigh. She was coming off as icy again, she supposed, and it irked her, despite her lingering fear of Whitman--and Evie--breaking a bone or simply their necks.
As soon as her mother releasled her, Evie launched herself at Whitman, giggling happily. "Yaaaaaaaaaay! Tha' wasss fuuuuuuun!" she declared, nuzzling his cheek back. "Nuhhhh, wanna snuggle!" She completed her insistent remark by wrapping her arms around his neck and clinging to him, swishing her tails around happily.
Not feeling ignored--only mildly annoyed and fearful--Kari padded closer, managing a real smile for Whitman in return. "Thank you for inviting us. We both enjoyed it a lot." She swallowed. To scold or not to scold? That was the question.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:36 pm
"Alright Evie." Whitman held her close with one arm and slid his other around Kari's waist. "I'm glad you two had fun." He leaned close, tempted to nuzzle her as well, but settled for inhaling her scent instead. "You still didn't answer me though, wanna go to dinner, just the three of us?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:43 pm
Evie let out a loud purring sound of contentment. Her eyes remained open, though, mostly so she could giggle at the look of patience on her mother's face. She curled her tails lightly around Whitman's waist, resting her head against his neck. "Lots o' fun...." she reiterated, mostly to make sure the point got across.
Her rather animalistic nature told her that Whitman was going to go for a more intimate touch, so Kari was surprised when he didn't. She shifted her purse on her shoulder, debating. "Dinner sounds good. What if-" Oh, gods, this was going to cost her emotionally... and in the matters of dignity and ego. "-you come over to our place, and I cook?" Yep. She was sticking her neck out here. Bigtime.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:58 pm
"Sure, Beautiful." Whitman squeezed her waist gently, smiling appreciatively. He'd ask if she wanted to go out somewhere another time; anywhere was fine as long as he was with her. The carnie looked a little lost for a moment as he pondered his recent thoughts.
Kari's unique personality had enchanted him; her beauty was exotic; her presence almost intoxicatingly wonderful. Was this...what real love is like?
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:05 pm
Kari offered up another sigh, though this one was more drama than real substance. "Don't push your luck, Jonas. It's Kari." She smiled sideways at him, her grin widening at the perplexed expression on Evie's face. "Now that I've thoroughly confused my daughter... are you dressed suitably for a house call, or did you want to change first?" It was hard to stay angry at him for the nearly neck-breaking stunts, especially when he was doling out genuinely felt, if inaccurate, compliments. Beautiful? Her?!
Looking completely bemused, Evie just shook her red-haired head and then settled against Whitman again, not understanding adults in the least. Silly goofballs, they all were.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:13 pm
"I should change. It won't take long though." Whitman chuckled. "Sorry, Kari; I'm not used to being called Jonas either, so I suppose we're even." He kissed Evie's hair lightly. "Don't mind the confusing grown-ups, Evie."
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:26 pm
Evie giggled. "Silly grrrrwrrown-ups."
"As even as we'll get. And take your time. I'll take Evie," Kari replied before moving to take her giggling child from Whitman's hold. "Things are much easier to do when you don't have to worry about keeping her occupied. Trust me." She felt an unexpected tug on her heartstrings as he kissed Evie's hair. Oh gods... that had been terrifying and wonderful all at once. She could almost get used to him being about like this, though the very thought scared her at the same time.
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