The Jasmine and The Pine

Epilogue

By Destiny

The merry sounds from the calliope added to the overall clamor of the circus grounds. Childrens’ laughter answered the cries of the vending hawkers. Every now and then a restless animal would blend his voice to the delightful confusion. A young woman stepped up to the ticket booth. She was tall with blond waves that reached just below her shoulders. Her walk was confident but elegant. The casual outfit she wore gave her a neat, sporty look. On her shoulder hung a black knapsack.

"One ticket, please," asked the melodious voice.

"Just one? Here you go."

Triniti returned the friendly smile as she pocketed the change. "Thank you."

The ticket man’s eyes followed her as Triniti disappeared into the crowd. He would have continued staring, but a sharp sound brought him back to reality. The man nervously chuckled as he realized he had been leaning out of the booth in order to watch the vanishing girl. The next gentleman in lone did not seem to share in the humor. He cleared his throat again and fixed a disgruntled stare on the man inside of the booth.

Triniti wandered along the fairway between various booths and attractions. Her gaze took in everything, but she never stopped to participate in the offered allurements. Glancing at her watch, she saw that the show would begin in fifteen minutes. That gave her time to enjoy the memories evoked by all the sights and sounds. The scene of children taking elephant rides held her attention the longest. Her lips curved into a dreamy smile as the children shrieked with laughter when the elephant lurched into his first step. Some of the older kids waved their arms and kick at the elephant’s back, hoping to make it go faster. The younger ones clung to the safety ropes on the saddle as their eyes wide in excited terror. Triniti remembered a similar time when she and her older brother had done the same thing. But all that was in the past now; still those memories would remain precious.

As Triniti continued her aimless perusal of the circus delights, she never once considered that she might run into Trowa, the reason for her being here. No, something told her that he would have to be found by searching, not just walked into. Then, too, they would have to meet alone, this first time.

Soon, the woman made her way into the Big Top. Outside the last whisper of the setting sun cast golden rays over the area as the shadows crept onward. Inside, it was lit like mid-day! The three rings were brilliantly arrayed, and the chrome on the poles and stands glistened. High above, the silvery tight rope sparkled with innocent appeal. She found a seat and waited. Now, she would freely acknowledge her purpose for being here. Triniti had come to find Trowa, just as she had promised. After two months of searching for and then releasing everything from her past, she had returned for what would become her future.

With a flourish of trumpets and a flare of drums, the master of ceremony stepped into the main ring. All the lights dimmed, and a slab of the spotlight stabbed the darkness. Soon the huge tent was alive with music and color as the opening parade spilled forth from the side entrances. Triniti leaned forward on the bench. She loved the opening march! She always tried to analyze who would do which acts by their costumes and demeanor. Of course, tonight she had another reason for scrutinizing the performers.

Yes, there was the lion tamer, complete with thigh-high boots and a whip. This one would probably even stick his head in the lion’s mouth; he had that cocky attitude! Then she detected the high-wire performers. They all were tall and slender with leotards and shiny silvery vest over billowy blouses. Triniti was slightly surprised not to spy Trowa among this group. The assortment of clowns provided a greater challenge as they were continuously moving. Disappointed, she sat back to watch the following displays of daring feats.

Triniti took but scant notice of the different acts until, suddenly, a spotlight slid over to the right hand entrance. A girl with shoulder length curly hair and a sequined costume (which concealed very little) daintily stepped into the arena. The Big Top erupted into applause as the girl waved the silver knives in her hand. Triniti remembered that a knife-throwing show was to be the main attraction of the evening. She sat up further as a clown walked into the spot light behind the girl.

She felt her breath catch and her heart race. It had to be Trowa-the walk, the mannerisms, everything about this man cried his name. She watched as his confident, easy stride carried him to the front of a brightly decorated board. After a low bow, Trowa positioned himself facing the girl with the knives. Triniti felt her stomach knot; but it wasn’t due to her fear for his life, she knew his instincts were well honed and the trick had to be well practiced. The case of nerves came from seeing him again after so long.

She watched in fascination as the girl threw the knives, sometimes alone and sometimes in bunches. Triniti thrilled to see Trowa’s strength as he never flinched or even blinked. She knew well what look those eyes must hold; a lump rose in her throat as she remembered those eyes. After the routine, Trowa took off his half-clown mask and made another low bow.

The rest of the evening was a blur of unnoticed events. Time seemed to drag, except for Trowa’s other act. Once again Triniti recognized him instantly by his walk. This time he was with a group of energetic acrobats. As they vaulted and spun through the air, Triniti identified several moves that she had seen him use before. Only now, his actions had a more relaxed and elaborate air, rather than the usual tension and desperation which came from the need for survival. Once more, Triniti marveled at his flexibility, especially for one as tall as he.

Patiently, she sat through the final parade. Trowa was not present in this one either. Why doesn’t he take part in the parades? She absently wondered. Triniti hung back until the last of the spectators were crowding out of the tent flaps. Then she picked up her black leather bag and swung it across her shoulder. The solid feel of her crossbow against her side gave her added assurance. Now the real task was to begin. She had to find Trowa before she burst-and without his noticing her first.

Sticking close to the shadows of the deserted trailers and booths, Triniti slowly, silently made her way through the lifeless circus. Every one in a while, she paused to to listen to the muffled voices coming form inside the shelters. A sleeping circus can be one of the scariest places at night, she thought, shivering. You are afraid that Trowa may have changed, that’s all, she taunted herself to make her move onward.

Coming down an aisle created by several side-by-side storage trailers, Triniti saw the flicker of an open fire. At the end of the trailers she paused to decide which way to go. Then looking ahead, she saw Trowa. Her heart leaped to her throat as tears stung her eyes. Triniti dug a fist into her mouth to keep from crying out. She wanted to run to him, but she hung back. Fighting to gain control, she watched him. She did not want him to think that all she could do was cry whenever they were together. Trowa sat with his back against a bale of hay. The firelight danced across his face as he read the book resting on his knees, which were pulled up to make a table of sorts. His clown mask lay on the ground beside him.

She took a step forward when a voice arrested her movement. Quickly, she stepped back into the protective shadows of the trailers. Trowa’s head came up as the intruding voice called again.

"Tro-wa! Tro-wa! Oh, Tro-oh, there you are!" sung Catherine as she stepped around the other side of the trailer where Triniti was hiding.

Her eyes flashing, Triniti recognized Catherine as Trowa’s knife-throwing partner. Instinctively, her hand reached for her bag.

"Come on, Trowa. I have a new routine I want us to try out."

He closed the book and laid it on the ground next to the hay bale. In answer to Catherine’s question, he just rolled his eyes and smiled indulgently as he hoisted himself off of the gorund. As he stood Catherine flipped her hand.

"Here."

Trowa caught the red object instinctively. Glancing at the apple in his hand he shook his head. "Catherine, you never give up once you have an idea in your head."

She just tossed her head and giggled an affected laugh. He stood next to the back of a wooden trailer and balanced the apple on top of his head. Catherine lined up as if she were in the arena. She fixed her eyes on Trowa’s head; he stared back at her with a calm look. Catherine took aim, but paused. Something was missing. She had noticed, lately, that at each performance she had been grasping to find the missing element. She studied his face. It was his eyes. Something was not there; a certain gleam was gone. It was the death-plea his eyes had always held before.

Trowa waited, too, watching Catherine’s eyes. Triniti also viewed the scene from her hiding place. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. A playful smile turned up the corners of her mouth. Without a sound, she slipped her crossbow from the leather bag and fitted an arrow to the bow.

With a shrug, Catherine flipped her hand. Trowa saw the flames glimmer on the blade of the knife as it snapped from her hand. A second later a zing sounded in the air above his head. It had not sounded like a knife. He knew she had thrown one, but that sound was more like an arrow!

Still looking forward, but seeing nothing, he raised his hands and caught a cleanly cut half of an apple in each hand. Trowa slowly strode toward where Catherine stood, though she had turned around now. She was addressing someone in the shadows who Trowa could not see.

"Who are you? I’m sorry, but the circus is closed. You shouldn’t be here!"

Trowa finally drew close enough to see who she was speaking to. His eyes met Triniti’s and they both froze. Their gazes locked as Triniti murmured, "Trowa."

After a moment of silence, he placed his hand on Catherine’s shoulder and held out the two halves of the apple. "It’s all right, Catherine. Can we finish this another time?"

"Huh?" she started as she looked from Trowa to Triniti. "Well, sure, I guess so. Sure."

She silently took the apple slices form him and walked off towards the Big Top. The other two had still not shifted their gazes. Trowa stood perfectly still trying to read her eyes. He wanted to gather her in his arms, but he knew that she had to make the first move this time. Triniti returned his searching look with equal intensity. Something still held her back from running to him. Slowly she advanced towards him and stopped within arms reach.

"Trowa," she breathed, with a smile on her lips and tears glistening in her eyes.

Trowa returned her smile and then held out his hands. She glanced at them and then placed hers in his. Gently, Trowa drew her to him as she willingly entered his embrace. Trinti laid her head on his shoulder and ran her hands through his hair. He bent his head to touch her cheek as he caressed her back.

"Trowa, I’ve come back for good. Everything is taken care of, but I realized that I am missing something. I am only half a person without you."

"Triniti," he whispered against her hair. "You, too, are my life, my love."

Trowa led her back to the bail of hay by the fire. As he pulled down beside him, he saw the arrow imbedded in the trailer wall. It was about a half inch lower than the knife.

"Say, Trin, you're a pretty good shot! I bet we could find you a place in our act."

She laughed, "Oh, I don't think so! Besides, I don't quite have the clothes to fit in."

"We can fix that."

She playfully jabbed his side as she nestled closer to him. "I’m beginning to wish I had missed the apple completely!"