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|| Sleepsong || Secret Garden ||
After every performance, He'Lian would have a breakdown. She was shivering and weak from the cold water, she was struggling to hold herself together. There was a wheelchair waiting for her that Oscar had laid out, his snake eyes on them as the curtains closed. "I'll take care of her, we'll be okay." Mother and daughter went to a separate room behind the backstage where the support staff were working on things. She was traumatized of course - not because of being an escort in her past, but because of how her reputation as an escort and prostitute carried over through her life. He'Lian was truly a pitiful, broken bird. She was shaking, but was quiet. Xi'an knew her mind was going to unhealthy, dangerous places. Once they were safe, Xi'an held her mother close, toweling her down, trying to clear up the tank water.
"It'll be okay." Xi'an said, beginning to sing a silly little tune. "The beautiful bird flies to the sky, to the sun, to the stars." Her mother's breathing began to slow as music filled the panic room. "Where, oh where, could the bird be looking? Where could the bird be searching? What was the beautiful bird hoping to see?" She gave her mother a kiss on the nose, gentle and loving. "The beautiful bird was looking for love. The beautiful bird was looking for me!" Her mother began to laugh, a nervous calm coming back to her eyes. "Are you feeling better now, mom?" The little swan asked, her wings acting as a shield for her emotionally frail mother. "I am... thank you, Xixi. You're the only one left who understands me." After finishing drying her mother off, He'Lian felt able to stand again on her own two feet. "Wanna go back? It's about time for the farewell role call." Hand in hand, they made their way back.
By the time they returned, everyone was ready for the rolecall. Key finished her act, and Xi'an was very sad to have to miss it. "Sorry, sorry, I needed to pee." She winked and Felix rolled his eyes heavily. "Well well, who knew? Beautiful girls like you two ladies having to urinate? Color me shocked." Xi'an giggled, enjoying his attitude. "Don't worry, dearest." He'Lian said softly. "I'll help you find a better man than Felix." It was rare for her mother to join in on the fun, but there seemed to be a sigh of relief. Everyone knew she was unstable, of course. And they were all trying to accomodate for her as best as they could. "Hey, I'm not that bad? Right, Key? Right?" Felix nudged Key, trying to gain her support.
They had a role call then, doing a lap and greeting the audience. Madam Magpie was clapping with enjoyment, having appreciated the night of entertainment. "I would greatly love to see this again." She announced, flaunting her authority. "From now on, the Cirque du Soleil is to be seen as a friend to Athanax, and will have safe passage in and out of our borders." She was pleased. Xi'an was relieved. She wouldn't have to worry about her debt after all! Pandora and Fox congratulated them all on their work then, and it all seemed to go well. As the crowd left for the evening, Pandora had one last announcement before dinner was raedy.
"The keys to the Cirque du Soleil were stolen." Pandora explained, showing them her pockets. "It was one of the guests during the show, they must've swiped the keys somehow." Whoever had the keys controlled the entire airship. Without it, they would never be able to fly again.