𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆, regulus black

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐬

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚

"What do you mean still no boyfriend?" asked Sakura, the opening act of the evening. Despite the flowery stage presence that The Ringmaster had molded for the contortionist, she had a fiery personality off stage. 

That was why Rune enjoyed every minute they spent together. She took a sip of her Mosto and shrugged. "There's no one there." 

The illusionist, Mysta, shook her head as she laughed. "What do you mean? All your stories have featured at least 3 boys. All of them with surnames of our sponsors. Meaning richy rich." 

"Exactly!" exclaimed Rune. She turned to face her fellow performers, but the hairstylist twisted her head forward once again and chided her in Spanish. Though Rune understood none of what was said, she understood the anger well enough. 

She made eye contact with herself in the mirror as she continued to speak to the others. "Do you see the problem? They share surnames with our sponsors. Meaning horrid horrible." 

"They're all horrible," said Sakura- her bitterness evident in her tone- "It's just a matter of finding the least horrible." 

Mysta commented, "The Rosier's don't sound as horrible."

"Your heart is as soft as the clouds, Mysta," remarked Rune, with a sad smile. "You wouldn't know horrible if it stood in front of you wearing neon yellow and jumping around like a niffler running after gold. And anyways, definitely not Evan." 

"The Lestrange boy sounds sweet actually," said Mysta.

"Oh, he is. He always sends food to my room when I miss dinner. And he was my date to the Christmas party as well," added Rune. 

When she saw Sakura and Mysta exchange a bemused look, she raised her eyebrows. "What?" 

"You can't be that daft!" proclaimed Sakura. "He must like you!" 

"What?" Rune shook her head. "Nuh uh, he doesn't." 

"Uh-huh, he does," retorted Mysta. 

"He's never done anything to show that. Besides he kept clarifying that we went to the party as friends," insisted Rune.

Sakura scoffed. "Obviously because he was waiting for you to say something!" 

Rune's mouth fell open a bit even as she shook her head. "No, that can't be..." 

The contortionist shook her head in disbelief. "I'll just wait for you to come to us with good news next year."

"Have you kissed a bit at least?" asked Mysta hopefully. 

When Rune answered negatively, both girls groaned in frustration. 

"If I was out there, I'd be living it up! Not living like some goody good girl!" exclaimed Sakura.

Rune laughed and clicked her tongue. "Easy to say. Being out there is not some fantasy—" 

"It must be better than being in here though..." added a small voice. 

All girls turned their attentions to the petite girl in the room. Rune had only met the girl yesterday. She was no older than twelve and she was a maledictus from central Africa. 

Unlike Rune, she had no trace of magic in her bloodstream. 

Since Honorius hadn't yet figured out what to call her, nor taught her enough tricks for her to be a named spectacle in his circus, she remained in the shadows until he was ready to let her out. 

"What's your beast form?" asked Rune gently.

"The Ringmaster says I'm not supposed to say..." 

"He won't mind if you tell me."