Haly's Circus: New York City!

[daringyoungman]

 It's a quick stop between Metropolis and Gotham City. New York is what John Grayson calls a Red Pin town - big shows, and dangerous tricks, but it's smaller than Metropolis and is a warm up for the big shows in Gotham.

Dick waited until the punters were beginning to show up then grabbed a moment between rehearsals to run into the bar and collect his friends. So many people had said they hadn't been to a circus in too long, and that had to be fixed.

Also, he feels that if having access to a magic bar is going to do something, it might as well bring an audience to the circus.

Comments

[daringyoungman]

"Really?"

Dick follows suit, bouncing back onto his feet. "Who's Trowa?"

[cutting_edgex23]

"He is a clown. And an acrobat."

Beat.

"He is good with lions, too."

X really likes the lions. It kind of shows.

[daringyoungman]

"Yeah?"

Dick glances over his shoulder, looking towards the back yard.

"I'd ask if you wanted to meet them, but they need quiet after a performance."

[cutting_edgex23]

"It is okay."

X understands. But she's still curious.

"You like them, too?"

[daringyoungman]

"Yeah."

He grins. "Who doesn't like animals?"

STUPID PEOPLE, that's who. "And they like me. I've known King sionce he was a cub. Actually, his full name is King Richard. We've got the same name."

:D

[cutting_edgex23]

X can agree about the stupid people, at least.

She also takes this moment to study Dick a little more closely.

"King?"

It --

Might not be entirely improbable? Or maybe X is joking.

"It is a good name."

[daringyoungman]

Dick puts his hands on his hips. He hasn't really adopted this Peter Pan bravado pose since meeting her and proving his lack of fear.

"Richard."

[cutting_edgex23]

"That is a good name, too."

Because it is!

"You like it better? Than Dick."

X thinks names are important.

[daringyoungman]

"No, I like Dick," says Dick.

"Richard's a name for kings. Dick is for aerialists."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Perry is a name for kings, too."

Because that is relevant.

"X is not."

[daringyoungman]

"Is Perry one of your names?"

People have multiple names, right?

[cutting_edgex23]

"No. But it is the name of a king. Who comes to Milliways."

She hesitates for a moment, considering elaborating on Dick's question.

"X-23 was my designation. People at home called me Laura. But I am X."

People with multiple names are all over the place, these days.

[daringyoungman]

Dick considers these names.

"Laura is the most Kinglike," he says. "If you wanted to be King, which I don't. Because I like being Dick more than Richard."

And she is X, not Laura.

[cutting_edgex23]

"Kings are busy," X allows. "But usually they are busy with public speaking. Or paperwork."

If she were someone else, she might even make a face here.

"I like what I do better."

[daringyoungman]

"Yeah," says Dick. "Me too."

[cutting_edgex23]

"I know."

It shows in everything he does.

Which is good, from where X is standing.