If I asked you to stay (would you?)

Chapter 1: Our brave volunteer

He was so bright and vibrant, welcoming you to get too close. Not in the way that circus's should feel, more like how brightly colored fish exclaim their lethality. He was dangerous, everyone knew that. It was obvious he liked it that way, proud of the reputation he'd built for himself. It kept people away, at arms length, but in the moment his eyes locked with mine I had a feeling that would change. I was drunk on them before he had even crossed the dirt ring towards me. His dark hair swaying methodically with every step, dust kicking up into the air. This wasn't the plan.
"Our brave volunteer." He grinned a toothy smile, exclaiming to the audience. The crowd reciprocated with wild applause. I was captivated, completely pulled in as he extended a hand to me. His own personal prisoner, willing as I was. I lowered the hand I  had raised to invoke the clowns attention. My heart thrummed rapidly against my chest, and I feared for only a moment that he might feel my fastened beats as I nestled my hand in his. The warm white leather encircling my delicate grasp, he pulled me to my feet and out into the center of the ring. It wasn't until I was ground level with him that I'd realized he was a whole head and shoulders taller than me. The sound of the crowd now almost painfully silent. He guided me swiftly showing me off, a spectacle for the next act, across the 'stage' to a large wooden wheel. The likes of which paint chipped haphazardly away decorated in soft fading reds blues and whites, adorned with scattered indents from shows past. Not many ever actually volunteered and the sudden hand from the audience had definitely caught the entertainer's interest. Curiosity lighting like a match behind his intense gaze.
"Alright, sweetheart, if you wouldn't mind," The man gestured towards the foot holsters, smile still painted neatly across his face a brow raised. Heat pooled in my cheeks despite my willingness to not let him fluster me. I turned to face him slowly, back pressing against the wooden contraption. I lifted each foot carefully onto either metal peg. Suspending myself off the ground. Two other performers rushed over to aid in tying my feet against the board. Not that either, Captain nor captive, paid them much notice. He guided the hand he was holding up against the wheel tying it tightly, barely breaking eye contact to do so. Like we were speaking a secret language we'd failed to let anyone else in on. He watched me hungrily, every movement I made, every facial expression, as if he'd been taking heavy mental notes. He moved across me intently, tying down the other wrist. He brought a presence with him like nothing I'd ever felt before. I'd traveled with many a random
Pirate crew but this feeling was very new. Exciting.
"Not to tight, is it?" He half breathed, the lull of his voice low so only I could hear. I feared my heart might break free from my chest.
"Cozy." I breathed back a smile entangling itself across my features. Earning a toothy grin from my captor.
I scrambled to reclaim my thoughts the moment he turned to excite the crowd of onlookers. The unfinished wood bit at the exposed skin of my arms slightly. The ties on my limbs left little room for movement.
What the hell was I doing?!?
My hand had raised reflexively when he'd asked for volunteers. I scolded myself mentally.
I wasn't meant to be here. Well, that wasn't exactly true. I had willingly sought out the clown and his band of pirates but it wasn't to enjoy the show. I'd only really come here to bargain for a ride. This, getting swept away with the lights, colors and sounds had not been part of the plan. Nor had being strapped down to a wooden wheel. I also hadn't taken in the potential fact that the ringleader himself would have been so.... Hopefully that would not present a problem in the future. Though I did  supposed this was one way to get close to them, not exactly how'd I'd planned my entrance but it would do. Fingers metaphorically crossed.
The sound of steel splintering wood pulled my attention back to my current situation. Right. Knife throwing. Two more thuds sent vibrations through the wood.
They wouldn't ACTUALLY hit me, that wouldn't make for much of a show if they did. The thought resonated for a moment. I slowly let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and relaxed against the contraption. The crowd was captivated, cheers of approval echoed throughout the tents interior. Buggy's eyes danced over me. I didn't move, more like I had made myself at home  up there. Regardless of the knives being tossed.
Interesting. Different. Outwardly nothing special, but there was something there that made him curious. What was a I doing, all alone, in a place like this? His place, in fact? Regardless. He turned from me eyeing the crowd and adding to the applause. Tossing a look back over his shoulder. The greedy look encompassed his thoughts, a very clear claim was being made.

People exited the show floor quickly, closing act had come and gone. I had been warned as I was untied that Buggy had wanted to speak to me, lucky for me, the feeling was mutual.
I hung around the now almost empty tent. Anticipation sending pin pricks across my limbs, my entire body on full alert. The sound of leather slamming against leather snapped my attention to the clapping clown entering the ring. I swallowed hard taking in a deep breath. He crossed the space effortlessly, two men followed behind him, one who I recognized to be the knife thrower. A long blue and white checkered scarf covered him, draping down his shoulder to almost the floor. Yellow stripes ran down one side of his hair while the other hung long around his face. The other wore his white hair in almost an animalistic way. His chest mostly exposed arms folded neatly over top.
"There you are." He enunciated each word with intention as the trio stopped in front of me. Demanding my attention back. This close I could see the flecks of glitter decorating his features, lashes extending drawing your eyes to meet his. They were intense, as they had been previously, though now I could see there was something else in them, something I couldn't place. I shook away the train of thought to bring myself back to the present.
"I have a favor to ask." I spoke up quickly before anything else could be said. The words bold, receiving a curious raised brow.
"Go on. Ask." He demanded, expressing that he was in control of the conversation. I took a deep breath.
"Can I sail with you? It doesn't have to be far and it doesn't matter where to, I won't be in the way and I can help where needed. First port we come to and I'm gone." The same spiel I had bargained with 100 times. His laughter began slowly and echoed back to us. I took a deep breath, my chest tightening.
"Why should I? " He questioned taking a step closer to me. "What's in it for me?" He starred down at me.
"Free labor. I can cook, I'm not scared of a little hard work and I know my way around a ship." I offered.
"Oh, I'm sure you do." He cocked an eye brow at me. Butterflies exploded in my stomach, heat threatening my cheeks.
"I can pay you." I added dryly.
"Why's a woman like you," he paused to trail his gaze down me. "-want a ride from pirates like us. Pretty sure there are much.... Safer options."
"Why surround myself with sharks when a sea king will keep the others away." I retorted standing my ground. Earning an amused smile in return. He paused for a moment looking me over.
"Show her around."
With the few words I had been granted passage. That was the hard part, right?

"Cabaji, what's in there?" I asked pointing to a half open door. We'd been exploring for a while mostly the necessities, kitchen, bathrooms, deck.
"Oh that's a practice room. There's a few others on the ship too." He pushed the door open expanding my view of its contents. A few chairs spotted the wall closest to us, a table littered with throwing knives and familiar wooden wheel opposite the table.
"Hey, can we do that again?" I questioned the adrenaline winning over my better judgement.
"That? Funny you should ask, Captain Buggy had mentioned you being my assistant while you're with us." He raised a brow. I looked from him to the wheel.
"Really?" I continued, doing my best to keep the excitement out of my voice. It isn't everyday you get to do something like this.  "How do you feel about that? I mean it is your act."
He shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me either way. So far you haven't been annoying."
I tried not taking offense to that comment and continued on. "You're not too bad yourself." I huffed earning me a smile. "So.... Can we practice a second? Just get the feel for it?" "You're wild."  He laughed a little. "Sure hope up there."
I crossed the room setting myself up like we'd done before. He followed close behind helping me situate my feet and locking them down.
"You know, most people don't come looking to catch a ride. What's with that?" He questioned tying up one of my arms.
"I explained that, you were there." I retorted. He raised a brow.
"Fair enough."
"You make it seem like it's odd he agreed." I added as he moved to my other wrist.
"Oh it is. I mean it's not everyday he lets just anyone tag along that's not joining the crew." I thought about it a second. I suppose that does seem odd.
"Why do you think that is? That he agreed I mean." He turned walking away from me and heading to the table.
"You volunteered." The knife left his fingers burying itself in the wood. "I think you interest him." Heat pooled in my cheeks. He loosed another.
"Is that bad?" I pressed as he tossed two more.
"Depends." He answered tossing more outlining half of me. "I wouldn't worry about it." He added trying to smooth over any anxiety.
"Ok so how does this act fully play out if you have me in the mix?" I questioned after a moment.
He explained, a barrage of blades flying as he did.