Another opening night of the Calloway's Circus.

Another massive crowd moving about to play games and watch the performers and eat horribly unhealthy foods like this is the most magical place in all the world.

Another of the same, over and over, and no matter how bright the smiles and stage lights as far as Alexi was concerned it was all gray. The colors of the circus might as well be mute, the laughter could be sobs, and it would all be the same.

Alexi doesn't remember the last time he felt anything, or if he ever did at all. Life was unpleasant, even painful, for himself and his brother growing up and while running away with the circus seemed like the magical solution it still did nothing to spark anything in the depths of his heart.

It was all just going through the motions...until tonight.

Alexi stood on the small platform he and his brother used, Dimitri telling jokes while Alexi himself blew up and tied balloon animals just like every night. Practiced gloved hands tying nots and twisting balloons with the familiar squeak they made for the delighted children. His dull eyes move across the crowd to take a mental note of how many more he'll have to do.

And they stop on her.

He'd never seen her before, which given the way the circus traveled that isn't surprising. But this one....she's different. Her colors were bright, and his heart he had thought long still started hammering like a drum. He couldn't breath. He couldn't speak. He could only stare with his mouth slightly agape.

Suddenly everything was so vivid. The laughter, the lights and colors, the feel of his costume on his skin, the smells of the food stall next to their stage. But none more vivid than the eyes of the woman staring back at him.