Cartwheels Down Memory Lane [Closed, Joint-Training]

[Marcus Cole]

(( OOC: This is a joint training between Marcus Cole, a Fullbringer affiliated with Uzaki Enterprise, and Kaijin Harle, the Vice Captain of Squad 2. ))

[Marcus Cole]

Marcus had been getting accustomed to his new life with Uzaki Enterprise for the past few months. In that amount of time, he had been falling into the same routine day after day. It began with him waking up with the sun in his one-bedroom apartment, working out for a few hours, going to work at the Uzaki Enterprise headquarters where he managed and directed the company’s finances, worked out once again, returned home, worked out again, and went to sleep. It was a busy lifestyle, and it was rare for him to have much free time. On the weekend, when he wasn’t required to go to the office, Kazura would assign him regular missions that could vary from being a guard or escort to going on a boring patrol in some remote area. Either way, though, he was just happy to be helpful towards Kazura and embraced each task with a silent enthusiasm.

Only after Marcus had finished what was intended to be a three-night-long mission in just ten hours did he return home and find that he had some free time on his hands. Others might enjoy the liberation and take advantage of the opportunity. However, Marcus wasn’t like other people. He was genuinely unsure of how to spend his time. It had always been either ‘help Kazura’ or ‘work out and train.’ So Marcus was faced with the mid-life crisis of figuring out what to do from there. He was finally developing a normal lifestyle after his tragic childhood and misled teenage years. Things were stabilizing, but Marcus couldn’t help but look back. He decided to use the next couple of days to catch up with his past.

And where better to start than the beginning. Marcus’s first stop was the hospital in Karakura where he was born. However, it wasn’t the destination that he cared for, but a person he hoped to find in the hospital. Marcus moved at a fast pace in his child-like walk that didn’t seem to fit his twenty year old physique. When he finally got to the desk, Marcus looked up at the young nurse, his faint smile suddenly fading away. “I-is Doctor H-h-heimer here?” He almost released a sigh of relief after he got the question out, nervous that he wouldn’t be able to get through the whole thing. Marcus had just begun to start speaking a few months ago after not saying a word since he was thirteen, and addressing strangers was still a challenge. He hoped, one day, to overcome his mental restrains.

“No, I’m sorry. Doctor Heimer retired almost five years ago. It’s a surprise that he managed to continue working until even then, considering his age. What is he now, ninety-something? I hear he’s still alive, though.” Marcus nodded his head shyly and suddenly turned around and walked away without warning. It was an awkward move, but Marcus wasn’t known for being too social. It was one of his many mental problems that still needed some figuring out. And, speaking of figuring out, he had to decide where to go next. Doctor Heimer was probably the only living person from his childhood, and so Marcus was left with no one else to visit. With that in mind, he decided to see if he could still find a place that he hadn’t seen in over seven years.

Just outside the urban Karakura area was a large clearing with a giant, brightly colored tent set up. It had shades of purple, red, yellow, and blue that jumped out and caught your attention. And the crimson flag at its peak waved in the light, early afternoon breeze. The site brought a smile to Marcus’s face, and he had spent the last thirty minutes walking in the small, yet untamed forests just outside Karakura until he found the location. It had been the location where Marcus’s previous circus preformed every year in a spectacular event that attracted many Karakura residents as well as those from other neighboring towns and cities.

It was once a place of excitement, danger, and thrill. Now, however, it was an abandoned dump. Dust coated the tent and the once bright colors were faded. As he walked inside, he saw the dirty bleachers that had gathered a nice collection of insects and spider webs along them. Marcus took one of the cleaner seats in the front row, right near the preformers’ stage, and examined the trapeze station, which was still standing. They had all of the ropes and swings set up, showing that someone had replaced the previous burnt trapeze. However, there were still a few ash marks at the ceiling of the tent that stood out to Marcus like a light in the dark. The glorious picture Marcus painted in his head was quickly replaced by reality, and he came to grips with exactly how long it had really been since he was ‘normal.’ How long it had been since he was strong and independent. How long it had been since he heard his parent’s screams and saw their dying faces…

Marcus’s breath began to come quickly, and the world seemed to speed up yet slow down at the same time. The temperature seemed to double, and his head was throbbing with his pulse. The young man could no longer sit upright, and he found himself sitting with his elbows on his legs, his head resting in his hands. Marcus pressed his palms against his temple, desperately trying to stop the panic from consuming him. His eyes were wide and unblinking. Marcus could only hear a high-pitched tone ringing in his ears, and wasn’t even aware that he was screaming at the top of his lungs.

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

The wind was blowing strongly, untamed by human hands. Soaring through the air in the early evening sky was simply superb. Truly there was not a care in the world that the young jester could have at the moment. This was her moment. Away from the missions, away from duty. This was the moment she could truly be herself. Free. From hopping through the urban city roof tops she had shortly discovered a dense forest line near the outskirts of the city. At first glance there were few paths that anyone could use to walk through the thick formation of brushes and branches, but where the fun be in that. This was actually a perfect opportunity to train like she had in the wilderness of the Soul Society.

Edging herself on the corner of a hospital, she had summoned a portion of her overall strength to fling herself into air and slowly enters into a corkscrew spin during her descent. A tricky technique to get away with, and does add some flash into her overall performance since it does take time and practice to master it. Fortunately, Harle has had an entire life time to do so. Using her own body weight in combination with wind direction, and elevation, she was able to shift her twisting body into the proper position for her stunt. Kicking up her legs toward her own chest she was able to add in a flip or two into her little stunt before cranking her legs behind herself to catch the nearest branch of the outer lining of the forest.

Following up with a reverse back flip, the Lieutenant stands firmly upright to thank the invisible crowd that would have been cheering for her. Pushing the limits was what she was all about. An innovator to be precise. She always loved to push herself in her form, speed, and technique. The entire formation of the thick bushes that lay before her were absolutely stunning. Hopping from branch to branch mixed in with the occasional double arm swing from a branch or two she had discovered what appeared to be like home to her. A large circus tent that had been left in a large open field.

She would be more gitty than a highschool girl on a shopping spree with unlimited bills to spend. The joy she had felt nearly brought her to tears, but that would be bad. Her mascara and face paint would fall apart, and mixed with the sweat from her little adventure would definitely sting her eyes, which would be really uncomfortable as well. So, without further a due she ventured into the massive tent through a torn opening in the tilted roof top. Her series of leaps had landed her on a small rafter high above the ring down below. Ticklish and overwhelmed with her own happy memories that she had with her family in the circus, she could hold her joy back no longer.

Her lips would part as she begins to sing.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Harle sings}

She heard this from a show recently, and even if she did not know what the words mean, she could at least tell that they came from the heart. It has been a while since she had heard with such beauty. The temperature was slowly growing cold and the light of the sun was fading away to be replaced with the glittering moon light. A near perfect seeting. Looking around she would spot several acrobatic swings. Two were in front of herself about five feet apart from one another, leading up to the next rafter platform across from her. With her words still flowing from her lips she took to the swings and relished in their glorious past time. The white leather gloves she wore were thin enough for a firm grasp on the metal bar, using her legs to swing herself to build momentum to wrap her silk covered legs around the paralleled swing away from her.

The Jester releases the first bar to leave herself hanging upside down. How wonderful it was to be doing what she loved do once more. All there was needed now was a crowd and some . . . A cry pierces through the quiet night as Harle nearly lost her edge during her swing. Quite dangerous in fact since she could have fallen and hit her head on something. She readjusted herself on the swing to look down below to the bleachers to the side. To her surprise that there was a single man. Guessing from the shriek and the fact that the two were only ones here within the tent. It seemed he was in pain, like the children she had seen during the chaotic battles in her homeland. Truly dreadful, and something that brought the Lieutenant's heart to tears.

"Not zhis time." Her legs kick off from her occupied swing to land herself onto the bleachers where the man was located. A soft thump despite the momentum she had gained from her swing, but was more due to her light weighted, slim figure. Even if she was no longer alive, technically speaking, she still wanted to support him. If she was lucky enough, perhaps he would find some form of comfort. Setting herself behind him, her arms would wrap around him to caress his head, patting it in a way that a mother would know. . . The way how her mother had done for her. "Zher zher. Harle is here. So please. . Don't cry," her voice flows smoothly from her lips in a soft tone.

[Marcus Cole]

Marcus felt detatched from his body, almost like he was in a state of limbo. It wasn’t uncommon for him to have such severe panic attacks, though this is the first time they had been triggered by reminders from his past. They usually just appeared either randomly, or when he remembered the fateful moment when flames engulfing his parents on the trapeze. Other than that, he was mentally stable. It’s just those few, brief subconscious lapses when Marcus broke down and metaphorically curled up into tight ball in the corner.

It took him a while to return to the world of the sane, and when he did, the screaming faded into the silence that was only broken by Harle’s speaking. “Zher zher. Harle is here. So please. . Don't cry.” Marcus was a little confused, and as his cries died out, he just noticed the arms around him. Had someone been here this entire time? The Fullbringer’s battle instincts suddenly kicked in, and with his lightning speed, Marcus brought his hands between his body and Harle’s arms, breaking her light hold of him. He then rose to his feet and did a eight-foot high front flip off ten the bleachers in one fluid motion, landing easily on his feet a good ten meters from Harle. The instant he landed, he turned to face the stranger.

When Marcus spun, his gaze immediately fell on Harle. The make-up she had put on wasn’t in the best condition after what Marcus thought to be either sweat or water poured down her face, but he didn’t judge anything about her by it. For all he knew, she just happened to cover her visage with facepaint on a daily basis. It felt more familiar to him, reminding him a little about the clowns that would open their circus acts back when he used to preform. Those days were in the past, and Marcus was not the type of person that could strike up a conversation based on something he had in common with someone else. In fact, he wasn’t the type of person that could strike up a conversation at all anymore.

If Harle so much as moved an inche, Marcus’s hands would fall to his belt, where there were two 28-inche long escrima sticks at the ready. He didn’t know if he had to fight this stranger quite yet, but if they were any sort of threat to him, Karakura, and Kazura, Marcus would engage without hesitation. Why did she have her arms around him, though? Although Marcus’s face was hardened by battle, the most prominent emotion he was giving off was confusion. He was lost about what was going on, and while he silently faced Harle in a battle stance, he hoped she would answer his unasked questions.

(( OOC: Marcus is moving at his maximum speed of 600, just for reference. ))

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

<sub>"Oh mon oh mon, vous êtes bon monsieur très vite. [Oh my oh my, you are really fast good sir.]"

What an amazing display of speed and instinct that the crying man had shown to the Lieutenant. Both swiftly and precise so he was able to immediately respond to Harle. There was a brief moment of lagging but that was probably due to the crying he had been doing for some time. She couldn't tell how long really. Surely it was something that he was focused on. Quite tragic if she had to say so. At the same time kind of idiotic on her part to just hug a stranger for no apparent reason too. A finger to her chin to rise her up slightly to ponder if what had been done would have been the best approach for the situation. Seemed she had cause a misunderstanding.

A soft bop to the white jester's head dress she wore followed soon after her little thought. He was certainly a good distance away from her and not much should could do to approach him if what he had displayed earlier was his top speed. There was no way for her to catch him really, and besides from that there was really no reason to fight him, unless he acted first. Her Captain would emphasize how no one is a friend, and everyone is to made a suspect. So, in following her Captain's supposive thoughts she would remain on guard herself. But, it would be best to at least provide proper introductions as well.

A quick flash of her Lieutenant's badge that hung around her shoulder as she provided her introduction, "Harle s'excuse pour le sursaut. [apologizes for the startle.]" She would let out a soft chuckle of the man's reaction. " Lieutenant of Zwuad 2 of ze Soul Society at your zervice." The shinigami's full explanation followed up with a series of back flips toward the center to the circus tent to only have her feet latch onto the one of the center wooden poles. A small amount of reiatsu manipulation can take her a lot of places. Walking up the with her hands on her hips as she does so, the jester continued to explain herself.

"Harle meant no harm monsieur, but Harle doze not like people crying vous voyez [you see.] And zo, Harle wanted to helpz you." Her broken dialect could be difficult to follow up on since her heavy french accent does prone to mix when she speaks. Switching between the two does become somewhat of a habit, but not she could do about it. All the Lieutenant could hope for was that the man could at least understand her intentions. "Harle iz guardian of Living World."

Enough was said as the Jester shunpo's herself across the tent to the pillar behind the man, walking up the pole in the same fashion. A habit of hers since she does not like people getting to close to herself. That goes double for men, so she does like to move around a lot to keep them disoriented and off her track. Her Zanpakuto hung around her sash that dangled from her toned figure as she made her way up the performers platform. She loved the height of it. Like home. Once at the top she would kick off to handstand over the ledge to test her balance. Still iffy on it which showed in her balance, but still remained calm and precise in her movements.

She offered a small wink at the man before pushing off with her reiatsu strength to have her sitting childishly on the tight rope located in the center up high. "Zo, what iz ze name of the man?"</sub>

[Marcus Cole]

The woman was speaking… French? Yes, it definitely sounded like French. Marcus had done a few missions for the man he referred to as ‘Father’ that sent him to France. Of course, ‘Father’ was not very fatherly at all, and ended up stabbing Marcus in the back and attempting to kill him. You can’t expect much better from a cult leader, though, or a cult in general. That’s part of the reason why Marcus has so many trust issues and is uncomfortable after the intimate contact with the stranger. She just hugged him for what seemed to Marcus like no reason. The Fullbringer was no expect in social affairs, but isn’t that a little weird?

Marcus took a few seconds to get a closer look at the stranger before him, and the first thing that he noticed was her unusual Jester uniform. Matching that with the running make-up, he could almost guess that she was a performer traveling with some circus. But the tent was deserted, so why was she here? Maybe she was practicing on her own, but wouldn’t she be on tour with her circus, listening to the radio while laughing at some crazy story his fellow circus member shared. Planning her stunt for the next venue, and grinding her blood, sweat, and tears into practicing and perfecting it just to here the praising applause of hundreds of eager audience members. Why wasn’t she living the circus life that Marcus missed with every bone of his body?

The second thing that Marcus noticed about her, much to his embarrassment, was her beauty. The face paint and outfit covered much, but he was still drawn by her glowing sky blue eyes and the way her clothes subtly outlined parts of her body. Marcus was never ‘friendly’ with people, much less girls he happened to find attractive, so his face naturally reddened just a little. In embarrassment, he quickly dropped his eyes to the ground in order to regain his composure and looked back up, trying to avoid eye contact.

Luckily, she gave him something else to focus on; the strange badge on her shoulder. "Harle s'excuse pour le sursaut. Lieutenant of Zwuad 2 of ze Soul Society at your zervice." She began with more French words that Marcus could try to guess at. She was excusing something? But before he could dwell on the foreign language, she identified herself as Lieutenant of Squad 2. Soul Society. Those words popped out at Marcus like a thorn on a rose. Kazura always told him that Shinigami were the enemy, but he had no direct orders to attack a Shinigami on site. Even so, Marcus wasn’t too eager to attack someone as pretty as Harle, and he had yet to figure out why she was hugging him.

Wait, she was hugging him… Marcus’s face suddenly erupted into a bright crimson hue, and he averted his gaze back to the ground. She was hugging him! The real question was ‘why,’ but Marcus couldn’t help but redden just at the idea of her hugging him, much less the memory if it actually happening. And it was an intimate hug! Marcus wouldn’t be able to recover from the blush any time soon, and so he kept his head low in hopes that he could hide it from Harle. However, when he realized she began moving, his head darted up to see what she had planned, his hands gripping his escrima sticks even more tightly incase she decided to attack. Marcus was way too highly strung.

He was relived to see that she was not aggressive at all, and, in fact, began series of backflips that took her to a pole by the center of the circus. From their, she managed to begin walking up the pole by manipulating her reiatsu. Of course, Marcus knew many details about reiatsu control and air ground that his old friend Dr. Heimer had educated him about. However, Marcus lacked spiritual power, and hadn’t quite honed his reiatsu control enough to imitate Harle.

He looked up with admiring ice-blue eyes, a ghost of a smile pulling at the edges of his lips. The grin wasn’t quite there, but if Harle looked close enough, she would be able to see it. "Harle meant no harm monsieur, but Harle doze not like people crying vous voyez. And zo, Harle wanted to helpz you." Marcus was a little confused. In his distant mental state during his panic attack, he wasn’t aware of what he was doing exactly. And so, he had no clue that he was crying or even screaming. What he did learn, though, was that Harle was trying to help him. So, for the time being, he could relax a bit and strap his escrima sticks back to his waist.

"Harle iz guardian of Living World." Marcus was told by Kazura that Shinigami were, in fact, the worst possible guardians for the human world. They were always late and, on many occasions, didn’t even show up. They acted based on their own interests, and not on the interests of the people of the human world that they were supposed to be protecting. But, at the same time, Marcus wanted to believe Harle. She might be a better Shinigami, the type that acted to help the humans. There were supposedly a few that Kazura mentioned, though the vast majority was selfish and corrupt. Maybe Harle was one of the few pure Soul Reapers. Marcus certainly hoped so, but he couldn’t remove the doubt from his mind. She was still a Shinigami, and he wasn’t going to disregard Kazura’s opinion about Shinigami.


Marcus watched with child-like interest, his eyes wide and absorbed in her acrobatic movements. It was just so similar to his childhood that he couldn’t help but be drawn in. The Shunpo did catch him off guard, but his gaze quickly found the woman and followed her as she soared through the air, landing in a sitting position on a tightrope high above the ground. However, he could still see her clearly, and Marcus definitely didn’t miss the wink she sent his way. Just when the color was starting to return to his face, the Fullbringer’s features lit up like a volcano. "Zo, what iz ze name of the man?"

It took Marcus a few seconds before he could respond, in which he began to clear his throat. However, the action quickly turned into him awkwardly coughing into his hand. Great start. However, rather than speak, Marcus decided to act. He bent his knees and launched himself off the ground up to the tightropes where Harle sat. In his jump, he managed to get in not one, not two, not even three, but four flips until he landed perfectly on the tightrope. His right leg held his weight, and the top his left foot pressed against the top of the wire so that he could better maintain his balance. Marcus landed a good ten meters from Harle, for he was still far too shy and unfamiliar to get too close. It kept a good space bubble between the two.

“I’m M-M-Marcus C-Cole…” The Fullbringer released a sigh of relief after he spoke. There, he did it. He squeezed a few words out, an act which was nearly impossible for Marcus to do around strangers. He stuttered, of course, but the fact that he spoke to a stranger at all was progress for him. However, this girl – Harle, was her name? – seemed to sit on the fence between ‘stranger’ and ‘acquaintance.’ Maybe that made it easier for him to talk to her.

Marcus attempted to initiate conversation. However, the second attempt at speaking didn’t go quite as well. “D-do you circus? Your costume… c-clown…” His words got all mixed and matched, and he couldn’t seem to get his thoughts across. Harle would undoubtedly be confused, but Marcus tried desperately to redeem himself. “You f-flip well!” he exclaimed, his eyes darting back to the ground to avoid Harle’s gaze. He knew he made a fool of himself, and wanted to crawl back into his corner of solitude. Why was dealing with people so hard?

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

<sub>Harle had a difficult time to figure this man who called himself Marcus Cole out. When she had several times after her own introduction. . No, even before that he appeared to be conflicted with himself. Many times he would avert his own gaze away from her and at other moments his facial expression would change from what would be trapped into deep thought, to charming, from the slight grin he had, to being serious when she had finished her introduction. Truly bizarre but at the same time funny to see how he quickly he changes his expressions from one moment to another.

Marcus was a very unusual character, but at the very least a gentleman. To many who have approached Harle in the Soul Society have been lecherous men who only wanted one thing, and were extremely pushy in that fact as well. Always forcing their way into her personal space whether it be catching a glance at her painted face to see what is underneath, or attempt to have a quick touch of her body. None had that chance since she freaks many of her pursuers quickly with her unusual behavior or by her own acrobatics to out maneuver them to escape. Marcus showed the same respect and maintained his distance from her. Possibly out of his own safety to a stranger, which is common in first meetings, and to her own luck since she too is unfamiliar with him.

That memory in the small courtyard with the two men still haunted her, especially when being alone with males if they were close to her. The jester had recognized Marcus to be in the same category and the very thought had sent shivers down her spine. Hopefully he would not see such restlessness as she done her examination of his astonishing figure. This was not the right time to be panicking, or was it? She could not decide one or the other. Perhaps he was as confused as she was based on how he was speaking to her, sitting with her legs kicking about over the ledge of the elevated tightrope.

“D-do you circus? Your costume… c-clown… You f-flip well!”]

It was an awkward moment for her a few seconds ago before he had done his neat trick. She gazed at each flawless flip and analyzed each moment of his body as he does so. He knew what he was doing and based from such talents he probably had a background that may be closely related to her past occupation. His words had lightened her heart of her past worries, even as they haunt the back of her mind. Still, they would not hold her back. Not when Marcus himself appeared to be uncomfortable in some ways. In fact, his words had her chuckle like that of an amused child.

However much he had struggled to say speak his words, she did admire his strong will to remain even if he did juggled his words around. "Harle iz un jezter. Mi pappa was un Magician and mi mamma was a dancer." Her words flowed smoothly through her black inked lips. "We were un traveling Circus Monsieur Marcus." Leaning back to have gravity pull her down to enter into a back swing as she continued to remain in a seated position. When her swing had nearly came to an end she quickly placed all of her strength and focus to flow into a single hand stand on the tightrope. The thin dust covered wire had nearly shook Harle off balance moments before she had found her bearing and adjusted her own weight to balance herself and remained completely still.

"Harle thankz you Monsieur Marcus. Pappa taught Harle all shez need to needed to know about ze world and ze life of ze Circus." Very difficult for her to speak in a native dialect without her butchering some of her own words. "What of Monseiur Marcus?" She spoke softly. "Where did Monseiur Marcus acquire suz skillz?" The Lieutenant asks in a soft spoken tone.</sub>

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats}

Strength - [100] Points

Speed - [200] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [150] Points (50% - 225 )

Reiatsu Strength - [300] Points (50% - 450 )

Light Aura - [60] Points

Dark Aura - [40] Points

Instinct - [150] Points (35% - 97 )

Senses [100] Points (35% - 65 )

Energy sensory - [100] Points (35% - 65 )

Healing Expertise - [0] Points

[Marcus Cole]

Marcus had butterflies soaring through his stomach, threatening to invert his insides. Why was he so scared and nervous? Well, why was he more scared and nervous than usual? The young man just couldn’t figure it out, and he was too busy mentally scolding himself for making himself look like a fool to figure it out. Marcus had regretted ever setting foot in the circus tent, and just wanted to go back home and curl up in a tight ball on his bed. He was starting to like things better when he couldn’t talk.

However, the human looked up with a confused look in his eyes when he had heard a sound that strongly resembled laughter. An eyebrow was raised in question, almost like he was silently asking Harle if that was directed to him. However, it didn’t take only for Marcus to figure out that his words had in fact drawn the chuckle. Marcus, however, assumed the worse and believed that she was laughing at him. He was just some stupid human that couldn’t utter a word or two clearly, so why not get laughed at? He was beginning to really hate himself more and more.

"Harle iz un jezter. Mi pappa was un Magician and mi mamma was a dancer. We were un traveling Circus Monsieur Marcus." Again, Marcus looked at her with uncertainty. She was still talking to him, for some reason. At first, Marcus thought that maybe this was a good thing. However, it soon dawned on him how poorly the events were proceeding. Marcus wouldn’t be able to carry out a conversation for his life, and he had already reached his limits with his last mismatched string of words. This was going to be a challenge like no other that he had faced.

However, he figured that if he could put himself together and act like a normal person, for once, maybe he had a chance. After all, he could already figure out a lot that he and the woman shared in common. She was previously a member of a traveling circus, much like Marcus was up until several years ago. All he had to do was focus the conversation on her. If Marcus could just keep the questions coming without his ability to speak completely breaking down, he might just be able to do this. Who knew socialization took so much strategy.

As he was trying to put together a list of questions he could ask so that he wouldn’t have to resort to any social improvisation, his train of thought was stopped by Harle’s intriguing stunt. She had used her own momentum to swing around the tightrope in a full circle. What really stood out, though, was how she shifted her weight to her hand and ended in perfectly balanced, upside down position. Marcus watched with wide, marveling eyes. He couldn’t keep the huge grin from spreading across his face and illuminating his features. Marcus hadn’t shared and exchanged techniques with other circus members since he was a child. It felt just like home.

"Harle thankz you Monsieur Marcus.” Marcus wasn’t quite sure to make of that. Had he done something to help her? Even if he did, it wasn’t his intention to do so, and he therefore deserved no thanks. If anything, Marcus owed her a lot of gratitude. She was bringing back all of the best memories from his brighter past. Despite Marcus’s verbal fails and social struggles, he was happier now than he had been since he was just a child. If he could somehow put all of that emotion into words, he wouldn’t hesitate to switch roles and be the one thanking her.

“Pappa taught Harle all shez need to needed to know about ze world and ze life of ze Circus." Another thing in common! Marcus had learned all of his acrobatic stunts from his parents, who were master trapezists. This would have been a perfect opportunity to say something along the lines of ‘Me too! What a coincidence!’ But no, that would have been way too easy, and nothing was easy with Marcus. He parted his lips to try and speak, but no sound came out. He was left to sit there with a gaping mouth, unable to put any words together.

"What of Monseiur Marcus? Where did Monseiur Marcus acquire suz skillz?” Harle had saved Marcus and given him the perfect opportunity to try saying what was on his mind. It would be difficult, but with some luck, he might just succeed in speaking coherently. The only problem was that Marcus was allured and dazed just from the way Harle spoke to him. She seemed so graceful and subtle, while Marcus was articulate and clumsy in speech. On top of that, she was talking to him while balancing on a tightrope with one hand.

It took Marcus a second or two to take his mind off appreciating Harle and attempting to put together a response. He cleared his throat, swallowed nervously, and stuttered softly, “Uh, m-my parents t-taught me everyth-thing I know right h-here.” He pointed to the ground, attempting to make it clearer that this is where he used to preform. However, Marcus was missing a very critical detail, and he quickly noticed that he forgot to mention the strongest link connecting him to the Shinigami. “Iwasinacircustoo!” he quickly added in a rushed exclamation.

Marcus diverted his gaze to the ground. It was a common motion for those with little to no self-esteem, and he was confident that the beautiful Shinigami was beginning to think less and less of him. Harle would have a difficult time making out exactly what he said, and so Marcus decided to repeat himself slowly. “I w-was in a circus, t-too…” He didn’t look up as he spoke, but rather directed his words to himself. He could picture the scenes from the childhood, reliving the dangerous stunts through rings of flame that he did with his parents. He felt the wind blowing through his hair as he flew through the sky, trusting that his mother was going to catch him.

And then the impossible happened. “My parents were trapezists. We were famous all over Japan, especially in Karakura.” Marcus didn’t really notice it at first until he reflected on his words. However, as soon as he realized that he hadn’t stuttered or stumbled in his speech at all, he looked up at Harle with obvious surprise. That couldn’t have been Marcus talking. Not the quiet Marcus that could barely look people in the eye for more than a couple of seconds before having a mental breakdown. This was the old Marcus, the daredevil child that would look fear and death straight in the face without so much as blinking. But that Marcus was supposed to be dead.

Marcus really wanted to be his old self, the confident-brave man that might just have a shot at winning Harle’s favor and admiration. He didn’t want to be the same screaming man that she had pitied. And so he was in the mood to do some acrobatic stunts to try and reconnect with his old self and be the young protégée that everyone looked up to and loved. He missed having family, people he trusts above all else. Marcus has Kazura now, but it’s not the same as things were with his parents.

“H-Halre… can I a-ask you s-something?” Marcus was nervous about asking a stranger that he barely knew for a favor, but Harle seemed perfectly fine in opening up to him and telling him about herself. Maybe he shouldn’t be so timid and accept her as a friend. That might just make it easier for him to speak to her without getting too tongue-tied. “D-do you w-want to try the trap-peze?” The swings were nearby and prepared, so all they would have to do is jump over to one of the two nearby platforms. Marcus hadn’t been on the trapeze with a partner since he was young, and he was hoping that Harle could bring back the experience. The fullbringer looked up at her with uncertain eyes, and an almost doubtful half-smile.

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [325] (423) Points

Speed - [350] (700) Points

Spiritual Pressure - [350] (210) Points

Reiatsu Strength - [50] (25) Points

Light Aura - [60] Points

Dark Aura - [40] Points

Instinct - [100] (200) Points

Senses - [75] (56) Points

Energy sensory - [0] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points

Total SP: [1250] Points

Abilities

• [Martial Arts: Escrima] {3}
  
  
• [Weapons: Staff] {1}
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] {3}
  
  
• [Pain Tolerance] {3}
  
  
• [Special Skill: Movement] {1}
  
  
• [Stealth] {1}
  
  
• [Acrobatics] {3}
  
  

Items:

15 Kunai

Suit MK I

Escrima Sticks/Staff [/b]
[/font][/spoiler]

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

<sub>Harle was more than thrilled to hear that Marcus fell within the same occupation as she did. Finally, someone she can relate to, someone who can see and understand the Lieutenant a bit on a personal level. It had been some time since anyone was able to speak to her about such things before. How many years has it been now? She had completely lost count of it. Been to busy with the Academy, and failing it the first few times so she had to retake it. And the missions with the Soul Society. Lieutenants hardly find the time to themselves and even if they did, there was no shortages of Hollow calls to respond to.

“Iwasinacircustoo!”

The quick rush of words nearly knocked the Jester off balance on the tightrope. Stumbling on the tightened weave bands of straw, the Jester shook before having to catch herself on the rope with her other hand. A sudden nervous laugh was conjured from the situation she had brought upon herself from the lack of focus. What did he say? Maybe it was Japanese or something of the sort. Harle wanted to ask what was he said before, but was answered a moment later.

“I w-was in a circus, t-too…”

She had cheerful expression to respond to his correction and thanking him mentally for his repetition. A silent "Ooooohhh" with a dumb founded face. That was when the soft chuckle and the happiness had surfaced to take its place. He was quite adorable really with how he was portraying himself. The Clown did not want to take anymore chances at her own sudden lack of focus to her task, so she rest her bottom on the wooden platform on her end of the tightrope as the man continued on. Surprisingly, with a more confident tone as he spoke.

“My parents were trapezists. We were famous all over Japan, especially in Karakura.”

The very thought had made the Jester reminisced on the past. Viewing all of the excited, thrilled faces of the audience as they hungered for more of what she and her family had to offer. Their faces glued to their every action as her father soared through the air, only to be followed by his daughter. Harles family never did remain in one location for very long, so she was not able to forge friendships that she had desired, but she did not resent it, nor regret it. All that she needed was her family and those that desired to see more of what wonders the world had to offer. When Marcus spoke, it reminded the Jester of her father in some ways.

The confidence that he had shown from the hesitant man he was before was inspiring actually. She viewed the man in awe with her sky blue eyes as he had sent her back into the past with the memory of a loving family, and the time they had spent together. "Monsieur Marcus iz a strong person, Harle zinks." A warm smile lite the very surface of her face as the memory took hold. How much she would offer to relive those days once more with her family, or yet, with others who posses that desire.

“H-Harle… can I a-ask you s-something? “D-do you w-want to try the trap-peze?”

She had to ponder about what was said for moment. Not that she did not want to accept, but to have the moment to take in the fact that her unspoken wish had came true. Turning her glance over to the set of swings that were relatively close to the pair, she returned her gaze to the man as though she had seen diamonds. Harle would erupt from her seat on the platform gitty with excitement to the thought that she would be able to perform with someone once more. "Yez yez, Harle would love to trapeze once mo.' Maybe she was a little too excited from the thought of swinging once more like she had done in the past. The split heel toe touch she had done when she stood would probably had been a little too much.

Harle rushed back onto the tightrope with her arms out toward her side, disregarding the fact that she was on collision to the man. She didn't care. She did not walk along the rope but was in a full on dash toward the swings. But she could not be rude to Marcus either, and possibly she would be pushing her own limits as well. With her head filled with joy and unrelenting excitement she had forgotten about her fear around men. A soft peck on the cheek should suffice without having him or her feeling awkward in the sense of emitting gratitude to Marcus. She followed up the action into a simply front flip over the man onto his other side on the tightrope to glance back over her shoulder with a wink. A moment later the Jester crouched down slightly to spring herself forward into another Shunpo. This time in using her top speed to reach the platform next to the swings.

"Come on Monseiur Marcus." Harle waved cheerfully from the platform to call over to her new friend before taking the leap toward the first swing. The handle bars had been covered with dust from the lack of cleaning, but she did not mind it. Too thrilled and losing herself into the past once more. Her toned lower body rocked itself back and forth to enter the full swinging motion. Propelling herself to the next swing, her legs kick out in front of her body to latch onto the next swing parallel to her. The rush of being suspended high in the air, nearly weightless, had brought a familiar warmth to her body. Harle's arms extend to the first swing with a smile as she prepares to jump, "Monseiur Marcus! Catch Harle." She says chuckling as she swings.</sub>

[Marcus Cole]

As soon as Marcus saw Harle’s balance waver, he was ready to leap in case she wouldn’t be able to recover. His entire body tensed up, but, luckily, his intervention wasn’t needed. Harle was able to catch herself, though Marcus quickly realized that it was his fault that her focus faltered. It made his stomach do backflips, and the man was just about ready to walk out of the tent again. He never seemed to do anything right, and if it wasn’t for Harle’s acrobatic skill, he would have caused her to fall and possibly injure herself. Of course there were other ways that Harle could have recovered, even if she lost her balance, but Marcus was never the type to give himself praise. He was far too self-conscious.

However, when the Fullbringer attempted to clarify his swift rush of words, Harle was able to understand what he said. Second try’s the charm… he thought bitterly to himself. It was only a matter of minutes before the beautiful girl by him was bound to walk away without looking back. It wouldn’t be the first time that the Fullbringer was abandoned or left on his own, but the looming possibility that he would have another back turned to him was depressing. That’s why Marcus could only seem to put his faith in one person, and that man was Kazura. Marcus’s life revolved around doing all he could to make sure Kazura didn’t toss him away. He was just hoping that Harle might decide to stay for at least a little while.

The light laughter that escaped Harle’s blissful face relieved Marcus of some of his worries. Whatever he had done, Harle seemed to like it to a degree. He wasn’t trying to be entertaining, but even if his acts unintentionally amused the Shinigami, at least was able to get her to light up in. Maybe that would keep her interested enough so that she wouldn’t walk out on Marcus. This is one of the few times he’s pursued the goal of keeping up a conversation with someone, and it would be shameful and embarrassing if things want awry.

Marcus, after reliving a brief moment of his more confident days, before he was just a timid shadow of a man, he was able to summon up enough confidence to make it through a couple of sentences without stuttering. Somehow, he elicited a warm, genial response from the woman and found her alluring cyan gaze trained on him. Marcus was never one to maintain eye contact, but he couldn’t seem to pull his ice blue eyes away.

"Monsieur Marcus iz a strong person, Harle zinks." The Fullbringer tilted his head in uncertain surprise. Had he heard correctly? ‘Strong’ is one of the last words Marcus would use to describe himself. Maybe she meant physically strong, seeing that he fit that description, but the main reason Marcus built up his body was to continue to be of service to Kazura. When it came down to it, Marcus didn’t see any strength in himself. Somehow, Harle managed to find a spark that Marcus didn’t even know existed anymore. As far as the Fullbringer is concerned, Marcus’s strength perished seven years ago along with his parents.

Marcus was a little nervous as he waited for Harle’s response to his request. He always seemed to think the worst of himself, and the possibility of Harle rejecting him was all too real and eminent. However, to his pleasure, she jumped out of her seat and responded, "Yez yez, Harle would love to trapeze once mo.’ Marcus beamed with delight at Harle’s response, grateful to have a partner on the trapeze again after so long. Harle had a similarly gleeful reaction, and began running towards him. The Fullbringer’s happiness faded out into confusion as the young woman rapidly made her way towards him on the tight rope. He even began to take a step back when she was just a foot away from him, though that had no ultimate effect, for she was easily able to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before flipping over his head, landing perfectly on the tightrope, and continuing toward the trapeze.

In the meantime, Marcus did what any sensible timid, confused man would do. He stared forwards in wordless disbelief as his left hand rose to touch his cheek gently. She kissed him. Why? He had no idea, and Marcus lacked the social skills to even try to figure it out. The one of the reasons he typically avoided people was because he couldn’t understand them, and now, as much as he liked Harle, he was reminded of his social deficit. Marcus was overly pleased with the kiss, considering the small crush he developed on the Shinigami. He was just awkwardly confused, as usual.

"Come on Monseiur Marcus." Eager to answer her call, Marcus snapped out of his dazed state. He joined Harle on the platform by using the tightrope as a spring to jump over to her. He landed on his feet, but the impact made the old wood of the platform creek. Maybe his jump wasn’t a good idea, but at least it didn’t result in a disaster. If the platform managed to hold from his landing, then the swings should be in decent condition as well. That was a good sign.

Marcus watched Harle in awe as she transitioned from the first swing to the second. Marcus waited for the swing to move back towards him before he gripped the handlebar and followed it off the platform. The wind ran through his silk black hair, and he felt like he was flying. In one fluid, rehearsed motion, Marcus was able to bring his legs up onto the swing while he was moving toward Harle, allowing him to let go with his hands and hold onto the trapeze with his legs. Now, he would be able to swing upside down and catch Harle with his free hands.

Harle would swing towards Marcus just as he was moving towards her, so, with a perfectly timed jump, it wouldn’t be very difficult to catch her by her wrists. Assuming everything went smoothly, Marcus would then swing with Harle towards the platform before once again heading towards the second swing. It would be easy for her to reach out and grab the handle. And, in this whole time, Marcus would look down at Harle not with a thrilled grin but with a confident smile lightly pulling at his lips. For once, his ice blue eyes seemed to have something behind them rather than acting as hollow shells. He looked like a completely different man.

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

<sub>How beautiful they were looking up into his pearl blue eyes. She didn't really think too much about it before when their eyes had met several times, but now with the two so close together she could really take in the deep glow they emitted. Even with the minor moon light entering the tent through the rips and tears in the ceiling of the circus tent, Harle could make out nearly every detail of his face. More so his eyes. As the still air transformed into cool breeze from their swing the Shinigami would ignore the platform that passed by from the lack of focus to the environment around her. She was mesmerized by the man.

Thinking back on it his entire expression itself had gone through a miraculous change. From before he appeared hesitant and frightened. Perhaps a bit timid. But now, he is stronger, more confident. He knew what he was doing. And not in skill wise in handling the trapeze, but as a individual. His sudden change was more glorious. She could somewhat tell that what he had shown earlier in their interactions with each other that there was more to him, than met her eyes. Maybe there was a reason for his timid nature. There are most likely several reasons behind such retreat in emotions. They were. . similar, him and her.

The man's expression previously compared to how he appeared now much resembled herself in a lot of ways. Back in the past when she first started out as a Jester in France. Her parents were training her back in those days when she was only a child. Months of hard work she had undergone rigorous training to ready herself for her first performance. How nervous she was in those days. With the eyes of the audience solely focused on her as she set foot on the central plateau. Each step she took had to be precise, each movement she made had meaning to it, all for the sake of building up the suspense. . to excite the crowd, and have them marvel in the sheer awe of what skills they possessed, and to what wonder magic could bring. Remembering that day, when the crowd roared with laughter and cheer, followed by the praise of her parents, the Shinigami had gained the confidence and the strength to know that she had done good.

That fear and anxiety turned to courage and strength. Marcus was the same as her. He needed something. . someone to give that courage he once had back to him. At least that is what she thought. There was strength that was holding onto to her. He was not hesitant like before and he was acting out more than just instinct. Who was with her at this time was the real Marcus. The Marcus that was being kept inside. "so, zis iz where Monseiur Marcus waz hiding. You were hiding inzide, were you not?" A warm smile lite her painted face with such joy. "Monseiur Marcus should zee, how strong he iz." Swinging back toward the center, Harle's legs reached out to cling around the handle bar of the second swing to hand upside down to match her partner across from her.

A soft laughter filled the tent as the Jester was enjoying herself. Not the sort that could come from a funny, but a genuine joyful glee that came from having a good time. It had been what would seem like an eternity since she had this much fun. As the swing returned to the platform on her end the Lieutenant crunched her torso into her legs to pull herself into a seated position on the swing."Here Harle comes," says the cheerful Shinigami as she rolls back on her swing. Using such momentum when the two swings had met she removed her grasp from the swing to back flip off the swing and into the man's hands once more, this time it will be her legs that he will latch onto if he catches her.

With each action taken she grew less weary to the face that her white faint paint was smearing off. Beads of white colored sweat have stained her white sleeveless vest with dark spots and her twin tail black and white jester hat as well. Her own excitement had blinded her to the reality and the reason for her cover. To hide behind a mask of her own creation.</sub>

[Marcus Cole]

For the first time in a long time, Marcus was in sync with another human being. The assassin was never one to work on teams, and throughout his years serving that evil cult, Marcus had only worked alone in his various missions. Whether it was a simple assassination or an intelligence mission, he always met the objectives without any outside help. That always set up barriers between the young man and comrades, which only added onto his difficulty when it came to making social connections. But Marcus was a completely different person around this Shinigami who had been a completely stranger less than half an hour ago. He was acting more and more like the whole person he once was. The human filling those shoes every day was just a shadow of the real Marcus who was buried deep within his own mind, imprisoned by his fears, uncertainty, and past. Harle was bringing the daring, confident acrobat back from the grave, an act that even Marcus believed to be impossible.

The human was far less nervous than before. There was no timid hesitation in his actions, for he matched Harle in fluidity and grace. He could look the woman in the eye without feeling the unbearable urge to turn away. It was more than that, really. With ever move he made, she reacted flawlessly and building off his energy to complete her own little task in the grand scheme of the trapeze. And it worked the other way, as well. Marcus found himself effortlessly responding to every move she made. He wasn’t questioning his every move but rather letting his past training take control. The man was in a trance.

Marcus wasn’t completely aware of his change in demeanor. He noticed the how well he collaborated with Harle on the trapeze, but as far as he could tell, Marcus wasn’t acting any different from how he normally was. He was acting off muscle memory aided by his own natural talent and exceptional physical condition. Therefore, Harle’s question caught him a little off guard. "So, zis iz where Monseiur Marcus waz hiding. You were hiding inzide, were you not?" The Fullbringer’s brow furrowed in slight confusion, and he immediatley responded without even thinking of his words. “I haven’t changed.”

"Monseiur Marcus should zee, how strong he iz." Strong. That was the last word Marcus would ever use to describe himself. He was physically strong, yes. But when it came to true strength, strength of character, he was always lacking. But this time, he couldn’t challenge Harle’s claim. For a few moments on that trapeze, he truly felt strong. Maybe it was the nostalgia or the rush he got just from hearing Harle laugh with joy, but Marcus felt like he was on top of the world. But he wasn’t strong enough to keep the wide grin from creeping onto his face.

Marcus was still hanging by his legs as he watched Harle on the other swing. She began swinging toward him legs first, and with flawless timing, she let go. "Here Harle comes," Harle would only feel the weight-less moments of soaring through the air for a split second before Marcus’s hands locked around her ankles and her momentum transferred into the swing. If she looked up at his face, she would find a toothy smile with child-like excitement. His short, silky hair was pulled up by the wind. Despite how messy the top of his head was, his ice blue eyes beamed even more than the grin that lit up his face. To say that Marcus was having a good time would be a massive understatement.

Marcus released Harle’s ankle with one hand and extend his arm towards her torso, offering her to take his hand. He would do the same with the other side after making sure that he had a good hold on the first hand. That way, Harle would now be hanging upright rather than upside down and it would make it a lot easier for Marcus to pull her up. With his strength, it wasn’t difficult for him to let go of one of her hands and grab the rope connected to the trapeze so that he may pull them both up. Marcus would already be in a sitting position, and he would scoot to the very edge of the swing in order to make room for Harle to sit beside him. It would be a tight fit but it would work.

Marcus probably could have saved some room by putting his arm around Harle or making some sort of “move,” but despite his obvious attraction to the Shinigami, he wasn’t that kind of person. And it wasn’t just that he was returning to his old, timid self. The 'real' Marcus, the person on that swinging just a second earlier, was the same in that matter. As Marcus reverted to his old self, his grin was reduced to a subtle smile, though his eyes were still shining. The human felt like he owed Harle an unrepayable debt for getting on that trapeze with him, and he compacted all of that appreciation into one nervous word. “Th-thanks…”

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

<sub>A silent form of trust was formed within the Jester's mind when Marcus had caught her. It was not only a means to support their partner but to reveal the amount of confidence and trust that they had with each. To put a life into someone's hands was the most frightening thing ever if there was no form confidence or trust between the pair. That was something her parents instilled into the Lieutenant in her days of childhood. Although the two had not known each other for a long time, hell, not even for a week or so, Harle had just placed her own life in his hands, and the essence of his true personality was revealed to her. To Harle, Marcus Cole was someone who she would be more than willing to place her confidence on if something were to ever happen. A friend.

Suspended in mid air as he held her by her ankles to feel the full sensation of freedom that could possibility ever be felt in life. Looking back on it this was perhaps the first time Harle was able to have fun by just being herself. Not only portraying who she was but with someone whom she can relate to. Not only in social background but in personality wise as well. To her surprise that he was not like other men who would stare at her or stalk her around the Seireitei. People who would attempt to make small talk with her to only seek the one thing they thought was more important than anything else. How trivial simple minded individuals such they were. The same as the two men who had forced themselves onto her after she rushed to aid them. Only to be made a fool and taken advantaged of. But not the man beside her. The man who grasped onto her to keep her from falling. The fall itself would not have been a problem for her to rebound from, but it was the overall course of action that Marcus took proved to her that he was someone of character and integrity. Besides, if he was not, then he would have made his move from the first opportunity he had when she'd hugged him.

Harle normally kept a good arms distance away from others, especially men, but Marcus was different. Even when he offered his hand to lift her to be seated beside her he remained as a gentleman. The two were so close to each. Shoulder to shoulder practically. Such activity as the Trapeze did have the Jester built up some sweat, and would definitely leave a poor taste in the man's mouth to gaze at a woman with such an unpleasant aroma. Drips of white paint fell to the still ground below the pair, with a trail of thoughts routing in different directions. Similar to her thoughts the tribal black star and blue tear drop around her eyes had broke apart into streams of discolored water to follow the path made by the expelling body fluids. Harle only possessed a few moments to make her decision before her mask was erased. She may not have another chance, or possibly the worst possibility to do so. Harle desired strength. The strength to overcome her own fears of the past and push forward. But, what if the situation became awkward. Then, she would lose the friend she just made. Why couldn't she be strong like Marcus?

Each second felt like a prolonged hour to her eyes. Everything was slowing down and the tension raising. A past time childish habit of constantly fidgeting returned, like a boy who was seated next to the girl he had a crush on, or similar to holding a "number one" whatever that means. The very situation that was so full of excitement and happiness had now became an utter nightmare of haunting thoughts and possible futures. Something that has not happened to her before now. Her parents never taught her what she should do in such a predicament. Those past nightmares continued to haunt her to this day, as though forming a wall to bar her path.

And like a child Harle leaned against the man positioned beside her with her face tucked into his arm. She clung onto the folds of his shirt with only her thumb and index finger. The Lieutenant didn't want to have the man feel her trembling, taking in deep breathes to lessen the effect. The Shinigami's words would be affected by her spiraling emotions, "M-Monsieur Marcus, could you aid Harle wiz un problem?". Flustered and struggling to push back her growing anxiety Harle peeled her head slightly away from the man's arm, keeping her head dipped toward the floor. Her painted job nearly all but gone only to leave residue of what was left of her cover. "H-Harle wantz to be strong like . . Marcus." Each word came out mixed between her regular french accent and English, her own attempt to form words so the man could understand much easily. Hopefully he does.

Harle would probably never find an opportunity like this again. If it was not for her anxiety, then she would have already done the deed without hesitation. With every step she takes forward the memories of the two men in the alley way would return to push her back onto the dirt floor, without the hope of raising again. With every step forward to a possible future without fear her grip on Marcus' shirt would tighten, along with her staggering words, "M-Mar. .cus. . iz . .stronger zan Harle. . Inzide. . Harle wantz to be like Marcus. . . W-Will Marcus. . Help Harle? . Help. . who Harle iz?"

Following those very words Harle slips off her twin twin jester's cap. The soft chime of the two bells jingled in the immediate area of the two as the cap was removed to be hooked to her silk belt, and from its removal Harle's bright brunette hair sways in the air with the halting swing. Strands of hair reflext the little moon light that penetrated the tent's torn roof to reveal the ends tied together into a small ponytail. The eyes could make out her slender white neck as Harle retrieved the hidden cloth tucked away in the back of the cape attached to her silk like sleeveless vest. "H-Harle. . doze not want to hide. . Harle. . wantz to be free," her soft spoken words hummed through the still air while wiping off the leftover traces of ink. Her anxiety at its highest. For her to stop herself now would only have the Shinigami revert back into hiding once more. She was only confident with her cover. . her shield to conceal the shame and terrified child she was in the past.

As the swing came to a full stop directly below an opening the Jester had completed her task. Tucking her cloth away into her small cape she glanced over to the human seated beside her. Her mask was off. She was exposed for who she was. . For who she is. The sparkling pools of blue locked with the man's eyes. Smooth creamy skin lightened by the moon's shine. The clinging grasp on the man struggles to make up its own mind, switching between a weakened to a strong hold as though pleading for help. Harle's own gaze reflected Marcus' figure for he was the only one she saw. Her confidence swaying with the night breeze. The lieutenant's words soft spoken once more as her fixated gaze quivers with anticipation, "W-Will Mon. . sieur Marcus . help. . Harle?"</sub>

[Marcus Cole]

Marcus was in emotional conflict as both positive and negative emotions stirred within him. Firstly, just sitting beside Harle made him feel awkwardly uncomfortable. He was leaning the other way, gripping the rope on his side of the swing to make sure there was as much of a gap between the two as possible. However, at the same time, he felt closer to Harle than he ever had with another human being. He didn’t fear her judging him, as he did when they first met. But he couldn’t completely let go of the psychological shackles that restrained him for the past seven years, even after starting his new life under Kazura. Even after meeting Harle. He didn’t have that type of strength that Harle thought she saw.

The human had kept his gaze to the ground, his head turned away from the woman beside him. But when she pressed her face into his arm, grabbing his shirt, Marcus’s face changed expression from distant nervousness to utter shock. He could feel her heart beating, as well as the gentle quivering. The Shinigami seemed even more nervous and scared than Marcus was on a regular basis, but the human didn’t take this as a sign of weakness. It made him connect with Harle, for he walks in the same shoes every day. This was the first time that he realized that he wasn’t alone.

"M-Monsieur Marcus, could you aid Harle wiz un problem?" What Marcus wanted to say was ‘Of course, I’ll help you in anyway I can!’ But there was no way he could force all of that out. Marcus’s anxiety would choke him half-way through it. Instead, he managed to stutter out an uncertain “Y-yes…” The word didn’t nearly show how certain he was that, whatever Harle needed, he would help her. There were few people Marcus ever formed connections to, but those that became a part of his life would see how loyal and caring he could be. "H-Harle wantz to be strong like . . Marcus."

The Fullbringer looked down at the jester with confused disbelief. Until seconds ago, Marcus had viewed Harle as the powerful Shinigami that could comfort a panicking acrobat and refresh his memory on how to swing on a trapeze. But, this time, she was coming to him with a request that wasn’t in his power. "H-Harle wantz to be strong like . . Marcus." “H-harle, you…” But despite how hard Marcus tried, he couldn’t seem to put his thoughts into words when it mattered most. The best he could do was put his arms around the woman in a strong, reassuring hug. "M-Mar. .cus. . iz . .stronger zan Harle. . Inzide. . Harle wantz to be like Marcus. . . W-Will Marcus. . Help Harle? . Help. . who Harle iz?"

The human was never quick on his feet when it came to speaking, so his flustered tongue was far from capable of putting anything meaningful together. He could just stare in wonder at the strong-minded, beautiful girl asking him for help. The same cheerful woman that got a depressed mute like Marcus to speak and, much more than that, smile."H-Harle. . doze not want to hide. . Harle. . wantz to be free," The bells of her jester’s cap echoed through the evening air as she let her tied air wave in the breeze. Her sapphire eyes sought the ice that Marcus saw the world through, and no amount of social anxiety could pull his gaze away.

“You are very strong… Stronger than…” Marcus paused to take a tremulous deep breath. “Than the broken man next to you.” Marcus found strength in himself whenever Harle was around, and it was ironic how quickly the roles changed. Now, in her moment of uncertainty, the half-alive man was trying to soothe the beautiful woman that resurrected his spirits for half an hour. She was a lot stronger than she could see, and Marcus knew that from first-hand experience. He was in a deep, dark pit for seven years, and she let him out. “You are the only one strong enough to help me…”

"W-Will Mon. . sieur Marcus . help. . Harle?"

"Yes."

[Kaijin"Harle"Quinn]

<sub>The human was truly sweet. Unique and special from among the others she had came into contact with. And even while her anxieties were playing their mind games with her emotions and confidence, she had to be one to push herself forward. Not only that, but it was the fact that Marcus was pushing himself away from his own level of comfort to reach out to someone else whom he was not familiar with. An utter stranger by all sense of the word. Harle herself was a mere cover up to hide the scared child that cowers from the world through a new persona that was forged by the past. If she ever decided to move that child from the darkness and into the light, then this moment was perfect to begin the process of healing.

Even with her sudden lapse in confidence and failing demeanor Marcus was still a gentleman. No. He was more than a gentleman. He was sincere and honest with himself, although, like herself the man lacked the strength to raise up against the overwhelming darkness of the past. Knowing that, knowing that the man was fighting his own demons gave Harle a second wind to attempt at burying the past and move on. “You are very strong… Stronger than… than the broken man next to you." His soft spoken words enforced the growing will she would have to summon to overcome her anxieties. But, she will not be doing so alone. Marcus was suffering, and she wanted nothing more than to bring him out from his pain and have him return to that strong willed man she saw on the Trapeze. He was there still. He was there, locked away in the cage that was forged by his own fears.

When he answered her question to help her she could not hold back the smile. A smile she thought was lost a long time ago. A smile without her mask. The sensation itself was awkward in it of itself. Without the heavy makeup to conceal her troubles and concern she felt a brief moment of actual freedom. Similar to when the pair was soaring through the air, but this time it was done so by what they were doing, but by what was felt inside. A natural thing.

Remembering his words gave her strength, “You are the only one strong enough to help me…” to be as strong as he saw her. Even when the swing came to a complete stop she still felt as though they were moving. Not in the sense of physically moving the body but moving forward in life. Marcus was pushing her forward, and so, she will bring him along with her, "Harle. . will beez a light for Marcus. . En Marcus. . will beez a light for Harle." The two were locked in the other's eyes. How soothing it was to gaze into his cool blue eyes. Like two pools of water sparkling, lighting up his clear complexion. The more she focused on them the more she could not remove herself to gaze away. Why would she want to anyhow?

The scene appeared as though everything had come to a complete stand still, and by all means Harle would not mind at all if it remained as is, "Thank you. . .Would Marcus. . show Harle all zat he knows?" A glimmer of strength carried her words through the air to the man before taking a small breath to allow herself to fall over backwards toward the ground. How everything seemed to move slowly as she fell to the ground. She was not in danger and wanted to ensure the man on the swing above her by kicking her legs to her chest in order to flip her figure back, landing safely to the central ring below. Without her protective mask on she would normally have hesitated in her movements, however, that was not the case this time. The Lieutenant found a source of strength that she was able to understand, and to remind her of what she wanted to become. A constant reminder.

"Come Marcus. . Show Harle." A small fragment of who she was reflected off her creamy complexion, even without the mask there was a part of the carefree Jester that wanted to learn more. This man, who deemed himself unworthy and weak, was more than he appeared to be, and thus, gave the Jester strength to push herself away from her anxiety. "Harle will. . umm. . share what she knowz too." Her Jester's cap thrown to the stands beside her along with her cape and varies tools, it was the Lieutenant's desire to return to the roots in order to rebuild the courage she once had in herself, and maybe, the same for Marcus. This time with no mask, nothing to keep her away from reality.

Kicking off the ground with her own physical strength in combination with her acrobatic skills, the Shinigami entered into a series of back flips, narrowly missing smashing her forehead against the first high rise onto the bleachers. Up the benches she took her time to regain her handling on herself before landing back on her feet to summon her reiatsu to launch herself into the air off the third set of benches. Her form would twist in the air by a spinning kick in the air. Her other leg followed before the right leg lagged for a moment to kick once more to build momentum to enter into a corkscrew spin. Upon landing the Shinigami's base physical strength would absorb her light weight with an open palm onto the indent of the central ring, and immediately follow up into a cartwheel to relieve the pressure.

Nearing the center of the ring Harle jerks pushes herself away from the cartwheel onto her feet to kick off once more for a quick back flip. The translucent body would land back onto the soles of both feet from the flip and without the aid of using her hands to flip once more into the center point of the ring. At were these times that Harle could remember the acts she had performed on stage with her parents in front of hundreds of people. Whether it be on the dirt floor, wooden high rises, or the stone flooring in front of Kings, the Shinigami was reliving those moments. This time, not with her family, but with someone new. Someone who she can put her faith in. Her trust into. She was able to herself once more.

With Marcus. . . she be do anything.</sub>