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To say that Leo was having a very weird day. Would be an understatement. He had followed some chick thing into a theater, met said theater's non-human “maestro”, got told something is missing from his heart, and then got kidnapped into another world, where other people were trapped as well.
To say that this was “weird” would be putting it LIGHTLY.
The other girl, Emma, was stuck in this world along with him, but he seemed to be handling it better than him. So far, they were back on that Isle that they landed on, with more of those chick things (that Balan had oh so helpfully told him were called “Tims”) hopping around them. He had to admit, as weird as the situation was it wasn't…SO bad.
He tiredly rubbed at his eyes. As strange as this day was, he had to admit, he was starting to get more sleepy. But then again, he didn't want to sleep in this Isle, or in this world in GENERAL. Emma also gave a Yawn, as she was feeding the Tims drops that were found in the stages. “(Yawn) Man…what a Day…” She said, as she scattered the drops into the flowers.
“Yeah. It's been a very crazy day…” Leo said, fighting his own yawn. He sat on the ground near that “Tower o Tims” it was called as he blinked in and out of sleep. “Man. I wouldn't mind getting some sleep though.” He said. “Maybe Balan will let us get some sleep!” Emma said. Leo raised an eyebrow, it was one thing getting transported here, it was another to actually STAY here.
“Or maybe he'll let us leave and come back in the morning.” Leo said. Emma shrugged her shoulders. “I dunno…He seemed pretty adamant that we ‘fix our hearts’ she said. Leo narrowed his eyes. “Well we can't do that if we're tired.” He said. “That I agree. You're starting to look very sleepy to me.” Came the deep voice of Balan behind them.
Both kids jumped to see the grinning maestro in all of his glory. His shiny white suit glimmering in the sun. “I couldn't help but overhear, but don't fret, my help is always near!” He said. “Uh…Great.” Leo said, as he took a few steps away from Balan. ‘Talk about no personal space…’ he thought. “So. We were wondering when we can leave so we can get so sleep.” He said, playing up his tiredness. “We can't save hearts if we fall asleep.” He added.
Balan gave a deep laugh as if Leo just told him the funniest joke in the world. “Now that's a funny request! The theater can't let you leave yet, even as a guest. Once your inside, in you must stay. Only then can you be sent back to your world and on your way.” He said. Leo sagged. “So…do we just sleep on the isle?” He asked. The top-hatted humanoid just shook his head “Oh goodness no! I'm not a inconsiderate host! I know that you humans need sleep the most.” He said.
The 3 of them then noticed that it began to get darker as the sun began to set. “Would you look at that! It's night fall! I guess there's a reason to take a pause after all.” Balan said. He snapped his fingers again, as the kids found themselves falling through the ground, and landing back in the theater they were in before. Same seats as before. The two of them looked around, but didn't see Balan anywhere.
“Now's our chance!” Leo said, as he got up “Let's get out of this crazy place.” He said, as he made a mad dash towards the door, only to be stopped when the hall began to get longer and longer. The floor then began to roll backwards, like a treadmill before dropping Leo back where he started. “Now Now, you'll get to leave soon, just not yet. But you'll perk up after a nice long sleep I'll bet.” Balan said, from in front of them. “But where?” Emma asked “On the stage?” Balan just smiled and shook his head.
“Sometimes guests need a longer show, when their hearts are still broken and unbalanced in some ways they don't know. When that happens, they are allowed a stay. In the theater's backrooms, still close, but still away.” The maestro explained. The kids looked at each other, confused at Balan's words. But of course, Leo wasn't giving up the opportunity to get out.
“Well. Is a room it? In our normal clothes?” He asked. “Can't sleep without pajamas after all.” He said. Balan just grinned, and snapped his fingers. In a puff of glitter, the two kids found themselves in different clothes. Leo gasped as he found himself in his favorite pajamas, and Emma in her favorite night gown. The two kids looked down and gasped “But…How did-!” Leo started, only to be cut off by Balan “I could sense in your heart what you desired most, and used my magic to bring it here, without leaving my post.” He said.
Leo cringed. He didn't expect Balan to do that…then again, he doesn't expect Balan to do HALF of the stuff he does.”Now then, let me lead you two to your beds. I'm sure you'll want to rest your heads.” He said, before rushing through the hallway, pushing the kids along with him. The kids give screams as Balan laughed with glee behind them as the room spun from the speed. When they finally stopped, Leo and Emma had to get their bearings back, when they found themselves in front of 2 doors with stars on them, each with an initial.
“Go on, step inside. I think you'll enjoy what the doors hide.” Balan said. The kids, still weary, carefully and slowly opened the doors, and that weariness faded away as they saw their rooms in full scale. Emma very much could have entered her dream room, as she was walked inside to see a beautiful pink and frilly room, with the most beautiful toys she had ever seen, and very lavish furniture. Leo's room on the other hand, was much more modern, he had everything he could ask for from a room catered fo him, including a full scale view of his home, he even had his his favorite radio!
“Whoa…this is incredible…” He said as he gazed around the room. Balan smiled “I'm glad you like it! If there's anything else you need. Just call me out and my help you'll heed.” He said, as he snapped his fingers again, and vanished. Leo blinked at Balan's disappearance. But he shook his head. As of now, he needed to think of a way to leave. He couldn't sprint out now, because then Balan would know what he's planning. So he'd wait it out.
He got into the bed (which felt REALLY comfortable.), and decided to fake sleep, at least for a few minutes to make it look like he fell asleep. Half an hour later he got back up, and slowly made his way to the door. He carefully opened it, cringing as it slightly creaked, and poked his head out to see if anyone was coming. He gave a sigh of relief as he didn't see anyone, and he crept out of the room and opened Emma's door.
To his dismay, she was sleeping soundly in her dream room, cuddled up against a pink Tim that somehow made its way into her room. Leo looked down, this threw a monkey wrench in his plan…but he could come back for her. Closing the door, he began to creep through the hallway, hoping to get back to the main theater, and get to the exit. When he stopped in his tracks. Up ahead was a door that he didn't see before. One that read “Maestro's Quarters.”...and he heard Balan's deep voice humming in there from the slightly opened door
He cringed, this wasn't good…he crept around the door, as he could hear the maestro talking to one of the Tims. “Timmu!” “Yes Yes, I know you want to sleep with the boy, but he doesn't seem like the type to sleep with a toy.” Balan said, supposedly to the Tim. “Hmm…You do have a point. I guess ‘Nighttime Watcher’ upon you I can appoint.” He said. Leo shook his head, he didn't have time for this, he needed to get OUT. Sneaking past the door, he began to continue down the hall.
Unfortunately, it seemed that the hall had…grown in size. Not only did the hall seemed to split into even more room, but now it seemed to have more rooms that he thought. ‘I don't understand…when Balan pushed us through it was a straight shot.’. He continued forward, before his creeps began to turn into a walk, which then turned into a run, and them a full on sprint. And at the same time, the hallways fought back, now making the doors lead to nowhere, and even in nonsensical places, now making Leo more frustrated.
In his frustrated sprint, he finally found the main theater, and to his relief, the exit out of there. He ran through the hall to the door, but once again, the theater began to mess with him, as gravity seemed to shift and Leo was now running up onto the walls and ceiling, as the door seemed to get further and further away. Leo gave a tired pant, but he refused to give up this time. He kept pressing on, even as the hallway got longer and the door even further. He ran faster and faster, slowly catching up to the door.
As he finally caught the handles, he quickly threw himself into the door, and slammed it behind him. He caught his breath, breathing heavily. “(Huff…Huff…) Finally…(Huff…) I'm out…” He panted. “Out of your room yes. But you still must regain your balance I must confess.” Came Balan's voice. Leo froze as his head slowly lifted up. He saw that he was not back in the alleyway in his hometown, but rather still in the theater, facing a sitting Balan, who was calmly sipping…hot chocolate?
“I can sense your resistance to sleep. I understand, even if you hadn't said a peep. Everyone is cautious where they are sleeping the first day, that's a problem not even I can take away.” Balan said. He sat down his cup calmly. “But I suppose, if sleep is not easy to please, I can at least put you at ease.” He said. He flicked a single finger, and a chair appeared underneath Leo, and was pulled closer to the table Balan was at.
Balan then summoned up another cup, and poured in some more hot chocolate. And pushed it towards Leo. “Uh…thanks.” He said, as he gave it a cautious sip…and then another…and another… “I make the best ever tasted. It would be a shame to see it wasted.” He said. “This stuff IS good.” Leo said, taking another sip, until he realized what he was doing. Putting down the cup, he turned away from Balan “Were you the one messing with the hallways and doors? He asked.
Balan's smile didn't falter “I may have kept open my quarters door, but the theater, it did a lot more. Twisting corridors and turning halls, you walking on the ceiling and walls.” He chuckled. Leo narrowed his eyes “But I shouldn't get too far away from my head. You should be heading back to bed.” Balan said. “I can help! Maybe a change of blankets, to satin or silk, or a plate of cookies and a glass of warm milk?, Perhaps a lullaby sung, is what you need, or a bedtime story you want to read?” Balan asked.
Leo looked away, not wanting to give Balan the satisfaction of helping him. He didn't NEED help, and besides, most of those options sounded like for little kids...and he wasn't a little kid anymore. But Balan once again spoke. “Nobody is too old for anything. I should know. I sleep with the Tims, where my head should lay a pillow. Sometimes they need comfort, some reassurance that help is near. And in that comfort, I am always here.” He said.
The blonde haired boy still didn't ease up. “I'm not a Tim thought, and I don't need comfort. I'm fine on my own, and I can do things myself.” He said, convinced he was fine just on his own. But Balan, seeing that one spark, that one thing that made his heart imbalanced, he didn't give up either. “I know that you're older, and interests change. And sure Wonderworld, is magic and strange, but it also exists to ease your broken heart…and knowing that you miss something, is a start.” He said
Now Leo gave up. “Ok…I do have ONE thing that helps me get sleep…” He admitted. “A nightlight, that shows the night sky, including the constellation Leo…” he said. Balan smiled, it wasn't revealing his problems, but it was a start. “Oh? You don't say. Is that the reason that sleep stays away?” He asked. Leo just nods “Well then, I'll do you one better than a nightlight.” Balan starts, as he snaps his finger, and teleported them both back to Leo's room, with Leo on the bed, and Balan sitting at a nearby chair.
“How about seeing the stars. Real and bright?” He asked. The maestro then snapped his fingers, and the roof opened up above them, revealing a beautiful starry sky, as comets and shooting stars danced above them, much to Leo's wonder. “Whoa…” He gasped “And that's not all, for lo, There in the middle, is the constellation Leo.” Balan said, as the constellation of the lion appeared above them. Leo smiled at the stars above him.
His then laid back, his eyes up again at the stars and a smile on his face. He slowly drifted off to sleep, as Balan pulled the covers over him, and pat his head. “Goodnight brave Leo, may you have good dreams. And it looks like you're not as happy alone as it seems.” He said, as the yellow Tim entered the room and gave a curious “Timmu?”. Balan smiled as he picked it up, and gently delivered it to Leo's bed. The Tim gave a chirp as it snuggled into Leo's arms.
As the final thing, Balan created a small music box that played a stages music at random, before he carefully left the room, and gently closed the door, hoping that in the morning, Leo would be prepared for what happened next in this strange and wondrous theater land…