written for @carwheelerweek day 7: Ensemble/Free Day. SFW. Canon divergence.Â
It was clear nothing was ever going to change. At least not for the better. Not with the circus in a new location; a fresh start that afforded them all so much more freedom. Not even with the longing looks and heartbreak written in their eyes. Lettie couldnât take it anymore. She cared about them, they were her friends â her family â and they were hurting. She wanted to fix it.
She knew wasnât the only one.
Her first conspirators were Caroline and Helen. It was easy enough to get information from them, and easier still for them to gather it. The little spies that they were. Unfortunately, no matter how hard they tried certain facts still eluded them. Important ones.
Once the girls were on board, Lettie found herself talking with other women in the troupe: Mary and Florence, Nea, even Deng Yan â which had surprised Lettie â were all keen on the idea of doing something for the pair. Eventually Constantine and Charles joined the group as well. Although Lettie kept the word quiet around W.D. She wasnât entirely sure he would be on their side.
The next course of action was to figure out a plan. The group met in secret, near the animal enclosures in hopes they wouldnât be too conspicuous while they talked. The last thing they needed was to be overheard.
âAll right, so whatâs our plan?â
âCanât we just talk to them?â Helen asked.
âThey wouldnât listen, sweetheart, theyâre too stubborn,â Charles said gently with a shake of his head.
âBut theyâre meant for each other. Arenât they?â Helen frowned.
âSometimes it isnât as easy as in stories. Thatâs why weâre here,â Lettie said and gave Helen a reassuring smile.
âSo the direct approach isnât going to get us anywhere,â Charles said.
Lettie frowned. âNo, itâs not.â
âWould you like my opinion?â
They all turned as one to find W.D. standing behind them, arms crossed and head tilted to the side. He raised an eyebrow at them. As far as Lettie could tell he didnât seem angry, which was something. She decided to take it as a good sign.
âHowâd you find us?â she asked.
âNone of yâall are half as subtle as you think you are.â He smiled and dropped his arms.
âAre you going to tell on us?â Helen asked, peeking around Lettie.
âNo, Helen. I think⊠I think I actually agree with you?â He stepped in closer to the group, let the Barnum girls flank him on either side. âCharles is right, my sister is stubborn. As a mule. Thereâs also a lot more than you know.â
âSo what happened?â Lettie asked. Once upon a time Anne had confided in Lettie. Now she was withdrawn, sad. Things had changed the night Phillip took her to the theater, only none of them could figure out what exactly had happened.
âItâs complicated, which you probably guessed already. Anne made a choice, and she thinks itâs the right one. But I donât, not anymore. Not when sheâs hurting like she is.â
âDo you have a plan?â
W.D. was quiet for a moment, eyes focused on his feet. âI have something⊠I donât know if itâs the best way, but itâs all I got.â He lifted his head, started looking around at the group. âAnne is stubborn, we know. Sheâs also competitive. And right now, even after everything, Phillip is still a sure bet. I think he always will be. But if we made her think he wasnât, that his feelings could change. She might come to her senses.â
âSo we make her think thereâs some competition for his affection?â Charles pondered that, shared a look with the twins. Both nodded. âItâs not a bad idea.â
âWe canât just throw a girl in his path, that would never work,â Deng Yan said. âIt needs to be subtle.â
âSubtle says the woman who throws knives for a living.â
âYou know what I mean, Nea.â
âLove letters.â Everyone turned to look at Constantine as if he had grown a second head. He shrugged. âLike a secret admirer. Itâs romantic, itâs subtle. Itâs anonymous. Besides, even if his feelings wonât change, Phillip would still be embarrassed. Even flattered. Anne would notice.â
It sounded as good as anything Lettie had thought up. Glancing around at everyone else, it seemed they all agreed. Regardless, it was their best shot.
Lettie clapped her hands together and grinned. âAll right everyone, I think we have ourselves a plan!â
