Sad Circus

Seeing Diana and I were exhausted, Ororo suggested we rest and later attend a feast to celebrate the victory and Ororo's return to Themyscira. I was taken to a room, and I hate to say it, but I went straight to the bed and passed out. Totally ignoring the fact that I was the only male on the island. Not that me being male would be a good thing to a vast majority of the island's occupants.

When I finally woke up, it was to a knock at my door. When I answered it there was a maid that let me know the feast would start in 30 minutes. When I asked how long I had been asleep she said I entered the room almost 18 hours ago. I requested some warm water so I could clean up. I assumed I would not be a welcome figure in any bathing area on the island. As far as clothes went, I worked on my Martian ability and managed to form shoes with blue jeans and a grey shirt with the Thundercat symbol on it. I figured that if they wanted me in traditional clothing, they would have provided it. 

When I stepped out of my room, the maid took me through the halls to a room where Diana and Ororo stood next to their mother. Hippolyta saw me and gestured me forward, "Logan J'onzz, I would like to officially thank you for accompanying my daughter on a task that brought you no advantage and ask if there is anything I can do either as a Queen or a mother to repay you."

Logan, "There is nothing to repay Queen Hippolyta. Diana came to my rescue amid unknown danger once in the past asking nothing in return, so I would be a poor friend to request anything for helping her now. For someone like me that is new to the world, hospitality and friendship is all I can hope for." I know I sounded like I was a bit over the top, but it was true that I just do not need anything more than friendship right now. Money was not an issue; I had all the training opportunities I could ask for in Gotham. So, I was simply fine.

Logan, "I would like to know how long we were in Tartarus though, I heard rumors that time can be funny in the underworld." Hoping we had not been gone so long that Connor was stuck watching the Circus alone.

Diana, "Including today we have been gone from Metropolis for 3 nights and 2 days. If we get back tomorrow morning, we should make the last day of the Circus.

After a brief discussion with Ororo about what all we had dealt with at the Circus and then a more detailed version of what we went through in Tartarus, Hippolyta motioned us towards the balcony. Once we stepped out, I saw a large crowd of Amazons who appeared to be waiting for their ruler to make her entrance. Once she did, the crowd let out three cheers for her and stopped to wait for her speech.

Hippolyta spoke eloquently about her daughter's adventure into Tartarus along with me and the final result. She then spoke about the Gods ending her eldest daughter Ororo's exile and finished with her plans to allow a teleport platform to be built on Themyscira as a bridge to the world.

After the speech we were released into the crowd, and I found their idea of a feast rather interesting. Several fire pits had a different animal roasting on each of them and there were tables with a variety of dishes on them that you could eat at your leisure. I accompanied Diana around the festivities and learned a great deal. I had no clue that they saved a portion of each meal to put in the fire to represent a sacrifice to Hestia. She explained that it was to honor the ancient ways, as the person who stayed to tend the fire instead of hunting would still need to eat. I made sure to give my fair share for the custom.

The next morning Diana, Ororo and I flew directly to the Island that had the teleport platform and were brought to the Watchtower directly. When we appeared I saw a large black man who had a T on his face acting as a mask and I instantly recognized him as Mr. Terrific. One of the most brilliant men on the planet.

Logan, "Is J'onn in his quarters sir?" I asked Mr. Terrific

Mr. Terrific, "No he had to head out for a mission, anything you need to pass on to him? Perhaps I can slip it in next time he checks in."

Logan, "No thanks, I just did not want to pass through without seeing him if he was here."

I turned to Diana, "Are you continuing on to Metropolis with me or do you have other plans?"

Diana, "No, I am going to stay here and work on some things with my sister, thanks again for all your help Logan. I will be there for you if ever you need me."

Logan gave her a look directly in the eyes and said, "Do not let what Hades said get to you. Who you are is more about what you do than where you came from. Never doubt the good person you are Diana."

I asked Mr. Terrific to send me to Metropolis and once I appeared there, I just changed to a falcon and flew to the hotel I had left Connor at.  Flying into an alley I quickly made the change into Cristopher Reeves with my Martian abilities and entered the hotel. Making a beeline straight to my door I realized that Diana had not given me her key card to let Dick back into the room when he came back. Oh well, he would figure something out. I knocked on my door to see if Connor was still here but received no reply, so I went to the lobby bathroom and changed back to my human appearance and walked to the circus.

The whole Cloak & Dagger thing was as much me practicing as anything else. I didn't think I was so far up on anyone's radar that I needed to worry yet. But practicing was never a bad idea, besides it would save me a ton on clothing.

Once I went to the area where the Circus was, I could not believe that they were in the process of tearing everything down. If Diana was right, they still had tonight's show to perform. I started looking for Connor immediately. I headed for the animal area and ran into Bart almost right off.

Logan, "Hey Bart, what is going on? Did I miss the last showing?"

Bart, "We had to pack up early, Mr. Haly died last night so we are headed to Jersey to pay our last respects. Cali had to leave with Liz and Chester for Africa, she was sure sorry to have missed you."

Logan, "What about my friend Connor? He still around?"

Bart, "I'll say he is. That boy does the work of three men and doesn't break a sweat doing it. He has been a major help. On hearing about Mr. Haly most people just have no energy to work, lost in thought every few steps it seems."

Logan, "Thanks, I'll go see him and then I'll help you with the animals."

I headed to where I could see the big trucks being loaded up and figured I would find Connor there and I was right. He was smart to not lift anything too heavy for a normal strong person but the pace he was able to do it was abnormal if you knew what you were looking for. "Hey Connor, I made it back. Sorry to have left you behind. Looks like you got over your cold."

Connor, "Cold? Ah the green rock flue. Yeah, it was out of my system the next morning. You take care of Diana's request?"

Logan, "Yeah, it's all done, she is spending some time with her sister. Anything happen here after we left?"

Connor, "Nothing major, just a few random attempts to make it hard on the Circus. Shame they had to close down early, there was a ton of support after one of their members helped to rescue some kidnaped kids."

  I was glad to hear that Cali kept my name out of the rescue, even without me asking her too. Maybe I will run into her again someday. Who knew.

Logan, "Have you seen Dick? Or did he come back yet?

Connor, "Yeah, he is here, his trip didn't go so well. He was the one who found Mr. Haly."

Logan, "Thanks, I will go talk with him and see if we will still be needed after helping to pack up. That is unless you have somewhere to be?"

Connor, "No. Keeping busy is helping a lot. Had a visit from my… Brother yesterday that helped put a few things to rest in my mind. He suggested I take on a day job or a hobby of some kind. Staying in my room all the time isn't helping me in any way. I think I may take an interest in these motor vehicles; they seem consistent and uncomplicated."

  Logan, "Well I have a perfect place for you to pick up some knowledge in that department, its also in a good spot to blow off some steam occasionally. You can even bring wolf to get him outside. I'll go see how Dick's doing and them we and go from there."