Virgil climbed the shaky stairs, making sure he picked up his feet so he wouldn't trip on his chaps. The announcer's box was a simple shed raised up so that it could see the whole arena. Virgil reached for the knob, not bothering to knock. Logan was a very particular man who was always in the box and setting up at least an hour before start time usually with a thirty minute ban on everyone else. At then minutes before showtime though, Virgil would be fine to enter and probably find Patton there.

He swung the door open and stepped in before once again closing it behind him. Logan was in front of a laptop working on something only he would understand and Patton was sitting on the counter using a hand held mirror to finish his clown makeup. When he caught sight of the newcomer he squealed interrupting the stranger talking to Logan.

"Virgil!," Patton set the mirror and face paint down before coming towards him. Virgil instinctively raised his arms showing the enthusiastic man that it was okay to hug him. Virgil embraced him, carefully avoiding the wet paint on Patton's face. Patton held on for a few more seconds before letting go and heading back to the counter to grab his rainbow suspenders that matched his tall socks and the bright bandannas tied to his cut off denim shorts. "Can you clip me?"

"Yeah sure," he agreed so Patton spun around as Virgil took the suspenders and clipped the back to his shorts and draped the front part on his shoulders so he could reach them and clip them to the front.

"Salutations, Virgil," Logan greeted. Virgil gave a small wave. Logan  was in his usual dark blue shirt with his signature bolo tie around his neck. "You can now continue," he said turning to the stranger standing next to him.

The cowboy wore a white shirt filled with fringe and jewels, a sash across his chest reading Rodeo Queen, fitting with the bright red hat with a tiara wrapped around the crown. His jeans were tucked into his boots to reveal the bright red shaft with white veining up it and a heel that would for sure give Virgil a broken ankle.

"Oh I was pretty much done, just hit play when I set the flag up and I'll go," the cowboy said. Logan nodded and shut the laptop before turning his chair to face Virgil.

"How's the ankle?" Logan asked. On his last ride, Virgil had landed awkwardly, rolling his right ankle, something only Logan's sharp eyes had caught which had led him to later search out Virgil to ensure that it was not too bad. It had turned out to be nothing, just sore for a few days.

"It's good as long as I land gently tonight and the wrappings should keep it stable."

"So make it the full eight seconds and catch a ride on the ring assistants' horse," Logan informed with a smile. "Thomas and Joan are on duty tonight." Virgil nodded, remembering the usuals.

"So you're a rider?" The stranger stepped forward and held his hand out. "Broncs?" Virgil shook his hand politely.

"Bulls," he answered.

"Ah, the big event and the biggest pain. I'm Roman King, the rodeo queen for the Sanders Circuit. And you are Virgil..." He trailed off wanting Virgil to finish his statement.

"Ya I am," was all he said before shoving his hands into his pockets. Virgil wasn't really sure about rodeo queens. He had seen them around in their shiny hats and even brighter smiles but usually they were long-haired blonde girls who had failed at being barrel racers but were crazy about their horses. Roman had dark brown hair styled so it fit him well and dark brown eyes but his smile seemed to fit the profile.

"Well I must be going, I have to get my chaps on and get Aphrodite for the opening." Logan and Patton gave their short good-byes as he headed for the door, pulling it shut and leaving the three friends alone.

"Sooooo Roman's pretty cute, huh, Virgil?" Patton said with a grin. Virgil shook his head at him. Patton had tried to set him up a million times, even going so far as to set up dates.

"Not going to happen, Pat." Logan gave a chuckle from his seat and Virgil glanced at him, knowing that Logan would be no help.

"Come on, Virgil, you can't deny that he was quite adorable." Virgil's face flushed and he turned his hat down to cover his red face. He had in fact noted the very handsome face of Roman King. "He's really nice and he seems like a gentleman. He used to show horses and works part time at  an equine rescue home. And he can sing! And did I mention that he's cute?" Virgil rolled his eyes.

"Careful Patton, you have a boyfriend." Logan raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. Patton smiled, walked over to him and kissed Logan's temple before sitting back on the counter, closer to Logan now. Logan was now looking up at Patton, clearly stricken.

"Oh yes I do and he's the cutest and the smartest and the bestest and I love him more than anything else but Roman..."

"Not happening. Besides he's probably straight," Virgil muttered.

"That's not exactly a no."

"Also Virgil, think about it logically," Logan spun his chair to him. "He's not straight."

"Whatever, I need to go meet up with D and Remus, so I'll see ya'll later." Virgil ignored Patton and Logan's faces at the others' names. They never seemed to get along with each other. He turned the handle to the door.

"Wait, Virgil!" Patton rushed towards him. "We still on for Sunday lunch on the way?" On the way to the next rodeo they always got together for lunch usually at some local joint as a sorta traditions between the three. It had led to some great adventures and sometimes some really excellent home cooking.

"Definitely, Pat," Virgil agreed before exiting the stand.