Chapter Two

Amidst the carnival's dazzling display of vibrant colors and the jubilant cries of excitement, April's thoughts were focused on something beyond just the festive atmosphere.

She had it enough.

April struggled to understand how Lia and Nate could continue their incessant bickering without a moment’s respite. Even though their arguments were confined to mere words and didn't escalate into physical confrontations, April found herself utterly drained by their ceaseless squabbles.

It felt less like strolling through an exciting carnival and more like enduring a picnic with a disgruntled hen, endlessly grumbling about the irritating humans surrounding her.

April sighed and then turned to Lia, asking, “Hey, aren’t you interested in some cotton candy? Everyone else has already got theirs. What about you?”

Lia shrugged, glancing around at the colorful tent adorned with neon lights and exotic markings reminiscent of those found on the pyramids in cartoons.

“No, I’m allergic to sugar, remember? Besides, I’m planning to grab another serving of French fries, this time with garlic sauce mixed with ketchup. That would taste so…. Perfecto!” She responded a little nonchalantly.

Nate snorted and commented, “No wonder you’re so bitter.”

That comment hit a nerve with Lia, prompting her to snap back, “No wonder Mom’s taking you to the dentist, you little dimwit.”

Nate’s honey-colored eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Lia, his gaze filled with shock.

“Wait, really? Mom can’t be serious, right?” He asked. Lia just responded with a mischievous grin and stuck her tongue out at him in response.

April let out another sigh as she paid for her pink cotton candy. She then turned to Leo and Danny, who were happily devouring their blue cotton candy.

"Hey, you two, weren't we supposed to wait for the show to start before digging into the cotton candy? Why are you already eating yours?" April asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. Meanwhile, both kids snapped pictures of each other, indulging in their cotton candy with the enthusiasm of famished beasts.

Leo and Danny glanced at April, with Danny responding cheerfully, “Oh, it’s because we want to finish the cotton candy now so we can fully enjoy the popcorn and juice during the show. We’re looking forward to munching on caramel popcorn while watching!”

April wondered to herself, ‘Is this a movie theater or something?’ But she kept her thoughts to herself. Too exhausted to delve into their plans, she simply wanted to enjoy the show, hit a few favorite rides, and then head home to sleep like a log.

"Hey, April, the show's about to start. Let's go!" Lia called out, her voice carrying a sense of urgency.

April nodded, falling into step as Danny and Leo trailed closely behind her, their footsteps echoing hers as they all moved toward the event together.

With a bucket of fries in one hand and Nate’s hand clasped in the other, Lia stepped into the garishly decorated tent, its peculiar black and purple design illuminated by flashes of blue and pink neon lights. Circuses had never appealed to her—always striking her as absurd and outdated—but even so, she was well aware that traditional circus tents typically featured a color palette of red, white, and perhaps... yellow. This strange mix of hues only heightened the oddity of the place.

‘Then, why was this circus so different? Could it really be as famous for its unique performances and unusual color scheme as April had mentioned earlier?’ Lia wondered, but for the moment, she couldn’t say for sure. She still had to watch the show to understand what made this circus so renowned that no one wanted to miss it. After all, it was the only circus that toured the world extensively, attracting attention everywhere it went.

As they made their way toward the private area owned by the circus, nestled within the carnival's walls, Lia noticed that while the space wasn’t particularly expansive, it was spacious enough to comfortably accommodate the massive circus tent without making the crowd feel cramped or confined. The layout seemed thoughtfully planned, allowing people to move around without feeling congested.

Lia also couldn’t ignore the fact that the circus had its own section of food stands set up outside. However, it was clear to her that the carnival staff, not the circus employees, were responsible for the offerings. The workers manning the stalls weren’t dressed in a way that aligned with the circus’s theme; they were simply going about their business. The only exception was the cotton candy, available in a variety of colors from a single stall situated just outside the circus tent, adding a splash of whimsy to the otherwise ordinary setup.

“Hum, nice business strategy," Lia mused as she noticed how nearly everyone was clutching their cotton candy in different colors and shapes. The sight stirred her own craving to try it, but her allergy held her back, reminding her that she was helpless against something invisible and impossible to fix.

It made her feel like a prisoner to her own body’s limits, trapped by something as simple as a sweet treat she couldn’t have.

Lia huffed in frustration as she made her way through the crowd until they finally reached their seats at the upper end, offering what seemed like a perfect view, at least for her. The rest of the group might not have felt the same. The cushioned seats were comfortable, allowing them to settle in and relax as they prepared to watch the show. Glancing around, Lia noticed the stage was completely bare, not even a hint of decorations—just an open space as clear as a bright sky. But as soon as they settled into their seats, snacks in hand, the lights abruptly went out, plunging the entire room into a sudden, pitch-black darkness, erasing even the glow of the neon lights.

Lia hummed thoughtfully; her curiosity piqued about how the show would unfold. After all, it had earned its fame for a reason.

She was eager to discover exactly what made it so renowned.

Just as the show was about to begin, Lia felt a sudden tug on her sweater. In an instant, she grasped the situation, her understanding dawning in the blink of an eye.

Lia was well aware that her bratty brother had a fear of the dark, so she promptly took his hand and held it firmly as the darkness enveloped them. Though Nate would never openly admit it, a sense of relief washed over his frantic beating heart and mind as he settled back into his seat, his anxiety easing as he eagerly anticipated the start of the show.

As five minutes ticked by, the hall tent suddenly began to illuminate with a dazzling display.

Enormous blue roses, infused with soft lights, began to emerge along the railing, climbing from the bottom to the top. Then each rose blossomed, casting a warm glow that brightened the room, allowing everyone to see one another clearly. Little purple neon sparkles erupted from the roses, filling the air with a fresh, enchanting fragrance.

"WOAH!"

The crowd erupted in loud cheers, their delight palpable, and Lia couldn’t help but agree—this was truly remarkable. It felt as if she had stepped into a fairytale.

Once the room was sufficiently illuminated to reveal the audience, mostly children accompanied by their older siblings and a few with parents, as circuses had become more of a family affair these days, a sudden spectacle unfolded. A line of purple flames seemed to materialize out of nowhere, encircling the entire stage. The flames crackled and grew hotter, their warmth perceptible to the audience. As the fire swirled and danced in a hurricane-like motion on the stage, it eventually dissipated, revealing the circus performers emerging from within the violet blaze, their heads bowed in a gesture of respect for their young viewers.

"FABLED WHIMSICAL CIRCUS!"

"FABLED WHIMSICAL CIRCUS!"

"FABLED WHIMSICAL CIRCUS!"

"FABLED WHIMSICAL CIRCUS!"

The chant echoed through the crowd, with April and her brother joining in the cheers. Lia, however, remained in awe, her amazement unshaken. Meanwhile, she contentedly began munching on the fries from the bucket resting between her legs, her other hand clasped around Nate’s warm grip.

As the lights on the stage dimmed once more, the entire scene was shrouded in darkness before brightening again to reveal only the ‘Ringmaster’ standing alone. The other performers had vanished in the brief lapse of light.

The audience’s hushed anticipation was almost tangible, their excitement hanging in the air.

Without warning, a single spotlight cut through the darkness, focusing on the center of the ring where the Ringmaster stood. He was a tall, commanding presence, clad in a dazzling black coat adorned with neon blue embroidery. His top hat was tipped at a jaunty angle, and the sharp crack of a whip sliced through the air, instantly silencing the murmurs that had filled the tent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," he boomed, his voice resonating with authority and charm, "welcome to the greatest show on Earth!" With a flourish, he gestured to the performers waiting in the wings, and the circus came to life.

Above the ring, the Aerialist stood poised on a narrow platform high in the rafters.

She was a vision in silver and purple, her costume glittering like stardust against the darkened backdrop of the circus tent. Her graceful figure seemed to float, illuminated by the spotlight that followed her every move. The audience held their breath, captivated by her ethereal presence.

As the Ringmaster's voice faded into the background, she launched herself into the air with a powerful leap, becoming a blur of grace and strength. Her every movement was precise, yet effortless, as she swung from one trapeze to another, twisting and twirling in midair with the elegance of a dancer and the precision of an acrobat. Her body moved fluidly, muscles rippling under her shimmering costume, as if she were made of liquid silver.

The Aerialist's first trick was a series of breathtaking flips and twists, her body spinning through the air like a figure skater on ice. Each twist was a masterpiece of timing and control; her limbs extended gracefully, her toes pointed like a ballerina's. The audience gasped collectively when she let go of the trapeze, suspended momentarily in flight before catching another bar with perfect timing. The tension was palpable, the silence broken only by the soft rustle of her costume and the occasional sharp intake of breath from the spectators.

She climbed higher, her movements smooth and cat-like, until she reached the apex of the trapeze rigging. There, she hung upside down by her knees, her arms extended towards the audience, a serene smile on her face. With a sudden, heart-stopping motion, she released her legs and plummeted towards the ground, only to catch a swinging bar at the last possible second. The crowd erupted into applause, the sound like a wave crashing against the shore, as she swung back and forth, her momentum building for the next daring maneuver.

The Aerialist then performed a death-defying drop, wrapping herself in long silken ribbons that hung from the ceiling. She spun herself into the fabric, twisting and turning until she was cocooned in a tight spiral. With a flick of her wrist, she began to descend rapidly, the silk unraveling around her in a cascade of colors. She stopped just inches from the ground, her body perfectly still, suspended in midair by the sheer strength of her grip.

For her final act, she ascended once more, this time to a pair of suspended hoops. With a display of remarkable agility, she leaped from one hoop to the other, her body arching gracefully through the air. She hung from the hoops by her feet, her back arched in a perfect curve, her arms outstretched like wings. The audience watched in rapt attention as she performed a series of complex maneuvers, each one more challenging than the last.

The climax of her performance was a synchronized dance with another aerialist, their movements perfectly mirrored as they swung from the hoops. They twisted and turned in unison, their bodies moving as one, creating a mesmerizing display of acrobatic prowess and artistic expression. As they spun faster and faster, the lights dimmed, and the tent was filled with the soft glow of bioluminescent paint that adorned their costumes, creating a magical, otherworldly effect.

As the final notes of the music faded, the Aerialist descended slowly to the ground, her movements controlled and deliberate. She landed with the grace of a swan, her feet touching the ground as lightly as a feather. The audience rose to their feet, their applause thunderous and unending, as she took a deep bow, her face radiant with joy and triumph.

The Aerialist's performance was a breathtaking display of skill, strength, and artistry. Her every gesture was a dance with the air itself. The audience was left spellbound, their hearts soaring with her as she defied gravity and turned the impossible into the sublime.

The spotlight shifted to the Strongman, a towering figure of muscle and might, standing confidently at the edge of the ring.

Clad in a simple yet striking costume of a leopard-print leotard that accentuated his Herculean physique, he approached a massive barbell with a confident stride. His presence was commanding, his every step echoing the power that radiated from his form.

With a deep breath, he wrapped his calloused hands around the cold steel of the barbell. The audience fell silent, their eyes wide with anticipation. The Strongman lifted the barbell with a grunt, the muscles in his arms and back bulging with effort. As he hoisted the weight high above his head, the tent was filled with the sound of his powerful exhalation, a testament to his immense strength. The crowd erupted into applause, but the Strongman was far from finished.

Next, he moved to a series of increasingly heavier weights, each one an awe-inspiring challenge. He lifted a massive boulder, its rough surface seeming to defy the very notion of movement, yet it rose steadily into the air, guided by the Strongman's indomitable will. The audience gasped as he balanced the boulder on one hand, his arm shaking slightly under the immense pressure, before gently placing it back down.

The Strongman then approached a large iron beam, thicker than a man's arm. With a determined expression, he bent the beam into a perfect U-shape, the metal groaning under the strain. The crowd was on their feet, cheering wildly, but the Strongman was just getting started. He called for volunteers from the audience, selecting a group of wide-eyed children who eagerly climbed onto a large platform.

With a nod to his assistants, the platform was secured with ropes, and the Strongman positioned himself beneath it. Slowly, he began to lift his legs and arms, trembling with the effort. The platform rose steadily, the children clutching the railings and giggling in delight. The audience held their breath as the platform reached its zenith, suspended several feet off the ground, the Strongman standing beneath it, his face a mask of concentration and determination.

The final act of his performance was the most daring of all. The Strongman approached a steel cage filled with roaring motorcycles, each one revving its engine in a cacophony of sound. With a signal, the motorcycles raced towards him, and the Strongman grabbed hold of the two closest bikes, his arms straining as he halted their progress. The tires spun wildly, smoke and rubber filling the air, but the Strongman held firm, his grip unyielding.

As the motorcycles finally came to a stop, the Strongman released his hold, his chest heaving with exertion. The crowd erupted into thunderous applause, their cheers echoing through the tent. He stood tall, a triumphant smile on his face, and took a deep bow, acknowledging the admiration and awe of the audience.

The Strongman's performance was evidence of raw power and unyielding determination, each feat more incredible than the last. The audience was left breathless, their minds filled with the image of this modern-day Hercules, as he really did defy the limits of human strength and endurance.

As the night wore on, it seemed to become more vibrant and endlessly entertaining, transforming into an experience of unforgettable excitement. The hours seemed to stretch and rejuvenate as the renowned 'Fabled Whimsical Circus' took center stage, bringing their mesmerizing performance to life.