Firethorn, the one feared by many

The performance was amazing, as usual. I never missed a performance in my life. I watched every single one, I memorised all the tricks, all movements and speeches. I even knew all the songs, and musical tracks, even though I have no musical talent. Every spectacle is a bit different, but the changes are rather small. The performing order might differ, and the costumes, or the overall theme, but it's still the same old, good show.

Today's theme wasn't anything fancy. All equipment got painted pink with an easily removable spray, and all the costumes were pink as well. Today's slogan was 'Bubblegum Euphoria', and it sure was fitting. The whole tent seemed to be screaming bubblegum, with balloons of various shades of pink, lots of confetti and pink flowers gathered in huge bouquets. I am not sure who was in charge of decorating the scene today, but they did an outstanding job! It was all cutesy and rosey, both euphoric and bubblegummy... if that's a word.
The tent was full of guests, most of whom tried to fit the theme by wearing pink shirts and accessories. They all seemed so joyful and cheerful, as they watched the performers on stage. Oh, how I love the crowd! Usually, I join them, and sit in one of the front rows, to have the best view. But today Mister Ghaard asked me to throw rose petals on the stage before each act, so I was sitting on the stairs leading on stage with a huge bag full of petals. It was an easy task, but my view was pretty limited.
This is why I had to prick up my ears to recognise what was going on.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Once again, a big applause for The Great Antonio! Such a thrilling performance!"
I stood up and started throwing petals with all my might, trying to make a good impression on the guests. I loved Tone's voice. He was the one who just made an announcement, and I felt grateful for how loud he was. He was holding a mic, obviously, but without a mighty voice, the echo would make his words unrecognisable. Out of the two presenters who worked in the circus, Tone was definitely the more talented one.
Minutes passed, as I was listening to all the sounds coming from the centre of the tent. Tone was announcing all the performers walking on stage, as well as commenting on their skills. I was humming along the jingles, and clapping my hands, whenever a trick made the public cheer. Everyone was incredibly talented, but at heart I knew that everybody was waiting just for one person. And finally, it was that person's turn to perform.
"Dear guests, do you see the flames surrounding the stage? Do you smell the faint scent of burning candles?" I couldn't see Tone, but I knew that he started looking around and grinning. He did that very often, to catch the public's attention. The music started playing, so Tune had to raise his voice "Prepare yourselves for the burning sensation! For the eternal flame that shall never extinguish! For the sparkling, shimmering man, who fears no one, but is feared by many!"
I giggled, when I heard this description. The thought of my lovely grandpa being feared by many seemed really amusing.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Here comes the one and only... Firethorn!" Tune's voice was very loud, I could tell that he was doing his best to scream over the roar of guitars and drums. "Applause, applause!"
I couldn't help but smile. Firethorn was indeed my grandpa's stage name, and it sure was meant to sound intimidating. Even though he was the sweetest person on Earth.
I was paying great attention to the music, and the sound effects. Despite not being able to see anything, I still wanted to experience his performance.
First, there was an easy trick based on keeping balance. Balancing tricks always get a bit overlooked, even though he was amazing at it. Right after that, there were a few fire- connected tricks. Grandpa was pretending to eat fire, and breathe fire, like a real dragon... he was also juggling with burning torches. And lastly, there came my favorite tricks - trapeze acrobatics.
The trapeze was hanging high above the stage, so he needed a trampoline to reach it. Once he grabbed it, he started swinging. One way, then the other. He was dancing, stretching, jumping... Doing pretty much everything that could be done with this prop.
I was listening to all the noises, trying to capture every moment of his performance with my ears. Suddenly, I heard a loud yell.
"Aaaaaaaahh!!"
It was my grandpa's scream, for sure. I raised my head, to check the public's reaction. Everybody froze, with mouth agape and pale faces. Some mothers hid their kids' eyes with their hands. Some girl started crying, and another one had to grab her seat not to fall off. Some toddler spilled his popcorn, because the loud noise caught him off guard. Some men were looking around, wondering what could have happened. I could almost hear their thoughts, running by their silly little heads.
After a few seconds, many people have stood up to take a better look at the stage. I heard a loud gasp, as well as some cries and quiet prayers. Everyone seemed to be completely terrified.
I enjoyed looking at their pale faces, twisted in frightened grimaces. But I couldn't show them my smile, so that they don't see through the trick. This is why I sat on the stairs, and started staring into the floor intensively.
My grandpa, also knew as Firethorn, was a true genius in terms of circus shows. This is why he calculated all of his movements, and even rearranged the stage equipment present during his performance, just for this little trick to succeed. He was to fall off the trapeze, pretending to have slipped out of inattention. He was a great actor. He managed to trick everyone present in the tent into thinking that he really did slip!
Extreme emotions such as fear and shock always lead to great joy, when the danger goes away. This is why he invented this trick, to make the guests feel relief and happiness, once they see that he landed on the previously prepared mattress, and is now safe and sound.
So I waited for him to stand up and bow down, just as he always did after this trick. He did this thousands of times, so I knew how everything will go in smallest details.
All I needed to do now is wait for the standing ovation, once the guests realise that they have been fooled.