Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2021 15:57:34 GMT -7
June 5, 2026
Dawn broke, and already the quiet circus grounds started to stir. It was their first big performance in their new area. They intended that every seat would be filled. They had already sold plenty ahead of time, holding some back for friends and family of performers, and some for those who opted to purchase tickets while on the grounds. They were certainly set up for a full house. Once the warm sunlight just started the morning, the grounds wet with early dew. Still, the grounds began to stir. First to awake were the techs and maintenance, starting to prepare for a busy day and night. They ensured that the grounds were cleaned from unwanted debris, and the big tent was ready for the planned performance. They checked all the lights, and sound, then ensured that all the spells and enchantments were in the right places and would go off without any issues. Not long after they started their checking routines, Ella arose. She sat up in her cot like a bed and stretched. The small room around here was filled with everything she owned. With a yawn, she checked over any owl letters, any additional mail that had come for her during the evening, and even looked over her phone. She checked through her texts, and emails, even looking through her social media. It seemed as though, like normal, many people liked her recent pictures. The last evening, she had gone out and gotten a few good tourist-like pictures. Some more to bait for likes than others. It was a fun pastime. And it seemed as if the picture had done its job. She had some messages from strangers, some less suggestive than others, but she knew what they wanted. Maybe she’d entertain the thought of some of them, and maybe she wouldn’t. Now was not the time to think about that. She had a big show earlier, and it was time she started to prepare for it.
.Ella stripped from her comfortable sleeping attire, she put on a sports bra and some leggings, slipping on some easy to slip on and off shoes, and exited the small looking tent. Taking a deep breath, she stretched again, taking in the fresh morning air. She greeted everyone she knew by name and with a smile and a wave. Ella headed to a quiet area, spreading out a patterned mat on the floor. She then began her morning routine of yoga. Using the movements to slowly stretch out her body. Breathing deeply as she flowed from pose to pose, she noticed a few coming to join her. She silently flowed from stance to stance as some copied her, and others worked through their own routines. The sun rose, and the group silently acknowledged each other and the peace each sought. This was the newest routine, and the first time they would be performing it in front of a crowd. Sure, each act knew every one of their movements, and the company had run through it a few times from start to finish. But it was always different when there were audience members. Oftentimes containing those close to the crew members, members that Ella thought of as family.
Once that was done, The girl made her way to breakfast. She had to fill up now so that she could move on with her day. Eating, as she did, more than many other acrobats, she was also sure to not eat her normal amount of food. It was a performance day, and she didn’t want to risk feeling sick as she practiced a few complicated moves later. She participated in pleasant conversation, and even joined in talking about the upcoming show. Some were nervous, and others were confident. Ella was confident in her abilities, but there was always a number of butterflies that stirred when performing a show for the first time. After eating her meal, she moved to the big tent, She assisted, and performed her own safety checks. The girl even performed a little, to ensure that all was good. Not too much, one should never perform on a full stomach. After that, Ella had some time to burn, so she moved out front and talked with some friends, and workers that had started food prep in anticipation for guests starting to tour the grounds. She couldn’t go far, just had to use up some time while she waited.
Once the crowds started to appear, Ella made her way back and started working on pulling her dyed blonde hair back into a bun. Sometimes it was down when she performed, but it was always best if it was pulled up. Once she had it up, she received help putting in feathers and other ornaments. They ensured that nothing would fall out, given a few enchantments, they knew the hair adornments wouldn’t be going anywhere. After hair was good, Ella changed into her skintight costume, she made her way to a vanity set up. Sitting down, she conversed happily with the other performers who were all working on putting on their loud stage makeup. The buzz grew louder as more arrived, and the conversation moved to the show. The seats had sold out and everyone was excited for their first show. Ella leaned into the mirror putting on foundation first, covering everything up, and ensuring she had a blank canvas. Then the fun began. She used bright, rich colors to paint an asymmetrical design that was predetermined, onto her face. Though there were some details that her level of artistic skill couldn’t get quite right. So, with the help of a friend, she sat, facing the performer, talking as they worked on her face. This show was going to be amazing.
“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, witches and wizards of all ages!” the show began, and the crowd cheered. The ringmaster captivated their attention while in the shadows, the cast and crew set up for each act. There were magical feets from around the world, knife throwing, clowns, and finally it was her turn. When it was time, Ella and her partners, ready to go, took their spaces. The ringmaster introduced the death defying aerial acrobatic performance. This was her moment. The two stepped to the center of the stage, and as the music played, the dance began. They started on the ground, but were soon in the air, slowly spinning as the duo moved around the large metal ring and posed. The audience was enthralled. The moves came so natural to the acrobat. She paused when she needed to, at times she held onto the bar with only a hand, or her feet. She and her partner used their bodies to create beautiful shapes and moments that would otherwise seem impossible. In what only felt like seconds, the song was done, and the two landed safely on the ground. The audience erupted with applause. With a large smile, Ella and her partner took their bows, and quickly retreated as the metal ring moved safely up to be out of the way for the next act.
Backstage once again, the two were congratulated, and told how amazing they were. Though, Ella and her partner took a moment to fo over a few parts where they knew hadn’t gone so smooth. They’d have to work on those parts, but not right now. Now was the time to encourage their crew members and support them as they did their best. The show moved on, there were clowns, fire breathers, animal tamers, dancers, and more. Over all, it was quite a spectacle for their audience to behold. In what seemed like a blink of an eye, the show was over. Everyone went out for one final bow to the praises of those who had sat through the entire show, captivated by what they had witnessed. The cast and crew had worked so hard on this show, and this was the fruits of their labors. People threw flowers, and Ella beamed as the price for the show was aimed in her direction. Sure, she knew that it wasn’t just for her, it was for how hard they had worked. The costumes were vibrant, and perfect, the hair, makeup and accessories only accentuated their character. The moment felt like it lasted forever, but really it only lasted a few minutes before her and the others rushed behind the stage to their elated expressions. Everything that had gone wrong vanished as the sound of the audience started to dwindle. The people started to leave the big tent.
Once the show was over, Ella changed, taking off the feathers and accessories, and wiping away her makeup. Once back in regular clothes, she made her way back to the front. She wandered around checking in on her friends. Spotting performers still in costume and makeup, with their families and friends. They held beautiful bouquets brought especially for them. Ella loved what she did, and she loved her life. But that was the one thing she missed. It made her heart ache, seeing that. She knew that her father had disowned her for her choice. Most of her friends were there, working every day. The show hadn’t been anything new for them. Some of them had even helped her in practice. She longed for the closeness that she saw them have. People showing that they traveled here to this spot for the sole purpose of seeing that one person perform. That was amazing, and something that Ella didn’t really have.
The girl wouldn’t dwindle on that. No, he’d go and see how her fortune telling friend was, and maybe she’d even grab a bite from one of the many food stalls. She had a good life, it was much better one than the one that her father wanted her to have. Sure, she loved quidditch, but her heart belonged to the circus. Well, at least, for now it did.
