Ven: Part 1

Ch. 24: Late Afternoon Showtime

I take a deep breath and wipe my sweaty hands on my robe.

Marney is out in the arena performing for a full house. She stands in the middle of the arena twirling her wand doing impossible tricks, conjuring animals that disappear through hoops, sending sparks dancing around the arena as little frogs, replicating audience members and turning them into boats that sail through the dirt.

The audience oohs and ahhs at it all.

I'm up next, it's time to see if I've learnt anything from old man Ro.

I search the crowd and see the King sitting above everyone peering down his long nose at the performance. His bodyguards stand behind him.

The bottom of my stomach drops out and I swallow hard.

"Nerves, son?" I jump as Ro appears beside me.

"A bit, yeah," I reply shakily.

"That's normal," he claps me on the back. "Are you making your big move tonight?"

I gulp and nod.

"Well, I hope it works out for you. And if it doesn't, I'll be telling the authorities I had no idea what your intentions were," he nods, pats me on the back and shuffles away.

I blink at his back and then turn to face the arena.

Applause breaks out as Marney takes a bow. She walks into the staging area.

"How was it?" She asks with a shaky voice.

"It was amazing," I squeeze her shoulders.

"I think I over did it," she holds up her wand, the star sitting atop it is considerably smaller.

"Can you make another one?" I rub my hands together nervously.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" The announcer calls from inside the arena, "It's time for the show you've all been waiting for!"

"Not yet," she says quickly, "it'll take a while."

I gulp and cough.

"Do only what you need to with it," I say, "we might need everything you've got."

She nods.

"The amazing Ro has taken on a student!" The announcer's voice booms across the audience, "And tonight will be his first performance!"

The crowd cheers and hollers.

"What amazing show lies in store?! Let's find out! Everyone put your hands together for the Lion Man!"

The clapping from the crowd is deafening.

I straighten up, nod to Marney, and slowly walk out into the arena.

The lights dim and a spotlight follows me to the centre of the arena.

I raise my hand and the spotlight goes off.

Alright.

Showtime, Ven.

I rub my hands together and close my eyes.

I focus, bringing forth lightning into my hands, the hairs on my body standing on end.

It lights up my face with its purple light.

I take a deep, steadying breath and think of my little sister.

All the hairs on my body relax.

I open my hands and the lightning springs forth as a giant rabbit.

It hops and sniffs at the ground.

The crowd watches in rapt silence.

I bring forth another lightning rabbit.