Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 65: Wombwell's Travelling Menagerie~

The park was busy, filled with a diverse selection of classes which had gathered to see the circus display. Jiu kept Leora close, his gaze sharpening slightly as he noticed some impoverished people eyeing up their outfits, and debating whether it was worth the risk to give them a run for their money. It wasn't like Jiu wasn't sympathetic with them. He, in fact, had been just like them many years before. Yet being poor and a criminal were two separate things in his mind. Maybe if it had been targeted to any old, rich lord; he wouldn't have batted an eyelid, perhaps even smirked at the sight, but when it came to Leora, he couldn't quite stand the thought. The air was thick with a heavy sort of smoke, which was quite jarring in the cold air. It was turning to dusk, so the lights, leading towards the large, red and white tent, were starting to be lit. There was a warm sort of hue to it, quite homely, in a sense. Jiu bought them a ticket, and gently led Leora into the tent. She clung to his arm, her eyes wide at the sight of so many strangers of all classes, gathered. It was a lot for her to take in. They made their way to the middle rows, where it seemed to only consist of upper class members, with some middle class people scattered here or there. The working class had been shoved to the front, forced to stand. They both sat down, the girl shakily taking in the bright sights; her eyes wide as she looked at the sand pit in the centre, which was the stage.

"It's an animal circus," Jiu whispered, leaning close to her, smiling," I thought you'd appreciate that the most."
Leora nodded, her eyes wide. The lights dimmed and the chatter died out, as a rather large man made his way onto the stage. He took off his top hat, revealing his rather patchy grey hair, and took a low bow.
"Lady's and gentlemen!" He announced, in a bellowing voice, that made him sound quite beastly," It is my greatest pleasure to present to you Wombwell's Travelling
Menagerie! I, Sir Wombwell, shall be your host for the night."
A round of applause started; Leora gasped at it, and clapped as well, assuming she had to. Jiu, on the other hand, watched with furrowed eyebrows; his arms crossed over his chest.
"First, I shall present to you our terrific tamer of large beasts!" Sir Wombwell gestured towards the sidelines," A man so talented, so spectacular, that he has managed to teach even the most brutish beasts how to dance! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my dearest nephew; William and his Elephant Extravaganza!"
Sir Wombwell stepped to the side as a, rather scrawny, young man; rushed out, bowing at the many claps he received from the audience. The sound of heavy footsteps filled the air. Leora gasped, grasping Jiu's arm in shock, startled. Jiu gently patted her hand to reassure her. From where William has emerged, a particularly large, ornate elephant marched out; its trunk held up high in pride.

It let out a night trumpet that sent the crowd into excited chatter, and another heavy round of applause.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" William cried, yet his voice was definitely not as powerful as his uncle's," I present to you, Tina, the Tango-ing Terror!"
The elephant stamped about, clumsily; it's heavy feet causing the very tent to shudder slightly. It wasn't quite a tango, more just a rather depressing attempt to. To Jiu, it looked as if they'd put rollerblades on the poor creature. The crowd laughed, clapping and mocking the creature. Leora's breath hitched, glancing around as they jeered at the elephant.
"Jiu they're being horrible to it," Leora muttered.
Jiu rubbed her back," It can't understand them, I'm sure it doesn't mind."
Leora let out an upset huffing noise, watching as the poor elephant attempted the dance, before staggering off; quite out of breath, William patting it as they left.
Sir Wombwell chuckled awkwardly, stepping out once more," Yes, quite a terror of a tango, indeed."
Leora gritted her teeth, grasping her dress tighter in her hands.
"Next, my dear friends," Sir Wombwell cried out as the audience's laughter died as quickly as it had started," I bring you to a vicious creature that craves the very flesh on your bones! And our very own tamer of large cats, a girl so talented and brave; she could face the devil himself with a sword and shield, and not break a sweat. Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring to you, my niece; Ellen Blight and her tiger, Tilly!"

This time, the creature came out first. It pounced onto the sandy stage; stalking around, before roaring loudly at the audience. Many jeered at it once more, calling it a beast from hell itself. Leora, once more, couldn't help but feel bad for it; becoming a spectacle for humans to bully and ridicule for their own sense of pleasure. A woman, with wild hair, clad in leather; marched out, bearing a whip in her hand. The audience roared in excitement, clapping eagerly. Ellen Blight did not speak a word to the audience, it was not necessary. The tiger let out another roar, digging its claws into the sandy stage. As it went to pounce, Ellen swiped it with the whip, a resounding 'crack' filling the air. The beast, flopped onto its stomach, as if brought to the state of a mere house cat, sunbathing. The audience roared in amazement, clapping their hands and Ellen bowed.
"She hurt the tiger, did she not?" Leora glanced at Jiu.
"Of course she did," Jiu stated," It was about to hurt her."
Leora nodded, awkwardly glancing back at the stage as whipped the tiger off the stage, following it. Leora hated the sight. She glanced away, unable to bear the idea of watching another spectacle if this was all it was. Humans hurting things that were different to them.