Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 66: Ellen Blight~

The sky had gotten much darker as they walked out of the tent, and the sky much more frigid too. Leora strayed back as Jiu was forced to pay yet another fee to have someone find the carriage, to alert it to meet them and take them back. As he spoke to the boy, who would be sent out to fetch it; curiousity got the better of the girl and she slunk behind the tent. She made her way round, to where the caravans had been set up, along with cages and the sorts. Many members of the circus were sat on crates, smoking all kinds of drugs and substances she'd never seen before; quite drunk. She gasped as someone tapped her shoulder and spun around. A woman with wild, curly hair and a fierce face. Ellen Blight.
"What're you doing back stage?" She grumbled," You ain't supposed to be here. Cast members only."
Leora, who was too startled to think properly; thumbled in her pockets before shoving money into Ellen's hand; with wide eyes.
Ellen raised an eyebrow," I ain't muggin' ya..."
She went to hand it back, but decided it was a good amount and quickly pocketed it before Leora could change her mind. The girl didn't care much for the money.
Leora furrowed her eyebrows," You're not sad."
Ellen seemed confused, and arched her own eyebrow," Erm... I'm not upset, no. Why would I be, it was a good show and you just payed me a tip?"
"You hurt that poor tiger," Leora stated, firmly.

Ellen rubbed the back of her neck, confused at what this girl was getting at," Well, yeah...kinda have to, don't I?"
"Why not tame something that can be tamed without being hurt?"
"Then it wouldn't be much of a show, would it?"
Leora grimaced, glancing downward," I think it would be much better than...than...than that."
Ellen blinked in shock, before laughing, merrily.
"You're quite forward aren't you?" Ellen chuckled," Sorry, love. I don't make the rules. I do what pays. Last time I checked, taming dogs doesn't pay. People come to the circus because there's the thrill of nearly dying; not because it's obvious and easy."
"Endanger your own life then, not some poor animal that has no say in the matter!" Leora raised her voice, angry.
The girl stopped, suddenly, feeling a hand gently set on her shoulder.
"Leora, I thought you knew better than to run off, you had me worried," Jiu sighed.
Leora blushed, glancing at the floor," I'm sorry, dear."
Jiu glanced up at Ellen, who looked just as confused as she had been when talking to Leora.
"I apologize for that," Jiu smiled, moving to shake Ellen's hand," Leora doesn't leave home often, it's like taking a child out at times. Brutally blunt. I must say, your show was rather impressive."

"Aside from harming the poor creature..." Leora muttered under her breath, earning an eyebrow raise from Jiu.
The girl fell quite in a moment.
"I'm glad you thought so," Ellen grinned at Jiu, holding her hand out, expecting him to tip her just like Leora had," Any additional fees go a long way to Wombwell's Travelling
Menagerie, sir!"
Jiu made no movement to take out money, instead met her open hand with a wry sort of smile, that could make anyone feel awkward for trying to get cheap change out of him," I'm sure it most certainly does."
Ellen chuckled, nervously; her hand sinking to her side once more.
"I'm afraid we'll have to go, dear," Jiu gently squeezed Leora's hand," I've already got that boy to fetch our coachman, I think it's been a long day for you. You look like exhauste-"
Leora glared at Ellen, suddenly, a look of deep-rooted resentment crossing her face in an instant," If you're such a great wild cat tamer, you'll prove it!"
"Sorry?" Ellen blinked in shock.
Leora snatched £40 from her pocket and waved it in front of the girl's face. For a mere circus worker, that was a hefty sum.
"You want to do something that pays!? Go in the tigers cage, and tame it without that hideous whip. I bet you won't. Do that, and you'll get this money."

Ellen stared at it with wide eyes. It was a risky thing to do, but, the idea of winning that much money made Ellen's mouth water in excitement. Jiu stared at Leora, eyes wide, gripping the girl tightly.
"What's gotten into you!?" Jiu yelped," You want her to go in a tigers cage unarmed?"
"No," Leora shook her head," What I want is for her to stop harming the creature. But, if she's such a great tamer, she could tame it without a whip. It's fair. It's her choice. Ellen Blight, what will it be?"
Ellen stared at Leora with wide eyes, speechless. With a satisfied smirk, Ellen snatched the money and shoved it in between Cupid's very own kettledrums; giving it a secure pat to make sure it would stay put.
"Very well."
Leora's eyes were wide with horror, not exactly expecting her to agree," W...What...?"
"I said very well," Ellen smirked," I'm sure I'm the world's greatest tamer of wild cats! So, I'll give you a private performance."
Jiu furrowed his eyebrows," You'll die..."
"I won't, because I am Tilly's master! That tiger will be brought to a whimpering house cat just hearing me yell!"
Jiu glanced at Leora, wide eyed; Leora also met his gaze, the same thought running through their head.
"Roll up, roll up! Come one, come all; to our Travelling Menagerie, for our final, breath-taking act of the night," Ellen hummed," It won't take long at all. For you shall watch the magnificent Ellen Blight become the true Queen of Wild Cats!"