The circus had arrived in the morning, but would not open until many hours later. It was dusk when the gates, did finally, open and the crowds were allowed to enter. Spectators young and old entered tents and took their seats, awaiting for the various acts to start. Each had the acts had their own appeal or spark to it. But one particular tent seemed much busier than all the rest. An observer would be unable to see properly into the tent to see what the act actually was. The only real identification it actually had was a sign over the entrance flap that simply declared:
ENTER FOR A TRULY OTHERWORLDLY EXPERIENCE!
The sign, which bore this message, was adorned with sparkling lights shaped like small feathers that twinkled gently. The people entered and took their seats just as the ringmaster, who wore a rather old fashioned suit of red and orange, strutted into the middle of the ring. His waistcoat buttons sparkled as the spotlight was placed upon him and he began to speak into the microphone. He spoke of acrobatics and the twists and turns of a contortionist, as well as the other acts present in the circus. He went on to say that this particular tent housed a much different act compared to the others. The ringmaster produced a feather from his top hat and simply held it high above his head as he continued to speak into the microphone, saying that this act would be something the audience would never forget. As he spoke, the feather caught the light of the spotlight revealing the true color of it to be a deep gold. The crowd hushed as the man in the rather old timey suit stepped out of the ring and the spotlight flicked over to a much smaller opening of the tent.
A man emerged, dressed in a simple black leotard that seemed to shine slightly as the spotlight hit him. His movements were graceful as he strolled forward upon bare feet, heading toward a platform and ladder positioned on the outer edge of the center ring. He kept his gaze focused upon his goal: the ladder, all the while the audience watched the man curiously. If one were to look particularly close to the man's back as he moved, they would most likely catch a glimpse of straight cuts down the back of the leotard, revealing part of his upper back. The performer grasped hold of one of the higher rungs of the ladder and began his climb, going higher and higher with each passing lift and pull of his hands and feet, until eventually he stepped onto the platform above. The crowd's gaze followed his every movement, they were truly transfixed by this man, curious to see what exactly he would do. Clasping his hands together, the performer stepped into the middle of the platform, looking up toward the suspended hoops around the tent. There were multiple ones, each one higher or lower than the next, only one or two at the same height.
Nodding his head slowly, the man backed up a few steps and took a running starting, leaping straight off the platform into the open air, much to the surprise of the audience as many of them gasped and rose from their seats. They stared in confusion, which turned to awe as a pair of large, golden wings sprouted from the man's back and he soared back up into the air. The spotlight followed the man's every movement as the true act began.
The crowd cheered and hooted in amazement as they watched this winged performer fly through the various hoops and do front and back flips in the air. A grin spread across the performer's features as he heard these responses to his movements. Reaching out with slightly closed eyes, he grasped hold of the bottom of one of the hoops, going to fold his wings down to his sides. He simply hung there, both of his hands tightly wrapped around the hoop. Slowing his breathing down, the performer twisted his body, causing both himself and the hoop to spin. As the spinning quickened, he slowly removed one hand from the hoop so only one remained. He continued to spin about, the chain holding the hoop in the air rattling slightly. The spinning began to slow and the performer grasped the hoop with his other hand, going to swing himself through it, his wings unfurling from his sides as he flew up. The crowd below applauded and cheered as the performer continued to fly through the hoops, grasping upon one and throwing himself up to one higher. It was spellbinding, the crowd was mesmerized by this winged performer. He flew back over to the platform and landed down upon the edge, he shifted himself so his back was toward the audience and he slowly fell backwards, spinning and flipping through the air as he headed straight toward the ground. Mere moments before he hit the ground, the performer flipped himself and stretched his wings out, slowing his fall. His feet touched down upon the ground, his wings still outstretched. The crowd erupted into a round of thunderous applause as the man bowed. His arm and wing folding inward as he bowed deeply, a grin spreading across his face as the crowd continued to applaud.
Truly this act was otherworldly, just as the sign outside the tent had proclaimed.
