The Circus is here.
You've heard it all day; whispered to a friend, passed across you on a note. There are various theories as to how it got there, each as likely and unlikely as the next. The most popular guess is magic – but you're too old to believe in that, aren't you?
But there must be something magical about it for this many people to be talking about it so soon after its arrival. And you could really do with a night off. When you look up, the sky is heavy with rainclouds. Perhaps, if the rain holds off, you might give the circus a chance.
It is later now, and, in accordance with the promise you made yourself earlier, you are walking down the road to the circus, umbrella in hand – just in case. It is just after sunset, and the approaching darkness feels large enough to make you question whether coming here was truly wise. But there are plenty of people of people heading in the same direction as you, and the thrill of excitement is palpable in the air.
It is a long queue for an opening night, as if people have come from miles around. Surprising – you didn't think you'd seen any advertisements. Either way, you assume it must be a good sign.
Time passes strangely here. There's a lot going on around you, and you overhear countless fragments of conversation as you wait. But for all you see and hear, it does not feel like much time has passed when you reach the ticket booth.
You pay your admission, and are surprised when your ticket is not the easily-losable slip of paper you were expecting. Instead, you receive a small, flat disk of stone.
"Bluestone," You are advised. "Said to have magical properties." Her wink is your cue to move forward, and you feel the envious stares of those behind you on your neck.
You enter the circus.
Hi. I'm Em. I just want to say that, as this is a collaborative fanfic with my friend Tabithatibi, I'm not sure if either of us really knows how this will go. So we'd really appreciate your feedback. We really hope you enjoy it!
~ Em
