Chapter One: The Ringmaster
It had been ages since the last circus had been into the small town. In fact, you weren't even born when it had last been around. But you had heard and seen the old circus train come into the outer reaches of town as you walked home. You had even stopped for a moment, watching as several horned people hopped off the boxes of the trains after it pulled into a semi-circle and they had started unloading the big top.
But then you had to go, but you had told your parents and had begged them all night to go. This was the Saturday you were going. There had been fliers all around the town stating that they would be there for one weekend only. And that they would only be making one trip to that town. You are excited to see this circus and you are ready for anything to happen.
The bit top was set up, twelve colors clashing together instead of the standard two you had heard all about. You could sense the excitement of the others around you, edging forward to get their tickets from a pointy horned woman with red glasses. You find it strange that she seems more interested in licking things instead of taking money and handing out tickets.
Before you reach the ticket booth, your eye is caught by a rather large tank with something moving through it. You pause for a moment, catching a glimpse of a gray thing moving through the water. You see a hand and a person behind the glass swimming as if it were the most natural thing. Then the tank is gone, lost in the press of people.
You eventually pass after another person with even weirder looking horns shouts at the one with glasses. You slip through the crowd, getting as close to the center of the big top as possible, claiming seats for yourself and your parents right on the edge of the arena, growing more and more impatient with each passing moment.
There aren't many lights in the area, but there are a few that are being moved about to make it more dramatic. All the people that you see seem to be gray and have horns, something that is odd even for a circus. But you don't mind because in the distance, you can hear a lion roar and an elephant trumpet. The lights are in place and suddenly they flick off as the last person takes their place.
There was a collective breath as one light turned on, focusing in on the very center of the ring where a man stood on a stand. "Good day everyone and welcome to the Alternian Troll Circus, traveling the world for one year only before we return to Alternia, home to us trolls. I am Karkat Vantas and I shall be your Ringmaster for today. Before we begin, I would caution you to watch closely through the acts and take a moment to imagine a world beyond your wildest dreams. And you had better listen up. I have gathered the eleven others under many circumstances and you had better pay attention."
You sit, listening to the person-did he really say they were trolls?-talk as there was a murmur through the crowd. They were on edge and it was the greatest thing that would have ever happened to you. In the background you hear a honk, the lions and elephants and many other things you wouldn't dare dream of.
The Ringmaster, Karkat, spread open his arms, his jacket spreading behind him. The blood red fabric seemed to shimmer under the lights, the slightly lighter red trim blending in nicely. What threw you off was his yellow eyes. Something that seemed to unnerve you for whatever reason. You glance behind you and see a friend, who is just as enraptured with the circus as you are.
"For our first act we have an acrobat. I'm sure you have all seen acrobats but ours is a little different. Spanning the big top is a hundred foot wire. And without use of a net, she will preform for you. Please, allow me to introduce Aradia Medigo."