The crowd went deathly still, frozen in place and waiting expectantly for her to react and for the show to proceed. Janette felt her palms begin to grow damp, wiping them on the skirt of her dress. The focus on them as the Ringmaster of the show pointed at their Nekomata in disguise was sudden, shifting her expression from one of excitement to concern. She felt a sense of pressure within her chest as if a balloon was being filled with air and expanded, pressing into her lungs and heart and making it ache. Janette was the one most insistent to push her friends into watching this show, she believed it was a step in the right direction. They could use the change of scenery to help, as the few visits to their cabin offered very little in sight and activities for them to enjoy, in her mind. Kershin Market offered more to do, and with the recent entrance of this circus passing by and settling for a one-time performance, she felt it was the perfect opportunity to help bring Felix out of his shell and to see the Nekomata enjoy a world bigger then just a farm and a small wooden house with smelly animals and muddy pastures. But now, she was beginning to regret that choice, feeling like what happens next would be her fault should things take an awful turn.
KuliKuli stared back at the Ringmaster with a startled look, hoping that this was the start of a bad dream and that perhaps she had gone to bed after an exhausted day of work and this was all just a dream. Any moment she would wake up now, she bit her tongue and flinched from the pain before turning to Felix for his support. But her mate was just as scared, his hand gripping her paw firmly as the Ringmaster tilted his top hat and wiggled his staff.
"Well come on now girl, step right up! No need to be shy! We all have a bit of stage fright, I understand. I simply ask a moment of your time and your participation, you've nothing to fear." He grinned in return with a toothy smile.
The people surrounding them were beginning to grow restless, the children were pouty and somewhat resentful that they were denied a chance to take part themselves. The adults and other people in the crowd seemed bothered and annoyed, muttering and coaxing for the girl to step up quickly. One voice told her to hurry up while another shouted for her to step quickly. KuliKuli lowered her head and touched her face, feeling it was burning hot under a mix of embarrassment and shame.
The Ringmaster stepped closer, placing the staff under his arm and urging the crowd to calm down by the slow wave of his hands. "People please, have patience. Our lucky guest seems to be a bit shy, we have all been there. Miss, what is your name?"
Once again, the crowd turned to look at her and somehow the glitter bugs began to buzz in her direction, several feet over her head to shine a light over her seat. KuliKuli began to fidget in her seat, answering in a soft tone. "Um, KuliKuli, sir."
"KuliKuli, now what a beautiful name to fit such a pretty face." He remarked, stroking the top of his staff before leaning on it. "KuliKuli, I am in need of your assistance for a brief trick of mine. Would you be so kind as to show a bit of giving to this simple man and help me resume this show for our audience?"
"Yea!"
"Do it!"
"Go on, already!"
Felix felt himself grow uneasy with how insistent the man is, balling his fists on his lap. Reta placed her hand over his, shaking her head when he looked at her. He turned back and was met with his partner's worried glance, silently pleading for his help.
"It's okay," He whispered, more to himself than to her, as something he hoped would help calm them both. KuliKuli nodded back before carefully standing in her seat, glancing down and wondering how she would step down. The rows of seats had risen several feet high earlier in the show, and the Ringmaster was quick to answer her question with a snap of a finger. One of the dancers made their ay through the curtains in a hurry, looking at the Ringmaster as he pointed to her direction. He clapped his hands together and performed a similar stance to the dance from earlier, mirroring the same actions and movements he performed a moment ago. When he raised his hands up, small mounds of the earth began to crumble upwards and rise, it was like a creature was digging up through the surface from below. The mound began to form into an upward slope before setting a square decline, forming into stairs for her to climb down.
KuliKuli breathed in and carefully stepped down, making sure that her tails were tucked under the wide bell skirt of her dress to avoid being caught. Her veil remained on her head, and she hoped it would stay that way as it would be impossible to tuck her cat ears under her hair if the veil were to be removed.
"Everyone please, let's give our guest a round of applause for her courage." He ordered, offering his hand for her to step up into the stage. As the audience clapped their hands and began to settle back, Felix dug his fingers into the edge of his seat while leaning forward, his lips pressed tight and his eyes focused on the stage. Reta could hear the frantic drumming of his heart beating in his chest, due to her acute hearing from her curse, and she herself felt tense. The look on his face was enough for her to keep an eye on him, grabbing his arm and leaning in close.
"Don't do anything stupid, we must wait and see if she remains safe."
Felix couldn't respond, pulling his arm away and keeping his eyes fixated forward. Reta frowned back, finding no other action to take but to watch for herself and see how this plays out.
"My, what an elegant dress you have. A bit long at the sleeves though, don't you think?" He mentioned as KuliKuli yanked her arm away and kept her paws to her front.
"It's fine." She replied in the same low voice. He placed a hand on her back, guiding her to walk with him as a number of gnome workers entered the stage pushing what looked like a small table on wheels. They flipped it on its side, carefully unscrewing the wheels below before turning the table upright and letting it stand. The structure was simple yet oddly built, at first glance it looked like a standard table but the legs were crossed in a X pattern like a foot stand. Yet the traditional four legs at each corner were also there, screwed into a bottom platform below where it was wheeled in. It looked less like a table and more like a wooden spring. Only, the gnomes weren't building the structure as it was already set, they were dismantling it carefully in a piece by piece method, placing them into a little pile of wood later consisting of wooden blocks. Even the platforms appeared to break apart into four pieces before being tossed aside.
One of the gnomes scuttled in with tiny rapid footsteps, panting before offering a small black wand to for the Ringmaster to yank from its grasp. It hurried back down the stage with the rest of the workers, slipping behind the red curtains and leaving the pair alone. The Ringmaster stretched his arms out before spinning the wand in his hand in little circles.
"Now Miss KuliKuli, what I have here in my hand is a magic wand. Now some people might scoff at the idea that this little thing carries magic, you see by the looks of it, it appears to be just a fancy stick. Correct?"
KuliKuli nodded as did most of the audience surrounding them.
"But I assure you, this has greater use then meets the eye. It's also good for playing fetch with your pet dog." Some people in the crowd chuckled as he smiled back. "And! It is an enchanted object that serves as a tool to enhance the magic of its user. Here, give it a try."
He offered the tip of the wand to her, with KuliKuli hesitating before grabbing it between her two paws. As they were hidden under her long sleeves, the Ringmaster chuckled and shrugged back before looking her in the eyes.
"Let me know when you have it."
"I have it." She confirmed.
"Okay, here you go." He let go and gradually, the wand began to dangle down as if it were a wet black noodle in her palm. KuliKuli blushed as people around her began to giggle in return, watching the Nekomata stand awkwardly with this dangling object in her grasp. It was cut short when the Ringmaster placed his hand on the body of the wand before dragging his hand down to the tip the way he did with his staff. "That's strange, it was working just a moment ago. Here, let me have a crack at it."
She let go, putting her paws down in front of her again as the wand now held stiff in his hand as it had before. Some people gasped and laughed at the absurdity of it, it wasn't a loud uproar but it was a brief shock from the difference in its state. Even he recognized the trick wasn't as impressive as their earlier group act, quickly brushing it off and moving to his next trick.
"It's nothing to be upset about, not everyone has a knack for magic after all. This thing might just be a bit faulty." He explained, tapping the wand against his hat before running his hand along the shaft all the way to the white tip, revealing a red rose that sprouted from the wand. Some women cooed and awed at his gesture as he offered it to KuliKuli. "Here, a little something to match your beauty."
She shyly thanked him and held onto the rose in her paws, feeling a bit uplifted and relieved. She was beginning to calm down a bit, hoping that her participation would lead to nothing greater and would be cut short soon.
He waved his hand toward the pile of wood behind them, stepping several paces back to allow the audience a better look at the mess of wood that was left. "Now miss, here we have a little table ready for our use. Do you see a problem with it?"
KuliKuli nodded.
"And what might that be?" He asked.
"It's broken apart." She answered back.
"Clever girl! Do you think we should build it back into one piece?" He asked again, glancing between her and the audience.
"YES!" Screamed some of the kids from the back and middle rows, much to his amusement.
"Not to worry, I will handle this in short notice." He waved his hand. spinning the end in a few circles before pointing it to the pile behind them, but nothing happened. He turned his wand upright and flicked the tip before repeating his act, hurling the tip back in the same direction but to no effect. Some laughter could be heard as he scratched his head and flicked the wand around to inspect it. "Seems broken, here why don't you give it a look?"
He tossed the wand in her direction as KuliKuli caught it in her paws in time, nearly losing her balance and dropping the rose to the floor. Not knowing what to do, she just held in close and looked back at him, lost and confused as he raised his hands and shrugged. But the people began to gasp and applaud, and she spun around to see the blocks of wood had begun to levitate and fall into place before building itself like pieces to a puzzle. The Ringmaster chuckled and clapped his hands to her, raising his fist in the air and giving it a good shake before carefully retrieving his wand from her.
"Good show! Now for the next step, I would like to ask you about your balance."
"My-My balance?" She repeated back with a confused look.
He stepped in close and smiled back with a nod. "How good would you say you are at keeping your balance, miss?"
"Umm... I am good at climbing trees and walking on the branches?" She answered honestly, hoping it was enough to satisfy his curiosity.
Again, several people chuckled as did he, running his hand down his coat before stepping back. "Good, good. This next trick will be testing your balance, would you be so kind as to step onto the table for me?"
"Okay..." She walked back toward the table, finding it tall enough that it reached her waist.
"Oh one moment, I nearly forgot! I would also need you to wear a blindfold for me." He addressed to her as he reached into his coat pocket and revealed an orange blindfold. When he pulled it out, it was tied at the end as out came a blue blindfold with it, followed by a green one tucked into his pocket. He gasped and gave the green rag a brief tug, revealing a yellow one as well. When he placed his staff under his arm and began tugging at the rope of colored rags out from his coat, it seemed never-ending as the colors continued to vary from violet, purple, pink, black, gray, silver, and finally white. The white blindfold plopped out as the last one, leaving the rest of the rags cluttered around him as some of the kids giggled at what just happened. He used the rag to fan around his face as if he were embarrassed at the reveal, clearing his throat in an obvious and loud manner.
Stepping around the Nekomata, he placed the blindfold over her eyes and tied it at the back before guiding her to the back of the table. She climbed onto it while facing the audience, being careful to keep her paws and tails under her dress, and stood up on the top wondering what he would do next.
"How does it feel, steady? A bit wobbly?"
"It's fine." She answered back, waving her arms a bit before placing them to her side and standing upright.
"Good, good! Now I need you to stay still no matter what you may hear next, do you understand?"
"Uh-huh."
"I need to say this again, the next few things that will take place will draw a reaction from the crowd. So no matter what you do, keep your blindfold on and stand very still."
KuliKuli nervously shook her head to confirm, pressing her arms against the sides of her dress and hoping for the best.
Felix was growing impatient by now, with Janette whispering to his left in hopes of alleviating the stress they felt. "Maybe it's just small stuff like this, maybe we're just thinking too hard and worrying about nothing. It could end and she might even enjoy it."
"You didn't see her the way I did." He replied in a calm yet firm voice, keeping his eyes on KuliKuli.
The Ringmaster had stepped away from her while she stood firmly on the wooden table waiting for what came next. He rolled up his sleeves and pinched the tip of his mustache, puckering his lips back and forth before clearing his throat and throwing the staff away. Yet somehow, the staff remained balanced as if he never let go, impossibly standing still as if it were a pillar suspended in the air by being impaled into the dirt below. But that was impossible by how he just tossed it aside so casually, and now the people held their breaths while squinting their eyes and leaning on their seats.
He forced their attention back to him with a loud clap of his hands, causing KuliKuli to shake. Rubbing his palms together, he slipped the wand out from his waist and gave it a twirl with the flick of his wrist before aiming it at the table below her. Again, nothing happened as everyone in the room held still and watched.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," He began to say as he casually walked back towards the table stand with gentle steps. "I would like to take a moment to remind you that we take great pride and joy in being able to bring entertainment to all of you around the world while keeping your safety in check. A good show can be memorable enough without any unfortunate incidents occurring. KuliKuli, I would like to take this moment and ask a silly question: You and I have never met before is that true?"
"Yes?" She seemed confused, wondering where he was going with this route.
"We are complete strangers to each other, you and I?" He asked.
"I think so." She replied, hearing several people chuckle in return. Her ears twitched under her veil as she focused on the familiar scent of her mate standing somewhere in the right side of the crowd, finding comfort in knowing he and her friends were there.
"Good. With that being said, I would like to remind you to stand ever so still, do not move a muscle, flex a muscle, twitch or sneeze or cough for just a quick minute of your time, is that understood?"
"Yes."
"Thank you KuliKuli." He smiled before kicking away at two legs of the table, sending them rolling on the stage.
Felix began to rise up from his seat when Reta held him down by his arm as the people around them gasped in shock.
"KuliKuli, are you feeling okay? Do you feel like the table had shifted in any way?"
"N-No?" She sheepishly responded back. He then kicked two legs from the table, leaving one side bare and empty as the table was suspended from the left.
"Do you feel the same way, there is no change in the way you are standing?" He asked again.
She shook her head as he swung his boot and kicked the remaining legs out from below while keeping his hand under the platform. From the looks of it, one would think he carried unnatural super strength as he held the platform from one side perfectly balanced with this woman standing on top. The crowd grew ecstatic, asking how was it possible and speaking in undiscernible rambling of thoughts and comments. KuliKuli shook nervously, feeling the loud noise ring in her poor cat ears as her head was beginning to hurt, yet she kept her arms to her sides choosing not to move as was instructed from her. She sighed in relief when he called out to her and asked for her to step down, but was alarmed when she felt him grab her 'hand' to guide her off the table. KuliKuli jumped in her skin when she heard a loud crashing behind her as she stepped down, he carefully removed the blindfold allowing her to turn around and see the two wooden platforms on the ground.
"KuliKuli, you've been a great help for me today. I can't thank you enough." He smiled before pulling her to his side with a hand around her waist, facing the crowd with him. "Please, let's give another round of applause for our volunteer!"
And so they did, meeting his demand with a cry of applause and cheers for the pair as he tipped his hat for them while KuliKuli awkwardly pulled away from his hand. She wanted to go back to her seat when the staff swung in front of her before curving around, with her spinning around to see it flying into his hand as he leaned on it for support.
"Oh, I am terribly sorry but would you be so kind as to help me with just one more trick?" He asked in a soft voice. KuliKuli looked back and hesitated before nodding and keeping her head low with her arms in front and her paws together beneath her sleeves.
"Wonderful!" He shouted while the same group of workers popped back on stage, picking up the wooden pieces and carrying them back off the stage. Another pair came through, a duet of what looked like twin drows with purple skin and white hair, both carrying the same wooden tub of water as before but this time with clear blue water swooshing inside. With their slender frames, they placed the tub down with a huff and bowed to him before stepping away.
"Now this here is just a tub full of water, nothing special of course. You are free to look or feel inside if you wish to confirm for yourself?" He gestured with his hand extended toward the tub. KuliKuli looked at him and smiled nervously before shaking her head. "No? That's quite alright, no need to feel pressured after all. We take our consent as a high priority here. Now once again, I hate to do this but I would like to request that you put on the blindfold once again, dear."
She was reluctant, stepping back before biting her bottom lip and gazing back at the crowd. She breathed in and nodded, standing still as he approached her from behind and wrapped the blindfold firmly over her eyes. "Not to worry, this act is something I have practiced for a long time, many years in fact! I drew my blood, sweat and tears into this part of the act, excluding the blood I mean. Ladies and Gentlemen, what you are about to witness is a feat never before seen, a feat that you would call ridiculous should you hear this from another's voice but as they say, seeing is believing. Miss KuliKuli, if you would be so kind as to take my hand and step on this footstep my workers have place right over here."
But there was no footstep, he reached for her arm and walked back toward the tub of water they had placed before. By this point, the crowd was in suspense, wondering where this act would lead to, with some of them growing restless at every second. Many gasps were heard echoing across the stage as KuliKuli stepped into the tub and stood atop the surface of the water with just a gentle ripple forming below her.
"Now once again Miss KuliKuli, the same instructions as before are applied here. I ask that you hold still, very still, deathly still. Do not move a muscle, wrinkle your nose, or shake your hands until I am done here, is that clear?"
"Y-Yes." She answered back.
He smiled and faced the audience. "Excellent. Everyone, please hold your applause and remain in your seats. I would ask of you not to shout or yell until after the performance is done, for this will require my complete and total focus. Thank you."
He spun around to face her, extending his hand out and pointing the wand in her direction. With his free hand, he raised it high with his index and middle finger pressed firmly together, his thumb extended outward while facing the palm of his hand to her. Pulling the wand back, his eyebrows began to squeeze together and his mustache scrunched upward while he slowly began spinning the wand as if he were stirring a cup of coffee in the air. Tiny ripples of water began forming on the tub, the water beginning to trickle and swirl in a slow yet consistent motion. Water droplets began to levitate in the air, rising up from the surface before following in the same spinning motion as larger bodies of water began to follow. It looked like a waterspout had begun to form, growing up higher and swallowing the form of the Nekomata in a short time.
Felix once again felt himself begin to rise from his seat only to feel Reta's hand on his wrist as she hissed into his ear. "Not yet!"
But when the waterspout finally died down, it froze in place before collapsing under its weight. It fell under a wide splash, crashing out of the tub and onto the stage even catching the Ringmaster, wetting his boots and pants. Everyone gasped as he removed is hand and wiped the sweat off his head, spinning around to face them with the empty tub behind him and with no one KuliKuli in sight.
And then, he smiled and took a bow before the audience had begun to cheer.
The crowd went deathly still, frozen in place and waiting expectantly for her to react and for the show to proceed. Janette felt her palms begin to grow damp, wiping them on the skirt of her dress. The focus on them as the Ringmaster of the show pointed at their Nekomata in disguise was sudden, shifting her expression from one of excitement to concern. She felt a sense of pressure within her chest as if a balloon was being filled with air and expanded, pressing into her lungs and heart and making it ache. Janette was the one most insistent to push her friends into watching this show, she believed it was a step in the right direction. They could use the change of scenery to help, as the few visits to their cabin offered very little in sight and activities for them to enjoy, in her mind. Kershin Market offered more to do, and with the recent entrance of this circus passing by and settling for a one-time performance, she felt it was the perfect opportunity to help bring Felix out of his shell and to see the Nekomata enjoy a world bigger then just a farm and a small wooden house with smelly animals and muddy pastures. But now, she was beginning to regret that choice, feeling like what happens next would be her fault should things take an awful turn.
KuliKuli stared back at the Ringmaster with a startled look, hoping that this was the start of a bad dream and that perhaps she had gone to bed after an exhausted day of work and this was all just a dream. Any moment she would wake up now, she bit her tongue and flinched from the pain before turning to Felix for his support. But her mate was just as scared, his hand gripping her paw firmly as the Ringmaster tilted his top hat and wiggled his staff.
"Well come on now girl, step right up! No need to be shy! We all have a bit of stage fright, I understand. I simply ask a moment of your time and your participation, you've nothing to fear." He grinned in return with a toothy smile.
The people surrounding them were beginning to grow restless, the children were pouty and somewhat resentful that they were denied a chance to take part themselves. The adults and other people in the crowd seemed bothered and annoyed, muttering and coaxing for the girl to step up quickly. One voice told her to hurry up while another shouted for her to step quickly. KuliKuli lowered her head and touched her face, feeling it was burning hot under a mix of embarrassment and shame.
The Ringmaster stepped closer, placing the staff under his arm and urging the crowd to calm down by the slow wave of his hands. "People please, have patience. Our lucky guest seems to be a bit shy, we have all been there. Miss, what is your name?"
Once again, the crowd turned to look at her and somehow the glitter bugs began to buzz in her direction, several feet over her head to shine a light over her seat. KuliKuli began to fidget in her seat, answering in a soft tone. "Um, KuliKuli, sir."
"KuliKuli, now what a beautiful name to fit such a pretty face." He remarked, stroking the top of his staff before leaning on it. "KuliKuli, I am in need of your assistance for a brief trick of mine. Would you be so kind as to show a bit of giving to this simple man and help me resume this show for our audience?"
"Yea!"
"Do it!"
"Go on, already!"
Felix felt himself grow uneasy with how insistent the man is, balling his fists on his lap. Reta placed her hand over his, shaking her head when he looked at her. He turned back and was met with his partner's worried glance, silently pleading for his help.
"It's okay," He whispered, more to himself than to her, as something he hoped would help calm them both. KuliKuli nodded back before carefully standing in her seat, glancing down and wondering how she would step down. The rows of seats had risen several feet high earlier in the show, and the Ringmaster was quick to answer her question with a snap of a finger. One of the dancers made their ay through the curtains in a hurry, looking at the Ringmaster as he pointed to her direction. He clapped his hands together and performed a similar stance to the dance from earlier, mirroring the same actions and movements he performed a moment ago. When he raised his hands up, small mounds of the earth began to crumble upwards and rise, it was like a creature was digging up through the surface from below. The mound began to form into an upward slope before setting a square decline, forming into stairs for her to climb down.
KuliKuli breathed in and carefully stepped down, making sure that her tails were tucked under the wide bell skirt of her dress to avoid being caught. Her veil remained on her head, and she hoped it would stay that way as it would be impossible to tuck her cat ears under her hair if the veil were to be removed.
"Everyone please, let's give our guest a round of applause for her courage." He ordered, offering his hand for her to step up into the stage. As the audience clapped their hands and began to settle back, Felix dug his fingers into the edge of his seat while leaning forward, his lips pressed tight and his eyes focused on the stage. Reta could hear the frantic drumming of his heart beating in his chest, due to her acute hearing from her curse, and she herself felt tense. The look on his face was enough for her to keep an eye on him, grabbing his arm and leaning in close.
"Don't do anything stupid, we must wait and see if she remains safe."
Felix couldn't respond, pulling his arm away and keeping his eyes fixated forward. Reta frowned back, finding no other action to take but to watch for herself and see how this plays out.
"My, what an elegant dress you have. A bit long at the sleeves though, don't you think?" He mentioned as KuliKuli yanked her arm away and kept her paws to her front.
"It's fine." She replied in the same low voice. He placed a hand on her back, guiding her to walk with him as a number of gnome workers entered the stage pushing what looked like a small table on wheels. They flipped it on its side, carefully unscrewing the wheels below before turning the table upright and letting it stand. The structure was simple yet oddly built, at first glance it looked like a standard table but the legs were crossed in a X pattern like a foot stand. Yet the traditional four legs at each corner were also there, screwed into a bottom platform below where it was wheeled in. It looked less like a table and more like a wooden spring. Only, the gnomes weren't building the structure as it was already set, they were dismantling it carefully in a piece by piece method, placing them into a little pile of wood later consisting of wooden blocks. Even the platforms appeared to break apart into four pieces before being tossed aside.
One of the gnomes scuttled in with tiny rapid footsteps, panting before offering a small black wand to for the Ringmaster to yank from its grasp. It hurried back down the stage with the rest of the workers, slipping behind the red curtains and leaving the pair alone. The Ringmaster stretched his arms out before spinning the wand in his hand in little circles.
"Now Miss KuliKuli, what I have here in my hand is a magic wand. Now some people might scoff at the idea that this little thing carries magic, you see by the looks of it, it appears to be just a fancy stick. Correct?"
KuliKuli nodded as did most of the audience surrounding them.
"But I assure you, this has greater use then meets the eye. It's also good for playing fetch with your pet dog." Some people in the crowd chuckled as he smiled back. "And! It is an enchanted object that serves as a tool to enhance the magic of its user. Here, give it a try."
He offered the tip of the wand to her, with KuliKuli hesitating before grabbing it between her two paws. As they were hidden under her long sleeves, the Ringmaster chuckled and shrugged back before looking her in the eyes.
"Let me know when you have it."
"I have it." She confirmed.
"Okay, here you go." He let go and gradually, the wand began to dangle down as if it were a wet black noodle in her palm. KuliKuli blushed as people around her began to giggle in return, watching the Nekomata stand awkwardly with this dangling object in her grasp. It was cut short when the Ringmaster placed his hand on the body of the wand before dragging his hand down to the tip the way he did with his staff. "That's strange, it was working just a moment ago. Here, let me have a crack at it."
She let go, putting her paws down in front of her again as the wand now held stiff in his hand as it had before. Some people gasped and laughed at the absurdity of it, it wasn't a loud uproar but it was a brief shock from the difference in its state. Even he recognized the trick wasn't as impressive as their earlier group act, quickly brushing it off and moving to his next trick.
"It's nothing to be upset about, not everyone has a knack for magic after all. This thing might just be a bit faulty." He explained, tapping the wand against his hat before running his hand along the shaft all the way to the white tip, revealing a red rose that sprouted from the wand. Some women cooed and awed at his gesture as he offered it to KuliKuli. "Here, a little something to match your beauty."
She shyly thanked him and held onto the rose in her paws, feeling a bit uplifted and relieved. She was beginning to calm down a bit, hoping that her participation would lead to nothing greater and would be cut short soon.
He waved his hand toward the pile of wood behind them, stepping several paces back to allow the audience a better look at the mess of wood that was left. "Now miss, here we have a little table ready for our use. Do you see a problem with it?"
KuliKuli nodded.
"And what might that be?" He asked.
"It's broken apart." She answered back.
"Clever girl! Do you think we should build it back into one piece?" He asked again, glancing between her and the audience.
"YES!" Screamed some of the kids from the back and middle rows, much to his amusement.
"Not to worry, I will handle this in short notice." He waved his hand. spinning the end in a few circles before pointing it to the pile behind them, but nothing happened. He turned his wand upright and flicked the tip before repeating his act, hurling the tip back in the same direction but to no effect. Some laughter could be heard as he scratched his head and flicked the wand around to inspect it. "Seems broken, here why don't you give it a look?"
He tossed the wand in her direction as KuliKuli caught it in her paws in time, nearly losing her balance and dropping the rose to the floor. Not knowing what to do, she just held in close and looked back at him, lost and confused as he raised his hands and shrugged. But the people began to gasp and applaud, and she spun around to see the blocks of wood had begun to levitate and fall into place before building itself like pieces to a puzzle. The Ringmaster chuckled and clapped his hands to her, raising his fist in the air and giving it a good shake before carefully retrieving his wand from her.
"Good show! Now for the next step, I would like to ask you about your balance."
"My-My balance?" She repeated back with a confused look.
He stepped in close and smiled back with a nod. "How good would you say you are at keeping your balance, miss?"
"Umm... I am good at climbing trees and walking on the branches?" She answered honestly, hoping it was enough to satisfy his curiosity.
Again, several people chuckled as did he, running his hand down his coat before stepping back. "Good, good. This next trick will be testing your balance, would you be so kind as to step onto the table for me?"
"Okay..." She walked back toward the table, finding it tall enough that it reached her waist.
"Oh one moment, I nearly forgot! I would also need you to wear a blindfold for me." He addressed to her as he reached into his coat pocket and revealed an orange blindfold. When he pulled it out, it was tied at the end as out came a blue blindfold with it, followed by a green one tucked into his pocket. He gasped and gave the green rag a brief tug, revealing a yellow one as well. When he placed his staff under his arm and began tugging at the rope of colored rags out from his coat, it seemed never-ending as the colors continued to vary from violet, purple, pink, black, gray, silver, and finally white. The white blindfold plopped out as the last one, leaving the rest of the rags cluttered around him as some of the kids giggled at what just happened. He used the rag to fan around his face as if he were embarrassed at the reveal, clearing his throat in an obvious and loud manner.
Stepping around the Nekomata, he placed the blindfold over her eyes and tied it at the back before guiding her to the back of the table. She climbed onto it while facing the audience, being careful to keep her paws and tails under her dress, and stood up on the top wondering what he would do next.
"How does it feel, steady? A bit wobbly?"
"It's fine." She answered back, waving her arms a bit before placing them to her side and standing upright.
"Good, good! Now I need you to stay still no matter what you may hear next, do you understand?"
"Uh-huh."
"I need to say this again, the next few things that will take place will draw a reaction from the crowd. So no matter what you do, keep your blindfold on and stand very still."
KuliKuli nervously shook her head to confirm, pressing her arms against the sides of her dress and hoping for the best.
Felix was growing impatient by now, with Janette whispering to his left in hopes of alleviating the stress they felt. "Maybe it's just small stuff like this, maybe we're just thinking too hard and worrying about nothing. It could end and she might even enjoy it."
"You didn't see her the way I did." He replied in a calm yet firm voice, keeping his eyes on KuliKuli.
The Ringmaster had stepped away from her while she stood firmly on the wooden table waiting for what came next. He rolled up his sleeves and pinched the tip of his mustache, puckering his lips back and forth before clearing his throat and throwing the staff away. Yet somehow, the staff remained balanced as if he never let go, impossibly standing still as if it were a pillar suspended in the air by being impaled into the dirt below. But that was impossible by how he just tossed it aside so casually, and now the people held their breaths while squinting their eyes and leaning on their seats.
He forced their attention back to him with a loud clap of his hands, causing KuliKuli to shake. Rubbing his palms together, he slipped the wand out from his waist and gave it a twirl with the flick of his wrist before aiming it at the table below her. Again, nothing happened as everyone in the room held still and watched.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," He began to say as he casually walked back towards the table stand with gentle steps. "I would like to take a moment to remind you that we take great pride and joy in being able to bring entertainment to all of you around the world while keeping your safety in check. A good show can be memorable enough without any unfortunate incidents occurring. KuliKuli, I would like to take this moment and ask a silly question: You and I have never met before is that true?"
"Yes?" She seemed confused, wondering where he was going with this route.
"We are complete strangers to each other, you and I?" He asked.
"I think so." She replied, hearing several people chuckle in return. Her ears twitched under her veil as she focused on the familiar scent of her mate standing somewhere in the right side of the crowd, finding comfort in knowing he and her friends were there.
"Good. With that being said, I would like to remind you to stand ever so still, do not move a muscle, flex a muscle, twitch or sneeze or cough for just a quick minute of your time, is that understood?"
"Yes."
"Thank you KuliKuli." He smiled before kicking away at two legs of the table, sending them rolling on the stage.
Felix began to rise up from his seat when Reta held him down by his arm as the people around them gasped in shock.
"KuliKuli, are you feeling okay? Do you feel like the table had shifted in any way?"
"N-No?" She sheepishly responded back. He then kicked two legs from the table, leaving one side bare and empty as the table was suspended from the left.
"Do you feel the same way, there is no change in the way you are standing?" He asked again.
She shook her head as he swung his boot and kicked the remaining legs out from below while keeping his hand under the platform. From the looks of it, one would think he carried unnatural super strength as he held the platform from one side perfectly balanced with this woman standing on top. The crowd grew ecstatic, asking how was it possible and speaking in undiscernible rambling of thoughts and comments. KuliKuli shook nervously, feeling the loud noise ring in her poor cat ears as her head was beginning to hurt, yet she kept her arms to her sides choosing not to move as was instructed from her. She sighed in relief when he called out to her and asked for her to step down, but was alarmed when she felt him grab her 'hand' to guide her off the table. KuliKuli jumped in her skin when she heard a loud crashing behind her as she stepped down, he carefully removed the blindfold allowing her to turn around and see the two wooden platforms on the ground.
"KuliKuli, you've been a great help for me today. I can't thank you enough." He smiled before pulling her to his side with a hand around her waist, facing the crowd with him. "Please, let's give another round of applause for our volunteer!"
And so they did, meeting his demand with a cry of applause and cheers for the pair as he tipped his hat for them while KuliKuli awkwardly pulled away from his hand. She wanted to go back to her seat when the staff swung in front of her before curving around, with her spinning around to see it flying into his hand as he leaned on it for support.
"Oh, I am terribly sorry but would you be so kind as to help me with just one more trick?" He asked in a soft voice. KuliKuli looked back and hesitated before nodding and keeping her head low with her arms in front and her paws together beneath her sleeves.
"Wonderful!" He shouted while the same group of workers popped back on stage, picking up the wooden pieces and carrying them back off the stage. Another pair came through, a duet of what looked like twin drows with purple skin and white hair, both carrying the same wooden tub of water as before but this time with clear blue water swooshing inside. With their slender frames, they placed the tub down with a huff and bowed to him before stepping away.
"Now this here is just a tub full of water, nothing special of course. You are free to look or feel inside if you wish to confirm for yourself?" He gestured with his hand extended toward the tub. KuliKuli looked at him and smiled nervously before shaking her head. "No? That's quite alright, no need to feel pressured after all. We take our consent as a high priority here. Now once again, I hate to do this but I would like to request that you put on the blindfold once again, dear."
She was reluctant, stepping back before biting her bottom lip and gazing back at the crowd. She breathed in and nodded, standing still as he approached her from behind and wrapped the blindfold firmly over her eyes. "Not to worry, this act is something I have practiced for a long time, many years in fact! I drew my blood, sweat and tears into this part of the act, excluding the blood I mean. Ladies and Gentlemen, what you are about to witness is a feat never before seen, a feat that you would call ridiculous should you hear this from another's voice but as they say, seeing is believing. Miss KuliKuli, if you would be so kind as to take my hand and step on this footstep my workers have place right over here."
But there was no footstep, he reached for her arm and walked back toward the tub of water they had placed before. By this point, the crowd was in suspense, wondering where this act would lead to, with some of them growing restless at every second. Many gasps were heard echoing across the stage as KuliKuli stepped into the tub and stood atop the surface of the water with just a gentle ripple forming below her.
"Now once again Miss KuliKuli, the same instructions as before are applied here. I ask that you hold still, very still, deathly still. Do not move a muscle, wrinkle your nose, or shake your hands until I am done here, is that clear?"
"Y-Yes." She answered back.
He smiled and faced the audience. "Excellent. Everyone, please hold your applause and remain in your seats. I would ask of you not to shout or yell until after the performance is done, for this will require my complete and total focus. Thank you."
He spun around to face her, extending his hand out and pointing the wand in her direction. With his free hand, he raised it high with his index and middle finger pressed firmly together, his thumb extended outward while facing the palm of his hand to her. Pulling the wand back, his eyebrows began to squeeze together and his mustache scrunched upward while he slowly began spinning the wand as if he were stirring a cup of coffee in the air. Tiny ripples of water began forming on the tub, the water beginning to trickle and swirl in a slow yet consistent motion. Water droplets began to levitate in the air, rising up from the surface before following in the same spinning motion as larger bodies of water began to follow. It looked like a waterspout had begun to form, growing up higher and swallowing the form of the Nekomata in a short time.
Felix once again felt himself begin to rise from his seat only to feel Reta's hand on his wrist as she hissed into his ear. "Not yet!"
But when the waterspout finally died down, it froze in place before collapsing under its weight. It fell under a wide splash, crashing out of the tub and onto the stage even catching the Ringmaster, wetting his boots and pants. Everyone gasped as he removed is hand and wiped the sweat off his head, spinning around to face them with the empty tub behind him and with no one KuliKuli in sight.
And then, he smiled and took a bow before the audience had begun to cheer.
