Chapter 6: The Circus of Wayward Wonders
On reaching the Circus of Wayward Wonders, the Celestial Menagerie refugees reunited with their long-lost comrades and met all of the new additions to the circus who had come from other places. The performers met with the ringmaster, Myron “Thunder” Stendhal, to figure out how to integrate their acts with the new schedule, while the support workers found their new assignments. As the circus performances had not yet started, they also reached out to the town of Abberton to take odd jobs to bring in a little income for food and supplies.
Myron and his circus co-founder, Professor Zarlian Kyosophus, warned the Celestial Menagerie refugees not to go around town stealing. “You don’t want to sully the Circus’ reputation. And we refuse to run this show like Dusklight ran hers!”
During downtime, Brondin Stonehammer and some of the existing security guards teamed up to provide basic weapons training to the crew, ensuring that they would be able to hold their own in an actual fight. Bufurug also taught some basics of first aid and healing wounds. Even the Professor took time to educate the group on circus history.
Myron gave Midori the responsibility of advertising the circus in the town, selling tickets, providing information in general, and welcoming audience members to the nightly performances. They even worked out a way for Midori to show off her singing voice, following Myron’s performance introduction with customized songs to introduce the acts.
After a few days, Midori noticed that Bufurug was making no effort to settle in and join the cooking crew. One afternoon, she saw him and some of the others packing up and preparing to go on a journey.
“Apologies, Midori, but I cannot stay. Too much has been happening around the island, and I feel that it is my responsibility to help restore the environment to its former lush glory. I shall be making the pilgrimage to the Hermitage of Blessed Lightning. Harlock Hamdeel is the leader there, and I hope to spend some time with him learning everything that he knows about the aeon orbs’ failure.”
Midori leaned down to give her old friend a hug. “I’ll miss ya. Won’t be the same without ya. An’,” her eyes opened widely, starting to mist over with tears, “well, I’ll also miss your cookin’.”
Bufurug chuckled. “I did hand off some recipe cards to Larry. He will take care of you all, food-wise.”
Midori looked over to Brondin, who was securing his backpack. “Brondin, too? Who will keep trainin’ us?”
Brondin replies, “The security team can help in my absence. I need to make sure this lot makes it through the wilderness without trouble. They’re pretty green.”
Midori turned to Itty-Bitty. “You’re goin’ with ‘em, too?”
Itty-Bitty “I weren’t much help back there in the forest with that spinesnapper guy.” She rubbed her still-healing shoulder in apology. “I need t’ get better at fightin’. Brondin said ‘e’d teach me. So I’m goin’ with 'im and Boof. It ain’t far, but I gotta lay off performin’ while I learn. We’ll keep in touch!”
Itty-Bitty picked Midori up off of the ground in a huge bear hug. “See ya, Squirt. Whoo! Yer smellin’ a bit ripe. Maybe take a bath or somethin’?”
“Ha ha, what? I just took a bath. Remember? Last week at The Miners’ Den. With a whole bottle o’ shampoo and everything!” Itty-Bitty returned Midori to her feet.
Hearing the exchange, Myron came over to Midori. “A moment, please?” He leaned down to her and started whispering in her ear.
Midori nodded and responded as Myron whispered. “Uh-huh…. Yeah…. 'Polite society,’ sure…. 'High Gene?’ Who is this 'Gene’ fella? …. Oh. I see.” Midori’s eyes shifted back and forth from right to left. “Well, see ya 'round, Big Sis. I’ll miss ya. Well, now I, uh, have a thing to do.” She turned and sprinted toward the washrooms.
Satisfied with the conversation, Myron straightened up and shook hands with the departing group.
The next month gave the circus much time for practicing and performing for the locals. However, bad news began to filter in. Many of the local crops had begun to die off and fail. The meager harvests were even more meager than the preceding years. Morale around the town was beginning to falter. The townsfolk were certainly in need of some quality entertainment!
At last, the time had come: opening night. The Circus of Wayward Wonders stood ready to start off their first performance! Audience members began to file in through the entrance, filling the big top to capacity, unaware of what was about to unfold….