Trouble at the circus
Commission for Jello-vair (FA)
It was a beautiful day at the circus; acrobats, mimes and magicians were delighting the crowd with their tricks and acts. There was laughter and tears, for not everyone was comfortable around the dreaded clowns, but this was just a small inconvenience that could be easily forgotten.
Jello looked at the crowd, wondering what she would do next; she had no desire to meet with the clowns, but the rest of the show was quite interesting. The moth looked at the sky for a moment; she could always take to the sky and enjoy the view, but there was a chance that she would miss some interesting actions. Perhaps she could spend some time sightseeing, before attending to the grand finale. She was unaware, like the others that were enjoying that day, that things were about to change...
``Harrr, it seems like 'tis a fine place to start ye campaign; plunder all ye can spy wit' ye eye 'n spare no one'' said a voice in a distance, provoking several laughs and cries of approvals. It seemed like a group was determined to wreak havoc.
The group toward their target, chanting old sea lyrics and tales of old about seafaring; it could have been a sight to behold, but since the circus was in town, no one was sure they were the real deal or just a bunch of actors.
``Look mom, the circus hired people to dress like pirates!'' said a little boy, as he walked past the group of buccaneers, licking a lollipop. As impressive as they desired to be, it seemed like their goal was beyond their reach, for if they were unable to impress children, then it would be a long ahead of them. But they had to remember that children these days were harder to impress than there were back in the days; perhaps it was quest that was a bit too much for them, although this could just a convenient excuse for failure...
`` Silence! We gunna not be mocked by landlubbers!'' yelled the captain, as he drew his sword, charging the family, only to receive a handbag smack in response, making him lose his balance for a few moments.
As the group retreated to a safe distance, the screaming of the mother still followed them for a moment, making them wonder why they weren't taken seriously these days; who would do such a thing to pirates? Where was the fear that people used to have, back in the days, when they ran away when they heard rumors of pirates? Ah, the days of the Internet, when everybody could call itself a pirate without having the credentials; these were sad days, that ruined the aura of the profession.
``How can you assault a child? You heartless monsters!'' their heard in the distance, as they took another path, determined to avoid this sort of encounter while they were heading toward their destination. No one would be expecting them to be arriving, determined on plundering the land and the booty; there wouldn't be a possible resistance from the tourists and the artists around, making the job easy...
There it was, the object of their quest; they only had to press forward a bit to reach it, so the plunder could begin. It was a shame though that they weren't able to land nearer, so they wouldn't have to redo the entire way each time. But it was a small price to pay to pillage such an easy crowd...
The attractions were fun, but Jello wanted to take a break from them; it is fun to take part of such festivities, but from time to time, there was a need to step back and enjoy a moment alone, without being interrupted by other people.
Or, that what she believed, floating in the sky, letting the winds guide her toward the next spot she should visit, before returning to the ground. It was from there that she saw a strange group approach the circus, chanting seafaring songs and sporting weaponry that seemed out-of-place, as if they wanted to be pirates.
Perhaps they were performers hired by the circus, to create a new act; that would a show she didn't want to miss, although she had the impression that they weren't there to entertain people.
It picked her curiosity; maybe the show was going to be incredible, or there was something that was going to happen. Either way, she had to find out; this was an opportunity she couldn't let slide away...
She landed near the group, wondering if she should ask a question or just observe them; pondering the issue in her head, she let the assembly pass in front of her, chanting about the life on the sea. She could have joined them, pretending to be a member of their crew, but she wanted to see what they were up to...
``Attention people attendin' 'tis circus; ye be now control 'o th' feared cap'n Brown Beard, terror 'o th' oceans 'n th' bureaucrats'' yelled one of the performers, adding a touch of realism to their act.
She had to admit that it was quite convincing, nearly believable; but who could believe in pirates these days? They were like leprechauns and honest politicians; they belong in fairy tales, a sight that would be refreshing and exciting, if only it could be true.
``Are you performers? You're just too precious; can my grandson have a picture with you? '' said an elderly lady, pushing a teenager in front of her. It was quite evident that the teenager wasn't pleased with the action, nor with his presence around the group; he was a ticking time bomb, one that would explode in a matter of moments...
He wasn't the only one that seemed displeased about the situation; if one looked at the self- proclaimed captain, he could have remarked that his left eye was twitching, giving a clear hint that the treatment he was receiving was going on his nerves.
``Oh look, another lame attempt to get me interested in some sort of sad activity; aren't you supposed to be wearing a bright wig and touching children, or did you realize that in the end, whatever you did, you would end sucking anyway?'' said the teenager to the so-called Brown Beard, flipping him the bird as he searched for his iPod. This festival was a waste a time, but at least he didn't want to look lame in front of some old geezer that still wanted to be hip and cool, in some strange way...
It was a fascinating sight to Jello, who watched the scene with amusement. Would the actor lose his temper? Or would he be able to keep his cool, until that annoying brat leaves the scene, giving them a chance to perform in peace? She had to find out...
``That's it! I had that be all I can take! Men, advance 'n plunder all ye can take; show no mercy!'' yelled Brown Beard, as he smacked the teenager on the head, making him fall on the ground, his iPod falling in the hand of the pirate, who placed in his own pocket. It was a small bounty, but great treasures start with small items, thought Brown Beard, as he moved toward the crowd, who started dispersing, screaming about the need for security.
These fools; security wouldn't protect them against the might of those that face danger on the sea, especially if they spend their time gorging themselves with coffee and donuts, though the pirate as he advanced forward, wondering what sort of resistance they would meet on the way.
She had to do something about this situation, but what? She couldn't confront the entire group alone, but she couldn't let them run wild, robbing people and burning everything to the ground; she had to find a way to drive them out...
What could scare mighty pirates away? What sort of element could frighten them enough for them to never come back? She stopped for a moment, thinking about a possible plan of action, but unable to think of one; what could a circus be able to provide that would terrify hardened sailors?
Her thought stopped a moment on the beasts and the beast tamers, but it wouldn't have a big effect on people who braved monsters and storms; since these beasts were tamed, nothing could people from walking past them, not even scared of being harmed...
Who could pursue such a task, one that would save the honest people who were only seeking a cheap thrill and some popcorn on the side? Who, in their right mind, who want to face a bunch of bloodthirsty, unwashed pirates that knew no difference between fighting and butchering. Who would be foolish enough to accept such a task without fearing the possible consequence that could follow it?
Then it struck her, making her shiver with fear; she wanted to avoid them, to make sure that their presence wouldn't interfere with her good day, but since this was a case of life and death to the people, she had to do it...
Clowns, the terror of the circus, the reason that children were terrified of bright colors and friendly people these days; she had to fight the fear that they inspired to seek their help in the quest that she was now undertaking.
But where could they be hiding? Since the epic battle of virtue against the forces of darkness, all that was present at the moment were mimes, mere lackeys of the minions of darkness that she sought.
But she knew that as much as they were despised by the people owning the circus, they couldn't kick them out of the premises, for one wouldn't want to face their power. In the long run, it was a good compromise, as long as people didn't disappear in the area...
Where could they be? She wasn't sure where to search and time wasn't a resource she could waste; perhaps if she took to the sky again, she would be able to see where they were hiding, for the time being.
The winds welcomed her once more, as she escaped the roving band of pirates that was now plundering the land. She could see the people resisting them, some of them fleeing as they were pelted with popcorn and peanuts, but she knew that they would bring reinforcement if they weren't discouraged.
She could see a strange tent in the distance; it wasn't as colorful and cheery as the rest of the tent, making her wonder what sort of mysteries were hiding under it. Could the clowns be waiting under it? There was one way to find out...
She landed near it, wondering if this was right of her to be near such a place; it seemed empty, although there was a chill wind surrounding the area, as if this wasn't the land of those that sought the light.
``Who dare enters the lands of lord Clownius, regent of the legions of fools. Turn back, uncolored one, for this land isn't open to the non-clownish one'' said a voice, booming behind the thin walls of tissues.
It was imposing, severe and ageless, as if it wasn't affected by the flow of time; perhaps it wasn't too late to run away from such beings, to find another plan to save the people from the pirate's wrath. But if she ran away, then everything could be doomed, for time was of the essence; there was no turning back...
``I am one that seeks the help of those that can free the land of the invaders; only the ones that can master the terror, like you do, can provide the help I seek'' she told the voice, wondering if it would be enough.
A silence soon followed, making her wonder if the voice was nothing more than a figment of her imagination. Perhaps it was, for her desire to find a solution could have created the character that spoke to her and thus inspired the entire situation.
``If you seek the help the clowns, then you must become one. Go, travel to the foreign lands of Clowndor, to retrieve the lost wig of Cornelius, the first clown that walked on this Earth. From there, you will need to travel south, to the edges of the earth, to gather several exotic ingredients to make the face paint that will be used. And lastly, you will have to come back and face the initiation, to gain the right to wear the red nose. Now sally forth and seek these items, before light is extinguished from this world'' said the voice, as intimidating as ever.
She stayed in front of the tent for a moment, wondering if she should really take on the quest or bargain with them; as she pressed to move forward, she had to find a way to convince them that her quest was more important than this series of tasks...
``There is no time! If you don't act, your land will fall to the bloodthirsty pirate led by the captain Brown Beard. If you wish to preserve it, then you have no other choice then to rise against the common foe and expel him'' she told the voice, wondering if this would be enough to convince them.
``Fine, you made your point; although we support pirate clowns, we cannot let real pirate take over... not when we are supposed to be the one charge are. This time, we will take care of it, but the next time you call upon us...'' she heard, as the voice vanished, giving her an excuse to leave the area, to help the people.
Letting the winds guide her, she flew back to her original point, wishing that she wouldn't witness the army that she summoned, knowing that this was an impossible task; for now, she had to slow down the pirates...
Determined to brave the odds, she grabbed a handbag and decided to assault the closest one, to give an example, to stimulate those that she was helping. ``We must repel them at all cost; toss your popcorn, your pennies or your peanuts at them, while others should use their shoes to smack them. Anything can be used to keep them at bay, until the reinforcement arrives; we must have courage'' she yelled at them, hitting the pirate in the groin with the bag, sending him on the ground, kneeling with pain.
But paralyzing one pirate wouldn't change the course of history; she could see more advanced toward them, chanting and cursing, forcing a pre-emptive retreat for those that were throwing popcorn.
All seemed lost, as the united front of swashbucklers raged on the battlefield, a strange sound was heard from a distance, making the advance front stop for a moment. It was the sound of a squeaker, followed by a single, eerie laughter; the people looked at the horizon, wondering what sort of being could produce this unholy noise.
A single clown could be seen, standing in the horizon, holding a juggling ball in one hand while waving with the other one. It didn't seem impressive, as the pirates continued advancing, but the advance halted as soon as they saw what awaited them.
Clowns, by the thousands, were gathered on the field; from the drunk clown to the bloody one, all sorts of buffoons were assembled in a heteroclite army, marching for their own victory and glory.
``Clowns? We are fighting clowns? That's it, I had it. First we had to deal with teenagers, then popcorn and cranky old people but now clowns? I didn't sign up for this; I prefer to fight sea monsters than to be eaten by one of those things'' said a pirate, fleeing the scene, soon followed by more of his brethren.
It didn't take long for the captain to be alone, facing the crowd by himself; outnumbered, terrified by the new reinforcement and without any plans in mind, he had little recourse that came to his mind.
``There is no point in fighting such a battle; I will retreat, for now... but I will be back'' said Brown Beard, running away, trying to follow the rest of his crew.
Jello looked around, satisfied that the circus was saved; who could have thought that pirates were such cowards? It was satisfying to see that now the people were safe and able to enjoy the circus once again...
But now, another problem was facing them, as the clowns advanced on them; what could they now, to stop these creatures of darkness?