Machinist of Mana

“Come one, come all! See the greatest show in the world! We have beasts from faraway lands, monsters to thrill and terrify and magics the likes off which you've never seen! Step right up this way folks, right here for thrills and wonders galore!” the man announced before the series of tents, waving out to people.

Apparently mother's surprise was a circus which had just come to town. I knew little about the various things they were advertising, but doubted all were as they seemed.

We'd arrived just in time for the main act. Music peaked and the lights fell as the ringmaster made his way to the center of the largest tent, surrounded on all sides by stands. The prime part of his act involved a sort of trained magical beast that would've put a lion to shame. The creature in question was a cat as well, but was almost the size of an elephant, mane bristling with silver spikes and teeth gleaming in the spotlights. It was led through a number of tricks with a flaming whip from the ringmaster's hand. It stood atop a small box, jumped through hoops, ran around the ring.

There was a thrilling moment where the beast lunged at the ringmaster, only to be driven back by his fire whip spell. It was surprising, but clearly part of the show, as the man barely flinched. He continued on as if nothing had happened save for a small smile for the crowd.

Not all of the performers were magical, but many were, and they managed feats that would make the greatest of those on Earth seem like parlor tricks. There was a woman who danced across wires so thin above us that it looked to most people like she was flying. There were men running up posts and using fire as part of their performances that seemed to dance around them like it was alive. A lot of the classics were left out of course, no strongmen were needed in a world where someone like my mother might be able to bend steel.

After the show my grandfather carried me to some of the other tents. There were some of the animals from that show here, as well as a few others. Most looked rather like Earth counterparts, but might have multicolored glowing feathers, or shining metal skin. They were pretty, but seemed rather... tame, tired, like they'd been through this a hundred times.

Soon enough though we came to a show that hadn't been opened up yet, before it stood a man in full regalia, his cane twinkling as he spun it to get attention.

“This way folks, this way! We have a brand new attraction, never before seen in these lands! These monsters hail from an island shrouded in storms, first documented centuries ago by intrepid explorers but lost to the annals of time! We found those records though, and through trepidation and the marvels of modern technology brought there here, for you!” He slammed the cane he held into the wooden platform as he motioned, the curtain parting to let us enter.

There had to be around two dozen of them, caged and being worked up by one of the staff into a near frenzy. Their green bodies writhed as they were prodded, leaving them screaming and raging behind the bars. They were short, three feet at most, and with large ears and red eyes.

“These monstrosities are goblins good folks, be not confused, while they may have some small resemblance to men, they are savage and wild, uncontrolled. We've tried, and failed several times to teach them even the simplest tricks, but their rabid nature forbids it!” the announcer said, leaning in towards the crowd.

I was flabbergasted, seeing the things there. I was also worried, as there'd been a lot of stories about these particular monsters back on Earth. There was slight relief that some were obviously female, meaning that the more concerning stories were likely untrue, but they did seem wild and chaotic.

Well, all but one of them. One of the goblins, who looked to be male, sat in the center of the cage, eyes flicking about, watching, seeming to wait. Most of the others avoided him, and when one who'd just been prodded drew too close I saw why. With what looked like a practiced move he slammed the other green-skinned creature, leaving it sprawling in pain.

His eyes met mine, and for the briefest moment I thought I saw curiosity, interest. Then grandfather started moving again and I lost sight of him. It seemed we had other attractions to see today.

“Did you have fun Percival?” mother asked as our little group rode home.

“Food was good,” I informed her.

That was a fact. Carnival food had been given to me in small amounts, it was fried, roasted, sweet, and mouth wateringly savory at times. It wasn't the well made, subtle food that I was fed at home, but rather called to my inner redneck, reminding me of the state fair back home and the goodies they might have there.

“Have to get you a more refined pallatte,” she griped.

“Oh, don't be so crass dear, all children like such foods,” my grandmother interrupted.

Soon enough I found myself back home. Mrs. Lutte had managed to pull herself together and greeted me with the same smile as always, though perhaps a bit less enthusiastically and before long I was readied and sent off to bed.

It would be wonderful to say that most of my time for the season had been a magnificent adventure, but that would be an outright lie. I had good moments, fun moments, but so very many that also bored me half to death. I was still too young to participate in much, and therefore wasn't allowed to do much. I hated it, my mother hated it, pretty much everyone involved seemed to either be a bore or unhappy to be there.

So as I fell asleep I dreamed of what might be one day. I planned to explore my house, to learn from my grandpa more of the science of this world, and to build things of my own. I may not know how yet, but learning could be a joy. Perhaps one day I'd even have a lot more fun on one of these awful yearly trips, who knew.

Until then though, I could rest.