Elanza giggles quietly to herself in the back of the 'ready area'. She was sitting next to a vanity, fixing some flowers hanging in her branched horns. Her costume was ready, and she was well hydrated... Jolly good. She stood gracefully, stretching as she approached another entrance to the center stage. She needed a big door for her act, after all. She walked up to one of the huge cages set up near the entrance. Her hands moved swiftly, unlocking and opening the huge door. An elk the size of a small elephant stepped out at her touch, and allowed her to lead him to the stage.
The lights were dim, faint blue glows giving the big top an eerie feel. The music was quiet, something gently with strings and a flute. The elk was graceful as it lowered it's head, groaning softly. Everything was hushed, the crowd on the edge of their seats to see this giant beast and its silent guide.
Her show always started slow. She liked allowing the audience to see the majesty of this endangered creature as he pranced and reared back his great head. Then she threw off the cloak concealing her outfit, a tasteful blend of leaves, fur, and feathers. At that instance, the lights blazed on, bright oranges and yellows. As soon as the rest of the stage became visible, several dark, hulking forms that had previously been unseen in the shadows were revealed. They resembled wolves, but were much larger than regular ones. They snarled, growled, circled the elk and the dryad. The elk stood tall, snorting and groaning, pawing at the ground as it watched the wolves.
Elanza stepped between the first wolf that braved forward, her lips parting ever so slightly. The wolf slowed, then approached the dryad and nuzzled her leg. As that was happening, another wolf jumped toward the elk. It bellowed, startling the wolf into dancing back. Elanza climbed up onto the elk's back, and barked, clapping her hands. The wolves froze, staring at her. She smiled, looking around the hushed crowd. Her act was not so much to entertain as it was to amaze, but entertainment was nice too.
"Let's dance," she said gently. The music picked up a quick drum beat and the wolves burst into movement. They ran in patterns, jumped, tumbled, scuffled their feet on the ground in fancy footwork.
The show of agility and rhythm had some of the crowd clapping, laughing even as the wolves shuffled into something of a line dance. Then Elanza hopped from the elk and walked a slow circle. Seeds were dropped from her fingertips, landing in the dirt. Saplings sprouted instandly, forming various hoops at various heights, and other obstacles. She returned to the elk and turned to the wolves and clapped her hands. She barked again, and the wolves took off for the obstacle course. They jumped, they dove, they weaved.
When they finished running, they waited patiently in a line, watching as Elanza and her elk ran the obstacle course as well. Despite its huge size, the elk was quite agile and graceful. It made each jump without problem, and was able to move through close stalks without so much as brushing them. As soon as the elk passed one part, it withered and disappeared almost instantly, leaving no trace. The elk returned to the center as Elanza stood and whistled. Two of the wolves stacked and a third climbed up onto the elk's back next to her.
"What else would you all like to see?" She asked, addressing the audience. The dire wolf at her side lolled its tongue, thick tail waving. "Let us do it this way."
She hopped down from the elk's back, leaving the wolf up there alone. The elk pawed at the ground, then began trotting in a slow circle around, letting all see the wolf ride the elk. There were cheers, applause, and some hoots. Gasps went up as the wolf stood on its haunches, hind paws in that 'begging' position. Then, the elk slowed to a halt and the wolf raised up on its hind paws, then hopped in place a bit. It moved forward some and launched itself off of the elk's thick neck, twisting into a backflip off of the giant's back. It landed with a soft whump and straightened, proud of the applause.
Elanza smiled as the crowd cheered, and she raised her arms. As she did, all of the animals rushed to her side, showing her excited affection as they swamped over her. Then, in a burst of leaves and wind, they were all gone.
Backstage again, Elanza secured her animals, treating each to a hearty celebratory meal. She cooed to them all before returning to the other performers, pulling flowers from her hair.
"Alright, who's next?" She asked, her smile vibrant, radiant.
