For Your Entertainment

[ayoungboy]

The circus comes into town in the late afternoon. It's a quiet caravan, but the whispers start immediately. It's not a regular circus. This one - this is the Camelot circus. One of the most esteemed traveling acts in the country, and not for the faint of heart. This one has a flaming sword eater and a terrifying magician.

A few brave people try to peek at the preparations, but once the big tent is up, all that can really be seen are food stands being set up, and a few podiums for acts unknown. Everything else is hidden from view. You want to see? Come buy a ticket.

Comments

[ayoungboy]

"No, no, it's fine. You needed your sleep." Merlin beams.

[royalpratness]

"Yes, I did." Arthur chuckles. "Do you want to go for a ride?" He nods towards the stables.

[ayoungboy]

"I'd love to." Merlin nods a little. "...if I'm allowed? I don't know if I have any more work."

[royalpratness]

"As your employer..." Arthur grins "I officially declare that you are free now to go horse riding with me."

[ayoungboy]

Merlin laughs and shrugs. "As you wish, my lord."

[royalpratness]

"So you've never been on a horse before?" Arthur asks as they walk inside the stables.

[ayoungboy]

"Never," Merlin confirms. "That's not part of my show."

[royalpratness]

"Okay, I'll teach you the basics then." Arthur grins, already looking forward to it.

[ayoungboy]

"M'I riding with you?" Merlin teases.

[royalpratness]

"No, I'll give you our most gentle horse." Arthur points at a horse further at the back. He spends the next twenty minutes or so to saddle the horse, explaining Merlin all the steps.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin nods and absorbs all the information, watching Arthur carefully.

[royalpratness]

"Ready to mount?" Arthur steps next to the horse, offering Merlin to help.

[ayoungboy]

"I guess I can try..."

[royalpratness]

"It's not that difficult." With his hands on Merlin's waist, Arthur helps him to climb up onto the horse's back.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin looks a little unsteady atop the horse, nervous about the height. He's seen performers break their necks on horses...granted, they were backflipping from over 30 feet onto the horse, but.

[royalpratness]

"Relax." Arthur chuckles, leading the horse slowly outside.

[ayoungboy]

"Are you sure about this?"

[royalpratness]

"Are you scared?" Arthur chuckles, patting the horse's side.

[ayoungboy]

"Yes," Merlin admits, cheeks flushed.

[royalpratness]

"Don't be." Arthur gently squeezes Merlin's calf. "This one is very tame and gentle." He nods at the horse, leading it towards the small enclosure behind the stables.

[ayoungboy]

"I've seen people die on these," Merlin chuckles nervously.

[royalpratness]

"Not on this one." Arthur assures him. Once they walk into the enclosure, Arthur lets go of the reigns, showing Merlin how to hold them himself.

[ayoungboy]

Merlin holds the reins a little too tightly, rigid on the horse.

[royalpratness]

"Let loose a bit." Arthur tells him. "Now gently nudge her flanks with your heels to make her move."

[ayoungboy]

"...what if I don't want her to move." Merlin bites his lip.