Night Circus - Tamed Danger

    You step inside the striped tent following the small throng of people already entering. As you take your seat you notice for the first time the four big cats sitting in the centre of the circle, each impossibly still. The majestic white lion is the closest, sitting on a small platform, his mane as pure white as the paper of your ticket, still carefully held in your hand.
    A little further away are a pair of almost identical snow leopards, their piercing blue eyes the only colour on the monochrome stage. Furthest from you, lounging elegantly on the sandy ground is a jet black panther. Suddenly, the animals all look towards a curtain in the side of the tent, a man in a white costume and a black waistcoat enters. On his arm is a woman in a stunning black costume with a white waistcoat to match her partners.
    The pair takes to the centre of the circle and without a word of command; the cats begin to move towards them, moving in perfect synchronisation. A flick of the man's wrist and the four beasts leap into the air, landing gracefully on the opposite side to their last positions.
    They are magically elegant in the way they move, prowling in a circle around the tamers. Another unheard command and the panther splits off, moving out towards the audience, towards you. After a moment of panic you realise it means you no harm, as it rests its head on your knee and closes its eyes. A glance at the cat tamer assures you that it is safe to touch the beautiful beast. The panther purrs at your gentle touch, its tail flicking from side to side. A bubble of laughter rises in your throat as the panther nuzzles against you, seemingly enjoying the attention.
    At the other side of the circle the lion is laid at the feet of a young man. He glances up at you and shrugs light heartedly. The female tamer whistles and the cats move away, back to the centre. The panther brushes against her and she strokes along its strong shoulders and down its back. As her hand moves away from the silky fur you realise she is holding something – it's a small origami panther – an identical miniature of the panther you have just touched yourself.
    The woman walks over to you, along with the two snow leopards. She hands you the paper panther. She gives a flourished bow, the leopards follow suit, and as she rises, both tamer and cats disappear! The centre stage is completely empty, the panther and lion have disappeared with the male trainer also.
    You sit in silent awe for a moment before people begin to rise and leave the tent; the hushed, magical atmosphere is broken as they begin to chatter about how well the creatures must have been tamed. You look down at your gift from the circus, the tiny, beautiful replica of a cat you will never forget.