In a place of dreams and imagination. A place created by mortals, transcending what it is. A place that creates its own kind of magic. In a red striped life, surrounded by spectacle and wonder. It is a place that where everyone is a child once more, for it is a place for ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages.

They're at the center a massive tent stands waiting for its guest to come. Though they wait for guests inside, is not empty. Even without the presence of people, the wonder of dreams still fills the space with anticipation for those to come.

Soon the tent is filled with a gaggle of people, watching the show. A dream comes to life, for the masses. Mortals perform the impossible, twisting, bending, flying for all the people. The people warmed with an appetizer of sideshows building to a crescendo of a floor show.

Filled with an entire company, of wonder, talents showing a true dream, mesmerizing the audience. Clowns, dancers, aerial fliers, rodeo animals, lions, tigers, bears, elephants, unicorns, dragons, demons, and wonders not of this world but of their own, all performing a dream.

A circus is a place for the talented, the lost, the wandering, and the dreamers. A traveling home, a stage for the world to see, and a place of refuge for those pushed away.

The circus moved like it always does. Appearing in a place in need of wonder, where the dreams have become stale and the people’s hearts grow dark. The circus comes to bring a dream, to dust off that old imagination, and bring back the light. If only for a night.

The circus lives as a dream, floating from place to place, a memory fading to emotion, details lost until only the feeling left behind. Today the circus performs weaving its web of dreams.

“Ladies, Gentlemen, and children of all ages. I give to you the flying spider.”

Out appears an Arachne, a half-woman half spider swinging from her web all around the room. The audience gasp thinking this is a costume as their world has no Arachne or magic, but if they could just look a little closer they would see no makeup no costume but a true creature from myth. They are dazzled by her show, swinging and weaving her web across the air above the stage. The web is done and falls signaling the next act as the trapeze artists come out. People always see the web but forget it was there, waiting to save the ones who fall. The show continues moving from one to the other, small little bits connecting, building, creating something more than it is.

An old lady sits in the audience watching with rapt attention. Both there and not. Her mind lost to time to the first time she saw the circus.

‘Such a long time ago.’ The woman smiles living in two dreams at once.

All too soon the show ends.

A standing ovation for the magic given this night.

The old woman was saddened, but happy to have this memory.

She sits and waits for the seat to clear before moving herself. She had grown too old to move through the crowds and just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere.

She must have sat too long, as when she decides to move, she finds she ended up being the only one left.

She stands to leave when the ringmaster appears next to her.

“Are you lost?”

‘Where did this man come from?’ She thinks but chuckles saying, “Aren't we all, but no I just let my mind wander in a memory.”

“That's the best place for them.”

“Not always.”

“Yes, the magic sometimes lets them out for everyone to see.” The ringmaster turns to the center stage where the show once was. He turns and gives the old woman a big smile, “Would you like to join us?”

“Runaway and join the circus?” The woman laughs at the absurdity of it.

“Why, yes!”

“At my age.” The woman let out a big belly laugh, “Thank you, you have made my day.”

“I mean it.” The man said seriously a little magic leaking out, “A circus is a place for dreamers.”

“But I can barely walk what could I do?”

The man smiled softly and gestured to the stands, “Enjoy the show.”

The old woman looked at the man like he was crazy the frowned, “Oh I get it.”

The ringmaster tilted his head confused.

“I died, and this is some kind of deal with the devil right?” The woman gestured to the stands, “I'm always in the audience never leaving my seat or something? Always a part of the circus, forever.”

The ringmaster at first was shocked then doubled over laughing, “No nothing like that. We are offering you a home for a time. Would you join us?”

The woman considered then said her next thought, “Ah organ harvesting. Must be.”

“No.” The ringmaster said plainly.

“Well, son you have got to work on your deal with the devil approaches. I will be leaving and have my life alert ready to find me if something happens. So just back up and let me leave.” The woman shoved her way hands on a button to call for help.

“Yes, mam.” The ringmaster stepped out of the way watching the old lady leave the circus for the last time.

“So is it a deal with the devil?” A man appeared beside the ringmaster causing him to jump in surprise, “I can see power coming off you, but can't tell if it's evil.”

“Who are you?”

“A Deliveryman and you?”

“Ringmaster.” The ringmaster leaned back as the man kept scrutinizing him.

“That a title, or are you some cosmic aspect of the ringmaster?” The man asked.

“Title? Cosmic aspects aren't a thing.”

“Sure they are.” The man took a guess, “Mage?”

The ringmaster looked offended by the insinuation, “Sir, I am a dignified ringmaster. Protector of the lost, the wandering, the dreamers, and entertainer of the masses.”

“God?” The man took another guess ignoring the grandiose speech.

“No, I am not a god.” The ringmaster chuckled at that.

“You have so many otherworldly people, I was leaning towards that. How are you moving between worlds?” The man asked trying to figure the circus out.

“We go where we are needed to bring a spark of joy in desolate places.”

The man's mouth fell opening finally figuring it out, “You’re a fucking bard? A person who draws magic from performing.”

“Ringmaster.” He corrected, “I follow my craft and create magic from that.”

The man slammed his fist into his palm, “oOoOO I get it. Makes sense now.”

The ringmaster raised an eyebrow, “Does it?”

“Yeah, your show creates a feedback loop of magic and imagination. It creates a bubble of almost pure magic. Letting you move between worlds, and I'm guessing protect your people?”

The ringmaster was shocked at how accurate this strange person was, “Close enough.”

“So what was the deal with the old lady?” The man now satisfied understanding the circus went back to his original question.

“I could feel she was lost and made an offer for her to join.”

The man tilted his head as the ringmaster continued, “If she had, her body would have become younger, she would have joined our family, and would have taught her to perform if she wanted.”

“For eternity?”

“What no.” The ringmaster said horrified, “She’s still human. We can't stop aging. She would have had a good decade of life before her natural life ran its course. But all the while she would be young.”

“Shame she didn't take the deal.” The man said sadly.

“Yeah.”

“Well, I guess I'll take her then?” The man said starting to walk away.

“What?”

“I'm a delivery man.”

“You deliver people?” The ringmaster looked on paling at the implications.

“No, I deliver heroes.” The man stopped to look back at the ringmaster. “One traveler to another. You never know what you going to find.”