Name:
Harlequinne aka Harley or Quinn for short!
Circus Act:
Much like everyone else around, Harley was born to be a circus performer, much like her parents, Frankie & Coco the famous Dancing Clowns! However, despite being raised to continue her family's centuries-long legacy, Harley can't help but want something...different. Something more...exciting! As a youngling, Harley always found herself side-tracked by the other performers around her, but one act stuck out to her more than all the rest...
-Flash forward to the present time-
The lights in the stadium go dark, leaving a spotlight on our ringleader, my father now that he has semi-retired from performing, "Ladies and gentlemen! Hold onto your seats, because the act you have all been waiting for is finally here!" he pauses to allow the applause to die down, "Tonight at Countess Fortuna's Cirque du Clair de Lune, we would like to formally introduce the next generation of Moonlighters to all of our lovely friends!" he bows a few times, his Cheshire Cat-like smile plastering his face.
I stand and take the deepest breath my lungs will allow. Exhaling slowly, I make my way to the spot, precisely marked with a sparkling purple and silver star. There, my partner, Raven, awaits me, a jet-black stallion adorned with our custom-made gear. I pat him on the nose, "Here goes our big moment boy. I hope you're more ready than I am," he grunts and nuzzles me, a sign to show he has faith in our performance I am certain.
I mount Raven as my father finishes his introduction and my music slowly begins to crescendo. I cluck my tongue, signaling Raven to begin his trek around our stage as he has done many times for practice to start our performance. On cue, as he reaches optimal speed, the spotlight circles over us, making the glitter in my outfit shimmer like stars.
Raven and I become one as I carefully, rise into the hippodrome and wave to the crowd. After one circle is complete, I spin around the horn and straight into a back drag. I repeat the move on both sides of Raven, each time pausing enough for the crowd to see what I have done. Instinctively, Raven picks up speed, as he does, I know he is ready for me to pick up the complexity. "He enjoys this just as much as I do." Quickly, I position myself into a spritz stand and hold myself for what feels like centuries before flipping myself into a forward fender. A smile is plastered across my face as I continue our routine.
Once I feel Raven is at his max speed, I know it is time for our big finish, the hardest move, yet my absolute favorite, the Stroud! I seat myself into his saddle and quickly, yet carefully, ease myself into a standing position on his left side using only my feet and legs. "I DID IT!" Once I realize I have achieved the trick with ease as if it were second nature, I feel a smile much similar to my father's spread across my face.
As Raven slows I place myself properly in the saddle and lead him towards the center of the ring where my father is waiting. I quickly dismount and run up to hug him. I see tears of excitement and pride in his eyes, "Let's give one last cheer for my daughter our very own Harley!" Raven and I take a final bow and wave to the crowd before hurrying off stage for my father to finish things off with his final announcement before our first night in this city comes to a close.