Her Enemy Protector Bear by Cynthia Wilde
Chapter 2
Nicholas Barrett stared out from the backstage window into the large crowd waiting for his show to begin. The Bear Show was one of the more well-attended and popular events at the festival, with over two thousand people showing up to watch his two scheduled shows a day. Nick liked the attention and the fact that he could shift in front of everyone, and not one human realized that it wasn't just a magic trick, but was actually a real person turning into a real bear. Of course, they added a big flash and a puff of smoke to make it look more like a trick. They even had him do it standing over a trapdoor. It wouldn’t do at all for any humans to have the slightest suspicions. But between the unnecessary theatrics and all the spells the Fairies had on the faire, he was pretty sure that no humans would have a clue. But even with the way they had disguised it, he got a rush of adrenaline every time. It also gave him a chance to blow off steam, which, lately, he'd needed more than anything.
Normally shifting in front of humans was frowned upon, to say the least, but when it came to protecting the real mission of the faire, all bets were off. Even among the many magical beings who called the faire home, only a relative few knew it’s true purpose. They stood at the edge of a great wood, beyond which lay the Void. Many years ago they had built the faire with its spell laden walls so that they could guard this rip between worlds. It was their sworn duty to prevent any dark creatures from passing from the Void into this world. What lived beyond the Void needed to be kept beyond the Void. Although no humans knew it, the Fair was actually a shield of sorts, protecting all of humankind. They could not fail.
Nick was one who knew the importance of keeping up the appearances of the faire. One big aspect of that meant keeping the crowds coming. It was during a push to firm up attendance levels that he had first proposed the idea of shifting in front of the crowds. The old tricks were getting, well, old. For a while, he'd been able to get away with simply doing tricks as a normal, trained bear: riding tricycles around the stage and chasing his assistant, Marla, walking a tightrope over a pool of water while holding a pink umbrella, doing tricks on a ball, rolling back and forth on the stage while Marla sat on his shoulders and juggled fire. It was pretty cliché.
There were many times when Marla accidentally singed his fur with a torch, or he'd almost run over her when she tripped on a wet patch on the stage. During one show, a squirrel ran across his tightrope, almost causing him to fall. It was quite the show to behold. The audience loved those things, until they'd seen them so many times that they'd lost interest. They had needed a new edge.
He'd racked his brain for weeks trying to figure out another stunt they could do, but all they could think of were more of the same. Then, one day, the idea struck him. He came out when they announced the bear and dropped a smoke bomb and then shifted into his bear right on stage. Of course, he had disguised the transformation a little, but only enough to leave some doubt in their minds. The entire audience gasped, giving Nick just enough time to regret his decision. Then, suddenly, the crowd went wild, clapping, and stomping. His gamble worked, as everyone asked Marla how he did such an amazing magic trick right before their eyes. She shrugged and smiled and took their money. After that, word got out and people started to come back in droves. Rafe Parker, the owner, was not too happy to hear about it at first but once the crowds started coming, he had relaxed a bit. He had insisted that they make it look even a little more fake, however. It wouldn’t do for the world to learn that the faire was inhabited by a bunch of “mythical” creatures. They definitely didn’t need that kind of attention. It would have defeated the whole purpose of being there. Regardless, the transformation was still a crowd pleaser, smoke and mirrors included.
Nick smiled as he checked his watch. It took a certain amount of pride in his little contribution to the faire, and it was about time to start. As the patrons took the last few seats and everyone grew quiet, Samantha, his hawker, announced that the show was about to begin. That was his cue. He walked out in a ring master's coat and tails, and then circled the stage, bowing politely to each section of the raised stadium seating. Everyone grew quiet in anticipation.
When he finished his introductions, he moved to the center of the stage as the music began. This was the moment that a ball of theatrical flame hit the stage while a huge puff of smoke ignited simultaneously. Once the smoke rapidly cleared, there he was, in full bear mode. He roared, and the entire audience jumped to their feet. The sound of thunderous clapping gave Nick just the dopamine kick he needed to start the show.
That was when his assistant, Marla, came out in her sexy little get-up of a black leather bodice, boy shorts, and fishnets, whip in hand. Contrary to the popular belief among the regulars and some workers of the faire, he and Marla were never romantically involved. She was a fairy and not into bears, and well, he really wasn’t into fairies either. But the two of them loved working together. As a team, they made the audience scream with joy and gasp with shock, and at the end, the tips were always generous, especially from those who chose to get a picture with their kid sitting on a real-life bear.
Suddenly, a little boy, about seven years old with dark hair and brown eyes, came running toward Nick. Even in his bear form his heart skipped a beat. Even his beast side recognized a boy so much like his son. His son who had died, Dillon. The boy jumped up and down as his parents ushered him over to sit on Nick’s bear’s back. In his bear form, his emotions were largely hidden. But it took great strength not to let out a roar in that moment. The boy sat there as his parents took what seemed like about twenty pictures. At least they had tipped them a twenty-dollar bill.
“Your show is all he wanted to see here at the festival,” they said to Marla. “Do you sell stuffed bears like your friend here?”
“Of course,” said Marla, smiling. “They are right over there at the kiosk. We have t-shirts with an authentic paw print as well.” Marla motioned in the direction of the booth. The parents thanked her profusely, took their child ─ who was still chattering excitedly ─ and walked away.
“Take five, Nick,” said Marla, knowing full well how he was affected by such encounters. She could read his bear pretty well. “I'll see you at the next show.” Marla sent him away as she announced that the bear needed to hibernate before the next show and would be back at three pm. The guests in line made a communal sound of disappointment but dispersed as requested.
Nick went backstage, shifting back into his human form. He sat in his dressing room and busied himself with straightening up, anything to take his mind off all that kid had brought up for him. But it was no use. The memories came. Two years had passed since the accident. He couldn't help but think about his little boy and all the what-ifs surrounding the accident and his death. The memory still shook him to his core.
“Get yourself together, Nick,” he said to himself in the mirror above his desk. “You can’t go getting upset every time you see a kid with a passing resemblance to Dillon. It has been two years now, for chrissakes.” He straightened his back and wiped his eyes. He was the mighty bear, and he couldn't show his assistant or the patrons otherwise. It was hard enough to admit his weakness to himself.
He washed his face and gave his body an exaggerated shake to snap himself out of it. He had a job to do. He looked in the mirror to make sure his face wasn't too red. His chocolate-brown eyes stared back at him with a familiar intensity. His medium-length, curly, brown hair had an unkempt look about it, but he didn't feel like combing it right now. He would cover it with a tall, feathered hat, as he had to look somewhat presentable.
Not only was he the star of The Bear Show, but he was also the merchant coordinator. It was hard to say which job was more challenging. Additionally, he was the owner and operator of Renn Dreams Costumes and More, a clothing shop full of beautiful renaissance clothing, hats, gloves, and other medieval accessories. Between shows he often walked around the faire. Wearing his own product was also a great way to advertise. Today he would wear his blue and gold Elizabethan outfit. It was the easiest to get in and out of and fit his six-foot-three muscular frame perfectly. It was the newest design in his clothing line, and he wanted to show it off.
The day was perfect for the several layers of upholstery fabric he donned as he walked through the faire. Dressed in the medieval garb and away from the stage, few guessed that he was the guy from the mighty bear show. He blended in with all the other costumed patrons, actors, and vendors walking around, which was just how he like it. Nick was in his element.
When he was about to go into his store’s booth to check on his manager and see if she needed anything, his friend, Red, stopped him. Red was a troll who was third-in-command to the owner himself. He towered over Nick and had a grim look on his face. It still amazed Nick that he could walk freely amongst the patrons without causing a stampede, but between the faire spells and some makeup on top of his actual Troll body, he too was hidden in plain sight. Fairgoers just assumed his realistic look was an amazing bit of entertainment magic.
“Nick,” he said quietly, so as not to be heard by guests milling around them. “I need a quick word with you.”
“Yes, of course, Red,” he said, motioning for them to go behind the booth to speak. “What can I do for you?”
“Remember that stray cat problem?” Red began.
“How can I forget it? They are peeing and pooping everywhere. There are so damn many of them, how could I forget?!” he half laughed.
“Exactly. Well, Rafe says it’s time we dealt with them. Just make sure no one is feeding them, as we are going to start setting traps to catch them. The plan is to get them fixed I think, or to maybe re-home a few. We just don't want a guest or someone getting bitten or scratched or anything. Also, if we don’t do something we are going to be knee deep in strays soon.”
“Got it,” said Nick. “No problem, I will let Marla know too.”
“Thank you,” responded Red. “Nice outfit, by the way. Shiny.” Red winked at Nick.
“Thanks,” said Nick. “It is my newest design.” Nick couldn’t quite tell if Red was being sarcastic or not.
“I'm sure you will sell loads of them,” said Red. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have to spread the word. Aurora and the rest of the fairy glen are my next stop.” Red lumbered off toward the children's kingdom, while Nick stepped into his booth. There was a flurry of customers who all seemed to take in his new threads. He went into full merchant mode, not paying much attention to the time.
When he looked up at the clock above the register, he realized he only had fifteen minutes before his next show. He ran to the stage and got there just in time for his grand entrance. There was no time to change into one of his numerous ringmaster outfits. That was fine though, as he wore the fairy-made pendant most shifters wore. With it he could shift anytime anywhere, clothes and all, no problem. It was definitely handy, although when he could, he preferred the old-school shifting. But in emergencies when there was no time to change, the pendant was the way to go. Like on stage, he thought as he took his place, and the show began.