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The Ringmaster leaned so far forward and pushed so much weight into the stone wall, the gravel texture pressed deep into the skin on the palms of his hands. He took in a deep breath to regain focus, and only then became aware that he had been holding his breath. He stood up straight, turning his hands to look at the palms where he could see the dappled pattern of the stone and tiny marks of red that marked the torture he had just imposed on them.
He shook his head and instinctually looked back into the arena stands to observe the crowd. The faces of the individuals, some flushed, some pale, revealed the earlier rush of excitement and frenzy that had overtaken the stands. The people glowed. Their eyes were bright, their mouths turned up on the edges in satisfaction, they wore ecstatic
