Set-up thread for the Fifth Olympics Obstacle Course. Open to anyone that wants to also throw in their contributions.

Never would she admit to being an amateur to the art of showmanship. An avid fan of the fascinating shows housed within the Carnival's big top, many a time she'd borne witness to death-defying stunts and morbid struggles for survival, and the repeated visits had gradually honed her taste for what acts best appealed and what didn't. A bit presumptuous to believe that witnessing these was enough to become involved to any extent in the process of assembling a spectacle, but such self-assurance might prove helpful in pushing forward and achieving success. At the very least, her efforts would surely disappoint less than the paltry display she'd been subjected to upon watching previous events held within Orion.

A collection of tunnels to run through and hurdles to leap over? Mediocrity at its finest. No, she envisioned a course to conquer that'd have the audience standing on tiptoe with their hearts nestled in their throats, waiting anxiously to see which competitor pulled ahead of the rest. Each obstacle should be a thrill instead of a bore, and now this opportunity afforded her the chance to see if constructing such could truly be possible.

On the ground Miriam had scattered the tools that'd aid her in executing this design. Bones and carved pieces of stone were arranged to loosely construct the forms of two creatures. They were near identical, save for their differing hues, one's non-skeletal parts bluer than the other's. Landbound menial labor purely their purpose, deliberately imposing individuality served no point; doing the dirty work a certain tatzelwurm refused wasting energy on didn't require the charming aesthetic touches of a more performative puppet. Builders existed to complete their task without admiration or fanfare, the magical strings tying them to their mistress easily cut away once she deemed the finished work satisfactory.

"Wakey wake, darling." Ever fond of maintaining her chipper persona, she leaned over and crooned to the first of her little lackeys she decided to animate, each syllable ringing out like a soft tinkling of bells. Claws hovered over its skull, a commonplace mouse's, and slowly withdrew. "Time to head off to work."

As the paw moved away, the invisible threads she had established in that moment tugged at the creature's head. It rose to follow the departure of the appendage, the action almost lifelike if not for the obvious lack of independent will and the mishmash of parts composing it. Then Miriam closed her fist and jerked it slightly further upward; the golem's limbs promptly snapped into a standing position.

Wide, unblinking eyes drank in her handiwork while the tip of her pink tongue caressed a canine exposed by the tiniest smile that lips curved into. "Simply splendid. You're a good listener, dear," she purred, knowing full and well her compliments were heaped onto an unfeeling husk. "Let's put that to use in a bit, shall we? I need to get your brother ready next."

"Now then." Miriam turned her gaze onto the creation that remained unmoving on the ground. "Let's see if you're as quick on the uptake, shall we?"

No need to focus on the golem already standing. It wouldn't require any supervision, fully reliant upon her will to determine its actions. All attention now could be devoted to this one whose components had yet to be ensnared by magic's influence. Clenched claws opened, and she repeated the previously established method she delighted in employing: string the puppet and pilot it through the first movements of its meager, utterly mundane existence.

The response was fluid, more so even than that of its counterpart. Where the previous had jolted upright under her command, this creature rose to its feet at a comfortable, controlled pace. Had her hand not been occupied by her work, such impressive results would've evoked a round of self-congratulatory applause. Instead she settled for widening that smile upon her face. What originally would've been perceived as innocent mirth developed an unnerving edge, what had seemed to be the corners of her lips splitting further apart to reveal some of the sharp teeth nestled further back in her jaws. The monster was playfully peeking out from behind the visage of the maiden.

"So bright," she complimented. "So very useful."

The first step of her task—getting her minions up and running—completed, Miriam could proceed onward to the more labor intensive aspects of her plan without wasting precious energy. A trip to Eridanus was in order for additional materials, and then they could venture forth to their true destination.

At the beckon of a paw, both golems slunk forward. "Come along now."

Monoceros awaited, and she'd ensure her portion of the course reigned supreme in spectators' minds.

-Exit Miriam