Work Text:
It was a play that went up on stage once a month. Like clockwork the props and set pieces were taken out of storage and cleaned up to be used once more. New actors were encouraged to audition to be in the play, giving them a chance to shine like everyone else. Rehearsal only needed a few days at most and then at night the stage was lit up and the play began for all of the HobbyHoovians, their Gods, and any other Grovians who came to watch.
It was Marple’s play; written late at night after a day of throwing out random ideas with his friends in a special club. He had written it out among his usual gorgeous artwork of a certain pair of Gods kissing and with the encouragement of the others, he submitted it for review and the chance to be up on stage.
It was a comical play about the God of Storytelling and Teamwork being castrated over and over again over. There were numerous ways and reasons for the castration but each one ended with the God crying out “my bals!”
It was a massive hit.
Soon others joined in, adding to Marple’s story. Sometimes Click Clack ended up in a cone meant for pets. Sometimes Thespius was there to comfort Them. Sometimes there was a large dog dressed as a detective with a bloodthirsty rabbit beside him. ((Owlvia had added a scene where They were hit with a baseball. They had been a little confused about the concept of Marple’s play but they had the spirit and it was included anyway)).
Thespius Green couldn’t help but love the play. It was fully in His Domain of Mirth and it radiated said Mirth all throughout the Grove when it was performed. The God’s power was always strengthened after Marple’s play was performed, His eye glowing brighter than normal.
Click Clack had never said anything openly about the play. They simply sniffed, narrowing Their eyes just so whenever a mortal or another God mentioned the play. “It is impolite for a writer to comment on another’s work. Even if They are the subject of said work…”
***
Marple watched happily as his play began again on the stage. An actor portraying Thespius ran up to a nurse seated behind a desk, asking where he could find Click Clack. The nurse directed him to a doctor who then guided him to Click Clack lying curled up on a hospital bed. “MY BALS!” Click Clack cried.
“The audience erupted into laughter as the scene quickly changed to another. The mortal, suddenly aware of the spoken Narration, turned around and found himself looking at the subject of the play standing close behind him.
“Click Clack had taken Their mortal form tonight to avoid being recognized easily among the crowd. He could only shake His head at Marple, pointing at him with Their tail as They said, ‘you did this!’”
Marple smiled at the disguised God, shrugging his shoulders before he said, “yeah!”
“The God returned his smile, shaking His head. ‘Comedy is perfect for bringing people together. So much Teamwork went into this play…and I cannot lie that I don’t find it a little flattering. Even if the subject is about me being castrated so many times!’”
Marple laughed, adjusting his glasses, “thanks! We’ve been thinking about doing another where Inspekta gets plagued with menstrual cramps!”
“The God just laughed, shaking His head at the idea. ‘If it will spare me a moment then by all means! Do it!’”
The Hills of HobbyHoo rang out with the laughter of its people, coming together in the name of comedy and teamwork.