Chapter Text
WELCOME TO THE AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS!
The banner stood high above the entrance to the tent, the colorful letters contorting in the wind. Petra took a look around the terrain, is this where she’s going to work? The tent looked immense in comparison to the small brick building next to it. Petra took a few steps hesitantly into the tent, no turning back.
She was immediately enveloped in a warm atmosphere. The whole room smelled of popcorn and cotton candy. The new member walked towards the voices in the distance. The conversations got more and more clear. She reached a small lounging area, which was a few bean bags scattered here and there. People, most being around her age, were sitting around chit-chatting away. Before she could wave to the group, someone was already behind her, a hand on her shoulder. She took a step forward and spun around. She was now face to face with the ring master, Caine, the exact person she was looking to meet today.
“Hello P!” His voiced was booming, making Petra take a few steps back.
“My name isn’t P, it’s Petr-” she was cut short by Caine shushing her.
“Oh no no no! Names are strictly forbidden on circus grounds. Leave that for your nights out”
“Hey, let’s call her Pom pom” A taller boy stood up as he shared his idea, quite the bad one.
“No that’s just stupid, Jax. Sounds like a nickname.” Another person spoke up, although not moving from their bean bag.
“Says the person called Zoobie”
“It’s Zooble, you dip—.”
“Caught yourself right in time!” Caine clasped his hands together. “Always remember our strict no-swearing policy!”
“Policy this, policy that. We get it.” Zooble rolled their eyes and leaned further back into the bean bag.
Caine looked like he was about to shoot lasers out of his eyes, but turned back to their new member.
“Well look how off-track we got! So P… let’s call you Pomni, that seems about right.”
“Pomni?…pomni..” She repeated the name a few time to get used to it.
“So Pomni, start us off with the introductions and the others will follow suit.”
Pomni stood awkwardly amongst people she had never seen before today. She looked around hesitantly.
“H-hey so my name is Pe-..Pomni, I’m 25 yea-”
“You’re 25!?” The boy, whose name she learnt was Jax, laughed out, “You can’t be older than 15!”
“No, I’m really 25.. As I was saying, I will be the new acrobat here. Um- I also came from the national circus school with a specialization in acrobatics and contortionist.”
“Wow Caine! You found us a real professional!” An older man spoke up, looking all around the room.
“Kinger…Y-you come from the same school…” A small voice arose from the back.
“I do!? Well, I just can’t remember.”
“Why don’t you start off the introductions? You are the first member here, after all.”
“Oh yes. I’m Kinger and I’m 30-”
“35-” Jax interjected.
“35 years old and I am the magician here.”
“Yeah, he can even turn me into a rabbit. Kinger do that cool magic trick of yours.”
“Oh yes! Magic trick!” He pointed his finger at Jax, and the boy simply bent down towards his bag and pulled out a purple rabbit mask that he put on.
“Ta-dah!”
A tall girl with curly red hair stood next to Pomni.
“He does know magic tricks, don’t worry, but don’t tell him this one isn’t working. He believes that every trick he does is pure magic, just keep that in mind!-”
The girl took a few steps forward and spun to face Pomni.
“I’m Ragatha, 27 years old, and I’ll be your costume maker from now on! I can’t wait to make yours!”
“My turn. Zooble, 26, and I’m the lead technician. Light, sound and whatever else the show needs to work.”
“And I’m Bubble! 20 years old and assistant techie!” The short man walked in as if on cue. He was holding a bunch of wires.
“M-my name is Gangle… I’m the circus’ mime. And I’m 22-!”
Jax walked in front of Gangle, elbowing her just enough for the mask she was holding to hit the floor with a dull sound.
“Hey…my comedy mask..”
“Ah yes, the best for last.” He did dramatic arm gestures, “I’m the one and only Jax. I’m the acrobat around here, which means I am your new partner. I know, I know, ‘What an honor to work with him’ “
“Wait” Pomni stopped him, “I’m not doing solo acrobatics? But I’ve never done duo before.”
“So did I at first. It’s called learning on the job Pom pom.”
“How old even are you? You don’t look a day over 18” She eyed him up and down.
“23 thank you very much.”
“Jax, stop lying to her. He’s 16.” Zooble sighed.
“Well, my ID says I’m 23.”
“Ah yes, the fake ID we use to get you to the bar … and pretend it’s legal for you to even work here.”
“So they expect me to work with a 16-year-old?” Pomni qestionned.
“I’m 17 tomorrow.”
“Same thing.”
“Well trust me I can easily lift you up right here and there; go on, give me your hands.”
Pomni gave him confused glares, but did put her hands out. Jax held her hands and started counting loudly all throughout the tent.
“One! Two! Three! Four!” He squat down and went on his knees, using all his strength to start lifting Pomni up. “Hand! Stand! Seven! Eight!”
“Agh! What are you DOING!” Pomni yelled as she felt Jax lifting her up, her feet slowly leaving the floor.
She held herself and followed Jax’s directions, getting into a handstand. He safely put her down, stood up and dusted off his pants.
“What was that for!?” Pomni looked at Jax, still catching her breath.
“It’s called building trust Pom pom. I knew you wouldn’t believe me to lift you, but now you have no choice but to. So 1-0 for me”
Caine came back from the back.
“Well, everyone seems to have met Pomni. Now off to practice my slender silly snakes. The show in a few days won’t get done alone!”
Everyone immediately left the room, mechanically, without saying goodbyes. Jax threw his hands behind his head, whistling as he walked away.
“You coming Pom Pom?”
“It’s Pomni.”
“Sure” He lowered his voice to barely a whisper, “Suree Petra.”
“How do you know?” She tilted her head.
“Bullseye. I just took a guess with the part you said.” He smiled, proud of that small feat.
Caine looked at him and as soon as their eyes, Jax put his head down, all the emotions draining from his face. He walked away quickly.
“Follow me Pomni.”
She caught up to him, a weird feeling rising up in her chest… something felt wrong here.