Chapter Text
*Pop!*
A new person arrived at the Circus. As if the were hit with a festive flashbang, their senses still a mess as everything hit them at the same time: the colorful atmosphere, the constant clown like song that seemed to come from everywhere, the bright light that constrasted the darkness in which they found themselves mere moments ago.
What's happening? Where am i?
And as if things couldn't get weirder their head felt light, as if it was lacking the one thing that could be responsible for that sensory overload purgatory, and unfortunately for them it wasn't there. That didn't mean they wouldn't try to take it out no matter what.
I... can't... take... it... OUT!
They moved around with their hands on their head, trying anything to break free, but nothing ever came of it besides the fall from the weird teatral stage they were before, their back against, the not so cold, floor. Their breathing was heavy as the reality slowly came crashing down; a Dream? was she drugged? is this what feels like to be drugged? OH GOD!
Time just wasn't there to complete any of those astray thoughts, as a sound effect reminiscent of magic graced their ears, if they even had any, making them get up to see a oval portal forming close to the stage. Panic set in even more as they quickly ran behind the nearest set of blocks she could find, hiding themself as they observed quietly with a hand on their mouth... a green hand.
- Wowie! I can't believe you guys finished that puzzle so quickly! I might need to make it harder for next time hahaha! - The uncanny looking dental... hotel guy? holding a cane and a top hat came flying out of the portal first as a bunch of cartoon characters followed, he seemed ecstatic as the group gave their fair share of akward smiles.
Puzzle? She thought, trying to get closer to be able to hear and understand properly what was being said.
- Well Caine, if you try any harder you might need a new set of teeth! - The clown looking person said, staring at the group as if he was waiting for recognition, only for the doll girl to give a clearly fake laugh and for the purple bunny to give him a weird smile, which seemed to satisfy the clown.
- Haha... Uh, Caine, i think the puzzle was perfect the way it was... I don't think there is any need for making it harde-- - The doll tried completing her sentence but was interrupted by a playful shove to the side from the bunny.
- No way! I think the puzzle was way too easy! Bring us your A game next time Caine! - The bunny replied in a playful tone, the doll protesting as she exclaimed 'Jaaax!' but clearly had a small smile on her face, the clown giggling at the banter as the chess piece and the pile of ribbons with a mask looked from the side.
Okay... This is way too much for now. I'll wait for them to go away and i'll find a better hiding spo--
- Hey Boss! Someone is doing a great job at hiding from you! - Their thought process was interrupted by a voice behind them, and as they instinctively turned to look at it they saw a sentient bubble stare at them.
They stared at eachother for less than 2 seconds before she swinged her hand at it, popping it with a scared scream as they fell to the ground, staring at the group as the group stared at them.
- GASP! A new human? And right after such a great adventure?! I might need to bite myself because i think I'm dreaming! - The floating denture man bit down as he said it, staring at the person with his weird hovering eyes. - Welcome to the AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS! A realm for fun, entertainment and WACKY adventures!
They just stared, too afraid to say anything in the fear of making that weird being upset, or maybe hoping that if she didn't say anything everything would end up just being a weird fucked up dream. But the seconds became longer as they didn't respond, Caine slowly floating closer and closer as he waited for a response, making the situation even more awkward, before the doll intervened.
- Um... Hey, Caine? I think our new friend needs some space... It's a lot of stuff to take in all at once, not everyone can manage that. - The doll came to help them up, with the bunny coming with as if trying to help them stand, but it was more curiousity than anything.
- Very good Ragatha! It is something very common for you humans, not sure how i forgot about it! - Caine seemed very upbeat still, summoning his cane to point at the newbie. - Tell us a bit about yourself, what shall we call you?
- ...my name? My name is... - Blank. As if they never had a name to begin with. Desperation kicked in as she tried to remember everything she could regarding her name, but nothing came up - Wh...why can't i remember my name?!
- Relax froggy, once you get stuck in the circus you can't remember some stuff from the real world, like our names, that's why we choose new ones! - The bunny, who choose the name Jax, seemed to try and "lift" her mood in a sense, but it only made her even closer to a panic attack, but something caught her attention that somehow grounded her.
- "Froggy"? Why...froggy? - They seemed very confused, which prompted Caine to snap his fingers, revealing a full size mirror in front of the new player, revealing their new appearance: A cartoonish green frog with eye lashes using a pink bow tie... only a pink bow tie...
- WH... WHAT THE F[@#€]?! - they said as they covered their body as if they were naked, which they were, but what stole the spot light was that weird censor. - Huh? F[@#$]... S[@&$]... P[&$#@]...
- Oh you learned that already... Yeah Caine doesn't let us swear in here, it's a pain in the A[$#] but he doesn't give it up... - The purple bunny said with a certain sarcastic tone to it, as if he was trying to throw some shade to the ringmaster.
- The Amazing Digital Circus is entertainiment for the whole family! I can't alow foul language! No no no! - It was very clear Caine would not change his mind, making Jax let out a audible "tsk". - As for your clothing situation, have no worries! There is nothing to hide, literally!
- It's still... Weird! - The frog clearly was upset, pointing to Jax with an angry look in their face. - Why does the bunny get clothes and while I'm forced to be naked?!
- Hey! I'm on your side, I hate the stuff we get assigned here but there's not much we can do. - The bunny shrug, crossing his arms as he stared at the frog, who stared back.
- Don't worry new stuff... I'm sure you will get used to it... Eventually! - The doll continued to try and cheer them up, which wasn't really working, but they just gave her a weak smile.
- Thanks...
- Since you still need a name how about Ribbit? - The bunny cut the cute scene with his sarcastic tone, a big smile on his face.
- Oh! I think it suits her well! Straight to the point with no croaking around! - The clown agreed with Jax, and made a terrible joke but we can ignore that.
- Um... Shouldn't we ask what she thinks first-- - The pile of ribbons got interrupted by Caine.
- Great idea Jax! What do you think, Ribbit?
The frog showed a pissed off look and was clearly about to curse the bunny and his entire bloodline, but the doll started to talk.
- I think it's a cute name. - She said, giving a warm smile to the frog- to Ribbit. - Oh, i'm Ragatha by the way, we forgot to introduce ourselves...
- I'm... I'm Ribbit. - They said, reaching out their hand to grab the doll's, giving her a small smile as well.
- A fantastic choice, Ribbit! I would give you a tour but our time is short and i still have infinite adventures to prepare! ...Actually, I had a better idea! Jax, as our welcoming bunnyboy--
- Don't call me that.
- ...As our welcoming animal, why don't you show Ribbit around the Tent? You can finish by showing the rooms! Where she'll find hers! - His eyes mimicked two people walking as he explained, the vision would be disgusting if it wasn't very cartoonish.
- I wanted to sleep... But sure, i have a few special rooms I want to show. - He grabbed Ribbit's arm and started dragging her out, before they broke his grasp, walking along side him.
Jax showed them a few rooms, corners that leaded into other places, magnificent places, weird places, but sometimes he would just stare at Ribbit as she talked. Both seemed a bit lost from time to time, sometimes catching glances that took too long, as if trying to remember something.
Why does he seems so familiar? Sometimes he talks as if he has known me my whole life? And some stuff he says i feel like i've heard before... And that voice...
- ...it... bbit... Ribbit?... - Jax voice suddenly could be heard, did they... Zone out? For how long? They shaked their head before looking at the bunny.
- Sorry, I'm... Trying to adapt... What were you saying?
- This is your room. - He pointed to a door with her new frog face printed on it.
- Oh.
The animal duo stared at her room, before Jax opened the door to look inside, making Ribbit join him. The room seemed as if it was staring at them, cameras, creepy pantings that followed with their eyes, mirrors, eye... plushies?, it was very weird.
- What the f[@#$] kinda room is this?! - The frog exclaimed as they pointed at every single weird part of it, making Jax laugh.
- Come on! Yours is cool at least, mine is lame.
- Wanna swap? I'm sure i would rather have whatever you think it's "lame" than this crap...
- I don't think Caine would allow that. So too bad! You get the creepy always watching you room, oOoOo~ - Both laughed as Jax's ghost noises echoed through the empty corridor.
- Oh, people are probably sleeping already, we should be quiet... - Ribbit said, before Jax just brushed it off.
- Nah. We have all eternity to sleep, they can handle a little bit of noise.
The continued talking for a bit, sitting on the wall close to Ribbit's room. They laughed as Jax told some stories from previous adventures, usually how they ended in disaster, but all of them seemed rather exciting.
- You know... I missed this... - The frog gave a relieved sigh, sliding to the ground as they had a small smile on their face.
- What do you mean? - Jax had a curious expression, seeing someone so... Glad to be in the circus was weird.
- It's been so long since i've... laughed, like, really laughed! I used to do it all the time when... My brother was still at home... - Their smile slowly faded, they looked serious as they put their hands on their chest. - After he left i was all alone to fend off against my parents... And he didn't really explain where he was going... Just disappeared out of nowhere and never really came back... I kinda get him though.
Jax was quiet as she explained her past, his eyes widening more and more as she talked, before he put on his big smile, putting his hands behind his back and leaning on the wall.
- Well, maybe he went to work on a meth empire, did he have cancer? - He said in a playful tone, but deep down he was testing the waters, as if he knew something but wasn't sure, and was trying very hard to prove himself wrong.
- Hah! I loved that show! I've watched it a bunch with my brother before he... Before... - Her eyes widened as she sit up, staring at the bunny, the latter having a worried expression as his worst fear had come true.
- Is that... Are you...