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Milana learned about this interesting fact completely by accident. She was working at the café as usual, delivering orders, when she unexpectedly overheard two customers talking about gifts for their mothers. Not surprising, the holiday was coming up soon, and many wanted to please their parents on such an occasion.
Harlequin, who had been calmly drinking his iced coffee until then, chuckled quietly upon hearing this.
"Mother's Day? I think our dear mother needs a gift too."
He said, then chuckled softly. The girl looked at him uncomprehendingly, continuing to wipe the counter.
"Do you want to send a package to your mothers?"
"Mothers? A package?"
The acrobat repeated, then narrowed his eyes slyly and rested his head on his hand.
"Oh, you don't know. I meant the Jester."
"The Jester???"
Milana muttered in shock, stopping. The man chuckled again at this, covering his mouth with his hand.
"Didn't you know? Didn't Pierrot tell you? Yes, yes, since the Jester constantly watches over us, gives orders, and is just always with us, we consider him our beloved mommy."
"Really?"
The girl asked uncertainly, and Harlequin immediately nodded, quickly finishing his drink.
"Yes, and forgive me, my dear, but I have to go. Mommy will be very worried if I'm late for my work."
He said, then blew an air kiss to his interlocutor and quickly left the café, leaving her puzzled.
Of course, she hadn't expected that, as mothers were usually… well… women who, one way or another, raised their children. But on the other hand… Their circus was already quite strange and had its own laws and rules. Maybe it was normal for them? The employee had long noticed that the Jester watched over the entire circus; maybe he also acted as a parent? And as a mother… well, probably because he was more kind??? Just like a mom.
In short, she decided to get him a gift. Since the Jester was the leader of the performers. According to Harlequin, he acted as a parent. So, she should somehow reward him for that. After all, Pierrot and the others were pretty decent guys, even Harlequin, and raising people is such a difficult task. And there didn't seem to be a Father's Day, so Mother's Day was probably the best day for a gift.
Without thinking long, Milana quickly took her order notepad and started writing down gifts for the Jester.
The girl nervously adjusted the petals of the purple cattleya, shifting the bag of gifts to her wrist. She had been wandering around the safe zone for several minutes, looking for the acrobat. She would happily go deeper into the tents, but unfortunately, she couldn't, as both Pierrot and the Ticket Taker had forbidden it, and finding the Jester in the visitor area was too difficult. At this rate, some of the gifts might get ruined.
Walking around another tent, Milana almost jumped for joy when she spotted the Jester talking to the Ticket Taker near his tent. Apparently, his performance had just ended, as he hadn't been there a few minutes ago. Without thinking long, the girl, ignoring Harlequin hiding behind the Doctor from an enraged figure, ran towards her target.
"Happy Mother's Day, Jester!"
She said, smiling, and held out the bouquet of flowers and the bag of gifts to the man. Everyone froze. The Ticket Taker, who had been calmly talking to his comrade, stared at the uninvited guest in shock. Even his hat, as if not expecting this, slipped slightly off his head. The fight happening behind Milana immediately stopped upon hearing this. Harlequin and Pierrot stared at her in bewilderment, as did the Doctor, although his emotions were hard to read due to his mask.
The Jester turned to the girl very slowly, even too slowly, looking at her with an unreadable gaze and a strange smile.
"Excuse me, what did you say?"
He asked in a slow, quiet voice. Harlequin suddenly laughed loudly, clutching his stomach. The café employee glanced at him uncomprehendingly, then at her interlocutor, lowering the bouquet.
"Happy Mother's Day, Jester… Harlequin said that you're like a mother to the circus members, so I thought… that I should give you a gift. Well, because… being a parent is very hard."
She replied uncertainly, which, for some reason, made Harlequin laugh even harder. Without thinking long, Milana quickly opened the gift bag and looked at the items inside.
"Just so you know, the bouquet isn't the whole gift, don't misunderstand! This can also be considered… a birthday gift, yes! After all, I don't know how long you'll be in our city, or if I'll be able to give you anything else."
She said and slightly moved the bouquet aside, giving the Jester a chance to look at the gifts as he slowly leaned over the bag.
"I had to find out some of the things you like from Pierrot, but some things I had to figure out myself. For example, I managed to find Thomas Hobbes's Leviathan for you. In a leather binding, no less. I thought it wouldn't arrive in time for the holiday, but fortunately, it worked out. Oh, and here's a book of sign language. I heard you want to learn it, so I found you a book in both English and Portuguese. Also, here's some feijoada. I'm sorry if it didn't turn out very well; it's my first time cooking that dish."
Milana explained everything while the man continued his terrifying silence. She pointed out a couple more wrapped items, then raised her head and looked at the gift giver. He was slowly examining the brought items while the Ticket Taker coughed nervously into his hand.
"Of course, it's good that our comrades are so attached to you."
He said, but quickly turned his head away nervously when the Jester straightened up and abruptly looked at him. After a couple of seconds, the man took a deep breath and a deep exhale, then turned back to the café employee.
"Thank you for the gift, but unfortunately, there's been a misunderstanding."
He said, trying to portray a sweet smile, but his twitching eye betrayed his not-so-calm state.
"Perhaps, due to the nature of his behavior, Harlequin considers me a close one, but that does not mean that I am a parent to my performers."
"But, uh…"
Milana wanted to say something, but noticing the Jester extending his hands, she quickly, trying not to touch him, handed over the gifts and flowers.
"Of course, I will accept these, undoubtedly magnificent, items from you, but for the future…"
Here he leaned slightly towards his interlocutor and almost hissed.
"I am not their mother."
The acrobat said, then straightened back up. The café employee blushed but quickly nodded.
"Of course, of course. I understand. I'm sorry, next time I'll definitely verify all the information so this doesn't happen again."
After this, she smiled at the Jester and took a step back.
"I hope you liked the gifts, and that you'll use them. Have a nice day!"
Having said this, the girl turned and quickly ran away, leaving the performers alone. The man was silent for a while, examining the gifts, then shifted his gaze to Harlequin, who was still laughing, but after such a long time, he was now lying on the ground.
"Harlequin. Would you mind stepping into my tent for a minute. For a chat."
The circus leader said in the kindest voice he had ever used. Harlequin flinched and quickly jumped up, nervously brushing the dust off himself.
"Sorry, unfortunately, I have a performance starting soon."
"Doctor."
The Jester shifted his gaze to the actor standing nearby, and he, understanding the hint, quickly grabbed the culprit by the scruff of the neck and carried him towards the man's tent. Harlequin, of course, tried to break free, hissing quietly like a snake.
"It was just a harmless joke!"
He said indignantly. Without waiting, the circus leader quickly entered his tent, followed by the Ticket Taker, shaking his head and adjusting his hat. Pierrot quickened his pace, following behind the Doctor, and noticing Harlequin shift his gaze, he smiled sinisterly and ran his finger across his neck, causing anger in his colleague.