Chapter Text
She woke up in what seemed to be a waiting room. Instead of her regular outfit, she was wearing a full black suit, though her usual hat still adorned her head. It reminded her of when she was forced to play president, though the ambience was significantly more relaxed. It was in the middle of her thoughts that she realized she was holding a note in her hand:
You’ve got a new assignment, Agent 057. Meet me in my office at the usual time. The receptionist is waiting for you. C.
She looked at it with an annoyed expression. Her memory started to return, as she thought back to how the day had started…
Pomni was awakened by the ringing of her alarm clock. Back in the real world, she had hated its sound, like most people, she supposed, but in the circus she had learned to be thankful it wasn’t something worse. In her half-asleep state, she recalled the time she woke up to Caine’s hundreds of eyes staring directly at her face, and the time she was awakened by explosions, followed by the sound of Gangle’s crying and Jax’s laughter.
Jax… She still didn’t know what to think of him. He clearly wasn’t a “good person”, and yet there was something about him that she just couldn’t hate. Did that make her a “bad person”? Being attracted by someone like that? Enjoying his company? Ragatha didn’t say it, at least not out loud, but Pomni could read between the lines. She hadn’t really approached her much since that day at the softball game. She kept meaning to apologize for that, though she wasn’t exactly sure what she did wrong, but the chance never came.
As she thought of this, she got out of bed and opened her door. No one else was in the hallway. She guessed they were all either still asleep or already wandering the circus. But that was when she noticed… Jax’s room… was ajar.
In the few weeks of their friendship, she had learned first-hand just how secretive of a person Jax is. When faced with any question about his past he immediately deflected or made up some obviously fake story. No one else seemed to know much about him either, not that they had much interest. But Jax’s greatest secret of all seemed to be the inside of his room. After an adventure he’d always be the first to return to make sure no one saw the door open. And yet, here it was. The answer to one of the circus’ biggest mysteries, right in front of her. Pomni didn’t consider herself a meddlesome person(even though she kind of was), but she couldn’t resist the temptation. She grabbed the knob and prepared herself to open the door when…
“Heeeello, my nacho-flavored donuts!”
Her head was still spinning. In a moment she found herself dragged in front of the main stage. Of course, everyone else was there too.
“What’s wrong, Pom-pom? Still not used to being teleported against your will?”
Jax’s obnoxious grin seemed to be multiplied into four as her eyes struggled to adjust back from the sudden motion.
“I don’t think I ever will…”
“Remember to close your eyes! It helps your body remember that the Earth is a cube.”
She stared in confusion at Kinger’s attempt at advice. It was still hard to believe he was the same one that had talked to her in Mildenhall Manor. Back then, for the first time since she got to the circus, she truly felt that everything would be alright. She still thought of his words whenever she felt like she couldn’t go on.
“As I was saying, my dear, nurturing sheep, today’s adventure is…”
An anticipating drum roll was heard, seemingly coming from Bubble’s mouth.
“The Man with the Golden Eyes!”
“The nefarious Doctor J is planning his latest and greatest plot to destroy the entire world! Only Agent 057 can stop him! Are you up to the challenge?”
“Wait, which one of us is the agent again?”
Caine ignored Zooble’s question and sped up to an incredible speed, stopping right in front of Jax.
“You’re gonna need to come with me for a minute.”
“Wait, wha-”
The befuddled Jax couldn’t even finish his question before Caine put a hand on his shoulder and they both instantly disappeared. Immediately after, Caine’s adventure portal opened up behind the remaining circus members.
“This is stupid, I’ll be in my roooooo-”
Before Zooble could finish talking, another portal appeared right under their feet, and disappeared as soon as it had sucked them in.
“I… guess we should get going…”
Gangle meekly walked into the portal, followed by Kinger, absent-minded as ever. Pomni and Ragatha followed along at the same time, accidentally bumping into each other.
“Oh, sorry!”
“No, it was my fault!”
They quickly turned their faces away from each other. Pomni’s face was awkward, while Ragatha’s looked anguished.
“Well, huh… Let’s… get going…”
Ragatha speed-walked into the portal, and Pomni followed after her.