Chapter Text
"You're the weakest out of all of us." The green eyed one said. "We need to eat. We need the strength to escape."
Columbina watched as her friend pulled the bars apart, despite his weak state.
"No..." The yellow eyed protested, slumped against the wall, covered in his own blood. "No, don't..."
But he didn't. Nor did Columbina stop him. She knew he had to do it if they wanted to survive.
"Please."
The silence shattered when a bullet ricocheted off his bars, making him recoil back.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing?!" The ringmaster said. "You'll damage the merchandise!"
He took out his whip and began to beat the green eyed monster. All the others could do nothing but watch.
"Stupid animal." The ringmaster spat. "Get her out of here and prepare her for cargo."
Two men came into the tent and hauled Columbina up by her arms, tying her up and undoing the chains on her ankles.
"Where are you taking her?" The blue eyed one demanded, but his voice was too soft, too weak from starvation to sound demanding.
"She's been sold off to a noble. You guys would share the same fate if you were competent enough." The ringmaster scoffed.
"No! NO! Please, someone help me!" Columbina sobbed.
The yellow eyed monster banged himself against the bars of his cage. "NANA! Nana, hold on, I'm coming!"
But one whip from the ringmaster surrendered the yellow eyed monster, and Columbina was dragged away.
And on this moonless night, when the circus was once again quiet, the troupe had lost one of its members, and they mourned and they wept.
———
You woke up to the sound of your name being called, but you didn't recognize the voice. Hell, you didn't even know where you were.
You were certainly comfortable. Your limbs were tangled in the sheets of a four-poster bed, your hand set on a feathered pillow.
But this was not your bedroom.
You were breathing heavily. A panic attack? Did you get kidnapped? Why would they take you to a place as lavish as this from your small, dingy apartment?!
More knocks came from outside the door. This time more insistent. "My lady? It's time to wake. I've already allowed you to sleep in longer than I should. May I enter?"
More knocking. "Please, miss. Your father will be furious if you do not show your face at breakfast."
"C-come in." You choke out.
Your door pushes open, and you see a woman in maid attire, with chestnut brown hair and brown skin.
...she looks familiar, but you can't quite put your finger on it.
"Good morning, my lady. Shall we get you dressed?"
...
You were so lucky you had a hyper-fixation in middle school.
If you hadn't, you'd still be completely clueless.
Your maid helped you into a dress belonging to the 18th century. Based on the quality and make, you definitely belonged to a family of status.
Your maid called you 'my lady'. You assumed you were a noble?
"Your father is in quite a good mood this morning." Your maid interrupted your thoughts. "I think it has something to do with your upcoming birthday."
"My...birthday?"
This was strange.
From what you knew, you either time travelled or travelled to an alternate universe. But your birthday was coming up soon.
Why would your entire identity remain intact? Your name, your birthday? This was getting weird.
Finally dressed, you stepped outside into the hallway.
"Damn, the house is massive." You mutter.
"What was that, my lady?"
"N-nothing! I just, uh..."
You look left and right. You have no idea where you're supposed to go.
"Where am I supposed to go?" You ask. Your maid looks like you've grown another head.
"...my lady, are you feeling alright? You've been spacey all morning."
"Yes, yes, I'm alright. Could you please just show me where I'm supposed to go?"
"Certainly. Right this way, my lady."
———
Surprisingly, your father did not look like your actual dad.
He was well dressed, with slicked back grey hair and jewels adorning his fingers. Definitely a noble who wanted to appear richer than he was.
"My darling, there you are! Come, come eat. You must be starving!"
You awkwardly took your seat across from him. Dishes of food, ranging from fruit to meat to cheese, were at your disposal.
"Thank you, father..."
Your maid had said he was in a good mood. Does that mean he's not usually this cheery? You supposed it fit the stereotype of abusive and misogynistic fathers in the 18th century.
You should take advantage of his good mood, you think as you plop a piece of cheese into your mouth.
"My darling, I think you will be quite pleased with what I have acquired from overseas for your upcoming birthday."
"...is that so? I'm also excited." You say. Please don't be an arranged marriage.
"I was going to hold off until your actual birthday, but why the wait! Let's go right now!"
"Shouldn't we wait til after breakfast-?"
Your father laughed. "You eat too much anyway! Let's see what my brilliance has gotten you."
He practically skips out of the room, expecting you to follow.
...guess you should see what the fuss is about.
What you didn't expect was to be brought into the backyard (which was of course, also huge) and in front of a barn.
"Did I get a horse?" You ask earnestly. You'd always wanted to ride one, but being from a low-middle class background, it wasn't really in the cards for you.
"Pfft- my dear, your jokes render me speechless. You think I brought you a measly horse from overseas?"
...
I guess not.
Two farmhands pull open the barn doors and sunlight floods the room.
It takes all your might not to scream. You stand frozen.
It's revealed: you didn't time travel. You certainly are in an alternate universe.
You isekai'd.
In front of you, bound by chains at her ankles and neck, is Columbina. A character from a loved visual novel, the Freak Circus.
"Your trip...to Brazil?" Your throat felt dry.
Your father looked at you quizzically. "Yes, darling, are you dumb? I've mentioned it a million times before my departure!"
You were going to be sick. "Is she- is she..."
"Yours? Yes, that is the whole point of a gift, isn't it? God, why didn't I have sons."
You meant to ask if she was alive, but from his answer you can assume so.
"Come along now, darling. You'll have plenty of time to play with your pet once it’s evening."
He roughly pulls you by your arm, and the barn doors close, not before you and Columbina make eye contact.
She's hurt.
The sight breaks your heart.