All That GlittersData rings Geordi's doorchime, trembling and struggling to keep the tears back. Choked sobs and shaky breaths wrest from his clenched core. From within, Geordi calls for him to enter. The door swings open and Data lurches inside, inhumanly fast. Once the door slams shut he finally lets the sobs loose; ugly, heaving things that choke out his cooling breath and force him to fold in on himself. "Woah, hey! Data.." Geordi abruptly sits up from his bed, at Data's side in a human instant; almost too slow. Steadying hands grasp Data's upper arms. "Geordi, I n-need you to remove the emotion chip. Please. I do not want it anymore." "Woah, woah, slow down Data. What happened?" Data sniffles and shakes, but does not afford himself the luxury of sinking into Geordi's embrace. He stares up into Geordi's visor, rich gold pouring from wide, glossy eyes. "I.. I was in Ten Forward. Deanna had brought me there to try chocolate ice cream for the first time." Data's breath evens out as he speaks. "It was.. it was delicious. It was the most wondrous thing I have experienced so far! I was filled with joy, so pure and strong, I could do nothing but burst into song!" He smiles distantly for a moment. It fades into a faraway, lost, stricken look. "Then.. I noticed how they all were staring at me. Like I had grown a second head. Shock, discomfort, disgust ." Data's face twists into a grimace at that word, almost a snarl. It melts to a profound, desperate sadness, fresh gold pouring down his cheeks. "But.. perhaps worst of all was the way Deanna was looking at me. Patient and indulgent, bemused, like I was a child ." He breaks eye contact, staring at the ground in distant, hopeless indignation. Incandescent. "I.. I do not wish to be looked at that way. I do not wish to know what it means. The looks before.. I told myself they would go away if only I had human emotions. But now I am too much. Mere expressions of joy are social blunders. I did not expect this to be the case." Geordi had listened, expression growing more horrified by the second. Finally he opens his mouth, then snaps it shut again. He shakes his head sadly. "Data.. I'm sorry, but I can't remove the emotion chip. It would be too risky at this point, it's too late. I.. do you want me to talk to them for you?" Data's eyes flick back and forth, wild, like a cornered animal. He wraps his arms around himself. "No.. no.. I do not want them to know. I.." He shakes his head and growls through the sobs. Overwhelming. Annoying. Obtrusive. He wants it to go away. It makes no sense to be so unable to control his own body. He misses the way he used to be. He misses the way he used to be. He hates the emotion chip. Hate is not fun anymore. "You should have let me fire that phaser!!" It comes out louder and harsher than he intended. Oh, Geordi, please forgive me. Please understand.. Geordi flinches back as if struck. Remorse loosens his posture. "I'm so sorry, Data. If I'd known it would be like this, I never would have stopped you." Paradoxically, the apology does nothing to calm Data down. He feels even more frantic, and.. is that sinking, curdling thing guilt? "I.. apologies, Geordi. I did not mean to snap at you. It is not your fault. I had many chances to destroy the chip since then, and I did not." He tries to sound like himself, tries to sound detached, emotionally unaffected. His voice trembles and sounds odd. "Data, it's okay. You're going through a lot, and it's all new. I'd be surprised if you didn't snap at me from time to time.." Geordi lets out an uneasy chuckle. Data does not know how to respond. A bit of the tension releases from his frame, the feeling seeming to be sinking below the surface; not gone, but not so overwhelming. "I.. do not think I will ever be human enough." Geordi frowns, silent for a while. "Well.. yeah, maybe you won't be. That's okay. They still love you, y'know. They just.. they don't understand. It makes them feel uncomfortable because they think.. well, if I wouldn't let myself do that, why should anyone else?" Data sniffles and looks off to the side. "Geordi.. do you feel that way as well?" "Honestly? Yeah. But I know it's not right. I try not to let it affect how I act around you. If I ever fail.. just, please know it's not really about you ." Data had felt a spike of anxiety when Geordi agreed; it is still wearing off as he makes eye contact once more. "I.. suppose that is comforting. But.. if it makes others uncomfortable, should I not make an attempt to temper my reactions?" Geordi looks stricken. His grip tightens on Data's arms. "Data.. please, don't do that." He takes a deep breath, removing his VISOR to rub between his eyes. He faces Data again. "You've always been so genuine. It's what I love about you the most, it's refreshing. I feel like I can express myself more freely around you than anyone else. I know you'll tell me exactly what you think, and that I can do the same. The way you love the universe and everything in it.. it's beautiful. It inspires me to be better. Please, don't push that down." Data is overcome with affection, though the sadness still roils beneath. He is unable to speak for a while, just gazing at Geordi with a heart full to burst. "Data?" Without the VISOR, Geordi cannot tell why Data has fallen silent. "Thank you, Geordi. You are a very good friend. I love you very much." Geordi smiles wide, skin crinkling at the corners of milky eyes not oft seen. "I love you too, Data." The smile turns bittersweet. "I'm sorry I can't be more help with the rest of the crew." That strange, negative feeling suffuses him again. "Please, do not apologize. I will be alright." Geordi's smile has slowly fallen into a slight frown. "Okay, Data. But you will tell me if you need help, right?" A small, tenuous smile pulls at Data's lips. "Yes, Geordi. You have been very helpful already. Thank you." Geordi unknowingly reflects Data's expression. "Any time." Data feels comfort blooming, fragile and soft. He wipes the tears from his face, thick gold smearing pale skin, shimmering in the low light. "Geordi.. you have comforted me, but my emotional state has not returned to normal." "That is normal, Data. It takes time to recover from a breakdown like that." He glances over his shoulder towards his bed, perhaps involuntarily to assist his thought process. "Hey, how about we listen to an audiobook and get some rest. Maybe Sherlock Holmes?" "Yes, please." "Got a particular one in mind?" "All that Glitters is Too Good to be True." Geordi's forehead creases with worry, but he nods and asks the computer to start playing the story at normal speed. Both of them can follow an audiobook at much higher speeds, so Data presumes Geordi set a normal speed so as to provide a more relaxing experience. Data feels grateful and loved. Geordi picks up his VISOR in one hand and guides Data gently to the bed with the other. He is already wearing nightclothes, and climbs into bed after setting his VISOR on the nightstand. Data removes his shoes and uniform shirt and climbs onto the bed after Geordi, curling up at his side, letting himself be swept away once more by the story he has committed to memory in full. He feels safe and cherished, here beside his best friend. Perhaps he really will be alright.Childhood's End - I - Depths"Close your eyes, and focus." "Hooooooo..." A blue light formed within the pale palms of the Sea Witch, whose focus continued to tighten. Even in the absence of sight, Wadanohara could still see the energy growing into something spectacular. Her icy breath spread throughout the flowing water while the sea embraced her body, everything flowing into a state of union that felt so utterly surreal. "HA!" The sphere of energy exploded and sent small traces of blue light towards her mentor, who made light work of the 'assault' with a swift chop. Wadda let out a small breath as her frosty eyes opened, immediately setting their gaze on the pale woman. "Did I do good?" "You did excellently; he would be proud." "Yay!" Wadda's eyes glistened like little pearls as Tatsumiya's face swelled with pride, prompting the youthful witch to jump about in celebration. Her light giggle further enabled Wadda's childish behavior until 'the hand' was raised, in which the girl's playful frolic ceased without fuss. "Such energy you have! Come on, let's go inside now." "Okay!" Wadanohara softly gripped the sleeve of her guardian's lengthy furisode, trailing closely behind as they both disappeared into the glistening field of undersea stars. A content expression rested on Wadanohara's face as Tatsumiya's fingers gently sifted through her messy, brown strands. "You are becoming a mighty fine witch. Even without your staff, you are incredibly capable." Wadonhara's sincere grin contorted into something rather smug as the constant appraisal fueled. "Well, I aaaaaaaaam the Great Sea Witch, after all." She carried herself with a bit of pomp, crossing her arms and leaning back into the chair with motions so exaggerated she'd embarrass even the most dramatic of actors. "Oh, hush you! And stay still, lest you want knots in your hair." "Boooooooooooo!" Wadda pouted in jest, allowing Tatsumiya's fingers to finely manipulate and bend the brown strands to her whim, converting the messy head of hair into a proper set of twin tails. The young witch's boredom would prompt her to stare into the mirror's reflective glass, envisioning and comparing her father's form with her own. She was getting older, bigger, and each day Wadanohara could see more of her old man in herself. "Hey... Auntie." "Yes, dear?" She focused all her attention on the blue outfit in the corner of her eye, adorned with fabulous ribbons, anchor ornaments, and that marvelous witch's hat. A strong yearning stirred from within, one that the young lady could not dispel. "Am I ready yet?" The hesitance of Tatsumiya's form in the mirror's reflection, paired with that deafening silence; she didn't need the answer spelled out for her. "I knew it." Wadanohara's full descent towards the abyss was halted by that familiar touch gently grazing her back. "Now, I know it may be disappointing, but every day you make progress, and that progress is truly remarkable." "Uh-huh." Wadda tried her best to maintain the doom and gloom by shoving her face into the nightgown's flossy fabric, serving as a comfortable retreat from reality. "Hm, it seems I've got a grumpy little Wadda on my hands, whatever shall I do?" "........." The young witch was determined to stand her ground, even as the foundation of her fuzzy fortress would come crumbling down almost immediately as Auntie Miya's tickle assault began. "A...Ah! Staaaaaaaahp, Auntiiiiiiiiiiiie!" Pleading would do the little lady no good, as she could feel her mentor aiming for all the good spots. Laughter exploded outward from the little witch's body like a mighty torrent, sealing her fate as the loser of this little excursion. Wadda meekly limped back into the chair with a weak pout now staining her face as she rested her head on the desktop before her. "No fair, Auntie, that's dirty..." "All is fair in love and war, my child." "Hmph." Auntie Miya's efforts to lighten the situation were an utter failure, as the crushing defeat slammed down on Wadanohara like an anvil. How long would it take, how many grueling years? Surely it didn't take her old man this long; what did he have that she didn't? Were her concerns just going to be swept under the rug forever? Crushing disappointment was beginning to turn into burning frustration as that same tired dialogue would wear on Wadda's weakened spirit. "Wadda, I know it's disheartening. You put your all into training every day, yet despite that, my response never changes..." It grated on Wadda's ears like nails on a chalkboard, and eventually she would rise from her seat to walk towards the door. The young witch blocked out any and all words that left Tatsumiya's mouth, leaving without so much as a peep. The wind gently caressed Wadanohara's form as she floated above the ocean in a rather aimless fashion. Time had been completely lost on the girl as she stared down at her reflection in the water, only to be met with that same stark frown that affixed itself on her snow-white face. This regret was something that Wadda had been unable to shake for as long as she had been out—a time loop that the girl was desperate to break free from. The young witch continued to relive the same moment over and over and over- "Huh?" The dark cloud within Wadanohara's mind was seemingly purged by something of much greater precedence, an incredibly sinister energy that radiated from the ocean's darkest depths. "What is that?" It didn't take but a few panicked glances to inform the witch that she had fallen severely off course and into a completely foreign area of this expansive sea. That itself wasn't a concern; there were plenty of landmarks that could lead Wadda back home, but this enormous volume of dark energy? Wadanohara had sensed many strange things in her life, but none this strong or dark. Her eyes locked on to this large pit of negativity as she did her best to decipher and navigate this strange anomaly. "It seems so... sad." Coming to a conclusion was certainly challenging, but at the very least these negative emotions did not seem directly malicious. Inherent darkness was certainly a factor, but there was a great deal of other things as well: sadness, loneliness, all burning so intensely that Wadda's heart sank at the thought. She held her hand to her chest, wondering what one would have to experience to emit such anguish. "Poor thing, I can't just leave it alone, right?" Despite all forms of logic screaming no and the many, MANY warnings urged by her mentor, the Great Witch felt a level of responsibility to pursue this mysterious darkness. Few beings possessed the power and potential Wadda held—this ability she had to sense energy and emotion. This agonizing contemplation cyclically repeated until it was brought to an end by a single question, the most important one of all. If not her, who would? "Forgive me, Auntie, but I'm going in." The anchor was guided by her clear and unburdened thoughts as it shot down towards the ocean like an arrow. Wadanohara's features sharpened like a blade and pierced all remaining doubt as the waves rippled against her skin. The depths continued to obscure her vision the deeper she went; wherever this being dwelled was beyond the reaches of the Sea Kingdom's light. The only plausible reason she could conjure was so depressing that it was tucked into the recesses of her mind. Her anchor staff came to an abrupt halt as she sat alone in the gloomy abyss. Closing the gap did Wadanohara no favors as she struggled to determine this creature's true nature. "Inhabitants of this dark realm, I do apologize." Wadanohara generated an incredibly small ball of light in hopes that it would provide minimal disturbance to the local ecosystem, pressing on with shaky hands. She slowly moved the glistening orb forward and was met with what seemed to be an endless stretch of red... tentacles? "Who goes there?" The young witch was momentarily gripped by fear as the loud voice bellowed out like a roar, yet with a few calm breaths she managed to dispel her doubts—gently leaping off her anchor to stand before this mighty entity. "Hello, my name is Wadanohara! It's a pleasure to meet you, oh mighty creature of the deep!" She gave an extremely formal bow and would continue to hold her position in wait for a response that would never come. Despite her attempts at communication and its rather demeaning callout, the enormous creature did nothing but sit in silence. Was it confused, offended, or angry? The energy of this creature had turned into something unreadable, and Wadda couldn't help but feel a bit antsy. "Um...sir?" "Pardon me, I just... don't get many visitors." "Oh, that's fine! I can just guide you through it, okay?" "...Okay." Wadda soon lost her jitters and melted into the waves as they smoothed over her delicate form, its surprisingly calm presence helping the girl relax. "After I say my name, you say yours, and then give a little greeting! Do you think you can do that?" "...Yes." "Okay, my name is Wadanohara! And your name is...?" "I don't... have one." That revelation was so utterly depressing that Wadanohara struggled with a follow-up, but the young witch refused to yield! She was here to help, and help she would! The young witch would enter her mighty thinking stance, a state of deep concentration that was powered by her pure determination to dispel this great sorrow. "Well, hm... What could I call you?" The girl thumbed through all sorts of names and ideas, but nothing really stuck; how could she name that which she could not see? "Deep...dark...ocean...deep...dark...depths... Depths!" Whittling it down to the basics would result in a stroke of genius. It was so utterly simplistic that the girl couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed; however, something was better than nothing. She proclaimed it with the confidence of a floundering oyster, the embarrassment only fully settling in AFTER she said it out loud. "Fukami! Fukami! Fu...kami???" "That's... a very nice name." Much to her surprise, Fukami took to the name immediately, and she couldn't help but smile at his adoration. Over the course of their interaction, Fukami's suffocating darkness had been transformed into a delicate warmth, wrapping around her comparatively minuscule form like a cozy blanket. "It's nice to meet you, Fukami." And so they talked, and talked, and talked, and talked, late into the night as the dark abyss consumed Wadanohara's ordinarily impeccable sense of time.Rockman ZX - I - Innocence"He left again." Aile tossed the covers from her bed and slunk over to her brother's, poking his sides sharply as she whispered into his ears. "Vent, wake up! Vent..." The transporter groaned. This was going nowhere; she had to kick it up a notch. Aile pulled the covers from under him, screeching as loud as she could without making a scene. "WAKE UP, YOU IDIOT!!!" Yet it barely seemed to do a thing—Vent's body now slumped on the floor as he rubbed his head. The boy stared at his sister with a hint of malice as he rose up with the agency of a slumbering turtle. "The heck was that for-" "We don't have time for this Vent, come on!" The girl grabbed one of his legs and dragged him towards the door like a rag doll. "Sis, wh-" Her fiery eyes beamed a hole into the boy's chest before he could finish his sentence. "The Red Flash, remember!? If we don't go now, we'll be too late!" "OH CRAP!" His eyes shot open as he pulled away from his sister, sharply LEAPING to action. Aile tumbled over, now shooting a death glare towards her dear brother. "Uh... sorry?" Her glare intensified as the boy struggled to contain his laughter. "Whatever, jerk..." Aile got up and dusted herself off, shrugging it off before she ran towards the door and filed outside behind her brother. The two walked over to one of the ledges of their quaint forest home, taking opposite sides as they scoped out the area. Aile's sharp eyes noticed a familiar red bike with a familiar red man, zooming into the forest. "Over there!" She pointed in his general direction and Vent immediately ran over, the duo hopping onto their bikes with great haste. Both vehicles let out a gentle hum that was almost invisible to the human ear as their owners gripped the handles in unison; teal energy shooting out from the back to initiate their hunt. The pair trailed their father deep into the depths of Area A, a path being lit by the enormous flower-shaped generator standing tall in the background. Giro parked his bike, shaking his luxurious mane before stepping off. He popped open the seat and took out a small box. He scanned his surroundings before lifting the lid; it seemed like the coast was clear. "Sorry guys, but I can't take any risks." He whispered. "Sis, look! Dad's-" "Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Aile put a finger to his mouth, staring at the boy with eyes as sharp as daggers. He could only gulp in response. "I have eyes and ears, moron! Would it kill you to be a bit quieter?" A stare filled with great malice would be shot into the girl's back while she wasn't looking. ("I'm so gonna kill you when we get home...") Rather than addressing her brother, Aile stared at their father with intent, slowly moving in like a silent predator. As the target approached the local Transerver room, the girl lightly tapped on her brother's shoulder, speaking in a hushed tone. "Come on, we gotta move. No noise this time. If we get caught, this whole thing's toast." Vent shook his vile thoughts and nodded, trying his best to mimic Aile's silent and efficient motions. Taking advantage of their rather small and youthful bodies, as they tracked their prey, the pair went from bush to bush, concealing themselves in the foliage. Once he entered the room, they rolled in like little hedgehogs and split off to opposite sides of the room. The siblings easily secured a spot to hide among the heaps of technology scattered throughout the room, their eyes now shifting to the strange box. Something about this seemed fishy—real fishy. "Inputting coordinates for Guar- What?" Giro's face sharpened, perplexed by the red error flashing brightly on the input screen. "Now, that can't be right; I inputted them correctly, didn't I?" Giro looked up, pressing his hand against his face lightly as he looked at the interface with a contemplative look. "Maybe something I know like the back of my hand... Area D, perhaps?" Exercising great precision, the bespectacled man quickly inputs a combination of different codes. Still, nothing changed. "Seems I'll be going by foot." Giro lightly presses against his ear receiver, tapping his foot at a rapid pace as he waited for the recipient to pick up. "Hey, boss. The Transerver's busted. I have to head to the pickup zone by foot. Sorry if I'm a little late. I have my... suspicions, but I won't be too hasty. Don't want to drive you crazy now." There was an attempt at a laugh, but his icy glare did not yield. Giro's entire body tensed up, completely wrapped up in his conversation with who was on the other line. The children could only exchange glances—their shocked expressions said it all. They tried to link it to any and every possible thread, but nothing clicked. Giro never talked to clients like that; no, he never talked to anyone like that. Just who was the person on the other line? The conversation wrapped up and Giro knelt down onto the floor, popping open the box and taking out a really weird... rock? A red rock, no a red and black rock, no, a red white and black rock with a gem on its head!? "Well, partner, guess we can't walk the easy road. Not like you'd like that anyway." "Don't act like you're so innocent." "Haha, I suppose you're right." A RED, WHITE, AND BLACK ROCK WITH A GEM ON ITS HEAD THAT TALKED!? The children's insides were practically leaping outside their bodies at as they tried to secure the best viewing angle—their star-filled eyes locking onto the man as he finally took hold of it. "Model Z, Rock On!" The man shouted the phrase with vigor, his once relaxed grip now tightening around the strange rock. It began to release a light red energy that coated Giro's body, and soon that energy would take shape. Familiar armor began to form and attach itself to his body; a satisfying click would lock the parts into place as he was completely suited up. It was him. The Red Flash, a mysterious Repliroid that left as abruptly as he entered the scene. In his wake, Irregular raids collapsed with zero effort. For a long time, it was just a rumor. Until ONE reporter was able to just barely snap a photo of him sitting on a rooftop by his lonesome. ("Holy...crap...") They thought in unison as they bore witness to the scene, barely able to keep still. Sure, their father disappeared at night, was leaving more frequently, AND had a very long and BEAUTIFUL mane of hair that was basically instantly recognizable. Sure, he possessed all those traits. Yet neither of them could actually believe what they were seeing, just staring slack-jawed as they were barely able to process what was happening. Their old man was a superhero, with a secret identity? How awesome could he get!? Their eyes shone with excitement as they stared at their father's regal armor, every motion he made furthering its majestic aura. "Sorry, X. I can't risk taking you tonight. You know the drill." He leaned down and peered into the box with a gentle smile on his face, speaking to what they could only assume to be another talking rock. Yet, their excitement was shot as the next statement that escaped his mouth. His somber, hollow tone only cemented its gravity. "If anything happens to me, protect them. At all costs." Giro tucked the box away in a hidden compartment under the floor, gently patting it before he grabbed a hilt from the holster sitting at his side. He swung it down to his side with great might, a stream of azure energy erecting from it, which soon formed into a jagged blade. Giro walked towards the cold metallic door, which sprung open the moment it sensed his presence. "Let's go, partner." He dashed out at an untraceable speed, the kids only able to see his afterimage. It was dead silent as the gate snapped shut, and all the kids could do was stare in awe. Vent was the first to move, running over to the compartment and tearing it open as fast as his little mitts could muster. He opened the box slightly, spotting a blue rock sitting within. "Wh-" Before it could even respond, Vent SNAPPED the box shut, not allowing it to get in a single word. He ran over to his sister, who continued to stare off into space. The boy tapped her shoulder, meeting her gaze with a serious expression. "Come on. We're going." Aile's body trembled as she attempted to process the scene, lightly scooching back as she turned her eyes to the ground. Her brother's expression would tighten, and his words grew louder, sharper. "WE'RE GONNA LOSE HIM IF YOU DON'T MOVE!" "B-But, I-" "Sis." The boy kneeled down to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder, peering into her eyes with a strong, solemn face. "I'll be by your side, always." A light smile crawled onto her face, and the shivering would come to a halt. She nodded her head and got on her feet, steeling herself for the journey ahead. "Yeah... Yeah!" An enormous smile painted the boy's features before he got to his feet, extending a hand to his sister. "Now let's go!" Aile grabbed her brother's hand, who pulled her up from the ground. Hand in hand, the siblings encroached upon the door at a snail's pace. Aile could feel her brother trembling, and her grip tightened in response. His trembling ceased, and their proceed would hasten. The gate's mechanical locks popped open, and they answered its beckoning call—walking headfirst into the dangers of the night. A light buzz would ring through the air as Giro's saber swiftly cleaved every target in its path. The Red Flash tore through everything, leaving nothing but piles of junk parts in his wake as he zipped through the forest. His movements were elegant yet sharp, like a ferocious dance. "Out of my way." Giro muttered as he scanned his surroundings. The entrance to the city was close. Very close, only a few more... "Here we are." A smile crept onto his face as the giant snake-like machine slithered into view. Giro's grip tightened around his saber as he darted away and leapt onto a nearby tree. The mighty beast roared and unhinged its jaw, a flash of light building within the creature's mouth. It erupted into a violent stream of energy, aimed directly at the man in red. The aging oak flew back as Giro dashed off, his grin morphing into something devilish as he descended upon the beast. Upon landing, the Red Warrior shoved his saber through its head, turquoise sparks flying as the beast's wail pierced the silent night. The robotic creature folded under his weight and sank to the floor, desperately gyrating in an attempt to shake off its predator. For a moment, it seemed to have worked. The creature's yellow eyes shifted, its analytical systems picking up nothing in the surrounding area. However, the hunter had no plans to give up his prey so easily. From the darkness came a red flash, beaming around the poor creature unpredictably as it failed to keep up. Pure plasma would repeatedly carve into its side, a sharp scream radiating from its vocal banks until it too was pierced. The Red Flash leapt on its back and hoisted his saber skyward, funneling copious scores of untamed energy directly inside the teal-colored blade as it speared down past the fertile soil and tunneled underground. There, beneath the carnage that raged overhead, this unbridled power began to take shape. Where there was once a singular, incandescent mote of light, now resided a divergent series of lofty pillars, each one primed to service their master and puncture straight through his sworn enemy. And so they did. Acting with what all but the assailant would consider spontaneity, the assembly of beams operated in concert, erupting beyond their earthen cage and effortlessly skewering the beast's massive steel frame. ("It's done.") Bereft of the ability to physically resist its newfound, searing misery, the serpentine creature's limp body attempted to relinquish a final, guttural shriek; it couldn't withstand its explosive fate any longer. "Rekkoha." Spoken dispassionately, Giro paid no heed to the incomprehensible protests of his mutilated victim, nor did he show any regard for the burgeoning explosion. All it required was a nimble leap backwards, and the relentless Repliroid would have escaped the blast radius, leaving the surrounding foliage dotting Area A's forest as the only bystanders consigned to the serpent's fiery oblivion. A sick grin crossed the man's face before an incessant ringing would snap him straight. Hesitantly, he would tap his left ear, a panicked voice erupting from the communication system. "GIRO, CODE RED. AREA D IS BEING SWARMED BY A LARGE ARMY OF IRREGULARS. HEAD THERE IMMEDIATELY!" "Understood, on my way." Eliminating them would be no issue, but this activity spike, and the Transerver being down... something wasn't right. The Red Flash flickered through the industrial room, a troubling thought continuing to nag at the back of his mind as he mentally prepared himself for the next mission.Waking NightmareThe first thing Cassius was aware of was the soft, melodic sound of faint carnival music, prancing through the air in a way the toon could only describe as playful.Opening his eyes, he found himself standing amidst a collection of trees in a strange, unfamiliar forest. Underfoot was a graveled path, lined with an odd fog at either side that lazily swirled within a gentle breeze. Where was he? This wasn’t his apartment- nor was it the library. His memory was fuzzy and difficult to grasp, as if he was attempting to catch smoke with his bare hands. The last thing he remembered was… Being seated at a desk, with his face buried in a book. He had been in his bedroom, reading something he’d taken from the library earlier that same day. He remembered eventually retiring and heading to bed, but… When had he ended up in a place like this? Crossing his arms, Cassius frowned, one hand raising up and tap tap tapping a finger against the side of his forehead. “I don’t sleepwalk, so I doubt that’s it.” He mumbled aloud. “… A teleportation mishap? No, I wouldn’t be capable of something like this. Not yet.” Perhaps he had dozed off, and this was all a dream? He wasn’t sure. It didn’t feel like a dream- it felt far too real. He could feel the gravel underfoot, a gentle breeze, a slight chill in the air- But then again, he couldn’t puzzle out some other explanation for how he had ended up here so suddenly. His thoughts came to a pause as he glanced around, realizing the scenery around him had changed- had he been walking without realizing it? In front of him was the entrance to… A carnival? That much Cassius could tell. The white and blue striped tents loomed behind this outer wall, standing tall in a way that was both inviting and imposing. The entrance itself was lined with two torches lit with deep blue flames that flickered and danced to some sort of silent rhythm. The torches illuminated a sign, which read “The Carnival of Wonders.” Other individuals were walking into the carnival as well, only adding to the strange yet inviting atmosphere. Distantly, Cassius could hear screams- but it was more the sort of screams one would hear at a haunted house or a particularly thrilling ride. For every scream came a batch of laughter soon after. What was this? Cassius was delightfully intrigued. Although some distant part of him screamed that this had to be some sort of trap or some supernatural threat, he felt far more curious about it than threatened. Plus, if it was something dangerous, then it needed some investigating. Perhaps he could poke around and see what this place had to offer. With almost a skip in his step, Cassius hurried down the gravel path, striding through the entrance to look within. He was greeted by the sight of… Well, a carnival. It was populated by a series of booths, stands, and tents, all lit by more of those blue, flaming light sources. There were games and prizes, stands selling all sorts of snack foods- there even appeared to be some sort of ride off in the distance. Certain individuals dressed in bright blues could be seen manning the stations. Everything was dotted by an assorted population of people- people that Cassius absently realized were each wearing sleepwear. Cassius himself was wearing his normal getup. (Had he fallen asleep in this?) The outfit consisted of a button down shirt, a red vest, a necktie decorated with a deep yellow gemstone, and a pair of dark pants… Embarrassingly, he realized his shoes had not made the journey. He was only in a pair of socks. Flushing, Cassius hurriedly stepped off to the side while reaching a hand behind himself, rooting around in his hammerspace (all toons- like himself- had one). He hoped nobody had noticed him, though the likelihood was very low. He was much taller than most, standing at nearly seven feet, and it gathered him unwanted attention far easier than he would like. Damn his growth spurts. Pulling out a pair of light brown dress shoes, Cassius stepped behind a small tent- then walked out on the other side with the outfit in its entirety. There. Now he felt a little more confident about walking around, especially in a place he was so unfamiliar with. He couldn’t shake off the feeling of there being so many eyes on him, silently judging, even if everyone else seemed to be going about their own business. Standing with his hands on his hips, the toon peered around, absently watching as other visitors to the carnival passed by- some holding various snacks, others hurrying to one of the available games. There were people of all shapes and sizes- toons and realkind alike. They seemed to be enjoying themselves- even as Cassius watched a brightly-colored figure in a mask pop out from behind a stand shouting “Boo!”, startling a group of kids that squealed in delight and ran away. Despite himself, Cassius felt… Out of place. He didn’t know where to start amidst all the terror and merriment. And on top of that, it seemed the majority of the carnival-goers here were moving in groups. Where could he go? Where should he go? Being in a place on his own felt… Hm. He shook his head, in turn trying to banish the feeling of loneliness that was creeping up on him. Though as he stood there, he abruptly stiffened, feeling goosebumps prickle across the back of his neck. Cassius was suddenly very, very aware that someone was standing behind him.Turning on a dime, Cassius spun around and first looked down- then he looked up, up, up. Standing before him, arms behind its back, was an individual who stood at an unfathomable height- well over eight feet, at Cassius’ quick estimate. That alone intimidated him- he didn’t like being looked down on, literally or figuratively. The figure was adorned in clothes Cassius would describe as fancy- perhaps even a bit over the top. The ensemble was decorated entirely with blacks and blues, with motifs and patterns that leaned predominantly towards the appearance of the wings of a butterfly. It was all topped off by a lavishly decorated top hat with an ace of spades nestled behind a decorative ribbon, and a white mask with two large holes, behind which were a pair of brilliantly blue eyes that almost seemed to burn like flames. Their unblinking eyes almost reminded Cassius of an insect. Was this guy on stilts?? Glancing down again confirmed that, no, this guy was just that tall. Was this how other people felt compared to him? “You seem… Lost. Or perhaps, concerned.” The figure commented, startling Cassius out of his own thoughts. “I… What?” “Have I misunderstood? You’re standing around, lingering like a shadow on the wall.” Cassius blinked, slowly lowering his shoulders. He felt a bubble of embarrassment at being caught out of sorts, but he quickly crushed it, forcing it aside and standing a bit straighter. “I’m not lost. I’m… Getting my bearings.” He articulated, speaking with purpose. He hoped it made him sound more sure of himself- usually it worked on the common folk back home. “Ah, my mistake then.” The other hummed, tilting their head ever so slightly. “If I may, might I recommend starting with something simple? There’s a ring toss to your left, and darts to your right.” Cassius rolled his eyes. “I can pick for myself, thank you.” He grumbled, absently glancing towards the games the much taller individual had mentioned. He didn’t like standing so close to this figure. They made him feel small. He forcibly kept his expression neutral, refusing to show that he felt unnerved in any way. “… Is there one that people tend to prefer?” “Mmm. The ring toss, typically.” The figure commented. “Though the darts are a close second.” “Right.” Cassius murmured, glancing towards the ring toss, absently watching as a group tried their hand at the game. “Is there anything other than the games?” “Oh, of course. We have a few rides, a haunted house- in fact, in a few hours we’ll be having a show in the main tent. Plenty of things to do.” “Hmm.” After an extended silence, Cassius decided that he had grown bored of watching others fail at the ring toss game over and over again- it seemed rigged in some way, but Cassius couldn’t make out the trick despite his careful studying. He cleared his throat and turned back towards the other. “Well… Is there anything else that you- What??” Cassius blinked at the spot next to him in bewilderment. That odd individual was just- gone. His disappearance had been completely silent. How had Cassius not noticed? There were no footsteps, no shifting of fabric, not even a shifting of the air or a shadow. He turned his head all about, eyes cast in every direction. “What? How did-?” … Oh great. He was being messed with. Just what he needed. The toon scowled around the scenery, keeping his gaze directed upwards for that freakishly tall masked figure. Well, fine. If he was going to be that way, then Cassius was going to do something else. Maybe there was a dunk tank Cassius could take his frustrations out on. Grumbling to himself, the toon stormed through the carnival, mood dramatically soured. He felt like he was being made to look like an idiot, and that in turn just made him feel angrier. Cassius moved throughout the carnival with a new sort of energy- a determination to force this into a more enjoyable experience. Through the power of spite, games were attempted, snacks were eaten, a haunted house was perused (it was admittedly a little impressive, even if the scares felt cheap at times)- Cassius even managed to find that dunk tank, which he tried time and time again until he got the delightful satisfaction of sending the toon taunting the visitors within it into the water waiting below. He had tucked the prize of a small stuffed cat deep into his hammerspace- the last thing he wanted was to be seen carrying that around. He was self conscious enough as it was. Throughout his meandering, Cassius made a few observations- for one thing, the carnival seemed to have an air similar to the festivals back home celebrating Halloween- while fun and play were the most obvious focus, there were also plenty of spooks and scares that kept him on his toes. For another- the vendors of all the booths and stands were each wearing their own white masks, and were dressed in blacks and vibrant blues. At least they wore some sort of recognizable uniform. He had even asked around with a few of the other carnival-goers- They each had arrived at this place in similarly odd ways. The common theme was everyone going to sleep or taking a rest, and finding themselves before the entrance of the carnival.Either this was something genuinely concerning, or this was one of the most detailed (and slightly disturbing) dreams that Cassius ever had. He mused over all this while seated near a stand that was giving out pastries and sweets, thinking to himself as he took a bite of his funnel cake. This seemed like the sort of thing that would have some darker truth hidden underneath, like the tropes his Father often warned him about. But everything here seemed harmless enough, even with Cassius feeling slightly on edge the entire time he’d been here. He hadn’t stopped peeking over his shoulder or peering at the crowd for that odd, tall individual. He wouldn’t be caught by surprise again. Cassius hummed, shoving the last of the funnel cake into his mouth, and wiping his hands free of powdered sugar with a handkerchief he quickly produced from behind his back. He wasn’t going to satisfy his curiosity by sitting around and eating snacks. It was time to do a bit more exploring around the carnival. He rose from his seat and began to wander, quietly following the subtle direction and rhythm of the crowd. While before everyone seemed to simply be milling about every which way, they now seemed to be moving towards a specific location.The toon followed quietly until he realized what everyone was heading to: a large tent near the center of the carnival. In fact, it seemed to be the largest by far. People were filing in, chattering to one another as they disappeared through the entrance. Curiously, Cassius followed along, joining the crowd and entering the tent to get a look at what was inside. This main tent was obviously meant for some sort of show. Dozens, if not hundreds of seats in stands circled around a large middle area. Said central area currently held a pair of those masked figures, who were currently doing some sort of comedy routine to keep the crowd entertained before the show properly began. Ah. This must be the show that the stranger from before had mentioned. Cassius glanced up at the seats, debating for a moment if he wanted to find a seat for himself, before eventually deciding to simply ghost near the entrance. If this event proved to be properly interesting, then he would consider lingering around and getting his own seat. He didn’t have to wait long. As he leaned against one of the wooden supports of the stands, the lighting within the tent began to dim, giving it a sudden darkness that left Cassius squinting in an attempt to make out any details. All at once, several small flames burst to life around the perimeter of the center, alighting in pair after pair until the blue flames were properly illuminating the space. A spotlight appeared from somewhere up high, pointing to the exact center of the ring. There was a brief pause, a baited breath- and then a burst of smoke spewed from the center, spreading out across the entirety of the central ring like an erupting volcano, covering the floor in a lingering fog. The spotlight remained in the center, where a figure dropped down from nowhere, disappearing under the smoke for a moment before slowly rising from the fog, unfolding to his full, eight-foot height. It was that awful stranger from before. Cassius groaned to himself, burying his face against the palms of both of his hands. Of course. Why would it have been anyone else? The ringmaster simply had to be someone the toon had decided he didn’t like. The ringmaster began to speak to the crowd, but whatever words were lost to Cassius. He had already stormed out of the tent, pushing past the few stragglers. He was given a few odd looks, but Cassius didn’t care. He wasn’t about to bother giving this place any more of his time or focus. There had to be some sort of exit to this place, right? All carnivals had one, and while he figured this one was a dream of sorts, Cassius assumed that there had to be some way out. His hurried footsteps crunched against the gravel as he stormed about, searching high and low for any sign of a way to leave- be it subtle clues and tricks or big, obvious signs that screamed “Come here to wake up and leave!” Cassius didn’t find any of that- what he did find, however, caused him to stop in his tracks, the idea of leaving forgotten. It was a tent- it was slightly different in design from the others, its interior darkened and mysterious. A sign at the front read “Fortune Teller.” Now that was intriguing. Was this the real deal, with proper use of divination magic? Then again, it could just as easily be a con like the rest of the carnival games were.The toon looked around for a moment, debating internally. Eventually, he nodded to himself, then began to stride towards the tent. Satisfying one more curiosity couldn’t hurt. Cassius crept through the entrance of the tent like a nervous shadow, ducking ever so slightly to fit through- it seemed that the design of the tent was meant for toons shorter than himself. Once inside, he paused, taking a moment to look around and study his surroundings. The entirety of the tent was decorated with dozens of different textures. Rugs covered the ground, one laid on top of the other, arranged in an organized chaos. There were enough patterns that Cassius figured that there must have been some gathered from every part of Einquell- and perhaps even some originating from realkind continents. There was a table at the center of the tent, covered in layers upon layers of table runners that each appeared to be made from a different cloth. In front of it was a simple yet refined wooden chair that seemed to be inviting someone to occupy it. Were it not for the pale blue light that illuminated the room, everything surely would’ve clashed with one another- but the effect gave it a monochromatic color scheme that seemed more mysterious than chaotic. And finally, sitting on the opposite side of the table was a figure. They were… Short. Or perhaps… stout? It was difficult to tell with the clothes they were wearing, which seemed to have just as many layers as the table and floor. They wore a cloak with a hood that concealed their features- in fact, the only thing visible through the darkness of the hood were a pair of sharp, green, pupiless eyes. It being the only other color in the room besides the blues drew more attention to them. “Ah… Welcome. I’ve been expecting you.” Cassius’ expression changed from curious gawking to flat irritation in an instant. “You say that to everyone who comes in here?” The hooded figure simply stared, unblinking. They lifted up one hand, gesturing towards the chair on the opposite side of the table. “Not everyone- only those curious enough to peek into what’s to come.” The toon signed, rolling his eyes, yet resigned himself to following the other’s silent direction, seating himself in the empty chair. As he did so, the fortune teller pulled out a deck of cards- shuffling them in smooth, practiced motions. Cassius was surprised to see that their wrists were adorned with a pair of shackles- there were even a few broken chains dangling from them. “So… How does this work?” Cassius asked, eyes flicking upwards from the cards to the void that served as the other’s face. The shuffling was paused for a moment, the cards carefully gathered into a neat, organized pile. “It’s quite simple.” They were shuffled again, the fluttering sound filling the room. “You ask your questions, and I turn to the deck for answers. Though be warned: the cards often tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want.” Cassius frowned thoughtfully. Weren’t those the same thing? What Cassius needed and what Cassius wanted were interchangeable, that much he knew for certain. Though he found himself wondering if there was any actual magic involved in this reading- divination was a school of magic he had a passing curiosity in, but could never really grasp. His interests were more focused on… Other forms of magic. Regardless, he’d have to ask a question if he wanted to see it in action. He turned out the possibilities of what he wanted answered in his head: Would his life feel more stable in the future? Were his goals attainable? What sort of people would be in his future? Eventually, he settled on his decision, clearing his throat. “How can I prove myself worthy of what my father is withholding from me?” A soft hum sounded from the figure. The deck was straightened one more time. They rested a hand on the topmost card, before beginning to draw cards by and rest them on the table. Cassius watched as they worked, fingers moving with practiced ease. A card was set down then flipped over, revealing the illustration on the opposing side, then another would follow suit. Nine of wands, ace of swords (though this one was upside down), knight of wands, eight of wands, queen of pentacles. There was a pause, like one’s breath being held in a moment of tension. Cassius thought the other had finished setting down all the cards, but was surprised when they began setting down a few more. King of wands, eight of swords, the tower (this too was upside down), seven of pentacles, knight of pentacles. The rest of the cards were set down, and the fortune teller hummed thoughtfully. They stared down at the cards, studying them like one would study a page. “... Well?” Cassius pressed after the silence stretched longer than he liked, though it only earned him a gloved hand being lifted up sharply- a silent demand for silence. “Patience, little one.” Cassius scowled, an eye twitching quite toonishly. “I’m taller than you.” “It is not a comment on your height.” Confusion crept into Cassius’ frustrated expression, but it quickly settled into anger a moment later. “I’m not a child.” He spat venomously. Tilting their head, the other spoke evenly, their tone monotonous. “Perhaps you should consider changing your behavior then.” Spluttering like a fish out of water, Cassius’ hands gripped onto his knees, fingers digging like claws into the fabric of his pants. He felt like he was being picked apart and insulted for all to see, even though the tent only had himself and this strange fortune teller. Cassius’ anger was a volcano about to burst, even with his efforts of keeping a cool head. Brush it off. Don’t dwell on it. The fortune teller began to speak. “You stand in a position where you feel the need to prove yourself: not only for an inheritance, but for the family name. You believe you need an incredible feat of skill or heroism to prove yourself.” A beat of silence filled the room, and a sudden tension was palpable in the air. Cassius had straightened in his seat in surprise, eyes wide; his loosened grip re-tightened, this time into a pair of fists hidden underneath the table. “The cards speak of an abrupt change within your past- an argument or fight that has uprooted you and has left you to fend for yourself. Despite this, you seek to regain that lost wealth; to regain what you have lost. This isn’t possible.” “The hell do you mean, it isn’t-?!” Cassius began, only to be cut off again as the figure across from them lifted up their hand sharply. Their eyes were just as sharp as the motion had been. It was a clear warning, one that left the toon stewing in his seat. “Regaining what you’ve lost isn’t possible. ” They started again, keeping their hand up in front of them. They would not be interrupted again. “But you can instead turn your energy and set upon a different fortune. Seek out a new mentor- they will guide you when your life begins to change. You are stronger than you seem; and yet you restrict yourself by playing as the victim. If you are to make something of yourself, you must do more than what you’re expected to do by the chains of your past influences. If you put in the work, you will be able to make something stable for yourself- but this is only possible if you make the effort and put in the work. You cannot keep coasting on what has been handed to you. Take responsibility for-” The sentence went unfinished, seeing as Cassius had leapt across the table, tackling the fortune teller to the ground. Wooden furniture tumbled against the ground, filling the tent with a series of clatters and thuds- both chairs were sent sprawling, the table kicked over behind Cassius in an instant. Limbs were tangled together in bursts of motion, styles clashing, fabric torn. Cassius’ hands clawed towards the void that served at the other toon’s face, trying to grasp at where their throat could be- before he suddenly felt pain bloom from his gut. The figure beneath him had kicked up their foot, their heeled shoe digging into Cassius’ stomach like a blunt knife. He was so startled by how abrupt the pain was, Cassius instinctively moved away from the fortune teller, falling to the side as a hand clutched at his stomach. He snarled, his free hand pulling an umbrella from his hammerspace. Cassius stood, and a hurried incantation was spoken; the umbrella was struck against his own chair that had fallen over. A loud ringing filled the room as if a bell had been struck, filled with an energy and power that seemed palpable with harmful intent- and yet the fortune teller did not shrink back, unaffected by Cassius’ use of magic. The other, meanwhile, had taken advantage of Cassius backing off, rising up from the ground with both hands held up at their sides, a soft metallic clinking sound coming from the broken chains dangling from their wrists. “I will not tolerate this behavior.” They hissed- that monotonous tone from before was gone, replaced by a clear venom. “Cease.” Chains formed between the shackles on the fortune teller’s wrists, glowing a bright, sickly green. Cassius didn’t even get a chance to react before they shot forward like striking serpents, coiling around the toon in a burst of motion. His startled cry was cut off, and he found himself pulled to the ground, the chains weighing him down with incredible magical strength. Cassius was suddenly very, very aware of the kind of trouble he was in, which was only highlighted as his jaw was grabbed, gloved fingers gripping into his flesh and forcing him to look up and into the black void of the fortune teller’s hood. Horrifically, the darkness was filled with several more pairs of burning green eyes- and none of them looked particularly pleased. “You… Are not very bright.” They hissed, grip tightening. Cassius tried to struggle, but those chains did more than just hold him in place- they made it so his very body couldn’t move. It was like his animation had just paused. “And in need of a lesson.” They paused, pulling back from Cassius and straightening to their full height (Which admittedly wasn’t much- but with Cassius forced to his knees, it was all they needed to be the taller of the two in the moment). He brushed his hands against his outfit, straightening the fabric and correcting the disheveled appearance from their short scuffle. “This may be a dream-” They began, those many piercing eyes burning into Cassius’ very soul. “- But I can assure you: A greater nightmare will be awaiting you in the waking world. I will find you. And when I do, you will spend the rest of your life regretting your actions on this night.” “You will do no such thing.” If Cassius could jump, he would have- There was a third presence in the room, one that hadn’t been there a moment ago. There was a beat of silence, before it was broken again by the fortune teller. “Graves.” “Nirvana.” All at once, the magic surrounding Cassius dispelled, and he instantly took the opportunity to backpedal as far away from the others as he dared, gripping onto the umbrella he had pulled from his hammerspace. His focus snapped towards the new individual- and upon seeing who it was, he wasn’t sure if the arrival of this new individual was something to celebrate or something to fear. “Graves,” as it turned out, was that frighteningly tall freak from before- the ringmaster of the carnival. He stood at his full height, and Cassius realized that the tent had somehow grown to accommodate them. Nirvana- the fortune teller- had regained their composure. The void that served as their face was now populated by a normal amount of piercing green eyes, but even Cassius could see that they seemed more than frustrated by this development. “A lesson must be taught here, Graves. And seeing as how I was the one this child disrespected, I will be the one to choose the appropriate punishment.” Graves tilted his head, the mask he wore glinting slightly in the blue light of the tent, which seemed to have grown brighter in the presence of the ringmaster. “Ah, but you see- You were acting as Nirvana, and Nirvana is in my service, is she not?” One of Nirvana’s eyes twitched, her head bowing so slightly that Cassius almost didn’t notice it. They were silent, perhaps even stewing. Cassius, meanwhile, waited with bated breath for a moment before deciding that perhaps now would be the best time to take an opportunity to slip out. A quick glance over his shoulder was all he needed to locate the exit and begin planning his escape route- a route which he began to ever so slowly creep along, keeping his gaze directed at the others in the tent. “In this matter, it seems more fitting for the ringmaster to handle his punishment.” Graves remarked. The long, slender toon stared directly at Nirvana as he said this, as if to ensure his point was not lost on the other. The fortune teller did not move nor react, but Cassius could hear the venom building up in her voice. “You only wish to do so out of spite.” They accused. “I am merely protecting what’s mine.” “I do not belong to you.” “Oh, but you do.” Graves purred, and Cassius could feel the smile creeping across their face, despite the fact that their face was covered by a featureless white mask. This wasn’t a rescue- this was merely going from the frying pan and falling into the fire. Cassius bit back an expelling of grawlix and he hurriedly turned around and began crawling towards the exit, only to stop in surprise. The exit was gone, replaced by a mirror that reflected Cassius’ own wide-eyed expression of terror back at himself. The mirror also showed that, behind him, the ringmaster had turned his head to look at Cassius- blue eyes studying him like one would a particularly interesting insect. Cassius swore, the grawlix escaping his mouth. He turned around, frantically standing up from the ground, clutching the umbrella like it was his only lifeline.Nirvana took a step towards Cassius, a hand outstretched, which made him flinch and point the spell focus at the shorter individual. Abruptly, Cassius realized the floor was gone beneath his feet. Wait- was he being lifted up?! Indeed he was. Graves had reached a hand behind Cassius, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and scruffing him into the air. The toon instinctively kicked his legs and moved his arms, which only seemed to make the tense moment more akin to a lighthearted gag. “Ack! Put- Put me down! This is ridiculous! I won’t be manhandled by-” Graves shot Cassius a look that immediately got him to shut up, if only for a moment. “You are not in a position to be making demands of us.” Graves said flatly. “Your behavior was completely unwarranted. Childish, in every sense of the word.” “They insulted-!” “They were telling your fortune.” Graves snapped. “Do you yell at the grass for growing? Insult the clouds for rain?” “This is different.” “No, this is common decency. Only a child would throw such a fit at perceived insults.” “I am not a child.” “Then act like it.” Both Nirvana and Graves hissed at once- which caused them both to pause, glancing at one another before returning to the matter at hand. Nirvana turned their attention towards the other, much taller individual, rather than Cassius. “It isn’t too late to change your mind. I could think of a good number of fitting punishments.” Graves shook his head. “I believe I already have one in mind. Step outside for a moment- and please take care that no one will be around to overhear us. This could get… Loud.” What was that supposed to mean? Cassius could feel his blood run cold as Nirvana glared at Graves and gave a stiff bow. They then turned away, their cloak sweeping around them as they exited the tent through an entrance that suddenly appeared, then disappeared just as quickly. Cassius yelped as his umbrella was ripped out of his hands with surprising strength, then was dropped to the ground. The toon landed roughly against the carpeted flooring. He was backpedaling again as soon as he hit the ground, cursing aloud. “What are you doing?” He demanded, voice shaking. Graves did not answer, instead silently tilting his head in response, as if pondering something. “What is your name, little one?” “… What?” “Your name.” “I’m not going to-" “You don’t have much of a choice here.” “But- but why? What’s the point? Why not do whatever it is you intend to do and be done with me?” Cassius pressed. He had found that he had backed up against a solid surface, and began to stand up from the ground again, back pressed against whatever had stopped him. “It’s not that simple.” Graves was suddenly in front of him, his face mere inches away, red eyes boring into him- wait, red? Hadn’t they been blue? Cassius let out a yelp. “You’ve put me in a very difficult position. There must be consequences, and I think you would prefer this over whatever Nirvana intends with you.” Cassius grit his teeth, frantically looking left, right- anywhere else than directly in front of him and those burning, unblinking eyes. It was difficult but not impossible- those pools of brilliant crimson demanded so much attention, especially so close.He discovered that their surroundings had completely changed- they were still in the fortune teller’s tent, that much was certain- but everything had changed from shades of blue to shades of deep, foreboding reds. The colors reminded Cassius of fire- of blood. “Does- Does this have to happen? Can’t you just… let me go?” Graves snorted- either in irritation, or humor. Perhaps both. “Not possible. The sting must come when you go poking a hornet’s nest.” He hissed. Cassius noted that the other’s voice had changed- it was subtle, but the subtlety was not lost on him. Not when adrenaline was pounding through him, his heartbeat sounding in his own ears like a war drum. Graves’ voice was laced with something… different. Something heavy. Something other than just a change in tone. “Now. Tell me your name.” Cassius flinched, his attention forcibly pulled back to the other’s masked face. The other’s eyes seemed to glow in the abrupt darkness- the only light source in a suddenly dark room. Despite himself, Cassius found his posture loosening, with words forcing themselves out of his mouth. “C-Cassius…” The toon began, and soon the rest of his name came tumbling after. “Cassius Sorrel Yune Deed Blackmont. The Third.” “There. Was that so hard?” “N… No.” “Good. Let’s move on then.” Grave’s head snapped to the side, tilting abruptly with a loud cracking sound. It was followed by a series of sounds like smaller bones being cracked- krk, krk, krk. Horrifically, Cassius found a mouth was forming across the other’s face, starting just underneath the mask and spreading to either side. It seemed like a sharp, jagged smile was simply cracking into existence, a black fog dripping from the newly formed opening, which seemed to glow just as brightly as the other’s eyes. The toon’s heartbeat thundered in his ears- but it was being drowned out by something. A different heartbeat. Something loud, something powerful, something that overpowered his own and forced itself to be heard. Cassius tried to move, to scramble away- but something gripped onto his shoulders, stopping him dead in his tracks before he could even begin to run. They held him in place, holding him against whatever was behind him. “Hold still.” Cassius, despite himself, obliged- distantly, it felt wrong to be going with this with even a degree of willingness, but the thoughts were foggy and far off. What was happening? His head was tilted to the side, guided by… something. There was pain- sudden, sharp pain- on the side of his neck. Cassius cried out, but was cut off as something covered his mouth. What was happening? What was happening? He felt his energy, his vitality, draining from him. His neck felt warm and wet, slick with blood (He had no ink- he was a CGIan toon, after all). Graves held him still with not two, not three, but four different arms that kept him in place. Time slowed to a crawl. Though it was only for a minute or so, to Cassius, it felt like hours. The most terrifying part of it, perhaps, was the fact that Cassius’ heartbeat was fading- and fading fast. He didn’t- he didn’t want to die. Wasn’t this a dream? A nightmare? Why wasn’t he waking up? When Cassius’ legs finally gave out from under him, he was caught by the waiting arms of the ringmaster, and gently set on the ground. He felt so dizzy, his foggy mind on the brink of unconsciousness. He was distantly aware that the pain on his neck had stopped- it didn’t feel as sharp as before. Something was abruptly presented to him- but Cassius didn’t have the state of mind or body to even flinch. “Drink.” Something was pressed against Cassius’ mouth- and he could feel something warm, something wet. It smelled nauseating- the thick coppery scent was undeniable. It took effort, but Cassius shakily lifted a hand to the wrist that had been presented to him, dripping with blood. He pressed it into his mouth, letting the liquid seep within. He began to drink. The first sip was nervous, tentative- but it was soon replaced by a delirious fervor that demanded to be satiated. “Enough.” The wrist was pulled away from him, and Cassius found himself left wanting. He groaned, both of his hands reaching up and holding onto his head. That heartbeat- the one that wasn’t his- was still thundering on. It made his head hurt.He doubled over, still holding to his head, now against the ground in a kneeling position. All at once, the pain began. Something within him was boiling. His skin was freezing. His mouth felt like dozens of knives had been stabbed into his jaw. The pain shot through him like a bolt of lightning, and lingered like a tormented soul. There was a scream of agony- raw and unceasing. He realized it was his own. Every part of Cassius burned- he felt like he was on fire. He could practically feel the flames dancing across his skin, digging into him. His very core felt molten- he didn’t know where he ended and the flames began. He wanted it to stop- he wanted it to stop. And eventually, after what felt like an eternity, it did. And with it, came the black void of unconsciousness. -- - Cassius awoke in a cold sweat. He gasped loudly and shot up in bed, then immediately regretted the action. His whole body felt raw, like he had been forced through a full body workout without his knowledge. Even the act of breathing felt difficult, as if he had forgotten how to and was desperately trying to force it to work. “What… What.” Cassius was surprised by the croak that was his own voice. It sounded broken. His bed was a mess. The sheets were tangled around him- his pillow was on the floor. Next to it were dozens of ceramic pieces- the vase that had been on his nightstand had, at some point, crashed to the floor. How had he not woken up from it? Moonlight seeped into his room through a crack in the curtains of his window- and yet, Cassius found that he did not need it to see every detail of what was around him. That was… Odd. That felt wrong. Untangling himself from his bedsheets, Cassius moved himself out of his bed- keeping his movements slow and deliberate. He nearly buckled over as he tried to stand, but caught himself on the end table where the vase had once been resting.What… What happened to him? His body didn’t even feel like his own. He felt different. Everything ached- especially his jaw. And what was that smell? Blearily, Cassius looked over to the bed- and froze in horror. Everything was stained with blood. Was… Was that his blood? He stared at where the blood seemed to be collected the most- a particular spot near the headboard of the bed. Cassius reached a hand towards the side of his neck, and hissed in pain as he touched something that hadn’t quite healed. His hand came back red, but it was impossible to tell if it had already been covered in that horrifying hue. Standing in the darkness, Cassius tried to turn his mind to what could’ve possibly caused this. He remembered studying into the late hours of the night, then eventually retiring to his bed. He went to sleep, and then… The carnival. It all came flooding back to him all at once, the realization hitting him like a charging bull. Cassius felt nauseous. That… That couldn’t have happened. That was a dream, right? Then why…? Fumbling, Cassius reached a hand behind his back. After a moment, he pulled out a small hand mirror. Shaking, he held it up in front of his face. There was no reflection. The mirror was dropped, a crash filling the room as its broken pieces joined the ceramics upon the floor.