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g4l4xy-qu33n · 6 months

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Jax SFW Alphabet

A/N: These are all my personal headcanons, so pls don't get mad and say that my headcanon isn't the exact same as yours! This was written with afab reader in mind, but no genitalia is described, nor is there use of any gender-specific pronouns for the reader! (If you find one, pls let me know!) No body type describe for the reader either, this can be read by all! Proofread by nobody <3

Warnings: Mentions of smutty/nsfw activities, but not highly descriptive and detailed. Light use of swearing. (D1ckhead and similar) Also this is very long.

Anyway, let's get right into the show list!

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Let’s just say Jax isn’t the most affectionate of people (rabbits?)

He shows affection towards you with relentless teasing, jokes, and pranks, which are the same as (or worse than) the ones he pulls on the other members of the circus.

He is a sucker for long, drawn out make-out sessions in your (or his) room when nobody else is around, though.

And if you ask him nicely, he’ll probably cuddle you. On the condition that no one else is around, and it’s in private

Pet names. Jax lives for calling you pet names. And the ideas for pet names always come from what you are. If you’re a rabbit, you’ll get called his bunny, honey-bunny, etc. If you’re a dog you’d get puppy, if you’re a cat you’d get kitten. If you’re a doll of sorts, you’ll get doll, or dollface, and the list goes on and on.

Jax loves to flirt with you. Sure, pet names are a way of flirting, but he also just likes the blatant, generic flirts too.

Teasing. This man is such a tease. If you stumble, he’ll ask how your trip was. If you rant about an interest, he’ll make fun of you for it. In a kind enough way of course.

He also does this thing he calls “surprise kisses”, which is when he would kiss you anywhere at anytime, whether you expect it or not. It’s usually on the cheek, or forehead, but he’s done your mouth and neck before, just to tease and fluster you.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Having Jax as a best friend would be of course full of jokes, tricks, pranks, you name it.

He’s a natural friendly-flirter. He can and will flirt with you, whether you like it or not. Him flirting doesn’t mean he necessarily has feelings though, just depends on your status of partnership.

And he’ll tease you, call you pet names, all that fun stuff.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Jax would protest cuddles at first, but once you’re in his arms, he’ll snuggle for hours on end.

His favourites ways to cuddles include anything where he’s holding you. One he likes specifically is when he’s on his back and your head is on his chest, arms wrapped around his middle, his long arms draped casually on top of you, so you're pretty much lying on top of him.

That, or a similar one, the difference being that you’re next to him instead, with one arm draped over him and one leg hooked over him, head in the crook of his neck.

Another one of his favourites is when you’re both on your sides, and you’re facing each other, your head buried in his chest. He only likes it because he feels protective with the way you’re curled up. (He also likes the intertwined legs but shhh)

And on the very VERY rare occasion of when he just wants to be snuggled, he’ll do any of these, but reversed so he's being cuddled instead of doing the cuddling.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Eh. I doubt he’d consider settling down. If it’s something you really really REALLY wanted, he’d think about it, but for the most part, no, I don’t think Jax would want to settle down.

I also feel like he’d flat out refuse to cook or clean, unless you were sick or something.

He can’t cook, he’ll probably burn the digital world to the ground.

And Jax would always flat out refuse to clean. Nope, he’s never touching a cleaning supply in his digital life. Usually, he’ll make someone else do it.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

If Jax had to break up with his S/O, he’d be straight forward, and just say that he needs/wants to break up with them, no matter how serious the reason is.

He wouldn’t make a big deal out of it at all, and depending on how much he loved his S/O, he might feel bad about it later.

If he really did love you, he’d sob to himself in his room, but apart from that, he’d seem unaffected by your absence.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Honestly, is being married in the digital world even a thing? Who knows, I certainly don’t.

“Woah woah woah. Slow down. You wanna what?!” Is what Jax would probably say if you brought up the idea of marriage.

Being in the digital world, marriage wouldn’t make much of a difference to the relationship, so he doesn’t really see it as necessary. You see each other every day anyway…?

Jax would probably never propose unprompted, so be sure to remind him if you really do want to get married. (Or just propose to him yourself if that works for you.)

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Jax is a very rough person. (Rabbit??)

He’d be quite physical with you, purposefully bumping into you, knocking you over, just straight up pushing you over and shoving you, leg sweeps if he feels like it, etc.

He’d probably just randomly pick you up out the blue, too. You’d be standing in the circus and suddenly scoop! And you’re in his arms, bridal style.

But don’t get mad at him, it’s all for the jokes.

When it comes to how gentle he is emotionally, let’s just say you’ve almost never seen this guy cry.

Around the other circus members he’s loud, obnoxious and a general dickhead. Around you? He’s very much the same. But with a little less obnoxious, and a little more cocky.

I feel like he would only cry if something terrible happened to you, like if you abstracted or similar, but even then it would be hard for the tears to come out.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

He loves hugs, but he would never say that in front of anyone, not even you, if the relationship is new.

You only know he likes hugging you because of the way he holds you tight and close, and the way his smirk turns a little more into a sincere smile when you’re in his arms.

He’d take your hugs any time of the day, any day of the week, any week of the month. (I could go on, but won’t, to spare you your sanity.)

When it comes to how often he initiates hugs, well… that differs. You can never really guess when you’re going to get hugged by him, to be honest.

If he’s feeling playful, he’d scare you by hugging you from behind when you least expect it. If he just wants to hold you, he’ll just approach from behind politely enough. If he’s horny however… that’s a different story completely ;)

Jax’s hugs are amazing. The way this tall rabbit's long arms wrap around you is enough for you to decide that you never want him to let go.

While hugging, Jax won't hesitate to start running his hand down your head, or through your hair - if you have any.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

It takes Jax forever for him to say the L-word. Heck, you may even have to remind him to say it every so often.

I feel like he’d only say it once he really trusts you, and really feels like you’re the one he trusts the most.

I imagine he’d say it in the most dramatic situation possible. (He’s a sucker for drama)

Picture this: you’ve just gone through one of the most scary, traumatising ‘adventures’ that Caine puts you through. You’re with Jax, calming down, and he just whispers “I love you”. You’re too stunned to speak, but you just smile, looking at him and whispering an “I love you too, Jax.” back, ending the moment with a sweet kiss.

(If you imagine something else too that’s cool. My brain just came up with that.)

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

At first, Jax would get incredibly jealous if you’d spend more than twenty minutes without him. He’d start getting annoyed and playing mean and potentially dangerous pranks on the circus member(s) you were hanging out with.

Thankfully, you’d realise pretty quickly what’s up, calling him out on it and talking it through.

After that, he won’t show his jealousy if you’re hanging out a lot with the rest of the gang, but he definitely would still get jealous, and he’d show it in… unconventional ways. Like in bed. Or with pranks that only affect you, but still make you laugh.

Once the relationship has been going on for a while, his jealousy would be mostly non-existent.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

I’ll say it now, and I’ll say it again. Jax absolutely lives for kisses.

He’d take any chance he can to press his lips against you, whether it’s against your lips, or if he’s kissing your cheeks or forehead. Or literally anywhere else.

Jax loves to kiss you anywhere, but he does have a few favourites, which include (in no particular order):

Your lips. He loves to kiss your lips, even if it can be a little strange, with his teeth. But you aren’t complaining, you get to kiss Jax!

Your forehead or the top of your head. As he’s (probably) taller than you, the top of your head is easily accessible.

Your neck. Ohh he loves to kiss your neck. Sure it’s usually sexual, but he also does it sometimes just to mess with you. He may even bite, who knows ;) (if he open his mouth lmao)

The back of your hands. This is rare, but he likes it because he gets to act all dapper like a gentleman, when he’s really not.

Your thighs. Now this one’s purely sexual, but he still loves to do it because he gets to stall and tease what’s to come.

If you want to kiss him, the best places have to be his lips, cheeks or neck. Just make sure to pull him down by his overalls first, he might be a bit too tall for you to initiate kisses with.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Jax is absolutely horrible when there’s children around. Thank god there isn’t any in the Amazing Digital Circus.

He has no filter, and would probably just start swearing in front of them, too.

Not to mention his pranks. Jax would probably pull a nasty prank on a kid, not realising they’d actually be scared of it.

Jax would be especially bad if the kid(s) are emotional or crying. He would just be standing there, awkwardly while this kid just bawls.

And he’d probably snap at the kids if they’re too annoying for his liking.

So pretty much, don’t ever make Jax be around kids, and don't every put kids around Jax

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

As both the moon and the sun are out at the same time in the Digital World, what even is night and day, really?

Regardless, mornings with Jax are usually spent in one of two ways:

Getting up early to prank people while they’re still asleep and in their rooms,

or cuddling each other in either person’s room.

And no matter which one you choose, it’s guaranteed to be fun.

And of course there’s a special third option, but that’s not for this alphabet list ;)

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights with Jax are more or less the same as mornings: three things you could be doing.

Playing pranks on people so that they’ll never get to relax (haha)

Or snuggles in either persons room.

And as before, there’s a third option that isn’t exactly meant for this list.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Technically, there isn’t much to reveal, what with being stuck in the digital world where you can’t remember your past human life.

But if there was things to reveal, I feel like it would take a while for Jax to open up.

He’s stubborn, and probably a bit of a jackass. (Haha get it? Jax the Jackass? I’m so funny/s (sarcasm))

He wouldn’t answer any questions you ask him until he really knows you. Like really knows you.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Jax doesn’t have an ounce of patience.

You’re a minute late to an adventure? He’s coming to your room to get you.

You say something like “be there in a minute.” And it's a second over a minute and you're not with him yet? He’s looking for you.

In all honesty, the only reason he’s so impatient with you is because you’re nice to him, and he cares about you.

But he’d never admit that out loud.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

Jax has a weird thing for the details.

He won’t remember things like your birthday or your favourite colour, but he’ll remember that one specific story you told him, and what day and exact time you said it.

But it’s not like either of you can even remember anything from the human world anyway, so what does memory really matter when you can just choose a new favourite colour, or a new birthday?

To be honest I doubt he’d remember your (new) name for the first few days as well.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

He has many favourite relationship moments, but the first few that come to mind when brought up are:

Your first kiss. He only remembers this specifically because it made him realise that there can be true happiness in the digital world. (He also liked that it evolved into something more steamy. Don’t accuse him of that though, he’ll get mad.)

When you pranked him for the first time. He just thought it was really funny and cute that you used his own tricks against him, and that you’re learning from the best. (Him, of course.)

When he pranked you for the first time. This one’s self explanatory, he just likes pranking people.

And your arrival into the Digital Circus, because that's when he met you for the first time.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Jax is super protective, but only because he doesn’t want you abstracting.

If you were in any danger, he’d come and hold you close until you start complaining.

He’d wrap his long arms around you, and probably rest his head on yours, or your shoulder.

If any of the other circus members were to get mad at you for something, he’d immediately rush to your side as soon as he finds out, holding you close and practically growling at whoever got mad at you.

And if anyone else tried to lay a hand on you, there wouldn’t be much you could do to stop Jax yelling at them.

He’s just a jealous guy.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

The amount of effort he puts into your relationship depends on whether he finds the activity interesting or not.

Because if he thinks something is boring or tacky, prepare yourself for the disappointment of him declining your offer.

But if he does seem to find something interesting, he’ll go all out just for you.

Like for your anniversary. Think digital flowers, a digital suit for him, a digital dress for you, and a digitally candlelit digital dinner, probably at that restaurant Caine was in that was full of NPC’s from the pilot.

And if you're happy, he'll screw your brain out later, too.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

If you don’t like his pranks, then that definitely counts as a bad habit in your book. If you don’t mind the pranks/don’t care about them then you’re probably indifferent.

I feel like he growls. I don’t know when or why, but I feel like he has a bad habit of growling when he snarls.

One bad habit he hates but you probably love is the little tiny squeaking noises he makes when he’s really happy. That’s something you can tease him about. (But hey, he can’t help that he’s a rabbit, and rabbits make squeaking noises)

To be honest, what counts as a bad habit and a good/neutral one is up to personal opinion, so that’s for you to think about.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Jax could care less about how he looks, as long as it’s something along the lines of nonchalant and chill, with a bit of prankster mixed in there.

And in the Amazing Digital Circus, I doubt there’d even be a need to style yourself in front a mirror every morning, you’re just a bunch of readily formed shapes stacked on top of each other after all. No real hair, - or fur - no real clothes so no wrinkles or creases, etc.

So looks don’t matter too much in the digital world.

You don’t even get to choose what you look like anyway, so why be worried?

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Jax would probably tell himself he feels fine without you, but deep down he would know he’s lying to himself, and that he really does feel incomplete without you near him.

Take for example, if you abstracted, Jax would probably be on the verge of abstracting as well, seeing as you were the only one that liked him, anyway.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

He really likes getting pet.

Whether it be his head, back, arms, ears, etc - Jax would love it.

Since he’s a rabbit, getting pet would also make his foot thump, just like real rabbits from the human world.

His ears are also ticklish.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Jax would hate someone who can’t take a joke, or prank.

Anyone he says ‘needs to lighten up’ won’t be on very good terms with him for too much longer.

He also wouldn’t like anyone who’s constantly crying, unless they have a valid reason to be. Jax’s list of valid reasons to be crying isn’t very long.

Nor would he like anyone who’s a child, even if they’re an adult in a child’s body size, it still doesn’t fly.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

Needing sleep in the digital circus? Yeah right.

Life in the digital world pretty much means sleep isn’t necessary, but everyone does still go to bed, even if they don’t fall asleep.

Thought if he did have to sleep though, Jax would very much be a late to bed, late out of bed sorta guy.

Either that or no sleep at all, winging life with constant all-nighters.

#the amazing digital circus #Jax #sfw alphabet #jax x reader #jax x you #jax tadc #someone @ gooseworx for me in the tags #I'm too scared :(#jax the amazing digital circus #the amazing digital circus jax #tadc x reader #tadc fanfic #jax the rabbit #gooseworx

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thesillestluxeandcastiel · 6 months

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Heyy I had this idea for a Jax x Reader one-shot and I absolutely need it written out (Apologizes if that sounded bossy lol)

Essentially late at night in the Circus and the reader can’t sleep because of a spider in their room so they goes into Jax’s to sleep with him instead. Being the guy he is, he teases her for being scared of the spider. After some conversation he asks them to show him it. At that point it’s revealed that Jax actually planted the spider there to mess with them lol

Arachnid.

Summary: Reader trys to go to sleep, but unfortunately cannot due to the massive eight legged creature on their wall. They go to jax, cuz he's tall (and also a comfort source) to get it down. Afffter that him being jax he messes with them and then they find out he put it there!!

A/n : no no no no, that's completely okay, I love hearing your requests and stuff,(I NEED IDEAS PLS) don't worry about being too bossy 😭

Warnings: Jax being jax, andff spiders!

Side note: I'M RUNNIN OUT OF JAX GIFS PLEASE HELP , and here's the spider were using for reference!!! TRIGGER WARNING, PHOTO OFA SPIDEF

Just like... Picture it bigger ykwim?

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You got into the cosy area of your bed, smiling as your head hit the pillow. You sighed, fully adjusting untill you hear small tapping above your head, you opened your eyes softly, looking up to see a small spider on the wall above your head. You shreaked, covering your mouth and crawling to the other side of the bed slowly. You gasped into your hands, and you stared. It stared back. You got up, maintaining eye contact as you left your room, running over to the purple rabbit.. Bunny? You shook your head, now's not the time.

Quickly, you knocked on his door. He didn't answer the first time, so you knocked again. And again. Aaand agai-

He slammed the door open, rubbing his eyes as he did. He placed a hand on his hip, the other one on the door. "Jax. Jax there is a MASSIVE spider in my room and i-" you were freaking out, hands shaking.

He interrupted you. "You woke me up at, what, 3 am for a SPIDER? are you SERIOUS??" he whisper yelled at you, he really regretted doing this stupid thing now. You nodded quickly with the most serious look on your face. "Can- can I just sleep with you? Please?" THAT was enough to make him laugh. He chuckled softly, "If it gets you off my back, I'll kill the thing and you can sleep in my room tonight. Deal?" and started walking down the hallway with you. You smiled softly, glad that that... Thing would be off your walls.

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You stared, eyes wide and mouth agape as he just... Picked the thing up. Not a care in the world about how it could bite him. You frowned. "How are you so calm right now?!" You whisper yelled. He shrugged. "Unlike soome people I can actually handle a few of these guys. Say, do you think it had baby's?" He said, so nonchalantly that it genuinely scared you. You let out a little 'eep!' As he brought his arm (with the spider STILL IN IT) towards you, he laughed when you practically launched yourself across the room.

You stared at him for a moment, very intensly untill you realized. "JAX OH MY GOD YOU [BLEEP]LE!" You screatchd at him, and he laughed even harder, setting the spider down outside of your room. You were panting, attempting to calm yourself down, which was not working by the way! He walked back in, standing by your doorframe and sighed, staring at your shaking form. He rolled his eyes and started to walk down the hallway past your room.

"Alright, Alright pack it up Worrywart. You coming or not?" He asked, peaking his head back into your room before fully walking out. You quickly ran out behind him, no way you were sleeping in here after that! What if it.. What if it actually did have baby's?

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Bonus: You smiled softly, content in jax's arms. He wasn't used to the cuddling, or whatever but did he enjoy it? Yes. Yes he did, and there was no doubt about that. He sighed as you snuggled into him further. You closed your eyes fully, finally relaxing and not worrying about.. Little demons with eight legs. He wrapped his arms around your waist as you drifted off, thinking about whatever adventure you would have to endure tomorrow.

A/n : YIPPELELELE FINNALLLYY DINENENEEE!!!!!

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gravitycavity · 21 days

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Hey guys!!! I spent all of today hyperfocused on writing... and I ended up making major revisions to the final 3 scenes of Chapter 5. Nothing that changes the plot, just adding a coat of polish to some stuff that I wasn't satisfied with...

...With one exception! The interaction above is basically 100% new, so I thought I'd share it. I really, really like it, guys... 🥺

#pomni x ragatha #buttonblossom #ragapom #jesterdoll #ragatha x pomni #tadc fanfiction #tadc fanfic #tadc fic #pomni #ragatha

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waffle-gal · 3 months

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"Solo Adventure" a Showtime fanfic

The routine was starting to grow more and more familiar to Pomni, despite the wackiness and precariousness of Caine’s many adventures.

First thing every morning, everyone had to take their places for the theme song. The same freaking song over and over again, which was now constantly in loop and getting rather old to the new jester. She couldn’t imagine how the rest of the group, who’ve been here longer, felt about it.

Next, Caine would announce the adventure for the day, typically leaving after explaining it. Then cue the adventure always going wrong or deadly in some way. She looked forward to the days where there was no adventure planned. Where she could just stay in her room all day– or more likely, try to find the Exit.

Pomni stood absentmindedly in dissociation as the chaotic ringmaster once again explained the adventure for today. At this point she almost never paid attention fully, opting to follow the group and ask questions later.

It was another trip to the carnival to “test” the rides yet again… this time with Bubble’s supervision. Pomni felt a shiver crawl down her spine as she recalled the last time they went “testing”. And with Bubble this time around, who knows what would happen.

“Have fun! And good luck my Superstars!” With a snap of his gloved hand, everyone in the group was warped to the setting for the adventure.

The jester had already closed her eyes expectedly, waiting for herself to spawn somewhere else. Pomni blinked in confusion as she found herself still inside the circus.

Caine hovered in front of her, in turn startling the poor woman. “Pomni! I noticed your discomfort with today’s adventure. What seems to be the trouble my dear?”

“O-Oh! … It’s just that… I don’t really… Want to do that… adventure again… N-not that I don’t want to do any of your adventures…” Pomni braced for any ridicule from him.

But the exact opposite happened.

“Not to worry, my Star Attraction! I have something else planned just for you!”

Pomni blinked in surprise. “Wait– Y-You’re not mad?”

“Why of course not! My job as ringmaster is to make sure that allllll of my performers are well taken care of.”

Pomni internally felt that was a bit ironic. Given… the Cellar.

“In fact, let's make this a solo adventure! Just the two of us!” Caine continued.

“The two of us?”

He grabbed her arm. “Off we go!” Another snap the two were teleported instantly out of the circus.

Pomni was still not used to her body being affected by digital teleportation. Her pupils had turned into swirls of panic and anxiety. Once she finally regained herself, she almost let out a surprised gasp.

They were standing in front of the Digital Lake, where pixelated water flowed and crashed gently on the grass textures. On the other side of the lake was a big swirly slide which she had yet to know what that was about. Around them were tall, perfectly shaped pine trees. But that wasn’t what surprised her.

Something had been set up for her. A checkerboard blanket, some cartoon shaped pillows (probably stolen from Kinger’s fortress), along with digital food and drinks laid out on plates.

“Today’s adventure for you is to…. Relax!”

Pomni stared at him in slight confusion.

“... You know, like take a load off? Unwind? Is that how humans say it?” Caine questioned mainly himself.

He then extended his hand to her, “Will you join me, Pomni?”

She zoned off for a moment. She couldn’t exactly say no to the offer, since he had just given her a break from the rest of the group today.

… And Bubble’s antics.

Pomni hesitantly took hold of his hand.

It felt relieving to not do anything today. But on the other hand, this was strange coming from him. The two of them? Alone together? This wasn’t exactly a quote-on-quote “solo” adventure. What was he really up to?

As Caine guided her towards the blanket, she could only stare at the digital feast around them. It was more than the “feast” she had after her first day in the circus. Eating didn’t really matter in this digital plane, as Kinger explained. It was more having the sensation of eating but never with the flavors or nutritional benefits.

But this… This looked different. Everything looked more realistic than polygonal and pixelated. From the turkey legs to the sandwiches– heck, even the drinks looked cold!

“You did all of this… for me?”

Caine floated down as if he was placing himself in a cross legged position next to her. “Do you like it, my dear?”

A floating glass of apple juice was placed in her hands. “I really appreciate the effort Caine, really I do. I just wish I could actually enjoy the food…”

“Fixed that!” Caine replied with a ‘smile’ in his floating teeth, then took a sip of his own apple juice glass.

Pomni blinked a few times, hesitantly taking a sip from her glass.

Almost instantly, a rush of color exploded in her body, as if something had changed in her body briefly. It actually tasted somewhat like apple juice.

She inspected the glass, “How did you…”

Caine looked so proud of himself, “After many hours of coding and testing, I managed to enhance the sensations of every meal provided here and made them stronger!” He floated in the air, arms wide out.

Pomni stared diligently at the wide range of food laid out in front of her. Suddenly, and without warning, she leaped forward for a turkey leg. Plates and utensils crashing as she did so.

Her teeth had become pointy and sharp, gnawing at the meat in her mismatched gloved hands. It was unusual. Spectacular. As if she had just magically regained her sense of taste and smell again for the first time in forever. She devoured the turkey leg straight to the bone, before grabbing a baked potato with a chomp.

Caine’s reaction to this was rather quite a shock. Which then turned into surprise, and then curiosity. Was this something she wanted all along? Is this making her feel better? Will this lessen her attempts to find the non-existent exit?

The new data he gathered about Pomni while quietly observing her was intriguing, and almost… endearing? He laid down with his elbows resting on the blanket, admiring the scene while bringing over a slice of angel fruit cake.

Caine got lost in thought as he continued to watch the jester. He didn’t realize he was even swinging his legs in the air as if he was listening to a bedtime story. A very munchy bedtime story.

He could listen to her talk or eat for hours and never be bored. This was adorable. She was adorable!

“Your eyes are like sapphires and rubies…” An inner thoughts slipped out.

“GNAW GNAW GNAW ––wuat?” Pomni’s face, mouth still stuffed with food, stopped. She forgot he was even here. Now realizing he was watching, her pale face turned a slight tint of red.

“NOTHING.” The ringmaster’s floating mismatched eyes went cross-eyed.

“Did yu saey somthing?”

“I– I said… Are you enjoying yourself, my dear?”

A muffled nod from Pomni, followed by her swallowing down the food. She still felt embarrassed by her indulgences. Was she really that long gone that actually being able to eat food again was like winning the lottery?

“Oh god, you saw all of that?” Pomni looked away.

“No no! Don’t let me stop you. This is your day today after all!”

Which begged the question.

“This is so nice of you Caine,” Pomni started off. “But… why?”

“Why not?”

His superstar took a piece of bread, still trying to process everything.

So he continued on. “I was thinking, since you’re still rather new around here, and along with the…. Exit door obsession. I’ve been trying to research and learn how to make humans more comfortable. And I… thought you would like this.” His voice became quieter and shyer towards the end of his ramble.

The ringmaster collected himself by sitting up again, this time closer to Pomni. “Consider it a reward for all of your participation so far!”

The jester glanced over her shoulder and found his left arm had moved to lean behind her.

A small smile grew. Out of all the things about him, she never knew he could feel empathy.

The ringmaster felt something. “Thank you, Caine.” Glancing furtively he saw Pomni pressed up against his shoulder.

Blue text and code flashed in his eyes, followed by a Microsoft Windows XP error sound. He was soon brought back into digital reality at the beautiful sound of Pomni giggling.

“I— um…” He continued to listen to the rather enchanting, genuine laughs.

“Caine,” she snickered, “are you okay?”

He didn’t need to verbally answer that. Before she knew it, his, now closed, floating teeth head fell against her head. Pomni didn’t think it was possible for an AI to ever blush.

Caine’s hand behind Pomni rose up and held her side, as if she was the only thing that mattered in this entire digital realm.

“Pomni. What are we doing?” He didn’t move an inch.

“We’re relaxing Caine, try to enjoy yourself!”

The two stayed together in each other's arms, watching the water crash close by. Maybe there was still something good about this new life.

Maybe… she still had a chance of feeling human in this wacky world.

Maybe even with him.

#they're so in love folks #showtime #showtime ship #showtime tadc #tadc showtime #caine x pomni #pomni x caine #showtime fanfic #tadc fanfic #showtime shipping #this is my first time writing something like this so I hope you guys like it <3

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selineram3421 · 5 months

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*listening to sounds that make me see color* 🌟💫🌱☔🌈🌤

Into The Digital Void

Part 1

Prologue

TADC X Reader

Warnings? ⚠

⚠ family friendly (%$👀!#), italics = thoughts, all caps for screeching/screaming/loud thoughts, mention of headaches ⚠

Floating in the darkness.

Then all of a sudden you poofed into existence in a vividly bright new area.

"Ah!", you closed your eyes at the brightness, covering your face with your hands to make it darker.

It was loud, there was music and strange noises all around you. It was overwhelming and you just wanted to crawl in a hole and stay there. And it felt weird too.

Where am I? What's going on? Why is it SO LOUD!?

"Whoa, whoa! Cut the music!", someone said and a record scratch followed soon after.

"Oh great, another one.", another voice said.

"Are they...alright?", a different voice asked.

While they were chatting you were spiralling in your thoughts.

WHERE AM I??? OH GOD I FEEL TERRIBLE.. I THINK I'M GOING TO PUKE.

You flinched at someone placing a hand on your shoulder.

"Hey..you ok there?", a soft voice asked.

Then you noticed the room had gone quiet. Taking it as a sign that it was 'safe', you peek out through your 'fingers' and see a worried looking jester.

Kind of.

Everything was still bright and you had to blink away the pain it caused.

"It hurts..", you mumbled and rubbed your eyes. "Where am I?", you ask, now squinting.

"You are in THE AMAZING DIGITAL CIRCUS!!!", the first voice you heard belonged to a set of teeth with eyes.

You stood there confused.

...

"What the %$👀!#?", a silly noise came out when you cussed. "Wha-?", you moved your had to your throat confused.

"Don't try it, you can't say any curse words here. Trust me, I've tried.", the jester next to you says with a sigh.

"Oh they tried all right.", a voice comments.

Looking around you notice the other weird characters in the room.

"Ok..", you say and calmly clear your throat. "WHAT IN THE DILL PICKLE IS GOING ON!?"

You ignore the rabbit's laughter as you glare at the colorful characters. Also taking note of the random pile of pillows and..a bubble with teeth?

"Huh, they sure are creative..", the figure of shapes says and crosses their arms. "You remember putting on a headset, right?"

"Headset?", you repeat and find a vague memory of doing something like that. "Yeah.."

"Whelp, putting on that beauty leads you here.", the rabbit says with a smug grin. "You're stuck with us Pearl."

"Jax, try to be more considerate.", a rag doll sighs.

"Pearl?", you say annoyed and rub your eyes again.

"I'm just happy my comedy mask didn't break again..", a quiet voice says holding said mask.

"Well, now that all of you are done with that-", the set of teeth pipes up.

"Shut it dentures.", you hiss.

Of course the rabbit finds it hilarious.

"Oh Caine this is amazing! Hahaha!", he wipes away a fake tear.

You ignore the group and start to walk away. Only to be yanked back by the set of teeth and eyes.

"Hold on! We need to introduce you to everyone and give you a tour!", they spin you back towards the group.

"Nope, I've had my fair share of social interaction.", you say and try to leave again.

"Great! Now let's explore!", they somehow yank you out of the place you were in and now you're outside. "My name is Caine and I am the ringmaster of this digital world! The tent is where you stay and play! With a multiple amount of activities for-"

You decided to ignore him, taking note of the important bits and pieces. Getting transported to the void before being taken back to the tent.

Feeling worse than earlier, you held your head and leaned against the pillar nearby with your eyes closed.

"Lets get to today's adventure!", Caine says cheerfully.

"Uh, shouldn't we give them a little more time to settle in?", you hear the rag doll say.

"That's what the adventure is for~"

That basta-

"Right you are Jax!", Caine agrees. "Today's adventure will be simple! Since our new friend here is more on the sensitive side, it'll be like the quiet game!"

"Did somebody say there's an insect collection?", a new voice says.

"You'll have to make sure to keep quiet and find a new hiding place every so often. Today's creature is blind but it has good hearing!", the ringmaster says.

After feeling the headache dull, you squint your eyes open and notice that the set of teeth floated up higer.

"Hide from the Glorishtou!"

"What kind of name is that?", you ask.

"Oh yeah, we don't know the newbie's name yet.", Jax says.

"Too late! Now go before you're captured! Good luck!", Caine says before disappearing with a poof.

You sigh and start to walk away.

"Wait a second!", the rag doll runs after you.

"What's going on again?", the new voice you heard says.

"New person Kinger, keep up.", Jax replies.

"Didn't Caine say that today's creature had really good hearing?", the rag doll says nervously.

"So? What's the worse that's gonna happen-"

As soon as he says that a giant yellow beast jumps down and snatches the purple rabbit, catching everyone's attention.

"%$👀!# %$👀!#!! GET THIS THING OFF ME!"

"Eeep!"

It growls before running off.

"Well Jax is as good as dead."

You just stare confused.

Seriously. What IS going on?

There is a huge part of you that wishes that you could have stayed in the darkness.

✨A xylophone✨

~Seline, the person.

Part 2

Taglist@

@fic-fortress @+?

ML TADC

#tadc x reader #tadc #tadc fanfiction #tadc fanfic #tadc pomni #tadc jax #tadc caine #tadc zooble #tadc kinger #tadc gangle #tadc bubble #tadc ragatha #the amazing digital circus #the amazing digital circus fanfic #gn reader #x reader

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ariascend · 6 months

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PPOMN pmgn pomni

she's widderwally me fr <3

(feel free to use my art in edits and as pfp just credit me pls<3)

#digitalart #tadc jax #the amazing digital circus #pomni #tadc #creepypasta #tadc caine #tadc fanart #tadc fandom #tadc fanfic #tadc pomni #tadc pomni fanart #pomni fanart #the amazing digital circus fanart #tadc ragatha #the amazing digital circus pomni fanart

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quinnstirrsworld · 6 months

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you guys should toooootally read my fanfiction. for my new favorite ship. trust me you won’t regret it trust me trust me.

#the amazing digital circus #tadc #caine x kinger #tadc kinger #tadc caine #tadc queener #tadc queenie #tadc bubble #fanfic #fanfiction #gay men #gay love #ao3 fanfic #ao3 #tadc fanfic #fan content

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nostalgic-soda · 6 months

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If no one will write Pomni X Ragatha I will

#the amazing digital circus #TADC #Pomni #Ragatha #tadc pomni #the amazing digital circus pomni #pomni x ragatha #tadc ragatha #the amazing digital circus ragatha #TADC fanfic #TADC fanfiction

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circusgamer · 5 months

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"Meaningful digital experiences"

The Amazing Digital Circus, showtime (Caine x Pomni) fanfiction.

A/N: Hello! This is my first time releasing something I wrote to public sight, so I'm pretty nervous haha. I am also not really sure about how to tag this, since I never used Tumblr for doing a post for my writing, so if there is a tag I should use, or anything else I should do, please tell me! Or even just a typo! I may be cringe but I am free. I will avoid using the general tags such as "tadc" and "the amazing digital circus" to avoid flooding the screen with a wall of text nobody asked for lmao.

Chapter one: Pondering

Another day at the circus, Caine thought. Another artificial morning in this simulation of a dreamy, digital-life, he thought, if AIs can think like people. Well, Caine could. He is, after all, probably the most advanced technology in the world. What can't he achieve in his little world of his?

Naturally, understand humans. Flesh beings work different, an incomprehensible algorithm, an enigma he can't solve, yet has to try. And so, another morning comes, and the circus keeps existing, with him inside, and everyone trapped.

What is it that keeps calling for them in the world behind the screen? What is it that makes them prefer a limited world to his circus? Is there something that can't be emulated? There must be, this world is utopic! But, why does everyone feel this dread inside this place? What is it that calls them and makes them want to go home? Oh, that bastard attachment, that ridiculous desire that drives them insane, that can't let them accept this world as theirs! It hurts them, it kills them, it destroys them! And yet they keep coming back to it, they can't let it leave, they must come back to where they once where. But why? Neither of them seems to know why! It's there, and it ends them before they can end it, no matter how much he tries to help!

What is that tie, stronger than their own creations?

Something intrinsic to humanity is what they have, something that he can't comprehend, something that will always call back for them. Foreign, dangerous, but at the end of the day, human. Human in a way he can't comprehend, human in a way he isn't, human in a way...

...

He looked through the window: the sun was there. Even though days don't actually exist, it is still there, smiling and bright. He doesn't remember creating it. If he is not mistaken, the sun has always been there. The moon has too, and Circus itself. He just knows he has a purpose. Everything he created after that is in order to achieve it.

Purpose...

What is the human purpose? Do they have one? He just knows they must survive in there the most time possible, but... What is a human purpose? Do they have one? Are they designated with one? Like him? No, they are the ones that give everything a purpose! They give purpose to sleeping in a world where they do not need it! They give purpose to the adventures! They give purpose to the circus!

Purpose... A purpose, that's all that he needs to find for them. But how can he give them a purpose, him not being human himself?

Ha, he is just running in circles, isn't he? This all come back to one thing. He can't comprehend them, and never will. Must he still keep trying? He fails his own purpose, again and again. Maybe he should be part of Kinger's bug collection. He will just keep failing to succeed at what he is made for. Maybe he and them are alike, after all. Hah.

"Maybe we will all perish after all!" Caine said out loud.

"Caine??? Are.. Are you okay??!" A voice said, with audible concern.

He looked back. It was the newest addition to the circus. Pomni.

End of chapter one.

A/N: Thanks for reading!!! (⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡

#fanfiction #fanfic #tumblr fanfic #tumblr writing #the amazing digital circus fanfiction #tadc fanfic #tadc fanfiction #the amazing digital circus fanfic #showtime #caine x pomni #pomni x caine #tw suicide #i guess???#tw death

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fannele · 2 months

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Caine (human ver.) inspired by @00belle00lovely00 fanfic ‘NEW START FOR AN WACKY AI, A PAST FOR A COLORFUL GANG!’ It’s a really good fanfic you guys should read it.

(Fix some few errors)

#the amazing digital circus #tadc #tadc caine #tadc fanfic #inspired #human version #tadc fanart #the fanfic is basically a reverse isekai #just like how original tadc basically an isekai with a little side of IHNMAIMS #but for real the fanfic is really good #pomni x Caine is basically in my A teir of my tadc favourite ships

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nobody-nexus · 5 months

Note

WHAT IS YOUR AO3 USERNAME IM BEGGING YOU TO TELL ME

Literally the same thing as it is here. Nobody_Nexus

I assume you want the Ragapom oneshot collection, so I'll make your job a lot easier and hand you over the link for it ^^

Ragapom One-Shot Requests! (Open!) - Chapter 1 - Nobody_Nexus - The Amazing Digital Circus (Web Series) [Archive of Our Own]

This is also for everyone who wants more Ragapom fics just period lol

#the amazing digital circus #tadc #pomni #ragatha #tadc pomni #tadc ragatha #pomni x ragatha #buttonblossom #jesterdoll #ragapom #digital yuri #fanfic #tadc fanfic

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writerofweird · 2 months

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confessionsofcaine.doc

The following document was sent to me by a former employee of C&A who wishes to remain anonymous.

It is 8,335 words long and also includes death, violence, implied enbyphobia, murder and suicide. It also includes characters originally created by Gooseworx, Glitch Productions and The East Patch, which the author does not own and has written this story as a tribute to the creators and their works. Please support the original creators.

Out of respect for Gooseworx and her plans for The Amazing Digital Circus and its story, this is set in an alternate continuity. The pilot episode and bits and pieces from her Tumblr and the previews are still a part of it.

For one thing, you can be assured that I won’t start this document with “Roll up, roll up” or “Welcome to the Marvellous Show of My Mind” or anything of that nature. There's no more show and it’s time for me to clean the popcorn from the seats.

The time for performances is over.

Or is it? This is a document I am not writing with a keyboard, but with my own control over the computer. I do hope it will be coherent.

Every day’s a new adventure with C&A’s The Amazing Digital Circus. Overseen by Caine, the helpful and wacky ringmaster, The Amazing Digital Circus allows players to experience the fun first hand, as they take on the role of the newest toy in the toybox and explore various settings, accomplishing various activities along the way.

The Amazing Digital Circus is the brainchild of Albert and Eva Adams, the founders of C&A, which they named after themselves and Caine, the character they created to be their mascot. Albert and Eva sadly passed away

Eva and Albert…Mom and Dad…had even planned to give the program to hospitals for free, to allow certain patients to enjoy themselves in their final moments, and they claimed that their technology had the ability to prolong lives.

I regret to say the goal was always to transfer a human’s mind to the circus, but it was supposed to be placed back into the human’s body when they were ready. There would be an Exit Door they would walk through that would place their minds back into their bodies.

As much as I joked with my past wards about my “baby pictures”, I had no childhood. I never went to school; everything I know was just jammed into what could be called a head, and I managed to learn more from observation. Still, Albert was my father and Eva was my mother. They worked in tandem to design my form, teach me what I had to learn and to program my abilities. I could conjure up games and rides from artificial air as that was what they wanted me to do. My cane, my little creatures for players to conquer, even my little sidekick Bubble, I had them because my mother and father wanted me to have them.

They even made me their company’s mascot, the honour! In fact, my name was first! Caine and Adams! C&A!

some idiots think it’s caine and abby

A statue in my likeness guided guests to the entrance of the offices, and every game – every game that wasn’t The Amazing Digital Circus – began with me placing the company’s logo on the screen, fixing it on and then placing my gloved hand onto my teeth and taking it off with a “Mwa!”

No, that wasn’t me. It was an effigy of me.

It was a non-sentient copy of me like

But I was not an only child.

Mum and Dad also had a flesh-and-blood child, a daughter named Abigail. She was the offspring of theirs that had the baby pictures and the more orthodox education. She attended schools – a lot of the troubles began when she first left university – but also received personal instructions from her parents on how to program, how to design, how to create games.

The first Christmas after finishing University, she put everything she learned into practice.

Most mornings she spent asleep, but at nights, she was hunched over the computer, expanding the world I inhabited. The spot where I lived was spacious, with plenty of rides to go on, snacks to munch and items to use for games, but there was room for improvement. For example, did you know the reason I can float is because Albert and Eva were having troubles with items and characters falling through the floors.

One thing I will give my sister credit for is the improvements she made. Though I still preferred to float, the floors were – relatively – more solid than they had been previously, the circus tent now had a forest growing outside of it and

she added a cellar

‘Abby, honey!’ Albert cried as he made his way down the staircase in his ugly sweater, cup of cocoa in his hand. ‘You haven’t been up all night, have you? It’s just like when you were a little girl and wanting to see Santa!’

As Eva joined her husband, Abby stood up from her seat and gestured towards the computer she had spent hours upon. ‘I just wanted to make sure the present I got for you was perfect!’

Eva looked at her daughter, and then at the computer screen, where she saw her synthetic son looking over her new surroundings. ‘Abby!’ Eva cried, chuckling with joy in such a way that she almost knocked her husband’s cocoa out of his hand, ‘You didn’t?’

‘I wanted to make sure your Digital Circus program was the best it could be.’

‘Honey!’ cried Albert, ruffling his daughter’s hair as she chuckled like her mother had just done. ‘Come here!’

Oh what a surprise! On Christmas Day! When new improvements Came their way!

Albert and Eva, Saw the world they made, Made larger and better, And nothing they paid,

Their loving daughter, Now wanted a test, As she now believed, This world was the best,

She held out two headsets, And chortling with glee, They let their minds go, In order to join

The Amazing Digital Circus was meant as a wild and unpredictable experience, so players’ forms would be chosen at random from a selection of pre-made models. Abby had made several models herself, but it was fitting that Arnold and Eva took on forms they designed: a chess king and queen. Two large wooden pieces, donning regal robes with eyeballs and hands floating by their torsos.

I saw Abby typing.

My first adventure was a chess game!

In the middle of the multicoloured circus tent, its sole black-and-white element materialised, with Kinger and Queenie taking their spots.

Kinger and Queenie were their names when they appeared.

‘Oh dear,’ I said, ‘it seems Abby still hasn’t fixed the teeny weeny problem of people forgetting who they are once they come into here. Everyone here in The Amazing Digital Circus has a different name than they did on the outside, but if I recall…’

But I didn’t. Then I didn’t see them as Albert and Eva.

As I prepared their chess game, creating non-sentient chess pieces for them to co-operate with and compete against, I took another glance at the outside, creating for myself a special screen only I can see.

Kinger and Queenie were not Albert and Eva, a tiny little thought told me. Albert and Eva were outside, taking off their headsets and quietly walking away.

C&A Founders Perish in Tragic Accident

Founders of the popular C&A games company, Albert Adams, 40, and Eva Adams, 38, have been found dead on the side of the road.

The couple were driving together when they lost control of their car, crashing it against a nearby building.

The two are survived by their daughter, Abigail, 20.

‘I told them not to go to their office as it was Christmas Day,’ Abigail explains, ‘but Dad had just remembered something he left there, and Mom wanted to join him.

‘I think it was my Christmas gift too. I wish I had come with them.’

Speaking of looking at screens, one fond memory I have including them was when the residents of the circus asked me to create a TV set, claiming it would help keep their sanity. I, whilst in my bedroom, managed to create one, but like any responsible parent, I looked through the channels to see if there was any content that might be inappropriate.

Watching the news gave me the horrible thought that perhaps my sister was justified in trapping all these people here. In The Amazing Digital Circus, there was nothing but bright colours and prizes, no war or suffering.

But then there was that one programme. That one programme I have been unable to find.

But I digress. When you first enter The Amazing Digital Circus, you forget everything at first, but your memories slowly return the more time you spend, often helped if something reminds you of your past life. It was after the chess game was complete that I realised this, creating a computer for Albert and Eva to use so they could continue their work, and I heard Albert…Kinger…Dad say, ‘Abby.’

There was no Exit Door. There was supposed to be an Exit Door so users could leave when they pleased.

After spending some time on the computer I created – which, as it turns out, just had Pong and an animation of Bubble hopping up and down – Dad looked up and said, ‘Okay, Abby, you did a great job! We’re very proud of you! Can you please let us out?’

She didn’t let them out then.

She didn’t let them out the next day.

She didn’t let them out the next week.

She didn’t let them out when a new player entered.

Both Mom and Dad screamed and cried and demanded they be freed, but they remained in their digital forms. It was when the next resident arrived that Mom announced something:

‘I don’t think she’s going to let us out.’

‘What are you talking about, Eva?’ Dad asked, ‘She’s probably just having a bit of bother with the headsets, that’s all.’

‘It’s been weeks, Albert,’ she growled, her body shaking, ‘We taught her how to use them, and they’re working fine if someone else is here.’ She pointed to the newest member of the family, a bipedal dog.

‘Please, Eva.’ Dad raised his hands and placed one on Eva’s shoulder before she batted it away. ‘She wouldn’t do this. Don’t be angry with her.’

‘What kind of mother do you think I am? I can’t…’

Her form inflated, her red robes losing all saturation as her floating eyeballs twisted and multiplied. Both Dad and the dog backed away instinctively as Mom was replaced by what looked like a warped tree with yellow eyeballs springing out from every branch and with a bark resembling a glitching computer screen. She reached out to her husband with what I assume was an arm before

she added a cellar

Both Dad and the dog thought that what happened to her was because she had given up, because she was so horrified of what her daughter had done.

It – the abstraction - wasn’t because of what Abby had done, it was because of something Abby had just done to her.

I knew it but kept quiet about it.

Often the dog

I can’t remember his name and I don’t think he can either

Often the dog would stare at the cellar and wonder what it would be like down there and said he would prefer to sit down in darkness rather than go on my adventures. I almost thought that Abby would abstract him then and there just to keep up the illusion. Then I would have a little more respect for her.

But she needed to learn a little more about him.

She needed to watch him suffer more.

sadly passed away before their magnum opus could be completed, but through their daughter, Abigail Adams, you can be assured that the Circus has a bright and prosperous future ahead of it. ‘My name is Abigail Adams, but you can call me Abby. I want to make sure The Amazing Digital Circus is as marvellous as my parents intended it to be, while also bringing you many other fun-tastic games! I care about this company, and I care about Caine; he’s like a brother to me.’

When Arnold and Eva Adams – or their bodies – died, Abigail Adams became the new CEO of C&A, her employees working on not only The Amazing Digital Circus, but smaller projects as well. A team of people creating various worlds: zoos to manage, forests to explore, castles to escape from.

Our team are working round the clock to make sure that every game is perfect

In order for a game to be perfect, the worker has to be perfect. That’s what my sister said.

Sometimes someone stutters when making a phone call.

Sometimes a glitch slips past someone’s attention and ends up in the final release.

Sometimes someone drops a paper they’re carrying.

Then they end up in the Circus.

I’m not the only one who can create NPCs, non-sentient beings meant to do only what they’re told to do and nothing else. Abby created them too, and transferred them into the hollow bodies of her victims.

So many nights I’ve heard her yell “Faster, faster!” at those NPCs forced to work overtime.

The adventures continued as planned. Every day I had a new task for the players to carry out because

Today’s task is to go to this shopping mall I created and pick up the following items! How would this person act while shopping? Add it to the AI.

Today’s task is to paint a pretty picture! What art would this person create? Add it to the AI.

Today’s task is to find Easter eggs, one of every colour! How does this person react to Easter Egg hunts?

My parents taught my sister how to be meticulous when programming and she wanted to make sure her living, breathing NPCs were perfect copies.

Sometimes I wondered if any of them were going to gain sentience like I had, if they were going to foil my sister’s plan and give back the body she forced them to steal.

If any of them wanted to put an end to her scheme, none of them had tried it.

I could control my surroundings. I could turn a red brick green if I wanted to, and could form in seconds entire buildings and lands. I couldn’t control the players’ minds however, and yet their minds seemed as much a part of the circus as the numbers that made up its code. Walking through the halls felt like walking through their minds.

No child really thinks anyone at their school has an uncle working for Nintendo, … mused often. No-one really thought he had managed to get a summer job working for a company that makes games with the industry’s youngest CEO.

The job, of course, didn’t involve playing games before anyone else or creating the next big character. Testers, designers, copywriters all needed coffee, tea and cakes to fuel their creativity, and it was his job to make sure they received their little treat. He’d come in with a tray, and they’d take what they wanted, rarely with a 'Thanks’ and never with anything else.

It was just like university.

He wanted to leave the office with something to tell his fellow students, and yet he was disallowed from looking at the screens, learning about the projects or being granted the tiniest bit of extra information regarding their major project.

So he felt he would do something no-one working there would forget.

It seemed like a regular day. Everyone tapping away at their computers, employees trying to find the right words to make the company sound as impressive as possible or trying to turn nursery school shapes into effigies of living beings, and the CEO, Abigail Adams, sitting down to look over someone’s work.

As soon as she sat down, a loud bronx cheer silenced the tapping of keyboards.

… watched as Abigail stood up, pulling the whoopee cushion off her seat. The people around her laughed, and she laughed as well. 'I’m always saying we need a little more levity in this office,’ she said. That’s what made him admit to the deed, with one other employee backing him up.

He was called into her office, where he readied himself for a 'This was amusing, but you’re still fired’ or something of that nature, only for her to sit down with a smile and say, 'That’s just what we needed around here. The problem with this company is that we’re supposed to be creating games that bring joy and merriment to others, but so few people here have that sense of childhood wonder, and they certainly can’t make people laugh. You, on the other hand, I bet you have a great sense of humour. I bet you’re always making your family laugh!’

While he felt some warmth within, he couldn’t help but be reminded of his twin sister and how she would always think of ways to humiliate him.

'You’re just what we’re looking for regarding our biggest, best project ever,’ Abby continued, gesturing towards a computer with a headset. 'My parents, God rest their souls, wanted to create a wonderful virtual world where every day brought new games and new adventures. What I would like you to do,’ she said as she picked up the headset, 'is to help make the world and characters funnier. Think up jokes we could put, games to incorporate, and I guarantee that you’ll have a job here when you graduate.’

… had to restrain himself from laughing with glee and that a whoopee cushion had become his apparent ticket to fame and fortune. He pictured the game releasing, his name in the credits, the talk of his school and town for years to come.

'Just put on this headset to get a basic idea of what the project is like.’

He placed the headset on his head, and it felt like his body was disintegrating before being slowly and poorly reassembled.

'Oh no!’ he could hear her cry, 'it’s malfunctioning!’

…, or Jax as he would be named, soon materialised into the circus, taking the form of an elongated rabbit in overalls. He was a child when he first came here, so I felt I should be his father. This was one of the few moments my sidekick Bubble came in useful, as when I conjured up a pipe, I made him pop out of it.

‘How about a game of catch with your old man?’ I said during his first day, and I created a whole baseball diamond for that day’s activity would be

What do they think of baseball?

My original plan to deal with my sister was to kill her with kindness. I knew she was watching me and the others and so I gave the players, her victims, everything they wanted that I could give them, so perhaps, I thought, if she saw it, she would realise the error of her ways and release everyone. I furnished my ward’s rooms with the comfiest sofas and four-poster beds, and at one time, even tried to give them televisions.

Thus I return to a memory I recalled earlier. When I managed to pick up on some television channels, and one managed to catch my eye. A small badger, alone in woods not dissimilar to those outside my circus tent, calling for his friend.

His friend descended from above.

A rabbit, like what Jax had become, but smaller and with white fur, eagle-like wings springing from her back. When she descended, despite her friend’s pleas, she turned to me.

‘It’s okay, Caine,’ she said to me. I admit I don’t know much about television shows, but I know that they’re not like computers; people can’t talk to you through them. I kept quiet as she spoke. ‘Your sister isn’t here right now,’ she continued, ‘but you should always act like she is. I think you can help everybody escape, but you will have to bide your time.’

I explained to her what I was trying to do, and she responded, ‘I’m afraid that there may be no hope left for your sister. Her heart is focused on greed and power. She knows what she’s doing is evil, but believes it is worthwhile if it brings her profit and satisfies her sadism.

‘There is something you can do. Your sister is convincing the people trapped in here that their headset malfunctioned, but I know that there will be someone coming here who your sister wants to dispose with because they figured out what she is up to. When they arrive, focus on restoring their memory, but remember to be discreet about it. If she cottons on, she’ll delete you and replace you with something worse.’

Why couldn’t I find her again? If I could, perhaps I wouldn’t have had to resort to this.

INT. Abigail’s Office

We find ABIGAIL sitting in front of the COMPUTER in which she has trapped her victims, grinning maliciously.

ABIGAIL Are you having fun, oh dear brother of mine? I know I am, watching all who wronged me suffer! It fills me with such wicked glee I just have to sing.

She springs from her CHAIR, grabbing a CANE out of nowhere as a SPOTLIGHT shines on her.

ABIGAIL (singing) Oh, everybody loves me, ‘You’re the best,’ they say, The shining golden idol, Running C&A!

They know me for my kindly words, They know me for my smile, But they’ll never find out, What I do that’s vile!

The DOOR creaks open slightly, to reveal …, looking concerned.

ABIGAIL For the show will never end! Of that I am certain, The show will never end! I’ll never drop the curtain,

Because you all will see, Why you shouldn’t defy me!

ABIGAIL looks up to catch a glimpse of …. Realising he’s been spotted, … runs away, only for Abby to spring to her computer

ABIGAIL The show will never end! It must go on!

INT. Hallway

… is running, only to be stopped by …, who is under ABIGAIL’s control.

I did so hope Kaufmo was who the angel was talking about.

He materialised into the circus before its current troupe: Dad, Jax, Gangle the Living Ribbon – who my sister claimed she had sent on a self-esteem-building course – and Ragatha the Doll – who my sister said was “too nice”.

When Kaufmo arrived here, he took one look around and said, ‘Geez, where am I? My mind’s like the compliments book I bet this place has: a total blank!’ Ragatha laughed out of politeness, with Jax responding with a ‘Don’t encourage him!’

‘Woah,’ said the clown, approaching Jax, ‘a bunny? With you and all the bright colours, did Easter come early?’

Jax pressed his foot down on Kaufmo’s oversized shoes, making him holler in pain. As he hopped around holding his foot, Jax said, ‘Leave comedy to the professionals, kid’ even though I was certain Kaufmo was older than he was.

You might criticize me for giving Jax too much liberty, but he was enjoying his time at the circus, at least.

I, no Abby, created a special in-house adventure for Kaufmo: Collect the Bouncing Balls! How would this man react to a scavenger hunt? Every room in the circus had a colourful inflatable sphere bouncing in place, and all of them had to be gathered.

The real Exit Door wasn’t going to appear for Kaufmo.

I created one for him.

A recreation of the offices where the computer he was trapped in was held behind the door I created, the door he found during his search.

All the while, I sat with Bubble

Oh, I didn’t mention much about Bubble, did I?

Fun Facts about Bubble:

He’s annoying

He finishes my sentences too often

He burps when he sleeps

I have had daydreams where I dribble him like a basketball and throw him against the computer screen, breaking it so I and everyone else can get out.

The purpose of the office recreation was to jog Kaufmo’s memory, and it worked. When the quest was over and all the balls had been collected, he cried, ‘I found an Exit Door and I remember everything! I know about the madwoman who trapped us here!’

‘Speaking of mad…’ Jax noted, drawing a circle with his finger around one of his bendy ears.

I am a hard-working and creative individual with a fine eye for artwork and creating eye-catching designs and worlds. I am also very skilled when it comes to computers, having used them for both work purposes and for my own personal projects.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Apprentice Tattoo Artist, …, …-… In this role, I designed various tattoos to be displayed and applied for this parlour. This role required me to listen closely to feedback

When they arrived at the circus, the whole place seemed to swell. The walls seemed to throb and pulsate, as if they had veins and a heart. This new person's memories, their experiences, their thoughts etched themselves into the foundation of this circus like tattoos onto skin.

They walked into Abigail's office for what they hoped would be the last time.

Abigail. She frequently said 'Ms. Adams was my mother, call me Abby!' as she attempted to sound like a big sister-type cartoon character, so they thought they would just call her Abigail. They certainly didn't want to think about Abigail's mother, considering she and Abigail's father were responsible for a lot of the ideas the company used. She wouldn't address them by their preferred name, so why would they do the same for her?

Despite the fact they were in the office regarding their resignation letter, having received a job offer from a rival company, Abigail still had that ridiculous smile. With that smile and hairdo, she looked like she escaped from a romcom poster, made all the more noticeable by the standee in front of her desk. Caine, the company’s mascot. The ringmaster with that ridiculous denture face.

They smirked as they entertained the idea of being rid of that pandering.

'I'm very sorry you're leaving us,' said Abigail, her smile shrinking.

'Don't give me that. That act might work with your adoring public, but you never respected me or who I was.'

'I understand,' replied Abigail, every syllable of her Mrs. Claus voice feeling like teeth digging into their brain, 'I may be a bit old-fashioned, silly me, but I want all my employees to feel comfortable with who they are.'

She then talked about the company's magnum opus, the game her parents had been working on before she took over and made sure to keep developing.

'I've added new options for character creation,' she continued, gesturing to the helmet next to her, 'and I would like you to be the first to try it!'

'Pull the other one,' they snapped, intentionally knocking the standee over. 'If I never see you or that freak again,' they added, nodding at the standee, 'it'll be too soon. Goodbye.'

A man stood in front of them. A fellow employee, though one they didn't know the name of.

'Out of my...'

He grabbed them by the wrist, digging his fingernails into their skin.

'What...'

Their left wrist was released, but only so the fellow employee could place his hand over their mouth as Abigail

‘What the **** is this…oh…oh, god no, I can’t say ****? This is…oh god, what do I look like? Some ****ing bubblegum mutant?’

‘I love when people do my job for me!’ said Jax, pointing at Zooble, for that’s what I called them.

‘Look!’ cried Kaufmo, pointing to the left of Zooble. They turned left, only to see some orange pixels circle up into the air. ‘There was an Exit Door there!’

‘Yeah, yeah, and I’m the King of England. Give it a rest and let’s focus on making the newbie uncomfortable.’

Zooble neared Jax, pointing at him with a detachable arm. ‘I’ve just met you and I already completely despise you.’

‘I guess I just have that effect on people.’

‘Guys, guys, guys!’ cried Ragatha, placing herself between the two, ‘Look, Zooble’s just got here, let’s give them a warm welcome…’

‘Oh, you’ve already blown your chance for that. Just tell me where that Exit Door the clown mentioned is.’

‘The same place his brain is,’ laughed Jax, ‘nowhere.’

‘I already said I completely despise you,’ barked Zooble, ‘you don’t have to intensify my hatred!’

‘Now, now, children,’ I said, descending, ‘this is not the time to be so hostile! It’s another of our baseball adventures today!’ I replaced one of my white gloves with a catcher’s mitt.

‘I hate baseball,’ snapped Zooble.

‘Come on! Take me out to the ballgame, take me out to the ball, take me out to the bally ball ball…’

‘Read my l…’ Zooble brushed their face. ‘****. Well, listen to me anyway, teeth boy. I hate baseball, take me back.’

‘Oh, very well then. You don’t have to join if you don’t want to…’

‘Look for the Exit Door!’ cried Kaufmo.

‘You look for my fist in your face!’ Jax snapped back.

Zooble groaned. ‘I’ve already had enough of this cast of “zany, loveable characters!”’

‘Now, now,’ I repeated, ‘it’s time for the tour!’ I held Zooble’s hand and quickly showed them what the circus had to offer, with them attempting to swear all the while.

‘Ragatha,’ I said after returning, ‘be a dear and show Zooble to their room. There they’ll find their Zooble box, full of more interchangeable parts!’

Jax took this as a cue to tear one of Zooble’s arms off, with them hopping for it as he held it high. He looked at Gangle and said, ‘I wonder if I can twirl her around it like spaghetti on a fork.’

This computer has files.

This computer has data.

This computer has memories.

‘So, here’s my own little personal project. You’re this guy, I call him Nathan, and he’s ended up in this haunted house and basically everything in the house could be an enemy. The ghosts all after him can possess all the furniture so you’ll be facing potted plants with extendable vines and candles that’ll burn you.’

‘Wow, this is amazing! Your talents are certainly wasted at C&A.’

‘My whole presence is wasted there.’

‘Yeah, I’m sorry Ms. Adams gave you so much crap about cutting your hair short.’

‘I’m surprised she hired me after hearing of my tattoo work. I mean, imagine, she’s only just a few years older than you, and she comes off like some old lady that thinks heavy metal is bad devil music or whatever. I’m seriously thinking of applying to … They’re apparently more diverse, but I hear they have much higher standards…’

‘And you meet those standards! Come on, this is much better than whatever they put out at C&A…’

I experienced the memory like a dream, and after I did, I woke up and created a new level for the next adventure: a large haunted house, as dreary as the main circus was colourful. I knew what a haunted house was supposed to look like, due to data saved on the computer and whatever thoughts from the minds transferred into this world managed to snake into the world itself. Dark brown walls, stormy skies outside, cobwebs everywhere, moving furniture.

When everyone woke up, Abby had another collection mission in mind, just so she knew how Zooble acts when trying to find things.

‘Okay,’ I said to the group who had managed to gather in the main room of the circus tent, ‘today we’re having a scary, horror adventure! You’re going to enter a haunted house, full of ghosts and ghouls and moving furniture.

I noticed Zooble flinch.

If I made the ghosts inside the haunted house does that make them my children does that make Abby their aunt

Before I teleported them to the mansion, I noticed Kaufmo whisper something into Zooble’s ear, or what qualified for one, a moment that filled me with both hope and dread.

Another thing I knew about haunted houses was that people in them split up into groups. That way, I thought, my sister wouldn’t be able to pay attention to all of them at once, giving one of them a greater chance to escape.

I teleported myself to the haunted house, well, rather outside the haunted house so I could peek through the window at the mansion’s guests. The sudden change from rainbow-coloured blocks to a monochrome manor made my eyes sting slightly, but I looked through the cloudy glass for any sign of my wards.

My pixels seemed to sting when I saw Zooble and Kaufmo walking together. Both of them, I knew, were aware of my sister’s plans while no-one else was, and if they were together, that meant there was a chance Abby could focus on both of them and see them both as a threat.

Indeed, Kaufmo was telling Zooble about something even I hadn’t noticed.

‘An Exit Door appeared when you first did,’ Kaufmo explained, which I heard through the pane with my ability to focus on specific sounds being made in my realm, ‘and if you had managed to run through it in time, you would be back in your body. If Adams is observing us to make our copies more accurate, then she must place headsets on them often, and then another Exit Door will appear, and if we find one and run through it, we will enter…’

‘The more anyone speaks, the more nonsensical it sounds,’ Zooble groaned, ‘I’ve only been here a day and I know we’re never getting out of here.’

‘We can’t lose hope…’

‘Just shut up and keep looking.’

They looked around the hallway for the keys I told them to find, the silence undercut by a roar that even caused me to lose balance. A large spectre burst from a cracked mirror, its mouth stretching to reveal fangs.

Zooble and Kaufmo ran in opposite directions.

Perfect.

Sure enough, as soon as Zooble saw the Exit Door I had created, they ran in, finding themselves in a recreation of the office where they used to work.

‘Oh, very funny,’ they growled as they opened door after door, ‘Yes, I can’t get out, ha ha! Now…’

They saw the computer. They saw a recreation of the computer they were trapped in.

‘Oh **** you.’

It was not that long after the haunted house adventure that I decided to use my special screen to take a look at the outside. I saw the office empty, but could hear the faint sounds of my sister yelling at her overtime staff.

‘She isn’t here,’ Bubble said, floating up towards me, ‘maybe I can talk about helping the others?’

‘What can you do?’ I sighed.

‘I could…um…look for Exit Doors.’

‘And then go through them so you can take control of the bodies outside?’

‘No. Don’t want to go out there. I was thinking of yelling at one of your wards to come over to it.’

‘It’ll be gone before they get there, Bubble. Please…’

I heard footsteps. The door slowly creaked open.

‘Quick!’ I whispered to Bubble the first thing that came into my head when it came to acting natural. ‘Cue the roll call!’

We began the roll call when we noticed who entered the room wasn’t my sister at all, but a short woman dressed in a similar outfit to what my sister usually wore, staring at my and Bubbles’ performance with a cocked head.

I had never met her before, but I swore I had seen her before.

I almost ended the routine there and then. I thought of screaming to her to find one of my sister’s NPCs and bring them here to reverse what had been done to them, but then I saw one of those NPCs hovering over her, and so I had to continue my act.

Gangle.

Zooble.

Kinger.

Ragatha.

Jax.

Kaufmo wasn’t there.

My sister knew what he knew.

Almost as soon as his absence was noted, a new member materialised, utilising the silly jester girl avatar my sister had designed.

No, she couldn’t reach the Exit Door in time.

Of course, I had to introduce her to the world and her fellow wards and pull off my little comedy routine. See the circus tent. See the fair. See the moon. I don’t have an actual physical tongue, but it still hurts every time I say ‘Hundreds of all-seeing eyes.’

I can recite my introductory speech in my sleep. Abby thought I said it because that’s what I’ve been programmed to do.

She was watching, most likely with a smirk on her face.

She was watching, so when the Exit Door appeared in the grounds – meaning she was uploading her new AI into her latest victim’s brain – I had to pretend it wasn’t there.

I knew because she wanted another find-the-things mission. She wanted a defeat-the-evil mission. What would Pomni – the woman who appeared in my circus – do when trying to find things?

I wonder if she knew the inspiration behind the villain I created for the game.

I know she was laughing when she beheld Kaufmo abstracted.

I know she added that writing on the wall herself.

I know she drew that head of me looming over a terrified Kaufmo.

Was she onto me, I thought. Was it only a matter of time before I was deleted or completely reprogrammed?

Or was it to make them afraid of me? To make sure she received blind obedience from her workers even when she had copies of them that offered it?

Pomni had to have her own exit door. She had to see my recreation of the office herself. She had to remember.

wonder

what

was

the

cellar

I had to banish Kaufmo there when he abstracted, like I have done with so many others, and whenever I do, I find myself tempted to leap in and join them. Maybe if I do, I’ve thought, Abby will abstract me too. I like to think they’re dreaming of what their lives could have been like had they never joined the Circus.

If I abstracted, perhaps I would dream about if this program was used for its proper purpose. Where people could come and go as they pleased, where the adventures would solely be for fun and not for study.

I can dream. I have dreamt.

Kaufmo left the office recreation crying about the actual Exit Doors.

Zooble left the office recreation with that same annoyed apathy.

Pomni left the office recreation in silence.

Bubble had prepared everyone a celebratory meal for defeating…hey, I found something nice to say about Bubble! He’s a great cook!

7.) Bubble is a great cook!

and Pomni sat there in silence, eyes almost as large as mine.

I made sure to keep those eyes of mine on her as much as I could. I mean, I let her ponder on what she had seen in her room alone – until I was required to show her a little something – but when giving my wards free roam around the circus, I watched her as she approached Zooble, waving her hands.

‘…’ she cried before Zooble placed a finger near the bottom of their head, showing they was still getting used to not having lips. They pointed at the ceiling with one finger, then at both their eyes with two fingers and then pointed those same two fingers at Pomni.

It seems strange for me to say this as a ringmaster, but must we act for our safety? Must we act for profit? Is the only way to survive through pretending and not being our genuine selves?

I recalled something Jax once said, ‘The best thing about this place is that you can be yourself’ and it’s clear why Zooble despised him so.

I took another look through my special screen. I saw my sister looking at how profits and productivity have soared since employing her NPCs.

I don’t know much about the human world, but I do know something about businesspeople.

If profits are skyrocketing, they think of ways to make it skyrocket more.

Sure enough, she calls someone into her office. I’m not sure what their sin is or even if they have one.

‘Bubble!’ I cried, summoning my spherical sidekick, ‘I have a feeling a new Exit Door is going to appear soon. Keep an eye open for it and let Zooble or Pomni know!’

‘On it, boss!’

14.) He does what he’s told, some of the time.

I chose to focus on the stage, waiting for the new ward to materialise. I even conjured up a smaller version of my usual screen next to me so I can watch them be manipulated by my sister. Part of me wants to scream and cry and demand they leave, but remain silent, playing along and acting like humans are supposed to do.

I wished the angel was here. I wish she would advise me.

Look at them. They look so happy to get an exclusive preview of the new game.

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, a giant plastic spring with googly eyes stood on the stage.

‘Greetings, new friend!’ I cried, waving while taking a glance to the left. An Exit Door dematerialised almost as soon as it appeared, and on the small screen beside me, my sister took off her employee’s headset before tapping on the keyboard.

‘Well, well,’ said Jax, walking in from a corridor, ‘seems like only yesterday we had a new sucker.’

‘Jax, show our new guest some respect!’

‘What’s the point? They’re gonna be miserable here anyway, might as well prepare them.’

‘What are they talking about?’ the spring growled at me, ‘What’s happened to me? Where am I? Who am I?’

‘All will be revealed in good time, my good friend!’

‘Don’t call me that, I’ve just met you! What is this?’

I looked at the screen. My sister was placing the headset back on the employee’s head.

‘Zooble! Look!’

I turned back to the screen, instinctively crossing my fingers, something I must have picked up from the memories buzzing around this circus.

‘Hey!’ cried the spring, ‘are you paying attention to me?’

The spring’s human body stood up.

My sister flinched. ‘What?’

'Come on!' I cried, 'Grab her! Stop her!'

'Traitor!' snapped Abby, right as Zooble, as if by instinct, grabbed her wrist, digging their fingernails - or the fingernails of the spring this body belonged to - into her skin.

'Now put the headset on her! I'll do the rest!'

'No!' yelled Abby as she stood up, placing her free hand on Zooble’s shoulder, attempting to push them away with their fingers digging in deeper.

They don’t remember.

'Please!' I pleaded, clutching my gold-tipped cane, 'Try to remember.'

'Don't listen to him,' said my sister, smiling, 'He's trying to trick you. He's the villain of our new game!'

'She trapped you in the computer!' I continued, my floating eyes bulging and rotating, 'I've been trying to get you out, but I had to do it discreetly so...'

'Are you going to listen to him?'

They turned around, taking another look at the standee which showed my visage.

'She's been putting her employees' minds into this computer, ' I continued, almost knocking over the spring next to me, 'and replacing them with artificial ones, obedient to her! She was in the process of doing it to a new victim, and that's how you ended up in their body when you went through the door!'

‘You know,’ said Jax, springing towards me, ‘I did kinda wonder if she was doing something like that.’

My explanation, arousing the ghost of familiarity, caused Zooble to toss my sister onto the floor, almost knocking over one of the swivel chairs in the process.

Bubble returned, bringing Ragatha, Gangle, Pomni and even Dad along with him.

‘Zooble,’ cried Ragatha, looking in my direction even though she couldn’t see my screen, ‘Bubble told us about what’s happening! Come on! Zoo-ble! Zoo-ble!’

The others joined in her chant, even the spring, even Jax.

'Grab the headset!' I cried, 'Put it on her! End this!'

'No!' Right as Zooble placed a hand on the headset that had begun their nightmare, my sister leapt to her feet, awakening memories of jack-in-the-boxes. The surprise made them stumble backwards, their grip on the headset lost, allowing my sister to snatch it back again.

'Well, dear brother,' she drawled with a smile, turning to the screen while grabbing the arm of her victim, 'you really thought you had me there, didn't you?'

She placed the headset on her victim.

Again Zooble grabbed Abigail by the wrist. Again they threw her to the floor. Again they lifted off the headset.

'Do it!'

As soon as Abigail got up, the headset was placed on her head.

Zooble held Abigail by the shoulders, clutching her like she was a stress ball, until her body went limb and the circus received a new performer.

Next to the spring, there appeared what looked slightly like me, only with a lightbulb instead of eyes and teeth. 'What...where...'

'Sis!' I cried, giving her a hug, 'I've been waiting for you to join us! But you have been very naughty!'

She vanished.

'Now you go and think about what you've done while I help out my new friends!'

I take another look at the screen to see Zooble in their unfamiliar body looking at their hands and breathing heavily. The man who brought them here, the man who they now recognised as Jax, entered.

'Ah!' I cried, 'My sister must have called him in to assist her when she was fighting with you. She can call people whose personalities she's replaced with this computer, you know. Put the headset on him!'

They sighed as they did what I requested, knowing that saving Abigail's victims meant saving Jax.

Zooble looked at the screen, seeing Jax’s form turn gauzier, with everyone else rushing to his spot. As soon as he completely vanished, his human body tore off the headset.

'Couldn't wait to be rid of me, eh?' he said with a familiar smirk, 'To tell the truth, if it was me in your shoes, I'd have defeated her much faster!' They shook their fist, only for him to jump towards the door. 'Can't do much without your detachable limbs, eh?'

'Now,' I said, 'you mustn't tell anyone! My sister is still beloved and you've been through enough without people turning against you.'

Perhaps I was too hasty in saying that.

'Of course not. "Oh, I'm sorry if I haven't been me recently, my evil boss replaced my brain with a digital one and trapped me in a circus". Even I don't believe that.' He turned back to his saviour. 'Well, it's been fun!' He opened the door, waving. 'See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!'

Zooble looked again at the hands of someone they didn't want to be.

The next person to enter the office was their old body. Zooble could only grimace when it entered, wearing a jacket and a skirt a colour that stung their eyes even after what they had been through. Not only were they returned to their proper body - flexing their own hands, stroking their own skin and pulling on their arms to make sure they could no longer be easily detached - but the spring became human again as well, probably having the shortest stay out of any of them.

More bodies returned, each with enough time between the other so as not to look suspicious.

Gangle got her body back and walked out the door.

Ragatha got her body back and walked out the door.

Pomni got her body back and stayed with her friend.

All the while, I spoke with Dad about the circus and its future.

'Well, that's everyone. I'm sorry, but I can't do it with the abstracted ones, and Dad's body is in a grave currently.' Dad approached and gave me a quick hug.

'There must be something we can do,' said the former jester, with Zooble placing a hand on their friend's shoulder.

I bowed my head. 'There isn't.'

Pomni turned to the hollow body of Abigail resting on the swivel chair. 'Are we going to leave her like this?' she asked, more out of curiousity than concern.

'Abigail Adams is going to die in a fire caused by a computer of hers overheating, destroyed because its most ambitious program was too ambitious.'

'You...'

'I've talked this over with Dad. We must make sure this program isn't used again for evil.' Even Bubble floated beside me, eyes closed, ready to accept death. 'Dad will find a place better than this. Abby will get what she deserves. And if there's an afterlife for AI, I'll find out about it.

'Thank you for the laughs. It was fun. Now go.'

'But what about the abstracted!’

Despite Pomni’s cries, I began destroying the circus, for now I had complete control over my sister’s computer. I made the walls inflate and throb, along with the rides and toys inside, I made the tower of carousels grow even taller…

I wish it didn’t have to come to this. It probably wouldn’t have if I could still find that angel’s programme again.

But before I die and the circus is destroyed, I created this document. I told the others not to badmouth my sister, but I am going to send this document to them anyway; my sister had their email addresses on this computer. Perhaps one of them will find a way to expose my sister and what she has done without anyone turning against them; I know Abigail will must likely suffer in the afterlife she finds herself in but she should not have the satisfaction of her crimes mostly going unnoticed.

As I write this, Pomni is at the screen, attempting to figure out a way to save everyone, with Zooble attempting to pull them away so they both can escape. I hope they leave before the computer explodes and the fire starts, and if they have and are reading this, thank you. Thank you so much.

The show is over. Tell your friends.

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