The-Jester

👻 🃏

So your this joker I had heard about, how interesting it is to meet you

As a tall figure walked towards him and tilted his head

I don't normally speak to Jester's little workers but I thought I might try to this one time at least

👻 🃏: *Keith looked up at the tall individual, his head tilting a bit* uh... Greetings?

hello dear one... he chuckled, a long, taloned hand reaching forward to pat against Keith's head

who might you be? im Batsby, though i do not live here hense why you have never seen me before

👻🃏: Batsby... Interesting name for a rather interesting monster. *He allowed Batsby to touch him before he shifted to the side.* I'm Keith, bodyguard to jester and one of the top jokers here.

and so i heard, didnt know some humans could work for Jester willingly

he mused aloud, thoughtfully pinching his cheek with one claw. There was something oddly familiar about the gesture—reminiscent of Doctor's mannerisms, yet softened by Batsby's own gentle disposition.

hm… i suppose that makes it my job to study them a little further but i must have permission first

👻🃏: Well if you must know, Jokers are still mind controlled by master Jester in a way. We all have diamonds in our eyes like the fools do. We have free will but.. He is able to see through our eyes and control our bodies against our will at any given time. Not for the faint of heart, lemme tell ya. We're even chosen differently than fools. We do not receive pink tickets. Instead, we receive custom made joker cards.

well that is interesting to know, im thankful there are jokers around that watch everything, including my children, whenever they visit alone here

his tone was grateful as he smiled to himself

you seem to be a nice fellow, though, Keith. i have a feeling Jester has high regard for someone like you

👻🃏: Why thank you~ yes he does. I may not be a high ranking Joker like the Deviant and Trickster but I am respected and trusted enough to guard the royal tent. If need be, I can guard your children as well since I believe they are Miss Hypno's friends.

👻🃏 *leaving the tent after....activities*

... were you standing there this whole time?

👻🃏: yes...I was. Ah you're the Trickster. I thought you were a dog?

skullydogg

You must be new here. *They ignore his question and circle him, a finger on their chin* I don't remember recruiting you.

👻🃏: I'm not new but I'm not one of the firsts either. Somewhere in between. Possibly before the Great Jester gave you your role, Trickster. But.. Since you're here let me ask you this, why must we take orders from a dog like yourself? How are you the highest in authority under Jester himself? Curious question of course. Nothing hostile.

skullydogg

*Alma scoffs* nothing hostile? I'm not some mere dog, boy. I can keep getting back up, unlike you fragile humans. Your question makes it sound like you want my role. I would kill you for questioning Jester's decision if we weren't already short on Jokers.

👻🃏: Apologies dear Trickster I did not mean to offend. *He places his hand on his chest and takes a bow* I will not question him further. But if I may, are you his mate perhaps? Given they you've just walked out of the tent.. And judging from all the sounds between you two.

skullydogg

*they stop in front of him, folding their arms* Nosey...I am his mate, yes. But there are others as well. Pets will also get his attention. Why? Are you perhaps also pining for his attention?~

👻🃏: *he blushes behind his mask and shakes his hands around* N-no! It would be a huge honor though but that's not my goal here! It's my job to keep him and his children safe. Besides, I know he doesn't like humans like myself. I doubt he'd let any of us sleep with him.

"Jester, uh... something... Hm. Something happened."

*Caspian is holding his leg behind the other.*

what happened?

mrpeeman

"I was walking in the woods... and I stepped in something.."

*Caspian slowly swung his foot around, grimacing at the blood soaked denim of his pant leg.*

.... *He rushed to gather Caspian into his arms and to his chamber to help with the bleeding* only a fool like you would walk into a hunter's trap.

mrpeeman

"Get- I DONT NEED THIS!"

*he flailed his arms the way there, insisting he can walk- Though his leg is actively TWITCHING.*

Stop your flailing or you will mess everything up!

mrpeeman

"Ouuuuuuu........"

"......"

"Ouuuuuuuuu....."

*Caspian has previously managed to take the trap off his leg, though pieces of rusted metal remain stuck inside his ankle.*

*he takes the pieces of metal out carefully with his claws and flicks then aside before treating the wounds* it isn't the greatest. You'll have to go to Doctor or Aster to get it fully healed but the wound won't get infected at least. And the bleeding stopped.

👻 🃏

So your this joker I had heard about, how interesting it is to meet you

As a tall figure walked towards him and tilted his head

I don't normally speak to Jester's little workers but I thought I might try to this one time at least

👻 🃏: *Keith looked up at the tall individual, his head tilting a bit* uh... Greetings?

hello dear one... he chuckled, a long, taloned hand reaching forward to pat against Keith's head

who might you be? im Batsby, though i do not live here hense why you have never seen me before

👻🃏: Batsby... Interesting name for a rather interesting monster. *He allowed Batsby to touch him before he shifted to the side.* I'm Keith, bodyguard to jester and one of the top jokers here.

and so i heard, didnt know some humans could work for Jester willingly

he mused aloud, thoughtfully pinching his cheek with one claw. There was something oddly familiar about the gesture—reminiscent of Doctor's mannerisms, yet softened by Batsby's own gentle disposition.

hm… i suppose that makes it my job to study them a little further but i must have permission first

👻🃏: Well if you must know, Jokers are still mind controlled by master Jester in a way. We all have diamonds in our eyes like the fools do. We have free will but.. He is able to see through our eyes and control our bodies against our will at any given time. Not for the faint of heart, lemme tell ya. We're even chosen differently than fools. We do not receive pink tickets. Instead, we receive custom made joker cards.

corundumb

As he talked, Nix looked up at him. They weren't sure if telling him would be the smartest move here. But at the same time there's a chance he'll find out anyways.

"I'm not just a coroner. I work through contracts; some through police stations, some through the military, a rare few up to the FBI. I did what I do now... mostly." Closing their eyes, they continued.

"No matter where I went the guys would think it's hilarious to teach the short stack weapons, but I did learn. Special ops guys gave me a few pointers... after pelting me with paintballs during the game, they were practically cheating with sneaking. There's more but I focused on my job and chemistry in labs. That's my strength, I'm not the fighter you're probably picturing. Just... a decent shot, I guess."

Hmm.. *jester hummed as he walked, getting nearer to the destination due to his pace* dangerous individual you are. I could easily kill you right now but I won't after everything you've done. You say you are not the fighter I'm picturing.. But you're mistaken dear human. I'm more into brains than brawn. You have the very things I'm looking for. With enough training you'll be wants to defend yourself better against humans and monsters. Maybe even teach the Jokers a thing or two.

corundumb

"Whatever." Nix just grunts, seeing they're getting closer to the hospital they instead look up to the night sky knowing they'll be in that room for a good while.

"... the only thing I really care about is keeping Emma out of all this. Protect her if she becomes a target from anyone, at least while the Circus is in the city she's in. I'll pretty much do what you want, for the most part."

In that case, I will be taking you in as soon as you are discharged from here. We will do what we can to protect your twin. As per my orders, the others will not harm her. She will not be touched. Oh what if she wandered in? Not an issue. My fools will guide her away. If I need to..I will take drastic measures involving hypnosis. *He set them down while entering the lobby but holding their hand to guide them forward and to check in.*

Primrose has been stuck inside the mouth on Jester's chest for a good while now. Admittedly, it actually wasn't that bad. It sort of reminded her of the time she spent in a flower though more damp and warm. She has been mostly hibernating—a neat trick her furry friends taught her—to conserve her energy. When she enters this state, not only does her body temperature drop and heartbeat slow down, the glow that emits from her wings extinguishes. She does occasionally wake up to check for any changes in her surroundings, only to be left sourly disappointed each time when she finds none. Hopefully this pompous sadist CHARMING gentleman is going to have a tiny ounce of mercy on her one day.

*he had gone throughout his day as normal. Even went to sleep. The next morning he decided to check on his little captive and opened the mouth on his chest, the tongue sliding out then him being quick to grab her. Slowly but surely the tongue receded into his mouth*

“Oh, good morning, my sweet petunia!” she chirps with a closed-eyed smile. “Have you rested well? Wait! You do NOT need to answer that because I already know. You must have if you decided to bless me with your presence! You must be in good spirits.”

I slept like an infant. I had almost forgotten about you inside me since you were so quiet and well behaved. Perhaps you deserve a little treat.

Well, of course, it is required to get on your good side. I would have behaved much differently if that were not the case. I would rather not return— Her train of thought is interrupted upon hearing the word treat leave his lips, she immediately perks up. “A treat? For...me?” she looks and sounds surprised, yet also eager at the possibility of receiving a reward. She would love to have an apricot right now OR a warm bubble bath, a change of clothes as well. Who is she kidding? All of these things are what she desperately needs at the moment. “That would—would be...very generous of you, little butterfly.” she says softly, “As nice as it would be, however, that decision is entirely yours to make.”

*he gives her a peach ring from his snack bowl then sets her on his vanity table to watch her closely*

She instantly drops the peach ring as soon as it comes into contact with her skin. “By the stars! Why does that—that thing feel like it is coated in SAND?!” she looks up at Jester with wide eyes filled with utter confusion and maybe even a little betrayal. “Oh, my hardworking honeybee, why would you try to feed me something like this? Is this some sort of cruel punishment? I thought I was being well behaved—you said so yourself!”

Do you not like sweets, little bug?~ it's coated in sugar.

“I am amazed by such an assumption, my darling ladybug, however, I must inform you that I am an enthusiast of sugary delectables.” she states in a matter-of-fact tone, her hand resting on top of her chest in a proud manner. “My dearest Allegra makes the most splendid frosty lumenflower nectar delights—her signature recipe! They are absolutely to DIE for!”

hehe well you won't be getting that any time soon. For now you will have deal with what I offer you, sweet thing~

Primrose hides her disappointment by sticking her nose up. “It is not like I expect you to make some for me—to be frank, it would be impossible to even attempt to. You would need to seek out Allegra to obtain the recipe since she is the only person who knows how to make this dessert. Lumenflowers are difficult to be harvested by non-magical beings because they are made of pure magic and would explode into a shower of light particles upon coming in contact with someone who lacks it.”

interesting~ I may know some individuals who have magic.

A tall figure waits just outside your tent. They don’t usually come out of their tent and when they do it’s only for brief moments. Puppeteer tried to slip out unnoticed taking the risk of the populated circus. They were stopped by a small group of people asking them to do small tricks and things like that. They didn’t like talking to others and even if they did try to talk their way out of this they fear their voice is worn down from not being used in so long. They had never known the one the others referred to as their “angel” they were always kept separated from the others back then. Very few times they were even scheduled to perform before they started the circus. Even now they don’t show up to meals and when they did they stayed in the back and waited till everyone was done to scavenge for whatever was left over.

🐗: just a disclaimer, this is not the same one you guys know XD I did check to confirm.

Has the little mouse finally decided to show up?

puppeteer-tfc-oc

They cautiously enter the tent crouching down slightly so they would be eye level with Jester. Their silence is almost unnerving as they watch him. They take off their hat and present it to him trying to show him the tear that has been exposing one of their large horns.

“it ripped…”

they offered it to Jester hoping he could fix it. They had their own sowing supplies but none of which they needed they were running low on string anyway so they thought it would be slightly easier to just ask for help.

(I didn’t know there was another Puppeteer lol)