#jestingforanexit

[3moreseasons]

It's hard not to notice the posted invitations. They're all over the place, so even a homebody like yourself was bound to run into a few. Normally, you wouldn't bother, but with (almost) everyone here... maybe it could be a good way for everyone to spend time doing something that wasn't organized by Caine?

And it's a good excuse to fire up the ol' group chat again.

[To]: The Amazing Digital Group Chat

[zooble] has been added to the chat

[jax] has been added to the chat

[gangle]: hello everyone! ヾ(>ˬ<)*.ﾟ

[gangle]: have you all seen those flyers for the wintertide ball? it's happening later this week at someone's penthouse. i don't know them but it looks like it's open invite (づ •. •)?

[gangle]: maybe it could be fun? we don't HAVE to of course i just thought it might be fun! it feels like we don't spend time as a big group anymore

[gangle]: tho i guess we didn't have a choice about it before (ᵕ—ᗜ—)

[gangle]: anyways! what do you all think? ( •͈ ◦ •͈ )

@everybodyhatesjax @thetoyboxcharacter @jestingforanexit @stuffedwithniceness

[charmingsecretary]

"So you're trying to come up with a Valentine's gift?"

Susie couldn't help but overhear the unjolly jester mumbling over the holiday, and as someone with a (metaphorical) ear for sales, she eagerly seizes the opportunity.

"I think you need to ask yourself: what does this person like? In my experience, I find that most everyone likes sweets... but you could also offer a personalized gift in addition to the sweets, so either way, you can't go wrong!"

@jestingforanexit

[stuffedwithniceness]

@jestingforanexit | MAKE LIKE A LEAF AND FALL

Pomni's vision of an ideal adventure was different than her own- Ragatha had learned that a while ago. While she herself preferred some exciting team activities and non-life-threatening sports, the other was much more drawn to a relaxed environment more often than not. How hectic her first few days in the Circus had been probably lent to that a lot...

That was fine, though. She could enjoy the quiet times herself. And getting to enjoy some time away from the crowds of festival participants, having a costumed picnic together amidst the gorgeous autumn leaves...that seemed pretty great to her, too.

"Mmm...it's a lot like that stargazing adventure, isn't it? Hopefully this one can last a lot longer before Caine throws us into a dancing intermission." A little laugh slipped out, before she looked down in thought. "...Whose idea was that one anyway...?"

[sunliteve]

There appeared to be a demonstration of some kind in the Mermaid Cove Mall today: several tables in the hallway outside of a video game store, set up with monitors, consoles, and controllers. Designed to increase sales of a recently released gaming system, a worker was setting prospective customers up with games and opponents to challenge them or cooperative players to collaborate with.

Currently, Hiyori was already seated and awaiting the other half of her pair. She still thought video games were boring, but, well—

...It was mid-August. The loneliness was real yet again.

"Hey, play with me, won't you? ♪ There are even choices of what we can try out," he coaxed the next person to begin to pass through. The worker opened and shut their mouth, realizing they'd just be repeating what he already said for them.

@jestingforanexit

[ragadoll]

@jestingforanexit asked: pomni wraps shaking arms around the ragdoll, staring up to her with huge nervous eyes like a antsy greyhound. can she resist? ((ilysm pineapple)

First days were always the hardest. She had seen so many first days here, so many people who realized that their life was irrevocably changed. To see the light fade from their eyes and the deep panic set in was a familiar routine, but one she refused to allow herself to become numb to. One she refused to dull her care.

Ragatha would not allow this place to take away her humanity, her kindness and compassion.

Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Pomni. She had a rougher first day than most, seeing someone Abstract like that was horrible. Being chased by an Abstraction was horrible too. It made sense that she was still shaken up over it. Heck, Ragatha herself still was. To Glitch like that... that was pain like she hadn't felt in a long time. Not since coming to the circus.

Still, this wasn't about her. This wasn't about her own struggles, her own desires, her own fears. No, she had to help Pomni. Ragatha smiled gently, ignoring her own apprehension.

"Hey Pomni, you doing okay? Or- sorry that was stupid. Are you doing better?"

[3moreseasons]

@jestingforanexit - SOUPS UP

You're just kind of wandering. Waking up in Spirale again doesn't feel interesting, it feels pointless. This is, what, the fourth time? Back and forth between the city and the Circus, all for a reason you don't get to know. Just because Caine thinks it's fun, maybe.

Your feet, and perhaps your nose, have brought you to a plaza in the center of one of the wards. The NPCs of the city mingle around a giant pot at the middle, ladling out its contents into bowls and handing them off to one another in a show of goodwill and holiday cheer. Before long, one of the bowls is pressed into your hands. You stare down at your reflection, which looks more blank than usual.

Then you realize there's someone standing next to you. It's Pomni, one of the only people you know is actually real in this world. Small comfort that if you're stuck here, at least it's with someone you know.

"Hi Pomni," you say.

Then you don't know what else to say. What else can you say? Talking about what happened in the Circus would be beating a dead horse, and talking about anything else feels pointless.

"This... really sucks," you sigh.

You lift the bowl to your lips, taking a drink of the soup. It's warm, and tastes good, but even that feels hollow.

"At least the soup is good," you say. "I think it's french onion. Can't remember the last time I had that..."

[3moreseasons]

It happened again. You went back to the Circus for a bit, and now you're in Spirale once more. It was... maybe a week? Time runs together, but you remember the in-house adventure with the guns. It was kind of fun, all things considered, but now you really miss Zooble.

You decide not to get up from your bed, but you fish your cellphone from your nightstand and open up a group chat that was started, but never really utilized. This seems like as good an excuse as any to use it.

To: The Amazing Digital Group Chat

[gangle]: good morning (っ,-) [gangle]: i'm pretty sure i was just in the circus the other day, did that happen for you all too? this is the second time it's happened to me now "( – ⌓ – )=3 [gangle]: last thing i remember was the gun adventure and caine's weird award show. but the advnenture was kinda fun, i think! [gangle]: adventure* [gangle]: i always wanted to shoot a tommy gun hehe (๑>◡<๑) [gangle]: anyways how are you all doing ( •᷄︿•́)

@everybodyhatesjax @jestingforanexit @stuffedwithniceness

[3moreseasons]

BEEP from clown lady.

16. A helpful text

To: pomni 🤡 From: gangle 🎀

>See, the difference is that all yaoi is BL but not all BL is yaoi >Boys' love (BL) is a more general term that encompasses any kind of depiction of a male/male relationship. BL can be a drama or a comedy or a coming of age story, or whatever >Yaoi is usually just focused on >Uh >More explicit stuff >It doesn't HAVE to be, but, like, y'know ( ˶°ㅁ°) !! >That's what a lot of people are into >Not like that's a BAD thing or anything ╮(￣▽￣"")╭ >Anyways it's not super my thing >I'm more into GL >That's girls' love >I'm sure I don't need to explain that! (ᗒᗜᗕ)՛̵̖ >Aaaaaaaanyways >That's why I don't let people look at my sketchbook >Too embarrassing (III╥_╥⁠)