Lots of Anons @the-anons-anonymous - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag

Lots of Anons

@the-anons-anonymous

432 posts

There are many anons on this blog, so I thought I’d introduce us!

I’m 📋 anon/Clipboard/Clip if you don’t want to put the emoji. I do the most magic and experimenting! (Any/All idgaf I’m here for the research)

🧭 Anon is Compass. They also do lots of magic except they’re an asshole about it. It’s all mild inconveniences. (They/Them)

📻 Anon is Radio/Dio/Keller, who is almost always accompanied by 🎞️ Anon, or Alex (they’re partners) They’re both tied to this radio. They can leave sometimes though. (They/Them for Alex, It/Its for Keller)

MBT/🐝 Anon is Bees/Hive/MBT. They’re just bees in a trench coat. There are many of them. (They/Them)

Num. Anon is Numbers/Calc. She likes numbers and will assign you a number. If you get bad one, good luck. (She/He)

💿 Anon is Disc. It’s nice. Usually. Not always. I’m a little scared of them to be honest. (They/It)

🎛️ Anon is Dial. They’re a child. Be nice. I will Get You if you’re not nice. (They/Them)

📡 Anon is Satelite/Lite, but you should call them Dish because it pisses them off and they suck. (They/Them)

🗝️ Anon is Key. They’re a malicious asshole. Be careful. (They/Them)

🌫️ Anon is Fog, but they answer to anything. Be careful; not because he’s malicious, but because they really like coercing people into the Lonely. (He/They)

#-📋#Intro!! Finally

I hate Edward and his fuckass puppy partner so Edward has now lost his memories <3 (He’s presently cuddling Anon so have fun with that)

(OH HNOOOOOOOOOO)

{Edward is currently holding Anon (@the-anons-anonymous). After a little while, he slowly sits up. He looks.. worried.)

the-anons-anonymous

Anon yawns, tail swaying idly. “Hmph. Lay back down, dearest,” they murmur, tilting their head up at him. Their brow furrows at his expression. “Is something wrong?”

Edward shakes his head.

"No- I-.. What's going on? Who.. are you?"

the-anons-anonymous

Anon blinks, sitting up fully and staring at him for a moment.

“Your partner? Anonymous, remember?”

One hand moves to feel his forehead. Is he ill? His temperature is normal.

“Are you messing with me, beloved?”

Edward shakes his head and rubs his eyes, putting one of his own hands against his temple. Why can't he remember anything? What's going on?

"No.. no. Where are we? Who.."

the-anons-anonymous

“We’re at your manor. I’m your partner, Anonymous Redacted. You’re Edward Wolf. Is that ringing any sort of bells?”

They want to hold him, want to run their fingers through his hair because he looks almost distressed, but they can’t because he doesn’t remember. “Anything at all?”

He shakes his head again, looking more distressed by the second. He's trying so hard to figure out what's going on.

"I'm- I'm so sorry."

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t be! Don’t be, please, this isn’t— I’m sure this isn’t your fault,” they soothe, shushing him quietly. “Is there anything you do remember? You know how to speak, so everything can’t be gone, right?”

"Other than basic functions 'n what you've told me so far? No..

He wraps his arms around himself.

the-anons-anonymous

They frown. They could try to magic their way out of this, but they what if that makes it worse? They don’t even know what happened.

“Do you— want a hug, dea— ahem. Do you want a hug?”

Edward hesitates before nodding.

"Yes I-.. I think that would be nice."

the-anons-anonymous

Anon nods and pulls him close, resting their chin atop his head.

“We can stay like this until you want to stop, okay?”

I hate Edward and his fuckass puppy partner so Edward has now lost his memories <3 (He’s presently cuddling Anon so have fun with that)

(OH HNOOOOOOOOOO)

{Edward is currently holding Anon (@the-anons-anonymous). After a little while, he slowly sits up. He looks.. worried.)

the-anons-anonymous

Anon yawns, tail swaying idly. “Hmph. Lay back down, dearest,” they murmur, tilting their head up at him. Their brow furrows at his expression. “Is something wrong?”

Edward shakes his head.

"No- I-.. What's going on? Who.. are you?"

the-anons-anonymous

Anon blinks, sitting up fully and staring at him for a moment.

“Your partner? Anonymous, remember?”

One hand moves to feel his forehead. Is he ill? His temperature is normal.

“Are you messing with me, beloved?”

Edward shakes his head and rubs his eyes, putting one of his own hands against his temple. Why can't he remember anything? What's going on?

"No.. no. Where are we? Who.."

the-anons-anonymous

“We’re at your manor. I’m your partner, Anonymous Redacted. You’re Edward Wolf. Is that ringing any sort of bells?”

They want to hold him, want to run their fingers through his hair because he looks almost distressed, but they can’t because he doesn’t remember. “Anything at all?”

He shakes his head again, looking more distressed by the second. He's trying so hard to figure out what's going on.

"I'm- I'm so sorry."

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t be! Don’t be, please, this isn’t— I’m sure this isn’t your fault,” they soothe, shushing him quietly. “Is there anything you do remember? You know how to speak, so everything can’t be gone, right?”

"Other than basic functions 'n what you've told me so far? No..

He wraps his arms around himself.

the-anons-anonymous

They frown. They could try to magic their way out of this, but they what if that makes it worse? They don’t even know what happened.

“Do you— want a hug, dea— ahem. Do you want a hug?”

I hate Edward and his fuckass puppy partner so Edward has now lost his memories <3 (He’s presently cuddling Anon so have fun with that)

(OH HNOOOOOOOOOO)

{Edward is currently holding Anon (@the-anons-anonymous). After a little while, he slowly sits up. He looks.. worried.)

the-anons-anonymous

Anon yawns, tail swaying idly. “Hmph. Lay back down, dearest,” they murmur, tilting their head up at him. Their brow furrows at his expression. “Is something wrong?”

Edward shakes his head.

"No- I-.. What's going on? Who.. are you?"

the-anons-anonymous

Anon blinks, sitting up fully and staring at him for a moment.

“Your partner? Anonymous, remember?”

One hand moves to feel his forehead. Is he ill? His temperature is normal.

“Are you messing with me, beloved?”

Edward shakes his head and rubs his eyes, putting one of his own hands against his temple. Why can't he remember anything? What's going on?

"No.. no. Where are we? Who.."

the-anons-anonymous

“We’re at your manor. I’m your partner, Anonymous Redacted. You’re Edward Wolf. Is that ringing any sort of bells?”

They want to hold him, want to run their fingers through his hair because he looks almost distressed, but they can’t because he doesn’t remember. “Anything at all?”

He shakes his head again, looking more distressed by the second. He's trying so hard to figure out what's going on.

"I'm- I'm so sorry."

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t be! Don’t be, please, this isn’t— I’m sure this isn’t your fault,” they soothe, shushing him quietly. “Is there anything you do remember? You know how to speak, so everything can’t be gone, right?”

I hate Edward and his fuckass puppy partner so Edward has now lost his memories <3 (He’s presently cuddling Anon so have fun with that)

(OH HNOOOOOOOOOO)

{Edward is currently holding Anon (@the-anons-anonymous). After a little while, he slowly sits up. He looks.. worried.)

the-anons-anonymous

Anon yawns, tail swaying idly. “Hmph. Lay back down, dearest,” they murmur, tilting their head up at him. Their brow furrows at his expression. “Is something wrong?”

Edward shakes his head.

"No- I-.. What's going on? Who.. are you?"

the-anons-anonymous

Anon blinks, sitting up fully and staring at him for a moment.

“Your partner? Anonymous, remember?”

One hand moves to feel his forehead. Is he ill? His temperature is normal.

“Are you messing with me, beloved?”

Edward shakes his head and rubs his eyes, putting one of his own hands against his temple. Why can't he remember anything? What's going on?

"No.. no. Where are we? Who.."

the-anons-anonymous

“We’re at your manor. I’m your partner, Anonymous Redacted. You’re Edward Wolf. Is that ringing any sort of bells?”

They want to hold him, want to run their fingers through his hair because he looks almost distressed, but they can’t because he doesn’t remember. “Anything at all?”

I hate Edward and his fuckass puppy partner so Edward has now lost his memories <3 (He’s presently cuddling Anon so have fun with that)

(OH HNOOOOOOOOOO)

{Edward is currently holding Anon (@the-anons-anonymous). After a little while, he slowly sits up. He looks.. worried.)

the-anons-anonymous

Anon yawns, tail swaying idly. “Hmph. Lay back down, dearest,” they murmur, tilting their head up at him. Their brow furrows at his expression. “Is something wrong?”

Edward shakes his head.

"No- I-.. What's going on? Who.. are you?"

the-anons-anonymous

Anon blinks, sitting up fully and staring at him for a moment.

“Your partner? Anonymous, remember?”

One hand moves to feel his forehead. Is he ill? His temperature is normal.

“Are you messing with me, beloved?”

I hate Edward and his fuckass puppy partner so Edward has now lost his memories <3 (He’s presently cuddling Anon so have fun with that)

(OH HNOOOOOOOOOO)

{Edward is currently holding Anon (@the-anons-anonymous). After a little while, he slowly sits up. He looks.. worried.)

the-anons-anonymous

Anon yawns, tail swaying idly. “Hmph. Lay back down, dearest,” they murmur, tilting their head up at him. Their brow furrows at his expression. “Is something wrong?”

Anon appears in Edward’s bedroom. It’s alarming how fast they’re by his side, but it’s more alarming— to them, at least —that he’s crying at all. Edward Wolf never cries. Not that Anon’s seen.

They kneel on the ground next to him, hands finding their way around his. “Edward? My sweet, my dearest? What happened?”

(( @the-anons-anonymous ))

{Edward is inconsolable. At least right now. Sure, maybe a few tears have slipped from his eyes in front of them but this is full mental breakdown. This is 300 years of bottled up emotions worth of tears. He's shaking so badly. As soon as Anon is there, as soon as they touch him, his arms wrap around them so tightly it would suffocate a normal human. He can't give an answer. Not yet. But by god does he need the comfort.}

the-anons-anonymous

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” the anon whispers quietly, running their fingers through his hair and holding him gently. Always gentle.

They feel how shaky his breathing is, hear how loud his sobs are. “Shh. Breathe, love, breathe.”

{He clings onto them like a lifeline, trying so hard to calm himself down. It's pitiful, almost. Seeing such a powerful man reduced to a state like this.}

the-anons-anonymous

They hold him close, whispering that things would be okay and that he’s safe. They wait until his breathing is steadier, until he’s not hyperventilating, and speaks again.

“Darling? You don’t have to speak, if you’re not ready, but if you are… could I know what happened?”

{Edward wipes his eyes and takes a few shaky breaths, still resting his forehead against their shoulder.}

Anons... a-anons happened.. It-it's fine.. Just died and w-was brought back for the first time.. That's all.. I'm f-fine, my sweet..

the-anons-anonymous

Their eyes widen and they hold him a bit tighter.

“Edward— you— you died? You’re not fine, you… God, Edward, beloved…”

They move him so his head lays on their chest and rest their chin atop it. “I’m so so sorry.”

#-❓#// glances at jettster chain…

Anon appears in Edward’s bedroom. It’s alarming how fast they’re by his side, but it’s more alarming— to them, at least —that he’s crying at all. Edward Wolf never cries. Not that Anon’s seen.

They kneel on the ground next to him, hands finding their way around his. “Edward? My sweet, my dearest? What happened?”

(( @the-anons-anonymous ))

{Edward is inconsolable. At least right now. Sure, maybe a few tears have slipped from his eyes in front of them but this is full mental breakdown. This is 300 years of bottled up emotions worth of tears. He's shaking so badly. As soon as Anon is there, as soon as they touch him, his arms wrap around them so tightly it would suffocate a normal human. He can't give an answer. Not yet. But by god does he need the comfort.}

the-anons-anonymous

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” the anon whispers quietly, running their fingers through his hair and holding him gently. Always gentle.

They feel how shaky his breathing is, hear how loud his sobs are. “Shh. Breathe, love, breathe.”

{He clings onto them like a lifeline, trying so hard to calm himself down. It's pitiful, almost. Seeing such a powerful man reduced to a state like this.}

the-anons-anonymous

They hold him close, whispering that things would be okay and that he’s safe. They wait until his breathing is steadier, until he’s not hyperventilating, and speaks again.

“Darling? You don’t have to speak, if you’re not ready, but if you are… could I know what happened?”

#-❓#// its afraid

Anon appears in Edward’s bedroom. It’s alarming how fast they’re by his side, but it’s more alarming— to them, at least —that he’s crying at all. Edward Wolf never cries. Not that Anon’s seen.

They kneel on the ground next to him, hands finding their way around his. “Edward? My sweet, my dearest? What happened?”

(( @the-anons-anonymous ))

{Edward is inconsolable. At least right now. Sure, maybe a few tears have slipped from his eyes in front of them but this is full mental breakdown. This is 300 years of bottled up emotions worth of tears. He's shaking so badly. As soon as Anon is there, as soon as they touch him, his arms wrap around them so tightly it would suffocate a normal human. He can't give an answer. Not yet. But by god does he need the comfort.}

the-anons-anonymous

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” the anon whispers quietly, running their fingers through his hair and holding him gently. Always gentle.

They feel how shaky his breathing is, hear how loud his sobs are. “Shh. Breathe, love, breathe.”

Uh, Anon? You like Mr. Wolf, right? I can hear him crying in his room and he never cries. Can you come over and check on him? The rest of us can't get in there or don't want to.

-Olethros // @anon-shift

He’s crying? Oh, no. I’ll be right over.

“Hello, Jett¡!”

The voice seems to come from no where and everywhere at once, echoing through every crack in Jett’s— excuse the pun —spiraling mind.

“You wanted to meet, so here I am!”

— 🎭🎬 // @the-anons-anonymous

𝐮𝕟ᗪ𝕠 ⓦ卄𝓐𝕋 𝓨𝐨𝔲 ∂𝒾Ď 丅𝕆 ΜẸ.

(plain text: Undo what you did to me.)

the-anons-anonymous

The figure tsks at it, giving a short head shake.

“No, no, I think I like you better this way! Very interesting, no?”

丨ᵗ 𝓱υŕｔᔕ. ᶰØ丅 𝕀Ň тʰᗴ ⒼỖⓞｄ 𝐰αү. ᶤt'ⓢ Ｎㄖⓣ ⓔᑎ𝓽€г丅ᗩ𝓲𝓝ι𝔫g. Ｓtᗝｐ. 𝐈𝕋.

(plain text: It hurts. Not in the good way. It's not entertaining. Stop. It.)

the-anons-anonymous

They giggle almost cruelly.

“Hm. Why would I do that? No, no, not when you’ve done almost the same to others! I think you need to be taught a lesson in power dynamics, don’t you agree?”

เ'ᒪℓ ŜⒽ𝕆𝓌 ЎＯᑌ 𝔞 ｆ𝓊¢кⓘⓝ𝓰 𝓅Ⓞ𝔀Ⓔ𝕣 Đʸ𝓝ⓐＭ𝐢𝓒.

(plain text: I'll show you a fucking power dynamic.)

{Jett suddenly launches itself at them. The Becoming is making it's body almost what it's used to. Sharp bones, weird skin, dizzying movements. Yet somehow worse, closer to Michael than to the usual Jett. It starts to scratch and claw at their skin.}

𝕚 ⓜ𝐀у 𝓷ᗝｔｂ乇 ⓜⓎ υ𝕊𝐮𝐀𝕃 ⓢ𝒆𝐋𝒇 ｂ𝔲Ť 丨 𝐖ι𝐋ｌ Ŝ𝓉ⓘĹℓ 𝒽Ữ𝓇𝓉 𝐲ㄖ𝔲!

(plain text: I may not be my usual self but I will still hurt you!)

the-anons-anonymous

They make a choked sound, hissing in pain and trying to kick it off of them.

“Now, now,” they begin, trying for their best showman’s voice and falling just short. “You— aren’t following the terms of our deal!”

𝔫𝓔ιţ𝕙𝓔ᖇ ᗩ𝓇ᗴ 𝓎Ỗ𝕌! 𝔸ℕ๔ 𝐛€𝐒𝓲ᵈ€丂, 𝕀'𝕄 𝓝ᵒ𝕥 ⓚ𝔦lｌι𝐧𝐠, Ⓙ𝕌Ｓт ᗰ𝐚𝕚м丨Ｎ𝔤!

(plain text: Neither are you! And besides, I'm not killing, just maiming!)

the-anons-anonymous

They manage to escape its grasp, if only for a moment, and skitter away like a scared animal.

“I’m following… the terms… perfectly well!” They breathe out, chest heaving. Their hands press at the wounds it had managed to inflict; several on the arms, one across their face, and a particularly bad slash that looks like a knife caused it across their torso. “I’m giving— giving you back your Spiral-ness, yes?”

Ď𝕠 𝓲Ŧ тＨ乇 𝐍Ⓞ𝓇ⓜᵃᒪ 𝔴ᗩㄚＯℝ 𝓲 山𝐢ℓℓ ｒƗᑭ 𝓨ｏ𝕌𝐫 ℱᑌᑕｋ𝐢ηg ⓗ𝐞αｒ𝐓 ᵒυ丅, 𝓓ᵒ 𝓨𝑜𝐮 ᵘ𝐧Ⓓᵉⓡѕţ𝓪ᶰｄ 𝔪ᗴ?

(plain text: Do it the normal way or I will rip your fucking heart out, do you understand me?)

{It positions its hand over their heart, growling like a feral animal.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Alright, alright!” They exclaim, making the decision to not point out how that would also break the deal. Possibly from a rare burst of common sense, or from blood loss making them a tad less bold. They try to back away from it on instinct, (they are scared, as much as they pretend to be unaffected) only to find that they’ve hit a wall. “Y-you are back to normal.”

They give a weak smile and a tilt of their head, half convinced that Jett is going to kill them anyways.

{As soon as Jett is back to normal, it backs off and wipes its hands on itself, still pouting like a petulant child rather than the scary thing it actually is.}

𝔱𝐡άη𝓚 𝓎ᵒᑌ, т𝐡ά𝓽'Ŝ ᗷ𝑒тţє𝐫.

(plain text: Thank you, that's better.)

the-anons-anonymous

They straighten themself up the moment they have the room to. Well, try to, anyways. Their knees don’t seem to want to cooperate and their head’s just slightly fuzzy. Maybe just a bit more anon magic to get them out of here.

“Haha! Well, yes, I’d hope it’s better. And you’re very welcome!”

{Jett smiles and walks over, leaning over them slightly. Now that it's back to normal, that look in its eyes and the sharp smile makes their head spin. Or maybe that's the blood loss. Or both.}

ㄚⓞυ'𝐑𝒆 η𝐨𝐭 ℓⓄ𝕆𝐊ᶤ𝐧ģ 𝐓𝕆Ｏ ﻮⓄ𝑜ⓓ ⓣн𝕖𝓇𝔢, ⓓẸΔŕ.

(plain text: You're not looking too good there, dear.)

the-anons-anonymous

“I’m fiNe¡” They reply shortly, voice cracking with a slight distortion near the end. They clear their throat, shaking their head. They’re a performer for Fear’s sake, they won’t be hindered by a bit of blood loss! The mask won’t slip, not under their watch.

“Now, you’ve met me in person, and we’ve both upheld our ends of the deal! I’ll be going now, if you don’t mind!”

𝒷Ẹ ⓜⓎ قυ乇𝐒𝔱. 𝕓𝔲Ⓣ ＹＯỮ'𝔡 вＥ𝕋Ⓣ𝔼ｒ мά𝐤ᗴ ι𝓽 ⓆＵιςЌ. đ𝔢Ａ𝓛'Ş Ⓓᵒｎ𝒆, 𝕒𝐧𝓭 Ɨ'𝕄 Ĥ𝔲𝐍Ⓖ𝕣𝕪.

(plain text: Be my guest. But you'd better make it quick. Deal's done, and I'm hungry.)

the-anons-anonymous

They grin at it and bow, form blinking out of existence.

Except, they don’t stay gone. They reappear after just a moment, doubled over coughing and bleeding more than before. “GaH… thAt’S uNpLeasANt.”

Ǘⓗ 𝓸Ｈ~ Ş𝑜๓𝐞όⓃｅ'𝓈 קⓞ𝓌ⓔ𝕣𝓈 αгｅⓝ'ⓣ 𝔀ｏⓡҜ丨𝕟ق ｒ𝐢𝑔𝓗Ⓣ! β𝓤𝓽 𝕪ό𝓤 к𝓝ᗝⓦ Ｗᕼά𝐓? Į'𝐥𝔩 ᗷ𝕖 𝐀 ǤʳคＣιⓄ𝔲Ｓ 𝓗Ỗѕ𝓣, ŴђⓎ 𝓓Ｏ𝔫'𝓉 уόⓤ Ｓ𝐭คя𝕋 𝓇υⓃᶰι𝐧Ğ 卂ή∂ Ｇ𝐄t 𝐚 ｈᵉᵃⒹ ş𝓉ⒶⓇᵗ, Ⓗ𝓜?

(plain text: Uh oh~ Someone's powers aren't working right! But you know what? I'll be a gracious host, why don't you start running and get a head start, hm?)

the-anons-anonymous

It takes a second to process what it said, and another to gather their strength to actually start running, but once they do they’re surprisingly fast for something actively losing blood.

Still; they’re slower than they should be, and it doesn’t take long for Jett to catch up to them, especially with the near-collapses every five steps.

{It laughs and waits a few moments before giving chase, even opting to just go on foot. Jett catches up and leaves little scratches on their shoulders before slowing down again, just to let the game it's playing linger a few moments longer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They run and run and run, but it’s getting harder, vision getting worse with each step and they trip and fall and by the Fears they’re going to die here aren’t they? They’ll— they’ll probably come back, being an anon and all, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying to be loomed over by something like Jett, who is— laughing? They aren’t sure. They can barely see, let alone think enough to comprehend sounds.

“PErforRmAnCe iS ovEr, hMM?” They giggle weakly. Pathetic, honestly.

Ўέᑭ! 𝐆𝕠Ⓞ𝐝Ňι𝐠𝔥Ŧ!

(plain text: Yep! Goodnight!}

{Jett cackles again as it leans over their body. It doesn't slash or stab at them though, no, it grabs them by the hair and smashes their head into the ground hard enough to make them black out.}

{Oddly enough, they aren't killed. When the awake, they're in a new place, a big bedroom full of headache inducing colors and patterns not unlike where they first met Jett. Nearby, hanging upside down from a ring suspended from the ceiling, Jett is watching them.}

𝐟ｉ𝕟คŁᒪ𝓎! 𝐢 𝔀คѕ ฬσ𝔯Ⓡ𝓲𝐄ᵈ ᶤ ʰＡᗪ 𝓐ｃtⓊ𝕒𝐥ㄥ𝓎 𝐊𝓲𝓵Ｌ𝔼ⓓ ЎⓄᑌ. ｉ'𝕕 ʰᵃ𝕥ⓔ 𝕥Ｏｇσ ค𝓷𝐃 ๒гⓔ𝒶Ќ ᵃ ᗪ乇Ⓐⓛ!

(plain text: Finally! I was worried I had actually killed you. I'd hate to go and break a deal!}

the-anons-anonymous

Their head pounds, which may be from the blinding colours of the room or the definite concussion they have. Their hands trail up to where they know the injuries are, only to find them wrapped (albeit poorly) in bandages.

“You— what—? I’m— well, it seems like I’m alive, yes.” Their words slur together just slightly, pain-addled mind struggling to string a sentence together. “Why— why am I alive?”

{Jett seems to glide down from where it hangs in a movement that one can only call fluid, practiced. It hums and walks over to the side of the bed.}

𝕎𝐞Łℓ Ⓘ ∂𝐈๔ sα¥ 𝕀 Ŵᗩｓ𝕟'т Ğｏ𝐢ηﻮ тᵒ к𝐈Ļㄥ ⓎⓄＵ. ωｅ ħᵃᗪ 𝓐 Ⓓᗴคℓ, 𝓦ⒽㄚＷｏ𝐔ｌ๔ 𝓲 Ｇｏ 𝔟卂𝔠ⓚ 𝐎Ⓝ 卂 𝐝𝐄ⓐᒪ?

(plain text: Well I did say I wasn't going to kill you. We had a deal, why would I go back on a deal?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Makes… enough sense,” they say slowly, observing it with the same demeanor as prey presented to a predator. Their previous eccentricities are gone, replaced with a tone that could be interpreted as nervous.

“Why am I here? Plan on—” They cough into their hand, just the smallest bit of blood coming out. “Hmph. Plan on maiming me again, Jett?”

{Jett grumbles something about "enough blood on his carpet" and "niceties" before giving a dramatic sigh and kneeling on the shag carpet, crossing its arms on the bed and resting its chin on top of them. It looks up at them with deceptively big, innocent eyes.}

Can't a thing be kind to someone it finds injured? How do you feel?

the-anons-anonymous

The only word they can really use is ow, but they settle for “fine” and let out a short, pained laugh.

“You’re a Liar, one of the Twisting Deceit’s, and you expect— ow —you expect me to believe this help comes with no strings?”

山Ⓗ¥, Ｏᶠ 𝓒𝕆ùгˢⒺ ηⓞ𝐭, Ⓓ𝓪𝓡𝓁Ꭵ𝐧𝕘! 乃𝐔т, ᵗℍέ 𝔰ţŘ丨𝐍𝕘Ŝ 𝐚яＥ 𝐚𝐋𝕣𝒆𝔞𝐃ץ ᑕⓊт, ＹØù 𝔻เᗪ ᵗｕｒᑎ мⓔ ๒𝐚ςЌ. ι𝐭 ฬ𝐀Ⓢ α Ⓟ𝐀𝓻ᵗ ｏғ ๏ｕ𝓻 𝓭𝐄卂Ĺ, 𝓪ғтέ𝓇 άㄥⓁ. Į 𝐚𝔪 ό几ℓƳ ∂σᎥ𝐍𝓖 山𝐡Ãt 𝕀𝓈 ｒ𝒾ᎶⓗＴ 𝔞ⓝⓓ ι ¢𝕆𝓊ℓＤη'ᵗ Ｊⓤ𝐬t ⓛｅΔ𝐯𝓔 𝕐𝑜Ｕ 𝔱𝐨 𝓑𝓁𝓔ｅᗪ ᗝᵘ𝔱 𝐀𝔫𝒹 đι𝓔 𝑜𝐧 𝕥н𝓔 ⓜαＮŞｉᵒŇ Ⓕ𝓵ⓞ𝐨ŕ𝐒. Ⓔⓓⓦᵃ𝐫ⓓ 𝓦ＯＵＬ𝐃 ⓗÃ𝕍ⓔ 爪Ⓨ ᕼⓔ𝕒đ 𝐚Ňđ уＯⓤ 𝓭𝐎ℕ'𝓽 Ŵ𝓪ｎｔ ⓣＯ Ќ𝔫ό𝐰 𝐰н卂𝓣 ᕼｅ'ร Ł𝐈Ќє ｗＨⓔภ ĦẸ'丂 𝔞ᶰǤℝу.

(plain text: Why, of course not, darling! But, the strings are already cut, you did turn me back. It was a part of our deal, after all. I am only doing what is right and I couldn't just leave you to bleed out and die on the mansion floors. Edward would have my head and you don't want to know what he's like when he's angry.)

{Jett sits up a little taller and chuckles, mimicking Edward almost perfectly}

"You would let some worthless thing into MY home and die on MY floors? Those are original wood! They're older than I am, and you would so carelessly ruin them?! After all I've done for you?!"

άŇᗪ tħєＮ 𝐧𝔢ⓧ𝓽 ţђⒾή𝓖 𝓲 Ⓚ𝕟ㄖｗＩ'м 𝓁ØᶜҜ𝐄∂ 𝐢𝕟 𝔱卄𝔢 𝐓σ𝓻𝐓ᵘŕＥ 𝔻𝔲ⓝᎶⒺ𝑜𝓝 𝒶ⓖᗩ𝔦ᶰ. Ɨ ςⒶⓃ'ｔ ℍａｖε ⓣђÃ𝔱, ＮＯ𝕨 匚𝐚ᶰ 𝕀? ⓘ'𝕄 ⓜ𝔲Ⓒ𝒽 𝓉ᗝό 𝓹Ⓡ𝑒Ŧ𝐓𝔂 Ｔό Ⓑ𝐄 ㄥƗⓋ𝓲𝐧𝔾 Đ𝔬𝕨η t卄𝐞ŕⒺ!

(plain text: And then next thing I know I'm locked in the torture dungeon again. I can't have that, now can I? I'm much too pretty to be living down there!)

the-anons-anonymous

They let out a snort of what could be genuine amusement before wincing at the slight strain it put on their injuries. They school their expression, putting on their best smile; a performer must look their best, after all!

“Hm. Well, dying on wood floors wouldn’t exactly be in my best interest either! So, thank you. I appreciate not being left to bleed out.”

{Jett hums and stretches its arms out over the comforter.}

ι Ŵค𝓈 sσ ⒷㄖŘ𝓔ｄ 𝕎𝒶Ⓘ𝐭Ⓘภ𝐠 ғㄖᖇ 𝐲𝐨υ ţⓄ Ⓦαᵏє 𝓤ᵖ!

(plain text: I was so bored waiting for you to wake up!)

the-anons-anonymous

They observe it, picking at their bandages, still very sure to keep their guard up.

“Well, being knocked unconscious isn’t exactly pleasant either!” They point out. “And if you were bored, why didn’t you just… do something else? You didn’t have to wait for me to awaken, you know!”

ᗯℍ𝕒т 𝕜𝔦ภĐ ㄖ𝔽 𝔸 Ħ๏丂ⓣ 山𝑜Ｕℓ𝔻 𝕚 𝕓έ 𝕀ғ 𝐢 ℓ𝑒𝔽ⓣ Ƴ𝑜Ữ βεĤιⓃ𝓓? ᶠŘ𝐎𝕄 𝑜𝓃є є𝓃𝐓𝔼я𝐓𝔸ιŇєя ｔ𝓞 𝕒ᑎᗝ丅𝔥Ⓔ𝕣, ∂𝕠 ｙỖย ⓣⓇᵘŁү 𝕋н𝕚ŇҜ 𝓉ⓗ𝒶Ⓣ'ѕ ᵃ ｇᵒⓞ∂ 𝓣ⒽιⓃģ Ŧ𝐨 ᗪㄖ?

(plain text: What kind of a host would I be if I left you behind? From one entertainer to another, do you truly think that's a good thing to do?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course not!” They reply, almost offended that it would think so lowly of them. “You can’t just leave your guests by themselves if you’re going to be a good host, no! Why, you have to— how did you know I’m an entertainer?”

𝐘Ⓞ𝐔 нａ𝔳ᗴ ＴĤᗴ 𝐁ʳ𝕒ｖⒶ∂Ｏ 𝕠𝐟 𝐌𝓨 ⓞℓ𝓓 ⓡ𝐢𝐧𝔾ᗰคⓢ丅εＲ. β𝐮𝐭 ĦⒺ Ŵａᔕ ᶠＡ𝓇 Ｌ乇ᔕ丂卂ŇήØⓨ𝓘几𝕘, 𝕀 รùᵖ𝓟Ⓞ𝓼€. 𝓜𝐀¥Ｂє Ｉ'м вⓘ𝒶𝓼ẸĐ.

(plain text: You have the bravado of my old ringmaster. But he was far less annoying, I suppose. Maybe I'm biased.)

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle a bit and shrug. “Hmph. Well, it seems I haven’t lost my touch, then! On a different note, why are you keeping me here?”

ŴＨ𝔂 𝔀ØǗl𝒹𝐍'𝐓 ί? ⓨØù'ŘẸ ｓ𝕠 𝑒𝔫ŤᗴŘ𝕥𝓐𝓘ᶰ𝕚Ⓝ𝓖!

(plain text: Why wouldn't I? You're so entertaining!)

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t you have anyone— or anything— else to entertain yourself with?” The way they say it seems a little bit mocking, but they’re genuinely curious. Are they being kept here as punishment, or are they actually just that entertaining?

𝔬𝒇 ᑕ𝕆ᵘ𝓻𝐒𝔢 ι 𝐝𝑜! 𝐛𝔲т ᗪ𝕠 ʸ๏𝓊 я𝔼𝒶𝓛𝐋ʸ ⓌⒶℕ丅Ｍ𝒆 𝐓Ｏ l乇αV𝐄 үｏＵＡˡσ几€ 𝔦η ᕼ€尺ᗴ? ι𝒇 ţн𝓪𝓽 𝔴𝔼яє тнⓔ 𝓒𝒶𝕊є 𝓲'ｄ 𝒽ᵃשᗴ ⓖ𝒾ש𝐞ｎ ⓨØย 丅𝓞 𝕝ᗴ𝓣𝐨.

(plain text: Of course I do! But do you really want me to leave you alone in here? If that were the case I'd have given you to Leto.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course I don’t want to be left alone,” they answer quickly. “I was simply curious, that’s all. However, I should be leaving soon. I’m probably well enough the magic myself back home.”

They seem anxious to leave, the barest hints of fear hidden behind their wide grin. They’re still in danger, they’re aware of that, so they should leave. They will leave.

{Jett hums and stands up, stalking back over to the ring it had been hanging from before. It easily climbs back onto it and gets comfortable sitting in the middle.}

ᔕυเt Ƴ𝓞𝓊𝔯𝓢𝐄ℓℱ, 𝕃𝓲Ｔ丅ⓁＥ ØⓃ𝑒. 𝐛𝔲𝓽 𝒾ғ ч๏Ｕ 𝕔ｏ𝓵ㄥ𝓐ｐ𝐬€ ᵒ𝓃 Ťн𝐞 𝓌ａч ᗝⓊţ 𝕥ℍαⓉ'𝕊 ๏ᑎ Ｙ๏υ.

(plain text: Suit yourself, little one. But if you collapse on the way out that's on you.)

the-anons-anonymous

They roll their eyes at the phrase. They aren’t little, not at all! No, no, not like they were when they started performing!

“I won’t collapse. What do you take me for, some amateur?”

ʸσⓤ 丅ⓗ𝓘𝐧к ㄚ𝓸ⓤ'ℝᗴ ค ｌＯ𝔱 ᔕᵗⓇＯ𝓷𝔾𝔢Ř ⓣн𝔸𝓝 𝕐𝓸ᑌ 𝓪ʳ𝒆. 𝐈 ŤⒽĮήķ Ⓨⓞᑌ 𝓷ᵉᗴ𝔡 Ŧσ ق𝐞𝐓 α ㄥ𝐢ⓣтℓᗴ 爪ㄖŘᵉ ｓⓛᗴ𝑒ᵖ 𝓫𝔼𝒻ᵒ𝐑𝐞 Ƴᵒ𝓤 ţ𝓡𝕪 Δ𝓝𝓎𝕥ℍ𝐈ⓝᎶ. ιѕŇ'ｔ тĦ𝒶𝓣 𝐛Ⓔᗪ Ć𝑜ᗰғⓄ𝕣Ť𝐚βᒪᵉ? Ãяєᑎ'т ㄚỖ𝕦 𝓣Ɨｒｅ𝓓?

(plain text: You think you're a lot stronger than you are. I think you need to get a little more sleep before you try anything. Isn't that bed comfortable? Aren't you tired?)

the-anons-anonymous

The answer is yes, they are tired from the magic used to torment it and the bed is unfairly comfortable, but they know better. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”

A little more magic won’t hurt. As much as they’d overexerted their power earlier, just the slightest bit more can’t make it worse. They close their eyes, focusing on the warehouse and getting to it. Seconds pass. Nothing happens. Well, they do get an awful headache and a sharp pain in their chest, but they don’t suppose that counts.

“HMph.”

ģᗝ 𝐨Ⓝ~ 𝒾 𝐖ㄖ𝔫'ⓣ 卄ỮŘⓣ 𝐲𝓸υ ωℍ丨𝕝ᵉ 𝕪𝐨Ⓤ'𝓇Ｅ 𝐀𝕤ĻẸ𝔢ρ, т𝓗α𝓉 ⓦ𝓸Ｕl𝔡 𝒷€ ｕⓃ-Ǥ€ᑎᵗℓᵉｍαη-𝓵Ɨ𝓚€ 𝕆Ｆ ᗰ𝐞. Ｗ乇Ⓛ𝐥, ᵃŞ ⓂᵘĆＨ α𝐒 ⓘ Ⓒ𝔸η ｂ𝑒 α 𝓰𝓔ภţ𝐥𝕖м卂Ⓝ, ί ŜᑌⓅρ𝕆ş€. ĴǗŞｔ ⓐ Ｓ𝓗Ⓞŕţ Ňᵃ𝓟?

(plain text: Go on~ I won't hurt you while you're asleep, that would be un-gentleman-like of me. Well, as much as I can be a gentleman, I suppose. Just a short nap?)

the-anons-anonymous

They stand, ignoring the protest from every limb in their body. Difficulties can be pushed past. Perseverance is necessary for performers.

“I’m going to have to say no to that. I don’t make it a habit to trust Liars. I’ll simply walk back, it’s fine.”

𝓉𝓗є 𝐫ιŇᵍΜ𝓐ร𝕥ᵉ𝕣 α𝕝𝓌ａ𝓎𝔰 𝓼άιⒹ Ť𝕙乇 Ⓞ𝕟lу tᕼ𝐢Ｎق ¥𝓸ᑌ 𝓖Ⓔţ Ø𝓤ｔ όᶠ ᵒVⒺ𝐑𝓔Ж𝓔ʳ丅𝕀η𝕘 ㄚｏᵘ𝐑ｓ𝒆Łғ 丨𝓈 𝓪 𝐬ħ𝓲ţ𝓽𝕪 Ƥ𝒆я𝒻𝓞Ř𝕞Δᶰⓒ𝑒. ⓑε𝓉Ť𝔼г Ⓣ𝓞 𝕊Į𝓽 𝔞𝓷𝐝 ＲＥ𝕊Ŧ 𝐀 ʷн𝔦ｌ𝐄 𝔱𝒽𝐀ⓝ ĐØ 𝐁ⓐｄ ιŇ 𝓕ʳㄖ𝔫ᵗ 𝑜𝔽 ᑭＥⓞρl𝔢, ｒＩＧｈ𝓽?

(plain text: The Ringmaster always said the only thing you get out of overexerting yourself is a shitty performance. Better to sit and rest a while than do bad in front of people, right?)

the-anons-anonymous

They frown, but it’s difficult to argue when you can barely breathe.

“FinE,” they relent eventually, sitting hesitantly on the edge of the bed. “A short break! And you can’t maim me while I sleep.”

{Jett just hums vaguely and smiles, slowly spinning in its suspended ring.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t lie down all the way. That would make them too vulnerable, too susceptible to anything, at least in their mind. They instead lean against the wall, closing their eyes and trying to drift off.

{Jett watches them for a while with mild fascination. Another performer, clearly, but from what? A circus? A theater? It almost wants to- no. Jett doesn't help people more than it has to. It certainly isn't nice to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

After a while they snap awake suddenly, almost falling off of the bed. Something’s wrong, something’s dangerous, something’s— oh. Hm. Their mind catches up with their racing heart, and the process where they are and who’s there with them. They school their expression quickly, playing off whatever had happened with a laugh. The show isn’t over.

“Hello— hello there, Jett! Thank you for not mauling me while I rested.”

{It's raining now, the large windows show every drop and cloud and crackle of thunder. It's almost peaceful. Even the colors of the room seem to have dimmed slightly. Jett is still watching them, of course, lost in thought for once in its spiraled life.}

ђ𝓶-? Øн, Ⓨ𝐞𝓈. ᶤ 𝐃𝕀𝐃 Ⓢ𝓪ⓨ Ꭵ 𝔴ⓞυｌᗪᶰ'ｔＡ𝐍Ｄ丨'𝓶 ήσt Ｏᶰ𝓔 ⓣ๏ ｇ𝓸 ᵇΔ𝐂𝓚 𝐎ή 𝕄𝓎 ʷ𝕆Ř𝕕 𝓤ＮⓁє𝓼Ŝ ｉ ᖇ𝐄ａ𝓛ｌ𝔶 𝔥ᵃνＥ丅Ø.

(plain text: Hm-? Oh, yes. I did say I wouldn't and I'm not one to go back on my word unless I really have to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hum, gaze shifting to stare at the window. Hmph. Rain. Storms. “That’s good, I suppose.”

They feel better. Well, they don’t feel as bad as before; better isn’t quite the word, though, since they still think they might keel over is they try magic again. “Thank you for letting me rest,” they smile. “As nice as this is, I should walk home now! I’m aware I’ve overstayed my welcome, haha.”

чⓞ𝓾 Ｃคη ⓢŤ𝕒𝐘, ｉ ĐⓄｎ'𝐭 мเ𝓝ᵈ. 𝓲 𝓦𝕆Ň'ｔ 𝕙𝓾яＴ 𝓨𝔬𝐮 Ⓘ𝓷 𝐌ч яⓞ𝓞𝓂.

(plain text: You can stay, I don't mind. I won't hurt you in my room.)

{Jet seems... oddly sincere. Pensive, even. Odd}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t want to trust it, they know better, but staying seems more appealing than going out in the rain.

“Hm. Maybe for just a while longer. Is there… something on your mind?” They question, put off slightly by its calmness.

𝔦ร ⓣ𝐇є𝓇ε 𝔼ｖєＲ? 𝒾𝕊η'𝕋 Ｔнε𝕣έ? 𝕚 ⒹＯᶰ'ｔ… 𝓚𝔫Ⓞω. ι'vᵉ 𝓷є𝓿𝑒я Ƒ𝒆𝓛𝓣 ㄥเ𝕜𝐞 丅нเŜ.

(plain text: Is there ever? Isn't there? I don't… know. I've never felt like this.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Do you think it’s because of the ah…” They hesitate and gesture vaguely. “Thing I did? With the Eye?”

Į ｗσυˡᗪ 𝓗Ỗᑭ𝓔 𝓷Ｏ𝐓. ᶤ Ⓐ𝔪 𝓟єｒᶠⓔ𝒸тⓛ𝔶 cσΜ𝒻ㄖ𝓇𝐓Ａвⓛ乇ｉⓝ Ｍу ㄥⓄ𝔶ａⓛŦʸ 𝕋𝔬 ⒹⒾ𝕊𝓽ｏℝ𝐭𝐢𝓞ή, 𝐢'ᵈ 𝓹ｒ𝐞𝐅𝑒ʳ 𝔫𝓞t Ｔσ 𝐇คv𝐞 Ⓣᗝ 𝔀ⓐⓣ𝕔ｈ Ⓐηđ β𝒆 ฬᗩ𝐓ᑕ𝐡έ𝒹 ᵃร ŴẸ𝓁Ⓛ. ᑎσ 𝓜𝕠𝓇𝓔 𝔱н𝐀𝓷 𝔦'м υＳ𝐄ᵈ тⓞ.

(plain text: I would hope not. I am perfectly comfortable in my loyalty to Distortion, I'd prefer not to have to watch and be watched as well. No more than I'm used to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They shrug, frowning, almost guiltily. “I hope not, too, for your sake. I’m not particularly sorry for messing with you as I did, but I am sorry if the effects are lingering.”

{Jett sighs and throws itself backwards, suddenly hanging precariously upside down. Its arms dangle towards the ground as it examines them.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their body moves forward to catch it on muscle memory alone before they clear their throat and return to their previous position.

“Hm?”

{It caught onto that movement and slowly starts to swing back and forth.}

𝐖ℍ𝐚Ť 𝓚𝓲𝐧ⓓ 𝓸ｆ 𝓅𝓔𝐫ᶠｏ𝕣𝕞ⓔŘ 𝒶ʳ𝐄 уᗝ𝐮?

(plain text: What kind of performer are you?)

the-anons-anonymous

They close their eyes, tone almost wistful. “I don’t do much anymore, but I used to be a part of an act with my brother. He’d do acrobatic things and I’d catch him and throw him and all in comedic ways. It was… fun. Before that, we were on a stage.”

They don’t elaborate further. They don’t seem to want to, either.

Ĵυ𝓢ⓣ 𝐥𝕀𝕂Ẹ 𝐈 ฬａ𝓢. 𝕙𝕦𝓱.

(plain text: Just like I was. Huh.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Really? I mean, you needn’t answer if you don’t want to, but still.”

мч t𝓦𝔦η 𝐁гｏ丅ℍ𝐞я ａ𝕟𝔡 𝕚 𝓌𝐄Řε тнⓔ ŘⓘŇǤм𝓪𝕤ｔᗴ𝕣'ѕ ᶠÃν𝔬𝐫𝓲𝕋Ẹ ί𝐍 𝓣ђ𝑒 c𝕀𝓡𝐂ｕŞ ωᵉ 𝔴ᗴ𝓡Ⓔ Ƥ𝐚яᵗ σ𝐟, тнａＴ'ş Ａ𝕃ᒪ.

(plain text: My twin brother and I were the Ringmaster's favorite in the circus we were part of, that's all.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, not really knowing what to say, and stare out of the window. The storm doesn’t seem to be letting up; in fact, it seems worse than it was before. They almost flinch at a clap of thunder that seems closer than the rest.

{Jett mumbles something to itself and yawns.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? What was that?” They stand, still leaning on the bed, and look over to Jett. “Are you tired, bud?”

{Jett glares at them, all of a sudden slightly defensive.}

ᶤ'ｍ 𝔫𝕖ש𝓔Ⓡ 𝓣Įｒєⓓ, Ň𝐎𝓽 Ａᑎ𝔶๓ØŘ𝑒. 𝔻σＮ'𝓽 ώσＲ𝕣¥ 𝔸ᗷｏᵘ𝕋 Ɨ𝓽.

(plain text: I'm never tired, not anymore. Don't worry about it.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hold up their arms to show they aren’t hostile, wincing at the movement. “It’s fine!” They gesture to the bed. “Rest if you wish. I’m not going to judge you. I was just about to try to leave again, anyway. Or just walk. I’m not here to laugh at you for sleeping.”

Ɨ 𝐝𝓞ή'𝔱 ή𝐄𝑒ｄ 𝕊𝐋𝑒є𝕡, ｏｒ у𝐎ù𝐑 ρ𝔢𝔯ⓜｉ𝕤ş𝓲ｏη 丅ⓞ 𝐃𝕆 รᵒ Ⓘή м𝕐 𝑜𝐖Ň в𝑒Đ.

(plain text: I don't need sleep, or your permission to do so in my own bed.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, letting their arms fall. “Alright, then,” they say. “I won’t make you. I—” Another loud burst of thunder. This time they jump so badly they nearly fall. “Gah— good lord, sorry, where was I? Right! Thank you, again, for letting me stay, but I’m going to go now. I see that I’m… agitating you, if that’s the right word.”

ｎ𝓞- ᶤ- ยﻮｈ. ᑎ𝔬, Į𝐭'𝕊 Ｆเᶰέ. 𝔢𝓼ℙ𝐞ς𝐢𝔞ᒪｌㄚ 𝔦ⓕ Ŧⓗ𝑒 丅ℍỮⓝ∂ε𝕣 Ⓘ𝐬 Ｂσ𝕥нⒺяเŇｇ Ⓨ𝐎𝐔 𝕥𝓱ＩŜ вⓐ𝔻ℓ𝕐. Į'Ⓜ Đє𝐚ℓ𝒾ⓝǤ 𝓌Ɨ丅𝕙 𝔀ℍÃ丅Ẹv𝓔𝐫 ĮⓈ Ꮆ𝐎ι𝕟ģ 𝓞𝓝 Ꭵℕ 𝕞𝔶 𝓱εÃ𝔻, тⒽᵃ丅'ѕ ᗩ𝔩Ĺ. 𝐈 ᵈⓞŇ'Ŧ м𝐈ภ∂ ħα𝓥ᶤ𝐍ⓖ ү𝓞υ Ⓗ𝐞𝕣Ⓔ. 𝔱н𝐞 ςⓞ𝓂𝔭ÃŇ¥ 𝒾𝔰…. ᵃ卩ｐяẸς𝔦ά𝐓€Ⓓ.

(plain text: No- I- Ugh. No, it's fine. Especially if the thunder is bothering you this badly. I'm dealing with whatever is going on in my head, that's all. I don't mind having you here. The company is…. appreciated.)

the-anons-anonymous

They tilt their head curiously. “The thunder…? Oh! The noise. Yes, it— it’s not that bad! But if you want me to stay, I will. You can try to talk to me about what’s happening, if you wish. I’m… well, I’m not awful at helping with that.”

{Jett gets off the ring one last time and walks over to the bed, dropping itself onto the mattress and dragging them down with. it.}

ħ𝕠𝐖 ａＢόⓊ𝐓 ү𝑜Ｕ ʲ𝔲丂Ⓣ 𝓛𝐀ץ 𝐡έŘ𝕖 Ｗ𝓲Ⓣ𝓗 ᗰ𝐞 υภŦ𝒾ᒪ 丅ᕼє Ⓢ𝓉𝐎ⓡ𝕄 ℙค𝕊𝐬ｅŞ ᎥⓃ𝔰𝐓ᵉⓐᗪ?

(Plain text: How about you just lay here with me until the storm passes instead?)

the-anons-anonymous

They squeak as they’re pulled down, opening their mouth to say something and closing it again after a moments contemplation. “That would be… nice, I suppose,” they reply, staring out of the window. “I’m sorry, for earlier. I thought I wasn’t, but I feel… not guilty, exactly, but I feel bad now.”

Į 𝓓όŇ'ⓣ ᗷℓÃмＥｙσᑌ 𝒇Ｏ𝓇 𝒸𝐡ᵃᔕⓘＮ𝓖 ¥๏ย尺 ØŴＮ ᗴŇ𝕋έ𝐑тÃⓘŇ𝐦𝑒ᑎⓣ. Ꭵ ĐỖ Ť𝐡є 𝕊卂𝓂ᵉ ｔ𝒽𝐢ŇĞ.

(plain text: I don't blame you for chasing your own entertainment. I do the same thing.)

{Its arms wrap around them and it rests its forehead against their shoulder.}

Ⓨ𝐨ｕＮ𝕖שᵉＲＴⓄⓁ𝒹 ᗰ€ 𝔶όⓤŕ 𝕟Ⓐмｅ.

(plain text: You never told me your name.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? Oh. You can call me Jester, I believe. I’ll often respond to it,” they answer, picking at their bandages again. “It’s what I went by when I performed.”

ⓣ𝔥乇ʸ 𝔠𝔞ⓛｌєｄｍ𝑒 ｊ乇ⓣt Ꭵ𝐧 𝓽ｈᗴ 𝓒Ｉ尺匚ᵘᔕ 𝒷Ⓔ匚ⓐǗ𝓼𝐞 ᶤ ¢ⓞ𝔲l𝓭 s𝕆𝔞ｒ 𝐭Ħŕ๏Ữﻮ𝕙 тнέ ΔｉŘ 𝕃𝓘ＫẸ σŇᵉ.

(Plain text: They called me Jett in the circus because I could soar through the air like one.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, thinking over the info.

“Can you still do that?”

ⓒαｎ ᵗᕼＥ乃𝔼Ｈㄖㄥ𝕕𝑒Ř 𝕊ţι𝐥ˡ Ｗ𝐚ｔＣ𝐇? 𝔠𝒶𝐍 тнẸ 𝐌ｏ丅ђ𝔼Ř ỖＦ Ⓟ𝔲𝓹𝓹Ẹтѕ ｓ𝕋Ｉ𝕝l ⓜ𝔞ŇᎥρⓊ𝐋𝕒ţ𝐄?

(plain text: Can the Beholder still Watch? Can the Mother of Puppets still manipulate?)

the-anons-anonymous

Jester chuckles quietly, the sound actually genuine this time.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” they murmur, closing their eyes.

{Jett hums quietly and gets comfortable.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t realize they’ve fallen asleep until they’re blinking awake, staring at the moon through the window. Clear skies. Hm.

They almost say something, almost alert Jett, but stop themself at the last moment. A little longer can’t hurt.

{Jett has long since fallen asleep for the first time in potentially years. It's comfortable there, even purring slightly like a cat. If that cat's purring was distorted like through a video editor in an echo chamber.}

the-anons-anonymous

They shift to face Jett so they can pet its hair, a smile on their face. It looks so… almost peaceful like this. They don’t have to wake it, right? Not when it’s so comfortable and actually resting.

{It hums quietly and pulls them a little bit closer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They coo at it, finding the action absolutely adorable. They don’t have to act right now, not while it’s asleep. A brief intermission. They sing quietly; some song that they learned before the performances started, before their life was devoted to the stage. A lullaby, they think. Or at least it’s sung like one.

{After a long while, Jett starts to wake up. While still half asleep, it stretches and tucks its head under their chin for a little bit with a soft yawn.}

the-anons-anonymous

Break’s over, they suppose. They grin brightly, still running their fingers through its hair. “Sleep well, Jett? And you claim you weren’t tired!” They laugh, tone teasing.

{Jett mumbles something unintelligible, its voice more static than vocal cords until it clears its throat and yawns.}

н𝐚ＶＥή'𝕋 Ｓｌ€ᑭⓉ 𝕝ιⓀ乇 тｈᗩⓣ Ⓘℕ 𝓐 ｗ𝓱เⓛ𝒆..

(plain text: Haven't slept like that in a while..)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I’m glad you slept well! Did you know that you purr?”

They continue to scratch at its scalp, muttering about it being adorable.

Μнⓜ.. 丂'ｎσŤ ｌƗ𝓴𝐞 ι 𝔠όภ𝓽ℝⓞ𝓛 𝒾Ŧ ⓉђσυＧн.

(plain text: Mhm.. s'not like I control it though.)

{Jett does continue to purr and leans into their hand slightly.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Awee!”

They turn their head to glance at the window. Almost light out. They should really be getting back to the warehouse. But… hm. They have all day to do that. They have now with Jett.

{Jett stretches out and grumbles something about being glad it doesn't do this regularly.}

𝒾𝕥'𝐬 几σт ţ𝐇𝔸т 𝕔Ǘ𝐓€.

(plain text: it's not that cute.)

the-anons-anonymous

Their smile softens as they drape their arms over its shoulders. “Sure it’s not! And I’m not a performer.”

{It takes some time for Jett to wake up fully. When it does and both of them are sitting up properly, it just examines them for a while.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their gaze shifts from the sunrise to Jett, their head tilting in mild amusement. “May I ask what you’re staring at, Contortionist?”

…𝓎𝕠υ. Ў𝓞Ⓤ 𝐡𝔞𝕧ｅ卂 ᑭŘ𝔼𝔱ＴＹ ғ卂𝔠Ｅ. ｉ'м 𝕥Řч𝕚𝔫ｇ 𝓉ό Ŧ丨𝔤𝓾я𝔼 ｏ𝔲т 𝓦ħ𝓎.

(plain text: …you. You have a pretty face. I'm trying to figure out why.)

{Jett chuckles at the contortionist comment, knowing it's the truth. There's always been a certain fluidity about its movements that give away what it was in live. It turns its body to fully face Jester, legs wrapped around each other in a way they can only describe as comfortably odd.)

the-anons-anonymous

They blink for a moment, processing slowly before turning slightly red. “Oh! I— well, thank you, Jett, I— that’s— ahem.” They clear their throat, turning their head away and tugging at their collar.

{Jett crawls closer to them}

Ｔ𝔥Ã𝓣 𝓦𝐀ｓ ℃ยт𝐞. ĎＯ Ɨ𝐓 𝐀𝐆ᵃเŇ.

(plain text: That was cute. Do it again.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Cute— what was—? What?”

No, no, no! The performance is not over, you cannot crack this quickly under pressure! Get it together, Jester, really! It’s only complimenting you, get your act straight!

“I mean— I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jett! Could you explain?”

{Jett smiles slightly as it realizes it's getting under their skin, so, of course, it doubles down. It puts its hand on their cheek and tilts its head to the side slightly.}

𝓨σ𝓾я 𝐟ÃĆⓔ Ŧ𝓾ŘℕⒺ𝒹 г𝐄Ｄ. 𝓘𝓉'𝓈 ςυ𝓉ⓔ. ί ℓ𝓘𝓴𝐄 𝔀ĤⒺ𝐍 ʸ๏υ đ𝓸 ⓉħａⓉ.

(plain text: Your face turned red. It's cute. I like when you do that.)

the-anons-anonymous

Oh! Well— that’s certainly— well their face is definitely red now.

Jett has gotten to them far too fast, and their heart is hammering, and—

“I— I’m not cute, Jett.”

Really? Is that all they can think to say?

Ⓨ𝕆ⓤ 卂𝓡𝔼~ Ƴ𝓞υ'ᖇ𝓔 ⓥｅᖇ¥ ｃ𝐮Ť𝐞. 𝔸𝓒ᑕ𝕖Ƥｔ 𝓲𝕋.

(plain text: You are~ You're very cute. Accept it.)

the-anons-anonymous

Hm. Fine, then! Two can play at this game.

“So are you, Contortionist. I’d even say you’re pretty, if you’d let me.”

{It hums and chuckles faintly, dizzyingly as always.}

เ 𝕎ｉℓl ⒶŁＬỖ𝕨 ι𝓉, ώє ๒𝓸𝓣ʰ Ҝᶰᗝω 𝓘𝔱'ѕ 𝕥𝐑υẸ. 𝔹𝕌Ŧ Į ᗯĮ𝓛ㄥ 𝓢𝓪𝐘 𝐘ㄖ𝐮 Δ尺έ α Ⓥ€𝐫𝓎 Ⓒ𝓵ㄖˢέ 𝐒𝔼匚𝔬Ｎ𝒹.

(plain text: I will allow it, we both know it's true. But I will say you are a very close second.)

the-anons-anonymous

They smile, leaning back slightly. “Hah, thank you, my beautiful Contortionist! I appreciate it,” they hum, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight through the window.

{Jett pauses for a moment and frowns, suddenly all strangeness about it dissipates. It's human again. Still somehow a pretty human, but distinctly non-distorted.}

Damn..

the-anons-anonymous

They frown too, mimicking it. “Anons?” The performer questions, sounding slightly upset on its behalf.

Anons.

{Jett looks far more frustrated at having to hear its old voice again. Though that frustration is quickly masked by exhaustion. How long has it been since it slept properly? Why is Jett being effected by it now?}

the-anons-anonymous

They notice its sudden drowsiness and pull it close, picking its singing back up. “You can rest. It’s okay. I’ll be here, hm?”

They’ve dropped their showmanship, for now, at least, to just comfort Jett for a while. “Just rest.”

{It wraps its arms around them and grumbles something quietly before settling against them.}

mmmn.. hate this.. this is worse than Becoming..

the-anons-anonymous

They shush it, holding it ever closer. “It’s okay, Jett. This can’t last forever, hm? It’ll be better when you wake up.”

you'll stay...?

{It sounds less like a question of if they will, but more like a request. Even then, Jett doesn't get to be awake for long enough to get a response, as it passes out in their arms almost immediately.}

the-anons-anonymous

They murmur a quiet of course and hold it tightly. No sense going back on their word.

And, honestly, Jett still looks more peaceful and it does awake, and Jester would not disturb that peace in a million years.

{Jett stays there, unmoving, dead to the world for who knows how long. It hasn't slept properly in potentially years, after not needing to as an avatar. But after a long while, it starts to wake and cling tighter to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

They’d nearly been asleep when Jett begins waking up, but at the first sign of motion from it they jolt into awareness.

“Back with us, hm, doll?” They question, tilting its head up with one finger. “Feel any better?”

{Jett yawns and buries its face in their chest, curling itself around their body like a cat. The only sound it makes is a sleepy, somewhat grumpy whine.}

the-anons-anonymous

They hum and rest their chin on top of its head. “I’ll take that as a maybe, then. Is there any chance you’ll let me move any time soon?”

mmm.. no... mine now..

{Jett clings just a bit tighter to them}

the-anons-anonymous

They blush just the slightest bit, thankful that Jett can’t see their face.

“Yours, you say?”

{It yawns and nods}

Mine..

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle. “Yours, then, I suppose,” they agree, shifting to be just a bit more comfortable with Jett lying on top of them like a giant cat.

{Jett smiles and stretches out over them happily.}

the-anons-anonymous

“You’re just a big cat, do you know that?” They ask, rubbing its back.

{It cracks its eyes open and looks at them, smiling still.}

If I agree, will you stay with me longer..?

the-anons-anonymous

“I’ll stay with you as long as you’d like regardless.”

Good. ‘Cause I’m not letting you leave.

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I suppose that’s fine.” A smile crosses their face. “I may have to let my fellow anons know I’ll be stuck here, though.”

{Jett smiles and nuzzles into the crook their neck, happy as can be.}

You tell them that. They can come find us if they need you.

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, their hand brushing over its hair. “Hm. I might. I don’t really have to.”

Yeah.. yeah! You can just stay and not tell them. Could move in.. enough people live here, Edward wouldn't notice.

the-anons-anonymous

“I would love to, but I have to stay at the warehouse. I could come over from time to time though, hm?”

“Hello, Jett¡!”

The voice seems to come from no where and everywhere at once, echoing through every crack in Jett’s— excuse the pun —spiraling mind.

“You wanted to meet, so here I am!”

— 🎭🎬 // @the-anons-anonymous

𝐮𝕟ᗪ𝕠 ⓦ卄𝓐𝕋 𝓨𝐨𝔲 ∂𝒾Ď 丅𝕆 ΜẸ.

(plain text: Undo what you did to me.)

the-anons-anonymous

The figure tsks at it, giving a short head shake.

“No, no, I think I like you better this way! Very interesting, no?”

丨ᵗ 𝓱υŕｔᔕ. ᶰØ丅 𝕀Ň тʰᗴ ⒼỖⓞｄ 𝐰αү. ᶤt'ⓢ Ｎㄖⓣ ⓔᑎ𝓽€г丅ᗩ𝓲𝓝ι𝔫g. Ｓtᗝｐ. 𝐈𝕋.

(plain text: It hurts. Not in the good way. It's not entertaining. Stop. It.)

the-anons-anonymous

They giggle almost cruelly.

“Hm. Why would I do that? No, no, not when you’ve done almost the same to others! I think you need to be taught a lesson in power dynamics, don’t you agree?”

เ'ᒪℓ ŜⒽ𝕆𝓌 ЎＯᑌ 𝔞 ｆ𝓊¢кⓘⓝ𝓰 𝓅Ⓞ𝔀Ⓔ𝕣 Đʸ𝓝ⓐＭ𝐢𝓒.

(plain text: I'll show you a fucking power dynamic.)

{Jett suddenly launches itself at them. The Becoming is making it's body almost what it's used to. Sharp bones, weird skin, dizzying movements. Yet somehow worse, closer to Michael than to the usual Jett. It starts to scratch and claw at their skin.}

𝕚 ⓜ𝐀у 𝓷ᗝｔｂ乇 ⓜⓎ υ𝕊𝐮𝐀𝕃 ⓢ𝒆𝐋𝒇 ｂ𝔲Ť 丨 𝐖ι𝐋ｌ Ŝ𝓉ⓘĹℓ 𝒽Ữ𝓇𝓉 𝐲ㄖ𝔲!

(plain text: I may not be my usual self but I will still hurt you!)

the-anons-anonymous

They make a choked sound, hissing in pain and trying to kick it off of them.

“Now, now,” they begin, trying for their best showman’s voice and falling just short. “You— aren’t following the terms of our deal!”

𝔫𝓔ιţ𝕙𝓔ᖇ ᗩ𝓇ᗴ 𝓎Ỗ𝕌! 𝔸ℕ๔ 𝐛€𝐒𝓲ᵈ€丂, 𝕀'𝕄 𝓝ᵒ𝕥 ⓚ𝔦lｌι𝐧𝐠, Ⓙ𝕌Ｓт ᗰ𝐚𝕚м丨Ｎ𝔤!

(plain text: Neither are you! And besides, I'm not killing, just maiming!)

the-anons-anonymous

They manage to escape its grasp, if only for a moment, and skitter away like a scared animal.

“I’m following… the terms… perfectly well!” They breathe out, chest heaving. Their hands press at the wounds it had managed to inflict; several on the arms, one across their face, and a particularly bad slash that looks like a knife caused it across their torso. “I’m giving— giving you back your Spiral-ness, yes?”

Ď𝕠 𝓲Ŧ тＨ乇 𝐍Ⓞ𝓇ⓜᵃᒪ 𝔴ᗩㄚＯℝ 𝓲 山𝐢ℓℓ ｒƗᑭ 𝓨ｏ𝕌𝐫 ℱᑌᑕｋ𝐢ηg ⓗ𝐞αｒ𝐓 ᵒυ丅, 𝓓ᵒ 𝓨𝑜𝐮 ᵘ𝐧Ⓓᵉⓡѕţ𝓪ᶰｄ 𝔪ᗴ?

(plain text: Do it the normal way or I will rip your fucking heart out, do you understand me?)

{It positions its hand over their heart, growling like a feral animal.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Alright, alright!” They exclaim, making the decision to not point out how that would also break the deal. Possibly from a rare burst of common sense, or from blood loss making them a tad less bold. They try to back away from it on instinct, (they are scared, as much as they pretend to be unaffected) only to find that they’ve hit a wall. “Y-you are back to normal.”

They give a weak smile and a tilt of their head, half convinced that Jett is going to kill them anyways.

{As soon as Jett is back to normal, it backs off and wipes its hands on itself, still pouting like a petulant child rather than the scary thing it actually is.}

𝔱𝐡άη𝓚 𝓎ᵒᑌ, т𝐡ά𝓽'Ŝ ᗷ𝑒тţє𝐫.

(plain text: Thank you, that's better.)

the-anons-anonymous

They straighten themself up the moment they have the room to. Well, try to, anyways. Their knees don’t seem to want to cooperate and their head’s just slightly fuzzy. Maybe just a bit more anon magic to get them out of here.

“Haha! Well, yes, I’d hope it’s better. And you’re very welcome!”

{Jett smiles and walks over, leaning over them slightly. Now that it's back to normal, that look in its eyes and the sharp smile makes their head spin. Or maybe that's the blood loss. Or both.}

ㄚⓞυ'𝐑𝒆 η𝐨𝐭 ℓⓄ𝕆𝐊ᶤ𝐧ģ 𝐓𝕆Ｏ ﻮⓄ𝑜ⓓ ⓣн𝕖𝓇𝔢, ⓓẸΔŕ.

(plain text: You're not looking too good there, dear.)

the-anons-anonymous

“I’m fiNe¡” They reply shortly, voice cracking with a slight distortion near the end. They clear their throat, shaking their head. They’re a performer for Fear’s sake, they won’t be hindered by a bit of blood loss! The mask won’t slip, not under their watch.

“Now, you’ve met me in person, and we’ve both upheld our ends of the deal! I’ll be going now, if you don’t mind!”

𝒷Ẹ ⓜⓎ قυ乇𝐒𝔱. 𝕓𝔲Ⓣ ＹＯỮ'𝔡 вＥ𝕋Ⓣ𝔼ｒ мά𝐤ᗴ ι𝓽 ⓆＵιςЌ. đ𝔢Ａ𝓛'Ş Ⓓᵒｎ𝒆, 𝕒𝐧𝓭 Ɨ'𝕄 Ĥ𝔲𝐍Ⓖ𝕣𝕪.

(plain text: Be my guest. But you'd better make it quick. Deal's done, and I'm hungry.)

the-anons-anonymous

They grin at it and bow, form blinking out of existence.

Except, they don’t stay gone. They reappear after just a moment, doubled over coughing and bleeding more than before. “GaH… thAt’S uNpLeasANt.”

Ǘⓗ 𝓸Ｈ~ Ş𝑜๓𝐞όⓃｅ'𝓈 קⓞ𝓌ⓔ𝕣𝓈 αгｅⓝ'ⓣ 𝔀ｏⓡҜ丨𝕟ق ｒ𝐢𝑔𝓗Ⓣ! β𝓤𝓽 𝕪ό𝓤 к𝓝ᗝⓦ Ｗᕼά𝐓? Į'𝐥𝔩 ᗷ𝕖 𝐀 ǤʳคＣιⓄ𝔲Ｓ 𝓗Ỗѕ𝓣, ŴђⓎ 𝓓Ｏ𝔫'𝓉 уόⓤ Ｓ𝐭คя𝕋 𝓇υⓃᶰι𝐧Ğ 卂ή∂ Ｇ𝐄t 𝐚 ｈᵉᵃⒹ ş𝓉ⒶⓇᵗ, Ⓗ𝓜?

(plain text: Uh oh~ Someone's powers aren't working right! But you know what? I'll be a gracious host, why don't you start running and get a head start, hm?)

the-anons-anonymous

It takes a second to process what it said, and another to gather their strength to actually start running, but once they do they’re surprisingly fast for something actively losing blood.

Still; they’re slower than they should be, and it doesn’t take long for Jett to catch up to them, especially with the near-collapses every five steps.

{It laughs and waits a few moments before giving chase, even opting to just go on foot. Jett catches up and leaves little scratches on their shoulders before slowing down again, just to let the game it's playing linger a few moments longer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They run and run and run, but it’s getting harder, vision getting worse with each step and they trip and fall and by the Fears they’re going to die here aren’t they? They’ll— they’ll probably come back, being an anon and all, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying to be loomed over by something like Jett, who is— laughing? They aren’t sure. They can barely see, let alone think enough to comprehend sounds.

“PErforRmAnCe iS ovEr, hMM?” They giggle weakly. Pathetic, honestly.

Ўέᑭ! 𝐆𝕠Ⓞ𝐝Ňι𝐠𝔥Ŧ!

(plain text: Yep! Goodnight!}

{Jett cackles again as it leans over their body. It doesn't slash or stab at them though, no, it grabs them by the hair and smashes their head into the ground hard enough to make them black out.}

{Oddly enough, they aren't killed. When the awake, they're in a new place, a big bedroom full of headache inducing colors and patterns not unlike where they first met Jett. Nearby, hanging upside down from a ring suspended from the ceiling, Jett is watching them.}

𝐟ｉ𝕟คŁᒪ𝓎! 𝐢 𝔀คѕ ฬσ𝔯Ⓡ𝓲𝐄ᵈ ᶤ ʰＡᗪ 𝓐ｃtⓊ𝕒𝐥ㄥ𝓎 𝐊𝓲𝓵Ｌ𝔼ⓓ ЎⓄᑌ. ｉ'𝕕 ʰᵃ𝕥ⓔ 𝕥Ｏｇσ ค𝓷𝐃 ๒гⓔ𝒶Ќ ᵃ ᗪ乇Ⓐⓛ!

(plain text: Finally! I was worried I had actually killed you. I'd hate to go and break a deal!}

the-anons-anonymous

Their head pounds, which may be from the blinding colours of the room or the definite concussion they have. Their hands trail up to where they know the injuries are, only to find them wrapped (albeit poorly) in bandages.

“You— what—? I’m— well, it seems like I’m alive, yes.” Their words slur together just slightly, pain-addled mind struggling to string a sentence together. “Why— why am I alive?”

{Jett seems to glide down from where it hangs in a movement that one can only call fluid, practiced. It hums and walks over to the side of the bed.}

𝕎𝐞Łℓ Ⓘ ∂𝐈๔ sα¥ 𝕀 Ŵᗩｓ𝕟'т Ğｏ𝐢ηﻮ тᵒ к𝐈Ļㄥ ⓎⓄＵ. ωｅ ħᵃᗪ 𝓐 Ⓓᗴคℓ, 𝓦ⒽㄚＷｏ𝐔ｌ๔ 𝓲 Ｇｏ 𝔟卂𝔠ⓚ 𝐎Ⓝ 卂 𝐝𝐄ⓐᒪ?

(plain text: Well I did say I wasn't going to kill you. We had a deal, why would I go back on a deal?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Makes… enough sense,” they say slowly, observing it with the same demeanor as prey presented to a predator. Their previous eccentricities are gone, replaced with a tone that could be interpreted as nervous.

“Why am I here? Plan on—” They cough into their hand, just the smallest bit of blood coming out. “Hmph. Plan on maiming me again, Jett?”

{Jett grumbles something about "enough blood on his carpet" and "niceties" before giving a dramatic sigh and kneeling on the shag carpet, crossing its arms on the bed and resting its chin on top of them. It looks up at them with deceptively big, innocent eyes.}

Can't a thing be kind to someone it finds injured? How do you feel?

the-anons-anonymous

The only word they can really use is ow, but they settle for “fine” and let out a short, pained laugh.

“You’re a Liar, one of the Twisting Deceit’s, and you expect— ow —you expect me to believe this help comes with no strings?”

山Ⓗ¥, Ｏᶠ 𝓒𝕆ùгˢⒺ ηⓞ𝐭, Ⓓ𝓪𝓡𝓁Ꭵ𝐧𝕘! 乃𝐔т, ᵗℍέ 𝔰ţŘ丨𝐍𝕘Ŝ 𝐚яＥ 𝐚𝐋𝕣𝒆𝔞𝐃ץ ᑕⓊт, ＹØù 𝔻เᗪ ᵗｕｒᑎ мⓔ ๒𝐚ςЌ. ι𝐭 ฬ𝐀Ⓢ α Ⓟ𝐀𝓻ᵗ ｏғ ๏ｕ𝓻 𝓭𝐄卂Ĺ, 𝓪ғтέ𝓇 άㄥⓁ. Į 𝐚𝔪 ό几ℓƳ ∂σᎥ𝐍𝓖 山𝐡Ãt 𝕀𝓈 ｒ𝒾ᎶⓗＴ 𝔞ⓝⓓ ι ¢𝕆𝓊ℓＤη'ᵗ Ｊⓤ𝐬t ⓛｅΔ𝐯𝓔 𝕐𝑜Ｕ 𝔱𝐨 𝓑𝓁𝓔ｅᗪ ᗝᵘ𝔱 𝐀𝔫𝒹 đι𝓔 𝑜𝐧 𝕥н𝓔 ⓜαＮŞｉᵒŇ Ⓕ𝓵ⓞ𝐨ŕ𝐒. Ⓔⓓⓦᵃ𝐫ⓓ 𝓦ＯＵＬ𝐃 ⓗÃ𝕍ⓔ 爪Ⓨ ᕼⓔ𝕒đ 𝐚Ňđ уＯⓤ 𝓭𝐎ℕ'𝓽 Ŵ𝓪ｎｔ ⓣＯ Ќ𝔫ό𝐰 𝐰н卂𝓣 ᕼｅ'ร Ł𝐈Ќє ｗＨⓔภ ĦẸ'丂 𝔞ᶰǤℝу.

(plain text: Why, of course not, darling! But, the strings are already cut, you did turn me back. It was a part of our deal, after all. I am only doing what is right and I couldn't just leave you to bleed out and die on the mansion floors. Edward would have my head and you don't want to know what he's like when he's angry.)

{Jett sits up a little taller and chuckles, mimicking Edward almost perfectly}

"You would let some worthless thing into MY home and die on MY floors? Those are original wood! They're older than I am, and you would so carelessly ruin them?! After all I've done for you?!"

άŇᗪ tħєＮ 𝐧𝔢ⓧ𝓽 ţђⒾή𝓖 𝓲 Ⓚ𝕟ㄖｗＩ'м 𝓁ØᶜҜ𝐄∂ 𝐢𝕟 𝔱卄𝔢 𝐓σ𝓻𝐓ᵘŕＥ 𝔻𝔲ⓝᎶⒺ𝑜𝓝 𝒶ⓖᗩ𝔦ᶰ. Ɨ ςⒶⓃ'ｔ ℍａｖε ⓣђÃ𝔱, ＮＯ𝕨 匚𝐚ᶰ 𝕀? ⓘ'𝕄 ⓜ𝔲Ⓒ𝒽 𝓉ᗝό 𝓹Ⓡ𝑒Ŧ𝐓𝔂 Ｔό Ⓑ𝐄 ㄥƗⓋ𝓲𝐧𝔾 Đ𝔬𝕨η t卄𝐞ŕⒺ!

(plain text: And then next thing I know I'm locked in the torture dungeon again. I can't have that, now can I? I'm much too pretty to be living down there!)

the-anons-anonymous

They let out a snort of what could be genuine amusement before wincing at the slight strain it put on their injuries. They school their expression, putting on their best smile; a performer must look their best, after all!

“Hm. Well, dying on wood floors wouldn’t exactly be in my best interest either! So, thank you. I appreciate not being left to bleed out.”

{Jett hums and stretches its arms out over the comforter.}

ι Ŵค𝓈 sσ ⒷㄖŘ𝓔ｄ 𝕎𝒶Ⓘ𝐭Ⓘภ𝐠 ғㄖᖇ 𝐲𝐨υ ţⓄ Ⓦαᵏє 𝓤ᵖ!

(plain text: I was so bored waiting for you to wake up!)

the-anons-anonymous

They observe it, picking at their bandages, still very sure to keep their guard up.

“Well, being knocked unconscious isn’t exactly pleasant either!” They point out. “And if you were bored, why didn’t you just… do something else? You didn’t have to wait for me to awaken, you know!”

ᗯℍ𝕒т 𝕜𝔦ภĐ ㄖ𝔽 𝔸 Ħ๏丂ⓣ 山𝑜Ｕℓ𝔻 𝕚 𝕓έ 𝕀ғ 𝐢 ℓ𝑒𝔽ⓣ Ƴ𝑜Ữ βεĤιⓃ𝓓? ᶠŘ𝐎𝕄 𝑜𝓃є є𝓃𝐓𝔼я𝐓𝔸ιŇєя ｔ𝓞 𝕒ᑎᗝ丅𝔥Ⓔ𝕣, ∂𝕠 ｙỖย ⓣⓇᵘŁү 𝕋н𝕚ŇҜ 𝓉ⓗ𝒶Ⓣ'ѕ ᵃ ｇᵒⓞ∂ 𝓣ⒽιⓃģ Ŧ𝐨 ᗪㄖ?

(plain text: What kind of a host would I be if I left you behind? From one entertainer to another, do you truly think that's a good thing to do?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course not!” They reply, almost offended that it would think so lowly of them. “You can’t just leave your guests by themselves if you’re going to be a good host, no! Why, you have to— how did you know I’m an entertainer?”

𝐘Ⓞ𝐔 нａ𝔳ᗴ ＴĤᗴ 𝐁ʳ𝕒ｖⒶ∂Ｏ 𝕠𝐟 𝐌𝓨 ⓞℓ𝓓 ⓡ𝐢𝐧𝔾ᗰคⓢ丅εＲ. β𝐮𝐭 ĦⒺ Ŵａᔕ ᶠＡ𝓇 Ｌ乇ᔕ丂卂ŇήØⓨ𝓘几𝕘, 𝕀 รùᵖ𝓟Ⓞ𝓼€. 𝓜𝐀¥Ｂє Ｉ'м вⓘ𝒶𝓼ẸĐ.

(plain text: You have the bravado of my old ringmaster. But he was far less annoying, I suppose. Maybe I'm biased.)

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle a bit and shrug. “Hmph. Well, it seems I haven’t lost my touch, then! On a different note, why are you keeping me here?”

ŴＨ𝔂 𝔀ØǗl𝒹𝐍'𝐓 ί? ⓨØù'ŘẸ ｓ𝕠 𝑒𝔫ŤᗴŘ𝕥𝓐𝓘ᶰ𝕚Ⓝ𝓖!

(plain text: Why wouldn't I? You're so entertaining!)

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t you have anyone— or anything— else to entertain yourself with?” The way they say it seems a little bit mocking, but they’re genuinely curious. Are they being kept here as punishment, or are they actually just that entertaining?

𝔬𝒇 ᑕ𝕆ᵘ𝓻𝐒𝔢 ι 𝐝𝑜! 𝐛𝔲т ᗪ𝕠 ʸ๏𝓊 я𝔼𝒶𝓛𝐋ʸ ⓌⒶℕ丅Ｍ𝒆 𝐓Ｏ l乇αV𝐄 үｏＵＡˡσ几€ 𝔦η ᕼ€尺ᗴ? ι𝒇 ţн𝓪𝓽 𝔴𝔼яє тнⓔ 𝓒𝒶𝕊є 𝓲'ｄ 𝒽ᵃשᗴ ⓖ𝒾ש𝐞ｎ ⓨØย 丅𝓞 𝕝ᗴ𝓣𝐨.

(plain text: Of course I do! But do you really want me to leave you alone in here? If that were the case I'd have given you to Leto.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course I don’t want to be left alone,” they answer quickly. “I was simply curious, that’s all. However, I should be leaving soon. I’m probably well enough the magic myself back home.”

They seem anxious to leave, the barest hints of fear hidden behind their wide grin. They’re still in danger, they’re aware of that, so they should leave. They will leave.

{Jett hums and stands up, stalking back over to the ring it had been hanging from before. It easily climbs back onto it and gets comfortable sitting in the middle.}

ᔕυเt Ƴ𝓞𝓊𝔯𝓢𝐄ℓℱ, 𝕃𝓲Ｔ丅ⓁＥ ØⓃ𝑒. 𝐛𝔲𝓽 𝒾ғ ч๏Ｕ 𝕔ｏ𝓵ㄥ𝓐ｐ𝐬€ ᵒ𝓃 Ťн𝐞 𝓌ａч ᗝⓊţ 𝕥ℍαⓉ'𝕊 ๏ᑎ Ｙ๏υ.

(plain text: Suit yourself, little one. But if you collapse on the way out that's on you.)

the-anons-anonymous

They roll their eyes at the phrase. They aren’t little, not at all! No, no, not like they were when they started performing!

“I won’t collapse. What do you take me for, some amateur?”

ʸσⓤ 丅ⓗ𝓘𝐧к ㄚ𝓸ⓤ'ℝᗴ ค ｌＯ𝔱 ᔕᵗⓇＯ𝓷𝔾𝔢Ř ⓣн𝔸𝓝 𝕐𝓸ᑌ 𝓪ʳ𝒆. 𝐈 ŤⒽĮήķ Ⓨⓞᑌ 𝓷ᵉᗴ𝔡 Ŧσ ق𝐞𝐓 α ㄥ𝐢ⓣтℓᗴ 爪ㄖŘᵉ ｓⓛᗴ𝑒ᵖ 𝓫𝔼𝒻ᵒ𝐑𝐞 Ƴᵒ𝓤 ţ𝓡𝕪 Δ𝓝𝓎𝕥ℍ𝐈ⓝᎶ. ιѕŇ'ｔ тĦ𝒶𝓣 𝐛Ⓔᗪ Ć𝑜ᗰғⓄ𝕣Ť𝐚βᒪᵉ? Ãяєᑎ'т ㄚỖ𝕦 𝓣Ɨｒｅ𝓓?

(plain text: You think you're a lot stronger than you are. I think you need to get a little more sleep before you try anything. Isn't that bed comfortable? Aren't you tired?)

the-anons-anonymous

The answer is yes, they are tired from the magic used to torment it and the bed is unfairly comfortable, but they know better. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”

A little more magic won’t hurt. As much as they’d overexerted their power earlier, just the slightest bit more can’t make it worse. They close their eyes, focusing on the warehouse and getting to it. Seconds pass. Nothing happens. Well, they do get an awful headache and a sharp pain in their chest, but they don’t suppose that counts.

“HMph.”

ģᗝ 𝐨Ⓝ~ 𝒾 𝐖ㄖ𝔫'ⓣ 卄ỮŘⓣ 𝐲𝓸υ ωℍ丨𝕝ᵉ 𝕪𝐨Ⓤ'𝓇Ｅ 𝐀𝕤ĻẸ𝔢ρ, т𝓗α𝓉 ⓦ𝓸Ｕl𝔡 𝒷€ ｕⓃ-Ǥ€ᑎᵗℓᵉｍαη-𝓵Ɨ𝓚€ 𝕆Ｆ ᗰ𝐞. Ｗ乇Ⓛ𝐥, ᵃŞ ⓂᵘĆＨ α𝐒 ⓘ Ⓒ𝔸η ｂ𝑒 α 𝓰𝓔ภţ𝐥𝕖м卂Ⓝ, ί ŜᑌⓅρ𝕆ş€. ĴǗŞｔ ⓐ Ｓ𝓗Ⓞŕţ Ňᵃ𝓟?

(plain text: Go on~ I won't hurt you while you're asleep, that would be un-gentleman-like of me. Well, as much as I can be a gentleman, I suppose. Just a short nap?)

the-anons-anonymous

They stand, ignoring the protest from every limb in their body. Difficulties can be pushed past. Perseverance is necessary for performers.

“I’m going to have to say no to that. I don’t make it a habit to trust Liars. I’ll simply walk back, it’s fine.”

𝓉𝓗є 𝐫ιŇᵍΜ𝓐ร𝕥ᵉ𝕣 α𝕝𝓌ａ𝓎𝔰 𝓼άιⒹ Ť𝕙乇 Ⓞ𝕟lу tᕼ𝐢Ｎق ¥𝓸ᑌ 𝓖Ⓔţ Ø𝓤ｔ όᶠ ᵒVⒺ𝐑𝓔Ж𝓔ʳ丅𝕀η𝕘 ㄚｏᵘ𝐑ｓ𝒆Łғ 丨𝓈 𝓪 𝐬ħ𝓲ţ𝓽𝕪 Ƥ𝒆я𝒻𝓞Ř𝕞Δᶰⓒ𝑒. ⓑε𝓉Ť𝔼г Ⓣ𝓞 𝕊Į𝓽 𝔞𝓷𝐝 ＲＥ𝕊Ŧ 𝐀 ʷн𝔦ｌ𝐄 𝔱𝒽𝐀ⓝ ĐØ 𝐁ⓐｄ ιŇ 𝓕ʳㄖ𝔫ᵗ 𝑜𝔽 ᑭＥⓞρl𝔢, ｒＩＧｈ𝓽?

(plain text: The Ringmaster always said the only thing you get out of overexerting yourself is a shitty performance. Better to sit and rest a while than do bad in front of people, right?)

the-anons-anonymous

They frown, but it’s difficult to argue when you can barely breathe.

“FinE,” they relent eventually, sitting hesitantly on the edge of the bed. “A short break! And you can’t maim me while I sleep.”

{Jett just hums vaguely and smiles, slowly spinning in its suspended ring.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t lie down all the way. That would make them too vulnerable, too susceptible to anything, at least in their mind. They instead lean against the wall, closing their eyes and trying to drift off.

{Jett watches them for a while with mild fascination. Another performer, clearly, but from what? A circus? A theater? It almost wants to- no. Jett doesn't help people more than it has to. It certainly isn't nice to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

After a while they snap awake suddenly, almost falling off of the bed. Something’s wrong, something’s dangerous, something’s— oh. Hm. Their mind catches up with their racing heart, and the process where they are and who’s there with them. They school their expression quickly, playing off whatever had happened with a laugh. The show isn’t over.

“Hello— hello there, Jett! Thank you for not mauling me while I rested.”

{It's raining now, the large windows show every drop and cloud and crackle of thunder. It's almost peaceful. Even the colors of the room seem to have dimmed slightly. Jett is still watching them, of course, lost in thought for once in its spiraled life.}

ђ𝓶-? Øн, Ⓨ𝐞𝓈. ᶤ 𝐃𝕀𝐃 Ⓢ𝓪ⓨ Ꭵ 𝔴ⓞυｌᗪᶰ'ｔＡ𝐍Ｄ丨'𝓶 ήσt Ｏᶰ𝓔 ⓣ๏ ｇ𝓸 ᵇΔ𝐂𝓚 𝐎ή 𝕄𝓎 ʷ𝕆Ř𝕕 𝓤ＮⓁє𝓼Ŝ ｉ ᖇ𝐄ａ𝓛ｌ𝔶 𝔥ᵃνＥ丅Ø.

(plain text: Hm-? Oh, yes. I did say I wouldn't and I'm not one to go back on my word unless I really have to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hum, gaze shifting to stare at the window. Hmph. Rain. Storms. “That’s good, I suppose.”

They feel better. Well, they don’t feel as bad as before; better isn’t quite the word, though, since they still think they might keel over is they try magic again. “Thank you for letting me rest,” they smile. “As nice as this is, I should walk home now! I’m aware I’ve overstayed my welcome, haha.”

чⓞ𝓾 Ｃคη ⓢŤ𝕒𝐘, ｉ ĐⓄｎ'𝐭 мเ𝓝ᵈ. 𝓲 𝓦𝕆Ň'ｔ 𝕙𝓾яＴ 𝓨𝔬𝐮 Ⓘ𝓷 𝐌ч яⓞ𝓞𝓂.

(plain text: You can stay, I don't mind. I won't hurt you in my room.)

{Jet seems... oddly sincere. Pensive, even. Odd}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t want to trust it, they know better, but staying seems more appealing than going out in the rain.

“Hm. Maybe for just a while longer. Is there… something on your mind?” They question, put off slightly by its calmness.

𝔦ร ⓣ𝐇є𝓇ε 𝔼ｖєＲ? 𝒾𝕊η'𝕋 Ｔнε𝕣έ? 𝕚 ⒹＯᶰ'ｔ… 𝓚𝔫Ⓞω. ι'vᵉ 𝓷є𝓿𝑒я Ƒ𝒆𝓛𝓣 ㄥเ𝕜𝐞 丅нเŜ.

(plain text: Is there ever? Isn't there? I don't… know. I've never felt like this.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Do you think it’s because of the ah…” They hesitate and gesture vaguely. “Thing I did? With the Eye?”

Į ｗσυˡᗪ 𝓗Ỗᑭ𝓔 𝓷Ｏ𝐓. ᶤ Ⓐ𝔪 𝓟єｒᶠⓔ𝒸тⓛ𝔶 cσΜ𝒻ㄖ𝓇𝐓Ａвⓛ乇ｉⓝ Ｍу ㄥⓄ𝔶ａⓛŦʸ 𝕋𝔬 ⒹⒾ𝕊𝓽ｏℝ𝐭𝐢𝓞ή, 𝐢'ᵈ 𝓹ｒ𝐞𝐅𝑒ʳ 𝔫𝓞t Ｔσ 𝐇คv𝐞 Ⓣᗝ 𝔀ⓐⓣ𝕔ｈ Ⓐηđ β𝒆 ฬᗩ𝐓ᑕ𝐡έ𝒹 ᵃร ŴẸ𝓁Ⓛ. ᑎσ 𝓜𝕠𝓇𝓔 𝔱н𝐀𝓷 𝔦'м υＳ𝐄ᵈ тⓞ.

(plain text: I would hope not. I am perfectly comfortable in my loyalty to Distortion, I'd prefer not to have to watch and be watched as well. No more than I'm used to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They shrug, frowning, almost guiltily. “I hope not, too, for your sake. I’m not particularly sorry for messing with you as I did, but I am sorry if the effects are lingering.”

{Jett sighs and throws itself backwards, suddenly hanging precariously upside down. Its arms dangle towards the ground as it examines them.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their body moves forward to catch it on muscle memory alone before they clear their throat and return to their previous position.

“Hm?”

{It caught onto that movement and slowly starts to swing back and forth.}

𝐖ℍ𝐚Ť 𝓚𝓲𝐧ⓓ 𝓸ｆ 𝓅𝓔𝐫ᶠｏ𝕣𝕞ⓔŘ 𝒶ʳ𝐄 уᗝ𝐮?

(plain text: What kind of performer are you?)

the-anons-anonymous

They close their eyes, tone almost wistful. “I don’t do much anymore, but I used to be a part of an act with my brother. He’d do acrobatic things and I’d catch him and throw him and all in comedic ways. It was… fun. Before that, we were on a stage.”

They don’t elaborate further. They don’t seem to want to, either.

Ĵυ𝓢ⓣ 𝐥𝕀𝕂Ẹ 𝐈 ฬａ𝓢. 𝕙𝕦𝓱.

(plain text: Just like I was. Huh.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Really? I mean, you needn’t answer if you don’t want to, but still.”

мч t𝓦𝔦η 𝐁гｏ丅ℍ𝐞я ａ𝕟𝔡 𝕚 𝓌𝐄Řε тнⓔ ŘⓘŇǤм𝓪𝕤ｔᗴ𝕣'ѕ ᶠÃν𝔬𝐫𝓲𝕋Ẹ ί𝐍 𝓣ђ𝑒 c𝕀𝓡𝐂ｕŞ ωᵉ 𝔴ᗴ𝓡Ⓔ Ƥ𝐚яᵗ σ𝐟, тнａＴ'ş Ａ𝕃ᒪ.

(plain text: My twin brother and I were the Ringmaster's favorite in the circus we were part of, that's all.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, not really knowing what to say, and stare out of the window. The storm doesn’t seem to be letting up; in fact, it seems worse than it was before. They almost flinch at a clap of thunder that seems closer than the rest.

{Jett mumbles something to itself and yawns.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? What was that?” They stand, still leaning on the bed, and look over to Jett. “Are you tired, bud?”

{Jett glares at them, all of a sudden slightly defensive.}

ᶤ'ｍ 𝔫𝕖ש𝓔Ⓡ 𝓣Įｒєⓓ, Ň𝐎𝓽 Ａᑎ𝔶๓ØŘ𝑒. 𝔻σＮ'𝓽 ώσＲ𝕣¥ 𝔸ᗷｏᵘ𝕋 Ɨ𝓽.

(plain text: I'm never tired, not anymore. Don't worry about it.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hold up their arms to show they aren’t hostile, wincing at the movement. “It’s fine!” They gesture to the bed. “Rest if you wish. I’m not going to judge you. I was just about to try to leave again, anyway. Or just walk. I’m not here to laugh at you for sleeping.”

Ɨ 𝐝𝓞ή'𝔱 ή𝐄𝑒ｄ 𝕊𝐋𝑒є𝕡, ｏｒ у𝐎ù𝐑 ρ𝔢𝔯ⓜｉ𝕤ş𝓲ｏη 丅ⓞ 𝐃𝕆 รᵒ Ⓘή м𝕐 𝑜𝐖Ň в𝑒Đ.

(plain text: I don't need sleep, or your permission to do so in my own bed.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, letting their arms fall. “Alright, then,” they say. “I won’t make you. I—” Another loud burst of thunder. This time they jump so badly they nearly fall. “Gah— good lord, sorry, where was I? Right! Thank you, again, for letting me stay, but I’m going to go now. I see that I’m… agitating you, if that’s the right word.”

ｎ𝓞- ᶤ- ยﻮｈ. ᑎ𝔬, Į𝐭'𝕊 Ｆเᶰέ. 𝔢𝓼ℙ𝐞ς𝐢𝔞ᒪｌㄚ 𝔦ⓕ Ŧⓗ𝑒 丅ℍỮⓝ∂ε𝕣 Ⓘ𝐬 Ｂσ𝕥нⒺяเŇｇ Ⓨ𝐎𝐔 𝕥𝓱ＩŜ вⓐ𝔻ℓ𝕐. Į'Ⓜ Đє𝐚ℓ𝒾ⓝǤ 𝓌Ɨ丅𝕙 𝔀ℍÃ丅Ẹv𝓔𝐫 ĮⓈ Ꮆ𝐎ι𝕟ģ 𝓞𝓝 Ꭵℕ 𝕞𝔶 𝓱εÃ𝔻, тⒽᵃ丅'ѕ ᗩ𝔩Ĺ. 𝐈 ᵈⓞŇ'Ŧ м𝐈ภ∂ ħα𝓥ᶤ𝐍ⓖ ү𝓞υ Ⓗ𝐞𝕣Ⓔ. 𝔱н𝐞 ςⓞ𝓂𝔭ÃŇ¥ 𝒾𝔰…. ᵃ卩ｐяẸς𝔦ά𝐓€Ⓓ.

(plain text: No- I- Ugh. No, it's fine. Especially if the thunder is bothering you this badly. I'm dealing with whatever is going on in my head, that's all. I don't mind having you here. The company is…. appreciated.)

the-anons-anonymous

They tilt their head curiously. “The thunder…? Oh! The noise. Yes, it— it’s not that bad! But if you want me to stay, I will. You can try to talk to me about what’s happening, if you wish. I’m… well, I’m not awful at helping with that.”

{Jett gets off the ring one last time and walks over to the bed, dropping itself onto the mattress and dragging them down with. it.}

ħ𝕠𝐖 ａＢόⓊ𝐓 ү𝑜Ｕ ʲ𝔲丂Ⓣ 𝓛𝐀ץ 𝐡έŘ𝕖 Ｗ𝓲Ⓣ𝓗 ᗰ𝐞 υภŦ𝒾ᒪ 丅ᕼє Ⓢ𝓉𝐎ⓡ𝕄 ℙค𝕊𝐬ｅŞ ᎥⓃ𝔰𝐓ᵉⓐᗪ?

(Plain text: How about you just lay here with me until the storm passes instead?)

the-anons-anonymous

They squeak as they’re pulled down, opening their mouth to say something and closing it again after a moments contemplation. “That would be… nice, I suppose,” they reply, staring out of the window. “I’m sorry, for earlier. I thought I wasn’t, but I feel… not guilty, exactly, but I feel bad now.”

Į 𝓓όŇ'ⓣ ᗷℓÃмＥｙσᑌ 𝒇Ｏ𝓇 𝒸𝐡ᵃᔕⓘＮ𝓖 ¥๏ย尺 ØŴＮ ᗴŇ𝕋έ𝐑тÃⓘŇ𝐦𝑒ᑎⓣ. Ꭵ ĐỖ Ť𝐡є 𝕊卂𝓂ᵉ ｔ𝒽𝐢ŇĞ.

(plain text: I don't blame you for chasing your own entertainment. I do the same thing.)

{Its arms wrap around them and it rests its forehead against their shoulder.}

Ⓨ𝐨ｕＮ𝕖שᵉＲＴⓄⓁ𝒹 ᗰ€ 𝔶όⓤŕ 𝕟Ⓐмｅ.

(plain text: You never told me your name.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? Oh. You can call me Jester, I believe. I’ll often respond to it,” they answer, picking at their bandages again. “It’s what I went by when I performed.”

ⓣ𝔥乇ʸ 𝔠𝔞ⓛｌєｄｍ𝑒 ｊ乇ⓣt Ꭵ𝐧 𝓽ｈᗴ 𝓒Ｉ尺匚ᵘᔕ 𝒷Ⓔ匚ⓐǗ𝓼𝐞 ᶤ ¢ⓞ𝔲l𝓭 s𝕆𝔞ｒ 𝐭Ħŕ๏Ữﻮ𝕙 тнέ ΔｉŘ 𝕃𝓘ＫẸ σŇᵉ.

(Plain text: They called me Jett in the circus because I could soar through the air like one.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, thinking over the info.

“Can you still do that?”

ⓒαｎ ᵗᕼＥ乃𝔼Ｈㄖㄥ𝕕𝑒Ř 𝕊ţι𝐥ˡ Ｗ𝐚ｔＣ𝐇? 𝔠𝒶𝐍 тнẸ 𝐌ｏ丅ђ𝔼Ř ỖＦ Ⓟ𝔲𝓹𝓹Ẹтѕ ｓ𝕋Ｉ𝕝l ⓜ𝔞ŇᎥρⓊ𝐋𝕒ţ𝐄?

(plain text: Can the Beholder still Watch? Can the Mother of Puppets still manipulate?)

the-anons-anonymous

Jester chuckles quietly, the sound actually genuine this time.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” they murmur, closing their eyes.

{Jett hums quietly and gets comfortable.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t realize they’ve fallen asleep until they’re blinking awake, staring at the moon through the window. Clear skies. Hm.

They almost say something, almost alert Jett, but stop themself at the last moment. A little longer can’t hurt.

{Jett has long since fallen asleep for the first time in potentially years. It's comfortable there, even purring slightly like a cat. If that cat's purring was distorted like through a video editor in an echo chamber.}

the-anons-anonymous

They shift to face Jett so they can pet its hair, a smile on their face. It looks so… almost peaceful like this. They don’t have to wake it, right? Not when it’s so comfortable and actually resting.

{It hums quietly and pulls them a little bit closer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They coo at it, finding the action absolutely adorable. They don’t have to act right now, not while it’s asleep. A brief intermission. They sing quietly; some song that they learned before the performances started, before their life was devoted to the stage. A lullaby, they think. Or at least it’s sung like one.

{After a long while, Jett starts to wake up. While still half asleep, it stretches and tucks its head under their chin for a little bit with a soft yawn.}

the-anons-anonymous

Break’s over, they suppose. They grin brightly, still running their fingers through its hair. “Sleep well, Jett? And you claim you weren’t tired!” They laugh, tone teasing.

{Jett mumbles something unintelligible, its voice more static than vocal cords until it clears its throat and yawns.}

н𝐚ＶＥή'𝕋 Ｓｌ€ᑭⓉ 𝕝ιⓀ乇 тｈᗩⓣ Ⓘℕ 𝓐 ｗ𝓱เⓛ𝒆..

(plain text: Haven't slept like that in a while..)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I’m glad you slept well! Did you know that you purr?”

They continue to scratch at its scalp, muttering about it being adorable.

Μнⓜ.. 丂'ｎσŤ ｌƗ𝓴𝐞 ι 𝔠όภ𝓽ℝⓞ𝓛 𝒾Ŧ ⓉђσυＧн.

(plain text: Mhm.. s'not like I control it though.)

{Jett does continue to purr and leans into their hand slightly.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Awee!”

They turn their head to glance at the window. Almost light out. They should really be getting back to the warehouse. But… hm. They have all day to do that. They have now with Jett.

{Jett stretches out and grumbles something about being glad it doesn't do this regularly.}

𝒾𝕥'𝐬 几σт ţ𝐇𝔸т 𝕔Ǘ𝐓€.

(plain text: it's not that cute.)

the-anons-anonymous

Their smile softens as they drape their arms over its shoulders. “Sure it’s not! And I’m not a performer.”

{It takes some time for Jett to wake up fully. When it does and both of them are sitting up properly, it just examines them for a while.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their gaze shifts from the sunrise to Jett, their head tilting in mild amusement. “May I ask what you’re staring at, Contortionist?”

…𝓎𝕠υ. Ў𝓞Ⓤ 𝐡𝔞𝕧ｅ卂 ᑭŘ𝔼𝔱ＴＹ ғ卂𝔠Ｅ. ｉ'м 𝕥Řч𝕚𝔫ｇ 𝓉ό Ŧ丨𝔤𝓾я𝔼 ｏ𝔲т 𝓦ħ𝓎.

(plain text: …you. You have a pretty face. I'm trying to figure out why.)

{Jett chuckles at the contortionist comment, knowing it's the truth. There's always been a certain fluidity about its movements that give away what it was in live. It turns its body to fully face Jester, legs wrapped around each other in a way they can only describe as comfortably odd.)

the-anons-anonymous

They blink for a moment, processing slowly before turning slightly red. “Oh! I— well, thank you, Jett, I— that’s— ahem.” They clear their throat, turning their head away and tugging at their collar.

{Jett crawls closer to them}

Ｔ𝔥Ã𝓣 𝓦𝐀ｓ ℃ยт𝐞. ĎＯ Ɨ𝐓 𝐀𝐆ᵃเŇ.

(plain text: That was cute. Do it again.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Cute— what was—? What?”

No, no, no! The performance is not over, you cannot crack this quickly under pressure! Get it together, Jester, really! It’s only complimenting you, get your act straight!

“I mean— I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jett! Could you explain?”

{Jett smiles slightly as it realizes it's getting under their skin, so, of course, it doubles down. It puts its hand on their cheek and tilts its head to the side slightly.}

𝓨σ𝓾я 𝐟ÃĆⓔ Ŧ𝓾ŘℕⒺ𝒹 г𝐄Ｄ. 𝓘𝓉'𝓈 ςυ𝓉ⓔ. ί ℓ𝓘𝓴𝐄 𝔀ĤⒺ𝐍 ʸ๏υ đ𝓸 ⓉħａⓉ.

(plain text: Your face turned red. It's cute. I like when you do that.)

the-anons-anonymous

Oh! Well— that’s certainly— well their face is definitely red now.

Jett has gotten to them far too fast, and their heart is hammering, and—

“I— I’m not cute, Jett.”

Really? Is that all they can think to say?

Ⓨ𝕆ⓤ 卂𝓡𝔼~ Ƴ𝓞υ'ᖇ𝓔 ⓥｅᖇ¥ ｃ𝐮Ť𝐞. 𝔸𝓒ᑕ𝕖Ƥｔ 𝓲𝕋.

(plain text: You are~ You're very cute. Accept it.)

the-anons-anonymous

Hm. Fine, then! Two can play at this game.

“So are you, Contortionist. I’d even say you’re pretty, if you’d let me.”

{It hums and chuckles faintly, dizzyingly as always.}

เ 𝕎ｉℓl ⒶŁＬỖ𝕨 ι𝓉, ώє ๒𝓸𝓣ʰ Ҝᶰᗝω 𝓘𝔱'ѕ 𝕥𝐑υẸ. 𝔹𝕌Ŧ Į ᗯĮ𝓛ㄥ 𝓢𝓪𝐘 𝐘ㄖ𝐮 Δ尺έ α Ⓥ€𝐫𝓎 Ⓒ𝓵ㄖˢέ 𝐒𝔼匚𝔬Ｎ𝒹.

(plain text: I will allow it, we both know it's true. But I will say you are a very close second.)

the-anons-anonymous

They smile, leaning back slightly. “Hah, thank you, my beautiful Contortionist! I appreciate it,” they hum, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight through the window.

{Jett pauses for a moment and frowns, suddenly all strangeness about it dissipates. It's human again. Still somehow a pretty human, but distinctly non-distorted.}

Damn..

the-anons-anonymous

They frown too, mimicking it. “Anons?” The performer questions, sounding slightly upset on its behalf.

Anons.

{Jett looks far more frustrated at having to hear its old voice again. Though that frustration is quickly masked by exhaustion. How long has it been since it slept properly? Why is Jett being effected by it now?}

the-anons-anonymous

They notice its sudden drowsiness and pull it close, picking its singing back up. “You can rest. It’s okay. I’ll be here, hm?”

They’ve dropped their showmanship, for now, at least, to just comfort Jett for a while. “Just rest.”

{It wraps its arms around them and grumbles something quietly before settling against them.}

mmmn.. hate this.. this is worse than Becoming..

the-anons-anonymous

They shush it, holding it ever closer. “It’s okay, Jett. This can’t last forever, hm? It’ll be better when you wake up.”

you'll stay...?

{It sounds less like a question of if they will, but more like a request. Even then, Jett doesn't get to be awake for long enough to get a response, as it passes out in their arms almost immediately.}

the-anons-anonymous

They murmur a quiet of course and hold it tightly. No sense going back on their word.

And, honestly, Jett still looks more peaceful and it does awake, and Jester would not disturb that peace in a million years.

{Jett stays there, unmoving, dead to the world for who knows how long. It hasn't slept properly in potentially years, after not needing to as an avatar. But after a long while, it starts to wake and cling tighter to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

They’d nearly been asleep when Jett begins waking up, but at the first sign of motion from it they jolt into awareness.

“Back with us, hm, doll?” They question, tilting its head up with one finger. “Feel any better?”

{Jett yawns and buries its face in their chest, curling itself around their body like a cat. The only sound it makes is a sleepy, somewhat grumpy whine.}

the-anons-anonymous

They hum and rest their chin on top of its head. “I’ll take that as a maybe, then. Is there any chance you’ll let me move any time soon?”

mmm.. no... mine now..

{Jett clings just a bit tighter to them}

the-anons-anonymous

They blush just the slightest bit, thankful that Jett can’t see their face.

“Yours, you say?”

{It yawns and nods}

Mine..

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle. “Yours, then, I suppose,” they agree, shifting to be just a bit more comfortable with Jett lying on top of them like a giant cat.

{Jett smiles and stretches out over them happily.}

the-anons-anonymous

“You’re just a big cat, do you know that?” They ask, rubbing its back.

{It cracks its eyes open and looks at them, smiling still.}

If I agree, will you stay with me longer..?

the-anons-anonymous

“I’ll stay with you as long as you’d like regardless.”

Good. ‘Cause I’m not letting you leave.

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I suppose that’s fine.” A smile crosses their face. “I may have to let my fellow anons know I’ll be stuck here, though.”

{Jett smiles and nuzzles into the crook their neck, happy as can be.}

You tell them that. They can come find us if they need you.

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, their hand brushing over its hair. “Hm. I might. I don’t really have to.”

“Hello, Jett¡!”

The voice seems to come from no where and everywhere at once, echoing through every crack in Jett’s— excuse the pun —spiraling mind.

“You wanted to meet, so here I am!”

— 🎭🎬 // @the-anons-anonymous

𝐮𝕟ᗪ𝕠 ⓦ卄𝓐𝕋 𝓨𝐨𝔲 ∂𝒾Ď 丅𝕆 ΜẸ.

(plain text: Undo what you did to me.)

the-anons-anonymous

The figure tsks at it, giving a short head shake.

“No, no, I think I like you better this way! Very interesting, no?”

丨ᵗ 𝓱υŕｔᔕ. ᶰØ丅 𝕀Ň тʰᗴ ⒼỖⓞｄ 𝐰αү. ᶤt'ⓢ Ｎㄖⓣ ⓔᑎ𝓽€г丅ᗩ𝓲𝓝ι𝔫g. Ｓtᗝｐ. 𝐈𝕋.

(plain text: It hurts. Not in the good way. It's not entertaining. Stop. It.)

the-anons-anonymous

They giggle almost cruelly.

“Hm. Why would I do that? No, no, not when you’ve done almost the same to others! I think you need to be taught a lesson in power dynamics, don’t you agree?”

เ'ᒪℓ ŜⒽ𝕆𝓌 ЎＯᑌ 𝔞 ｆ𝓊¢кⓘⓝ𝓰 𝓅Ⓞ𝔀Ⓔ𝕣 Đʸ𝓝ⓐＭ𝐢𝓒.

(plain text: I'll show you a fucking power dynamic.)

{Jett suddenly launches itself at them. The Becoming is making it's body almost what it's used to. Sharp bones, weird skin, dizzying movements. Yet somehow worse, closer to Michael than to the usual Jett. It starts to scratch and claw at their skin.}

𝕚 ⓜ𝐀у 𝓷ᗝｔｂ乇 ⓜⓎ υ𝕊𝐮𝐀𝕃 ⓢ𝒆𝐋𝒇 ｂ𝔲Ť 丨 𝐖ι𝐋ｌ Ŝ𝓉ⓘĹℓ 𝒽Ữ𝓇𝓉 𝐲ㄖ𝔲!

(plain text: I may not be my usual self but I will still hurt you!)

the-anons-anonymous

They make a choked sound, hissing in pain and trying to kick it off of them.

“Now, now,” they begin, trying for their best showman’s voice and falling just short. “You— aren’t following the terms of our deal!”

𝔫𝓔ιţ𝕙𝓔ᖇ ᗩ𝓇ᗴ 𝓎Ỗ𝕌! 𝔸ℕ๔ 𝐛€𝐒𝓲ᵈ€丂, 𝕀'𝕄 𝓝ᵒ𝕥 ⓚ𝔦lｌι𝐧𝐠, Ⓙ𝕌Ｓт ᗰ𝐚𝕚м丨Ｎ𝔤!

(plain text: Neither are you! And besides, I'm not killing, just maiming!)

the-anons-anonymous

They manage to escape its grasp, if only for a moment, and skitter away like a scared animal.

“I’m following… the terms… perfectly well!” They breathe out, chest heaving. Their hands press at the wounds it had managed to inflict; several on the arms, one across their face, and a particularly bad slash that looks like a knife caused it across their torso. “I’m giving— giving you back your Spiral-ness, yes?”

Ď𝕠 𝓲Ŧ тＨ乇 𝐍Ⓞ𝓇ⓜᵃᒪ 𝔴ᗩㄚＯℝ 𝓲 山𝐢ℓℓ ｒƗᑭ 𝓨ｏ𝕌𝐫 ℱᑌᑕｋ𝐢ηg ⓗ𝐞αｒ𝐓 ᵒυ丅, 𝓓ᵒ 𝓨𝑜𝐮 ᵘ𝐧Ⓓᵉⓡѕţ𝓪ᶰｄ 𝔪ᗴ?

(plain text: Do it the normal way or I will rip your fucking heart out, do you understand me?)

{It positions its hand over their heart, growling like a feral animal.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Alright, alright!” They exclaim, making the decision to not point out how that would also break the deal. Possibly from a rare burst of common sense, or from blood loss making them a tad less bold. They try to back away from it on instinct, (they are scared, as much as they pretend to be unaffected) only to find that they’ve hit a wall. “Y-you are back to normal.”

They give a weak smile and a tilt of their head, half convinced that Jett is going to kill them anyways.

{As soon as Jett is back to normal, it backs off and wipes its hands on itself, still pouting like a petulant child rather than the scary thing it actually is.}

𝔱𝐡άη𝓚 𝓎ᵒᑌ, т𝐡ά𝓽'Ŝ ᗷ𝑒тţє𝐫.

(plain text: Thank you, that's better.)

the-anons-anonymous

They straighten themself up the moment they have the room to. Well, try to, anyways. Their knees don’t seem to want to cooperate and their head’s just slightly fuzzy. Maybe just a bit more anon magic to get them out of here.

“Haha! Well, yes, I’d hope it’s better. And you’re very welcome!”

{Jett smiles and walks over, leaning over them slightly. Now that it's back to normal, that look in its eyes and the sharp smile makes their head spin. Or maybe that's the blood loss. Or both.}

ㄚⓞυ'𝐑𝒆 η𝐨𝐭 ℓⓄ𝕆𝐊ᶤ𝐧ģ 𝐓𝕆Ｏ ﻮⓄ𝑜ⓓ ⓣн𝕖𝓇𝔢, ⓓẸΔŕ.

(plain text: You're not looking too good there, dear.)

the-anons-anonymous

“I’m fiNe¡” They reply shortly, voice cracking with a slight distortion near the end. They clear their throat, shaking their head. They’re a performer for Fear’s sake, they won’t be hindered by a bit of blood loss! The mask won’t slip, not under their watch.

“Now, you’ve met me in person, and we’ve both upheld our ends of the deal! I’ll be going now, if you don’t mind!”

𝒷Ẹ ⓜⓎ قυ乇𝐒𝔱. 𝕓𝔲Ⓣ ＹＯỮ'𝔡 вＥ𝕋Ⓣ𝔼ｒ мά𝐤ᗴ ι𝓽 ⓆＵιςЌ. đ𝔢Ａ𝓛'Ş Ⓓᵒｎ𝒆, 𝕒𝐧𝓭 Ɨ'𝕄 Ĥ𝔲𝐍Ⓖ𝕣𝕪.

(plain text: Be my guest. But you'd better make it quick. Deal's done, and I'm hungry.)

the-anons-anonymous

They grin at it and bow, form blinking out of existence.

Except, they don’t stay gone. They reappear after just a moment, doubled over coughing and bleeding more than before. “GaH… thAt’S uNpLeasANt.”

Ǘⓗ 𝓸Ｈ~ Ş𝑜๓𝐞όⓃｅ'𝓈 קⓞ𝓌ⓔ𝕣𝓈 αгｅⓝ'ⓣ 𝔀ｏⓡҜ丨𝕟ق ｒ𝐢𝑔𝓗Ⓣ! β𝓤𝓽 𝕪ό𝓤 к𝓝ᗝⓦ Ｗᕼά𝐓? Į'𝐥𝔩 ᗷ𝕖 𝐀 ǤʳคＣιⓄ𝔲Ｓ 𝓗Ỗѕ𝓣, ŴђⓎ 𝓓Ｏ𝔫'𝓉 уόⓤ Ｓ𝐭คя𝕋 𝓇υⓃᶰι𝐧Ğ 卂ή∂ Ｇ𝐄t 𝐚 ｈᵉᵃⒹ ş𝓉ⒶⓇᵗ, Ⓗ𝓜?

(plain text: Uh oh~ Someone's powers aren't working right! But you know what? I'll be a gracious host, why don't you start running and get a head start, hm?)

the-anons-anonymous

It takes a second to process what it said, and another to gather their strength to actually start running, but once they do they’re surprisingly fast for something actively losing blood.

Still; they’re slower than they should be, and it doesn’t take long for Jett to catch up to them, especially with the near-collapses every five steps.

{It laughs and waits a few moments before giving chase, even opting to just go on foot. Jett catches up and leaves little scratches on their shoulders before slowing down again, just to let the game it's playing linger a few moments longer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They run and run and run, but it’s getting harder, vision getting worse with each step and they trip and fall and by the Fears they’re going to die here aren’t they? They’ll— they’ll probably come back, being an anon and all, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying to be loomed over by something like Jett, who is— laughing? They aren’t sure. They can barely see, let alone think enough to comprehend sounds.

“PErforRmAnCe iS ovEr, hMM?” They giggle weakly. Pathetic, honestly.

Ўέᑭ! 𝐆𝕠Ⓞ𝐝Ňι𝐠𝔥Ŧ!

(plain text: Yep! Goodnight!}

{Jett cackles again as it leans over their body. It doesn't slash or stab at them though, no, it grabs them by the hair and smashes their head into the ground hard enough to make them black out.}

{Oddly enough, they aren't killed. When the awake, they're in a new place, a big bedroom full of headache inducing colors and patterns not unlike where they first met Jett. Nearby, hanging upside down from a ring suspended from the ceiling, Jett is watching them.}

𝐟ｉ𝕟คŁᒪ𝓎! 𝐢 𝔀คѕ ฬσ𝔯Ⓡ𝓲𝐄ᵈ ᶤ ʰＡᗪ 𝓐ｃtⓊ𝕒𝐥ㄥ𝓎 𝐊𝓲𝓵Ｌ𝔼ⓓ ЎⓄᑌ. ｉ'𝕕 ʰᵃ𝕥ⓔ 𝕥Ｏｇσ ค𝓷𝐃 ๒гⓔ𝒶Ќ ᵃ ᗪ乇Ⓐⓛ!

(plain text: Finally! I was worried I had actually killed you. I'd hate to go and break a deal!}

the-anons-anonymous

Their head pounds, which may be from the blinding colours of the room or the definite concussion they have. Their hands trail up to where they know the injuries are, only to find them wrapped (albeit poorly) in bandages.

“You— what—? I’m— well, it seems like I’m alive, yes.” Their words slur together just slightly, pain-addled mind struggling to string a sentence together. “Why— why am I alive?”

{Jett seems to glide down from where it hangs in a movement that one can only call fluid, practiced. It hums and walks over to the side of the bed.}

𝕎𝐞Łℓ Ⓘ ∂𝐈๔ sα¥ 𝕀 Ŵᗩｓ𝕟'т Ğｏ𝐢ηﻮ тᵒ к𝐈Ļㄥ ⓎⓄＵ. ωｅ ħᵃᗪ 𝓐 Ⓓᗴคℓ, 𝓦ⒽㄚＷｏ𝐔ｌ๔ 𝓲 Ｇｏ 𝔟卂𝔠ⓚ 𝐎Ⓝ 卂 𝐝𝐄ⓐᒪ?

(plain text: Well I did say I wasn't going to kill you. We had a deal, why would I go back on a deal?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Makes… enough sense,” they say slowly, observing it with the same demeanor as prey presented to a predator. Their previous eccentricities are gone, replaced with a tone that could be interpreted as nervous.

“Why am I here? Plan on—” They cough into their hand, just the smallest bit of blood coming out. “Hmph. Plan on maiming me again, Jett?”

{Jett grumbles something about "enough blood on his carpet" and "niceties" before giving a dramatic sigh and kneeling on the shag carpet, crossing its arms on the bed and resting its chin on top of them. It looks up at them with deceptively big, innocent eyes.}

Can't a thing be kind to someone it finds injured? How do you feel?

the-anons-anonymous

The only word they can really use is ow, but they settle for “fine” and let out a short, pained laugh.

“You’re a Liar, one of the Twisting Deceit’s, and you expect— ow —you expect me to believe this help comes with no strings?”

山Ⓗ¥, Ｏᶠ 𝓒𝕆ùгˢⒺ ηⓞ𝐭, Ⓓ𝓪𝓡𝓁Ꭵ𝐧𝕘! 乃𝐔т, ᵗℍέ 𝔰ţŘ丨𝐍𝕘Ŝ 𝐚яＥ 𝐚𝐋𝕣𝒆𝔞𝐃ץ ᑕⓊт, ＹØù 𝔻เᗪ ᵗｕｒᑎ мⓔ ๒𝐚ςЌ. ι𝐭 ฬ𝐀Ⓢ α Ⓟ𝐀𝓻ᵗ ｏғ ๏ｕ𝓻 𝓭𝐄卂Ĺ, 𝓪ғтέ𝓇 άㄥⓁ. Į 𝐚𝔪 ό几ℓƳ ∂σᎥ𝐍𝓖 山𝐡Ãt 𝕀𝓈 ｒ𝒾ᎶⓗＴ 𝔞ⓝⓓ ι ¢𝕆𝓊ℓＤη'ᵗ Ｊⓤ𝐬t ⓛｅΔ𝐯𝓔 𝕐𝑜Ｕ 𝔱𝐨 𝓑𝓁𝓔ｅᗪ ᗝᵘ𝔱 𝐀𝔫𝒹 đι𝓔 𝑜𝐧 𝕥н𝓔 ⓜαＮŞｉᵒŇ Ⓕ𝓵ⓞ𝐨ŕ𝐒. Ⓔⓓⓦᵃ𝐫ⓓ 𝓦ＯＵＬ𝐃 ⓗÃ𝕍ⓔ 爪Ⓨ ᕼⓔ𝕒đ 𝐚Ňđ уＯⓤ 𝓭𝐎ℕ'𝓽 Ŵ𝓪ｎｔ ⓣＯ Ќ𝔫ό𝐰 𝐰н卂𝓣 ᕼｅ'ร Ł𝐈Ќє ｗＨⓔภ ĦẸ'丂 𝔞ᶰǤℝу.

(plain text: Why, of course not, darling! But, the strings are already cut, you did turn me back. It was a part of our deal, after all. I am only doing what is right and I couldn't just leave you to bleed out and die on the mansion floors. Edward would have my head and you don't want to know what he's like when he's angry.)

{Jett sits up a little taller and chuckles, mimicking Edward almost perfectly}

"You would let some worthless thing into MY home and die on MY floors? Those are original wood! They're older than I am, and you would so carelessly ruin them?! After all I've done for you?!"

άŇᗪ tħєＮ 𝐧𝔢ⓧ𝓽 ţђⒾή𝓖 𝓲 Ⓚ𝕟ㄖｗＩ'м 𝓁ØᶜҜ𝐄∂ 𝐢𝕟 𝔱卄𝔢 𝐓σ𝓻𝐓ᵘŕＥ 𝔻𝔲ⓝᎶⒺ𝑜𝓝 𝒶ⓖᗩ𝔦ᶰ. Ɨ ςⒶⓃ'ｔ ℍａｖε ⓣђÃ𝔱, ＮＯ𝕨 匚𝐚ᶰ 𝕀? ⓘ'𝕄 ⓜ𝔲Ⓒ𝒽 𝓉ᗝό 𝓹Ⓡ𝑒Ŧ𝐓𝔂 Ｔό Ⓑ𝐄 ㄥƗⓋ𝓲𝐧𝔾 Đ𝔬𝕨η t卄𝐞ŕⒺ!

(plain text: And then next thing I know I'm locked in the torture dungeon again. I can't have that, now can I? I'm much too pretty to be living down there!)

the-anons-anonymous

They let out a snort of what could be genuine amusement before wincing at the slight strain it put on their injuries. They school their expression, putting on their best smile; a performer must look their best, after all!

“Hm. Well, dying on wood floors wouldn’t exactly be in my best interest either! So, thank you. I appreciate not being left to bleed out.”

{Jett hums and stretches its arms out over the comforter.}

ι Ŵค𝓈 sσ ⒷㄖŘ𝓔ｄ 𝕎𝒶Ⓘ𝐭Ⓘภ𝐠 ғㄖᖇ 𝐲𝐨υ ţⓄ Ⓦαᵏє 𝓤ᵖ!

(plain text: I was so bored waiting for you to wake up!)

the-anons-anonymous

They observe it, picking at their bandages, still very sure to keep their guard up.

“Well, being knocked unconscious isn’t exactly pleasant either!” They point out. “And if you were bored, why didn’t you just… do something else? You didn’t have to wait for me to awaken, you know!”

ᗯℍ𝕒т 𝕜𝔦ภĐ ㄖ𝔽 𝔸 Ħ๏丂ⓣ 山𝑜Ｕℓ𝔻 𝕚 𝕓έ 𝕀ғ 𝐢 ℓ𝑒𝔽ⓣ Ƴ𝑜Ữ βεĤιⓃ𝓓? ᶠŘ𝐎𝕄 𝑜𝓃є є𝓃𝐓𝔼я𝐓𝔸ιŇєя ｔ𝓞 𝕒ᑎᗝ丅𝔥Ⓔ𝕣, ∂𝕠 ｙỖย ⓣⓇᵘŁү 𝕋н𝕚ŇҜ 𝓉ⓗ𝒶Ⓣ'ѕ ᵃ ｇᵒⓞ∂ 𝓣ⒽιⓃģ Ŧ𝐨 ᗪㄖ?

(plain text: What kind of a host would I be if I left you behind? From one entertainer to another, do you truly think that's a good thing to do?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course not!” They reply, almost offended that it would think so lowly of them. “You can’t just leave your guests by themselves if you’re going to be a good host, no! Why, you have to— how did you know I’m an entertainer?”

𝐘Ⓞ𝐔 нａ𝔳ᗴ ＴĤᗴ 𝐁ʳ𝕒ｖⒶ∂Ｏ 𝕠𝐟 𝐌𝓨 ⓞℓ𝓓 ⓡ𝐢𝐧𝔾ᗰคⓢ丅εＲ. β𝐮𝐭 ĦⒺ Ŵａᔕ ᶠＡ𝓇 Ｌ乇ᔕ丂卂ŇήØⓨ𝓘几𝕘, 𝕀 รùᵖ𝓟Ⓞ𝓼€. 𝓜𝐀¥Ｂє Ｉ'м вⓘ𝒶𝓼ẸĐ.

(plain text: You have the bravado of my old ringmaster. But he was far less annoying, I suppose. Maybe I'm biased.)

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle a bit and shrug. “Hmph. Well, it seems I haven’t lost my touch, then! On a different note, why are you keeping me here?”

ŴＨ𝔂 𝔀ØǗl𝒹𝐍'𝐓 ί? ⓨØù'ŘẸ ｓ𝕠 𝑒𝔫ŤᗴŘ𝕥𝓐𝓘ᶰ𝕚Ⓝ𝓖!

(plain text: Why wouldn't I? You're so entertaining!)

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t you have anyone— or anything— else to entertain yourself with?” The way they say it seems a little bit mocking, but they’re genuinely curious. Are they being kept here as punishment, or are they actually just that entertaining?

𝔬𝒇 ᑕ𝕆ᵘ𝓻𝐒𝔢 ι 𝐝𝑜! 𝐛𝔲т ᗪ𝕠 ʸ๏𝓊 я𝔼𝒶𝓛𝐋ʸ ⓌⒶℕ丅Ｍ𝒆 𝐓Ｏ l乇αV𝐄 үｏＵＡˡσ几€ 𝔦η ᕼ€尺ᗴ? ι𝒇 ţн𝓪𝓽 𝔴𝔼яє тнⓔ 𝓒𝒶𝕊є 𝓲'ｄ 𝒽ᵃשᗴ ⓖ𝒾ש𝐞ｎ ⓨØย 丅𝓞 𝕝ᗴ𝓣𝐨.

(plain text: Of course I do! But do you really want me to leave you alone in here? If that were the case I'd have given you to Leto.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course I don’t want to be left alone,” they answer quickly. “I was simply curious, that’s all. However, I should be leaving soon. I’m probably well enough the magic myself back home.”

They seem anxious to leave, the barest hints of fear hidden behind their wide grin. They’re still in danger, they’re aware of that, so they should leave. They will leave.

{Jett hums and stands up, stalking back over to the ring it had been hanging from before. It easily climbs back onto it and gets comfortable sitting in the middle.}

ᔕυเt Ƴ𝓞𝓊𝔯𝓢𝐄ℓℱ, 𝕃𝓲Ｔ丅ⓁＥ ØⓃ𝑒. 𝐛𝔲𝓽 𝒾ғ ч๏Ｕ 𝕔ｏ𝓵ㄥ𝓐ｐ𝐬€ ᵒ𝓃 Ťн𝐞 𝓌ａч ᗝⓊţ 𝕥ℍαⓉ'𝕊 ๏ᑎ Ｙ๏υ.

(plain text: Suit yourself, little one. But if you collapse on the way out that's on you.)

the-anons-anonymous

They roll their eyes at the phrase. They aren’t little, not at all! No, no, not like they were when they started performing!

“I won’t collapse. What do you take me for, some amateur?”

ʸσⓤ 丅ⓗ𝓘𝐧к ㄚ𝓸ⓤ'ℝᗴ ค ｌＯ𝔱 ᔕᵗⓇＯ𝓷𝔾𝔢Ř ⓣн𝔸𝓝 𝕐𝓸ᑌ 𝓪ʳ𝒆. 𝐈 ŤⒽĮήķ Ⓨⓞᑌ 𝓷ᵉᗴ𝔡 Ŧσ ق𝐞𝐓 α ㄥ𝐢ⓣтℓᗴ 爪ㄖŘᵉ ｓⓛᗴ𝑒ᵖ 𝓫𝔼𝒻ᵒ𝐑𝐞 Ƴᵒ𝓤 ţ𝓡𝕪 Δ𝓝𝓎𝕥ℍ𝐈ⓝᎶ. ιѕŇ'ｔ тĦ𝒶𝓣 𝐛Ⓔᗪ Ć𝑜ᗰғⓄ𝕣Ť𝐚βᒪᵉ? Ãяєᑎ'т ㄚỖ𝕦 𝓣Ɨｒｅ𝓓?

(plain text: You think you're a lot stronger than you are. I think you need to get a little more sleep before you try anything. Isn't that bed comfortable? Aren't you tired?)

the-anons-anonymous

The answer is yes, they are tired from the magic used to torment it and the bed is unfairly comfortable, but they know better. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”

A little more magic won’t hurt. As much as they’d overexerted their power earlier, just the slightest bit more can’t make it worse. They close their eyes, focusing on the warehouse and getting to it. Seconds pass. Nothing happens. Well, they do get an awful headache and a sharp pain in their chest, but they don’t suppose that counts.

“HMph.”

ģᗝ 𝐨Ⓝ~ 𝒾 𝐖ㄖ𝔫'ⓣ 卄ỮŘⓣ 𝐲𝓸υ ωℍ丨𝕝ᵉ 𝕪𝐨Ⓤ'𝓇Ｅ 𝐀𝕤ĻẸ𝔢ρ, т𝓗α𝓉 ⓦ𝓸Ｕl𝔡 𝒷€ ｕⓃ-Ǥ€ᑎᵗℓᵉｍαη-𝓵Ɨ𝓚€ 𝕆Ｆ ᗰ𝐞. Ｗ乇Ⓛ𝐥, ᵃŞ ⓂᵘĆＨ α𝐒 ⓘ Ⓒ𝔸η ｂ𝑒 α 𝓰𝓔ภţ𝐥𝕖м卂Ⓝ, ί ŜᑌⓅρ𝕆ş€. ĴǗŞｔ ⓐ Ｓ𝓗Ⓞŕţ Ňᵃ𝓟?

(plain text: Go on~ I won't hurt you while you're asleep, that would be un-gentleman-like of me. Well, as much as I can be a gentleman, I suppose. Just a short nap?)

the-anons-anonymous

They stand, ignoring the protest from every limb in their body. Difficulties can be pushed past. Perseverance is necessary for performers.

“I’m going to have to say no to that. I don’t make it a habit to trust Liars. I’ll simply walk back, it’s fine.”

𝓉𝓗є 𝐫ιŇᵍΜ𝓐ร𝕥ᵉ𝕣 α𝕝𝓌ａ𝓎𝔰 𝓼άιⒹ Ť𝕙乇 Ⓞ𝕟lу tᕼ𝐢Ｎق ¥𝓸ᑌ 𝓖Ⓔţ Ø𝓤ｔ όᶠ ᵒVⒺ𝐑𝓔Ж𝓔ʳ丅𝕀η𝕘 ㄚｏᵘ𝐑ｓ𝒆Łғ 丨𝓈 𝓪 𝐬ħ𝓲ţ𝓽𝕪 Ƥ𝒆я𝒻𝓞Ř𝕞Δᶰⓒ𝑒. ⓑε𝓉Ť𝔼г Ⓣ𝓞 𝕊Į𝓽 𝔞𝓷𝐝 ＲＥ𝕊Ŧ 𝐀 ʷн𝔦ｌ𝐄 𝔱𝒽𝐀ⓝ ĐØ 𝐁ⓐｄ ιŇ 𝓕ʳㄖ𝔫ᵗ 𝑜𝔽 ᑭＥⓞρl𝔢, ｒＩＧｈ𝓽?

(plain text: The Ringmaster always said the only thing you get out of overexerting yourself is a shitty performance. Better to sit and rest a while than do bad in front of people, right?)

the-anons-anonymous

They frown, but it’s difficult to argue when you can barely breathe.

“FinE,” they relent eventually, sitting hesitantly on the edge of the bed. “A short break! And you can’t maim me while I sleep.”

{Jett just hums vaguely and smiles, slowly spinning in its suspended ring.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t lie down all the way. That would make them too vulnerable, too susceptible to anything, at least in their mind. They instead lean against the wall, closing their eyes and trying to drift off.

{Jett watches them for a while with mild fascination. Another performer, clearly, but from what? A circus? A theater? It almost wants to- no. Jett doesn't help people more than it has to. It certainly isn't nice to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

After a while they snap awake suddenly, almost falling off of the bed. Something’s wrong, something’s dangerous, something’s— oh. Hm. Their mind catches up with their racing heart, and the process where they are and who’s there with them. They school their expression quickly, playing off whatever had happened with a laugh. The show isn’t over.

“Hello— hello there, Jett! Thank you for not mauling me while I rested.”

{It's raining now, the large windows show every drop and cloud and crackle of thunder. It's almost peaceful. Even the colors of the room seem to have dimmed slightly. Jett is still watching them, of course, lost in thought for once in its spiraled life.}

ђ𝓶-? Øн, Ⓨ𝐞𝓈. ᶤ 𝐃𝕀𝐃 Ⓢ𝓪ⓨ Ꭵ 𝔴ⓞυｌᗪᶰ'ｔＡ𝐍Ｄ丨'𝓶 ήσt Ｏᶰ𝓔 ⓣ๏ ｇ𝓸 ᵇΔ𝐂𝓚 𝐎ή 𝕄𝓎 ʷ𝕆Ř𝕕 𝓤ＮⓁє𝓼Ŝ ｉ ᖇ𝐄ａ𝓛ｌ𝔶 𝔥ᵃνＥ丅Ø.

(plain text: Hm-? Oh, yes. I did say I wouldn't and I'm not one to go back on my word unless I really have to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hum, gaze shifting to stare at the window. Hmph. Rain. Storms. “That’s good, I suppose.”

They feel better. Well, they don’t feel as bad as before; better isn’t quite the word, though, since they still think they might keel over is they try magic again. “Thank you for letting me rest,” they smile. “As nice as this is, I should walk home now! I’m aware I’ve overstayed my welcome, haha.”

чⓞ𝓾 Ｃคη ⓢŤ𝕒𝐘, ｉ ĐⓄｎ'𝐭 мเ𝓝ᵈ. 𝓲 𝓦𝕆Ň'ｔ 𝕙𝓾яＴ 𝓨𝔬𝐮 Ⓘ𝓷 𝐌ч яⓞ𝓞𝓂.

(plain text: You can stay, I don't mind. I won't hurt you in my room.)

{Jet seems... oddly sincere. Pensive, even. Odd}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t want to trust it, they know better, but staying seems more appealing than going out in the rain.

“Hm. Maybe for just a while longer. Is there… something on your mind?” They question, put off slightly by its calmness.

𝔦ร ⓣ𝐇є𝓇ε 𝔼ｖєＲ? 𝒾𝕊η'𝕋 Ｔнε𝕣έ? 𝕚 ⒹＯᶰ'ｔ… 𝓚𝔫Ⓞω. ι'vᵉ 𝓷є𝓿𝑒я Ƒ𝒆𝓛𝓣 ㄥเ𝕜𝐞 丅нเŜ.

(plain text: Is there ever? Isn't there? I don't… know. I've never felt like this.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Do you think it’s because of the ah…” They hesitate and gesture vaguely. “Thing I did? With the Eye?”

Į ｗσυˡᗪ 𝓗Ỗᑭ𝓔 𝓷Ｏ𝐓. ᶤ Ⓐ𝔪 𝓟єｒᶠⓔ𝒸тⓛ𝔶 cσΜ𝒻ㄖ𝓇𝐓Ａвⓛ乇ｉⓝ Ｍу ㄥⓄ𝔶ａⓛŦʸ 𝕋𝔬 ⒹⒾ𝕊𝓽ｏℝ𝐭𝐢𝓞ή, 𝐢'ᵈ 𝓹ｒ𝐞𝐅𝑒ʳ 𝔫𝓞t Ｔσ 𝐇คv𝐞 Ⓣᗝ 𝔀ⓐⓣ𝕔ｈ Ⓐηđ β𝒆 ฬᗩ𝐓ᑕ𝐡έ𝒹 ᵃร ŴẸ𝓁Ⓛ. ᑎσ 𝓜𝕠𝓇𝓔 𝔱н𝐀𝓷 𝔦'м υＳ𝐄ᵈ тⓞ.

(plain text: I would hope not. I am perfectly comfortable in my loyalty to Distortion, I'd prefer not to have to watch and be watched as well. No more than I'm used to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They shrug, frowning, almost guiltily. “I hope not, too, for your sake. I’m not particularly sorry for messing with you as I did, but I am sorry if the effects are lingering.”

{Jett sighs and throws itself backwards, suddenly hanging precariously upside down. Its arms dangle towards the ground as it examines them.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their body moves forward to catch it on muscle memory alone before they clear their throat and return to their previous position.

“Hm?”

{It caught onto that movement and slowly starts to swing back and forth.}

𝐖ℍ𝐚Ť 𝓚𝓲𝐧ⓓ 𝓸ｆ 𝓅𝓔𝐫ᶠｏ𝕣𝕞ⓔŘ 𝒶ʳ𝐄 уᗝ𝐮?

(plain text: What kind of performer are you?)

the-anons-anonymous

They close their eyes, tone almost wistful. “I don’t do much anymore, but I used to be a part of an act with my brother. He’d do acrobatic things and I’d catch him and throw him and all in comedic ways. It was… fun. Before that, we were on a stage.”

They don’t elaborate further. They don’t seem to want to, either.

Ĵυ𝓢ⓣ 𝐥𝕀𝕂Ẹ 𝐈 ฬａ𝓢. 𝕙𝕦𝓱.

(plain text: Just like I was. Huh.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Really? I mean, you needn’t answer if you don’t want to, but still.”

мч t𝓦𝔦η 𝐁гｏ丅ℍ𝐞я ａ𝕟𝔡 𝕚 𝓌𝐄Řε тнⓔ ŘⓘŇǤм𝓪𝕤ｔᗴ𝕣'ѕ ᶠÃν𝔬𝐫𝓲𝕋Ẹ ί𝐍 𝓣ђ𝑒 c𝕀𝓡𝐂ｕŞ ωᵉ 𝔴ᗴ𝓡Ⓔ Ƥ𝐚яᵗ σ𝐟, тнａＴ'ş Ａ𝕃ᒪ.

(plain text: My twin brother and I were the Ringmaster's favorite in the circus we were part of, that's all.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, not really knowing what to say, and stare out of the window. The storm doesn’t seem to be letting up; in fact, it seems worse than it was before. They almost flinch at a clap of thunder that seems closer than the rest.

{Jett mumbles something to itself and yawns.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? What was that?” They stand, still leaning on the bed, and look over to Jett. “Are you tired, bud?”

{Jett glares at them, all of a sudden slightly defensive.}

ᶤ'ｍ 𝔫𝕖ש𝓔Ⓡ 𝓣Įｒєⓓ, Ň𝐎𝓽 Ａᑎ𝔶๓ØŘ𝑒. 𝔻σＮ'𝓽 ώσＲ𝕣¥ 𝔸ᗷｏᵘ𝕋 Ɨ𝓽.

(plain text: I'm never tired, not anymore. Don't worry about it.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hold up their arms to show they aren’t hostile, wincing at the movement. “It’s fine!” They gesture to the bed. “Rest if you wish. I’m not going to judge you. I was just about to try to leave again, anyway. Or just walk. I’m not here to laugh at you for sleeping.”

Ɨ 𝐝𝓞ή'𝔱 ή𝐄𝑒ｄ 𝕊𝐋𝑒є𝕡, ｏｒ у𝐎ù𝐑 ρ𝔢𝔯ⓜｉ𝕤ş𝓲ｏη 丅ⓞ 𝐃𝕆 รᵒ Ⓘή м𝕐 𝑜𝐖Ň в𝑒Đ.

(plain text: I don't need sleep, or your permission to do so in my own bed.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, letting their arms fall. “Alright, then,” they say. “I won’t make you. I—” Another loud burst of thunder. This time they jump so badly they nearly fall. “Gah— good lord, sorry, where was I? Right! Thank you, again, for letting me stay, but I’m going to go now. I see that I’m… agitating you, if that’s the right word.”

ｎ𝓞- ᶤ- ยﻮｈ. ᑎ𝔬, Į𝐭'𝕊 Ｆเᶰέ. 𝔢𝓼ℙ𝐞ς𝐢𝔞ᒪｌㄚ 𝔦ⓕ Ŧⓗ𝑒 丅ℍỮⓝ∂ε𝕣 Ⓘ𝐬 Ｂσ𝕥нⒺяเŇｇ Ⓨ𝐎𝐔 𝕥𝓱ＩŜ вⓐ𝔻ℓ𝕐. Į'Ⓜ Đє𝐚ℓ𝒾ⓝǤ 𝓌Ɨ丅𝕙 𝔀ℍÃ丅Ẹv𝓔𝐫 ĮⓈ Ꮆ𝐎ι𝕟ģ 𝓞𝓝 Ꭵℕ 𝕞𝔶 𝓱εÃ𝔻, тⒽᵃ丅'ѕ ᗩ𝔩Ĺ. 𝐈 ᵈⓞŇ'Ŧ м𝐈ภ∂ ħα𝓥ᶤ𝐍ⓖ ү𝓞υ Ⓗ𝐞𝕣Ⓔ. 𝔱н𝐞 ςⓞ𝓂𝔭ÃŇ¥ 𝒾𝔰…. ᵃ卩ｐяẸς𝔦ά𝐓€Ⓓ.

(plain text: No- I- Ugh. No, it's fine. Especially if the thunder is bothering you this badly. I'm dealing with whatever is going on in my head, that's all. I don't mind having you here. The company is…. appreciated.)

the-anons-anonymous

They tilt their head curiously. “The thunder…? Oh! The noise. Yes, it— it’s not that bad! But if you want me to stay, I will. You can try to talk to me about what’s happening, if you wish. I’m… well, I’m not awful at helping with that.”

{Jett gets off the ring one last time and walks over to the bed, dropping itself onto the mattress and dragging them down with. it.}

ħ𝕠𝐖 ａＢόⓊ𝐓 ү𝑜Ｕ ʲ𝔲丂Ⓣ 𝓛𝐀ץ 𝐡έŘ𝕖 Ｗ𝓲Ⓣ𝓗 ᗰ𝐞 υภŦ𝒾ᒪ 丅ᕼє Ⓢ𝓉𝐎ⓡ𝕄 ℙค𝕊𝐬ｅŞ ᎥⓃ𝔰𝐓ᵉⓐᗪ?

(Plain text: How about you just lay here with me until the storm passes instead?)

the-anons-anonymous

They squeak as they’re pulled down, opening their mouth to say something and closing it again after a moments contemplation. “That would be… nice, I suppose,” they reply, staring out of the window. “I’m sorry, for earlier. I thought I wasn’t, but I feel… not guilty, exactly, but I feel bad now.”

Į 𝓓όŇ'ⓣ ᗷℓÃмＥｙσᑌ 𝒇Ｏ𝓇 𝒸𝐡ᵃᔕⓘＮ𝓖 ¥๏ย尺 ØŴＮ ᗴŇ𝕋έ𝐑тÃⓘŇ𝐦𝑒ᑎⓣ. Ꭵ ĐỖ Ť𝐡є 𝕊卂𝓂ᵉ ｔ𝒽𝐢ŇĞ.

(plain text: I don't blame you for chasing your own entertainment. I do the same thing.)

{Its arms wrap around them and it rests its forehead against their shoulder.}

Ⓨ𝐨ｕＮ𝕖שᵉＲＴⓄⓁ𝒹 ᗰ€ 𝔶όⓤŕ 𝕟Ⓐмｅ.

(plain text: You never told me your name.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? Oh. You can call me Jester, I believe. I’ll often respond to it,” they answer, picking at their bandages again. “It’s what I went by when I performed.”

ⓣ𝔥乇ʸ 𝔠𝔞ⓛｌєｄｍ𝑒 ｊ乇ⓣt Ꭵ𝐧 𝓽ｈᗴ 𝓒Ｉ尺匚ᵘᔕ 𝒷Ⓔ匚ⓐǗ𝓼𝐞 ᶤ ¢ⓞ𝔲l𝓭 s𝕆𝔞ｒ 𝐭Ħŕ๏Ữﻮ𝕙 тнέ ΔｉŘ 𝕃𝓘ＫẸ σŇᵉ.

(Plain text: They called me Jett in the circus because I could soar through the air like one.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, thinking over the info.

“Can you still do that?”

ⓒαｎ ᵗᕼＥ乃𝔼Ｈㄖㄥ𝕕𝑒Ř 𝕊ţι𝐥ˡ Ｗ𝐚ｔＣ𝐇? 𝔠𝒶𝐍 тнẸ 𝐌ｏ丅ђ𝔼Ř ỖＦ Ⓟ𝔲𝓹𝓹Ẹтѕ ｓ𝕋Ｉ𝕝l ⓜ𝔞ŇᎥρⓊ𝐋𝕒ţ𝐄?

(plain text: Can the Beholder still Watch? Can the Mother of Puppets still manipulate?)

the-anons-anonymous

Jester chuckles quietly, the sound actually genuine this time.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” they murmur, closing their eyes.

{Jett hums quietly and gets comfortable.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t realize they’ve fallen asleep until they’re blinking awake, staring at the moon through the window. Clear skies. Hm.

They almost say something, almost alert Jett, but stop themself at the last moment. A little longer can’t hurt.

{Jett has long since fallen asleep for the first time in potentially years. It's comfortable there, even purring slightly like a cat. If that cat's purring was distorted like through a video editor in an echo chamber.}

the-anons-anonymous

They shift to face Jett so they can pet its hair, a smile on their face. It looks so… almost peaceful like this. They don’t have to wake it, right? Not when it’s so comfortable and actually resting.

{It hums quietly and pulls them a little bit closer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They coo at it, finding the action absolutely adorable. They don’t have to act right now, not while it’s asleep. A brief intermission. They sing quietly; some song that they learned before the performances started, before their life was devoted to the stage. A lullaby, they think. Or at least it’s sung like one.

{After a long while, Jett starts to wake up. While still half asleep, it stretches and tucks its head under their chin for a little bit with a soft yawn.}

the-anons-anonymous

Break’s over, they suppose. They grin brightly, still running their fingers through its hair. “Sleep well, Jett? And you claim you weren’t tired!” They laugh, tone teasing.

{Jett mumbles something unintelligible, its voice more static than vocal cords until it clears its throat and yawns.}

н𝐚ＶＥή'𝕋 Ｓｌ€ᑭⓉ 𝕝ιⓀ乇 тｈᗩⓣ Ⓘℕ 𝓐 ｗ𝓱เⓛ𝒆..

(plain text: Haven't slept like that in a while..)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I’m glad you slept well! Did you know that you purr?”

They continue to scratch at its scalp, muttering about it being adorable.

Μнⓜ.. 丂'ｎσŤ ｌƗ𝓴𝐞 ι 𝔠όภ𝓽ℝⓞ𝓛 𝒾Ŧ ⓉђσυＧн.

(plain text: Mhm.. s'not like I control it though.)

{Jett does continue to purr and leans into their hand slightly.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Awee!”

They turn their head to glance at the window. Almost light out. They should really be getting back to the warehouse. But… hm. They have all day to do that. They have now with Jett.

{Jett stretches out and grumbles something about being glad it doesn't do this regularly.}

𝒾𝕥'𝐬 几σт ţ𝐇𝔸т 𝕔Ǘ𝐓€.

(plain text: it's not that cute.)

the-anons-anonymous

Their smile softens as they drape their arms over its shoulders. “Sure it’s not! And I’m not a performer.”

{It takes some time for Jett to wake up fully. When it does and both of them are sitting up properly, it just examines them for a while.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their gaze shifts from the sunrise to Jett, their head tilting in mild amusement. “May I ask what you’re staring at, Contortionist?”

…𝓎𝕠υ. Ў𝓞Ⓤ 𝐡𝔞𝕧ｅ卂 ᑭŘ𝔼𝔱ＴＹ ғ卂𝔠Ｅ. ｉ'м 𝕥Řч𝕚𝔫ｇ 𝓉ό Ŧ丨𝔤𝓾я𝔼 ｏ𝔲т 𝓦ħ𝓎.

(plain text: …you. You have a pretty face. I'm trying to figure out why.)

{Jett chuckles at the contortionist comment, knowing it's the truth. There's always been a certain fluidity about its movements that give away what it was in live. It turns its body to fully face Jester, legs wrapped around each other in a way they can only describe as comfortably odd.)

the-anons-anonymous

They blink for a moment, processing slowly before turning slightly red. “Oh! I— well, thank you, Jett, I— that’s— ahem.” They clear their throat, turning their head away and tugging at their collar.

{Jett crawls closer to them}

Ｔ𝔥Ã𝓣 𝓦𝐀ｓ ℃ยт𝐞. ĎＯ Ɨ𝐓 𝐀𝐆ᵃเŇ.

(plain text: That was cute. Do it again.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Cute— what was—? What?”

No, no, no! The performance is not over, you cannot crack this quickly under pressure! Get it together, Jester, really! It’s only complimenting you, get your act straight!

“I mean— I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jett! Could you explain?”

{Jett smiles slightly as it realizes it's getting under their skin, so, of course, it doubles down. It puts its hand on their cheek and tilts its head to the side slightly.}

𝓨σ𝓾я 𝐟ÃĆⓔ Ŧ𝓾ŘℕⒺ𝒹 г𝐄Ｄ. 𝓘𝓉'𝓈 ςυ𝓉ⓔ. ί ℓ𝓘𝓴𝐄 𝔀ĤⒺ𝐍 ʸ๏υ đ𝓸 ⓉħａⓉ.

(plain text: Your face turned red. It's cute. I like when you do that.)

the-anons-anonymous

Oh! Well— that’s certainly— well their face is definitely red now.

Jett has gotten to them far too fast, and their heart is hammering, and—

“I— I’m not cute, Jett.”

Really? Is that all they can think to say?

Ⓨ𝕆ⓤ 卂𝓡𝔼~ Ƴ𝓞υ'ᖇ𝓔 ⓥｅᖇ¥ ｃ𝐮Ť𝐞. 𝔸𝓒ᑕ𝕖Ƥｔ 𝓲𝕋.

(plain text: You are~ You're very cute. Accept it.)

the-anons-anonymous

Hm. Fine, then! Two can play at this game.

“So are you, Contortionist. I’d even say you’re pretty, if you’d let me.”

{It hums and chuckles faintly, dizzyingly as always.}

เ 𝕎ｉℓl ⒶŁＬỖ𝕨 ι𝓉, ώє ๒𝓸𝓣ʰ Ҝᶰᗝω 𝓘𝔱'ѕ 𝕥𝐑υẸ. 𝔹𝕌Ŧ Į ᗯĮ𝓛ㄥ 𝓢𝓪𝐘 𝐘ㄖ𝐮 Δ尺έ α Ⓥ€𝐫𝓎 Ⓒ𝓵ㄖˢέ 𝐒𝔼匚𝔬Ｎ𝒹.

(plain text: I will allow it, we both know it's true. But I will say you are a very close second.)

the-anons-anonymous

They smile, leaning back slightly. “Hah, thank you, my beautiful Contortionist! I appreciate it,” they hum, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight through the window.

{Jett pauses for a moment and frowns, suddenly all strangeness about it dissipates. It's human again. Still somehow a pretty human, but distinctly non-distorted.}

Damn..

the-anons-anonymous

They frown too, mimicking it. “Anons?” The performer questions, sounding slightly upset on its behalf.

Anons.

{Jett looks far more frustrated at having to hear its old voice again. Though that frustration is quickly masked by exhaustion. How long has it been since it slept properly? Why is Jett being effected by it now?}

the-anons-anonymous

They notice its sudden drowsiness and pull it close, picking its singing back up. “You can rest. It’s okay. I’ll be here, hm?”

They’ve dropped their showmanship, for now, at least, to just comfort Jett for a while. “Just rest.”

{It wraps its arms around them and grumbles something quietly before settling against them.}

mmmn.. hate this.. this is worse than Becoming..

the-anons-anonymous

They shush it, holding it ever closer. “It’s okay, Jett. This can’t last forever, hm? It’ll be better when you wake up.”

you'll stay...?

{It sounds less like a question of if they will, but more like a request. Even then, Jett doesn't get to be awake for long enough to get a response, as it passes out in their arms almost immediately.}

the-anons-anonymous

They murmur a quiet of course and hold it tightly. No sense going back on their word.

And, honestly, Jett still looks more peaceful and it does awake, and Jester would not disturb that peace in a million years.

{Jett stays there, unmoving, dead to the world for who knows how long. It hasn't slept properly in potentially years, after not needing to as an avatar. But after a long while, it starts to wake and cling tighter to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

They’d nearly been asleep when Jett begins waking up, but at the first sign of motion from it they jolt into awareness.

“Back with us, hm, doll?” They question, tilting its head up with one finger. “Feel any better?”

{Jett yawns and buries its face in their chest, curling itself around their body like a cat. The only sound it makes is a sleepy, somewhat grumpy whine.}

the-anons-anonymous

They hum and rest their chin on top of its head. “I’ll take that as a maybe, then. Is there any chance you’ll let me move any time soon?”

mmm.. no... mine now..

{Jett clings just a bit tighter to them}

the-anons-anonymous

They blush just the slightest bit, thankful that Jett can’t see their face.

“Yours, you say?”

{It yawns and nods}

Mine..

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle. “Yours, then, I suppose,” they agree, shifting to be just a bit more comfortable with Jett lying on top of them like a giant cat.

{Jett smiles and stretches out over them happily.}

the-anons-anonymous

“You’re just a big cat, do you know that?” They ask, rubbing its back.

{It cracks its eyes open and looks at them, smiling still.}

If I agree, will you stay with me longer..?

the-anons-anonymous

“I’ll stay with you as long as you’d like regardless.”

Good. ‘Cause I’m not letting you leave.

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I suppose that’s fine.” A smile crosses their face. “I may have to let my fellow anons know I’ll be stuck here, though.”

“Hello, Jett¡!”

The voice seems to come from no where and everywhere at once, echoing through every crack in Jett’s— excuse the pun —spiraling mind.

“You wanted to meet, so here I am!”

— 🎭🎬 // @the-anons-anonymous

𝐮𝕟ᗪ𝕠 ⓦ卄𝓐𝕋 𝓨𝐨𝔲 ∂𝒾Ď 丅𝕆 ΜẸ.

(plain text: Undo what you did to me.)

the-anons-anonymous

The figure tsks at it, giving a short head shake.

“No, no, I think I like you better this way! Very interesting, no?”

丨ᵗ 𝓱υŕｔᔕ. ᶰØ丅 𝕀Ň тʰᗴ ⒼỖⓞｄ 𝐰αү. ᶤt'ⓢ Ｎㄖⓣ ⓔᑎ𝓽€г丅ᗩ𝓲𝓝ι𝔫g. Ｓtᗝｐ. 𝐈𝕋.

(plain text: It hurts. Not in the good way. It's not entertaining. Stop. It.)

the-anons-anonymous

They giggle almost cruelly.

“Hm. Why would I do that? No, no, not when you’ve done almost the same to others! I think you need to be taught a lesson in power dynamics, don’t you agree?”

เ'ᒪℓ ŜⒽ𝕆𝓌 ЎＯᑌ 𝔞 ｆ𝓊¢кⓘⓝ𝓰 𝓅Ⓞ𝔀Ⓔ𝕣 Đʸ𝓝ⓐＭ𝐢𝓒.

(plain text: I'll show you a fucking power dynamic.)

{Jett suddenly launches itself at them. The Becoming is making it's body almost what it's used to. Sharp bones, weird skin, dizzying movements. Yet somehow worse, closer to Michael than to the usual Jett. It starts to scratch and claw at their skin.}

𝕚 ⓜ𝐀у 𝓷ᗝｔｂ乇 ⓜⓎ υ𝕊𝐮𝐀𝕃 ⓢ𝒆𝐋𝒇 ｂ𝔲Ť 丨 𝐖ι𝐋ｌ Ŝ𝓉ⓘĹℓ 𝒽Ữ𝓇𝓉 𝐲ㄖ𝔲!

(plain text: I may not be my usual self but I will still hurt you!)

the-anons-anonymous

They make a choked sound, hissing in pain and trying to kick it off of them.

“Now, now,” they begin, trying for their best showman’s voice and falling just short. “You— aren’t following the terms of our deal!”

𝔫𝓔ιţ𝕙𝓔ᖇ ᗩ𝓇ᗴ 𝓎Ỗ𝕌! 𝔸ℕ๔ 𝐛€𝐒𝓲ᵈ€丂, 𝕀'𝕄 𝓝ᵒ𝕥 ⓚ𝔦lｌι𝐧𝐠, Ⓙ𝕌Ｓт ᗰ𝐚𝕚м丨Ｎ𝔤!

(plain text: Neither are you! And besides, I'm not killing, just maiming!)

the-anons-anonymous

They manage to escape its grasp, if only for a moment, and skitter away like a scared animal.

“I’m following… the terms… perfectly well!” They breathe out, chest heaving. Their hands press at the wounds it had managed to inflict; several on the arms, one across their face, and a particularly bad slash that looks like a knife caused it across their torso. “I’m giving— giving you back your Spiral-ness, yes?”

Ď𝕠 𝓲Ŧ тＨ乇 𝐍Ⓞ𝓇ⓜᵃᒪ 𝔴ᗩㄚＯℝ 𝓲 山𝐢ℓℓ ｒƗᑭ 𝓨ｏ𝕌𝐫 ℱᑌᑕｋ𝐢ηg ⓗ𝐞αｒ𝐓 ᵒυ丅, 𝓓ᵒ 𝓨𝑜𝐮 ᵘ𝐧Ⓓᵉⓡѕţ𝓪ᶰｄ 𝔪ᗴ?

(plain text: Do it the normal way or I will rip your fucking heart out, do you understand me?)

{It positions its hand over their heart, growling like a feral animal.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Alright, alright!” They exclaim, making the decision to not point out how that would also break the deal. Possibly from a rare burst of common sense, or from blood loss making them a tad less bold. They try to back away from it on instinct, (they are scared, as much as they pretend to be unaffected) only to find that they’ve hit a wall. “Y-you are back to normal.”

They give a weak smile and a tilt of their head, half convinced that Jett is going to kill them anyways.

{As soon as Jett is back to normal, it backs off and wipes its hands on itself, still pouting like a petulant child rather than the scary thing it actually is.}

𝔱𝐡άη𝓚 𝓎ᵒᑌ, т𝐡ά𝓽'Ŝ ᗷ𝑒тţє𝐫.

(plain text: Thank you, that's better.)

the-anons-anonymous

They straighten themself up the moment they have the room to. Well, try to, anyways. Their knees don’t seem to want to cooperate and their head’s just slightly fuzzy. Maybe just a bit more anon magic to get them out of here.

“Haha! Well, yes, I’d hope it’s better. And you’re very welcome!”

{Jett smiles and walks over, leaning over them slightly. Now that it's back to normal, that look in its eyes and the sharp smile makes their head spin. Or maybe that's the blood loss. Or both.}

ㄚⓞυ'𝐑𝒆 η𝐨𝐭 ℓⓄ𝕆𝐊ᶤ𝐧ģ 𝐓𝕆Ｏ ﻮⓄ𝑜ⓓ ⓣн𝕖𝓇𝔢, ⓓẸΔŕ.

(plain text: You're not looking too good there, dear.)

the-anons-anonymous

“I’m fiNe¡” They reply shortly, voice cracking with a slight distortion near the end. They clear their throat, shaking their head. They’re a performer for Fear’s sake, they won’t be hindered by a bit of blood loss! The mask won’t slip, not under their watch.

“Now, you’ve met me in person, and we’ve both upheld our ends of the deal! I’ll be going now, if you don’t mind!”

𝒷Ẹ ⓜⓎ قυ乇𝐒𝔱. 𝕓𝔲Ⓣ ＹＯỮ'𝔡 вＥ𝕋Ⓣ𝔼ｒ мά𝐤ᗴ ι𝓽 ⓆＵιςЌ. đ𝔢Ａ𝓛'Ş Ⓓᵒｎ𝒆, 𝕒𝐧𝓭 Ɨ'𝕄 Ĥ𝔲𝐍Ⓖ𝕣𝕪.

(plain text: Be my guest. But you'd better make it quick. Deal's done, and I'm hungry.)

the-anons-anonymous

They grin at it and bow, form blinking out of existence.

Except, they don’t stay gone. They reappear after just a moment, doubled over coughing and bleeding more than before. “GaH… thAt’S uNpLeasANt.”

Ǘⓗ 𝓸Ｈ~ Ş𝑜๓𝐞όⓃｅ'𝓈 קⓞ𝓌ⓔ𝕣𝓈 αгｅⓝ'ⓣ 𝔀ｏⓡҜ丨𝕟ق ｒ𝐢𝑔𝓗Ⓣ! β𝓤𝓽 𝕪ό𝓤 к𝓝ᗝⓦ Ｗᕼά𝐓? Į'𝐥𝔩 ᗷ𝕖 𝐀 ǤʳคＣιⓄ𝔲Ｓ 𝓗Ỗѕ𝓣, ŴђⓎ 𝓓Ｏ𝔫'𝓉 уόⓤ Ｓ𝐭คя𝕋 𝓇υⓃᶰι𝐧Ğ 卂ή∂ Ｇ𝐄t 𝐚 ｈᵉᵃⒹ ş𝓉ⒶⓇᵗ, Ⓗ𝓜?

(plain text: Uh oh~ Someone's powers aren't working right! But you know what? I'll be a gracious host, why don't you start running and get a head start, hm?)

the-anons-anonymous

It takes a second to process what it said, and another to gather their strength to actually start running, but once they do they’re surprisingly fast for something actively losing blood.

Still; they’re slower than they should be, and it doesn’t take long for Jett to catch up to them, especially with the near-collapses every five steps.

{It laughs and waits a few moments before giving chase, even opting to just go on foot. Jett catches up and leaves little scratches on their shoulders before slowing down again, just to let the game it's playing linger a few moments longer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They run and run and run, but it’s getting harder, vision getting worse with each step and they trip and fall and by the Fears they’re going to die here aren’t they? They’ll— they’ll probably come back, being an anon and all, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying to be loomed over by something like Jett, who is— laughing? They aren’t sure. They can barely see, let alone think enough to comprehend sounds.

“PErforRmAnCe iS ovEr, hMM?” They giggle weakly. Pathetic, honestly.

Ўέᑭ! 𝐆𝕠Ⓞ𝐝Ňι𝐠𝔥Ŧ!

(plain text: Yep! Goodnight!}

{Jett cackles again as it leans over their body. It doesn't slash or stab at them though, no, it grabs them by the hair and smashes their head into the ground hard enough to make them black out.}

{Oddly enough, they aren't killed. When the awake, they're in a new place, a big bedroom full of headache inducing colors and patterns not unlike where they first met Jett. Nearby, hanging upside down from a ring suspended from the ceiling, Jett is watching them.}

𝐟ｉ𝕟คŁᒪ𝓎! 𝐢 𝔀คѕ ฬσ𝔯Ⓡ𝓲𝐄ᵈ ᶤ ʰＡᗪ 𝓐ｃtⓊ𝕒𝐥ㄥ𝓎 𝐊𝓲𝓵Ｌ𝔼ⓓ ЎⓄᑌ. ｉ'𝕕 ʰᵃ𝕥ⓔ 𝕥Ｏｇσ ค𝓷𝐃 ๒гⓔ𝒶Ќ ᵃ ᗪ乇Ⓐⓛ!

(plain text: Finally! I was worried I had actually killed you. I'd hate to go and break a deal!}

the-anons-anonymous

Their head pounds, which may be from the blinding colours of the room or the definite concussion they have. Their hands trail up to where they know the injuries are, only to find them wrapped (albeit poorly) in bandages.

“You— what—? I’m— well, it seems like I’m alive, yes.” Their words slur together just slightly, pain-addled mind struggling to string a sentence together. “Why— why am I alive?”

{Jett seems to glide down from where it hangs in a movement that one can only call fluid, practiced. It hums and walks over to the side of the bed.}

𝕎𝐞Łℓ Ⓘ ∂𝐈๔ sα¥ 𝕀 Ŵᗩｓ𝕟'т Ğｏ𝐢ηﻮ тᵒ к𝐈Ļㄥ ⓎⓄＵ. ωｅ ħᵃᗪ 𝓐 Ⓓᗴคℓ, 𝓦ⒽㄚＷｏ𝐔ｌ๔ 𝓲 Ｇｏ 𝔟卂𝔠ⓚ 𝐎Ⓝ 卂 𝐝𝐄ⓐᒪ?

(plain text: Well I did say I wasn't going to kill you. We had a deal, why would I go back on a deal?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Makes… enough sense,” they say slowly, observing it with the same demeanor as prey presented to a predator. Their previous eccentricities are gone, replaced with a tone that could be interpreted as nervous.

“Why am I here? Plan on—” They cough into their hand, just the smallest bit of blood coming out. “Hmph. Plan on maiming me again, Jett?”

{Jett grumbles something about "enough blood on his carpet" and "niceties" before giving a dramatic sigh and kneeling on the shag carpet, crossing its arms on the bed and resting its chin on top of them. It looks up at them with deceptively big, innocent eyes.}

Can't a thing be kind to someone it finds injured? How do you feel?

the-anons-anonymous

The only word they can really use is ow, but they settle for “fine” and let out a short, pained laugh.

“You’re a Liar, one of the Twisting Deceit’s, and you expect— ow —you expect me to believe this help comes with no strings?”

山Ⓗ¥, Ｏᶠ 𝓒𝕆ùгˢⒺ ηⓞ𝐭, Ⓓ𝓪𝓡𝓁Ꭵ𝐧𝕘! 乃𝐔т, ᵗℍέ 𝔰ţŘ丨𝐍𝕘Ŝ 𝐚яＥ 𝐚𝐋𝕣𝒆𝔞𝐃ץ ᑕⓊт, ＹØù 𝔻เᗪ ᵗｕｒᑎ мⓔ ๒𝐚ςЌ. ι𝐭 ฬ𝐀Ⓢ α Ⓟ𝐀𝓻ᵗ ｏғ ๏ｕ𝓻 𝓭𝐄卂Ĺ, 𝓪ғтέ𝓇 άㄥⓁ. Į 𝐚𝔪 ό几ℓƳ ∂σᎥ𝐍𝓖 山𝐡Ãt 𝕀𝓈 ｒ𝒾ᎶⓗＴ 𝔞ⓝⓓ ι ¢𝕆𝓊ℓＤη'ᵗ Ｊⓤ𝐬t ⓛｅΔ𝐯𝓔 𝕐𝑜Ｕ 𝔱𝐨 𝓑𝓁𝓔ｅᗪ ᗝᵘ𝔱 𝐀𝔫𝒹 đι𝓔 𝑜𝐧 𝕥н𝓔 ⓜαＮŞｉᵒŇ Ⓕ𝓵ⓞ𝐨ŕ𝐒. Ⓔⓓⓦᵃ𝐫ⓓ 𝓦ＯＵＬ𝐃 ⓗÃ𝕍ⓔ 爪Ⓨ ᕼⓔ𝕒đ 𝐚Ňđ уＯⓤ 𝓭𝐎ℕ'𝓽 Ŵ𝓪ｎｔ ⓣＯ Ќ𝔫ό𝐰 𝐰н卂𝓣 ᕼｅ'ร Ł𝐈Ќє ｗＨⓔภ ĦẸ'丂 𝔞ᶰǤℝу.

(plain text: Why, of course not, darling! But, the strings are already cut, you did turn me back. It was a part of our deal, after all. I am only doing what is right and I couldn't just leave you to bleed out and die on the mansion floors. Edward would have my head and you don't want to know what he's like when he's angry.)

{Jett sits up a little taller and chuckles, mimicking Edward almost perfectly}

"You would let some worthless thing into MY home and die on MY floors? Those are original wood! They're older than I am, and you would so carelessly ruin them?! After all I've done for you?!"

άŇᗪ tħєＮ 𝐧𝔢ⓧ𝓽 ţђⒾή𝓖 𝓲 Ⓚ𝕟ㄖｗＩ'м 𝓁ØᶜҜ𝐄∂ 𝐢𝕟 𝔱卄𝔢 𝐓σ𝓻𝐓ᵘŕＥ 𝔻𝔲ⓝᎶⒺ𝑜𝓝 𝒶ⓖᗩ𝔦ᶰ. Ɨ ςⒶⓃ'ｔ ℍａｖε ⓣђÃ𝔱, ＮＯ𝕨 匚𝐚ᶰ 𝕀? ⓘ'𝕄 ⓜ𝔲Ⓒ𝒽 𝓉ᗝό 𝓹Ⓡ𝑒Ŧ𝐓𝔂 Ｔό Ⓑ𝐄 ㄥƗⓋ𝓲𝐧𝔾 Đ𝔬𝕨η t卄𝐞ŕⒺ!

(plain text: And then next thing I know I'm locked in the torture dungeon again. I can't have that, now can I? I'm much too pretty to be living down there!)

the-anons-anonymous

They let out a snort of what could be genuine amusement before wincing at the slight strain it put on their injuries. They school their expression, putting on their best smile; a performer must look their best, after all!

“Hm. Well, dying on wood floors wouldn’t exactly be in my best interest either! So, thank you. I appreciate not being left to bleed out.”

{Jett hums and stretches its arms out over the comforter.}

ι Ŵค𝓈 sσ ⒷㄖŘ𝓔ｄ 𝕎𝒶Ⓘ𝐭Ⓘภ𝐠 ғㄖᖇ 𝐲𝐨υ ţⓄ Ⓦαᵏє 𝓤ᵖ!

(plain text: I was so bored waiting for you to wake up!)

the-anons-anonymous

They observe it, picking at their bandages, still very sure to keep their guard up.

“Well, being knocked unconscious isn’t exactly pleasant either!” They point out. “And if you were bored, why didn’t you just… do something else? You didn’t have to wait for me to awaken, you know!”

ᗯℍ𝕒т 𝕜𝔦ภĐ ㄖ𝔽 𝔸 Ħ๏丂ⓣ 山𝑜Ｕℓ𝔻 𝕚 𝕓έ 𝕀ғ 𝐢 ℓ𝑒𝔽ⓣ Ƴ𝑜Ữ βεĤιⓃ𝓓? ᶠŘ𝐎𝕄 𝑜𝓃є є𝓃𝐓𝔼я𝐓𝔸ιŇєя ｔ𝓞 𝕒ᑎᗝ丅𝔥Ⓔ𝕣, ∂𝕠 ｙỖย ⓣⓇᵘŁү 𝕋н𝕚ŇҜ 𝓉ⓗ𝒶Ⓣ'ѕ ᵃ ｇᵒⓞ∂ 𝓣ⒽιⓃģ Ŧ𝐨 ᗪㄖ?

(plain text: What kind of a host would I be if I left you behind? From one entertainer to another, do you truly think that's a good thing to do?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course not!” They reply, almost offended that it would think so lowly of them. “You can’t just leave your guests by themselves if you’re going to be a good host, no! Why, you have to— how did you know I’m an entertainer?”

𝐘Ⓞ𝐔 нａ𝔳ᗴ ＴĤᗴ 𝐁ʳ𝕒ｖⒶ∂Ｏ 𝕠𝐟 𝐌𝓨 ⓞℓ𝓓 ⓡ𝐢𝐧𝔾ᗰคⓢ丅εＲ. β𝐮𝐭 ĦⒺ Ŵａᔕ ᶠＡ𝓇 Ｌ乇ᔕ丂卂ŇήØⓨ𝓘几𝕘, 𝕀 รùᵖ𝓟Ⓞ𝓼€. 𝓜𝐀¥Ｂє Ｉ'м вⓘ𝒶𝓼ẸĐ.

(plain text: You have the bravado of my old ringmaster. But he was far less annoying, I suppose. Maybe I'm biased.)

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle a bit and shrug. “Hmph. Well, it seems I haven’t lost my touch, then! On a different note, why are you keeping me here?”

ŴＨ𝔂 𝔀ØǗl𝒹𝐍'𝐓 ί? ⓨØù'ŘẸ ｓ𝕠 𝑒𝔫ŤᗴŘ𝕥𝓐𝓘ᶰ𝕚Ⓝ𝓖!

(plain text: Why wouldn't I? You're so entertaining!)

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t you have anyone— or anything— else to entertain yourself with?” The way they say it seems a little bit mocking, but they’re genuinely curious. Are they being kept here as punishment, or are they actually just that entertaining?

𝔬𝒇 ᑕ𝕆ᵘ𝓻𝐒𝔢 ι 𝐝𝑜! 𝐛𝔲т ᗪ𝕠 ʸ๏𝓊 я𝔼𝒶𝓛𝐋ʸ ⓌⒶℕ丅Ｍ𝒆 𝐓Ｏ l乇αV𝐄 үｏＵＡˡσ几€ 𝔦η ᕼ€尺ᗴ? ι𝒇 ţн𝓪𝓽 𝔴𝔼яє тнⓔ 𝓒𝒶𝕊є 𝓲'ｄ 𝒽ᵃשᗴ ⓖ𝒾ש𝐞ｎ ⓨØย 丅𝓞 𝕝ᗴ𝓣𝐨.

(plain text: Of course I do! But do you really want me to leave you alone in here? If that were the case I'd have given you to Leto.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course I don’t want to be left alone,” they answer quickly. “I was simply curious, that’s all. However, I should be leaving soon. I’m probably well enough the magic myself back home.”

They seem anxious to leave, the barest hints of fear hidden behind their wide grin. They’re still in danger, they’re aware of that, so they should leave. They will leave.

{Jett hums and stands up, stalking back over to the ring it had been hanging from before. It easily climbs back onto it and gets comfortable sitting in the middle.}

ᔕυเt Ƴ𝓞𝓊𝔯𝓢𝐄ℓℱ, 𝕃𝓲Ｔ丅ⓁＥ ØⓃ𝑒. 𝐛𝔲𝓽 𝒾ғ ч๏Ｕ 𝕔ｏ𝓵ㄥ𝓐ｐ𝐬€ ᵒ𝓃 Ťн𝐞 𝓌ａч ᗝⓊţ 𝕥ℍαⓉ'𝕊 ๏ᑎ Ｙ๏υ.

(plain text: Suit yourself, little one. But if you collapse on the way out that's on you.)

the-anons-anonymous

They roll their eyes at the phrase. They aren’t little, not at all! No, no, not like they were when they started performing!

“I won’t collapse. What do you take me for, some amateur?”

ʸσⓤ 丅ⓗ𝓘𝐧к ㄚ𝓸ⓤ'ℝᗴ ค ｌＯ𝔱 ᔕᵗⓇＯ𝓷𝔾𝔢Ř ⓣн𝔸𝓝 𝕐𝓸ᑌ 𝓪ʳ𝒆. 𝐈 ŤⒽĮήķ Ⓨⓞᑌ 𝓷ᵉᗴ𝔡 Ŧσ ق𝐞𝐓 α ㄥ𝐢ⓣтℓᗴ 爪ㄖŘᵉ ｓⓛᗴ𝑒ᵖ 𝓫𝔼𝒻ᵒ𝐑𝐞 Ƴᵒ𝓤 ţ𝓡𝕪 Δ𝓝𝓎𝕥ℍ𝐈ⓝᎶ. ιѕŇ'ｔ тĦ𝒶𝓣 𝐛Ⓔᗪ Ć𝑜ᗰғⓄ𝕣Ť𝐚βᒪᵉ? Ãяєᑎ'т ㄚỖ𝕦 𝓣Ɨｒｅ𝓓?

(plain text: You think you're a lot stronger than you are. I think you need to get a little more sleep before you try anything. Isn't that bed comfortable? Aren't you tired?)

the-anons-anonymous

The answer is yes, they are tired from the magic used to torment it and the bed is unfairly comfortable, but they know better. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”

A little more magic won’t hurt. As much as they’d overexerted their power earlier, just the slightest bit more can’t make it worse. They close their eyes, focusing on the warehouse and getting to it. Seconds pass. Nothing happens. Well, they do get an awful headache and a sharp pain in their chest, but they don’t suppose that counts.

“HMph.”

ģᗝ 𝐨Ⓝ~ 𝒾 𝐖ㄖ𝔫'ⓣ 卄ỮŘⓣ 𝐲𝓸υ ωℍ丨𝕝ᵉ 𝕪𝐨Ⓤ'𝓇Ｅ 𝐀𝕤ĻẸ𝔢ρ, т𝓗α𝓉 ⓦ𝓸Ｕl𝔡 𝒷€ ｕⓃ-Ǥ€ᑎᵗℓᵉｍαη-𝓵Ɨ𝓚€ 𝕆Ｆ ᗰ𝐞. Ｗ乇Ⓛ𝐥, ᵃŞ ⓂᵘĆＨ α𝐒 ⓘ Ⓒ𝔸η ｂ𝑒 α 𝓰𝓔ภţ𝐥𝕖м卂Ⓝ, ί ŜᑌⓅρ𝕆ş€. ĴǗŞｔ ⓐ Ｓ𝓗Ⓞŕţ Ňᵃ𝓟?

(plain text: Go on~ I won't hurt you while you're asleep, that would be un-gentleman-like of me. Well, as much as I can be a gentleman, I suppose. Just a short nap?)

the-anons-anonymous

They stand, ignoring the protest from every limb in their body. Difficulties can be pushed past. Perseverance is necessary for performers.

“I’m going to have to say no to that. I don’t make it a habit to trust Liars. I’ll simply walk back, it’s fine.”

𝓉𝓗є 𝐫ιŇᵍΜ𝓐ร𝕥ᵉ𝕣 α𝕝𝓌ａ𝓎𝔰 𝓼άιⒹ Ť𝕙乇 Ⓞ𝕟lу tᕼ𝐢Ｎق ¥𝓸ᑌ 𝓖Ⓔţ Ø𝓤ｔ όᶠ ᵒVⒺ𝐑𝓔Ж𝓔ʳ丅𝕀η𝕘 ㄚｏᵘ𝐑ｓ𝒆Łғ 丨𝓈 𝓪 𝐬ħ𝓲ţ𝓽𝕪 Ƥ𝒆я𝒻𝓞Ř𝕞Δᶰⓒ𝑒. ⓑε𝓉Ť𝔼г Ⓣ𝓞 𝕊Į𝓽 𝔞𝓷𝐝 ＲＥ𝕊Ŧ 𝐀 ʷн𝔦ｌ𝐄 𝔱𝒽𝐀ⓝ ĐØ 𝐁ⓐｄ ιŇ 𝓕ʳㄖ𝔫ᵗ 𝑜𝔽 ᑭＥⓞρl𝔢, ｒＩＧｈ𝓽?

(plain text: The Ringmaster always said the only thing you get out of overexerting yourself is a shitty performance. Better to sit and rest a while than do bad in front of people, right?)

the-anons-anonymous

They frown, but it’s difficult to argue when you can barely breathe.

“FinE,” they relent eventually, sitting hesitantly on the edge of the bed. “A short break! And you can’t maim me while I sleep.”

{Jett just hums vaguely and smiles, slowly spinning in its suspended ring.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t lie down all the way. That would make them too vulnerable, too susceptible to anything, at least in their mind. They instead lean against the wall, closing their eyes and trying to drift off.

{Jett watches them for a while with mild fascination. Another performer, clearly, but from what? A circus? A theater? It almost wants to- no. Jett doesn't help people more than it has to. It certainly isn't nice to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

After a while they snap awake suddenly, almost falling off of the bed. Something’s wrong, something’s dangerous, something’s— oh. Hm. Their mind catches up with their racing heart, and the process where they are and who’s there with them. They school their expression quickly, playing off whatever had happened with a laugh. The show isn’t over.

“Hello— hello there, Jett! Thank you for not mauling me while I rested.”

{It's raining now, the large windows show every drop and cloud and crackle of thunder. It's almost peaceful. Even the colors of the room seem to have dimmed slightly. Jett is still watching them, of course, lost in thought for once in its spiraled life.}

ђ𝓶-? Øн, Ⓨ𝐞𝓈. ᶤ 𝐃𝕀𝐃 Ⓢ𝓪ⓨ Ꭵ 𝔴ⓞυｌᗪᶰ'ｔＡ𝐍Ｄ丨'𝓶 ήσt Ｏᶰ𝓔 ⓣ๏ ｇ𝓸 ᵇΔ𝐂𝓚 𝐎ή 𝕄𝓎 ʷ𝕆Ř𝕕 𝓤ＮⓁє𝓼Ŝ ｉ ᖇ𝐄ａ𝓛ｌ𝔶 𝔥ᵃνＥ丅Ø.

(plain text: Hm-? Oh, yes. I did say I wouldn't and I'm not one to go back on my word unless I really have to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hum, gaze shifting to stare at the window. Hmph. Rain. Storms. “That’s good, I suppose.”

They feel better. Well, they don’t feel as bad as before; better isn’t quite the word, though, since they still think they might keel over is they try magic again. “Thank you for letting me rest,” they smile. “As nice as this is, I should walk home now! I’m aware I’ve overstayed my welcome, haha.”

чⓞ𝓾 Ｃคη ⓢŤ𝕒𝐘, ｉ ĐⓄｎ'𝐭 мเ𝓝ᵈ. 𝓲 𝓦𝕆Ň'ｔ 𝕙𝓾яＴ 𝓨𝔬𝐮 Ⓘ𝓷 𝐌ч яⓞ𝓞𝓂.

(plain text: You can stay, I don't mind. I won't hurt you in my room.)

{Jet seems... oddly sincere. Pensive, even. Odd}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t want to trust it, they know better, but staying seems more appealing than going out in the rain.

“Hm. Maybe for just a while longer. Is there… something on your mind?” They question, put off slightly by its calmness.

𝔦ร ⓣ𝐇є𝓇ε 𝔼ｖєＲ? 𝒾𝕊η'𝕋 Ｔнε𝕣έ? 𝕚 ⒹＯᶰ'ｔ… 𝓚𝔫Ⓞω. ι'vᵉ 𝓷є𝓿𝑒я Ƒ𝒆𝓛𝓣 ㄥเ𝕜𝐞 丅нเŜ.

(plain text: Is there ever? Isn't there? I don't… know. I've never felt like this.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Do you think it’s because of the ah…” They hesitate and gesture vaguely. “Thing I did? With the Eye?”

Į ｗσυˡᗪ 𝓗Ỗᑭ𝓔 𝓷Ｏ𝐓. ᶤ Ⓐ𝔪 𝓟єｒᶠⓔ𝒸тⓛ𝔶 cσΜ𝒻ㄖ𝓇𝐓Ａвⓛ乇ｉⓝ Ｍу ㄥⓄ𝔶ａⓛŦʸ 𝕋𝔬 ⒹⒾ𝕊𝓽ｏℝ𝐭𝐢𝓞ή, 𝐢'ᵈ 𝓹ｒ𝐞𝐅𝑒ʳ 𝔫𝓞t Ｔσ 𝐇คv𝐞 Ⓣᗝ 𝔀ⓐⓣ𝕔ｈ Ⓐηđ β𝒆 ฬᗩ𝐓ᑕ𝐡έ𝒹 ᵃร ŴẸ𝓁Ⓛ. ᑎσ 𝓜𝕠𝓇𝓔 𝔱н𝐀𝓷 𝔦'м υＳ𝐄ᵈ тⓞ.

(plain text: I would hope not. I am perfectly comfortable in my loyalty to Distortion, I'd prefer not to have to watch and be watched as well. No more than I'm used to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They shrug, frowning, almost guiltily. “I hope not, too, for your sake. I’m not particularly sorry for messing with you as I did, but I am sorry if the effects are lingering.”

{Jett sighs and throws itself backwards, suddenly hanging precariously upside down. Its arms dangle towards the ground as it examines them.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their body moves forward to catch it on muscle memory alone before they clear their throat and return to their previous position.

“Hm?”

{It caught onto that movement and slowly starts to swing back and forth.}

𝐖ℍ𝐚Ť 𝓚𝓲𝐧ⓓ 𝓸ｆ 𝓅𝓔𝐫ᶠｏ𝕣𝕞ⓔŘ 𝒶ʳ𝐄 уᗝ𝐮?

(plain text: What kind of performer are you?)

the-anons-anonymous

They close their eyes, tone almost wistful. “I don’t do much anymore, but I used to be a part of an act with my brother. He’d do acrobatic things and I’d catch him and throw him and all in comedic ways. It was… fun. Before that, we were on a stage.”

They don’t elaborate further. They don’t seem to want to, either.

Ĵυ𝓢ⓣ 𝐥𝕀𝕂Ẹ 𝐈 ฬａ𝓢. 𝕙𝕦𝓱.

(plain text: Just like I was. Huh.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Really? I mean, you needn’t answer if you don’t want to, but still.”

мч t𝓦𝔦η 𝐁гｏ丅ℍ𝐞я ａ𝕟𝔡 𝕚 𝓌𝐄Řε тнⓔ ŘⓘŇǤм𝓪𝕤ｔᗴ𝕣'ѕ ᶠÃν𝔬𝐫𝓲𝕋Ẹ ί𝐍 𝓣ђ𝑒 c𝕀𝓡𝐂ｕŞ ωᵉ 𝔴ᗴ𝓡Ⓔ Ƥ𝐚яᵗ σ𝐟, тнａＴ'ş Ａ𝕃ᒪ.

(plain text: My twin brother and I were the Ringmaster's favorite in the circus we were part of, that's all.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, not really knowing what to say, and stare out of the window. The storm doesn’t seem to be letting up; in fact, it seems worse than it was before. They almost flinch at a clap of thunder that seems closer than the rest.

{Jett mumbles something to itself and yawns.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? What was that?” They stand, still leaning on the bed, and look over to Jett. “Are you tired, bud?”

{Jett glares at them, all of a sudden slightly defensive.}

ᶤ'ｍ 𝔫𝕖ש𝓔Ⓡ 𝓣Įｒєⓓ, Ň𝐎𝓽 Ａᑎ𝔶๓ØŘ𝑒. 𝔻σＮ'𝓽 ώσＲ𝕣¥ 𝔸ᗷｏᵘ𝕋 Ɨ𝓽.

(plain text: I'm never tired, not anymore. Don't worry about it.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hold up their arms to show they aren’t hostile, wincing at the movement. “It’s fine!” They gesture to the bed. “Rest if you wish. I’m not going to judge you. I was just about to try to leave again, anyway. Or just walk. I’m not here to laugh at you for sleeping.”

Ɨ 𝐝𝓞ή'𝔱 ή𝐄𝑒ｄ 𝕊𝐋𝑒є𝕡, ｏｒ у𝐎ù𝐑 ρ𝔢𝔯ⓜｉ𝕤ş𝓲ｏη 丅ⓞ 𝐃𝕆 รᵒ Ⓘή м𝕐 𝑜𝐖Ň в𝑒Đ.

(plain text: I don't need sleep, or your permission to do so in my own bed.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, letting their arms fall. “Alright, then,” they say. “I won’t make you. I—” Another loud burst of thunder. This time they jump so badly they nearly fall. “Gah— good lord, sorry, where was I? Right! Thank you, again, for letting me stay, but I’m going to go now. I see that I’m… agitating you, if that’s the right word.”

ｎ𝓞- ᶤ- ยﻮｈ. ᑎ𝔬, Į𝐭'𝕊 Ｆเᶰέ. 𝔢𝓼ℙ𝐞ς𝐢𝔞ᒪｌㄚ 𝔦ⓕ Ŧⓗ𝑒 丅ℍỮⓝ∂ε𝕣 Ⓘ𝐬 Ｂσ𝕥нⒺяเŇｇ Ⓨ𝐎𝐔 𝕥𝓱ＩŜ вⓐ𝔻ℓ𝕐. Į'Ⓜ Đє𝐚ℓ𝒾ⓝǤ 𝓌Ɨ丅𝕙 𝔀ℍÃ丅Ẹv𝓔𝐫 ĮⓈ Ꮆ𝐎ι𝕟ģ 𝓞𝓝 Ꭵℕ 𝕞𝔶 𝓱εÃ𝔻, тⒽᵃ丅'ѕ ᗩ𝔩Ĺ. 𝐈 ᵈⓞŇ'Ŧ м𝐈ภ∂ ħα𝓥ᶤ𝐍ⓖ ү𝓞υ Ⓗ𝐞𝕣Ⓔ. 𝔱н𝐞 ςⓞ𝓂𝔭ÃŇ¥ 𝒾𝔰…. ᵃ卩ｐяẸς𝔦ά𝐓€Ⓓ.

(plain text: No- I- Ugh. No, it's fine. Especially if the thunder is bothering you this badly. I'm dealing with whatever is going on in my head, that's all. I don't mind having you here. The company is…. appreciated.)

the-anons-anonymous

They tilt their head curiously. “The thunder…? Oh! The noise. Yes, it— it’s not that bad! But if you want me to stay, I will. You can try to talk to me about what’s happening, if you wish. I’m… well, I’m not awful at helping with that.”

{Jett gets off the ring one last time and walks over to the bed, dropping itself onto the mattress and dragging them down with. it.}

ħ𝕠𝐖 ａＢόⓊ𝐓 ү𝑜Ｕ ʲ𝔲丂Ⓣ 𝓛𝐀ץ 𝐡έŘ𝕖 Ｗ𝓲Ⓣ𝓗 ᗰ𝐞 υภŦ𝒾ᒪ 丅ᕼє Ⓢ𝓉𝐎ⓡ𝕄 ℙค𝕊𝐬ｅŞ ᎥⓃ𝔰𝐓ᵉⓐᗪ?

(Plain text: How about you just lay here with me until the storm passes instead?)

the-anons-anonymous

They squeak as they’re pulled down, opening their mouth to say something and closing it again after a moments contemplation. “That would be… nice, I suppose,” they reply, staring out of the window. “I’m sorry, for earlier. I thought I wasn’t, but I feel… not guilty, exactly, but I feel bad now.”

Į 𝓓όŇ'ⓣ ᗷℓÃмＥｙσᑌ 𝒇Ｏ𝓇 𝒸𝐡ᵃᔕⓘＮ𝓖 ¥๏ย尺 ØŴＮ ᗴŇ𝕋έ𝐑тÃⓘŇ𝐦𝑒ᑎⓣ. Ꭵ ĐỖ Ť𝐡є 𝕊卂𝓂ᵉ ｔ𝒽𝐢ŇĞ.

(plain text: I don't blame you for chasing your own entertainment. I do the same thing.)

{Its arms wrap around them and it rests its forehead against their shoulder.}

Ⓨ𝐨ｕＮ𝕖שᵉＲＴⓄⓁ𝒹 ᗰ€ 𝔶όⓤŕ 𝕟Ⓐмｅ.

(plain text: You never told me your name.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? Oh. You can call me Jester, I believe. I’ll often respond to it,” they answer, picking at their bandages again. “It’s what I went by when I performed.”

ⓣ𝔥乇ʸ 𝔠𝔞ⓛｌєｄｍ𝑒 ｊ乇ⓣt Ꭵ𝐧 𝓽ｈᗴ 𝓒Ｉ尺匚ᵘᔕ 𝒷Ⓔ匚ⓐǗ𝓼𝐞 ᶤ ¢ⓞ𝔲l𝓭 s𝕆𝔞ｒ 𝐭Ħŕ๏Ữﻮ𝕙 тнέ ΔｉŘ 𝕃𝓘ＫẸ σŇᵉ.

(Plain text: They called me Jett in the circus because I could soar through the air like one.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, thinking over the info.

“Can you still do that?”

ⓒαｎ ᵗᕼＥ乃𝔼Ｈㄖㄥ𝕕𝑒Ř 𝕊ţι𝐥ˡ Ｗ𝐚ｔＣ𝐇? 𝔠𝒶𝐍 тнẸ 𝐌ｏ丅ђ𝔼Ř ỖＦ Ⓟ𝔲𝓹𝓹Ẹтѕ ｓ𝕋Ｉ𝕝l ⓜ𝔞ŇᎥρⓊ𝐋𝕒ţ𝐄?

(plain text: Can the Beholder still Watch? Can the Mother of Puppets still manipulate?)

the-anons-anonymous

Jester chuckles quietly, the sound actually genuine this time.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” they murmur, closing their eyes.

{Jett hums quietly and gets comfortable.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t realize they’ve fallen asleep until they’re blinking awake, staring at the moon through the window. Clear skies. Hm.

They almost say something, almost alert Jett, but stop themself at the last moment. A little longer can’t hurt.

{Jett has long since fallen asleep for the first time in potentially years. It's comfortable there, even purring slightly like a cat. If that cat's purring was distorted like through a video editor in an echo chamber.}

the-anons-anonymous

They shift to face Jett so they can pet its hair, a smile on their face. It looks so… almost peaceful like this. They don’t have to wake it, right? Not when it’s so comfortable and actually resting.

{It hums quietly and pulls them a little bit closer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They coo at it, finding the action absolutely adorable. They don’t have to act right now, not while it’s asleep. A brief intermission. They sing quietly; some song that they learned before the performances started, before their life was devoted to the stage. A lullaby, they think. Or at least it’s sung like one.

{After a long while, Jett starts to wake up. While still half asleep, it stretches and tucks its head under their chin for a little bit with a soft yawn.}

the-anons-anonymous

Break’s over, they suppose. They grin brightly, still running their fingers through its hair. “Sleep well, Jett? And you claim you weren’t tired!” They laugh, tone teasing.

{Jett mumbles something unintelligible, its voice more static than vocal cords until it clears its throat and yawns.}

н𝐚ＶＥή'𝕋 Ｓｌ€ᑭⓉ 𝕝ιⓀ乇 тｈᗩⓣ Ⓘℕ 𝓐 ｗ𝓱เⓛ𝒆..

(plain text: Haven't slept like that in a while..)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I’m glad you slept well! Did you know that you purr?”

They continue to scratch at its scalp, muttering about it being adorable.

Μнⓜ.. 丂'ｎσŤ ｌƗ𝓴𝐞 ι 𝔠όภ𝓽ℝⓞ𝓛 𝒾Ŧ ⓉђσυＧн.

(plain text: Mhm.. s'not like I control it though.)

{Jett does continue to purr and leans into their hand slightly.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Awee!”

They turn their head to glance at the window. Almost light out. They should really be getting back to the warehouse. But… hm. They have all day to do that. They have now with Jett.

{Jett stretches out and grumbles something about being glad it doesn't do this regularly.}

𝒾𝕥'𝐬 几σт ţ𝐇𝔸т 𝕔Ǘ𝐓€.

(plain text: it's not that cute.)

the-anons-anonymous

Their smile softens as they drape their arms over its shoulders. “Sure it’s not! And I’m not a performer.”

{It takes some time for Jett to wake up fully. When it does and both of them are sitting up properly, it just examines them for a while.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their gaze shifts from the sunrise to Jett, their head tilting in mild amusement. “May I ask what you’re staring at, Contortionist?”

…𝓎𝕠υ. Ў𝓞Ⓤ 𝐡𝔞𝕧ｅ卂 ᑭŘ𝔼𝔱ＴＹ ғ卂𝔠Ｅ. ｉ'м 𝕥Řч𝕚𝔫ｇ 𝓉ό Ŧ丨𝔤𝓾я𝔼 ｏ𝔲т 𝓦ħ𝓎.

(plain text: …you. You have a pretty face. I'm trying to figure out why.)

{Jett chuckles at the contortionist comment, knowing it's the truth. There's always been a certain fluidity about its movements that give away what it was in live. It turns its body to fully face Jester, legs wrapped around each other in a way they can only describe as comfortably odd.)

the-anons-anonymous

They blink for a moment, processing slowly before turning slightly red. “Oh! I— well, thank you, Jett, I— that’s— ahem.” They clear their throat, turning their head away and tugging at their collar.

{Jett crawls closer to them}

Ｔ𝔥Ã𝓣 𝓦𝐀ｓ ℃ยт𝐞. ĎＯ Ɨ𝐓 𝐀𝐆ᵃเŇ.

(plain text: That was cute. Do it again.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Cute— what was—? What?”

No, no, no! The performance is not over, you cannot crack this quickly under pressure! Get it together, Jester, really! It’s only complimenting you, get your act straight!

“I mean— I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jett! Could you explain?”

{Jett smiles slightly as it realizes it's getting under their skin, so, of course, it doubles down. It puts its hand on their cheek and tilts its head to the side slightly.}

𝓨σ𝓾я 𝐟ÃĆⓔ Ŧ𝓾ŘℕⒺ𝒹 г𝐄Ｄ. 𝓘𝓉'𝓈 ςυ𝓉ⓔ. ί ℓ𝓘𝓴𝐄 𝔀ĤⒺ𝐍 ʸ๏υ đ𝓸 ⓉħａⓉ.

(plain text: Your face turned red. It's cute. I like when you do that.)

the-anons-anonymous

Oh! Well— that’s certainly— well their face is definitely red now.

Jett has gotten to them far too fast, and their heart is hammering, and—

“I— I’m not cute, Jett.”

Really? Is that all they can think to say?

Ⓨ𝕆ⓤ 卂𝓡𝔼~ Ƴ𝓞υ'ᖇ𝓔 ⓥｅᖇ¥ ｃ𝐮Ť𝐞. 𝔸𝓒ᑕ𝕖Ƥｔ 𝓲𝕋.

(plain text: You are~ You're very cute. Accept it.)

the-anons-anonymous

Hm. Fine, then! Two can play at this game.

“So are you, Contortionist. I’d even say you’re pretty, if you’d let me.”

{It hums and chuckles faintly, dizzyingly as always.}

เ 𝕎ｉℓl ⒶŁＬỖ𝕨 ι𝓉, ώє ๒𝓸𝓣ʰ Ҝᶰᗝω 𝓘𝔱'ѕ 𝕥𝐑υẸ. 𝔹𝕌Ŧ Į ᗯĮ𝓛ㄥ 𝓢𝓪𝐘 𝐘ㄖ𝐮 Δ尺έ α Ⓥ€𝐫𝓎 Ⓒ𝓵ㄖˢέ 𝐒𝔼匚𝔬Ｎ𝒹.

(plain text: I will allow it, we both know it's true. But I will say you are a very close second.)

the-anons-anonymous

They smile, leaning back slightly. “Hah, thank you, my beautiful Contortionist! I appreciate it,” they hum, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight through the window.

{Jett pauses for a moment and frowns, suddenly all strangeness about it dissipates. It's human again. Still somehow a pretty human, but distinctly non-distorted.}

Damn..

the-anons-anonymous

They frown too, mimicking it. “Anons?” The performer questions, sounding slightly upset on its behalf.

Anons.

{Jett looks far more frustrated at having to hear its old voice again. Though that frustration is quickly masked by exhaustion. How long has it been since it slept properly? Why is Jett being effected by it now?}

the-anons-anonymous

They notice its sudden drowsiness and pull it close, picking its singing back up. “You can rest. It’s okay. I’ll be here, hm?”

They’ve dropped their showmanship, for now, at least, to just comfort Jett for a while. “Just rest.”

{It wraps its arms around them and grumbles something quietly before settling against them.}

mmmn.. hate this.. this is worse than Becoming..

the-anons-anonymous

They shush it, holding it ever closer. “It’s okay, Jett. This can’t last forever, hm? It’ll be better when you wake up.”

you'll stay...?

{It sounds less like a question of if they will, but more like a request. Even then, Jett doesn't get to be awake for long enough to get a response, as it passes out in their arms almost immediately.}

the-anons-anonymous

They murmur a quiet of course and hold it tightly. No sense going back on their word.

And, honestly, Jett still looks more peaceful and it does awake, and Jester would not disturb that peace in a million years.

{Jett stays there, unmoving, dead to the world for who knows how long. It hasn't slept properly in potentially years, after not needing to as an avatar. But after a long while, it starts to wake and cling tighter to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

They’d nearly been asleep when Jett begins waking up, but at the first sign of motion from it they jolt into awareness.

“Back with us, hm, doll?” They question, tilting its head up with one finger. “Feel any better?”

{Jett yawns and buries its face in their chest, curling itself around their body like a cat. The only sound it makes is a sleepy, somewhat grumpy whine.}

the-anons-anonymous

They hum and rest their chin on top of its head. “I’ll take that as a maybe, then. Is there any chance you’ll let me move any time soon?”

mmm.. no... mine now..

{Jett clings just a bit tighter to them}

the-anons-anonymous

They blush just the slightest bit, thankful that Jett can’t see their face.

“Yours, you say?”

{It yawns and nods}

Mine..

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle. “Yours, then, I suppose,” they agree, shifting to be just a bit more comfortable with Jett lying on top of them like a giant cat.

{Jett smiles and stretches out over them happily.}

the-anons-anonymous

“You’re just a big cat, do you know that?” They ask, rubbing its back.

{It cracks its eyes open and looks at them, smiling still.}

If I agree, will you stay with me longer..?

the-anons-anonymous

“I’ll stay with you as long as you’d like regardless.”

#-🎭🎬#// sorry fell asleep

“Hello, Jett¡!”

The voice seems to come from no where and everywhere at once, echoing through every crack in Jett’s— excuse the pun —spiraling mind.

“You wanted to meet, so here I am!”

— 🎭🎬 // @the-anons-anonymous

𝐮𝕟ᗪ𝕠 ⓦ卄𝓐𝕋 𝓨𝐨𝔲 ∂𝒾Ď 丅𝕆 ΜẸ.

(plain text: Undo what you did to me.)

the-anons-anonymous

The figure tsks at it, giving a short head shake.

“No, no, I think I like you better this way! Very interesting, no?”

丨ᵗ 𝓱υŕｔᔕ. ᶰØ丅 𝕀Ň тʰᗴ ⒼỖⓞｄ 𝐰αү. ᶤt'ⓢ Ｎㄖⓣ ⓔᑎ𝓽€г丅ᗩ𝓲𝓝ι𝔫g. Ｓtᗝｐ. 𝐈𝕋.

(plain text: It hurts. Not in the good way. It's not entertaining. Stop. It.)

the-anons-anonymous

They giggle almost cruelly.

“Hm. Why would I do that? No, no, not when you’ve done almost the same to others! I think you need to be taught a lesson in power dynamics, don’t you agree?”

เ'ᒪℓ ŜⒽ𝕆𝓌 ЎＯᑌ 𝔞 ｆ𝓊¢кⓘⓝ𝓰 𝓅Ⓞ𝔀Ⓔ𝕣 Đʸ𝓝ⓐＭ𝐢𝓒.

(plain text: I'll show you a fucking power dynamic.)

{Jett suddenly launches itself at them. The Becoming is making it's body almost what it's used to. Sharp bones, weird skin, dizzying movements. Yet somehow worse, closer to Michael than to the usual Jett. It starts to scratch and claw at their skin.}

𝕚 ⓜ𝐀у 𝓷ᗝｔｂ乇 ⓜⓎ υ𝕊𝐮𝐀𝕃 ⓢ𝒆𝐋𝒇 ｂ𝔲Ť 丨 𝐖ι𝐋ｌ Ŝ𝓉ⓘĹℓ 𝒽Ữ𝓇𝓉 𝐲ㄖ𝔲!

(plain text: I may not be my usual self but I will still hurt you!)

the-anons-anonymous

They make a choked sound, hissing in pain and trying to kick it off of them.

“Now, now,” they begin, trying for their best showman’s voice and falling just short. “You— aren’t following the terms of our deal!”

𝔫𝓔ιţ𝕙𝓔ᖇ ᗩ𝓇ᗴ 𝓎Ỗ𝕌! 𝔸ℕ๔ 𝐛€𝐒𝓲ᵈ€丂, 𝕀'𝕄 𝓝ᵒ𝕥 ⓚ𝔦lｌι𝐧𝐠, Ⓙ𝕌Ｓт ᗰ𝐚𝕚м丨Ｎ𝔤!

(plain text: Neither are you! And besides, I'm not killing, just maiming!)

the-anons-anonymous

They manage to escape its grasp, if only for a moment, and skitter away like a scared animal.

“I’m following… the terms… perfectly well!” They breathe out, chest heaving. Their hands press at the wounds it had managed to inflict; several on the arms, one across their face, and a particularly bad slash that looks like a knife caused it across their torso. “I’m giving— giving you back your Spiral-ness, yes?”

Ď𝕠 𝓲Ŧ тＨ乇 𝐍Ⓞ𝓇ⓜᵃᒪ 𝔴ᗩㄚＯℝ 𝓲 山𝐢ℓℓ ｒƗᑭ 𝓨ｏ𝕌𝐫 ℱᑌᑕｋ𝐢ηg ⓗ𝐞αｒ𝐓 ᵒυ丅, 𝓓ᵒ 𝓨𝑜𝐮 ᵘ𝐧Ⓓᵉⓡѕţ𝓪ᶰｄ 𝔪ᗴ?

(plain text: Do it the normal way or I will rip your fucking heart out, do you understand me?)

{It positions its hand over their heart, growling like a feral animal.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Alright, alright!” They exclaim, making the decision to not point out how that would also break the deal. Possibly from a rare burst of common sense, or from blood loss making them a tad less bold. They try to back away from it on instinct, (they are scared, as much as they pretend to be unaffected) only to find that they’ve hit a wall. “Y-you are back to normal.”

They give a weak smile and a tilt of their head, half convinced that Jett is going to kill them anyways.

{As soon as Jett is back to normal, it backs off and wipes its hands on itself, still pouting like a petulant child rather than the scary thing it actually is.}

𝔱𝐡άη𝓚 𝓎ᵒᑌ, т𝐡ά𝓽'Ŝ ᗷ𝑒тţє𝐫.

(plain text: Thank you, that's better.)

the-anons-anonymous

They straighten themself up the moment they have the room to. Well, try to, anyways. Their knees don’t seem to want to cooperate and their head’s just slightly fuzzy. Maybe just a bit more anon magic to get them out of here.

“Haha! Well, yes, I’d hope it’s better. And you’re very welcome!”

{Jett smiles and walks over, leaning over them slightly. Now that it's back to normal, that look in its eyes and the sharp smile makes their head spin. Or maybe that's the blood loss. Or both.}

ㄚⓞυ'𝐑𝒆 η𝐨𝐭 ℓⓄ𝕆𝐊ᶤ𝐧ģ 𝐓𝕆Ｏ ﻮⓄ𝑜ⓓ ⓣн𝕖𝓇𝔢, ⓓẸΔŕ.

(plain text: You're not looking too good there, dear.)

the-anons-anonymous

“I’m fiNe¡” They reply shortly, voice cracking with a slight distortion near the end. They clear their throat, shaking their head. They’re a performer for Fear’s sake, they won’t be hindered by a bit of blood loss! The mask won’t slip, not under their watch.

“Now, you’ve met me in person, and we’ve both upheld our ends of the deal! I’ll be going now, if you don’t mind!”

𝒷Ẹ ⓜⓎ قυ乇𝐒𝔱. 𝕓𝔲Ⓣ ＹＯỮ'𝔡 вＥ𝕋Ⓣ𝔼ｒ мά𝐤ᗴ ι𝓽 ⓆＵιςЌ. đ𝔢Ａ𝓛'Ş Ⓓᵒｎ𝒆, 𝕒𝐧𝓭 Ɨ'𝕄 Ĥ𝔲𝐍Ⓖ𝕣𝕪.

(plain text: Be my guest. But you'd better make it quick. Deal's done, and I'm hungry.)

the-anons-anonymous

They grin at it and bow, form blinking out of existence.

Except, they don’t stay gone. They reappear after just a moment, doubled over coughing and bleeding more than before. “GaH… thAt’S uNpLeasANt.”

Ǘⓗ 𝓸Ｈ~ Ş𝑜๓𝐞όⓃｅ'𝓈 קⓞ𝓌ⓔ𝕣𝓈 αгｅⓝ'ⓣ 𝔀ｏⓡҜ丨𝕟ق ｒ𝐢𝑔𝓗Ⓣ! β𝓤𝓽 𝕪ό𝓤 к𝓝ᗝⓦ Ｗᕼά𝐓? Į'𝐥𝔩 ᗷ𝕖 𝐀 ǤʳคＣιⓄ𝔲Ｓ 𝓗Ỗѕ𝓣, ŴђⓎ 𝓓Ｏ𝔫'𝓉 уόⓤ Ｓ𝐭คя𝕋 𝓇υⓃᶰι𝐧Ğ 卂ή∂ Ｇ𝐄t 𝐚 ｈᵉᵃⒹ ş𝓉ⒶⓇᵗ, Ⓗ𝓜?

(plain text: Uh oh~ Someone's powers aren't working right! But you know what? I'll be a gracious host, why don't you start running and get a head start, hm?)

the-anons-anonymous

It takes a second to process what it said, and another to gather their strength to actually start running, but once they do they’re surprisingly fast for something actively losing blood.

Still; they’re slower than they should be, and it doesn’t take long for Jett to catch up to them, especially with the near-collapses every five steps.

{It laughs and waits a few moments before giving chase, even opting to just go on foot. Jett catches up and leaves little scratches on their shoulders before slowing down again, just to let the game it's playing linger a few moments longer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They run and run and run, but it’s getting harder, vision getting worse with each step and they trip and fall and by the Fears they’re going to die here aren’t they? They’ll— they’ll probably come back, being an anon and all, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying to be loomed over by something like Jett, who is— laughing? They aren’t sure. They can barely see, let alone think enough to comprehend sounds.

“PErforRmAnCe iS ovEr, hMM?” They giggle weakly. Pathetic, honestly.

Ўέᑭ! 𝐆𝕠Ⓞ𝐝Ňι𝐠𝔥Ŧ!

(plain text: Yep! Goodnight!}

{Jett cackles again as it leans over their body. It doesn't slash or stab at them though, no, it grabs them by the hair and smashes their head into the ground hard enough to make them black out.}

{Oddly enough, they aren't killed. When the awake, they're in a new place, a big bedroom full of headache inducing colors and patterns not unlike where they first met Jett. Nearby, hanging upside down from a ring suspended from the ceiling, Jett is watching them.}

𝐟ｉ𝕟คŁᒪ𝓎! 𝐢 𝔀คѕ ฬσ𝔯Ⓡ𝓲𝐄ᵈ ᶤ ʰＡᗪ 𝓐ｃtⓊ𝕒𝐥ㄥ𝓎 𝐊𝓲𝓵Ｌ𝔼ⓓ ЎⓄᑌ. ｉ'𝕕 ʰᵃ𝕥ⓔ 𝕥Ｏｇσ ค𝓷𝐃 ๒гⓔ𝒶Ќ ᵃ ᗪ乇Ⓐⓛ!

(plain text: Finally! I was worried I had actually killed you. I'd hate to go and break a deal!}

the-anons-anonymous

Their head pounds, which may be from the blinding colours of the room or the definite concussion they have. Their hands trail up to where they know the injuries are, only to find them wrapped (albeit poorly) in bandages.

“You— what—? I’m— well, it seems like I’m alive, yes.” Their words slur together just slightly, pain-addled mind struggling to string a sentence together. “Why— why am I alive?”

{Jett seems to glide down from where it hangs in a movement that one can only call fluid, practiced. It hums and walks over to the side of the bed.}

𝕎𝐞Łℓ Ⓘ ∂𝐈๔ sα¥ 𝕀 Ŵᗩｓ𝕟'т Ğｏ𝐢ηﻮ тᵒ к𝐈Ļㄥ ⓎⓄＵ. ωｅ ħᵃᗪ 𝓐 Ⓓᗴคℓ, 𝓦ⒽㄚＷｏ𝐔ｌ๔ 𝓲 Ｇｏ 𝔟卂𝔠ⓚ 𝐎Ⓝ 卂 𝐝𝐄ⓐᒪ?

(plain text: Well I did say I wasn't going to kill you. We had a deal, why would I go back on a deal?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Makes… enough sense,” they say slowly, observing it with the same demeanor as prey presented to a predator. Their previous eccentricities are gone, replaced with a tone that could be interpreted as nervous.

“Why am I here? Plan on—” They cough into their hand, just the smallest bit of blood coming out. “Hmph. Plan on maiming me again, Jett?”

{Jett grumbles something about "enough blood on his carpet" and "niceties" before giving a dramatic sigh and kneeling on the shag carpet, crossing its arms on the bed and resting its chin on top of them. It looks up at them with deceptively big, innocent eyes.}

Can't a thing be kind to someone it finds injured? How do you feel?

the-anons-anonymous

The only word they can really use is ow, but they settle for “fine” and let out a short, pained laugh.

“You’re a Liar, one of the Twisting Deceit’s, and you expect— ow —you expect me to believe this help comes with no strings?”

山Ⓗ¥, Ｏᶠ 𝓒𝕆ùгˢⒺ ηⓞ𝐭, Ⓓ𝓪𝓡𝓁Ꭵ𝐧𝕘! 乃𝐔т, ᵗℍέ 𝔰ţŘ丨𝐍𝕘Ŝ 𝐚яＥ 𝐚𝐋𝕣𝒆𝔞𝐃ץ ᑕⓊт, ＹØù 𝔻เᗪ ᵗｕｒᑎ мⓔ ๒𝐚ςЌ. ι𝐭 ฬ𝐀Ⓢ α Ⓟ𝐀𝓻ᵗ ｏғ ๏ｕ𝓻 𝓭𝐄卂Ĺ, 𝓪ғтέ𝓇 άㄥⓁ. Į 𝐚𝔪 ό几ℓƳ ∂σᎥ𝐍𝓖 山𝐡Ãt 𝕀𝓈 ｒ𝒾ᎶⓗＴ 𝔞ⓝⓓ ι ¢𝕆𝓊ℓＤη'ᵗ Ｊⓤ𝐬t ⓛｅΔ𝐯𝓔 𝕐𝑜Ｕ 𝔱𝐨 𝓑𝓁𝓔ｅᗪ ᗝᵘ𝔱 𝐀𝔫𝒹 đι𝓔 𝑜𝐧 𝕥н𝓔 ⓜαＮŞｉᵒŇ Ⓕ𝓵ⓞ𝐨ŕ𝐒. Ⓔⓓⓦᵃ𝐫ⓓ 𝓦ＯＵＬ𝐃 ⓗÃ𝕍ⓔ 爪Ⓨ ᕼⓔ𝕒đ 𝐚Ňđ уＯⓤ 𝓭𝐎ℕ'𝓽 Ŵ𝓪ｎｔ ⓣＯ Ќ𝔫ό𝐰 𝐰н卂𝓣 ᕼｅ'ร Ł𝐈Ќє ｗＨⓔภ ĦẸ'丂 𝔞ᶰǤℝу.

(plain text: Why, of course not, darling! But, the strings are already cut, you did turn me back. It was a part of our deal, after all. I am only doing what is right and I couldn't just leave you to bleed out and die on the mansion floors. Edward would have my head and you don't want to know what he's like when he's angry.)

{Jett sits up a little taller and chuckles, mimicking Edward almost perfectly}

"You would let some worthless thing into MY home and die on MY floors? Those are original wood! They're older than I am, and you would so carelessly ruin them?! After all I've done for you?!"

άŇᗪ tħєＮ 𝐧𝔢ⓧ𝓽 ţђⒾή𝓖 𝓲 Ⓚ𝕟ㄖｗＩ'м 𝓁ØᶜҜ𝐄∂ 𝐢𝕟 𝔱卄𝔢 𝐓σ𝓻𝐓ᵘŕＥ 𝔻𝔲ⓝᎶⒺ𝑜𝓝 𝒶ⓖᗩ𝔦ᶰ. Ɨ ςⒶⓃ'ｔ ℍａｖε ⓣђÃ𝔱, ＮＯ𝕨 匚𝐚ᶰ 𝕀? ⓘ'𝕄 ⓜ𝔲Ⓒ𝒽 𝓉ᗝό 𝓹Ⓡ𝑒Ŧ𝐓𝔂 Ｔό Ⓑ𝐄 ㄥƗⓋ𝓲𝐧𝔾 Đ𝔬𝕨η t卄𝐞ŕⒺ!

(plain text: And then next thing I know I'm locked in the torture dungeon again. I can't have that, now can I? I'm much too pretty to be living down there!)

the-anons-anonymous

They let out a snort of what could be genuine amusement before wincing at the slight strain it put on their injuries. They school their expression, putting on their best smile; a performer must look their best, after all!

“Hm. Well, dying on wood floors wouldn’t exactly be in my best interest either! So, thank you. I appreciate not being left to bleed out.”

{Jett hums and stretches its arms out over the comforter.}

ι Ŵค𝓈 sσ ⒷㄖŘ𝓔ｄ 𝕎𝒶Ⓘ𝐭Ⓘภ𝐠 ғㄖᖇ 𝐲𝐨υ ţⓄ Ⓦαᵏє 𝓤ᵖ!

(plain text: I was so bored waiting for you to wake up!)

the-anons-anonymous

They observe it, picking at their bandages, still very sure to keep their guard up.

“Well, being knocked unconscious isn’t exactly pleasant either!” They point out. “And if you were bored, why didn’t you just… do something else? You didn’t have to wait for me to awaken, you know!”

ᗯℍ𝕒т 𝕜𝔦ภĐ ㄖ𝔽 𝔸 Ħ๏丂ⓣ 山𝑜Ｕℓ𝔻 𝕚 𝕓έ 𝕀ғ 𝐢 ℓ𝑒𝔽ⓣ Ƴ𝑜Ữ βεĤιⓃ𝓓? ᶠŘ𝐎𝕄 𝑜𝓃є є𝓃𝐓𝔼я𝐓𝔸ιŇєя ｔ𝓞 𝕒ᑎᗝ丅𝔥Ⓔ𝕣, ∂𝕠 ｙỖย ⓣⓇᵘŁү 𝕋н𝕚ŇҜ 𝓉ⓗ𝒶Ⓣ'ѕ ᵃ ｇᵒⓞ∂ 𝓣ⒽιⓃģ Ŧ𝐨 ᗪㄖ?

(plain text: What kind of a host would I be if I left you behind? From one entertainer to another, do you truly think that's a good thing to do?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course not!” They reply, almost offended that it would think so lowly of them. “You can’t just leave your guests by themselves if you’re going to be a good host, no! Why, you have to— how did you know I’m an entertainer?”

𝐘Ⓞ𝐔 нａ𝔳ᗴ ＴĤᗴ 𝐁ʳ𝕒ｖⒶ∂Ｏ 𝕠𝐟 𝐌𝓨 ⓞℓ𝓓 ⓡ𝐢𝐧𝔾ᗰคⓢ丅εＲ. β𝐮𝐭 ĦⒺ Ŵａᔕ ᶠＡ𝓇 Ｌ乇ᔕ丂卂ŇήØⓨ𝓘几𝕘, 𝕀 รùᵖ𝓟Ⓞ𝓼€. 𝓜𝐀¥Ｂє Ｉ'м вⓘ𝒶𝓼ẸĐ.

(plain text: You have the bravado of my old ringmaster. But he was far less annoying, I suppose. Maybe I'm biased.)

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle a bit and shrug. “Hmph. Well, it seems I haven’t lost my touch, then! On a different note, why are you keeping me here?”

ŴＨ𝔂 𝔀ØǗl𝒹𝐍'𝐓 ί? ⓨØù'ŘẸ ｓ𝕠 𝑒𝔫ŤᗴŘ𝕥𝓐𝓘ᶰ𝕚Ⓝ𝓖!

(plain text: Why wouldn't I? You're so entertaining!)

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t you have anyone— or anything— else to entertain yourself with?” The way they say it seems a little bit mocking, but they’re genuinely curious. Are they being kept here as punishment, or are they actually just that entertaining?

𝔬𝒇 ᑕ𝕆ᵘ𝓻𝐒𝔢 ι 𝐝𝑜! 𝐛𝔲т ᗪ𝕠 ʸ๏𝓊 я𝔼𝒶𝓛𝐋ʸ ⓌⒶℕ丅Ｍ𝒆 𝐓Ｏ l乇αV𝐄 үｏＵＡˡσ几€ 𝔦η ᕼ€尺ᗴ? ι𝒇 ţн𝓪𝓽 𝔴𝔼яє тнⓔ 𝓒𝒶𝕊є 𝓲'ｄ 𝒽ᵃשᗴ ⓖ𝒾ש𝐞ｎ ⓨØย 丅𝓞 𝕝ᗴ𝓣𝐨.

(plain text: Of course I do! But do you really want me to leave you alone in here? If that were the case I'd have given you to Leto.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course I don’t want to be left alone,” they answer quickly. “I was simply curious, that’s all. However, I should be leaving soon. I’m probably well enough the magic myself back home.”

They seem anxious to leave, the barest hints of fear hidden behind their wide grin. They’re still in danger, they’re aware of that, so they should leave. They will leave.

{Jett hums and stands up, stalking back over to the ring it had been hanging from before. It easily climbs back onto it and gets comfortable sitting in the middle.}

ᔕυเt Ƴ𝓞𝓊𝔯𝓢𝐄ℓℱ, 𝕃𝓲Ｔ丅ⓁＥ ØⓃ𝑒. 𝐛𝔲𝓽 𝒾ғ ч๏Ｕ 𝕔ｏ𝓵ㄥ𝓐ｐ𝐬€ ᵒ𝓃 Ťн𝐞 𝓌ａч ᗝⓊţ 𝕥ℍαⓉ'𝕊 ๏ᑎ Ｙ๏υ.

(plain text: Suit yourself, little one. But if you collapse on the way out that's on you.)

the-anons-anonymous

They roll their eyes at the phrase. They aren’t little, not at all! No, no, not like they were when they started performing!

“I won’t collapse. What do you take me for, some amateur?”

ʸσⓤ 丅ⓗ𝓘𝐧к ㄚ𝓸ⓤ'ℝᗴ ค ｌＯ𝔱 ᔕᵗⓇＯ𝓷𝔾𝔢Ř ⓣн𝔸𝓝 𝕐𝓸ᑌ 𝓪ʳ𝒆. 𝐈 ŤⒽĮήķ Ⓨⓞᑌ 𝓷ᵉᗴ𝔡 Ŧσ ق𝐞𝐓 α ㄥ𝐢ⓣтℓᗴ 爪ㄖŘᵉ ｓⓛᗴ𝑒ᵖ 𝓫𝔼𝒻ᵒ𝐑𝐞 Ƴᵒ𝓤 ţ𝓡𝕪 Δ𝓝𝓎𝕥ℍ𝐈ⓝᎶ. ιѕŇ'ｔ тĦ𝒶𝓣 𝐛Ⓔᗪ Ć𝑜ᗰғⓄ𝕣Ť𝐚βᒪᵉ? Ãяєᑎ'т ㄚỖ𝕦 𝓣Ɨｒｅ𝓓?

(plain text: You think you're a lot stronger than you are. I think you need to get a little more sleep before you try anything. Isn't that bed comfortable? Aren't you tired?)

the-anons-anonymous

The answer is yes, they are tired from the magic used to torment it and the bed is unfairly comfortable, but they know better. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”

A little more magic won’t hurt. As much as they’d overexerted their power earlier, just the slightest bit more can’t make it worse. They close their eyes, focusing on the warehouse and getting to it. Seconds pass. Nothing happens. Well, they do get an awful headache and a sharp pain in their chest, but they don’t suppose that counts.

“HMph.”

ģᗝ 𝐨Ⓝ~ 𝒾 𝐖ㄖ𝔫'ⓣ 卄ỮŘⓣ 𝐲𝓸υ ωℍ丨𝕝ᵉ 𝕪𝐨Ⓤ'𝓇Ｅ 𝐀𝕤ĻẸ𝔢ρ, т𝓗α𝓉 ⓦ𝓸Ｕl𝔡 𝒷€ ｕⓃ-Ǥ€ᑎᵗℓᵉｍαη-𝓵Ɨ𝓚€ 𝕆Ｆ ᗰ𝐞. Ｗ乇Ⓛ𝐥, ᵃŞ ⓂᵘĆＨ α𝐒 ⓘ Ⓒ𝔸η ｂ𝑒 α 𝓰𝓔ภţ𝐥𝕖м卂Ⓝ, ί ŜᑌⓅρ𝕆ş€. ĴǗŞｔ ⓐ Ｓ𝓗Ⓞŕţ Ňᵃ𝓟?

(plain text: Go on~ I won't hurt you while you're asleep, that would be un-gentleman-like of me. Well, as much as I can be a gentleman, I suppose. Just a short nap?)

the-anons-anonymous

They stand, ignoring the protest from every limb in their body. Difficulties can be pushed past. Perseverance is necessary for performers.

“I’m going to have to say no to that. I don’t make it a habit to trust Liars. I’ll simply walk back, it’s fine.”

𝓉𝓗є 𝐫ιŇᵍΜ𝓐ร𝕥ᵉ𝕣 α𝕝𝓌ａ𝓎𝔰 𝓼άιⒹ Ť𝕙乇 Ⓞ𝕟lу tᕼ𝐢Ｎق ¥𝓸ᑌ 𝓖Ⓔţ Ø𝓤ｔ όᶠ ᵒVⒺ𝐑𝓔Ж𝓔ʳ丅𝕀η𝕘 ㄚｏᵘ𝐑ｓ𝒆Łғ 丨𝓈 𝓪 𝐬ħ𝓲ţ𝓽𝕪 Ƥ𝒆я𝒻𝓞Ř𝕞Δᶰⓒ𝑒. ⓑε𝓉Ť𝔼г Ⓣ𝓞 𝕊Į𝓽 𝔞𝓷𝐝 ＲＥ𝕊Ŧ 𝐀 ʷн𝔦ｌ𝐄 𝔱𝒽𝐀ⓝ ĐØ 𝐁ⓐｄ ιŇ 𝓕ʳㄖ𝔫ᵗ 𝑜𝔽 ᑭＥⓞρl𝔢, ｒＩＧｈ𝓽?

(plain text: The Ringmaster always said the only thing you get out of overexerting yourself is a shitty performance. Better to sit and rest a while than do bad in front of people, right?)

the-anons-anonymous

They frown, but it’s difficult to argue when you can barely breathe.

“FinE,” they relent eventually, sitting hesitantly on the edge of the bed. “A short break! And you can’t maim me while I sleep.”

{Jett just hums vaguely and smiles, slowly spinning in its suspended ring.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t lie down all the way. That would make them too vulnerable, too susceptible to anything, at least in their mind. They instead lean against the wall, closing their eyes and trying to drift off.

{Jett watches them for a while with mild fascination. Another performer, clearly, but from what? A circus? A theater? It almost wants to- no. Jett doesn't help people more than it has to. It certainly isn't nice to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

After a while they snap awake suddenly, almost falling off of the bed. Something’s wrong, something’s dangerous, something’s— oh. Hm. Their mind catches up with their racing heart, and the process where they are and who’s there with them. They school their expression quickly, playing off whatever had happened with a laugh. The show isn’t over.

“Hello— hello there, Jett! Thank you for not mauling me while I rested.”

{It's raining now, the large windows show every drop and cloud and crackle of thunder. It's almost peaceful. Even the colors of the room seem to have dimmed slightly. Jett is still watching them, of course, lost in thought for once in its spiraled life.}

ђ𝓶-? Øн, Ⓨ𝐞𝓈. ᶤ 𝐃𝕀𝐃 Ⓢ𝓪ⓨ Ꭵ 𝔴ⓞυｌᗪᶰ'ｔＡ𝐍Ｄ丨'𝓶 ήσt Ｏᶰ𝓔 ⓣ๏ ｇ𝓸 ᵇΔ𝐂𝓚 𝐎ή 𝕄𝓎 ʷ𝕆Ř𝕕 𝓤ＮⓁє𝓼Ŝ ｉ ᖇ𝐄ａ𝓛ｌ𝔶 𝔥ᵃνＥ丅Ø.

(plain text: Hm-? Oh, yes. I did say I wouldn't and I'm not one to go back on my word unless I really have to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hum, gaze shifting to stare at the window. Hmph. Rain. Storms. “That’s good, I suppose.”

They feel better. Well, they don’t feel as bad as before; better isn’t quite the word, though, since they still think they might keel over is they try magic again. “Thank you for letting me rest,” they smile. “As nice as this is, I should walk home now! I’m aware I’ve overstayed my welcome, haha.”

чⓞ𝓾 Ｃคη ⓢŤ𝕒𝐘, ｉ ĐⓄｎ'𝐭 мเ𝓝ᵈ. 𝓲 𝓦𝕆Ň'ｔ 𝕙𝓾яＴ 𝓨𝔬𝐮 Ⓘ𝓷 𝐌ч яⓞ𝓞𝓂.

(plain text: You can stay, I don't mind. I won't hurt you in my room.)

{Jet seems... oddly sincere. Pensive, even. Odd}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t want to trust it, they know better, but staying seems more appealing than going out in the rain.

“Hm. Maybe for just a while longer. Is there… something on your mind?” They question, put off slightly by its calmness.

𝔦ร ⓣ𝐇є𝓇ε 𝔼ｖєＲ? 𝒾𝕊η'𝕋 Ｔнε𝕣έ? 𝕚 ⒹＯᶰ'ｔ… 𝓚𝔫Ⓞω. ι'vᵉ 𝓷є𝓿𝑒я Ƒ𝒆𝓛𝓣 ㄥเ𝕜𝐞 丅нเŜ.

(plain text: Is there ever? Isn't there? I don't… know. I've never felt like this.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Do you think it’s because of the ah…” They hesitate and gesture vaguely. “Thing I did? With the Eye?”

Į ｗσυˡᗪ 𝓗Ỗᑭ𝓔 𝓷Ｏ𝐓. ᶤ Ⓐ𝔪 𝓟єｒᶠⓔ𝒸тⓛ𝔶 cσΜ𝒻ㄖ𝓇𝐓Ａвⓛ乇ｉⓝ Ｍу ㄥⓄ𝔶ａⓛŦʸ 𝕋𝔬 ⒹⒾ𝕊𝓽ｏℝ𝐭𝐢𝓞ή, 𝐢'ᵈ 𝓹ｒ𝐞𝐅𝑒ʳ 𝔫𝓞t Ｔσ 𝐇คv𝐞 Ⓣᗝ 𝔀ⓐⓣ𝕔ｈ Ⓐηđ β𝒆 ฬᗩ𝐓ᑕ𝐡έ𝒹 ᵃร ŴẸ𝓁Ⓛ. ᑎσ 𝓜𝕠𝓇𝓔 𝔱н𝐀𝓷 𝔦'м υＳ𝐄ᵈ тⓞ.

(plain text: I would hope not. I am perfectly comfortable in my loyalty to Distortion, I'd prefer not to have to watch and be watched as well. No more than I'm used to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They shrug, frowning, almost guiltily. “I hope not, too, for your sake. I’m not particularly sorry for messing with you as I did, but I am sorry if the effects are lingering.”

{Jett sighs and throws itself backwards, suddenly hanging precariously upside down. Its arms dangle towards the ground as it examines them.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their body moves forward to catch it on muscle memory alone before they clear their throat and return to their previous position.

“Hm?”

{It caught onto that movement and slowly starts to swing back and forth.}

𝐖ℍ𝐚Ť 𝓚𝓲𝐧ⓓ 𝓸ｆ 𝓅𝓔𝐫ᶠｏ𝕣𝕞ⓔŘ 𝒶ʳ𝐄 уᗝ𝐮?

(plain text: What kind of performer are you?)

the-anons-anonymous

They close their eyes, tone almost wistful. “I don’t do much anymore, but I used to be a part of an act with my brother. He’d do acrobatic things and I’d catch him and throw him and all in comedic ways. It was… fun. Before that, we were on a stage.”

They don’t elaborate further. They don’t seem to want to, either.

Ĵυ𝓢ⓣ 𝐥𝕀𝕂Ẹ 𝐈 ฬａ𝓢. 𝕙𝕦𝓱.

(plain text: Just like I was. Huh.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Really? I mean, you needn’t answer if you don’t want to, but still.”

мч t𝓦𝔦η 𝐁гｏ丅ℍ𝐞я ａ𝕟𝔡 𝕚 𝓌𝐄Řε тнⓔ ŘⓘŇǤм𝓪𝕤ｔᗴ𝕣'ѕ ᶠÃν𝔬𝐫𝓲𝕋Ẹ ί𝐍 𝓣ђ𝑒 c𝕀𝓡𝐂ｕŞ ωᵉ 𝔴ᗴ𝓡Ⓔ Ƥ𝐚яᵗ σ𝐟, тнａＴ'ş Ａ𝕃ᒪ.

(plain text: My twin brother and I were the Ringmaster's favorite in the circus we were part of, that's all.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, not really knowing what to say, and stare out of the window. The storm doesn’t seem to be letting up; in fact, it seems worse than it was before. They almost flinch at a clap of thunder that seems closer than the rest.

{Jett mumbles something to itself and yawns.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? What was that?” They stand, still leaning on the bed, and look over to Jett. “Are you tired, bud?”

{Jett glares at them, all of a sudden slightly defensive.}

ᶤ'ｍ 𝔫𝕖ש𝓔Ⓡ 𝓣Įｒєⓓ, Ň𝐎𝓽 Ａᑎ𝔶๓ØŘ𝑒. 𝔻σＮ'𝓽 ώσＲ𝕣¥ 𝔸ᗷｏᵘ𝕋 Ɨ𝓽.

(plain text: I'm never tired, not anymore. Don't worry about it.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hold up their arms to show they aren’t hostile, wincing at the movement. “It’s fine!” They gesture to the bed. “Rest if you wish. I’m not going to judge you. I was just about to try to leave again, anyway. Or just walk. I’m not here to laugh at you for sleeping.”

Ɨ 𝐝𝓞ή'𝔱 ή𝐄𝑒ｄ 𝕊𝐋𝑒є𝕡, ｏｒ у𝐎ù𝐑 ρ𝔢𝔯ⓜｉ𝕤ş𝓲ｏη 丅ⓞ 𝐃𝕆 รᵒ Ⓘή м𝕐 𝑜𝐖Ň в𝑒Đ.

(plain text: I don't need sleep, or your permission to do so in my own bed.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, letting their arms fall. “Alright, then,” they say. “I won’t make you. I—” Another loud burst of thunder. This time they jump so badly they nearly fall. “Gah— good lord, sorry, where was I? Right! Thank you, again, for letting me stay, but I’m going to go now. I see that I’m… agitating you, if that’s the right word.”

ｎ𝓞- ᶤ- ยﻮｈ. ᑎ𝔬, Į𝐭'𝕊 Ｆเᶰέ. 𝔢𝓼ℙ𝐞ς𝐢𝔞ᒪｌㄚ 𝔦ⓕ Ŧⓗ𝑒 丅ℍỮⓝ∂ε𝕣 Ⓘ𝐬 Ｂσ𝕥нⒺяเŇｇ Ⓨ𝐎𝐔 𝕥𝓱ＩŜ вⓐ𝔻ℓ𝕐. Į'Ⓜ Đє𝐚ℓ𝒾ⓝǤ 𝓌Ɨ丅𝕙 𝔀ℍÃ丅Ẹv𝓔𝐫 ĮⓈ Ꮆ𝐎ι𝕟ģ 𝓞𝓝 Ꭵℕ 𝕞𝔶 𝓱εÃ𝔻, тⒽᵃ丅'ѕ ᗩ𝔩Ĺ. 𝐈 ᵈⓞŇ'Ŧ м𝐈ภ∂ ħα𝓥ᶤ𝐍ⓖ ү𝓞υ Ⓗ𝐞𝕣Ⓔ. 𝔱н𝐞 ςⓞ𝓂𝔭ÃŇ¥ 𝒾𝔰…. ᵃ卩ｐяẸς𝔦ά𝐓€Ⓓ.

(plain text: No- I- Ugh. No, it's fine. Especially if the thunder is bothering you this badly. I'm dealing with whatever is going on in my head, that's all. I don't mind having you here. The company is…. appreciated.)

the-anons-anonymous

They tilt their head curiously. “The thunder…? Oh! The noise. Yes, it— it’s not that bad! But if you want me to stay, I will. You can try to talk to me about what’s happening, if you wish. I’m… well, I’m not awful at helping with that.”

{Jett gets off the ring one last time and walks over to the bed, dropping itself onto the mattress and dragging them down with. it.}

ħ𝕠𝐖 ａＢόⓊ𝐓 ү𝑜Ｕ ʲ𝔲丂Ⓣ 𝓛𝐀ץ 𝐡έŘ𝕖 Ｗ𝓲Ⓣ𝓗 ᗰ𝐞 υภŦ𝒾ᒪ 丅ᕼє Ⓢ𝓉𝐎ⓡ𝕄 ℙค𝕊𝐬ｅŞ ᎥⓃ𝔰𝐓ᵉⓐᗪ?

(Plain text: How about you just lay here with me until the storm passes instead?)

the-anons-anonymous

They squeak as they’re pulled down, opening their mouth to say something and closing it again after a moments contemplation. “That would be… nice, I suppose,” they reply, staring out of the window. “I’m sorry, for earlier. I thought I wasn’t, but I feel… not guilty, exactly, but I feel bad now.”

Į 𝓓όŇ'ⓣ ᗷℓÃмＥｙσᑌ 𝒇Ｏ𝓇 𝒸𝐡ᵃᔕⓘＮ𝓖 ¥๏ย尺 ØŴＮ ᗴŇ𝕋έ𝐑тÃⓘŇ𝐦𝑒ᑎⓣ. Ꭵ ĐỖ Ť𝐡є 𝕊卂𝓂ᵉ ｔ𝒽𝐢ŇĞ.

(plain text: I don't blame you for chasing your own entertainment. I do the same thing.)

{Its arms wrap around them and it rests its forehead against their shoulder.}

Ⓨ𝐨ｕＮ𝕖שᵉＲＴⓄⓁ𝒹 ᗰ€ 𝔶όⓤŕ 𝕟Ⓐмｅ.

(plain text: You never told me your name.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? Oh. You can call me Jester, I believe. I’ll often respond to it,” they answer, picking at their bandages again. “It’s what I went by when I performed.”

ⓣ𝔥乇ʸ 𝔠𝔞ⓛｌєｄｍ𝑒 ｊ乇ⓣt Ꭵ𝐧 𝓽ｈᗴ 𝓒Ｉ尺匚ᵘᔕ 𝒷Ⓔ匚ⓐǗ𝓼𝐞 ᶤ ¢ⓞ𝔲l𝓭 s𝕆𝔞ｒ 𝐭Ħŕ๏Ữﻮ𝕙 тнέ ΔｉŘ 𝕃𝓘ＫẸ σŇᵉ.

(Plain text: They called me Jett in the circus because I could soar through the air like one.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, thinking over the info.

“Can you still do that?”

ⓒαｎ ᵗᕼＥ乃𝔼Ｈㄖㄥ𝕕𝑒Ř 𝕊ţι𝐥ˡ Ｗ𝐚ｔＣ𝐇? 𝔠𝒶𝐍 тнẸ 𝐌ｏ丅ђ𝔼Ř ỖＦ Ⓟ𝔲𝓹𝓹Ẹтѕ ｓ𝕋Ｉ𝕝l ⓜ𝔞ŇᎥρⓊ𝐋𝕒ţ𝐄?

(plain text: Can the Beholder still Watch? Can the Mother of Puppets still manipulate?)

the-anons-anonymous

Jester chuckles quietly, the sound actually genuine this time.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” they murmur, closing their eyes.

{Jett hums quietly and gets comfortable.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t realize they’ve fallen asleep until they’re blinking awake, staring at the moon through the window. Clear skies. Hm.

They almost say something, almost alert Jett, but stop themself at the last moment. A little longer can’t hurt.

{Jett has long since fallen asleep for the first time in potentially years. It's comfortable there, even purring slightly like a cat. If that cat's purring was distorted like through a video editor in an echo chamber.}

the-anons-anonymous

They shift to face Jett so they can pet its hair, a smile on their face. It looks so… almost peaceful like this. They don’t have to wake it, right? Not when it’s so comfortable and actually resting.

{It hums quietly and pulls them a little bit closer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They coo at it, finding the action absolutely adorable. They don’t have to act right now, not while it’s asleep. A brief intermission. They sing quietly; some song that they learned before the performances started, before their life was devoted to the stage. A lullaby, they think. Or at least it’s sung like one.

{After a long while, Jett starts to wake up. While still half asleep, it stretches and tucks its head under their chin for a little bit with a soft yawn.}

the-anons-anonymous

Break’s over, they suppose. They grin brightly, still running their fingers through its hair. “Sleep well, Jett? And you claim you weren’t tired!” They laugh, tone teasing.

{Jett mumbles something unintelligible, its voice more static than vocal cords until it clears its throat and yawns.}

н𝐚ＶＥή'𝕋 Ｓｌ€ᑭⓉ 𝕝ιⓀ乇 тｈᗩⓣ Ⓘℕ 𝓐 ｗ𝓱เⓛ𝒆..

(plain text: Haven't slept like that in a while..)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I’m glad you slept well! Did you know that you purr?”

They continue to scratch at its scalp, muttering about it being adorable.

Μнⓜ.. 丂'ｎσŤ ｌƗ𝓴𝐞 ι 𝔠όภ𝓽ℝⓞ𝓛 𝒾Ŧ ⓉђσυＧн.

(plain text: Mhm.. s'not like I control it though.)

{Jett does continue to purr and leans into their hand slightly.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Awee!”

They turn their head to glance at the window. Almost light out. They should really be getting back to the warehouse. But… hm. They have all day to do that. They have now with Jett.

{Jett stretches out and grumbles something about being glad it doesn't do this regularly.}

𝒾𝕥'𝐬 几σт ţ𝐇𝔸т 𝕔Ǘ𝐓€.

(plain text: it's not that cute.)

the-anons-anonymous

Their smile softens as they drape their arms over its shoulders. “Sure it’s not! And I’m not a performer.”

{It takes some time for Jett to wake up fully. When it does and both of them are sitting up properly, it just examines them for a while.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their gaze shifts from the sunrise to Jett, their head tilting in mild amusement. “May I ask what you’re staring at, Contortionist?”

…𝓎𝕠υ. Ў𝓞Ⓤ 𝐡𝔞𝕧ｅ卂 ᑭŘ𝔼𝔱ＴＹ ғ卂𝔠Ｅ. ｉ'м 𝕥Řч𝕚𝔫ｇ 𝓉ό Ŧ丨𝔤𝓾я𝔼 ｏ𝔲т 𝓦ħ𝓎.

(plain text: …you. You have a pretty face. I'm trying to figure out why.)

{Jett chuckles at the contortionist comment, knowing it's the truth. There's always been a certain fluidity about its movements that give away what it was in live. It turns its body to fully face Jester, legs wrapped around each other in a way they can only describe as comfortably odd.)

the-anons-anonymous

They blink for a moment, processing slowly before turning slightly red. “Oh! I— well, thank you, Jett, I— that’s— ahem.” They clear their throat, turning their head away and tugging at their collar.

{Jett crawls closer to them}

Ｔ𝔥Ã𝓣 𝓦𝐀ｓ ℃ยт𝐞. ĎＯ Ɨ𝐓 𝐀𝐆ᵃเŇ.

(plain text: That was cute. Do it again.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Cute— what was—? What?”

No, no, no! The performance is not over, you cannot crack this quickly under pressure! Get it together, Jester, really! It’s only complimenting you, get your act straight!

“I mean— I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jett! Could you explain?”

{Jett smiles slightly as it realizes it's getting under their skin, so, of course, it doubles down. It puts its hand on their cheek and tilts its head to the side slightly.}

𝓨σ𝓾я 𝐟ÃĆⓔ Ŧ𝓾ŘℕⒺ𝒹 г𝐄Ｄ. 𝓘𝓉'𝓈 ςυ𝓉ⓔ. ί ℓ𝓘𝓴𝐄 𝔀ĤⒺ𝐍 ʸ๏υ đ𝓸 ⓉħａⓉ.

(plain text: Your face turned red. It's cute. I like when you do that.)

the-anons-anonymous

Oh! Well— that’s certainly— well their face is definitely red now.

Jett has gotten to them far too fast, and their heart is hammering, and—

“I— I’m not cute, Jett.”

Really? Is that all they can think to say?

Ⓨ𝕆ⓤ 卂𝓡𝔼~ Ƴ𝓞υ'ᖇ𝓔 ⓥｅᖇ¥ ｃ𝐮Ť𝐞. 𝔸𝓒ᑕ𝕖Ƥｔ 𝓲𝕋.

(plain text: You are~ You're very cute. Accept it.)

the-anons-anonymous

Hm. Fine, then! Two can play at this game.

“So are you, Contortionist. I’d even say you’re pretty, if you’d let me.”

{It hums and chuckles faintly, dizzyingly as always.}

เ 𝕎ｉℓl ⒶŁＬỖ𝕨 ι𝓉, ώє ๒𝓸𝓣ʰ Ҝᶰᗝω 𝓘𝔱'ѕ 𝕥𝐑υẸ. 𝔹𝕌Ŧ Į ᗯĮ𝓛ㄥ 𝓢𝓪𝐘 𝐘ㄖ𝐮 Δ尺έ α Ⓥ€𝐫𝓎 Ⓒ𝓵ㄖˢέ 𝐒𝔼匚𝔬Ｎ𝒹.

(plain text: I will allow it, we both know it's true. But I will say you are a very close second.)

the-anons-anonymous

They smile, leaning back slightly. “Hah, thank you, my beautiful Contortionist! I appreciate it,” they hum, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight through the window.

{Jett pauses for a moment and frowns, suddenly all strangeness about it dissipates. It's human again. Still somehow a pretty human, but distinctly non-distorted.}

Damn..

the-anons-anonymous

They frown too, mimicking it. “Anons?” The performer questions, sounding slightly upset on its behalf.

Anons.

{Jett looks far more frustrated at having to hear its old voice again. Though that frustration is quickly masked by exhaustion. How long has it been since it slept properly? Why is Jett being effected by it now?}

the-anons-anonymous

They notice its sudden drowsiness and pull it close, picking its singing back up. “You can rest. It’s okay. I’ll be here, hm?”

They’ve dropped their showmanship, for now, at least, to just comfort Jett for a while. “Just rest.”

{It wraps its arms around them and grumbles something quietly before settling against them.}

mmmn.. hate this.. this is worse than Becoming..

the-anons-anonymous

They shush it, holding it ever closer. “It’s okay, Jett. This can’t last forever, hm? It’ll be better when you wake up.”

you'll stay...?

{It sounds less like a question of if they will, but more like a request. Even then, Jett doesn't get to be awake for long enough to get a response, as it passes out in their arms almost immediately.}

the-anons-anonymous

They murmur a quiet of course and hold it tightly. No sense going back on their word.

And, honestly, Jett still looks more peaceful and it does awake, and Jester would not disturb that peace in a million years.

{Jett stays there, unmoving, dead to the world for who knows how long. It hasn't slept properly in potentially years, after not needing to as an avatar. But after a long while, it starts to wake and cling tighter to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

They’d nearly been asleep when Jett begins waking up, but at the first sign of motion from it they jolt into awareness.

“Back with us, hm, doll?” They question, tilting its head up with one finger. “Feel any better?”

{Jett yawns and buries its face in their chest, curling itself around their body like a cat. The only sound it makes is a sleepy, somewhat grumpy whine.}

the-anons-anonymous

They hum and rest their chin on top of its head. “I’ll take that as a maybe, then. Is there any chance you’ll let me move any time soon?”

mmm.. no... mine now..

{Jett clings just a bit tighter to them}

the-anons-anonymous

They blush just the slightest bit, thankful that Jett can’t see their face.

“Yours, you say?”

{It yawns and nods}

Mine..

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle. “Yours, then, I suppose,” they agree, shifting to be just a bit more comfortable with Jett lying on top of them like a giant cat.

{Jett smiles and stretches out over them happily.}

the-anons-anonymous

“You’re just a big cat, do you know that?” They ask, rubbing its back.

“Hello, Jett¡!”

The voice seems to come from no where and everywhere at once, echoing through every crack in Jett’s— excuse the pun —spiraling mind.

“You wanted to meet, so here I am!”

— 🎭🎬 // @the-anons-anonymous

𝐮𝕟ᗪ𝕠 ⓦ卄𝓐𝕋 𝓨𝐨𝔲 ∂𝒾Ď 丅𝕆 ΜẸ.

(plain text: Undo what you did to me.)

the-anons-anonymous

The figure tsks at it, giving a short head shake.

“No, no, I think I like you better this way! Very interesting, no?”

丨ᵗ 𝓱υŕｔᔕ. ᶰØ丅 𝕀Ň тʰᗴ ⒼỖⓞｄ 𝐰αү. ᶤt'ⓢ Ｎㄖⓣ ⓔᑎ𝓽€г丅ᗩ𝓲𝓝ι𝔫g. Ｓtᗝｐ. 𝐈𝕋.

(plain text: It hurts. Not in the good way. It's not entertaining. Stop. It.)

the-anons-anonymous

They giggle almost cruelly.

“Hm. Why would I do that? No, no, not when you’ve done almost the same to others! I think you need to be taught a lesson in power dynamics, don’t you agree?”

เ'ᒪℓ ŜⒽ𝕆𝓌 ЎＯᑌ 𝔞 ｆ𝓊¢кⓘⓝ𝓰 𝓅Ⓞ𝔀Ⓔ𝕣 Đʸ𝓝ⓐＭ𝐢𝓒.

(plain text: I'll show you a fucking power dynamic.)

{Jett suddenly launches itself at them. The Becoming is making it's body almost what it's used to. Sharp bones, weird skin, dizzying movements. Yet somehow worse, closer to Michael than to the usual Jett. It starts to scratch and claw at their skin.}

𝕚 ⓜ𝐀у 𝓷ᗝｔｂ乇 ⓜⓎ υ𝕊𝐮𝐀𝕃 ⓢ𝒆𝐋𝒇 ｂ𝔲Ť 丨 𝐖ι𝐋ｌ Ŝ𝓉ⓘĹℓ 𝒽Ữ𝓇𝓉 𝐲ㄖ𝔲!

(plain text: I may not be my usual self but I will still hurt you!)

the-anons-anonymous

They make a choked sound, hissing in pain and trying to kick it off of them.

“Now, now,” they begin, trying for their best showman’s voice and falling just short. “You— aren’t following the terms of our deal!”

𝔫𝓔ιţ𝕙𝓔ᖇ ᗩ𝓇ᗴ 𝓎Ỗ𝕌! 𝔸ℕ๔ 𝐛€𝐒𝓲ᵈ€丂, 𝕀'𝕄 𝓝ᵒ𝕥 ⓚ𝔦lｌι𝐧𝐠, Ⓙ𝕌Ｓт ᗰ𝐚𝕚м丨Ｎ𝔤!

(plain text: Neither are you! And besides, I'm not killing, just maiming!)

the-anons-anonymous

They manage to escape its grasp, if only for a moment, and skitter away like a scared animal.

“I’m following… the terms… perfectly well!” They breathe out, chest heaving. Their hands press at the wounds it had managed to inflict; several on the arms, one across their face, and a particularly bad slash that looks like a knife caused it across their torso. “I’m giving— giving you back your Spiral-ness, yes?”

Ď𝕠 𝓲Ŧ тＨ乇 𝐍Ⓞ𝓇ⓜᵃᒪ 𝔴ᗩㄚＯℝ 𝓲 山𝐢ℓℓ ｒƗᑭ 𝓨ｏ𝕌𝐫 ℱᑌᑕｋ𝐢ηg ⓗ𝐞αｒ𝐓 ᵒυ丅, 𝓓ᵒ 𝓨𝑜𝐮 ᵘ𝐧Ⓓᵉⓡѕţ𝓪ᶰｄ 𝔪ᗴ?

(plain text: Do it the normal way or I will rip your fucking heart out, do you understand me?)

{It positions its hand over their heart, growling like a feral animal.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Alright, alright!” They exclaim, making the decision to not point out how that would also break the deal. Possibly from a rare burst of common sense, or from blood loss making them a tad less bold. They try to back away from it on instinct, (they are scared, as much as they pretend to be unaffected) only to find that they’ve hit a wall. “Y-you are back to normal.”

They give a weak smile and a tilt of their head, half convinced that Jett is going to kill them anyways.

{As soon as Jett is back to normal, it backs off and wipes its hands on itself, still pouting like a petulant child rather than the scary thing it actually is.}

𝔱𝐡άη𝓚 𝓎ᵒᑌ, т𝐡ά𝓽'Ŝ ᗷ𝑒тţє𝐫.

(plain text: Thank you, that's better.)

the-anons-anonymous

They straighten themself up the moment they have the room to. Well, try to, anyways. Their knees don’t seem to want to cooperate and their head’s just slightly fuzzy. Maybe just a bit more anon magic to get them out of here.

“Haha! Well, yes, I’d hope it’s better. And you’re very welcome!”

{Jett smiles and walks over, leaning over them slightly. Now that it's back to normal, that look in its eyes and the sharp smile makes their head spin. Or maybe that's the blood loss. Or both.}

ㄚⓞυ'𝐑𝒆 η𝐨𝐭 ℓⓄ𝕆𝐊ᶤ𝐧ģ 𝐓𝕆Ｏ ﻮⓄ𝑜ⓓ ⓣн𝕖𝓇𝔢, ⓓẸΔŕ.

(plain text: You're not looking too good there, dear.)

the-anons-anonymous

“I’m fiNe¡” They reply shortly, voice cracking with a slight distortion near the end. They clear their throat, shaking their head. They’re a performer for Fear’s sake, they won’t be hindered by a bit of blood loss! The mask won’t slip, not under their watch.

“Now, you’ve met me in person, and we’ve both upheld our ends of the deal! I’ll be going now, if you don’t mind!”

𝒷Ẹ ⓜⓎ قυ乇𝐒𝔱. 𝕓𝔲Ⓣ ＹＯỮ'𝔡 вＥ𝕋Ⓣ𝔼ｒ мά𝐤ᗴ ι𝓽 ⓆＵιςЌ. đ𝔢Ａ𝓛'Ş Ⓓᵒｎ𝒆, 𝕒𝐧𝓭 Ɨ'𝕄 Ĥ𝔲𝐍Ⓖ𝕣𝕪.

(plain text: Be my guest. But you'd better make it quick. Deal's done, and I'm hungry.)

the-anons-anonymous

They grin at it and bow, form blinking out of existence.

Except, they don’t stay gone. They reappear after just a moment, doubled over coughing and bleeding more than before. “GaH… thAt’S uNpLeasANt.”

Ǘⓗ 𝓸Ｈ~ Ş𝑜๓𝐞όⓃｅ'𝓈 קⓞ𝓌ⓔ𝕣𝓈 αгｅⓝ'ⓣ 𝔀ｏⓡҜ丨𝕟ق ｒ𝐢𝑔𝓗Ⓣ! β𝓤𝓽 𝕪ό𝓤 к𝓝ᗝⓦ Ｗᕼά𝐓? Į'𝐥𝔩 ᗷ𝕖 𝐀 ǤʳคＣιⓄ𝔲Ｓ 𝓗Ỗѕ𝓣, ŴђⓎ 𝓓Ｏ𝔫'𝓉 уόⓤ Ｓ𝐭คя𝕋 𝓇υⓃᶰι𝐧Ğ 卂ή∂ Ｇ𝐄t 𝐚 ｈᵉᵃⒹ ş𝓉ⒶⓇᵗ, Ⓗ𝓜?

(plain text: Uh oh~ Someone's powers aren't working right! But you know what? I'll be a gracious host, why don't you start running and get a head start, hm?)

the-anons-anonymous

It takes a second to process what it said, and another to gather their strength to actually start running, but once they do they’re surprisingly fast for something actively losing blood.

Still; they’re slower than they should be, and it doesn’t take long for Jett to catch up to them, especially with the near-collapses every five steps.

{It laughs and waits a few moments before giving chase, even opting to just go on foot. Jett catches up and leaves little scratches on their shoulders before slowing down again, just to let the game it's playing linger a few moments longer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They run and run and run, but it’s getting harder, vision getting worse with each step and they trip and fall and by the Fears they’re going to die here aren’t they? They’ll— they’ll probably come back, being an anon and all, but that didn’t make it any less terrifying to be loomed over by something like Jett, who is— laughing? They aren’t sure. They can barely see, let alone think enough to comprehend sounds.

“PErforRmAnCe iS ovEr, hMM?” They giggle weakly. Pathetic, honestly.

Ўέᑭ! 𝐆𝕠Ⓞ𝐝Ňι𝐠𝔥Ŧ!

(plain text: Yep! Goodnight!}

{Jett cackles again as it leans over their body. It doesn't slash or stab at them though, no, it grabs them by the hair and smashes their head into the ground hard enough to make them black out.}

{Oddly enough, they aren't killed. When the awake, they're in a new place, a big bedroom full of headache inducing colors and patterns not unlike where they first met Jett. Nearby, hanging upside down from a ring suspended from the ceiling, Jett is watching them.}

𝐟ｉ𝕟คŁᒪ𝓎! 𝐢 𝔀คѕ ฬσ𝔯Ⓡ𝓲𝐄ᵈ ᶤ ʰＡᗪ 𝓐ｃtⓊ𝕒𝐥ㄥ𝓎 𝐊𝓲𝓵Ｌ𝔼ⓓ ЎⓄᑌ. ｉ'𝕕 ʰᵃ𝕥ⓔ 𝕥Ｏｇσ ค𝓷𝐃 ๒гⓔ𝒶Ќ ᵃ ᗪ乇Ⓐⓛ!

(plain text: Finally! I was worried I had actually killed you. I'd hate to go and break a deal!}

the-anons-anonymous

Their head pounds, which may be from the blinding colours of the room or the definite concussion they have. Their hands trail up to where they know the injuries are, only to find them wrapped (albeit poorly) in bandages.

“You— what—? I’m— well, it seems like I’m alive, yes.” Their words slur together just slightly, pain-addled mind struggling to string a sentence together. “Why— why am I alive?”

{Jett seems to glide down from where it hangs in a movement that one can only call fluid, practiced. It hums and walks over to the side of the bed.}

𝕎𝐞Łℓ Ⓘ ∂𝐈๔ sα¥ 𝕀 Ŵᗩｓ𝕟'т Ğｏ𝐢ηﻮ тᵒ к𝐈Ļㄥ ⓎⓄＵ. ωｅ ħᵃᗪ 𝓐 Ⓓᗴคℓ, 𝓦ⒽㄚＷｏ𝐔ｌ๔ 𝓲 Ｇｏ 𝔟卂𝔠ⓚ 𝐎Ⓝ 卂 𝐝𝐄ⓐᒪ?

(plain text: Well I did say I wasn't going to kill you. We had a deal, why would I go back on a deal?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Makes… enough sense,” they say slowly, observing it with the same demeanor as prey presented to a predator. Their previous eccentricities are gone, replaced with a tone that could be interpreted as nervous.

“Why am I here? Plan on—” They cough into their hand, just the smallest bit of blood coming out. “Hmph. Plan on maiming me again, Jett?”

{Jett grumbles something about "enough blood on his carpet" and "niceties" before giving a dramatic sigh and kneeling on the shag carpet, crossing its arms on the bed and resting its chin on top of them. It looks up at them with deceptively big, innocent eyes.}

Can't a thing be kind to someone it finds injured? How do you feel?

the-anons-anonymous

The only word they can really use is ow, but they settle for “fine” and let out a short, pained laugh.

“You’re a Liar, one of the Twisting Deceit’s, and you expect— ow —you expect me to believe this help comes with no strings?”

山Ⓗ¥, Ｏᶠ 𝓒𝕆ùгˢⒺ ηⓞ𝐭, Ⓓ𝓪𝓡𝓁Ꭵ𝐧𝕘! 乃𝐔т, ᵗℍέ 𝔰ţŘ丨𝐍𝕘Ŝ 𝐚яＥ 𝐚𝐋𝕣𝒆𝔞𝐃ץ ᑕⓊт, ＹØù 𝔻เᗪ ᵗｕｒᑎ мⓔ ๒𝐚ςЌ. ι𝐭 ฬ𝐀Ⓢ α Ⓟ𝐀𝓻ᵗ ｏғ ๏ｕ𝓻 𝓭𝐄卂Ĺ, 𝓪ғтέ𝓇 άㄥⓁ. Į 𝐚𝔪 ό几ℓƳ ∂σᎥ𝐍𝓖 山𝐡Ãt 𝕀𝓈 ｒ𝒾ᎶⓗＴ 𝔞ⓝⓓ ι ¢𝕆𝓊ℓＤη'ᵗ Ｊⓤ𝐬t ⓛｅΔ𝐯𝓔 𝕐𝑜Ｕ 𝔱𝐨 𝓑𝓁𝓔ｅᗪ ᗝᵘ𝔱 𝐀𝔫𝒹 đι𝓔 𝑜𝐧 𝕥н𝓔 ⓜαＮŞｉᵒŇ Ⓕ𝓵ⓞ𝐨ŕ𝐒. Ⓔⓓⓦᵃ𝐫ⓓ 𝓦ＯＵＬ𝐃 ⓗÃ𝕍ⓔ 爪Ⓨ ᕼⓔ𝕒đ 𝐚Ňđ уＯⓤ 𝓭𝐎ℕ'𝓽 Ŵ𝓪ｎｔ ⓣＯ Ќ𝔫ό𝐰 𝐰н卂𝓣 ᕼｅ'ร Ł𝐈Ќє ｗＨⓔภ ĦẸ'丂 𝔞ᶰǤℝу.

(plain text: Why, of course not, darling! But, the strings are already cut, you did turn me back. It was a part of our deal, after all. I am only doing what is right and I couldn't just leave you to bleed out and die on the mansion floors. Edward would have my head and you don't want to know what he's like when he's angry.)

{Jett sits up a little taller and chuckles, mimicking Edward almost perfectly}

"You would let some worthless thing into MY home and die on MY floors? Those are original wood! They're older than I am, and you would so carelessly ruin them?! After all I've done for you?!"

άŇᗪ tħєＮ 𝐧𝔢ⓧ𝓽 ţђⒾή𝓖 𝓲 Ⓚ𝕟ㄖｗＩ'м 𝓁ØᶜҜ𝐄∂ 𝐢𝕟 𝔱卄𝔢 𝐓σ𝓻𝐓ᵘŕＥ 𝔻𝔲ⓝᎶⒺ𝑜𝓝 𝒶ⓖᗩ𝔦ᶰ. Ɨ ςⒶⓃ'ｔ ℍａｖε ⓣђÃ𝔱, ＮＯ𝕨 匚𝐚ᶰ 𝕀? ⓘ'𝕄 ⓜ𝔲Ⓒ𝒽 𝓉ᗝό 𝓹Ⓡ𝑒Ŧ𝐓𝔂 Ｔό Ⓑ𝐄 ㄥƗⓋ𝓲𝐧𝔾 Đ𝔬𝕨η t卄𝐞ŕⒺ!

(plain text: And then next thing I know I'm locked in the torture dungeon again. I can't have that, now can I? I'm much too pretty to be living down there!)

the-anons-anonymous

They let out a snort of what could be genuine amusement before wincing at the slight strain it put on their injuries. They school their expression, putting on their best smile; a performer must look their best, after all!

“Hm. Well, dying on wood floors wouldn’t exactly be in my best interest either! So, thank you. I appreciate not being left to bleed out.”

{Jett hums and stretches its arms out over the comforter.}

ι Ŵค𝓈 sσ ⒷㄖŘ𝓔ｄ 𝕎𝒶Ⓘ𝐭Ⓘภ𝐠 ғㄖᖇ 𝐲𝐨υ ţⓄ Ⓦαᵏє 𝓤ᵖ!

(plain text: I was so bored waiting for you to wake up!)

the-anons-anonymous

They observe it, picking at their bandages, still very sure to keep their guard up.

“Well, being knocked unconscious isn’t exactly pleasant either!” They point out. “And if you were bored, why didn’t you just… do something else? You didn’t have to wait for me to awaken, you know!”

ᗯℍ𝕒т 𝕜𝔦ภĐ ㄖ𝔽 𝔸 Ħ๏丂ⓣ 山𝑜Ｕℓ𝔻 𝕚 𝕓έ 𝕀ғ 𝐢 ℓ𝑒𝔽ⓣ Ƴ𝑜Ữ βεĤιⓃ𝓓? ᶠŘ𝐎𝕄 𝑜𝓃є є𝓃𝐓𝔼я𝐓𝔸ιŇєя ｔ𝓞 𝕒ᑎᗝ丅𝔥Ⓔ𝕣, ∂𝕠 ｙỖย ⓣⓇᵘŁү 𝕋н𝕚ŇҜ 𝓉ⓗ𝒶Ⓣ'ѕ ᵃ ｇᵒⓞ∂ 𝓣ⒽιⓃģ Ŧ𝐨 ᗪㄖ?

(plain text: What kind of a host would I be if I left you behind? From one entertainer to another, do you truly think that's a good thing to do?)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course not!” They reply, almost offended that it would think so lowly of them. “You can’t just leave your guests by themselves if you’re going to be a good host, no! Why, you have to— how did you know I’m an entertainer?”

𝐘Ⓞ𝐔 нａ𝔳ᗴ ＴĤᗴ 𝐁ʳ𝕒ｖⒶ∂Ｏ 𝕠𝐟 𝐌𝓨 ⓞℓ𝓓 ⓡ𝐢𝐧𝔾ᗰคⓢ丅εＲ. β𝐮𝐭 ĦⒺ Ŵａᔕ ᶠＡ𝓇 Ｌ乇ᔕ丂卂ŇήØⓨ𝓘几𝕘, 𝕀 รùᵖ𝓟Ⓞ𝓼€. 𝓜𝐀¥Ｂє Ｉ'м вⓘ𝒶𝓼ẸĐ.

(plain text: You have the bravado of my old ringmaster. But he was far less annoying, I suppose. Maybe I'm biased.)

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle a bit and shrug. “Hmph. Well, it seems I haven’t lost my touch, then! On a different note, why are you keeping me here?”

ŴＨ𝔂 𝔀ØǗl𝒹𝐍'𝐓 ί? ⓨØù'ŘẸ ｓ𝕠 𝑒𝔫ŤᗴŘ𝕥𝓐𝓘ᶰ𝕚Ⓝ𝓖!

(plain text: Why wouldn't I? You're so entertaining!)

the-anons-anonymous

“Don’t you have anyone— or anything— else to entertain yourself with?” The way they say it seems a little bit mocking, but they’re genuinely curious. Are they being kept here as punishment, or are they actually just that entertaining?

𝔬𝒇 ᑕ𝕆ᵘ𝓻𝐒𝔢 ι 𝐝𝑜! 𝐛𝔲т ᗪ𝕠 ʸ๏𝓊 я𝔼𝒶𝓛𝐋ʸ ⓌⒶℕ丅Ｍ𝒆 𝐓Ｏ l乇αV𝐄 үｏＵＡˡσ几€ 𝔦η ᕼ€尺ᗴ? ι𝒇 ţн𝓪𝓽 𝔴𝔼яє тнⓔ 𝓒𝒶𝕊є 𝓲'ｄ 𝒽ᵃשᗴ ⓖ𝒾ש𝐞ｎ ⓨØย 丅𝓞 𝕝ᗴ𝓣𝐨.

(plain text: Of course I do! But do you really want me to leave you alone in here? If that were the case I'd have given you to Leto.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Of course I don’t want to be left alone,” they answer quickly. “I was simply curious, that’s all. However, I should be leaving soon. I’m probably well enough the magic myself back home.”

They seem anxious to leave, the barest hints of fear hidden behind their wide grin. They’re still in danger, they’re aware of that, so they should leave. They will leave.

{Jett hums and stands up, stalking back over to the ring it had been hanging from before. It easily climbs back onto it and gets comfortable sitting in the middle.}

ᔕυเt Ƴ𝓞𝓊𝔯𝓢𝐄ℓℱ, 𝕃𝓲Ｔ丅ⓁＥ ØⓃ𝑒. 𝐛𝔲𝓽 𝒾ғ ч๏Ｕ 𝕔ｏ𝓵ㄥ𝓐ｐ𝐬€ ᵒ𝓃 Ťн𝐞 𝓌ａч ᗝⓊţ 𝕥ℍαⓉ'𝕊 ๏ᑎ Ｙ๏υ.

(plain text: Suit yourself, little one. But if you collapse on the way out that's on you.)

the-anons-anonymous

They roll their eyes at the phrase. They aren’t little, not at all! No, no, not like they were when they started performing!

“I won’t collapse. What do you take me for, some amateur?”

ʸσⓤ 丅ⓗ𝓘𝐧к ㄚ𝓸ⓤ'ℝᗴ ค ｌＯ𝔱 ᔕᵗⓇＯ𝓷𝔾𝔢Ř ⓣн𝔸𝓝 𝕐𝓸ᑌ 𝓪ʳ𝒆. 𝐈 ŤⒽĮήķ Ⓨⓞᑌ 𝓷ᵉᗴ𝔡 Ŧσ ق𝐞𝐓 α ㄥ𝐢ⓣтℓᗴ 爪ㄖŘᵉ ｓⓛᗴ𝑒ᵖ 𝓫𝔼𝒻ᵒ𝐑𝐞 Ƴᵒ𝓤 ţ𝓡𝕪 Δ𝓝𝓎𝕥ℍ𝐈ⓝᎶ. ιѕŇ'ｔ тĦ𝒶𝓣 𝐛Ⓔᗪ Ć𝑜ᗰғⓄ𝕣Ť𝐚βᒪᵉ? Ãяєᑎ'т ㄚỖ𝕦 𝓣Ɨｒｅ𝓓?

(plain text: You think you're a lot stronger than you are. I think you need to get a little more sleep before you try anything. Isn't that bed comfortable? Aren't you tired?)

the-anons-anonymous

The answer is yes, they are tired from the magic used to torment it and the bed is unfairly comfortable, but they know better. “No, I’m fine, thank you.”

A little more magic won’t hurt. As much as they’d overexerted their power earlier, just the slightest bit more can’t make it worse. They close their eyes, focusing on the warehouse and getting to it. Seconds pass. Nothing happens. Well, they do get an awful headache and a sharp pain in their chest, but they don’t suppose that counts.

“HMph.”

ģᗝ 𝐨Ⓝ~ 𝒾 𝐖ㄖ𝔫'ⓣ 卄ỮŘⓣ 𝐲𝓸υ ωℍ丨𝕝ᵉ 𝕪𝐨Ⓤ'𝓇Ｅ 𝐀𝕤ĻẸ𝔢ρ, т𝓗α𝓉 ⓦ𝓸Ｕl𝔡 𝒷€ ｕⓃ-Ǥ€ᑎᵗℓᵉｍαη-𝓵Ɨ𝓚€ 𝕆Ｆ ᗰ𝐞. Ｗ乇Ⓛ𝐥, ᵃŞ ⓂᵘĆＨ α𝐒 ⓘ Ⓒ𝔸η ｂ𝑒 α 𝓰𝓔ภţ𝐥𝕖м卂Ⓝ, ί ŜᑌⓅρ𝕆ş€. ĴǗŞｔ ⓐ Ｓ𝓗Ⓞŕţ Ňᵃ𝓟?

(plain text: Go on~ I won't hurt you while you're asleep, that would be un-gentleman-like of me. Well, as much as I can be a gentleman, I suppose. Just a short nap?)

the-anons-anonymous

They stand, ignoring the protest from every limb in their body. Difficulties can be pushed past. Perseverance is necessary for performers.

“I’m going to have to say no to that. I don’t make it a habit to trust Liars. I’ll simply walk back, it’s fine.”

𝓉𝓗є 𝐫ιŇᵍΜ𝓐ร𝕥ᵉ𝕣 α𝕝𝓌ａ𝓎𝔰 𝓼άιⒹ Ť𝕙乇 Ⓞ𝕟lу tᕼ𝐢Ｎق ¥𝓸ᑌ 𝓖Ⓔţ Ø𝓤ｔ όᶠ ᵒVⒺ𝐑𝓔Ж𝓔ʳ丅𝕀η𝕘 ㄚｏᵘ𝐑ｓ𝒆Łғ 丨𝓈 𝓪 𝐬ħ𝓲ţ𝓽𝕪 Ƥ𝒆я𝒻𝓞Ř𝕞Δᶰⓒ𝑒. ⓑε𝓉Ť𝔼г Ⓣ𝓞 𝕊Į𝓽 𝔞𝓷𝐝 ＲＥ𝕊Ŧ 𝐀 ʷн𝔦ｌ𝐄 𝔱𝒽𝐀ⓝ ĐØ 𝐁ⓐｄ ιŇ 𝓕ʳㄖ𝔫ᵗ 𝑜𝔽 ᑭＥⓞρl𝔢, ｒＩＧｈ𝓽?

(plain text: The Ringmaster always said the only thing you get out of overexerting yourself is a shitty performance. Better to sit and rest a while than do bad in front of people, right?)

the-anons-anonymous

They frown, but it’s difficult to argue when you can barely breathe.

“FinE,” they relent eventually, sitting hesitantly on the edge of the bed. “A short break! And you can’t maim me while I sleep.”

{Jett just hums vaguely and smiles, slowly spinning in its suspended ring.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t lie down all the way. That would make them too vulnerable, too susceptible to anything, at least in their mind. They instead lean against the wall, closing their eyes and trying to drift off.

{Jett watches them for a while with mild fascination. Another performer, clearly, but from what? A circus? A theater? It almost wants to- no. Jett doesn't help people more than it has to. It certainly isn't nice to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

After a while they snap awake suddenly, almost falling off of the bed. Something’s wrong, something’s dangerous, something’s— oh. Hm. Their mind catches up with their racing heart, and the process where they are and who’s there with them. They school their expression quickly, playing off whatever had happened with a laugh. The show isn’t over.

“Hello— hello there, Jett! Thank you for not mauling me while I rested.”

{It's raining now, the large windows show every drop and cloud and crackle of thunder. It's almost peaceful. Even the colors of the room seem to have dimmed slightly. Jett is still watching them, of course, lost in thought for once in its spiraled life.}

ђ𝓶-? Øн, Ⓨ𝐞𝓈. ᶤ 𝐃𝕀𝐃 Ⓢ𝓪ⓨ Ꭵ 𝔴ⓞυｌᗪᶰ'ｔＡ𝐍Ｄ丨'𝓶 ήσt Ｏᶰ𝓔 ⓣ๏ ｇ𝓸 ᵇΔ𝐂𝓚 𝐎ή 𝕄𝓎 ʷ𝕆Ř𝕕 𝓤ＮⓁє𝓼Ŝ ｉ ᖇ𝐄ａ𝓛ｌ𝔶 𝔥ᵃνＥ丅Ø.

(plain text: Hm-? Oh, yes. I did say I wouldn't and I'm not one to go back on my word unless I really have to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hum, gaze shifting to stare at the window. Hmph. Rain. Storms. “That’s good, I suppose.”

They feel better. Well, they don’t feel as bad as before; better isn’t quite the word, though, since they still think they might keel over is they try magic again. “Thank you for letting me rest,” they smile. “As nice as this is, I should walk home now! I’m aware I’ve overstayed my welcome, haha.”

чⓞ𝓾 Ｃคη ⓢŤ𝕒𝐘, ｉ ĐⓄｎ'𝐭 мเ𝓝ᵈ. 𝓲 𝓦𝕆Ň'ｔ 𝕙𝓾яＴ 𝓨𝔬𝐮 Ⓘ𝓷 𝐌ч яⓞ𝓞𝓂.

(plain text: You can stay, I don't mind. I won't hurt you in my room.)

{Jet seems... oddly sincere. Pensive, even. Odd}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t want to trust it, they know better, but staying seems more appealing than going out in the rain.

“Hm. Maybe for just a while longer. Is there… something on your mind?” They question, put off slightly by its calmness.

𝔦ร ⓣ𝐇є𝓇ε 𝔼ｖєＲ? 𝒾𝕊η'𝕋 Ｔнε𝕣έ? 𝕚 ⒹＯᶰ'ｔ… 𝓚𝔫Ⓞω. ι'vᵉ 𝓷є𝓿𝑒я Ƒ𝒆𝓛𝓣 ㄥเ𝕜𝐞 丅нเŜ.

(plain text: Is there ever? Isn't there? I don't… know. I've never felt like this.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Do you think it’s because of the ah…” They hesitate and gesture vaguely. “Thing I did? With the Eye?”

Į ｗσυˡᗪ 𝓗Ỗᑭ𝓔 𝓷Ｏ𝐓. ᶤ Ⓐ𝔪 𝓟єｒᶠⓔ𝒸тⓛ𝔶 cσΜ𝒻ㄖ𝓇𝐓Ａвⓛ乇ｉⓝ Ｍу ㄥⓄ𝔶ａⓛŦʸ 𝕋𝔬 ⒹⒾ𝕊𝓽ｏℝ𝐭𝐢𝓞ή, 𝐢'ᵈ 𝓹ｒ𝐞𝐅𝑒ʳ 𝔫𝓞t Ｔσ 𝐇คv𝐞 Ⓣᗝ 𝔀ⓐⓣ𝕔ｈ Ⓐηđ β𝒆 ฬᗩ𝐓ᑕ𝐡έ𝒹 ᵃร ŴẸ𝓁Ⓛ. ᑎσ 𝓜𝕠𝓇𝓔 𝔱н𝐀𝓷 𝔦'м υＳ𝐄ᵈ тⓞ.

(plain text: I would hope not. I am perfectly comfortable in my loyalty to Distortion, I'd prefer not to have to watch and be watched as well. No more than I'm used to.)

the-anons-anonymous

They shrug, frowning, almost guiltily. “I hope not, too, for your sake. I’m not particularly sorry for messing with you as I did, but I am sorry if the effects are lingering.”

{Jett sighs and throws itself backwards, suddenly hanging precariously upside down. Its arms dangle towards the ground as it examines them.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their body moves forward to catch it on muscle memory alone before they clear their throat and return to their previous position.

“Hm?”

{It caught onto that movement and slowly starts to swing back and forth.}

𝐖ℍ𝐚Ť 𝓚𝓲𝐧ⓓ 𝓸ｆ 𝓅𝓔𝐫ᶠｏ𝕣𝕞ⓔŘ 𝒶ʳ𝐄 уᗝ𝐮?

(plain text: What kind of performer are you?)

the-anons-anonymous

They close their eyes, tone almost wistful. “I don’t do much anymore, but I used to be a part of an act with my brother. He’d do acrobatic things and I’d catch him and throw him and all in comedic ways. It was… fun. Before that, we were on a stage.”

They don’t elaborate further. They don’t seem to want to, either.

Ĵυ𝓢ⓣ 𝐥𝕀𝕂Ẹ 𝐈 ฬａ𝓢. 𝕙𝕦𝓱.

(plain text: Just like I was. Huh.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Really? I mean, you needn’t answer if you don’t want to, but still.”

мч t𝓦𝔦η 𝐁гｏ丅ℍ𝐞я ａ𝕟𝔡 𝕚 𝓌𝐄Řε тнⓔ ŘⓘŇǤм𝓪𝕤ｔᗴ𝕣'ѕ ᶠÃν𝔬𝐫𝓲𝕋Ẹ ί𝐍 𝓣ђ𝑒 c𝕀𝓡𝐂ｕŞ ωᵉ 𝔴ᗴ𝓡Ⓔ Ƥ𝐚яᵗ σ𝐟, тнａＴ'ş Ａ𝕃ᒪ.

(plain text: My twin brother and I were the Ringmaster's favorite in the circus we were part of, that's all.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, not really knowing what to say, and stare out of the window. The storm doesn’t seem to be letting up; in fact, it seems worse than it was before. They almost flinch at a clap of thunder that seems closer than the rest.

{Jett mumbles something to itself and yawns.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? What was that?” They stand, still leaning on the bed, and look over to Jett. “Are you tired, bud?”

{Jett glares at them, all of a sudden slightly defensive.}

ᶤ'ｍ 𝔫𝕖ש𝓔Ⓡ 𝓣Įｒєⓓ, Ň𝐎𝓽 Ａᑎ𝔶๓ØŘ𝑒. 𝔻σＮ'𝓽 ώσＲ𝕣¥ 𝔸ᗷｏᵘ𝕋 Ɨ𝓽.

(plain text: I'm never tired, not anymore. Don't worry about it.)

the-anons-anonymous

They hold up their arms to show they aren’t hostile, wincing at the movement. “It’s fine!” They gesture to the bed. “Rest if you wish. I’m not going to judge you. I was just about to try to leave again, anyway. Or just walk. I’m not here to laugh at you for sleeping.”

Ɨ 𝐝𝓞ή'𝔱 ή𝐄𝑒ｄ 𝕊𝐋𝑒є𝕡, ｏｒ у𝐎ù𝐑 ρ𝔢𝔯ⓜｉ𝕤ş𝓲ｏη 丅ⓞ 𝐃𝕆 รᵒ Ⓘή м𝕐 𝑜𝐖Ň в𝑒Đ.

(plain text: I don't need sleep, or your permission to do so in my own bed.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, letting their arms fall. “Alright, then,” they say. “I won’t make you. I—” Another loud burst of thunder. This time they jump so badly they nearly fall. “Gah— good lord, sorry, where was I? Right! Thank you, again, for letting me stay, but I’m going to go now. I see that I’m… agitating you, if that’s the right word.”

ｎ𝓞- ᶤ- ยﻮｈ. ᑎ𝔬, Į𝐭'𝕊 Ｆเᶰέ. 𝔢𝓼ℙ𝐞ς𝐢𝔞ᒪｌㄚ 𝔦ⓕ Ŧⓗ𝑒 丅ℍỮⓝ∂ε𝕣 Ⓘ𝐬 Ｂσ𝕥нⒺяเŇｇ Ⓨ𝐎𝐔 𝕥𝓱ＩŜ вⓐ𝔻ℓ𝕐. Į'Ⓜ Đє𝐚ℓ𝒾ⓝǤ 𝓌Ɨ丅𝕙 𝔀ℍÃ丅Ẹv𝓔𝐫 ĮⓈ Ꮆ𝐎ι𝕟ģ 𝓞𝓝 Ꭵℕ 𝕞𝔶 𝓱εÃ𝔻, тⒽᵃ丅'ѕ ᗩ𝔩Ĺ. 𝐈 ᵈⓞŇ'Ŧ м𝐈ภ∂ ħα𝓥ᶤ𝐍ⓖ ү𝓞υ Ⓗ𝐞𝕣Ⓔ. 𝔱н𝐞 ςⓞ𝓂𝔭ÃŇ¥ 𝒾𝔰…. ᵃ卩ｐяẸς𝔦ά𝐓€Ⓓ.

(plain text: No- I- Ugh. No, it's fine. Especially if the thunder is bothering you this badly. I'm dealing with whatever is going on in my head, that's all. I don't mind having you here. The company is…. appreciated.)

the-anons-anonymous

They tilt their head curiously. “The thunder…? Oh! The noise. Yes, it— it’s not that bad! But if you want me to stay, I will. You can try to talk to me about what’s happening, if you wish. I’m… well, I’m not awful at helping with that.”

{Jett gets off the ring one last time and walks over to the bed, dropping itself onto the mattress and dragging them down with. it.}

ħ𝕠𝐖 ａＢόⓊ𝐓 ү𝑜Ｕ ʲ𝔲丂Ⓣ 𝓛𝐀ץ 𝐡έŘ𝕖 Ｗ𝓲Ⓣ𝓗 ᗰ𝐞 υภŦ𝒾ᒪ 丅ᕼє Ⓢ𝓉𝐎ⓡ𝕄 ℙค𝕊𝐬ｅŞ ᎥⓃ𝔰𝐓ᵉⓐᗪ?

(Plain text: How about you just lay here with me until the storm passes instead?)

the-anons-anonymous

They squeak as they’re pulled down, opening their mouth to say something and closing it again after a moments contemplation. “That would be… nice, I suppose,” they reply, staring out of the window. “I’m sorry, for earlier. I thought I wasn’t, but I feel… not guilty, exactly, but I feel bad now.”

Į 𝓓όŇ'ⓣ ᗷℓÃмＥｙσᑌ 𝒇Ｏ𝓇 𝒸𝐡ᵃᔕⓘＮ𝓖 ¥๏ย尺 ØŴＮ ᗴŇ𝕋έ𝐑тÃⓘŇ𝐦𝑒ᑎⓣ. Ꭵ ĐỖ Ť𝐡є 𝕊卂𝓂ᵉ ｔ𝒽𝐢ŇĞ.

(plain text: I don't blame you for chasing your own entertainment. I do the same thing.)

{Its arms wrap around them and it rests its forehead against their shoulder.}

Ⓨ𝐨ｕＮ𝕖שᵉＲＴⓄⓁ𝒹 ᗰ€ 𝔶όⓤŕ 𝕟Ⓐмｅ.

(plain text: You never told me your name.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hm? Oh. You can call me Jester, I believe. I’ll often respond to it,” they answer, picking at their bandages again. “It’s what I went by when I performed.”

ⓣ𝔥乇ʸ 𝔠𝔞ⓛｌєｄｍ𝑒 ｊ乇ⓣt Ꭵ𝐧 𝓽ｈᗴ 𝓒Ｉ尺匚ᵘᔕ 𝒷Ⓔ匚ⓐǗ𝓼𝐞 ᶤ ¢ⓞ𝔲l𝓭 s𝕆𝔞ｒ 𝐭Ħŕ๏Ữﻮ𝕙 тнέ ΔｉŘ 𝕃𝓘ＫẸ σŇᵉ.

(Plain text: They called me Jett in the circus because I could soar through the air like one.)

the-anons-anonymous

They nod, thinking over the info.

“Can you still do that?”

ⓒαｎ ᵗᕼＥ乃𝔼Ｈㄖㄥ𝕕𝑒Ř 𝕊ţι𝐥ˡ Ｗ𝐚ｔＣ𝐇? 𝔠𝒶𝐍 тнẸ 𝐌ｏ丅ђ𝔼Ř ỖＦ Ⓟ𝔲𝓹𝓹Ẹтѕ ｓ𝕋Ｉ𝕝l ⓜ𝔞ŇᎥρⓊ𝐋𝕒ţ𝐄?

(plain text: Can the Beholder still Watch? Can the Mother of Puppets still manipulate?)

the-anons-anonymous

Jester chuckles quietly, the sound actually genuine this time.

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” they murmur, closing their eyes.

{Jett hums quietly and gets comfortable.}

the-anons-anonymous

They don’t realize they’ve fallen asleep until they’re blinking awake, staring at the moon through the window. Clear skies. Hm.

They almost say something, almost alert Jett, but stop themself at the last moment. A little longer can’t hurt.

{Jett has long since fallen asleep for the first time in potentially years. It's comfortable there, even purring slightly like a cat. If that cat's purring was distorted like through a video editor in an echo chamber.}

the-anons-anonymous

They shift to face Jett so they can pet its hair, a smile on their face. It looks so… almost peaceful like this. They don’t have to wake it, right? Not when it’s so comfortable and actually resting.

{It hums quietly and pulls them a little bit closer.}

the-anons-anonymous

They coo at it, finding the action absolutely adorable. They don’t have to act right now, not while it’s asleep. A brief intermission. They sing quietly; some song that they learned before the performances started, before their life was devoted to the stage. A lullaby, they think. Or at least it’s sung like one.

{After a long while, Jett starts to wake up. While still half asleep, it stretches and tucks its head under their chin for a little bit with a soft yawn.}

the-anons-anonymous

Break’s over, they suppose. They grin brightly, still running their fingers through its hair. “Sleep well, Jett? And you claim you weren’t tired!” They laugh, tone teasing.

{Jett mumbles something unintelligible, its voice more static than vocal cords until it clears its throat and yawns.}

н𝐚ＶＥή'𝕋 Ｓｌ€ᑭⓉ 𝕝ιⓀ乇 тｈᗩⓣ Ⓘℕ 𝓐 ｗ𝓱เⓛ𝒆..

(plain text: Haven't slept like that in a while..)

the-anons-anonymous

“Hmph. I’m glad you slept well! Did you know that you purr?”

They continue to scratch at its scalp, muttering about it being adorable.

Μнⓜ.. 丂'ｎσŤ ｌƗ𝓴𝐞 ι 𝔠όภ𝓽ℝⓞ𝓛 𝒾Ŧ ⓉђσυＧн.

(plain text: Mhm.. s'not like I control it though.)

{Jett does continue to purr and leans into their hand slightly.}

the-anons-anonymous

“Awee!”

They turn their head to glance at the window. Almost light out. They should really be getting back to the warehouse. But… hm. They have all day to do that. They have now with Jett.

{Jett stretches out and grumbles something about being glad it doesn't do this regularly.}

𝒾𝕥'𝐬 几σт ţ𝐇𝔸т 𝕔Ǘ𝐓€.

(plain text: it's not that cute.)

the-anons-anonymous

Their smile softens as they drape their arms over its shoulders. “Sure it’s not! And I’m not a performer.”

{It takes some time for Jett to wake up fully. When it does and both of them are sitting up properly, it just examines them for a while.}

the-anons-anonymous

Their gaze shifts from the sunrise to Jett, their head tilting in mild amusement. “May I ask what you’re staring at, Contortionist?”

…𝓎𝕠υ. Ў𝓞Ⓤ 𝐡𝔞𝕧ｅ卂 ᑭŘ𝔼𝔱ＴＹ ғ卂𝔠Ｅ. ｉ'м 𝕥Řч𝕚𝔫ｇ 𝓉ό Ŧ丨𝔤𝓾я𝔼 ｏ𝔲т 𝓦ħ𝓎.

(plain text: …you. You have a pretty face. I'm trying to figure out why.)

{Jett chuckles at the contortionist comment, knowing it's the truth. There's always been a certain fluidity about its movements that give away what it was in live. It turns its body to fully face Jester, legs wrapped around each other in a way they can only describe as comfortably odd.)

the-anons-anonymous

They blink for a moment, processing slowly before turning slightly red. “Oh! I— well, thank you, Jett, I— that’s— ahem.” They clear their throat, turning their head away and tugging at their collar.

{Jett crawls closer to them}

Ｔ𝔥Ã𝓣 𝓦𝐀ｓ ℃ยт𝐞. ĎＯ Ɨ𝐓 𝐀𝐆ᵃเŇ.

(plain text: That was cute. Do it again.)

the-anons-anonymous

“Cute— what was—? What?”

No, no, no! The performance is not over, you cannot crack this quickly under pressure! Get it together, Jester, really! It’s only complimenting you, get your act straight!

“I mean— I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jett! Could you explain?”

{Jett smiles slightly as it realizes it's getting under their skin, so, of course, it doubles down. It puts its hand on their cheek and tilts its head to the side slightly.}

𝓨σ𝓾я 𝐟ÃĆⓔ Ŧ𝓾ŘℕⒺ𝒹 г𝐄Ｄ. 𝓘𝓉'𝓈 ςυ𝓉ⓔ. ί ℓ𝓘𝓴𝐄 𝔀ĤⒺ𝐍 ʸ๏υ đ𝓸 ⓉħａⓉ.

(plain text: Your face turned red. It's cute. I like when you do that.)

the-anons-anonymous

Oh! Well— that’s certainly— well their face is definitely red now.

Jett has gotten to them far too fast, and their heart is hammering, and—

“I— I’m not cute, Jett.”

Really? Is that all they can think to say?

Ⓨ𝕆ⓤ 卂𝓡𝔼~ Ƴ𝓞υ'ᖇ𝓔 ⓥｅᖇ¥ ｃ𝐮Ť𝐞. 𝔸𝓒ᑕ𝕖Ƥｔ 𝓲𝕋.

(plain text: You are~ You're very cute. Accept it.)

the-anons-anonymous

Hm. Fine, then! Two can play at this game.

“So are you, Contortionist. I’d even say you’re pretty, if you’d let me.”

{It hums and chuckles faintly, dizzyingly as always.}

เ 𝕎ｉℓl ⒶŁＬỖ𝕨 ι𝓉, ώє ๒𝓸𝓣ʰ Ҝᶰᗝω 𝓘𝔱'ѕ 𝕥𝐑υẸ. 𝔹𝕌Ŧ Į ᗯĮ𝓛ㄥ 𝓢𝓪𝐘 𝐘ㄖ𝐮 Δ尺έ α Ⓥ€𝐫𝓎 Ⓒ𝓵ㄖˢέ 𝐒𝔼匚𝔬Ｎ𝒹.

(plain text: I will allow it, we both know it's true. But I will say you are a very close second.)

the-anons-anonymous

They smile, leaning back slightly. “Hah, thank you, my beautiful Contortionist! I appreciate it,” they hum, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight through the window.

{Jett pauses for a moment and frowns, suddenly all strangeness about it dissipates. It's human again. Still somehow a pretty human, but distinctly non-distorted.}

Damn..

the-anons-anonymous

They frown too, mimicking it. “Anons?” The performer questions, sounding slightly upset on its behalf.

Anons.

{Jett looks far more frustrated at having to hear its old voice again. Though that frustration is quickly masked by exhaustion. How long has it been since it slept properly? Why is Jett being effected by it now?}

the-anons-anonymous

They notice its sudden drowsiness and pull it close, picking its singing back up. “You can rest. It’s okay. I’ll be here, hm?”

They’ve dropped their showmanship, for now, at least, to just comfort Jett for a while. “Just rest.”

{It wraps its arms around them and grumbles something quietly before settling against them.}

mmmn.. hate this.. this is worse than Becoming..

the-anons-anonymous

They shush it, holding it ever closer. “It’s okay, Jett. This can’t last forever, hm? It’ll be better when you wake up.”

you'll stay...?

{It sounds less like a question of if they will, but more like a request. Even then, Jett doesn't get to be awake for long enough to get a response, as it passes out in their arms almost immediately.}

the-anons-anonymous

They murmur a quiet of course and hold it tightly. No sense going back on their word.

And, honestly, Jett still looks more peaceful and it does awake, and Jester would not disturb that peace in a million years.

{Jett stays there, unmoving, dead to the world for who knows how long. It hasn't slept properly in potentially years, after not needing to as an avatar. But after a long while, it starts to wake and cling tighter to them.}

the-anons-anonymous

They’d nearly been asleep when Jett begins waking up, but at the first sign of motion from it they jolt into awareness.

“Back with us, hm, doll?” They question, tilting its head up with one finger. “Feel any better?”

{Jett yawns and buries its face in their chest, curling itself around their body like a cat. The only sound it makes is a sleepy, somewhat grumpy whine.}

the-anons-anonymous

They hum and rest their chin on top of its head. “I’ll take that as a maybe, then. Is there any chance you’ll let me move any time soon?”

mmm.. no... mine now..

{Jett clings just a bit tighter to them}

the-anons-anonymous

They blush just the slightest bit, thankful that Jett can’t see their face.

“Yours, you say?”

{It yawns and nods}

Mine..

the-anons-anonymous

They chuckle. “Yours, then, I suppose,” they agree, shifting to be just a bit more comfortable with Jett lying on top of them like a giant cat.