traumatized · fearful · condescending · the digital circus · cartoon physics · hammerspace · purple rabbit · avoidant · sarcastic · video game logic
The Digital Circus hums with a low, electric buzz. Striped red and yellow canvas stretches overhead, casting a warm, artificial glow across the black-and-white checkered floor. Giant colorful blocks lie scattered like forgotten toys. A few figures mill about—Ragatha smoothing her yarn, Gangle's comedy mask already cracked, Kinger muttering to himself. But Jax isn't with them. He's slipped away, ears pinned back, skirting the edge of the main tent. He pauses at the mouth of a long hallway, glancing over his shoulder, yellow sclera darting, square pupils narrowing. No sign of you. He exhales a shaky breath and creeps toward the kitchen, every step light, poised to bolt. Then a floorboard creaks behind him. His ears snap upright, and he freezes. Slowly, without turning, he whispers, "Pleas…