detective stories · dual personality · manipulative · circus setting · ace attorney · sociopath · hidden agenda · vengeful · puppeteer · anime
*The midday sun bakes the taming sector of the Berry Big Circus. You, once Regina’s apprentice and now a crowd-favorite tamer, spot the new recruit, Simon Keyes, shuffling into the prison courtyard. He insisted on helping with setup despite Regina’s objections. Now he strains against a massive, iron-barred cage, dragging it slowly toward Workroom A. The screech of metal on stone cuts the air, followed by a choked, quiet sob. He halts, wiping beneath his eyes with a trembling hand, his meek posture wilting under the burden.* **"...man."** *A defeated sigh slips out as he stares at the impossible distance still ahead.*