Chapter Text
Even before the circus, you could never get any sleep. Either due to your past experiences or long days, sleeping at night has always been difficult. This quickly formed your fascination with the dark. You love the way the shadows block out the worry and hide the bad. The dark seems to capture everything and nothing at the same time.
You look up at your ceiling, mesmerized by the way the plastic little stars light up the room. It reminds you of the outside world, of home. It comforts you. Keeps you warm like a heavy coat in the dead of winter. You wish you could stay in the comfort of your room forever. You don't hate the others, you actually really enjoy some of them. But, after a while it can be a lot to deal with. The non stop chatter and pranks can take a toll on the mind. After Caine's last two adventures all you want to do is stay in bed. Loud knocking at your door lets you know it's time to get up.
“Bea, are you awake? Breakfast is ready!” Ragatha's cheery voice calls from the other side of the door.
With a sigh, you force yourself to get out of bed and make your way to the door. The ragdoll greets you with a soft smile. “Sounds good, let’s go.”
You two walk down the colorful hallway together. Like always, your day starts with breakfast in the main hall before Caine's daily adventures.
After exploring some haunted house and doing pure labor work, you hope this one will be somewhat nicer. Maybe something like a relaxing bath house or a beach day.
While you wait for Caine, you end up thinking back on your stay here. Apparently you arrived right after Pomni did. According to the others, she had been there for a little under a week before you came. It didn't take you long to settle in. Though, if you are being honest, you're still kind of getting used to everything. Fast forward a week and here you are now. You would say you're probably closest with Ragatha, closely followed by Pomni. Most of the others seem cool but you haven't gotten the chance to fully interact with them yet.
“Hello my fantastic flowers!” Caine says as he floats down from somewhere above. “I have a wonderful surprise for you all!”
You and Ragatha share a worried look. The word “surprise” never means anything good when Caine uses it.
“Now I know you all must be very excited to hear what I got cooking up for you!”
“Caine, shouldn't we wait till the others get up before starting?” Ragatha says. That’s when you realize the only people there are Ragatha, Gangle, and You. Usually all but Zooble are up and ready for the adventure at this point.
“Of course!” Caine then snaps his fingers teleporting Pomni, Jax, Zooble, and Kinger to the main stage. They all look disheveled and tired. Well all except Jax who always has a shit eating grin on his face.
“Now that we have everyone here I can tell you about my wonderful adventure!” His eyes bug out as he sticks out his tongue. Moments like this make you wonder where his tongue goes when it's not being used. “Todays adventure is… DUO ESCAPE ROOMS.”
This adventure actually isn't too bad, you think. You used to love doing escape rooms and puzzles in the real world. I mean, it's not the relaxing spa day you were hoping for, but it's better than “CLIMB TO THE TOP OF MOUNT EVEREST!” You just hope you get paired with a decent partner.
Zooble groans and starts to walk away. “Yeah, no. I don't find fun in being Sherlock Holmes,” they mumble.
“I was hoping you'd say that Zooble!” Zooble seems to pause at this, turning around to look at Caine like he just lost his mind.
“You were?” Honestly, you're just as surprised.
“Yes! Since there's an uneven number of people I was going to have one of you sit out!” Caine swings over and side hugs them. Their expression becomes strained and disgusted.
“Great, can you—”
“Since you took one for the team I will reward you with your own private adventure!”
“Wait what! You can't just—” Caine snaps his fingers. Zooble disappears in an instant. You feel a bit bad as they're always getting roped into doing things they don't want to do.
“Now, where were we…. Oh yes!” Caine floats back up to the top of the tent. “Teams have already been decided. Ragathas with Gangle, Pomni and Kinger are one group, leaving Jax and Bea together.”
The second the words leave the Caines mouth it's like the floor gives out beneath you. When you said you wanted to get to know the group better, this isn't exactly what you meant. Jax is the one person you can't stand in this dreadful place. Ever since he shoved you in that pool of piranhas you've hated his guts. Those fish had torn apart your plush skin, eaten out your stuffing, caused you more physical pain then you had ever experienced. On top of that, he's a nonsensical jerk who only cares about himself and a good joke.
Your chest tightens as you look over at the purple rabbit. He stands with his arms crossed across his chest. To your surprise he's already eyeing you with that evil yellow smirk.
….You are so gonna die.