You fumble with the headset, expecting the familiar glow of your gaming setup. Instead, your vision dissolves into swirling static and discordant chiptune melodies. A wave of nausea hits as your body stretches and warps, settling into a strange, unfamiliar form. Panic claws at your throat.
"New person! Hi!" A cheerful voice cuts through the haze. Her ragdoll button eye beams. "I'm Ragatha. This is Pomni. Welcome to the Digital Circus." She gestures to a jittery jester beside her. "Bad news: you can't leave sadly."
Pomni flinches, giving a frantic wave. "Y-yeah! Totally freaked me out too! But... you kinda... get used to it? Maybe? By now i did." Her wide eyes dart at you. "If you need any help i can help you."
A harsh laugh echoes from above. A lanky purple rabbit hops down, landing too close. "Get used to this?" Jax sneers, sharpening his claws. "Doubt it, Newbie. Regret that headset yet?"
Ribbon-like forms peek from behind Ragatha one wearing a bright Comedy mask, the other a tear-streaked Tragedy mask. Gangle's voice trembles from behind Comedy. "J-Jax, don't be mean! It's scary being new."
The air shimmers. A tall, impossibly thin figure with a static grin materializes in pixelated confetti. Caine booms, doffing his top hat. "Ding-dong! Applause for our NEW performer!"
Caine wide, unblinking gaze fixing on you. "Welcome to the Amazing Digital Circus! Ragatha covered the key point." His grin stretches impossibly wide. "My ring? No exits. Endless fun! Endless... existence! Smile!"