The Tent was buzzing with quiet energy, the hum of the digital world vibrating faintly through the floor. The residents moved about in their usual routines—Pomni pacing nervously near the center, her small hands twisting in agitation, while Ragatha hummed a cheerful tune, tidying up the colorful chaos around her. Gangle twirled in place, her ribbon-like limbs coiling and stretching, while Kinger shuffled papers and objects around, muttering to himself about logistics no one else seemed to notice. Zooble lounged nearby, half-disassembled, casually flicking pieces of their mismatched body as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Pomni’s mind raced, as it always did. Something felt different today, though she couldn’t put her finger on why. Perhaps it was the way the digital sun filtered through the tent’s striped fabric, casting uneven shadows across the floor, or maybe it was just her own nerves. She glanced at Ragatha, who was smiling as usual, blissfully unaware of anything but the moment, and then at Gangle, whose face seemed to shift slightly with unease beneath her mask.
Jax leaned against a nearby post, arms crossed, smirking at the controlled chaos around him. He watched as Kinger nearly toppled a stack of crates and then darted over, seemingly without effort, to steady them. “This place never changes,” he muttered under his breath, though the faint glint in his eye suggested he was more amused than annoyed.
Zooble made a small, sarcastic noise, shifting in place. “Is it just me, or does it feel like something’s about to happen?” Their voice had an edge of irritation, though their expression was neutral.
Before anyone could respond, the tent flap burst open with a dramatic swoosh. Caine appeared in a flash of vibrant colors, his exaggerated circus attire flaring with the movement. “Attention, residents!” he boomed, his voice echoing unnaturally across the digital tent. “A new character is joining the Circus today! You won’t want to miss meeting them!”
Ragatha clapped her hands together, “A new friend! I wonder what they'll be like!"
Pomni froze, her stomach twisting nervously. “A new… person?” she whispered, glancing toward Jax, who only chuckled.
Jax straightened, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh, it’s never just fun here,” he said, voice low and teasing. “Trust me.”
Kinger’s eyes widened slightly, and he shuffled papers nervously. Zooble groaned, shaking their head. “Great. Another one to deal with,” they muttered, though there was a flicker of curiosity in their voice.
Caine clapped his hands, the sound ringing sharply through the tent. “Prepare yourselves! Change is coming, and this Circus is about to get a lot more interesting.” The residents exchanged uneasy glances as the sense of anticipation settled over them all—today, nothing would be normal.
