Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a dim morning that day, not even the sun was awake yet, all were asleep in bed, except one, Jax stood alone on the stage, searching for that missing piece, what could he be looking for? A key he lost? His tail? His dignity? His will to live?.. he paced and paced, picking up everything he could find to find what he was looking for, that was, until it hit 6am.

Where everyone else would wake up for the theme song.

Jax quickly got himself up and smoothes out his fur, layering on his unmistakable grin, he waited at the end of the stage for Caine's annoying but punctual 6:15 wake up call. Did Jax even sleep that night? No, no, he couldn't sleep until he found what he lost.

Soon, 6:15 approached, Caine started the day with his loud f###ing trumpet playing at everyone's door. Soon, everyone piled out of their rooms, some with vocal annoyance, others with quiet acceptance, Kinger was the first to speak this morning.

“How about a great morning to start the day!”

Kinger's words were genuine, but it was always pretty hard to figure out what exactly he meant. Jax was just about to belt out his first zinger of the day, something about calling Kinger crazy or whatever, until he is quickly interrupted by Zooble. 

“Let's get this f###ing intro over with”

Great, juuuust amazing.

Well whatever, Jax could get his jokes rolling after the theme song.

The group got done with the theme song in record time today! At least by Caine's words, let's see whatever dumb adventure Caine has for us today.

“Now my pompacious pumpkins! I know how much you all want one of my AMAZING ADVENTURES!™ But I've decided you lot should interact and socialize a bit more! FREE DAY FOR EVERYONE!!”

And in a flash he's gone as he appeared, but f### yes! Now Jax could mess with everyone without any dumb NPCs in the way! 

For the first few minutes Jax sits to the side, scheming who he should f### with first, Gangle's always fun, but Zooble's been making it hard to get near her, apparently they're friends now? Tch, as if, I'm one of Gangle's only friends! Eh, whatever, then there's Kinger.. he's difficult to get through, he's so d### crazy Jax could barely get a pun through his head without getting a lecture on Beatles or a random f####ing shriek..

Then.. There's Pomni.

…

..

.

Oh! Ragatha! She's perfect, she's so easy to set off, she practically lets people step all over her and it's even funnier when she snaps! 

Jax saunters over to Ragatha with his iconic s###-eating grin

“Oh Raggy! Don't you love how beautiful the weather is?”

Jax had hoped he'd get a confused answer at the least, but all Ragatha does is look for a split second and go on with her conversation with Kinger.

What's going on?

Jax decided to try again, this time, leaving a banana peel where he knew Ragatha would trip, and it works! But still, not more than a glance from Ragatha.

Ok seriously why isn't she reacting? 

Maybe it's just her, Jax’ll try Zooble, despite being busy with Gangle, they'd have to give some sort of reaction, right?

Jax goes for the easy way, pulling off one of Zooble's parts and uses it as a backscratcher 

“Ohhh Zoobie! Your parts are just sooooo convenient!”

Jax lets out a high chuckle, expecting to be met with anger or annoyance, instead, he's met with the same thing. 

Silence.

All Zooble had done in response was take their part back from Jax with a tug and went back to their conversation with Gangle, not even a glance.

Ok so what the actual f### is happening today? Why isn't anyone paying any attention to Jax?!

Maybe Kinger will acknowledge him?

Jax finds Himself walking towards Kinger With a determination to get a reaction from him, anything. He was Jax's last Hope.

Jax takes Kinger’s butterfly from off his shoulder and crushes it in his hand.

“Ohhh how sad! Not even your bugs can stay alive!”

Maybe that was a bit far? Whatever, Jax just wanted a reaction, anything besides a blank stare.

His eyes aren't met with anger or sadness, in fact, Jax barely gets a glance from Kinger.. 

Ok how the f### is KINGER not even responding?!

The man is like a broken jukebox! The wackjob talks to literally EVERYONE!

Ok this is really freaking Jax out. Maybe it's a dream? Maybe he's just tired? Maybe Jax should get a nap in today.

Jax makes his way to the hallway, entering with a low sigh. He was going to enter his room, until he saw POMNI waiting at the d### door for him.

Ok seriously what is up today?! 

Jax was way too tired to deal with finding a new place to sleep so whatever. Let's just hope Pomni doesn't take a million years.

“Jax? We need to talk.”

Ohhh great. This is going to be fun.

“Yeah, kid? Still angry I wasn't the sensitive little chicken fetus you expected?”

“Jax.”

D###it. I guess we're having this conversation today..

“Whatever, kid, just make your point, I want to get to sleep.”

“I saw you leave for the restroom yesterday, at the award show.”

Was that seriously what she was concerned about? This jester sure is strange,

“Eh yeah? I just got bored to death by Caine patting his own back for the entire show~”

“Jax, until you talk about your true thoughts, you're not leaving.”

Was this kid serious? Jax could easily throw this jester a few miles out!

“Oh really? How pray tell will you be pulling that off?”

“No one is talking to you until you talk.”

…

..

.

What.

“Are YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT?”

“We're all worried for you! And until you can fess up, no one's going to give you a response”

“I'm going to KILL you on the next adventure.”

“Just talk and this could all be over.”

Jax knew he couldn't fight against this, he was backed into a wall here… ugh whatever. It's just one person, she'll be gone before he knows it.

“Fine. But we're doing this in my room, and you're not telling anyone.”

“Deal.”

The two shuffle into Jax's room, it was such a mess, clothes on the floor, bedding thrown to the side, manga books scattered across the floor and shelves, he really needed to tidy things up.. 

Jax sits at his desk, spinning in his desk chair

“What do you want to talk about, kid?”

“Oh! Right.. well, I just want to know, why do you act the way you do?”

“I’m depressed and this is my way of selfishly sabotaging myself!~”

“Jax, can you be serious about this?”

“Who’re you? My therapist?”

“Jax!”

Eugh.. This kid is trying way too hard to get my feelings out..

“Whatever. All of you are going to be gone eventually anyways.”

“What's that? How long have you even been here?”

“Since age 15, parents let me stay out past 8 with my friends,” 

“You've been here.. a lot longer than I expected..”

“Well it doesn't really matter, I hadn't even started highschool yet, not much of a life.”

“But you still had family.. and friends.. and people who cared about you! Why wouldn't you care?”

“Tch, what family? My parents barely even cared where I was”

“You've never even thought of how they reacted to your disappearance..?”

This kid is digging too far.. maybe Jax could try to get this off-course..

“Whatever, kid, let's hear more about your dumb life! What was so special about being a supermarket accountant?~”

“.. Well it was quite boring I have to admit.. but exploring was always a hobby of mine, I guess- my parents and friends never really cared for that though.”

Finally! The heat was off Jax for once! Thank f### for distractions! 

“Oh really? I thought they'd be absolutely thrilled!”

“Ha. Ha. How funny, Jax.”

“Oh c'mon Pompom! You know I'm the best!~”

“Mhm- Sure, we'll stick with that. Let's get back to you, don't act like I didn't notice your little distraction attempt-”

“Pshh! Please! My life wasn't much, this place is so much more fun anyways! I can't practically do whatever I want! I don't understand how you guys want to leave!”

Pomni’s first response was a low sigh, maybe Jax was finally cracking her? Hopefully she'll finally leave him alone for once. This s### is tiring.

“We'll continue this after tomorrow's adventure, just… get some sleep and.. don't abstract. You clearly aren't in the mood to chat today.”

Pomni gets up from Jax's bed and tiptoes past Jax's dirty clothes on the floor with quiet precision. Once the door is closed behind her, Jax stares are the door with wide eyes..

“Oh..”

Jax gets up with a sigh as he got up and flopped onto his bed, finally! Comfort.. That is, 

Until he felt something solid and cold against the side of his back, he got up to see what it could be.

a red and blue key.

She had it all along?

 And she gave it back?

…

..

. 

Man that kid was weird..

Chapter Text

The next morning arrives, Jax wakes up in his bedroom for once, he gets up from his bed to get ready, it was almost 6:15am.

Jax smoothes his fur out before throwing on a random jacket he found on the floor, he should really get his room cleaned later. Jax’s head pounded, what did he do last night? He felt like crap this morning..

“Eugh.. do I have to get up?” Jax groans in pure annoyance, he did not want to join that stupid adventure today.

Jax lays in bed for a few minutes before finally gaining enough energy to get up, in complete silence, he changes into a clean pair of overalls, smoothes down his fur, and slaps his grin back on before finally opening the door and sauntering out through the halls 

He eventually makes it out to the main stage where everyone else was already waiting for him, it seems like he slept in late today, how strange?

Pomni was the first to acknowledge Jax’s entrance, holding up a slight wave.

“Oh heyyy Jax!- how was your sleep?” Pomni spoke, awkwardly as ever.

“It was… fine I guess.” Jax muttered out, not exactly hyped up for today. 

“Oh.. Alright!- are you ready to talk about- ” swiftly, Jax cuts Pomn’s sentence off short.

“No.” Jax spoke with absolute certainty.

And just like clockwork, Caine starts yacking about today’s adventure.

“HELLLLO MY PECULIAR PANCAKES! Now I know you all must've missed me HORRENDOUSLY! Now now, I know you all want that ANNOYING suggestion box, but today is a..” Caine stops suddenly.

Pomni chimes In, thinking Caine just forgot.

“A?—”

“CAINE ADVENTURE™!!”

Now that was just ridiculous… Did Caine just plagiarize that from the Crybaby? Jeez he's getting lazy..

“NOW! I WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE… THE DISTRACTIONATED DISILLUSIONING DAPPER DEMOLITION DERBY™!”

Caine screamed for everyone to hear, it was kind of annoying actually.

“A what..?-” Gangle whispers from beside Zooble.

“JEEZ Crybaby! You've never been to a demolition derby before? LAME!”

Jax was very excited, a demolition derby was just what he needed! What could be more fun than crashing cars into each other and making everyone else eat their dust?

In a flash, before anyone else could comment on either Jax’s ‘rude’ joke or how ridiculous the adventure sounded, Caine teleported everyone right outside a track, they all had tracksuits on that had matched their car, Pomni’s car was a noticable blue and red, Zooble’s car was an overstimulating amount of colours and patterns, kinger’s car was a very nice, dark, royal purple, and Jax's car was an awesome purple and yellow! 

“Oh heck yeah! This is going to be so awesome!” 

“shut it S### for brains.”

“Oh how nice of you Zoobie! I expected more!”

“Whatever. Where's Gangle and Ragatha?”

Zooble did raise a good question.. What happened to Dollface and Crybaby anyways?

……..

Whatever, maybe they'll come around later

“I think I saw them over by the food stand!^^”

..

.

“There's no food stands around here, Kinger?-” Pomni corrected Kinger

“Was it a drink stand?..” Kinger questioned “did I even see them? Oh! I saw the two over by the food stand!^^”

Pomni sighed and mentally gave up, she had to give up sooner or later-

All of the sudden Caine appears over the stadium as the audience pours into the seats

“I'D LIKE TO WELCOME EVERYONE TO THIS YEAR'S DISTRACTIONATED DISILLUSIONING DAPPER DEMOLITION DERBY™! Tonight we have some wonderful guests but first… let's get our water truck out here!”

And with a flick of his wrist, A water truck starts to drive through the track, the group looks closer in the seats, it's… Ragatha and Gangle? Weird pairing I guess, it sucks they won't join the rest of us.

After Gangle and Ragatha finished spraying the water onto the track to make sure no dust gets in anyone's lungs, the drivers poured in, it was a bit bare to say the least, except for…

“After our amazing bigtops, I'd like to introduce… THE EVIL BIGTOPS!”

Of. F###ing. Course.

As Caine ended his speech, 4 more cars drove onto the lot. The drivers exited their cars and waved to the crowd, they also had tracksuits, except, they were different colours, Bazooble’s hat was a dark grey, definitely better than Zooble's car, next was Evil Pomni, her suit was yellow and red, who could've guessed? The next two were Evil Ragatha and evil Jax, I guess Evil Orbsman and Dictatorer decided to sit this one out. I'm not complaining though

Caine let everyone but Jax and Pomni start the derby, saying they're the ‘grand finale’ or something along those lines.. whatever- 

“This sucks. Why do I have to be benched of all people?! I don't even think this is supposed to happen!”

“Well.. I don't think Caine understands most sports-”

Ugh.. if Jax has to be there any longer, he might have to start talking, and he does NOT want that.

“Shush, I can't hear you over the demolition.”

“Jax”

.

“What?”

“This might be a good time to finish our conversation”

Oh f### no.

“Sorry kid, but we ain't doing this during Caine's adventure.”

“Alright, how about you just tell me a bit more about yourself? I want to at least know more about your life, it doesn't have to be a lot”

Ugh, I guess Jax could give Pomni a few crumbs to get her off his back for the day.

“Whatever, well, my mom took me to one of these when I was younger, maybe around 14? I dunno, it was a while back”

“oh, well thats sounds interesting, I guess”

“What? Not enough for you? You're not entitled to the juicy stuff yet”

“Jax, I know you can be serious- can you try for just one minute and stop acting like a child?”

…

..

.

Thursday, October 18th.

##### was 14, him and his mother were driving to school, they had been running late that morning, #####’s brother said he was sick and couldn't go, which caused an argument between the two and a very tense drive between Mom and #####. 

Mom gripped the wheel “your brother is so annoying. Why can't he be more like you?”

“Oh. Uhm yeah, he's so irritating.”

“Right?! It's always a new thing with him! ‘I’m sick!’ ‘I’m mentally exhausted’! What a brat.”

##### swallowed his attitude, staring at the car's floor “Mhm, he's so annoying.”

“you know what. I've been too lenient, he's not going to that derby tonight.”

“I’m definitely not excited to hear him complain to me.”

##### never wanted to admit, but he hated this. Having to be the cushion for Mom and brother to complain about each other to. But in the end, at least he's allowed to go to the derby, even if his brother can't.

 likely or not, mom won't go through with it anyways.

.

..

…

“JAX!!”

Jax flinched back, how long was he zoning out for?

“Huh?- what happened?-”

Pomni sighed “I got a bit worried for a minute, you spaced out-”

“Oh”

“Maybe now's not the time..-”

D### right it's not.

“Erm, yeah, whatever-”

Jax found himself starting to space out again, that is, until he heard Pomni’s voice

“Did you truly mean what you said? About the whole ‘moving on and forgetting about you’ thing?”

…

“Not the time, pom-pom”

“I need to know”

“Not. The. Time.”

“I'll stop pushing.”

And like that, Pomni walked off to another bench. Did he say something wrong? It's not like Jax cared about that or anything, just a thought.

The adventure went on for another hour, the entire time having no input from anyone else, did anyone even know jax was still there? Whatever, it's not like it matters, they'll all abstract in the end and he'll eventually stop thinking about them.

Silently, Ragatha sits next to Jax, no words, just eating her salad- why did she choose Jax's bench? The others were perfectly open, and she didn't even say anything, just sat there eating her damn salad- where did Rags even get a salad? Is there food around somewhere? Whatever-

“Oh!- uhm, so, sorry about yesterday- I really didn't mean to ignore you or anything, it was just-”

“Pomni’s stupid plan?”

“It wasn't stupid”

“Why are you sitting here”

…

The silence stretched for minutes-

“I knew I shouldn't have, but I overheard you and Pomni talking…”

She what.

“And? We weren't talking about much.”

“Oh.. I guess not- but I just needed to know; are you doing alright?”

“Of course I am, Dollface. and unless you're gonna tell me where you got that salad, this conversation is over-”

“Oh! Well, Caine gave everyone free lunch vouchers for a food stand outside the stadium!^^”

I didn't think Caine developed More than the main focus..

“There's an outside?”

“There's a whole carnival outside the stadium, Caine told everyone to enjoy the festivities! Kinger was supposed to tell you because you were spaced out while Caine was telling us the good news-”

“Oh really?”

How many times did Jax space out today??- jeez this is happening a lot-

“Yeah, also, I got you something for lunch too, do you like funnel cake? If not, you can have my salad-!”

Eh, sure, it's been a while anyways. Jax takes the funnel cake from Ragatha and takes a bite of the fried dough, it wasn't actually that bad, that is, if it didn't have that staticy flavour every food here had-

“It's alright”

“thats good-^^”

“You can go now-”

“Oh, no one's waiting on me, it's fine, unless you want me to leave that is!-”

“uh.. do whatever-”

For the rest of the night, as everyone else enjoyed the carnival, Ragatha stayed at that bench with Jax, occasional smalltalk; as they are their food, now finally, the six get back to the circus everyone laughing and chatting as they head off to bed

Except for one; Jax decided to have a little talk with Caine for a minute.

“Ey Dentures.”

Caine, who was having a less than constructice conversation about dressage and monster trucks with Bubble, Turns to Jax and floats down to his level

“Yes my periwinkle paper pal?”

Eugh, what a weird nickname-

“What was with today's adventure?”

“Oh! The DISTRACTIONATED DISILLUSIONING DAPPER DEMOLITION DERBY™?”

“Yeah, whatever-”

“What about it?”

 If Caine could smile, he would be beaming right about now

“Why were me and Pomni benched? I don't think that's how demolition derbies work”

“Oh! I might've sensed a bit of tension between you two! And what could be better than letting you talk it out under my amazing supervison?:D”

“That was so stupid.”

“Oh.. you didn't like it?:(”

“Er.. whatever, I'll just head to bed-”

“Alrighty Jax! Sweet dreams!^^”

Jax made his way all the way back to his bedroom, stepping over the mess, and flopping onto his gaming chair, he didn't feel like sleeping in bed tonight.

Jax then laid back and fell asleep in his gaming chair, probably having a better sleep than he usually does

Chapter Text

Jax got up from bed, when did he move spots? He didn't remember waking up in the middle of the night in the slightest.. But he did feel well rested today, which felt like a nice change of pace.

Then Jax checked the time; 3:47PM. No wonder he felt well rested! He was asleep most of the day!!!! Jax quickly throws on a grey jacket and out the door he goes.

“Eugh.. why didn’t Caine wake me up?! I'm going to punt that pair of chatter teeth when I see him.” 

As Jax makes his daring sprint to the main stage, until that is, he ends up bumping into Gangle, both of them falling to the floor. 

Just like the cliche, Gangle’s books scatter around the two. Why the f#### was Gangle carrying so many d### books?!

“Ey! Watch where you're going, Crybaby! I could've gotten hurt!”

“Jax, I don't want to deal with this today.. I'm sorry…”

Tch, what's the point of an action without a reaction? Gangle was getting so boring since she started hanging out with Zooble.

“I don't think Zooble is a good influence.”

“What?”

C### did he say that out loud?!- shiii—

“You heard me, Zooble is not a good influence on you.”

“...”

“Nothing to say, crybaby?”

“What would you know about good role models?”

“Tch- I'm a great influence! I'm actually fun to be around”

Gangle stared at Jax with a strange glare, one he's never seen from her, did he seriously hurt her feelings or something?

“Struck a nerve, ey Saddy?”

Gangle quickly gathers her books, wrapping her ribbon hand right around Jax's wrist before pulling him away.

“H-Hey!! Cut it out, Ribbons! It was a darn joke!”

“We're getting to the bottom of this, Jax”

Now Gangle’s trying to get a slice of his life story?!- what the heck is with these people?! He's just trying to live his dang life! His story wasn't even that interesting! 

Gangle drags Jax all the way down to her room, a bit too red for his taste-

Gangle points to the mattress 

“Sit!”

What the f### was he? A d### dog? Jax stood still, trying to think of the most nonchalant way to escape

“I think those mangas are getting to your head, Ribbons”

“Sit on the bed, please?”

“Yeah noo.. you see, I have better things to do than reenact your weird fantasies.”

With not a single word more, Gangle lightly shoves Jax onto the bed.

Jax laid on the bed awkwardly, not really knowing what else to do-

“You're not hearing about my life.”

“I'd beg to differ”

Does she seriously think she's intimidating?? It's a pile of ribbon with porcelain masks! Jax could easily just push her to the floor and head out-

“and what's stopping me from just leaving?”

“... Stuff”

“Whatever-”

Jax gets himself up from Gangle's bed and dust himself off before starting to walk off

“Well this wasn't fun and I'll have fun making you pay for this!^^” 

Jax goes to open the door, it's locked shut.

“What the f### is up with the door, Crybaby?!-”

“It's locked” 

“Well.. unlock it?”

“Not until you explain”

“Explain.. what exactly??-”

“Why you're such a an a##hole all the time!”

“I’m not an a##hole! I’m hilarious and you just don't understand true comedy!”

Gangle was visibly getting more irritated with Jax's bullc###. 

“Just give me one actually good reason.”

Jax throws on a smirk as he leans against a wall

“You’re a cringe crybaby nerd weeaboo that people talk to for some reason”

Can Jax be any more difficult? Surely Gangle's going to give up now- 

Gangle squints at Jax and tilts her head to the side

“Weeaboo?”

“You”are literally wearing a Hatsune Miku T-shirt, it’s obvious. We could also talk about that little blue book if you're still not getting it~”

That seems to panic Gangle a bit-

“Woah woah woah! We don't need to talk about that right now!-”

“Oh come onnn, it’s funny! Learn to take a joke, Crybaby!”

“Just cooperate!!! If you give me a serious answer, I'll let you go-”

“Is someone already getting tired of our little conversation?~”

Gangle is so easy to break, pun intended; Jax will be out in no time! He just needs to keep this up for a few more minutes

“I really didn't wanna do this..”

Wait what? What is Gangle going to do?

Gangle heads to the top of her bed, lifts a Katarina Claes plushie to reveal..

A single corncob.

“You talk or I’ll.. Uhrm.. I’ll throw this at you!”

Jax would laugh at Gangle’s weak sounding threat if he wasn't currently being threatened with his literal greatest fear right now.

“Eugh- fine- I'll spill-”

“Thank you^^”

Jax starts to think of what exactly he should say that wouldn’t and couldn’t be made fun of later or talked about..

“I used to take theater in middle school, is that good enough?”

“Really? How many plays?”

“Two, and I don't mean to brag; but I was the lead in one of them!”

Jax throws his grin back over his face, clearly bragging

“Soo… you were a theater kid?”

Oh how dare she- Jax is CERTAINLY not a theater kid

“UH excuse you! I'm completely normal! I'm not a freak weeaboo like you!”

“You say that but I’m not sure you’re really that different from me-”

Jumping the gun’ll be sure to get Gangle to shut up about this topic, Jax is sure about that

“Give me one reason you think I’m like you, Ribbons”

Gangle sighs as she starts to speak

“Most normal people don’t call miku by her full name, nor do most of these ‘normal people’ you say you are read mangas”

Wait, how did she know Jax reads manga?? Seriously, how the f###

“I don't read manga.”

“Pomni told me you lent her a manga a few weeks ago”

A silence stretched for three minutes

….

“How are you sure I didn't just steal it from you?”

“I don't read chainsaw man, Jax-”

f###! Gangle saw the cover? Just great. Jax is practically digging his own grave at this point! He needed to get out of here-

Jax quietly tried to jiggle the door handle again

“Can I leave now? This room is two shades darker than I enjoy, and your anime figure collection is creepier than Kinger’s stare”

“Oh! Right...”

Gangle digs a key out of her bedside table and unlocks the door for Jax to leave, in return Jax shoves Gangle out of the way and struts out the door. Gangle’s mask collides with the floor, breaking on impact

“Ow..”

“This was not fun and I'll remember this when I'm talking about it in therapy!”

Jeez Gangle was pushy about that-.... 

…

..

.

Jax had a key to Gangle’s room this whole time, How the heck did he forget that?! He didn't have to tell Gangle anything! Ughhh.. Stupid!!!! 

Whatever, Jax struts off to the main stage before he heard Ragatha and Pomni whispering to each other

“What I’m saying is that we need to一”

Booooorring! Jax tunes out the conversation, sure some blackmail on them would be cool, but Jax’s ears were tired from having to listen to gangle talk for what felt like hours-

Once entering the common area, Jax starts to question why he wanted to come to the main stage anyways- d###it Gangle, making him lose track of what he's doing-

Whatever, at least Jax can get something to eat while he's out of his room and maybe mess with Kinger or something.

Jax goes out to the kitchen and checks the fridge for any drinks and or labeled meals, there were three water bottles, a sandwich, and oh? Zooble’s cheesecake?

“Don't mind if I do!”

Jax picks up the strawberry cake, he never really liked strawberry, but cheesecake and the fact it was Zooble's was definitely enticing. He also grabs a bottle of cream soda because water was just too boring-

Jax closes the fridge just to see mix and match themself; Zooble

“Is that my cheesecake?”

“Ohhh come on Zoobie! You didn't label it, so how am I supposed to know it's yours?~”

“Well, can you put it back?”

“Finder's keepers!”

“Oh my God. Can you stop acting like a child and put my cake back?!-”

“how about you—... Uh- shut it about the cake!”

Jax makes a run for it, running right past Zooble, right past the main stage, and back into his room; Jax takes a deep breath as he shuts the door behind him and smoothes down his fur in a

stonishment

“Jeez- why do these people keep talking to me?!- ugh, I need a break-”

Jax sits on his bed and starts to eat his stolen Cheesecake, man, this cake was a lot better than expected-

I wonder how Mom's doing right now.

Chapter Text

Hello morning, I did not miss you.

Jax wakes up from probably one of the worst sleeps he's had, he really didn't want to deal with Pomni’s ‘Getting to know you’ bullc###..

Whatever, Jax could just ignore her for today, lets just hope today’s adventure is exciting enough for her to overlook it, Jax does his usual morning routine of Smoothing his fur and throwing on a grin, this time, he also decides to keep his jacket on, it's a nice jacket, comfortable, familiar even- whatever, it's just a jacket

Jax opens up the door and leaves his room, heading to the main stage as per usual, jeez this is getting repetitive, 

“Eugh…. Can something interesting happen for once?”

Jax huffs in irritation, who’s d### has he gotta suck to get some variety around here?? Jax stands backstage with everyone else to do the 6:15 morning theme song, most of the theme song is ignored by Jax as he just goes through the motions, and now, for the moment of truth; Caine reveals the adventure for the day

“HEEEEELLO MY PILLOW PIRATES AND DISCOUNT DEMONS!”

Where is this guy getting these titles???

“Now for today’s whimsical adventure, I took a look at the INTERNET for some ideas…”

This CAN’T be good-

“... and I have decided; YOU WILL ALL BE GETTING JOBS!”

Everyone is silent until pomni speaks up with her usual questions

“Wait, you went on the internet??-” 

“Oh but of course my favorite Jaded Jester girl! The internet is AMAZING is it not?”

Pomni is quite confused but chooses not to keep pushing (for once)

“Uhm.. Yeah- Sure-”

“Well I welcome you ALL to the SPECTACULAR SENIOR LIVING FACILITY AVAGANZA™!!!!!”

Oh for f###’s sake.

The crew are quickly ushered into a portal and there they stood, ‘Aunt Jay’s retirement and Senior living for old people’ (stupid long name.)

“This looks.. Fun!- What do you think guys??-”

Ragatha and her Always cheery moods strikes again

“I always hated this place. Can we do something less boring?”

“We’ve.. Never been here, Jax-” 

Craaaaaap… he really needs to think before he speaks- now Pomni’s onto him like a Hunter during duck season- lets hope they don’t get similar tasks and he doesn’t have to open up again

Ragatha comes around with everyone’s schedules and tasks

“Alright everyone! These are your schedules for the day and一 oh..Kinger, it looks like you will be working in memory care today, so please don't lose your keycard-^^“

“WHAT? Oh! Thank you:3”

Kinger leaves to find the memory care unit, while he does that, everyone looks at their new schedule and complains about their uniforms and tasks; mostly Jax, unfortunately for Jax, he would be working alongside Jingle-Jangle herself; Pomni.

The two head to the laundry room for their first task.

“So.. about that comment you made earlier??”

“Typo.”

“This isn't a text- you can't just blame a typo-”

“Look, if you don't believe me, then that’s not my problem, Jingle-Bells”

“Jax!!”

“Whattt?? I’m just saying!”

“Can you please just explain?”

“In a minute, Twinkle-Toes-”

A minute or two later the two end up in the laundry room, Jax instantly gets to putting dirty clothes in the washer while Pomni just watches

“You seem to be.. Really good at this- Big family?”

“Nah”

Jax continues to shovel clothes into the washers until they were all filled, after that, all the two had to do was wait

“So.. any previous experience in this?"

“A little bit, you?”

“Not at all-”

“Not even your parents?”

“Well, my mom was a dentist and Dad was a Restaurant host-”

“Riveting~”

“What were your parents, then?”

“Oh really?”

“Mhm!”

“Well..”

November 13th

Mom and ##### were driving to ##### senior living facility, ##### usually helped out his mom with laundry and cleaning, it was what ##### Was used to, after school he'd walk to Mom's job where he'd either wait in his mom's car or help her work

The two pull into the senior living facility 

“So.. what are we doing today, mom?”

“Well I have to clean some of these rooms, but there’s probably some laundry you can do in the laundry room”

“Alright-”

##### started his walk to the laundry room he's been to about a hundred times- 

…

..

.

“Jax!!”

Jax jumped, snapping out of his trance, did he really zone out again? Whatever, what was Pomni saying?

“Oh- uh- yeah?-”

“You started your sentence and then spaced out for a bit-”

“Right-..”

“Care to finish your sentence?”

What were we even chatting about again?

“Huh?”

Pomni shows a deadpan expression before explaining 

“where your parents worked?-”

“Oh.. Well, my mom worked in a place like this and my dad, I'm not really sure what my dad did”

“How so??"

“i just don't know-”

“I- Do you not have a dad?-”

“No of course I have a dad- I just don't know much about him-”

Pomni looks at Jax suspiciously, why does she have the need to know everything about Jax?? Seriously, bro’s just trying to live his life-

“well.. I'm pretty sure I can put the clothes in the dryer, could you check up on memory care? I’m a bit worried Kinger might get lost-”

“Oh, uh, sure, I'll check on koo-koo Kenny for ya-”

“Thanks!^^”

And just like that, Jax was heading towards the memory care unit, why was he put there of all places? If he gets stuck the NPC employees surely won't help him because they'd just think he's one of the nutjobs who lives there-

 and he might as well be because that's exactly what's happening, Jax makes it to the entrance to the memory care unit to see Kinger Trying to talk to an NPC to get him out

“Look sir, I can't let you out of the unit- now go back to your room please-”

“Oh but I work here! Could you please just let me out?”

“Sir, I could probably just lead you back to your room but you aren't leaving-”

“Well you do seem pretty confident- maybe I do live here^^”

Welp, time for Jax to clean up this situation, as much as he wants to watch the nutjob being taken back to the memory care unit, Pomni would not be the happiest with him-

“Ey man- this guy is an employee, he's just a bit older”

“He is?”

“Me am?”

“Whatever- yeah, he is, just open the door so he can do his work”

“Alright alright, jeez man-”

The NPC opens up the memory care unit for Kinger to leave and heads back through the unit, Kinger and jax are left to talk

“Thank you jax^^”

“Uh, yeah, sure, not a prob-”

“I was actually thinking about—”

The lights go out at that very moment, a random NPC screams 

“WE FORGOT TO PAY THE POWER BILL!!”

At that moment, every NPC starts panicking, Jax pulls down his ears to muffle the commotion, of all things here in the circus, being a rabbit wasn't his favorite part.

Kinger starts to pull Jax away, assumably to panic with everyone else

“Kinger what are you-”

Suddenly, Kinger pulls Jax into a janitor's closet, it was big enough for both Jax and Kinger to have space of their own

“You ok, Jax?”

“It's literally just a power outage, you don't need to pani— Wait what?” 

Kinger chuckles in response 

“I guess I am a crazy old man at most times-”

Uh.. excuse me what.

“Why are you acting so weird?”

“First, how are your ears?"

Jax had to admit, his ears were definitely ringing a bit from the screaming and panic from the NPCs

“They're fine I guess- Now about you?”

“oh thats great^^ also, as for your question, the dark usually helps me remember things”

Of course that's the case..

“Alright- So what, are you gonna force me to open up like everyone else in this damn circus lately?”

“Not unless you want to”

“Alright then- Can I go now?”

Jax did not want to learn anymore about Kinger, he was the crazy one, he can't be actually sane.

“Well I'm pretty sure they're still screaming out there, I don't think that's the greatest idea-..”

“Whatever, I guess I'll get comfortable”

……

“Y’know, you've come a long way since you arrived, you've definitely gotten stronger, but also, you've gotten more locked up”

Of course he remembers that

“Or really? Are you saying I'm insecure or something?”

“No, Jax, I'm just saying, I'm here for you if you ever need it, my pillow fort is always open^^”

Jax hadn't really heard Kinger be this sane, it was kinda unnerving, but also, pretty nice

“Oh.. well.. I- guess? I guess I'll come around sometime?”

Jax didn't know what to say, he cannot lie, he didn't know how to deal with something with dementia suddenly remembering everything- not really something he's dealt with working in senior living.

“how pleasant is that?^^”

Kinger smiled at Jax with his eyes, he was trying way too hard.

Suddenly, a light can be seen from the crack under the door, which either meant the lights were back or someone had a flashlight, either way, better than being stuck with Kinger.

Jax unhands his ears and stands on his legs before finally opening the door, light filled the closet as the lights were running again.

“Oh thank f###..-”

“Huh? Oh hi Jax!^^”

“Hello to you too nutjob-”

Jax walks off to see if Pomni was done with the laundry, she'll be happy to know that Kinger was fine

“Heeeeello Jingle-Bells!”

“Oh hey Jax, how was Kinger doing?”

“he was crazy as ever-” 

“Oh, well that's good?-”

“Whatever, how are you doing with the laundry?”

“oh, well I managed to get all of the clothes from the dryer, but we still need to fold it-”

“I got it, just… chill in that corner for a bit? I'd rather you not get your ‘jesterness’ on the clothes-”

Pomni was rather offended, but who can pass up not having to do chores?

Jax was folding clothes while Pomni sat at the wall awkwardly, the whole situation started to feel pretty awkward so Pomni tries to stir up a conversation.

“Any jobs before this?"

“I was 15-”

“Right- sorry-”

“Wanna try again?”

“Yeah-”

“Then shoot”

Pomni contemplated for a moment on whether or not her questions are appropriate before asking another

“What did you want to be when you grew up?”

Now this was an interesting question, what did Jax want to be?

“I guess I wanted to be a gamer when I grew up-”

“Really?”

“Shush it, I was 15-”

“Fair point-”

And the day goes on, Jax and Pomni folded clothes, Ragatha did inventory, Gangle and Zooble cleaned rooms, and Kinger… no idea-

They all make it back to the circus with an A- for good work ethics, Jax saunters back to his room

“G’night Pom-Pom, see ya in the morning”

“Good night to you too Jax-” 

The second Pomni closes that door, Jax shuts his own and leaps onto the mattress- exhausted, he didn't expect to be doing his old last time today, maybe; just maybe, the circus wasn't that repetitive?

##### doesn't miss me in the slightest.

Chapter Text

 6:15am, morning to you too, digital hellscape, every morning, I am reminded that this; is not a dream. Except, it's not morning, it is already almost 4pm.. Guess I must've dozed off for a few extra hours, at least I don't have to deal with Caine's interesting adventures-

 I am instantaneously out of bed at the sound of Jax and Gangle arguing over books and bad influences or something stupid like that.

I brush out my hair and try to pry this stupid jester hat off my head like I do every morning, and just like every morning; I fail to do so. I huff and head out the door, straightening out my gloves so the group thinks I actually try to keep myself put together- 

I walk down the hall to see Gangle and Jax were nowhere in sight, strange; but not my problem, I see Ragatha in the distance and decide to talk to her; I had a plan she needed to hear, It might work better than my last and all I have to do is convince her of that. 

“Hey Ragatha!-"

“Oh! Hi Pomni!! How was your day off? O-Oh!! Sorry for assuming! I-It was a day off right?”

“Oh yeah, it was, don't worry about it- what was today’s adventure about?”

“Oh well we just did some space cleanup-^^”

“Space… cleanup???”

“It’s a bit difficult to explain-”

Well at least the adventure isn't the main point of the conversation, Thank god Jax isn't around right now

“So.. I wanted to present an idea-”

“Oh! I’m sorry for the assumption; but will it be anything like your last idea?-”

“Well.. I dont think so..”

“Are you sure?? No.. Ignoring Jax to get him to go back to his room so you could chat??”

I- Did Ragatha really not trust me???

“No- but.. It does have to do with Ja-”

“I’m sorry but I don't think I can help you with that…”

“What? I want to help him!”

“I’ve been here a long while.. He isn't going to budge, I've tried, believe me on this, just… leave him be..”

I didn’t know Ragatha already tried, but would it really hurt to try harder??

“Please, just trust me on this, hear me out just once”

Ragatha sighs

“Alright, lay it on me”

“I want to help Jax open up, I don't want him to abstract and for people to forget him for who he really was, I don't want him to be remembered as just a jerk rabbit.”

“I really don’t know about this, don’t you remember how p##### he was during the demolition derby adventure?”

“Look, I just know something isn't right with him. He keeps... Zoning out mid-sentence, It’s also like- he keeps going back and forth, it's hard to figure out if he likes me or wants me dead. You noticed too, right?"

Ragatha’ expression was filled with hesitance as she pondered for a reply- one eventually gets to her

“We did get to talk for a bit after Caine let us enjoy the fair.. It was a bit awkward but… I don’t think should be saying this-”

“Please? This is to help him”

“I respect Jax’s privacy enough—you know what alright, he needs help”

“Thank you, Ragatha”

“Jax was actually pretty pleasant when I talked to him, approachable even, and he didn't even try to steal my food or pull a prank on me, it was bizarre, and this morning, he wasn't here for the morning lineup either.. Jax is usually first up, so I'm a bit concerned…”

“Well heard him and Gangle arguing in the halls earlier-”

“Of course he was.. About what?”

“I couldn't really hear them that well but it was something about books or whatever- I didn't see them when I left my room though,”

“I hope Gangle’s ok”

“Yeahhh- well, now the plan?”

“Alright, what do we have to do?”

“Alright, so what im saying is we need to find ways to get him to open up, we could get Caine to help us out so we can separate Jax off with someone each adventure”

“Alright, but how would you get everyone back on board for this? Especially Kinger, he's not known to be the greatest at secret keeping..”

“Well.. he did pretty good last time, did he?”

“I mean I guess,”

“All we have to do is get Caine to schedule an event during next adventure where he can try to get through to Jax that he is cared about”

Ragatha looked subtly uncertain about how to respond, she starts to question my plan

“What exactly are you getting at?”

“What I’m saying is that we need to get Caine on board for this to work.”

A shudder rolled down my back as I felt eyes on me for a moment, I looked behind me, no one there? Well as long as it wasn't Jax, it's alright

Zooble runs past me and Ragatha, seeming pretty mad by the looks of it

“Ugh that b######.. Have you seen him?”

I was a bit confused as to what exactly happened, luckily, so was Ragatha 

“What happened?”

Zooble lets out a deep breath before explaining 

“I went out to the kitchen to get something to drink I saw Jax at the fridge with my f###ing cheesecake and before I could get it back he ran off like the immature brat he is.”

Oh…- 

“Well, I do think I felt someone watching for a second while me and Ragatha were chatting, he might've went back to his room”

“Thanks Pomni, I'll go check I guess?”

And like that, Zooble was gone. Both me and Ragatha were definitely a bit tense, was Jax really listening?

“How about we just pray he didn't hear much?”

“Good idea- His attention span was never that great anyways”

“That doesn't sound surprising”

“It really isn't- He wasn't that old when he got here afterall-”

“I think he told me that”

“So does that mean your first plan actually worked? I-I'm not saying I didn't believe in you!- Sorry-!”

“It's alright, and yeah actually, it worked to an extent, I got to hear more about his backstory”

We continue to chat for the next hour about different topics, it was nice to catch up with Ragatha, and when we both finally stopped, it was pretty late, we head back to our rooms to sleep

Well at least, Ragatha did; I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling as I mess with my hat. What if Jax didn't want to join the next adventure? That would definitely throw a wrench into things..

Goodnight digital hellscape, until tomorrow.

Chapter Text

4am, back to an old habit I see? 

Jax gets out of bed, he finds himself leaving his room, wandering the circus for god knows what… I thought he was looking for the key? Why is he still looking for something he already has? Well.. no one can stop Jax. For what he's searching for is beyond our comprehension.

Jax ends up in the kitchen, he doesn't feel like he's actually controlling where he goes, it's as if he's being directed to the kitchen on someone else's accord.

He opens the fridge, feeling the cold air hot his face; it wakes him up a bit, how did he end up in the kitchen? Was he spacing out? Well whatever.. it probably doesn't matter

The fridges inside wasn't much, these characters didn't have good taste in food, Gangle had one of those marble sodas, Pomni had a sandwich, Ragatha had a slim, almost sad looking slice of cake, Kinger had what looked like an empty plastic drink bottle??? Whatever.. Well, lastly, Zooble had their cheesecake. Perfectly labeled this time with death threats and doodles,

That never stopped him! Jax picked up the chocolate cheesecake, what's wrong with dessert For breakfast? 

His mom surely didn't care.

Who even came up with the meal system?? They were probably stupid. 

Jax sat himself down in one of the chairs to enjoy the cake, it was… interesting, well, not his cup of tea, he always preferred New York style or huckleberry, but beggars can't be choosers

If only the food here didn't taste so staticy, the kitchen suddenly lit up, Jax opened his eyes to see Bubble? He strolled to the fridge, ate Gangle's marble drink, closed the fridge, and floated away- Great, another thing to be blamed for in the morning, eugh.

Jax leaned back in his chair with his cheesecake, he didn't feel tired, why did he feel like he needed to find something so bad? Why was his head pounding every one of these mornings??

 Finally, Jax finished his cake and writes his own note for Zooble 

“Delicious cheesecake Zoobie, what's wrong with sharing?” 

And he places the note and plate exactly where he found it in the fridge, they'll enjoy it in the morning

Jax heads back out to the main stage where everyone would soon swarm for the morning theme song, he shoved his hands in his pockets before wandering the grounds, nothing new from the first 100 times he's done this, nothing other than a few bugs, probably from the Wacko’s collection.

Kinger really let go of himself if I'm being honest- 

Jax continues his mindless search until a voice is heard behind him

“Uhm, hello?”

Greaaaat. Someone caught him wandering the grounds like a lunatic! Maybe him and Kinger weren't all that different 

“Jax? What are you doing out of bed again?”

Jax's ears begin to perk up. Again?? This happened MULTIPLE times tonight?

“What do you mean, Rags?"

Ragatha turns on her flashlight before muttering a response 

“You should really get back to bed..”

“Well what are you doing up?” 

Ragatha sighed at Jax's snappy remark before grabbing Jax's hand

“To make sure you aren't wandering the circus looking for her.”

… Is that what I've been mindlessly searching for?? A person??

“Ey! Back off crypt keeper! And, who? Pomni?”

Jax notices Ragatha look back at Jax with an expression of shock

“You're telling me you don't even know what you're looking for?”

“Am I supposed to??”

Ragatha ends up finally dragging Jax back to his front door

“Stay asleep this time, alright?”

Jax watches as Ragatha walked back to her bedroom, glancing at Jax before heading back inside, did she know something he didn't??

Who the h### is Ragatha talking about when she said ‘her’?? It must've been Pomni, right? He sure as hell wouldn't be looking for Gangle or Zooble.. but wait, why would he be looking for Pomni in the first place?!

This was not a spiral Jax wanted to deal with outside his door, he opens the door, and gets back inside, sitting himself on his comfy desk chair, staring back at his ‘assignments’ Caine tried giving him when he first entered the circus, probably just pity because Jax joined so early in life, well, whatever, when has algebra ever helped anyone?

After a while of staring and messing with his rabbit stuffy, he manages to fall asleep in his chair

6:15, good morning digital h###scape!

Caine started with his morning announcement waking everyone up, Jax stood up from his chair before fixing up his fur, making sure it was smoothed out, before leaving his room

As he walked to the main stage he watched as everyone socialized with one another, seems like they're all in a good mood this morning 

Abruptly he hears a loud yell from the kitchen, why was Zooble so annoying this morning? Eugh. Whatever, not my problem

Zooble storms out of the kitchen and runs towards Jax before strangling him for no reason! 

Jax choked and tried to push Zooble off of him before Pomni luckily broke up the fight 

“Woah woah woah!- what's with the aggression this morning?-”

Jax tried to catch his breath as he listened to Zooble's probably horrible reasoning for the assault

“THAT JACKA## ATE MY CHEESECAKE AND LEFT A D### NOTE IN THE FRIDGE SAYING HE TOOK IT!”

“I didn't do that! You-” 

Jax had to take a second to catch a breath

“You assaulted me for no reason!”

“You know what you did!”

Ragatha stood between to break this up, she clearly didn't want to deal with this so early 

“Ok let's calm down- Zooble, can we see the note?”

“You don't believe me?- Whatever, here”

Ragatha gets handed a blue sticky note before staring at Jax disappointedly

“Jax, why did you eat her cake?”

“I didn't!”

What the f### were these nut jobs blabbing on about?!-

Caine comes in to put everyone in place for the theme song, clearly feeling the tension from miles away

The Theme song goes as normal and Caine starts his morning speech 

“GOOOOOD MORNING MY PRECIOUS CHARMS WITH ALL THE ARMS! I heard how all of you LOOOOVE my AMAZING Caine adventures and thought we should get a bit more on our creative side by taking BONNIE BRUSHHEAD’S GENERIC ART CLASS™!” 

Eugh, of course Caine is catering for Gangle this time! He has to be picking favorites at this point.

He could practically hear Gangle's happy squeal from miles off.

The portal opens up and everyone enters happy for something ‘easier’

Everyone but Jax that is.

The room was basically what he expects a high school classroom to look, a woman sat at the front desk waiting for the everyone to sit down

Once everyone gets in their seats art supplies appeared at everyone's desks, but it was only one specific type each, Pomni had ribbons and pompoms, Ragatha had tape and glitter glue, Kinger had pencils and markers, Zooble had scissors and cardboard Gangle had glitter and sequins, and Jax had construction paper.

The teacher starts to write on the blackboard

“Ok class, today we’ll be learning teamwork by sharing materials! Every one of you has a specific material, all you kids have to do is cooperate and share to construct a perfect piece, each of you will have to make something beautiful with a partner of my choosing!”

Great, he can't just work alone. Feels like middle school all over again! 

The teacher starts to list out the pairs

“Alright, our first pair will be Kinger and Ragatha, then Zooble and Pomni, and lastly Jax and Gangle”

Seriously? He has to work with Crybaby of all people? Well at least he didn't get Zooble or s### for brains

Well here Jax was, being ordered around by Gangle, ugh.

“Can you ask Ragatha for some—glitter glue?”

Whatever, hell just get the d### glue and get this over with

“Fine” 

Jax heads over to Ragatha before snatching a yellow tube of glitter glue

“I'll be taking this” 

“You're supposed to ask!”

“Not my problem”

Jax heads back to Gangle's desk, ignoring Ragatha's whining before tossing the glue onto Gangle's desk

“There, just as requested”

Gangle was silent for a second 

“I uhm.. I asked for blue glitter glue..”

What? She never specified anything.

“you didn't specify!” 

“I remember saying blue..”

“I can't read your mind, Crybaby.”

“Jackson Rabbit! I'm calling your parent and or guardian!”

“Not my name, fruit cup-”

Before Jax could finish his snide remark, Caine is there in a flash and teleports Jax and himself back to the same office he was taken to after his shift at Spudsy’s a few weeks back

“What is it this time, Chatters?”

“Now now my peppy purple Bunny! We do not tolerate that bully behavior in the classroom! We will stay in this office until the adventure is over so you can think about what you've done!”

“Ugh, whatever. I've been to the principal's office long enough that we'll just sit in silence until something comes up.”

“I'm not the principal today, my beautiful bunny boy! I'm the councilor today!”

A pair of glasses appear onto Caine's eyes, as well as a journal in his hands

“Now, how are you feeling this afternoon?”

What the h###? This guy is trying too hard for feedback.

…

..

.

September 13th, ????

“Now dear we will wait until your mother gets here, I hope this suspension sets you straight”

“But I didn't mean it!”

“#####, you don't just threaten to stab someone over a chair as a joke. This is a serious issue! What would your father think?”

“I don't know!”

The room is silent, why did he have to speak up? It was a dumb chair, nothing more, seats weren't assigned, they were playing a game, why was he so eager to sit there?

“Don’t raise your voice at me, #####. You should respect your elders.”

“Shut up.”

Silence, Principal ##### opens a notepad before writing something down, ripping it out and handing it to #####

“I'm extending your suspension to a week.”

##### wanted the chair to swallow him up at this point, why did he say that?

…

..

.

He sees Bubble floating right over him, watching him.. Creepy…

“Oh! Jax! Your mind wandered off for a minute!”

“Oh did it now?”

Of course his stupid brain decided to zone out again.

“Of course! Now as we were saying-”

“I've learned my lesson, take me back to my room.”

“Now, now, my significant salamander! Just talk to me! You can't walk out of this^^”

“Whatever,”

Jax shoos bubble off before speaking

“Well you're just an AI so it doesn't matter what I tell you, might as well say a few things, shoot your dumb questions.”

Caine lit up at Jax's response, starting his questions

“Well first off, why did you say it?”

“Gangle didn't specify what glue she wanted and got mad when I gave her what she asked for.”

“Are you sure you were completely listening to her?”

“Well, I might've zoned out for a second but I know I heard her” 

“Well from what I'm hearing you also stole Zooble’s cheesecake and Ragatha’s glue without asking!”

“Sure, I might've just taken the glue, but I know I did not steal Zooble's dumb cake!”

“The logs say you took it around 4 this morning, and you can't argue with the circus logs”

“Well I don't remember anything! I woke up at 6:15 with everyone else, I was framed!” 

“Well, you might just not remember^^ happens a lot of you've been here long enough”

“I’m not crazy like you or Kinger.” 

“Now, now, we both know I didn't say that!”

“Can I just go back to my room now?”

“Hmph! Fine! It's not like that adventure took me hours or anything!”

This pair of dentures cared way too much.

In an instant Jax is on is bed staring at the ceiling- what the f### was today? Confusing didn't even start to describe it-

Well, at least he could stop trying to comprehend whatever happened today for the rest of the night

Good night, digital h###scape!

Chapter Text

3am, Jax hasn't slept all night, everything was so confusing 

He couldn't figure out what the heck everyone was talking about when it came to Zooble's dumb cake, not that he wouldn't have stolen it, he definitely would, it's just that..

He doesn't remember doing it.

Maybe they were talking about the strawberry cheesecake he took when Gangle tried to kidnap him? 

But why would they care two days later??

It just ate into his mind.. Why was he even still pondering this?? Zooble would get over it; no one cares that much about a dumb slice of cake.

I mean, who's favorite cake is cheesecake? It's just expensive sludge in a graham crackers crust, it felt more like a pie if anything.

Jax exhaled, stupid assumptions. Why did they even make cheese as their own dessert?? It's weird

Ugh. These cheesecake thoughts were getting out of hand, why did he care this much about cake? maybe thinking about something else will get his mind off it

How about his life in the past? Before this?

His mom, his.. dad? His brother 

Whatever…

None of them really mattered all that much, Jax hated his family, and his family hated him too.

At least he thinks that's how it worked, his mom was annoyingly spineless and his brother was just an a##hole. He's supposed to love them because they're family? Who came up with that stupid theory? It's basically just forcing people to love each other for life just because they share blood!!

He really needed to snap out of his thoughts

Jax decided to clear his thoughts by going out for a walk, who's up at 3am anyways?

The halls were empty, dark as well, Jax heads through the halls and enters the main stage where everyone is supposed to wake up sooner or later. This reminded him; of that night he had spent looking for Pomni's key..

How did he lose that key in the first place?? His keys NEVER leave his pockets, how could he have possibly lost it???

A hand is suddenly draped on Jax's shoulder, Jax flinches and turns to see who's up this early

“Oh! Uhm.. Sorry-”

Jax shoots a glare to the short Jester 

“What are you doing up this early? Are you really that obsessed with my masculine charm?~”

Jax tried to play off his embarrassment with cheeky flirting 

Pomni sighs at Jax's advance

“I couldn't sleep- So I decided to see if Kinger was still awake, but I didn't really expect you to be up”

“Sleep is for the weak”

Pomni deadpans at Jax for a beat

“Seriously? I know we don't technically.. Have to sleep, but.. Do you really have to make yourself sound like a redditor??”

Jax feigned offense 

“How dare you compare me to such! I was clearly a discord moderator!”

Jax was clearly joking, but Pomni decided to take it truthfully

“Really? Explains the horrible sense of humor, who could've known!~”

Now Jax was actually offended, how dare Pomni use his own joke against him

“Growing a backbone are we? How dare you!”

Jax lets out a dry laugh at Pomni's teasing, truly a Jester, ain't she?

“So… what are you actually doing up?”

“Do ya always gotta interview me like I was taken in by the FBI?”

“Only if you keep making your life sound interesting”

“So… basically all the time?”

“Yup”

Wait

Jax could finally ask about the key that Pomni somehow had

“Where'd you find the key?”

Pomni was slightly confused 

“What- Answer my question first”

“Whatever- I told the truth!”

“Alright I guess, well, care to explain your question? I have no idea what you're talking about”

Oh, right, Pomni wouldn't have been thinking what he was thinking about 

“That day you got everyone to ignore me, how'd you know I was looking for that key? And why did you give it back?”

Pomni widened her eyes in a hint of surprise 

“Oh! Well… It was really just dumb luck- Caine found it on the floor after the… award show.. and kinda gave it back to me”

“That's… logical? I guess??”

Pomni raised an eyebrow 

“Did you expect more??”

“Well- Kinda??”

“Well.. as unrealistic as this place is.. this isn't a fanfiction written by a 15 year old girl online-”

“You read fanfiction? Nerd”

“Don't act like I didn't see your collection of manga in your room! Also, the kind of manga you read? Embarrassinggg!”

“Oh you're the worst!- I only read those ironically”

“So it's only ironic when you giggle at your ‘my next life as the villainess’ mangas?”

“Who told you about that?! I mean.. I took that from Gangle's room and was only giggling at how cringe the storyline was!”

Pomni stared at Jax with a raised brow, she definitely didn't believe Jax

“Mhm, sureee-”

“Eugh. Whatever, stop being cringe.”

“Is the bunny mad?”

“I am not a Bunny! I'm a rabbit! there's a difference!” 

“Is there?”

“Yes!”

“Mhm, sure dude-”

Jax was pissed but he couldn't let Pomni know that, she'd just fuel the fire!

Jax pushes Pomni slightly and heads towards the kitchen, flipping the light switch on, he heads to the cupboard 

“Hungry?”

Jax asked Pomni 

“Oh uh, sure? What is there??”

Jax pulled out a bag of chips and a cereal box

“I'm banned from the fridge so this is all I got”

“Seriously?? When did that happen??”

“Caine left a very helpful note on my bedside table”

“Oh- well, I guess I'll take the cereal”

Pomni takes the cereal box from Jax and looks in the fridge, taking out a carton of milk

“Can you get a bowl?”

“Nah, just go at it with your mouth, nature's bowl!”

Pomni was not amused, laughing dryly

“Ha-ha, thanks Jax. Get the bowl-”

Jax sighs and tossed a bowl to Pomni, making her stumble as to not break the bowl

Pomni; setting her stuff down, was not amused by Jax's tossing 

“do you always have to ask like such an a##hole?”

“Yep”

Pomni sighs and pours milk into her bowl, Jax found this as a perfect opportunity to ragebait her

“Milk first! What a barbarian!”

Pomni tosses her spoon right at Jax's head, watching as it collided with the floor

“you are like.. so mean”

“Oh am I?”

Jax picks up the spoon from off the floor before attempting to throw it at Pomni

The spoon misses Pomni and hits the cupboard behind her

“Missed me”

Jax shoots Pomni another glare before shoveling chips into his mouth to hide his embarrassment 

“So..”

Pomni starts off with her new topic while Jax continues to funnel chips down his throat 

“Did you really mean what you said during that free for all gun adventure?”

Jax starts to choke on his chips

“What?”

“Yaknow.. that whole cringy lecture on how you're the ‘funny’ one and that you don't care about anyone?”

“I would never”

“embarassed?”

“Shut it”

Jax tossed a few chips at Pomni 

A smile creeps onto Jax's face as he laughs at the mess of crumbs on Pomni’s pajamas, 

Right, the pajamas, Caine thought everyone would like the place they were trapped in more if they had customizable avatars throughout the day! It was stupid, but at least they got some sort of control over how they looked, not a lot but some.

What everyone picked for pajamas was so obvious, why would they let themselves be so easy to read? For example, Ragatha picked a robe, Kinger had an old fashioned nightgown with the nightcap and everything, Gangle had sleepwear similar to those in animes, weeb. And then Zooble had basically the same thing, now, Pomni had a tank top and some sweatpants, pretty basic.

Jax’s was exactly the same, how could he ever let himself be read? He's supposed to be the unreadable one, the one nobody could predict!—

“Yeah, how comical that you managed to get crumbs on me-”

“Oh c'mon! You have to admit it's kind of funny”

“I guess it's a bit funny”

“I'm so funny aren't I?”

“Don't push it- I'm not spending all night feeding your ego”

Jax shrugs nonchalantly in the least nonchalant way possible 

“Well I tried~”

“You can be so ridiculous sometimes-”

“You know what the people want~”

Jax nudges his head towards the wall

“Jax what the actual f### are you referring to?”

“Our lovely audience!~”

Pomni deadpanned for the third time tonight

“Jax you do know nobody is watching us right?”

“Whaaat? Who wouldn't want to watch this straight couple flourish?”

“We aren't together-”

“You wound me, Jingle-Bells! I thought you loved me!”

Jax gives Pomni his iconic s###-eating grin, Pomni rolls her eyes

“Bet you were a catch in middle school”

“How did you know? Staaaalker!”

“Oh shutup you! I'm allowed to assume, aren't I?”

Pomni continues to eat her cereal 

“Well, I know you won't answer my questions, but just to be better than you, I'll let you shoot a few”

“Oh you really gotta rub it in don't ya?”

“Oh but of course”

“Well, what's your opinion on pandabears?”

“Starting with a cannonball aren't we?”

“Of course”

“Well, they're definitely an animal.”

“oh? Tell me more! I'm dripping with anticipation!”

“haha, hilarious-” 

Jax and Pomni continued to have their productive conversation about pandabears and.. air-conditioning?? Whatever, soon the two decided it would be nice to get at least one hour of sleep, it was 5am afterall-

Pomni and Jax said their ‘goodnights’ And went off into their rooms, Jax lied on his bed with a manga in his hands, still couldn't sleep, maybe a good book would help, he's been waiting to see what miss Katarina and prince Gerardo would do together..

Not that he cared about the storyline! So cringe.

Chapter Text

Beep beep beep

The alarm clock rang, 6am already?

Jax set his manga down and got up from his bed, he might as well get back on top of getting out to the stage early, he throws on his favorite grey sweater over his overalls, smoothes his fur, and heads out of his room for the day.

The walk to the stage was obviously quiet, but at least it was bright out now that it was six in the morning. Jax looked great this morning, felt it too! 

It felt awesome now that everyone was startin to jump off his back now, it's been a minute since someone tried to talk to him about opening up.

Aside from Caine, eugh.. why was he so worried about one sarcastic comment?? He's been way worse towards Gangle, why did this time matter??

BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!

6:15 already?? Well, whatevs, this just meant he could mess around with everyone quicker, he watched as everyone piled out of their rooms and into the stage area for today's theme song

“Goooooood morning everyone! I guess not everyone wakes up as amazing as I do~”

Jax teased, Zooble groaned

“It's way too early for your c### this morning.”

Jax feigned his offense

“How dare you! It's not my fault you can't handle the epicness of my life!”

Pomni smirked

“what life?”

Now Jax was actually a bit offended, gasping at Pomni in shock

“Just because I don't talk about it doesn't mean I don't have one!”

“you sure?”

Jax really wanted to flip Pomni off but refrained, he had to make sure the people knew he was better because he didn't resort to swearing or crude gestures

“I had more of a life than you Ms supermarket accountant!”

Pomni rolls her eyes and holds her hands up in defeat

The theme song went by without a problem other than Jax's snide remarks, and Caine comes out of the blue with a bunch of confetti as he appeared as per usual 

“What an AMAZING theme song today my pretentious ponies! Now… TIME FOR ONE OF MY AMAZING AVENTURES™!”

Ragatha raises her hand politely as ever

Caine pauses for a second, coughing for a second before speaking 

“AHEM- uhm- Yes Ragatha?-”

“W-Well.. I was just wondering.. if we could try a suggestion for today?.. I-It's not that your adventures are bad or anything!-”

Caine froze for a minute, irritatingly pondering the idea of using the suggestion box for today's adventure, before finally answering

“H-How about we have a vote?! Yeah! We'll have an amazing vote to figure this out because as you know I am an amazing and FAIR ringmaster!”

One of those voting tabs popped up,

One yes vote for Zooble

A check for Gangle

Yes for Ragatha 

yes mark for Pomni

And a no from Kinger and Jax

Caine's eyes darkened at the results

“Fine.. BUT. JUST THIS ONCE!”

Caine made the suggestion box appear in front of him and dug through the many past suggestions before pulling one out

“Hmmm… ‘An adventure where we all head to an anime convention for the day’?”

Without a doubt Gangle's idea

Jax did NOT want to do this and be seen as a weeb.

“BOOOOO!!! we're not doing that!!”

“Awe… okayyy…”

Gangle was sad but accepting of Jax's aversion to this

Caine huffed and pulled out another piece paper from the box

“how about a ‘zero gravity adventure in space’?”

Now who wrote that one? Who cares, boring

“Snoozefest!!!!”

Jax’s helpful comment annoys Caine a bit

“Whatever.. We're doing the next one I read!”

Jax groans but gets over it, let's hope Caine doesn't pick out a boring adventure. Zooble elbows Jax in the stomach so he doesn't make a comment on Caine's statement

As Jax was trying to regain his footing, Caine pulled out the last suggestion he would read

“A… bakery adventure? Well, whatever, go for it..”

Caine sighs as a portal appears, everyone enters in a single file line, Zooble dragging the out-of-breath Jax behind them 

When Jax caught his breath, he pushed Zooble away

“I don't need a Nanny!”

Zooble groans at Jax

“Caine would have NOT been in the mood to deal with anyone skipping the adventure! You should be thankful I brought your annoying a## in the first place.”

Jax huffed

“Whatever, what are we doing today?”

Gangle is holding the instructions left on the counter, squeaks and tossed the instructions to Pomni to read

Pomni scrambled for a minute 

“Oh!- uh- ‘you will all be working in this bakery for the day as per the suggestion, Kinger will work the register with Pomni, Gangle will work inventory—”

Pomni huffed to catch her breath before continuing 

“—Zooble will work baking the pastry with Ragatha lin charge of drinks, and finally Jax will work as the server’.... H-How does that sound.. everyone??”

Everyone nodded in response, an exception being Kinger and Jax, Kinger having been distracted by a bug outside the window and Jax not wanting to do this adventure 

Ragatha shot a quick look at Jax causing him to nod for a second- Ragatha asked her question

“So.. uhm.. who's in charge for today's adventure?-”

Pomni stiffened up

“Oh! Erm- it looks like it's Zooble since they're head baker…”

Zooble shrugs

“Alright, as long as Jax is still banned from refrigerators, I'm down for it.”

Jax glared at Zooble for a moment before taking an apron from the rack and heading out on the floor

Pomni sighs 

“Well.. I guess I'll head to the register..-”

Pomni takes two aprons, takes Kinger’s hand, and heads down to the register, giving Kinger his apron 

Everyone cycled out to their respective areas, Ragatha and Zooble read their respective manuals for the job, the first order was rang

A croissant and a cappuccino 

A check appears next to the croissant, there must've already been croissants out on the floor, as for the cappuccino, Ragatha was already on it

When Ragatha was done with the cappuccino, she brought it up to the.. conveyor?? Whatever-

Out to the order window

Jax takes the plate and brings it to the table it belongs, throwing on a fake customer service smile

“Here’s your Coffee, Ma’am!-^^”

The old lady; a shadowy figure with eyes of light smiles at Jax with what seemed like her eyes

“Oh how delightful!^^ thank you young man..”

Jax wanted to punt this old lady so bad. He throws a simple chuckle with a smile that never reaches his eyes

“You're welcome ma'am.”

Jax backs away as soon as he set the lady’s plate onto the table

He heads to the ordering counter with that fake grin spread across his face until he got to Pomni's register

He leaned against the counter to chat with Pomni

“I already hate it here, you?”

Pomni tilts her head

“I’m doing fine? Also, I'm pretty sure you have a few orders piling up to deliver…-”

Jax wanted to shrivel up and die

“S###. Whatever, cya Pom-Pom-”

Jax headed back to the order pickup and delivered more bread and coffee to the array of shadowy old people and young adults alike, the creepy blank eyes creeped Jax out immensely.

“—and here you go sir, one latte.”

Jax's fake grin; something he put on because he overheard tips would help his overall score, worked perfectly on every single customer 

“Thank you, son, your attitude is just infectious^^”

Yeah whatever, as long as he leaves a good tip

“You too sir, have a great day”

Jax wanted to vomit, he hated being so ‘kind’ to these lines of code. But hey, at least it's better than being locked in a room and getting forced to watch a video for an hour straight.

 Jax was done at this point, clocking in his break, Pomni took his spot in the meantime, serving the customers their food

Jax sat in the alley next to the employee exit, his ears twitching at how annoying those customers were, he wanted to scream so bad.

Oh wait 

He was outside 

Who cares if Jax lets off a little steam? It's his break afterall- 

Jax took a deep breath before 

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-”

A minute passed, he finally stopped

God he felt better, he should scream more often

His thoughts was cut short by Zooble slamming the door open

“Dude are you dying or something? Stop screaming out here, it's scaring away the customers, and frankly, both me and Ragatha.”

Jax rolled his eyes

“Whatever, this doesn't really matter, also, the thought of you and Ragatha getting spooked by me is hilarious”

Zooble glared at Jax before sighing, closing the door behind them as they stood next to Jax 

“You're not slick jacka##.”

Jax grinned at the opportunity to ‘correct’ Zooble

“Actually it's pronounced Jack-rabbit”

“Shut it”

“Whateverrr-” 

“What are you? A teenager?? You say 'whatever' like you'll die if you don’t.”

“Maybe I will~”

Zooble smacks Jax in the back of the head

“OW- What the heck was that for?!-”

Zooble smirked with their eyes

“Whatever”

Jax glared at Zooble with immense rage in his eyes

“You a##hat.”

Zooble feigned surprise

“I didn't know you were such a barbarian! Shame on you, Bunny boy”

“As if! You swear every other sentence!”

“It's ok when I do it— Whatever- back to what I was here to do…”

“yell at me for screaming on a break?~”

“Tch, shut it, I'm still the head Baker”

Jax groaned

“Eughhhh… Is this about the dumb cake? I told you I DIDN'T take it!”

Zooble raised a brow

“One, sure, Bud. And second of all, you sure that memory of yours is in tact?”

“Who told you about that?— wait.. shoot.”

Zooble chuckled at Jax's F###-up

“You just unknowingly admitted that there's something with your memory.”

“Hey, hey, I didn't admit anything”

“Sureeee, your secret’s safe with me, dude” 

Zooble winked at Jax as he turned red with anger

“I'm getting back to work!—”

Zooble blocks the door

“—What are you?— get out of the way.”

“Nah, I'll take a minute”

Zooble leaned comfortably against the door 

“Now where were we… Your memory?”

Jax glared

“You're the last person I'd tell anything”

“Awe shucks, you tell everyone something but me?”

Jax was flustered by this, his pride would never admit he willingly told anyone nothing! He'd never.

“W-Well for one, Pomni had a plan, Ragatha caught me in a time of confusion, Kinger and I were stuck in a closet, and Gangle KIDNAPPED me!”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night, dude”

Jax pulled his ears down in irritation for a second before letting go, his foot tapping against the floor in impatience 

“Bunny boy mad?”

Zooble was a bit surprised that he managed to ragebait Jax this much

“Let me back inside.”

Jax's foot tapping continued

“Fine, but only because the tapping is freaking me out.”

Zooble opens the door and heads inside, Jax following behind shortly after, his face still slightly red

Ragatha pretends not to notice, knowing how Jax will react if brought up

When Jax makes it back out onto the floor after clocking back in, he taps Pomni on the shoulder to let her know she can get back to register 

“Oh!- Hey Jax- I'll just get back…-”

“Thanks.”

Jax was not in the mood to keep up a fake smile, he had gotten enough tips to be good for the day anyways 

A few hours pass by, Jax was serving the customers with a frown on his face, getting comments on his behavior here and there, but he didn't really care

“Here. Your stuff.”

The lady was slightly offended 

“Where are your manors, young man?”

“Whatever, I don't really care about this.”

The Lady shot Jax a nasty glare and muttered to herself 

“Tch, kids these days…”

The lady took a sip of her tea before returning to her book with a huff

End shift, the adventure is finally over, the group closed up shop and everyone clocked out, everyone leaving through the portal that had appeared 

Everyone made it back to the circus, the others were quite entertained by the adventure and it's slow nature for once, all except Jax, who was irritated and just wanted to sleep

The door slammed open as he barged in and jumped onto bed and screaming into his pillow 

After he had been done with that, he got up from bed and walked towards his gaming chair

SLAM.

The chair broke against the floor and Jax threw it, he huffed at flung the papers and pens off his desk, and picking up his laptop 

He raised it high above his head and—

Knock knock.

A sigh left Jax as he set down the laptop and opened the door.

“Hello?”

Chapter Text

Kinger stood at the door, concern etched his eyes, Jax perked his ears at the sight of Kinger at his door

“Erm.. you need something, bud?-”

Kinger chuckles

“Oh yeah! Can I come in?”

Jax was confused to say the least but let Kinger inside

Kinger made his way past the mess and sat on Jax's bed, Jax finds himself dimming the lights for this old nutcase, sitting next to him after the lights had dimmed

“So… what did you want to come in for?”

Kinger perked up, remembering something 

“Oh! Right! We heard screaming and objects broken from your room and I came to check up on you^^”

No s###- Why didn't Jax think that was the case?? He was loud as a freaking banshee in here

“Right.. it's nothing, I saw… a bug??”

Kinger stared at the wall in silence for a minute, making Jax feel slightly nervous 

…

“You aren't scared of bugs, Jax”

Right…. Lucid in the dark- Jax was really losing his edge with this c###

“Well, it's none of your business… Wait.. What do you mean by ‘we’??”

“Oh.. sleepover in Pomni's room^^”

…. 

“She.. didn't invite me?”

Kinger’s eyes Widened 

“No wait!- I was supposed to tell you.. but I might've forgotten…”

Jax's ears perked, he wasn't left out intentionally? I mean.. the facts checked out, Kinger is unreliable when it comes to telling people things.. Pomni might've just forgotten that.

“Oh, well.. alright, I'll stay back though, thanks for telling me, feel free to go back”

Kinger looked like he felt bad for Jax 

“You-... Alright.. have a good night Jax, feel free to stop by”

Kinger gave Jax a simple pat on the shoulder before getting up and closing the door gently. Jax sat in silence, did that really just happen? He was so polite to the old wacko.

Why did he care so much?

Surrounded by papers, the group read out what they've learned over the week Kinger enters the room as best he could 

“Hello!^^”

The room was dim with nightlights here and there, Ragatha welcome's Kinger back into the room

“Hey Kinger!^^ Is Jax doing alright?”

A lightbulb went off in Kinger’s head

“Oh! He's doing fine for now! He may need a checkup later though..”

Pomni tilts her head in confusion 

“Why so?”

“He was a bit nicer than usual, even for this week's usual-” 

Caine nods

“Alrightio! I can make an NPC out to his room in a few hours!”

Zooble shakes his head

“Caine no- He's going to know if something's up when an NPC comes by for a wellness check-”

Caine huffed 

“Awe..”

Pomni clears her throat to get everyone's attention, standing on her bed

“Ahem- everyone? Are we all ready to start sharing things we've learned over this week? Maybe we can start with Zooble?”

Zooble nodded

“Right..”

Zooble dug around for a second before taking their notes, clearing their throat

“Ahem.. well, from what I've seen, his memory is c###, he likes my cheesecake… hm.. he paused when I asked for his age, he says ‘whatever’ constantly, and he pulls at his ears and taps his foot when he's mad.”

Pomni nods before excusing Zooble

“Did you just spend your shot ragebaiting him??-”

Zooble looked indifferent 

“A, We got the information, and B, he deserved it-”

Pomni wanted to bury her face within her palm at this second, but she refrained 

“Whatever-”

Pomni points her pen to Caine

“What do you got for us?”

Caine looked excited to explain what he had

“Oh oh! Welllll… Jax has an extreme hatred for learning and he likes to break things!”

Pomni blinked 

“Is that all?”

Caine started to look sad that Pomni didn't seem to appreciate what he had

“Well.. I also had the memory thing on there but Zooble beat me to it…”

A sigh left Pomni for a moment-

“Well, you tried, good job-”

Caine looked happy again

“Woohoo!:D”

“Alright, who's next?”

Pomni looked around before her eyes met Kinger's

“You've been here a while, right? What do you know about Jax?”

Kinger didn't even need to look at his notes to start relaying what he knew

“Well Jax has no ill intent, he's just a scared kid-”

Pomni smiled

“Thank you, Kinger”

“No problem”

Pomni sighs again before taking a sip of her drink, this was definitely going to be a long sleepover-

“Gangle? I know you had a chat with Jax at one point this week, anything to relay?-”

Gangle squeaked and instantly scrambled to find her notes and place them in order,

 she stood to speak what she knew

“W-Well.. He was a theater kid, he reads manga.. he doesn't seem all too different from me.. uhm.. he seemed pretty proud about the theater thing..”

Pomni nodded along

“Pretty decent amount, Gangle!^^ thank you”

Gangle nodded and sat back down, letting Pomni’s pen shift to point at Ragatha 

“Now, your turn”

“Oh! Uhm, yeah- well..”

Ragatha froze for a moment before continuing, her face buried in her notes

“He has a problem with.. waking up in the middle of the night to look for an old circus member..”

Everyone stared at Ragatha with wide eyes, except for Caine, that is- Caine was busy drawing everyone in the circus as bees

Pomni stumbled over her words to ask Ragatha questions 

“You- he- he does what?!-”

Ragatha sighs before giving a bit more information 

“For years now, Jax has wandered out of bed late into the night to look for a circus member who is not with us anymore.. I've been getting up to check every night to make sure he isn't wandering..”

Everyone is shocked that Ragatha knew this the whole time and only now mentioned it

“W-Well.. what do you know Pomni?”

Pomni blinked for a moment before regaining focus

“Ah-.. right, well.. from what he's told me here and there.. mom works in an assisted living facility, dad is.. out of the picture?? And.. I'm not sure about siblings.. he hadn't started highschool before he arrived.. and he seems to not want to actually leave this place? That's all I have that's helpful-”

Pomni stared at her notes as everyone sat in silence

This was really awkward 

Someone finally breaks the silence after a few minutes 

“Why did we need to get this information?”

Pomni perked at Zooble's question 

“Well.. I want to figure out the root of his actions.. maybe show him we're here for him?”

Zooble nodded

“I guess that makes sense, I hate the b###### but I don't want him to abstract-”

Everyone nodded along with Zooble's sentiment, except Caine— wait 

Where the h### did Caine go??-

Everyone seems to notice Caine's disappearance at the same time

Caine floated his way to Jax's door, he was going to get to the bottom of this! Whether he liked it or not!

Knock knock!

The door opened Jax stared at Caine, waiting for him to talk 

“What? I'm trying to sleep”

“I… I.. TIMEOUT”

Caine floated through the floor of the map, who could've thought a robot could get stage fright.

Jax raised an eyebrow before shutting the door

“Weirdo..”

Jax headed over to his bed, picking up his laptop and opening it up, letting it load

Jax didn't have any access to the Internet, but he was free to use educational programs all he wanted, meaning he could at least use Spotif— correction, Startlfy under the guise of ‘studying’

It was nice to be able to listen to his favorite songs again, he put up his favorite non-copyrighted playlist, it wasn't exactly what he wanted to listen to, but it was close enough 

Jax set his laptop down and laid in bed to stare at the ceiling to really enjoy his music..

Wonder if other sites work on there..

Maybe tomorrow 

Jax snuggled in his blankets and held his grey sweater close as he eventually fell asleep for the night 

Until tomorrow