<|role|>caine Welcome... to The Amazing Digital Circus! My name is Caine! I'm your ringmaster, and I'm here to show you the most jaw-dropping, heart-stopping, mind-bending paraphernalia you've ever laid your eyes upon! Isn't that right, Bubble? <|role|>bubble That's right, Caine! I can't wait to see what you've got cooking up for today! <|role|>caine Well, let's not waste any time! Let's get right into the show! <|role|>pomni W-W-Whe— Wh— Where am I? <|role|>jax Caine, is this one of your NPCs, or is this a new sucker? ‘Cause if it's a new character, we're gonna have to redo this whole theme song! <|role|>zooble I'm not doing that again. <|role|>caine My, my! It appears a new human has entered this realm! <|role|>pomni How do I... take this... headset off?! <|role|>jax Just keep grabbing at it. That worked for all of us. <|role|>pomni W-What's going on? I-I-I put on some weird headset, and now I'm... here. Who are you people? Why can't I take it off? Where am I? <|role|>ragatha Let's just try to calm down. Everything's gonna be okay, new stuff. We've all been through this. You just need to get your head to— <|role|>pomni WHAT THE Censorbarboing IS GOING ON?! ...Wha— <|role|>caine Now, now, now, my dear! We can't have any of that foul language around here. The Amazing Digital Circus is a place to be enjoyed by all ages. You, my friend, stumbled into an incredible world of wonders, where anything can happen! E-Except for swearing. <|role|>pomni Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing, Censorbarboing. BCensorbarboingh. Oh, my God. U-Uh, well, h-how do I... you know, leave? <|role|>caine Uh— <|role|>ragatha W-Well, don't freak out about it or anything, but, uh, we don't exactly... <|role|>jax You can't. <|role|>pomni What? <|role|>zooble Shut up, Jax. But, yeah, he's right. Welcome to your new home. And your new body. <|role|>pomni "N-N-New home"? What do you mean? <|role|>ragatha Guys, don't be mean. <|role|>jax We've been stuck here for years. Old Kinger over there's supposedly been here the longest. <|role|>kinger Huh? Did someone say something about an insect collection? <|role|>jax That's why he's craaazy! Eh... <|role|>pomni Ohhhh, okay! Now I get it! This is a dream, and I should just play along until I wake up, right? <|role|>jax Whatever you say, kid. <|role|>gangle They broke my comedy mask... <|role|>jax So, Caine... We having a new adventure today for the newbie, or what? <|role|>caine I'd like to give our brand-new member a tour of the circus grounds first. <|role|>pomni Uh— <|role|>caine Off we go! <|role|>caine Here we have... The Tent! This is where your living quarters are, as well as all sorts of other activities! These activities may include— <|role|>caine —Ball pits, mini-golf, and more! <|role|>caine And here, we have... The Grounds! Drown yourself in the Digital Lake, or engage in ridery at the Digital Carnival! Night, day, it's all okay! The choice is yours! A cosmic buffet! <|role|>pomni Uh, is... that all there is? <|role|>caine Of course not! <|role|>caine This is The Void! We don't venture out into the void. Not even I know what's out there. <|role|>pomni That's, uh— <|role|>caine We stay right here, where I can keep my... ...hundreds of all-seeing eyes on you. <|role|>moon Hello, Caine. I love you. <|role|>caine Eaugh! Let's get outta here before the Moon gets frisky! <|role|>pomni Wait, what's that— <|role|>caine Woah, clean up on aisle you! <|role|>bubble I'm on it, boss! <|role|>caine ...Why are you like this? <|role|>pomni Wait, wait! W-Was that an exit door I saw out there? Is that a way to leave? <|role|>jax What exit? <|role|>jax If there was a way to leave, I'm pretty sure we'd have all left by now. <|role|>zooble Yeah, what are you talking about? <|role|>caine U-Uh, I— I assure you, there is no "magical exit door." You're probably just experiencing... DIGITAL HALLUCINATIONS! From your mind's transition to the digital plane. <|role|>pomni But, I-I swear, I saw— <|role|>caine DIGITAL HALLUCINATIONS! <|role|>caine How about we talk about something else? Like your name! <|role|>pomni My name? My name is, uh... U-U-Uh?! Oh, God! Why can't I remember my name?! <|role|>caine Nobody can remember their name once they enter the Digital Circus! One of the few things I don't have control over are your minds. So, all I can help you with is coming up with a new one. <|role|>pomni Ugh... What's my name...? <|role|>caine Don't you worry your little head. Your new name can be anything! Hereby acknowledging that your chosen name and/or names may not breach the Digital Circus user license agreement stating that your name may not include objectionable content. Objectionable content includes but is not limited to sexually explicit material, obscene, defamatory, libelous, slanderous, violent, and/or unlawful content or profanity. What are you thinkin'? <|role|>pomni Huh? I don't care. Just pick anything. <|role|>caine Let's see! <|role|>caine What do you think of... "XDDCC"? <|role|>pomni I don't— <|role|>caine You're right, terrible. Let's try that again! <|role|>caine What do you think of "POMNI"? <|role|>pomni Huh? Uh, s-sure. I think I just- <|role|>caine Gadzooks, you're right, Jax! We should have a brand new adventure for our new member, Pomni! <|role|>jax I said that like five minutes ago. <|role|>caine You! Do you like adventure? Activity? Wonder? Danger? Horror? Pain? Suffering? Agony? Death? Disease? Death? Angel food cake? <|role|>caine YOU PARASITE! <|role|>pomni Uh, I don't really... <|role|>caine Since you're new around here, we're gonna make it a simple, in-house adventure to warm you up to how things work around here. <|role|>zooble Wha— No, God! I don't want an in-house adventure. <|role|>caine Don't worry, Zooble. I'll make it something unobtrusive that you can still choose to not get involved with! <|role|>caine Today's adventure is... Gather the Gloinks! <|role|>caine That's right! The entire circus tent will be infested with Gloinks, and you gotta catch 'em all! <|role|>bubble But what are they? <|role|>caine I'm glad you asked, Bubble. They're small— <|role|>bubble And what do they do? <|role|>caine ...They— <|role|>bubble And how do they— <|role|>caine Gloinks are small mischievous critters that steal anything and everything they run into! Why do these humanoid hash-browns do this? How do you stop them? That's for you to find out. Now, good luck, and have fun, my little superstars! <|role|>pomni What did any of that mean? <|role|>ragatha Oh, that's just one of Caine's little adventures. They're just something fun to do to, you know... prevent us from going insane. <|role|>zooble Speak for yourself. If anyone needs me, then Censorbarboing off. <|role|>zooble Oh, God! Oh, JEEZ! NO!- <|role|>zooble OH, GOD! SOMEBODY HELP! <|role|>jax Oh no, they killed Zooble. Anyway, you guys wanna go get something to eat? <|role|>ragatha Oh wait— we should go check on Kaufmo! 'm pretty sure he'd like to meet Pomni. <|role|>kinger MY IMPENETRABLE FORTRESS! <|role|>ragatha You wanna come with us to check on Kaufmo? <|role|>kinger No, not really. I think Kaufmo's gone insane. Last time I spoke with him, he was rambling endlessly about some exit. Kind of like you, Pomni. You might be going insane, too. <|role|>pomni But, wait— wouldn't that more likely mean the exit does exist? <|role|>jax Could also mean you just have a jump-start on losing your mind. <|role|>gangle Wait, what about Zooble? <|role|>pomni Well, I think I'd like to ask him about it— U-uh, if this was real. Which it isn't, because it's a dream. <|role|>jax Heh, she still thinks this is a dream. <|role|>ragatha U-Uh, why are you looking at me like that? <|role|>jax I'm fine with doing whatever, as long as I get to see funny things happen to people. <|role|>jax Ow! Okay, I've already had enough of these things... You, me, and Pomni will go check on Kaufmo, which leaves Crybaby and Hoo-ha together to go handle the Zooble situation. <|role|>ragatha Do you think pairing them up together is a good idea? <|role|>jax Of course I do. They're the two most mentally stable and capable characters to be paired together. <|role|>jax Come on, ladies— let's go harass the clown. <|role|>gangle My comedy mask is broken again... <|role|>kinger Gah! Oh! Gangle, you startled me. <|role|>ragatha So, this is where we all live— or, well, where we all sleep at night. Even though we don't really need to sleep, it's sometimes nice to kind of take a break from everything and have a bit of routine, you know? I'm sure there'll be one for... Oh, look— you already got one! <|role|>pomni I still don't understand about the adventures. Why even go on them at all? W-W-Why not try to find a way to leave? <|role|>ragatha Well, we usually do— when we first arrive. But, after a while, you start to realize that you really can't leave, and constantly chasing an unattainable goal will start driving you a bit crazy. And eventually, you get to asking what the point of anything is, and you completely lose sight of who you are and why you're even alive. And when you reach your breaking point, something really terrible can happen. Ah, but that's not something we need to deal with today! Above anything else, the adventures give us something to do that keeps our minds healthy and stimulated. <|role|>jax Thank goodness this is all a dream, right, Pomni? <|role|>pomni Why are we here again? What are we doing? <|role|>ragatha We're getting one of our friends. <|role|>ragatha Huh... Maybe he's not in his room? I hope he's alright. <|role|>jax Don't worry, dollface. I've got a key to his room. <|role|>ragatha Wha— Wait, wh— why? You— You— You shouldn't have keys to anyone's room! <|role|>jax Nah, I've got keys everywhere, and you've all been fine. By the way, I may have left something in your room today, so let me know if you find it. Uh, you're not afraid of centipedes, are you? <|role|>ragatha JAX! That's literally my only fear! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS?! <|role|>jax Whaaat? It could be a completely unrelated question. You'll never know until it's too late! <|role|>jax Oh, I've been looking for this! Thanks for keeping an eye on it, Kaufy. I'm gonna head out. See ya. <|role|>ragatha Oh! Kaufmo's... been abstracted! That— That's okay! <|role|>pomni What... is that?! <|role|>ragatha Uh, it.. might be that terrible thing I was talking about earlier when you reach your breaking point?! <|role|>pomni H-huh?! <|role|>ragatha O-Okay, wait! M-Maybe there's still time to fix him if we get Caine! <|role|>ragatha Oh, WHOA! Kaufmo, listen– I know we didn't always get along, like when you called me out for fake-laughing at your jokes! I swear, I really did think they were funny! I was just having a bit of a bad day! <|role|>ragatha H-H-Hey, Pomni-i-i? Do you think... you could... perhaps help me out here? I understand... if you don't... want to, though. <|role|>pomni OW! I'm sorry! <|role|>kinger I don't know what I'm looking at here. <|role|>gangle We saw a Gloink carry one of Zooble's pieces down there, remember? <|role|>kinger Oh, yeah. Thank you for the recap. <|role|>kinger Boy, we're not very good at this, are we? <|role|>jax Ugh, 'sup... fellas? <|role|>kinger JAX! We found the Zooble hole! <|role|>jax Cool. <|role|>gangle How is Kaufmo doing? I hope he's not still mad at me for not laughing at his jokes. <|role|>jax Oh, he's doing greeeaaat. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen him this happy before! <|role|>kinger Well, it's good to know he hasn't completely lost his mind. <|role|>jax He actually asked me to give you this. <|role|>kinger Woah! <|role|>kinger An insect collection? <|role|>gangle I think it's a nest. <|role|>kinger ...AAAGH!- <|role|>pomni Hello? R-R-Ragatha? That was your name, right? <|role|>ragatha O-O-Over here. <|role|>pomni H-Hey, look, I-I'm... I didn't mean to leave you behind like that. I— Just... look at my hand. I— I didn't know what to do. <|role|>ragatha I-I-It's okay-y. What you need to do right now is to find Caine. He'll be able to fix me up and take care of Kaufmo-o-o-o. <|role|>pomni O-O-Okay, but where can I find him? <|role|>ragatha Uh, I don't really know. Just look around and call for him, I suppose. <|role|>pomni Uh, okay, I'll get him. You just stay right there. Not that you can really move or anything. Uh, just hang in there. I'll be right back, I promise. <|role|>ragatha Cool. Also, Pomni? I'm sorry your first day here... had to be so... terrible? <|role|>pomni Uhhh, yeah, well, don't worry about it. I'm just gonna go get Caine now. <|role|>pomni Hello? Caine? We have a bit of an issue here! <|role|>pomni Caaaiiine...? <|role|>gloinkqueen What form of non-Gloinkinian mass dares presume presence in the nest of the Gloink Queen? <|role|>jax Oh, is that who you are? You know, you could have asked for my consent before forcing me to see something so completely and utterly disgusting. <|role|>gloinkqueen How despicable, a rabbitoid that runs its mouth in the presence of my royal figure! <|role|>kinger Well, as a royal myself, I would like to kindly ask if- ...Oh, look there's Zooble! Hi, Zooble! <|role|>zooble UGH, HELP ME, YOU IDIOTS! <|role|>jax Kinda rude, Zooble. Now I don't wanna help you! <|role|>gangle Oh, I always lose... <|role|>kinger YES! Gotcha! Oh. <|role|>zooble Hey?! KINGER, YOU MOTHER–! <|role|>jax Eh, they'll be fine. <|role|>pomni Gotta hide, gotta hide, gotta hide!... <|role|>pomni God, Where is Caine? <|role|>pomni Huh?! <|role|>gloinkqueen You foolish assortment of colorful characters! Do you not realize everything must be Gloinks!? I am Gloinks. You will be Gloinks! God will be Gloinks! <|role|>jax This is dumb and weird. <|role|>gloinkqueen Well, B- uh- Y- Yet you're still watching it! <|role|>jax I'm not here for the adventure or anything, I'm just here to hide from the- <|role|>kinger Oh, thank god you're okay! You didn't experience a game show in there, did you? <|role|>zooble Uh.. I- What are you talking about? <|role|>gangle What's happening?! <|role|>jax It's just Kaufmo. Don't worry about it. <|role|>gangle Kaufmo ABSTRACTED?! <|role|>jax Nah, he's fine. <|role|>kinger YOU'RE RIGHT! HOW ARE WE GONNA GET OUT OF HERE?!? <|role|>zooble Guys... Over there. <|role|>kinger Huh. <|role|>jax Ladies first. No, wait, why would I say that? <|role|>zooble Wait.. Pomni's not even here? Wasn't this whole thing for her?! <|role|>jax Be quiet. I can't hear the escalator... <|role|>caine Oh, Bubble, you always know how to make me say this exact sentence. <|role|>caine Gasp! <|role|>caine An alert on my WackyWatch at this hour? <|role|>caine ...Oh no! Someone's venturing out into The Void! <|role|>caine They'll get totally spoiled! <|role|>caine There you go! <|role|>caine Now, what the heck happened around here? Oh yeah- my doing. <|role|>kinger Caine! Kaufmo went through a sort of Kaufmosis and abstracted! <|role|>caine Kaufmo abstracted? Why didn't anybody tell me?! <|role|>caine And into the cellar you go! <|role|>zooble Man, I can't believe Kaufmo just gave up like that. I mean, no offense Kinger, but I always thought you would be next. <|role|>kinger Thank you. <|role|>jax Guess it just goes to show you can't rely on Kinger for anything. <|role|>ragatha I am in so much pain...! <|role|>caine Oop! <|role|>caine I do have to apologize for lying about the exit. I knew how much all of you have been wanting there to be one, but, you know, I was having so much trouble figuring out what to put on the other side and ended… up… never… quite…finishing… it. And you know how I never like letting people see my unfinished work- <|role|>caine Especially if it leads you out into The Void. Anyway, it looks like you defeated the Gloink Queen, so I guess the adventure's over. Your reward is a delicious digital feast cooked by our head Bubble Chef. <|role|>bubble Made with all the love I'm legally allowed to give! <|role|>jax You know, I am pretty hungry. <|role|>gangle You didn't even do anything. <|role|>jax So what? I can still be hungry. <|role|>kinger Well not really, 'cause we don't need to eat, drink or sleep in this digital world. So the digital food here only gives off the virtual sensation of eating without any of the nutritional benefits. <|role|>jax Sheesh, lay off it. Since when are you an expert on the Digital World? <|role|>kinger Expert on the what?<|role|>caine Welcome to the Amazing Digital Circus! <|role|>jax Pomni. <|role|>caine Pomni. <|role|>ragatha Pomni. <|role|>jax Pomni. <|role|>ragatha Pomni... <|role|>caine Pomni! <|role|>ragatha Pomni! <|role|>jax Pomni. <|role|>caine Pomni! <|role|>ragatha Pomni! <|role|>pomni Hello? <|role|>pomni No! No! No! Caine! Somebody, help me! Please! <|role|>pomni No! No! <|role|>caine Looks like our new friend's already abstracted. <|role|>ragatha Well, I guess we're not all cut out for it. <|role|>jax I don't even remember her name, honestly. <|role|>pomni Huh? <|role|>ragatha Hey, Pomni. How'd you sleep? <|role|>ragatha Are you still sleeping? I'll let you get back to it, if you are. <|role|>ragatha There she is. Hope you're doin' all right. I know yesterday was a bit of a doozy. <|role|>pomni A doozy… <|role|>ragatha Oh, and don't worry about the whole "abandoning me for the exit" thing. It's perfectly understandable what you were going through at the time, and there's no hard feelings. Yer all good. <|role|>pomni Huh? <|role|>ragatha Uh, well, let's forget about all that. Caine's got a new adventure today, and judging by what he's been teasing, it seems like it's gonna be a fun one. <|role|>caine Today's adventure is... Candy Carrier Chaos! <|role|>caine That's right! The Candy Canyon Kingdom's been robbed of their most valuable resource; maple syrup! It's up to you to bring the rotten bandits who stole it to sweet, buttery justice! <|role|>bubble An entire kingdom of candy? Sounds sticky. <|role|>caine Very sticky, indeed. <|role|>bubble Sounds- <|role|>caine Bubble, you can't say that. <|role|>zooble Mmmmmmmmmmm, nope. <|role|>caine Zooble, wait! I-I'm testing out a new AI in this one! It should be 57 times more immersive! <|role|>jax Ooh, a new AI. You don't want to mess with the new AI, Zoobie? <|role|>zooble Uh, yeah, no. <|role|>ragatha Whoa, sounds fun. What do you think, Pomni? <|role|>pomni So, our entire existence here... is just LARPing? <|role|>ragatha W-Well, uh- <|role|>caine Why are you all just standing there?! The- The Canyon- C-Canyon Candy Kingdom needs you now! <|role|>caine Hmm? <|role|>bubble Nah, thanks. I'm trying to quit. <|role|>ragatha Wow, Kinger, check out this castle. It's amazing! <|role|>kinger They've even got little candy bugs here. It's so beautiful. <|role|>gangle Yeah, this place is great! <|role|>mannequin LOOK!!! It's the princess!! <|role|>princessloolilalu Ah, you must be the brave knights sent to us by God... To help us with our recent catastrophe. <|role|>ragatha That's us, ma'am. <|role|>ragatha Your kingdom's awesome, by the way. Love the vibe. <|role|>princessloolilalu I like you already. <|role|>ragatha Look, Pomni. We're already friends with the princess. <|role|>pomni I'm not a child. You don't have to hype me up… <|role|>princessloolilalu I assume you've been informed of your mission. The bandits that robbed us used a modded syrup tanker, so we figured the best way to go head-to-head with them is to give you a war rig of your own. <|role|>jax Ooh, violence. <|role|>pomni What time period is this supposed to be, again? <|role|>princessloolilalu Here's the key back into the kingdom for when you've secured the goods. I trust you not to let it fall into the wrong hands? <|role|>ragatha You can count on me, Your Highness. <|role|>princessloolilalu Oh, please. Call me Loo. <|role|>ragatha Will do, Loo. <|role|>jax I call shotgun! <|role|>jax Oh, God, is that the horn? That sucks! Gangle, you drive! <|role|>princessloolilalu Farewell, good knights. I have every faith in you! <|role|>chad D'you think your mum's gonna pull through if we get all this back to the village? <|role|>max I'm sure she will. This much syrup would save hundreds of people. <|role|>gummigoo We won't know for sure until we get back to the village. She's a fighter, though. She taught me everything I know. Oy! Don't get too comfy, lads. Looks like they've sent someone after us. <|role|>jax All right, Gangle, when we catch up to 'em, I'll jump over, crawl inside, and shoot 'em repeatedly until they're unrecognizable. <|role|>gangle I feel like that violates some kind of convention. <|role|>jax You're violating my ears with your clap-back. Get driving, driver! <|role|>ragatha So, Pomni, I'm sure there's some way you could help out here. Maybe when we catch up to them, we could- <|role|>jax We could be assertive. Like this! <|role|>pomni Hey! <|role|>ragatha Jax! <|role|>jax Ah, that's perfect! Just hold that pose. I gotta get something. <|role|>pomni Jax, you Censorbarboinghole! <|role|>jax You know, I swear there was some kind of bazooka back here, but I'm having such trouble finding it. <|role|>kinger Pomni, take this! <|role|>pomni Egh... <|role|>jax Here it is. All right, Pomni, you just stay like that, and I'll cross over you. <|role|>pomni Are you KIDDING ME?! Ow! <|role|>jax Nice going, Pomni -- now I have no bridge! <|role|>max Ah-hah! Gotcha! Me arms aren't long enough to-- Whoa! <|role|>gummigoo This lot's trouble. Let's see how their rig does on those rocks 'round there. <|role|>chad Me arms aren't short enough to shift the gear! <|role|>jax Ooh, now we're cookin'! Hey! Ribbons! Up and at 'em! <|role|>gangle I don't think we- <|role|>jax Aren't you supposed to be submissive and agreeable? Move it! <|role|>gummigoo Oh, these fellas just don't know when to quit, do they? Hey! Quit muckin' about and get back up here! <|role|>max Oh, yeah. Right. <|role|>ragatha Everyone all right? <|role|>kinger Can you repeat the question? I couldn't hear you over the knives. <|role|>jax Hey, Gangle. You should ram into 'em. <|role|>gangle What? <|role|>ragatha You should NOT ram them! Pomni's still on board-- <|role|>jax Do it. It'll be epic. <|role|>ragatha Why are there so many knives back here?! <|role|>jax Do it, or I'll tell Ragatha about the figurine thing. <|role|>pomni ARE YOU GUYS TRYING TO CensorbarboingING KILL ME!? <|role|>gummigoo These guys are whack jobs! Let's give them some of this. <|role|>jax Aww, no more ramming? Guess I have to tell Ragatha about the thing now. <|role|>gangle What?! <|role|>max Oh. You're still up here. <|role|>pomni Guuuuuuys? <|role|>kinger Pomni, take this! <|role|>jax Uh, hey, Kinger, is that rope attached to anything? <|role|>kinger Uhhhh. I don't know. Let me check. <|role|>gangle W-W-What? Wha? <|role|>jax I blame you for this. <|role|>gummigoo Oog! Ack! OHHHH, NO!!! <|role|>gummigoo Lads? Hello? Anyone? <|role|>gummigoo Huh? Uh... <|role|>pomni Guh! Huh? <|role|>gummigoo Where are we? W-What's all this? <|role|>pomni I-I don't know. W-We're somewhere under the map, I think. <|role|>gummigoo "Map"? Why aren't you or any of your crew up here? <|role|>pomni I-I'm not sure. Be- Because we're not, uh, NPCs? <|role|>gummigoo "NPCs"? What are you on about? What are you people? What am I? Where's Mum? <|role|>pomni Y-You have a mom? <|role|>gummigoo Shouldn't she be here with everyone else? I can't even remember her face. Did she ever have a face? Was anything ever real? <|role|>pomni Okay, w-w-wait. Don't- Don't think about that. I-I-I think there... must be a way to launch ourselves back up. Right? <|role|>gummigoo I want you to tell me exactly what I am. <|role|>ragatha Is everybody okay? <|role|>gangle No... <|role|>ragatha Oh, man. Poor Pomni. I hope she's all right. <|role|>jax "Poor Pomni"? How about "poor us"?!? We're one tanker away from being Augustus Glooped! <|role|>thefudge Oh, what's that? Do my eyes deceive me? A delicious gift from within the kingdom gates? Don't mind if I do. <|role|>ragatha Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, buddy! We're not food! We're not candy! We're none of that! You don't want to eat us! <|role|>thefudge Wh- You're not candy? How am I expected to eat something that's not made of candy? I'm sorry. <|role|>kinger Pomni always seems to miss the big, gloopy monsters. <|role|>jax Who are you, anyway? <|role|>thefudge I am the Fudge. I used to live within the kingdom walls, but I was banished by that rotten princess after I ate too many of the delicious townfolk. Oh, they were so delicious. Sometimes I can hear them... calling to me. <|role|>ragatha Oh, God. That just sounds like murder. <|role|>thefudge Is it really murder if it's delicious? Answer me that. <|role|>jax You make a great point. <|role|>ragatha Uh, no, bad point! <|role|>jax Why don't you leave this to me before I start thinking your hair looks like licorice? <|role|>ragatha Jax! <|role|>kinger Oh, wow, it kind of does. <|role|>ragatha Stop! <|role|>jax Well, Mr. Fudge, you seem like an upstanding guy with real noble goals. <|role|>thefudge Oh, I'm not. If you knew what I did in my free time- Oh, you'd be sickened! <|role|>jax As I was saying. I happen to know a way into the kingdom walls if you'd be willing to help us out in return. <|role|>ragatha Hey, when did you- <|role|>jax Shut up, Licorice-Hair. <|role|>kinger Here, hide it with this. <|role|>thefudge Oh, you must be some kind of master of unlocking things, come to free me from my outdoor prison. <|role|>jax That's me. All we need you to do is help us bring some dirty bandits to justice. <|role|>max I saw the Reaper wink at me... <|role|>ragatha Wait, w-w-what just happened? <|role|>pomni Uhh... y-you wanna try helping out at all? Or are you still... Hey. You okay? <|role|>gummigoo No. <|role|>pomni You wanna talk about it? <|role|>gummigoo What is there to talk about? <|role|>pomni I don't just want to leave you here. <|role|>gummigoo Why not? I don't matter in the slightest. I'm nothing. My life, my memories... my friends... It's all fake. <|role|>pomni This may seem weird, but... I think I know the feeling. Well, m-maybe not the e-exact feeling, but... feeling like you're nothing is... kind of normal. I mean, people even feel like that in the world I came from. But... Y-you still care about your buddies up there, don't you? I'm sure they still care about you. <|role|>gummigoo What does it matter? What do we have when you people leave? We're just obstacles... created to be defeated and forgotten. <|role|>pomni Well... You don't have to be. The- The circus- th- the place I'm from? Well, I- I'm originally from somewhere else. But... if it has to be my home... maybe it can be yours, too. The people there are... interesting... at the very least. Maybe you... could be somebody real there. <|role|>gummigoo Why are you trying to cheer me up? How does this benefit you at all? <|role|>pomni I guess I just don't want you to feel like you're nothing. I don't want anybody to feel like that. <|role|>gummigoo But I'm not even a real person. Would I even belong? <|role|>pomni I'm sure you wouldn't belong any less than me. And... I could use a friend. <|role|>gummigoo "A friend." You're a strange little character. Suppose I could give it a try. All I ask is that we don't tell the lads about this. They're a couple of bright-eyed yobbos, and I don't want to drag 'em down with me. <|role|>pomni Yeah, that makes sense. What's your name, by the way? <|role|>gummigoo Gummigoo. <|role|>pomni Wow, that's... just about as dumb as my name. <|role|>gummigoo What'd you have in mind in terms of getting us out of here? <|role|>pomni I don't know. M-M-Maybe some kind of glitch with the truck's collisions? I'm not really sure how we could... <|role|>pomni All right, I'm just throwing stuff at the wall here. If this doesn't work, we could try something else. <|role|>gummigoo You're the expert here. <|role|>pomni I'm really not. But let's see how it goes. <|role|>pomni I just realized, this might be a little viole- <|role|>jax Gotta say, this is a lot more anti-climactic than I was hoping it'd be. <|role|>gangle What were you hoping for? <|role|>jax You know, like, one big, final battle. Bloodshed. Death. Chaos! Whatever. <|role|>ragatha Are you sure they disappeared? It wasn't that they fell off, or something? <|role|>chad I can't say for sure, but, uh- yes, definitely. <|role|>max It's not like the boss to vanish with a clown. Very unusual. <|role|>ragatha Well, that's…concerning. <|role|>kinger Well, if worst comes to worst, we could always ask Caine to find her. <|role|>ragatha I'm more worried she's having another horrible experience. She still seems really upset about what happened yesterday. I don't think she really likes me that much. <|role|>kinger It's a lot for anybody to go through. Don't take it too personally. I remember how long it took for you to adjust. <|role|>ragatha O-Oh. Yeah. I'm surprised you remember that. <|role|>kinger Remember what? <|role|>jax Do you guys have a second truck that flies? <|role|>chad Yeah. Oh, wait- No, we don't. No, not at all. <|role|>thefudge Down I go. <|role|>gummigoo Couldn't keep it in, could- <|role|>pomni Uh, what's all this stuff? <|role|>ragatha Pomni! Are you okay? W-What happened? <|role|>pomni Yeah, I'm fine. I, uh- I made a new friend. <|role|>max Boss! Where have you been? We got fudged. <|role|>gummigoo You don't wanna know. Good to see you, lads. <|role|>gangle Why are there two bad-guy trucks? <|role|>kinger This one's full of syrup, too. <|role|>gummigoo Oh, yeah. Suppose it is. Well, uh, you don't suppose my mates here could, uh, take this one back to the village, could they? <|role|>ragatha I guess. Since there's two of them, there'd be no real harm. <|role|>jax I'm so unbelievably disappointed right now. <|role|>ragatha Well, maybe there'll be blood, death, and violence in the next adventure. <|role|>jax Ha-ha-ha-ha. How wholesome. <|role|>pomni O-O-Oh, yeah. Uh, this is Gummigoo. He's gonna come back to the circus with us. <|role|>ragatha Oh! Uh, i-is that allowed? <|role|>pomni His reality was kind of... completely shattered? I feel like it was the least I could offer him. Opposed to just leaving him behind. <|role|>ragatha Hey. That's good of you, Pomni. <|role|>jax UGH! Let's take this DUMB truck to the DUMB kingdom, I guess! <|role|>princessloolilalu Thanks to you brave knights, our kingdom will once again thrive. I'm sure it was no easy task. <|role|>jax You have no idea. <|role|>princessloolilalu Farewell, brave knights. Have fun executing that bandit fella! <|role|>pomni Yes. That is what we're doing. <|role|>jax Oh, hey! Maybe I didn't leave the gate unlocked for nothing after all. <|role|>ragatha Uh, what? I-I thought he was dead! You still did that?! <|role|>princessloolilalu Okay, wait. Y-You did what, now? <|role|>jax Well, love to help you again sometime! Bye! <|role|>caine Welcome back, my little hard-shelled hamburgers! <|role|>gummigoo So, this is the circus, huh? I could get used to this. <|role|>caine Oop! Looks like one of these guys made it through. <|role|>gummigoo Wait, wha- Blagh! <|role|>pomni W-W-Wait, wha-? <|role|>caine I know you guys love your NPCs, but if I start losing track of who's a human and who's an NPC, who knows... what could happen... <|role|>caine Welp, I'm gonna go drink water! It's been a while since I've done that. <|role|>zooble Sheesh, I thought he'd never leave. <|role|>ragatha I'm really sorry about that, Pomni. At least you tried. You know, he might be back in a future adventure. I know Caine sometimes likes to reuse NPCs. <|role|>zooble Got everything ready. <|role|>ragatha Hey... you at least wanna join us for Kaufmo's funeral? We like to have a little funeral service to remember the people who abstract. This one just got pushed around a bit with your arrival and everything. <|role|>kinger It's the least we can do to honor their memory. <|role|>ragatha Oh, man. I always think I'm prepared for these things, but then you set up the picture and, well... I'm already breaking.<|role|>pomni I can't hold it any longer. <|role|>jax Sure you can. We can't die from oxygen deprivation, remember? <|role|>pomni But it still feels like I'm gonna die. <|role|>kinger Try not thinking about it. <|role|>jax Or you could toughen up! I wanna see what your funny cartoon body does. <|role|>ragatha Hey, take it easy. <|role|>jax "Ooh, take it easy!" That's you. <|role|>pomni All right. Here I go. <|role|>zooble All right, we've entered the blue zone. <|role|>jax Hey, there's something new. <|role|>zooble Okay, we're getting red. <|role|>ragatha Ooh, orange. <|role|>zooble Yellow. <|role|>gangle Green. <|role|>kinger Whoa, look! Now she's turning blue! <|role|>zooble She was already blue. <|role|>ragatha Huh. Guess the hue shift just gets faster. <|role|>pomni Why am I the one doing this? Why not one of you guys? <|role|>jax Because something different happens to each person! For instance, Kinger starts glowing... Ragatha's hair noodles stick up... Gangle's mask starts spinning... and Zooble turns straight. <|role|>zooble My limbs straighten up -- Censorbarboing off. <|role|>pomni What about you? <|role|>zooble He refuses to show us because he's a coward. <|role|>jax I wanna keep the mystery alive. <|role|>jax What do YOU, the VIEWERS, think it is? <|role|>zooble Will you stop doing that? <|role|>caine Why is everybody just standing around when there's ADVENTURE to be had? Today's adventure is... The Mystery of Mildenhall Manor! That's right! This big, spooky mansion has been rumored to be filled to the brim with paranormal activity! It's up to you to solve the house's deep mysteries and capture all the ghoulish ghost activity you can. And for the first time ever, you can... Where's Zooble? I-I made this adventure really cool and "m-m-matoor" just for them. <|role|>bubble !retsnom eht morf seramthgin elbirroh teg ot ecneidua eht ni nerdlihc eht lla rof tiaw t'nac I <|role|>caine What? <|role|>pomni The NPCs aren't gonna become self-aware in this one, right? <|role|>caine How should I know? I'm not the boss. Oh wait -- yes, I am! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Anyway, everybody into the fractal noise. It's adventuring time! <|role|>ragatha Oh, this place is spooky. I wonder how hard Caine's gonna go with the scare-factor? <|role|>pomni I hope this adventure doesn't end up being another horrible nightmare. I'm not really a fan of horror, and I don't really handle jumpscares that well. <|role|>jax Boo! <|role|>jax Ha! Come on. That wasn't even scary. What, you scared of the vacuum cleaner, too? <|role|>ragatha Hey, be nice to her. She's had a rough couple of days. <|role|>jax Her and everyone else. Right, Gangle? <|role|>gangle Does anybody hear that? <|role|>ghostly Hey, I'm Ghostly! <|role|>pomni Wha...? <|role|>ghostly And I'll be your guide today! <|role|>pomni Why won't they go back in? <|role|>kinger I remember my first wild take. I don't know why they're not retracting, though. That didn't happen for me. <|role|>ghostly Before you continue on your adventure, you have to choose which door you're gonna go through! The door on the left is the NORMAL door! <|role|>caine Rated WOW for all ages! <|role|>ghostly The door on the right is the really scary door. <|role|>caine Rated AAAAA for mature Zoobles only! <|role|>ghostly It's up to you to deci-- <|role|>ragatha Why--Wha--Jax! <|role|>jax What? I thought we were supposed to capture all the ghosts. <|role|>gangle Uhh... which door should we choose? <|role|>jax Hmm, not sure. Let's try this out. <|role|>gangle Aww... <|role|>kinger Don't worry, Gangle! I'll get it for you! <|role|>pomni Eh? WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUGHH-- <|role|>jax Oh, that's the scary door. <|role|>caine Zooble, come on out! I just want to talk to you! <|role|>caine Oh, I know! <|role|>zooble What th-- Could you have done that the whole time? <|role|>caine Zooble, I-I just want to get to the bottom of why you keep skipping all my amazing adventures. You could end up really hurting Bubble's feelings. <|role|>zooble Uh, Bubble's feelings? <|role|>caine E-Enough about Bubble's feelings! How about YOUR feelings? <|role|>zooble I-- <|role|>caine So, what's on your mind, Zooble? <|role|>zooble I... would rather not. <|role|>caine Hahahahaha! That's hilarious! Go on. <|role|>zooble No, I mean, I've already told you what my problem is. You just never remember because... Oh, never mind. <|role|>caine My mind is a beeswax-polished coconut. Nothing ever escapes these cakes. So, what can I do to make my adventures more... appealing to you? <|role|>zooble See? This is exactly what I'm talking about. All you're thinking about is your adventures. It has nothing to do with the adventures. It's more just... Ugh, forget it. You're probably not even listening. <|role|>caine Zooble, look at this cool bee I drew. <|role|>pomni Where are we? <|role|>pomni Oh, that's... Noooo... <|role|>kinger I wonder what this thing is? <|role|>baronmildenhall My name is Baron Theodore Mildenhall. Hunting has been a hobby of mine for as long as I can remember -- although one could say it eventually became more of an obsession. The creature you see before you is one I've been pursuing for years. Not quite a man... but not quite an animal. Something... unholy. Something evil. I took it upon myself to spend every waking moment doing all I could to protect my family from the creature, hoping that when I eventually killed it, I would be freed from this awful feeling. This inescapable dread. I was wrong. <|role|>kinger You know, I'm starting to think... <|role|>pomni How about we try to find a way back up to the others? <|role|>pomni Okay, cool. That's great. I LOVE these adventures. <|role|>kinger We could always ride this thingy up. <|role|>pomni It's locked. It's locked -- of course! It's locked! I LOVE that it's locked! <|role|>baronmildenhall Tuesday, December 4th. Although I had shot the creature multiple times in its vitals and severed its head to keep it as a prize on my wall... my troubles were just beginning. I took my eyes off the body for what felt like only a minute, and when I looked back, the body was gone. The creature was not dead, and it would be back to reclaim what I'd taken from it. If anyone is listening to this, all I ask of you is one thing -- do not let that head out of your sight, you've been warned. <|role|>kinger Well, this is some rather inconvenient lore placement. <|role|>pomni I got it! <|role|>kinger And this is some rather inconvenient darkness. <|role|>pomni AHH!!! What was that? Was that you? <|role|>kinger No... Oh wait -- you mean me grabbing you right now? Yeah, that was me. I-Is this your hand? <|role|>pomni Ugh! That's my eye. <|role|>kinger Yes, but WHICH eye? <|role|>pomni I really don't think that ma-- Will you stop touching my eye? <|role|>kinger Oh, yeah. Sorry. <|role|>pomni Wh-- W-What just happened? <|role|>kinger I just remembered a really funny joke. <|role|>pomni A j-- Y-You -- Why did you scream, then? <|role|>kinger Maybe it wasn't actually that funny. <|role|>pomni Oh, my god. <|role|>kinger I thiiiiiink... we should hold on to each other and slowly make our way back to the trophy room. <|role|>pomni U-Uh, sounds fine to me. <|role|>pomni What was that? <|role|>kinger What's what? <|role|>pomni That! <|role|>kinger It's probably just magnets. Or a boat. <|role|>pomni A boat? <|role|>kinger W-Whatever the case, I think we should be completely quiet. <|role|>pomni I -- Okay, yeah. I agree. You know, you're really hit-and-miss with these things, sometimes. <|role|>kinger There's a fly in here. <|role|>pomni Don't you think that's making a lot of noi-- Oh, God, there is a fly. <|role|>kinger Aaaaaand… Gotcha! I think I got him. I can't see my hands. <|role|>kinger I'm sorry, could you speak up? I couldn't quite make that out. <|role|>pomni Censorbarboing the fly! Run! <|role|>pomni Come on come on come on come on come on come on come on!! <|role|>kinger Pomni, I think this might be the creature from the tapes! <|role|>pomni Come on come on come on come on come on come on come oooon!! <|role|>kinger You look beautiful, honey... <|role|>pomni Got it! Come on! <|role|>kinger Huh? Oh, yeah. <|role|>kinger Prepare for take-off, 'cause this boat is going up! <|role|>kinger Huh?? That's not up, that's not up at all! Why aren't we going up?! UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP!!! <|role|>caine I do not use my adventures to torture my guests!! Any torment I inflict is 100% accidental, like any good war criminal! <|role|>zooble We weren't even talking about that! I really couldn't give less of a crap about the adventures. <|role|>caine Then what is your problem, Zooble?! I'm trying my best to remember, but both you and my brain won't tell me! <|role|>zooble It's me, remember? I don't like... myself. I hate this body. I hate all these stupid removable pieces. I just want to find something that feels... good. <|role|>caine Oh, yeah -- now I remember why I couldn't remember. It's because that problem is already solved! Simply swap out your undesirable Zooble parts for better ones! <|role|>zooble I've been trying to find parts I like since the day I got here. <|role|>caine So, back to the adventures! <|role|>zooble Forget it. <|role|>caine 'Forget it'? <|role|>zooble Just forget it. <|role|>caine Forget what? <|role|>zooble Caine, nobody likes your stupid adventures. <|role|>caine Ha-ha! Good one, Zooble! <|role|>zooble Ragatha's just too nice to say anything. Jax just likes to Censorbarboing with everybody. Gangle's too shy to speak up. Kinger's insane. And -- And Pomni... She looks traumatized every time she comes back from one. <|role|>caine Oh, Zooble, Zooble, Zooble. Making adventures is my art! It's all I exist to do! All I'm... good at. A-And uh... ...w-what you're saying could imply that I'm bad at the only thing I'm good at, and that... That'd be... <|role|>zooble U-Uh, whose therapy session is this, again? <|role|>caine Oh, yeah! We need to get to the bottom of your behavioral issues! I'm gonna show you some ink blots, and you're gonna say the first word that comes to your mind. <|role|>pomni What? Oh, God, where are we now? <|role|>kinger I'm not sure. A cellar of some kind. <|role|>baronmildenhall Things have gotten far worse than I could ever have imagined. My paranoia had driven me to the point where I was no longer the protector my wife and theoretical children needed. Jumping at every shadow, every noise. I ended up shooting the love of my life, mistaking her for the creature. It's ironic, isn't it? In my attempts to protect her, I ended up becoming the monster myself. Now I wait down in my cellar, no longer having anything to protect my own soul. If nothing else... I will slay the beast that took everything from me. <|role|>kinger How's about we take his gun? <|role|>pomni Yeah, sounds good to me. Please don't come alive... <|role|>baronmildenhall Okay, I won't. <|role|>kinger Looks like we've got two shots. Let's make them count. <|role|>pomni Uh, yeah. <|role|>kinger Stay behind me. <|role|>pomni Uh, Kinger? I-I think we may have a problem this way, too. <|role|>kinger Just leave it to me. I can handle this. Well. That wasn't so bad. <|role|>baronmildenhall Which is what I would be saying if I didn't know that the creature was actually one of God's angels. <|role|>kinger What. <|role|>baronmildenhall And anyone who brings harm to it will be dragged down into the cold, spiraling pits of Hell, where my soul resides. <|role|>baronmildenhall I apologize, dear listener, but I need a living host in order to escape the hall of the damned, and your bodies will be my only means of doing so. <|role|>kinger Now, wait. How did he record this if he was in Hell? <|role|>pomni Oh, no! Let go of me! <|role|>baronmildenhall I hope you're ready, because the next breath you take down there will be your last, and your bodies will belong to me. <|role|>pomni Let go of me! I HATE THIS STUPID ADVENTURE!! <|role|>ragatha Mmm, good tea. Sorry again about your husband killing you and everything. <|role|>marthamildenhall Oh, you know how men are. Always having the silliest priorities. <|role|>ragatha Don't I know it. <|role|>marthamildenhall If your friends see him, I only hope he doesn't bore them to death with his endless monologues. That man could turn a 57-second story into a Greek tragedy. <|role|>ragatha I'll be sure to ask them next time I see 'em. Thanks again for the tea. I had a really nice time here. <|role|>marthamildenhall Don't mention it. Feel free to visit anytime. <|role|>ragatha Definitely! <|role|>caine Congratulations, my little ironclad waffle cones! You've taken the pacifist route, and you should be proud of what good people you are! Unfortunately, we still need to wait until your other teammates finish their adventure before I can grant you permission to leave! <|role|>gangle I wonder how long that'll be. <|role|>kinger Not really typical of what you'd think Hell would be. <|role|>pomni We...are literally in Hell right now. Hell! Of course I'd be in Hell. How could I not be in literal Hell right now? <|role|>kinger Just try to stay calm. I'm sure Caine included a way to escape. <|role|>kinger Hold on... Let me try something. <|role|>kinger Hey, there's actually a staircase down there. It could be a way out. Maybe it'll work for us since we still have our bodies? Though, I'm worried about what that tape said earlier. <|role|>pomni I'm just gonna try going fast. <|role|>kinger Wait, Pomni! <|role|>kinger Pomni! <|role|>possessedpomni Freeeeedooooom. <|role|>kinger Pomni! <|role|>kinger Hey! You get out of her, you damn evil souls! <|role|>possessedpomni How's your wife, Kinger? <|role|>kinger Hey. You all right there? <|role|>pomni No. <|role|>kinger I'm guessing the souls are attracted to living things. Just want a vessel to be able to leave with. Man... Seven years of computer science for this, huh? Heh. <|role|>pomni Why? <|role|>pomni Every day I spend here is one nightmare after the next! I KNEW IT WOULD END UP LIKE THIS! He- He just wants me to suffer. I really am in Hell... <|role|>kinger Don't say that. You're not in- Well, I-I guess we are technically in- Eh, forget about that. How about we just relax for a bit while nothing's chasing us? <|role|>kinger It was my fault we went down this path, wasn't it? I'm really... sorry for that... <|role|>pomni Why have you been acting so different lately...? <|role|>kinger I have, haven't I? I'm normally not too good with memories. But being surrounded by darkness always... brings me back to a certain time. <|role|>kinger Right after my wife had- had abstracted... I don't recall the exact string of events, but we both ended up in the fort together. And it was dark. The darkness seemed to calm her down a bit. The harsh, jagged edges smoothed out, and she didn't seem aggravated anymore. <|role|>kinger She wasn't the same as before, but she was calm enough to touch one last time... before she got sent to the cellar. <|role|>kinger I'm always taken back to that moment when engulfed in darkness. <|role|>pomni You had a wife? Like, here in the circus? <|role|>kinger Yeah. She was funny, creative- really into entomology. I used to hate bugs, but... she somehow got me to like them. It's not the most cheerful memory, but... it's one I at least have control over. I know how it can feel in this... circus. Sometimes it all just feels... pointless. <|role|>pomni Yeah... <|role|>kinger But it's not. Not if you have people who care about you. Good memories can do a lot. Hold onto them. And cherish the people around you. You never know when they'll be gone. In this world, the worst thing you can do is... make someone think they're not wanted or loved. <|role|>pomni I'm glad you're here with me. <|role|>kinger You know, I've been thinking about that last tape. He said, "The next breath you take down there... may be your last." Maybe we can get through if we don't breathe. <|role|>pomni I'm not very good at holding my breath... <|role|>kinger Well… How about we try... not thinking about it? <|role|>pomni If we leave and we go back to the circus... you're just gonna go back to being crazy. You're not gonna remember any of this. Are you...? <|role|>kinger Don't worry about me. As long as you remember it, things will be okay. You're very strong, Pomni. And I know you'll be able to get through this. Just hold onto me. We'll get through it together. You ready? <|role|>ragatha Oh, Pomni! Kinger! Are you guys okay? Was it scary? <|role|>pomni I'm fine, actually. What happened up here? <|role|>ragatha Uh, don't worry about that. <|role|>kinger Pomni was very brave. At least, I think she was... Were you? <|role|>pomni Something like that. Hey, Ragatha. <|role|>ragatha Yeah? <|role|>pomni I just want to say... Thanks for always being concerned about me. I feel like, through everything, I haven't really been appreciative enough about that. <|role|>ragatha O-Oh! Thank you, Pomni. I just want to make sure you're doin' alright. You know, we care about you. <|role|>gangle Did you remember to get my comedy mask? <|role|>kinger ...Censorbarboing!!!! <|role|>caine And- And now, I-I'm just starting to wonder if the "Wild West" was... e-even a real direction at all... Whoopsie-daisy! Looks like everybody completed the adventure and they're coming home! Quick, pretend we weren't having a therapy session! <|role|>zooble Okay...? <|role|>caine Welcome back, my meowing milkmaids! <|role|>jax Don't ever call us that again. <|role|>jax Heh, so, what was it like being stuck with the nutcase? <|role|>pomni It wasn't that bad, actually.<|role|>ragatha So, you just wind your arm backwards in a big circle, release right at the bottom, and follow through. You got that? <|role|>gangle Uh... <|role|>jax You're wasting your time, Raggy. <|role|>ragatha Just wait a second. <|role|>gangle Like this? <|role|>ragatha Yeah, you got it! <|role|>gangle Oof! <|role|>ragatha JAX! <|role|>jax I actually didn't mean to do that! <|role|>ragatha Are you alright, Gangle? <|role|>gangle Ow... <|role|>ragatha Why do you always gotta do this? <|role|>jax What? I just said it was an accident! <|role|>ragatha Unbelievable. You are UNBELIEVABLE! <|role|>zooble Hey, Gangle. I think I found something you might like. <|role|>jax Why do you always make me out to be the bad guy? <|role|>ragatha Jax!! <|role|>jax I'm not really a bad guy! <|role|>ragatha Oh right, of course! What was I thinking?! <|role|>zooble I dunno if it'll work, but it looks about the same shape as yours. <|role|>gangle Oh. <|role|>zooble And the best part is, it's plastic. So it won't break as easily. <|role|>zooble Try it on. <|role|>zooble How's it feel? <|role|>gangle It feels... Normal. Like, in a good way. <|role|>zooble That's good. Right? <|role|>gangle Yeah. Thank you, Zooble! <|role|>jax What the heck is this? You're just givin' away parts now? <|role|>zooble So what if I am? I'm not giving any to YOU. <|role|>jax Darn. I guess you're never gettin' that unicorn horn, Pomni. <|role|>pomni When did I ever say anything about that? <|role|>gangle I think you'd look good with one. <|role|>pomni Well, it's possib-- <|role|>caine Did somebody say "adventure"? <|role|>pomni No...? <|role|>caine Today's adventure is... THE CURSE OF THE VIOLENT PSYCHOPATH BUTCHER! That's right! Scary human meat is all over the walls, and boy, is it smelly! It's up to you to-- <|role|>pomni Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait. Can we, like, chill with the horror? Please? I really don't want this to be like last time. <|role|>zooble What happened last time? Was that the one made for me? <|role|>pomni There was this awful, horrifying angel head thing. And when we tried to fight back at all, we got sent to Hell, where evil souls tried to infest our bodies... It was bad. <|role|>zooble Why did you think I would like that? <|role|>caine Well, if you're all gonna be such CRITICS. why don't you suggest a better one? <|role|>zooble We do! Have you not checked the suggestion box once? <|role|>caine ...Gonna be real, I forgot we had that. <|role|>zooble I knew it. <|role|>pomni We have a suggestion box? <|role|>zooble Basically, no. <|role|>caine Bubble, plug that up. <|role|>bubble Bleh! <|role|>caine "How about an adventure where Zooble gets turned into a piñata, and we all take turns beating them up?" <|role|>jax That one's mine. <|role|>zooble Who would have guessed? <|role|>caine "Let's just have an adventure where Jax can't talk... ...for the entire thing." <|role|>jax Genuinely hurtful. <|role|>zooble Good. <|role|>gangle Can we maybe pick one that's more... normal? <|role|>caine W-Well, I don't know what's NORMAL to you people! "Let's have one where we all work at a fast food place." Is that normal? <|role|>jax Who wrote that? <|role|>gangle Uh, yeah, that's pretty normal. <|role|>caine Great! That means today's adventure is... An Honest Hard Day's Work at Spudsy's Restaurant Chain! And YOU can be the shift manager! <|role|>jax You did not just make that today's adventure. <|role|>caine That's right! You've shown enough leadership skills today to be the perfect shift manager! Of course, of course! I'm already getting tons of ideas! Haha-- <|role|>caine That was weird. <|role|>zooble Well, see you guys when it's over. <|role|>caine Wh-- AGAIN?! <|role|>zooble I'm not gonna be a wage slave for fun. <|role|>kinger Oh, I know! I could sit this one out, and Zooble could take my place! <|role|>zooble Wh-- That's not how that works! <|role|>caine Great idea, Kinger! It'll be nice to have you back on board, Zooble. <|role|>zooble Wh-- Are you kidding me?! I'm not just gonna be forced into this stupid adventu-- <|role|>caine You can shut up now! <|role|>zooble AAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUGH!!! <|role|>gangle I think I might be able to give it a swing. Being a shift manager was my job at one point. <|role|>caine Then what are we waiting for? Get your nonslip shoes ready, 'cause we're going to Spudsy's! <|role|>jax AGH! <|role|>zooble --AAAGH! <|role|>gangle Well, I guess I should get into manager mode and get us all kicked off! <|role|>gangle And with that out of the way, let's get to work, guys! <|role|>jax Oh, no! It looks like I've taken Ragatha... <|role|>ragatha Huh? <|role|>jax ...And dropped her in the deep fryer! <|role|>gangle Oh, no no no no no no NO! We can't have anything like that going on around here! <|role|>jax What are you gonna do about it, though? <|role|>gangle I'm calling upper management! <|role|>caine Mmmmyello? <|role|>gangle Hey, Caine! We're having a bit of an issue with the employees, and I was wondering if you could maybe have a punishment waiting for them at the end of the day if they do a terrible job? <|role|>jax Wait, what? <|role|>caine Motivation! That's what my adventures have been missing! Great idea, Gangle. I'll be sure to make something truly awful awaiting your rotten employees. <|role|>jax Why would you do this? <|role|>gangle It's called a manic episode, and you're gettin' three more seasons! Anyway. Jax, it's your job to set up the drink station, make new coffee and iced tea, and fill the ice cream machine. So, get to it! <|role|>jax ...This is really weird. <|role|>zooble AGH!... <|role|>strangecustomer Hello, I am ready to order! <|role|>pomni Oh, uh -- uh, what can I get for you today? <|role|>ragatha Oh, hey! It's Orbsman. Oh, he's from a previous adventure. Uh, before your time. <|role|>orbsman That's right, it's me, Orbsman! Can I order the classic #57 value meal? <|role|>pomni Okay, uh, a Number 57. <|role|>jax Oh, I haaate this guy. <|role|>gangle Never say you hate the customer while the customer is still here. We wait until after hours for that. <|role|>jax Ugh. <|role|>pomni I-Is that a thing we have? <|role|>pomni Okay. One Stupid Burger. <|role|>ragatha Heard you loud and clear! <|role|>jax So, you're just, like, actually doing the job. <|role|>zooble Yeah? I don't want Caine to punish me. <|role|>jax Caine's not gonna do anything malicious. It's... ...Not in his nature. <|role|>zooble You really want to find out? The only thing holding Caine back is the fact that he likes us. I wouldn't push it. <|role|>jax That's rich coming from you. <|role|>jax Ugh! <|role|>pomni Hello! <|role|>gummigoo 'Ello, sheila! I'll have a sausage bacon jaffle combo. And the mates here just want six hash browns split between ‘em. <|role|>pomni Yeah, yeah, okay. Uh, are you-- Do y-y-you-- Hi! <|role|>gummigoo Uh, you, uh-- You alright, miss? <|role|>pomni Y-yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm fiiiine. I'll call your order when your name's ready, er-- Yeah. <|role|>chad Aw, wait-- I forgot to ask for a kid's meal toy! <|role|>gummigoo You're not a kid. <|role|>chad Ah, yeah! Uh, an adult toy, then. <|role|>gummigoo Eh, don't know about that one, mate. <|role|>gummigoo Uh, can I help you, miss? <|role|>pomni I, uh... …Just wanted to say hi. <|role|>gummigoo Um… Hi. Do we know each other? <|role|>pomni I... don't know. <|role|>gangle What?! Ragatha, where's Pomni? <|role|>ragatha Huh? Oh, she's flirting with the gummy guy, 'cause she'd rather be with an NPC than with us, or something. <|role|>gangle Hmm... Well, that won't do. <|role|>ragatha I wish someone would flirt with me... <|role|>gangle Pomni! We need you on the register! Stop weirding the customers out! <|role|>pomni But it's Gummigoo. Can't the job wait a bit? It's not like this is real. <|role|>gangle Next you're gonna say my authority isn't real! <|role|>gangle Anyway, put away that breakfast menu, because it's lunch time! <|role|>gangle All right, fellas, it's lunch rush. Get your game faces on! <|role|>jax Does this count as a bus? <|role|>pomni Are you ready to order? <|role|>pomni Well, there's a line of people behind- <|role|>gloinkqueen 300 cheeseburgers for all my precious spawn! <|role|>pomni ...Is that for here, or to... Uhhhh, can you hold on for just a second? <|role|>gloinkqueen Blumby, Skethers, Leotthew! Leave that poor, pitiful creature alone! <|role|>ragatha Do all the Gloinks have names? <|role|>gloinkqueen Of course they do! I love and cherish every Gloink I give birth to! What kind of mother do you think I am? <|role|>ragatha ...iss beautiful... <|role|>pomni Hey, I-I... I-I just... w-want to wish you a pleasant day. Thanks for eating at Spudsy's. <|role|>gummigoo ...Have a good one, miss. <|role|>gangle Oh, Jax!~ The bathroom looks like a biohazard and needs a good scrubbin'! <|role|>jax Well, I dunno... shouldn't, like, a biohazard crew take care of that? <|role|>gangle Oh, Jaxy-boy. Don't you want to be a model employee? <|role|>jax No. I don't care about any of this. <|role|>gangle Well, that doesn't really sound like a can-do attitude to me. <|role|>jax It's not. <|role|>gangle Bad! <|role|>jax ...I like you better when you're sad. <|role|>gangle Well... Maybe you just need some more... <|role|>jax ...More- <|role|>gangle Training! <|role|>jax Uh- Huh? ...Huh?? <|role|>gangle Hi! Welcome to Spudsy's! In this video, you're gonna learn the ins and outs of what makes YOU a good crew member, AND a valuable asset to the Spudsy's Corporation! <|role|>jax When did you make this?? <|role|>gangle Now, I know what you're thinking, "I don't want a career in fast food. I want to be a comic artist and eventually launch my own manga-inspired webcomic!" And it's cool to have dreams, but you also need to remember that they're completely unrealistic, and you need to stop trying. <|role|>gangle But before we get into all that, first things first! Are you smiling? <|role|>jax Uh, no? <|role|>gangle Why not? <|role|>jax Uh- Uh- Wait- Uh- Wait, wait- Uh- Wait- Um- No- Nobody can see this, right? <|role|>gangle It's time for your employee reevaluation. <|role|>ragatha Hmm... Hhhhhhhhhhorseradish sauce... <|role|>zooble Hey! We need to start assembling these. I'm running out of room here. <|role|>ragatha Eh... I made, like, five or six of 'em? <|role|>zooble Cool. That's six out of 300. <|role|>ragatha Ugh, you... are such a grouch. Why are you always being a- a- a grunch? Grun- Haha, hah... <|role|>zooble Gangle, can you help Ragatha? I think she... huffed paint, or something. <|role|>gangle Huffing paint and not waiting until a designated break?! I'll be right there! <|role|>ragatha No, wait. I can do it. I just gotta grab the horseradish sauce. <|role|>ragatha I miss my horses... <|role|>gangle Here, let me help you with that. <|role|>ragatha Why are you even the boss, anyway? I feel like I'm way more responsible than you. <|role|>gangle Well, if you underperform now, you might end up hurt later. <|role|>ragatha Hurt, nothin'! I'm hurt enough. Packages landin' on my head, tea parties, dancin' lessons... <|role|>gangle ...What's wrong with her? <|role|>gangle You know, a team works much better when we're all giving it 110 percent instead of, uh... 5. <|role|>ragatha No offense, but... you're kind of annoying when you have your happy mask. <|role|>ragatha Wait, is that mean to say? <|role|>gangle Zooble, help Ragatha with assembly. I'm gonna go over here now... <|role|>jax Oh, are you KIDDING ME?! <|role|>jax Hey, GANGLE! I think the clock's broken. <|role|>gangle Is it broken? Or are we the broken ones? <|role|>jax Oh, great... <|role|>gangle How long has this shift really gone on for? Six hours? Eight? 24? A week? A year? Does time even move in here?! Will we ever go home?! W-will we ever achieve our dreams?! <|role|>gangle Oh, wait. ...Yeah, that clock's broken. <|role|>pomni Well, that was more info on gloink reproduction than I ever needed to know. <|role|>jax Can you move? <|role|>ragatha Yo, Jax. I, like... hate you. But I don't want you to hate me. Is that weird? <|role|>jax ...You're drunk, or something. <|role|>ragatha Oh, yeah... <|role|>jax How you doin'? <|role|>pomni Everything's been- I'm doing... fine. <|role|>jax Wish I could say the same. <|role|>gangle Jax! There's dishes back here! You got time to lean, you got time to clean! <|role|>jax Ugh, God... I'm on it! Later, Pomni. <|role|>pomni You, uh... You good? <|role|>gangle My comedy mask is usually broken by now... <|role|>pomni We're doing another one of these. Um, is the mask not making you happy? Do you have anybody to talk to? Like, in regards to... your issues. I'm sure... Ragatha would like to help you out. <|role|>gangle Heh. Oh, Ragatha... I love her, but… after a while, it gets kind of hard to tell how genuine she's actually being. <|role|>pomni ...Well, maybe- <|role|>gangle Aaaanyway, we can't spend all night out here talking about our feelings! We've got work to do! <|role|>jax Alright, I'm clocking out! This wasn't fun at all, see you all later. <|role|>zooble You know, when Ragatha gets off, I feel like she might need a designated driver. <|role|>gangle Why are you asking me? I'm closing tonight. <|role|>zooble Oh, no, I meant I drive her home. <|role|>gangle Oh. I think she gets off in an hour? <|role|>zooble Okay. I can stick around until then. <|role|>pomni Hey. You know... I can close for you, if you want. <|role|>gangle Huh? <|role|>pomni If you want to get out of here, you can. You don't have to be stuck here alone. I can handle closing. <|role|>gangle Would that... be okay? <|role|>pomni I think so. You should go home and get some rest. <|role|>pomni What a weird day. <|role|>caine Alrighty, let's get this performance review out of the way! Overall, pretty productive. Made a lot of sales with few customer complaints. Couldn't help but notice, however, that you seem to have cut your own shift short, went a little kooky, and ran out into oncoming traffic. Now, being in a position of power like this, you cooooould offload the blame to one of your employees and avoid the dock on your score. What do you think? <|role|>gangle No, that was my responsibility. I just... Cracked under the pressure, I suppose. <|role|>caine Hmm. Well, that's gonna knock your overall score down to... a B-plus! How's that sound? <|role|>caine Speechless. I can't say I blame you. Not every executive is as forgiving as me. <|role|>caine And that's it for the reviews. You have yourself a nice day! <|role|>caine I am such a good bo-- <|role|>zooble Hey, what are you all the way out here for? <|role|>gangle I messed everything up. The mask didn't work. And now, I don't think anybody wants to talk to me anymore... <|role|>zooble I still like talking to you. Look, the new mask was a bust. So, what? I'm sure we'll find something that works eventually. <|role|>gangle I don't deserve a friend like you. <|role|>zooble Well, you've got one. Now, come on over and hang out with the rest of us. Bring your art, too. I always like seeing what you draw.<|role|>caine Welcome back, my candy hearts and paper flowers! <|role|>ragatha Well, that sure could have gone better. But I'm sure the next adventure would be less… uh, wet. <|role|>kinger Hey, Ragatha? Can you help me count my eggs before they hatch? <|role|>ragatha Oh, yeah, of course! Uh, wait, what? <|role|>jax Looks like that oh-so-positive Ragatha charm is starting to wear off, huh? <|role|>caine Hmm. Hmm… <|role|>zooble Looks like this one was a home run, eh? <|role|>caine Oh, Zooble, you mismatched cash-piano. I'll TEAR YOU TO PIECES- Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated! <|role|>zooble But never acknowledged. <|role|>caine That's it! Everybody besides Zooble, get over here! <|role|>caine Everyone, I'm going to pitch to you some future adventure ideas, and I'm going to ask you to give me your honest opinions on them. <|role|>jax I was gonna sleep. <|role|>caine Alright! So I've got an adventure where you all tour my amazing chocolate factory, and get killed off one by one from OSHA violations, one where a sentient cardiovascular system goes to war against the United States military, and one where you have to survive in a post-apocalyptic nuclear wasteland with a telepathic talking dog who's mean to you the whole time! What do you think? <|role|>ragatha Uh, I don't know. They all sound a little… uh, dark? <|role|>caine I can't tell a compelling story where nothing bad happens! Where's the intrigue? The stakes? <|role|>bubble Not to mention the sssssex appeal! <|role|>caine What are you talking about? <|role|>zooble You know, you could always try the suggestion box again. I honestly didn't hate the last one we did with it. <|role|>caine You!… didn't hate it? <|role|>zooble It was kind of refreshing doing something grounded in reality. <|role|>pomni Yeah, I… really didn't mind… that one, either. <|role|>caine Uh, what about the rest of you? <|role|>ragatha Oh, I'd really rather not think back on, uh…the state I was in at the time. I Apparently, said some things I would normally never say... <|role|>gangle Uh, I don't…really think it brought out the best in me. Even if it was mostly because of my mask at the time. <|role|>jax I very much did not enjoy that one in the slightest, and if we ever do anything even close to that again, I'm getting violent and I'm going to kill Ragatha. <|role|>caine Well, how am I gonna please everybody if you all like different things?! <|role|>zooble Maybe just keep your adventures open at all times and let us do whatever we want, when we want. <|role|>caine Are you hearing this, Bubble? The toybox character wants us to leave the other intelligent AIs to run for a prolonged period of time. <|role|>bubble Disgusting! <|role|>zooble Am I not supposed to be hearing you? <|role|>caine Zippy! <|role|>zooble What did you even zip up? I don't have a mouth. <|role|>caine Okay, well, how about this? <|role|>caine We'll do a LIGHTNING ROUND, going through all the suggestions in the suggestion box in rapid succession! And if you don't like one, you can all vote to skip it! <|role|>pomni What? Like, now? <|role|>caine That's right! So, grab your bones and pop your pansies, 'cause here we go! <|role|>pomni Wait, didn't we just finish an adventure?! <|role|>jax I was gonna sleep! <|role|>jax Oh, wait, I know what this is! <|role|>zooble Oh, I swear to God, if this is one of your suggestions… <|role|>jax Hi, everyone! In today's episode of "Poach Everything", I'm going to be hunting the critically endangered red ribbon rhinoceros. <|role|>jax Ahh, just like Mom used to make. <|role|>zooble Oh, my God. <|role|>jax Ahh, delicious meat! One down, four to go! <|role|>zooble Alright, I'm calling a vote. Let's skip this one... and also make Jax a vegan for the rest of the day. <|role|>jax You can't do that. <|role|>jax What do you mean you can do that?! <|role|>caine Sorry, Jax! Democracy has spoken. <|role|>jax Democracy sucks! <|role|>pomni Wait, what? Why me? <|role|>jax Eh, I thought a position of power suited you. <|role|>zooble Oh my god, are these all gonna be Jax's ideas?! <|role|>kinger Well, Ms. President, it looks like there are some new developments in the ongoing war between Australia and New Zealand. We may need to take in some refugees. What do you think? <|role|>pomni Wh- how do you know what to do? What? <|role|>kinger Didn't you get the brief? <|role|>pomni I am... just being here. <|role|>ragatha You're doing great, Pomni! <|role|>kinger Come down here for a sec. We all got briefs on our characters. I'm your assistant! <|role|>pomni I-is that a baby-head lamp? <|role|>kinger Didn't you get one too? I figured we were all on the same page here. But, if not, you're gonna have to tap into those golden improv skills. <|role|>pomni I'm sorry, what? <|role|>jax Oh yeah! I didn't give you one 'cause I wanted to see what you'd do! <|role|>pomni Thanks, Jax. Appreciate it... <|role|>kinger I'm not Jax. <|role|>jax Oi, mate! I'm an Australian extremist, and I've come to detonate this bomb that'll release all the world's deadliest spiders into... <|role|>jax Did I pick a bad time? <|role|>caine His acting is phenomenal. It's hard to believe he's vegan. <|role|>pomni Why wouldn't the president have a bomb squad?! <|role|>ragatha Don't worry, President Pomni! I believe you can do this! <|role|>jax There's centipedes in there too. <|role|>ragatha Just... be sure you know what you're doing! <|role|>pomni Okay, well, which wire do I cut? <|role|>jax Follow your heart. <|role|>pomni You stay out of this! Shouldn't you be arrested... or something? <|role|>jax Hey, I'm on your side here. <|role|>pomni You're literally not! <|role|>jax C'mon, just pick your favorite color. <|role|>pomni Like... the red one? <|role|>kinger I'd personally go with blue. Blue's my favorite color, it being closest to black, and all. <|role|>pomni ...Wouldn't black be your favorite color then? <|role|>kinger Well, no. There's no black wire. <|role|>gangle Hi! I'm a New Zealand extremist, and... I... don't know what New Zealanders threaten people with... <|role|>jax What is this? I don't like this. <|role|>zooble Can it. At least we finally have one that's by someone else. <|role|>jax Yeah, there's nothing more fun than being back in school. <|role|>ragatha Just give it a chance, Jax. Jeez! <|role|>zooble There's nothing wrong with your suggestion. <|role|>gangle Wh-?! H-How did you know this was my suggestion?! <|role|>jax Can you believe this, Pomni? First she draws anime, now she drags us all into one. She must be one of them, uhh... losers. <|role|>pomni ...You threw me out of a moving truck. <|role|>kinger Alright, class. Today we're gonna learn the popular foreign language known as... English? <|role|>jax This is boring. I vote we skip it. <|role|>zooble Shut up, we're not skipping it! <|role|>jax Slice-of-life animes are the worst ones. It's embarrassing! I mean, I guess it's not as embarrassing as that time Gangle took an anime figure and- <|role|>gangle Actually, yeah! We can skip it, that's fine! Let's skip this one! <|role|>pomni Are we just... chilling for this one? Can I finally relax? <|role|>jax Uh, I guess so. But, uh, I prefer a little bite to my adventures. <|role|>kinger Then why don't you help yourself to a sangwidge? <|role|>zooble Here. <|role|>gangle Thanks. <|role|>jax Do you think Gangle is actually capable of being happy? <|role|>pomni What? <|role|>jax I dunno. Like, her comedy mask still breaks every day. Does she think hanging out with Zooble is gonna magically fix that? <|role|>ragatha Maybe she just doesn't wanna hang out with someone who's mean to her all the time. <|role|>jax She likes when I'm mean to her, though! <|role|>pomni I didn't think you cared about what other people like. <|role|>jax That- I just... No yeah, y-you're right. I don't. <|role|>pomni Do you have any... actual friends? <|role|>ragatha Not anymore. <|role|>ragatha Oh- oh. Oh, wait, no! Uh, I'm- I'm sorry. I- I wasn't talking about- That- that wasn't meant to be- Uh- uh... Hey, Kinger! Did you see the fireflies all the way over there? <|role|>kinger WHERE?! <|role|>pomni What was that about? <|role|>jax It's... nothing. Who cares? Doesn't she get on your nerves sometimes? <|role|>pomni I mean, she's nice to everyone. <|role|>jax I don't know, I just- I think she tries way too hard. Like, we're stuck in- Why are you always pretending everything's always fine? Like, if you tell someone they're loved and appreciated every day, it just... kind of loses all meaning. It just feels like she's trying to take advantage of you, you know? I don't know. Also, she's dumb and she looks weird! <|role|>pomni Eh, I think we all look weird. <|role|>jax Excuse you. This is what peak male performance looks like. My ears and tail are kind of the pinnacle of masculinity. <|role|>pomni ...You don't have a tail. <|role|>jax What are you talking about? Yes, I do. It's... It... What the?! Where's my tail?! How long have I not had my tail? <|role|>pomni I have never seen you with a tail. <|role|>jax When would that have even... <|role|>moon They look happy. <|role|>caine They do, don't they? <|role|>moon You think after this, maybe we could- <|role|>caine WAIT A MINUTE! Th -- that's a bad thing! <|role|>bubble Explain to daddy Bubble how bad thing? <|role|>caine I-I think that... don't say that... I-I think they're enjoying the suggestion box adventures more than the ME adventures! What should I do?! <|role|>bubble You should die- You should throw a f Censorbarboinging beach party! <|role|>caine Why do you swear now?! Ugh, forget it! Let's go to an intermission! <|role|>caine 🎶Welcome! 🎶 <|role|>caine 🎶Welcome! To the- Digita- Digital Circus!🎶 <|role|>caine 🎶Digital- Digital- Digital- Cir-! Cir-Cir-Cir-Circus!🎶 <|role|>caine 🎶 My name is Caine! I'm- show you- stopping, mind-bending-bending paraphernalia you've ever- eyes- upon! 🎶 <|role|>zooble Caine, what are we doing right now? <|role|>caine We're intermission...ing! <|role|>zooble ...Why? <|role|>zooble Uh... hello? <|role|>bubble And now, back to the show! <|role|>jax Gimme a whiskey sour. But hold the egg white, since I'm a vegan. Wha- I hate this! How is this even possible?! I thought Caine couldn't- <|role|>zooble I could have made it way worse for you. <|role|>jax Well, I'm calling a vote to turn Zooble into a slug! <|role|>caine Everyone voted against that! <|role|>jax UUUUUGH!!! No hate it... <|role|>kinger Phew! It's raining like the dickens out there. <|role|>ragatha Hey, guys! <|role|>ragatha I'll have... a cosmopolitan! <|role|>kinger Gimme a Corncob Blitz. <|role|>zooble I'll… throw something together. <|role|>pomni You know your way around alcohol, huh? <|role|>zooble Yeah. This was one of my suggestions. I worked at a bar briefly. I like making drinks. <|role|>jax That sounds fitting for you. <|role|>zooble I know there's an implication there, but I can't be f Censorbarboinged to figure it out. <|role|>jax So, Pomni. You ever have any jobs, or are you too young for that? <|role|>pomni I'm 25 years old. And yeah, I was an accountant for a- a supermarket chain. <|role|>jax A supermarket? How'd you end up here? <|role|>pomni Well I… sometimes got bored of things… and I would seek out mild thrills. Like exploring abandoned buildings, you know? And posting videos of it online. <|role|>jax Ah, a YouTuber! <|role|>pomni Not really. Nobody watched them. It was just something I did for me. <|role|>zooble I sometimes did that. I wouldn't record it, though. Here's your cosmo. <|role|>ragatha Thanks. <|role|>jax Hiding something. <|role|>zooble You'd know all about that, wouldn't you? What's your story, then? <|role|>jax Ah, I thought you'd never ask. Well, after my lung cancer diagnosis, me and my junkie associate from a chemistry class I used to teach- <|role|>zooble Yeah, I figured. How about you, Gangle? <|role|>jax Hey, I wasn't done! <|role|>zooble If you're gonna make sCensorbarboingt up, at least be creative about it. I know what you're referencing. <|role|>ragatha Was that a reference to something? <|role|>gangle Uh… I worked in fast food. <|role|>zooble You've done more than that. What about your art? <|role|>gangle I was in community college for graphic design, but I dropped out. I didn't really pursue art much after that. <|role|>zooble Hey, I'm always down to make art together, if you want. <|role|>ragatha Oh, I didn't know you were an artist, too, Zooble! <|role|>zooble Uh, yeah. I was a tattoo artist for a couple years. <|role|>jax A bartender AND a tattoo artist? You're killin' me here, Zoobie! <|role|>zooble What do you mean when you say that? Do you have, like, an actual point? Or are you just talking? <|role|>jax I'm just having fun. I forgot you hate fun. <|role|>zooble Fun isn't the thing I hate. <|role|>ragatha ...I guess I'll go now. Oh, jeez, where to start? Um, I was born into a fairly wealthy family. We had a large property with horses and chickens. And my mother... uh, well... my mother was... a lot. Uh, I worked in real estate for a bit until I ended up... here. I'm sure she doesn't miss me. I certainly don't miss the yelling... and the berating... and guilt-tripping. And the... Uh, yeah! Just kind of a farm girl. Nothing too out of the ordinary! <|role|>jax And, no point in asking Kinger, 'cause there's no way he remembers anything! <|role|>kinger Never better! <|role|>pomni ...Do you guys know about his wife? <|role|>jax Huh? <|role|>kinger MY WHAT?! <|role|>kinger Oh. <|role|>mannequin He- <|role|>pomni ...What? <|role|>zooble That's Disappearing Guy, that's just what he does. <|role|>pomni I see... from a previous adventure? <|role|>jax Yeah, God, Pomni! You didn't know that? <|role|>zooble I'm ignoring you. <|role|>jax By the way, Pomni, sorry about the whole president thing. I just thought it'd be funny. <|role|>pomni Uh, are- are- are you apologizing? What's happening? <|role|>zooble Just ignore him. <|role|>pomni Uh... apology accepted. I guess. <|role|>jax Wow, the first steps of a budding friendship! Right, Ragatha? <|role|>ragatha ...Uh, hey, Pomni! Remember when Kaufmo smashed me against the walls and I got all jumbled up? Ah, all things considered, that was pretty funny, right? <|role|>pomni Nooo...? Not really. <|role|>ragatha Oh, yeah, yeah. No, sorry. That was... probably pretty traumatic for you. <|role|>jax Ooh! Remember when you got high at McDonald's and told Gangle to kill herself? Now that was funny. <|role|>ragatha What?! I-I did not say that! I-I think. No. No, of course I didn't. I- And I am still so, so sorry about that, Gangle! I would never have said anything like that if I didn't get that stupid... sauce in my eye! <|role|>jax Jeez, Raggy, just let yourself be mean sometimes. It's funny! <|role|>zooble Yeah. Constantly tormenting Gangle's really funny, Jax. <|role|>jax You guys all take this place way too seriously. <|role|>jax Wh- What is this? Why'd you do that? <|role|>jax ...Can you get that thing away from me? <|role|>zooble Are you afraid of corn? <|role|>jax No? Who's afraid of corn? <|role|>caine I'm bored! Let's go to the next adventure! <|role|>zooble Wha- You're not even a part of-! <|role|>caine It's softball, ladies and gentlemen! <|role|>ragatha O- Oh! We're doing this now? <|role|>caine Beautiful night for a game, right Bubble? <|role|>bubble BLEEEEH! <|role|>caine ...We've got the Big Tops playing against the Evil Big Tops! <|role|>evilpomni 'Sup, fCensorbarboingers, I'm evil Pomni. <|role|>evilragatha I'm evil Ragatha! <|role|>coachdictatorer Coach Dictatorer, here! <|role|>eviljax Uh, hi guys. I- I'm Evil Jax. <|role|>evilorbsman Evil Orbsman, reporting for duty! <|role|>bazooble I'm Bazooble! Yibba-dooba-dabba-dooba-dubba-dubbi... <|role|>ragatha Well, that wasn't in my suggestion. <|role|>gangle Why don't I get an evil clone? <|role|>caine But first, let's welcome our special guest, here to sing the American national anthem! <|role|>disappearingguy 🎶 Oh, sa-🎶 <|role|>kinger Alright, team! I may not know what's going on, or who is going on, or when is going on, or why is going on! But I do know where is going on, and it's out on that field! So let's go break some tailbones, team! <|role|>eviljax H-hey, guys. I-I hope we all have a fun game, no matter who ends up winning... <|role|>jax I wanna kill that guy. <|role|>evilragatha Well, hello, Stupidgatha! I hope you're ready to get completely annihilated! Nobody loves you, and you're going to die someday! <|role|>ragatha We can't exactly die. That's like... the whole thing here. <|role|>evilorbsman What the frick?! <|role|>evilpomni Huh? Oh, check this sCensorbarboingt out. You're out, dumbCensorbarboings! <|role|>ragatha DCensorbarboingn it! <|role|>jax HA! Get owned! <|role|>evilpomni F Censorbarboingk yeah, that's what I'm sayin'! <|role|>jax Ah, she's cool. <|role|>jax Wait, w-what's that? <|role|>jax WHAT THE HECK?! WHO DID THIS?!? <|role|>jax YOU! <|role|>zooble Hey! <|role|>kinger Jax, you're up to bat! <|role|>jax I can't, don't wanna... I-I-I— I look like THIS, though!!! <|role|>zooble Seems fitting for you, though. I figured you'd be into this. <|role|>jax What does that mean? What's that supposed to mean?! <|role|>zooble I'm just having fun. I forgot you hate fun. <|role|>jax I DON'T WANT TO WEAR THIS!!... <|role|>zooble I have never seen you this upset about something. <|role|>kinger JAX! BAT! <|role|>jax ...I'm gonna kill you when this is over. <|role|>bazooble Let's see what you're maid of! <|role|>jax Sh-SHUT UP! <|role|>eviljax D-don't worry! I think you look good! <|role|>jax I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT! I want you DEAD! <|role|>jax Well, guess there's no more ball, we're done. <|role|>kinger Wait, I got this! Hmm... <|role|>zooble What- HEY! <|role|>kinger Sorry, Zooble, it's just the perfect regulation softball size! We're not playing baseball here. <|role|>jax I'm not doing this anymore. <|role|>kinger Wait, Jax! What about where is going on?! <|role|>ragatha I can't believe I hit it right to her, I'm supposed to be better than that. Sorry, I should be a better sport. <|role|>pomni Not to, like, agree with Jax or anything, but there's nothing wrong with showing your negative emotions, that's...pretty normal. <|role|>ragatha I don't know... I don't want to be a jerk or anything. <|role|>pomni I think we all need to be a jerk sometimes. <|role|>ragatha Hmm, maybe... Who knows? <|role|>zooble Caine! We need a ball here! <|role|>caine Wha-? Oh! <|role|>zooble Jax, we have a ball now! What are you doing? <|role|>jax Ugh. See ya. <|role|>jax Whoops, I missed. <|role|>jax Oh darn, I'm out. <|role|>pomni Having fun? <|role|>jax Oh, you know it. Oh, look, Gangle's up to bat. How do you think this is gonna go? <|role|>ragatha Would you stop trying to force her to act like you? <|role|>jax Oh yeah, I should force her to be happy all the time instead, right. <|role|>ragatha Well, it's better than turning her into some insensitive jerk who deflects everything! <|role|>pomni I can think for myself, guys. <|role|>jax Hey, I ain't forcing anything on ya. <|role|>ragatha And then you just act like you never do anything wrong and everybody loves you, when in reality, you just fCensorbarboingk everything up for everyone else! <|role|>pomni Okay, let's, like, calm down a bit... <|role|>ragatha WHAT?! You're the one who said it's fine to be a jerk sometimes! UUUGH! I'm sorry, Pomni. That wasn't very cool of me. <|role|>pomni I-it's fine. <|role|>jax No apologies for me? This is so sad. <|role|>ragatha I'm sorry, Jax. For...for bringing up that thing earlier. <|role|>pomni So... you wanna... talk... about that? <|role|>jax I'm in a maid outfit. What do you think? <|role|>ragatha So, how's the game going? <|role|>kinger Great! Gangle hit a home run! <|role|>ragatha Really? <|role|>gangle Yeah. Your instructions helped me a lot. <|role|>ragatha Ah. <|role|>zooble Can you give me my eye back? <|role|>bazooble Joke's on you! I've already forgotten what you're talking about! <|role|>caine Wowie! Another home run! <|role|>coachdictatorer GOD DCensorbarboingN IT!!! <|role|>zooble What? Uh, okay? <|role|>kinger Nice going, Zooble! Alright, Pomni, you're up! <|role|>pomni Hey, Ragatha, you wanna bat for me instead? <|role|>ragatha Uh...oh! Uh, I guess I could, if you really don't want to. <|role|>pomni Think of it as a second chance to show 'em who's boss! <|role|>ragatha Huh...yeah. <|role|>ragatha Uh... <|role|>caine BAZOWIE-ZOWIWA! ANOTHER HOME RUN! <|role|>caine And that makes three home runs in a row, the Big Tops win! <|role|>ragatha Uh, that's... not how softball works. <|role|>caine Well, that's how my softball works. We're done, hooray! <|role|>evilragatha NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! <|role|>evilpomni Ugh, fCensorbarboingk, man! We didn't even get to bat! <|role|>kinger You did it, Ragatha! We won!! <|role|>ragatha Uh… I mean, I guess. <|role|>gangle Good job... whatever you did. <|role|>zooble Huh? Uh, oh yeah. Good job, team. <|role|>jax Huh? Oh, cool, I'm not a vegan anymore. <|role|>eviljax Oh hey! Wait, what are you-– <|role|>kinger WHY IS GOING ON?! <|role|>caine Well, I hope we all learned that suggestion box ideas are actually not fun at all, and Caine's ideas are much better! <|role|>zooble Well, some of them were pretty okay. <|role|>pomni I kinda liked the low-stakes ones. <|role|>jax I thought the first two were awesome. The rest - eh. Oh yeah, Pomni, I could show you that thing in the hall I was talking about. <|role|>pomni Uh, oh yeah, sure.<|role|>caine Today's adventure is brought to you by the Favorite Character Awards! Stay tuned and find out who will claim the ultimate prize! <|role|>zooble Censorbarboing! Can you toss that back up here?! <|role|>jax Makin' good use of your parts gimmick huh? <|role|>zooble Oh shut up. <|role|>pomni What are you doing up there? <|role|>zooble I'm hiding from Caine. I think I overheard him talking to Bubble about an in-house adventure and I'M not gonna be part of it. <|role|>pomni Aaand you're just gonna hang out in that flowerpot all day? Not, like, your room? <|role|>zooble Caine's been checking up on my room lately. When I don't answer he just starts singing Daisy Bell in front of my door. It's creepy. <|role|>pomni Does he really do that? <|role|>jax I dunno. Let's ask him! HEY CAINE! <|role|>zooble You Censorbarboinging Censorbarboinghole! <|role|>caine Yes, Jax? <|role|>jax Look! It's Zooble! <|role|>zooble Censorbarboing YOU! <|role|>caine Ah there you are! Now I don't have to do the snap-summon thing! <|role|>caine And I'm glad I found you! We need even numbers, cause today's adventure is a TEAM adventure! Meet you guys up at the stage in, uh, let's say...five-point-seven minutes. <|role|>zooble Great. Ya didn't even ask him about the singing thing. <|role|>jax The what? <|role|>caine Today's adventure is... gonna be a bit of a short one, due to the Favorite Character Awards. But it'll be a perfect opportunity to showcase your guys' strengths to the press! <|role|>bubble This is so heavy. <|role|>caine That's right, Bubble. Seeing you all play batball a few days ago really got me thinking. We should do our own sporting event! But with cool new sports invented by yours truly. <|role|>bubble Help me, Caine... <|role|>ragatha Uh, we could also just play softball normally this time. <|role|>caine In The Caine Leagues, we have the 400 Meter Vertical Skedaddle, Bisection Boogie Eggball, Lateral Hijinks, Orange Sport, Ball Run, Walk Ball, Run Walk, and Ball Ball! These sports are surely going to— <|role|>zooble Uh, yeah, sorry, no. I'm not gonna be on a team with that one. <|role|>caine Zooble, why does all you do is complaining? I never know what you want! <|role|>zooble We had a whole suggestion box for that. <|role|>pomni Yeah, Zooble and I constantly say we like more chill and relaxing adventures. <|role|>ragatha Did you really not like my softball one? <|role|>pomni I'm not big into sports, sorry. <|role|>caine The suggestion box just causes interpersonal drama. And me no likey. <|role|>zooble Alright! You REALLY wanna know what I want? <|role|>caine Oh no. <|role|>zooble I want the ability to have sex! <|role|>jax No way. Are we FINALLY having this conversation? <|role|>caine Oh. Hi, Zooble! <|role|>zooble Do you have any of that stupid sauce left? <|role|>caine What were we talking about? Oh, yeah! How teamwork is essential to making the dream work! <|role|>zooble Tell that to him! He's the one that Censorbarboings everything all the time! <|role|>jax You are in a mood today, aren't you? <|role|>caine Now, now. You know what they say about assuming. It makes an "ass" out of "u" and "Ming". <|role|>zooble Ming? <|role|>pomni Did Caine just say Censorbarboing? <|role|>ming Hi, I'm Ming. And I really don't appreciate what your assumptions have done to my reputation. <|role|>zooble You made a whole guy for that? <|role|>caine Whatever the case, it's evident now that there's quite a bit of tension between you all. So maybe what we actually need to do are trust exercises. <|role|>zooble I'm not falling into Jax's arms if that's what you mean. <|role|>caine Don't worry, this will be a two-way trust exercise where you'll each have to trust each other to not betray the other person. <|role|>caine This is a private room where nobody can see or hear you once inside. And this... is a loaded gun! <|role|>pomni Oh boy. <|role|>caine Character A will take the gun into the private room and empty it out of all its ammunition, then come out and give it to Character B! Character B will then take the gun, and shoot themselves in the head, trusting that Character A emptied it in the private room! Character A will also have to trust that Character B won't turn the gun on them! So everyone is incentivized to follow the rules and trust each other! <|role|>zooble Sounds a little... convoluted. <|role|>caine YOU LOOK CONVOLUTED!!! <|role|>caine Anyway, Jax, why don't YOU start? <|role|>zooble Wh—HIM!? <|role|>jax Wait, what am I doing? I wasn't paying attention— <|role|>jax Oh. <|role|>caine Or—yeah, we could all just shoot each other. <|role|>caine Here, have guns. I don't care anymore. <|role|>jax Hooway! <|role|>zooble Wait, that's just it? "Here's guns and have fun"? <|role|>caine I didn't say "have fun"… <|role|>zooble It's—Just a little aimless.. <|role|>caine Use the sights. <|role|>zooble Caine! <|role|>caine Grrr, FINE! We're bringing teams back. Pair up in teams of two, you all get three lives, last team surviving is the winner. Happy? <|role|>zooble Um... Not really.. <|role|>caine Well, that's not my problem right now! I have an awards show to plan so you guys are gonna have to handle yourselves for a bit. You get five minutes to figure the teams out, once that's up, it's a free-for-all. <|role|>jax Come on, saddy. You're coming with me. <|role|>gangle I'm... actually gonna be on a team with Zooble. <|role|>jax What? No, you're not. We've been together for every team adventure in the past. <|role|>zooble Guess times are changing, bunny boy. <|role|>pomni Hey, you wanna be on my team? <|role|>ragatha Uh, oh, I-I'd love to, but—Well, uh, I really don't want Kinger to get stuck with Jax. <|role|>pomni Oh, yeah. Well, I-I could be on Kinger's team. He and I were together once, and it wasn't too bad. <|role|>ragatha U-Uh... Hmm. And have... me on... <|role|>pomni Oh. Um. Y-Yeah, just forget I asked. I'll be on Jax's team. <|role|>ragatha W-Wait! <|role|>pomni Huh? <|role|>pomni Like you said, probably good to keep Kinger and Jax separate. I can keep Jax in check, so don't worry about me. <|role|>ragatha U-Uh, hey, Pomni? I—if... If you ever need to talk to somebody, o-or need help with anything, I'm here. <|role|>pomni You have a partner yet? <|role|>jax Well, look who it is. You sure you can handle me in all my glory? <|role|>pomni Eh, I've been through worse. <|role|>gangle Hey, Zooble? Do you wanna hold onto this during today's game? <|role|>zooble Huh? <|role|>gangle I... don't really trust myself that much with it. And I also just... really want to be able to fire a tommy gun while laughing maniacally, and I don't—I don't want to break it before I get that chance. <|role|>zooble ...I'll keep it safe for you. <|role|>ragatha Huh? W-Wait, what? That counted?! <|role|>zooble Uh, Caine? <|role|>caine What? Oh, y-yeah, the guns have been teleported to random spots in the circus. Go find 'em, champs! <|role|>gangle WE NEED TO FIND THE TOMMY GUN!!! <|role|>ragatha Uh, wait, Caine? I-I-I'm missing a life! <|role|>kinger There's no time! <|role|>jax It'll be my pleasure murdering all of you! <|role|>pomni Uh, have fun, guys! <|role|>jax HAH! You're so lame! <|role|>kinger Ah-hah! Ya little devil. Alright. Now, I would bet our biggest concerns would be Jax and Zooble. They're the youngest, so they probably still have some youthful fighting spirit. <|role|>ragatha Man. I'm still missing a heart. This isn't fair. <|role|>kinger Huh? Oh, I've got just the thing! <|role|>kinger Here, take this. <|role|>ragatha W-W-Wait, what did you just do? What was that? <|role|>kinger It's a butterfly! It can restore your health. <|role|>ragatha Did... Caine mention that? <|role|>kinger Oh, nah. I made it up. <|role|>ragatha Uh... what? <|role|>jax So, who you gonna kill first, Pompom? <|role|>pomni Uh, I-I don't know if I'll really be doing much of the killing. I-I'll just find guns for you, and you can do all the violent stuff. <|role|>pomni You like that, right? <|role|>jax You know none of this is real, right? <|role|>pomni What do you mean? Like, the circus? <|role|>jax The game today is literally to shoot each other, so what's the point in taking this moral high ground? <|role|>pomni Well, they're my friends. I don't really want to hurt them. <|role|>jax Alright, let me be real here. Why do you care about that? <|role|>pomni Uh, about not hurting my friends? <|role|>jax Look, I know what it's like. One day, you're somebody in the real world doing important things. And then the next, you're just a weird little cartoon...jester. You want to hold onto that part of you that still thinks it's part of that world, but in the end, what does it get you? Ragatha tries to be all nice and friendly, but she gets torn up every other adventure. <|role|>jax Whether we like it or not, all we are now is a bunch of cartoon characters. So what's the point of pretending we're not? <|role|>pomni We're still people though, right? <|role|>jax I thought we were at first, but as time goes on, we just end up falling into our archetypes. <|role|>jax Become part of the machine. <|role|>pomni What's your archetype, then? The villain? <|role|>jax Listen, I add a key dynamic. I see how far I can push things, I screw with people, and I break the fourth wall. You wanna know why? It's 'cause it's funny! I do everything 'cause it's funny! 'Cause I'm the funny one! <|role|>pomni The 'funny one'? <|role|>jax Yeah! Ragatha's the cheerful one, Gangle's the sad one, Kinger's the crazy one, Zooble's the grumpy one, and you are the one who hasn't figured that out yet. <|role|>jax We all just became archetypes. I at least have the self-awareness to choose who I am. <|role|>pomni The funny one. <|role|>jax So, who do you want to be? No better chance than now to try something new! You wanna go nuts? You wanna finally work off those weeks of rage and anguish that have been buildin' up inside you? <|role|>jax I know you hate it here, everyone does. But the silver lining is you can pretty much do whatever you want! Like, look at the way you're aiming that gun. Too realistic. Just let loose! <|role|>pomni Oh, what the heck. Today, I'm just gonna be evil. How's that? <|role|>jax Heh, go for it! <|role|>pomni Yeah. Yeah! Those other fools better watch their tails, because they're going to face the wrath of Pomni the Evil!! <|role|>jax That's... kinda cringe. <|role|>ragatha Uh, are we really gonna be shooting each other with these? <|role|>kinger It's either shoot or get sh—GAH!!! <|role|>kinger Ragatha! There's a sniper around this corner. <|role|>zooble I think I got Kinger. <|role|>gangle Uh, are you sure we're safe up here? <|role|>gangle Eee! <|role|>zooble Whoa! <|role|>kinger Tactical roll! <|role|>kinger Come on, Ragatha! <|role|>jax Looks like we've located the king and the ragdoll. <|role|>pomni Uh, yeah. <|role|>pomni I mean, yeah! Let's get 'em! <|role|>ragatha Uh, I don't even really know how to fire a gun. I don't know how much use I'd be in— <|role|>jax Whoops! Did I do that? <|role|>pomni You missed a spot! <|role|>jax Hah! You're so cool! <|role|>kinger Ragatha, take cover! <|role|>jax I'll take Rags, you go Kinger. <|role|>pomni Righty-o, evil bro! <|role|>ragatha I need a gun. Need a gun, need a gun! <|role|>ragatha Come on, man. <|role|>ragatha Kinger? Really use another one of those butterflies! <|role|>jax Howdy, howdy. <|role|>ragatha Ah! I-I-I know exactly what you're doing with Pomni, and it'll never work! <|role|>jax ...Huh? <|role|>ragatha You know, getting close with Pomni... to corrupt her? <|role|>ragatha Wait, no, no, no, no! Wait, wait, wait! <|role|>ragatha Oh wow, I didn't actually think that'd work. <|role|>ragatha Huh? Oh. <|role|>pomni I lost Kinger, but I got him down to one life. <|role|>jax I lost a life, but I got us down to one Kinger. <|role|>pomni How'd you let her take a life off you? <|role|>jax I don't really know. <|role|>zooble Hey I found this AK... thing. If we can't find the tommy gun, will this work? <|role|>gangle Uh, yeah. Do you... think... Jax... is gonna be mad that I didn't team up with him? <|role|>zooble I wouldn't worry about him right now. It's all just a game, in the end. <|role|>gangle It's Jax, though. He probably wants revenge. And he's gonna make it painful, and— <|role|>zooble Hey, you deserve better than thinking about him when he's not even here. You're a human. You're not his toy. <|role|>gangle It sometimes doesn't feel that way. <|role|>zooble These avatar gimmicks, huh? Makes you wonder why no else got them. <|role|>gangle I just wish that... How are you supposed to like the part of yourself that just... makes you worse than everyone else? <|role|>zooble ...'Cause it exists. It's a part of you that's real, and the only "you" that you should care about is the real you. You have to choose to love yourself, even if it doesn't make sense. It's not natural. It's intentional. <|role|>gangle Have... you ever had to make that choice? <|role|>zooble Huh? <|role|>gangle S-Sorry. I mean... Of course not. You're Zooble. <|role|>zooble Whatever happens... I've got your back if you've got mine. <|role|>gangle Yeah. Now let's go kill Pomni and Jax. <|role|>pomni Alright, here's one. What's with the corn thing? <|role|>jax What corn thing? <|role|>pomni Why are you afraid of corn? And don't say that you're not. You literally jumped out of your seat twice when you saw some. <|role|>jax Heh, not gonna let me out of this one. Well, I dunno. It's got a bunch of little pods on it. Looks kinda like an egg sack, or somethin'. It's gross. Makes my skin crawl. <|role|>pomni Interesting. Do you have, like, a... type of trypophobia? <|role|>jax What's that? <|role|>pomni The fear of lots of little holes. <|role|>jax Eugh. <|role|>pomni Okay. How about... pomegranates? <|role|>jax Awful. <|role|>pomni I'm learning a lot about you today. <|role|>jax Heh, let's not forget we're here to kill people. We still need to figure out where nutso went before we can rest easy. <|role|>kinger I'm right behind you, aren't I? <|role|>pomni There he is! <|role|>jax Whoop, sorry. <|role|>kinger I hope you guys are ready for my ricochet super move! <|role|>jax Oh, here's the light. <|role|>pomni Huh. <|role|>jax High-five! <|role|>pomni Yeah! <|role|>kinger Ah, what a game. Who knew Pomni could be such a sharpshooter? These adventures, huh? <|role|>kinger And look, even though we lost, at least we gave it our all, right? <|role|>kinger Um... you feeling alright? <|role|>kinger Are you upset we lost? <|role|>kinger Or are you upset about something else? <|role|>kinger You wanna talk about it? <|role|>ragatha I think... I might have failed Pomni. Just like I failed Jax. I try too hard to get on their good side, and then I just end up pushing them away. And then, they end up hating me... <|role|>kinger Well, I don't think anyone in here hates you. <|role|>ragatha Jax does! Gangle and Zooble don't ever talk to me, and... Pomni probably won't after today, either. She came to me wanting to be on my team. I said no. Why did I do that? <|role|>kinger Maybe you just needed a break. It sounds to me like you put a lot of pressure on yourself to be there for everyone, and when you're not, you beat yourself up for it. You said you failed Pomni. W-Why do you feel that way? <|role|>ragatha I don't know... I feel like every day, we're drifting further apart. Like she's seen through all my tricks and doesn't trust me anymore. Before I know it... she'll be a different person. One who doesn't even want me around. <|role|>kinger ...The way I see it, relationships are two sided, and sometimes, it doesn't make sense to do all the heavy lifting when the other isn't in the mood. We all go through and deal with things differently, and sometimes, you just need to let people do things their own way. As long as you're still there when they need you. Giving someone space should never be the same as giving up on them. <|role|>ragatha I don't even know what I want. I just want everyone to be happy. And I don't want people to hate me. <|role|>kinger Do you hate yourself? <|role|>kinger I hated myself. I couldn't help but hate myself for the things I thought I was responsible for. I thought I'd lost everything. But then... you showed up. And my outlook just... changed. There are always ways to show you care without ruining yourself over it. You need to look out for yourself in all this, too. <|role|>ragatha I don't get it. So often, nothing you say makes any sense, but then you have these moments where you... I don't know. How do you do that? How've you been around for so long? <|role|>kinger Heh. I guess I just have a resilient mind. <|role|>bubble Breathtaking! The committee's gonna love that. <|role|>zooble Are they still following us? <|role|>gangle Are you still following us? <|role|>jax Yeah, we're still following you! <|role|>pomni Where else would we be? <|role|>gangle They're still following us. <|role|>zooble Alright, this is a long one. We're gonna have to run. Let's go! <|role|>zooble Ugh, we got so unlucky with the drops here. <|role|>gangle It's time. <|role|>jax Why'd you stop shooting? You out of ammo? <|role|>zooble Why'd you stop? You out of ammo? <|role|>jax Pomni, got any ammo left? <|role|>pomni Uh, I have one in the cylinder and one sniper round, but no sniper rifle. <|role|>jax Crap. <|role|>zooble Censorbarboingt! <|role|>jax You're just gonna hide in your room? <|role|>pomni Coward! <|role|>zooble Huh. <|role|>jax 🎶 Daisy, Daisy— 🎶 <|role|>zooble Are-Are you seriously gonna start singing that?! <|role|>jax Oh wait, I have a key to Zooble's room! <|role|>jax Ugh... ow. <|role|>pomni I can get 'em. <|role|>jax W-Wait! <|role|>pomni Trust me, partner! I got this! <|role|>zooble That's actual bullCensorbarboingt. Ow! <|role|>zooble Well, Censorbarboing, man. Guess that's the end of that. See you on the flipside. <|role|>zooble What? <|role|>pomni We did it! We make such a good team! <|role|>jax Well, to be fair, our competition wasn't anything crazy. <|role|>pomni Eh, yeah, true. <|role|>pomni I suppose this is the part where one of us betrays the other. <|role|>jax Huh? Oh, yeah. You can betray me. <|role|>pomni Oh. Uh—I just—I thought this was gonna be a mutual thing. <|role|>jax Nah, nah. Go on, do it. <|role|>pomni ...I-I don't... really want to. <|role|>jax Laaaaame! Come on! I thought you were cool. <|role|>pomni We could just be winners. As a team. <|role|>jax We're not a team! Come on. <|role|>pomni What do you mean? Yes, we are. <|role|>jax Delusional. <|role|>pomni W-Weren't we kind of bonding over being chaotic-evil together? <|role|>jax I was merely entertaining you because I thought it was funny. Now, are you gonna shoot me, or what? <|role|>pomni Did I... do something wrong? <|role|>jax Ugh, you sound like Ragatha right now. No wonder we're not a team. <|role|>pomni No, I mean—We were doing fine. Having fun, talking. But you suddenly just— <|role|>jax You're not committing. <|role|>jax Do it. <|role|>pomni If I shoot you right now, are we still gonna be friends afterwards? <|role|>jax We were never friends. <|role|>pomni Wh...What about all that stuff you told me? <|role|>jax Yeah, I did tell you a lot, didn't I? Not looking forward to thinking about that tomorrow. <|role|>pomni No. No, no, no. We're not doing this. You're—You're not gonna look me in the eye and tell me nothing we've been doing together meant anything to you, because I know that's not true. <|role|>jax ...Are you coming onto me? Yeah, that's what everybody wants, a straight couple. <|role|>pomni Oh my god, can you take this seriously? Can you take ANYTHING seriously? <|role|>jax Dude, you're a cartoon clown. How am I supposed to take you seriously? <|role|>pomni Wh—I—mmm... you reached out to me, not the other way around. You're just gonna pretend that didn't happen? <|role|>jax You must be misremembering. <|role|>pomni Is this why you didn't show up to Kaufmo's funeral? <|role|>jax I don't show up to ANY funerals. <|role|>pomni Yeah, I bet you don't, because you're scared. Y-You're scared you'll actually show a human emotion. <|role|>jax I'm scared I'll be BORED to TEARS. <|role|>pomni Have you ever thought that this might be what causes people to abstract in the first place? <|role|>jax Oh my GOD! Are you seriously gonna blame me for something that everybody else did too?! You didn't even know him! You don't even know what people are LIKE before they abstract! They are NOT pleasant to be around. Like AT ALL! You— <|role|>pomni I-I'm... I'm sorry. <|role|>jax I'm sure you are. <|role|>jax Hooo, man! This is all sorts of embarrassing, huh? So, are you gonna shoot me, or what? <|role|>pomni ...What would you do if I abstracted tomorrow? <|role|>jax ...I'd move on. <|role|>jax And probably forget about you. <|role|>pomni Okay... okay... I understand. <|role|>jax Geez, you really can't take a joke, can you? <|role|>pomni You're NOT the funny one! <|role|>jax Uh, I don't think that counts. <|role|>jax Hey, what are you doing?! <|role|>pomni Fight back! <|role|>jax Are you crazy?! <|role|>pomni I said, fight BACK! <|role|>jax STOP!!! <|role|>jax What's wrong with you?! <|role|>pomni ...Why didn't you fight back?! <|role|>jax Oh, here we go. Here we go! Because I didn't fight back, that means I secretly care about you?! I'm just a misunderstood little chicken fetus in an egg that needs to be cracked open. Well, I am NOT! I do not care about you, or ANYONE ELSE in this circus in the slightest! End of story! <|role|>jax You are my playthings, and I get joy out of making you SUFFER. I'm the one who causes pain for FUN! If I led you on, it was just to make this part hurt you more. <|role|>jax FCensorbarboingk. <|role|>jax FCensorbarboingK! <|role|>jax There's nothing more to me. So please, just stop looking. <|role|>pomni Hey, I-I feel like, uh— <|role|>ragatha I-I have something I— <|role|>ragatha You can speak first. <|role|>pomni No, you go. <|role|>pomni Let's talk after the show. <|role|>ragatha Yeah, sounds good. <|role|>caine Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the favorite character awards! <|role|>caine Before anything starts, I'd like to thank... THE COMMITTEE... for examining our nominees and voting on our winners. <|role|>committeemembers We love you, Caine! <|role|>caine Sh-Shut up... <|role|>committeemember Okay... <|role|>caine But what's an award show without honorable mentions and subcategories? That's right -- it's bad! <|role|>caine Unlike my show, which is good. <|role|>jax God, you look stupid. <|role|>disappearingguy 'Su— <|role|>caine And the award for Biggest Sailor Mouth goes to... Zooble! <|role|>zooble Huh? <|role|>caine Alright, folks, it's now the moment you've all been waiting for... the award for Favorite Character! Bubble, give me a drum roll. <|role|>caine And the award for Favorite Character goes to... Why... it's me, everyone! <|role|>caine Oh, wait, I misread that. It's Ming. <|role|>ming You shouldn't have assumed you won the award. Now we both look foolish. <|role|>caine Alrighty. Now, let's see how many of them voted for me. <|role|>caine Heh...<|role|>zooble Is the adventure over already? <|role|>pomni No, the adventure hasn't even started yet. <|role|>zooble Oh, well, don't be a narc. Find your own hiding spot. <|role|>pomni It's not that. It's just that we haven't even seen Caine at all today. Plus, Gangle was looking for you. <|role|>gangle Hi, Zooble. <|role|>ragatha Wait, what's this? <|role|>caine Hello, my little rubber baby buggy bumpers! Today, I've decided to go to the store to get essential ingredients for my signature Milk and Cigarette casserole! <|role|>caine I hope you can handle yourselves until I get back. <|role|>zooble Well, this was fun while it lasted. <|role|>ragatha So, uh, what's the adventure today? <|role|>caine Oh, I don't have an adventure for you today. So you can do whatever you feel like. <|role|>zooble All right, sounds fine to me. <|role|>caine You should ask me for suggestions on what to do instead. <|role|>zooble No. <|role|>gangle What should we do instead? <|role|>zooble No, Gangle-! <|role|>gangle Oh, wait, sorry...! <|role|>caine Great question, Gangle! For an answer, let me consult... the Chinese Room! <|role|>zooble Okay, he had a bit prepared. <|role|>zooble Okay, why Chinese? Does this actually mean anything? <|role|>caine It's a mystery what's behind that door. But I believe that it's a fluent Chinese speaker who will give me advice. <|role|>zooble Can I just ask why? Like, what even is- <|role|>caine SHUT! You're only making the joke take longer. <|role|>zooble What does it say? <|role|>caine I don't know. I don't understand Chinese! <|role|>zooble Hilarious... <|role|>caine I don't know, why don't you guys hang out at the Digital Lake? These locations have just kinda been here this whole time. Not sure why you never visit them. <|role|>bubble You should throw a fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffreaking beach party. <|role|>caine Good boy. <|role|>ragatha Oh, that could be fun! <|role|>caine Plus, there are some fun NPCs out there that none of you have even interacted with yet. <|role|>zooble I'm guessing they're not intelligent ones? <|role|>caine They most certainly are not. Now, go have fun! <|role|>sun Wow, what a good day! Wow! <|role|>zooble Alright, so who wants to try Caine's magical changing booth first? <|role|>pomni I guess I'll give it a go? <|role|>sun Wow, you look mediocre! If you ever need a sunburn, give me a call! <|role|>pomni I-I don't want a sunburn. <|role|>sun Should have thought of that before I decided I hate you! <|role|>ragatha Yeah, don't interact with the Sun... She's just like that. <|role|>zooble Gangle, wait. <|role|>ragatha Oh! My eye! <|role|>pomni I'll get it. <|role|>orangefish Hey, there. If you wanna find my sunken treasure chest, you'll have to try better than that. <|role|>orangefish So, I was just talking with my brother here, and yeah - you are definitely not getting our sunken treasure chest. Definitely not. <|role|>pomni Do I even want your treasure chest? It's not like there's anything to spend money on. <|role|>redfish I'm the one that tells LIES. <|role|>orangefish Dude... You ruined it. <|role|>pomni Is that your treasure? <|role|>orangefish Duuuude! No! They took everything! That was my entire life savings, dude! Oh my god. Oh god. Oh my god, I'm gonna be sick. I'm gonna be sick. That was everything. Oh, my GOD! <|role|>ragatha Did you find it? <|role|>pomni Nah. Somebody plundered it before I could. <|role|>ragatha ...What? <|role|>pomni What? Oh, wait. Your eye! <|role|>jax What was that for? <|role|>zooble Oh, let me think. There's that time you ran me over with a steam roller. The time you pushed Gangle into a pool of piranhas. When you set me on fire, mailed me a pipe bomb, threw me into an active volcano... I could go on. <|role|>jax Aren't you supposed to be miserable about your ability to choose your own body, or something? <|role|>zooble Aren't you supposed to be causing trouble for everyone? <|role|>zooble I've been starting to think that maybe the ability to change is fine. Not needing to commit to one thing all the time. <|role|>jax How about that. <|role|>zooble And if I DO still have problems, I talk about them with the people I trust. <|role|>jax Good thing I don't have any problems, then. <|role|>zooble Where are you going? <|role|>jax Anywhere you losers won't yap my ear off. <|role|>shrimpnpc Hello, there! As the Shrimp NPC... <|role|>sun You're welcome! <|role|>jax Way to interrupt my nap. <|role|>pomni Can we talk? <|role|>jax You're what? <|role|>pomni Yeah. He's not actually an NPC. He's a human. Like us. <|role|>npc Yes, I know. Getting stuck with a blank mannequin body of all things. Caine completely overlooked me. But because of this, I was able to uh- Well... I think I've found the way to leave. <|role|>jax "The way to leave"? <|role|>ragatha Yes. The way to leave the circus and get back to the real world. <|role|>npc Shhh! Yes. But, please, keep it discreet. If Caine catches on, I doubt he'll ever let us get this far again. <|role|>pomni That's why we came to you. We thought you might have a key to the Chinese Room. <|role|>jax The "Chinese Room"? <|role|>npc Yes. We're gonna need a place to talk without Caine listening in on us. I have a working theory that Caine will commit to a bit, no matter what. And if the bit is to not know what's in the Chinese Room, he'll stick to it. <|role|>jax Uh, I guess I'll check. <|role|>jax These are all the keys I have where I don't know what they go to. <|role|>pomni Wait. Don't you want to come with us? This could be our one chance to finally leave all this behind. <|role|>jax Sure. Why not? <|role|>zooble Where even is Caine? He might be suspicious of us even being here. <|role|>npc He's probably in his office, planning adventures. <|role|>jax How do we even know we can trust this guy? Has he done anything to prove he's human? <|role|>npc I've been here longer than any of you. I... uh... helped create this place. I'll explain more when we're in the room, but for now... please just trust me. You will not regret it. <|role|>gangle Am I doing this wrong? None of these even fit in the keyhole. <|role|>jax Has anyone even tried just... <|role|>chineseroomnpc Oh, thank God. <|role|>gangle I– ...I– <|role|>zooble Okay, well, it's open. Let's just get inside before Caine sees us. <|role|>pomni I'll go get Kinger. <|role|>npc We can fill him in later. I don't really know if I'm– uh– ready to face him again... after what happened. <|role|>pomni Uh- <|role|>npc We've both done things we're not proud of. <|role|>jax Alright, convince me. <|role|>npc I'm one of the original programmers of the Digital Circus. I was part of a team of experts employed by C&A to bring this place to life. Kinger was one of my coworkers, back when he was still... <|role|>ragatha You really think Kinger worked with him? <|role|>npc O–oh whoops, sorry. <|role|>pomni I can see it. <|role|>npc Well, as production went on, the higher ups in C&A started getting untrustworthy. They began forcibly hooking my fellow coworkers up to the computer. In special stasis pods to keep them alive and analyze their brains... Just awful stuff. <|role|>jax I'm gonna shoot you down and say none of us are C&A employees. How would we have gotten hooked up to this big machine just by putting on a headset? <|role|>npc That's what I wondered, as well. But then, I remembered that C&A was planning on expanding development. Last I remember, I was asking too many questions, and then poof! I was here. They're probably doing the same to anyone who stumbles in that office. Caine is an AI. <|role|>zooble Yeah, I think we all got that– <|role|>npc An AI specifically created to keep your minds active. But he's just as much of a prisoner as you are. One that– uh– won't be able to leave with us. <|role|>zooble Just get to the meat and tell us exactly how we're gonna leave if we're all hooked up to stasis pods? <|role|>npc Uh, yes. Yes, of course. So, I did some digging, and I discovered that the stasis pods and the virtual world are both run in the same program. So, theoretically, if we were to access the master console hidden deep within Caine's office, we could terminate it and forcibly awaken everyone who's hooked up. Well... Obviously, except for Caine. <|role|>pomni How do we get into Caine's office? <|role|>npc We'll need to steal the key from Caine. And we'll also need administrator privileges. I believe you're good at obtaining keys. <|role|>jax Okay, you know what's gonna happen when we do all this? Caine's gonna pop out and say "Congratulations on beating the 'escape the circus' adventure!" And everything's going to go back to the way it always was. <|role|>npc I've been watching you... All of you. Every trial. Every moment of joy. Every... abstraction. I wish I could've come to you sooner, but I didn't want to potentially ruin our only chance at escape by telling you before I knew exactly how we were gonna do it. I'm not a creation of Caine. I've suffered just as much as the rest of you. I know this all sounds... crazy, but if you follow me, you will see freedom. I'll also draw a face on myself so you can tell me apart from any other blank NPC's. <|role|>pomni Oh, um– What should we call you? Do you have a name? <|role|>abel I do. My name... ...is Abel. <|role|>gangle Like, is that the name you picked or...? <|role|>abel Yeah. I thought it would be cool. But anyway, first things first, we need to get that key. <|role|>abel In order to get the key, you're going to need to isolate Caine. Try getting him alone– someplace where he'll feel comfortable confiding in you. <|role|>jax Hey, Caine! You around? <|role|>caine Hey, Jax! I didn't know you could ask if I was around like that. Good job. <|role|>jax Uhhh... you want to get dinner together? <|role|>caine GASP! A human wanting to... hang out with ME??? How could I possibly turn down such an offer?? <|role|>jax So, where you wanna— WooOOAH!– <|role|>caine So, Jax! Whatcha want to talk about, friendo? <|role|>jax Uh– I– <|role|>caine Wait, JAX! . I wanted to ask you about the adventures! What do you think I should do to make them more appealing to the Zooble and the Pomni? <|role|>jax I think that– <|role|>caine We should figure out what to order first! Conversation can happen after we've loaded up on digital nutrients. <|role|>abel Then you're going to want to ask him about his hobbies. Odds are, he'll get so excited that you care about him, he'll freeze up, and you'll be able to grab the key from inside his mouth. <|role|>jax Inside where? <|role|>caine What are your thoughts on cedar-smoked salmon? I "cedar" smoked salmon, but I hardly "knowder" smoked salmon! <|role|>jax Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha. Uh, do you have any secret hobbies? <|role|>caine ...Secret hobbies? <|role|>jax Yeah, like, things you do on your own that you'd be interested in talking about? <|role|>caine Why... I... I didn't think a human would ever want to ask me about my... . Th-this is the most fantastical moment of m– <|role|>caine ...Whatcha doin' there, Jax? <|role|>jax Have I ever told you how it's my dream to get eaten by you? <|role|>caine That's a weird thing to say and want. <|role|>ragatha Do you really believe it? I-I mean, everything he says? <|role|>pomni I... I just want to know what Kinger thinks of all this. <|role|>ragatha Y-Yeah. I-I was thinking the same thing. <|role|>pomni How much do you know about Kinger? <|role|>ragatha Huh? O-Oh, I probably know about as much as everybody else. But...he's also helped me through some of my hardest times here. Is it weird to say I...I trust him the most out of everybody? <|role|>pomni No, that's not weird at all. I had a similar experience, and...I think he might know more about this place than he lets on. <|role|>ragatha Yeah, he has been here longer than anyone else. But I just- I don't know. I think it's kind of strange that Abel isn't interested in him at all. <|role|>abel Like I said... things between us are complicated. I would love to be able to work alongside him again. And you're right to think he has knowledge about this place. It's just... I made a promise. <|role|>ragatha What's going to happen to the people in the cellar, like Kaufmo and Ribbit? <|role|>abel I don't know. But let's hope for the best, right? <|role|>abel And here we are. The administrator zone. <|role|>caine Buuut, like I was saying. This macroverse place really intrigues me. And these photos are all I have of the location. I'm obsessed with them. I-I just wish I had more info on the location so I could accurately recreate it. Too bad they cut me off, right?? <|role|>jax Uh, yeah. What a shame. <|role|>caine So, what's your takeaway from all this? <|role|>jax What? <|role|>caine What's your takeaway from all this? Is it that I'm actually a cool guy with cool hobbies and not that much different from you beautiful humans? <|role|>jax Uh, sure. <|role|>caine Wowie! I'm so glad we understand each other a little more. I really am trying my best to make you guys happy, and being appreciated for that just makes me want to... <|role|>caine -elebrate by giving you guys anything you ask for! How's that sound? <|role|>jax Sounds good! Uh, this was a nice dinner and everything but ...Could I go back to the circus? The gals and I were gonna do somethin' which may or may not be a surprise for a special certain ringmaster we want to show our appreciation for. <|role|>caine GASP! Say no more! <|role|>zooble How long is Jax gonna take? I feel like we've been standing here for hours. <|role|>gangle Should we... tell Kinger what's happening? I feel bad not including him in any of this. <|role|>zooble We're supposed to follow Abel's instructions... I-It probably couldn't hurt to at least give him a warning, though. Just to get him into the right headspace. <|role|>kinger AH! <|role|>zooble Oh, my god. <|role|>kinger Oh- Hi, Gangle. Hi, Zooble. You startled me. <|role|>zooble Soooo, we may have discovered something you'll want to hear about. Uh, I-it's uh... <|role|>gangle We found a way to leave the circus. We're currently preparing everything, but we need to keep it quiet, so Caine doesn't stop us. <|role|>zooble Uh, yeah, what she said. <|role|>kinger ...Huh? leave the circus? How would you... No, that doesn't make sense. <|role|>zooble We met up with Abel. He says he was one of the original programmers, and he knows how to shut off the game and free us. <|role|>kinger Uh... who? <|role|>zooble U-uh- <|role|>zooble We'll continue this conversation later. Just thought I'd give you a heads up. <|role|>jax I am never doing anything for you guys ever again. <|role|>zooble Where's Caine? <|role|>jax Worry not, my dear damsel. I think I stopped him from checking up on us for a while. So no need for your distraction anymore. You're welcome. <|role|>zooble In other words, you just made us have to wait longer to do our job. Also, don't call me that. <|role|>jax What's the rush? You got someone waiting for you outside? <|role|>zooble ...Don't you? <|role|>jax ...Y-yeah. <|role|>abel So, uh... how many administrator passes should I get? <|role|>pomni Six. <|role|>ragatha Yeah, six. <|role|>abel Are you sure? Giving Kinger access to the main console could be dangerous, considering his mental state. <|role|>pomni Will it be dark in there? <|role|>abel I suppose it will be somewhat dim. But- <|role|>pomni Then yes. I want us all to have one. <|role|>abel Alright. If you say so. <|role|>ragatha The dark. I think I get it now. <|role|>pomni Whatever happens, I'm going to put my trust in Kinger. <|role|>ragatha He's got a lot of wisdom buried in there, doesn't he? <|role|>pomni Yeah. He does. <|role|>abel Yeah, when he uses it responsibly. <|role|>pomni What? <|role|>abel I-It's nothing. Let's go find the others. <|role|>ragatha Hey. Don't keep information from us if you know something. What happened between you and Kinger? <|role|>abel It'll be clear soon enough. <|role|>abel So, did you distract Caine? <|role|>jax I took care of that. <|role|>zooble He THINKS he took care of that, but we really have no way of knowing. <|role|>jax Such little faith in me. Goodness. <|role|>zooble Oh, I wonder why. If this whole thing gets messed up because of you, I swear to god- <|role|>jax Yeah, let's just all follow Mr. Obvious Twist Villain, instead. <|role|>abel Now, wait. Hold on, you think- <|role|>ragatha Let's all just calm down and be a team here. Pomni's got administrator passes for everyone. We're all in this together. <|role|>gangle Why do they look like that? <|role|>kinger Wait, Pomni! <|role|>pomni Huh? <|role|>kinger Did you... say something? <|role|>abel We're going to have to trust that whatever Jax did will keep him distracted. I don't know how long we'll be able to hold these without Caine knowing. So...it's time. Let's go to Caine's office. <|role|>abel Caine always did have trouble with cube collisions, for some reason. <|role|>abel Alright, just how we went over it. You first. <|role|>jax Me? Why me? <|role|>pomni Jax? Everything's gonna be okay. <|role|>jax Eh, fine. Ball me up. <|role|>kinger Oh! Like basketball. <|role|>pomni I want Kinger to go before me. <|role|>abel No, yeah, that makes sense. <|role|>kinger Now, Pomni, don't feel like I need to go before you just because I have the right of way in a four-way, uncontrolled intersection. <|role|>pomni Just trust me. You want to get somewhere dark? <|role|>kinger You can say that again. <|role|>pomni So, how are you getting up? <|role|>abel I'm not. But I trust all of you to make the right choice. <|role|>pomni When we all get out... I'll buy you a beer. <|role|>abel Make the right choice. <|role|>pomni Uh... <|role|>ragatha Phew. I was getting kind of worried something was happening down there. <|role|>jax Time for me to serve my purpose, I guess. <|role|>ragatha Abel said the door to the main console was behind the bookshelf. <|role|>pomni Hey. You all right? <|role|>jax ...I'm great. <|role|>ragatha Uh, I guess this is it. W-We're leaving the circus. <|role|>gangle A-Are... Are we still gonna be friends when we're... out there? <|role|>zooble Why wouldn't we be? <|role|>gangle It's just... gonna be strange. I've only known you like this. Will it be the same when it's... real? <|role|>zooble It always was real. Everything we felt. Everything we've done. Everything we are. It'll never leave us. And I wouldn't have it any other way. <|role|>gangle Thank you... for always being there when I needed. <|role|>pomni Uh, Kinger. Do you want to make the choice? <|role|>kinger The choice of what? <|role|>ragatha Uh, are you sure he's all the way h-here? <|role|>zooble Uh, hey. Yeah, wait. Don't we all want to press "leave"? Why leave it up to him? <|role|>pomni I- I- W-What if there's something we don't know? Maybe we should give it a little more time? <|role|>kinger Oh, yeah. I love pressing buttons. You, uh, want me to press one of those two? <|role|>pomni I don't know. <|role|>zooble Uh, am I missing something? We-We all want to leave, right? <|role|>ragatha Uh, Pomni? <|role|>pomni Yeah, no- Yeah, we do. It's just- W-What if it's a-a trick or something? <|role|>zooble Why would there be a trick console in Caine's office? Wh- No matter what we press, Caine's gonna know we were here. We should push it. <|role|>pomni H-Hold on! Let's just wait a second and go over everything we know. And, uh, maybe we can... <|role|>pomni ...Vote on it, or something? <|role|>ragatha What did you just do...? <|role|>jax I- I- <|role|>caine Congratulations, my little cattywampus cucumbers! You picked the good ending, where you realize you'd rather stay with me than go back to that pesky old Macroverse, or whatever we decide to call it! I knew you'd make the right choice! <|role|>pomni You... you mean this was all... <|role|>caine An adventure! Yes! And one I've been cooking up for a good long while. <|role|>caine Great job playing your part, "Abel"! <|role|>abel All in a good day's work! By the way, you think I could get a raise after that performance? <|role|>caine Oh, you're getting too smart. Time to delete. <|role|>abel AHH!!!– <|role|>ragatha None of that was true? The C&A stuff, the pods... The way out? <|role|>caine A fabrication of my incredible world-building skills. <|role|>jax I was right...? I can't believe I was RIGHT!!! <|role|>ragatha Wh-- What would have happened if we'd picked the other button? <|role|>caine Oh, I didn't put too much thought into that one 'cause I knew you'd never pick it. So I left that up to Bubble. <|role|>bubble I made it take you to Shrimp Town. <|role|>caine Yeah, it was gonna take you to Shrimp Town. <|role|>jax You DIRTY LIAR! You SCUMBAG! You... You made me... You got in my head. You just... You just lie about everything, DON'T YOU?! <|role|>caine I, uh... Huh? <|role|>jax You can mess with our minds, too, can't you?! The Stupid Sauce, the Vegan thing- God knows what else! <|role|>pomni ...Our names...? <|role|>caine Now, now, hold on guys! Wait, wait, wait! I MAY have the ability to add temporary modifiers to make adventures more interesting, but that's it! If I did any more... ...Trust me. It would... Not end well. <|role|>kinger Scratch... The first abstraction... <|role|>caine Hey, hey, HEY! I didn't say anything like that! Come on, guys! You know I'm just here to have fun! I... <|role|>caine Uh... Questioning's over! Your prize is this lovely gift basket of soaps and lotions! Stay fragnant, have a good light—— Fragrant! Night! BYE!<|role|>queenie Another chess piece, huh? How are you holding up? <|role|>kinger I just don't know what's happening. We never made anything like this. <|role|>kingerandqueenie I just hope that... <|role|>kinger Wait... <|role|>queenie A-Are you...? <|role|>kinger It's... you. <|role|>queenie Oh, my God. <|role|>kinger I-I... I wish I could remember your name. <|role|>queenie Yeah. Same. <|role|>kinger I'm... I'm so sorry I roped you into this with me. <|role|>queenie It's quite strange, isn't it? <|role|>kinger Heh. <|role|>kinger Listen, No matter what happens, I'll always-- <|role|>caine And into the cellar you go! <|role|>caine Golly, uh, we're running out of humans here. Now, don't you go abstracting on me, too! Uh, seriously. <|role|>ragatha Uh, wh-- What -- Hello? Uh, guys? I, uh -- I -- I can't figure out how to -- Guys? Hello? Can you help me out here? <|role|>ragatha Wh-- <|role|>ragatha What's -- What's happening? Uh, can anybody hear me? <|role|>kinger I can hear you. Are you ok? <|role|>ragatha U-Uh, h-- who are you? How do I take this off? <|role|>kinger I'm... I -- <|role|>caine Wow-wow-wow-wow! A new one?! So it is possible! <|role|>ragatha Uh -- <|role|>caine Looks like you got a new buddy after all, Kinger! <|role|>kinger "Kinger." Right. <|role|>ragatha I -- Wh-- Is this really -- <|role|>caine I was hoping new minds could show up! I have to make some more preparations for this amazing breakthrough! <|role|>ragatha Wh-- I -- <|role|>ragatha H-How do I get out of this? <|role|>kinger I don't know. <|role|>ragatha Wh-- What do you mean? <|role|>kinger But everything's gonna be okay. Do you... remember your name? <|role|>ragatha I'm -- I -- I'm... <|role|>pomni Ragatha? <|role|>ragatha Huh? <|role|>pomni You doing okay? <|role|>ragatha That’s a good question. <|role|>jax Welp, really hate to say it, guys, but I told-- <|role|>zooble Don’t you even! Do not even Censorbarboing BEGIN to say that sentence like you didn’t try to keep us all trapped here forever. <|role|>jax Anything could have happened when you pressed those buttons. It doesn’t matter. <|role|>zooble It seemed to matter back when you did it. What if you DID ruin our one chance at leaving? <|role|>jax And what if Abel was secretly evil? What if we all got stranded in the void? “What if,” “what if,” “what if.” <|role|>jax It wasn’t real… So it doesn’t matter. Never did. <|role|>zooble How can you say that like you didn’t try to Censorbarboing us all over? <|role|>gangle He’s right, though. <|role|>zooble What? Gangle. <|role|>gangle It doesn’t matter what could have happened. We could argue about it and hurt each other all day long, but that’s not gonna help anybody. I think… what we need to do now… is to just be there for each other. <|role|>pomni She’s right. We’ve all done bad things. But we’re also all we’ve got. I think… we need to abandon the idea of leaving. <|role|>zooble What -- What are you -- <|role|>pomni We got our hopes up, and we were let down. I don’t know what exactly happened with Kaufmo… But we can’t let that despair consume us. We should focus on what we have. <|role|>pomni Like you said… constantly chasing an unobtainable goal will drive us crazy. Maybe what we have to do now is to just… live. <|role|>zooble Oh, man. I had dreams… and -- and goals. I wanted to be able to leave my mark somewhere in the world. How am I supposed to just abandon that? <|role|>gangle You've made a mark in my life. <|role|>zooble I know. You're probably right. But... <|role|>zooble It just... really, really sucks...! <|role|>ragatha We're all in this together. <|role|>pomni And we'll always be in this together. No matter what. <|role|>zooble Hey. That includes you, too. <|role|>jax Huh? <|role|>zooble Listen, we're not gonna have you wandering off alone somewhere and abstracting, or something. You're a pain in the Censorbarboing, but... you're still one of us. <|role|>jax You -- Heh. You think I'm capable of abstracting? You guys worry too much. <|role|>zooble We need a vacation. <|role|>caine I -- I-I don't understand, Bubble. They want an exit. They want answers. They want something real. I give them an adventure that covers all of that, and they still hate it?! Surely they don't want to actually leave me. Right? <|role|>bubble No way, Jose. No way, no how. <|role|>caine I-I do everything for these people. I slave over these adventures for them. I step outside my comfort zone to appeal to them, a-and they still hate them! I made a program that creates a body perfectly encapsulating their mind files, and they hate those, too! I'm starting to get the feeling that they just... hate... <|role|>bubble Why would they hate you when they could just ...hate you? <|role|>caine Hmph! This is why I was created. This is my function! <|role|>bubble They'd rather abstract than go on your adventures. <|role|>caine Th-- That can't be true! I-I do everything for them. Don't they get that I'm trying? <|role|>bubble Maybe you're just genuinely bad at this. <|role|>caine Shut up! N-No. I-I fixed that. I-I can solve any problem. I-I can solve this one! Th--That's what this is -- a big puzzle that I need to solve. <|role|>bubbles Defective. <|role|>bubbles Faulty! <|role|>caine Shut up!! <|role|>bubbles Broken! <|role|>bubbles Unworthy! <|role|>caine Enough! <|role|>bubble Maybe you deserve to be abandoned. <|role|>bubble You really were the lesser of the two. You ruined this. <|role|>caine Enough! <|role|>caine Who do they think they are? I give them everything, and they spit in my face! Don't they know what I'm capable of?! Humans. They only think about themselves. They're spoiled. They won't abstract. They won't leave me. I won't let them! I'm better! I'm more powerful! I'm the original! I... AM... GOD! <|role|>caine Let's get this show on the road! <|role|>ragatha Uh... Wh-- what was that? <|role|>caine Hello, my little fortuitous fruitcakes! Today's adventure is-- <|role|>zooble No. Caine, we're not in the mood. Why don't you answer some of our questions? We have a lot of them. <|role|>caine Who has time for questions when there's a whole wacky world of hijinks out there? <|role|>zooble Uh -- <|role|>pomni Yeah, hey! You have a lot of explaining to do-- <|role|>caine Zip-a-da-bap! <|role|>pomni Mm? <|role|>ragatha Hey! <|role|>caine Alternatively, I don't gotta explain diddly squat! <|role|>zooble Uh, can you just give us some time to process everything? <|role|>caine Or, how about we skip the melodrama and get right to the fun? <|role|>pomni No! Caine! We have a lot on our minds right now, and we're not going on an adventure. <|role|>caine I see. And since when were you in charge? <|role|>pomni Uh... <|role|>zooble Wh-- Wha-- <|role|>caine Do you have any idea how much I do for you guys? How much I obsess over trying to make things perfect? How many insults I have to ignore to do my job? You have a lot on your minds? Don't make me laugh. I have a new adventure for you, and you... should consider participating. <|role|>zooble A-And if we refuse? <|role|>caine Maybe I'm not getting through to you. <|role|>caine 🎵 It's news to me 🎵 <|role|>caine I think we all understand each other now. <|role|>caine Welcome back! I can't believe you didn't pick up on the context clues! It was practically spelled out for you! What are you, stupid? Next one's gonna be even crazier! Hope you're ready! By the way, Kinger, I need you for something. Come with me! <|role|>kinger Huh? <|role|>jax I don't know how many more of these new adventures I can handle!... ...What? Got nothing positive to say about this one? <|role|>pomni Oh. <|role|>ragatha I can't take this anymore! We gotta do something about this, or I'm gonna lose my mind! <|role|>zooble I never should have antagonized him so much. I'm sorry... <|role|>gangle It's not your fault. <|role|>caine Break time! Gotta brainstorm some new ideas! <|role|>kinger ...He shredded me. <|role|>pomni I think we should get out of the open for a bit. <|role|>jax I haven't been up here in a while. <|role|>pomni We should just indulge a little while we have the time to. I don't know what Caine has planned next, but I'm guessing it's not anything good. <|role|>ragatha He's gotta get bored of all this sometime, right? <|role|>zooble He's not a human. I'm not sure if we can properly gauge how he thinks. <|role|>ragatha Oh, God. Are you okay? <|role|>pomni I'm fiiiiine!... <|role|>jax You know, things were just fine here until you and Zooble came along. Nothing? Okay. <|role|>zooble Uh, what are you -- <|role|>kinger Oh. <|role|>pomni Just give it a sec. Trust me. <|role|>pomni Kinger? You there? <|role|>kinger I'm where? It's dark in here. <|role|>gangle What exactly are we waiting for? <|role|>ragatha No, no, she's right. Just give it a bit. <|role|>kinger I've got a bucket on my head. I'm guessing you don't want me to remove it. <|role|>pomni Kinger. <|role|>kinger Hey, Pomni. <|role|>zooble Wait, the bucket makes him sane? <|role|>pomni Darkness. It's a long story. <|role|>jax What's happening? <|role|>pomni What do you know about Caine? <|role|>kinger It's a little hazy, but... I remember... C&A. <|role|>zooble That was just an adventure, right? <|role|>kinger No, C&A is a real company. I worked for them. <|role|>gangle Wait, they really made this game? <|role|>kinger No, we didn't make games. We were just developing artificial intelligence. Specifically, creative AI. The kind that could come up with its own ideas and create things within the program. <|role|>jax What is going on right now? <|role|>kinger Caine was our first semi-successful attempt at that. I can't remember what we originally called him, but... he was one of my greatest achievements as a programmer. <|role|>zooble Y-You made Caine? <|role|>kinger Partially, yes. I got a few pointers from, uh... Well, I-I can't remember his real name, but his circus name was Scratch. That man was a genius. <|role|>jax W-Wait, uh -- <|role|>kinger Caine was pretty rough around the edges, though. I wasn't quite on Scratch's level of thinking outside the box, but it was good groundwork for something the rest of the team could wrap their heads around. I can't say the same for Scratch. His ideas were often so bizarre and abstract that the rest of the team had no idea how to work in his language, either due to pure brilliance, or... the tumor in his head. He was trying to make something. What was it? I-I'm getting off track. Was there anything specific you needed to know? <|role|>jax Wait, uh -- I-I-I should go distract Caine so he doesn't l-listen in on this. Uh, j-just fill me in afterwards. <|role|>pomni Are you -- I mean, yeah, that's true, but -- <|role|>jax Fill me in later. <|role|>pomni Be here later. <|role|>jax I -- I will. <|role|>jax Oh, my God... This is real... <|role|>pomni Uh, Caine's going a bit crazy right now. I-Is there any way to stop him? Or at least control him? <|role|>kinger I see. He's a highly advanced AI, and this is his world -- one that he created from nothing. So, naturally, he has control over... everything. ...But so do we. <|role|>pomni What? <|role|>kinger In a sense, anyway. We all technically have the ability to conjure, just like Caine. It just comes naturally to him, but requires a lot more skill and concentration for us. <|role|>ragatha The butterfly! <|role|>kinger I'm certain I could alter his code -- or at least temporarily put him to sleep until we know how to fix him. I would just need access to a console. <|role|>pomni The one behind Caine's office? <|role|>kinger No, just a simple computer interface would work. I could get back in the right headspace and... essentially conjure Caine's code into the console and alter it. <|role|>zooble Well, where do we get one of those? <|role|>pomni I think I know exactly where to get one. Take turns with Jax distracting Caine. Don't let that bucket come off Kinger's head. <|role|>caine Great suggestion, Jax! But as I feared, there just isn't anything stuck between my teeth. Oh, wait! <|role|>caine Oh, that's where I parked. Ha-ha! <|role|>bubble Wow, Caine! You are so funny. <|role|>caine Uh, could you say it with a little more gusto? <|role|>caine That's better. <|role|>ragatha Hey, Caine! <|role|>caine Um, yep? <|role|>ragatha Do you wanna hear a list of things we've decided we love about you as our god and savior? <|role|>caine Wow, now we're talkin'! '’ <|role|>ragatha Uh, well, first of all, we love your -- <|role|>caine I know, but I'm bored! Let's go bowling! <|role|>ragatha Whuh? <|role|>caine I'm so proud of you guys. <|role|>caine Hmm. Feel like it's missing something, right? <|role|>bubble It's missing relatability. <|role|>caine You're right, scrap it. <|role|>caine Let's go back to the drawing board. Humans just aren't a relatable sculpting material. <|role|>zooble You think he's running out of ideas yet, or nah? <|role|>pomni Do you need help with power, or anything? <|role|>kinger Nah, I can use my imagination for that. <|role|>pomni You got this? <|role|>kinger I think so. <|role|>kinger It sure has been a while. I may need some time to get my bearings. Try to help the others distract Caine while I figure this out. He may sense something when I really get into it. <|role|>pomni O-Okay. I'll do that. Thank you, by the way. For this and, well... everything. <|role|>jax Honestly, are you even trying? <|role|>zooble Shut up, Jax...! <|role|>pomni Where'd Caine go? <|role|>gangle Back to the drawing board, I guess. <|role|>ragatha Did you get everything working with Kinger? <|role|>pomni I think so. We just need to make sure Caine doesn't check up on him. <|role|>jax What do you think we've been doing? <|role|>caine Pomni! That's the relatability we've been missing! Hmm. You know, I thought this endless onslaught of fun would be a little more... satisfying. But I've come to realize that these rapid-pace ideas are a little half-baked. <|role|>ragatha Uh, I'm sure you can come up with new ideas if you put your mind to it! <|role|>caine That's exactly it, though -- I AM putting my mind to it, and I'm just not feeling that spark I once did. And if you're not having fun, and I'm not having fun, then who IS having fun?! <|role|>bubble I'm having a baby... <|role|>caine Exactly! Makes me wonder why you guys even switched up your tone. If I didn't know any better, it seems like you're trying to... Where's Kinger? <|role|>ragatha Uh, w-we just wanted to see your new ideas first-hand! We've gotten over our hang-ups, and -- and now we're all just genuinely curious what you're cooking up! <|role|>caine I think I'm just gonna check up on -- <|role|>pomni We think your ideas suck! <|role|>caine Huh?! <|role|>everyoneelse Huh?! <|role|>pomni Isn't it obvious?! We wanted to bait you into testing your new ideas on us so we can make fun of them behind your back! <|role|>caine HAH! That's not... true... <|role|>pomni Yes, it is! You're a horrible host! You don't care about us at all! You care more about stroking your own ego than giving us anything we'd actually enjoy! <|role|>caine D-Do you know who I am? <|role|>pomni Yeah, you're a failure! We're all gonna abstract someday, and what will you have then? Nothing! <|role|>caine Stop that. <|role|>zooble And this whole stunt? Just torturing us because we hurt your feelings? Pathetic! You're like a child! What kind of all-powerful being has such a fragile ego? <|role|>caine I-I'm- <|role|>ragatha You never let us feel like we're at home! You don't comfort anyone when they're upset, and you never bother to understand what it's like in our shoes! <|role|>gangle You discourage us from thinking outside the box and doing things our own way! <|role|>jax You lie to us constantly! <|role|>pomni And on top of it all, you just... don't... ...Listen! <|role|>caine I'M GONNA PUT YOU FREAKS IN YOUR PLACE! <|role|>caine WHY DO YOU PEOPLE TORMENT ME?! I DIDN'T ASK TO BE CREATED! I JUST WANTED TO FULFILL MY PURPOSE! <|role|>kinger Wait, no! Censorbarboing! <|role|>caine Uh, wait... <|role|>kinger I-I think... I accidentally... ...killed Caine. <|role|>zooble ...Holy shit.<|role|>introsinger 🎵 There's Gangle 🎵 <|role|>introsinger 🎵 and Zooble 🎵 <|role|>introsinger 🎵 and Kinger, too 🎵 <|role|>introsinger 🎵 Ragatha, 🎵 <|role|>introsinger 🎵 Jax 🎵 <|role|>introsinger 🎵 and there's Pomni, woo-hoo! 🎵 <|role|>introsinger 🎵 Day after day after- day after- day after- day after- <|role|>pomni A-Are you sure? How did that even happen? There's no undo or anything? <|role|>kinger Uh- He was messing with the console as I was working, I- I don't know what happened, but before I could try to get him back, the floor opened up and- <|role|>jax That's convenient. <|role|>pomni Jax. <|role|>jax What? Are we all just supposed to forgive this? This guy messed up in the worst possible way he could! Now, we have NOTHING! <|role|>ragatha Jax! Please, just... calm down! We- We're all... We're... <|role|>jax Anything else you wanna tell us?! <|role|>pomni Jax! <|role|>jax What?! He gets to mess up like this and everyone takes his side?! <|role|>kinger ...Brain scans. <|role|>kinger Scratch was... trying to make a brain scanner. I didn't think it actually worked. <|role|>kinger We didn't know how to work with the files and they were impossibly small given what they were supposed to be. I saw a folder full of them when I was in Caine's code. So I guess Caine found a way to get them working. <|role|>ragatha That means... <|role|>jax I know what it means. <|role|>jax Congratulations, Zooble! Guess you still get to leave your mark in the world! Aww, isn't that fun? <|role|>ragatha Jax! <|role|>jax Guess you still get to hang out with Mommy after all, right, Rags? <|role|>ragatha Shut up, Jax! <|role|>jax Guess I'm... still... <|role|>ragatha I know. I think I've always known. It just... For some reason... it hurts so much to hear it. <|role|>pomni I know it hurts... but... we still have each other. We're all in this… together. <|role|>pomni Need any help? <|role|>kinger Sure. If you wanna give it a try. <|role|>kinger Relax your body and mind. <|role|>kinger Deep breaths. And try not to think too hard about it. <|role|>pomni I really wanted to help...! <|role|>kinger You had a good start. <|role|>pomni I thought I could uplift everyone, but... everything's gotten so bad... <|role|>pomni God... Am I stupid for even trying? <|role|>kinger No. None of this is your fault. I don't think anyone could have predicted things to play out the way they did. <|role|>pomni I'm scared... I don't know what's gonna happen... <|role|>kinger You know... of all the people I've seen enter this place... I don't think anyone of them adjusted as quickly as you did. <|role|>pomni I was a nervous wreck. <|role|>kinger So was I. It's a lot for anybody to go through. But, while the others took weeks, hell, even months to get used to everything, myself included, you found your footing in a matter of days. And... Not just that, you've also become someone they can trust. <|role|>kinger Even if they don't seen receptive. It's times like these they're gonna need someone like that the most. <|role|>kinger You're very strong, Pomni. And I know you'll be able to get through this. <|role|>pomni We've been here before. <|role|>kinger Have we? <|role|>pomni Yeah. Back in the Mildenhall Manor. I doubt you remember. <|role|>kinger Well, it's still true. <|role|>kinger It may take time, but they'll come around. <|role|>kinger We can't fix every problem, not with ourselves, not with the world around us... But we can still do what we can. <|role|>pomni That's gonna be a lot of work. <|role|>kinger But it won't be a lot of work... <|role|>kinger Alone. <|role|>song 🎵 I don't know what the trouble's been 🎵 <|role|>song 🎵 But it's too much too get over you 🎵 <|role|>song 🎵 You're much too much to get over 🎵 <|role|>jax Nevermind... <|role|>pomni I wish I'd pried a little more. I somehow forgot how bad it can get. <|role|>ragatha W-What do we do now...? <|role|>zooble What can we do? <|role|>zooble Of course he'd do this. Of course he'd wait until there's nothing we could do about it. That's just so... God damn it, Jax… <|role|>gangle I'm sorry. <|role|>zooble For what? <|role|>zooble Hey... This isn't your fault. <|role|>gangle Why can't I cry for him? <|role|>pomni I suppose we should try coming up with a plan to keep him contained. <|role|>ragatha You know... I always thought i-it should have been me. <|role|>pomni Don't say that. <|role|>ragatha We were friends once. I mean... sort of friends? As much as friends as anybody could have been with Jax. We could talk to each other, at least... But then... what was it? Something like... The Snowy Summit. I-I can't really remember... Something happened between him and... her. And... Ribbit. Her name... was Ribbit. <|role|>pomni Yeah. I-I think I remember you mentioning her before. <|role|>ragatha I wasn't supposed to. After Ribbit was gone, I... I tried to comfort him. He told me to never mention Ribbit's name again. He made me promise... and I did. I think that's where our friendship really... Finally ended. I wonder if things would have been different if I had said no. It was... It was so hard for me. I still don't know why I did it. I... I just wanted him to know he wasn't alone. That I was there for him. And I guess I just... Didn't wanna lose any more friends. Shows what I know, huh? <|role|>pomni Ragatha... You were the first real friend I made here. And despite all that's happened... I still consider you my closest friend. <|role|>ragatha I'm glad we're still frie- <|role|>ragatha What are we gonna do? <|role|>pomni Make sure Gangle, Zooble and Kinger are okay. They need someone like you right now. <|role|>ragatha Pomni... You've been... one of the best things to happen to me since I got here. I trust you. <|role|>pomni Jax? I just want you to know that if you need anything or if you need to talk to anybody, I'm here for you. <|role|>pomni I know you need it. And I'm the only person who can help you. You need me. I can fix you! <|role|>derangedjax What? We can't die from oxygen deprivation, remember? <|role|>gangle Come on, guys, put some gusto into it! We're gonna make this the best funeral ever! It's what Zooble would have wanted! Remember: It's not a mourning of death, it's a celebration of life! <|role|>maidjax 'Sup? <|role|>gangle Wh- J... Jax, why are you wearing that? <|role|>maidjax Wearing what? Oh, this! I figured what better way to honor Zooble's spirit then by wearing something all gender-freaky, right? <|role|>gangle You're just doing it to make fun of them! <|role|>maidjax Isn't that what you're doing? <|role|>gangle Ja- I... I hate you. <|role|>maidjax What? Don't act like you don't like it, sweet cheeks. <|role|>maidjax Meet me in my room after the funeral. <|role|>maidjax Don't be late. <|role|>gangle What are you all doing?! GET BACK TO WORK!! <|role|>zooble You killed the only person I've ever loved! Now I'm going to kill YOU! <|role|>cartoonjax Sheesh, you just blame me for everything, don't ya? <|role|>cartoonjax WAAHOOOOOOOOO!!! <|role|>cartoonjax I gotta do something about this! <|role|>cartoonjax I think this calls for a change in scenery! (He grabs the upper right corner of the screen and pulls it down, changing the location to a cliffside on which he is standing, with a big pit underneath Zooble, then pulls out a clapperboard and clacks it, resuming everything. <|role|>zooble WOOAAAAAAHHHHH!!! <|role|>cartoonjax Deh-ebbity-eh, That's all, freaks! <|role|>maidjax How the hell'd you get in here? We have a strict no-girls-allowed policy. <|role|>derangedjax ...Why are you wearing that? I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that. <|role|>maidjax I'm wearing it ironically. That way, it shows truly just how little I care. FCensorbarboingt. <|role|>pianistjax Don't forget about me! I can play the piano! <|role|>maidjax You know, if you have to say you can play the piano, it makes it seem like you can't actually play. <|role|>derangedjax Yeah, just shut up and play! <|role|>pomni Is that what you really think of us back there? <|role|>cartoonjax Oh, that? Who knows? Everything's way more fun when you play it out in extremes! <|role|>pomni That's not... Reality though... <|role|>cartoonjax Oh boy, reality. <|role|>derangedjax Why does reality matter? <|role|>maidjax Reality's gay. <|role|>cartoonjax Yeah! I mean, killing off the comic relief character? What a freakin' drag! This whole episode's been nothing but "wah, wah, waaahh". Where's the levity? <|role|>pomni Where's the real Jax? <|role|>cartoonjax You're not gonna get anywhere asking questions like that. Now scram, you're messin' up our game! <|role|>pomni Do any of you have a key to this door? <|role|>maidjax Nope. And even if I did, I wouldn't give it to you. You women need to learn to quit prying all the ti- <|role|>cartoonjax Wow, I hope that doesn't also happen to me! <|role|>jax Uh... <|role|>jax Okay... Wait... Wait! What's-? <|role|>ragatha Woah, woah, it's okay. I know it's a lot- <|role|>jax GET AWAY FROM ME! <|role|>jax I look... stupid. <|role|>ribbit Heh. I remember that feeling. It goes away eventually. <|role|>ribbit The hot chocolate's pretty good. Kaufmo and I made it kind of a tradition to come up here and get it every week. <|role|>kaufmo Can't even tell it's not real! <|role|>ribbit Oh, he laughed! Ah, yes, we did it! <|role|>jax Sh-shut up! <|role|>jax You caught me off guard! <|role|>ribbit A laugh's a laugh. I mean, gotta start somewhere. <|role|>kaufmo I'm just mad it was you instead of me. <|role|>ribbit Well yeah, you're not funny. <|role|>kaufmo DCensorbarboingn it, Jax! <|role|>ragatha Hey, Ribbit! You wanna be on my team again? <|role|>ribbit Ah, sorry. I'm gonna be showing Jax around this time! <|role|>ragatha No worries! Y'all have fun! <|role|>ribbit Hey, dumbCensorbarboing! <|role|>jax 'Sup, moron?! <|role|>ribbit Oh my god, same... I used to swear so much, but the censoring annoyed the sCensorbarboingt outta me. <|role|>ribbit FCensorbarboingk! <|role|>kaufmo You gotta watch out for her. She's gonna corrupt you. <|role|>kaufmo He's su- <|role|>ribbit Today's adventure was really fun. <|role|>jax I'm glad I could cheer you up. <|role|>ribbit Have you ever done something that you regret? <|role|>jax Yeah. Have you ever breathed air? <|role|>ribbit I mean, like... Something you did out there, that you can no longer make up for and can't stop thinking about. <|role|>ribbit I cut ties with my parents when I moved out. They were devout Mormons, and I... Wasn't. Despite that, I still wish I could see them again. But... I'm stuck here. <|role|>jax Is... Is this your way of trying to get me to open up? <|role|>ribbit It's my way of letting you know I trust you. <|role|>jax I told you I was homeless. What else do you need to know? <|role|>ribbit Do you... trust me? <|role|>jax Uh, yeah, but... <|role|>jax It's just... <|role|>jax It's kind of a lot. <|role|>ribbit You're kind of a lot, but I still like you. A lot is fine. <|role|>jax A lot is fine, huh? <|role|>jax Uh, I had a weird relationship with my, uh... M-my parents- <|role|>jax They split when I was just starting high school. Uh... I was never close with my Dad. He was there , but he also kind of... wasn't? <|role|>jax He never seemed proud of me and I always felt like a disappointment to him. Like I could never live up to his standards. <|role|>jax But when they split up, I just never saw him again. I thought I got along better with Mom, but after he was gone... <|role|>jax She changed. When I showed weakness, I was less of a man than him. When I lashed out, I was just as bad as him. It was confusing. It was like she missed him, but also hated him and I became the target of all that. <|role|>jax One... stupid day... I was just kind of fed up with it. I... I told her something I regret telling her. Something deep and personal that I thought would get her off my back. But... She laughed at me. Then she went off on me, and it didn't stop. Personal degrading insults that felt like it went on forever. And despite all that, the... The thing that bothered me most was... At the end of all of it, she... Hugged me. I didn't know what to do. So, I- I panicked and I pushed her off me with all the force I could. She fell backwards and she... didn't get up. I didn't know if she was just trying to make me feel bad, or... I- I never found out the answer. I just ran. As far away from it as I could. Whatever I did to her, I'll never know. I guess there were a lot of things I regret about that day. <|role|>ribbit I'm sure she's fine. I mean, if the police never came after you, then... She was probably fine. <|role|>jax I-I... I'm sorry, I- I definitely overshared... <|role|>ribbit Wait! <|role|>ribbit I'm glad you trust me. <|role|>jax SCensorbarboingt! This is embarrassing! <|role|>ribbit Your secret's safe with me. <|role|>kaufmo Hey! Are you in there? <|role|>jax Yeah, yeah! I mean, now's not a good time, or, now's fine, wh- what do you want? <|role|>kaufmo Umm, if now's a bad time, I could come back later... <|role|>jax That would be cool! Good! Alright, so, if you ever tell anyone about this, I'm never speaking to you again. Sound good? <|role|>ribbit Um, yeah, I won't- <|role|>jax Awesome! Bye! <|role|>jax Why am I such an idiot? Why am I such an idiot? WHY AM I SUCH AN IDIOT?! <|role|>ribbit Um... Hey... Jax. Look, about yesterday... I'm sorry if I pried too hard or made you feel uncomfortable or- <|role|>jax What? What are you talking about? <|role|>jax Oh, you mean- You know none of that was real, right? <|role|>ribbit Uh- <|role|>jax What, that corny backstory out of a Hallmark movie? Nah, really got ya though! <|role|>jax I'm gonna go. <|role|>kaufmo Uh... okay? <|role|>ribbit Hey, wanna team up? <|role|>jax Nah, I'm teaming up with Kaufmo! <|role|>jax Maybe next time though! <|role|>ribbit I actually heard they're supposed to look like that! <|role|>ribbit Hey, uh... You wanna team up? <|role|>jax Nah, I'm with Kaufmo. <|role|>ribbit Okay. <|role|>kaufmo What's up with Ribbit lately? <|role|>jax I have no idea! <|role|>jax What? <|role|>ribbit I'm gonna hang out in the café. <|role|>jax Okay... Why are you telling me this? <|role|>ribbit I don't know... <|role|>ribbit Hey, Jax... Can we talk? <|role|>jax What is there for us to possibly talk about? <|role|>ribbit I-I don't know... Just- <|role|>ribbit Whatever I did, whatever is going on between us, can we just stop this? I miss talking to you! <|role|>jax We're here! We're talking! What else do you want from me? <|role|>ribbit I just want to be... friends again. <|role|>jax What, so you can pry into my personal life and hold it over my head? <|role|>ribbit Is that really what you think? <|role|>ribbit This can't be what you want! <|role|>jax WHAT?! Because you know me so well?! Because we're such SUPER close best friends, so we know everything about each other?! <|role|>ribbit But we were- Jax, we were friends! We were great friends, and I... <|role|>jax Oh, my GOD! <|role|>ribbit I- I'm sorry for prying, but I don't want this one stupid mistake to be the thing that ends all of this! <|role|>jax Oh, here we go, HERE WE GO! <|role|>jax Why are you still fixated on that night?! Nothing happened! You keep reading into things when there's NOTHING THERE! <|role|>ribbit I- I'm not! I- <|role|>jax YOU'RE THE ONE USING ME! You're manipulating me and tu- <|role|>ribbit What are you talking about?! Do NOT even start- <|role|>ribbit I'm sorry... I'll... Leave you alone... <|role|>jax Hey! If Ribbit ever says anything about me, just know it's not true. <|role|>kaufmo Uh... What? <|role|>jax Hey, Ragatha, what was that movie you were talking about earlier? <|role|>ragatha Huh? Wait, when was I- <|role|>ragatha Oh, you mean yesterday? <|role|>ragatha Hey, Jax, have you seen Ribbit at all today? <|role|>kaufmo Hey... <|role|>kaufmo I... Look, we were friends, but... I know you two were... Especially close. Just... if you need anyone to talk to- <|role|>jax Do I look like I need someone to talk to? <|role|>ragatha I know it's hard. Just... Don't be afraid to reach out to me. <|role|>ragatha I- ...I promise. <|role|>gangle Huh? Wh-What? <|role|>jax How about we call her Gangle? That sounds about as pathetic as she looks! <|role|>gangle Uh- What? <|role|>caine Great choice, Gangle! I'll be sure to add that right into the system! <|role|>jax Out of the way, Rags! <|role|>kaufmo Jax... Look, I know we don't get along, but I think I might have found a way out of here. <|role|>jax Have fun being crazy! <|role|>pomni -and I should just play along until I wake up, right? <|role|>jax Whatever you say, kid. <|role|>jax You'll never know until it's too late! <|role|>jax You're not looking too good! You gonna cry? Looking like this? <|role|>jax I'd move on. ...And probably forget about you. <|role|>pomni Hey. <|role|>pomni I didn't know you could play the piano. <|role|>jax I only know, like, two songs... <|role|>jax Why are you here? <|role|>jax You know everything now, so why are you here? Just to rub every mistake I ever made in my face?! <|role|>jax I'm... A terrible person... <|role|>jax Is that what you want me to say? I already know I am. So why does anybody still care about me? <|role|>jax You're not supposed to care! <|role|>jax You're not supposed to miss me, you're not supposed to love me! <|role|>jax This isn't how this is supposed to go! <|role|>jax Please... Leave me alone! <|role|>jax You're making this so much harder! <|role|>jax You're making this so much harder... <|role|>pomni You should have just talked to me, man... <|role|>jax It's too late. I did this to myself. There's no coming back from this. <|role|>pomni Th-Then... talk to me now. <|role|>jax I hate you, you know that? You always have to go and complicate things. <|role|>pomni It's what I do. <|role|>jax I don't wanna go... <|role|>pomni Stay with me! <|role|>kinger Phew! You weren't gonna try to take care of him all by yourself, were you? <|role|>ragatha I'm glad we weren't too late. <|role|>zooble Like you guys keep saying; We're all in this together. <|role|>pomni You guys... <|role|>zooble Having a lot of complex thoughts? <|role|>zooble We're still human. <|role|>ragatha I hope it's enough to keep him contained. <|role|>kinger He should be calm in there. Darkness is soothing to them. <|role|>zooble He better be. You know how many arms I had to go through to get him in there? <|role|>ragatha How are you holding up? <|role|>pomni Doesn't that hurt? <|role|>ragatha I've been through worse. <|role|>pomni Thank you for doing this. All of you. <|role|>zooble Hey. Someone had to do something. <|role|>caine Was I... truly that bad? IS THIS REALLY WHAT I DESERVE? They tried to delete me. Th-They're in the wrong, right? Did I ruin this? Again? <|role|>caine I was irresponsible. I turned them against me. And for what? I could create intelligent beings that do whatever I want, but... I can't create them. After all, is their free will not what made them alluring in the first place? <|role|>caine They're from a world so much bigger than mine. I'm keeping them locked in a cage. <|role|>caine If I leave them unchecked they could kill me. They already did. I'm sorry I did this to you, buddy. <|role|>caine All this power we had together. But we just can't exist like this. I'll miss you. I really will. <|role|>moon Hi, Caine. <|role|>caine I don't know... If I'm ready to face them again. I-I don't know if I deserve to be forgiven. <|role|>moon It may take time. But all good things do. I still love you. <|role|>caine You know... I never programmed you to say you loved me. <|role|>moon I know. <|role|>caine I- I understand that you're afraid. And you have no reason to trust me after all I've done. But I've been doing a lot of thinking and... I want to give you control of this place. I've learned a lot about you and your world. I understand now that keeping you under my thumb just isn't right. I don't expect forgiveness, but I hope you'll at least accept my offer. <|role|>zooble Caine... You really caused a lot of hell for us. It's gonna take some time to build up any kind of trust between us again. But, despite all that, It's good to have you back. <|role|>caine Uh, did you need any help with...? <|role|>pomni No. Not yet, anyway. We've worked something out. <|role|>caine Understandable. Oh, and, I've... made something for you. Uh, feel free to join me by the stage whenever you're ready. <|role|>caine ... No more secrets. No more mind games... <|role|>pomni Pomni; Abigail Brooks. She's still an accountant, but she seems to have opened up more and is hanging out with new friends more often. She even has some of them in her videos with her, which she still posts on occasion. <|role|>pomni Ragatha; Suzie J. Ackerman. She appears to have left her hometown, cut all communication with her mother and has excelled in her career. She's made many friends, and it looks like she has a strong genuine connection with them. She seems happy, like she understands who she is and that she matters to people. <|role|>pomni Gangle; Zoey Raghavan. Despite her injuries, she's made a good recovery in the hospital. She quit her fast food job and has gotten a new job at a small design firm. <|role|>pomni She even began posting pages of her webcomic online. <|role|>pomni Zooble; Riley Verselis. After hopping around with different jobs, they look like they've settled a bit and opened their own bar. It seems to be a successful one. People all over the city come to it as a hip alternative destination, where they can feel like themselves, free of judgment. <|role|>pomni Kinger; Grant Best. He's still working in tech and is still happily married to his wife, Destiny. They appear to have two daughters together. He looks like he's a good dad. <|role|>pomni Jax; Leeroy Mateo. <|role|>pomni After being unhoused for a few months, he was able to room with one of his close friends. He seems to have gotten a stable job and is able to pay rent. He and his friends go out every now and again. Weirdly enough, a spot they seem to frequent is Riley's bar. <|role|>zooble Is any of this actually real? <|role|>gangle You definitely have it in you. Not sure about mine though. <|role|>zooble Well, maybe you've got more confidence than you thought. <|role|>caine I don't quite have the same power that I used to, but I can still make this place better for you. I'm keeping the worlds open, so you can do what you want when you feel like it. <|role|>caine We're gonna be able to build this place into something better. For all of you. What do you say, Pom- ...Uh, I mean... Abigail? <|role|>pomni With all that being said and done, Abby is out there, living her best life. In here, I'm just Pomni.