'What's going on with this place?' Felix thought to himself as he frantically looked around. From within the biome, the circus seemed empty with no person or noise in sight. Now that they were searching for the exit, the place was crawling with visitors roaming around and enjoying the scenery and showings. He would move around, in between, and shove away a few while hurrying down the hall. He never let go of Reta's hand, feeling her fingers latch tightly with his own as they searched down the corridor knowing that eventually in this dome-shaped circus that they would find the exit somewhere. His eyes would dance around with each door they would pass, from one biome to the next, all while feeling his lungs begin to burn and his legs go weak from exhaustion. Perhaps he was more wounded from the ambush than he thought.
Wait.
He slowed down, staring at the entrance he was facing. This was the same dessert biome that they had passed before. Something was not right, he retraced his steps and started walking along until he found the same biome where Umeko was being held. Reta pulled her hand free and stepped in to the entrance where the toppled curtain and unconscious bodies were still visible, but the image looked like that of a painting somehow. Reaching out, her fingers brushed against the surface sending a ripple spreading throughout the still image as if it were made of a fluid like substance.
By now, KuliKuli looked around and held her breath, they were still alone. The people they saw around them were still mannequins, dressed as if they were regular civilians from Kershin Market. Some were in different shapes and sizes, Felix even recognized one as the tall brutish man he saw leaving the jungle biome before they went in. When Janette turned her head, she stepped closer to the middle of her circle of friends for protection. Curiosity got the better of the cat, as KuliKuli stuck her paw out to a nearby mannequin, she pulled away when the figure collapsed in a splash of water. Her tails lashed out and the fur went stiff, with Felix witnessing this as he touched another figure to confirm the same effects.
They were trapped in an endless corridor, alone and with no exit in sight.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
All eyes were drawn to the voice behind them, settled on a familiar man in a red coat, with his head tilted in a downward angle. He lifted his head and a smile grew from under his curved mustache, his gloved hands leaning on the snake staff in front of him.
"It's amazing what you can do with a mixture of a few elements, sprinkle in a bit of fairy dust and you can create a lasting effect that can sustain its concentration without your presence. It's how we handle the light work around here. Torches are prehistoric you see, it gets the job done but flames have a nasty tendency to catch on and spread around when a lantern is knocked down. More modern advances like lightbulbs do well, but they require a source of electricity to power it. That's hard to do when you travel around the globe, don't you think?"
He raised his head, his eyes gazing between each one of his guests before settling on Felix.
"Oh hells, you probably never heard of electricity 'round here. I apologize, rambling on about technology in these parts of the world, sharing about creations and using words too big for primitive things like you."
"Arcaye." Felix spoke out.
Arcaye's smile grew at the mention of his name, tipping his hat in return. "The one and only Master of Magics Most Mysterious! I'm terribly sorry to have to put you lot through all of this, I may be a fanatic of theatrics but I do my best to avoid such mmm... barbaric displays. I told my boys to kindly escort you to me, I never told them to lay a hand on you and for that I so deeply apologize, cross my heart and string my neck with my hand bestowed to the heavens. See I wanted to avoid all of this-this mess we have going 'round here now."
"And what mess would that be?" KuliKuli asked while keeping Janette behind her. Her eyes were fixated on Arcaye as he began slowly pacing around to the left, holding his staff behind him with both hands while walking in an upright posture. The man displayed himself as someone sophisticated for sure, his boots clicking with each step while he puffed out his chest and walked with his shoulders back. His eyes were half open, eyebrows raised, glancing at her specifically.
"I am no stranger to violence, but that manner of communication does not suit me well. I tend to avoid it if one be so kind as to bargain in safer ways, one where all parties can shake hands and go about enjoying their days. The circus is a hobby, a passion for me to enjoy. Getting to take snippets from the world and share it with the others, see their little smiles and hear their joyous laughter, well it's enough to leave a man's heart twice his size, you know? Now, a circus, like any hobby, can last for only so long without any source of financial profit to encourage it. It's hard these days to find the kindness in strangers, people don't help you in these lands without a show of coin to persuade their talents."
He stopped while facing another mannequin, stroking his chin and turning his head to look at it from side to side.
"Hm, I still can't get the appearance right. It's the face that corrupts the image, I can't accurately adapt each figure with their own characteristics. The image remains unclear, and so it transforms into the next closest thing while maintaining the clothing, size and shape. And it all started with a combination of two elements: water and air. The reflective surface of water and the blurring effects of air can be combined to give the impression of whatever illusion you fabricate. That's the beauty of magic you see, it's not only a science but a form of art as well. Uninhibited by politics, loyalty, or any beliefs we conjure. We are it's greatest limit, small minds unable to properly expand and allow its magical properties to grow. But like all good things, it needs practice. I'll master it eventually, give it time. Never encountered a problem that I could not overcome, not wherever magic is presented."
With a light tap on its head, the mannequin fell apart and crashed like a spilt bottle of wine. He turned around, stepping his boots over the puddle left behind as he turned to face the group properly.
"But money is not something magic can solve. If any of you understand profit, then you understand the worth of a business. This place is my business, it's how I can afford practicing my magic and it's how I can afford paying my workers and performers. You can't achieve much in life without money, and money is a problem we all face no matter where we are in this globe. Or rather, money is a problem if you lack it until you don't, and I am ashamed to say that even to someone like myself, money remains an issue. The costs of maintaining this place and to have it well kept, buying new hardware and better material to sustain some of our performances, buying tighter ropes that can withstand more weight, the list goes on. It's a cycle you see, I need money to travel abroad, practice my magic, find more products and performers to entertain an audience so that I can make some money, only to travel again. As you see, the cycle continues, such is a way of life. Now, I am most grateful that you came down here and paid to see the show, and I hope you have enjoyed your stay. But I caught upon an interesting detail in tonight's show. When I asked for a volunteer, I didn't expect to see a Nekomata hiding amongst my crowd."
KuliKuli felt uneasy under his watch, with Felix stepping in between them. "You're not taking her."
"Oh, I could, I very well could. She matches the description of a cat girl that some people have been searching around for, and searching quite enthusiastically might I add. It's no surprise to learn that a monster is wanted from time to time, but it is quite rare when someone asks for one brought to them alive." He aimed his staff to her with a swift motion that Felix felt his body stiffen, embracing himself for his next move. "But you, good sir, are in luck! For you see, I am here to propose an alternative, to offer you poor souls a deal that you simply would be mad in the head not to take! I am offering this gal here an escape under my employment. Work as one of mine, we'll set you with a biome of your own. You'll be well fed, offered plenty of free time to roam around, and I can conjure up a spell that can effectively disguise you with the appearance of a human woman. You'll lose the cat features of course, but only temporarily as the spell is easy to remove with the right tool."
KuliKuli's eyes widened when he mentioned the spell. His eyes flashed as he saw through her, noticing the appeal as she appeared to consider his words. He drew his staff back and extended his hand instead.
"Think about it, just how much are you able to get out without worrying about being recognized? You're a monster girl, people either want to hunt you down or hold you captive, at best for scientific purposes. You dress nice but it's in the eyes that announce who you really are, and this here fellow confirmed it for me." Arcaye mentioned as he looked at Felix. "Those eyes are not human. With how protective he was when he disrupted the show, I could tell from the matching eyes alone that you two have a special thing going on in between. The offer extends to you too, mister. You'll be allowed to travel with us, properly employed and as an added bonus, you two would be promoted and bestowed special privilege's so that you won't be starting from the bottom! Think about it, this here is a once in a lifetime opportunity!"
"As your workers, or as your slaves for entertainment?" Felix asked as his eyes grew firm.
Arcaye sighed and waved his hand in dismissal. "You are looking at this under the wrong frame of mind, kind sir. But I respect your honesty, not many young men are brave enough to speak their mind such as yourself. No sir, I am not offering you a second chance at life. A new way to-to expand and broaden your horizons, to see what the world has to offer! You will be under my care, traveling from kingdom to kingdom, experiencing its many pleasures along the way. Good food, beautiful scenery, and a beautiful woman to share it with, with paid housing at each city we perform in. What is not to love?"
"The kidnapping."
Felix and KuliKuli turned back and began to part away as Reta stepped through, her face contorted with rage, glaring angrily at the magician. She stopped in front of the group, standing between them and Arcaye. "You kidnapped someone close to me, I want her set free. Now."
Arcaye raised his brow, leaning back in interest while analyzing this woman. "You're the one who shouted in defense of this man back in the show. Who is it you are referring to?"
"Her name is Umeko."
"Who?"
"UMEKO!" She shouted, her cry ringing in their ears. "She is the woman you have in that biome, starved and trapped like a wild animal."
"Aaah, the one with the purple hair?" He lowered his eyes and brushed his sleeve casually. "She presented a danger to my workers, she was uncooperative and refused to work with us. I had no choice but to keep her locked up for everyone's safety."
"Chikushou." She hissed under clenched teeth, stepping closer to him. "You kidnapped her from her home and took her in for display."
"I beg your pardon miss but I did not such thing." He tilted his head to look over her and address Felix. "Mister, you best talk some sense into this woman and help her see reason. I do not like the aggression she is displaying here."
"Fuzakeru na!" She yelled out when Felix reached out for her arm, whispering into her ear and pleading for her to calm down. She turned and shot an icy look into his eyes when he held his palms together with a sorry look in his eyes. His lips whispered comforting words into her, enough for her to look around and see KuliKuli reassure her with a nod.
Janette stepped to the front, running her fingers through her messy hair in an attempt to look presentable. "And um, what are any other alternatives to this?"
Arcaye sighed and leaned his weight into his staff. "And you are?"
"Janette, I invited my friends to see your show. We don't want any trouble, we just want to go home."
"Miss, I understand but you four did do a number on some of my boys." He shrugged back, banging his staff into the ground. "At the very least I am owed some costs for their health and the damage done to my property."
"That woman is not your property!" Reta barked out as Felix and KuliKuli held her back. "She has a husband, she has a home!"
"Look." Arcaye ran his fingers into his hair and rubbed his eyes. "I'm beginning to think we are just wasting one another's time here. So let me just save ourselves the trouble and make a new deal. I don't care about you miss, or your loud-mouthed gal. You pay for the damages and you two can leave. But your friends, them I do want. I am a busy man, I have a tight schedule to keep to and all of this is something I don't need. So I'll cut it sweet, you two owe me a pocketful of coin." He waved his hand around, weighing the amount in his mind. "Give or take, fifty thousand gold coins."
"Fifty thousand?" Felix cried out.
Arcaye scoffed. "Mister, I have to be sure them two boys you made work of are fit and ready to return to work as soon as can be, not to mention the mess you all made. But see here, who am I if nothing but generous. I can forgive your debt if you two agree to work under me. Sound's mighty fine to me, don't you think? There is a long list of eager folk, talented and able, folk who would kill for an opportunity I am giving you today. So, do we have a deal?"
He extended his hand out for them, looking back at Felix and KuliKuli. Reta's fists shook as she shot daggers at Arcaye, while Janette looked worried and lost in ways to help them escape. She looked back into his eyes and he could tell, that kind of money was not something she could give.
KuliKuli reached out and held his hand with her paw, giving him a smile before stepping to the front of the group when Arcaye cleared his throat.
"I would much prefer the mister to shake my hand, miss. No offense, I don't want to be cut by those claws of yours." He flashed a fake smile with a wink much to her disgust.
Felix breathed in and walked past her, stepping forward until he found himself in front of Arcaye. In person, the magician stood a foot taller than him, he lowered his hand waiting for Felix to reach out. He winced as he felt the bruises in his stomach and the sting on his face, still fresh from the beating he endured a moment ago. This was it, he stood there staring into this man's hand contemplating what to do next.
To take the deal or to reject it, neither option seemed favorable to him. It was beginning to feel like it did not matter what option he took. They would lose either way. He just wanted to go home, to live his small life with KuliKuli and Reta with him. Huh, he raised his brow as he felt his heart ache at the thought of what Reta must be feeling, to see her friend locked up like that. He never had any friends before, he wondered what that would have felt like. Probably similar to where he is now, with three woman waiting for him to make this impossible choice for them.
Now all that was left was for him to shake his hand and accept the deal, or to decline and accept their fate.
'What's going on with this place?' Felix thought to himself as he frantically looked around. From within the biome, the circus seemed empty with no person or noise in sight. Now that they were searching for the exit, the place was crawling with visitors roaming around and enjoying the scenery and showings. He would move around, in between, and shove away a few while hurrying down the hall. He never let go of Reta's hand, feeling her fingers latch tightly with his own as they searched down the corridor knowing that eventually in this dome-shaped circus that they would find the exit somewhere. His eyes would dance around with each door they would pass, from one biome to the next, all while feeling his lungs begin to burn and his legs go weak from exhaustion. Perhaps he was more wounded from the ambush than he thought.
Wait.
He slowed down, staring at the entrance he was facing. This was the same dessert biome that they had passed before. Something was not right, he retraced his steps and started walking along until he found the same biome where Umeko was being held. Reta pulled her hand free and stepped in to the entrance where the toppled curtain and unconscious bodies were still visible, but the image looked like that of a painting somehow. Reaching out, her fingers brushed against the surface sending a ripple spreading throughout the still image as if it were made of a fluid like substance.
By now, KuliKuli looked around and held her breath, they were still alone. The people they saw around them were still mannequins, dressed as if they were regular civilians from Kershin Market. Some were in different shapes and sizes, Felix even recognized one as the tall brutish man he saw leaving the jungle biome before they went in. When Janette turned her head, she stepped closer to the middle of her circle of friends for protection. Curiosity got the better of the cat, as KuliKuli stuck her paw out to a nearby mannequin, she pulled away when the figure collapsed in a splash of water. Her tails lashed out and the fur went stiff, with Felix witnessing this as he touched another figure to confirm the same effects.
They were trapped in an endless corridor, alone and with no exit in sight.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
All eyes were drawn to the voice behind them, settled on a familiar man in a red coat, with his head tilted in a downward angle. He lifted his head and a smile grew from under his curved mustache, his gloved hands leaning on the snake staff in front of him.
"It's amazing what you can do with a mixture of a few elements, sprinkle in a bit of fairy dust and you can create a lasting effect that can sustain its concentration without your presence. It's how we handle the light work around here. Torches are prehistoric you see, it gets the job done but flames have a nasty tendency to catch on and spread around when a lantern is knocked down. More modern advances like lightbulbs do well, but they require a source of electricity to power it. That's hard to do when you travel around the globe, don't you think?"
He raised his head, his eyes gazing between each one of his guests before settling on Felix.
"Oh hells, you probably never heard of electricity 'round here. I apologize, rambling on about technology in these parts of the world, sharing about creations and using words too big for primitive things like you."
"Arcaye." Felix spoke out.
Arcaye's smile grew at the mention of his name, tipping his hat in return. "The one and only Master of Magics Most Mysterious! I'm terribly sorry to have to put you lot through all of this, I may be a fanatic of theatrics but I do my best to avoid such mmm... barbaric displays. I told my boys to kindly escort you to me, I never told them to lay a hand on you and for that I so deeply apologize, cross my heart and string my neck with my hand bestowed to the heavens. See I wanted to avoid all of this-this mess we have going 'round here now."
"And what mess would that be?" KuliKuli asked while keeping Janette behind her. Her eyes were fixated on Arcaye as he began slowly pacing around to the left, holding his staff behind him with both hands while walking in an upright posture. The man displayed himself as someone sophisticated for sure, his boots clicking with each step while he puffed out his chest and walked with his shoulders back. His eyes were half open, eyebrows raised, glancing at her specifically.
"I am no stranger to violence, but that manner of communication does not suit me well. I tend to avoid it if one be so kind as to bargain in safer ways, one where all parties can shake hands and go about enjoying their days. The circus is a hobby, a passion for me to enjoy. Getting to take snippets from the world and share it with the others, see their little smiles and hear their joyous laughter, well it's enough to leave a man's heart twice his size, you know? Now, a circus, like any hobby, can last for only so long without any source of financial profit to encourage it. It's hard these days to find the kindness in strangers, people don't help you in these lands without a show of coin to persuade their talents."
He stopped while facing another mannequin, stroking his chin and turning his head to look at it from side to side.
"Hm, I still can't get the appearance right. It's the face that corrupts the image, I can't accurately adapt each figure with their own characteristics. The image remains unclear, and so it transforms into the next closest thing while maintaining the clothing, size and shape. And it all started with a combination of two elements: water and air. The reflective surface of water and the blurring effects of air can be combined to give the impression of whatever illusion you fabricate. That's the beauty of magic you see, it's not only a science but a form of art as well. Uninhibited by politics, loyalty, or any beliefs we conjure. We are it's greatest limit, small minds unable to properly expand and allow its magical properties to grow. But like all good things, it needs practice. I'll master it eventually, give it time. Never encountered a problem that I could not overcome, not wherever magic is presented."
With a light tap on its head, the mannequin fell apart and crashed like a spilt bottle of wine. He turned around, stepping his boots over the puddle left behind as he turned to face the group properly.
"But money is not something magic can solve. If any of you understand profit, then you understand the worth of a business. This place is my business, it's how I can afford practicing my magic and it's how I can afford paying my workers and performers. You can't achieve much in life without money, and money is a problem we all face no matter where we are in this globe. Or rather, money is a problem if you lack it until you don't, and I am ashamed to say that even to someone like myself, money remains an issue. The costs of maintaining this place and to have it well kept, buying new hardware and better material to sustain some of our performances, buying tighter ropes that can withstand more weight, the list goes on. It's a cycle you see, I need money to travel abroad, practice my magic, find more products and performers to entertain an audience so that I can make some money, only to travel again. As you see, the cycle continues, such is a way of life. Now, I am most grateful that you came down here and paid to see the show, and I hope you have enjoyed your stay. But I caught upon an interesting detail in tonight's show. When I asked for a volunteer, I didn't expect to see a Nekomata hiding amongst my crowd."
KuliKuli felt uneasy under his watch, with Felix stepping in between them. "You're not taking her."
"Oh, I could, I very well could. She matches the description of a cat girl that some people have been searching around for, and searching quite enthusiastically might I add. It's no surprise to learn that a monster is wanted from time to time, but it is quite rare when someone asks for one brought to them alive." He aimed his staff to her with a swift motion that Felix felt his body stiffen, embracing himself for his next move. "But you, good sir, are in luck! For you see, I am here to propose an alternative, to offer you poor souls a deal that you simply would be mad in the head not to take! I am offering this gal here an escape under my employment. Work as one of mine, we'll set you with a biome of your own. You'll be well fed, offered plenty of free time to roam around, and I can conjure up a spell that can effectively disguise you with the appearance of a human woman. You'll lose the cat features of course, but only temporarily as the spell is easy to remove with the right tool."
KuliKuli's eyes widened when he mentioned the spell. His eyes flashed as he saw through her, noticing the appeal as she appeared to consider his words. He drew his staff back and extended his hand instead.
"Think about it, just how much are you able to get out without worrying about being recognized? You're a monster girl, people either want to hunt you down or hold you captive, at best for scientific purposes. You dress nice but it's in the eyes that announce who you really are, and this here fellow confirmed it for me." Arcaye mentioned as he looked at Felix. "Those eyes are not human. With how protective he was when he disrupted the show, I could tell from the matching eyes alone that you two have a special thing going on in between. The offer extends to you too, mister. You'll be allowed to travel with us, properly employed and as an added bonus, you two would be promoted and bestowed special privilege's so that you won't be starting from the bottom! Think about it, this here is a once in a lifetime opportunity!"
"As your workers, or as your slaves for entertainment?" Felix asked as his eyes grew firm.
Arcaye sighed and waved his hand in dismissal. "You are looking at this under the wrong frame of mind, kind sir. But I respect your honesty, not many young men are brave enough to speak their mind such as yourself. No sir, I am not offering you a second chance at life. A new way to-to expand and broaden your horizons, to see what the world has to offer! You will be under my care, traveling from kingdom to kingdom, experiencing its many pleasures along the way. Good food, beautiful scenery, and a beautiful woman to share it with, with paid housing at each city we perform in. What is not to love?"
"The kidnapping."
Felix and KuliKuli turned back and began to part away as Reta stepped through, her face contorted with rage, glaring angrily at the magician. She stopped in front of the group, standing between them and Arcaye. "You kidnapped someone close to me, I want her set free. Now."
Arcaye raised his brow, leaning back in interest while analyzing this woman. "You're the one who shouted in defense of this man back in the show. Who is it you are referring to?"
"Her name is Umeko."
"Who?"
"UMEKO!" She shouted, her cry ringing in their ears. "She is the woman you have in that biome, starved and trapped like a wild animal."
"Aaah, the one with the purple hair?" He lowered his eyes and brushed his sleeve casually. "She presented a danger to my workers, she was uncooperative and refused to work with us. I had no choice but to keep her locked up for everyone's safety."
"Chikushou." She hissed under clenched teeth, stepping closer to him. "You kidnapped her from her home and took her in for display."
"I beg your pardon miss but I did not such thing." He tilted his head to look over her and address Felix. "Mister, you best talk some sense into this woman and help her see reason. I do not like the aggression she is displaying here."
"Fuzakeru na!" She yelled out when Felix reached out for her arm, whispering into her ear and pleading for her to calm down. She turned and shot an icy look into his eyes when he held his palms together with a sorry look in his eyes. His lips whispered comforting words into her, enough for her to look around and see KuliKuli reassure her with a nod.
Janette stepped to the front, running her fingers through her messy hair in an attempt to look presentable. "And um, what are any other alternatives to this?"
Arcaye sighed and leaned his weight into his staff. "And you are?"
"Janette, I invited my friends to see your show. We don't want any trouble, we just want to go home."
"Miss, I understand but you four did do a number on some of my boys." He shrugged back, banging his staff into the ground. "At the very least I am owed some costs for their health and the damage done to my property."
"That woman is not your property!" Reta barked out as Felix and KuliKuli held her back. "She has a husband, she has a home!"
"Look." Arcaye ran his fingers into his hair and rubbed his eyes. "I'm beginning to think we are just wasting one another's time here. So let me just save ourselves the trouble and make a new deal. I don't care about you miss, or your loud-mouthed gal. You pay for the damages and you two can leave. But your friends, them I do want. I am a busy man, I have a tight schedule to keep to and all of this is something I don't need. So I'll cut it sweet, you two owe me a pocketful of coin." He waved his hand around, weighing the amount in his mind. "Give or take, fifty thousand gold coins."
"Fifty thousand?" Felix cried out.
Arcaye scoffed. "Mister, I have to be sure them two boys you made work of are fit and ready to return to work as soon as can be, not to mention the mess you all made. But see here, who am I if nothing but generous. I can forgive your debt if you two agree to work under me. Sound's mighty fine to me, don't you think? There is a long list of eager folk, talented and able, folk who would kill for an opportunity I am giving you today. So, do we have a deal?"
He extended his hand out for them, looking back at Felix and KuliKuli. Reta's fists shook as she shot daggers at Arcaye, while Janette looked worried and lost in ways to help them escape. She looked back into his eyes and he could tell, that kind of money was not something she could give.
KuliKuli reached out and held his hand with her paw, giving him a smile before stepping to the front of the group when Arcaye cleared his throat.
"I would much prefer the mister to shake my hand, miss. No offense, I don't want to be cut by those claws of yours." He flashed a fake smile with a wink much to her disgust.
Felix breathed in and walked past her, stepping forward until he found himself in front of Arcaye. In person, the magician stood a foot taller than him, he lowered his hand waiting for Felix to reach out. He winced as he felt the bruises in his stomach and the sting on his face, still fresh from the beating he endured a moment ago. This was it, he stood there staring into this man's hand contemplating what to do next.
To take the deal or to reject it, neither option seemed favorable to him. It was beginning to feel like it did not matter what option he took. They would lose either way. He just wanted to go home, to live his small life with KuliKuli and Reta with him. Huh, he raised his brow as he felt his heart ache at the thought of what Reta must be feeling, to see her friend locked up like that. He never had any friends before, he wondered what that would have felt like. Probably similar to where he is now, with three woman waiting for him to make this impossible choice for them.
Now all that was left was for him to shake his hand and accept the deal, or to decline and accept their fate.
