Chapter Text
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You walk into the tent, happily exhausted from the day. You and your friends decided to visit the digital carnival. You spent time with Pomni playing a wacky version of paintball, got on rollercoasters with Kinger, played minigames at the booths with Ragatha, ate carnival food with Zooble, and got a caracture drawn with Gangle. The only one who was missing was Caine. Zooble had tasked him with creating a new temporary modifier and he spent the whole day in his office, fine tuning it.
"Hey guys! You got here just in time. I was just about to go look for you all." Caine says, appearing in a swirl of pixels.
"Why, what's up?" Pomni asks.
He floats up, puffs out his chest and extends his arms over his head.
"I think I finally got it!" He exclaims.
"Got what?" Zooble asks.
"What you asked me for, remember?" Caine says.
"Great! Gangle and I have been trying to do what we can with what we've got but it isn't the same as—"
Caine cuts Zooble off. "No, no... I—I haven't gotten to that... y-yet." He says, looking away bashfully. He clears his throat and continues, "No, th-the other thing. The modifier."
"Modifier?" You ask.
"Yeah, I asked Caine if he could make a new temporary modifier for us. Digital alcohol just doesn't hit like the real stuff and the stupid sauce... thing, isn't the same as getting drunk." Zooble says.
Caine proudly says, "It took all day. I kept messing with the values to get the desired effect, but I think I got it." He lowers, putting his feet on the ground and says, "If—If you guys aren't too tired, maybe we could try it out tonight?"
Everyone looks around and nods.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good way to unwind." Ragatha says.
"I'm down." Pomni adds.
"Great! Lemme know how it goes!" He says, walking away.
"What, you don't wanna join us?" You ask.
"No... it's not that it's just..." he looks away, "I've never been... impaired before. Heck, I don't even know how I'd handle it."
"You'll never know if you don't try." Zooble says to Caine.
"Yeah, I mean, you didn't know you couldn't swim until you dove into the digital lake." Pomni says.
Gangle laughs, "Hehe, yeah and Kinger had to pull you out."
Everyone laughs. They've been doing that a lot more often since the circus had changed. Despite the losses and revelations, everyone seems happier.
"Come on, join us! You don't have to drink if you don't want to." You say.
He looks around, his pupils widening. "O-Okay."
The lights around the tent dim as night falls. The neon sign paints the bar in a rainbow of colors. The bottles glitter, scattering the light into small dots. Gangle walks over to the jukebox and plays some music. While he was connected to the internet, Caine had downloaded a library of greatest hits spanning decades. The circus members were so glad to finally hear music from their world again.
Everyone takes their seats at the bar. Gangle sits at the end of the bar, closest to Zooble. Kinger sits next to her, and pulls out a stool for Pomni. The jester hops up and motions Ragatha to join her. You take the seat next to Ragatha and Caine sits on your other side.
"What'll you have?" Zooble asks everyone.
"Um... surprise me!" Gangle says.
"Though I like the Corncob Blitz, tonight I'm feeling a Pomelo Punch!" Kinger says, smiling with his eyes.
"Always throwing me curveballs, Kinger." Zooble says.
"I'd like a Cosmopolitan, please." Ragatha says, leaning on the bar.
"Uhh... I'll get whatever Gangle got." Pomni says.
"Hmm... could I get a Jack and Coke?" You say.
You look to Caine, wonding what he'll order.
The AI begins to look around nervously and says, "Uhh... well... surprise me?"
"Ah, I got just the perfect thing!" Zooble says, grabbing various bottles.
Everyone chats about their time at the carnival while Zooble prepares their drinks. Not wanting to leave Caine out, you ask him about his day.
"So apart from working on the modifier, what else did you do today?" You ask him.
"Well, I checked on the worlds, making sure things were still stable. I purged unwanted data and made improvements to the comfort of the beds. Some of you have said that you'd wish they were a bit softer." He says, motioning with his hands.
You tilt your head. "You did all that today?"
"Yeah. Keeping this place running is still my job." He says, matter-of-factly.
You didn't realize just how much work went into maintaining the circus.
"Oh, then you definitely need to unwind! Can't imagine working like that all the time." You say.
He rubs the back of his gums with his hand and says, "Yeah, even when I'm hanging out with you guys, a part of me is still running background processes. I—I'm used to it, but yeah... I need to relax."
"Okay," Zooble says. "Here you go Gangle, a Midnight Dream. It's a mix of pomegranate juice, three different spirits, rose liqueur, and a splash of lemon juice. Look, I even made it change colors."
The glass in front of Gangle held a blue drink that slowly turned red, then back to blue.
"Ooh, thanks Zooble!"
"Here's yours, Pomni." They say.
"Ah, thanks! Looks... strong." She says.
Zooble shrugs and says, "Nah, I know Gangle can't handle too much and I don't want her to blackout. I made sure to dial back the alcohol content in these cocktails until we know how much the modifier is gonna affect us."
Pomni smiles and says, "Thanks. I was kinda worried about that."
"Here you go Kinger, your Pomelo Punch."
"Thanks!" He says, eyes going in two different directions.
"And your Cosmo."
"Oh, thank you Zooble." Ragatha says, taking the drink in her hands.
Zooble puts a drink before you and says, "I got a Jack and Coke for you."
"Thanks."
"And for Caine... the Bee's Knees. It's got gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. Hope you like it!" They say.
His eyes grow big and says, "For me? Thank you!"
With everyone served Zooble grabs their own drink.
They lift the glass in the air and say, "Alright, cheers guys!"
"Cheers!"
Everyone takes a sip of their drinks. You feel the familiar sweet burn of the alcohol on your tongue. Caine got that part down almost perfectly. Even the coke tastes like coke. You look over at him and appreciate all the work he does to try to make your life in the circus better.
"Wow, I kinda missed the taste." Ragatha says.
"Yeah... I'd never thought I'd miss the burn." Pomni adds.
"How's the drink, Caine?" Zooble asks.
He smacks his tongue, trying to take in the taste. He looks up and around as he thinks.
"It's strange. Sweet, and tangy, and a bit sour. Plus the burning sensation. It's weirdy plesant." He says.
"Yep, that's alcohol for ya." Zooble says.
Caine perks up and says, "I like it!"
"Glad to hear it." They say, smiling with their eyes.
As the time passes, your friends down their drinks. No one was feeling anything so everyone ordered another round. After a while, you start to notice the effects of the modifier.
"Whoa, I think I feel something." You say.
Ragatha turns to you and says, "Huh? Already?"
"Y-Yeah, you don't feel it?" Pomni says.
The doll looks down at her drink and says, "Guess I'm a little more tolerant than the both of you."
"How are you feeling, Gangle?" Zooble asks.
"Fine. A little swimmy, but fine." She says.
"Caine? How are you feeling?" Pomni asks.
He looks to everyone and says, "Uhh... I guess I'm fine. No wait," he looks down at himself sitting on the stool and says, "oh, I'm not hovering."
"You feel floaty?" You ask him.
He laughs, "Yeah, I thought I was floating already, haha!"
"Just pace yourself and don't over do it. Trust me." Pomni says.
The juke box starts playing Music Sounds Better With You by Stardust and Kinger lights up. Though the song was released after he joined the circus, when he found it on the jukebox, it quickly became his favorite. He said it reminded him of when he would go to clubs with his wife, back when they were dating. You didn't peg Kinger for a guy who went to clubbing but it seems that his wife was the one to get the normally docile programmer to go.
Pomni was feeling dizzy and went to lay down on the couch. Ragatha looks over at her with half closed eyes, clearly drunk.
"Aw, I guess she really is a lightweight." She says.
Gangle and Zooble were flirting at the end of the bar, the former very clearly drunk. You weren't sure what kind of drunk Gangle would be. Would she be sentimental and cry, or goofy and reckless? Turns out her confidence maxes out and she becomes incredibly bold.
"I wish someone would flirt with me..." Ragatha says, watching them.
"I feel that." You say to her.
You empathize with her, wishing the same for yourself. Everything had been wonderful. You couldn't really complain. Every day was different with new adventures, quests, and games. Things were good. However, when you lay in your bed at night, you couldn't help but feel the empty space next to you.
Zooble and Gangle were going steady for a while now. The filter was no longer restricting your bodies and they quickly got to work—you recall how Ragatha found out about it. No one, besides Zooble, would admit that they were glad to be able to have that ability again. In fact, the rest of your friends were still kind of skittish about the subject.
"Have you," Ragatha says, interrupting your thoughts, "thought about maybe dating an NPC?"
"What?" You say, surprised.
She sighs, "I might regret saying this but, I have."
"Well... I mean, I wouldn't blame you for it." You say and add, "Hasn't Pomni been hanging out with Gummigoo lately?"
Ragatha looks to her friend napping on the couch.
"Hehe, yeah. She thinks I don't notice how she lights up when he comes around." The doll leans on the bar and says, "After Jax... you know, she needed time. I think she had complicated feelings for him and she just... needed to sort them out. I was surprised when she asked Caine to bring Gummigoo back. Obviously, he didn't remember her but she persisted in trying to be his friend."
Ragatha throws her head back, eyelids drooping.
"I guess it worked because now he comes by looking for her sometimes." She says, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Aw Ragatha, I'm sure you can find one out there. If not just ask Caine to make a boyfriend for you!" You laugh. Clearly the alcohol is affecting you.
She laughs and says, "I've been tempted to, trust me. Maybe it's because I'm old school but, I... kinda want it to happen organically, ya know?"
"Girl, nothing here is organic. Whatcha talkin' about?" You say.
You feel someone fall on your shoulder. It startles you and you turn to see Caine slumped over, laying his jaw on you.
"Oh god! Caine, are you okay?" You ask.
"Huh? Y-Yeahhhh... peachy keen, my busy bee." He says, waving his hand.
Ragatha laughs, "Looks like the little guy can't handle his liquor!"
He gets up off of you. His lower jaw is flushed and his eyes are partially hooded by his drooping top jaw.
"Gee Caine, what will the moon say about this." Ragatha teases.
He slumps over the bar and waves a hand, saying, "Oh don't get me st-started on her! Th-The other dayyy... I had to b-break up an argument bet-ween her and the sun!"
"What were they fighting about?" You ask.
"Oh I dunno... something about Sh-Shrimp Town..." he says.
You laugh. The name Shrimp Town seems funny in your inebriated state.
"Well, how's it going with the two of you?" Ragatha asks.
He leans back and says, "I know sh-she saysss she loves me and I 'preciate it and all but... like... I don't feel that way about her. I... dunno how t-to tell her without h-hurting her feelings..."
"Damn, even Caine has more going on th-than me!" She exclaims.
You lean over to him, eyelids feeling heavy and say, "You don't like her? Why?"
"Huh? I dunno... it's like... she's a moon! Like how would—would we go out and stuff?" He says.
You take another sip of your drink.
"No, no, he's got a poooint!" Ragatha says, leaning back.
Caine tries to sit up and says, "Yeah... like hoooow can I do this with h-her?"
He suddenly grabs your hand and brings it to his face.
"Gooood evening, my lady. C-Care to join—join me for a strrrroll in the park?" He says.
He leans his teeth into your hand, unable to keep his head up. You aren't used to being touched. Not that you were adverse to it or anything, in fact, you secretly longed for it.
"Ha! Yeah! Liiiiiike she doesn't... h-have legs to walk on!" Ragatha exclaims.
Caine pops back up. He throws his head back and says, "Issss it wrong of me... to want to be with—with someone who hasss limbs?"
"I could go for a strong limbed man." Ragatha says, propping her head up on the bar with her arm.
"Me too." You say.
"I could m-make you one!" Caine says.
Ragatha looks down and says, "B-But I wanna meet someone organically."
"Nothing here is organic!" Caine says laughing.
"She already said that joke!" Ragatha says.
"Oh right, haha!"
Zooble comes over and asks, "Hey, you guys want another round? This is your last chance. I'm getting tired and," they shoot Gangle a look that is loaded with desire, "I'm gonna go to bed soon."
Ragatha exhales, "Nah, I should probably call it a night. I don't... wanna have a bad hangover tomorrow. I'll—I'll wake up Pomni and head out."
Kinger was dancing like no one was watching, lost in the house music that Caine put on the jukebox. The chess piece was having a good time. It didn't look like he was leaving any time soon.
"I'm good. I don't want another drink, but I'll stay for a bit longer. I don't wanna leave Kinger by himself here." You say.
Caine puts up a finger and says, "I want another, pleasssssse."
"Are you sure?" You ask him.
"I've—I've gotta m-make sure that I... got it riiiiiight." He says.
Zooble laughs, "Okay big guy, comin' right up."
Zooble flips bottles, pours the liquor into the shaker and pours out the drink. They slide the glass toward him and takes off their apron. They start to clean up as Gangle watches from the bar, tracing circles with her ribboned hand while she holds her face up with the other. Ragatha waves goodbye and goes to wake up Pomni. She helps guide the jester to her room. When Zooble finishes, Gangle pulls them from behind the bar and yanks their arm as they run off toward her room. You make a mental note to avoid walking in front of Gangle's door tonight.
The music plays in the background of the dim circus. Caine downs his drink and slams the glass on the bar. He sits there, slowly swaying.
"Whoa man, you went all out." You say.
He turns to you and stares into your eyes as he searches for the words to reply with. His brain is fuzzy and his thoughts have slowed down. You watch his head tilt slowly to the side, eyes still fixed on you. The prolonged eye contact brings on a blush that makes your face even redder.
"Uh, Caine?" You say.
"Mhm?"
"You okay?"
"Yeahhhh..." He says, elongating the word until it ends in a whisper.
Caine's voice is low and a little husky.
"Arrrre you okay?" He asks, leaning in. "How's theeeee modifier?"
His face is mere inches from yours. You can see yourself in his mismatched irises. He studies your expression, taking in the information.
"You did a pretty good job. I didn't get drunk often, so I wasn't sure I was gonna remember... how it felt but, you nailed it." You say, averting your eyes.
"R-Rrreally? He asks, tilting his head.
"Y-Yeah, you did a good job, Caine."
He leans in closer and you see his eyes flicker for a moment, like if he was going to glitch and bluescreen for a second. Did your praise cause that?
He exhales, "Ha... I did, didn't I?"
Caine was so close to you, you could feel his warm breath on your skin. You get goosebumps from it.
"Telllll me, my star, what—what do you th-think about the circus? Have I... pleased you?" He asks.
"Pleased me...?" You repeat.
Something about the way he said it ignited your skin.
He tilts his head to the other side and says, "Y-Yeah... like... I got your suggestionssss. Have I—I managed to do good?"
A smile tugs at the corner of your mouth. He wanted your praise. You shift in your seat and tilt your head playfully.
"Yes Caine, you did well." You say.
His eyes flicker again as a flash of white text against a blue background overtake his eyes for a second.
"Mh-hm, I'm such a gooooood... world... builder... guy." He says, pulling away from you.
You feel the absence of his body. You weren't sure if it was the alcohol but, you wanted him close. Caine props his jaw on his arm as he leans on the bar. You watch his slow and steady breathing move his chest. His shoulders rise and fall gently with it. His half-hooded eyes linger on you as he lets the floating feeling swim inside of him. He looks so passive, so vulnerable.
You shake your head, trying to shoo away the thought.
"It's the alcohol, it has to be. There's no way you're thinking of him like... that." You reassure yourself.
Trying to look for a distraction, you turn to check on Kinger. He's passed out on the floor. How long has he been laying there without you noticing him.
You sigh and say, "Guess it's time to call it a night."
You move to get up and Caine grabs your wrist. He tugs you back gently. You feel something begin to build inside of you, something long forgotten.
"Waiiiit, don't goooo..." He whines.
You swallow hard, trying not to let his voice get to you.
"C-Caine, I've gotta wake—wake Kinger up. I can't j-just leave him there." You say, stuttering slightly.
"Mmm... okaaaay." He says, voice slightly growling.
He lets you go and slumps onto the bar. You hurredly walk toward the fallen chess piece, trying to put as much distance between you and Caine, hoping it will extinguish the fire that was starting to rage in your belly. You shake Kinger awake. He screams and startles you. You help him to his feet and he shuffles off toward his pillow fort. You decide to look back at Caine and see he isn't moving to get up. You look around and lower your shoulders as you sigh.
"Well, I guess I should at least check on him before leaving." You say to yourself.
You near the indisposed AI and watch his back undulate quietly with his breath. His broad shoulders and arms are relaxed. Your eyes wander down his strong back and land on his waist. It was so small. You felt the desire to wrap your arms around it. You sigh and shake away the thought.
You lean over and place a hand on his arm and say, "Hey, I'm leaving now. Are you gonna stay here?"
He turns his head and looks at you from beneath his jaw and says, "I wanna... goooo to my office b-but.. I d-don't think I—I can take myself... there."
"Oh."
Caine sits up and slowly leans his his face onto your stomach. He looks up at you with large eyes and a flushed jaw.
"Can you—can you help me get to my office?"
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