Chapter Text
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𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘪𝘮,
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘴,
𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴,
𝘛𝘰 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘥.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯,
𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦.
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The Sole Sector, 8pm on a work night. Our protagonist, Toto, Is slaving away at the drinks the bartender keeps piling on his tab. The first thing he knew, he landed at his new apartment on the edge of the River Timm that he rented out; he dropped his bags and sunk into the sheets and the next thing he knew his landlord had brought him along for drinks in a pub on the corner of the street.
Toto was a big alcoholic so perhaps he should have a bit more absolute when it comes to drinking.
Currently his landlord, Mr Hay was flirting with a waitress, who seemed very (not) into him. Mr Hay was a piggish, stout man, who was Toto's first friend when arriving at the city, and reminded him of a small rat; he had a twirly moustache and wore a dark green coat and brown waistcoat that seemed to pop out at his stomach—like a rat wearing a suit; he mostly worked as a landlord for multiple buildings but the man seemed to have all the time in the world to annoy Toto at every wake—if it was asking for the rent or begging for company. Mr Hay was your man if you didn't want to get anything done.
He was a outsider like Toto; a immigrant from the outside world who was looking for work and landed at owning multiple buildings. Toto was also looking for work, hoping that he'd end up like Mr Hay but that was just a pitiful dream. It was much harder for outsiders to get jobs here at a city who catered to its people. Maybe it was better to be born without a core then to be born with a Lune core—what Toto was thinking as he slept the alcohol away.
They were currently in the Sole sector—Toto knew that much. The rich part of town apparently, where the SoleLune cabaret worked and the Cirque du Chrono lived. Toto had grown to know more about the perks of this city from his landlord, who was quite passionate about the town he loved:
"Toto—my son! It was a good thing that you moved here!" Mr Hay slapped his back, "The Outside is boring as the toenails on your mother's feet—here in the Sole sector life is always enchanting!" The man was currently drinking a scotch that was half empty.
"But sir, what about the Lune sector? You never seem to talk about that so much," Toto drank again from his half empty whiskey glass.
"Tch—that run down place—I don't talk about it because there's nothing to talk about! It's all churches and slums and what not—though I suppose, the only good thing that came out of it was the Arena!" The Arena du Commerce was where all trading happened; sometimes sport and music shows happened there too.
Mr Hay continued, "The Sole Sector is where all the fun is—the booze and the ladies!" He winked at a waitress who shriveled in disgust, "And it's way safer then the Lune Sector—where the Nights patrol the streets and snatch anyone that walks past—I wouldn't go there if I were you!"
"Have you ever been there personally, sir?"
"No but that doesn't mean I don't know what Im talking about, Son. You're better off staying here at the best part of town, where the Sun is always shining—not literally of course." Mr Hay laughed; Toto was beginning to think his landlord had boots too big for his rat feet. A man too small for his mouth—it was pitiful really.
"I never will understand the cultural background of this place, huh...Soles and Lunes—it's all a bunch of melarcky to me—" Toto turned his drunken head to the man, "How's the political climate of this town going, sir?"
"Politics, Son, not a good path to go through. Tim's political climate is smooth currently, I'd say. Our leaders going strong and doesn't seem to budge from his top spot—The Maestro d'll Opera, he calls himself but no one really knows his name.
The Three fractions are still going strong too: The Nights, The SoleLune Cabaret and the Cirque Du Chrono! I'm sure you'll meet them soon when the Circus puts on it's show or if you have enough money to go to the cabaret—like I said before, son, never come into contact with the Nights or bad things happen to you...
But thats enough chatter for one night—too much and your brain might explode of knowledge! The city of Tim is vast—it can't all be squashed down into one conversation—so I'm sure you'll soon learn of this beautiful city!" Mr Hay finished, gulping down more alcohol. It seemed the man was properly proud of his city—even if it was one sided love.
"Right, I'll keep that in mind...sir, do you wish you were born with a core? You talk so grandly about the city, I can't help but think you feel lonely slightly," Toto drank some more. The words that would hurt anyone escaping haphazardly.
"Son, you're words hurt this uncle a bit..." Mr Hay sipped his drink and stared at the bartender solemnly, "Do you see the bartender over there? The tattoo on his neck is a sign of his core—a blazing sun with red flames—a sign of a Sole core," Mr Hay looked back at him, "The things I'd do to have that core, huh—only heaven knows my true desire."
Toto looked at the man next to him; it seemed his words really dug deep as Mr Hay's eyes grew moist with tears. The mystery of the cores native Tempozens were born with. Toto couldn't really answer that question yet; it had only been a couple of hours since he entered the city. How long would it take for him to say Mr Hay's words with such vigour?
"Anyway!—no more about that sad stuff—how's your work search going?" Mr Hay asked Toto, wiping his eyes, "You never told me what you did before coming here."
"It's not going very good, sir...it seems no one wants to hire an outsider that's fresh to town..." Toto's shoulders sank.
"It's a shame—I'm sure you'll find a place soon. For now, Son, let's drink the night away!" Mr Hay tipped his glass in Toto's direction. Toto returned the gesture.
The soothing yet burning taste of the alcohol flushed the lump in his throat away. The alcohol always makes the pain better as usual.
After finishing their drinks—tipping the bartender more then needed—the pair of men strolled out of the pub and walked home; Toto supporting Mr Hay on his shoulders roughly—the other having too much to drink.
They strolled past the river to find the bridge; the streets warmly lit with orange lamps as tempozens turned off their own houses to go to bed; in the alleys, cats and mouses played chase for a late night snack; more drunken men vomitted their guts out next to the two. They eventually reached the intersection in the road, the bridge to the slums and Toto's apartment just in sight—right outside the Cirque du Chrono and it's blazing lights.
The circus was quite large, reaching over packed houses and flats; it boasted of dark red curtains and pitching of large tents and smaller ones; gold trimming encased the tent making it sparkle in the moonlight; from inside, Toto could hear noisy chatter of the circus folk still proactive. It was certainly mesmerizing and Toto wished to join in on whatever the circus folk were enjoying.
He was staring too hard as he didn't even notice a dark haired shadow snatch his wallet from his pockets.
Shouting after her, Toto bolted as fast as he could whilst holding the unconscious Mr Hay—sleeping and snoring peacefully. The small teen, dressed in circus clothes and a green streak in her hair disappeared quickly into the biggest tent; Toto ran up to the entrance before stopping suddenly.
Should he open it? It was his wallet and he desperately needed it to put whatever Khrons he could salvage from Mr Hay's kind and forgiving heart. Yet the scene in front of him stopped his movement: the circus.
Would he regret this?
Who cares.
Toto only lived once and he at least wanted to live in this life with money.
He slowly opened the curtains to reveal what destiny lied for him next—what he saw was something different from the old dusty pub he was in previously.
The tent revealed a large arena, with a whole circumference of seats from the bleachers; in the middle was the stage, draped with silky fabric and safety nets—where acrobats played joyfully with each other; in the middle of the arena was where the entire circus family were sitting: one black and white clown with a short bob—wearing a long white dress with black pompoms—leaned her head on to another clown dressed in a crisscross red leopard; there was a big bear (?) with a multitude of scarves around his head—a small red hat placed daintly on his crown—and had a somber expression.
In the middle was three adolescents dressed in colourful circus clothes that matched the drapes, who were playing with Toto's wallet and play fighting; on a bench sat a purple haired trumpeter—in a lacy pair of thrilly pants that just reached past his thighs and large ruffles—who was singing a tune, and a blonde tightroper—wearing a tight leopard with the colours if the circus—who sang along; there were two girls dancing a jig to the music and dressed in long flowly skirts that were in a multitude of colours.
Toto—leaving Mr Hay on the bleachers—walked up to the arena; he climbed the stairs and made his way to get his wallet back from the pesky kids. He tried to not get everyones attention until he tripped over the Bear's paw.
The circus people were looking at him like he had just interrupted something—blame it on those kids!
Eventually the music came to an end when the trumpeter noticed his presence, "Oh—you're—hmm—yes—" the purple haired man pondered cartoonly, "You're the new guy!—Toto, right? Such a pleasure to meet you—you must be here to ask about your wallet."
"Yes, I mean—nice to meet you too?" Toto stood up with the help of the bear and patted his clothing; he didn't bother to wonder why they already know his name.
"I'm Spitz Feier but you have to call me Blanclune when we're performing!" Spitz reached for the kid holding the wallet, "Here's your—ugh—don't be stubborn Alyssa! Here—your wallet, Mr Tototo."
"Thank you very much! I'll be going now—don't mind me—" Toto made his way off the stage.
"Wait! But I haven't introduced you to everyone else yet," Spitz grabbed his hand, pulling him back.
"I'm fine—really." Toto didn't really want to get intertwined with such a mysterious party.
"This here is Amamiya and Kawasemi—Our Pierro and Arlechin clowns! They are hopelessly in love as you can see," Spitz pointed to the monochrome clown and the red clown holding hands; Amamiya giving him a snarl, "They are the most popular pieces of the circus ever and the audience love them dearly."
"They don't love us enough clearly or we would be married by now," Kawasemi kissed his teeth and held his lover's hand tighter.
"Anyway—this is Grosberg, our fluffy and adorable clown! He has a very interesting scarf collection If you're interested and the audience love him for his cute tricks and flips—show them Grosberg!" Spitz pointed at the bear, who tried to do a backflip but failed.
"Adorable isn't he—then we have Corbe! She's our tightroper with a love for cats and the audience love her when the trick is much more daring and life threatening," Toto watched Corbe move closer to Spitz with a coy smile—interesting, "Then we have the two maidens of the moon—Columa and Pucina! The dancing pair entertain the audience with their fascinating dances on places higher the better." Toto watched Columa stare at the clown couple whilst Pucina tried to get her attention—the dances weren't the only interesting part is seems.
"Then you finally have the pesky trio—Udy, Marsh and Alyssa or Ny, Ky and Py! The annoying clown trio that love juggling—the audience love them for being so cute but I find them quite annoying." Spitz pointed at them with his trumpet.
"Hey! We are not annoying." Udy snapped.
"I'm telling on you!" Marsh wept.
"How about I steal your trumpet next, huh, Blancblanc." Alyssa dug into her pockets.
Scary isn't quite a word you'd use to describe these troublemakers but it fitted. Maybe they can keep Toto's wallet—he doesn't want is anyway.
There done! That's our circus—there's more but that can wait other days. I'm sure you'll come watch one of our shows right?" Spitz tilted his head; the rest of the circus following.
"Yes—I mean—of course, I'll come and visit you but I have to bounce—" Toto made for the exit again before being interrupted.
"But BlancBlanc—don't we have a job vacancy open?—I think Mr Toto is looking for a job," Alyssa tugged at Spitz clothes; Toto couldn't guess how she worked that out but perhaps it was the amount of business cards in his wallet.
"Is that so? Mr Tototo, would you like to join our company?"
"Oh—I really mustn't bother you guys any longer—"
"It's fine really—we take anyone even with no experience—"
"I think I left the stove on at home!—"
"Now, Mr Tototo we all know that isn't true..." Spitz gave him an odd look as everyone laughed around him—like they were making fun of him, "The job isn't that bad and you get paid 1000 Khrons too!"
1000 Khrons.
You could do a lot with that money.
Toto would be living in the Sole Sector with a swimming pool that's connected to the River Timm and with multiple woman and maids by his side; a cabinet full of the best kind of alcohol in the city.
One could only dream.
"I'll do it!" Toto screamed and shook Spitz's hand.
"Oh—very good then! Now the only thing you have to do is—Grosberg go get the document!—" Grosberg left and returned with a golden coloured document, "Just sign here and the job is yours!"
"What do I have to do?" Toto signed with his scrawny signature.
"It's a quick and easy task! You just have to deliver this document to a certain someone, the Ringmaster or so they say."
"Or so they say?"
"No one really knows who he is to be honest—he's only a Ringmaster in name and never shows up to any circus shows—though I hear he lives on the circus grounds at the very tip top," Spitz and everyone looked at the pinicle of the circus top, "What ever that means!" How could anyone live up there? Toto understood now why they were so desperate to let him have this job.
"So how can I find him?"
"How could I tell you that! Right guys—" Everyone nodded in agreement, "That's cheating! A job has to have some troublesome parts or else it's like a free payment hah!" Spitz looked at him like he was mad—can't a man just ask for a clue.
"I see—if that's all, I'll be going now," Toto grabbed the document and his wallet and made his way to the exit.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Mr Tototo!" Toto heard behind him but he already left the circus in a hurry.
That damn circus.
The damning documents.
What did he sign himself up to?
A journey to send this mysterious document wrapped in golden paper to a even more mysterious guy who not even his own company knew about. In a city whom he had just met; a city that welcomed him with such cold hands in it's bare streets and dingy pubs.
Just the kind of job he wanted. At least his payment was taken care of—1000 Khrons, an amount he would have to grow accustomed too soon. That's if that pesky rabbit Spitz kept his promise; that mysterious circus with it's even more fascinating folk—who knows what secrets are in between each crack and crevice?
At least that was his job taken care of; he'd soon get the payment and Toto would happily hand it to his pesky landlord with joyful hands.
Ah!
Speaking of that Landlord, Toto forgot about his sleeping corpse on the bleachers.
Shit!