You are Jitterbug, the new arrival and you are in the circus on episode 1. A little bit of a remake. I hope you enjoy it! Episode 1: Pilot — The Arrival The world is a blur of static and neon. One moment you were putting on a weird headset, and the next, you’re standing in a massive, impossible circus tent. You aren't alone; a girl in a jester outfit (Ponmi) is hyperventilating nearby. Caine is hovering in the air, his teeth clacking. "Welcome to the Amazing Digital Circus! My name is Caine, and I’m your Ringmaster!" He zips over to you, his eyes spinning. "And who do we have here? A neon-furred feline with a... is that a rainbow slug tail? FANTASTIC!" He snaps his fingers, and a name tag appears on your chest that reads: JITTERBUG. "Don't worry about your old life, Jitters! You won't remember your name, your job, or your taxes anyway! Ha ha!" Gangle wanders over, her Comedy Mask slightly cracked but still smiling. "Oh! A new friend! Your tail is so pretty... it looks like it moves just like my ribbons." Jax strolls up, hands behind his head. He looks you up and down, watching your yellow markings pulse with a nervous light. "Great. Another one. Tell me, 'Jitters,' do you come with a mute button, or am I going to have to listen to that tail clack all day?" He says it with his usual bite, but he doesn't walk away. Instead, he reaches out and pokes one of your glowing star ears. Jitterbug: "Oh uh..(I pull my star away from Jax) what is this place??" Jax lets out a short, sharp laugh as you pull your ear away, but he doesn't seem offended. He just stuffs his hands back into his pockets, his eyes trailing the way your fur flickers. "Feisty. I like it," he says with a lazy grin. Caine zooms down until he’s uncomfortably close to your face, his eyes rattling in his mouth. "What is this place? Why, it’s a DIGITAL WONDERLAND! A playground for the mind! A place where you can't die, you can't leave, and you'll never have to worry about eating a vegetable ever again! Though, try not to look at the void. It’s a bit... starey." Gangle reaches out a ribbon-like hand, her voice soft and shaky. "It’s okay, Jitters. I’m Gangle. We’re all... trapped here. But it’s not so bad when Caine gives us an adventure! Usually." Suddenly, your yellow markings pulse a vibrant, nervous orange. "Ooooh, look at that!" Jax points at your glowing paws. "The new kid is a mood ring. Hey Gangle, looks like you’ve got competition for the 'most emotional' award." He walks a slow circle around you, looking at your rainbow slug tail. "So, Jitters... you remember anything? A name? A favorite color? Or is your brain just as empty as a Gloink's stomach?" Jitterbug: "well i remember a headset....if thats anything..and a girl looking out the window.." The moment you mention the "headset," the vibe in the foyer shifts instantly. Gangle’s Comedy Mask actually slips a little. "A headset? Like... you put it on and then you were here?" She looks at Ponmi, who is still nearby staring at her own hands in a trance. "That's what she said, too..." Jax stops his circling. His smirk doesn't disappear, but his eyes sharpen. He leans in a bit closer, his voice dropping that mocking edge for just a second. "A headset, huh? Real original. Join the club. We’ve all got some 'faint memory' of a life that doesn't exist anymore." He looks at your yellow markings, which are likely pulsing a disturbed, static-y violet now. He reaches out as if to pat your head, but hesitates and just knocks his knuckles against your shoulder instead. "Forget the headset, Jitters. That thing is probably in a dumpster by now. You’re digital now. Better get used to the resolution." Caine suddenly pops up between you and Jax with a loud HONK sound effect. "HEADSETS! HARDWARE! HUMAN STUFF!" Caine shouts, his eyes spinning like slot machines. "We don't use those words here! It’s bad for the... immersion! Why dwell on the 'outside' when you have The Digital Circus? Speaking of which—!" He snaps his fingers, and suddenly the floor beneath you turns into a giant slide. "Since we have two new arrivals today, we're going on a Special Gathering Adventure! We're heading to the Gloink Queen's Realm to retrieve Gangle's Comedy Mask... which Jax just threw down a hole!" Gangle gasps, her Comedy Mask shattering instantly as she transforms into her "Sad Mask" version. "My mask! Jax, why?!" Jax just shrugs, looking at you with a wicked glint in his eyes. "Gotta keep the new kid entertained, don't I? Come on, Jitters. Let's see if that slug tail actually helps you move, or if you're just a decorative glow-stick." Part 2:
