Welcome One and All!

“You all have something you absolutely want… Don’t you… ?“

Swinging gently back and forth, Mina pondered Monozō’s words as she reread her most recent notes.  What would she wish for, if given the chance?  The first thing that came to mind… well, she still had a good chance of obtaining it on her own, without the risk of getting herself killed - she just had to make sure that no one else killed her first.  The second thing was trickier, but definitely not worth it.

Chinmoku hadn’t really done much since the trial, which doesn’t really say much about his mood since he wasn’t that much of a productive person as it is given all of his pastimes were more passive than anything, however he was a little out of it. He interacted with the others here and there - the saving grace amongst the strife- but there was always that feeling in the back of his mind. He still couldn’t identify it as hard as he tried, but its presence still forced an uneasiness upon him.

Said uneasiness was only amplified once the students were again called to the big top. While he had been through most of the grounds since the trial -even going back into the kitchen out of necessity- he hadn’t had the urge to go back to the tent yet. Of course this wasn’t going to be another trial when nobody died, but the last time they had been summoned like this was to provide a motive to coax the students into murder. Although now he was able to pick up on Monozo’s tone, and given that she relished their suffering, the fact that she seemed distraught of sorts was possibly a plus for the students?

…Or it turns out that her sadness was from the lack of suffering that occurred in the few days after the trial, and that as he originally thought (and had been dreading all along) this was, in fact, another motive. Though unlike last time where other’s secrets were spread among the students, there was no indication as to what the severity of the motive was, just that any wish could be granted in exchange for the life of another student.

The more the possibilities echoed as to what people come up with, the more a realization arose in Chinmoku’s mind. He didn’t really have any wishes he could think of… he didn’t really need anything in life. He had the entertainment and income he needed to thrive from his talent, his family was always there for him, and now he actually he had friends. At least he considered them friends. He didn’t really know the qualifications for friendship, but he enjoyed the company of everyone he’s interacted with so far. He couldn’t think of anything he wanted, let alone something worth killing over. 

So many possibilities for motives were there. Money, power, and many more things that one of them had longed for, granted in exchange for the life of another. Although he didn’t really see a personal cause for alarm, he learned from last time that there was going to be those who did. 

As he stood there in thought, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his hoodie, a question that was all too familiar arose again, one that taunted him since Daiki’s death. Why? Shion had killed to take that reason to the grave, which ended up a more literal meaning. What could possibly be worth the death of another? Nothing had even come up yet and he was already contemplating such things.

Well yeah they probably all wanted something. At least she hoped they all wanted to get out of this freak show. She sighed, leaning back against a tent pole. Secrets, now wishes…

Like someone would actually fall for i— no, wait someone would end up doing it sooner or later. Or maybe just get bored and go at it. 

Pallas chirped softly, ruffling her feathers as she sat on Golden’s shoulder. What if someone’s wish was to bring back a lost parent or friend? Monozo said she could do a lot, but that was impossible. The falconer bet she could grant like a life time supply or living comfortably forever wish. Golden Eyes scanned the crowd, wondering who outta them all was the most materialistic or weak-willed. 

Golden just hoped that one of her friends wouldn’t get picked off. She was lucky she didn’t know the two that had died. Than again there were only a handful of people here she actually cared about, plus Pallas.

After the bigtop cleared out, it was just her and another student…

You’re allowed a few days reprieve, to process the recent deaths of your two companions. No more that that, before Monozo’s voice is calling you all to the big top again. Filing in, she seems oddly... somber? The usual joy and hyperactivity the elephant is known for is not seen as she’s splayed out on the circus ball.

“Kuuu..... uuuu....”

She whines quietly as you gather. Despite her having called for your audience, she doesn’t seem to take note of you for a moment.

Some of them had averted their eyes.  Some of them had been unable to look away.  Maybe some of them had even felt that this was what the culprit deserved.  And, had any of the other students looked in the direction of Mina's podium, they would have seen her frozen in place; both hands covered her mouth, and tears streamed down her cheeks from wide eyes.  It was likely the first time she'd shown an expression that wasn't a smile.

Of course, that was so much more going on behind that expression.

When was the last time she'd been moved to tears like this?  Mina couldn't say, not know, not with so much to take in.  Shion's desperation!  The twisted irony of the execution itself!  The sight of real blood, of a person being murdered before her very eyes!  Would she ever be able to capture the true, raw horror of it all with a simple pen? Everything she'd ever written seemed to pale in comparison.  And who had devised this?  The person behind Monozō - she simply had to meet them!

She was still wiping tears away with her hands when she returned to her trailer, and she hardly noticed how many of the others showed up for breakfast the next morning, off in a world of her own.  She'd been too stunned to take notes during the execution, but the images were still fresh in her mind.  The problem was writing them down.  Nothing seemed right.

Pop, pop! Nothing like miniature weapons!

A prize is tossed onto the booth counter.

DING!

A prize drops from the bell.

In the end, she hadn’t bought Lancelot’s shit and enough people to vote him guilty didn't either. Who says they were attacked and than clamps their mouth shut? At least think through your shitty alibi! Whatever, the trial was over. They could go back to being suck in a circus with the elephant who threw confetti at their faces.

Than the chain sprung out and dragged him away. This was beginning to seem more and more like one of those twisted freak shows. When they were herded into the new room she had made sure to sit by Sleeping Beauty and Giggles. Just incase anything bad would happen, but it couldn’t possibly get any wors-DEAR LORD! As soon as she saw the army of psychoellys she knew it had all gone to hell again. Pallas chirped in fear and hid in Golden’s hood. 

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!

A prize is tossed onto the booth counter. 

Ding ding ding!! We got a winner!!

A prize is tossed onto the booth counter.

Chinmoku had spoken his thoughts and asked some questions, however the time to vote came before anyone else could elaborate on any of his points. Along with the holes Chinmoku had already stumbled over in the attacker theory, Shion’s refusal to elaborate any further made pinpointing any other concrete suspects impossible. With no other concrete choices, he reluctantly placed his vote in for the fencer.

Of course, Chinmoku had seen his crying to the point of pleading for innocence. Chinmoku couldn’t really comprehend the reason for it, after all this just meant he couldn’t get to escape. Even when the chains dragged him off through his efforts to remove them, the severity of what was to come didn’t really cross Chinmoku’s mind. He was just going to jail, right?

Yesterday, Shion had been convicted as the culprit for the murder of Daiki. Not on was Shion caught, he was also executed. This twisted game has already claimed two lives. Monozo, what kind of cute elephant is okay with all this? Perhaps, Juzo should reconsider his feelings about them…

After witnessing that, Juzo had gone straight to bed to think about what had happened. This game was serious and deadly. He can’t continue to pretend it’s just a game anymore. His life is on the line. All of their lives are on the line.

Today’s a new day and also that mark of a new Juzo! Juzo had promised to be different now! How different can someone make themselves be, though? Guess everyone’ll find out soon!

Anyway, Juzo decided to check the new area. Perhaps there’d be clues on how to escape – IS THAT A BOUNCE HOUSE?

The illustrator sprinted over to the bounce house and threw himself inside. He was jumping around like a little kid, as happy as could be! He bounced over towards the entrance of the bounce castle to get a look at what else this new environment had to offer.

Looking out though, he noticed someone nearby and shouted out to them.

Chapter 2:

Carousel: Horses, carriages, elephants, tigers, lions; all sorts of animals bob up and down as they circle the ride. The lights are dulled during the day, but brighten as it gets later, leaving the carousel constantly illuminated. A playful melody resonates from the carousel. 

Playground: A small playground, no real difference from most other parks. Slides and animal springs seem to be in good shape, average wear and tear. The swings whine from some rusting.

Mini Train: It looks like a kid’s train ride. A small train circles around the track, the front most train car whistling out a “Toot, toot!” every now and again. The carts are on the smaller side. You’d likely have to tuck your legs close to squeeze in.

Bounce Castle: At a glance, it appears to be a castle of sorts. Upon closer inspection, said castle is actually filled with air. It’s a sizable bounce house, child sized entrance that most of you would have to crawl through.

Upon returning to your trailers, you each find a ticket on the desk. Monozo’s face is centered, surrounded by a generous amount of stars. Beneath her face reads “Play To Win!”

[Game Mechanic: Monozo Tickets] Monozo tickets are essentially HHC’s Monobear coins! Use them at the Fair Games to play a game and win a prize. No losers in this circus!

Amidst your varying emotions -- horrified, speechless, shaken, sick to your stomach, -- you don’t have much time to process the death that occurred right in front of you. Monozo hums loudly and waves her trunk to grab your attention.

“Now, now. I know what you all must be thinking.

‘Gosh, Monozo-chan, why did that happen to Shi-chan???’

Kusu, kusu, well, we very well couldn’t let a murderer walk free, could we?”

She rolls through the crowd of you, patting a student with her trunk as she brushes by, then she’s waving you to follow her back to the trial room and to your podiums.

“Aww, don’t look so sad, friends!! You’re doing so well at the game!! Kukuku, you should be jumping for joy! You just caught a big bad murderer, all on your own!!!”

The elephant tilts her head, humming in thought.

“Hmmm, wonder if you guys will do so well on the next one? Oh well! Can’t wait to see how that plays out!!”

Once again, the room goes dark. Music plays in reverse, the mechanical noises resume. Soon enough, you’re all standing in the big top.

“Oh! And for doing such a good job, Monozo left you all a present back in you trailers! Have fun!! Doo do do~!”

(tw for beatings, vivid descriptions of gore, and mild nail trauma mentions)

“N-No. . .!” Shion’s yelp echoed throughout the trial room. You could see the panic washing over his features, and for the first time since you’ve been locked up here, you notice he looks significantly more human and less obnoxious. Even so, that in itself isn’t enough to make you pity him. He wants you to, though. His wails grow louder, and he practically stumbles over the podium as he tries to convince everyone to vote otherwise.

“Please, ‘m beggin’ ya,” he shouts, but the votes were already in. A whopping ninety-nine percent of his fellow classmates voted him as the culprit, and there was no way he could escape his fate now. You could see him visibly gulp in fear, his whole body trembling as the metal clamps closed around his neck. He tried to claw the ring from his body, to no avail. It just ended in his fingernails breaking bloodily at the ends as he furiously tried to save himself. But before he knew it, a door off to the side of the trial room opened and his body was tugged away without a trace.