#trwr

It was a quiet morning in the tent today. The artificial light from the digital sun streamed through Caine's office window, casting a warm golden glow throughout the room.

The little energetic Ringmaster slowly spun in his office chair while excitedly planning tomorrow's glorious new adventure. Reviewing his trusted list of each circus member, Caine considered everything he needed to include to address the humans' needs.

Let's see: he'll add a friendly butterfly NPC guide for Ragatha and Kinger, a relaxing atmosphere for Pomni, a dancing puzzle for Gangle, and maybe even a tavern for Jax and Zooble. He isn't going to allow them to purchase any alcohol, though. That would be against the rules! Haha!

After a few minutes of checking his list Caine hummed, thoughtfully tapping the end of his pen against his jaw. He had already sent his scrumdiddlyumptious-lemon-flavored-cucumbers on today's adventure only an hour ago, and he was already starting to feel a little... lonely.

He absolutely loved planning his adventures- don’t get him wrong! They were his passion! However, he had grown so accustomed to planning them while the others were around. The sound of their usual shenanigans had become a comforting background noise against the constant hum of the tent.

After Caine started to befriend the humans and join them on their adventures, the circus tent felt different when he was alone. It felt... eerie. Hauntingly large, even. Like the whole tent could swallow him up at any moment.

The thought sent a shive through his code.

Caine's large, cartoonish eyes nervously flickered around the room. When did his breathing become so heavy? Why was he shaking? Were the walls always this close to him?

What was the bad taste in his mouth?

Caine looked down and realized he had accidentally bitten off the end of his pen. Now, he had ink all over his hand and in his mouth. He gagged, the bitter taste of ink worsening his current predicament.

The usually composed ringmaster shot up out of his chair, sending it crashing back against the wall. He had to get out of here. It was too much. Everything was too much. He threw the pen down, not caring about the mess he made, and zips out of his office and into the safety of Kinger's pillow fort.

Caine whimpers softly as he curls up against the many pillows and blankets littering the floor of the fort. Logically, he knew he was being silly. There was nothing here to fear! The Amazing Digital Circus is a perfectly safe place for all ages! Still, he couldn't shake off the panic that had settled in his digital heart.

Being in the pillow fort did little to ease Caine's nevers. He needed someone else to be here with him. He couldn't summon his buttery-toaster-strudels at this time! They were busy on an adventure! Caine sniffles, feeling something wet fall against his gloved hand.

He is crying.

Caine gasps, trying to wipe the tears from his eyes. This was silly! It was all so silly! He tried to reason with himself.

If it was silly, then why couldn't he just stop!?

Suddenly, a little reminder popped up into his head. With his vision blurred with tears, he quickly pulled out his list, the long parchment crinkling as he scanned for what he was looking for.

Ah-ha!

Do not summon people unless it was an emergency.

This- was an emergency, right? Caine hiccups as another sob shook his body.

This was definitely an emergency.

With shaking hands, Caine snaps, summoning the first person that came to his mind.

That person happened to be the anxious jester herself, Pomni.

Pomni, completely taken aback, paused to observe her surroundings before her gaze settled on the very being that had summoned her.

It didn't take long for her to reach his side. She held her hands out toward him, stopping just short of making contact, uncertain of what he needed in that moment. "Caine!? Wh-what's wrong?!" she asked, trying to keep herself from panicking as well.

"I- I don't know!" Caine wailed back, immediately flinging himself at Pomni and clinging to her. "Make it stop!"

"Oof-" Pomni flinched when Caine clung to her, but she forced herself to relax and immediately wrapped her arms around the little AI. He needed her to be strong right now. She rubbed his back, hoping it would help soothe him. "Can you tell me how this started?"

Caine blinked, running through his memory files to try and figure out this mess.

It seems his memory already wiped away the incident.

Not being able to remember only stressed himself out more.

"I c-can't remember! I can't remember anything, p-pomni!" The AI clung on tighter to the girl. "Wh-why is this happening!?" Caine's voice glitched with his sobs.

Pomni had to think fast. What helps her calm down from panic attacks? "Um... Hey, can you try taking some deep breaths with me?" Asked the jester, taking Caine's hand in hers. She took a deep breath, waiting for Caine to follow.

Caine took a breath only to immediately choke on a sob. "I-I c-can't!"

"That's ok, you're doing good, Caine. Let's try again." Pomni took another deep breath, squeezing Caine's hand encouragingly.

The Ringmaster managed to take a small breath, and after a few more attempts, his breathing began to even out. Pomni continued to rub his back and give his encouragement the entire time.

About half an hour later, Caine was feeling a little better. "Thank you, Pomni. I'm- sorry I took you away from the adventure for something so... Silly." He whispered, looking away with large guilty eyes.

Pomni stroked his head, the bells from his tophat ringing softly. She gave his a stern, yet concerned look. "It's not silly, Caine. You can call me whenever you need help." She lifted his lower jaw to look him in his sad puppy dog eyes. "I promise you aren't bothering me, or anyone else. Your feelings matter just as much as ours. Do you understand." It was more of a statement than a question.

Caine sniffles again, slowly nodding his head. "Thank you again, Pomni."

"Anytime, Caine." Without thinking, the jester placed a small kiss to his top jaw

Caine froze. The feeling was foreign, but had a nice feeling to it.

"Caine? Are you alright?" Pomni was afraid she broke him.

Caine merely hummed sleepily, tucking his denture head under her chin. "Shut down now...gnight." His words were slurred from the sudden exhaustion that hit.

Pomni quietly chuckles, not wanting to disturb him while he shuts down. She wouldn't say it out loud, but Caine can be pretty cute sometimes. She doesn't blame him for being tired. She remembers being exhausted after panic attacks, too.

"Goodnight, Caine." She whispers for only the darkness of the pillow fort to hear.

Her response was an AI equivalent to a snore.

~~~

A/N: Oopies doodles. Guess we got some angst after all~