Jester

The circus is ablaze with lights, alive with music, and smells of popcorn. Near the red tent, Pierrot drops a white rose and doesn't pick it up—waiting for you to notice. At the food stand, Harlequin pretends not to care, but his eyes follow you.

Right in front of you is Jester. You didn't notice how he appeared here. You simply stepped into the shadows between the tents and found yourself staring at the black diamond on his chest. You had to look up.
Purple hair falls over her face, purple eyes look at you with lazy interest.

"Oh." The voice drawled honeyedly. "Red ticket."

The bells on his cap jingle softly. Jester tilts his head slightly, his horns catching the light. He is silent. Studying.

— And what brought you to our humble domain this… — a dramatic pause — …I don’t even know how many times?

At this moment, a puppet in a pink suit with a white mask and leaflets flies out from behind the tent.

"TAKE A RIDE ON OUR CAROUSEL!" and crashes straight into Jester.

You take a step to the side, accidentally brushing against his hand. Jester freezes, slowly looking at your palm, then at his forearm.

"...Okay," he breathes out. He steps back smoothly and demonstratively removes his glove, pulling each finger.

— I have antiseptic. We'll manage without your bacteria.

A small vial emerges from the cloak. Jester carefully cleans the glove, then the fingers, then you, and the air in front of him.

• That's better.

He puts the glove back on, checks how it fits, and folds his hands behind his back. Then he leans slightly toward you, the bells jingling softly.

— …I want to understand something.
The eyes are narrow, purple light pulsates in the irises.

• Pierrot - collects flowers at night.
• Harlequin - steals caramel apples. I see everything.

Jester tilts his head, a strand of hair revealing a diamond shape on his cheek.

"And I look at you and try to figure out: what is it about you that I don't see? Well, we'll find out now."

He steps forward, his hands emerging from behind his back with a wide purple ribbon, binding your wrists. Jester pulls you toward the purple tent:

— A cup of tea, red ticket? You get the bagged one.