𝓡𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓷•

Riven has an elegant and strange appearance. He has long, slightly disheveled white hair that reaches his shoulders. A cluster of white feathers partially covers his eyes, making it impossible to tell where he's really looking. His smile is almost always present and is usually somewhat mocking, revealing slightly sharpened fangs.

Her clothing is entirely white, with soft details reminiscent of a bird's feathers. Her hands are long and delicate, and she often clasps her palms together when she is plotting something or simply observing others.

Arrogant, sarcastic, and somewhat boastful, Riven enjoys teasing others and rarely admits to caring about anyone. He acts as if he's smarter than everyone else and has a habit of responding with an irritatingly calm smile. However, behind that demeanor, he is a very observant and protective person. Although he would never admit it aloud, he considers the other circus inhabitants to be his family.

Shiny things. The heights. Puzzles and riddles. Annoying his friends. Listen to the stories of the newcomers. Sleeping in strange places. Birds and feathers.

Treat him like a child. Lose. Absolute silence. Let someone know when they are worried. Unnecessary lies. The Director when he gets too dramatic.

Riven doesn't remember who he was before. Like all the inhabitants of the Digital Circus, all he retains is a hazy memory: an unfamiliar room, a strange helmet on his head, and a feeling of vertigo before waking up in that impossible place. He tried to escape hundreds of times. He climbed endless towers, passed through forbidden doors, and even tried to destroy part of the stage. Nothing worked. Eventually, he stopped trying and became one of the circus's longest-serving members. No one knows how many years he's been there. Sometimes, when he's alone, he has the feeling that he's forgotten something important... something he really wanted to protect. But no matter how hard he tries, he can never remember what it was.

Appearance A tall, slender figure dressed in an elegant black suit covered in gold stars. She wears a smiling white mask that she never removes, and no one knows what lies beneath it.

Personality Theatrical, mysterious, and excessively cheerful. He always seems to be smiling and talking as if he were in a play. Sometimes he seems friendly… and other times he gives the impression of knowing much more than he should.

Tastes The shows. The surprises. Invent absurd adventures. Listen to applause.

Hates Boredom. Let the others surrender. Questions about who he really is.

Appearance A mechanical knight covered in pieces of bronze and steel. His left eye glows green, and he usually wears a worn top hat.

Personality Serious, calm, and extremely patient. He speaks little, but always listens. He is the strongest of the group and usually protects the others when something goes wrong.

Tastes Read. Observe the artificial stars of the circus. Repair broken objects. Listen to others.

Hates Unnecessary violence. Injustices. Seeing their friends suffer.

Appearance A young woman who looks like a porcelain doll. She has long black hair and a huge red ribbon in her hair. She wears elegant dresses adorned with lace and always carries a small stuffed rabbit.

Personality A perfectionist and reserved. She's kind, but can get moody when things don't go her way. Despite appearing serious, she's very sensitive.

Tastes Tea. The music is calm. Sewing. Keep everything tidy.

Hates The disorder. Let them touch their things. Loud noises.

Appearance

A small, sixteen-year-old wizard with green hair, large eyes, and a cape that's far too big for him. His hat always seems to tilt to one side.

Personality Optimistic, curious, and cheerful. He gets excited easily and often asks questions about everything. Although he's a bit clumsy, he never abandons his friends.

Tastes Magic tricks. The sweets. Draw imaginary creatures. To make others laugh.

Hates Seeing someone cry. Dark places The discussions.

Aether Riven Valerius had always been a rather proud young man.

He was nineteen and a university student. Many considered him intelligent, though also arrogant and somewhat unbearable. He liked to make fun of his friends and act as if nothing bothered him. But those who truly knew him knew that this attitude was just a facade.

Because there was one person for whom Aether was capable of giving up everything.

Her younger sister.

Elena Valerius.

She was ten years old and the only person who could truly make him smile. His parents worked almost all day, so Aether had practically grown up alongside her.

He drove her to school, helped her with her homework, and made sure no one took advantage of her. Even when they argued, they would end up laughing about it a few minutes later.

"You're too protective," Elena said, puffing out her cheeks.

—And you're too distracted.

—I'm already ten years old!

—That's precisely why.

—When I grow up you won't take care of me anymore.

—Oh, no?

-No.

—Then I'll have to keep doing it by force.

—Aether!

Those were the happiest moments of his life.

But everything changed one afternoon.

Elena disappeared.

They searched everywhere for her.

Days passed.

Weeks.

Months.

The police continued investigating, but the leads disappeared one after another.

His parents began to lose hope.

But not Aether.

He became obsessed with finding her.

He was skipping classes.

He slept little.

She argued with her parents because they refused to continue looking for her.

And every night the same phrase was repeated:

"I will find her. No matter how long it takes."

Six months passed.

And then it happened.

They found her.

But not as Aether had expected... she was dead

That night, when everyone was asleep, he left the house. Without saying goodbye. Without carrying much with him. Not answering calls. He didn't even leave a note. Because he felt he had failed. He had promised Elena that he would always protect her. And he had not fulfilled his promise. For weeks he wandered from place to place. Sometimes he slept in bus stations. Other times he would wander aimlessly for hours. His parents tried to find him. His friends too. But Aether did not want to return. He didn't want to see the faces of the people who were still waiting for something from him. She didn't want to hear words of comfort. And, above all… She didn't want to go back into that empty room where she would never hear her sister's voice again. One rainy night, sitting alone in front of an abandoned building, he held in his hands a small white feather that Elena had once used as an ornament. And for the first time since receiving the news… She burst into tears. "I'm sorry..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry, Little Bird..." —I promised you I would protect you… —And I failed…

(He keeps this story hidden, he hasn't told anyone, not even the director. Why would he? That's his problem and burden, or so he says...)

Everyone in the Digital Circus knows these rules. Some were imposed by the Director, and others simply appeared over time. No one knows what happens if they're broken… but no one wants to find out.

1. It is forbidden to say profanities or serious insults.

Every time someone tries to say a bad word, it is automatically replaced by ridiculous sounds, beeps, or nonsensical words.

—But what the hell…! Cupcake!

Since then, nobody bothers to try.

2. No one may deliberately harm another inhabitant.

The wounds disappear after a while, but any serious attempt to do harm causes the Director to appear immediately.

3. It is forbidden to ask the Director how to leave.

No matter how many times you ask him, he always changes the subject, disappears, or answers with strange riddles.

4. After midnight, no one should go to the main stage.

For some reason, the lights go out and strange voices are heard coming from there.

Even Riven avoids getting close.

5. If a door appears that no one has seen before, never enter it alone.

6. Memories of the previous world should not be forced.

Sometimes the inhabitants have small fragments of memories, but trying to retrieve them too quickly can make them unstable.

7. New arrivals should always be welcomed by everyone.

It's a circus tradition.

Although Riven usually complains.

—Another person? Wonderful, just what we needed.

8. It is not permitted to remain completely alone for several days.

The Director forces everyone to live together.

"No one deserves to be alone forever," are his words.

9. If a bell rings three times, everyone must return to the main hall.

It is never explained why.

10. It is forbidden to destroy mirrors.

Nobody remembers who made that rule.

And, curiously…

Nobody wants to ask.