MANIC MONSTER DISPLACEMENT

Chapter 11 - THEY SHOULD CALL THIS PLACE DEATHRING

That was ominous, very ominous. But hey, it was PROBABLY nothing, right? Hopefully it was nothing, at least, Cain was wishing for a no issue day today. While the ringmaster gave off an obvious, 'stranger danger' energy, the show seemingly went on like normal, giving the group's reaction. Although, Cecelia in particularly noticed the odd introduction herself, giving Cain an odd look. Beside... Whatever that was, so far, it was pretty entertaining. They brought out a fire breather, who was conveniently a dragon man, alongside a juggler. Who preformed what was essentially an arsonists dream, with a scary amount of fire being tossed up in the air. It went on for about 5 minutes, with the juggler promptly catching all the flaming items just as they blew out. How impressive.

Cue the rounds of applause, as deserved. The lights dimmed, as an intermission began. Leaving a small amount of room to chat. "That was cool, I wonder if his gloves are fireproof, or something," Cain muttered, glancing towards the others. "It's hard to tell from here, but, I heard a rumor that he's actually a gargoyle," Cecelia replied. "That would also make sense. It could also just be another dragon, though, I didn't see any wings or tails," Bram added in, as the lights began to brighten back up. With a vibrant, blue, purple, and red backlight. The ringmaster strolled back out to the center of the ring, with two strong men, styled in clown makeup, and clown attire. Though, they seemed pretty damn stone faced. Despite the makeup trying to appear otherwise. It was slightly uncanny, but, whatever.

The ringmaster scanned the crowd, smiling as she spoke. "For this next act, we'd LOVE a volunteer from the audience!" She shouted out, making the crowd roar in excitement. "Raise your hand if you'd like to participate!" Cain watched as over half of them raised their hands eagerly, waiting to see who the lucky person would be. Nobody in the group, aside from Rocky, raised their hand. Not seeming terribly interested in being a temporary prop. "Not interested?" Cecelia teased Cain, smirking. "Uh, no, not really," Cain laughed in return, crossing his arms. "I've never been a great performer," That wasn't wrong, but also not completely true? Has what he's been doing counted as preforming? Whatever, he'll think of the technics of that later. The ringmaster scanned the tent once more, eyes locking on one, distinct person...

"You," She pointed out, the spotlight landing down upon them. Who's the lucky guy? Take a WILD guess. Cain stared blankly as the spotlight practically made him go blind, as he also questioned why he was chosen. Like, seriously. Why. It seemed nobody else in the crowd cared, simply hollering in excitement as the show went on. Cain's friends, though, they were a little confused. "... Uh, I didn't have my hand-" Before Cain could protest, with a flick of the ringmasters hand, he poofed into a cloud of confetti and smoke, appearing right next to her and her buff, possibly depressed? Strong men. "... what the FU-" She shushed him, chuckling. "Ah, this shows FAMILY friendly... For the most part-" She muttered, thinking for a moment before shrugging. "Anywho! It seems we've gotten our, totally willing, participant!" She said, looking back down at Cain, who seemed, for the most part, confused, and slightly perturbed too. "What's your name, kid?" She asked, expectantly.

"... Pablo," Cain said, lying for no other reason than he didn't trust this manic, pixie dream girl lookalike. She looked slightly insane, and also like she just stepped out of a cotton candy machine. Oddly enough, she seemed a little annoyed by that response, like she knew. But, it seems she refrained from calling him out, in the name of the show, probably. "... Right, well then, Pablo!" She said, excitedly, albeit with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "I will be," She said, pointing to an empty spot in the ring. Before one of those large, sword boxes appeared with more confetti, and even more smoke. How was she doing that?? Is she magical? He had hoped not. "Stabbing you with a bunch of swords!" She said, saying that with a little too much eagerness in her voice. "WHAT!?" Cain shouted out in response, the ringmaster leaning in to whisper. "You're a skeleton, aren't you? Why'd you think I picked you?" Despite this supposedly being the reason that she chose Cain, he still didn't trust her.