Joker

[Joker's been meaning to make a video like this for a while, with the second anniversary coming up as it is... But recent news makes it had. He delays, just a little bit, until he can finally appear on the screen with his usual wide showman's smile.]

[It's a mask he's very good at wearing.]

Hello again, one and all! For those I've not yet had the pleasure ta meet, I'm Joker, ringleader of the Eve's Garden Circus here in Goldenrod!

As much as I'd love ta simply chat and the like, I'm afraid this is more business than anythin' else. Ya see, the circus is lookin' a bit empty as of late, and we need more folks ta fill it up again! That is, ta say, we are currently hirin' for any willin' parties!

Of course, performers are the ones we're lookin' out for the most right now! As I make this vidoe, we currently have an air show, a strongman, a trapeze artist, and a clown in employment! We'll gladly take in back ups for any a those positions, of course, but we're definitely eager for new talents ta be on display!

Performers aren't the only positions we're lookin' ta fill. If yer any good with technology, stage equipment, or fixin' up folks who did things like, oh... fall off a high place and break their arm, then we're interested in havin' ya!

Ya get pay for the work ya do, and there are places ta stay on the circus grounds if ya would like ta save money. Contact me, and we can work everythin' out. I can even train ya in a few things, if yer interested but don't have any performin' skills.

Additionally, for anyone who does crafts and the like, there are always stalls available ta set ya up at on the grounds!

Aaaaaand that's all, I should think! [The ringleader glances down to his side, where a small Mime Jr. is sitting on a tall stool. She looks back up to him, and something unsaid seems exchanged. Joker clears his throat.]

Additionally, if anyone has found themselves in possession of Miss Ilya's Pokemon, please let us know. Thank ya kindly.

Angel- y'bloody nuisance ta society, I told ya ta wait until after-

[There's an exasperated sigh followed by a fond chuckle as the video shakes before it's adjusted appropriately. The view is Joker's room and the ringleader in question is actually dressed rather casually for once. A t-shirt and jeans for once, none of his usual makeup... And is his hair actually slick with dark hair dye that a Gardevoir seems to be fussing over?]

[Well. At least Joker seems amused as he shakes his head and Angel the Mime Jr. bounces into frame besides him.]

Cheeky lil' thing. Anyway! Ladies, gentleman, and every other manner a folk that have found themselves in this delightful place...

The Eve's Garden Circus is comin' upon its one year anniversary! That means this month's shows will be even bigger and grander than ever before~. I even have plans ta have fireworks go off during the night, plus a little somethin' extra. Call it... a game a hide and seek, if ya like.

I'll be attachin' some things ta my Litleo and let 'em loose throughout the circus grounds. If ya can catch one, or at least get the prize off their collar, then you'll get a prize! With a few grand prizes, too, if yer lucky. [He gives a wink.] For anyone who works for me, ya can give it a shot too. Wouldn't want ya ta miss out on the fun.

[Stretching his arms over his head, Joker laughs.]

I wanted ta make this a more official sorta announcement, instead a y'all seein' me like this- [He gestures vaguely to his hair situation, the Gardevoir batting away his fingers before they can touch the dye.] -but Angel didn't 'ave the patience ta wait.

Anyway, I'm bein' bullied ta take care a this, so I'll let Invidia handle one last piece a business.

[And the Gardevoir gently pushes her trainer along out of the frame. Sure enough, there's another person taking Joker's place- anyone familiar with his Zoroark can tell it's Invidia using his preferred human illusion.]

Ah... Ahem. For the following, you're cordially invited to an after-show dinner on Eve's Garden's anniversary: Jimmy Two-Shoes, Wrath, Chihiro Fujisaki, Ronald Knox, William T. Spears, Snake, Tensai, Maka Albarn, Denzel Crocker, Jack Skellington, Riku, Ilyasviel von Einzbern, Tobias, Jimmy Darling, France, the Okumura brothers, Miss Meridiana Everett, Yasuhiro Hagakure, Veronica Madaraki, Envy, Lust, Molly Walker, and Killua Zoldyk. [That sure is a list.] You may bring guests, if you like.

Ah, and for regular visitors to the circus... As a reminder, there is a transportation system we employ which you can buy the services of as a one way stop to Goldenrod, where Eve's Garden Circus is located, or two way to return you to the city that you were in previously. And if you are interested in a job as a backstage helper or performer, please don't be afraid to contact us.

That's all... Thank you for listening!

A party! That's definitely some cause for celebration, innit? Looks pretty high class, too. Back where I'm from, wasn't often common folks got ta go ta secret fancy places like an Elite Four's home for things like that. Course, that sorta thing ain't much interestin' if not for the people, if ya ask me.

Good thing it looks like a lot of us are goin', then, huh? And some celebrities, too! That's definitely gonna liven things up.

But enough about that for now! Callin' all breeders and folks with businesses in Johto! As Ringleader and owner a the Eve's Garden Circus, I'd like ta extend a hand ta all of ya. I got an idea in my head the other day and was wonderin' if some of ya would like ta have stalls ta sell yer wares and eggs on the big days. For ya business owners, we can talk about settin' up permanent stalls. For breeders, we'd have a whole section for the lot of ya where ya could make yerselves comfortable.

Let me know what ya all think!

Oh, an' one last thing.... I don't suppose any of ya know things about Clair, do ya? Things she likes, favorite flowers, things like that. [JOKER, NO.]

[Filtered to Circus Members]

Back ta this prom thing, don't worry 'bout me holdin' ya back. Yer more than welcome ta take a bit a time for it. I ain't a heartless monster, ya know, and besides- I'll be goin' there too as ya mighta guessed.

Just make sure ta work extra hard ta make up for it!

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, hello!

[That sure is Joker, the backdrop being... somewhere near Azalea maybe? The forests look familiar enough. Anyone who hasn't seen or met him before can probably see very clearly that his right arm is completely missing and the shirt sleeve simply hangs limp. No prosthetic for him, not that he'd want that one in particular anyway... In his right hand, however, there are three brightly colored balls. He's as chipper as usual.]

I've been teachin' my Invidia a few tricks of the trade, as it were, when it occurred ta me that I could show you fine lot a thing or two. Invidia, say hello. [There's a beat, and then the hand of a Zoroark slowly comes into frame to give a quick wave before retreating. Joker chuckles.] He has a bit a stage fright, but nothin' that can't be worked on. Anyway, we've been workin' on jugglin'! I can't show the whole thing, bein' a bit impaired, but knowin' how to juggle three balls in one hand is really just somethin' ya need ta learn anyway if ya want ta juggle six with both! [He clears his throat and starts to speak a bit slower and more clearly, accent less noticeable. Thanks to one Maka Albarn, he's remembered that not everyone is from dear ol' England as he is.]

So let's get started, shall we?

( A juggling lesson )

So that's how you do it! It's a bit harder than it looks, I'll grant you that, but you should get the hang of it if you practice. Got that, Invidia? [There's an affirmative sound from the Zoroark. Joker finally stops juggling, hopping a little bit as he rushes to catch the balls.]

So what about the rest of you? Anyone else have fun little tricks they want to share? What kind of things did you like to do before coming here? I'm all ears!