pipers_son | Entries tagged with do you want to be entertained?

[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!

[The video suddenly flickers onto a familiar pair of faces, both of them leaning close to another 'Gear. Considering the name registered to the video, it must be Joker's that's being used for filming and Jimmy's that the pair are using. The rest of the room is dark, just leaving the light from the Pokegear.]

[Joker is looking a bit jumpy, and the expression on his face is one of a man from 1880s who is not entirely sure if what he's looking at will steal his soul or not.]

I'm tellin' ya, they can't just bleedin' well teleport, and they wouldn't give us this camera thing if it was useless, would they? Go on, switch elsewhere then.

Alright, lesse…

[Jimmy lifts a hand to switch to a different camera, lingering only for a second or two on each one, giving them enough time to glance around to be sure nothing is really there. The gym floor, lockers, bathrooms...everything seems pretty empty, yet they could have sworn that they saw something a minute ago.]

I...I don’t see anything else, do you?

Somethin’ was off but bugger all if I could tell what it was.

[Joker makes a face before giving a helpless shrug.]

Hell with it, let’s put it down then, everythin’ seems in order this time.

[Jimmy looks back down at the screen, at the camera that is currently looking out over the entirety of the gym. He nods and moves to switch the camera off…

When suddenly, the view of the screen is filled with the limp body of what appears to be a Frillish, shining a strange hue of gold in the darkness. It’s lying up against the wall, staring back at them with dead, hollow eyes. And Jimmy’s reaction, naturally, is to nearly drop the Gear entirely as he chokes back a strangled scream.]

W-what is that!?

[Joker’s reaction is a lot less verbal and lot more punching Jimmy’s Pokegear right in the keyboard, making it clatter back onto the desk they’re seated at. There’s a muffled swear under his voice as he quickly grabs it back.]

Aw ‘ell, switched it back ta the cameras- wait, where’d the bloody thing go?!
[Because yep, that sure is an empty video game office and no creepy Golden Florence Frillish about! Joker’s expression has changed from ‘unsure if going to steal my soul’ to ‘DEFINITELY going to steal my soul, well dammit’.]

I- I don’t know!

[This game is suddenly a lot less fun as opposed to outright terrifying because where the heck did it go. Not to mention the fact that the lights near the doors are still flickering every so often, and Jimmy’s almost certain that at any minute something is going to come charging through.]

We only got an hour left and like...15% power or something. Do you think we can make it not watching the cameras?

I think we should-

[And that’s when something seems to enter the room causing Jimmy to fall out of his chair with a yelp and Joker to swear- louder this time- and throw the ‘gear somewhere. Whoever is filming this ridiculous scene seems to be having a hard time not laughing as they change it to show three Pokemon standing in the doorway- a Vulpix, a Houndoom, and a Bunnelby.]

WE DID IT!

[That sure is Joker popping up on the screen, a grin nearly splitting his face apart and his face nearly flushed with excitement. There sure is a lot of excitement going on in the screen- a crying Mime Jr. being held by Goldenrod Gym Leader Whitney, a Gallade puffing himself up proudly, a Gardevoir clapping her hands cheerily, and a Charizard flying around at speeds that could make anyone dizzy. Good thing these gyms sure are large, huh?]

[Coughing once into his hand, Joker seems to reign himself in a bit although he's still grinning widely. He takes a step back, making it apparent that someone else is holding up the 'Gear.]

Grand news, everyone! Thanks ta the lovely Whitney over here- [Who's still cooing and cuddling a Mime Jr., for the record. Those are tears of joy on its little clown face, everyone, we promise.] -we're backed! Now, backed for what, ya may be askin'?

A proper circus here in beautiful Goldenrod!

I know some a ya have never experienced the wonders a good circus can do for ya, so look forward to an openin' in April! Date's still a bit foggy but I'll let ya know when things clear up a bit! That said!

I need some talent- or a willingness ta learn if ya don't think ya got any. Acrobats, knife throwers, clowns, the works! If ya know some tricks, tell me 'bout 'em and we might be able ta strike up a deal! I'm willin' ta all sortsa things~. An' if any a ya know some medical or technical, I'd like ta talk ta ya too.

We're also acceptin' donations, if ya would like ta see this get done a wee bit quicker~. Or if yer just feelin' generous with all that P burnin' through yer pocket!

[A whistle, and the chaos seems to subside a bit. Angel the Mime Jr. hops down from Whitney's arms to go off-screen for a second, dragging back with her a little Ralts. The group shifts a bit, until it's Joker in the center of the shot with the Gallade and Gardevoir on either side of him a bit back. Angel and Ralts go in front of him, the Mime Jr. much more excited looking than her companion (who's still smiling just not as much).]

[With a flourish, Joker gives a bow and the rest of his Pokemon follow suit.]

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, folks who ain't quite what they seem-

The Eve's Garden Circus will be comin' ta ya soon! We'll be sure ta shock and amaze and make ya laugh. One thing's fer certain, whether you're joinin' in on the fun or plan ta be there in the stands-

Nothin' will be borin' for sure.

[Private to Mayuri and Snake]

[This comes a few minutes later, Joker still grinning wide.]

We should celebrate tonight!

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!