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ronnie-quinn · 30 days ago

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The Tiniest Digital Circus

Book 1: Stitched With TLC (Tender Loving Care)

Chapter 1: The Big Test!

“Today’s adventure is…‘The Tiniest Adventure Ever!’” Caine announced to the circus members as the text—“The Tiniest Adventure Ever!”—appeared above him. The text was in alphabet blocks, and there were baby essentials around it.

The group stared blankly at the title.

“Is this some type of babysitting adventure?” Pomni questioned.

“Oh, God, I can’t stand kids…” Zooble rolled their eyes. “Last time we did a babysitting adventure, those little s**ts took my pieces and bit my arms.”

“Actually, you guys are the little ones!” Caine corrected before laughing maniacally.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jax asked.

“Each of you will be taking a classification test-”

“Wait, a test? We didn’t study for anything!” Kinger panicked.

“No need to worry! Classification tests aren't worth a grade per se. A classification test is a personality test to see where you fall under the age regression umbrella! ‘What is age regression?’, you may ask. From my digital research, age regression, a therapist-approved coping mechanism, is when an individual’s mind reverts back to a younger headspace due to trauma, stress, and more! Regressors do activities that they did when they were little, such as playing with toys, reading children’s books, coloring, anything that takes them down the memory lane! There’s not just age regressors, no, no. There are also age dreamers, pet regressors and dreamers, caregivers, flips, and more!”

The circus members looked at each other, then back at Caine, baffled at what he was talking about.

“I’m sorry, you want us to act like crybabies to cope with the adventures you’re giving us? It’s bad enough there’s already one right here,” Jax scoffed as he pointed at Gangle.

“I know that this seems strange, but for the past couple of adventures, you guys looked like you’ve gone through a little more than anticipated,” the ringmaster explained.

“A little?” Pomni raised her eyebrow.

“Which is why I have the perfect idea to help you calm your minds and revert back to simpler times after going on such big adventures!”

Caine snapped his fingers, making a portal appear. He then pushed the circus members into the portal, transporting them to an elementary school classroom. There were test packets on six desks.

“Can I skip out on this?” Zooble grumbled.

“Sorry, Zooble, but this adventure is mandatory for everyone.“

“Of course it is…”

“I promise that this coping mechanism will help you out in the long run. Besides, some of you might be caregivers, looking and caring after little ones,” Caine said as he snapped his fingers again, making anti-cheating folders appear on the six members’ desks. “Now, do your best, my magic xylophones, and answer honestly!”

Caine then exited the classroom as the portal closed up.

Pomni stared down at her test, which read “‘The Tiniest Adventure Ever!’ Classification Exam.”

“This adventure’s not going to have any of us scarred at the end, right?” The jester questioned Ragatha.

“Well, I’m not sure, but from what Caine explained, this is probably a lot more tame than what we’ve been through,” the ragdoll replied. “Even before you showed up, Pomni.”

“I still don’t know why we have to do this…” Zooble huffed. “Caine’s up to something.”

“You know, for once, I agree with you,” Jax stated.

“I’m just hoping to God he’s not a f**king caregiver…”

“I don’t think Caine’s taking the test,” Kinger said. “He’s already busy with his ringmaster job.”

“Maybe this adventure could be fun,” Gangle assured.

“No one asked for your opinion, rugrat,” Jax said rudely.

“Will you shut the f**k up so we can get this stupid test over with?” Zooble glared.

“Why don’t you make me?”

“Guys, calm down,” Ragatha spoke up before any fight could ensue. “This is new for all of us, but there’s no reason for us to argue. Besides, this regression stuff doesn’t sound as bad as any of us think.”

Zooble and Jax rolled their eyes as everyone began taking the classification exam.

Pomni looked at the questions on her test.

“How do the adventures make you feel?”

“What helps you calm down?”

“What do your friends say about you?”

“How do you like to ‘waste your time’?”

The jester felt a pit in her stomach when she saw the first question. She could remember when she felt frightened when she first put on the headset. She could remember Caine taking her on an overwhelming tour of the circus. She could remember Kaufmo abstracting… Ragatha glitching out… Ragatha… Ragatha was the first person to help her calm down. She was her anchor when things got stormy. Pomni couldn’t remember if she had a family, but the ragdoll was like a mother figure to her. Ragatha forgave the jester when she abandoned her for the exit door on the first day. Pomni, however, felt like she didn’t deserve her forgiveness. She still doesn’t.

“Hey, are you okay?” Ragatha asked as she gently tapped Pomni on the shoulder.

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine,” Pomni replied. “It’s just the questions.”

“It’s okay. Just answer honestly and do your best, like Caine said.”

“Hey, Caine said no cheating,” Jax interrupted.

“No, he didn’t. Besides, we’re not cheating” Ragatha argued before turning back to Pomni and giving her a comforting smile. “Just don’t overthink it and answer the best to your ability.”

Pomni smiled back a little before returning to her test.

————————————

The next day, everyone was relaxing in the main room, talking amongst themselves.

“Mail’s here! Mail’s here!” Bubble announced as he appeared out of nowhere, startling everyone.

“Your results from yesterday’s test came in, my curious caterpillars!” Caine added as he arrived. The ringmaster snapped his fingers, making six colorful envelopes appear. He then handed the envelopes to the circus members. “I want to say that no matter where you are under the regression umbrella, you deserve tremendous amounts of love and support!“

The circus members opened their envelopes, their reactions being mixed. Pomni, Jax, and Zooble were shocked by their results, Gangle and Kinger were content with theirs, and Ragatha was a bit stunned with hers.

————

Pomni - Regressor (65%), Sibby (35%)

Ragatha - Flip: Caregiver/Guardian (50%), Babysitter (33%), Regressor (17%)

Gangle - Regressor (50%), Pet - Turtle (50%)

Kinger - Caregiver (40%), Guardian (30%), Babysitter (30%)

Jax - Regressor (55%), Sibby (45%)

Zooble - Flip: Babysitter (50%), Regressor (50%)