[TADC Fluff Short Fic] A Clown's Favor

Turned​ ​out​ ​Ribbit​ ​and​ ​Kaufmo​ ​were​ ​just​ ​‘​logged​ ​out​’​ ​early​ ​by​ ​luck​ ​and​ ​some​ ​middling​ ​kids​ ​and​ ​a​ ​great​ ​dane. 

 

Months​ ​later,​ ​medical​ ​crews​ ​saved​ ​him​ ​and​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​from​ ​a​ ​hidden​ ​lab.​ ​Jax​ ​swore​ ​he​ ​was​ ​pickled​ ​inside​ ​a​ ​chamber​ ​of​ ​sticky​ ​fluid,​ ​got​ ​his​ ​head​ ​shaved,​ ​and​ ​had​ ​some​ ​wires​ ​and​ ​a​ ​visor​ ​over​ ​him.​ ​He​ ​barely​ ​remembered​ ​there​ ​were​ ​others,​ ​too,​ ​after​ ​they​ ​escaped​ ​Caine​ ​together​ ​and​ ​deactivated​ ​a​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​‘​filter​ ​radar​ ​code​’​.​ ​He​ ​needed​ ​a​ ​few​ ​months​ ​to​ ​recover​ ​and​ ​physical​ ​treatment​ ​to​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​live​ ​a​ ​normal​ ​life​ ​again.​ ​A​ ​PD​ ​told​ ​him​ ​the​ ​VR​ ​headset​ ​was​ ​made​ ​by​ ​a​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​mad​ ​CIA​ ​scientist​ ​who​ ​went​ ​rogue,​ ​but​ ​they​ ​can​ ​be​ ​assured​ ​of​ ​safety​ ​since​ ​the​ ​criminal​ ​had​ ​been​ ​punished​ ​by​ ​his​ ​own​ ​medicine,​ ​alone. 

“​...and​ ​after​ ​I​ ​can​ ​get​ ​on​ ​my​ ​feet​ ​once​ ​again,​ ​I​ ​chose​ ​to​ ​take​ ​a​ ​digital​ ​break​ ​for​ ​a​ ​few​ ​months,​ ​to​ ​Asia.​”​ ​A​ ​black-haired​ ​woman​ ​with​ ​glasses​ ​who​ ​smiled​ ​faintly​ ​walked​ ​on​ ​the​ ​stage,​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​her​ ​audience.​ ​“​Like,​ ​Japan,​ ​Korea,​ ​Taiwan,​ ​Philippines,​ ​Vietnam,​ ​Thailand,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​brief​ ​visit​ ​to​ ​Indonesia​ ​before​ ​I​ ​returned​ ​to​ ​New​ ​Zealand​” 

Jax​ ​sat​ ​among​ ​the​ ​audience​ ​at​ ​the​ ​TED​ ​Talk​ ​Auckland,​ ​chuckled​ ​while​ ​crossing​ ​his​ ​arms,​ ​and​ ​played​ ​with​ ​his​ ​dyed​ ​purple​ ​hair​ ​briefly.​ ​“​We​ ​are​ ​gonna​ ​need​ ​to​ ​talk,​”​ ​he​ ​smirked,​ ​“​Glad​ ​to​ ​know​ ​you​ ​don​’​t​ ​need​ ​a​ ​mask​ ​to​ ​smile​ ​anymore.​” 

A​ ​lady​ ​on​ ​the​ ​stage​ ​bowed​ ​lightly.​ ​“​And​ ​one​ ​of​ ​my​ ​best​ ​friends​ ​in​ ​that​ ​digital​ ​prison​ ​once​ ​told​ ​me​ ​I​ ​am​ ​always​ ​a​ ​human,​ ​no​ ​matter​ ​who​ ​or​ ​what​ ​told​ ​you​ ​otherwise.​”​ ​She​ ​smiled,​ ​paused​ ​at​ ​Jax​ ​slightly.​ ​“​Thanks​ ​for​ ​your​ ​visit​ ​to​ ​my​ ​TED​ ​Talk​ ​tonight,​ ​may​ ​you​ ​have​ ​a​ ​pleasant​ ​night​!​”​ ​She​ ​bowed​ ​again,​ ​slower​ ​and​ ​lower. 

A​ ​lanky​ ​man​ ​with​ ​a​ ​red​ ​aloha​ ​shirt​ ​remained​ ​in​ ​his​ ​seat,​ ​as​ ​a​ ​woman​ ​with​ ​pale​ ​skin​ ​and​ ​slight​ ​chub​ ​approached​ ​him.​ ​“​Had​ ​we​ ​met​ ​before?​”​ ​she​ ​asked,​ ​beaming​ ​softly.​ ​“​Like​…​at​ ​a​ ​fast​ ​food​ ​chain?​” 

“​Ribbons,​”​ ​He​ ​grinned​ ​even​ ​wider,​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​her​ ​with​ ​widened​ ​eyes,​ ​before​ ​both​ ​laughed.​ ​“​That​’​s​ ​such​ ​a​ ​dumb​ ​nickname​!​ ​Can​’​t​ ​believe​ ​a​ ​CIA​’​s​ ​AI​ ​gave​ ​you​ ​that​ ​design​!​”​ ​He​ ​hugged​ ​her,​ ​chuckled​ ​as​ ​‘​Gangle​’​ ​tittered,​ ​and​ ​hugged​ ​him​ ​back. 

Jack​ ​breathed​ ​deeply​ ​as​ ​he​ ​tried​ ​to​ ​stop​ ​laughing.​ ​“​Uh,​ ​what​’​s​ ​your​ ​human​ ​name​ ​anyway?​ ​Gangle.​”​ ​He​ ​wiped​ ​a​ ​tear​ ​from​ ​his​ ​eyes.​ ​“​Want​ ​a​ ​drink?​ ​My​ ​treat.​” 

“​Ms.​ ​Liyana​ ​Gungor,​ ​lecturer​ ​in​ ​Modern​ ​Islamology.​”​ ​She​ ​replied​ ​with​ ​a​ ​gentle​ ​smile.​ ​“​You​ ​know,​ ​Tafsir​ ​said​ ​I​ ​can​’​t​ ​drink​ ​alcohol,​ ​but​ ​if​ ​you​ ​mean​ ​a​ ​cafe.​ ​Sure​~​”​ ​She​ ​smirked,​ ​tilting​ ​her​ ​glasses​ ​closer​ ​to​ ​her​ ​face. 

“​Oh.​”​ ​Jax​ ​chuckled​ ​and​ ​looked​ ​away,​ ​picking​ ​up​ ​his​ ​phone.​ ​“​I​ ​am​ ​gonna​ ​tell​…​Pomni,​ ​Kinger,​ ​and​ ​Ragatha​ ​to​ ​change​ ​the​ ​location​ ​anyway.​”​ ​He​ ​shrugged​ ​before​ ​offering​ ​a​ ​handshake.​ ​“​Jacob​ ​Stark,​ ​and,​ ​no,​ ​I​ ​am​ ​not​ ​a​ ​noble​ ​in​ ​a​ ​snowy​ ​land​ ​or​ ​sell​ ​super-armor.​” 

Liyana​ ​shook​ ​Jax​’​s​ ​hand​ ​as​ ​she​ ​took​ ​her​ ​phone​ ​out.​ ​“​Actually,​ ​I​ ​have​ ​already​ ​met​ ​Ragatha.​”​ ​She​ ​tilted​ ​her​ ​head​ ​like​ ​her​ ​Avatar​ ​habit.​ ​“​Regan​ ​Gardel,​ ​she​ ​is​ ​a​ ​French.​ ​Just​ ​don​’​t​ ​say​ ​you​ ​prefer​ ​Italian​ ​Roast,​”​ ​she​ ​chuckled​ ​and​ ​dialed​ ​her​ ​number. 

“​As​ ​an​ ​Italian-American​ ​myself,​ ​she​’​d​ ​better​ ​prepare​ ​to​ ​defend​ ​that​ ​croissant​ ​is​ ​not​ ​just​ ​a​ ​fatter​ ​cornetto.​”​ ​He​ ​grinned​ ​as​ ​he​ ​clicked​ ​on​ ​Messenger​ ​on​ ​the​ ​name​ ​‘​Pongsai​ ​Maninadh​(​Pomni)​’​ ​and​ ​texted​ ​in​ ​the​ ​DM. 

 

J.​ ​Stark,​ ​Jerk​ ​who​ ​Cares:​ Hi,​ ​PomPom.​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​know​ ​any​ ​nice​ ​cafes​ ​near​ ​your​ ​dorm? 

Pongsai​ ​Maninadh​ ​(​Ploy):​ ​There​ ​is​ ​a​ ​Malaysian-style​ ​Kopitiam​ ​on​ ​Edward​ ​Road​—​nice​ ​kaya​ ​toast​ ​and​ ​kopi,​ ​halal. 

J.​ ​Stark,​ ​Jerk​ ​who​ ​Cares: ​Anyway,​ ​how​’​s​ ​your​ ​thesis​ ​about​ ​AI​ ​and​ ​medical​ ​engineering?​ ​You​ ​did​ ​not​ ​have​ ​enough​ ​living​ ​in​ ​a​ ​digital​ ​chamber​ ​simulation? 

Pongsai​ ​Maninadh​ ​(​Ploy):​ ​Fuck​ ​you,​ ​Jax.​ ​XD.​ ​Seriously​ ​tho,​ ​I​ ​meant​ ​to​ ​make​ ​medical​ ​work​ ​less​ ​overwhelming​ ​for​ ​doctors.​ ​Y​’​know,​ ​so​ ​maybe​ ​Americans​ ​could​ ​eventually​ ​get​ ​free​ ​healthcare. 

J.​ ​Stark,​ ​Jerk​ ​who​ ​Cares:​ Whatever,​ ​I​ ​may​ ​move​ ​to​ ​Phuket​ ​by​ ​60​ ​anyway.​ ​Heard​ ​your​ ​country​’​s​ ​healthcare​ ​is​ ​damn​ ​much​ ​better. 

Pongsai​ ​Maninadh​ ​(​Ploy):​ ​How​ ​about​ ​you​ ​move​ ​to​ ​Nakhon​ ​Sawan?​ ​My​ ​hometown​ ​is​ ​literally​ ​a​ ​heaven​ ​by​ ​name.​ ​Just​ ​don​’​t​ ​die​ ​first. 

J.​ ​Stark,​ ​Jerk​ ​who​ ​Cares:​ You​ ​owe​ ​me​ ​a​ ​senior​ ​room​ ​now. 

 

“​Yeah,​ ​Regan,​ ​a​ ​nice​ ​cafe​ ​with​ ​a​ ​board​ ​game?​ ​You​ ​and​ ​Kinger​ ​are​ ​into​ ​it?​ ​Count​ ​me​ ​in​!​”​ ​Liyana​ ​smirked​ ​as​ ​she​ ​patted​ ​Jax​’​s​ ​forearm.​ ​“​Jack​ ​and​ ​Ploy​ ​may​ ​join​ ​us.​ ​Buy​ ​me​ ​chocolate​ ​mint​ ​tea​ ​and​ ​maybe​ ​a​ ​chicken​ ​sausage​ ​roll.​”​  

Jax​ ​beamed​ ​while​ ​texting​ ​on​ ​the​ ​DM.​ ​“​Okay,​ ​maybe​ ​the​ ​cafe​ ​at​ ​Edward​’​s​ ​tomorrow.​ ​Ploy​’​s​ ​wallet​ ​is​ ​lucky​ ​tonight.​”​ ​He​ ​joked​ ​as​ ​he​ ​raised​ ​his​ ​phone,​ ​“​Let​’​s​ ​selfie.​ ​Rob​ ​and​ ​Klaus​ ​are​ ​on​ ​honeymoon​ ​in​ ​Vegas,​ ​I​ ​think.​”​  

An​ ​old​ ​man​ ​with​ ​long,​ ​thin,​ ​white​ ​hair​ ​glared​ ​at​ ​a​ ​board,​ ​reaching​ ​his​ ​hand​ ​above​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​resembling​ ​a​ ​Chinese​ ​coin.​ ​“​Pomni,​ ​is​ ​this​ ​thing​ ​supposed​ ​to​ ​be​ ​some​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​Ko​ ​or​ ​something?​”​ ​he​ ​asked​ ​as​ ​he​ ​put​ ​a​ ​rose​ ​piece​ ​on​ ​its​ ​right.​ ​“​Ah,​ ​I​ ​mean,​ ​Ploy​!​” 

“​Well,​ ​Pai​ ​Sho​ ​is​ ​actually​ ​something​ ​from​ ​a​ ​cartoon,​ ​Kingsley.​”​ ​A​ ​ ​late-20s​ ​woman​ ​shrugged​ ​before​ ​putting​ ​a​ ​white​ ​lotus​ ​piece​ ​on​ ​the​ ​board.​ ​“​Avatar:​ ​The​ ​Last​ ​Airbender,​ ​to​ ​be​ ​exact.​”​ ​She​ ​grabbed​ ​a​ ​fork​ ​and​ ​took​ ​a​ ​piece​ ​of​ ​peppery​ ​jerky​ ​into​ ​her​ ​mouth.​ ​“​Your​ ​avatar​ ​was​ ​a​ ​chess​ ​piece,​ ​so​ ​better​ ​play​ ​a​ ​game​ ​that​ ​both​ ​of​ ​us​ ​are​ ​rookies,​”​ ​she​ ​grinned. 

Kingsley​ ​paused​ ​as​ ​he​ ​looked​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​board​ ​filled​ ​with​ ​flower-themed​ ​pieces,​ ​and​ ​frowned​ ​with​ ​a​ ​long​ ​sigh.​ ​“​If​ ​my​ ​Lily​ ​is​ ​not​ ​gone​ ​yet,​ ​she​ ​would​ ​love​ ​your​ ​challenge.​”​ ​he​ ​shook​ ​his​ ​head,​ ​eyes​ ​watering​ ​as​ ​he​ ​reached​ ​for​ ​a​ ​cup​ ​of​ ​ginseng​ ​tea.​ ​“​Can​’​t​ ​believe​ ​I​ ​trusted​ ​that​ ​mad​ ​doctor​ ​claiming​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​how​ ​to​ ​cure​ ​cancer​ ​with​ ​that​ ​vat​…​” 

A​ ​person​ ​with​ ​long,​ ​spiked​ ​pink​ ​hair​ ​reached​ ​their​ ​hand​ ​behind​ ​Kingsley,​ ​gently​ ​squeezed​ ​his​ ​shoulder.​ ​“​Mister,​ ​you​ ​don​’​t​ ​have​ ​to​ ​force​ ​yourselves​ ​over​ ​tragedy​…​we​ ​can​ ​change​ ​the​ ​game,​ ​or​ ​you​ ​can​ ​just​ ​watch.​”​ ​They​ ​suggested,​ ​handing​ ​him​ ​a​ ​tissue​ ​paper. 

“​Thanks,​ ​Zhou.​ ​You​’​re​ ​always​ ​gentle​ ​inside.​”​ ​Kingsley​ ​took​ ​a​ ​tissue​ ​and​ ​wiped​ ​tears​ ​off,​ ​smiling​ ​lightly.​ ​“​I​ ​just​ ​can​’​t​ ​help​ ​it.​ ​Lily,​ ​my​ ​queen​…​she​ ​loved​ ​flowers,​ ​exotic​ ​tales,​ ​and​ ​board​ ​games.​”​ ​His​ ​beam​ ​turned​ ​more​ ​gentle​ ​as​ ​he​ ​got​ ​up.​ ​“​Sorry​ ​about​ ​an​ ​old​ ​man​’​s​ ​rant.​ ​I​ ​ ​am​ ​clueless​ ​about​ ​how​ ​to​ ​be​ ​with​ ​you​ ​youngsters.​” 

 

Ring​! 

 

Liyana​ ​and​ ​Jack​ ​entered​ ​the​ ​cafe,​ ​as​ ​Jack​ ​waved​ ​at​ ​the​ ​group.​ ​“​Wow,​ ​you​ ​guys​ ​plan​ ​to​ ​play​ ​all​ ​of​ ​that​ ​tonight?​”​ ​He​ ​joked,​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​a​ ​pile​ ​of​ ​board​ ​game​ ​boxes​ ​and​ ​some​ ​card​ ​sets.​ ​“​Hey,​ ​waiter,​ ​a​ ​glass​ ​of​ ​Red​ ​Snapper,​ ​dry​ ​and​ ​with​ ​extra​ ​hot​ ​sauce.​”​ ​He​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​a​ ​young​ ​man​ ​with​ ​ebony​ ​skin​ ​in​ ​a​ ​skinhead. 

 

“​Wha-​” 

 

“​Brock,​ ​he​ ​meant​ ​Bloody​ ​Mary​ ​with​ ​gin​ ​in​ ​vodka​’​s​ ​place,​ ​less​ ​sweet.​”​ ​Ploy​ ​shrugged​ ​before​ ​turning​ ​to​ ​Jack.​ ​“​Actually,​ ​Kingsley​ ​lost​ ​her​ ​Lily​ ​for​…​”​ ​she​ ​paused​ ​and​ ​pushed​ ​seats​ ​for​ ​both​ ​“​...He​ ​already​ ​moved​ ​on,​ ​almost​ ​completely.​” 

Jacob​ ​sat​ ​nearby​ ​Kingsley,​ ​patting​ ​his​ ​shoulder.​ ​“​Kinger,​ ​may​ ​I​ ​buy​ ​you​ ​a​ ​drink?​ ​Like​ ​double​ ​what​ ​I​ ​ordered,​”​ ​he​ ​smiled​ ​as​ ​he​ ​reached​ ​for​ ​a​ ​pile​ ​of​ ​board​ ​game​ ​cards.​ ​“​Spiciness​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​get​ ​through​ ​the​ ​hard​ ​days​…​before​ ​the​ ​circus​ ​stuffs​” 

“​I​ ​quit​ ​drinking​ ​since​ ​I​ ​was​ ​with​ ​her​ ​for​ ​the​ ​last​ ​time.​”​ ​He​ ​chuckled​ ​while​ ​rubbing​ ​tissue​ ​over​ ​his​ ​mustache,​ ​barely​ ​heard.​ ​“​She​ ​wanted​ ​me​ ​to​ ​stay​ ​around​ ​and​ ​live​ ​for​ ​her.​”​ ​ ​A​ ​bittersweet​ ​smile​ ​formed​ ​on​ ​his​ ​face​ ​as​ ​he​ ​took​ ​another​ ​gulp​ ​of​ ​a​ ​clear​ ​black​ ​tea. 

Liyana​ ​took​ ​a​ ​seat​ ​between​ ​Regan​ ​and​ ​Zhou,​ ​looking​ ​at​ ​a​ ​cup​ ​with​ ​a​ ​mint​ ​leaf​ ​and​ ​latte​ ​art​ ​of​ ​Marchille​ ​with​ ​‘​empty​ ​mind​’​ ​meme​ ​face​ ​on​ ​the​ ​microfoam.​  

A​ ​gigเ​le​ ​sounded​ ​as​ ​she​ ​turned​ ​to​ ​Zhou.​ ​“​You​’​re​ ​into​ ​Dungeon​ ​Meshi​ ​too?​”​ ​She​ ​smiled​ ​widely​ ​and​ ​looked​ ​at​ ​the​ ​cup​ ​again​ ​with​ ​a​ ​phone.​ ​“​I​ ​can​’​t​ ​just​ ​drink​ ​this​ ​cute​ ​thing.​”​  

After​ ​a​ ​snap​ ​sounded​ ​from​ ​Liyana​’​s​ ​phone,​ ​Jack​ ​grabbed​ ​a​ ​toothpick​ ​and​ ​stirred​ ​the​ ​surface​ ​of​ ​her​ ​cocoa​ ​tea.​ ​“​This​ ​is​ ​no​ ​Mona​ ​Lisa,​ ​so​ ​drink​ ​it​ ​up.​”​ ​He​ ​joked,​ ​“​You​ ​can​ ​look​ ​at​ ​your​ ​photo​ ​later​ ​anyway.​” 

Liyana​ ​rolled​ ​her​ ​eyes​ ​before​ ​raising​ ​a​ ​glass.​ ​“​You​ ​just​ ​can​’​t​ ​quit​ ​a​ ​habit​ ​of​ ​breaking​ ​masks?​”​ ​She​ ​mumbled​ ​before​ ​nodding,​ ​“​Creamy​ ​and​ ​fresh​ ​tho​”​. 

Regan​ ​lowered​ ​her​ ​book,​ ​slapped​ ​Jack​’​s​ ​head​ ​lightly​ ​just​ ​enough​ ​for​ ​a​ ​lesson​ ​and​ ​tease.​ ​“​I​‘​m​ ​glad​ ​Liyana​ ​is​ ​now​ ​confident​ ​enough​ ​to​ ​bite​ ​back.​”​ ​She​ ​smirked​ ​before​ ​reaching​ ​for​ ​a​ ​box​ ​labelled​ ​‘​A​ ​box​ ​full​ ​of​ ​pranks,​ ​by​ ​Jax​’​ ​“​Wha-​” 

Opening​ ​a​ ​box,​ ​she​ ​found​ ​a​ ​cardboard​ ​box​ ​the​ ​size​ ​of​ ​a​ ​golf​ ​ball​ ​covered​ ​in​ ​velvet.​ ​“​Jacob,​ ​please​…​”​ ​Regan​ ​rolled​ ​her​ ​eyes.​ ​“​Don​’​t​ ​do​ ​a​ ​jumpscare​ ​Jack-in-a-box.​” 

 

“​Much​ ​worse​…​”​ ​He​ ​grinned,​ ​crossing​ ​his​ ​arms.​ ​“​You​'​d​ ​better​ ​find​ ​it​ ​out​ ​now.​” 

Regan​ ​rolled​ ​her​ ​eyes,​ ​turning​ ​the​ ​box​ ​to​ ​Jack​’​s​ ​direction,​ ​and​ ​opening​ ​it​ ​as​ ​if​ ​nothing​ ​had​ ​happened​ ​before​ ​Jack​ ​chuckled. 

“​I​ ​do.​”​ ​He​ ​smiled,​ ​chuckling​ ​in​ ​his​ ​throat.​ ​“​I​ ​am​ ​now​ ​your​ ​Jax​ ​toy,​ ​forever.​” 

Regan​ ​turned​ ​a​ ​box​ ​to​ ​see​ ​a​ ​ring​ ​in​ ​it,​ ​tipped​ ​with​ ​a​ ​sapphire​ ​shaped​ ​like​ ​a​ ​button​ ​engraved​ ​with​ ​four​ ​tiny​ ​diamonds.​ ​She​ ​blushed​ ​and​ ​smiled,​ ​putting​ ​it​ ​on​ ​her​ ​ring​ ​finger.​ ​“​I​ ​do​!​ ​Oh​ ​my-​”​ ​She​ ​blushed,​ ​waving​ ​her​ ​hand​ ​like​ ​a​ ​struggling​ ​hatchling,​ ​grabbing​ ​Jack​’​s​ ​twintail,​ ​and​ ​kissed​ ​him. 

Ploy​’​s​ ​face​ ​turned​ ​red​ ​as​ ​Zhou​’​s​ ​jaws​ ​dropped,​ ​and​ ​Liyana​’​s​ ​hand​ ​was​ ​upon​ ​theirs,​ ​as​ ​Kingsley​ ​raised​ ​his​ ​cup​ ​as​ ​a​ ​toast.​ ​Regan​ ​broke​ ​her​ ​kiss,​ ​blushing​ ​that​ ​her​ ​face​ ​turned​ ​bright​ ​and​ ​red​ ​before​ ​Jack​ ​pulled​ ​her​ ​wrist​ ​for​ ​another​ ​brief​ ​one.