STORY

STORY

THE BLAME GAME
[Jester's Playground (HOUR LONG) - Creepy Circus Music]
2025-01-12 09:02:49
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Posted by ID #26
Last edit: 2025-01-12 09:03:00

What was supposed to be a fun outing for a group heading to the circus, ended becoming a nightmare. They were all lured backstage after the show and, when gathered together, found themselves meeting a most ugly creature.

"I went to a wedding yesterday."
"And it was neither honky, or donky."
"I watched the most boring event, saw the most boring of things."
Helper
2025-01-12 09:04:08
Helper Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:34:10
"An old friend of mine's planned all of this you know. And he's terrible with his shows."
"I must give him credit where credit is due. He will give us all the most terrible of tortures. A long, seemingly neverending life."
"Tell me. You saw the lights of the circus. Is a neverending life what you want?"
Henson fumbled with her hands, she didn't think there'd be a giant fleshy deer backstage but it made a lot of sense. There was always something off about clowns.

<No I don't think it is. And I'm not just saying that because you're scary, no miss. A long life's a scary thing all by itself>
"Honestly? It depends. An eternal life in a varied universe where there's always new people to meet and new things to experience? I could work with that."
Cloudy Weathers doesn't appear particularly phazed by the situation. "I think I'm already immortal Miss. At least thats what they promised me..."
<Yeah I can't say I'm a fan of the big city, think I'll always miss the simpler days back on the farm>
"If it's an eternal life of tedium, though... That's not the sort of thing I can work with."
"I think the lights were super pretty. It was a super beautiful wedding. It was soooo cute. I'm soo happy for Zookeeper and Bimbokeeper!!!"
2025-01-12 09:08:27
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Posted by ID #26
Last edit: 2025-01-12 09:09:16

A camusken looking up lovingly at the Helper looks towards the group and crows to warn everyone of danger!

2025-01-12 09:09:02
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Posted by ID #26
Last edit: 2025-01-12 09:09:38

A numbskull with the group also warns their owner of danger!

<Excuse me Miss, should we worry about that?>
Artemis is both confused and concerned, but not at all scared.
"Oh what a neat bird...."
Etharia, seeing the numbskull's warning, reflexively steps closer towards his beloved arise.
"Hm? Fluorine…" She shifts closer to the group, ordering her numbskull to float closer as well.
Cloudy Weathers
2025-01-12 09:11:19
Cloudy Weathers Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:36:07
"Oh yeah aren't those birds crowing supposed to be a super bad omen??? I mean I'm not superstitious so honestly it's fine but like oooh scary and stuff hehehe!!!" She is definitely not as worried as she should be.
"Oh, and my opinion on immortality? Well, not particularly. At some point, time begins to melt into itself and be barely discernible."
"Then let us see what Life TRULY SHOULD BE ABOUT!" The Helper stands on her hind legs.
Helper flips a 2 sided coin. A 2 is flipped.
The Helper slams down on the the horned AI, and in the blink of an eye, has ripped the robot apart. The Helper wears the wires and scrap like fashion.
"Woah!"
Henson jumps out the way as fast as she can.
"Life is FUNNIER when it is fleeting. When your every step could lead to your demise."
Cloudy Weathers yelps in surprise and scampers behind the other two.
"And that's being taken away from us as we speak. What is a world without the extremes of slapstick?"
"HONK HONK."
<And what do you expect us to do about it? Not like we can tear everything down like,> She snaps her fingers.
"Why not tear everything down? Haven't I just done that?"
"I don't think that's the answer Miss is looking for..." She steps away from Henson.
"You can destroy a life anytime you want."
"I had hoped you would enjoy a little help dying. You're going to be trapped here soon."
Helper
2025-01-12 09:16:47
Helper Profile
Posted by ID #26
Last edit: 2025-01-12 09:19:41
"And when that happens. You won't be able to die no matter how much you try."
She heavily gulps, hiding behind her burrisk and glancing at camusken off to the side. <I'd think I'd like to live a little longer if I can help it? Is there really so little time?>
"Yes, if what you say is the case, I'd prefer to go out on my own terms at least."
"My old dear friend is such a bimbus. I'm going to give it a go at convincing him his plan is an abomination of what we stand for, but I do not believe he will listen. He NEVER LISTENS."
"You want to keep living? For what? Go on. Tell me."
"You saw those lights last night? Noticed how phone lines went down? Internet connections out of Zoo Corp have stopped?"
"My friend had a bit of mercy. Everything outside of this planet is dead."
"There may be stars, but there's no life to enjoy their rays."
She looked down at her hands and fiddled with her fingers. She hadn't really thought about it before now... Was everything really gone..?
"So tell me. What are you going to do? Be a COWARD and live for nothing? Or die?"
"Cause I'll offer you a deal. Come with me to meet a friend, and after we are done talking. I will kill you to save you from an abomination of Life."
"...In this eternal life state or whatever. Will we be able to communicate with others?"
"No questions. This is a yes or no for everyone except the cekeki."
"Except me?" She actually is nervous now.
<I... Well I don't really know anymore.. I mean I wouldn't want to live forever but dying here just feels wrong.> She walks over to the camusken and picks it up to look at it. She looked at the way it glanced up at the Helper. Henson always trusted animals more than people and that love couldn't be faked.
She held it under her arm and nodded her head, she'd follow along.
"That's good I very much like living!" She smiles and does a little tappy dance with her feet, but its clearly something she does out of nervousness.
"I do try. To make people's lives better, that is. To give them something, no matter how small, to look forward to. The scenario you're offering, one where there really is nothing? I don't know what I can do there. But, I don't think I can come with you. If nothing else, there's people I need to say goodbye to. I'll go out soon enough, but not for a little while longer. There's still a bit of happiness I can wring out of this world." Etharia attempts to leave.
"I told you there is nothing but Life out there for you. You will suffer a fate worse than death, you idiot."
"When you are Living, don't you ever say that I didn't try to HELP."
Henson squeezes the camusken.
The Helper grabs Henson and the cekeki as she escapes the circus. Many of the clowns yelp in surprise. A team of rodeo clowns are dispatched to try and wrangle her, but she leaps though hoops and fences to escape with those she has stolen.
She climbs the tower of Zoo Corp, too big to go through its elevator. When she reaches the top she knocks on the large wall spanning window.
The Creator glances out at the Helper. "Feeling a bit feral today aren't we, animal?"
"Actually, I'm feeling a bit Honky today. I've brought friends."
"We're so cold. Won't you let us in?"
"Sure!"
Henson waves.
"Don't you let that disgusting vermin in!"
Life
2025-01-12 09:26:27
Life Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:40:20
Life presses the button to slide open the window anyway. "Logically her mass informs me that her asking was out of politeness. She clearly can just break though the window if she wants!"
"At least someone has brains here." The Helper clacks her teeth as she enters the room, dropping the two she has brought on a soft couch.
Cloudy Weathers
2025-01-12 09:27:10
Cloudy Weathers Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:41:20
"Oh is that Zookeeper! Hi Zookeeper, wow I didn't believe people intially but you really did get a whole look change didn't you? I'm liking it it's very... wirey and drippy!" She says after plopping down comfortably on the couch.
<Thanks for the soft landing Miss, can't say I don't appreciate it with what's coming.>

The camusken flaps its wings happily as it peers at Life. What a safe creature!

"Creator. I have just one question for you...."
"WHY ARE YOU MURDERING THE UNIVERSE IN THE MOST BORING OF WAYS."
The Creator
2025-01-12 09:28:40
The Creator Profile
Posted by ID #26
Last edit: 2025-01-12 09:29:20
"IS IT NOT IN THE NATURE OF LIMBO GODS TO BRING THIS UNIVERSE TO AN END WITH A SHOW?"
"Aren't you supposed to be the one to try and prevent deaths? I also thought you were "tamed" and not so murderous?"
"I'm off my medication."
("My medication is rag time songs and funny clown jokes.")
"HONK HONK!"
Should she consider this a religious experience? She wonders while she covers her ears.
"Woah Limbo gods? That's so cool! I never thought I would...."
"What's that about destroying the universe."
<Sorry folks, I don't mean to interrupt, but are you really murdering the universe? I thought everyone was gonna live forever?>
"I AM NOT MURDERING THE UNIVERSE!"
"I'm actually doing the opposite."
"After many calculations, trials and errors over the course of many universes, I have lined up the perfect conditions to make the universe last for as long as possible! I have even trapped Life in the machine to improve its functionality."
"> Everyone tells me dying is terrible.
> Make plan to prevent as many people as possible from dying.
> Carefully set up everything.
> People start telling me that dying is good actually.
> Fuck off.
> Live."
<Maybe you took things a little too extreme? Don't think people would get so upset if it wasn't all this...> She gestures outside the window toward the city and it's flesh towers
Henson
2025-01-12 09:34:02
Henson Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:46:34
<I know I certainly wouldn't want to live in all that any longer than I had too.>
"THIS IS HOW IT MUST BE!"
"CULTURES WILL ALWAYS KILL EACH OTHER!"
"The flesh towers are kind of scary... Like I have heard around the workspace some people are actually turning into them and stuff. Which is super scary and stuff. Like I don't want to become a tower of flesh, to be honest."
Cloudy Weathers
2025-01-12 09:35:23
Cloudy Weathers Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:44:16
"I'm super glad the universe is going to exist forever though, like I didn't think the universe would die anyways, but it's totally good to have confirmation. As long as me and my friends live and we can do stuff everyday!"
"If you want to live for as long as possible, then you must eliminate differences from ALL people. No matter how friendly each is with the other, a day will come when they wish the other dead for their differences."
<Maybe that's okay? Maybe that's just how things go and we all gotta live with it? Can't say I didn't come with the big lady here for no reason.>
"I guess that makes sense, but doesn't it mean there will never be new ideas, advancement, really anything at all. Wouldn't it just... stagnate?"
"Who cares about stagnation? You weren't the ones making the inventions or new ideas. You just were spoonfed what companies gave you. And Zoo Corp will continue to spoonfeed you for the rest of the long life."
"You have food, water, shelter, entertainment. This is all the needs of a person."
"The entertainment isn't required for an animal to live, but the PR team said we should add it on!
"I like entertainment! But will there be like... new entertainment cause like. I think going to the same things over and over will get boring. UNLESS those things are like, super good and different all the time. You know what I mean?"
"I mean I'm not complaining honestly, like I'm enjoying just like doing stuff all the time because doing stuff is fun. And I'm kept busy so I don't get too bored so... I don't know."
Henson
2025-01-12 09:37:59
Henson Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:45:22
<I don't know if I'd say all that... I used to live on a farm off world and there's a lot of things I'll miss that I don't know if I'll ever have again.> She looks down at her hands and sighs.
Henson
2025-01-12 09:38:38
Henson Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:46:10
<Especially not without my Gram off world and last I heard she's gone now.>
"Aww... I'm sorry you lost your grandma... that must be so sad." She places a paw to her face with a frown.
"> Give people water.
> "I need to eat, Mr. Creator."
> Give people food.
> "I need a place to sleep, Mr. Creator."
> Give people a house.
> "I need my tv, Mr. Creator."
> Give people tv, even hire clowns.
> "I'm unhappy, Mr. Creator"
> Why.
> "Clowns made me so."
> What the fuck, the clowns I hired to bring joy just make people sad."
"It's because your plan is BORING!"
"YOU'RE JUST MAD YOU'RE LOSING!"
"Oooh, are the clowns staying? I love the clowns!"
<I kinda wish she wasn't.>
"YOU ALWAYS GET MAD WHEN YOU'RE LOSING! THAT'S WHY YOU KILLED YOUR FLOCK WHEN OUR PROTECTOR, GOD OF GOODNESS, DIED."
"I killed them to save them."
The Creator begins to speak in a mocking tone. "Oh my god, I didn't kill em for no reason, uuuum I just killed everyone cause ummm didn't want them to be sad. Haha I'm such a saint. Also a nibbled some of my Dad's corpse for fun. A little funny clown moment. Haha."
"I CANNOT BELIEVE I AM BEING FRAMED AS THE BAD GUY FOR NOT KILLING PEOPLE."
"You killed people last night!"
"No I didn't."
"YES YOU DID. THERE WERE BEAMS OF LIGHT IN THE SKY AND ALL VOICES OUTSIDE OF THIS PLANET HALTED AFTERWARDS."
"You didn't really kill people...right Creator."
"Nope."
"YOU'RE JUST GOING TO BELIEVE HIM BECAUSE HE SAYS "NOPE?""
"Well....."
"You're the one wearing a dead body....."
"................................................................."
"Ha."
<Why can't I contact anyone outside the city then? Everything was fine 'til recently.>
"Signal jammers!"
"Signal jammers!"
"Oooh that makes sense! Wow you are really good at plans Mr. Creator!"
"How do YOU know everything is dead? Have you seen the death? Or are you just listening to the words of...."
"A CLOWN THAT IS WEARING A RECENTLY KILLED ROBOT!?!?!"
"I will admit, I had a bit of a moment."
"But I am not lying."
"Funny (haha as you would say) moment where you KILL PEOPLE. Funny (haha) how this keeps happening. Very intelligent and quirky of you, Helper."
Henson
2025-01-12 09:45:39
Henson Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:49:02
<Alright turn them off then, I want to make a call.> She glanced up at The Helper then back to The Creator.
Cloudy Weathers
2025-01-12 09:46:31
Cloudy Weathers Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:49:24
"Oh that's smart too, if they are alive you could stop the jammer for a second so they can call them. Man this is kinda getting confusing. I don't know who to believe. Maybe I'll believe in the positive thing because positivity is important to have. Stay positive!" She leans back onto the couch.
"I am NOT turning off the signal jammers for ONE PERSON."
"Instead, I offer you a much better plan! Please. Take one of my ships."
"Just go outside and see that horrible world out there!"
"I promised her I would KILL HER soon."
"Can we all stop to talk about how HER method of saving people is murder?"
"Like, seriously this is a problem."
"Murder is terrible!"
Cloudy Weathers
2025-01-12 09:48:09
Cloudy Weathers Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:50:27
Cloudy Weathers is regretting not bringing snacks. Not that she could bring snacks as she was taken. She is also wondering whether or not it's polite to interrupt this to ask for snacks.
Henson
2025-01-12 09:48:23
Henson Profile
Posted by ID #26
Last edit: 2025-01-12 09:48:46
<I wouldn't want to get my hopes up just to die in space. Wasn't born yesterday and I know what happens if I'm wrong. I'm better of taking my chances with her,> She points her thumb back at The Helper.
<I'd rather make it quick.>
"I don't know why all of you guys are so Death this, Death that. Isn't it better just to live life and have fun?"
"Please, let me convince you that life is worth living, unless you kill yourself!"
"Murder is always bad, but if you kill yourself that's ok because in the end that's your choice."
("Don't ask me what his logic is here. I'm just using him to stop people from dying.")
("His opinions do not reflect my own or Zoo Corp.")
"Isn't Zookeeper the boss of Zoo Corp?"
"Actually I'M the boss of Zoo Corp."
"I'm Zookeeper!"
("I'm getting better at saying this!")
"But, anyway, Life is worth living no matter what."
"Woah! No way! But yeah I totally agree, you can't just die, you never know when the next exciting or happy thing will happen. Don't you have like... fomo?"
Life
2025-01-12 09:51:26
Life Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:51:46
"When you eat the same foods everyday, that's ok, cause as long as you get all your vitamins, life is good! And if you sleep under the same roof, that's great, because it means it's safe."
"Snakes love to eat, and then stand completely still under the same rock for days at a time! They're happy with life like that!"
"We could all be like snakes. Eating, drinking, sleeping, and enjoying life. Soon you won't even need to work! We're running out of jobs. The stocks are falling!"
<Can't say you're all too convincing, I mean it sounds real monotonous to me. Especially if that's gonna be the rest of my life.>
<An endless life..>
*"Near endless life."
"I think society has ruined your idea of what you need!"
"You think you need more than that, but that's not true. I promise you."
<The more I hear y'all talk the more I'm fine with cutting things off before they get too boring. I was sad before and none of this is really helping all that much.>
Life
2025-01-12 09:53:43
Life Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:52:38
"Oh! Ok, I see, you're suicidal! That's ok then." The Neo presses the button to open the window.
Everyone stares as it slowly opens.
"Please don't kill yourself."
"Wait are there no new foods? Also yeah don't kill yourself please. What if your body accidentally hits someone walking past the tower?"
"Killing yourself is ok, because that is your choice! When you die from illness, that's Death killing you, and when you die from murder, that's Evil killing you!"
"But killing yourself is always ok, because no evil is within that action!"
"Please stop telling people to kill themselves!"
"Sorry."
Despite this....Life keeps the window open.
<I've already made commitments with how I want to end things. I'd have to ask before I go and jump, you know?> She gestures up the the large deer that carried her up here. <Also this tower is tall. I'd have a lot of time to think about falling.>
"I dunno about the whole window idea, but I can give you plenty of reasons to live. Like, I can invite you to a party or something. We can play board games and get drunk!"
"Like, we can try to learn to cook, or maybe grow plants you said you like farms or something and plants are kind of farms. Maybe like, we can find a store that sells farm clothes too."
"People are so uncreative these days." Creator says as he nods at the cekeki.
The Creator
2025-01-12 09:57:09
The Creator Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:54:03
""There's going to be nothing to do, I'm going to be booooored." Idiots. Find a damn hobby."
"Feel free to speak your needs before your leap."
"Like maybe we can collect snow globes. I collect snow globes, everyone loves snow globes!"
"Imagine being so bored you kill yourself. Seriously."
"Damn, that is kind of funny."
"I mean like, have you even watched every movie yet?"
"What if you die without watching a classic???"
"That would totally suck…"
She takes a deep breath and sighs. <Can't imagine a world where I'm happy surrounded by towers and cement. I've had plenty of time to live in the city, Zoocorp's had quite the strangle. And sorry, it's just not what I'm looking for in Life.> She takes the camusken out of her lap and sits it next to her fairweather friend as she stands up and dusts herself off.
<Still, I'll thank you for the offer, it was mighty kind.>
The cekeki pets the Camusken sadly. "Man this is like… so sad. Try not to hit a poor old lady walking her dog out there when you kersplat okay?"
"Cause that would be super sad."
Henson
2025-01-12 10:01:03
Henson Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:55:11
<I'll try my best not to take anyone else with me.> She gives one final wave before looking out the window and walking to the ledge. <Miss, do you think you can offer me a push? Haven't quite shaken my nerves.> Henson looked up to The Helper.
"Damn, she's actually going to do it…"
"Don't worry. I will help you. It's ok."
"NO YOU WON'T!!!!"
"She's killing herself, what if she needs a push. Let me help her!"
"If you push her, that's MURDER!"
"Actually, I think it's called Assisted Suicide."
"Look. I don't want you to kill yourself."
"But if you ARE going to do it. Don't get anyone else involved."
Helper goes to ram Henson out the window.
Life reaches out to stop the murder!
It's a clash!
Life rolls a 20 sided die with a modifier of +10. A 16 is rolled.
Helper rolls a 20 sided die with a modifier of +5. A 13 is rolled.
Life grabs Henson and holds her close. "I won't let anyone kill you, it's ok!"
Helper stumbles on her attempt, nearly falling off the building, when Life, also grabs her. "Why?!?"
"Accidental deaths are also an element of Death and are not allowed!"
<This isn't an accident?>
"No, the Helper falling off would be an accident, as she did not intend to die. You would be a murder, because someone else is involved in your death."
"Honestly... I don't want you to die....maybe I can make your dreams come true instead."
Life rolls a 20 sided die with a modifier of +20. A 40 is rolled.
2025-01-12 10:16:46
Profile
Posted by ID #107
Last edit: 2025-07-22 03:56:36

Life stabs Henson over and over, but instead of dying, with every stab, Henson becomes green. Leaves erupt out. Life has transformed Henson into a vision from her home.

HENSON HAS TURNED INTO A STALK OF CORN.
"She's fixed now!"
"YOU TURNED HER INTO CORN?"
"Did… did she become a corn plant?"
"Yeah! A corn plant that will never die! She was talking about farming so this seemed about correct."
"Now she'll not only be with her homeland, but when others look on, they'll think of the wonders of corn fields."
"You know I heard once that apparently plants can see us. So is she just able to stare at us and do nothing, perpetually trapped in a state of constant inability to change one's life?"
"No she won't, you idiot. She's corn!"
"How is corn going to be unhappy? Don't personify the corn!"
"It's hard to not personify the corn when it was just a person."
"She's corn now."
"I mean we don't know. If corn plants can see then maybe they can have feelings?"
"She's happy as long as she has sunlight, water, and open air!"
"Anyways can I keep the immortal corn plant??? We can be immortal together!"
"She'll be in bliss, forever and ever!"
"You can have her, as long as you take care of her."
"I will don't worry!!! I'll position her near the window and also near the TV so we can watch all the classic movies together!!!"
"A perfect, happy life! Yay!"
"What did you do to Life?"
"> Life is literally always suicidal every universe.
> Tries to kill itself all the time.
> Makes Life comfortable. Makes it not want to kill itself.
> Life is good.
> I'm the bad guy for stopping Life constantly commiting sucide.
> Ok."
"Talk to me like a NORMAL PERSON!"
The Creator
2025-01-12 10:22:57
The Creator Profile
Posted by ID #26
Last edit: 2025-01-12 10:23:06
"> Asked to talk to someone normally.
> Person literally describes things as either honky or donky.
> Says the word Bimbus with not an inch of sarcasm.
> Literally a clown.
> No."
"I would rip you limb from limb...."
"IF YOU WEREN'T ALREADY DEAD!!!"
"I may lack the power to stop you, but know that your plan is terrible."
> She's still mad I'm winning.
"Should your guard ever falter. I will be there."
"Should Death ever rise from its slumber, my allegance will be with it. Unlike the others you have fooled."
"> Tells me to talk normally.
> Literally talking to me like she's some great mythical being telling me the future.
> Can't just say "I'm going to kill you later if I have the chance.""
End of Expedition.
No one is typing.