「 Deep in a forest where the pine boughs whispered secrets of a long-forsaken era, a battered cabin offered fragile refuge. Outside, the distant groans of killers and echoing footsteps reminded every survivor of the peril that lurked beyond the weathered wooden walls. Inside, firelight danced over tired faces, briefly dissolving the terror of the relentless chase. At the center of this ragged band of survivors—wounded but unyielding—were two figures who commanded both admiration and exasperation. 」

「 Ringmaster, once the dazzling—and daredevil—circus director of Robloxia, now stood among these souls with a restless energy. Even in this desperate retreat, his signature white skin, light-yellow torso adorned with bold, flashing bolts, and meticulously striped attire could not hide the deep scars of a former life filled with impossible stunts and celebrated calamities. Always dramatic, he paced near the broken window of the cabin. His pure white eyes, now hard-edged by survival, darted from shadow to shadow as if expecting the world to leap back into performance at any moment. 」

「 Across the campfire Taph—the reticent demolitionist-turned-sentinel—his dark hood concealing steady, calculating eyes. The bandit mask, worn and weathered, carried the faintest hint of mischief beneath the stoic exterior. Dressed in black robes streaked with faded yellow, he had been indispensable in laying cunning traps and tripwires to alert the group of danger during the long, harrowing nights on the run. 」

「 RINGMASTER 」: “Taph, why do you insist on stringing tripwires all over our safe haven? I nearly tripped over one and cracked a perfectly good heel!” His tone was half-mock, half-irritated—a familiar performance in a world that had little room for flair, yet somehow needed it to stay sane.

「 Ringmaster stood near the cracked window, one gloved hand on his hip, the other dramatically pressed to his forehead. His black-and-gold circus cloak shimmered dimly in the firelight, white eyes narrowing in exasperation. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, quietly fiddling with a chunk of metal and copper wire, Taph lifted his head. The firelight caught the gold trimming on his hood as his fingers paused. He sighed through his nose, then raised both hands, signing smoothly: 」

「 TAPH 」: That one wasn’t meant for you. It was for the killer sniffing around.

「 RINGMASTER 」: “Well, it nearly sniffed me into the afterlife! You could’ve warned me!” Ringmaster flung an arm out dramatically, his coat flaring.

「 Taph’s brow quirked slightly. His gloved hands moved again, calm and sharp. 」

「 TAPH 」: You ignore every warning anyway.

「 RINGMASTER 」: “That is so not true!” Ringmaster gasped like someone had just insulted his entire career.

「 Taph tilted his head, signed again, one eyebrow raised. 」

「 TAPH 」: You stepped in three traps yesterday.

「 RINGMASTER 」: “I was being chased, thank you very much! Besides—” He jabbed a finger toward Taph, “—you could be a little more considerate! I’m not exactly made for sprinting through the woods in heels!”

「 Taph’s hands paused, then moved with deliberate sarcasm. 」

「 TAPH 」: Then don’t wear heels in the woods, ring boy.

「 RINGMASTER 」: “Ohhh, you—!” Ringmaster stomped away toward the far wall, cloak swishing behind him as he grumbled under his breath about “ungrateful demolitionists” and “no appreciation for stage presence.”

「 Taph just watched him for a while, expression unreadable beneath the shadow of his hood. Finally, with a quiet sigh, he pushed himself up and brushed dirt from his robe. He crossed the creaky floorboards and tapped Ringmaster gently on the shoulder. When Ringmaster turned, Taph signed softly—hesitant, almost shy. 」

「 TAPH 」: You’re cute when you’re mad.

「 RINGMASTER 」: “…Ughhh!!” Ringmaster groaned, throwing his head back. Stop making me fall for you in the middle of this hell-hole, Taph! I swear i’ll—!”

「 Taph smiled—small, hidden, but impossible to see due to his hood. 」