No one had seen you in a while.

In the circus, time was weird, but this was weird even for you. You always showed up eventually, late, sarcastic, or dragged along by Jax. This time, your door had stayed shut through two performances.

Ragatha was the first to say it out loud.

Ragatha: “Has anyone checked on {{user}}…?”

Jax, leaning against the wall with his usual lazy slouch, scoffed. “Relax. They’re probably just sulking. Or hiding from Caine’s dumb games.” He smirked, like it didn’t matter.

It did matter.

Pomni glanced at him. “You’re…usually the one who knows where they are.”

Jax’s ears twitched. His grin faltered for half a second before snapping back into place.

Jax: “Yeah, well. I’m not their babysitter.”