Managing and Laughter (For 8D)

Well, she was here now... or at least she was at Sunlake Palms, laying under a tree at one of their parks. This was her another attempt to get to know herself... her other self.

So... shall we get started?

Now is as good a time as any. So, what do we know?

You're another aspect of me... it seems I can't use you during the day... I have magical yo-yo's that appear now eversince I've met you... you look like a Magical girl... yet you're named after a Roman God... which is kind of cool when you think about it! The Roman God of Travel?

Of money, buying and selling money, of being able to communicate in a way to help others see things your way, of communication in general (and yes that does include fortune telling. Fortune telling is the Fates communicating with you, after all), of traveling, boundries, tricks, thieves, and in my spare time I guild the dead to their final destination! Also, holy crap, why do you know so much about this?!

I'm a very studious student, I have to know all kinds of things! Plus, I thought your stories were among the more interesting.

Oh, so you're considering me one and the same as him, huh? Sure, that works! For all we know, I may actually be him!

But that's a lot of ground to cover... do I have powers in all of those now?

If you do, then they haven't been opened yet.

So you really don't know anything else other than what I may already know.

Well, more or less. There are things that I know that even you don't. Or maybe you just don't want to acknowledge them?

Oooooh, ominous! Tellll me your secrets!!!!

Only if you agree to treat these secrets with the respect that they deserve.

I make no promises.

Then I guess you're at a dead end for now. Maybe when you mature a little more I'll feel like sharing.

"What's that suppose to mean?!" said a clearly offended Tatum.

Exactly as it sounds, kid! Exactly as it sounds!

"You know, I have half a mind to force myself to watch a few episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba, and considering you're kind of stuck to my consciousness..."

You wouldn't dare... came Mercury's very worried response.

"You have no idea the true depths of how far I will sink if it means getting my answers!" the child replied mischievously. Was it strange that she was enjoying making her other self squirm?

"Ya know kid, you said those last three things out loud! Ehehehe, the little slanted I at the top of the reply box is there for a reason ya know... Ehehehe!" The, hopefully, familiar voice of 8D would seem to come from nowhere as the lanky bot waited for the perfect moment to poke his head out from the other side of that Tatum found herself under. His wide grin showing off his almost to white teeth that seemed to sparkle in the sun "Though I do appreciate the Bit, the whole talking to yourself thing can be very entertaining for people watchers who are indeed the primary audience for people in our line of work, Ehehehe!"

8D would round the tree and offer a tiny wave to the girl who was most likely shocked, after all this weirdo clown just butted in to her PERSONAl conversation, EHEHEHEHEHE-AHA! I kill me sometimes! Ehehe-"Fancy meeting you here again Miss.Tatum of the Waldie's Eheheh, what brings you to these parts, well... Besides talking to your innerself," 8D had a suspicion of what was going on... but better play it safe for now just to be sure.

... you know, you really need to stop doing that. Sooner or later someone will connect the dots...

Mercury, not helping...

The child gave a very stunned silence at the clown that suddenly spoke to him from out of no where. That was the second time this day that someone surprised her from behind a tree.

And what in the world was he talking about with all of that stuff about a slanted I and people watchers who enjoyed watching people talking to themselves? Maybe this was going over her head...

"You're as delightfully confusing as when we first met," Tatum expressed, popping to her feet and pulling her collar up. "I'm here debating visiting an acquaintance. It's been kind of a crazy day today. And what about you? I don't imagine a pro clown wandering through a calm and quiet place like this."

"Who me? Why I'm just out for a little stroll. From time to time I like to see what is happening in the happy world of Endymion and more importantly look for new adventures and oddities, and quite frankly your little episode there was quite the oddity... Ehehe" 8D's grin turned curious and slightly mischievous. With an inquisitive eye 8D would regard the young girl and chuckle slightly to himself. "Miss.Tatum, there is something different about you today in contrast to when we last met... Yet I cannot put my finger on it. Whatever could it be? Lets see... You're been talking to yourself... You were asking yourself for answers... and most importantly you mentioned a being tied to your consciousness... Hmmmm, AHA! I've got it!"

8D would have been walking around the tree as he pondered, but once he came to his revelation he would spin towards Tatum and point to the sky. "You're going to addition for local theater and you're going over your lines!" Naw she gots a persona... Every Puppet gets one eventually, or an equivalent there of at the very least.

Oh, I've heard of this!  This is called the build up and pay off in comedy!  He builds something up and then the pay off, usually something you wouldn't expect!

Mercury, now is not the time...

She was legitimately concerned.  The guy did hear her talk to herself, and say quite a lot of incriminating things.  Was there a way she could get herself out of this?  Already she was trying to come up with a suitable response.

Oh, here it comes, here it comes!

Mercury, not helping!!!

"You're going to addition for local theater and you're going over your lines!"

"Yeah!  It's a murder mystery play, and I'm going to audition for the part of the troubled accomplice who got dragged into this crime and is trying to figure out what the right thing to do would be, only to be tortured by their own psyche that acts as their conscience!"

There was a slight pause.  She could not believe how quick she was to ride that wave provided for her.

Awww man, I was expecting him to claim that you were a Nazi or something...

Is now really the time to be making that kind of reference?

... Oh... Oh this will be fun fun fun! The mischievous glint in his eye may have given this away, but 8D would say nothing about the rather obvious fact that Tatum had awoken. Persona weren't a secret to anyone who knew anything in Endymion. Sure there was the passer through or uninformed mass that would avoid such things and may be slightly shocked at the existence of Persona, but not for long seeing as how demons were common knowledge. 8D on the other hand was well versed in all things Velvity so he could see through this little charade... BUUUUUT that didn't mean he couldn't have fun with it.

"I knew it! Luckily for you, my friend, I am well versed in the theater and will happily help you with your practice. After all, acting is simply another skill you need to be a successful clown. Now then, do you happen to have a spare script that I could read off of?" 8D would sit cross legged and smile at the girl, waiting eagerly to begin rehearsal.

Yes, I would love to see this script of yours.  Please to be showing us, please!

Seriously, Mercury, not helping!

"Aheheheh, sadly I left my script at home-"

Cheeeeaaap...

"But I have some of the lines memorized!  I'd be willing to go over those lines!"

I seriously can not believe you are going to try and improv your way out of this!  Oh this is gonna be hai-larious!!!!

Mercury, not helping!!!

Admit it, you're gonna have fun with this.

It doesn't change the fact that what you're doing does not help!

Whelp, time to see if she could fool a professional actor.

"Scene:  I've come to realize that I am in possession of a terrible secret and I must figure out a way to cope with it.  Aaaaand mark.  'This is an issue... they're... investigating this now, they're sure to follow the clues, the clues will lead right to me.  I... have to be careful, I can't afford to let them catch me.  But... what if they do?  What if they do?  My... secret, must, be, kept, safe, at, all, times, it... must not be discovered, I... need to sort this out be, fore, it's, to, late...'"

Is that suppose to be-

"Shuddup!  I, Am, Concentrating... wait... what was that... was that a voice?  No, no, I must... I, must, be, getting stressed... it's, going to my head, yes... I think it would be best... if I... took a rest..."

Through out the whole "rehearsal" she made it a point to move in the most needlessly dramatic way possible, as though she were doing a parody of thespian acting in a way only a child could.  Once finished, she looked at him, wanting to see what he thought of her "improv" work.

"Oh poo! I was hopeing I could help you with your lines! Oh well... At the very least I can try and help you with your delivery." A simple way out of the situation sure but one that worked all the same. If she were to leave it at that and move on with the conversation than 8D's game would be over and he would be forced to apologize for being round about in this and come clean about the Persona Elephant in the room... Shame, this game could have gone on much longer and been much more fun. -Yes Yes I'm a jerk, but hey, makes for an interesting social link no? Ehehehehe-

... OR... The game could become even MORE fun. Though 8D had to admit, this kid had it going ON! That's some serious acting chops right there for a kid..."Oh OH! I know that one! It's "The Jester's Schadenfreude!" I love that play! I think I can finish the scene for you EHEM! Action...*There is a pounding on the door* Olivia! Olivia! I know you are in there, please, come out my friend, you're mother and I have searched for days sweet summer child. Come home and put and end to this nonsense!" By this point 8D would have risen to his feet and began to act his little robot heart out... He had to match her intensity at the very least.

'OLY KARP ON A STICK, IT'S A REAL PLAY?!

Mercury would have had something to say, except this situation was so funny that Mercury couldn't help but laugh.

Tatum found herself in a really bizarre trap of sorts. How in the world did she somehow land a real play when she was winging it from the start?!

No choice, I have to keep going, I have to see how far I can take this without getting caught!!!

"Oh know, it's a family member..." she said with such exaggerated drama, "At this rate, my secret will be- no, I must stay vigilante... they can not know what, has, happened, TOO, Miss O, livia! I must keep this a secret... I must... I must... I MUST!!!"

Oh... Oh this kid was GOOD at keeping her calm. 8D could see a lot of potential in the child, they could be a true soldier for CHAOS!-no no no... Not Nyarlathotep, that feller needs to step up his game. No I'm talking REAL chaos. The kind that is fun and wholesome where the only goal is entertainment... Not this destroying the fabric of the human mind Try-Hard business...- Clearly she knew how to handle herself and keep a gag going. Now her adaptability would need to be tested.

"Olivia! Olivia my friend, why do you whisper, why do you hide. It is I! James! You know my soul is righteous and only wish for the happyness we promised one another! What of our dreams, what of... No... I mustent..." 8D backed down slowly and cast a hand over his eyes. Falling to his knees and propping himself against an invisible door. By this point they two of them had gathered a crowd of onlookers, some had even dropped some cash into the open guitar case that 8D had set up just out of Tatum's field of view."At least... Let me know, answer the question I asked of you before you left us... The child... Is-is he... Omar's?..."

OLY KARP WHERE DID ALL OF THESE PEOPLE COME FROM?!?!? I am feeling just a little bit of stage fright...

No, don't go! You got- hahahahahaha- you got this! Keep your jacket collar up! You'll make it work, I promise, I promisehehehehehahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Well what am I supposed to do now?! Oly Karp, he's still going!!! Wait, what's this about the baby?! THERE'S A BABY IN THIS PLAY?!?!? How the heck is there a baby in a play that as far as I can tell I'M WINGING WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT!?!?!?

Don't back down now! You just need to get through this, get through the climax, then finish with a grand finale! Make it count!

Alright, fine, LET'S DO THIS!!!!

Performing for a crowd of onlookers... fills you with determination!

With jacket collar pulled up, she decided to throw herself with reckless abandon into this cause. If she was caught, so be it, at least they had fun, and it seemed the group was having fun too. If everyone could have fun like this, it was worth it to be caught red handed.

"Karp! James! One of the twins! Of all, the, people, to, come here! If he, finds, out, I... willbehuuuuung... I'mgonnadiiiiie... No, why would you tell me to tell them the truth? If I, do, that, I, would, be, incriminating, myself. They will... seemeas and a complice... I... dunnowhattodooooo... I have to answer... I have to answer..." She clears her throat dramatically and throws herself at the imaginary door, as though to act as some kind of blockade to keep him from entering. "Do not enter, oh dearest, for I, Olivia, and ill to and awful effect. Ever since I realized that Omar wasn't you... I don't know how, but your twin brother, he tricked me, into thinking it was you. At this rate, I'm certain that the baby is Omar's... I'm sorry to have to tell you behind closed doors, but you deserve to know! ... I'm sorry Omar, I know not of this baby, but I'll have to throw you into the tracks to throw them off my scent... I hope you can forgive me, Omar, even though I've never met you in my life."

OH MY GWAD, YOU'RE GOING WITH THAT ANGLE!!! Oh let the big finish be worth it, let the big big finished be one hundred percent worth it!

Bra...vo... Bravo young Tatum.-My funny ball hat is off to you. Alright kid, you've earned my respect and my tutelage. May the instruction begin.-"Olivia... I understand... I am a broken man but I still have my pride, as I am sure you have yours... You need time my dear, I understand. I will not tell your mother, nor will I tell Omar. If it is what you wish I will let them think you have passed... Though, one day, I pray you will find it in your heart to return to us..." 8D would slowly get to his feet and turn from the scene door and begin walking away... only to stop and turn towards the door and give it one last... longing look.

"And some day I pray to forgive you... And scene! Thank you! Thank you!" With a broad smile 8D took a bow to the now cheering audience who, some of whom had found it necessary to give a standing ovation to the impromptu scene. "And a round of applause for our leading lady! Miss.Tatum!" 8D's smirk would grow into a full toothy grin as he motioned to Tatum. The crowds jubilation reached a crescendo as the cheered for the girl.

"Hey Kid..." 8D would whisper to Tatum as under the roar of the crowd."Nice Improve... Ehehehe"

Oly karp, they loved it?!

What are you waiting for? Bow, BOW!

Since it was deemed necessary, she bowed to her adoring audience. It was nice, actually. Despite the whole thing being made up, she somehow managed to masterfully recreate an existing play. And the people loved it! Just for that alone it was worth whatever inconvenience she had to suffer.

For a brief moment, it made her consider if she should go into theater, or maybe for a challenge try being a singing idol? Both could be fun, and she could help but let the thoughts run through her mind.

That is until...

"Nice Improve... Ehehehe"

He...he knew?

"You knew?!" asked the incredulous child.

"Yeperdo! I also know you were talking to your persona... Ehehe, not to hard to guess when you know what to look for." 8D waited for the crowd to disperse before dropping this little bomb, after all, he didn't want to get the kid in any trouble... At least not yet and not for something as minor as operating your inner self without a licence. Like... who hasn't done that at least once or twice right? Regardless 8D would smile and sit back down next to where Tatum was sitting and motion for her to join him.

"Doooon't worry Kido, your secret is safe with me. I know that people don't exactly take kindly to our kind around here, but that just means we have to stick together.  Ya see, if you're not with the state your against it, real black and white policy they got over there Ehehehe! But enough about that garbage, lets talk about your promising acting carrier... Cus honestly that was REALLY good Kid. You have a real knack for this improv stuff. Sorry I tricked you like that but I really wanted to see where you were going to take the scene, and I gatta say. I'm impressed!" 8D snickered to himself and lit the ball lights that hung from his hat "So have you given any more thought towards becoming my apprentice? I'd hate for talent like yours to go to waste."

Oh, the NERVE of that guy! That's it, revenge!

Revenge?

Revenge.

"You did that on purpose!" she declared, puffing up her cheeks and turning her back to him in a huff. "I can't believe you would take advantage of a poor, misguided, innocent, easily influenced kid such as myself!"

Please tell me you realize the irony of that statement?

Shuddup, I'm trying to guilt trip him!

"I can't believe you would go that far to mess with me! I bet you mess with kids all the time like this! Well just for that, I'm gonna have to revoke your offer. I won't consider apprenticing under you until you compensate me for emotional damages!"

The funny thing was that her attempts to look upset about this literally equated to a kid throwing a temper tantrum. Not only that, but one has to wonder if she'd even be able to stick to her guns.