Chase, still reveling in the effects of the Euphoreo cookie, glances at the label on Scratch's vial and says, "I don’t know what a Fomorian is, but… spit? Euuuugh!" Her whiskers twitch in disgust. When Illuwen mentions his sand timer, she tilts her head in curiosity, then resumes dancing around Lady Owlbear. No way is she letting go of her fold-up friend. She’s even started to like the tutu! "Would I look good in a tutu!?", the tabaxi wonders.

Isy considers. "They can have this pocket watch, I don't even know what's special about it." She holds it out in her hand.

Scratch looks at the other two offered prizes, wrinkling his nose. "Well, we only have to give him two, so one of you can keep yours. I'm with Chase — a vial of anybody's spit is gross."

Lex holds up the one-eyed Oni doll he gained from his ill-fated attempts at naming the strange creature.  “You should keep the watch, we can give this… thing.”  

Having chosen the prizes to give away, you head up to the window and give it a knock. Candlefoot opens the shutters of the window and says, "Oh, hello children! Sorry for earlier, but it's very dangerous around here for anyone without a ticket. I didn't mean to startle you. But, truth be told, I was fairly startled myself. Please forgive me." He bows his head and places his hand over his heart in a gesture of heartfelt apology. "Now, Dirla told me that you kids might be coming by to hear my story!? If you would like to hear it that'll be 2 carnival prizes after your discount, and I'll even let you cuddle up with Juniper while I tell my tale!"

Scratch grins widely at the thought of cuddling with Juniper. He holds out one of his giant-gloved hands, the vial of spit resting on the palm. "Here's one," he says. He chances a look around Candlefoot to see if he can catch a glimpse of the owlbear cub.

Lex looks at the Oni doll sideways for a moment, then looks warily up into the wagon and offers it up to Candlefoot.  “Here’s another. Dirla said we should listen to your story.”

"Ok children, settle in and get ready." Candlefoot reaches inside his caravan and produces a marshmallow filled Juniper. Her beak covered in marshmallow cream and her belly bulging from the sweet treats, she smiles brightly at the sight of you children. You all nestle into nice comfy pillows and cushions just outside of the shuttered window as Candlefoot begins his tale...

"Long ago, there lived a nasty old woman named Baba Yaga. She made her home in the swamps, inside a hut and trotted about on chicken's legs. When she needed to travel far, she took to the air in a giant stone mortar, which she steered with a giant stone pestle. She was horrid and cruel. Her magic was so powerful that the morning, the day, and the night all answered to her call.

Baba Yaga had three wicked daughters, each crueler than the last. She gave her eldest daughter the power over the past, so she could sow regret in the hearts of mortals. To her youngest, she gave the power of the future, so she could foretell tragedy. To her middle daughter, she gave the present, so she could trick people who were too caught up in themselves.

But Baba Yaga also had a fourth daughter, born not of her blood, and as beautiful as the night. The other daughters hated her, but Baba Yaga showered her with gifts and taught her wicked secrets. In time, she ran away from the hut and took all those secrets with her. It's said that Baba Yaga and her daughters still hunt her across the sky. When you go to bed, you might hear their voices, whistling on the wind."

As Candlefoot's story comes to a close Juniper yawn really big while nestled by all of you.

As you all are beginning to arise from your seats at the end of the story, you notice two male figures approaching. One is dressed with panache, though in muted tones. The other wearing a harlequin suit and a jaunty hat. They approach you and Candlefoot's smile fades to a more serious look.

"Here, now. What's this?" says a voice like golden syrup. The tall, thin elf in the glittery harlequin's attire stalks towards you, accompanied by a portly elf wearing a thick coat and hat.

"Naughty trespassers!" says the stout fellow.

Mister Witch

Mister Light

As Candlefoot's story progresses, the effects of the Euphoreo cookie begin to wear off, and Chase's excitement softly melts into ease. She is happy, though. But it is a different kind of happiness. One born from the comfort of the cushions, the soft, warm presence of Juniper—whom the orange-furred Tabaxi is gently kneading—and the quiet contentment of sitting next to her brother and friends as they all listen to the clown’s tale, letting their minds wander to images of Baba Yaga, her three wicked daughters, and the beautiful fourth one. 

When the thin harlequin elf and the portly one address them, Chase pouts. "But ... but we're not trespassers anymore, are we? Dirla said we are special guests now!". She shares a look with her twin, her friends, and even Candlefoot, seeking their support.

Scratch listens with acute attention as Candlefoot tells his tale. In his mind's eye, he can see the characters. He grins a toothy grin as the story continues. At the end, he's a little disappointed. He wanted to hear more about Baba Yaga and her daughters. What happened to the fourth daughter? What secrets did she have?

The purple tabaxi still thinking about it when Mr. Witch and Mr. Light appear. He bares his teeth at being called a trespasser. When Chase replies, Scratch pulls out what remains of his special dandelion and holds it out to them at arms length, no matter how sad it looks with no more puff. "Yeah!" he says indignantly.

Lex is enthralled by the story, and as Candlefoot’s tale comes to an end, he wonders why this story wasn't in his book, and what became of Baba Yaga’s youngest daughter, and what did “born not of her blood” mean? Suddenly, Lex leaps up…

at the approach of the oddly dressed elves.  As Scratch pulls out his dandelion, Lex does the same. “Yes, and anyway, we’re happy to leave, we just want to make sure our friend is alright.”

Isy sits on the floor, surrounded by her friends, relaxing into the story, moving around to get more comfortable every once in a while. "Why did the rest of the daughters hate the fourth? Just because she was more pretty?"

Isy jumps at the intrusion, and agrees with what Scratch and Chase said, "Yeah, the cat with wings told us we were fine! Though, she is a cat, so..."

Illuwen scowls at Lex when he mentions leaving the carnival, then turns to Mister Light.

"We didn't mean to trespass, honest! We were just trying to find Juniper. She's our friend!"

"Silly little screeching crickets," says Witch. "You forgot to buy your tickets!"

"The carnival goes round and round," says Light. "The multiverse is our playground. Nothing's free and nothing's lost. Every visit has its cost. If you wish to see your friend home safe, it's up to them to return to this place. Now, you must go and return home. It's time to put an end to this tome." 

As the two finish speaking they gather you children and lead you out of the carnival. Candlefoot, Dirla, Star, and even Juniper smile at the lot of you and wave goodbye. Dirla speaks up, "Come see us again when you have tickets!"

At last you reach the entrance to the carnival and the two elves stand there awaiting your departure. But Illuwen doesn't want to leave. He refuses!

Illuwen grabs Mr Light's hand.

"Can I please stay? I can help Mr. Candlesticks take care of Juni! And, uh, I can do other stuff too! I could... hand out prizes, maybe? Oh, or I could make those magic paintings, if the nice goblin will show me how."

Illuwen turns his head side to side as he scans the carnival, trying desperately to come up with some idea to convince Mr Witch and Mr Light that he'll be useful to them. His eyes settle on the boardwalk they were all hiding under not too long ago.

"Ooh! Ooh! I can help Hurly and Burly find any missing kids! I'm small and I can fit into places they can't go! Please, Mr. Light, can I stay? Please, please, please?"

Scratch tries to protest as the group of friends is ushered toward the exit. "Wait!" he says, confused and a little alarmed. "What do you mean Chandler has to find his way back here? Where is he? Can we help him?" He makes some chuffing noises at being manhandled. "We're not ready to leave. Why are you making us leave? We need to find Chandler!"

When they stop, and Illuwen begs to be able to stay, Scratch thinks he's doing it for Chandler's sake. The male tabaxi steps forward and nods. "Right! I can't help, too. I'll ... do whatever," he says hopefully.

Mister Light looks at Scratch and says, "The multiverse is a tricky mistress, one that causes quite distress. Doorways are everywhere across the plane, but where you desire and where you go will not always be the same. The same can be said for the flow of time, the flow of yours might not be the flow of mine. He may be in the land of the fey, with no choice but to stay. Or he could be falling through the abyss, quite unable to dismiss. For you it may only be a few hours, for him months compared to ours. Finding your friend is simply a needle in a haystack, that is if you are to ever make it back."

Mister Witch interjects and looks at Illuwen, "If you truly want to stay it won't be free, we will make you one busy little bee. But don't make this decision lightly, some places turn out to be none to sightly. Once we leave this plane we shall not return until 8 years the time has turned. You won't see your family or friends for all that time, but if you are in agreement you just need to sign. Consider this carefully little one, once signed it is all said and done." He pulls a scroll out of the inside of his jacket and rolls it out to reveal a contract of employment.

Chase is bewildered. She stares at Witch, mouth agape. "Excuse me?? Did you just call us crickets? Like, the bugs?? We are not bugs! We are tabaxi!" she says, pointing to herself and Scratch. "And a gnome!" she adds, pointing at Lex. "And an elf, and a triton!" she finishes, gesturing at Illuwen and Isy respectively.

But then Illuwen starts talking nonsense again about staying in the circus, and Chase walks up to him. "Illuwen! We've talked about this! What about your parents? What about us? You can’t stay here. You shouldn’t stay here! Your parents will miss you. What is wrong with you?"

All the happiness the Euphoreo cookie and the clown’s tale brought has definitely faded, but nothing hits her as hard as Scratch implying he wants to help Illuwen. Does that mean he wants to stay in the circus too? Chase's words falter at this, and she starts looking around at all the people gathered—Witch, Light, Dirla, Candlefoot, her brother, and friends—trying to understand what is happening, but failing to process so many emotions in such a short time. Her gaze blurs, her eyes welling with tears, and when the emotions reach a breaking point, she bursts into tears.

Illuwen turns to Chase and stomps his foot, his eyes also filling with tears. "No! You two are always telling me what to do because you're older! This time I'm doing what I want! I'm staying at the carnival!" He snatches the scroll from Mr Witch's hand.

He takes a deep breath, calming himself. When he speaks again, it's in a hushed tone. "My parent's aren't going to miss me. My mom only cares about my stupid sister. And my dad hasn't been home since... I don't remember. He used to write us letters, but he doesn't anymore. I don't think they'll even notice I'm gone."