This is the second chapter, for the jester, I don't know what kind of schedule I would want to make, but I do know that the first chapter felt a bit rushed to me. I might even consider rewriting the first chapter, but that's up for a latter debate, for now, I would like to introduce the second chapter of the story. I hope you enjoy it, and like before, feedback would be of great assistance, really helps me develop these chapters faster, and at a higher quality.

Man, that fight was pretty good last night, close call, but nonetheless Pyrrha came on top! As expected of a huntress, of course, and someone of her caliber as well. I wonder how she got so strong? I can't even imagine the type of training she'd had to go through, sheesh, just thinking about it gets me tired. I remember there was a time that I tried to train, and again the keyword being 'tried', and oh man, I was not suited for it at all, heck, I think I got more injuries than overall improvement with my supposed 'training'. For some dumb reason, I thought of life as a video game, and as a game, I thought to myself, "heck, the more damage I receive the higher my resistance!" Right? Well no, and for the record, Hitting myself with a hammer was probably not the best idea I've ever had, like at all, but hey! I learned from my mistakes, and even though it hurt, like a lot, I learned nonetheless. Took me a couple of times to learn that my 'resistance level' wasn't increasing after the fifth time hitting myself with a hammer and still feeling the same amount of pain as before.

I'm honestly more surprised myself, and I mean I am very surprised, after all those hits and my resistance didn't even budge a centimeter, like what the heck? Couldn't I have gained some sort of pain tolerance from that? Let me tell you, it's not easy explaining to my mother, how I got all those bruises, and even then, how I got them was pretty odd itself, oh! I remember this one time I had to paint my bod-

A noise kicks me out of my train of thoughts, as I hear some rustling coming from the alley as I walk by it.

Hm? I think to myself, 'what it could be?", I mean, it never hurts to look now, does it?

I take a closer look as to what could be making the startling noise and by the looks of it, it appears that the noise is coming from the trash can, or rather, the pile of trash that came from the tipped-over trash can

I hear more rustling coming from the trash as I close in on it.

…

I step close, and the noise becomes louder as I approach.

…

I take one final step to see what the source of the noise could possibly be.

…

And I'm greeted with a pair of big blue eyes, and I stare back at those sets of eyes, and those eyes stare back at me in recognition, and I stare at them some more… we stare for what seems an eternity but in reality, is mere seconds, and I'm greeted back with a single sound…

"Arf!" A dog! And he, or she, I'm not sure, goes back to eating, well, whatever it's eating or doing.

I haven't noticed the condition the dog is in, but now that I take a better look at it I realize that the dog is no mere dog, but in fact a Greyhound at that, and by the looks of it, it appears to be an abandoned dog by the color around its neck. No name, no address, nothing, just a plain collar, and by the condition the dog seems to be in, he appears to be on his own for quite some time already. His ribcage is more visible than usual, I mean, Greyhounds are skinny, but not that skinny, and he appears to be dirty as if someone poured a jar of ash over his body, then mixed it with dirt… like the remains of fire from the chimney on a Christmas night, and just like those ashes, the magic's gone. All that remains is a silhouette of what once was a beautiful creature, and is now… this. Not the best situation he's in, he's probably seen better days, or she, you never know. I wonder now, what made his owner want to abandon him? maybe he was messy? disobedient? Mean? Who knows...

…

Who knows.

I don't know much, but I do know that this is very shameful, to leave a living being out here, all by itself with nobody to rely on. Truly shameful, but what am I supposed to do? I'm just an ordinary man, with an ordinary life, ordinary job, ordinary routine, I'm just me. The ones fighting out there are the Huntsmen, now those are special people, those are the kind of people that we need, that can cause change, and hopefully -no- without a doubt, they can change the world for the better.

But me?

What can I do? Actually, what can I do for the dog? Now that's a better question... hmm, let's see, what to do, oh what to do… oh! Maybe the next time I come by here I can bring some snacks, like leftover food, obviously not my mother's leftovers, but mine, or I can simply save some for the dog. That is if the dog is here the next time I come…

Actually, why was I walking in this direction in the first place?

…

Oh, that's right! work!

Wouldn't want to be late to work now, would I! Man, could you imagine if I was late for my job? Man, would get so mad, I could hear him now, he would sa-

I look down at my watch, and-dear Lord!- I am beyond late, I'm ten minutes late! Jeez, I should start heading out now, no point in staying any longer than the necessary.

I look at the greyhound one final time

He looks back

Don't worry pal, I'll bring something the next time I come over, just wait until my return, ok? Now then, it's time to head towards work. And if I'm lucky, he won't even realize that I'm missing…

…

Hopefully, He doesn't realize I'm late

…

And Again the keyword being this time "Hopefully" but we don't always get what we wished for, now do we? And that's now leading to me getting chewed out by once again, and this time it's for being late. Now that I really think about it, I don't believe I've ever been late to work before… huh, there's always a first time for everything I guess, but if this is the backlash I get for being late, then never again. But man, sometimes I just wish I could just do something, and I know what you're thinking, "what do you mean that you wish you could do something? What is something? Isn't the word something too vague" That's an easy answer to an easy question, you see, that something means that I could do something fun, something out of the ordinary, something Important.

But I digress, I digress… the real question is… what the heck am I going to do later today, what am I going to eat later? What should I eat later? I mean, we had spaghetti yesterday, and It wasn't bad, but I could definitely eat something else besides spaghetti. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my mother's cooking, but eating the same spaghetti, or any kind of meal, for five consecutive days in a row gets... tiresome, take it from me, I should know...Maybe I should prepare the food this time around, you know, to change it up a bit, hmm, maybe a nice bowl of tomato soup… yeah, yeah! you can never go wrong with a bowl of tomato soup!...

That is…

…

if you're not allergic to tomatoes…

…

or simply don't like tomatoes…

…

…

Yeah, It's decided, tonight I will be making my famous tomato soup! And, oh man! I can't wait to see how it turns out, but still, I haven't cooked for a while, but even so, my cooking skills should still be good. I mean, not to brag or anything, but I do make pretty mean tomato soup and I mean It's to die for, let me tell you, my soup is soo good, that you'll never want to eat another kind of soup ever in your whole lif-

"Arc! Are you listening?" Hm? What was that?

…!

Oh right, I'm inside Mr. Johnson's office for being late.

"Yes sir, won't happen again." I say while bowing my head slightly, jeez I gotta stop doing that, I get distracted way too easily, I should do something about it before it gets me fired.

He simply stares at my face for a few seconds

…

And a few more seconds afterward…

…

And just a few more…

…

… Is there something wrong with my hair? Maybe there's some leftover spaghetti from last night! Oh man, I do wash my teeth, and now he's going to think the opposite way, aw jeez, this is so embarrassing! I gotta stop smiling, aw jeez wiz, it's too late, now he's going to think that I don't wash my teeth when in reality I do! I do wash my teet-

"Your dismissed Arc, now get out of my office, and don't make me call you in here for something so dumb as... being late." He then looks away, and goes back to doing… well, whatever he does… Welp, better leave him be, wouldn't want to stick around longer than the necessary.

"Yes sir." I bow my head slightly for the last time, I start heading towards the door, but I hear one last remark before I can fully exit

"And don't forget to close the damn door, I swear you people never close the door when you exit my room."

I nod in response

"Wouldn't dream of leaving it open sir." I shut the door and headed down the corridor towards the locker room.

I walk

And I keep walking

As I walk down the empty corridor I think to myself

'I wonder what everyone's doing?'

…

Hmmm

…

Welp, no matter what they do, I better get ready, for you see, I have a gig at some kid's birthday party, and it's known to be a very special day for every kid around the world, no matter the age, race, or gender, someone's birthday is always a special occasion! Like my mother always says, "Birthdays come once a year, so make the most of it!" or so I've heard, If I remember correctly… Either way, it's a birthday! And there is no way that this isn't a special day.

well shucks! I remember when I was younger my mother would always celebrate my birthday, we would sing, dance, and eat until our bellies could hold no more. Man, those were the fun days, sometimes I wish I could go back in time just to enjoy those moments a bit longer, just a bit longer that's all.

Just a bit longer.

"Happy birthday Jaune!"

The sound of a confetti popper goes off, and I'm amazed by the arrangement of colors that surround the air. Even though they don't last long in the air, it just takes that single moment, that goes by fast, and yet, it's a beautiful moment, that truly makes it a special day, my special day.

I see strings of all kinds of different colors floating in the air like dragons dancing in the sky, I see blue, red, orange, yellow, and much more, and I love each and every one of them, maybe I will have a cool dragon of my own when I'm a huntsman! Yeah, I can see it now, Jaune the Dragon rider! It has a nice ring to it if I say so myself.

"Don't forget to make a wish sweety, and don't forget, make a wish and then blow out the candle, if you don't it won't count." she smiles while bringing the small cake with a single white candle that stands on top closer to me.

I then close my eyes and I think…

…

And I think some more, but not for too long, for I already know my wish, and this time this year, I'll actually wish for it on my birthday

…

Probably my only wish, and the one I desire the most.

…

I wish to become a her-

I stopped

I stopped, because somethings wrong

Something feels off

Something simply isn't right...

I look up and see my mother, her smile isn't as bright as it used to be, and over time I've realized that her smile keeps on faltering, this usually happens whenever I look at her in general. Maybe some sort of super creepy undiscovered invisible grim is causing this… or maybe, she's losing her smile… Jeez, I can't imagine how that's like, maybe it's a grown-up thing, and it'll happen when I grow up as well. Aww man, I don't want that happening to me any time soon, now that would simply suck-

"What's wrong dear?" she gives me a concerned look

Aww jeez, I didn't even realize that I was staring for so long, she's probably going to get the wr-

"It's the cake isn't it"

-ong idea and she got the wrong idea, jeez, I just had to jinx myself didn't I. Dagnabbit, this is the third time this week that I've jinxed myself!… I should do something about it before it gets out of hand, I don't know, visit the doctor or something.

"Oh sweety, I know it isn't the biggest cake in the world, b-but I promise you that next year it'll be different! I just know it, we can get a bigger cake, a-and we can umm, we can, we can, umm-" she starts to fidget a bit.

I know what to wish for now

"Ma" I stare into her eyes, and I smile.

Silence

Silence reigns over us as if the king himself has arrived, arrived and ready to rule over his people.

"It's perfect." She stops fidgeting, her sad looks turn into that of curiosity, she then stares at me for a few seconds before saying.

"What do you mean sweet-" I blow out the candles, startling her as I do so.

I look up once more, approaching her…

She looks at me with curiosity, her frown ever so slowly faltering, it appears confused as to either be happy or sad, there isn't a doubt in my mind now that my wish was the right choice

I approach closer

…

And closer

…

And then…

I hug her, I simply hug her, and I can't see her face, but I can feel her emotions, I feel the stress leave, I feel her worries leave, and I finally feel her, my ma… and she feels… content, as it should be.

Then I give her the most sincere smile I can muster, and I proudly state once again, and I'll say it a hundred more times if needed, and a hundred more after that.

"It's already perfect"

…

...I feel something moist hit the top of my head… is it…

...is it raining? Inside too? Did someone leave the roof open? Is that even possible? Oh yeah, that's right! That's called a leak, that is if I remember the term correctly. Dratz, now I gotta tell ma about it, man, I wonder if she feels it too- Man! It's getting worse, I should really bring this to her attention as soon as posib-

I feel a pair of arms embrace me harder than usual, and even though the pressure is high, it doesn't bother me, because it isn't the kind of force meant to harm someone, but the kind of force meant to care for someone.

Like that of a bear and her cub

I hear a soft but at the same time, joyful voice up above, and it speaks.

"It is perfect… Your right… it's perfect… just the way it is." Her embrace weakens, just enough for me to look up, and yes, it appears to be that way.

I see her smiling again, a great joy enters my heart, and oh man, it appears that wish did come true after all. I can always wish to be a huntsman another birthday, I mean, it's not like those wishes are going to go anywhere now are they?

I hug her once again, enjoying each other's company as we usually do, but it appears to be better this time around, and as we embrace each other I can't help but think.

My cake may not be a cake, but more of a cupcake so to say.

My home may not be in the best conditions as others.

My overall living conditions may be… mediocre.

But it's all where it needs to be.

"Yeah ma it's…" I hug her again with the same amount of passion as before

Even though it's a cupcake, it's our cake

Even though my house is run down, it's home

Even though my living conditions overall are bad, it's still better than nothing

But even then, it's all-

"...Perfect."

Man, those days were pretty amazing, how I wish I could rewind time and redo does days over and over again. Now that I think about it, I should probably celebrate my mother's birthday, it is coming up soon, but the only problem is, what should I do exactly? A surprise birthday party? No, she might get a heart attack if I scare her too hard. Hmm, lots of choices, but I can't seem to fathom the correct one, and this is coming from me, the guy who thinks a-lot, like a-lot, heck, I think I've been called an airhead before. Man, this is harder than it seems… how oh how did my mother come up with these kinds of things, Jeez, she always made it look easier than it seemed to be. Maybe I could use the money I saved up to buy her something pricy, like a new watch, or a bracelet, oh-oh, or maybe a neckl-

"Hey, did you hear what happened at the dust store last week?"

I couldn't help but overhear my co-worker's discussion, I mean, they're not exactly subtle about it either.

"You mean the one on Jerry's street?"

"The same one"

Hmm? The one on Jerry's street… Oh yeah! I remember that one, From Dust Till Dawn, I've actually been there a few times myself, wow, what a small world huh? I can't imagine how hard it must've been to get robbed like that. I mean, if something like that ever happened to me, oh boy, I don't know how I would react to that, just imagine all the supply he must've lost. That's not the worst part, the worst part is how scared he must've been, I mean nothing bad happened to him at least… I hope… and I probably just jinxed it didn't I? *sigh* I should visit the place when I get the chance, see if everything's alright, and if not, I could try offering my help, I mean, who doesn't like free help?

"Guess what, remember the name, Roman Torchwick?"

Hm? Isn't that the infamous-

"You mean the infamous criminal Roman Torchwick?"

Yep, a small world

"Yeah, apparently he and some of his lackeys were gonna rob the place"

Wait, they were gonna rob the place?

"Wait, what do you mean, 'were' gonna rob?"

"Yeah, here's the thing, apparently some huntress in training stopped the whole thing before they could even touch anything."

Now that's…

So cool! Just imagine how cool it must've been for the shopkeeper to see an actual huntress -in training keep in mind- but nonetheless, an actual huntress in action, and even better, being saved by the very same one!

"No kidding? Couldn't have been that big of a deal, now could it?"

Whaaaat? No big deal? What do you even mean, how could this not be a big deal?

"That's not even the strangest thing, apparently the Glynda Goodwitch was there as well."

Wait, by Glynda Goodwitch, does he mean-

"You mean, The Good Witch of the East? The assistant of the Headmaster of Beacon Academy? that Glynda Goodwtitch?"

"The very same"

Oh my, oh my dear lord! I've only read about her in the monthly issue of, 'Huntsman and Huntresses'! She's a living legend, oh man! I wish I could meet her, maybe I could even get an autograph if I ask her-

"And the Headmaster himself was there as well"

Now this

This right here caught not only my attention

But the attention of the one receiving the news as well

And through some divine intervention, we had similar thoughts to the following news.

'The Headmaster of Beacon Academy?!'

"The Headmaster of Beacon Academy?!"

I can't believe it… To think that I felt bad for him… that old man.

Not only did the shopkeeper see a huntress in action, but he probably saw the legendary Glynda Goodwitch and the headmaster of Beacon Academy! This right here is hardcore fan service for any hero fanatic such as myself… man…

… I should probably get robbed by an infamous criminal.

Heck, maybe then I'll get a chance to meet legends such as themselves -ok- who am I kidding, I should still visit the shopkeeper, even though he probably, and most likely, meet a famous huntsman and huntress, he might've been injured. And no matter the situation -yes- even if you get to see famous huntsmen in action, it doesn't mean I should disregard their condition. But man, how cool it must've been to see actual huntsman and huntresses in action…

I wonder if he got their autographs? I know I would've.

"What is the Witch of the east, and the Headmaster of Beacon Academy doing all the way down here?"

He does make a good point, I mean, I understand that a robbery of any type is no laughing matter, and must be dealt with accordingly, but are huntsmen and huntresses of their caliber really needed? Hmm, maybe I'm overthinking this too much, maybe they were just around the neighborhood when this all occurred, I mean, it just wouldn't make a lick of sense for them to be here. Now that I think of it, why did the headmaster come all the way down here? And nonetheless, to these parts of town? I mean, we're not the most 'cleanest' part of town, and for someone of such a high position to be down here seems... Odd.

"I don't know that either, but if I'd have to put my money somewhere, I'd have to bet that it would have to do with the White Fang."

The White Fang… I remember them… Yeah, they are an equalist group, right? Something about Faunus equality or something…

"Yeah, a bunch of lunatics is what I'd say if you asked me, I mean, 'peaceful protesting'? How does committing a crime of terrorism considered 'peaceful.' I mean, c'mon, there is no way they aren't connected with the robberies."

He does prove a good point, but the only defect in his argument is that-

"Here's the thing, if it was the White Fang doing the robberies, then how come Roman Torchwick was robbing the store? Hm? I don't mean to defend the White Fang, but c'mon, those guys wouldn't be seen working with those who aren't Faunus, it just isn't in their nature you know?."

"I guess so, but here are some new's you probably haven't heard of."

Hm? More news? Well, I'm always open to something new, I wonder if the other guy is as well

"And what could that possibly be?"

My question has been answered

"Get this, with all the dust stores being robbed, the Schnee Dust Company decided to raise their prices, making it ridiculously overpriced now. I swear, with how things are going so far, it doesn't seem any of us folk down here will be able to afford anything anymore. Heck, we're better off mining our own dust."

"Don't have to tell me twice, but man, by the looks of it, it looks like those dust robberies are appearing to be more beneficial than harmful to them anyways. At the end of the day, we have to spend more of our lien, and all they have to do is sit there as we shower them with our hard-earned work."

"Hey now, what do you mean, hard-earned work? Ha! Don't make me laugh, you consider our work hard? Damn, now that is a good joke, you should try it out on your next date. Maybe then she won't run away."

An Inside joke I assume, they then start to laugh, like good old pals that have known each other for years…

And yes, they do appear that way because apparently they have known each other for many, many years.

The conversation at this point turns into that of personal life, and at that point, there is no need for me to overhear their conversation any longer than needed. I admit, everyone's got their privacy, and I definitely wouldn't want to cross their privacy, I mean, if I wouldn't like my privacy breached, then who am I to do so to others?

I should hurry up now though, my gig is gonna start in a few hours, and man, let me tell you, it isn't easy getting prepared for these kinds of jobs. I mean, it takes so many hours to get ready, not only do I need to know what I'm going to do, but I gotta know who I'm doing it for, everyone's different. Some people are at the age of twenty ordering clowns, and yes, even those at the age of twenty like to order clowns for their birthday party's, but then there are those who are barely reaching their young adult life, the kids. I've always wanted a clown for my birthday, but clowns aren't exactly cheap you know, the costumes we wear, the entertainment we provide, oh! And don't even get me started with the makeup. The makeup isn't something that we just put together like a pile of leaves during spring cleaning, no, the makeup we wear is what makes us, well, us! It projects our feelings, our passion, our identity, our everything.

Being a clown may be a joke to others -no pun intended- but to me, being a clown is so much more, being a clown is actually one of the few things that I actually take pride in. Just seeing the smiles I give after each of my performances just makes me… complete. And not to sound like some sort of creep kind of way, but you know it's just.

…

It's just

…

The closest experience I'll get, to that of a huntsman, to feel what it's like to be a hero, to feel their joy and appreciation after a job well done. To know that at the end of the day, that I saved someone, and even if that saving is from something as silly as boredom, it wouldn't matter.

Not to me at least

To me, saving someone is saving someone, no matter the type of saving, no matter how small or big the job was, or how insignificant it can be. After all, I still end my day knowing that I did something right, that I did a job well done, a good job at that.

And I sure as heck not going to do a job half done! No, I'm going to make sure that this kid's birthday party is the best party he's ever had, and to do that, I need to be in my A-game. First things first, my outfit has to be crisp and clean, my makeup has to be at it's finest, and I must make sure to bring all the props needed. I wouldn't want to leave anything out now would I? Especially my little top hat, I personally take pride in it. After all of that is done, I must make the best list of things to do, from jokes to acts, ah, I can see it now, joy, laughter, the whole package! These kids are going to be so entertained, that they will most likely forget that boredom even existed in the first place.

Man

This is going to be the best party ever! Get ready for a birthday party! For Jau- I mean Jingle's the clown is coming to town!

…

Ok sooo, apparently this birthday party doesn't exactly need Jingle's the clown for it to be already fun.

From what I can see, the party's all good, there's a bouncy house, trampoline, DJ- wait, they have a DJ? When did the DJ get here, and why is there a DJ in the first place? Don't they have enough already? Either way, the party is actually pretty good, there's food, the adults are enjoying their conversations and the kids are off doing… whatever kids do nowadays. So why did they even hire a clown in the first place? From the looks of it, I'm just a waste of money, but hey, apparently they thought they needed a clown for 'just in case.'

As soon as I arrived, the -what seemed to be a mother- set me up in my little area and called over all the children, but let me restate that sentence, It would be more appropriate to view her call as a weak attempt to gather a pile of leaves during autumn... on a windy day… with no help. Don't get me wrong, the effort was great!… but no… no, not really, but she told me to give it time, maybe they would get tired and would want to see me after they're done with the other items. I honestly don't think that it's going to happen any time soon, or happen at all actually, because the party seems to be reaching its last hours. I'm standing here in my whole getup, and I've brought an arraignment of items that I would be, or would've been performing, heck! I even brought my journal filled with only my best jokes ever! And I only bring that out for special occasions. But now I just look… silly… man, even after all the time and effort I spent working for the birthday, it doesn't appear I'll get to perform any of it for anyone today.

…

Hmm?

I didn't realize it immediately, but someone started to tug on my pants, and by the feel of it, it appeared to be the hand that belonged to that of a child.

I look downwards, and I see a child no older than eight years of age, who seemed so amused, almost hypnotized even. Then the child speaks, words that startle, but enough to kick me out of my stupor.

"Why are you dressed like that mister?"

Hm? Has this kid?... Has the kid never seen a clown before? Wow, just wow, now I know why the parents bought a clown in the first place, if not for this, then I don't know why at all.

I lightly smile before speaking, then I say

"Well, that's because it's supposed to make people smile and laugh."

The kid frowns

"But isn't it bad to laugh at someone for the way they look? isn't that what a bad person would do?"

"Well yes, it is bad to laugh at someone for their appearance, but my looks are meant to make you laugh, it's my duty to make you smile and laugh, if you laugh, it doesn't make you a bad person, it means I did a good job."

The kid still looks confused as to what to think is right…

…

Hmm, I think I know how to solve the issue at hand.

"What's your favorite animal kido?"

"Huh? My favorite… animal?"

"Yeah, it could be anything."

This seemed to get the kids' attention.

"My favorite animal… if I had to say, it would be a dog!"

"Ah! What a coincidence, I like dogs too, hear me out, what if I make you a dog, your very own dog, how does that sound?"

"Really? But how are you gonna do that mister?"

Her curiosity is at its peak, and just like that, I'm going to make the most of it while I still have it present.

"Just like this" I reach for the inside of my coat

I proceed to take out a blue tying balloon, then I inflate it, making sure that it's not too inflated either, wouldn't want to risk popping it already now would I?

I make a gesture of hand movements, moves so smooth, that it would make any dancer jealous and the kid's loving every second it, the situation is similar to that of a snake charmer, except there isn't a snake, but the kid is the snake, and my flute is this balloon animal that I'm about to create. And after a few more seconds of hand motion, my masterpiece is done, and I gracefully expose the what used to be balloon into a now turned-

She smiles

"Mister that isn't a dog, it's necked too long"

Ah! So it seems that I've made what is known as…

"Oh."

…

'Giraffe'

"Giraffe"

…

It appears to be a giraffe.

I quickly hid the giraffe underneath my hands once again.

"It appears I have made a giraffe, but do not worry! I will quickly fix my mistake and a dog will soon arrive!"

I then proceed to do another quick fluid motion of hand gestures, but I make sure to not show how I do so clearly, for that is the whole surprise now isn't it? The how, and showing how to do so, will surely ruin the magic.

All you can hear is the sound of a balloon twisting and turning, and after a few more seconds I finished the balloon animal, and surely that mistake was a one-time thing only, right?

"Tada! And here is your Dog!"

Laughter, I hear quiet but audible laughter.

"Mister, that isn't a dog, its body is too long, and it doesn't even have legs!."

And thus another mistake was made

…

Well, third times the charm right?

"Hmm, it appears I've made a snake now haven't I?" I then sigh and say

"Well, I'll fix this in no time, for a dog you requested, and a dog you shall receive."

I then once again, and hopefully the last time as well, hide the now turned balloon into a snake behind my hands, and I proceed to carefully, but every so fast, reshape the snake into what will soon, and finally turn into a dog. And as I finish up the balloon, I can see that the kid is quite excited to finally see his dog come out, after a long wait of trial and error, I have succeeded, and I presented the-

Joy, pure joyous laughter is all I hear, dear lord, now that's what I strive for.

In between the laughter, the kid manages to say

"That's not a dog either mister" some more laughter erupt from the small child in front of me

"That's a frog silly!" but either way, the child reaches out for it, as if saying 'it's okay, you did your best, and that's what matters.'

I give the kid the Frog

"But I like it, it doesn't have to be a dog, and personally, frogs are pretty cool as well" The kid smiles.

But I haven't finished my performance yet, I still need a finale, and what kind of performance is it without its grand finale

So I give the kid a pondering look as the child holds the balloon animal in arms too small to hold such a thing, obviously a size too big for a child to hold, but nonetheless, I continue. And as if I found the solution, an imaginary light bulb appears above my head, and I state.

"Ah! I found the solution, the dog is there! But he seems to be hiding behind the frog, can you see it?" I then point directly at the frog

The kid then gives me a pondering look and says while looking at the balloon animal.

"Really mister, where is he? I don't see it at all"

I proceed to move my finger closer, but slowly, towards the balloon animal and say.

"Can't you see him, he's right there, here, let me show you."

And then

"He's right-"

Pop!

The sudden popping of the balloon startles the kid, instincts make anyone close their eyes, this child is no different, but when those eyes finally open…

Oh boy, amusement, that's the word that would be used to describe the kids' face, for what the child saw wasn't a mere finale, but a grand finale!

"-there, see?"

What lay before this kid wasn't a giraffe, nor a snake, or even a frog!

No, what the kid now holds is an arrangement of different colors, from red to blue, to bright pink, and what the kid now holds is exactly what the child had wished for, a-

"A dog! Wow mister how did you do that?"

Hmm, now isn't that something? The kid is gonna have to find out later in life, for a performance isn't a performance without a few secrets now would it?

"Well, kido you see-"

These next words stop me cold in my tracks

"Are you a huntsman?"

Now, where oh where could this child have gotten that idea from? But before I could continue any further I'm once again stopped, as I heard the explanation.

"You see, my mommy says that huntsmen can do these super cool tricks, almost like wizards! Wait, could you be a wizard as well?! That's so cool!"

The child's face couldn't be described in any other way other than, amazed, simply amazed at my simple technique, simply amazed at my simple performance, simply amazed by…

…

Well, simply amazed by me.

And yet again, before I could respond, not only I but the child as well heard a voice in the distance saying.

"-weety, sweety! It's time to go already, come on, come here and say goodbye to your friends and family."

The child gives me one last smile and says

"I gotta go Mister, but thank you for my new doggie, I can't wait to show it to everyone else"

The child then proceeds to run off towards the direction of the voice that was once heard, but stops, and turns back towards my direction, and gives me a smile, a smile that could mean anything, but I know what it means.

It means, I'm happy.

all because of you

The day's over, and as I'm changing out of my outfit, and cleaning the now slightly ruined makeup off my face I can only think

Man oh man, what a day, and I mean it, what a day! I can definitely say that this day has to be one of the best days I've had yet overall.

Not only did I make an awesome impersonation on someone, and not only did I pull off that little trick of mine -hard work pays off-, but I even got a great compliment afterward! And of that being compared to heroes!

Man, what a day, but I gotta get out these clothes now, wouldn't want to ruin them, you know, it ain't cheap to get these cleaned and washed, and that's coming from someone in my line of work. Yeah, sure we get our clothes dirty during some of our gigs, but that's part of the job, but most of us try to avoid doing so, and I have no problem with a good pie to the face, but I do mind the bill afterward to get said pie stains out of my suit. There was a time where I had pumpkin, blueberry, and cherry pies thrown at me one after another, and let me say this, that will probably be the last time as well. The cost to get each and every stain wasn't cheap, but not quite out of my price range… maybe, but! Was it funny? Heck yeah, it was! Heck yeah… heck yeah...

…

Now that I think of it, where was the birthday kid during all of it? I mean, I didn't even get to take a picture with the little fella, it's considered a tradition for the birthday kid to always take a picture with the clown at the end of the day. Maybe the kid was probably just shy about it, like, who wouldn't be shy to take a picture with a birthday clown… not me of course. I would jump to the call if I ever had a birthday clown at my birthday party, like c'mon, what better way to end the day but with a good old smile with the clown himself. As I see it, it's a win-win situation, but everyone has their own opinions, but hey at least the cake was good… I mean it looked good… sure I wasn't offered any, but hey, you win some you lose some. I got some kid to smile and laugh, that's way better than any cake in the world if you ask me.

…

Yeah

…

That's all that matters at the end of the day right?

…

Laughter and joy

…

Laughter

…

Joy

…

Laughter

….

….

….

…. And joy.