Chapter 15: at present.

Silvana felt a bit weird after she woke from last nights dream. Well, first off she checked for voices in her head in case she inadvertently created a split personality with said dream. She didn't. What she did have in her head was trying to be more optimistic. It kinda came naturally to her.

It helped she had the best night of sleep she had in weeks. Today's school day should be tolerable.

She did keep thinking back to the hug in her dream. It made her blush. She kinda wanted more of it from the real deal. But that might not be th… Hanging out will suffice.

Jauntily, Silvana took her usual path, it usually allowed her to cross paths with the boy. But no such luck. What gives?

Wait. There was someone rushing towards her. Sil looked at the distance narrowing her eyes. Surprising Sil, her gut reaction was not 'Please not now…' but 'Oh.' "Hi Am, what're you doing here?" Sil's tone was neutral, bordering on happy.

*Pant Pant* "Sig," *Pant* "wantedmetotell" *Pant Pant Pant* "you that he's sick." Amitie leaned on her knees.

"Oh, okay." 'Disappointment right of the gate. Think positive, Silvana… I'll volunteer delivering his homework.' "Why does he need me to know? I would've known at school."

"Um… Iunno." Amitie almost got her breath back. "Wanna." *Pant* "Want me to walk with you?"

"Sure, go ahead. There's only one road to School here anyway."

"O-Oh yeah." Sil's surprised she didn't say something snide. If Amitie noticed too, she didn't show it or has yet to pick up on it.

She picked it up. She looked really puzzled, leaning her torso forward to look at the plaid wearer's side. "You seem like you had enough sleep."

"You noticed? I haven't felt this good since… Don't know." Sil spun her shoulder benders around. She can't remember when she felt this energetic.

"How did you do it? I wanna sleep as great as you if it makes you this happy."

"Um… It's too weird and I don't wanna talk about it.

"How do like Primp so far?"

"Wha? I-I guess I like it fine… enough?"

"What are some of your favorite things? What do you think of your friends?"

"Am?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you being suspicious?"

"Huh?" Amitie was caught off guard.

"Why do ask so much of my personal thoughts?" Sil crossed her arms and frowned.

"Because of… Uh… I'm… I wanted us to have us… some girl talk? Some small talk between friends? C'mon?"

Now Sil was the one who puzzled. She didn't know what to make of this. "Am, if you keep acting like this I'd rather you'd stay quiet."

"Okie dokie." Amitie kept quiet for the path to school. It was an awkward walk. Sil's glad school's out early today.

*Primp Magic School*

Sil slowly regained her good mood back in the wait time before the learning started. She had nothing to do, but no sleepiness, irritability, headaches or anything else annoying that occupied her mind. She appreciated it while she could. She leaned back in her chair, feet on table and hands behind her head.

Klug stared disapprovingly at the action. "Blasphemy! Keep your smelly feet of the school desk, Ms. Accord wouldn't like it."

"Fine."

"And don't even think about making fun me, or I'll shall be forced to riposte." The smart boy had a book named "The Art of Clever Comebacks" ready to go.

"I wasn't going to anyway." Sil shrugged.

Klug scanned through the book. To look for the proper comeback that's sure to show that circ- "Wait, what?"

"I don't feel like doing it."
"You can't do that!"
"Yes, I can. And I will."
"Does. Does that mean you acknowledge me as the superior insulter?"
"No."
"Ha! I'm the winner by default."

Klug seems happy finally 'triumphing' in something that's not in grades. 'What a loser.' Sil smiled. 'Should I sucker him into replying to an insult of Raffine? Hmm. Maybe next time.'

Emerging from the door came to their teacher. Surprisingly it wasn't Ms. Accord. "Good morning everyone, ma. Is everything going well for all of you, kuma!?"

"Mr. Akuma? You're our teacher for today?" Klug uttered.

"And presumably for the rest of the week, as well. Ms. Accord wanted a few days off." The medium sized floating demon teddy bear had a suspicious tone. Suspicious towards Ms. Accord.

"Anyhow, quite like last time, I shall do my best to teach you to the best of my abilities. Any objections?" Nobody minded it. While Sil knows Akuma is a nice person, that first impression left quite the impression on her. She expected him to be harsh on her because of what she is. Based on further interactions they've had, Sil knew the bear's a good teacher at least.

Akuma took a glance at the empty chair. "Where's Sig?"

"Sig's sick." Amitie answered.

"Hmm. Unfortunate. Who wants to volunteer to deliver his homework?" Sil and Amitie raised their hands. Sil noticed that Amitie seemed more desperate, her arm was more erect and was shaking.

"Sig told me he wanted twice the homework and wanted me to deliver them."

"It's settled then. Amitie, I shall provide you with his homework after school."

Amitie released a relieved yes.

Sil sighed. 'He does have friends besides me. Guess I'll settle on visiting him later. Where does he live?'

*After School*

Sil overheard Lidelle and Raffine chatting about the market being in town. Lidelle asked if Sil was coming. 'Hmm. Maybe there's something neat I can get. I should probably get a 'get well' gift to Sig. Ooo, maybe I can get some special ingredients for curry.' "Maybe."

Silvana usually forgets the market's in town. It's always out of sight on the path of her way home, and the amounts of people chattering didn't clue her in.

The marketplace wasn't too crowded, plenty of breathing room. People recognize her on the street. She bordered on being a celebrity. She wasn't highly celebrated but was appreciated, after all, she is the clown that announces Donguri Gaeru to perform. Primp doesn't have much in the way of entertainment.

Point is: She doesn't want too much attention. She searched her shoulder bag for her box, so she can search for the first mask in the box. She raffled the Raffine mask and put it on. 'I hope I don't run in with Mr. Amitie's Dad again and hope he doesn't recognize me. Or anyone else… I can only take so much…'

'Clothes stand, melon stand, comedy stand, man playing accordion. Wow, that guy is good.' Soothingly good. Sil threw some Gold Credits in his accordion case, she missed. "Oops…"

'Carpet stand, do I? Hmm. No. Carpenter stand. Wait, wasn't I supposed to soundproof my van? Don't have the time for it now.'

"Sig?" Sil asked herself. It looked like him in the distance. She thought she's imagining things. He's the only cyan haired boy in Primp she knew, but there certainly had to be more. There are more, she just remembered seeing at least four of them per show. Whatever, it couldn't have been him. He's sick.

'Lessee, a fortune teller tent? Nah, don't wanna stress myself over a bad future.' Sil read the rest of the sign, much to her shock. 'And it's run by that dwarf Feli… Oh look, suddenly I'm even more not interested in this and I'll go this t-'

"Oomph!"/"Meep!" Sil did not leave her eyes of the tent and bumped into someone. Her mask kinda slipped, the elastics on this one aren't as good.

"Hey, watch where you're goi- Oh, Lidelle, sorry for bumping into you. You okay?"

"I'm fine, Miss Sil." She li'l girl collected herself. "So you went too after all?" Sil nodded. "Why are you wearing a Raffine mask?"

"You should know that very well, Lidelle." You could practically hear the gears turning.

"Oh, how silly of me." She was embarrassed about not thinking of it.

Silvana glanced at the stand. It had tons of toys. Dolls, stuffed animals, marbles, Yo-Yos, whirlabouts, whirligigs, costumes, jigsaw puzzles, some freaky looking chubby furry red stuffed animal thing with freakishly long arms. Sil found herself unable to look away from its eyes. She shook herself out of it.

"Need a boost?" She asked her classmate.

"Oh, thank you. But I can see it fine myself. I was just looking at the yo-yos." The green girl did look at it longingly, Sil noticed. Specifically at green one with a yellow spiral.

"What. Don't have enough Credits?" "No, I just can't play with it…" Lidelle told her in a sad tone.

"Why? It's a yo-yo."

"It's because every yo-yo I ever had just touches the floor. It looks so fun to use." Lidelle did her best not crying over something as silly as a yo-yo.

"Wait, that can't be right, I had a yo-yo for my fifth birthday, and was pretty good at it. Before I lost it a few days after…"

"But how's that possible? You must've been smaller than me."

"That's what I'm thinking. Blech, it doesn't matter anyway. I think I got a solution. Hey mister!"

"Huh." The toy maker behind the newspaper had Sil's attention.

"How much is this yo-yo for my friend here?" She held the yo-yo Lidelle was eyeing. 'I called her a friend without thinking… Wow.'

"That'd be 4 Golden Craedeets." Sil paid him. "Thank ye, lassie."

"Gimme a moment, Lid." She pulled out the rope out of the toy fully, measured it with Lidelle. "Stretch your arm out, please."

"Oh, um, okay."

Silvana had her thumb above from where Lidelle's arm reached. "Here please hold it." Sil searched her box for something sharp. She cut off where the thumb was held. She made a new knot it. Lidelle was amazed.

Sil was happy that Lidelle wasn't sad anymore. It's one of the worst sights. Before she handed it over though she decided to show off a with an around the world trick. She didn't catch it though. She was distracted. "Since when do yo-yos spin like that?" Sil let it hang yet it still spun. "Whatever, here you go, Lid."

Lidelle was super happy. She made it go up and down and attempted all around the world. Satisfying. "Oh, thank you, Miss Sil." She shook her hands. Lidelle's hands felt weird through her sleeves. "I knew you were nice deep down. But not this nice."

"It was… Nothing?"

"I have to go I wanna buy my big brother and sister something nice! I'll see you later." Lidelle ran off. Sil smiled and waved.

'Wait, she visited Sig when he was last sick. I should've asked her where he lives… Oh well.' The weird stuffed animal red arm-y thing caught Sil's eye again.

"Ye like that orangutan?"
"What's a Yu rang you tan?"
"That thing ye been starin' at fer minutes."
"Shoot! Minutes?"
"Ye want it? It'll cost ye 65 Craedeets."
"Isn't that a bit too much?"
"How 'bout 55?"
"Still too high fer a thing I'm not sure I like."

She accidentally imitated the accent for a bit.

"Then it's probly nae fer you. Git yerself an' yer ugly mask outta here."

"Okay, okay." Sil kept looking at that thing. She didn't know why.

'Kitchen stand, nut stand, instrument stand, I'm too old to start. Fufufufu, a candy stand. I'm gonna get a big bag some for me, and some for Sig!'

Sil made the woman behind the stand shovel all the candy types she liked. Suddenly she had a neighbour.

"Oh, hiya, Sil. Didn't know you liked candy this much too. What's your favorite kind? Why are you wearing that Raffine mask? What've you've bought so far? How do you spell your name?"

'Why are you extra annoying this day?' Sil did not have the heart to say that her face. Not yet anyway. She paid for her bag and answered Amitie. "Look the sun!"

"But it's always there." Amitie looked at where Sil.

Amitie turned back at Sil. "I don't see what's so special about it today." Sil was gone. "Aw snap, not again. Owie, my eyes."

Sil chewed on a gummy worm as she looked at the next stand. Oh look it's the stand where the circus tickets are sold. There's a huge crowd around it. So Silvana couldn't say hi to Donguri.

Wait, was that Sig again? And he's gone. 'Am I that desperate? I hope not… Hmm. A flower stand. Should I?' Sil flustered herself. 'That might be too on the nose. I never felt this weird before…' She felt a little warm on her head and cheeks. 'Please don't tell I'm getting sick again. Hmm. Let's test it with Raffine by that jewel stand.'

Raffine was like a kid with a limited budget in a candy store. She was giggling to herself, occasionally muttering "Oh, La-Ti-Da" at the choices at display, but couldn't choose between them.

"Yo!" Sil greeted her from behind. Raffine jumped a little. But don't tell her that.

"Ah, Miss Pierrot. What on earth are you doing here? And why are you wearing that horrid depiction of me?" She asked like a total grump.

"I like to look at shinies." Sil half-lied. "If that's a crime you'd never leave jail." Sil shrugged with tongue out.

"Hmph."

"And I don't wanna be recognized. So I put on a silly mask of you."

"I wish I was that recognizable…"

"You stand out enough." Sil mumbled.

Raffine raised an eyebrow. "What's that a compliment for moi?"

"Don't know who your m'ma is. But your outfit is eye catchingly nice, I could pick you out from a crowd." Sil handed out that compliment because she doesn't want Raffine to commit assault in public. Especially on Sil's face or hide.

"Really now, ohohoho-Oh, La-Ti-Da~"

'You seem pleased with yourself.' "But I'm not into fashion, so take it for what's it worth." Sil glanced at the jewelry next to the jewels. 'Well now that I'm here, I might as well…' There wasn't anything she liked personally. 'Would Sig like a necklace?' Sil searched for any specially cut necklaces but found nothing.

"Hey mister, do you maybe have a bug-shaped necklace?" "Not on display, anyway. Let me look in these boxes."

"Hohoho. How amusing."
"What's so funny?"
"My apologies, Miss Silvana. I didn't take you for a person who able to have a crush."
'Crush? I have a crush on Sig… Huh.' "No, I don't!"

Raffine laughed hard. "Forgive me. It is too funny." Raffine recomposed herself. "Good luck getting to his heart. I doubt he has one considering how that boy acts."

Sil kept quiet, she felt hurt. Hurt and angry. Experience taught her that the hurter was usually right, though.

"And just between you and me. I think Amitie also has an eye for him."

"…"

"Sorry, afraid we got no more butterfly necklaces. Interested in anything else?"

"No, thank you, sir. Oh, Raffine."

"Hmm?"

"I saw an Amethyst Pearl necklace. They're usually worth 6000 Credits, though. Shame, it would look great contrasting the orange on your suit. Hope you can afford it." Sil lied about its worth. It wasn't an Amethyst Pearl. It triggered Raffine and seller's greed regardless.

"Actually it's worth 6100." Sil would've watched that gladiator match if she didn't have something to think about it.

'A crush? Now it makes sense why felt like that thinking of giving him flowers. For how long must I had it? And why? His kindness? His dopey-ness? His slowness? The sleepover? That dream hug? Can I name something I don't like about him?… His reasoning sometimes, I guess?' Sil didn't know how to take it, she felt warmer and warmer. 'Is it because he's my best friend, who's so kind that I wanna repay him? Am I just over thinking? It's clogging up my mind! I don't know. I need a distraction.'

Nothing she wanted from the bakery, mushroom soup stand, and the waffle stand, she didn't feel like snacking. And she would've passed up the mushroom soup regardless. She only bought something from the cheese and spice stands for her curry later.

There was the Oshare Shoppe. Oshare Bones may have some advice on how to deal with this. But Sil felt kinda awkward visiting an employee for the sake of visiting or advice. On further inspection, Silvana noticed that it's closed anyway. The lights were off.

There was a potion stand. So Sil knew where she can get those now. Although that looked like Witch. 'I'd better stay clear. Just in case it is her.'

Sil's spirit heightened a bit at a novel and record stand. 'I'm in the mood for some jazz. The fun kind! And some new music for the circus, that's important too. (And maybe a lullaby single too…)' She searched for some records that sounded fun regardless of genre that sounded fun and picked a hopefully suitable record for the circus.

At the novel part of the stand, Silvana wasn't sure if she should even pick something. If those dreams truly did stop she might be in the mood to read more. The last few books she read were bogged down by… romance… That's the last thing she wants in her adventure books, horror and murder mysteries. Sil grinded her teeth. 'Hmm. Don't wanna chance it. I have homework to do during that time anyway.'

'I think I'm almost done. I can't believe it. Aaaaand there's that guy that looks like Sig from a distance again… Why must you torment me?' Speaking of Sig. At the last stand Sil the perfect gift. It was some kinda trinket stand that had some shiny and super sturdy looking butterfly nets on sale. 'Sig should like thes-'

"Hey, Sil. How come you left me alone like that?"

"For crying out loud, Amitie!" Sil firmly pressed her palm against her forehead. "Because you been acting weird by annoying me by assaulting me with these personal questions I don't wanna answer! I wear this mask for a reason, Amitie!" Everyone around gave Sil odd looks. "For non-criminal reasons, I fell asleep on the stove. Get off my case." They did.

"You have this annoying way of annoying me. And you've been doing whenever you had the chance, before school, during school, after school. I never felt so great as today, and bring me this close to square one. I like my privacy. And I've had enough of your face, you dumb ditz." Sil toned down her yelling but was no less frustrated.

Sil verbally drained Amitie of her peppiness. She just turned and ran off the other way. Never looking back. Sil may've heard a sniffle.

"That was way too harsh." The woman behind the trinket stand told Sil disapprovingly.

"It's just something I needed off my chest. Two of these nets please." One for Sig, one for Sil.

"Nice. These things are extendable."

*An half hour walk, later… Sunset…*

The circus tent door was open. It's not a performance night, so that meant someone is practicing. But it's not a practice day either. Sil made a quick stop in her van to change to the proper mask.

It was dark inside. 'I should've brought a lantern.' "Hohow is that you? Group practice is not 'till two days from now!"

"SURPRISE!" Rang through the whole tent simultaneously as the spotlight lighted the center.

"Wha, how?" Sil had yet to fully process all of this.

"Happy Birthday, Silvana!" The group popped some poppers, showering Silvana in confetti. Then they started to sing her a happy birthday.

Silvana didn't know what to think. There were streamers hanging from the equipment, some balloons here and there. A banner that read 'Happy birthday Sylvanah!' with big and colourful letters. A table was in the middle with some chairs around it. On the table was a curry coloured cake with a handful of presents around it. Behind the table was a decent ice sculpture of Silvana.

Can't forget about the people present. Sig, Lidelle, Oshare Bones, Donguri Gaeru, Sig's ladybug and, Hohow is an actual clown? (Bo How the Clown?) All of them wearing party hats.

"Well?" Sig asked.

"I thought you were sick!"

"I lied. What do think?"

"W-Well I-I didn't think any of you cared. Or even knew. How did you guys know about my birthday? I kept that a secret."

Everyone looked at Sig. Sig blushed.

Hohow honked a horn. Most shot him a glare.

"I think it's for the best I'll tell you later." The blue boy said. "You can worry about that later. We already did our best setting this party up. Just enjoy it." Oshare made a compelling argument.

"Ribbiit, rib, ribbit?" That's Frog for: open up the presents.

*Hohow Honk*

It only just started to sink how much they must've put effort into making this in one day. 'Wait, that's normal. Still, they must really, really care. I wouldn't do this for me.' It warmed her black heart.

"This one's from me." Sil took Sig's head-sized box and opened it up.

"Huh?" It was that… long-armed red Orangutan(?) thing from the toy stand.

"Do you like it? Lidelle told me you were staring at it."

"I have so many questions." Sil looked back the presents. "But I'll ask them later."

"You like it?"

"Hmm." Sil played around with its arms. They were almost four times as long as its body. Sil got a good chuckle out of waving it around. "I do."

Before Sil grabbed her next present, she gave Sig the gift she had for him. Sig looked happy playing with the extendable net. "Thanks."

*HONK*

*After the gift givings…*

Sil caught Sig alone at the party. Now she was comfortable with asking a few questions. "Siiig… How did you know about my birthday?"

The friend of all bugs looked at the floor. "Sorry. I visited yesterday to ask if you were okay. Then I heard you crying and talking about leaving. You also wished Arle a happy birthday. And then I remembered you were an Arle. Ow."

Sil hit him in the chest as a gut reaction.

"Sig, you jerk. How dare you eavesdrop? Thank you…" She whispered loud enough for him to hear as her eyes sparkled through the mask, giving him a tight hug. She quickly let loose to make sure nobody saw that. They were in a part of the circus that was not under spotlight.

"I don't want you to leave, these guys also don't want you to leave. I think anyway. I think I'm trying to say that… Um…"

"I get what you're saying… And the only reason I'll leave is for adventure and vacations. Trust me." She smiled and winked. "Thanks to this party you threw for me."

"You have to thank Ami for that." Sil blinked once or twice.

"Come again?"

"Dunno how to throw parties. I asked Ami out for help."

"Oh." Suddenly Sil had a big lump of guilt in her stomach.

"She did some 'espionage' to see what you'd like for your birthday. Lidelle went too."

Sil thought back to earlier today. That's why she was so invasive. 'She did that for someone who told her off?' Now she had two big lumps of guilt in her stomach, it made her winch. That ice statue didn't help.

"You okay?"

"Where's Am?"

"She went home. She said she got no info out of you, helped finishing the decorations. She then said she didn't wanna ruin the party for you and left. She didn't look so good. Is it because I accidentally told her that I overheard you say that you didn't like her?" Sig asked presumably, no definitely concerned, even if his tone didn't show it that well.

'Ooo.' Sil shivered. 'That explains it…'

Sig gave Sil an outlet to not feel as guilty, it was partially Sig's fault. But she couldn't take it. She had to make it up with Amitie. Sil thought back to the big bag still mostly full of candy. Amitie likes that, right?

But… What to do first? Make up to a friend of little tact now or enjoy her first birthday party in ages?

Birthday won. She'll make it up during recess tomorrow.

*Honk*

For now, she just started to enjoy the moment.

And she did. It was a fun time. Cake, a few games, a few board games, a few card games. Oshare Bones and Hohow Bird gave them a preview on their secret synchronized ribbon dance.

But everything fun has to end. It was getting late everyone said their 'byes and left. The tent was left for Sil to clean up tomorrow. Sig was last to leave.

"Sig, can you do something for me?" "Sure." "If you see Arle…" Silvana took a big sigh. "Tell her to… to… um… No that won't work. Forgot it…" "Want me to tell her?" "You read my mind. But I need to think this through. A way to warn her and to keep me from doing something stupid. I don't wanna lose this now." Sig just blankly stared.

"We'll see what happens."

There was some quiet between them.

"Um… Sil?"

"What's up?"

"Can you help me with my homework tomorrow? I asked for too much." Sil chuckled.

"Sure. Bring it to recess tomorrow."

"'Kay. Bye."

Sil took her presents to her caravan. Amongst them were a yo-yo, a green skirt and white stocking with small red polka dots for "variety's sake" and of course this orangutan thing. She kept staring at its eyes. There was something familiar about them. Even a change to her pajamas couldn't keep her eyes off it.

During and after homework, she played with his flappy arms. "This is so dumb. Why do I like it? What's this?" There was a tag wedged between the feet. It was crudely written.

'Tought you coold like a litle buddy. Sig.'

"Little buddy. Little buddy…" Sil gasped as she connected the possibly non-existing dots. "Carbuncle! Your eyes are like Carby!" She held the toy up high, its arms slapped her face. "Let's try to make it work." She made the thing nod. "But what should I call you?" She looked at his dangling arms. "I'm gonna call you Arms. Because I'm very creative and you're gonna be stuck with it. Deal with it."

Arms slumped down. Sil laughed.

That night Sil had Arms in her arms, and Arms had Sil in his arms.

*HONK!*

Author's Notes:

I feel I wrote the Amitie interactions really sloppily. Also I've never been in love or had a crush. Can you tell?

In the last chapter I cut out the scene hinting of "Someone" eavesdropping. I felt it helped this chapter's ending a bit more.

This chapter name finishing the last one is a coincidence, I was just trying to hide it's a birthday chapter. Speaking of which, even if this is still a coincidence and planned writing this chapter from the beginning… Happy Anniversary, "In the grasp of the Doppelganger". Consider this your gift.

Also apologies: I mis remembered that in Madou Monogatari I Arle was FIVE years old, and not SIX like she actually was. And therefore the first Doppelganger Arles had've been made when she was six, not five like I assumed. Nobody pointed this out so far, so I guess it was subtle enough or people just overlooked that minor mistake. For the sake consistency and not retconning I won't change it. To compromise MM1 took place when Arle was almost six.

While I planned Arms from the beginning, on the first day of writing this I got my Vector the Crocodile plush. And I'm loving it. It comes with finger pointing action! His arms flap about too, it's amazing.

I have no idea what Credits are and I intend to keep it that way in the hopes it's funny. Hope you're okay with possible linguistic licences.

And for the jokester who reviewed Chapter 14 with the now deleted "Porcelain break soundeffect." please keep the reviews relevant to the chapter you just read or the story in general. Which I know you didn't so no in-jokes (with admittedly a loose relevancy towards the title) no one will get, (my literal) sister. And now I put more needless stuff to the notes, I can barely keep it at minimum already…

Next up: Making it up?