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The End of the Circus: A Tale of the Yizibajohei
Omake: Unaccountably Peckish or You Are What You Eat (Part II)
by DestyNova


On the shore of Lake Mitune near the former city of Mitune in Nesetimtuto (about 2,200 kilometres from Tariko Katabarbe's cabin), Yizibajohei date and time: After sunset on Lo'odu-pali, Ram-lelu, Merimdulo'oto-teri (Earth date: First Thursday in June, 2012)...

Na'ato Nottemse'e panted, wiping his head after stopping to catch his breath. Pushing himself to reach the old industrial docks in this long-desolate port city on the Great Lakes of Butodutogasuto before the sun fully set ended up making him even dirtier and thirstier, his legs burning from speeding along one of the old Nesetimtuto high velocity roadways in an exhausted state. Still, he had at last reached the specific embarkation point that had a single hovercraft which would take him to the Shining Palace.

Said watercraft had been put into service between old Mitune and the abandoned Gimr'batuto city of Sieurim-nemaku near the planet's effective world capital city of Bamkuo Hutobo to serve the Shining Palace, which had been placed in the ruins of the old frontier defence base of Mitune-esorae. The service had been provided as a courtesy for those people moving wanting to get to the Palace across Lake Mitune who couldn't fly, teleport or have other movement powers which could permit rapid transit over water; the bridges that connected Nesetimtuto and Gimr'batuto in this part of the northern polar continent such as the structures between Taetuorim and Tyuor'ba-damrim, much less Roedole and Mitune-esorae, had been destroyed in the Dawn of Power and never replaced. Sure, he could possibly push it and go all the way to Bamkuo Hutobo — the former twin cities spanning the Bamkuo River next to the famous cataract were only a few dozen se from either Roedole or Mitune-esorae AND were still interconnected by physical structures — but Na'ato was QUITE hungry and tired and didn't want to go the further distance.

Thankfully, the hovercraft was here to make things easier for him. This specific unit had been built as part of a large series of like vehicles by a previous incarnation of the Circle of Thought, outfitted with the same type of autonomous controls that all the basic food production facilities and construction AIs had been built it, then Gifted to places like the Palace as a courtesy...and as a way to keep the Masters of the Bazaar from trying to expand their control beyond old R'bemeke-koli and Talibeso. Said controls were impossibly advanced even for the Circle's level of technology, plus almost effectively hack-proof; any attempts at trying to pilfer said vehicles for whatever purpose — even a simple prank! — was caught and said thief instantly blacklisted from places such as the Palace...never mind what the Circle themselves might do if THEY caught onto what was going on.

Climbing down to relax in the open passenger compartment — such could be instantly shielded by forcefields in cases of inclement weather — the Crusher of Isose-dumlu breathed out. "The Shining Palace, please," he then called out.

"Compliance," the hovercraft's on-board AI announced as the fusion reactors powering the drive systems activated.

Relaxing before reaching into a nearby cold storage unit to pull out a bottle of calorie water — provided as a courtesy by the Palace's staff — Na'ato took a deep breath as the machine surged out onto Lake Mitune, heading northeast...


Mitune-esorae, an hour later...

The term "Shining Palace" — in Yizibajohei, Besaniroti-neya — was exaggerated.

The location was neither a palace nor a cathedral. Befitting its historical location, it was built as a fortress, with the old frontier defence structures of the original Mitune Fortress incorporated in its outer security layers. Naturally, the impossibly advanced technology that the Children of the Forge could make use of had been incorporated into the Palace's very structure. Gazing on it, Na'ato hummed as he recalled his past-selves' memories of this place. Originally founded as a refugee camp for the first generation of the Nameless during the Starvation Times — attracted to the location thanks to the massive quantities of fresh seafood and wildlife which could be harvested in this part of old Gimr'batuto — it would eventually become a small bastion of post-Dawn of Power civilization for Named and Nameless alike during the first five series of the Great Show of Life.

The physical Palace itself was what Terrans would think of as a traditional German hunting schloss in general structure, with interconnected buildings allowing people within to remain free of potential storms; being this far north, blizzards the likes of which could never be imagined on the third world of Sol — to say anything of the only inhabited moon of that system's eighth planet! — often stormed down from the Polar Mountains to blanket most of the continent in nearly a se of the white stuff. To ensure that being buried under a potential glacier of snow and ice didn't hurt anyone within the Palace itself, large energy towers sparkling with multi-spectral energy emitters dotted the grounds to project waves of either heat or cold whenever required; like winters, summers in these parts could get stifling hot even with the presence of the Great Lakes and having air conditioning while enjoying Kaeyu's soothing rays to work on one's suntan was welcome by staff and guests alike.

The Palace's name came about because most of those energy emitters put out visual light at all times of day. Now, with Yiziba's blue-white primary having long set to the west, the structure seemed to glitter like a fairy tale similar to what had come out of places like America and Japan in Earth; even if Na'ato himself rarely associated with the ever-growing number of Terran-born Yizibajohei, elements of that world's popular culture were earning fans among the Children of the Forge. Even more so, interior candles appeared at every window of the main structure, which gave the Palace quite the glittering appearance in the evening as the Crusher of Isose-dumlu could see now from his place on the hovercraft now moving to dock alongside the only surviving jetty of the old military port that was located here in the bygone days when Nesetimtuto and the various colonies from the western equatorial continent whose lands would eventually form Gimr'batuto were at odds with each other. With all the lights that the Palace had on in both daytime and evening, the habitation often served as a marker for migratory groups of Nameless shifting their livestock to fertile feeding grounds...even if entering said grounds was avoided thanks to the ever-rampant rumours surrounding this place, not to mention the reclusive nature of those who lived here full-time.

Shaking his head as the hovercraft powered down, Na'ato hopped onto the jetty before making his way up the path to the southeast gate leading into the Palace grounds, thankful that even the small part of the old military installation used by the owners of this establishment kept the whole location lit up so he didn't have to reforge any sort of night vision. Still, despite the quite tranquil nature of the general area, a sense of considerable unease was bubbling deep within his heart, he remembering his conversation with Tihem Notogumasogu a couple acts ago across Lake Mitune from here.

Reaching the entrance, he was about to press the intercom button when a very human-like voice echoed all around him, "Welcome Seeker, to the Shining Palace. What is your business here?"

A hand ran through hair dampened thanks to nervous sweat. "I wish to ask for a meal and perhaps shelter for the night," the Crusher announced in a voice that was surprisingly even. "I have heard you offer such things."

"Indeed such things are available," came the response. "If you wish to enter, you must agree to our terms. No fight scenes and no taking without permission. Respect the integrity of this property."

Na'ato rapidly nodded. "Yes, yes. I am aware of your terms. I will respect them."

"Very well."

The door then slid open. A diminutive man appearing to be about a series in age stepped out, draped in the traditional sleeved, baggy bodysuit that had become quite common across the planet in the years after the Dawn of Power. Said uniform was red overall, trimmed in black at the end of the sleeves and leggings, black belt and black boots finishing the ensemble; there was no sigil over the heart, which marked him as Nameless. A hooded short cape finished his uniform, keeping the upper part of his face hidden in shadow; said garment was black with red trim in contrast to his bodysuit. "Utaie," he politely greeted.

Surprised to hear such a traditional welcome, Na'ato bowed his head. "Kagaena," he gave the proper reply.

Stepping inside, he quickly found himself in a large chamber, the interior lights causing spots to appear in his vision while he tried to adjust to the slightly brighter surroundings than what he had been in for the last couple of acts. Plinths topped with burning candles sending rivulets of wax down their sides dotted the space around him to give extra light in this surprisingly dark space; even with all the illumination, the Crusher couldn't tell how big this particular room was. As he followed the butler — yes, he knew the Terran term for what the elderly man escorting him obviously did here — the grappling telekinetic was quick to detect muttered voices echo from the darkness, not to mention see the odd human-shaped shadow dance between the lights. Wishing that he had protective goggles that could be fitted with all sorts of vision-enhancement functions over his eyes so he could get a better sense of what was around him, Na'ato then perked as the butler cleared his throat.

"Sine you have agreed to our terms, I will now tell you what we can offer," the elderly man stated. "We can provide both a meal for tonight as well as shelter if you wish. Naturally, we do ask for a trade as a token of appreciation. Do you have anything such as unprepared food that we can use to keep stocked? Other items that we might find useful?" He gave the visiting man a knowing look. "We do accept favours, of course. The type of favour asked depends on how much you desire from us."

A wry smile crossed Na'ato's face as he held out his bare hands. "Regretfully, I am afraid I have brought only myself. I have no bags of fruit or vegetables or things you might need for the Palace. Regretfully, my Gift doesn't give me the right sort of control to herd such animals to present to you and I'm of a habitation-descent line, so I don't have farming knowledge."

The older man hummed. "Pity. Any particular skills? We do give opportunity for those who are skilled in things like carpentry, stonework or higher technologies. If you have those skills, working in our kitchen would be appreciated."

A wry chuckle answered him. "None in particular, I'm afraid. I'm not a skilled chef."

Much to the Crusher's private relief, the butler didn't seem to be disappointed. "Understandable. We'll ask for an unspecified favour in the future that will be collected upon. Agreed, Lobomrae Tene?"

Slightly startled at being addressed by battle name, Na'ato nodded. "Y-yes, agreed."

A bight smile of gleaming white teeth then crossed the butler's face. "Then the deal is agreed upon. Please follow me."

He walked towards a side door to wave Na'ato through...


The dining hall, in Na'ato's eyes, was very impressive.

Blending both modern technology with a seemingly older rustic pre-Dawn of Power look, the hall was lit with the ever present candles on the walls, long tables that seemed to be made of plain wood stretched across the floor. On the opposite side of the room were what looked like serving stations with plates at one end, bins filling the rest of the area. Each bin was topped with various kinds of food, filling the air with delicious smells, enough to make the Crusher's stomach rumble with hunger.

"I see you're rather impressed," the butler mused, a knowing smile crossing his face. "For your information, all the food that comes from the kitchens is placed in holders which envelop them in stasis fields. That ensures they remain hot and fresh for many acts on end. Since visitors come in during all times of an episode, we don't have scheduled meals."

"Thus, allowing people to dine whenever they need to. Quite welcoming," Na'ato agreed; the hall had a few other diners, they fixated on their meals and did not engage in any socializing. Which was understandable; on the World of the Forge, it was believed proper to not make any noise during mealtimes. "So I can just pick whatever I desire?"

"Certainly. You may eat your fill, but please take nothing with you from the hall."

After being bade to take his meal, Na'ato walked over and took up a plate before moving down the line, taking note of all the dishes that were available while filling his plate. Once he was ready, he headed to a table, quite awed by the selection.

Naro stake slices, appearing and tasting as they had just been plucked from the Great Lakes...

Saketisa taken from underwater caverns, still in their shells, as translucent as they appeared alive, as delicate as paper...

Muemur'be cakes, flavoured with spices from multiple planets, coated with Terran sesame seeds to add even more flavour...

Slices of Terran tomatoes, similar to Yizibajohei hammaro but — Treason! — even sweeter, so far from Earth itself...

Devilled lemruo taken from domesticated kummeto, all served on crusty nimbyuo rolls...

He ate...

And ate...

...and kept on eating until all the plates were empty, juices dripping from his chin.

Finally, he stopped to gaze down at the multiple plates, realizing that he had taken FIVE trips to the serving line to get his fill. Crystal! Did I really eat THIS much?! he wondered, trying not to shiver with both shame and embarrassment as he considered how much his intake could impact on whatever favour the Palace staff might demand in repayment. Even for a native of Yiziba who often engaged in pretty energy-sapping actions, Na'ato had consumed FAR past what he considered comfortable; even now, recalling that he had taken five trips to the serving line was still hazed with cloudy confusion.

"Are you finished?"

The Crusher started, turning to see the very same butler that had welcomed him to this establishment, seemingly having not moved from his spot near the entrance. A quick glance around the dining hall showed that the crowd there had thinned out; those who were present were different than those he had seen when he first came into this place.

"We have excellent desserts available if you wish to partake," the butler added. "Pastries and sweets are a fine ending to a meal."

An affirmation nearly escaped Na'ato's throat before he caught himself. Even on a world where using any form of specie had gone by the wayside two sagas ago, being in debt was something no one sane wanted to find him/herself in. As a helpful sanitary robot came over to sweep up the plates for recycling, the Crusher walked over to join his current guide. "Not now; I'm quite full," he admitted. As his host grinned on hearing that — thought said smile didn't go all the way to his eyes — the grappling telekinetic added, "Actually, I've need of a lavatory, plus I need to see someone about repairing some personal equipment."

"But of course. Please, follow me," the butler bade...


Na'ato passed through the door into the restroom, finding himself in a clean space with the proper amenities one could expect of such a location. Before going inside, he handed the butler his teleportation armband, protective goggles and PAA to have them repaired by one of the technokinetics who worked for the Palace while he rested; even after the sumptuous feast he just enjoyed, he was bone tired and desperately needed sleep. But going to bed smelling like something a krotyuo dragged in from a marsh wasn't something the grappling telekinetic felt was proper, especially after such a lovely meal.

So, time for a bath!

As he collected his thoughts while undressing, he noted that his battlesuit had been stained in places over the chest with remnants of the food he consumed. Taking a towel to wipe down his hair and face, he gazed on the cloth to note it was now quite red.

Was that copper he was tasting in his mouth...?

Shaking his head, the Crusher put the towel and his battlesuit into a nearby automated hamper; such would be washed by a housekeeping robot and presented back to him as soon as possible. After relieving himself in a nearby toilet, he then stepped into the bubbling waters of a hot bath, laying back on the side of the tub to allow the warm liquid — such being filled with cleansing soap to clean him down even more thoroughly than if he scrubbed at himself with a hard bristle brush — to begin to unwind from the harsh number of episodes he had been through, both by himself and with his frenemy.

Hope Tihem's doing alright with Gisito's crew...

Closing his eyes, Na'ato found it impossible to fight off sleep...

As his eyes slipped downwards, his vision blurred and he found himself start to slip lower in the tub. To him, the lights of the room seemed to flicker, smaller bulbs dancing as if they were flames drawing his eye and making the room seem to darken. Shadows formed around his sight in the last moments of awareness before sleep.

He felt himself floating in the water, not really knowing if it was just a trick of his weary mind. Buoyed by his warm bath...

Was he just imagining it?

The sides of the tub reached up around him as he drifted, becoming like tall walls as he was starting to slip deeper and deeper into slumber while he sank into the soothing water, the bubbling surface crawling ever upwards to cover his head...

"Excuse me."

Gasping, the Crusher bolted up, sputtering as he found himself in the same restroom he had gone in to relieve and clean himself. "What...?!" Na'ato began before he looked around, trying to find a hand chronometer.

"It's the sixth act on Lo'osuto-pali," a familiar helpful voice declared.

Turning right and up, he noted the presence of the butler who had welcomed him into the Palace the previous evening. Noting the amused look on the older man's face — as much as he could see from under that cloak — the grappling telekinetic chuckled before lying back. "I fell asleep," he confessed. "Better than sleeping on the ground."

"You can stay for more days if needed."

Considering that, he shook his head. "Let me have the morning meal first before I consider that."

A polite nod answered. "More than understandable. Your uniform, goggles, bracelet and PAA are in your guest room."

With that, the butler slipped out of the bathroom. Watching him go, Na'ato sighed before rising from the pool of still-warm water. Glancing down at himself, he nodded on noting that the cleansing fluids had done their job; save for the several scars he had acquired since his Gifting — such provoked by people using ebony mesonium-based weaponry, which took much longer to heal — he then ran his hand through his hair to find that clean as well. Grunting — no doubt, the same housekeeping robot who had done his uniform had come in to help the sleeping man with his ablutions — he stepped out of the tub, swept up a towel to clean and dry himself before taking a quick side trip to the toilet to relieve his bladder before going into his guest room.

Soon enough, he was fully dressed in a clean battlesuit, had a functioning pair of goggles over his eyes, his PAA was smartly responding to basic diagnostic commands and his teleportation bracelet — said device understandably blocked by the Palace's considerable defences — was powered up and ready. After taking a moment to brush his hair with a handy comb, he looked himself over with a vanity mirror, then nodded before heading into the hallway...

...where said butler was calmly waiting for him. "You like scaring people, don't you?" Na'ato wryly asked.

"I've no idea what you're talking about," the older man drolly replied.

Must take emotion-controlling lessons from Tariko's sister Chikage, the grappling telekinetic mused to himself as his guide motioned towards the nearby dining hall.

"We have quite the fare for the morning meal," the butler announced. "Some of Syuosekuo Bolem's personal récipés; she was more than happy to teach some of the staff working for us during one of her post-Gift vacations from school."

Blinking on hearing that the Palace had deferred to the Great Chef of the West herself for food preparation lessons, Na'ato hummed, a surge of wariness flooding him as the rumours cloaking this Place replayed in his mind. True, he was still quite full from the previous evening's meal, but doing anything which might impinge the honour of one of the beloved younger sisters of the Trickster of the Show just revealed over the last few storylines since Tariko Katabarbe was rescued from being married to an URUSIAN of all things by a quick-thinking Kasuga Ayumu — like poisoning or drugging someone — was something he personally doubted the staff here would try to pull unless it was a defensive measure against some hardheaded heel.

Besides, he could use the extra energy.

"I'll have to see what you have," he affirmed with a nod...


After yet another sumptuous meal of Japanese okonomiyaki, fried strips of muemur'be dipped in sweet sauces and fruit salad with a mixture of local and Terran sources — and one where he didn't soil his uniform like he had the previous evening; indeed, a good night's sleep had done him wonders — Na'ato rejoined the ever-present butler by the entrance.

"I am refreshed enough that I will take my leave," the Crusher then announced, bowing his head politely to his elderly host. "Head towards Bamkuo Hutobo and take in the sights. Many thanks for your hospitality."

An eyebrow arched, though the older man clearly wasn't too disturbed. "As you wish, Lobomrae Tene. Please follow me."

Soon enough, they were back in the main reception hall, which was still enveloped in near-darkness despite the pillars and their candles appearing like an archipelago of islands in a sea of darkness. Walking along as the night-vision functions of his goggles activated to help him better see, he quickly picked out the shapes of people hidden in the shadows; after such a relaxing sleep, he could even pick out a lot of words being said by the Palace's other guests. He then blinked, stopping.

What was that?

Something round and low, shaped in a circle...

Na'ato couldn't be sure...

If he could have a closer...?

"IS there anything else?"

The grappling telekinetic's head snapped around to allow him to stare once more at the butler, who had an amused, knowing smile twitching his lips, his eyes sparkling with dark, humorous knowledge. "If you are wondering, we do offer certain OTHER services," the older man then advised. "These of course must be discussed separately. If you wish."

He DEFINITELY took lessons from Chikage! Na'ato wryly mused. "Um, no. I believe I'm ready to go now."

"As you wish. DO remember we will be contacting you in the future about repayment. Until that time, farewell."

And in what seemed to be the proverbial blink of an eye, the young warrior found himself OUTSIDE the Palace!

Gazing at the surroundings, he took in the nearby landing dock with the boat that could take him across Lake Mitune to the old lands of Nesetimtuto. To his east lay the ruins of Roedole; the old manufacturing centre had fallen into hard times even before the Dawn of Power and had been left to seed after the Starvation Times. To his north east were the ruins of two bridges that connected Roedole with Mitune-esorae, plus the scenic parkway that paralleled the Bamkuo River which would lead him eventually to the effective "world capital" of what was formally called the Free Planetary State of Yiziba.

Smirking automatically at the useless semantics used when it came to dealing with the norms and sames of other planets, Na'ato turned and headed down the path that would lead to the parkway, his pace steady even as he took a chance to gaze once more at the Shining Palace. Blinking as the large structure's glittering surfaces danced over his goggles' lenses, he scowled slightly.

His past problems had been replaced by other problems.

Before, he was experiencing a lack of food and very much wanted some.

Now he had food, more food than he had ever imagined...

...but was what it he REALLY needed?

Before, he wondered how to solve his problem of not having food...

...but having solved it, he had to wonder:

Just what did he have to do to solve it...?

And was it worth it?

The End...For Now?


WRITER'S NOTES

As noted by the title, this takes place immediately after the first part of this story.

Translation list (all Yizibajohei, with thanks to Fred): Mitune — Literally "cat tail", the name applied to Yiziba's analog of Erie in Pennsylvania, reflecting the name of the lake; Butodutogasuto — Northern polar continent, analog to North America; Gimr'batuto — Land of villages, analog of Canada; Sieurim-nemaku — Cold stream port, analog of Port Colborne in Ontario; Mitune-esorae — Literally "cat tail fortress", analog of Fort Erie in Ontario; Tyuor'ba-damrim — Literally "winch on the shoreline", analog of Windsor in Ontario; Roedole — Literally "city of the water cattle", analog of Buffalo in New York; Se — Yizibajohei version of a mile, equal to 3.927 kilometres/2.44 miles; R'bemeke-koli — Literally "city of the new yew", analog of New York City in New York; Talibeso — Literally "windy garlic", analog of Chicago in Illinois; Utaie — Be welcome here; Kagaena — I have arrived; Tene — Literally "lord", honorific used for a Gifted Yizibajohei male; Naro — Trout; Saketisa — Crayfish; Muemur'be — Wild boar; Hammaro — Red eggplant; Kummeto — Pork; Lemruo — Kidney; Nimbyuo — Bread; Krotyuo — Landshark, a spiked tyrannosaurid-like reptile seen as Yiziba's apex predator; Lo'osuto-pali — Sixteenth episode, the sixteenth day of a particular month (storyline); Bolem — Literally "princess", honorific used for a Gifted Yizibajohei female.

Yizibajohei time measurement terms: An act is the equivalent of an Earth hour, with an episode being a solar day; like Earth, Yiziba has 24 hours to the day. A saga is a millennium (1,000 years); the Yizibajohei year (season) is the same length as Earth's; further, a hundred seasons makes a series, the equivalent of a century on Earth.