xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Tent House, 8:24 a.m. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Inside the tent house next to the Psycho Circus guildhall, Bernard was laying on the bed in the center of the room, dressed in a white T-shirt and blue boxer shorts under the bedsheet as he stirred.
"Gaugh..." Bernard muttered as he opened his eyes slowly. "Alright... Time to get this day done. Ultimate Carnival... Ultimate Carnival..." He thought as he reminded himself about the guild show later that night. "Gotta find time to- hmmm?" Bernard continued to think until he noticed something in front of him on the bed as he turned over.
Resting on the pillow next to his was Camilla, her eyes closed and facing Bernard's front as she lightly snored. Dressed in a dark green tight long-sleeve V-neck shirt with two buttons down the front of her chest, blue shorts and a long sleeve blue shirt tied around her waist.
"Normally she wakes up before me... She's still asleep?... Wait..." Bernard thought with a raised eyebrow as he looked down towards her clothes. "...You're awake, aren't you?" He said with a bothered tone as Camilla proceeded to smirk as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Well, the clues were obvious. Thanks for noticing." Camilla said as she looked at her bedmate, placing a hand on her hip and shifting her other arm under her neck.
"Kinda hard not to spot your attire isn't what you normally wear when we're sleeping together." Bernard said on his side as he looked at Camilla with half-closed eyes.
"Good work, what do you want for your prize?" Camilla said with a smile on her face. "I can think of something, hehehe." She said while pointing her finger at her lips.
"...How about some toast with butter?" Bernard said with an apathetic tone as Camilla's face changed to one of displeasure.
"...Would it kill you to play along for once?" Camilla replied with annoyance.
"It's the night of Ultimate Carnival and I have a long day ahead of me. For all of us." Bernard said as he sat up on the bed.
"And you're not the only one with an important job." Camilla mentally complained as she sat up as well.
"I have to double check everyone's routines, set up the chairs on the second floor, shift the tables out of the way-" Bernard said, listing off his work before getting cut off by Camilla tapping a finger on his shoulder.
"Just make Daphne and the weird cat plush men do that stuff, it's their jobs." Camilla said as she got closer to him with a bothered expression on her face.
"And I have a certain way I want it to be done and it's better I do it." Bernard said towards his girlfriend.
"Always so annoyingly anal-retentive." Camilla thought while pouting as Bernard reached over to the nearby nightstand and grabbed his beanie, placing it on his head. "Hmph." She huffed as she laid back down on the bed.
"...What's with the attitude?" Bernard said towards Camilla as she put her hands behind her head.
"Nothing important." Camilla said with a slightly angered tone as she closed her eyes.
"...Great, I made her angry..." Bernard thought as he looked at his girlfriend. "Okay, think... Think... How can I-... Actually..." He pondered for a moment until he realized something he wanted to ask her. "Hey, Camilla." Bernard said.
"If you're asking for a favor from me, don't bother." Camilla said with her eyes still closed. "Second show since the guildhall was changed tonight and I need more rest... The first show we did, I had to make a barrier around the guildhall and the size of it-" She thought until Bernard spoke up.
"Been neglecting this but how were you after the last show?" Bernard questioned as Camilla opened one of her eyes to look at Bernard.
"Uh... Well, I was a bit beat before the usual post show afterparty." Camilla answered. "Making a barrier as big as the guildhall and maintaining it for several hours while the show goes on does take some out of me... It was easier with the smaller guildhall." She thought as she opened her eyes.
"That's probably because she was tired from the shift she did bartending before the show..." Bernard thought as he scratched his chin before crawling on the bed over to Camilla.
"Huh?" Camilla muttered as she noticed Bernard approaching her.
"Sit up." Bernard instructed as Camilla's eyes widened.
"...Excuse me?" Camilla said with confusion.
"Come on, sit up." Bernard said as he motioned with his hand for her to get up.
Unsure of what he was going to do, Camilla proceeded to shift herself to a seated position, her legs off the side of the bed as Bernard reached his hands out towards Camilla's shoulders from behind. Placing his hands on her shoulders, Bernard started to slowly rub them before shifting towards the back of her neckline, Camilla widening her eyes in response.
"Is... Is he giving me a massage?" Camilla thought with bewilderment as Bernard was kneading his hands into her upper body. "Ah!... Ohhh..." She muttered as Bernard took his hands off.
"Crap, did that hurt? I haven't tried this before, I read a book on how to do some massages to help with stress and-" Bernard said until Camilla turned back to look at him.
"No! No, it's fine, keep going." Camilla said as she leaned back slightly, motioning for Bernard to try again. "This is kinda awesome..." She thought, quietly enjoying Bernard trying to give her a massage.
"Alright, let me see here." Bernard said as he lifted his right arm and started to lightly dig his elbow into her upper back.
"Ahhhh..." Camilla moaned as a smile formed on her face. "You know, you should do this kind of thing more often." She said as she looked back at her boyfriend.
"Don't get cocky. I'm doing this to help the show tonight to make sure you're fine beforehand so I kinda want you to be well rested." Bernard said as he continued to knead into Camilla's back and shoulders.
"...So, does this mean you don't want me to bartend today?" Camilla questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"If it helps you feel better, you can just waitress while Daphne and Harriet take care of things behind the bar." Bernard said with a casual tone as Camilla looked at him with a blush on her face. "I'm hoping the massage will be enough... But knowing her, she'll want something more... Well, I could do that but last time I did, she bled from her nose." He thought as he locked eyes with her before she shifted her gaze away from him.
"And it's official... "Ultimate Carnival" day is the best day ever!" Camilla thought with excitement at her easier day ahead. "Weeeelll... This massage is nice and all but I- eh?" She said with a playful tone until Bernard tapped her on the shoulder, causing her to turn towards him again.
"Okay... Hold still." Bernard said with a serious look in his eyes. "Here goes nothing." He thought as he leaned forward.
Taking a deep breath, Bernard proceeded to place his hands on Camilla's shoulders and then inched forward towards her before planting a kiss on her mouth. While her eyes were widening to an extreme degree, light particles begun to come out from under Bernards shirt as they formed into Corvus and Vulp, both materializing on the bed.
"Morning, kid and boobs, how're- what the?!" Corvus said until he spotted Bernard kissing Camilla with the crow and foxes eyes widening in surprise as Bernard pulled himself out of the lip lock with his girlfriend.
"Hey..." Bernard said with a slightly embarrassed tone as Camilla just stared at him, not blinking and her jaw slightly dropped.
"Were you actually smooching her and not the other way around like usual?!" Corvus shouted in shock as he waddled over to Bernard and Camilla. "Never thought I'd see the day you develop some balls!" The crow said as Bernard winced in annoyance.
"I have balls!" Bernard shouted in an offended tone. "Not exactly something I am used to doing though. I only really did it because I need Camilla at her best to keep the show safe with Mary and Kawazu." He thought as he placed his left-hand index and middle fingers on his mouth as Corvus spotted Camilla's lack of movement.
"Did you put some kind of paralysis toxin on your lips or something because the hot brunette ain't moving." Corvus said as he looked over at the S-class wizard, still not moving or blinking her eyes.
"Huh?" Bernard muttered in confusion as he noticed Camilla's immobile state with Vulp approaching her, tapping her on the shoulder with his tail. "Hello? Camilla? You in there?" He said as he raised his hand and started snapping his fingers in front of her face. "Did she seriously slip into a coma or something?!" Bernard thought with growing concern.
"Want me to check? I can help her by poking on her "pleasure points-" I mean, her "pressure points." Hehehe." Corvus said as he made a perverse face towards Camilla with his wings making a suggestive gesture.
"Don't. I want her in a decent mood today, alright?" Bernard said with a bothered expression as he stood up from the bed with Camilla suddenly jerking his head in the direction of where Bernard was, startling the Celestial Spirits. "She'll start moving again eventually so I'm going to go freshen up before-" He said until feeling a hand grabbing him by the back of his shirt. "Huh?" Bernard exclaimed as he saw Camilla had grabbed him, the S-class head of security for Psycho Circus standing up with a serious look in her eyes.
"Again... Now!" Camilla said with a blunt tone and a face of determination before grabbing Bernard by his shoulders, much like he did earlier, and pressing her lips against Bernards, hugging him tightly against her body as the Celestial Spirits looking on in shock.
"Mpghm!?" Bernard muttered as Camilla was kissing him for a brief moment before pulling away from him. "Nogfrigh-ahg?" He babbled in surprise as the attractive young woman standing before him wiped her mouth with her wrist and then placing a finger on her lips before giving him a warm smile, causing his face to turn bright red.
"Niiiiiiice." Corvus said, once again making a lecherous face as Camilla glanced at the crow giving her a perverse look.
"Not even you ogling me is ruining this moment." Camilla said with an annoyed expression towards Corvus as Vulp looked at his fellow Celestial Spirit with an unapproving look in his eyes. "...I have wanted a kiss like that from him in God knows how long... Without a doubt, best day ever." She thought.
"Good to- what are you looking at me like that for?!" Corvus said until spotting Vulp's judgmental expression.
"And as for you." Camilla said, catching Bernards attention as he was still reeling from the sudden kiss as she moved her face close to his ear. "Go freshen up and get changed, I'll see you at work in a few minutes." She whispered with a smile into Bernard's ear.
"S-su-sure..." Bernard stuttered as his face was turning red. "I know we've done this before but that felt different somewhat..." He thought as he locked eyes with Camilla who was smiling at him before making a content expression that sent a chill up his spine.
"I'm going to go make sure when Daphne arrives, she instructs those weird cat plushie men of hers to set things up the way you want them to. I already have a general idea from last time." Camilla said as she turned away from the group and walked over to put her brown boots on, everyone failing to notice the sweat coming off her face. "Meanwhile, you try to remain calm, cool and collected with helping people with their acts and getting everything else that needs to be done prepped. You can just leave some of that other stuff to me since I won't be behind the bar today." She said as she tied her boots. "Ahhh! This day is awesome!" Camilla thought whilst trying to hide the fact she was overly ecstatic from what just transpired.
"Ye-yeah. See you there." Bernard said, still reeling from the kiss from earlier as he walked away towards the other side of the tent house with Vulp proceeding to follow after Bernard. "Maybe today will go better than the last show... So long as I stay focused." He thought as he walked over to where his clothes were as Camilla was ready to walk out.
"You two act like a married couple." Corvus bluntly stated with a smirk as a blush formed on both Camilla and Bernards faces.
'"Shut up bird!"' Bernard and Camilla exclaimed angrily as they turned towards Corvus.
"I'm not a bird! I'm a crow!" Corvus shouted in a defiant manner, taking offense to the wrong description of himself as Vulp shook his head.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Psycho Circus guild, 7:48 p.m. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Inside the guildhall was a packed crowd of people, consisting of men, women and children, all seated in chairs in neat rows on the first floor and rows on the two second floor pathways of the guildhall. With lights beaming down towards the center of the staging area, a massive group of clown and acrobats appeared, all performing different routines to entertain the crowd as a young man with spikey dirty blonde hair and dressed in a red and black petticoat with white pants and black boots with white gloves over his hands walked out in front of them, removing a top hat that was on his head.
"I believe it is time to move on to our next attraction here at the Psycho Circus "Ultimate Carnival!"' The blonde young man said with a dramatic tone and striking a showman's pose. "Up next! For your pleasure, we'll see the immense power of one of the strongest men in the world! The muscular mastermind himself, Pietro!" He continued as one of cat plush men moved some of the lights towards Pietro, dressed in a black singlet and boots and sporting a large wrestling championship belt around his waist with the guild logo made of gold on the front, waved at the cheering crowd.
As the show went on, a crystal orb that was on top of a small base with a tiny magic circle underneath it was floating above the guildhall, reflecting the image of the show against it. Away from the main hall where the Ultimate Carnival show was taking place was Bernard, dressed in a light black hoodie with the Psycho Circus guild logo on the front with green cargo pants, black and white shoes and his signature beanie with the monster capturing pins in it, sitting on a couch in a small room within the guildhall whilst looking at a similar crystal ball on a coffee table in front of him as Corvus the crow Celestial Spirit was perched on the backrest, Vulp the fox Celestial Spirit was sitting on Bernard's left, Tavio the Exceed sitting cross-legged on the table, Baurs the Earth Elemental lizard looking on from next to the couch and Zaphkiel the Angel deer standing next to Baurs, doing the same.
"Okay, Pietro's up next... Kain didn't do too bad of a job with his act with the clowns but like last time, Abel had to compel him to do anything with the Mr. Cursey doll, so I need to talk to them again." Bernard thought as he made a contemplative expression as he looked at the crystal ball.
"Yo, kid." Corvus said, attempting to get Bernard's attention.
"Nole and Andy's act needs an update, I think people are getting bored of watching a conjoined twin swallow a unicycle and riding it as it sticks out of the other's mouth... Silencio's act needs an update too, but what can I do with a guy who can make invisible constructs?... Orguh... That's going to take me forever to find something I think people are going to like!" Bernard continued to mentally ponder ideas.
"Hellooooo?" Corvus said, shifting over to where Bernard was and poking him on the shoulder with his wing to no avail as the beanie sporting young man was still lost in thought.
"Mr. Bernard?" Baurs said, also attempting to get his attention as Vulp poked against Bernard's knee with his paw.
"Next up after Pietro is going to be Vidaldus with his music as the penultimate act and then we'll be ending with the dance routine from Marlene, Gigantia and Swan. They got the largest pop from the crowd at the first show with the new guild so they might be worth making the main-" Bernard thought, still ignoring everyone until an agitated Corvus proceeded to peck Bernard in the back of his head multiple times. "Ow! Ow! Ow!" He exclaimed in pain before turning around to confront the crow. "What the heck was that for?!" Bernard asked as he rubbed the back of his head.
"I don't like being ignored!" Corvus shouted as all the other creatures looked at the crow. "Why are we watching the show from here and not in the back with the rest of the guildmembers?" He asked as Bernard turned back towards the crystal ball.
"This Surveillance Lacrima was installed above the guildhall so we can watch the show from here. And from here, I can gauge the audience reaction and check out how things are going around the big top while Camilla is generating her barrier around the place to keep everyone in." Bernard explained as he reached his hand out, placing it on the top of the Lacrima as the view panned to a different area of the guild. "The second-floor addition is going over well, might need to rearrange the seats though for the sake of small viewers so they might see better." He thought as he scratched his chin.
"And any particular reason I am not allowed to look away from this dumb thing?" Tavio said with a disinterested tone as he was unable to divert his attention from the crystal ball.
"Because he ordered you to keep an eye on the show and you can't disobey the Obedience Collar around your waist." Baurs stated.
"Oh, thanks for stating the obvious, you dumb boulder! And it's not a collar, it's a weightlifter's cummerbund!" Tavio shouted without turning his head.
"Yo, antlers." Corvus said towards Zaphkiel as the quiet and murderous deer turned towards the crow. "You ever wanted to stab a tiger?" He said with a smirk as Zaphkiel turned her head towards Tavio as a malicious smile formed on her face, the Exceed starting to sweat in nervousness.
"I can't even tell if that thing is looking at me, but I am sensing bloodlust... My alpha senses are telling me so..." Tavio thought in fear.
"Enough!" Bernard said with a loud tone as his beastly allies minus Tavio looked at him. "No infighting allowed." He said while rubbing his eyes. "My eyes are getting sore, and I want you guys to pay attention to the show." Bernard said.
"And why are we watching again?" Corvus asked, once more.
"Because sooner or later, you guys are going to be performing for the show I'm making, and I want to give you guys a clearer example of the kind of stuff you're going to be doing." Bernard said while pointing at the Lacrima. "Corvus, Vulp and Baurs have some experience with trying to perform, I had you guys appear with Chester the ringmaster once to build up some hype but that's not the same as actually performing." He said as he panned the focus back towards Chester as he continued to present for Ultimate Carnival.
"Still don't like that guy." Corvus said as Vulp nodded in agreeance.
"Have you and him engaged in any constructive conversation in regard to the show?" Baurs questioned as Bernard shook his head left and right, signifying a negative response.
"The show ringmaster doesn't need me to give him any instruction, his whole thing is predominantly improv... And it also means I don't need to speak to this asshole." Bernard said with a bothered tone as he pointed at Chester. "So long as I avoid talking to him, everything is right with the world." He said as he panned the focus away again, this time over to the second floors where Kawazu was and then to the opposite side where Mary was.
"Looks like those two are doing their job." Baurs commented as Bernard took off his beanie and then scratched his head.
"Seems like it. No sign of Camilla though." Bernard said as he put his beanie back on and looked around for Camilla on the Surveillance Lacrima until the door to the room opened up with Camilla appearing, holding a platter with a pair of water bottles, two glasses and a bottle of liquor on it.
"Don't have to go very far to find me." Camilla said as she entered with a smile on her face.
"Hey, what's up?" Bernard said with a casual tone.
"...Brought that hooch to share with me, hehehe?" Corvus said with a debauched chuckle towards Camilla as she placed the drinks on the table next to the crystal ball.
"What makes you think either of the two glasses here are for you?" Camilla said with a harsh tone towards the crow. "This is for me and him." She said as Bernard raised an eyebrow before putting the platter down next to the couch and then walking over to sit down next to Bernard.
"How you feeling?" Bernard asked as Camilla looked at him.
"Feeling alright. Thanks to someone giving me a massage and an easy day beforehand." Camilla said as she reached over to the liquor bottle and removed the cork. "Course I wish the bar was handled a bit better. Daphne behind the counter with Harriet was funny but a bit of a mess." She said with a wry smile.
"I had noticed when someone ordered a "Screwdriver."' Bernard said with an embarrassed look in his eyes.
"Orange juice and vodka." Camilla said, listing the ingredients.
"Oh, I heard of this!" Corvus said, speaking up as the pair looked at him. "She took some orange juice and put a literal screwdriver in it! Bahahaha!" He exclaimed loudly as he started laughing as Bernard reached over to the Lacrima and panned over to another area of the guildhall.
Over towards the entrance to the big top was Daphne, sitting on a stool behind a stand that was promoting a large series of merchandise such as bobbleheads, hoodies, t-shirts, novelty drink mugs as well as food such as popcorn, peanuts, water, soda and Daphne's special dietary food dubbed "Metamo-chan." In Daphne's hand was a bullhorn that she was speaking into, Bernard and Camilla looking through the Surveillance Lacrima and not being able to hear her.
"...She's probably shouting over the show..." Camilla said with an exasperated look in her eyes. "And her weird diet food still isn't selling..." She thought as she noticed the lack of movement on Daphne's specially made snack.
"Looks like it." Corvus commented as Vulp nodded.
"...And I'm going to need to talk to her about it..." Bernard said with a tired tone. "Again..." He thought.
"When I said you needed help around the guildhall to lighten your workload, I didn't think she'd be as much trouble as she actually is." Camilla said as she poured the liquor into the glasses and then handed one to Bernard.
"She's a handful but it's not like she hasn't been helpful. The cat plush men are actually useful around the guildhall, the merchandise stand gets us some additional revenue for the show and- she just took some money out from the register." Bernard said, attempting to defend Daphne until noticing she was taking a few Jewels out of the register they were in and quietly placing them in her white coat.
'"Permission to kill?"' Camilla and Corvus said with smiles forming on their faces while Vulp nudged against Bernard, also wanting to assist.
"...I'll think about it..." Bernard said as he sipped his drink. "I really shouldn't though... Maybe I'll just dock her pay and save it for the pay divvying to the other members. I'm already considering giving a pay bonus to the performance with the largest reaction." He thought as Camilla shifted closer to Bernard, now sitting even closer next to him.
"So, thoughts on the show so far?" Camilla asked as she inched her face close to him.
"Uh... It's um... Good." Bernard said as he nervously shifted his eyes away from Camilla. "Can uh... You stop invading my personal space?" He said as he put his drink down as Camilla reached out and grabbed his now free hand.
"Today's been a real good day." Camilla said with an earnest smile as she interlocked fingers with him. "So, I thought I'd sit with you, and we could watch the show together." She said as she laid her head on his shoulder before shifting her gaze to Vulp. "Care to join?" Camilla said towards the fox as she patted her lap.
Eyes widening, the fox smiled before walking over Bernard and Camilla's laps and then laying down on top of them, Vulp's tail wagging in personal enjoyment as the other creatures looked on.
"Should we leave?" Baurs questioned.
"Yes! Please! I think my eyes are melting!" Tavio exclaimed in annoyance as he still was unable to move his body away from the Lacrima.
"Tavio, stop." Bernard ordered as Tavio's body glowed for a brief moment before taking a deep breath and now was able to lift his paws to rub his eyes.
"Oh, thank god!" Tavio shouted as he laid down on the table, looking at the ceiling as Camilla started to pet Vulp's head while her other hand was still interlocked with Bernards.
"And no, don't leave. The show's almost over." Bernard said with a blush on his face as he tried to avoid looking at Camilla who was resting her head on his shoulder as Corvus, still perched on the backrest, looked down at Camilla, having a decent view of her chest from above her.
"Hehehe..." Corvus mentally chuckled as he lecherously looked at his owner's girlfriend.
"I know you're looking down my shirt..." Camilla said with a disgruntled look in her eyes but not facing the crow. "...But you acting like a moron isn't bugging me right now because things are going pretty good." She said as she looked at the Surveillance Lacrima with Bernard.
"Glad to see you're getting used to my personality. First step in building a valuable relationship." Corvus said with a confident tone as Camilla and Bernard reacted by rolling their eyes.
"Corvus, knock it off..." Bernard said with a bothered tone. "I want to focus on the crowd reactions..." He said as he rubbed his chin with his free hand.
"All things considered; the new guildhall is going over well, and the new members are doing a good job with integrating, too." Camilla said as Bernard stretched his free hand forward and started to pan the focus of the Surveillance Lacrima into the crowd, moving it in different directions. "Something up?" She asked as she and Vulp looked at the crystal ball.
"I'm trying to find someone..." Bernard said with a serious tone.
"Who?" Corvus asked as the creatures in the room all looked at their owner.
"The governments little "watcher."' Bernard said with annoyance. "I just know for a fact that there's someone in the crowd here who is secretly a knight from the royal family sent to keep an eye on me." He said as he continued to pan around. "I wish I had some magic that could spot specific people in crowds." Bernard thought.
"Still watching how you're doing, huh?" Camilla said as she looked at her boyfriend.
"Either that... Or they're interested in seeing how the loan was spent... Urgh..." Bernard said until he removed his hand from Camilla's grasp and proceeded to place both of his hands on his face before groaning in frustration.
'"...Why did I ever ask for money from the soon-to-be queen and head of the royal army" is what you're thinking right now, isn't it?" Camilla thought with half-closed eyes as she watched Bernard despairing over the potential monetary issue the guild might be in.
"Why did I ever ask for money from that princess and that broccoli-headed knight...?" Bernard said as he peeked through his fingers at the crystal ball.
"Close..." Camilla thought, noticing she was mostly accurate at the thoughts coursing through Bernard's head.
"Every coin was spent in this place... All I wanted was a table update..." Bernard said whilst shaking his head.
Tired of hearing him whine, Camilla proceeded to raise her hand and then smacked Bernard in the back of his head as Vulp jumped off of their laps and landed on all fours on the floor. Clutching at his head, Bernard made a disgruntled expression as he rubbed where she smacked him.
"What the heck was that for?!" Bernard exclaimed.
"Complaining and dreading about the money isn't going to fix the problem." Camilla said with a serious tone as Bernard looked at her. "Haven't you had any other thoughts about that loan in any of the time that's passed since the update to the guildhall?" She asked.
"Actually, he did discuss it once before with me." Corvus said as everyone looked at him.
"A thought came into my mind, and I did mention something to Corvus about it offhand." Bernard said as he spoke up. "My dad's Carnival Tricks Magic can control and create space within the tents he conjures up. But amenities like the bathhouse's piping and water, the stuff in the props room, the beds in the infirmary, the liquor behind the bar... Those were all separate buys. They would have needed to be acquired from somewhere." He explained as he thought about the various objects and items that were in the guildhall currently.
"And as far as I know, no one has seen Master Barnum since that first day of the new guild. He uses his magic to hide the door to his office and when it does appear, he just makes the door move around." Camilla said as she put her hand on her cheek. "And he does that just for jokes..." She thought as she remembered the personality of Psycho Circus' guild master.
"And that loan the green haired cutie gave you was pretty sizable." Corvus said as he inched his beak down towards Bernard.
'"The amount that would've been spent on a Fairy Tail property damage reconstruction project."' Bernard and Camilla said in unison.
"So... In other words, there has to be some of it left." Bernard said as he turned towards Camilla.
"And the only person to know about that is the person who spent the money on the updates: Master Barnum..." Camilla replied.
"...And he's one of the last few people I have any interest in talking to in this place..." Bernard commented while shifting his eyes away.
"Is your problem with your father that prevalent?" Baurs said as she spoke up.
"Yes." Bernard bluntly stated as Camilla just looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"You're only saying that because you don't want to have a discussion about the successorship to the guild master position." Camilla thought with a judgmental gaze towards Bernard as a red magic circle appeared behind the bed with a small figure appearing.
"I just don't want to talk to him, alright?" Bernard said as Corvus noticed a small person had jumped up and onto the backrest of the bed.
"Talk to who?" The voice of a jovial middle-aged man said.
"Talk to you, dad- ahhhh!" Bernard said as he turned around and noticed a familiar figure standing on the backrest of the couch, causing him to jump to his feet in a startled manner as Camilla and Bernard's pets looked on.
A short, middle-aged man of knee-high height appeared with a body that could be described as "bowling pin shaped" and sporting an attire that consisted of white button up shirt with a green and black striped vest, black pants and shoes, a black cape, a tiny cane in his hand and a top hat on his head. Smiling with a wide grin, he looked around at the room before shifting his attention to Bernard, the beanie sporting young man clutching at his pacemaker, still reeling from the shock.
"Master Barnum!" Camilla exclaimed.
"Seems to me that my entrance skills are still top notch in my old age, hehehe." Barnum joked as everyone made unenthusiastic expressions.
"Sense of humor still sucks..." Corvus commented as Vulp, Baurs, Tavio and Zaphkiel nodded in agreement.
"Oh, come on. They can't all be gems." Barnum said as he turned towards Corvus, perched next to him on the backrest. "But all jokes hit someone, don't they?" He said with a humorous tone as he poked Corvus in the chest with his small cane.
"Hey, don't ruffle my feathers!" Corvus complained in anger as Bernard made an enraged expression.
"I'm the one who should be getting angry around here!" Bernard said as he reached his arms forward and grabbed his strangely shaped father by the collar. "You!" He exclaimed.
"Me!" Barnum replied with the same comical tone he normally has.
"Whoa! Whoa!" Camilla said as she stood up from the couch, approaching Bernard and placing a hand on his shoulder to get him to calm down.
"I've been looking for you for a month, you dirtbag!" Bernard exclaimed as his father continued to smile at him.
"No fighting in the guildhall Bernard!" Camilla said. "Even if it is slightly justified." She thought as she looked at the guild master of Psycho Circus.
"Oh? Finally decided to spend some time with your pops? Did you want to play "catch?"' Barnum joked as Bernard was growing more and more frustrated.
"Master Barnum, you're making it worse!" Camilla shouted to try and stop the fighting as she grabbed Bernard's wrists and pulled his hands off of his father's clothes.
"Where's the rest of the money the royal family sent me!?" Bernard loudly questioned.
'"The rest?"' Barnum replied with a simple expression on his face.
"Settle down, please..." Camilla said with a serious expression forming on her face as she got in front of Bernard, locking eyes with him as he pinched the area between his eyebrows to calm himself down.
"Fine... Fine..." Bernard said as he shifted his attention from his concerned girlfriend towards his annoying father.
"I'll take it from here." Camilla said as she turned around towards Barnum, who proceeded to slide down the backrest onto the couch cushions, now sitting on it. "Master, can we ask you something?" She continued.
"Perhaps." Barnum replied with a humorously sarcastic tone as Camilla's eye twitched in response.
"We know that the guildhall update last month was paid for with a large loan meant for Bernard and you spent it... But we know there should be some of it leftover." Camilla said as Barnum nodded.
"Very astute. Nice to see my son's brain behind that beanie is still working in tiptop shape." Barnum said as Bernard made an offended face towards his bad joke spewing father.
"So... On your son's behalf, I'd like to request you give us the rest of it." Camilla said, asking for a favor from the guild master.
"Kid certainly ain't going to talk to this bowling pin so he has to get the hot brunette to do the vocal work." Corvus thought as he looked on, everyone awaited Barnum's answer.
"Well, you did ask politely. That's usually the best way to getting what you want." Barnum said with a smile on his face.
"Wait, really?" Bernard said with a shocked tone as all of his pets raised their eyebrows.
"That-that's great! So where have you kept it in the guild?" Camilla said with an ecstatic stone before asking for the location of the money. "Good! I managed to keep these two from getting into an argument! Crisis averted; good day continues!" She thought with relief.
"It's not here." Barnum replied with a confident tone as everyone stared at him with wide eyes.
'"What?!"' Bernard and Camilla screamed in joint frustration.
"What do you mean "it's not here?!"' Bernard reiterated as Corvus put his wing on his face and Vulp did the same but with his tail.
"Is everyone but me here insane?" Tavio thought.
"Exactly what I said. It's not at Psycho Circus. It's also not in Hemlock." Barnum said as everyone grew even more confused.
"Then where is it?" Camilla asked.
"It's with Alfana." Barnum said as he jumped off the couch and walked around the coffee table towards the door to the room.
"Mom?" Bernard muttered as Camilla's face turned slightly blue.
"Yes, I gave it to your mother." Barnum said as he jumped slightly and turned the knob to the door to open it. "She's currently north of here, her caravan was around that one place, Shirotsume Town, last time I received a letter from her." He continued.
"Why did you give her the money from the loan?" Bernard questioned.
"She had a project idea that I was delighted to help invest in. Trust me, you might benefit from it too." Barnum said towards his son.
"Huh? "A project?"' Bernard mentally wondered.
"Plus, she needed something else to do besides her usual work. We did leave her in charge of keeping an eye on Warwick after all." Barnum said as he quickly ran out of the room as Bernard's pets made confused expressions until they all turned to notice Camilla's body was starting to violent twitch.
"War-... Oh no..." Bernard said until he felt the feeling of a large amount of hostility and anger. "Cam-Camilla?" He said with a scared tone as he turned around as his girlfriend was starting to radiate with magical energy, her eyes glowing yellow from her powers.
"That name..." Camilla said with rage in her tone.
"Kid?! Explanation please!" Corvus said with a frightened expression as the other creatures, minus Zaphkiel, made worried faces.
"We don't say that name in the guildhall!" Bernard exclaimed towards Corvus. "Take it easy! Take it easy! My turn to keep you from going ballistic!" He said with a mix of fear and concern as he grabbed Camilla by the shoulders as she grinded her teeth loudly.
"...Warwick?" Corvus muttered as Bernard started to sweat nervously as Camilla turned her attention towards the crow Celestial Spirit. "Uh?!" He grunted as the S-class head of security for the guild had her glowing eyes of pure anger directed at him.
"I am going to kill you!" Camilla screamed loudly as Bernard reached his arms under hers, placing her in a full nelson to prevent her from getting towards one of his beastly allies.
"Everyone! Out of the room! Direct order!" Bernard exclaimed as Camilla violently thrashed about, attempting to grab Corvus as he took flight.
"What the heck kid?! What happened to her!?" Corvus asked as Bernard and Camilla fell backwards, landing on the coffee table and knocking over Tavio, the crystal ball for the Surveillance Lacrima and the drinks they were having earlier.
"Blrugh!" Tavio grunted as he fell onto the floor.
"It's called "post-traumatic stress syndrome!" We never say that person's name in the guild! Especially- guh! To the women... Ow..." Bernard said as he tried to hold back Camilla, his words getting partially cut off by Camilla elbowing him in the gut while he still trying to stop her outburst.
"Aaaah!" Camilla screamed.
"Wait, I remember this... "Women in the guild..." That's the name of the other S-class wizard who's never around?" Corvus said as he flew over to the door as Bernards pets exited the room.
"Yes! Now leave! Before she sends you back to the Celestial Spirit World in a casket!" Bernard shouted as he and Camilla fell off the coffee table onto the floor whilst still holding Camilla in a nelson hold. "Listen to me! He's not here! The only person touching you right now is me!" He said as Camilla breathed heavily.
"Haaaaa... Haaaaa..." Camilla panted as she started to calm down, Corvus sticking his head in the door from around the corner.
"...Warwick- gurgh!" Corvus said with a mischievous smirk before Vulp's tail appeared and wrapped around the crow's neck to pull him away.
"Arrghghs!" Camilla screamed loudly as she heard that name again.
"Damn it, Corvus!" Bernard exclaimed.
What a good day. I beat the "High on Knife" expansion to High on Life. I finished A Plague Tale: Requiem as well. I had a delicious dinner, and I didn't have to do any dumb narration to someone else's works- oh crap, new chapter. After someone also was having a decent day, Camilla and Bernard's evening was ruined by Bernard's ever annoyingly comical father chiming in to reveal that there IS still some of that loan money that Hisui and Arcadios gave Bernard a while ago and it's in the possession of Bernard's mother, Alfana O'Halloran for a project of sorts. However, we also have something else to be concerned about as "he who is S-class but shall not be named in the Psycho Circus guildhall" has finally been revealed after God knows how long since he was "not-named dropped" in the first series. Well, here's the big question: what happens now that Bernard knows where the remainder of the money is and what will happen with "you-know-who?" Only time will tell... On the next chapter of Menagerie II!
Author's Note: (This chapter is a transitional one into the first arc of the new series. It was originally going to be longer, but I decided to focus more on Bernard and Camilla instead before finally revealing Warwick's name after I hinted about the OTHER S-class wizard back in the first series. Now you know who the two S-class wizards in Psycho Circus are: Camilla and Warwick. I'm also sorry this chapter took so long to come out, I wanted to get it up before Halloween and I'm happy to say I managed that.)