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A synaesthesiac plethora of sounds and colours awaited them. Circus tents of red and blue; dazzling lights of every other colour; the bustling banter of kremlings passing through the fairgrounds; the rickety clatter of rollercoasters high above their heads; cheers and jeers from opposite directions confusing the raptor, with the most wondrously festive sight he had ever laid eyes upon. "Holy..." "Watcha think?" "It's...beautiful...everything's so...shiny." "Hhhahaha, oh great it's the mines all over again. You never been to a carnival I bet." "Nope...this is my first one." "Well, we can take a break 'ere if ya want, no sense lettin' good fun go to waste right?" "Heheh, I guess. Also we gotta find the medical station for ya." "And a disguise for you, so fer now just stick close to me." With that, Kruz guided James around the carnival grounds along more darkened paths where their faces would be harder to make out, underneath the proud macho displays of kremling brutes. Rippling papier-mache muscles strided above tents of all sorts, from circus acts to arcade cabinets. The raptor only received a passing glance at the bloody fighting games within them, obscured by kremlings tapping their fingers and waggling joysticks frantically. Thankfully the kremlings were far too distracted by the lure of the funfair itself to even notice the two ex-riggers before they reached the medical station. A pathetic-looking wooden shack with a huge red cross painted on the door, nestled away within a corner of the park. Not exactly the most inspiring place of health. "...this place?" "Yep. Don' worry, the guy here's amazing." Kruz knocked on the door firmly, opening to reveal a rather handsomely normal-looking green kremling, wearing slacks with suspenders that went over his bare chest and shoulders. No scars, no amputations, no patches. Perfectly unblemished apart from the crow's feet around his eyes implying his age, possibly in his 50s. He spoke politely, even with the smoothness of a corsair. "Evening." "Hey doc." "What ails you this fine night?" "Uhh...I got in an argument with one of the big guys and he punched me in the gut...I think he broke somethin'." "Alright, come in. And uh, please shower yourselves fully."

The two walked inside, taken to one of three cubicles within, one of which was occupied by a portly gunner kremling who had a beam lodged through his leg, making James suck in through his teeth at imagining how painful it was. First however, they went to a shower near the door and washed themselves down, cleaning the honey residue and other foreign substances off with some raw soap until they were almost definitively clean. Kruz was then taken to one bed at the end, sitting up as the doctor examined his darkened purple bruise. "How long ago was this?" "Just this evenin'." "Hmmm...does this hurt?" "AAAGH...y-yeah." "Bruising is quite bad and contained...might well be a broken rib, but I'd need to examine further. How's your breathing?" "K-kinda shaky doc." He checked his lungs with a stethoscope, asking Kruz to breathe in then out. It was painful but not impossible, before the doctor came up with his final analysis. "Seems very likely you have rib fractures, and it might possibly have punctured your lung but I won't say that yet. I will have to operate and put a metal plate in over the ribs." "Awww dammit. That mean I can't do my rigging work anymore, doc?" "Oh you'll be fine if you rest enough, the more you rest the quicker it will heal. We can begin operating straight away, just lie down." As the doctor went to check on the other patient as well as prepare for surgery, James sat by his friend's side, understandably worried. "Is this guy really trustworthy?" "Oh yeah, Dr. Krippen's the best doctor on the whole island. Hell half the crew's peg legs and hook hands were all thanks to him." "Yeah?" "Oh yeah, he's the safest pair of hands you'll ever find here." "Seems pretty legit...sounded like he went to university or something." "Self-taught, one of those prodigies or whatever they're called, he was the guy that made the spring legs fer the kremlings who lost both their legs, joked about how the island wasn't wheelchair accessible and had to think up somethin' better." James smirked at such an idea. But he had to admit, he had seen those kremlings in action and indeed they worked. "Well if you believe he's the best, then he's the best. You think you'll be alright enough to keep going soon?" "No idea. But we're in Kremland bro, come on, liven up a little." "I wanna, I just don't wanna go anywhere without you." "Awww..." Kruz tenderly rubbed his hand upon James' cheek, who in turn put his hand on Kruz's upper chest. They gave a little tender kiss upon each other's lips.

"You fallin' fer me?" asked the kremling. "Not yet." "Hehe, means I shoulda got chocolate to seal the deal?" "Haha, nah." "Ohhh you want a weddin' ring?" "No!" "Pfft I'm just foolin' with ya bro." "No worries...say didn't you tell me there was a theatre here?" "Oh yeah...if I was better I'd show ya my ballet." "Thank god for that then." "Heeeeey." "Hehehehe!" "But seriously, we gotta go to the theatre anyway, it's where we can pick up a good disguise for ya. I know the perfect one." "Sweet...I'll just hang here 'til you're better though." "Thanks...James." They held each other's hand, tenderly so. the raptor genuinely worried for his friend after all the wild times they had gone through, yet he was not attracted to him romantically. He liked Kruz, he'd been his best friend since he became part of the Kremling Krew, but he didn't feel the same sort of romance towards him like he had towards the heroic sagely Glenn or the purely innocent Daisy. They didn't have to wait long after talking for the doctor to return with a male nurse in white slacks. "Alright then mister uhhh..." "Kruz." "Ah yes, Kruz. We're going to put you under with some chloroform, then we'll open you up, take out the floating rib fractures, check for any lung punctures and if all goes well, have the metal plate inserted within the hour." "Sounds great doc." "Now uh..." "James." "Yes, you'll have to wait outside this area while we operate." "Oh, uh sure, no problem." James left the cubicle and a curtain was drawn over the entrance as James could only make out words for what happened within. "You guys did wash yer hands right?" "Yes, don't worry mister Kruz." "Cuz you remember what happened to that other guy, and they found he like died of honey in the lungs." "That's why we installed the shower after all." "Hehe...uhhh..." "Now I want you to count from ten and go down to one, okay?" "S-sure...ten...nine...eight....seven.....s-six......five.............." "He's under, hand me the scalpel."

James didn't want to listen to his friend being opened up, but he couldn't help being curious, listening to everything he could, particularly anything the doctor said. He was rather fascinated by the fact there was a doctor so well-spoken on the island, one so trustworthy and...handsome. All the raptor could do was wait. One of his most hated pastimes. It felt every bit like an hour. What he hated even more was the fact that he could hear everything, but he couldn't bear to leave. The sound of the scalpel slicing into flesh, the clinking of fractures being placed into a bowl, murmurs from the doctor that meant either good or bad developments, and finally the sound of screws being tweaked into something. A raspy krick with each turn making James' teeth tingle to even imagine such a thing. The nurse eventually warned: "Doctor, he can't be under much longer." "Patience, I know how long is the limit........there, now let's stitch him up quickly and wake him." James had to admit, this sounded quite a shoddy operation, but he could hardly argue considering the era he was in. He always assumed chloroform was for drugging people to kidnap them, not for medical operations, wondering where they even had proper anaesthetic. Rubbing his head at the memory of an old medical drama he used to watch with Sarah, he was soon called by the doctor. "He's awake and well." With excitable cheer, the raptor leapt up to check on his friend. Kruz looked pretty much the same other than a woozy look in his eye and a new scar covering the left of his chest, where the bruise still remained for now. "Hey man! How ya feeling?!" "Nnnngh...kinda...hehe..." "He'll be woozy for a while from the chloroform," said Dr. Krippen, "no doubt getting a headache from the carcinogens." "Uh...is that bad?" "Only if he has to come back for another operation, so let's make sure he doesn't hmm?" "Uh huh...thanks doctor." "No problem at all. Now, Kruz should rest as long as possible to allow the plate to settle, at least a day." "Damn...we kinda had business elsewhere and-" "It will have to wait. Anything less than one day will only cause further problems for your friend. And I'm being lenient about this, normally I would recommend longer." "Nnnngh...okay." "Good. Now, if you'll excuse me..." As Dr. Krippen went to check his other patient, Kruz made an apologetically weak smile to the raptor. "Guess I kinda spoiled the plan huh?" "It's not your fault man." "Well, he said a day, not gonna kill us if we wait and take our time, we been travelling all day through the island." "You know I'm kinda surprised how quick it took for us to get through here, I mean I expected it to be longer." "When you know yer way through it, it's a lot easier than ya think. Don't make it any less fun though." "Hehe yeah..."

For now, the two ignored the carnival outside, as James sat with his friend talking about everything they possibly could. Kruz spoke great lengths about the route they would take in further detail, of the theatre he was a member of in Kremland, and his years of ballet lessons which he continued to attest was totally not gay. James spoke about his home life, sharing stories of stupid or reckless things he did, his times with Sarah who he went into great detail about with joyful tones, and his travels to other lands. He felt now that he could open up to Kruz and be more honest about his origins. While he did not say however was that he was able to teleport in and out of worlds, he did speak about many other places, all of which intrigued the kremling. "Sounds like you got a lotta experience...and here I thought you were just a crimp." "Hehehe yeah well..." "And trainin' fer three years? Not too long but you got quite a way with those scissors." "Still dunno why I picked them up, really." "We all been there bro, just gotta reach out and wield that special somethin' that just...fits us, yanno?" "Yeah..." At that point, the doctor came to inform them that it was bedtime and that Kruz should rest. James was directed to a visitor's room to sleep in, couches folding out into makeshift beds. The raptor eagerly took a seat and laid down upon it gently, sighing to himself as he waited for tomorrow, desperate to reach the top. The only thing that subdued his intrigue-ridden vengeance was the sound of the carnival outside, the hustle and bustle reminiscent of Chicago. Just enough for him to sleep to as a personal lullaby. The next day, Kruz had recovered enough at the minimum requirements to be up and running at around sunset, the night falling upon them once again soon enough, with James waiting patiently for him to wake at his own convenience in recuperating. He still felt a little stiff after the surgery, his scar quite prevalent down his left side, but he was fit enough to walk unaided. The funfair awaited them, the many rides and attractions making James have to force himself to not act like an excitable child. "How's the metal plate feel?" he asked his bunkmate. "Kinda stiff I gotta admit...but on the upside the doc said it was strong enough to block swords." "Hah, awesome. So...shall we enjoy the funfair?" "First we get to the theatre and get you a disguise, until then keep yer head down. Wanna make sure nobody spots ya."

With some annoyance but realising it was only temporary, they made their way across the fairgrounds, sneaking around as James kept to the hadows, hiding his face constantly behind things. He even hid behind things he held up to his face such as candy floss, which did not last long so close to his teeth when he enjoyed a mild sugar rush out of it, which made his eyes widen with bliss at the sugaryness. Rollercoasters rolled over their heads, the ferris wheel spun merrily of its own accord, punters cried out for attention to their games while arcade cabinets blared out synthesized growls, punches and screams. All under the darkening sky that felt unchanged from when they had seen it yesterday. The theatre itself was, compared to the rest of the glimmering festival, rather humble. There were only two searchlights, one on either side with a few strung up here and there in a particular pattern around a main stage. The stage itself, while sizeable, had rather cheap red satin curtains laced with fool's gold tassels. A show was apparently going to take place according to the small crowd that gathered, and the sign beside them spoke of a particular play. Kruz snuck in through a hidden side door to the backstage, the blue bouncer letting him in without hassle at recognising him. "Heyyyyy Kruz, ya finally on shore leave?" "Somethin' like that, we gotta get in." "Sure come on in, we're just startin' the cabaret!" "Great!"

James was dragged into the larger layout of the theatre unseen behind the curtain, a deceptively sizeable shack with several dressing rooms made entirely out of wood. One room they entered to the praise of a few other kremlings, all of whom had the same rigger's build of Kruz. Lean, but certainly muscular. Some of them wore single-colour leotards with faded colours, making them appear more girlish, to James at least. Others were in the process of putting on extravagantly red dresses, with Kruz greeting them all. "Kruz!" "Hi Kruz how ya doin'?!" "Hey guys, how ya been?" "Ohhh can't complain, still dancin', romancin', the usual." "Glad to hear, what's the act tonight?" "Just the usual. A li'l cancan, a li'l Cecchetti, nothin' too fancy for the guys." "Awww...well I can't even join ya anyway, my ribs are kinda fucked." "What!?!?" Three of them rushed over with anxiety for their friend, tenderly feeling him all over, softly placing claws upon his abs and waist. "Are you okay, what happened!?!" "I'm fine I'm fine I just got in a bit of a fight with someone too big fer my tastes, don' worry. I'm not here to dance anyway, I need help from you guys." "Ohhhh...well of course we'll help dude, whatcha need?" "Well my friend here, Rex..." James suddenly felt himself become the awkward centre of attention as he nervously nodded. "He's uh...kind of in a bit of trouble, on the run." "Don't worry hun, if anyone comes bargin' in here we can kick their asses." "Oh I know ya can, but I mean in a way that lets us keep our limbs. Was thinking maybe a disguise?" "Hmmmm..." One particularly effeminate green kremling, who had the finest groomed claws in existence to the point that they were like priceless daggers, walked up to James and pondered, staring fully at the raptor's face to the point of making him uncomfortable. James tried to greet him with a nervous wave, the kremling stroking his chin.

"Uhhh...hi?" "Hello there, now um, what are we going for here, this face?" He indicated such with a passing hand swirling around James' head. "Somethin' to cover up his markings," said Kruz, "and maybe a mask if we got any good ones." "Hmmmm, are these birthmarks dear?" "Um, yeah?" replied James. "Stand up straighter, you'll ruin your posture." The rapidfire analysing was almost instinctive to the raptor, who did as he was told, a little perturbed by this seemingly-skilled beautician. "Okay, I need some full coverage foundation as these are VERY vivid birthmarks and they will simply not go away with anything less." "Uhhh also all down his back too." Kruz pointed down James' back where his darker brown raptor stripes would be, but were instead coloured a significant purple. "WHA-Sweet Sebek, that is one TERRIBLE stork bite you have dear!" "Wh-what the hell are you talking about?!" cried the raptor. "Well this is going to require the good stuff. Just lie down over there and someone bring me the Fifty, dark copper if we have any." "Uhhh we kinda used that up," said a kremling in the back. "Oh. ...well we can mix some ginger brown and dark auburn then. Come on Rex, lie down!" Feeling rather rushed, he had no choice but to lie down on a comfortably padded bench on his belly his green pants and scissor-scabbard suddenly taken off much to his panic. The last time this happened he was fucked by several burly pirates in a cargo hold. Not that he didn't enjoy it of course, but he wasn't entirely sure he could trust a group of theatrical kremlings. He asked the effete kremling: "Uhhh...can I ask what you're gonna do?" "We're going to cover your birthmarks with some special makeup we have for just such an occasion...but normally it's a little blemish or something, not full-on stripes! ....but that doesn't stop you looking so handsome." "Mmmmph tell me about it," said Kruz teasingly, accompanied by knowing chuckles and murmurs from the rest of his friends. "He's cute for sure." "And that adorable ass of his." "I like 'em a l'l leaner meself." "Do you work out often?" asked the beautician. "Uhhhh not particularly," replied James. "Mmmm pity, don't let them go to waste okay? Would be a shame to let these fine muscles atrophy." He honestly wasn't sure if he was being hit on or being given beauty tips. Either way, he was turning rather shy from being mollycoddled by several of them as they began to paint over his purple marks. "So, are you new?" "Yeah for about uh...maybe four months?" "Mmmm a rigger I see, like our friend Kruz." "Yep, he taught me the ropes, literally." "Good good, love the big scissors by the way. Starting a barbershop?" "Uhh no?" "Well good, because your business would fold quite quickly on an island without any hair to cut off us, hahaha!" "Ehhh hehe...ehhh..." "Oh come on that was a good joke." "I'm just glad you're a dancer, not a comedian."

The beautician scoffed and made a rather camp face towards his friends, who all started to chuckle. "Don' worry," said Kruz, "he's always like that, I swear he's the closest thing to a girl on this island." "And yet you refuse to believe me dear." "I just can't believe there actually IS at least one really gay guy in this place," said James, receiving a few shocked laughs from the gang. "Gay!?! That is so typical, it's those like you tha-" "Save yer breath Klein," said Kruz, "I gave 'im the same talk too and he still won't believe it." "That's a pity...you have quite the build to be a dancer, but if you're far too concerned about your appearance despite the fact you're practically gay-" "Heeeeeey, I'm bi actually!" "Please, you're gay on this island whether you like it or not." "...did...did I just get threatened to be forced into a sexual preference?" "Yep," replied Kruz smugly, "get used to it, Klein here's a special case." "If by special you mean more flaming than an oil fire." "AH excuse me!?" said Klein with mock outrage. "Just saying, I don't mind it! Believe me I met way worse than you, at least you're funny." "Ohhh so NOW I'm funny. You should work for the rollercoasters here, they'd appreciate someone who can backpedal that fast." Raucous laughter came from all around the raptor, who decided to just keep himself quiet as the makeup was placed on him fully, from head to tailtip with utmost professionalism, their hands never straying from their duty. Soon they were finished, with Klein biting his lip nervously. "I think that's all we can do dear, go look in the mirror." Standing carefully, James looked over towards one of the dressing mirrors, seeing his purple marks completely gone from his body. For all intents and purposes, he was the blankest-looking raptor in existence, the colour flawless upon him. It took him a great amount of effort to resist touching where his marks used to be. "Holy..." "I think we did a good job don't you think?" "Damn...haha, this is perfect! But uh...I still look like a raptor." "Not to worry, we have the perfect mask! That was merely to paint the sculpture. NOW...we mold the face." Despite the unusual enthusiasm he received from Klein, he went with it as the kremling reached into a wardrobe to pull out a strangely well-made mask. It was almost perfectly the shape of an alligator's head and snout, other than the big red lips on the end of it. "...you're serious." Klein and Kruz shared the exact same expression of seriousness to enforce their point. "...aaaaalright then."

Cautiously, he took the mask and tenderly put it on his head, his snout fitting snugly into it with only the eyes left completely open for him to look out from, tying the mask to his head with some string that was already attached. "Well?" asked kruz. "...I look like the stupidest dinosaur in the world don't I?" "Better than being the stupidest purple dinosaur in the world, right?" "Ehhhhh...I guess. You really think this'll work?" "People wear masks all the time at Kremland, you'll look like one of us with that on an' nobody'll bother ya." "You sure?" "Absolutely dear," piped in Klein who was admittedly proud of his work, "you will blend in like a cuckoo's egg." "...wha?" "...because they...nnnngh, let's just say you will be very hard to spo-" "One hour 'till playtime boys!" A voice shouted out from the door suddenly setting everyone in a slight fluster. "OH the cabaret!" "Shit uh, I'll just be out of your way." "Yes yes that's fine, WHERE IS KRIS!?!?" "Had to go to hospital, got the shits from somethin'." "WHAT!?! We need a full line-up for the cabaret!" "Oh come on anyone can do that." "But do we HAVE anyone!?! I just need one more kremling to be able to kick their legs into the air as part of our lineup! Kruz, could you-" "Sorry Klein but my ribs, seriously, I don't wanna risk hurtin' 'em any worse." "Dammit! All I need is one healthy stinking reptile who can dance even the tiniest bit!" In a desperate line of thinking that he was well-accustomed to with his experience in theatre, Kruz gently murmured an idea to his panicking friend, whose complexion turned more eager with delight at a good backup. He turned softly towards the only other reptile in the room. "Rex..." "Ohhhhh no." He wasn't fooled. "Now Rex, think it lik-" "No no no no I can't do ballet, I-i-i just can't!" "This isn't for the ballet silly," said Klein, "this is for the cabaret! All my ballet dancers are well-cared for, don't worry, I just want to make this PERFECT, and all I need is one more kremling to put on a dress an-" "A DRESS!?!?" "Well yes, it IS the cabaret. Actually it's more of a cancan than the cabaret, you'll be doing more of a preamble than anything else but presentation is everything!" "...uhhhhh I dunno-" "Rex listen," Kruz decided to step in with a little agreement, "we're doin' a lot to help you, we gave you a disguise and everythin'. Now we need some help. All you gotta do is kick yer legs in the air, show yer ass to the boys all playful-like, an' we can get outta here by the next hour!" "...no singing?" "No singing." "No...fancy ballet?" "No ballet, no way." ".......fffff.....alright." "WONDERFUL!"

Klein almost squealed with relief as he started to organise everyone with the theatre manager who had called the time previously. James was helped into a long skirt, a lush red crinoline petticoat and some black stockings. He was understandably nervous as hell for being so suddenly pushed into this situation, with absolutely no idea how to even do the cancan, even if he did know what it was. With the final touches on him being some rouge, some luscious red lipstick and long false eyelashes, he trusted his temporary coworkers that he looked the part, for he refused to look at himself and risk the mental pain of shameful awkwardness. The raptor was then given the best course possible that one could learn in an hour on how to do the cancan, specifically the high kick and rond de jambe. Thankfully, due to his total inexperience, the dancers were rearranged so that he would only have to do those two things, nothing else. After constantly learning the two movements for the entire hour before the dance itself, as well as what the routine actually was until it was burned into his head to the point of seeing it when he closed his eyes, James was given refreshment with some water, and braced himself, with Klein's last words to him before the performance. "Now Rex...this might be the start of the cabaret and not a major part...but...if you mess this up, I will kill you. Now go get 'em!" With that awkward threat, he walked out at the same pace as the other 12 dancers, placed more towards the side and out of the way. "You ready?" asked one of the dancers next to him, dolled up fully like a Moulin Rouge ripoff. "U-u-uh huh." "Just follow my lead, I'm doing the same as you okay?" "A-alright." And with that, the curtain began to lift itself.