Scene: City Streets - Late Afternoon
After their failed attempt at tracking Auguitius Bord using the tiny dog Ruby, Derek, Charles, Suzy, and the Kid find themselves back in the bustling streets of the city. The sun is slowly dipping lower, casting a warm golden glow over the rooftops, but the group is far from feeling serene.
Derek, still fuming from their earlier misadventure, leads the group with an air of determination, though it's clear he's just grasping at straws. Charles walks beside him, trying to keep a level head, while Suzy and the Kid follow close behind, still giggling occasionally at the absurdity of the day so far.
Derek: (grumbling to himself) "Stupid dog, stupid poop… I swear, next time we get a real dog. No more fluffy cotton balls."
Charles: (calmly, trying to reassure him) "Look, we're all frustrated, but we've got to focus. If Auguitius is a threat, we can't just give up. We owe it to the city to keep investigating."
Suzy: (nodding enthusiastically) "Yeah! We can't let some scary Angelo-human wander around causing chaos, right?"
Kid: (bouncing with excitement) "Maybe she's hiding in plain sight! Like in the training grounds, like that shopkeeper said!"
Derek, who has been sulking like a child since their encounter with the dog and the poop, suddenly perks up.
Derek: "The training grounds… That's right! That's where the merchant said he saw her. Maybe that's where she's hiding!"
Charles gives Derek a sideways glance, skeptical but willing to follow along for now.
Charles: "Right, but let's be cautious this time, okay? No more wild assumptions."
Scene: The Training Grounds - A Few Minutes Later
The group arrives at the training grounds, which are relatively quiet this time of day. A few soldiers practice their drills in the distance, while some townspeople watch casually from the sidelines. The group scans the area, looking for any sign of a mysterious person in a white cloak.
Suddenly, Derek spots a tall, cloaked figure at the far end of the training grounds. The figure is standing by a cart, fiddling with something, and the cloak he's wearing looks suspiciously like the one Auguitius Bord was described as wearing.
Derek: (whispering dramatically, eyes wide) "There! That's her! The white cloak! It's gotta be her!"
Charles: (narrowing his eyes) "You sure? We can't just jump to conclusions again…"
Derek: (cutting him off, pointing excitedly) "Look at the way she's standing! All mysterious and stuff! I'm telling you, it's her!"
Suzy: (biting her lip nervously) "What if she's getting ready to attack someone? What if she's… oh no, planning something big?"
The Kid nods vigorously, his eyes wide with fear and excitement.
Kid: "This is it! The showdown! We've gotta stop her before she unleashes her powers!"
SFX: The sound of tense, whispered murmurs as the group huddles, plotting their next move.
The group crouches down like a group of bumbling secret agents, sneaking from one market stall to the next as they inch closer to the figure. Derek is leading the charge, his face set in determination, though it's clear that none of them have the faintest clue what they're doing.
They finally get within earshot of the cloaked figure. He's tall, as Derek said, and wearing a white cloak—but something about him seems… off. His movements are slow and clumsy, and he's muttering to himself as he unpacks a box from the cart.
Derek: (in a low, conspiratorial whisper) "She's definitely up to something. Just look at the way she's fidgeting with that box… probably full of evil magical artifacts."
Charles: (frowning) "I don't know, Derek… it doesn't seem like—"
Derek: (hissing urgently) "Shh! She's about to make her move! Get ready!"
The group inches even closer, ready to pounce. Derek gives the signal with an exaggerated hand motion, and before anyone can stop him, he lunges forward, grabbing the cloaked figure by the arm.
Derek: (yelling, triumphant) "Got you now, Auguitius Bord!"
SFX: The sudden whoosh of movement as Derek pulls the cloak back, revealing—
Scene: The Big Reveal
The figure spins around, his face a mask of utter confusion. He is most definitely not Auguitius Bord. Instead of the ethereal beauty of an Angelo-human, the group finds themselves staring at a very ordinary, very bewildered man. He has a thick mustache, and wide eyes, and is wearing brightly colored clothes underneath his white cloak.
Man: (startled, hands up in surrender) "What the—?! What's going on?!"
Charles, Suzy, and the Kid all freeze, their jaws dropping in disbelief. Derek, still clutching the man's arm, looks equally confused but refuses to let go.
Derek:"Don't believe her, she can transform into anyone and even change her voice. You won't hurt anyone while I'm here."
Soldier: (serious) "Hey kid let go of him and what are you doing to him."
Derek:(still there) " Sir, he is an intruder."
Soldier:" He is not an intruder, know him."
Derek: (stammering, unsure) "W-wait… who are you?"
The man blinks, his mustache twitching as he straightens his cloak.
Man: (indignant, voice rising) "I'm Cedric! The Circus Man! I was just setting up my act for tonight's performance!"
Derek: (still holding onto him, not letting go) "Circus man? You… you're not Auguitius Bord?"
Cedric the Circus Man: (looking extremely confused) "Who in the world is that?! I'm a performer, not some criminal!"
SFX: The sound of Derek's ego deflates as reality sets in, followed by the faint murmurs of bystanders who are now watching the scene unfold with curiosity.
Derek lets go of the man's arm, stepping back with a sheepish grin as the rest of the group stands awkwardly behind him.
Derek: (muttering under his breath) "Oops…"
Charles: (sighing deeply, rubbing his temples) "Derek, for the love of Teja…"
Suzy: (giggling behind her hand, trying to stifle her laughter) "He's a circus performer, Derek. Not a deity."
The Kid is practically bouncing with excitement now, eyes wide as he stares up at Cedric.
Kid: (excitedly) "A circus man?! That's so cool! What tricks can you do?"
Cedric, still looking a bit flustered, dusts off his cloak and adjusts his mustache.
Cedric the Circus Man: (huffing) "Well, I can juggle, perform acrobatics, and tame lions—but I'm not here to be mistaken for a criminal, thank you very much!"
Scene: The Explanation and Apologies
By now, a small crowd has gathered to watch the commotion, and a few nearby soldiers step forward, looking concerned. Charles quickly steps in, doing his best to de-escalate the situation.
Charles: (apologetic, bowing slightly) "I'm sorry, sir. There's been a misunderstanding. We were looking for someone else, and… well…"
Cedric raises an eyebrow, his mustache twitching again as he folds his arms.
Cedric the Circus Man: (dryly) "Clearly."
One of the nearby vendors, having heard the ruckus, steps forward with a knowing smile.
Vendor: (laughing) "Oh, don't mind these kids, Cedric. They're harmless. Just a little… overzealous in their quest for justice."
The crowd chuckles, and even Cedric seems to relax a bit. He seems to cool and good guy.
SFX: The light, teasing laughter of the crowd as they disperse, returning to their daily activities.
Derek: (muttering to Charles and Suzy, trying to save face) "I swear, I thought it was her… the cloak, the stance…"
Charles: (sighing) "Maybe next time we do a little more investigation before jumping to conclusions, huh?"
Suzy: (smiling, teasing) "Or maybe next time we should just leave the detective work to the professionals."
Kid: (excitedly) "Can we go to the circus tonight?! Cedric's probably got amazing tricks!"
Cedric, sensing an opportunity to promote his show, grins widely.
Cedric the Circus Man: (dramatically, with a flourish) "Ah, yes! Come one, come all, to see the Great Cedric perform feats of daring and excitement! Tonight, at the city square!"
Derek groans, rubbing his face in embarrassment as the kid and Suzy chatter excitedly about the circus.
Derek: (muttering to himself) "This day just keeps getting worse…"
Scene: Reflection and Regret
As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows over the training grounds, the group starts to head back toward the city center. Derek lags, clearly sulking after yet another failed attempt at tracking down Auguitius. Charles walks beside him, giving him a sympathetic pat on the back.
Charles: (trying to be encouraging) "Hey, we'll find her eventually. You were just… a little overenthusiastic."
Derek: (sighing heavily) "Yeah, well, I guess I just wanted to feel like I was doing something right. Instead, I end up tackling some circus guy in front of a whole crowd."
Suzy: (cheerfully from up ahead) "At least it wasn't a real criminal! You could have gotten hurt!"
Derek groans again, clearly not finding the silver lining.
Kid: (innocently) "So, are we going to the circus later?"
Derek: (grumbling) "Yes, we are going."
Suzy: (smiles) "Can I also join."
Derek:(flirting mode on) " Why not, without you the show is nothing. Just Look at you."
Derek starts flirting again and the scene ends with Charles yawning who is behind them.