Freya observed the travelling show as they set up. The Wonder Carnival had been moving across the Mist Continent, good reviews and odd stories following it. The man who ran it simply called himself the Wizard, dressed in a coat of many colours, waving a golden staff. The Wizard promised a spectacle so great each evening, that at least one audience member would want to join his growing show. And so far that was apparently true. People uprooting themselves. Some sending letters a few days later to explain their new calling.

But there were also stories of people simply going missing. No letter, no explanation to relatives. Just... vanished, it seemed.

So Freya sought to investigate, as a Dragoon of Burmecia, before the show crossed the border to Alexandria.

Slipping through the crowd of carnival workers setting up was easy, and soon, she was slipping behind the main tent, where a few smaller tents were already set up, including one for the paymaster. And it seemed empty for now.

She entered quietly, closing the flap behind her. It looked like a small office, fitting for the role it served, and if she was lucky, with some details on their recent recruitments...

Picking up a ledger, she read back from the most recent page, not seeing anything too odd in it. Except, did this entry say...

...She felt something cold prod the back of her neck, and was about to leap up in action - but found herself frozen in place. She couldn't even make a sound as the thing in her spine spread first a coldness, then a warmth. A strange relaxation overtook her and she stood to attention.

"Well, a nosy intruder, it seems. Come with me..." a voice ordered, and Freya found herself stiffly moving.

The Wizard led her out, and to another tent. His own, where a human woman waited along with a large mirror. She could see a golden key sticking out from her neck... but her shock did nothign to make her body respond.

"Now, tell us your name."

"Freya," she heard herself say in a monotone.

"Hmm... No longer. Your name shall be... Christine. Elle, give her a good wind and get her into more suitable attire. She's our new dancer for tonight...."

Elle nodded, and began turning the key. Freya... Christine... felt her mind clouding with every turn....

***

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present our newest act. Marvel at her poise, her dancing so precise it is like well tuned machinery! I give you... Christine, the Clockwork Jester!"

The Wizard stood back as in walked the next act. The crowd applauded as she entered, moving with the poise of a ballerina, but movements so precise and repetitive as to look like an automaton. Her costume consisted of a tight bodysuit of silken material in motley patterns. Two quarters red diamonds over black, two blue and white stripes. A cap and bells half in each pattern jingled on her head, and a rainbow tutu-skirt was at her waist.

Blank eyes stared forth from below the jingling bells as she began dancing, moving with speed and precision, limbs almost snapping into new poses. She leapt high into the air, struck poses on as little as one toe or finger without a wobble, to the delight of the audience... and The Wizard.

"Yes... She'll be a fine act to present to Queen Garnet when we reach Alexandria Castle next week..." He smirked, unaware that his new act had once known the Queen....