ID   I see.

ID   An Entertainer.

He nods with dutiful courtesy. But his eyes dart around, as if the scene unfolding were some sort of crime.

??   △ Yes. If you’re interested, my associate is conducting a Storytime over - △

You step forward. He steps back.

ID   What is your Name?

??   △ ...ha-ha. △

CD   △ Claude. My name is Claude Abbott. △

CD   △ I don’t have an act set up right now, so I can show you where - △

ID   I wish to Speak with you. Alone.

He laughs again. Where did he pick that up? It’s only further unsettles you.

CD   △ I don’t know if I can assist you with that. △

CD   △ There aren’t many areas here that aren’t mirrored. △

ID   Yes, I Know. It's a Very Nice Symmetry.

CD   △ Ah, no, I don’t mean the layout. △

CD   △ There are reflective decorations throughout the park. △

CD   △ Anything can be seen through them. △

CD   △ It would be hard to find the… privacy you’re looking for. △

It's striking, the muted fear in his eyes. You take a step back and assume a more neutral expression.

ID   Then, I would Like you to Accompany Me.

ID   Show me around Every Attraction. That's my Only Request.

CD   △ ... △

CD   △ Yes. A tour, then. △

CD   △ Follow me. △

The two of you make a wide sweep of the park. You pretend that you're a curious tourist, taking in the sights and asking about his job. He does a decent job playing along. It makes you wonder if performance isn't that far off from his true calling.

CD   △ And I had a lot of trouble, at first. △

CD   △ I think… there isn’t a day where I don’t get into trouble. Ha-ha. △

CD   △ But it's been a good few months. △

CD   △ At least I have a role to fill here. △

ID   …

There’s a display for one of the attractions. A tea party, set up with miscellaneous drinks and snacks. You stare as he veers over, grabbing a biscuit and a cup.

ID   What. Are you. Doing?

CD   △ They're leftovers. △

You hold back a gag when he takes a bite.

ID   They might be Stale. Or Half-Eaten.

CD   △ They taste fine. △

CD   △ And I think of this as part of clean-up. Ha-ha. △

CD   △ You're free to take one, too. △

ID   ...

The tour continues, now with a lingering concern that the workers here aren't properly fed.

At one point, he gestures toward the Storytime Area. A rather animated pink harlequin is weaving a tale. And when they spot the two of you, they beam and wave with their whole body.

??   ▽ :o) ! ▽

With some hesitation, he gives a wave of his own.

??   ▽ :oD !!! ▽

The presentation continues straight away, the exchange is entirely missed by their large and captive audience. Did they do that on purpose, as to not draw attention away?

ID   That must be the Other One.

ID   How... Colorful.

He snorts. It's the first time you've heard something resembling a genuine laugh.

You feel the pang in your chest grow. Being outside and active this long, as well as seeing how much he's acclimated here, has softened some of the lingering hostility.

ID   You're doing a Good Job.

ID   I Hope I'm not Troubling You with This.

CD   △ Ha-ha. You had made it sound like I didn’t have a choice. △

CD   △ But I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. △

His dull eyes are strikingly cold. But you don't back down.

ID   I only Insisted because you kept Directing me Elsewhere.

ID   Is it so Difficult to believe that I Want to See You?

ID   Is it so Difficult to Face Me?

He lifts the cup to his face, but he doesn’t drink. His voice is low - only someone as close as you can hear.

CD   △ Yes. And no. △

ID   I had No Say in the matter.

ID   You Know that. I didn't have a Choice.

CD   △ ... △

He lowers his cup and tosses it into the nearby trash can. And he lets out a sigh.

CD   △ I'm afraid that my set is coming up. △

CD   △ This will be the end of the tour. △

As he walks away, you find yourself calling out to him.

ID   I'll come Back. I'll... Visit.

ID   I won't have many Chances to. But I Will.

CD   △ ... △

You didn't realize it until now, but he had led you to every major attraction, exactly once. A tour befitting someone like you. He doesn't owe you anything more.

Yet, he still turns and gives you a thin approximation of a smile.

CD   △ We'll be happy to have you again. △