The weather was overcast and cool today, which is something you used to despise. But the older you got and the longer that you stayed, the more comfortable you became with Gotham’s incessant weather. You were especially grateful for your new comfortable work clothes during this season - black slacks and a coffee colored sweater with black pumps. You carried your purse on your shoulder and your clipboard anchored within your elbow as you walked into the hospital. It was yet another dreary work day but, at least you liked your job.For the designated cynic of your friend group, you oddly enjoyed being around the children in the hospital. The only downside was having to travel around to the other hospitals all day, every day, hopping on and off of the subway constantly. Days like today would make it worth it though. You had organized a small event on one of the children’s floors for entertainers to come by - a few clowns from a local entertainment renters place uptown called Ha-Ha’s. Clowns were not your thing and you shuttered slightly at the thought of spending a copious amount of time with some, but you would do it for the kids to make them happy. Plus, it was an excuse to stay in one location for most of the day, and maybe have a real lunch.Your heels clicked across the lobby as you made your way to the elevator and punched in the button of your floor. It creaked upwards a handful of floors and slowed to a stop, opening the doors as you stepped out.A few of the children shouted your name with smiles stretching across their faces. You thought that you were horrible with kids, but a few of them at the hospitals adored you.A small, blonde girl ran in your direction. She was so tiny that her hospital gown almost completely swallowed her. Her head only reached about mid-thigh on you, especially in heels, as she wrapped her arms around your legs.“You’re here!” she exclaimed, eyes shut and still squeezing you for dear life. “Are you spending the day with us?”Her lashes fluttered as she tilted her head up to look at you with hopeful eyes. The corners of your mouth twitched - were you going to smile or frown? It warmed your heart to see someone so happy to see you, but you wished it wasn’t in this situation.“Of course I am!” you sung excitedly. You hated showing this much enthusiasm because it wasn’t who you were at all and you could feel your face begin to flush. You patted her shoulder as she released your legs and walked beside you. You peered around the room - some of the kids were staring and so was the clown.Your brows furrowed in confusion, since you swore that you had hired two clowns, not just one. He wore a colorful ensemble - a suit with greens and reds and yellows - and a green fluffy wig. The base of his makeup was white with classic clown accents - blue triangles above and below the eyes, red outstretched lips, and a styrofoam nose. You approached him with your lips pressed together, trying to remain composed at his silly appearance, and introduced yourself with a shake of the hand.“I’m the coordinator here, I organized the event,” you stated as he stared at you with wide eyes and lips parted. Had you spoken loud enough over the chatter of the kids for him to hear you?Just when you thought he wasn’t going to answer, he did.“I-I’m Arthur - well Carnival. My clown name is Carnival but, my real name is Arthur,” he stammered. You raised a brow at him. He seemed really uncomfortable.“It’s nice to meet you,” you said hesitantly, then realized you should make an effort to be more friendly. Both of your hands finally departed and you dropped yours to your side. He was only making eye contact with you for quick moments before looking away, and you were taken aback by how brightly his green eyes gleamed even behind all of the makeup.“I didn’t know clowns had ‘clown names,’” you said lightheartedly. Before Arthur felt pressured to rebuttal, you turned around to the children to announce that he was going to start his act and asked that they be on their best behavior.You took this opportunity to sit off to the side of the room to answer texts and emails. You caught bits and parts of his act, but you were mostly immersed in your work, until suddenly you felt all eyes on you.You peered upwards through your lashes, cautiously. Carnival - Arthur - stood in front of you, legs spread apart in a theatrical stance. One hand was balled up into a fist and rested on his hip while the other hand held out a black wand in your direction. Now, you were forced to participate.You huffed and grabbed the wand and it immediately melted into a flaccid state. A few of the kids snickered as Arthur grabbed the wand back from you, and it returned back to its stiff form. You shook your head as he tapped the wand onto his knee with a curious look on his face. The children watched intently for which trick he was going to pull next.