To make contact with them, Fiona really wanted to talk to The Joker. As always, The Joker was in a rather playful mood.
The Joker: "Hmm.... Look at that, she fell asleep on the sofa. Hehehe...."
Fiona: "Hhhhh...."
The Joker: "Hmmm."
She covered her with a blanket.
The Joker: "Noohh.... Are you too shy to sleep next to me?.... Hehehe."
Fiona: "(Zzzz).... Hhh."
The Joker: "Hmmm.... (You really do look more like my sister than I thought. You and Sophie.... She had the same hair as you.... but her humor was more like Sophie's)...."
Fiona: "Can you stop watching me?"
The Joker: "Oh.... Looks like I woke someone up.... hehe."
Fiona: "Hmm...."
The Joker: "Sorry.... But why are you sleeping on the sofa?"
Fiona: "Hmm?"
The Joker: "Don't you trust me? That hurts."
Fiona: "I only trust Sophie and my friends...."
The Joker: "Am I one of them?"
Fiona: "....We'll see.... I trust you enough to sleep near you.... without a weapon."
The Joker: "....Ohh.... What? Really? Hehehe.... How careless of you."
Fiona: "Just to tell you again.... I don't have anything against you.... You do some really messed up things.... But.... well...."
The Joker: "I killed the daughter."
Fiona: "That wasn't you. Stop lying."
The Joker: "Huh?"
Fiona: "You're brutal, but I've noticed something.... If I remember correctly.... you don't like killing people that way.... You prefer a quieter way.... So who was it, hmm?"
The Joker: "Sharp as ever, detective.... Guess who it was?"
Fiona: "Not The Finger.... I know that. And it wasn't you either.... You probably only placed the letter there."
The Joker: "....What letter?"
Fiona: "The one that said 'Happy Birthday.'"
The Joker: "Huh?.... That wasn't me."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
She slowly stood up.
Fiona: "That wasn't you either?"
The Joker: "Nope.... Not my style."
Fiona: "Huh?"
The Joker: "Hmmm.... The message.... wasn't meant for her.... or for me.... but...."
Fiona: "....For us."
The Joker: "....Who had a birthday recently?"
Fiona: "Huh!.... Sophie!"
The Joker: "Ugh.... What?!"
They both immediately stood up.
(Meanwhile)
Sophie: "(Snoring)...."
Unknown: "Hehehe...."
(Crash!)
The Joker: "Wait!"
Fiona: "Keep your hands off her!"
Unknown: "Tsss."
He jumped away.
The Joker: "Hahh.... The window was open.... Why are you sleeping with the window open?"
Fiona: "That probably wasn't a good idea.... Hahhh."
She went over to Sophie.
Fiona: "Hahh.... Good, she's sleeping."
The Joker: "Good."
Fiona: "Hahh...."
She gently stroked Sophie's head.
The Joker: "I suggest we sleep here.... What if he comes back?"
Fiona: "Sure...."
The Joker: "You lie down already."
Fiona: "And you?"
The Joker: "I'll sleep soon. Don't worry."
She lay down on the bed.
The Joker: "Good night.... I'm here."
She closed her eyes.
(A few minutes later)
The Joker: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "(Zzz)"
The Joker: "....Mmm!"
She looked serious.
The Joker: "(....Who the hell.... dares to put my Sophie and my Fiona in danger?)...."
She sat between the two of them.
The Joker: "....Hmmm...."
Sophie: "(Snoring)...."
The Joker: "Hmm?"
She looked at Sophie first, then at Fiona.
The Joker: "Hm?"
Fiona: "(Zzzzz) (Cough) (Cough)"
The Joker: "(They both seem tired.... Sophie is resting well, at least.... But Fiona seems to have trouble even while sleeping.... Hmm?)"
The Joker gently stroked both of their heads.
The Joker: "(I don't like the Dark Umbrella.... and I don't care about the others.... But.... nobody.... touches them.... Neither Sophie.... nor Fiona.... Nobody touches them.... I have to find that annoying bastard.... and teach him a lesson.)"
Sophie: "Just relax."
The Joker: "Huh?"
She looked at Sophie. Sophie had her eyes open.
Sophie: "(Yawns).... If you're already here.... then go to sleep.... And don't sit like that.... I thought that was my own foot...."
The Joker: "(Sweating).... (And I thought I was imagining it)...."
Sophie: "Lie down.... (Yawns).... now...."
The Joker: "....Fine.... Good grief."
She lay down.
The Joker: "Someone is following you."
Sophie: "Yeah, no shit, Sherlock.... I've noticed that for days already."
The Joker: "Days?"
Sophie: "Yeah.... Why do you think I've even been sleeping with my weapon lately?"
The Joker: "And did you see us?"
Sophie: "When you both stumbled in.... That was cute...."
The Joker: "Are you crazy? Whoever it is could be dangerous."
Sophie: "Why do you care about the two of us? Why do you and The Finger care.... hmm?"
The Joker: "Well, well.... The Finger too.... Hahhh.... As for The Finger.... you'll have to ask him yourself.... I think you already know why he cares about Fiona.... and you actually know why he cares about you too...."
Sophie: "Hm?"
The Joker: "....The Finger once had a mission involving you.... And well.... you were still very young back then.... As for me.... you two remind me of my sister.... That's all."
Sophie: "Well, well.... Even you have some humanity."
The Joker: "Hehehe.... That hurts."
Sophie: "Then you weren't the one who killed Veronica's daughter?"
The Joker: "The maid, yes.... Veronica's daughter, actually.... I left her alive on the street.... At first I thought she had been hit by a vehicle.... but.... from what Fiona described to me.... it looked like murder."
Sophie: "Who could it be.... The Circus?"
The Joker: "Nope.... Impossible.... Not their style."
Sophie: "I see...."
The Joker: "Now go to sleep.... Don't worry.... I'll protect you two."
Sophie: "Hmm."
The Joker: "I know you don't trust me.... but...."
Sophie: "I trust you."
The Joker: "Huh?"
Sophie: "After all, I know now that you.... have some humanity.... So I trust you.... even though you're always.... a really mean sadist.... But you've helped us enough times.... so...."
The Joker: "Okay...."
Sophie closed her eyes.
The Joker: "Hmm."
(A few minutes later)
Sophie: "Hahhh...."
She stood up.
Sophie: "Okay.... Good.... I'd rather not drag anyone else into this."
She walked away.
The Joker: "(Zzzz).... Hahhh...."
Fiona: "See?"
The Joker: "I knew it."
They both stood up.
The Joker: "Oh.... man...."
Fiona: "We should follow her quickly before it becomes dangerous."
The Joker: "Okay."
They followed her.
(Crack!)
The Joker: "Oops."
Fiona: "Shhhh."
The Joker: "Sorry...."
They hid behind the wall.
The Joker: "Ohh.... I'm standing behind you.... and you smell so good, Fiona dear."
Fiona: "Hahh."
The Joker: "Too bad I'm not a boy.... That would be even more romantic."
Fiona: "(Sweating).... Joker...."
The Joker: "All right.... hehe...."
She rested her head against Fiona's head.
The Joker: "Hmm."
Fiona: "Do you really have to watch like this?"
The Joker: "Hehe.... Actually, no.... It was just an opportunity for me...."
Fiona: "Nahhh...."
Sophie: "Hmm...."
She continued walking.
The Joker: "Oh.... Let's keep going."
Fiona: "Okay."
Sophie: "Hm."
(Patch!) (Patch!)
The Joker: "Huh?.... Where did she go?"
Fiona: "Ugh.... Oh no."
(Patch!) (Patch!)
Sophie: "Oh no.... Where could she be?.... May I ask what you're doing?"
The Joker: "Ughh."
Fiona: "Oh...."
They turned around. Sophie was standing there.
Sophie: "Hahhh.... Were you following me?"
The Joker: "Um...."
Fiona: "No.... We wanted to go to the bathroom."
The Joker: "(Sweating).... You really can't lie."
Fiona: "Was the lie really that bad?"
The Joker: "That makes it even worse.... Did you think that was a good excuse?.... Um.... Listen to this.... (Cough).... We thought you were sleepwalking.... Or that you were dreaming about Meliodas again and.... whatever it is you always dream about, where you become pregnant with his child."
Sophie: "Ughhh.... Hey, how do you know that?"
Fiona: "You talk in your sleep.... By now, even the others in the hotel probably know."
Sophie: "....Damn...."
The Joker: "What are you doing out here?"
Sophie: "What does it look like? Luring the guy out.... But since you're already here...."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
Sophie: "Hahhh.... That guy.... I know him...."
Fiona: "Huh?"
The Joker: "What?"
Sophie: "Yeah.... He's a fan of mine."
(Silence)
The Joker: "....Did you hit your head?"
Fiona: "(Sweating).... What do you mean by 'fan'? Did you show him your body?"
Sophie: "Of course not! What do you take me for?!.... Hahhh.... Once, when we were in the cafeteria.... there was a homeless man.... I gave him free food.... But the guy became so obsessed with me that he's been following me ever since."
The Joker: "See.... That's why being nice isn't always good.... But.... you just had to.... Oh no.... I have to help people.... I have to be the nice fairy.... while Fiona is the quiet, cold fairy."
Fiona: "(Sweating).... What did I do?"
The Joker: "Hey.... you're always cold.... I wouldn't even be surprised if you looked at someone with those cold eyes even while saving a child."
Fiona: "Nghh.... (blushes).... Nonsense.... Stop thinking like that!"
Sophie: "Pssst.... Anyway, it turns out the guy.... likes following women and abducting them."
The Joker: "And why haven't you taken care of him already?"
Fiona: "(Sweating).... Taken care of him.... how?"
Sophie: "To be honest.... I didn't know he was a murderer.... not until I saw this."
She pointed at a wanted poster.... It showed a man with long hair.
The Joker: "Huh?"
Fiona: "Hmmm.... Are you sure that's a boy? He has long hair."
The Joker: "Yeah.... Could also be a femboy.... hehehe."
Sophie: "(Sweating).... He's a boy...."
The Joker: "Okay, okay.... And why didn't you say anything?"
Sophie: "Because I don't know how strong he is.... He's not ordinary. He has an Arcane ability.... What do you think? How did he get inside? I've even been missing socks for a while.... Four socks.... Two red and two green."
Fiona: "Oh...."
The Joker: "Okay, I have to admit I have the red ones.... but I don't have the green ones."
Sophie: "Huh? Give them back immediately.... Why do you even have them?"
The Joker: "Your foot was in them."
Fiona: "Are you sure you're not a lesbian?"
Sophie: "Yes."
The Joker: "I'm not.... I also have your underwear, Fiona."
Fiona: "Ugh.... So you have my black underwear.... Gghhhhh.... And I thought Sophie had it."
Sophie: "Why would I have it?!"
Fiona: "I don't know.... Either you or Siegfried, because you two were in my room that day.... And honestly, I was hoping it was you and not Siegfried.... So I just assumed you had it.... How was I supposed to know that.... she had it?.... Wait.... How the hell did you even get it?"
The Joker: "(Whistles).... No idea."
Sophie: "Huh.... There he is."
They hid.
Sophie: "Hmmm.... There he is.... He smells like sweat."
The Joker: "That's me."
Fiona: "Me too."
Sophie: "(Sweating).... Not you idiots.... His smell is even worse.... There's something else mixed in.... (Sniffs)"
The Joker: "(Sniffs).... Ew...."
Fiona: "Sophie.... I.... think you won't be sleeping tonight.... The guy was probably a little too excited."
Sophie: "Are you kidding me.... Ugh.... Man!"
She came out.
Sophie: "Hey, you there.... Stop following me."
The Joker: "No, come back."
Fiona: "Come back."
The Joker: "Huh?.... He's gone."
Suddenly, he appeared behind her.... But.... something was wrong with him.... His mouth was unnaturally scarred.
The Joker: "Wait a second."
Fiona: "Hmm?"
The Joker: "I know him.... You're.... you're from the Circus!"
Circus Member: "Exactly.... And take my advice...."
He released Sophie.
The Joker: "Hmm?"
Circus Member: "Joker.... The Finger contacted us."
The Joker: "Huh?"
Circus Member: "We were after you.... Anyway.... We killed the girl because she knew too much.... But now we want to ask you.... Did you have anything to do with what happened in Seutbel?"
The Joker: "Wait.... You don't know anything yourselves?"
Circus Member: "Hmm?.... Oh, you're from the Dark Umbrella.... Pleased to meet you."
He took off his hat. He was wearing clown makeup.
Circus Member: "I am Leo Sensenheim...."
The Joker: "Hmm."
Sophie: "Um...."
Fiona: "Hmm.... Am I correct in assuming that you have been watching us for a long time?"
Leo: "Yes.... Since Seutbel.... We have been watching you.... We thought you had information, and that's why we continued following you.... It seems.... this is a mystery to all three of us."
Sophie: "Hmm."
Leo: "Although.... our boss was right.... The Hunters had nothing to do with it."
Sophie: "Ugh."
Fiona: "Huh?"
Leo: "Instead.... the ones responsible were your own organization, dear members of the Dark Umbrella."
Sophie: "Ugh."
Fiona: "What?"
Leo: "....Well.... A few years ago, a black liquid was discovered in Titia.... The Dark Umbrella members took it.... And.... after Minerv became the leader.... she dismissed certain people."
Sophie: "Huh!.... That's not true...."
Leo: "It is.... And those people wanted revenge. They took the black liquid and used it in Seutbel."
Sophie: "Why Seutbel of all places?"
The Joker: "Hmm?"
Fiona: "Huh.... They wanted to lure us into a trap?"
Leo: "Exactly."
The Joker: "I see."
Sophie: "So.... all of this was just a trap.... I understand."
Leo: "Exactly."