Archive of Our Own ^beta

Before you read, these are the colours coded for each characters:

MC: This

Pierrot: This

Harlequin: This

Jester: This

Ticker Taker: This

Doctor: This

Columbina: This

I apologise for any possible eyestrain for Jester if you use darkmode and for Pierrot if you use lightmode, I'll try to find a less straining colour for both and fix it if I have the time

Update: Chat, I fixed it :D how we feeling about the new colours? 

Note: MC addresses people she abhors as beasts and use the terms 'it' and not 'she' nor 'him' for she doesn't see them as human

Also Note: This is what MC :D [I drew all this in my schoolbook so expect it to be very scuffed :')] will look like for the story but if she were to wear anything else, well, she... bathes?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

MC hums along a soft tune, the crisp midnight air kisses her cheek like an adorably wistful lover. The grass beneath her feet embraces her every step like a welcomed hug, caressing and embracing each of her toes lovingly. Her chestnut hair, her most precious yet most damned treasure, bounce with each step she took, curled in a braid atop her shoulder, seemingly to glow as the moon shone through the slits between trees like a curious child. Dangling around her neck laid a hare shaped mask, painted with tender and gentle care. Her hands sway by her side, the left holding onto a pair of heels, the other onto a particularly long handled axe.

The woman drags the axe though the forest, creating shallow indents and creases in the grass, an obvious trail more so. She walks with a calculated familiarity, though more careless than she usually does solely because she presently unencumbered, the sound of twigs snapping as it caves under her weight and the crunch of dried leaves echoes from time to time, a familiar tune. An occasional chirp from crickets and squeaks from the forest’s critters were also well acquainted.

The intimate picture paints itself as beautifully as the crimson covered red tip of her axe as it had kissed goodnight to yet another soul, the erythrocyte splaying beautifully like paint to canvas. She had enjoyed chasing this one, more so than usual after she had found out of its (the man’s) foul deeds. The game of cat and mouse never fails to gladden her heart with ecstasy, even more so when lately the game had been far too stale and stagnant. The fixed horror flashes in her head.

She continues humming, a skip in her step as she reminisces the fear and anguish in the creature’s eyes. It swore to her that it was innocent, with pleading eyes, bruised knees and hands with a few digits too short it begged on, “Have a heart! Have some humanity!”, the comical creature pleaded. But she was merely ridding her town’s current most disruptive beast. Even when MC had closed her eyes briefly, the thing before her was nothing short but a foul beast.

She had made sure to prolong its end as much as possible. She wonders how long until the next chase begins. Cleaning up was always a chore, but if she does one thing she must do the other, she once mused to herself. Her heart races just thinking about the presumed next hunt. She isn’t asking for more beasts to protrude, but as everyone had time and time again repeated to her like a mantra, she was merely a woman. This was what confused her, because by definition then they should not blame her for fixing the problem as a woman. Why despair and wail of it afterwards?

Don’t get her wrong, she knows very well that the monster was a human(really?), a person(were they?), no matter how much she chants it isn’t so, but even a morally corroded person as her could differentiate between a man and a revolting beast. Women that fall into equal categories as them were few, but when they do show up, she need not think twice even if they were more familiar to her, in terms of biology of course.

This isn’t her first Ron de Vue of course. Sometimes, it could range for weeks and some months, it had (unfortunately) become a common occurrence for people to mysteriously disappear, to the point that it had earned her a delicious title after all. “The Hunting Hare”, how gracious, how quaint. Though, not all chant that title as if it were woven like a curse or in vitriol or as if she were a demon reincarnate, some preach them with admiration, some sing them in praises, in gratefulness, a quieter “The Savior”, the little lambs would praise, with stars in their gazes. For them, it makes it all worth it for her she thinks, after all, she too was once a lamb.

The forest, seemingly agreeing with her, sways its leaves leisurely, creating laughter like rustling and crinkling sounds as a gentle breeze once more travels through.

But the forest seems to host another peculiar visitor tonight. Maybe a few.

MC stops in her tracks, the hint of sweet confectionary hitting her nose like a stray bullet, causing it to twitch slightly. She tilts her head to the side as if to assess the situation. ‘Hm, it’s a far along road until I see anything tangible’, she concluded as her current scenery was still the forest and nothing beyond that yet to pinpoint the sweet aroma’s form accurately.

Without her smile dropping and a newfound interest piqued, she continues her journey forward. Her pace a little faster than before. The electrifying feeling of elation passes through her momentarily causing her fingers to twitch around the axe handle.

‘Something out here? So far yet so close to the town?’, her smile stretches at the mystery, now avoiding the small inconveniences littered in her path, readjusting her hold on the handle to no longer drag the axe on the floor but instead lazily gripping it to her side.

A few minutes of walking rewards her with the smallest peek of a few multicoloured tents greeting her view. She stops once more to simply monitor the populated section. The wooden wagons surrounding the tents tells her of it being more of a temporary accomodation rather than a permanent one. Good, she had thought as she was never quite keen of sharing.

She does the frivolous action of detaching her skirt from the cuffs of her dress, letting the heavy blood soaked garment falling languidly onto the grass. She then proceeds to fold them and hides them in the crook of a nearby oak tree along with her heels.

She brings the hare shaped mask to her face, better to remain cautious after all.

A lady in trousers? Surely not? Now that’d be the talk of the century!

The woman approaches the tents with measured steps and stops upon noticing a flyer right before her feet. MC crouches slightly to get a better view of it. “The Freak Show?”, she whispered the printed words aloud, her brows raised in amusement.

She keeps reading, turning her head there and that to make out the words in the poorly lit environment, pausing at the information stating the offer to showcase of said very special ‘Freaks’ for the small fee of a few coins, ‘So ‘Freaks’ wasn’t a figurative speech’, she mused, flipping the flyer over for further possible information and standing once more when she found none.

She looks back towards the tents, circuses were mostly frowned upon by society, mostly because people feared and disparage peculiarities and diversity but for someone to proudly set one up in broad daylight and showcasing it no less to the masses, the person must be quite confident that whatever they were offering would be worth the visitor’s time and money.

Confidence, it wasn’t a bad quality per say, but she could definitely smell the anomaly with both that statement and this place. Certainly bold.

The giddy feeling from her last hunt resurfacing, her adrenalin quickening once more. She flexes her fingers on her trusty friend with a twitch in her smile.

The only light illuminating from the circus were a few lit up torches that were placed surrounding the tents, but there was one tent in particular that seemed to have the lights illuminated from the inside rather than out. It was bigger than the rest. ‘Must be the one where those ‘Freaks’ are resided’, she concludes to herself.

‘Or kept?’, her mind supplied further.

 MC approaches the unlit tents first, it would be quite foolish for one, if someone were to catch her wandering about possibly restricted areas during closing hours, another to see a woman not only in trousers(trousers!) but one that was handling an axe as well.

The large tent was also a good five average tents away from the rest of the circus. How peculiar she had thought, but she won’t ponder onto it for long.

She makes a good distance before hearing…hearing…she is very familiar with what her ears are being subjected to. It made her skin crawl and her nerve endings fizzle at the words. She hears laughter and inhuman enraged roars alike, but those were far more distant than the two-conversing ma- beasts.

The stench of metal whiffs through the air, a nauseating combination with the lingering sweetness of caramel and candy floss.

“Ah hell, just our luck to get scratched by that one of these bastards! I told ya we should’ve chained the other monsters down first!”, one of the monster curses.

“Hah! don’t bitch at me, I almost got my arm torn off! Fucker got me good, I thought it’d be a quick one off with the pretty one and we’d go”, the other beast hisses in frustration.

The other beast sneered at the supposed ‘monster’ inside the tent, “Don’t matter, ‘least we taught the fucker a lesson. Not even surprised the bastard isn’t even dead yet after the number we did on em’, it really is monster. Boss really got some fucked up taste”, the previous beast spat, full of bitter disgust.

MC slowly rounded the entrance, blending into the dark corners as stealthily as possible to ensure her and her shadows are well hidden, her grip on the axe handle tightened. All the excitement had vanished, leaving behind a shell of self-justified hatred and rage, though her adrenalin spiked twice than what it was before.

The woman took a peek inside the tent, a scene that had her taken aback for a split second. There were six unusually large or tall more likely, odd-looking creatures, locked in cages, exempt for one who seems to only have her(?) feet chained to the ground.

Even without MC confirming what exactly those creatures were, it was blaringly obvious that they were starved and mistreated. The one furthest back seems to be heavily injured.

The lanterns inside the tent were even more dimly lit than the one outside but MC could still see the crimson seeping out of its cage as its body slumped clumsily against the metal bars. The purple(?) eyed creature behind it looked especially distressed about the condition of the slumped one was in but it also glanced back towards the two beasts with obvious venom and pure loathing.

She tore her gaze away as fast as she was transfixed when she heard the beasts spoke up once more.

“Tomorrow, we’ll relocate the cadela. And the other fuckers could starve and drop dead. I should’ve known the boss would keep pets as dangerous as these bastards”, one of the beasts grumbled, applying pressure to what she assumed was the assaulted wound. Kicking one of the cages, ensnaring growls and hisses from the other.

“Oh, shut the fuck up ya’ disgusting bastards! Ya’ want me to actually kill one of ye’!? I’ll start with this bitch”, it points a bat at the delicate looking creature before them.

“Geez, I know they piss ye’ off, but these are the boss’s goods. Still got some value. Besides, as frail as they seem, I ain’t takin’ risks one of em’ jumpin’ me”. The other beast said with a sinister snicker.

“Yeah, bastards too dangerous to keep too, sometimes I don’t get a clue on what goes on inside the ol’ boss’s senile head”, the other sneered, clutching to its arm as well with a profound hiss.

The beast from before cackles, a crazed glint in its eye as it gazes towards the pink eyed creature, whom was cowering before the two. “Ya know what? How bout’ this, we won’t risk with the rest of em’, but this one? She’ll be a pretty penny for something, she’s definitely the weakest. Maybe we could ask the boss to give ‘er to us if he doesn’t need er”, an ugly wicked grin stretches itself across the beast’s face. The creatures in the cages snarled and growled furiously as the two beasts continue to snicker and mock.

And it was as if a pin had dropped, as MC swiftly step inside the tent, one of the creatures paused when it caught her moving with its green eyes fixated on her form. Grateful the men were standing close to one another, MC crouched low and swung her axe directly through their legs with a swift and practiced ease, just above the knee joints.

The satisfying snap of tendons and tissues tearing sings like a familiar symphony to her ears, followed by garbled curses and screams of agony. The beasts cried out in shock at first, then later registered the agonizing pain as their bodies starts falling on its axis and tumbles along with gravity.

Their hands flailing helplessly for leverage, unknown on what exactly to hold on to. Their legs tumbling down a second later near the pink eyed… girl? girl. ‘Sorry’, MC’s gaze flickered towards the girl momentarily and mentally apologizes for inflicting something so unpleasant upon… her? her? her.

The other creatures in the cages were stunned, too taken aback by the scene before them. The pink-eyed girl got caught in the spray, her body now slightly drenched with blood. MC gave her another quick once over to check for injuries then redirect her attention back towards the two beasts when she indicated none.

“Aghh! Fuck! Fuck! What!?!? What the fuck!? What the actual fuck!? You! You bitch! You fucking bitch!! You whore!! How dare you?! I’ll kill you! I’ll tear you ta’ shreds!”, one of the sickening beasts screams at her in hate and agony, spitting crude words out like a mantra while the other simply spasmed, writhing in pain and crying in growing agony of its own pool of blood. Both trying and failing to apply pressure as the blood quickly seeps out of their stumps.

At the corner of her vision, she caught that the caged creatures now had their gaze and attention zeroed in onto the crimson coming out of the two unsavory beasts, salivating and gripping the metal bars to the point of denting them. A predator gazing at its prey. How lovely. How exciting.

The woman lazily inches closer to the two men, her ecstasy returning tenfold, she lifts her mask as per her usual routine, a lovely smile plastered upon her features. The screaming beast froze at the nonchalant display, a sweet and serene smile as if she hadn’t torn their legs off.

 The momentary distraction was the last thing the very nauseating beast saw before her axe kissed yet another to an internal slumber that night.

She had ended this one far too quickly for her to actually enjoy but the beast was growing increasingly mouthy and noisy. The woman kissed her teeth, disappointed at the short-lived excitement but her smile returns once she turns to the other.

The other beast chocked up at the axe that had descended deathly close to its own neck and froze up. MC tied the mask around her neck, letting it hang there as it did before, “Why don’t you say we chat for a bit Ol’ chap?”, she spoke sweetly to the paling beast.

MC lifts her axe, the beast comically flinching and squirms away futilely under her with panic pleas causing her to chuckle jovially. The woman leans the blade against her leg as she crouches down close to the foul disappointment.

The beast was reduced to a shaking and quivering pig, bloody foams forming at the corner of its mouth from the stress and it tries to form words but all came out were incoherent nonsense.

“Ah, how are we to properly convers when a swine such as yourself is too preoccupied convulsing before me? Do not be frightened chap, I will grant you rest as swiftly as I did to your pompous companion there”, she nudges her axe handle towards the cooling body beside them, the beast’s gaze following the movement shakily and hiccups.

It took a few big gulps of air as if appreciating for its endless supply for the first time since it was born and turns its’ gaze back towards MC, “Pl-…please..se…spare me… I! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!.. I didn’t have a choice…,I…I did…didn’t even want to work ‘ere, the...but the-… the bo-“, it slurs its words only to cut itself off in a stutter when the woman tilts her head to the side, the hilt of her axe slammed the ground with a resounding echo, the smile quickly turning grim.

She places a finger under her chin, faux a thought.

“Huh, so you are to tell me that torturing these poor creatures were an involuntary ploy on your part? Frightening lil ol’ big boss forced your hand to inflict pain upon them? Such an unfortunate beast you are, do you take me for a fool, you desgracado?”, the woman wipes a faux tear with her free hand and her smile curled sinisterly, her hand clasping around the axe handle once more. The beast cowers under her.

The unique looking creatures stare before the scene in wonder and confusion, at times tensing when she was to hit the grovelling beast in front of one of their own as if afraid it would unjustly catch her in the fray as well, but the pink-eyed girl in question gazes at the scene with a glimmer of hope. MC reaches into her back pocket.

“That!- n...no please! I…! pleas…please spare me! I swear! I swear! Please! Por favor! I don’t want to die, I’ll…I’ll change! I’ll disappear! So please! Yo…you have to spare me!”, the beast begins to crawl to her feet, begging for mercy. Its hands extending towards her, only for it to be pinned down into the earth with a pocket knife with a gruesome crunch and the blade being swiftly pulled it out a moment later.

An agonizing scream tore out of the beast once more, “A vulgar and grimy mutt such as yourself should not be granted the liberty to touch a lady at will and as it pleases with your filthy mitts, have you no tact? Estupido”, she twirls the knife once to expel as much blood from the blade with the action as possible before fastening it once more into her back pocket.

MC stood, pressing down her axe’s bottom handle atop the beast’s other hand as it supports her weight, earning a louder screech, “Arrogant beasts are rather amusing, don’t you think so? They put this pretence of being mighty when the odds align with them, but cave the mere moment even an inch were to go against them”, she kicks the beast by the shoulder and pushes it further away from the curios looking pink-eyed girl, who by now had her sights zeroed in on the woman.

MC hooks the back of her axe’s head with what remained of the man’s pant leg and drags him towards one of the empty cages. The caged creatures now momentarily tore their hungry gaze away from the decapitated beast to stare at the one currently squirming and twisting in a manic panic, a trail of blood following them in its wake. She throws him into one of the cages with a sickening clang.

“Do stay here for a bit, I must care for the poor lass over yonder. You know, the one you and you’re fiend of a companion had injured”, tucking out her handkerchief and stuffing in into its mouth, “If I hear as much of a squeak out of you, do believe I will still make it out of here unscathed and I will come for you, very diligently. And I shall enjoy taking my time peeling each and every seven of your skin layers one by one, very slowly and meticulously, are we to be clear?”, MC grin tightens.

The disgusting beast nodded frantically in its half-concussed daze and frightened state, most of its orifices welling up with tears, blood, saliva and snot, still shaking like a leaf.

Satisfied, MC grabs the multitude of keys from the beast’s pant pocket, locking the cage from the outside. Her attention now solely on the odd-looking girl who was still staring at her with growing interest. Nudging the pile of detached limbs and the cooled body further away from the girl, she crouches down right in front of her.

 The woman awkwardly internally fought with herself on how to exactly handle this peculiar situation, though before she could address the girl, the curious looking lass spoke up first, “Miss Angel, thank you for aiding us”, the girl stares at her with stars in her eyes, the familiar gaze of a little lamb to MC causes the woman to ease up and she lets a softer and more genuine smile fix itself across her face.

‘Wait, Miss Angel? Surely, she’s not addressing me as so, no? She is the one with wings(?) protruding her back, looks far more of that description than I’, MC’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second then straightened once more.

She pats the odd girl on the head, ruffling it slightly, “It is of no troubling matter child, would you mind doing me the honours granting me the knowledge of your name? Though not to alarm you, sweet, but do satisfy my curiosity as to why you and your fellows are being held captive in this place”, she retracts her hand, the girl seemingly chasing after the warm sensation, an almost dejected look marred her features.

“My…my name is Columbina, Miss Angel. We were tricked and trapped here for the sole purpose of being the… Ringleader’s…that…, he addresses himself as that, source of wealth and… entertainment. Ah! Please, Miss Angel! You must help save my friend! He is gravely injured and he is still bleeding heavily after he fought those bad man”, as if snap out of her devotion, the angel(?) frantically pleaded for the woman to help aid her injured friend.

Staying out for long was definitely not something she had planned to do that day, but as she had once told herself, if she were to do one thing she must do the other as well. She sighs internally as she succumbs to her fate, aiding cute little lambs truly were truly her only weakness.

‘Though, This Miss Angel business must be rid of’, the woman thought awkwardly

She first unclasps the chains around the poor lass’s feet, an irritating red covered the poor girl’s skin like a painful ring around her shin. Indicating of it being done continually without the chance of treating it. MC frowns, lifting her head to look this way and that to find a medical kit. When she finds none, she turns to the quickly paling beast as he continues bleeding, the woman is sure it is only still alive because of the tidbits of adrenaline still left in its system.

She spoke a little louder, “Ol’ chap, you don’t happen to know where the medical supplies are stored do you?”, she looks at the trembling mess, for a minute everything came to a stand-still, the only sounds echoing in the tent were heaving and groaning.

The woman then descends her axe’s handle onto the floor with a loud clank causing a few to jump at the sound, then the beast lifted a shaky finger towards a vague direction.

With haste, MC and went towards the exact direction, shuffling through the boxes to finally locate a box of worn first aid. So much money and yet the medical supplies could not be maintained up to date, the woman kissed her teeth. The contents inside were still somewhat good, a few days concerningly close before the expiration dates but it’ll have to do for now.

She extracts a bottle and a roll of bandage, stretching them over towards the girl, “Here, apply those around your shin, I don’t have anything to reduce the swelling for now so this is the best I could offer, wait over here”, she lightly presses the items into the girl’s arms when she slowly stretched her hands forward.

MC approaches the slumped creature’s cage, she had not a clue on what these creatures were exactly, but it was obvious that they were sentient, capable of emotion and touch and revenge, and that was all she needed to know.

Just as she twists the lock to the cage, the purpled eye creature hissed, “If you so much as harm a strand of him, human, best believe I will tear and eat you alive. Do not think just because you rid of those vile humans that we’d abide your will”, it…he? he hissed, a snarl on his features.

 But she knew the open hostility was but only a scorn of their situation and that he was worried for his companions so she nods once. The others had yet to utter a single word her way, but their sharp gazes promise her the same fate if she wear to misstep.

She hears a disbelief gasp from the girl at the back, a retort ready at the tip of the lass’s tongue. But MC beats her to it.

“Rest assured, I wouldn’t dream of trying anything to harm your fellow companion, you have my word. And if I were to break it, you may have your way with me”, she reassures the creatures…the…what were they? She’ll ask questions later, for now she had wounds to tend to.

The creature in the cage lets out wary whimpers and small growls, the woman places her axe down gently, kicking it away slightly to look less threatening. She has to play her cards right, anything alive that was hungry, injured and desperate enough could turn the tables pretty quickly to even the best at their field. She raises her hand in mock surrender, the medical kit in one hand.

“Hey, querido, your friend over there, Columbina, had informed me to aid you. Those wounds look rather painful, could you grant me the honours of tending them for you?”, she slowly approach, steadily, the snarls gradually dying out until only weak confused whimpers were all that was left in its wake. Mentioning the little lass seems to be working wonders.

Though he was less hostile, it was evident the poor creature was still quite tense.

‘Right, no pressure at all, MC. You have definitely survived far more life-threatening situations’, she reassures herself as her back prickles with the amount of attention she was receiving.

The cuts itself were deep, stitching is without question, required, she places the medical box to the ground, crouching next the creature. This up close, only then could she see his features properly. The colour of his iris through half-lidded eyes, a beautiful bright gold with three long horns protruding atop his head. His body coiled protectively around himself to hold himself together.

She truly was weak to lambs, especially one as adorable as these two. She starts taking out and rearranging everything she needed to tend to the little lass’s friend. The old scars littering the poor creature’s body had risen her ire once more on how she should have flayed those beasts slower.

The creature looks somewhat like the countless portraits depicting those grandeur fire breathing creatures from long ago, but she doubts such myths were true. Well, then again, she had no knowledge of these creatures before today, so what can she really say?

“I swear upon my life that you will be alright, I shall assist you to the best of my capabilities, but this will exert an odd feeling and some could come out unpleasantly painful, it will be completely normal so do not panic, querido”, she reaches for the creature’s hand, giving it a tentative reassuring squeeze. The creature gazes at her hand, then slowly but surely, lowers his head atop of it. MC blinks once at the unexpected affection but lets it happen nevertheless.

“Do I take this as having your wholehearted permission to proceed? I apologize in advance for the pain, querido”, she ran circles at the creature’s hand which earned her a slight shudder and a quick nod.

‘He has a slight fever it seems, quite probably from the famine and injury’, her other hand brushing a stray strand away from his face to which the creature responses with a confused purr, ‘What a sweet little thing’, she smiles, flattening out straying strands.

She gives it a few seconds before slowly retracting her hands, a weak tug tells her of his unwillingness to part but a little coaxing got him to successfully comply. So, she gets to work, apply anaesthetic upon the injured area, earning her daggering stares for a moment at their friend’s stinging recoil, then stitching, cleaning and bandaging his wounds.

The blue-eyed bird(?) creature had a different fixation at the medical procedure than the rest, his claws seemingly moving in an absentminded motion as he observes the woman.

By the time she was done, the golden-eyed creature could barely keep his eyes open but fought just to get a longer glimpse of their saviour(?), MC carassess his head languidly and slowly to coax the creature to rest his eyes. He grips onto the woman’s pants but slackens when she starts moving away. A moment longer she packs the medical aid, grabs the keys to the locks and her axe.

“What do you think you’re doing?”, the purpled eyed one spoke warningly, though with less hate than before, she looks his way and dips her head once.

She walks right back out, moving towards the girl, whom had tears in her eyes, “Oh Miss Angel! Tha-“, “Just MC is fine, sweet one”, the woman cuts her off. The girl snaps her mouth shut before opening them once more, inching closer, “But Miss Angel, you have aided me and my family, you must be an angle sent to free us”, Columbina clasps onto MC’s hands with determined tenderness, a silent devotion.

The woman slips her hands out of Columbina’s hold, a sweet smile still adoring her face as she slowly grabs onto the girl’s right hand and placing the keys in it, “Listen well to me, dear Columbina, I am no exception from those who have mistreated and tortured you and your companions. I am of no one special nor am I good enough to be described as such a pure being. This was but basic human decency that those horrid beasts before you do not hold a speck of. But do not mistake my assistance for kindness, it merely aligns with my own interests, that is all”, she places the girl’s hands near her own person.

“Many humans are unpredictable and cruel, the beasts more so, do not trust them so easily, not for anything, and after today, not even I. And please, I insist, call me MC, because that is all who I am, simply MC”, she smiles kindly towards the pink-eyed girl, redressing and tightening Columbina’s clumsy attempt at bandaging her wound then raising to her full height once satisfied.

“I’d imagine with all the ruckus we had created, a lackey or two will come check in on this very tent. Columbina, I trust you to free the rest of your family as I go and buy you all as much time as possible. Those bodies, do what you will with them, humans are quite rich in everything good if you forgone their unsavoury personality”, she gives the girl a wink as if she were talking about the weather.

“No! Let us come with you, Ange- MC! It is far too dangerous for you to encounter those humans by your lonesome! They concur in numbers”, she lunges at the woman, grabbing her hand once more in an iron like grip, her pupils shaking.

“I can-“

“It’s suicide if you do, trust me, we know those bastards best”, another voice pops up. MC faces forward to the source and found the green-eyed creature looking straight at them with snake-like slits.

“I will serve as a momentary distraction, while you all-“, she was cut off once more.

“Lady, are you crazy? Hah, wait, don’t even answer that question, you’ve proven your sanity so far with that little show you’ve put on for us”, he mocked, a growing smug stretching his face.

“Harlequin! What is wrong with you!? How could you call MC that?”, Columbina defended the woman with a frown directing towards Harlequin.

“Is it not the truth? First, she bothered on dirtying her hands with helping us and now she’s trying to serve herself as bait even when she barely knows us. Best part is she won’t get anything out of us after this. Sounds like a total nutcase to me”, he counters, tilting his head to the side against the bars a little.

“That is quite enough, Harlequin”, the mismatched eyed one finally spoke up, his own grip tightening around the cage’s bar with finality. This causes Harlequin to tsk and look away from the scene, with the hint of vengeance.

“What? All I’m saying is the truth, do not be naïve, we know better, I’m willing to bet she’ll turn her back on us the second she sees an opening, she’s a human after all”, Harlequin continues to snarl despite the reprimand.

“Do hold your tongue, Harlequin. There is no need to be overly hostile”, the purple-eyed one spoke up with an annoyed huff, as if reluctant to disagree with the green-eyed one’s statement.

“My Lady, please mind not the words of Harlequin, he is not in the most desirable of states of us present and while it is true we have yet to reinstated our opinions on humankind, we would always recognize a debt owed to be repaid. You have aided us immensely, count this as us merely setting the records straight”, the mismatched eye creature continued. A little comical to see his polite bow through the bars, his insistence leaving no room for disagreements.

MC sighs once more, her smile twitches before it completely disappears. Her last chance to slip into the night with the shadows forgone just like that, how did she let herself get roped into this little escapade, “Alright, fine, I give. Come, hand me those keys and help me open the cells, Columbina”, the woman detaches the keys from its ring, handing the girl some to fasten the process of unlocking the cages.

She heads straight to the closest one to the golden-eyed creature. The purple-eyed one merely stares at her with wary eyes as she works her way into the lock, with a click it opens. Both of them holding eye contact before she dips her head once more then saunter to the next cage. He merely narrows his eyes at the odd continuous gesture

With all their cages finally unlocked, MC was about to ask Columbina to apply medical aid to them only for her to be stopped by the bird-like creature, “Please, allow me to tend to their wounds instead. I am their doctor”, his deep voice insisted. Whether he does not trust the woman to tend the rest of his family or if it is because he himself wishes to do so, matters little to MC.

The woman merely nods her head, handing the kit into waiting arms, finally walking over to the last locked cage, “We still breathing in there?”, she singsongs.

A click and cut off shout were all the warnings she had gotten before she sidestepped, her axe’s handle raised to protect her face, blocking the sudden swipe, “Impressive, though I must really be off kilter for you to be able to counter this”, she meets vengeful green slits.

MC struggles against Harlequin’s inhuman strength, she clenches her axe tighter “Starved and desperate, aren’t we? To charge at a lady so foully too no less, you ought to be a little embarrassed, little serpent”, she swipes the handle, skidding backwards.

Harlequin hisses, “Hah! What an amusing little human pest you are, come here so I could show the lady my sincerest hospitalities”, he grins unamused, trekking closer with exposed claws. He was pulled back by the scurf like a particularly misbehaving cat.

The blue-eyed bird creature dangles the assailant in question, “Harlequin, get your head out of your arse for a second, will you? We do not have the luxury of time to do anything rash nor idiotic, cast your frilly emotions aside and use your mind”, the purple-eyed one growls with a piercing glare directed to the green-eyed one. Harlequin mere hiss in displeasure for being handled and reprimanded like petulant child.

MC slowly lowers her axe, huffing, a little impressed on how fast the bird-like one had tended to the rest of his family then she turns and treks back towards the cage, “I apologize for his misconduct”, the half-sincerity of the purple-eyed one had her steps faltering. She looks back towards the source then nods once. Again, with the odd gesture.

As expected, the beast inside the cage was no longer responding, the quivering had reduced to nothing and a half lidded shocked expression, it was all that was left in its wake. She feels quite disappointed now, maybe if an unremarkably annoying snake had not disturbed her, she’d have a chance at one final play. Feeling quite sour now, she lets out an irritated huff and unlocks the bars with more force than necessary.

The woman crouches slightly to check its’ pulse, nothing, as expected, but a lady can dream. She grabs the body by the hair then drags it towards the centre where the other laid. After unceremoniously flinging it to the middle of the tent, she raises her axe once more, with practical precision, she chops up the body parts into more palatable pieces.

She faces the gang of odd-looking creatures, noticing the golden-eyed one was now awake as well, “Get your strengths back and eat up, I’ll check up on the entrance”, she wipes her face with the hems of her sleeves. They stare at her with a questioning gaze.

She looks over the gold eyed one, “Please do not jostle yourself too much, querido. The wounds weren’t shallow and I do not wish for your stiches to come undone, I trust you will eat as well, yes?”, the woman says, smiling when he gave her an enthusiastic nod. She chuckles at that.

Before anything else could arise, she continues, “I will merely be at the entrance, I will not wander out far. I shall serve a warning if I see someone approaching and if it is manageable, I am capable of blending into the shadows and disposing them myself. I suggest you all to make haste”, she puts on her mask and unsheathe her pocket knife. Her trusty friend a pleasant weight in her other hand.

“Halt”, the familiar purple-eyed one commanded, this causes MC to slow down her tracks a second time and tilting her head slightly backwards as if gesturing that she was listening.

The creature, slightly annoyed with the gesture but decided to let it go for now continued, “How are we to trust you when you yourself had explicitly told us not to even give you a chance after tonight? Why are you even offering your assistance? Are you hoping for a debt?”, his waiting gaze bore into the back of her head.

The others were silent, but she knew they had similar inquiries, some more than others. MC turns her masked faced slightly to the back, “You don’t, you just have to use your instincts and serve your own judgement. Do you really think I’d go door to door simply slaughtering beasts on sight and let others witness to tell the tale?”, she turns slightly.

“And debts? What good would that do me? I am quite content and comfortable with the way I live at present thank you”, the woman huffs.

She hears a faint, "Well, we do not have anyone to “tell” on you, so you would not need to worry if words do spread now, will you? Do you really think we would believe that you are doing this ‘Out of the goodness of your heart?’”, he countered with a deadpanned expression.

She huffs out in amusement, “’Goodness of my heart’? That’s rich. Well, like I had stated before, this aligns more with my personal interests than it is my intentions of aiding you all. Think of it as me doing a little quest for I was jaded, though, you can see it however you wish to. And forgone these thoughts of all this debt and paying back schlock, I myself had gotten something out of all of this”, she muses.

“And that ‘interest’ would be?”, he pushed, gaze still untrusting.

She turns back towards the entrance then, “As I've said, personal. I’m off”, she waves her axed hand lazily. A displeased huff could be heard, but again, she paid no mind.

“Don’t get yourself killed now, dear MC”, Harlequin beckons with a smug tone.

“Would not dream of it, darling little serpent”, she counters distractedly which was answered with a cackle.

She lightened her steps as she approaches the lanterns, extinguishing the sources of light saved but one right next to the entrance.

As if on cue, she hears chatter approaching the tent, a displeased grumbled of an enraged man the most prominent. ‘A group is approaching’, her mind supplied, the rush resurfacing. She bends down to pick up a small pebble then proceeds to chuck it between the forest’s trees nearby.

She could see the beasts startling at the rustling of crashing leaves and stone, “What was that?”, one of them cowered, holding onto the club in its hands a little tighter.

The one in the middle pushed the other beast in the offending direction with its cane, “Well? Don’t dally boy! Go and check on it! Useless fools, the lot of ya’!”, it shouts a command. With an accent so forced the woman cringes just hearing it.

Ah, this must be…

The Ringleader.

The Beast.

“What a find”, she says, grabbing onto another stone and chucks it towards the other direction in the moment of their distraction, the two who were left hastily turned their heads towards the tumbling sounds of the stone hitting a wooden surface.

“The hell was that?”, the Showman alarmed, grabbing a hold on what seems to be a revolver.

“That came from one of the carts outside, boss. How do we proceed?” one of the larger beasts spoke up. “The hell do I pay ya’ useless mutts for!? Must I tell ya’ everythin’!? Go do yer job! I’ve got to see what’s all that ruckus was about, if I see those bumbling idiots playing around and ruining with MY prized possessions again, I’ll whip them dead!”, it barks outs to the beast, pointing at the direction and proceeds to stomps angrily towards the tents.

The Showman curses insults to the air, “Incompetent bastards, the lot of em’! Paid them MY hard-earned pennies for em’ to be this useless?”, it clutches its cane tighter.

MC readies herself to blend further back in the shadows to catch the beast off-guard, but she felt something pulling her further into the tent.

The Ringmaster was royally pissed, what the hell was happening tonight? Everything was going just swimmingly not even an hour ago as he closes up the circus and count his earnings for the night. It was the faint screams and clanging that got his attention, coming from those Freak’s tent.

It was mandatory for two of his dirty mutts to go and feed those monsters each three nights though not too much, as much as he wishes to weaken them, he need them alive or the business would be a complete bust.

Though, he had a feeling he needed to dispose of the lot soon enough. Wild beasts will always be will beasts, he might even be able to have enough compensation if he left the pretty one alive, she would be of good use.

He takes out his revolver, the tent was oddly quiet, where did those two bastards run off to? Something was definitely off, when he got to the entrance of the tent, dread crawled upon his back, as the abyss of darkness stares back at him.

The Ringmaster turns his head then quickly, ready to shout out for his workers but an appendage grabbed on to him, shutting him up, locking him into place and swallowing him into the darkness. His cane, falling off in the process.

The tent was dark, he writhed and struggle in his binds, trying and failing to set off his revolver, muffled screams being the only sound to echo in the tent. The light streaming from the entrance was like the last faux salvation he was given as fear consumed his every being.

Though he could barely see anything, he could feel it. He feels eyes staring at him in a dangerous uncontainable impatience. Hungry, hungry stares.

Two blurred shadows were seen exiting the tent, so swift and fast that he had thought to have imagined it in his manic haze. But the sound of barely audible screams outside in his panic was the only thing confirming him on the truth of his sight. It was over, he can feel the end approaching him.

The lanterns suddenly lit, illuminating a bright glow, the Showman shut his eyes before the sudden intrusion of light on his vision. He felt his weapon snatched from his grasps, this caused him to struggle harder in his binds, his eyes opening in sheer panic. The scream in his throat caught as he truly opens them.

As his vision clears up, he suddenly froze. The image before him sending terrifying waves of dread sinking down to his bones. The monsters, they were free, they were out of their cages. And worse of all, their eyes looked completely different. Their eyes promised him death.

“Times up, beast”, he hears a snicker before he was thrown to the grown mercilessly.

MC had not been expecting to be dragged back into tent so suddenly, she had almost cut off the offending limb before she realizes the appendage were but dainty fingers. As expected, she could not see anything in the dark after dying out the lanterns but she felt something encircling her middle. The embrace warm and tight causing her to untense slightly. The she saw the girl’s glowing pink iris. A peculiar sight, but not all too surprising.

It was probably Columbina, she will have to reprimand her on this behaviour later, but the action does shake away some of her bloodlust. Right, the creatures here deserved to hunt that beast more than she did. So, she simply kept the pocketknife back into its sheath and pats the girl’s hand gently, comforting her and motioning her for release.

Her hands were quite peculiar, they are fluffy and very soft. It was as if holding an extremely soft pillow. MC finds it both adorable and fascinating.

The hand tightened slightly before reluctantly loosening, but it slid into her own and started guiding her quickly further back into the darkness. The woman shivered slightly, finding these lambs to be quite amusing.

“MC, please do not be alarmed. We will not hurt you, but Jester had told me to bring you back, ah, Jester is the one with the purple iris”, Columbina whispers sheepishly in her excitement. Finally having a name to put to the face, MC nods, “I think tonight will be the night we can all finally go home, and it is all thanks to you, Miss Angel, uh, my apologies, MC, it had slipped”, the woman can hear the girl’s embarrassment and merely smile in amusement.

The girl guided her to sit on what felt like haystacks and quickly follow suit when a small thump came from her left, the haystack tumbling slightly for a moment.

They were truly, too much. She placed the blade side of her axe on her right to not accidently hurt the little lass.

“Fear not, dear Columbina, I do not take offense. I am glad you and your family will finally be able to return home and be at peace”, she smiles by nature, though not sure if it could be seen by the girl.

“I would like to think of it as returning home even when there is nothing left but barren lands if we were to actually venture back, but freedom seems like the most fitting first step to one, don’t you agree?”, the girl says solemnly but sure. Though, she could not see it, MC knew ‘Home’ was a more of a figurative notion that it was a statement.

“I am sure wherever you and your family ventures, home will not be too far off, dear Columbina”, now she was the one giving a hopefully comforting squeeze to their joined hands, unknown of how much those words had impacted the pink eyed girl.

MC finds herself in a bind, not quite used nor experienced in the art of comforting anyone properly, human or not, but their little session was torn away when the lanterns suddenly relit. She squints her eyes, just to reopen them and witness one of the most interesting scenes to have ever greeted her.

The monsters were surrounding the quivering beast, Jester was holding onto what the woman had assumed to be the Ringleader’s revolver, twirling it slowly like a particularly interesting toy, while the blue eyed one and the mismatched one looming over the sad excuse of a human.

“Y…you cannot do this to me! I! I own you filthy creatures! When you all had nothing, I kept and fed you fuckers! I gave you protection-“, a shot rang once, the beast screams, clutching onto its thigh.

“Humans truly are the best at inventing the most painful of weapons I must hand it to them, though, I can’t say anything good about the rest of their qualities”, Jester once again twirls the revolver between his fingers, then tossing it aside. A wicked grin stretching.

“But we have no need for human inventions to deal with you, don’t you quite think so, beast?”, his smile grew, all sharp teeth with a hint of mockery. He kicks the vermin at its jaw, knocking it backwards with a sickening crunch.

MC stares at the scene in interest, then nudges Columbina to which the girl quickly looks up at her, “Not going to join in on the fun? You look like you want to rip off that thing’s limb or two”, she smiles questioningly at the girl.

Columbina preening at the attention, smiles back, “Oh, I will, but I’d like to have the others have a go at it first. I would prefer to wait until they seem a little bit more satisfied”, the girl spoke with joy. Didn’t know she had it in her.

MC looks up when she saw motion at the entrance, the golden eyed one and Harlequin dragging, two bodies inside the tent.

 When the golden-eyed one saw the woman, an almost adoring expression broke out, waving at their direction, as if he weren’t covered in the crimson of his victim. He painted a silly almost eerie picture to most, but all the woman could see was jovial innocence equipping his freedom to his advantage.

Though, when he saw her hand interlocking with Columbina’s, he frowns slightly, seemingly upset, ‘Ouh? Is he displeased that Columbina and I are holding hands? Well, I am a human after all, he might still be cautious of me’, before she could delve further into it, the grunting beast once again caught her attention, all heads turned to it, all promising a painful ending.

“Humans truly have greed that is as boundless and as endless as the sea stretches. Always demanding more, always taking more. And your lies as countless as the stars, frankly, what shameless creatures. Humans never fail to sicken me”, Jester stomps on its injured thigh, earning him a delicious anguishing cry of pain.

The Ringmaster tries to reacquire his bearings, but green tentacles pinned him down harshly, “Ah ah ah, and where does our guest of honour and saviour think he’s running off too? Why, you should be honoured! The very first human to have ever been so gracious to us”, a sickening grin stretches on Harlequin’s features.

“We will repay your generosity of course, a debt owed is a debt paid”, the tentacle on his right arm starts twisting, turning his appendage the same way slowly, “No no no no no no no! Stop! Stop this at once! Unhand me at once you filthy bastards! Do not touch me! I saved you, you ungrateful bastards! Unhand me!”, it starts trashing under the grip only to trampled on the ribs by the mismatch-eyed one, letting out a wheeze.

“Geez, can you get any louder? You sound like a dying shrew, so squeaky and relentlessly annoying”, Harlequin mercilessly grip the beast tighter.

“Quiet down, beast. You were always quite the mouthy one. Doctor, do care to fix this one”, the mismatch-eyed one looks to the side towards the bird-like creature. Doctor nodded, as he loomed closer with the first aid kit, like death approaching.

‘So, his name is Doctor huh? That means him tending to the rest is natural. It could be a title more than a name though, just like the rest of them’, MC’s mind supplied.

‘It almost feels like I’m collecting shiny rocks’, she coughs in amusement into her fist. Finding out their names by someone else’s mention was quite hilarious to her.

Unfortunately, her little stunt caught the attention of the crazed squirming beast, “You! Help me! You have to help me! Reason with these beasts! Aren’t you human!? Have some fucking humanity! Are you really going to let a fellow human die!?”, the beast screams at her as he shakes in fear and anger.

MC merely tilts her head to the side, unamused “Humanity? Comical how a beast questions me so. It’s unpleasant, so please cease your chatter with me, stranger”, she turns her head away in boredom.

The beast rages, “You bitch! You! What do you want?! Money!? Hey, look at me! You dare work with these mons-“ a large clawed hand forced his jaws shut, “Please hold still, this will be excruciatingly painful”, Doctor tells it in an almost jovial tone as he brings out the previous sewing kit.

“How very foolish of you to turn your head away in this situation, you must be purposely being obtuse to enlist such stupidity”, the mismatch-eyed one mocks condescendingly.

Seeing the process of sewing someone’s mouth with a thread and needle was truly not something she had imagined would be of her spectacle that night, but the familiar sewing technique identical of her own that she had perform onto the golden eyed one caught her attention.

‘He could do it so flawlessly even only after seeing it firsthand once, this one has quite the special hands’, MC praises, impressed with the precise needlework. The agonizing screams echoes into the night.

Harlequin twists its arm, creating a sickening crack as tissues and joints were ripped off, the bone loosing from its socket, then he pulls, ripping it completely off. The beast screams, the threads on its mouth loosening as his jaw tries to pry itself open, but the Doctor would simply restitch them shut.

They began ripping and tearing the beast’s limbs off one by one, achingly slow, some biting it off its person. Doctor would sometimes seal the wounds shut to keep the beast alive far longer. At one point, Columbina moved from the woman’s side and stomped on the beast’s neck, forcing it to gurgle and choke on its own blood.

Bit by bit until it grew quieter to the point of nothing but horrified soulless eyes were the only things left in its wake. Devouring the man and his lackies right after the massacre tells her of their prolonged hunger.

The woman shudders, not intending to be caught in the fray, she plans her departure.

MC opens the satchel on her thigh and takes out a pocket watch, it was well past 2 before sunrise, she has things to prepare later this day so she stands, dusting herself briefly. She collects her axe and turns towards the rest, only to be pleasantly surprised. The others were already looking her way, though their forms were different. They seemed more or so humanoid than before, though still large but not as quite as before. And it also seems as they've all found some sort of cloth to remain some sort of decency. 

“I must return now, I will be needed in a few hours. It seems you have out on quite the spectacle for me, I immensely enjoyed it. Consider the debt paid and no more between us. Now if you’ll excuse me”, she tries to leave, but was stopped by Columbina’s outstretched hand. It was rougher now, less fluffy, “Mi- MC! Wait! Please, do not leave just yet! We must repay your generosity!”, the girl pleads, a little panic.

“If you hadn’t interfered, I fear a far worse fate would have befallen upon us soon. Truly, it would not feel right not to, MC”, she speak more determinedly. The gold eyed one nods along with her vigorously.

The woman felt conflicted, she would prefer to remove herself from the site as soon as possible, as much as she craves the rush of adrenaline, MC would not risk the chance involving herself with unknown creatures.

She pulls out another handkerchief from her pant pocket and dabs the little lass’s mouth with it gently, wiping away the stray blood like one would wipe a messy child’s after they finish eating. Columbina stills and averts her gaze, a little shy under the woman’s attention and embarrassed of showing her such an untidy display.

“I must unfortunately decline your offer. Remember, as of tonight, I myself should not be trusted, so this is where our alliance part ways”, she nudges the girl’s hand for release. The girl seems to wilt at the reminder but seemingly trying to persist.

“Then we must not let you leave”, Jester’s spoke up before she could, the woman raises her head in question, her brows furrowing.

“As you have stated, as of tonight, this estranged ‘alliance’ of ours has met its end. And with that, so will you”, he stares down the woman, sirens blaring inside her head. MC did not raise her axe, but she narrows her eyes in caution, gripping the handle and waiting for any unwanted movements.

“Jester! What do you think you are doing? You cannot hurt MC! She had saved us!”, Columbina defended the woman, covering her from Jester’s sight in addition the rest as well. Pierrot following suite.

“ Ouh? Can I not? She is no longer of help to us and to be quite truthful, humans still leave a foul aftertaste in my mouth. You had heard her words, Columbina. She will no longer be of assistance to us, going as far as labelling herself as untrustworthy. How are you to be sure she does not return to her little human village to speak of our existence and slaughter us all?”, he replies coldly, his arms crossing over one another.

The girl swallows at that, unsure, but she would not back down. This person was their saviour! She had helped them when no one else would. When everyone looked at them with filth and fear, she simply looks at them as if they were not abnormal, as if they were equals. She will not let anyone hurt her Angel!

“Now now, Jester. You are scaring, Columbina and Pierrot. Do not take his words to heart, Miss MC. He simply wishes to discuss a few things with you. Ah, how very rude of us, I do not think we had officially introduced ourselves. I am Ticket Taker, though you might already be acquainted, this is Jester. From the left there is Columbina, Pierrot, Doctor and Harlequin. It is quite the pleasure. As Columbina had previously stated, we thank you for aiding us. We wish to at least repay this gesture, please, think of it as a selfish way to satisfy our consciences”, Ticket Taker bows politely, though his balled-up fists told another story.

Columbina sighs in relief, ‘Maybe Bil will have more of a breakthrough talking for them to her’, the angel clenches her hands together in a hopeful motion. She glances at Pierrot whom had a similar hopeful expression, then to Harlequin who feign nonchalance but stole miniscule glances. The girl smiles.

MC scratches the back of her head, sighing frustratedly, no longer willing to hold up her last bit of ‘lady-like’ façade, “Goodness, you are all too much. Really, this is mostly a Tuesday crusade kind of activity for me, but if you all keep pushing me like this, then I really can’t keep refusing, haahh. Waaa, I really just wanted to wash up and tend to my herbs, why do I even keep up that stupid moral code ‘Do one thing, then do the other’, seriously, was I fine in the head way back when?”, MC’s frame slouches slightly as the woman starts rambling to herself.

The rest were taken aback, not expecting such brazen display of emotion. She starts grumbling to herself, as if wallowing in self-pity over terrible life decisions. As if she had composed herself, MC straightens ones more, surprising Jester a little as she looks at him, “Alright, let’s talk”.

Jester was left baffled, the human had turned a complete 180. Where had the mostly sophisticated spoken woman gone? Was this the same person? He had known for a lady to wear trousers(trousers!) was odd in itself, but she had at least spoken and moved in a more dignified demeanour. But this? This was as if another person had possessed her.

Well, not quite, she is behaving mostly the same, the human just seems to be letting loose of her emotions more.

Contrary to what Jester had previously said about Harlequin being too hasty, he himself had thought of finishing the dangerous human off before she could pose aa a potential threat to his family. Though, he knew which he must prioritize in the present. Now? He has the blatant opportunity to do so, the only obstacle being Columbina and oddly enough Pierrot.

He scrunches his eye, “What games are you playing at here, human?”, he hisses lowly, confused on the sudden change. Was this display being the human showing her true colours? Will she finally prove that she is no different from those other deviants?

“And what is this, ‘Do one thing, then do the other’? what are you scheming you,  insatiable beast?”, he pushes on, “Listen, I really want nothing to do with you and the rest of your family, if you’d like, I could even faux seeing you all tonight. I am the type of ‘insatiable beast’ that prefers staying indoors until further notice if I were given the option to work on concoctions or sleep the day away”, she heaves her axe onto her shoulders.

The Doctor seems to have perked up at the mention of concoction and herbs, while Pierrot and Columbina wilted at the statement of wanting nothing to do with them. What is wrong with them?

“I was already out hunting tonight when I got curious about this circus. My original plan was doing a little tit for tat around the premises, then go home when I fail to find anything catching my interest. I should’ve known I was poking at a hornet’s nest though”, the human mumbles dejectedly.

“As for the whole ‘do things do the other yada yada’, that’s just my personal principle you know? Similarly, it is comparable to that of doing the dishes after supper. Don’t leave anything halfway done, especially if you do not wish to revisit the problem later on in life”, she starts kicking the dirt a little.

The both simply stared at one-another, Jester found the human to be even more peculiar. He still distrusts them with an iron will, but this woman before him was a little different than he had previously conducted. His gaze moves over to his long-trusted companion. Bil simply stares back at him with a small nod as if a brief conversation had gone between the two monsters.

“Then, please do satisfy our inquiry on why exactly had you been wandering the woods this late into the night in detail. The description of ‘hunting’ is quite vague. Could it be of relation to what you had conducted prior to releasing us?”, the mismatched eyed monster questions the human next causing her to break eye contact with Jester and direct it to the other.

The human crosses her arms, “This feels an awful lot more like an interrogation than a simple talk. Even if I do not owe you an explanation, I am feeling quite generous tonight or, hm, morning”, she mumbles the last past before waving her hand as if to rid of a thought.

“Alright, how of this. If I were to answer your questions, you are to answer mine. And if either side wishes not to answer we simply label it as ‘confidential’, are we in an agreement?” she changes back to a more formal speech. Truly a peculiar human.

She raises three fingers, “I had not fibbed when announcing of having prior engagements, so let us keep this as brief as possible, gentlemen”, she continues, smiling with teeth.

 “You have gotten yourself in an agreement, Miss MC”, Bil replies ever polite.

“Just MC would suffice”, the woman sighs.

“I’m afraid I would rather prefer to address you as I previously did so”, the mismatch eyed monster shakes his head in refusal.

This causes the human to groan in displeasure but she seems mostly to not mind, “Fine, be it as it may”, she gives up.

“To answer your question, I was hunting ‘people’ or well a person as of prior to my findings of this circus. I was already returning from my biweekly excursion when I smelled a hint of sweetness near my usual path of return”, the human reiterates her activities.

Humans killing one another was not a surprise to Jester, they are cruel and selfish creatures who think of nothing but the safety of their own well beings, but for her to admit to such acts of cruelty so effortlessly means she in particular is the far more dangerous kinds amongst them. Though, the answer the human had given was not of satisfaction to the purple eyed monster, he was not given the full picture.

“A murderer that saves monsters huh? Ironically, you weren’t just a crazy woman swinging around axes at the nearest breathing creature possible”, Harlequin cackles, smirking in amusement, the curious human had already caught his interest when she had killed those vile creatures, but her blocking his swipe was definitely not by coincidence.

Pierrot turns to Harlequin, glaring at him slightly to only which the serpent monster replied with a smug tug of his lips, “You must be quite the prodigy at killing humans, dearest MC”, he drawls on. Columbina frowns at that, ‘MC must have a reason for doing so, she is much too nice to act in such violent ways without reason. She had probably done it to save someone! I am confident of it’, she thinks confidently.

“Harlequin”, Pierrot glares at the monster warningly, Harlequin replies with a challenging grin, “Oh? Do you have something to say Pierrot?”

The human makes a face at the name but simply sighs, “Please cease yourself from interrupting the discussion, Harlequin”, the Ticket Taker warns which Harlequin simply smiles lazily while holding his hands up in mock surrender.

“Fine fine, I was just curious”

“Alright, I believe it is my turn to question, I am aware Columbina had mention you all to have been tricked to end up in this situation but how exactly had you all been ‘trapped’ by that…beast?” she raises a brow at the question, her lips downturned.

Now they could simply refuse to answer as the human had no right to be privy of their arrangements in detail but it was not as if this human could use this information against them, “As Columbina had stated, we were played for fools. We had nowhere for safety and nourishment beforehand, ‘desperate and hungry’ you could say, when a human had stumbled upon us. That beast amongst beasts. He had promised us food and a temporary asylum in exchange we merely display ourselves to a crowd for the price of our keep”, Jester grips his arms tighter at the memory.

“It was all true at first, the vile human’s promise. We were naïve and hopeful for things to remain manageable for long. Gradually, he fed us less, hit us and mock us to weaken us. Until finally, we could not do anything but bend to their despicable whims”, he growls at the reminder of their first mistake, trusting a human.

“If we had known that a fate worse than hell would had befallen onto us, devouring that man and starting from the bottom up would have been far more merciful”

The woman was quiet as she frowns. Her face wasn’t of mockery or at least in pity as the monster had expected, it was a little closer to sadness and anger. Why? She hastily fixes her expression into a more neutral fixture as she nods slightly.

Why was this human acting so odd? Why has her every action confused the Jester so, leaving him in a slight conundrum in his beliefs? He wishes not to delve further into such thoughts, “Do you enjoy taking the lives of others?”, he quickly counters the woman in the state of her faltering, as if trying to make an accusation. A distraction. A try for a contradiction.

The human looked surprised by the question by the sudden change in discussions, coming from her expression and how she pulled her lips in a line. She stays quiet for a moment, possibly to gather her thoughts.

Jester could already guess the answer based off of her behaviour an hour prior.

“Yes” “Yes”, they both spoke in unison, the woman seems unsurprised by the unified answer this time, as if she was expecting the monster to answer with and or for her. The human seems to have traded her nonchalance expression to one of faux amusement.

The room went silent when she had not elaborated, merely displaying her fool of a smile. That seems to have convinced Jester enough on how he should deal with the hu-

“-but that is not quite the correct term I would have put it. I follow a set of personal principles, do I enjoy taking the lives of the innocent? Ouh, heavens no. I do not merely kill for unwarranted reasons, I am far more poised and educated than that”, she starts pacing towards where the two vile humans had been previously executed by her hands, now nothing left but dried blood as the monsters had devoured them.

“Now beasts who hurt others for their own personal enjoyment and gain, those who do so out of sheer boredom, those who ruin lives because they have the power and ability to do so on the other hand. I do, immensely so, without a doubt. Many amongst them were men and women were a crowd few for they were the usual lambs to slaughter but a present presence nonetheless”, the woman continues almost sombrely, tracing the dirt with the tip of her axe forming human shaped appearances.

The monsters follow the human’s movement intently, listening with attention. Some somewhat understood more, others less so. The woman rakes her fingers through her hair unconsciously, undoing her many braids.

“I find it comical when I see predators reduced to mere prey, when they lose their shine in confidence of hurting others as they beg and cry and plead just like the lambs they had forsaken, an innuendo of a symphony yet so dangerously delectable to the ears”, she spirals slightly, slicing the images in half with a clean swipe. A crazed grin stretches wide over her face.

“Does it not satisfy you to no end? It brings me immense happiness”, she looks at them.

The woman snaps out of her little monologue, “Ah, ahem. Pardon my poor display, I tend to get carried away when I am too in depth”, she awkwardly clears her throat, an embarrassed flush on her cheeks.

Jester was in disbelief, this human could not be speaking truthfully, there is nothing in this world that would convince him so. She peaks of ending cruelty with cruelty, which makes her no different from the rest of her own kind, her own list of criteria placed to make her actions justified. It all sounds too forged and artificial, these creatures know nothing but to lie.

She is merely speaking in a way that would garner their favour, nothing more nothing less. The woman is definitely one of a cunning character. He opts to survey the woman further, not quite satisfied with his measly findings to make a true deduction.

Doctor finds the woman to be one of an interesting character. He had yet to have personally met a human with signs of such psychosis up close before, but her pathological drive to mutilate brings him to attention. To stay and study this woman would definitely lead to an extraordinary breakthrough. Not to mention a human who fears not monsters and carry otherworldly hatred to mostly her own is surely a curious case, he will have to dissect her further.

Ticket Taker has come across all sorts of questionable characters and humans in his long life, but never quite one as truthful as the woman, he is unsure on what to make of her but his family always comes first, he will need to keep a close eye on this particular one and a sophisticated monster such as him would never dream of leaving a debt unrepaid. They were not as shameless and untruthful as humans, to not keep a promise would simply be a disgrace.

Harlequin cackles louder, “Dearest, you truly are out of your mind! Oh, how fun! Tell me, is this truly nothing but a regular occurrence for you? Do you simply massacre them as you please each time? You must have quite the record. What an impressive little human you are”

Pierrot glares at him at his side, displeased at the sudden bombardment. Columbina frowns at him in disapproval as well.

“I wouldn’t say I am”, she frowns upon the endearment once again, “And I believe it is my turn to question”, she tries putting on a serious expression though her embarrassed features fails to do so.

“Are you all considering living amongst humans going forward?”, the human, seeming a little out of her embarrassed spiral, probed. A curious question, but one that would decide their fates from here on out.

“Perhaps, we have yet to give much thought as of now with our newly acquired freedom. But a possibility, though why so will be entirely confidential”, Ticket Taker answers smoothly, being both vague and direct. Best not to show too much of their cards.

It seems she was somewhat satisfied with the answer, or maybe she had not cared as much, as she merely gave a nod of approval with no further inquiries. The woman had said she was quite in a hurry.

Their final question, that was all that was left to their disposal, something that could possibly be comfortable enough for her to pry it open herself or just enough for a conformation. They must trek carefully.

“Lambs to slaughter. You had said that previously”, all heads turned at Pierrot’s sudden remark.

“Pierrot?”, Jester raises a confused and surprise brow at him, a little displeased at the way their final question will be used on something that might be non-beneficial but was not expecting the monster to speak out of the blue.

Harlequin eyes Pierrot questioningly, curious on what could possibly have caught his attention by the woman’s proclamation, he finds it a little humorous the puppy like monster who would trail after Columbina like a lovesick fool would pay attention to someone other than the angel monster, choosing now of all times to put those vocal cords of his to good use. Columbina herself was quite taken aback, wondering why Pierrot would speak so suddenly.

“The reason you had helped us, was it because you had perceived us as those ‘lambs’ you had spoken of? The reason you…kill, is… it because you too had once been a….”, he looks uncertain before continuing, “…a ‘lamb’?”, he fiddles with his clawed hands, feeling a sudden nervousness at his own question.

The monsters turn their heads back towards the human, an intense interest to know the answer to the query.

An odd expression had taken over her face, she was gazing back at Pierrot as if he had hit her last nerve then the woman looks away, “…”, she scratches the back of her head in contemplation.

When the human turns back she has the previous infuriating smile on her features, “That’s confidential”, she grits her teeth, then she reaches into her pouch taking out a piece of parchment and a wooden pencil. She scritches something onto the paper.

Pierrot had wanted to apologize if he had made an offensive statement but she approaches him, “Uh-, my, my Lady! I did not mean to offend you, I-“, she gently pushes the folded paper into his hands.

“Do not fret, you are free to speak out your mind, querido. I had previously stated that we may ask one another anything under the sun though it would certainly not guarantee an answer”, she chuckles good naturedly, Pierrot perked up at the endearment, clutching the parchment tighter. Columbina and Harlequin being the ones nearest to him, attempts a curious peek at the paper in Pierrot’s grasp.

Jester makes a vague voice of displeasure.

“You must be quite knowledgeable in medicine, could you be an apothecary? Or a doctor perhaps?”

“Ouh, I was under the impression my turn to answer had been concluded”, she smiles wryly towards the Doctor, “Though I suppose I can answer that one quite easily. I dabble my fingers a little in medical knowledge but not to the point of such outstanding station. I am merely a humble botanist”, she bows a little.

“A botanist you say? How very interesting, would it be alright to assume that you concoct your own remedies for medicine? Just as the salve you had put in the kit. I must praise such magnificent creation. It had reduced most of the lacerations and swelling when I had applied it on the rest”

The woman raises an amused brow at him, “Yes, I suppose you could say that. I am quite fond of tending and scripting the plants of my garden, it is my own proud and private sanctuary. The aloe vera I had added must have done wonders, I am glad to receive praise from someone who is familiar in the field aligning with my interests”

“It is truly marvellous! I do hope to gain the honour of being able to observe and research such fine botanical herbs up-close myself in the near future”

“Why, I would be delighted to guide you through my garden!”

Jester clears his throat, “Doctor, please cease the chatter for another day, the Lady has elsewhere to be”, Doctor rubs his nape in embarrassment, nodding a few times.

“My apologies, I seem to have gotten carried away in my excitement”

The woman chuckles with mirth, “It is of no matter”

“Alright, this concludes tonight’s questioning session, I must really venture back now”, she claps her hand together in finality and paces a few steps back. The monsters follow her movement with rapt attention.

“Ah! But- but you have one question left, Mi- MC! And uhm, how are we to repay you if we do not know where you will be hailing?”, Columbina calls out to her, following after the woman.

“Haha, if you do not mind, I’ll save my final question for a later day, dear Columbina!”, her angel smiles her way.

“And fret not, that piece of parchment I had handed over to Pierrot will lead you to exactly where I reside. For you to trust that I had not led you astray, that will be your decision. But just know I am not so devious”.

The woman faces Jester and Ticker Taker, “Well now gentlemen, I wish to depart and if you see fit, you may burn the paper and feign my existence”, she nods lowly once again as the times she did before.

"How are we to be sure you are speaking the truth? Forgive our bluntness, but must we remind you our distaste in humans is still quite palpable? We cannot merely take your words to account, miss MC”

“You had mentioned this alleged alliance had been broken off before, do not take us for fools and lead us in circles by your statement of reestablishing this commodity once more”, Jester adds, a displeased grin in his wake.

The woman blinks slowly, like that of a confused feline caught in a bind, then she sighs in exasperation, “Ouh, alright”, she rummages through her pouch once more and takes out a curious looking gemmed ring.

What a petulant human, his smile sharpens.

“Us humans are quite the sentimentalists, especially those who you may have guessed, are left in solidarity. This ring is invaluable to me, so if you do not find me, I will come find you. And based on how you will greet me, is the hospitality you will be receiving in return”, she reluctantly held her hand out, a deep frown marring her features.

She held it out as if it truly was the most prized possession she had on her person. Truly s foolish human she was.

It is either she has a knack at pretence or the item was actually quite important. Still, Jester will not make a fool of himself like some of them are, he will see fit on how he should deal with this human. He reaches out an appendage, as she carefully lowers it into his awaiting palms with utter reluctance.

He does not see why they should not just end the life of the human before them, but they had other priorities that demand their attention tonight.

The woman could either be unbelievably stupid or foolishly easy, she will surely regret the day she helped the monsters.

“I am sure there are still many lingering workers you wish to pay a visit to. After you all are done managing yourselves, come find me”, the human was still frowning, but her expression turned pensive a second later.

“And quite contrary to what you believe I do not live in a ‘Little human village’, I myself truly prefer the whispers of the woods’ contrasts to the bustling of markets, farewell”, she turns a mischievous grin towards Jester, which left the monster’s grin to twitch somewhat, and quickly scurries away.

The woman turns to Columbina, “I will see you soon, dear Columbina”, then turns towards Pierrot with a smile, “And I trust you will be leading them over just fine, sweet one”, the monster nods in tandem, she chuckles at the silly gesture.

“Aww, not going to wish me a farewell”, Harlequin nudges Pierrot’s shoulder, batting his lashes at the woman to wish she to the latter’s annoyance, which she responses with a playful eyeroll and pushes the serpent like monster off his friend(?), “Yes, yes, who could ever forget the benevolent and courteous Harlequin? Don’t cause trouble for the rest of your family now”

Harlequin, not expecting the easy-going expression after his little stunt, narrows his eyes with a chuckle, “Truly a peculiar human. And I’m hurt, now what could ever give you the idea of me stirring trouble? I believe I seldom do so”, he smiles with sharp pearly whites.

“I wonder”, she mocks a thought then turn to the side. Pierrot shoves the monster away who emitted a surprised yelp.

“It had been a pleasure, Doctor. I do hope to continue our discussion on where we left off”

“Most certainly”

The woman looks away, readjusting her grip on the axe’s handle and continues forth towards the entrance. With her free hand, MC once again waves a lazy farewell until she disappears into the woods.

Jester keeps his gaze lingering a moment longer towards the retreated back. He then turns to his family, seeing as their gazes were still fixated on the forest saved from Ticket Taker who looked at him in expectation.

“Bil, that human…”, he spoke lowly towards his old friend to whom which nodded his head in understanding.

“I must have been out of my wits”, MC slams her head atop her oak table with an elongated groan. The woman hit the surface with a defeated punch causing a few things to move and roll on top of the table, “Aghhhh, I swear to never look at the eyes of any lambs ever again. I cannot believe I had done something so stupid, so- so imbecilic. You’re soooo stupid MC, waaaaa”, she groans pitifully as she ruffles her hair in frustration.

“Why’d I have to go and let myself be swayed. Maybe there are herbs in my garden that I could use to numb myself from these unnecessary human feelings, curses!”, she whines once more in frustration.

What was worse was the fact that she had wished those creatures would finally come and find her abode.

It had been around a week since her first encounter with those peculiar creatures, monster(?) and yet, not a single word had reached her from their end.

MC had gone back to the same location on the third day, but she found the whole circus seemed to have allocated elsewhere, leaving behind nothing but barren land and the smell of gore lingering in the air.

For all the talk about coming to find them personally if they do not come to her first, the woman had no clue on where to even start her search. Sure, bringing along such big baggage could slow anyone down, but they were not particularly just ‘anyone’. She is quite confidant that their inhuman strength could have allowed them to venture further than that of the norm.

And it was not as if she had not tried to find a spec of trace or lead to where they might have gone, but each time she so much as grasp a morsal of a clue, something else would arise.

Such as right now, she picks the momentarily forgotten pestle and mortar back up, previously grinding a mix of a few herbs freshly picked from her garden intending to turn the paste into a reliever of some sort.

One of her lambs-it is always her lambs, curses those cute creatures-that reside in the village had informed her of her pregnancy and quite apparently, close labour date. The estimation to be a month or two, but an early preparation was always better.

MC had been surprised at the news, but the woman had not question further even after knowing the origins of the child. She will and would support those who she seemed fit for her need. She might be far from being the saint some praise her to be, but she would always take care to whom which she considers her own.

With one final sigh, MC sluggishly continue on with her circular grinding motion. The woman would have to find another way to locate her estranged allies. For now, she poured her attention sorely on the completion of the anaesthetic.

MC scarcely step foot into the village if she could help it, opting with the act of messenger birds to and fro interchanged with some of her lambs to avoid investigations. That includes daily necessitates, as she could simply procure what she needs in the very much lavish forest. But such exempts are made when she is to deliver her salves or concoctions directly to her lambs. Those deliveries must be done in person as she trusts not the messengers for being able to balance itself with such weights.

The woman was bottling the last of the anaesthetic when she hears faint rustling outside the cottage. She glimpsed at the window, just narrowingly missed a figure moving away with inhuman speed.

Inhuman huh.

MC stands slowly, dusting imaginary dust from her skirt and picks up a smaller, more portable version of her trusty friend at her workbench, crossing the threshold of her humble cabin. As she approaches the door, she hears faint whispers coming from the other side of the door.

Whispers from familiar voices. She smiles.

MC knocks on the door twice, the whispers quite right after.

 She crosses her hands, waiting for the entities beyond the door to make their move. A minute passes, then two without so much of the earlier peep. MC’s smile widens, it was as if she was entertaining those little village brats as she awaits her lambs on her rare deliveries in town.

She gives it a second longer before three resounding knocks echoes from her door. The woman twirls her axes and tucks it onto her tool belt and takes a deep breath. She opens the door, expression feigning nonchalance.

The visitors the woman had been expecting did not disappoint, “And who do I owe the pleasure of this sudden visit?”, she questions cheekily, a smile almost twitching on her face. It was an almost comical sight.

The monsters seem to be wearing a performer’s outfit, one that would definitely scream ‘Circus’ if one were to encounter them. And their forms were as humanoid as the day they parted ways, though now they wore some kind of masks themselves. Each look particularly custom made for each of them or maybe their roles?

Pierrot and Harlequin seem to be nudging one another like particularly silly children, the serpent-like monster shouting “Nao me toque!” while the other simply growls louder. The Doctor holding onto a woven basket filled with what seemed to be fruits and different types of valuable herbs, Columbina fiddling with her hand with barely contained anticipation, a smile wide on her features or mask(?). Ticket Taker places a finger between his brows, as if he were an exasperated parent. Their masks morphing presumably following the wearer’s current mood. How peculiar.

Jester, at the centre of it all, with his hand still hovering, wears an identical expression to Ticket Taker, though he wore an indescribable and tight grin. Their attention turns towards the woman as she opened the door.

The purple-eyed monster starts opening his mouth, only to be slightly nudged aside by Columbina as she practically pounced onto the woman, almost sending them both tumbling down had it not been for MC holding onto the door’s frame.

“Columbina, please, must I remind you once more to conduct yourself?”, Jester sighs tiredly, as if he had repeated the words to no end only for it to fall to deaf ears.

The monster in question merely loosened her hold on the woman to peer back at the exasperated Jester with a sheepish grin, “Hehe, sorry Jester”. Though, contrary to her words, the angel monster unapologetically refused to let the woman go. Ticket Taker shakes his head.

MC huffs in amusement, patting the lass’s back, “As much as I find this welcoming gesture endearing, I would prefer for us to converse without the potential of falling over this doorframe, dear Columbina”

“Oh! Uhm! Right! My apologies, Mi- MC!”, the girl scrambles to pull the both of them upright once more. With a smile that could rival the sun, she squeezes the woman’s hands together with her own.

“It is such a pleasure to see you once more as well, dear Columbina. I see you all had adjusted yourselves quite nicely since the last time we had met?”

The angel's eyes sparkled, “MC! We are so happy to see you! We have been doing well, after you left we wen-“

“ Columbina, what had I just say? Please do not crowd MC. Humans are less durable than us. Let her have some space”

“Ouh! Yes! Sorry once again, MC. I’m just so pleased to see you again”

“Why, as I said, do not you fret, dear Columbina. I feel no offense. Come, let as all not dwindle at the entrance for too long, I’m afraid my kettle would overboil”, MC chuckles at the angle-like monster and guides the group further into her cabin.

Doctor extends the basket towards the woman, “My, how sweet of you. Come let us pick up our last discussion further over in a bit”, she smiles happily towards the monster, taking the extended basket with a grateful chuckle, to which he replied with a nod.

“You sure got yourself quite the comfortable abode, dearest MC. You must have spruced up the space, were you expecting our arrival”, a familiar teasing came with Harlequin as he grins at the woman with a whistle.

“Har, har, why yes. Only the best for the benevolent and hospitable Harlequin”, she smirks back at him, a playful curl of her lips.

The monster’s pupils dilate, like that of an excited cat, his smile stretches on “Why, I am honoured you remembered me in such high regards. I find it suitable for me to return such a kind gesture from you, dearest”.

Pierrot glares at Harlequin, “Ouh? What is it, Pierrot? Do you have something to say? Are you unsatisfied with something?”, his grin widens.

“Harlequin, stop provoking him. You are begging to find trouble with yourself”, Jester disapproving voice pipes up, crossing his arms I displeasure. Pierrot frowns further at the monster.

“Yes, Harlequin. I had advised you to not cause trouble for your family. And here you are being all naughty”, MC added in with a smirk, waving her finger side to side.

“Naughty? Me? You must jest, Jester, dearest. I was merely asking our fellow Pierrot what had displeased him so. I am wounded with your trusts to be so little within me. Have I not been on my best behaviour this whole week, Jester?”, Harlequin wipes away a faux tear, batting his eyelashes pitifully.

“You are better off shutting your mouth before I do tell her on how ‘unamusing’ and how mischievous you had been this past week, Harlequin”, Jester smiles with sharp teeth towards the green-eyed monster, who responded with a pout and mumble about being dull. Pierrot giving him a smug smirk as if satisfied with Harlequin being called troublesome by their ringleader.

Columbina chuckles at her side, finding their little scuffle amusing, while Ticket Taker merely glances at the situation and ignores the bickering mumbling “idiotas” under his breath.

Definitely like an exasperated parent.

The woman rolls her eyes, “Sure, yes, of course, whatever you say, Harlequin. Come, make yourselves at home, or well at ease and I will go make us some tea”, she gestures towards her one long dining table, though it seems she had not taken into account on how large some of them really were, pulling a larger seat near the table. An accused “com licenca?” gasp came from the serpent-like monster but MC chose to ignore the little menace. She then walks towards her kitchen area, passing by Pierrot on the way.

“Don’t let the beanstalk menino serpente get to you, querido. He merely wishes to get a reaction out of you. I am glad to see you in good health after so long. Please, be at ease and make yourself comfortable. And if you feel any lingering discomfort with your injuries, do not be shy to confide me”, she pats his shoulder gently. The monster seemed to have gotten a little shyer since they’ve last met but he sent a bashfully lovely smile her way," Thank you, my lady", to which she responded to one of her own, "Of course". She squeezes the monster’s shoulder once more before venturing into her kitchen.

She reemerges with tea and biscuits, placing saucers and their respective cups for everyone before pouring the tea, Pierrot and Columbina had tried to offer their assistance but was quickly shot down as the woman insisted on being their host.

“Have you been faring well since we last met, MC?”, Columbina, quick to pull the woman next to her, starts with an ecstatic smile.

“I am well but I do think I should be the one asking on how you are all adjusting thus far, dear Columbina. How of you? I see you are looking cuter than the last we chat”, the woman squeezes the girl’s hand, earning her a happy squeal.

“Oh yes! We have been adjusting wonderfully! We had recently… procure authority over the circus, blending in had been much easier”

“I see, that truly is wonderful news”, MC nods at her words.

“Procure authority is such a nice way to put it, ‘dear Columbina’, you don’t need to worry about scaring our, dearest saviour here” Harlequin smirks in their direction, reaching for the biscuits.

“Don’t be a tease, Serpent boy. She was merely being polite, you know, unlike someone”

“Oh, I can be plenty polite if you’ll let me, dearest”, he swallowed the biscuit in one bite, making sure to hinge his jaw wide.

“Harlequin, please mind your manners”, Ticket Taker chided the monster who only continues to sip his tea. He sighs and turns towards the woman.

“It seems you had been previously preoccupied prior to our arrival, we apologize for intruding out of the blue. We had intended to inform you beforehand but it seems we could not find a suitable way to do so”, the mismatch-eyed one commented, observing her untidy workbench.

“It is of no issue, I do hope you do not mind the mess. I was not exactly expecting guests, though I wouldn’t say it is not a welcomed surprise”

The monster merely looks at her every action, observing, “No, of course not. We are the ones intruding on such short notice. It is quite unfortunate of our tardiness”. MC nods to the monster, smiling politely.

“I can smell mint and aloe vera, my dear, if it is not too much, may I assume that you are working on some sort of reliever once more? Though it smells similar to the one you had brought, this one seems to have a hint of something different”, Doctor took an immediate interest, his gaze lingering on the mortar.

MC hums proudly, “Well of course. I am always finding ways on perfecting my pastes. Though, I intend to make this batch especially strong as it is for an acquaintance”, she grabs a biscuit.

“How fascinating, I wonder how potent it is. Could it remove the pain entirely? I must see it for myself”, the monster starts mumbling.

“Doctor”

The mentioned monster pauses, coughing in his fist bashfully, “Ahem, it seems I had gotten too carried away once again”

“You must really be some big shot in that little town of yours or something, dearest MC. Though, I can see why, for such a petite lady, you do pack quite the nasty punch”, Harlequin places his head in his palm, a lazy smile playing at his lips.

“Big shot, huh? I am merely a humble botanist. I find fault in your observation, dear Serpent boy. Now, I could never be as strong or as honourable as you”, MC challenges back with a smile of her own.

Harlequin smiles wider, “Never a dull moment talking to you, dearest”

“And you, Serpent boy”

“That would be quite enough, dealing with the squabbles between Pierrot and Harlequin is tiring enough, are you trying to be categorized in their tirade as well, Miss MC?”, Ticket Taker raises a hand, watching the woman in disappointment.

MC covers her mouth with a hand, chuckling slightly, “Why, we are merely chatting to one another, Ticket Taker. Though I apologize if it had seemed that way. Harlequin, you heard the man, behave yourself”

The serpent-like monster rolls his eyes but smiles towards the Ticket Taker, “I am always on my best behaviour. Whenever have I not been?”

“You’re all talk and no action. Don’t kid yourself”, Pierrot comments with a huff.

“Hm? What was that, Pierrot? Were you talking about me or you?”

"Maybe I should show you instead, you annoying snake"

"Ohhh, bring it on, dog"

“Boys”

Columbina seems to find it all hilarious as she chuckles into her teacup while Doctor opted to continue his own previous musings.

The woman finds it amusing, this was merely their second meeting, and even when the first had been somewhat on the wrong foot, she feels strangely familiar with the guests in her home. Just like them, it is an odd feeling, but not an unwelcomed one.

Jester sighs, “Are we quite done?”, he smiles without mirth. In a second, the table quite and all heads turned to the monster, “Good”.

He looks expectantly to MC, “Now, do tell what is it you want, miss MC”

“MC is fi-‘

“Miss MC”

They stare at one another, each at the ends of both side of the table. The woman, caught off guard blinked a few times, then she places both her hand on the table, lacing her fingers together, she straightens her back.

“Fine, we are bound to wrap up this long overdue tete-a-tete”

“We are not very particular about leaving debts unpaid, especially to…humans. So, come now, out with it. What is it that you want from us? And please, I would appreciate it if you leave out that sorry excuse of having sans at the idea. It’s too idiotic of a lie”, Jester smiles tighten the more he talks.

MC stares at the monster, she tilts her head to the side in contemplation while not breaking eye contact, staying as so for a minute.

Some fidgeted in their seat, as if wanting to intervene, but held back either out of respect for Jester or out of curiosity of her answer. Some simply watch the scene unfolding itself.

“So, you caught me on huh, Mr. Jester? Alright”, she looks at him with narrowed eyes, releasing a quiet sigh.

MC holds out her hand, palm facing up, “Hand it over and we’re good”, she stares at him expectingly. Jester blinks at her, his smile faltering somewhat. He tilts his head in question with a furrowed brow, “Hand it?”

“Yes, hand it over. That is what I wish for”

He scrutinizes her a moment longer before realization hits him, causing him to furrow his eyes further, “…are you joking right now? I would greatly appreciate if you take this matter at hand more seriously, miss MC”, his clawed fists clench underneath the table.

The woman wore an identical expression, raising one eyebrow in question, “You had asked what I had wanted no? and I said if you return it to me, then it will be like water under the bridge between us”, she answers in confusion, hand still outstretched.

“Do not play us for fools, human”, Jester grits his teeth, finding the situation a distaste.

“Believe me, when I say I kid you not, Jester. That is all I need in return, and I had already previously stated, the show you had put on for me was quite enou-“

“Do not bluff. Must you think us of being so imbecilic? Or are you simply stupid yourself, human? Do you not understand the situation you are in? Do you wish to be ripped to shreds?”, the monster snarls with a tight grin in displeasure.

“Jester!”

MC stays quiet, retracting her hands, her expression was pensive, calculating. The woman is uncertain on how to continue. She crosses her hand and reclines on the chair.

“If I asked you to do something, will you really do it?”

“Again, do you think of us as imbecilic?”

“I had never said you were, and I am certainly not playing you for a fool either. But it also seems like you would rather detach my head from my body than to negotiate this wayward debt between us. So again, if I were to ask you to do something, will you be able to do it without question”, she coldly replies.

The monster squints his eyes at her, “Do not make me repeat myself. It will be done as long as it is within our capabilities. We monsters have our own moral capabilities, unlike you humans we prefer to keep promises and or debts settled and fulfilled for, but ask for something unreasonable and the promise of detaching your head will be more of the truth than you or I will expect”, he taps a clawed finger on the surface of the table with a sigh.

The woman blinks at him then stretches her hand out again, “Alright, fine, but I really wish for that ring’s return. So could you be a dear?”, shaking her head slightly.

Jester hums at her outstretched hand, studying it, then rummages his pockets to pull out the promised ring. He gave it a feel, twirling it in his palm, finding slight amusement at the almost deadpanned expression of the woman and slides it across the table.

MC catches it, “Transaction received”, she smiles in relief as she cups the ring preciously in her palms, storing it immediately in her satchel.

She looks back at the expecting stares of her guests, slightly intimidated under the attention. She tries to scrunch up a way they could ‘pay her back’ with a way that would be quick and easy while also being equally somewhat important. She glances to Columbina, the angel wearing an expression akin to being told her world was ending and that MC had kicked her down the curb. To put it simply, it was a devastating sight, she glances a little the side of the angel to find Pierrot wearing something identical. She was well aware it’s a little ploy of theirs, she has no idea how they knew but they know how weak the woman was to her lambs’ pleading eyes.

These two, always in perfect synchronization about getting their way. Curses. MC closes her eyes, thinking that maybe gazing at the troublemaker of the group could deter her thoughts, only to find Harlequin wearing a complicated expression, feigning nonchalance. Eying her from time to time before looking away.

Curse it all. Who was she to hope she could win a battle with predetermined results. A total loss on her end. She closes her eyes, taking a deep defeated breath, raising a finger.

“How of this, for an entire year, you must retrieve any kind of rare or common herb you may or may not find in my garden. And as I am aware of your very tight schedules for you all have a circus to run, there is no immediate date. Just within a one-year timeframe, you can visit as much or as little as you wish as long as you bring the herbs along, will this be compromisable to you all?”, she offers carefully in detail.

Jester stares at her in contemplation, “Hm, quite. But would that be enough? ‘rare or common’ you said, if we were to only bring upon the habitual foliage, would there even be a meaning? And ‘may or may not find in your garden’ why bother making us scavage of something that you are bountifully supplied with prior? It is as if putting us on a wild goose chase, an absolute waste of time. I should have made this clear from the start, but you make quite vague and questionable choices that it is almost downright insulting to the ears”, Jester chided the human, displeased with her terms and conditions.

It had been quite the minute since she had been last lectured by someone-she assumes-was older than her, it was as if she had been caught stealing sweets from the confectionary store and is now being reprimanded for the uncouth behaviour.

For the next hour, she was subject to being lectured while berated relentlessly, at one point it was no longer about the agreement but about her overall poor life choices. It was a little humiliating consider five extra pairs of eyes were staring at the spectacle. MC wishes the earth would open up and eat her already. On top of it all, she was force with having to agree on rather it being an entire year with the herb delivery at any day of the month in the span of one year, it will instead be exactly the same days equivalent to a year, which surprised the woman as she had expected for Jester to make sure they meet as little as possible, but a glare from the monster told her she had no say in the decision so her protests were quickly kicked aside. Which was baffling for now it is as if she had been the one to promise of paying back this debt.

And it will not be a total waste on their end, the herbs they collect will also be used for their own gain and any information on concoctions she was to spruce up are to be exchanged with Doctor as he understood the field better than anyone in the troupe. That in itself, was quite an agreeable exchange.

The woman glances at the other participants at the table sides, only to find them all quite satisfied with the state of affairs respectively. The two prior sad looking lambs glowed with uncontainable mirth and glee, Harlequin fighting off fits of laughter with every reprimand. Ticket Taker nodding along with the Jester’s every word and Doctor who seems to be mumbling off the many types of herbs he was thinking of researching himself. Liar! Pretenders! Betrayers! All of them! She will remember this day.

“I take it you are quite contented with today’s colloquy?”, MC smiles politely, the sentiment not quite reaching her eyes as match of her upsetting mood.

Jester, the ever sadist that he is, find her plight to be undeniably mirthful as his smile grew a tinge of delight, “Yes, I envisage a future where we could natter in alignment, miss MC”, he vaguely answers.

‘What is that supposed to mean?’, she merely continues to politely smile and nod at the Jester’s words.

“Are we finally done with all this boring chatter already? I’m famished”, Harlequin whines, purposely aggravatingly, from his seat, eliciting a tired sigh from the table. ‘It should be well passed 5 in the afternoon right about now’, MC looks outside her window in thought then extends an invitation for her guests to stay for dinner to which Columbina and Pierrot were far too quick to participate. Pushing Harlequin away when he evoked to volunteer in the kitchens as well. The woman had not known if the monsters were to find human food palatable, but looking at Jester's nod of approval when the dishes were served assured her. Dinner was filled with a rumble and welcoming chaos.

And time went on in a pattern here on out. Some days, the group would come visit with a handful of otherworldly herbs, one she was confident a mere human such as her could but only dream of ever procuring. Notes and information neatly scribbled in parchment by Doctor she guesses came with every batch where it matters not when he had tagged along or absent for the visits. The reoccurring troupes would usually be Columbina, Pierrot and to the gold-eyed monster’s utter disdain while another’s enjoyment, Harlequin. Who she guesses had only tagged along out of boredom but quickly made himself comfortable in the woman’s humble cabin by time. The presence of the three others was prover harder to achieve as they were the heads of the circus, saved Doctor who busies himself trying out the herbs they had all gathered in his own tent and would often loose the sense of time. Oddly enough, when the Doctor does come along the rest would complain on how much time they spend together, Harlequin even went as far as depicting the image of them as 'A looming sadistic pair', whatever could that mean?

But it mattered not who visits for she would always welcome them with warm refection and a playful smile. MC felt as if for the first time in a long while, she had truly been alive and content. As the visits are mostly spontaneous, at the nights she is to go off hunting, she would return with a cooked meal and welcoming embraces. Ridding the bodies had been far easier as of late as well for now she simply wrote down coordinates of the unfortunate beast and hand it over to an always awaiting shadow. A dark entity with the gentleman monster’s physique and silhouette would arise from her very own each session, raising its top hat and bow in a silent greeting before engulfing and taking the corpse. Question not when it is in your favour.

There had been instances where he handed her a pressed bookmark in trade of the ‘meals’, "A token of our 'friendship', MC dear" she had blinked at the offered parchment at first then took it in her hold gently. She turns it over to inspect it, the pressed lavender and the sage green ribbon, truly a well-made bookmark. She thanked the Ticket Taker graciously, often inviting him over for tea and expressing her gratuity with a well thought out schedule of her next expedition as well as a selection of any book he deemed eye-catching in her cabin, at times a slip of stress relievers in case the burden of management gets too heavy. It was more of an incentive as she is quite fond of him.

 Their little symbiotic agreement was tallied by placing little pebbles according to each day of the visit in a jar. Though as time went on, sometimes the pebbles contained would abnormally decrease, or the jar itself would miraculously shatter. MC lost count on how many of those containers she had to replace but the cheeky unguilty faces of the ones behind the crime as they pass her the compensation money when confronted to purchase a new one would always endear her enough to soften her slight exasperation.

As days pass and weeks turn into months, a few years had come and gone between them and their first encounter. The promised date inching closer every time.

The circus would venture from town to town ever so often, never revisiting the same one twice. They had once told her it is a safety precaution leading to big gaps of absence from time to time. Those 7 months had been quite daunting and the longest they had parted ways as the very day they returned and swang by her cottage, a reenactment of their very first visit had played out, the difference being Pierrot and Harlequin adding themselves to the pile. Well, they would have had the two monsters hadn’t spent the next 10 minutes roughhousing on her front lawn. Columbina being content on simply embracing the woman tightly while MC laughs at the familiar tirade. A tired Jester and Ticket Taker being responsible to placate the two squabbling monsters and Doctor casually standing in the doorway with what seemed to be that day’s batch of herbs and its documentations, his speech rapid and animated.

Then came a night where a knock came from her door. Rather unusual considering they had swung by that morning for their promised delivery and banter but would inevitably trudge back to the circus for preparation of departure to the next town up. MC tucks her smaller axe in her back pocket before peeking outside her side window. Though obscured by the dark, the silhouette of Jester could be made out, form slightly illuminated by the moon’s shine. Not the oddest visitor though considering no one else were at his steed made it all the more concerning. Do not be mistaken, they are somewhat, she would like to say, acquainted by now, tolerate is a strong word, agreeable allies would be the ideal way of putting things for her, but the woman would welcome the monster just as openly as the rest of his compadre.

“Jester, a pleasure”, she greets first with a polite smile. The monster observes the woman with a flat grin and half-lidded eyes, “Yes, a very good evening to you as well, miss MC. May I intrude for a moment?”, he greets back.

“Certainly, come right in”

They situated themselves on opposite seats in her supposed living room, “I reckon you’re not quite here to kiss me goodbye are you, dear Jester? but I was under the assumption that your whole ‘I’ll dispose of you to protect my family’ simulacrum had flowed pass at due course between us”, MC braves a tease, pouring tea into two individual cups in the process. She was not afraid of the monster but it amused her to no end to see the slight shift in his crafty smirk faltering each time she does. And unlike Harlequin’s amassed harassment on poor Pierrot, she knows when to limit the chaff.

“Always so petulant, you make me almost fulfil on that promise. Though unfortunately, that is not why I had come by unannounced tonight”, he suave away from the tease in tepid, used to her odd ways of breaking the ice. Took the offered cup and saucer with a polite nod.

“Our confederacy had come along quite nicely these past few years, I would not say it was disappointing being acquainted with you. Though, I must thank you, for I am aware of your justice with trying to preserve that ‘duration little pebble jar’ of yours with our other three troublemakers. Even when they always seem to make it pass the lax to none security of it. The idea itself had kept them quite preoccupied on their next coup on your poor next purchase”, he smiled into the cup, taking an elegant sip.

MC chuckles, nodding at his observation, knowing all too well the list of wrongdoings of those three, though, unbeknownst to the little troupe she herself had counted the days in a personal notebook. As much as she enjoys their visit, these years long old debt between them should not be elongated for much more than promised. A sobering thought.

“I am guessing this would not be about just any idle chatter over tea”, she blinks once, her hand inching into her sleeve. She tugs on a handkerchief.

Jester settles the cup down with a soft click to the ceramic, eyes looking at the warm liquid.

“An admirable trait of yours”, he praises, looking back up, irises glowing bright.

MC’s body locks up, her eyes transfixed into his like moth to a flame. Her thoughts starting to feel like a combination of molasses and cotton. The woman’s fight or flight chaotic and blaring like sirens. Her expression going slack.

“Now, dear MC, I would like you to answer a few questions of mine”, Jester’s smile growing sinister as he crosses his legs and leaned further towards her.

One of his clawed hands slither up her arm, cupping her chin to angle their eyes closer, “You would be an obedient darling and answer them for me yes, dear MC?”, he purrs.

‘This brute’, she fights her muscle fibres, the finger clutching onto her handkerchief twitching.

“Of course, Jester”, her words contrasted.

His grin stretching inhumanly, “Very good, now then, why don’t we start with something simple hm? How about, why was the reason you helped us?”, he retreats slightly, tapping his claws on the table.

‘Seriously, this again?’, she deadpans.

“It wasn’t intentional, not really, I simply despise mutton-headed twits that prey on others, as if they had the right”, the woman replied monotonous.

“Ah, yes, our little savour but such vulgar words for a lady”, the monster nodded in satisfaction.

“Were you planning on using us, dear MC? Betray our trust? Chew us and spit us out when you had finished? Did you enjoy your little game?”

‘This fool will need a good talking to once I get my hands on him’

“No, Jester. I was merely enjoying the company given”

“Company, was it? Do you enjoy us coming to you? Those children flocking around you? Were you lonely, mue bem? Do you wish for more?”, he continues to mock in sultry, drawing circles with his claws.

“...I prefer it as it is, I had…not thought… about anything further, Jester”, the monotones reply came.

“So, you say, but I am aware on how greedy humans can be. Always demanding for more. Always push for their own satisfaction. They disgust me”, he spat the last statement with venom. He seethed for a moment before composing himself.

“Right, how about we move on, mue bem? What about…hm”, he taps his claw on his chin in thought. Then points at her fingers.

“That ring, why is it so precious to you?”

“It is from someone very dear to me, Jester”

“Ouh? And who could this special individual be?”

“A child, in my village, her name was -----, Jester”

The Jester cocks his head in question, “A child? Yours? And ‘was’?”

“No, she was a mere street bagger but I had cared for her as my own. She had passed four winters ago due to pneumonia, Jester”, her throat closes up speaking of her first sweet child. Even after all these years, the topic was still far too sore for chatter.

The monster stares at her, no longer grinning, a little sombre and eyes softening slightly. He seemed to be in thought before blinking it away.

“Why is a young female human like yourself left here by your lonesome. Are you truly a runaway 'lamb'?”

‘Alright, that’s quite enough’, her fingers shook a miniscule.

“I…”, her jaw clench, veins bulging.

She swiftly took out the handkerchief and proceeds to chuck it over Jester’s face, “I reckon that is quite enough coming out of you, senhor”, she grits, blinking her eyes rapidly at the dizzying effects.

As her vision cleared, the fabric was still stuck to the monster’s face causing her to blink rapidly, expecting the monster to catch the offending object. It slowly peeled itself off his face in a comically slow motion and landed in the monster’s open palm revealing Jester’s equally stunned expression, quickly morphing into a displeased one.

She held a breath, afraid of releasing the laughter built up in her throat. MC covers her mouth, waving one of her hands in the space between them. Jester smiled a tighten thing, clenching the silk.

“You…you dare-“

MC interrupts him, trying to appear furious, “Hey hey hey! You are in no po-position to be upset! I- keke- I sho-should be the one to-khh-to-”, she covers her face as a snort betrayed her amusement. Her shoulders shook with uncontainable mirth, she had to calm her rapidly beating heart with deep breaths.

“…”-

“…”

“Have you gotten it all out of your system, miss MC?”, he questions cooly, still clutching onto the fabric, unamused.

MC finally reveals her face after regulating her breathing, a flushed smile cosying on the woman’s lips, “You are absolutely atrocious, Jester. The absolute worst”, she lists him off cheerfully.

Jester’s grin going grim, “Our intrepid miss MC truly is fearless to directly address me as so”.

MC grabs her cup and wipes a tear away, “Oh please, you have crossed quite a magnanimous number of boundaries and it had yet been 15 minutes since we sat. I believe I deserve this little reprieve”, she takes long quiet sips of the now cold tea.

“And I am aware despite all this hostility”, she points at him, finger going in a circular motion, “You are quite fond of me”, she triumphly declares.

Jester sighs, placing the handkerchief onto the table, “And shameless as well. How are you so sure I would not simply cross this table and snap that delicate neck of yours?”

“Pardon me, I had not been the one between us to have taken advantage of you in the middle of our discussion, no need for the empty hostility”

“You are making a mountain out of a mole hill, I simply took a mild precaution. Am I to show you how sincere I truly am?”

“Yes, yes, breaching one’s trust is definitely considered a ‘mild precaution’ even after being acquainted all these years. Bil ought to teach you a thing or two about manners. You have zilch sense of tact. Why not man up and confront the lady like a real gentleman? And no thank you, you can keep your handsy claws to yourself”, she huffs.

“I believe all sense of formality with you is out of the window. To no one’s offence, are you not afraid I would repeat myself? Hm, I do not frequent you a visit compared to the rest, I am simply a very busy monster”, he smiles, flashing sharp teeth.

“I’d like to see you try, there are no promises I might just get the upper-hand. And your lack of visit is a problem of your own, who told you to be as successful and horribly hectic as you are?”, her confident reply, crossing her hands.

The monster stares at her in mild shock, a second later his shoulders shook, taking on the role of the amused one. Jester laughs an elegant thing-how is that fair?-, “You truly are a species of your own, my dear. Could you truly be human?”

“Ouh? We’re back to the endearment way of addressment? Am I to expect you flashing me with those pretty eyes of yours? And thank you but unfortunately, I can assure you I was very much ejected from a human woman”, MC snarks without actual heat to it.

The monster laughs louder, “Well, perhaps, I did take it a tad too far. Maybe a little apology is in order”, he grins at her.

“Such understatement, dear Jester. You truly are horrible at this communication bit”

“I can assure you, my dear. I can communicate just fine, now do not be upset. I apologize if I had offended you”, he said with nonchalance, like it was a second thought.

“That came out horribly insincere I could cry a river. But I will accept it nevertheless as it is a rarity for the amazing Jester to admit any form of wrongness”, she smirks a playful thing.

“Yes, I am content of being able to reestablish myself into your good graces, my dear”, he folds the fabric neatly, sliding it back to her side.

“Hah. It’ll take more than just laughter with the pretty face of yours and your little apology to re-enter my ‘good graces’, dear Jester”

“Hm? I couldn’t quite catch that. Did you say you had wanted your neck to snap in half, my dear?”, the monster cocks his brows her way.

“There you go with your threats, choose another defensive mechanism why don’t you. It makes your little apology all emptier”, she faux a disappointed sigh., quickly switching it to a sly smirk.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t necessarily not offended, oh she was very much so, but MC also knows how very protective Jester is of his family. It still does not justify his actions a hundred percent, but the questions he did ask were rather innocent enough if not a twinge heart-aching. And she now knows to simply cover her or humorously the monster’s face for self-defence.

The monster hums contemplatively, “It is quite bold for a human to demand anything of me especially for a spitfire such as yourself”

“Now, now. It won’t be too large of a request. How about I finally use that final question all those years ago?”, MC intertwines her fingers together, resting her chin onto it.

“Ah, that 3 question application from such a long-time pass? I am surprised you still prone in memory of it. Humh hum, very well, I will mercifully let your little poke slide and allow you this solicitation”, Jester reaches for the pot to refill his empty cup.

“How benevolent you are, dear Jester”

“It is only natural, my dear”

MC hums half-heartedly in agreement, she stares at the teapot in the monster’s grasps then she looks away to the side, “How much longer…will you all be visiting for?”, it almost came out a whisper if Jester had not been born with impressive hearing, he might have just missed it.

The pouring halts, genuinely caught off guard by the vulnerable state the question came out.

The room grew quiet, and the longer time stretched within statis, for the first time that evening, MC truly felt nervous. Her grip tightens to hide the involuntary tremor in her fingers, the woman’s cabin walls suddenly being her most topic of interest as of the moment.

It has been years, and she knows both of them had been counting the days, one more involuntarily than the other. The days left or to be more specific, the last day left will be when the troupe inevitably return from their months long performance to drop off the last batch of herbs.

“Soon. We will venture one last time here after our return, as promised. The circus simply cannot afford to trek much longer back and forth at such long lengths. It is suspicious enough every town is starting up whispers of burning suspicious individual on steaks, hanging them or decapitating them in crowds for exampling. Humans truly are such unconventional and violent creatures, they are foes to themselves”, the monster starts, gently tapping the rim of his cup.

MC’s heart, for being in stasis for far too long, ached like never before. She can feel her nails digging into her skin, but she merely hums in understanding in return. Waiting to be thrown into the inevitable loneliness once more was something she had been expecting but could never muster the courage to accept. For a moment, at the very least, they let her dream, taste, what true family felt like. Even if she never belonged in the first place, MC felt accepted. What a selfish woman.

“So, it would be in our best interest to decide what you would think is unimportant enough to leave behind. The duration of our absence should suffice nicely”

The woman jerks, turning her head so quick it was a wonder how her neck had not snapped in on itself. She stares at his funny with wide eyes, as if Jester had told her the sun was indeed and in fact pink. MC gapes at the ringleader, truly, not a spec of the ladylike façade.

Jester chuckles in quiet amusement, smirking he reaches a claw forward resting it at the bottom of the woman’s chin and pushing in slightly upward, “My dear, are you planning on catching flies? Could it be you truly are inhuman and wish to tell me you are instead those carnivorous plants being the Doctor’s current fixation?”, he coos at her.

MC pushes the offending limb away from her space, still perturbed, “What did you just say?”, too fixated on his previous words to hear the tease.

“My, is our dear MC truly that bewildered? It is only natural for all of us to move away together is it not? I do not follow with the way of thinking being wished to be set as a humiliated example for all those selfish and notorious humans to see. Though of course, you are to make yourself useful, but I accept you indulging those troublemakers as an eloquent contribution. Maybe dabble your fingers in medicine with the Doctor. How quite silly you turn out to be, my dear. I had expected you to be more exuberated by the news”, the monster retracts his hand, covering his mouth to chuckle in.

She should have expected Jester to simply drop staggering information and act lackadaisical on it afterwards, she really should have. But this one came shooting at her like a revolver once did the contrast being only the element of surprise came at her sans the pain.

MC slowly slides her face into the palm of her hard, extricating an annoyed groan into them, “…you…aree…extreemmelyy…infurriiaattiingggggg”, her muffled speech elongating by each syllable. The monster guffawed at her, “Try again dear, maybe then I won’t leave this cabin with a lifeless body in tow”, he smooths out with no real threat behind it.

“Please, cease yourself from speaking, Jester”, she buries her head over folded arms on the table, heart beating in glee and relief.

The monster does not quip back, generously leaving the woman to collect herself not for the first time that evening.

The woman grumbles underneath her breath, muffled jabs and curses no doubt directed at the ringleader before her who kept his sinister smirk untouched for the duration of their discussion.

“I’m really coming along”

“I had said ‘all of us’ did I not? Do you think me folly to speak without the inclusion of your person”

“…”

“I’m a human”

“So, you’ve made clear, but that in itself is debatable”

“Descarado”, she mumbled quieter.

MC smiles genuinely.

“Do not dwindle and only bring what is necessary, anything ridiculous and I might as well use those guillotines on you myself”, he reminded her, arms crossing.

“I have heard of your lecture for the past 25 minutes, are you not in a hurry, dear Jester?”

“Hm, always so foolishly brave this insufferable one, so much so you could dream of contending Harlequin himself. I cannot understand how I have tolerated this behaviour thus far”, Jester sighs, shaking his head.

The monster takes out a pocket watch, one gifted to him by yours truly. MC finds herself smiling at the usage of her appreciation. He pockets it a second later.

“You seemed to have been busy concocting for someone again. Another one of your lambs mayhap?”, he raises a questioning brow, which MC replied with a smile.

“Oh, yes. She is to be expecting soon, actually, the date of the delivery might just coincide with your return, do wait for my return. I will leave a spare key under the watering can in my garden”, she informs the monster who nods at her in return but not without a tsk.

“Keep this up and those lambs of yours will eat the very last dime out of you. Heed my words, MC. And do find yourself well with being less of a klutz”, Jester flicks his fingers once, shadows immerging from under.

“My word, to even insinuate that in a lady, I am aware of my actions, dear Jester, no need to fret over my funds. For shame. But, out of our friendship I will try even when I doubt I will. Now, have a safe journey. Until we meet again”, she bids him farewell, holding onto her doorframe, bowing slightly.

The monster simply looks at her oddly, “Friendship? Do not be naïve”, he sigh but nods once at her, returning the gesture, though it looked as if there were more he had wished to say judging by the slight furrow of his lips. Jester swiftly disappeared into the shadows not a second later.

The woman stood at the entrance a moment longer, long after the Jester’s departure, the familiar forest air kissing her cheeks as if to congratulate her. MC thinks she had felt true contentment for the first time that day. The door closes gently, her intentions of finishing her last batch of paste for one of her pregnant lambs with more determination then intended. She has some packing to do! And a few strings to unknot.

When the rest of the troupe had been informed of their last visit being the very day they return from their current show, protests grew, it was especially loud from the youngest two and third eldest but changed immediately upon the knowledge of their human following along.

It was comical to see identical expressions put upon his family similarly to the-their- little human, but then came the exuberance exclamations and the endless questioning. Bil had looked at him for conformation, being one of the ones unexpectedly in the dark on such information. He does not question any if all of Jester’s decisions. And though this was a human they were about to let come along, the monster finds himself not minding too much on the extra company. A risk that is far more dangerous. One he might have to prepare for.

“Oh Jester! that is tremendous news!”, Columbina jumps in elation.

Harlequin grins, “So that’s where you’ve wondered off to. How sneaky you are, Jester, visiting the human behind our backs. You must have finally taken a liking to her”, the serpent-like monster jabbed in humour though his eagerness showed.

The ringleader merely rolls his eyes at the prod, “You say as if this was not an expected outcome. She has been useful to us thus far, why let someone so beneficial go?”

“So, he says”

“An issue, Harlequin?”

“Nope”, the mention monster popped the p just to be even more insufferable.

“Did you hear that, Pierrot? We’ll be able to spend more time with MC from now on! She will be with us, like family”, she turns towards her equally exhilarated partner, shaking his hands up and down in animation. He nods frantically, a spark in his wide grin.

“You just know how to get good old Pierrot excited. Careful so that the little puppy doesn’t get too worked up and accidently bite our, dearest MC”, Harlequin jokes, avoiding a throwing knife flying his way.

“Boys, please. Must we do this each time?”, Ticket Taker sighs, rubbing his eyebrow at the start of a squabble.

The Doctor was quick to accept the knowledge, feeling somewhat excited to have someone who understood him both intellectually and privately. The woman being a human impacted much concern into him though he knew himself of the risks letting a human into their lives, all the more after enslaved once by one. But the problem does not lie in the fact of what MC could do, more so on her being a human itself. Regardless, the bird-like monster immensely enjoys the little sweetheart’s company and awaits their reunion in silent hope and anticipation.

Despite the trial for aloofness at the information, Harlequin cannot deny his rapidly beating heart at the thought of having the woman near them-him-. It was almost too ironic, he was beginning to act like that foolish lovesick Pierrot. This cannot be accepted. Well, a monster only lives once. He’ll enjoy getting to have a taste of their newest addition. And maybe, just maybe, he too would find the joy to that comparable to what seems to make the Pierrot so happy if he has her.

Would it appropriate to hope? He dreams so.

Pierrot just wishes to lie with his lady in the field for hours to come, a chatter of nothing and everything. They could all have a nice picnic together, even if the mongrel Harlequin will be there, it will be no less but perfect. His lady truly is far too sweet, carding her delicate hands through his hair as he lays atop of her. Maybe they could. Such wonderful news as Jester tells them of their move together.

They cannot deny, someway or another, the cheeky, odd yet kind woman had slithered her way into the hearts of the monsters.   

Thus, with much varying delight and equal anticipation, the troupe waited until the day they return to leave with their human.

“-you really took the term of an excited hound quite literal didn’t you, Pierrot? Even went as far as carry our circus’ angel in your excitement” Harlequin snickers, dodging another tree branch whilst dodging the pebbles Pierrot were aiming at him.

"Mind your own", the monster growls.

“Calm down, Pierrot. Harle was merely teasing you again”, Columbina chuckles, holding tighter onto said monster.

“And don’t tease him too much, Harle. I know you’re as equally as excited to finally visit MC and bring her along with us” the angel-like monster poked at Harlequin with a cheeky smile.

“Ouh, why, sweet Columbina, I am merely excited at the thought of being able to rattle our, dearest MC is all. She brings up all the kinds of exciting expressions”, the monster purrs with a curl to his lips, darting away from an incoming tree.

“Of course, of course. Our magnanimous Harlequin couldn’t possibly be waiting to finally kiss our, amavel MC”, she smirks sneakily, covering her mouth to chuckle.

“…you tease me too much, sweet Columbina”, the monster mumbled out tightly, though not denying her claim. 'Must all Jester's favourites develop some kind of sadistic characteristics?'

He says so, but the twitch of a smile betrayed his equal-if not more-eagerness to meet their amavel lady.

The angel simply basked in his fluster while Pierrot grumbled at the prospect of his lady kissing a revoltingly slippery snake like Harlequin. MC had been far too nice to a jerk like him and too lenient when she forgave the serpent-like monster in his opinion, but Pierrot cannot do anything about the woman’s never-ending kindness. Thus, he is reduced to grumbling his displeasures.

Jester had told them to head on ahead as the other 3 wishes to pack and scout their area for a final sweep before inevitably joining. They were nearing MC’s cabin, the three could recognize the familiar pathways even by scent alone. Rounding a big three, the familiar view of the building could be seen.

Columbina’s heart was singing, for she herself cannot wait to embrace the woman and by the rhythm of Pierrot’s heart, he doesn’t either. But their sprint skidded to a stop, a forest edge away from the cabin’s lawn.

There, a little girl stood, knocking at the door frantically while calling out to anyone who would listen, not MC herself specifically. The monsters blended into the forest’s shadow, surveying the situation. They can hear the desperation in the young human’s voice as she begs for someone to heed her calling. And that in itself caused them to feel unease. Their stomach churning in worry, it was odd in itself for someone other than the monsters to come knocking at MC’s door and another at the fact the kind woman would turn away a desperate call for help from a child. Something was horribly wrong.

The panicking child hurriedly turned her head towards the hiding monsters, causing them to jump at the unexpected attention and alerted at the thought of a mere human to be able to detect their presence so easily.

She jogs to them, but stops just halfway through, she clutches her hands together in a pleading stance, “Please, please you have to save MC! Please! You must! She’s in danger, please tell me you will”, the young human begs as tears streams down her face.

At the desperate mention of their human’s name and the possibility oh her endangerment, surprisingly, Harlequin shot out at the child first. All of his green tentacles on display, pinning the human child’s limbs on the ground with a not so soft thud and growls acid in her face.

“What do you mean by this? Why is MC in danger? Answer me!”, Harlequin snarls. Columbina, not fairing too well but saved a calmer sense of rationality, quickly reach the two, an equally agitated Pierrot following suit.

“Harlequin! Release the child! You are scaring the poor thing! Child, what is your name? And what do you mean MC is in danger? Where is she? What happened?”, the angel-like monster nudges the other away, crouching and helping the young human to sit up.

The child shook her head, now clutching onto Columbina’s hands with her trembling ones, “There is no time to explain! Please come with me! Please help save, MC!”, she starts standing, pulling at the female monster to follow.

Pierrot snatches Columbina’s hand s with a low growl, his physique shifting, though the little human seems unfazed and merely holds her hands to her chest.

“Pierrot, there is no need to be violent with a child”, the angel-like monster chided, though she furrows her eyes at the distressed girl. The aforementioned monster loosens his grip but had not kept his weary eyes off the young human.

The human child raises her chin, “Please follow me”, and starts bolting into the forest. The exact direction MC would take to go to the village. Harlequin tried to grab her with his many appendages, but had been too distracted that gave free access for the young human to scurry away.

Columbina stares at the retreated child’s direction is distress. Her mind going a mile a minute with anxiety and worry. She shot up, hands free from Pierrot’s grip but got held back by another.

“Where do you think you’re running off too? Are you insane!?”, Harlequin turns her around sternly, hands gripping her shoulders in tightly. Both Pierrot and Columbina stunned at the sudden command.

Her eyes frantically travelling between the other two and the direction the girl disappeared to.

“We need to go! MC- MC might be in danger, Harle! You heard her, we must make haste!”, she tries freeing herself from the grip with much struggle.

“We cannot afford to simply listen to some- some random human girl who claims such things out of the blue! She could be lying, and that would only endanger ourselves!”

“But what is she wasn’t!? I for one do not wish to have the thought of being far too late to prevent someone I care about dying before me lying in my conscience!”, Columbina snatches her shoulders with a snap, her eyes growing desperate and wild. She chases after the long-retreated figure.

“Columbina!”, Pierrot chases after her with a frustrated Harlequin in tow.

“Damn it! Damn it! What the hell is going on!?”

The angel-like monster will not accept to live in a world where her light no longer exists, she just can’t bare to. No, she will not allow such tragedy to come about.

The monster halts when she sees unfamiliar buildings, but without a doubt the familiar lingering scent of the town whenever MC returns from her deliveries hits her senses. She sneaks into the shadow parts of the alleys when opportunity arose, catching her two companions trailing her not so far away.

Columbina does not spare them another look, too enamoured by her anxiety and the fear of the possible disappointment on their expression for her disobedience. The three threaded the alleys carefully, keeping in mind of the growing crowd and noises at the centre of its’ watchtower.

Pierrot braves a cautious peek at the commotion, only to freeze stiff then shake and seethes furiously a second later. The other two felt the motion with dread, Harlequin clutching his claws unnaturally hard at the walls to keep himself from spiralling and Columbina grabbing the hem of her attire in discomfort.

They peek the corner, only for their hearts to drop into their stomachs being met with a gruesome scene. Pitchforks, torches and a variety of weapons raised by angry, loud humans. The demand for bloodshed and death. To execute. But those beasts do not hold a mantel compared to the image of their human.

There she was, their saviour, tied tightly against a wooden beam with a base scattered with heaps of twigs and sticks. Her beautiful hair, the one she would preciously comb like her own child, the one Columbina adores threading through, was chopped haphazardly in careless abandoned. Her attire that of a grimy and dirtied night gown, barefooted. Her entirety covered in nasty bruises and untreated wounds. But her expression was an eerie smile. Not the gentle quite smiles she only shows the monsters whenever they drop by, or the wide jovial one after a good laugh, or a kind one when she had aimed to reassure. No, this one was empty, wicked and promised of an end. There was no empty acceptance nor fury. MC had looked like she already expected the outcome and simply let it all turnabout.

Something wild and animalistic arose in the deepest darkest part of their ribs. A demand to exterminate, to kill. It clawed in their chest for a taste of freedom, all sense of rationality no matter how faint was superbly overpowered by hate.

Then in a moment of brief clarity, their human raises her head, the smile dropping away in an instant as their eyes met. Her expression changed to that of pure fear, one they know would never be directed at them but instead for them. MC lowers her head.

Why? Even at this very moment, where she was most likely about to be executed, why worry for them? Why?

Their foolishly kind human.

“Kill the Hunting Hare!”

“Kill the beast or the souls from the lives she has taken will never know rest!”

“Burn the monster!”

“Ato se matar, bruxa!”

“Burn the bruxa!”

“Kill her now!!”

The beasts chanted, swinging their weapons and throwing rocks towards the tied woman in anger and satisfaction. It was a familiar scene to the monsters, the cruelty, the hurt. That is all humans are good for, hurt others then each other. Selfish, selfish creatures.

Two other beasts walked on the podium dressed in white, the first one opens his arms towards the hungry crowd like a man bringing salvation, “This, has all been ordained. Do not fret people of [Village Name], the end of a tyrant’s reign will be brought down upon us! We shall burn the killer and save the souls of the unfortunate”, the human smiled, voice echoing towards the crowd. Who in return, cheered at his speech.

He turns towards MC, getting too sickeningly close Harlequin can taste the bastard’s blood between his teeth as he released a hiss.

“Do you have any last words, Hunting Hare?”, the man forcefully grabbed her face to direct her attention to him.

As they met, she spat to his face, the eerie smile back on its debut.

“Vao-se. Foder”, she headbutts the man in white, gasps passing through the crowd.

The bastard staggered back, clutching his forehead and string at the woman in anger, “You bitch!”

“Burn her!”, the human turned his head, addressing the other.

The second, who held a lit torch nodded frantically, throwing the torch at the pile of dried leaves.

Time seemed to slow then, their visions no longer seeing. All sounds came to a halt. It was as if their bodies were not their own, was Jester here somewhere? Why is it that everything felt so far away?

There was a commotion.

There were screams.

Bodies being torn up.

Weapons being drawn then clattered in stillness.

Cries of help and tears of agony.

Shouts of, “Monstro!”

“Kill them! Kill the monsters!”

But they only heard one, a desperate plea, “Go back! Run away! Please, go back! Voce vai morrer!”, their human. She was burning. Their angel. They were taking her away from them -from him-. They can’t. They can’t! it felt the more gut-wrenching when the monster can no longer hear nor indicate the presence of her voice.

Harlequin felt something penetrate his tentacles but swiftly pulled the offending object out to redirect it at the source. He tasted blood, it was bitter and rotten between his sharp canines. Saw a glimpse of Pierrot ripping three people at once in two then rid of the obstacles in the serpent-like monster’s way, saw Columbina, sweet docile Columbina, dig her claws into a human’s eyes socket to hold onto them as she flew in a circle and ripped their face clean off.

He ran like never before towards the inferno, towards her. If only these bastards would stop getting in his way! Even as he and Pierrot made good of clearing the way, the bastards would just keep coming. The monster roared in anger, his appendages striking and releasing deadly poison to anyone nearing too close. He ripped a cloak drenched in blood from a nearby corpse.

Harlequin raises a hand into the air, “Columbina! Vem aqui!”, he shouted.

The angel-like monster turned her head towards the call, swooping in and grabbed onto the raised hand. She flew in anguish, tears stuck in her lashes though expression aloof and determined. When they got close enough, the female monster flung Harlequin towards the platform with a roar and returned to make an example out of the rest of the beasts.He rips a machete from the arms of a foolishly approaching prey with a clean swoop mid-air. 

Softening his landing by sacking the blade into one of the beasts in white’s skulls and spun with the body to rid of the other as he reaches the platform. He threw them off the podium with a crack resounding from the bottom and immediately directed his attention towards the still burning body.

The fire was searing his skin but he kept moving forward. With the weapon, he slammed in into the charring ropes, and grabbed the burning woman as his skin started to sneer and blister. Using the bloodied cloak, he wrapped her securely with it. His adrenaline was running on high, parts of his skin charred and bubbled over and his heartrate was beating abnormally strong but the monster refused to shake. To falter meant it was all over.

He prayed for the first time, to the One who would listen, prayed that his human would be alright. To not take her away. He feels the warm from the fire thinning out, the fire finally being extinguish with the lack of oxygen source, but he cannot wrap MC too long for she herself needed air.

He unfurls the head of the cloak, revealing her charred skin. He shook for a second, afraid of the inevitable, of it ending. The cries and screams were far along distant now, but he dares not look away from the woman’s face. He leans in close with a breaking heart, just enough to hear a faint intake of breath. That got him shooting up inhumanly quick, clutching their human securely in his arms.

“Pierrot! Columbina! Nos vamos. Now!”, he shouts, finally looking up to the bloodbath before him. The crowd was reduced to torn up limbs and cooling corpses. There was one crawling away but a gunshot ran along the quiet square. All three turned their heads at the source with a warning growl.

A young pregnant human stood shakily with laboured breaths, holding a shotgun, “Please…save…our saviour”, she pleaded, heaving puffs of air.

The monsters were silent, before sneering at the human and ran back into the forest with the woman preciously held closely. For once, Harlequin was thankful of his lean stature as he sprints his way expertly, avoiding trees and obstacles with ease. The other two not far behind him. Pierrot felt useless, he was the strongest amongst the rest but his large stature may act as a weigh, thus, him being slightly slower than the rest saved from Doctor. But he had only stood, dawdling like a helpless child when his lady had been in danger. Though at the moment he cannot afford to have such deprecating thoughts, there were far more important matters to attend to.

The cottage could be seen from the horizon as well as three figures. Harlequin ignored the other two in favour to focus solely on the Doctor. When Jester, Bil and Doctor saw the states the rest of the troupe were in, they immediately ran towards them, faces marred in equal parts of shock and worry.

“What is going on? Pierrot? Harlequin? Columbina? What is-“, the Jester saw the bloodied cloak, reeking of metal and burnt flesh, though he was preoccupied on the devastated expression the Harlequin was procuring and how scorched his own flesh was.

The serpent-like monster stops in front of the Doctor, “Save her, please, Doctor”, the plea came out hoarse but the mentioned monster moved instantly, he peels some of the layers off, placing his fingers at the pulse area, dangerously faint. Doctor tries to grab hold of the mass in Harlequin’s arms only to get hissed with venom by the monster.

“Harlequin, sweetie, I promise I only wish to help her. Let me take a look at her”, he talked slowly, as if trying to compromise with a wounded animal. Harlequin had never been nor looked more conflicted, he wishes not to depart, too afraid, but he as well wishes for MC to be saved. His hands started shaking, clutching the shallow breathing body closer to himself.

The gravity was no more, the sudden jostling surprised the serpent-like monster he nearly trashed in the hold if not for the human he was currently holding. Pierrot held on tight to them both, “Doctor, please lead the way”

Harlequin growls in displeasure and embarrassment, but swallowed the rest of his thoughts like acid down his throat. He knows he was acting unnatural, he knows he’s being even more irrational than damned Pierrot out of everyone, but he just cannot contain himself. So, he obediently stilled in the hold.

They rushed inside the cottage, entering the woman’s bed chambers with a whisper of permission and places both of them onto the mattress. It was not as if it was their first time being in the woman’s room, there were even situated resting areas welcomed to the troupes but it had felt right to be courteous. Pierrot tries prying his lady off to let Doctor examine her, only to be met with the same treatment as the Doctor.

“Harlequin, do you wish for her to die? Do you not trust Doctor?”, the monster pushed forward despite the threats, “You yourself are in no condition to strain too much, Pierrot”, Doctor’s voice could be heard from the nightstand as he took out everything necessary from his bag.

“I’m fucking fine, just…focus on her”, he gritted out, momentarily distracted.

“Pierrot, please apply this on his burns, it will disinfect the worst of it. Then use this cream to apply on the charred area and wrap it up. In return, you do the same for those lacerations on yourself”, the bird-like monster gave the Pierrot a few jars and a bandage roll. The monster nods his head.

“Don’t fucking touch me! I’ll be fine! I heal faster then anyone here”, Harlequin starts hissing once more.

“That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt. Please, MC will be here. You don’t wish for her to worry now do you?”, he reasoned with the stubborn monster. Harlequin clicks his tongue but remained silent as Pierrot work at his arm.

The Doctor kept his focus on the patient, he peels the layers off of her, trying to assess the damage.

“Columbina, please tell me what had transpired”, Ticket Taker knelt before the monster, dabbing away blood and tending minor injuries, stroking her arm up and down to console. The female monster had not stopped crying the moment the group returned with their injured human.

Jester stood by her other side, arms crossed, trying to compose himself and rearrange his thoughts.

“…it was the village. They hurt them”, a younger voiced slithered in, the group tensed and turn their heads towards the source. The girl appeared.

“You…”, the female monster ceased her tears at the child’s reappearance.

Jester steps forward, covering the other, “Who are you to dare enter this area, human?”, he smiled with sharp teeth.

The child had her hands clasped together, she outstretched her hands and revealed the item in her palm. A ring. A familiar one. Jester’s eyes widened in disbelief, “That…it is impossible”, he whispered, addled.

“…-----?”, the monster muttered to which the child responded with a melancholic smile.

“That…is the name MC had given me”, she looks down sheepishly. Jester however, was far too disturbed at the revelation.

“No, that cannot be correct, MC had informed me beforehand that that child had died almost five winters ago”, his eyes sharpened, “Have you taken over that child’s skin, beast?”, the Jester smiled sadistically, pointing an accusing finger at the young human(?).

The imposter(?) for her part had not looked scared, not for herself at least. She shook her head, expression going pensive, “No, it is true that I had…but, for reasons uknown I had yet to have passed, I am still here, MC…I can feel her body giving in”, the child(?) mournfully supplies.

That got the other three in a chokehold.

“Do not speak further if you wish for your soul to be able to make it in the thereafter, girl”, Jester hisses at the human child(?), voice dripping with venom.

“What do you know?”, Columbina stood, staring down the child(?) coldly.

“Columbina”

“You had known she was in danger beforehand, that is why you had pleaded for Pierrot, Harlequin and I to save her. How do you know if MC is dying tonight”, she walked closer, slowly with measure steps.

“How…how dare you even…insinuate! You!”, the angel-like monster’s form starts to morph with each enraged step.

“Columbina!”, Jester exclaimed at her in incertitude.

“I will not allow it, she belongs here, with us, with me. You, you do not get to utter such foul messages so freely. I do not care who or what you are”, the female monster reaches her hand towards the girl(?). Columbina hand phases through at the swipe, she turns her head to the girl(?) in silent rage, “…”, the spiralling monster swipes again.

“That is quite enough, Columbina”, Jester held her arm mid-motion, twirling her to face him. His composure faltering, too many things were going on, he cannot afford for Columbina to lose herself in her anger. He stared into her eyes in slight apology, “Dormir, Columbina”, the female monster immediately slumps against the ringleader. Jester releases a deep impatient sigh. He needs answers. Now.

“Bil”

“Yes?”

“Please take Columbina inside”

“As you wish”, the mismatched-eyed monster bows, gently removing her from Jester’s hold.

“And you”, he addresses the child(?) who had her at attention.

“You are to explain everything to me”

Harlequin glances to his left from time to time, as the adrenaline left his body, only he ache and exhaustion remained. Just as predicted, the burns and injuries the monster had procure were reanimating and restitching the tissues back into place. He weakly clutches the bedsheets to ground himself once more and to hold in and pained huffs he might vocalize. He does not wish to glance on his right, unwilling to see the knowingly pathetic form of his fellow performer.

Pierrot kept his eyes rotated between both Harlequin and his lady. The silent Doctor was not placating his anxieties, he saw the bird-like monster stitching and wrapping and dressing wounds and lacerations and burns. He thought of seeing the Doctor’s hands shaking for a millisecond, but refuses to believe so, blaming the light instead for his faulty sight.

Each time a pained moan or a choked off gruff was emitted from the human, they would unconsciously tense up, saved from Doctor as he could not afford to cease nor swipe the tiniest of mistakes. The monster would whisper hushed sweet nothings, hoping to bring the slightest bit of relief. His hands moved with vocal, precise and precision an important factor in such.

With one final wrap, the Doctor ends the procedure, but wore a look of uncertainty. He had only ever treated monsters and barely observed human perform aid to each other. Though, the monster has no doubts in his expertise, he cannot predict the resistance and durability of a human. He is also aware that if the woman, as sliver as it is, survives this unfortunate event, it will never quite be the same. With the amount of nerve damage and crumbling body parts, the Doctor cannot bear to confidently testify her a safe recovery, as painful as it might be.

“I will be outside, do holler if there is anything you need. Especially you, Harlequin”, the bird-like monster packs with a reminder. Pierrot nods in appreciation while the aforementioned serpent-like monster kept his turned on his left.

It was quiet in the room, both unsure how or if they should raise conversation. But Pierrot is familiar with the quiet, it gave him time to collect himself, time to reset. He needs to think. Think.

“Stop thinking too loud, idiota. I can hear the gears in the empty head of yours turning”, Harlequin starts, a little hoarse.

Pierrot jumps, startled at the unexpected voice coming from the bed. He frowns slightly a second later after the words came to him.

“Shut up, estupido”, he shot back.

Harlequin snorts, bringing Pierrot slight relief at his antics. The silence, resurfaces, a little lighter.

It brought them temporary reprieve to the unknown grief. The one, only Jester, was prone to knowledge of. Glancing at Doctor told the ringleader he might not be explicitly excluded. Columbina had awoken slightly light-headed, Ticket Taker handed her a glass of water to sooth her throat. The female monster had been quiet but accepted the gesture with a quiet word of thanks. Doctor had checked her for wounds and only deemed her acceptable in health when she is bereft of any critical injuries. Jester enters the cabin with an impenetrable expression. Upon seeing the awoken Columbina, he gently took her hands into his, when she had yet pulled-away he drew comforting circles. It was a silent apology from both sides. The angel-like monster had her eyes directed away from him, the ringleader sighs softly. He informs the room of having matters to be made a discussion.

Harlequin and Pierrot had denied on straying too far from the unconscious woman, thus leading the discussion to be brought inside MC’s bed chambers. Columbina had dove right by the woman’s bedside and gently taking hold of the bandaged hand along with her own upon laying eyes on her amavel. Weeping in continuity to where she had previously left off. Jester detests being the bearer of bad news, life is too cruel to those who only wish to survive and achieve happiness. What had they done to deserve this? He must be the anchor that holds their family together, must be firm and ruthless to protect them. Alas, he was but one monster, a monster who once had fleeting ambitions and dreams. That of fulfilment and peace.

Harlequin had attempted to remove himself from the bed, deeming now alright that the most severe burns and cuts had closed up, Pierrot merely pushes him back down and gave him a warning frown. Not one to back down, he hisses at the gold-eyed monster but all it had given in return were stern looks from both Doctor and the post-weep Columbina. The monster kissed his teeth and relented but not without pulling the hand of his offender down with him. If he had a semblance of his usual self, he would have teased the fool for making such deliciously hilarious expression.

Pierrot came out of his shocked trance and furrows his eyes even further, but says nothing of it. How boring.

Jester observes it all from the closed door, thinking of it as the right time to simply out with it than drag it any more than necessary.

With a composure he hopes does not slip, does not waver, he bears the unfortunate inevitable, skilfully controlling his expressions for that at least gave him a sense on control, his own anchor. The disbelief and denial from his fellow troupe members were to be expected, monsters hate deeply but loved even more, more than anyone else could ever know. As they live for long, they fear not death but attachment. That was why the human was their highest risk, for it could lead to this. Anger, bargaining but never acceptance. He expected the outbursts, the hostility. Jester is aware of the hurt, he himself is not immune. But the monster knew more than the rest could ever expect.

Though it does not seem he will bear the burden alone for Doctor interjected his own piece on the matter. He started listing down her injuries and her damaged organs. It is unpredictable when the human organs will give in nor how long the woman had left. But even if a miracle were to occur and MC were able to avoid death for the nonce, she must keep at rest of her existence in unbearable torture, as so death would be more merciful. The best he could solemnly guess were a few hours, a day at best. The silence is heavy but the grieve was heavier.

“I do not wish for this to be a goodbye”, Columbina absentmindedly fiddled with the woman’s fingers sadly. Her back hunched low. Though, she cannot bear the thought of her angel living in pain even more. Voices were about to be raised.

“This will not be the end of her”, he holds his hand up, demanding silence. It worked somewhat, though their younger members, well obedient, were still heavily displeased.

Jester ignores their silent judgement, opting to reach inside his coat. Upon the object exposure to the sun as it got taken out, a light reflected. Several of the members blinked in surprised confusion.

“I have been given a compromise”, he holds the item up between his two fingers, presenting it to the rest who by now had more of a questioning stare. Something then clicked in the angel-like monster’s head as she grips the immobile hand tighter, “The little girl?”

Heads turned her way at the question. A girl?

“Yes, that is correct, Columbina. Twas the girl’s ring I had received as compromise”, he nods in approval. Fiddling with the tiny ring.

“I was told it will bring us back to her. The dear one that is. For now, the ring grows exceedingly colder by time”

“…cold?”

“Yes, depending on MC’s state, the ring will follow. A parallel sort of indicator. The child had sworn to aid us, and I will always take what is due. When the dear one returns, we will know. It will tell us. The matter of finding her will be without a hitch”, Jester explains slowly.

Pierrot had not known how to take potential loss quite easily, even more so a loved one. He feels the hours tick by far too quick, far too deadly. The monster is familiar with grieve but he will never find fondness in it. Oh, how the gold-eyed monster despised those who had wronged his lady, wishes nothing more to rip them to pieces over and over while alive again until unidentifiable, though he does not think that will ever satisfy him. He wishes his lady would open her eyes, wishes everything to be as it once were, wishes his family to fair well and content. But that is all it is, wishes. Dreams. If what Jester is to be true and that his amore will return, he will ensure everyone that views at her in the slightest of despair will see not the ray of light come morning.

Harlequin stares at the ringleader in contemplation, his hand unconsciously reaching for his foolish human. Why should he believe these words of possible trickery? Nothing and no one had aided them without the expectations of compensation saved from the foolishly kind human. But the rest of the options were dry and a morsal of any chances that the woman being able to return to them was better than none at all. He will not take this failure lying down, will make certain even before the supposed promise comes true, that nothing will hurt his family ever again.

Ticket Taker had listened with furrowed brows but his usual rapid attention. Glancing at the bed, no matter how brief, had caused his heart to stutter, his composure a wavering notion. He too found scepticism not in Jester words but in the child’s promise. What unknown knowledge had Jester procure to be able to confidently have faith in a human(?) child, deceased or otherwise, will be a wonder the mismatched-eyed monster must fathom. But in the meantime, he will put belief in his ringleader’s words, his heart hoping, desires, for the first in centuries, for it all to be a veracious account.

Columbina does not wish to be apart from her angel. Must they be separated? For how long? Are the words of the deceased trustworthy? She doesn’t wish to think anymore, it has become far too exhausting. Why must everyone take away what is precious to them and leave them nothing but the feeling of barren void and empty? It is simply too cruel. She wishes MC was awake to console her, comfort her family, the woman always knew what to do. Her angel had always been the calm amongst storms. If she were to embrace her angel once more, subsequently, not even the worst could wretch them apart.

The Doctor had prepared himself with the grief of loss, one heavier than the rest for being intimately acquainted. When he had enunciated of his diagnosis, it was as if he were preparing for a death sentence. For them, for him, for those vile humans. Hope was a dangerous specimen, more than anything else. It is not something he could touch nor dissect directly to study. It is all merely in theory, rather, it makes him feel like he was the one being dissected. Tested. Very well, he will conduct this experiment, and when the fruits of his labour come along in the form of one delectable human, he will thoroughly enjoy it.

Jester is no fool, he does not correlate with those he is certain would not benefit him nor his family in the long run. He keeps tabs, pull nooses and retains them all under a leash. This was merely another long-term investment, one sure to profit if not satisfy every party involved. He had claimed the prerequisite, the child will prove to be useful. Though he abhors the thought of coalesce his private and professional life, as he is merciful, he will make an exception. One that death could merely claim temporarily and he will reap the rest. Humans are far too fragile, as such he detests even the thought of them, but their dear MC is debatably not and he wishes not a repentance of today's occurrence. Things he does for his family, such immeasurable lengths.

Acceptance was still a matter off the table and up for debate for the monsters who know nothing but betrayal and pain, but this, they could accept this. They have no choice but to. A miracle or punishment, one will never know. There was another factor they invariably struggle with, patience. But they have plenty, if not than just enough.

So, they all sat in that tiny room, focused on the short yet laboured breaths of their only dear human. Watch in real-time as it decreases in speed and quieter in sound. It was not until midnight that complete silence had adorned the space and a few more for Jester to move and suggest a burial out in her beloved gardens.

No one had uttered a word as they silently prepared and buried their dear one. Circling around the make shift grave buried right beside her lavenders. The night air who adored her, the forest who had cherished her, kept the skies clear and cool that night. Stars staring down for a final farewell and with that, the monsters depart. Heartbreak and hope a treacherous blend, but an imperative one.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Found You

MC wakes up with a start, her bleary and sleep ladled eyelids squinting at the sunray’s assault. The city’s familiar buzz of life as it had awoken with her and her phone warm in her hands. She felt as if she had sat through a very long dream.

“…”, she looks down at her phone. It showed her device in need of immediate charging and the current time.

“I’m late”, she mumbles.