DTAE for The Animal Tamer Lore (if you're wondering why it's so detailed, yes, I'm an author, and yes, i made my own lore for him): The air was sticky and cold as it often found itself in the town where Pierrot had met the love of his life. The Freak Circus was finally taking down their tents, ready to travel to the next town for a fresh start (AND a fresh menu of scrumptious fools!). The fliers which once seasoned the town are rain-stained and crumbling, turning to nothing more than the soil between cracks in pavement. Many a man celebrated the fact that the circus planned to leave- Half the town despised the terrifying performers. Though, not all are looking forward to their departure. "Come with us," Pierrot whispers to MC, cupping their face in his claws- At the moment, he wore nothing but sweats a T-Shirt (men's large, of course), as his performance outfit was packed. "Come with ME, love." "Pierrot-" MC began as the silver haired clown dropped his claws from their face and instead squeezed their hands in his own. "I have a life here. I love you, but-" "We can give you a life, too," he promised. "Me and the others. We are a powerful and deliciously dangerous family to have. I will protect you, my lady." "And I don't doubt you will for a second," MC assured, "But..." They lean to look over Pierrot's shoulder, and have to rise onto their tip-toes just to get a good look at what's behind him. There, leaning against the side of the one unpacked tent was Harlequin in a black hoodie, grumpy and steaming as always since MC had chosen Pierrot over him. For a brief second, Harlequin meets MC's eyes with a cold, hard gaze, and MC flinches. They turn quickly back to Pierrot. "I don't think EVERYONE wants me in the family. Not anymore, at least," they whisper. Pierrot's expression turns afraid and troubled, his small gold pupils fattening into nervous, teary blobs as they did when he was worried. "B-But-" "Kids, I'm afraid it time," a voice calls. MC and Pierrot turn around in sync to watch Ticket Taker stroll their way, dressed in a formal white men's shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow and his claws tucked into the pockets of sleek black dress pants. He nods to MC. "Red Ticket Bearer," he greets. "Ticket Taker," says MC with a polite nod. Ticket Taker turns to Pierrot. "We're ready to head out," he announces. Pierrot flinched. "Ticket, please. Just a few more moments," he pleaded. Ticket Taker clicked his tongue. "Remember, Pierrot, we are not on the road yet, so you still have to keep up your act. Lower your eager voice," he warns. Pierrot scowls as the three hear Jester whistle and stomp from behind them, beckoning the group over. Pierrot and MC hand in hand with Ticket Taker walking ahead, they make their way over to Doctor, Harlequin, and Jester, (whose wearing a charming "Kiss the Cook" apron over an eye burning ugly Christmas sweater). "Everything else packed, Jester?" MC asks the purple themed performer. He grins and sucks in a slow breath through his teeth as he taps a claw next to his mouth. "Yesss. You see, dear, I found the bright colors quite appealing. Jussst as well, it wass at the top of the trunk," he hissed with a cheeky tone to his voice, as always. "Now, to bussinesss. Will you be joining us in our travels, dearesst?" Jester asks MC. "No they won't," snarled Harlequin from where he leaned. "I've had quite enough of that one. We should have eaten them from the start. Now I'll never taste them, one way or another." MC inched back and Pierrot wrapped a protective arm around them. Meanwhile, Doctor reached out towards Harlequin and flicked him on the arm, which earned him an upset hiss from the poisonous green performer. "Focus," Ticket taker said. "Red Ticker Bearer, the choice is yours. I for one would be pleased if you chose to join us-" he glanced toward Harlequin, "-Though I can't speak for everyone. It is whatever you wish." MC looked up at Pierrot, whose eyes whispered "please." If I leave, I will probably never meet someone like him again, MC thinks, looking up at Pierrot's angel face. They inhale deeply, and make their choice. "Very well. I shall join you." Pierrot picks MC up and spins them around in joy. It is not long before they are on the road, making their way to the next town as circuses do. The only hiccup in their journey was that part of the way, they had to travel through a forest to reach the town on the other side. It was a dark, frightening wood, and MC felt their childish fear of monsters creeping up their throat. Stop, MC tells themself. How can one be afraid of monsters when her lover is one himself? How can one be afraid of monsters when the monster they were "afraid of" was the same one squeezing their hand, ready to shield them at a moments notice? "Do not be afraid, love," Pierrot tells MC. "I'm not," they say. "Only... getting my legs, that's all." Pierrot points toward their walking feet. "But they're right there!" he says. MC giggles.
"I suppose you're right, Pierrot." They spend hours chatting happily, ignoring the fact they trudged through a dark, chilly thickness of trees. MC asked Pierrot whether they should have an act in the circus or not, and he had suggested they assist him in his own, then back-tracked when he realized that would mean throwing knifes at MC (which he was NEVER going to do). They made a temporary camp, them and the others, that night, to rest so they could finish their journey tomorrow. Cuddled next to Pierrot, MC whispered a question. "I know you and the others are 'monsters,' but... are there more like you out there? Wild ones?" Pierrot chuckled softly. "Of course, My Lady. You may know of the black tent you were denied access to- There we welcome and assist others like us from around the world with their own unique issues. But none join our circus, for all have various dwellings of their own. Not many of our kind travel in a pack like The Freak Circus of Horrors does." MC shifted. "Huh," they said. "How intriguing. So they all have homes?" "That we're aware of." MC's expression hardened. "Curious." Sleep fell swiftly after that, though not long for MC. They awoke to a strange tickle on the back of their neck, jolting them from slumber land. All the other performers were still sleeping soundly, including MC's love Pierrot. "Who's their?" MC whispered. A black shadow suddenly dashed swiftly between the trees, disappearing quickly into the darkness. "Hello?" Suddenly, a chill ran down their spine as a low, rumbling growl appeared from the trees in front of MC. From the shadows stepped one large paw, followed by shoulders and a head, until finally the massive body of a fit, adult cougar emerged from the night, staring directly at them. MC opened her mouth to scream just as a sickening crack whistled through the air. A long dark tail snapped at the cat, forcing it backwards. The tickle MC had felt before returned as a large figure leapt over their head and landed in front of them. It snapped it's tail at the cougar once more, this time letting out a loud, frightful yell at the cat. Slowly, the animal inched back, before whipping around and retreating into the woods. The tail dropped limp the the ground, and the figure's shoulders drooped. As MC's eyes adjusted to the dark, they realized it wasn't a tail at all- it was a WHIP! The figure turned around, and MC inhaled sharply as the faint moonlight caught his face. He had a sharp toothy grin just like all the other performers, though his hair was a bold orange and a paw mark framed his right eye. "You alright, there, beautiful one?" said the monster. MC was at a loss for words. They turned to see the others had awakened at the commotion, and Ticket Taker was rising to his feet, staring at the newcomer. "You... we've never seen you at the black tent before... you must be..." he inhaled. "a wild." "The name's Animal Tamer," said the new monster. "We shall call you A-T," Ticket said. "Ah, so you're deciding something for me already," said A-T. "That's the reason I'm on my own in the first place. And you're so sure already I wish to join your sweet posie? Let me guess- you're the traveling circus all of our kind loves to talk about. You know, not many humans give you five star reviews. Perhaps you should dial back the horror at you next show. And keep the... you know, bad stuff out of you apples." "Do you wish to join or not?" Ticket asked, ignoring A-T's other comments. The other performers exchanged glances as A-T looked them over. "Food is included, yes?" asked A-T. "We call it the Pink-Ticket program," Ticket answered. "Hmm..." A-T ran a gloved claw slowly down his whip, the leather on leather creating a chilling squeeeeeak! "Very well," he said at last. "I shall join you. You've got yourself an animal act, new colleagues. When do I start?" look in the backgrounds inside the project to see a small bonus >:)
