Imagine an MC who does not take the danger she is in with the freak circus seriously...
Trigger warnings: I kept it mostly tame but... murder, kidnapping, canon typical dark themes... Mentions of blood, cannibalism, knives, talk about death, some threats.... Reader having no sense of self preservation (but maybe somehow it works out for her?)
Sense of self-preservation? Never heard of her. Running into danger feels like second nature ~
Your back was to the wall of the tent. Nowhere left to retreat. Instead of trying to escape you surveyed the monsters surrounding you.
There is Jester with his smooth voice and thinly veiled threats. Harlequin playing with the dagger, wrapping his tongue around it and flashing you a wicked grin. Doctor menacingly standing in the background, arranging medical instruments (though you're not sure if their actual purpose isn't torture or corpse dismantling). Ticket Taker with his uncannily polite smile blocking the exit. Maybe only Pierrot is trying not to look menacing. He is looking torn between apologetic and.... Hungry? Starved... Perhaps yearning would be a more appropriate word.
"Whatever shall we do with our curious little mouse... She seems to know far too much for her own good" Jester and his silky voice. Laced with danger and quiet dignity.
"I bet she'd taste delicious. And her screams would be very melodic..." Harlequin speaks up. You're not sure if he's talking in a... Sexual sense or... Cannibalistic sense.
You don't really want to find out. But despite yourself you utter a quietly defiant "Clarify"
And are so very glad your voice is not trembling
Harlequin raises an eyebrow
"You'd love to know that, dear one, but I think I'd rather keep your suspense until the very last moment. Makes for a more candid reaction. Much more thrilling. Don't take away my fun"
You curse him out for the ambiguity. Leave it to Harlequin to never answer your question directly.
"Nuisances like her are better disposed of quickly and efficiently. Cut the problem off at the root" Ticket Taker's reply is cold and clipped. And inexplicably makes you feel more angry than it reasonably should.
"Then what are we still doing talking?" You mutter. If you're gonna die... Well... You don't want your last moments marked by fear. You have already made a decision to not beg for your life. And you will adhere to it.
"You talk about your precious schedule. But maybe I also have places to be. So... Make up your mind... And preferably let me go. But if not, don't waste my and yours time"
You frown. That's about as far as your bravado can carry you.
"She is a rather... Interesting specimen... If you do not dismantle her... I'd rather take her in for some... Testing"
"And I'd rather... Not" you frown.
The Doctor hums noncommittally. You are certain your refusal will not deter him from running his experiments if the opportunity would arise, but so far he does not argue with you. You'll take your small victories whenever you can. Especially since in your current situation they aren't bound to last long:
"You are a conundrum, darling" Jester's eyes seem to pierce you to your very core. Never in your life have you felt so exposed. Under so much scrutiny. There is a stifled curiosity in his gaze, resurfacing in flickers of deep violet glimmer once in a while.
"Such brazen display of bravado... I wonder if it will persist once you discover the full extent of the fragility of your very existence" he lifts your chin in a practiced motion, making you look right at him, his voice drops an octave as he continues "And the futility of resistance. But by then it will be far too late for salvation, little curious human"
You briefly wonder if all his talk is simply an intimidation tactic. Probably not. You have seen him be more than capable to deliver on his threats. But judging from the fact that you're still alive... You don't want to raise your hope too much. And well, you don't want to push your luck... But you were never particularly good at keeping your mouth shut. Especially not at times when you really ought to.
"Who says anything about salvation? Maybe I don't need it"
"Such insolence..." Jester shakes his head in mock disapproval, "Perhaps your murder shall be a very satisfactory experience. It will reward us all the... Trouble of putting up with you" he retreats a step to survey your whole frame. You become critically conscious of how you stand practically plastered to the wall, like cornered prey. You don't like it. You force yourself to push off the wall and stand a bit taller.
"I wonder if her blood will be exquisite in composition... And taste"
"Do you wanna play psycho killer?" You cock your head to the side.
Their smiles grow at that.
"Hm... If you offer it yourself, Dear, we would be delighted" Harlequin
"Can I be the helpless victim?..." You take a step towards Jester. He raises one eyebrow, intrigued.
"Silly little human... That's all you'll ever be... A helpless victim..." He muses.
You hear laughter in the background.
"Hmm... Let's see," you pretend to contemplate it a bit, then clasp your hands together pleadingly and recite melodramatically: "Oh no! Please don't kill me Mister Jester. I wanna be in the sequel!"
You shoot him a grin. The room descends in a bewildered silence. None of their previously kidnapped humans displayed such deviation in behaviour.
Ticket Taker is the first to break out of shock.
"Did you perhaps forget your sense of self- preservation at the door?" Came his irked response to your antics.
"Who said I had any sense of self-preservation to begin with?" You grin. The shift in dynamic was starting to amuse you. If these were your last moments on Earth... At least they were funny and not completely terrifying.
Harlequin pipes up second, looking towards the leader, who is now staring at you in silent contemplation
"Jest... I wanna keep her. She's fun. I want to see what makes her finally scream" the latter part is directed at you with a grin.
"I cannot let such a peculiar subject go to waste. If it is not much difference to you, I shall take her for testing"
By the time Doctor and Harlequin have spoken their minds, you already had an upset looking Pierrot wrapping his arms around you from behind. He shakes his head menacingly at Jester. And sends a warning glance at Harlequin, silently calling dibs on you.
"Uhm, don't I get a say in this? I mean.. maybe I'd rather die than put up with any of you?"
Pierrot's grip on you tightens and he whispers into your ear: "Don't... Say that My Lady, you don't mean it. I won't let anything happen to you"
"Hah! No, not this time, Jester doesn't like when humans exercise their free will too much. And you have used up your limit for today" Harlequin laughs.
"That's not how free will works, dumbass" you deadpan, "It's not something you use up"
"Perhaps your presence can provide meager entertainment, little one... Yes, you shall remain with the circus for the time being"
"As long as she doesn't outlive her usefulness, of course" Ticket Taker's polite reminder sends a shiver down your spine
"Of course" came Jester's easy reply as he turned to walk away.
"Try not to break out little guest too much" he throws over his shoulder. You're not sure who he's talking to, but either way you're grateful for the little restraint his words might impose on the monsters
"I still have use for her and I'd rather she be able to complete her tasks while she stays in the circus"
Ticket Taker strolls out after him. Your eyes follow as they depart. And you're left alone with three monsters.
"Would... Any of you consider... Just letting me out?" You say hopefully.
You are met with a wicked grin, clinical consideration and a tighter embrace - all are more than enough of an answer. Letting you out was never in anyone's interest.
by the waaayyy I used the Scream movie for inspiration here hehe, you know the quote?
"You want to play psycho killer? Can I be the helpless victim? Lets see... Oh, please don't kill me, Mr Ghost face, I want to be in the sequel"
Idk I just find it so funny ahaha
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