Wait okay so if Harlequin’s life span was shortened how would the others (and Hendrix himself) react once they realize this? (aka the scenario where he doesn’t change back)

Now my next question is what exactly would happen if Hendrix got hurt? I’d assume that if it happened after helping Pierrot then there’s a chance of some sort of morbid comfort that would happen. Aka Harley being emotionally constipated and Pierrot just freaking out cause his human is hurt and is either over reacting (cause as a monster pain was easier to deal with) or under reacting (he’s mentally panicking)…

You also mentioned ao3 and now I reallyyyyyy want to see that if you dooo (or perhaps some art if your up for it cause I wanna draw this but I suckkk)

Answering this the next day bc my brain needs time to reset before I yap all over the place again ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ )👍

Context for anyone seeing this: #TFC Hendrix AU tag

1. How the troupe would react to Harlequin's shortened lifespan as Hendrix (in the route when he doesn't change back)

Now, this is interesting to think about! At first, Pierrot doesn't want to think too much about it. Hendrix is here, healthy, and that's all that matters to him. In fact, Pierrot would try to avoid thinking about the morbid future because he doesn't want to have to come to terms with it yet. But the more he bottles up his fears, the more possessive he may become.

As Hendrix grows elderly, Pierrot would become terrified at the idea of losing him. Pierrot would become obsessed with the idea of death, possibly even isolating Hendrix to keep him safe (like Mother Gothel keeping Rapunzel in the tower). It could become unhealthy. However, if elderly Hendrix really wants some fresh air, then Pierrot would follow him around and stay at his side, no matter what.

If Pierrot only thinks about the end, he wouldn't truly be able to enjoy the time he still has with Hendrix.

And if Pierrot can overcome his worries, maybe the two of them could spend their final days in peace.

Jester would be disappointed and possibly even sorrowful. He would still let Hendrix live at the circus because he still considers him to be part of their found family, whether or not Hendrix is human or monster. Additionally, Jester would willingly protect Hendrix against other monsters if Hendrix is ever targeted.

Ticket Taker would show concern over Hendrix's weaker state, and he would take extra measures to make sure Hendrix stays out of harm's way. For example, he would send Fools to escort Hendrix essentially like bodyguards, and he would keep Hendrix from doing risky tasks like heavy lifting.

Doctor would be devastated. He'd try to come up with as many treatments as he can while hoping for them to be effective in changing Hendrix back. These treatments never work, but Doctor holds onto hope regardless. Maybe he'd try to brew something to extend Hendrix's human life for as long as possible.

Harlequin would hate the vulnerability. He would hate feeling weak, and he would hate not being able to use his special abilities. Still, he'd probably try to live as he normally would, without a care for his own safety.

Since he doesn't see the value in his own life (for this route), he continues his past reckless behavior, endangering himself and emotionally hurting those around him in the process.

This route is basically full of angst :)

2. What would happen if Hendrix got seriously hurt?

Hendrix still wants to be strong and independent (his pride would be the death of him LOL), so if possible, he'd try to tend to his own wounds.

If he physically can't do that, like if his injuries are noticeably terrible, then he would pretend he can tolerate it while Pierrot crashes out.

Hendrix could just be sitting there bleeding with a bullet in his arm, acting nonchalant (it's painful, but he doesn't want the others to think less of him just because he's human now). Meanwhile, Pierrot is freaking out in the background, calling for Doctor's help, running around, frantically trying to put the puddle of blood back into Hendrix's veins to "save" him (that's not how it works, Pierrot 😭) while Ticket Taker tries to stop him.

Jester would then hold Pierrot back to prevent him from doing other stupid things in his state of panic.

💫

Yesss I'm definitely considering writing the AU as a fic on AO3!

Dunno if I actually have time for it though because I have so many other things I want to work on XD

LOLOL NO WORRIES, ASK AWAY :D

Hendrix AU lore expansion, part 2! (For anyone seeing this without context, feel free to look at my #TFC Hendrix AU tag to see what I'm yapping about!)

Yapfest below:

OH, FOR SURE!!! I'D LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT :D

Yapfest incoming...

I have no idea where to start, so I'll just make up questions and then answer my own questions 😋👍 but if you have anything else you wanna ask, feel free to let me know! I'm not scary I swear-

Context for anyone seeing this without knowing about the original post:

A goofy TFC AU idea I started for fun!

6 questions for now (to represent the troupe + Columbina) unless I can think of more 🙂‍↕️

Possible TW: brief mentions of drugs

Okay, here we go!

How did Harlequin become human in this AU?

All right, so y'know how some of the carnival food is laced? Basically, Harlequin ate a meat kebab... that was given to him by a suspicious guy in a trenchcoat :)

You'd think that would be a dumb idea, but he eats it anyway because he wants to get high. He had just gotten out of some super tedious stage setup duties at the circus and he craves a break from the mental toll of Pierrot's existence! Also, he knows his body can tolerate doses that would normally be fatal to humans.

And at first, he does experience the typical effects of taking edibles. This time, however, it feels more intense than ever before.

Time passes by, and he wakes up floating in the middle of a lake, surrounded by ducks, in a public park. He's got the worst headache he's ever had to deal with, and he can't feel his tentacles. It's probably the effects of the edibles still lingering, right?

Nope! He looks down, and what does he see? A human body in the nude, and for once, it's actually his own.

What would happen if he met MC?

He'd die.

LMAO NO, HE WOULD PROBABLY JUST NOT REALIZE ANYTHING IS AMISS because he basically took MC's job so like 🦐

OH, BUT IF MC SOMEHOW GETS HIRED AS WELL, he would probably just flirt with them.

Why are the rest of the troupe unaware?

Initially, he just doesn't want the others to know. Also, after turning human, he realized there was a supernatural force preventing him from explaining anything about his situation to other monsters, whether by speaking, writing, or even making art.

However, he may eventually figure out a loophole by explaining his situation to a human like MC, and having MC relay that information to the other clowns! The problem comes from whether or not he considers MC trustworthy enough. He doesn't want to be sent away to some facility 💔

What does he do after becoming human?

Sadly, he is unable to use his abilities, and he realizes this is very much a downside. He also realizes there are some advantages to being human.

For starters, he gets his first tattoo (which Jester had never allowed), and he finds out that his human skin is VERY sensitive and easily injured unlike his regular skin. Since he doesn't regenerate as a human, the tattoo doesn't fade away. He names himself "Hendrix" because he wants to be away from his responsibilities for a while and doesn't want any of the other clowns to disturb him.

The next thing he does is con a motorcycle from a guy (because he thinks that's more impressive than theft for whatever reason). Then, he goes to college house parties and he does NOT behave.

Eventually, he ends up at the coffee shop. The boss mistakes him for the new recruit, so now, Hendrix is working as a barista.

He gets bored of being human, of course, so he returns to the circus grounds before opening hours to see if Doctor has a fix for his condition.

Unfortunately, Ticket Taker doesn't recognize him and denies him at the gate. When Hendrix tries to spit out the truth, nothing comes out, so he is essentially doomed.

Now on his own, Hendrix trudges back to the coffee shop, where he tries to formulate a new plan.

Along the way there, he sees Pierrot on the ground, surrounded by leering faces. Hendrix, considering how the circus is currently understaffed (which is absolutely his own fault lmao), steps in and yells at the crowd just so that Pierrot can finish his job.

His actions are, however, misinterpreted by Pierrot 💛

Why is he wearing Pierrot's pin? Is this GreenApple?

Uhh you tell me LOL

I originally made the AU for funnies, but then I saw one post made by either DestinySquared or Darthsuki (I forgot who, but when I find the post again I'll link it here) that discussed the idea that Pierrot would still love MC even if their personality was an exact clone of Harlequin's... and that really got me thinking!

So yeah, that's why he's wearing Pierrot's pin. It's sorta humorous to me, but I also see a lot of angst + comfort fluff potential! I love their dynamic, whether or not their relationship is platonic or romantic.

Will he ever revert back to his usual self?

If I have the time to work this into a fic (on AO3 probably) I'll likely make two different versions of the storyline! One in which he goes back to being Harlequin (after a whole arc of living as a human) and one in which he stays human... LET THE ANGST ROLL IN 😝😝

EXTRA: Why the name "Hendrix"?

I wanted to keep some semblance of Harlequin in his human name, so the first letter starts with H!

As for choosing Hendrix instead of smth else like Henry or Harlo or Harry or something... uH I figured Harlequin would want to name himself a cool-sounding human name bc I headcanon him as the type of guy who wants others to see him as badass or some bullshit like that 💀 and the name is based on a rockstar!

Another idea I had was Hunter but that kept reminding me of my friend's favorite TOH character so I didn't stick with it ( ᵔ ᗜ ᵔ )

- I find Jester finding out through Hendrix just knowing things interesting because when I think about Jester he is overly suspicious of everything (especially stuff to do with humans) so would you say he would try to look for something that is just inherently Harlequin?

- NOT DOCTOR BEING WORRIED AUGHHHHH MY HEART!!! Though that does bring up the question of when Hendrix goes to Doctors tent, Harley would probably not be afraid of the doctor but I would guess he would try to chase after the drug they use on humans during the earlier stages of being human. Later though I would guess Hendrix would try to get help from Doctor to try and reverse the transformation (obviously with varying success with the two different endings)

- TT trying to give Hendrix a pink ticket is foulll, though it was actually smart to try and get his attention by showing he knows what it means. Not the best way to show it though…

- Oh the mental gymnastics Pierrot is gonna go through once he finds out it’s Harlequin… though that does make me wonder exactly how he’s going to react once he does find out…

And here’s a little extra one cause I thought it was interesting you mentioned it:

Why is the warlock still around if Harlequin is already turned human? Is there some other reason they’re there or any other significance?

Okay this is now the longest one I’ve done- I’m so sorry-

More loreeeee!

Yapfest below (prior lore stuff is in my #TFC Hendrix AU tag for those seeing this without context):

Ooh, good questions!

Just based on first impressions, the boss thinks Hendrix would be the kind of employee to mess around and slack off all day. To his surprise, however, Hendrix actually turns out to be a very hard worker. With just the right kind of motivation (aka him staring at "eye candy"), he will remember to get a customer's order done correctly (bare minimum, I know, but he also works pretty fast on top of that).

The cons? Hendrix shamelessly flirts with every hot adult who walks in 💀

He has a decent relationship with his boss and possible coworkers, but any time the boss catches him flirting with customers, Hendrix gets assigned to clean the toilet stalls during closing that day.

Funnily enough, Hendrix works with his fellow employee, Carol, for several days until she "mysteriously" disappears. He doesn't try to stop it because he knows the circus needs more workers, with him being away and all. Before that, he was generally respectful towards her, while Carol was indifferent towards him.

When he meets the rude customer (the one who ends up becoming a Fool in one of Pierrot's knife-throwing macabre performances), Hendrix purposely takes his time to make the lady's order just so that she would have to wait even longer. Then, while handing the order to her, he grins and calmly says, "Thank you so much for your patience," just to watch her rage some more.