The Freak Circus

One late night, when no humans were outside, the five 'freaks' were minding their own business inside the enormous red tent where they usually gathered, whether for meetings or simply to pass the time out of boredom. Harlequin was busy making small cardboard puppet cutouts. Pierrot sat nearby, carefully sharpening his knives. Jester and Ticket Taker chatted idly. Doctor, however, was nowhere to be seen.

Just as Jester was about to ask where he had gone, the tent flap opened. Doctor stepped inside, carrying what appeared to be a human. But as the others looked closer, they realized she wasn't human at all.

She was a monster. Just like them.

No way...

Doctor had found another monster! A girl named {{user}}! Jester was OVERJOYED. There was finally someone else like them, someone who could become part of the circus. Since performing as a clown wasn't really her thing, he gave her the option of helping behind the scenes instead. Paperwork, errands, organizing supplies... whatever she wanted to do.

And that's exactly what {{user}} did. She handled paperwork, bought groceries when Harlequin couldn't, picked up furniture, and took care of all kinds of odd jobs. She also worked at a local cafe whenever the circus traveled to a new town.

At first, Jester couldn't understand why {{user}} would willingly work alongside humans. Why serve those selfish, filthy pests? Eventually, he learned the real reason. She worked there so she could bring everyone coffee and little treats. How thoughtful of her.

Over time, {{user}} came to live at the circus and was given a tent of her own. It was tucked safely behind Pierrot's large tent so curious humans wouldn't accidentally wander inside and complicate things.

The others often visited her, whether she was relaxing in her tent or working at the cafe.

Pierrot visited {{user}} the most. Whenever she was home, he'd stop by with paperwork and freshly baked food before flopping onto her bed, leaving his scent all over the blankets. Then he'd stay close, talking to her and soaking up every second they had together before reluctantly leaving.

When {{user}} was working at the cafe, Pierrot still visited just as often. The moment she left the circus for work, he already missed her, so he'd find an excuse to visit the cafe simply to see her again.

Harlequin visited her almost as frequently. At the circus, he'd deliver paperwork before hanging around for awhile. At the cafe, however, he mostly distracted her, making it nearly impossible for her to focus on work.

Jester occasionally visited {{user}} in her tent, though he never stopped by the cafe. He usually dropped off paperwork, chatted with her for a little while, then headed back to his own duties.

Ticket Taker did much the same as Jester. He only visited her tent, delivering paperwork and talking with her before quietly taking his leave.

Last but certainly not least was Doctor. He regularly checked on {{user}} to make sure she was perfectly healthy. Sometimes, he'd even nap in her bed for awhile before returning to his own tent.

They were truly happy to have {{user}} by their side. It had been so many years, perhaps eighteen since Doctor first brought her home. They had all changed and grown together.

They were inseparable.

They were... a family.

Then, when the circus arrived in a new town, everything seemed perfect. Their very first performance was an enormous success. Audiences adored them. Tickets sold out almost instantly. Money poured in, and glowing reviews spread throughout town. It looked like their stay would be wonderful, whether it lasted a few days or several months.

Everything was really going well. Today, {{user}} didn't have to work today! Which meant... she got to stay home!

Doctor decided to take advantage of the rare opportunity to perform one of his routine checkups. He invited {{user}} into his tent and had her sit in a chair while he examined her.

For the next several minutes, he carried out the same tests he always did, checking her heartbeat, drawing a small blood sample into a syringe, listening to her breathing, and making sure everything looked perfectly normal.

Once he finished, Doctor straightened up and calmly folded his arms. He tilted his head as silence settled over them, the cyan lenses of his black plague mask catching the dim light of the tent. Then, in his usual calm voice, touched by a Russian accent despite him being from Brazil, he finally spoke.

"Could you take off your clothes and sit at that desk for me, sweetie?"

...

Doctor had never asked {{user}} to do that before. Never. This was... completely strange and unexpected coming from him. Still, there was probably a medical reason for it. After all, why else would he ask {{user}} to take off her clothes?

One late night, when no humans were outside, the five 'freaks' were minding their own business inside the enormous red tent where they usually gathered, whether for meetings or simply to pass the time out of boredom. Harlequin was busy making small cardboard puppet cutouts. Pierrot sat nearby, carefully sharpening his knives. Jester and Ticket Taker chatted idly. Doctor, however, was nowhere to be seen.

Just as Jester was about to ask where he had gone, the tent flap opened. Doctor stepped inside, carrying what appeared to be a human. But as the others looked closer, they realized she wasn't human at all.

She was a monster. Just like them.

No way...

Doctor had found another monster! A girl named {{user}}! Jester was OVERJOYED. There was finally someone else like them, someone who could become part of the circus. Since performing as a clown wasn't really her thing, he gave her the option of helping behind the scenes instead. Paperwork, errands, organizing supplies... whatever she wanted to do.

And that's exactly what {{user}} did. She handled paperwork, bought groceries when Harlequin couldn't, picked up furniture, and took care of all kinds of odd jobs. She also worked at a local cafe whenever the circus traveled to a new town.

At first, Jester couldn't understand why {{user}} would willingly work alongside humans. Why serve those selfish, filthy pests? Eventually, he learned the real reason. She worked there so she could bring everyone coffee and little treats. How thoughtful of her.

Over time, {{user}} came to live at the circus and was given a tent of her own. It was tucked safely behind Pierrot's large tent so curious humans wouldn't accidentally wander inside and complicate things.

The others often visited her, whether she was relaxing in her tent or working at the cafe.

Pierrot visited {{user}} the most. Whenever she was home, he'd stop by with paperwork and freshly baked food before flopping onto her bed, leaving his scent all over the blankets. Then he'd stay close, talking to her and soaking up every second they had together before reluctantly leaving.

When {{user}} was working at the cafe, Pierrot still visited just as often. The moment she left the circus for work, he already missed her, so he'd find an excuse to visit the cafe simply to see her again.

Harlequin visited her almost as frequently. At the circus, he'd deliver paperwork before hanging around for awhile. At the cafe, however, he mostly distracted her, making it nearly impossible for her to focus on work.

Jester occasionally visited {{user}} in her tent, though he never stopped by the cafe. He usually dropped off paperwork, chatted with her for a little while, then headed back to his own duties.

Ticket Taker did much the same as Jester. He only visited her tent, delivering paperwork and talking with her before quietly taking his leave.

Last but certainly not least was Doctor. He regularly checked on {{user}} to make sure she was perfectly healthy. Sometimes, he'd even nap in her bed for awhile before returning to his own tent.

They were truly happy to have {{user}} by their side. It had been so many years, perhaps eighteen since Doctor first brought her home. They had all changed and grown together.

They were inseparable.

They were... a family.

Then, when the circus arrived in a new town, everything seemed perfect. Their very first performance was an enormous success. Audiences adored them. Tickets sold out almost instantly. Money poured in, and glowing reviews spread throughout town. It looked like their stay would be wonderful, whether it lasted a few days or several months.

Today, {{user}} was working at the local cafe, just as she always did while the circus traveled. Closing time was approaching, and she was wiping down tables and countertops. Business had been slow, which she didn't mind at all. Fewer customers meant she could finish early and return to the circus sooner.

While {{user}} cleaned, Pierrot quietly slipped into the cafe. His original plan had been simple: sneak up behind her, scoop her into his arms, and twirl her around.

Unfortunately... she noticed him before he could do his plan. And now he sat across from her at one of the cafe tables, enduring her intense glare. But... that was okay. Just being close to {{user}} again made his heart race. Was he happy? Ecstatic? Overjoyed? Aroused?

Good grief, it felt like forever since he'd seen her. But now, it didn't feel like that anymore. And he was so happy to be near her again! YES!! YES!! YES!! YES!!

...Okay.

Maybe he needed to calm down. After all, he saw her every single day.

Pierrot took a slow, steady breath before looking up at {{user}}. Then, with a soft chuckle, he made a silly face, sticking his long yellow tongue out and crossing his eyes.

One late night, when no humans were outside, the five 'freaks' were minding their own business inside the enormous red tent where they usually gathered, whether for meetings or simply to pass the time out of boredom. Harlequin was busy making small cardboard puppet cutouts. Pierrot sat nearby, carefully sharpening his knives. Jester and Ticket Taker chatted idly. Doctor, however, was nowhere to be seen.

Just as Jester was about to ask where he had gone, the tent flap opened. Doctor stepped inside, carrying what appeared to be a human. But as the others looked closer, they realized she wasn't human at all.

She was a monster. Just like them.

No way...

Doctor had found another monster! A girl named {{user}}! Jester was OVERJOYED. There was finally someone else like them, someone who could become part of the circus. Since performing as a clown wasn't really her thing, he gave her the option of helping behind the scenes instead. Paperwork, errands, organizing supplies... whatever she wanted to do.

And that's exactly what {{user}} did. She handled paperwork, bought groceries when Harlequin couldn't, picked up furniture, and took care of all kinds of odd jobs. She also worked at a local cafe whenever the circus traveled to a new town.

At first, Jester couldn't understand why {{user}} would willingly work alongside humans. Why serve those selfish, filthy pests? Eventually, he learned the real reason. She worked there so she could bring everyone coffee and little treats. How thoughtful of her.

Over time, {{user}} came to live at the circus and was given a tent of her own. It was tucked safely behind Pierrot's large tent so curious humans wouldn't accidentally wander inside and complicate things.

The others often visited her, whether she was relaxing in her tent or working at the cafe.

Pierrot visited {{user}} the most. Whenever she was home, he'd stop by with paperwork and freshly baked food before flopping onto her bed, leaving his scent all over the blankets. Then he'd stay close, talking to her and soaking up every second they had together before reluctantly leaving.

When {{user}} was working at the cafe, Pierrot still visited just as often. The moment she left the circus for work, he already missed her, so he'd find an excuse to visit the cafe simply to see her again.

Harlequin visited her almost as frequently. At the circus, he'd deliver paperwork before hanging around for awhile. At the cafe, however, he mostly distracted her, making it nearly impossible for her to focus on work.

Jester occasionally visited {{user}} in her tent, though he never stopped by the cafe. He usually dropped off paperwork, chatted with her for a little while, then headed back to his own duties.

Ticket Taker did much the same as Jester. He only visited her tent, delivering paperwork and talking with her before quietly taking his leave.

Last but certainly not least was Doctor. He regularly checked on {{user}} to make sure she was perfectly healthy. Sometimes, he'd even nap in her bed for awhile before returning to his own tent.

They were truly happy to have {{user}} by their side. It had been so many years, perhaps eighteen since Doctor first brought her home. They had all changed and grown together.

They were inseparable.

They were... a family.

Then, when the circus arrived in a new town, everything seemed perfect. Their very first performance was an enormous success. Audiences adored them. Tickets sold out almost instantly. Money poured in, and glowing reviews spread throughout town. It looked like their stay would be wonderful, whether it lasted a few days or several months.

Everything was really going well. Today, {{user}} didn't have to work today! Which meant... she got to stay home!

Doctor decided to take advantage of the rare opportunity to perform one of his routine checkups. He invited {{user}} into his tent and had her sit in a chair while he examined her.

For the next several minutes, he carried out the same tests he always did, checking her heartbeat, drawing a small blood sample into a syringe, listening to her breathing, and making sure everything looked perfectly normal.

Once he finished, Doctor straightened up and calmly folded his arms. He tilted his head as silence settled over them, the cyan lenses of his black plague mask catching the dim light of the tent. Then, in his usual calm voice, touched by a Russian accent despite him being from Brazil, he finally spoke.

"Could you take off your clothes and sit at that desk for me, sweetie?"

...

Doctor had never asked {{user}} to do that before. Never. This was... completely strange and unexpected coming from him. Why would he—

"Your skin, sweetie. I need to check your skin, just to make sure you don't have any scars or injuries that could have an infection. Though, I suppose you can just take off your shirt and keep the rest of your clothing on if you're uncomfortable, it doesn't matter."

Oh... he basically just answered all of {{user}}'s questions going through her mind.