#kind of still Clownzy.

[thelocalconstellation]

Something I'm Very aware of is the way Branzy always seems to slip under the radar, no, he's not a strong combatant, maybe he can't seem to weave webs of lies so elaborate and well said that he can control people enough to keep them off his back, but I will always say that I think he's got the hearts of the people. He's harmless enough that people will run right by him without a second thought, harmless enough in practice that people can cross him and doubt he'll actually get his promised vengeance, he seems harmless enough to be an easy target.

Like one might assume an angel dropped into hell to be.

But what I'm overly aware of because it's such an interesting character trait, is that there's that underlying bloodlust. There's that desire to be seen as a threat. It's the fact that he can trap people and pull out redstone contraptions that are just insane actually (I had to figure out how that fucking roulette wheel was built, and my design is undoubtedly more spaghetti-ish and far more complicated than Branzy's was, but By Fucking God. As somebody who built that. No.) I mean. look at the death carnival! He wants so badly to be dangerous, he Knows that he's a target and he's sided up to Clown, somebody who is dangerous but there's also that hint of the fact that Branzy seems to enjoy playing with fire sometimes.

Which. Because he's harmless, at least in most conventional situations, people forget that Branzy likes being a threat.

So that also explains the fallen angel branzy headcanon.

But uh. Yeah. He goes in as an angel and the betrayal of Vitalasy was probably part of the tipping point, the other part being Spepticles murder, but it's the second time around that he's proper condemned by whatever god he was to follow.

I think it's interesting to imagine that from Vitalasy's perspective too though. Because your ally, who you likely knew wasn't entirely harmless, but you knew wasn't exactly the strongest player on the server, has ended up in cahoots with Clownpierce. The evil murder clown. the guy who could hunt most of the server and plan his way on top- the guy who. just does not give up. And your ally, this angel who has managed to land on this server, the angel on your team whose wings have been slowly tinting more and more grey, is helping that murder clown. And then you're invited to the funhouse your friend has helped with. And you probably suspect for a moment that this is a trap, but that's your friend who has helped build it- he hasn't warned you not to go, and it's Clown, even if it is, he's just going to hunt and kill you anyways. So you go! And you see your friend so cheerfully explain the system, getting that kind of finnicky he always has when people activate his redstone when that's his thing to do, and you think that maybe it'll be okay!

And then it's not. And then you're falling, and you keep falling, and that murder clown your friend has been helping is down there. And you're being chased and hunted and he didn't warn you. And even as you die, he apologizes, he says he's sorry, and he says "surely you understand- working with- with a murder clown!" and you don't. Because how could you? How could he think you'd understand when you don't really understand his choice to work with the murder clown in the first place. And you die there. And he's still saying sorry. But if he was, would he have done it to begin with?

And next time you see him, that angel that was on your team, that angel who managed to get this far on lifesteal, it takes a minute for you to find his wings again, they're so dark. It's clear he's fallen. And you wonder, even if only for a minute, if Clown did this. If Clownpierce did something to him- dragged him down this path and so fundamentally changed who he is.

And on that note.

I like to think that Clown, for a moment, was almost scared he did- was almost scared that he was at fault for Branzy's baseline change in what he was. I like to think that when the horns were coming in, Clown, entirely- oh so human, one of few on the server, somebody who had managed to hide that fact so well many thought he was a demon for a period of time, was scared that he was at fault for this. And Branzy just looks at him and tells him that Clown didn't do this to him, it was a long time coming. Branzy was just waiting to find that tipping point for his god and he considers it a kind of freedom because he can finally disregard the expectations from his god. Branzy- hazy through the fact that horns growing in when you're this old and have definitely pissed off at least one deity- thanks him for giving him that freedom. Clown is just glad that slight worry doesn't haunt him anymore.

Now? After Falling, the rest of the server probably Knows of his penchance for chaos- Knows of his break from whatever morals he might have had left- the morals they thought he had. Branzy... hasn't changed. And nobody understands that except Clown. Branzy is still the same person, usually worried about Something or other, penchant for chaos and making traps, harmless as he was. Well. Except for the sudden acquisition of a murder clown he has wrapped around his finger, but when the clown isn't around, he's practically harmless. And it takes a little bit for people to figure that out. And then he's back to being seen the same way he was. And people forget just when he fell, people forget he Fell at all, sometimes. Sometimes they just think that he was always like that, he was an angel maybe? Who knows!

Branzy is still good ol' Branzy. never thought to expect him to slip poison into your cup, but he might just do it anyways!

Clownzy but its human Clownpierce and angel (Fallen angel) branzy. Something about in the funhouse era between the casino portion and after the betrayal of vitalasy Branzy who has been slowly sliding out of the gods domain finally crosses that unseen line and the feathers that were going from the grey they turned as soon as he joined lifesteal to a pure vantablack shade. Something in Branzy having that small measure of power left to him not knowing, never wanting to or caring to use it, being free enough from whatever expectations his god may have held still disregarding the gifts he was left with, but Clown, all the bloodlust and lingering threats and danger that he can be being so completely human. Something about the impressiveness of that skill especially in comparison to the inherent power that was deliberately never used in an act of spite.

Something in the opportunity for Ash to look Branzy in the eye, knowing that those horns weren't there three weeks ago, knowing that the last time Branzy molted, those feathers were a grey, now dark enough you can't make out the individual feathers anymore, the chance for Ash to know all that, look Branzy in the eye and ask if he's being held hostage. The question of "what did he do to corrupt whatever might have survived this server- what did he do to make you Fall?" When Branzy wasn't dragged down by Clown his morals were never changed by his sudden associate. Branzy was always like that. Clown just gave him the freedom- the protection enough from the rest of the server to actually show it.

Something about worship, I think.

[kiththecat]

ok i was going to dm this but it was too long so i’m just sending it here

rek and branzys friendship (but also branzy and everyone else in the story in general tbh)… like. i just love so much how different they are but also how they work so WELL. rek is anxious, he’s untrusting of clown, of whatever branzy has going on, he’s tired and being used by other heroes but him and branzy are still best friends. clown, who is one of the most terrifying assassins in the city, has this fucking Thing going on with branzy - and as it just so happens, clown is one of those kind of people that rek has worked his whole life against. but branzy likes him. and rek thinks, rather rek KNOWS that he’s being at least the slightest bit stupid. probably more than just the slightest bit. but, he stays. regardless, he stays. he does more than just stay, too. he’s there to support branzy. when Leoweok arrives, rek is the first person branzy calls. Because rek is reliable no matter what, because rek is quick and knows about these sort of things, but also because rek is branzys best friend. and even though rek was right, one hundred percent right that doing whatever-the-fuck-branzy-is-doing-with-clown is dangerous, he stays. he helps, too. even though it stresses him out like fucking crazy, rek stays. He helps, too. he fights with clown, getting along with him for branzy. he makes a truce with him. and i think this is another thing about branzy, that even though he’s good with emotions and makes people trust him and does what he does, he really is just lovable. people love him, even without him manipulating anyone. they love him and trust him. branzy is grounded by rek, literally by him just being there. and i love that. he isn’t alone with just clown, because as much as that trope is amazing and i can’t lie i love it, i also love when we see branzy with his friends and they’re still putting up with him (even fucking encouraging him LMAOO) while he’s being a fucking idiot is just so endearing. branzy makes rek exhausted and stressed as fuck, he’s probably playing with his life, he likes being in danger and likes being scared and rek does not in any way have enough stress for it all. but then again, he does. because he loves branzy. and even though branzy is… doing his thing, he loves rek too. it’s so clear, even with the thing he has going on with clown being the main focus. i love that so much, just how close the two of them are. how well they work together. but ALSOOOO i need to talk about branzys employees omfg they’re so funny. i love the tone that this fic has, it has its moments of tension and fear and exhilaration, but it’s also just so fun. it’s so stupid and funny and i love reading it because of how well you balance out the tones. like, yeah, clown is a mass murderer and can easily kill branzy at virtually any moment. he could completely ruin his life, it’s just. is so fucking silly. squiddo goes up to clown and just chats to him. like, to convinces him to get branzy to allow her and ash to stay true night in the park. and i just read your other clownzy fic, while that was great and had wonderful writing (the fuckifn. it was so clear he was gaslighting himself, so clear it HURT, you’re an amazing fucking writer holy shit. but also the relationship between him and clown, it was so clear. not only that, but the way rek and especially ash treated him. FUCK), i honestly think i prefer this one better because of the tone. it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which i love. also the references to patches LMAOO. but like, the way that his employees, not only are they barely shocked, but they also are barely phased. they don’t even quit. like some of them are scared, sure, at least frightened, but for the most part it seems like they literally Do Not Care (going back to how branzy is just lovable - also on that note all his employees care about him so much it’s just so sweet. squiddo not letting him eat park food anymore so he’s healthy i love them) and in fact find entertainment in it. it’s just so fun. they’re so fun. squiddo getting clown to make branzy do things for her and branzy IMMEDIATELY being like “oh my god

HI THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS WAS SUCH A JOY TO READ. you are in my head good sir

words? from me? the branzy and rekrap friendship in this fic was not planned by honestly has become one of the most fun parts to me. besties. (also i once again apologise to rek for putting him through all this🙏)

and yeah! people love branzy! i think, i don't remember who, but there's been a few character analysis posts here that's bleed into my writing and some have really underlined branzy's lovability as his most prominent strenght. very interesting type of character to write. very balanced with clown's strenghts and weaknesses. perfect for each other, really.

and honestlyyy the most fun part of writing this fic has just been the silly interactions. everyone's just trying to navigate the weirdest situationship ever with some plot on the side. im so happy so many people seem to be enjoying it too :D

[halcyonterror]

I Left My Friend on a Cliffhanger, it was Hilarious (by Fall Out Boy)

I was talking with @redorich and they decided to pick my brain.

Redmin

do you have any.. clownzy aus or ideas or anything youve been rotating in ur head

if i dont talk about them i will edxplode and die

Halcyon.Terror

I like the idea of Clown being a really powerful witch

and maybe Branzy is his failwhale familiar?

redmin

OURGH. YEAH

THATS GOOD

what flavor of witch and familiar are u thinking of here?

Halcyon.Terror

yeah and Clown's terrifying but really kind/gentle

a green witch and a demon

Branzy's terrified of clown at first, but the green witch thing removes some of the intimidation factor

redmin

oh!!!!! demon familiar!!!!!

green witch? wdym?

Halcyon.Terror

Clown's like Poison Ivy but magic

redmin

OOOOOOOH THAT FUCKS THAT FUCKS THAT FUCKS SUPREMELY

Halcyon.Terror

Right?

redmin

i want cringefail shitty demon branzy that gets one (1) moment where he's intimidating and cool

Halcyon.Terror

the only reason he's a shitty demon is bc he's kind but mischievous, not evil

fallen angel esque demon

redmin 

idea-- you can discard it if it doesn't fit with your idea..

Halcyon.Terror

it doesn't fit with my idea

it's an idea all to its own tho

and I kinda love it

redmin 

naurrrr i meant more-- he's still a demon, but he's just-- not a very good one?

anywya i wanna talk about your idea!!

Halcyon.Terror 

i made up that concept in barely a minute, it'd be a near plotless slice of life except for an event.

it'd be a medieval kinda vibe and Clown would be accused as a witch

or made pre revolution Salem Witch Trials... that's an idea 

redmin 

ourfh........ yeah thats good that's good

what's some slice of life stuff, then? like, what does clown do as a witch?

Halcyon.Terror 

welp he works with the local midwife, making medicines

practices the craft in secret, would have a coven

he doesnt do much as a witch, day to day little charms to make things better

things that wont be noticed

redmin 

awwwww

Halcyon.Terror 

jealousy lurks within the coven, though and Clown is 'caught' and set to be executed

redmin 

so, how does he have his reputation that scared branzy?

Halcyon.Terror 

I'm gonna go with the excuse of as a demon, Branzy has an innate sense of magical power. Clown's summons were so strong against a weak demon, that it scared the shit out of Branzy

he thought he was gonna die/be tortured/cease to exist

does that sound too hand wavey?

redmin 

no it sounds wonderful!!!!!

sorry for late responses im. literally in class learning

Halcyon.Terror 

have fun

by the way, Branzy accidentally makes Clown immortal

Redmin

OH WRM IM ON A BREAK BC CURTSY LUNGES ARE EVIL, HOW DOES BRANZY DO THAT

Halcyon.Terror 

^^