#It's my first time drawing Lycan

[theveniceangel]

Fuck it, i'm hugging him

I'M HUGGING THE WEREHARE AND YOU CAN'T STOP MEE

If there's one thing Bugs didn't expect when he became the HareWolf, it's the amount of love he'd receive from it.

[urf4vsc0rpio]

An Unhealthy Obsession

Bela Dimitrescu x Fem! Reader

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Obsessive behavior, stalking, knife play, overstimulation, biting, marking, blood drinking yummy, degrading (Consent is given, let the lesbians have their lil chasy chase)

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: What if this was your last day in the castle?

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: inspired by the song An Unhealthy Obsession <3 I also got lazy at the end soooo yea

The castle was empty, not even a single maid was seen except for you. It was silent minus the sound of your heart thumping ever so loudly against your chest, the clack of your shoes against the cold floor along with the occasional buzzing whenever the oldest sister got scarily close. Your legs were practically begging you to stop and catch a breather but your mind kept pushing you to run, filling your head with what if's. What if she took this seriously? What if this isn't actually roleplay and just a trick to suck you dry and throw you to the lycans? What if this would be your last day in the castle? A shudder ran up your spine when you heard her voice echoing through the halls.

"You just don't know it yet, but you love me and I love you the same"

You shook off the thoughts that clouded your mind and kept on running, you didn't really have a destination in mind but you surely did have a goal. Stay as far away as possible from Bela and make it till midnight. That's all you needed to do, it sounded easy, no? But by the black gods you were wrong, so very wrong. It's Bela Dimitrescu for fucks sake, the oldest sister, the one with the most experience. You were fucked, absolutely fucked...

"One day we'll have a pretty wedding, and I'll be your everything"

The buzzing of her flies filled your ears along with that perfect voice of hers. She knew you could hear her, you knew she was close. She could hear how your heart was beating so quickly like a bunny being chased by a wolf. She could smell your fear and it was wonderful, she loved it, adored it even. Your scent was like a drug that she could never get enough of. Your blood was addicting, it felt like she ascended to heaven the first time that warm liquid landed on her tongue. She couldn't wait to sink her fangs into that pretty neck of yours, to hear that melodious moan of yours whenever she would lick at the bite while her hands would worship every inch of your perfect body.

"We'll be together, yes forever, we will never ever part"

You turned the corner, nearly tripping over your own leg. You glanced at your watch, 11:20 pm. Sweet sweet freedom, it was close, so very close you could practically feel it against your fingertips. Yet...something felt wrong, something else was close too, you felt watched but you couldn't hear the buzzing of her flies. Your warm body suddenly felt cold, goosebumps would slowly make itself known. You wanted to look back, you were curious to know who was following you but then again, your mind was already screaming at you to keep running and never look back. She was already on your tail, there was no time to lose. "Oh, you don't know it yet but baby I've already got your heart"

Fuck.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! 11:50 pm. No! You were so close! You could practically taste freedom but such a thing was out of reach from you as her cold arms would embrace you from the back, keeping you close to her, nowhere to go, nowhere to run, you were all hers. Shit!

"Did you really think you could out run me, my dear?" She purred into your ear, taking the opportunity to nip at your earlobe and drawing out a gasp from you. "Lady Bela p-please..." You managed to mumble out despite the fear coursing through your veins. The blonde chuckled lowly before she spoke, her hands moving to rest on your hip to pull you closer "Already begging? Such a cute little maid you are" she hummed, wasting no time with dragging you to her bedroom.

She pushed you onto the bed, closing the door behind her and locking it before slowly making her away over to where you sat, trembling like a leaf during a thunderstorm as she drew out her sickle. "You're scared yet I can smell the arousal on you. Why is that, hm?" Bela dragged her sickle up your body, starting from your core and slowly making its way to the collar of your uniform "You get off to this don't you? Being chased, your life on the line...what a slut." She growled before hooking her sickle into it as a loud ripping sound disrupted the silence in the room, your uniform ripped right in the middle along with your bra yet there was not even a cut on your skin. "L-Lady Bela...!" You yelped, you were about to protest about your uniform before she just simply cut you off. "There's always more uniforms you can wear, my love" She reassured, pressing the cold blunt edge of the sickle against your exposed nipple as a gasp unintentionally escaped your lips. "As for your bra...I'll just buy you a new one"

"Now strip for me, pretty girl" She cooed, her voice still having that commanding tone in it as she set her sickle down beside her. You shakily moved your hand to slide off your ripped uniform along with your bra, leaving you in nothing but your panties that already had a wet spot making itself present in which the vampire had noticed, her lips curled up into a teasing smirk. "Did I say you could leave your panties on?" She asked, cocking her head to the side. You shook your head before your hands moving to remove the last piece of clothing that restricted Bela's view of what she craved for. "Words, princess. Use your words" She said in which you replied with "No, Lady Bela" you slid your panties off as they landed on the floor with a soft thud followed by a pleased hum by the vampire who was just eyeing you up with no shame in sight "Such a good girl for me..." After what felt like eternity of being eye-fucked, she finally made a move, pushing you by your shoulders and laying you down on the bed, making sure you were comfortable.

"My pretty girl, so perfect just for me" She said with a genuine smile as she straddled your hips, tucking a stray hair behind your ear. You moved your hands to rest on her hips, your eyes trailing down her clothed body, admiring how her dress hugged her curves so perfectly. You were in a trance from how beautiful she was, you didn't even notice Bela leaning down until you felt a soft pair of lips on yours, black gods they felt heavenly...the way they moved against yours, it was perfect. You whimpered softly when she bit down on your bottom lip, tugging at it and earning herself a small moan from you before running her tongue along where she had bit. Her hands wandered your body like a blank canvas ready to be painted, thinking of where to start, where to leave her mark. She cupped your breasts with her left hand and massaging it gently. "Fuck, I love you so much" She said after pulling away, a teasing chuckle escaping her lips when you tried to lean back in for another kiss. "Patience, darling"

She soon started peppering kisses along your neck, painting your pure skin with her lovebites, making it clear who you belong to. Her hands would caress every inch of your skin, worshipping you before a sudden sharp pain would take you by surprise, a choked moan forcing its way out of your throat. Her fangs had pierced into your neck, blood trailing down your skin and staining her lips as the blonde moaned lowly at the taste of your blood. "B-bela..!" You would whine out, your hands moving to tangle in her hair and tugging on those soft locks.

"You have no idea how addicted I am to your taste" Bela growled out against your neck once she pulled away, licking at the bite to soothe the pain while also pulling out a small whimper from the girl beneath her. "Fata mea perfecta" She purred, leaving open mouthed kisses along your body as she made her way down. God the way she said it was enough to send a rush of heat straight to your lower region. Her voice was hot, that's for sure but the way it lowered an octave? Fuck, you needed her badly.

"Bela please.." You said, your voice coming out breathless and needy. Bela looked up at you through her lashes, a hum escaping her lips as she flicked her tongue against one of your nipples, making you jolt with a whimper. "Please what, dragă? I told you to use your words, didn't I?" She replied, her other hand moving to massage your left breasts while she wrapped her lips around the other. "F-fuck" You sighed out shakily, your back arching into her before your lips parted to speak "Please, Bela...I want you. I want you so so bad" another whine would escape your lips when she pulled away from your nipple with a soft pop, already missing her touch, craving it.

"You want me to what, princess?" She teased, her free hand reaching for her sickle as she sat up, still straddling your hips that you so desperately tried to buck into her in an attempt to relieve yourself from this burning ache inside you. She only chuckled at your attempt, moving her sickle down your body as she spoke "You have to be more specific, y'know?" Her sickle stopped right on your stomach, applying enough pressure on your skin to draw out that crimson liquid she so wished to drown in.

You let out a pained hiss, squirming beneath her, your thighs pressing together. The sickle in her hand moved with a deliberate grace, carving another cut into your flesh. The pain was sharp, yes, but you couldn't deny the thrill that accompanied it. Seeing her lick the blood that trickled from the wound, maintaining an unwavering gaze, sent a shiver down your spine. Her contented hum with every moan and squeal you made. Each cut she inflicted painted your body in crimson, transforming you into her canvas, a work of art born from pain and ecstasy.

"Fucks sake, Bela p-please I want you so damn bad, I wanna feel you..I want your.." you trailed off, feeling a bit embarrassed yet so damn aroused. You took a deep breath before you spoke with such a nervous tone, it made Bela's heart melt "I want your fingers inside me, I wanna feel your tongue against me...I want you to ruin me" those last words played in Bela's head like a record, you wanted her to ruin you. Something snapped in her and you didn't even know what you had brought upon yourself, she was determined to give you so much pleasure, you'd be begging her to stop with tears in your eyes.

Her eyes deepened into pools of desire, a fiery glimmer reflecting the darkness within as her lips curved into a predatory grin. The thrill of her menacing allure was intoxicating, a dangerous heat that consumed the senses. Her fangs, now more pronounced and gleaming, seemed to promise a bite of forbidden pleasure. These thoughts were eclipsed by the sudden, electrifying sensation of your hands being captured above your head, her sickle embedded in the headboard, its cold edge pressing against your wrists. The slightest twitch and the blade would carve a reminder of her dominance into your skin.

Your lips parted to let out a gasp when you felt Bela's cold hand on your hips, her sharp nails digging deep enough to leave crescent shaped marks in your skin, a whine leaving your lips as her free hand would reach down to rub against your wetness. "S-shit, Bela.." You moaned out breathlessly as your hips bucked into hers. "You're so wet for me, such a desperate little thing, hm?" She purred against your skin, leaning down to press a kiss against the top of your breast before unexpectedly sinking her fangs into the soft skin and drawing out a yelp from you, your inner walls clenching around nothing while the blonde kept feeding from you, her fingers moving to circle around the sensitive bundle of nerve that made your back arch so prettily for her.

"Fuck, please Bela...mmh! I want your fingers inside me, please baby. I need you so damn bad" You begged ever so desperately, you were so needy for her and Bela was more than happy to oblige to your request. Without a warning, she suddenly plunged two digits into your wet cunt, curling her fingers perfectly into your weak point that had you crying out for her and screaming out her name so loudly. "That's it, my love...moan for me" She said, picking the pace of her movements, every thrust hitting just the right spot and drawing out a loud moan from you.

"Such pretty noises you make, what a good girl for me" She whispered, her breath ghosting against your ear as she chuckled at how you could barely even get a word out without cutting yourself off with those sinful noises you make. "Look at you, so desperate for me. Moaning like a fuckin slut" She growled, emphasizing the word "slut" with a hard thrust that made your eyes roll back.

"Oh you like that, don't you? I can feel your cunt tightening around my fingers...you like the thought of being my slut, hm?" She continued, humming in content with the way your hips moved against her fingers and how your moans started getting louder. "You wanna make a mess on my fingers, princess? Wanna scream out my name as you cum for me, hm?" She cooed, her thumb moving to rub your clit, relishing in the way you immediately got tighter around her fingers. "B-bela f-fuck..please please I wanna c-cum so bad! Please o-oh fuck..!" You begged in between choked moans and whines, your hips bucking with every thrust of her digits "That's it, my pretty girl. Cum for me" The second she gave you the permission, your body tensed up and your back arched, your legs shaking as you climaxed with a loud moan of her name while your juices would coat her fingers.

"Such a good girl for me, darling" She praised, gently pulling out her fingers as you shuddered and whined at the empty feeling. "Belaaa.." you whined, desperate for more as she hushed you "Don't worry, my love. I don't plan on stopping anytime soon" She said before bringing up her two wet fingers to her lips before popping them in her mouth, humming in delight as your taste would fill every inch of her senses. "Baby, that's... don't do that, it's embarrassing!" You groaned out, desperately wanting to hide your face right now in embarrassment. She simply chuckled and pulled her fingers out before she spoke "Is it such a bad thing to want to know how my darling girl taste like?" She said despite having tasted you countless times before.

Hours passed, you didn't even know what time it is let alone how many times your girlfriend had brought you to your climax over and over again. First it was one, then two then it moved on to five...and...honestly? You lost count. You were too fucked out, too light headed and exhausted. What was your name again? You forgot to be honest...this was the first time you had ever seen Bela like this and you were not complaining at all. You could barely even think straight with how good her tongue feels against your clit and the way her fingers filled you up so deliciously. Though sometimes, good things gets a bit too much once in a while...you were practically sobbing as she ate you out, not caring that you were overstimulated to the point that even the slightest touch would have you moaning.

"B-bela please! I c-can't! 's too much! F-fuck!" You moaned out, hips bucking into her touch as she responded with a hum that sent vibrations through your whole body, making you throw your head back while she abused your clit with her tongue, her fingers slamming brutally into your g-spot, she had you seeing stars. "Take it, baby. Be a good fuckin whore for me and take it" She growled out against your cunt before going back to eating you out with reckless abandon.

With every thrust of her fingers, a choked moan would leave your lips as tears would roll down your face. With every flick of her tongue against your overly sensitive bundle of nerves, you'd let out a sob mixed with a whine as you struggled to squirm away from her touches. Your hands were kept in place by the sickle, there was no way to even push her away. That familiar knot started to form in your stomach again as you begged "no nonono please plea-please! Too much! T-too-" your words were cut off by the loud moan that clawed it's way out of your throat as you were brought to another mind shattering climax.

Finally satisfied, Bela pulled away. She licked her lips before cleaning your juices from her fingers with a soft moan. "Taste so damn good..." She murmured before moving to remove her sickle lodged into the headboard, finally allowing you freedom. She placed it on the nightstand before shifting on the bed to lay down next to you, pulling your trembling body to lay on top of her, letting your head against her soft breasts, whispering sweet nothings into your ear as her fingers would run through your hair. "Shhh it's okay, I got you baby....you were such a good girl for me, I'm so proud of you" She whispered, her free hand rubbing circles against your back.

"You did so good for me" She continued, occasionally kissing the top of your head. Your eyes started to feel heavy, fatigue taking over you as you soon drifted off to sleep.

[lumilasi]

Finally, after forever I have some sorta ref post for Diojas. I needed to do this given he and Azul are my "main" couple, and the most major story of my characters happens around them.

I wondered if I should draw his full body separately for this as well, but then felt like it fits to have his full body ref image be with his BF, since that's the case for Azul's reference too. (Which, I now have to update Azul's sorcerer outfit at least given the story changes in regards to his BG)

Diojas' bio below:

Name: Diojas Sterling

Nicknames: Dio (his family/friends), Boy, Brat (his dad, affectionately), Puppy, pooch, your highness (Azul, jokingly) Prince (his dad's pack members)

Age: 29

A Grimmhound/Lightcaster sorcerer hybrid whose opposing powers cause him to struggle with controlling both, especially the former.

Family: Mother Mellina (Lightcaster sorceress), Father Alexander (Grimmhound), teen sister Mia. His dad's Grimmhound/Lycan pack

Love interest: Chester Knight/Azul Samaros, a thought-to-be-shadowcaster sorcerer whose magic turns out to be something completely different eventually.

Closest friends: Iris Avara (An astral sorceress who is also Azul's childhood friend), Angus Belmont (Formerly his BF's rival), Roman Bosco (the BF of Azul's friend/honorary younger sister figure Ava, a fellow half-blood Grimm)

Rival: none

Powers:

Astral projection: A basic skill for all magic using beings essentially, just how good you are at it depends on your skill level; on one hand Diojas should be really good at it due to being a Lightcaster, but because of his Grimmhound essence he tends to struggle with it.

Light spells: Diojas can utilize sacred light magic for exorcism, healing, protection and offensive spells, but how well they work varies

Grimmhound power: Diojas can transform into a canine beast that is very fast, strong, and durable, not easily damaged by mortal weapons or even most magical ones. Because of his father being a Golden Hound, he also can summon special claws that can damage spirits and ghosts as well.

Keen intellect: Because of his struggles with his powers, Diojas is very good at finding workarounds and using tactical thinking in solving situations when he can't rely on his magic. He's also known to be able to learn and retain a lot of random information for later like his mother.

Weaknesses

He's very self-conscious due to his struggles with his powers & having been a rather lonely child, meaning he struggles to approach people on his own in a more emotional level, which is ironic considering he's actually very good with people once he does talk to them thanks to his emotional intelligence and empathetic nature.

Diojas can't control his magic fully, and needs a protective talisman to keep his beast side at bay. He has spirit claws like his dad, but can't summon them most of the time.

NOTABLE BG STORY FACTS:

Diojas has always struggled with his hound side, and as a child had it lash out often; this is the main reason why he and Mia have such a big age-gap, its because his parents ended up waiting until his magic became stabler before even entertaining the idea of having another child.

Azul/Chester entered his life when his parents decided they wanted someone to cover his back during missions as he was starting to take reckless risks to prove himself, and given he was an adult at this point they didn't want to be constantly present and make him feel like a toddler needing to be kept an eye on.

Diojas was a very grumpy kid due to his struggles, which is also why he didn't really have friends a whole lot until he began working together with Azul, who introduced him to new people that he ended up connecting well with/generally gained confidence to make friends.

Diojas ends up becoming sort of the negotiating neutral party between Angus and Azul during the first few months of their developing new relationship, where the two were still likely to be at each other's throats.

Other Fun facts:

Diojas is gay, he was instantly attracted to Azul and VERY unhappy about it.

Unlike his dad, Diojas doesn't have as strong of a canine instinct in human form, so he doesn't act out on them at random like Alexander does - unless he's drunk. If you see Diojas staring at a bird, not wanting to take a bath, or scenting his boyfriend then you know he's wasted.

Lot of people assume his empathetic nature was inherited from his mother, but it actually comes from both; Alexander just tends to hide his behind a gruffy facade due to his past trauma. (once you actually look at what he does rather than says though, it becomes obvious he's someone who cares about people a lot)

Diojas' hair is two-colored because typically, only manifested Golden Hounds can have blond hair, but Diojas also had blond hair genetics from his mother, allowing the 'golden mane' to manifest partially. If his mum had a different haircolor, Diojas' hair would be fully brown or even black.

Since he is a Grimmhound, he does tend to prefer red meat/game based foods, but doesn't sometimes eat it raw like Alexander, as again, Diojas' isn't as strongly of a Stinky Forest Man like his dad.

He's a bit closer with his mum, mainly because he really looks up to his dad and thinks he's kind of a disappointment for struggling with his beast side so much. (of course Alexander doesn't think so at all and keeps reminding him of that, but it is difficult for Diojas to internalize the message)

His first time was with Azul, given he never dated before either on top of growing up with no proper friends. (Azul had slept with Iris before but no one else so he wasn't that much more experienced despite the confidence he seems to ooze)

He tends to enjoy snatching Azul's colorful cardigans a lot, to the point he no longer even really thinks about it when he does so.

Roman becomes one of his good friends almost accidentally while he and Ava help him and Azul out in their quest, and Roman can relate with his struggles and fears of his own powers, BUT is also older so he has some life-experience to share with Diojas.

If Diojas would let his hair grow out fully, it would still be brown from the underside and blond on top; the brown color isn't just in his roots, but rather his hair genuinely has a split in pigmentation.

[muffinsin]

Seeing the monster fucking again make laugh thinking of :

Cassandra escaping, but she is utterly ruined plus Bonded so she comes back, the sea best being mad fuck her harder than ever.

Alcina divided between anger of some lowly beast impregnating/mating her daughter and joy because technically she is a grandma, I mean she adopted three swarm of cannibal flies what is a dozen a sea beast mutants?.

(Moreau will be thrilled)

Daniela and Bela not knowing if they are angry, jealous or concerned. Either the sea beast get more lovers or they get trapped by another beast, Daniela technically already have a werewolf lover. What Bela will have🤔? (minotaur, druid, shadow beast, centaur, lamia, orc, were shifter, varcolac, there is a world of options! )

Again alcina being utterly enraged and overjoyed by this. Why her daughters choose savage beasts as lovers! And why her grandchildren are so cute!

Alcina to lovers: I gonna tear you to pieces!

Alcina to the babies: here sweetheart go buy you something, Oh dear! You draw me? Let me hang out in my office. Oh! This a magnificent boar head I really appreciate it, take the rest to the kitchen draga will make stew tonight.

So, yeah it make laugh.

Tired of bottoms anon, TOBA.

Lmao imma have to split this in 2 posts XD

That part 5 of Cass’s series; Cassandra escaping and retuning for some rough fucking-> linked HERE once it’s up (rip hoping I won’t forget-)

And this answering all this XD

Masterlists

1) answered and linked above once it’s out ;) but tbh? Absolutely lmao!

2) Alcina first off being absolutely FLABBERGASTED her daughter reeks of all kinds of things lmao- seeds, the lake, water, tentacles, god knows what else. Immediately putting her in a bath and demanding to know what happened.

Full on scolding Cassandra for losing her necklace and being lost for words when she is told what happened.

Her precious middle child? Claimed by a vile monster? At the bottom of the filthy lake no less? RIP Alcina Dimitrescu

But a bunch of baby monsters? Oh, they’re so tiny, she loves them!

3) damn fish boy XD

4) Oh Bela is definitely more on the concerning/scolding side. Her sister not ONLY went in the forest alone, but also got captured for who knows how long, with them having no idea where she is, only to return claimed, bred and having hatched young monsters? Oh she is IN for it! Bela is never letting her hear the end of it

Dani? Both, honestly. She’ll playfully kick Cassandra for being gone without a note or anything. She could’ve been dead for all they know. All the while she really can’t stop thinking about tentacle sex after hearing her sister got claimed by a tentacle monster at the bottom of the lake. Will she venture there too? Quite possibly

As for Bela; I think it’s high time we find her a suitable monster all to herself to get a nice railing from lmao. Digging back up this meme for this:

5) Now, in their defence, Alcina only ever said “No man or woman is good enough for my precious daughters!”. She never said a thing about vile monsters and creatures ;)

6) Omg absolutely. Though she’ll have to swim to reach Cassandra’s “lover” XD think Alcina would absolutely love the little wolf babies Daniela could bring home though.

Lycans? Disgusting. Mutts. Lowlifes in her eyes

But her youngest’s little fur babies? Oh, what precious little things! Lmao

[neonshifts]

Shifting so far feels like being the ultra-powerful character with great power, but no control. Things like how in Spyro: A New Beginning, Spyro more or less does things like breathe new elements, and has to sort of wrangle control over what he's acquired. It's there in him, but he needs to learn it.

I'm rambling while listening to some ambiance, trying to put my head on straight. I think I got very close once. The time where the weight and kick of dumping a magazine into a lycan startled me back to full consciousness while trying to do a lucid dreaming way of shifting... Earlier, and even still kind of now, feeling this emphasis drawn to my wrists? I need to explain.

I was made an ambient track by a partner of music, ambient noise, character dialogue, and them going about the room and doing stuff. It was made because I was so head over heels, and I used it to sleep, help with panic attacks (I have panic disorder, so my body is really good at panicking for no reason,) and otherwise just chilling out to. I really enjoy casual bondage, as just a comforting thing. I used to lay there on my side with it going and visualize so strongly that I was tied to a chair, or otherwise bound while the character simulated going about their things and occasionally talking to me that I felt some sort of emphasis drawn to my ankles and limbs. No feeling of rope, but I'd end up drawing them together like I was tied and feeling that same weird focus on them...

Well, because I know no chill (even here,) I wanted to script my first genuine shift to Resi8's general locale to start similarly to when Heisenberg drags Ethan to Miranda. So, bound and to be argued over. We like to feel special in this house, and again, I find that kind of thing exponentially comforting... Seemed natural to impliment.

It's there again. That same emphasis.

I'm realizing now I may have been shifting to Skyfall on accident this whole time... But not all the way. Just one foot in the door.

I can't hear the arguing or see the room. I can't visualize super well. My ADHD makes my mind wander too easily. I've basically been narrating things like I'm writing a novel. "I can see Alcina, although I'd need to tilt my head to see her face if I were not pretending to be asleep still." Which is also important, I've been using that as my way to try and transition. Waking up to Heisenberg winning the argument to take me with him, and being asleep only being a matter of pretending until I see my dr, or hear it, ect.

I can't get as far as before again though, where I must have been fighting a lycan or something and came back when the feeling of the hk21 or galil being dumped out woke me up again out of shock. Still, this is progress and a revelation all in one. Despite my rambling, I've been holding onto that feeling in my wrists and ankles. Please, please, pleeeease send me your good vibes and well wishes. I'd like to be somewhere else a while.

[ultrainfinitepit]

Town of Puddle: Werewolves

Last updated 08/15/2023

Werewolves (or more generally, werecreatures) are a subset of shapeshifters who are differentiated from others by four key factors:

Werewolves have a humanoid form that is nearly indistinguishable from human.

Werewolves must always transform into their wereform during the night of the full moon. Wereforms vary, from humanoid or beast-like to dramatically monstrous. Many werewolves maintain control of their faculties during the transformation, making it more of an inconvenience than a threat. Some werewolves can transform at will at any other time.

Werewolves are weak to silver.

Werewolves are often immortal or extremely-long lived.

Werewolves are the most common werecreature, but there are many other types of werecreatures. Because werewolves are the most common of them, all werecreatures are often referred to as werewolves even if their beast form is not a wolf.

Werewolves all have a trait called “lycanthropy.” It is a curse, a magical affliction not a disease. Lycanthropy can most commonly be passed through a bite that draws blood, but there are other ways to pass it and it depends on the werecreature: similar to vampirism. 

There are many debated origins for werewolves, but they actually come from a single source. You may notice many werewolf traits are shared with vampires. This is because werewolves originate from vampires. 

The first werewolf was an ancient vampire Lycan: a child of Rapha and Asherah. After Rapha was killed, Asherah’s hold on reality and her kingdom began to wane. Lycan sought to take her place and make a new kingdom, one that would be entirely holy and free from what Lycan had come to see as Asherah’s evil demonic influence.

Filled with hubris and encouraged by their human followers, Lycan sought to make himself into something no longer vampire: human or greater than human, perhaps divine. The Cure that Lycan devised did indeed make him something else, but not a god: the first werewolf. It is said that Rapha, though dead and scattered into stardust, saw Lycan spurn Asherah his mother; saw Lycan seek to become a god; and cursed Lycan to be what he truly was: a monster with no control, a twisted wolf - unholy not because of his birth, but for turning against his family. While werewolves nowadays tend to maintain self-control in their beast forms, Lycan did not, and in fact was driven into a frenzy by Rapha’s curse. Lycan went after their followers and turned them all into werewolves, together they became the First Pack and scattered across the globe, spreading lycanthropy as they went. 

The members of the First Pack became legendary and were hunted by those seeking glory through the ages. None now remain, even Lycan was hunted down. But it is said Lycan’s immortality was twisted just as his body and mind were; and now his spirit lives on to spread lycanthropy and to turn any werecreature into a frenzied beast.

Perhaps if the Cure was discovered again, if used on any other without Lycan’s hubris it would indeed cure vampirism. But no one has yet rediscovered it, and no trace of that ancient recipe remains. Those who pursue it always seem to meet a grim end, as if Rapha strikes down any who tries.

Below are my Puddle werewolves.

Wash Whitlock is a former British naval officer, who now works for the Order and acts as Ariel’s keeper. In the course of his duties he accidentally became a wereotter. Wash has wisely decided he does not need to share this information with Order higher-ups, though his colleagues are well-aware and tease him incessantly. 

Nuniq is a member of Ariel’s crew. She is the ship’s doctor, and practices both magic and science for healing. She is a Greenland wereshark. For her family, being a wereshark is hereditary on the mother’s side but can skip generations, and only develops around puberty. Nuniq had to track down her great-grandmother for help, when she found out she was one. That journey inspired her to continue traveling and exploring. Nuniq is approaching eighty but doesn’t look that old thanks to her wereshark nature. Greenland sharks can live incredibly long.

Below are @wyrmzier's werewolves.

Ines Luna was a catholic nun who performed all of her duties wonderfully. She was chaste, pure, and kind. She worked as a school teacher at the adjacent all girls school. Despite her faithfulness and piety she harbored deep guilt over her lesbianism, and when she heard rumors of two of her students attempting to elope to be with each other she went out to guide them to the right path. But she did not find any students, just an ancient feral wolf who attacked her. She was saved in time by the angel Dame, but with her life still intact the curse rooted in her veins and she was turned into a werewolf. The curse proved unwieldy. Ines could barely control herself every full moon; she feared her own bloodthirst and a powerful heat edged on by the presence of her savior. Her convent grew fearful and ashamed and kicked her out. The church was all Ines knew, but again Dame saved her and they wed and lived happily ever after.

[rallamajoop]

Resident Evil 4 vs 8, and Ludonarrative Resonance

Having fallen so very hard for RE8 late last year, I’m incapable of talking about the new RE4 remake without comparing the two – especially when RE8 now occupies the bizarre position of being simultaneously the remake’s immediate predecessor, canonical-later-sequel, and also other pseudo-remake of RE4.

And it’s hard to appreciate just how much RE8 draws from RE4 until you’ve played them both – in broad concept (sinister bioweapon cult in isolated European village, lengthy castle section, awkward shift towards military-shooter-itis at the end – heck, did you know RE8 was even supposed to have Ada Wong showing up with a sniper rifle to rescue Ethan from cutscenes in early drafts? Because that was definitely going too far) and its initial chapter especially. I’d osmosed the broad strokes, but not, for example, the degree to which the first lycan attack in 8 is basically just the first village assault from RE4: mobbed by an endless stream of regular enemies and the one big guy (who you can defeat, but should probably just try to avoid) in an open environment until an invisible timer runs out and everyone goes home.

It’s not a one-way street: it’s only fair to say that by the time of RE4make, Capcom was re-integrating a lot of what worked in 8 back into the new RE4. But as many elements represent a conscious step back from the reinventions of RE7 in favour of recreating gameplay elements of the original: 3rd person view, visible health bar, etc. The same basic arsenal of pistol-shotgun-sniper-rile becomes available to you in that order, but trying to play Leon as you would Ethan is not going to come off seamlessly.

Leon he can’t block, for one. He can parry, but that’s not the same thing. His knife works very differently, many of its uses contextual. You have to aim before firing now – hitting fire without aiming first makes Leon slash with his knife instead (very annoying when I have the sniper rifle equipped, the enemy is too close for the scope to be useful, and failing to get a round off in a hurry is about to make my life a lot more uncomfortable) – and if you’re aiming, you can’t parry. The gameplay in the RE4 remake is honestly my favourite thing about it (the story is... more of a mixed bag, but we'll get to that), but coming to it directly off RE8 is just a little frustrating until you get your head around it. GDI, Leon, Ethan can make a decent mine that doesn’t go off on its own if it’s not tripped in 30 seconds, why can’t you?

Questionable nitpicks aside though, having gotten the hang of RE4’s combat, the more I think about it, the more the differences between how Ethan and Leon handle do actually work for me, and even make sense from a character-centric POV. Intentionally or not, there’s a kind of ludonarrative resonance to it all.

If you’ve read any video game critique in the last decade or so, you’ve likely run into the term ludonarrative dissonance: coined to highlight all those times when the story a game tells via dialogue and cutscenes clashes with the ‘ludonarrative’, or story created by the gameplay. The classic example is something like the Tomb Raider reboot, where cutscenes linger on the trauma of Lara's first human kill, but gameplay will still see her easily mowing down enemies mooks by the dozen barely five minutes later. See also: any time a character is a total badass in gameplay, but can be easily overpowered by a single opponent when necessary for a cutscene. This kind of narrative inconsistency is to some degree the nature of the medium – it’s a rare game that can avoid it altogether, but it can still throw you out of the experience.

For a more Resident Evil specific example, consider that minor plot point from RE6 which reveals that Sherry (one of the many playable characters) has an Ethan-like healing ability as a result of her exposure to the G-virus back in RE2. This has no effect on gameplay, before or after the reveal: Sherry’s health bar works the same as any other character’s. Even the RE4 remake hits this problem: letting Ashley be carried too far away by an enemy mook is an instant game-over in gameplay, but you’d better be prepared to see the exact same thing happen in multiple cutscenes at specified plot points, with no way to avoid it (c’mon, game, I know they’re just gonna stick her in a room with no guards somewhere, lemme go find her!)

You could arguably find a similar problem to Sherry’s in RE8, where Ethan very-canonically comes back from the dead after having his heart ripped out in a cutscene, even though he can absolutely be killed in regular gameplay. And yet, here, I’m inclined to cut the game some slack – because there is arguably an explanation provided, and it’s suitably horrific.

Ethan may be able to reattach severed limbs and walk off falls from great heights, but having his heart ripped out puts him down long enough to convince Chris he’s really dead – definitely down for the count. And if you pay attention to the (many) death-scenes that play after Ethan is killed by a lycan or moroi, you may notice that most monsters immediately start eating him as they light fades away. Ethan may come back after having his heart ripped out, but being digested may be a step too far.

And Ethan can get eaten a lot in this game. Moreau can eat you. The mould-foetus-monster can eat you. Dimitrescu makes pretty-fucking-clear her own desire to eat you too. Sturm doesn’t, but is certainly equipped to reduce Ethan to a fine, pink mist.  Whether those final-moments were included specifically to fill that plot hole or whether they were just thrown in for ‘ordinary’ horror value I can only speculate, but it’s always nice when all those little, gory details tie together, isn’t it?

If we’re going to take games to task for all those probably-accidental moments where the gameplay and the story clash, it’s only fair to note a few of the ones where they do the opposite (likewise-accidental though they may be). Ludonarrative resonance, if you will.

On a basic level, pointing out that gameplay differences between RE4 and 8 make sense for Ethan’s vs Leon’s respective strengths and weaknesses may be a little too obvious. Leon can stagger an enemy with a bullet and then rush in to finish him off a roundhouse kick or a supplex because Leon is a certified badass with way more training than Ethan (who makes one vague mention of having had military training, presumably as an excuse for why he aims so much faster in RE8 than 7).

But it goes so far beyond that.

There’s the issue of blocking, for one. Ethan can block – roughly holding his hands up in front of himself to reduce incoming damage – but Leon can’t. This was initially annoying, but the more I thought about it, the more I liked it as a logical change. Sure, Leon can’t block, but Leon doesn’t secretly have mould-powered super-healing, and trying to tank axe-blows to reattachable parts of his body probably isn’t a viable strategy. What he can do is parry with his knife: a more skill-dependent strategy for a more-skilled guy. Timing is much trickier, but only his knife takes damage – Leon doesn’t, so when it works, it’s much better than blocking. And given Leon has this whole backstory-thing about being trained by a knife-obsessed nutjob, that all adds up too.

Then there’s the thing with ladders. Ethan can fall any distance without taking damage, but convincing him to take a gravity-shortcut doesn’t always work: if there’s a ladder nearby, he’ll take it. Leon, by contrast, clearly sees ladders as a waste of time. Ashley will use them to get down from high places, if there’s one available, but Leon, to my joy, prefers to jump. And again, there’s an arguable logic there that appeals to me: Ethan may be immune to falling damage, but he’s badly in denial about it, and would much prefer to take the stairs. Leon isn’t superhuman, but he knows parkour, and he’s damn well going to use it.

Health arguably follows similar logic. Ethan doesn’t get a proper health bar (maybe you need training to accurately judge how dead you are? IDK), just various colours to tell you roughly how bad this is going, and Ethan will be reduced to stumbling through a distorted red haze if you let him go too far into the red zone. Stumble around long enough without dying though, and Ethan will eventually walk it off, automatically returning to about half-health. Notably, Leon doesn’t get this same power (unless you’re playing on the very easiest difficulty – Ethan remains auto-healing right up to Village of Shadows level). But for a dude who canonically has healing powers, you can’t argue that makes a lot of sense.

The same rules apply to Mia too, when you’re playing her in RE7 – but given she’s been infected with the mould too, that tracks (and even if you did choose her for the cure, who’s to say how well such a haphazard cure even worked?)

This logic does break down a bit in RE8 when you play as Chris, and blocking and walking-it-off remain core mechanics. And if you wanted to get really nitpicky, you might even point out the same mechanics are available to Ethan in his very first fight with Mia in RE7, where he’s (presumably?) not infected yet. But there comes a point where you have to admit that expecting the devs to change gameplay so much for one brief section of a much longer game isn’t really realistic (and would be that much more annoying to get used to for this one tiny section anyway).

Amusingly though, in the Mercenaries DLC, Chris has been reworked somewhat, and now can’t block anymore: hitting the ‘block’ button throws a left hook instead. Which is only too appropriate for Chris Boulder-Punching Redfield – but it’s interesting to note that Lady Dimitrescu (another new playable character) can’t block either.

The only other character in Mercenaries mode who can block is Heisenberg, and he does so by raising a literal wall of sheet metal. Intentionally or otherwise, Mercenaries does kinda seem to cast Ethan’s ability to substantially reduce damage just by holding up his arms as pretty unique.

Speaking of health, Leon and Ethan can both increase their maximum HP – Leon by using yellow herbs, Ethan by eating food cooked for him by the Duke. Ethan, however, can also decrease the damage he takes while blocking and increase his running speed this way. This is the sort of game mechanic it’s probably not worth thinking too hard about, but even so, the idea that mould-man Ethan can enhance his own powers by eating food from around the village where the mould originates (and specially prepared by the nigh-omniscient Duke himself) is something I raised already over in my post on Mia and Miranda – and it fits here too. Leon, meanwhile, can only increase his own durability by buying body armour, then paying even more to keep it repaired (there is a case charm that increases his speed a little too, but it’s bloody hard to get).

There are other little details that follow the same pattern too – whereas in RE8, I found myself mostly using the pistol to finish off any enemies who didn’t quite go down in one shotgun blast, in RE4, I found myself relying on my basic pistol a lot more, even when not going for kung-fu finishers. Mostly, that’s down to enemy speed and ammo availability, but you can’t argue it makes sense that the better-trained Leon would be better-equipped to get the job done with lower-calibre weaponry.

Now, to be clear, I doubt most of these little differences are down to the devs going “okay, this new game is about a mould-superman, how do we work that into gameplay?” when RE7 came out – and I’m pretty sure a lot of how the new RE4 plays is down to an earnest attempt to include as much of the old RE4 as still makes sense. Leon has a visible health bar and can supplex enemies into the dirt because people loved the original, and we’re not here to completely reinvent the best features of the wheel. Half the stuff that screams ludonarrative resonance to me is probably more happy accident as design.

But when, for example, you’re being irritated by the discovery that the only mines available to Leon will just go off on their own after 30 seconds if not triggered by an enemy, it’s nice to be able to tell yourself “bloody hell, guess you need a real engineer like Ethan to make a half-decent mine!” and treat that like an excuse. It doesn’t fundamentally change the way either game plays, but it feels like there’s some rhyme and reason to it, and that’s just a little bit more fun. And they’re both great combat systems in their own fun way.

YMMV, of course.

[untitled-tmnt-blog]

What were some of your favorite Risetober art pieces you did this month? Do you have any favorite Risetober art you've seen from others?

As far as my own Risetober stuff, I think my favorites are probably the little GIFs I did for Portal Chopped and Spider. But Meat Sweats and Trick or Treat were a lot of fun, too!

I'm gonna be honest -- when I saw this ask, I went over to @risetober-art-challenge and scrolled through all of the Risetober art there! There were so many good ones that I didn't even see the first time around (and I may have slightly flooded my dash with some of those this morning). As far as favorites... sorry, but I'm gonna have to list a bunch!

I love @myososheep's Ghost + Karai. It's a beautiful drawing, and the fact that it's done in watercolor is really impressive!

I love @frosteaart's Stars, which is sooo pretty, and Amulet, which is a really well-done IMBI animation! (I also love Ghost, because it's honestly just hilarious!)

@v-albion's Battle Nexus is just drawn so, so well! And Mummy really pulls on the heartstrings.

This little Cat + Red Fox + Jumpscare animation by @raylaui is so good!

I love @sariphantom's style in general, but Battle Nexus, Masks, and Stars are probably my favorite ones!

I love the little Karai in @tormentitanoemi's Green so much! And Shredder's shadow over her makes it a really emotional drawing.

I love @princesskkfish's Stars and Jumpscare -- two very well-done drawings, with very different tones!

I really like @cat-sithe's Magic, as well as @hyperfixated-homo's Magic! And @honey-rye's Red Fox is very cute, as is @crabbys-stuff's Pumpkin + Witch + Cat.

@fosori-blog's Baron Draxum and Mummy are both soooo detailed! And @moth-boi-lycan's Green has so much going on in it as well!

There were also just a LOT of really pretty pieces for Stars! I especially liked this one by @mvshr00m-1, this one by @raylaui, and this one by @just-another-tired-gay-artist!

... aaand, I think that's probably more than enough for one post! I'm so bad at picking favorite art, so those usually end up being really long lists for me!

[littlelesbinonny]

The Devil's Den

Chapter 21: In Which Strings Are Tightly Twisted

You can read this also on Ao3 at: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46831621/chapters/117962293

The weekend was almost over which meant the long visits between the two of you was coming to an end, which Alcina disliked greatly. But the last two nights had been wonderful, as always.

For the first time in a long time her mind was noticeably mellow. 

She was stretched out on her cream colored chez lounge enjoying the quiet, puffing slowly on her cabriole as she watched the ornate ceiling above do absolutely nothing.

Alcina was becoming more and more grateful for you as time continued on. The circumstances of reality slipped through her fingers when she was with you; she was feeling awake, strong and tall in the present, alive and free. You were freeing her mind, her heart, her long dormant passions and drawing her back into what she thought she could almost remember life feeling like.

She smiled.

A soft knock at her bedroom door rattled her thoughts loose and she sat up.

"Yes?"

The door was opened slowly and Daniela's innocent grin greeted her.

"Mamă, mătușa Donna este aici." (Mother, Auntie Donna is here.)

Odd. It was easily 10 or 11 in the morning by now. What a perplexing hour for her to visit.

Alcina nodded, "arată-i dragostea de studiu, spune-i că voi fi acolo pentru moment." (show her to the study love, tell her I'll be there momentarily.)

She sighed heavily as she rose, donned her white robe, ruffled her hair and made her way through the manor to the other side where Donna was waiting patiently by one of the many bookcases.

"Donna, my apologies for the delay. What brings you at this hour?" Alcina asked with a soft smile, closing the big red oak door behind her.

Donna was dressed in a usual tight fitting, plain black dress. Hair done up in a loose but beautiful bun, her dark brown locks curled and pinned on her head with precision. She was nothing if not meticulous.

"I came to tell you I found the culprits responsible for disturbing the priests, as you had asked me to look into."

"Ah, and who was it?"

The rolling of her eyes was an answer all its own and they began to chuckle.

"Angie, and a few of the younger lycans. Apparently they've been terrorizing several people recently. I, of course, have spoken with her."

Alcina folded her arms and shook her head with a smile, "it is still wondrous to me the two of you are related at all."

"The irony is not lost on you or I," Donna laughed.

The lightness died out. Alcina knew from the moment she walked in that there was something else; this news required only a phone call, there was something much more pressing for her to come all the way to the manor. Donna couldn't hide a thing from her, that was her only downfall.

"You didn't come here to tell me just that, did you," she said, watching Donna's eyes harden at the rhetorical question.

Her sigh was telling enough.

"I'm afraid not," Donna began to twiddle her thumbs slowly as she walked towards Alcina, only looking down once before she was much closer, "the news from Karl reached me only this morning. There has been some odd activity in some areas outside of New York. Mitch, along with a few of his men who still travel quite frequently, have reported what they believe to be rogue vampires."

Alcina's eyes narrowed, "rogue vampires? In what sense?"

Another sigh, this time, sharp.

"That's the troubling part. They don't know, they had no other way to describe them. Mitch explained when he and his party stumbled upon them they fled immediately. They found 4 dead hikers where they were gathered. When his men attempted to follow them they were at a complete loss; they left no scent trail to find. They all had... white eyes."

Her mind began to turn at the news. White eyes? And no scent? Everyone has a scent.

"Did he say how many? Where was this?"

"Half a dozen, possibly more. Connecticut, outside of New Haven."

"That's..."

Mother Miranda's territory.

The two looked at each other without a word, unreadable expressions exchanged.

If Mother Miranda brought in or made new fledglings, Alcina was the first to hear about it. Always. And she'd heard nothing thus far from her. While new vampires not of her making were not uncommon, like any other clan, they were to report all new bloods to Mother Miranda and now Alcina herself, that's how it had been done for centuries.

"I have told Karl to tell his men to not interact, pursue, or intervene. I came also to ask if I may take a team and investigate myself."

"No," Alcina replied abruptly, "I don't want you out there, and there are very few vampires I trust down here as it is. If I send anyone, it will be Mateo and Gerard and I will join them... but as it is..." she stalled as she wondered how drastic of action this truly warranted; were these really rogue vampires? Had news just been delayed from an outer clan?

"I don't want anyone doing anything yet, not until I know more. I will make some calls to the clan leaders. Please relay to Heisenberg and his men to keep their eyes open and report anything else they might come across, but I agree; I don't want anyone searching these vampires out intentionally. Unless a problem is directly presenting itself, I'd rather not cause a fuss and put out a fire that didn't need starting. However, their actions will be addressed the minute I find out who they belong to."

Alcina was normally the first to jump at the chance to fight, protect and defend the city; she was one of the greatest warriors the vampires had ever seen and never batted an eye at a battle. While Donna knew the underlying reason for her hesitancy, she worried deep down that it may be misplacing her attention and focus. If a problem was brewing, which in her core she felt may very well be the case, the root of the weed might be too deep by the time it spread to their door.

Donna nodded gracefully, accepting the Matriarchs decision, "as you wish."

Oh, Alcina knew that tone anywhere.

Her eyes darted back and up to Donna's, "I mean it, I don't want you putting yourself in danger. Please, obey this without making it difficult."

Choosing the right words and tone for this required the biting of her tongue for a moment.

"Alcina, I need you to hear me without losing your temper," Donna began gently as she stepped in closer, placing her hands lovingly on the side of Alcina's arms, "I will adhere to your command. As my leader and my friend, I will respect your decision. But I humbly request you think on this carefully... I know you are in a place where making decisions to run off to a possible altercation is undesirable, but we depend on your guidance and wisdom. Please..." her voice sank very low, "love and care for your human, but don't forget you are our Matriarch."

That burned.

Instead of reacting with rage as she might normally, Alcina considered Donna and her words deeply.

It was all true.

"I have not forgotten," she began softly yet with a sternness, "you must understand the truth to your statement is more bitter and apparent everyday that passes, it does not go blind in my eyes. You should also know that my initiative to fight for all of our protection is more prevalent than ever before," Alcina lifted her chin slightly, "if there is any altercations to be had, I will be at the forefront as I always have been and there will be no prisoners taken."

Donna smiled. Alcina had always been fueled and driven by a blazing fire, and now the flame that was once brilliantly orange and gold, was now blue and white; it burned hotter, longer and fiercer. Perhaps this human lover of hers was more good than bad after all.

She pulled Alcina into an embrace and held her tight, "I could never question the fight within you, my friend. You were born a fighter and will die kicking and screaming until your last breath if it is to your liking, that I have no doubt."

The two of them chuckled, parting slowly and regarding the other with warm grins.

"Please inform me of anymore news, but keep this as quiet as possible. And while I don't necessarily wish to get Angie involved, she is awfully cunning, sneaky, and observant. Her services may be required down the road."

"I will formulate some plans. In the meantime... give my regards to your human, she seems to have tamed a beast I thought to be forever feral."

Had Donna not moved as quickly as she had, Alcina would have landed the swatting to her arm. She left giggling through the door and down the hallway leaving Alcina to send the glare after her, the smirk on her lips nullifying any terror behind it.

Shaking her head with a tumbling laugh, Alcina sat at her desk and mulled over the news once more.

Was she being under-cautious? Did this need military attention? Should she lead a team with Mitch and travel to said location and see for herself immediately?

She shuddered as Mother Miranda came wafting through her thoughts like a suffocating fog. Miranda's main stronghold was in Connecticut, near where these supposed rogue vampires had been seen. White eyes, no scent, repeated in her mind. They must have been mistaken. They must have.

Unless...

Mother Miranda had spoken about dreams and plans of a pristine, unmatched vampire army at great lengths to her when she was first turned. But that was when the internal wars between vampire clans and the external wars with lycans were still alive and thriving; the need and drive for such a thing had been abandoned many years ago, hadn't it? Once the treaties had been solidified Miranda never mentioned it again. Alcina couldn't imagine her work would have continued.

Alcina shook her head. It couldn't be.

Leaning back in her chair she closed her eyes and huffed.

This isn't news she wanted to receive tonight.

~

Yes.

Yes, you were once again listening to Alcina's cassettes on repeat all day today.

It was Sunday and you'd made a commitment to yourself to sleep at least a few hours after she left you in the early morning. It wasn't as difficult as you were expecting and you had to admit you did feel a little better getting some shut-eye. But, the moment you woke you grabbed your old as hell portable cassette player you had since you were a kid and hit play.

What better way to enjoy a lazy Sunday than listening to the lilting melodies of a voice that caressed your mind and soul like a soft velvet glove. You wished there was a way to get these digitalized so you could listen on your phone while you were at work.

There wasn't much for you to do today but you tidied your apartment. Some odd tapping sounds kept catching your attention in the later afternoon. Where it was coming from was annoying you beyond belief. You searched and looked and investigated but was never really able to put your finger on what the cause was. You gave up after it all seemed to stop and grabbed a book, plopped on your bean bag chair and read away the rest of the sunny day.

You were in the kitchen when Alcina appeared. She stood leaning against the door jam with her palm outstretched and a puzzled, inquisitive look on her face.

"Is there a reason a pen, a silver hair clip, $1.82 cents worth of coin, a shiny piece of blue glass and a silver ring much too big for your delicate little fingers were on the ground outside your balcony door?"

Placing the last cup you'd washed on the drying rack your grin tilted into the same perplexed visage.

"Uhm, I have no idea," you said as you walked over to her, gazing at the items in her palm. 

You held out your own hand and Alcina carefully rolled them into your grasp.

Weird.

Really weird.

Looking back up at her with a shrug, you smiled, "I honestly have no clue where they came from, none of these things are mine."

"Hmm, well perhaps you've got little fairies or gnomes leaving you gifts?"

"Yeah I certainly hope not, I don't know how to make peace treaties with those folks."

Alcina laughed and pulled you into her, kissing you deeply as she held you there for her to admire, "if I catch you with another mythical creature I will be terribly heartbroken, draga mea."

"Psh, yeah right. You're the only one for me babe," you sighed nuzzling into her with a warm smile.

She grinned brightly and pulled you deeper into her embrace.

"Come, our hours together tonight are short, I don't want to waste a moment.

~

Latching the antique rotary phone down for the ninth time tonight, Alcina propped her forehead against her balled fists as she sat fully discouraged at her desk.

The study was unsettlingly quiet. 

The girls were out who knows where doing who knew what, the other vampires and lycans of the underground were going about their own nightly business, you were hopefully fast asleep, and she was no closer to having any answers about these "rogue vampires" Donna had told her about this morning.

She was, of course, as vague as possible when she spoke with each clan leader over the phone; simply calling in to check if any new fledglings needed to be added to the books. Nothing out of the ordinary for the Matriarch to call about.

Nine resounding no's.

It was still possible these vampires had moved in from another state, or even another country, and had not reached or gone through the appropriate check points done for all vampires when entering new territory. But, if that was the case, then perhaps action did need taking before their bullshit got out of hand.

Regardless of who they belonged to or where they were from, she was in command and responsible for what fuckery took place in this area when it came to vampires and lycans alike. And yet, no one had heard one damn thing about their appearances, killings, or activity across the board from what she could tell.

No human city officials had come to make her aware of their presence, no vampire leaders, no lycans, no one outside of Donna had told her about anything.

For fuck sake.

Alcina sat back with a huff and she tongued her teeth and mulled this over again and again.

Yes, something had to be done.

She didn't want to risk Mother Miranda finding out about these rogue idiots anymore than she wanted her finding out she knew about that and didn't do anything about it from the beginning.

Was it time to mobilize?

This would mean several nights away from the city. Meaning she wouldn't see you for as long as it took to track down and understand the whole of the situation. Which, in hindsight wouldn't be too unbearable if you were aware of her absence from the start, but that also meant leaving her post here; risking the chance these rogue vampires have already moved into the city, leaving it all the more vulnerable and weaker without her being here. Her military forces were capable, yes surely, but the fact of the matter is the city is her responsibility and she should be the one at the front lines regardless of what is happening anywhere. But where was the current front line?

"Christ al-fucking-mighty!" she exclaimed as her thoughts engaged a 'what if' match inside her echoing skull.

Frustration slapped her back with a sting and she lit a cigarette, puffing the smoke through her nose with virile determination to get something under control. Whether that be her anxiety, the actual situation at hand, or a fucking plan to tackle this, so be it.

She had to get something figured out and quickly.

-

"You and I really outta stop meeting like this."

Donna didn't share his humor as she slipped quietly in through his shop door.

It had been 3 days since her meeting with Alcina and nothing more had been said between the two of them about it. And it didn't appear anything was being done, either. 

She had also revisited with Karl the same day she spoke with Alcina, explaining her stance, to which they both left in an agreed displeased mood. There was no pushing or pressuring the Matriarch if she wouldn't have it. While Donna hadn't pushed too hard, she was beginning to wonder if the stubborn woman actually needed a violent shove instead. Her instincts were on high alert and she hadn't been able to turn them off.

"Karl, I know you often lack the capacity for seriousness but is now the time?"

He just looked at her. 

"Look, a twisted and inappropriately timed sense of humor has always been part of my charm. Angie is your sister for god sake, I don't wanna hear it."

"Yes, often two peas in a pod. You're only redeeming quality is the lack of complete and continual destructive chaos," she tossed back with her hands on her hips.

After a brief pause she rubbed her forehead. 

With a sigh she retreated from her bark and walked closer to his work table, "sorry, I'm trying to not be as bothered about all of this as I am."

"I know," he replied much softer, "I'm still pissed at Alcina's reaction and silence about all of this. Maybe that's what's putting me over the edge. She's always ready for a fight, that's what we love about her; never having to question if our leader is prepared and on our side."

Donna huffed, "I'm feeling the same. I know if it came to it she'd be here, rallied and hungry for a fight... I'm just... wishing she was more present with us right now. It isn't as though we can't act without her knowledge or approval, but the mess that comes afterwards is another headache I don't wish to pursue. If Mother Miranda hears about us enacting military measures without Alcina... that bitch will be down here quicker than we can blink."

"She's visited enough for one year, she can fuck off for another 20 or so and I'd be happy. Actually never seeing her smug crumpled face would make me happiest but... I digress."

They sat in silence for a while as they stared down at the mangled wood of Karl's workbench. 

Finally he huffed.

"Look, I might as well tell you because you'll find out eventually; I've got men on it. Not directly, but I couldn't let this sit. I've got 3 patrols: one near New Haven, Port Chester, and outside of Yonkers. If this is what you think it is, I'm not sitting idly by while super-sized bitch is off with her human play -"

"Karl!" she hissed.

"Eeeey, eey, relax - you know I don't mean it... You know I care about that giant banshee as much as you do... I'm just having a really hard time deciding how long to wait before we get or find real answers. I know she's preoccupied, but now is really not the time for this shit."

He was right as much as Donna didn't want to admit it. She felt the unnerving pressure of something coming, something awry, but if Alcina wasn't going to listen or heed the warnings, someone needed to be on top of it.

She finally gazed over to Karl, "thank you. I know you'll be careful and I won't hover. You will keep me updated?"

"Of course, D. You're the only one outside of Mitch and those on patrol that know, and even they don't know all the details. If we do get busted it'll look better that it's just us and none of you being involved."

Before Donna could respond a ruckus could be heard down the hall from Karl's shop. They both stood quickly as the sounds came closer and through the door burst a lycan soldier.

He was ragged and bleeding, holding to his left shoulder that was hanging limp and disjointed. Panting and sweating he stumbled to the neighboring bench and slumped.

Karl was immediately to his side to hold him up, Donna was right beside him to look over his wounds.

"Blake! What the fuck happened, kid?!" Karl nearly barked.

His response was a little garbled, but Blake shook off the immense pain in his shoulder with a growl through gritted teeth.

"Ambush."

[illumins]

CHAPTER THREE

Hydrangea and Letter

My gaze was fixed intently on the intricate design adorning the café's mugs. Each flower was meticulously painted, and I marveled at how the ceramic handle gracefully curved into a leaf. Lost in thought, the bustling world around me faded into a distant hum. In my mind, I assembled my thoughts like a complex puzzle, only to let them scatter again when the weight became too much to bear. I repeated this mental dance, contemplating the missing pieces I was too afraid to confront.

The realization that I had unwittingly become a target filled me with dread. This was not something I could report to the police or confide in a passing stranger I met during the day. In fact, that prospect troubled me even more. The assailant who had attacked me looked undeniably human—alarmingly so. He could have easily greeted me at the start of my shift, and I would have been none the wiser. Death, I realized, could take on any form, wear any face.

Nana had attempted to explain the entities that lurked within the Nightworld, providing small details discernible only to those with a keen eye.

"There are witches, cunning beings," Nana had cautioned. "They don't resemble the depictions in movies, with pointy hats and animal companions. These witches are tied to the other side, their souls tainted by gods. Instead of animals, they draw their power from humans. You can spot them by the occasional purple shimmer in their eyes. They all bear a birthmark on the side of their pinky finger, resembling a four-pointed star. Be cautious around them; you don't want to cross their path.

"Then there are the werewolves, or Lycans, as they prefer to be called. Mostly harmless, their numbers have dwindled due to relentless hunting. Cursed by an age-old lovers' feud, they're a rare sight. You can recognize them by their golden eyes, which only appear in their transformed state or during intense emotions.

"And then there are the Vampires—dark, cruel, and plagued by heightened emotions that can be perilous. You... oh, you should hope never to encounter them. Their eyes gleam crimson, reflecting their insatiable lust. They also bear a red birthmark on their chests, right where the heart lies. They possess the ability to read the emotions of others, except for those within the Nightworld. Be cautious; their sense of fear only fuels their desires."

That was all Nana had been willing to divulge, fearing that delving further would attract the dagger's attention. Or at least that was Nana's belief.

A soft tap on my shoulder jolted me from my thoughts. Looking down, I realized that I had unwittingly cut the cake into too many slices. Moreover, a customer who had been patiently waiting for my attention now observed me awkwardly. I cleared my throat, hastily placing the knife down and offering an apologetic smile. I then made my way toward the kitchen, my mind cursing myself for drifting away from reality so easily.

Gazing up at the ceiling, I shut my eyes tightly, whispering to myself, “All I need to focus on is this job, and then I can go home and deal with the rest.”

A sing-song voice echoed in my head, startling me. “Seems you didn't heed my warning last time, hmm?”

In fear, I whipped my head forward to find the blonde woman once more. This time, she was dressed in a black mini-dress with a white lace corset at the front and a shimmering regal purple stone choker. The woman had noticed my wandering eyes and twirled gracefully.

“Oh, this?” she quipped. “It's the uniform I wear for my job, just like you with your apron and nametag.”

The woman's attitude had taken an unsettling turn, and I couldn't help but feel disturbed. This wasn't the demeanor she had displayed during our first encounter—too perky yet still elegant. “Where do you work?”

At the question, the woman raised an eyebrow and smirked, taking measured steps toward me. “Nope, nope, nope,” each 'p' popping from her lips. “That's not a place for someone like you.”

Now standing before me, the scent of hydrangeas enveloped her, inducing nausea. The woman began to circle me, studying me like an animal. “Although,” she mused, “you would look quite fetching in a dress like this, don't you think?”

Unable to endure the scent any longer, I walked away, massaging my temples in hopes of dispelling my nausea.

Puzzled for a moment, the woman soon realized her effect and offered an apology. “Oh, my apologies. I tend to have that effect on people like you.”

“People like me?” I questioned.

Dismissing the question, the woman casually positioned herself against the cutting table. “Regardless, I'm here to warn you that danger awaits outside the store again. Perhaps this time, don't ignore my warning like last time, alright?”

My tension grew, and I reached out toward the woman, desperation in my eyes. “Not again, please. What do you mean, outside?” But the woman swiftly evaded my reaching hand.

“Sorry, Sora, I can't,” she replied coolly.

I sank to my knees in despair, but my coworker entered the room, alarmed by the scene. He rushed toward me, his hands gripping my arms as he pulled me upright, concerned that I might faint. Yet I gently extricated myself from his grasp and stood straight. I didn't bother asking if he saw the woman; hardly anyone seemed to notice their presence. Even as a child, only my eyes could perceive what others couldn't.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice filled with worry.

Before responding, I glanced behind him to find the woman gone. I walked to the door, peeking outside to see waiting customers and tables in need of cleaning. However, my true focus was on spotting any potential threats, especially the man from my recent encounter.

Turning back to my coworker, I asked with pleading eyes, “Sicheng, would it be alright if I take you up on your offer?”

It took him a moment to comprehend my request, but he nodded in understanding. “Oh, I see. Yeah, of course. But are you okay?”

“Yeah, just feeling a bit off today.”

Not wanting to press me further, he reassured me with a touch on the shoulder as he passed by and exited the room. As he walked out, he encountered a crowd of people, but I didn't have the energy to exchange greetings and smiles. I scanned the kitchen one last time for any trace of the woman but found none. After taking a deep breath and gathering my resolve, I stepped out of the kitchen and into the café.

“Sorry for the wait—” my coworker began to apologize.

The sun had surrendered its position to the moon, and stars began to dot the night sky. The streets remained lively, but rain now filled the gaps between the bustling crowds. Streetlights, with their red, yellow, and green hues, cast reflections on the moving puddles formed by each raindrop. A chime from the bell above the café's door marked the beginning of the night and the end of a day's work.

Usually, the café stayed open late, but the owner had requested an earlier closing time for the impending cold months. In mid-September, the slight chill of October's approach was already palpable. I had always admired the transition from summer to fall, with leaves changing from emerald green to vibrant shades of orange and yellow. Yet this year, my enjoyment was tainted by the paranoia of the man Jisung returning.

I glanced at Sicheng as he locked the café's door, trying to reassure myself that everything would be alright as long as he was there. He turned to me with a warm smile, gesturing toward the bustling streets where throngs of people walked. “Lead the way.”

Minutes passed as the two of us strolled around Main Street, sharing stories and savoring the nocturnal scenery. Tensions that had weighed on my mind earlier gradually dissipated as Sicheng continued to captivate my wandering attention. I understood his intent to lighten my mood, and for that, I was grateful. The prospect of feeling somewhat normal and free from constant fear brought me immense relief.

As we approached my home, a sudden melancholy settled upon me. I don't want this night to end, I thought. I feel okay right now. I want to be okay again tomorrow. But the sight of Sicheng yawning made me reconsider. I knew he juggled two part-time jobs and school, and his gesture of accompanying me meant a lot.

“Thank you, Sicheng,” I said.

“Of course,” he replied. “Knowing you're safe on your way home puts my mind at ease. Don't hesitate to ask anytime, okay?”

I chuckled at his concern and nodded. “Alright.”

“Well, I should get going. I have work tomorrow.”

We bid each other farewell, with Sicheng retracing his steps down the street and me ascending the steps to my front door. As I rummaged through my purse for my keys, I noticed a letter at my doorstep from the corner of my eye. With my keys in hand, I crouched down to retrieve it. The letter bore a fine wax seal imprinted with the image of a dove in flight. Turning it over, I read the cursive letters that formed an unfamiliar name: Lee Donghyuk.

My fingers gently traced the edges of the wax seal, still radiating warmth, a testament to how long it had rested at my doorstep. I cast a wary gaze around, searching for the elusive sender, but the empty streets, shrouded in darkness, yielded no answers.

Returning my attention to the letter, my eyes fixated on the printed name: Lee Donghyuk. I furrowed my brow in an attempt to recall if the name sounded familiar. Lee Donghyuk? I don't think I've met anyone by that name, I mused. Perhaps a customer, but that would be rather strange. I was on the verge of dismissing the letter until a twinge of pain in my shoulder served as a stark reminder of another possibility. The lingering ache acted as a gateway to memories I wished to forget—the night, and the peace I had forged with Sicheng, now submerged in a vast sea of fear. "It's one of them," I whispered to myself, the memory of being slammed against a wall playing vividly in my mind.

The memory echoed louder, growing heavier, its presence intensifying. My muscles seemed to recall the searing pain he had inflicted. 'Jisung,' someone had called him. How could I forget the name that had been the source of my paranoia? As the memory deepened, I drifted further away from reality, from the serenity I had cherished. My breathing grew labored, gasping for air every few seconds.

The longer I held and stared at the letter, the more it fueled my fear. My body felt paralyzed, as if someone, or something, was watching me. Unconsciously, my eyes darted frantically around my surroundings, searching for anything out of the ordinary, for signs of them. My heart screamed at me to retreat inside, to hide and destroy the letter. Yet my body remained rooted in place, defying my will and trapping me in a state of terror. Beneath my ribcage, my heart pounded, crying out for help.

As the darkness seemed to encroach upon my vision, I believed myself lost, a prisoner of my own mind. The entities that had stalked me had stripped away my sense of safety and sanity. And now, as I stood on the precipice of darkness, I let out a desperate yelp, tears streaming down my cheeks. "They have me, they have me, they have me..."

The relentless thought vanished when the sound of my door opening pierced the silence. I registered Areum's presence, her warm arms enveloping me, urging me to rest, sensing my impending collapse. So, in a gentle voice, she directed me to step inside. We walked slowly, still holding each other, through the hallway leading to the living room. Once inside, she closed the door behind me with a measured kick.

After a few moments, Areum carefully pulled away from me, scrutinizing me. Her eyes were watery, with redness at the corners and cheeks marked by dried streaks. Although I appeared calmer now that I was indoors, she could still detect the lingering tension.

“Sora, what happened?” Areum inquired.

I registered the question but initially found it difficult to respond. “I…”

“Sora?...”

Taking a shuddering breath, I evaded the question with another, “Do you... um,” I sniffled, “is there anyone outside?”

Areum observed me for a moment and then shook her head. “No…”

I nodded. “Can you,” I raised my left hand, gesturing toward the window above the couch in the living room. Understanding my request, Areum agreed and made her way to the window.

After adjusting the beige curtain, Areum scanned the area in front of the house—the street and neighboring houses. Nothing seemed amiss, and after a minute, she returned to me, who continued to stare into the distance.

“There's nothing, just the stillness of the night.”

Again, I nodded, my gaze unfocused.

In my own silence, I attempted to ground myself by repeating everything I saw. Oak plank walls and various hanging portraits of all sizes. Living room to my right and the kitchen further down. On my left are Nana's study room and paintings. In front of me are stairs that go up to the bedrooms and more portraits and paintings. This is my home, where I'm safe. I'm safe.

I released a heavy breath and glanced at my right hand, which still clutched the letter tightly. I relaxed my grip, my white knuckles returning to their normal color, faint marks left by my nails. The letter, with its fancy seal, was now crumpled in the middle.

“Sora, what happened?” Areum probed further, noticing the letter that I held and eyeing it suspiciously. “What's that?”

I looked up at her, finding her expression softened, almost too gentle for my liking. I can't let her know, I thought, it's just too dangerous. I glanced down at the letter again and then reached into my side bag, shoving it out of sight. Gathering the fragments of my composure, I mustered a weak smile for Areum. “I thought I had someone following me. I guess I've been overworking myself again,” I lied, rubbing my eyes and forcing a chuckle.

Areum hesitated, her heart not entirely buying my story, but her mind understood that I wasn't ready to talk about it yet. She sighed and nodded toward the stairs. “Then go to sleep before you collapse, and I'll leave you here until morning.”

Agreeing with a nod, I ascended the steps. Once at the top, I paused and turned to look back at Areum, who seemed ready to leave. “Thank you for taking care of her again.”

“Of course, go rest now. I'll lock the door behind me.”

Turning around, I heaved another heavy breath as I walked toward my bedroom door. With one foot, I pushed down on the back of my right shoe, slipping it off, and repeated the action with the other. I sluggishly tossed my bag onto my desk chair and flopped onto my bed. Too exhausted to change into pajamas, I merely removed my jeans, letting them fall to the floor beside my bed.

As I sat there for a moment, reflecting on the evening's events, my gaze drifted toward my bag across the room. I won't open that letter, I resolved. The further I stay from them, the better my chances of a normal life. I attempted to reason with myself, but curiosity nibbled at my thoughts, brewing questions. I remained terrified of the Night World, but the contents of that letter piqued my interest. “Their approach has changed,” I pondered. They attacked me first and now they're keeping their distance and sending letters. Do they lack basic human social skills? I brought the covers up to my chin as I sat cross-legged on my bed. Maybe the letter contains threats.

Staring intently at my bag, my thoughts continued to wander. Eventually, I trudged over to my bag and retrieved the crumpled letter. Gripping both ends of the letter, I ran it up and down the edge of my desk to flatten it. Creases remained, but it was better than before.

Once it seemed close to its original state, I used my nails to peel off the wax seal. Extracting the letter from the envelope, a waft of cedarwood greeted my senses, evoking a feeling of warmth. I couldn't help but bring the letter closer for another sniff. This is not how I imagined them to smell, I mused, surprised. I had expected something more sinister, not the comforting scent of a forest on an autumn evening.

With trembling hands, I unfolded the letter and paused for a moment, listening for any signs that my grandmother might have awoken. When the silence reassured me, I began to read.

Dear Sora,

I'm reaching out to you as a way to apologize for what happened that one night with Jisung. I can only imagine the fear and pain you must have experienced when we approached you. Please understand that our intentions were not malicious, but born out of desperation. That's why I hope you might consider meeting us face to face, so we can offer our apologies and share a proposition. We deeply regret how things spiraled out of control that night. Below is an address where we can arrange a meeting, should you choose to do so.

1179, 서울, 용산구, 한남동, 807-7

Sincerely, Lee Donghyuk.

Reading the letter left me with a jumble of emotions—confusion, curiosity, disbelief, anger, sadness, and uncertainty. Regardless of their intentions, they had made me feel unsafe and paranoid. The stress that had been building over days seemed to wash over me when I pushed the letter back into my bag. I had made up my mind: I wanted nothing to do with this Lee Donghyuk and his friends, especially Jisung. As the weight of the night bore down on me, I sluggishly lay on my bed until sleep finally claimed me.

[pinkprimrose05]

ARC-V Month Day 2: Kahyoreigetsu

Flowers, Moon, Winds, Birds. Four wonders of nature, gentle and pure, and four matching bracelets around the wrists of one girl each. For the first time in too long, today's show stars our very own quartet of Bracelet Girls, so be sure to celebrate those beautiful sweethearts!

As it so happens, I actually go a looooong way back with the Bracelet Girls' decks. Played every one of them -pure and mixed with other archetypes- and a couple were even my main decks in the TCG and Duel Links (Melodious/Lunalight beloved), so I decided to roll out a tribute for all four by combining today's prompt with Doodlebook - Uh Uh Uh! from the extra selection. Enjoy!

___________

Adagio The Melodious Floral Virtuoso | Adagio The Melodious Composer

LIGHT

Level 8 - Pendulum Scale 1

ATK 2400 - DEF 1800

Fairy/Pendulum/Effect

Pendulum Effect: You cannot Pendulum summon monsters, except LIGHT monsters. This effect cannot be negated. Once per turn: You can Fusion summon 1 "Melodious" monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion materials.

Monster Effect: If you control no monsters, or all monsters you control are "Melodious" monsters (min.1): You can special summon this card (from your hand). If this card is Summoned: You can send 1 "Melodious" monster from your Deck to the GY. You can only use each effect of "Adagio the Melodious Composer" once per turn.

___________

Allegro The Melodious Floral Virtuoso | Allegro The Melodious Composer

LIGHT

Level 2 - Pendulum Scale 9

ATK 900 - DEF 1200

Fairy/Pendulum/Effect

Pendulum Effect: You cannot Pendulum Summon monsters, except LIGHT Fairy monsters. This effect cannot be negated. Once per turn: You can target 1 Level 5 or lower "Melodious" monster in your GY; add it to your hand.

Monster Effect: If this card is in your GY (Quick Effect): You can return 1 "Melodious" card on your field to your hand; Special Summon this card in Defense position. A Fusion monster summoned using this card as material is unaffected by card effects that do not target it (and no other cards).

___________

Meisterin Handel The Melodious Maestra | Handella The Melodious Maestra

LIGHT

Level 9 - Pendulum Scale 3

ATK 3100 - DEF 2000

Fairy/Fusion/Pendulum/Effect

Materials: 1 "Melodious Composer" monster + 2 "Melodious" monsters

Pendulum Effect: You cannot Pendulum Summon monsters, except LIGHT Fairy monsters. This effect cannot be negated. Once per turn: You can target 1 Fairy monster you control and 1 monster your opponent controls; banish those targets until your next Standby Phase, and if you do, Draw 1 card.

Monster Effect: If this card is Special summoned: You can banish all other cards on the field, until your next Standby Phase, and if you do, this card gains 300 ATK for each banished card until the End Phase. You can only use this effect of "Handella The Melodious Maestra" once per turn. If this card leaves the field: You can place this card in your Pendulum Zone.

___________

Moonlight Rose Flamengo | Lunalight Rose Flamengo

DARK

Level 2

ATK 1000 - DEF 800

Beast-Warrior/Effect

Monster Effect: You can discard this card; activate one of these effects:

▪︎ Add 1 "Lunalight" monster from your Deck to your hand.

▪︎ Target 1 "Polymerization" in your GY; add it to your hand.

If this card is sent to the GY as Fusion material: You can return this card to your hand. You can only use each effect of "Lunalight Rose Flamengo" once per turn.

___________

Moonlight Lycan Dancer | Lunalight Lycan Dancer

DARK

Level 9

ATK 3000 - DEF 2600

Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect

Materials: 3 "Lunalight" monsters with different names

Monster Effect: Unaffected by your opponent's card effects, except Fusion monsters' effects. Once per turn, when a card or effect is activated during the Main Phase or Battle Phase: You can shuffle 1 "Lunalight" monster from your GY to the Deck; negate the activation, and if you do, this card gains 500 ATK. You can only use this effect of "Lunalight Lycan Dancer" once per turn.

___________

Wind Witch - Mirror Bell | Windwitch - Mirror Bell

WIND

Level 2

ATK 500 - DEF 500

Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect

Monster Effect: If you control a "Windwitch" monster: You can special summon this card (from your hand or GY). Once per turn: You can declare 1 Level between 1 and 6, this card becomes that Level, until the End Phase. You can only use this effect of "Wind Witch - Mirror Bell" once per turn.

___________

Wind Witch - Clear Bell | Windwitch - Clear Bell

WIND

Level 10

ATK 3200 - DEF 2800

Spellcaster/Synchro/Effect

Materials: 2 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner WIND monsters

Monster Effect: If this card is Synchro Summoned: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to the total levels of all "Windwitch" monsters in your GY x200. Once per turn, when another monster's effect is activated (Quick Effect): You can negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it, and if you do that, inflict damage to your opponent equal to its original ATK.

___________

Lyrical Luscinia - Bird Nest | Lyrilusc - Bird Nest

Field Spell

Effect: When this card is activated, place 3 Lyrical counters on it. Each time a "Lyrilusc" monster is summoned: place 1 Lyrical counter on this card. All monsters you control gain 100 ATK/DEF for each Lyrical counter on the field. Once per turn: You can remove 3 Lyrical counters; Special Summon 1 "Lyrilusc" monster from your hand or GY in Defense position. You can only activate 1 "Lyrilusc - Bird Nest" per turn.

___________

Lyrical Luscinia - Aspiring Albatross | Lyrilusc - Aspiring Albatross

WIND

Rank 1

ATK 0 - DEF 0

Winged Beast/Xyz/Effect

Materials: 2+ Level 1 WIND monsters

Monster Effect: You can also Xyz summon this card by using 1 "Lyrilusc" Xyz monster as material (transfer its materials to this card). All Xyz monsters you control 300 ATK for each Xyz Material attached to it. Once per Battle Phase, when any player's monster declares an attack: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; negate the attack.

___________

BONUS CARD ;)

En Miracle

Continuous Spell

Effect: The activation and effects of Fairy, Spellcaster, Beast-Warrior and Winged Beast monsters on your field cannot be negated. Once per turn: You can draw 1 card and reveal it, and if you do, if the revealed card is a Pendulum monster, you can draw 1 more card. You can only control 1 "En Miracle".

___________

If you managed to figure out the references in some of these cards, have a cookie :D

Thanks for stopping by, and 'till next time!

[muffinsin]

Reading ur fics counts as a break n reward, ive tried scheduling stuff- doesnt work for me 🥲.

I can see tiny reader missing n none of the sisters nor her mama can find her, then reader coming in covered in dirt, leaves n muck a few days later dragging behind a giant lycan. Like when a cat brings their owner a mouse or rat.

-deluded anon

Aawh. As in it doesn’t help you? Hmm, perhaps prioritising? Such as prioritising smaller tasks first that take less time to finish. Or perhaps a reward system? Such as drawing for a set time, then taking a break or a set time filled with things you enjoy, then repeating this again. Positive influences and all

I can see that XD Tiny probably has the entire castle freaking out- including all staff members because they will feel their Mistresses wrath when the precious baby of the family is missing for long.

Cut to Cass and Dani thinking it’s hilarious. I definitely see Cassandra especially dishing out the praise here and Alcina keeping the lycan, not unlike how a child’s drawing is pinned to the fridge. Then only one question remains? Who must bathe that tiny mess now? Alcina is definitely playing the “oh, my back”- card to waltz that task off on poor Bela XD what is it she likes to say? “The eldest daughter bears the burden”?😬🙇‍♀️

[dross-the-fish]

Can I please get a drabble of Anon (fem pronouns please) assisting Hyde with lab work and asking for a thank you kiss?

(For the purpose of these drabbles I'm going to treat Anon like a player character and approach the scenario like they're part of the group.)

Anon padded down the hall until she stopped just short of Edward Hyde's laboratory. Usually she wouldn't disturb him at such a late hour but something had been weighing heavily on her mind and Edward, brusque though he could be, often had good perspective to offer and his directness often afforded her a straightforward answer and a clean solution. As she plucked up the courage to knock on the laboratory door, she hoped he wouldn't be cross with her.

She waited, listening to the sound of objects being shuffled and the clink of glass against the desk he set down his work. Nothing had been hurled against the door and no sound of cursing or shattering issued forth. Anon took this as an encouraging sign and waited patiently, knowing that further knocking might push Hyde's mood from tolerance to irritation.

The door opened, revealing a more ragged than usual Edward. His hair was grimy, his eyes bloodshot and set in deep sockets with circles so dark that they looked bruised. Yet he did not seem angry with her, if anything it looked as though he were relieved for an excuse to stop working.

"And what brings the young lass to my door?" he rasped, lips lifting away from his jagged teeth in a half smile.

"I was hoping you could answer a question for me," she asked, "Don't spare me or give me false hope...is it true the anti-lycan formula will stop working soon? That Larry's building a resistance to it?"

Hyde studied her and nodded gravely, "I'm working on a new strain as we speak but in all honestly, it's bleak." he said, "I've had little progress and we're running out of time."

Anon's face fell, not the news she wanted to hear, but she appreciated his honesty.

"Will that be all then?" Hyde asked gruffly, discomfited by her obvious disappointment.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Anon asked.

Hyde studied her, his mouth drawing into a tight line and he scratched one of his mutton-chop sideburns thoughtfully, "I've the acquaintance of a mycologist in town, Alice Liddel, queer woman but very reliable, likely she'll have what I need. Go see her and you can pick up 10 grams of Inocybe aeruginascens. Can you remember that name or shall I need to write it down for you?’

“Write it down,” Anon replied flatly.

Hyde chuckled, and reached for a ream of paper from his desk, tearing off a scrap and jotting down the name and amount in his cramped, sharply slanted handwriting, “There you are, love. Agree to get me those mushrooms and I’ll throw in an extra 5 quid for you.”

She took the scrap from him and chewed her lip, hesitating for a moment before she made up her mind that she wanted something else in reward for her efforts.

“Might I have a kiss instead?” she asked, rather more boldly than she had intended.

Hyde’s shaggy head swiveled upon his short neck in surprise, “You want a kiss? From me?” he asked, bemused at the idea, “Why not. But I ain’t going to give it to you, you’ll need to come here and take it.” he took a long stride backwards into his lab and grinned at her expectantly.

Anon hesitated for only a moment, it was too late to take it back now, she reasoned and she followed after him. She bent over him and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

Before she could withdraw Hyde had locked his arms around her and dipped her, so that he was bowed over her. His kiss was rough, more than a little sloppy and the coarse hair on his chin tickled her. To her surprise Anon did not find it an unpleasant experience. Once he had thoroughly kissed her he set her back on her feet, twirled her and gave a jolly laugh, “Nothing like a good kiss, eh? Go on then! Off to bed with you and get me those mushrooms first thing tomorrow.”

Anon barely had time to register him ushering her out of the lab and shutting his door before she was, once again, in the hallway. This time with a note in her hand and a task to complete in the morning.

[rikomoriyama01]

got tagged by @tropical-lycan​ Are you named after anyone:

My second dead name is my mother’s and her mother’s my first one was just picked on a whim as typical nerd i named myself after nathan drake from uncharted second name kevin because i am meance

When was the last time you cried:

Probably few days ago when i felt emotional over riko roleplay bc it makes me feel things

Do you have kids:

Child free 4 life , but I might consider adoption of teenager in future if I have enough money to qualify

Do you use sarcasm a lot:

I love it but try not to because online using it against people who do not know you leads to unnecessary misunderstandings

What sports do you play/have played:

I hated team sports because of teams pressure to rely on eachother, I was good at handball though. Rn i just weigh lift and run

What's the first thing you notice about people:

make up and amount of care they put into their hair styling

Any special talents:

Dissociating myself form stressful situations and doing my thing regardless

Where were you born:

Poland

What are your hobbies:

Drawing, video games, 3d art,reading, roleplaying, sport, nutrition

Do you have pets:

Used to have many guinea pigs , then dog, now no pets but i look forward to a cat in future

How tall are you:

Around 160 cm

Favorite subject in school:

English as second language the teacher allowed me to do whatever i wanted because i was ahead of class thanks to being chronically online as child, also art

Dream job:

Anything that give me comfortable income while working less than 30 hours a week, or video game industry

Tagging @dianblch @noomyart @exy-is-sexy

[noomyart]

FINALLY ABLE TO FILL THIS

Tagged by @ca-van & @tropical-lycan!

Are you named after anyone Nope! But I got middle name from both my dad and my mom's side, causing people to think (And sometimes argue with me???) that my first middle name is part of my first name

When was last time you cried Them onions my dude. But from emotion? I don't really pay much attention to it. I cry a lot when I have a break down, but other than that I don't really do it.

Do you have kids? Nope! Don't plan to either, I do not think I'll be a good parent. But I'd love to be "relief family / leisure family". Don't know the correct English term or if it's normal other places, but basically where you help support parents who struggle by taking care of the children for some time during the week

Do you use sarcasm a lot I do a lot with people I know will understand and purposefully use very overdramatized tone, or when writing I tYpE iN veeeeeeeery clear way to signalize that I'm currently being a goofball. I try not to do it with strangers, and tend to not do it in a way that could hurt a person directly if they don't get the sarcasm if I'm not super fucking close friends. Like "Won't somebody think of the rich" (Which at most will warrant quick explanation if someone doesn't catch the sarcasm) vs "I hate you for this" (Which can be taken very personal by whoever it is directed at, if they don't catch the sarcasm).

What sports do you play/have played Played handball back in my days. Despised it. I do pole dancing now and weight lifting

What's the first thing you notice about people I am mostly face blind, so I tend to latch onto any very defining features like scars, birth-marks, tattoos, as well as what clothes a person is currently wearing, that will help me keep track of them and recognize them again.

What's your eye color: Green with brown central heterochromia, because something had to try to cancel out the gay (It failed)

Scary movies or happy endings: I like when horror can have happy ending, too. I'm a bit bored by horror movies that always end with everyone dead Any special talents I have extremely good intrapersonal and emotional memory and can remember most of my life from age 3 and up to the same degree of things that happened last year (i.e. I don't have full hyperthymesia where I can remember every single day chronologically and remember every conversation word for word, but anything that made a small impression on me will lodge itself and I can remember it). Also I have special talent for forgetting important shit despite this.

Where were you from Small ass farm town in Denmark. Yee-haw

What are your hobbies Entomology is my special interest. Please ask me about bugs. Other than that, drawing, gaming, reading, writing, embroidery. I love cooking, too.

Do you have pets Sadly none at the moment, but I've grown up with animals almost my entire life. Hope to get a cat soon

How tall are you 160 cm!

Favorite subject in school Biology

Dream job Well on my way to my dream job of web developer. But I would have loved to be an entomologist as well. I love working with animals Tagging @oddgreyhound @gamebird @rosewind2007 @theres-no-protocol-for-this and anyone who want to do it! (You're ofc also free not to do it and just yeet my mention to the shadow realm 😂)

[zauromoun]

WOAH I GOT TAGGED IN SOMETHING??? tysm @killjoy-prince !

Last Song: One That Suits Me by Hop Along

Spotify threw this at me after I finished my playlist, and I actually liked it quite a bit! It reminds me of music my mom & aunt listened to during my childhood. Definitely could see myself listening to it more

Currently Reading: Uhhhhhhhhhhh well I PLAN on reading... A few books....... Soon............

Hahaaaaa im so sorry everyone who gives me reccs

I've at least got an audiobook at the ready for Pact by Wildbow, though, which I plan on listening to when I get time to sculpt next

Currently Watching: Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood

I watched Fullmetal 2003 a good while ago and loved it, so tried once to watch Brotherhood... But I got kinda peeved by how they handle the first bit in comparison. Recently, though, I've been inspired to give it a proper shot since my childhood friend is watching it for the first time, and we both REALLY wanna talk about Fullmetal without going "wait so is that different in your version?" 20 times lmao

Current Obsession: I just recently found out I can make boba pearls with FRESH FRUIT instead of syrup!!!! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Fresh blackberry pearls soaked in lychee syrup with matcha milk tea. My favorite thing, instantly brings me out of a bad mood. The texture hell I have to go through to make the pearls is worth it for the wonder that follows

I also somehow got playing Clangen, and I love it, it's like little kitty Sims x Oregon Trail. I keep telling myself I'll draw Rootclan but hahaaaa artblock

Tagging: @blackbirdloki @dakedres @necrothezma @monochromexsnova @sableleatherywingsopeninthe711 @lycan--thropy @vidoriparadnight @rosettastone128 @infinitemacaroni @vamerya @majestydeerakuma

And anyone else who wants to do it!