#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.

[rexecutioner]

Mmmm.. gonna draw my Vylad and Zenix and Laurance and Dante all go batshit crazy trying to figure out wtf happened to Garroth and Travis (and pals) during Starlight au

aka Dante and Laurance just figured out about the missing people over the news and Zenix saw it with Sasha and Gene, Vylad just got off of their plane from Europe (a large town in Gal’ruk with no internet access because how tf does the entire country of Europe exist in this universe) expecting their family but instead reads a newspaper about the Lycans

So Dante and Laurance are freaking out (Dante thought Garroth and Zane were on a camping trip with everyone else) and Zenix (who has a soft spot for Garroth bcs he taught him how to ride a bike, thanks Amnesia for that hc) makes a mad dash over to Laurance’s house only to find he isn’t there, then runs to Dante’s house and busts open the door much to Dante and Laurance’s surprise

Meanwhile Vylad is getting a whole bunch of nothing from trying to text people for the first time in months, their sibling gc has been quiet for months and even the Not Alone Buddies gc has been silent recently, not even a random meme or Travis selfie. So Vylad thinks of people close to their family and Laurance pops into their head immediately. Then follows Vylad trying to call him.

Cut to Dante is scolding Zenix for breaking into his house while Laurance’s phone rings, he picks it up and is extremely surprised to see Vylad calling him. The surprise goes away once he remembers the news cast and he answers.

Long story short Vylad arrives at Dante’s house as well, suitcase and all, and both Dante and Laurance get a surprise when Zenix immediately recognizes Vylad and they treat each other like old friends (because they are, Vylad got physically bullied once in pdh and Zenix was mad that someone dared try to bully somebody else before him, so he beat the shit out of the other guy and earned Vylad’s respect, they are now an honorary Shadow Knight in Zenix’s eyes thanks to how easygoing and mildly badass they were)

So they all crowd around Dante’s laptop and research anything they can about Starlight, using The Wayback Machine and looking into random phone numbers and last names, learning about what the Ultima is and giving them an explanation for why Garroth is a Werewolf now, and leading to Vylad using connections from high school (Hyria) to break into Lucinda’s house to find a book on the Valkrums, THEY RESEARCH and now they have a mild understanding about what might be going on, and Zenix finds Terry’s Office phone number by accident, leading to Dante calling it and the guy actually picks up

Terry is confused and quickly gets the phone taken from him by Lucinda who is insanely surprised to hear familiar voices from people she hasn’t heard from in months (in two cases years) and gives a very quick explanation about what is going on and who is okay and about what just happened like 2 seconds beforehand thanks to exorcism and Terry takes over with how bad the situation just got and infodumps about all he knows to both the witch girlys and the former Shadow Knights + Dante, PANIC ENSUES

and thats about as far as i got lmao

[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.

[eruden-writes]

Scent Match - Part 9 (Augustine & Amber)

lycan x human celebrity x non-celebrity

Summary: When Amber Dyer decided to attend a Creator Con, she never expected to run into Of Wolf and Blood lycan heartthrob, Augustine Prime.

But, there he was, stooping over her table, asking to buy the unflattering drawing of his character. Valuing integrity over taking money from a celebrity and running (though she was sorely tempted,) Amber finishes the sketch and delivers it to Augustine.

However, he continues to doggedly pursue her and entwine their lives.

All because of her scent.

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Given Augustine’s consent, Amber hummed and closed her eyes to focus on her task. For a time, she focused on him. It was easier to focus on pleasuring him than to combat the simmering embarrassment at the edges of her thoughts. As her mouth worked up and down his length, her fingers toyed with his knot with light touches. The heat emanating from him, the graze of his fur against her, the way his breath caught when her tongue traversed over a particularly good spot.

Yeah, this was simpler than her own deep-brewing emotions. It also distracted her from the memories with prior partners, their mean laughter or-

Amber shoved the recollections from her head. No. She was focusing on this, focusing on Augustine. All other thoughts dissipated as her focus zeroed in on him.

Unaware of the emotional minutiae plaguing Amber’s thoughts, Augustine relished in the circumstance. The hot, soft feel of her paired with her steady pace agonized and thrilled him. He wanted more. His fingers flexed briefly, tempted to grab her by the head, but he dug his claws into the sheets. Keeping his hips from bucking into her warm mouth was harder, but he managed.

The last thing he wanted to do was risk startling her or scaring her off. He didn’t want to see her disappointed or affronted expression if he reciprocated. This was entirely about her getting comfortable with him.

Besides, Amber’s mouth and hands were plenty enough to focus on without him touching her.

But, gods, he wanted to touch her.

Augustine bit down on the desire, sinking back onto the bed to just feel Amber’s mouth work or her hands caress him. Warmth and wetness and the little, absentminded sounds she made while on his cock razed through him.

She hadn’t taken him fully into her mouth again. While her head bobbed, one of her hands stroked his neglected length as her other hand stroked his knot. As soon as her pace increased, as soon as she took a little more of him with every pass, heat tightened in his center. In small ways, Augustine tried to shift for fuller friction, more sensation, as he pressed his head back and panted, deep rumbles echoing in his chest.

It was only after a particular squeeze of her hand and a dip of her head that Augustine realized the pressure building in him was cresting. A sudden throb through his cock, drawing a grunt from him, made him all the more aware of his oncoming orgasm. “A-Amber, I’m gonna come if you don’t st– Fuck.”

Augustine jerked forward, off the bed, as she took him fully in her mouth again, both hands squeezing at his knot. He curled over Amber’s head with his hands crooked and twitching. He just barely kept from grabbing her, from pushing her further down as his hips finished her job. His chest heaved as she stared at her, lips pressed to his knot and expression one of calm.

“Mhm?” She hummed, staring up at Augustine innocently as her fingers alternated in squeezing touches.

Amber couldn’t hide the slight curl of her lips as Augustine stared down at her. He looked quite the sight. Fur mussed and golden eyes wide, ears pricked forward. The movement of his hands hadn’t been missed, either. He was close to just grabbing her, but was holding back. Part of her appreciated that.

“I’m gonna come in your mouth if you don’t stop,” he explained, tone tinged with desperation and concern. Augustine could feel Amber’s amusement as her smile twitched around him. He had to swallow down his nerves before he managed to press further, “Are you okay with that?”

She gave a positive hum, but when his concern didn’t soften, she gave him a nod. Well, as good of a nod as she could give with her mouth being full of him.

Still, Augustine didn’t jump on her consent. He wasn’t sure how well his restraint would hold out and, given the moment’s pause, he had to ask, “Can I thrust and touch you?”

Amber lazily bobbed her head up and down his cock, feeling how his member twitched against her tongue as she thought. On the second pass, she pulled off him, swiping the back of her palm against her mouth to wipe away any stray spittle. “Don’t choke me or force me down, alright?”

A bright expression lit up his face as he nodded excitedly. His reaction made something in Amber twist, delighted and a little uncertain. Augustine’s hand landing softly on her head dissipated any potential concerns. At his gentle guidance, Amber neared his dick again, taking him in her mouth in a languid fashion.

With one hand braced on the bed, the other holding the back of her head, Augustine half-stood from the bed. The return of her hot, moist mouth ignited heat down his spine. He thanked his stars for the foresight in asking for more control. If he hadn’t, he wasn’t sure how well he would have held out.

His pace began slowly, feeling Amber’s reactions out until he dared to pump his hips faster, a little harder. Augustine was still cognizant of her reactions, her body language. He adjusted his pace, the power of his thrusts, based on Amber’s sounds and the way she tensed or relaxed. Soon, he found a satisfactory pace, though with every whimper or gasp from her, he had to fight the urge to bare down harder.

Not in charge of the pace any longer, Amber closed her eyes and let her hands drift up and down his tense thighs, feeling the muscles strain beneath his fur. Despite not being in full charge, she still rocked on her knees to meet his thrusts, pushing him further down her throat that he would have otherwise gone.

He was being careful, she knew. Complicated feelings swirled inside her, though mostly carnal heat pounded at her center. She forced those complicated feelings further from thought by focusing on the situation. The way Augustine’s hips jerked, his fur dragging across her cheeks, his claws curving a little further against her scalp as his hips moved, his breaths escaping as panting half-groans.

As his pace increased, Amber rocked faster and harder against him. His pulse throbbed against her tongue, cock twitching with every thrust. Led by instinct, her hands drifted back to his knot and squeezed tight with his every thrust. By the third squeeze, his cock bounced wildly just before thick heat exploded in her mouth. Augustine snarled - the sound scraping deliciously down Amber’s spine - and jerked forward, curling over her.

His body wracked with trembles, Amber once again took over. Pulling back enough so she could milk his length, she swallowed down mouthfuls of his slight salty-sweetness while Augustine continued to groan and twitch.

Only when she was sure he was done did Amber lean back, again wiping at her mouth with the back of her hand as she stared up at him. He wasn’t entirely terrible to get naughty with, she decided. Of course, a blowjob didn’t say much, but at least she enjoyed his taste, his sounds, the way he tensed and moved.

Above all else, Augustine had been attentive and accommodating.

Her stare hadn’t been lost on Augustine. As much as he relished in her attention, he couldn’t help but feel there had to be more. Maybe she expected more. He waited for her to say something, sensing the pensive nature of her thoughts, before he decided to break the silence. “Do you want me to return the favor?”

“What do you mean?” Amber cocked her head to the side, his question interrupting her own thoughts on their encounter.

“I could eat you out.” His orgasm must have burned his own caution to a crisp, Augustine realized as Amber’s eyes widened. He couldn’t tear his intent gaze from Amber as his nose twitched. Sweet lust still stained the air, tugging at his instincts. “I know you’re wet and aroused. I can smell it on you.”

Amber’s eyes dropped to his maw. A thrill sliced down her spine as Augustine licked his chops, flashing one of those wolfish smiles at her. Unable to meet his gaze with the flush burning her cheeks, she focused on a patch of Augustine’s thigh.

Just when he thought she was going to reject his offer, Amber mumbled, “Yeah, sure.”

In no time, Augustine had her tossed to the bed, back to the mattress. He’d managed to haul her up farther on the bed so he could kneel between her legs. The sensation of his warm hands, rough pads grazing her thighs, made Amber yelp and half-raise up on her elbows.

His actions froze, gold eyes darting to her. Amber’s heart skipped in her chest, feeling equal parts shameful and disconcerted. “I-I don’t want to get fully naked.”

A gentle smile crossed Augustine’s lips as he tilted his head to the side a little. “I have to take your panties off at least.”

Under his soft look, Amber clamped her mouth shut as heat burned hotly across her cheeks. He was going to find out. She was commando under her dress and sopping wet with excitement. Amber couldn’t bring herself to tell him verbally, though.

Augustine soon found the reason for her sudden silence. As his hands edged further up, nudging the hem of her dress higher and higher, there was no further fabric separating him from Amber. He stared down at her bared pussy, eyes roving as his nose twitched. Between the sight and her unhindered heady scent, his mouth watered obscenely. She must have felt his hungry eyes on her naked form, since she fell back and covered her face with her arms. Her self-conscious little whine only stoked lurid feelings within Augustine.

He wanted her to know how wonderful, how beautiful she was to him.

Amber swallowed a whimper as she sensed his mouth close in on her, feeling his breaths puff along her naked flesh. Anticipation and arousal coiled through her nerves, refusing any self-conscious inclination to pull away. The sensation of his tongue - hot and broad and wet - tentatively tracing her slit made Amber’s whole body jerk. Delight blossomed out along her nerves, replacing uncertainty with need.

Her reaction stoked excitement in Augustine as her scent, fuller and heady between her thighs, dizzied him. Or maybe it was her taste on his tongue, so sweet it pulled a moan from him. Before he had even let his mouth touch her, she was wet and glistening and so, so beautiful. He needed to hear more, feel her tense and shudder, come undone under his mouth. Moving faster, more intent, his tongue swirled around Amber's clit, feeling her curve off the bed with a keening whimper.

It was embarrassing to Amber how quickly she devolved into a trembling mess under his eager licking. She wasn't even sure when she lifted her hips to meet his hot wet maw or when her hand had migrated to the back of his head, fingers buried in his fur. Her other hand fisted into the sheets, bunching fabric under crooked digits. A creeping sense of heat crawled over Amber's body as her open-mouthed gasps tangled with her moans.

Augustine's growl and the way he bore down harder, his tongue delving into her and curving to nudge against her little erogenous spot, made a thrill twang through Amber. Even the graze of his teeth made her nerves burn with excitement. She wanted more, wanted to really feel everything Augustine had to offer, take it all.

Again her body jerked, her knees rising to squeeze against Augustine's head.

She wasn’t sure how long his eager lapping went on, how long she was a writhing and moaning mess under his tongue. Pleasure seared through her body and rebounded to simmer through her as a fresh wave crashed over her. Maddening and delirious. The carnal joy almost hurt as her body tightly clenched and tensed, twisting under preparation.

When the pressure crested and slammed through her, Amber lurched forward. “Augustine!”

Her thighs clamped tight to the sides of his face, pressing him closer to her center. Not that he needed goading. Her cry coupled with her orgasm sent a possessive pulse through him and he continued to tongue her.

Amber’s head lolled back, breathy moans escaping her even as Augustine happily licked up her taste. A few languorous moments passed as he licked her clean, before he finally pulled away.

A delightful singe crept over her body even as he pulled away. The shift of his fur against her bare thighs tickled, making her arch and sigh. Then Augustine’s words crashed through her afterglow, “Made you scream my name.”

Amber’s eyes snapped open, renewed heat staining her cheeks as her head jerked to glare at him. “You–!”

She was about ready to push him away, thinking this had all gone according to some convoluted plan of his, before Augustine’s soft chuckle stopped her. “I prefer this to what I meant earlier.”

Unable to ignore her curiosity, Amber narrowed her eyes. “What did you mean earlier?”

His face fell, his eyes rolling toward the ceiling as a dour expression creased his features. Heaving a heavy sigh, he mimicked the put-out bemoan he’d heard many a-time before, “Augustine.”

Oh, that’s what he meant. Easing from her paranoia, she combed her fingers through his fur. There was a thread of pain beneath Augustine’s reenactment, something Amber didn’t quite know how to address.

“Well, you are exasperating,” she mused, teasing as gently as her touches felt.

“Yeah, I know,” he sighed as he closed his eyes, resigned to the thought. Between Amber’s touch and the cushion of her thigh, Augustine could have happily fallen asleep. Well, he could if his turgid erection wasn’t digging into the bed.

“I mean, you’ve asked me to marry you barely knowing me,” Amber went on, rolling her eyes. Part of her still needled for that more realistic outcome. Something where he’d laugh and pull away, say it was all a joke. On the other hand, part of her sympathized with the more sensible people in Augustine’s life. “I can’t imagine your manager or anyone else on your team is thrilled with that.”

Augustine’s head shifted as his eyes opened. “Speaking of that, do you think we’re compatible?”

“Stop that,” Amber hissed, fighting down the burst of adrenaline his glowing gold eyes and wolfish smile had on her heart. She also had to fight off a shameful delight as his arms slid under her thighs and his hands absentmindedly stroked her.

“I’m not doing anything,” he protested, his canine maw somehow curling into a pout as his eyes widened innocently.

Warmth clawed hotly over her cheeks as she glared down at him. “You were grinning at me.”

Her reaction only broke his pout apart into a broad grin. “So?”

“You’re embarrassing me.” Unable to get him to stop looking at her, Amber pressed her hands to her face to gain some reprieve. It only served to remind her how warm her blush burned.

"That's something you'll have to get used to,” Augustine laughed, pushing himself to his hands and knees before leaning over her. Instinct burned at his core to touch Amber more, to get closer, to get as close as he could. He knew he couldn’t exactly do what his instincts wanted, but that didn’t keep Augustine from wanting more contact. A hug, a cuddle, a touch. He’d take what he could get if Amber offered it.

He hadn’t realized just how close the move would place them or that his raging boner would brush against Amber’s still cocked leg until she jolted. Regardless of his momentary lapse in judgment, he poised his features into innocence as she stared up at him. She hadn’t jerked her leg away, so that had to be a good sign. Right?

Amber’s knee angled toward Augustine’s erection, the heat and firmness a beacon against her skin. Incredulity mingled with amusement as she laughed, “Are you hard again?”

“Yeah.” His head dipped and his ears drooped in a half-apologetic movement, before his eyes locked to hers. Even his ears rebounded, pricking forward with intent. “Want to do more?”

Amber knew he meant fucking, but a different kind of heat blossomed in the scant air between them. Her eyes flickered to his, trailed over his snout-esque features. How would it feel to kiss a lycan, she wondered? How could they match up a flat human mouth to that somewhat elongated maw?

Those curious thoughts crept through her head and, before she knew it, she was moving. One leg raised, hooking around his hip and drawing him closer.

Augustine held his breath, following Amber’s lead as he lowered himself slowly at her beckoning. Her other leg eased between his, knee propped up to rub her thigh against his hard-on. Involuntarily, his hips thrust into the friction, a deep moan vibrating through his chest.

It was her hands reaching up, softly grasping onto the sides of his head, that surprised Augustine. His eyes widened, ears pricking forward as Amber guided his face closer to hers. It was when her eyes fluttered shut, her lips puckered, his own heart stalled in his chest.

A flare of uncharacteristic self-consciousness made Augustine feel large and bumbling, even as he eagerly leaned in, his own eyes closing and lips parting for a sloppy - awkward - kiss.

Contact never game as a jarring sound blared through the air. Augustine’s eyes widened as he jerked from Amber’s grip, head swiveling to the source of the sound. It was a ringtone he had been taught to never ignore. “Shit, I need to take that."

He bounded from the bed, from Amber, before she registered the change in atmosphere. She blinked after him, watching as his tail disappeared through the bedroom door.

[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."

[maul-of-shame]

PATREON IS OPEN!!!

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[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!

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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".

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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!

[rexecutioner]

If you want a way to introduce MyStreet to your friends, or want to rewatch it but don’t remember the lore as well as you would like…boy have I got some news for you.

Let me introduce you to Dubbing Over All Of MyStreet!!!

Talking from experience, dubbing over Aphmau videos is fucking hilarious if you keep bits going and all have a pretty good sense of humor.

Me, my best friend, and my (twin) sister all sat down one day a few months ago and, without remembering any of the lore, (we were MyStreet kids) dubbed over Emerald Secret and we had a blast.

Forever Potions? WRONG. Aphmau, Zane and Lucinda get possessed by Andrew Tate and two of the founding fathers instead.

Aaron being the son of Derek Lycan? LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER. Andrew “Derek” Tate. Aaron Lycan-Tate. Melissa Tate. And Just Pearly Things Tate, don’t ask me about that one.

Ein handing Aphmau the knife to kill Aaron? SO CLOSE! Ein and Aaron having romantic tension confessing their love to each other as Andrew Tate possessing Aphmau walks over to Ein, demanding his knife, and Ein accidentally drops it, exclaiming “Oh, darn my butterfingers!”

Kim gets possessed by Emmalyn? NOPE. Kim gets possessed by “The Ghost of Bisexuality’s Past” and one half of her brain is gushing over Zendaya and Audrey Plaza while the other is screaming about Josh Hutcherson and young Matt Dillon.

Aaron lore taking over a third of the season? NOT ANYMORE. Aaron character growth as he learns from Kim and Lucinda that all women deserve rights and misogyny is bad, while Aphmau and Zane have a side plot about how manipulating your best friend into turning people into dogs and telling her you are her conscience is bad.

Strictly Aarmau? WRONG AGAIN. Crackships like Aarein come into play, while more fandom loved ones like Garrance, Danvis and Katecinda are thrown around. Along with some canon ships like Travlyn and Zana, while including with some weird “we forgot the plot and who these characters are bcs they only show up in this season” ships that will not be named here.

And that’s just Emerald Secret, we dubbed over Love Love Paradise (halfway done), Lover’s Lane (one third), When Angels Fall (first few episodes we had two other friends join us!), Pheonix Drop High S2, A Royal Tale, and a few Cocomau videos as well.

We have made so many inside jokes while dubbing My Street. I didn’t even get to the Time Travel Trio, Aphmau stealing people’s souls, Not Alone Buddies inner consciousness mind links, Ivan’s lisp, Weed Crystals, Milf Manor, Aphmau’s queer awakening, the emeralds actually telling secrets, Tatiana being named “Thanks for Watching”, Aarmau break up (forever), Liochant and Michi’s drug ring, and so much more.

You don’t have to be good at voice acting or know the plot, you just have to know the character’s names and a loose understanding of improv, and you’ll be set.

Just a fair warning, if you plan to dub over a piece of media you like, make sure you don’t remember the plot as well as you’d like to, or else your brain might just fill in random stuff with lore that is already canon, which is why the second half of our Angel’s Fall dub kinda fell off because at that point all three of us knew the plot. Have fun with it! Don’t feel pressured to make it close to canon at all.

I even made fanart for it. Heads up, this art is old and the style is outdated. I don’t draw like this anymore.

[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”?😬🙇‍♀️

[eruden-writes]

Scent Match - Part 7

Part 7 of ??

Summary: When Amber Dyer decided to attend a Creator Con, she never expected to run into Of Wolf and Blood lycan hearthrob, Augustine Prime.

But, there he was, stooping over her table, asking to buy the unflattering drawing of his character. Valuing integrity over taking money from a celebrity and running (though she was sorely tempted,) Amber finishes the sketch and delivers it to Augustine.

However, he continues to doggedly pursue her and entwine their lives.

All because of her scent.

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Recap:

It was a miracle that Augustine managed to retain some sense of presence during dinner after reading Amber’s first - and as of yet only - text to him. While sitting at her table in Artist's Alley, he had badgered her all day for her contact information, but she had completely refused. She had said they wouldn’t need to text and if he needed to contact her, her business email was on her business card.

And yet she had texted him. Simple and straightforward, but the short message lodged itself in his chest and made Augustine’s heart race with delight.

Hi. It’s Amber Dyer. Text me when you’re done with your date.

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When the charity date ended near eleven that night. Augustine rushed back to his hotel room and freshened up a little as he replied to Amber. Twenty minutes after he responded to her text, he showed her into his suite. He watched as she surveyed his room, though he couldn’t possibly guess what else she had to look at. She had scrutinized so much on her first visit. 

Impatience and excitement lit across Augustine's nerves, but he kept his fidgeting under control thanks to decades of practice. He edged a little closer to her as she dawdled near the wall of glass that led to the balcony. Gently, as if he were talking to a skittish creature - and in a way he was - Augustine asked, “I take it you’ve decided on your answer?”

As he spoke, Amber had to stifle her body’s jerk to attention.

“Not quite,” she replied, not turning toward him as she ventured further in. She peeked into the areas of his suite she hadn’t yet meandered into, though her attention wasn’t so much on her surroundings. Well, other than thinking about how dark it was compared to her last visit. Last time, the lights were on and the sun was streaming in. This time, light pollution from outside and the few lights on inside made for a strange ambience that made her heart thrum.

There was a hyper-awareness of his eyes on her and how he trailed behind her at a polite, but curious, distance.

It didn’t help her skittering heart that, unlike every other time she had met Augustine, Amber currently wore a dress. It was a solid dark blue skater style dress. Nothing any one of any caliber should really notice. But the way Augustine's eyes followed, glanced down her body, made Amber fear the fashion choice was too much. Too uncharacteristic of her.

She wasn't wrong. Augustine had definitely noticed and greatly enjoyed the view of her legs, the expanse of new skin to view. The desire to see more ached through him. Clamping down against the whim, he tried to keep his tone conversational, “Really? You haven’t decided yet?”

Despite his best efforts to be gentle, Amber stopped suddenly and stood rigid. Worries she would leave cropped up in his thoughts as he watched her eyes flutter shut, her chest expand with a deep quiet breath.

“Look, you having this charity date thing just made me think a lot and I started to think what I would want out of a… a…” Amber trailed off, not ready to vocalize the word.

The longer she rambled, the brighter Augustine's grin grew. “Husband.” 

Amber turned sharply to Augustine, a frustrated expression on her face as her lips pressed thin. “A relationship with a celebrity.” 

Well, that was heartening. She was considering indulging his proposal. She was setting verbal boundaries and he had to respect that, though. “And have you figured out what you want?”

“Well, no.” She sighed, edging toward the sofa while maintaining that distance between herself and Augustine. It would help if she knew what he expected of this whole thing. Casting him a look, Amber toed into the depths of hypothetical agreement with him. “What do you expect of this?” 

“I don’t know. I’d like you to come live with me in California and come with me when I film.” He gave a single shoulder shrug, having not thought of married life beyond simply being able to have Amber around him frequently. “But I’d get it if you didn’t want to.” 

She didn’t look at him as she trailed a hand along the back of the sofa, occasionally stopping to pick at the textured fabric. “Is it, like, different locations or a set?” 

“Depends on what scene is being filmed.” He continued after her, trying not to feel like a wolf stalking prey nor a puppy at the heels of a mistress. “Either way, I just want to spend time with you.” 

Though it was weak, Amber hedged around a potential issue. “I need to get a passport if we’re going out of the country.” 

“Easy enough.” His grin twitched, a shoulder lifting in a shrug. 

Everything always felt so easy with him, Amber realized. Nothing was an obstacle, everything could be taken in stride. It made something in her flinch. As if he was just trying to fool her. There had to be something that would make him realize she was more of a pain than a needed desire. 

Turning to him, Amber eyed Augustine critically and crossed her arms. “And what if I didn’t want to uproot my life?” 

To his credit, Augustine stopped and actually seemed to consider her point. He rubbed at his bristling chin - freshly shaved before the date - and hummed before answering. “I guess I’ll just fly in to see you every night.”

Almost at once, Amber averted her gaze from him as her fingers fidgeted with each other. His extravagant answer didn’t surprise her. While considering these questions earlier, when alone, she was pretty sure that would be his answer. ‘I’ll just fly in every night’ like it was so simple, as if it was something anyone could do, hah! That wasn’t even taking into account weather or the infeasibility of flying to her daily!

There was still one facet she wanted to nudge at, but the words were getting stuck in her throat.

Why was this so hard? It seemed like a perfectly reasonable thought when she was alone. Regardless, she found herself not looking directly at him as she babbled, “I know we can at least carry a conversation after you sitting in on my table all morning, but I thought, if I’d be stuck with you for extended periods of time, we should see if we’re even compatible. In other ways.”

Augustine blinked, his brain not piecing two and two together. His eyebrows dipped as he mentally flipped through what she could mean. “Compatible? Like astrology or-” 

Amber made a strangled sound - both amused and mortified - as she shook her head. “No, not astrology. Like intimately.”

He narrowed his eyes, trying to parse what she could mean. Compatible? The way she was fidgeting under his gaze, the flush on her cheeks, it said this was something else other than tenuously consulting the stars or filling out a questionnaire. Comprehension dawned on him and his grin slowly grew as he approached her.

Her eyes darted to his face as he leaned over her, bracing his forearm against the wall she had unintentionally backed herself into. Or maybe it had been intentional, Amber briefly thought, as her eyes traced over Augustine’s mouth. At least the entry point of the kitchen and formal dining are was close. If she had to, she could slide into it and regain some distance.

She didn’t get a chance to consider indulging in the escape plan as his toothy smile took on a little more wolfishness and sent prickles down her skin. 

“Not jealous, huh?” He chuckled, leaning further down. Amusement flickered through him at the thought of her being even the slightest bit possessive of him. GIven how their interactions so far had happened, he hadn’t anticipated that. The thought drew him all the closer to her, inhaling her scent that piqued delight and other indescribable sensations with him.

At the same time, he Intentionally gave Amber an escape route, so she could regain the distance if she so chose. Of course, part of him was also aware that the escape would put her closer to his bedroom, his ‘den’ if he was thinking about it through an instinctive lens. Augustine shoved the thought to the back of his mind. 

“I wasn’t jealous!” Heat scraped over her cheeks as she turned wide eyes to his gaze. 

She really wasn’t. Not really. What he did with someone else didn’t bother her. But knowing he was on a date with someone else, someone who might enthrall him more than herself, did solidify how brief of a chance she had to entirely enjoy this situation. It wasn't every day you got private time with an A-list celebrity that seemed decent enough and was enamored with you.

Even if there was a wavering thread of apprehension in her chest, she should make the most of the situation like any other person . Right? Amber took a deep breath, attempting to steady her shuddering heart as she planted her palm on his chest, shoving him back a little. “Anyway, like I said. Compatibility.” 

Augustine’s attention flicked to her hand, where she still touched him. More of those indescribable sensations swirled in him as she stared at her splayed fingers. “How do we figure that out?” 

“I’ve never been with a lycan.” Noting his stare where they connected, and feeling a jolt of heat dart down her arm, Amber jerked back. Amazingly, her voice managed to remain calm and conversational, though her hands started gesticulating nervously. “I don’t know what to expect. Hypothetically.” 

“Oh! Well, in my human form, it’s about what you’d expect. The in-betweens can vary, depending on which bits and bobs I want to keep.” Augustine perked up, that smile still on his lips as he info-dumped. It wasn’t uncommon that non-lycans had questions, especially since Augustine had refined his ability to shift in ways other lycans had not. “And my full-lycan form is obviously furrier, a bit bulkier and some added bells and whistles.” 

Amber hadn’t utilized the escape route, but she couldn’t look Augustine in the eye. “A knot?” 

“Yes, a knot is a feature. And claws and sharper teeth.” Augustine couldn’t help the way his smile tilted a little teasingly at the edges. A knot was a feature many non-lycans hinged on when considering intimacy with a werewolf. However, Augustine had an added layer that not many of his kind possessed. “And my hellhound form is basically like my lycan but with this, like, skull mask and horns and my eyes go red. Fur gets darker and I’ve been told I’m hellishly hotter too.” 

“I see.” Amber swallowed, trying to convince herself the heat swarming her was thanks to Augustine’s body heat being so close. Not excitement or embarrassment or anything else. This was an informative chat, giving her perspective!

Tilting his head, Augustine shifted and pushed himself back a little. A soberness softened the cheek from his features as he stared down at Amber. “Is any of that a problem for you?” 

“N-no!” Hearing something like uncertainty in his tone, Amber’s attention shot to his face. A pang shot through her at his expression. She held up her hands, as if she could physically stop him from jumping to conclusions. “I just want to know what exactly to expect.”

A grin split across his momentary seriousness. He loomed over her again, unaware of the fact as they made their way through the dining area. “So, how were you hoping to determine compatibility? A demonstration?”

Heat flared through her and Amber decided to call it irritation, though part of her knew that wasn’t true. Old assumptions concerning his motives crept back into her thoughts. Amber’s back pressed flush to the wall as she cast Augustine a wary look. “What do you mean by that?” 

Augustine gave a careless shrug as he said the first thing that came to mind, “I don’t know. I could get naked and shift and you could touch me however you want? Get you more comfortable with my forms?” 

Before Amber could school her expression, her eyes narrowed and her lips twisted into a critical frown. She slipped toward freedom, taking a step back into the dining room. 

“Just because I'd be naked and you’d be touching me doesn’t mean I’d expect anything. This is completely to make you comfortable with me,” Augustine chuckled, shaking his head. 

Amber’s expression didn’t budge an inch. Could she believe he actually expected that scenario? To strip naked and let her touch him and nothing would happen. It would certainly be a way to judge his intentions with her, she supposed. And she still couldn’t shake that itch of curiosity.

With eyes still narrowed, Amber crossed her arms and called his potential bluff. “Fine, if you expect nothing from me, then go ahead and strip.” 

Her critical expression didn’t seem to faze Augustine’s smile. He gave a light nod across the dining area, to where Amber had yet to venture. “Can we go to the bedroom? Unless you want to get handsy right here.”

Buying time, Amber cast a look around. Between the darkened dining room and kitchen - stray ambient lighting glinting off citures - and her own internal focus elsewhere, she didn’t really notice much. Vaguely, she caught sight of the table and chairs, roomier than any other hotel room she had been in. From the kitchen, steel caught what little light there was and, even from the distance, she caught the scent of lemon cleaning spray. Likely, he had a whole contingent of cleaning staff to keep his rooms spic and span.

More prominent in her thoughts, however, was the direction the two of them were heading. Her arms crossed tighter across her chest, fingers digging into her arms. The fact he was so willing to get naked and let her touch him felt strange. But had Augustine Prime been anything but strange since they met? 

Despite herself, she glanced sidelong at him. He leaned in the threshold between the living area and dining room, watching her quietly. A faint smile tilted at his lips and no hint of agitation or impatience creased his features.

That same sense of calm, of everything being alright, settled over Amber. Underneath that odd sense of serenity, a worry crept through her. How did he make her feel so soothed? Before she could think on it further, Amber heard herself mumble, “I suppose your room will be fine.” 

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