#Maeng Isla

[roast-ifs]

Can’t remember if I sent this already (sorry if so!) and love your work!!

I was wondering about the dynamics of the Danny/Isla poly with a kind/shy MC, I mean I already love the dynamic of a charismatic MC and Isla teaming up to tease Danny, but I think I fell in love with the awkward flirting that was between a shy MC and Danny in the Museum?? Danny also surprised me by taking more initiative than I thought they would! Made me curious on what it’d be like with Isla thrown into the mix; will Danny and MC be in solidarity for once? Or how will Isla feel about having two people to tease while simultaneously dealing with two emotionally open and kind partners who fuss about them?

Thank you!!

I think it'd be a double-edged sword for Isla. On the one hand, they can get delightful reactions out of both of their partners with teasing and flirting, on the other hand, the sheer amount of genuine unconditional and earnest affection makes their hackles raise and sets off alarms (at least in the beginning) and, later, makes them squirm as they move past unlearning a lot of their defensive behavior.

Danny takes (awkward) initiative because they're an eager person just as much as they are shy! They're the type of person to throw themself into love and affection wantonly and so tend to reciprocate romantic intent pretty quickly. Having someone who is a lot like them in a relationship is heartening, almost naturally supportive, and would give them the courage to be themself--as that's something they worry about.

[riessene]

Maeng Isla from @smokeandvelvet-cog  absolutely stole my heart i kinda leaned hard into the dark unicorn aesthetic

[zanidragon-art]

Saucy fanart for When it Hungers! An interactive horror novel by @roast-ifs

This particular piece shows one of the RO’s, Maeng Isla, with my cockatrice, Spiridon

[retconomics]

maeng isla except i... ignore all the physical descriptions of her in the book.

anyway go play @smokeandvelvet-cog and romance a unicorn (or any of the other LIs for that matter)

[courtstats]

Amadaeus Huh

full name: Amadaeus Huh nicknames: Mo age: Twenty five date of birth: 2019 place of birth: Campsite gender: Male species: Human current location: Campsite 2.0 languages: religion: N/a occupation: n/a

PERSONALITY;

zodiac sign: likes: dislikes: habits & quirks: hobbies: drinks, smokes & drugs: fears: positive traits: negative traits: other details:

SEXUALITY;

sexual orientation:  turn ons/kinks:  turn offs: dick size:

APPEARANCE;

height: 6′1 weight: tattoos: piercings: scars: distinguishing marks: face claim: Keiynan lonsdale reference photos:

RELATIONSHIPS;

parents:

☆ Anders Huh; Adoptive father

☆ Pan Huh (nee Maeng) ; Adoptive father

☆ Lennon Kuti; Biological father

☆ Morrigan Hartell ; Biological Mother

siblings:

☆ Archimedes Huh; Brother

☆ Aloysia Huh; Sister

other relatives:

☆ N/A

significant other:

☆ N/A

children:

☆ N/A other:

☆ Abel Shin ☆ Blair Lin ☆ Carina Yeo ☆ Eden Hwa ☆ Elias Seol ☆ Graham Yeong ☆ Haneul We ☆ Harper Ji ☆ Helios Yeo ☆ Isla Shin ☆ Jay Bodega ☆ Jeongyoon Seok ☆ Juhwan Kim ☆ Lucifer Han ☆ Lucinda Han ☆ Marshall Yeong ☆ Mercy Cheon ☆ Mila Pereira-Choi ☆ Miyeon Jeo ☆ Sangmyeon Seok ☆ Satine Uhm ☆ Shiloh Shin ☆ Soyeon Seok ☆ Sunday Han ☆ Taehwan Kim ☆ Victoria Cheon ☆ Violet Ji ☆ Wednesday Han ☆ Yoseon Seok BIOGRAPHY;

( optional )

[roast-ifs]

An anonymous fan sent me these super cute pics!

Message from the artist:

This is pretty much my first attempt at fanart, but I think it turned out well! Here's Isla blowing Danny a little kiss, and a second image with my cockatrice mc caught in the middle (and maybe about to faint!) I am so excited to befriend and romance these characters <3

[roast-ifs]

Last month I had patreon vote on who the ROs should be as Hades characters!

We got Fatima as Meg, Isla as Dionysus, Nico as Persephone, and Danny as Hypnos!

Want to vote one these kind of polls, see WIPs, process videos, etc. etc.? -> Become a Patron!

[roast-ifs]

I did these saturday evening post spoofs for patreon last month!

I’m still just completely in love with Fatima 😍

[roast-ifs]

January drabble #4

Prompt: “And when I come back there better not be so much as a scratch on her body and a hair out of place.” w/Isla

To say that you don’t like the inspection visits would be an absolute understatement. Shockingly, being observed so closely makes you squirm, makes your soul shrink deeper inside your body, making it feel less like your home and more like your cage.

You don’t flourish under attention, you shy and balk and wilt under anyone’s gaze except for Isla’s. It was a process, learning not to flinch under their biting wit but as they started to show some of their softer sides you started to bloom under their gaze instead of furling up into a delicate little flower.

Some part of you scoffs at the analogy. You’re not something so fragile to be squashed as easily as a roadside flower, but under the collar of the inspector you lose any and all progress you’ve made from putting the Yard behind you. Putting those dark rooms and blinding examination tables back into the farthest recesses of your mind.

And then the inspector shows up and you’re right back there again.

The only balm is the fact that you can hide in Isla’s room afterwards.

You jerk when you hear shouting, looking up from your perch on the bed in the infirmary, waiting for the inspector.

You almost don’t go out to see what's going on until you recognize one of the voices as Isla’s, hopping off the bed and opening the door, you’re hit with the brunt of something you haven’t seen in them for months.

Pure unbridled fury.

“-not so much a scratch, or hair out of place-”

Isla stands between you and the inspector who is staring at the unicorn like they’ve grown a second head.

“Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?” 

“An obedient dog who listens to their master’s orders, that’s who.” Isla’s tail lashes as they speak and you can see how their fists shake where they’re clenched.

Leaving behind crescent moons dug deep into skin.

“Ordered around to terrorize and condemn. Do you even give a rat’s ass about your so-called ‘charges’, inspector? Or do you just want to have your go at your precious Yard’s little field experiment?”

“Isla-” You catch them in a breath of silence, stiffening and turning around to look at you in surprise, before their cheeks burn in embarrassment and they look away, grimacing.

“You didn’t need to hear all that.” Behind them is the inspector, rolling their eyes and making a hasty exit before the righteous fury can return.

But you’re just stunned, trying to compute your way to the result that is Isla vehemently defending you from the pestering and prying of yet another inspector.

“I just-” they shrug awkwardly, at a loss when they’re usually so quick on the fire, “didn’t want them to get their claws in you again, is all.” That last bit is muttered but you still hear it, still let it flutter something delicate in your chest and make you smile like you couldn’t control it.

Sweet. Impressed. Feeling things you told yourself you shouldn’t be feeling towards Isla to begin with.

“What?” Isla snaps, lashing their tail again and giving you all the tell-tale signs of annoyed embarrassment--the delicate pink to their cheeks, ears pulled back, ducking between glaring at you and looking away because they can’t look too long at your too sweet smile.

One that you offer them whole-heartedly, “Thank you”

Isla flinches and looks away, grimacing, “You...don’t have to mention it.”

“I’m serious Isla,” you press--you need to get this through to them, past the bluster and the need to push every ounce of sincerity away from themself like it’s toxic, “Thank you, for doing that for me. We’ll have to deal with them eventually but…” you trail off because you’re smiling too much at how Isla’s bravado has melted so entirely into what you imagine an agitated cat would look like.

Terribly adorable but miffed all the same.

“You can stop looking at me like that.”

Right, you probably should.

You duck, trying to school your features into something less pleased, feeling your own shyness start to bubble up again.

You almost feel like a noble in a tower protected only by your valiant unicorn. You get the feeling though that Isla would chafe at the comparison.

[roast-ifs]

Why does Osla get so uncomfortable with a kind MC and also how do you improve your standing with them?

A number of reasons! Isla, when faced with a kind/generous/etc. mc there’s a couple of things going on.

1. mc being kind really nails home the fact that they’re an ass to the mc and it makes them uncomfortable when you don’t respond in kind bc, shocker, they feel bad (look at emotional scenes in front of the train station when the mc cries--Isla feels shitty for pushing the mc to that point)

2. Kind people make them suspicious/anxious for backstory reasons

3. Kind people don’t usually vibe with their sense of humor or morality.

4. They’re just plain uncomfortable when shown kindness, it makes them feel like they’re under a microscope (past trauma??? Noooo never heard of her) and has a lot of conflicting feelings about that personality type.

In regards to improving standing, I haven’t had a whole lot of options for improving friendship and that’s a feature that will be balanced more in the future. Right now I have no real idea what the stats look like at the end of a game so I need to spend a weekend to look through everything and work out the kinks :)

[roast-ifs]

January drabble #3

Prompt: “I don’t need anything more from you” IslaxDanny Poly w/basi!mc

Danny’s standing outside of view, leaning against the wall outside of the lamp light, a tray of tea heavy on his wings as he listens, head heavy against the plaster.

They’re arguing. He doesn’t want to say again, but it’s happened more than once and he knows--he has to believe that it’s not out of hate or anger, just fear.

Fear of being known. Of being loved. They’re two people that are rough around the edges and sometimes those edges catch but--but they smooth out eventually, right?

Surely.

They have to.

If… if they loved each other as much as he thinks they love him…

But it keeps happening.

It keeps happening, over and over again and he hates it. He hates it so much but what can he possibly do?

He can’t fix them. He doesn’t want to fix them because, yes, they’re broken, but he loves them, and it’s their job to heal but…

But it feels like some days they don’t want to.

So they fight.

“Why do you keep doing this?” He’s snarling, venom practically dripping down every word, “One moment you’re actually acting like a fucking partner and the next you’re pushing us both away!”

“Oh stop!” Isla spits right back, Danny wincing at the hate poured into their words, making the tea cups shudder on his tray.

But they don’t hear the delicate sound, too caught up in the turmoil of fury they’ve built like a wall between each other.

“You like to act all patient and concerning and decent but you’re always pushing for more aren’t you?” Isla insists, digging their teeth in deeper, “You’re greedy, always wanting more out of me when I don’t want to give it-”

“If you’d just tell me!” Danny sees the cast of shadows as his basilisk lover gesticulates widely, “If you’d just open up for gods damned once!”

“Is what I’ve given you not enough?!” Isla snaps.

I love you. Danny remembers the shared whispers shared in bed, shutting his eyes and clutching the tray to his chest, the cups rattling. They don’t hear.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

“If you’ve given me anything, where is it?” He snaps right back, “Where’s the trust? The truth? You’re nothing but lies, Isla! I don’t need anything more from you since you won’t give me anything to start with!”

I loved you.

It’s quiet.

Isla sniffs, breathing out slowly, “Fine.” Danny can hear movement, the shuffle of fabric.

“Where are you going?”

“Out. Away from here.” Isla retorts and slams the catwalk door shut, away from you.

Silence again.

Lonely, unending, silence.

Danny jerks and looks up in surprise when a shadow overtakes him, straight into the wide-eyed look on his basilisk’s face, whose cheeks are glossy, his tears shining like stars in the dark.

But then his face closes off, and he walks by Danny without a comment, slipping through the back doors without a word.

The tea pot cracks when it hits the ground, the tea seeping into the carpet, mixing with the salt of Danny’s tears as he crumples to the ground in a heap of feathers and wracking sobs. 

I don’t need anything more from you.

I love you.

I loved you.

We loved you.

[roast-ifs]

December Drabble Request #2

Prompt: Isla & “You’ve got something on your lip”

You can almost forget that you’re not here of your own volition, sitting in a picturesque cafe on the coast, the sea breeze cool and fluttering at the long ivory curtains of the outdoor dining area you’ve found yourself sequestered to.

You can almost forget that Nico and Fatima, sitting a couple tables away in the empty cafe and arguing over case documents, are you and Isla’s handlers. Isla, who is sitting across from you, and reading the latest penny novel that--you look at the cover--is apparently the fifth in an indefinite series of what they call ‘bodice rippers’.

And aimlessly snacking on the creme pastries put on ERA’s tab.

“Do you actually enjoy those books?” You muse, leaning heavily on your hand and half propped across the table.

It’s an ideal bit of rest here, but you’re also getting bored.

Isla finishes reading a section before looking up at you with a quirked brow, “No. I hate them for something awful and think my life isn’t filled with enough suffering as is. Hence-” they lift the book and shake it a little, biting into another creme puff and getting a line of the cream across their lip.

They lick it off, slow and so hilariously over-hammed it makes you laugh.

“I think you missed a spot. You’ve got a little something right about here.” You point to your own lip.

Isla pouts, “Did I? You’ll have to get it for me as I’m much too engrossed in my sordid reading at the moment.”

“Wouldn’t you rather be engrossed in something else?” You ponder, leaning over the table to cup Isla’s jaw and turn their head to face you. There’s no cream, but you make a show of delicately swiping across Isla’s upper lip anyway, leaning into your ruse.

“Do you have a suggestion then?” Isla’s breath puffs against your skin, you almost feel the press of their teeth against your fingerprint, a touch of a bite, before you pull your hand away, resisting the urge to shake off the zing of nerves shooting down your arm.

“I have a few suggestions, I think.” You hum, grabbing one of the pastries and taking a slow delicate bite, watching Isla as you purposefully leave a spot of cream on your lip.

Their eyes narrow, darkening, their smirk twisting into something absolutely sinful.

“What is it?” You ask after you swallow, batting your eyelashes innocently, “Do I have something on my lip?”

Isla smirks, “Only a little.” 

“Could you get it for me, please?” You simper, leaning forward again on the table and arching your neck to offer your face for Isla’s inspection.

Isla snorts and rolls their eyes, “Are you truly so helpless?”

“Only around you, of course.”

“Of course”, they close their book and reach over to delicately swipe the cream from your lip, but before you can lick it from their finger, like you’d planned, they snatch their hand back and pop their finger into their mouth, moaning more than what’s needed for a vanilla cream.

“Delicious.” They say, “Could use more flavor I think though.”

“You think?”

Isla hums in agreement, and watches you dip your finger into the cream of an unbitten puff and swipe it across your own cheek.

“Oh dear,” you gasp, “How clumsy of me! Could you be a dear and help me out once more?”

Isla actually throws their head back and laughs, “You are truly helpless, absolutely beyond saving.”

“Absolutely.” You agree readily.

“Then allow me to offer you my aid once more.” Isla leans forward and you grin, waiting.

Only for Isla to throw their linen napkin in your face.

That’s how half the pastries wind up splattered against the cafe’s masonry and Nico apologizing profusely to the owner while you and Isla sat on a bench by the road giggling while Fatima helps you two clean up.

You look up at Isla once you’ve got the worst of the crumbs and cream from your clothes, seeing a dot of cream on the corner of their mouth.

“I think you’ve got something on your lip, there.” You point.

“No,” Fatima laughs, “We’re not starting that again.”

But Isla humors you, taking their thumb to wipe off the offending piece then swipe it with the pink of their tongue.

You watch, watch the wicked smirk, the delightful blush of their cheeks from such exertion, the narrowed heat from their eyes.

“Did I get it?”

“Let me help-” you begin, only for Fatima to interrupt again with a hysterical laugh.

“Yes! You did! Now both of you stop flirting and help me clean up.” She scolds good-naturedly and, sure, the rest of your afternoon is spent cleaning up your mess, but it’s also spent with Isla, so, no complaints.

And Isla’s face when they realize there’s cream on their book is worth it.

[roast-ifs]

could you describe what the teammates look like?

Full versions up on patreon btw ;P

[roast-ifs]

How do emotionally open soft MC make Isla feel?

Oof, awkward to start with. Isla and emotions don’t mix well, we can see well enough in-game. As the relationship develops, whether that's friendship or romance, they’d still feel a bit off-beat but also more sympathetic and worried over the mc in question.

They’re afraid you’re too vulnerable, too open, they have similar fears of Danny, the only thing that’s gotten them through many awful days has been being tough and bristly, not tender and soft.

[roast-ifs]

I liked the original sketch too much to not include it too ♥

So the biggest difference between Isla’s different genders is really just the presence of breasts/adam’s apple/facial hair, and they’re usually clean shaven anyway.

Black hair is what’s written in the game but also white is nice???

[roast-ifs]

An Interactive Horror Novel

Welcome to Smoke & Velvet, a cosmic horror story involving magic, monsters, and something much more inexplicable.

You play as a monster paying off your parole by solving cases brought to you and your team, whether they be horrifying hauntings, or things much more visceral.

The Story

It's 1913, only months since you woke up from a coma that’s left you sick and a year of your memories missing. You’re working off your crimes by solving whatever cases are brought to you, whether or not you’re still in recovery.

Your latest case comes on a string of failures, set in a sleepy coastal town where five people have gone missing and mysterious phenomena plague the streets. The darkness there seems to take a liking to you, twisting your mind and making it hard to see between what’s real and what’s not.

Why has the thing in the dark targeted you? Do you deserve its taunting? And can you solve the case before it digs its teeth in and tears you apart?

Try your best to survive, re-discover your memories, and make your ultimate choice.

Customization

Play as one of three monstrous species with different backstories and abilities.

The Basilisk, a four-armed split-jawed humanoid with fangs, venom, and a petrifying gaze.

The Hellhound, a canine-headed fire-spitter, with claws and teeth to boot.

The Living Porcelain, a ghostly soul ensconced in clay, able to feast on magic and even another creature’s soul.

See your character react and change with the personality you give them, using an 8 trait personality system that customizes the game to the choices you make.

Failure

Choices are not kill or be killed (not now, anyway), failure is an option and the game is designed to encourage choices based on character development, not success.

Both failure and success open up wildly different avenues of roleplay--if your character isn’t thinking straight, by all means, pick something they don’t typically go for, and see what kind of darkness it brings.

The Cast

Nico María (gender selectable): Your handler and medic, the one who you directly report to and who shares your forgotten memories but refuses to tell them to you. They have their secrets, and they seem to be eating them up inside.

Fatima Kaplan (amab trans woman): Your secondary handler and combat specialist. She’s theatric, dramatic, and straight forward. She was once one of the agency’s best agents, but not since being partnered with you.

Maeng Isla (gender selectable): Isla is a unicorn and Fatima’s responsibility. They’re flirty if aloof and they’ve kept you at arms length since you first met them after recovery from your coma. They won’t let you get close, and you don’t understand why.

Dana/Danny (gender selectable, afab): Dana is your crew’s attendant and a winged harpy. They’re a bashfully shy steward seeing to your needs as you travel, and then some! They’re earnest, honest, and have about as many clues as you do about what’s going on.

The Nitty Gritty

Welcome to 2021!

The update day is now the 15th of the month.

The game is updated once every two months publicly until closed access alpha and beta begins. (TBD)

Patreon members have access to the updates every month. Want access to the game after closed alpha begins? $2 gets you access to art, polls, and drabble requests!

Warning: This game will go over many stressing elements. Please review the content warnings before reading. There is a trigger toggle available to warn in-game when certain scenes may be coming up, and some scenes can be skipped for a more watered down version.

Stay safe! Stay healthy! Take care of yourself and maybe treat yourself to some reading ;)

Play the game!

Discord

Patreon