#and yes this was absolutely a very roundabout way of making a vampire joke outta 'batflies'

[kelocitta]

I don't know what to ask so, could you share something about the Scavengers you really like or find interesting?

This is a tidbit of completely unrelated worldbuilding for the Anthro AU I don't really have a much reason to put anywhere else since its completely separate from RW... I referenced it a bit with Spearmaster but heres some scavenger mythology- Needle-Eaters!

Needle-Eaters are scavenger spirits/entities who take the form of large, scavenger-like shapeshifting insects who steal one's identity through bloodfeeding. In traditional scav mythos they are born from soil fertilized with blood- oftentimes specifically blood split from war or certain crimes like robbery. They emerge as small winged grubs, and are attracted to the smell of greed.

After finding a target, they shed their grub-skin and take the form of a gaunt, faceless scavenger; with their wings wrapped around their body like a cloak to disguise their features. They will knock on the den of their chosen victim and claim to be in need, asking for you to invite them in and to make them a meal. This is when they are considered most dangerous.

The scavenger host must be very polite and meet the demands of the needle-eater, attending to their needs. The meal prepared is generally one of mashed or juiced fruit, usually supplemented with the blood of an animal but must contain no insect meat or insect blood. They will often request multiple servings and will not leave until fed. They do not like to be watched while they eat and the host must look away while they do so. If treated kindly and to their specifications, the needle-eater will leave on its own.

If refused at any point, the needle-eater will grab the offender with their hands (traditionally, the 'needle' of a needle-eater is hidden in it's wrists, and they shake your hand or touch you to 'bite') send their victim into a deep sleep. They will drink a sample of blood, and wear your skin as its own. While not lethal, the afflicted scavenger will sleep for days to weeks- during which the needle-eater will get up to mischief such as theft, adultery or other various crimes (some minor, some harmful) in disguise. The individual generally wakes to find their local reputation ruined, and the needle-eater gone. Skeptics assert that the existence of needle-eaters is mostly from guilty scavengers hoping to pin the blame on the supernatural. Funnily enough, it is generally mostly these new needle-eaters who are considered dangerous, as those who already have their stolen identities are still considered powerful spirits, but less malicious or trouble-making. If you suspect someone around you to be a needle-eater who isn't seeking to test you; you are instead encouraged to amuse it- offer it games, alcohol, drugs, liquid foods or other types of merrymaking to amuse it and earn its blessing. It is said that if one likes you, it may grant blessings of luck or protection Poor Spearmaster, who is fairly antisocial, often finds that scavengers frequently want to get them absolutely wasted and dance and play with them. They try to humor them, although being a bit awkward and weird it often just reinforces the idea they are absolutely not normal.