#mn art show

[pallanophblargh]

Apologies, I’m justifiably livid and will be for… who knows how long.

Before I can find a way to put that to good use, here’s an equally angry sketch.

Rage against the dying of the light.

[unresurgeance]

HE SPEAKS

[ripplefields]

don't do traditional worst mistake of my life

musical nerds au - r0b0-writes

[sweet one says "tail like this most the time"]

[capn one says "cherish his joy while you still can."]

[k_k one just says "ok my hands are getting cold bye" it was just a note lol]

[creatively-cosmic]

working on refs sometimes leaves u noticing symbolism u put into a design that even You didn't know you put there

the amount of symbolism and metaphors we put into all our serious mn shit is crazy i hope u guys know that. and i REALLY hope ppl are catching it out there...if u think smth weve drawn has a Meaning to it. youre probably right . something day one of drawing the character vs day 90 image something

[morningstarinwinter]

Drew after awhile

Sketchy for my daughter and kinda self portrait

[earl-grey-love]

Every time I think I'm over the L.A. No!re madness I end up thinking about it for more than 10 seconds and I fall to my knees once more.

[anonymusbosch]

really truly Feelings about coming back to my hometown and seeing it as an outsider (I only knew it as a child with my motion constrained by school and parents and being under 18) and an outsider (it's changed since I've been away these last 8 years) and an outsider (showing it to my partner and finding it both familiar and unfamiliar, and special and inadequate) and an outsider (my parents and sister have all moved and my childhood home is no longer mine - staying in a building with a door code to learn and furniture still being moved in) and an outsider (my favorite places have changed, moved, closed, repainted) and an outsider (new murals! new buildings! new bike lanes) and an outsider (how the Fuck do the bike lanes on the east bank connect) and an outsider (it's changed [you can never step in the same river twice] and I have too)

[alabaster-raven-illustrations]

While I've been absent i've been quite busy! Prepare for some new work, starting with the Argyle Zebra Gallery's Rejected Show! My piece, Elitism, humbly rejected from the Mn State Fair Fine Arts Competition, will be on display until making its way to its next home! Find me at the Artist Reception Thursday, 9/12 or stop by the gallery to check out all the other amazing pieces!

[forlorn-crows]

noah: You're always invited to come in whenever you want!! 😌 I'll make tea, and then we can talk about how sweetly Aether is gonna ruin Dew 🥴 crow: oh if you get me started you wont hear the end of it noah: I'm sat, talk all you want 👀☕️ crow: oh when i get home from work its over for you, prepare for Horny

@noahl-art, you asked for it. based on his dewther artwork here and the fact i can never shut up about aether tdick hnghdf

fuck, aethe, it's . . . it's so fat. sure, dew's seen him hard. but not like this. not throbbing under his own dick, sticky with his own dripping slick. he can't help the way his eyes go wide, watching it pulse.

aether's big hand slides up his chest. nuzzles his nose into dew's hairline and shushes him. know you can take it all. he smiles gently. look how bad you want it.

and oh, how dew wants it. he can't help but make a little noise in the back of his throat and grind against it. aether reciprocates, turning his body so they're facing each other, bending his knees so dew's cock still sits atop his own.

should get you to ride it. you want that, baby boy?

uh huh. and dew throbs so hard his thighs jump.

aether slides his hand down between them and thumbs at dew's growth, peeking full and pink out from its hood. the pad of his finger brushes over and dew jumps again. gonna play with this too, while you bounce. aether's already spinning them, tugging dew onto the bed to straddle his lap. get you so slick.

f-fuck, dew grunts, falling onto his hands on each side of aether's shoulders. fuck, want you to put it in.

mn. you ready for me already? aether kneads at his thighs, spreading them until their hips meet. and then he spreads dew's folds, thumbs caressing each one until they part with a soft, moist sound. oh, baby boy, look at you. so fucking handsome. he pets at them until dew shifts enough to make them cover his fat length, kissing the ruffled labia that pull taught from the tip.

fucking hells, dew mutters. his legs are shaking, just a little. enough to show his desperation, how easily he falls into aether's skilled hands.

aether's cock throbs and both of them groan.

go on, love, he purrs, pushing on dew's hips. lemme fill you up.

oh. shhhiit---

that's it, just there. aether's head thumps back onto the pillows. fuck, you're perfect. sit on my cock so pretty.

dew keens, grinds a little. his slick makes the slide too easy, overly pleasurable. aether throbs inside and he nearly starts begging right there.

he reaches back for dew's cock. thumb pulling back the hood to arch the tip even further. his other fingers dip between his folds and gather his own slick, spreading it over the head.

dew's stomach jumps. aether hums and smiles, moving his fingers in slow, luxurious circles. pleasure shoots through his core.

gonna get you to cum on it, aether rasps. he snaps his hips, shallow but quick. 'til that little dick is red and dripping. huh, baby boy?

[tekia]

Sun Blind

I commissioned @meredithmcclaren! She was a pleasure to work with and produces some of my favorite art! (I got my character drawn by @meredithmcclaren!!!!! omg how cool is that??(◕ᗜ◕))

Najma closed her eyes and steadied her breathing.

In the shade offered by the balcony above her, she stamped her feet and stretched her arms, twisting her back and bending her knees. She had ran around the arena twice before arriving at the entrance, and her skin was pleasantly flushed, her body loose. Her bare toes dug into the dry dirt under her feet, the bite of the marble stone walkway bisecting her foot, cold and rough compared to the fine grain of the dirt in the arena.

Cheers and cries of merchants filled the air around her as the people gathered in the stands awaited the show. Children laughed at the antics of the fools now dancing for their entertainment. Drunkards shouted for more wine and beer. Somewhere, one woman’s boisterous laugh carried over the rest. Horns trumpeted in the distance as a foot race concluded, and a cheer went up as the victor celebrated.

Najma tried to ignore it all as she shook out her arms. She bounced on the balls of her feet, balanced delicately on that edge of marble.

“Najma,” her brother called softly from just beside her, and her eyes popped open.

“What are you doing here?”

Zilan smiled slightly, his dark hair blowing in his face as a breeze picked up, carrying with it the scents of fried foods, unwashed bodies, and animal. Najma shivered at the scent of angry bull.

“I’ve come to wish you luck.” He held out a length of ribbon, brightly dyed and thin. She peered at it happily until he motioned for her to turn. She presented her back to him and felt him tying the ribbon into her tightly bound hair. The tips of the ribbon only just brushed her shoulders once he was done.

“I love the color,” she said, picking up the end and eyeing it. It wasn’t an expensive ribbon, but Zilan surely knew how likely she was to ruin it today, perhaps even lose it. But it was the thought that counted.

Red for luck.

She turned back to him, smiling up at him.

He had always been taller than her, as far back as her first memories, when he held her clutched in his arms, his heart pounding loudly against her ear as she cried for their parents. It had been so cold back then, in the dark and rain.

She shivered again, and he reached out and rubbed his hands down her arms. “You’re ready for this.”

“Mn,” she agreed. “I know I am.” Her heart was pounding as loud as his had on the night they lost their home, for a reason so far removed that she couldn’t hold the sadness in her heart.

She knew the sadness of their loss was never far from her brother’s thoughts, something that kept him going in troubled times, but he tried for her. He smiled at her confidence and nodded.

“I’ll be watching from up there,” he said, pointing above their heads. She bit her lip.

Up there, the rich could afford seats under a shade and servants to bring them food from the market without them having to brave the crush. She and Zilan were certainly not wealthy enough to place among them.

Their parents had been simple folk, weavers by trade, dead these past eleven years. They had escaped the raging waves of the untamed river that had swollen with freezing waters into the city with only the clothes on their backs with the other displaced peoples of the flood. Just a pair of orphans among the dozens of others, lost into the crowd of poor and hungry.

Zilan had been old enough to become an apprentice, and clever enough to hide his sister in his little room permitted to him by his master that they had survived, but Najma had to wonder how much of their luck was due to hard work and how much of it was due to Zilan’s loose morals.

She had seen him come home far too often beaten and bloodied.

He patted her shoulder and shook his head. “Just focus on your performance today.”

She nodded. “Be careful up there with the lofty types, hum? They’re far more dangerous than any thief with a knife in the dark alley.”

“And you beware of the horn!” He pinched her cheek like she was still a child. Whinging like a child, she pulled away, batting at his hand.

“I know Sap well! He will not harm me!”

Laughing and shaking his head, Zilan left to take his seat as horns within the arena sounded. Najma returned to her preparations, stretching and bouncing on her toes.

She wore little clothes, so as not to have anything that might catch and pull. She had bits of cloth wrapped around the length of her feet, leaving her heel and toes free. Her hair had been pulled up, secured with pins and ribbons. Beside her, two other young women also prepared for their own performances. Dressed similarly, the three of them were a little troupe of dancers that knew no rivals in the city.

The oldest of them was Selika, dark and tall. She was well muscled and limber, and had been dancing their dance since she was a child, as her father had been a master in his own time. Najma was only two years younger than her, and the third girl was much younger, coming only up to Najma’s shoulder, and Najma wasn’t tall at all.

Salima had been sold to Selika’s father as a serving maid when her mother died and her father found he didn’t have it in him to care about a girl child that couldn’t work the fields. Selika’s father was a decent man that raised Salima as his own, giving her his family name, and teaching her alongside Selika. When Najma appeared to watch the girls practice, the man had easily drew her into the lessons until she was a part of the little troupe as if she were their sister, too.

He had died two years ago, a cough that wouldn’t go away, so Selika had taken over the training, while their cousin, Atam, insisted on taking over the business end of her father’s business.

He wasn’t as decent. Salima now lived with Najma, and Selika hoarded away as much money as she could, out of his hands.

Salima jumped into the air, touching the tips of her fingers to her toes in the air, and a few children spotted her, cheering at the display of skill. Salima landed, her arms thrown up into the air, posed just right, back arched, feet planted. A louder cheer went up.

Two fools came running back toward them.

“Let’s go,” Selika said, then ran out into the arena. Najma followed, and she could feel Salima behind her.

Two steps out of the shade, the sun bore down on them and sweat beaded on her brow, but she ignored it all in favor of leaping into the air, her hands landing with a dull thud in the dirt. She shoved back to her feet, into another flip, and a third, hands nearly touching her heels with every flip.

She caught glimpses of Selika doing a similar trick, higher into the air than herself. Then she stopped just in time for Najma to flip onto her shoulders. She caught her balance and held her pose as Salima lightly skipped onto her back. She touched a hand to Najma’s shoulder, and Najma gripped her leg and lifted her into the air.

Salima waved to the crowd, drawing more cheers, before Najma dropped her leg and caught her by her arm pits and then let her to the ground. Selika threw her into the air, and Najma twisted into a spiral before landing sideways in her arms.

“Good,” Selika commented before setting her on her feet. Najma nodded to her before bouncing back into motion, kicking up into the air to the cheers around them.

Flip. Flip. Flip. Twist. Land and tumble under Salima’s flip. Climb Selika’s knee and flip. Catch Salima and throw. Pose. And breathe.

She looked over the crowd, but there were so many people she couldn’t quite tell one face from another, and the balcony was facing the sun.

Who had decided to make them face the sun?

She glanced at Selika and saw that she was also worried about the sun. Under the balcony, Najma could just make out the shape of Atam as he opened Sap’s pin, but the bull that exited wasn’t Sap.

He was an unfamiliar bull, and Najma stiffed as fear coursed down her spine. The bull scuffed the ground, his snorts sending up a plum of dust.

“That’s not Sap!” Salima cried, her voice high with terror.

“Salima,” Selika snapped. “You stay out of his sight.”

“But-”

“But nothing. You stay out of his sight. Keep the crowd entertained and distracted with your flips and tumbles.”

“Yes, xwişk.”

“Najma-”

“Let me do it.”

“You-”

“He’s too short for you. You’ll get injured if he tosses his head. I can do it.”

Selika sighed. “Okay. I’ll dance.”

Grimly nodding her head. Najma ran forward. She knew Selika would be running just beside her. Salima would be sure to flip around to the back of the bull where he couldn’t see her and would hopefully forget about her.

The first pass the two girls dodged his wide horns as he charged, and each flipped in a different direction as the bull turned to face them again.

From around her waist, Najma tugged free the red pennant that would draw the bull’s attention to her alone. With the dust and dirt in the air, the red wasn’t as vibrant as in the fields just outside the city, but the size and fluttering nature of the fabric was enough to keep him distracted.

Selika kept pace with her as she raced toward the bull again, but once more they diverged when the bull swung wildly. Too dangerous to trust.

Panting, Najma knew that they’d couldn’t keep it up. Two flips was the standard. Najma daren’t go for more. Sap would have tolerated it, but this unknown bull was dangerous. Where did he even come from?

The third pass arrived and the bull lowered his head just right. Najma felt Selika break off as she caught the bull by the horns and threw herself into the air, feet over her head, body twisting as the bull tossed his head, shoving her farther up into the air. Silently cursing, she released the horns and touched her feet to his spine before quickly skipping off into a second flip.

That wasn’t elegant or smooth, she thought as she landed on her knee, quickly tumbling to her feet and dodging out of the raging beast’s path. Selika distracted the bull only momentarily before he was once more charging at Najma.

He was too close. The sun was directly in her eyes.

Huffing, Najma nodded to herself and met him head on again. He swung his head the wrong direction, and, had she time, she would have broke off, but they were too close. She heard Salima cry out.

Launching herself into the air, she landed on her hands on the bull’s shoulders, felt his horn brush her thigh, but shoved off just as quickly and landed on the ground, knees bent to absorb the impact.

There was blood dripping down her inner thigh, but it was done.

She did a back flip in place then looked to the bull.

She had dropped the red pennant on the last jump, and the bull had mauled it into the dirt. Selika was flipping off to one side, headed toward the shelter of the balcony. Salima was already in the shade behind the stone guard that surrounded the arena.

Najma quickly made her way out of the arena amid the cheers. Panting, she stopped beside Salima. “Are you alright?”

“Mn, he didn’t come near me.”

She reached out and patted her hair. “Good. That was dangerous.”

“You still did it.”

She nodded. “It was too late for all of us to back out. Never jump over an unknown bull, Salima. You saw how he tossed me the first time and then gouged me the second?”

Salima looked down at the blood on her leg. “That looks painful.”

“If it was painful, she wouldn’t have done it,” Selika’s cousin sneered, snapping a rope in his hands. “What a pathetic display.”

Selika stepped between them, glaring at her cousin. “Where is Sap?”

Atam shrugged. “I sold him. He cost too much to feed.”

“What?!” The three girls shouted in unison. Najma and Salima gaped at Atam while Selika fought to keep the rage out of her voice.

“How dare you? He was my bull!”

Atam waved a hand and turned away. “And the money I got for him will pay your rent.”

“In my father’s house?”

“And for your upkeep,” he went on, ignoring her. “Next time, I expect to see a better show.” He snapped at the arena. “And get that bull back into the pin so I can return him to his owner.”

He left them, and Najma could only reach out and rest a hand on Selika’s shoulder.

Salima leaned against her own shoulder. “How are we supposed to get him back in the pin?”

Selika shook her head, looking lost and afraid. Najma didn’t know what to say, and when she turned to wrap her arm around Salima, she spotted her brother standing farther inside the shelter, his arms over his chest and glaring at Atam as the man walked away.

She shivered at the hatred and anger in his eyes. She hadn’t seen that look since the day they discovered that the district governor had been the one to order the dam upriver from their family’s village to be destroyed.

That governor was now dead through unknown causes.

She met Zilan’s eye and shook her head. His eyes narrowed then he moved away, disappearing into the shadows, out of her sight.

[lieutkenny]

Sorry, I've just had A DAY today, and... I was wondering if you might still have some art of Sweden and/or the other Nordics laying around that you haven't posted/showed us yet? Your Sweden just looks so d-mn huggable.

Sorry you’ve had a day, take some doodles to cheer up!

[saphira-artandoc]

Behold… a project that began back in October 5th 2022…

C3 Swap AU

•

•

•

I am nothing if not predictable

What is the swap AU?

The swap AU was created due to my love of that genre (If you followed me in my Persona phase, you know what I mean)

It was a way for me to practice my craft as time goes on and to this day, I’m still learning. It’s also an excuse for me to draw pretty outfits

It was also inspired by Eren Angiolini’s CR swapped classes (mainly VM and MN back then) before their own rendition of Bell’s Hells, done in 2023

The difference between my version and Eren’s is that instead of swapping DnD classes (Fighter -> Paladin) , we changed their subclasses (Fighter : Battle master -> Fighter : Eldritch knight). Some of these were taken from completely made up thanks to a homebrew list of subclasses

The entire creation of this AU is a group effort from various members of the Dorym Nation discord server. We did not plan for it to work as well as it did as episode rolled by. We did it mostly on vibes and somehow made everyone’s backstory sadder (oops)

Why making this post now?

With campaign 3 coming close to an end, I felt like it was finally time for me to face my fears and show the people what 2 years of creation do to someone, without any remorse for showing enjoyment in a piece of media.

I also struggle with showcasing my work in the last couple of years to a wider audience, especially with the rise in A/I art and N/F/T that just destroyed me mentally. This is why you don’t see much art posting from me

Also every time I thought I had a breather with art, shit just kept happening in the canon game and it really just spiralled to what we have today… Mind you this was created around episode e20 so we didn’t know everything about the characters back then… We were so close but had to change some stuff and add something else… I love the creative process <3

What did you mean by “you made everyone’s backstory sadder?”

When you go into a project made on vibes, you kiiiiind of mix-match a couple of ideas together. With the Swap AU, not only did we swap their subclasses, but we also swapped elements of their backstories with another member of their group. You will see it with everyone’s post.

Wait so you’re not sharing the art yet? Why not?

My goal with this post is to give you guys a small introduction to the AU. I know this will be at the very least 10 post in total minus this one since I’m hoping to give each Hellions their very own Tumblr posts

I am also a perfectionist and I want to give the best quality possible when posting the artworks. I am in the making of creating front facing reference sheets of each member of BH with max 6 different clothes ( EXU or start of the campaign, ball, outfit 2, current one, and for those with specific body transformations get that illustrated also)

There is already existing art of the AU that was created by @czpeterp that you can see here! (Their art is amazing, go check them out!!)

I have Fearne and Chetney’s that are complete, and Imogen is the next one in line. Expect for a post about them coming really soon (hopefully tomorrow)

That’s all for now! Sorry for all the rambling lmao, I do hope I piqued your curiosity and I’ll see you (hopefully) tomorrow morning for our first Swapped character: Fearne Calloway!

[kfkr1ze]

[002-A16] Scissor Words

Summary — ✈︎ The egg that suddenly grew legs managed to escape Kiroku’s grasp and ran away. Kiroku chases it, but he quickly loses sight of it…

Characters— ✈︎ Kiroku, Akuta, Muneuji, Nanaki, Sakujiro

Location: Youkai Art Museum in Shodoshima

Kiroku: …………

Egg: ………

Kiroku: …… Ah…… there’s legs.

Egg: ………

Kiroku: ……Ah!

W-Wait……!

Kaede: (It’s around the time we agreed to meet up. 

… I wonder if Kiroku-kun had fun.)

Hm?

Kaede: Wow, what’s this? There’s an egg-like object with legs. Is it a youkai? Having something like this displayed at the entrance… It’s creepy but cute too!

I wanna take a picture. Where’s the camera app…

Kiroku: Hah, hah……!

Kaede: Wah!

Kiroku: Gh……!

Kaede: You surprised me…!

Why are you in such a hurry, Kiroku-kun?

Egg: ………

Kiroku: (Moving side to side) …………!

Kaede: (He’s panicking while trying to see what’s behind me…?)

Kiroku: Ah, wah…… Mn……!

(Please don’t look… over there……!)

Kaede: Eh? What is it?

Egg: ………

Kiroku: Uh……!

Kaede: … He ran away.

Huuh!? The egg-like object isn’t here anymore…!

Location: Maze Town in Shodoshima

Kiroku: Hah…… Hah…… Hah……!

(…I lost it… What do I do……)

(I have to tell everyone on the walkie talkie app……)

Dewawa: You sure you wanna tell?

You wanna be the one who tells everyone that you lost the egg that everyone tried so hard to take care of?

Kiroku: ………

Dewawa: They’re already gonna be upset won’t they?

And on top of that, you haven’t made any progress with the lantern art right?

Pinfu: Right～

They might think you’re so pathetic since you can’t do anything at all〜

Kiroku: …………

Rouzel: That’s not true! You should just contact them! I’m sure that everyone would be worried!

Ripris: It… doesn’t matter what you do…

Both chasing the egg… and contacting everyone… is such a pain… ZZZ.

KB: Personally, I believe the best solution would be to contact the rest of themーー

What will you do, Kiroku?

Kiroku: ………

……I’m not…… telling them.

Location: Otomari Chuuzaemon Inn in Shodoshima

Akuta: This olive soumen is SUPER good! I can munch on it as much as I want! Endless munching!

Muneuji: The fried soumen from the other day was good, but this soumen is good as well.

Nanaki: Is Chief here?

Akuta: Oh, nah he’s not here right now.

Muneuji: I believe he went out with Kinugawa earlier.

Nanaki: Yeah? Then I guess later will be fine. 

Akuta: By the way Nanaki, are you in a good mood? You’ve been all smiley lately. Did something happen?

Nanaki: Oh actually, I was just working on the song for the encore of the summer festival. The one that’s supposed to match the BPM of the fireworks, 

I just wanted to show it to the chief a little since I finished it. 

Akuta: EH!? Nanaki, you can make music!?

Nanaki: Well. Yeah I can.

Akuta: REALLY～～～～?! I also challenged myself to make music before, but I couldn’t do it y’know～～～～!

Man, I can’t even read sheet music. The notes just look like tadpoles dancing…

I really respect people who can make songs〜!

Meaning I really respect you, Nanaki～～～！

Nanaki: You’re going way too hard on the praise.

Akuta: You don’t gotta be humble! Actually, I really wanna make a song one day, so you gotta help me!

Nanaki: If I feel like it.

Akuta: Yayy!

I gotta make a plan to get you to feel like it soon～～～！

Muneuji: … By the way. 

Yesterday, Kinugawa was the one who got the egg, wasn't he? 

But I haven’t seen his face at all today.

In other words, that would mean he still has the egg.

Nanaki: Now that you mention it, you’re probably right about that.

Muneuji: And he hasn’t come online on the walkie talkie app at all today… If I’m being honest, I’m a bit worried.

Nanaki: You think something bad happened?

Akuta: Nahh I’m sure he’s all good! I mean that guy looks like he’s strong!

Muneuji: No… He could’ve been abducted by an alien. 

Nanaki: I-I’m not too sure about that.

Muneuji: I don’t think it’ll be a problem since Chief is also with him, but just in case, I’m going to look for him outside.

Nanaki: No, I’m pretty sure you’re getting too anxious. You should calm down. 

Muneuji: If he got abducted, it’d be too late to save him…! (Quickly runs away)

Akuta: Huh?

Kiroku: …… I finally…… found it.

(But… I think it got scared of a crow… and started clinging to the branch of a tree……)

Egg: …………

Kiroku: …… You can’t …… get off?

Egg: …………

Kiroku: (If I spread out my shirt… it can act like a trampoline.)

…… Come here.

Egg: …………!

Kiroku: …… You did it. That’s great.

Egg: …………!

Kiroku: (…Cute… Okay I have to… hurry and bring the egg to everyone……)

(But.)

(Looks around.)

Kiroku: (I don't know where this is…… And it’s getting dark. I should talk to the kids[1]… Ah.)

I… don’t have the finger puppets……

(No, before I look for them, I have to hand the egg over to the next person…)

(I’m getting a lot of notifications on the walkie talkie app… I should respond to everyone … No, but)

Dewawa: They’re already gonna be upset won’t they?

And on top of that, you haven’t made any progress with the lantern art right?

Pinfu: Right～

They might think you’re so pathetic since you can’t do anything at all〜

Kiroku: (I definitely can’t…… I need to do this… on my own.

I have to hurry and bring the egg home…!)

(But, I also can’t just leave those kids behind……

Especially on a trip to a place I might never come back to……)

(We’ve been together for practically my whole life……

Those kidsーー)

Ah……

Kaede: Kiroku-kun! Thank goodness…!

Sakujiro: So you were in a place like this.

Kaede: You did have a GPS with you, but I was really worried when you just up and left like that!

Kiroku: I… I’m… sorry……

Kaede: No, it’s fine. I’m just glad that you’re safe. But next time, don’t run around so much that you end up getting lost.

Also… Here.

Kiroku: ……Ah……!

Kaede: I found them on the side of the road. They’re yours, right Kiroku-kun?

Kiroku: …… Yes…… They’re… my friends……

Kaede: I thought so. Be careful not to drop them next time.

Okay, let’s go back to the inn!

Kiroku: …………

Kaede: ………

(Kiroku-kun… He’s been looking uncomfortable this whole time…

Almost like he wants to say something, but can’t.)

(Kiroku-kun is quieter than most people, but that doesn’t mean he’s not interested in his surroundings.)

(In fact, it feels like he’s more considerate about his surroundings than most people are. 

That’s whyーー)

(If only I could find a way to get him more comfortable…)

Oh right!

Kiroku-kun. Let’s use PeChat.

Kiroku: Eh……?

Kaede: If it’s hard for you to put something into words, maybe it’d be easier for you to put it down in writing. We can give it a try.

Kiroku: ……

Kiroku: ………

……My next message.

…… Is going to be…… a little longer……

Kaede: Got it. I’ll wait for you.

-

-

-

-

Kiroku: ………

(I’ll… open the walkie talkie app.)

Akuta: “Ahー Ahー Mic test! Testing, testing, one two three. 

Is Kiroku-san thereee? Go ahead.”

Kiroku: Ah……! He…llo…… Go …… ahead.

Akuta: “I’m glad we finally got in contact with you! Muneuji was really worried about you, y'know. He jumped up and ran out of the inn. Copy.

Kiroku: …… Co ……

Akuta: “So, so? How are things on your end? You still on planet Earth?”

Kiroku: I’m… I’m coming back…… Copy.

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Notes — ✈︎

“Those kids” referring to the finger puppets.

[writeroffantasy03]

“The darkness demands your soul.”

The Mighty Nein one shot was really good!! A little disappointed we didn’t get more insight into their personal lives after the time jump but I also understand the show had a strict time limit. (Looking forward to another celebration-themed one shot, though. *wink wink*)

Also, Percy doesn’t—in a surprise twist—join the MN. I just wanted to post this art.

[yellowssillysymphs]

NEW GATTWO PRINT NOW AVAILABLE!

Big and colorful and shinyy this one. Gaty and two .mn queer people on your wall...ok? Yes ok. And free shipping. Wow they are so pretty

[kurishiri]

09 . . . main story

— this translation may not be 100% accurate or may contain creative liberties. if you enjoy, please consider reblogging, but don’t repost or claim these as your own!

— cw: invasion of personal space, maybe some questionable behavior from servants, flashbacks from that chapter with a lot of warnings.

Several days had quickly gone by since making contact with the ‘Bernard Company.’

Harrison: Elbie, you’re eating nothing but that again?

Elbert: …? Mn, that’s right.

Roger: I feel like I’m about to go dizzy just by watching you.

Liam: But, don’t you feel like Lord Elbie’s eating more these days?

Elbert: …Is…that so?

With a beautiful gesture, Lord Elbert brought the lemon salad on his plate to his lips.

I ended up leaving a discreet memo to the chefs that ‘Lord Elbert seems to like citrus fruits as well.’

The memos I have for my job as Fairytale Keeper have probably also increased.

And most of them were about Lord Elbert.

Of course, we just had a lot of opportunities to spend time together, I was also aware myself that my eyes would often follow Lord Elbert.

(But…)

—— Flashback ——

Alfons: Anyway, I would suggest putting some distance between you two. Before you find yourself unable to escape from a dire situation.

A: Let me just warn you, though — the more you wish for happiness, the more Elbie will try to hurt himself.

—— End flashback ——

The words I heard from Alfons had been stuck in the corner of my mind since.

(Just what is the sin… that Lord Elbert is trying to atone for?)

William: By the way, Elbert. Has there been any development regarding that “personal deal” with the arts dealer? 

Elbert: …

For a moment, Lord Elbert appeared a little nervous.

(A personal deal with that arts dealer…)

—— Flashback ——

Host in a silk hat: Thanks to you, the painting is saved. Please, by all means, take this painting.

Host in a silk hat: And—

Elbert: ...Alright.

—— End flashback ——

—— Flashback ——

Kate: No, I’m fine... What were you talking to the art dealer about just now?

Elbert: Ah... he was offering a personal deal.

Alfons: In other words, he was scheming to make Lord Elbie, who has no eye for beautiful things, into a client.

A: If that art dealer is a member of that organization, the mission is a big success. Isn’t that great?

—— End flashback ——

(He must be talking about that time when he was offered a deal.)

Elbert: Yesterday, a letter came…

E: …requesting that the deal take place at my manor house.

(Lord Elbert’s manor house…?)

(I see, since Lord Elbert is a count… he must own land.)

William: I see, so the other party doesn’t want to show their hand.

W: Before inviting you to their land, perhaps they want to verify that you are, indeed, a ‘collector.’

W: At the place where you were born and raised.

Elbert: …

Lord Elbert’s hands, which had been moving to pick up food on his plate, had stopped completely.

The more I looked, I saw that his expression was clouding over.

(Is there something making him uncertain…?)

I remembered a similar thing had happened back at the party.

There, his expression had also become more dark.

(And the reason for that must be——)

—— Flashback ——

Middle-aged gentleman: Truly, your beauty is second to none.

Green-eyed lady: Elbert, turn toward me as well… My, are you a little short on sleep, perhaps?

Elbert: …I’m fine.

White-haired lady: Are you sure? You aren’t so scared you can’t sleep, aren’t you? I can sing you a lullaby again.

Elbert: …Thank you.

—— End flashback ——

(…To be making that expression even when he’s going back home…)

There was something in Lord Elbert’s manor, that hurt him.

I couldn’t stop that unsettling feeling bubbling up from within me.

(What a selfish guess… there may be some other reason at play, too.)

(But, no matter the reason, if it was something that made him make such an expression…)

(…I want to be by his side.)

William: Kate.

Kate: Hm? Yes, what is it?

William: You should accompany Elbert on his personal deal at his manor.

Elbert: … [surprised]

Kate: Me… accompany him?

(That… if that means I can stay by his side and watch over him, that would make me happy, but—)

Kate: Is that alright? If a stranger suddenly came by, would that not raise suspicion…

K: In the first place, how much do the people of the manor know?

Elbert: …They don’t know about Crown, or about the Cursed.

William: The manor’s employees only know that Elbert is working at the palace.

W: If someone who looked like a secretary was by his side, it would not be that strange.

W: And, you must have seen the arts dealer while accompanying Elbert to the party.

W: So, even if you are at the deal as well, I imagine it wouldn’t raise suspicion.

W: Ahh, I forgot to ask something important.

W: …What do you, yourself, want to do?

As if peering into my heart, William smiled.

(Maybe he saw that I was worried about Lord Elbert.)

I straightened my back, sitting more deeply into the seat.

Kate: If it’s alright, I would like to go, too.

William: So she says. What will you do, Elbert?

Elbert: ……—n’t.

It looked like Lord Elbert was trying to say ‘you can’t.’

Kate: Please, Lord Elbert.

Elbert: … [surprised]

Without thinking, I had avoided that answer.

(I’m sure of it now. As I thought, there is something in his manor that will make me sad.)

(When Lord Elbert wanted to distance something from me… he was always like this.)

(And it’s because of this, that I want to be by his side.)

Elbert: …Alright.

Lord Elbert was kind, and so he didn’t go against my wish.

William: Then it’s decided. When you’re at the manor, the topic of Crown and the Cursed are not to be mentioned.

W: Take care not to let the secrets you hold slip out.

Kate: Yes, of course.

(His family should be at the manor, right? Do they also not know about Lord Elbert’s curse?)

I was a bit curious, but it was probably rude to pry.

I didn’t ask anything, instead finishing my breakfast and rising from my seat to leave.

——A little while after Kate left.

At some point, the only people left in the dining room were William and Alfons.

Without minding table manners, Alfons rested his chin on his hands, looking toward the direction Kate and the others had left.

William: You look like you have something to say.

Alfons: To incite something like that…

A: Whatever becomes of Kate in the coming month she promised to stay here, will not be my problem.

His slightly languid tone revealed none of what he was feeling.

As if looking for his true intentions, William looked at him with a side eye, letting out an easygoing laugh.

William: ‘Whatever becomes’ of Kate and Elbert will depend on their will.

W: I simply gave them a little push they needed.

Alfons: This is the first time I’ve heard that you have some attachment toward Elbie and Kate.

William: …I was always curious, about what Elbert is like when the shoal he wears wavers.

W: Whether he wants to sink into the depths of the water, or rise up to the beach’s shore… I want to know what he truly wishes for.

W: I simply want him to fulfill his own desire, no matter which it is.

W: And I suspect Kate will be the one to pull the answer from him.

It was as though he was waiting for a story’s ending.

William’s eyes shone with anticipation and exaltation.

Alfons: …You are quite evil yourself, if you ask me.

William: Ahaha, well, it’s too late to realize that now.

And then, the next day came — Lord Elbert and I, along with Alfons, arrived at the manor.

(So this is Lord Elbert’s manor.)

The exterior did not betray its interior: every corner was filled with things. It was indeed a beautiful manor.

(But, even though everything is pretty, it feels kind of cold for some reason…)

Elbert: …

Lord Elbert hadn’t said a word since we were in the carriage.

Even when greeted by the servants of the manor, he hadn’t uttered anything.

Butler-looking man: Welcome back, Lord Elbert, Lord Alfons. …And you must be Miss Kate.

A strict-looking butler whose hair was snugly brushed back bowed his head politely, and the others followed after him.

Jeffrey: I am the head of the butlers, Jeffrey. …It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Kate: It’s a pleasure, my name is Kate. Please take care of me.

In response to Jeffrey’s polite greeting, I bowed my head in turn.

After that, Jeffrey introduced some of the butlers and maids.

(Is his family… not here right now? Could it be they are out somewhere…?)

Perhaps because he hasn’t returned in a while, everyone welcomed Lord Elbert modestly and warmly.

Young butler: I have been waiting for your return, Lord Elbert.

Nearly elder butler: I heard that you have returned for work-related reasons, but regardless we are truly delighted that you have returned.

Maid with glasses: How do you wish to spend your time before your work? Your wish is my command.

Elbert: …Please attend to her so she feels comfortable.

E: Other than that… there’s nothing really.

The butlers and maids surrounding Elbert seemed very happy.

But in contrast, I noticed that Lord Elbert had not smiled once, this entire time.

(Maybe it’s because he hasn’t been back in a while, so he’s nervous…?)

Elbert: …

E: I’m sorry but, I want to be alone.

I could pick up his voice, which came out as a trembling whisper.

(‘Alone’…?)

Jeffrey: Now don’t say that, Lord Elbert. We have all missed you so much.

Elbert: …

(I don’t know how long it’s been since Lord Elbert returned.)

(But the arts dealer won’t be arriving until tomorrow, there is still time…)

Kate: How about we talk after a small break?

When I chipped in the conversation, Lord Elbert turned toward me.

Elbert: … [surprised]

(…? Why does he look so surprised…)

——Was that uneasy feeling I had, just my imagination?

The butlers and maids paid no mind to Lord Elbert’s words, continuing to smile at him.

Elbert: …Could you move away, please?

It seemed like he was sweating when I looked at his profile.

(…It’s not hot in here, but he is sweating?)

Lord Elbert didn’t seem to be trembling, per se, but rather he was frightened of something.

That uneasy feeling I had felt before we left the castle came up again.

(Just what is it… that makes him make that face?)

Jeffrey: …Everyone, let us leave it at that. It appears Lord Elbert is unwell.

Upon Jeffrey’s words, the others gave Lord Elbert a look as though they were reluctant to part, before they backed away.

Jeffrey: While Lord Elbert is taking his break, please show Miss Kate to her room.

J: Lord Alfons, too. I will bring a change of clothes and something to drink for you.

Alfons: Ahh, as usual, don’t pay mind to me. I will just be wandering around as I please.

Jeffrey: …As you wish. Then, Miss Kate, that maid will show you to your room.

Kate: Ah… alright. Lord Elbert…

(He said he ‘wanted to be alone.’)

(But is it really okay to leave him alone?)

When Lord Elbert met my eyes, a smile played on his lips.

Elbert: I will rest a little in my room, so… you make yourself at home, too.

E: I don’t think there’s anything very interesting here, but… feel free to do what you will with the things here.

His gentle tone had the opposite effect on me, making me feel uncertain.

(It’s as though he’s holding back so he doesn’t worry me.)

Kate: …Thank you. Then, I’ll see you later.

Maid with glasses: This way, Miss Kate. Be careful to watch your step.

Being led by the maid, I left the parlor.

Jeffrey: Lord Elbert, we have prepared your room. So, please rest as long as you need there.

Elbert: ……I understand, thank you.

As the door closed behind me, I could no longer hear their faint conversing.

Kate: …It will be alright, right, Alfons?

Alfons: …

When I asked in a small voice to Alfons, who left the room with me, he was unusually quiet.

Kate: …Alfons?

Alfons: Whether you choose to see it or not is up to you. I would recommend the latter, though.

Kate: Eh…?

(To see… what, exactly?)

Alfons: You see, for better or worse, there is no ‘master’ of the manor who would punish guests who wander on their own.

A small laugh escaped his lips, and Alfons took a step ahead of me.

Alfons: This will be the third time I’ve said this now, but I would suggest you not dig too deep.

A: I won’t warn you anymore — so don’t take it the wrong way.

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