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Tower of Art / Re: [Writing] Bleeding Edge (D...
Last post by Chairtastic - May 10, 2026, 06:17:40 PMChapter Fourteen: Type Aaah! Personality.
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Telmun City, 8533 years before DMFA
Illyria Scorcros
Status update: Adult cubi status had been achieved. It had likely come as a result of a spike of hope that followed the idea that Gemenes might not be dead. Though Illyria couldn't linger on that – they were on the clock.
The road into Telmun after they unfortunately popped in front of Themis and Lir'rey was quietly marched. Themis refused to speak to them, she would hold her hand up to stymie their attempts to explain.
But there was no hostility in her face. Her thoughts were hidden behind a mind-shield they had provided, and they had only the ability to feel emotions of others for minutes by that time.
Lir'rey was all smiles, but held his finger over his mouth to 'shh' them when they tried to explain themselves. He flashed the queer mark on his hand – as if that would explain everything. When it clearly didn't, the old mouse's eyes twinkled and he smiled wider.
Weird.
Below the vibrant and green jungle, Telmun was just as alive, if slightly darker. Somehow warmer too. Every building was made from stone, as if carved from the earth. Beings, phoenixes, and multiple creature types all were seen. Mostly, they were of darker colourations – demon-descended or of similar palettes.
While underground, the city wasn't dark. Magical lights on the red side of the spectrum lit up streets and homes, lanterns were hung on ropes between buildings – either on the ground or high above. All three dimensions were used; for housing, for business, for decoration – there was no waste to be seen.
To Illyria's eyes, it seemed a festival would soon happen. Perhaps the wedding tradition in Telmun was to do so on special days? They didn't know – the Swiftkeep Union did not encourage marriage.
As soon as they passed through the border checks, and walked the winding road down from the surface, Illyria felt a headache come on which grew worse the longer they walked.
Lir'rey walked as if he knew the roads, as if he'd been to Telmun before. He guided them to a tunnel which said 'Dilmun-Central Connection' on signs. "I hate to impose on you – but could you stay with me until we get where I'm going?"
Illyria glanced at Themis, who gave a brief nod. "Um. Er, yeah. That's easily doable."
"Thank you. I'm afraid if something happened here, I wouldn't be able to defend myself." Lir'rey's red eyes twinkled when he said that.
If behind them lay Dilmun, what was before them had to be Central. A much higher ceiling, more detail in the stonework – carved pillars, wall murals, mosaics in the streets, etc. – and ten great holes in the cavern roof. Nine hundred meter holes around a three-hundred meter central gap. Like a cenote with multiple openings. Greenery was present, along with natural sunlight.
The people of Central were more affluent, by their dress and the way they looked at the three of them. Like flies in ointment.
They passed many grand buildings – fit to be equal to the district in and around the capitol in Pudrock. But the one Lir'rey seemed set on was a comparatively humble building near a lake 'neath the centermost hole in the roof. A stone column reached from the floor to the distant ceiling. Spiraling paths were carved at the base, to multiple doors at different levels. Balconies were paired to the nearby doors, the curtains inscribed with a number in a contrasting color to their base.
Past the halfway point, the paths were swapped for bridges that connected the building to nearby stalactites. There was an entire second city in the rooftop portions. Parks, domes, a swimming pool, a marketplace. It seemed the roof and the floor never truly needed to interact, save by way of gravity.
Illyria marveled at such development because it distracted them from their headache. Every time they tried to engage Themis in conversation, she stalled them again.
Lir'rey pointed up at the tall tower. "My son's up there in the middle section. We just gotta find the way up there...."
Illyria looked, and saw that the balconies in the central area had no numbers. Perhaps they were all one suite? One balcony in particular seemed wider than the others, longer, with a more elaborate fence around the edge. "If I was a betting dog...." They said, and bent down to offer their free arm to Lir'rey. "...I'd say that's an aerie entrance."
Once the diminutive man was carried by Illyria, they and Themis took to the air. It was only after they landed that Illyria noticed how much strain Themis went under to match their speed.
She fell to one knee upon her landing, her breath in gasps.
From the floor to the top of an arch, curtains the color of dried blood blocked their view of the building's interior. A shadowed figure stood at the center of the curtains and stepped through.
A feminine figure, made of grey stone chunks that floated near each other in approximation of a body. Mist clung to the rounded head in mimicry of hair, while floating water took the shape of eyes and a mouth. The figure wore clothes – a duduo of primarily red and secondary yellow, a lava-lava with the inverse color ratio.
"Helloings," a voice with eerie lightness spoke as the figure threw their hands up. "Welcome to Tuler Tower, we have vacancies for renters – are you looking for a new place?" Their mouth didn't move when they spoke, it took the shape of an emotion and held it thus. Squinty-eyed excitement.
Illyria didn't know why – but the feminine elemental mythos seemed to make their headache lessen. Balm on a irritated wound.
Lir'rey stepped out of Illyria's grasp and approached the elemental. "Hello, I'm Lir'rey. I came because my son Nihi'lir is to be married – is he in, today?"
"I'm so happy you're marrying your son! I don't knowings any renters by that name, but I will go check real quick!" The elemental waved their hands while backed up behind the curtain. Apparently? There were stairs on the other side, as their silhouette abruptly fell backward with a flail after they passed through. A crash and tremor echoed through the air and balcony. "I'm okay!"
Immediately Illyria's headache began to grow worse.
"I like her, she's funny," Lir'rey commented as he turned to look at Illyria and Themis.
"...It seems Gemenes got his magical home business up and running," Themis said after her long silence. "Perhaps... he has an old friends discount?"
"Themis, even if he doesn't I'm going to give you as much money as you need." Illyria told her, soft as a cloud.
"I'm still coming to terms with the years of your pity I've endured – don't add to it so carelessly." Themis looked at them by moving her eyes only. A sign of simmering anger.
All four of Illyria's wings sagged. Themis thought they pitied her? Why?
What had they done wrong?
--
Ea Gnashir
Her city had grown to fifteen thousand permanent residents. More came every day, fleeing the Smotlis, and the poor economic prospects in Mostalsia.
To no one's surprise, when everyone with a darker colouration became an undesirable, it soured trade relations. Enough people had come to the city to justify the settlement of a new geofront, Coyose. Primarily, it was for food production. Farming, fish cultivation, and animal husbandry were the contributions Coyose brought.
It also necessitated distribution of the family as they became more organized. The Decapitante family had relocated to Coyose, where they could blend in with beings and phoenixes to ensure food production went smoothly. Ea had been able to keep the cubi clans out of government, but every year it grew harder to keep them away.
At some point the population growth from internal reproduction would become too great, and she'd need to involve the cubi.
Something her kin brought up at meetings of the family heads.
Their meeting room had grown more artful over the years. A portico had been carved into the perimeter, which allowed gemstone lights of a less musical nature to be suspended on chains. Four of the nine columns that supported the portico were carved after the founding heads of the families, all distant ancestors of those seated at the hollow square table at the center of the room.
To mark their power, all heads of the family had taken to wearing Gyo'Oh's feathers in their formal attire, as Aras had done a decade prior. They had the sense to use Gyo'Oh's muted down to not contrast their own colors – all save Harald.
Foolish boy had yet to learn his lesson about fashion.
Aras had the floor, and used illusion magic to fill the hollow space of the table with the jungle above Telmun. "They're looking for every safe road in and out of the city," the ram-horned alpaca said with his teeth sharp in anticipation. "Something's got them so confident that they want to block any attempt to run away."
"That's not necessarily the case," Ea observed as she looked at the cute pink feather symbols Aras had chosen for the Smotlis. "We have obligations now, beyond our own glory. If they exploit it by luring our kin into great combat while the beings we guard are slaughtered, they still win."
Aras' smile faded, as he stroked his chin in thought. Damn Gemenes, he had introduced the concept of goatees to the Woebetides and Crossbones families. All the menfolk had started to wear their beards in that style.
Meliora examined the projection of the jungle and narrowed her eyes. "Their numbers aren't great enough that they aim to encircle us and move in. They don't seem to have flyers, so as soon as we took to the air – we'd escape."
"As soon as we took to the air, we could drop death upon them too." Harald had a fan made from part of a flight feather from Gyo'Oh, and fanned himself like a diva. "There is some game at play here.... Could they be trying to bait the dragon into attacking us?"
"Pudrock would make a more enticing target. It's a lot funner to knock down towers versus stick your arm down a hole to swat at mice." Aras crossed his arms and nodded at his own words, like they made complete sense.
"...Is that why Milda came to us and asked if we had any butter to spare?" Meliora narrowed her eyes at Aras. "Let me smell your arms."
Aras quickly folded his wings over his chest. "Nuh-uh, not happening teeth monster."
But Meliora was not one to be denied. The two of them quickly devolved into 'Get back here!' and 'Someone open the doors, let me out!' while Harald and Ea sat at the table.
"If they have any spies in the city, they'll know about your upcoming wedding." Harald obscured his mouth with his fan. "I can't imagine a true angel marrying what they would consider a demonic abomination would be something they'd tolerate." One well-plucked eyebrow arched. "Shall I have the jungle between us and their position... made more welcoming?"
Ea nodded, her hands folded in her lap. "Please do. But keep exact positions documented so we can make the jungle safe again when needed." She glanced at her in-laws, as they dashed about the room like demons one quarter their ages. "I'm grateful you are less like your father, he would have joined them in their nonsense."
Harald fanned himself again, a smile visible on his beak in between fannings. "I'm proud of myself, I really wanted to get involved – but this outfit's too delicate. Why, if I raise my arms too sharply -- " Fool that he was, he demonstrated right away and the shoulderpad he'd worn with Gyo'Oh's bright feathers around the edge bent out of shape.
She watched his face go from pleased, to shock, to that queer kind of anger directed at oneself. "Harald?"
"Yes, auntie?"
"Did you make your shoulderpads super thin so they'd rest on your plumage easier?"
"Yes auntie. Could you...?"
She snapped her finger and the bent metal contorted itself back into its original shape. "I wish you would study more magic and learn to do that yourself."
"But auntie, I'm too pretty to study!"
Somehow, she found herself thinking wistfully of the time when Aras, Meliora, and Harald's father Logia would run around the meeting room. At least Logia was book-smart.
With half the members in the midst of demon chaos, Ea adjourned the meeting and left for her office.
Gemenes passed her a stack of papers which had arrived while she was in the meeting. A message that her soon-to-be father-in-law had arrived with armed escort, wonderful. The introduction of rainbow fish to their ponds had remained steady – no spawning had been observed yet. And there were rumors that an Amazon tribe was in the midst of formation – in the unsettled Palayme geofront.
If she could keep growing her town, keep growing her power, she could eventually rule a city peer to mighty Hishaan. The trick would be to keep her rule, rather than becoming a figurehead – her ambitions hollowed out with the appearance of success while she became a tool. Ugh, the thought was distasteful.
Once she got to her desk, she started to draft a piece of legislation. "Something meaningless to give the lay people something to chew on and think I'm on their side...." Ea muttered to herself as her glass pen flitted across the page. "Official sanction to settle uninhabited geofronts? Form micro-communities? As long as we control the food, the markets, and transit to surface...." She felt a wicked smile tug at her lips.
Perhaps she could even work it into her wedding speech. Something to practice while she was being baked into a hollow cake, that she could launch into after she jumped out.
--
Themis Riken
After Lir'rey had given them their pay and departed into the building to be with his son, Themis and Illyria sat out on the aerie entrance on the provided benches around the perimeter. Different benches, mind. Themis was still quite cross with her canine companion.
She didn't know if they were aware of their transgression, and so she stayed silent as she organized her thoughts to explain why she was upset. It seemed like the silent treatment from the outside, most definitely. But such wasn't the case.
Though, if Illyria stopped from digging themselves deeper into a hole by way of silence? That would be fine as well.
She had no intention of opening the discussion right on Gemenes' doorway -- not until he allowed them inside, anyway.
A winged figure appeared behind the curtains – for a moment Themis thought it might be their raccoon companion from years ago, but no. The wings were feathered.
Out stepped a dove, black and yellow in her plumage. Attired in the garb of an adventurer, thick leathers and metal armor sporadically throughout the outfit. A succubus, for she had the telltale headwings.
"Well met, adventurers." The succubus greeted them as she stepped out. "I'm Percell Venken, I'm told you're old buddies of my husband."
Any certainty that Themis had that the Gemenes Lir'rey had referred to and who she remembered was immediately cast into doubt. Illyria seemed just as surprise, their wings puffed up and splayed out as they assumed a shocked pose.
"...We must be mistaken," Themis said with a bowed head. "The Gemenes Tuler we refer to was a raccoon with red wings and hair – who made it a point to mention how attracted to men he was." Themis used her walking axe to stand from the bench, with some difficulty and shaking legs. "Sorry to have disturbed you, ma'am."
"The Gemenes Tuler I'm married to is a raccoon with red wings and hair, who exclusively finds men attractive, right." Percell put her hands on her hips and smiled at them. "While I'm of the opposite persuasion." She looked Themis and Illyria up and down, clearly interested. "Both of you? By the way? Looking fine today." Percell drew out the 'I' in 'fine' to emphasize their beauty.
Illyria looked away, no longer bashful but still somewhat avoidant. "Um. Thank you, but um. I'm... not a woman. Or a man."
That response took Percell off her game visibly, she fluffed up and held her hands up. "Oh. Oh! Sorry, didn't mean to assume!"
"I appreciate that you see value in a broken old warrior like me." Themis inclined her head. "But – if our Gemeneses are the same, how can you be his wife?"
"We signed a marriage contract to secure our clans' alliance. We're only married until we produce four children and raise them to adulthood." Percell looked between them, her beak pressed thin as she narrowed her eyes. "From the suspicion and confusion I'm picking up on – the Guild never told you that Gemenes' death was faked."
For the third time in a day, Themis felt like all the wind was knocked out of her by words. Truly, they were a vile thing to inflict such injury without the possibility of reprisal.
Together, as one, the adventurers spoke: "What." Flat, uncomprehending.
"Yeah. I don't know all the details, but he's been held for ransom for years. His clan and the Guild wouldn't pay, so they've had him working it off. Want to come inside and wait? He's at work right now."
Thus were Themis and Illyria allowed inside, up a couple floors and seated at a table within a well-stocked kitchen. Percell filled wide cups with a thick brown liquid that smelled saccharine and yet earthy. Normally, sweets would not be Themis' preferred drink but the liquid seemed to magically lift her spirits.
The taste was pleasant. Not something she would have sought out, but pleasant all the same. Or, perhaps merely inoffensive.
She and Illyria waited in the kitchen as employees dressed in lava-lava alone for men, or with dudou tops for the two ladies, came and went for their duties. Two demons, the elemental mythos from before, a succubus, and a being adventurer.
The adventurer talked with them for a while, he was awaiting pickup from his group, and they talked about some adventures they shared.
But all too soon, it was just Themis and Illyria in the kitchen. With the distraction, Themis found the obstacles she'd had for thought articulation had been removed. Her thoughts were clear, no longer even tinged in anger.
"Were you ever going to tell me you were a concubus?" Themis asked them as she lifted her head to face her friend. Seated, they were the taller, since most of Themis' height came from her legs.
"...No," Illyria admitted and rotated their cup of 'chocolate' in their hands. They hesitated to meet her gaze, but after some time they looked at her. "I would have tried to convince you to retire here, and I would have retired from adventuring to go back to my family. Where I could learn how to control cubi... powers...." They trailed off as one of their eyelids began to twitch. Illyria squinted it shut and rubbed the temple on that side. "Sorry. Headaches."
Themis nodded. "We would have parted ways, and I would have been none the wiser. Me, to live out my life in a broken shell while you grow into a second adulthood." There was no envy in her voice, nor in her spirit. Only grim awareness of how things would have played out. "Do you remember Thena? Toward the end?"
Illyria nodded.
Thena had been infected with a disease deep in the jungles, and failed to tell anyone. The job had been to transport medicine from Cryshield to the epicenter of the outbreak to save whom they could. Thena refused to let a civilian die so that she could live longer, and all but forced herself into a warrior's death that could have been prevented.
"We've known each other for fifteen years. Almost half our lives." Themis reached out and touched Illyria's hand as they flinched from more headache pain. The hand Illyria kept gloved at all times, from an old scar. "And yet, in that time... I never proved worthy enough to share knowledge of this part of you. I'm not angry – anymore – but... disappointed in myself."
Illyria worked their mouth, like they wanted to say something. "These past fifteen years... have been the happiest years of my life. And the reason I didn't bring it up sooner...." They averted their eyes. "It's probably going to end up being the happiest years of my life. All signs point to it being downhill from here."
Themis knew that Illyria's family were not kind. They held love always just out of reach to serve as motivation to their children.
All of a sudden, Illyria gripped the sides of their head. "Augh! I think this headache is growing into a migraine!"
Before Themis could react, a grey-and-black hand reached out of the shadows to ruffle Illyria's hair. "Boop, emotion filter." A familiar voice, deeper than when last she heard it, preceded a garish raccoon's arrival in the kitchen.
Themis blinked. Once, twice, thrice, as she beheld Gemenes. A ghost of the past, alive again. With longer hair, shiny clothing, and quiet confidence.
"You did it," Themis said to her friend, last seen half a lifetime prior. "You finally became a whore."
--
Cast:
Tuyē: Race: Mythos. Species: Elemental. Age: 44. An elemental mythos, a criminal currently awaiting trial for stealing forty cakes, as many as four tens, and attempted cake husbandry with intent to distribute.
---
Smotlis be gathering, sons they be marrying, old adventurers despairing, all while a dragon is harrying!
---
Telmun City, 8533 years before DMFA
Illyria Scorcros
Status update: Adult cubi status had been achieved. It had likely come as a result of a spike of hope that followed the idea that Gemenes might not be dead. Though Illyria couldn't linger on that – they were on the clock.
The road into Telmun after they unfortunately popped in front of Themis and Lir'rey was quietly marched. Themis refused to speak to them, she would hold her hand up to stymie their attempts to explain.
But there was no hostility in her face. Her thoughts were hidden behind a mind-shield they had provided, and they had only the ability to feel emotions of others for minutes by that time.
Lir'rey was all smiles, but held his finger over his mouth to 'shh' them when they tried to explain themselves. He flashed the queer mark on his hand – as if that would explain everything. When it clearly didn't, the old mouse's eyes twinkled and he smiled wider.
Weird.
Below the vibrant and green jungle, Telmun was just as alive, if slightly darker. Somehow warmer too. Every building was made from stone, as if carved from the earth. Beings, phoenixes, and multiple creature types all were seen. Mostly, they were of darker colourations – demon-descended or of similar palettes.
While underground, the city wasn't dark. Magical lights on the red side of the spectrum lit up streets and homes, lanterns were hung on ropes between buildings – either on the ground or high above. All three dimensions were used; for housing, for business, for decoration – there was no waste to be seen.
To Illyria's eyes, it seemed a festival would soon happen. Perhaps the wedding tradition in Telmun was to do so on special days? They didn't know – the Swiftkeep Union did not encourage marriage.
As soon as they passed through the border checks, and walked the winding road down from the surface, Illyria felt a headache come on which grew worse the longer they walked.
Lir'rey walked as if he knew the roads, as if he'd been to Telmun before. He guided them to a tunnel which said 'Dilmun-Central Connection' on signs. "I hate to impose on you – but could you stay with me until we get where I'm going?"
Illyria glanced at Themis, who gave a brief nod. "Um. Er, yeah. That's easily doable."
"Thank you. I'm afraid if something happened here, I wouldn't be able to defend myself." Lir'rey's red eyes twinkled when he said that.
If behind them lay Dilmun, what was before them had to be Central. A much higher ceiling, more detail in the stonework – carved pillars, wall murals, mosaics in the streets, etc. – and ten great holes in the cavern roof. Nine hundred meter holes around a three-hundred meter central gap. Like a cenote with multiple openings. Greenery was present, along with natural sunlight.
The people of Central were more affluent, by their dress and the way they looked at the three of them. Like flies in ointment.
They passed many grand buildings – fit to be equal to the district in and around the capitol in Pudrock. But the one Lir'rey seemed set on was a comparatively humble building near a lake 'neath the centermost hole in the roof. A stone column reached from the floor to the distant ceiling. Spiraling paths were carved at the base, to multiple doors at different levels. Balconies were paired to the nearby doors, the curtains inscribed with a number in a contrasting color to their base.
Past the halfway point, the paths were swapped for bridges that connected the building to nearby stalactites. There was an entire second city in the rooftop portions. Parks, domes, a swimming pool, a marketplace. It seemed the roof and the floor never truly needed to interact, save by way of gravity.
Illyria marveled at such development because it distracted them from their headache. Every time they tried to engage Themis in conversation, she stalled them again.
Lir'rey pointed up at the tall tower. "My son's up there in the middle section. We just gotta find the way up there...."
Illyria looked, and saw that the balconies in the central area had no numbers. Perhaps they were all one suite? One balcony in particular seemed wider than the others, longer, with a more elaborate fence around the edge. "If I was a betting dog...." They said, and bent down to offer their free arm to Lir'rey. "...I'd say that's an aerie entrance."
Once the diminutive man was carried by Illyria, they and Themis took to the air. It was only after they landed that Illyria noticed how much strain Themis went under to match their speed.
She fell to one knee upon her landing, her breath in gasps.
From the floor to the top of an arch, curtains the color of dried blood blocked their view of the building's interior. A shadowed figure stood at the center of the curtains and stepped through.
A feminine figure, made of grey stone chunks that floated near each other in approximation of a body. Mist clung to the rounded head in mimicry of hair, while floating water took the shape of eyes and a mouth. The figure wore clothes – a duduo of primarily red and secondary yellow, a lava-lava with the inverse color ratio.
"Helloings," a voice with eerie lightness spoke as the figure threw their hands up. "Welcome to Tuler Tower, we have vacancies for renters – are you looking for a new place?" Their mouth didn't move when they spoke, it took the shape of an emotion and held it thus. Squinty-eyed excitement.
Illyria didn't know why – but the feminine elemental mythos seemed to make their headache lessen. Balm on a irritated wound.
Lir'rey stepped out of Illyria's grasp and approached the elemental. "Hello, I'm Lir'rey. I came because my son Nihi'lir is to be married – is he in, today?"
"I'm so happy you're marrying your son! I don't knowings any renters by that name, but I will go check real quick!" The elemental waved their hands while backed up behind the curtain. Apparently? There were stairs on the other side, as their silhouette abruptly fell backward with a flail after they passed through. A crash and tremor echoed through the air and balcony. "I'm okay!"
Immediately Illyria's headache began to grow worse.
"I like her, she's funny," Lir'rey commented as he turned to look at Illyria and Themis.
"...It seems Gemenes got his magical home business up and running," Themis said after her long silence. "Perhaps... he has an old friends discount?"
"Themis, even if he doesn't I'm going to give you as much money as you need." Illyria told her, soft as a cloud.
"I'm still coming to terms with the years of your pity I've endured – don't add to it so carelessly." Themis looked at them by moving her eyes only. A sign of simmering anger.
All four of Illyria's wings sagged. Themis thought they pitied her? Why?
What had they done wrong?
--
Ea Gnashir
Her city had grown to fifteen thousand permanent residents. More came every day, fleeing the Smotlis, and the poor economic prospects in Mostalsia.
To no one's surprise, when everyone with a darker colouration became an undesirable, it soured trade relations. Enough people had come to the city to justify the settlement of a new geofront, Coyose. Primarily, it was for food production. Farming, fish cultivation, and animal husbandry were the contributions Coyose brought.
It also necessitated distribution of the family as they became more organized. The Decapitante family had relocated to Coyose, where they could blend in with beings and phoenixes to ensure food production went smoothly. Ea had been able to keep the cubi clans out of government, but every year it grew harder to keep them away.
At some point the population growth from internal reproduction would become too great, and she'd need to involve the cubi.
Something her kin brought up at meetings of the family heads.
Their meeting room had grown more artful over the years. A portico had been carved into the perimeter, which allowed gemstone lights of a less musical nature to be suspended on chains. Four of the nine columns that supported the portico were carved after the founding heads of the families, all distant ancestors of those seated at the hollow square table at the center of the room.
To mark their power, all heads of the family had taken to wearing Gyo'Oh's feathers in their formal attire, as Aras had done a decade prior. They had the sense to use Gyo'Oh's muted down to not contrast their own colors – all save Harald.
Foolish boy had yet to learn his lesson about fashion.
Aras had the floor, and used illusion magic to fill the hollow space of the table with the jungle above Telmun. "They're looking for every safe road in and out of the city," the ram-horned alpaca said with his teeth sharp in anticipation. "Something's got them so confident that they want to block any attempt to run away."
"That's not necessarily the case," Ea observed as she looked at the cute pink feather symbols Aras had chosen for the Smotlis. "We have obligations now, beyond our own glory. If they exploit it by luring our kin into great combat while the beings we guard are slaughtered, they still win."
Aras' smile faded, as he stroked his chin in thought. Damn Gemenes, he had introduced the concept of goatees to the Woebetides and Crossbones families. All the menfolk had started to wear their beards in that style.
Meliora examined the projection of the jungle and narrowed her eyes. "Their numbers aren't great enough that they aim to encircle us and move in. They don't seem to have flyers, so as soon as we took to the air – we'd escape."
"As soon as we took to the air, we could drop death upon them too." Harald had a fan made from part of a flight feather from Gyo'Oh, and fanned himself like a diva. "There is some game at play here.... Could they be trying to bait the dragon into attacking us?"
"Pudrock would make a more enticing target. It's a lot funner to knock down towers versus stick your arm down a hole to swat at mice." Aras crossed his arms and nodded at his own words, like they made complete sense.
"...Is that why Milda came to us and asked if we had any butter to spare?" Meliora narrowed her eyes at Aras. "Let me smell your arms."
Aras quickly folded his wings over his chest. "Nuh-uh, not happening teeth monster."
But Meliora was not one to be denied. The two of them quickly devolved into 'Get back here!' and 'Someone open the doors, let me out!' while Harald and Ea sat at the table.
"If they have any spies in the city, they'll know about your upcoming wedding." Harald obscured his mouth with his fan. "I can't imagine a true angel marrying what they would consider a demonic abomination would be something they'd tolerate." One well-plucked eyebrow arched. "Shall I have the jungle between us and their position... made more welcoming?"
Ea nodded, her hands folded in her lap. "Please do. But keep exact positions documented so we can make the jungle safe again when needed." She glanced at her in-laws, as they dashed about the room like demons one quarter their ages. "I'm grateful you are less like your father, he would have joined them in their nonsense."
Harald fanned himself again, a smile visible on his beak in between fannings. "I'm proud of myself, I really wanted to get involved – but this outfit's too delicate. Why, if I raise my arms too sharply -- " Fool that he was, he demonstrated right away and the shoulderpad he'd worn with Gyo'Oh's bright feathers around the edge bent out of shape.
She watched his face go from pleased, to shock, to that queer kind of anger directed at oneself. "Harald?"
"Yes, auntie?"
"Did you make your shoulderpads super thin so they'd rest on your plumage easier?"
"Yes auntie. Could you...?"
She snapped her finger and the bent metal contorted itself back into its original shape. "I wish you would study more magic and learn to do that yourself."
"But auntie, I'm too pretty to study!"
Somehow, she found herself thinking wistfully of the time when Aras, Meliora, and Harald's father Logia would run around the meeting room. At least Logia was book-smart.
With half the members in the midst of demon chaos, Ea adjourned the meeting and left for her office.
Gemenes passed her a stack of papers which had arrived while she was in the meeting. A message that her soon-to-be father-in-law had arrived with armed escort, wonderful. The introduction of rainbow fish to their ponds had remained steady – no spawning had been observed yet. And there were rumors that an Amazon tribe was in the midst of formation – in the unsettled Palayme geofront.
If she could keep growing her town, keep growing her power, she could eventually rule a city peer to mighty Hishaan. The trick would be to keep her rule, rather than becoming a figurehead – her ambitions hollowed out with the appearance of success while she became a tool. Ugh, the thought was distasteful.
Once she got to her desk, she started to draft a piece of legislation. "Something meaningless to give the lay people something to chew on and think I'm on their side...." Ea muttered to herself as her glass pen flitted across the page. "Official sanction to settle uninhabited geofronts? Form micro-communities? As long as we control the food, the markets, and transit to surface...." She felt a wicked smile tug at her lips.
Perhaps she could even work it into her wedding speech. Something to practice while she was being baked into a hollow cake, that she could launch into after she jumped out.
--
Themis Riken
After Lir'rey had given them their pay and departed into the building to be with his son, Themis and Illyria sat out on the aerie entrance on the provided benches around the perimeter. Different benches, mind. Themis was still quite cross with her canine companion.
She didn't know if they were aware of their transgression, and so she stayed silent as she organized her thoughts to explain why she was upset. It seemed like the silent treatment from the outside, most definitely. But such wasn't the case.
Though, if Illyria stopped from digging themselves deeper into a hole by way of silence? That would be fine as well.
She had no intention of opening the discussion right on Gemenes' doorway -- not until he allowed them inside, anyway.
A winged figure appeared behind the curtains – for a moment Themis thought it might be their raccoon companion from years ago, but no. The wings were feathered.
Out stepped a dove, black and yellow in her plumage. Attired in the garb of an adventurer, thick leathers and metal armor sporadically throughout the outfit. A succubus, for she had the telltale headwings.
"Well met, adventurers." The succubus greeted them as she stepped out. "I'm Percell Venken, I'm told you're old buddies of my husband."
Any certainty that Themis had that the Gemenes Lir'rey had referred to and who she remembered was immediately cast into doubt. Illyria seemed just as surprise, their wings puffed up and splayed out as they assumed a shocked pose.
"...We must be mistaken," Themis said with a bowed head. "The Gemenes Tuler we refer to was a raccoon with red wings and hair – who made it a point to mention how attracted to men he was." Themis used her walking axe to stand from the bench, with some difficulty and shaking legs. "Sorry to have disturbed you, ma'am."
"The Gemenes Tuler I'm married to is a raccoon with red wings and hair, who exclusively finds men attractive, right." Percell put her hands on her hips and smiled at them. "While I'm of the opposite persuasion." She looked Themis and Illyria up and down, clearly interested. "Both of you? By the way? Looking fine today." Percell drew out the 'I' in 'fine' to emphasize their beauty.
Illyria looked away, no longer bashful but still somewhat avoidant. "Um. Thank you, but um. I'm... not a woman. Or a man."
That response took Percell off her game visibly, she fluffed up and held her hands up. "Oh. Oh! Sorry, didn't mean to assume!"
"I appreciate that you see value in a broken old warrior like me." Themis inclined her head. "But – if our Gemeneses are the same, how can you be his wife?"
"We signed a marriage contract to secure our clans' alliance. We're only married until we produce four children and raise them to adulthood." Percell looked between them, her beak pressed thin as she narrowed her eyes. "From the suspicion and confusion I'm picking up on – the Guild never told you that Gemenes' death was faked."
For the third time in a day, Themis felt like all the wind was knocked out of her by words. Truly, they were a vile thing to inflict such injury without the possibility of reprisal.
Together, as one, the adventurers spoke: "What." Flat, uncomprehending.
"Yeah. I don't know all the details, but he's been held for ransom for years. His clan and the Guild wouldn't pay, so they've had him working it off. Want to come inside and wait? He's at work right now."
Thus were Themis and Illyria allowed inside, up a couple floors and seated at a table within a well-stocked kitchen. Percell filled wide cups with a thick brown liquid that smelled saccharine and yet earthy. Normally, sweets would not be Themis' preferred drink but the liquid seemed to magically lift her spirits.
The taste was pleasant. Not something she would have sought out, but pleasant all the same. Or, perhaps merely inoffensive.
She and Illyria waited in the kitchen as employees dressed in lava-lava alone for men, or with dudou tops for the two ladies, came and went for their duties. Two demons, the elemental mythos from before, a succubus, and a being adventurer.
The adventurer talked with them for a while, he was awaiting pickup from his group, and they talked about some adventures they shared.
But all too soon, it was just Themis and Illyria in the kitchen. With the distraction, Themis found the obstacles she'd had for thought articulation had been removed. Her thoughts were clear, no longer even tinged in anger.
"Were you ever going to tell me you were a concubus?" Themis asked them as she lifted her head to face her friend. Seated, they were the taller, since most of Themis' height came from her legs.
"...No," Illyria admitted and rotated their cup of 'chocolate' in their hands. They hesitated to meet her gaze, but after some time they looked at her. "I would have tried to convince you to retire here, and I would have retired from adventuring to go back to my family. Where I could learn how to control cubi... powers...." They trailed off as one of their eyelids began to twitch. Illyria squinted it shut and rubbed the temple on that side. "Sorry. Headaches."
Themis nodded. "We would have parted ways, and I would have been none the wiser. Me, to live out my life in a broken shell while you grow into a second adulthood." There was no envy in her voice, nor in her spirit. Only grim awareness of how things would have played out. "Do you remember Thena? Toward the end?"
Illyria nodded.
Thena had been infected with a disease deep in the jungles, and failed to tell anyone. The job had been to transport medicine from Cryshield to the epicenter of the outbreak to save whom they could. Thena refused to let a civilian die so that she could live longer, and all but forced herself into a warrior's death that could have been prevented.
"We've known each other for fifteen years. Almost half our lives." Themis reached out and touched Illyria's hand as they flinched from more headache pain. The hand Illyria kept gloved at all times, from an old scar. "And yet, in that time... I never proved worthy enough to share knowledge of this part of you. I'm not angry – anymore – but... disappointed in myself."
Illyria worked their mouth, like they wanted to say something. "These past fifteen years... have been the happiest years of my life. And the reason I didn't bring it up sooner...." They averted their eyes. "It's probably going to end up being the happiest years of my life. All signs point to it being downhill from here."
Themis knew that Illyria's family were not kind. They held love always just out of reach to serve as motivation to their children.
All of a sudden, Illyria gripped the sides of their head. "Augh! I think this headache is growing into a migraine!"
Before Themis could react, a grey-and-black hand reached out of the shadows to ruffle Illyria's hair. "Boop, emotion filter." A familiar voice, deeper than when last she heard it, preceded a garish raccoon's arrival in the kitchen.
Themis blinked. Once, twice, thrice, as she beheld Gemenes. A ghost of the past, alive again. With longer hair, shiny clothing, and quiet confidence.
"You did it," Themis said to her friend, last seen half a lifetime prior. "You finally became a whore."
--
Cast:
Tuyē: Race: Mythos. Species: Elemental. Age: 44. An elemental mythos, a criminal currently awaiting trial for stealing forty cakes, as many as four tens, and attempted cake husbandry with intent to distribute.
---
Smotlis be gathering, sons they be marrying, old adventurers despairing, all while a dragon is harrying!
#82
The Lost Lake Inn / Re: 2026-05-07 - DMFA 2169 - W...
Last post by Anri - May 10, 2026, 05:46:43 PMQuote from: Cassi-kun on May 09, 2026, 11:29:35 PMAlso, can I say that Dee makes some fantastic faces on this page?
I was coming to say the exact same thing! Absolutely amazing expressions.
#83
The Lost Lake Inn / Re: 2026-05-07 - DMFA 2169 - W...
Last post by samidare - May 10, 2026, 03:10:48 PMI think Destania's relationship with her step-daughter isn't even consistent in her own head, considering how she's acted not just within this single comic, but overall. I basically think she's splitting.
#84
The Lost Lake Inn / Re: 2026-05-07 - DMFA 2169 - W...
Last post by Hariman - May 10, 2026, 01:49:29 PMDestania's relationship with her step-daughter is severely disappointing to me.
I think it was Abel who warned Dan that his mother wasn't the kind person he thought she was, and Abel is 100% right about that.
Ironically, Pyroduck is probably the only one of Hizell's get who ISN'T Destania's sworn enemy.
What's next, will he go Plaid with power?
I think that's always been the goal, but it's hard when your minions and allies bring personal grudges into the mix.
I think it was Abel who warned Dan that his mother wasn't the kind person he thought she was, and Abel is 100% right about that.
Ironically, Pyroduck is probably the only one of Hizell's get who ISN'T Destania's sworn enemy.
Quote from: Radagast on May 08, 2026, 05:47:46 PMDamn, Biggs really is running the gamut, isn't he? First he went mad with power, then sad with power...and now he's gone bad with power!
What's next, will he go Plaid with power?
Quote from: samidare on May 08, 2026, 06:51:43 PMMaybe he'll lock in and become rad with power when he has the chance to turn to heroism?
I think that's always been the goal, but it's hard when your minions and allies bring personal grudges into the mix.
#85
The Lost Lake Inn / Re: 2026-05-07 - DMFA 2169 - W...
Last post by Merlin - May 10, 2026, 04:36:35 AMQuote from: killpurakat on May 08, 2026, 02:17:16 AMAlso... is there something off with today's comic? It looks less polished that Amber's usual work, but maybe they mentioned trying out a new style and I missed that?
I've been thinking about how to reply to this without being rude for a while but i think it looks great check your monitor lol
Amber's been doing lots of experimentation with line weights and I really like it! The amount of shading on the characters and detail in the backgrounds doesnt look any different to me than usual tbh
#86
The Lost Lake Inn / Re: 2026-05-07 - DMFA 2169 - W...
Last post by Cassi-kun - May 09, 2026, 11:29:35 PMAlso, can I say that Dee makes some fantastic faces on this page?
#87
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [Epsilon Chapter 56]
Last post by Starcat5 - May 09, 2026, 10:54:36 AMQuote from: Starcat5 on May 07, 2026, 09:10:07 PM...the right tentacle wing is under radio blackout.
Quote from: ProfesseurRenard on May 09, 2026, 07:16:26 AMQuote from: Starcat5 on May 09, 2026, 06:38:46 AMQuote from: ProfesseurRenard on May 09, 2026, 02:55:12 AMOne wonders what the left wing tentacle is doing in this scenario...In this scenario? That would be the Avatar currently messing with The Professor.
Hold up, I thought we were talking about Syd and Sheila's unsanctioned skiving?
No no, you're right. I should have reread my original post.
#88
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [Epsilon Chapter 56]
Last post by ProfesseurRenard - May 09, 2026, 07:16:26 AMQuote from: Starcat5 on May 09, 2026, 06:38:46 AMQuote from: ProfesseurRenard on May 09, 2026, 02:55:12 AMOne wonders what the left wing tentacle is doing in this scenario...
In this scenario? That would be the Avatar currently messing with The Professor.
Hold up, I thought we were talking about Syd and Sheila's unsanctioned skiving?
#89
Jayhawk HQ / Re: [Epsilon Chapter 56]
Last post by Starcat5 - May 09, 2026, 06:38:46 AMQuote from: ProfesseurRenard on May 09, 2026, 02:55:12 AMOne wonders what the left wing tentacle is doing in this scenario...
#90
The Lost Lake Inn / Re: 2026-05-07 - DMFA 2169 - W...
Last post by e_voyager - May 09, 2026, 03:07:20 AMWell bigs now you know why running a villainous organization can be so difficult. He was to say nothing of heroes governments and other villains also known as governments sneaking in infiltrators to make it harder to accomplish your missions