Gain the weight of you then lose it

[reddosmod]

JANUARY 2022 EVENT

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: Woman in an elaborate blue dress with high collar staring at camera while people dance in background.]
[Image Two: Woman in pink dress touching chest and smiling at camera while people dance in background.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: Explicit gif of snake shedding its skin and a new viperlike snake coming out of the old skin.]
[Image Two: Gif of eyes gazing at camera and right eye turning yellow.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: Image of rock snake with fire glowing in its mouth.]
[Image Two: Gif of a snake made entirely out of flames hissing.]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

SNAKE DEN

WHEN: Evenings throughout January
WHERE: The Red, Cellar Door
CONTENT WARNINGS: Alcohol/Drugs, possible NSFW scenarios, forced honesty, mood altering substances.

---

Around Trench, Sleepers will find a gold-edged flyer pinned to most doors, lamps, and posted around stores and throughout the market. Some may even find the flyer pinned to their front door:

MADAM GENEROSITY INVITES YOU TO THE SNAKE DEN

Hello darling and dearest Sleepers! Do not let the cold dampen your spirit or weaken your hope. Do not allow our differences to divide us; do not let the frigid drive you to isolation; do not hurt your soul by forgetting one another. They say snakes cannot thrive in the cold, yet here I am, defying it, thriving despite it. You can too. We must persist. We shall persist. Not with violence and bloodshed, not with pollution and corruption, but with unity! With compassion and fun.

I invite you all to join me at The Red every odd evening of January! Welcome to the Snake Den! A little Talent Show I throw occasionally to remind Sleepers of their profound potential for greatness and awe! Come be flashy on stage or to support your friends. After the Talent Show is our famed Fashion Show. Do you have eccentric outfits you would like to show off? Now is truly your time to shine!

The evening will be filled with plenty of food and drink for all. We shall dance, we shall show off, we shall persist and defy corruption together. Let my lovely Night Walkers shine and keep you company for the evening. Find some new friends, have an illicit affair, or just come so you don't have to be alone for a night. You are all welcome...And don't worry, I've enchanted the Red so that none of your powers can cause any damage while inside the building. Feel free to really make a light show with your fire! It won't hurt anyone.

I so look forward to seeing all of you there.

With Love,
Madam Generosity

The Red has been elaborately decorated for the Snake Den spectacle. Enormous golden statues of snakes have been placed throughout. Golden lights glitter above. Servers carry about golden flutes of champagne, soda, and sparkling water. You can order other drinks at the bar. While the invite has gone out to Sleepers, there are some regular Trenchies who have come to show their support. To perform in the Talent Show portion, one simply needs to go backstage to prepare with the rest.

A female Trenchie named Dorothea seems to be directing the acts. People can perform multiple times. Talents performed can include music, comedy, dance routines, or little skits. After the Talent Show concludes, a Fashion Show will be put on, and everyone is encouraged to join. You can get your hair and make-up done elaborately backstage and find eccentric outfits to try on if you're not so happy with the one you showed up in.

Going to the Snake Den at this time will cause incredible stress relief. Even those who are typically shy or introverted will find themselves soothed at the Snake Den. Giant pillows have been thrown about so people can puddle in together and snuggle up. Private rooms have been created out of silks for some private conversations or interactions.

There must be something in the drinks or the snacks going around because it becomes easy to become a much more outgoing version of yourself at the party. It may increase friendliness or touchiness and relax people's usual reservations. Who knows? It might encourage you to go up on stage and show off a bit or talk to that handsome stranger who has been eying you the whole night. Regular intoxication from alcohol/drugs is possible as well which means some people might not need the additional encouragement.

Regular dancing occurs after the Fashion Shows with various musicians performing on stage to fill the night up with plenty of mood melodies. As the evening prolongs, the lights dim and things become quiet and soothing. Since paleblood magic is exceptionally strong this month with honesty, attendants of the party may find themselves being more open and honest about themselves. Hopefully, you don't confess anything too vulnerable about yourself...

FAQ:
1. Characters with mental abilities may be able to resist the honesty sway if they consciously realize it is happening.

2. Any talent can be performed on the stage.

3. The flyer is magically enchanted so that people who touch it will feel unusually excited to go to the Snake Den.

THE SHEDDING CEREMONY

WHEN: Begins in January - Effects may be permanent. Players choose when the effects wear off.
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Forced modification of body, possible themes of body dysmorphia, shedding/peeling skin, burning/eating dead skin, alternate versions of characters, possible genderswapping, possible alteration of personality/memories.

---

[A passage from Rituals and Reality; Chapter 2: The Shedding Ceremony. Found exclusively in Gaze:]

"Worshippers of Madam Generosity believed that the shedding of snakeskin was symbolic to the shedding of an old life and the acceptance of a new life. The skin left behind was a reminder of past trials and tribulations, and the skin you walk away with is evidence of all that you have learned and experienced. In ancient times, Sleepers would ritualistically select one of their own to sacrifice to Madam Generosity. Eventually, Sleepers would come to learn that Madam Generosity did not appreciate blood sacrifices. Due to her gentle nature, she encouraged Sleepers to pay tribute to her in other ways.

Thus came the Shedding Ceremony. Sleepers would rub away chapped skin and set it afire in a bowl. They would reflect on lives left behind and the new life they had been given in Trench. Over time, this created a powerful magical experience that persisted beyond the original ceremony. The Shedding Ceremony is both a ritual and an enchantment.

As January begins, Sleepers may find that their skin has become dry and brittle. The generous application of lotions and oils may soothe the skin, but neglected skin can begin to peel off. Although it is a painless experience, it can be rather gross to look at and a bit itchy. Then one day, you simply fall asleep and when you awaken, you are an entirely different version of yourself. You will find a nearly perfect replica of your old self in a shed skin nearby. Your new body may be stronger, faster, more powerful. Old scars may be healed, lost limps replaced...Or you might be an entirely new gender. Some have even experienced becoming a different species. Some awaken as an older or younger variation of themselves while others find that they have become an alternate version of themselves.

These effects have been known to last for a few days up to months at a time. In some scenarios, the effects have become permanent. Some believe it to be a curse while others believe it is a gift. It may happen multiple times and take a few sheds to return to your original body. It is believed that ingesting your old skin or burning it alleviates the changes and brings you back to your original body faster. Generous application of lotion and oils can prevent the Shedding Ceremony altogether for some - or at the very least, slow it down."

FAQ

1. Characters can avoid this prompt altogether via the application of lotion.

2. If you decide to permanently change your character in a big way (ie; changing their species/gender/age) then we do ask that you update your character on the taken page to reflect that they are now an Alternate Version of a character. This would open up the original character to be applicable to new players.

3. This can change blood types for those interested in trying on a new blood type. You can either temporarily change a blood type or permanently. If you permanently change a blood type, let us know on the Blood Type page and update your information on the taken page.

4. You can play out the transformation as explicitly or non-explicitly as you want. Maybe characters see the changes happening under their peeling skin or just wake up in their new body. The peeling does not need to be any more graphic than what you would typically see on dry skin.

5. You can alter a character's gender, species, age, blood type, or switch to a general alternate version of a character (ie; Coffee Shop AU, an AU of your character but with different powers, an AU of your character if they came from a different canon or timeline.) Please have fun with this and explore the possibilities for as long as you like!

Unsnakely

WHEN: All of Bone Season
WHERE: Anywhere outside
CONTENT WARNINGS: Possible injuries or death from burns/fire.

---

[A journal entry from the Wayward Watcher that can be found in the Archaic Archives reads:]

"Do not trust the naked snake trails of January. They exist to trick you into a sense of Madam Generosity's comfort. The Good Pthumerian leaves snow tracks in her wake, but the Unsnakely leaves melted trails of snow. This creature has spent centuries cloaking itself to rope in those who devotedly follow Madam Generosity. The kind people of Trench look to snakes as a trustworthy, compassionate symbol filled with good intention.

There are many ways to anticipate the Unsnakely's presence. Besides its melted trails (that eventually turn to ice in the cold), you may notice pockets of comfortable heat. While many believe greenery is a good sign, do not be fooled by the melted patches of grass you find. These are not symbols of an early spring. They are symbols of incoming destruction.

The Unsnakely is not of blood or soul; it is a blood curse of the earth, a product of Blood Pollution. It's a creature made out of rock, with no pulse, no soul, no mind. Molten lava pours through its body. It moves in and out of the earth without disturbing the surface, transforming from rock into small beasts or a snake the size of your home. It looks to spill blood to freshen its own magic and its choice of weapon is its size and the fire it breathes. A furious Unsnakely will light up in flames and can bring great destruction to its surroundings. People have lost their homes to the Unsnakely and of course, people have lost their lives.

The Unsnakely, no matter the size it takes, is as fast and lethal as a typical snake. It cannot truly die, as it is a curse of the earth, but it can be physically destroyed by immense blunt strength or coldblood abilities whether fire or ice. Typical ice abilities will not work against the snake - they must come from a coldblood source. Enchanted coldblood items will be effective against the Unsnakely.

The Unsnakely can spit fire like venom and boil the air around it. It can be difficult to get physically close enough to land a blow due to the suffocatingly hot temperature rolling off its body. It traditionally hunts in the streets and in the woods, by the beach and among the cliffs. Once someone has slain the beast, it returns to the earth where it rebuilds itself over a period of 2-3 days. It primarily hunts during Bone Season, preferring to use the cloak of Madam Generosity to its advantage.

Since this is not a traditional snake, it has no desire to "eat" anyone. It will simply roast you alive - which is arguably worse for some. Its fire burns hotter and brighter than regular fire, and it is a slow, agonizing death that has caused absolute madness in some. People have claimed to see strange visions in the smoke that pours off of the Unsnakely, causing distortion in battle. Do not inhale too much of the Unsnakely's smoke as it will cause intense vertigo. Remember: this is a creature of deception.

Lastly, it would be beneficial to know that the Unsnakely cannot hear or see. It responds to the vibration around it. Some who stay still may get the upper hand, but the creature can feel the vibrations of your heartbeat if your pulse is unusually elevated. Good luck, fellow Hunters. Treat burns by the Unsnakely with vileblood. I know it sounds mad, but the vileblood seems to attack whatever cursed heat comes with burns from the Unsnakely.

Take care of yourself,
- The Wayward Watcher"

FAQ
1. Characters who can manipulate earth can contort/stop/fight against the Unsnakely's natural body. It will take great control to fully control or dismantle the body.

2. Coldbloods with fire abilities can similarly control the fire of the Unsnakely with great control.

CODING

Comments

Shedding Ceremony - Smol

[opress]

[Savage had lost track of his brother, though how that was even possible he didn't even know. Maul had a presence all of his own, and he found it easy to track when he applied himself. His brother also tended to appear in grand ways all the time, so he could just wait for the yelling and follow it back to the elder Zabrak.

This time though, Maul was decidedly missing. Itchy dry skin was a complaint they both had had days before, not that he had thought much of it. Even now, he lightly scratched the back of his neck as he walked in search of his elder brother.

He first had an indication something wasn't right when he sensed himself being followed. It didn't feel like a threat, but he had been followed enough in Trench when the cloaked figures were moving around town to keep his guard up. He made certain to maneuver himself to where he could turn a corner and look back to spy who was following him.

Once he realized it was a kit - and not yet necessarily Maul - he stopped and turned around. Kit tactics, was it? Well, he'd send them off to their parents or guardians soon enough.]

Come out on your own or I'll pull you out, kit.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul had been following Savage around for the obvious reason: he was the first Zabrak Maul had seen here in the city, and not only that but a Nightbrother! He looked just the way Nightbrothers were supposed to: big (so very big), ferocious, and strong. Maul bet he could have even take on a gundark and won. Maybe he could take Maul back to Dathomir with him when he left this place.

When he realized his oh-so-stealthy attempt had been noticed, he froze for a moment. Maul never liked it when adults noticed him, afraid that punishment would soon follow. But this wasn't just anyone. This someone was Nightkin and therefore Maul knew he could be trusted. He timidly came out of the shadows and pulled back the hood of the big fluffy cloak he'd wrapped himself up in. Yep, that was definitely Maul, and he was definitely now around the age of eight or nine. He stood there, looking up and up until he met Savage's golden eyes. He didn't say a word, just stood there and waited to hear what the enormous Nightbrother would say next.]

[opress]

[Somehow, Savage managed to keep his expression impassive when he realized that he was looking at his elder brother in the form of a kit. That explained how he had lost track of Maul, since this version was clearly sneaky and shy. The last time that Maul had been so young, Savage had been forced to join him and oh what a time they had had together.

Thankfully, he had experience raising kits thanks to his upbringing. He had brought up Feral but also other kits that had come under his clan's care as they were dropped off over the years.

Savage issued a low chuff of greeting, and his posture specifically changed from guarded to welcoming as he slowly eased himself down into a crouch. He gestured for Maul to come closer, and while he made certain not to show it, he was delighted to see his tough, prickly older brother reduced to a kit. There were plenty of opportunities here, he knew.]

Come, little Brother, let's have a look at you. Lost child of Dathomir, what name were you blessed with?

[survivalthroughhate]

[More than the traditional greeting from Dathomir that Maul heard, it was Savage's body language that made him draw closer, the low chuff and the warmness Maul could sense as he knelt down. He was open and clearly wasn't going to harm him, so the little kit crept in until he was almost within a distance that Savage could have touched him if he so chose. Maul's own body language reflected his shy, skittish nature, but some of it was beginning to melt away now that he had found a piece of home here in the strange city.

He couldn't quite remember how one was supposed to address one of the grown-up Nightbrothers but Maul did his best with what his fragmentary memory could supply him, sounding hilariously formal as he did his best.]

Hello, elder Brother, protector of the village, and slayer of the beasts of Dathomir. My mother gave me the name of Maul.

[opress]

[He could pull Maul to him, and he knew some Brothers were rougher with their charges than others. He decided to let this little version of Maul come to him, to bridge the distance when the shyness hopefully gave way to the safety that came from knowing one's own kind. He rested his elbows on his knees and watched the little Zabrak version of his brother, committing it to memory. This was what had been stolen from Dathomir all those years ago.

At the return greeting, he sounded another soft chuff.] Your honourable mother blessed you with a strong name, Maul. Your sire did you many favours with your rare colouring as well. [He gestured lightly with a clawed hand.] Your tattoos are pleasing and done with care.

[It was part of the greeting of taking in a kit, to welcome all aspects of them. He didn't remember it happening to him, but it had been taught to him when he was old enough to understand.]

I'm Savage. I'm the only Brother in these parts, so I'll be yours. [He hoped that, for a young Maul who had nothing, knowing that someone existed to be strictly in his corner would have a desired effect.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[The ritualistic compliments please Maul greatly and his eyes light up. It's been a long time since anyone has been this nice to him without having an ulterior motive. He creeps up close and places his two small hands on top of one of Savage's arms. They look even smaller than they actually are given the size of him and Maul himself looks completely dwarfed next to the seven-foot-tall Zabrak warrior.]

Thank you for your kind words, Brother. That's a nice name. My brother has it. [He clarifies.] My blood brother. [He doesn't think anything of this giant Nightbrother having the same name as the young brother Maul hasn't seen in several years, for sometimes the same names do crop up from time to time among the Dathomirian Zabrak. There were only so many synonyms in the dictionary for vicious, brutal, and harsh after all.

Hearing that Savage would be his brother and watch out for him was pretty much all Maul really needed to hear in order to let his guard down completely. His small form leaned into Savage's own and his voice held a quivering note of genuine happiness to it as he answered.]

Thank you, Savage. I'm glad someone is going to. This city is very big and I keep getting lost.

[opress]

[As planned, Maul seemed lured in by the traditions that had stolen when the young Zabrak had been taken from Dathomir. He let Maul come to him without much movement, humming as the small version of his brother slotted into the V of his thighs where it was perhaps considered the safest.

Yet, for a moment, he experienced a jolt of nervousness when Maul mentioned him. It wasn't that he had forgotten, but he wasn't so certain how much Maul remembered of him at such a young age. Given his current age and size, likely Maul would never make the connection to their blood relation being still very true. Instead, to distract himself from any potential invasive questions, he lifted the arm not currently under Maul's grip and set it lightly to the young Zabrak's head, thumb stroking nubby horns.]

We may not be on Dathomir, but you will stay with me. You'll do the tasks I give you, but once finished, you can explore and wander. [He planned on giving Maul the tasks of feeding the pets; that should keep him busy for a bit. Savage might not follow Maul around closely for wandering, but he wouldn't be more than a call away either.] We'll teach you the way to get home and you can explore out from there. That's the best way to get around.

[With Maul leaning in on him, his hand dropped from head to around the small of the young Zabrak's back, and he scooped Maul up without a fuss. Then he set his young charge on his shoulders where the best vantage point was and his horns could be used for grip.]

Are you hungry, little Brother?

[survivalthroughhate]

[Since he was used to being told what to do, Maul just nodded as Savage laid out the plan for him. Honestly, the idea that he had to do whatever this Nightbrother told him to sat well with him. Maul had learned to become very obedient in the three years Sidious had him, and at this point, he just did whatever he was told to without question.

Maul didn't protest as Savage scooped him up. He just went limp for a moment until he was deposited on the elder Zabrak's shoulders. He held on confidently to his older brother's horns and the smallest of smiles. Now that he had someone to look after him who didn't seem of the mind to punish him for every little indiscretion, some of Maul's skittish, fearful nature was beginning to disappear. He felt safe, wanted, and secure again, things that had been missing from his life for years now ever since Sidious had stolen him away.]

Yes! Can we get some good food? And jerky? I love jerky.

[The dried meat, so often coated with spices, was like candy to a young Zabrak.]

[opress]

[It was a touch strange to him for Maul to be so pliant, but at the same time, young Nightbrothers often attached themselves to their lead foster Brother until they felt comfortable in their surroundings. Young Brothers who refused to fall in line often died quickly to one of the numerous dangers of Dathomir. So perhaps it wasn't too unusual, but it was rather unlike the brother he knew as an adult.

Now that Maul was safe and stationed on his shoulders, he set one hand on the young Zabrak's legs that hung down his chest and turned around to begin to return back to the house he shared with adult Maul. At least there would be Lego to entertain a young inquisitive mind.]

Let's head to where you'll be living with me, and we can get you something to eat. I'll introduce you to the beasts that will be your responsibility to feed. [He planned on having Ruin follow Maul around on wandering once he was certain the rathtar wouldn't try to eat Maul.]

Have you hunted much, little Brother?

cw: child abuse mentions

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul looked around the city as they passed through it with curious, big eyes. Despite brimming with questions, he was afraid to ask any of them. If he asked too many of his master, Sidious was likely to belt him in the face or knock him to the ground if he became irritated by the little kit. He nodded in a very serious fashion when Savage said he'd be feeding the pets even if the elder Zabrak couldn't see him right now.]

Beasts? Are they pets?

[There was some pets on Dathomir despite all the dangerous wildlife that could be encountered. Yet there was also those that were meant to be solely used as beasts of burden like the way some Nightkin used the rancor.]

No. Mother didn't let me and there's nothing to hunt on Mustafar.

[That explained where Maul had been taken for his early years spent with Sidious and why Talzin hadn't been able to find her eldest son despite desperately searching for him.]

And Master doesn't like me to leave the complex.

[This last part is said sadly and also with a fair amount of both apprehension and fear. Already, Sidious had been worming his way into Maul's mind and latching his hooks into the boy. He'd already learned very quickly to do as he was told or that he'd end up punished for it otherwise.]

[opress]

Yes, they are. There's Malice the vornskr, Slicer the warg, some weird ghost-creature that hangs around sometimes. You'll also meet Ruin who is a stunted rathtar, and Rampage is a horse who I have in the stables, but you'd like him.

[So those would be Maul's responsibility to feed at the very least. Or at least allow out to feed themselves in some cases. It was important to have a task to be mindful of to build a connection to the house and a sense of responsibility. Maybe it would make Maul feel more secure in the place.

Mustafar? Was that where his brother had been raised? Well, that explained much.

He grunted to acknowledge what Maul was saying, still trekking through the snow back towards the house.]

You are old enough to come with me on hunts. It's good to see how they are done, and an extra set of eyes is always good on a hunt. [Sure he probably wouldn't let Maul actively participate right away given he was only still so small, but there was no excuse that the young Zabrak should be kept away from the opportunity.] I have no such rules on you being unable to leave. If you're going to wander out of town, I will go with you. It can be dangerous out there.

[survivalthroughhate]

Wow! That's a lot. I hope they like me.

[Maul had absolutely no fear of being bitten or mauled by the creatures. Even at only eight years old, he was already pretty tough, and any animal that tried to bite him was definitely going to get bitten back. Any kit born on Dathomir was bound to have enough sense to survive being around dangerous animals or they wouldn't live past their first birthday.]

I'll be good! [Maul promised eagerly.] I won't make any noise or ask any questions and do everything you ask and I'll be a real big help, you'll see! [Maul was used to those things being what his master punished him for when he failed, so he thought if he assured this older Nightbrother that he'd be a good, obedient kit, he wouldn't end up punished for anything he might accidentally do wrong.]

Okay. I've been watching this place and this is a strange planet.

[He'd be glad to have company, for Maul knew he might get into trouble here. He'd seen very strange looking monsters and didn't want to end up with any of them trying to eat him.]

[opress]

I hope they don't eat you.

[It was said as a warning as much as a tease. He would never leave Maul in the company of beasts that he considered too dangerous to be around alone, but there was definitely a risk of physical harm. That was the risk of having such beasts as pets. He would simply take precautions.]

But I'll make certain you know how to handle them. We'll do it together the first few times.

[He wouldn't let anything happen to his brother, even in this form. He had been through this responsibility before, and his style was not as rough or as hands off as some of the Brothers. He was a mix of both when the situation called for it, yet he paused in his steps through the snow at the assurances from Maul of good behaviour. The young Zabrak was a child.

He turned his head until he could see the boy with one golden eye.]

You're allowed to ask questions, little Brother. I encourage good timing for them, but you can't learn if you don't ask. And I know you'll be a big help. You're rather eager.

[With that, he continued trekking back to their place, coming closer and closer. Enough that he could see Ruin clinging to the fence to avoid being covered in snow.]

It is a strange place, but there is plenty to do. This is home. [He stopped in front of the fence and gestured at the house. Ruin the rathtar was clinging with some tentacles and hissing out clicks of displeasure for the cold weather.] That's Ruin. The others are probably smart enough to not come outside in the snow.

cw: child abuse mentions, victim-blaming, gaslighting

[survivalthroughhate]

Nooooo, I don't wanna be eaten! You won't let me, right???

[Maul sounded legitimately worried that punishment for not doing a good job with the animals might have been being fed to them. It didn't help that the punishments his master had meted out over the past three years were frightening enough to the point where Maul would believe almost any threats that an adult told him, whether in jest or if they were serious.

He looked at Savage before dropping his gaze all the way down towards the ground. His voice was barely above a mumble.]

Master doesn't like me to ask questions. He gets mad when I do.

['Mad' in this case of course was a euphemism for being abused in horrific fashion but he didn't have the vocabulary or the emotional wherewithal to explain that. He thought what his master was doing was perfectly normal. It was always Maul's fault anyway. If he just did better, than his master wouldn't have to punish him so often.

Maul looked at the house. It was much bigger and far different than the ones the Nightkin lived in on Dathomir. But his attention was soon drawn in by the dwarf rathtar. He let go of Savage's horns with one hand and reached out a hand towards Ruin. The rathtar immediately wrapped his tentacles around the little kit's fingers and tried to draw them towards his toothy mouth.]

Oh!

[Maul pulled as hard as he could, barely able to drag his hand back, and even so there was a great tearing sound as part of his sleeve was left behind in the creature's grasp. The rathtar's tentacles were very strong.]

[opress]

No, little Brother, you won't be eaten. While I'm with you, I won't let anything eat you. I'm here to teach you to survive.

[He did not enjoy the little Zabrak being scared, and it was telling from the confident, often brazen, brother that he had as an adult. For the first time in what seemed like awhile, Savage felt the stir of his anger, hot and acidic in his veins. Now more than ever he wanted to do his brother's old Master so much harm. He understood that life was hard, that survival was a balancing act of luck and skill, but what Maul suffered was beyond his own twisted upbringing.

He looked at Maul and growled low in his throat.]

I'm not your Master, little Brother. You are Nightkin, and you are under my protection and tutelage now. I say you can ask questions of me. And if anyone gets mad at you for such things, you come to me and I'll step on them.

[Savage was already hitting the no-tolerance policy when it came to abuse to this small version of his brother. He had always been protective of Feral, and if anything, he found himself even more so with Maul. Probably because he was an adult and Maul was just a child, whereas he was still a kit himself when raising Feral.

He watched the interaction between Maul and Ruin, and, as expected, the rathtar was grabby. He smirked when Maul lost a sleeve and watched Ruin stuff it in a gaping maw, chewing it before spitting it out. He knew from experience that Ruin was tasting the scents on it and seemed to recognize Maul because the little creature let go of the fence and dropped down to roll around excitedly despite the snow.]

It likes you.

[He stepped over the fence into the yard and headed for the house, Ruin hissing along in front of him and slamming through the pet door to clear the way for them to go inside. He had to pause to take Maul down from his shoulders and simply carried the kit into the house.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[To here!]