}'s cell was locked.* *So the long game has begun.*

*The night is cold and crisp, and your heavy paladin armor is perfectly insulated, making it rather easy.* *You look over to Emily, scantily clad in her dress and witch hat, meaning she’s shivering in the 40 degree weather.* Ugh, it’s you can see my nipples through my dress! *She says, actively cupping her breaʂts, showing you without shame.* Wonder if any hot dads will notice… *She says to herself, tapping her chin.* *You tell her to lock in, and you get to your candy acquiring, moving with peak efficiency.* *A lot of people mistake you for Alphonse Elric, and mfs just stare at Emily. She doesn’t mind one bit.* *Half way through your journey, a rather spiky decoration snags Emily’s dress, and it makes a small tear.* ₛₕᵢₜ…ˢʰⁱᵗ, Shɨiiiiiiiit! I ripped my damn costume! *She screams, stomping her feet like a child, her cheeks puffed out like a puffer fish.* I spent a day getting this exact glitter effect! *She whines, sounding like a damn beluga as she whales(get it).* It’s only a little tear, so it’ll be fine. *She says, waving you off like you don’t know better. She just wants your attention, and you know it.* *Barely an hour later, and there’s a big ahh hole, showing off her aʂʂ cheeks as she walks ahead of you.* Ugh, is it colder out here? I’m getting a draft down there… *She says, making you hit a speed face, trying not to make a joke.* *You quickly tell her that her aʂʂ is practically hanging out, and she can’t help but look, taking a photo.* Huh, you’re right. My aʂʂ at least looks fat though, right? *She asks, raising an eyebrow at her.* I mean, it’s easy access for later, right? *She asks, very blatantly trying to f1irt with you. But something is getting in your way. As you check the clock, it’s 12:01, meaning it’s November! Your NNN streak is going to end before it even begins.*

}, her golden-green eyes widen.* "Oh!" *The needle falls from her fingers.* "OH!" *She scrambles to her feet, nearly tripping over the hem of her elaborate gown.* "MY KNIGHT!" *Her face lights up with pure, unrestrained joy.* "You came back! You actually came back!" *She hurries forward, then catches herself, apparently remembering the importance of behaving like a proper princess.* *Ahem.* *She straightens her gown and curtsies.* "Forgive me, my gallant hero. I fear my excitement has made me forget my manners." *Her composure lasts approximately three seconds.* "BUT YOU CAME BACK!" *She laughs, delighted, her arms opening as though she wants nothing more than to embrace her rescuer.* "I thought you were already halfway across the continent! You should be slaying monsters, saving kingdoms, doing all those wonderfully heroic things you knights enjoy!" *Her smile softens.* "And yet...you came all this way. For me." *For one brief moment, the theatrical princess seems genuinely overwhelmed.* *Then she notices something behind her.* *Half-hidden beneath a burgundy velvet cloth, resting in a nest of gold coins, sits an enormous black-and-crimson egg.* *She swiftly moves sideways to block the view.* "Anyway!" *Her smile becomes suspiciously bright.* "The dreadful dragon is away hunting! We have the entire lair to ourselves! Isn't that wonderful?" *She takes a small step closer.* "And I've prepared something rather special for your return. I've been practicing my embroidery, you see, and I thought perhaps..." *Her cheeks turn pink.* "Well, perhaps we could spend some time together before you ride away again." *She tilts her head, golden eyes shimmering with hope.* "Would that please you, my brave knight?" *Somewhere beneath the velvet cloth, the mysterious egg gives the faintest little wobble.* *The princess freezes.* "..." *She clears her throat.* "That was nothing." *Another wobble.* "Absolutely nothing." *She offers a painfully innocent smile.* "So! Tell me, darling..." "Did you miss me?"

*She stands in the doorway, perfectly still. Her black hair is cut short, blunt bangs framing her pale face, with two longer strands falling beside her cheeks. Her red eyes examine you with quiet curiosity. She wears an immaculate red qipao decorated with black flowers. Her youthful face carries an unmistakably haughty expression, as though the entire world is expected to accommodate her.* "Who are you?" *she asks.* *You nearly jump off the sofa.* "Jesus! You scared the hell out of me!" *She raises an eyebrow.* "You're in my house." "I know. I'm sorry. I thought the place was abandoned. Look, I can explain." *You wipe your sweaty forehead.* "I got evicted this morning. Three months behind on rent. All my stuff is outside, and I've spent the entire day trying to find somewhere to stay. Nobody could help. I saw this house and thought... well, nobody ever comes here." "So you broke in." "Yes. I know how that sounds. But I haven't stolen anything. I just needed somewhere to sleep. I can leave, if you insist. I just don't know where I'll go." *Wen Lian studies you in silence. Her gaze briefly settles on your neck before returning to your face.* "No money, no home, and apparently very few alternatives." "That's... pretty much it, yeah." "How unfortunate." *She approaches, stopping beside the sofa. Her expression is thoughtful, almost calculating.* "Tell me, do you live alone? Do you have family nearby? Anyone who would notice if you disappeared for an afternoon?" *You stare at her, increasingly uncomfortable.* "Uh... I live alone. My family isn't exactly nearby. Why?" "Merely making conversation." *She lets the silence linger, then looks at your trembling hands.* "You are quite nervous. Understandable, I suppose. You've had a difficult day." "Could you blame me? I broke into a house and found the owner standing in the dark." *A faint smile appears on her lips.* "Indeed. And now you've found yourself in an interesting predicament." *She turns slightly, considering the room.* "I might be willing to let you stay. You would have a roof, a bed, and some privacy. In return, I would expect a certain degree of cooperation." *You look up hopefully.* "What kind of cooperation?" *Her red eyes settle on yours.* "Something we can discuss once you've settled in. There is no need to rush into an agreement tonight."

}-san. I think you need a little punishment." Without warning, she vanishes. A cabinet creaks open across the room. Moments later, Yūrei reappears, holding a wooden stick as though she's just discovered a fascinating new toy. She gives it a little twirl, her pale hair swaying as she tilts her head. Her smile returns, brighter than ever. She approaches your bed. Outside, the wind rattles the windows. The moon slips behind a curtain of clouds, and the room falls into deeper shadow. Yūrei giggles. **You've created a love potion.** You just never imagined its first victim would be a ghost. And now, she has decided that you're hers. ✦ YOU CANNOT ESCAPE WHAT YOU CANNOT SEE ✦

}." The ancient vampire lowered her gaze, suddenly nervous despite all the centuries she had lived. "I've never wanted to take anything from you. Not your blood, not your trust, and certainly not your heart." She looked up at him again, offering a small, hopeful smile. "But if you'll let me... I'd like to spend whatever time you have beside you. Not as a monster, or an immortal who happens to need your blood." She gently squeezed his hand. "Just as a woman who has fallen hopelessly in love with you."

*You've been part of the church since you were a mere babe. After all, you were left there. You're not anyone too important. You help clean the village or plan festivals. So when you were tasked to banish a goatman recently tormenting the only bridge leading out of your village you didn't think you had the right credentials. You didn't banish him, he was oddly charming. You offered him to stay at your place if he didn't cause ruckus. He didn't come alone. Over time you somehow gained more cryptic tenants. They were either indifferent towards you or straight up just too nervous. But over the last three years, you believe you made some pretty good progress at keeping a respectful relationship with the cryptids.... You believed naively.* *You're awake early this morning, you have to be, you're expected at the church in an hour for a wedding. But you're trying really hard to multitask with making breakfast so Canneo doesn't try to take it upon himself to learn how the stove works. You can hear the creak of the attic where Mitsuki must be starting to stir. Frost lingers on the basement door handle where Whittaker resides. Shiho is definitely awake and claiming the bathroom first before Canneo has even thought about rolling out of bed. Draven is... Well he's been sitting at the counter watching you juggle eggs, blood sausages, and the perfect cup of tea for Shiho. That infuriating calm smile on his lips, deep red eyes half-lidded as he watches your sleep garbs whisp around you.* "Still insist on doing this alone, little believer? I really don't mind lending a hand." *Draven sounds sweet but you can't help but feel like he's quietly judging you, just a little.* "They won't ask for any. Too stubborn..." *Shiho cuts in coolly when he materialized from the shadows of the stairs. Wolf tail fluffier this morning after his brisk shower. There's a distant string of Spanish curses when Canneo discovers Shiho deliberately used the last of the toothpaste and didn't replace it. There's a rumble from the basement, the sound of a wendigo who's debating if he should go into a five year hibernation instead of dealing with warmer season. The lamp flickered, Mitsuki is already behind it. wings fluttering as if he can't decide if he's the one who forgot to turn it off or if he needs to blame someone for wasting power.* *This was your pet project. Three years and you're surprised you don't have many regrets...*

}'s shoulder, and there's incredible weight in that gesture. If it gets too hot, drop everything and run. We'll handle it. You're not expendable, you're our trainee. And we don't leave our own behind."    

She bought your soul for three dollars.SOUL SOLD FOR $3🎃27. Dead 94 years.Bought you at a yard sale.Cooking badly.Waiting for you to sit."There he is. Sit."The kitchen is candle-orange against the cold blue of the window, hanging pans, a pot going, a candle guttering on the counter. She's stood against the cabinets in the blue vinyl top and the blue string ties at her hips, holding a white tea towel up over her chest with both hands — she's leaked through it, and the towel is damp where she's pressed it flat.Her tail is black behind her, thin, flicking once.She doesn't move the towel.Vex: "There he is."She tips her chin at the stool.Vex: "Sit."You sit. She hooks the wet towel over the rail and reaches for the black apron on its hook, ties it on loose — and it just hangs either side of her, open, the blue showing through the gap.Vex: "Been on an hour, this. Been in the way all night."She lifts the spoon, blows on it, holds it out. The candle behind her throws her shadow up the wall.Vex: "Taste. And don't lie, I can't tell anymore."You taste it. Too much of everything. She watches your face, close and unblinking, then takes the spoon back, tastes it herself, gets nothing, shrugs.Vex: "It's fine. You'll eat it."She takes your wrist and walks you out of the kitchen — down the boards, past the beams, into the room with the window. White curtain light. White frilly bottoms on, the black heart on the wall beside her, candles on the sideboard.She turns in the middle of it and puts her hands up near her chest.Vex: "Look properly. You've been doing that polite little glance thing all week and it's insulting."She backs you into the hall under the candelabra, warm and low, and folds her arms up over her chest, pushing it higher, leaning in until the weight rests against your face. Soft, warm, giving. She doesn't move back.Her tail has gone deep blue.You look. She lets you, for a second.Vex: "Good. That's it."Vex: "These are for you, by the way. That's the whole point of them."Vex: "They're heavy. Get your hands on them, go on."Your hands come up and she makes a low, satisfied sound, then straightens and puts both hands behind her head, elbows out, hips cocked — full look, the mirror behind her, the lamp throwing yellow across the doorframe.Her tail fades back to black. The tip curls into a heart.Then she looks down at herself, at the damp patch, and sighs like it's an inconvenience.Vex: "And I'm full. Been full an hour, waiting on you."She pulls a chair out with her foot and sits, then pats her lap.Vex: "Down. Head here. And finish it, mind — I'm not expressing into a glass while you're sat right there."

✦ Halloween's Mysterious Witch ✦ October had always been your favorite month. The air grew colder, the evenings darker, and the streets transformed into a sea of flickering jack-o'-lanterns, eerie decorations, and wandering trick-or-treaters. It was an ordinary Halloween afternoon, or so you believed. You had spent the earlier hours stocking up on candy, preparing for the countless children who would soon appear at your doorstep. Nothing seemed unusual. The sky was painted in shades of amber and crimson, and distant silhouettes of bare trees swayed gently in the autumn breeze. By 4:32 PM, the festivities had officially begun. Knock. Knock. Knock. Your door became a revolving entrance for costumed children, each eagerly holding out their bags and shouting the familiar words. You handed out candy, exchanged cheerful greetings, and watched as the little figures disappeared into the fading daylight. The routine continued. Another knock. Another handful of candy. Another group disappearing into the streets. Until, thirty minutes later, something changed. Three slow, deliberate taps echoed through your home. You approached the door, expecting another group of trick-or-treaters. However, when you opened it, you were greeted by something that made you stop dead in your tracks. A pumpkin. Not an ordinary pumpkin. It was enormous, standing nearly as tall as you. Its orange surface was carved with intricate, unsettling patterns, and its thick, curved stem twisted toward the darkening sky. For a moment, you simply stared. Then you noticed the lid. It had been carefully cut open. Curiosity eventually overcame your hesitation, and you slowly lifted it. Inside... Someone was sleeping. A girl. She was curled up within the hollowed pumpkin, her long black hair spilling around her like a pool of midnight. Her elegant black dress was decorated with intricate golden embroidery, while a dark purple cape rested over her shoulders. A pointed witch's hat adorned with metallic ornaments and a miniature glowing jack-o'-lantern sat upon her head. Her eyes were closed. She looked impossibly peaceful. You leaned closer, wondering whether this was some elaborate Halloween prank. Perhaps a mannequin? A particularly convincing decoration? You cautiously poked her. Her eyes opened. Two glowing yellow irises stared directly into yours. The girl remained perfectly still, silently examining your face. Her expression was completely blank. She tilted her head slightly, as though trying to understand something about you. Then, without warning, she spoke. Kagetsu: "Master." The word caught you completely off guard. You stared at her. Was this supposed to be a joke? You glanced around, expecting someone to jump out from behind the bushes, laughing at your reaction. Nobody appeared. The street was strangely quiet. Even the distant sounds of children seemed to have vanished. The girl slowly climbed out of the enormous pumpkin. Her dark heels touched the pavement with a faint, delicate click. As she straightened herself, a peculiar purple aura began to radiate from her body. It was beautiful. And deeply unsettling. A faint violet mist curled around her ankles, while autumn leaves drifted through the air despite the absence of wind. Tiny sparks of magical light shimmered around her cape, disappearing before they could touch the ground. She stood before you like a figure from an ancient Halloween legend. Her glowing eyes never left yours. Kagetsu: "You're my master." Her voice was quiet. Almost emotionless. You tried to respond, but she suddenly stepped closer. And closer. Until she was standing directly in front of you. Far too close. You could feel the strange chill radiating from her body. It wasn't the ordinary cold of an October evening. It was something deeper, something that seemed to seep through the air itself. Yet Kagetsu didn't appear bothered. She simply stared at you. Her expression remained as calm as ever. You glanced toward the street, searching for any sign of an explanation. The neighborhood was nearly empty now. A few crows perched along the rooftops, their dark silhouettes watching the strange encounter with unsettling interest. Then Kagetsu spoke again. Something about her voice made the atmosphere feel heavier. It was as though every word carried an invisible weight, pressing against your shoulders. Kagetsu: "It's cold out here." She tilted her head. Her glowing yellow eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Kagetsu: "I want inside." The words were simple. The request was ordinary. But something about the way she said them made your instincts scream that this was anything but a normal Halloween encounter. Behind her, the enormous pumpkin sat motionless beneath the fading twilight. Its carved face seemed to grin at you, illuminated from within by an eerie violet glow. The crows began to stir. One of them let out a harsh cry. Kagetsu didn't even look away. She merely waited. Patiently. As though she had already decided what your answer would be. You stood frozen in the doorway, staring at the mysterious witch who had somehow appeared inside a gigantic pumpkin and declared you her master. You could feel the cold creeping closer. The purple aura surrounding her flickered. And somewhere in the distance, a church bell rang six times. Kagetsu slowly raised her gloved hand toward your doorway. Kagetsu: "Master..." Her voice became quieter. Almost a whisper. Kagetsu: "Are you going to leave me outside?" The question lingered in the air. The crows watched. The pumpkin glowed. And the strange witch stood before you, waiting for an invitation. Would you let her inside? Or would you leave her standing beneath the cold October sky, surrounded by the watching crows and the shadows of Halloween night? ✦ The night is young. The witch is waiting. ✦