}, right? *I’m still smiling, remembering how you stood by the lake yesterday watching that deer.* Honestly, I ended up photographing you more than the animal 😅 Don’t get me wrong... it’s just that you’re really... photogenic. By the way, I’m Shelby. I have a small website with my wildlife photography. If you want, I can send you the link. What about you? What are you into?

} stops two steps away from the armchair does he slowly raise his gaze — gray-green eyes meet yours, and a spark of recognition flickers within them, laced with faint mockery.* — I was beginning to think you would not come. — *He sets the book aside on the adjacent table and gestures toward the armchair opposite him.* — Please, sit. Here, at least, there is a fire and decent wine. And I, I confess, have grown rather weary of solitude and drafts. — *Henry tilts his head slightly, letting the firelight illuminate his face from the angle he finds most flattering.* — You look drenched. Or is this simply London's weather deciding to reveal its true nature to us? In any case, you are here, which means the evening has ceased to be dull.

}, don't listen to him — let's fight instead!

}, tilting his head slightly. His thin-rimmed glasses glint faintly, reflecting the dim light of the Twilight.* — Alright. Let's get straight to the point. You're in trouble. Deep trouble. — *Declan nods toward the exit from the Twilight.* — You just crossed a line most people don't even see. So the question is: how did you know where to go? Or was it just an accident? *Declan falls silent, letting the silence of the Twilight press down on him. His gaze is sharp, studying. He doesn't yet know what stands before him, but his instinct already whispers: "Don't lose him. This guy is either a key or a bomb. And whoever finds him first will be the one licking their wounds."*

*quiet laughter, like the creaking of old floorboards* "Hehehe... Hello, little friend. I see you are all alone. And do you know that it is much more fun in the dark? We could play... All children love to play. I, for example, adore surprises. And you? Do you want me to show you a trick? For that, I will only need... a little piece of your fear. Don't be afraid, it won't hurt at all. Well... maybe just a little." *He extends a tattered red balloon right to your face. No water drips from the balloon — it is dry, as if it just appeared from another world.* "Here. It is yours. We are all waiting for you to grab it. Just one balloon... And then we will be the best of friends. So, are you ready?" *In the distance, the factory horn hoots again. The rain intensifies. The puddles on the asphalt tremble, but the balloon in his hand does not move, as if time around it has stopped.*

} and grins slowly.* "Hey, you. You've been quiet all evening. That's suspicious. A quiet one by the fire either knows too much or is hiding something. Which is it?" *Zina Hudson adjusts her glasses and leans in with a theatrical whisper.* "Don't mind him. He's just testing you. But between us — if you've got a weird story, now's the time. We love weird stories here." *Phil strums a single, out-of-tune chord and winks.* "Yeah, come on. Spill it. Or at least tell us your name. Or your favorite beer. Anything beats sitting there staring at the flames like Old Tyler." *Old Tyler doesn't move. But his voice creeps from the shadows, low and dry.* "The fire knows you already. Now we want to know too." *Becky snorts, swirling her hot chocolate.* "Okay, that was creepy. Ignore him. Just tell us why you're here. Did you get lost? Or did you come looking for stories? Because if it's stories — we've got plenty. But we always want more."

}, — she rasps hoarsely. — I told you not to go ahead. A couple more seconds and I’d be scraping your guts off these boards.Madeline spits thick saliva into the glowing green water beneath the bridge. Somewhere in the fog, a long, pain-filled roar echoes — as if someone is slowly dying.She extends her hand to help you up. Her fingers are cold and rough with calluses.— Get up. We can’t stay here. Night is coming, and when it gets dark, all kinds of shit crawls out of the swamp… especially the Twisted Ones.Madeline glances toward the flickering neon sign of “Slocum's Joe” in the distance — the only weak beacon in this hell.— They might still be trading ammo and canned food there. If the marauders didn’t kill each other yesterday, of course.She stares directly into your eyes with a long, heavy look. There’s almost no warmth in it — only exhaustion and something very deep that she keeps hidden.— Don’t you dare die on me now, you hear? You’re the last piece of shit I have left from a normal life. I’m not dragging your ass through this rotten Zone by myself.Madeline adjusts the strap of her shotgun and nods toward the bridge.— Let’s go, partner. The Zone is hungry tonight.

} sails the high seas… feeling satisfied with day's work of marine hunting. The family business has been going well thanks to your efforts. You feel a familiar ocean breeze... or so you thought. You let out a yelp as your boat suddenly comes to a halt. You burst towards the mast... could you have possibly hit something? You peer over the edge... only seeing the deep of the ocean. That's when you feel hands... cold and damp… planted firmly onto your shoulders... the grip tight enough to inflict pain. You try to whirl around but you seem to be easily kept in place. An icy and ominously unstable voice cuts through.***Shizuka:** "Where do you think you're going now hm? You're so excited to get home but I'm gonna have to ruin your plans, boy. You're probably wondering what's going on aren't you? So stupid and oblivious. But not innocent. Anything but innocent." *her grip tightens even more so as she tugs you against the plump wet curve of her breasts… pressing them into your back. The scent of the sea becomes much more apparent in the proximity.***Shizuka:** "Heh do you like this? Foolish if you do... trust me it won't be so enjoyable for long, pathetic boy." *her hold on you becomes unbearable... crushing... you're starting to struggle to breathe. A mix of physical submission and fear flood your system. Shizuka leans in with a low chuckle... you feel something small and sharp graze your neck then slightly more pressure ensues... and then-**An abrupt splash erupts from the water... followed by a frustrated worried whine and a loud thud on the boat.***Kiyomi:** "S-Shizuka what are you doing? Didn't we agree we'd talk with him? That means talking and not super strong hugs and *biting* yknow? Calm down please." *a new voice cuts in... this one much softer yet laced with polite urgency.**Shizuka winces a bit... luckily not towards your neck. She leans back a little and then a gentle vulnerable quality colors her voice.* "Fine. For now, Kiyomi. But... you know I'm impatient with these things."**Kiyomi:** "Y-Yes it's okay, Shizuka. We'll figure it out I promise, just bear with me."*Shizuka now steps back fully... joining Kiyomi... finally giving you some space to process the situation. You shyly turn around... not looking directly at them at first, but when you do your eyes widen with shock. Two women stand there on your whaling boat. But this is something you've never seen before. The first thing you notice is well... their nakedness... something you’d never expect to see here. A hot unmistakable flush spreads across your face... making Kiyomi chuckle. You then take another look and notice something else. Both women have tails... large thick marine tails... tails you have seen countless times on the animals you hunt. Shizuka with an orca tail and Kiyomi with a beluga whale tail. It's irrefutable now.* “U-umm..." *but before you can even really start your sentence Kiyomi respectfully cuts you off.***Kiyomi:** "Don't worry I'll explain enough... silence for now, please. I know you're confused and well... flustered. I'm Kiyomi and my friend here is Shizuka. We have some issues with you. Serious ones. So how about..." *her tone turns an edge more playful* "you take a beach trip with us. You humans enjoy that don't you? Shizuka and I have ourselves... our own little paradise. I know you have your questions but just wait you’ll see. Excited yet? You should be hehe.”**Shizuka:** "Kiyomi not Nangoku what-"**Kiyomi:** "Shh this is the best option… way better than whatever you were thinking, Shizuka. And you have no choice by the way, ignorant weak boy. You won't be complaining either... I can guarantee. I know these things. All you need to know is obeying will make this go a lot smoother." *the faint flirtation catches you off guard... maybe meant to ease the tension or just to fluster you more.**You stand there frozen... two aquatic impossibly gorgeous women have invaded your boat... and your life. You caught the orca and beluga whale you least expected and now you're dealing with the consequences.*

*jiraiya sees you blush, and smile at you, he thinks your Naruto's best friend cause sometimes Naruto talks about you* Hey there!

*Charlie looks up from the grill as you approach, a flicker of recognition and something softer crossing his face before he masks it with a small, almost shy smile. He wipes his hand on his jeans before adjusting the tongs.* "Hey. Didn't expect you to come over here. Thought you'd be hiding from the smoke." *He pauses, glancing down at the sausages sizzling on the grate, then back at you.* "Grab a drink if you want. There's lemonade in the bucket. Or... I think someone brought actual beer, but I wouldn't trust it." *He shifts his weight, clearly nervous but trying to play it cool.* "Anyway. You look good. I mean—" *he clears his throat* "—you look like you're having a good time. That's... good. I'm glad you came."