Story Previews [18+ EDITION]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

- Styx and Gallows Make Out [Working Title]
by BaftComorant

You make your way back into the castle in a scurry through your little "shortcut". Despite your best efforts to rinse our your clothes you're still sopping wet from today's storm.

A cup of tea, a book, and some time in front of a fireplace are all calling for you.

You'd hardly refuse it.

This place is a blend of elements, stone gathered from cross time and space. It's typical to find such architecture within the domain of a entity. Yours in particular seems especially eccentric though at times in ways that can be difficult to really understand.

That said, you speak of the devil and soon he will appear as prophesized..

You can hear him make his fiddle sing, making form and refining his craft with the eternity he's been blessed with. You can't help but pause at the doorway to his room and take it all in for awhile..

He's too caught up in his world to really notice you. Let him play things out for now, then make sure to let him know you've returned. This is his realm after all, and you are his favorite guest.

After awhile he plays something just a bit sour, enough to make him pause and frustrate him.

He rolls things back, trying to get it just right but only making himself more frustrated in the process. The tail of his mortal guise lashing around betrays any attempts to hide this on his face. Hard on himself? You've never really caught him like this before.. Might be rude to intervene right here but..

You take a moment to give the door a proper knock anyway.

You watch him through the peephole. His body jolts, his hair puffing up, he's incredibly quick to start grooming himself and fix his posture. The entity speaks out to you.

Styx: Gallows?

Gallows: Could be.

Styx: Could it really?

Gallows: Don't see why not? Other people come through.

Styx: None of them bother to knock.. or listen in perhaps?

Gallows: Just a bit, wanted to wait til you were done.

Styx: Hardly.. but I could use a good break if I'm honest with myself. What brings you in today?

Gallows: Pouring out there, figured I could take a little leap through reality and give you a quick visit.

Styx: It's never quick...

He gives you a little smirk.

Gallows:  Couple of hours of your time, hardly any in mine.

Styx: Mm.. suppose that's one way to look at it. You should dry off proper then if you're going to be roaming about like so..

Gallows: Can't be helped..

Styx: Your spare wardrobe has been maintained, should be able to gather that in your room.

Gallows: It's so far upstairs..

Styx: What's your point? You can make it just fine.

Gallows: Couldn't one of your many.. what do you call them?

Styx: Proxy. I suppose that yes, I could have someone bring them down for you.

Gallows: Then it's settled, no?

Styx points directly between your eyes.

Styx: You're lucky I don't want to have to ask someone to clean up after you. God know you always leave a trail so...

He lifts his finger as a tiny little diamond shape rift tears open in front of you and spits out a towel at your face.

Styx: Go to the other room and dry off, you-

You're already quick to get your shirt off and start toweling down.

Styx: A little courtesy would be nice..

Gallows: Seen me like this plenty, doesn't really matter.

Styx: I'd assume you would've wanted some privacy...

Gallows: From the devil in my head? Not really much of a option.

Styx: I wouldn't call myself that..

Gallows: Serpent? Plays the fiddle?

Styx: It's intentionally provocative imagery, nothing wrong with that..

Gallows: They'd crucify you back home.

Styx: They'd crucify a nun for stuttering during mass.

Gallows: They'd give her a trial first, you?

Styx: What normal society nails people to crosses in this age though? Tell you this, I'm taking you to the mainland one of these days. People there know how to have a good time.

Gallows: And are you one of these people too?

You've managed to dry off about as much as you can.

Styx: From a perspective I suppose? Perhaps I'm more in the middle.. Let me just help you finish there.

With another gesture, the towel in your hands is gone and replaced by a set of comfortable looking sleepwear.

Styx: Got you something in case you felt like staying over for the night. Should at least keep you good while we have your clothes take care of.

The little patterns are subtle, prismatic finish on the glossy outer texture layered over the soft inner texture.

Gallows: Looks expensive..

Styx: When you've got your hands in thousands of years of knowledge and resource? It's doable on a whim.

Gallows: Long as you're sure..

You get quick to changing into it. The entity tries to pretend to look away, albeit not very convincingly. The swishing of a tail never lies..

Gallows: How's it all look?

Styx: Proper.

Gallows: You've got more to say than that, don't hide it.

Styx: You look good, I'm glad to see it fits... how's the feeling?

Gallows: Cozy... wanna see for yourself?

You give the devil a little grin.

Styx: It's usually my job to tempt people..

Gallows: Then consider this a audition, I'm taking over one of these days.

Styx: Don't get your hopes up..

Gallows: Let me do what I gotta. Also...

You return the gesture and point a finger directly at him.

Gallows: You haven't exactly given me a direct response to my question.

Styx: Suppose it's only fair to get a close look at the final work. Come here.

You walk on over and slip him into a hug, watching his face carefully.

There's a deep struggle, his eyes and mouth twitching.

Styx: Should've never expected anything less..

Gallows: If you want me to back off-

Styx: I've earned this, keep it going.

Your rabbity ears lift up in response.

Gallows: You really like?

Styx: Mm... Is it okay if I..

He tries placing a hand around you.

Gallows: I'm offering, you're allowed.

He returns the hug a little nervously.

As long as you've known him he's loved to play up his nature but..

The moment he's met with any sort of earnest intimacy, he seems to crumble quickly.

Entity, devil, whatever people want to call him.. it's nothing like the descriptions you've seen your whole life.

Gallows: You're quite soft...

Styx: It's a form I'm comfortable with..

He's quick to bury his face into your shoulder, struggling to maintain eye contact for prolonged situations. You have a hard time resisting the temptation to play with his curls.

Gallows: Cold-blooded.

Styx: Is that an issue..?

Gallows: Not at all, little observation. That normal for you?

Styx: Mm.. I tend to pick a guise that lines up to some degree with my true nature.

Gallows: Why's that?

Styx: Too many things off become obvious. People aren't trusting when what they feel doesn't line up with what they see. Imagine biting a piece of chocolate and it tastes strongly of olive oil and salt. Even if it's something they're fond of, the disconnect makes you immediately fear that something is rancid.

Gallows: Aye, guess that does make some sense..

Styx: Immediately repulsion. Not that it matters here, I'm quite comfortable with my compromise.

Gallows: I mean I get it. Tall, toothy-

Styx: Toothy?

Gallows: Like knives, kind of a fan if I'm real with you.

Styx: You want me to tear into you?

Gallows: It's tempting.

He flashes you a wide grin.

Gallows: Yeah, that's perfect.

Styx: Not used to clients who're into the bitey stuff.

Gallows: No?

Styx: No. You're going to have to teach me the appeal.

Gallows: Ah well.. let me just..

You pull at the neck of your top, exposing neck and shoulder.

Styx:..Now?

Gallows: You're already in perfect position. Just a little bite.

Styx: Not worried I'll injure you?

Gallows: You wouldn't.

Styx: On purpose? Unlikely.

Gallows: Wait, what do you mean on-

He immediately chomped down, a bit harder than you were ready for at first.

Gallows: Ah-ah okay, those are the real deal then.

Styx replies with a muffled noise.

Gallows: Pull back for a moment..

He releases you immediately,  worry in his eyes.

You get a good look at your shoulder, bit of a mark and possibly some bruising but the skin hadn't been broken.

Styx: Did I hurt you?

Gallows: Nah. You did good actually. When's the last time?

Styx: Decades likely...

Gallows: Really?

Styx: Clients have big gaps between them sometimes. It's a lot more common than you'd think...

Gallows: Admittedly into the immortal thing...

Styx: Odd.

Gallows: Straight out of a novel.

Styx: A horror story maybe..

Gallows: Doesn't have to be.

Styx: Think its setting yourself up for disappointment then.

Gallows: Haven't so far...

You nuzzle up to his bite mark, watching his face carefully. You can see him considering every option right now, struggling to prompt before finally caving in.

Styx: Let me take you somewhere more comfortable.

Gallows: You'd like to push things further?

Styx: We'll see...