My songs know what you did in the dark

This concept art by the exceptionally talented Allen Wei is extremely disturbing when you realise that those mountains are formed of bodies - basically, this is what a harvest looks like. The artist’s comments:

Since it was technically still too early to go to a club or a bar, he supposed she wouldn’t object to an impromptu ride on his yacht. He hardly used it nowadays, save for a few times when he had to entertain a wealthy European client. The pilot certainly sounded surprised when he was told to head down to the marina to prepare everything. 

Accentuating his words by standing, he murmured a soft “excuse me” as he slid past the new waitress, ignoring how much of their body parts brushed against each other as he did so. 

“Don’t walk away from the reward, Ned! Come on!”

A rather dramatic turn as he reached the door to the kitchen, and he narrowed his eyes a little. 

“I think I just did.” 

She might not have known Ned for long, but she was beginning to recognize that when he was stressed or angry, he went to the kitchen. Stress baking, really. She shuffled over to the sink to wash her hands free of the money she touched and dried them on a dishtowel before turning to face him. He was staring to intently at the dough, she wondered if he even realized she was there. 

“...Can I help?” She found herself asking. “With whatever it is you and Emerson need to do?” 

“And I hope you are as impartial as they say. I  have no need for embellishments, just blatant  reassurances to those who do business with  Abrasax Industries.”

His voice is barely above a whisper, but with the others falling silent the instant he speaks, he is easily heard over the tiger’s yawns and the cat’s purrs. His fingers stroke the animal’s back, and soon the yellow eyes close until these are merely slits. 

The interview proceeds without a hitch, and he appreciates Karkit’s way of handling his brush with death delicately. Others would have squeezed every detail from him, but after a simple and brief explanation, they move on to the ‘business’ aspect of their meeting. It would be two hours before they wrap up, and by that time he feels his legs are slightly cramped. He stands then, carrying the cat as the reporter and his crew are shown out by Prusten, who seems to have arrived during the interview itself. He glances at the two, his eyebrow arching. Finally…

                “Hokulani. Show Prusten the very extent of Orous’                  hospitality. Perhaps the two of you can entertain                  yourselves.”

Still, it comes as a surprise, her Master’s words. She is silent for a moment. She has a leash, but it isn’t that long, and often pulled taunt. That Balem would order her away from his side is... rare. She inclines her head toward her Master before gesturing for Prusten to follow her. Orous’s outer most rings- where they are -is the stomping ground of the most elite of the families. Towering homes passed through centuries of families stretch high and wide. There are a few shopping districts woven between the homes, and this is where Hoku takes Prusten first. 

“Shopping. This is your idea of hospitality?” 

“Don’t be stupid. I’m getting you something more appropriate to wear.”

“I…uh…I’m…” He could hear the snort coming from the private investigator sitting across from him, and he tried not to stare at the new waitress’s assets. He couldn’t breathe. He needed to look anywhere but in front of him, and he leaned back, nearly toppling over. It felt worse than claustrophobia, even if it only lasted for a few seconds. Then these were gone, and he heaved a huge sigh of relief. 

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“I’ll say. Needed a good shock to the system, huh?” Emerson Cod couldn’t help the smirk on his face, before he quickly steered the conversation back to the subject of the body. “Come on, Ned. What do you have to lose?”

love me dead // ludo

Hoku spoke fondly, looking over to where both animals were. Digby was now on his back with the cat sitting on him as if he were a chair. “I rest my case.” She turned her attention back to the Piemaker with a frown. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look... ill.”