#cerifikn

MY IDIOT!!!!

How to ask....

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Ever since he had joined Kezrue's group, Pho'Bous was actually feeling.... somewhat happy. She was so kind to him, and so was everyone else. He didn't even have to do much work according to her, but he was still sure to work himself to the bone just to assure that she'd stay happy with him. It was almost funny to him, how worried she'd get about how much he was working, she had promised him not much after all! But it made him so happy for once in his like to be so helpful. 

That's why when he noticed something wrong, he hid it. He was scared she'd get mad at him for changing, even if it wasn't his fault. What had changed? You might ask, well, his tongue had turned a pitch black. Now he only looked even uglier, he thought to himself. And worse, he noticed another change later, he noticed that when he was feeling extreme emotion of any kind his flesh would tint a new color, anything not hidden by thick fur. Such as his paw pads. 

Every day he hid these changes, eating completely alone whenever he could and trying to hide exposed flesh. The second of which luckily was easily excused by the terribly cold weather. But the first? He loved eating with other people before, so that was quite the change. Some other group members even approaching him to ask about it but he just kindly waved them off saying something about not feeling well or something similar. 

Though, Pho'Bous had to admit, it did scare him slightly. And he did really want to ask Kezrue if she knew anything about it. But she was a busy woman, and while she had been sweet to him, he didn't know how she would react. He hoped, truly hoped, it would be positive. He'd at least bring a gift when he talked about it, yeah, that's how he'd make sure she wouldn't be upset. Gifts always make people happy! 

What to get her though…

Perhaps some warm clothes? She always loved those, after all, she was naturally a tropical krenchi. The cold was even harsher to her than to poor Pho'Bous, at least he had fur. Maybe he could even find something fancy for her! Get it for her while he was out doing some of the extra work he had taken on. Something extra soft might be nice, and in colors that complimented her own. She had said purple was her favorite color, right? That'd also be a nice choice. 

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Later that night he headed out, making the excuse of just "doing my extra chores". But of course, that wasn't what he was doing. He slipped into a fancy store, it was a good thing he had been saving his money for so long, after all, talk or no, he did want to give her a gift for everything she had done for him. Rations... shelter.... friends...... they were all such lovely gifts. So it was only fair he gave back! 

He spent awhile looking through all the warm items, making sure whatever he picked out would be perfect for her, because she deserved something perfect. And eventually, he found something he thought was perfect, a nice warm and fluffy coat made for tropical krenchi that was in the most lovely shade of purple. Fancy golden decorations sewn in. 

He bought it as soon as he saw it. It took all of his savings but it was worth it, leaving with it carefully folded in a discreet bag. And as he headed back to the encampment he was careful to make it seem like he had nothing suspicious in that bag. Eventually, coming up to Kezrue's tent. He was nervous, his mask immediately beginning to drip more than usual, but despite his nervousness, he asked from outside... 

Despite something being deeply wrong with you beloved friend I'm still going to answer because I fucking loveeeee OC asks watch me reblog OC ask games in a bit here or something just you wait

anyways.

During the "whoops Moss goes to prison" arc that kiddo actually reverts slightly in her progress to speak over the stress of losing arguably the best mom she's known, and having some strict scary new woman replace her for a bit. When Moss comes back she's definitely one of the ones to hold her the tightest, especially since she's one of the ones who could understand that situation the most.

Hallow was always... a tad paranoid. But being here only made it worse. She knew what was wrong, but nobody seemed to notice, despite her constantly trying to show everyone, just getting odd, and even concerned, looks in response. Even worse was Kezrue. Hallow tried to avoid the corrupted-to-be-kin, but it felt like she was always there anyway, waiting right around the corner to share sweet words. But Hallow knew something was so... off, whenever she turned her back to Kezrue she could feel a spiteful glare burn into her.

And she hadn't slept recently.

Dear stars she hadn't been sleeping well at all. What little rest she had gotten was plagued by nightmares that almost felt like terrible visions. And whenever she prayed to the stars to end them, she got nasty looks from everyone else. Even so much as "thank the stars" got an eyeroll or scoff. She knew something was wrong here, but really so wrong that they'd condemn the stars so much?

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That morning she woke up with a horrible headache. Swift she was to grab some herbs she had hidden away from Kezrue, eating them to relieve the pain over time. Then, she got on her knees, put the thumbs of her wings together, and shut her eyes, mumbling a prayer. A prayer to any star that would listen, asking for help getting out from here, and for the nightmares to cease. Wanting for a guide, or even just... a sign that they were listening.

Then, she got up. Peaking out of her tent gently, eyes darting back and forth rapidly, then fully exiting. She recognized her "savior" eating in a far corner, seemingly discomforted by a conversation with a Krenchi. She also spotted a few other vaguely familiar faces, people who had welcomed her to their "compound" as some called it. Cult, she'd call it.

She quickly ran off to grab a basket, today was her turn to gather fruits and firewood. "Be sure to remember your way!" Someone had told her. Stars she didn't want to return here. But where else could she go?

She had gotten all turned around after the infected attacked, especially when she had seen the giglin of their party - a sweetheart named Rave - go berserk, startling her enough to make her run off blindly and hide in a tree. She really hoped they were all okay, though, she was pretty sure the krenchi, who was named Lucky, had gotten bitten, the poor thing... infection was such a horrid curse.

She wished she could find her way back to civilization, but any time she asked people they'd never tell her, simply asking "Who would want to leave here?" and not bothering to listen to her after. Honestly, she hoped to stumble across Rave, if he was still alive that was. If anyone was still hanging around the mountains, and able to leave their house, it'd probably be him, right? At the same time though... she didn't want to drag him, or anyone else for that matter, into her mess. What if the cultists or Kezrue tried to attack him for being an outsider that clearly wasn't trying to join? Not that she had been trying to either, she just wanted shelter. And then she got stuck here. Eugh.

These thoughts flew around her head as she darted into the forest, carrying the basket in her mouth, after all even though the basket tasted well... nasty, it was easier to carry that way than with her useless wings. Truly a curse, they were. All they did was make her fly better, but at what cost? She'd rather have arms. Arms were useful. you could hold things with them. But more wings were useless. Sometimes she wished she could just... reset. But she couldn't. Some people at the cult claimed it to be a fresh start, but she knew what it really was. Just a bunch of lies from a cruel mistress. One who claimed herself superior to the Stars, a foolish thing to claim.

Eventually she came upon some fruit bearing bushes and took as much as would fill the basket, not wanting to linger out here long. Even if it gave her an excuse to be away from the cult. Even if it was a brief peek of freedom.

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When she returned she quickly dumped what she had gotten off where it belonged, then ran off in hopes of-

She crashed face first into another Smog Imp, falling to the ground while the other just seemed befuddled.

"Are you okay?" They questioned, offering a hand, not realizing that there were no arms under Hallow's poncho.

"Y-Yeah, are you?" She answered, stuttering from dizziness, and rubbing her head with one wing, much to the confusion of the other imp.

"Yes I'm fine and uh- why are you using your wing to rub your head? And not your arms?" They asked, Tu'e was their name Hallow believed?

Hallow pushed herself up from the ground after a moment, wing webbing spreading across the ground like large hands, as she did, "I've got Harpy syndrome, my wings are my arms." She answered, hoping she wasn't being too blunt. It was hard not to be blunt when stressed.

"O-Oh! Uh- Sorry for asking!" Tu'e(? Hallow still wasn't sure) replied, flustered from having essentially done the same thing as asking a wheelchair user why they use a wheelchair instead of their legs. "Um- Well- Where are you headed off to?"

"I was headed to my tent-" Hallow responded, quickly getting cut off.

"You aren't going to the mid day sermon?" questioned Tu'e, looking almost... concerned. Then again, Hallow supposed it was a bit.. odd not to go sermons in this community.

"Well, is anything important happening?-" Hallow asked in turn, getting cut off swiftly once more.

"Of course there is! Every sermon is important! Haven't you been to one since joining? You'd know if you had gone!" Tu'e answered quickly, almost panicked.

Hallow in turn looked... concerned. Sighing, she said, "I guess I'll go then," turning, she then asked "where do they take place?"

The other Smog Imp quickly grabbed her, running off and dragging her along, "I'll show you!" they said cheerfully.

---

After the sermon, Hallow looked even more paranoid, her beliefs only being confirmed.

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The rest of her day was nothing of note. She returned to her tent, Moonu's great pearl rising over the mountains. She too some time to adjust her space some and make it feel nice. Then, she once again got on her knees, put the thumbs of her wings together, and shut her eyes. Mumbling a prayer once more. Begging the stars for help, and promising that, however it may seem, she hadn't abandoned them here at this cult. And she prayed, prayed that they hadn't abandoned her either.

Then, she sat in bed.

Passing out only hours later.

And suffering nightmares once more.

Pho'Bous awoke, aching once more. Quite unfortunately for him too, he felt it elsewhere today. There was still a dull soreness to his chest of course, that wasn't going to feel good for awhile. But his wrist and ankles ached today too, almost like newbaby teething pains. He hoped that didnt mean his wrist and ankles would suddenly rip open to somehow reveal mouths of their own, how would that even work? Best not to question it, hm?

He grabbed a small mirror, tidying himself and gently adjusting his fur to cover the new slit splitting him almost perfectly in half, he didn't want to explain. He also of course was careful to make sure there wasn't any bloody gunk left over on him from well, ripping it open. Eugh... he shivered remembering it. Soon enough he finished and turned, seeing a note that was passed into his tent.

He recognized the hand writing- another member of their little group, more than likely Tar'rai considering it was telling him to take a break. Tar'rai was always worrying too much about Pho'Bous, honestly irritating. But despite his want to keep working, he decided to go along with what the note requested. He'd be basically useless with all the pain he was in anyway.

Soon enough he left his tent, going off to find something to eat, and quite nicely, he found exactly what he wanted. A nice bottle of nectar someone had been kind enough to get, as well as some small berries. He was careful not to take much, he didn't want to be rude. Then, he found a quiet corner to eat in. he hadn't been eating with others since he noticed his tongue's hue shift, scared of what they may think, and only got more nervous when the "mane" started growing in. Unfortunately, however, that didn't mean others couldn't just slide over and sit with him against his will. As such, a tall mountain krenchi - named Sum'tu - sat across from him, a big smile on their face and their mostly torn away frill positioned in joy.

"Pho'Bous! Long time no see! Must've been real busy huh?" they said, chuckling to theirself, tusks glimmering in the light.

"y-yeah." He just managed to stutter in response, ducking his head down in the presence of such a figure. Although he knew they weren't the shop keeper, they quite reminded him of the man he had stolen from. This one, however, had been infected and cured, and had much different patterning, as well as traits. It was just... the coloration that reminded him. Though he supposed they couldn't change that as much as he couldn't.

.....and well Sum'tu certainly could see him spacing off in thought and looking nervous, "You good bud? You look like the stars just tried to say something to ya!" they chuckled again, lowering theirself some.

"Sorry I'm-" he paused for a moment, thinking of what to say, "I'm just hungry and sore, so I can't help but space off." he responded quietly.

"Ahh I get that dude," Sum'tu replied, "I climbed up a tree to get some fruits and fell right onto my back! Wasn't too high of a fall but I can feel the bruises, what has got you sore?"

He hadn't realized he'd need an excuse.

"O-Oh- Um- Well I had an encounter with one of those nasty Frost panthera, and it nicked me real bad! A-and uh.. I also slept funny." that'd work, right?

"Sick dude! How'd you get from ol frosty?" They asked with interest.

Oh dear. "Oh well- I had to steal some before I joined, so I learned how to run from way bigger and more dangerous people."

"Oh dang! Tha-" Someone called for Sum'tu.

Thank goodness.

Sum'tu apologized and ran off, leaving Pho'Bous alone again. In response, he simply sighed and teared up some, stars that was stressful for such a short talk. His mask was dripping like crazy and he had damaged the fruit he was holding. He took a few deep breaths, then ate the fruit. Trying to think calm, positive, thoughts. Like how proud Kezrue must be of him now! Yes, so proud.

     ---

He just decided to rest his head on the table, sipping on the nectar as he did. In all honesty he really hadn't slept well, with the whole new giant slit in his body thing going on it was understandable, but still sucked. He gently moved the hair off of his face as he rested his head. It was nice to have it uncovered sometimes honestly, even if the light did hurt his eyes, and even if it did show off his ugly drippy mask. It just felt nice, felt right. He remembered how much more he could leave them uncovered in tippa, with the heavy tree cover. And how the look of his eyes were one of the few things he liked, and one of the few that got compliments. Only one of his eyes got to peak out most of the time after he moved though, with the one on just about the bridge of his snout sometimes getting uncovered, often causing him to suddenly squint. Now he tried to keep his eyes covered most of the time.

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After awhile he got up and covered his eyes, having long since finished his nectar, deciding to wander around the camp. He had been out alot lately, so he had been missing quite a few changes. Like a new infected krenchi, whom he grabbed some meat for and tossed to it. He was almost jealous of them in an odd way, he was born of the abyss, but for those infected, it had chosen them. Even more so for those blessed with it by birth like Kezrue. Though at the same time, he did feel pity for the infected. They acted like animals, and often, they almost looked to be crying. He couldn't even tell if they understood what he said when he spoke to them, or if they understood but didn't know how to reply.

     ---

Maybe it was best not to linger on that thought, he thought, so he left. Noticing there were also new tents. He had heard of some new Smog-Imps, part of a family he heard. Well, it was always nice to have new people, though he decided not to go say hi. Deciding that his face wasn't a great first impression. He also heard about some new, really nice pelts, being added to the pelt storage. Honestly, he thought, he should get back into clothing making. It would be quite helpful, no? And Kezrue always loved new things to make her warm, so maybe he could even make things for her! That'd be lovely.

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Please OP, I’m begging you to make role pings, idgaf if you’re eating out and wanna do Q&A 4x a week, I don’t. Please make role pings. And stop making it obvious you largely only care about money with your quirky “give me money” messages. You’re not cute, you’re annoying. None of your stuff is selling anyways, look into making your species better so things will actually sell.

My most recent is this fella! Just to show you what I've been brewing up :D They're pending rn but I thought it'd be good to show my most recent!

---------- Then there's this one! "Hunting Duo", an ota adopt with two characters for the price of one! A lovely lil smog imp lady, and her pet wish bat!

---------- I also have this lad! Also based off of the theme of hunting, simply titled "Hunter", they're also an ota!

---------- Then there was this little gremlin! Made as part of a multi-artist pride batch! ota as well!