#chainsxwsmile

That sums up my own thoughts rather concisely, Bruce!

Referencing this meme:

Detailed colored pencil only giftart of Bruce the Cetus for @chainsxwsmile-personal / @chainsxwsmile to cheer them up due to a situation still recurring, hope you all enjoy and hope this helps to ease the overwhelming stress friend! 🥺♥️

Days to complete this: 1 1/2

HE REGRETS EVEN LETTING THE WORD SLIP. It seems a single, hushed whisper is enough to have drawn its attention, and Nata's breath hitches. Curled up in a fetal position and tucked alongside the wall, he'd made himself as small as possible in his hiding place. Unfortunately, it didn't seem enough to completely obscure him from sight. If the beast squinted enough, he'd be able to make out his skinny frame and the white cloth of his scarf.

The boy had managed not to panic this far, even after having lost sight of Erik, who he had been following in this investigation. That man needed to work on his sense of awareness, because it seems that in the excitement of observing this incredible habitat, he'd separated himself from the youth he and Olivia were temporarily shadowing.

The monster draws nearer, and Nata's breath begins to quicken as he steadily comes closer and closer to panicking. There's no use in trying to be quiet now; it knew he was here! "Olivia! Olivia!"

"Well now. For a minute there, I thought I was the scariest bloke in the circus, but..."

But, no. No, giant walking great white shark does perhaps trump candy crook croc just a bit.

˗ˏˋ 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒, 𝐖𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐂𝐊, stayed fixed on the enormous creature before him as he, against all better reason, slowly lowered his elven blade.

His father had warned him, an age ago, that he was far too trusting & that his naive heart would be his undoing someday. His cousin's husband Celeborn would say much the same now, disapproving of his friendships with dwarves and his policy of welcoming all peoples into Eregion without reservation.

Oh well.

❝… A-and I shall cut you down if you… if you make any sudden moves!!❞ Eru help him. He knew he sounded nothing like the formidable warriors of his kin because he wasn't one. Celebrimbor was an artist! His hands were made to create art, not shed blood, & he looked the part as well — a fine tunic of cool pastel hues and the most magnificent jewelry adorning his forehead, neck, and ears ; all of his own making.

He'd heard rumors of mithril deposits in these hills & couldn't resist investigating personally. Instead of mithril ore, the raven-haired noldo had stumbled upon this…

... well, this monstrosity.

At least it seemed capable of reason and could speak the common tongue. There had been whispers lately of dark forces gathering in the east, beyond the mountains… could this be a creature spawned from that darkness?