#daemons

and JC's daemon that doesn't settle, not when they're in the Cloud Recesses, not when they're hostages of the Wens, not when he loses his parents or his core--

It's a bit old not to be settled, really. Especially if you're trying to rebuild your legacy, if you need people to take you seriously.

JC and his sulky cat daemon during the war, who hates being seen, who plays with WWX's crow daemon less and less - WWX's daemon often flies too high or too far these days, farther than anyone else - JC's daemon who hisses at JC

(JC and his daemon had furious whispered conversations once, and now they mostly have JC begging, begging his daemon to please hold on, a bit longer, and his daemon who always asks holding on for what, and JC never has an answer but she stays a cat where people can see her. She only changes when there's no-one else but Yanli, and with the years, even changing is less of a reprieve as it once was.

Don't, JC warns/threatens/begs his soul.

His soul scratches him.

Sometimes when she's playing with WWX's - less often - she looks like she might fight for real, not play fight. Sometimes it's scary seeing the cat with the bird. Sometimes JC thinks about telling her to take another form, they'll deal with the repercussions of people realizing his daemon wasn't settled, but she won't. The cat shape is a jail but changing jails would be even more painful after this time.)

It happens after the fake ("fake") duel; after WWX leaves.

Don't, JC gasps, like a prayer, like a curse--

Why? she barks back. He's gone, he's gone, it doesn't matter-- I wish I were a cat in truth! That I would not care. You're the one who still wants to protect him, and you still want to protect your disciples, you're so stupid, you made me into this, she snarls, and her teeth flash as big and white as a child's nightmares.

When JC brings his sister to visit WWX to announce her wedding, WWX's breath catches, his pupils dilate. His wide smile twists into a horrified rictus.

Lord Asriel and Stelmaria

Mrs. Coulter and the golden monkey

Messy nat doodles and some daemon au thoughts about her below the cut:

Phew, finally! God, these drawings were difficult.