#imberwrites

Levvie sat on a stool as Pumpkin jumped down and made her way into the back of the tavern. There was a flurry of sudden commotion before Kal burst through the swinging doors, wings a blur of movement keeping his feet inches off the floor. Levvie tried not to laugh as he crashed into the bar with a gentle OOMPH!

He righted himself and quickly approached Levvie “are you ready” she asked.

“Are you kidding, I’ve been waiting for this all week” he beamed.

It was only a short walk down the docks to the new creamery. Lanterns and lights twinkled in front of the modest building. Kal almost ran up to the counter and Levvie, even with her stride, struggled to catch up.

“One small vanilla cream with honey drizzle and strawberries, and whatever the lady would like” he glanced towards Levvie.

She leaned to be eye level with the human at the counter “a large chocolate cream, with cookie bits please”

The human nodded, Kal handed over some coins and soon they both had their ice cream. Levvie held Kal’s hand and hummed as they walked further away from the docks to the community garden. Taking a seat on a bench Levvie started spooning her dessert into her mouth.

Kal set his cup on the bench, wings flicking. Levvie watched as his form shifted, shrinking, skin giving way to floof and a tail unfurling behind him. Now in his fae form, Kal sat on the edge of the cup and started using his hands to scoop cream into his mouth.

Levvie smirked “You better be careful, or I’ll have to throw you in the fountain again”.

“Hey! You said that was an accident”!

Levvie chuckled “so.. is it as good as you were hoping”?

“definitely, oh you have to try this” he exclaimed, scooping a strawberry into his arms and using it like a spoon. After he decided it was properly loaded with cream and drizzle he leapt up, wings buzzing to get him airborne. His tiny frame rushed to Levvies face and she pulled back slightly to make sure he wouldn’t slam into her.

“I don’t know Kal”.

“Come on, just try it, it's only a bite”.

Levvie opened her mouth, gently taking the strawberry from Kal. She chewed contemplatively as Kal buzzed before her. “Hm, that’s not bad actually”.

“Told you”!

“Now you have to try mine” Levvie lifted her spoon with one hand and held her other up open for Kal to land. He settled into her palm and grabbed at the spoon greedily. He shoved his entire face into the chocolate cream and then pulled back with eyes wide.

“oh” he gasped.

“see! I told” Levvie was cut off as Kal tipped the spoon while eagerly trying to get another bite and dumped chocolate all over himself.

“Oops” Kal laughed, licking his palms.

“Oops” Levvie responded as she leaned down and kissed him, her lips smothering his face. She pulled away “I hope you know you're definitely going in the fountain now”.

“Nooooo”

“Yesssssss”

This is old art, and there’s meant to be an additional sketch of Kal standing on a stool that I CANT FIND!!! but I’ll share regardless

Lorien tried to steal himself, to steady his nerves and shaking as he raised his sword before him. But he was fooling himself. His leg was dislocated at best and broken at worse, and that wasn’t mentioning the gash in his side pouring his blood into the hungry soil of the tree he sat against. He was dead meat. But if he was going out, it wasn’t without a fight.

Dro loomed closer, a hiss leaving his lips as Lorien picked up his sword. “Idiot, that won’t help you against me”.

“So what, I should just give up, lie down and let myself be eaten”.

Dro responded by reaching out and grasping the sword in his talons, yanking it away from Lorien’s grasp. Lorien let out a gasp as the sudden motion sent a fresh wave of pain shooting up his body. He struggled to maintain any sense of composure as tears blurred his vision. Hot breath rustled his hair as Dro drew himself closer to examine the broken knight before him.

His tongue slipped in and out like a snake as he assessed Lorien’s condition. The scent of blood made his stomach rumble. He was reminded of all the days he’d just spent imprisoned with no food and no water. And now before him was an easy meal. Easy prey. For a second his mouth opened, instinct overtaking logic, but he quickly snapped his jaws shut with a sigh “I’m going to help you. It’d be a whole lot easier if you don’t fight me”.

Lorien’s head started to lull “Don’t think I have a choice” he muttered as he felt his vision fade to black. He slumped forward and Dro caught him with his snout.

“Well crap” he hissed while scooping Lorien into his talons and stretching his wings. He leaned back, and leapt.

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Find more info and art of these two under their TH pages 8)

the giant loomed, leaning its face down to peer at Casimir with eyes red as a blood moon. Its fingers stretched out and Casimir closed his eyes tight. No touch came and he cracked open a single eye. The giant's hand hovered hesitantly. Finally it reached down, clawed nails gently brushing against Casimir’s skin. Casimir squirmed on instinct, fear running through his blood and energizing his bones. He knew exhaustion would sooner or later catch up however and forced himself to be still.

The ropes loosened. The hand pulled away. Casimir was still breathing, he took a moment to process his freedom before racing to rip the gag from his mouth. He sputtered and choked, his lungs finally freed to take in air greedily. When he’d stopped shaking he looked up at the giant. Its feline ears were cocked with an expression of concern. Once more it reached out its hand, gently holding a finger besides Casimir.

Casimir grasped the finger and pulled himself to his feet, he was drenched and could feel the weight of water soaked into his fur weighing him down. The giant's ears perked at Casimir’s acceptance of its help. Its eyes focused intently on Casimir for a moment and he felt a buzzing sensation surrounding his mind. It subsided and the giant's mouth opened, its tone no doubt a whisper to its own ears, but plenty loud to Casimir’s “Are… you ok”?

Casimir paused, froze for a moment at hearing his language come from such a foreign tongue. “I, yes I’m ok. Who are you”?

The giant sighed with relief, ruffling Casimir’s fur “Im, well, my name is a bit difficult to translate so you can call me Driz”. Driz paused looking expectantly at Casimir.

Finally Casimir understood “Oh! I’m, uh, sorry, I’m Casimir”

“Casimir” Driz said, testing the name in his mouth, pronouncing it best he could. “I may need a bit of practice for that one”.

As Bramble collected some mushrooms from a fallen log he heard a voice through the trees “Oh no! Come back”. Bramble’s ears twitched and he stood to check on the voice. As he pushed through the foliage he came up behind a small woman who was rather focused on a grasshopper. The little insect kept jumping away just as the woman got close. “Oh come now, I just want a picture” she cooed. The insect didn’t seem convinced and took another leap, this time it opened a pair of wings and, in its escape attempt, crashed into Bramble’s face.

Bramble yelped, the woman screamed and the grasshopper let out an indignant beep before flying off for good. Bramble’s ears dropped and he clutched at his arms trying to make himself seem a bit smaller than he was. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t scare you too badly” he muttered, eyes fixated on the ground.

“Oh no! Just startled me a bit… I’m guessing you must be Bramble”

Bramble's ears flicked as he glanced back up “You know me”?

“Well I know of you, the rangers filled me in as I’m joining their team as the new entomologist for the area. My name is Bea”.

“Oh! It’s very nice to meet you… um… What is an entomologist”?

Bea’s eyes filled with a glittering excitement “Entomology is the study of bugs! If it’s got wings, antennae, or stingers then I’m interested in it” she proclaimed.

Bramble tilted his head as he thought about the little creature he’d found. Wings: check. Antenna: check…. “Can you help injured bugs”?

“Sometimes, altho treating buggy friends can be a bit more difficult than other creatures. Why do you ask”?

“I found a creature a few days ago. It has wings and antennae so it might be a bug? It’s injured though and I haven’t been able to help it”.

“I see,” Bea said, lifting her hand thoughtfully to her chin “Would you mind showing me, I could at least take a look”.

Bramble nodded “Of course! Just follow me”.

Bramble showed Bea the way to his home and produced the box with his little friend in it. Bea sat at the table considering the creature carefully. A few times she gently lifted it to take a better look at its wings. Finally, she looked up at Bramble with a kind of determination that gave him a spark of hope. “The little fella isn’t exactly a bug, so I don’t think I can help him alone”. Bramble's face fell and Bea quickly continued “But! I think the seamstress in town might have some ideas of what to repair him with”.

Bramble nodded “I see, that’s a good idea” he exclaimed as he got up and moved to grab a basket. “Here, I think this will make it easier to carry him back into town”.

“Don’t you want to come”?

“I don’t want to scare anyone”.

“Hm, well I happen to know the seamstress would love to meet you. And I may be new but I’ve learned a fair few backways so I can make sure we don’t encounter anyone else”.

“R-really”?

“Absolutely”.

Bramble followed Bea to the step as she walked him down alleyways and across gardens until they reached the home of the seamstress. Bea knocked and the older lady answered the door with a smile “Well, hello” she glanced at Bramble who was trying hard to look as polite and nonthreatening as possible “Oh! Well I haven’t caught sight of you in a while. Happy to see you enjoying the jacket I made you”.

Bramble looked down at his soft plush jacket “You made it… for me”?

“We’ll of course! Can’t have our local cryptid getting cold”.

Bea shifted the basket in her hands drawing the seamstress's attention “I have a bit of a favor to ask Mable, Bramble has a friend here who I think could use your help”.

“Oh dear,” Mable remarked as she peered into the basket now set on her dining room table “Poor little cryptid, looks like he got shredded”!

“Do you think you can help?” Bea asked while Bramble carefully held a dainty teacup trying not to break it as he drank.

“Hmmm, well I have a fair bit of scrap fabric so I’ll certainly give it a try”.

That night while Mable worked Bea and Bramble fell asleep in her living room, the rhythmic sound of the sewing machine could be heard through the neighborhood. A familiar and comforting sound to those nearby.

When the two awoke, Mable was making breakfast and, from the sounds of it, conversation with someone. Bramble and Bea quietly crept into the kitchen and observed the small creature from before sitting on the counter, snacking on a slice of strawberry.

“You helped fix him” Bramble couldn’t keep himself from exclaiming, which caused the little creature to flutter its wings nervously. Bramble quickly covered his mouth and muttered an apology.

Mable chuckled “Yes indeed, Needles here just needed a bit of patchwork”.

“Needles? Is that your name?” Bea asked.

“It is,” Needles responded, his gaze flickering between Bea and Bramble. He lifted a hand to point at Bramble “You, you're the one who helped me in the woods”!

Bramble nodded “You remember that then”?

“I do, thank you”.

“Of course, I’m so relieved you're ok”.

Mable served up plates piled high with pancakes, fruit, and syrup and the four chatted getting to know each other as they ate. Before long it was time for Bramble to head home and Needles decided to go with him.

“Make sure you come visit again” both Mable and Bea encouraged the two cryptids before they headed off into the woods.