“One of Z’s paintings. After they were married, if Z made a self portrait he would always show his ring and would add Maximol somewhere in the painting.”

Decided to change Maximol entirely. He’s a Look-Thief. 

Great name Curious

He copies creatures looks and that’s how he disguises himself as different people. He can do it only if he tastes their blood. I was drawing some creatures the other day and I have another creature (Look-Thief) but she looks a bit different from him. He wears a robe to hide his many arms.

“The two married in secret. Everyone knew Z was married by the look of the ring on his finger that he wore happily and would show it off to anybody asking him out. He would brag about his amazing lover but nobody knew what he looked like. Who was this secret lover that Z loved so much? That he admired so much?”

There was a famous artist named 'Z' Art, he was known as one of the strange, cool, and mysterious artists that everyone loved and admired. His art inspired hundreds of his fans to become artists themselves and he tried getting into writing, singing and dancing but nothing could top his amazing paintings and statues. Where did this man get all these ideas to create such beasts? It all started when he met Maximol. A Face Snatcher. A dangerous creature that could drain the blood from your body in seconds and disguise themselves as their victims.

Maximol was to get a face from a creature he found to be beautiful. That's what all Face Snatcher's desire; to be beautiful.

Maximol and other Face Snatchers were given a book by their Masters who taught them dark magic and with this book, they could teleport to different worlds. They came back with new faces but Maximol was picky. He didn't want just any face. He wanted the Perfect face. A face that made others jealous of him and love him and worship him. That was what he desired.

He decided to go to the Human World. His first stop? 'Z' Art's home. Great timing too. This man was going down hill and was on the verge of giving up his art career to start an ice cream shop.

That night, Maximol appeared out of the shadows and attacked the artist while he was distracted by his work. His arms grabbing him and lifting him up off the ground to get a good look at his face. Maximol's blue eyes glared down at his panic stricken face. His shorter arms reached up and touched his face making him turn one side to the other.

Maximol:"Oh yes-" He whispered with a hiss."You are indeed perfect!" His grin widened from ear to ear (If he had any). The shadow lowered him a little so he could find a spot to sink his teeth into. The human shook his head and seemed to snap out of his fear.

Z:"STOP! Do not MOVE!" He boomed. Maximol was startled at first but did what he was told. He didn't expect this creature to speak at all. He thought he would be too paralyzed with fear to speak or even breathe."You are EXACTLY what I need! Please, I beg you to let me paint you!" He said all of this with a bright grin as if they were long lost friends. Maximol dropped him and growled.

Maximol:"Paint me? Paint ME? Are you blind?! Or just stupid?! Look at me!" He held his arms out, they covered his chest and stomach, he had long arms to short arms from top to bottom. He tried covering them with his black robe but the human stopped him and touched his arms. Maximol flinched and gasped as he quickly stepped back but he followed close as he continued to touch his arms. The artist looked up and gave the tall beast a gentle smile.

Z:"I would be honored if you allowed me to paint you." The beast just wanted a face,  yet instead, he was curious and felt the need to find out what he had in store for him. What was this artist planning? He seemed so sincere about this. He put two hands on his shoulders and pushed him back. His hands now in fists towards his own chest as he began to look nervous about his decision. Maximol growled.

Maximol:"Very well, but if you think this will help you escape your demise, don't count on it. I still need that face." Again the human smiled brightly.  

Z:"Thank you!~" He repeated over and over. He showed him how to pose and gave him things to hold. Maximol stayed still for the artist for a long time until he finished the painting."All finished! You may relax now." He said and with that, the creature dropped his things to the floor carelessly and walked towards him.

Maximol:"Good. Now for that face of yours." He said in a stern tone. Z turned white.

Z:"Wait, wait, wait! Not now!" Maximol growled.

Maximol:"Yes now! I want to be beautiful, I want-"

"But you are!" Z cried out. The impatient shadow stopped and clenched his teeth. He was giving the artist an unrelenting glare. The same one he kept up while he was painting him. Z sighed and his shoulders dropped. He gave him a small smile."Look...Come by to the museum tomorrow and I promise that once my fans see your painting they will love you!" Maximol's eyes narrowed and after what seemed like hours of silence, he groaned in annoyance.

Maximol:"Fine!" He roared. He turned to leave but heard Z sigh in relief. He quickly turned. "But remember, if you should try to run away, I will find you and I WILL have that face!" He said all while pointing in his face. Z nodded quickly.

Z:"No, no, no, no, no! I will NOT run! You'll see! People will love you! And then you will want me to paint more of you!" Maximol rolled his eyes with a scoff.

Maximol:"Yeah, right." He took out the book and teleported away. Z sighed heavily and and felt his body turn numb. He took a drink of water and moved the painting into the closet and locked it. He went to his bedroom and changed out of his clothes. His body began to shake and he began to cry as he laid down on the bed.

The next day, everyone had gathered around Z's newest painting in the museum. He was there too and looked a little nervous. He was looking around as if he was looking for someone. He looked a little tired, his hair was a mess and he was shaking a little. Either in fear or the amount of coffee he was drinking before he got here. He grinned widely when he caught a shadow in the darkest corner of the room moving and two eyes glaring at him. He cleared his throat.

Z:"Ladies and Gentlemen, behold! My Masterpiece!" He took the white cloth off the painting and everyone gasped. Maximol's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. There he was, in the painting. He looked exactly how he did in the painting which made him shake in rage. Everyone now knows how he looks, they know his true form in this world! How dare he show him to them in this ugly pathetic body of his.  

He was holding the Earth globe up high in one hand, a balance skale in the other, a dagger in one of the lower hands on the left and money in the lower hands to the right and two hands holding a glass red heart close to his chest. And the look on his face the unrelenting glare. Maximol expected everyone to laugh, to boo at them, to mock him.  

To his surprise, they began to cheer, they 'ooed' and 'Ahhed' at his painting. They took photos and clapped.

"Fantastic!" One cried.

"Amazing!" Another said. Maximol couldn't believe it. Was he dreaming? Had he gone insane? Was he on something? Z bowed a little with a grin.

Z:"Thank you! Thank you!" He looked around and saw the shadow creeping back further into the shadows. He slowly frowned. The beast looked....embarrassed? Ashamed? It was difficult to tell. For the whole day Z didn't see the creature anywhere as he was working. He gave his fans autographs and talked to them about the painting and what it meant. He was just asked on what he called the painting. Without thinking he said; "Beauty." He wasn't sure why he said it, he just did. Everyone clapped again.

Later, Z walked around town looking for Max. He Had to make sure he wasn't causing trouble. But there was no sign of him. Did he actually return home? That couldn't be. He seemed determined to have his face but after that show who knows. Z finished up shopping for more food and art supplies before returning home. He put his stuff away and looked around in every corner of the rooms for Maximol.

Z:"....Are...are you still here...?" He asked hesitantly and almost quietly.

"...Yes." The creature angrily spoke and came out from the shadows. He stood tall over the human.

Z:"Why the long face?" He asked confused."Didn't you like the painting?"

Maximol:"NO!" He boomed which scared Z."How could you do this to me?! When you said you were going to make me look beautiful I didn't expect THAT! Now everyone knows my true form! Because of you!" He hissed and coiled up in disgust. He wanted to disappear. Z shook his head and glared at him.

Z:"I never said that I was going to make you look beautiful. I said that you ARE beautiful." The shadow glared back at him. They stared at each other for a while before Z spoke again."And I don't see what the issue is, they loved your painting! They want more! They want the REAL you! They love you!" He said with a big grin. Maximol was quiet. He stared down at the floor in silence."Oh...I don't think I've told you my name. I am 'Z'Art! I'am a well known artist! Who might you be?" He asked calmly. The beast hesitated to answer.

Maximol:"....Maximol. I am a Face Snatcher. Or a monster to you humans anyway." Z smiled.

Z:"Well it's nice to meet you." The creature rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

Maximol:"Just paint me and get this over with. They'll get tired of this sooner than you think!" He came close to his face."And when they do, your face will be mine!" He hissed. Z grinned brightly and took one of Maximol's hands to shake.

Z:"Deal!" The creature flinched and pulled his hand away quickly and narrowed his eyes at him. Z gave him a sheepish smile as he shrugged.

The two continued to meet and Z would paint Maximol in different poses and every time the artist showed off his work to the people, they would cheer and he would get hundreds of letters begging for more. This went on for days to months and months to years. Over the years, the two began to bond and Maximol no longer felt the need to steal his face. He wanted him whole. But did this human feel the same? Why would he? For a hideous creature like himself? Who could love his long and short boney arms and his visible rib cage? His faceless features and small burning blue eyes, his oddly shaped spiked head. What was there to love? He didn't even have the same amount of talent as Z did. Everything he did was perfect in his eyes. That's what he longed for. Perfection.

Only then could 'Z' Art love him.

One day Maximol came into the art room and caught Z staring at the mirror of himself and had a white canvas in front of him. He looked troubled. He was touching his face and looking at his teeth. The beast came up to him.

Maximol:"What are you doing?" He asked. He didn't answer at first. He leaned back and without looking away he spoke.

Z:"I think I'm getting old." He said in a quiet voice."Look at my hair." He brushed it back trying to show him the grey hairs hiding in his black hair."And my face-" He touched his face again. He looked at the wrinkles that were starting to appear. Maximol squinted at the mirror than back to Z.

Maximol:"What's the problem? I see nothing wrong with your face." Z sighed and sadly looked at the white canvas. The shadow growled and smashed the mirror with his fist. Z jumped out of the seat in fright and looked up at the creature with wide eyes.

Z:"Why did you do that?!" He yelled angrily."Do you know how much that costs?!" Maximol ignored him and held the silver frame up to his face.

Maximol:"The mirror wasn't working right. You needed a new one anyway." Z stood up to his feet.

Z:"Oh what would you know?" He asked in a stern tone."Have you no eyes?! Look at me!" He held out his arms towards his face."I'am old! I'am not immortal like you!" The creature interrupted him.

Maximol:"Ask the mirror how you look today." He asked loudly.

Z:"I...I will not!" He turned and crossed his arms.

Maximol:"Ask." He growled.

Z:"NO. You can't make me." He said without looking at him. Maximol glared at him but after a minute he sighed and dropped the frame. He walked in front of the artist. His eyes were shut tight. He stood with his hands on his hips and spoke.

Maximol:"Then ask ME how you look today." He said in an almost calm voice. Z opened his eyes and slowly looked up at him, looking in the creature's now calm ocean blue eyes. He sighed in defeat.

Z:"....Fine, how do I look today Max?" He finally asked. Maximol smiled and leaned close to his face. He gently touched his cheeks.

Maximol:"...Perfect." He whispered. Z gently brushed his hands away and looked away.

Z:"You don't mean that." Maximol scoffed.

Maximol:"Then why am I still here? If you were not as beautiful as you say then why would I still be wasting my time allowing you to paint me?" Z looked at him but before he could speak, the creature continued and as he spoke, his hands took a hold of him where ever they could hold on to and he felt himself being lifted off the ground."Everything you do, Everything you say and everything you are....is perfect to me. That's what I long for from you." He spoke softly."To be just as perfect as you." His face turned a faint shade of red and he slowly smiled.

Z:"Max...there's no such thing as perfection..." He cleared his throat."Everyone has flaws, even I." His hands touched his long arms and slid up to his shoulders until they reached his face."But to me....you will always be my most beautiful Masterpiece." He could feel the shadow smile warmly and he released him.

The two felt a stronger bond form than ever before and Maximol never returned home. He stayed with Z over the years and the two did everything together. Z helped him learn how to cook, they danced with each other every night, they wrote poems and stories together. Maximol and Z were married in secret. Everyone knew Z was married by the look of the ring on his finger that he wore happily and would show it off to anybody asking him out. He would brag about his amazing lover but nobody knew what he looked like. Who was this secret lover that Z loved so much? That he admired so much? He would always point out at the paintings that this Shadow was his lover. Everyone would always give him confused looks, thinking he was mad but still they loved this wonderful and strange artist.

Years later, Z retired and had enough money to last for a life time. One night him and Maximol snuck into the museum and decided to look at all the paintings. Newest to oldest. Z had just turned 60 years old. He was holding a cane as he walked and held Maximol's hand. The two were smiling as they walked down the hallways looking at each painting.

Z:"It feels like the days never went by." He said and the creature wrapped a couple arms around his love.

Maximol:"Yes....It's like....it's only been days since we've first met." The two were silent again as they walked. Warm memories seem to flood the halls with every painting they passed by. Their hearts only growing more softer and melted when they would look at each other. They finally found the first painting of Maximol. He read the golden texture at the bottom."Beauty..." He said. Z frowned and looked up at him.

Z:"Are you okay?" He asked. Maximol pulled him closer and tightened his grip on him a little bit.

Maximol:"I feel....so...happy. I feel...completed when I'm with you." He said all of this without smiling or looking at him. Z held onto the shadows' hand on his shoulder.

Z:"...But...?" He looked a little worried. Maximol looked at him.

Maximol:"I just wish I could stay with you longer. I want you to come home with me." Z's eyes widened.

Z:"You mean...to your world? Is that allowed?" The beast shrugged.

Maximol:"I don't know...I don't think it's ever happened before. There are other monsters like me as I once told you. But I was too afraid to bring you home in case they wanted to hurt you." The two sat down at a bench near by and he looked him in the eyes."Zack....I know why we're here. I heard you talking on the phone a week ago." Z bit his bottom lip. Tears filled up his eyes and he struggled to hold it back."I know you can't live forever...I know you've aged but even so..." He touched his face, slid his boney fingers through his grey hair and pulled him close."I still want to be by your side. No matter what happens. Even when I can't see you, nothing could ever make me stop loving you. You will always be perfect to me." Z gently pulled him close and kissed his lips. They held each other in their arms for a long time. It was as if time had stopped and the world was frozen in place. Neither of them wanted to let go, they didn't want to be apart. When they stopped, Maximol wiped his tears away.

Z:"And you will always be my most beautiful Masterpiece." He cried silently. The shadow's vision blurred with tears. To a human, a hundred years may seem like forever but to him it was so short. He carefully pressed his head up to his.

Maximol:"I love you." He whispered. Z couldn't help but kiss him over and over gently.

Z:"I love you too." He finally said with a warm smile. He held onto him tightly and was afraid he would disappear right then and there."I want to stay like this just a little longer Maxi." He whispered.

Maximol:"Me too..." He said. It was almost barely audible. He tried to be strong. He didn't want to cry now. He never cried in front of him before. The two knew they had to leave soon before morning. After they left, they returned home and snuggled up near the fire place the whole day, never leaving each others arms.

A few years passed, when Maximol finally returned home he had held tightly onto Z. He had Z's face and on his back was a bag with glass bottles that carried his blood. No monster dared to speak to him as he passed. Everything was silent as he walked home. Everyone seemed frozen in place. After he had put all of his stuff away, he buried Z in the yard and made a tombstone that read: 'R.I.P Zack Kaarle Arthur' and under it read: 'The Perfect Husband. You will NEVER be forgotten. I will NEVER allow that to happen'. He kept Z's blood in case anything happened. He was sure to lock them up some where safe and kept this a secret for years. The only other monster who knows about this is his old friend Ellen who is a large snow owl that works at the Monsters Library.

Maximol never took his face to feel perfect, he kept it so that he could show it off to other monsters so that Z's memory would live on. So that every creature he met would know how perfect he is. That Maximol still loves him to this day and would never change his face for anybody else. That he would never forget how he looked and how he felt when he was around.