#mini comic draft

Here's a nice story draft of Core and Nightmare first meeting each other. Honestly the main story so far doesn't really go into detail about how they first encountered each other. So I decided to make this little mini story to show that. Eventually it'll be made into a mini comic.

Progress on the main story line is going as smoothly as it possibly could. Working on it while working on a bunch of other things so progress is a little slow, but it'll be worth it.

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Core slowly peeked into the room at all the new consorts that were brought in. Staring at all the new monsters and humans in awe. They squeaked as a shadow was over them. Looking back at the eunuch as they were staring down at them. They blinked up at the monster that stood there with their monster beside them.

“Well that explains were you went.” Lotus hummed quietly. Thinking for a moment and looking at the door. “… I’m guessing that there is a new group of consorts joining today?” She quietly questioned.

The skeleton next to her huffed slightly. “You shouldn’t be here.” The skeleton said quietly. Making sure to not interrupt the lessons happening in the other room. Everyone in that room are getting the basic run down of all they need to know. From building locations to the jobs that they’ll be doing.

“Sorry mom… sorry eunuch guard Blackberry…” Core said quietly and looked into the room again. Blinking as they heard someone close to the door. Tilting their head slightly at the skeleton and smiled. “Skeleton!” She whispered excitedly. That seemed to grab the monsters attention. Looking back at them with a bright cyan eye light.

Core excitedly bounced as the monster walked out the room with everyone else, following eunuch in the room as they left through a different door. Most likely about to be shown around the place to learn the layout of everything. They then turned to look at her mother and Blackberry. “There’s a skeleton!” They excitedly cheered and ran over to their mother.

Blackberry blinked at that. “Oh I’ve heard about that. A strange looking skeleton. From what one eunuch said. They have bones that appear to be charred? But I don’t know how true that is.” He shook his head a little. “That and something about their strange clothing…” He sighed. “Look Core. You really need to try and not snoop around here. Okay? You might get in trouble if your not careful.” He warned them.

Lotus softly giggled. “Well at least we found them before some other guard did.” She then picked up Core. “Come along Core. We might run into that skeleton you saw later if we’re lucky.” She softly chuckled and walked.

Core looked back at the building. Staring in awe and wiggled their legs slightly.

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Core looked around. Making a face as they tried finding the skeleton they saw before. They stared at some of the new faces. Seeing plenty of humans, a couple of dog monsters, some cat monsters, bird monsters, and other monsters. Pouting a little when they have yet seen the skeleton monster.

“Careful Core. Your face might stick that way if your not careful.” Their mother warned as she continued to cook for the other consorts. Humming softly as she set the some bowls over to the side for the miso and rice.

Core looked over at their mom. “I’m trying to find the skeleton I saw.” They then looked back at the eating area. Tilting her head to the side.

“Well maybe they’re still looking around?” Lotus suggested while checking over the miso. “Just make sure to not get in any trouble, and don’t be out long. The dinner is almost done.” She told them and looked over at another cook to answer them.

Core smiled excitedly and ran off. Giggling as they moved between between a couple of the consorts and new consorts. Making their way to the door and stood in the outer halls. Going over to the handrail and climbed up to get a better view. Tilting their head slightly as they looked around. “Hmmm… where are they?” They questioned themselves and hopped over the railing to the more open area.

They smiled as they walked around the open courtyard. Humming as they looked at the cherry blossom tree that was growing over in one of the little grass areas of the courtyard. Tilting their head slightly as they went over to the tree and looked around it. Frowning a little when they didn’t see them. “… not here.” They then walked down one of the paths to a different open courtyard halls that lead to one of the many buildings.

Standing at the top of the stairs in the hall and looked up and down it. Then smiled when they caught a glimpse of the skeleton. They hopped in excitement and ran over to them. “I found you!” They giggled excitedly. Wrapping their arms around the skeletons leg.

The skeleton stopped and looked down at Core. Blinking in confusion. “… where did you come from child?” They questioned while placing a hand on the child’s head.

Core smiled as they looked up at the skeleton. “My name is Core! Who are you? You look super cool!” They smiled and took a step back. Holding onto the hand that was on their head. Tilting their head slightly to the side as they looked the skeleton monster over. Blinking a little as they looked at the skeleton in awe.

The skeleton that stood in front of them looked like a skeleton, but they were also goopy looking. A dark cyan colored coating of… something. This strange layer of goop that covered their body moved and flowed. Trailing from the head down. The goo covering their right eye. The skeletons single bright cyan colored eye light looking at them. Core stared at the crescent moon shaped iris that they have. Taking notice of the large single fang that was sticking out of their mouth. The skeleton mostly wore dark blues and purples, except for the light purple bow and the strange metal thing that was around their neck.

The skeleton blinked a little. “My name is Nightmare, child.” They crouched down and looked Core over. Raising their brow and tilting their head slightly. Seeming to think about something. Before their socket widened and eye light blowing out slightly. Looking around for a moment. “Where is your mother?” They pulled Core closer. “Did someone seriously kidnap a child and sell them as a consort?” They heard Nightmare mutter under his breath.

“No my mom is cooking!” Core smiled as they took Nightmare’s hand. “Come on!” They pulled at Nightmare’s arm. Attempting to lead the skeleton along.

Nightmare thought as they let Core lead them. Looking around and listening to others around them. They relaxed a little and looked down at Core. “So Core. How old are you?” He raised a brow at the child.

“I’m 8 years of age! How old are you?” Core smiled up at Nightmare as they made their way to the door.

Nightmare nodded. “I’m 22 years of age.” He looked up as they entered the eating area. Thinking as they looked at the layout of the room. Then watched as Core let go of his hand and ran towards the door that lead to the kitchen area. He thought and followed after them. Standing outside of the door with his hands crossed in front of him in his sleeves.

Core giggled as they came out. Smiling happily as they pointed up at Nightmare. “I found them mom! Lookie! Lookie!” They giggled happily.

“Core don’t point.” Lotus said as she walked out of the kitchen holding onto a tray of food. Blinking as she looked at Nightmare. “Oh hi there. My name is Lotus.” She softly chuckled. “Sorry about my child.” She then handed Core the tray. “Here’s your food sweetie.” She hummed and kissed Core’s head.

Core smiled as they took the tray and looked up at Nightmare. “Your sitting with me!” They claimed and bounced a little on their feet.

Nightmare blinked a little. “… I guess I’m sitting with you, it seems.” He shrugged and looked at Lotus. “Honestly Core isn’t much of a bother.” He watched where Core went to sit.

Lotus blinked and looked at Nightmare. “Um what is…” She stared at the metal that was on his back. Making a face for a moment. “OH! One second.” She went back into the kitchen. Grabbing a tray for herself and one for Nightmare. Walking back out. “Here.” She smiled while handing him a tray.

Nightmare took the tray and nodded. “Thank you.” He then walked over to where Core was. Sitting down next to them as he set the tray down on the table. Lotus joining them and sitting across from them. He looked at Core as the young child talked to him. Telling him all about the fun stuff that they do in the Empire. Nightmare hummed slightly as he started to slowly eat his rice. Listening to Core talk.

Honestly he doesn’t know how to describe it… but Core seemed to remind him of someone… their happy excited personality, the joy radiating off of them… just something that seemed to be missing from his soul seemed to be filled. While Core obviously can’t be a replacement for whatever it is he’s lost… he can at least take this time an enjoy that empty feeling being gone…