Halloween-inspired newcomers among my Mekiyan creatures ^^ Full version of the “introduction drabble” below "The creatures seem to be physical apparitions, inhabiting late Mr. Conrad's pumpkin patch. May vary greatly in appearance, however, two traits seem common for all of them: pumpkin with "carved" eyes and mouth for a head, and exaggerated body proportions. It's either massive front with tiny rear or massive hind part with smaller torso. According to the neighbours, the patch constantly bears fruit. The beasts all start off in the form of a common pumpkin, but soon enough turn into so called "patchlings" — tiny and less formed versions of the "adult" beasts. While growing, they seem to be prone to sporadic changes in appearance: aside from their basic body type almost any detail of their form may be altered. For some reason, there has never been more than 9 patchlings existing at one time, while "adult" beasts would always come in threes. While observing the creatures during my stay here I noticed that, unlike "adult" beasts, patchlings can, indeed, unravel. Some of them remain in their "nascent" forms throughout their entire existence, then eventually wither, without turning into a full-fledged beast. Others simply disappear without a trace. Rarest few will mature into a new trio of Patch beasts by the moment their predecessors "die". The most unusual detail in all this — at least for me — is the fact that they hold for such a long time without disintegrating, like a common apparition wou-" Joran set the pen aside for a moment and rubbed his temples. Headaches have been really getting unbearable these past few days. He tried squeezing his eyes shut but it seemed to only make things worse and turn "dull throbbing" into a "sharp bursts" kind of experience. — I wonder what makes these creatures so well anchored here, — he mused quietly, sending a careful gaze towards his companion. He felt like even moving his eyeballs too quickly would further unsettle the pestilent ache. Desmond was turning the former creature's head this way and that, seemingly lost in thought. Yet he answered almost immediately. — Mr. Conrad's wife was deeply involved in the occult. Perhaps her practices have influenced this place in mysterious ways, — he paused. — What in the world does a pumpkin patch have to do with it is beyond me. Akieva, who was just silently... there this whole time, suddenly shared, — It feels... like an unfamiliar tradition, from a place unknown to me. The two men exchanged confused glances above the lungaroux's head. But alas, hierophant never elaborated. And asking for more details, as they have already learned, was a lost cause completely...
