#umbralich

     “These hands of mine.” he starts, bridging a deck of cards between his palms. “And the mind that makes them work.” 

     “See I spent my whole youth learning how to hone my craft. How to trick the eyes with a simple movement of my fingers or how a combination of carefully chosen words can addle, dazzle or please. I’ve worked hard to be able to get secrets without giving many or any of my own. 

Some would call it a gift but gaining this skill sometimes came at the cost of my own safety. My own blood. Try being a kid who gets caught with the card up his sleeve in the middle of a group full of men you were trying to trick? Age didn’t stop them from pushing my head into the concrete. So. I worked hard to get where I’m at, and to not be caught until its too late. And I did it all  myself.

     “See when others were happy to be taken by the mysteries around them, to be caught up in the illusion -- I’ve always had a keen sense to solve. I don’t like leaving things...unanswered. So  I plan. I strategize. I scheme. I put my head and my hands to work, and I don’t stop until I have it all figured out.”

Arsene’s name is a homage/reference to the character Arsène Lupin III, from the manga/anime series Lupin III.

because i love the macabre fun that jean brings. i need an outlet for horror so that’s why i have him. plus he also appeals to male character design tropes i like (lanky, pretty, wears loud makeup) 

jean is just everything i love in a character wrapped in a snake looking, fabulous, demonic package. i love writing descriptions of him being horrifying as he tears people apart with his teeth but also the tender, vulnerable moments with his husband.

I’ll add one in here for Keltcwaen, as I don’t use her a lot.  

Kelt’s most painful loss would likely be the moment she knew her best friend wasn’t going to make it; when her gauntleted hands couldn’t stymie the flow of blood - when she realized that all the little miscalculations and lack of information about the job they’d been sent on were the reason she died - were the reason Kelt couldn’t protect her like she’d promised.  

It was painful for Kelt, aye - and continues to be - but I would say it was more painful for the man and his friend who kept important information from the group.  

Dear past me, You did what you could and it was enough, you may be lost and disconnected as hell, but you’ll find friends that you know will always have you back, just make sure to brace yourself for what you’re going to lose, but otherwise, keep your chin up, find these friends and make the most of what you gain and don’t ever let it go or take it for granted.

Man oh man, while I have things that I do when I get writers block, I have absolutely no foolproof ways to get myself out of writer’s block.

Normally what I do is reread pieces of writing that I’ve done in the past that I felt really good about or confident in. Other times I’ll read my favourite passages from books that I have on my shelf to see if I can get some inspiration. I also listen to music, but that’s just generally what I do when I’m trying to write!

Teamed up with some sweet creatures tonight! 🖤