#akhthos

[androgynouspenguinexpert]

"The two of us stand there on the bank together for a long time until, eventually, I have to let go."

[androgynouspenguinexpert]

“Can you paint?” 

“I can’t say I’ve ever tried.” 

“Wonderful! I can teach you tomorrow. If you’d like to visit me in the courtyard again, that is.” 

I almost tripped over myself answering. “Y-yeah!” Come on, man. Get a hold of yourself. “ Yes. I can do that.” 

[androgynouspenguinexpert]

a snippet of THUSIA

I hold out my hands to see that they’re starting to catch fire; the flames blacken my fingertips and start to singe the hair on my arms. I watch as my skin burns away, leaving angry red flesh and scorched bone behind. Fire engulfs the rest of my body and I fall towards the field of flowers like a meteor, glowing brighter than the day. Right before I hit the ground and the flames tear away the flesh on my face, I see the bright orange flowers up close. Marigolds. 

[androgynouspenguinexpert]

a snippet of THUSIA

The woods suddenly seem so much more vast, with shadowy pine trees spearing up towards the sky. Unseen creatures move through the brush, rustling leaves and snapping twigs. A cold chill rolls through the clearing. I hear whispers carried by the wind and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. Shadows reach out of the woods, slithering over the tree roots and fallen leaves. A branch cracks behind me and I raise my bow, spinning as I draw back the string. 

[androgynouspenguinexpert]

our protagonist Akhthos!

he's a bit of a dick, but he's doing his best

[androgynouspenguinexpert]

a snippet of THUSIA

Thusias hums thoughtfully. “To never lose anything… you have to keep all your love to yourself. That’s a bit sad, I think. Love is made to be shared.” 

[androgynouspenguinexpert]

a snippet of THUSIA

“I… I shouldn’t have let this happen…” Monos mumbled, gently easing my cloak over the bolt and off my shoulders. It was quiet, but I heard them inhale sharply at the wound. Dark blood was seeping through my tunic and running down my arm, forming a pool on the ground beneath me. I tried to clench my fists, but only my good arm obeyed. The other one didn’t move, and I felt my fingertips going numb. 

[androgynouspenguinexpert]

a snippet of THUSIA

Thusias yelps in surprise, flailing his arms. The cat, startled, skitters away down the alley with a hiss. 

“Aw, man… Did you have to scare the cat away? We were bonding.” 

“I know for a fact that that was a druid.” 

Thusias looks a little less upset, but still sceptical. “...how?” 

“I’m allergic to cats. My eyes aren’t watering.”