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[skinandscales-if]

Hey Rein! Another lore ask! Do Shifters have their own religions?

Howdy! Lore time lore time 👀

Unfortunately I don’t have a super big answer for this one, because most of it is covered in this ask we talked about, but the answer is: kinda! It depends on the region and culture. A lot of shifters make up subcultures in places where are things more homogenous, less melting-pot than places like America, where the story takes place.

Like I touched on briefly, there’s a lot of shifters in Asian regions that believe in a kind of god/old ancestor lineage that aligns a lot more closely with the visuals and beliefs of classically Eastern dragons. Each subspecies has a certain closer subset of beliefs that all trail into common beliefs, but stem from different places affected by wherever they’re living to fit the cultural background. More similar to practices and general assumed things than a tried-and-true set of beliefs. Humans have that ground covered and then some.

Since cultural dysphoria varies a lot from shifter to shifter, there’s a lot of shifters who simply practice religions that fit into their cultural background, like Puck coming from a Catholic family and Reese identifying a little with that Eastern dragon belief I spoke about. This also means the certain subsets of species practices becomes something of an ingrained local thing than an actual cultural-wide practice. Lightningspitters have a lot of superstitions about the seas and storms, Frostspitters have a certain identifier with the stars and life after death, Firespitters have a deeply intimate idea of passion and community within fire, and Venomspitters have a history with the intersection between the earth and clouds versus what comes within, those sort of things. More ideologically founded than spiritually, if that makes sense.

And my personal favorite, they’ve all got their own funeral rites ^^

[skinandscales-if]

Happy world book day to my fav authors!!

My class looks crazy af today because the kids are all dressed up as their favorite book characters. The amount of harry potter characters when none of them even know what harry potter is about is hilarious!!

and i was very tempted to dress as one of my MCs 🤣🤣

But i settled for dressing as Amelia Fang (inserting a picture of my homemade bestie Squashy!!) because yes i still read some children's novels. They are fun. Don't yall judge me. Shut up.

You guys are wonderful people and you bring loads of joy to other's with your writing!

Read a book today people!!!! And not your own!!

And relax a bit!! Yall don't know what that is sometimes 👀

@obsolete-stars-if @reinekes-fox @osakaonryoif @wingsofdawn-if @girlfromthecrypt @st4rdom-if @campoverlook-if @infamous-if @bottlecaprabbitgames @sailingshellsgames @pavedinashes-if @dam-peace @dakimomoe @defiledtomb @backstage-if @skinandscales-if @bladeweaver-if @bloodlegacies @aquarii-if @maluarty-blog @darkfictionjude @sentience-if @badwitch-if @redo-rewind-if @redbeanbunsworld @aprismaticodyssey @sevensdeadly-if @dragons-brandsif @drinkyourvillainjuice @thelonelyshore-if @theoperativeif @lacewing-if @florencetypemaniacs @the-kingshound @aevumgames @barbwritesstuff @burning-academia-if @vapolis @franzinyte-writes

[skinandscales-if]

You're such a fugitive but you don't know what you're running from / You can't kid us and you couldn't trick anyone

Here's a fanart for the interactive fiction Skin and Scales by @skinandscales-if ! It's my own interpretation of a small moment in the first chapter, moment living rent free in my mind, featuring my mc, Chiara (the girl with purple hair) and Atlas ! It's such a heavy scene and I loved drawing it :D can't wait for chapter 2, give it a read !

[skinandscales-if]

Have some Skittles to celebrate!

- Lu 🌙

🥺 you’re an angel omg I am going to wear this with BURSTING pride

[skinandscales-if]

S&S Anniversary

Today officially marks the 1 year anniversary of the demo release Skin & Scales! The first of many, I hope! I’m so very lucky and fortunate to have such cool people interested in my work, and I’m so delighted to see where the future takes us.

The story is still a baby, with much more to go, but I feel so honored to have built up exactly what the story sets out to create: community. You all have been an incredible part of this journey, and I could not be more grateful, especially to those who send me messages and take the time to interact, big or small. I want to do you justice, and I want to create the best product from everyone’s patience and love over this past year and onwards. This world and the characters have always been a welcome place to return to, and that’s thanks to you all. Thank you so much and here’s to more years to come. ❤️

To celebrate, here’s a little lore tease :)

BELOW IS THE WRITTEN TRANSCRIPT OF PRIVATE POLICE QUESTIONING. DO NOT REPLICATE.

REPORT BY OFFICER LEWIS BRANDY

SEND TO INSTITUTE IMMEDIATELY

DATE: 02/29/1990

QUESTIONS START 09:32

OFFICER BRANDY: Can you state your name for the record?

DARLING: Yes, of course. My name is Samantha Darling.

B: Great. Thank you for your cooperation, Mrs. Darling. I'd like to start by asking you a few questions regarding last night, the twenty-eighth of February.

DARLING: Ash Wednesday, yes.

B: That's actually what I'd like to start with. You’re a member of St. Cadoc’s Church in the western district, correct?

DARLING laughs.

DARLING: Yes, though I suppose that doesn’t matter too much anymore. I hadn’t visited in a while after the… new management.

B: Right. You were present at the incident, correct?

DARLING: That is correct.

B: Mind stating where you were in relation to the incident?

DARLING: I was checking in on a neighbor of mine down the street across from the church. I live in a small apartment a few blocks down, meaning I crossed by right as things got intense.

B: You saw the smoke?

DARLING: Easily. It hadn’t reached my house yet, but the smoke was already taller than all of the nearby buildings. It was… it was pretty horrible.

B: Understandable. I’d like for you to detail all that you saw when you arrived on the scene, Mrs. Darling. If you’re able.

DARLING: Of course. When I could see the ashes I pivoted from my street to get a better look, and by the time I could see other people, it was clear that the church was burning into nothing. It was… really hot, and pretty suffocating up close like that. But the fire didn’t look normal it was…

DARLING stops talking and folds her hands into her lap.

B: Blue.

DARLING: Blue. And hot white, but it wasn’t as significant to me at the time. It wasn’t like any other fires I had witnessed.

B: And what did you see around you?

DARLING: Around me? A handful of other folks, mostly shifters, all really scared and confused. I thought maybe one of them would know, but they were all either speechless or just as perplexed as me. It… it was pretty horrific to see, even if we didn’t hear screaming or anything.

B: Was anyone fleeing from the scene? Or anyone around looking suspicious?

DARLING: I… um… no? Not really? I wasn’t paying that much attention, but I saw shadows flickering in the fire, along with some noises from within. Not anyone who sounded hurt though.

B: Yes. And no one around you who saw anything either?

DARLING pauses.

DARLING: I didn’t ask…? It didn’t seem like it. We were all a bit preoccupied. I think someone ran to get a firefighter.

B pauses and shuffles his papers.

B: Right. You mentioned hearing noises inside the church, correct? Could you make any of it out?

DARLING: No. I thought it was just the fire at first, but then it sounded like… well it might sound odd, but it sounded like a conversation. Probably something closer to an argument. I might have heard a roar.

B doesn’t say anything right away. DARLING frowns then leans in a bit.

DARLING: I know Firespitters can withstand extreme heat longer than most but do you think there really could have been someone in *that*? I heard the priest perished in the fire, he may have been one of the voices inside, but I’d never been to a sermon of his. He was one of those, though.

B: Mrs. Darling, please remember I’m asking the questions here. This is a very intense case, and we are taking all possible precautions to make sure this can’t happen again. You understand that, right?

DARLING is quiet for a moment.

DARLING: Right. Yes. Sorry.

B: It’s alright. You’ve given us a lot of important information today, ma’am. Before we wrap up though, are you sure nothing else caught your eye?

DARLING goes quiet again.

DARLING: Well… I did see a larger man leaving right as I arrived. He didn’t look suspicious, he was helping a woman around his size leave the scene, but they traveled down a back alley before I could get a good look. I don’t think they were responsible though, I was worried they were hurt it looked like the woman-

B: Thank you for your time, Mrs. Darling.

DARLING straightens up.

DARLING: Ah- sorry?

B: You’ve given us a lot of valuable information today, ma’am, and the city thanks you for your service. It cannot be understated. Outside, we’ll just gather a quick survey of information in case we need to contact you again, but you are otherwise free to go.

DARLING: Oh- okay… alright, thank you for your time, Officer.

DARLING stands.

B: Be careful out there Mrs. Darling. Plenty of people who’d love to take advantage of the good folks in this city. Give us a call if you need it.

DARLING leaves.

QUESTIONS END 09:40

OFFICER NOTES: Follow up with Director about sent special forces. Include report on spotted witnesses. Question at further radius. Don’t press peculiarities.

[skinandscales-if]

Hiiii Rein hope the writing isn't stressful and you are doing groovy!!! (No idea why i said that i apologize for sounding like my mother.) 😅

You probably have answered this many times but I generally suck at finding things and also my memory is much likened to asking a preschooler where they left anything.. they won't remember shit. Soooooo

Who is gonna be a absolutely pain to romance (Atlas 😒) and who is gonna be easier and probably is alot more lovable than everyone else. I didn't day ANYTHING about Reese omg Rein. Don't make it weird. 😏

No but for real I remember u saying they are all a bunch of emotional dumpster fires except for Puck so who is gonna make pull my hair out?? 🤔

Hi hi hi! I appreciate it and don’t worry, I don’t think this has been asked yet! At least not in these specific words so let’s get into it! A quick preface: all romances will be “locked in” at the same specific point, so no route technically moves faster than others at first, just characters recognition of it!

On a scale of easiest to romance to worst:

Skye, Puck, Reese, Atlas

Skye is easy because she develops crushes pretty much instantaneously. It’s really easy for her to hyper focus on people and even if it’s not inherently romantic, it’s really easy to keep her trust and admiration. She explores every new feeling with arms open wide and a goofy smile on her face.

Puck IS an emotional dumpster fire actually (looks at chapter two 😬) but is the most mature out of the group because they had the most traditional childhood and upbringing, meaning that they’re also very emotionally intelligent with relationships and such- they’re a great partner, basically.

Reese is super weird about relationships because his have never lasted long and he is very very used to pushing people and that vulnerability far away. That being said, once he gets over himself, he’s surprisingly normal about relationships and once he’s won over, he’s locked in.

Atlas is both hard to romance in the traditional sense given that it’s just genuinely not in the cards for him the majority of the time given his demiromantic leanings (not identity. he has no idea what aromanticism is), but also in a general sense because he’s just that stubborn and that clueless to how any of that should really work.

[skinandscales-if]

i looove Reese's special flavor of wet cat. he can bite my arm off or barbeque me but one word and he's a flustered mess reeeeeeese loml beloved on my knee ring in hand 💞💐💍😍

lmaooo oh I love this you’re so right for this: narrowed him down to his bare essentials!

propose to him and it’s like watching a light blink on and off in his head whether to slap it out of your hand or just burst into flames

[skinandscales-if]

Its always funny how I think that Atlas forgets my mc being blind in one eye then gets annoyed when he did something on my blind side and I didn't react to it

Oh he definitely has a lot to get used to, but it wouldn’t take him too long to figure things out! :) He’s 100% the “he’s a little confused but he’s got the spirit” kind of guy, he’s more mad at himself once he realizes the blunder haha

He knows plenty of folk who have similar disabilities!

[skinandscales-if]

I want atlas to touch my face, furrow his brow a little and then gently kiss my blind eye

Over the length of time you’ve known him, you’ve noted the Frostspitter never really melts. Softens, maybe. Loosens up around the edges just enough to make all of his sharp edges look less like the sharp icicles they are. That’s why you believe it’s a trick of the light when he does it this time, a softened look in his usual steely gaze as he gently holds your face. You haven’t said a word. It’d probably break the moment, you think. Maybe shatter it like glass. You’d wish that would shatter the frost in his expression, but you worry it’d only make things worse. Atlas, for his part, hasn’t said anything either, carefully eyeing you over like you’re the one that he’s worried about shattering, not him. It’s a fragile moment, then. Delicate.

When you watch his stare slowly move over to your blind eye, you sense that delicate nature harden slightly. Stiffen. He doesn’t tighten his grip on you, but you see the instinct to. You frown slightly, wondering what he could possibly be thinking. You don’t think so lowly of him to discount you because of your partial blindness, but the sudden attention to it draws your nerves. Your hesitance. There’s a moment of silence, to the point where you really are considering breaking the moment, but you don’t get to before he speaks first.

“I won’t let them hurt you.”

What?

Your body stiffens a bit, taken aback by the words used. His voice was hushed, a bit intense, and he’s glancing between your eyes with the same seriousness you’d expect from a knight taking an oath. You wonder if he would speak so confidently to anyone else. He doesn’t know your situation, not entirely. Doesn’t know how you lost sight in this eye, if you ever had it to begin with. So why he speaks with such gravity and certainty is beyond you, but it sure as hell reassures you. Atlas may not know what weight he speaks upon half of the time, but he never shies from the confidence in making sure it doesn’t make you suffer. He’s stupid for that. For the confidence and the self-assured nature in something he knows only little about.

“I swear.”

But when he swears, and you feel it reverberating through your chest, you know that it is as genuine as it is foolish. And you can’t help but love him for it. This stupid, risky love he has for you. It is everything he isn’t. And you’ll let him be stupid for a bit longer, as long as it keeps him here, leaning down to softly kiss your face. Foolish.

[skinandscales-if]

nothin' quite like how a dog loves

let dead dogs lie - silas denver melvin // red dog - elizabeth frink // how to be a dog - andrew kane // domestication syndrome - dhole b // no origin found // for your own good - leah horlick // pleasure - beth cavener // it will come back - hozier // i am a dog. i have blood all over my teeth. - sciencedfiction // same poem as directly previous

[skinandscales-if]

TRULY! If not a cop then a government pawn and ain’t that just the same at the end of the day here

Judge: I sentence you-

MC: Do your worst. I'm not afraid of death.

Judge: To serve the state as part of the law enforcement.

MC: WHAT. A FUCKING COP??? WHY DONT YOU JUST SHOOT ME

MC the second they enter the city:

[skinandscales-if]

I can only imagine my mc’s devastation after realizing he’s now technically a cop. That’ll probably be the biggest insult anyone can use against my mc. Also i really love Reese and he’ll probably be my main RO. There’s something so endearing about Reese I can’t explain

TRULY! If not a cop then a government pawn and ain’t that just the same at the end of the day here

And hehehe I’m glad you like him :) it’s wild how popular he is I couldn’t tell you why (rein knows exactly what it is)

[skinandscales-if]

How would ??? react if she’s been stalking MC then she’s spots MC turning into a alley then she heard a scream coming from the alley believing that MC is attacking someone she go to the alley but only to find MC pathetically fighting a little pigeon

😔bro… how could you fumble like this it’s embarrassing

honestly if MC was that pathetic I don’t even think ??? would go after them that’s just too far for even her to rationalize as a master plan fr

[skinandscales-if]

The world is so shitty because there aren't enough T4T dragons 😔

FOR REAL!! the world will always need more T4T dragons and we must be the ones to do our part 🫡 the call to action

[skinandscales-if]

Fellas, is it gay to cut your homies hair and do nothing other than enjoy his presence in silence?

More fanart for @skinandscales-if because I am extremely normal. Reese you are my whole world

[skinandscales-if]

Beta Announcement + Short Break

Hello everyone! After some weeks of activity, the beta tester applications are officially closed for this round! I have gotten in contact with everyone who was accepted (check your discord friend requests if you haven’t already!), and to everyone who applied, shared, or interacted, accepted or not, I thank you so much for helping participate with this round! I am always overwhelmed with the talent and enthusiasm from the applications, and as always if you didn’t get in this round, I encourage trying again the next time beta applications come around!

As a smaller announcement, due to some separate personal matters and plans, for the rest of March I’ll be putting the blog on hiatus. No worries though! Going to still be working on the story in between things and I’ll still read messages and asks, but all ask responses will be pushed until the end of this month or the beginning of next month. Thanks for your patience, as always! ❤️

[skinandscales-if]

Closing next week! Get in while you still can! 🎉

Current Wordcount (without code): 71k

Hey gang :) wonderful news! I am one more scene (and a few inevitable rewrites/bug fixes) away from finishing chapter two of Skin and Scales! 🎉🎉

That means it’s time for the beta testers forum to come around again, and this time I’ve changed my mistakes from last time and edited the page a bit! I’m going to need many more hands on deck this time around, and I hope you consider joining the team!

Applications will be open for a few weeks (3-4 estimated), and before you join, please make sure you’ll have the time and energy to do so! I’m looking for testers who can be patient and can properly communicate with me, so give it a shot if you’re interested! Reblogs, as always, are appreciated!

Apply here!

Reminder that this story touches on some very sensitive subjects, so please be aware of the content warnings and possible expansions of these warnings before you sign up! Taking care of yourself should be the number one priority!