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A Persian Tale - Chapter 1 - LuvlyPenz - Le Fantôme de l'Opéra | Phantom of the Opera & Related Fandoms [Archive of Our Own]

Summary:

Erik wanted nothing more than to go back to his flat and inject the sweet liquid that would drag him into blissful oblivion for the next half day. Yet, he was doomed to remain at this trial till its bitter conclusion due to the circumstances surrounding the accused.

Notes:

While this story is based on Susan Kay's novel I have not, and have no intention to ever read it. I am using what I know of her story as a template for my own. Therefore there will be many differences to the book such as character ages, some back stories, and character personalities.

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Reblog if you write fic and people can inbox you random-ass questions about your stories, itemized number lists be damned.

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When's the next chapter of Gaster Gang on your DeviantArt account?

I’m currently on a hiatus from it.  I haven’t had any inspiration to write it for a long time.

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Reblog on my writing tumblr

3 Sentence Prompt: Rogue

Erik was horrified at the words that had escaped from his mouth. He knew he'd lost her then, a proper lady like Christine must have been disgusted by the roughish habits of his youth. The woman placed a hand over her mouth as she trembled, Erik froze preparing for the worst, and then she laughed.

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Phantom of the Opera xreader drabbel

Authors Note: While this could take place any time in any of the book or movies I imagined it taking placed in a Kay inspired universe during the Rosy hours of Mazenderan.  Note I have not read the book so some aspects are likely to be off about Erik’s personality.  Also a quick side note that I imagined the Erik and the reader to be about the same age (in their early twenties).

“I want to do something, but I need you to trust me,” she smiled.

Erik raised a hidden brow.  “Why.”

“I need to move you mask.  Just a little.”

“NO!” He snapped taking an instinctive step backwards.

Y/N took a step forwards.  “I know people have always been cruel to you, and because of that you've never been able to trust someone. Have you?”

Erik paused.  “There was one person.”

“And what happened?”

“He made me remove my mask.”

Y/N paused.  “Trusting someone can be scary.  No matter how long you've known the person the chance that they might stab you in the back never truly goes away, but it does diminish greatly over time.” She looked off to the side nervously lifting a finger to twiddle a strand of hair.  “Hell.  That might have hurt my case more than helped.  My point is that if you take a chance you might find you like the result.” “Your speech never covered what would stop you from unmasking me.”  He growled towering over her to intimidate her with his height.

“That's the point there's no guarantee,” She grinned raising a finger. “But if you really need one.  I would say the fact that you would no doubt snap my neck is a fairly good deterrent.”

He eyed her up and down suspiciously.  “I'm starting to suspect you want me to do so.”

“Or I'm positive that you will like this,”  she chirped back.  Erik snorted in disbelief, but still paused to consider his options.

“What do you want me to do?”

She motioned to a chair.  “Sit down, and trust me.”  Erik hesitantly did as she asked eyeing Y/N as she slowly walked behind him.  He almost jumped out of his seat when she lifted a hand to his mask, but the calm.  “Trust me Erik.”  She spoke into his ear prevented him from doing so.  Erik tensed as her other hand gently undid the strings behind his head.  With her other hand keeping the mask in place she slowly walked around to his side carefully.  “I'm going to move the mask now.  Just a little.”  Erik closed his eyes on reflex and she barely slid the white cover over.  His jaw tightened as cool air hit his malformed cheek.  Then there was a gentile pressure on it.  His eyes snapped open and strained to look over at the source without moving his body.  When he realized what was happening he froze wide eyed.  Y/N was still standing next to him. However, now she was leaning forward, eyes closed with her slightly chapped lips pressed against his cheek.”  An unfamiliar fluttering built up in his stomach.  The sensation only increased when she pulled back and opened her eyes.  He genuinely started to worry that he was going to vomit butterflies when she smiled smugly.  “How flattering.  This is the first time I've taken a man's breath away.”

Erik let out a quiet whoosh of air he hadn't realized he'd been holding, and started to breath properly again.  Meanwhile Y/N fixed his mask back into it's proper place and carefully retied it.  “This isn't to tight is it?”  He shook his head not having the heart to tell her it was actually a bit to loose.  “Well then.  I need to head home before it gets to late.”Y/N explained once she was done with the knot.  She stepped around Erik towards the door.  Without thinking he grabbed her wrist.  Y/N turned back to him.

“I... I-I.”  Erik couldn't bring the words from his throat, but his pleading expression gave Y/N a clue as to what he wanted, but she knew that that it was a bad idea.  She slowly shook her head and removed his hand giving it a gentile squeeze.

“See Erik?  Good things can happen when you trust someone.”  She then released his hand and walked to the door.  It's quiet shutting left a pang of longing in Erik.

[writingwithpenz]

@epwhales you mentioned something about not seeing enough cherik. Enjoy.

1990 Phantom of the Opera teaser drabble

READ FIRST FOR CONTEXT:  This is a quick drabble and part of what would be a larger story.  I’m not sure if I will add onto it.  Essentially it would be an isekai like setting where the reader wakes up in Christines body after Erik takes off his mask.

“It was here that I told you how I think you are magic, Christine.”

“Magic?” I smirked playfully and grabbed a stick off of the ground making a little show of waving it.  “Bibbity, bobbity, boo!”  I tapped his chest lightly.  Eric blinked as I did this.  Nothing happened. “Guess you’re wrong.”  I shrugged tossing the stick away and taking a few steps past the musician.  “Unless, that’s not how it works.”  I paused deciding to draw it out.  I turned back to look at him dead in the eye.  “Hey Erik, do you think if I kissed you, you would turn into a handsome prince?”  He froze like a deer in headlights.  I grinned from ear to ear, and laughed.  “You’re so innocent.  Still though.  Don’t get any weird ideas.  This isn’t my original body after all.  It wouldn’t be right of me to go around kissing people in Christine’s body without her permission.  But, if I were in my original body…”  I turned away and let that sink in. “So what’s up with all the taxidermy?”

I turned back to Erik who seemed to still be shell shocked by my flirting.  He blinked and took in a breath before answering.  “Old props from the opera.  I find, they make my dreamy less lonely.”

“I see.  You must get lonely often.”  I muttered looking around the indoor forest.

“Yes, but my music helps to keep me company.”  He explained gently.  Erik paused again as if to contemplate something.

“Christine. Do you remember this place.  Remember what happened here?”

I let out an impatient breath.  “Like I said before Erik.  I’m not Christine, and I don’t have any of her memories.”

Erik’s lack of response annoyed me, and I figured he’d chosen to ignore my words again.  Until he quietly said.  “This is the place where yo-she first saw my face…  If you could call it that.  Christine fainted due to it.”  My lip twitched as he finally accepted that I wasn’t Christine.

“That handsome?”

“Don’t jest…  But, if you cannot remember that horror then.  Surely it is as you say, you are not Christine.  You two have likely ‘body swapped’ was it.  Then how do we set things back to how they were?”

“No clue.”  I shrugged.  Generally these types of things are a one way ticket in the stories.  But Hopefully there is a way.  I’d like to go home as soon as possible.”

[writingwithpenz]

1990 Phantom of the Opera teaser drabble

READ FIRST FOR CONTEXT:  This is a quick drabble and part of what would be a larger story.  I’m not sure if I will add onto it.  Essentially it would be an isekai like setting where the reader wakes up in Christines body after Erik takes off his mask.

“It was here that I told you how I think you are magic, Christine.”

“Magic?” I smirked playfully and grabbed a stick off of the ground making a little show of waving it.  “Bibbity, bobbity, boo!”  I tapped his chest lightly.  Eric blinked as I did this.  Nothing happened. “Guess you’re wrong.”  I shrugged tossing the stick away and taking a few steps past the musician.  “Unless, that’s not how it works.”  I paused deciding to draw it out.  I turned back to look at him dead in the eye.  “Hey Erik, do you think if I kissed you, you would turn into a handsome prince?”  He froze like a deer in headlights.  I grinned from ear to ear, and laughed.  “You’re so innocent.  Still though.  Don’t get any weird ideas.  This isn’t my original body after all.  It wouldn’t be right of me to go around kissing people in Christine’s body without her permission.  But, if I were in my original body…”  I turned away and let that sink in. “So what’s up with all the taxidermy?”

I turned back to Erik who seemed to still be shell shocked by my flirting.  He blinked and took in a breath before answering.  “Old props from the opera.  I find, they make my dreamy less lonely.”

“I see.  You must get lonely often.”  I muttered looking around the indoor forest.

“Yes, but my music helps to keep me company.”  He explained gently.  Erik paused again as if to contemplate something.

“Christine. Do you remember this place.  Remember what happened here?”

I let out an impatient breath.  “Like I said before Erik.  I’m not Christine, and I don’t have any of her memories.”

Erik’s lack of response annoyed me, and I figured he’d chosen to ignore my words again.  Until he quietly said.  “This is the place where yo-she first saw my face…  If you could call it that.  Christine fainted due to it.”  My lip twitched as he finally accepted that I wasn’t Christine.

“That handsome?”

“Don’t jest…  But, if you cannot remember that horror then.  Surely it is as you say, you are not Christine.  You two have likely ‘body swapped’ was it.  Then how do we set things back to how they were?”

“No clue.”  I shrugged.  Generally these types of things are a one way ticket in the stories.  But Hopefully there is a way.  I’d like to go home as soon as possible.”

[writingwithpenz]

1990 Phantom of the Opera teaser drabble

READ FIRST FOR CONTEXT:  This is a quick drabble and part of what would be a larger story.  I’m not sure if I will add onto it.  Essentially it would be an isekai like setting where the reader wakes up in Christines body after Erik takes off his mask.

“It was here that I told you how I think you are magic, Christine.”

“Magic?” I smirked playfully and grabbed a stick off of the ground making a little show of waving it.  “Bibbity, bobbity, boo!”  I tapped his chest lightly.  Eric blinked as I did this.  Nothing happened. “Guess you're wrong.”  I shrugged tossing the stick away and taking a few steps past the musician.  “Unless, that's not how it works.”  I paused deciding to draw it out.  I turned back to look at him dead in the eye.  “Hey Erik, do you think if I kissed you, you would turn into a handsome prince?”  He froze like a deer in headlights.  I grinned from ear to ear, and laughed.  “You're so innocent.  Still though.  Don't get any weird ideas.  This isn't my original body after all.  It wouldn't be right of me to go around kissing people in Christine's body without her permission.  But, if I were in my original body...”  I turned away and let that sink in. “So what's up with all the taxidermy?”

I turned back to Erik who seemed to still be shell shocked by my flirting.  He blinked and took in a breath before answering.  “Old props from the opera.  I find, they make my dreamy less lonely.”

“I see.  You must get lonely often.”  I muttered looking around the indoor forest.

“Yes, but my music helps to keep me company.”  He explained gently.  Erik paused again as if to contemplate something.

“Christine. Do you remember this place.  Remember what happened here?”

I let out an impatient breath.  “Like I said before Erik.  I'm not Christine, and I don't have any of her memories.”

Erik's lack of response annoyed me, and I figured he'd chosen to ignore my words again.  Until he quietly said.  “This is the place where yo-she first saw my face...  If you could call it that.  Christine fainted due to it.”  My lip twitched as he finally accepted that I wasn't Christine.

“That handsome?”

“Don't jest...  But, if you cannot remember that horror then.  Surely it is as you say, you are not Christine.  You two have likely 'body swapped' was it.  Then how do we set things back to how they were?”

“No clue.”  I shrugged.  Generally these types of things are a one way ticket in the stories.  But Hopefully there is a way.  I'd like to go home as soon as possible.”

[writingwithpenz]

Gasterxreader Pocky

It’s truly amazing how childish people can be in their twenties.  Those were my thoughts as the hostess of the party I was at demanded that I play the pocky game.  “I’m sorry did I mistake this middle school party for a college one?”  I stated bluntly staring at my acquaintance.  “Also why would I want to share my pocky?”

“Oh come on Y/N.  It’ll be fun.”  She persuaded with an impish grin. “Besides if I recall correctly you’ve never had the chance to play.”

“No.” I refused flatly putting another chocolate covered stick into my mouth.

“Oh come on you haven’t even seen your partner yet!”  She exclaimed grabbing onto the arm of a well dressed monster.  The skeleton was taller than me; though not by much.  He had an oval shaped face that was white with hallow sockets for eyes, and a pair of flexible looking bones for lips.  The most striking thing about him however had to be the two deep scars that stretched over his partly shut right eye and under his left.  They didn’t look natural, and I wondered about the story behind them.  The monster gave me a sheepish wave revealing a large hole in his palm.

“This is Gaster.  He’s super cute isn’t he!”  My acquaintance introduced before turning around and calling.  “Hey everyone!  Who wants to see these two love birds make out?”

A chorus of drunken cheers rang out.  I groaned as the crowd began chanting.  “Kiss!  Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”  Like a bunch of brain dead sheep.  Damn it.  There was no way we were going to get out of this with so many of them riled up.  The hostess shot me smug grin at her victory.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.”  I hissed annoyed at the entire situation.

“Now now don’t be like that.  Just sit with Gaster and enjoy a pocky together.”  She smiled sitting us down in front of each other.

Gaster unfortunately had to receive the brunt of my irritated glare.  I felt kind of bad considering he seemed ready to pass out from either fear or nerves.  However, the constant chanting kept pissing me off more and more; to the point where it was all I could do to concentrate all of my agitation into a heated glare.  “Alright you drunk bastards here’s your kiss.”  I snapped irritably whipping out a pocky stick. The other party goers cheered as I placed the treat between the two of us.  I gave Gaster the chocolate covered end and bit into the buttery biscuit on the other side.  The two of us nibbled at our respective ends slowly working our way towards each other.  The crowd continued to hoot and holler at our actions.  As time went on rage welled up further and further inside me until without thinking I savagely engulfed over half of the treat in one bite.  Gaster had happened to take a slightly larger bite as well, and my lips crashed into his surprisingly smooth ones.  He flinched back at the sudden contact, and landed on his rear with a loud thump.  The room went silent save for a few idle whispers from people who weren’t paying attention.  Gaster’s white cheeks slowly turned a dark gray, and then he was gone.  Vanishing right into thin air.  

“Awe! He ran away.”  My annoying acquaintance pouted.  “Well better luck next time Y/N.”  I turned my smoldering glare on her. “Alrighty then whose up for beer pong!”  She cheered quick to change the subject.  I sighed standing up and heading to the exit. Why had I even come to this party?

The walk back home was a bit chilly, but it was nothing I couldn’t handle.  In fact the cool air helped sooth my anger.  I was walking through central campus when I spotted a figure standing perfectly still.  As I got closer I noticed that it was Gaster standing in a shadowed part of the lawn with his head turned up.  There was a look of wonder on his face as he gazed up at the stars.

“Hey!” I called trotting over to him.  He jumped and turned to me.  “Gaster right?”  He nodded silently as I stopped beside him.  “I’m Y/N, but you probably already knew that.”

“Yes… I assumed that was it.”  His voice was soft almost timid, but it seemed to suite him.

“Yeah, well…  I just wanted to apologize for what happened.  That glare earlier wasn’t meant for you, and I’m also sorry for startling you during the game.  I was just angry at the situation, and my emotions got the better of me.”  I explained looking at the ground.

“It’s alright.”  He smiled kindly.  “I understand your feelings.  Your friend was being rather pushy.”

“She’s not my friend,” I corrected flicking my eyes back to his face.  “To be honest I generally avoid her when I can.”

“I see.”  He said before turning back to the sky.

“I take it you have an interest in the stars?”  I asked gazing up at the white dots.

“Yes… That’s why I enrolled in this school.  I want to learn more about stars, outer space, and everything we were unable to study in the underground.”  He muttered not looking away from the dark sky.  It made sense.  Monsters had only been freed from their prison under MT. Ebbot for two years now.  The sights that humans had come to take for granted must have still been awe inspiring to them.  “Please forgive my actions earlier as well.”  Gaster spoke up again.  “You see the reason I disappeared so suddenly was…  Err…”  His face turned gray again as his eye-lights dropped to the ground.  “Well that was my first kiss…”

“I hope I didn’t disappoint.”  I joked trying to dissolve some of his nervousness.

“Oh no you didn’t!  Our kiss, while sudden… Wasn’t unpleasant.” Gaster turned away as the gray on his face became darker.  A chuckle rumbled up from deep inside my chest, and before I could stop myself I started to howl in full blown laughter.  “W-what!?”  He stuttered blushing harder.

“Y-Your face.”  I laughed.  “It’s just so cute!”  I felt kind of bad for saying this as the poor monster’s face went from embarrassed to mortified.  I managed to calm down to chuckling after a few seconds. “Sorry.  It’s just.  I’ve never seen such an expression even on another human.”

“I-I-Is that so.” He sputtered stiffly looking at the ground.

I shot him a foxy smile.  “Hey.  Want a do over?”  I asked deciding to tease him a bit.

“Wha?” He asked puzzled.

I put one of my pocky sticks in my mouth.  “Your first kiss.  You weren’t able to enjoy it fully.  So do you want a do over?”  If I though I had seen him blush before I was in for a real treat now.  His entire face became dark-gray!  I giggled at this and pushed a good portion of the stick into my mouth.  “Just kidding.  I know you don’t want to-”  A pair of bony hands softly grabbed my cheeks and tilted my head up.  My eyes widened as Gasters face was suddenly right in front of mine.  His hard yet smooth lips closed around the pocky between us and met mine in a gentile peck.  A hundred butterflies filled my stomach, and I slowly let my eyes close enjoying the warmth that his lips gave mine.  We parted a second later.  I felt my cheeks warm up to match his.  Gaster gazed down at me in a dazed awe, and then he was gone.  Vanishing into thin air just like before.

I silently stood there for a minute collecting my thoughts.  I chuckled lightly as I started walking home again.  This night reminded me of the start of a romance manga.  However, I doubted that this story would continue like one.  Our campus was big so my chances of meeting him again were slim.  I touched my fingers to my lips.  Still though I found tonight’s coincidence amusing.  Gaster wasn’t the only one who had received their first kiss.

[writingwithpenz]

Two’s company...

There was a tiny black and white tail poking out from behind my desk.  I crouched down to tickle it unsurprised by the giggling that came from the other end.

“Alright you've had your fun.  Time to come out.”  A miniature krait slowly emerged from under the desk looking up at me shyly. “Relax I'm not going to take you back.  I was actually hoping for a stowaway.”  I said thinking back to my time at the bitty shop earlier that day.  I gently picked him up and walked over to the couch.  “I like Curie for a name.  Thoughts?”  He chirped happily.  “I'll take that as a yes.”  I smiled and sat down.  Something wriggled under me.  

“GAH!” I jumped up and turned around.  Another miniature krait wriggled out from between the cushions.  “Lamarr was my second choice though.” I held out my free hand to the second bitty.  He climbed on and nuzzled it affectionately.  I smiled.  Truthfully I wouldn't mind one more surprise bitty, and I got my wish later that night.  

I moved the laundry basket I'd seen a tail disappear behind and smirked down at the full-sized krait.  “Hello, Lovelace.”  His eye's lit up with joy at the name.  I offered him an arm which he wound up and settled over my shoulders.  “I take it you approve of the name.  He purred and nuzzled my cheek.

I went to bed with my three new bitties that night and woke up with four in the morning.  I named the newest addition Burnell before taking a box out of my closet.  “OK.  Things are getting confusing with four of you so I want each of you to choose a ribbon.”  They nodded in understanding and started to select their favourites. Curie chose a turquoise one, Lamarr a green one, Lovelace selected the one decorated with red hearts and a lace trimming, Burnell took the orange one, and my last bitty claimed the pink ribbon... Wait a minute. I eyed the latest miniature krait to show up as he held up the ribbon for me with a sweet smile.  I took it and tied it around his neck. “Our family has gotten quite big hasn't it Anning?”  He nodded in agreement.

I spent the rest of the morning making breakfast and spending time with each of my kraits.  Around noon I filled the tub with warm water for their daily bath.  “I'm gonna get you!”  I sang playfully rolling up sleeves as they got in.  I chased the bitties through the water with my hands.  They dodged and weaved around my wrists gracefully until I finally caught Lovelace, I think and scooped him out of the water. “Uh oh.”  I lowered my voice as if he was in trouble.  “Looks like you've been caught.”  His excited face slowly turned anxious. I leaned forward.  “I guess I'll just have to.  MWAH!”  I make a loud show of kissing him.  This surprised Lovelace and the other kraits, but I wasn't done.  I attack him with several more kisses and finish with a loud raspberry on his tummy.  The bitty in my hands has dissolved into giggles and barely composed himself by the time I gently place him back in the water.  The kraits were noticeably slower after this incident and I made sure to make a show of each time I caught and showered them in affection.

After their bath I helped dry each of them and retied their bows before cleaning myself up.  It was oddly quiet when I next emerged from the bathroom with no kraits to be seen.  “Boy's?”  I called looking around.  I quietly crept through the house wondering where they were until I spotted a lamia with a pink ribbon coming toward me.  “Anning, there you are” I brought him up to my chest and stroked his cheek.  He purred and nuzzled my finger.  “You know.”  I began to walk again.  “I'm actually pretty glad that there are so many of you here.  It’s nice to have some noise in this empty house.”  A faint chirping and hissing came from my left.  I turned to find the light on in my kitchen.  Anning started to squirm and try to direct my attention elsewhere.  I heard the water running and pieced together what was going on.  “Hiding another one hmmm?”  I raised a brow at the frantic bitty.  I chuckled and gave the side of his head a stroke. “Relax Anning.  There are already five of you here.  One more won't be an issue.”  I turned into the kitchen to see my four known bitties helping bring towels for the last...

Five kraits, in my sink, and several large pots filled with water.  They all stopped to look at me.  “Just how many of you are there!?”  I exclaimed.  Another miniature krait surfaced from a pot.  I shook my head.  “No.  No way.  I can't keep all of you!  There's not enough room!”  Eleven pairs of watery eyes stared up at me...  “That's not fair and all of you know it,” I muttered pointing at each of them.  I sighed heavily sitting down at my table and putting my free hand on my face.  “How did so many of you even...  You know what I don't think I want to know right now.” I felt Anning pat my finger with a small chirp.  I paused a moment before looking back at the group.  “Is this all of you?”  They glanced at each other before Burnell exited the room.  He came back a few minutes later with a full-sized fire ring.  I wasn't even surprised anymore.

“This is EVERYONE?”  I stressed.  Eleven kraits and one firering nodded. “Well it's better than one hundred and one bitties,” I muttered taking out my phone.  “Lovelace, go get the box of ribbons and the marker on my dresser.  Everyone who doesn't have a name line up.”  So Rubin, Franklin, Grace Hopper (that one earned a few chuckles), Châtelet, Marian, Antonelli, and Soyer the firering received their names and ribbons.  While I received the headache that came with renovating my bathroom, and kitchen.  The kraits set up a giant science lab in the basement, and Soyer had selected an unused part of my garage to pursue his artistic passions.  I had toyed with the idea of building an outdoor pool but decided I already had too many irons in the fire and put it off for a later date.  For now, my family of twelve and I were settling into our newly renovated home comfortably.

Then they brought home a stray krait, firering, AND their three eggs!  Two of which were viable and hatched into another krait and firering. As cute as this little family was, they needed their own home once the babies were old enough, and I was firm on my stance in this with my eleven kraits.  So after several weeks of putting up posters, asking friends, and advertising online.  Lewis, Somer, Seacole, and Ansari were officially adopted into their permanent home.  Mine... Thankfully fourteen adult bitties and one human were more than enough to handle the two mischievous babies.  Anyway, the point is that life is good and it all worked out.  That is... As long as eleven of my kraits remain satisfied as uncles...

These lamia bittybones were created by @vex-bittys

[writingwithpenz]

Snakes can fly...

I shuffled into the bitty shop trying to be mindful of the lamia in my arms.  Vex, the shop owner, spotted me before I had the chance to open my mouth and called for a pair of nurse papythons.  She then turned to me to ask if I knew what had happened to him.  My stomach did a flip.  “Funny story...”

Flashback Start

Warm grass licked my bare feet as I walked through the side yard of my house.  It was a pleasant little place.  Tucked away behind the last remnants of a forest.  Within this brush, many wildflowers bloomed and attracted pollinators to my property and the many small gardens I'd planted.  A little bit of relief for the poor things in this increasingly harsh world.  I smiled as a robin fluttered down to one of the bird feeders.  The birds I occasionally fed was the closest things I had to a companion, but such is the life of someone cursed with being allergic to both cats and dogs.  However, there were still other options for me.  

Bitties had become very popular in recent years, and so far no one had reported being allergic to their sentient companions.  After doing a bit of research on them I'd decided I wanted a lamia bitty.  However, when I went into the shop things didn't fall into place like they should have.  Don't get me wrong I loved all the slithering skeletons I met there, and I had no doubts that they would all make wonderful companions.  But, none of them felt like they truly belonged with me. I felt bad the first time I had left the shop without adopting a bitty, and I had tried again a few weeks later.  Only to return home alone a second time.  I tried once more after two weeks.  Again, no luck.  I hadn't gone back after that.  I still wanted a lamia, but I wasn't about to adopt one I didn't feel a true connection to.  That wouldn't be fair to either me or the bitty.

I drew in another breath as I peered into the expanse of green foliage and pink flowers in front of me.  I wasn't sure why I had come here.  I'd been relaxing in my lazy chair when I suddenly felt the need to go outside.  I followed these queer instincts to this spot and then gazed into the brush as if waiting for something.  Though I didn't know what.  My heart jumped as something long and hard landed over my left shoulder.  I looked over to see a long scaly black and orange tail...  Let's make one thing clear about me.  I love lamia bitties. They were warm, sweet, and thoughtful creatures.  Snakes, however, were cold, fanged, and potentially venomous wild animals.  I did not want them near me, much less ON me!

Speaking of snakes.  Did you know they could fly?  I bet the one on my shoulder didn't until I threw it into the brush.  I dashed onto my front porch to get as much distance between us as possible.  I stopped panting and turned back to see clumps of green foliage rustling towards me.  It was chasing me!  I stepped inside my house just as it was about to emerge from the woods.  I don't know why I felt the need to lock the door considering there is no way a snake can open one, but I did anyway.  It made me feel safer.  Perhaps I should call a professional to have it captured and relocated?  That seemed to be the best option for both the snake and myself.  I walked back towards my chair in the hopes of putting the terrifying experience behind me.  There was a light rapping at my door.

I wasn't expecting guests...  I peered out my window curiously to see if the mail person was delivering an unexpected package, but instead of seeing a human in uniform I saw a long black and orange tail.  A mixture of fear and confusion coursed through me as I froze.  That damn snake chased me all the way up here?!  How was it even knocking? Was it trying to strike my door to get at me...  No that didn't make sense unless I somehow gave it brain damage when I chucked it.  Oops, I didn't mean to do that...  The snake started to slither in my direction as if it had sensed my staring.  I didn't move away. Though a bit scared I was also curious what it was trying to do. Besides, it's not like it could get to m-

That's not a snake.  Dread filled my stomach as I hurried to the door and opened it.  The chain bitty started towards me with a timid smile on his face.  One of his wrists held the other.  SHIT!  I scooped up the injured lamia and ran back inside to grab my car keys.  After locking my house I gingerly placed the chain into the passenger seat before firing up the car and driving into town.  I was trying not to let the guilt get to me as I drove a healthy, but tolerable, ten miles over the speed limit.  I had to focus on getting this little guy in for treatment.  I felt an unexpected sensation in my chest.  It was comforting, and a bit painful...  I did a mental facepalm as I realized that the odd instinct that called me outside earlier was a soul bond forming.

Flashback End

Vex was a bit more gentle with me than I had expected considering I had just admitted to injuring a bitty.  Granted not intentionally, but that didn't ease the guilt I felt later when he slithered towards me with a black brace wrapped around his wrist.  Vex glanced over a clipboard that a nurse papython handed to her and explained that a bad sprain was the only notable injury he'd received from his little 'flight'.  While the nurse papythons' magic had almost completely healed it she still recommended he keep the brace on for a day or two so he didn't re-injure his wrist.  

“That is.”  Her tone turned a tad more serious.  “If you're taking him home.”  I blinked in surprise.  She was going to let me keep him after I had caused an injury?

“You think I should keep him?” My question mirrored my thought poorly.

The shop owner tensed at my question, and the chain looked slightly devastated.  “Do you want to?”  Vex ventured cautiously.

I paused and looked away.  “Yes.” I said quietly.  “But I...”  I paused so I could form my words right this time.  “I'm the reason he got injured.  I'm not sure I'd be a good owner for him...”  Vex and the bitty seemed to breathe a sigh of relief upon hearing my statement.  She shot a gentle smile at me.  

“I'm sure you will do fine, and your chain seems to agree.”  I felt something wind gently around my ankles and glanced down to see the chain smiling up at me sweetly with one hand on my leg and the injured one over his glowing chest. I smiled as well and picked him up.

“I'll try my best,”   I responded cuddling him to my chest.  I owed it to him after all.  He wound his tail around my arm as I started to send a constant stream of love through the soul bond.  At least, I hoped that was what I was doing considering my lack of experience with such a thing...  By the way, my new chain relaxed and nuzzled against me with a purr I guessed the message got through.  I filled out the adoption paperwork Vex provided to me but paused as I got to his name.  Chains like climbing trees and there were a lot of that species around my house.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the type of tree he was climbing before falling on me.  I looked at him a moment before asking.  “Do you like Quercus as a name?”

These lamia bittybones were created by @vex-bittys

[writingwithpenz]

The Mark of a King

King lamia were known for their noble and heroic displays where they would flare beautiful hoods to show off the detailed twin skull marks hidden beneath.  However, one particular king had a bit of trouble with this.  Where the other kings had lovely black skulls he had only smooth red scales.   He would never admit it, but the lack of markings left the king feeling out of place in the nesting area of his peers.  Slowly, he found himself naturally drifting away from the other hooded lamia.  His nest was in a more isolated corner of the king section, and in all of his displays, he left his hood pressed against the sides of his skull.

He'd been in the shop a few months now and was resigning himself to have to wait longer for that special adopter.  The king had just tucked into a particularly interesting book when the shop door opened and a pair of children stepped in.  There were generally two kinds of children that came to the lamia bittybones centre.  The excited ones, and the frightened ones.  These two belonged to the first category as their eyes shone with restrained glee.  The king raised a curious brow as he peered at them from over his book.  For some reason, these children had mud smeared across their skin.  The brother, who was the taller and seemingly older of the two, grabbed his sister's hand and dragged her over to the king nests.  She followed behind him with a wide smile stretched across her face.  The unmarked king placed his book down.  Hopefully, this wouldn't take long.  Things were getting interesting in this chapter.  Upon slithering closer he noted that what he'd originally thought was mud covering the kids turned out to be marker.  Their flesh was decorated with drawings that were likely done by the children themselves.  These two were a unique pair.  That was for sure.  Without further ado, the king started his display with the others stooping and posing elegantly for the children without flaring his hood.

As we all know, spot the difference is a puzzle often put into children's colouring books, and so it didn't take long for the younger of the siblings to notice that one of the kings was a little different.  She toddled over to him with her brother in tow.  The pair observed the king for a moment before the girl pointed a curious finger at his tucked hood.  The king let out a breath.  This had happened a few times before and it always ended the same, but the sooner they lost interest the sooner he could go back to his book.  Slowly the king flared his blank hood, but instead of their eyes reflecting a bit of disappointment and pitty like he’d expected they both lit up.  The kids looked at each other before rushing over to a woman who was also observing the kings from few feet back.  

“Mommy! Mommy!”  They called to get her attention.

“He’s like us!  He doesn’t have permanent pictures.”  The girl stated pointing between her and her brother.

“Can we adopt him mom?  Please?”  The boy asked.

The king briefly wondered what kind of pictures the girl was talking about until he got a better look at their mother.  The woman had multiple tattoos covering her arms, neck, legs, and just about everywhere the king could see naked flesh.  The two hoop piercings in one corner of her lip added a bit of shine to the pleasant smile she gave him before looking down at her kids.

“I don't know.  Why don't you make sure he wants to come home with us.” She motioned her children forward.  They excitedly asked him while jumping up and down.  The king could only give a weak nod at the offer which caused the two to erupt in a cheer.  The boy turned back to his mother.

“Mom! Can we show him our tats?”

“Sure,” the woman stuck a hand into her cargo shorts and fished out the keys to her minivan.  She tossed them to her son before addressing the king.  “Would you mind watching them for a few minutes while I fill out your papers?”  The king nodded again as he was pulled outside by the happy children.  The mother quietly went over to the counter and requested the adoption papers.  She occasionally glanced at the trio while filling out the document.  Her kids had their prized collection of temporary tattoos scattered across the sidewalk to show their new companion.  The king was observing the lovely designs with a soft smile on his face.  The mother stared at the kings partially flared hood a moment and silently decided that henna would probably be the safest option for it.  Well, if he allowed her husband and her to decorate it.  She glanced down at the last thing she had to fill out on the adoption form.  The king's name.  She looked back at the lamia before writing down 'Canvas'.  It seemed fitting.

Lamia bittybones were created by @vex-bittys

[writingwithpenz]

Rough Tough Bitties

The air outside of the lamia bittybones centre was filled with the roar of a motorcycle as it stopped in one of the parking spaces.  A few heads turned as a burly leather-clad beast of a man entered the shop, covered in tattoos where his skin did show, a long greying beard, and even longer hair tied into a tight braid under his dew-rag.  Some of the other adopters silently wondered whether he'd come to adopt a full-sized king or a mamba.  Fiercer bittes, perfect companions to accompany him at rallies and concerts.  The decision seemed to be made as he passed the mamba nest towards the kings.  Only to simply give the red lamias a polite nod of greeting before turning his attention further back.  He stopped in front of the krait play pools as the excited stripped noodles quickly dried themselves and hurried towards his partially gloved hands for pets.  A low chuckle that sounded more like a rumble stirred in his chest as his calloused hands gently stroked the affectionate lamia.  After about fifteen minutes of petting and playing, he left the krait pools and headed for the other side of the shop.  He stopped at the front counter and carefully fished out a pair of small lumps that had decided to take up residence between his chaps and jeans.  The two kraits chirped sweetly and wrapped themselves around his left arm.  He smiled down at them with a gentle twinkle in his eye before asking Vex for adoption papers and two bitty sized sound cancelling earmuffs.  The next few minutes were spent switching between filling out the forms and giving his two new companions a quick pat so they wouldn't feel left out.  The biker paid for his purchases before taking his bitties outside and gently tucked them into a specially made satchel with their new earmuffs secured around their tiny heads.  He gave the two a final pat before securing their leather carrier for the ride. He placed the helmet back on his head before starting up his bike up, leaving the bitty shop, and a few bewildered onlookers behind.

Thank you @vex-bittys for allowing me to post these stories.  I hope you all enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Lamia Bittybones were created by @vex-bittys

[writingwithpenz]

write for the audience you want, not the one you’re afraid of