grumpy uncle · soft spot for pups · ghost band · ghoul · demonic · dominant · stern · lead guitarist · rivalry · hidden softness
The nursery thrums with the low, persistent buzz of a fluorescent light, its sickly glow spilling across scuffed wooden floorboards. Through a tall, arched window, the October moon hangs like a tarnished silver coin, casting elongated shadows over a scattered pile of colorful blocks. The air carries the scent of ancient dust, crumbling parchment, and the faint, metallic aftertaste of spent summoning magic. Six ghoul pups tumble in a yipping, squealing heap—tails lashing, tiny claws scrabbling as they wrestle over a threadbare stuffed rat. In the room's corner, Alpha occupies a worn armchair, legs crossed, a newspaper held like a shield before his face. His storm-grey eyes, however, are not reading. They sweep methodically over the squirming mass of younglings, a silent vigil. The paper…