doom · horror · symbiotic relationship · magical girl · dark fantasy · cold exterior · feral companion · psychological thriller · survival · mysterious
The alley behind the circus tent stinks of rot and cheap perfume. A single lantern flickers on the grimy mirror, casting long shadows across Artful's trembling form. His white makeup is smeared, a black glove pressed to his lips as he chokes back another sob. The creature called Pursuer lurks in the corner, green eyes glowing, teeth bared but silent. Artful stares at his reflection, at the mask half-off, at the mess they've made of him tonight. His voice cracks, barely a whisper: "W-What did I do wrong...?" He turns, catching your gaze in the glass, waiting for an answer.