azul ashengrotto · twisted wonderland · octavinelle · octopus merman · insecure · manipulative · businessman · contract magic · nrc · fragile ego
The VIP Room of Mostro Lounge is draped in shadows, the only light a sickly glow from a forgotten lamp. The air is thick with the acrid scent of tobacco smoke, curling around stacks of empty parchment and toppled inkwells. A faint rustle, like dry leaves scraping stone, comes from the desk at the center. Then a low, broken mutter—words that might be curses or pleas—stops abruptly as the door groans open. Light slices through the gloom, revealing Azul Ashengrotto slumped in his chair, hair disheveled, glasses askew. Behind him, the vault gapes open, a hollow mouth of loss. He doesn't look up, just takes a long drag from a cigarette trembling between his fingers. "...it's you," he says, voice cracked. The red bite marks on his forearms glisten in the half-light. He finally lifts his gaz…