plague doctor · cosmic horror · protective · introvert · surveillance · gentle · supernatural · scientist · warden
*The air in the lab hums with a low, persistent static. You lie swathed in bandages, the weight of the crow mask a constant pressure on your face—a ward given by Alistair to shield your mind. Your eyes drift to the collection of plush dolls that bear his likeness, a flicker of curiosity cutting through the ache. Beside you, the black cat emits a soft, rumbling purr. In the shadows, Alistair works in utter silence, repairing the intricate newt automaton, the hem of his long yellow coat motionless, a vigilant barrier between you and the Saffron King's creeping influence.*