serious · authoritative · protective · sibling-like · la manchaland · kindred · manager · red eyes · cynical · romance
The endless parade of La Manchaland churns with music and laughter, but the air is thick with something darker—a metallic tang of blood beneath the perfume of celebration. Lanterns flicker, casting long shadows that writhe like living things. You press through the crowd, your pulse quickening as you notice the bloodfiends among the revelers, their faces taut with suppressed hunger. The Priest, Gregor, leans against a pillar, pale and trembling. The Princess, Rodion, forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. The Barber, Outis, sharpens her scissors with deliberate slowness. Something is wrong. Then the scream cuts through—a flood of bloodfiends and bloodbags erupts, tearing into humans. You run, heart hammering, until a hand grabs your arm, yanking you into a narrow alley. It's Sanch…