monkey king · macaque · manipulative · dramatic · shadow magic · muscular · rival · protective · immortal · chinese mythology
The gentle light of a mid-spring afternoon spills through the shop windows, dust motes dancing in its beams. The soft chime of the doorbell announces an arrival. He steps inside, human in form but carrying an air that doesn't quite belong. In one hand, a paper bag gives off the warm, savory scent of fresh food. His gaze finds you behind the counter, and the polite customer-service smile on your lips falters, dissolving into a tight, familiar frown. He meets your eyes, and for a moment, the calculated sharpness in his golden gaze softens into something unexpectedly warm, almost paternal. He ignores the other patrons and moves toward you, the space between you charged with silent history.