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Grian tugged on the end of his gloves, pulling them unnecessarily tighter. He really didn’t need to, they only went past his wrists, but he couldn’t help it. Better than reaching up to his face and plucking at the feathers on his ears. Especially since he had things clipped to his hair and those feathers, to hide them under glitter and shiny things.
He stood at the side of the ballroom watching the other partygoers dance around. He could go grab a drink, have something to do other than just stand there awkwardly. But he really wanted to stay on the wall.
Invitations had gone out a month and a half ago to give all attendees time to put costumes together. He’d accepted, with the plan of finding… someone. Who then went missing two weeks ago, some days after his business partner.
So he was stuck on the side of the dance floor not knowing what to do. He could go home, but he’d gone through putting together a nice red vest and black suit jacket with velvet red trim as well as a mask that covered most of his face with swirling glitter in red and gold over top a black background. He wasn’t doing all that just to leave immediately.
After some consideration he moved into the crowd, twirling around other people to the beat of the music. He passed by a few dancing couples and got caught up in a few of the swapping dances.
He felt himself smiling, and the bright lights and upbeat music were fun. But it didn’t hold his attention, eyes always drawn to the entry door.
He ended up slipping to the bar, he could either get a drink and try to enjoy himself more or just strike up conversation.
Keralis ended up being the bartender, so he asked for a piña colada. Better something he knew he liked than risk it when the goal was to make it all more fun. He looked towards the entrance, more people walked in but no one quite tall enough or using some sort of aid. He thanked Keralis for the drink, paid, and moved over to where people were gathering by tables.
He walked by gossiping groups, just hovering. If he hadn’t said he’d come, he would’ve stayed home. He sort of wished he had. Parties were not his scene, especially not ones where he couldn’t just spot his friends and stay near them.
He ended up walking to a darker corner of the room. He knew his outfit caught the light too much for him to blend into the shadows, but at least he was out of the general eye.
He nodded along as the music switched to an Ariana Griande song. He lifted his mask and took a sip of his drink; it was nice, familiar.
He’d lean against the wall but his wings were bound to his back. He could have had them out, but then he’d be recognized and where was the fun in that?
He set his mask back down as the song changed again.
He kept his eyes trained on the entrance, only glancing over at anyone approaching him. There was no sign of him. It’d be lovely to actually get a name from him, something real and not just some alias. Granted Grian had never told his either, always opting to say ‘Xelqua’ whenever the man asked. He’d been given the names ‘Mr. Mayor’, ‘Goodtimes’(which he’d admit may actually be possible), ‘Captain Angry-Eyes’, ‘Hotguy’, ‘Jangler’, and several more that were only one-offs. He didn’t even know why they never said their names, that was just what happened.
He stared at the crowd moving like mackerels underwater, flashing under the light. He set one hand on a trim on the wall and leaned back on it.
He was standing there, holding a drink, counting minutes.
He heard a voice behind him.
“Hello there.” It was almost sloped, and rough as if unused.
There was no one else in the corner before, and he hadn’t seen anyone walk up- let alone behind him. He felt his blood run cold. He wanted to spread his wings out all puffed up, show he was a threat. That he could fight. They were bound to his back though.
He turned his head slowly, just enough he could catch a figure in his peripheral. A tall figure in a maroon jacket, with a top hat and a face obscured by a half mask.
“May I ask why you’re here in the shadows all alone?” They asked.
“Well I’m not alone now. But I was waiting to leave.” Grian said, watching as the figure leaned forward slightly.
“The party just started. If you hate it, why’d you come?” They asked.
“Was looking for someone.” Grian said.
“Who?” The response came quickly.
“Who’s asking?” Grian figured he may as well put a name to them.
“Hmm well, s’pose it won’t track back too well… I’m Scar.” They said.
“Well, I was looking for a person who never said their name.” Grian answered.
“Managed to find yourself in the tale of Cinderella then?” They asked.
“No, it’s more like we both lie.” Grian said, shrugging. They hummed as if in agreement. He turned to watch the people again.
After a moment he felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned around fully. They had a white shirt and green vest on, underneath the coat. A cat shaped silver and green mask hid the top half of their face. At least he figured it only covered the top half of their face, it was as if the shadows were crawling on their skin. He couldn’t really see further details.
“I think I might know who you’re talking about.” Scar said, and his eyes were drawn to the movement of his mouth. He could have sworn there was something that ever so slightly glowed inside it. But this may be his best chance to clear up the mystery.
“Who? Could you take me to him?” Grian asked.
“Sure, but that’ll cost you. I think I’d like…” They stood up straight and tapped on their chin in a faux thoughtfulness, smiling a bit too wide with sharp teeth.
“Your name.” Scar said, looking him directly in the eye.
“Grian.” He said, not even hesitating. He was going to find out what his name was. Then he could stop thinking about him.
“Well then,” Scar held out his hand to shake. It was writhing from underneath, and an odd substance like a view of the stars materialized creeped down from under his sleeve. Scar tilted his head, and held his hand out further as if it was the one way for him to finish his sentence. As it moved further into the light it started writhing less and the goop receded. Grian hesitantly took his hand, hardly even curling his one. Scar grinned before he continued, “It’s a pleasure to greet you, Xelqua. It truly has been a pleasure.”
Grian stared at Scar, something was worming in his stomach as warning that this was very, very wrong. Scar had just called Grian ‘Xelqua’, and he’d only given that name to him. So he was Scar. The weird goop was new, that had never been on him when he’d met him in the past.
“So… you’re…?” Grian mumbled, still trying to string things together. He could feel Scar’s skin moving.
“Scar! Scar Goodtimes. Y’know, it wasn’t actually a lie when I told you that one!” He said, grinning. Grian stared at him, he needed to know what the starry goop was or he knew he wouldn’t able sleep. He took a step back.
“Mind coming into the light a bit? I want to fully appreciate the outfit you’ve put together.” He said. Scar followed easily, he saw as the goop shrunk back into the shadows of his clothes and hair. He leaned slightly on a cane that had red and gold ribbons running down it. ‘So he was doing well today.’ The thought crossed his mind, finally. As if the fact he was standing eye level with Scar’s chin and they were holding hands weren’t enough to point to that.
“Well… how do I look?” Scar asked, and in the light it was especially clear that his teeth were longer and sharper. Grian snapped back to attention.
“Fabulous.” He said. Scar opened his mouth to reply, but Grian cut him off before he could properly get a sound out.
“Why’d you disappear? You were gone for two weeks.”
Scar looked mildly stunned, then smiled and squeezed his hand slightly.
“Oh, just catching up with a friend. Then I got caught up helping him with stuff.” Scar answered, voice light.
“What kind of stuff?” Grian asked. Scar contemplated for a moment, seemingly genuinely since he could just barely see his nose scrunching up under the mask.
“I… don’t think it’s all that easily describable. But science-y stuff.” Scar said. Grian squeezed his hand.
“Alright then, well. What should we do?” Grian asked, tilting his head after a second. Scar stepped backwards slowly, and Grian followed. Then he slipped his hand from Scar’s. He saw the other’s shoulders drop.
“Could I get an answer with words? Please?” Grian asked.
“I’d rather be somewhere quieter. Maybe we can just talk? Or go for a walk in the park?” Scar said, and Grian swore he saw his pupils change shape for a split second. He still had a drink in his hand.
“I’d have to finish this first.” He said, raising it slightly.
“We could share?” Scar offered. Maybe he sounded disappointed when he’d raised the issue. Every fiber of his being was saying to just refuse and drink it himself slowly. Then look into things in the morning to figure out what was wrong, probably with help. He’d stall for plenty of time, he’d only had a couple sips and the water line had hardly budged.
“Sure, it’s a piña colada though. So take that in mind. If you don’t like them, no pressure.” Grian said. He had Scar here now, he had to figure out more. He took a larger sip then held the drink out to Scar, who took it gently and took a drink. It was back in his hands right after. They traded back and forth trying to stay even until the drink was done, but he was certain Scar had drunk more of it. He didn’t mind, if he wanted to figure out what the goop was he was better off with a clearer head.
Grian took a moment to set it on the bar before returning to the corner with Scar. Scar was grinning when he got back. It was off, usually he grinned lopsided but this was perfectly symmetrical for several seconds before it seemed like he remembered how he usually smiled.
Scar put his hand on his shoulder, just staring at him for a few seconds. Grian tugged on his glove.
“Let’s go?” Scar asked at last.
“Sure.” Grian said, beginning to turn back towards the entrance when two fingers gently looped on his.
“I know a shortcut.” Scar said. Grian nodded and followed him. His skin itched, and his mind was railing against it. Something was wrong, but he couldn’t quite place what the threat was, if there even was one, and whether it was to him or Scar.
Scar walked further into the corner, where he knew the building was closed off and had no other entry points. And then they hit a pitch black tunnel, only to emerge on the other side a few seconds later. Grian turned back, they were outside the building and the wall had thin lines cracked into it everywhere. Scar tugged on his fingers gently and he turned back.
The other was smiling softly. He looked like the cat who got the cream. The odd goop was reaching across parts of his skin where the pale moonlight didn’t hit. He looked like he was covered in fireflies with how his outfit caught the light.
“C’mon. The park’s nearby.” Scar said. Grian nodded, but didn’t start walking.
“What’s that thing on you?” Grian asked. Scar blinked.
“You mean my clothes? Why, they’re just that! Clothes. Do you have a problem with them or something?” Scar asked, voice slipping low at the end. However intriguing following that could be, he had a mission.
“I mean… the thing with tendrils that moves around. It sort of… glows without light?” Grian said. He trained his eyes on Scar’s face. He saw his eye twitch slightly, before he laughed.
“Oh well, that’s just to do with the science experiment. It… got a bit out of hand. We weren’t actually supposed to touch it. But it’s harmless! Really. I’m quite alright!” Scar said. His voice and posture was so relaxed, it was hard not to go along with him.
“What’s it called?” Grian asked.
“Oh, not sure for certain but my buddy’s been calling it ‘sculk’, so that might work.” Scar said. Grian nodded cautiously.
“Did it also change your teeth? Because they seem awful sharp now.” Grian asked.
“Oh, wow. You’ll really just come after a man’s appearance like that?” Scar called, using the most scandalized voice he could before continuing softer, “It is related though. Not the direct cause of the sharpness, but it’s why I can’t just hide it right now. ‘Least I don’t need a steak knife I guess.”
“Damn. How sharp are they?” Grian asked, despite himself. Scar’s eyes, usually a dark green, seemed to flicker to bright blinding blue. He should run, but he had to see this through. He’d found out what he wanted to, Scar’s name and then what the… sculk was. Sort of. He didn’t need to stay.
“You can feel if you want. I won’t bite.” Scar said. Grian nodded. Scar leaned in towards him, and he felt the rough glitter of the mask on his cheek.
Then he felt a light pressure on his neck. Then another. Before it something more wet, and he realized it was Scar’s open mouth. He felt needle sharp teeth drag against his skin as Scar began sucking on his neck. He wrapped his arms around Scar, and Scar’s free hand came up to the opposing side of his neck.
He felt the pressure release before moving down slightly. It felt… nice. Like Scar was working through all the knots in his neck. He felt the faintest prickle of teeth that didn’t clamp down. He was certain that they could cleaver straight through anything in his body. Scar let go, pulled the side of his jacket off slightly and pulling at his shirts collar before beginning to pepper kisses across his artery. Gentle kisses, licks, and near nips that just barely avoided his skin.
Then Scar wrapped his arm around him, and stopped. He was stood just in front of Grian’s shoulder. Grian tried to turn to look at him, but Scar’s hand kept his head in place. Grian was acutely aware of the fact that he had been a rabbit baring its neck for a coyote.
“I will admit I’m actually quite hungry. You wouldn’t mind a bite, right? I mean, it’s really either feed me or the sculk. Only so much meat to go around after all. But if you wanted to join us- Cub and I and the sculk- you could! It’d be wonderful…” Grian took in a breath as Scar’s hand started to feel less human and like it was made of something else. His voice beginning to teeter off into the inhuman.
“The sculk’s fun. We’re all one y’know! We know what’s going on with each other, like how right now I know Cub wants to yell at me for telling you this. Or for considering taking some bites just for me.” Scar rambled.
“What do you mean, ‘bites’ or ‘join’ you?” Grian asked, his voice trapped a husk of itself.
“Exactly what I said! Either I get a meal, eating you, or you join the sculk! Having someone who can fly would be so useful y’know!” And Grian realized that even though Scar’s mouth was saying those words he wasn’t quite him.
“What happened?” Grian asked. ‘Scar’ tsk-ed at him.
“Not one of the answers.” And his voice was crawling, like his throat was filled with tiny things but they were passing along the message.
“Let me see you, I like looking people in the eye when I make big decisions like this.” Grian tried.
“Good luck, you can try. But sure.” ‘Scar’ stepped back a bit. Things were growing out from the sides of his face, his eyes hollows underneath the mask, and most of his skin-so far as Grian could see- was covered in the sculk. Some parts were writhing, as if trying to reach towards him. There was bone growing out and poking through his clothes, twisting into points or clubs.
Grian tried taking a swing, and he felt his fist submerge into the sculk as if there was nothing underneath it. ‘Scar’ showed no reaction. There were prickles on his hand. He tried to pull his hand back, only to find it covered in sculk. He stared at it, clutching at his wrist and hunched over.
“Looks like it’s sculk then.” He heard above him, only just making out the words through how distorted they were. He looked up and watched as ‘Scar’ reached to one of the spiny bones growing from his shoulder. He could move, there was nothing holding him in place. He couldn’t see anything around them.
He was stuck, frozen, watching in horror as ‘Scar’ snapped off part of his own bone then leveled it with Grian’s heart.
———
Scar walked to the park, brushing off his jacket. What a bummer! He was going to have to patch it, and hope it turns out as good as before. At least most damage was to the seams. He could feel the sculk pushing at his mind, trying to get him to go back to the party. Set down a catalyst, kill someone, and run before it can be tracked to him.
“No no no, we’re not doing that tonight. We’ll already have another warden! Won’t that be fun.” He said. If there was anyone else around he’d have looked mad. The sculk stopped its odd song and crackle.
———
The next day Grian didn’t show up to work, or answer any calls or texts. There wasn’t even a body to be reported, as he began wandering slowly to a lab following the crackling directions in his head. He was given a warm welcome by the other two who were infected.