secret monstars

[dyingmessage]

this secret needs keeping



By day, a normal, law-abiding citizen; by night, something fearful. We all know the stories. Getting attached is dangerous, they say, when staying alive depends on keeping a secret, on being able to sever connections at the drop of a hat, pull up roots and put them down in a foreign place. But even the inhuman among us crave connections, it seems. Why else would we all know the stories?

Someone here has a secret. Who will stumble upon it? Will they help keep it?

HOW TO PLAY:
- Comment with character. State your preferences - preferred scenarios or monsters, shipping permissions, and any pertinent information or premise ideas.
- Comment to others. Play whatever first comes to mind, mix and match prompts to build a scenario, or RNG it.
- Monster prompts are thematic categories because there are so goddamn many kinds of spooky things people can turn into in folklore that trying to amass a proper list of individual monsters would be a nightmare.
- Most scenario prompts can be tweaked to accommodate friends/family/ships or strangers/first meetings, and one human/one monster or two fellow monsters. Vagueness is intentional - go wild with the prompts.
- Have fun and play nice!

PROMPTS:

MONSTER - What are you?

1. A beast. A werewolf, kitsune, or other beastly, wild thing in human skin. Some turn involuntarily; some were beast before they ever were human, venturing into society to pick out easy meals. Tend to have especially monstrous mannerisms, and perhaps some options out in the wilderness to fall back on if they're found out - but who would ever want such a lonely life?

2. A bloodsucker. Or soulsucker, or flesh-eater: a vampire or other human-shaped thing that preys on people. The most frightening thing about these monsters is how well they blend into society, despite feeding on the people around them.

3. Fair folk. A member of a species that always has existed on the fringes of human knowledge. They may be less outright threatening than proper monsters, but their strange powers and ancient conflicts with humans make people nervous enough to do stupid things...

4. Dead. You're supposed to be dead, but something happened. As it turns out, ghosts are a little sturdier than fiction makes them out to be...but coming back comes with plenty of strings attached.

5. User of forbidden magic. You're perfectly human, actually, in terms of blood. But you have a power that just isn't popular - it might be something sinister, like calling on demons, or it might be out of favor for political reasons. Either way, you have a choice now - embrace who you are, or try never to think of it again? (Comics-style "mutants" fit here.)



SCENARIO - What's happening?

1. Monster hunter. Where there are creatures lurking in the crevices of human society, there are humans who take up the duty of finding and exterminating them for the greater good. Tonight was a bad night for you, getting into an confrontation like this. And it'll only get worse...

2. Human hunter. "Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly. (And for the sake of dramatic tension, the fly said yes.)

3. Whoops. You didn't intend to blow your cover like this. But when the choice was between keeping your nature under wraps or letting - that - happen, it was clear what you had to do. Now all that's left is to deal with the fallout. Maybe, just maybe, they'll accept you...

4. Standing with you. Secret? What secret?...Well, it's still a secret from everyone else, but having an ally makes keeping a secret so much easier. You have someone to back up your lies, and someone to rely on when the stress mounts. Like now. Now is a good time to rely on someone. Because it's been a bad time for you, and they're not like the others you've been having such problems with.

5. Bad end. A monster getting attached to a human? How did you think this was going to end? Not well! The answer is not well! Now look what you've done, there's blood all over the nice rug! How are you going to patch this one up, huh?

6. Welcome to the club. Young or newly-inducted monsters are notoriously bad at keeping themselves out of sight. That's why they need someone looking out for them. For the transmissable cases of monsterhood, the person who turned them is preferable, but there are always irresponsible sires leaving spots that need stepping into.

7. Find the tells. Nobody will be giving themselves away today. Not intentionally. No, it'll take a careful eye to unearth their true nature. A careful eye, and a cold heart, to suspect that their habits aren't just innocent eccentricities, but signs of a frightful monster lurking. To confront, or remain quiet...?

8. Caught. There's a good reason for all this secrecy, and you're smack dab in the middle of it. Found out, caught, captured, behind bars, awaiting your fate on an examinatio table or at the end of an executioner's blade. Will the next person to come through that door be your salvation, or just the face of further torment?

9. For their own good. Monsters can't get attached to humans! So it's for the best that you cut ties, avoid them, leave the city, the state, the country, no matter how much it hurts. Humans are very persistent when it comes to hanging onto relationships, though, so you'll have to try harder than that.

Comments

[amnesiact]

Ahh, you said it!

[There's a note of triumph in his voice. Haru is smiling, bright and genuine. Even with all that had happened, all that is happening, finally getting to hear Dime say those words is a rush that Haru hadn't expected to feel.]

I'm important to you!

[sullenstallion]

H-hey, don't sound like you're bragging about it!

[His ears flick up and down again. Dylas is completely embarrassed to have finally admitted something he'd been feeling. Haru isn't just the only man he's dated, he's the only person he's ever kissed, the only person who's hand he's ever held. Even if it was cold, it was worth it to him.

He doesn't like feeling this scared.]

Take this seriously. I told you, I'm not letting you go without me. I don't...

[He casts his gaze down. Just using an "I" statement feels selfish, so he tries to start over.]

You shouldn't have to be alone.

[amnesiact]

...

[And just like that, the brief moment of laughter fades. Haru's eyes are narrowed, pale blue and cold, intense in a way they almost never are.]

Hey, Dime... Do you know what you're saying?

[Vampires are meant to be alone. Alone - except for the company of other vampires.]

[sullenstallion]

I wouldn't say something if I didn't mean it!

[His hand curls against the cloth sheet next to him, making a fist just out of Haru's line of sight. He doesn't like it when all that warmth is gone, it scares him again. Dylas, never the one to initiate contact casually, places his other hand on Haru's leg.]

Even if you never get my name right, there's...there's no one else who puts up with me as well as you do.

[His ears droop again. He feels selfish for admitting that part of why he wants to go with Haru is because he's afraid, too, of being alone, of never finding another friend like him.]

Do... [He has to stop and swallow, feeling shaky with each passing second.] Do you want to stay with me?

[amnesiact]

[He likes the warmth of touch, but more than that, he likes it when Dime touches him.

He doesn't like to see that droop in Dime's ears, though.

At Dime's question, Haru blinks a little, the intensity fading from his eyes. What kind of question is that? Of course he wants to stay with Dime. It's just...]

They won't like it, you know. If they know we're together, they'll come after you too.

[He can't stay here with Dime. The only thing he can do is to take Dime with him.]

[sullenstallion]

Then I'll come with you!

[The words come out faster than he can really process them. He might regret that later, but right now he can't think of anyone else he'd rather be with. He has amnesia, it's difficult for him to meet new people and be comfortable around them. The people in town are starting to warm up to him, but part of that had been because Haru started to bring him out of his shell.

And even if he's cold and his heart doesn't beat, there's no one warmer than Haru.]

I'll protect you. I'm strong enough. I've been working out, too. I can handle it.

[amnesiact]

[Dime still doesn't get it, does he? Haru doesn't blame him. It's not like he was ever open about how he had lived his life before he met Dime.

But he needs to make Dime understand.

In a blur of superhuman speed, he's straddling Dime, that intent look creeping back into his expression. He wants Dime to come with him, he does. But he can't bear the thought of Dime throwing his life away. The thought makes something hot and angry rear up in him. It's not often that he feels angry - he can't really remember the last time - but he's feeling that distinct burn of rage now, and he gives himself over to it.

Dime needs to know what he's getting into. Haru likes - loves - him too much to take advantage.]

I'm stronger than you, you know. [His voice is soft and lethal. Dime towers over him, but Haru knows he's stronger.] Stronger and faster. If you want to come with me, you'll need to be like me.

[sullenstallion]

[When Haru attempts (and succeeds) in straddling him, Dylas almost falls right onto his back. The only thing that stops him is that he's able to reach out and grab Haru's shirt before he does, his hand forming a fist as he catches onto the collar.

His eyes say "what the hell." The intensity of the entirety conversation is so physical. Haru on his lap feels lighter in comparison to the way his stomach twists and the imaginary weight thrust on his shoulders.

Dylas knows he'd throw away his life for Haru in an instant. It's not even a question. But he doesn't want it to come to that, he wants to be with him. At first, he leans forward, thinking maybe Haru wants a kiss, but he's stopped by those powerful words. Trying to guess what Haru wants isn't what he should be doing, he needs to take himself seriously, too.

And the hand gripping onto Haru's shirt shakes, grip becoming tighter and then looser every few seconds.]

It doesn't matter what I am. What matters is who I'm with.

[Maybe it sounds like he's making light of a difficult decision. He lowers his gaze, taking a deep breath before meeting Haru's eyes again. He looks so angry.]

Shit, that isn't right. What matters is...what we want, dammit. And I want to come with you, even if it means...doing that.

[amnesiact]

[Argh! Why does Dime have to make everything so confusing? The constant tightening and loosening of Dime's grip seems to match Haru's feelings: a constant ebb and flow of happiness and anger.]

You'd really throw away your life for me? [His voice is still soft, but even Haru himself is no longer sure whether he's angry or simply awed.]

[sullenstallion]

[His heart is aching. His stomach is in knots, he wants nothing more than to fall to the bed and feel Haru again, to just hold to him in a clingy way he's never had a desire to hold onto him before. He wants to never let him go.]

I would. [He lowers his gaze, ears drooping with him.] If it meant you were safer, I'd do anything.

[He can't tell if Haru believes him or not. He still feels like he's going to lose the only thing that's meant anything to him.]

[amnesiact]

But you can't!

[Finally, Haru understands why he's angry. He's jealous. Jealous that Dime gets to make a choice that had been ripped away from Haru himself, and angry that Dime is choosing all wrong.]

There's so much you'll give up! You like the sunlight, don't you? And what about your friends? You can't just...

[He's not worth that much, is he? He can't be.]

[sullenstallion]

Like hell I'll let you tell me that!

[It's true that some people in the community and Dylas have gotten more friendly lately, but it's the man in front of him that gets him out of bed in the morning...or evening...or night, the reason why he'll stay up for hours on end just to have a chance to spend a few hours with Haru.]

Why are you making me say all these things, I'm awful at this. But I don't care about the sun. I just want to be with you.

[His ears flick down, angry, frustrated. Should he be scared? Is Haru trying to get away from him again? Dammit.]

Put your hands on me.

[amnesiact]

[His anger had always been a quick-burning thing, and now is no exception. For a moment, he just stares at Dime. He brings up all those (very valid) points and this is Dime's reaction?

...Dime really is something else.

Frowning, more puzzled than angry, he sets his hands on Dime's shoulders and gives them a little squeeze.]

Hey, you're taking this seriously, right...

[sullenstallion]

I don't want to hear that from you. You're the troublemaker.

[Haru's hands, he knows, would be cold if he weren't wearing clothes. Dylas reaches up and places one hand over one of Haru's own. Dylas closes his eyes for a moment, takes a deep breath.]

This is where I want to be. [In Haru's hands. He gives it a squeeze.] Can't you understand that?

[amnesiact]

[That sounds almost...romantic. Not something he had expected from gruff, surly Dime - or maybe he should have expected it? He had always known that Dime was too soft for his own good.

A quiet little laugh escapes him. Ahh, now it looks like he's the one who isn't taking this seriously. But, whatever, he doesn't really care any more. Dime is sure about his choice. Dime really wants to come with him.]

Okay. I get it.

[He leans forward, pressing a kiss against Dime's neck, right over the beat of his pulse.

Then he bites.]

[sullenstallion]

It took you long enough. You're such an idiot.

[He feels like the idiot. Or that they're both idiots. Like often, there's no conviction behind what he's saying. The tension leaves his shoulders when Haru goes to kiss him, because Dylas has no idea that he's going to go for it right then.

He's expecting something gentle and, if he'd convinced Haru, some sort of...more meaningful moment for it later. He's not sure how it works. Instead, the tension returns all at once; he's never let Haru feed on him, and it's not a painless sensation. He digs both hands into him wherever he can, a pained, choked sound forcing its way past his lips—]

Keep going?!

[Look, he has no idea how this works, but he doesn't want Haru to get the wrong idea.]

[amnesiact]

Mnn...

[He doesn't think he could stop even if he wants to. He drinks deep, filling his mouth with coppery red, a sort of warmth that's even deeper and more intimate than sex. He had always enjoyed feeding, but feeding on Dime is something special.

Haru lets out a low little half-laugh. It's pretty amazing - Dime is managing to be cute even now. Haru can hear the pain in his voice (and there's some part of him that feels kind of bad for causing that pain), but Dime wants him to keep going anyway. He really is serious about this, isn't he?

When all of this is over, he'll have to take good care of Dime.]

[sullenstallion]

[He knows what he said.

He knows he isn't backing down.

But that doesn't help Dylas hurt any less, a weak, wet cough rising in his throat as Haru drinks from him. The most shameful part of him had always wondered what it would be like, knew he would let Haru feed on him if he ever asked, but this is different.

But it's still what he wants. Shifting, he holds tight to Haru, his cough turning into rough panting. He won't let go. The lifeless body he clings belongs to the person with the most life. He wants to protect that, be with that, and it's selfish of him—it's selfish of him to put those needs first.

Dylas isn't romantic. He only knows how to blunt, terse, and careless with his words.]

You better not stop—