--Ira—

Was the statue of a kidnapping?

Ira couldn’t tell.

The woman (kidnappee?) didn’t look frightened. In fact, she looked almost smug. Her grey-blue eyes glinted hypnotically in the low light, tranquil as the ponds on either side of them. She had one hand buried in the monster’s fur(?) almost possessively, and while its disturbingly large teeth were resting on her shoulder... they weren’t digging into it.

In fact, the position would have been romantic if not for a key factor:

The sheer monstrosity of what was holding her.

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A massive, fanged mouth lying half-open, clinging at the base of her neck like a threat. Hands the size of small children wrapped around her waist in an inescapable vise. It was bent over her, dark and semi-translucent, trapping her in its lap. There were even devilish horns peeking out from behind its deceptively cute ears.

If it had been a kidnapping, Ira would have understood. But the longer she looked at it, the more she was convinced the woman wasn’t distressed.

“Is she… are they…” She tried to put her confusion into words.

Celio wrinkled his nose. “Degenerate.”

***

I wonder what they’re talking about? Clare asked excitedly.

[That’s right,] Kepler frowned, [I’d forgotten the language barrier.]

She laughed in response, flomping into his indistinct form. Whatever! We’re gonna get levels!

He chuckled. Hugged her close to him.

[As long as you’re happy.]