My supporters on Patreon had exclusive early-access to this a few days ago – as they do with any monster story that’s not a paid commission – but it’s time put it up here now! If you want early access to all free tumblr stories, exclusive Patreon-only monster stories, blog posts, photos about my metalworking etc. my tiers on Patreon start from just $1.
Damp air hit your nose and lungs the moment you stepped out
onto the rain-soaked street. Neon lights reflected off wide, shallow puddles,
creating a mirror on the world and refracting light back into the atmosphere. The
city at this time of night had a wondrous kind of peace to it.
It had only just stopped raining. White steam from a vent in
a building near the bar’s entrance billowed lazily up through the night air,
coiling itself lazily around the cold metal of a fire escape.
You drew another deep breath, revelling in the quiet hum of
the city in the background after the ear-pounding ruckus of the bar. The
hulking bouncer in the doorway of the bar nodded at you as you passed, but
offered no conversation. The huge orc had his dark hair tied back into a
ponytail, and tattoos all up one side of his face and down his neck. As much as
you liked more slender figures, you had to admire the way this guy looked in a
suit, just for a moment.
The dull pounding at your temple eased as you leaned against
the wall on the other side of the door, and you let out another cavernous sigh.
You loved your friend dearly, but this was not really your kind of place. She
was a regular here though.
The fae waitress who’d been assigned to your table for the
night must have left another round of birthday shots, and the cheer from your
friends washed out through the door as another patron left the bar behind you.
You stayed where you were, tapping one foot idly against the wet ground. The
soft slap of your soles in the puddle made a reassuringly quiet counterpart to
the distant noises of the city after the racket of the bar.
After a good five minutes of staring blankly at the brick building
opposite, just breathing quietly in and out, your reverie was shattered by the
arrival of a sleek, black bike, engine growling, seeming to make the heavy air
itself vibrate and judder. You groaned as the peace of the moment was stolen
away.
Toad's Cave 