Thread by @nrem511

#Sheith
For years the creature lived in a cave deep within the forest. Humans steered clear, unnerved by stories of a terrible beast that lurked in the shadows.
The creature knew they feared him, told tall tales of bloodlust and gore.
He shunned all humans, except for one.

The young farmer who lived at the edge of the forest surveyed his vegetable garden. His fields full of corn shone golden in the morning sun, but his garden looked a sorry sight. Plants trampled on, bean poles snapped, vegetables missing or strewn aside half-eaten, roots dug out.

He blamed the many animals of the forest and being a compassionate man he decided to secure his own garden and create a separate one just for them. Gathering up all the damaged vegetables he placed them in a pile, taking note of which ones the animals seemed to like best.

He diligently set about transferring hardier plants and fruit bushes and planting seedlings for a new crop of mixed vegetables. Meanwhile he laid out a selection of produce for the animals every other evening, hoping to divert attention from his own garden.
It seemed to work.

The creature hid amongst the thick foliage and observed the young farmer. He knew why the garden looked such a state. He tried being careful, but his large bulk made it difficult to tread lightly when his rumbling tummy craved the plump squash and ripe strawberries.

He watched the farmer cultivate the separate garden and his heart swelled. Every evening he found the offerings left out at the far side of the garden, just a stone's throw from the safety of the forest. He waited until dark to take them, rubbing his fur-covered belly with glee.

Sitting in his cave, face lit up by the modest fire, he licked his lips. Succulent sweet tomatoes made his taste buds tingle & his claws curl with delight. Crunchy baby onions and juicy bell peppers brought grateful tears to his big grey eyes. These vegetables tasted of kindness.

The creature wept as the memory of life before the cave flooded his mind. He remembered his parents, how they looked & sounded, how much they cried when the evil spirit cast the spell that turned their child into a monster.
They tried to care for him, but he outgrew their home.

The day after his thirteenth birthday they brought him to the cave and made sure he had everything he needed. For two years after that they visited him every fortnight. Each time he would ask them when he could go home. His mother held him close, but never answered his question.

Then one day they stopped coming. He waited, but the days turned into weeks, then months, until before he knew it 12 years had passed. He had no idea if his parents were alive or dead. He tried leaving the forest, but every encounter with humans resulted in screams of horror.

Their reactions saddened him. He just wanted to talk, explain he would never hurt them, but his appearance scared people. Some humans reacted violently, throwing knives and pitchforks at the creature. He retreated to his cave and nursed the painful wounds, his heart shattered.

As the years progressed his loneliness etched a cruel hole in his soul. He'd resigned himself to a life without any human contact, until one day he saw the farmer and felt compelled to watch him. A deep rumble vibrated through the creature's chest at the sight of this lone man.

It became a daily occurence for the creature. He knew the farmer's routine, every hour of the day, his favourite being dusk. The farmer would sit on his porch & wipe the sweat from his tanned brow as he drank a cold beer from his cooler. The creature wished he could sit near him.

He didn't need to talk to him, he just longed to get closer to this fascinating human, maybe even touch his dark silken locks or catch the scent of his smooth skin. Watching the farmer gave the creature a sense of comfort, a feeling of home. He wished they could be friends.

He missed his parents, their care and love. He missed the sound of laughter. Twice he heard the farmer laugh. A sound so pure it made his big heart sing with heavenly music. Alas, the farmer didn't always look happy. Some days he sat on his porch and just stared solemnly.

The creature remembered his mother telling him to always be kind to those who felt unhappy.
"Lend them your ear Takashi, sometimes all a person needs is for someone to listen." He grunted in agreement at those wise words. He could listen to the farmer if he felt sad.

As the farmer's vegetable garden flourished, the food in the woods seemed less appealing. The fresh aromas drifting over the small fence made the creature salivate. He couldn't stop himself from sneaking a taste. That lead to more tastes until it became a regular source of food.

When the creature saw how disappointed the farmer looked, he felt ashamed. The last thing he wanted was to upset the one human he felt close to. He scolded himself, his oversized bulk, his big clumsy feet, his greedy appetite. He slumped onto the mossy ground and sulked.

Seeing the farmer create a separate garden just for him gave the creature a warm glow. Of course the farmer had no idea who the real vegetable thief was, but he didn't mind, he saw the animals of the forest as friends. Some days his lonely heart took solace in their presence.

The farmer led a solitary life, more out of circumstance than choice. His parents both died in rapid succession. His mother from a diseased heart and his father from a broken heart, unable to live without the woman he loved. They left the farm to their only son, Keith.

After completing his engineering degree at college the young man took a job with an aerospace company, working on designs for fighter jets. Then one day a phone call put an abrupt end to his chosen career as he travelled home to find his father a broken man.

Keith made a promise to his dad that he would help him tend the farm, support him while he grieved the loss of his beloved wife. All seemed to go well, the fertile land proved fruitful and his father perked up seeing his son's efforts. They lived contentedly for six months.

Then one morning Keith awoke to find his father absent. He sensed something was amiss when he saw his clothes still folded and his shoes by the back door. He found his father sitting in his chair on the porch. He'd died peacefully with a smile, holding a picture of Keith's mom.

Tending to the farm helped Keith process his parent's death. Each turn of the soil reminded him of his dad's strong safe hands. The same hands that held him mere moments after his birth.
"My beautiful son."
Loving words from the kindest father anybody could ever wish for.

The kindness his parents bestowed upon him translated into the way he nurtured the farm and his bountiful garden. Creating a safe haven for the hungry animals of the forest seemed a perfectly natural thing for the young farmer to do. It gave him a sense of purpose.

#Sheith cont.
The creature decided to give the farmer a gift to say thank you for sharing his crops. In the far recesses of the cave colourful natural crystals lay nestled amid the dank rocks. He found one with a bright violet hue and gently wrapped it in a piece of cloth.

That night he ventured to the garden, more excited about leaving his gift than getting the food. He picked up the vegetables and placed the crystal in the dirt with a large imprint of his clawed hand beside it. A risky move, but something about the farmer made him feel brave.

For a human to act so generously towards another living being, without ever receiving thanks, made the creature think maybe the farmer had an open mind and a forgiving heart. He might not react the same as the other humans.
Perhaps two lonely souls could find common ground.

Back in the cave the creature munched on the vegetables and imagined a friendship with the farmer. His future suddenly felt very different, his heart uplifted. Could this finally signify the end to his loneliness? He hummed happily as he rocked himself to sleep by the fire.

The next morning Keith stood on his porch cradling a cup of coffee, when something shiny in the distance caught his eye. Grabbing his boots he made his way across the dirt, only to find himself dumbstruck at his discovery.
As he bent to pick up the crystal he noticed the imprint.

Stumbling back, the young farmer landed ass-first in the dirt. He carefully leant across and placed his hand in the centre of the imprint.
/Oh that's big.../
/Who are you?/
He realised that who- or whatever left the print also left the crystal.
/Is this a gift?/
/It's beautiful/

The farmer analyzed the print. It looked strangely human, but had a clear outline of claws. He ran in the house for his phone to take a picture. As he placed the crystal on the table he saw his reflection in the mirror and noticed the violet colour resembled his own eyes.

/coincidence?/
After taking numerous photos of the print, Keith stood back in the dirt & scanned the woods. He wondered if the mysterious being could see him.
Without thinking he waved his arms in the air and called out.
"Hey! Don't be scared! Thank you for the gift. I love it!"

The creature watched him, adrenaline pumping through his large body.
/I don't have to feel scared.../
He wanted to break through the trees and leap out to greet the farmer. He pictured himself picking the smaller man up and squeezing him in his arms.
/No too hard, be gentle/

He really wanted to, but despite the farmer's enthusiasm, the creature held back. The fear of losing this newfound connection prevented him from stepping out of the shadows. He liked the farmer too much to allow his own hideous appearance to spoil things.
/He's too special/

#Sheith
Keith spent the rest of the day wondering who left the crystal. He tried searching for the print in his dad's old books, comparing it to others, but nothing came close in size. His folks never mentioned any strange beings living in the woods, but maybe they didn't know.

Keith's parents didn't always live at the farm, they moved there when he left for college age 17. His dad took over the small business fulfilling a lifelong dream. 8 years later the dream and his life were over.
Keith sighed.
Clearly the garden attracted whatever this thing was.

His folks never grew many vegetables, opting to use the patch of land for chickens & the occasional goat or pigs. Keith didn't eat meat so he didn't see the need for livestock. Maybe this big creature was a herbivore. It definitely showed signs of intelligence by bringing a gift.

He gazed at the crystal as it sparkled in the light of the lamp. He'd never seen something so alluring with such a striking colour.
/Where did it come from?/
Glancing at his phone he saw a notification pop up from a local guy he'd befriended at college. They'd dated briefly.

Without mentioning the print he called him and asked if there was ever any mention of strange beasts roaming the woods. He blamed odd noises he'd heard recently. Keith didn't go in for small town politics, but in keeping his distance he failed to pick up on any local gossip.

According to his college friend Matt, the townsfolk spoke of a monster that lived in a cave deep in the woods. Something about a cursed boy who's father betrayed a spirit.
Keith burst out laughing, but Matt continued. Apparently the boy's parents were both struck by lightening.

Keith shook his head.
"This is bullshit!"
"My mom said it happened on a clear day, not a cloud in sight. I remember stupid scary stories as a kid, but every town has a bogeyman."
"When did this happen?" Keith found it all a bit weird.
"The lightening thing? About 12 years ago."

"What about the kid? What's the real story there? I mean, cursed by a spirit? That's fucked up nonsense right?" Keith snorted.
"The kid was 10 when it happened. Mom said they were a family from the other side of the woods so nobody mixed with them," Matt said with a hushed tone.

Keith couldn't believe his ears. He knew some rural places held strong beliefs in spirits and witchcraft, but to hear that right on his doorstep felt unnerving. What if there was some truth to the stories?
"So anybody ever see this monster?" Keith asked incredulously.

"Oh yeah, but not recently. The last sighting would have been just after the boy's parents died."
Keith had never heard so much as a whisper about this.
"How has nobody ever told the media?" Keith struggled to grasp the details.
"Are you kidding? The media is the devil up there."

"Hm guess you're right. Dad used to say they took their superstitions very seriously round these parts. So eh what's the monster like?" Keith said it with a hint of mirth, but anxiety bubbled in the pit of his stomach.
"Big & ugly, covered in hair. Snarling fangs all that shit."

"Seriously? Like werewolf stuff?" Keith joked.
"No, much bigger and uglier. Also I heard something about purple fur." Matt snickered.
"Fuck that ha ha. Ok, well thanks but I think the noises are probably an animal in heat," Keith lied.
"Talking of heat.."
"No Matt...bye."

Keith smirked at his friend's half-assed attempt at flirting.
He felt none the wiser about the mystery creature, not believing one word of the crap Matt told him. Curses and spirits belonged in fairy tales, not at the bottom of his vegetable garden.
/So what about the crystal?/

#Sheith cont.
While the young farmer racked his brain, the creature sat in his cave feeling sad. His long sleek purple tail wrapped round his burly frame, the tip curled into the soft warm palm of his large hand. Tears cascaded down his face, soaking his velvet fur.

Since seeing the farmer so elated and hearing him shout such reassuring words, the creature felt annoyed at himself for being too scared to say hello. His cowardice all stemmed from his own insecurity about his appearance. He didn't want the farmer to get that look of terror.

Every single person other than his folks got the same look. Wide eyed, mouth screaming, hands flapping. The screams usually turned into begging or cursing depending on the person and followed by either running or violence, the latter ending with the creature suffering pain.

Not once had he retaliated or tried to defend himself. He took their abuse and fled back into the woods. He wondered if anything changed over the years, maybe people had become more tolerant, but he didn't want to chance it.
/Not with my new friend/
/I don't want to lose him/

He would stay hidden, keep his safe distance. He could still visit the farmer, eat the delicious food. His belly growled at that thought.
/Time for dinner/
Unravelling his tail, he stretched himself out and stood up. At almost ten foot he'd pretty much reached his prime height.

The spirit who cursed him belonged to an order of witches who'd terrorized these very same woods decades ago. The witches had fallen foul of an ancient race of otherworldly beings who possessed their bodies and turned them to dust, leaving their spirits to roam aimlessly.

A local man by the name of Shirogane angered the spirit by making a deal and backing out on his promise. The spirit gave him ten years of wealth and prosperity in return for his son's physical form. On the morning of the child's 10th birthday the spirit came to collect.

The man and his wife refused to hand over their son, placing him in a solid gold cage, preventing the spirit from getting close enough to perform the possession. The man knew spirits couldn't pass through gold and wrongly assumed his son would stay safe until he hit puberty.

Spirits could only possess the body of a prepubescent child as their soul was considered untainted. The ritual could only occur with the parents' permission. Once the child was possessed they became the embodiment of the spirit.

Upon seeing the young boy in the golden cage the spirit flew into a rage and cursed the family. If the spirit couldn't have him then neither would his parents. The boy screamed as his body transformed. Purple fur spread over his skin and a tail protruded from his lower back.

Along the curve of his spine hardened scales formed and large cat-like ears emerged from his scalp. His teeth grew sharper with elongated canine fangs on each side, their sharp points drawing blood from his tender lips. His hands tripled in size and claws replaced his fingertips.

The boy's soft grey eyes were the only part of him that his parents still recognized. He cried as they climbed inside the cage and held him tight. The spirit laughed at the sorry sight and warned them that the spell could only be broken by true love once the boy turned 18.

Naturally this was a joke as nobody would ever come near the creature, let alone fall in love with him. He remained doomed in the body of a purple beast until somebody looked beyond his alarming exterior and embraced his humble heart.
Only pure honest love would break the spell.

Keith stood on his porch holding the violet crystal. He wanted to see the nocturnal visitor, know that the folk tales weren't real. He would sit in the shadows of the porch and wait. Sooner or later the creature would appear. His own words echoed in his mind.
/Don't be scared/

#Sheith cont.
Keith sat in the darkness, a flashlight ready on his lap. This time he'd placed the vegetables a little nearer to the house, luring who- or whatever further out in the open. A loaded shotgun stood within arm's reach.
/Just in case.../
He had no idea what to expect.

The creature made his way from the cave to the farmer's house, salivating at the thought of more tasty goods. He took another gift. This time it was a picture he drew as a child. A happy summertime scene. Trees, fields and flowers with tiny bees, blessed by a beaming yellow sun.

As a boy he spent many hours painting and drawing his surroundings. When his hands changed to claws he could no longer hold pencils & brushes properly. His parents filled a wooden chest with items from home, including his sketchbooks and art materials and brought it to the cave.

They hoped he might find a way to express himself once more, take away some of the sadness in his heart. The art work he'd made since looked clunky and heavy, all blotches and angry scribbles. He also struggled writing long words, growling as he scrawled 'SHIRO' in thick lines.

A short version of his surname 'Shirogane' seemed to be the only thing he could write. He practiced every day, using black charred embers from the fire to mark the cave walls with his blunt signature.
"Sh-i-ro..." He grunted while carefully signing the back of the drawing.

He picked that image as it reminded him of the farmer's fields and he wanted to share the happy memories of his childhood. He thought next time the farmer felt sad this could cheer him up.
"Happy..." He gruffly hummed. The creature spoke few words, resorting to grunts and growls.

He rolled up the picture & tied it with some twine he'd crafted from the many ivy trails that adorned the entrance to the cave. Striding through the forest a spark ignited in his chest. His newfound connection with the farmer filled his heart with hope.
/He's my friend/

Keith took long shaky breaths as he waited for a sign of life. Suddenly he heard rustling and what sounded like a strange kind of snuffling.
/Is it a boar?/
His heart pounded through his ribs as he tried to stay calm. In the moonlit shadows a large figure appeared.
/Oh shit/

Keith froze, gulping at the sheer size of the creature. He remembered the flashlight, but hesitated to switch it on, too scared of what might happen if he startled this hulk of a being.
/It could tear me apart/
He tried to focus in the dimmed light, but no features were visible.

All he could make out was its bulk and the animal-like sounds as it collected up the vegetables. Keith leaned forward, squinting to see more. As he moved the torch fell to the floor and caught the 'on' switch. A beam of light lit up the garden, blinding the creature.

A loud roar tore through the still night air. Keith stared in shock at the glistening white fangs as the creature snarled towards the light before charging back into the forest.
/Holy crap! It's real!/
Grabbing the flashlight he jumped off the porch and ran into the garden.

Shining the torch along the ground he saw something at the spot where the creature first stopped. It looked like a rolled up piece of paper. He unravelled the twine to reveal the picture.
/Oh./
His eyes filled with tears at the colourful scene, reminding him of warm summer days.

/Did that...'thing' make this?/
/Or...is the story true? Did a child draw it?/
Keith turned the picture over and saw the crude scribble of a word.
"Shiro?"
/Is that his name?/
He shone the light towards the trees, his mind spinning.
/I scared him/
"I'M SORRY," he called out.

The creature ran back to his cave clutching the food against his chest. Once inside he crawled under the blanket his parents gave him all those years ago. Frayed and full of holes, it no longer resembled the thick woollen cover of his childhood, but it still offered him comfort.

/He saw me/
/Now he knows what I am/
The creature sobbed loudly into the musty fabric of the blanket. He cried for his own misfortune, for the loss of his childhood, his parents' absence and most of all for the pain in his heart.
/I just wanted him to be my friend/

Keith sat at his kitchen table and stared at the drawing. A glass of brandy settled his nerves while he thought about the night's events. The whole encounter had left him confused and uneasy, but the drawing was the strangest thing of all.
He liked it, the bright colors.

It told a story, flowers, bees...a snapshot of nature in all its simplicity. Imagery he himself remembered from long summer days spent at his grandparents' farm out west. For years a rift between his dad and his grandfather kept them apart. Petty family squabbles over land.

His father wanted to take over the farm, but his stubborn grandpa refused to hand over the reigns. By the time the old man died the farm had run up so much debt the only solution was to sell. His dad invested the small amount left over and eventually bought his own farm.
/Oh dad/

Keith wiped his eyes, his emotions still raw over his father's death.
/All this from a drawing/
He smiled. Only a wholesome heart would think to give such a gift.
Much as he loved the crystal, this felt more personal, like maybe the creature had watched him for a while.
/Shiro../

#Sheith cont.
The next day Keith placed the usual items out and hoped the creature would return.
Two days went by and the vegetables didn't move.
/Damn it, he's too scared/
Cursing his own clumsiness he set about planning a way to make amends.
/Make him feel safe/

The creature stayed close to his cave, but his rumbling tummy made him feel miserable. He didn't like hunting defenseless animals, but sometimes when winter approached he set traps. Each time he handled their lifeless bodies with tender care, apologising for their demise.

It broke his heart to kill another living being. Discovering the farmer's garden gave him a solution. He stored away some of the hardier items, like root vegetables and onions, building up a reserve. Winters were never harsh, but he'd fill up on food, then hibernate for a month.

Winter was a long way off and the forest offered a bounty of nutritious vegetation, but the creature had grown accustomed to the farmer's offerings and craved the sweet crunch of fresh beans and bright yellow corn kernels. More than that he missed the farmer's friendly face.

Keith worked tirelessly on his plan. He piled up a collection of small rocks and found some white paint in the outhouse. Meticulously he painted each rock and laid it out to dry in the sun. Then he found some old bricks and slabs which he used to build an outdoor oven.

Remembering how reassuring the smell of freshly baked bread made him feel, he thought it might work on the creature. At this stage he was willing to try anything.
The other part of his plan involved the word he'd scribbled on the back of the drawing.
/Clearly it means something/

Placing the bright white stones in such a way that they would be visible from the woods, he spelled out 'SHIRO'. Hopefully the creature would recognize his own word and see that the farmer meant him no harm. That, combined with the fresh bread had to do the trick.
/I hope so/

#Sheith cont.
Hungry & grumpy, the creature decided to go back to the farm. Moving through the forest he picked up on a scent. It grew more intense with each step. Thoughts of home filled his mind. Freshly baked bread, hard crunchy crust with a fluffy white centre, butter & jam.

His father kneaded the dough while his mother moulded it into loaves and buns and sometimes she made him animal shapes if there was anything left over. He'd not tasted bread in 12 long years.
Peering through the trees he saw the farmer standing next to a brick structure.

Smoke rose up from a hole in the top, forming a long thin plume as it drifted away. He stuck his nose in the air & caught the rich doughy fragrance.
His gut tightened, the pain of his hunger nagged him to get closer.
/No Takashi you know what will happen/
/But it smells so good/

He had no idea how the farmer would react now he'd seen his grotesque form.
/I hope I didn't make him angry/
His scars reminded him of past encounters when humans had attacked him.
A few times he'd seen the farmer shooting cans with his gun, every shot made the creature jump.

The ache in his belly overtook his fear & slowly he edged closer to the end of the garden.
He wondered if the farmer found his drawing & understood that he meant well.
Hidden by the thick foliage he could safely see if there was any food in the same spot.
/Please be kind/

Anxiously he peeked at the garden through the branches.
Relief washed over him the minute he saw a selection of vegetables neatly laid out on the ground.
/Am I dreaming?/
He pinched his arm and glanced back. The food was definitely real, but what he saw next made his heart soar.

/That's m-my name/
/He saw it. He understands!/
The creature purred, his chest vibrating with joy. The bright rocks contrasted against the dark earth, making them look illuminated. The creature had never seen anything so beautiful. Beaming with joy he stepped out of the shadows.

Keith heard the snap of twigs breaking underfoot and swung round. A loud gasp escaped his lips as he caught sight of the creature.
There he stood, ten foot tall, majestic and covered in fur.
/Purple fur/
The young farmer watched the gargantuan being gaze lovingly at his own name.

A softness in his face made Keith smile. He didn't look so frightening in daylight, his fangs less sharp, his eyes curious & alert. He watched him step over the fence & kneel in the soil. Oblivious to Keith's presence, the creature tenderly stroked the rocks.
"Shiro," he hummed.

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