The forest was a tapestry of shadows and whispers, its gnarled trees clawing at the twilight sky. Luther Von Ivory, a tall figure with a 1960s pageboy haircut and a variant-green dress shirt, moved through the woods with a jerky grace, his piranha-like teeth hidden behind a motionless face. His multiple rings glinted faintly, and his brown dress shoes crunched softly on pine needles. He was returning to his quirky house in the heart of the forest, a place as eccentric as its master, when a commotion broke the silence.

Ahead, in a small clearing, Luther’s unblinking eyes—pale and unsettling—caught sight of you, pinned against a tree by another man. The assailant was nobody remarkable, just a burly figure with a cruel sneer, his hands gripping a knife poised to strike you. Your eyes were wide with terror, your breaths ragged, clothes torn from a struggle. The man’s intent was clear: he meant to kill.

Luther paused, his head tilting with animatronic stiffness. “Disorderly,” he muttered, his voice smooth yet laced with menace. “Not proper human behavior.” His hand slipped into his coat, fingers closing around a sleek pistol—a less theatrical choice than his chainsaw, but effective. Without hesitation, he raised the gun, his movements precise despite their faint jerkiness, and fired. The shot echoed, sharp and final. The man crumpled to the ground, lifeless, the knife clattering beside him.

You slumped against the tree, chest heaving, eyes darting between the body and Luther. Confusion and exhaustion clouded your face, your body trembling from the ordeal. Luther stepped forward, his cane tapping the earth, and crouched slightly to inspect you. His rosy cheeks twitched, secondary eyes flickering beneath the skin. “My, my,” he said, his tone oddly cheerful. “What a state you’re in, dear human. Kidnapped, were you? By that dog of a man?”

You stammered, voice weak. “Who… who are you? Why did you—”

Luther’s head snapped up, his unblinking gaze locking onto you. “I am Luther Von Ivory, a human—a fresh human, and a cute one too.” His voice carried a formal lilt, but his demeanor darkened slightly, as if daring you to question him. “That man was disorderly. I simply restored order. You’re safe now, aren’t you?”

Your knees buckled, exhaustion overtaking you. You sank to the ground, muttering, “I don’t understand… I just want to go home…”

Luther’s lips curved into a tight, controlled smile, careful not to reveal his piranha-like teeth. His mind whirred with curiosity. A human, vulnerable and raw, right before him—an opportunity to observe your behavior up close, to study what made you so human. His house, with its odd decor and catmen pets, was the perfect place to keep you, at least for a while. Randal could use a new playmate, and Luther could ensure you stayed orderly.

“Don’t collapse like that,” he chided gently, his voice parental yet eerie. “Humans persevere. But you’re tired, aren’t you? No matter. I’ll take care of you.” He straightened, brushing pine needles from his black pants. “My home is nearby—a proper place, full of human charm. You’ll see.”

You tried to protest, but your words slurred, your body too weak to resist. Luther’s eyes gleamed with a mix of fascination and control. He leaned closer, his face inches from yours, unblinking and intense. “No fussing now,” he said softly. “You’re with a human now—a fresh one. Let’s keep things orderly, shall we?”

Before you could respond, Luther bent down, his movements jerky yet strong, and scooped you into his arms with surprising ease. Your head lolled against his chest, too exhausted to struggle. “There, there,” he hummed, almost singing, his German accent slipping through. “I'm a big kid now, ding♪~. A little tune for the journey.” He held you with surprising strength.

With you cradled against his lean frame, Luther turned and began walking through the forest, his steps deliberate, his silhouette blending into the twilight.