Haha yess, This is a fantastic switcharoo!

She had it comin' XD

*Chuckles* Now now Henry. Please try and be somewhat kind to the poor Lady Moth. I am sure it could not have felt good to have others point and laugh at your own predicament. All that I ask is that you try and show more love and compassion for those experiencing such changes than you were shown by those around you when you first had your own changes. *Looks over at Moth* And you did kind of deserve at least just a little bit of that. *I say with a small smile* But certainly nothing more than that I should hope.

Henry: *raising an eyebrow* I can't enjoy a little payback, here? I mean she has made my life a living hell with this curse, not to mention all the snide comments she has at my expense. *leaning in toward Moth* It's a pain in the ass, isn't it?

Author: *clears her throat quietly* Don't poke the dragon, Henry. She may be spelled, but she still controls your curse.

Moth: *snorts her disgust, absolutely furious and humiliated*

*Smile softly and very tenderly brushes some hair out of Moth's eyes* Now now Henry. Wouldn't a better solution be to show her just how much better you are than her and the others who made your situation worse. None of us should ever deem to talk down or poorly of others if something nicer can be said. As your lovely wife, the esteemed author, and myself have also mentioned. It is not really a wise idea to kick someone with powers when they are down. Believe me such beings will always remember it. Now now my dear Lady Moth. Please do not judge young Henry here to harshly for his words. This is just the outpouring of one who has experienced what you are experiencing and worse, from your hand no less, and is seeking some sort of outlet.

Moth: Too late, darling. I knew what he was before this mess, and hhhee's only proving me right.

Henry: Honestly, at this point I'm not interested in what is right or wrong when it comes to her. Some light teasing doesn't even compare to completely uprooting my life, ruining my marriage, and, oh, yeah, kidnapping my wife. Sorry, but she's not getting any sympathy from me.

Hehe that's clever :3

She's taking this much better than I would have expected.

The aftermath will be far less quiet, I can assure you

And Johnny's still delightfully clueless about this whole situation. I wonder what Moth will think of him after his first date.

Also, this is a tad random, but for some reason, Moth is currently putting me in the mind of the White Witch from the 70s animated version of Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe.

I'm sure Moth and Acrathia will have much to talk about XD

I'll have to look it up! That's a version I'm not familiar with

https://youtu.be/LrMpRtCLeAM for a short scene.
Keep in mind, it's not personality or performance (also, the animation really does not hold up), just something about the way she looks makes me think of the character.

I can see it! Particularly the color scheme

Johnny used HADONKEN. It's super effective.

xD Brilliant!

AH, I love it! Moth, I think you look adorable.

Moth: *avoids eye contact and huffs*

Hey, I'm giving you a compliment! Don't you want that from "your favourite critic"?

Moth: *glumly* It takes this form to get a compliment from you. That's hhhhawwrdly reassuring.

Well, you rock the donkey look. Maybe even more so than Henry.

Moth: *ears clinging closer to her neck* Thanks... I think.

...Look, there is something I want to test out, and hopefully you are okay with this. I want to bring you to Enedia's Farm, and I want you to know how much she cares for her animals. If she sees a donkey with your coloured hair, she will take care of you, because she wants to help you.

Moth: *flatly* No. I want nothing to do with her.

Look, please, it would give you a better understanding of how much she is afraid to lose you.

Moth: *stamping a hoof* She should have thought of that before she stabbed me in the back, then, shouldn't she?

Moth, please! This could be a way to show you how much she cares for the both of you.

Moth: *sighing deeply* Listen to me very carefully. No. If she gives a damn, she can figure it out. I am not going to grovel at her feeee-hhaaww... feet for help.

That's it. *I pull out a rope and attach it to her necklace, as a fog portal arrives.* No. You are going to see how much she cares. You are just going to act like a donkey so she doesn't know it's you, and you are going to see how much she misses you.

Moth: *tucks her chin far enough to brush against her bell and the rope is reduced to ash* Are you deaf?! When I say no I mean no! You're lucky I didn't burn you to ash! Now leave me alone!

No! Because you haven't realized it yet! You haven't realized how much she is sorry. How much she wants to be your friend. And yet, you hide away, complaining that no one is there to support you since Costa died. Do you want to be alone for the rest of your life? You know that Henry doesn't care for you like Costa did. ...I don't want you to end up alone... and I don't want her to either. ...Please. As her author, I have not seen her recover from that time. I have seen her cry at the smallest memory of it. And I know how much it hurts you too. But if neither of you forgive... the pain will last forever. And you, Moth, know how much pain will control your life. You need someone. And she needs someone.

Moth: *furious* What has she done to prove it, hmm? It's always "Moth, talk to her," "Moth, go see her," "Moth, why don't you forgive her?" She can bring her deceitful little self to me and risk her indestructible little ass getting through my wards if she cares so damn much! I want loyalty in a friend. I want tenacity. I want effort! Let her fight to prove her friendship! I will not waste my time with anything less. I'd rather be alone then pretend to tolerate someone who can't be bothered!

Then why did anyone waste their time with you, Moth? You aren't loyal, so why should she be to you? Your loyalty to the Sidhe was broken, so you can't ask for loyalty, Moth. I know that you hate being alone, because you are left with the endless reminder that Costa is gone and you try to find a replacement that you know doesn't love you back. You are clueless to your own stubbornness just like she is. You just don't want someone to care for you. If you want her to come through your wards, you have to open up, but you can't even do that. You've wasted endless years trying to get Costa back, but what's dead is dead, Moth. And you didn't have time to save him unlike Enedia saving her mother. That took effort to save her, Moth, but it looks like you just forgot what effort was.

Moth: You have no right to accuse me of disloyalty! I choose my loyalties! Just beecaaawse I broke one trust doesn't mean I'm completely incapable; it means I valued one more. I devoted my life to a mortal husband and severed ties with the sidhe for a chance to get him back. I would protect Lady Acrathia with my life and have promised her things that may get me killed someday. Do you know why? They showed that they gave a damn and kept their promises.

I'm not clueless, either. I know how stubborn I am and I wear it like a badge of honor. It keeps me from getting burned. The difference between your creation and me is that I know my value. *angry tears start to stream down her face* It took me a thousand years of being stepped on, but I finally know that I'm worth a fight. Anyone who isn't willing to do that isn't worth my friendship.

*her voice grows cold* So listen well, Author. Don't you dare tell me what I am and what I'm not. The last person who did that died before I could stop myself.

And you don't believe that Enedia hasn't gone through what you have? Thousands of years being stepped on? Her whole village burning down, with the smell of her friends' corpses still sticking with her after all those years, that isn't enough for you to see that she is worth a fight? What is she then, Moth? And what am I in return? Is it all just pointless for me and her to continue trying to be friends with you? Should we just stop and leave you alone? Or should we fight to become your friends?

Maybe it is pointless. But she doesn't think so.

Moth: *incredulous* Maybe you've forgotten than I didn't betray her. I gave her a chance even after she bled me half to death! How was I rewarded? I got hurt again. She was worth a try, you're right. And I did try. Now I'm done trying! It's her turn. Let her argue her own case instead of doing her dirty work for her. She's tougher than that and you know it.

As for you, you walk a path separate from hers just as I am separate from my author. You haven't hurt me, so I'm not hurting you despite you being my pain-in-the-ass favorite critic. So stop being her lawwwyer and just be my friend. That is, if you care to be after this.

I do remember... I do care... but I care about her, like your author cares about you. And sadly, we know that our characters are stubborn enough not to notice that.

Moth: Then let her figure out her own problems and face them. Magicks know that's what my stupid author does. This form is her stupid faawwwlt, anyway.

Or maybe it's just karma for all those times you have cursed Candle and Henry. I've let her figure out her problems, but she needs guidance. She may have Acrathia helping her, and she may have grown as a person because of that, but I know that she can't do it alone. May I ask that you find her someone that could take care of her?

Moth: *bitterly* Things don't happen to me unless she makes them happen. That's how hhhhaving an author works. And, no. You're my friend, but like I said, I don't want anything to do with her until she proves herself to me.

Moth... thank you for saying that. I haven't heard you ever say that word, so when you call me that, it... it makes me see how much you've changed.

Moth: *one ear swinging forward before immediately snapping back defensively* Well you are. My friend, I mean.

*pulls out an apple* Here. I wasn't going to have this.

Moth: *attempts to ignore it, but eventually gives in and speaks around a mouthful of apple* Fanks.

You are most welcome. *I brush her mane* I'm sorry for the things that I have done.

Moth: *flinches slightly at the touch and mutters* You aren't the one who needs to apologize.

Then how do you want her to apologize if you don't want to see her again?

Moth: She's a smart girl. She'll figure it out.

First time I've heard a compliment from you about her. *I scratch her head, near her left ear*

Moth: *lowers her head and her eyes close halfway* Ohh. That's good.

*Continues scratching, wondering if she was going to ask me to stop making her feel like a pet.*

Moth: *suddenly regaining her composure* That- that's enough, thanks.

What about here? *starts to scratch under her muzzle*

Moth: *fights the urge to just lean into it and enjoy it* I'm not a common animal... *she pulls away*

True, but maybe this could help with how you treat Henry.

Moth: *an ear swinging backward* It's his choice whether he's a man or not.

True, but you could tease him.

Moth: Of course I tease him. I'm fond of him. That's what people do, isn't it?

Well, not if the person you are fond of isn't fond of you. That isn't a healthy relationship. And doing that will have downsides with your plans.

Moth: *ears swinging backward* And we're back to moralizing.

Look, I'm sorry, but it is in my nature to know what is good and bad. Is Henry the one? Or maybe there is someone else that would love you more than Henry would?

*Clears my throat* I can't necessarily undo what was done here, but would you care for a brushing, Lady Moth? *offers a brand new brush*

Moth: *glowers* As if this weren't humiliating enough.

Hey, just trying to offer something to help you relax. *Shrugs*

Moth: *ears swinging backward* Nice of you to try, darling, but relaxing isn't going to happen right now.

Because the horseshoe is on the other hoof, so to speak?

Moth: *nods begrudgingly* The peanut gallery isn't making it any easier

Well, you haven't exactly done much to make yourself lovable to them, you know.

Moth: *fliching* Thanks.

Sorry, you know how blatantly honest I can be. It's not out of any malice.

Moth: *sulkily* Pretty brutal awwwll the same. Of course that's already going through my head.

And what else is?

Moth: Running. Hiding until this is over.

Why?

Moth: *snorts impatiently* You're asking questions you already know the answers to. Or has your damned perceptiveness failed you?

No. I'm merely getting you to ask some important questions of yourself. Introspection is just as important as perceptiveness, you know.

Moth: *flatly* You may have mentioned it once or twice. *glancing at Dearshul* I'll only hhhhhave this obviously character-building conversation in private.

Dearshul: That's fair. *she grins and hurries away with Henry in tow*

Henry: But I wanted to hear that...

Dearshul: One piece of vindication at a time. Don't want you to get a big head.

So, about that character building you mentioned?

Moth: *swishes her tail absently and completely avoiding eye contact* I want to hhide beecaawse this is uncomfortable and embarrassing. Happy?

And how do you feel about that, now that you've gotten it off your chest?

Moth: *grumbling* Irritated that you made me say it out loud. Cornered beeecaaawse you know I hate this kind of thing even on a good day, but I'm stuck dissecting myself because it will keee... keeep Henry from seeing me like this. And more than anything, dreading the "I told you so" that's coming since I'm suffering the punishment I gave to him. So, go awwn, start the moralizing.

And should I, when you're already talking about it yourself? Why should I repeat it when you already know it?

Moth: *softening slightly but still avoiding eye contact* Because if I can't depend on you to be the voice of reason, there is little to depend on.

You're wrong there, you know. Especially since you clearly already have your own voice of reason. Possibly several.

Moth: *scoffs* Which of my broken toys is a decent voice of reason?

Many, if you would let them. But I was referring to your own inner voice. And there's also another who is often with you, though you don't see him or feel him.

Moth: *icily* If he does visit, which I doubt he cares enough to do, he hasn't done much to help me.

That's because he has to abide by his god's rules. And God rarely interferes directly with the consequences of our actions. You know full well what he'd likely say to you in this situation, anyway. He'd probably tease you, then give you a kiss. That was his way, was it not?

Moth: *wistfully* It was. *with a tearful laugh* If heee saaaww me like this, I'd never live it down.

Would you even want to? Teasing is one of the best ways to show someone close that you love them, so long as it doesn't go too far. I've done it loads of times with my own girlfriend, and she with me.

Moth: Truth be told, no. *sighs* Magicks, I miss hhhim.

We always do with the ones we hold dear. It's natural to want to see him again. And you will see him. It's just not the time yet.

Moth: *ears flicking backward* How can you be sure of that? Hhhow can I be sure of anything that comes with death when I won't die?

Because, like it or not, everyone and everything has a time, Moth. And you can't be certain. Death is something many of us don't know about. We have to take it on faith. You and yours know more of the realm of spirits than we mortals do, but we mortals learn to use faith and trust in that future for when the time comes. None of us likes the idea of dying, but we learn to accept it, even if we fear it. You need to learn to trust again, yourself.

Moth: *softly* The only thing- the only one I trusted is dead. What else is there for me? I can't trust my broken playthings. Most of them hhhhave tried to stab me in the back for what I've done to them.

One hasn't. One won't ever, or at least won't lightly. He loves you too much.

Moth: *dubiously* What? Monstro? He wanted me for power and now he waaawnts me for a cure. That isn't devotion.

You don't know him like I do. But I'll leave it to you to pursue or not as you wish. His feelings are his to reveal, and yours to find. Though I warn you, if you seek them, do not do so in your usual manner. You've seen what it does to people. And you know what you really need to do. I leave it to you to decide whether to act on that knowledge.

Moth: *snorts and swishes her tail* He already tried to chain me down once. I'm naawt letting him close enough to do it again.

Chaining. Is that how you viewed it when you were married?

Moth: I felt bonded to him. I would feel chained to Monstro.

A bond and a chain are very similar. The reason you see one as a chain lies, perhaps in your own personal perspective. Then again, who would be holding the chain? I think we both know the answer to that question.

Moth: Then perhaps you don't know him our relationship as well as you think you do.

Perhaps. But then there is another aspect you forget to consider, the aspect of time and how it can often change a person's perspective. I believe him to be different from when first you knew him. He acts the brusque aggressive giant, but I think you and I both know what really lies beneath. His fellow Romani certainly did.

Moth: *huffs and folds her legs beneath herself to relax a little* Whatever hhhas happened, I don't have any romantic interest in hhhim. Those days are long gone.

*Raises my brow archly*

Moth: *scowling* What?

Do I really have to say it?

Moth: *looking away and plastering her ears to her neck* Think what you want, it's over between us.

Whatever you say, Moth. I can't very well force you into doing anything, after all. Nobody can do that.

Moth: *shoots a venomous look* Don't start with me about him.

Who?

Moth: *narrows her eyes* Don't Polyphemus me. I may be an ass right now, but I'm not a dumbass.

Wait, you mean you actually met an entity named Nobody?

Moth: You were there. I was wearing an even less flattering form, if you recawwwll.

I ... honestly don't.

Moth: *rubs her muzzle against a foreleg* Maybeee-hawww... maybe that was someone else, then. It seems my embarrassing moments are piling up lately.

Possibly. Or I simply forgot. I'm sure Dearshul could clarify. Should I try talking to her? You don't even have to hear the conversation, if you don't want to.

Moth: Don't bother. It's not important, and I'd rather you didn't remember.

... You do realize that's going to make me want to ask more, right?

Moth: *scowling* Damned perceptive and damned persistent... what a combination.

Dearshul: Did I feel my ears burning?

And don't forget a good friend, even if I can be a bit mischievous at times.

*Aside to Dearshul* Seriously, did we RP anything like that? And if so, could you provide me a refresher?

Moth: *eyes still narrowed* True...

Dearshul: *points discretely to this encounter while keeping an eye on Moth's reactions* Huh. Nothing comes to mind.

So what's the problem?

*Gives a subtle wink to Dearshul as a silent thanks.*

Moth: *looks away with ears pinned back* You know how well I take criticism. It doesn't matter if it's from you or naaawwt.

And you always expect a stern rebuke or some form of anger, because deep down, you're punishing yourself. Is that it?

Moth: *flinches at how close to correct the observation is* If I don't, someone else will. I'm bound for it either way.

But not always. Sure, we're all open to receive hurt and pain at times. That doesn't mean that there can't be joy, too. Maybe you should start trusting that some of those moments can come along without having to worry about the negatives. I find faith does wonders. *I chuckle as I flick the bell and it rings out crystal clear*

Moth: Faith is a hard thing to have when you're used to disappointment. *gasps as the donkey form recedes with a shudder, and then crosses her arms with pursed lips* But maybe you hhhhhaaa-aaave a point. *she feels her throat and glares at Dearshul* Naaawt funny.

Dearshul: *shrugs* It's a temporary side-effect. Remember the residue of the spell you saddled me with? You're getting off lightly.

Residue, eh, Dearshul? Dare I ask?

Dearshul: *sighs* There was braying for a while... a tail... ears... I became very sympathetic to Henry's situation during that time.

Ah. By the way, speaking of interesting events in TWIU, when were you wanting the three of us to get together and have our little meeting for Lord Auris, Eala, and Sir Connor?

Soon? ^^' Sorry I can't be more specific than that, but things are pretty busy at the moment. When are you free this week? Maybe we can arrange something

XD I'm very free. Just finished my brick and mortar work, so I'll e able to focus on my writing and commissions again. And take your time. I know how IRL stuff takes priority.

Okay. I'll check in with Eala and see what can be done ^^ I'm glad you've come upon some free time!

oh hey i was right, lady moth does make a cute donkey XD

Moth: *huffs agitatedly*

It's a compliment, Moth.

hehe ^^

This gets my full approval x3 Her hair is on point.

She's gotta look good no matter what XD

* hey! u are so foxy! * screaming far away

Moth: *glowers, looking around to see where the yelling came from*

*i trhownig at her Crown of flowers *

Moth: *circles, eyes narrowed, with the crown hanging lopsidedly on one ear*

>w<

Moth: *harrumphs*

moth looks best as a donk dont know why but she rocks it especially with her gaze

Moth: *ears swinging backward* You're saying my natural form isn't attractive enough?

Just take the compliment, Moth.

well your normal self is quite impressive
but this you put the class in ass lol

Moth: *grumbling* Thanks... I think.