Lyra: The First Consort (Patreon)

"Haven't seen you before." 

Lyra spins, talons poised and wings spread. From behind the brass tanks steps a four-armed goblin, dressed in a gilded vest and waving a half-smoked cigarette. 

"Oh come on now, I don’t bite." He says, holding up two of his hands. His others pluck a fresh cigarette from a pocket, offering it to her. "Just admiring a rare sight. Not too many nymphs around here. Name's Hedrick. You got one of those?"

"...a Hedrick?" 

"A name." 

Lyra stares suspiciously at the cigarette  "Yes.”  She lowers her claws. “Is this your perch?" 

There's a catch, or a trade, or a bargain. She knows better than to think otherwise. But the goblin just chuckles and repockets the offering, leaning against the tank and taking a speculative puff off his own. 

"Runaway, then? Escaped from the Unseelie district? Or someplace…further afield?”

She grips the closest pipe for support.  "I'll go if this is your perch.”

“Ach, keep it,”  he waves.  “I’m not here to chase you off.”

They rest together in silence as the goblin puffs happily away. After the cigarette’s half-burned down, he glances back to her.  “You look hungry."

Lyra doesn’t answer, turns her back and flicks her wings.  She goes back to preening.  

"This here’s what you’d call an entertainment establishment. We could use another performer. I’m told nymphs make exceptional singers.”   

"I don’t sing.” She says flatly.+++Excerpt from Imago Ch5: The BookeeperA long overdue post of the concept art for Lyra! A Wild's nymph turned First Consort of one of Xylia's ruling class. Despite what Puck might say, she will not, in fact, eat your books.