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The Stray and The Stranger

Quinn765
**UPDATES: Monday, Wednesday, Friday** In the shadowed streets of Calamor, where beastfolk are hunted and collared, a golden-furred stray named Mona survives by instinct alone—quick, silent, and always one step ahead of the chains. When a scarred human guardian named Valen offers her shelter and purpose as his “House Guard,” Mona must decide if trust is worth the risk of new scars. Valen is no stranger to loss. Haunted by the friends he couldn’t save and the blood-magic that burns through his veins with every lash of his whip, he takes Mona in not out of charity, but recognition: she is the stray he once was, and the protector he still tries to be. But Calamor’s peace is fragile. A bounty on rare golden fur draws hunters to their door, old laws punish kindness, and whispers of rebellion stir in the beastfolk enclaves. As Mona learns to wield a bow and write her own name, she discovers that safety is never free—and protection always carries a cost. In a world that fears difference and punishes hope, two broken souls must choose: hide from the darkness, or stand against it together. A gritty YA fantasy of found family, quiet courage, and the price of loyalty. For readers who love morally gray guardians, scarred survivors, and the hard-won light in the shadows.
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Beauty and the Thief [BL]

Tao Hua's life is fucking miserable, and that misery somehow earns him the title of "Village Disgrace." In order to cope with the awful treatment, he often retreats into words untold, dictated by the flip of a page. These worlds leave him with the dream of escaping this piece of shit town. To his utter dismay, his wish comes true, but not in the way all those fairytales promised. His saviour is a man he becomes enthralled with and whom he names “Lord No-Name.” This male lead is a touchy man with many faces. And for lack of a better word, Tao Hua can’t decide if he’s either the story’s love interest or villain. But the two share a common sentiment. This prince, alike Tao Hua, is also fucking miserable. But arguably worse! And instead of coping like a normal fucking person, he does the opposite. He doesn't escape. He doesn't cope. He just tries to fight against the already fated truth of his demise. 0/10, worst prince ever written. Misery aside, this fateful encounter will force Tao Hua to make a choice, leaving him with only one question: "What was one mean-spirited beast to a town of people who despise a beauty's entire existence?" ──── ୨୧ ──── Beauty and the Thief is a slow-burn, stop to smell the roses, type of novel. That being said, the roses are beautiful, and upon closer observation they’re less floral than once thought. It follows the POV of Tao Hua, as he tries to navigate his new life in a place that actually values him, and the prince of this story’s mood swings. ──── ୨୧ ──── !!!!Disclaimer!!!! EXTREMELY SLOW PACED! This story borrows the premise of Beauty and the Beast, by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, relying heavily on the trope while also twisting it to smithereens. The beast element is exchanged for a power dynamic, and the curse differs from the original story. The narration borders on sarcastic and self-aware, while also targeting deeper topics. It often breaks the fourth wall as a stylistic choice. A lot of the work will be edited over time, but the bones will remain the same.
Meowssey · 13.4k Views