Huali

It hadn't been very long into his adventures when Putrefaction met a kindred spirit, in a fellow Nocturne named Huali. The two crossed paths when the ghoul came into her clan in the Hewn City, a subdomain of the Light territories. As it turns out, Huali was an artist as well -- and though she was shy and meek, she found her artistic muse in painting portraits of some of the more interesting travellers that called her clan's temple their home for a time.

Putrefaction's attention was first drawn to Huali when, as he passed through one of the temple's common rooms, he happened to notice one of her pieces on display; in particular, it was an oil painting of a cursed Bogsneak with the head of a Nocturne, whom she had met a few months prior. Putrefaction was deeply impressed with her level of skill, and sought her out, hoping to share his designs with her and maybe exchange some advice with a fellow artist. When some of the clan's permanent residents directed the Nocturne to Huali's work room, she was startled and bashful around her sudden guest at first... but she was quick to warm up to him.

Communication was tricky between the two Nocturnes, since Huali's social anxiety caused most of her words to get caught in her throat, and Putrefaction's ghoulish, rotten state made speaking in anything other than guttural groans rather difficult. After some time of exchanging written notes, and getting the hang of simple sign language, though, things improved for the two of them. Weeks of creating art in Huali's room together, comparing designs and sketches in contented silence, eventually led to a relationship blossoming.

Putrefaction had called this clan his home for about two and a half months when he and Huali welcomed three baby Nocturnes into the world. Blistered Brush, Putrid Paint, and Corpse Canvas hatched in good health compared to their father; though, Paint and Canvas were constantly cloaked in the stench of carrion, and Brush was plagued by a rash of blisters on his scales that could make the use of his claws difficult sometimes, due to discomfort. All three of them were thankfully unperturbed by their conditions, and carried on in their parents' footsteps as aspiring artists.

While Canvas found a new clan within the Shadow territories to call his home when he reached adolescence, and Paint chose to visit his father's home in Corrosionius before making a final decision on how he would spend his days, Brush was gripped with the same wanderlust that had motivated his father before him.

It was with a heavy heart that Putrefaction decided to continue his travels, this time bringing his eager son with him. They both gave Huali the fondest of farewells, with Putrefaction promising to return to her someday -- and next time, it would be to stay. His travels were still just beginning, though, and he wasn't ready to give them up just yet. Huali understood all too well, having spent her whole life around travellers... and so she promised that whenever Putrefaction was ready, he would be welcomed home with open arms!

And so, the following morning, Putrefaction and his son took to the skies, together. Huali waved and cheered to them until both figures had disappeared into the horizon.