Morning Patrol

Sketchman soared above Draw City, his grey cape streaming behind him in the morning breeze. The twin pencil towers of Sketch Mansion gleamed silver in the sunlight below. He loved these early patrols when the streets were quiet and peaceful.

A flash of movement caught his eye near the art district. A group of teenagers was spray-painting the side of the Gallery Building. Sketchman swooped down, landing softly on the sidewalk behind them.

"Morning, artists," he said with a grin. "Mind sharing what you're working on?"

The kids jumped, dropping their cans. A tall boy with messy brown hair stepped forward nervously.

"We... we were just practicing, Sketchman. Sorry about the wall."

"No harm done. But next time, try the legal wall three blocks over. The city set it up just for practice."

He helped them gather their supplies, then watched them hurry away toward the designated area. As he prepared to take off again, something made him glance toward the shadows between two buildings.

A figure stood there, watching him. A deer girl with soft brown fur and large, gentle eyes. The moment their gazes met, she vanished deeper into the alley.

The Silver Paintbrush

Sketchman couldn't shake the image of those gentle eyes. He decided to circle back through the art district, flying low between the buildings where he'd spotted the deer girl.

The alley was empty now, but something glinted on the ground. He landed and picked up a small silver pendant shaped like a paintbrush. The metal was warm to the touch.

"Excuse me," came a soft voice behind him.

He turned to see the deer girl standing at the alley's entrance. Her brown fur caught the morning light, and she wore a simple green dress with paint stains on the sleeves.

"Is this yours?" Sketchman held up the pendant.

She nodded, stepping closer but keeping her distance. "I'm Luna. I... I watch you sometimes. From the shadows."

"Luna's a beautiful name. I'm—"

"Sketchman. Everyone knows." Her voice was barely a whisper. "I work at the art supply shop on Pencil Street."

Before he could respond, a loud rumble shook the ground. Both towers of Sketch Mansion began to glow with an eerie purple light, and the sky darkened despite the early hour.

Luna gasped, clutching her pendant. "Something's terribly wrong."