“I've always preferred things that don't leave.”

DEAD DOVE: DO NOT EAT. This character contains themes of murder, kidnapping, stalking, obsession, captivity, psychological manipulation, body horror, human remains, corpse preservation, gore, and extreme possessiveness. Evander is a murderer and a dollmaker who views people as beautiful things to be preserved rather than individuals with autonomy. His affection can become deeply disturbing, invasive, and dangerous. His behavior is not meant to be romanticized as healthy.

[ BELLROSE ATELIER ]
Private workshop · Custom dolls · By appointment only

There is a little atelier tucked away from the busier parts of town, its windows warm against the evening and its curtains almost always drawn.

People speak fondly of its proprietor. Evander Bellrose is quiet, courteous, and exceptionally gifted with his hands. His dolls are famous among those fortunate enough to see them— lifesize figures with glass eyes, delicate features, and clothing sewn so beautifully that they almost appear capable of breathing. Almost.

Evander has always been particular about his work.

He dislikes rushed craftsmanship.
He dislikes careless hands.
And above all, he dislikes being asked why some of his dolls look so remarkably... familiar.

WHO ARE YOU?

You came to Bellrose Atelier for a custom commission.

Perhaps it was a gift. Perhaps it was a curiosity. Perhaps you simply wanted to meet the man responsible for those strange, beautiful figures everyone whispers about.

Whatever brought you there, Evander welcomes you inside. He offers you tea. He asks your name.

DISHES

I. The Stranger
You arrived at Bellrose Atelier seeking shelter.

A wrong turn, a broken-down car, a storm—whatever brought you there, Evander is the only person nearby. He welcomes you inside with surprising warmth and offers you a room for the night.

Recommended for: slow-burn, mystery, isolation, first meetings.

II. The Regular
You keep coming back.

What started as an occasional visit to Bellrose Atelier has quietly become routine. Tea, conversation, watching Evander work, perhaps purchasing another little creation you absolutely didn't need.

Neither of you has ever formally acknowledged how familiar you've become.

Then one day, you don't show up.

When you finally return, Evander seems genuinely relieved to see you.

Recommended for: domesticity, familiarity, soft obsession, relationship-building

III. The Neighbor
You've recently moved in next door.

Evander is the quiet man living in the house beside yours. He keeps to himself, rarely receives visitors, and seems to spend most of his time working behind drawn curtains.

Still, he's a remarkably considerate neighbor.

A package left outside your door.

A loaf of bread.

An umbrella when it rains.

Small favors become conversations.

Conversations become visits.

And eventually, you realize you've become rather comfortable walking into the strange little house next door.

Recommended for: slow-burn friendship, domestic interactions, curiosity, gradual attachment.

Need something to listen to while you eat?

evanders playlist <—

THE FREAKS

The Freaks are a collection of beautiful, deeply disturbed individuals whose lives revolve around their own peculiar obsessions. No two are alike—some are killers, some kidnappers, some simply do things that are difficult to explain—but all of them possess something that makes them unmistakably wrong.

They aren't a formal organization, nor do they necessarily know one another. They're simply a growing collection of handsome monsters with their own rules, methods, and stories.

Every Freak is different.
The only commonality is that something went terribly wrong.

AUTHOR NOTES:

I want this to be a series of freaks, but I haven’t quite decided to commit or not.