The Butterfly didn't like being in this big, tall, empty, scary, golden room. Especially considering how high off the ground it was. Sure, they'd flown amazing distances and heights as a regular butterfly but in this new humanoid form, they weren't sure they even had WINGS anymore. Looking out the windows revealed the throne room, along with most of the city, to be floating high between the clouds. The ground deep below them felt as if it was calling them to fall to it and crack their skull open. And the brilliant glowing energy of the whole room did not help the disorientation at all. The hard metal floor felt freezing cold under their bare feet and even when on the ornate blue rug, they could still feel the hardness. They glanced at their three friends for composure before summoning their wits and looking up at the being on the throne.
The creatures watched a young looking, slightly supernatural seeming human flop around in a large throne at the other end of the room. His skin was a pale blue that gave them the sensation of death just by looking at it, and the cracks running all over his body compounded this sensation. His dark blue-green hair draped in front of his half shut eyes and the pure white sheet that loosely cloaked his body was decorated with more golden jewelry. He looked exceedingly bored. One of the other humans fidgeted in the corner for a moment before stumbling their way over to the boy on the throne and muttering something in his ear. The boy in the throne sighed and sat up. He outstretched his hand and pulled the Butterfly forwards by simply clenching his fist. As if they were being shoved by a moving wall, the Butterfly found themself directly in front of the boy and they could get a good look at his face.
His eyes were still half shut as they raked over the Butterfly's body, making them extremely uncomfortable. It was too empty to be a hard glare, but too sharp to be just a bored look. The butterfly scanned the boy's appearance in return, as if that would somehow get back at him for the weird looks. Despite his odd appearance he still had the air of a simple teenager about him, although at this point there was no doubt that he was NOT that.
"Hmm. Yeah, you're right. This host looks perfect for him." The boy's voice echoed throughout the room, and reverberated though the butterfly's skeleton. It wasn't booming or threatening, it was actually rather relaxing. For a moment, their worries were quelled, but then they looked in his eyes again and reminded themself what their instincts were telling them.
"Ah- I'm so glad you agree," the other human mumbled. "I'll let Moleman know he'll be getting some benefits soon!" The human then rushed out of the throne room in a minor fuss.
"You look neat. I wonder what made you. I don't think I've seen anything like you, or at least, not in a very long time." The boy's voice droned on in an crushingly bored tone. "You're certainly not human or object, and you cannot be a god or spirit. I have to wonder... Ah, I'm rambling. Let's just get this over with."
The boy gestured again and the Butterfly found themself being jolted into the air and drifted closer to him. They struggled but found that their limbs wouldn't move, as if they were being squeezed closer to their body by a rope. All they could do was lean their head back as they grew closer and closer to him. The boy let a slight smile escape his dull expression as he pressed his hand to the Butterfly's chest. A small heart formed where his hand had been but it quickly expanded to cover almost all of the Butterfly's ribcage. The creatures could be seen shouting in protest across the room. The room was bathed in a deep red light.
A disgusting black goo spread out in tendrils from the heart and crawled into the Butterfly's left eye. They writhed in pain for a moment before the boy grabbed their chin and held them still. Soon the Butterfly stopped moving and closed their eyes. The boy let go and the Butterfly fell to the ground.
...
The Butterfly's body wriggled for a moment before pushing itself up. Its movements were far smoother and practiced, as if it had been a humanoid all its life. It turned around and grinned at the boy before bowing.
"Thank you for the new vessel, my king."
"I thought you might like it, Shrignold." Malcolm tilted his head slightly, leaning it against his left arm, and grinned slightly.
"I must say-" he stretched his arms, "-this one is much more eh... versatile then your last choice for me."
"Yeah, I gotta admit, I did get a little lazy with my last pickings. But I just really wanted to get my aspects out there. I'm not as desperate now. We live in less desperate times."
"Of course, of course. I don't blame you at all. Hmm." Shrignold turned and looked at the other creatures. "Are you going to use any of those other ones as vessels? I do miss some of the others."
"No. I don't think they're very fitting. My aspects only deserve the very best. You got the most beautiful one, just like you always complained to me about."
"Oh come now, I didn't complain that much. I wonder... How many are left hostless by the way?"
"Just..." Malcolm paused for a moment, likely looking inside of his mind. "Just three."
"Well, alright then. Any requests of me, my king?"
"Yes. Those creatures over there saw your vessel as their leader. So they'll follow you anywhere. Take them to the gardens. They need to get used to living under my rule."
"Yes my king." Shrignold went to round up the creatures. They were all squeaking in excitement.
"Oh and one more thing. Tell one of my court whatever guys that I got a new rule. Uh, everyone's gotta wear a gold bracelet."
Shrignold smirked. "Still making up new rules? You haven't changed a bit my king."