Author's Note

Hey hey people, Poop Goblin here with an apologetic new chapter for the chum bucket! First, a message, then a summary of this short, and finally a message about what I'll be doing going foreward.

I would like to apologize for the lack of consistent updates on my projects. I've been struggling to make sure I write every day. I am still somewhat new to this, and am a demanding perfectionist with my own work (to the point it is a negative trait according to the therapist). I am hoping that I will improve in writing speed when I dedicate an actual hour of time to it every day this coming December. I'll also be trying to learn web development to support my girlfriend so that we can start a family some time in the next 5 years or so.

Tonight's little scene was written as one of the drafts for a Raising Loan Halloween special, where Loan has a few encounters of the worst kind, among other short and spooky tales. I won't spoil too much because I do intend to actually write and finish an issue of Raising Loan, but the more media-savvy of you will probably figure out where this is going.

So onto the third topic: the FUTURE!!! Going forward, I am going to try and maintain an actual consistent schedule of writing and publishing works. I am really hoping to work my way into a weekly Monday schedule with my stories, but am not sure if I want to do things that way in particular, which leads me to couple of questions I have for you guys:

• Should I publish chapter by chapter for long-form fics, or finish/edit them and publish whole in the more traditional literary manner?

• Do you guys think I should try to cut my teeth on more generic story concepts that have already been done across the fandom before trying the higher concept stories like Raising Loan?

Questions aside, I would also like to announce that I am accepting requests and ideas for what to write for the chum bucket while I work on the plans and outlines for longer form projects and shorts. I've been trying to come up with original ideas unrelated to the long stuff for the chum bucket, but I keep hitting blanks or stumbling onto short stories that really more so deserve their own fic listing rather than being a chum bucket short due to chapter division. So let it rip, just be aware I make no promises.

And now, as always, I would like to thank our mysterious benefactors at the Merchants' Guild, my beloved girlfriend, and the goblins holding me hostage under pain of death to write this trash.

The Owl

Lori pushed Lincoln onto the bed before straddling him, her lips never disconnecting from his own. She could feel every inch of his body on hers through the repeated grinding between the two of them as his hands trailed up the silky contours of her lingerie, desperate to paw at the soft flesh that lay beneath.

"Mmm... You know... I think I want to do the thing tonight... Should I get the costume out?" Lori moaned into his ear.

"Oh God ye-"

"Mommy! Daddy!" Loan suddenly screamed.

The two sprung onto action in a moments notice, Lori heading for her clothes, and Lincoln going straight for Loan's room, making sure to pull any loose clothes together on the way.

Lincoln opened the door to find his little girl cowering behind her blanket, looking more terrified than he had ever seen before.

"Sweety, what's wrong?" Lincoln asked.

"There...There's a monster outside the window!" She sobbed.

Lincoln calmed considerably when he heard she wasn't hurt, but his little angel being scared of a monster just wouldn't do. He went to the window to investigate.

"Daddy'll see about this monster..." He declared as he peered out, and saw a pait of red dots reflecting off of the light of Loan's little bedtime lamp. A quick turn to the light switch before flicking it on revealed this 'monster' in its full horrible glory. A massive white owl sat on the branches of the tree across from Loan's window. It's eyes were blacker than the night itself, and it didn't even seem to be breathing.

"Well, that's kinda creepy." Lincoln said.

"What is it?" Loan whimpered.

"Just a big owl sweety, nothing to be afraid of."

"Make it go away!"

Lincoln shrugged, and turned around back to the owl. It was a majestic animal, to be sure, but the life of a family man had taught him that even the most minor demands of the wife and daughter are to be treated with the utmost urgency. He lifted the window open, and started making motions at the bird.

"Come on, get! Shoo!" He yelled.

The owl sat perfectly still, looking him dead in the eyes.

"Not wanting to cooperate huh?... What the hell?" Lincoln mumbled when he could have sworn he saw movement in the trees across the yard, near the surrounding wilderness, but when he turned his gaze that way, nothing stirred. It was only darkness.

BANG!

The door burst open as Lori ran into the room, wearing a tied nightrobe. Lincoln and Loan breifly jumping at the.sudden noise.

"Sorry, I'm here, had to get dressed. What's the issue?" Lori said

"Loan thought she saw a big monster, but it's just a big creepy owl hanging out her window." Lincoln said.

"Oh thank God... Well, what are you waiting for, make it go away."

"I'm trying, but the thing isn't scared of me." Lincoln sighed before closing the window. "What's weird is I don't think it's even breathing. Look at the thing, it almost looks stuffed."

Lori leaned over to take a look for herself, and nodded. "Yeah, that is creepy."

"What's more, I think I might have saw something moving out there in the woods, but I'm not honestly sure." Lincoln whispered as he pointed to the darkness.

Lori tapped her chin before shrugging. "Probably just some wild deer again."

"You're probably right." Lincoln looked to his daughter, and saw she was still shaking. "Loan looks like she isn't going to get a wink of sleep like this, any ideas?"

Lori nodded before turning to the little girl. "Hey Loan, you want to sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight?"

Loan nodded vigorously as she darted out of her bed, and to their room.

"Aw man, I was looking forward to sex night." Lincoln grumbled.

"Oh don't be such a baby." Lori giggled as she turned and went to the bedroom, with Lincoln following close behind her.

"Alright Loan, lets all get ready for bed time!" Lincoln said as he saw her already snuggled deep in a little blanket burrito im the middle of the bed.

"Ohp, somebodu call Taco Bell, we found a another Loanurrito!" Lori said as she plopped down next to her.

"Hopefully it don't got any beans in it." Lincoln added.

Loan giggled as the two of them snuggled closer to her, enveloping her in thrir shared warmth and safety. Seeing her smile like that was worth it, Lincoln decided. He always did.

...

"Daddy... Daddy! Daddy, wake up!" Loan 'whispered'.

"Hun?... What is it?..." Lincoln said as he stirred awake before focusing in on Loan, who looked distressed. "What's wrong, sweety?"

She pointed to his window. "Over there, it's here now!"

"Wait, what?" He said as he shifted focus to the window, and sure enough that same owl was sitting outside of his window now.

"Lori, Lori wake up" he said.

It was going to be an interesting evening.