Malin has always counted himself fortunate despite his perilous daily work—the Leopard Girl's home-cooked meals, fresh meat, and feline companionship make existence bearable. A man learns not to complain when faced with danger on the job. Living two lives should come without excessive expectations, shouldn't it, Mr. Different-Kind? Without waiting for a response, the young man snaps his fingers, igniting white flame at his fingertip to light his tobacco before flicking it toward the non-human entity bound to the stake. Enter Abield, where steampunk's final grandeur unfolds alongside creeping madness.