[Hunter, a new subspecies of Mizutsune has seemingly appeared in the Scarlet Forest! The Ecologists are referring to it as a "Pearl Mizutsune". It behavior is reportedly quite strange as well. Wudwuds have reported that it has begun leaving shinies found in the deepest waters of the forest as apparent "tribute" to fish in peace. It is also noticeably less aggressive than the rest of it's kin, as it has not yet attacked anyone despite having spotted our scouts on various occassions. Though not a threat to the ecology, we still request you go investigate this new subspecies as closely as you can. The guild advises to not, in any way, attempt to hunt it as of this moment. Despite it's seeming calmness, all other Monsters' including Uth Duna, have been noted to steer very clear of it's established territory. Good luck hunter! Oh, one more thing. Werner has informed us that this particular Mizutsune has made it's home right around the largest Wylk deposit in the Forest. It could potentially be a Guardian variant, but all current information rules against that. He has requested you try and find a connection between this strange wyvern and it's seeming preference for Wylk, if any.]

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"Aha, a bold one. You must be one of these 'Hunters' I've heard so much about. Don't act so shocked, Wyvern Milk is quite a miracle potion, after all. It's capacity to grant increased intellect isn't even it's most wondrous property. Speaking of, I hear your more skittish friends have given me a nickname: 'Shizukana Mizu No Yūrei. I quite like it, though perhaps it's a mouthful. Shizukana will do just fine. Now, on to matter at hand. You see, this lake is my domain. I am lord and master of these waters, and you have trampled directly through it and right into my den without so much as a single sushifish in way of tribute. Oh yes, I like the little system the local Wudwud's have created, and decided to adopt it myself."

"You are here to learn more about me yes? Well, as it happens, I would love to learn more about you and your curious guild. However, you have made quite a faux pas for our first meeting. Everyone knows you bring offerings to a Lord when you visit his domain. Luckily for you, I am a forgiving and benevolent Wyvern, so I suggest you put down that silly little weapon and come apologize profusely for trespassing, Hunter. That goes for your 'Palico' as well. Prove to me that your kind are as good at servicing large beasts as you are beating them to a pulp by satisfying my needs for companionship. Do that, and I am sure we will find lots of mutually beneficial topics to discuss.~"

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So I finally caved and drew my favorite Monster Hunter boi Mizutsune.~ I got a fun idea for a subspecies and decided to go with that as well hehe.~ Shizukana here is a Pearl Mizutsune, a subspecies of Mizu you only get when said Mizu has been gorging on Wylk for a good while. It gives them a palette akin to albinism, vastly increases their intellect, and gives them the power to turn their water and bubbles into clouds of thick mist, permitting them to vanish in an instant and attack their prey with surprise and stealth tactics. Shizukana didn't get the nickname "Ghost of Still Waters" for nothing, after all.~

I'll probably draw this boi again in the future, but rendering all that mess was quite a nightmare XD so we'll see when that happens.

As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated!