Welcome to Penumbra, a site based on the original story world by Sonny & Ais from the series In the Company of Shadows.
Shoutbox May Contain Spoilers
5/24/2009
If you are a new reader or haven't read the latest updates, be aware that the shoutbox may contain spoilers. (The shoutbox is located on the left under the navigation buttons).
Until we have an easy way for people to review that replaces the shoutbox, it's possible that accidental spoilers could be mentioned there.
Be informed of newest story additions and changes to the site. Frequency of mailings: Infrequent, but at most once a week. (With our current system, it's a mailing every other weekend to alert you when we've released the next mini-arc and sometimes one on off weekends when we've updated Evenfall.) Note: The subscription box below is javascript through Bravenet, so if you have scripts blocked on your browser, please unblock them long enough to sign up.
Ask for Permission and Credit Us
Added 3/18/2008
This is just a reminder -- if you want to use our story world or characters, let us know and get our permission! Chances are very likely that we'll say yes but we want to know where our story is being represented. If you do use anything from In the Company of Shadows, be sure to credit us by our name (Sonny & Ais) and linking back to this site. We'd love to get a link to where you featured it as well because it's fun to see ^^ (If you get inspired to draw fanart or write a fanfic, it's okay if you do make that before telling us, as long as you credit us as the creators of the world/characters)
Poll
8/23/07
I'm going to start putting all the polls here. Old polls (or at least the most recent old poll) will be placed on the Past Updates page at the top. Remember -- One vote per person please so we can get accurate statistics ^_^
Note: The new poll system we're using is polldaddy.com, which uses javascript. If you don't have javascript enabled, you may not see the poll below; however, there should be a link for you to follow to vote anyway.
The Series is About..
In the Company of Shadows is a series about two people who are thrown together as partners in a secret agency; their mission is to disband rebels who have propagated in a post-war future, but they have to deal with everything that comes with an unlikely partnership as well.
Miscommunication, periods of distance, fleeting smiles and learning to trust someone when a person can't even trust himself, these are what they struggle with while still trying to do their jobs. One is a psychopath, called a murderer and monster and generally deemed subhuman by nearly everyone who knows of him; the other is an introvert, cold and emotionless and so lost in thoughts that he would agree that he can be called a monster of inhumanity. But what makes a person human; is it humanity, compassion, or is it simply the ability to reason? Can a monster be human, and general humanity breed monsters?
While they learn about each other, they learn about themselves; where their loyalty and morality lies, and how learning to trust another person can be incredibly difficult, bittersweet, and rewarding all at the same time. Join Hsin Liu Vega (aka "Sin") and Boyd Beaulieu as they struggle to find where they fit in a world slowly recovering from war.
This story is not intended for anyone under 18!
This Series and Site Include..
Slash. Male/male relationships and situations, in some parts graphic. If you don't like m/m then you may not like this story.
Het. Male/female relationships and situations, in some parts graphic.
Violence. In parts, the violence is very graphic. Be forewarned that there can be blood and gore.
Language. This is not a child-friendly story and neither is the language. There are a lot of 'fucks' floating around. If you don't like that-- sorry, but this isn't the story for you.
Angst/Dark. This story can be dark and the mood follows. Although there is also happiness and humor, the story does contain dark emotions, angst and sadness. Just like life.
Sex. Graphic sexual descriptions, almost entirely male/male.
UST. Expect a lot of sexual tension in some parts of the story. Note that although graphic sexual situations do exist, it takes awhile to show up. This story is about character and plot development and while there are plenty of great stories out there where everyone jumps into bed by the end of the prologue, ICoS definitely does not fit that criteria. Please keep that in mind if you prefer immediate satisfaction.
Instability. The characters are human but not always entirely sane. Probably a given since one of them is considered a psychopathic killer. Expect to see moments of insanity.
Dysfunction. Like, seriously.
Humor. Like I said, it's not like it's all fire and brimstone around here. There are humorous characters and situations, cute, dorky moments and just all around fun times.
Other nice, fluffier things that people don't usually feel the need to be warned about.
Please Note: This series focuses on plot and character development.
Story Excerpt
Yoinked from Dialogue. Not their best moment but it's also not a spoiler so I went with it.
Sin watched Boyd drive for a moment after receiving no response and studied the slender fingers that wrapped around the steering wheel. "I don't suppose you've ever actually killed anyone."
"On my background check, one would see the answer 'no' marked to that question," Boyd said calmly, not seeming taken aback by topic. He appeared to follow a route he had in his mind as no map was sitting in view.
"One would assume that I'd read your file, which I did not. I know all I need to know by looking at you," Sin said smoothly. "I know you are a lonely little child who lives in his own head and who does not have the hands of a killer. I wonder if you will even survive our first assignment. It would be a shame if you did not. I don't know how to drive stick."
"Well," Boyd said in apparent boredom, looking sidelong at Sin, "I can only assume you yourself are a lonely person desperate for attention or someone to talk to. Otherwise, if you are so certain you know me at a glance, you would not ask useless questions or continue to speak."
"We serial killers are all lonely people who are desperate for attention." Sin stared at Boyd with his eyebrows raised, looking entirely serious even though he wasn't. He waited for a reaction or expression but Boyd did nothing so he continued. "Why else would we kill people in such splashy ways? It's actually kind of pathetic, don't you think? I don't know what we're thinking. Clearly it's time for a change. How do you feel about helping me come up with a new MO?"
Boyd shrugged. "I have no opinion nor do I care to form one. You've made it this long; I'm sure you can find enough creativity in you somewhere to revolutionize your patterns."