curiousgoldenthing-blog

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Estella didn’t think she could have fallen asleep for love or money, but somehow she had. The first crash of steel against wood woke her with a start. She bolted out of her chair, groping for the iron poker. More loud and ominous noises echoed from down below.

This was not going to be a fight that she could win with a little iron rod.

Slipping over to the window, she saw hulking figures darting about on the street below. Furs ruffled in the cold wind and the meagre moonlight gleamed on armor and wickedly curved weapons.

Estella didn’t wait. She doused the fire and ran for the bedroom, shutting the door and locking it and shoving the bedstead against it for good measure. She snatched up the crystal flower from its’ place in the wardrobe, and passed her shaking fingers over the shimmering petals.

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Hm. She hadn’t thought of that. Oh well. There were worse things. She made her way home and locked up the bakery, carefully tucking the crystal flower away in her wardrobe, just in case.

Two nights later, a sudden bitingly-cold wind blew through the village. The lamps were lighted early and everyone scrambled for shelter as the sky turned grey and evening brought a blast of stinging sleet.

Remembering the warning, Estella sent her helpers home well before sundown and closed up shop early. She stoked the fire high, made herself some supper, and settled down to wait out the night.

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

“Steven?” She had to smile. “Rather an ordinary name for a fairy prince to have. But what do I know?” She bobbed a little curtsey. “Farewell then. And thanks for the warning.”

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

The jeweled flower was in her hand without her quite knowing how it had got there. She hesitated, then blurted out, “Estella!” Then, more quietly. “My name is Estella. And I suppose if you wanted another currant bun, you might stop by. But only for pastries, mind.”

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Her eyes widened at that. She had a weakness for flowers and she’d always thought jewels were prettier than silver or gold. The trinket sitting in his palm fair took her breath away.

“It’s...It’s beautiful.” Her voice was scarcely above a whisper, as if too loud a sound would shatter the precious gift.

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

The blonde tromped along behind him, not seeming to care a whit for the magnificent architecture or the breathtaking scenery. All business, that one.

Truth be told, she did keep sneaking glances at out of the corners of her eyes at some stunning work of crystal or a beautifully carved bit of marble. She’d never been in a palace before, and it did look like something out of a storybook. If she’d been less determined or more romantic, she might’ve jumped at the chance to live in such a place.

But she knew full well that she was a common thing that was meant for bread and milk, not bonbons and wine. And she would be content with her place.

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

“Your magic is fine.” Why she felt the need to reassure him, she’d never know, but it seemed the thing to do. “I’m just not interested.” She straightened her apron and pulled her shawl closer about herself. “Let’s be off then.”

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

“Not in the slightest,” was the matter-of-fact answer. “I’ve got a bakery to run, a household to manage, and a sewing circle to attend. I’m not the least bit interested in stumbling into a fairy tale. If you want currant buns or crullers, that I can help you with. Marriage is out of the question.”

With the tears born of initial shock now dried, her temper was rising to replace the fear. Her mother had been the first of many to tell her she was too outspoken, too headstrong, but she was not inclined to let some stranger walk all over her. The fact that the man in question was not a man at all but likely some kind of fairy prince changed her mind not a single bit.

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Estella huffed and crossed her arms, scowling.

“It’s supposed to be if I eat something from your world, not the other way ‘round, you utter numpty.”

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

"I've taken you as my bride, you should be happy."

The blonde shivered and wiped her eyes. A moment ago, she’d been snug in her little bakery, tucking up the leftovers and preparing to close up shop. Then a tall man had stepped through her door and asked for a bite of bread, and out of the goodness of her heart, she’d obliged him.

And wound up here.

“A currant bun is not a ring. I offered you simple hospitality, not my hand in marriage.”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

“Not your fault.” Estella pulled his head against her bosom, lightly stroking his hair and pressing a kiss to his temple. “They had me under a rock. Several rocks, actually. Literally. The bunker was under a cairn. If you didn’t know it was there, there was next to no way of telling without ground-penetrating radar.”

She didn’t blame Steve, or the others, not the tiniest bit. When Da Callaghan wanted to make someone disappear, he had a vast variety of ways and means at his disposal. She was just lucky he’d decided to keep her confined instead of dumping her in a peat bog like the pagans of old.

The thought made her shiver.

“Sorry, were you sleeping?”

Steve makes cozy sleepy noises from the couch, files and folders sprawled around him in an ion cloud of attempted productivity, as he rubs his eyes and forces himself to sit up.

“Hi,” He smiles blearily at her. “Are you okay?”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Faerie/Fair Folk Starters

"They say strange things gather at the crossroads."

"Whatever you do, keep your head down and don't look anyone in the eyes."

"Entering a faerie circle is an easy way to get killed."

"Won't you come dance with us?"

"You're a foolish creature...but, a beautiful one. I think I'll keep you for awhile."

"Never insult the fair folk. Talk about them with respect, unless you're just dying to be cursed."

"Come away, oh human child."

"They can be kept at bay with iron, a salt circle, or certain herbs. But you still have to be careful!"

"I've taken you as my bride/groom. You should be happy!"

"Please, tell me you didn't eat anything they gave you!"

"When I was little, one of my friends disappeared after walking into a faerie circle. I never saw them again."

"Have you ever heard of something called "The Wild Hunt?"

"If you manage to impress them, you might be granted a favor."

"I fulfilled my promise; I gave you exactly what you asked for!"

"You were the one who was willing to gamble what you couldn't afford to lose."

"Real faeries aren't anything like Tinkerbell. Real faeries are fucking terrifying."

"It's said that they steal teeth from children."

"I hate to break it to you, but that baby's not yours, or for that matter, human."

"They'll put a glamour on you. You won't be able to speak, or fight back."

"Time passes differently in their world than it does in ours."

"They can't cross running water."

"I told you never to ask them for a favor!"

"You helped me. And now I will help you."

"Once it has you in its thrall, it won't ever let you go."

"What a good mortal. I'm glad I decided to keep you."

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Send me “Hey, you awake?” for my muse’s reaction to yours climbing into their bed

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

She nods and comes to perch beside him on the couch, handing over the mug.

“I’m doing all night. Bit of trouble sleeping still, but the panic attacks aren’t coming as frequently now. Being home and knowing you’re here really helps.”

“Sorry, were you sleeping?”

Steve makes cozy sleepy noises from the couch, files and folders sprawled around him in an ion cloud of attempted productivity, as he rubs his eyes and forces himself to sit up.

“Hi,” He smiles blearily at her. “Are you okay?”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Estella smiles her kind soft smile, the one that makes her eyes shine, and nods.

“Yes, love, I’m fine. Just came to check on you. Hadn’t heard papers rustling in a while, thought you might’ve nodded off. Looks like I was right.” She held out a steaming mug. “Coffee?”

“Sorry, were you sleeping?”

Steve makes cozy sleepy noises from the couch, files and folders sprawled around him in an ion cloud of attempted productivity, as he rubs his eyes and forces himself to sit up.

“Hi,” He smiles blearily at her. “Are you okay?”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Galavant (2015-2016) Sentence Starters - Part One

“I admit I’m on a bit of an unlucky streak, but I am destined for great things. You’ll see.”

“He told my mother that he didn’t love her - right in front of my face. And then he passed out on the dog. And it was Christmas and the dog died.”

“I’m gonna kill me a giant.”

“What is wrong with you? All you’ve done since we left is complain. You’re supposed to be a bloody hero.”

“There’s gonna be some pretty legendary heroing happening around here pretty damn soon.”

“You’re frigid and demanding.”

“Whenever you come near me, my flesh begins to crawl.”

“Maybe you’re not the worst thing ever.”

“You’re utterly disgusting. I loath your manly stink.”

“I see your mouth start moving and, God, I need a drink.”

“These guys seem really serious about killing each other.”

“Don’t you see how ridiculous this is? Do you really wanna die in a battle this ludicrous?”

“My pants are on. My pants are definitely on.”

“All you need to be a pirate is a dark heart and a wicked disregard for other people’s lives.”

“No, no, no! Hang on, I’m not looking after the lizard.”

“When he tells me to fetch, those are my favorite moments.”

“Can you explain to me why you’re fighting for the man who’s imprisoned us?”

[curiousgoldenthing-blog]

Estella had agonized for a good hour over what to wear. She’d finally gone with the cute little blue number with the flirty, swishy skirt and the matching pumps. It showed off a great pair of calves and the small claddagh tattoo just above her ankle.

A series of small heart attacks later, her hair and makeup as on point as they were going to get, she answered the door with a big bright smile.

“Well, you’re looking particularly dashing tonight. What’s the occasion?”

{ @curiousgoldenthing because Cougs is takin’ Stelly on a DATE }

Seven, promptly on the dot.  Cougar rapped gently at Estella’s door and stepped back to wait.

As she had mentioned she’d be wearing something nice, he had opted to dress up a tad.  A black button-down shirt covered by a dark green vest, black slacks… but he had to wear the boots.  They were comfortable, and comfortable shoes were necessary for what he had planned.