#Fallesto

[wanderingwolfwitcher]

Sabrina was in a state of blissful relaxation, having indulged in a steaming bath that enveloped her in warmth. The water, still pleasantly hot from being refreshed twice by a magical contraption, made her feel as if she could remain in that tub indefinitely. She had sunk deep into the soothing embrace, with only her head, hands, and feet peeking out over the rim. Her long, flowing hair cascaded over the edge, having been thoroughly washed and dried, a testament to her leisurely attitude in the bath.

The tranquility was momentarily disrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching the door, causing her eyes to flutter open as she glanced toward it, hoping for a visitor. A strange scent of steel and blood wafted through the air, transforming her initial irritation into a curious thrill. When the door finally swung open, she was met with the familiar and welcome sight of the witcher, the very one who had been assisting her through her struggles. Caught in the liminal space of her curse, she was neither mare nor human, but rather a Succubus—an embodiment of her own greed and darkness.

She was already beginning to rise, his torso now fully revealed above the water, his hooves sinking back into the depths. Water cascaded down his skin, pooling in the delicate grooves of his scars. A subtle smile danced on her lips, the familiar expression that always appeared when their paths intertwined. Her warm gaze met his golden eyes, and she took in his appearance—the blood, the expression etched on his face. It was his typical look. An eyebrow arched as she prepared to ask why he was there, but the sound of his boots on the ground interrupted her.

That sound silenced her words instantly, a contented hum escaping the creature as she regarded him. The door closed with a flick of her magic, but she barely registered it, her focus entirely on him.

[Fallesto - if you wanna write again, follow me once more on my main account, this one is dead, but understand if not x]

The Witcher climbed off Scorpion, patting the war horse and letting him go off to graze in the nearby woods, then passed through the evening rain, hooded black cloak shifting on the breeze, and approached the entrance to her sizable blue tent with gold trimming. At once, he sensed and smelled her familiar scent and the bath within, the beating of her heart, through his enhanced senses. The side monster contracts and time in the nearby town away from her had been welcome, a change of pace... but all good things had to end. He still had a curse to break, that he had reluctantly agreed to, and thus far they had only worn away at it a bit. He would have to find another excuse to go hunting, when the opportunity presented itself. Too much time around her, after what she had done to him and Deidre... other Black Sun girls, her ambitious doings as a Sorceress... whatever strange connection of destiny they shared that she should remain on his Path, he needed a respite from it all periodically. Even if the cold, hostile reception of the nearby town's ungrateful folk hadn't been much better... at least he knew where he stood with the average peasant. They made their feelings and intents quite clear.

"Here we go again..."

With a silent breath, jaw tightening, steeling himself Eskel reluctantly slipped through the door and within the giant tent... viper eyes at once looking around the magically sizable, familiar, wealthy palace-like interior. Illusions and enchantments, he knew, to remind her of the luxuries she and her upper class kind were so accustomed to... to remind her of her place at Ard Carraigh, in Henselt's court. His gaze settled gradually on Sabrina in the lavish tub, in a new, alluring form he hadn't been expecting. One that gave him pause... the heat in his blood burning hotter, one of the side effects of his mutations betraying him again, forcing him to ignore such instinctive, primal desires. To remember and center himself. In a display of her magic, his enchanted silver wolf head medallion buzzing, she closed the door behind him automatically. Folding his broad arms over his red, silver spiked leather jacket and his Witcher's armor, Eskel studied her closely, not disguising his gaze that moved along the long crimson red haired Succubus' bare form. At last, eyes within the hood narrowing on her own, his deep, calm voice washed over her no less than the water was her body, remaining standing where he was by the entrance.

"Still not quite looking your old self, Glevissig. Didn't think I'd find you like this... but I know you in any form. Horns, hooves and tails suit you. Demonic. Surface starting to match what's inside. Always been well connected around Kaedwen, take it your spies tipped you off I was returning, or was it more of your magic? "

@fallesto

[mooonveiled]

❛  i'm tired of pretending everything's okay when it's clearly not.  ❜ (lil bro)

His lips pressed into a thin line as Michikatsu clenched his fist in irritation. “Don’t.” Michikatsu started, “don’t YOU dare lecture me about righteousness, brother.” He spat. Michikatsu hated it. He hated how his younger brother excelled in combat, how he had become a peerless warrior of unmatched strength. Even more so when their fellow hashira would naturally gravitate towards Yoriichi and his abilities.

He hated it all.

He had his back turned to Yoriichi as he refused to look at him in the eyes and listen to him grovel about their broken relationship. “This is all your fault.” Michikatsu stated flatly, referring to their broken relationship. If it wasn’t because of you, I would’ve become the strongest warrior ever. He thought.

“You knew what it meant to me to become the strongest samurai in existence but you had to come along and ruin everything.”

[beforecreation]

"You killed your family?" (Regulus)

Harvester

He supposed that would be a question he had to answer at some point, even if that particular event hadn't been question in quite some time. It was so long now that the indication as to the fate of his family must've slipped out his mouth without him even realizing. He hadn't thought he'd talk about this today, much less with a complete stranger.

But instead of changing the subject, he gives a simple nod instead.

"...That I did."

How long did he put off his decision? Rationalize that the rapidly declining quality of his planet was excusable? That the society had degraded without his constant vigilance, and his attempts to personally keep the people of his planet in line had only been a temporary fix at best? It must've been decades, at least. He wanted them to grow old, too old to realize what was going on. Too old to be held accountable for their actions.

Old enough so that they could claim to have had a full life.

Sparing them would've been the least that could've been done. But they were stubborn. The planet was already dying, but it was their home, and they refused to flee. Stubborn fools until the end.

Whatever time he spared them, there was always a feeling as though it wasn't enough. But he buried that feeling. Their deaths were necessary, no one could be spared the fate of destruction. All living things had an end. Whether it be by his hand, or another's, he had to believe it didn't matter.

"I am a destroyer, after all. Even they weren't afforded special treatment."

[swordduels]

They could still indulge in tender moments before it was time to leave but she also knew there was wisdom in Regalia's words. "I don't know if I can do any spells since there's been so much damage to our body." She spoke tenderly while wondering if it was possible to regain her powers while being in this form. Maybe they could explore these things when Regalia's body was well rested and the wounds healed enough to move again. There was still a chance to slip away before Greed and Lust would hunt them down considering the amount of damage they both caused. If there was a sliver of luck left on their side it might take more energy for a being who had been robbed of precious wives. In the worst case scenario it would be a faster process to heal as there was no soul left to fight for dominance and no one to keep some sense of morality. There was no telling what would happen to a body without a soul once it was habitated by Greed and all the other sins.

Circe was brought out of her thoughts when hearing Regalia's voice again. "I'm glad." There was warmth in Circe's voice as she felt what was untold. "I've waited so long." For her own heart to finally open up. For Regalia to see what they could potentially be. For them both to find each other.

She felt her own eyes brimming with tears as their mouths searched each other for warmth. A warm glow surrounded them as both tongues gently explored. This was their wedding and honeymoon of pure emotions without lies or deceit. Circe's breathing turned slower once the kiss ended and both foreheads met.

"I couldn't have done it without you love." She insisted while chuckling. "A moment longer and I would have forced you to be my concubine." Not too similar to what Regalia would have done in the past. Each touch was ever so gentle as her soul found solace with Regalia's growing warmth.

"Me too." Dreaming of a brighter future would give them enough strenght to keep fighting together. The goal wasn't to conquer but to build something worthy of protection no matter how small it may seem. Large castle walls or palaces couldn't fulfill the emptiness as there was a deep longing for quiet moments and slower days. To find a kindred wish within Regalia was both unexpected but also comforting. While sharing her wishes she noticed how everything around them brimmed with life and brighter colors. Regalia's agreement was strenghtened by nonverbal cues that only made Circe's feelings flutter even more. An union between them felt as natural as breathing even though she was missing a body of her own. How strange. She used to despise her and now they were married and shared one body.

"I used to live in a tiny house with mother and father." Circe hummed while touching her cheek. "We should be able to move along the coast and make it loose our scent. Smaller roads and abandoned houses are our best bet. We could always bring some things from here when we get moving."

They both had done horrible things in the past. To linger and dwell on it now would only spark guilt but she couldn't speak of it openly. Regalia had for a long time been disconnected from feeling guilt and other emotions that came natural to most humans. It was better to let her go through emotions without judgement.

Circe followed her gaze and hummed gently. The donkey who used to be Regalia had become something precious to strive for, a peaceful life without endless fights and suffering. No more artefact hunts or wife collecting. Instead of taking everything in sight they could create and nurture a better tomorrow.

The grass was tickling Circe's legs while a modest sun carressed her face. It felt so real. As if they truly stood in a farm alongside a colorful apple tree. "And I love you." Circe trembled while her hands slowly moved along Regalia's body before gradually lifting her own dress. "My beloved."

@fallesto

Regalia’s ears perked up and she took a deep breath. “We might not have more days, but we can make them count, unless you can cast magic and hide this place we are in, all of this is nothing more than a fantasy.” It was not meant to ruin the moment, but she said it, as it was the truth. “My heart felt lighter and now it is filled with something else.” With love, she had to suspect, the one thing she had always wished for, the one thing she had always demanded, the one thing she had fought so hard for in her life, and now after so long, she had finally found it.

True love.

As she breathed out once more before leaning in to kiss Circe deeply. It was a kiss filled with love, regret, passion, and hope. It was a kiss that promised a future of understanding and growth. As they pulled away, their foreheads remained touching, their breath mingling. Regalia’s eyes were wet with unshed tears, her heart feeling lighter than it had in centuries.

“You saved me, I will not forget it.” The darkness that had once consumed her was now just a distant memory, a shadow that no longer had power over her. “Truly, you did save my life.” She felt normal, her sanity slowly coming back. T

he overwhelming need to conquer and claim had been replaced by the gentle comfort of Circe’s touch, and she never wanted to lose this feeling again.

“To move on to something new …” Their surroundings grew brighter as their love filled the air. The apples on the tree grew larger, and the grass beneath them more vivid. The animals watched them with approving nods, as if they could feel the shift in Regalia’s soul. Even the very earth beneath them seemed to hum with happiness. “I like the sound of that.” It was a stark contrast to the desolate, barren landscapes she had once dominated, a testament to the healing power of true love.

Regalia looked into Circe’s eyes, and she knew that together, they could conquer anything.

“A place like this, beside the beach, something better, for us, and away from everything and everyone else, whatever is back at the city, will consume all there, if we move, it will lose our scent and interest, as it’s sinful nature will latch onto the worst people in the city.”

Her thoughts drifted to her past wives, those she had claimed in her quest for power. Would they understand her transformation? Would they forgive her? A pang of guilt hit her, but Circe’s hand on her cheek brought her back to the present. She knew she had to make amends for her actions, but not now, not today. Today was about them, about the love that had blossomed amidst the ruins of her former life.

Regalia felt a lightness in her chest that she hadn’t felt in centuries. The weight of her greed had been lifted, and she could breathe freely again. She looked down at her donkey body, which had once been a curse, and saw it for what it truly was: a symbol of her humility, a reminder of the strength that lay in vulnerability.

Her thoughts grew clearer, the cobwebs of the Sin of Greed slowly dissipating from her mind. She could feel the softness of the grass beneath her bare feet and the gentle strokes of Circe’s hand along her back. The simple sensations were overwhelming in their beauty, reminding her of the time she had spent on this very farm, living a life that was honest and untainted by power.

“I love you …”

[icybreaths]

In the depths of the mystical forest, where the murmurs of the trees intertwined with the gentle caress of the breeze, a being of extraordinary elegance stepped forth from the twilight. Her fur shimmered like freshly fallen snow under the moon's embrace, radiating a soft, silvery luminescence that illuminated the verdant carpet beneath her. Her mane glowed with an otherworldly light, each strand resembling delicate threads woven from the very essence of moonbeams. Above her, the leafy canopy arched like a grand cathedral, sunlight filtering through in a whimsical ballet, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow upon her form.

Once, she had been a powerful witch, wise and revered, moving with a grace that echoed her lost humanity. Her eyes, now reflecting the depth of a nocturnal creature, carried a quiet sorrow, a poignant reminder of the life she had once known. They sparkled with ancient knowledge, hinting at the stories of countless nights and the whispered mysteries hidden within the forest's embrace.

Her hooves danced through the muck and mire of the earth, each step resonating with the pulse of the land. The woodland creatures sensed her arrival, for she was a guardian, a quiet watcher who safeguarded the realm with an unwavering gaze. They could feel her strength, even if they couldn’t perceive the delicate spells she spun to protect the innocent and lead wandering souls back to the familiar trails.

As the sun sank beneath the horizon, the forest fell into a hushed stillness, as if it were pausing to catch its breath. The air was rich with the aroma of pine and the allure of a night brimming with murmurs and mysteries. The transformation had exacted a toll on her, yet it had also bestowed upon her a deep bond with the spirits of the land. They communicated with her through the whispering leaves and the far-off call of an owl, steering her through the maze of ancient trees. Her mission was clear, though the journey was laden with danger. She sought the hero foretold by fate, a companion of great significance to join her in this endeavor. Until that moment arrived, she remained tethered to the forest, a quiet guardian of enchantment and wonder in a world that had long forgotten her essence.

|| Asks || @fallesto ||

The forest’s breath came with a chill the deeper one wandered. Like the leaves, it started as a whisper, nearly indiscernible from the wild nightlife.

Further ahead was a hum, low and sinister. Had survival instincts not kicked in, there might have been more bodies.

Few birds scatter the forest floor, a huddle of rabbits, a fox… schools of fish frozen still in the river.

Snow was brought in by a gale of numbing winds. The trees shivered under the hiss in the air.

An iced over wolf stood frozen mid step, head down and peering into the fogged brush. Cautious.

Blood painted the snow on the other side in a disastrous slop. From the ground to being frozen mid drip from the tree leaves above; it was everywhere.

It should have smelled worse but it was tempered by the cold.

Parts of a dark claw, a chewed open leg, and greasy black hair scattered the scene. Teeth— part of bony mask… crimson streaks that led to the dead hollow body, and the woman perched atop it.

She looked on, tonguing meat out of the dips in her talons. The approaching creature was a laughable juxtaposition to the horror here, but Jewel merely stared and studied it.

“What do you want?” she graveled out of her mangled mouth. “I’m busy.”

[tsukuharuko]

This was a violation against his rights!

He who has served without failure, who has gone above and beyond, who has done everything that one could do, who has worked for so long to make the world as it was, he who shines the brightest, the strongest of the strong, a frog! This was a violation, that witch, she had no right to take one look at him, dismiss him, mock him, think that he was not good enough at all, and he had lashed out, killed her, he was sure he had shredded her to pieces, but she came back, mocked him more and then cursed him.

A frog in the mud then it was.

This would not be the end of him, this would not be how it ends, he will live, always, he always comes back, he always finds a way to overcome everything that is thrown at him and this will be no different than all the times before, as he sat there for a moment and sighed, this pond, he hated it, he hated this lilypad, he hated everything that there was here, he had no powers, none he was trapped and so he was going to have to try and escape, get out of this pond, this garden and try and find, someone, anyone at all that can help him!

"Oh. A frog."

Haruko blinked as she stared down at the grass by the sidewalk; the little animal could easily be overlooked, and anyone could have stepped on it. She bent to pick it in a hand -- frogs weren't scary to her, she had hunted many after rainy days along with her childhood friends, back in the countryside -- and lifted it to her eye level.

"You should be careful, you know?" She said, almost with a scolding note. "What if you got squashed?"

She stood up and glanced around. It was odd to find a frog in the middle of the city. Maybe there was a park nearby? Then this little thing had to get back to his house pond.

"Let's find your home," she decided, crossing the road and following the alley nearby with hesitant steps. "You shouldn't be so far from the water. It's dangerous if you get too dry!"

[slyphycho]

The curse was spreading. Regulus' eyes widened as he took in the sight of the teenager's unfurling tail. Another one caught in the witch's twisted web. He couldn't ignore the sudden kinship he felt towards this stranger. They shared a bond, one of pain and isolation. He had to say something. "Your... tail," Regulus began cautiously, his voice low and gruff from disuse. 

"It seems we are both cursed."

Regulus took a step back, his hand still resting on the rope. "I know what it's like to be... changed. To feel like you don't belong." He paused, his eyes searching the boy's face for any hint of understanding. 

"You're not alone in this."

He gripped the rope tightly as he pulled the bucket of water from the well. After placing it down, he filled two cups and took a drink before handing one to his companion. It was fortunate they had stumbled upon each other, as both were caught in a web of magic and deception. Their fates were intertwined, and unless they wanted to end up stranded in the middle of nowhere, they had to work together. 

He knew where he was headed; he had memorized the golden sands of this land. He needed to traverse it and locate the ancient city before time ran out. Time was becoming a constraint—what had started as weeks was now dwindling down to days, and he feared it might soon be just hours. If that happened, his journey would be over, and he’d end up as nothing more than a braying donkey. At least he would have the company of a cheeky little raccoon that had followed him, providing some amusement despite the seriousness of their situation.

Regulus sighed heavily, the weight of his curse pressing down on him. "It's a bad situation, but time is not our ally. The desert sun waits for no one." He glanced up at the sky, the sun a merciless orb of fire that seemed to mock their plight.

"We must find shelter for the night and then head on in morning."

Gary sneered. His teeth appearing sharper than the average human as his now racoon like ears lowered slightly. But then relaxed ever so slightly. He wasn't used to being..cared for. Nevertheless he took the cup of water and greedily drank it down as the wind slowly picked up.

"Thanks I guess.." He murmured as his tail flicked a few times." Names..Gary." He introduced akwardly towards the donkey man. His nod slow and awkward. Just like his mannerisms that spelled out his life wasn't necessarily kind to him even without the curse that was ravaging his body turning him into an animal.

Racoon was fitting for a troublemaker like him. Waking up one morning in your dorm to find you had a tail and ears you shouldn't have was a bit of a bigger problem than dealing with chores or farming. He ran and never looked back.

And when the donkey man offered him kindness. He was hesitent to even take the cup from him. Almost like he poisoned it or something. It was obvious he didn't but it was that unstable personality that made him strange around others as he looked at the water and back to the donkey.

"Can I have..more?"

[whirling-fangs]

The man had not found enlightenment on his own, of course. Something happened when his eyes plunged into the monster's gaze, a connection forming, a pact between a soul and the entity. It wasn't a bond forged in fear, no - it was something deeper, something that had entranced the man to the point where his desperation was genuine.

His comrades needed to see that same light he'd seen. The promise of riches, of power, of everything they'd ever hoped for. All they had to do was spare this creature, keep it safe, nurture it. Care for it, venerate it.

Treat it as a guide, rather than a target.

Inosuke could feel his very soul being torn apart. This power he had been given could have swallowed him whole, devoured him and reduced him to a mere memory lost to the depth of their shared mind. He could have so easily caved in, given up and given in. It was what the previous hosts had done, hadn't they? He could feel their presences at the back of their shared mind, watching him with awe, calling him a fool for trying the impossible. Were they trying to warn him out of consideration? Or would they laugh as he inevitably failed?

"These people... are more useful... alive than dead. I want them... to serve me!"

He had already been warped beyond recognition. The Sin of Greed had blended with his soul, tainting what values he might have had, striping him of his form, his body, his humanity... Yet it had not entirely eaten his resolve away.

"I will use... your power... for what I want!"

He only had to look at them once. To cross gazes with them, to let them see the power that hid beneath his golden irises, to drag them in and drown them into those gleaming pools. For his entire life spent in the fringes of human society, Inosuke had always, only truly sought one thing.

A place where to belong.

He would build it for himself. This was a gift indeed, an invaluable one, yet he dared to ask for even more. He would try and bend this power to his own desires...

Or he would be consumed on the spot.

The creature that was once Regulus took a step back, its shadowy form distorting and reforming as it considered the desperate plea. The whispers grew more frantic, the power of the Sin of Greed demanding to be released, to consume all in its path. 

Yet, there was something in Inosuke's voice that resonated within its core.

“You …”

Regulus's eyes narrowed, the golden orbs of pure malice studying the humans before it. They had come for blood, for vengeance, and yet here was one of them, begging for mercy. It was an amusing twist of fate, a play of emotions that it had not anticipated. The whispers grew quieter, the urge to destroy momentarily held at bay.

“Are chosen … this is a gift.”

The Sin of Greed knew humanity well. It had seen empires rise and fall, lives squandered for the most trivial of desires. Yet, as it stared into Inosuke's soul, it found something... different. A spark of something that was not entirely despicable. It was a feeling that it had not felt in a very long time, and it was not quite sure if it liked it.

“If you do not .. use .. my power .. she will come.”

The whispers grew softer, the urges to destroy momentarily silenced. Inosuke's words had pierced through the darkness, reaching a part of Regulus that had been buried deep beneath layers of greed and malice. He had always considered humans to be nothing more than tools, playthings to be used and discarded in his pursuit of power. Yet here was one, begging not for himself, but for others. It was a concept so foreign to the creature that it could not help but be intrigued.

Yet he was concerned, there was one thing and only one thing that terrified him and it was the witch that created him, and if there was a sin in the world that was defective, she would come for it.

The tar-like substance that made up his form quivered as the human's will surfaced once more. He felt the power within him, the raw greed that threatened to consume all it touched, and yet, there was something else now. A strange warmth that seemed to stem from Inosuke's soul, a warmth that spoke of camaraderie and hope. To try and find balance with them.

“You will .. go insane .. in time .. if you fight me.”

[swordduels]

[BETRAYAL]: trying to keep the receiver calm before the big reveal, the sender cups their face gently to keep them steady, and then reveals that they're the villain.

Circe arched her back and spoke their name loudly. The wild locks spread out as she rested against the pillow while breathing heavily. She shivered and reached out with her hands to hold them closer. One of the fingers were decorated with a golden wedding ring.

It was wearing memories of the ceremony and their promises to each other. Both marital and political promises had been made with written contracts to keep the peace between their kingdoms. To fulfill their agreement she had agreed to consumate the marriage in front of witnesses.

While holding them in a warm embrace she tensed up before meeting their gaze. "What did you do?" Her lips trembled. "I smell blood and death." Circe's eyes narrowed. "What did you do?"

@fallesto

[whirling-fangs]

It’s a simple enough question and yet

Who was the chef

She hesitates. The nerves are already showing through hard swallow and the wetting of lower lip, eyes shifting left then right as if searching for somebody else to take - over. Conversation has never been the strongest talent. Not even when he has time to prepare and while this approach might be seemingly innocent to anyone else, chef’s own paranoia as well as anxiety already has her expecting the worst rather than considering another option. Can’t stay silent forever though. She seems to accept that a beat later too because head suddenly nods. “I am. " Hands are quick to reach for a kitchen towel, wiping them of any excess food. She’d been preparing onions moments before and that’s the last thing anyone wants pressed against their palm. Once confident, or at least some semblance of it, she steps forward to introduce herself. "I am the chef and owner. Is, is everything alright? Was there a problem with your food? " It comes of so perfectly with how she walks, how she talks, how the trickle of sweet can be seen, but that was a well-crafted lie, nothing more than an image, of a chew struggling to constantly bring more people into the kitchen to work for her, and to keep the doors open to bring in more customers.

Kiba let none of his rampant rage show. His hair was tied up behind his head in an elegant ponytail, his pale skin empty of any blemish, his waiter's uniform fitting him like a glove. He weaved around the tables with a dancer's precision, carrying impressive piles of empty plates.

Fill up, fill up, filthy pigs, he grinned to himself, I'm only gonna have a bigger feast tonight!

It was all going a little too well, perhaps. He shouldn't have underestimated the humans' ability to be massive pains in the arse. His smile didn't fade as the angered customer, a plump little woman, pretended to have found a hair in her plate. A hair that she had most certainly plucked from her ugly wig, and planted in her dish. After Kiba waltzed into the kitchen and returned with the much demanded chef, he kept his hands wrapped around his empty platter, fingers drumming along its surface.

A little slip in his perfect composure.

"Look at this! There was a HAIR in my food!" The woman brandished her planted poison between two slimey finger. "This is UNACCEPTABLE! I demand a new plate, and I expect a gesture from you! Or I will have the entire world know how disgusting your little establishment is!"

Tap, tap, tap. Kiba pictured the woman's strangled corpsed skewered above a fire like a rotisserie pig. Yes... she'd make for a perfect appetizer once the doors closed, and the restaurant's real activity truly began.

This kitchen truly was a gate right into hell.

[frozcnlight]

@fallesto asked: "I've heard good things about you." (Regulus)

The slightest, nervoush laughter escaped Miran, truly unsure what she should say to this. It wasn’t unusual for people to know her. She was a heiress after all - and her family well known especially within the high society. Though, it was mostly rather her father who was known, rather than her - for whenever there was a gathering, she would just silently follow him and behave just the way her family wanted her to. Silent and only speaking up whenever she was asked or spoken to.

“I’m really glad to hear that it were only good things. It would be truly troublesome, if somebody would spread bad rumors about my family or me.”, she finally spoke with the corner of her lips, painted in a soft shade of peach, curled upward into a smile. She rested her hands in front of her, back straightened - just as she had learned by many lessons during her childhood.

“However, sir. I must admit that I never heard about you, I guess. At least I do not recognize it from your looks. Can I have your name perhaps?”, running a hotel meant to meet many faces - and some would might slip her mind.

[thehealerhairpin]

it was a bad idea to think she could get out of his serpent's grip .

it was a smart idea at first -- it seemed so great and grand . but with how she ended up -- it does not change a single thing . her idea and how she executed it might not be as well as she thought and planned it out -- but nevertheless , she will not end up in the hand of a man like him so willingly . no matter what , she will not end up in that same position again .

the atmosphere , the feeling of it all , tense , stiff , anxious , disturbed , and troubled .

as he came closer to her , it was dangerous . she knew , but she was in no position to really get away , her legs is sore after being pretty much throw down into this jail cell to trap here .. for who knows how long ? she still doesn't know how long will she be kept here for , days ? weeks ? months ? years ? longer ? her fate of being here depend and rely on him .. but as long as she should be able to refuse to eat all the food he [ might ] give her . she should be able to die before he knew it . she'll rather starve to death rather than be with someone as disgusting as him that would make her puke at the sight of seeing him every single torturing day .

being with him would feel more like torture than being trapped in this cell . at the very least she doesn't seems to have to see him every single day and every minute of that day . that'll be real brutal , that'll be the real torture .

as he gripped at her face pressing at the cheeks he slapped - it hurts , it stings , bad .. but her eyes never left his , he seems to be finding something within her pupils but all she will give back is that same defiance that she have been doing this entire time . going against every single delicate orders that came out of his mouth like she was some sort of mindless robot that'll follow at every word of his command . tsk , if he did wanted a mindless robot to follow him around and do things with , why doesn't he go buy an actual robot ? he himself is quite rich , isn't he ? horribly rich . he should be able to afford a robot or two . or does he simply likes to see the fear in his victim's eyes ? a sadist ? how truly greedy .

to want for something much more than you originally wanted and needed - how truly beyond saving . she do wants to see some sort of feeling in his eyes , he looked for it further and further , but all she could see was something she never saw in anybody before . pure cruelty , nothing but harsh crude truth thrown in her face that he was beyond saving . he was not something she should or could save , it was his own self and his own greed that lead him to this point .

grabbing at his wrist , it wasn't as harsh to call it gripping but enough to tell him that he needs to let her go , let her cheeks go , and let her out of this hell . but so far , there was no chance he seems to be giving up on her and pulling her back to put her where she belongs soon -- far enough she'll ended up just like all the other people that lived here , nothing but a mindless doll . but for now , she will not accept such treatment , such harsh and crude thing will not be happening to her anytime soon . she'll rather die than let a man like him take control of someone like her .

she is not one to be controlled like this . no , not anymore .

she maybe kind , she may not fight , she may be a pacifist . but that does not mean she will accept this unacceptable treatment .

" I don't need time I need you to go die in a ditch "

something she has ever said to anyone's face before , this was the first time she have spilled such toxic and horrible thing out of her lips .. it felt like it almost just slipped right out but oh so easily . he pissed her off , everything about him were a great turn-off . she does not want to see a face like his again .

His affection was far from genuine; it was an obsession—twisted and fundamentally wrong. It was a feeling that should never have been experienced by anyone. Like a serpent coiling around its victim, it offered warmth and comfort at first, only to constrict tighter and tighter until breath became a distant memory.

She was destined to be his wife—the ideal partner who would cater to his every whim and desire. Yet deep down, she understood she could never fulfill that role, not for someone who regarded her as nothing more than a lifeless doll.

His gaze sparkled with an intensity she struggled to comprehend as he peered at her through the bars of the cell. There was something unsettling in his eyes, a fervor that crackled in the air between them, almost palpable. It felt as if the very atmosphere was closing in around her, stifling and oppressive.

Regulus was so in love with her . It wasn't the kind of love she's read in fairy tales or heard in romantic songs . It was a love that was obsessive and all consuming . A love that was so intense it was almost painful to be around . A love that was not gentle or kind but rather something that was possessive and demanding . It was a love that was not healthy nor something she wanted to reciprocate .

He approached her with a softness that seemed to contradict his earlier rage, his hands moving to cup her bruised cheek with surprising gentleness. His eyes searched hers, looking for any sign of submission, any indication that she understood her place in his twisted world. But she just stared back at him, her eyes full of rebellion and defiance. The silence in the damp cell was almost deafening, their breaths mingling in the stale air, the only sound the distant echo of his words.

"You will see." He murmured, his voice low and soothing."Everything will be better. You just have to trust me, to believe in me." His thumb traced the line of her jaw, the touch almost tender. It was as if he were trying to wipe away the fear and the pain with a simple caress, as if his touch could somehow heal the wounds he had inflicted.

But he could tell she didn't trust him, not for a single moment.

She seemed to know that his gentle words were just a facade, a mask hiding the monster beneath.

She could see the madness in his eyes, the hunger for control that consumed him. Her heart hammered in her chest, the beat echoing off the cold stones of the cell.

He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her cheek.

"You will be the crown jewel of my collection.” He whispered, his voice dripping with greed. "The pinnacle of perfection, a testament to my power and desire." His thumb moved to wipe away the tear that had escaped her eye, a gesture so intimate it made her skin crawl.

“You just need time to behave.”

[lured-into-wonderland]

In the stillness of a dust-laden village, a lone figure strode purposefully along the banks of a murky river. Regulus Corneas, a young man marked by his quiet demeanor and unremarkable existence, had always felt an unspoken bond with the flowing water. It mirrored his own life—ever shifting yet unwavering in its course. He walked with a measured pace, his gaze fixed on the ground, searching for something elusive.

Then, it appeared before him. A small black box, cradled in the reeds and partially submerged, as if the river had chosen to present it to him. His heart raced as he reached for it, the cold metal sending a shiver coursing through him. It was heavier than he expected, a tangible weight that hinted at hidden secrets and ominous promises. The lock was corroded, but not beyond his capabilities. With a determined effort, he pried it open, revealing a deep crimson velvet lining.

The darkness inside the box seemed to throb with a sinister energy, reaching out to ensnare his thoughts. He found himself entranced, unable to tear his gaze away as the shadows thickened, swirling into a vortex of desire and power. His mind clouded, the seductive whispers grew louder, drowning out the soft sounds of the river. In that swirling void, he glimpsed his innermost yearnings, his hidden ambitions twisted into a grotesque yet captivating vision.

The darkness grew stronger, latching onto him like a parasitic vine, wrapping around his very soul. It sank into his heart, cold and heavy, weighing him down with a burden that felt eerily familiar. The world around him began to shift and distort, as if viewed through a lens of greed. The simple cottages of his village took on the grandeur of palaces, the faces of his fellow villagers morphed into masks of envy and despair, and the very earth beneath his feet transformed into a treasure trove of gold and jewels waiting to be claimed. His eyes glittered with a hunger that had never been there before, a hunger that grew by the second.

With a flick of his wrist, the first cottage crumbled into dust. The screams of its inhabitants were lost in the cacophony of his own laughter, a sound that echoed through the village like a peal of thunder. His power grew with every step, his movements sending ripples of destruction through the once-peaceful landscape. Trees withered, animals fled, and the river itself recoiled from his touch, the water turning a sickly green as it boiled away from his grasp. The very air was thick with greed, a palpable presence that suffocated the life from everything it touched.

He felt his body stretch and contort, the fabric of his being rewriting itself to match the greed in his heart. His eyes burned with an unnatural gold, his skin paled a perfect milk white, and he felt his body, perfecting itself, as if the air around him was wrapping him up t protect him from the world. He had become something more than human, something monstrous and terrible, and he reveled in the power that surged through him. With each pulse of his newfound strength, the village was torn apart, the buildings reduced to rubble and the people to nothing more than blood stains on the ground.

He moved forward, his eyes searching for the one person who had ever brought him warmth amidst the coldness of his existence. Nunnally, his fiancee, had to be here somewhere. Her gentle laughter and soft whispers had been his anchor, the one thing that had kept him tethered to the world of the living. He had to find her, to show her the power that was now his, to share in his newfound greatness. The village was a blur of destruction as he strode through it, the cobblestone streets cracking beneath his heavy boots. The screams of the villagers grew distant, their pain a mere afterthought to the symphony of greed that played in his mind.

It was a lovely day when it all started. The sun rays cascades down from the blue sky; making the world vibrant and full of life. The air was filled with the scent of the blooming flowers and freshly cut grass. A gentle breeze rustled through the trees (as well as her fair hair) causing the leaves to swing in some mesmerizing dance. The sun’s warmth was kissing the skin of people, installing in everyone and in everything some odd happiness.

People of the village were laughing, children were singing, birds were chirping, the day was filled with peace, and nothing had foreshadowed the disaster that was soon to come. Perhaps if they could have had a look into a heart of that one particular man, they would have noticed the darkness that was to cloud the-now-bright sky. Perhaps then they would be terrified and not full of love and hope.

Nunnally straightened herself turning her face towards the river. If she was to guess, Regulus would be found somewhere there. It was the river that was always calling him like his distance f u t u r e. She loved him. She admired him, but there was also some kind of uneasiness that he was sometimes bringing into her heart. Nunnally knew Regulus was made for a different life. This village, its simple life and people, who had just a little more than they needed to survive… No! She didn’t think it was something that Regulus could be happy with. She loved him, and she knew there was a different path that awaited him. But oftentimes, when she looked at him, at his dreaming eyes, when she was listening to his impatient words; when she was caressing his soft hair, she couldn’t dismiss the feeling that the greatness that was awaiting him would be also something that would ultimately tear them apart. As she wasn't made for the greatness. HE WAS.

Nunnally loved him. With every look of her blue eyes, with every smile of her rose lips, with every gesture of her small hands. She loved him and yet she feared she wouldn’t be e n o u g h for him. Cause she enjoyed what she had. Even if her dresses were simple, and she would never be a true lady with expensive dresses and jewelry. She would never sleep on the silk sheets, eat from the golden plates, and have maids to attend to her every wish. She sometimes wondered how life like that must have felt, but she too much loved the freedom, the wind, the sun, and…him: Regulus Corneas.

She kept looking towards the river for some time, and then laughed to her thoughts, which were showing her fiancé’s smiling face.

-- ( “He doesn’t smile often enough…” ) -- she had that worrying thought before shaking her head, letting her fair hair falling down her shoulders like some mystic cascade of gold and silver. Her light steps carried her inside the house.

Perhaps Reggie would enjoy a slice of a freshly baked bread?

But Nunnally didn’t even manage to start when it happened. A thunder. A lightening. Screams of pain and despair. The darkness that was consuming the-once-peaceful place.

“Regulus!” – she screamed as she run out of the house; her eyes once again turned towards the river, now clouded with fear and unspoken worry. It all seemed to be coming from the river… And he was there! She…she needed to go there. She needed to find him…! There was no life for her without him…

“Nunnally…!” – whoever was calling her couldn’t stop her. So, there she was: running, almost breaking through the crowd of the people she knew were trying to escape, getting as far from the river as they could. But she needed to get there.

“Regulus…!” – she cried as the tears were rolling down her cheeks; she needed…needed…needed… Finally, she was alone on the path that led to river. She didn’t see him. It was suddenly quiet. Almost no sounds around. How terryfying!

“Reggie…!” – her call broke the silence… .

..and then she saw him; so-known-silhouette walking the village path towards her. Nunnally raced towards him still not aware that he had changed – “Reggie…” – now her eyes were full but with tears of happiness… --

“We need to run…our path…the secret one in the woods…” – she was screaming hoping he’d hear her and start running himself. BUT HE DID NOT. Nunnally finally reached him, only to take a step back in a sudden fear. She was looking at Regulus, at her fiancé, she was sure of it! But it wasn’t him anymore. It wasn’t Regulus she knew. The golden eyes. That terrifying look in them. And that calmness and coldness. As if he didn’t see what was going on…or rather…

…enjoying it…!?

“Reggie…” – she whispered taking yet another step back. Then suddenly, she shook her head. It didn’t matter. It was Regulus; his true self was still somewhere inside him. It was the darkness that was now taking him. The greatness he was waiting for. But she’d save him. She quickly walked to him and took his arm.

“We need to run, Reggie…to the forest…we need to hide until…until it’s…all gone…”

“Regulus…!” – she screamed as he wasn’t reacting – “Regulus, it’s me…! Do d-do you recognize me…please…it’s me…Nunnally…your Nun…Nunnie” – the tears; the tears that were the sign of happiness just a moment ago, were pooling in her sad eyes now and soon were rolling down her cheeks like two unstoppable streams of sadness. And despair.

Something was telling her she should run away from him. But she couldn’t. Something made her stay.

“…Reggie…” – she whispered; her voice rasp; her hands reached towards him as if to caress his cheek…

“Reggie…! Stop…please stop…!”

“Stop!!!!” - she fell down on her knees.

“Stop!!!!”

@fallesto

[estarion]

@fallesto said: would not trust you to run a bath let alone run a party

　　　＂. . . too bad, bitch.＂ also, if they think he's seriously running this thing, they're all playing themselves. hah.

[chronicparagon]

The mare wandered through the meadow, the dew-laden grass refreshing against her soft muzzle. The moon hung low, a silver crescent that echoed the mark on her forehead. She halted, her violet eyes scanning the horizon for the first light of dawn. Her mane and tail danced in the gentle breeze, shimmering with the ethereal glow of the moonlit night.

The forest loomed around her, towering guardians of shadow and enigma, murmuring secrets known only to the creatures of the night. An owl hooted, its haunting call resonating through the trees. The mare lifted her head, ears perked at the sound. Fear was a stranger to her; she had roamed these woods for ages beyond her reckoning.

Her hooves clicked against the crystal-studded earth as she made her way to the stream. The water was icy and clear, mirroring the stars above like scattered gems. As she leaned down to drink, the crystals sparkled, casting an otherworldly glow on her coat. It was a stark contrast to the gentle radiance that usually enveloped her, a reminder of the curse that had taken her true form.

Suddenly, a rustle in the underbrush drew her attention. Her head snapped up, ears swiveling to pinpoint the source of the noise. A young figure emerged, clearly not from this land, as she could sense. There attire was strange, and the scent was foreign to these woods. Her eyes widened and narrowed as she moved closer to investigate the source of the sound.

@fallesto

“Ooh! Ow!” Hushed complaints joined the rustling in the underbrush.  Please…Please don’t let any spiders or snakes hiding here. Don’t bite me, don’t bite me! Please! Harmony thought as she weaves between the foliage for the clearing.  A soft sigh follows those words.

“I knew I should have taken that turn earlier! I have no clue where I’m going now.”  Ah, well. All she can do is get out of the underbrush, take a break, and gather her thoughts before taking the next step.  The curved figure emerges from the dense greenery lined with vines and thorns. Tiny, red scratches from the thorns adorn her calves. She has yet to discover the loose leaves and twigs caught in her long hair.  Exhausted but relieved, the traveler takes one step forward.

“Huh?!” Suddenly, a sharp pull at the back of her hair catches her. Harmony’s head jerks over her shoulder to find a lock of her dark hair caught by a thorny branch.  The moonlight casts the crimson shine in that silken lock, now tangled and wrapped around the branch.

Damn it!

She huffs as she reaches into the underbrush, only to wince when sharp ends graze her slender hands.  Then, a sound halts her pursuit for the captured strands. Silver eyes widen as dread rise deep within her. That sounds like footsteps, and they are coming closer!  Terror kicks her heart to rush in a hurried pace. She turns away from her hair to the source of the steps.

Is it a friend or foe?

Could they be human, fae, or a monster?

She gasps to see who or what could be here.

“A-ah! Oh! Oh, my-“ She gasps as dark brows rise.  Fear disappears, only for sheer excitement to take over when she sees a figure she heard since childhood. A mythical creature she adored when she was a little girl.

“A unicorn! Unicorn! Y-you-real! Real unicorn!” A grin stretches her lips as excitement fills her eyes.  The unicorn looks far more beautiful and graceful than she can ever imagine. She's absolutely radiant, she can't help but stare! Her eyes shine bright in pure wonder

She’s so, so pretty! She thought, only to squeal when the unicorn approached her.

Oh, my stars! She’s coming! She’s coming over! Easy! Don’t scare her. Harmony told herself, still smiling. “H-hey.” Harmony softens her voice for fear that loud sounds could scare her. She ignores her own predicament for now. How can she worry about that when encountering one of the creatures from her childhood dreams?

“Hi! My name is Harmony and I'm from outside the forest! I don’t mean trouble. I kind of got lost and it’s now dark and stuff!”  She holds back another squeal of delight but it’s harder to contain the thrill of this encounter.  

“Um, I’m not sure if you can talk, but if you can, may I please know your name?”

[timidblues]

As the days passed, she grew more and more attached to the frog. The idea of naming him remained, of course, but still having no good ideas of names that could fit him, it started to subside.

She would take him out of his enclosure often, placing it on her shoulder or her head while she did her usual routine. It was a nice way to bond, even if she knew that the frog would likely not have a real attachment to her. Still, she could feel it be less scared around her and allow her more trust, which made her feel overjoyed!

But despite everything, she could not shake off the feeling that this frog wasn't like the others. As she studied it in her hands, she hummed, her finger gently stroking the frog's back as she smiled.

* You're one unique frog, you know that?

She chuckled softly, looking at each and every reaction the amphibian offered her. It might just be her brain humanizing it, but she swore she sometimes felt like it could understand her.

Like every time she gently promoted it to jump on her shoulder, or her head. Every time she asked it how he felt, and he seemed to almost reply to her. It was strange, but she tried to not let her imagination run too wild.

Her gaze returned to the animal after a brief moment of being lost in thought, her smile retuning with the familiar glimmer of utter softness in her eyes.

* But I still love you...even if you're a little strange.

A soft chuckle left her, lifting her hands to carefully nuzzle her face against the frog in an affectionate manner. For a brief moment, she paused, almost as she was thinking of something.

But after a little moment of silence, she reached over and gave him a little kiss on its head! She knew that likely, it was not good to kiss a frog, but she couldn't help herself― he was so cute, and she loved the little guy so much!! She just had to show her affection in that way!

He felt his anger subside, replaced with a begrudging acceptance of his new reality. He had to adapt, had to survive in this ridiculous world where he was no longer feared, but rather, cared for. It was a strange feeling, one he never thought he would experience. He had to play the role of the obedient pet, endure the indignities of his situation, and bide his time. He watched her every move, every interaction, looking for a weakness, a way out. But the more he saw, the more he realized that she had nothing to offer him but kindness.

Her gentle strokes and sweet whispers to him began to feel less like a prison and more like…companionship. The girl had a strange warmth to her that he couldn't explain, a warmth that seemed to seep into his cold, hardened heart. He had never felt such a thing before, not in his long, twisted life. It was disconcerting, but he couldn't deny the comfort it brought. He found himself looking forward to the moments when she would hold him, when she would whisper sweet nothings that he knew were meant to soothe his fears.

As the days turned into weeks, Regulus began to notice the subtle changes in the girl's routine. The sadness that sometimes crept into her eyes, the way she would sigh heavily when she thought no one was looking. It was almost…humanizing. He found himself wondering what her story was, what had led her to this simple, peaceful life with a cat and now, a frog.

It was a stark contrast to his own tale of power and destruction.

But he couldn't get too lost in her life. He had to remember his own purpose. He studied her, watched for any signs that she might know something about his curse or the witch who had placed it upon him. But all she did was care for him, feed him, and occasionally play with him. It was infuriatingly mundane, and yet he found himself drawn to her. Her eyes, when they met his, held a warmth that seemed to reach into the very core of his being, thawing the icy hatred that had once dominated him.

He had to focus, though. He couldn't let his guard down, not even for a moment. He had to find a way to break this curse and regain his power. He had to escape this tiny prison and get back to his quest for a world that would know his name and tremble at the very thought of his wrath.