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iincantatorum · 2 years ago

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Hands flew to his ears to protect them, fighting against the incessant, vibrating screams that was louder than any harpies the warlock had faced. Harpies were birds with the heads of maidens, faces pale with hunger and long claws on their hands. Roman and Byzantine writers detailed their ugliness, but Ulysses himself had to see them himself and found them beautiful.

What he knows is that the harpies were originally once wind spirits, and their names means ‘snatchers’ or ‘swift robbers’ for they were known for stealing food from their victims while they were eating and carrying evildoers and murderers to the Erinyes. Ulysses liked creatures with a reputation, because the one Harpies had was amusing to his twisted sense of being. When a person suddenly disappeared from the Earth, it was said that he had been carried off by the harpies. As agents of punishment who abducted people and tortured them on their way to Tartarus. They were depicted as vicious, cruel, and violent. It was Ulysses's cup of tea.

Ulysses kept a vast knowledge of the harpies. They were called "the hounds of mighty Zeus" thus "ministers of the Thunderer". But also, they were the harpies among the guardians of the underworld among other monstrosities including the Centaurs, Scylla, Briareus, Lernaean Hydra, Chimera, Gorgons and Geryon. All of which are of fae origins, when translated correctly to the fae myths. Fae creatures have existed for as long as humans, it’s just that they’ve taken other forms and he had just started to learn more about them.

Wouldn't it just be appropriate to make this particular bug more than his pet, but his little minion, too? If the more powerful gods can do it, so can Ulysses. Such was his thought process, such was his motto even.

However, the insect derivative fae was something he had never come across, and to the warlock, he was incredibly beautiful too. Would a pirate let go of their gold that they worked hard to acquire? No. Ulysses did capture Valeriu, but the hard work was going to be keeping him and doing all he can to make him docile. If the insect fae was going to be like the harpies, then he knew he was in for a difficult time.

He removed his hands, and noticed some blood. Doing so caused his ears to ring, as everything sounded muffled and his vision became blurry. Jaws clenched, as the warlock realized that Valeriu had just injured him without touching him and that was... worrisome.

"Well guess what," he spoke as he started to recover when the angry screeches stopped. "I have consumed many squids and octopus too, and not to mention the countless sailors who have hunted down whales. Don't think I won't make an exception with you. But- this doesn't have to be that bad. You can even win your freedom back, but you'll like being around me so much that you won't even want to leave. I just did all this to garner your attention, but seems like we've both hurt each other a lot."

Handing a colorful vial that changed hues with every movement, he gave it to his captive. "Your hands look burnt, this will heal it right away. I captured you, but I don't want you to suffer. And what is this talk about being ugly? I hope you know I don't taunt you nor am I being insincere when calling you beautiful. But rest your vocal cords, my darling. I'll be here with you and give you what I can to make your stay here easier."

Ulysses returned with food that he thought a fae might like. Some bread, fruits and meats of various kinds. He knew bugs won't be picky, much less a captive, because they should be happy that they're even getting nourishment. He even gave him a glass of water, which he set at the corner of his cage. All was done quickly, for Ulysses did not know when the next attack from his captive might be. The savage look in his eyes sent shivers down his spine, and he wondered if it was possible to get the other to appreciate his efforts.

iincantatorum:

Ulysses grunted and even yelled out when the violent creature bit through his flesh. The sensation was unbearably painful for his tentacles were one of the most sensitive areas of his body. It was useful when the cephalopodic warlock would scour through the depths of the seas and try to feed on as many aquatic creatures there were. But also, it had it downsides. If he wasn’t careful or hadn’t slipped his flexible appendages at the correct time,

“Thank you, for giving me even more of a reason to cage you. No matter what you say or how you behave- you’re still a beautiful creature to me, or yet- my beautiful fountain,” he commented with a sly tone, as though he was trying to get the other to cringe and shirk back. That is how the warlock was like- when he wants to be charming he can be- and even turn into his handsome human form with classically slicked back dark hair and a tanned, youthful skin, even going by a different name entirely- Vance.

But that was one side of the coin- on the other side was a complete monster, who was rather self aware. Charming, still, but different. This was the version of him that was purely him, unapologetic, not holding back or wearing any layers. What this creature was seeing before him was his worst and his truest. He made the cage himself, with iron wrought with magic while it was being welded in order to capture the fae. He batted an eye when he saw the captive burn and seethe at each futile attempt to break free. All the while, a sickening laughter echoed in the chambers of the cave, his powers over the storm easily increasing due to being in this form.

He looked down at where the captive spat, and even lowered down to reach for it, soaking the tip of his finger with it, and then looked at the other straight in the eye and sucked his finger. Tasting it, he smiled.

“This is going to be fun, for me at least. Actually, no, maybe it can be fun for you too, if I can get you to the point of breaking, pretty pet,” he added another name, with a menacing chuckle, he walked around the cage and held it to show his superiority. Clearly, strong magic was used to make himself invulnerable. Only those inside were affected, those outside were impervious. He’d done this on purpose.

“Valeriu- a fitting name. Could it originate from the Romans? I think I heard a Valerius before. Strong, healthy- from the ways I’ve seen you fight, just now,” he started giving his speech. “I’d say rest up, we have a long day tomorrow, just you and I. You have no idea what is coming. Except, I’m going to give you one hint- I am not going to clip those wings off of you.”

He tilted his head, “why would you say that my nicknames are asinine? How rude- I’ve only been giving you compliments, my pretty fountain. I enjoyed seeing the water spout from you, I now want to see how many ways and how many different… viscous things, can squirt out of you. My desire is to demean and memorize the various decibels you may scream out in. You look like you can sing, Valeriu~” he poked him with an iron rod, chuckling softly.

With that, he started singing himself: “I fortunately know a little magic It’s a talent that I always have possessed And dear moth-ling, please don’t laugh I use it on behalf Of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed (pathetic) My poor unfortunate fae, so lost, in dismay~”

“Ew!” Valeriu exclaimed through gritted teeth. Of all the people that might capture him and try to keep him for themselves, it had to be this perverted nutjob? Vali slunk back into the farthest, darkest corner of his cage. His lips curled up in a look of both disgust and apprehension. He looked away, sullen, sulking, frustrated - every attempt to disrespect his captor was quickly being turned back on him. His stomach turned, repulsed.

He kept to the shadows, trying to keep silent, in the hopes that Ulysses might grow bored and leave him be, but he continued on, unperturbed by Vali’s sulking, perhaps even spurred on by it. The fae gritted his teeth, ears ringing, every word and sound the other made sending him closer and closer over the edge to rage. “That’s not how it works, that’s not how any of this works.” Valeriu snapped. He wasn’t about to explain the finer points of Dokkalfar anatomy, for fear of what other loathsome ideas Ulysses might come up with. It just kept getting worse from there.

The monster wouldn’t let Valeriu ignore him, the torments were escalating in order to keep Vali’s attention square on Ulysses, to keep the fae reacting. Vali flinched and jolted away from the iron rod - he didn’t have many places to flee, but he still contorted and writhed his way away from the fiery burn of the iron for as long as possible. And then came the singing. As if it couldn’t get any worse. He wanted Vali to sing? Sure, he could do that.

The fae grabbed hold of the iron rod, pulling Ulysses in against the bars of his cage. He inhaled sharply, and then expelled a blood curdling, ear-drum shattering shriek – so powerfully loud and contained was this cumulus of sound that it expelled outward in a visible shock-wave – powerful enough to throw lesser creatures to the ground writing in pain, ears bleeding, and strong enough to stun and knock-back beings with greater constitutions.

His own ears were just fine, covered by a flap of protective skin that sheltered the ear drum upon the jaw opening. Such an adaptation could be particularly devastating if multiple Dokkalfar unleashed such powerful shrieks at one target. It was a common tactic among the Dokkalfar military, useful for crowd control. If anyone deserved to be the victim of sound-based warfare, it was this asshole.

He hoped that, at the very least, it would dissuade his captor from continuing to sing, maybe get him to think twice about keeping a Dokkalfar as a ‘pet’. But if Valeriu knew crazy, and he did, then him being impossibly dangerous and hard to control would only make the idea of taming him all the more tantalizing to his captor. Lots of people attempted in the past, all in their own ways, and it never turned out well for them in the end.

. Vali refused to let go of the metal rod all the while - he needed a weapon, after all. The rod burned right into his flesh, but the pain was worth it. “No one wants to hear you sing, damnnit!” Was this just some kind of sick game to him? Of course it was, but it wasn’t a game Ulysses was ready to actually play with the fae, despite all his preparations. Valeriu’s furious yelling echoed through the cave. He stood as tall as this small cage allowed him, flung his arm back, and then hurled the iron rod through the bars of the cage with all his might, aiming wildly for Ulysses’ stupid face. He may not have magic, but he still had brute force.

“Shut up! Shut the fuck up!” His throat was hoarse, dry, desperate for water, from all the screaming and yelling. He took deep breathes, opened and closed his fists, attempting to collect himself, but he was shaking with rage and, well, fear. He clung to his anger, knowing it would keep him from falling into despair at his situation. Fleeing was off the table, fight or fawn were his only options left, and right now, he resolved to fight as long as he could put one up. That meant lots of kicking and screaming and being a lot more work than he was worth keeping around.

The fae could pull off a royal tantrum like no other, and Ulysses was about to get a full dose of pissed off, sanguinous fae. He was trembling like a leaf shaking in the autumn wind now, his veneer falling apart, revealing the rage embedded deep within him, flowing to the surface like rivets of magma pouring out of cracks in the earth. Vali gripped the bars, pressing his face in as close as he would dare. “Once I’m out of this cage, you’re in for a world of hurt. I don’t usually agree with eating cephalopod, but I will make an exception for you.”

#magioffire #threads; ulysses/valeriu #/he's just like- why is he so mad at me? lol- don't even uly

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