#unless maybe you'd chosen one of the bottom two options last time :?

[reborrowing]

dust prince, part two

(prev) (next) hi sorry this is a bit later than intended, I agreed to make something irl that’s taking more of my freetime than expected and also my body might be kind of falling apart, so, priorities, you know? enjoy!

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> You offer him your hand so he can climb out.

A good part of you thinks this is an absolutely terrible idea, sticking your hand out for an unknown, probably fae creature…but the little guy does look genuinely terrified and you would hate for him to drown in your dinner after he’s already spoiled it.

He teeters unsteadily, initially backing away from you as best as he can, broth pooling around his bare feet. You stop with your hand stretched into an open palm where he can easily reach you. 

“It’s alright, I won’t hurt you,” you say softly. 

Relief flashes across his face and he pulls himself onto your palm with shaking hands. He glances back to the bowl, then up towards the rafter and he collapses with a whimper, probably taking stock of just how bad that fall could have been.

“Thank you, I - I apologize, I was…thank you,” he says breathlessly.

He speaks with a familiar accent, one that mirrors the upper class speech that you grew up surrounded by. If it’s not an affectation or some sort of trick, the little man is a long way from home—you’re certainly no local.

He doesn’t look like any sort of noble merchant. He doesn’t look quite like anything you’ve ever seen, not during your travels and certainly not at home. He has a very human face, now that he’s wiped it clean, save for gently pointed ears that are no more exotic than your average elf’s. Arguably you make for a more exotic figure, with your devil’s eyes and slender tail. He’s dressed in a crudely-made tunic and, were it not for his size, would look like any number of beggars you’ve passed in your time. 

At least, one who’s had an exceptionally rough day at the soup kitchen. 

“You say something, Red?”

Your barbarian companion turns back from their critique of a random brunette dwarf. They notice you staring at your messy hand and lean forward on the table, their eyes lighting up when they catch sight of the tiny figure. 

“Hey, what is that? A sprite? Let me get a look,” they say. 

They reach towards him before you can answer. The mysterious little stranger recoils back against your hand as he notices Mikko reaching for him.

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