𝓣WISTED 𝓕AIRYTALE

&.    hear *     not heart. 

@faeoirs            “i’d have managed quite fine without you interfering.”         orrin turned to face her slowly. the slick heat of the jungle clung to his skin, thick with the wet breath of decay and damp rot. vines hung low like nooses and insects buzzed in a dull static that made the air feel alive. emerald of sky blue hues were an icy stare in observing her quietly as he stepped out of the muddy puddle. sickly stench of blood and gruesome gore ought to make anyone sick, but he was used to it.        orrin wiped his hands on his thighs, the dark smear of dirt and something worse sinking into the fabric. he stood still for several minutes, barely blinking.         he didn’t elate how he heard her, her thoughts a credence nuance he didn’t want to heart but was unable to ignore the murmured thought.    “is something the matter with you?” he asked, “i can play however i please in this mutiny of space. what is to you?”
            
                           &.     i noticed, i completely forgot to tag you earlier in my reply.  

@domnons     ( … )     you’re   / very /  welcome. [      the   fae   responded   dryly.  reyne   kept   her   gaze   entirely   fixated   on   him,   her   pointed   ears   twitching   slightly   in   annoyance   as   he   proceeded   to   ignore   her.   ‘ should   have   left   him   to   fucking   fend   for   himself ‘   she   thought,   jaw   ticking.   she   didn’t   much   care   for   the   tooth.   that   was   not   the   reason   she   had   chosen   to   involve   herself   in   the   slaughter   of   the   monster.   nevertheless,   his   interest   in   taking   the   tooth   ‘ relic ‘   for   himself   fuelled   her   own   curiosity   and   suspicion — a   tooth   like   that   contained   old   magic.   twisted   dark   magic.   she   kept   her   grip   on   the   hilt   of   her   sword,   stepping   forward   despite   his   previous   command   not   to,   the   shadows   of   the   forest   seeming   to   curl   around   her   like   she   was   the   force   manipulating   them.   and   then — tap.   the   flat   of   her   blade   kissed   his   shoulder   as   he   crouched   over   the   corpse,   her  touch   deliberate   and   cold.      ]      I   don’t   recall   agreeing   to   let   you   play   scavenger.      [      she   said,   voice   low,   dangerous.    ]    

@swornvows    (  …  )      [     reyne   had   only   stepped   foot   in   camelot   a   handful   of   times   in   her   life — brief,   formal   visits   when   her   father,   a   highborn   fae   whose   true   nature   remained   carefully   veiled   from   uther,   had   been   summoned   to   court   under   the   guise   of   discussing   alliances.   even   then,   she'd   been   more   shadow   than   participant,   the   bastard   daughter   expected   to   observe   in   silence.   and   from   what   she   had   observed,   she'd   decided   long   ago   that   she   didn’t   much   care   for   the   king   of   camelot.     ]    and   you   believe   he   is   a   good   king  ?        [     she   asked   now,   the   question   delivered   with   the   soft   cadence   of   casual   conversation.   but   something   in   the   way   her   jaw   tensed — tight   and   sharp — betrayed   the   weight   beneath   it.   her   gaze   didn’t   waver.     ]     I   don’t   defend   all   fae.   yes,   there   are   fae   who’ve   tried   to   bend   the   order   of   things,   who’ve   seen   the   crown   as   a   prize   to   be   won   or   shattered.   but   lumping   us   all   as   one   is   like   blaming   every   knight   for   the   atrocities   of   one   mad   warlord.   [    a   pause.    ]      my   friend   was   certainly   not   here   for   marriage.   there   are   monsters   far   worse   than   the   likes   of   fae.   if   she   is   dead,   then   you’ve   got   a   bigger   problem   on   your   hands.
            

"There's been a few of your kind. Most of the time plotting to overthrow the king, and causing havoc wherever they go. Most also don't last very long when he does find out," Gwaine replied with an indifferent shrug. Uther was ruthless to those with magic and he certainly didn't shy away from using them to set an example. "If your friend was here, then no doubt they've already been burned at the stake, especially if they were trying to steal a claim to the throne by marrying Arthur. You wouldn't believe the amount of times that's happened." Were the words a little blunt? Certainly, but it was also the truth. He was pretty sure this woman could handle hearing the truth, no matter how savage it might have sounded to another's ears.

@swornvows    ( … )     funny.   I   fail   to   see   any   of   that   ‘ so-called ‘   charm.     [       reyne   replied   bluntly   after   looking   him   up   and   down   once,   wondering   who   on   earth   this    ‘ lancelot ‘   was.   his   next   words   caught   her   attention,   her    ears   perking   up.  her   heart   gave   a   hard   thud   against   her   ribs,   and   her   gaze   darted   momentarily   to   the   bustle   of   the   street,   scanning   the   crowd   with   a   flicker   of   urgency.       ]      i    am   not   the   first ?   another   fae   passed   through   here ?   when ?    [       she   demanded,   her   tone   clipped   and   wary.   she   exhaled,   shaking   her   head.     ]      a   good   friend   of   mine   passed   through   camelot   a   month   ago   and   hasn’t   been   heard   from   since.   I’m   simply   checking   in.      [     that   was   only   half   the   truth.   but   half   truths   were   more   believable   than   full-blown   lies.  and   right   now,   the   whole   truth   wasn’t   something   she   could   afford   to   offer   freely.     ]   

@bardelion     ( … )     [      reyne   gave   him   a   wry   look,   the   corner   of   her   mouth   twitching   upward   in   that   subtle   way   she   allowed   herself   to   smile — like   any   broader   expression   might   shatter   the   carefully   curated   steel   she   wore   like   armour.   the   gleam   in   her   eyes,   however,   was   unmistakable:   amused,   but   touched.   she   cradled   the   lute   in   her   calloused   hands   with   a   reverence   she   usually   reserved   for   blades,   the   wooden   body   foreign   but   not   unwelcome   in   her   grasp.      ]      generous ?    or   perhaps   you’re   just   too   sentimental   to   admit   you’ve   grown   fond   of   me,   bard.
                    [      her   fingers   brushed   another   string,   letting   the   note   hum   out   across   the   clearing.   it   was   an   awkward   sound,   not   quite   tuned   to   beauty,   but   she   tilted   her   head   to   listen   as   if   it   were   a   song   only   she   could   hear.   she   plucked   another   string — this   one   almost   forming   a   proper   chord.   a   blink   of   surprise   lit   across   her   face.      ]      was   that   / music / ?

@faeoirs 
            
            “ very funny .  but no  ,  perhaps i’m just feeling rather generous on this fine day .  ”  jaskier’s generosity wasn’t something to take for granted , especially when his lute came into play .  not once had he allowed just anyone to strum their fingers across its strings , but reyne wasn’t just anyone .  it was almost comical in a sense as to how far their trust has strengthened since the first time they met , how the very same lute had been threatened to be broken .  and yet , he trusted her nonetheless .  “ sure  ,  some are FAR more gifted in the arts of music but even the highest established bards came from somewhere .  even i did .  ” he smiled gently , there was a bit of reverence in his gaze as the other soon took hold of his lute .  blue eyes watching carefully as the sound of a string being carefully strummed reverberated in the air .  “ very good .  now another string  ,  go on .  i promise it’s not as scary as it seems .  the lute’s not going to bite your fingers off .  ”
            
            / ANYTIME <33  i also miss them very very much , and take your time .  there is no rush :D

@bardelion    ( … )     you’re   willingly   letting   me   hold   your   lute?   has   a   miracle   occurred ?    [     the   fae   warrior   smirked,   allowing   the   corners   of   her   lips   to   tilt   up   as   she   sat   up   slightly   in   her   seat.   she   had   been   watching   him   play,   finding   a   strange   kind   of   serenity   in   it.      ]      i’m   no   musician .     [      in   fact,   it   was   almost   humorous   that   he   was   allowing   her   to   touch   the   instrument.   she   remembered   how   they   first   met.   reyne   had   her   blade   out ( a   normal   occurrence )   and   was   threatening   to   destroy   the   very   lute   that   he   was   holding.  nevertheless,   she   took   the   lute   gently,   using   her   thumb   to   graze   over   the   strings   once,   before   looking   up   at   him,   much   like   a   student,   as   if   awaiting   some   kind   of   instruction,   or   perhaps   approval.    ] 
            
            /     THANK YOU FOR THE DROP LOVE <33   I’ll get to the rest of my responses tomorrow after I get ma beauty sleep <3

@faeoirs 
            
            jaskier hummed is agreement , he was fairly certain he could be more than convincing .  not only with his charm alone but also with the pair of blue eyes many people could not resist , well— expect a few that is .  regardless , the bard wouldn’t let his confidence flounder with worries and doubts .  “ as a man who’s had a couple of encounters i’d say it’s not always the most fun experience .  especially when coming out of nowhere .  ” he wasn’t entirely against the idea though , not when imagining someone as beautiful having a sharp object near his delicate throat .  well , okay .  maybe it WAS a little terrifying and yet.. exciting in thought .  “ like i’ve stated countless times  ,  i have my ways .  and who could truly say ‘no’ to a handsome face such as this ?  actually ?  don’t even dare answer that .  though can’t say i’m against the idea .  ”

@bardelion    (  . . .  )       is   that   right  ?     [      the   huntress   chuckled,   a   lighter,   playful   gleam   in   her   eyes   that   suggested   that   she   did   not   see   this   as   a   serious   conversation.    in   fact,   she   hummed   to   herself,   her   fist   curling   as   she   rested   it   underneath   her   chin   casually.       ]        you   know,   some   men   have   enjoyed   it   when   I’ve   pressed   my   blade   to   their   throats . . .      [        she   trailed   off,   leaving   the   rest   to   imagination,   a   sly   move   on   her   part.    she    shook   her    head,   amusement   evident   on   her   features   at   his   last   comments.         ]        I   still   do   not   understand   how   you   managed   to   get   us   into   the   last   one.   do   you   / want /   to   see   me   in   a   dress   again,    is   that   it  ? 

@faeoirs 
            
            “ well  ,  with enough convincing i could prove otherwise .  ” considering the many years he’s dealt with geralt , jaskier doubted reyne would be much different .  there were many connecting factors that showed them alike but there were also factors that set them apart too , either way jaskier was confident enough in his own ability to prove otherwise .  “ would’ve been worth a try though but as i’ve stated i’d much prefer having myself in top shape and not have a slice to my throat .  ” or end up in a ditch somewhere is also what he wanted to say but he kept his mouth shut , despite his constant blabbering he knew better than to speak up sometimes .  “ i’ll have to find another occasion for that to occur again .  perhaps another party  ,  though those are difficult to come by these days unfortunately .  ” 

@bardelion    (  . . .  )     [         reyne   hated   that   look.    she   didn’t   want   to   be   looked   at   any   differently   because   of   her   childhood.   a   warrior   she   was,   not   some   fragile   flower.    she   bit   the   inside   of   her   cheek,    a   conflicting   look   in   her   hues   as   she   studied   the   bard.   she   felt   confused   and   somewhat   terrible   —   he   had   admitted   that   he   cared   and   yet   she   didn’t   know   how   to   react.    that   was   what   her   upbringing   had   done   to   her.       ]          it   does   not   matter.   it   cannot   be   undone.   I   do   not   see   why   we   should   dwell   on   it   . . .    besides,   I   hardly   know   anything   about   you.    are   you   telling   me   you’d   share   ? 
            
            /     yassss 

@faeoirs 
            
            despite those words , that look still remained in his eyes .  couldn’t possible even come to terms in imagining how tragic.. how harsh , it must’ve been for someone so young .  as for jaskier ? not many knew of his tales before becoming a roaming bard , hardly anyone knew the truth behind it besides his name being julian and him being born a viscount .  “ it wasn’t pity i was giving but rather understanding .  sure  ,  i may not understand what you’ve got through in full but that doesn’t change the fact that i care—  that i understand—  that i’d like to understand further .  ” he meant every word of it , and if the other wanted to know more about him ?  so be it .  it was only fair came if she was going to share stuff about herself .
            
            / jaskier really do love women who can beat his ass fr..

@bardelion    (  . . .  )    [         reyne   blinked,   swallowing   away   the   lump   that   was   beginning   to   form   in   her   throat.    she   supposed   she   hadn’t   thought   about   it   much   before   —   the   fact   that   her   childhood   was   not   the   same   as   others.       the   fact   that   there   was   little   love   involved   at   all.        ]       stop.    don’t   look   at   me   like   that,    bard.    like   I   am   someone   to   be   pitied.   it   is   not   a   tragedy.     I   am   not   ashamed   of   how   I   am,    julian.    my   caution   has   saved   my   life   and   other’s   on   more   than   one   occasion.   I—   / I /   am   content. 
            
            /     me    tooooo   < 33

@faeoirs 
             
            “ i’m afraid that’s not something i just hand out willingly to anyone so you’ll just have to figure it out .  ” granting a light shrug , jaskier wouldn’t be surprised if the other somehow managed to learn it in ten seconds flat .  meanwhile , fingers continued to strum against cords — a nonsensical melody at best .  there was no exact tune to it , just whatever came naturally into the bard’s mind without much thought .    eventually dark eyelashes would flutter , a flash of cornflower blues grazing upon the other with such thoughts of wonder and contempt .  “ many of things .  as of late i’ve been singing the tales of my utmost trusted traveling companion— geralt of rivia .  he’s quite an interesting company to keep mind you .  though..  it is like speaking to a brick wall most of the time so i have to often work with what i got from those stories through his grunts of protest .  ”

@bardelion   (  . . .  )     now   you’ve   got   me   intrigued.   what   is   it   that   makes   you   blush,   julian ?    compliments ?   a   lingering   gaze ?   applause ?   or   perhaps...   nudity ?       [        the   fae   was   never   one   to   hold   back,   her   sharp   wit   always   on   display.   her   pointed   ears   twitched   in   curiosity   as   she   propped   her   fist   under   her   chin,   her   gaze   fixed   intently   on   him   as   he   spoke.   for   a   moment,   the   soft   strum   of   his   lute   drifted   through   the   air,   and   reyne’s   thoughts   wandered.   the   melody,   though   fleeting,   reminded   her   of   the   serene   songs   that   used   to   echo   through   the   halls   of   the   castle   she   once   called   home.
            
                      she   had   never   been   allowed   to   join   in   the   dances   that   accompanied   the   music,   but   the   tunes   had   seeped   into   her   soul   nonetheless.   they   were   forever   etched   in   her   memory,   a   comfort   she   would   often   hum   to   herself   in   the   quiet   of   the   night,   a   soft   lullaby   to   soothe   her   into   sleep.      ]        what   do   you   sing   about ? 

@faeoirs 
            
            cornflower blue twinkled in interest , jaskier had a feeling even people such as fae had their own melodies to carry them along .  it’s what bonds all people together , through the songs that make them dance throughout the night .  “ i’ll have you know  ,  it takes quite a lot to make a man such as myself blush .  though..  it doesn’t surprise me that some songs would be able to carry magical properties .  ” he hummed , plucking at his lute for only a moment .  “ do hope my tunes carry the same effect .  sure..  they can’t make you whisper your utmost dirtiest secrets but they can still bring you a feeling .  ”  

@faeoirs 
            
            something told jaskier that he reeked of intimidation and fear , no thanks to those fae - like senses .  even throughout all the masking , he knew its sour tang could still be tasted .  and yet the bard carried through , didn’t allow himself to give up on that false act of bravery .  there was something of amusement seeing eyes colored unlike no other , sure witchers often had yellow or differently colored eyes .  yet these ?  these were highly different than anything he has ever seen .  “ most is accidental on our part .  as for me ?  i thrive on a good story  ,  to make way past those dangers .  if not for me half these lovely ballads would cease to be .  ”  he doubted the other had even heard a single song or his , but not like it mattered .  jaskier wasn’t afraid to take a risk , especially if it meant good story - telling .  “ i would appreciate if you would stop the whole ‘human’ talk .  hi  ,  my name is julian alfred pankratz though you can just call me jaskier .  a pleasure .  and you guessed right  ,  tall strange lady .  i am perhaps seeking more .  ”

@bardelion    (  . . .  )        [       reyne   caranthe   stood   like   a   statue,   the   pale   light   of   the   moon   painting   her   sharp   features   in   silver   and   shadow.   her   piercing   silver   eyes   scrutinizing   his   every   move   as   if   debating   whether   to   let   him   off   so   easily.   his   words   had   a   reckless   charm,   the   kind   that   masked  nervousness,  but  reyne   was   not   easily   fooled.   fae   ears   were   sharp,   and   the   subtle   tremor   in   his   voice   did   not   go   unnoticed.   a  smile  formed  ,  oddly    strange   against   her   usually   hardened    features .   was  it  genuine ,  or  a  smile  of   pity  ?   amusement  ?     the  fae  stepped   closer,   the   soft   rustle   of   her   leather   hunting   attire   the   only   sound   besides   the   whisper   of   the   forest.       ]      
            
                     you   humans   have   a   talent   for   stumbling    into   dangers   you   barely   comprehend.    you’re  lucky  .  if   I   wanted   you   dead,   you'd   be   singing   dirges   in   the   afterlife   by   now.    [      it   was   a   skill   of   hers  ,  making   her   words   almost   playful ,   and   yet   with   that   same   edge   of   threat   and   intimidation  .  her   head   tilted   slightly  after   finally   placing   her   arrow   back   in   her   quiver   and   slinging   her   bow   over   her   shoulder ,  a   reminiscing ,  almost   saddened   look   flashing   briefly   over   her   hues .     ]     I   do   not   blame   you   for   buying   in   to   the   stories .   there   aren’t   many   of   us   left    to   tell   you   otherwise .   (  . . .  )     so     .    has   your   curiosity   satisfied   you   ,   human    ?     or   was   there   something   else ? 
            

@faeoirs 
            
            jaskier was far from a religious man , but now he wish he would’ve prayed more— if this was going to be his finale moment he would’ve wished for to be..  well..  far more dramatic than this one .  the bard expected a swift and painless death but let out a relieved breath as soon as said weapon was lowered , thank the gods .  maybe he would live to see another day after all .  “ noted .  i will refrain from following mythical and magical creatures from now on .  ” he granted a faux bow , shifting his lute so now it was fixated on his back rather than his front .  “ seems you and the elves aren’t so different on that front  ,  being warriors and all .  i do apologies for my ideology of you faes to be incorrect  ,  i’m old enough now to know those stories are nothing more than to scare us children into being good .  ”