𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖓 … 𝖌𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖆.

"   why thank you. always nice when people appreciate my ... nimbleness.   "           ansegar says with a smile ... a true, genuine, and amused one, though you might see a hint of smugness if you look close enough. to be fair to solomon, though, he has fought many men both on the wall and off it, both royals and not. there are even some who has been training their whole lives. and he can confidently say that some of them are less of a fighter than the prince.

"   yeah. we definitely can't have that.   "    ansegar chuckled before walking to where the weapons rack was, and coming back to the sparring ground with a staff in his hand instead. he gave solomon a look, as if asking for his permission to use it.    "   no blade, though this is a pretty strong wood. can't promise it won't be painful. and your choice?   "

　　"if my form is weird, your speed is inhumane." it should not be taken as an insult, though. the prince was genuinely impressed by the trainee's abilities in combat. and solomon was not a lousy fighter, at least he didn't think so. but he was aware that his strength lied on his brains, not his brawn. swallowing his pride, he took ansegar's hand, standing up and brushing off the excess of dirt from his trousers.

　　he flashed the man a questioning look, his heart still struggling to slow down its pace. "as long as i can bear a shield. i intend to return to beacon's reach with my head still attached to my neck."

"   oh, no. protective is just the way she is since i saved her.           and i'm afraid i can't really shake that off. so, i guess in a way, that is my fault.   "    ansegar says, which received a proud squawk from gunna, making him smile wider. looking back at the wide assortment of jewelry around him, ansegar took the shiniest one he could find-- a simple chain made of metal he is not familiar with, light in weight but sturdy to the touch, twinkling like diamonds even at the smallest hint of light. after paying for the item, he then began trying it to one of gunna's feet.    "   though, i should say ... the soot and the dirt are really doing your face a huge disservice.   "

once the jewelry is secured, he raised the arm where gunna was perched on ... and with a click of his tongue, the eagle was airborne. up and up, to the summit of the wall. gunna returning with the jewelry was simple but effective message to his brothers: the fact that she returned means that he's still alive, and the craftsmanship of the jewelry means he's in chasque ... not too far from home. satisfied, he faces the other man again.    "   that you are. i'm sorry again. now, i feel like i should make up to you somehow.   "

and at his question, ansergar simply nodded before pointing at the peak of the wall in the distance, and the small community of his brothers that can be seen on it.    "   oh. i'm from there.   "    he says.    "   it's my first time to be out here ... or at least, the first time i'm by myself. and you? do you live here?   "

🔨           *           ﹕ㅤㅤ     thank the gods, old and new, for how the eagle's talons kept on missing him by a hair's breadth, though it did not stop arkelos from flailing like a man swarmed with bees⸻ as if he could just swat the sheer nerve of the creature away.        ❝         away ! get off me, you winged devil !          ❞        he barked between startled huffs, voice cracking somewhere between outrage and desperation, the crowd jostling around him with their laughter and gasps. the blacksmith faced roaring fires, sparking steel, and the sharp hiss of molten metal every day, foolishly had very little fear, but this ? this was humiliating. fortunately, arkelos found his footing again once the bird's owner appeared, settling on the other man's forearm, a gleam in its eyes that he could only describe as smug satisfaction, like it knew it had won this round. and arkelos had never been as hungry for roasted eagle as he was now. he could only stare at the bird for a few moments, breath ragged, his hands planted on his knees as if holding himself upright took an incredible amount of will.        ❝         protective ? do i really look that much of a brigand today ?          ❞        arkelos chuckled as he turned his attention toward the other man, skin smeared with soot from his day at the forge, understood see how a stupid bird could mistake him as some bandit from the badlands of old varlinnis. maybe he should have taken a bath before venturing out into the market for something to sate his appetite. and perhaps, arkelos had always been a forgiving creature, utterly incapable of letting his frustrations be more than fleeting.        ❝         but i'm fine. still in one piece, aren't i ?          ❞        said with a small smile, standing a little straighter, hands smoothing the fabric of his smoke-scented shirt.        ❝         though, i gotta ask ... you're not from around here, are you ? it's just quite rare for chasquans to have pet birds.          ❞        especially when the expanse of their colonies were beneath the ground.

"   i know. but it was still quite funny.   "           ansegar says, as he watched the other man stand up and begin cleaning himself off. a naughtier part of him wanted to knock the other off again with a swift swipe of his leg-- to show that warriors doesn't usually spend this much time grooming themselves in battle, and that they should accept the grime and dirt of it with honor. but he stops himself. perhaps later ...

"   please. that's nothing a little unicorn drought and dragon's blood salve can't cure.   "    he continues. admittedly, he's never met a changeling before. they were rare even in the night's watch. and looking at the other man now, he doubts a little facial scar would hurt his appearance. if anything, it might make him look better. walking back to the rack of weapons, ansegar skipped the swords and the daggers and instead picked up a staff.    "   how about this for me? no blade. no wounds on your pretty face. what about you?   "

"   you didn't have to knock me on my ass to prove your point.   "   although paric's tone is simply teasing. he grabs a hold of the man's hand and lifts himself up with some help. then he brushes his off, in case there are any leaves clinging there. the changeling's appearance means everything to him, so he also puts on a charming smile. that he at least knows how to do. this whole fighting thing, not so much.

“   do you think that wise? i might cut myself and my face is too pretty to be that intimate with a blade.   ”   he snickers softly, wondering if he can find a way to best him. hmm, which weapon?

cheese trap.

PERRIN GOLDENEYES

THE WHEEL OF TIME Episode 5 | Blood calls Blood

ansegar can only reply to that with a smile,           seeing the other man's face be painted with a look he is already familiar with every time he, or anyone else from the brotherhood would see their emblem or would know who they are. it was not a look of judgement, really ... his brothers take great offense in that and rarely are the people foolish enough to say it to their face. but it was the look of awe that often get him, and how people could not believe that people like him exists-- those who chose to leave their kingdoms and their faiths, to live with other bastards and the banished atop a cliff-face. and he would always have an answer for it that should be enough to let the subject rest.

"   i mean, i wouldn't say it's madness. when the kingdom that you have followed your entire life, or when the faith you have worship and is expected to worship until you die, turn their backs against you ... well, even the cold will become a comfort for you up there.   "    ansegar says, his voice was leveled without any sign of malice, anger, or annoyance. what can be found there, though, was love and pride. for the only family he's ever known his whole life.    "   it's a sanctuary for them. but i can tell my brothers of your admiration.   "

at the mention of a tavern, ansegar's eyes lit up as his head follows the direction they were pointing at.    "   oh, please. i insist. it's the least i can do after my pet attacked you.   "    before the arkelos could even say more, he already have his hand on their arm, and was weaving though the crowd.    "   hmmm. your best? are you telling me there's more to this kingdom than just stones and crystals?   "    he continued, chuckling at himself for that.

when they stopped walking, they finally found themselves at the entrance of the tavern. from the outside, he could already hear chatter coming from inside.    "   my story ... is a long and complicated one. but unlike my brothers, i am not sworn to the oath yet. technically, i am still a free man ... free to go anywhere i wanna go.   "    he explains, clearing his throat right after before gesturing to the door.    "   my very first tavern. since this is your home, after you?   "

🔨           *           ﹕ㅤㅤ     arkelos tracked the other man's gesture to the summit of the wall, gaze lingering there for a moment, caught somewhere between awe and curiosity. he'd heard all the stories— well, who hadn't ?— the men of the night's watch were bastards and the poor, removed from the lords and their banners, from games of politics and ambition. he heard many of them didn't believe in the gods of the continent. they didn't take oaths to kings but to their duty, guarding the realm against whatever nightmares might claw their way in from the unknown. and needless to say, seeing one of their stewards here left arkelos slightly unmoored with interest.        ❝         i've always admired anyone who decides to live in feranthor. it must take a certain kind of madness to live there, y'know ? i could barely survive the peaks of vissai, can't imagine the type of cold you're used to there.          ❞        there was a warmth to arkelos' voice as he spoke, a reverence carried by someone who wasn't quite sure how to put admiration into words without sounding foolish. he looked at the man and smiled, though for the most part he was also just glad to see that eagle fly away. good riddance.        ❝         but i promise there's no need to make it up to me,          ❞        arkelos laughed, giving the man a measured look. slightly taller than he was, though human as far he could tell.        ❝         but if you insist, there's a tavern a bit further down the square. they've got the best kidney pie this side of the continent⸻ and i feel like it's my chasquan duty to show a man of the watch the best our land has to offer.        ❞        head tilted toward the path ahead,        ❝         it'll give us time to sit down and talk. i've got so many question, like, what brings you down here ? cause i really thought your lot didn't stray from the wall, unless it was something urgent ... or dangerous ...          ❞        voice lowered slightly with a speculative tone, though his grin remained, crooked and easy.

INT.    THE VISSAI THRONE ROOM.    DAY.

ansegar stood like a sore thumb in the grand hall of the vissai's throne room,           and though no eyes looked at him with any judgement, his own self was the one who is causing his nervousness. before he came down from the wall, his brothers have told him of vissai's generosity. not only to the night's watch all throughout their history, but also to himself.

apparently, he was presented here first: at the foot of their king, seeking sanctuary from the family that wanted to kill him. and not wanting any conflict to break out, he had advised his mother to take the child to the wall instead ... but they will support him. even take him as a ward if he chooses. ansegar has chosen differently, then, training instead to be soldier of the night's watch. so nervousness must have come from there: to prove that he is still worth their support after all this time.

when he was finally called, ansegar then walked up to the spot close to the foot of the throne ... and was presented, not to the king, but the crown prince instead. remembering the lessons he got from the other bastard princes, he then knelt and lowered his head. in his hand he gripped the scabbard of the gift he made for this occasion, which seemed heavier and warmer now that he is kneeling there. he cleared his throat.    "   i come to you as ansegar, an unsworn wolf of the night's watch.   "    he says, keeping his eyes down still.    "   it's an honor to be in your presence, your highness.   "

closed starter for @heavensoared.

         BOOK STARTERS VOL.21     THE PLAGUE     ALBERT CAMUS

❛ I have no idea what’s awaiting me. ❜

❛ What will happen when this all ends? ❜

❛ I know that you are capable of great deeds. ❜

❛ A loveless world is a dead world, and always there comes an hour when one is weary of prisons, of one’s work, and of devotion to duty, and all one craves for is a loved face, the warmth and wonder of a loving heart. ❜

❛ The truth is that everyone is bored. ❜

❛ I feel more fellowship with the defeated than with saints. Heroism and sanctity don’t really appeal to me, I imagine. ❜

❛ If there is one thing one can always yearn for, and sometimes attain, it is human love. ❜

❛ Who would dare to assert that eternal happiness can compensate for even a single moment’s suffering? ❜

❛ It’s not easy. I’ve been thinking it over for years. ❜

❛ While we loved each other we didn’t need words to make ourselves understood. ❜

❛ People are more often bad than good. ❜

❛ I don’t believe in heroism; I know it’s easy and I’ve learned that it can be murderous. ❜

❛ What interests me is living and dying for what one loves. ❜

❛ In fact, nobody is capable of really thinking about anyone, even in the worst calamity. ❜

❛ Nothing in the world is worth turning one’s back on what one loves. ❜

❛ Again and again there comes a time in history when the man who dares to say that two and two make four is punished with death. ❜

❛ There are more things to admire in men then to despise. ❜

❛ It is in the thick of calamity that one gets hardened to the truth - in other words, to silence. ❜

❛ What on earth prompted you to take a hand in this? ❜

❛ Your code of morals? What code, if I may ask? ❜

❛ I’m fumbling in the dark, struggling to make something out. But I’ve long ceased finding anything. ❜

❛ No doubt our love is still there, but quite simply it is unusable, heavy to carry, inert inside of us, sterile as crime or condemnation. ❜

❛ I’m not happy to go, but one needn’t be happy to make another start. ❜

❛ I am incapable of suffering for a long time, or being happy for a long time. Which means that I am incapable of anything really worth while. ❜

❛ I should have found the words to keep her with me. ❜

❛ We can’t stir a finger in this world without the risk of bringing death to somebody. ❜

❛ The evil that is in the world comes out of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding. ❜

❛ There are always flies and itches. That’s why life is difficult to live. ❜

❛ The best protection against anything is a good bottle of wine. ❜

❛ There is no peace without hope. ❜

PLEIADES GROUP PROMPTS ! they'll be split out by different categories (kingdoms, magic, bestiary), just to give you multiple routes to play in. send me a word from the below and i'll make a starter based off of it. please specify muse if i'm a multi-muse blog. if you want it the other way around, just add a reverse to the message.

LYSAIN

POISON → our muses come across a beautiful plant, but it might be poisonous. it's up to us to decipher if it can be picked or not.

HALLUCINATION → my muse just snapped out of a very deep illusion cast by a sorcerer. yours is the first they see upon waking.

LOST → my muse swore that they saw a beautiful library in this spot earlier, but now they can't find it. can your muse help or is it the blind leading the blind?

VARLINNIS

EXPLORE → our muses are exploring part of the untouched old lands of varlinnis. will they get lost in the moment or get too spooked?

ASH → our muses find something buried in the ashes. a beautiful and ornate book. what secrets lie within and how will they use it?

GLAMOUR → our muses are lying about their identity. using the fact that this kingdom is a fresh start. fake dating trope anyone?

RITRINC

DIP → our muses take advantage of the beautiful and large body of water that spans throughout part of the kingdom. time to skinny dip.

BOUQUET → my muse has collected a couple of beautiful (and safe) flowers and they decide to give it to your muse when they see them next.

HEALING → my muse was severely injured in a battle and is currently in a medic's tent recovering, yours is either healing them or coming to visit.

VISSAI

DRAGONS → our muses come face to face with one of the dragons. what's their reaction? bonus points if one of them is a dragonrider, they can be showing theirs off.

ARENA → our muses are in one of the largest arenas ever. time to start sparring. why not take advantage of the old lands?

VIEW → our muses just hiked up to the top of a mountain. now they're able to sit back and enjoy the beautiful view.

CHASQUE

CAVES → our muses are exploring the caves together. they're probably lost, but at least the company is good.

ETERNAL NIGHT → suddenly our muses are engulfed in a lot of darkness. mine starts to freak out and seeks yours out to comfort them.

CRYSTALS → our muses stumble upon a beautiful bunch of crystals and mine tries to take some for your muse.

UMORIA

WHISPERS → our muses start to heart whispers coming from the tree. they stop for a moment to see if they understand.

DARE → your muse dares mine to go into the swampland where people seem to be transported out of if they're not magical.

LEGEND → my muse is telling yours a scary story or old myth about the land. they're sitting around a campfire at night.

FERANTHOR

WALL → our muses reach the wall and mine jokes that they should just stay here forever. really, they just wanted the exercise.

UNKNOWN → our muses venture out pass the wall and start to explore what could be out there. their life is really in danger now.

MONSTER → our muses just saw something breeze by them and it looked like a creature. mine is quick to jump into hunting mode.

NON KINGDOM RELATED

POTION → our muses take a potion together and it starts to make them extremely hot or thirsty. they have to look for a cure together.

GARGOYLE → my muses accidentally activates a gargoyle and now our muses are being hunted down together, forced to hide.

UNICORN → our muses are looking for a unicorn together, but soon enough forget everything (unicorn magic) and just wander around together.

FEAST → our muses are together in some grand feast. lots of wine and tasty food is being had, so they start chatting each other up.

THRONE ROOM → our muses are the last ones left in a throne room, it suddenly feels like an intimate space now that it's empty.

TREATY → our muses are from different kingdoms and trying to see how they can each benefit from working together.

WAR → our muses are from different kingdoms and tend to be a bit competitive, trying to one up each other in the conversation.

SPARRING → our muses are sparring together and things start getting hot and heavy.

HORSE RIDING → my muses picks yours up on the way into town, offering them a ride on their house.

GLIMPSES OF THE PAST: a headcanon / prompt collection because sometimes it's not enough to write about your muse's past and how it affects them, you just gotta write a little scene. these prompts are designed to be a little writing prompt related to your character's past, essentially!

send FORGED for a scene from my muse's past that they think made them stronger in the long run

send REMINDED for a scene from my muse's past in which they encountered something that reminded them of a difficult experience / trauma

send CONFESSED for a scene from my muse's past in which they revealed a secret about themselves to someone

send TRICKED for a scene from my muse's past in which they misled, tricked, or lied to someone

send IMPRESSED for a scene from my muse's past in which they tried to impress someone, successfully or not

send ACHIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they completed / achieved something they were proud of

send CHANGED for a scene from my muse's past that represented a turning point in their life

send DIFFERENT for a scene from my muse's past that they feel changed their outlook / personality / etc, for the better or worse

send CRITICAL for a scene from my muse's past in which they thought about / were reminded of something they're insecure about

send SCOLDED for a scene from my muse's past in which someone told them off, justifiably or not

send STRAINED for a scene from my muse's past in which they interact with someone they have a difficult relationship with

send SOBBED for a scene from my muse's past in which they broke down in tears

send LOST for a scene from my muse's past in which they felt lost, literally or figuratively

send BLINDSIDED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were betrayed or shocked by what someone did

send INJURED for a scene from my muse's past in which they sustained a significant injury

send AFRAID for a scene from my muse's past in which they were scared / under threat

send HELPED for a scene from my muse's past in which someone helped / saved them

send CAUGHT for a scene from my muse's past in which they were caught doing something they shouldn't

send BLUSHED for a scene from my muse's past in which they received a compliment that really got to them

send VICIOUS for a scene from my muse's past in which someone said something cruel that really got to them

send SWOONED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were infatuated with someone

send PINNED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were stuck somewhere, literally or figuratively

send GRIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they had recently lost someone / something

send MORTAL for a scene from my muse's past in which they had a brush with death, either themselves or someone close to them