The Cursed Queen

Curse AU- Closed RP

darkprincenod:

mk-jinn:

cursedforestqueen:

darkprincenod:

“Then it won’t take long.” Ronin said “I wanted to talk to you for a few moments.”

Ronin reached inside his tunic pulling out the blossoms he had saved earlier, they had drooped a little but were still quite pretty. “When I first saw these nightblooms they made me think of you. They do not seem to fit or belong in this dark and cursed forest as you do not fit. I wonder if you would like to travel with us when Nod and MK’s curses are broken.”

Ronin held out the flowers to Tara, hoping he had not offended her.

Tara froze with her hands in the soapy water. He had asked. She had stopped hoping centuries ago that the people who came to her would ask even once, but if she was honest with herself, she had wanted Ronin too.

Now that he had, she felt almost sick. She could say whatever she wanted in response, but it wouldn’t change reality. She swallowed and picked up a dish towel to dry her hands.

“No,” she flipped the dish towel over her shoulder and reached out and took the flowers, “these are lovely though. Thank you for bringing them to me.”

Tara brought the night blooms to her face and took a deep breath. They glowed a delicate lavender and smelt like summer roses. It wouldn’t take much magic to coax them into staying alive for a long time. They were fresh enough; she might even be able to get them to root in a pot.

For now though, she should get them in water. She could put them up on her nightstand after Ronin had gone to bed. Tara reached up and grabbed a ceramic vase from the cupboard, filling it with water from the sink pump and carefully arranging the blooms in it, then setting it aside.

“You dry,” Tara flipped the towel off her shoulder and held it out to Ronin, “I’ll wash.”

M.K. finished arranging her bed before turning her gaze back to Nod. She couldn’t believe they had found the first item already. There were both one stop closer to being free of their curses.

“So,” she said as she gestured upwards to where the kitchen was. “What do you think Tara and Ronin are talking about?”

Nod finished fluffing his pillow and arranging his blankets, sitting on his bed, “ Hmm Ronin’s probably trying to flirt with Tara, and possibly trying to hide it by asking about our next task.”

Nod grinned thinking of Ronin bringing some of the flowers back. “I kinda wish I could see it. It’s rare for Ronin to be interested in anyone.”

Upstairs Ronin blinked at both Tara’s hesitation, and her short reply. He wished he could see her face and had a chance to read her expression. Her home was lovely, but she seemed to enjoy their company too much to be happy spending decades or centuries living there alone. Taking the towel with a nod Ronin decided not to question her further right then. They still had two more tasks. He could take a little more time to learn more about Tara, and either convince her to come with them, or be assured she was happy.

“Alright. I’m glad you like the flowers.” Ronin said, taking the first dish to dry.

Ronin seemed almost disappointed, although maybe that was just wishful thinking on her part. At the very least, he knew how to dry dishes.

Maybe he could do other chores as well. Tomorrow night’s task would be to gather the flowers. It shouldn’t be particularly dangerous, and there was no reason MK and Nod couldn’t go by themselves to do it. At least they could pick the calendula for MK and start collecting night lotuses for her. They would have to wait another night for the black iris. It had to be picked at dawn, and there was no way for MK to be there safely for that.

So maybe while MK and the prince were out picking flowers, Tara would keep Ronin here to help her with chores. Then the budding love birds could get some time without their babysitter.

She would just claim Ronin helping her as payment. After all, the magic they were asking of her wasn’t easy, and she was entitled some compensation for it.

It didn’t take long to finish the dishes, and Tara thanked the captain and wished him goodnight. She waited until she hear the door to the root cellar close before picking up the vase of night blooms and heading out into the garden. She had a better chance of getting them to take root if she tried now then if she waited.

Then it would be time for a nap before coming up with a list of things that needed to be done around the house and garden for the good captain.

Curse AU- Closed RP

darkprincenod:

cursedforestqueen:

mk-jinn:

M.K. glanced to the clock and nodded. It wouldn’t be long before it was dawn. “Alright, we will. Thanks again for dinner, Tara,” she said as she rose. M.K. made her way down the stairs to the same room she and Nod had slept before. She was looking forward to sleep, she was exhausted.

“Sleep well,” Tara stood to start clearing dishes, “we have lots to do tomorrow night.”

The prince and MK left to climb down to the cellar, and Tara began pumping water into the sink to wash the dishes.

“It’s sweet of you to help, but there aren’t that many dishes,” she said to Ronin, “you must be tired too; you can head down to bed as well if you’d like.”

“Then it won’t take long.” Ronin said “I wanted to talk to you for a few moments.”

Ronin held out the flowers to Tara, hoping he had not offended her.

Now that he had, she felt almost sick. She could say whatever she wanted in response, but it wouldn’t change reality. She swallowed and picked up a dish towel to dry her hands.

“No,” she flipped the dish towel over her shoulder and reached out and took the flowers, “these are lovely though. Thank you for bringing them to me.”

“You dry,” Tara flipped the towel off her shoulder and held it out to Ronin, “I’ll wash.”

Curse AU- Closed RP

mk-jinn:

darkprincenod:

Ronin leaned back as he ate the chicken stew. It was warm, and comforting. Just like the odd house they were in and that Nod was filling with laughter with stories and impersonations of the more annoying members of the court. And doing a good job of it too. The vampire Mk was laughing enough to bring a blush to her face, and the witch Tara’s laugh was echoing though the house and his head.

He wasn’t sure how long they talked, but he eventually caught Nod’s eye blinking as if he was having trouble focusing and was tired.

“Alright you two,”He said pointing at Nod and MK in turn “It’s almost dawn and you should get to bed. I’m sure the lady Tara will have another fun task for us tomorrow. I’ll join you once the dishes are done.”

“Sleep well,” Tara stood to start clearing dishes, “we have lots to do tomorrow night.”

The prince and MK left to climb down to the cellar, and Tara began pumping water into the sink to wash the dishes.

“It’s sweet of you to help, but there aren’t that many dishes,” she said to Ronin, “you must be tired too; you can head down to bed as well if you’d like.”

Curse AU- Closed RP

mk-jinn:

darkprincenod:

Nod set the bowls down, “I believe he called himself Sigurd. We found him with Biloba rushed ahead and got thrown into a bush for his trouble. The unicorn himself seemed injured, and I think that had more to do with with us getting the items than my talk. He needed someone to treat him and we were there.”

Ronin finished setting out the utensils and pulled out the chair for Tara to sit. “I think he enjoyed your fawning attention. And he definitely enjoyed sending me off for flowers.”

“ He was certainly very vain wasn’t he?” M.K. said with a giggle. “I never knew unicorns were so…narcissistic.” She folded her hands into her lap as she sat. “I’m just glad Nod was there. I have a feeling that unicorn wouldn’t have let me get near him if he hadn’t been there.”

Not that she blamed him. M.K. doubted very few would be willing to trust a vampire…Nod was very special in that regard.

“Thank you captain,” Tara smiled up at Ronin as she took her seat, “Sigismund is a bore, but much easier to deal with than Orielle. Sigismund’s ego always wins. Orielle’s common sense occasionally overrides her ego.”

Tara caught herself before she could take off her mask. She usually didn’t eat with it on, but everyone was in such high spirits, and Ronin was being such a gentleman, that it seems a shame to ruin the mood.

A shame to risk loosing Ronin’s attention as well. It has been a long time since anyone had pulled a chair out for her, not since before she came to the forest. she didn’t doubt that the good captain would be more prone to protect his charge from her than pull out chairs if he had known what she actually looked like.

They were by certainly one of the best groups to have come to her in a long, long time. She would have to do her best to not only help them break their curses, but make sure the people who had caused them were dealt with in a way that would ensure they would cause no further harm.

“You all did an excellent job with Sigismund,” Tara beamed at them, “you should be proud of yourselves. Now eat up. We’ve still got lots of work to do.”

Curse AU- Closed RP

cursedforestqueen:

“I’m glad they were a help and not a hindrance,” Tara stepped aside to let them through the door.

Balsamea clatter cheerfully about the unicorn tossing Biloba, and the little bonsai hopped from foot to foot irritably, rustling and creaking about how terrible the nasty creature had been.

Tara raised an eyebrow at him behind her mask, “it serves you right. I told you to follow Balsamea’s directions.”

The tiny minion huffed and stomped off around the back of the house, and Tara rolled her eyes while Balsamea shook with laughter.

“You shouldn’t laugh so hard,” Tara said mildly, “you were just as bad when I first un-potted you. I distinctly recall an incident with a giant horned bat toad.”

Balsamea cringed, his bark creaking, and scurried off around the house after Biloba.

Minions were such a handful sometimes.

“Come inside,” Tara motioned them in, “you can tell me all about it over dinner.”

She stopped MK with a gentle touch on her elbow as she was walking by, “MK, honey, would you mind getting me another chicken? I haven’t had this many mouths to feed in a while, and I’m sure we could use one for dinner tomorrow.”

M.K. blushed, knowing exactly what Tara meant, and gave an appericative smile. “Alright, I…um..won’t take long,” she quietly went to where the chickens were kept and selected one of the fatter ones.

She killed it in an instant so it felt no pain, and cringed as M.K. felt her stomach being filled contently with the fresh blood. “I’ll be so happy when I don’t have to do this anymore,” M.K. muttered as she wiped the blood off her lips. She was thankful Tara was kind enough to let her do this in private. She hated the thought of doing this in front of Nod.

The prince knew she was a vampire, but to actually see somone drink blood was an entirely different experience. Although, with that said, what did M.K. think of Nod? Smart and funny were the first to come to her mind, and he certainly had better common sense than other boys her age.

Still, she couldn’t help except wonder if it was alright for her to fill the dozen butterflies in her stomach when she thought of his smile. Even if she wasn’t a vampire, she was in a lower class status from Nod. Would the Queen approve if she and Nod did decided they wanted to be more than friends? Or would she chop M.K.’s head off for even daring? It was hard to predict what would happen.

Brushing these thoughts aside, M.K. drained the chicken and swiftly carried it back to Tara. There was no need to dwell on these fears now. Focus on becoming human again, and then question on where her love life should go.

M.K. double checked there was no blood on her lips before entering the house. “I have the chicken, Tara,” she stated and held up the now dead bird.

“Thank you honey,” Tara took the bird from her and set it on the cutting board on the counter; she would get one of the minions to pluck it later, “why don’t you go sit down and keep us company during dinner.”

She motioned MK over to the table, and finished ladling out bowls of soup and handing them to the prince to put on the table. The general was being helpful as well, laying out silverware and putting cups and a pitcher of chilled goat milk on the table.

Tara picked up a basket of bread rolls from the counter and joined them at the table once everything was set.

“So tell me all the details,” she said, “which unicorn did you end up with?”

Curse AU- Closed RP

cursedforestqueen:

Tara spotted them returning through the window. Biloba did in deed look sullen, and Tara was sure Balsamea would enjoy telling her all about it.

More importantly, she could tell from the way MK and the prince were smiling that they had been successful. She wondered which of the unicorns they had found. They were both annoying in their own special way.

Ronin, on the other hand, looked distinctly distracted, and not by the hand holding going on behind his back.

Tara was definitely going to have to think of a way to give the love birds some alone time.

For now though, it was enough to welcome them back and get them fed and off to bed.

Tara opened the front door and smiled at them, “it looks as if you were successful.”

“We were,” MK declared as she held up the items. “It took a bit of convincing a unicorn to let us braid his hair and bandaged his wounds, but we did it.” She looked to Nod and gave a smile while blushing. “Nod was really good though, I don’t think we could have convinced the unicorn to stand still long enough without his sweet talk.”

Nod smiled shyly, passing over the strands of hair “it wasn’t that much. Just putting all my court training to use. Plus that unicorn was so vain it was pretty easy to convince him to let us pretty him up.”

Ronin “You did good job Nod. Your mother would have been proud to see that.”

Ronin bowed his head politely to Tara again struck by how her smile and manner didn’t match with her odd features. “Balsamea and Biloba were a great help. Thank you for sending them with us.

“I’m glad they were a help and not a hindrance,” Tara stepped aside to let them through the door.

Balsamea clatter cheerfully about the unicorn tossing Biloba, and the little bonsai hopped from foot to foot irritably, rustling and creaking about how terrible the nasty creature had been.

Tara raised an eyebrow at him behind her mask, “it serves you right. I told you to follow Balsamea’s directions.”

The tiny minion huffed and stomped off around the back of the house, and Tara rolled her eyes while Balsamea shook with laughter.

“You shouldn’t laugh so hard,” Tara said mildly, “you were just as bad when I first un-potted you. I distinctly recall an incident with a giant horned bat toad.”

Balsamea cringed, his bark creaking, and scurried off around the house after Biloba.

Minions were such a handful sometimes.

“Come inside,” Tara motioned them in, “you can tell me all about it over dinner.”

Curse AU- Closed RP

darkprincenod:

Nod reached out quickly as MK started to fall catching her by the waist. “Careful there.” Smiling and trying not the blush as he helps set MK back to her feet, and offering his hand. “Maybe I should lead the way back.”

MK blushed as she felt Nod’s hands on her waist. Despite his curse, they were still strong and warm. “Thanks,” MK said with a shy smile. Her blush spread when Nod offered to lead the way for her.

She should said ‘No’. She was a vampire and therefore she could see in the dark, but… “Yeah, that would be great,” she found herself answering without thinking. Gingerly, she took Nod’s hands into hers.

How long has it been since she was able to hold someone’s hand like this and feel safe? MK kept this thought to herself as Nod lead the way. She couldn’t forget the guy was a prince and out of her social ranking…but still, she couldn’t deny she was becoming quite fond of him, more so than any other boy she had met in her life.

Tara spotted them returning through the window. Biloba did in deed look sullen, and Tara was sure Balsamea would enjoy telling her all about it.

Ronin, on the other hand, looked distinctly distracted, and not by the hand holding going on behind his back.

Tara was definitely going to have to think of a way to give the love birds some alone time.

For now though, it was enough to welcome them back and get them fed and off to bed.

Tara opened the front door and smiled at them, “it looks as if you were successful.”

Curse AU- Closed RP

“We thank you,” M.K. said as she bowed her head and did her best attempt to not laugh. “It will be a memory of a lifetime I assure you.” They waited quietly and did say a word until the unicorn was gone from sight.

It was only then, M.K. was free to let loose her laughter. “Oh, brother! I’ve seen peacocks who are less vain!” She gestured back in the direction to Tara’s home. “Let’s head back, we got one ingredient down.”

She was also tempted to hum as they trekked back down the trail. For once in a long while, M.K. was feeling actually cheerful. She just hoped the other ingredients were as easy to obtained.

Nod laughed freely for the first time in weeks, “Oh you should meet some of the courtiers and ambassadors from back home. They’re worse than peacocks, but not quite as bad as that unicorn.”

Nod was tempted to take MK’s hand as they walked back toward Tara’s home, her smile was infectious.

Ronin lingered a moment picking up a few of the flowers that hadn’t been selected to adorn the vain unicorn. A dark purple center fading to pale lilac with edges that glowed. It was as out of place in the dark forest as the witch who they had come searching for. Carefully tucking the small bouquet into part of his overcoat, he started following Nod and MK, with Tara’s minions prancing behind him.

Quercus alerted Tara to the group’s return. He came bouncing into the house, thumping on his hollow spot gleefully, and Tara looked up from the letter she had been writing to Gerrold.

As it turned out, Quercus was gleeful because Biloba looked absolutely sullen, and, by the way, the rest of the group was in good spirits which probably meant they had been successful.

Tara rolled her eyes.

They still had close to two hours before dawn, and no doubt the group would be hungry. Tara had decided on chicken and dumpling soup. She had left it nearly ready on the stove, and now that they were almost there, she stoked the fire to heat it and added the dumpling dough. It would be ready about the time they arrived.

She settled her mask back over her face and returned to her letter while the soup simmered away on the stove.

Curse AU- Closed RP

darkprincenod:

Nod grinned as he pulled the hairs from the comb wrapping them in a bit of parchment, before placing them into a pouch. “Thank you Your grace. I’ll finish taking care of your tail and you will be restored to your proper glory.

M.K. giggled to herself and grinned joyfully. They got it! They got the hairs too! They were now just a few inches closer to break their curses. The girl exchanged a small triumph smile with Nod as she finished sorting the flowers and handled the bundle to Nod.

“Here it is, and I believe these flowers shall help bring out your eyes,” M.K. said as she glanced to the unicorn.

“They are sufficient,” Sigismund did them the great favor of holding still while they put the flowers in his mane, “the color of my eyes will enhance the blooms significantly.”

He waited until the princeling and girl were finished weaving the flowers in, then shook his mane to ensure they had done a proper job of it. He was pleased to note none of the flowers came loose.

“You have done an adequate job,” Sigismund informed them, “you now have the honor of sharing with your other insignificant kind that you had the great fortune of attending the most magnificent and dignified creature in creation.”

#Sigismund the unicorn

Curse AU- Closed RP

darkprincenod:

Nod finished combing out and braiding the unicorn’s feathers, vaguely hearing some rustling in the bushes. “I believe he is returning now Your Grace. I’ve finished with your fine feathers. If you will lie down and I begin work on your glorious mane.”

The unicorn tossed his head a little but carefully lowed himself to make it easier for Nod to reach his mane. Ronin stepped into the clearing with his arms full of flowers, followed by Biloba carrying a bouquet almost as large as he was.

“Your Grace, my Prince,” Ronin said stiffly, courtly words and false flattery never coming easily to him. “I have return, and I hope the blooms I have found will be suitable and sufficient.”

Nod smiled and he began combing out the tangled mangle, “Thank you Sir Ronin. Please set them here.”

It took all of MK’s power not to laugh. It was clear Ronin was not enjoying any moment of this. She exchanged a smirk with Nod as she rose, and went over to Nod’s side. “My task is done, would you like a hand with the flowers? When I was little my mother did teach me how to weave flowers into my hair.”

That was so long ago. Those were the days when her mother was alive and MK would run around with flowers in her hair pretending she was a princess. If she was told then she would one day be joining a prince on a quest, she wouldn’t believe it.

Nod smiled at Mk as he carefully began picking at the worse of the the tangles, “It would be a great help if you would sort the blossoms and prepare the stems, while I return his Grace’s mane to glory.”

Running the comb through the unicorn’s mane Nod had to admit the unicorn’s hair was very fine, softer and silkier than even his mother’s finest gowns, tangles coming apart easily with only a few shed hairs showing his comb. Remembering the need to ask permission, for what he needed, Nod thought over his next words carefully. “ Your Grace, I never once dreamed I would have the honor of tending one such as yourself. I wonder if you might permit me to keep a few hairs as a memento.”

#Sigismund the unicorn #cursed au

Sigismund snorted. Of course the princeling wanted some small token to remember the auspicious occasion. How could he help but want some keepsake of the greatest moment of glory he would ever know.

Plus the humans had done an adequate job tending to his coat and mane. They had done at least as well as the nymphs would have.

“I suppose I can grant you this great favor,” Sigismund tossed his head, secretly pleased when the flowers held their place, “I’m sure it will earn you great renown among the other insignificant mortals.”

Curse AU- Closed RP

darkprincenod:

Nod was glad the unicorn couldn’t see his face as he continued de-tangling and combing out his feathers before braiding them neatly. Ronin would object to being called sour faced, no matter how accurate a description it was.

“I can not be certain how long my General will take Your Grace. But I am certain he will return with a bountiful selection of flowers and I promise I will only select the finest and most perfect blossoms as your adornments.”

Elsewhere Ronin muttered and cursed the vanity of unicorns as Biloba lead him to a small grove of blooming and glowing flowers. Drawing his small dagger, he started cutting away the largest of the flowers. Inspecting them for any flaws that might bring the wrath of the haughty unicorn.

“Your mistress wasn’t kidding when she said unicorns were full of themselves was she?” Ronin said to the small minion would was being surprisingly helpful in gathering a selection of flowers himself.

MK took the container and carefully let some of the blood drip into it. When she thought she had enough, she twisted the lid and sighed in relief. They now had one item down. She exchanged a grin with Nod, letting him know she got it, and then proceeded to attend to the coat.

MK wet a cloth with her canteen of water and gently started to wash out the blood, being careful to not breath in the scent or her own vampire instincts might kick in. It would be a lot harder if Tara hadn’t let MK have the chicken blood earlier. She was really grateful to her.

Once the coat was washed, she reached for the bandage and ointment. “You should leave this on for a few days, you Grace,” MK explained. “You don’t want to risk getting it infected.”

#Sigismund the unicorn #cursed au

“Infections are hardly a problem for one as endowed as I,” Sigismund snorted, twitches moving along the muscles of his back.

The girl had done an adequate job though, and if did feel nice to have the blood off his coat and no longer itching.

“When is your servant returning?” he asked the princeling, “the forest is full of night blooms. Surely he’s been able to find a few by now.”

Curse AU- Closed RP

darkprincenod:

Nod bit the inside of his cheek as he bowed his head, “Of course Your Grace.”

Kneeling down, Nod ran his hand through the find hairs of the feather, pulling away some small leaves and sticks before taking the comb and beginning to de-tangle the knots.

Ronin found the small minion Biloba, struggling to free himself of a bush. Pulling the small figure free, Ronin watched him shake and clack his branches. “Yes that very rude of the unicorn, but for now I need you to help me find flowers. Unless you’ll prefer to grow them yourself.

“I will gladly bathe your coat,” MK replied as she brought out the washcloth and the waterbag she and brought with them. She wet the cloth and started to gently storked at the blood stoaked caot. MK glance to the wound that would need attending and took a breathe. Now was the time to ask.

“If you would be so kind, Sir, may I ask I take a bit of your spilt blood. It will only stain your coat, and the Prince and I need it in order to remove a curse placed on each of us?”

“Yes, I suppose that’s acceptable,” Sigismund gave a long suffering sigh.

As if being allowed to be in his very presence wasn’t enough of a payment. Still, it was better than the nymphs.

“When is your sour faced servant returning?” Sigismund demanded of the princeling, “Are you certain he understands the perfection required of blooms that will be placed on my person?”

Curse AU- Closed RP

“Um, yes of course,” MK said as she reached into her pouch. She was thankfull they had thought of packing bandages and healing ointments before they left. She fingered the container to use to store the blood. “And I’m certain the prince has the proper tools to attend your beautiful mane.” She looked to Nod with a mischievous grin. “Right, Your Highness?”

Nod grinned back as he dug through his pouch to pull out a wide tooth comb carved of fine wood, and a boar bristle brush. “Of course I do. General Ronin, if you would be kind enough to see if there are any flowers nearby I can use to glorify His Grace’s mane and tail.”

Ronin bowed slightly grateful he wouldn’t be expected to wait on the arrogant unicorn himself. “Of course, my lord.” Slipping away Ronin started searching for the helper the unicorn had thrown. It would probably be more help in finding flowers for the unicorn.

Once Ronin had disappeared through the brush, Nod bowed to the Unicorn again. “Your Grace, would you prefer I start restoring your glorious mane, or your fabulous tail?

“You may start with my stately feathers,” Sigismund paw at the ground, “then my mane, and then my tail. Once you have done a satisfactory job on my feathers, I will lower myself so one of your stature can reach my mane. Vampire, you may begin bathing my coat.”

Sigismund lifted his hoof and gave the prince an expectant look.

Curse AU- Closed RP

Sigismund snorted and shook his mane. Did this foolish girl think he lacked the wisdom to know when someone was trying to gain something from him? He was a rare creature of great splendor, and all creatures sought to gain some favor from him.

And of course to break a vampires’ curse required the utter purity of his blood.

Still, if blood was all they sought, that may be a less irksome price than dealing with the nefarious nymphs; they always failed to appreciate the true glory of his magnificence. He was, after all, already bleeding.

“Do you really think yourself worthy of such an honor?” he turned back to look at the group.

Nod stepped forward bowing as low he would for his mother, or perhaps another king, “Of course not Your Grace. Who could even hope to be worthy to even be in your presence let alone offer assistance?

Raising his head slightly to look at the unicorn, “But we are here, and it seems vulgar that one such as yourself should tend your own wounds when you should be waited upon. Even if only by a lowly prince such as I and an innocent maiden.”

Ronin stood back watching the exchange, biting the inside of his cheek. Nod’s tutors and mother had taught him well, but Nod was laying the flattery on thick. It was the sort of diplomacy and court politics he himself had no patience for. But from the gleam in the unicorn’s eye, it seemed to be working.

“I supposed I could be gracious enough to allow you the honor of attending to me,” Sigismund tossed his mane, making sure they were aware of the glory they were being allowed to touch, “I assume you brought the proper accoutrements to accomplish the task properly.”

Curse AU- Closed RP

MK couldn’t believe what she was seeing. A unicorn? A real unicorn…that looked annoyed as it flicked away Tara’s minions like they were flies. Okay, so this guy might be a bit of a grump. However, it looked hurt.

It may have been bad luck for the unicorn, but if they convince it to let them help, it would be good luck for them. Panic then struck as MK saw the unicorn turn away from them.

“Wait!” she called. “You look hurt? May we have the honor of helping you?” Unicorns were suppose to be prideful and vain creatures according to what she read in her father’s book. Bit of buttering up couldn’t hurt.

And of course to break a vampires’ curse required the utter purity of his blood.

“Do you really think yourself worthy of such an honor?” he turned back to look at the group.

Curse AU- Closed RP

M.K. gave a smile. “Well, that’s better than the reputation my dad left behind. Most of the village knew him as the guy who spent too much time in the wods.” She sighed as she shook her head. “With that said, not sure where I’ll go if I’m able to turn back to normal. I rather not go back to the village.”

There was too much history there, and not to mention there would be rumors flying if she were to reappear after being missing for months. M.K. needed to go somewhere to get a fresh start. Granted. she wasn’t sure what she would even do. She didn’t have that much skill besides basic sewing and a bit of cooking.

“If the Witch Tara doesn’t require you to work for her as payment, maybe I could help you find something. I know of several lords and ladies who are searching for new help, and some other people looking for apprentices.” Nod offered, “It wouldn’t be much but it would be something at least.”

And would have the bonus of keeping MK close, although Nod wasn’t sure if they would be a good thing or not. As much as he liked her he doubted his mother or the courts would approve. And it wouldn’t be fair to MK to even hint of a life with him, not if he couldn’t offer it.

#cursed au #today I am #Sigismund the unicorn #feathers are the fluffy hair around draft horses' legs #don't worry #Biloba will be fine #and maybe he actually learned something

Sigismund

Biloba crashed through the underbrush, sure he could find the unicorn faster than Balsamea. The old tree was practically deadwood. He must have been a billion years old by now if you asked Biloba.

Balsamea clacked at him to stop, telling him one of the unicorns was close by, and they were usually pissy.

Pissy unicorns his roots. Biloba could handle a arrogant, sissy pony. Balsamea was just an old, creaky, dried up...

Biloba plowed straight into a massive white foreleg, bouncing off and landing on his backside.

Sigismund snorted, stomping his hoof into the ground. His ample feathers ruffled majestically with the motion.

At least if you asked him.

He was not feeling his usual majestic self at the moment though. His sovereign territory had been trespassed on by foul, drooling beasts of darkness, and in the mighty battle that has ensued, his pristine mane and tail had become sullied with the creatures’ filthy and tangled, and his august coat was marred by their claws, stained with the perfect ruby hue of his own blood.

He was going to have purify the pool for those noxious nymphs again if he wanted his hair and coat restored to their rightful grander. As if his very presence shouldn’t have been enough payment for the privilege of touching his silken locks.

Sigismund lowered his head, pointing his pearly horn at the creature that dared to run into him. Then he realized it was just one of the witch’s minions and snorted in disgust.

He would not be beguiled by her bribes today. The restoration of his magnificent visage was of far more important.

Sigismund hooked his horn through the miniscule creature’s branches and tossed his head gracefully, sending it flying off into the forest.

His actions were immediately greeted by a ruckus clattering laugh. Sigismund looked up to see a somewhat larger minion rolling on the ground with glee at his companion’s fate. He wouldn’t be laughing so hard when Sigismund sent him airborne as well.

The unicorn pulled up short before he could charge though. The insignificant creature had brought humans with him. Mostly human in any case.

Behind the laughing shrubbery were three humans, unusual enough in this part of the forest, but more unusual, two of them were cursed. The younger of the men wreaked of black magic, and the girl had obviously been tainted by vampire blood.

The unicorn tossed his head, his skin twitching all along his back in irritation. He was sure they wanted some kind of favor and were there to appeal to his generous and magnanimous nature.

He had no time for such trivial things today though, not while his splendor was soiled. With a flick of his tragically tangled tail, he turned to walk away.

Curse AU- Closed RP

darkprincenod:

Ronin bit back a groan at the littlest minion’s excited bouncing and mumbles, “So I get to escort an overgrown puppy and a toddler version of a tree, and a teen tree, through the forest. Wonderful.”

Nod felt the a small flush of embarrassment as he heard Ronin, “Thank you Lady Tara, we’ll take care of your helpers and bring them back safely.”

"Well, it could be worse," MK replied trying to helpful. To be honest, after being forced to live in an old castle filled with vampires, she didn’t mind the company of the leafy minions as much.

She gave Tara a small smiled. “We’ll do our best, thank you so much for the help.”