stratt and grace and the rest of the phm science team running on 4 cumulative hours of sleep at an unscheduled conference. dimitri and lokken are trying to explain a new complication in the hail mary's fueling system and the resources necessary to iron it out but they keep getting interrupted by government officials butting in until grace (who doesn't even look up from his laptop and checked out of the conversation two days ago) snaps "we raise our hands to speak"
complete silence for like 3 seconds. the french prime minister sheepishly raises his hand and stratt smiles for the first time that week (grace buries his entire head behind his laptop screen for wont of a better option, like jumping straight into the sea)
Summary: you went exploring in the moors one night. You are met with a strange man
warnings: none
A.N. I know this fandom is probably dead, but not to me
Life in the moors were beautiful through and through. You frequented the river most of all, the life blooming there was what you would consider the most beautiful you had ever seen. Especially when the sun had laid down for the evening.
You should be in your home long past asleep like any respectable lady. And yet here you were in the late hours of the night, out for a stroll. No one could say it was unsafe really ever in the moors. Everyone knew to respect others and so that the same respect could be shared back with them. But none were perfect, and those who distinctly stayed from the good intentions of the community were dealt with.
You had seen her before. Maleficent. However, I never approached, simply bowed, and continued on your way. Though disappointed with the prickly wall blocking your world inside the barriers of the moors, you understood their purpose. That "King" Stefan was such a danger do you all, a wall is a reasonable response.
You would sometimes wander near the wall. Never touching it, though, you had been told it was cursed if someone laid a finger on it. Most nights, you would never touch the roots. However, tonight was one you were feeling more adventurous.
The walk to the wall was a difficult one. Many trees and other plants had overgrown on the path, whispers go around that she made the overgrowth. You would counter the argument by a question, "Has anyone actually tried to tame the path?" It ended in silence.
You did make it through the tough greenery and were able to approach the wall of roots. It felt like it grew every time you looked at it. A raven flew down near you. It landed on a branch of the wall and peered at you. You thought, since the raven landed and nothing happened to it, you should be fine. And tonight, there was one branch that looked like it was begging you to reach out and feel its bark. Like anyone would, you caved.
When you reached your arm out, the raven chirped at you. But it did not stop your hand as it reached the bark of the limb. You were flung backward in a flash of green light and hit a tree behind you. The hit wasn't that hard at all, but still ripped the air out of you. After hitting the grassy floor below you, you looked up. It took a moment for you to realize the great pain your hand was in. Your eyes trailed down and saw the gash now painted on the skin.
Looking up, the raven was gone. In its place, a man approached you. He reached forward for your non-wounded hand. You placed yours in his, and he helped you back up. "All you alright, miss?"
"Yes, yes I am," you hid your hand behind your back. He didn't need to see the river of red sprouting from your palm. You bowed your head for a moment, "Thank you, sir." When you turned to leave, you felt a gentle grip on your wrist.
"You are hurt." He turned your hand up, showcasing the fresh wound. Before you could say it was nothing, he was ushering you away. "Let me bind that. You don't want it to grow infected." He led you past some brush of trees. You were trying to memorize the route, knowing you had to come back this way to return home.
"Forgive me," he began, "I haven't asked you your name."
"Call me, Y/n, and yours?"
"Diaval. Y/n is a beautiful name. It suits you."
You were led to a very strange looking tree. Its leaves were very long and curly. It emitted a strange aroma, a mix of mint and maple. The syrup running behind the bark must be very rich, you thought. The tree itself was very tall, as if it had been growing for centuries. But if it had, it makes no sense as to why you seem to be finding it now.
Diaval placed one of his hands on the bark. The tree at first remained in its place, and you wondered what the gesture was for. But then the eyes of the great oak opened and looked down at its disturber.
"Apologies for waking you, good friend. But I need your assistance." He reached for your injured hand. He showed the gash to the gentletree. The tree nodded and extended an arm full of curly leaves to Diaval. He plucked one of a branch, "Thank you."
The tree's attention came to you. You bowed your head and thanked him as well. He returned the gesture and went back to resting. Diaval turned to you and began to really inspect the gash. "Not too deep, that's good."
He took the leaf and began to wrap the would with a gentle hand. The leaf carried the same mint and maple scent of the tree, but not as strong. The smell filling your senses was really calming. After some time, you let your curiosity win. "I didn't see you when I was...um," you trailed off. You probably shouldn't bring up what you were doing at the gate.
"When you were getting too close to the wall," he finished. "Well, I have my ways of blending into the shadows." He smiled gently, so you knew he meant no real harm.
You pursed your lips before continuing. "Yes, that's good to know." You sucked in a breath, "This may sound strange and forgive me if I'm foolish, but... did you see a raven on one of the branches at the gate?"
He smiled in response, "I was aware of a raven, yes."
"Oh good! I didn't understand how it managed to rest on the branch. That was why I decided to try my luck," you chuckled a bit after finishing your confession. He finished wrapping your hand. You could already feel the healing beginning to take place underneath the bandage.
"I believe that raven has some magic capabilities. Or knows someone who does." He hadn't dropped your hand yet. His hands were warm, and you enjoyed them holding yours.
"How is that possible?" Your voice was a bit airy. The subject of magic was always something you wish to expand on. No amount of books or stories could quench your thirst for knowledge of it.
"What isn't possible here?" He responded in the same tone. You smiled at him and shook your head. He was right. The moors still surprised you, even if you've lived here your whole life.
"I should head home. I know my mother would not approve of me being out at this time." You turned to leave. His hand remained on yours. Holding you in place.
"Let me walk you," he said quickly. "I would hate for you to get lost," he said, recovered some composure. He stood next to you and offered his arm. You took him up on his offer, and you both began the walk home. When you both reached the place near the wall, you offered to guide him the rest of the way there. "Thank you, but I believe I know a shorter way," he whispered.
You allowed him to guide you on a different way to your home. Surprisingly, he was right about the shortcut. "I appreciate your kindness."
"And I you," he responded. He faced you, looking deeply into your eyes.
"But all I've done tonight is cause trouble," you nervously smiled.
"You offered a very interesting evening. I don't have those often, especially with a very beautiful woman." You flushed a bit when he complimented you.
"Goodnight, Diaval," you smiled and bowed your head one last time.
"Goodnight, Y/n." He brought your hand to his lips and placed a kiss on one of your knuckles. "Until we meet again."
After returning to your house, you ran upstairs to your bedroom. The window faced the front, and you knew you'd be able to see him as he left. You were right. His back was turned to you. He seemed to be walking towards someone. In a moment, he was turned into a raven. The same raven you had seen on the branch at the gate.
What if we get a moment where it’s revealed that despite seeing her as a daughter, Diaval is a little unsure about his place in Aurora’s life until one day Aurora refers to him as father either to him or when speaking about him to someone else and he just straight up starts crying.
He turns to Maleficent and just sobs “I’m her father” and Maleficent with the fondest look she can achieve rolls her eyes and just goes “Of course you are”
Aurora of course is extremely concerned and confused as to why her dad just burst into tears.
Me, bleeding profusely from a missing leg as I’m being dragged onto the beach: THIS WAS A STATISTICALLY UNLIKELY OCCASION, IF THE SHARK WANTED ME DEAD I WOULD BE DEAD. SHARKS ARE IMPORTANT FOR THEIR ECOSYSTEMS I DO NOT CONDONE ANY ATTEMPTS TO HUNT THIS SHARK
thinking abt that one quote that’s like “you are a language i am no longer fluent in but still remember how to read” like how soul crushing is that… what the hell
Best feeling in the world is when you have a friend who is really really good at singing and only you get to experience their horrible sing-alongs in the car cuz you're *that* close
Hp houses as quotes ive said to my friends pt. something
Ravenclaw: "Everyone's always asking about which came first with the chicken and the egg, but has anyone ever thought about what made roadkill in the first place? Like, was it a fucking wheel or the whole ass carriage that rolled over the stupid weasel?"
Slytherin: "Crush? No, I don't have crushes on people. Sure, sometimes I'd like to strangle a few morons because of how much their beauty distracts me from my crappy life, but that's not what crushes are. Right?"
Hufflepuff: "Just because I'm your friend doesn't mean I'm going to give you cash whenever you ask. Damn, that whole line should be a TED Talk concept."
Gryffindor: "Look, I'm all for eating skittles till I look like Shrek, but in about 143 seconds, I'm gonna be able to sleep without interruptions for 2 hours, so move it."
The 4 HP houses as quotes I've said to my friends pt. 23758
Ravenclaw: "Not only do teachers love me, but they also love the fact that I cannot reach deadlines."
Hufflepuff: "I swear on my Bed Almighty, I promise to give you your jacket back. Now, gimme it before I turn into a Popsicle."
Slytherin: "There's only so much I can do on a Monday. Kick someone's face in? Yeah, why not. Be a bitch who secretly wants a hug? Absolutely. Actually stay awake during that whole photosynthesis lecture? No damn way."
Gryffindor: "Hypothetically speaking, if I locked my math class from the outside, leaving that class stuck inside, do you think that would allow me to skip it?"
Gendry’s this big, muscly dude who hates highborns, makes weapons for living and chooses to kill people in one of the goriest ways possible and the fact that he goes all soft and mushy over the tiniest most ferocious warrior in Westeros is everything.
Like look at him.
He’s big. He’s hella strong. He’s a bit of a grumpy dick and he’s completely fucking gone for this woman.
