Find. ---- ----Save. --Me...

Tobias Cousland 35. Human Unseelie Pet ... craves not more, just what.

[t-cousland]

irisofwolves:

A startled laugh escaped her, but before she could reply Tobias had pulled off all the clothing on the upper half of his body. He wasn’t bad looking. He did look kind of funny, wearing only his boxers and shoes, and yet it somehow fit him. Iris’s eyes quickly scanned his body, her gaze skipping over the scars and rather focusing on the clear evidence of muscles. Was Tobias vain, or did he simply do a lot of running and fighting for the fae?

She didn’t really have much time to ponder that thought. Tobias had taken off running through the Forest. There was a pause, and then Iris took off running after him, her ears trained on the sound of thundering feet and heavy breathing. Breathless laughter escaped her as she bobbed and weaved through the trees. “I’m faster than you are!” 

Running through the Forest was always exhilarating, as a wolf and as a human. Chasing was even more fun. She needed to go running with Jason more. Their running dates used to happen at least once a week, but these days Iris felt like she was seeing less and less of him, and yet the tensions in the Pack were high, and she thought that times like these were probably the best for running. Where even is Jason? And Abraham? Iris shook herself out of those thoughts. Now wasn’t the time. She couldn’t let Tobias get away.

She exploded out out of the trees into the area surrounding Lake Faileas, her eyes flitting around in search for Tobias. A smirk grew upon her face as she spotted her prey and she ran after him with rejuvenated strength. As Iris got closer to Tobias, she leapt up into her air before landing on him— which incidentally pushed them both into the water. Fuck. “I caught you?” Iris couldn’t help but question her life choices as she felt the cold water seep into her clothes. Why did she think this was a good idea? Why.

The run was so damn good! He had never ran this much and this free before. Well, he technically did a lot of running but he was always in his sleeved clothing, to be protected from the sun and possible poisonous plants, even if they were comfortable enough to run with, it was still much more different than running with this kind of freedom. Is this what wolves felt? It was divine! He laughed in his head at that, even as his breathing came in short and heavy bursts. Werewolves had the luck of their fur covering them, unless they were running away naked because they didn’t have clothes?

He almost stopped running at that thought that made him laugh, but the fact that he could hear foot steps everywhere - fast - just behind him made him go and push, farther and farther - he didn’t even know where the finish line exactly was. All he knew was that at the very shore of Faelias did he stop running, the beauty of it’s pristine, peaceful waters - a beauty further enhanced by his heartbeat and adrenaline. Damn what a beautiful place, a beautiful damn locked place. A place where he was both free, a prisoner - but at least he had people who somehow- didn’t think he was a freak, that somehow, was there with him, joking, laughing, and of course - of course for the select few he had been with for so long - caring.

Just as he turned to look at Iris- who was no doubt supposed to be behind him - Tobias did not expect such a violent jump that pushed them both in the water. He gave out another yell -although this time much more dignified - dignified until his hand flailed and he sputtered as the water went in his mouth. “Caught is an understatement for you wolves.” he laughed before quickly climbing up to dunk Iris’ head in the water. With a laugh he swam a little to the side - of course his shoes got wet, sad, but everything else was just small clothes- unlucky for the other one obviously.

Tobias proceeded to splash the offending jumper grateful for the small things in life. “Hope you got some clothes here! Cause you’re definitely gonna be a wet human or a wet dog!” Again wonder and questions came to his mind. Would Iris, as a drenched person also turn into a drenched wolf, and do they have to be naked before turning or risk ruining their clothes? That’s kinda hard. “Do --” he started asking as he continued to throw out splashes “Have you ever wrecked a good amount underwear because you changed as a wolf while in clothes?”

[t-cousland]

ailisinwonderland:

“Yeah to have less care I’m gonna need like six more.” She chuckled. Only half true. Tobias was here so honestly that already made her care less about the usual worries. He had that effect on her. However as they reached the floor, her eyes turned upwards to glance around at the light bathing them suddenly. She laughed out of sheer joy. It had been so long since she’d gotten a chance to dance. Something she quickly and easily fell into step in doing. Grinning at Tobias’ dancing and hoping she could lead him just a little bit.

She just danced. She let her feet follow the music and her body followed. She wasn’t great at it but she was here, with Tobias and a teensy bit of alcohol in her system… and frankly she didn’t care. Everyone else was much more intoxicated than her so she’d probably be the one remembering things tomorrow. Not them. She had barely opened her mouth to tell him he was doing great when it was almost like slow motion. Watching him reach up and knock into the woman… Like a train wreck she couldn’t stop. She gave an apologetic smile to the woman who didn’t seem to pay her any mind and followed Tobias’ lead away.

"You were doing well.” She chuckled lightly. “It’s better to get the clumsy out of the way right? Now you’re just full of grace?” She grinned knowing full well there might likely be another incident before the end of the night. She didn’t mind though. It was fun. Brought her back to old times when it was just the two of them. As he asked for another dance and she eagerly nodded, the song changed. One slower and softer. One he might be less likely to smack into people during. “I would like that very much.”

Tobias agreed, he probably needed more than six for his feet to cooperate and his inhibition to leave, but six was a little too much given that he was technically still under working hours. For how long? He didn’t know, but he hoped to get the signal that he could leave either way. So there he was, dancing like a fool, a literal fool with little jiggles of his hand and awkward presses of his hips, his face looked pained but his laugh was real enough to show he didn’t mind what he was doing - because in the end that was what it was. Fun.

He watched her though, watched her also slightly tipsy, happy look as she danced to the music, the thrum of magick in the air. Were those confetti and sparkles in the night sky or was it something more? Something that it seemed only Ailis had right now? Her hair bounced and her smile was infectious- of course it had to go falling down when it did.

As they left sight of the angry magick, which still prickled heavily on Tobias as his ears turned as red as neon led christmas lights. “I’m full of grace?” he laughed, a bit concerned. “I’m sure it’s called ‘full of ‘oh my graciousness!’’ he did a mock aristocratic look, complete with a scoff and a fan of his face with his hand. He could still feel his ears red. 

This time, with more grace, less movement from everyone else and with a softer rhythm, Tobias already had his arms open, ready to meet Ailis’ as he would hold her in a slow dance, for a second he stopped, his eyes unsure and started to dart left and right. Would it be alright? Wouldn’t it be embarrassing for others to see her? But it was dark, her eyes guided him, and her smile and how she said those words. It felt like there was more, that this was similarly friendly from all those dances they shared while crashing parties or just celebrating in her flat for a job well done and a weird victory dance. 

Tobias closed in, much more confident now. The lights were lower, the land was darker except for the moon and the stars in the sky. It seemed perfect - what seemed like little lights still danced in his eyes. “You’re beautiful.” he said, his dark eyes looking at her as he couldn’t help but smile, defeated. This was a good dance, it brought back memories, it brought back history that he thought they would have lost. “I’m really glad you’re here,” even if we don’t always get to see each other. Morbid as it may seem, we aren’t getting away from each other that easily.” he chuckled, his feet carefully, almost expertly moving their steps in their slow dance until he let himself give in for a tiny moment to envelop her in a hug he’d never thought he’d ever do again.  It was solstice, they were in a celebration, after all.

[t-cousland]

Closed || Lorien

[t-cousland]

wanderessiums:

It wasn’t accidental; they knew the faint tension rise from a few faes, the way their breathing hitched or the amount of sighs they’ve emitted for the whole day—those were the little things Lorien could easily remember. This included, due to the open windows and holes, they could literally visit any part of the forts and just find some new story to listen to (it came in handy when they had to create their own stories to entertain younger faes back then). But this wasn’t for their own personal interest of finding out the secrets of every fae, it was his worry for the Human servant serving for the Unseelie. It had only been months since they’ve first met, Lorien’s curiosity fueling more and learning more about their species through Tobias.

But… that was not it, Tobias deemed himself to be more than a normal human. They passed by as thin air and he saw them, his eyes meeting theirs. The only ones they knew that were able to see him naturally as air was the High King, the Seelie Queen and… him. They knew that there was something odd with this human. Despite the odd attribute he held that interested them, it felt a little upsetting that they could not sneak up to them. But this time, their friend seemed to be so distant in thought that he did not notice their invisible presence, only when the transition came to be he did. Fortunately enough, the temperature was absolutely cold making it easier for them to collect the air particles and form faster.

There was a moment of silence, they let the other speak first. “… just, enough.” It felt odd to see Tobias so out of himself, he was often brimming with life—but now, he seemed devoid of it. They were sure that at some point the male had felt or perhaps seen their presence while he had his moment with the Unseelie Strategist. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have listened.” A pause as they stood by the wall, back resting on the wall, arms half crossed. “The thing’s going on, it’s unhealthy for you…” I’m concerned. Of course, there was evident worry in their tone, even their eyes spoke of genuine concern. “How are you feeling?” They ask faintly after a few seconds of silence; they would not mind if the other did not utter a single word, even the way he breathes was a form of communication for them.

“It’s okay, I’m sure you’re not going to tell anyone... I hope?” he was able to give a smile at that, a teasing one that easily left as it came. His shoulders sagged once again as a frustrated growl threatened to leave him Tobias suddenly felt so free beside Lorien, a friend, someone who wasn’t as judgmental as the other Unseelie, someone who was well, fair at the best. Tobias placed his head in his hands as his fingers scratched on his head, his dark hair moving and swaying everywhere at the display of frustration. “I just.” he opened and closed his mouth a few times just to say something, anything. It was incredibly hard. he knew what to say, he knew what words he would say but for the life of him Tobias didn’t want those words to be spoken out loud, he didn’t want the forest to know.  “I don’t know if you understand Lor, but, Avery has been everything to me, I never minded if it was just him and I, I never minded when he was away or when I was away, but this -being stuck in this damn forest and I.” he bit his lip, almost bleeding as he once again stomped farther away from the forts. He left his house for a job, and that was because Maeve’s houselady needed something. It was just a bonus that Lorien was anywhere nearby for him to be able to vent.  “I’m just tired, I”m just really tired. I wish I was like you, turning into air, I could forget... I could forget sometimes and just fly....” he looked at his friend wistfully, his eyes so very sad and hopeful despite knowing it was impossible. “How does it feel? Being free--” he bit his cheek, Lorien was hardly free, he knew of his past and knew that Maeve now held him as the King did, maybe by duty if not by emotions. “Sorry, I know you’re not but you get what I mean.”  Another sigh escaped him as he continued towards the waterfalls. “What have you been doing lately though? It’s such a small forest but I never see you, hiding?” he tried to joke. Sure enough Lorien’s easy company would easily have Tobias talking again, but it helped for conversation to go both ways especially since Lorien looked like he was going to stick around for some time. 

[t-cousland]

Closed || Maeve

[t-cousland]

t-cousland:

       maevetuath:

Maeve stood in front of a large wooden carving upon the back wall of the Unseelie counsel chambers. They were the public ones, rather than her own, private room, and far less ornate and far more practical. The carving was the obvious focal point of the room, as it was large, decorative, and easily recognizable. 

It was a map of Arain, detailed from her own literal birds-eye view. It was the most trustworthy representation of the forest she could get her hands on, as many former cartographic scrolls failed to include the newcomers of Arain. Her attention was drawn to the very center where a silvery building emerged from the treeline. The research facility she had heard so much about. The architecture reminded her of a veritable fortress, though more…chic and open than the ones she had crossed in her time of conquests. It sat there, dead in the center, like a streak of light in a darkened room. It taunted her, laughed and spat in her face, screeching like a banshee. You’ll never penetrate this house of iron, it cackled, unless you would face your former in death.

She nearly shook with the discomfort of the notion, thankful for her solitude, before her attention was broken away by an intruding guard. He spoke rapidly, announcing the entry of her dear pet Tobias. Her head tilted in curiosity, and her woes seemed to melt away somewhat, her mood improving as it was dragged away from the daunting carving. 

As she came upon the sight of her kneeling pet, she smirked proudly. It was a respect she was due and often refused due to her changed status. Nevertheless, she indulged, feeling a wave of ease roll over her. She extended her hand to where he could see and motioned upwards twice with two fingers, as if to relieve him of his kneeling. “I will permit it, my dear. Come.” She replied, indicating for him to follow her within the room, hearing the door close behind them once they were both inside. Maeve promptly sat and turned to her guest, smiling warmly. “Come, sit. I’ve missed your company, Tobias. How do you fare?”

He began his steps towards his queen, her radiance hung in the air, an air of power, respect and fortunately good graces. He took a seat at a respectful distance, not bowing anymore but meeting her eye to eye while still doing his very best to appear small, and yet with dignity as it was something he picked up with the fae of the Winter Court, to be treated low and meek, and yet be able to show that one had a backbone. That backbone was thanks to Avery.

"I am honored to have thy queen welcome me in such manner." he said with another bow, showing that he did indeed feel honored. "I have been fairing well your highness, but I am also at what humans would call a crisis in my life." He didn't know how much jargon Maeve would understand so with a deep breath he continued. "I have been under your service for quite some years My Queen, almost a decade it seems and I humbly apologize that this may seem trivial to you and to any fae, but it is very important to me." He gulped, placed his fidgeting fingers out from under the table to rest on top of it, his elbows out of the table while his fingers now crossed with each other sat with a slight terseness.

"You of all people know how Avery Nye, has found me since I was but a lad of 8, and from there he had molded me. I would like to be proud and say I have retained who I am as a person while being able to take some of the Unseelie laws at heart." Tobias slightly twisted his words there, of course 'some' meant not all, but if the queen would ask why not all of the Unseelie, his answer would no doubt be because he was not of fae and it would be dishonorable to the Unseelie name to claim that he- a simple human would be able to embody such.

"Unfortunately, I have come at a time where I am questioning - not my loyalty no - but my use." His memories went back to old, to him of being a babe, to his sight, his parents, his life and past Avery, the Unseelie, Maeve, the Seelie, the battle, the eclipse, the alliance, Oscar, Gabriel --- "I fear my time with your people my Queen have been far too long ---" His words were cut off, how could he say it, it  trivial. Almost unimportant. Tobias looked at Maeve's face, trying to see, discerning if there was anything untoward.

His mind flashed with what he knew of Maeve, as a pet, and as a person. Lowly, but a person nonetheless.

[putsomeseaweedonit-blog]

OPEN STARTER~

“These are not my teardrops, daughter dear

But just a sheen of dew, that lingers here

Past other fields, where other fathers lie

Who kept their daughters better far then I..”

She’d heard it somewhere and now quietly she sang it while she was alone. Clara was still close to the lake, weary of anyone because of the dead mer that had recently been found, but still too curious to stay hidden for long. A small knife in her hand cut some herbs cleanly.

Her palms and fingers were muddy and dirty from digging up some roots that had been near the water’s edge. She sat them neatly on the ground and pulled a notebook and pencil from her pack, drawing the plants and writing out descriptions. Clara would even take the time to touch one leaf to her lips and write down the taste. 

A snap of a twig that sounded too heavy to be a little critter made her drop her book and stand quickly. “Who’s there?! I’ve got a knife!” She gripped it tightly in her hands. 

[t-cousland]

“I’ve also got a knife but I don’t plan on using it harmfully!” he shouted as he kept his body to a curl, low enough to be only slightly hidden by the mangroves and weeds that came from the lake. He probably looked a bit silly, but there he was, picking up fresh... ingredients or something for the Unseelie because they were too chicken to have some salt on them. Tobias definitely understood why, he was just not really in the mood to be doing these things right now. He also knew he was rarely at the Forts, so a few things to follow so he wouldn’t go amiss would benefit him. 

“I’m a human just a human.” he looked around and noticed that he was somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be. “I was... were you singing mer?” he asked, now fully alert as he was much more used to merfolks and that their song did weird things to his head. He was not fully efficient in blocking out the song part- given that he was in this patch of lake rather than the other one where he should have been in the first place.

He had to be more careful, he was sure he could identify what was mer and what was mer using magick. He didn’t want to be enraptured again.

[youre-a-pain-blog]

Open Starter [Anyone: Forest]

[t-cousland]

youre-a-pain:

Ora was not frightened easily; not many would a vampire find frightening first of all but then she did not expect a jumping human. Ora turned her head to the side to see where he would have come from — a r o w of t r e e s were graciously aligned together and there was enough space for one to jump and climb on. “Nice going. Let’s say you impressed me ‘squirrel’”

The way he looked at her like a deer caught in headlights and the way he would have; what did the kids call it… 'parkour(?)’ instantly gave her a nickname to use for him. “Don’t be an idiot. Of course you aren’t to you unless you’re a cannibal. Hell I would call myself one if I didn’t have these babes.” A flash of her fangs again before she decided to have a little bit more fun. “These; and my sensitivity to the sun and desire for blood and thirst kinda remove me from the cannibal forum. I don’t exactly eat flesh too y'know?”

Grabbing the other’s hand she swung down the tree branch “C'mon if you wanna move, let’s both move — or I’ll eat you.” As she swung down he looked at the human so very far away from the GRF that she wondered if there were more loose humans that she could eat —  that did not humor her as so; “My name’s Ora — I’m a vamp and you are?”

Tobias blinked, only slightly uncomprehending. "Vampire's really just drink do they? They don't... eat flesh or anything right?" It was a redundant question, but it was fascinating to confirm. It was somethign that wasn't really touched upon, or maybe he was just being silly because that's why it's not touched upon in the first place. For all the death and destruction vampires caused no doubt in the human world but also in stories, it's true. They just suck the blood out of their pray, blood, maybe mixed with water and everything else but not exactly their skin, meat. It wasn't a very good image and it showed in his face the sheer disgust of what open body parts seemed to be like.

He was squatted along the tree branches, making sure that his balance was there as she spoke. He gave a weak smile, one that did not meet the level of enthusiasm she had on her face. "Thanks uh-" He wasn't really able to say anything as she pulled him down and he had no choice but to obey. Her feel much more graceful and grounded as it fell on the ground compared to his that probably still was asleep with it's own shock of another lucky run in with a vampire. "I'm moving - I'm moving but- did you like, wanna go somewhere? I'm not that good in touring." He had only recently mapped out Arain, it was very possible that he missed a lot of good spots, and it was entirely possible he didn't want to be in this position.

"I... I'm Tobias, uh nice meeting you Ora." he laughed as he removed his hand from her arm and proceeded to scratch his nose. "So like, do you really can't stand the sun, should we... walk under the shadows?" A gulp, a terse and nervous look of his eyes before looking away. "Sorry, I'm still a bit caught up of how vampires are just here talking like it's normal and not eat- I mean drinking. Not that I'm taking up your offer to be food thanks."

[t-cousland]

sorinvikare:

“Could so,” Sorin argued, just on principal, though he made no attempt to offer any proof. He hadn’t actually been dared, so he felt no need to defend his honor. He was just… resting his legs, that was all. He took a moment to assess the look on the human’s face and narrowed his eyes, giving a small hmph. “Why’s digni- dignified matter?” He asked, sidetracked. “You die either way,” He explained, as if that wasn’t obvious, and he nodded. “So the way you die doesn’t matter, ‘less you come back. Then, it matters.” Looking serious, he gave another few nods and then stopped, because his head and his stomach were not appreciating the movement. “Bunnies are soft,” he added after a moment. “Drăguţ.”

“That’s- rude,” Sorin announced, more than a little put out. He blew a raspberry at the human and crossed his arms, slumping against his tree. He gave him a petulant glare, saying “You’re not any fun.” Ugh. “Oameni,” he muttered darkly. “What’s ‘sled?’ You couldn’t push me down anything,” he insisted, halfheartedly puffing out his chest.

“I don’t know how it started,” he replied. “But it’s…” he shrugged. “Mmm. I met a nice werewolf at the party. I like him. They’re not so bad, I think, and none of them have tried to eat me yet. But my clan doesn’t like them. They expect bad things, and I think some wolves don’t like us. But why, I don’t know. They should be friends with me,” He stated. “Werewolves like snuggling, right? I’m the best snuggler. Very best.” He paused, and then corrected himself. “Second best, misiu- hm, Kai’s very best. Maybe we’re tied,” he decided, “Both very best.” That sounded right. What had they been talking about again? He gives up. If it was important, the human could remind him.

“Like what sort of things?” Sorin asked, rolling his head around on his shoulders until he was staring at the human, unblinking. “I’m not usually content,” he admitted. “It’s why I’m like this. I wasn’t content and I wanted more, but maybe I got too much.” And, wow. He should not talk about this right now. Blearily, he scrambles to change the subject. “Are you saying I need a hobby?” He asked. “I don’t know what hobbies are. I don’t want to knit.” He scowled. “You can’t make me. And coin collecting…” Well, he did have a weakness for collecting things, and coins were shiny and pretty, but… it just didn’t seem right. “Fills me with what? With blood?” He rolled his eyes. Typical human mindset. Bloodlust was a concept that was out of their reach, and perhaps he shouldn’t fault them for that, but it was tiring all the same. They didn’t understand, they couldn’t understand but they wanted to give advice about it anyways. “Blah,” he said, the simple word accurately summing up his feelings on that subject.

“Yeah,” he breathed out. ”But it feels hopeless sometimes. Like as long as there are vampires, they will be killing people, I think. Or at least me.” His voice was glum. Then, he snorted. “I already… already work for someone. The humans. We protect them, they give us blood. But it’s all in stupid bags and nobody ever wants to let me bite them,” he said. “I hate the bloodbags. ‘S not any fun. Like… eating a plain, hard, week old loaf of bread ‘cause you don’t have anything else, but you’re hungry and it’ll keep you going. That’s it.”

This was probably going to be harder than he thought, but Tobias couldn't help but relax as the vampire continued on being intoxicated. Here they were talking about life, death, after-death apparently, and all sorts of things in between. "I don't want to be seen as weak." he said softly, uncharacteristically twiddling his fingers in the cold. "If I were to die, let me die unselfishly, doing something that mattered, I don't even care if people remembere me-" he shrugged, the last part was a lie, maybe it would be good to be remembered, even if it weren't by many. Maybe just by one... would it actually matter? "Do you remember how you died? Or... sorry, you don't have to answer that question." Tobias didn't know how old vampires were, or if they really stay that young forever. It would be curious to learn, although it was still improper to ask.

"I won't.. I mean I would, I still wouldn't want you to I don't know, be eaten by another vampire or something worse, so really, only if you suddenly fall asleep I'll try to place you somewhere... kinda safe, or at least unseen." He didn't know if vampires had a scent to track them, wasn't like anybody would be a predator to a specie he knew as a top predator but still. An angry animal could just rip him to pieces if the vampire seemed to fall asleep in the way drunk people do - solidly.

Tobias gave a yawn, maybe it was how the other was talking, drunk and silly and all around, but even as he listened, the cold moved him in two directions, lulled in sleep and bitten in the frost. "You can't be friends with everyone..." Tobias was taken back to his own past, how even the simplest most simpering ways he belittled and degraded himself didn't even give him an inch of care or notice from people he wanted to be friends or even be normal with. "But it's nice to hear you're trying- I don't think there's a lot that's gonna argue with you on that." A smile tried to place itself on the humans face. Really who argued with a vampire anyway? "Who's Kai?" Tobias asked as he fully now had his head in his crossed arms, arms that hugged his knees, looking all like a curled ball of sweater. 

"As long as there's people, there's going to be death, doesn't matter if you're a vampire or not. I wouldn't like it very much if you killed me for blood to be honest, but maybe... a bite wouldn't be bad?" He regretted his words "Maybe you can ask it rather than it's just bagged - have it fresh?" Tobias was quiet afterwards, the vampires stayed with the GRF and blood was what made their world controlled. Somehow controlled, that was interesting --- "Wait what? Does that mean the humans just pump up their blood for you in bags or.... is it something else?" Now he was concerned, very concerned, and his suddenly alert state made him back up just a fraction in horror. More because of what the humans did than what the vamps were supposed to be doing.

[t-cousland]

Closed || Maeve

@maevetuath

Tobias decided to go and head towards that house by the lake but fear and trepidation took a hold of him just before he would cross that threshold. He wasn't ready, he'd only been out of the human influence for a few months and yet it felt like the culmination of all the years. Back then he would go to the human world, read a newspaper, maybe have an extra hour to play a game when he was up to schedule, for the past few months it felt like a lifetime since he'd last seen a skyscraper, a train, anything remotely non-forestry. Nothing beats the night sky with all the stars, but then it felt funny now to feel that he misses the lamp posts and paved sidewalks.

Back at the Unseelie Forts, Tobias saw the time and it was quite late - quite late yet just a good time to ask of his queen's private presence. He stayed outside of the Unseelie Counsel Rooms, hoping to be granted the privacy and audience with the queen. A fae guard was there and with that he spoke of his request. When the guard left to fetch the queen, Tobias started to kneel in the general direction of the door to show his respect. He hoped Maeve was in a jovial mood, or at least any mood except displeased. It would be a whole different obstacle to get through alive if she were.

When he heard the familiar footsteps that only youthful years of paranoia could bestow, Tobias waited for Maeve to acknowledge him before he spoke, his eyes moving from the ground beneath her feet towards her eyes. "My Queen," he breathed before steeling his voice to be more appropriate. "I wish for your private counsel tonight if you shall allow me." He hoped she would, he had been thinking about the proper words to say, how to work with it and how to rephrase his words to embody some of the Unseelie laws.

Change and the pursuance of what they want in life. In this case, Tobias knew what to change, he just hasn't fully fleshed out how to get there when he knew he was not a very free man. It was only his familiarity after 10 years of loyal service that gave him strength to approach her, it seemed insignificant in fae years, but for a human, 10 years was not something to laugh at.

[t-cousland]

Closed || Ailis

@ailisinwonderland

After the whole crazy ordeal of the ice maze, Tobias was ecstatic on seeing Avery, and when the older fae hugged him, was elated even to see that he was alright it felt as if all the worry and problems left him. It felt as if he, he had a place again. The comfort ended as soon as it began as Avery rushed off to a familiar direction. He knew that direction... his heart deflated, but still, he internally kicked his mood. He loved Avery, he was happy for him, but he had to do this himself and sort out his own wrong feelings on the matter.... whether Gabriel tried to see if he was still there or not- Tobias had left and went straight downwards. Avery wouldn't know until later on - if the fae every tried to find him - busy as he was. Maeve could think he died, he'd have to report otherwise. For now, Tobias hurried off to his house, shed off the ruined clothes and changed into his usual wear.

He grabbed his ready backpack, and while he couldn't find his favorite baseball, he ravaged the nearby garden to find a full cabbage, slightly bigger than his hand to play with as he journeyed towards the Cabins. He hoped they were alright. The few that he knew of, of course. The stark reality was that, he needed advise of sorts, he needed someone who was a neutral friend. The trek down would take a day maybe as he knew of the shortcuts, but it would still be a long way. The first hour went off without problems, whenever he was bored, he would throw the cabbage in the air and expertly catch it, making sure it wouldn't fall to keep it's size and sturdiness.

The next few hours turned into boredom, and again he fell into deep thought when the initial adrenaline was gone. The cabbage was now just in his palm, he would pick on the sides, squeeze it, throw it up in the air and see how the loose leaves fall back. Out of his mind he let his feet move expertly in the forest as he absent mindedly let his hands work. His hands would find flowers, pick them, pin them on the cabbage - repeat when a fancy color would catch his eye. Again and again he would stick, not knowing how much flowers were sticking out of his cabbage, not even knowing that he was still continuing. Only when he reached the cabin doors did he realize that he was there.

Looking at the foreboding cabin and the surroundings, Tobias then realized he was so not ready. He stepped back towards a tree, sitting underneath it's branches as he laid the flower covered cabbage beside him. He wondered if he should knock, shout - and there he remembered a sort of phone. Praying fervently it was in his backpack, he gave a small whoop of joy. Pressing the hopefully appropriately working buttons, Tobias gave the signal that he was just at the tree outside.  “Hir me @ cabin out, wer u?” Now to wait- hopefully Ailis would see. If not, then Tobias would just have to suck it up and knock on the door after all. 

[poemswords]

[t-cousland]

gabriel-enchanted:

It was almost hard to see the other through the snow still falling but Gabriel got the feeling he was less than impressed to find himself here as well. Sighing softly, he crossed the path to kneel in front of the human and glance over him quickly. “Do you have a piece of jewelry or a stone or some kind of object on you? I can’t use magick on the walls, but I can, at least, keep you from freezing to death out here.” Granted, despite the warming spell, Gabriel still felt chilled to his core but at least it’d prevent further frostbite or worse. “Are you hurt anywhere?” Gabriel had no idea how he ended up where he was but he didn’t think he’d been injured at all, or perhaps he was still too numb to know. It never hurt to ask someone though.

Settling back once that bit was done, he looked left and then looked right but both just looked like swirling disgusting snow. Looking up didn’t help either as the snow was thick enough to keep him from being able to pinpoint their location. Maybe he could…whispering soft French, he conjured up a small light that he urged from a pale yellow to a bright red and asked it to lead them to the forts. “Come on. Let’s go home, yeah?”

He grimaced as he rose to his feet, every muscle feeling the strain, but he extended a hand down to Tobias if he wanted it and sent the light off with the other. Maybe the weird barrier he’d run into would have disappeared now that his companion was awake. It was probably no coincidence they were paired here together and Gabriel had little patience for whoever was deciding to play magickal games with his life.

It worked though, the light went left and so did he and he was able to go further than he had before. Eagerly, he tried to reach out again once past that point; Avery, Anthony, Micah, fucking hell, could vampires feel telepathic pulls? He tried Erasmus, Willow, Iris, everyone he could think of, but he couldn’t feel anyone. Where they even in Arain anymore? What if they weren’t? The thought made his feet stop as he took in his surroundings but the magick still felt the same, under his feet, in the walls, the sun, it was still there — just not working in here. Comforted by that thought, he pushed forward again and just kept repeating the cycle every couple hundred feet, certain eventually he’d reach someone. He had to. Beyond that there was a really really hot long bath waiting for him that he had to get to it. Preferably with a gorgeous talented man who could keep it really hot for as long as he wanted. He just…had to keep moving.

Except, sooner than he’d like, he found himself winded and a particularly graceful stumble had him hitting the ice with a groan as his body stubbornly refused to go any farther. Dragging himself upright at least, he leaned against the wall and blew out an irritated exhale. “Break time.” he announced dully, trying to shake the feeling that they’d been wandering in circles. He tried to melt a bit of the floor so he could get to the soil and grow something for them to eat but the floor was just as resistant as the walls and good. Perfect. If they didn’t freeze to death out here, they’d die of starvation and how and why was this happening now - when things had just started to get better. Clenching his jaw to keep the water from raising in his eyes, he tried to remember to just breathe, but it wasn’t working. Normally, he could ignore anything and just get the problem done and fall apart after but this was looking more and more like a problem without a solution and Gabriel could only hang on for so long. “Got any ideas?” He asked thickly. “Don’t think the light’s working.” And then before he could swallow it back, “Do you think everyone else is in here too? Or just us?” He hadn’t heard, felt, or seen any kind of tracks or signs that anyone else was around and truly, he wasn’t sure which answer he wanted to hear.

With everything, Tobias knew when to give in and when to know where he was powerless. Gabriel, despite everything, was an enchanter, an enchanter who knew spells to keep them alive and if ever safe. Tobias would thank him later, definitely. “Yeah here-” he said as she tried to remove a worn down, very crudely - and obviously held up by magic thread of an anklet. Attached to the anklet was a very well cared for Tiger’s Eye gem. A little reminder of home. There was a reason he always wore long sleeved clothing, the little bead of tigers eyes was the main of it, always hidden under layers of pants, socks, if available and shoes. He never took it off... even if right now it felt like the coldest thing on his skin as the stone felt chilled.

He looked at the little orb of light and wondered how strong Gabriel's magick would be, would that little light lead them home? How so around the maze? He was taken back to earlier when he met - or dreamt of a sprit. Would that little orb know when there's going to be danger exactly? Tobias had so many wondering questions that it made him give a small smile as he clasped his hands with the other. It was nice to learn that his sense of questioning and enthusiasm of all things magic weren't dampened by the feelings he had about his stay with the fae, about Avery... Gabriel. 

The maze was a testament to that, that for everything that had happened to him, Tobias knew that he would always feel the weight of the world whether it be through ridicule, duty, lack of confidence or whatever. He would still find magick beautiful and it was a small hope to believe that maybe he'd be able to understand what it meant. Even if it turns out to be as small as the little orb Gabriel made.

They continued on then, following that orb and moving around. Tobias had been quiet all the while. Even though he was cold and emotionally in turmoil, the heat from Gabriel's magick and his physical body was used to being bruised up. He made sure not to dilly dally as he could feel that every wrong turn and another ice wall met them added to the frustration of this whole ordeal. 

At the mention of break time, Tobias moved his messenger bag from the back to the front. "Here. I was out getting herbs for Maeve but... well, here I am." he said hoarsely, given that he hasn't spoken as much. Upon opening of the bag there was an apple, a banana and a bunch of herbs and plants that were categorized by makeshift pouches. "These-" he pointed out to what looked like a bunch of flowers with leaves - Wood Sorrel and white tipped weeds- Cattails, "are edible. I don't know how full we'll be with a fruit, but the flowers make you less thirsty... for a while." Tobias would have smiled, but what he could give for water right now.

Tobias took a flower and munched, as he voiced out his thoughts. "Maybe. It would be weird it's just us... or that's saying something?" there, finally a smile came, a joking smile that maybe it was there so they'd finally get along a little bit better. "I don't think we're alone. I..." he wondered how much he would say. "Before you talked to me, I - I don't know if I was dreaming or what, but there was a spirit. Long black hair, Asian, it was so cold with her, but it wasn't freezing like this." A cold breath left him and formed into clouds, the image making him realize more and more that the spirit wasn't just a dream. "She was dangerous and I think I traded a part of me unknowingly." Tobias looked at Gabriel, here it was the part where he wasn't scared to know he was lower than others. 

"Thanks for earlier, I can't save myself unless I run and I can't outrun spirits. I'm not gonna be a burden but I hope we both make it out of it alive..." for Avery, for both their futures.

[t-cousland]

Secret Valentine's! A bunch of asphodel and black roses appears by your doorstep 💕

Tobias had taxed his body the whole day, a neverending swim, a nap on the riverside, a marathon across as the hills and nearby waterfall, everything that could exert himself to a neverending slumber if he ever decided to go back to his house and sleep.

From a distance he already saw something on his doorstep. 'Valentines' it said. Funny. The flowers were all too special to be of valentines. Nevertheless it impressed him that there were actual rose so of this color. Maybe Arain worked with it's magic for obviously in the human realm he had never heard of black roses. The white ones were unfamiliar - a second look at the card said what it was "Asphodel".

It reminded him briefly of a movie that said asphodel... and wasn't asphodel in the family of lilies? Tobias brought the flowers in and placed them on the nightstand, it's dark and light colored constrasting brightly.

"What odd choices." he murmured. With a shrug, Tobias took a bath - his head was alert even though his body was dead. After the bath he decided that he couldn't sleep with this kind of question in his head. Laughing at his absurd reaction to being given flowers, Tobias ran towards the Unseelie library and hoped for the best - an english text of flowers.

-- According to Victorian Flower Language, asphodel is a type of lily meaning 'My regrets follow you to the grave'

"Definitely Harry Potter." he smiled at the fond memory of Snape. The black rose though, despite a supposed 'non real' color for the flower definitely displayed a lot of meaning in the beliefs of many.

-- The symbolism in many works of fiction usually contrives feelings of mystery, danger, or some sort of darker emotion like sorrow or obsessive love / signify death, or hatred / farewell, rejuvenation or rebirth, start of a drastic change.-- It can also mean overcoming a war or on a journey from which he did not expect to return / represents the evil love between two anti-heroes/ dark soul or the dark side of a person /describe selfish interests and ignorance /It represents revenge, ugliness, immorality, disrespect and a state of despair.

There were rows and rows of many description, but what took his notice where two odd descriptions that were written on the side of the paper with a question mark beside it... as if it were notes.

--black roses represent deep romance and ferocious 'pure devotion' since a true black rose is impossible to produce. (?)--black roses represent tragic romance. A black rose doesn’t stand for happiness, but the sadness, a relationship would bring along. (?)

"That says a lot, well all in all they both say a lot" he sighed with a sad smile. 

The moon was still brightly illuminating outside  when Tobias left the library, he basked under it's light. Whoever sent the flowers were probably an angel, someone who knew him better than himself. That brought a little hope, even though the flowers were pretty much the picture of regret, loss, death... sadness. Pretty much what he'd been feeling for a while.

[youre-a-pain-blog]

Open Starter [Anyone: Forest]

Ora whistled a little tune as she left the restrictions of the GRF into the wide new world of Arain. She would have liked to have ventured outside earlier but she found herself being entertained by the little wonders that were technology based in the GRF. Sure she knew what those doohickeys were for, she was old but she wasn’t ignorant by any means. Thing was she never did live again the luxurious life once she left London many years ago, no frills no jewelry and just basking in the hunt and nomadic life of the Strix.

The whistle turned into a tune of a harmonica as she skipped and kicked the soil in her walk, the whistle going on for a few minutes until the lunch time sun started to get to her nerves. Searching for a tree the vampire climbed up a ways above to situate herself on the branches. With a sigh that showed her ease the harmonica was once again used as she proceeded to play. From the tops of the trees she could see a few beings move around, animals and human like. Good thing she wasn’t hungry or that there weren’t any who were bleeding. The song continued on as Ora felt more into the harmony and even one of her legs decided to slip down the branch and lazily swing.

When she opened her eyes (vampirically red in color), it met a certain being’s own. “Hey there morsel,” she smiled as her fangs shown. There was no action to show threat even though she herself did not hide the predatory words. “D’you wanna be a snack or did you wanna request a tune?”

[t-cousland]

Tobias had been lost. Ever since the that day he left to do the routine fetch and deliver for Maeve he found himself either wandering on for hours on end or staying at a hidden alcove in the library or wherever really. He found himself even asleep for more than 12 hours at a time, more lost than he had ever been. Rose tinted glasses of past had finally wound itself down to normal. He had unknowingly bitten the apple that lead to this point of no return. If the cairns were open maybe he would be able to mindlessly move himself to the fact that he didn't have to be looked down all the time by those whom he knew to be above him. He would be outside in the human world doing god knows what, but at least he knew he was above them, even for a little bit, even if it was only his secret.

So now here he was. lost as he jumped tree from tree mindlessly letting his legs get the exercise while keeping himself up the ground and slightly higher away from any ounce of responsibility. It wasn't until he landed on an occupied branch did he notice that there was someone already comfortably sitting on it. He didn't need his sight to know it was another vampire, this time the red eyes gave it away. Not to mention the fangs which they didn't seem shy to hide.

The number of vampires he had stumbled on to were more than enough for a lifetime. But it also solidified the thought that had been nagging him ever since Avery suggested that he become a vampire. Erasmus scared him, the other he met, who was drunk, concerned him - but it did make him think that Vampires were more human that what they were. They got drunk, they got sad, they got their own sets of problems in the end. This one though, with their red eyes and bare fangs set a chill in him.

"I'm not very tasty. See?" he said weakly as he lift up his arm and mock bit himself. "I guess if you’d eat me it would be okay... but" A sigh escaped his lips, fear held him, but his own numbness failed to have the fear react. He was so near her, sharing one branch. "Let me just, uh, move maybe?"

[t-cousland]

covenhead:

Abra stared at the man in front of her as he proceeded to stand up. She noted his slight trepidation as he watched all the others around them, that Abra had seemed to forget about. “Please, leave us. I have some catching up to do with an old friend,” she said to the other enchanters that she had been talking to a moment ago.  It wasn’t long before they all filed out of the clearing and back into the cabin. “Well that may just have easily been the case, but I would have eventually come to look for you.”

A chuckle left Abra’s mouth as she remembers that Tobias is, in fact, a year older than her. It wasn’t uncommon for her to think of herself as much older than she actually was, she often times would take on the role of a mother so it was as if all of the enchanters a part of her coven were her children. “Yes, sometimes I forget that you are a grown man and not actually my child,” Abra smiled, her eyes holding a reminiscent twinkle to them.

Tobias’s mention of the fae was particularly unsettling to her. Not that she had a problem with the fae generally, she practically idolized Aibell, but when it comes the to Unseelie fae and Maeve, that’s where things get worrisome for her. “Well, speaking of the fae that is exactly the reason why I have called you here. What exactly is going on there? What possessed you to join their ranks?”

Abra then proceeded to walk towards the cabin, gesturing for Tobias to follow her. It had been a long time since he had seen the inside of the cabin and Abra was sure he would want to see just how much it has changed. “Quite busy, with the closing of the border cairns, my enchanters seem to grow more and more as the days continue. With nowhere to go, there seems to be the safest place for most of them,” she said her thoughts flickering to Anthony for a moment. “Exploring, yes. Leading, I’m not too sure about at the moment but we’re not here to talk about me.”

He was thankful, despite the such short time he had encountered Abra years before, even though a lot of the surroundings has changed over the last years or so, the familiarity was still there and that familiarity was his saving grace that made him feel safe and less judged. Even though now there were still stares and judgemental looks, the important thing was he was able to get up again. Sure a part of him had been just tolerating, but it didn't have to always end up in a fight on who was better. Tobias had learned that taking the high ground was actually harder, but more fulfilling to oneself in the end.

"Come on Abra, it wasn't that long-" he laughed, shaking his head as he realized they were alone now and he felt more free to show his actions. "But those few days of me being lost in Arain? And you... you honestly were the best person to stumble on at that time." his breath hitched. He remembered that he wanted to kill himself shortly after arriving in Arain, even though he had Avery with him along the way, the culture shock of horrible humans held no candle to the horrid reality of being with the Unseelie, to where Avery at least had the tendency to be suave or maybe it was just his mind magick, there was no doubt that many in the Unseelie were brusque and brutal.

Only Abra knew that, that he wanted to die, Avery did, but not on a deeper level. It was something he did not want his guardian and long time friend- companion - everything be the receiving end of his feelings and shortcomings. "I..." Okay so he did not expect that very blunt question, sure he practiced in his his head - practiced in between trying to hide from Abra and any enchanter of the coven, but at the same time, deep down he knew that it would come to him eventually. Ten years down the line and he was still unsure on how to answer.

Tobias was about to answer her question regarding his stay with the Unseelie, but Abra's invitation had him nodding his head as he followed. "Well, yeah I understand but would be nice to know what you've been doing, promise I'm not under duty for Maeve now, and I ... despite everything I know i'm never going to put you in any danger. Not that you can't defend yourself, but you get me." he chuckled, obvious that he was nervous and rambling.

As they moved, Tobias started his answer. "Avery. Maeve's strategist, has always been with me." he breathed in deep, biting his lip in effort to find words on what to say. "He was there for me when I was a child, lost and unwanted. Sure his methods are less than orthodox, or even uh... proper." He had to say that much, despite all of Avery's strategy there were many times that he did what he did for the sake of getting miffed and feelings were at stake. "He promised me that he would stay with me in Arain like he did while I was a human. The Unseelie were a tough bunch, worse than what I've ever had with the humans but... I've been safe somehow under Maeve, sure I'm not food for other magicks in Arain, but at least it's all... just stick and stones in the Unseelie. Took a few good years to get used to." he smiled at that, a really sad smile. Sure he knew what he was getting into, even though he was ill-equipped for it. But it was here, right now as he said those words did he just realize how pitiful he was really living like.

[t-cousland]

thiccskinnedfae:

A human, how wonderful. Obviously, Mateo wasn’t going to be enjoying the rest of his training. But at least this time he’ll try to be at least cordial. Compared to last time it should be easy, this human didn’t make him want to snap his neck. In fact, there weren’t many negative feelings that he could project to the human. Something about seemed different, almost as if he could see through Mateo in a way and that didn’t settle well with him. He would have to keep an eye on this one, that was for sure.

The sudden concern shown for Mateo was quite unexpected. He was well aware that he tended to come off very harsh to others and it was different to see someone, especially a human, be worried about him.  “I’m fine, just a bit dizzy,” Mateo had said slightly in awe. The trip had taken some out of him but as long as he was in one piece, which he seemed to be, he was good. 

Mateo then noticed the other man’s eyes linger on him for quite awhile. Not knowing what to do he decided to break the silence. “I’m sorry to drop in so unexpectedly. I hope I didn’t disturb you from anything.” It wasn’t like Mateo to apologize for something that wasn’t truly his fault, especially to a human, but in this circumstance, it felt appropriate. “No thank you. I assure you that I’m fine, no need for you to go out of your way for me,” Mateo said earnestly. He couldn’t help but feel a bit warm inside from the gesture. Here it was a complete stranger to him being truly nice to him. Maybe not all humans were so bad, maybe. Upon further looks at the other, something about the man seemed familiar to him. “Hey, do you know you? I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

Tobias kept an easy smile, a stable look, a nonchalant stance even though there was a part of him that believed he should just turn the other way, but maybe - just maybe he'd be lucky enough to get out of this without much judgement. Hopefully of course as during these moments, luck was rarely on his side. He had enough luck to keep him alive most days - at least.

"Come on, we can sit down or you know, you can walk with me if you're... really okay and clear your head?" Tobias wondered if all his parts turned to earth, what if a part of him turned as earth and it was an important part of him, like a tooth or an internal organ. Maybe he could ask that along the way? If the other man was feeling well enough for what seemed to be inane questions to a fae but a wonderous curiosity to a human. "I'm just trying to find a river or something that isn't a pond or Faelias, maybe a normal, non magick, non salty late would be nice." he said with a light chuckle.

When the fae asked if he knew the human from somewhere Tobias was taken aback. Even though he should have guessed that question would come sooner than later. He cleared his throat, "No.. not really-" a shrug and an exhale "yeah, yeah you've probably seen me before, if ever you visit the Unseelie Forts or saw me... lingering around either Courts then yeah." he let it stop at that, not really that proud of his stature enough to tell another fae 'Hey I'm Maeve's human pet.' Really, he was thankful, but he wasn't a dog that would be 'that' obvious- or gleeful.

[t-cousland]

mischievousmer:

What? He’s rejecting me? How dare he. Olivia was furious, never had someone been able to break free of her song. Her blood began to boil as the world around her went red. Her mind went into a spin as she thought of things too horrible to even be spoken. This was something Olivia was not going to let go, she wouldn’t let this one escape. Not this time! 

Olivia began to sing her song once again even more powerful than before. Her words compelling the man to trust her and give in to her. Letting him know that he’ll only enjoy his time with her and nothing else. “Are you sure you don’t want to play with me? You’re sure to have quite to the time with me if you did.”

She then lent in much closer to his face and planted a kiss on his cheek hoping to spark a reaction. Oliva then sat up on the boulder she was on. The shirt that had reappeared on her body barely covered her lower half. Her bare legs glistening in the light of the moon. In one swift motion, Olivia had blown a kiss towards the man and then fell back into the water behind her. When she resurfaced she locked her eyes on his and motion for him to follow her.

It was already suffocating, half of his brain wanted to rip itself off and run away while the other half desperately wanted to stay and be enthralled by her embrace and promise. But promsie of what? His mind asked. What promise can the depths of the sea bring? The thrilling and melodious sound of her voice wrapping around him comfortably, almost as if a caress and yet he couldn't feel anything but a suffocation. A deep suffocation that made him want to tear up even though a smile was on his face.

His mouth spoke what his brain did not want to. "Yes I do want to- to play with you." His was was twisting, his facial features were straining, a battle of wills deep inside him on which would win. On one note he was just so tired, that maybe maybe it would be fun to follow the sound, but on another note, there was an underlying danger that eyes kept supplying his mind.

The kiss woke him up, it send crazy exclamation points in his head, a ringing in his ears that almost made him kneel and curl into a sobbing ball. The song was louder now, even though she was quiet, an echo he didn't understand but he knew was engulfing him. When she stared at him Tobias could only scream, scream as he wept and choked.

He was enthralled, so very, very enthralled. But a part of him pulled him away even though he did not want to. Fortunately, the part of him that did pull him away, was the one that saved his life.

With an ugly and inelegant battle of wills that showed on his persona, Tobias ran away- even falling once on himself on the sandy banks and almost tripping over a log as he ran far- far away from the dangers of the waters.

The sirens song still haunting his ears, and her beauty and danger forever etched on his mind.

[t-cousland]

gabriel-enchanted:

@t-cousland

Discomforted, Gabriel began rousing himself by shifting around trying to find the blankets while fuzzily not understanding how cold sank so deep into his bones. Vague memories of a fire and blankets should have made that impossible and he mumbled out something grumpy and incoherent as he failed to grasp them. Attempts to blink open his eyes failed miserably as stunning bright white forced them to close immediately and begin to water. What the fuck. Rapidly waking now, his hands moved again but this time he was aware of how stiff and aching they were and how nothing they touched resembled anything like the bed he’d drifted off in. Dragging himself upright, he reached for the presence that was always hovering in the corner of his mind, intending to gently tug on it and demand what the fuck but…nothing was there.

His eyes flew open again, but still got nothing more than blinding white and enough pain to force them closed again as his cold hand flew up to his chest. Fumbling a little, he located the necklace and the small charm on it, ensuring the link was still there but … but where was Avery? Gabriel put every bit of half-awake energy he had into locating the fae, but there was just silence. What the fuck. Had they been attacked? Gabriel was normally the type that woke up every time someone’s inhaling changed — he wouldn’t normally sleep through something that’d lead to his failing to protect Avery.

Confused and beginning to panic, he reached out mentally for Anthony and then Micah but that too was just silence and no, no, no. They couldn’t all be gone. That didn’t happen. That couldn’t happen. Were the forts attacked? Why wasn’t he dead with them? Had he sleptwalked? All the careful fragile rebuilding he’d done over the past few weeks felt dangerously close to tumbling down but he stubbornly tried to ignore it and focus on one thing at a time. Where was he? The cold was everywhere making it hard to think; under him, against his back, it felt like it was deep in him and spreading — so outside was probably a safe guess. How did he get outside? No. He could figure that out later. Where outside was he? His mind felt groggy, like he’d not slept for ages, instead of a sleep so deep he’d literally been taken out of the Forts and not known it.

And he’d thought he couldn’t hate sleep more.

Gearing himself up, he forced his eyes open again, this time weathering the tearing and forcing them to stay open until he could start to make shapes out of the white. Well. Less shapes, and more walls, and no. No. He was not in a snow castle.

This was another fucking horrible dream and he was going to close his eyes and wake up safely back in Avery’s room.

Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

This didn’t make sense. The last thing Gabriel remembered was a mutual warm contentment shared between himself and Avery and thinking that…this was something he could get used to.   Even with all the teasing he’d endured - he’d felt safe for the first time since he was little and believed Micah to be invincible and that nothing would harm them ever. There’d been three people in that room that Gabriel had trusted with his life and more shockingly, his mind and heart, so this…this should not have happened. Each of them alone were beyond talented, but together? Nothing should have gotten past them.

This had to be a dream.

Opening his eyes again, he found the scenery hadn’t changed, his mind was still silent, and his body still rapidly freezing. Only this time, he spotted a body. Dark hair - his hopes rose for a moment, but he was too tall to be Micah and too lanky to be Anthony - but it was hope. Other people were here. He pushed himself to his feet, staggered slightly, but bolting only allowed him about twenty seconds of a run in either direction and what the fuck.

Angry now, he turned to his magick, throwing every vaguely heat / fire / warm spell he could think of at the walls around them and when that failed, he tried to switch tactics and use ice and cold to just build something so they could climb up and over it but that too, fizzled out and just became a puddle of ice at their feet. Exhausted, fed up, and panicking, he let himself sink back down against the wall and warily eye the human he’d least expected to find himself in a situation like this with. “Are you alive?” he asked finally. “Or awake? ‘Cause I got some bad news.”

Tobias was freezing. He loved the cold, but this cold was angry, temperamental and scathing. He was just outside, doing his usual errands, although now without much enthusiasm as before as he felt his place in the Unseelie slowly chip away, like a gold plated orb whose insides were just rusty parts. The glitz and glamour of magick that once held him with wonder and promise slowly melted away, leaving an obvious hole that he was years too late to acknowledge.

He woke up alone, and lost as was anyone who found themselves surrounded by ice. What Tobias didn't expect was upon his eyes' opening was a beautiful woman with long dark hair, Asian in beauty and grace - he almost thought that it was the enchanter he stumbled upon who jested that they would take a potion to become female. The idea quickly dissipated when he looked down and saw that she was floating mid air- there was a different magick in the air and Tobias did not see that enchanter, but saw only the woman, her death, her life- as a ghost - as a spirit. He would have thought he was dead if he did not feel the cold biting his skin, would have thought she was an angel if not for the nervous feeling in his system - that there was something dangerous, something about her that could kill him with just one word.

The woman smiled at him, a kind smile that held deep confidence. "I could kill you, child." she started, as she weaved her way around him, almost playfully lifting Tobias up and down using the wind and snow as her magick. "But the life I could take from you feels lost, that if I did devour you I would gain nothing but leave a sad shell of a man in this beauty of a maze I inhabit." She cocked her head, almost mocking now in her smile "But are you? Are you a man? You have the beauty and age, the body and mind of one but your soul is so... desperate, so empty. You are reaching near the middle of your puny human life and yet - there is still nothing there that fuels you." The spirit tsk'd as she made a face, one almost of disgust. Tobias could do nothing but listen, he was used to those of the Unseelie, those of magick, but not these, not when he knew that these were spirits that were well beyond the realm of mortal and magick.

The Yuki-Onna continued her words, her mocking smile changed to flirtatious even - as she shrugged and snowflakes formed as it left the shaking of her hair "But I shall not, for I create the ice and snow, as I am the cold - I could feel the same coldness in your heart, one that has been festering for years that has passed.... and so tell me, tell me child, is there anything you have that you feel is worth it?" Tobias spoke as if there was not a spirit in front of him, as if her earlier words fueled him to speak. "I hold nothing but my promise to myself... a promise I had made and have forgotten. A promise that -" his voiced crack as the air became colder and his throat was drying. The Yuki Onna shook her head and touched his chin with her cold- and yet comfortable fingertips. Her steely, pupil-less gaze cementing him on the spot.

"Hush now, as I have heard, the cold has told me what you so want to say and yet try to hide. I am not yet hungry, and I am a merciful spirit. Give me a promise and I shall spare you- the promise I seek is one for you, keep that promise to yourself real and hold them as truth. If one day you break it or lose sight in it, then you should be aware that even in the warmest of summers I will come back and take this meaningless life you hold." With that she banished as a puff of cloud, Tobias felt woozy as the walls seemed to take a different shape, as if they moved.

The next thing he heard, was a familiar voice also eye level from him - he almost felt like it was again meeting the woman earlier was a dream, a nightmare, but the sudden thumping of his heart said otherwise. That it was real, and the icy walls still meant danger. The human lifted his head up and regarded Gabriel - the enchanter, one who he honestly had little to do with after their last conversation. Still, there were alone now, alone together- how lucky. 

“I guess I am.” he answered to both his questions, seeing Gabriel created another burst of cold feeling in his heart, a memory of Avery’s face coming into his mind quickly before dying down lest Tobias feel more lost. He gave a grimace. “Yeah, I can see it, feel the bad news even-” he said, trying to sound as if he hadn’t met danger and death in the flesh earlier.  “Magick doesn’t work, doesn’t it? I know you would have tried your best.” His eyes were tired, wary, it wasn’t lost to him how he saw Gabriel, first trying on spells on a weirdly shaped column in the middle of the forest, next within the fae, a participant in a duel of sorts. If he wasn’t human, he’d probably do whatever magick was at his disposal to just... get free.