#||reply||:ascelin

[blindedguilt-archived]

A hard stick would suddenly thimp against Leonard’s knees, a certain spriggan demanding his attention. “Blasted giant! Ya been in ma forest again! I could sense ya anywhere! Where that piss fey? They ain’t makin ya suffer enough!”- ASCELIN ARRIVES

Oh, no...

"But, I… I was only just-"

It knew. It knew. Leonard was well-aware that there was no denying it - The fae never made mistakes, and the accused Leonard knew exactly the nature of his crime, himself. While he couldn't bear to lie with that knowledge on his shoulders, he could stand to tell the truth and confess of his caving even less.

Leonard struggled for some explanation, his hands clearly shaking as he stumbled back with uneven breath. An instant rush of both shame and slight fear coursed its way through his veins the instant the voice met his ears, swallowing back a lump in his throat as the nightmares ran through his head once more - Last time, he had lost his brothers, his home, his eyes... Whether any of it truly was by the hands of this specific pact-beast or not was indeed debatable, yet still, the mere possibility made the usually thick nerves of the hermit run taut with fear.

"...I..."

What could he stand to lose now? What did he possibly have left to lose? Seere?

... By the Gods. If something could have possibly happened to Seere-

But before Leonard could panic any further, a green light suddenly darted up beside him.

'Wait just a moment here! What do I spy, with my little eye? Hmph, the likes of you calling ME piss? Why don't you go and PISS right off? Stupid fake! You'll never be a real faerie. And for the best, plegh! It's not a wonder why this one is so attracted to you, like attracts like after all! Which reminds me,' The faerie directed its attention onto the still-shaking hermit. 'Shouldn't you be going back to see those little 'friends' of yours? Yes yes! I bet your sweet little Seere misses you a lot, after all~ Can't keep him waiting now, can we? Let's hurry over there at once! Hoo-hoo!'

With surprising will to be held in that little form, the tiny little faerie was already lugging the anguished Leonard along by the back of his ponytail. Heavy, reluctant steps stumbled and dragged behind it.

"Please… No…"

Leonard tried to beg, but he was already gone.

[blindedguilt-archived]

@kingdomofbellows​ “…!” Despite his blindness, Leonard could have sworn he saw red in that moment.

 Calm, Leonard. Breathe. “…Had I known that you had been sentiment in that form, I would have gone to a different tree. You know I never had any interest nor awareness of where I decided to—!” “……”  … Scoff. “…You’re too old for me.”

[blindedguilt-archived]

Cue a certain gnome jabbing at Leonard's boots with his stick. "Oy! Oy! Watch wher' ya steppin'! I've seen naw legged deer moar graceful!"

A quick, uncharacteristically startled stumble back in response from the hermit, followed by a pause and brows furrowed in deep confusion.

For Leonard, who had been born and raised to expect and prepare for these encounters with fae... At least, what he assumed was some sort of forest-folk, judging by the implied size of this... Thing, he had bumped into, he found himself not nearly as concerned for his own wellbeing in this situation as for what this creature was doing in a Union camp to begin with. Had it tagged along from the forest that they had left only recently, in hopes of causing trouble and mischief to the soldiers? Or perhaps, there was someone else with a pact he hadn't yet made himself acquainted with? Such questions were really no concern of his so long as this unit of the Union was spared whatever trouble it could cause, yet... Leonard stopped in his tracks, giving a respectful bow of the head to where he assumed the small forest-creature stood. He knew better than to offer favours, as those were always taken advantage of - The impossible asked, meanings twisted and if not clarified well enough, the offer taken as one for eternal indebtedness over one small mishap. And for whatever few spare coins he happened to have on his person, the hermit didn't wish to risk. Once a target of the fae, always a target. He had taught it to his brothers in their youth, his parents to him in his youth, and Leonard was quite certain they had learned it from their own parents in their youth. ... All the small-sized spirggan had left to it in apology was nothing beyond a few, carefully uttered words. "Forgive me, I meant you no ill will in my trespass. I sincerely hope that you are unharmed... These blind eyes have made for some difficulty - ... As is the price of my pact. I shall proceed to take more care from now on..."