(As per the results of the "Dani's laptop is back in action let's see a WIP" poll, here is a preview of the scene that I think will likely END Grand Tour Part 2. You can read Grand Tour Part I for a refresher HERE. Enjoy! :)
The door shut behind him, the hefty thunk of the wood against the stone reverberating as the metal bits clanked. He leant against it with a heavy sigh, sinking to the ground. His feet slid forward on the stone floor, coming to a stop at the edge of the rug. He almost slid down the rest of the way. Almost. Sitting against the door in fetal position sounded really, really nice.
But that was too close. It was too close to the King and the Queen and the other Prince. Too close to everything that had happened that day (it had only been a DAY?!?!), and so he pushed himself off the door and got up, making his way right to the exposed balcony. He grabbed the stone railing, wrapping his fingers around it so hard his knuckles grew white. It was solid. It was there. It was outside, and the breeze was cool (as the winds of Otouno were wont to be, which was quite refreshing for a summer sprite like him), and he could breath again.
He squeezed the railing. Looked up at the sky. The stars were peeking out, bright pinpricks of light in the darkness above him. He lifted his hands off the railing. Below him, the two sconces that burnt brightly outside the perimeter went out with a poof, the flames twirling upwards and wrapping themselves around his palms. He squished his fists shut, extinguishing them, then did the same to the sconces above him.
Now he could really see the stars.
With a satisfied nod, Blaise got to work.
Hoping onto the railing, he felt the wall around the frame of the balcony entrance until the smooth stone gave way to wood. Curling a finger under it, he pushed. With a soft whoosh, material furled out, blowing out and over the balcony, the ends fluttering as the wind blew through, streaking the dark with oranges and yellows and whites.
He jumped down, quickly grabbing the fluttering bottoms and tying them onto little metal hooks, embedded within the stone and near flush with it. He made his way all across the small balcony until it was completely shrouded by the drapes, naught but a triangular break revealing the tops of the evergreen trees and the hundreds of stars in the sky above him.
Hands on his hips, he surveyed his work briefly. With a satisfied nod, he turned back into his room and dragged the plush, round ottoman across it, shoving it towards the left side of the balcony. He kicked the rug below it. It rolled out, coming to a stop halfway across the balcony.
Back into the room he went, tossing pillows and quilts and all manner of comfortable things out onto the balcony. The small, round portico became more soft comforts than stone in no time at all. It was only then that Blaise threw off his formal wear, more than happy to be rid of the weight of all the fancy regalia. He loosened the ties on his shirt and practically threw himself into his makeshift nest, pulling his legs up and finally let himself collapse, shivering as the events of the day finally caught up to him.
The temperature around him began to drop. Huddling into himself tighter, he buried his face in his knees, counting in his head. Below him, the next round of guards walked by, armour clanking as they complained about the cold, the warm lantern light faintly illuminating the stonework.
“Bli-mey it’s chilly!”
“It’s Outono! Province’s always chilly.”
“But not like this. Look. You can see frost creeping up the walls.”
“No you can’t.”
“Sure I can! Look!”
A squeak. A grunt.
“There’s nothing there.”
“What?”
“See for yourself!”
Another squeak.
“Blimey! It’s gone! But I swear, there was something there! Really, I—”
“—you need a break. We’re swapping you out next round.”
“Huh.” More squeaking as the guard scratched their head. “Maybe you’re right…”
The squeaking turned to clanking as they walked, the sound lost in the distance as the glow from the lantern turned a corner and disappeared.
Blaise shivered again. He lifted his head from his knees, watching as a frosty trail did indeed creep over the balcony. It curved around the bend of the railing, trailing down the walls and pooling on the floor in front of him, little wisps of dry ice drifting off the top. It shifted, then; it moved upward, a head of slightly frosty dark hair forming, two big blue eyes staring up at him.
He blinked. His brain seemed to stop for a moment, taking a bit too long to catch up.
The eyebrows drew down, the eyes frowning. The rest of her face popped out of the frost, arms following suit. Folding them in front of her, she rested her chin on her hands and blinked at him, head tilted, concern on her features.
“Bad day?”
“Terrible.”
“Oh dear.”
The rest of the frost swirled as she pushed off the floor, clinging to her tightly as she stood up, taking form. She plucked a thick quilt off the ground and carefully made her way to his side, draping it around him.
“Thank you.”
“Of course. Mind if I—”
“Please do.”
He held the quilt up, gesturing to the space beside him. With a soft smile, she sunk down, scooting until she was right up against his side. He dropped the quilt over her and rested his head on her shoulder, the rest of the tension leaving his body instantly. Her arm slunk around him, the cool embrace comforting.
She wrapped him up in a hug, cradling him close to her side. Resting her head on top of his (the simmer going out with a hiss), she squeezed him.
“How’d you know I—?”
She laughed. A quite laugh, gentle as the night before them. “I came over to gossip, actually. I heard a rather delightful rumour this evening, and figured I’d go right to the person I knew closest to the source. I was hoping you’d be out here…” her face fell. The chipper node left her voice. “…but I wasn’t expecting this.” She squeezed again. “Would you like to talk about it?”
“Goddess above, yes.”
“Well. In that case, I’m listening.”
“Trees, Winter.”
“I’m sorry?”
Blaise shot up. “She turns them into TREES.”
Winter looked him over, her face twisted into a mix of confusion and disgust. “Turns who into trees?”
“The people that go against her. Against us, I guess.” He slumped, falling back against the ottoman. “At least, that’s how she explained it to us. Every single person in their court who has gone against them in some way, shape, or form, has gone to the garden and never come out. They frame it as an after supper walk. It’s a whole thing," Blaise sighed.
He waved his hand halfheartedly. “They invite the dissenter to dinner, they feast, have a good time, laugh…and the whole time I sat there knowing full well that this was not ending the way he thought it was. Dessert comes out. They sit and then the offer of a walk is made and of course, you don’t say no to them."
Flashing the castle a dark look, he turned to Winter, an angry pout on his face as he got into it. "So off you go on this walk, right? Into the garden and farther back, where the topiaries and shrubbery are. And as they get deeper and deeper into the hedges, the King drops the ruse and the Queen starts the spell and then boom! Freshly planted tree. That was a person.”
“Good heavens.”
“They don’t do this to everyone, apparently. Only the people in their circles who think they can step a single toe out of line. Ruffians, criminals, dissenters—everyone else gets dungeon, or banishment, or, you know. Regular punishments. Well. The King's idea of a regular punishment.” Blaise sniffed. He rubbed his nose. Steam wafted off his cheeks.
“You know, I always thought something was off with those trees.”
“I never suspected! I mean, who does that, right? Lady above, Winter. We've gone for WALKS back there, you and I!" he winced. "I’m sorry about that."
“You didn’t know. It’s okay.”
“It doesn’t feel okay. None of this feels okay!” He was growing passionate now. His hair had lit up once more and he was speaking with his hands, incensed as he went on. “I am so tired of all of this!” he waved at the castle behind him, eyes shinning with unshod tears as he confessed. “Ever since we came of age and I quit warlock training it’s just. Everything SUCKS. I’m learning things that I don’t want to learn, and mom and dad and Pyros all seem FINE with the way things are and I’m just. I’m NOT. It’s fucked up!” Blaise paused, blinking at the lack of censorship. “See?! Even magic agrees with me!”
“And I'm so glad it did. If you don’t mind me asking…” Winter tucked the quilt tighter around herself, snuggling up to Blaise. Perching her chin on his shoulder, she blinked up at him. “What did they say about it? the tree thing, that is."
Blaise sighed, throwing an arm around her and bringing her in tight. He frowned in thought, feeling about behind him until the soft material of the quilt tickled his fingers. He threw it back around himself, drawing it tighter and bringing the two of them closer. “Father said that we have to do things to remind the people closest to us who’s in power. He said that if any single court member gets ideas, they should be dealt with swiftly and severely.”
“So Lord Neo was found guilty.”
“Big time. Almost four hundred acres in almost as many years, can you believe it? And now he’s a tree. Along with who knows how many other lords and ladies and barons and viscounts and so on and so forth.” Blaise sighed. “Then mother said that they should not be made an example of. They should simply disappear. And the next day, when all the other members of court learn that their fellow courtier is gone without a trace, replaced like they were nothing…it scares them more than any form of public punishment could. Because if it can happen to anyone as swiftly and speedily as it did Lord Neo…it can happen to them.”
“I hate to ask because I fear I already know the answer, but I’m going to anyway. What did your brother think of all this?”
“He seemed as shocked and appalled as I was at first. Did as I did—repeated the lesson back to them, least we become the next shrubs in the garden—and we went back in the castle and retired for the night. Well, Their Majesties did. Us Highnesses had a little study session, as it were.”
Blaise chuckled, eyes crinkling briefly. “Pyros was fascinated, of course. And I couldn’t believe that they were people. So we went and did a bit of field work and confirmed it—every single tree, every single shrub in the centre of the garden is—or I guess, was—a person. And I told him what I told you.”
“That it was frosted up.”
“Exactly. And his reply?”
“Needs must be met? What’s done must be done? It is what it is?”
“Exactly. He said that in order for us to keep our power, for our reign to stand strong, sacrifices must be made, etcetera, etcetera. Then he mentioned how he was fascinated at the implications—then it became, what else can we do? What other transformation magic could we put to use? Are they sentient in there? Are they asleep? Are they in stasis? Did they manage to make the choice to go to Rosehaven before being petrified? Did they get that choice? Would Rosehaven claim them?” Blaise sighed. “I was only thinking one thing.”
“Can it be undone.”
“Exactly. Like…there’s people trees in my backyard, Winter. People trees!”
“I know, Blaise. I know.”
“I’m just…so…tired.” His hair went out, then. He rested his head on her shoulder once more, looking up at the sky though the space in the drapery. A shooting star went by. “I wish they’d make their choice. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep sitting here, being taught how they rule, afraid to speak up about how I’d do things differently, because they haven’t even named a successor. Or successors.”
“Your brother wouldn't share.”
“Yes he would.”
“No he wouldn’t.”
“I disagree.”
“Really?”
The season sounded genuinely shocked. Blaise frowned. “I know we’ve had our differences recently, but…he’s my brother, Winter. My twin. I can’t imagine he’d hurt me.”
“I understand. Well, I sympathize. Seeing as how I don’t have a twin of my own. But…I love my sisters. I really do. Despite all our differences I adore them, and I couldn't fathom not having them around or being around them.” She paused for a moment. “Within good reason, of course, I mean. I have my limits and sometimes one needs time to one’s self.”
Blaise chuckled.
“Sorry I can’t empathize more.”
“It’s all right, Winter.”
“I just. Well. You know how I feel about Pyros.”
Blaise chuckled again. “Yeah, I know. You can't stand his—”
“I can’t stand his ass.”
“Exactly. That.”
“I just. He’s so smarmy! And always has to be the smartest person in the room. And I dislike the way he treats you when you’re here. I dislike the way they all treat you.”
“I love your passion.”
Winter flushed, looking away. “Sorry. I just…” she held up a hand, eyes closed as she searched for words. “You deserve…” so much more than this, she thought, eyes flicking to the castle and back to him. “You deserve to be happy. And…I don’t like that you aren’t happy, here. Where you should be happy.”
“Well. I’m happy right now. Right here,” he pointed down at the balcony floor, covered in pillows and blankets and shrouded by the sheer curtains. “With you. I’m glad you’re here with me.”
Winter smiled. The ice that had manifested in her hair during her impassioned rant slid out, landing in a melted heap on the carpet below them. Her eyes were warm as she looked at him, really looked at him.
“You know…my offer still stands.”
“Hmm?”
“Remember what I asked you during your quarterly check in a while back?”
“If I’d sneak out with you?”
“Yes! Would you still do that?”
Blaise looked at her. Then back at the castle beyond the balcony. Then back at her.
“Goddess of the Springs, would I ever.”
“Oh, brilliant!” she got up, a spring in her step, and folded her hands together, pressing them against her cheek. “Let’s go.”
“Go?”
“Yes! Let’s sneak out together.”
“Out?”
“Yes!”
“Right now?”
She nodded, excitement growing.
Blaise looked thoughtful. He straightened up, the quilt falling behind him. “Where would we go?”
“Anywhere. Everywhere!” she twirled, a slight flurry blowing around her, the wind ruffling the drapes as she faced him once more, snowflakes drifting out into the open air behind her. “Away from here. Beyond these walls.”
“Beyond the walls? Out there out there?”
“Yes! Exactly! I’ll have you back before curfew,” she teased, tongue poking out as she bit back a laugh. “I promise. And you know I’m true to my word.”
“That I do. And that you are.”
“Exactly! So! Come with me.” She stuck out her hand. “Please?”
Something filled Blaise’s chest.
He wasn’t sure what, exactly, it was…but it was warm and bright and filling, and for the first time that day, an earnest smile spread across his face and the future didn’t seem so bleak.
Had some WORD SHENANIGANS but managed to figure them out and popped open Year 11, which I'd recently restarted totally bc I didn't quite like where I'd gone with it initially, and the first edit I made was to add this shit 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
[spoilers under the cut!]
I mean, how do you even come to terms with that? How does any sprite cope with the realization that they’ve gone and frozen themselves? Or, y’know, encased their heart in stone, or clay, or foliage (depending on your spritely background, of course). Normally, sprites consciously harden their hearts (though in Jack’s case you’re born with it. Like Maybelline, he said. To which I replied, I think you’ve got something much more sinister going on here, bud).
Suffice to say. I'm chronically online and it shows
Ou, these are some fun ones! Let's see what we've got...
Hope: “Oh, I hope it’s not too bad. You know, I see on the internet all the time these old houses that have been left abandoned, and some of them are in such bad condition.”
(from the wip "Jacqueline forgot her house")
Fire: “Like, did someone like, set you on fire with fire that wasn’t like, fire you’re fireproofed to? Is that ash coming off of your HEAD?!”
(from the wip "Jacqueline Dies AU Part II")
Content: Blaise sighed, content, squeezing her tightly. “And I you. Tell me something, Winter. Did you see an adult Jacqueline today?”
(also from the Jacqueline dies part II wip :)
(And the uh, ask game in question since I forgot ALL ABOUT IT and was DELIGHTED to see a couple in my inbox (thanks again sapph!):
send me a word and if it's in a wip, you get a whole free sentence :D
