#reaperion

[elsewhereuniversity]

The sculpture of a queen

Pygmalion knocked on the door. Fortunately, it was the middle of winter, so Faustus was almost entirely human at the moment. He opened the door, looking slightly scruffy, from what Pygmalion could see behind him there were scales all over the place. 

“What” Faustus asked gruffly. He was clearly tired. 

“I need some help” Pygmalion requested, “and yes, i’m calling in a favour” He finished before Faustus could hold up a finger.

“I could feel some pretty high level stuff in your room, i’m guessing a commission from a high-ranking member of a court?” he asked, massaging his temples.

“It might be the winter queen” Pygmalion murmured. Faustus’ eyes widened to the approximate size of dinner plates.

“The WHAT?” He asked incredulously. He looked around, “It’s not safe to talk here, come in, come in” He said ushering Pygmalion into his… it was less of a room and more of a den, at first appearance. Indeed, there were scales all over the place, a computer’s fans whining in the corner, an interrupted game paused on the screen. “Tell me everything” Faustus ordered sternly. Pygmalion explained the situation, how the winter court’s representative had come to his room, had given him the painting, the one week time limit, finally finishing with the actual request.

“I ask only that you aid me in the construction of this statue, providing me with food and drink periodically while i work” Pygmalion said, standing. Faustus stood too.

“i will aid and assist to the fullest of my abilities” Faustus agreed, holding out his hand. They shook. 

The next day, Pygmalion and Faustus went to the large freezer Pygmalion sometimes used to house his ice projects. He hauled a huge block of ice from storage. He started carving. It was slow, exhausting work, his fingers slowly becoming number and number with time spent in the low temperatures. He worked for approximately eight hours straight before he finally stepped back from his work. He’d started working from the bottom up, a dress was starting to take form, a long, flowing affair covered in crystalline gems. The bodice was also starting to take some semblance of a shape, smaller studs arranged to form a swirling pattern like snow in a blizzard. When he finally stepped outside onto the snowy ground, he steamed slightly. Faustus wrapped a heated blanket around his shoulders, proffering a hot drink. He slept, worked, slept and worked again. This went on for another six days before she was finally complete. Her face was ethereally beautiful, with a chilly kind of detachment in her eyes. Her crown was tipped in frost, her hair flowing down to her waist, braided with icicles. Faustus helped Pygmalion load it up onto a platform, they towed it to the forest under cover of night. The snow got heavier, fat flakes falling before their eyes. By the time they finally reached the actual court, they both had a thick layer of snow on their backs. 

“I come before the queen and prostrate myself before her. I bring a gift from one of her followers, an icy representation of her beauty” Pygmalion called, the residents of the court seemed to be holding their breath as the queen appeared. Pygmalion really *had* done a good job, but there were some things that could not be captured in art. The cold reflectiveness in her eyes, like icicles through a man’s chest, the air around her freezing in Pygmalion’s lungs as she neared. She inspected the statue closely. She nodded minutely,

“This is satisfactory” she declared. She focused on Faustus. “What is this creature doing here?” She whispered, the silence afterward like the falling of snow in a blizzard without the howling wind.

“I brought him to ensure i wouldn’t be attacked by the agents of summer or spring, my queen” Pygmalion said hurriedly. 

“You need not have worried. My protection is strongest at this time of year” she said dismissively. 

“We must discuss payment. I am also acting as Pygmalion’s security in this matter, to ensure no murder occurs to avoid paying” Faustus growled. Small icicles whirled around the queen lazily.

“Do not slight my honour, *boy*” She spat. “I fully intend upon keeping my promise of payment” She said, returning her chilly gaze to Pygmalion. “What is it that you wish in exchange for this representation of me?” She asked Pygmalion.

“A bracelet, preventing me from feeling the cold, and protecting me from any sort of harm the cold may incite” he requested. The queen’s icy expression melted slightly.

“That’s all?” She asked, raising a frosty eyebrow. Pygmalion nodded. She waved her hand and a string threaded through icy blue gems manifested from the air next to her. It fit itself around Pygmalion’s wrist. Then the pain began, Pygmalion’s skin sizzling as the gems burnt into his skin. It subsided after a few seconds, the small blue crystals now poking out of Pygmalion’s wrist. “You’ll want to avoid iron and salt from now, particularly on that part of  your body” She said absentmindedly, shooing him. He bowed deeply, his tears freezing on his cheeks as he walked away from the icy realm of winter.

x

[elsewhereuniversity]

Desperate

“Please! I’ll do anything, I’ll kiss anna monday!” The boy begs the creature. A hole in its face widens into some sort of facsimile of a smile. It was winter, the sky grey with clouds, fat flakes of snow coating the floor of the forest. This snow was different. It was the snow of the Winter Court. The boy had only wanted to be able to pass his exams. The fae of the winter court had sent a changeling in his place, the changeling had done his tests and aced them. But alas, he’d left the matter of payment until too late. He couldn’t afford the steep cost the fae was asking.

“Very well, kiss that creature and your debt will be forgiven” The creature says. The boy, he’d taken Nietzsche as his name, to fit with his philosophy major. He’d fallen in with the winter court after some chatter around campus had mentioned that they were merciful. He was now doubting that they were. He could see the figure of glass and fog, thirty feet away, in the same position as always. He took a deep breath and stepped forward. As soon as he got within fifteen feet of the figure, a hand clapped onto his shoulder.

“Don’t.” A voice said behind him. Nietzsche whipped around, brushing the hand off his shoulder. Behind him stood someone who looked barely older than he did, a bit of stubble on his chin, definitely, but still 18-21 or so. His eyes were silver, brown messy hair falling in front of the right eye. He wore something that looked like a cross between a suit and the uniform of a groundskeeper.

“I have to” Nietzsche said shakily.

“You really don’t” the groundskeeper said.

“I made a deal” A tear streaked its way down Nietzsche’s face. His fists were clenched.

“I can call in a favour” the groundskeeper, said.

“I highly doubt it” Nietzsche laughed. “it’s with a member of the winter court” he said. The groundskeeper rolled his eyes.

“which one? one or two of them owe me” the groundskeeper said.

“It’s got about 8 eyes, void of a mouth?” Nietzsche offered. The groundskeeper snapped his fingers.

“How about that, he owes me” the groundskeeper said, “i can get him to call off the debt”

“Really?” Nietzsche asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“Yes, a favour with the fae is a powerful thing” the groundskeeper said, tapping the side of his nose. “I’ll go sort out your little debt.” He said, turning to the forest, drawing a silver charm out of his pocket.

“I’ve heard about you, you know. you used to be a student buy you made a deal with something” Nietzsche said. he started snapping his fingers in frustration, “what was the name… what was it…. ooh! got it! you were-”

“Faustus. that was my name. still is, my real name’s basically powerless now” Faustus remarked bemusedly.

“How do i pay you back for this?” Nietzsche asked. Faustus turned to look at him over his shoulder.

“Stay away from that creature and you’ll be fine” he warned, glaring at Anna Monday. He walked into the forest, the silver charm swinging, a soft chant emanating from his lips. He’d have to go directly into the winter court for this.

x

[elsewhereuniversity]

A northern Sculptor

His name is Pygmalion, an art student with a penchant for sculpting with fair hair and pale skin. The material matters not, but he prefers ice sculptures. He lives in the northern dorm, next to the weird groundsman who walks around with a large dagger. He leaves the creamers outside his door when it’s shaking. He’s racked up multiple favours with the groundsman that way. This is not his story. 

It happened in winter. Pygmalion, or Peon, for short, as he’d asked so that people didn’t call him P.lion, had started taking comissions from various students and one or two fae. They were usually simple things, a small statuette, a religious representation of something or other, occasionally a ceramic dagger, but not often, his prices were fair, a study guide, help revising, he’d once traded with Cat-eyes for a pair of her glasses in exchange for an intricate statue of a cat. A representative of the winter court came to visit, 

“May I enter?” It asked at his door.

“State your business first. Then, if i deem your intentions non-harmful, i shall allow you entry” He said. He’d seen too many people be taken because of poorly worded promises. He’d invested some time in reading several law books and thesauruses so that he could make sure that he couldn’t be swindled out of something because of a loophole. 

“I come with a request from a Lady of the winter court” It said in a tone warmer than its appearance suggested. It was a peculiar creature, antlers sprinkled with frost, eyes sparkling like crystals in the night. It’s skin was white as snow, about his size, teeth like icicles. It smiled.

“You may enter and present the Lady’s request, you shall leave after we have discussed payment and i state to you the amount of time it will take for the piece to be completed.” He replied, allowing the creature entry. It stepped over the threshold and sat on his chair.

“My Lady would like an ice sculpture in her likeness, i come bearing a painting upon which you can base the piece. It must be life-sized, you will have the protection of my Lady while you make your piece. When the piece is done you will come to the court with it. Your payment shall be spoken of before my Lady herself.” It said, frost spreading slowly wherever it had touched. Peon considered this. 

“I will do it only if i can be accompanied to the court” He said. The creature hissed, it was laughing!

“Very well. Do we have a deal?” It asked.

“We have a deal. May i see the painting?” He requested.

“The painting is freely given” The creature said, taking a piece of parchment from thin air. On it was painted a figure. A figure in a dress of palest blue, jet black hair and a cold expression next to the figure before him, she was slightly taller. There was something on her head. Peon’s blood ran cold.

“This is The Winter Queen!” He cried.

“The deal has been made. Speak your time” The creature intoned. Peon ran a quick calculation, Ice sculpting was difficult at best, the project kept on melting. 

“A week. Something of this scale with this material will take a week at least” He said. The creature nodded.

“This time frame is acceptable. I recommend you start immediately, freely given” The creature said before stepping into the snow outside and collapsing into a pile of snow. Peon decided to ask the groundsman for help.

He knocked on the door.

To be continued (i’m writing this in one go sorry)

x

[elsewhereuniversity]

A Guardian of the grounds

Faustus had tried his hand at the Forbidden Major. It hadn’t worked, he now needed another way to stay at the university. He couldn’t well break his deal with the Wyrm, who’d promised protection in exchange for a guard eternal. It was May, the scales were already bordering his face, his eyes a piercing silver. They glinted sharply in the dim light of the office. A man walked in, shuffling papers. He took his seat on the opposite side of the table. The man was dressed plainly, a grey suit. He looked up from his papers.

“You must be Faustus… didn’t you do the For-” he said, noting the scales and eyes.

“It did not work. It did. Not work. At all.” Faustus said, an expression that said ‘do not ask. I beg you’. The man decided not to ask. “Anyhoo, I hear that you solve problems” Faustus said. He’d gotten pragmatic with his words in his time at the university. The fewer words he used the lesser the chance of being tricked by the gentry.

“What would be the nature of your problem? Please do note that there is only so much I can do for-”

“A position in the university.” He said sharply. There was acid in his voice, he’d clearly gotten used to getting what he wanted from people. The man looked taken aback.

“Do not assume that tone with me young man,” The man said, tenting his fingers. There was an implication of punishment in his tone. “I may be a channel of communications between the gentry and the humans here, but do not take me lightly”.

“All I require. is a position at the university. It doesn’t even have to be in teaching, I’m happy with something like library work, all I need is to stay at the university in the non-summer months,” the boy said.

“You made a deal with the Wyrm. My masters aren’t that creature’s biggest fans, as you well know.”

“And mine isn’t your master’s biggest fan either,” He countered. The man in the suit leaned back in his chair, sighing.

“Would you be satisfied as a guard to the students who roam after dark?” he asked.

“Hell, I’ll even watch over the paths during the day” the boy said, leaning forward, absentmindedly scratching away some more of the skin on his arm. The scales would cover it soon.

“no deal, we already have people who watch the paths in the day” The man in the suit said. The boy’s expression sharpened.

“I assure you. they don’t have my protections” The boy said, grinning to reveal already sharpening teeth.

“Very well then. a provisional role, watching over the roaming students during the months of winter, autumn and spring. Now, the matter of housing-” the man in the suit started.

“Actually, I have a suggestion for that” The boy piped up.

“And what would that be?” The man asked.

“the second floor of the whitehall dorm” The boy said.

“No deal. That dorm’s already full, not to mention exclusively for students.” The man in the suit said. “However, in accordance with your proposed position, I can offer you a permanent spot in the North Dorm.” The boy flashed a strangely shiny grin.

“That will work wonderfully” He said as his eyes glinted silver. He stood suddenly, were there more scales on his face?

So now he roams, day and night. He’d since made a deal with the eldest in the library, none knew its conditions other than he and it, and always seemed to appear when students got curious about Anna Monday, forcing them to stay away, be they changeling or human or fae. But heed this warning, reader. He cannot always save you. He is but one person. if you can find him he will sometimes act as personal protection, in exchange for a small token, and always for just one night. And never in the summer months. The Fae cannot stand his presence. He can escort you only as far as the entrances to the courts, but no further. Very few members of the Gentry could stand his presence, even to that point. Only those without courts, like the Foxy Lady, The Shining Many, Jimothy and Cat-eyes could stand him. One could apparently see his transformed nature in his place when wearing a set of her glasses. The crows still like him, and after a while of protecting the students he has hoarded favours from a large part of the human population of the university and a few of the gentry, much like his master hoarding books. Rumours have flown on nights after full moons that he’s been seen running about with a large wolf, definitely not Mrs Fenrir.

 So be warned when roaming the school grounds in the summer, reader. For in the summer he will not be around to save you. And do not try to approach the Wyrm during those months. You will be faced with a truly ferocious guardian. And remember. Do not approach Anna Monday. If you can find him you can get him to call in a favour for you, should you have promised something like kissing Anna Monday, he can get one of the Gentry to call off the deal if he has a favour hoarded with them. A final snippet of advice. Should you live in the North Dorm, do not at any point enter his room if you hear rustling and growling from his door. Simply place the usual offerings before his door at night. He will repay you if you make sure to tell him of what you did.

P.S, for the record, this is where Faustus’ tale ends, as a protector of students roaming the grounds.

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[kaitlynscustomcreations]

For Reaperion Material used: Disney colouring pages, Arcana ✿| My "Watch Me Edit" Videos |  Other blog |✿

[elsewhereuniversity]

A deal with a dragon

A biology major who hardly wore iron nor silver, Faustus was his Name, he did not care about the Gentry, making hardly any deals. He wrote in his free time, wrote and drew. Crows seemed to take a liking to him. However, one day, he drew one of Them. Not just one of Them, one of the ancient ones, nameless horrors which have not been seen since the chem department’s war. That got their attention. They sent a changeling to scout out his room. But alas, it couldn’t penetrate the seal he’d made around the frame.

His friends started disappearing. One by one, they were Taken by agents unknown. He grinded his teeth. He knew that if he met with the Gentry they’d Take him without hesitation or bargaining. So he locked himself in his room with some books, a laptop and food. He left offerings every night as per usual, but otherwise he was not seen. He’d borrowed books on the history of Elsewhere, the Gentry and everything in between. Online, he researched on the student message board. The Gentry didn’t know about it yet. They never would. He read rumours about a dragon residing on campus. The dragon was apparently one of Them. But it made no deals. Only slumbered. Then he saw something more interesting than the others

The dragon doesn’t really care for deals. It just wants tiny people to stop trying to stab it.

That changed things. A plan brewed in his brain. He left in the dead of night. Risky, yes, but he knew the way to the old library building like the back of his hand, he’d traded a painting for a map of the safe routes. Out of the darkness, the old library loomed, decrepit, but something about it felt… right. As he descended the steps to the basement where the dragon was said to live, he could feel agents of the unseelie court starting to follow him. He quickened his pace. Eventually he got to the massive basement where a dragon was slumbering. He had studied the dragon’s tongue for this.

“I wish to make a deal” He cried. The dragon’s eyes snapped open. It raised its head to look at him. “I have brought no weapons and i mean no harm, my intentions with you do not relate to harming you in any shape, way or form” He said, thrice confirming.

“What kind of deal could one such as yourself possibly make?” It asked. Its curiosity was piqued.

“A deal where you don’t get disturbed by humans during the summer months when they get ambitious and have time to do so” He replied.

“That is an enticing offer. What would you ask in return though?” It asked, eyes narrowing.

“During those summer months you transform me into a dragon, not quite one of your size, but something large enough that i can prevent humans from entering this chamber. I would also require protection from the courts on campus.” He replied.

“While i do have that power, the transformation would be excruciating if done quickly. Not to mention that when you go off campus you will inevitably forget about your obligation to me. Unless you have a solution to this-” it started

“Make the transformation begin in the spring months, i am used to pain over time, i will take a full time position in the university to cover the summer months. Let my family think me dead, in this way i will fulfill my duties to you” he said, confident fire burning in his eyes.

“Are you certain that you wish to not see the summer sun?” It asked, raising an eye-ridge. He nodded. “Very well. I accept your deal. Return here 2 months hence to begin your duty” The dragon cried. The boy felt a spike of pain on his skin. He looked down on his arm. A scale had grown there. He bowed deeply to his new master, and left.

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