olruggio of the torch

[torchwitch]

𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇 — an independent roleplay blog for 𝐎𝐋𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐆𝐈𝐎 of 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐑 — watchful eye, fire witch, and contraption inventor. by robin, 31, he/him. also found at fleurdelysandre.

[torchwitch]

remind me to change olly's sexuality on his carrd from probably gay to definitely gay. happy pride this witch is 100% gay

[torchwitch]

Rumor has it that Master Olruggio got so drunk during last year's Silver Eve that he ended up dancing on a table at the local tavern, loudly singing along! Wrong lyrics, but his voice is supposed to be angelic. I heard this from my cousin's wife's best friend's husband's vegetable merchant!

rumor meme.

"Absolutely untrue."

What would the girls think of him if they heard this...? It's not like he'd ever get that drunk in public anyway, that sort of excitement is reserved for nights at home — rarely!

Rarely!

"... ... ... angelic?"

[divinerpresources]

Send “Rumor has it...” And a rumor about my muse

[rpmemegraveyard]

Send in a 💐 and my muse will give your muse a gift that specifically reminded them of your muse.

Could be anything... For better or worse. (specify who to who for multis!)

[silverwoodcursed]

This conversation was dangerous, they did not really get to the bottom of whatever it was that weighed on Olruggio’s mind yet, but Qifrey already dreaded what might be awaiting him once more at the end of this night. They had had countless conversations similar to the one they were building up right now, and still it felt like it was completely different. Olruggio was asking him if he did not want to settle down elsewhere, with someone else, with children that were not his apprentices.. where did he get these silly ideas? Yes, Qifrey couldn’t be as physically affectionate as he actually wanted to be, but what had he done for Olruggio to amuse such ridiculous ideas?

When his friend offered him more of his sleeve to toy with, Qifrey does. Fingers running up and down the fabric, stopping at the hem to tug at it ever so slightly. He remembered how heavy the cloak actually was, he remembered the first day Olruggio had presented it to him, proudly, with that handsome smile on his face. It was a fond memory. Olruggio wrapping it around Qifrey’s shoulders to show how heavy but comfortable it was, Qifrey had felt like the cloak could have easily served as some kind of blanket. It had made him feel terribly warm, too comfortable, and yet he couldn’t help but wish he could step closer and hide beneath that cloak, to turn his face away from the tragedy that seemed to await him at the end of this very long road.

The brushbuddy’s tiny feet moving over his arm and up over his shoulder are a comfortable distraction, there was just the slightest bit of pressure where its little paws dug into the fabric of his cloak. The animal was as cute as it was clingy, though it usually was following the girls or being carried around by them, it came to Olruggio’s workshop when it felt mischievous, but it mostly only came to Qifrey when it felt like he needed comfort. And maybe he did. Though in this very moment, it was obvious to him that it was not only himself who was nervous, he could tell Olruggio was as well; with the way he worded his sentences very carefully, with the way he looked at everything but Qifrey’s face.

“I have never thought about settling down somewhere else, no”, Qifrey said while he tried to make his voice sound as calm and composed as possible, for both their sakes.

“I have never wanted to build a house with someone else. This is our home, Olly. We have wanted this since we were young. We made something out of these ruins, us two, together.”

The white-haired man took a deep breath, not out of annoyance, more to calm himself, calm his pulse, calm the Silverwood. His Olruggio, his dear Olly.. Qifrey could guess where all this was going, or maybe it would go into a completely different direction this time. Maybe after all this time his feelings finally went into an opposite direction? Maybe all the questions about a different place to live, a different person to spend his life with were asked.. because Olruggio finally had enough? Maybe he had finally found someone at the Great Hall to come home to instead of staying with him? No.. he couldn’t think that way.

“So, no. Olruggio. I am hapy here in this little atelier. With the girls. With you.”

A little “pwee!” was heard from the brushbuddy lounging on his shoulder.

“And with brushbuddy, of course. So if there is anything you want to change, it is up to you.”

Another soft exhale as Qifrey finally tilted his head to the side, the gaze of his bright blue eye on Olruggio’s face, daring him to make a move.

[torchwitch]

Olruggio breathes out a sigh of relief.

"I don't want anything to change," he says, lips curved in a gentle smile. It is a lie, but not in the way one would presume it to be; he wants change, but only in the idea of being closer to Qifrey.

Unfortunately, he has never given a sign of such desires in return, so Olruggio settles in with the fact that having Qifrey in his life as his dearest friend is enough. So long as he's by his side, that is enough. Sure, the want may rear its head time and time again, he may wake up from dreams of finally having him in his arms and have to collect himself, but —

Just seeing Qifrey each day, watching him care for and teach their girls … It warms his heart, much like the snugstone tucked in his pocket keeps his fingers from freezing in the midst of winter. That is Qifrey's place in his life. A source of comfort that he hopes Qifrey sees in him, as well.

"Sometimes, though… you get this look about you," he says, resting his chin in one hand, "I just worry about you, is all. Picking up the search again after all these years, taking Coco in … It's a lot of change all at once."

He looks down toward Qifrey's hand on his sleeve, contemplating that it would be quite easy to move the few inches that separate them and take his hand. Qifrey's always run a bit colder than him and it is easy to imagine the slight chill in his fingers, to joke about how he never uses the snugstones despite Olruggio's insistence. But he resists, instead relaxing and keeping his eyes trained on his hand so he doesn't have to make eye contact.

"I just wanted to know that you're happy here. Told you before that I plan to stick around and watch you get old, and that's not changing, long as you'll have me around."

"We've really built something good here. I still remember when we were kids, seeing this spot, hearing you say how perfect it was… I hadn't thought about where I wanted to settle until then, you know. Second you said you liked the old ruins and seeing the stars every night … Well. Made the decision for me."

Because even as a child, he'd known he could settle anywhere at all, so long as he got to see Qifrey for the rest of his days.

[zmeess]

sword and shield

tip jar!

[torchwitch]

glad that with the fan translation of the light novel we can see the funniest part of Olly's character: Qifrey is literally always on his mind

[torchwitch]

small little (unplotted) starter call! a few lines, most likely. multis specify muse, of course!

[torchwitch]

HOW DOES YOUR MUSE HANDLE EMOTIONS?

Bold what usually or often applies. Italicise what sometimes applies.

ANGER

jaw clenching, hands balling into fists, teeth grinding, yelling, going nonverbal, stuttering speech, rushed speech, slow concise speech, rambling, quiet, arms crossing, shaking head, tearing up, animated, expressionless, projects, internalizes, vents, withdraws, passive aggressive, direct, physical outbursts, verbal outbursts.

JOY

easy smiles, fighting back grins, suppressed laughter, loud laughter, giggles, chuckling, smirks, whole body laughs, covers mouth when laughing, throws head back when laughing, slaps leg, touches people around them when laughing, looks down when laughing, looks for eye contact when laughing, sparkling eyes, bubbly happiness, quiet subtle happiness, obnoxious happiness, wants to spread joy, quietly savors joy.

SADNESS / CRYING

bottling it up, seeks distractions, wallows, meditates & processes, avoidance, seeks out comfort, withdraws, talks it out, internalizes it, sad smiles, depression naps, uses alcohol, uses drugs, seeks out sources of joy, fidgets with sentimental item, sits in silence, broods, gets moody, wants someone to share the misery, tries to hide negative emotions, nurtures others to make themselves feel better.

EMBARRASSMENT

shame, blushing, looking away, rubbing at back of head, covering face, laughing nervously, laughs it off, overthinks, lets it go, self-deprecating humour, deflects, gets irritated, smiles, withdraws, crossing arms over stomach, crossing arms over chest, hands in pockets, shoulders sinking, shrugs, falling into silence until comfortable again, talking a lot to compensate.

GUILT

avoiding eye contact, shoulders sinking low, head hanging down, crying, chest aches, lashes out, internalizes, apologizes, deflects, communicates, withdraws, grand gestures for forgiveness, accepts fault easily, punishes themselves, martyrdom, victim complex, over-active guilt complex, healthy conscience, internalizes even after forgiveness, seeking redemption, moves on easily, denial, lack of guilt/conscience, sorry they got caught more than caused harm, can’t handle knowing they hurt others.

[gojosbf]

Witch Hat Atelier - Season 1 Episode 08

[captainkingsley]

wanted a clip of olly's voice because i really do like it, and this scene is just so cute

[silverwoodcursed]

There is a prolonged moment of silence as Qifrey ponders over the words his dearest friend said. It is not an uncomfortable one, which made it dangerous enough, but he still felt like Olruggio deserved a very thoughtful answer. What was he thanking Qifrey for? What had he ever done to deserve the tiniest bit of gratitude? Memories came back to him, memories of tearful confessions and heartbreaking memory wipes, again and again, and for what? Just so Qifrey could live? Seeing Olruggio get hurt on his behalf and being the one responsible for it.. how could Olruggio ever thank him. Thank him for suffering he cannot even remember? How painfully ironic that was. To be forced to stand here, smile and accept a thanks he did not deserve. How much longer did he want to do this..

Qifrey made a little humming sound, not agreeing, but not denying the argument either. Instead of saying something he simply watched the little brushbuddy crawl along Olruggio’s shoulders, being as close to him as Qifrey always wanted to be. It would have been so easy to reach out a hand and brush his fingers over Olruggio’s cheek, or ruffle his hair, or just hold his hand. Olruggio was so close and yet forever out of reach.

It would have been easy to ask what exactly Olruggio was grateful for, Qifrey would get to bask in the guilt and the anxiety that came with it, but instead Olruggio replies with a question of his own and it felt like Qifrey’s heart was about to jump out of his chest. His breath hitched and his pale cheeks turned into a soft hue of pink, all while he had to remain casual.

What exactly did Olruggio mean with this? What did it matter how Qifrey wanted their lives to be, it was not like he could really tell Olruggio, it was not like any of his dreams were really accomplishable. He couldn’t get close to the Brimmed Caps without putting his apprentices in danger, he couldn’t retrieve his memories nor his eye so he would never be whole again, and he would never get to kiss Olruggio. So what did it matter what he wanted in life?

Now it was Qifrey who sighed, but it was not with exhaustion, it was almost.. a sad sigh, and still a smile found a way on his lips, he was too used to play and pretend by now.

Oh, how badly he wanted to get close to Olruggio, he wanted to hold that precious face in his hands, he wondered what it felt like to have the other’s warm hands on his body, he wondered if Olruggio’s beard would tickle when he kissed Qifrey’s neck. He was so full of want, want, want and yet he could have nothing.

With his hands empty he realized he needed something to fidget with, he could not pluck brushbuddy from Olruggio’s shoulders after he had just placed it there, so he casually tugged on Olruggio’s sleeve, toying with the soft fabric.

“Is that a trick question? Are you not happy in our little atelier anymore, Olly? Is there something you need or rather.. want?”

[torchwitch]

“It's… you know.” Olruggio shrugs, doing his very best to ignore the nerves that are telling him to shut up and give up the question. But he's already this far in, and for just a moment he tips his head back to stare up at the ceiling. Even though Qifrey was smiling at him, he felt uneasy. 

Maybe he's never asked this because he's felt like their lives are securely intertwined. Or maybe because he doesn't want to know the answer, not when the possibility is that Qifrey will say what he fears most. After a quick nudge from the brushbuddy on his shoulder, he fixes his eyes on Qifrey again, now just in time to feel his fingers against his sleeve. At that, the brushbuddy takes its chance and scampers down his arm, skittering over Qifrey's arm instead. 

He's tempted to call it a tiny little traitor for depriving him of what little security its warmth offers. He doesn't. 

“Maybe I'm thinkin’ too deep on this, I don't know. I'm happy here, and that's what worries me. I'm glad to be here with you and the kids, but I just…” 

He nudges his arm slightly closer to Qifrey, letting him have more of the sleeve he's running his fingers over. Breaking eye contact, he hopes the way his face is heating up is only obvious to himself — but he's always flushed easily, and if anyone can read nervousness in him, it's Qifrey. 

“I guess I've never asked since I'm happy, but… You've never wanted to settle down anywhere else? With anyone else? Kids that aren't your apprentices or anything?” 

Thankfully, he's able to keep his eyes trained on the window of the far wall rather than watch Qifrey's expressions — he's not sure he'd like what he finds there if his fears have any substance. While he's never experienced heartbreak in the traditional sense, the idea of Qifrey settling down elsewhere gets him the closest to that feeling, he's sure. 

And it is only partially due to the feelings he's been keeping in his chest. Yes, the thing he's wanted for years is to escalate things between them, to be able to take his hands, to kiss him until he can't breathe — but at the same time, if proposing such things would strain their relationship, he's more than happy to keep Qifrey in his life as his friend.

[torchwitch]

every time I look at olly's room I'm like. god that looks so cozy. look at all of his pillows piled up in his hammock. like it's definitely probably tough to get up there if he's especially tired but MAN...

[torchwitch]

qifrey more like wifey (my gdocs keeps autocorrecting his name)

[silverwoodcursed]

@torchwitch - continued from here.

What had he been thinking asking this? What had he expected Olruggio to say? That he wished they had never met? That he wished to be a Watchful Eye to anyone but Qifrey? He shouldn’t have asked, the answer was too dangerous. It could break his heart or it could fill him with so much warmth the Silverwood inside him would react. Usually he was smarter than this, he would not let himself be lured in by this false sense of warmth and safety, but the evening they had spent together, cooking and talking.. Qifrey couldn’t help but look at his Watchful Eye with guarded affection.

Only Qifrey was aware of the truth in that moment, which was.. that Qifrey most likely wouldn’t be alive right now if they had not been thrown together by fate. Or not fate.. it was all Olruggio. Always has been. Ever since the moment Olruggio had saved him from drowning, their lives had been intertwined, attached at the hip no matter how hard Qifrey had tried to isolate himself. It would be safer this way, he had always thought so, that he would be alright as long as he stayed away from anyone that could be kind to him. It had worked well, back in the day. He had held Beldaruit at arm’s length, he had not made any friends.. until Olruggio. And he had almost paid with his life for it.

Back in that moment.. this one crucial moment, he had been fine with it. He would have gladly died if it meant Olruggio would be safe, he would have gladly died knowing he had one friend that trusted him. And truly cared for him. Despite everything. And then Olruggio had made that suggestion, no, not a suggestion. He had made a choice. To sacrifice his memory again and again to keep Qifrey alive.

Qifrey did not deserve this man, he knew that. And yet.. the gaze of his bright blue eye rested on Olruggio’s face and he was thoughtful for a moment. If this world had been gentler, would they still have ended up together? Part of Qifrey doubted that, because as painful as the thought was, a kinder world would not have put him in the hands of the brimmed caps. A kinder world would have allowed Olruggio to save the people lost in the snow storm. A kinder world would have protected them from pain. But then they probably never would have met and at this point.. Qifrey would have sacrificed everything if it meant he would get to have the most radiant star in his life.

The witch chuckled and he had to turn away for a moment, he held out his palm for the atelier’s brushbuddy to climb atop it and he gently ran his fingers through the soft fur. How could he say what he was really feeling and thinking? Telling Olruggio to stay away had been part of his self-preservation, and now his life was basically in Olruggio’s hands.

“If things had been simpler I think we would still share an atelier. Just without.. the occasional law-breaking hidden away from the Knights Moralis.”

Qifrey chuckled, turning back to his friend and he reached out to put the brushbuddy on Olruggio’s shoulder, brushing his fingertips over the other’s neck before pulling away.

“Thank you, Olly. For everything.”

[torchwitch]

He's unsure whether the sensation up his spine is from the brushbuddy’s tiny feet across his shoulders or the faint brush of Qifrey's fingers — either way, Olruggio does his best to hide it, tipping his head to look at the table between them. The motion also helps to hide the ever-so-brief expression of guilt he bears at being the Watchful Eye, knowing he'd never report —

but when he looks up at Qifrey again, that guilt quickly dissipates, replaced by the simple feeling of affection he always tries so hard to push back against. Of course he would never actually turn anything Qifrey or the kids did in to the Knights; he's not even sure that first threat so long ago with Coco was something he'd have gone through with. 

(Knowing her, she'd have won him over before they were even halfway there. He's come to love each of the kids Qifrey had picked up, regardless of where they had come from.)

“Hey, maybe we'd just be sharing it less as an obligation and more as a choice,” he says, shrugging, the motion causing the brushbuddy to peep beside his ear. Its tail brushes the other side of his neck, tiny feet clinging to his shirt. 

Because, he doesn't say, I’d have followed him anywhere regardless of circumstance. 

There's that affectionate feeling in the back of his head again. 

“...You don't have to thank me.” Olruggio says, his voice slightly quieter than before. “But I appreciate it. And now that I've said that, it makes it kind of hypocritical of me to thank you the same, but … Yeah, thank you for … everything.”

He goes quiet for several moments, listening to the brushbuddy's paws shuffle against the fabric of his shirt. Olruggio knows he could ask something more, could likely tiptoe around the whole feelings thing without too much suspicion, but he likes the comfort of their life. Maybe if he never admits anything out loud, they can keep the thing they have going without fear of ruining it. 

… But at the same time, he wants to find a way to ask for more. Selfish, he knows, but if there is something there, he doesn't want to waste more years wondering. Besides, how much would actually change? They're already sharing a life, throwing his heart into the mix and offering the affection he wants to give could improve everything. With the danger of the Brimmed Caps and the suspicions of the Knights looming over their shoulders, who knows if a chance like this — quiet, at home, the girls safe and fine for the time being — will rear its head before they're thrown into something bigger? 

He sighs. 

“Qifrey … Is this how you want our lives to be? Dangers aside, I mean. Surely you've got other things you want to do.”

Leave it open ended, he decides. Let him fill in the blanks there. It's safer that way. 

[torchwitch]

I have to sleep fairly soon because I need to fix my sleep schedule but just know I am Currently Thinking about his height