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1. Ranboo
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The twinkling sound of magic awoke Ranboo. A lush forest stood far above Ranboo’s form where they lay strangely at peace. Very little light came through the thick leaves, but it was bright enough to see.
Beautiful triangles join in the hum of magic, growing steadily louder. He sits up slowly, examining the clearing and taking in the way the trees seem to grow thicker the further away they get, a rainbow of mushrooms on the roots of each one.
“Are you lost young one?”
A deep voice asks from behind him. A fellow human! Their outfit makes them look like they stepped right out of a fantasy novel. An odd outfit, considering the season, but they look amazing .
A hand reaches out, a few feet away.
“Here, let me help you up,” they offer, but make no move to get any closer.
“Oh um.. Thanks,” Ranboo says, getting up without their aid and dusting off his knees before being hit with a sudden dizzy spell.
“How come I haven’t seen you around here before? I thought I knew everyone who lived around here,” they ask, head tilted as they offer a roll of bread and bottle of water they retrieved from the bag slung over their shoulder. T h at was n’ t th er e be for e- ?
“I actually must have wandered in here somehow, it’s a miracle I haven’t stepped in any rings….”
They set the roll and water down on a small checkered fabric square in the grass near their feet.
“Oh. My apologies, I thought you came from these woods yourself,” they say, gaze analyzing as they gesture vaguely to the center of their face in reference to Ranboo’s half and half complexion.
“Oh-! No, this is just how I normally look, don’t worry.”
The stranger cocks their head, eyes squinted as an incomprehensible look crosses their face.
Ranboo steps back suddenly realizing just how perfect this stranger looks. Too perfect.
“I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught your name..?”
A Fae. Ranboo’s been talking to a Fae.
Immediately, he wants to apologize if he was rude at all previously, before realizing how bad it would be to ask something of a Fae. Looking down in thought, Ranboo sees the edge of a faerie ring a mere two steps in front of him. Right where the Fae stands, food placed gently on the ground.
“..Are you ok? You’ve been standing still there for a while-” they ask, standing on their tiptoes as if that would help them see Ranboo a bit better.
“You’re Fae,” he states. No hesitancy or room for questioning or denial in his tone.
“Well, yes. I’m sorry, I- I truly meant you no harm. I sincerely believed you to be another fae when I first saw you and felt your presence near my ring-”
“...You asked me for my name-” Ranboo scoffs, cutting them off.
“Yes. And I deeply apologize. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen a human, and… it was just kind of… instinct. You know?”
Finally looking up, the fae is no longer appearing to be fully human. Instead, they stand tall above Ranboo with 2 horns, like those of a deer, coming from their long curly hair. There appear to be small string lights strung between them, while vines and flowers wrap around them. It looks like they are sprouting from the flower crown sitting delicately on their head. Their poet’s shirt is now tucked into a corset, and tall heeled boots disappear under their long and flowy skirt.
“Holy macaroni. You look amazing-” Ranboo blurts before he can stop himself.
The stranger is taken aback for a moment, before a smile forms on their lips. “Thank you.”
“Once again. I am truly sorry.”
“Oh- well you didn’t really do anything so…?” Ranboo trails off, unsure of how to respond. He can’t remember how in depth the rules on having a conversation with the fae went. It was mainly, “Don’t be rude, but try to leave as soon as possible.”
Eret must sense his discomfort because they clasp their hands, like some estranged version of the welp clap Ranboo has come to be known for.
“Well, it was a pleasure meeting you…” They leave a space for Ranboo to add his name if he’d like.
“You may call me Ran.”
They smile.
“You may call me Monarch. Like the butterfly.”
“Thank you, Monarch. For all the things you didn’t do.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you, Ran.”
Ranboo turns around and starts walking to the edge of the clearing, before turning around for a final wave. The last thing he sees are Monarch’s deep blue eyes twinkling in joy as they wave goodbye, and disappear with a twinkle.
2. Fundy
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Fundy awoke to the twinkling of magic, ears twitching lightly at the noise from where they sat atop his head. Uncurling with a big stretch, he took in the clearing around him, admiring the tall colourful flowers sitting around a worn tree stump. Just beyond, a deer stands holding eye contact before turning and darting further into the forest.
The chimes of a triangle joined the hum of magic as a voice came softly from behind him, first muttered then calling out to him.
“Oh there’s a fox here- hello there little fox are you lost?”
Whipping around, Fundy was met with a Fae peering down at him, standing just outside their circle.
“I haven’t seen you around here before, do you need help getting home-? I’m sure I’d be able to figure out how to help-” they continue, not spotting Fundy’s confusion or fear.
“You’re Fae,” he says, mouth agape.
“Well, yes. Are you not-?”
“What? No! Why would I be fae??” he responds, aghast.
“Well you have ears and a tail-!” they scoff “Wooow. Humans must have evolved so much since-”
“How does having ears and a tail make me a fae?” he cuts the fae off. They look taken aback before stating, “Usually the only humanoid creatures that would be in this forest are fae- they look a variety of ways, but most have the ears or tail of an animal from near where they live. It’s a fae thing.”
“So like how you have the horns of a deer?” he tilts his head.
“Precisely,” the fae nods. Fundy takes a moment to properly examine the forest around them. The trees block out the sun, making it impossible to tell the time or how long he’s been in here.
Now that he thinks about it, he hasn’t seen many animals here. No birds chirp in the trees, no squirrels run across the branches. Other than the deer he saw earlier, there’s been nothing.
“But where are the-”
Before he can even ask, they answer, sad eyes looking at them with an unknown emotion. “Not many animals come around here anymore. All of the fae have left, and most animals have gone with them.”
Just past them, stands the same deer as before. It paws towards Fundy before turning and darting into the forest, with the urgency of a prey trying to escape with its life. Maybe it’s a sign.
“Well, as lovely as it has been to spend time with you, I kinda gotta get going so…” He awkwardly steps backwards as he talks, one hand clutching his bag, and the other gesturing wildly.
“Bye!” he shouts over his shoulder as he races off into the forest.
3. Technoblade
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Techno wakes to the sound of magic. It’s a gentle sound, but it can only mean one thing.
Fae.
Shooting up, he looks around, appearing to be alone. No birds chirp in the trees, no creatures rustle through the leaves of bushes, stepping on twigs with a crack. Odd. The clearing itself is beautiful with its tall reaching trees and innocent gladioli gently swaying near a decaying stump. Atop the stump sits a bottle of water, and a roll placed on a checkered square of fabric. The scene is lovely, and Techno would love to enjoy it without the looming thought of a fae’s magic in his mind.
As he wanders over to further examine the stump, he trips over a root with a muttered “ Shoot! ”
“Are you alright?” A voice comes from behind him.
Whipping around, he discovers it must have come from where what appears to be a human stands. They tilt their head sporting a concerned expression on their face. Techno matches it with a no bullshit face.
“You’re-”
“Apologies, I don’t think I caught your name?” they cut him off.
“You’re fae,” he deadpans.
They stand there for a minute before, “So that’s a no on the name..?”
Techno gives the fae the most Really? expression before the fae interrupts with an offering.
“You may call me Monarch. Like-”
“Like a royal monarch?” his eyebrow quirks.
“Like the butterfly,” they correct, lips twitching up.
“You may call me Protesilaus.”
This time they let a small smile grace their face.
“Well Protesilaus, will you be needing any help?”
“Why would I need help?” Techno’s eyebrow twitches up again.
“Well when you entered, you were running from something. You must have tired yourself out because you fell asleep quicker than what is usual for my clearing.”
“Interesting. I appreciate your offer, however I do not need any assistance at this time.” While it is similar to his usual speech pattern, Techno is extra careful to not upset the fae, and to abide by all the rules he has learned about fae in the past. He turns to leave.
“Promise you won’t follow me.”
“Of course.”
4. Foolish
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Foolish wandered deeper into the forest, deep in thought. He barely noticed the sound of magic, or the twinkling of wind chimes, before he found a clearing and saw a person standing near a stump.
“Hello there friend! How are you today?” The sun managed to find its way through the treetops, just to bounce off of Foolish’s shiny gold skin, making it almost impossible to see the giant smile on his face.
The stranger held up a hand in front of their face to block the sun before hesitantly peeking out and observing the gold man in front of them. He somehow stood taller than the fae, with shining gold skin and sparkling emerald eyes.
“Are you… like me?”
“I’m no fae, little friend”
“Oh,” the fae did not look disappointed, just resigned.
“Are you ok, little one? You seem so sad.”
“It’s just-” they halt their words, before letting out a sigh and continuing.
“It’s been a while since anyone’s stayed around here.”
They both sit on the stump, facing each other. The fae’s eyes stare downcast at their knees. “I’ve missed having someone around,” they mutter.
Foolish pauses in thought.
“Do you have anyone here with you, friend?”
They freeze, clearly deciding on what part of the truth they should tell.
“No.”
“Do you want to come with me? Join me at my home?”
“Oh. I can’t.”
“Why not? You have nothing keeping you here?” Foolish’s head tilts in confusion.
“I promised I wouldn’t.”
The silence stretches between them, weighing heavy on the fae. A fae’s promise is unable to be broken. Anything they say has to be the truth.
“I wish I could join you. To step beyond the trees of this clearing seems like an impossible feat. Literally.” They laugh, but it’s a sad sound. They are trapped here unless the person they promised comes back highly unlikely, if they asked the fae not to follow them.
“What may I call you?” Foolish asks, a silent offer. A shoulder to lean on.
“You may call me Monarch. Like the butterfly.”
“Hello Monarch. I’m Foolish.”
Foolish feels the magic caused from his name, the power being passed to Monarch. It must be nothing compared to what the fae felt. Physically knocked back.
“You’re- you-” they stutter, staring up at Foolish in shock.
“I’m Foolish,” he states again, looking into the fae’s eyes.
“Foolish and foolish,” he says with a laugh.
It earns a laugh out of Monarch, who is sitting in thought, processing the power rush and what it truly means.
“You’re the first one,” they say, in shock and wonder.
“To give you their name?” he asks in disbelief.
They nod silently, their expression shifting to awe.
“Thank you.” The genuineness of their voice is overpowering and sends a stake right through Foolish’s heart.
He smiles.
“I’ll see ya later, Monarch!” Foolish shouts as he walks backwards into the forest waving exaggeratedly at Monarch, who waves back with a steady smile on their face.
+1 (Eret)
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Eret sat alone in the forest, knees pulled to their chest, head resting delicately on top, and tilted to gaze on the edge of their wilting ring.
What were once bright and lively patches of flowers and mushrooms, forming a perfect rainbow around the center, now simply sat there, petals wilting, their colour dull.
“One day you shall return to the very blades of grass you towered above. Fear not, your lives were not in vain. You helped people, and they shall help others in turn. It is not time to rest quite yet, but soon. Soon you shall be at peace once more,” Eret told it before reaching up to gently pluck a small daisy from their horns and setting it just next to the edge, and stepping out of the ring.
They laid on their back, staring up at the sky. Time passes slower here, in the land of the Humans. It allows much more time for thought. Not that I need anymore time to myself , Eret thought with a sigh.
Exiled from the realm of Fae, but left with their own little area, Eret had been alone for who knows how long- Eret knows. They’ve been counting.
Left with no contact with anyone except four humans who stumbled into their clearing. A part of them longed to follow, but they promised Protesilaus they would not, and they doubt they would, even without the binding promise. They had never wandered far before.
Slowly, like rain dripping onto a flower before the pour, Eret felt the presence of four beings grow nearer to their clearing. Reaching their hearing, they sat up and tried to figure out why four anything would be near here. The presence grew as they stood and stepped gently back into the ring, dawning their human appearance and hiding behind a tree, skirt swirling at the movement.
The beings are in the clearing now. If they’d been having a conversation, it’d ended before Eret could tell. The forest was silent. It would be an eerie silence if it weren’t for the faint song of music, and the chiming of Eret’s own presence. In an attempt to calm themself, Eret inhales the familiar smell of tree and pollen with a deep breath.
“Monarch? Are you here?” Ran’s voice calls.
Peeking their head out from behind the tree, they can see Ran, the Fox-Guy, Protesilaus, and Foolish all standing in their clearing. Ran is looking into their faerie circle, while Fox-Guy and Protesilaus look at the decaying stump and Foolish stands contently admiring the trees that block the sky.
Eret ducks back behind the tree before popping out on the other side.
“There you are, old friend!” Foolish calls, spotting Eret immediately.
Protesilaus and Fox-Guy whip around, while Ran just turns slowly.
“Hello, everyone,” they say, hesitantly stepping out from the tree line.
“What are you all doing here? I didn’t think you’d come back,.” Catching Foolish’s sad look, they correct themself. “I didn’t think most of you would be back.”
The other three look at eachother, none wanting to talk first. Eret shifts nervously at the silent conversation, pushing away bad memories at the action.
“Foolish, I didn’t know you knew these three,” Eret directs, not missing the glare Protesilaus shoots Foolish’s way.
“I met pinkie over here who introduced me to halfnhalf. Foxie came with halfnhalf as a bonus” he gestures to Protesilaus, Ran, and Fox-Guy in turn.
“ Foolish -” Protesilaus starts, voice pointed.
“Why does a fae know your name?” Something about the sharp way Protesilaus says it, though it’s not directed at them, causes Eret to take a couple steps back.
“I’m just gonna-” They cut themself off as they gesture vaguely behind them before spinning around and returning to their tree, sliding down and flopping their head on their knees.
Hatred or general dislike for fae is nothing new, but to have someone point out that there was no reason for Foolish to have given his name like he did especially to someone like Eret, a thought that had crossed their mind many times, somehow hit them where none of the Fae’s ever could have reached.
The air shifts as Foolish kneels down beside them, Ran standing over his shoulder, flanked by Fox-Guy and a somewhat sheepish Protesilaus.
“Monarch? You ok there, friend?”
“Eret. My name is Eret.” It feels like a release and a kick to the chest all at once. A Fae’s name is powerful. Though not granting complete control like a non-Fae’s name, it can be used to get the Fae to leave you alone. Not many humans have ever learned a Fae’s name and stayed in the human realm long enough to tell the tale.
A sharp intake sounds from beside them.
“Eret-” Ran starts, voice gentle and testing.
“Why?” Protesilaus cuts in.
“After everything I’ve done, why give us your name?” he asks, disbelieving. Fox-Guy nods beside him.
“So you can use it” their voice is void of any emotion. They’ve given up, and can’t even hold up their white flag. This is why they left.
“Eret-” Foolish begins before wrapping Eret in a big hug. It’s warm and comfortable, yet it feels like their skin is on fire. They gasp.
“We want you to stay. That’s why we came. To get you to stay,” his voice is muffled, the low notes the most prevalent as Eret hears the words through Foolish’s arms and from his chest.
“You want me to stay?” Their voice comes out innocent and childlike causing Foolish to look down in alarm as the ball of fae in his arms starts shaking.
Eret is crying. From a mixture of shock, disbelief, denial, and more. Someone cares . For the fae Eret. The fae Eret. No one’s ever cared before, not in many many years, and certainly never this way. It feels freeing. Like not having to worry about the next move because someone will be there to help if it goes wrong.
The other three lean down and join the hug. Ran’s hand finds theirs and gives it a tight squeeze, their smile just barely visible past Foolish.
In all their many years of life, they’ve never felt this content. This at peace.
“Thank you,” they breathe.
“Thank you.”