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fractalsfrozen | Ice Fae Sigma AU
There's a part of him who knew it'd end up this way. Cast out of the town he'd lived in his entire life, where everyone knew each other like family. In the end it hasn't mattered.
He was a warlock, a friend trying to poison their town with witchcraft and dark magic. Or that's what everyone thought. Change was frightening and right now it wasn't something they were ready for, Harold had feared it, but it hadn't been an excuse to not try to better the lives of the towns people.
Medicine and the advancements in it were not to be trusted, so he'd been cast out, forced out into the harshness of winter and the wilds to fend for himself. Harold packed as much as they allowed him, bundled up in as many layers as he could wear without inhibiting his movement.
The first few days aren't so bad, cold, but thankfully not windy. He's got enough food for maybe a week if he rations it out. Making a fire is dangerous, it draws attention and he's on his own, his only weapon a knife he uses to eat with.
In the end it's not monsters or animals or even ruffians that get him, it's the storm that hits three days in. The wind bites through his clothes and there's no way he could make a fire like this.
So he fights through blinding snow drifts to find a cave or anything he could take shelter in, but his body gives out before he has any luck. The cold is just too much and he collapses, still clutching a blanket tight around himself to try and fight off the wind and snow.
He was a warlock, a friend trying to poison their town with witchcraft and dark magic. Or that's what everyone thought. Change was frightening and right now it wasn't something they were ready for, Harold had feared it, but it hadn't been an excuse to not try to better the lives of the towns people.
Medicine and the advancements in it were not to be trusted, so he'd been cast out, forced out into the harshness of winter and the wilds to fend for himself. Harold packed as much as they allowed him, bundled up in as many layers as he could wear without inhibiting his movement.
The first few days aren't so bad, cold, but thankfully not windy. He's got enough food for maybe a week if he rations it out. Making a fire is dangerous, it draws attention and he's on his own, his only weapon a knife he uses to eat with.
In the end it's not monsters or animals or even ruffians that get him, it's the storm that hits three days in. The wind bites through his clothes and there's no way he could make a fire like this.
So he fights through blinding snow drifts to find a cave or anything he could take shelter in, but his body gives out before he has any luck. The cold is just too much and he collapses, still clutching a blanket tight around himself to try and fight off the wind and snow.
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"We can hope."
He smiled at those wagging fingers.
"Ah, so you are. You'd better do something about that. It would not be good if you withered away to nothing."
The fae was polite and averted his eyes. The human seemed...concerned about it. He certainly wasn't going to be judgemental at all. Once he had heard Harold pull on that robe and sit on the end of the bed, he opened his eyes and turned around. Siebren rested his arms on the side of the spring and set his chin on top of them.
"Thank you. I enjoy yours, as well. I must say you look comfortable."
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There's an awkward, "Sooo..." Before he goes with a terrible small talk sort of line.
"What does the king of the mountain do for fun around here? I mean- you have a lot of important duties, but beyond having a soak you must have hobbies you enjoy?" Mm. Good save, Harold.
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“Yes, indeed I do. I keep records of my findings-like a journal? Very detailed. For any future fae-so that if I am lost, my knowledge and experience won’t be.”
He thought a moment before continuing.
“I raise and breed special fish in these caverns..for food and..decoration. Certain ones breed specific patterns that glow differently. I collect plant specimens and study their properties-things like that. Different kinds of fae and who would be friendly and who would be dangerous-knowledge that would prove useful.”
He paused a moment, blue eyes darting back and forth a bit, as if thinking to himself.
“I would be happy to show you tomorrow, if you would like. All that and more. If..you would find it interesting or helpful.”
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Harold finds it oddly... cute to hear the fae breeds fish. He just imagines the giant fae feeding them and making sure they're all in good health. A fish farm. He wonders if they have names or if that's too personal for creatures he uses for food.
"Wait you've got glowing fish?" He cuts in sounding quite fascinated, but then closes his mouth and let's Sigma finish. He feels like a kid in a candy shop being here. Everything is a wonder and he knows he's lucky to have this chance.
"Of course, I couldn't say no to any of it. You're kind to share with me any of your home and knowledge."
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“Yes. Many, in fact. I keep them in one of the caverns a little ways down. Different pools for different color patterns and fish function. I tend to keep food fish separate form hobby fish. I try to make them all as comfortable as I can, though.”
The outside was cruel...but here in his own private lair, he, the King of the Mountain, did not have to be and he made sure that even creatures he intended to kill and eat had an otherwise painless life if he could help it.
“I am happy to have a guest to appreciate it. I enjoy your company...your enthusiasm.”
It was true.
He turned and nodded his head slowly in Harold’s direction.
“You are a welcome change of pace, Harold.”
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Harold is starting to think Sigma is some kind of angel. He'd probably laugh if he told him that. He'll flush slightly at the kind words, smiling.
"Well I'm glad I'm a welcome one and not a wrench in the cogs of your every day life." With some mild sense of humor he adds, "Otherwise I'm sure I'd still make a modest meal for one of your subjects out there." Or Sombra. Probably Sombra.
"You're not so shabby yourself. I could listen for hours, days, about the things you've experienced, your duties, all the knowledge you have. You must know you're amazing, Sigma." He's not trying to make the fae's head big, only telling the truth. He's so very lucky to make the acquaintance of a being so powerful and fascinating. One who's helped him and allowed him such free access to his home.
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“I’m sure one of them would have made an attempt if I wasn’t so fond of you.”
The fae was beginning to feel his heart have a familiar but different warmth in it. He knew the feeling...and as it always was...it was not the same as it had been in the past. He would keep it to himself in the meantime. He had no idea if the human would share in his affection or if he was just awestruck and overwhelmed, Time would tell, they had all winter.
“I simply do what I can, Harold...what I must. I am sure you as a healer do the same...just...with science instead of magic.”
The fae nodded in Harold’s direction.
“You must rest, Harold if you are to be fully healed by tomorrow. Then, I shall show you my fish...and whatever else you wish to see...even where the spiders are if you like, so you won’t accidentally find them.”
He stretched before starting to step out of the spring, blue, freckled skin steaming and slick with water. He flicked his wrist and his folded robe came to him. He slipped into it gracefully and tied it shut.
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Fond of him.
Harold is sure he heard that right. He'd correct the fae, that he'd just been a near corpse when he saved him, but that's not his place. He'll be eternally thankful for it.
It doesn't stop his face from flushing more. This has nothing to do with modesty, though if Sigma wants to keep thinking that Harold can't stop him. Especially with the fae rising from the water in all his naked glory and magicking his robe over to cover himself.
He'll flop over on the bed and rub his hands over his face. Stop it, Harold.
"That sounds splendid, perfect. I've never been afraid of spiders, but I can't say it wouldn't hurt to know where the giant ones are."
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This human was so unique.
Siebren moves closer to the bed, clawed fingers gingerly picking up a folded blanket at is foot and flapped it open, pulling it over the man and softly tucking it around him.
“This blanket is made from the wool of a thunder sheep, great magical creatures who clash in the sky during storms. It is waterproof and very warm...but it breathes, so you will never feel stifled...just...watch out for the static.”
As he said it, there was the distinct snap of static electricity shocking the fae. Siebren smiled softly.
“Until the morrow, then, Harold Winston,”
Siebren nodded and excused himself, making his way back to his own room, very much enjoying the warmth thst remained from the hot spring as well as the little flutter of happiness in his heart. Mercy, he was getting sentimental.
He crawled into his own massive bed covered in furs and blankets and settled onto feather pillows and it was then that a weary King of the Mountain fell to sleep, but did so wearing a smile that did not go unnoticed by a camouflaged ice drake passing through the caverns that had stopped to check in on the fae before skittering off into the dark depths of the caves.
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He doesn't know how late or early it is when he wakes, but he feels rested. He feels great actually. It's tempting to stay curled up in bed, it's so warm and comforting, Harold is loath to leave it, but his stomach growls so he'll listen to it, slipping out of bed, peering around and listening for any sign of the fae king. When there's no sign of him he'll work on getting properly dressed and puts his glasses on. Then he's moving through the large cave, at least through the sections he's been in before. He doesn't want to trespass where he's not been shown around before.
It could be dangerous or it could something that was private and none of his concern. So he pads into where Sigma had shown him all his herbs and food, teas and he'll carefully see what he can get to without the fae's help. Everything is um. Well. Quite tall. The fae is quite tall and much larger than him as it is, so while Harold can reach things, he'd definitely need a stool or chair to reach most things properly. Which he ends up doing, all the while feeling like... he may be being watched, but any curious peek around doesn't catch any eyes on him. Hrm.
Perhaps it's the little drake Sigma keeps mentioning? With mild struggle, he manages to make himself some tea and enjoys a bit of dried meat for breakfast, sitting on the stool he'd used to acquire everything. He wonders where Sigma could be, but he doesn't feel like he should take up all his time. The fae could be handling his duties to the mountain or just enjoying his own personal time. He's here as a guest, not as a child that needs his hand held at every second. He doesn't want to be a bother while he's being allowed to stay here.
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He made his way to the pantry and when he entered he saw Harold enjoying breakfast. He was glad to see the human had taken his hospitality to heart.
“Good Morning, Harold...I”
He stopped mid sentence as his nose picked up just a hint of sulfur and he could sense just a pinch of magic. He turned to the seemingly empty stool beside Harold. The fae crosses his arms and tapped a large, bare foot on the floor.
“Well...how long were you planning on sitting there, watching him eat and not introduce yourself? Really, I thought I had taught you better manners, especially since Harold is a guest.”
Before their eyes, there was a flicker in the air as a blue skinned young woman with short, white hair materialized before them.
“Awww, Sigma, you’re no fun.”
She swung her legs playfully and turned toward Harold and waved in a way that included all her claw tipped fingers.
“Hey, there. I’m Sombra.”
The more one looked at her, it was clear that while at first glance she looked human, she was clearly not. Blue armored scales dotted her skin and a pair of wings was wrapped around her waist, making a skirt. Her sharps eyes had slit pupils that moved up and down Sigma’s form.
“Well, someone looks fancy.”
The fae pulled up a stool and sat beside them.
“I hope you can excuse my ward’s rudeness. She rarely gets to interact with humans.”
Sombra scoffed.
“Hey not true. I interact with Gabe all the time.”
Sigma raised an eyebrow.
“And he may not be the best influence in dealing with other humans. Sombra, this is Harold Winston. He is a human healer who is staying with us through the winter. He is my guest and is to be treated as such.”
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"Hel-" And then Sigma is outing his apparent watcher and Harold is shocked he couldn't feel her sitting right next to him. "H-Hello." A little surprised can't help but stare at Sombra for a moment while her and Sigma have a back and forth. She's not what he expected when the fae told him about a little ice drake. Though it was clear she was of the same sort as Sigma. Not human, but magical in nature.
"Oh I already know all of this silly. I've been keeping an eye on him." Sombra gives a cheeky little wink at Harold, teasing. This human and Sigma's interest in him had peeked her own interest of course, beyond being the one to initially find him after all. She's just nosy, wanting to see what's so special about this human that the fae king hasn't tossed him back into the snow to fend for himself. Very very interesting.
"It's nice to meet you finally, Sombra. Sigma has talked much about you." That gets a little dismissive hand wave and roll of the eyes from her.
"Oh I'm sure, he's amazing at talking. Could talk your ear off if you let him." Though she seems to be complaining it's clear there's some fondness in there. Harold glances to Sigma then back at Sombra.
"Haha, I don't think I'd mind that so much." Truly he wouldn't. Sigma has been pleasant company so far, he's enjoyed talking with him. He knows whether it's the fae teaching him about his people or the mountain and the things around them, or if it's just idle chatter. He'd be fine with that.
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The fae looked over his guest.
“Were you able to get everything you needed? I am afraid everything here is built on a bit larger scale than it would be for humans.”
He would be happy to get anything that might be a bit too high or that Harold had been unable to locate. Sombra eased off her stool and retrieved what looked like a cookie jar from one of the cupboards. Inside were flat treats, made from smashed nuts, grain and fruit, held together with honey.
Sigma sighed.
So like her to go for sweets for breakfast.
“Make sure to share those with everyone.”
He said, reaching a clawed hand in and retrieving several. He set them on a plate, then set it between himself and Harold.
“Help yourself. I made them a few days ago.”
Sombra took the jar and made her way back onto her stool and sat on top of it, eating the fae cookies and watching Harold intensely.
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"I managed well enough, us smaller folks do find a way." He chuckles, patting the stool he's seated on. When offered cookies he'll have a curious look over of them before taking one with a 'thank you'. They're not much to look at, but there's a sweet smell to them, honey... fruit. With a little nibble Harold is pleased at the taste, looks can be deceiving. Then again that could be said about Sigma, but Harold already knew the fae was anything but some wicked evil being that his initial appearance may have one thinking. All Harold has to do is imagine the giant fae making these cookies and he can't imagine him doing a mean thing at all.
"These are lovely. Haha, I don't think I can remember the last time I had cookies for breakfast." No doubt back when he was a child, sneaking them when his parents were still sleeping.
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“It is a regular thing around here. Sigma might not indulge often, but I do. Gotta Store the energy for hibernation.”
Sigma raised an eyebrow at her.
“Really? Are congratulations in order? I thought Ice Drakes Only hibernated when they were laying.”
Sombra snorted.
“No . Tch. Not yet. But...a girl has gotta he prepared.”
Sigma chuckled.
“Indeed.”
He finished his small pile of cookies and turned to Harold.
“Shall we feed the fish, Harold?”
Sombra snorted again.
“Wow. Harold, this might be getting serious. He did not show me the fish until I had molted at least twice. It was a big deal. Big responsibility and all that.”
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"Oh-" He sits up straight when Sigma speaks to him again, nodding, "I'd love that." To which Sombra teases them and Harold may be a middle aged human, but he's also not above blushing. Or more his body is a traitor and his blushes at the implications Sombra is implying.
"W-Well I'm flattered he'd trust me already." His gaze moves back to the ice fae, "I won't take this lightly, this is your home after all."
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He caught that knowing smile of hers when Harold blushed.
“Yes, well, Harold is a healer and not an ice Drake chick barely out of its nest. I am only being fair.”
Sombr gave the fae another sideways smile and she raised her eyebrow, looking both him and Harold another up and down glance.
“Sure. If you say so, Sigma.” She chuckled.
Siebren nodded before turning to Harold.
“She is not wrong...either...the fish have magical properties and...I do have to trust the people I show them to. I thought that some of them might...prove useful in your healing. They all glow and it is lovely but some of them have practical applications. Sombra has learned them already...but she is welcome to join us.”
The ice Drake paused and shrugged.
“Nah. I promised Gabe I would go see him today.”
Siebren frowned.
“You should not call him that. He doesn’t like it. Please don’t antagonize him.”
Sombra have an exhasperqted sigh.
“Fine. No fun allowed. Have fun feeding your fish and ah...enjoying your company. Who knows, maybe you’ll get him wet.”
She flickered and seemed to disappear just before Siebren shot her a glare that was even icy for him. Her quick footsteps could be faintly heard dashing off into the caverns.The fae turned to Harold.
“I am so sorry. That was inappropriate of her. She’s...at a difficult age.”
Siebren blew a few loose pieces of his hair out of his eyes.
“But enough of that...come with me, won’t you?”
The king of the mountain lex Harold down one of the caverns. Blue crystals glowed from the walls, some seemed to jut out naturally while others were held in place with unmelting ice. It gave everything a hazy look. The deeper they went, the brighter the light from the crystals became until they reached a large cavern filled with pools of water surrounded by crystals, stalagmites and stalactites. Beneath the surface of each pool were enormous koi fish that flowed every color of the rainbow, some even changing colors as they moved. Most, though had specific color schemes that faded and intensified with the fishes’ breathing.
“Well, here they are.”
Siebren retrieved a leather pouch from where it hung in the wall. He reached inside and pulled out a handful of dried herbs and insects before scattering them into the nearest pool. The fish swarmed, splashing and glowing bright in excitement. He offered the pouch to Harold.
“Care to try?”
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"It's really okay, I understand." Harold insists. She may not be young for human years, but it seems for her kind she's young and far too playful, getting into trouble if not causing it.
No doubt she'll grow out of it one day, for now let her be young.
For now he follows Sigma, his attention wavering between all the wonderful sights around him and not falling behind from gawking do much. Some how Harold manages, breathing out a reverent 'wow' as he sees the fish.
"This is amazing, Sigma." Excuse him being quite the star struck one right now, stepping close to one of the pools and kneeling down to get a closer look.
"They're beautiful..." And then he realizes hes being offered the pouch and he takes it, it's more of large satchel for him haha, and he'll set it beside him and reach in, sprinkling some of the dried food across the top of the water. His eyes light up happily when the fish are quick to come to the surface to gobble it all up.
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"Hello, little ones."
He nodded towards the glowing pink fish repeatedly brushing against his palm.
"Harold, you see this one? The pink scaled fish drop scales relatively regularly. The discarded scales can be dried and crushed into a powder that when mixed with water and aloe can soothe burns quite well."
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Do forgive Harold if he's staring, smiling warmly when Sigma is explaining the wonderful properties of fish scales to him. He shifts closer to the fae, making sure he can definitely see the fish in question.
"Amazing... do the scales amplify the effects of the aloe?" Aloe he was familiar with, but he'd never have considered adding dried fish scales. He's sure it's these specific ones of course.
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He tossed another handful from the bag before offering it to Harold.
“Would you like to throw them a handful or two?”
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Natural.
"Oh, yes of course. Thank you." He has to use both hands to take it, it's a big bag for him, but he'll set it down between them and toss a few handfuls in, watching with a pleased twinkle in his eyes as the fish gobble it up.
Harold sighs, wistful.
"... you have a beautiful home here." He smiles then up at the fae, "Thank you for sharing so much of it with me."
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Then there was that smile up at him and he could not help but softly smile back.
"Of course. It is rare to find a human so open minded. I think I should be a real monster if I did not share my knowledge with someone who could make a genuine difference. So...thank you for listening."
He gently patted Harold on the back and realized that his palm covered a portion of it. There really was a large size difference between the two of them.
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His face heats up a little, but hopefully in the low light it's not too obvious. Besides he's got the whole cold excuse. It's fine.
"I'm not sure about making a difference, but I do intend to try." His smile turns a little sad, "Humans are slow to change, to accept, one day they will." Already there are places more open to it, to what Harold wants to do.
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“I hope so.”
He noticed the heat on Harold’s face, but chalked it up to the cold the human had been suffering.
“Harold, are there any symptoms you have that need additional attention?”
It was an honest question. The human knew what was best for himself, after all and the fae wanted him to know that he could be open and express his needs on any way, shape or form.
That large hand rested on the healer’s shoulders.
“Or perhaps there is a symptom you do not have but would like the information to treat?”
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