"   I Know. But It Was Still Quite Funny.   "           Ansegar Says, As He Watched The Other

GLIMPSES OF THE PAST: a headcanon / prompt collection because sometimes it's not enough to write about your muse's past and how it affects them, you just gotta write a little scene. these prompts are designed to be a little writing prompt related to your character's past, essentially!

send FORGED for a scene from my muse's past that they think made them stronger in the long run

send REMINDED for a scene from my muse's past in which they encountered something that reminded them of a difficult experience / trauma

send CONFESSED for a scene from my muse's past in which they revealed a secret about themselves to someone

send TRICKED for a scene from my muse's past in which they misled, tricked, or lied to someone

send IMPRESSED for a scene from my muse's past in which they tried to impress someone, successfully or not

send ACHIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they completed / achieved something they were proud of

send CHANGED for a scene from my muse's past that represented a turning point in their life

send DIFFERENT for a scene from my muse's past that they feel changed their outlook / personality / etc, for the better or worse

send CRITICAL for a scene from my muse's past in which they thought about / were reminded of something they're insecure about

send SCOLDED for a scene from my muse's past in which someone told them off, justifiably or not

send STRAINED for a scene from my muse's past in which they interact with someone they have a difficult relationship with

send SOBBED for a scene from my muse's past in which they broke down in tears

send LOST for a scene from my muse's past in which they felt lost, literally or figuratively

send BLINDSIDED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were betrayed or shocked by what someone did

send INJURED for a scene from my muse's past in which they sustained a significant injury

send AFRAID for a scene from my muse's past in which they were scared / under threat

send HELPED for a scene from my muse's past in which someone helped / saved them

send CAUGHT for a scene from my muse's past in which they were caught doing something they shouldn't

send BLUSHED for a scene from my muse's past in which they received a compliment that really got to them

send VICIOUS for a scene from my muse's past in which someone said something cruel that really got to them

send SWOONED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were infatuated with someone

send PINNED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were stuck somewhere, literally or figuratively

send GRIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they had recently lost someone / something

send MORTAL for a scene from my muse's past in which they had a brush with death, either themselves or someone close to them

𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖓 … 𝖌𝖚𝖓𝖓𝖆.

ansegar's golden eagle. to say that she is a pet would be an offense. to say that she is a friend is an understatement. he was fifteen when he rescued her-- she was just a chick, then. tired, hungry, and on the doors of death during a cold winter night, survived only by the warmth of the young ansegar's hands.

since then, they have become practically inseparable, with gunna only willing to form a relationship with ansegar and no one else. in return, gunna has also proven herself to be useful, especially during times that she acted as their eyes and their alarm for enemy attacks.

PLEIADES GROUP PROMPTS ! they'll be split out by different categories (kingdoms, magic, bestiary), just to give you multiple routes to play in. send me a word from the below and i'll make a starter based off of it. please specify muse if i'm a multi-muse blog. if you want it the other way around, just add a reverse to the message.

LYSAIN

POISON → our muses come across a beautiful plant, but it might be poisonous. it's up to us to decipher if it can be picked or not.

HALLUCINATION → my muse just snapped out of a very deep illusion cast by a sorcerer. yours is the first they see upon waking.

LOST → my muse swore that they saw a beautiful library in this spot earlier, but now they can't find it. can your muse help or is it the blind leading the blind?

VARLINNIS

EXPLORE → our muses are exploring part of the untouched old lands of varlinnis. will they get lost in the moment or get too spooked?

ASH → our muses find something buried in the ashes. a beautiful and ornate book. what secrets lie within and how will they use it?

GLAMOUR → our muses are lying about their identity. using the fact that this kingdom is a fresh start. fake dating trope anyone?

RITRINC

DIP → our muses take advantage of the beautiful and large body of water that spans throughout part of the kingdom. time to skinny dip.

BOUQUET → my muse has collected a couple of beautiful (and safe) flowers and they decide to give it to your muse when they see them next.

HEALING → my muse was severely injured in a battle and is currently in a medic's tent recovering, yours is either healing them or coming to visit.

VISSAI

DRAGONS → our muses come face to face with one of the dragons. what's their reaction? bonus points if one of them is a dragonrider, they can be showing theirs off.

ARENA → our muses are in one of the largest arenas ever. time to start sparring. why not take advantage of the old lands?

VIEW → our muses just hiked up to the top of a mountain. now they're able to sit back and enjoy the beautiful view.

CHASQUE

CAVES → our muses are exploring the caves together. they're probably lost, but at least the company is good.

ETERNAL NIGHT → suddenly our muses are engulfed in a lot of darkness. mine starts to freak out and seeks yours out to comfort them.

CRYSTALS → our muses stumble upon a beautiful bunch of crystals and mine tries to take some for your muse.

UMORIA

WHISPERS → our muses start to heart whispers coming from the tree. they stop for a moment to see if they understand.

DARE → your muse dares mine to go into the swampland where people seem to be transported out of if they're not magical.

LEGEND → my muse is telling yours a scary story or old myth about the land. they're sitting around a campfire at night.

FERANTHOR

WALL → our muses reach the wall and mine jokes that they should just stay here forever. really, they just wanted the exercise.

UNKNOWN → our muses venture out pass the wall and start to explore what could be out there. their life is really in danger now.

MONSTER → our muses just saw something breeze by them and it looked like a creature. mine is quick to jump into hunting mode.

NON KINGDOM RELATED

POTION → our muses take a potion together and it starts to make them extremely hot or thirsty. they have to look for a cure together.

GARGOYLE → my muses accidentally activates a gargoyle and now our muses are being hunted down together, forced to hide.

UNICORN → our muses are looking for a unicorn together, but soon enough forget everything (unicorn magic) and just wander around together.

FEAST → our muses are together in some grand feast. lots of wine and tasty food is being had, so they start chatting each other up.

THRONE ROOM → our muses are the last ones left in a throne room, it suddenly feels like an intimate space now that it's empty.

TREATY → our muses are from different kingdoms and trying to see how they can each benefit from working together.

WAR → our muses are from different kingdoms and tend to be a bit competitive, trying to one up each other in the conversation.

SPARRING → our muses are sparring together and things start getting hot and heavy.

HORSE RIDING → my muses picks yours up on the way into town, offering them a ride on their house.

ansegar can only reply to that with a smile,           seeing the other man's face be painted with a look he is already familiar with every time he, or anyone else from the brotherhood would see their emblem or would know who they are. it was not a look of judgement, really ... his brothers take great offense in that and rarely are the people foolish enough to say it to their face. but it was the look of awe that often get him, and how people could not believe that people like him exists-- those who chose to leave their kingdoms and their faiths, to live with other bastards and the banished atop a cliff-face. and he would always have an answer for it that should be enough to let the subject rest.

"   i mean, i wouldn't say it's madness. when the kingdom that you have followed your entire life, or when the faith you have worship and is expected to worship until you die, turn their backs against you ... well, even the cold will become a comfort for you up there.   "    ansegar says, his voice was leveled without any sign of malice, anger, or annoyance. what can be found there, though, was love and pride. for the only family he's ever known his whole life.    "   it's a sanctuary for them. but i can tell my brothers of your admiration.   "

at the mention of a tavern, ansegar's eyes lit up as his head follows the direction they were pointing at.    "   oh, please. i insist. it's the least i can do after my pet attacked you.   "    before the arkelos could even say more, he already have his hand on their arm, and was weaving though the crowd.    "   hmmm. your best? are you telling me there's more to this kingdom than just stones and crystals?   "    he continued, chuckling at himself for that.

when they stopped walking, they finally found themselves at the entrance of the tavern. from the outside, he could already hear chatter coming from inside.    "   my story ... is a long and complicated one. but unlike my brothers, i am not sworn to the oath yet. technically, i am still a free man ... free to go anywhere i wanna go.   "    he explains, clearing his throat right after before gesturing to the door.    "   my very first tavern. since this is your home, after you?   "

🔨           *           ﹕ㅤㅤ     arkelos tracked the other man's gesture to the summit of the wall, gaze lingering there for a moment, caught somewhere between awe and curiosity. he'd heard all the stories— well, who hadn't ?— the men of the night's watch were bastards and the poor, removed from the lords and their banners, from games of politics and ambition. he heard many of them didn't believe in the gods of the continent. they didn't take oaths to kings but to their duty, guarding the realm against whatever nightmares might claw their way in from the unknown. and needless to say, seeing one of their stewards here left arkelos slightly unmoored with interest.        ❝         i've always admired anyone who decides to live in feranthor. it must take a certain kind of madness to live there, y'know ? i could barely survive the peaks of vissai, can't imagine the type of cold you're used to there.          ❞        there was a warmth to arkelos' voice as he spoke, a reverence carried by someone who wasn't quite sure how to put admiration into words without sounding foolish. he looked at the man and smiled, though for the most part he was also just glad to see that eagle fly away. good riddance.        ❝         but i promise there's no need to make it up to me,          ❞        arkelos laughed, giving the man a measured look. slightly taller than he was, though human as far he could tell.        ❝         but if you insist, there's a tavern a bit further down the square. they've got the best kidney pie this side of the continent⸻ and i feel like it's my chasquan duty to show a man of the watch the best our land has to offer.        ❞        head tilted toward the path ahead,        ❝         it'll give us time to sit down and talk. i've got so many question, like, what brings you down here ? cause i really thought your lot didn't stray from the wall, unless it was something urgent ... or dangerous ...          ❞        voice lowered slightly with a speculative tone, though his grin remained, crooked and easy.

Bill Skarsgård in BOY KILLS WORLD (2024) dir. Moritz Mohr

INT.    A TAVERN JUST OUTSIDE THE KINGDOM.    AFTERNOON.

ansegar listened intently as the bar keep explained to him the drink that he was holding in his hand.           because since the moment he came down from the wall, he has received all the different kind of looks, greetings, and treatment from all the different people. he was either asked questions, or was openly criticized. given stares that ranged from wonder to fear. some disdain. but never was given a drink ... for simply being a wolf from the wall.

so, after finding out who did it, ansegar simply thanked the bar keep and stood up ... only to make a bee line to where the other man was sitting, and occupying the nearest seat he could find. he gave them a smile. he still has not touched the drink.    "   i would say thank you. but a hard lesson in grained in me since i was a child is to never accept anything from a stranger ... especially a man who's trying to hide their colors in the dark.   "    he says, pointing at the unmistakable silk robes under his dark cloak.    "   should i know who you are, stranger?   "

closed starter for @powergrabbed.

INT.    THE VISSAI THRONE ROOM.    DAY.

ansegar stood like a sore thumb in the grand hall of the vissai's throne room,           and though no eyes looked at him with any judgement, his own self was the one who is causing his nervousness. before he came down from the wall, his brothers have told him of vissai's generosity. not only to the night's watch all throughout their history, but also to himself.

apparently, he was presented here first: at the foot of their king, seeking sanctuary from the family that wanted to kill him. and not wanting any conflict to break out, he had advised his mother to take the child to the wall instead ... but they will support him. even take him as a ward if he chooses. ansegar has chosen differently, then, training instead to be soldier of the night's watch. so nervousness must have come from there: to prove that he is still worth their support after all this time.

when he was finally called, ansegar then walked up to the spot close to the foot of the throne ... and was presented, not to the king, but the crown prince instead. remembering the lessons he got from the other bastard princes, he then knelt and lowered his head. in his hand he gripped the scabbard of the gift he made for this occasion, which seemed heavier and warmer now that he is kneeling there. he cleared his throat.    "   i come to you as ansegar, an unsworn wolf of the night's watch.   "    he says, keeping his eyes down still.    "   it's an honor to be in your presence, your highness.   "

closed starter for @heavensoared.

circe sentence starters

by madeline miller. i altered some quotes so they fit better  ♡

❝  my father has never been able to imagine the world without himself in it.  ❞ ❝  there is a twisting feeling in my chest, like cloth being wrung dry.  ❞ ❝  the grudges of the gods are as deathless as their flesh.  ❞ ❝  it was my first lesson. beneath the smooth, familiar face of things is another that waits to tear the world in two.  ❞ ❝  you think just because you are a daughter of the sun, you may uproot the world to please yourself.  ❞ ❝  even the best iron grows brittle with too much beating.  ❞ ❝  fear of failure is the worst thing for any spell.  ❞ ❝  those who fight against prophecy only draw it more tightly around their throats.  ❞ ❝  did you smile a little? perhaps i only flatter myself.  ❞ ❝  i have a better idea. i will do as i please.  ❞ ❝  what can i say? the world is an ugly place. we must live in it.  ❞ ❝  how many of us would be granted pardon if our true hearts were known?  ❞ ❝  you threw me to the crows, but it turns out i prefer them to you.  ❞ ❝  give me the blade. some things are worth spilling blood for.  ❞ ❝  it is very close. a perfect sleeping spot to ease your weary bones.  ❞ ❝  all my life had been murk and depths, but i was not a part of that dark water. i was a creature within it.  ❞ ❝  most men do not know me for what i am.  ❞ ❝  i suppose i could weep and rub my eyes to please you, but i choose not to live so falsely.  ❞ ❝  there is no wound that you can give me that i have not already given myself.  ❞ ❝  i will not be a bird bred in a cage, too dull to fly even when the door stands open.  ❞ ❝  i stood there for a long time fearing such things, and waiting, as if someone would come and reassure me.  ❞ ❝  this is how zeus felt when he first lifted the thunderbolt.  ❞ ❝  i had a little pride, and that was good. more would have been fatal.  ❞ ❝  will you not come to bed, my love?  ❞ ❝  if my childhood has given me anything, it’s endurance.  ❞ ❝  if you had asked me, i would have said i was happy.  ❞ ❝  that is another thing about you. you make me want to spill my secrets.  ❞ ❝  they do not care if you are good. they barely care if you are wicked. the only thing that makes them listen is power.  ❞ ❝  as for that safety, i do not want it. it is only more chains.  ❞ ❝  all those years i had spent with them were like a stone tossed in a pool. already, the ripples were gone.  ❞ ❝  war always seemed to me a foolish choice from men. whatever they win from it, they will only have a handful of years to enjoy before they die. more likely they will perish trying.  ❞ ❝  are you always so suspicious?  ❞ ❝   in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth.  ❞ ❝  i can bend the world to my will, as a bow bent for an arrow.  ❞ ❝  will you do me the honor of dining with me?  ❞ ❝  i know what we owe you. what i owe.  ❞ ❝  i’m afraid i might have floated on, believing those dull memories were all there was, until the end of days.  ❞ ❝  do not be too happy. it will bring down fire on your head.  ❞ ❝  you are a poison snake, and i am another, and on such terms we please ourselves.  ❞ ❝  your words are like a secret. a thing that looks like stone, but inside is a seed.  ❞ ❝  you cannot know how frightened gods are of pain. there is nothing more foreign to them.  ❞ ❝  bold action and bold manner are not the same.  ❞ ❝  a golden cage is still a cage.  ❞ ❝  i am surprised to see you so plain after such boasting.  ❞ ❝  your voice is like balm upon my raw skin.  ❞ ❝  does no one have the courage? will no one dare to face me?  ❞ ❝  those who love me a little do not care to say.  ❞ ❝  it is easily to speak so open with you. your face is like a quiet pool that will hold everything safe in its depths.  ❞ ❝  humbling women seems to me a chief pastime of poets. as if there can be no story unless we crawl and weep.  ❞ ❝  you are weak and blind, and it is worse because you choose it.  ❞ ❝  you can teach a viper to eat from your hands, but you cannot take away how much it likes to bite.  ❞ ❝  i should have known you would be good for nothing to me.  ❞ ❝  gold does not give back a life.  ❞ ❝  it is funny, that even after all this time, you believe you will be rewarded, just because you have been obedient.  ❞ ❝  i have done your work for you, and all you give me is mockery and contempt.  ❞ ❝  where would you go, if you might escape?  ❞ ❝  you are right. this world is a wild and terrible place, and worth shouting at.  ❞ ❝  i cannot bear this world a moment longer.  ❞ ❝  i owe you nothing. you will have of me only what i want to give.  ❞ ❝  however gold you shine, do not forget your fire.  ❞ ❝  that is what you desire most of all: to drive others into doubt, keep them wondering and fretting, stumbling behind your dancing feet.  ❞ ❝  sorry that you thought i was weak, but you were wrong.  ❞ ❝  trickery is for cowards, men not bull-necked enough to show true courage.  ❞ ❝  i have a little pride. if they do not weep, i will not either.  ❞ ❝  you have as many coils as a snake, and an eye always to your advantage.  ❞ ❝  i want the sun to burn me. i want it to scorch me to the bone.  ❞ ❝  what of me? shall i rot?  ❞ ❝  how long would i cling to that handful of minutes, trying to cover myself as if with some threadbare blanket?  ❞ ❝  i have been old and stern for so long, carved with regrets and years like a monolith. but that is only a shape i’ve been poured into. i do not have to keep it.  ❞ ❝  i am not weak. and i will never be sorry not to be like you.  ❞ ❝  you draw me in as if you are winding up a thread.  ❞ ❝  the fragility of mortals breeds kindness and good grace.  ❞ ❝ come, there are blankets here, laid for you upon the soft grass. ❞ ❝ there will be no songs made for you. no stories. you will live a life of obscurity. you will be without a name in history. you will be no one. ❞ ❝ those heroes. you should see the look on their faces when i run straight for them. ❞ ❝ those who fight against prophecy only draw it more tightly around their throats. ❞ ❝ see? we do not need anyone. ❞ ❝ have you not always insisted on being difficult in everything you do? ❞ ❝ you cannot think of it. it will only torment you. ❞ ❝ and that is the least of my powers. ❞ ❝ you are lucky i do not kill you where you stand. ❞ ❝ you do not understand the dangers that wait for you in the world. ❞ ❝ your threats are crude. i had hoped we might discuss this reasonably. ❞ ❝ you showed me your scars, and in return you let me pretend that i had none. ❞ ❝ my whole life, i have waited for tragedy to find me. ❞ ❝ it is not for such as you to question my purpose. ❞ ❝ i felt a weariness in me so great i thought i would sink into the earth. ❞ ❝ have patience, your strength will come in time. ❞ ❝ you have never understood how strong i am. ❞ ❝ you do not know what i can do. ❞ ❝ i have said all i will say. do not ask me again. ❞ ❝ perhaps no parent can truly see their child. when we look we see only the mirror of our own faults. ❞ ❝ i cannot bear this world a moment longer. ❞ ❝ there is no profit in chasing riddles of the fates. ❞ ❝ why can you not be more peaceful? why must it be so hard? ❞ ❝ come. let’s do something fun. i will show you magic. ❞ ❝ at last. i have met the thing the gods can use against me. ❞ ❝ clever. you were testing me, weren’t you? ❞ ❝ i must tell you, all my past is like today; monsters and horrors no one wants to hear. ❞ ❝ you cannot come. it is not safe for mortals. ❞ ❝ come forth, and speak to my face. or do you only do your murdering from the shadows? ❞ ❝ you are safe. we may be happy at last. ❞ ❝ what else have you kept from me? ❞ ❝ all heroes are fools. all heroes but me. ❞ ❝ i know what i was in those days: unsteady, inconstant. ❞ ❝ i will be fine, i promise you. ❞ ❝ i have a better idea. i will do as i please. ❞ ❝ will there never be an end to it? ❞ ❝ i will wear that shame all my life. i cannot undo it, but i will spend my days wishing i could. ❞ ❝ if you want to join me, i will not stop you. ❞ ❝ if i do this thing, it will be the last i will ever do for you. ❞ ❝ i am sorry i put you in such danger. ❞

Marcus Rutherford in The Wheel of Time (s2) as Perrin Aybara