a thistles courage

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           It is a remarkably small list which makes up the souls who can step foot in Punjam Hy Loo and garner its Queen’s attention with near zero delay         especially when limited to those who seem to make a point to disappear from contact so thoroughly , frequently , and unannounced . But Jack also seems to have a nature for being the exception to things , at times overstretching his divide between exorbitant charm and laid-back aloofness in order to do so . She thinks it has to do with the extended years he spent being so distinctly unrecognized , but perhaps taking spotlight merely falls in proper line with the Winter Sprite’s natural idea of fun .         Regardless of the mechanisms , he is here now and Toothiana has come to meet him . She is far from uncomfortable with the state of her home       she all but literally breathes life into it herself , there is none it is more suited for       but the brush of cold air that accompanies him always makes for a pleasant shift nonetheless . Given how fond the wind is of them both , it does not surprise her that it enjoys the time they are together enough to give its own delightful herald .         Alas , simply because his capricious nature is to be expected , does not mean he is entirely pardoned for it . It may not be her centre , but the faequeen makes her own fun when a situation allows for it after all .

          And Toothiana’s idea of fun in this situation , as with so many others , involves one of her blades ; Letting her presence be known just such that when he turns to face her it rests a hair’s breadth from the skin at his throat . She lets out a soft tsk , shaking her head in feigned disappointment . Potentially , to some degree , due to the ease in putting him in such a vulnerable position in general . But the reason she gives is far more self-indulgent .

         ❛   Always keeping your Queen waiting . Such a dreadful habit . ❜         The distance she closes between them doesn’t free him of the sharp edge either ; If anything it is used to usher him into straightening his posture as much as possible to line the weapon parallel between them . Only then , finally , does she lean forward to press a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth , before allowing a small amount of between him and cold steel .

          she remembers long nights defined as a patchwork quilt of memories.  the echo of a thinning storm.  the lonesome howls.  the soft crunch of snow accompanied by laughter.  winter was death yet it was sublime in all those quiet ways,  its palm was colder and often crueler than the seasons of yesteryear.  you need not venture far,  you need only take in the crisp air and submit your flesh to the wilderness beyond the corner of your drowsy eyes.  

            ❛  of course. ❜   her words were almost easy,   as if they were not followed by the soft whisperings of centuries long pass.  just as the lantern flickers into life so does she,  with the swelling smile painted across her wolfish maw, and kindly eyes resting the heart of their gaze upon him. they often compared her to winter with her furs being akined to virgin snow  ;  a comparison she did not take as an insult.