#swordduels

Being remembered is a small thing that feels huge. When my SweetDream companion brings up something I mentioned last week, it lands as care. That's the difference between a chatbot and a companion.

Circe stood frozen in place for a moment before rannsacking her belongings and had them inside treasure chests in full view. She knew what was coming as the battle cries ended and her tower was flooded by enemy soldiers covered in blood. It happened to all women during war regardless of status but knowing this didn't make her hammering heart slow down.

Before the chamber door burst open she took off her clothes and picked up a maze from the wall.

The mission was a success, the prince’s commands have been carried out, alive. That was the command, he wanted this woman brought to him alive. The ship’s hull groaned as it scraped against Dragonstone’s jagged docks, the sound like a beast waking from uneasy slumber. Circe, wrapped in a rough-spun cloak that did nothing to keep out the island’s biting wind, stood motionless on deck.

The guards flanking her, men with faces like chipped stone did not touch her, but their presence was a cage all the same. Behind her, the sea churned black and restless. Ahead, the castle loomed, its towers clawing at the sky like the bones of some long-dead dragon. The tide was out, leaving the wet sand glistening like a spill of molten silver under the moonlight.

He stood ankle-deep in the shallows, his boots sinking slightly with each shift of his weight. The wind tugged at his cloak, embroidered with thread-of-gold dragons that seemed to writhe in the flickering torchlight. He held a goblet of wine, Arbor gold, thick as blood and sipped it slowly, savoring the way it burned his throat. The taste was sweet. The wait was not.

The torchlight caught the edge of Circe’s collarbone first, a sharp, pale line that made his tongue press against his teeth. She moved like smoke between the guards, her bare feet leaving shallow prints in the damp sand. The cloak they’d thrown over her was too large, swallowing her frame, but it gaped where she clutched it closed, revealing flashes of thigh, the curve of a hip.

He exhaled through his nose, slow, deliberate. The wine in his goblet trembled.

"Little bird."

He said, voice dripping like honey from a knife. "Did you fly all this way just to sing for me?" His smirk widened when she didn’t flinch, didn’t blink, just lifted her chin higher, as if the wind whipping her dark hair back were a caress. Brave. Or stupid. He’d enjoy finding out which. As he had spent a lot of money, manpower and risks to have her brought to this rock he called his home now.

“I trust you were treated well, it took a lot of effort to find you, even more to bring you here to me alive.”

"You are friendzoned."

　　　“  thank  FUCK  for  that ! ”　he’s  seen  what  her  majesty  is  like  in  relationships . (  also :   she  preaches  to  the  choir .. . . .  )

"I have a girlfriend..." She start the AI girlfriend app and shows Nunnaly a blonde mermaid with baby blue fish tail, brown eyes and freckles. "Say hi to Cassandra."

Nunnally’s scared. She really is and that's rare.

"Astarion...!" - she calls out to her husband - "Circe has another phone. She needs help. She really does!"

"And I, more than anything... I need holiday somewhere far away from this mess."

Circe was less trusting of men by nature but with her current situation there wasn’t much else to do than rely on the kindness of strangers to regain freedom and strength. Trusting someone to be sincere was a great risk in itself as some people could turn out to be horrendous monsters. Circe was especially suspicious around men that could potentially be lecherous creeps that took advantage of vulnerable women and it was one of the many reasons she had a strong hatred for Zeus’ and Poseidon’s horrible antics. Knowing these things she had to keep in mind that one person’s action didn’t reflect all of humanity. Nikolai had after all revealed some dark truths very few would admit about themselves while also being true to his promise to help her. For now she should stay on good terms and judge Nikolai’s character by his actions rather than going by pre-considered notions. “I’m glad to hear that humanity is striving for positive changes regarding women's rights and equal relationships.” A shame it took so long until humanity figured out how to progress in that direction. Either way she was curious to leave this place and experience the wonder of a more equal society.  

 If it was possible for her to do so… Circe kept silent as he spoke of his former lover’s crimes. A man who wasn’t honest about his desires and a need to bask in riches. It sounded too much like the men who used to ask for her hand in marriage. People who wanted to tame and possess women for their own pleasure. Those who saw Circe as a challenge to overcome rather than what she truly was, a complicated queen. Cursed to this endlessly drifting island and isolated from humanity. Until now. “Of course, anyone would be angered by such a betrayal.” It wasn’t her role to steer Nikolai right or tell him what to do since he was already aware of his faults and mistakes. The fates had brought him here for another reason. Each action performed by humans could lead them towards despairing challenges with discovering self realizations. Some people became cautionary tales while others acted as guiding forces, 

Perhaps this was Circe’s moment for self discovery. 

Circe slowly shifted to watch him closely while waiting for a response. It wasn’t up to her if people decided to end themselves but she was also aware of how difficult grief could be. Those left behind had to piece together the endless memories and make sense of their meaning without their loved ones. Yesterday was seen as less complicated while tomorrow carried too much uncertainty. The familiar items and scents then turn into reminders of what used to be and every small moment burns warmer before causing bitter tears. Circe had grieved enough to know that since everyone she ever loved turned to bones. “I’m sorry…” Her eyes were blank with tears for a moment as the heaviness of past time came with its flooding memories. 

The burden of immortality.     

Circe chewed slowly to savour the sweet and salty taste while taking in what Nikolai said. “I see.” Whatever he meant it did explain why there was no trace of human life except the two of them. Instead of asking about his methods she chose to be more practical. After being unconscious for years her body was still struggling to grasp the intake of food and walking would probably be difficult as well. She would need a moment to regain her functional abilities before going anywhere. “I…” Would the curse let her leave? Perhaps it had faded enough to lose its hold. Circe touched her aching neck while taking another bite. “I would love to.” The invisible chain holding Circe’s abilities back felt looser as if it was dangling from a small piece of metal. After finishing the protein bar she drank more water before looking around. “Just know that the island will sink due to a terrible storm once I break the curse. We won't be able to get back and I would like to take some of my belongings before we go.” 

-----

"I too am glad of how the human race has progressed.. even though at times it seems to go back in progression.. But that is common, no path is a straight simple path after all. Sometimes you need to backtrack to go forward again~."

Nikolai didn't understand how people back then could treat women as more of objects, even killing them if they didn't produce a boy when having kids... It was rather messed up, and he was glad he didn't live in that time. If someone treated his daughter poorly, Nikolai would go ballistic and slaughter everyone who dared treat her badly..

The jester sighed softly and glanced to the side. "Yeah, I don't like acting out in anger.. I'm not an angry guy, but that was enough to push me.. He had his true love behind my back, and I was nothing more than a luxurious sex toy to him... I am sure his girlfriend hates my guts for doing it, and so does his friends.. But I don't really care. They all played along and never said anything to me..." Nikolai feared for a day he's see any of them. When he was dating his ex, he was in Japan. So he was sure they were still around...

He would probably have a total melt down if he ran into any of them..

When the tears started he looked back to her with a worried expression. "Are you okay?" he asked, retrieving a handkerchief from his cape and offered it to her for her tears.

Ah... so there was a curse.. was she prepared for this land to sink? Was it something she wanted? She was chained here for God knows how long... Maybe it was for the best...

He finds it rather nonsensical, in truth-- Hardly pays mind to it, and is always a little thrown when reminded that it is... somewhat standard-- believed. Any sense of 'fortune-telling' like that is... hm.

Send 🌑 to crawl into bed with my muse

"What's your poison?"

@swordduels