THE TOWER,

Change pronouns and titles, adapt dialect accordingly.  Especially suitable for royalty/fairy tale/period AUs.

A sapling cannot grow in the shadow of a mighty oak.

I was merely borrowing it!

Speak of this to no one and I shall be lenient.

A lady of breeding ought never to raise her voice any louder than the gentle hum of a whispering wind.

Do not speak unless you can improve the silence.

I was not shrill, I was resonant.

I very much doubt your style of resonance would be permitted in the royal court.

Darling, nothing is final until you’re dead and even then I’m sure God negotiates.

This is our home and I will not see it fall apart.

I trust you slept well.

Why don’t you sleep with the pigs, _____, if you insist on smelling like one.

Your appearance does reflect a certain crudeness, my dear. What can I do to make you try?

I do wish to please you. Sometimes I sit on my own and try to think of what else I could do, how I should act-

After all that I do, after all that I’ve done, it’s never enough.

Have you lost your marbles?

Do you know what the punishment is for servants to dress above their station? Five days in the stocks!

Me? Pretend to be a courtier? Prancing around like some nobleman, why I’ve never even been to the royal court, and neither have you.

They’ll never buy it, you are too sweet.

Now, don’t you dare laugh, I’m coming out.

Nobody will be looking at your feet.

Yards of fabric and I still feel naked.

If you’re going to be a noblewoman, you must play the part.

I suppose it’s because I lack conviction. You seem to have it in spades.

I demand that you release him at once, or I shall take this matter to the king.

— You ill-mannered tub of guts!

You dare raise your voice to a lady, sir?

A servant is not a thief your highness, and those who are cannot help themselves.

If you suffer your people to be ill-educated and their manners corrupted from infancy and then punish them for those crimes to which their first education disposed to them, what else is to be concluded, sire, but that you first make thieves and then punish them?

Are you coy on purpose or do you honestly refuse to tell me your name?

I confess the plight of the everyday rustics bores me.

I gather you do not converse with many peasants.

Am I to understand that you find me arrogant?

Darling, he’s royalty, they’re born like that.

Well then I suppose the penalty for being wealthy is that you have to live with the rich.

Do you really think there’s only one perfect mate? Well, then how can you be certain to find them? And if you do find them are they really the one for you or do you only think they are and what happens if the person you’re supposed to be with never appears or she does, but you’re too distracted to notice.

And is everything just chance or were some things meant to be?

You cannot leave everything to fate, _____. She’s got a lot to do. Sometimes you must give her a hand.

You are trying to bait me with your snobbery.

I’m afraid,_____, that you are a walking contradiction and I find that rather fascinating.

You spout the ideals of a utopian society and yet you live the life of a courtier.

And you own all the land there is and yet you take no pride in working it. Is that not also a contradiction?

First I’m arrogant and now I have no pride, however do I manage that?

You have everything and still the world holds no joy and yet you insist on making fun of those who would see it for its possibilities.

Why do you like irritate me so?

Forgive me, your highness. I’ve lost track of the hour.

Your highness, what an unexpected surprise!

It is not fair sire, you have found my weakness but I have yet to learn yours.

In all my years of study, not one tutor demonstrated the passion you have shown me in the last two days.

You have more conviction in one memory than I have in my entire being.

Well this is terribly embarrassing.

Honestly, your highness, where’s your sense of adventure?

You would think I would know the way to my own castle.

And I still can’t believe that I’m down here while you’re up there and in your undergarments no less.

You will give me back my dress, sir!

I insist you return my things at once and since you deprive me of my escort I demand a horse as well.

You can have anything you can carry.

You are reading my thoughts, my lord.

To be so defined by your position, to never be seen as who you are but as what you are. You have no idea how insufferable that is.

They’re defined by their status just as your title defines you, yet it is not who they are.

You have been born to privilege and with that comes specific obligations.

I am sorry, my mouth has run away with me again.

Why you lazy little leech!

There was a bee.

I fear that I am not myself today.

I feel as if my skin is the only thing keeping me from going everywhere at once. 

I cannot stay long but I had to see you. There is much to say.

I used to think that if I cared about anything I’d have to care about everything and I’d go stark raving mad.

Why did you have to be so wonderful?

Last night was the happiest night of my life.

Why it’s almost as absurd as a prince who spends his days with a servant that sleeps with pigs.

What bothers you more, _____, that I am common or that I am competition?

Yes, I shall go down in history as the man who opened a door!

We must get you ready for the ball!

A bird may love a fish, _____, but where would they live?

Just breathe.

Do not address me so informal.

I was born to privilege and with that comes specific obligations.

I know that a life without love is no life at all.

And love without trust, what of that?

I am but a servant to my crown and I have made my decision. I will not yield!

Men are so fickle aren’t they?

Well my, my, my aren’t we feisty today?

Was there a time even in its smallest measurement, that you loved me at all?

How can anyone love a pebble in their shoe?

Oh, I do so hate to see you in irons. I’d remove them if only you’d promise not to run away again.

I belong to no one, least of all you.

I had a horse like you once. Magnificent creature. Stubborn just like you, willful to a fault, it too just needed to be broken in.

You will maintain your distance, sir.

Oh you didn’t say please.

I could hang you for this.

I do love your spirit.

My father was an expert swordsman, _____. He taught me well. Now hand me that key or I swear on his grave I will slit you from navel to nose.

I uh, I came to rescue you.

Perhaps you would be so kind as to help me find the owner of this rather remarkable shoe.

Choose your words wisely Madam, for they may be your last.

How dare you turn on me you little ingrate!

I’m only here for the food.

I want you to know that I will forget you after this moment and never think of you again. But you I am quite certain will think about me ever single day for the rest of your life.

How dare you speak to me that way, I’m of noble blood!

You sir, are supposed to be charming.

your name is a golden bell hung in my heart. i would break my body to pieces to call you once by your name.

i'm always dreaming, even when i'm awake, it is never finished.

i can't do this very much longer.

unicorns? i thought they only existed in fairytales.

why do the leaves never fall here?

i love whom i love.

i'm looking for others like me.

what is the matter with your eyes? why can i not see myself in your eyes?

take me with you. for laughs, for luck, for the unknown. take me with you.

you may come with me if you'd like.

i cannot turn you into something you are not.

you are losing my interest, and that is very dangerous.

you may come and go as you please.

i wish you would ask something of me.

i am afraid of this mortal body.

i had that dream again.

i remember you.

love is slowing you down.

come with me.

who am i? why am i here?

you can't come with us.

never run from anything immortal. it only attracts their attention.

a happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story.

what are you looking at?

please! please do something!

what can i do?

that would take a real magician with real magic, and i can't pretend anymore.

you have magic.

maybe you can't find it, but it's there.

you have all the power you need if you dared to look for it.

i was innocent and wise, and full of pain.

now that i'm a woman, everything is strange.

oh, i love you.

i will keep the color in your eyes when no other in the world remembers your name.

how'd you like a punch in the eye?

say my name. if you know my name, tell it to me.

i can never regret. i can feel sorrow, but it is not the same thing.

i love you. that's all i have to tell you.

yes, i will help you.

i know you! i almost knew you as soon as i saw you on the road coming to my door.

why must you always speak in riddles?

you can find others if you are brave.

i am listening!

i like to watch them. they fill me with joy.

you are an idiot! do you hear me?

i can feel this body dying all around me.

that was the real stuff. that was wine!

i would not be you for all the world.

you have let your doom in by the front door, but it will not depart that way.

i knew you were the last!

don't cry. if you have become human enough to cry, then all the magic in the world cannot change you back.

no, it can't be. can it be?

where have you been? damn you! where have you been?

don't you talk to her that way!

i'm here now.

where were you twenty years ago? ten years ago?

how dare you come to me now, when i am this!

it's all right. i forgive you.

you are a true wizard now, as you always wished.

does it make you happy?

men don't always know when they're happy.

i am a little afraid to go home.

i have done you evil and i cannot undo it.

i will try to go home.

it is a very rare person who is taken for what he truly is.

there are no happy endings because nothing ends.

DIALOGUE PROMPTS

that thing you just stepped on? yeah, that was my foot.

you've never danced like this before, have you? i can tell.

you're rather good at this.

where did you learn to dance like this?

i'm sure i'm not the only one you've danced with.

i don't know what i'm doing.

just follow my lead and i'll help you.

you're a lousy dance partner.

is that your perfume i smell?

i'll be with you the whole time. follow me.

it's an honor to dance with you.

i could kiss you right now.

i never thought i'd get the chance to dance with you again.

i like to keep things spontaneous.

mind if we dance?

you clean up nice.

figured it was time i stepped in.

what were you doing, dancing with them?

i've waited my whole life for a moment like this.

if you dip me, i'll kill you.

i think the song's over.

well... that was nice.

you look lovely in that dress, by the way.

can we go again?

just put your hand on my shoulder.

i didn't know you could dance!

do you remember the last time we danced like this?

you're doing wonderfully. you look like an expert.

when's the last time i danced with you?

you deserve this, you know.

everyone's watching us.

what would you do if i kissed you?

just keep your eyes fixed on me.

ignore the staring. they'll get over it.

take hold of my hand and let me guide you.

may i have this dance?

i was hoping i'd meet you out here on the dance floor.

dance with me. don't make me go out there alone.

is this the part where we kiss?

ACTION PROMPTS

[ cut in ] sender interrupts receiver as they dance with someone else and requests to dance with receiver, instead

[ dip ] sender dips receiver at the end of the song

[ guide ] sender places receiver's hands in the correct position for a formal dance

[ slide ] sender's hand slips down to receiver's hip as they dance

[ stumble ] sender and receiver make a mistake in their dancing and stumble over each other

[ laugh ] sender and receiver attempt to dance, but can't help themselves from crumbling into a laughing fit

[ private ] sender encourages receiver to dance with them in the privacy of their own home with no one around

[ silence ] sender and receiver start dancing without any music

[ groove ] sender and receiver perform funky, silly dances together, overexaggerating to make each other laugh

[ oops ] sender keeps stepping on receiver's feet and apologizing each time

[ almost ] sender and receiver finish their dance and stare into each other's eyes, transfixed, nearly about to kiss

[ teach ] sender gives receiver a proper lesson on how to dance

[ classes ] sender and receiver meet at a dance class

[ slow ] sender and receiver slow dance together

[ tender ] in the middle of a dance, sender reaches out to fix receiver's hair/clothes

[ interrupt ] someone tries to interrupt sender and receiver as they dance

[ forbidden ] sender and receiver are not supposed to be seen together... but they end up dancing together anyway

[ sensual ] sender and receiver participate in a sensual, romantic dance

[ cooking ] while cooking with music on, sender and receiver humorously dance around the kitchen (using utensils as microphones in the process)

[ first dance ] sender and receiver share their first dance at their wedding

↬   OF  FAIRYTALES,  FOLKLORE  AND  FAEKIND.

scenarios  inspired  by  various  settings,  encounters  &  magic  tucked  between  pages,  fashioned  by  the  author.

+   feel  free  to  change  pronouns  /  roles  !

FAIRYTALES.

‘  let  me  guess,  you  thought  a  true  love’s  kiss  would  help  you.  ’

‘  you  will  always  follow  the  trail  in  the  wood,  and  it  will  guide  you  on  the  same  path,  to  the  same  cottage,  the  same  witch.  it  will  always  be  your  undoing.  ’

‘  i  have  never  seen  a  more  tragic  creature.  how  might  i  help  you  ?  ’

‘  you  must  take  this  knife  and  plunge  it  into  his  /  her  /  their  heart.  ’

‘  forget  yourself.  that  is  how  you  break  your  curse.  ’

‘  remove  this  thorn  from  my  hand,  and  you  will  be  rewarded.  ’

‘  i’m  tired  of  being  a  prince.  i  think  i  would  actually  enjoy  being  a  frog.  ’

‘  tell  me  of  the  beast,  and  i  will  hunt  it  for  you.  ’

‘  mice  are  never  just  mice,  and  pumpkins  are  rarely  just  pumpkins.  ’

‘  i  don’t  think  breaking  a  spell  should  be  this  simple.  ’

‘  i  never  thought  i’d  return  here,  to  the  site  where  it  all  began.  ’

‘  are  you  an  orphan  ?  it’s  just  that  they’re  always  finding  themselves  in  magical  predicaments.  ’

‘  the  mirror  speaks  falsely  in  your  ear.  it  is  your  true  curse.  ’

‘  my  heart  feels  uneasy,  although  i  am  free.  is  it  supposed  to  ?  ’

‘  i’m  sorry,  it’s  just  that  i  thought  this  is  the  part  of  the  quest  where  the  animals  ought  to  start  talking  to  me.  ’

‘  of  course  i  plan  on  going  to  the  ball.  why  wouldn’t  i  ?  ’

‘  jealousy  has  made  more  witches  out  of  women  than  adam’s  rib.  ’

‘  where  has  choosing  goodheartedness  and  having  golden  hair  ever  gotten  you  ?  ’

 ‘  are  you  a  helpful  wizard,  or  the  kind  that  sits  in  a  tower  reading  moldy  books  ?  ’

‘  i’m  dreadfully  bored.  who  knew  waiting  for  a  prince  was  so  strenuous  ?  ’

‘  we  all  have  towers  we  must  leave,  and  magic  that  will  try  to  thwart  us.  ’

‘  i’m  afraid  for  the  clock  to  strike.  the  hour  will  ring  in  the  place  of  my  heartbeat  when  we  must  be  parted.  ’

‘  i  had  no  idea  carpets  could  fly.  or  pigs  for  that  matter.  ’  

‘  what  would  happen  if  the  knight  did  not  arrive  to  the  castle,  and  the  dragon  made  a  den  of  it  and  a  hoard  of  its  people  and  prize  of  its  princess  ?  ’

‘  i  sometimes  think  i  was  switched  out  at  birth,  like  a  lizard  in  a  bird’s  nest.  i  belong  somewhere  else.  ’

‘   in  another  kingdom  exists  a  throne  and  a  crown  that  is  mine  by  right.  ’

‘  if  i  did  not  wake  up  one  day,  i  would  still  be  waiting  on  a spinning  wheel,  dutifully  bored.  ’  

‘  something  in  me  knows  you  are  here  for  my  heart.  ’

FOLKLORE.

‘  in  all  the  myths  i’ve  heard,  it’s  never  been  worthwhile  to  approach  strange  sights.  it’s  best  to  turn  around  and  pretend  you  never  saw  them.  ’

‘  nothing  is  folklore  until  it  exists  longer  than  consciousness  remembers,  and  lives  in  spite  of  it.  ’

‘  i’ve  heard  your  name  before,  in  songs  and  lengthy  ballads.  ’

‘  whatever  has  led  you  here  to  me,  there  is  destiny  in  its  making.  ’

‘  the  beast  returns  every  century  or  so,  and  tries  to  devour  us.  it  will  come  again  before  long.  ’

‘  a  pretty  face  is  not  nothing.  it  earns  you  a  hearth  and  a  kind  hand,  after  all.  ’

‘  their  lips  are  red  as  blood,  and  their  teeth  carve  ruin  into  throats.  ’

‘  aren’t  dragons  supposed  to  breathe  fire  and  make  a  fuss  about  having  their  treasure  found  ?  ’

‘  someday  you  will  become  a  pilgrim,  a  saint,  or  a  favored  story,  while  i  will  be  a  voice  on  the  wind.  ’

‘  the  stories  say  brides  don’t  live  to  the  light  before  demons  devour  them.  why  should  i  become  one  ?  ’

‘  there  was  another  girl  like  you  once,  in  a  small  town  like  this  one.  i  can’t  remember  if  she  became  the  monster  or  died  trying  to  escape  it.  ’

‘  remember  to  festoon  the  hearth  with  garlic,  or  rosemary,  or  one  of  those  mundane  herbs  that  keep  evil  out.  ’

‘  that  sounds  like  nothing  but  a  tall  tale,  but  i’m  certain  smaller  minds  would  eat  it  up.  ’

‘  to  cross  this  bridge,  you’ll  have  to  pay  a  heavy  toll.  ’

‘  don’t  stray  too  far  from  the  path  set  before  you,  or  something  interesting  might  happen.  ’

‘  i’ve  passed  that  yard  of  crops  a  million  times,  but  the  crow  never  moved  from  its  post  until  this  morning.  ’

‘   it  is  as  though  ancient  fears  are  still  in  us  like  scars  or  stitches.  ’

‘  graveyards  aren’t  where  you  find  ghosts.  look  for  them  in  places  that  feel  like  memories  you  shouldn’t  have.  ’

‘  stories  reap  princes  from  peasants  as  if  their  skins  were  crops  in  the  ground.  ’

‘  what  form  does  your  fear  take  ?  surely  not  that  of  a  bear  or  a  lion.  such  things  are  too  assuring.  ’

‘  i  found  myself  where  everything  was  too  familiar  to  be  real.  ’

‘  in  safe  beds  on  cold  dark  nights,  we  learn  to  face  the  monsters  in  our  own  minds.  ’

FAEKIND.

‘  you’re  not  to  partake  in  a  fairy  feast.  don’t  you  know  it’s  the  food  that  will  devour  you  ?  ’

‘  i’m  sorry  you  did  not  read  the  eyes  of  the  trees  before  finding  yourself  here.  ’

‘  i  wish  to  go  back.  i  want  to  forget  everything.  ’

‘  you  think  that  believing  in  us  is  enough  to  protect  you  ?  that  it  will  kill  us  if  you  forget,  and  we  prey  upon  your  unknowing  ?  ’

‘  step  around  the  ring  three  times,  like  a  backwards  clock.  that’s  how  you  get  to  fairyland.  ’  

‘  i’ve  never  heard  such  sweet  music  before.  ’

‘  where  the  trees  begin  to  twist  and  groan  in  their  roots,  remember  you  must  not  make  a  right  turn.  ’

‘  i  didn’t  feel  like  i’d  stepped  into  another  world,  but  like  it  stepped  into  me.  i  knew  i  was  there  and  forgot  i’d  left  anything  behind.  ’

‘  how  amusing.  a  human  !  ’

‘  would  you  be  my  bride  if  i  were  to  take  you  into  the  ground  ?  ’

‘  i  know  of  tunnels  you  might  take,  the  burrows  of  trolls  and  rabbits.  ’

‘  don’t  take  anything  from  this  realm,  none  of  it  is  worth  the  price  of  keeping.  ’

‘  there  are  courts  by  many  titles  in  the  lands  beyond  the  veil,  all  of  them  other.  ’

‘  names  are  not  like  currency  here;  they  are  more  precious  than  diamonds  and  legacies.  ’

‘  did  you  think  all  of  us  looked  like  goblins  ?  ’

‘  getting  here  is  easy,  but  getting  home  is  quite  the  trick.  ’

‘  i  shall  give  you  a  riddle,  and  it  will  puzzle  you  until  you  know  the  answer  but  forget  your  own  soul.  ’

‘  a  bloodline  is  nothing  when  you’ve  outlived  civilizations.  ’

‘  refusing  my  hospitality  is  like  human  sin,  and  it  will  bring  worse  upon  you.  ’

‘  everything  here  is  and  isn’t,  and  things  are  and  aren’t.  ’

‘  on  lonely  nights  i  stare  into  the  trees,  and  a  strange  face  leers  back.  ’

‘  the  thrones  here  are  made  of  bones  and  blood,  and  built  upon  decay.  ’

‘  a  third  time  is  not  a  charm,  but  a  bargain.  it  says  that  you  want  something  enough  to  wager  your  sense.  ’

get behind me.

go inside and lock the door and don't come out until i say so.

are you all right? where are you hurt?

over my dead body.

i promised them i'd keep you safe.

i sleep better when you're next to me.

are you serious? i'm not letting you risk your life.

don't go. it's safer here.

i should have been here. this is my fault.

here. take this gun. don't pull the trigger unless it's absolutely necessary.

they told me to watch you.

i won't let anyone lay a hand on you.

stay close to me.

i'm not worth saving. please.

can you stay? just for a little while? it would help.

it's too dangerous out there.

i thought i'd lost you.

can you hear me? hello? where are you?

they're all afraid of me.

they told me you'd be trouble. clearly that was an understatement.

one of us has to make it out of here.

is that a bruise?

get back. get back right now.

did they touch you?

i already lost you once. i'm not going to lose you again.

a few more steps. we're nearly there. i've got you.

where does it hurt? let me see.

oh my god, you're covered in blood.

i love you, but you have to go.

climb on my back. i'll carry you.

i wish you'd stay.

i slept here all night. i couldn't leave you.

stay with me. i can keep you safe.

no. i've made my decision. you're staying here.

holy shit. are you okay? what the hell happened?

we have to get inside right now.

quick! hide! in here!

if they know you're with me, they'll leave you alone.

if they attack again, we'll be ready.

this never should have happened.

i want you to run, okay? run and don't look back.

you're all right. you're safe. it's over.

i'll feel better once you're out of this.

i don't have nightmares when you're here.

where have you been? i've been calling you all night.

your phone went straight to voicemail. what's going on?

i don't want anything to happen to you.

i can't stand the thought of losing you.

i won't let them touch you.

when we met, i promised myself i'd keep you safe.

where'd they go? i'll give them a piece of my mind.

here. squeeze my hand if it hurts.

i'll lay beside you.

no. it's non-negotiable. you're staying here.

i don't want you to die, okay?

listen to me! i know what i'm doing!

i can't lose you again!

do you hear me? i love you! i've always loved you.

i've got you. i'm right here.

can i stay? i'll take the couch.

tell them you're with me.

you can make it. i believe in you.

are you kidding me? who decided this?

here, i'll pick you up.

get back in the car. i'll handle this.

if anyone can do it, it's you.

let me carry you to safety.