six_word_stories | (no subject)

Maleficent, I presume. Honestly, I'm not. --A hero. I just need your staff. Ten seconds, maybe.

Then I'll be out of your hair.

Indeed, I am.

And what do you need my staff for? [That's not an instant "no." But it will most likely be an instant no.]

Short story? A spell.

[ That... doesn't sound good, but he's completely genuine. ]

Maybe you can sense it --maybe not. I'm not supposed to be here. I need a powerful magic to right that.

You haven't a drop of magic in you, and yet you think you can cast magic?

[She sneered.]

I can sense it, I'm just not entirely sure why you've thought I would care.

[ Blinks openly, uncertain. That hasn't been an issue historically, but this is another world -- that, well, that's become eminently clear. ]

Then, there's no harm in humoring me, isn't that right?

[ Puffs out a hardened breath. ]

You could have shut this down already.

[She chuckles. He clearly does not understand or appreciate the idea of dragging out torment.]

And what have I to gain in helping you? I am not so altruistic as those three twits. So you have come, but you come empty handed.

That is not how this works, boy.

[ So, perhaps he anticipated a heavier suspension of belief. On some level, he knew this wouldn't be simple; they're villains for a reason, but it'd be great to catch a break on occasion. Shoulders dropping with his hushed exhale, he glances off to the side and smooths over his mouth, suppressing the reflex to say something Dean-inspired. ]

Okay. [ Drops his hand and sucks in a quick breath. ] Fair enough. But you say magic, in this world... witchcraft, et cetera, I wouldn't be able to perform it myself. Even with that staff?

That suggests I'm not even on the right path, here.

[She is the mistress of all evil, she does not dabble in altruism, or faith and trust and pixie dust. Simply because she is a faerie does not make her good.

Deals with the devil aren't meant to be easy, Sam.]

And who set you on the path to me in the first place? Even without the staff, I could perform my magic, but you? The same cannot be said for you.

A friend.

[ Refuses to completely buy into the possibility he is completely reliant on, you know, the mistress of all evil, so he is considering his options. Devils have never proven the brightest route. ]

I understand you're known as the most powerful. Renowned. In my world, you're a familiar story... What would you consider a fair trade? --I'm not saying I'd agree.

Not a very good friend if it is me they recommend. Though they are not wrong. I am the most powerful.

I am also not a fool. [She cannot be tricked and goaded into helping you, Sam. This is not how it works.]

A fair trade? [She smirked as she tilted her head.] I'm not saying I accept. But humor me, Winchester, what have you to even offer.

[ Doesn't flinch until his surname, gaze dropping, considering, evidently lacking in knowledge and admittedly pressured by how poorly this plan's developing. In this world, magic is exclusive, hoarded by few and feared, occasionally admired by the majority, and that's... simply not familiar. It's possible his understanding of the supernatural is polar opposite of this reality, and that is intimidating on the spot, but he cements that unnerve, taking a moment to wet his lips. ]

Information. About alternate worlds. I've been to several. I --wouldn't be able to offer much within this universe.

If that's not enough, I could run errands. Busywork. If you're as powerful as you claim, this isn't a strain on you. I'll find... ingredients. Run messages. You know me, somehow, so you know I'm solid on my word. Powerful or not, there are things I could do as someone beneath the radar.

[She listens as he rambles, as it can't be called anything else. A hand resting against her cheek. She decides to let him sweat it out, as well he should.

But she merely lets her hand fall. She has something a bit crueler in mind.]

Tell me, Winchester, what are you really willing to do to go home? A few errands? Run messages? Busywork? Is that the price of your freedom from this world? Well then, if that is all you can think of, I am not impressed. And I am not moved.

But... I bear no ill will. I will even give you a chance to show how much going home actually means to you.

[ The waiting game.

Classic dick move.

Under simpler conditions, patience wouldn't be first instinct, but he holds his tongue through her silence, then the aloof picking-apart and total dismissal of his offerings. Upside: She's humoring him. It's not a lost cause... which is a relief since killing the most powerful creature in this world strikes him a touch suicidal-- nonetheless, historically Winchester Plan B.

A muscle in his jaw ticks, unsure, fleetingly hopeful. Sam reigns it back as quickly as it flares. ]

That's pretty generous. [ Brows drawn in open question. ] I appreciate the opportunity, but I'd wonder how its even possible to 'show'. Say I made a case for why it's so important, not only to me but close friends, family, the world, I don't know whether it would mean anything to you. With all due respect.

[She watches him and smiles with ease.]

Now now, no need to be so forlorn, Winchester.

Errands and messages are easy, sending you home, even with all my power will not be. So show me what going home means to you.

Kill someone for me. Three someones. With all your knowledge, the death of three fairies should be trivial, and you will bring me their wands as proof.

[ In a single exhale his lungs deflate, shoulders dipping and forcefully averting his gaze to disguise the sour quirk to his expression. ]

Of course that's where this was going. [ Voice soft and low. ] --Sorry. Like I said, I know a bit about this tale. The fairies you want me to kill, they're not hurting anyone, or am is there something the left out?

[ Doubtful, probably rhetorical. Sam meets her gaze anew and spreads his hands in mockery of a helpless gesture. ]

I'm not a mercenary. I'm a hunter. --You're saying that's the only way?

Edited 2017-09-28 00:19 (UTC)

Did you expect anything less from me? If you did, you did not know this tale well enough.

No, they're not hurting anyone, but they have stood in my way too often.

The only way to prove you have any care about going home. What is a faerie to you, Winhester? You've decimated monsters, fae, witches, spirits, and everything in between. Tell me, how often did you pause to question their motives?

You know, I'm really not used to being referred to as that.

[Steve's folding his arms over his chest. He's still not entirely sure why he'd been called all the way out here through an obstacle course of seemingly sentient plants and thorns.]

You don't sound like you need any rescuing though, Ma'am.

Rescuing? [She chuckled.] How noble, to not assume right away.

But I thin we both know what I am and what I especially mean to you.

I know you're more than capable of fending for yourself, which means that this is probably about me and your assessment of my getting out of here alive.

[She's definitely a magic user, which makes predicting her strength pretty tough for Captain Rogers. But still, to call him out here? Couldn't she have just bewitched him any number of ways if she wanted him out of the picture?]

Do you know why I came anyway?

I am able to see many things, but men's mind is not something I venture into. Why did you come?

Or are you perhaps asking why you are here? In that case, the answer depends greatly on your actions.

[Captain Rogers shifts the shield on his arm slightly while she talks. Putting it away by slinging it across his back feels like a foolish choice to make, but he doesn't want to just stand there threatening her with it either. Loosely at his side is probably safest.]

I don't understand what a woman with the power of magic at her fingertips could possibly want with a soldier, I gotta confess.

If you were looking for a mindless slave you'd have made your move already I'd like to think. Same with if you wanted to kill me. So, now we're getting into the realm of genuine curiosity. You haven't done those things.

So why have you allowed me here? Summoned me, even.

Ah but that's where you have the story wrong, oh valiant soldier. I did not summon you. And you're right, I could have killed you if I so wished.

I want exactly what you want, to send you home.

I appreciate you not doing that.

[Deadpan, but no less sincere. He knows he's at a disadvantage against those with magical inclination. Has to be careful.]

You didn't bring me here, but you want to get me out of here. Would it be too forward of me to ask why you need me gone? Most folks where I'm from don't do this sort of thing for free.

Edited 2017-10-02 16:03 (UTC)

The price of the magic to make you leave is worth the outcome. You are, dear soldier, a hinderance to my plans. [Yes, she openly admits it, but only because they both know she can also just kill him.] So rather than dispose of you, I am giving you the chance to leave.

What could be more advantageous for you?

Edited 2017-10-02 23:38 (UTC)

[Steve has dealt with liars, tricksters, psychopaths before. This feels different. There is a purpose here yes. But there is also a seed of honor.

He should nourish that seed. Be the better man. Believe in the potential this sorceress has rather than judge her. She has not hurt him nor anyone else since he arrived here. She does not want to fight him nor does she want Steve to fight her.]

That's mighty generous of you, Ma'am.

[He bows his head respectfully and slings his shield across his back in a show of good faith. The Captain may have just walked right into a trap but he's willing to take that risk.]

[She's honestly not one to be trusted, but she is not one to lie, either. Truly, though, Steve, there is no nurturing to be had. You are in the way of her plans, it has nothing to do with honor.]

I can be quite generous when I please, even if I am uninvited. I have bestowed many a gift to those who would think I was capable of only ill will.

[This...isn't good. That tone and greeting never bodes well.]

What do you want?

What do I want? Aren't you the one in my home, little elf?

[Oh, goddesses. Not the elf thing again.]

Hylian.

And dark places like this are usually the sort of place megalomaniacs like to hang out. Sorta surprised Ganondorf is in this one, t'be honest.

Irrelevant.

How presumptuous. You break into my home and then insult me. Well, then I suppose I've no other recourse than to provide you the threat you desire.

....and what's the plan?

Harry... [Truly, she had no real desire to work with Hook's brat, they were nothing alike, as far she was concerned. Instead, Maleficent merely glanced at him from the side of her eye as she watched the little heroes come to shore.]

I've no need of hostages, Harry.

Kill them.

[In all honesty, Harry's just as well stay out of Maleficent's way, path, business, whatever. But, he's here, and heroes are super annoying, and if he has to be on her radar he'd like it to be in a good way. Hopefully.

Besides, he's always up for some violence. He draws his sword with a grin and tosses his hook up only to catch it.] With pleasure.

[She is not the mistress of all evil for nothing.]

And remember, Harry, you are on your own in this. [Yeah, she doesn't really see the need to assist.]

[His shoulders tense momentarily but he tosses off a cocky grin.]

Just the way I like it.

Do not disappoint me. [Well, Harry can now see where Mal gets it from and all the reasons Mal even had such a complex in the first place.]

Wouldn't even dream of thinking it.

[Well that was never any mystery. They may pretend that it's business as usual, but deep down all the kids know this is a shitty end of the stick they've got stuck on this island with their parents.]

[Well, the person to blame for that is King Adam (or Beast), certainly not your parents, darling. They make no secret about their actions and yet some were brought back from the dead and for what? For you to suffer?

They did not trap you on the island, now did they?]

Now go.

[ That "business trip" went a little sideways.

Benevento had a certain reputation in the past, full to the brim with tales of witches, good and evil alike. Folklore, he'd thought, a scattering of stories embellished over the centuries. Called in by a satellite team to weigh in on a recently-unearthed artifact, Ezio hadn't expected much.

The Witch's Eye, as they affectionately called it, was a small, flat oval of pure black glass, unremarkable at first blush... except for when it took to pulsing a low, unearthly light. It did so multiple times before without incident, their report went, just another weird little trinket of a bygone race. Maybe he might get a little more out of it?

As luck would have it, the Eye gave him much more than he bargained for: it dragged him into another world.

It's been several long weeks since then, an arduous journey that's led him right here, now. Standing in the skull-littered courtyard of a dark, mighty castle, hearing Things shift and chatter in the shadows, Ezio stands straight and tall, a bright spot of noble white amid the gloom. ]

Maleficent! I'll have your ring, madonna. [ He points the tip of his gleaming sword at her. ] And your head.

[She ran an idle finger along Diablo's spine and merely sneered.]

And why, exactly, should I simply allow you to walk with either?

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Apologies for late replies, IRL kidnapped me

No worries!

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