bakerstreet | The Monster & the Maiden Fair

The Monster & the Maiden Fair

the monster & the maiden fair meme

There's a long precedent in folklore and myth of beautiful young people - both men and women - being kidnapped by monsters: dragons, beasts, goblins, demons, elves, vampires, wolves, or even evil humans. In the end, however, these prisoners are almost always rescued and brought back to civilization to live a normal and happy life.

But what if they didn't want to leave their jailor?

They've seen behind the surface and have begun to sympathize with this "monster;" no, more than that, they've fallen for them. Will this story have a happy ending? Will the monster believe that anyone could love them? Most importantly, though, can the two of them be left alone without any attempts at a "rescue?"

how to play

Comment with your character, your preference, and what role they'll play. Feel free to AU characters to your desire role.
Reply to others.
Thread anything that could remotely fit under the umbrella theme. Was the kidnapping just that, or did both parties know (and care) for each other before, making it a collaborative, mutual effort? Perhaps you'd prefer to play the actual Beauty and The Beast-style getting to know each other or seeing behind the grizzly facade. What about an attempted "rescue?" Or maybe you could thread out a scene where the prisoner runs away from the society they were forced back into and returns to their beloved beast! It's all up to you. You could even do smut if you wanted to, but this isn't a smut meme.

Meme was last posted (as far as this mun is aware) by

processions, awesome artwork is by

chewy

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[That didn't stop him from trying the last time. Really, though, it's more his feelings she's worried about than anything. Once upon a time, she would have said he was the rare kind of person who didn't hold grudges, but continued living happily. This news will definitely hurt him. It will do a lot of things, but hurt is certain.]

Oh. Of course. Mmm, I'll try to answer, although certain things are humanity's secrets. [And I'm committed now, not stupid; I know plenty about your inquisitive mind.] Let's see.

The King fought against one of the strongest humans. We don't who won, but that human is certainly dead. To ensure humanity's survival, in that fight he used a terrible weapon we had once developed to use against one another. I believe we were underestimated. Although he didn't die immediately, the King was infected by a poison which is both incurable and contagious. He became aware of this and, in his remaining time, his personality appeared to change drastically. At least he was less inclined to kill, and he took great care of a human girl. He died as he requested, peacefully in her company. She and the other Royal Guards died as well from their proximity to the King.

[Always 'we'; humanity's crimes are hers also. How does Pitou's aura feel after this? Not exactly to soften it, but, a little more gently,] I was told all of these things after they had passed. If they're willing to speak with you, there are people who were present and might be able to tell you more if you still want to know.

Oh, and there's something else.

[Painful is the only way to describe the feeling in its chest right now. That the King was so great, and Pitou is sure he won that fight, but still fell to something like that. Just a simple poison, like the ones Pitou had curiously read about in its books. Even if it had been there, there would have been nothing for it to do, and yet it's positive dying with the others would be better than feeling like this.

The King died peacefully with that human he cared about. It's still the only strange comfort Pitou can find, but also a reminder that it was unable to fully witness or understand the changes King was going through until it was too late. Its aura seems to grow heavier, almost suffocating and yet still lacking in any of the usual maliciousness--because Pitou is crying. It's not making any noise, but there are tears running down its cheeks.

Pitou doesn't really know what to say, so it just refocuses its eyes on Kite and uncertainly urges her on.] There's more?

[Kite pauses, pivots, and looks up very up very seriously at Pitou's streaming face. The fear is still there, but it's soothed by the ant, and the assurance that humanity really is safe at least from this threat.]

Before he died, the King learned the name he was given by the Queen. He told it to the girl, Komugi. It was Meruem. ["The light that shines on everything", she doesn't add. Maybe the meaning is apparent in the name.]

Meru...em. [It blinks a few times, then looks up, over Kite's head at the mansion.]

The name suits him. [Too bad it never had the chance to use it, but Pitou won't forget it.] He should have had a kingdom to match.

[Conspicuously not replying to that. She wouldn't say a kingdom is the kind of thing a person could deserve, but it's natural Pitou would feel differently.

If it has no more questions, she'll begin them walking again, leaving it to process its thoughts. As they approach their destination,] Have you ever used Ken? [We're going to try not to spook the other residents.]

[Well, Pitou will make sure Kite understands later! After all, she deserves a kingdom as well. This small mansion is too modest of a start...but it's something.

For now, it'll follow until spoken to again.] Ken? Nya, I haven't heard of that before.

[Oh boy, they are in for some frustrating conversations in the future.]

Oh? Maybe there are still things I can teach you. [But is that really a good idea? She can justify this to herself, since it would certainly learn these techniques itself, given time or example. She may have heard the abbreviated version of where Pitou learned its basics from Colt, but it wouldn't have been relevant at the time.]

Then for now, please use Ten. I don't want to the alarm the others before I can explain, and your En is [threatening by virtue of sheer power alone] distinctive. [The idea of Pitou wandering around using Zetsu is also too... much.]

[Frustrating likely for only one of them...]

I would be honored. [It was used to learning on its own, but being taught--that sounds like a fun experience!]

As you wish, King. [Pitou draws its aura in, surrounding its body and using a perfect Ten.] But if I may suggest, it's safer if I use my En.

[She'll be frustrated enough for two!! Also, nice technique, A+.]

I'm using mine, and none of my people would harm me. [...Hmmm...] We don't harm one another. [...Ummmmm...] Don't harm anyone. [That should do it.]

If you have to defend yourself, you should, but I don't think it will come to that. [No one thinks they can take Pitou; hopefully no one home would try (because they definitely can't). There are a lot of variables.]

[Blink blink! Wow, the King sure is particular. Pitou looks a little disappointed by the news, still smiling but with a knit brow.]

Nyaa... That's no fun. [What about when it wants to play and kill things?] But if that's what you want, I will oblige.

Good. [Pitou really would fit in well with a lot of the people in the Association, people Kite worked with in some professional capacity. But they aren't exactly the ones Kite enjoys being in the company of. Just thinking about it makes her feel sticky.

Not playing and killing ~~things~~ people is the important concession, so the next request is a request as they come into clear view of the main entrance.] Would you wait outside for a little while?

[Pitou's tail swishes, seeming a little unsure.]

Right here, without my En? [It's not used to this. It's always used its En when separated from the King.]

You really use it all the time?

[Who maintains En all the time? A normal user would definitely not be able to do something like that indefinitely. Even those who could choose to save their energy. Kite isn't even a little bit worried about its safety.]

It's my duty to protect the King.

[So it uses it when it feels it must, which is...often.]

. . .

[ . . . ]

The others won't feel safe around you. In fact, they'll likely want to protect me from you. Just use Ten for now and... after I've explained... your aura as it is now... well, we'll see.

[I'm never going to get to freely risk my life for fun and profit again, am I.]

As you wish, Your Majesty. [Pitou bows at its midsection and then takes a seat, folding its legs in front of it and waiting with its hands resting between them.

...SIIIIIGH. It really hates waiting!]

[With a disconcerted backwards glance, Kite makes her way to the entrance.

Unsurprisingly, the discussion inside carries on for a while, long enough for the sun to move across the sky, but eventually Kite reemerges, Colt in tow. He executes a stiff salute, but mostly hangs back, staying at the perimeter as Kite and Pitou take an awkward walk through the house to Kite's now deserted room. ("If you want to use En, for now keep it smaller. Smaller than that. Uh, smaller... mmmm... okay. This will work.") Everyone else in the house is distributed in small groups of high activity.]

Colt raised me [, she volunteers a little sheepishly when they're in the clear again. Her room is less of a toy disaster zone than the playroom, although it isn't tidy.] My egg tore early, but he found me and saved me. Several of the humans volunteered to protect us, even from their own, even before they knew who I was.

[This whole time Pitou is waiting, it really wants to use its En. Like, really. The fact it can't be sure the King has left through the back by way of its human companions is disconcerting, and Pitou's En flairs out a few feet in frustration before drawing back again as promised.

When Kite reemerges its ears perk up, lips curving back into a pleased smile to know the King was safe. It's more than happy to get to its feet again and follow Kite back, glancing over at Colt as they pass. Oh, it recognizes you. So this ant going back to the Queen is to thank for the new King being alive.

Pitou sounds a strange mixture of curious and cold-hearted, which seems to visible put Colt on edge.] Someone other than a Royal Guard raised the King? If I may ask a question, King... What compelled the humans to agree to help? He was one of the Squadron Leaders responsible for helping gather humans for food.

[Because sometimes humans make irresponsible decisions like letting a member of a class-1 quarantine species wander freely because it reads like a kind human and their squishy hearts can't help it.]

They were... moved by his devotion to the Queen and the sincerity of his appeal. [... Sorry, ant dad. This is a really awkward conversation to have in front of him about an event Kite doesn't actually remember, and she pauses to make Significant Eye-contact which is hopefully reassuring. ] The humans who decided - they were Hunters. Familiar with both risk and unclean hands.

They believed that both he and the ant he raised would choose to live peacefully alongside them, in spite of the past, so they gave us a chance. [Not quite a situation parallel, but.] Both humans and ants can change. It's our strength.

I see, I see! [Pitou waves its tail, understanding from a purely technical standpoint. It understands, but it can't see itself doing the same thing. The closest it ever came was the consideration that if Gon hadn't been a threat to the King, it would have let him live.]

Nyow I understand, that's why you're staying with these humans and insisting I don't kill them. Very well then. If you wish it, I'll treat them like fellow ants. [Which isn't to say it'll trust them, just that it won't explicitly kill them.]

Please. They're important to me. [Please don't casually maim them or anything either--it doesn't occur to Kite to make this request at this time, too bad. They're only just getting to know one another, after all. In fact, Colt would probably have taken that initiative, except someone's arrived at the door with food and he's being weirdly deferential. Pitou probably sensed their approach (and quick withdrawal).

Food turns out to be something like reptilian meatloaf, arranged like regular meatloaf, and not like a raw meat sphere with miscellaneous body-parts in. It seems like they're going to take their meal separate from everyone else, for today. If Kite eats hers a little fast, it's probably just because a part of her is still reacting like a prey animal.]

Now I... have a few questions for you, as well.

[They're someone important to someone who is important to it. Pitou understands this feeling now, although it doesn't feel...quite the same about Kite as it did the past King. There is still loyalty as strong as ever, but there's something missing that it can't quite explain.

As it answers, it knees and bows its head.] I'll answer any questions you have, King.

[Maybe some of the magic gets lost if you've already popped someone's head off at least once? The ways in which Kite falls short of being an ideal king are myriad, but the pressure is there now to meet it so she doesn't react when Pitou kneels, except to frown, visibly assessing. The time for Meruem's destiny is past and buried, but she won't deny the title again.]

To start, I want to hear more about your abilities. I've learned some from humans who fought you and more through other means [...bodies?] but I would like a more complete picture of what you're capable of.

[Pitou lifts its head as it speaks again.] My Nen? Certainly.

[Hopefully Kite was prepared for a lengthy, if extremely casual explanation. Pitou doesn't waste its words, explaining its three Hatsu in efficient, but not saturated detail.

Once it's complete, its tail swishes as it awaits its next command.] Is there anything else?

[There is, but it seems to take Kite a while to choose her words. Probably because there are SO MANY. And they circle and circle without rest, but come out slowly, deliberately, clicking into place like tiles on a board.]

What do you hope for in this world? You're my Guard [and that's right, for what instincts she hasn't lost, that feels right] and you agreed to follow me. But you must guess that my ambitions are not the same as the- as Meruem's.

I'm not asking if you'll obey me. You will. But things will be very different, and, I think, require more sacrifices from you than before. So I want to know what you hope for. Do you think you can be satisfied with this life?

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royalmeow - 2015-08-22 15:41 (UTC) - Expand

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The Monster & the Maiden Fair

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chimera ant arc recap: the thread

pitou should just wach the anime smh

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