Appearances Don’t Matter

[sockfromarose]

Appearances Don't Matter

It all goes so well when people don't see you, so it's easier to hide away. And why wouldn't you want to keep away from the eyes of others? You're hideous to the world at large, despite your own opinions of yourself, no matter if you're human or otherwise. You don't appear to be anything most would want to be around, much less befriend. If you're human, your appearance could be chalked up to mutation, a freak chance at birth, or an accident later in life; if you're not human, you just happen to exist in a place where those who look like you would never be accepted by the mainstream. Maybe it's not even your whole appearance, though. Your point of contention could be something like an injury or prosthetic that makes you feel not whole, though it may be insignificant in the view of the kind and open-minded. There's more comfort in covering that up and not letting anyone get close. In any case, you don't expect someone to love you, be attracted to you, or even want to be with you, especially a beautiful someone. Yet somehow, somebody does...or, at least, it seems that way. Will this new development last? Can you put your demons at bay long enough for it to do so? HOW TO PLAY Comment with your character, canon, preferences, and whether or not you want shipping only or smut. Also, information about what side your character fits into best is imperative! Reply to others. Use the RNG to determine your prompt or choose your own. PROMPTS Meeting | You've never seen anyone who doesn't balk at your appearance, but they don't. Growing Close | It starts as a friendship or an alliance, the grows to- more? Jealousy | There's no way they could see you as anything special. Surely, they have someone more handsome or beautiful in their sights. Realizing Feeling | At first, you didn't realize how your heart was feeling just by them being around, but now it's becoming clear: you're falling for them. Can't Tell Them | You'll ruin your bond with them should you tell them how you really feel. They'll be disgusted, so you'll keep mum. Touch | They touch you without a hint of distaste, which could be a big plus compared to what you usually deal with. No Difference | Actually, they can't tell that you're different, due to lack of vision or something similar. All they can discern is your personality. The Way It Used to Be | You didn't use to look this way, and it's hard to come to terms with your new look and how it affects Confession | You can't keep in your emotions anymore, or they accidentally get revealed. Good | They share your feelings! You never could have imagined this, but you couldn't ask for more. Bad | ...oh, you thought they...oh, they're so sorry. Scared | "Friendship" nor a "relationship" was never on their mind. In fact, they're scared of you. Cruel | All of their supposed kindness was actually just them using you for their benefit. To think, you really believed they cared about you! Defense | They step on the line for you, standing up to those who'd consider you a monster or somehow lesser. Uncovered | You're exposed and they can see everything you've tried to hide. You want to crawl into a hole and die. They want to keep you from feeling that way. Shouldn't Be | People oppose your relationship, and there may be some points to the arguments. Intimacy | Even being close, which most take for granted, could be a new and possibly uncomfortable event for you. Smut | The obligatory smut option, with all the baggage, angst, and difficulties that may come with it. Misunderstanding | You heard them insinuate that you're nothing but the ugly outside, or, at least, that's what you think came out. Bad End | The messy breakup option...or worse. Good End | The happy ending option...or better. WILDCARD

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Per our convo, let me know if you want me to change anything

[wolfdogwitcher]

The changing leaves are no longer the only spot of color that arrives in Kaer Morhen in the fall. Nowadays, the flame-like red of the trees in the valley below often heralds the arrival of the sorceress with the fire-colored hair not far behind.

There was never a formal invitation extended, nor did anyone make inquiries or protest about her presence. Lambert was his usual grumpy self-- he still refused to call her by her given name-- but he never made an effort to chase her away. Vesemir said would never be unhappy about the presence of a pretty girl under his roof (a bit of forced humor, perhaps, but he had made sure the best bed in Kaer Morhen was made up for her without asking too many questions). There was simply the unspoken understanding that they would not leave her to suffer their shared grief alone in the cold and dark of the long winters. It isn't all sadness, of course: Triss is vivacious and engaging company, clever and sharp of tongue. There are many memories and adventures to share and laugh over. But when the sorrow creeps in, it's good to have people around who understand, intimately, what the loss of Geralt of Rivia feels like.

It's not all sadness, but for Eskel he sometimes gets a feeling like he's missing part of himself. Perhaps not something as tangible and vital as a limb but still something that cripples him in its intensity. Before now, he could not imagine a life without Geralt. They had been the same age, joined at the hip from the moment they met. So close and so alike they could have been blood siblings. Losing Geralt had shaken the steadfast Eskel to his core and the normally warm, kindly witcher had closed in on himself. He worked until late in the season, kept himself busy with his studies and work around the keep (repairs, his animals, etc), and then drank in the evenings until he fell asleep (in bed or wherever he happened to collapse, it didn't matter).

Tonight is one of his more peaceful nights. A thick, fluffy snow is starting to build up against the cracked windows. Vesemir and Lambert are arguing at the dinner table about something to do with their Gwent game,but Eskel has had decades to tune out whatever it is. He's dragged a battered old chair over to the big fireplace and is currently sitting with a book in one hand and a bottle of Temerian Rye in the other.