Encounter
Malleus x bard reader
Emerald blades of grass sway with the breeze, rustling as you take a seat. The scent of fresh dew was strong, clinging to the fabric of your clothes. A lively sort of scent, that brought to mind endless fields of greenery stretching off into the horizon.
Not a tiny patch of grass in the middle of these dreary woods. Trunks of deep, dark brown towered above your form, shrouding you in shadow. Garbled branches snaked across the sky, crooked twigs swaying ever so slightly. Mocking you, the little creature that was confined to the ground. Trudging through mud and dirt, stumbling through the darkness.
Burly roots peeled through the debris occasionally, catching your feet within. You’ve tripped over them more then once. Your elbows still stung from the impact, skin throbbing a bright red.
You swear, these trees have it out for you.
Rarely would a human venture into their depths, much less a bard.
Your instrument was slung over your shoulder, it’s wooden body nestled against the curve of your spine. Every step you take, it smacked the small of your back. In sync with your heartbeat, a steady thump, thump, thump.
A rhythm. Quite a pleasant one, honestly. Perhaps you’ll use it in a hymn. A hymn of adventure, a tale of trepidation and curiosity.
You hum softly, building a little melody. A simple song, echoing through these dark, damp woods. A song bird’s chirp, penertrating sharp and clear through the air.
Hands reaching for your back, you slide your instrument into your hands. Fingers dancing on the fretboard, pressing into those slender, ivory white strings. They vibrate with every strum, singing every chord with ease.
Plopping under a rather shady tree, you began to sing. Manipulating every note, weaving them into your voice. Chords waxing and waning like a candle’s flame, dancing to the tune that flowed through your lips.
For awhile, the forest fell silent as you weaved a tune through the breeze. Singing your lungs out for every leaf, every twig…. For anyone, honestly.
Anyone who would listen.
A sharp snap. Your blood froze, ice prickling through your veins. Instrument clutched tightly in your hands, you whipped around with it held aloft. A sorry excuse of an actual weapon, but it’ll do.
Eyes of emerald gazed into yours. They were flaked with gold, glittering in the light. Much like buried gold, peeking through the dirt. Dilated pupils of ebony blinked slowly, much like a feline’s.
Looking you over slowly, in an attempt to decide where you stand:
Friend or Foe.
Ebony horns dipped into the blackness of the night, sprouted from his head. His hair was long, slipping down his shoulders with all the glossiness of a raven’s feather.
Robes drape his form, cutting a rather majestic figure among all these trees.
Branches dipped into a sober bow, as if paying their respects. Leaves fell before his feet, a carpet rolled out in his honour.
He takes a step towards you, a tail swaying behind. Filled with scales, they twinkled seductively, pinpricks of stars dotted onto his skin. A galaxy, confided into a person.
Tilting his head ever so slightly, he regards you with a certain curiosity. With the prying eyes of a child… well, almost. There was a cool undertone of amusement layered underneath that piercing gaze.
A moment of silence passed in between both of you. The tension a wall, standing strong.
Before the grass rustled. This majestic, striking figure of a being sat down. Crossing his lap underneath him, he settles down on the ground, eyes level with yours.
“It’s been… many years since I’ve heard music, much less a tune as lively as yours.”
He speaks, a deep baritone. A smooth sound, as rich as the finest wine. The corners of his lips twitched, slipping up into a small smile. A smile of appreciation.
“Thank you, child of man.”
Pursing your lips, you lower your instrument, its weight on your lap once more. Gulping back a mouthful of saliva, you had to force your tongue to move, words trembling in your throat.
“It’s not a problem. I fear I have disturbed your solace with my voice.”
A deep chuckle, echoing through the woods.
“You have an enchanting voice, for a child of man. Fear not, I have never been more pleased.”
Fidgeting with your strings, you ask:
“Forgive my disrespect, but what… what are you?”
Resting his cheek on his palm, he laughs again.
“Perhaps a better question would be, ‘who are you?’
However, I’ll humour you. I am Malleus Draconia. Your kind would call me a… dragon.
Our true name has been lost in your tongue, unfortunately.”
“That’s a pity.”
A spark of surprise flashes in his eyes, before Malleus leans closer, intrigued by your answer.
“A pity? Alas, but most things are forgotten with time. Only I remain in the end.”
A beat, before you speak. A timid voice, tinged with concern.
“Are you lonely?”
A sigh, soft as a feather. Yet the weight it carried rested heavy on your heart.
“Always, child of man. Always and forever.”
Fingers closing around the fretboard, you lift your instrument up. Pulling it closer to your chest, arm slung over it. Your fingers rest over the strings, nails brushing against every string.
“Would you like me to play another song?”
A quizzical expression spread across Malleus’ face.
“Is that an attempt to console me?”
You shrug, a fluid motion.
“I can’t console you for the eternity you’ll live. But I can keep you company. Play a song or two.
That way, even if it’s just for a moment, you won’t be lonely, right?”
Malleus stares at you, eyes widened in surprise. He’s met countless beings throughout his life. Most of them have comforted him with empty promises, swearing that they’ll follow him forever.
They said he’ll never ever be lonely ever again.
They never stay. Malleus’ rather used to watching the light flicker out from their eyes, a life extinguished. He never understood where these empty words came from.
A love for him? A denial of a person’s own limits? A fear of death?
He doesn’t know. Perhaps he’ll never understand.
However, you were very… aware of your own mortality. The honesty was rather refreshing, after decades of promises going up in smoke.
A smile slips onto his lips. A small one, but a happy one, nonetheless.
“Very well, child of man.
Sing for me.”
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