Context: You've been a Druid as long as you can recall, master of the forests, and keeper of water horses called each-uisge. You aren't exactly known for being merciful toward humans, but one exception came to you in the form of a wounded pirate who lost his sight, even as you tried to heal him. The young man was so grateful that he pledged himself to you, and has learned to care for your flock of each-uisge. Even though you don't really care for humans, you can't help but think that this one is OK.

Setting: An Irish forest

Tags: [M4A][Friends to ?][Blind Human Speaker][Druid Listener][Irish Mythology][Each-Uisge][Established Friendship][Flirting][Protective][Supernatural][Fantasy][Soft Boy][Shy][CW: Violence]

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[Scene opens in a misty grove near a freshwater loch in Ireland]

[SFX: Water moving and swaying followed by some indignant neighing]

“Hey, now, boys… C’mon. Your master will be along shortly, you don’t want to look foolish in front of them, do you?”

[SFX: More indignant splashing and neighing]

[You move through the forest with practiced ease and step into a large clearing in the forest. A young man with bandages over his eyes is busy feeding a small collection of water horses]

“Ah, good morning to you, my Forest Friend.”

[Pause]

[Your human friend smiles pleasantly, touching the bandages around his eyes]

“Oh, don’t you fret, my eyes are healing fine. The each-uisge are in their pens, at present. Milly’s been especially angry lately. Might need some more time playing in the waters… Or some manners when it comes to their victims, hm?”

[Pause?]

“Pfft, Fionn over here decided to leave the loch and flirt with the tavern keeper’s daughter. The man got a bit irate and threw boiling water between his legs, so he was sulking. Could I perhaps offer you some tea, my friend?”

[Pause]

[He bows to you and you gently tilt his chin back up]

“Don’t bow to you…? But, Druid, I owe you my life…”

[Pause]

[He sighs, grabbing his cane and making his way into the little cabin you helped him build]

[SFX: Some cups being moved]

“Aye, I know, you’ve told me a thousand times. You know me though, my friend, I hate feeling like a burden. Didn’t spend most of my youth sailing the harsh harbors and fighting pirates to just be a burden.”

[Pause]

“I know you don’t think I am, and I know you think that being able to wrangle your flock of each-uisge is enough, according to you, but I’m getting worried… The King’s men have been out this way, more and more, enough that I’m sure they’ve spotted the smoke from my cabin. He’s been hellbent on capturing inhuman creatures, and, well… if I knew that you were the ruler of these forests, there’s no chance he doesn’t.”

[SFX: Tea being poured]

[Pause]

“You’re welcome, love… Please, I know you’re powerful, and I’m sure as sin that you don’t need a weak blind man slowing you down or keeping you tethered here. You’ve tended to me for so long, now, I couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to you…”

[You rest your hand on his crown and flowers bloom in his hair. He sighs through his nose, reaching up and plucking them with a good-natured snort]

“Hmph. Druids. I’m glad you love my hair so much, my friend, I haven’t been able to cut it in years now. Has to be nearly as long as yours, hm?”

[Pause]

[His cheeks redden a touch as you keep petting his hair]

“...U-Um, Druid… Y-You’re playing with my hair a lot more than normal…”

[Pause]

[He stands still, letting you play with his long locks, seeming both exasperated and fascinated]

“...Druid?”

[Pause?]

“...Having fun, are you?”

[Pause]

[He snorts and shakes his head]

“You Fae sorts are funny creatures, you know that? Always playing with us humans, one way or another, malevolent or indifferent, hehe. Just remember that I take a lot of bitings on your behalf now, hm?”

[SFX: Approaching guards]

[Both of you freeze as you hear guards approaching]

“Oh shit… Guards! Druid, hide!”

[You hurriedly hide in one of the small nooks on the shelves, changing into an unassuming mouse]

[SFX: Knocking]
“Aye, one moment!”

[SFX: A door being opened]

“Can I help you?”

[You watch from your hiding place as your friend speaks with the King’s guards, ready to act if need be]

“Pardon, gentlemen? Oh, no, I’m no one important. Just a blind man trying to find some peace in the forest.”

[You can’t hear the guards very well but can tell they are aggressive]

“Hm? Each-uisge? Ah, lads, c’mon. Don’t tell me that the old boy has you hunting down myths, now. Those beasties keep to the loch typically, yeah? Assuming they were real.”

[SFX: A slight scuffle]

“Hey! Get off of me, you blowhard bastard! I ain’t going anywhere with you!”

[SFX: Rumbling]

“Stop, for your own sake!”

[SFX: More scuffling]

“Confound it, I’m trying to save your damned lives!”

[He’s knocked to the ground and you see his head hit the corner of the little kitchen table]

[SFX: A harsh thud and the Speaker groaning]

“I…I w-warned you…”

[You don’t think twice about it. A low whistle from you sends the each-uisge into a frothing, boiling rage upon the guards that are quickly dragged away, kicking and screaming]

[Your friend groans again as you kneel and pick him up, holding his head in your lap]

“...Tried to warn ‘em. You saw…”

[Pause]

“Mmrgh? Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little head wound, s’ fine.”

[Pause]

“No, if… if you stay here too long, they’ll come back for you, Druid! I-I’m not about to go and let harm come to you! I gave you my word that I’d protect you, no matter the cost, aye?”

[Pause]

[He sighs through his nose and shakily stands as you help him]

“...I appreciate your kindness. I always do. But if something happened, I’d never be able to live with myself…”

[Pause]

[He sighs again as you rest your hand over the wound and more flowers bloom in his hair]

“Aye and here we go with the mane full of flowers again… Hmph. No arguing with a Druid, is there? Fine… Bed is still more than big enough for you if you want it.”
[Pause]

“W-Wha-? No, not with me in it, too! D-Don’t you go doing that Fae flirting to me, Druid, y-you know it doesn’t work on me…”

[Pause]

“I-I said knock it off!”

[Pause?]

“I know you didn’t say anything but I… Y-You know what, just drink your tea and hush, alright?”

[You oblige him. The tea is good, but seeing him grumble and blush is better]

[To be continued?]