A Tale As Old As Time - Tumblr Posts

Hi kait!

I'm so excited for your techno fic!!! beauty and the beast is my favorite fairy tale

-🍄

thank u mushroom anon!! i’ve always resonated with belle so i am so so excited for it too!

i haven’t decided if i want to break it up into multiple parts and do it slow burn style (which admittedly i’m not as good at but the practice would probably be good for me) or if i want to make it a longer fic but cut out some of the less important scenes that build up belle + beast’s relationship (maybe like the library scene where he just shows her his collection yk)

idk i think i’m gonna just write it all and then decide ?? we’ll see *shrug*

a tale as old as time [technoblade]

welcome to a tale as old as time masterlist!

this series will be a c!technoblade x gender neutral reader spin on beauty and the beast. i will keep the word count up to date with each upload.

if all goes to plan, this will be updated once a week, but please be patient if i cannot get an update out immediately. i try to have everything written in advance but sometimes things come up. (also, i've never done a proper series before, so this is going to be a learning experience for me!!)

if you wish to be added to a taglist for this series, shoot me an ask! i'd be more than happy to add one to each chapter.

as always, feedback is very much appreciated! do not hesitate to message me with your thoughts on my work.

without further ado, please, be my guest!

prologue

chapter 1: the cursed kingdom

chapter 2: the beast has a heart?

chapter 3: destiny calls

more chapters tba

reference pics: beast!techno / human!techno [full credit to original artists, links to their twitters: insyndiar / sad-ist]

word count: 8.4k

the prologue [a tale as old as time]

cast away from society, long since forgotten and cursed to a land as frozen over as his heart.

the only indication of the man he was once laid upon a large tapestry he’d long since torn to shreds, it’s remains scattered in a room he occasionally ventures, just to be reminded of the pain and suffering he’s endured.

the consequences for a shallow man fueled by the adoration of his people, the very people he thought of as nothing more than the dirt under his boot.

he spent his days reading, as the grand library was one of the few rooms still intact after the curse spread across his once lively kingdom. other times he spent in the greenhouse, where the only thing that he could maintain and cultivate were measly potatoes.

the rest of his time was spent brooding, or reflecting on his past life. sometimes, if he tried hard enough, he could remember the intricate details that lined the corridors he’d carelessly pass by on his daily endeavors. the small roses that could be found engraved into the pristine wooden frames.

oh how ironic he found it that they had been roses, as it was the very petals of a rose counting down his last chances at redemption.

he wondered if he could go back, if he would have done things differently. the man he once was was cruel, selfish. would he even believe himself had he been given the chance?

alas, the only way to come back from the beast he’d become was to have someone fall in love with the man underneath the snout and tusks. sadly, it was a lost cause.

for who could ever fall in love with a beast?

series masterlist

taglist: n/a

chapter 1 [a tale as old as time]

chapter 1: a cursed kingdom

“i want adventure in the great wide somewhere! i want it more than i can tell!” - belle

series masterlist

a simple village life. that’s all you’d ever known.

everyday you walked the same paths, saw the same faces, ate the same food, read the same books. it was a never-ending cycle, almost as though you were secondary characters playing out their minimal roles in a story while the main characters lived out the adventures.

unlike the rest of the villagers, being a secondary character was not sufficient for you.

you craved more. you didn’t want to be just another number in the village, waiting for someone to come solve your problems and be your knight-in-shining-armour. you wanted to be a hero. the dragon slayer, or the retriever of stolen goods: someone a kingdom would celebrate and raise on their shoulders.

you wanted to be something special.

however, despite your wildest imaginations and the strain in your heart, you were nothing more than what you feared; a simple villager. another number, just like all the rest. there were no dragons to be slain, no thefts to be returned to their rightful owners, and damsels in distress waiting with bated breath for someone to save them were nowhere to be found.

unless you knew where to look.

you pushed open the hefty door, feeling a wave of euphoria wash over you as you stepped inside. this was the one place in the village that didn’t make you feel so small, so alone. it was a safehaven of sorts. an escape from reality.

as always, you greeted the librarian kindly before making your way to the shelves upon shelves of awaiting opportunities, each offering its own path at your desired heroics.

“what will it be today, y/n?” the old librarian asked, curiously. you shrugged, allowing your finger to run swiftly along the spines of the old, worn down books before closing your eyes and gently plucking one from the shelf. he peered over curiously, smiling fondly. “ah, romeo and juliet. a classic.”

you smiled brightly, tugging the book closely to your chest and spinning in a small circle dramatically. “oh, isn’t it lovely? the tale of star crossed lovers, fighting against all odds to be together? oh, what i would give for a love like theirs.” you sighed dreamily, the librarian laughing lightly at your antics.

“well, according to the town gossip, you have a mighty fine admirer who would adore your love and attention.” he teased, and you visibly rolled your eyes.

“you couldn’t possibly mean quackity.” you scoffed, “he is an egotistical streetrat that cares about nothing more than his appearance! he only ‘wants’ me because i don’t want him.” the librarian hummed in response, chuckling softly.

quackity was notorious in your quaint little village. he was the kind of person that everyone either wanted to be, or wanted to marry. save for you, of course. being upfront, you found him absolutely insufferable, and his ego was far too large to grasp that anyone could ‘resist his boyish charm’, as he put it. thus, his mission to gain your attention and wed you began.

you of course, would never stoop to the low that was him. not for any amount of books in the world.

“whatever you say, y/n.” he shook his head slowly, a playful expression adorning his features. “enjoy your reading, and make sure you pass on my hello to your old man!”

you agreed, thanking the librarian once more before walking back out onto the pebbled roads. on your journey home, you waved to the numerous villagers you passed, ignoring the judgemental stares they bestowed upon you.

you knew they didn’t approve of your free-spirited ways. in their minds, everyone had their roles to play. you simply didn’t play the role you were given, and in turn you became an outcast, a stranger. you tried not to pay them any mind, because you were happy with your lifestyle. the only issue you had was because of your father.

philza was highly respected in your small village. though he kept to himself most often, the people found him quite endearing, and pitied him for the loss of his wife and the struggles that came with raising a child on his own.

and although he assured you time and time again that you could never be a disappointment, you couldn’t help but imagine how much easier life would’ve been on him had you been like everyone else and followed the path that had been expected of you.

it was a constant internal war, the tugging in your heart begging you to pursue your desires, versus the overwhelming need to care for and stay with your father.

you always chose the latter, but realistically if you’d chosen otherwise, where would you even go?

-

technoblade wandered the familiar corridors, his mind off somewhere far from his own head. he did this often, allowing himself a chance to breathe without the rage that resonated inside of him bubbling over.

one would think he was lonely in the impossibly large building he called a home, but to him, it could not have been any smaller. years and years of listening to his once human staff beg him to leave to the outside, to find someone who could love him. someone to break the curse he brought upon them all.

he was never lonely. the only emotion he seemed to feel was anger, especially now. they were upon the last few petals that would seal their fates permanently. he had so much searing anger, he didn’t know what to do with it all. he was mad at the witch, for cursing them. he was mad at the world for fearing him.

but mostly, he was mad at himself, for being so wretched, he doomed the only people who ever cared for him to a fate worse than death.

his leisurely strolls gave him a sense of freedom, away from the talking teacups, dancing feather dusters and self-playing pianos. his time away from his friends was the only time he could pretend to not be aware of the fate they all awaited. pretend that he was just an average prince wandering about his castle.

techno’s ears perked, hearing the sound of heavy footsteps echoing through the mostly abandoned building. he snarled, his serenity broken and his suppressed anger returning with a fiery burn. he swiftly made his way to the banister overlooking the main entrance hall, careful to remain hidden from the eyes of the intruder.

“hello?” they called out. lurking in the shadows, technoblade watched as a shivering old man with a strange hat stumbled into his abode, abruptly and without welcome. “i’ve just come to escape the cold. i’ll be gone shortly!” his voice bounced off the chipped walls, receiving no response other than the echo of his own voice.

techno was livid. if there’s one thing he wasn’t fond of, it was ignorant humans. they served as a reminder of what he once was, and what he would never be again. how dare this man enter his home and be so blatantly rude?

all technoblade saw was red as he watched the old man situate himself in front of the fireplace. easily pulling an axe off the wall, he swung it over his shoulders, sneaking his way down to where the intruder stood.

stepping up behind him, techno snarled once more, catching the old man’s attention. he turned, slowly, and let out a scream. he instantly began to back away, and with each step backwards, techno took one forward. “you- you’re a…” the intruder stuttered, and techno bared his teeth, menacingly.

“a beast.” he whispered, a wicked smile on his face. he cackled, watching as the man in front of him trembled in fear. he was once again reminded of the reason he had isolated himself for all those years.

his expression darkened, thoughts ablaze as he hit the man with the knob of his axe, easily knocking him out. throwing the unconscious male over his shoulder, he ignored the stares of his transfigured peers and proceeded towards the dungeons, keen on having the traveller pay for his intrusion.

the last remaining bit of humanity he had tore at his subconscious, begging for him to reconsider. he simply brushed it off, however. all he did was act the role he was given. he was, after all, a monster.

and thanks to his curse, that’s all he would ever be.

-

you were hanging your freshly washed clothing, humming along a small tune as you did so. you performed a small intricate dance, wringing the delicate cloth and doing a small spin towards the wire, stringing it up and swaying back towards the pile to repeat the task.

a loud galloping sound brought you back down to earth, your head shooting in the direction of the sound. your eyes widened as you recognized the horse barrelling in your direction. “carl?” you muttered, rushing over. in spotting you, carl slowed, but thrashed and whined, worrying you instantly.

you ran a hand over his mane, worryingly searching behind him. “where’s father? carl, where is he?” you asked in a panic, only receiving a whine in return. a sinking feeling arose in your chest, expecting the worst. “take me to him.” you swiftly mounted the steed, holding tight as he took off in the direction he came.

you watched as the village came to an end, a never-before-seen landscape encasing your frontal and peripheral vision. an unexplainable rush of freedom and relief flooded you instantly upon feeling the change from the harsh cobblestone to soft dirt under carl’s hooves.

under better circumstances, you probably would’ve basked in the undeniable happiness and excitement threatening to spill out at the view of the new terrain before you. unfortunately, you hadn’t had the luxury of enjoying your first venture away from the village.

you had one thing on your mind, and that was saving your father.

you held tightly to carl's reins, eyes barely dancing over the foreign land as you passed. you soaked in as much of the greenery you could, and nearly gasped when you noticed what lay ahead.

as though separated by a drawn line, breaking off from the beautiful summer fields sat a forest that sent a wave of unease rushing through you. spiked branches stuck out from frozen trunks, a blanket of freshly fallen snow littering the ground.

you tugged on the reins as you approached, slowing to a walk as you entered the frozen-over area. passing from the summer to winter season sent a chill up your spine, both from the cold and from the nerves you felt in that moment.

up ahead, you noticed your father’s cart tipped over, its contents spilled haphazardly into the snow. you approached slowly, trying to be mindful of where carl stepped. it proved difficult, however, with the sudden harsh wind nipping at your bare skin. you were forced to squint to make out your surroundings, vaguely aware of the solid icicles hanging menacingly from above where you stood.

as another chill ran down your spine, you decided you shouldn’t dwell much longer, desperate to find some warmth and hopefully, your father. you urged carl to move forward cautiously. glancing ahead, your eyes widened as you took in the sight in front of you.

you entered a large clearing, the remnants of what looked to have been a gorgeous hedge garden. what still stood of the once lively hedges were wilted to a dull grey, covered completely in heavy layers of frost and ice. that wasn’t what caught your attention, however.

a little ways away, stood an exquisite castle that looked as though it had been long since abandoned. bits and pieces of the pristine exterior were cracked, missing, or simply looked as though they’d crumble under your body weight. still, there was no denying the beauty in its structure.

a sinking feeling washed over you as you proceeded along the grounds of the frozen kingdom, a lingering sense that something terrible had to have happened here. you wondered what.

whatever it was, you figured it must’ve been pretty bad, considering you were sure no one in the village knew this castle existed at all.

there was a tugging in your chest as you approached the breathtaking building that towered over your small figure. it was almost as though the building itself was calling to you in a way, like it was begging you to step foot inside.

you brushed it off as a mixture of excitement and your imagination.

pushing open the door, you gratefully rushed inside. you sighed in the sudden warmth, rubbing your arms frantically in hopes of warming yourself. you glanced around, taking in the enchanting sight before you. intricately carved pillars, cream coloured walls and a variety of strange looking trinkets littered the room.

you were broken out of your entrancement when the sound of cries broke through the eerie silence that filled the castle. you perked up, instantly recognizing the voice as your father’s. you followed the sound without question, your thoughts clouded and all sense of judgment out the door upon hearing the panic in his voice.

“father?” you called, your smile brightening as he came into view. “father! what happened? oh thank goodness you’re alright.” you squatted in front of him, eyes dancing over his face in search of severe injuries or anything of the sort.

“y/n?” he choked, forcing himself awake with harsh blinks. “y/n!” he suddenly jumped, though he looked anything but happy to see you. “you need to leave. now. before he sees you.” he whispered, urgently. you frowned, shaking your head.

“before who sees me? nevermind, it doesn’t matter. i won’t leave you. that’s nonsense!” you assured, eyes searching for anything to assist you in breaking your father free from the jail bars between you.

“you don’t understand, y/n. he’s not a man. he’s a-” philza tried, but you shushed him, waving him off. “he’s dangerous, y/n!” he raised his voice in frustration, and you finally looked at him, seriously.

“if he’s as dangerous as you say, i’m certainly not leaving you here with him.” you scoffed, continuing your search. you expected another retort, but received a dark chuckle instead.

“how noble of you.” a monotone voice hummed, stepping out from the shadows. you whirled around, determination set on your expression as you glanced at the outline of the mysterious man.

“let my father go.” you threatened, and his captor only laughed, humorlessly.

“your father,” he paused, emphasizing sarcasm on the word, “trespassed on my property uninvited. which, may i point out, you have also done.” he replied, nonchalantly. “i suggest you run along back home before i decide to make you cell mates with your dear-old-dad for the rest of your lives.”

turning on his heel, the mysterious man began to walk away, and in the heat of the moment, you did the only logical thing your brain could muster. “take me instead.” you rushed, catching the male’s attention.

“pardon me?” he turned, his voice filled with amusement. you felt your blood boil at his cockiness, scowling.

“you heard me. take me, let my father go free.” you stated, boldly. your father protested, but you simply ignored his presence for the time being.

“you clearly don’t know what you’re dealing with, child.” he shook his head, his devilish smirk barely visible through the darkness.

“i’m not a child!” you defended, and as he laughed at your response, you offered a smirk of your own, “show me what i’m dealing with, then.” you challenged, eliciting a scowl.

“fine, suit yourself.” he spat, finally stepping into the dim moonlight streaming in from the single window of the dungeon tower. your eyes widened, watching the light gently bounce off the tusks protruding from his bright pink flesh, a snout peeking out from a skull mask taken from an animal you couldn’t place.

“you’re a..” you breathed, and he rolled his eyes, as though he’d heard the same line several times before.

“a beast.” your father spat, and in turn received a glare from the monster before you. the beast then shrugged, a smirk lifting onto his lips once more.

“so, kid. you still want to trade places with your father, and stay here with me?” he taunted, and you swallowed as unnoticeably as you could, nodding firmly.

“i’m not a kid.” you muttered, annoyed. “if my father is left unharmed, i’ll stay with you without argument.” you agreed, and the beast seemed to ponder this, before nodding.

“very well.” he muttered, pulling out a large key and unlocking the cell. you instantly launched into your father’s open arms, hugging tightly.

“what have you done, y/n?” he muttered, and you shook your head sadly, offering the biggest smile you could muster. which admittedly, probably wasn’t very convincing.

“i saved you. that;s all that matters.” you whispered, finally pulling away from your father’s embrace when the beast cleared his throat. you stepped inside, allowing him to lock the door behind you.

“you, old man. get out.” the beast growled, and with one last parting gaze, your father begrudgingly left you behind. you listened as his footsteps grew distant, moving to the window to watch as he mounted carl, riding off into the night. you smiled, relieved to know he would be safe.

you heard fidgeting behind you, turning to watch as your fate was sealed with the turn of a lock. the pig-like man glared at you once more, before beginning to stalk off.

“wait!” you called, and he snarled. you took it as a notion of acknowledgment, so you brushed it off. “if i’m going to be staying here, can i at least know your name?” you asked, and he sighed, looking at you with an annoyed expression. you could’ve sworn there was something else behind his eyes, though.

“technoblade.” he mumbled, and didn’t leave you any time to respond, as he was long gone within moments. you tried out the name on your tongue, the name feeling foreign. as far as names went though, his seemed pretty fitting.

as the silence surrounded you, you leaned your back against the cool stone wall, allowing yourself to sink to the floor. it seemed as though your head had finally caught up with your heart, the sinking realization at what exactly you’d just done coming to light.

you were a prisoner.

not only that, you were a prisoner to a monstrous beast.

and no one, not even quackity in all his egotistical glory, could save you now.

taglist: @mxxnbees

Hello I was wondering if I could be added to the tale as old as time tag list thank you so much in advance

Have an amazing day/night ^^

you've been added!

chapter 1 [a tale as old as time]

chapter 1: a cursed kingdom

“i want adventure in the great wide somewhere! i want it more than i can tell!” - belle

series masterlist

a simple village life. that’s all you’d ever known.

everyday you walked the same paths, saw the same faces, ate the same food, read the same books. it was a never-ending cycle, almost as though you were secondary characters playing out their minimal roles in a story while the main characters lived out the adventures.

unlike the rest of the villagers, being a secondary character was not sufficient for you.

you craved more. you didn’t want to be just another number in the village, waiting for someone to come solve your problems and be your knight-in-shining-armour. you wanted to be a hero. the dragon slayer, or the retriever of stolen goods: someone a kingdom would celebrate and raise on their shoulders.

you wanted to be something special.

however, despite your wildest imaginations and the strain in your heart, you were nothing more than what you feared; a simple villager. another number, just like all the rest. there were no dragons to be slain, no thefts to be returned to their rightful owners, and damsels in distress waiting with bated breath for someone to save them were nowhere to be found.

unless you knew where to look.

you pushed open the hefty door, feeling a wave of euphoria wash over you as you stepped inside. this was the one place in the village that didn’t make you feel so small, so alone. it was a safehaven of sorts. an escape from reality.

as always, you greeted the librarian kindly before making your way to the shelves upon shelves of awaiting opportunities, each offering its own path at your desired heroics.

“what will it be today, y/n?” the old librarian asked, curiously. you shrugged, allowing your finger to run swiftly along the spines of the old, worn down books before closing your eyes and gently plucking one from the shelf. he peered over curiously, smiling fondly. “ah, romeo and juliet. a classic.”

you smiled brightly, tugging the book closely to your chest and spinning in a small circle dramatically. “oh, isn’t it lovely? the tale of star crossed lovers, fighting against all odds to be together? oh, what i would give for a love like theirs.” you sighed dreamily, the librarian laughing lightly at your antics.

“well, according to the town gossip, you have a mighty fine admirer who would adore your love and attention.” he teased, and you visibly rolled your eyes.

“you couldn’t possibly mean quackity.” you scoffed, “he is an egotistical streetrat that cares about nothing more than his appearance! he only ‘wants’ me because i don’t want him.” the librarian hummed in response, chuckling softly.

quackity was notorious in your quaint little village. he was the kind of person that everyone either wanted to be, or wanted to marry. save for you, of course. being upfront, you found him absolutely insufferable, and his ego was far too large to grasp that anyone could ‘resist his boyish charm’, as he put it. thus, his mission to gain your attention and wed you began.

you of course, would never stoop to the low that was him. not for any amount of books in the world.

“whatever you say, y/n.” he shook his head slowly, a playful expression adorning his features. “enjoy your reading, and make sure you pass on my hello to your old man!”

you agreed, thanking the librarian once more before walking back out onto the pebbled roads. on your journey home, you waved to the numerous villagers you passed, ignoring the judgemental stares they bestowed upon you.

you knew they didn’t approve of your free-spirited ways. in their minds, everyone had their roles to play. you simply didn’t play the role you were given, and in turn you became an outcast, a stranger. you tried not to pay them any mind, because you were happy with your lifestyle. the only issue you had was because of your father.

philza was highly respected in your small village. though he kept to himself most often, the people found him quite endearing, and pitied him for the loss of his wife and the struggles that came with raising a child on his own.

and although he assured you time and time again that you could never be a disappointment, you couldn’t help but imagine how much easier life would’ve been on him had you been like everyone else and followed the path that had been expected of you.

it was a constant internal war, the tugging in your heart begging you to pursue your desires, versus the overwhelming need to care for and stay with your father.

you always chose the latter, but realistically if you’d chosen otherwise, where would you even go?

-

technoblade wandered the familiar corridors, his mind off somewhere far from his own head. he did this often, allowing himself a chance to breathe without the rage that resonated inside of him bubbling over.

one would think he was lonely in the impossibly large building he called a home, but to him, it could not have been any smaller. years and years of listening to his once human staff beg him to leave to the outside, to find someone who could love him. someone to break the curse he brought upon them all.

he was never lonely. the only emotion he seemed to feel was anger, especially now. they were upon the last few petals that would seal their fates permanently. he had so much searing anger, he didn’t know what to do with it all. he was mad at the witch, for cursing them. he was mad at the world for fearing him.

but mostly, he was mad at himself, for being so wretched, he doomed the only people who ever cared for him to a fate worse than death.

his leisurely strolls gave him a sense of freedom, away from the talking teacups, dancing feather dusters and self-playing pianos. his time away from his friends was the only time he could pretend to not be aware of the fate they all awaited. pretend that he was just an average prince wandering about his castle.

techno’s ears perked, hearing the sound of heavy footsteps echoing through the mostly abandoned building. he snarled, his serenity broken and his suppressed anger returning with a fiery burn. he swiftly made his way to the banister overlooking the main entrance hall, careful to remain hidden from the eyes of the intruder.

“hello?” they called out. lurking in the shadows, technoblade watched as a shivering old man with a strange hat stumbled into his abode, abruptly and without welcome. “i’ve just come to escape the cold. i’ll be gone shortly!” his voice bounced off the chipped walls, receiving no response other than the echo of his own voice.

techno was livid. if there’s one thing he wasn’t fond of, it was ignorant humans. they served as a reminder of what he once was, and what he would never be again. how dare this man enter his home and be so blatantly rude?

all technoblade saw was red as he watched the old man situate himself in front of the fireplace. easily pulling an axe off the wall, he swung it over his shoulders, sneaking his way down to where the intruder stood.

stepping up behind him, techno snarled once more, catching the old man’s attention. he turned, slowly, and let out a scream. he instantly began to back away, and with each step backwards, techno took one forward. “you- you’re a…” the intruder stuttered, and techno bared his teeth, menacingly.

“a beast.” he whispered, a wicked smile on his face. he cackled, watching as the man in front of him trembled in fear. he was once again reminded of the reason he had isolated himself for all those years.

his expression darkened, thoughts ablaze as he hit the man with the knob of his axe, easily knocking him out. throwing the unconscious male over his shoulder, he ignored the stares of his transfigured peers and proceeded towards the dungeons, keen on having the traveller pay for his intrusion.

the last remaining bit of humanity he had tore at his subconscious, begging for him to reconsider. he simply brushed it off, however. all he did was act the role he was given. he was, after all, a monster.

and thanks to his curse, that’s all he would ever be.

-

you were hanging your freshly washed clothing, humming along a small tune as you did so. you performed a small intricate dance, wringing the delicate cloth and doing a small spin towards the wire, stringing it up and swaying back towards the pile to repeat the task.

a loud galloping sound brought you back down to earth, your head shooting in the direction of the sound. your eyes widened as you recognized the horse barrelling in your direction. “carl?” you muttered, rushing over. in spotting you, carl slowed, but thrashed and whined, worrying you instantly.

you ran a hand over his mane, worryingly searching behind him. “where’s father? carl, where is he?” you asked in a panic, only receiving a whine in return. a sinking feeling arose in your chest, expecting the worst. “take me to him.” you swiftly mounted the steed, holding tight as he took off in the direction he came.

you watched as the village came to an end, a never-before-seen landscape encasing your frontal and peripheral vision. an unexplainable rush of freedom and relief flooded you instantly upon feeling the change from the harsh cobblestone to soft dirt under carl’s hooves.

under better circumstances, you probably would’ve basked in the undeniable happiness and excitement threatening to spill out at the view of the new terrain before you. unfortunately, you hadn’t had the luxury of enjoying your first venture away from the village.

you had one thing on your mind, and that was saving your father.

you held tightly to carl's reins, eyes barely dancing over the foreign land as you passed. you soaked in as much of the greenery you could, and nearly gasped when you noticed what lay ahead.

as though separated by a drawn line, breaking off from the beautiful summer fields sat a forest that sent a wave of unease rushing through you. spiked branches stuck out from frozen trunks, a blanket of freshly fallen snow littering the ground.

you tugged on the reins as you approached, slowing to a walk as you entered the frozen-over area. passing from the summer to winter season sent a chill up your spine, both from the cold and from the nerves you felt in that moment.

up ahead, you noticed your father’s cart tipped over, its contents spilled haphazardly into the snow. you approached slowly, trying to be mindful of where carl stepped. it proved difficult, however, with the sudden harsh wind nipping at your bare skin. you were forced to squint to make out your surroundings, vaguely aware of the solid icicles hanging menacingly from above where you stood.

as another chill ran down your spine, you decided you shouldn’t dwell much longer, desperate to find some warmth and hopefully, your father. you urged carl to move forward cautiously. glancing ahead, your eyes widened as you took in the sight in front of you.

you entered a large clearing, the remnants of what looked to have been a gorgeous hedge garden. what still stood of the once lively hedges were wilted to a dull grey, covered completely in heavy layers of frost and ice. that wasn’t what caught your attention, however.

a little ways away, stood an exquisite castle that looked as though it had been long since abandoned. bits and pieces of the pristine exterior were cracked, missing, or simply looked as though they’d crumble under your body weight. still, there was no denying the beauty in its structure.

a sinking feeling washed over you as you proceeded along the grounds of the frozen kingdom, a lingering sense that something terrible had to have happened here. you wondered what.

whatever it was, you figured it must’ve been pretty bad, considering you were sure no one in the village knew this castle existed at all.

there was a tugging in your chest as you approached the breathtaking building that towered over your small figure. it was almost as though the building itself was calling to you in a way, like it was begging you to step foot inside.

you brushed it off as a mixture of excitement and your imagination.

pushing open the door, you gratefully rushed inside. you sighed in the sudden warmth, rubbing your arms frantically in hopes of warming yourself. you glanced around, taking in the enchanting sight before you. intricately carved pillars, cream coloured walls and a variety of strange looking trinkets littered the room.

you were broken out of your entrancement when the sound of cries broke through the eerie silence that filled the castle. you perked up, instantly recognizing the voice as your father’s. you followed the sound without question, your thoughts clouded and all sense of judgment out the door upon hearing the panic in his voice.

“father?” you called, your smile brightening as he came into view. “father! what happened? oh thank goodness you’re alright.” you squatted in front of him, eyes dancing over his face in search of severe injuries or anything of the sort.

“y/n?” he choked, forcing himself awake with harsh blinks. “y/n!” he suddenly jumped, though he looked anything but happy to see you. “you need to leave. now. before he sees you.” he whispered, urgently. you frowned, shaking your head.

“before who sees me? nevermind, it doesn’t matter. i won’t leave you. that’s nonsense!” you assured, eyes searching for anything to assist you in breaking your father free from the jail bars between you.

“you don’t understand, y/n. he’s not a man. he’s a-” philza tried, but you shushed him, waving him off. “he’s dangerous, y/n!” he raised his voice in frustration, and you finally looked at him, seriously.

“if he’s as dangerous as you say, i’m certainly not leaving you here with him.” you scoffed, continuing your search. you expected another retort, but received a dark chuckle instead.

“how noble of you.” a monotone voice hummed, stepping out from the shadows. you whirled around, determination set on your expression as you glanced at the outline of the mysterious man.

“let my father go.” you threatened, and his captor only laughed, humorlessly.

“your father,” he paused, emphasizing sarcasm on the word, “trespassed on my property uninvited. which, may i point out, you have also done.” he replied, nonchalantly. “i suggest you run along back home before i decide to make you cell mates with your dear-old-dad for the rest of your lives.”

turning on his heel, the mysterious man began to walk away, and in the heat of the moment, you did the only logical thing your brain could muster. “take me instead.” you rushed, catching the male’s attention.

“pardon me?” he turned, his voice filled with amusement. you felt your blood boil at his cockiness, scowling.

“you heard me. take me, let my father go free.” you stated, boldly. your father protested, but you simply ignored his presence for the time being.

“you clearly don’t know what you’re dealing with, child.” he shook his head, his devilish smirk barely visible through the darkness.

“i’m not a child!” you defended, and as he laughed at your response, you offered a smirk of your own, “show me what i’m dealing with, then.” you challenged, eliciting a scowl.

“fine, suit yourself.” he spat, finally stepping into the dim moonlight streaming in from the single window of the dungeon tower. your eyes widened, watching the light gently bounce off the tusks protruding from his bright pink flesh, a snout peeking out from a skull mask taken from an animal you couldn’t place.

“you’re a..” you breathed, and he rolled his eyes, as though he’d heard the same line several times before.

“a beast.” your father spat, and in turn received a glare from the monster before you. the beast then shrugged, a smirk lifting onto his lips once more.

“so, kid. you still want to trade places with your father, and stay here with me?” he taunted, and you swallowed as unnoticeably as you could, nodding firmly.

“i’m not a kid.” you muttered, annoyed. “if my father is left unharmed, i’ll stay with you without argument.” you agreed, and the beast seemed to ponder this, before nodding.

“very well.” he muttered, pulling out a large key and unlocking the cell. you instantly launched into your father’s open arms, hugging tightly.

“what have you done, y/n?” he muttered, and you shook your head sadly, offering the biggest smile you could muster. which admittedly, probably wasn’t very convincing.

“i saved you. that;s all that matters.” you whispered, finally pulling away from your father’s embrace when the beast cleared his throat. you stepped inside, allowing him to lock the door behind you.

“you, old man. get out.” the beast growled, and with one last parting gaze, your father begrudgingly left you behind. you listened as his footsteps grew distant, moving to the window to watch as he mounted carl, riding off into the night. you smiled, relieved to know he would be safe.

you heard fidgeting behind you, turning to watch as your fate was sealed with the turn of a lock. the pig-like man glared at you once more, before beginning to stalk off.

“wait!” you called, and he snarled. you took it as a notion of acknowledgment, so you brushed it off. “if i’m going to be staying here, can i at least know your name?” you asked, and he sighed, looking at you with an annoyed expression. you could’ve sworn there was something else behind his eyes, though.

“technoblade.” he mumbled, and didn’t leave you any time to respond, as he was long gone within moments. you tried out the name on your tongue, the name feeling foreign. as far as names went though, his seemed pretty fitting.

as the silence surrounded you, you leaned your back against the cool stone wall, allowing yourself to sink to the floor. it seemed as though your head had finally caught up with your heart, the sinking realization at what exactly you’d just done coming to light.

you were a prisoner.

not only that, you were a prisoner to a monstrous beast.

and no one, not even quackity in all his egotistical glory, could save you now.

taglist: @mxxnbees

posting chapter 2 at midnight! <3

a tale as old as time [technoblade]

welcome to a tale as old as time masterlist!

this series will be a c!technoblade x gender neutral reader spin on beauty and the beast. i will keep the word count up to date with each upload.

if all goes to plan, this will be updated once a week, but please be patient if i cannot get an update out immediately. i try to have everything written in advance but sometimes things come up. (also, i've never done a proper series before, so this is going to be a learning experience for me!!)

if you wish to be added to a taglist for this series, shoot me an ask! i'd be more than happy to add one to each chapter.

as always, feedback is very much appreciated! do not hesitate to message me with your thoughts on my work.

without further ado, please, be my guest!

prologue

chapter 1: the cursed kingdom

more chapters tba

word count: 3.2k

chapter 2 [a tale as old as time]

chapter 2: the beast has a heart?

“don’t you see? she’s the one. the girl we have been waiting for. she has come to break the spell.” -lumiere

series masterlist

you laid uncomfortably in a curled position, desperately trying to force yourself into any form of slumber. it proved useless, as no amount of tossing and turning could offer you any comfort against the concrete flooring of the tower you found yourself trapped in.

sighing, you lifted yourself to sit, resting your head against the stone bricks and glancing out the small window. you weren’t sure how long you’d been locked away, but you’d been watching the small stream of moonlight slowly cross the floor- you’d guess it had likely been a few hours at most.

if this was some sick, twisted joke from the universe about your desire to become more than a side character, you certainly weren’t laughing. of all the stories you’ve read, the last thing you wanted to be was the hopeless character waiting for a prince charming to come save them. of course, that’s exactly where you landed.

so much for being a hero.

the prospect of being saved seemed ridiculous, because really, who would even come for you? quackity? you would rather stay with the beast than be saved by him.

knowing how he was, you’d likely be guilted into a marriage with the ghastly man. you shivered at the sheer absurdity of being betrothed to anyone, let alone quackity.

allowing your thoughts to drift elsewhere, you refocused your attention outside of the window. you suddenly noticed the lack of stars visible from the castle, and that the moon itself was barely peeking through the thick blanket of clouds coating the sky, only enough to provide the dim lighting in your cell.

you immediately missed the comfort of the twinkling lights that typically littered the night sky. each served as a beacon of hope, as foretold by the many stories you’ve read. perhaps the fact that none were in sight served as a sign that there was no hope for you.

you tried to brush off that thought. there was the small chance that it had simply happened to be a stormy night and that tomorrow the sky would be clear and luminescent once more.

a sense of sorrow flooded you. something told you it wasn’t so. you couldn’t imagine never seeing the stars again.

technoblade, or rather, the beast, was trapped in this frozen kingdom, alone, with nothing but grey clouds and cold weather. had you been condemned to a life like this, you were sure you’d be angry all the time as well.

the curious part of you wondered what he possibly could have done to entail this solemn fate. the other part warned you that you didn’t.

you were pulled from your thoughts by a strange clanging sound. the noise was almost as though someone had dropped a piece of metal down the stairs, and it was hitting every single step in a steady rhythm. only rather than getting quieter as it fell further down, the subtle thumping sound grew louder.

you stiffened, mentally preparing for the worst. the unfamiliar sound amplified your stress, for it could be anything approaching you.

maybe the beast was coming to finish you off right there. you hoped this once, everyone from the village was right about your overly imaginative nature and that it was a ridiculously far fetched idea.

when the clanging finally stopped, a strong french accent rang out among the silence. “hello?” he called, and you swallowed nervously, leaning forward to peek at your visitor.

imagine your surprise when the only thing by your door was an old-fashioned looking candelabra.

you searched as far as you could see from the restraints of your cage, looking for any indication of where the voice could have come from.

“excusez-moi! hello! down here!” the voice called out again, and you frowned, glancing down to the tiny golden statue in front of you.

“what kind of joke is this?” you muttered, tapping the candelabra lightly with the tip of your shoe. the last thing you expected was for it to jump away from you, an expression of pure offense suddenly carved into its’ features. naturally, you screamed.

“woah, woah! you kicked me - why are you the one screaming?” it asked, cocking its head to the side in wonder. “was it something i said?”

you faltered, shuffling as far away from the door as possible. which, realistically, wasn’t that far. “you talk. you’re a talking candlestick.” you stuttered, in a feeble attempt at trying to explain to yourself what you were witnessing.

“oui! i talk. and i am no candlestick! i,” he paused for dramatic effect, “am a candelabra. we are much different than mere candlesticks, you see.” he dropped into an eccentric bow, and you simply blinked, awestruck.

you shook your head, laughing humorlessly. “i must’ve fallen asleep!” you mumbled, nodding to yourself in approval. “that’s right. i’m asleep! everything makes sense now, i just need to wake up and everything will be normal!”

“wait, you’re not-” it tried, but you chose to ignore the metallic object, attempting to brush off the delusion. you instantly pinched your wrist, letting out a small sound of pain. you repeated the action once more, tears pricking at your eyes.

“wake up, y/n. wake up!” your voice barely came out as a breathy whisper as you paced the small distance across the cell, panic settling in. “why won’t i wake up?” you sighed frustratedly, and the candelabra sighed, shooting you a small look of pity.

“i’m sorry to break it to you, but you are not dreaming. i am lumiere, and my beautiful girlfriend, plumette, is on her way with the keys to your cell. we shall escort you to somewhere much more comfortable.” he exclaimed, and you forced a laugh.

“your girlfriend? what is she, a lighter?” you asked sarcastically, and the candelabra frowned in confusion.

“non? she is a, er, what do you call it? a feather duster, i believe?” he replied, smiling brightly at the mention of his lover. you tried to smile politely, but you couldn’t bring yourself to do so with your mind running a mile a minute.

you were talking to a fancy-looking candlestick with a feather duster for a girlfriend, while simultaneously being trapped in a tower with a pig-like beast.

if you weren’t asleep, you were truly losing it.

“ah, there she is now!” he announced, and you could suddenly make out the distinct sound of clattering metal.

you glanced in the direction of the stairs, and an elegant dove-shaped feather duster flew in ever-so-gracefully. “hello, my love!” she greeted, shooting him a wink, before her attention turned to you. you noted how his flames grew slightly in response to her actions.

she flew up and around, analyzing your features from all angles. “oh, look at you! so young, so attractive!” she swooned, and you flushed slightly, thanking her quietly, albeit being a bit confused as well.

“ahem, my dear, perhaps we should let them out of their confined cell?” lumiere posed, and plumette eyes widened slightly, apologizing swiftly before swooping down and dropping the key into your open palm.

you sighed in relief as you made quick work of the key and stepped out, mindful not to step on lumiere. “thank you so much.” you muttered, pausing and shaking your head in disbelief. “i just thanked a candlestick and a feather duster.” you scoffed quietly.

“like i said before, i am no candlestick. i am a candelabra.” he argued, and you muttered a small half-hearted apology, letting out a yawn shortly after.

“oh, my dear. you must be so tired. please, allow me to escort you to your room.” plumette offered, and you blinked, confused.

“a room? but i thought i was a prisoner. did beast tell you to do this?” you asked, curiously. the two in front of you shared a glance, before turning back to you and shaking their heads. “does he.. does he know you’re doing this?” you questioned, hesitantly. they shook their heads once more.

you smiled gratefully then, simply brushing off the remaining questions and motioning you were ready to follow plumette. the least you could do in thanks for their actions was to not bombard them with everything all at once.

“uh.. would you mind? i am not exactly built for stairs.” lumiere asked, gesturing to himself. you smiled, picking him up and following plumette down the winding staircase.

“lumiere! there you are!” another male voice rang out, and for a moment, you feared it was the beast coming to punish them for letting you out. you were pleasantly surprised to see a small clock wobbling out from behind a wall.

“a talking clock. of course. why wouldn’t there be a talking clock?” you mumbled, gently placing lumiere on the floor and allowing him to rejoin his friend.

“who is this?” the clock asked, eyes blown wide in an instant. “you let out the prisoner? he’s going to be furious!” he whispered angrily, but you cleared your throat.

“i have a name, you know. it’s y/n.” you argued, frowning. “and i didn’t ask to be let out.”

“i am not blaming you.” he assured, his tone soft. “i’m blaming lumiere - he knows better. and you too plumette? are you two mad?” he questioned angrily, and plumette ignored him, flying up next to your ear.

“that’s cogsworth. he’s a bit uptight, his gears haven’t been oiled in years.” she whispered, and you laughed lightly, hardly listening as the clock continuously berated lumiere. as the men (were they even men?) continued to argue, plumette gestured for you to follow her.

you were led up a series of stairwells, and through a long hallway filled with paintings. how you wished you could’ve admired the art, but each portrait had the gash of claw marks through the middle. you shivered at the sight.

she stopped in front of a large door, a small collection of dust layered on the handle, as though no one had stepped foot here for ages. you pushed open the door, gasping slightly as you gazed around the beautifully furnished room.

you stepped towards the wardrobe, reaching out a hand before the doors flung open, and she greeted you with a loud “hello!”. you squealed in surprise, throwing a hand over your racing heart.

“is there anything in this damn castle that isn’t alive?” you huffed, breathing heavily. plumette laughed, shaking her head and bidding you goodnight.

you stumbled over to the bed, looking at it distastefully. “you’re not going to throw me off, are you?” you asked, tiredly. the wardrobe lady laughed, catching your attention.

“my dear, why are you talking to a bed? it is simply a bed.” she chastised, and you groaned, flopping down on the mattress.

“of course it’s just a bed.” you mumbled, tiredly. finally, the weight of your day became too much for your body to handle, and you allowed yourself to sink further into the mattress, drifting into a dreamless sleep.

-

technoblade stood at the entrance to the room he long since sealed off, far into the west wing. he actively avoided this room, but another sleepless night and wandering thoughts led him here. he sucked in a breath, stepping into the chamber and taking a few tentative steps towards the floating object that signified his demise.

yet another petal hung on by mere threads, only minutes left before he was one step closer to sealing the fate of him and everyone he’s ever cared about.

he reached up, tugging off the bone mask he wore to hide his hideous pig-like features, gently placing it on the table as he leaned forward, watching intently as the weight of the petal became too much and it tumbled slowly to the floor.

he swallowed, a sinking feeling settling in his chest.

technoblade wasn’t stupid. he heard the whispers of his staff echoing off the castle walls, the hope in their voices only fueling the anguish in his heart.

they truly believed the prisoner could be their saviour. the one who could finally break the curse.

it wasn’t that techno didn’t want to be saved - who would want to be doomed to a life like his, forever encased in the body of a beast? he certainly wasn’t against the idea of returning to his once handsome and human self, but it was the condition that had his doubts set aflame.

the condition that required someone teaching him how to love, and love him all the same.

he wasn’t sure how his staff believed you could fall in love with him. him, the ugly, monstrous pig-like beast who’d locked you in a tower and left you helplessly. not to mention you were full of life and most of all, innocent. he couldn’t burden you with such a thing.

his gaze rose to the floating flower, on the verge of its last petals. he sighed, making his way towards the balcony. he stepped out, allowing the fresh air to clear his mind as he gripped the safety rail as though his life depended on it, a motion to help ground him from his overwhelming emotions.

out of the corner of his eye, he could see the tower where he’d last left you, and as a cool breeze came in through the window, he realized you must’ve been freezing. you certainly weren’t dressed for the weather occupying his castle.

the last bit of humanity he had left tugged at his heart, and after his previous neglect of compassion with your father, the urge to help you was strong. he groaned at himself, searching for the nearest blanket. he had to shake it to clear off the dirt and cobwebs, but it would do.

he trudged silently through the castle, careful not to let any of his attendants catch him in the act. the last thing they needed to see was him being kind to his prisoner and give them any ideas.

since the incident, technoblade had shown nothing but hostility towards his companions. he and they both know it was a coping mechanism, a way for him to deal with the weight of the guilt he suppressed. it was never mentioned, but a silent understanding.

he refused to show weakness in front of them, for a multitude of reasons. more than anything, he didn’t want them to realize just how much he suffered.

every one of his staff members were great people. he’d never deserved them, and the kindness they always showed him after his issues. no matter how many mistakes he made, how many insults he threw their way. they stood next to him through it all.

and in return, he had them all turned into inanimate objects with faces. for him, they lost everything. some, like chip, had their whole lives ahead of them still. lives they would likely never experience.

the least he could do was stay strong in front of them, showing them he wasn’t giving up on them or the curse, despite his interior beliefs.

hope was all they had left, he couldn’t take that away.

but while hope can be good, it can be just as dangerous.

he saw the way they looked at you with stars in their eyes. all of that responsibility fell on you, and you didn’t even know it.

as much as he wanted to be free from his burden, he hardly knew anything of you. how could he put that pressure on you like that? how would one even bring it up? ‘hey, i know i’ve locked you in a tower and left you to freeze, but i’m actually a cursed prince and the talking objects scattered around the castle are my staff. could you fall in love with me so we can break the curse before the last petal of a magic rose i locked away in a far tower falls and traps us in these bodies forever?’

techno almost laughed at his own thoughts for the sheer absurdity.

he ventured across the castle, finally reaching your tower. he hoped you were asleep by now, so he could simply leave the blanket without another word and avoid an undoubtedly awkward conversation. he turned the final corner, only to see an open cell door and a drop of candle wax on the floor.

rage settled in the pit of his stomach, heat creeping up his cheeks as he shook. “lumiere..” he muttered, shaking his head.

techno was quick to saunter back down the stairs, headed for the table cogsworth and lumiere typically situated themselves on. “lumiere!” he yelled, eyes searching the room before they landed on his two former staff members. they froze, looking at their prince with feared eyes. “where is the prisoner?” he demanded, and cogsworth shoved his guilty-looking friend forward.

“i escorted them to a room, sir.” lumiere explained, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head with one of his fiery arms.

“you gave my prisoner a bedroom?” he growled, and lumiere only shrugged, nervously. “and you did so without my permission.” he clarified, and lumiere nodded. he opened his mouth to berate him once more, but he was quickly cut off.

“is that a blanket in your arms?” cogsworth asked, curiously. techno flushed, tucking the blanket behind his back and straightening up.

“no.” he replied, gruffly. lumiere and cogsworth exchanged smiles, clearly amused.

“you were going to bring the prisoner a blanket.” lumiere announced, his smile growing.

techno growled lowly, meaning for it to be a warning to his attendings. they knew, however, he was simply embarrassed at being caught.

he stormed off, and the candelabra elbowed his partner gently. “he just showed he cares. perhaps they could be the one after all.” he whispered, and cogsworth nodded thoughtfully.

“i sure hope so.” he frowned, and lumiere frowned as well, both falling into a deep silence. all of the staff could feel it. each time a petal fell, it became harder and harder to move. they were becoming closer and closer to the real objects they were transfigured into.

nothing was more terrifying, but they had faith - particularly, faith in you.

they could only hope you should fall for the man underneath the bone mask.

for if you didn’t, they were out of time.

taglist: @dreamslittlebitch @victory-is-here @olivekenny @freakshow420 @thegeekisheere @yikes-buddy @idkwhatusernametohave @deadmansdoctor @p1gst3p @fromzeepewithlove @aikochan4859 @the-sky-writes @mxxnbees @morgan8or

reference pics have been added for my vision of beast/human techno, along with credits to the artists <3

a tale as old as time [technoblade]

welcome to a tale as old as time masterlist!

this series will be a c!technoblade x gender neutral reader spin on beauty and the beast. i will keep the word count up to date with each upload.

if all goes to plan, this will be updated once a week, but please be patient if i cannot get an update out immediately. i try to have everything written in advance but sometimes things come up. (also, i've never done a proper series before, so this is going to be a learning experience for me!!)

if you wish to be added to a taglist for this series, shoot me an ask! i'd be more than happy to add one to each chapter.

as always, feedback is very much appreciated! do not hesitate to message me with your thoughts on my work.

without further ado, please, be my guest!

prologue

chapter 1: the cursed kingdom

chapter 2: the beast has a heart?

more chapters tba

reference pics: beast!techno / human!techno [full credit to original artists, links to their twitters: insyndiar / sad-ist]

word count: 6.2k

chapter 3 [a tale as old as time]

chapter 3: destiny calls

“barely even friends then somebody bends unexpectedly.” -mrs. potts

series masterlist

you ran as fast as you could, occasionally glancing back in fears of seeing the beast trailing behind you. nothing but empty corridors and locked doors surrounded you, an echo of his menacing growl ricocheting off the crumbling walls. you had to keep running.

you turned left, right, left again. it was safe to say you were completely lost in the monstrous castle. had you already passed that shredded portrait, or was it simply one of thousands among the building? you couldn’t tell.

you were close to giving up, breath heavy as you finally spotted an open door among all the closed ones. you pushed yourself harder, sliding inside and slamming the door shut behind you. you heard distinct pounding on the door, and the infamous growl of the monster you were trying so desperately to escape.

you backed away from the door, freezing as you heard a soft voice echo. strangely enough, it didn’t sound like it was coming from anywhere around you. it sounded as though it was coming from inside your head, like your subconscious had developed a voice and began speaking to you.

“y/n..” it called once more, tearing your attention away from the door. your name was repeated over and over, gradually getting louder, and you darted your eyes around the room in a desperate attempt to find its source, evidently finding nothing.

the room was dark, the furniture hardly visible in the dim moonlight streaming in through the glass windows. your eyes finally fell on a small pedestal next to the balcony doors, squinting in an attempt to see it better. it was entrancing, and you felt drawn to it immediately.

your next moves were magnetic. the howls of the beast outside the door were drowned out, your focus set as you advanced towards the object. as you approached, you suddenly noted the glass case perched on the pedestal. inside stood a beautiful object, floating gracefully in its confined space. it looked completely out of place, much like yourself.

a single rose laid before you, but it was one unlike anything you’d ever seen. ruby red petals that sparkled and glowed sat before you, giving off a beautiful red hue that drowned the flower in an aura of importance.

what caught your eye, however, was the pile of lifeless, shriveled petals sitting on the platform. they shared the same ruby tint, but no glow was to be found. they looked like simple rose petals.

for some reason it left a sick feeling in your stomach.

“you can save them all.” the voice spoke suddenly. your gaze stayed trained on the glowing object in front of you, unable to tear yourself away. had someone walked in, they may have thought you were speaking to the flower itself. maybe subconsciously, you were.

“save who?” you whispered.

“lumiere, cogsworth, and plumette.. even technoblade. you can save them all. it is your destiny, my dear.”

“but how? my destiny? i’m just a prisoner-” you asked, far past the point of caring about where the voice came from. now, you wanted answers.

“only time will tell. and unfortunately, our time is up. i must go. do not forget what i’ve told you, child. you’re their only hope.”

“wait!” you called, panicked. “wait, what do i need to do?”

you gasped, shooting awake with a start. throwing a hand over your racing heart, you closed your eyes and tried to calm your breathing. “it was all just a dream.” you muttered, relieved.

“what was a dream, dear?” a familiar voice called, and you turned to see the wardrobe, making out a face of concern in her features. you screamed, quickly stopping once she placed her arms over the place her ears once were. “why are you screaming?!” she asked, frantically.

you sat frozen, mind running a mile a minute. finally your reality came crashing down on you: you were still a prisoner in the beast’s castle. you sighed, rubbing a hand over your face and brushing off your fear. “sorry, madame.” you muttered sheepishly.

“you’re their only hope.”

you glanced at madame, watching as she occupied herself with tossing clothes every which way. as much as you wanted to brush it off as a bad dream, something about it felt far too real.

indulging yourself momentarily, you wondered what that could possibly mean, for them and for you.

it hadn’t really occurred to you before, too in shock of being held captive and saving your father, but now curiosity had slipped its way into your mind. what had really happened here?

a part of you wanted to ask, but the door flew open, effectively cutting off your train of thought. you looked in shock, mouth parted and eyes wide as you saw lumiere and cogsworth standing in the door frame, out of breath and panicked.

“we heard a scream!” lumiere huffed, looking around in fear. when he deduced there was no threat, he turned to you, seeing you still in bed. if candelabras could blush, you were sure he’d have turned bright red. “oh! my apologies, uh, we’ll just go now!” he stumbled, shoving cogsworth and pulling the door closed behind him.

“how rude! i’ll have to tell plumette to have a word with him about knocking.” madam hummed, shaking her head in disapproval. “anyways, let’s get you dressed, shall we?”

“oh, you don’t have to do that-” you tried, but she tsked.

“you will not be wearing the same clothes as when you arrived. they’re filthy! please, i insist. plus, i haven’t had the chance to dress anyone in ages!” she pleaded. you sighed in defeat, moving from the warmth of the bed to standing in front of her. “how do you-” you started, but were quickly surprised as she flung open her drawers and began rummaging through, clothes being thrown every which way in the blink of an eye.

she held a variety of different clothes in front of you, testing them out before either putting them in a pile of ‘potential yes’ or a pile of ‘definitely no’s. you were told to try some on, and finally she had settled on an outfit probably an hour later.

by the end you were far too exhausted and starving to care what you were given. you wordlessly slipped on the clothes she offered, moving to glance at your appearance in the mirror.

you had to admit, she definitely knew a thing or two about style. had it not been for your messy hair and the dark bags under your eyes, you might’ve actually looked like you belonged in the castle.

your stomach growled, berating you for not feeding it and you sighed, making your way towards the door. “where are you going?” madame asked, curiously. you opened the door and peered out into the silent hallway.

“i’m hungry, and i don’t see anyone rushing to bring food up here, so i’d like to go get some.” you shrugged. she gave you a disapproving look, but gave in nonetheless.

“if you insist..” she sighed, proceeding to give detailed instructions. you listened intently. a shiver ran down your spine at the idea of getting lost in this huge castle. your mind flickered back to your dream, but you shook it off, not wanting to think into it any more.

“it is your destiny.”

as you descended the stairs, you caught the attention of your earlier intruders. “what- what are you doing out of your room?” cogsworth asked, voice laced with panic. you gave him a ludicrous look, rolling your eyes.

“stop worrying so much! i’m just going to get something to eat.” you replied sarcastically, hardly sparing them another glance as you followed directions as instructed.

“but you can’t! not now, especially!” lumiere chimed, their small figures desperately trying to keep up with your large strides.

“yeah? and why not?” you sassed, and before you could question further, a loud growl emitted from a few doors down. you tensed, noting how scarily accurate your dream really had been.

“i asked for a refill! where is it?” techno’s raging voice rang through the halls. “is it really that hard to fetch me a drink?” you heard further grumbling, probably him berating a staff member personally.

your mind ran blank and a wave of mixed emotions washed over you. disgust, anger and shock blended into a dangerous fury of overwhelm. your body moved faster than your mind, and before you knew it you were slamming open the doors to the dining hall.

techno’s head shot up in shock, quickly turning to anger at his interrupted meal. the sight of you only seemed to amplify that anger. he opened his mouth to berate you, but you were quicker, and debatably in that moment, you were angrier than he was.

“how dare you speak to your staff like that?” you screamed, effectively silencing technoblade. whatever he was expecting you to say, it was far from that. “do you have any idea how hard they work for you? they may not be human, but you could at least treat them like they are!”

he said nothing. as the adrenaline calmed and your body began to relax, warning sirens began to blare in your mind. you’d just yelled at a beast who held you captive in a cursed castle.

as you simply stared at his perfectly postured figure, unmoving and expressionless, you suddenly didn’t feel quite so heroic.

then he stood, his chair carelessly scraping against the polished wood flooring. you swallowed heavily as he approached you, until his frame was towering over your own. you kept the best brave face you could manage, though you really weren’t sure how convincing it was. through his skull mask, you made out blood red eyes boring into your own. your gaze never faltered.

finally he leaned back, a barely visible smirk tugging at his lips, hidden behind the tusks and bone mask. he seemed almost satisfied. his next question took you completely off guard. “how would you treat them, then?”

you blinked once, twice. you repeated his words in your head, as though it was a foreign language you were trying to decode. his tone was meant to be intimidating, you were sure, although it didn’t come off as so. it was almost.. curious.

“well?” he questioned, straightening his back and showing his true height. you cleared your throat. you felt small under his gaze, and not just because of the height difference.

“i’d start by saying please.” you mumbled, and his floppy ears perked, indicating he heard you. you felt heat rise to your cheeks, but stood your ground, straightening your back as he had.

“yeah?” he prompted, clearly amused. his sarcasm irked you, and a sudden spur of distaste rose up in you before you could stop it.

“yeah. you know, just because you look like a beast doesn’t mean you have to act like one!”

the room fell silent, all the workers halting their motions. you could hear a pin drop. you barely dared to breathe, much less leave the room, which realistically, is what you should’ve done.

you weren’t sure how long you stood there in the silence, likely a few minutes at most, but it felt like hours as you stood petrified, waiting for him to do something. anything.

“.. perhaps then you should show me how to treat my staff and to not ‘act like a beast’. you can show me at dinner, i'll see you then.” with that, he immediately left the room with a sweep of his cape, and the door slammed behind him.

the workers instantly began to light up, squealing excitedly about something you couldn’t quite understand. you could’ve sworn you heard the words ‘save us!’, but that could easily have been your mind playing tricks on you from the night prior. you weren’t really listening, anyways.

you were focused on the fact you weren’t just torn to shreds. and rather, that you were invited to dinner with the man - the monster - holding you captive. part of you was scared, but the other part.. simply wasn’t.

you were pulled from your state of shock by a gentle tugging on your clothes. you looked down to see a small teacup beaming up at you, jumping up and down excitedly.

“hi! i’m chip! can i get you something to eat? please?” he asked, smiling brightly. you noted how young he sounded, and fought the urge to frown. instead you smiled politely, nodding and allowing him to show you to a seat and for the staff to bring you a simple breakfast.

you ate quickly, desperate to get somewhere quiet to process everything without the commotion from the staff. they seemed extra willing to help you, as though they knew something you didn’t. you brushed it off as them being grateful for standing up for you.

you placed down your cutlery, thanking each of them and dismissing yourself, eager to finish and head back to your room.

in your frantic rush, you failed to notice a shriveled rose petal sitting idly next to technoblade’s abandoned plate.

a shriveled rose petal that happened to look exactly like the one from your dream.

taglist: @dreamslittlebitch @victory-is-here @olivekenny @freakshow420 @thegeekisheere @yikes-buddy @idkwhatusernametohave @deadmansdoctor @p1gst3p @fromzeepewithlove @aikochan4859 @the-sky-writes @mxxnbees @morgan8or @natsueyama @yoongi-holland @coolleviauchihadreamerlove @cutiebear45​ @penquinsarecool​

I don't know if this has been asked before but if it hasn't I was wondering if "tale as old as time" is more inspired by the original or the live action

so sorry if this has already been asked

it hasn’t been asked, don’t worry!! i’d say in terms of writing im following the original more just because it fits a bit better with my idea of techno and y/n and what i envisioned for the story :)