This is the Poppy of good luck! She only appears once a year, to grace us with bouncing curls and unpredictable, world-ending shenanigans! Like to receive her blessing (the blessing smells like a bakery).
In theory I don’t dislike hobbits… I hardly knew they existed until quite recently. I only wish they had more respect for private property.
…And nonsense, my cousin adores me! If I stop lavishing him with attention for more than a week, he invents some silly reason to come flopping about on my doorstep! He’d be bored and soggy without me, and he knows it.
“EXCUSE YOU!”
—And of course there are some hobbits I get along with famously! Please don’t stop my muffin delivery service it’s lonely in this crater I need comfort food…
Poppy
was aware of the fact that she was not alone, and had not been for some
time now, though she had hoped that simply ignoring the shadowy
presence would be enough. The halfling had pretended not to notice the
dark figure that followed her as she went about her day, that she had
not heard the whispering attempts to converse with her, and she was
somewhat heartened that her efforts seemed to be paying off, as the
attempts slowed considerably.
However, she could not ignore
the sooty fingers that combed through her curls as she sat curled up on
her favorite chair. She blinked up at a smiling face, being made much
more receptive and pliable from the simple touch.
“I do not
like it when you ignore me,” a silky voice purred in her ear, bringing a
flush of pink to her cheeks as the fingers continued to tangle through
her hair.
I SOMEHOW MISSED THIS IN MY TAGS AAAAAAAA 8′U
It’s so impolite to ignore your evil spectral shadow guest! I made tea and everything…
*eyes package warily, unsure whether to be curious about a surprise present or deeply concerned that there’s BEEN A HOBBIT IN THE FORGE WITHOUT HIM KNOWING IT*
DID SOMEONE SAY SILMSELFIES? CAN I PLAY TOOOOO?
POPSTERS YOU ARE NATURALLY IN CHARACTER ALL THE TIME XD ❤
and Sauron approves very much of The Darth on your shirt >w>`
{……………and whyyyy does Sauron need armor? Do I need to hide some Hobbitses? 😛 }
Oh dear… I feel like… someone needs to explain the facts of life to Poppy??? ;w; sweet pea darling he’s a dark lord, sugar bunches honey pie, he usually wears armor, and yes probably most hobbits need to be hidden from him very quickly this is how it normally works it’s only in the last 1/8th of his career that this no longer applies my petite cinnamon bun come to me and put your innocent head in my lap and hold this kitten
I did not expect to feel shame in my current state. There is so little of me left, and yet it proved not immune to kindness. Do not blame yourself for what is to come— If there were any force left in Arda that were capable of staying me from this course, it would have been that kindness; unexpected, simple, and given in innocence, as is your way in life.
Once this path was aflame with desire; then vengeance, then hatred, and finally, after all feeling had cooled in me, simply habit. Now I think it is the only purpose left to me. I cannot remember now how you became entangled in my schemes to end the story I helped begin… but if there were a way now to complete it without your sacrifice, I would spare you. But perhaps you will make the death of the world more poignant than just the extinguishing of ancient, wretched Shadow that no one will mourn.
At the very least, I will remember you, till I can remember no more. I am sorry.
“But if you were given the chance, would you do such things again?” Poppy asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Who can be certain of anyone’s character? Certainty is an illusion. Trust is always a matter of faith.”
A whisper of a sigh ruffled the curls on Poppy’s head. “There is only one question that matters to me: do YOU trust me? And if you do not, Poppy, then why is it you continue to return to my side? Why do you ask me to confirm or deny your friends’ doubts?”
The Shadow peered down into the halfling’s eyes with empty hollows. “Do you, Poppy, believe I am not worthy of trust? Do you too begrudge me a new beginning?”
“I….” The halfling hesitated, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. Did she trust him? Could she trust him? Somewhere deep down, Poppy very much wanted to. Despite the repeated, insistent warnings of her friends, he had never done anything to give her cause to doubt him, nor his motives.
“I very much want to trust you,” She admitted quietly, her gaze lowering to the floor. “You have never given me reason not to, not yet, at least.”
“I wish never to give you reason to doubt.” The Shadow smiled, such as it was able.
“My dear flower…” Fingers twined in her curling hair. “You cannot know how I treasure your innocence; I who am so acquainted with fear and the harvest of traitors. Your heart is a compass pointing to all things honest and kind–”
The Shadow broke off his words, as if he had over-spoken. The hand paused its stroking, coming forward to raise the halfling’s round little chin. “You and that compass are my best hope in this world. I would never harm you."
“But if you were given the chance, would you do such things again?” Poppy asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Ah, not everyone is as wise nor as forgiving as you are, sweet flower…” The Shadow retreated somewhat with a bow. “And many of the elder races have long histories, wherein my name is passed down as a warning. Elves especially are not wont to forgive old crimes… their fear and hatred of me will be long in the forgetting. But you!” One long finger curled under Poppy’s chin. “You are young, and generous, and understanding. You are not bitter with inherited woes, or timeless sorrow. That is what makes you so precious, little one… You are different. Your heart is bigger than your stature.”
Poppy was still largely suspicious, but was beginning to soften considerably. “Still though,” she said, fingers fidgeting with her skirts as she took a cautious step back from his reach. “How can I know that I am able to trust you? With so many telling me that you are not worthy of trusting, and not only those of elvenkind, how can I know for certain that your intentions are honest and good?”
"Who can be certain of anyone’s character? Certainty is an illusion. Trust is always a matter of faith.”
A whisper of a sigh ruffled the curls on Poppy’s head. “There is only one question that matters to me: do YOU trust me? And if you do not, Poppy, then why is it you continue to return to my side? Why do you ask me to confirm or deny your friends’ doubts?"
The Shadow peered down into the halfling’s eyes with empty hollows. "Do you, Poppy, believe I am not worthy of trust? Do you too begrudge me a new beginning?"
What, Poppy? I would cut her loose immediately and find who had dared to accost a guest of mine and rain hell upon them! …Unless she had simply tangled herself in the knitting again. Then I would roll her into a basket and let her rethink her choices.
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