#449 - Seige - Pure Imagination - Lightning_skies - Teen Wolf/Willy Wonka
Title: Pure Imagination
Fandom: Teen Wolf/Willy Wonka
Prompt: 449 - Seige
Words: 786
Warnings: Big Bang deadline has finally come and this fic is posted on AO3
Just as the last sliver of sun disappeared behind the castle, the drawbridge creaked and lowered itself down with the clanking and rattling of rusted chains. It thumped to the ground at the feet of the winners and they all stared down at it dubiously. The wood looked weak and rotted and not at all safe, despite the thick bands of metal holding the boards together. Jackson was the first one to work up the bravado to stride across the bridge, his nose held in the air as he refused to look weak in front of the gathered crowd. Mr. Whittemore hesitated for a moment as he heard the creaking spawned by his son's steps, but he donned his stereotypical stiff British lip and minced gingerly after his son. Lydia was next as she shrewdly calculated the load bearing capacity of the bridge and found it acceptable. The others trailed after her one by one and they congregated in front of the outer portcullis at the end of the bridge.
"Outer portcullis to keep people out, inner portcullis to trap invaders under the murder holes if they breach the outer." Stiles grabbed onto the iron gate and peered up under the wall. "Man, they went all out on the architecture. Very realistic."
"Murder holes?" Stiles jumped as Isaac Lahey spoke up right next to him. Kid was silent as a ninja.
"See those openings in the roof? They lead to the top of the wall and in the medieval days guards'd pour boiling water, acid or oil down on attackers from there."
"That's horrible." Stiles leaned back to see Scott McCall on the other side of Isaac looking like a kicked puppy as he stared up at the ceiling.
"Medieval warfare wasn't a pillowfight, dude." Stiles elaborated with glee, murder and mayhem was a passion of his. "It was gnarly stuff. Blood and guts and not enough medical care."
"I don't know why you're surprised," Lydia Martin interjected tossing her hair with distain. "The outer curtain walls had clearly visible machicolation between the corbel of the battlement… and they didn't use oil, it was too valuable a commodity to be wasted on enemies, especially during a siege."
Stiles stared at her in complete infatuation and chose to ignore his Dad's quiet ‘Oh, god. Here we go.’ from behind him. "You." He declared, "Are a Goddess amongst men."
She scrutinized him for a second before dismissing him and giving Isaac and Scott each the same critical once over. "Obviously." She flounced over to where Jackson was standing with his father, far enough away not to be associated with any of them.
Allison Argent spoke up from where she was standing on Stiles' other side with a musical accent. "This castle's architecture seems to be based in the early 12th century. Porte coulissant have been used since the middle ages but widespread use of meurtrière- um, you would say arrow slits?- wasn't until about then, but as we advanced into the 13th century it became much more common to see concentric castles than this stone keep style. It was much more tactically sound and allowed trained archers to pick off anyone stuck between the walls, rather than just drop things on them and hope for the best."
Stiles made a face, mouthing 'concentric castles' mockingly. He was used to being the smart and knowledgeable one. His friends back home were in awe of his tidbits of information and could never match him. He looked back at Scott and Isaac but they were both watching Allison with adoration, he had lost his audience. He crossed his arms with a huff.
"Look something's happening." Scott thrust his arm through the bars of the portcullis and pointed up at the castle across the courtyard. The tall iron doors of the factory creaked open by themselves with a long drawn out groan of protest.
"Wow, they are really playing up the horror movie vibe." Stiles mused. Noticing how pale Scott had gotten he laughed and clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, Scotty, I'll protect you from the big bad factory."
"I'm not afraid." Isaac piped up in a wavering voice, quickly side-eying his father who nodded at him in the most negligent approval Stiles had ever seen. "Only little kids are scared by stupid stuff like this."
"They're probably mechanized." Lydia was unimpressed. "Sliding and revolving doors are commonplace. I doubt you consider the local grocery store haunted when its doors open for you."
"It's no fun if you're not scared." Stiles declared, "Gives you a thrill."
"Whoo." Jackson intoned flatly. "Standing outside waiting for something to happen is SO thrilling."
Allison frowned at Jackson, "The doors opening is something happening."