Miss Hunter

A fantasy inspired AU with @awaited-wish  featuring princess! Marina and princess! Tella

The annual Royal games were nothing more than a chance for noble from every kingdom to compete for favor and riches from the crown. However, every 25 years, a larger edition was hosted to determine the future monarchs of the nation. The Princess Trials. Or as it was known in lower circles, the Quarter Quell, due to the unique cruel trials and high mortality rate of its participants. 

In the middle of the night, Tella crept across the courtyard to the rooms on the other side of the yard. Her blonde hair had been carefully braided back and tucked under a black hood to match the rest of her all black attire. It was a change from her usual blue gown flowing around her with every stride, but time was of the essence. Her sapphire blue eyes glimmered with determination as she paused by the edge of a rock garden.

Spotting the designated window, she knelt and gathered a few small pebbles before tossing them up to the second story against the glass. Plink. Plink. Plink. When she saw no movement beyond, she squared her shoulders and climbed up the large tree nearby. The bark scraped against her hands as she reached for the vines on the balcony to drag herself over.

Landing in a crouch, she froze when she saw the specks of crimson dotting the pavement. Her hand shot to the dagger at her waist, the trials hadn't started yet and already blood was being shed. Before she could study it anymore, she heard the rustle of fabric from within. Her head shot up as she made eye contact with the one she had been looking for, her hands quickly raising in a placating gesture.

"I'm not your enemy. Though I understand why you'd think otherwise. I found blood on your balcony. Whose was it?"

Tella's eyes widened at Marina's words, swallowing thickly at the implication. Even in her distant kingdom, she had heard about the supposed star crossed lovers. If the stories were true, the poisoned berries had nearly been past their lips before the Trials were called to stop.

"I'm not sure if the others would agree to take that gamble. But, I would. Something has to stop. Especially with so much bloodshed in the past, I don't want any more people to be hurt."

With a sigh, she glanced back at the countless tomes. Though they had made progress, this careful research could be tedious. Returning her focus to Marina, she offered a gentle smile to her new friend.

"I'm glad we are doing this. The more we know, the better. Shall we go see if the others have learned anything?"

Her gaze followed Tella's and she felt the overwhelming weight of the full history of the Trials bearing down on them. It was simply too much for two people to search through. "We can share what we've learned for now, and come back later. Maybe the others will have a few leads we could follow. It doesn't make sense to just blindly dig. We'll never get through it all."

She gathered up the scrolls, tucked them neatly back in their cubbies and glanced around to ensure they hadn't left anything else lying where it shouldn't be. Then they left the archives behind and made their way back to the dining hall.

A few months after Tella and Marina discovered a modified amber protocore hidden in an abandoned warehouse during their routine patrol of No Hunt Zone 5, they were assigned a follow up mission to investigate further.

Continuation of this thread with @muses-in-my-mind dividers

"You're my lucky charm! We are going to have the best day."

With one final squeeze, shed pulled back to retrieve Minty Scoops from the claw machine chute and put it carefully next to Grump Crow. Spotting the baskets set out by the arcade for the patrons to use to put prizes in, she quickly grabbed a pair before offering one to Marina. Carefully setting her own two plushies inside, she gave each a small pat on the head before tucking the basket handle into the crook of her arm.

(for 🦋 Tella of course 😘)

Tella sat crossed legged on her beach towel, her blue cover up rippling from the salty sea breeze. She couldn't help but sigh as Marina's fingers worked through her blonde hair to coax it into a braid. After a day of swimming in the ocean before relaxing under their large beach umbrella, Tella was scrolling through her phone to look up what time the sun would set.

Tella smiled brightly, laughing happily as she studied the test pictures. Quickly checking that OTTO was in the proper position, she double checked her phone.

'So we have two minutes until the sunset is going to be in the ideal spot in the background. I figure we can just do all these same poses so we have options?"

Grabbing her phone, she scrolled through the filters she saved for anytime she took pictures.

"I use this one for myself since it makes you looks like you're glowing. But since this is actually golden hour, we might not even need a filter on the pictures."

Setting her phone back down on her bag, she smoothed her braid over her shoulder to show off Marina's handiwork for the picture and adjusted her blue beach cover up.

Marina smoothed down her own ponytail, tucking a few flyaway strands back into the twist. Glancing out over the horizon, she marveled at the beautiful wash of pinks and golds painting the sky, reflected and refracted in the water. It felt like they'd stepped into a fairytale. She turned to look at Tella as she checked in.

A fantasy inspired AU with @awaited-wish  featuring princess! Marina and princess! Tella

The annual Royal games were nothing more than a chance for noble from every kingdom to compete for favor and riches from the crown. However, every 25 years, a larger edition was hosted to determine the future monarchs of the nation. The Princess Trials. Or as it was known in lower circles, the Quarter Quell, due to the unique cruel trials and high mortality rate of its participants. 

In the middle of the night, Tella crept across the courtyard to the rooms on the other side of the yard. Her blonde hair had been carefully braided back and tucked under a black hood to match the rest of her all black attire. It was a change from her usual blue gown flowing around her with every stride, but time was of the essence. Her sapphire blue eyes glimmered with determination as she paused by the edge of a rock garden.

Spotting the designated window, she knelt and gathered a few small pebbles before tossing them up to the second story against the glass. Plink. Plink. Plink. When she saw no movement beyond, she squared her shoulders and climbed up the large tree nearby. The bark scraped against her hands as she reached for the vines on the balcony to drag herself over.

Landing in a crouch, she froze when she saw the specks of crimson dotting the pavement. Her hand shot to the dagger at her waist, the trials hadn't started yet and already blood was being shed. Before she could study it anymore, she heard the rustle of fabric from within. Her head shot up as she made eye contact with the one she had been looking for, her hands quickly raising in a placating gesture.

"I'm not your enemy. Though I understand why you'd think otherwise. I found blood on your balcony. Whose was it?"

While Marina had moved towards the older scrolls, Tella had found herself standing in front of a large book. With a trembling exhale, she carefully flipped open the gilded tome and frowned.

"I found something, but it might not be good. It's a book dedicated to the memory of fallen Tributes and what they went through. I suppose now the trials are more tame since the end result is to find a ruler. You only get removed if you are seriously injured."

Her teeth lightly worried her lower lip as she scanned the page before glancing over her shoulder at Marina.

(for 🦋 Tella of course 😘)

Tella sat crossed legged on her beach towel, her blue cover up rippling from the salty sea breeze. She couldn't help but sigh as Marina's fingers worked through her blonde hair to coax it into a braid. After a day of swimming in the ocean before relaxing under their large beach umbrella, Tella was scrolling through her phone to look up what time the sun would set.

Tella confessed as she tapped a few buttons to instruct OTTO to scan them to ensure they would be in frame before stepping back besides Marina. Glancing over her shoulder at the sun, she stepped a few feet back to the left.

After OTTO was set to record, she stepped closer to Tella and smiled happily at the lens, body angled slightly towards her friend, one hand on her hip. After a few seconds, she nodded at Tella and adjusted her stance, putting her arm around her waist in a hug and tilting her head towards her slightly.

A few months after Tella and Marina discovered a modified amber protocore hidden in an abandoned warehouse during their routine patrol of No Hunt Zone 5, they were assigned a follow up mission to investigate further.

Continuation of this thread with @muses-in-my-mind dividers

Tella praised as she returned to the joystick and carefully maneuvered the claw over Minty Scoops. Crossing the first two fingers of her free hand, she exhaled in preparation before hesitating.

"Okay, moment of truth, it looks like you've got it... Just hang on a little longer!" Marina said, cheering Tella on as the claw made its way back. She found herself holding her breath...

He watches her stalk off to the retrieve a new pack of cigarettes, which are promptly snatched from her hands and shoved into his coat pocket. They'll at least fare a little better in there, than in his back pocket. Can't be too rough on a gift. Even if it is a fucking lame one. "Yeah, thanks, I'm six to midnight over here," he drawls, then snatches her by the hand to pull her close.

His arm hooks around her neck as he drags her along to the door, his cheeks pressed almost intimately to hers when he tells her: "You got a real funny way of showing gratitude, you know. But it's okay. So do I." The night air's just cool enough to be bracing, and certainly less stuffy than the stale, dank heaviness of the bar, but Viper's fusty cigarette burns unpleasantly malodorous between them.

...and then he yanked her against himself into something of a half-embrace and she felt every muscle in her body stiffen in shock. His breath came hot as he spoke, but his cheek was cold. Unnervingly so. She didn't know what to think, which she didn't have time for anyway, as he soon took off, forcing her to match his brisk pace.

When they reached their destination, she was panting heavily, having practically run the entire way to keep up with him, the fog of her breath lingering between them in the cold night air. She hadn't listened to a thing he'd said along the way, so when he pointed out the crumpled heap of a man in the gutter, she stared blankly down at him for a good minute before realizing who he was.

Continuation of Meteor Shower / Hotpot Date at Xavier’s Apartment

(with @awaited-wish — original post if you’d like to catch up)

👉🏻⭐️ dividers

When she talked about sitting closer… running her fingers through his hair… kissing him… His hand slowed. Her fingers tracing circles against his chest didn’t help. It made his heartbeat more noticeable beneath her hand.

The smile didn't leave her lips as he continued envisioning the scenario, his fond expression filling her with warm affection. She yielded to him as he drew her closer, lifting her chin to maintain eye contact. "I'm glad to have you by my side."

Shifting slightly against him, she bit her lip as she felt another sharp jolt of pain that brought her back to the present. "Would you mind helping me with the bandage? I think it's time. I'm not sure I can stay awake for much longer."

A fantasy inspired AU with @awaited-wish  featuring princess! Marina and princess! Tella

The annual Royal games were nothing more than a chance for noble from every kingdom to compete for favor and riches from the crown. However, every 25 years, a larger edition was hosted to determine the future monarchs of the nation. The Princess Trials. Or as it was known in lower circles, the Quarter Quell, due to the unique cruel trials and high mortality rate of its participants. 

In the middle of the night, Tella crept across the courtyard to the rooms on the other side of the yard. Her blonde hair had been carefully braided back and tucked under a black hood to match the rest of her all black attire. It was a change from her usual blue gown flowing around her with every stride, but time was of the essence. Her sapphire blue eyes glimmered with determination as she paused by the edge of a rock garden.

Spotting the designated window, she knelt and gathered a few small pebbles before tossing them up to the second story against the glass. Plink. Plink. Plink. When she saw no movement beyond, she squared her shoulders and climbed up the large tree nearby. The bark scraped against her hands as she reached for the vines on the balcony to drag herself over.

Landing in a crouch, she froze when she saw the specks of crimson dotting the pavement. Her hand shot to the dagger at her waist, the trials hadn't started yet and already blood was being shed. Before she could study it anymore, she heard the rustle of fabric from within. Her head shot up as she made eye contact with the one she had been looking for, her hands quickly raising in a placating gesture.

"I'm not your enemy. Though I understand why you'd think otherwise. I found blood on your balcony. Whose was it?"

Tella nodded in agreement with Marina's thoughts before surveying the group. For the way Sylvia caught Cailan's arm their partnership had already been decided as they sketched out a makeshift map on a spare napkin. Once her gaze landed on Raphaelle, she exhaled softly.

"I know your Advisor only survived by hiding, but he could have heard or seen things that might help us through the next trials. If this year is meant to be a homage or tribute to the past events, any information we can glean would help."

Raphaelle hummed her agreement, her eyes flicking down to the tome in her hands before handing it to Tella.

"I'll ask mine if you ask yours. As I recall, he has a soft spot for you."

With a swish of her gown, Raphaelle walked past Tella and out the door. Tella blinked briefly in surprise before clearing her throat.

"As long as you don't slow me down. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have access to that brain of yours." Xaviera agreed begrudgingly.

"Then it's me and you and the archives," Marina said, linking her arm with Tella's. "We'll see you both at breakfast tomorrow."

A few months after Tella and Marina discovered a modified amber protocore hidden in an abandoned warehouse during their routine patrol of No Hunt Zone 5, they were assigned a follow up mission to investigate further.

Continuation of this thread with @muses-in-my-mind dividers

Tella laughed happily, clasping her hands together as Marina held her much adored plushie close. Her razor sharp focus once again returned to the Minty Scoops, trying to think tactically about how to get it.

"That might be the trick. Right now it is slanted on a mountain of plushies, and the prongs of the claw won't be able to firmly grasp it. Maybe you can give it a little nudge and I can try to resonate with the claw to enhance it? Maybe? It's worth a try. Otherwise we'll use all our coins for one machine."

With one glance over her shoulder to make sure no wandering eyes were upon them, she exhaled softly and closed her eyes. Focusing on the joystick, she tried to sense the claw. With an exhale, what felt like waves from her resonance evol flowed through her fingers as the claw shifted slightly.

She turned her gaze to the plush, staring it down as she focused on sending a small energy pulse towards it. Too weak and it'd be ineffective. Too strong and the plexiglass surrounding the machine would almost certainly shatter. A ripple moved through the air, parting the plushies like the proverbial sea, the glass vibrating slightly. She sucked in a breath as the energy dissipated, giving Tella a sheepish look.

(for 🦋 Tella of course 😘)

Tella sat crossed legged on her beach towel, her blue cover up rippling from the salty sea breeze. She couldn't help but sigh as Marina's fingers worked through her blonde hair to coax it into a braid. After a day of swimming in the ocean before relaxing under their large beach umbrella, Tella was scrolling through her phone to look up what time the sun would set.

Tella watched OTTO hover near one spot close to where the waves met the shore, a series of beeps signaling that this location had the highest change for dolphins. With a slow pace, she began to walk over.

"Mermaid tail? Probably light blue with a lilac sheen. And I think seashells and pearls would be my ideal aesthetic. Anything you can gather just by walking along the beach."

Pausing by the shoreline, she studied the calm water for a moment before beginning to hum. A simple melody that she learned as a child that always seemed to summon wildlife. Sometimes it was bluebirds outside her bedroom window, other times it was a squirrel in the park. A delighted laugh fell from her as she watched a dolphin leap through the air before disappearing under the waves.

"Look! I summoned it!"

Unexpected Guest at Grandma’s House

( @awaited-wish as MC )

The Bloomshore District had that soft, lived in kind of charm. Sea air drifting between narrow streets, flower boxes leaning a little too far over wrought iron railings, and the faint hum of someone always baking something sweet a few doors down.

Grandma Josephine’s house stood like it always did. Warm paint, slightly uneven shutters, and a front step that creaked in exactly the same place every time.

After reaching for the gate latch… you could see a pair of shoes on the porch. Men’s shoes. Polished. Military neat. Before you could even process it, the door opened.

And there he was.

Caleb.

(apple dividers)

When she steps away, he lets her. His hand lingers for just a second longer at her side before dropping, a quiet reminder that this new thing between them doesn’t mean he’s going to suddenly stop being himself.

Then she mentions the spectacle. His eyes sweep around the market. The tanghulu vendor very obviously pretending not to have noticed anything. A couple of teenagers nearby whispering and giggling before immediately looking away when he notices. Caleb’s brow lifts. “…Yeah. We might’ve made the strawberry stand more memorable than the strawberries.”

Then she offers to let him choose. His expression shifts. Just enough that she can tell he’s thinking. Because this is Caleb. Of course he doesn’t immediately pick something flashy. Instead, he glances deeper into the market, toward the rows of familiar stalls glowing under the summer lights. “Alright.” He reaches for her hand again. He threads their fingers together naturally, like he’s been allowed to stop pretending.

“My choice.” He starts walking, guiding her along. “Since you forced me to buy you candied fruit, I think I get compensation.” A glance back at her. That familiar, infuriating little smirk. “Fair’s fair.” He leads her toward a quieter row of stalls near the edge of the square, where handmade crafts and little games are set up. The kind of place they used to wander through when they were younger, spending hours without realizing how much time had passed.

As they passed through the stalls, her eyes wandered over handcrafted jewelry, clothing, cute little toys, and various games with their ridiculous prizes. She felt a warm nostalgia wash over her, and she was unable to resist leaning closer against him as they walked, bringing her other hand up to rest on his arm. Her actions seemed to grow bolder as the realization settled that the old boundaries no longer held her back.

When he stopped in front of the shooting booth, a smirk began to spread slowly across her lips. "Normally I'd say that's cheating, picking something that clearly favors you... But you're going to regret this decision. I'm a pretty good shot now," she said, her expression turning smug.

She paid for both of them and put her hand on the weapon in front of her station. "Ready to lose?" She teased, turning to the targets in front of her, fully shifting into competitive mode. At the signal, she began firing off shots, popping nearly every balloon on the first try. Her face was alight in pure glee, clearly finding a flow as she worked through the rest of her ammo.