A Cinderella AU RP thread with @dragonmasterhiccup
Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a kingdom just on the edge of an archipelago. It was peaceful, and the royal family was beloved by its citizens.
They were lucky. A war raged through the rest of the island nations, and it tore friends and family apart.
The Dragon’s Edge was just on the cusp of the archipelago, close enough to the mainland to pose a risk to any of the island nations foolish enough to attack. So The Dragon’s Edge avoided the bloodshed.
That didn’t mean it didn’t feel the effects of the war, though. Refugees arrived and sought asylum in King Axel’s kingdom.
It was a world Astrid was used to. The war started 15 years ago when she was young. It was practically a fact of life. She didn’t think of it much.
Currently, she sat in the breakfast hall, covertly watching the Hall Boy at work while pretending to read.
She didn’t know his name. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to know he existed. The Hall Boy was such a lowly position, it wasn’t becoming of a Princess like her to interact with him. In fact, he’d probably get in trouble if she tried to talk to him.
So she watched from a distance.
He’d been with the castle staff for years now. She couldn’t pinpoint when exactly, but at least since she was 15. That’s when she first noticed him.
He’d been there to bus a table after dinner, quietly and stealthily removing plates and glasses as everyone talked.
Then he tripped and flung a tub of dishes across the room to shatter on the floor. The trip had been comical, with limbs flailing in every direction and a loud “whooooop!” as he pinwheeled around.
It had been a dinner with guests, and her father, the King, looked just about ready to call for the Hall Boy’s execution.
But something stayed his hand. Instead, he barked, “clean up that mess! Now!”
The Hall Boy snapped to attention with a salute and quickly got to work cleaning up all the broken dishware.
He had her attention, but he caught her interest as he muttered to himself, “oh yeah King, I was just gonna leave it there on the floor. Thought it really brought the room together.”
The quip made her snort. No one had the audacity to talk like that around the royals, and it was surprisingly refreshing.
That was four years ago. Since then, Astrid started a subtle ritual. In the mornings, the Hall Boy was in charge of setting the breakfast table and lighting the fire. So she’d arrive early to watch him work, and listen for any more quiet quips. It was the only time she could reliably see him.
After his breakfast duties, who knew where he went. She’d see flashes of him around, usually covered in soot or dust and running with something in hand.
Such was the life of a Hall Boy.
She didn’t have a crush on him. Oh no, Astrid didn’t do crushes. No, she simply found him interesting. And the years of work had been kind to him, turning him from a scrawny little twig, to a handsome young man. As handsome as a Hall Boy could be in his tattered clothes.
*Alastor takes his last sip of his whiskey before gently setting the glass down on his coaster. The lounge wasn't his usual setting for relaxing with a drink but he couldn't exactly stumble across the opponent of his new game in his room, now could he?*
*And, quite literally, speak of the devil as Lucifer walks past the lounge. Alastor ignores his tail giving a slight wag of excitement, still hidden under his coat. He speaks without looking up from his glass on the table.*
[RP starter with @the-radio-ler taking place after @rosie-the-nibbler RP's with Lucifer!! (He's apologising finally)]
Lucifer had just arrived back at the hotel after his- talk, with Rosie. The king was still experiencing the phantom tickles from his (honestly well deserved) torture, definitely learning more about the Cannibal lady's capabilities and power within the overlord circle.
"Heavens above, I hope she doesn't do that to anyone who gets on her bad side," he mumbled to himself as he rubbed at his back to elevate the last of the tingles.
The seraphim knew what he needed to do, though he wasn't sure of the outcome. Sure, he felt really good about guessing one of Alastor's spots, but would the radio demon spare him the embarrassment of what transpired?
Maybe he could dance around what happened,,,,, but what if she found out he did? Oh that'd be the end of him, for SURE. He took a deep breath as he reached Alastor's quarters. This was going to be difficult, and potentially hurt his pride in the process.
“Whaaat? Of course it’s a good idea! When have I ever had a bad one? Wait, never mind. But trust me on this!”
“I don’t want to force him to forgive me.”
“You won’t! You’re just extending an apple branch.”
“… Isn’t the term ‘olive branch’?”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. You’ll be fine! Give him your gift and remember what we talked about.”
Sonic tosses a warp ring. A portal opens to the alternate Sonic and Shadow’s room. Shadow hesitates.
“… I don’t know if I—“
Shadow is suddenly pushed through the portal by a pair of blue arms. He lands flat on his face in the others’ room.
“Good luck bestie!! Byeee~!”
Shadow sputters and goes to pounce back, but the portal had closed already. Embarrassed and terrified, he turns around slowly, hoping he didn't interrupt the two at a bad time.
It happened so quickly-- just enough time for the gray femme to fend off the worst of the first attack…the rest was an awfully familiar blur. Brandishing the bladed gauntlets and ready to fight off… she was too far away for Fedelis’ and the others - the numb scent of damaged property and nauseating new scent of organic things being scorched.
Swallowing down the energon bleeding in her intake to avoid spitting it out inside her mask as she glowered down on the thing, twitching and flailing on the ground from the external and internal damage she gave it-- as it was trying to delay its demise by her servo.
“Tch,” That spilled more of her own fuel, but a small price compared to when she returned the favor. “It's always when my guard’s down…” She muttered to no one, raising her glowing blades before a crumble and thump…she fell down-- as her vision blared a red alarm before darkness.
