BONUS ROUND 3 - GENRE FICTION

[a1c0bb]

this round is about writing prompts inspired by genre fiction, aka fantasy, crime, romance, horror, or sci-fi!

to submit a prompt or fill, reply to this post!

Fills can be in any format, and you can fill any prompt (even if it's your own or your teammates)!

for your prompt post title, please use the following format:
PROMPT: TEAM [TEAM NAME]
if you are participating as a vote-only member, use this format:
PROMPT: VOTER

for your fill  post title, please use the following format:
FILL: TEAM [TEAM NAME]
if you are participating as a vote-only member, use this format:
FILL: VOTER

Comments

PROMPT: TEAM FARCILLE

[mozaikmage]

"What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"

FILL: VOTER

[miyukitty]

WC: 797
fire emblem fates, azura x peri

Few households in Windmire, even amongst nobility, can boast of owning a proper oven. Most meals can be cooked in a fireplace or over an outdoor fire pit, after all, and the space and manpower required to maintain the temperature of a wood burning oven relegates them mainly to bakeries and castles.

Azura was mildly surprised, then, to watch Peri hike up her petticoats and rake the burning embers out of the galley stove herself, like she'd been doing it her whole life. “Did you perchance apprentice at a bakery, before becoming Lord Xander's retainer?” she asks curiously, perched on the counter with her legs dangling. “You seem well practiced at this.”

Peri's candyfloss hair bobs as she chortles at the idea. “No, silly! I just learned all my baking at home. The mansion has a biiig kitchen, and I spent tons of time there. Everyone liked my treats so much, I just kinda kept making 'em!”

“Most nobles don't know how to feed themselves, nor do they make any serious effort to learn.” Azura hides an amused smile behind her hand. “I wouldn't starve on my own, but I can't do what you do. Baking is... methodical. One must memorize every step in order, and master the timing, or risk ruining the entire batch. It's a challenge.”

“It's fun! I like cooking! Almost as much as I like killing,” Peri grins cheerfully. She spins the rake like it's her spear, jabbing several thrusts into midair. “Lord Xander is great because he lets me do both!”

Azura's smile fades. Peri comes from wealth and privilege, but she can hunt, ride, and fight like a brawler. She's well suited for the role she was given. To protect the crown prince of Nohr, who receives daily attempts on his life, Peri's innate lack of empathy can only be seen as a boon.

Azura's gaze drops down to her own hands, hands which never used to have calluses from a naginata. Nohr may have hardened her body and her resolve to survive, but Azura's soft and grieving heart still struggles to find its home here.

She's not like Peri. Empathy will be the death of her.

“Well... You're more domestic than I imagined, given your... temperament... on the battlefield,” Azura murmurs softly.

“Are you making fun of me?” Peri settles the soot-streaked rake by the oven door, then wipes the sweat from her forehead. Her lace and bows look a little wilted as she pouts at Azura, petulant and childish as is her way. “I like making people happy with treats, that's all. They all look at me funny, and think I'm weird, but they usually like my sweets. Sometimes they're a little nicer to me once I give them stuff.”

“Castle Krakenburg is a lonely, isolating place, and I know the sting of its rejection well,” Azura admits, hopping gracefully from the counter to the floor. Her bare feet pad across the stone tiles as she draws even with Peri, reaching up to fix the angle of her crooked bow. “I want to learn more about the Peri who works hard to put smiles on people's faces, who likes baking cakes and cookies as gifts, who wears the cutest ribbons and dresses every day just to feel pretty. Show me more of your softer side. I happen to like it.”

Peri's cheeks flush pink, and she giggles, high-pitched and pleased. “You like me? Really?” she asks hopefully. “But you're so pretty and cool!”

“Does that surprise you so much?” Azura asks, letting her palm drop to cup Peri's cheek. “I thought I was being quite obvious. I don't spend time with just anyone, you know. Me requesting your company at all means I must like you very much.”

“Oh, wow,” Peri flusters, beaming from ear to ear. “You didn't even let me make the cake yet! I was gonna make it pink and draw hearts on it and everything. But you like me anyway, even before I baked you stuff?”

Azura leans forward, pressing her lips to Peri's forehead in a chaste kiss.

“Indeed,” Azura confirms, with a shy smile. “You don't need to bribe me to make me like you, Peri. You have an earnest, stubborn charm about you that makes you unique. You don't care about status or reputation, and neither do I. As a fellow outcast, I'd like to spend more time with you, as long as you want that, too.”

“I do, I do, I do!” Peri cheers. She flings her arms around Azura and drags her into an enthusiastic hug. “I like you so, so much, Azura, my heart is beating like crazy fast right now! We'll spend lots and lots of time together! I promise, I won't ever let you be lonely again!”