The Demon and the Maiden
It was time for the city of Riddleport to offer its very first sacrifice to the demon lord.
No one could say that they were all that easy with the creature that had claimed the town for his own, and deemed it to be under his 'protection'. The goblins, orcs, and other assorted nasties that had harried the citizens for years now left the port city well alone, and there were rumors that those criminals who sought to rob or kill often met with grisly ends at the demon lord's hands. He had brought peace of a sorts to the town, and no one could deny that life was better.
But that better life came at a price. Every year, he'd commanded, they were to bring him a sacrifice. And for this first year, that sacrifice had to be a maiden. 'Choose well,' he'd warned them. 'If she displeases me, I will destroy this town and every life within it for your lack of gratitude.'
It had been fairly easy for the town to decide which girl would be presented to the demon lord. Orihime was young and pretty, and what was more, she had no upper-class standing, and no family to speak for her. She lived alone in a small hovel ever since the passing of her older brother. With no money and no connections, she wouldn't be missed.
She was bathed and dressed in fine garments of white, finer than anything she'd ever worn before, and then she was ushered down the street with her hands tied behind her back. There was really no reason for the binding except for ceremony -- Orihime hadn't offered any resistance when she'd been taken from her home. The reasons she'd been selected had been made clear to her, and as frightened as she was at the prospect of being offered to a demon, she had to admit that the reasons were good ones. Someone had to go, after all.
As they drew closer to the town square, Orihime felt her anxiety starting to fall away, replaced with resignation. Her hands no longer shook. Whatever happened, happened, and though she certainly wasn't looking forward to her fate, at least it was for a good cause, right? That was better than wasting away with an incurable illness, or being gutted for a handful of coins. Of course, getting eaten wasn't exactly her idea of a nice way to go...if, indeed, that was what the demon wanted with her. (Why wouldn't it be?)
They brought her up to the dais, one of the guards turning her about to face the assembled crowd with a firm hand on her shoulder. He looked at her with apologetic sympathy, so she put on a faint smile for his sake. No one really liked this, but it had to be done. How could she hold a grudge for that?
(OOC: Because romance needs more ACTION! Multiple options offered here. You can play the part of the hero that either runs off with Orihime, and/or fights the demon. OR, you can be the demon himself, who might or might not actually be a pretty decent guy if that's the case, who possibly took pity on Orihime's circumstances and plans to take her to his castle for a nice cushy (possibly romantic) life. It's up to you, go nuts!)
No one could say that they were all that easy with the creature that had claimed the town for his own, and deemed it to be under his 'protection'. The goblins, orcs, and other assorted nasties that had harried the citizens for years now left the port city well alone, and there were rumors that those criminals who sought to rob or kill often met with grisly ends at the demon lord's hands. He had brought peace of a sorts to the town, and no one could deny that life was better.
But that better life came at a price. Every year, he'd commanded, they were to bring him a sacrifice. And for this first year, that sacrifice had to be a maiden. 'Choose well,' he'd warned them. 'If she displeases me, I will destroy this town and every life within it for your lack of gratitude.'
It had been fairly easy for the town to decide which girl would be presented to the demon lord. Orihime was young and pretty, and what was more, she had no upper-class standing, and no family to speak for her. She lived alone in a small hovel ever since the passing of her older brother. With no money and no connections, she wouldn't be missed.
She was bathed and dressed in fine garments of white, finer than anything she'd ever worn before, and then she was ushered down the street with her hands tied behind her back. There was really no reason for the binding except for ceremony -- Orihime hadn't offered any resistance when she'd been taken from her home. The reasons she'd been selected had been made clear to her, and as frightened as she was at the prospect of being offered to a demon, she had to admit that the reasons were good ones. Someone had to go, after all.
As they drew closer to the town square, Orihime felt her anxiety starting to fall away, replaced with resignation. Her hands no longer shook. Whatever happened, happened, and though she certainly wasn't looking forward to her fate, at least it was for a good cause, right? That was better than wasting away with an incurable illness, or being gutted for a handful of coins. Of course, getting eaten wasn't exactly her idea of a nice way to go...if, indeed, that was what the demon wanted with her. (Why wouldn't it be?)
They brought her up to the dais, one of the guards turning her about to face the assembled crowd with a firm hand on her shoulder. He looked at her with apologetic sympathy, so she put on a faint smile for his sake. No one really liked this, but it had to be done. How could she hold a grudge for that?
(OOC: Because romance needs more ACTION! Multiple options offered here. You can play the part of the hero that either runs off with Orihime, and/or fights the demon. OR, you can be the demon himself, who might or might not actually be a pretty decent guy if that's the case, who possibly took pity on Orihime's circumstances and plans to take her to his castle for a nice cushy (possibly romantic) life. It's up to you, go nuts!)