Fantasy Unorthodox Horde

[Hazbin_Transformers]

Vespera found herself walking toward the cabinet, her steps slow and almost reverent as she gazed at the intricate pieces within. They were beautiful, a collection that seemed to hold stories in every curve, every carefully carved line. There were bones, crystals, and furs—each piece more captivating than the last, each holding a mystery that drew her in. For a moment, her sadness seemed to melt away, but it lingered like a shadow just out of reach.



The quiet had settled between them again, and as she admired the artifacts, she realized that the brief flicker of sadness on her face had not gone unnoticed. Rhin had caught it—his perceptive eyes had seen the subtle shift in her expression. “They are beautiful though… I suppose a hoard in technicality is just a pile of things someone wants to keep from others and for themselves…. It may be different but they are absolutely gorgeous…” Her heart gave a small, unexpected twinge at that realization. She had always been able to guard her emotions well, but something about being in this space, surrounded by the fragments of Rhin’s world, made her vulnerable in a way she hadn’t anticipated.



She paused, the question hanging in the air like a weight she hadn’t expected to feel. Why did she want a piece of his hoard? For some reason, she couldn’t lie to him. The thought of it seemed impossible, as if the very idea of being untruthful in this moment would somehow tarnish the safe space she felt wrapped in. She took a deep breath, her eyes lowering for a brief moment as she gathered her thoughts.



"The kingdom," she began, her voice soft but steady, "it caused the death of my parents. My father died fighting for it, and my mother... she died from heartbreak, watching the one person she loved most being taken from her. I wasn’t enough for her apparently…. The kingdom took everything from me." The words, once spoken, hung in the air between them. A dark weight shifted within her chest, but she felt strangely... unburdened.



Her hands shifted fidgeting with a piece of fabric. “I guess… I wanted a piece of the the treasure because, in a way, it felt like taking something back from the kingdom. A tiny bit of power, a bit of what was stolen from me and my family.”



She paused, the next part catching her throat, but the words came out before she could stop them. "And... there was this lady at the market. She was kind to me when I had nothing, when I was on the streets... she took me in, cared for me when no one else would. I guess part of me thought, if I could repay her somehow… make enough selling it to give her the life she deserves after everything she’d done…



Her gaze met his then, the vulnerability in her voice softened by the quiet honesty she hadn’t meant to reveal. The realization crossed her eyes as she quickly shrank back a step seeming panicked any and all of that had come out and that confidence was gone as she moved towards his door. “I… I should go.. before anyone gets wise I don’t belong here…” it was clear she was panicked and sure that admitting her intent to steal from the kingdom and prince would get her thrown in prison.

 

[zigzaglin]

Rin listened to her thoroughly as she spoke about how the kingdom took everything and about the woman who took her in being in the castle and wrapped up in royalty politics you forget that there is another world outside just a short way away from the castle. One that isn't as easy and one that you had to be tougher than what you had to be living here. He went into deep thought about it for a moment as he hummed and nodded as she spoke. He looked up just to catch her gaze and then saw her panic. He didn't jump at her he just watched her before rising and tilting his head. "If that is what you wish Lady Vespera." he spoke calmly to her.

He walked over to her and gave her a soft reassuring smile "No need to panic take a deep breath I'm not going to yell for the guards... I'm not one to brush up drama...my life has enough of that without me trying for it." He nodded before he opened the door. Walking out he looked down the hall that was empty as usual everyone was having the time of their lives at the moment. He looked at her "Come I'll take you to the front door if that is where you wish to go." he nodded to her and began to slowly walk off in the direction. He led her straight there and got to the door and opened it. The night was clear and cool he inhaled and let it out before looking at her "I would like to say..." he looked to her and smiled "Thank you...for coming tonight and for being brave....not many would go as far as you did today." he nodded and gestured for the way back home. "I'd also offer you an escort but that would let on who you are...just stay safe the way back home yeah?"

 

[Hazbin_Transformers]

Vespera stood there, her gaze flickering between Rin and the door, her nerves still taut from the sudden shift in everything. His calm demeanor helped settle her storming thoughts, but there was a lingering ache at the idea of walking away from something that had, for once, felt like a reprieve. Her fingers twitched at her sides as if they wanted to hold onto something—anything—just to keep from falling apart.


“Im sorry… i promise not to say anything about what is yours…” she said softly, her voice quiet but sincere. She took a small breath, fighting to steady the tremor that had threatened to take over her words. “I really didn't mean for it to happen like this… It's just…" She paused, staring at the floor before meeting his eyes again, a touch of sadness hidden beneath the determination in her gaze. "I’ve learned the hard way that it’s easier to keep things quiet, to stay unnoticed. But tonight… It felt different. It was nice. I guess I just didn't know how to deal with that."


Her smile was small, but it was genuine, tinged with both appreciation and a kind of regret she couldn’t fully explain. "I don’t belong in the castle or among all of them... but this world outside," she gestured to the empty hall and the night beyond, "it’s harsh but it’s where I grew up….ill be okay…”!



She glanced at the door, her chest tightening slightly. "I’ll be fine. I’ll make it back," she reassured him, her tone a little firmer now. There was a quiet resolve there, something that came from surviving day after day in a world that constantly took. "But thank you. For tonight, for everything. For not turning me away." She followed him to the front and turned toward the door, the cool night air wrapping around her as she stepped out into the world she knew so well. "Stay safe, Rin," she said, her voice soft, but with a weight that was uniquely hers. "And thank you again." She stepped away, glancing back only once before continuing down the path, her heart heavy, but lighter than it had been before.

 

[zigzaglin]

Rin nodded "Of course. I always will be." he spoke to her and let her go waving when she turned to look, he only shut the door when he no longer could see or smell her. A sigh let loose as he stood and thought about it for a moment. He looked up when he heard footsteps it was his brother "Having fun Rin?" he asked with a smile Rin sighed "Are you having fun? Stalking us the whole way... I'm guessing mom and dad put you up to it...." His brother shrugged "Yeah, they did they knew you were up to something...and I guess it was a nice break from all the talking to people." Rin snorted softly "Yeah I don't know how you do it..." His brother shrugged "Honestly same...I guess it just comes naturally to me." Rin nodded gently "Well to answer your first question, yes I did. It was nice even if I did lead her on...I feel bad though" His brother smiled softly "You have a good heart Rin...so you going to see her again?" Rin looked up suddenly and huffed "Of course not! The talk that everyone would have if they found out? I'm not in the mood to deal with it...." He spoke as he walked past him "I'm going to bed.... I'm exhausted." He then left his brother to go up to his room and get ready to go to bed.

But that question had stuck with him, would you see her again? It was merely a month later that he was walking down the road in the most casual wardrobe he would put together. With him he had a basket filled with pastries and bread he had made himself. The early morning walk was nice it wasn't hot yet that the afternoon brought. It wasn't long before he was entering town. It also wasn't long before he was noticed for who he was. The horns and his white features gave him away as the second prince there were whispers, people waving, bowing, and even people who hurried out of his way when he walked. They all wondered why he was here cause he never ventured to town unless it was with family. He was following the scent of the woman from a month ago, He would stroll waving here and there to the townspeople but that was all. Soon he saw her in the market he would know her anywhere. He walked up to her and smiled as he reached out to tap her on the shoulder. When she turned he smirked "Hey. How are ya?" he asked casually offering her a wave.

 

[Hazbin_Transformers]

A month had passed, yet Rhin’s presence lingered in her mind, a persistent ache she couldn’t shake. It was foolish, she finally admitted to herself, to have ever believed she could claim even a fraction of the prince’s wealth to repay her mother. She had burned the invitation and sold the dress for a fraction of its value, but still, she was haunted by the memory of how she had broken down in front of Rhin.

With a heavy basket filled with fruits and spices, Vespera moved slowly through the streets, each step a painful effort. Her body ached, bruises staining her side in shades of purple and blue from the beating she had endured. Every movement was a reminder of how far they had fallen— how she was still not doing enough for her mother or herself. Shame weighed her down like a heavy cloak, one she couldn’t shed.

As she made her way toward her mother’s stall, the landlord’s threats echoed in her mind, a cruel reminder that their home was no longer theirs unless they could pay. But no amount of pleading, no amount of hard work could have covered the debt. Her mother had been sick for weeks, and Vespera was running herself ragged, trying to care for both her and the market stall. She’d known better than to backtalk the men who’d come to collect but her frustrations had come to a head and it wasn’t even the first time they’d gotten violent to prove a point.

Lost in her own thoughts she had absolutely no idea Rhin was wandering the markets or the fact he’d managed to find her. Spinning with a startled yelp she nearly dropped her basket as someone tapped her shoulder. She instinctively raised her hands, ready to swing in defense, but the pain in her body stopped her. "Oh... oh, Prince Rhin?! I’m so sorry! You startled me... I didn’t mean to I promise…”

 

[zigzaglin]

Rhin blinked when she yelled and spun to attack whoever it was. His face slowly melted to a serious look and he frowned softly The woman that he had met that night was barely there anymore. He knew out here could be hard but the month was not kind to her. He looked her over a couple times before sighing "You dont have to worry, you did it on instinct." he reasurred her but it was a instinct no one should have to rely on. He looked around at the few eyes on them he cleared his thoat then looked to her "Come...im guessing you have a place? where were you going?" he asked nodding.

He let her lead him off to the stall that she had been running, he looked at it. Then he looked to her frowning beginning to be worried. "Come i know you need to work but sit. I can tell you need it..." he nodded pulling up a box that was idle and he sat on a barrel. "You look horrible..." he spoke the truth "What happened? What is happening?" he asked as he tilted his head willing to listen.

 

[Hazbin_Transformers]

Vespera blinked in surprise as Rhin appeared before her, his unexpected presence throwing her off, especially after a month of silence. She hadn’t anticipated seeing him here, of all places, nor did she expect him to have found her. Her brow furrowed, and her voice came out sharper than intended, laced with frustration.

“Why are you here…?” Her tone was a mix of disbelief and irritation. She quickly glanced down at her worn clothes, torn and stained, clinging to her sore, aching body. Her frustration was mounting. “This is what happens when you just tap someone on the shoulder in the market, Rhin. I’m just bringing some things back to my stall. It’s not a big deal.”

The frustration in her voice grew as she waved a hand dismissively, though she had a feeling he was going to follow her regardless. Unfortunately, the last thing she needed was the prince showing up at her stall, especially after everything that had happened, but she moved a few crates aside and led him in. The stall was small but well-kept, a clear reflection of the pride she took in it, though it wasn’t much.

Sighing in frustration, she decided to sit down and wait to see what exactly Rhin wanted. Not that she had any customers to attend to at the moment. She stiffened and turned her face away from him, swallowing hard. She didn’t want his pity, but the softness in his voice and the quiet concern in his eyes disarmed her for a moment. “I’m fine,” she muttered, brushing her hair out of her face. “And besides, that’s an incredibly rude thing to say.” Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, she made it clear she was irritated. “If you came all the way here just to tell me I look terrible, you can leave. Or are you actually here for something? It’s common knowledge that you never come to the market, so why today…?”