amberly

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

The creature howled at the impact and grabbed for the wound in it's shoulder. His eyes darkened with rage as it spun around and charged. It's steps were hard and lumbering but quick to advance on the huntress. He reached out his arm to catch her as soon as he was within range.

Andrew came to the clearing, his breath heavy. He leaned a hand against a tree as he took in the scene before him. Seeing the beast reminded him what he was and he jerked his gloved hand off the bark. Then he was back to thinking of Angel and the beast charging her. 'Just don't get between them,' he told himself as he stepped from the shadows out into the clearing and picked up his speed again toward the creature.

First, we steal an airship.

Hello dear seeker,

Up front I'm only around on weekends as adult life is deservingly distracting. I'm after some adventure, but romance is not required. If it does happen, zero smut or mature content.

Now then, if you're still here, I'm looking to get a steampunk story or two off the ground.

Newspapers report that Gregory Dorrsett, the chief engineer of the Prime Aeronautical Society (PAS) died in a fiery accident. Not only had he been intelligent and hard working, he had shrewdly purchased shares in many aeronautical companies, including those of his competitors.

His two adult children inherited the opportunity to influence the world that has always directed their lives. Hubert Agustus sees it as an opportunity to rule that world and never again is an engineer going to think he's in charge of the PAS, Hubert owns it.

Well, Hubert and his younger sister own it. Octavia Lemay doesn't dare cross her brother directly or she'll lose what was supposed to be her share. She plans to stay out of his way, as far out of his way as possible, until she can take her share and use it against him. Hubert will not have his monopoly if she has to die trying.

But that's big picture. One little step at a time. First, she just needs to get to the city of Dresh. She has calculated best case scenarios and tragic mishaps and averaged the time to conclude that six days will do it, if she has a companion.

So tonight at the widow Dorrsett's oppulant birthday party Octavia is on the lookout for some distant relation that Hubert, or anyone else for that matter, would never suspect to be dragged along into her quest. (Willingly? Hesitantly? Bribery?) After all they will be stealing Hubert's airship (because it is the best one now that Father's is gone.) Climbing cliffs and trees to escape wolves. Passing inconspicuously through towns exactly as planned. Bargaining for meals to eat and passage that will take more than six days to reach Dresh.

Just a few ideas to get started. Whether this is way out of your character's comfort zone or if they are much more experienced in the wide world than my character, Octavia would love to bring you along. Male, female, or automaton. You want to get out of here too, don't you?

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

The creature got onto one knee to have more leverage for lifting the branch. He groaned, stiff and sore as he got onto his feet. He looked down at the dripping branch as if considering where to dispose of it, but in the end simply tossed it as far and as hard as he could into the trees on the other side of the spring. He crouched down coping his hand to lift water to his face and run it over his head. He was hot and thirsty and no amount of water could relieve him.

He was oblivious to the stealth of the hunter. He had no fear of man or beast and did not listened for their approach.

Had Andrew been closer, his swift steps would have made enough noise to alert the creature. But he was still far enough behind to leave Angel her moment of advantage.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Andrew pulled his arms in closer as a chill spread from within him. Angel was advancing at a run to attack. It had begun at last.

Andrew stumbled forward and hesitated. Did he run to catch up and risk ruining her advantage of surprise and face her ire? But if she attacked already it wouldn't matter. If it meant that maybe some rational discussion could come of this he certainly should interrupt. But what if it endangered her? That gave him pause for a moment.

Nope he was running in. Decision made. He would be there if she needed help. There were no reasons against running left.

Andrew lowered his arms and took off running for where he had last seen Angel.

---

The creature groped for a branch that had fallen into his spring leaning forward to stretch his long arm close enough before the water bubbled it farther away from him again.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Snarling could be distinguished deeper into the trees. The shuffle of leaves as something was dragged across the ground, the grating and snapping of a dry body crumbling and breaking apart. The gurgling of water.

A form with two legs two arms and a bowed head atop hunched shoulders sat down at the edge of a small pool, but nothing else about it looked human. Long hair in many places or was it fur only torn off in places? In the gaps wide strips of skin that looked more like scales or injuries than skin. The eyes were so round it seemed they could roll out onto the ground at any moment.

This creature tossed aside what used to be a dog and sank it's legs into the water, heedless of any danger to himself. The spring gurgled, lifting fresh water into the pool, the only way this creature could get enough to stay alive. He was thirsty, always thirsty, but animals were more quenching than plants or water.

---

Andrew followed angel has quietly as he could manage. He knew they were getting closer but that they were almost upon the creature was more than he could tell from the distance between them.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Sweet! Let's find out!! Eeeehehe

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

We've seen how Andrew handles things when Angel gets hurt, I imagine it would be similar again this time. So what does Angel do if he has to rely on her? I think that will be new material if you're game for going that direction for this first encounter.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

I'm good for writing the creature.

That being said I think some collaboration for our mutual enemy would be fun. I expect we could both fall into an endless discussion of "whatever you want" "whatever you want, I don't have my heart set on anything." "Whatever you want, you have good ideas." Etc. So let's just skip that and get to the sharing ideas part lol.

Male or female?

I'm thinking this one is much more creature-ish, like Andrew was able to hold onto a lot more humanity than this one.

Do we want this to be the "final battle" or just the first encounter and they actually defeat it later?
(On that note when we do wrap this story up I'm game for starting a new one with you, to be decided when that occurs of course :)

I'm thinking Andrew stays out of the way as much as possible, so angel can get some fighting in. I suppose if this is final battle or not will have some say in who all gets injured and how much, but we should figure that out!

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Let's go ahead and bring in the creature.
We should probably communicate: which it is is writing the creature? lol

Oh also I'm camping next weekend so I won't be in at all then, FYI.

the hunter and her prey(a cursed human story, a beauty and the beast alternative to a cursed vampire story)

Beast. He wanted to correct her, but they were trying to sneak. So he stewed in angry silence.

Of course she wasn't talking to him. She probably didn't even remember his name. He'd treated her like a guest and he was nothing to her.

He was so pathetic, taking in the woman trying to kill him. Andrew turned on his heel and started walking back to his castle. He passed the dog but had not reached the dead rats before he decided his current idea was just as poor as all his other ones.

Andrew realized that if he left now, he would never know for certain if she was going to leave him alone, or if she lurked outside his castle waiting for the next chance to dispose of him.

So Andrew turned back around to follow Angel at a wide distance.