/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\
"No way. There's no bloody, mother-fucking way I am being offered up to some pagan god just to give our village a bit of 'good-fortune'!" Aurora growled angrily, pushing the priest out of her way- only to be yanked back and dragged through the village to the main square in front of the priest's hall, where everyone was gathered. I ran after them, panting heavily.
Nononononono, this can't be happening! Aurora can't be the tribute this time!
I realized I still held the egg in my hands, but I noticed a small flash of color on it. Turning it in my hands, my eyes widened in shock.
Painted onto one of the snowflakes… was a small, red rose…
My favorite color… my middle name…
"Behold, our tribute!" the priest announced, holding Aurora's hand high. "Aster has chosen the Eldest Winter child! As the oldest virgin in the village, this is a great honor for her! Who will vouch for her virginity?" my face went red at that- he was seriously asking someone to confirm Aurora was a virgin!? I struggled to get out of over to him, but the village blocked my way. My eyes scanned the crowd until a familiar face came forward- Aurora's mother.
Oh, thank-you… she'll get her out of this!
"I can vouch for her. Whenever she isn't at home with me, she's always with that Jaclyn Rose Frosten girl."
I openly gaped at her- this wasn't helping her in the least!
What the fucking hell?! Why would she say that?! I've got to do something… but if I do, then I'll be the tribute…
"Mother, why?! Why would you do this to me?!" she screamed, struggling against the priests grip violently.
I watched as Aurora was dragged into the town hall, and the villagers left. When they were all gone, I snuck into the main hall, nervous as all hell. Sticking to the shadows, I went down a hallway into a back room- to reveal Aurora being manhandled by the elders, who seemed to be trying to strip her!
"What are you doing to her?!" I shouted, jumping out from the shadows. They turned around to face me, yelling indignantly at my intrusion.
"Jaclyn, you know you are forbidden to come here while we prepare the tribute. Leave at once, or shame your family forever."
"My mother has already brought shame to our family, thank-you. You know how she's been since she came from her 'night' with Aster. She told me some things, you know. She told me what he does, and I will NOT allow you to do that to the wrong girl."
"She is the chosen tribute, Jaclyn. The egg was meant for her- she saw it first."
I don't want to do this… but I got no choice.
Steeling my courage, I held the egg out in front of me, revealing the small, red rose for all to see.
"She may have seen it first, but we all know my middle name is 'Rose' and my favorite color is red. This egg was meant for me. I offer myself in her place. As the intended tribute…" I took a deep breath, steeling my courage once more, "you cannot refuse me."
"Very well. Aurora Winchest, you may go back into the village- tell what has transpired here if you wish."
Aurora ran over to me, enveloping me in a tight hug.
"You don't have to do this- you know what your mother said Aster does to tributes!"
"Aurora, I'll be fine. I promise. Remember, there's no such thing as Aster, right?" I whispered in her ear, stroking her hair in an attempt to comfort her.
"No, he's real! Please, you can't-" one of the elders grabbed her, dragging her out of the room, "JACLYN! NO, LET ME GO! JACLYN, BELIEVE IN HIM! BELIEVE IN HIM, OR HE'LL BE ANGRY! HE'LL KILL US ALL!" she screamed as the door shut behind her. Sighing heavily, I turned to the remaining elders and the priest.
"Jaclyn Rose Frosten, you have been selected as Aster's tribute this year. Have you anything to say before we proceed with the evaluation?" one of the women said calmly.
"Yeah, I got somethin' to say- what bloody, fuckin' idiot is coming to get me in the forest tonight and fuck me senseless?" I smirked as they all fell silent at that, a few had their mouths hanging open.
"No one is coming to get you, my dear." One of the elders said. "Well, none except Aster himself."
"Stop feeding me this bullshit, we all know there isn't a real fertility god, it's just our hard work, year-after-year, that pays off. So, if you don't mind, I believe I have an ex-best friend to prove wrong and prank, so- hey!" I was yanked onto a large slab of rock, forced onto my back as the priest started prodding at me invasively.
"You will have to strip if we are to evaluate you properly, Jaclyn. If you prefer, you may have only the women do this to feel more comfortable."
"I don't got a choice in the matter, do I?" the priest shook his head, and, sighing heavily, I started pulling off my clothes.
"Men better get out of here right fast, or else." I growled, pleased that the men left within seconds. After stripping fully, I lied back on the slab and allowed the women to prod over me, touching my breasts and running their hands up my sides- much to my displeasure, because that was a highly ticklish spot on me, and made me laugh despite my situation.
When I felt hands venture to my pubic area, I jumped back, scowling.
"Jaclyn, we must assure your virginity. It will be over quickly, we promise."
Not even close to appeased- but having no choice- I laid back down on the slab and forced myself to stay still as one woman slipped her fingers inside me, twisting them around until she hit my inner-wall. My face was burning with embarrassment as she did that, and I felt ashamed of myself.
"W-why do I need to be assured of my virginity?"
"Because you are the first virgin Aster has asked for."
Wh-what's that supposed to mean? Why would I be his first vir- no, why do I believe in him?! He doesn't exist… does he?
/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\/V\
After the elders finished prodding me- to which I was still majorly pissed-off at- they decided I needed a bath. I was tossed-literally, tossed!- into a warm tub of water and scrubbed with soapy, rose-scented water. When I was deemed clean, I was allowed out of the tub and was towel-dried by hand and rubbed down in a thin layer of scented lotion which made my skin soft. My hair was brushed out neat, and tied into two small buns at the top-sides of my head.
I was then given a new set of clothes. A pair of thin, light grey leggings, a white shirt with wrist-length sleeves that fluffed out slightly, and a long, ankle-length, dark blue cloak with white snowflakes adorning it which tapered off on the end in a point.
Snowflakes… it's like they were waiting for me, damn it…
"Jaclyn. Are you ready?"
Nervously, I nodded as I was led out a back door- exiting right in front of the forest. I glanced around- realizing it was nighttime already and wondering just how long they'd kept me there- looking for any signs of escape, when I felt something press into my hands. Glancing down, I recognized the egg from before- the one that caused all this trouble.
You're the cause of this, you damn egg. If you'd just stayed hidden a second longer, Aurora wouldn't have seen you!
"You must venture into the deepest part of the forest and enter the clearing there. You will kneel on the ground, and wait for Aster to come. He will find you with the help of your egg. Also, for lying and not coming forward immediately when you realized you were the true tribute, you must stay an extra month with Aster to appease him. The first month will be only a night here, the second month is when time will go back to normal here."
"W-wait, I'm going alone?! And I'll be with him for TWO MONTHS?!" I shrieked indignantly. Much to my disappointment, they nodded. Grumbling in annoyance, I started into the forest, walking along a seemingly laid-out pathway.
So, if I want to escape, I've got to stay at that clearing for at least an hour. They'll probably check-up on me at some point… after that, I can run. Maybe find a different village- one where they don't sacrifice innocent girls to make-believe gods…
Before I knew it, I was in the clearing and kneeling in the tall grass.
"Well, I feel stupid now…" I muttered under my breath. I started counting, to pass the time.
When I got to '253' I heard something in the bushes nearby.
About time those elders came to check up on me… now, I just gotta wait until they leave, then I can make my escape…
I continued counting in my head, but when I reached '398' the person in the bushes still hadn't left.
Instead, I realized they'd come closer.
O-ok, this is going a little too far…
I continued to kneel, determined to one-up those elders, but whatever was in the bushes was not from my village.
For one thing, the footsteps were too heavy.
For another, there were heavy pants coming from all around me. I glanced around nervously, breath quickening as I grew more nervous.
Suddenly, I saw movement in front of me! Something was coming out of the bushes… something tall…
Whatever that is, it's at least 7' tall…
I nervously backed away, but the whatever-it-was decided I shouldn't be going anywhere and jumped into the moonlight in front of me, revealing exactly who it was.
Standing in front of me was a giant rabbit. Not a cute little fluffy one, like I found in the forest sometimes… oh, no.
This one had a slightly humanoid figure, with obvious muscles visible underneath all the fur covering him. Speaking of which, his fur was a light grey-blue, with what I recognized as tribal markings on his shoulders, forehead, back, and legs. I noticed him hopping closer to me, and managed to stay still and get a closer look at him.
While his back paws were just like a normal rabbit's, his front paws were shaped more like a human's hand, or some sort of perfect blend of a human hand, and a rabbit paw. Still covered in fur, still had claws, still obviously a rabbit paw, but with slightly larger spaces between the fingers to allow him more flexibility, like a human hand.
The last thing I noticed were his eyes- a spring-green, filled with lust and possession. He leaned in close and sniffed at my hair.
"You are the tribute."
Oh, man! His voice is deep and rough with accent! Gods, I'm melting… velvety smooth, and at the same time, rough and harsh…
Before I could say anything in response to his comment, I was swept into a pair of muscled, furry arms and lifted off the ground. Confused and terrified, I twisted in his arms only to find him thumping on the ground as a hole opened up right below us!
Screaming at the top of my lungs, we dropped into the ground, the earth closing up behind us, leaving darkness…
A/N- realized I didn't want people to hate Aurora, or think of Jaclyn as too rough-and-tough... so, I edited this one.
Hope y'all enjoy! NON-CON ON NEXT CHAPTER!
Thanks to Warrior Nun, my psychic Beta!