I DO NOT OWN THE SELECTION SERIES. SHOUTOUT TO ABIZEAU FOR SUBMITTING THIS CHARACTER.

Boise. Province of Belcourt. Illèa. Announcement Day.

Ranamaya Bhattachan was drying off after a relaxing shower. She had led a tour group on a 3 hour round trip hike through the Rocky Mountains and she has only gotten back home about 10 minutes before. Her mother had wanted her to be at home to hear the names of those who were chosen to participate in the selection for the crown Princess: Melody Schreave. Rana would have rather done anything else, but it would make her mom happy, so she decided to pretend that she gave a shit. She put on a t shirt and jean shorts and went into the living room where her parents and sister Suneeta were already gathered. Normally, Suneeta would have been at college studying her ass off, but Mrs. Bhattachan had convinced her to come home for the weekend to hear the selection.

"This is so exciting, I can't to see who Princess Melody chooses." Suneeta remarked as everyone sat in front of the TV.

"Yeah, it's super exciting." Ranamaya replied, sounding more sarcastic then she meant to.

"Maya...it is a good thing for Illèa." Dayanand gently chided as his daughter leaned against the wall.

"I know, it's an important tradition." She relented as the Illèan national anthem played, followed by in image of Princess Melody.

"Good afternoon my fellow Illèans." Melody said as she addressed her subjects. "After receiving 100 of the best applicants and careful consideration, I am pleased to announce the 35 persons who have been selected." The Princess began to read off the names of each applicant. "From the province of Angeles...Mr. Romeo Monroe!"

"Sounds like quite a few cis White guys got chosen." Rana remarked as Ankita shushed her daughter when Melody came to their province

"From the province of Belcourt...miss Ranamaya Bhattachan!" She recited before going to the next province. Every single member of the family was stunned into silence; Rana especially. Sunetta finally broke the ice.

"Maya...you didn't tell me that you applied for the selection?" She said excitedly.

"Because I did not apply, there must be a mistake." Rana insisted as her mother cleared her throat.

"Mama..." Everyone turned to look at the Bhattachan matriarch.

"Maya...I filled out an application for you and sent it in." She admitted softly as Rana was enraged.

"Why mama, why would you do such a thing?" she asked loudly.

"I did it for you my love, you can't be alone forever." Mrs. Bhattachan argued. "You must find someone to settle down with." Rana screamed as she turned to her father who was equally shocked.

"Did you know about this papa?" She demanded to know.

"I swear I did not. If I had, I would have never let your mother go through with it. Even though I don't agree with your having no relationship, I respect your choices." Mr. Bhattachan insisted as he pleaded his innocence. Rana was silent for a few minutes before she went to her room and grabbed all of her camping things.

"Where are you going, Maya?" Ankita asked as Rana pushed by her.

"I'm going camping for a few days, I need to be alone for a while." She said as she walked out of the house, despite the pleadings of her family.

Ranamaya spent the next four days camping in the Rockies. There was no place where she felt more safe and free then in nature. It was why Rana had gotten a job as a mountain guide. She spent almost all of her time in nature, might as well get paid for it. It was very fun 4 days. Rana hiked and climbed trees and enjoyed everything nature had to offer. She knew it couldn't last though and she eventually went back home where her family was relieved to see her in one piece.

"Maya...I'm so glad that you're home." Her mother said as Rana gave her a quick hug.

"I don't want to be in the selection." Suneeta sighed as she took her sister by the hand and dragged her into the kitchen.

"Look Maya, what mama did was wrong, but you have to go." She insisted.

"Why?"

"Because while you were gone, a man from Angeles came whose connected to the king. He said that unless you're sick or dead, if you don't show up, the crown will sue you for fraud."

"They can't sue me for fraud, I didn't sign up and I didn't know that mama signed me up!" Rana exclaimed.

"They don't care, you're officially in the selection and Princess Melody said your name on national television." Suneeta argued. "They will sue you and if they win, you'll have to pay a humongous fine...we don't have that kind of money, not the amount the King will demand for embarrassing him."

"Damn...what do I do?" Rana asked as her sister comforted her.

"Just go through the motions." Suneeta advised. "Come on Maya, every week you're there, we get paid. We could always use more money. Besides, you won't have to be there long. If you really want to, I'm sure that you'll find someway to get the Princess to dismiss you." Rana was silent as she thought about these things before finally relenting.

"Fine...but I'm not doing it so that I can be some pretty little Princess." Rana insisted. "I'm doing it for the family and for no other reason!"

"Yay!" Suneeta exclaimed as she wrapped her sister in a tight hug. Palace life would take some getting used to, but Rana was sure that she could handle it, for a couple weeks at least.

WILL THE MOUNTAIN GIRL SURVIVE IN A NEW WILDERNESS? PLEASE SUBMIT AN OC AND AS ALWAYS, REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.