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Team Rizzless - Chapter 4
🕑 Added 2024-11-21 20:14:07 +0000 UTCHey-ho Stalker 2 is out, but I still managed to get this done. Almost done with the Cyberpunk Weiss crossover NSFW comm too. That one hit me with the writer's block, oof.
Anyway, enjoy Penny, Cinder, and Salem.
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Today was going to be a Sensational day!
Penny Polendina loved visiting Vale. There was so much to see, so many people to meet, and so many opportunities to make friends! Every street corner seemed to hold new surprises. Stalls that sold all varieties of food, shops that hawked every ware, and various other such sundries. While Penny had no need for such things, she approached each with her usual enthusiasm, her bright smile practically lighting up the bustling city. Literally.
A man approached her just as she stopped at a bakery to admire the display of sweet pastries in the window. He was a tall man, and young by Human standards, with dark hair and a sheepish smile. Penny tilted her head at him, curious when he hesitated before speaking, "Uh, hi," he said, scratching the back of his neck, "I, uh, couldn't help but notice you. You've got such a great smile. So bright. Do you...maybe want to grab a coffee or something?"
Penny's eyes lit up, "Oh! Coffee sounds delightful!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together. Her internals were completely liquid proof and the coffee could be easily expelled at a later date, "We could sit and chat, and I could hear all about your favorite books or your hobbies or your dreams!"
The man's expression brightened, his confidence bolstered by her enthusiasm, "Yeah, yeah, that sounds great!"
"Excellent, I've made a new friend!" Penny said cheerfully, her smile as wide and eager as ever, "Friendship is the foundation of all wonderful connections, don't you think?"
The man froze, his smile faltering as her words sank in, "Oh, uh...just friends?"
"Of course!" Penny nodded vigorously, "It's so wonderful to have friends! I'm always looking for more of them. Would you like to be one of my friends?"
The man chuckled awkwardly, taking a step back, "Uh, maybe some other time. Gotta run. Bye!" He turned and walked away quickly, leaving Penny standing there, her head tilted slightly, "Hmm," she murmured to herself, watching him disappear into the crowd, "He must have been in a hurry. Oh well! Maybe next time." Vale had no shortage of future friends. It was one of the things she loved about it, especially with the Vytal Festival. People from all over Remnant were coming to watch the Huntresses fight in the arena.
According to the Dustnet, people - particularly men - believed that Huntresses did this as a sort of mating ritual. They showed their strength and beauty in order to attract a partner. Penny had her doubts about that, however. There was no official source on such things besides 'just trust me bro', and if that was the purpose of such things, then the Huntresses were utter failures given that her records indicated that all the Vytal champions ended up dying as bitter spinsters.
Undeterred, Penny continued her stroll through the city, taking in the sights with wide-eyed wonder. It wasn't long before she was approached again, this time by a group of three young men who stopped her near a park bench. One of them, a blond with a charming smile, stepped forward, "Hey there," he said, "We couldn't help but notice you. You've got this...glow about you. What's your name?"
"I'm Penny Polendina!" she said brightly, "It's wonderful to meet you all! Are you here to enjoy the park as well?"
The blond exchanged a look with his friends before grinning at her, "Well, we were just talking about grabbing some drinks. How about you join us? First round's on us."
"Drinks? Oh, I don't consume alcohol," Penny said, shaking her head. She could, but her chassis had the appearance of someone below 21, "But I'd be happy to join you for sparkling water or juice! I think it would be wonderful to sit together and talk about our interests." She beamed.
The blond blinked, looking at his friends with sudden uncertainty. Odd, "Uh...sure. So, uh, what kind of...interests are you into?"
"Oh, so many things!" Penny said, her smile widening, "Weapons, engineering, protecting people, making friends...hh, and helping others feel valued! What are your interests?" She leaned forward eagerly.
The blond faltered, his confidence wavering for reasons unknown, "Uh...sports?"
"Sports are wonderful!" Penny chirped, "They build teamwork and cooperation. And as friends, we could even play sports together! Wouldn't that be fun?"
His two friends snickered quietly behind him, and the blond's face reddened slightly, "Uh, yeah, maybe. But, uh, we were thinking of something a little more...intimate."
Penny tilted her head, "Intimate? Like, close friends who share their deepest thoughts and feelings?"
The blond groaned softly, running a hand through his hair, "Uh, yeah, sure. Something like that."
Penny clasped her hands together, her expression radiant, "Oh, that sounds wonderful! Building trust and emotional closeness is so important in friendships. I'd love to be your friend!"
The blond's friends burst out laughing, slapping him on the back as they walked away, "Good luck with that one, man," one of them said, leaving the blond standing awkwardly in front of Penny.
He sighed, his shoulders sagging, "Yeah, uh, I gotta go. Take care, Penny."
"And you as well!" Penny waved enthusiastically as he walked off, his pace quickening with each step, "What a nice young man," she said to herself, "It's so lovely meeting people in Vale."
Penny's day continued in much the same fashion. At a flower stall, a man offered to buy her a bouquet and take her on a romantic picnic. Penny politely declined, insisting that she'd love to enjoy the flowers with her new friend. At a bookstore, another man nervously approached her, offering to read poetry to her in the park. Penny eagerly accepted and specified that it would be a perfect activity to share as new book friends.
By the time she stopped to sit on a bench at a park with a flower she received from another man offering to be her friend, Penny couldn't help but marvel at how many kind people she'd met, "Vale really is full of friendly individuals," she said aloud, swinging her legs cheerfully as she looked up at the waning sun, "I've been invited for coffee, drinks, picnics, and even poetry readings! It's so nice to know that people value friendship so much." She would be sad to leave this place and return to Atlas.
The bench at the other side of the park creaked slightly as two Huntresses plopped down onto it, their exhaustion and frustration written all over their faces. Vale had been full of promise when they first ventured out this morning. The streets were bustling with men from all walks of life - tourists, merchants, locals, and even a few rugged adventurer types. Prime real estate for flirting, or so they thought.
But the day had turned into yet another unmitigated disaster.
"That's it," one Huntress growled, slamming her soda can onto the bench beside her, "I'm done. I've talked to, what, twelve guys today? Every single one of them acted like I was holding them hostage the second I said hello!" She gestured wildly, "I even smiled. Like, a nice smile. Not the 'I might stab you' one."
Her companion leaned back with a defeated sigh, "I asked a guy if he wanted to grab lunch, and he said he had to check on his plants. What kind of excuse is that? It's Vale. There are no plants!"
As if the universe itself was mocking their plight, their attention was drawn to the figure of Penny Polendina skipping merrily down the street. Even from a distance, her bright green eyes and glowing smile were unmistakable. She radiated happiness, and the crowd seemed to part for her like she was some kind of saint.
And, of course, the men gravitated to her like moths to a flame.
"Are you kidding me?" the first Huntress hissed, her eyes narrowing into slits. They watched as a man, tall and athletic, approached Penny with a nervous but hopeful smile. He said something to her - too far away to hear, but it didn't take a genius to figure out what it was.
Penny's face lit up, her hands clasping together in excitement. The man visibly relaxed, his confidence boosted by her enthusiasm. But then Penny said something else, and the man's shoulders slumped. His face fell, and within seconds, he was shuffling away like a dog with its tail between its legs.
The Huntresses watched in bitter silence as Penny waved cheerfully after him, seemingly oblivious to the disappointment she'd just caused, "What...the hell was that?" the second Huntress finally managed, her voice dripping with bitter disbelief.
"That," the first one said, jabbing a finger toward Penny, "was a power move. Look at her. She could've had him. Hell, she could've had all of them. But noooo, she's too good for that. She's just toying with them."
The second Huntress shook her head in shock, "Why would she do that? Why would anyone do that? Doesn't she know how hard it is for the rest of us out here? I've been throwing myself at guys all year, and the only thing I've caught is a bruise to my ego."
"She's doing it on purpose," the first one said through gritted teeth, "Look at her! Skipping around like she owns the place. Rejecting guys left and right. She doesn't even want them - she's just rubbing it in our faces. She knows she could have what we want, and she's choosing not to. It's like she's saying, 'Oh, poor you, struggling to get a crumb of attention. Guess I'll just sit here with the whole loaf and not eat it.'"
"Bitch," the second Huntress muttered, crossing her arms.
A third Huntress joined them, plopping down on the bench with a huff, "You're talking about that that bitch, aren't you? I saw her earlier. Guy practically proposed to her on the spot. She smiled, said something about 'friendship,' and sent him packing. Who does that?"
"Her, apparently," the first Huntress said, her voice dripping with venom, "She's not just oblivious, she's a master manipulator."
The third Huntress raised an eyebrow, "You really think she's doing it on purpose?"
"Of course, she is!" the first one snapped, "She's got the perfect act. 'Oh, I'm just a sweet little innocent girl who loves friendship!' Meanwhile, guys are lining up for her, and we're out here getting ghosted by janitors."
The second Huntress groaned, "Don't remind me about the janitor. He told me he was 'married to his mop.' His mop. And then there's her, rejecting guys like it's fucking nothing."
They all turned to watch as Penny, oblivious to their stares, stopped at a flower stall. The vendor handed her a single rose, and she clutched it to her chest like it was the most precious gift in the world. The vendor said something, leaning forward with a charming smile. Penny nodded enthusiastically, and for a brief moment, the Huntresses thought maybe - just maybe - she'd say yes.
But then, Penny waved goodbye, handing the rose back before skipping away with her usual pep.
The three Huntresses groaned in unison.
"She's the worst," the third one muttered.
"She's evil," the first one corrected, "Pure, unfiltered evil. She's using her bubbly act to destroy every guy's confidence - and ours while she's at it."
The second Huntress buried her face in her hands, "And they just keep going to her! She doesn't even have to try, and they're lining up! I smiled at a guy earlier, and he asked if I was gonna mug him! Then I told him I was planning to steal his virginity and he bolted!" Her shoulders sagged and her friends squeezed her arm in solidarity.
"She's planning to lord it over us," the first one grumbled, "We'll be out here eating rejection sandwiches while she has her pick of the buffet."
Maybe the White Fang had the right idea. All those Faunus Huntresses just formed up and said they wouldn't take any more contracts until the government assigned them all boyfriends. Or at least guys who'd sleep with them whenever they asked. It was genius. Remnant needed Huntresses, right? So they should be rewarded for their hard work saving the innocent people. Were government-sanctioned dickings too much to ask?
Thoughts on inciting a rebellion faded when they saw Penny reject another guy.
"Bitch," they all said in unison, glaring at Penny as she skipped happily into the distance, completely unaware of the storm of seething jealousy trailing behind her.
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At the other side of town, Cinder Fall sat at a cafe table with her arms crossed, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her elbow as she glared at the throngs of people passing by. Her amber eyes narrowed in frustration. This was ridiculous. Completely, utterly ridiculous.
She glared down the street, her amber eyes smoldering with frustration as she watched couples stroll by hand in hand. It didn't make sense. She was doing everything right. She'd dressed to kill - literally and figuratively - in a sleek, curve-hugging dress that showed just the right amount of skin. Her makeup was flawless, her hair fell in perfect waves, and her heels clicked with a commanding rhythm that should have made every man in a mile radius weak in the knees.
She was doing everything right.
Her long, dark dress was just risque enough to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage and the outfit hugged her figure in all the right places. She exuded confidence, allure, and a smoldering intensity that practically screamed 'Come and get it'.
So why was no one coming to get it?
Her mind reeled as she replayed her interactions from earlier that day. First, there was the florist. She'd leaned over the counter, giving him her best sultry smile, her voice low and smooth as honey, "Do you know the meaning of roses?" she'd asked, her finger tracing a petal delicately, "They symbolize love, devotion, and passion. Would you like to see what devotion feels like?"
The florist had stared at her for a long, awkward moment before blurting, "Sorry, I'm allergic to pollen," and bolting to the back of the shop.
Then there was the man at the bookstore. She'd caught him perusing a shelf, sidling up to him with an air of effortless grace. She'd tilted her head, her lips curling into a teasing smile, "You look like the kind of man who enjoys a good story," she'd said, her voice a low purr, "How about I tell you one over dinner tonight?"
The man had turned bright red, stammered something about already having plans, and practically tripped over a display of cookbooks in his haste to get away.
Cinder let out a frustrated sigh, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she scanned the crowd. Vale was teeming with men of all shapes and sizes, yet not a single one had approached her. It didn't make sense. She'd been perfectly charming earlier with that barista at the coffee shop, smiling sweetly as she ordered her drink and complimented his "strong arms" for holding such heavy trays all day. And when he didn't immediately take the hint, she'd turned up the heat - literally - by igniting a small flame in her hand and casually mentioning how easy it would be to burn the place down if someone annoyed her.
Instead of being awed by her fiery passion, the barista had mumbled something about needing to check the espresso machine and bolted into the backroom.
"Men," she muttered under her breath as she stood, "So spineless. Don't they want someone strong? Someone who can protect them? Someone who won't hesitate to destroy their enemies?"
She crossed the street, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement, and spotted a group of three men chatting near a food stall. They looked promising - young, reasonably attractive, and clearly unattached. Perfect.
Cinder approached with the grace of a panther stalking its prey, her lips curving into a seductive smile. She tilted her head just slightly, letting her hair fall across one shoulder as she spoke in a low, honeyed tone.
"Hello, boys," she purred, her eyes glinting like molten gold, "Lovely day, isn't it?"
The three men froze, turning to face her. One of them, a blond with a nervous smile, cleared his throat, "Uh, yeah. It's...it's a nice day."
Cinder took a step closer, her smile widening as she placed a hand on his arm, "It's even better now," she said, her voice dripping with charm, "You seem like a strong, capable man. Tell me...are you seeing anyone?"
The blond blinked, his smile faltering as his friends exchanged awkward glances, "Uh...no, I'm not. Why?"
Cinder leaned in slightly, her gaze intense, "Because I'm looking for someone who appreciates power. Someone who can handle a woman who knows what she wants. Someone who understands the value of...loyalty."
Her voice dipped on the last word, and a faint spark danced across her fingertips as she let her free hand hover just close enough to his chest for him to feel the heat.
The blond's eyes widened, his face paling slightly, "Oh. Uh...that's...cool. But, uh, I think I see my friend over there. Gotta go!" He ducked out of her grasp and hurried away, leaving his friends stammering apologies before following after him.
Cinder's smile froze on her face, her hand still outstretched. Slowly, she lowered it, her fingers curling into a fist.
"What is wrong with them?" she hissed under her breath, "I'm everything a man could want. I'm strong, I'm beautiful, I'm - " she clenched her fists, her flames flickering to life again - "dangerous. Isn't that what they want? Someone who keeps them on their toes? Someone who makes them feel alive?" She paced back and forth, her heels clicking angrily against the pavement, "I gave him the full package! The charm, the confidence, the fireworks. And what do I get? Nothing. Not even a phone number!"
Another man walked by, and Cinder turned on her heel, fixing him with her most dazzling smile, "You there!" she called, stepping in front of him.
The man stopped, looking startled, "Uh...yes?"
Cinder sauntered closer, her smile turning predatory, "You're just the kind of man I've been looking for. Tell me...are you interested in passion? In power? In a woman who will make you feel things you've never felt before?"
The man blinked, his brow furrowing, "Not...really?"
"Don't be silly, of course you are." Cinder's eyes lit up, and she reached out to trace a finger along his jawline, "And I can promise you something no other woman can: devotion. Undying devotion." Her voice lowered, her tone turning darker, "As long as you understand that loyalty is non-negotiable. Look at another woman, even once, and...well..." She let her flames flicker to life again, this time letting them dance along her fingertips for emphasis.
The man took a step back, his face pale, "Y-yeah, I think I left my oven on. Gotta go!"
Cinder stared after him, her flames flickering out as he disappeared into the crowd. She clenched her fists, her frustration boiling over as she screamed in impotent rage. A passing woman gave her a wide berth, muttering something about "drama queens."
Cinder glared after her before slumping against a nearby lamppost, crossing her arms, "This city is full of idiots," she muttered to herself, "Spineless, clueless idiots. They don't deserve me."
She huffed, staring at the ground as her frustration continued to simmer. With a final growl, she pushed off the lamppost and stalked down the street, muttering to herself, "I'm Cinder Fall. The men of this city just don't know what they're missing. But I'll give them another chance."
Of course, she had no luck. Threatening to burn down one man's house if he dared not answer her calls had led to the cops being called on her. And so Cinder returned to Beacon with a heavy scowl and a weight on her shoulders.
Cinder stormed into her dorm room at Beacon, the door slamming shut behind her with a force that rattled the hinges. She tossed her heels to the side with a frustrated growl, flopping onto her bed like a queen collapsing onto a fainting a rose garden. Her arm draped over her eyes, shielding them from the dim light filtering through the curtains.
Emerald, who had been lounging on her own bed, looked up from her book, her brow furrowing in concern, "Rough day?" she asked, cautiously setting the book aside.
"Don't get me started," Cinder muttered, her voice muffled by the pillow, "The men in Vale are idiots. All of them."
Emerald raised an eyebrow, "What happened this time?"
Cinder sat up abruptly, her amber eyes blazing with indignation, "What didn't happen? I gave them charm, I gave them allure, I gave them fireworks! Literally! And what do I get in return? " She threw her hands up, "Excuses. Rejections. One guy told me he had was planning to move to the other side of Remnant just today!"
Emerald coughed, biting the inside of her cheek, "Sounds...rough."
Cinder glared at her, "This isn't funny, Emerald. Do you know how hard it is to find a man who's not completely terrified of a strong, powerful woman?" Because that was who she was. Cinder Fall, the most powerful Huntress in Vale, if not the world. Or at least she would be once she beat that Nikos bitch. Then all of Remnant would see how amazing she was and men would line up by the hundreds for the chance to worship at her feet.
"Maybe it's not about fear," Emerald offered carefully, "Maybe they just...weren't the right ones for you?"
"They weren't even close to right," Cinder snapped, flopping back onto the bed with a dramatic sigh, "I just don't understand. What do they want? A pushover? Someone who's happy to sit around and do nothing? Ugh, it's pathetic."
Emerald hesitated, glancing at her partner with a thoughtful expression, "You know," she began slowly, "there's another option you could consider..."
Cinder groaned, throwing her arm over her face again, "If you're about to suggest I lower my standards, don't bother. I'm not settling for second place."
"No, not that," Emerald said quickly, sitting up straighter, "I mean...maybe you're looking in the wrong direction. Maybe you'd have better luck with...well, women?"
Cinder peeked out from under her arm, raising an eyebrow, "Women?"
Emerald nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly, "Yeah. I mean, you're gorgeous, Cinder. Strong, confident, powerful. Plenty of women would kill for a chance with someone like you."
Cinder scoffed, waving a dismissive hand, "Please. Women are even more exhausting than men. The last thing I need is someone trying to compete with me." She thought of Coco Adel and frowned. She was the only Huntress on campus who didn't want a dick pounding her nightly, something she seemed to take pride in. But her pride didn't change facts. No one was interested in what she had to offer unless she spontaneously grew a cock.
Emerald shifted on the bed and continued, "Not all women are like that. Some would really appreciate you. They'd see you for who you are and support you, no questions asked."
Cinder rolled her eyes, "Sounds boring."
Emerald swallowed, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap, "What if they, you know, already knew you? Like...someone close to you?"
Cinder sat up, her brow furrowing as she studied Emerald, "What are you getting at?"
Emerald's cheeks burned for some reason "I'm just saying...maybe the person you're looking for isn't out there in Vale. Maybe they're closer than you think."
For a moment, Cinder stared at her, her amber eyes narrowing in thought. Then, with a dismissive huff, she flopped back onto the bed, "Don't be ridiculous, Emerald. The only thing I want close to me is a man who knows how to take orders and isn't afraid of a little fire. I have no interest in women." Emerald was already her lapdog and that did nothing for her. No, she needed a man. Preferably a strong-willed one she could break and collar. Maybe mark him with her fire to show everyone who owned him.
"Right. Of course. Just a thought," she muttered, trying to sound casual.
Cinder waved her off, not giving it another thought, "I appreciate your concern, Emerald, but trust me - when I find the right man, everything will fall into place. Until then, I'll just have to keep looking."
Emerald forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes, "Yeah. Keep looking."
"Hm...what about that guy we met in Mistral? The one you insist on being 'penpals' with?"
"Mercury? Well...I don't think he'd-"
"I'm not keeping you around to think." Cinder snapped, "Call him and invite him to the festival, give him one of your tickets. We both know you don't have anyone else coming for you." Emerald winced. Cinder ignored it, "I'll have him on his knees in no time."
"I...okay, Cinder."
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In the heart of the Grimmlands, deep within her towering fortress of black spires and endless shadows, Salem reclined on her throne with a long, dramatic sigh. Around her, the dim glow of Grimm pools cast flickering shadows on the walls, creating an ambiance of brooding menace. But her crimson eyes, which one might expect to be filled with mindless rage and a lust for destruction, were instead filled with something far more...personal.
"I never asked for this," she muttered, glaring at a cluster of Beowolves skulking near the edge of the chamber, "I didn't ask for the gods' curse, for eternal life, or for this never-ending struggle for power. All I ever wanted..." Her voice softened as she gazed wistfully at the map of Remnant sprawled across the table before her, "Was every man on this wretched planet to be mine."
That had been the goal from the start ever since the Sisters cursed her with immortality. Salem didn't care about destruction or chaos for chaos's sake. She wasn't interested in obliterating humanity or wiping out kingdoms. No, her ambition was far more specific, far more focused. She wanted to conquer Remnant, not to destroy it, but to reshape it into her personal paradise. And at the center of that paradise? A harem so vast, so exquisite, that the world itself would bow before its sheer majesty. Women from all over Remnant would weep in envy for what they could never have.
She mused on how things had gotten this far. Even now, countless millennia later, she still remembered how it all began. When she was nothing more than an innocent maiden trapped in a tower by her cruel, selfish father. She'd been an innocent victim, a girl who'd done nothing to deserve such a cruel fate.
...
Alright, perhaps that wasn't the whole truth. Honestly, how was she to know that the stable boy wouldn't be able to keep pace with her? He was alive by the end of it, albeit looking as if he'd been pruned like a raisin. And of course, her cravings hadn't been satisfied just yet so she had her way with the captain of her father's knights. She expected that he would have the stamina and fortitude to satisfy her desires. After all, his wife had never complained.
She was wrong.
Father had locked her into the tower after that. She could've escaped on her own, but then a thought had come to her. Why not wait for a dashing hero to come rescue her? And then she'd reward him generously for his bravery and valor.
Ozma had been that hero. He'd barely broken down the door and announced he'd come to rescue her before she pounced on him in eager gratitude. The memory of that fortnight would never be forgotten. Days of non-stop passion, of using her magic to perk her dear love up again and then continuing. To think he said that he needed a break. Nonsense. With her aphrodisiacs, he never needed to stop.
...Until he died. Too much of a good thing.
She wept, of course, but she was never one to be denied. She went to the Sisters and demanded the return of the life that had been so cruelly stolen too early. Light and Dark had acquiesced to her request and brought her beloved back. For some reason, he looked afraid when he saw her, but she'd paid it no mind. It was just shock from being brought back into her loving embrace. She'd been so relieved that she continued their passionate romance with even more fervor.
And then he died...again. When she went to the Sisters and demanded his resurrection a second time, they had refused. She'd declared war on them then and there, especially when they granted her immortality to 'keep her away from the poor man's soul'. Bah. She'd never forgive them for keeping her and her true love separated.
She shook away the musings. Her pale fingers tapped against the armrest of her throne as she glared at the map of Remnant spread out on the table before her. It was an elaborate, beautifully rendered depiction of the kingdoms, their borders marked in crimson ink. But today, she wasn't looking at strategic points or vulnerabilities.
"Vale," she mused, her voice a low purr as her fingers traced the map, "Strong, rugged, adventurous types. They'd have that untamed charm...willing to fight for what they believe in. Very appealing." Her finger slid eastward, "Mistral. Elegance. Poets, artists, and warriors, all in one. Sophisticated, yet passionate. They'd write songs about me...odes to my beauty." She lingered over Atlas, her eyes narrowing slightly, "The military men. Cold, disciplined, but capable of being molded into something warmer. They'd serve me completely." And finally, Vacuo. She smirked, "Desert rogues and wanderers. Wild, unpredictable. They'd be fun to break in."
A satisfied smile curled her lips as she leaned back in her throne, her mind whirling with schemes. Why should she waste her eternal existence waging war and spreading despair when she could focus on something far more...fulfilling? After all, she had needs, and she was long overdue for some attention. Thousands of years overdue, in fact.
Salem stood, her long robes flowing like a shadow as she paced the room, the heels of her boots clicking sharply against the stone floor. Her mind raced with plans and possibilities. She had been so close so many times, but something always got in the way. Ozma. Those insufferable Huntresses who thought they deserved the men's attention. How laughable. Thankfully, this generation was particularly lax, too distracted with their own desires to fight her.
It was perfect.
"All I want is to conquer the hearts of Remnant's finest men," she muttered, her tone laced with irritation, "To collect them, to claim them, to own them. Is that so much to ask?"
She stopped in front of a cracked mirror, studying her reflection. Her porcelain skin glowed faintly in the dim light, her silver hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight. She tilted her head, her crimson eyes narrowing critically as she examined herself. The dark veins, the obsidian dress, the very aura of corruption that surrounded her. She was...
"I'm flawless," she declared, her voice filled with conviction, "Timeless. Beautiful. Powerful. The pinnacle of perfection. So why..." Her fingers clenched into fists, "Why am I still alone?"
Her thoughts drifted to her subordinates. Tyrian? Deranged. Hazel? Too dour. Watts? Ugh, not even worth considering. They were loyal, yes, but they lacked the spark she craved. The passion. The worship. Well, at least not the worship she wanted. Tyrian worshipped her, but he also declared that to 'sully' her would be something he would never do even if she ordered it. He would rather die than dare besmirch his goddess' dark beauty.
She let out a long, dramatic sigh, her gaze drifting back to the map, "Perhaps I've been too subtle," she mused aloud, "I've spent centuries making plans, manipulating pawns, and building armies, but maybe..." Her lips curled into a devious smile, "Maybe it's time to focus on the true prize."
She turned to a nearby Grimm, a hulking Nuckelavee that loomed in the shadows, "Send the packs out to Vale," she commanded, her voice firm, "I want the strongest, most handsome men brought to me. Fighters. Adventurers. Blacksmiths. Leave the farmers for now; we'll get to them later."
The creature growled low in response, slinking off into the darkness to carry out her bidding.
Salem returned to her throne, her smirk widening as she leaned back, draping one arm elegantly over the armrest. Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the cool obsidian as her mind raced with visions of her future empire. Not one built on fear and destruction, but on devotion. Worship. And an endless supply of doting, obedient men,"Yes," she murmured, her voice dripping with satisfaction, "I'll show them. . My harem will be the envy of Remnant. The poets of Mistral will write epic tales of it. The scholars of Atlas will marvel at its scale. And Ozma, wherever he is..." Her smirk twisted into a sly grin, "Ozma will finally understand what he lost and beg for me again."
Her laughter echoed through the dark halls, rich and triumphant. For centuries, the world had stopped her ambitions, but now, her path was clear. She would conquer Remnant and make herself their God-Queen.
And when her harem was complete, she would be unstoppable.
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Penny's just out here living her best life and the femcel gooners gotta try to drag her down. Meanwhile, Cinder thinks threatening arson is the best way to get a man and Salem is trying to start a worldwide harem.
Not sure who the next chapter will be. I'm thinking maybe one last chapter for Neo, Winter, or Goodwitch? Not much else we can go from here.
Comments
Mysterious Benefactor
Another nice chapter. I think Neo and Winter would be cool. Maybe do Winter as the Omega elf joke of Baalbuddy could be a funny fit. Maybe a short epilogue with smug Ruby with Jaune would be a nice ending ties everything together.
pilot puntastic
How about if Neo and Roman were constantly mistaken as a couple? They're just having a nice day out and Neo has to deal with huntresses insulting her because they think she's banging her adopted father.
Based_Bass
Man why not both? Iβm sure those would be INTERESTING π
Yugo Strange
I'm tied between goodwitch and winter
