The Ruby Empire

The Harpy

Female Reader x Female Monster

"Ugh, they're back," you mother tugs on your wrist as you stop to stare up. Shadows crossed your path and above you, you see the harpies rest at the tops of the pillars that lined the ruins. The market always took place in the ruins and during the warm months that was where the harpies flocked.

Your mother pulls you along as you look up at them, your eyes wide as their great wings stretch out and then fold in. The sun makes them shadows, but you can see them watching you as you walk behind your mother.

No one ever really speaks well of the harpies, they're considered a nuisance. They make messes, rob people, and pull cruel jokes. You've never witnessed anything like this personally, you've actually never encountered a harpy up close before, but you want to. Your mother never leaves you alone long enough for you to be able to inch closer, and you're not allowed out of the house without an escort. It's frustrating for you.

"Tuck that thing away!" Your mother gasps when she sees your prized necklace is dangling around your neck. She grabs you and places the long chain and charm into your top. She looks at you concerned. "They'll snatch you away if you glitter."

You frown, "I highly doubt they'd want me," you huff. "They just want the necklace. They'd snatch it before they'd even look at me."

You mom shakes her head, whispering something about having too willful a child. Above you, you hear a soft giggle. Turning back you see the harpies all looking in your direction.

One day you're surprised to find yourself home alone. Your parents had to travel away to take care of business with your grandparents and your brothers left the house to go out and party, leaving you home alone to fend for yourself. You're ecstatic.

You leave the house, heading to the ruins, your necklace hanging freely around your neck. You come upon the pillars, looking up you see the harpies all perched above and watching the market below. They're whispering and cackling amongst themselves. They then suddenly go quiet and turn towards you looking up at them.

"The pretty one is staring," you hear one murmured in amusement.

"She was staring at us a few days ago as well," a second coos.

"Maybe she wants to play with us," the third giggles.

You swallow back and your lips part as you listen to them above. Your heart begins to hammer and you turn and walk away.

"Oh, she's leaving," the first one chimes.

"Maybe we should chase her," the second murmurs.

"She's wearing such a pretty shiny," the third laughs, "you should chase her."

You start running, but not towards back home. You race out towards the coastline and towards the rocks where all the young couples went when they wanted to be alone. You see a shadow cut in front of your path and you look up, seeing one of the harpies flying above you. You race on, your feet digging into the sand as you hit the beach.

The shadow grows bigger and bigger, soon you feel shrouded in darkness and then you're pushing into the sand, might claws gripping onto your shoulders.

You feel something at the nape of your neck, nipping at the chain of your necklace. Downy soft lips press against your skin and a warm, wet tongue licks at the chain. "Pretty girl," she coos into your ear. "Do you run to play or do you run from fear?

"Play," you gasp out, sand in your mouth.

They lift off you and you sit up, looking at her as she smiles down at you. She stretches her long neck down to meet you face to face. She's beautiful, much more beautiful than the nasty, gnarled hags the townspeople described the harpies. Her face is downy soft, almond shaped eyes blink slowly, pure black. Her long neck flared with white, yellow, and blue feathers.