𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒¹

𝐷𝑒́𝑗𝑎̀ 𝑉𝑢

‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊

ASTORIA AWOKE TO THE sunlight beaming upon her face and the chirps of birds in their snow dusted trees. She squinted her eyes adjusting to the light and stretched her body, letting out a well-deserved groan as her muscles ease their tension. It was what- 12:00 'o clock right now?

She looked around her room soaking up her stuffed wardrobe of unfolded clothes, messy desk filled with all her plans for the future, her small sink with a toothbrush and soap, and at last her bedside table which has... a flyer?

Astoria stared at it for a moment.

Then she picked it up.

It read:

A WISE CHOICE FOR YOUR FUTURE!

HEALTH BENEFITS:

IMMORTALITY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU! and A BOY-FREE TOMORROW!

There were pictures of the Hunters fighting monsters with a signature bow and arrows.

"Why do I have this?" she murmured.

Knock.

Astoria jolted upward at the soft sound. Another kidnapper?

Knock. Knock.

No, kidnappers wouldn't be this polite... unless?

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Bianca."

Astoria sighed in relief and walked over, opening the door.

"Come in, but excuse me," she said, "I just woke up, so I'm a little out of it."

"It's alright," the Hunter said.

Astoria led her in, keeping the door open the door slightly agape to let the air flow. While Bianca made herself comfortable, she was rapidly brushing her teeth.

"What brings you here?" the girl asked, causing a few bubbles to float and pop in the air. She took a real good look at the di Angelo sister, noticing an extreme 180 of her demeanor. She was no longer a scared, frail girl whose shoulder bent inward to make her smaller that who she was meant to be. Instead, she exuded a newfound confidence and comfort in her novel identity; her posture was straighter than cardboard and her facial expression stern like a military commander.

"Zoë told me you got the flyer and that I should talk to you about it," she answered.

"Hmph," Astoria blurted.  Bianca raised an eyebrow. The former held up a finger as she quickly rinsed her mouth. "Sorry, that just shocked me. What?"

"We're recruiting you for the Hunters," Bianca clarified.

Astoria closed her eyes. Is this still a dream?

"Are you okay?"

"Are you okay?"

Astoria's eyes shot upon. She was not going to dwell on last night. Nope. Not one bit.

"I'm peachy!" she laughed awkwardly. Bianca stared. 'This is very awkward.' Clearing her throat, Astoria spoke more seriously. "I know what you meant, but me? A Hunter?"

"We don't discriminate on race," Bianca said, "and you clearly have a gift. Us Hunters call upon fighters, and that you are."

"Oh, that's flattering," Astoria commented. A Hunter life could be nice. It was a forever bond with not only a great goddess, but also other girls. Not to mention, she'd learn so much about the world. On the other hand, she could end up like Zoë... but she should also end up like Thalia. But... "I'm gonna have to decline," she apologized.