{ Morning of the hun / with Lyra }
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Aurora woke up slowly and stretched lazily, savoring the quiet, knowing the day would soon start. It wasn’t like she had a burning desire to win, her father’s wishes made sure of that, but she’d still be there, helpful as always, playing her part without standing out too much. Today, she’d simply blend in, as much as she could. She was not too eager to compete, but not apathetic either. Just enough to fulfill her father’s expectations without ruffling feathers.
With a soft sigh Aurora got out of her bed, leaving behind the mess of tangled blankets. Her silk pajama shorts clung loosely to her slender frame, slipping slightly off one shoulder as she moved across the room. She padded toward the window, dragging her feet as she leaned against the frame. The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a gentle glow on her, making the soft fabric shimmer faintly. Outside, the campus was already buzzing. She could hear the faint echoes of students preparing for the day, their laughter mixing with the sound of footsteps on the paths below. Aurora’s lips pressed into a thin line as she watched, her thoughts drifting. It felt strange, knowing how much this day meant to everyone. The scavenger hunt had a certain weight, especially for those hoping to rise through the ranks, and yet… she felt distant from it all.
Her father had already made it clear. This wasn’t her moment to shine. Someone else was supposed to win, someone of “better strategic value,” as he’d put it. She was a pawn in this game, but not the kind that moved toward the crown. Aurora’s fingers idly traced the cold glass of the window. She wasn’t meant to win, but she wasn’t allowed to fail either. Sighing again, she stepped away from the window, her silk pajamas swishing softly with each movement. She wouldn’t try to outsmart anyone today, but she’d offer enough help not to raise suspicions. Just enough to keep herself useful but invisible. Always the dutiful daughter.
Aurora found herself teamed up with some of her friends including Atlas, Nessa and even Kairo. Not a bad bunch. The hunt kicked off and they moved quickly through the first location, their steps in sync as they pieced together the clues. Aurora found herself enjoying the morning more than she anticipated. While she wasn’t particularly driven to win, being with friends made the experience a lot more fun… It’s been a while since she had fun like this. Especially on campus. They were laughing at Kairo’s playful remarks, but Aurora couldn’t miss how Nessa was already two steps ahead, deciphering the next riddle. She did seem very focused and determined to win and she loved seeing her friend like that, and in that moment Aurora felt bad for not being able to give her 100%.
However, just as they were on their way to the next spot, something caught Aurora’s eye. Across the lawn, she saw Lyra sprinting, her face pale, eyes red, clearly distressed. She was running away from something, or maybe someone, and the sight stopped Aurora in her tracks. Her team continued a few paces ahead before realizing she had paused. For a brief moment, Aurora’s mind raced. Should she stick with her group, helping them solve the next clue like she had promised? Or should she follow Lyra? It wasn’t like Lyra was a close friend, Aurora didn’t know her that much… Not personally. But she had always been someone who noticed when others were in trouble. Her father’s expectations for her to stay focused on the task at hand flickered in her mind, but Aurora brushed them aside. This was more important. “I’ll catch up,” Aurora called out softly to her group, waving them on. As she followed Lyra’s hurried steps, Aurora’s thoughts churned. She wasn’t sure what had happened, but it was obvious Lyra was upset. She couldn’t just ignore a girl running away from… something. What if it was serious? What if something really bad happened and no one noticed? She had to inform her father immediately.
Aurora quickened her pace, but Lyra was already a fair distance ahead, moving fast in her panic. Aurora furrowed her brow, realizing she might not catch up in time unless she intervened. Without much thought, she reached out to the shadows around her. It was a subtle gesture, a soft manipulation of the darkness cast by the trees and buildings on campus. With a flick of her fingers, she wove the shadows together, crafting a thin veil of darkness that materialized just a few steps in front of Lyra. It wasn’t meant to frighten her, just to slow her down for a moment, long enough for Aurora to catch up. “Lyra!” Aurora called out, her voice soft, reassuring. “Wait, it’s just me.” Aurora’s breathing was a little heavy from the chase… give the girl a break she was lacking in the cardio department the past few months.
“Are you okay? What happened? You ran off so fast…” She genuinely wanted to help, but she also knew that if something serious had occurred, something that could affect the hunt or anyone’s safety, her father would be furious if she ignored it. Aurora’s concern wasn’t just for Lyra’s feelings, it was about the consequences that might follow. She didn’t know what had triggered Lyra’s panic, but judging by her reaction it had to be something significant. Aurora’s voice remained gentle, though there was an undercurrent of urgency. “Is it something bad?” She asked, trying to hide her anxiety over what might be at stake.
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@Jass - Lyra
@Madilfill - nessa mentioned
@CerealKiller - kai mentioned
@idiot.exe - atlas mentioned