After a few moments, a nasally voice comes from the room to the south.
"Who be there? Strong ones? Stand and deliver, that my pets and I may get a better look at you!"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Azura looks a bit curious at the nasally voice, then whispers, "How do we play this? Helpful? Threatening? Seductive? Saersha, I already know your vote."
Ulfr whispers back, Well, if it wars a strong one...
He steps around the spider corpse toward the voice and makes no effort to hide his bulk.
Ada stands still, and waits to see what happens next.
Sighing in relief and giving Azura a wink as the muck and grime simply slough off of her, Ryn turns her attention forwards at the sound of the voice.
As Ulfr steps forward, the gladiatrix chuckles. The wardrummer never was one to back down from a challenge. "Threatening it is." she whispers back, striding forward to stand beside, Ulfr, setting up a front line.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Zev watched and followed behind the two dauntless gladiators, curious if talking spiders were known to live in places like this. Or if they were a thing to begin with. They probably were, somewhere. The important question was if that somewhere was here.
Pillars run down the centre of the hall beyond to an alcove at chest height at either end. The eastern alcove holds a silver statuette, while the western one holds an upside-down ogre's skull.
Sitting in the skull is a tiny, grey-skinned creature that looks very similar to the small one the party encountered before--the biggest differences one can see are in its style of dress. It's wearing what appears to be a red tapestry with gold embroidery as a cape, and has a golden bracer with an image of a skull engraved near one of the armbands. A small golden bell dangles off of one of the bracer's straps. The small 'regal' creature has bugged-out purple eyes and carries a hook-shaped sword, which it points at the party as they enter.
"Greetings, strong ones! And welcome to the domain of the ALMIGHTY KING ZUGGA!" The 'king' stands up in its skull throne and puffs out its scrawny chest in an attempt to look impressive. "You may now come forward, and pay homage to me in an indubitably grateful manner." It proclaims in a nasally, overly-stuffy voice.
"Uhm...okay. I'm assuming you're 'King' Zugga" Ryn asks with a hint of amusement in her tone.
Zev waits, eyes dancing to everyone else before giving an awkward half-bow to Zugga.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
And what, exactly, do you rule that I should bow Ulfr rumbles.
"KING ZUGGA rules the entirety of this wondrous stone ap-er-ture that you see, strong one!" 'King' Zugga boasts, his purple bug-eyes shining with demented glee. "The mites are His people, and they know better than to tempt My wrath!"
"I have sought strong ones such as you for far too long!"
Well then, let's not waste any time. what can we do for you? Ulfr says, conveniently forgetting the whole bowing part.
Ryn manages to hide her grin. Just barely.
Azura asked how they should handle this and made her crack at Saersha about her obvious choice. It caused the wizardess to wrinkle her nose in distaste as she said, "Don't assume I always fall back to lust, there are some things even I won't do." She then shifted to Embyr reached out to put an arm around the woman's waist and pull her closer, not doing more for now, but definitely being very friendly.
'King' Zugga settles back into his throne, adjusting the 'crown' on his head. "Times are tough, indeed, strong ones. Tough enough that my beloved Clickylegs has wandered off, in search of darker, vermin-filled pastures." The tiny mite effects a dramatic sniff & sob.
"And the little beastie took my spare crown!"
Embyr leans into Saersha as the mage pulls her to her side, and after giving 'King' Zugga a baffled look, wordlessly looks into her mistress' eyes in bewilderment.
"Clickylegs?"
Saersha considered Embyr's questioning look thoughtfully for a moment and noted with pleasure that the woman wasn't resisting her and seemed to be unbothered by the display of possessive affection. {i}Clickylegs,[/i] she thought, could her mean?! She leaned close to Embyr, moving slightly and turning the other woman as well so they nearly faced each other, and leaned in very close to speak into her ear.
"Yes, Clickylegs! My most beautiful little crustacean of indomitable fallitude!" The 'king' bemoans. "He left me and took the shiniest of my spare crowns!"
"And to think I had the most glorious of diamonds to put in its epicentre, too..."
And if we were to retrieve your companion?...
"Then the diamond would be as good as yours, great hero! The size of your HEAD, it is!" The mite boasts.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Does he have to be alive?
The question actually causes the mite to stop and think for a bit.
"...It'd be quite nice if you did. Bring him back alive, that is. If not, well, the beastie deserves it for leaving me. Didn't even do me the curtsy of saying goodbye!"
Azura blinks a few times, cocks her head to one side, then says to Saersha, "Oh, I just meant how the initial stance of our encounter would play out. Obviously you can open with a seductive appeal and then alter your approach later as the scenario plays out."
She turns to the mite-king and says, "Do you have other subjects deeper in these warrens, sire?"
"Oh, they're around somewhere. No doubt bringing their rightful KING ZUGGA!" The mite bellows, his ego swelling. "The tribute he rightfully deserves."
"Such as food. Or shinies. Or candles."
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ryn takes a slow, deep breath, the kind one takes when dealing with a small child telling a long incoherent story.
Finding herself relieved at not getting involved in this conversation Saersha remained with her arm around Embyr and her face nuzzling the other woman's neck. She still listened, but she was amusing herself with other things just now, and would interrupt if she felt the need.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ada shakes her head as this conversation just gets more unbelievable. She surprises herself when she starts to speak.
She gives the small King one of those smiles you give someone who isn't quite all there or a small child you are humoring. Then she bows low, "You have a deal. Great King Zugga. I believe we have already taken care of your missing Crickylegs, and let one of your subjects live to bring you gifts. Those to grand tasks deserve a grand reward don't you think? We didn't find a diamond. What other great reward do you have for the strong folk who took care of Cricklylegs for you?"
Honestly candles would be pretty nice right now. But then, food. Zev thinks to himself as he watches Ada negotiate with the King.
She's restraining herself from responding in kind.
'KING' Zugga tilts his head at Ada. "Already? But you haven't even left!"
"KING ZUGGA!" He hops up in his throne, puffing his chest out. "Has heard the sounds of battle from outside His throne room. That was not Clickylegs fighting you--KING ZUGGA! Knows that much."
"Beast still deserved it. Wouldn't even let its rightful KING ZUGGA! Ride it!"
"... okay."
Ok. Let us know where your little rebel went and well be on our way.
Saersha remained where she was and knew that time was almost up so she took things just a bit further. Her head shifted slightly and she whispered to Embyr once more while they wrapped up business with "King" Zugga.
After a few whispered words, and a slight shift of posture, Saersha pressed against Embyr's front firmly and rubbed against her as she continued to nuzzle the woman's neck.
There's a stifled gasp from her as you take hold of her rump, and there's the barest of nods from her in response to your question.
Even through her armour, you can feel her nipples stiffening as you rub against her front.
"Clickylegs wandered deeper into the great stone halls. Past the anthills--they never got along with him. Return swiftly, and KING ZUGGA!" The mite crows.
"Will reward you."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ada shakes her head surprised that ULfr and Ryn haven't just killed the crazy thing yet.
In a tone heard in the Private Boxes of the Arena when nobles are speaking to their servants Ada says, "As you wish my King." and starts to move away.
"We'll....take care of this....and be back." Ryn says sharing a look with Ada and rolling her eyes.
”... yeah.” Zev says with a quick bow before hurrying along with the others.
Saersha heard her companions wrapping up the conversation with "King Zugg" and knew her fun would soon be over until they had a chance to rest. Keeping her back to the others as she pressed closer to Embyr she continued to whisper into her maids ear as she obviously toyed with her new maid in some fashion.
For a moment, she stands there, silent in disbelief. Then she starts to gently fondle you, but only with the hand you chose. Her tension begins to melt away as the moment goes on...
"Then GO FORTH, brave heroes, until KING ZUGGA'S! Noble quest has been fulfilled." The mite 'king' slouches in his ogre-skull throne, picking his nose with a large hook.
Rolling her eyes Ryn leads the way back to where 'King' Zugga indicated. Once they're out of earshot she shakes her head muttering. "Complete and utter lunatic"
Complete lunatic with a god complex and an ancient, magical stone. A dangerous combination. Ulfr rumbles.
Zev nods. "I wonder how long he's been down here."
"Probably a really long time. Shall we find his spider for him?" Ada heads out with the others. "We're probably going to have to kill him eventually."
Zev gives a knowing nod. "Yep."
Ulfr nods and leads the way.
"Most likely." Ryn agrees as they continue on.
It soon becomes abundantly clear that the party is moving on, cutting Saersha's (and Embyr's) fun short.
The seemingly-endless stone corridors of the Crow are damp with moisture.
And they're mixed with the sounds of high-pitched chattering.
Ever alert for signs of danger, Ryn holds up a hand to bring everyone to a halt. "Sounds like more spiders.....and something else. A high-pitched chattering. Maybe 'clickylegs' is a giant centipede or something."
"Oh goody..." the disdain on Zev's face matched his words.
Well, it's unavoidable, so let's get in with it.
"Ready whenever," whispers Azura from behind Ryn.