Figit grasps the meaning behind the absent-minded attendant's words but chooses to remain quiet so to not draw attention to the fact that she is female.
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@ professor: The Lashunta doesn't even look up from her Costropolitin magazine. Not sure how ya got this far without anyone telling you about the cleansing. After Commander Stardust found the Aballonian crash site the men tried to take it from her tribe. Stardust killed them all. Then over the next 10 years she killed the rest of them too, all over the planet. Promised to use the Saucer Fleet to find us better, more faithful, submissive men from other worlds. *Blooooooow POP!* Anyone wanna piece u gum?
"Well, I'm never not one to sample the local delicacies I suppose... but I really must ask just why it is the rest of you are so willing to serve a leader who is so short-sightedly violent as to slaughter of your entire race and largely doom you to extinction."
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At this, the girl finally looks up from her magazine. Watch your tounge, Golarionite. Before Arael Stardust we were the slaves of that filth we used to call "the males of our species." Using us for nothing but pleasure and profit... She turns to Lisa and Elai. Are you quite sure these men you have chosen will make proper mates for you? Have they been properly trained? Has the Docktor signed them off? What were the results of their Ape-Shape Shifting test? Victor shudders.
Figit is stealthy enough.
"Well, that would indeed go fairly far towards rationalizing the violence, but are you not at all concerned with becoming that what you most despise by treating others as you had been treated?"
As the receptionist finally realizes something is amiss, Great Mastiff takes the opportunity to quickly pluck her up from behind the desk & away from any possible hidden weapons.
][Query; Comprehension, deoptimized?][
The professor shoves his glasses up a fair bit. "Well, assuming the more overeager members of this odd group of abductees don't render you too insensate to weigh the issue, I would strongly suggest a softer approach in these matters. On the whole, you seem to be a rather attractive people, who could likely find willing spouses on Golarion without the need for any violence. Still, it would seem this is a message better delivered to Miss Stardust herself. I don't suppose you'd be able to direct us to her current location, or barring that, at least give us a better idea of just where your captives are kept before being sent to this... 'bunny room' of yours. Although I dare say, from the sound of it, those held below should really be made a priority on the rescue front."
Figit stops hunching over and walks over to the metal man holding the secretary. She pulls of the raygun, shows it to the captive and presses it against her stomach . "Girl, I've been not having a good few days. Not only was I taken from my home planet and I've been forced to kill your kind, I've been experimented on. Now, this doesn't sit right with me and I am pretty mad. I've got some questions that you best answer or else I'll use this gun on you. What are the tests in the Bunny Room, where is that floozy Starbreeze, where are the rest of your "test subjects" being held, are the women alright and how in the Hells do we get back to our planet. You have ten seconds to answer before my trigger finger starts twitching. Ten...Nine...Eight..."
Great Mastif maneuvers the receptionist to best 'understand' Figit's viewpoint...
Lisa forms her helmet to show they mean business.
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The girl is scared out of her gourd by you guys. Wait wait I'll tell you everything you wanna know! There is no way she has wits about her enough to formulate coherent answers to every question. So she just answers figit's first. There are three tests down there. First, the test of courage: can the male place himself in harms way for the sake of Lashunta children. Second, the test of faithfulness: can the male resist sexual temptation and be faithful to the Lashunta women who chose him. Third, the test of love. No one ever passes that test. That's why we do all the experiments, trying to figure out why!
Look, just don't shoot me. I'm only a month away from my turn to pick a man from the Golarionite slaves! The girl starts to sob.
][Declamation; deoptimized...][ Great Mastiff shakes his head before looking at the others. ][Query; action plan?][
"Oh there there now," the professor gives the receptionist a mildly awkward reassuring pat. "You really can't go losing your composure like this if you aim to be part of some worlds-spanning empire. Just calm down, take a deep breath, and collect yourself a bit. There's no real reason we can't all ultimately get along here... but did you just say something about threatening the lives of your own children as some sort of loyalty test!?"
"We should head down there. These Lashunta are crazy. As if arranged marriages weren't bad enough, now there's this."
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Composing herself as best she can, she tries to answer Professor's quesiton. *Sob* Look, I don't know what goes on down there. No one is allowed to know exactly what happens during the tests. Very few new couples make it out alive. At least as far as we can tell. Stardust set up the tests with the help of the emissary of Eox.
Eox. A name...a world shrouded in mystery.
][Statement; that Eox...][ There is an odd burring tone & you realize that Great Mastiff just shivered.
][Statement; that path, contraindicated.]
Hands on hips. "As if I'd believe that. They were destroyed long ago."
Never heard of it, say what's our next move here, are we heading down or tacking on the bunnies?
"Oh yes, Eox. Why not people from Eox? Why not people living on the sun? Or the moon? Every star in the sky... but yes, it would seem we should deal with these 'tests' and see to the rescue of these poor enslaved people and endangered children. Come along now... oh, and I do thank you for being so forthcoming, miss...?"
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Argonia. My name is Argonia. So you are letting me go? She looks at Figit nervously hoping she will pocket that smoke-wagon. Then to the Professor: Listen, Sir, I really don't know what the tests are, but I know this: when you get to the first test, don't delay. As soon as that door opens go for the baby. If you wait, I think it will be too late.
"Baby? Wait... are they using real Lashunta babies to test the Golarionites' courage?"
"Somehow, someway, I doubt that. If they are I imagine it's the male ones." Celes offers Lisa before stepping forward. She looked at the button a long moment before turning around.
"Well... We can't leave our beautiful Argonia alone, can we? What do you say my metal friend? Halfling woman? Think you can 'convince' her it is in her best interest to follow us?"
Listen, Sir, I really don't know what the tests are, but I know this: when you get to the first test, don't delay. As soon as that door opens go for the baby. If you wait, I think it will be too late.
Immediately upon hearing this, the professor heads down without a moment's further thought, out of a basic sense of decency.
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The elevator descends for what seems like eternity. Soft music plays. As you reflect on your experiences the past few days you begin to feel stronger. You know you are growing as a person.
The elevator opens at the bottom with a *bing*. You are in a warehouse . There are racks and racks of armor, weapons, potions, magic items, Abollonian technology here. It appears it is all here for the taking, intended to aid those who would attempt these tests.
On the opposite end of the warehouse is a large automatic sliding glass door 20 ft high. Through it you see a chamber filled with lava and narrow footpaths. MAP UPDATED. You guys will enter from the South. Words are frosted into the glass: ENTER TO BEGIN TEST 1.
"So this is how they test to see if love is true?" Vanna stands at the glass doors waiting for the others. "Would you run across lava for a woman Victor?"
For the right Doll, there isn't anything I wouldn't do.
"Good answer. I don't suppose we just have to walk across. That would be too easy. And it will be hot. Might need to bring something if you don't like the heat."
"You know, the more time I spend with you people, the more I'm not quite sure if Areal had the right idea. You are a crazy impulsive group."
Elai sighs and follows them down.
"Lava, seriously? What is Arael's problem?"
At the mention of Eox, Figit remembers reading a ancient scroll in a Taladarian college. Realizing how much power this emissary could bestow upon to the crazed Stardust, Figit presses the gun harder into Argonia's stomach. "Where is the emissary? What about-" Then she notices that everyone started to go into elevator. Sigh. "Come on then," Figit says to their captive as she waves the gun over to the elevator.
As they ride down, Figit ponders over what it could mean that the Eoxians are cooperating with these crazy women. This thoughts are blown out of her mind as soon as she sees all the free stuff for the taking. "Wow! Look at all this!" She then starts to root around and taking anything that catches her fancy. At one point, a beautiful tiara was just out of reach for the gnome. Fuming, she turns to Argonia and mutter "Grab that for me, will ya?"
After getting all her new and fancy gear, Figit addresses the group. "So everyone, how do you think we should do this? Send out Victor, since he is the only human male and they might be watching somehow, while the rest of us hang back and support him anyway we can?"
The (human, male) professor gives a stern "Ahem." to Figit while working out how to best prepare to deal with the intense heat.
(I have a +10 mod to Kno(nature), so I'll use it to Aid Figit's analysis of the planet. I suggest everyone else aids another so we can learn more.)
"Sorry Professor. I should have mentioned both you and Victor."
The professor has a look around the various racks of handy goods, settling on a frosted amulet. "Well... so far I don't actually see any endangered children, or supervising staff. I suppose there's something to be said for another round of disguises, but I assume the more violent of us would abandon such matters in short order. In any case, normally I'd advise against touching metal this close to molten rock, but if this functions as expected..."
Grabbing and activating Frost Fist amulet, chilling these metal bridges with it.
*Rolls eyes*. Then takes a cloak from the rack.
"Hah! as if someone would choose Victor on purpose!" Lisa says upon hearing Argonia.
Great Mastiff's massive hand clamps down on Argonia's shoulder. ][Interjection; correction, implied 'belonging' incorrect. 'Victor' =/= property. 'We',][ At that, he spreads his arms indicating everyone present in the chamber, ][=/= property.][
][Continued ignorance, contraindicated. .][
Having said this, he releases her & proceeds to sift through the items on display, eventually finding a belt, an interesting amulet, two rings & a pair of scrolls which meet his fancy.
As he 'dons' each item, you see them slowly sink into his form. Observing closely, you see them flow within to their proper location on the smaller form inside.
Argonia, it's nice to meet you, sorry about all this. To tell you the truth, I think I lost track of what was going on a while ago, but hey, I'm gonna ride it out. Sorry to break it to you doll, but nobody picked me for anything. We're just a bunch of saps trying to get back home and on the way find this Areal of yours and try to bring her down. What she's doing is wrong, doll, just wrong. Maybe her heart's in the right place, I mean come on, don't we all hope someday to meet that one we're dreaming of. Well, anyway, keep you hopes up doll, there's a special man out there, or maybe it'll surprise you and be another dame, but when it happens, doll, trust me, don't let love take a back seat to one night of passion, if you know what I mean.
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Argonia looks at Victor with a bit of surprise.
I...guess I do know what you mean. But what I don't know is your name, Mr...
How could nobody have picked this one for the trials yet? Is there something wrong with him? She's not convinced he's worth all that just yet. But he's certainly one to keep on her "possibility" list. For now.
Jankowski, Victor Jankowski. If nothing else, Argonia, doll, I won't let any harm come to you as long as you help us to bring an end to this madness.
"Well, Victor! you've been showing yourself to be much more than a lecherous pervert recently! I'm impressed!"