The fairy flutters over to the bigfoot (though not within arm's reach) and says to him,
"I understand, Mr. Buckley. My mother and I were hunted because of our ability to turn into a fox."
Cashara just stays with VV until someone comes over to talk
VV says to Cashara, "About half me spells should be subtle enough that they just pass for me seeming more physically fit than I actually am.
"Right now, I can lift more than a ton o'er me head. I know a few tricks that'll make me run faster or jump higher. I can also make meself stronger and cling to walls like a spider.
"The only spells I need to avoid are those that change me appearance. So becoming a fifteen foot giantess with skin like the bark of a tree... I suppose I can save that trick for another day."
She ponders a moment, then adds, "If anything happens to that pretty dress o' yers, I've a trick for mending clothes. I can just work me magic it someplace private. It'd be a sin to Shelyn to deny ye me gift that keeps a lady fashionably adorned."
Chashara laughs at the last bit
dont worry, I will not be wearing this were it will get torn
Rorx hovers over the two women, but remains silent.
As the fairy talks to the oversized butler it gives a heavy huff, clearly expressing distaste for the small creature.
Now halfway up the stairs the conversation has died down (most of you are strangers after all) and an awkward silence fills the air. Just when it was about to get unbearable, you wish it had stayed silent...
"Alright, I've had enough! I have silent long enough! Sir Splorer, I was under the impression that this was a high class gathering, yet you have an overgrown monkey in a suit carrying our bags! Not only that, you've invited a half breed, a trio of harlots, and what ever "Mr" Frogmouth claims to be! Frankly this is beneath you and me! My grandfather Rainsford always said, 'A man who consorts with those beneath his stature, is not a man of stature at all'!" as she said this her voice got slowly louder in till she was nearly shrieking. You all notice that, as she talked, she would hold one crooked old hand up to her chest and with the other she would make large gestures. She would also move her head a lot as she spoke which cause the large golden eating sway and dangle like a clock pendalem.
"Although it pains me to do so, I must agree with her, well, except the part about the harlots... You cloud have given us a guest list of some kind." he said in a drawling tone. Again you all notice a bit more about the man. As he walked up the stairs he kept his back perfectly straight and struck the stone so hard with his cane that he must have been perilously doing it. You also notice the fact that his eyes slanted it a way that made him look as though he was already done with all of your crap before he even met you. By contrast, Mr. Minkins looked completely exhausted as he climbed the steps but barely made a noise as he did. His eyes where also slanted back, but in a way that made him look tired.
"If ya don't like it, then feel free ta swim home!" Hank shouts which gets him a disappointed look and a smile form Lance.
Suddenly, DeVill whips around and scowls at the dwarf, his teeth gashing as he spoke!
"I have half a mind to send you to sleep with the fishes, dwarf!"
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Then, out of no where, Mr. Frogmouth steps in between DeVill and Hank before Hank could give a retort. He stands there and pulls off his hat and takes out an apple, replaces his hat and takes a bite. DeVill and Hank just look at him, but somehow, almost like magic they both seem to calm down. Of course everyone else seems to be surprised if not shocked by the event but Frogmouth acts like nothing is going on at all and continues to eat. He then finishes, places the core in his hat the beings to trek up the steps. After a few moments the rest fallow suit.
You steal a look at Henry, who's face has turned pale and is fidgeting with his bracelet. He looks back at our heroes and give a weak smile and a slight nod before turning away and continuing to climb the stairs...
Its safe to say that all conversation was cut short at that point...
Upon hearing the term 'Harlot,' the Vixen is about to speak up, but she remains silent and simply watches Henry's awkward expression. Frogmouth uses his powers to calm DeVille (and Hank, though the Vixen got a kick out of his comment), and now that the room is silent, the Vixen says to Henry, "Thank ye for inviting us into yer home."
She glances in Madam Zulu's direction, her pleasant smile becoming slightly crooked.
These words did not actually come out of the Vixen's mouth. Zulu heard the same polite words as everybody else, but the women immediately understands the obviously-intended meaning that evil DeVille isn't clever enough to see.
Only Madam Zulu understands the Vixen's true meaning, and that look on the redhead's masked face! She wanted Zulu to understand her perfectly.
Fashion Bug flutters over to Mr. Hank and Prince Lance.
She says, "Prince Lance, I hope someday to learn fairy healing magic. If a nice man like Mr. Hank did fall asleep among the fish, I would plunge into the sea to wake him up!"
After the exchange and the mentioning of half-breeds mainly, harlot didn't effect her nearly as much, Cashara was doing all she could to hold it in. But, everything also almost as clear as day she about ready to explode, but then she seems to wilt.
so what if I'm a half-elf she mutters I'd bet my ears she doesn't even know what she is talking about. I mean... how many of her ancestors have mixed breeding. She is of no more pure blood than I am
VV could use her magic to whisper, but she instead speaks relatively softly so Rorx can hear. She doesn't concern herself with who else hears her.
"I don't believe the half-breed comment's meant for ye. Ye're one o' me fellow harlots." She adds, "Me Daddy's got his share o' sayings too. Opinions're like a*&%+*@s; everybody's got one."
”Saying mi a half breed just stating a fact It as obvious as pointless” - Rorx looks at both the Vixen and Cashara with a shrug and a chuckle, continuing up the stairs.
”Mi tink most here chat to much. Empty words an empty threats. Dem hollow” - he finishes with no more than a glance at Zulu and DeVill.
Ya, well compared to you, Rorx, I'm a bit dainty Cashara says Harlot is more hollow to me than half-breed. I have feelings to you know. She was tempted to say that last bit loud enough for Zulu to hear, but held back.
She sighs, but a small smile seems to creep on her face
I do have some wee tricks o' my own she says, almost mimicking VV.
The Vixen says with a smile, "Love to see what kind o' tricks ye've in mind. Maybe when we head to our rooms?
"If I can to magic that don't look like magic, I s'pose we can perform any tricks in private. It don't look like magic to Buckley if he don't see it."
To clarify what she does NOT mean by in-private, she says to Rorx, "Depending on Henry's rules, maybe we can all perform a li'l magic show—call our act Harlots and Half-Breeds." She looks up at her fairy friend and adds, "And Half-Pounders."
The fairy looks rather uncomfortable with the Vixen's implication that she weighs eight ounces.
"Miss Vixen, I believe the correct fraction is tenth, as in one tenth of a pound. Your Fruit Scale confirmed my weight in fairy form to be one-point-six ounces."
Chashara give a hearty laugh
quite the correctionist aren't you she says
you'll see my little trick in the morning
my little trick is a natural ability I say since we may be socializing later, I'll do it now
She seems to concentrate as she seems to grow an inch or so taller and her features become more elegant and her ears become more elvishly pronounced
VV replies to her fairy, "Me point is we won't let the ignorant get us down. When push comes to shove, the very people who insult us now'll thank us for saving their asses from a charging rhino!
The Vixen is pretty sure Madam Zulu heard her, and is not under the frogman's effect as DeVille is. She gives the old lady a sneer as if to warn her:
Madam Zulu's eyes widen and then she scowls and looks away, quicking her pace to catch up with the others.
The group reaches the top of the stairs just as the sky turns pink with the setting sun and what looks like storm clouds roll in.. Now at the top, you can see over the trees and glimpse the rest of the island. Past the garden, you can see a thick forest and an even thicker jungle, past that you spy swampland, a desert, and a rolling plain. Then even past there, you see what looks like to be a rocky area with seems to have lava bubbling out of it and then an icy mountain whose peak is hidden by the clouds. The house itself looks like a castle more than a manor, with stairs leading to the garden and others leading to what looks like a pit of some sort.
A cold wind blows by and you notice that Buckley and Shivers are gone, most likely already inside. As the sound of thunder reaches your ears Hank looks up at the sky with worry and Martha slips on a brown, but a fuzzy, jacket.
...To reveal a large entry hall that leads to a main room with a double staircase. There are two (poorly made) stuffed bears flanking the front doors which causes Martha to flinch on one side and Lance to let out a small yelp on the other. The ceiling stretches up into the shadows and chandeliers emerge from the black. Although there are many lights, the hall is so large, that it is dim and the candles cast odd shadows across the walls. Speaking of the walls, every inch is covered with pictures and portraits of Henry, standing in different poses, holding up his latest kill, or lining up his next shot. Alongside the photos are mounted heads and stuffed bodies of every animal you can think of and a few you've never seen before. You get the feeling like you should be impressed but in the low light and storm outside it looks more like a sadistic trophy case; a cemetery of lifeless eyes…
Henry walks forward with pride and begins to ramble on about the stories behind every prize.
"Neat place..." Hank says slowly as Lance slowly nods his head.
Both DeVill and Minkins seem dumbfounded while Frogmouth just nods his head like he expected as much.
Madam Zulu scowles at a stuffed peacock as Martha runs up to better hear Henry's story. At the head of the hall, Shivers emerges from around the corner, and candelabra in hand. The question is, what will our heroes do?
impressive she mutters with a gleam in her eye as her small transformation takes place. Some may need to do a double take for it to register while other don't even notic the change. I just hope I can do just as well
With that Shivers, DeVill, and Minkins go into the billiard room and Madam Zulu, Martha, and Mr. Frogmouth go up the stairs, probably to their rooms. Lastly, Lance and Hank hang back and continue to look at the many portraits and paintings that seem to cover every inch of the walls.
well, I'll meet you in the billiards room later Cashara says to her companions and heads upstairs to her room
The Vixen checks out her room and finds it suits her tastes perfectly!
"It's like home! Though I do not require such a large sleeping mat."
@Cashara
As you enter the room you are eminently hit with the odd but familiar smell of home. You know, that strange mix of wood and county combined with the fumes and fog of modern tech. On your bed you spy a giftwrapped box and a envelope resting on top of it.
@VV
True to his word, Henry had the room set up to match your fascination with the east! Resting on the sleeping mat is a rather large book with a pink bow wrapped around it. This gift has a envelope on it as well.
Cashara looks around the room before going to the giftwraped box and letter
She opens the letter and begins to read it as she sits on the bed.
The Vixen is surprised by the book. "And an envelope too! What do I read first?"
"We are a team, Miss Vixen."
The little fairy is able to flip through the book, though the pages are bigger than her six-inch-tall body!
The Vixen opens the envelope while Fashion Bug flips through the book.
The Vixen checks out her room and finds it suits her tastes perfectly!
Rorxdoes not hesitate, and goes directly to this 'billiard room' whatever it may be , in search of a strong drink.
Cashara looks around the room before going to the giftwraped box and letter
She opens the letter and begins to read it as she sits on the bed.
Inside the envelope is a single note-card that has Sir Splorer's now familiar handwriting on it. It reads...
To Cashara,
I had these orderd as soon as I saw them in the catalog! I hope they fit!
From, Henry E. X. Splorer
"We are a team, Miss Vixen."
The little fairy is able to flip through the book, though the pages are bigger than her six-inch-tall body!
The Vixen opens the envelope while Fashion Bug flips through the book.
The envelope simply reads,
To help with your designs!
From Uncle Henry
The book is full of hand-drawn illustrations and sketches of exotic plants and animals. Every page tells a little bit about the plant or animal, along with a full sketch of it and a full color close up of its patterns and colors.
The Vixen checks out her room and finds it suits her tastes perfectly!
Rorxdoes not hesitate, and goes directly to this 'billiard room' whatever it may be , in search of a strong drink.
You enter though the double doors to find a fairly large room on the other side. It seems like there are many large picture windows on the walls but the all of the curtains are drawn, causing the several lamps to be the only light in the dimly lit room. On the other wall their is a large bar set up, with the wall behind it housing shelves of bottles and glasses. In the middle of the room are two pool tables and several lounge chairs.
Mr. DeVill has already started to play a game of pool by himself and has a lit cigar in his mouth that puffs out smoke as he bends over to line up his next shot. Mr. Minkins stands nearby, a piece of pool calk in one hand and what you assume to be DeVill's wine glass in the other.
Behind the bar stands Shivers, his candelabra within arms reach. He stares at you in terror as you enter the room, but then gulps and averts his gaze.
"Yuh kno who serving di drinks?" - Rorx moves toward, and addresses Shivers.
hope they fit she mutters the last words and then looks at the package.
She picks it up and opens it, curious of what was inside.
"Yuh kno who serving di drinks?" - Rorx moves toward, and addresses Shivers.
The butler seems to hold himself back from grabbing the candelabra as he looks up at you wide eyed. His mouth opens a bit before he closes it and gulps. He closes his eyes and breathes in.
DeVill hits the cue ball which crashes into the others with a loud CRACK .
Shivers breaths out and opens his eyes. He then stands straight and looks you in the eyes.
"I'm serving drinks, sir. What would you like?" he says in a clear unwavering voice.
hope they fit she mutters the last words and then looks at the package.
She picks it up and opens it, curious of what was inside.
On the lid you see in large gold letters H & B which you recall stands for Hoof and Baum, a shoe manufacturing company.
Inside the box is a pair of stylish snake-skin boots. The soles are made with dark brown leather and the to toes seemed to steel tip, but on closer inspection to see they are actually silver! On the back of the boots is a pair of detachable silver spurs that sparkle in the candle light and tinkle when you lift up the boots. The boots come with what seem to be a catalog ad that soon reading reveals that the heels of the boots are hollow, allowing a small secret compartment built into the shoes. By just eyeing them, it seems that they will indeed be a perfect fit.
She gives a small chuckle
seems like everyone thinks of me as a cowgirl she says.
I think I'll play the part tomorrow durring the hunt. she resolves to herself.
The Vixen heads down to the billiard room.
"What's on yer wine list?" she asks, but as the words leave her mouth, she already has a second thought: "Pick something red from the list, and that's me drink.
"As for me li'l friend," she says in reference to the fairy on her shoulder, "A virgin cocktail in a glass so big she can bathe in it."
"I prefer pina colada, if you serve it, Mr. Shivers. Otherwise, anything with a sweet citrus smell would be lovely."
After looking around her room, she herself heads down to the billiard room. spotting VV, she walks over and sits next to her ginger ail, extra ginger would ya? is her request
"I'm serving drinks, sir. What would you like?" he says in a clear unwavering voice.
"Hmmmm, Fire Wata wi duh" - Rorx nods after pondering a few seconds.