"And why, pray tell, were you so far from home?" She leers.
The moth is silent for a long while, clearly trying to recall what happened next, but... "I... I... can't... remember that..." Confusion and doubt begin to extend their roots into her mind once again. "Every other detail, I recall, but..." She looks back up at the Queen with noticeable reluctance, noting her expression. "...You know something, don't you?"
"Oh, of course. And I'll share, if you'll allow me to... but it's your choice now." She puts on a mock-innocent expression.
Adeline's brow furrowed as she thought for a while, keeping the Queen in her sights the whole time. She takes a breath. "...Alright. Tell us, then." The nymph fully expects nothing but lies in response, but maybe this will mean one step towards the Queen leaving them without conflict.
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Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
She flaps her arms once in a sort of shrug. "I'm... scared. The Sugarplum Queen is here... and she might wanna kill me... for talkin' wif er' daughter..."
'The sugarplum queen? I think I've seen her, she's horrendous. But I'm sure I can help. You need somewhere to hide?'
"Yah. That'd be... sweet." The corner of their mouth twitches into a smile. "But... I might lure her to... the hidin' spot..."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
She flaps her arms once in a sort of shrug. "I'm... scared. The Sugarplum Queen is here... and she might wanna kill me... for talkin' wif er' daughter..."
'The sugarplum queen? I think I've seen her, she's horrendous. But I'm sure I can help. You need somewhere to hide?'
"Yah. That'd be... sweet." The corner of their mouth twitches into a smile. "But... I might lure her to... the hidin' spot..."
'How would she know where ya are? Got some way of trackin ya?'
"Oh, of course. And I'll share, if you'll allow me to... but it's your choice now." She puts on a mock-innocent expression.
Adeline's brow furrowed as she thought for a while, keeping the Queen in her sights the whole time. She takes a breath. "...Alright. Tell us, then." The nymph fully expects nothing but lies in response, but maybe this will mean one step towards the Queen leaving them without conflict.
"I believe what happened is that your caretakers 'unexpectedly' got in the way of one of the Sugarplum Court's hunts. I must have thought that... well, such a small village would be a reasonable sacrifice for some entertainment. Of course, you were off the menu for that hunt, per my orders. You really should thank me. I arranged your meeting with Mother Moth, after all." She giggles.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
"Yah. That'd be... sweet." The corner of their mouth twitches into a smile. "But... I might lure her to... the hidin' spot..."
'How would she know where ya are? Got some way of trackin ya?'
"My... psychic powers... they, like... flow out like a waterfall... constantly... too much energy... even when I sleep..." They sigh and flop down onto their side. A pigeon climbs onto her cheek.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
"Yah. That'd be... sweet." The corner of their mouth twitches into a smile. "But... I might lure her to... the hidin' spot..."
'How would she know where ya are? Got some way of trackin ya?'
"My... psychic powers... they, like... flow out like a waterfall... constantly... too much energy... even when I sleep..." They sigh and flop down onto their side. A pigeon climbs onto her cheek.
'Hmm. She does seem dangerous. Worst comes to worst, I can summon animals to fight her off, but I don't know if it would be any good. She seems powerful. I've been keeping a low profile, broken into an abandoned cellar to stay in. No point setting up something permanent if I'm gonna get driven out of here at some point'
"My... psychic powers... they, like... flow out like a waterfall... constantly... too much energy... even when I sleep..." They sigh and flop down onto their side. A pigeon climbs onto her cheek.
'Hmm. She does seem dangerous. Worst comes to worst, I can summon animals to fight her off, but I don't know if it would be any good. She seems powerful. I've been keeping a low profile, broken into an abandoned cellar to stay in. No point setting up something permanent if I'm gonna get driven out of here at some point'
She nods, still laying on the ground. "Thas'... good. Can I... stay wif you?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
"My... psychic powers... they, like... flow out like a waterfall... constantly... too much energy... even when I sleep..." They sigh and flop down onto their side. A pigeon climbs onto her cheek.
'Hmm. She does seem dangerous. Worst comes to worst, I can summon animals to fight her off, but I don't know if it would be any good. She seems powerful. I've been keeping a low profile, broken into an abandoned cellar to stay in. No point setting up something permanent if I'm gonna get driven out of here at some point'
She nods, still laying on the ground. "Thas'... good. Can I... stay wif you?"
'Uhh, yeah, sure ya can'. His eyes dart about nervously, before he makes his decision. 'This way'
"Oh, of course. And I'll share, if you'll allow me to... but it's your choice now." She puts on a mock-innocent expression.
Adeline's brow furrowed as she thought for a while, keeping the Queen in her sights the whole time. She takes a breath. "...Alright. Tell us, then." The nymph fully expects nothing but lies in response, but maybe this will mean one step towards the Queen leaving them without conflict.
"I believe what happened is that your caretakers 'unexpectedly' got in the way of one of the Sugarplum Court's hunts. I must have thought that... well, such a small village would be a reasonable sacrifice for some entertainment. Of course, you were off the menu for that hunt, per my orders. You really should thank me. I arranged your meeting with Mother Moth, after all." She giggles.
The nymph seems shocked and angry at her response, though that didn't fully show until the mention of the village. "You... you had your court slaughter an entire village, just for entertainment?! And you call Mother Moth vicious?" Adeline, truly disgusted, takes another step away from the Queen, remaining close to her mother. "I think I've made my decision. I'd like to stay here with her. Reveling in cruelty is something I can't condone, let alone partake in."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"I believe what happened is that your caretakers 'unexpectedly' got in the way of one of the Sugarplum Court's hunts. I must have thought that... well, such a small village would be a reasonable sacrifice for some entertainment. Of course, you were off the menu for that hunt, per my orders. You really should thank me. I arranged your meeting with Mother Moth, after all." She giggles.
The nymph seems shocked and angry at her response, though that didn't fully show until the mention of the village. "You... you had your court slaughter an entire village, just for entertainment?! And you call Mother Moth vicious?" Adeline, truly disgusted, takes another step away from the Queen, remaining close to her mother. "I think I've made my decision. I'd like to stay here with her. Reveling in cruelty is something I can't condone, let alone partake in."
She takes a step forward. "It's not your decision. I created you, you belong to me. I could even use your true name right now and force you to come with me, but I'm being nice. Do you want me to be mean instead?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
"I believe what happened is that your caretakers 'unexpectedly' got in the way of one of the Sugarplum Court's hunts. I must have thought that... well, such a small village would be a reasonable sacrifice for some entertainment. Of course, you were off the menu for that hunt, per my orders. You really should thank me. I arranged your meeting with Mother Moth, after all." She giggles.
The nymph seems shocked and angry at her response, though that didn't fully show until the mention of the village. "You... you had your court slaughter an entire village, just for entertainment?! And you call Mother Moth vicious?" Adeline, truly disgusted, takes another step away from the Queen, remaining close to her mother. "I think I've made my decision. I'd like to stay here with her. Reveling in cruelty is something I can't condone, let alone partake in."
She takes a step forward. "It's not your decision. I created you, you belong to me. I could even use your true name right now and force you to come with me, but I'm being nice. Do you want me to be mean instead?"
Her acidic claws start to form again as she takes another two steps back, stumbling a bit. "W- what do you plan to do with me? Why do you even want me back, assuming you're not lying?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
She takes a step forward. "It's not your decision. I created you, you belong to me. I could even use your true name right now and force you to come with me, but I'm being nice. Do you want me to be mean instead?"
Her acidic claws start to form again as she takes another two steps back, stumbling a bit. "W- what do you plan to do with me? Why do you even want me back, assuming you're not lying?"
"Oh, I have no plans. You may be my daughter, but you mean absolutely nothing to me. I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot about you after a few days. But what's important is that Calpe here wants to keep you." She grins wickedly. "So badly, in fact, that she'd gladly kill me and anyone else who got in the way. Then she will have broken the law of Hospitality, as I have harmed nothing and no one in her domain. And then, I'll have an excuse to start a war. Her actions have been sanctioned by the King, after all." She sniffs. "Any questions, little bug?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
She takes a step forward. "It's not your decision. I created you, you belong to me. I could even use your true name right now and force you to come with me, but I'm being nice. Do you want me to be mean instead?"
Her acidic claws start to form again as she takes another two steps back, stumbling a bit. "W- what do you plan to do with me? Why do you even want me back, assuming you're not lying?"
"Oh, I have no plans. You may be my daughter, but you mean absolutely nothing to me. I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot about you after a few days. But what's important is that Calpe here wants to keep you." She grins wickedly. "So badly, in fact, that she'd gladly kill me and anyone else who got in the way. Then she will have broken the law of Hospitality, as I have harmed nothing and no one in her domain. And then, I'll have an excuse to start a war. Her actions have been sanctioned by the King, after all." She sniffs. "Any questions, little bug?"
"...You... you just wanted an excuse to hunt and slaughter to your hearts' content... you truly are a monster..." Adeline has gone beyond mere disgust, feeling pure resentment and hatred towards the Queen, her expression an appalled scowl. "...if a war's what you want so badly, why go after us? There's the Ghoul Queen, that abominable plant, and likely a dozen more options. Why her?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Oh, I have no plans. You may be my daughter, but you mean absolutely nothing to me. I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot about you after a few days. But what's important is that Calpe here wants to keep you." She grins wickedly. "So badly, in fact, that she'd gladly kill me and anyone else who got in the way. Then she will have broken the law of Hospitality, as I have harmed nothing and no one in her domain. And then, I'll have an excuse to start a war. Her actions have been sanctioned by the King, after all." She sniffs. "Any questions, little bug?"
"...You... you just wanted an excuse to hunt and slaughter to your hearts' content... you truly are a monster..." Adeline has gone beyond mere disgust, feeling pure resentment and hatred towards the Queen, her expression an appalled scowl. "...if a war's what you want so badly, why go after us? There's the Ghoul Queen, that abominable plant, and likely a dozen more options. Why her?"
"Because she is sponsored by the King. Haven't you been listening?" She chuckles. "This isn't for fun. It never was. My court has withered away to nothing. The fools ruined their lands, killed their children, slaughtered each other. It's all I can do to keep them from eating me alive. We need a fresh start. I need a war that will either kill them or give me enough fertile soil to grow something... and I'll gladly skin Mother Moth alive to do it. Augustus would gladly have me rip apart Ghulheim, harvest that wretched flower, but really, I want him to fight. I want him to die. You're a stepping stone, girl, and don't you ever forget it."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
"Oh, I have no plans. You may be my daughter, but you mean absolutely nothing to me. I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot about you after a few days. But what's important is that Calpe here wants to keep you." She grins wickedly. "So badly, in fact, that she'd gladly kill me and anyone else who got in the way. Then she will have broken the law of Hospitality, as I have harmed nothing and no one in her domain. And then, I'll have an excuse to start a war. Her actions have been sanctioned by the King, after all." She sniffs. "Any questions, little bug?"
"...You... you just wanted an excuse to hunt and slaughter to your hearts' content... you truly are a monster..." Adeline has gone beyond mere disgust, feeling pure resentment and hatred towards the Queen, her expression an appalled scowl. "...if a war's what you want so badly, why go after us? There's the Ghoul Queen, that abominable plant, and likely a dozen more options. Why her?"
"Because she is sponsored by the King. Haven't you been listening?" She chuckles. "This isn't for fun. It never was. My court has withered away to nothing. The fools ruined their lands, killed their children, slaughtered each other. It's all I can do to keep them from eating me alive. We need a fresh start. I need a war that will either kill them or give me enough fertile soil to grow something... and I'll gladly skin Mother Moth alive to do it. Augustus would gladly have me rip apart Ghulheim, harvest that wretched flower, but really, I want him to fight. I want him to die. You're a stepping stone, girl, and don't you ever forget it."
Adeline is dead silent for a long while, staring daggers at the Queen the whole time, though internally she is panicking beyond description. She has no idea what to do- she's under the Queen's thumb, with nowhere to run to, and (allegedly) she has the key to Adeline's mind. She can't think of anything, not so quickly. She needs more time. She needs... more... time.
"...Alright. You win." Tears stream down Adeline's face, her breath already wavering."The one thing I ask of you to give me, is time. I have a rather large family, as you know, and... I want to say my goodbyes and get my things prepared. Ten days should be enough, I think... then, you can return and... and... I'll.. I- I'll be ready. Do... do we have a deal?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Because she is sponsored by the King. Haven't you been listening?" She chuckles. "This isn't for fun. It never was. My court has withered away to nothing. The fools ruined their lands, killed their children, slaughtered each other. It's all I can do to keep them from eating me alive. We need a fresh start. I need a war that will either kill them or give me enough fertile soil to grow something... and I'll gladly skin Mother Moth alive to do it. Augustus would gladly have me rip apart Ghulheim, harvest that wretched flower, but really, I want him to fight. I want him to die. You're a stepping stone, girl, and don't you ever forget it."
Adeline is dead silent for a long while, staring daggers at the Queen the whole time, though internally she is panicking beyond description. She has no idea what to do- she's under the Queen's thumb, with nowhere to run to, and (allegedly) she has the key to Adeline's mind. She can't think of anything, not so quickly. She needs more time. She needs... more... time.
"...Alright. You win." Tears stream down Adeline's face, her breath already wavering."The one thing I ask of you to give me, is time. I have a rather large family, as you know, and... I want to say my goodbyes and get my things prepared. Ten days should be enough, I think... then, you can return and... and... I'll.. I- I'll be ready. Do... do we have a deal?"
The Queen smiles warmly. "And what if I say no?"
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Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
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Adeline's brow furrowed as she thought for a while, keeping the Queen in her sights the whole time. She takes a breath. "...Alright. Tell us, then." The nymph fully expects nothing but lies in response, but maybe this will mean one step towards the Queen leaving them without conflict.
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Yah. That'd be... sweet." The corner of their mouth twitches into a smile. "But... I might lure her to... the hidin' spot..."
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
'How would she know where ya are? Got some way of trackin ya?'
🍅 PM me the word 'tomato' 🍅 Extended Signature Musk Sucks, Quit X!
"I believe what happened is that your caretakers 'unexpectedly' got in the way of one of the Sugarplum Court's hunts. I must have thought that... well, such a small village would be a reasonable sacrifice for some entertainment. Of course, you were off the menu for that hunt, per my orders. You really should thank me. I arranged your meeting with Mother Moth, after all." She giggles.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
"My... psychic powers... they, like... flow out like a waterfall... constantly... too much energy... even when I sleep..." They sigh and flop down onto their side. A pigeon climbs onto her cheek.
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
'Hmm. She does seem dangerous. Worst comes to worst, I can summon animals to fight her off, but I don't know if it would be any good. She seems powerful. I've been keeping a low profile, broken into an abandoned cellar to stay in. No point setting up something permanent if I'm gonna get driven out of here at some point'
🍅 PM me the word 'tomato' 🍅 Extended Signature Musk Sucks, Quit X!
She nods, still laying on the ground. "Thas'... good. Can I... stay wif you?"
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
'Uhh, yeah, sure ya can'. His eyes dart about nervously, before he makes his decision. 'This way'
🍅 PM me the word 'tomato' 🍅 Extended Signature Musk Sucks, Quit X!
They put their paw into his hand. "Fff'ank yu..." She slurs. "She's... scary..."
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
The nymph seems shocked and angry at her response, though that didn't fully show until the mention of the village. "You... you had your court slaughter an entire village, just for entertainment?! And you call Mother Moth vicious?" Adeline, truly disgusted, takes another step away from the Queen, remaining close to her mother. "I think I've made my decision. I'd like to stay here with her. Reveling in cruelty is something I can't condone, let alone partake in."
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
'Yeah.' After a while, Feuerstein reaches a dilapidated old townhouse, and kicks open the hatch to the cellar. 'She won't find us here'
🍅 PM me the word 'tomato' 🍅 Extended Signature Musk Sucks, Quit X!
She takes a step forward. "It's not your decision. I created you, you belong to me. I could even use your true name right now and force you to come with me, but I'm being nice. Do you want me to be mean instead?"
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
They tumble down into the cellar, landing completely unharmed. "I wanna... sleeb... I'm... so tired... of... running..."
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
'Sure, you can sleep'. Feuerstein gestures to a pile of slightly grimy blankets
🍅 PM me the word 'tomato' 🍅 Extended Signature Musk Sucks, Quit X!
Her acidic claws start to form again as she takes another two steps back, stumbling a bit. "W- what do you plan to do with me? Why do you even want me back, assuming you're not lying?"
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Oh, I have no plans. You may be my daughter, but you mean absolutely nothing to me. I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot about you after a few days. But what's important is that Calpe here wants to keep you." She grins wickedly. "So badly, in fact, that she'd gladly kill me and anyone else who got in the way. Then she will have broken the law of Hospitality, as I have harmed nothing and no one in her domain. And then, I'll have an excuse to start a war. Her actions have been sanctioned by the King, after all." She sniffs. "Any questions, little bug?"
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
"...You... you just wanted an excuse to hunt and slaughter to your hearts' content... you truly are a monster..." Adeline has gone beyond mere disgust, feeling pure resentment and hatred towards the Queen, her expression an appalled scowl. "...if a war's what you want so badly, why go after us? There's the Ghoul Queen, that abominable plant, and likely a dozen more options. Why her?"
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
"Because she is sponsored by the King. Haven't you been listening?" She chuckles. "This isn't for fun. It never was. My court has withered away to nothing. The fools ruined their lands, killed their children, slaughtered each other. It's all I can do to keep them from eating me alive. We need a fresh start. I need a war that will either kill them or give me enough fertile soil to grow something... and I'll gladly skin Mother Moth alive to do it. Augustus would gladly have me rip apart Ghulheim, harvest that wretched flower, but really, I want him to fight. I want him to die. You're a stepping stone, girl, and don't you ever forget it."
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.
Adeline is dead silent for a long while, staring daggers at the Queen the whole time, though internally she is panicking beyond description. She has no idea what to do- she's under the Queen's thumb, with nowhere to run to, and (allegedly) she has the key to Adeline's mind. She can't think of anything, not so quickly. She needs more time. She needs... more... time.
"...Alright. You win." Tears stream down Adeline's face, her breath already wavering. "The one thing I ask of you to give me, is time. I have a rather large family, as you know, and... I want to say my goodbyes and get my things prepared. Ten days should be enough, I think... then, you can return and... and... I'll.. I- I'll be ready. Do... do we have a deal?"
Former Spider Queen of the Spider Guild, and friendly neighborhood scheming creature.
"Made by spiders, for spiders, of spiders."
My pronouns are she/her.
Web Weaver of Everlasting Narrative! (title bestowed by Drummer)
The Queen smiles warmly. "And what if I say no?"
Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
May each word that I speak be backed by each of my teeth.