So here we go:
Evil Minion #1181291 of the Evil Overlord's Personal Minion Squad went storming down the hallway, passing the study full of people. Even though they weren't doing much to keep their voices down, she didn't hear them. Her full attention was directed elsewhere.
Why do I have to be called in to work on my day off? Nobody better complain about my lack of proper uniform...stupid minion...Arlia mentally complained as she went stomping towards her destination - the laundry room.
According to what she was told, the minion on duty was "sick" and had to be replaced. This meant that Arlia got to do all the rounds to make sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing. Starting with the laundry room. Apparently the EO was complaining about someone stealing his precious undies. Why someone wanted those, she would never know. And prayed that it wasn't for some weird magical research.
Sweet Stories
Sirene remembered the guy. "Ah, you. I threatened you, right?" She asked. "Oh. The clicking? It's probably one of the Minions making the rounds. Nothing special... though that means I have to get back to the laundry room... got to explain why I've been burning the Overlord's underwear... Bye. Give me a flier for your club... I might join..." She opened the door and stepped outside, then picked up her basket and quickly dropped it off at the maids station. Then she headed towards the laundry room, and then she opened the wooden door, only to get a blast of hot, steamy air in her face. She frowned and walked in.
Arlia entered the laundry room about five minutes after Sirene did. She was a little peeved, and rubbing at a bruise on her thigh. When she finally caught that little monstrosity, she was going to make it pay....
The blast of warm, wet air did nothing to improve her mood. She looked around the room and picked the nearest person to question.
"You. I need to address an accusation of theft." She told the young girl, leaving no room for debate in her tone.
Sehan Bowman
Fifteen minutes earlier, Herle had been estatic. He was bumming around town, trying (and failing) not to look like a bum, and plying locals with offers of entertainment in exchange for "a bit of hospitality."
This was when a young man in a striking uniform marched straight up to Herle and announced more than asked, "You a bard?"
Herle, smelling a sale, smiled his best smile and replied, "You're in luck my good ...er..." as the man's badge read 711825 rather than a name.
Unaffected, the man turned on his heel and ordered, "Good. Come with me. The Illustrious Lord Generic has use of you."
Little could Herle have known that use was to test out a new "Hero Containment Device" wich had the embarassing effect of transforming Herle shortly into a chubby guinea pig.
Unfortunatly for the EO's minions, guineas are really fast.
Herle went streaking down the hallways, utterly lost but managing to evade the EOPMS, until the effect wore off. Suddenly human again, Herle looked around for some place to hide and spotted a metal chute on the wall. Imagining that it would take him to some place below the palace that he could easily escape from, Herle lept in head-first.
The laundry facility, cenrally located on floor five, was suddenly filled with racuous bangs and screeching. Just as the noise reached terminal volume, chute 4 popped open and deposited a blur of limbs into a large hamper. Moments later, a scraped and bruised arm flopped over the side, followed by a young man wearing a pair of purple boxers, monogrammed with the initials NG, on his head.
For the moment, Herle was content to hang out and let the world catch up with him.
This was when a young man in a striking uniform marched straight up to Herle and announced more than asked, "You a bard?"
Herle, smelling a sale, smiled his best smile and replied, "You're in luck my good ...er..." as the man's badge read 711825 rather than a name.
Unaffected, the man turned on his heel and ordered, "Good. Come with me. The Illustrious Lord Generic has use of you."
Little could Herle have known that use was to test out a new "Hero Containment Device" wich had the embarassing effect of transforming Herle shortly into a chubby guinea pig.
Unfortunatly for the EO's minions, guineas are really fast.
Herle went streaking down the hallways, utterly lost but managing to evade the EOPMS, until the effect wore off. Suddenly human again, Herle looked around for some place to hide and spotted a metal chute on the wall. Imagining that it would take him to some place below the palace that he could easily escape from, Herle lept in head-first.
The laundry facility, cenrally located on floor five, was suddenly filled with racuous bangs and screeching. Just as the noise reached terminal volume, chute 4 popped open and deposited a blur of limbs into a large hamper. Moments later, a scraped and bruised arm flopped over the side, followed by a young man wearing a pair of purple boxers, monogrammed with the initials NG, on his head.
For the moment, Herle was content to hang out and let the world catch up with him.
Sweet Stories
Sirene, slightly overwhelmed by the guy in the lundry chute and the Minion, began to scream at the her. "How dare you touch her! She's done nothing, you stupid robot! I should drown you!" Anger flashed in her eyes. She slipped on a small puddle of water. She quickly stood up, and again began to scream at the Evil Minion. "I don't care if that idiot overlord hears me, or that you are under his protection! He's too much a coward to face me himself! YOU'RE NOT LEAVING THIS ROOM!"
Arlia had different ideas about not being able to leave the room. She had no idea what the girl was yelling about in regards to a her, but what she did know was that she did want to mess with this girl. On her day off, Arlia did not want, and would not deal with this. When the girl slipped in the puddle, she took that opportunity to turn and run for the door.
The minion normally in charge of this round can get unsick, quickly, and deal with this. And the man in the laundry chute. She was going to go back to her room and stay there. The bad day could end, as far as she was concerned.
Hitting the door full force, she grabbed the handle and pulled it open.
Sweet Stories
"Oh no you don't!" Sirene screamed. She attempted to chase the minion, but yet again she slipped on a puddle of water. She stood up and turned to the laundry girls, who were backed up against the wall, their eyes afraid. Sirene had a soft spot for the girls, and her face faded to a unnatural pink. She mumbled, "Get this mess cleaned up." And then she walked away and out the door, into her small room.
Halfway back to her room, Arlia stopped. A thought had come to her, and she reluctantly turned to obey it. After all, if she didn't report all of this to her superior, and it was found out, she would be in a lot of trouble. Which was something she did not want at the moment.
Turning down a side passage, she made her way to the office her superior resided in, and prepared to make a report. And then demand her day off, as she should be having.
Catonia
"Are you daft?" Maria demanded, hands on her hips. "Our rooms are the absolute worst place that we could possibly go to write this up! That's just where they would expect us to go," she said, with a decisive nod. She grabbed onto Gareth's hand and literally dragged him out of the study, seeing as he only had one foot to use as his other was still sporting a small child. "We're going to linen closet #17 to write this thing up." Which happened to involve a journey through many twists and turns, and far too many stairs for Maria's liking, but it would be private.
Glork snickered to himself as he made his way to one of the laundry rooms. He had attempted to throw a candlestick at a certain member of the EOPMS, and he had succeeded in hitting her thigh. That would teach her not to try and stop him from stealing her knitting needles!
The hobgoblin snuck into the laundry room as one of the maids was heading out and made his way over to the tub that usually held Evil Overlord Nemo's dirty clothes. What he found there made him hiss angrily. Glork launched himself at the young man sporting a pair of purple boxers on his head, growling furiously. Those were his underwear to steal, no one elses!
Glork snickered to himself as he made his way to one of the laundry rooms. He had attempted to throw a candlestick at a certain member of the EOPMS, and he had succeeded in hitting her thigh. That would teach her not to try and stop him from stealing her knitting needles!
The hobgoblin snuck into the laundry room as one of the maids was heading out and made his way over to the tub that usually held Evil Overlord Nemo's dirty clothes. What he found there made him hiss angrily. Glork launched himself at the young man sporting a pair of purple boxers on his head, growling furiously. Those were his underwear to steal, no one elses!
Sehan Bowman
Herle continued to hang over the side of the hamper, observing the chaos in the laundry room. He watched curiously as the hideous little creature came in and approched him. When it hissed suddenly, Herle sucked in a sharp breath. And when it launched itself at him, he screamed shrilly.
Without thinking, Herle lunged forward himself, attempting to duck under the flying hobgoblin. The hamper tipped over, spilling Herle onto the floor and launching a cloud of laundry into the air. Herle floundered on the floor, trying to get some traction and make a break for the door.
Without thinking, Herle lunged forward himself, attempting to duck under the flying hobgoblin. The hamper tipped over, spilling Herle onto the floor and launching a cloud of laundry into the air. Herle floundered on the floor, trying to get some traction and make a break for the door.
Arlia walked away from the office, just having given her report. Her leg still hurt from the candlestick. If she ever caught ahold of that monster....
Deciding that it was been a long day even though it just started, she decided to head out into town. Maybe get a drink at the tavern.
With that thought Arlia swung by her room to get her bag and then made her way out of the castle.
crispywondermint
Oddly enough, Nel was probably one of the few who wanted to find the stupid dungeon and wasn't one of the EO's minions. She was still trying to decide whether she was scouting a potential breakout or simply visiting when she became engrossed in a much larger problem: how to navigate a star-shaped castle with a globe. She squinted at the illuminated crystal ball for a moment and shook her head.
"How the heck is anybody supposed to read one of these things?" she muttered in frustration. Large scraping sounds seemed to come from everywhere, echoing as something rattled about and generally giving her a headache. Sighing, Nel gave up on the idea of the so-called map (though it had been a good idea at the time, especially the way the merchant put it...) and slipped it into her pocket - or rather, tried to. Some monstrous creature went streaking by, setting her off balance enough to lessen her grip on the crystal which, of course, set it crashing to the floor. She winced, but there was no sighn of the thing that had been there fiv seconds before, or anyone else for that matter. There was, however, quite a bit of shouting going on.
"Should've just asked for directions." Things were starting to seem less and less appealing. The couple people she had passed seemed as though they shouldn't be bothered, and if Nel was going through with the ridiculous breaking in-and-out idea, she figured it'd be best that nobody really remembered her.
Five minutes later, she was still rather lost, picking a door at random.
Somehow, she’d failed to hear the bellowing from within and, as a wave of leftover steam washed over her the minute she opened the door (which was rather unpleasant), she found herself on the edge of a skirmish between a man and some sort of creature…was that a pir of purple boxers on his head?
"How the heck is anybody supposed to read one of these things?" she muttered in frustration. Large scraping sounds seemed to come from everywhere, echoing as something rattled about and generally giving her a headache. Sighing, Nel gave up on the idea of the so-called map (though it had been a good idea at the time, especially the way the merchant put it...) and slipped it into her pocket - or rather, tried to. Some monstrous creature went streaking by, setting her off balance enough to lessen her grip on the crystal which, of course, set it crashing to the floor. She winced, but there was no sighn of the thing that had been there fiv seconds before, or anyone else for that matter. There was, however, quite a bit of shouting going on.
"Should've just asked for directions." Things were starting to seem less and less appealing. The couple people she had passed seemed as though they shouldn't be bothered, and if Nel was going through with the ridiculous breaking in-and-out idea, she figured it'd be best that nobody really remembered her.
Five minutes later, she was still rather lost, picking a door at random.
Somehow, she’d failed to hear the bellowing from within and, as a wave of leftover steam washed over her the minute she opened the door (which was rather unpleasant), she found herself on the edge of a skirmish between a man and some sort of creature…was that a pir of purple boxers on his head?
She was almost to the front gate. She could see it right in front of her. Another few seconds and she would have been able to find a tavern and suitably forget the events that had transpired so far.
Except for her cursed peripheal vision. She would pretend that she hadn't seen it, but Arlia remembered what happened the last time she did that. Will a long-suffering sigh that somewhat successfully replaced the scream of frustration she wanted to make, Arlia turned around.
"I know for a fact that I locked you in my trunk you yarned little monster..." she muttered as she went down the hallway the crocheted doll just dashed through. "You better not have broken anything this time."
For whatever reason it seemed to be leading her back to the laundry room. As if she hadn't seen enough of that place today. Arlia picked up the pace, not wanting to hunt for the doll through piles of dirty or clean clothes. For one thing, explaining that to the washing girls was always a nightmare. And she seemed to have upset the one girl enough as it was. Though she still wasn't sure how. Of course, being a member of the EOPMS, it usually didn't take much.
As she turned into the last hallway, she saw the colored monstrosity slide through the open laundry doors and past someone standing there.
Sehan Bowman
Having managed to swim his way out of the overlord's dirty laundry, and in the process of skittering for the exit on all fours, Herle came literally face-to-face with a tiny yarn-man.
"Swabptvaa?" he eloquated.
Somewhere, deep inside Herle, the cynical little demon in his soul remarked, Worst. Day. Of. My. Life. to which the angel replied with a glare, Now, you'll really regret saying that when you see what life has to do to top it.
"Swabptvaa?" he eloquated.
Somewhere, deep inside Herle, the cynical little demon in his soul remarked, Worst. Day. Of. My. Life. to which the angel replied with a glare, Now, you'll really regret saying that when you see what life has to do to top it.
One could almost describe it a miracle of magic. The tiny yarn man only had buttons for eyes, and yet it could still narrow them dangerously...
An almost speculative glint came to it's shiny plastic eyes, as it hefted the size k crochet hook it was wielding. The crocheted doll contemplated the proper application of hook to face for a few seconds before attempting to implement said usage.
Sehan Bowman
Unfortunately for Herle, his imperative to reach the exit overrode his fear of the animated. As he lifted his hand to swat it out of the way, the doll raised its weapon and as Herle's eyes widened in suprise, they presented all the better a target.
DOINK!
Herle screamed again and jumped to his feet. He staggered forcefully to the door now, determined to plow his way through it. (His chance of success in this being low, as I would remind you all of his slight stature.)
Clutching at his face, animated-doll-monster hanging from a crochet hook from his eye, and purple boxers still upon his head, Herle moved forward again.
DOINK!
Herle screamed again and jumped to his feet. He staggered forcefully to the door now, determined to plow his way through it. (His chance of success in this being low, as I would remind you all of his slight stature.)
Clutching at his face, animated-doll-monster hanging from a crochet hook from his eye, and purple boxers still upon his head, Herle moved forward again.
crispywondermint
Nel hopped aside as something small and colorful darted past her, muttering under her breath about evil overloard’s castles and their tendency towards massive rats. At least she didn’t have anything breakable on hand at the moment.
It stopped in front of the boxer-sporting mystery man, giving her a chance to examine the little monstrosity. It was, indeed, very colorful, which might sprout from the fact that it was made of…yarn? Nel’s eyes lit up. Yes, yarn, such a darling little thing! …At least, until it pulled a dangerous looking, massive crochet hook out of nowhere. Nel’s eyes widened then narrowed, caught between the need to do something before someone lost an eye and to discover who was coming down the hall with a rather irritated clack-clack rhythm.
Her attention was divided for only a moment when it was forced to address the more urgent of the two issues - a cross between a squeak and a bellow erupted from the mysterious stranger in the laundry room who, now also sporting a crochet doll and hook, was staggering towards her. Her legs, anyway.
“Oy, watchit!” Okay, Nel may be smart, but she wasn’t always eloquent. Hopefully her little slip-up would be drowned out by the scream. She held her arms out in an attempt to ward off and at the same time assist the unfortunate stranger, but he only succeeding in running into her and knocking her down to the floor, boxers and all.
Of course, Nel’s dignity and reflexes simply refused to let her go down alone, so of course she managed to keep a grim on the man’s shirt and take him with her.
It stopped in front of the boxer-sporting mystery man, giving her a chance to examine the little monstrosity. It was, indeed, very colorful, which might sprout from the fact that it was made of…yarn? Nel’s eyes lit up. Yes, yarn, such a darling little thing! …At least, until it pulled a dangerous looking, massive crochet hook out of nowhere. Nel’s eyes widened then narrowed, caught between the need to do something before someone lost an eye and to discover who was coming down the hall with a rather irritated clack-clack rhythm.
Her attention was divided for only a moment when it was forced to address the more urgent of the two issues - a cross between a squeak and a bellow erupted from the mysterious stranger in the laundry room who, now also sporting a crochet doll and hook, was staggering towards her. Her legs, anyway.
“Oy, watchit!” Okay, Nel may be smart, but she wasn’t always eloquent. Hopefully her little slip-up would be drowned out by the scream. She held her arms out in an attempt to ward off and at the same time assist the unfortunate stranger, but he only succeeding in running into her and knocking her down to the floor, boxers and all.
Of course, Nel’s dignity and reflexes simply refused to let her go down alone, so of course she managed to keep a grim on the man’s shirt and take him with her.
There was a slight rustling noise behind Herle and Nel. The various laundry piles in the room shuffled and squirmed for a few moments. Then all went silent.
But not for long.....
...a very distinct, plastic-sounding clack-clack could be heard as they went on the move...
The crocheted dolls moved forward to the helpless pair, the buttons attached to the bottom of their feet rythmically slapping on the floor with each step. Unlike their leader, the two dolls were not armed with crochet hooks. The blue one held a sharpened pencil in one yarn-hand while the garish yellow one was dragging a small bag that seemed to filled to the brim with yet more buttons.
Sehan Bowman
From the tangle of limbs before the door, Herle emerged, red-faced for so many reasons. Taking only the briefest moment to observe the marching monstrosities, and with equally quick consideration of all the other dangers in the room, he hefted the eye-gouging one and hurled it at the two approaching. The three dolls skidded in different directions and buttons flew everywhere. For the first few moments of his life, Herle felt big. Wiser, however, than to gloat over his victory, Herle turned and vaulted over the catgirl and exploded triumphantly through the doors-
-only to run headlong into another woman.
-only to run headlong into another woman.
With what might seem as a deja vu moment for Herle, and an extremely disconcerting and not to mention uncomfortable moment for Arlia, the two of them went down in a tangle of limbs.
There might have been swearing on Arlia's part, but the hurtling man knocked the air out of her, sparing him from her verbal wrath.
~~~
War
The tiny crocheted dolls may not be the most intelligent of animate inanimate objects, but they were capable of thought. The "leader" of the very un-merry band did not appreciate being hefted and chucked at what he considered to be his minions.
Picking himself off of the ground, he scurried about until he found his weapon, the very successful crochet hook. Lifting it high in the air, he mentally screamed Death to the infidel! and led his cohorts in a charge towards the door....
...and the prone cat-woman.
crispywondermint
Nel found herself somewhat dazed at being plowed into, and more than slighlty offended that she hadn't even warranted an apology. Then again, maybe the guy had just hit his head or something. It was amusing to see the crochet doll go flying, though, and somewhat relieving, too. She really didn't want to think of anything like that getting to near her own eyes. They were, after all, somewhat necessary, and she was rather fond of them, regardless.
"Could at least say your sorry, you little--" She managed to stop herself before divulging into vulgarity, though the thought appeased her wounded pride. Ah, to have a balm that would fully soothe that particular problem!
Unfortunately, there were more impending matters at hand. About the time that she heard a yell and a crash from beyond the laundry room, Nel found herself the target of those same dolls, watching in wide-eyed fascination as the leader righted itself, retreived the hook, then waved it menacingly in the air and in her direction. The other two dolls followed, but she was left somewhat blind by the sudden malicious cackling and squeals and shouts of the lauandresses as something incrediably wet and heavy landed on her head and covered her face. Disgusted, she ripped the fabric from her face, hurling it in the direction it had come from and wrinkling her nose at the combination of the smell and feeling of dampened fur. Whatever had chucked the laundry had better hope she didn't get her hands on it.
That still left the problem of the dolls, though. Doing her best to ignore theservants scuttling about, Nel snatched at the crochet hook and held it at a safe distance, examining the doll attatched to it and trying to decide if she was better chucking it at them, as well.
Or if she should just start unravelling the thing and make use of the yarn for herself at a later date.
"Could at least say your sorry, you little--" She managed to stop herself before divulging into vulgarity, though the thought appeased her wounded pride. Ah, to have a balm that would fully soothe that particular problem!
Unfortunately, there were more impending matters at hand. About the time that she heard a yell and a crash from beyond the laundry room, Nel found herself the target of those same dolls, watching in wide-eyed fascination as the leader righted itself, retreived the hook, then waved it menacingly in the air and in her direction. The other two dolls followed, but she was left somewhat blind by the sudden malicious cackling and squeals and shouts of the lauandresses as something incrediably wet and heavy landed on her head and covered her face. Disgusted, she ripped the fabric from her face, hurling it in the direction it had come from and wrinkling her nose at the combination of the smell and feeling of dampened fur. Whatever had chucked the laundry had better hope she didn't get her hands on it.
That still left the problem of the dolls, though. Doing her best to ignore theservants scuttling about, Nel snatched at the crochet hook and held it at a safe distance, examining the doll attatched to it and trying to decide if she was better chucking it at them, as well.
Or if she should just start unravelling the thing and make use of the yarn for herself at a later date.
Sehan Bowman
Dazed and bruised, Herle struggled to his feet as the laundry room door swung closed behind him. "Sorry miss. 'Scuse me. Let me help you up." he mumbled confusedly, extending his hand toward Arlia.
Arlia took his hand and pulled herself up, but she was not grateful for the help.
"Sorry Miss? That's all you have to say after assaulting a member of the Evil Overlord's Personal Minion Squad? Sorry?!" Arlia's voice rose with every word. After screaming out the sorry, she sagged dispiritedly.
"You know what, I don't care today. I just don't. This has been the cherry on top on the sundae I didn't order. I'm done."
With that, she turned around and prepared to move down the hall.
~~~~~
The crocheted doll glared back at the cat woman, affronted by this unasked for confiscation of it's weapon. But the infidel was still slated to die. Letting go of the hook, it fell to the ground and made it's way to the door, the others following. At least they still had their weapons.
Sehan Bowman
In his confusion, Herle was begining to forget about the details of his situation. He staggered after the EOPMS girl. Something about her seemed familiar, but that only served at the moment to make her more interesting. "Hey, wait," he called after her, "are you going for coffee? I love coffee. ..Well, actually, I don't drink coffee, but I love to go for coffee. ..And pie. Do you like pie?"
Arlia didn't even turn around.
"Coffee? Sure why not. With some Irish cream in it. Lots of it...." She muttered to herself.
The bit about pie earned a response. "Pie? Ewww, no. I prefer cake."
~~~
Leader of the Yarn Squad railed at the closed door. Beating at it with his "club hands" he tried to use his mental powers to open it.
So far they weren't working.
crispywondermint
Utterly fascinated, Nel watched as the doll dropped uncerimoniously to the ground and motioned for its companions, heading towards the door, which had slammed shut during the commotion. Heedless of the fact that they were merely dolls, they pounded in unison against the heavy wooden obstruction, as though it would naturally open of its own accord for them.
Tilting her head to the side, Nel followed them, wondering if the nameless man who had slammed into her was their target: they had certainly been feisty about him earlier. That, and she really wanted to see just what these little guys could do. They were cute in a fuzzy, yarn-golem sort of way.
Silently, she opened the door, deciding that she'd follow them if they continued to follow the familiar voice somewhere up ahead. Whoever he had been, he wasn't alone, as evident by the feminine shriek.
"You're kinda cute, li'l guy," she said as she picked up one of the others, handing the crochet hook back to the main doll. So long as the thing didn't wave it in her direction, she was okay with them.
Of course, the yellow yarn doll in her hand had a snag. And of course, she had to pull at it, fully intending to fix it...but it kept unravelling...
Tilting her head to the side, Nel followed them, wondering if the nameless man who had slammed into her was their target: they had certainly been feisty about him earlier. That, and she really wanted to see just what these little guys could do. They were cute in a fuzzy, yarn-golem sort of way.
Silently, she opened the door, deciding that she'd follow them if they continued to follow the familiar voice somewhere up ahead. Whoever he had been, he wasn't alone, as evident by the feminine shriek.
"You're kinda cute, li'l guy," she said as she picked up one of the others, handing the crochet hook back to the main doll. So long as the thing didn't wave it in her direction, she was okay with them.
Of course, the yellow yarn doll in her hand had a snag. And of course, she had to pull at it, fully intending to fix it...but it kept unravelling...
The leader nodded in satisfaction that his powers worked and started to move through the door. Seeing the hook being lowered towards him, he took it and started to track his prey. Intent on the young man, he didn't notice that only one minion clacked along behind him.
The blue minion did notice, but also noticed that the yarn was being pulled from the yellow one and decided that she didn't want to have anything to do with that. So she hefted her pencil and followed the boss.
Yellow also noticed, being the one unravelling, and decided that it was not going to allow itself to be pulled apart.
Reaching into the bag it pulled out the first button it found and chucked it at the cat-woman's head.
Sehan Bowman
"Cake's good too. I love cake. Honey cakes! We should go see if they have them at that place in town.. the..kitten-something." Herle continued to folow her, rapidly returning to his usual cheerfully oblivious state.
"The Tipsy Kitten? Others say that's a good place to go....yeah...I think I'll go there. Some cake sounds really good to me."
~~~~~~
The YS followed the two through the halls. It would be silently, except for the buttons on the bottom of the one's feet.
The leader used his mental powers to cloud the minds of those ahead to make them as silent as shadows. After all, they worked once before, so surely he has them.
Sehan Bowman
Conveniently, the loud klack klack of Arlia's boots drowned out any chance Herle had of hearing the buttons on the Yarn Squad's stuffed feet. Herle followed the overlord's minion, smiling, all the way to the Tipsy Kitten.
Arlia sat down in a booth and waited for a waitress to notice and take her order.
It being the Tipsy Kitten, that could be never, but Arlia was stubborn and didn't want to go up to the bartender.
~~~~~~~
The Yarn Squad watched the door from across the street, waiting for the chance to enter the building.
Colored yarn hefted the hook and glared at the tavern. Something caught his button eyes and it pointed with the hook.
There...
Sehan Bowman
Herle plopped down in the same booth, across from Arlia. He was grinning. "So," he said "What's your name? What's your story? What's with that Lord Generic anyhow?" He came to a stop, recalling what the overlord had reciently done to him.
Arlia blinked in surprise when a young man plopped into the booth and started firing questions at her. She responded with one of her own.
"Who in the bunny pens are you?" She asked, bewildered.
~~~~~~
They snuck around the bins, making sure to cloak their noises with the newfound mental powers. Light beamed from ahead.
Sehan Bowman
"Oh! Sorry!" Herle exclaimed, running his hand embaressedly through his hair before putting it out toward her. "Herle's the name. Wanderer, minstrel, sidekick for hire... You?"
"Herle huh? Interesting name you have there..." She shrugged and shook his hand. Might as well be sociable and introduce herself. "My name is Arlia. Member of the Evil Overlord's Personal Minion Squad. Identification number 1181291.....sorry. Stupid training kicking in."
She shook her head, not believing that she had just said that. The brainwashing apparently does work to some extent.
".....Sooo...what brings you here?" She asked curiously.
~~~~~~
Their abilities were in fine form, even though they were fledging ones. Around table legs, chair legs, real legs, they dodged. Intent upon their mark. Nothing was to stop them.
Sehan Bowman
"Coffe. And pie. Cake! I mean cake. ...Oh, you mean this town? ...The southern road. Whatever it's called.... ...Mmm yep. Looking for work. Like always. I'm ..always looking for work. ..What do you do?" Herle took a sip from the pot of cream while he waited for an answer.
"You know, cake does sound really good." She motioned for a waitress to come over, tired of waiting.
"I would like to order a slice of sponge cake. Hey, would you like some?" She asked Herle, feeling a little generous. After all, she usually went places alone and having someone with her was a bit of a novel experience. Might as well make it a little more memorable by actually being nice. The others would never believe it.
~~~~~~~
They crouched beneath a table, watching with evil button eyes. Now it was all up to timing....
Sehan Bowman
"Sponge cake?" Herle said, the same way he might say "Boiled liver?" I don't understand it. I actually rather like sponge cake. It's not fair. He thought to himself. ".....Oh, sure. Why not." He said at last. That'll show him. He thought, smirking.
Arlia ordered the spongecake for the two of them. She hoped it wouldn't take too long to get to the table.
"Spongecake is one of my favorites. Mostly because it used to bother this kid I knew. He couldn't stomache the stuff for whatever reason. Always got upset when I ordered it. He had some of the greatest rants on the subject." Arlia did a rare thing for herself and smiled genuinely.
Sehan Bowman
"...He did...huh?" He said, faltering as that familiar feeling returned, naggingly strong this time. "Well, to be honest, I don't usually eat sponge cake. I really like it, it just ...has a wierd effect on me." He smiled.
"...Sooooooo....Know anybody who needs an assistant around here? A real assistant, I mean. Not like that freak in the castle who turned me into a rodent. See if I trust one of his minions again..."
"...Sooooooo....Know anybody who needs an assistant around here? A real assistant, I mean. Not like that freak in the castle who turned me into a rodent. See if I trust one of his minions again..."
Arlia raised an eyebrow at the mention of 'minions'. She wondered how dense he was. After all, she had only just mentioned being part of the PMS. Of course, she was out of uniform, but he didn't know that. He was new, afterall.
"No....I'm afraid I don't. I don't mingle with people around town much, due to other responsibilities. It's sort of mutual...What sort of assistance do you give, anyways?" She asked curiously.
"Wait, he turned you into a rodent? I wonder why? As far as I know, he isn't interested in that sort of research this week. What kind?"
Sehan Bowman
"Aaaaaa...whasitcalled...guinea pig. And, I don't think that's what it was supposed to do. He seemed pretty dissappointed." Replying to her last question first.
"As for work, I have lots of skills. I help out with all sorts of things. I've asisted many heros and adventurers: Organizing their inventories, chronicalling their exploits, managing their suitors, and handling their pets.." He trailed off, nodding reflectively.
"As for work, I have lots of skills. I help out with all sorts of things. I've asisted many heros and adventurers: Organizing their inventories, chronicalling their exploits, managing their suitors, and handling their pets.." He trailed off, nodding reflectively.
Hmmmm....I wonder what he was trying to do then. He hasn't said anything in the Evil Mess Hall, but then again, he doesn't eat there often. Usually up in his laboratory which doesn't sound like a good idea to me. I hope he doesn't turn himself into something. I'm not sure how, but I would probably be blamed for it.
She gave a mental sigh and turned her attention back to what the man in front of her was saying.
"You assist heroes and adventurers? I thought you were a wanderer? These sound like exclusive careers to each other. What sort of exploits have you chronicled? And managing suitors? How exactly does that work?" She asked, curious despite herself. Who had that many suitors that they needed managing?
For a moment she had an unexplained surge of jealously. She never had a problem with suitors. And of course, that suited her jsut fine. She didn't want any. None at all. Who cared about dating when they were working for one of the most evil of overlords anyways, right? She had a career to pursue first. Hopefully one that would finally take her out of the pens and...
"Hey, look! They're brining us the cake finally." She said to change the mental conversation.
crispywondermint
After starting the process, Nel decided it might do some good to see just where these little yarn creatures were going and let the yellow minion go, following at a safe pace as it joined its comrades, trailing yarn along the way and getting snagged by nails in the floor or loose rock...just about anything. By the time it had gotten mostly unraveled, she took pity on the thing (at least, that's what she told herself) and finished the job, carefully looping the yarn around her fingers and making an occasional cat's cradle when she got bored. The other two were intent on their target - the guy who'd ran into her in the laundry room and didn't even have the courtesy to apologize, the great oaf.
The other two yarn minions lead her to a pub known as the Tipsy Kitten, one which frightened Nel than offended her. She did not consider herself a kitten, but the very idea of what must have gone through the owner's mind at the time was a notion of considerable worry.
"Still better than the Ickle Ogre," she muttered with a shake of her head. A small trio of relatively youthful patrons entered, and Nel decided it would be best to simply slip in before the door closed on them, succeeding in doing just that. She was painfully aware of the looks slanted her way as she made her way to a small table that was, unfortunately, not obscured in shadow. Those were the good seats, so of course they were all occupied. Huffing slightly, the cat woman turned her attention to the table off in a corner where Herle and Arlia sat, her brows raising in surprise. The fool with boxers on his head a mere hour ago was quite close to one of the EO's minions.
What was the world coming to? Not that they couldn't have lives of their own, it just wasn't really approved of. That she knew of, anyway. Her sources in that regard were limited.
Her ears slanted back slighlty at the sound of a voice offering to pay for sodas, but decided it was best to just ignore the conversation like all the others. Besides, it didn't concern her.
That flyer, on the other hand, just might.
The other two yarn minions lead her to a pub known as the Tipsy Kitten, one which frightened Nel than offended her. She did not consider herself a kitten, but the very idea of what must have gone through the owner's mind at the time was a notion of considerable worry.
"Still better than the Ickle Ogre," she muttered with a shake of her head. A small trio of relatively youthful patrons entered, and Nel decided it would be best to simply slip in before the door closed on them, succeeding in doing just that. She was painfully aware of the looks slanted her way as she made her way to a small table that was, unfortunately, not obscured in shadow. Those were the good seats, so of course they were all occupied. Huffing slightly, the cat woman turned her attention to the table off in a corner where Herle and Arlia sat, her brows raising in surprise. The fool with boxers on his head a mere hour ago was quite close to one of the EO's minions.
What was the world coming to? Not that they couldn't have lives of their own, it just wasn't really approved of. That she knew of, anyway. Her sources in that regard were limited.
Her ears slanted back slighlty at the sound of a voice offering to pay for sodas, but decided it was best to just ignore the conversation like all the others. Besides, it didn't concern her.
That flyer, on the other hand, just might.
Catonia
Maria glanced around the tavern, frowning when she noticed that all the booths were taken. With a small huff of annoyance she snagged one of the tables. She pulled out a chair, grabbed Benny by the back of his shirt and plopped him down in it. "Stay," she ordered, rather like one would do to a small animal. The child had been wandering off all during their trek around to the pubs, and while Maria would have been more than happy to let him get lost, Gareth seemed to be found of him.
Maria seated herself just as Gareth came back over. The Sprakle pushed sweaty strands of her frizzy brown hair off of her flushed face as she considered Gareth's offer. "Soda would be... nice," she said. Gareth walked much faster than Maria was used to, and keeping up with his damned tall legs had tired her out. Since that bore repeating, Maria did. "You're too damned tall," she informed Gareth, glaring at him, the effect dampened by her bedraggled appearance.
The Tipsy Kitten had been named after a rather infamous cat that liked to steal alcohol from hr owners. That particular cat had passed on a long time ago, but she'd left a rather large brood of kittens behind to keep her memory alive. These kittens had the run of the place and didn't tolerate what they considered bad manners. Which mostly consisted of people refusing to pet them, or give them food.
Six of these kittens were currently wandering through the tavern, winding about human and chair legs with equal abandon. Two of those kittens broke off from the group when they spotted something interesting. They stalked slowly towards their intended prey, waiting until almost the last moment to pounce on the little yarn creatures that were hiding under one of the tables.
The other four kittens headed en masse towards one of the patrons that had just arrived. She smelled like cat! A black and gray striped kitten jumped up onto the cat woman's lap, meowing at her curiously while the remaining three kittens rubbed up against her legs.
Maria seated herself just as Gareth came back over. The Sprakle pushed sweaty strands of her frizzy brown hair off of her flushed face as she considered Gareth's offer. "Soda would be... nice," she said. Gareth walked much faster than Maria was used to, and keeping up with his damned tall legs had tired her out. Since that bore repeating, Maria did. "You're too damned tall," she informed Gareth, glaring at him, the effect dampened by her bedraggled appearance.
The Tipsy Kitten had been named after a rather infamous cat that liked to steal alcohol from hr owners. That particular cat had passed on a long time ago, but she'd left a rather large brood of kittens behind to keep her memory alive. These kittens had the run of the place and didn't tolerate what they considered bad manners. Which mostly consisted of people refusing to pet them, or give them food.
Six of these kittens were currently wandering through the tavern, winding about human and chair legs with equal abandon. Two of those kittens broke off from the group when they spotted something interesting. They stalked slowly towards their intended prey, waiting until almost the last moment to pounce on the little yarn creatures that were hiding under one of the tables.
The other four kittens headed en masse towards one of the patrons that had just arrived. She smelled like cat! A black and gray striped kitten jumped up onto the cat woman's lap, meowing at her curiously while the remaining three kittens rubbed up against her legs.
crispywondermint
Nel had finally decided to order a mug of Bubbly Tea, deciding her day had been brazen enough without adding the effects of ale, when she noticed that a swarm of kittens was making a beeline towards her, eyes bright and intent. Her nostrils flared slightly, but that was the only sign she gave until the gray and black striped one hopped into her lap and mewed persistently, its companions rubbing up against her. She was fairly certain that she heard purring, but regardless, the catwoman chuckled and smiled, letting the kitten in her lap smell her fingers and deciding whether or not it liked her before going in to pet it. It wouldn't surprise her if it did: she had that affect on cats. Unfortunately, this meant she had the effect of a female on a vast majority of all cats, which had a tendency to drive her mad. Another thing she fully intended to ask her father if she ever got a hold of him - just what had been in that concoction?
"Go ahead and make it a couple saucers of milk, too," she added when the mug was slid her way, glancing ruefully at the bunch that had taken to her, albeit only for the moment. Nel severely hoped that they were fond of home and that she wouldn't be taking any hitchhikers with her. Especially if (consider the patrons in said shady corners) they happened to be carrying hitchhikers of their own.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud, rattling thump that grated her nerves enough to make her twitch visibly. Slanting a glance in the direction of the noise, Nel found a small boy in an oversized coat hopping around a table by his chair, the folds of his oversized clothing bouncing almost as much as the chair itself as it suffered his game's ministrations. Her ears twitched slightly in irritation, but thankfully, he was done after a single (though seemingly endless) cycle, which left her attentions to wander back the way they'd come...and catch sight of the other two yearn minions, who seemed momentarily oblivious to their encroaching peril.
She just wasn't sure if it was scary or amusing that she was rooting for the kittens, and not just because the little because the buggers had tried to attack her with a crochet hook. It was a matter of principle, after all.
"Go ahead and make it a couple saucers of milk, too," she added when the mug was slid her way, glancing ruefully at the bunch that had taken to her, albeit only for the moment. Nel severely hoped that they were fond of home and that she wouldn't be taking any hitchhikers with her. Especially if (consider the patrons in said shady corners) they happened to be carrying hitchhikers of their own.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud, rattling thump that grated her nerves enough to make her twitch visibly. Slanting a glance in the direction of the noise, Nel found a small boy in an oversized coat hopping around a table by his chair, the folds of his oversized clothing bouncing almost as much as the chair itself as it suffered his game's ministrations. Her ears twitched slightly in irritation, but thankfully, he was done after a single (though seemingly endless) cycle, which left her attentions to wander back the way they'd come...and catch sight of the other two yearn minions, who seemed momentarily oblivious to their encroaching peril.
She just wasn't sure if it was scary or amusing that she was rooting for the kittens, and not just because the little because the buggers had tried to attack her with a crochet hook. It was a matter of principle, after all.
Sehan Bowman
It was all Herle could do not to wrinkle his nose in disgust as the cakes landed on their table. They bounced slightly on their plates, glistening in the pale light of the tavern.
Herle tore his eyes away, before his gag-reflex got the better of him. "Oh yeah," he drawled, "some of these adventuring-types... They attract girls like.. eh.. Well, they need someone to keep track of their names, and when they're supposed to be with whom. Otherwise all sorts of chaos breaks out." Herle trailed off, chuckling weakly. He was, despite appearances, perfectly aware that this was not the conversation to be having with a girl. He was a professional, after all.
This girl, however, was having some kind of numbing effect on the "smooth" portion of his brain.
While trying to find something else to stare at in the room (other than her summer-sky eyes), Herle placed a forkload of cake into his mouth before any more stupid could fall out.
He choked.
Herle tore his eyes away, before his gag-reflex got the better of him. "Oh yeah," he drawled, "some of these adventuring-types... They attract girls like.. eh.. Well, they need someone to keep track of their names, and when they're supposed to be with whom. Otherwise all sorts of chaos breaks out." Herle trailed off, chuckling weakly. He was, despite appearances, perfectly aware that this was not the conversation to be having with a girl. He was a professional, after all.
This girl, however, was having some kind of numbing effect on the "smooth" portion of his brain.
While trying to find something else to stare at in the room (other than her summer-sky eyes), Herle placed a forkload of cake into his mouth before any more stupid could fall out.
He choked.
The leader of the yarn brigade watched his intended prey to the exclusiveness of everything else.
Blue however noticed the kittens stalking the two of them. She tried to get the colored one's attention by poking him in the back with her club-like arm. When this failed, she decided that life (or what she had that qualified as such) was much more important than trying to either take out the little man, or defend herself against the kittens.
Desparetly, she chucked her pencil at the kittens and then ran out from under the table towards her creator. If one was paying close attention, they could hear a spastically 'clacking' noise from the button shoes.
~~~~
Arlia was almost in the process of choking herself as she noticed that the son of the evil overlord had walked into the tavern and posted up some sort of notice on the board. However, she was saved from making a scene by Herle's response and choking.
"Hey, are you okay? Don't die on the cake, that's wasting it." She scolded.
She waited to see if he was going to be okay, eating some of the cake herself.
"It's really not that bad. Whoever made it this time did a good job." She nodded satisfactorily about the cake.
"Seriously, quit choking."
Sehan Bowman
As Herle desperately sought to obey her order to stop dying and clear his airway, his sharp ears caught a strange sound. He turned his red, tear-streaming face and glimpsed a blue blur coming straight for him. Visions of laundry hampers and purple boxers and hobgoblins drowned his imperative to not make a further fool of himself.
Herle jumped onto the bench in the same manner a delicate lady jumps onto a hassock to escape a mouse. Only, instead of screaming, he hissed like a cat. In searching for a route of escape, his eyes found the other one, wielding the damned hook. Herle backed into the corner, hissing.
Herle jumped onto the bench in the same manner a delicate lady jumps onto a hassock to escape a mouse. Only, instead of screaming, he hissed like a cat. In searching for a route of escape, his eyes found the other one, wielding the damned hook. Herle backed into the corner, hissing.
Arlia stared in surprise as Herle jumped onto the table and backed into the corner hissing.
"What is wrong with you?" She asked, shaking her head in disbelief.
At the same time Blue launched herself at Arlia, trying to climb up her leg.
"Huh? Oh, there you are. Hey, where are the other two?" Arlia asked curiously, lifting the yarn doll up and setting her on the table. She looked around the tavern, trying to avoid any sort of eye contact with the Overlord's son, looking for her other two minions.
She didn't spot the yellow one, but she did spy the rainbow-colored one. Arlia also noticed that he was still holding onto her crochet hook.
I am never making another doll out of that yarn. They are always trouble... She thought to herself.
"Come here...Come here!" She ordered the doll. Then she turned and looked at Herle. "And will you get down off the table. You are making a scene. Don't you dare get me thrown out of here..." She trailed off, trying to sound ominious and threatening.
Sehan Bowman
"Don'tputitonthetable!" Herle screeched as Arlia did just that. He skittered off of the table himself, taking up residence underneath it instead. He crouched on the floor, keeping a narrowed eye on his rainbow-rific nemesis. He growled a warning to her, "Be careful with that thing Arlia, it'll take your eyes..."
While Herle's scrambling under the table did upset Arlia, it also amused her for some weird reason. As if she was used to this sort of behaviour....
"Oh for the love of evil rabid bunnies, would you come out from under the table? Blue will not take out my eyes. Now, Colors over there might....I am so re-making him as soon as I get my hook back." She muttered the last sentence to herself as she stood up from the table. She didn't know what Herle might do while he was under there, and she didn't want to find out.
~~~~
The crocheted doll watched as Herle dived under the table. He would have grinned in victory, but not having a mouth made that impossible. He knew his mind powers would get the infidel onto the ground and into position for him to attack. Hefting the hook and running towards Herle, he prepared himself to take out his opponent.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to him, the two kittens pounced onto the spot he just vacated. Seeing him run, they gave chase, adding their tiny furry bodies to the fray.
Sehan Bowman
"Bring it, yarn man." Herle growled, eyes in slits, as he drew from his pocket the ballpoint pen with the motto, 'Generic Victory!' which he'd filched from the front desk of the castle during his visit earlier.
"Colors" launched himself at Herle's face, making to repeat his previously victorious maneuver of eye-stabbing. Herle uncapped the pen and thrust it at the doll as it arced through the air. It impaled the airborne assailant, but had no other perceivable effect. Herle's sneer of victory turned to dismay as the doll, now with two protrusions, landed on his face.
And two kittens to boot.
"Colors" launched himself at Herle's face, making to repeat his previously victorious maneuver of eye-stabbing. Herle uncapped the pen and thrust it at the doll as it arced through the air. It impaled the airborne assailant, but had no other perceivable effect. Herle's sneer of victory turned to dismay as the doll, now with two protrusions, landed on his face.
And two kittens to boot.
Arlia was suddenly very glad that she had stood up. She had done so originally to grab her second crocheted minion. That plan was interrupted when it launched itself at Herle underneath the table. This sudden, seemingly random, animosity surprised her and she quickly stepped out from the booth.
Sounds of violent fighting, hissing, swearing, and other various acts of carnage could be heard coming from under the table. Arlia had to fight the urge to simply turn and walk away from it all.
Instead she pulled herself up to her full height (though nobody would have noticed....) and imperiously stated in her best 'Personal Minion' voice "Alright! That is enough. All of you come out from under the table this instant, or I'll set it on fire!"
crispywondermint
One minute she was surrounded by fellow felines, the next it seemed as though the Overlord himself had deemed to visit the Tipsy Kittne. Nel, who had decided it was as good a time as ever to go see about that notice that had been posted, nearly tripped over yet another feline as they tried to decide between her and her order. As if she didn't go crazy trying to prevent her own fur from getting into her food...
A very loud, very shrill scream came from the other side of the room, making Nel flinch as she tore off a piece of paper from the want add. Seemed whoever posted it intended to stay nearby, but she sure hoped it wasn't the...man? It seemed awfully high-pitched, but there was deffinitely a man standing at the top of the table and hissing at something below. Rather impressively for a human, to boot. Nel's ears twitched and fell back against her head at the loud noise, not noticing that two of the kittens were about to attack the yarn minions from below - one of which (yellow, she noted), she had the yarn for in her pocket. A minion of the Overlord was threatening him, and when the familiar face jerked back, he knocked into a woman nearby. Nel had been edging her way away from them, but it seemed to have a domino effect, victimizing random patrons of the bar, including herself. She sprung aside, snarling at the poor man who was tumbling (or tried to) on top of her, then picked her way around, only to get caught up in the confusion and entertainment the two had provided. If that was supposed to be a date, she mused, it was certainly a disaster.
Especially when the woman threatened to set the table on fire. All things considered, Nel burst into a fit of laughter. A yarn doll on fire along with everything else certainly wouldn't hurt any. Though she did rather enjoy the tavern – it would certainly be disappointing to lose it. Maybe if she could convince the minion to set it on fire outside...
A very loud, very shrill scream came from the other side of the room, making Nel flinch as she tore off a piece of paper from the want add. Seemed whoever posted it intended to stay nearby, but she sure hoped it wasn't the...man? It seemed awfully high-pitched, but there was deffinitely a man standing at the top of the table and hissing at something below. Rather impressively for a human, to boot. Nel's ears twitched and fell back against her head at the loud noise, not noticing that two of the kittens were about to attack the yarn minions from below - one of which (yellow, she noted), she had the yarn for in her pocket. A minion of the Overlord was threatening him, and when the familiar face jerked back, he knocked into a woman nearby. Nel had been edging her way away from them, but it seemed to have a domino effect, victimizing random patrons of the bar, including herself. She sprung aside, snarling at the poor man who was tumbling (or tried to) on top of her, then picked her way around, only to get caught up in the confusion and entertainment the two had provided. If that was supposed to be a date, she mused, it was certainly a disaster.
Especially when the woman threatened to set the table on fire. All things considered, Nel burst into a fit of laughter. A yarn doll on fire along with everything else certainly wouldn't hurt any. Though she did rather enjoy the tavern – it would certainly be disappointing to lose it. Maybe if she could convince the minion to set it on fire outside...
Sehan Bowman
Herle struggled with his assailants for several seconds before managing to tumble free of them. He rolled out from under the table, eyes darting around and scratches on his face. The two kittens toyed with Colors, as kittens do, effectively nullifying him as as a threat for now.
Herle now felt free to act as if everything was going as planned. He smirked at Arlia, almost visibly stroking his pride, and said "You won't catch me that easily, minion. The next time we meet, I'll be prepared for your little monsters."
His dramatic announcement completed, Herle swept toward the door, but stopped short. He placed his thumb on his chin and scanned the billboard. His eyes caught on the bill that read:
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
WANTED!
Hero Support Characters Needed.
Must Not Attract Attention.
Average Looks encouraged but not required.
Go apply at the Tipsy Kitten this Saturday
before 8pm for your interview.
(Thinking that Evil Overlord Nemo is
a pompous jerk is a definite plus!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Work! Excellent!" He announced, and marched out the door. Once outside, he scanned the streets muttering "now to find this 'Tipsy Kitten'..." Only to have his gaze drawn back to the place he'd just left.
"Aw nuts."
After taking a few minutes to attempt to preserve some dignity, Herle crept back into the tavern. He looked around wondering how he was supposed to know who to apply with...
Herle now felt free to act as if everything was going as planned. He smirked at Arlia, almost visibly stroking his pride, and said "You won't catch me that easily, minion. The next time we meet, I'll be prepared for your little monsters."
His dramatic announcement completed, Herle swept toward the door, but stopped short. He placed his thumb on his chin and scanned the billboard. His eyes caught on the bill that read:
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
WANTED!
Hero Support Characters Needed.
Must Not Attract Attention.
Average Looks encouraged but not required.
Go apply at the Tipsy Kitten this Saturday
before 8pm for your interview.
(Thinking that Evil Overlord Nemo is
a pompous jerk is a definite plus!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Work! Excellent!" He announced, and marched out the door. Once outside, he scanned the streets muttering "now to find this 'Tipsy Kitten'..." Only to have his gaze drawn back to the place he'd just left.
"Aw nuts."
After taking a few minutes to attempt to preserve some dignity, Herle crept back into the tavern. He looked around wondering how he was supposed to know who to apply with...
Arlia stared in dumbfounded shock at the young man, a feeling that was at once alien to her and yet naggingly familiar. Which only made her angrier....
...though not as angry as when the waiter came up to her with the check for the sponge cake. She started to regret the fact that she did not set the table on fire when she had the chance. Sighing, she paid the waiter the amount he was asking for.
She rescued her second minion from the cats, refusing to feel sorry for it.
"You know, you started this mess. I'm sure of it." She told the crochet doll, relieving it of her hook. Then, not knowing what else to do, she sat back down in the booth and finished off her cake. And because she was feeling like it, she finished off Herle's as well.
"I guess it wasn't a too terrible loss of an evening," she muttered to the two dolls sitting across from her where she put them. "Though I am reminded yet again why I don't go anywhere with anyone. Still, it was kinda fun." She smirked at the thought of what happened during the previous hour.
Then she looked around, remembering that the Overlord's disowned son was in the tavern with her.
I hope I don't get in trouble...
Azrael Amira
Gareth was attempting to come up with an explanation as to what he was staring at ("Um... the stitching on your bodice is amazing, Maria! Did you do that?" wink when he heard his own name being said. Looking in the direction of the voice, he saw the barkeep pointing a small, willowy man in his direction.
"Looks like we might have an applicant," he said, distractedly, his eyes pulling back toward the embroidered bodice of Maria's dress. Cuddling the still-mildly-protesting kitten tighter (Tubsy was rapidly going from protesting to purring under Gary's ministrations) and sipping his soda, Gary gave the man approaching him a sidelong look. "Isn't that the fellow who just walked out?"
"Looks like we might have an applicant," he said, distractedly, his eyes pulling back toward the embroidered bodice of Maria's dress. Cuddling the still-mildly-protesting kitten tighter (Tubsy was rapidly going from protesting to purring under Gary's ministrations) and sipping his soda, Gary gave the man approaching him a sidelong look. "Isn't that the fellow who just walked out?"
Sehan Bowman
"Hullo!" said Herle, extending his hand toward the table in general, a wide grin on his face. "I am here to apply for the job..um..." he said, trailing off at the end as he realized that he had no idea what sort of work it would even be. Not that it would be the first time for this. Herle held his ground and waited for their response.
Azrael Amira
Gareth looked at the hand being vaguely extended in his direction, put down his soda, and took the hand. "Hello. I'm Gary, this is Maria, and we need..." He frowned, trying to find the words. "We need Hero Support. People to help us track down all the heroes. We expect a long and arduous journey, and... Well... We'll pay?" Gary still had the security code to the Evil Bank Account. He would be able to pay the people they recruited to overthrow his father out of said father's own vault.
Sehan Bowman
That was all the more Herle needed to know. "Great! I'm in. When do we start?" He gushed, pulling up a chair. He grinned at the other occupants of the table in turn. "Oh, I'm Herle, by the way. Pleased to meet you."
Arlia noticed Herle pull up a chair and sit at a table. She almost seemed drawn to the man...
...then she nearly choked to death on her tea.
Oh dear heavens, why me? Why is he sitting with them? What is he telling them? she thought worriedly to herself. You know, I think I am done with this whole 'evil minion' thing. Definately not worth the stress for the amount of pay I get. Despite the high morale of everyone...
Her eyes lifted from the table, where she had been gazing worriedly into her teacup, and to the young man sitting with the overlord's son ( I think his name is Gareth...).
"You know...the least he could do is come back over here first and pay his portion of the bill. The audacity to stalk out like that and leave me with it, only to come back in once it was taken care of. Why, the nerve!" She told her dolls, the anger building up in her. "In fact, I ought to...."
Azrael Amira
Gary nodded, a slight frown creasing his forehead, glad suddenly of someone to distract him from Maria's... Embroidery.
"Herle, is it?" he asked, pulling a Mouskin notebook out of his bag, and one of his coveted pens. "Haytch Yoo Are Elle? Haytch Ee Are Elle? Haytch Ee Are Elle Ee?" Shaking his head, he wrote one of them down at random. "So, I have a couple of questions for you? What can you... do? Like, I can go invisible...?" He wasn't about to add the stipulation to that last sentence. When he did, it just sounded stupid.
"Herle, is it?" he asked, pulling a Mouskin notebook out of his bag, and one of his coveted pens. "Haytch Yoo Are Elle? Haytch Ee Are Elle? Haytch Ee Are Elle Ee?" Shaking his head, he wrote one of them down at random. "So, I have a couple of questions for you? What can you... do? Like, I can go invisible...?" He wasn't about to add the stipulation to that last sentence. When he did, it just sounded stupid.
Sehan Bowman
"Oh. Well." Said Herle, "I can, you know, walk through walls... and stuff." He replied somewhat reluctantly, unwilling to mention his own limitation. Nobody likes people to know they're ticklish. "And I make great sandwiches." He tacked on, thinking suddenly that these folks looked like the sort to enjoy a good sandwich.
Catonia
Maria had leaned on her elbow, chin resting in her upturned palm to watch the applicant. She had been content to let Gary take care of him until now. "Prove it," she demanded. "That you can walk through walls, I can make my own damned sandwiches." Maria wasn't sure if this man actually be of any use to her quest. He had been at the heart of the earlier spectacle, and if he was always like that then he might be more trouble than he was worth, but if he actually could walk through walls... Well, it might be worth putting up with his antics. Maybe.
Azrael Amira
Gary nodded. "Yeah. We will need proof... Um... somewhere not public? The bathroom would work..." He trailed off, blushing a little, glad his hair hid his face.
Getting to his feet, he gestured for Herle to follow him, and headed to the boy's bathroom. He was not expecting for Maria to follow the pair, as well.
"Erm... Maria? This... this is the boy's room?" His blush was deepening to a bright rose red, and he was looking about the room in a rather fidgety manner.
Getting to his feet, he gestured for Herle to follow him, and headed to the boy's bathroom. He was not expecting for Maria to follow the pair, as well.
"Erm... Maria? This... this is the boy's room?" His blush was deepening to a bright rose red, and he was looking about the room in a rather fidgety manner.
Arlia watched Gary, Maria, and Herle walk towards the back.
"Where are they going? The only thing back there are the restrooms......" she trailed off, utterly confused as to what could possibly be going on.
She was determined to find out however. "Blue...I want you to trail them. Watch them, nothing else. Then come back here."
The crocheted doll jumped from the table to the booth bench, and from there to the floor. Silently, (or as silently as possible for one with buttons on the bottom of their feet), Blue made her way over to the restrooms.
Colors crossed his arms angrily and was extremely put out that he was not part of the mission.
"Don't look like that at me. You are in trouble, and you know it."
Sehan Bowman
Herle found himself swept toward the back of the tavern by his new (prospective) employers. He tugged nervously at the loose thread hanging from the hem of his shirt until the urge to knot it became too much. He yanked it loose, tearing the hem slightly and leaving that small portion to sag sadly. He scowled, stuffed the string into his pocket, then noticed that the three of them were in the bathroom.
Gary looked mighty uncomfortable and it took Herle several seconds to divine why. He looked at the young man reassuringly and said, "Don't worry, I learned to do this with my clothes on a long time ago."
Herle walked to the stall at the end of the bathroom and drew a preparatory breath, eying the wooden dividers.. "Here I go..." he announced, and stepped slowly forward. He closed his eyes in concentration, bit his lips togeather, and held his breath.
The pitted wooden surface shimmered just slightly where Herle's body made contact with it. When his face emerged from the other side of the divider, it was twisted hilariously with effort. By the time his shoulders passed, he was snorting. And just barely after he made it the rest of the way through, Herle burst into annoyingly high-pitched giggles, collapsing against the next divider before him.
"I...I'm sorry..." He gasped, "It...It's been a while..." He tittered.
Gary looked mighty uncomfortable and it took Herle several seconds to divine why. He looked at the young man reassuringly and said, "Don't worry, I learned to do this with my clothes on a long time ago."
Herle walked to the stall at the end of the bathroom and drew a preparatory breath, eying the wooden dividers.. "Here I go..." he announced, and stepped slowly forward. He closed his eyes in concentration, bit his lips togeather, and held his breath.
The pitted wooden surface shimmered just slightly where Herle's body made contact with it. When his face emerged from the other side of the divider, it was twisted hilariously with effort. By the time his shoulders passed, he was snorting. And just barely after he made it the rest of the way through, Herle burst into annoyingly high-pitched giggles, collapsing against the next divider before him.
"I...I'm sorry..." He gasped, "It...It's been a while..." He tittered.
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And that is where it ended. Unfortunately no one responded to Bowman's last post for the last four years. *sigh* It was a lot of fun to play and I was really enjoying my character and trying to figure out how to get her with the rest of the party. Also, as a slight note that may not have been obvious from the portions I pasted, the character 'Gareth' is the disowned son of the Evil Overlord Nemo, Arlia's boss.
