Take Back the Crown

[Raven Kade]

Tetra walked up to the side of the wagon and looked in grinning widely. She said, "Well if they are not completely honest, it has been a couple thousand years since I last ate imp. They are delicious if drained of blood and cooked properly." She stared hungrily at the imp who had spoken up, and bared her teeth. @RP Marshall (she looks extremely happy, and also quite hungry. Her teeth are sharp and white.) (also magically inclined people would be able to tell she was not human and so like would the imps. However they would not be able to tell she was a demon because of the human form and the cross contamination with light magic.)

 

[TeeKay]

Phaedra hadn't taken very kindly Gore's response, her eyes flashing dangerously. She held her tongue and listened to the deranged creature blather senselessly on to Bo about how it had "changed its ways". Then - Phaedra's mind went blank. She became very confused.

"...Did you just flirt with Bo?" Phaedra pointed at Gore, all sense of hostility vanishing into thin air. "That's really odd. Do imps even do that? I thought they just.. I don't know.. cut off a leg and grew a new imp from that.."

All those who had the pleasure of interacting with Phaedra at this point and had to suffer through her questions knew she was being dead serious, if her tone didn't give that away already. She couldn't help it.

@RP Marshall @soundofmind
​

 

[soundofmind]

For some reason, Bo found Tetra's comment was oddly comforting. If they caused trouble, she would eat them. If they weren't imps and Tetra wasn't a shape-shifting something, he would probably be much more disturbed by her comment. But perhaps it was the ambiguity of what she actually was that caused it to make more sense food-chain wise (so that it didn't sound like borderline cannibalism).


But Phaedra's comment. He knew she was serious, but he was honestly taken aback by it. When and WHy did this conversation take a turn towards imp reproduction. His face only grew more visibly uncomfortable as his grimace grew, his chin wrinkled up as he became more disturbed. WHY. WHY. He wanted to explain to Phaedra that the likelihood that the imp was flirting with him was really nonexistent. It was his understanding that she was just trying to make a good impression and get on his good side, and maybe even distract from the fact that she was one of the imps who had ATTACKED them earlier.


"I don't think that's what she was doing." For some reason, he couldn't seem to put his thoughts into words. He was just... so done with everything going wrong and not being simple or straightforward.


@TeeKay @RP Marshall

 

[TeeKay]

"No?"

Phaedra looked back innocently at Bo, then immediately noticed his discomfort. She held back her laughter as best she could, but a small giggle did escape her lips. She waved her hands at him apologetically with a small smile, doing her best to hold back everything else.

"I apologize! I genuinely didn't know and.. this would likely be the last chance I would have to ask before Tetra ate her!"

She seemed pretty sure that this was going to happen, judging by her pattern of speech.

@RP Marshall @Abberakelaran @soundofmind
​

 

[soundofmind]

His face relaxed a little bit as Phaedra began to giggle, and his frown upturned into a strained (but still disturbed) grin. It is kind of funny, I suppose.





"It's ok." He said forgivingly, "It's not a big deal."


@TeeKay

 

[RP Marshall]

Bo didn't even know how to reply. He had a mix of emotions shown on his face, resulting in an overall disturbed and weirded-out grimace.
The straight and narrow path? What was she even talking about? She just switched loyalties just like that? Surely no kne would think they were being honest. They had to be lying. Right?

"Please excuse my companion!" Pip said to the group with a deep sigh. "Her cerebral functions are not... functioning properly."

Tetra walked up to the side of the wagon and looked in grinning widely. She said, "Well if they are not completely honest, it has been a couple thousand years since I last ate imp. They are delicious if drained of blood and cooked properly." She stared hungrily at the imp who had spoken up, and bared her teeth. @RP Marshall (she looks extremely happy, and also quite hungry. Her teeth are sharp and white.) (also magically inclined people would be able to tell she was not human and so like would the imps. However they would not be able to tell she was a demon because of the human form and the cross contamination with light magic.)

"Please do!" Pip said to the shape shifted in anguish. "I'm having a server migraine."

Phaedra hadn't taken very kindly Gore's response, her eyes flashing dangerously. She held her tongue and listened to the deranged creature blather senselessly on to Bo about how it had "changed its ways". Then - Phaedra's mind went blank. She became very confused.

"...Did you just flirt with Bo?" Phaedra pointed at Gore, all sense of hostility vanishing into thin air. "That's really odd. Do imps even do that? I thought they just.. I don't know.. cut off a leg and grew a new imp from that.."

All those who had the pleasure of interacting with Phaedra at this point and had to suffer through her questions knew she was being dead serious, if her tone didn't give that away already. She couldn't help it.

@RP Marshall @soundofmind
​

"Pfft! I really doubt a half-sylph knows anything about an imp's repro- repro- Rrrr!"


"Reproductive system," Pip blurted out with a frown.


"Yes! Reproductive system! Thanks Pip." Gore turned back to Phaedra and said, "But anyway, I'll forgive you for your silly comment, seeing that no one would give you the time of day to start a relationship with you... What I'm trying to say is you have an ugly face!"


"Gore!" Pip said with a growl. "That was uncalled for! Apologize to her this instant! You are going to get us digested!"


"I ain't gonna do nothing of the sort!" The imp captain said with a snort.


I will tell the master that you failed to retrieve the crown for him! Pip threatened Gore in her head.


Gore immediately changed her tune, a the thought of failing Kvacht, and halfheartedly said to Phaedra, "I'm sorry. Please let us stay. We aren't bad imps. We just know bad people."


Pip's head was spinning like a top at the sight of the imp captain's fake smile. He needed to speak with the elder @Lo Alyssa alone, where he could freely discuss Gore's true intentions. She was too dangerous... and annoying- to remain with the group any longer.

 

[TeeKay]

Phaedra merely raised an eyebrow at Gore and Pip. Surprisingly, she wasn't even angry and simply waved away her apology. She had skillfully ignored the insult regarding her appearance. Phaedra really had no worry for such things and wasn't actively searching for a mate, like now she was convinced Gore was.

"Well, no, I don't know anything about an imp's reproductive system. That's why I asked. Was it too private of a question?"

Leaning a little closer to Gore, unaware of the danger she was putting herself in, she whispered to the imp.

"Don't worry. I won't tell him. It will be our secret."

Phaedra pulled back and gave Gore a very unsubtle wink.

@RP Marshall
​

 

[OlKaJa77]

Oceana was so interested in the conversation, and trying not to laugh, that she had forgotten about Phaedra's question. She wanted to answer but Seeing the half-Sylph occupied, She decided to tease a little too.


"You're winking at an imp, Phaedra? Who's flirting now?"


The elf drawled, faking a keen interest in the fruit in her hand.


@TeeKay @RP Marshall

 

[soundofmind]

Bo burst into laughter with a snort at Oceana's comment. He desperately tried to hold it back, but that only made him laugh harder. He leaned down with one hand on his knee and the other on his face, laughing so hard he couldn't even get full laughs out.


"BAHAHAHHA - wheeze - I'M -AHAAH- SORRY - wheeze - HAHAHAH."


@OlKaJa77 @TeeKay

 

[Danika]

Valeiah was so confused. Was this imp stuff not serious? Why were they all laughing? And what the heck was this fruit supposed to do? She was just silent and felt left out.

 

[RP Marshall]

"Don't worry. I won't tell him. It will be our secret."

Gore jolted in fear from what Phadra whispered to her. Was her infatuation with Pip that obvious? Her bat like wings fluttered in embarrassment. She felt her claws turning cold and clammy. Gore had tried to push away her feelings for Pip since the destruction of Velar but they were returning to her. She need to stop! Pip hated her and there was nothing she could do to change that. The only thing that mattered right now was to avenge her sister's death. Someone in the group had murdered Organ, it might have been the winking sylph.


"Gore?" Pip said to the imp captain, no her acting oddly... or at least more oddly than usual. "Are you ill? Your face red."

Valeiah was so confused. Was this imp stuff not serious? Why were they all laughing? And what the heck was this fruit supposed to do? She was just silent and felt left out.

Ignoring the Bo's @soundofmind thunderous laughter, Pip noticed Valeiah had a look of loneliness.


"Madam, are you well? I could not help but observe that your countenance seems to have fallen. Depressed perchance? I know how that feels. It is the only emotion I have truly felt in my stone heart. "

 

[OlKaJa77]

Oceana grinned and then waggled her eyebrows at Valeiah, who was obviously confused.


She decided to explain for the poor girl, her voice serious as she said,


"Anyway to answer your question,


no this fruit is simply for sustenance. It has many properties that help with stomach problems. I just decided to give you one as thanks."


Taking a bite, she looked on nonchalantly, listening to the imp voice his concern.


She knew they needed this. The smiles. The lighthearted laughter.


It would heal their hearts, and bring resolve during hard times, she wouldn't let the moment go to waste.


@Danika

 

[Rydellius]

Even Nameen, sitting at the back of the wagon listening, had to grin at where the conversation had gone. She shook her head gleefully, and peered up at the sky for a moment before returning to look at the two embarrassed imps and her companions cracking up.


"How the subject went from interrogating those two, to imp reproductive systems and flirting is a story worth telling on its own." She muttered, smirking.


@TeeKay @soundofmind @RP Marshall @Danika @OlKaJa77

 

[TeeKay]

Phaedra looked in shock at Oceana's remark and shook her head violently, even as Bo laughed. Her cheeks flushed a light violet color in contrast to her bluish skin.

"I was not flirting with the imp! No, I will not repeat what I had said. After all, I cannot simply divulge another woman's secrets of her heart, regardless of her race."

She was being far too serious about the wrong thing, having been thrown off topic by her own curiosity, nearly forgetting about the true matter at hand.

@Rydellius @Danika @soundofmind @OlKaJa77 @RP Marshall
​

 

[OlKaJa77]

"Alright Phaedra" Oceana said placatingly with a single hand raised in sincerity, eyes closed.


When they opened, they were focused on the imps, hooded dangerously, glinting like chips of ice.


"Back to the matter at hand"


@TeeKay @RP Marshall @Rydellius @Lo Alyssa

 

[soundofmind]

Bo managed to grab a hold of himself and the laughter began to die down. He leaned on the wagon as he caught his breath. "OH man, haha, I'm sorry. That was distracting." He waved his hands as if to try and move on from the jokes. "And yeah. As Oceana said. Let's uh... get back on track. The imps. They're ok. I don't really trust them." He tried to throw out the only meanongful opinions he had, still smiling and calming down.


@Danika @OlKaJa77 @TeeKay @Rydellius @RP Marshall

 

[Vampiricdoll]

The princess couldn't help but smile at the silly behavior in the back of the wagon. Though at first, Lucasta was startled at the surprising appearance of the two imps, now she was more calm that they explained they have come to work for her. Though the female imp seemed a bit off, Lucasta had no problem letting them aboard. "Thank you for joining our cause then..." She mumbled. "But let me uh, let you know. If you do plan to betray us, we won't hesitate to fight back." She warned. She sat back into her seat, and stared at the crown, clutched in her hands.

 

[Danika]

"No, I'm not depressed." Valeiah furrowed her brows. "And yeah. What the princess said. It's two of you against like... A lot of us."


@RP Marshall

 

[TeeKay]

Realizing how far she had flung the topic from its original course, her cheeks became several shades darker and she bowed her head. It hadn't been intentional - Phaedra's curiosity had no filter. Though, being brought back to the issue at hand, her worries began to flood back to her full force.

Yes, it was two of them now.. but what was to say there wasn't some sort of link between them and the rest of the demons? After all, while Svetlana had said she hadn't detected any malicious intent from them - well, one of them at least - it didn't stop the suspicion from creeping into her subconscious. How did Kvacht know they were there? There had to be some explanation, didn't there? And a link of some sort between an entire species seemed plausible to her. Phaedra had absolutely no basis to place this on, but she had nothing but her imagination to help her fill in the blanks... for now.

Deciding that she had said enough and that any questions she may have had for the imps would divert the topic once more, she clamped her mouth shut, allowing herself to stew in her own embarrassment.​

 

[RP Marshall]

"No, I will not repeat what I had said. After all, I cannot simply divulge another woman's secrets of her heart, regardless of her race."

"Not again..." said the stone imp as he lowered his head in agitation. He thought Gore's puppy love had gone away.


"SHHH!" Gore whispered to Phaedra, waving her hand like mad.


"I already know what the madam is talking about Gore!" Pip exclaimed as his head transformed into stone to keep it from bursting open from the irritation flowing inside of it.


"Thanks a lot!" Gore sarcastically said to Phaedra. Her face changed to deeper shade of red.

@Danika[/URL] @OlKaJa77 @soundofmind @Rydellius [/RIGHT]

 

[TeeKay]

Phaedra stared at Pip, then Gore, and shook her head, completely confused.

"...What do you mean? We weren't speaking of you, stony imp."

To Gore - it probably looked like she was covering it up and being quite sincere about it. To Pip - Phaedra was speaking the truth and wasn't talking about him at all. And the truth of it was - she was completely out of the loop.

All she knew was that Gore's malicious smile was extremely unnerving. The little thing was clearly up to no good.

@RP Marshall​

 

[Rydellius]

The fun moment having passed, Nameen's expression sunk back to seriousness. With her one eye, she studied the imps, trying to figure out what she made of them (since her previous efforts had been inturrupted rather hilariously).


To her, Pip seemed to make his claims in ernest, but the female? She simply struck Nameen as odd, and not particularly intelligent for that matter. She had been the one to give away their hiding place, Nameen pondered while remembering the squirming sack. But along with that, she was skeptical about whether or not her loyalty to Kvacht had truly been broken.


Still, if the princess said so, then the strange pair were to be apart of their band. Nameen was not entirely on board, but she did not feel like she was in the position to directly object.


"Just remember-" she directed her words at the imps. "-all of us are going to be watching you two very carefully. If you two are indeed spies, well-" she drummed her fingers on the hilt of her sword. "You must have seen how well we took care of the last imps who crossed us."


@RP Marshall

 

[OlKaJa77]

Oceana jumped on the bandwagon, and fingered the hilt of her hunting knife.


"Nothing suspicious." She instructed, tapping one of her pointed ears "we'll know"


@RP Marshall

 

[RP Marshall]

"...What do you mean? We weren't speaking of you, stony imp."

"Stony?" Pip said with a dull glare. "Oh boy... Not a nickname."

The fun moment having passed, Nameen's expression sunk back to seriousness. With her one eye, she studied the imps, trying to figure out what she made of them (since her previous efforts had been inturrupted rather hilariously).
To her, Pip seemed to make his claims in ernest, but the female? She simply struck Nameen as odd, and not particularly intelligent for that matter. She had been the one to give away their hiding place, Nameen pondered while remembering the squirming sack. But along with that, she was skeptical about whether or not her loyalty to Kvacht had truly been broken.


Still, if the princess said so, then the strange pair were to be apart of their band. Nameen was not entirely on board, but she did not feel like she was in the position to directly object.


"Just remember-" she directed her words at the imps. "-all of us are going to be watching you two very carefully. If you two are indeed spies, well-" she drummed her fingers on the hilt of her sword. "You must have seen how well we took care of the last imps who crossed us."


@RP Marshall

Gore's eyes glared with hate towards Nameen. Yes... the imp captain knew how they handled to other imps... and her sister!


You can't hear this, Gore thought with a snarl, But very soon, I'm going to KILL YOU!!!





In an instant, Gore's mouth transformed into a lovely smile.


She chuckled and said, "He he! I like you! You're so funny!"


Gore leaped into the wagon and prepared for their departure. Slowly climbing up the wagon, Pip shut down his mind, in fear that Gore might read it after she ended her conversation with the party.


"I should have not got involved..."

@OlKaJa77 @Queen of Fantasy @Danika @soundofmind
​

 

[Danika]

Valeiah frowned. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry, but what? We're letting these two join us? I was on board for three seconds. Like, just look at that thing." She pointed at Gore. "That is not a trustworthy creature at all. I thought we were at a stretch with Hjalmar."