Fantasy The MPC Rushes Story, Cont.

[Arkadious]

-A coy smile played across the Lord of Hell's lips. Though carrying a feminine quality and figure, Grim knew that She was capable of adopting whichever sex suited Her needs, indeed Her Voice reflected that, harmoniously dancing between feminine and masculine at the same time. Careful not to make eye contact, Grim stole a glance to see what form She took now...


-Standing idly in front of her knelled subject, She chose one of her more feminine forms, standing approximately five foot eight inches, lithe and sinewy, her skin glowing an alabaster white, unusual since She typically prefers darker hues, ranging from deep russets to charcoals and greys. Along with Her pale skin, She wore Her hair in loose curls, letting the raven spirals frame and shape Her face and profile in the most flattering way. Oddly, for going for a more human look, She also choose to sport her horns, though in a smaller, more innocent fashion, barely two inches in length. Grim knew this was all a ruse. Adorning Her body was an almost sheer pantsuit of a dark grey material, leaving little to the imagination, Her small but perky breast plainly visible. Also visible beneath her pantsuit was Her tail, coiled around one thigh but there nonetheless, like Her horns, a subtle reminder at her true nature.


"Oh, no, the pleasure is all Mine! I heard that there were Guests in my Domain so, naturally, I came to welcome them to Hell. Unfortunately, while I was en route, I noticed a minor, teensy little bit of lax from your soldiers at the borders of your estate. So, I fixed the problem! Nowww, where are my Visitors..???"

 

[Arkadious]

"But I want to look my absolute BEST for my Visitors!"





-With a dismissive wave, she motions for Alaster to lead the way to the dining hall, even though She knew exactly where it was. As they walked down the corridor towards the dining hall, Lucien would make comments about the decor and the demon staff, telling Alaster that she loved what he had done with the place, but it was still soooo last century, that he ought to consider remodeling. To add emphasis to this, she'd lightly light her nails drag along the wall, much like a child, and leave gashes that stretched for as long as the corridor. Frequently, whenever they came across a servant that was unfortunate in being in the right place at the wrong time, Lucien would Compel them to follow for a bit and amuse Her before having them dive from the nearest window. The lucky ones fell upon the jagged rocks; the unlucky ones fell into the Styx...

 

[ArtBlott]

Blott only heard half the conversation as it echoed down the vast halls. Apparently, someone was coming to meet them! Blott spun on her heel, and ran as fast has her legs would carry her, skidding back into the dining hall with an ear-ringing screeee! that left scuffs on the tile. Resolving to feel bad about it later, she looked to her travel companions, who were looking back, more alarmed than ever.


"Someone else is on their way. Strong enough to cow Grim." the bird didn't sound winded, but Blott, still unused to physical activity, was bent over and in need of air. She thunked back into her seat, trying not to look like she just ran for her life through the halls of Hell. Best to play nice, she decided, and hoped the others would do the same until they figured out what was up.

 

[Arkadious]

-the coy smile plays across Her lips again and She's happy she's walking behind Grim so he can't see how excited She was becoming. Barely audible over the cries of the staff and Grim's complaining about said deaths, Lucien heard the scamper and skidding of feet in quick retreat. She also caught the whiff of an aroma that She hadn't had the pleasure to encounter in eons...Cursed Ink, specifically from an Artist!


"Oh, quit being such a baby, I kill them, you replace them, I kill them again. What else am I suppose to do for fun? Besides, I leave the cute ones be.." -With that last statement, Lucien catches the eye of a pair of succubi and smiles her most seductive smile, compelling them to go to Her private chamber She had Grim furnish for Her visits and await Her. "Then again," She thought to herself, "depending on the nature of these Visitiors, I may not need those two...pity, succubi of their breed are sooo rare these days..."

 

[ArtBlott]

After the initial panic, Blott had managed to get everyone back in their seats, but the tension was thick in the air. No one was eating except the Crow, who didn't have sense enough to read the room. All heads turned when the doors opened fluidly, Grim and the new guest stepping forth.

 

[Arkadious]

-Everyone looks up when the massive double doors open and in walks Grim and a short, lithe female. Before Grim can introduce her, She strolls past him and opens her arms wide.


"Welcome! My Darlings, to Hell!!! I assure you, it's not as bad as you would have been told elsewhere!!!" -With a flourish, she gestures around then saunters up to the table, dismissing Samiel with an impatient wave, and greets each of the party members in person, lingering on Blott and her Crow a bit longer, actually taking a moment to pick up the Crow and ruffle his feathers and scratch under his chin, smiling before letting him fly off around the room and back to Blott's side.





"I am Lucien, Ruler of this fine Domain, and I welcome you" -She says with a smile, walking to the head of the table and taking Grim's seat, snapping her fingers and causing it to shift and warp until it is elevated slightly higher than the table and much more exquisite than what it originally was. She smiled and stretched then relaxed upon Her throne and gazed at the party at the table...

 

[Genevieve Moulin]

The accommodations in Hell may be lovely, Genevieve thought, rather wishing she were still nestled among the cloud-like pillows of her bed, but the fashion leaves something to be desired.


The way Lucien's hungry gaze lingered on Blott worried Genevieve. For that matter, Lucien's presence in general concerned her. They'd agreed to come to Hell with Grim because he had shown himself to be one of them. Yes, he could be impulsive and angry and dismissive. But what does one expect from Death, and hadn't he thrown himself into the fissure after Thanatos to save them? But while Grim might be able to order minor demons and succubi about, his Queen was another matter altogether.


As Lucien bored into each of them with her unblinking eyes, an unsettling idea occurred to Genevieve. Can she read our thoughts?


Aside from the obvious trouble a mind-reading Queen of Hell could cause for all of them, Genevieve desperately needed to keep some of her more recent thoughts from ever seeing the light of day.

 

[Arkadious]

With an alluring smile, Lucien beams at everyone seated at the table from her lofty perch upon her throne. Her eyes, brilliant crimson flecked with gold orbs, take everyone in slowly, as if reading them and trying to deduce their deepest secrets. Her eyes brighten momentarily when she gazes at Genevieve and she smiles softly, before looking to the rest. Samiel appears by her side once again, holding a goblet fashioned from a skull, gilded in gold filigree and with a deep russet liquid sloshing inside...


"So, Ladies and Gentleman, please, tell me about yourselves and what reason my Servant has for bringing you here, when you clearly are not yet dead. Well, at least not in the conventional sense for some of you..." Her eyes linger on Lisbeth and Blott as she makes that last comment, her coy smile playing on her lips again and her eyes glinting with hidden mischief...

 

[Lisbeth Walpurgis]

"We seek to destroy Thanatos," Lisbeth replied without preamble, "He is a false god, created by my own hand and loosed upon the multiverse by the Knights order. As he, in turn, seeks our own destruction, Lord Von Grim offered us asylum within these halls. How we managed to fall in with Von Grim is inconsequential, suffice to say that Thanatos is his quarry as much as ours, and that cooperation in our efforts seemed the most appropriate course of action, Your Majesty."


She swallowed, hoping that she wasn't letting too much of her nervousness show on her face. She almost tried to let Frostine do the talking, but she wasn't sure how well that would work given their current state.


Had she imagined it, or had Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of Thanatos's name? Lisbeth hoped that the discussion of their objective might force the conversation away from giving the Demon Lord too much information on themselves. After all, she knew the Evil Queen trope all too well.

 

[ArtBlott]

Whenever Blott imagined royalty, the kings and queens in all their power, that was not what they were wearing. She was immensely glad Grim didn't seek to dress the same way. The thought was both horrifying and amusing.


She was surprised when Lucien sought to show the crow attention, but she supposed Earth-based birds, ones that didn't have teeth or were the size of barns, were unusual in the Underworld. She shifted uncomfortably under Lucien's gaze, grateful when she moved on to others.


More grateful still, when Lisbeth spoke for the lot of them. She turned and gave an appreciative smile and crossed her fingers under the table, hoping the Queen would not pry for more.

 

[Arkadious]

Ever so briefly, so brief that Lisbeth was able to pick it up, Lucien had narrowed her eyes at the mention of Thanatos. Inwardly, she scoffed and cursed that such an abomination was able to walk the lands and not have been of her design. She would have commended the Writer if Thanatos didn't also pose a threat to her Domain. Donning her typical charming smile she turned her attention away from Lisbeth and took a sip from her goblet. Glancing over at Blott, she held up the macabre chalice and clucked her tongue against her teeth every so slightly. The Crow perked his head up and flew over, landing a foot or so away and then hopping over cautiously, before taking a drink from the goblet...


"Thanatos? Sorry, that name doesn't ring a bell." She lied through her smile. "Perhaps you could be a bit more specific about how he came into being and why he wants to kill you. Indeed, who are these Knights that you speak of?" Another lie. She knew the Knights, and knew they were nothing but trouble. What she didn't know about them was Who was really behind them, directing their motives and what agenda he or she was playing at. such a person could make a good ally, or a terrible enemy. perhaps this lot of mismatched souls could give her more information...

 

[ArtBlott]

Blott fought to keep her face impassive, but she couldn't help gritting her teeth. While her Crow doesn't exactly follow orders like a dog would, it wasn't supposed to...do whatever it just did. It left her. It didn't listen to her. It also just drank something she really hoped was wine. Blott turned her stare to the table, looking at but not seeing the spread of remaining food. Her stomach clenched unpleasantly.

 

[Lisbeth Walpurgis]

"I would appreciate it if you didn't antagonize my friends," Lisbeth snapped at the Demon Queen upon seeing Blott look down at the table, jaw tense.


"You may be the Lord of the Underworld, or Hell, or Yomi, or wherever this place may be," she added with a lift of her chin, "but, as you so astutely observed, we are not dead, ergo we are not your subjects to toy with as you please."


It was a calculated risk. This show of defiance was sure to rankle with the Demon Lord, but her reaction would tell just how much value she placed upon her 'guests,' and that was the only way to know how likely they all were to survive this encounter.

 

[slee77]

"Look we are nothing more than humble travlers here brought through by one of your overly ambitious servants" Fitzgerald eyed Grim in the hopes that he would keep his ego in check. " We aren't looking for any trouble. We aren't looking for anything other than asylum for a night or two as we pass through.You are most gracious and we are humbled by that." Fitzgerald looks around at the rest of his group nodding.

 

[slee77]

"Yes yes you are very important But not like your all powerful overlord here, Yes?!"

 

[Genevieve Moulin]

Genevieve closed her eyes and placed a hand on her forehead. Why did Hell have to be so damn complicated?


"Three demon lords?" she asked Grim, not bothering to conceal her weariness. She may have spent the most comfortable night of her life in Hell's bed, but that didn't mean sleep came easily...or at all. Not when her own internal demons--much more ruthless than Grim's stoic servants--seemed to find the underworld to their liking. Tired and distressed by the Queen's disquieting presence, she didn't have the patience for these games. "Do you mean to say that Her Majesty isn't the supreme ruler of this world? Are we expecting additional company?"

 

[ArtBlott]

Blott let her head fall to the table with a thunk. "Lords still serve under a king...or queen," she amended quickly.


She could have cried. Her crow spoke only a foot from her, having returned from it's little vacation. She turned her head and glowered at it. It merely cocked it's head and regarded her curiously. She just lifted up a hand and let it drop onto the bird, reassured by it's small fluttery pulse.

 

[slee77]

"Ahh but you answer to someone yes? And that someone is this ravishing ..creature" Fitzgerald smiles shepishly at her/it " in front us"

 

[Lisbeth Walpurgis]

Lisbeth awaited the Demon Lord's reaction, but at the moment Lucien seemed content to simply amuse herself with their antics while she waited for her own questions to be answered. Damn, but this creature was cunning. Well, she'd have to be to be the supreme ruler of the Underworld. Perhaps another tactic was necessary...

 

[slee77]

Fitz jumps up on the table and says " Yes, yes perhaps I do and why not?" He looks around the room. " A splash of paint here maybe a petting zoo over there..." Fitz looks out the window to see a Skelton Mermaid eating a strange looking beast in the lava lake and whinces. " Well maybe we will avoid that small little bit over there.Regardless I have been thinking. There has been something missing in you Grim...something since we have met you in the sitting room. Now that we are all in your pleasant little abode I think it is ever clear. I don't think you are completely who you seem to say you are!


Lord Grim..The Grim Reaper. But here is the problem and one that Blott brought up earlier...who's ideology of Hell?! Are you Greek? You don't look Greek? I don't see any Kabob stands.Ancient Hebrew? Perhaps just Pegan. No no I think it is much more isn't it?


I think this is a different planet and a different race of creatures passing themselves off as a form of literary Hell. I have no doubt Grim your powers are real and that in some form you capture souls but this is not the location souls go when they pass from earth. If that is even a thing! Let me put it like this...if we were to travel back in time we might be branded Witches Or Wizards. Their understanding of Science would be nothing.I think you have been lead on Grim. I think their is more going on then even you have taken a look at.Dont you find it odd that you lack empathy when the rest of the group seems to have it...it takes longer and then rage! That is an alien emotion to you! You see. I think it's time you asked the questions of your keepers and cage holders!"

 

[ArtBlott]

Oh my god. He lost his mind. He is literally raving. Blott stared at Fitz, who was almost standing in the biscuit bowl. "Get down," her Crow hissed at him, "Or we might actually die." She reached into her vest for her pen slowly. Something was going to go down, whether it was Fritz or something worse, and she didn't want to be unarmed when it did.

 

[slee77]

"No no Blott think about this..the first thing we asked was what He'll is this?" "Isn't that like asking which Sherlock this is?!" It is an idea!

 

[ArtBlott]

Her face hardened, "If that's the case, then you are trying to break it. So, again, get down." So much for feeling better. She pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose. "Is it worth it, really? Worth killing us all to be right?"


Blott was, at her core, non-confrontational. It took a lot to spur her into actual violence, but the urge to hit him was slowly rising. She was certain it would hurt her hand more than it would hurt his face, but it might be worth it.

 

[slee77]

"There you see Alian race!" Not Reapers like in Fairy Tales!!"

 

[Genevieve Moulin]

We've all lost our minds. All of us. And someone is going to get killed.


She watched in horror as Grim and Fitz squared off, but she was rooted to her seat. Beyond the pair she caught Lucien's scarlet eye, the pleasure clearly displayed on her face.


The Queen's voice purred inside Genevieve's head: At least it won't be you who does it. This time.