The Muck Pond

[El_Skwidd]

"Riches, MushBall," said Vex. "We're looking for riches. We were hoping that by saving that mermaid we'd get a bit of help or some treasure, but those pink people have nothing interesting at all."

Xev chimed in. "And you're right. They're not very smart."

"Neither are you, Xev," said Vex. "They thought we were some sort of demon."

Xev grins and looks at Briker on their back. "Demon... yeah. Nice work."

[Schme]

“Riches, you say?” gurgled MushBall. “A very interesting endeavor. Riches are always nice. As for myself, I’m already extremely wealthy, but I don’t blame you for wanting great wealth. It really is a wonderful life. However-“ he continued “I have found that there are, in fact, nobler things than acquiring personal wealth, as noble a thing as that is. Some causes are greater than that…Mind if I join you on the path?” he asked, and not wainting for an answer, began to walk alongside them, although he did seem to be a bit disdainful of Vex and Xev’s speed.

“Oh, there seems to be an insect on your back, my friends. Hello young fellow!” he said to Briker. “I don’t believe we’ve met. You are a Muck Child aswell, I can tell. I’m sure you’ve heard of me and my exploits already. What’s your name?”

After having met Briker, he continued to pontificate and drone. “Now, as I was saying, some paths are nobler…On the subject of the pink people and they’re stupidity, well, now, see, the poor folk, the problem is that they have no guiding light, no wise leader to keep them on the right path, you see."

MushBall emphasiezed what he said with wide, sweeping dramatic hand and arm gestures, which made his walking stick flail wildly.

"All people’s need that. In fact, I’ve been thinking lately, and if you ask me, the Children of the Muck really need direction aswell. Now, the Gods, them, they are the best people for that, but the problem is that they are, for the most part, extremely busy."

" And so I thought it would be practical and sensible to have a muck child to lead us. Mind you, he’d have to be very strong, decisive, wise, virtuous and insightful, as that is what a good leader should be. But the thing is, folk like that are really in short supply these days. The only good example I can think of at present is myself…us four, that is. It’s just a thought, but I really think that it would be a good idea. What do you think, my friends? Any thoughts on the matter?”

[Nixit]

Briker chuckled mentally as Mushball made his introduction. Yet he managed to remain polite.

"Why hello Mushball! My humble name is Briker, and forgive me for saying this, but I'm afraid I have not heard of your existence until now. It surprises me now, that I had not known you before, but better late than never, I would say, don't you think?"

Briker laughed, and swelled with pride as he made his witty remarks and for a moment, thought himself quite a formal ant.

[AngelSpice]

*waves at Losom* Look what I found. *sighs* Those pink people aren't nice at all. If it weren't for a two-headed turtle and a small being, I probably would have ended up as the pink people's dinner.

[Fleegle]

(For AoM and Razorlance)

Upon entering the rectangular room, a great wind could be felt, though they were well underground. Along one side of the room, the floor fell off into a small pit. Some sort of track sat at the bottom of the pit, which extended down a dark tunnel. An odd bronze-coloured construction sat upon the track. It was evident that it was intended to move along said track. The windows were covered from the inside by a yellow lacy material, obscuring what might be inside. A small sliding bronze door (closed) led its way inside the car, accessible from the platform. The rest of the room was quite sparse and dusty. Ornate ceiling lights dangled, more than half of them out of working order. In contrast to the haunting lighting of the room, the light from the car appeared warm and inviting.
"We have to go inside the tram" Kikkik said apprehensively, indicating the bronze car in front of them.

At that moment, the form of a tall yellow creature appeared before them, emerging from what could only be described as a "slit" in mid-air.
"Hold it!" it exclaimed, its voice distinctly feminine. The creature appeared humanoid, but had large bulbous eyes and was extremely slender, to the point of emaciation. She had a very small mouth and tiny nasal passages for a "nose". An odd bony structure emerged from the top of her head. It was shaped roughly like an hour-glass, the top smoothly rounded off. Much of her skin was covered in clear, shining gems of uncertain origin. She shimmered in what light was available, almost as if the gems produced their own light.
She produced some strange-looking cards from thin air. "Before you may pass, you must have your fortune read!" she said with an air of mystery. She peered intently into Ao's eyes, since he was the only creature she could really do that with.

[Fleegle]

(For AngelSpice)

"Oh dear," Losom replied as Audirda recounted her experience with the Pink Ones. "You are most fortunate, Miss Audirda. I don't think they would have eaten you though... no, no, I'm sure they would have done much worse."
Losom seemed troubled by his thoughts. He paused for a moment, then continued in a more jovial tone.
"Well, I am glad you found what you were looking for. At least something good came out of the ordeal. Come now, let's go to my shop and have a look-see, shall we?"
Losom walked slowly into his cave.

(For El_Skwidd, Nixit, and Schme)

The trio made their way into the forest, the main clearing just up ahead.

[Schme]

Deviating from his endless drawl for a quick moment, MushBall put in "...Oh, we should really visit the forest god while we're here. Have you met him? Simply a wonderful chap, you really must. Bassus is his name, and a greater monarch you'll never find. Me and him, where great chums."

He then continued on his rant about Muck unity.

[AoM]

Ao peered back at the yellow, gem-covered creature. He wondered if she too was a servant of Eriadina, like Kikkik. A creature partially made of gemstone must be somewhat tied to the Earth Goddess, he figured. As for her request, it seemed to him quite an odd thing to ask for... or even demand, as she had spoken in such a confident manner that it was more of a statement of fact as opposed to a question. She was a curious thing indeed, Ao decided, but he did not know yet if she was friend or foe.


"Who are you?" He spoke first in earth-speak, to see if she would respond to it. If she didn't, he would then repeat the question in mind-speak. His tone was cautious, not overly friendly or hostile.

[Razorlance]

Tek watched in wonder as the glittering being emerged from nowhere, he listened to what she said, and Ao's reply, then mind spoke to Kikkik "Do you know who this is?"

[Fleegle]

(For AoM and Razorlance. Sorry, I should have clarified; the creature is wearing clothing made of gemstones... she isn't actually made of them.)

"I have never met this creature before, but she looks like she may be a witch." Kikkik whispered to both of them. "We must be very cautious, and try to avoid physical confrontation. Wizard-folk don't appreciate it."
The witch curtly answered Ao, responding to his mind-speak. "I am the Sorceress Liniaschezaraphon, rockman. And is that not the peon, Kikkik, about your shoulder?" She scoffed at the beetle. "Now enough with the questions! You must draw your fortune! And you too, hideous creature!" She motioned at Tek. "Beetle-boy can stay out of this, worthless thing."
Kikkik seemed annoyed but held his tongue.

[Fleegle]

(For Schme, El_Skwidd, and Nixit)

The trio arrived at the central clearing.

[AoM]

"Kikkik is my friend, Sorceress. Do not scoff at him. And we don't need our fortune's read. Fate is something left to the Gods to decide, not some magic or witchcraft. We will be going now, but we wish you good fortune and trust you will do the same for us."

Ao mind-spoke loud enough for his friends to hear as well. Then he motioned towards the tram and decided to go towards it, around the Sorceress.

[Fleegle]

(For AoM and Razorlance)

A glint of passion appeared in the Sorceress' eyes. "Hold it!" she exclaimed. She held up a single finger in her free hand, some kind of fine golden wire twisted about the finger. The wire glimmered, and a speckled wall of shiny particles appeared before Ao as he attempted to approach the tram. He found that the "wall" was impenetrable.
The Sorceress turned to Ao, her back to Tek. "You see, you MUST have your fortunes read if you want to pass."

"It's a trick, Ao, don't you touch one of those infernal cards!" Kikkik exclaimed. Turning to the Sorceress, "Lower that wall at once, or by Eriadina may you be banished to oblivion!" After Kikkik's earlier warning, this exclamation of his was somewhat unexpected.

The Sorceress peered intently into Ao's eyes. She held up her cards. "What's the trouble now? Take a card and I'll let you pass. That... thing... told you itself that it doesn't even know me, yet it is so quick to judge me. What's the harm a little card could do? Afraid to know what your future holds?"

[El_Skwidd]

"Monarch, you say?" says Vex, raising an eyebrow. "I'd imagine a monarch would have some wealth... and maybe some tips on how to get it!"

Xev asks, "Shall we?"

The two start off towards Bassus's dwelling regardless.

[Schme]

"Bah! Wealth!" scoffed MushBall as he walked along towards Bassus's home. "Wealth will only get one so far. A king is not made by riches alone. One must have wisdom, strength and vision, these are what make a real leader. For without wisdom and vision, how can you lead, and for that matter, how can you properly use your riches? Without strength, how can you defend it? Having wealth alone only makes one a target for bandits. Do you remember that ugly dark creature with the large claws? I'm sure he'd have no qualms about stealing. This is why I posses all of those qualities. It's the only sensible thing to do...Possesing the qualities that is."

"Although," he mused "I suppose not all can live up to my greatness. The pink people, for example........"