Chapter 31: Japing about
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Chapter 31: Japing about
Delta watched as Cois narrowed his beady little eyes at the rough shape in the middle of the fort room. Mr Mushy watched from slightly down the hall, unwilling to get any closer to the heat. The fire died down and the scorched thing wobbled slightly. Delta had only come to check on things and to see if her gobs had returned. Instead, she had found most of the floor monsters gathered around Cois, his fire magic cooking something.
“What is that?” Delta asked faintly as the misshapen black thing smoked near the foot of the hill, away from any wooden structures.
Her Mushy came nearer. It seemed to be unable to look away from the black thing.
It sagged to one side and the odd ears or loopy things at the side made it look like a haunched man that Cois had just cooked. Cois sniffed as he admired his work.
“Done. Bring next one!” he commanded and Mr Mushy waddled out, both hands holding a brown muddy thing. He put it down and began to pat the sides as they became runny. It was round and Mr Mushy’s hands came away covered in mud.
Cois cackled and flash fried it as Mr Mushy ran away from the licks of fire past Bily and back into the tunnel for protection.
Numb cheered as Billy shot Cois a glare. The bow-using goblin murmured something to Mr Mushy and the giant being clapped his hands. The pot looked just as misshapen as the first and Delta watched as Numb dragged it off to one corner where five or six more black pots sat.
“What’s going on?” Delta asked casually and Cois yelped, hiding his staff behind his back. Numb panicked and just threw the pot up the hill where it hit the slope and rolled, bumped and tumbled its way back down with hollow clunking sounds. Billy just snorted and pushed his green cap down to watch the scene.
Nu appeared with a rather sour sounding ding.
They are attempting to... create art. It seems like they, or rather, Mr Mushy, was inspired to try his hand at the craft after seeing your pot. It has been met with laughter and fire. The mushroom moulds it from the mud and the goblin cooks it to ash. It’s quite frustrating as they don’t actually seem to be learning how to correct themselves.
The menu appeared to be frustrated and Delta hid a smile as she answered.
“Not everyone learns to understand something or replicate it after one attempt or sample. Some of us have to practise!” Delta hummed and Nu seemed to let out a low noise.
Then why bother? This project will offer no fruit. It is wasting your mud and making Cois waste energy. Those pots will not be reabsorbed into the dungeon system. They don’t improve or offer any new designs. I just don’t understand why they are so invested in doing this.
Delta watched as Mr Mushy was already patting a new pot. He seemed to be trying to give this pot a moustache and a monocle for some odd reason. Cois was still frozen to the spot, smoke still curling from his staff.
Numb tried to hide the pots behind himself and failed utterly. Billy was rather calm but he was also looking a little guilty at taking part.
“Hm, there is no reason. Doing something fun is... just fun. You should try it, make a pot or something,” Delta encouraged and then bent down to smile at Cois.
“Less heat, they might actually look good then, hm?” she giggled and got up to head to the grove. Cois nodded as if her words were a command.
“Less...less fire,” he repeated with a petulant tone. Delta complimented Mr Mushy as she went past and the giant fungus tried to do a bow but seemed to forget there was a wall and blinked in confusion as his cap hit something solid and the force from that, in turn, tipped him over so he landed in a sitting position.
Delta smiled as Billy moved over to help without a word. The little archer seemed like Mr Mushy and that made Delta pleased as a button. The sound of roaring fire rushed out and Numb’s voice called out.
“Master say less, less!” he said in a panic. Cois just cackled loudly again.
I cannot make a pot.
Delta slowed as she entered the Grove. The stalks on some natural shrooms were easily taller than some men.
“Oh, it’s fine! Just try!” Delta encouraged again and Nu made a frustrated sound.
I cannot make a pot. I cannot spend mana, I cannot control your power. I am MENU. I am not Dunge- I am not Delta. I am an efficient tool designed to help you grow as a dungeon.
Delta frowned and then shook her head.
“Sounds nice and easy out loud but you aren’t a menu, not anymore. Nu, besides being rude, cocky, a bit of a know-it-all, you’re my friend. Not a tool,” she reminded the box and it shimmered red and Delta took a step back as it rang furiously.
I did not ask for it! I did not ask to be... this. I thought it was a whim or some cruel idea or some bad choice you made but I see it all around you. Things do not act like they should Things are not logical or even right in this dungeon. Monsters are not friends. Cores do not feel remorse. They don’t create havens for humans. I know this and yet, it is all around me. I cannot make a pot because if I tried to and I could... then I am not right. I am not MENU. I am broken.
The box faded from the red to a sombre purple. Delta just waited, her mind going blank as this was not something she expected. So, she did the only thing she could.
“Make a pot,” she repeated and Nu seemed to grow in size as if trying to appear angrier but with another angry ring, the word appeared.
Fine.
Delta watched as the spot in front of her shimmered as something began to form. Her mana dipped and the object appeared.
“Nu..” Delta trailed off and the text box had gone very still. Delta’s lips twitched and the box went a very bright pink.
Not. A. Word.
Delta inhaled slowly and a noise escaped her mouth. It was a chortle, then a giggle, and then Delta just gave up and burst out laughing. She could only watch as Boary sniffed at the pot that was even uglier than Delta’s.
It was more like a pot that had been ugly and then flattened by a car, resurrected by some novice voodoo priest and then got dropped out of a plane. Delta slapped her knee as laughter began to cause her physical pain but she couldn’t stop. Nu was texting in a small font, his version of muttering.
I followed...mana? I have never use...I didn’t...I... Stop laughing at me!
Nu was demanding but Delta could only walk away to lean against a wall.
“The only thing broken...” Delta paused to catch her breath as she giggled again, “is your artistic talent!” Delta grinned and Nu shimmered red.
Hardly amazing yourself, Miss Noodle handles! Your pot looked like some crime against mankind!
Abruptly Delta’s laughter ceased and she put her hands on her hips, her voice dropping low.
“Is that a challenge?” she demanded and Nu seemed to turn away as if dismissing her words.
We don’t have the mana to waste on such...things.
Delta shrugged, walking to meet the returning gobs.
“That’s fine, we both know that means my pot was the better one,” she said pleasantly and Nu gave a mocking ding noise.
“Firesmasher...Darknessbane. I don’t have a special jar for you. Would you like one? I would make it...perfect just for you,” he offered in his polite and cheerful voice. Quiss ignored how his fire grew dark.
Control.
“I must decline. You aren’t here to break the laws, are you?” He called and Japes looked upset at the words. His pleasant smile fell into a sad expression.
“I would never. Rules are important. They contain society. I could never bring myself to shatter such... fragile things,” he said as if Quiss were to accuse him of doing such a thing, it would not be a good thing.
“Japes, the rule is that no one is to go inside. So, end of the discussion,” Ruli snapped. The well-dressed man looked up and smiled.
“Of course. I live to help the law. Like removing pests,” he found this amusing and had to cover his monstrous grin that stretched inhumanely across his face. It took a moment but Japes’ face returned back to normal.
Quiss had the next 31 spells ready in his head to chant but the words squirmed inside like invasive worms.
“Pests?” Quiss echoed and Japes pulled out another jar. This one looked odd like it was made more from animal hide than mud or ceramic.
Japes put the jar to his ear.
“Hmm... I see. Master ‘Delta’ needs you? Tsk, I am trying to take you home, but sadly my little green friends. I am not allowed. I shall try again tomorrow,” he promised with that monstrous grin. Quiss’ fire went out and he pulled on a weapon that was far worse.
His badge.
Japes frowned at it, his playful look melting away like liquid clay.
“Release the goblins or I will arrest you,” he warned and Japes raised one brow in curiosity.
“On what charge?” he smiled and Quiss smiled back.
“Destruction of a dungeon” he stated and Ruli shot away from Quiss as if he just slapped her. Japes lost all facial expression, the blank canvas of his eyes and flat mouth were the scariest thing yet. Quiss forced his voice not to tremble as he carried on.
“By taking those contracted monsters, you are halting the progression of this here dungeon. Under my reasoning and the fact you are trying to gain access after weakening the dungeon leads me to think you are trying to shatter Delta,” he called presenting the little piece of metal that had a golden crown with a sword through it.
The crown rested on the hilt of the sword and the words ‘PeaceKeeper’ were stamped at the bottom.
It glowed with an eerie light as Quiss spoke.
The badge of a PeaceKeeper. It was the seal to act in the king’s place. No matter where or with who.
It allowed Quiss to do three things.
One, it let him sit in a pub all day and drink.
Two. It occasionally let him get a free pint at the pub.
And three, it allowed Quiss to summon a member of the royal guard with a one time use teleportation rune that would most likely take Quiss’ hand off as the cost.
A royal guard was not a toy soldier to annoy for a favour. To have one on beck and call was a responsibility and the fact that the badge would kill anyone who tried to use it without the proper authority was another little... fun thing about it.
Japes, without a word, smashed the jar and two cursing goblins fell out off a rapidly vanishing space. Japes bowed stiffly and turned without a word. His back bulging slightly as his body twitched.
The goblins fled into the dungeon, to home.
Ruli sighed and dropped back to the grass, finally breathing.
“Fucking demon spit, what the fuck?” Ruli demanded and the badge glowed with a warning. Quiss snorted and pocketed it.
“Calm down, I wasn’t actually going to use it. A royal guard is summoned but I don’t get to choose which one. Trust me, we don’t want to be bringing Zale here. It'd be better to cut off our own heads and save us the trouble,” he grumbled. Japes the potter... what had the man wanted?
He sat down, all thoughts of the pub gone.
“Here,” Ruli offered her flask and Quiss took a swig without asking what it was. It burned and then froze in his throat.
“Does your mother know you stole her Devil Tree Wine?” he asked casually and Ruli’s smirked was all the answer he needed.
----
Jolin Javen Japes inhaled and tidied himself up, He twitched again as the wrongness increased. He put a hand on the wall of the nearest building to ride out the agitation. It itched at him.
“Curve up...smooth down,” he repeated and walked ahead as the mana made his unique sense go haywire.
It had never acted up before in this town. A blessing. But now it itched, itched, itched, itched. He took another deep breath and rubbed his face. Annoyed at his lack of control. The goblins had simply startled him, he didn’t know why he just didn’t let them go.
Old habits. Why let good hostages go to waste?
Oh, those were the days. But now he just wanted to make simple pots and someone was making him itch.
Someone somewhere was making a mess of his art!
----
Mr Mushy hummed as he slapped two pots together and made a new handle on his new creation! It was a gentlemanly pot! An extra handle to be helpful for those to carry it! Mr Mushy was pleased as Cois got better at the fire, only slightly burning his pots now.
He couldn’t wait to try making a pot with no bottom!
It would be so...glorious!
---
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Chapter 31: Japing about
Delta watched as Cois narrowed his beady little eyes at the rough shape in the middle of the fort room. Mr Mushy watched from slightly down the hall, unwilling to get any closer to the heat. The fire died down and the scorched thing wobbled slightly. Delta had only come to check on things and to see if her gobs had returned. Instead, she had found most of the floor monsters gathered around Cois, his fire magic cooking something.
“What is that?” Delta asked faintly as the misshapen black thing smoked near the foot of the hill, away from any wooden structures.
Her Mushy came nearer. It seemed to be unable to look away from the black thing.
It sagged to one side and the odd ears or loopy things at the side made it look like a haunched man that Cois had just cooked. Cois sniffed as he admired his work.
“Done. Bring next one!” he commanded and Mr Mushy waddled out, both hands holding a brown muddy thing. He put it down and began to pat the sides as they became runny. It was round and Mr Mushy’s hands came away covered in mud.
Cois cackled and flash fried it as Mr Mushy ran away from the licks of fire past Bily and back into the tunnel for protection.
Numb cheered as Billy shot Cois a glare. The bow-using goblin murmured something to Mr Mushy and the giant being clapped his hands. The pot looked just as misshapen as the first and Delta watched as Numb dragged it off to one corner where five or six more black pots sat.
“What’s going on?” Delta asked casually and Cois yelped, hiding his staff behind his back. Numb panicked and just threw the pot up the hill where it hit the slope and rolled, bumped and tumbled its way back down with hollow clunking sounds. Billy just snorted and pushed his green cap down to watch the scene.
Nu appeared with a rather sour sounding ding.
They are attempting to... create art. It seems like they, or rather, Mr Mushy, was inspired to try his hand at the craft after seeing your pot. It has been met with laughter and fire. The mushroom moulds it from the mud and the goblin cooks it to ash. It’s quite frustrating as they don’t actually seem to be learning how to correct themselves.
The menu appeared to be frustrated and Delta hid a smile as she answered.
“Not everyone learns to understand something or replicate it after one attempt or sample. Some of us have to practise!” Delta hummed and Nu seemed to let out a low noise.
Then why bother? This project will offer no fruit. It is wasting your mud and making Cois waste energy. Those pots will not be reabsorbed into the dungeon system. They don’t improve or offer any new designs. I just don’t understand why they are so invested in doing this.
Delta watched as Mr Mushy was already patting a new pot. He seemed to be trying to give this pot a moustache and a monocle for some odd reason. Cois was still frozen to the spot, smoke still curling from his staff.
Numb tried to hide the pots behind himself and failed utterly. Billy was rather calm but he was also looking a little guilty at taking part.
“Hm, there is no reason. Doing something fun is... just fun. You should try it, make a pot or something,” Delta encouraged and then bent down to smile at Cois.
“Less heat, they might actually look good then, hm?” she giggled and got up to head to the grove. Cois nodded as if her words were a command.
“Less...less fire,” he repeated with a petulant tone. Delta complimented Mr Mushy as she went past and the giant fungus tried to do a bow but seemed to forget there was a wall and blinked in confusion as his cap hit something solid and the force from that, in turn, tipped him over so he landed in a sitting position.
Delta smiled as Billy moved over to help without a word. The little archer seemed like Mr Mushy and that made Delta pleased as a button. The sound of roaring fire rushed out and Numb’s voice called out.
“Master say less, less!” he said in a panic. Cois just cackled loudly again.
I cannot make a pot.
Delta slowed as she entered the Grove. The stalks on some natural shrooms were easily taller than some men.
“Oh, it’s fine! Just try!” Delta encouraged again and Nu made a frustrated sound.
I cannot make a pot. I cannot spend mana, I cannot control your power. I am MENU. I am not Dunge- I am not Delta. I am an efficient tool designed to help you grow as a dungeon.
Delta frowned and then shook her head.
“Sounds nice and easy out loud but you aren’t a menu, not anymore. Nu, besides being rude, cocky, a bit of a know-it-all, you’re my friend. Not a tool,” she reminded the box and it shimmered red and Delta took a step back as it rang furiously.
I did not ask for it! I did not ask to be... this. I thought it was a whim or some cruel idea or some bad choice you made but I see it all around you. Things do not act like they should Things are not logical or even right in this dungeon. Monsters are not friends. Cores do not feel remorse. They don’t create havens for humans. I know this and yet, it is all around me. I cannot make a pot because if I tried to and I could... then I am not right. I am not MENU. I am broken.
The box faded from the red to a sombre purple. Delta just waited, her mind going blank as this was not something she expected. So, she did the only thing she could.
“Make a pot,” she repeated and Nu seemed to grow in size as if trying to appear angrier but with another angry ring, the word appeared.
Fine.
Delta watched as the spot in front of her shimmered as something began to form. Her mana dipped and the object appeared.
“Nu..” Delta trailed off and the text box had gone very still. Delta’s lips twitched and the box went a very bright pink.
Not. A. Word.
Delta inhaled slowly and a noise escaped her mouth. It was a chortle, then a giggle, and then Delta just gave up and burst out laughing. She could only watch as Boary sniffed at the pot that was even uglier than Delta’s.
It was more like a pot that had been ugly and then flattened by a car, resurrected by some novice voodoo priest and then got dropped out of a plane. Delta slapped her knee as laughter began to cause her physical pain but she couldn’t stop. Nu was texting in a small font, his version of muttering.
I followed...mana? I have never use...I didn’t...I... Stop laughing at me!
Nu was demanding but Delta could only walk away to lean against a wall.
“The only thing broken...” Delta paused to catch her breath as she giggled again, “is your artistic talent!” Delta grinned and Nu shimmered red.
Hardly amazing yourself, Miss Noodle handles! Your pot looked like some crime against mankind!
Abruptly Delta’s laughter ceased and she put her hands on her hips, her voice dropping low.
“Is that a challenge?” she demanded and Nu seemed to turn away as if dismissing her words.
We don’t have the mana to waste on such...things.
Delta shrugged, walking to meet the returning gobs.
“That’s fine, we both know that means my pot was the better one,” she said pleasantly and Nu gave a mocking ding noise.
“Firesmasher...Darknessbane. I don’t have a special jar for you. Would you like one? I would make it...perfect just for you,” he offered in his polite and cheerful voice. Quiss ignored how his fire grew dark.
Control.
“I must decline. You aren’t here to break the laws, are you?” He called and Japes looked upset at the words. His pleasant smile fell into a sad expression.
“I would never. Rules are important. They contain society. I could never bring myself to shatter such... fragile things,” he said as if Quiss were to accuse him of doing such a thing, it would not be a good thing.
“Japes, the rule is that no one is to go inside. So, end of the discussion,” Ruli snapped. The well-dressed man looked up and smiled.
“Of course. I live to help the law. Like removing pests,” he found this amusing and had to cover his monstrous grin that stretched inhumanely across his face. It took a moment but Japes’ face returned back to normal.
Quiss had the next 31 spells ready in his head to chant but the words squirmed inside like invasive worms.
“Pests?” Quiss echoed and Japes pulled out another jar. This one looked odd like it was made more from animal hide than mud or ceramic.
Japes put the jar to his ear.
“Hmm... I see. Master ‘Delta’ needs you? Tsk, I am trying to take you home, but sadly my little green friends. I am not allowed. I shall try again tomorrow,” he promised with that monstrous grin. Quiss’ fire went out and he pulled on a weapon that was far worse.
His badge.
Japes frowned at it, his playful look melting away like liquid clay.
“Release the goblins or I will arrest you,” he warned and Japes raised one brow in curiosity.
“On what charge?” he smiled and Quiss smiled back.
“Destruction of a dungeon” he stated and Ruli shot away from Quiss as if he just slapped her. Japes lost all facial expression, the blank canvas of his eyes and flat mouth were the scariest thing yet. Quiss forced his voice not to tremble as he carried on.
“By taking those contracted monsters, you are halting the progression of this here dungeon. Under my reasoning and the fact you are trying to gain access after weakening the dungeon leads me to think you are trying to shatter Delta,” he called presenting the little piece of metal that had a golden crown with a sword through it.
The crown rested on the hilt of the sword and the words ‘PeaceKeeper’ were stamped at the bottom.
It glowed with an eerie light as Quiss spoke.
The badge of a PeaceKeeper. It was the seal to act in the king’s place. No matter where or with who.
It allowed Quiss to do three things.
One, it let him sit in a pub all day and drink.
Two. It occasionally let him get a free pint at the pub.
And three, it allowed Quiss to summon a member of the royal guard with a one time use teleportation rune that would most likely take Quiss’ hand off as the cost.
A royal guard was not a toy soldier to annoy for a favour. To have one on beck and call was a responsibility and the fact that the badge would kill anyone who tried to use it without the proper authority was another little... fun thing about it.
Japes, without a word, smashed the jar and two cursing goblins fell out off a rapidly vanishing space. Japes bowed stiffly and turned without a word. His back bulging slightly as his body twitched.
The goblins fled into the dungeon, to home.
Ruli sighed and dropped back to the grass, finally breathing.
“Fucking demon spit, what the fuck?” Ruli demanded and the badge glowed with a warning. Quiss snorted and pocketed it.
“Calm down, I wasn’t actually going to use it. A royal guard is summoned but I don’t get to choose which one. Trust me, we don’t want to be bringing Zale here. It'd be better to cut off our own heads and save us the trouble,” he grumbled. Japes the potter... what had the man wanted?
He sat down, all thoughts of the pub gone.
“Here,” Ruli offered her flask and Quiss took a swig without asking what it was. It burned and then froze in his throat.
“Does your mother know you stole her Devil Tree Wine?” he asked casually and Ruli’s smirked was all the answer he needed.
----
Jolin Javen Japes inhaled and tidied himself up, He twitched again as the wrongness increased. He put a hand on the wall of the nearest building to ride out the agitation. It itched at him.
“Curve up...smooth down,” he repeated and walked ahead as the mana made his unique sense go haywire.
It had never acted up before in this town. A blessing. But now it itched, itched, itched, itched. He took another deep breath and rubbed his face. Annoyed at his lack of control. The goblins had simply startled him, he didn’t know why he just didn’t let them go.
Old habits. Why let good hostages go to waste?
Oh, those were the days. But now he just wanted to make simple pots and someone was making him itch.
Someone somewhere was making a mess of his art!
----
Mr Mushy hummed as he slapped two pots together and made a new handle on his new creation! It was a gentlemanly pot! An extra handle to be helpful for those to carry it! Mr Mushy was pleased as Cois got better at the fire, only slightly burning his pots now.
He couldn’t wait to try making a pot with no bottom!
It would be so...glorious!
---
Chapter 31: Japing aboutDelta watched as Cois narrowed his beady little eyes at the rough shape in the middle of the fort room. Mr Mushy watched from slightly down the hall, unwilling to get any closer to the heat. The fire died down and the scorched thing wobbled slightly. Delta had only come to check on things and to see if her gobs had returned. Instead, she had found most of the floor monsters gathered around Cois, his fire magic cooking something.What is that? Delta asked faintly as the misshapen black thing smoked near the foot of the hill, away from any wooden structures.Her Mushy came nearer. It seemed to be unable to look away from the black thing.It sagged to one side and the odd ears or loopy things at the side made it look like a haunched man that Cois had just cooked. Cois sniffed as he admired his work.Done. Bring next one! he commanded and Mr Mushy waddled out, both hands holding a brown muddy thing. He put it down and began to pat the sides as they became runny. It was round and Mr Mushy's hands came away covered in mud.Cois cackled and flash fried it as Mr Mushy ran away from the licks of fire past Bily and back into the tunnel for protection.Numb cheered as Billy shot Cois a glare. The bow-using goblin murmured something to Mr Mushy and the giant being clapped his hands. The pot looked just as misshapen as the first and Delta watched as Numb dragged it off to one corner where five or six more black pots sat.What's going on? Delta asked casually and Cois yelped, hiding his staff behind his back. Numb panicked and just threw the pot up the hill where it hit the slope and rolled, bumped and tumbled its way back down with hollow clunking sounds. Billy just snorted and pushed his green cap down to watch the scene.Nu appeared with a rather sour sounding ding.They are attempting to... create art. It seems like they, or rather, Mr Mushy, was inspired to try his hand at the craft after seeing your pot. It has been met with laughter and fire. The mushroom moulds it from the mud and the goblin cooks it to ash. It's quite frustrating as they don't actually seem to be learning how to correct themselves. The menu appeared to be frustrated and Delta hid a smile as she answered.Not everyone learns to understand something or replicate it after one attempt or sample. Some of us have to practise! Delta hummed and Nu seemed to let out a low noise.Then why bother? This project will offer no fruit. It is wasting your mud and making Cois waste energy. Those pots will not be reabsorbed into the dungeon system. They don't improve or offer any new designs. I just don't understand why they are so invested in doing this. Delta watched as Mr Mushy was already patting a new pot. He seemed to be trying to give this pot a moustache and a monocle for some odd reason. Cois was still frozen to the spot, smoke still curling from his staff.Numb tried to hide the pots behind himself and failed utterly. Billy was rather calm but he was also looking a little guilty at taking part.Hm, there is no reason. Doing something fun is... just fun. You should try it, make a pot or something, Delta encouraged and then bent down to smile at Cois.Less heat, they might actually look good then, hm? she giggled and got up to head to the grove. Cois nodded as if her words were a command.Less...less fire, he repeated with a petulant tone. Delta complimented Mr Mushy as she went past and the giant fungus tried to do a bow but seemed to forget there was a wall and blinked in confusion as his cap hit something solid and the force from that, in turn, tipped him over so he landed in a sitting position.Delta smiled as Billy moved over to help without a word. The little archer seemed like Mr Mushy and that made Delta pleased as a button. The sound of roaring fire rushed out and Numb's voice called out.Master say less, less! he said in a panic. Cois just cackled loudly again.I cannot make a pot. Delta slowed as she entered the Grove. The stalks on some natural shrooms were easily taller than some men.Oh, it's fine! Just try! Delta encouraged again and Nu made a frustrated sound.I cannot make a pot. I cannot spend mana, I cannot control your power. I am MENU. I am not Dunge- I am not Delta. I am an efficient tool designed to help you grow as a dungeon. Delta frowned and then shook her head.Sounds nice and easy out loud but you aren't a menu, not anymore. Nu, besides being rude, cocky, a bit of a know-it-all, you're my friend. Not a tool, she reminded the box and it shimmered red and Delta took a step back as it rang furiously.I did not ask for it! I did not ask to be... this. I thought it was a whim or some cruel idea or some bad choice you made but I see it all around you. Things do not act like they should Things are not logical or even right in this dungeon. Monsters are not friends. Cores do not feel remorse. They don't create havens for humans. I know this and yet, it is all around me. I cannot make a pot because if I tried to and I could... then I am not right. I am not MENU. I am broken. The box faded from the red to a sombre purple. Delta just waited, her mind going blank as this was not something she expected. So, she did the only thing she could.Make a pot, she repeated and Nu seemed to grow in size as if trying to appear angrier but with another angry ring, the word appeared.Fine. Delta watched as the spot in front of her shimmered as something began to form. Her mana dipped and the object appeared.Nu.. Delta trailed off and the text box had gone very still. Delta's lips twitched and the box went a very bright pink.Not. A. Word. Delta inhaled slowly and a noise escaped her mouth. It was a chortle, then a giggle, and then Delta just gave up and burst out laughing. She could only watch as Boary sniffed at the pot that was even uglier than Delta's.It was more like a pot that had been ugly and then flattened by a car, resurrected by some novice voodoo priest and then got dropped out of a plane. Delta slapped her knee as laughter began to cause her physical pain but she couldn't stop. Nu was texting in a small font, his version of muttering.I followed...mana? I have never use...I didn't...I... Stop laughing at me! Nu was demanding but Delta could only walk away to lean against a wall.The only thing broken... Delta paused to catch her breath as she giggled again, is your artistic talent! Delta grinned and Nu shimmered red.Hardly amazing yourself, Miss Noodle handles! Your pot looked like some crime against mankind! Abruptly Delta's laughter ceased and she put her hands on her hips, her voice dropping low.Is that a challenge? she demanded and Nu seemed to turn away as if dismissing her words.We don't have the mana to waste on such...things. Delta shrugged, walking to meet the returning gobs.That's fine, we both know that means my pot was the better one, she said pleasantly and Nu gave a mocking ding noise. Firesmasher...Darknessbane. I don't have a special jar for you. Would you like one? I would make it...perfect just for you, he offered in his polite and cheerful voice. Quiss ignored how his fire grew dark.Control.I must decline. You aren't here to break the laws, are you? He called and Japes looked upset at the words. His pleasant smile fell into a sad expression.I would never. Rules are important. They contain society. I could never bring myself to shatter such... fragile things, he said as if Quiss were to accuse him of doing such a thing, it would not be a good thing.Japes, the rule is that no one is to go inside. So, end of the discussion, Ruli snapped. The well-dressed man looked up and smiled.Of course. I live to help the law. Like removing pests, he found this amusing and had to cover his monstrous grin that stretched inhumanely across his face. It took a moment but Japes' face returned back to normal.Quiss had the next 31 spells ready in his head to chant but the words squirmed inside like invasive worms.Pests? Quiss echoed and Japes pulled out another jar. This one looked odd like it was made more from animal hide than mud or ceramic.Japes put the jar to his ear.Hmm... I see. Master Delta' needs you? Tsk, I am trying to take you home, but sadly my little green friends. I am not allowed. I shall try again tomorrow, he promised with that monstrous grin. Quiss' fire went out and he pulled on a weapon that was far worse.His badge.Japes frowned at it, his playful look melting away like liquid clay.Release the goblins or I will arrest you, he warned and Japes raised one brow in curiosity.On what charge? he smiled and Quiss smiled back.Destruction of a dungeon he stated and Ruli shot away from Quiss as if he just slapped her. Japes lost all facial expression, the blank canvas of his eyes and flat mouth were the scariest thing yet. Quiss forced his voice not to tremble as he carried on.By taking those contracted monsters, you are halting the progression of this here dungeon. Under my reasoning and the fact you are trying to gain access after weakening the dungeon leads me to think you are trying to shatter Delta, he called presenting the little piece of metal that had a golden crown with a sword through it.The crown rested on the hilt of the sword and the words PeaceKeeper' were stamped at the bottom.It glowed with an eerie light as Quiss spoke.The badge of a PeaceKeeper. It was the seal to act in the king's place. No matter where or with who.It allowed Quiss to do three things.One, it let him sit in a pub all day and drink.Two. It occasionally let him get a free pint at the pub.And three, it allowed Quiss to summon a member of the royal guard with a one time use teleportation rune that would most likely take Quiss' hand off as the cost.A royal guard was not a toy soldier to annoy for a favour. To have one on beck and call was a responsibility and the fact that the badge would kill anyone who tried to use it without the proper authority was another little... fun thing about it.Japes, without a word, smashed the jar and two cursing goblins fell out off a rapidly vanishing space. Japes bowed stiffly and turned without a word. His back bulging slightly as his body twitched.The goblins fled into the dungeon, to home.Ruli sighed and dropped back to the grass, finally breathing.Fucking demon spit, what the fuck? Ruli demanded and the badge glowed with a warning. Quiss snorted and pocketed it.Calm down, I wasn't actually going to use it. A royal guard is summoned but I don't get to choose which one. Trust me, we don't want to be bringing Zale here. It'd be better to cut off our own heads and save us the trouble, he grumbled. Japes the potter... what had the man wanted?He sat down, all thoughts of the pub gone.Here, Ruli offered her flask and Quiss took a swig without asking what it was. It burned and then froze in his throat.Does your mother know you stole her Devil Tree Wine? he asked casually and Ruli's smirked was all the answer he needed.----Jolin Javen Japes inhaled and tidied himself up, He twitched again as the wrongness increased. He put a hand on the wall of the nearest building to ride out the agitation. It itched at him.Curve up...smooth down, he repeated and walked ahead as the mana made his unique sense go haywire.It had never acted up before in this town. A blessing. But now it itched, itched, itched, itched. He took another deep breath and rubbed his face. Annoyed at his lack of control. The goblins had simply startled him, he didn't know why he just didn't let them go.Old habits. Why let good hostages go to waste?Oh, those were the days. But now he just wanted to make simple pots and someone was making him itch.Someone somewhere was making a mess of his art!----Mr Mushy hummed as he slapped two pots together and made a new handle on his new creation! It was a gentlemanly pot! An extra handle to be helpful for those to carry it! Mr Mushy was pleased as Cois got better at the fire, only slightly burning his pots now.He couldn't wait to try making a pot with no bottom!It would be so...glorious!---
