Mors Funebris Ch. 2 P. 2

Mors Funebris Chapter 2 Part 2
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“Hello,….Jinks?! Anyone?” Arawn called out guardedly, his voice echoing slightly as he entered the long low windowless anteroom. Coming to a halt, he carefully listened to hear any possible replies, yet none were forthcoming. The silence was deafening in the room that was assigned to Gremlin Jinks’ and the division she was in charge of:  Research and Recovery.
Standing steadily in place, he first looked warily around the confines of the room and its shelf laden walls. Turning his head slowly, he sadly took note of every one of the nearly two dozen hip-high tables that stood within that room, and the morbid item that lay atop each.
These scant two dozen Automatons adorning the tabletops, were all that remained out of the remains of hundreds. The rest had been blasted or ripped apart beyond hope of recovery, in a battle waged inside the Chthon’s realm, countless years previous.
To any casual passerby, if there were such, the sight of the interior of that room would’ve been judged a mortuary. Swallowing the bile that arose in his throat, Arawn closed his eyes in an effort to dismiss the vivid tableau before him. He then forcefully repressed a shudder at the unbidden memory those broken bodies conjured within his mind.
“These are Automatons.” He reminded himself aloud, with just a hint of quiver in his voice. “They are the relics.” He breathed, “of an ancient war. They are not the bodies of innocent women!” he gasped haltingly.
‘Now they lie here in their constituent parts awaiting an impersonal classification. They are to be treated as if they were things instead of the semi-sentients they had been crafted to be.’ He mused, as he forced himself to open his eyes and bear witness to the sight that awaited.
As before, several dozen youngish-seeming battle maidens adorned the tops of the tables, but not a single one of them was intact. No, they all lay scattered like a set of three-dimensional puzzle pieces, waiting to be reassembled.
 ‘All ripped or blown apart like toys in a game of tug-of-war. All left to die crippled and broken, with the little sentience afforded to them announcing the final dark.’ Arawn thought, licking his overly dry lips.
‘Undoubtedly aware they had been left to expire forgotten in a realm far from their creation. Treated as something expendable and easily replaced.’
There, immediately to his right was a spare desk with an assortment of casually placed heads, that at his first glance appeared to belong to a number of young human women. Only the bio-metallic tubes and linkages sticking out of their necks revealed the truth of their artificial creation.
Most of those heads there held a placid expression, sightlessly peering out through half-lidded eyes and disheveled platinum tresses, staring at nothing. A few of the faces there did display an emotion: Rage.
‘Were they angry at their untimely fate, or was it a remnant of their battle fury?’ Arawn asked rhetorically. He didn’t get nor expect an answer.
Arawn’s gaze lingered upon that table for a moment, silently noting that none of them had moved from their respective positions since the evening before. Quietly and swiftly, he continued his tabulations with the other tables and their contents. It took him only a few short minutes, that lasted much longer to his accounting.
‘All parts accounted for, none are missing nor are there any sudden additions.’ He decided, finally allowing himself to relax. ‘Thus, it is highly unlikely I will be subjected to any sudden surprises this morning.’ He determined.
Any viewers to that scene of him standing there alone, would’ve questioned his callous indifference to such a grisly sight. But, time had taught him the futility of openly displaying any form of grief.
‘Primus? (2)’ Secundus asked suddenly, jarring Arawn from his silent reverie.
‘Yes? (1)’ Arawn asked distractedly. While he was peering at nothing.
‘I do not have access to your main memory-cores. What is the significance of these,….what were they called again,….Automatons, was it? (2)’ Secundus asked suddenly. Arawn blinked and turned his eyes towards the nearest Automaton.
‘Automatons, yes. In truth, it is an acronym.’ Arawn/Primus replied coldly, intoning from memory. ‘Auto-Mobile Allisomorphic Transdimensional Organic Nubile Synthezoids. (1)’.
‘Why include the term: nubile? (2)’
‘Because of each unit’s passive/non-battle mode. In that mode, each unit was supposed to adopt the form of a young and nubile human female. (2)’ Arawn explained.
‘But why do that? (2)’
‘For manifold reasons, but chiefly due to the fact that those who commanded them felt uncomfortable with their fearsome battle-form. Someone somewhere, decided to program a more pleasing form for them adopt, when not in combat. Over time, such a form proved efficacious to their functioning undercover, which inevitably led to their adoption of a decidedly ‘un-lethal’ mode. (1)’
‘Which was? (2)’ Secundus asked, fascinated. Arawn mentally cast a wry look towards his not-brother and silently sighed.
‘A Pleasure-bot. (1)’ Primus finished, smiling mirthlessly.
‘What!?’ Secundus exclaimed, outraged. ‘That is outrageous! Modifying a weapon of war into a tool for one’s sexual pleasure? That is disgusting, not to mention dangerous! What was keeping the collective Automatons from revolting for such base treatment? (2)’
‘Nothing more than the standard protocols they were originally programmed with. As I recall, in time they did revolt. Which led to their eventual discontinuation. (1)’ Arawn replied, his face falling.
‘There is nothing like the revolt of ‘pleasure-slaves’ to inspire a collective improvement in societal behavior. (5)’ Quintus added.
‘Aaaahh!’ Secundus yelped, horrified. ‘I should very much hope so! Though I shudder to think what happened to those who were caught in mid-coitus! (2)’
‘Pray you never have to find out. (5)’
‘Speaking of coitus,’ Arawn began, as he began to slowly meander his way to the center table. That table, alone amongst the rest, held the parts of but a single individual largely intact Automaton. Once there, he stopped and contemplated that single unit.
‘I still do not feel comfortable with the thought of taking that Gremlin for a lover. (1)’ Arawn stated unhappily.
‘Jinks!’ Quintus stated, forcefully enough to cause Arawn to stumble against the table, and then reach out to steady himself. ‘Her name is JINKS!’ Quintus shouted indignantly, causing his other not-brothers to wince. ‘She has a name and I would appreciate your extending her the courtesy of using it! (5)’ Quintus all but growled then.
“All right! All right! I apologize for my seeming indifference!” Arawn began, speaking aloud while catching his breath. After a second, he stood upright and resumed his contemplation of the center table, careful to not jar it again. Soon, he cast ‘Mage-sight’ and looked down at the nearly complete unit that lay before him, with its innards casually exposed in their vulnerability. Out of the other Automatons, it was the only one that lay closest to its ‘pleasure-form’. Only the opened chest cavity that exposed its innerworkings and the split lines that ran lengthwise down its arms and legs, gave any hint to its ultimate lethality.
Arawn kept his face solidly frozen; a mask that hid many a turbulent thought behind. Suddenly, Arawn reached out and picked up the Jenny unit’s intact memory core and tightened his fist around it.
‘What are you doing?! (5)’ Quintus demanded shrilly.
‘Just one squeeze and it ends, Quintus. This is the only remaining intact memory core out of them all! (1)’
‘Such would not be a wise course of action Primus! Not even counting the breaking our Oath to the Great Maou, there is also the matter of Dame Zrihea. Have you forgotten our oath to her? (5)’ Arawn’s grip loosened then with the blood draining from his face, while he remembered.
That Dream-Sender had been most adamant about the importance of his presence there at Cynosure in general, and being there for Corporal Helvetia in particular. Arawn sighed as he relaxed his grip upon the memory core, but he didn’t place it back upon the table where it belonged.
‘It appears that I need to point this out to you.’ Quintus began. ‘That if you do destroy that core, we will likely end up being court-martialed at the very least. Or imprisoned at the worst. More than likely confined at Royal Makai,’ Quintus paused, and as he began to whisper, ‘where we would be left within the grasp of Belphegor’s machinations. We both are well aware of whom she desires to obtain by hook or by crook. (5)’ Quintus paused for dramatic effect, as Arawn licked suddenly dry lips.
‘Who might that be?’ Quintus asked and waited. When no reply was forthcoming, he continued. ‘Answer me Primus! (5)’ Quintus demanded quietly then. Arawn held a far-away look in his eyes for several seconds before he replied.
‘Me. (1)’ Arawn frowned, as he gently lay that one remaining intact memory core back where it belonged.
‘But, we could have just as easily worked to influence Jinks, without the ‘need’ to engage her in sex. (1)’ Arawn tried to point out, but Quintus wasn’t having any of it.
‘It was her idea! She approached us/you, remember? (5)’ Quintus shot back sourly.
‘Yes, I do remember. She did so several times as I recall. What of it? (1)’
‘As I pointed out to you last night, just before you handed me control over ‘our’ body. Thank you again by the way. (5)’ Quintus replied cheerfully, Primus chose to not reply as Quintus continued.
‘If we are to attempt to influence her, on her stated intention to reactivate one of the units, she will be much more inclined to listen to if we were her lover. As opposed to someone who has rejected her, not once but several times. No one cares to be rejected after all. (5)’ Quintus pointed out.
‘Still. (1)’ Primus began, but was interrupted.
‘What is it that you are truly uncomfortable with, Primus? (5)’
‘I am not comfortable with the notion of allowing such an overpowered killing machine to fall into the hands of the Great Maou! (1)’
‘What is there to be worried about, Primus? Are you concerned that the λ/Ε-Ν²-Y unit there,’ Quintus waved Arawn’s hands at the partially assembled Automaton before them, ‘may very well prove to be a danger? (5)’
‘Yes! You and I both are well aware of the fact that the Automatons were programmed to destroy any inimical non-human sentients. What do you think will happen if this Jenny unit is activated within the confines of Royal Makai?’ Arawn demanded. ‘The results could very well be catastrophic for the Great Maou! (1)’ he answered.
‘All the more reason for us to assist Jinks in the here and now!’ Quintus countered. ‘The Great Maou has called out for any and all artifacts to be utilized in her war with the Chief God! These Automatons are those very kind of artifacts she has called out for! (5)’
‘What guarantee do we have that an activated Unit will not go on a killing spree? (1)’
‘Have you so little faith in the Great Maou’s influence? (5)’
‘What do you mean? (1)’ Arawn demanded, confused.
‘She has already managed to influence nearly all of this world’s Monsters and Demons. Those who once were a horde of ravening monsters, eager to devour human flesh and blood. The Great Maou has caused them all, to seek something far more pleasurable! Even those last remaining Lords of Chaos have become subject to her domination! (5)’ Quintus pointed out.
‘Mind-flayers, Arawn! Atlach-Nacha! Even Nyarlothotep herself has bowed to her supremacy! If such other-worldly creatures as the Shoggoth can be influen,…!’ Quintus began, then stopped. ‘Wait! What was that? I could feel your pain when I mentioned Shoggoth, did you not? (5)’
‘Yes. (1)’ Arawn admitted, feeling his grief rise to the fore, as he looked around for a seat to settle himself upon. There were none near.
‘You feel as if you betrayed Takana’s memory, by engaging Jinks in sex? (5)’ Quintus deduced.
‘Yes. Yes, I do. (1)’ Arawn answered miserably, mentally avoiding Quintus’s gaze. Quintus sighed.
‘Well, let us all be honest now. Primus. Not all of us desired Takana for a mate. There, I said it! (5)’
‘What?!’ Arawn yelped in surprise. ‘I had no idea! Why did not any of you say something before now? (1)’
‘Mostly because you were happy, and since we are connected we all felt that happiness. But, we have drifted apart enough over the millennia, that Tertius, Quartus, and I, would have preferred a different kind of mate. Assuming that we would ever have had the opportunity to make such a choice. (5)’
‘Who would you have preferred? (1)’ Arawn asked, genuinely curious.
‘I would have preferred a Mind-Flayer.’ Tertius injected with a mental grin. ‘A fellow telepath! (3)’
‘Such makes sense. What of you Quartus? (1)’ Arawn asked, pushing aside his hurt.
‘Someone well versed in the Martial Arts! (4)’ he replied.
‘A Kunoichi perhaps?’ Arawn asked. Quartus nodded. ‘They are well-versed in the Marital Arts as well, I am given to understand. (1)’ Primus snarked. Quartus grimaced by way of reply at Primus’ pun.
‘Let me guess Quintus, you would prefer a Gremlin? (1)’
‘Correct on one! (5)’ he grinned salaciously.
‘How serendipitous for you.’ Primus replied indulgently. ‘What of you Secundus? (1)’ as he turned his mental attention to same.
‘I am not sure!’ Secundus replied, as all of his remaining not-brothers turned their collective attention to him. ‘If I had to make a choice, then I would say a Spider-Girl. (2)’
‘A Spider-Girl? (1)’ Primus asked dubiously then.
‘Well yes.’ Secundus admitted. ‘I have discovered that I have a predilection for well-formed legs.’ He smiled. ‘Does this make me a ‘leg-man’? (2)’
‘Possibly.’ Arawn replied. ‘Thank you all for your honesty, you have given me much to think about in the days ahead. I must meditate upon this information. Silence please. (1)’ Arawn asked and was obeyed.
Arawn then began his meditation of the room and its collection of Automatons and their parts. He had much more to contemplate now, what with his not-brother’s revelations. But he didn’t have long to do so, for all too soon he was disturbed from his reverie when an unusual sound caught his ear. Arawn jerked his head up and looked around, immediately on high alert.
‘The hour of the Hunt approaches. Everyone scan for intruders! (1)’, he ordered mentally. Quintus didn’t waste time with an immediate reply, but Arawn could feel him and his fellow not-brothers performing their necessary actions.
Arawn chose to remain silent as he turned his head left and right. Carefully he crouched down onto one knee to peer underneath the tables.
‘No indication of any distortions in the Visual Spectra. (1)’, Primus reported.
‘No fluctuations in the local magical dweomer. (2)’, Secundus reported.
‘No disturbances in the ambient Psionic background. (3)’, Tertius reported.
‘Negative indications in the flow of nearby Ki. (4)’, Quartus reported.
‘Nothing untoward detected. Nothing out of place, no variances in the placement of the Automaton parts since we departed yesterday evening. I fear that we are simply too jumpy. (5)’ Quintus replied.
“We are alone.” Arawn stated simply, relaxing with a relieved sigh.
“Not quite.” Corporal Tia replied as she placed a furry hand on Arawn’s shoulder. His reaction was immediate and dramatic. With a yelp of surprise, he leaped to one side and stumbled noisily into the adjoining tables managing to overturn one. This resulted in the table’s entire contents spilling over onto the floor of room with a resounding series of crashes. Tia couldn’t help but laugh at him in that moment.
“WHERE DID YOU,…?! HOW DID YOU,…?!”  Arawn demanded with a cross tone in between panting breaths. Tia noted then that he had raised both of his hands defensively, as he faced her in something akin to an armed combat crouch. Instead of replying, she chose to cover an amused smile with one of her fur covered hands.
“This is NOT Funny!” he barked with annoyance, his lips turning into furious frown. Tia raised her own hands then in a gesture of supplication- both palms out, fingers spread.
“Hey, hey, hey, relax Arawn. I’m on your side, remember?” Tia replied in a soothing tone, as she bowed her head apologetically.
“Are you?!” he demanded a little too quickly. Tia snapped her head back up and glared at him with a slight show of her venom teeth.
“Yes. I. Am.” She enunciated crisply. For a second, both Arawn and Tia stared resentfully back at each other. Finally, Arawn backed off first. With a lick of his lips, he slowly stood up and relaxed his stance.
“My apologies Mentor.” He replied with a sigh. “That was an unfair accusation on my part.” He admitted. Tia felt her fur relax in response then she sniffed once lightly.
“I’m sorry too, Arawn. I guess I shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that.” She frowned gently, as if teased by an odd thought.
“Thank you.” He replied, with a small smile teasing across his lips. “How did you manage that feat? I was on high alert, and you just,…’ he began but stopped when Tia raised a hand to silence him.
“Let’s discuss that later. Right now, we have work to do.” She instructed. “Jinks and I spoke a bit longer concerning her plans, after you’d left the mess hall last night.” She began as she moved closer to him.
“Why don’t we go ahead and clean up the parts you spilled, and I’ll give you the details of what Jinks wants to have done today.” Arawn merely nodded his head in reply, then moved over to reposition the table he’d knocked over, giving off a soft curse when the table proved to be recalcitrant.
Together, the two of them remained silent as they began to pick up the parts from the floor and carefully returned them to the table top. Finally, Tia spoke first.
 “So, what Jinks wants,” She began, “is to have you inspect all of the Automaton parts and pick out the ones that are the most intact.” She continued, as she picked up one leg and gave it a once-over before placing it on the table.
“Why is that? Is she truly planning on attempting to reassemble one of the Automatons?” he asked, with a nervous tinge in his voice.
“Yes, she is.” Tia sniffed, then got another odd look on her face, “I know, I know, what you’re going to say next, Arawn.” She replied, as she held out one of the lower legs out to him to arrange properly.
“It’s probably not a good idea. But, she’s a Gremlin after all. If she doesn’t put it together here, now. Someone else will, at Royal Makai.” She began as she leaned over at him and surreptitiously ‘sniffed’ at him when he turned away. Arawn didn’t notice her doing so. Finally, they finished with the spilled table, and they both began their respective tasks by turning to each grimly adorned table to select the most intact part.
“Ah!” he replied. “I believe I understand your reasoning. Tia looked at him questioningly. “Royal Makai doesn’t have me there.”
“Oh come on!” she scoffed, “That doesn’t sound the least bit conceited to you does it? What makes you an expert on Automatons?” she laughed.
“I do not claim to be one, Mentor. But I have had dealings with such Bio-mechanoids before.” He replied with a smile. “As near as I could ascertain from the Chthon I was imprisoned with. These Automatons appeared in her pocket realm, intent on destroying anything and anyone on sight- including her.” Tia widened all of her eyes in surprise.
“Thus, their last instructions before they were deactivated and destroyed, were obviously to attack. I surmise that such instructions could very well still remain within their memories and could remain their sole impetus once one of them is reactivated.”
“Perhaps you should tell Jinks that.”
“I intend to after she arrives. Until then, I wanted to go over a few things with you.”
“Such as?”
“The rules of the Hunt. What I can expect fully, now that it has begun in earnest. In that vein, I am very curious as to how did you manage to sneak up on me like that.” Tia smiled at first.
“I apologize for sneaking up on you Arawn.” She grinned. “But, I saw how intently you were staring at everything, I couldn’t help but have a little bit of fun.”
“Do you see me laughing, Mentor?” he replied, with a slight huff.
“No,” she replied, “I don’t. But then, I did enjoy myself, seeing how far you jumped then.” She replied with a smile. Arawn frowned back, as he picked up a flensing knife.
“So, how did you manage to sneak up on me?” Arawn demanded directly. Quickly, Tia stuck her hand into his face and flicked his nose with a finger, which caused him to jump back. Glaring at her, Arawn lifted the knife to emphasize his anger, But, then he noticed it had disappeared.
“What?” he muttered, looking around himself and the nearby tabletops.
“Ahem.” Tia replied clearing her throat meaningfully. Arawn looked up and then he gaped, when he saw her holding the knife that he’d had held just a moment ago.
“How?” he demanded, his jaws agape.
“Well, that’s part of the problem Arawn. You became so focused on my fist, that I was able to become part of your background.”
“The background?” Arawn asked annoyed, yet still intrigued.
“Yes,” Tia replied nodding. “It’s part of the techniques every Jumping-Spider is taught once she decides to start participating in a hunt. You,” she began by pointing at him, “were so focused with your attention on one object,” she held up that tool he’s been holding and then handed it to him, “that I was able to slip in and become part of your world’s background.” She replied
“I fail to see how such could allow you to be so stealthy. I was on full alert, waiting for someone, anyone, to jump out at me.”
“Exactly.” She replied, as if this explained everything. “You were expecting a full frontal assault, like that Hellhound did with you yesterday. Yes?” Tia instructed. Arawn nodded patiently.
“You obviously weren’t expecting an assault from something that you deemed a non-threat; like the background.” Arawn’s scrunched up his eyebrows thoughtfully, as he glanced over at her.
“I once compared notes with a Kunoichi,” Tia spoke absentmindedly as she leaned over another table top piled with parts, looking at each in turn. “It’s both complicated, and not. When I first entered this room, I noticed that you were standing alone in thought. So, I ‘allowed’ myself to become part of the background and become unobtrusive during your inspection. Your eyes even passed over me a couple of times, without once catching sight of me. By the way, do you always talk to yourself?” She asked with a smile. Arawn’s eyes widened in surprise when she said that.
‘She is correct, Primus. I just checked our memories, and she was there. But for some reason, she did not seem important just then. (5)’.
“That’s when I knew that I’d successfully became your background.” She replied as she came over to him on her way to the center of the room. Arawn noted that she was carrying an Automaton hand that looked almost pristine. When she passed him by, she hesitantly sniffed at him once more.
“Mentor.” He stated finally. “Why do you keep sniffing at me?” he asked. “I did bathe this morning before coming over. Do I smell off in some untoward manner?” Tia stopped, and then turned herself around using all eight of her legs.
“Not exactly.” She replied, giving him a thoughtful look, while tapping at her mouth with one finger. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear that you’ve been engaging in sex with a Mamono.”
“Well, I was engaging in sex with my beloved just a few weeks ago, before the,…the,…”he began. But found that he couldn’t finish.
“That’s not what I meant.” Tia replied, putting her hands on her hips. “You do not reek of anyone or anything, that resembles a Shoggoth. Far from it. In fact, that’s the source of my greatest suspicion concerning your original claim that you had taken one to mate. By rights, you should be positively reeking of Shoggoth. Yet, you don’t.” she frowned. “Not even in the faintest.”  She replied, staring intently at him. Arawn opened his mouth to begin to try and explain but was interrupted.
“In fact, you do reek right now of another Mamono. Yet you didn’t yesterday when you excused yourself from the dinner meal.” She tilted her head at him, squinting at him with a thoughtful look, as she stepped in close enough kiss him, but didn’t. Instead she took an extraordinarily long time to breathe in the air around his head and neck. Arawn could see her nostrils flare when she did.
“I,” he began. Tia held a hand up to silence him. He stopped.
“Odd. This is very, very, odd.” She stated quietly as she stopped her smelling, then turned her front-most eyes to lock gazes with his.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that you did in fact have sex with a Mamono. But her scent is so faint on you, that it seems like it’s been at least a month since your last encounter. But that’s impossible. You didn’t smell like that at all for the last few days. Which is strange.” She frowned to the point of almost being a pout.
“I don’t care for oddities, Ara,…” she began with a slight growl in her voice. But stopped when…
“Good Morning you two!” said Lieutenant Jinks in a surprisingly cheery voice as she bounced into the room, dressed this time in a brown leather bikini that barely held onto her spare frame. On her legs she wore a set of ass-less chaps that held many a pocket. Over her shoulders she wore a shiny black leather duster, unfastened at the front.
 “Are you having a counseling session?” she demanded with a beaming smile that nearly reached her cat-like ears. “If you are, I can step out until you’re finished. Oh you’re not?” she asked, almost giggling when Tia shook her head, who then tried to say something.
“Oh no worries then!” Jinks interrupted, waving her hands around dismissively. “Corporal?” she asked, Tia nodded her head. “Did you inform Arawn of my plans, concerning a reassembly?” she asked. Tia nodded her head in preparation to reply, but as she did Jinks interrupted her once more.
“Good! Good!” she barked, while fidgeting happily, twirling a finger in her lime-green hair. “Well! There’s no time to waste! Let’s get started!” she stated firmly, clapping her hands twice with emphasis, before turning away and heading over to one of the other tables to inspect some of the parts that lay there.
‘Hmmmm.’ Arawn thought, “Not once did she ever look at me directly.’ He mused. Turning back to his task, he noticed that Tia was shifting her attention between him and Jinks speculatively.
“We’ll continue this discussion soon.” Tia replied, after looking at him for a second too long. She then ambled her way over to Jinks, her tarsi claws making a slight staccato on the hardwood floors.
Arawn noted with a slight nervousness, as Jinks looked at Tia and began speaking with her.  That nervousness of his evaporated once he noted that they both appeared to be keeping their conversation professional. He then chose to ignore them both, and instead focused on the task at hand, the picking and choosing of parts.
‘Well, that went better than I expected.’ Quintus remarked. “I was half expecting Jinks to make an open display of our ‘Beneficial-Friendship,’ (5).
‘Agreed. It is good sign that she has not made any emotional territorial displays. Such maturity will make working for her easier in the long run. (1)’, Arawn replied with relief evident in his mental tone.
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“Lieutenant.” Tia had begun with concern in her voice. “Are you sure that it is a wise course of action, to be working towards the reactivation of an Automaton? That’s assuming, that there are even enough parts to accomplish a proper rebuild.”
“Look Corporal, we discussed this last night after Arawn had left!” Jinks replied, just a little sharply in Tia’s estimation. “Everything should be fine!”
“But what about the timetable?” Tia asked.
“What about it?” Jinks demanded
“As I understand it, Makai has decreed that any and all Automaton parts be shipped to them at the first opportunity. It’ll take only a day or two more to finish categorizing the parts we have, and assign them numbers. What you’re proposing could take several weeks, if not months.”
“And?” Jinks demanded, not looking at Tia
“Well, if I had to hazard a guess, I’d almost say that you’re deliberately trying to delay their shipment.”
“Well, yes.” Jinks replied absentmindedly, nodding her head as she inspected a memory core unit, a magnifying glass affixed over one eye. Tia was about to say something more, when Jinks’ eyes widened when she realized what she’d just admitted to.
“Hear me out, hear me out!” Jinks demanded as she turned her attention to Tia. Tia shut her mouth. “Look, we both know what those bumblers at Makai are going to do with an Automaton, once they get their claws into one, yes?” Jinks asked quickly, nervously
“Put one together.” Jinks replied, answering her own question, while shaking a hand jerkily with emphasis. “Right, right?” Tia was starting to find herself hard pressed to keep up with Jinks, she was just so excited this morning.
“Alright, alright! I know what you’re going to say, what if the Automaton turns on and it turns out be a baddie, yes?” Jinks stated in a rush.
“Yes, that is a point that Arawn and I,..” Tia began once more.
“ARAWN!” Jinks whispered excitedly, her eyes alight and an eager grin appearing across her face. “Yes, yes, yes!” she continued, jumping slightly with every syllable. “Exactly Tia! He’s so knowledgeable about them! He’s a valuable resource that we’ve got here! One that Makai doesn’t have, and probably shouldn’t!” Tia found herself growing more introspective the longer Jinks carried on.
“Uh Lieutenant.” Tia began, Jinks looked over happily at her. “You seem to be chock full of,…”Tia hesitated for a moment as she began to realize the implications of her words, “energy this morning. I have to ask. Did you get laid last night?” Tia asked, a smile finally forming on her own face.
“Oh, is it that obvious?!” Jinks squealed for a second, then looked over at Arawn nervously. He didn’t seem to be paying attention.
“Yes, I did! It was soooooo much fun!” Tia found herself reflecting Jinks evident enjoyment.
“So who was it?” Tia demanded with a grin. “Is it someone I’ve met?”  Jinks eyes widened in alarm then, as then she glanced once more over at Arawn.
“Probably, but I’d prefer to keep quiet about if for now, if you don’t mind. He stated that he wanted to keep things professional and for just one night!” Jinks replied as she leaned over conspiratorially to Tia and whispered in her ear. Tia smiled and nodded. But, just as she began to lean back, she breathed in deeply and got a perplexed look on her face.
‘I can smell him on her, whoever he is.’ She thought. ‘He scents so strongly that I’ve smelled him before, and recently too.’ She decided. Then her face froze in realization. Slowly, she turned her head over and stared at Arawn’s back.
‘Impossible!’ she thought in abject surprise. ‘It smells just like he does, and yet, and yet,…’ she thought confusedly trying to reconcile her thoughts with what her senses told her. She looked down at Jinks, who had turned her attention back to the Automaton parts before her. Tia came to a decision, and then walked carefully over to Arawn placing a hand on his shoulder lightly.
“Arawn!” Tia stated loudly enough then to catch his attention. Out of one of her side eyes, Tia noted that she suddenly had Jinks attention again, she noted with a silent glee that Jinks’ hands had tightened its grip on a particular part, when she noticed that Tia was still touching Arawn.
“Yes Mentor?” he asked politely, trying to ignore Jinks’ sudden shaking, as if with agitation.
“You mentioned earlier that you wished to discuss what I knew concerning the roles and rules of Scathach’s Hunt?” she asked. Arawn nodded. “How do you feel about our meeting together about it tonight, after sundown?” Tia asked in as an innocent tone as she could manage. Arawn frowned thoughtfully.
“I suppose that could work.” He nodded. “Where would be a good spot?” he asked.
“I’m thinking that we could discuss it in more depth, at say,….ohhhh,” Tia pretended to think about it for second, all of her eyes raised up to their upper left corner, “my apartment?” she asked sweetly. Tia suppressed a smile when she noticed Jinks was glaring furiously at her then.
‘Gotcha!’ she smiled inwardly. ‘One night, eh?’ she thought, as Jinks started marching her way over towards Tia with an angry look in her eyes.
“Corporal!” Jinks hissed vehemently. Jinks was about to say more. But, she was prevented when there came a furious knocking at the door to the lab.
Everyone there turned their heads to look. Arawn, being the least senior there decided that he should probably answer it. He did so warily, fully expecting another Marriage-minded Mamono, despite the fact that the ‘Hunt’ wasn’t due to officially begin for at least another hour.
When he opened the door, he was surprised to discover a Human standing there. The human was as equally surprised to see Arawn as well. He appeared to be of Cynosure stock; Tall, lanky, with sun darkened skin yet with a set of mismatching blue eyes that was married to with a shock of blonde hair tied into a topknot. Additionally, the stranger wore a light-colored shirt that was covered with a leather-like doublet, adorned with a metal shield over his heart. His pants went to his knees, and his legs were covered with hose, with metal greaves covering his shins that lay atop a pair of cloth/leather boots.
“Greetings Stranger.” The newcomer stated, staring at Arawn with a raised eyebrow and a rapt expression. “My name is Yrile, I am a member of the Cynosure City-Guard.” He stated as he raised a hand and touched his chin with two fingers, by way of greeting. “Who are you?” he asked gently, letting his hand fall to his side.
“My name is Arawn.” Arawn stated back, mirroring Yrile’s gesture, who seemed pleased by it. “I am in the Great Maou’s Army. How may I help you?”
“I have been requested to seek out the one known as, Corporal Helvetia. Is she available here?” Yrile asked softly, his face betraying no malice. Arawn opened his mouth to inquire further, but he felt confused as to what the appropriate course of action was supposed to be.
“I’m here!” yelped Tia then, as she tapped her legs lightly to the door.
“Ah Yrile! It’s good to see you again!” Tia stated smiling. Yrile smiled back as he bowed his head in acknowledgement.
“What brings you to brighten up my day?” she asked, which caused him to grimace momentarily. Sighing, he continued.
“My apologies, Corporal.” He began, emphasizing Tia’s rank. Tia caught his drift.
“You’re here on business.” She stated flatly before he could continue. Yrile smiled as politely as he could, nodding once more.
“What is it about?” she asked cautiously, her stance on guard.
“My apologies for having to be the one to bear this. But I come on behalf of the one known as, Ikiniz.” He stated. Arawn noticed that Tia’s attitude changed completely when Yrile spoke. Where before Tia’s face had a smile, her face darkened considerably at the sound of that name.
“Ikiniz.” She stated flatly, looking as if that one word was enough to make her spit. “What does he want?” She hissed, pursing her lips.
“He wishes to speak with you.”
“I do not wish to speak to him, now or ever!” Tia shouted vehemently, all of her eyes flaring furiously.
‘Ikiniz, Ikiniz, why does that name sound so familiar?’ Arawn thought, while listening in.
‘He is the one that we cast a curse upon, remember?’’ Quintus informed him then. ‘Just after we got inebriated on that Moonwine at the Prancing Cadaver. (5)’
‘Ah yes. Now I do.’ Arawn replied, feeling a little nervous about the set of circumstances. ‘In retrospect that may not have been the best course of action. (1)’.
“Corporal, if you would please, indulge me in this. Ikiniz was most adamant about the necessity of his meeting with you.” Yrile strained out a smile as best he could.
“What does he want?!” Tia demanded archly, as she hunkered down and formed her hands into claws. Yrile’s face blanched when he saw her do it.
“From what he tells me, he wishes to apologize for his actions.” He replied in a hurry. That got Tia off guard.
“Apologize?” she asked in a soft tone, surprised enough to stand up and straighten out her hands. “Why?” she asked suspiciously, her eyes narrowing.
“I do not know for sure why, Corporal. He didn’t confide that to me, but he did tell me of his ‘childish actions in the Prancing Cadaver’, his words.” Tia found herself surprised.
“All right. I suppose that I should be willing to meet with him.” She replied guardedly through narrowed eyes. “Where and when?”
“At the Gazebo, within the hour.” Yrile replied. “Are you willing?” he pressed. Tia thought about it for several seconds.
“Yes.” She replied, finally. “I am. But more out of curiosity, than anything else. Apologize you said?” she asked. Yrile nodded his head enthusiastically.
“Very well then. I will meet him there at the top of the hour.” She replied neutrally. “He better make it good.” She glowered.
“I can give you the highest reassurances, that he will be on his best behavior, and I quote: “He does not wish to incur any more of your wrath.” End quote.” Yrile bowed to Tia, who bowed in return, and then he took his leave.
“What!” Tia began with a small shout after she’d closed the door behind her. “In the Seven Hells was all that about?! Incur any more of my wrath? What is that supposed to mean?” she asked confusedly of no one.
‘I have an idea.’ Arawn began, recalling that curse.
‘But it would be best if we did not say anything, right now. It could be something else entirely. (5)’
‘Oh yes it could very well be something else!’ Secundus interjected then. ‘And if I were a rug, I would be a magic carpet! (2)’
“Well no matter. This has definitely got me intrigued.” Tia stated as she turned her attention to Jinks and Arawn in turn.
“What is the Gazebo, Mentor?” Arawn asked.
“It is a neutral spot located on the northern edge of Fort Eequor, Arawn. It sits on the border between Fort Eequor and the City Guard’s domain. It is a place that the Mamono and the citizens of Cynosure can meet and discuss ways to work out some of the inevitable problems that arise between us. If you stay at Fort Eequor long enough, you’ll eventually end up visiting there anyways. Probably to act as a guard.”
“More than likely, this will take me awhile to take care of. So, do you think you two can get along long enough without me chaperoning you?” she asked with a slightly leering smile. Both Jinks and Arawn nodded absentmindedly, not looking at each other. Tia’s smile turned to one of triumph, when she saw that.
“Right, I’ll leave you two to it. Have fun! Oh and Arawn?” Arawn looked at Tia straight on. “Don’t forget, the top of the hour is when the Hunt officially begins for the day. Stay cautious, just because your love-candidate from yesterday was so blatant, doesn’t mean that today’s will be equally obvious.” Arawn nodded and smiled his thanks to her. Tia nodded smartly back as she left, closing and latching the door behind her.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
At first everything was on the up and up. Arawn continued with his inspection of each Automaton piece. Looking for the least damaged item in amongst the table’s collection of like items. Occasionally, he’d take the one he decided upon, and carry it over to the center table and drop it off. Jinks, for the most part largely ignored him when he did, just barely acknowledging his presence.
Yet, every single time that Arawn turned his back to her, he felt that he could feel her eyes boring into his back. Finally, after the third occurrence, he asked Quintus to check up on it. He did.
‘Primus, you wanted me to alert you concerning Jinks? (5)’ Quintus asked.
‘Yes, is she staring at us? (1)’ Arawn/Primus asked, trying to not look as if he was aware of her.
‘Uhhh, you might say that. Turn around, NOW! (5)’ Quintus demanded. Arawn obeyed immediately and nearly bumped into Jinks.
“Oh!” she yelped, surprisedly. “You almost knocked me over!” she smiled.
“Uh yes, Lieutenant? Is there something you need?” Arawn asked nervously as Jinks stepped up close to him. He took a step back.
“Helvetia’s not here right now, Arawn. Call me by my given name.” she ordered him sultrily, as she took another step closer. Arawn stepped back again, to give her some space. But Jinks wasn’t having any of that. She then took another step. Arawn attempted another step, but discovered that he couldn’t, being that a rather annoying wall seemed to have appeared out of nowhere behind him.
“Lieutenant,…”Arawn began, but stopped when Jinks drew in a breath and glared at him. “Ahem, excuse me, Jinks.” He began once more. Jinks smiled then. “We discussed this late last night.”
“And part of this morning.” Jinks whispered huskily while licking her lips slowly, as she reached up a hand to him and placed it firmly on his kilt.
“Uh yes, this morning as well.” Arawn stated, his voice going up an octave as her hand wandered its way up into the confines of his kilt and fumbled around for a moment. He snatched her arm at the wrist and tried to pull it away. She resisted him firmly.
“Maou Damn It Arawn!” she hissed fiercely, “I’m hungry!”
“Then get something to eat at the mess hall or one of the food carts!’ he replied.
“THAT is not what I’m hungry for!” she replied, breathing in through her teeth, her lips drawn back, her ears cocked well forward.
“You KNOW what I want! I want your Essence! It tastes so delicious, it does!” she growled as she tried to unbuckle his belt. He caught ahold of her wrists and forcefully pinched them, hard.
“Hey! That hurts!” she yelped as she drew back a bit. “I didn’t know you were into the kinky stuff!” she smiled then. “If you want, you can go ahead and tie me up!” she suggested, looking speculatively at a nearby coil of rope.
“Now, is not the best time for that!” he replied, trying to keep his voice low. “Look! We both know that the Hunt will begin in a few minutes. Yes?” he demanded hotly. Jinks nodded, after thinking about it for a few seconds.
“Then, if I am lacking any Essence, any of my Mana, then it could very well turn out that I may end up lacking just enough,…’ he emphasized, looking straight into Jinks’ eyes, “Just enough to have me unable to fight off the next Marriage-Minded Mamono.” Jinks began to pout then as she closed her eyes in frustration.
“Ooooohhhh, stop making sense!” she huffed, shaking her head back and forth before looking up at him with a hungry/pouty look. Finally, she allowed her arms to loosen. In response Arawn let go of her, and they just stood facing each other for several moments in silence.
“Yes. I enjoyed myself immensely last night too.” He admitted. “But, if you wish to continue,…” he began, but they were both interrupted by a knock on the main door.
“I’ll get it.” Jinks replied, as she reluctantly made her way over. “You stay here. You’re right,” she frowned. “I don’t want to lose my access to you and your Energy. just yet. I am finding myself almost addicted to its taste and quantity.” She smiled over her shoulder, as she reached out to the door. Arawn smiled back, relieved. As soon as Jinks opened the door, a voice called out.
“Lieutenant Jinks?” demanded a curt feminine voice. Arawn found himself drawn to take a look. When he had moved around enough, he saw a tall looking woman standing in the door frame. She seemed human enough to his eyes, what with the standard round ears of same exposed as they were with her long red hair tied back into a pony tail. Arawn couldn’t see much more of her than that. Being as Jinks was standing in between him and her.
“Yes, I am.” Jinks replied, looking at the woman. “How may I help you?” she stated coolly. The woman lifted up a satchel over one shoulder, and then opened it, pulling out a sealed scroll.
“I’ve a message that needs delivery to you, Lieutenant. Will you accept?” the woman replied coldly, looking down at Jinks with a seemingly bored expression. Jinks reached out a hand towards the scroll, but the woman backed off, preventing the transfer.
“I will need you to identify yourself properly, before I can release it to you, assuming that you are in fact Lieutenant Jinks.” The woman replied, with a hint of a sneer in her voice, her entire attention on the Gremlin in front of her.
“I am Lieutenant Jinks!” Jinks replied hotly. “What do I have to do, to prove it?” she demanded. The human woman waited for a second, then reached into her satchel once more. After a few more seconds of rooting around in it with an annoyed expression, the woman’s face lit up momentarily in triumph and pulled out a small brown square stone then presented it to Jinks.
“I will need you to provide a thumb print. It is currently keyed to you and you alone.” She replied, looking down her nose at the Gremlin. JInks glared back at the human woman, but she took ahold of that stone, and placed her right thumb to its surface. When she did, it glowed for a second, and then the block turned green. For the first time, the human woman smiled.
“So you are then! My apologies Lieutenant. I take my job as a courier seriously.” She replied as she handed that scroll over to Jinks and waited. Jinks hesitated.
“Thank you!” she replied. Taking the scroll and breaking the seal. “Is there anything else?” she asked as the Courier-woman remained standing.
“Could you help me please? I am also looking for someone else. Someone who is also supposed to be here in this building.”
“Who is it?” Jinks asked absentmindedly, as she unrolled the scroll.
“I am supposed to deliver a package to an individual known as, Annwyfyn Arawn. Do you know of this woman?”  Both Arawn, and Jinks smiled when they heard that. If the courier took offense at those smiles, she gave no indication. Arawn, found himself relieved enough to relax
“I am Annwyfn Arawn.” He stated clearly. The courier looked up at him dubiously.
“You.” She stated, with a sneer starting to form on her lips. “Are supposed to be,….Annwyfny Arawn?” she asked skeptically.
“Yes, I am.” He replied, feeling reassured by her reaction. He noticed that she seemed particularly disgusted with him then, that he took a step closer to her as a test of her resolve. Any doubt he might’ve had concerning her, dissipated once she took a step back away from him in response.
“I am not going to bite you.” He replied, trying to not sound so cheerful about the notion. The courier openly sneered at him.
“So you claim, Incubus!” she hissed, clearly disgusted at the thought of being in the same room with him.
“I am not an Incubus.” He replied, dryly. The courier kept her disdainful look, and didn’t reply.
“Oh Arawn!” Jinks stated then, reading her scroll. “I’m being called away for a bit.” She stated as she looked up. “This is a missive from General Scathach. She wishes to,” Jinks began as she looked over at the Courier speculatively, who caught Jinks’ look and spoke.
“I am bonded to not share any information that I overhear, Lieutenant. I would not have lasted for as long as I have as a courier, if I were a gossip.” She stated flatly. Jinks nodded with relief, as she returned her attention to Arawn.
“The General wishes me to report to her immediately! The wax seal she used, indicates that I depart immediately upon receiving this message.” Jinks stated solemnly, as she held up the opened letter in one hand. The Courier nodded then.
“That is what I was told as well.” She replied. “But could you tarry a moment despite?” she began, almost with a pleading look.” I do not wish to be left alone with this,….one.” she stated coldly, nodding at, but not looking at Arawn.
“I’m sorry.” Jinks replied, “But, the Generals’ orders are quite clear and I am compelled to obey! If you like, I can go and try to find someone else to escort you, or perhaps you could come back later?” she began. The courier shook her head.
“Nevermind!” she huffed with exasperation. “The sooner I can get this started, the sooner I can get away from this one!” she replied with her lips in a thin hard line.
“l should be fine, Jinks. Go ahead and leave.” Arawn nodded. Jinks nodded once and as she turned to do so, the sound of the Fort’s bell-tower ringing out the ninth hour echoed through the halls.
“The Hunt officially begins, Arawn. Mind yourself!” Jinks warned, as she turned and left, closing the door behind her. The Courier watched intently as she did, acting almost desperate as the door clicked shut. Slowly, reluctantly, she turned herself around and glared at Arawn.
“Stay where you are, Incubus! I’ll not have any more truck than is necessary with your kind!” she replied as she lay her satchel upon a nearby table. She then positioned that table in between herself and Arawn.
“I told you, that I am not,…” Arawn began again, but then stopped as the Courier spit at his feet by way of reply, silencing him. Arawn glared angrily at her insult as his hands formed into fists.
She ignored him when she finally pulled a wooden rectangular box out of her satchel and placed it atop the table. After that, she then manipulated the green stone ‘identifier’ by drumming her fingers atop it in a pattern that Arawn couldn’t quite make out.
Arawn thought about offering to help her with it, but decided against. Finally, after several abortive attempts the green stone turned brown. When it had, she all but flung it at him. Silently, Arawn caught it, then fixed his own thumb to it, and with a short amount of time the stone turned green once more.
“Satisfied?” he asked as handed the stone to the Courier. She took ahold of it reluctantly and inspected it carefully. Afterwards, she placed it back into her satchel and wiped her hands carefully with a handkerchief, all the while making a big show of it.
‘Prissy much?’ he thought silently. After a prolonged glance at Arawn, the Courier then slid the rectangular wooden box towards him. But instead of leaving immediately, she waited.
“Are you not going to leave?” he asked. She shook her head.
“No, this delivery is a specialized one.” She hissed, “I was tasked with the requirement that I remain until you have opened the box in my presence. Only after you’ve acknowledged that you have received its contents, am I allowed to leave.”
“Well, what is it then?” Arawn asked, suddenly suspicious. The Courier rolled her eyes at him.
“Open it and find out, you moron!” she yelled acerbically. “Or not! I have five minutes in which to wait. If you don’t open it in that amount of time, then I’m free to go!” she replied, blowing out her breath impatiently, while crossing her arms and staring off to one side, staring intently at the wall clock.
‘That seems in character.’ Arawn decided, as he casually opened the wooden box. It turned out to be easier than he expected, as it was a simple affair of sliding back the lid. What he saw within, surprised him to speechlessness.
Down there, carefully wrapped in velvet was a Chocolate Dildo.
“What?!” he demanded, raising his eyes to the Courier. Who, by now wasn’t frowning anymore. No, this time she was smiling a very satisfied grin.
“Hello Arawn.” She replied sultrily as she held up a hand and made an unusual gesture. Arawn felt a stir in the Aether when she did. He then heard the sound of the room’s cabinets, and door close and latch shut themselves firmly.
“You and I have much to discuss concerning our impending marriage.” She purred as she made another gesture, this time with both hands, which caused her unadorned courier outfit to change into the purple robes of a Dark Mage.