OH GOD SPIDERS
Who: Mai Tokiha, Lots of Spiders (Spoofed by Natsuki)
Where: Fuuka to Spideropolis
When: 9/8/08
What: Mai is abducted from Fuuka (or is she?) by a bunch of spider people. Onoes! There's even a prophecy involved. Damn prophecies...
Watch For: Oh god, SPIDERS, Mai being traumatized
It is a day like any other day. The sun is warm. The grass is green. There's a light breeze across the campus of Fuuka. And class just let out. Looks like it's a great afternoon to just relax!
A day like any other day!? Oh no! The sun is warm? The grass is green? OH dear god, we're all doomed!
.. only not. No, actually, Mai was just getting out of classes, in the orangeybeige of the Academy uniform AND NOTHING ELSE SO THERE :D. Nonetheless, the cool day, with the sun shining brightly coaxed Mai into settling down beneath a tree with one of her study books. She didn't have to go in to work for at least three hours, and she was planning on getting some of her homework reading done before it was time to head in.
Rustle. Rustle rustle. The leaves of the tree shake a bit. Must be the wind. It is a nice breeze, isn't it? Almost sounds like there are soft voices coming from nearby...
"Is she the one?" A deep voice murmurs, trying its best to whisper.
"I think so. She matches the description." The second voice, a bit higher-pitched. Perhaps feminine. It almost seems to blend into the wind.
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
"Shhh! Keep it down, you. She'll hear us!"
It's very nice out in Fuuka, when it's peaceful like this. Even the air smelled sweeter. The number of Orphans had decreased, Nagi hasn't been seen in over a month. Sure, trouble was going to loom it's head again, because the Fate of a HiME is inescapable.. but she could enjoy the quiet for now.
Wait, what was ...
Mai lifts her head, turning her attention from the book in her hands. "...?" Looks left. Looks right. Was there someone there? She could have sworn she heard something.."
Rustle.
Rustle rustle.
"Now? The deeper voice.
"Shhh!" The feminine one.
Rustle. Before long, this area of the campus seems mostly deserted. It makes it all the more quiet and peaceful!
"Now? I don't see anyone else."
"...now."
Rustle!
With no other warning than the whispers and the rustling of leaves, two large figures drop down from the tree, landing on either side of the redhead. Despite their large size, with the smaller one being taller than Mai and the larger one over six feet high, they make little noise when they land. Well, except the one with the masculine voice who goes "BOO!" Then, soon after, "Ow! Stop hitting!"
This might be strange and simply confusing, except that the two figures appear to be... giant spiders. The bigger one, rubbing his head with one hairy leg, appears to be some sort of giant tarantula. And the other, lowering one of her legs from swatting him, is much more elegant... pure black, save for a red marking on her underside.
She's /definitely/ hearing rustling noises and whispering now. Closing her book, she starts to her feet, "Aoi? Chie? Is that you?" She straightens, "What are you tw--" AND THEN, SPIDERPEOPLE. So startled is Mai that when they jump dow from the tree and sandwich her between then, that the HiME lets out a startled shriek, stumbling backwards to drop the book.
"What --!" Spiders. Giant spiders D: ACTUAL FRIGGIN GIANT SPIDERS.
See, Julia wasn't so bad for Mai. She could deal with Julia, who wasn't really fully spider. THESE WERE. And they're clearly not /Orphans/, they don't give off that vibe. "Aa-a-!!"
Yes. Giant spiders, and they don't even look fake or anything! Not that Natsuki is planning on using giant spider costumes for some purpose in the future or anything. Nope.
As Mai stumbles back, the tarantula reaches out a leg to poke at her. "You're coming with us! Don't even try to fight!" Poke again!
The black widow skitters forward as well, and even though she has fangs and pedipalps and weird mouthparts, it almost looks like she's... smiling? Naw, that would just be weird. "Stop that, Hachi, you'll frighten it!"
Once she's over the initial shock, Mai takes a second to look at the spiders before here. And shudders. "Eeeuugh.." they're so _DISGUSTING_. But .. it's a very *realistic* costume if anything. She doesn't recognize the voices, but to think that they're *real* is a bit farfetched..
Isn't it?
"GGYgyauggh!!" Mai shrinks back against the tree when that ...gug... uggh.. ew... spider pokes at her. Quit *TOUCHING*. "C..c.cco..coming? Wh--what?" She shakes her head, face paling several shades when the black widow draws nearer, "I-i'm not going anywhere with you things!" She's not the it! They are!
Yes, very farfetched. In a world with weird monsters and girls who dance and summon weapons and pets and people who turn into green sparklies when they die. Giant spiders are so strange.
The tarantula... Hachi, he was called, turns to look at his companion. "Will not!" He turns again, and pokes Mai with a hairy leg once more. "See? Not scared at all, Macta." Nevermind the shrieking sound. That must be how humans greet one another. Poke!
The black widow, Macta, lets out a sigh, and swats at the poking tarantula leg. "Stop that. How are we going to get it to come with us if you do stuff like that?"
OGOD ITS LEG IS ALL FURRY AND DISGUSTING - "Euaaaauaghghh!!!" Mai articulates when she's poked again. UNCLEAN. A bit cornered too - with the spiders pegging her in, she can't run forward or to the side. Maybe duck behind the tree? Jump up into the branches? There's a chance that they shoot web like Julia does, but she doesn't know what those things are planning.
"Ggh..!" Mai bites back a scream as Macta swats at Hachi. Why the hell should she go anywhere with those disgusting creatures? And while the spider's attention is off her, she makes a break for it! She takes a breath and moves to dart around the tree! Maybe once she gets some space she can fight these things off?
"It sure makes funny sounds." Hachi pokes again, because it's -fun-.
Once more, Macta sighs.. then gasps as the redhead tries to break away! "Hachi! Don't let her escape!" No, they can't shoot out webs, but Macta -can- make them, and she starts to wind a loop around one of her legs.
The taranula, meanwhile, doesn't use webbing. Instead, he jumps up, uses a leg to swing around the tree, and lands again, right in front of Mai. "Hi!" He may be grinning, but those fangs are waggling at her!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!~" Mai almost - almost crashes right into Hachi when he lands directly in front of her. "AAAAH!!!!" He's waggling those fangs oh god it's disgusting oh god, "GET AWAY FROM ME!" Mai demands in a voice not quite panicked, but plenty shrill. She spares only a second to check her surroundings, and make sure no one's around before she summons her Element, "You disgusting --!"
"Don't let her shoot fire!" Macta skitters around the tree, holding some webbing over a leg. Seems they somehow know about her abilities!
"Right!" Well, she can't use any fire if she can't move, right? Hachi POUNCES at Mai, a specialty for tarantulas! He tries to use his large body to pin her to the ground, or at least enough that her arms can't move.
How did they know about her ability? Just as flames are gathering to Mai's hands, she is pounced! "YAAGH!!" ohnoes! OH GOD. IT's *ON TOP OF HER* "GET OFF OF ME!" Mai, caught between FREAKING THE _FCK_ OUT because there is a BIG tarantula on her, and setting fire to everything she can tough, momentarily expresses her displeasure at her situation.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGH!!!!" So GROSS. GROSS AUGH! "Aa..augh! AGHG!! OH GOD!" Is it justifiable to call on Kagutsuchi? Because she's seriously considering it. "GGH!~" Sparks of fire puff out from her hands, though only to the sides - the tarantula has the advantage over her in weight, though she's struggling to free an arm, and kicking at its underbelly.
ogodgetitoffgetitoffgetitoff...!
"Got her! Got he--ow!" The tarantula quickly hops off as he feels fire along his body. "That wasn't nice!"
"I don't think she's trying to be, Hachi. Move!" The widow skitters around, one of her legs quickly snapping out. Her aim? To toss that webbing at Mai and get her arms stuck to her sides already.
"Maybe we should turn it on its back and rub its stomach. That should put it to sleep!"
"...that's crocodiles, Hachi."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Eeeeew - get him off of me!" Mai protests again, skin crawling at the thought of this big SPIDER (spiderspiderspiderspider!!! her mind gibbers at her) in contact with her body. "KA-" is about as far as she gets when that webbing snares her arms. "This--!!" Lord, she remembers the last time she got tangled up with webbing. Only there's no Kazuma to be tangled up with thank heaven. "Let me go!" She fights against the sticky stuff, until it might seem that she'll be getting more tangled. :< What do these nasty nasty things want with her?
Captured! "Haha! You got her, Macta!" The tarantula leeeeeans in really close, but is yanked back by his companion.
The black widow, at least, seems a bit more capable of dealing with people. "We're not letting you go. Now stop struggling, and don't yell, or I'll have to web your mouth too. Grab her, Hachi."
As Macta moves back, Hachi uses his front legs to pick up the webbed Mai and toss her onto his back. His bristly, hairy back. "Let's get going. We're already late!"
Stop struggling? Don't yell? LIke fudge she'll stop either of the two. She continues to struggle in fact, and sends a dangerous glare at the black widow ('heeberheebergibberyeep!') "Gghee.. so gross.." she whimpers to herself. "KAGUTSU-" and it's probably at that point that her mouth gets webbed. :D;;
In hindsight it's probably a good thing. Summoning Overkill Dragon to deal with a pair of spiders who appear -quite- speedy and agile would likely wind up destroying half the city. Sort of like using a bazooka to kill a gnat.
"Mpp~!" Mai squeals in dismay when she's manhandled by the SPIDER OHGOD MAKE IT STOP TOUCHING - and then she lands on his back. BRISTLY. HAIRY. OH GOD. EW. EW ew! Oh ew -!! It's all fuzzy and disgusting and oh god ew ew. ew!
On top of the bristly hairy spider-back, the fact that Mai is being carried while facing up can't be too comforting either. Oh, she can probably see the sky, and trees, and then the Gate... and the Hub. She's being taken out of Fuuka! Another Gate, and.. a very dark sky. Maybe it's night? Only there aren't any stars at all. Very little light, in fact. Strange.
There's little talk from the spiders as they walk, and little noise at all, in fact. At least, until they pass through doors into a dimly-lit room. A new voice speaks up, "Is it her?"
Macta's voice answers, "Yes. Go get her ready. I'll inform the queen." Gasp! Royalty?
A few moments later, Mai is lifted from Hachi's back and set on what feels like a large cushion, and the webbing is removed. That same new voice chirps up from the shadows, "Ooh! She's pretty!"
Damnit, where is this thing taking her? She can't even wriggle herself off of the OHGODSHE'SONITSBACK. She feels dirty, being carried by this disgusting disease ridden creature. And its face. Oh god. Its face was hideous! She turns her head this way and that in an attempt to see where she is, or some way of getting free -
Natsuki will never let her live this down. So Mai won't tell her. EVER.
Spiders. ;.; Spiders. So gross. Ew. Ew. At the new voice, Mai tries to lift her head - then squeaks mentally when she's moved again. OH GOD STOP TOUCHING HER. she's going to need to burn her clothing ;.;
WHen the webbing is removed, the predictable happens. "AAAAAI-!~~" Apparently that scream was building up for a while. But she manages to cut her scream short when she notices she's sitting on a pillow now. "Ggh.." *pant pant pant* And then anger. "WHERE AM I? Why have you taken me here? WH -ohgodyou'resogrossIcan'tlookatyou." Mai turns her head, shuddering.
Slowly, the lights in the room come on. It looks like something that might be found in a palace. Huge bed with drapes, a room with the sound of running water that must be a bathroom, plush carpet. And a very tiny window.
"You're at the queen's palace!" The voice sounds... almost like a little girl's, slightly squeaky and high. And if Mai turns toward it, she'll see...!
...a little girl? Well, not -exactly-. While she does look mostly human, there are some differences. Tiny mandibles instead of a mouth, and large dark eyes, but aside from that she looks perfectly human! She's even wearing a simple dress and has light blue hair. "Hi! I'm Mysti. We need to get you ready to meet the queen!"
And suddenly, Mai is surrounded, as five other girls with similar appearances, save for the color of their hair, gather around her. One with deep auburn hair lifts a hand to wave. "I'm Barbi!"
Another, with light grey hair, pulls out a dress. "Eri! Nice to meet you."
Another one with black hair pokes her head out of the bath area. "Undi! And the water's drawn."
One with red hair appears behind Mai and tries to lift up the back of her skirt. "Is this where they keep their spineretts?"
The red-haired one is quickly pulled away by a girl, the tallest of them, with green hair. "Stop that, Johnson." She bows slightly toward Mai. "My name is Mopsi. We're sorry you had to be handled so roughly."
...one of these names is not like the other, one of these names does not belong~
"Wh.. what?" Mai turns and -- oh no, no scream. Surprise certainly, because the girl seemed half human and half spider - still gross, but not as bad as the others. "Er -- um.. q..queen's palace..?" Mai suppresses a shudder when she is suddenly surrounded by more people that look similar to Mysti. "..." Dumbfounded, she lifts a hand, "...hello..? Ah - so, I'll just be going home then...?" Hopefully, Mai starts to her feet - only to *SHRIEK* when one of the spideraides starts to lift up her skirt.
Blushing fiercely, she slaps her hands behind her and pushes her skirt down again, "W.. what do you think you're doing!? I don't have spinerettes, I'm *HUMAN* Like y --" Well. "Why .. aren't --" She glances at Mopsi. That should be the name of a cute floppy eared bunny, not a gross-afft spidergirl. D: "W.. .there must be some mistake, I shouldn't be here. I'm going back to Fuuka --!" ...
If it weren't for the mouths, they'd probably all be adorable! The big eyes aren't -that- creepy.
"Oh, but you can't go!" "Please stay. Oh please!" "You have to meet the queen!" "If you leave, then.. then great peril will befall u--" The last one is quickly silenced as Mopsi puts a hand over her mouth. "Shh, Eri. She doesn't need to be concerned about us. If she wants to leave, we can let her go."
"But--!" Mopsi shakes her head. "It's her choice. But... but won't you please meet the queen? She sent for you specifically!"
Mai Tokiha blinks, glancing at the others as they plead for her to stay, "W.. but..." There are -spiders- here. . . "Great peril?" Mai echoes, glancing towards the one called Eri as Mopsi shooshes her. A small frown. She couldn't care less about the spiders, because they were hairy and gross and creepycrawly and ew - but.. "I ... guess it wouldn't hurt to meet the Queen at least. I wouldn't want to be rude." or something. Considering they kidnapped her and all - wait. "Why did she send for me /specifically/?"
Well, they had to! Would Mai have willingly come if a giant spider invited her?
"Something about a prophecy..." Mopsi tilts her head in thought, then shrugs. "I don't know the specifics. Regardless, your bath is ready, and we must prepare you for meeting the queen!" The spidergirls try to herd Mai toward the other room, where a bath has been drawn. There's even some very nice-smelling floral perfume that's been added to the water.
no. "Ack! Hey wait a second I don't need a -!" is about as far as she gets as she's herded off. Well... when in Spideropolis.. Dangit Mai didn't even have her cell phone with her so she can't exactly call for help while she's in the bathroom. "I can handle the bathing to myself," Mai insists, in case they try and bathe her. She had quite enough of /that/ with the whole Shadow Prince deal.
"Are you sure?" "We're royal attendants!" "Besides, we're all girls here!" "Even Johnson."
They all look -very- disappointed that they're not being allowed to do their jobs. In the end, Undi lifts a hand and shoos the others out. She, however, stays. "Someone at least has to keep an eye on you." She doesn't -stare-, though. Just sits there. Besides, the raven-haired one seems to be in charge of the bath. She's the second tallest besides Mopsi, as well. Maybe she's the second eldest? "I hope Hachi and Macta weren't too rough on you. Hachi's kinda stupid, and Macta usually has her legs full keeping him in line."
Mai Tokiha ~.~ ... Johnson huh? "... all right, fine, if it's just one of you." Mai sighs heavily. She supposes they thought she might try and escape despite agreeing to meet with the Queen. But in the bathing room she casts a glance around for potential exits, before picking up the floral soap and sniffing at it. Hmmm.
Mention of Hachi and Macta gets a slight -shudder- from Mai, though she does her best to suppress it. "... ... ... n..nevermind that." Oh god, she's going to see that hideous, horrible face in her dreams for days, WEEKS. "Tell me about what ...um... Eri? was talking about."
At least Undi isn't trying to help? She seems to be content just sitting there. After all, there really is only one way into this room. There aren't even any windows large enough to fit one of the spidergirls, let alone Mai. The soap smells really nice, though!
"Oh, you mean the prophecy? That's something the queen will explain to you." She glances toward Mai, tilting her head slightly. "Sorry. We're not allowed to tell you. But it is important..." Undi stands, grabbing a towel and bringing it over toward Mai. "If you're ready, we can get you dressed and set to meet the queen."
At least there's that, but it's a little creepy that she's in the room at all. Mai sighs when Undi refuses to tell her about this 'prophecy', shaking her head. "Fate, destiny, prophecies.. I think I've had my fill of those sorts of things..." But she thanks Undi as she accepts the towel and looks up, "Yes, I'm ready." Once she's dressed at least. "What is your Queen's name, anyway?"
She's not looking, either! As soon as Mai steps up, Undi wraps the towel around her and steps back. "I hope this one will turn out, better, then. For your sake and for ours..." The black-haired spidergirl walks toward the door and opens it. "Queen Atraxa. Don't worry, she's very nice."
Once Mai is out of the bathroom and dry, the other girls come and swarm her again. This time, they quickly dress her in a quite fancy outfit, a red and black gown that, while a bit clashing, is still very pretty. The process is quick and efficient, though there is one hand that might be groping in there for a moment... or maybe it's an accident. Yeah, probably that.
The auburn-haired girl, Barbi, brings out a brush and begins to straighten Mai's hair a bit. "There. All ready!"
Black and red again? Why is Mai always the one put in black and red? Well it's a pretty dress, she can't deny that. "eheh... thank you." Mai murmurs, a bit flustered by all the fuss and bustle. "I -HEY!" She glances around herself at the other ... whatever they are, but she can't say as which one might have 'accidentally' touched her. She's going to put money on Johnson though. =.= Something /fishy/ about that one. Once her hair is brushed to shininess, Mai nods once to Barbi in thanks.
Prophecy or no, she wanted to go home. THough .... she had to admit it was a very selfish way of thinking. Even if they were /spiders/.
Poor Johnson. Always blamed!
Mysti, the one with blue hair, and Eri, with gray hair, each take one of Mai's arms once she's dressed, and begin to lead her out into the hallway. "Be careful. There's not much light." And it is, in fact, very dim out there. It's not a very long walk, though, and the three soon arrive at a set of very large doors. "We have to leave you here. We hope to see you again." One set of light footsteps lead off, then... a hand gently touches Mai's back. "Give me a call if things don't work out, okay?" Er. Was the one on the left Eri or Mysti? Either way, the second one scurries off down the hall, and the doors open.
Inside the throne room, for that's what it is, the light is a little better. There are guards around, in various stages of transition between spider and human. The woman sitting on the throne, however, appears to be mostly human. She's dressed in red and black, and could easily be considered quite beautiful. In fact, the only thing not human about her is a pair of small fangs that can be seen only when she opens her mouth. "Mai Tokiha. I'm glad you could make it. Please, approach."
Er -- well one has blue hair and the other has gray hair which really doesn't help a -bit- when it's as dim as it is. And the voices didn't really seem too distinguishable either - "Wa-wait a second -!" They're just going to /leave/ her here? How cruel! But as they skitter away, Mai turns to the door and rests a hand on it. o O ( Please don't be a big spider, please don't be a big spider, please don't be a big -- ) She opens the door. o ( Phew... ) The Queen really didn't look at all bad - and that admittedly puts Mai at ease, a bit.
Then she looks around at the guards. "E--!" Don't offend the Queen by going 'ew' Mai. That's just really not right at all. She forces herself to look at the Queen, and after a moment's thought, curtesys lightly, "... You know my name..?" Mai blinks, and - glad she could make it. HA HA HA it isn't like Mai had a whole lot of choice! The redhead slowly steps forward, watching the guards warily, "Your ...your Highness, how is it you know of me? Your attendants said that there was some kind of prophecy ..?"
At least the guards aren't trying to approach Mai! Seems they're smarter than Hachi.
Shifting in her chair, the queen neatly crosses her legs. "Ah.. the prophecy. They weren't supposed to mention it to you." There's a brief glare toward the main doors, and it's possible to see that, in a certain light, her eyes are deep red. "Ah well. I was going to tell you anyway." She smiles, showing a bit of fang.
Clearing her throat, the queen begins to speak, as if reciting something from memory. "When the skies darken and the stars begin to die, hope will come from the flame-bearing one from the cursed land of wind. She will claim the heart of the darkened prince and restore light to the world." She frowns slightly. "We've been watching you. This isn't the same dark prince you recently had troubles with, so don't worry."
Good thing too! Mai would give them such a punch! -- or not because that would be very very bad. For all. Mai smiles weakly at that glare, "Well you can't really blame them; they seemed pretty scared -" Mai scritches her head. And when the Queen begins reciting the prophecy, Mai smooths her hands over her new dress and waits patiently, listening carefully.
Skies darken. (Nodnod) Stars dying? (nodnod) Flame bearing one.. (nodnod) Cursed land of wind. (nodnod) "I see I see.." Mai murmurs, "Well.. now that I think about it when I was brought here the skies were pretty dark, but I thought that it was because it was night. Is it not?" Hrm. "Flame bearing one - from the cursed land of wind. Well -" she looks at her hands, "I guess.. that does describe me.. and the cursed land of wind does describe Fuuwahwaitwait whoa, wait, what?"
Mai waves her hands, "Can you -repeat- that last part one more time? I-I think I must have misheard you." And if the Queen does repeat it, Mai sputters, "Claim the heart of .. wa. . wait a second, I can't claim anyones - I mean I-I!" She points as if that will help her speak better, "Yo-you see the thing about that is, you know, back in Fuuka I - you - I - he - but but but ---!" Mai, stop making words have no meaning.
They've been watching her - that's not creepy at ALL, no sir. She calms a bit, "I-I don't think I can help you. Even if this darkened prince isn't the Shadow Prince we had troubles with recently, I - I mean," she blushes like mad, "This is - I just, you see, I mean -" augh!
"It is daytime, though there is little difference these days. Our world is dying, I'm afraid." The queen frowns again, looking down for a moment. "She will claim the heart of the darkened prince and restore light to the world." Looking up once more, the queen manages a smile. "He's already quite taken with you, you know. My son. Would you like to meet him?"
Lifting an arm, she gestures toward a side door, which slides open. In walks a figure... and not much else can be said about him, because he has a heavy cloak and hood covering his entire body. What little flashes of arm or leg can be seen -look- human, though, dressed in brilliant green. "...hi." The voice is light and young, but definitely male. He might even be younger than Mai!
"Can't you just--" no, they wouldn't be able to just pick up and leave; find a new world. For one thing, they might come to Fuuka, and Mai just wouldn't stand for that. Spiders everywhere. Oh god. Oh dear god. "But there's already someone I --" Mai breaks off, blinking, "Wha? Taken with me -- but --" And before Mai can even say 'no I don't wanna meet your kid', the Queen has already summoned him. Jeez.
Well Mai can't be mean to children, so when she sees the walking pile of robes and clothes she smiles, leaning down a bit. He can't be more than what, fourteen? Fifteen? "Um - Hello. You must be Queen Atraxa's son." She hopes. Phew, man, she was afraid for a moment it would turn out to be Hachi.
Now why would it be Hachi? That's no way for a prince to act! "I know this is sudden, but please..." The queen stands from her throne and walks toward the prince, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I'm afraid we don't have much time. That's why I had to have you kidnapped. If the prophecy is not fulfilled soon, we'll all be killed."
The prince remains quiet, even as the queen pushes him forward.
"You don't need to marry him. Our seers have determined that a kiss would probably do it." Queen Atraxa clears her throat softly. "If you would give such a thing to save us."
Maybe it was a stand against the stereotype! Mai glances at the Queen when she pushes her son forward. "Killed..? By what?" Maybe there's a way around this prophecy, because she would honestly rather risk her life beating the crap out of something, than marry some kid. That's just /gross/.
"Oh I don't?" Mai smiles brightly, "Well that's a wha--" She frowns. "A k.. a.. a.." Blush. BLUSHYBLUSH. "Y.... you can't be serious. This must be some kind of a joke..! Why would a thing as simple as a kiss have anything to do with this prophecy -!? B.. besides, I - - my.."
Well she didn't think Kazuma would be all too happy about her kissing someone else, no matter if it's just a kid, or the fact that people's lives were at stake. Of course - she could just kiss the kid's cheek and be done with it. Yay loopholes!
But if it was to save an entire world, would Kazuma really object? What's a kiss to the lives of thousands or even millions? "We beg of your aid, Mai Tokiha." And then several gasps ring out as the queen drops to her knees, reaching up to grasp Mai's hand. "There is no other we can turn to, and time grows short."
The prince, as well, drops to his knees, and reaches for Mai's other hand. His hands seem... human enough. Will she be able to go through with it?
YES! Yes he would! -- okay maybe not, but still. They're half spiders! Dying is what they do! They're all gross and disgusting and okay, /some/ of them are human but - "... I... but -" Friggin. It's like a betrayal, even if it is to save lives - she can't imagine that Kazuma would be very happy with her. "But he's just--"
It's a trick. It -has- to be. Why would kissing the Queen's son put an end to the prophecy? It didn't make any sense. "I..I --" Oh she just doesn't like this one bit. But when the Queen herself drops to her knees to beg for Mai's aid, and then the Prince does the same... ... ...
... ... ... "Just one kiss, right?" Mai heaves a sigh. Damnit.
A look of hope comes over the queen's face. "Yes. Yes, that's all that we need of you. Would you do this for us?" The queen and prince both stand, not letting go of Mai's hands. Their savior!
The prince... fidgets. He shuffles his feet. "Um. Um..."
A hush falls over the chamber as Queen Atraxa touches his back. "Come now, Delen. It will be alright. This nice girl will kiss you and break the curse on our land." Mutely, the prince nods, and slowly lifts his head, but the hood still keeps his face obscured.
... she has *SUCH* a bad feeling about this... and not just because it feels like she's betraying Kazuma somehow. "All right," Mai grudgingly answers. The kid was human like his mom right? So it should be okay. Her stomach turns flip flops of barely restrained disgust, but she nods her head once to the Queen. "Your people will be destroyed if I don't, right?" She draws in a breath. o O ( Why couldn't it be Natsuki to catch his eye? She's much prettier than I am. Hmph. ) "So.." she kneels and slowly, painfully slowly, reaches down to move the boy's hood.
Suspense! It's kind of like sitting in a movie theatre watching the protagonist female creep through a haunted house while she's being stalke by a serial killer. You know the second she pulls back that curtain he's going to jump out and stab her - but you can't yell, 'DON'T DO IT' -- and tangenting aside, Mai can't shake that feeling. ;.;
Well, maybe Natsuki will catch the eye of some other weird prince who has weird needs. You never know.
When Mai removes the hood, Delen lowers his head. His hair seems normal enough! Well, it's dark green, but that's not too weird, right?
After a brief pause, Delen lifts his head...
...and it's not a human face. The rest of him seems human, but the face is completely spider, with the mandibles and the fuzz and the many eyes and the pedipalps and everything.
And as he lifts his head, he brushes a maxilla lightly against Mai's lips. That... sort of counts, right?
PERHAPS.
So, Mai removes the hood, and sees .. dark green hair. Well, that's definitely normal enough; after all, she knows people with green hair. And some of the people /here/ have different color hair so it -it-it-it-it-it-it-it-it
She saw Delen's face.
It's not a human face.
It's a spider's face.
It's horrific.
Oh sweet jeezus it's horrific.
Even for a little kid it's horrifying.
And in Mai's shock, before she can pull back in surprise --
...kissed.
By a spider.
By a spider boy.
Fuzzy. Horrific. EYES. Oh god, the eyes. And other things. And mandibles. And and the urge to scream is great. Oh my goodness is it ever great. In fact her face has turned slightly blue with the effort of holding in the mother of all screams.
"Di..d....did....d..di.. .d.." Mai mentally slaps herself. "I-i-i--i-i-i-igg..gii..." Stammer. She lifts a hand over her mouth. That was NOT what she'd intended. She was going to kiss that .. that.. *THING'S* forehead or cheek or or or - and -and instead it- it -it-it- ew. oh GOD ew, OH OH GOD EW. AUGH! AUGH EW EW!
Don't scream. Don't scream. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T SCREAM.
No, don't scream. It wouldn't work. In fact, Mai may begin to be having trouble breathing, as if something heavy weighs on her chest.
Fuzzy.. the room begins to blur and shake, the dim light growing darker, darker...
And then Mai suddenly finds herself back in Fuuka in her normal clothes, under that tree, with her book on the ground and a branch from the tree laying across her. That would explain the weight!
Maybe it was all just a dream!
...or WAS it?
Where: Fuuka to Spideropolis
When: 9/8/08
What: Mai is abducted from Fuuka (or is she?) by a bunch of spider people. Onoes! There's even a prophecy involved. Damn prophecies...
Watch For: Oh god, SPIDERS, Mai being traumatized
It is a day like any other day. The sun is warm. The grass is green. There's a light breeze across the campus of Fuuka. And class just let out. Looks like it's a great afternoon to just relax!
A day like any other day!? Oh no! The sun is warm? The grass is green? OH dear god, we're all doomed!
.. only not. No, actually, Mai was just getting out of classes, in the orangeybeige of the Academy uniform AND NOTHING ELSE SO THERE :D. Nonetheless, the cool day, with the sun shining brightly coaxed Mai into settling down beneath a tree with one of her study books. She didn't have to go in to work for at least three hours, and she was planning on getting some of her homework reading done before it was time to head in.
Rustle. Rustle rustle. The leaves of the tree shake a bit. Must be the wind. It is a nice breeze, isn't it? Almost sounds like there are soft voices coming from nearby...
"Is she the one?" A deep voice murmurs, trying its best to whisper.
"I think so. She matches the description." The second voice, a bit higher-pitched. Perhaps feminine. It almost seems to blend into the wind.
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
"Shhh! Keep it down, you. She'll hear us!"
It's very nice out in Fuuka, when it's peaceful like this. Even the air smelled sweeter. The number of Orphans had decreased, Nagi hasn't been seen in over a month. Sure, trouble was going to loom it's head again, because the Fate of a HiME is inescapable.. but she could enjoy the quiet for now.
Wait, what was ...
Mai lifts her head, turning her attention from the book in her hands. "...?" Looks left. Looks right. Was there someone there? She could have sworn she heard something.."
Rustle.
Rustle rustle.
"Now? The deeper voice.
"Shhh!" The feminine one.
Rustle. Before long, this area of the campus seems mostly deserted. It makes it all the more quiet and peaceful!
"Now? I don't see anyone else."
"...now."
Rustle!
With no other warning than the whispers and the rustling of leaves, two large figures drop down from the tree, landing on either side of the redhead. Despite their large size, with the smaller one being taller than Mai and the larger one over six feet high, they make little noise when they land. Well, except the one with the masculine voice who goes "BOO!" Then, soon after, "Ow! Stop hitting!"
This might be strange and simply confusing, except that the two figures appear to be... giant spiders. The bigger one, rubbing his head with one hairy leg, appears to be some sort of giant tarantula. And the other, lowering one of her legs from swatting him, is much more elegant... pure black, save for a red marking on her underside.
She's /definitely/ hearing rustling noises and whispering now. Closing her book, she starts to her feet, "Aoi? Chie? Is that you?" She straightens, "What are you tw--" AND THEN, SPIDERPEOPLE. So startled is Mai that when they jump dow from the tree and sandwich her between then, that the HiME lets out a startled shriek, stumbling backwards to drop the book.
"What --!" Spiders. Giant spiders D: ACTUAL FRIGGIN GIANT SPIDERS.
See, Julia wasn't so bad for Mai. She could deal with Julia, who wasn't really fully spider. THESE WERE. And they're clearly not /Orphans/, they don't give off that vibe. "Aa-a-!!"
Yes. Giant spiders, and they don't even look fake or anything! Not that Natsuki is planning on using giant spider costumes for some purpose in the future or anything. Nope.
As Mai stumbles back, the tarantula reaches out a leg to poke at her. "You're coming with us! Don't even try to fight!" Poke again!
The black widow skitters forward as well, and even though she has fangs and pedipalps and weird mouthparts, it almost looks like she's... smiling? Naw, that would just be weird. "Stop that, Hachi, you'll frighten it!"
Once she's over the initial shock, Mai takes a second to look at the spiders before here. And shudders. "Eeeuugh.." they're so _DISGUSTING_. But .. it's a very *realistic* costume if anything. She doesn't recognize the voices, but to think that they're *real* is a bit farfetched..
Isn't it?
"GGYgyauggh!!" Mai shrinks back against the tree when that ...gug... uggh.. ew... spider pokes at her. Quit *TOUCHING*. "C..c.cco..coming? Wh--what?" She shakes her head, face paling several shades when the black widow draws nearer, "I-i'm not going anywhere with you things!" She's not the it! They are!
Yes, very farfetched. In a world with weird monsters and girls who dance and summon weapons and pets and people who turn into green sparklies when they die. Giant spiders are so strange.
The tarantula... Hachi, he was called, turns to look at his companion. "Will not!" He turns again, and pokes Mai with a hairy leg once more. "See? Not scared at all, Macta." Nevermind the shrieking sound. That must be how humans greet one another. Poke!
The black widow, Macta, lets out a sigh, and swats at the poking tarantula leg. "Stop that. How are we going to get it to come with us if you do stuff like that?"
OGOD ITS LEG IS ALL FURRY AND DISGUSTING - "Euaaaauaghghh!!!" Mai articulates when she's poked again. UNCLEAN. A bit cornered too - with the spiders pegging her in, she can't run forward or to the side. Maybe duck behind the tree? Jump up into the branches? There's a chance that they shoot web like Julia does, but she doesn't know what those things are planning.
"Ggh..!" Mai bites back a scream as Macta swats at Hachi. Why the hell should she go anywhere with those disgusting creatures? And while the spider's attention is off her, she makes a break for it! She takes a breath and moves to dart around the tree! Maybe once she gets some space she can fight these things off?
"It sure makes funny sounds." Hachi pokes again, because it's -fun-.
Once more, Macta sighs.. then gasps as the redhead tries to break away! "Hachi! Don't let her escape!" No, they can't shoot out webs, but Macta -can- make them, and she starts to wind a loop around one of her legs.
The taranula, meanwhile, doesn't use webbing. Instead, he jumps up, uses a leg to swing around the tree, and lands again, right in front of Mai. "Hi!" He may be grinning, but those fangs are waggling at her!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!~" Mai almost - almost crashes right into Hachi when he lands directly in front of her. "AAAAH!!!!" He's waggling those fangs oh god it's disgusting oh god, "GET AWAY FROM ME!" Mai demands in a voice not quite panicked, but plenty shrill. She spares only a second to check her surroundings, and make sure no one's around before she summons her Element, "You disgusting --!"
"Don't let her shoot fire!" Macta skitters around the tree, holding some webbing over a leg. Seems they somehow know about her abilities!
"Right!" Well, she can't use any fire if she can't move, right? Hachi POUNCES at Mai, a specialty for tarantulas! He tries to use his large body to pin her to the ground, or at least enough that her arms can't move.
How did they know about her ability? Just as flames are gathering to Mai's hands, she is pounced! "YAAGH!!" ohnoes! OH GOD. IT's *ON TOP OF HER* "GET OFF OF ME!" Mai, caught between FREAKING THE _FCK_ OUT because there is a BIG tarantula on her, and setting fire to everything she can tough, momentarily expresses her displeasure at her situation.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGH!!!!" So GROSS. GROSS AUGH! "Aa..augh! AGHG!! OH GOD!" Is it justifiable to call on Kagutsuchi? Because she's seriously considering it. "GGH!~" Sparks of fire puff out from her hands, though only to the sides - the tarantula has the advantage over her in weight, though she's struggling to free an arm, and kicking at its underbelly.
ogodgetitoffgetitoffgetitoff...!
"Got her! Got he--ow!" The tarantula quickly hops off as he feels fire along his body. "That wasn't nice!"
"I don't think she's trying to be, Hachi. Move!" The widow skitters around, one of her legs quickly snapping out. Her aim? To toss that webbing at Mai and get her arms stuck to her sides already.
"Maybe we should turn it on its back and rub its stomach. That should put it to sleep!"
"...that's crocodiles, Hachi."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Eeeeew - get him off of me!" Mai protests again, skin crawling at the thought of this big SPIDER (spiderspiderspiderspider!!! her mind gibbers at her) in contact with her body. "KA-" is about as far as she gets when that webbing snares her arms. "This--!!" Lord, she remembers the last time she got tangled up with webbing. Only there's no Kazuma to be tangled up with thank heaven. "Let me go!" She fights against the sticky stuff, until it might seem that she'll be getting more tangled. :< What do these nasty nasty things want with her?
Captured! "Haha! You got her, Macta!" The tarantula leeeeeans in really close, but is yanked back by his companion.
The black widow, at least, seems a bit more capable of dealing with people. "We're not letting you go. Now stop struggling, and don't yell, or I'll have to web your mouth too. Grab her, Hachi."
As Macta moves back, Hachi uses his front legs to pick up the webbed Mai and toss her onto his back. His bristly, hairy back. "Let's get going. We're already late!"
Stop struggling? Don't yell? LIke fudge she'll stop either of the two. She continues to struggle in fact, and sends a dangerous glare at the black widow ('heeberheebergibberyeep!') "Gghee.. so gross.." she whimpers to herself. "KAGUTSU-" and it's probably at that point that her mouth gets webbed. :D;;
In hindsight it's probably a good thing. Summoning Overkill Dragon to deal with a pair of spiders who appear -quite- speedy and agile would likely wind up destroying half the city. Sort of like using a bazooka to kill a gnat.
"Mpp~!" Mai squeals in dismay when she's manhandled by the SPIDER OHGOD MAKE IT STOP TOUCHING - and then she lands on his back. BRISTLY. HAIRY. OH GOD. EW. EW ew! Oh ew -!! It's all fuzzy and disgusting and oh god ew ew. ew!
On top of the bristly hairy spider-back, the fact that Mai is being carried while facing up can't be too comforting either. Oh, she can probably see the sky, and trees, and then the Gate... and the Hub. She's being taken out of Fuuka! Another Gate, and.. a very dark sky. Maybe it's night? Only there aren't any stars at all. Very little light, in fact. Strange.
There's little talk from the spiders as they walk, and little noise at all, in fact. At least, until they pass through doors into a dimly-lit room. A new voice speaks up, "Is it her?"
Macta's voice answers, "Yes. Go get her ready. I'll inform the queen." Gasp! Royalty?
A few moments later, Mai is lifted from Hachi's back and set on what feels like a large cushion, and the webbing is removed. That same new voice chirps up from the shadows, "Ooh! She's pretty!"
Damnit, where is this thing taking her? She can't even wriggle herself off of the OHGODSHE'SONITSBACK. She feels dirty, being carried by this disgusting disease ridden creature. And its face. Oh god. Its face was hideous! She turns her head this way and that in an attempt to see where she is, or some way of getting free -
Natsuki will never let her live this down. So Mai won't tell her. EVER.
Spiders. ;.; Spiders. So gross. Ew. Ew. At the new voice, Mai tries to lift her head - then squeaks mentally when she's moved again. OH GOD STOP TOUCHING HER. she's going to need to burn her clothing ;.;
WHen the webbing is removed, the predictable happens. "AAAAAI-!~~" Apparently that scream was building up for a while. But she manages to cut her scream short when she notices she's sitting on a pillow now. "Ggh.." *pant pant pant* And then anger. "WHERE AM I? Why have you taken me here? WH -ohgodyou'resogrossIcan'tlookatyou." Mai turns her head, shuddering.
Slowly, the lights in the room come on. It looks like something that might be found in a palace. Huge bed with drapes, a room with the sound of running water that must be a bathroom, plush carpet. And a very tiny window.
"You're at the queen's palace!" The voice sounds... almost like a little girl's, slightly squeaky and high. And if Mai turns toward it, she'll see...!
...a little girl? Well, not -exactly-. While she does look mostly human, there are some differences. Tiny mandibles instead of a mouth, and large dark eyes, but aside from that she looks perfectly human! She's even wearing a simple dress and has light blue hair. "Hi! I'm Mysti. We need to get you ready to meet the queen!"
And suddenly, Mai is surrounded, as five other girls with similar appearances, save for the color of their hair, gather around her. One with deep auburn hair lifts a hand to wave. "I'm Barbi!"
Another, with light grey hair, pulls out a dress. "Eri! Nice to meet you."
Another one with black hair pokes her head out of the bath area. "Undi! And the water's drawn."
One with red hair appears behind Mai and tries to lift up the back of her skirt. "Is this where they keep their spineretts?"
The red-haired one is quickly pulled away by a girl, the tallest of them, with green hair. "Stop that, Johnson." She bows slightly toward Mai. "My name is Mopsi. We're sorry you had to be handled so roughly."
...one of these names is not like the other, one of these names does not belong~
"Wh.. what?" Mai turns and -- oh no, no scream. Surprise certainly, because the girl seemed half human and half spider - still gross, but not as bad as the others. "Er -- um.. q..queen's palace..?" Mai suppresses a shudder when she is suddenly surrounded by more people that look similar to Mysti. "..." Dumbfounded, she lifts a hand, "...hello..? Ah - so, I'll just be going home then...?" Hopefully, Mai starts to her feet - only to *SHRIEK* when one of the spideraides starts to lift up her skirt.
Blushing fiercely, she slaps her hands behind her and pushes her skirt down again, "W.. what do you think you're doing!? I don't have spinerettes, I'm *HUMAN* Like y --" Well. "Why .. aren't --" She glances at Mopsi. That should be the name of a cute floppy eared bunny, not a gross-afft spidergirl. D: "W.. .there must be some mistake, I shouldn't be here. I'm going back to Fuuka --!" ...
If it weren't for the mouths, they'd probably all be adorable! The big eyes aren't -that- creepy.
"Oh, but you can't go!" "Please stay. Oh please!" "You have to meet the queen!" "If you leave, then.. then great peril will befall u--" The last one is quickly silenced as Mopsi puts a hand over her mouth. "Shh, Eri. She doesn't need to be concerned about us. If she wants to leave, we can let her go."
"But--!" Mopsi shakes her head. "It's her choice. But... but won't you please meet the queen? She sent for you specifically!"
Mai Tokiha blinks, glancing at the others as they plead for her to stay, "W.. but..." There are -spiders- here. . . "Great peril?" Mai echoes, glancing towards the one called Eri as Mopsi shooshes her. A small frown. She couldn't care less about the spiders, because they were hairy and gross and creepycrawly and ew - but.. "I ... guess it wouldn't hurt to meet the Queen at least. I wouldn't want to be rude." or something. Considering they kidnapped her and all - wait. "Why did she send for me /specifically/?"
Well, they had to! Would Mai have willingly come if a giant spider invited her?
"Something about a prophecy..." Mopsi tilts her head in thought, then shrugs. "I don't know the specifics. Regardless, your bath is ready, and we must prepare you for meeting the queen!" The spidergirls try to herd Mai toward the other room, where a bath has been drawn. There's even some very nice-smelling floral perfume that's been added to the water.
no. "Ack! Hey wait a second I don't need a -!" is about as far as she gets as she's herded off. Well... when in Spideropolis.. Dangit Mai didn't even have her cell phone with her so she can't exactly call for help while she's in the bathroom. "I can handle the bathing to myself," Mai insists, in case they try and bathe her. She had quite enough of /that/ with the whole Shadow Prince deal.
"Are you sure?" "We're royal attendants!" "Besides, we're all girls here!" "Even Johnson."
They all look -very- disappointed that they're not being allowed to do their jobs. In the end, Undi lifts a hand and shoos the others out. She, however, stays. "Someone at least has to keep an eye on you." She doesn't -stare-, though. Just sits there. Besides, the raven-haired one seems to be in charge of the bath. She's the second tallest besides Mopsi, as well. Maybe she's the second eldest? "I hope Hachi and Macta weren't too rough on you. Hachi's kinda stupid, and Macta usually has her legs full keeping him in line."
Mai Tokiha ~.~ ... Johnson huh? "... all right, fine, if it's just one of you." Mai sighs heavily. She supposes they thought she might try and escape despite agreeing to meet with the Queen. But in the bathing room she casts a glance around for potential exits, before picking up the floral soap and sniffing at it. Hmmm.
Mention of Hachi and Macta gets a slight -shudder- from Mai, though she does her best to suppress it. "... ... ... n..nevermind that." Oh god, she's going to see that hideous, horrible face in her dreams for days, WEEKS. "Tell me about what ...um... Eri? was talking about."
At least Undi isn't trying to help? She seems to be content just sitting there. After all, there really is only one way into this room. There aren't even any windows large enough to fit one of the spidergirls, let alone Mai. The soap smells really nice, though!
"Oh, you mean the prophecy? That's something the queen will explain to you." She glances toward Mai, tilting her head slightly. "Sorry. We're not allowed to tell you. But it is important..." Undi stands, grabbing a towel and bringing it over toward Mai. "If you're ready, we can get you dressed and set to meet the queen."
At least there's that, but it's a little creepy that she's in the room at all. Mai sighs when Undi refuses to tell her about this 'prophecy', shaking her head. "Fate, destiny, prophecies.. I think I've had my fill of those sorts of things..." But she thanks Undi as she accepts the towel and looks up, "Yes, I'm ready." Once she's dressed at least. "What is your Queen's name, anyway?"
She's not looking, either! As soon as Mai steps up, Undi wraps the towel around her and steps back. "I hope this one will turn out, better, then. For your sake and for ours..." The black-haired spidergirl walks toward the door and opens it. "Queen Atraxa. Don't worry, she's very nice."
Once Mai is out of the bathroom and dry, the other girls come and swarm her again. This time, they quickly dress her in a quite fancy outfit, a red and black gown that, while a bit clashing, is still very pretty. The process is quick and efficient, though there is one hand that might be groping in there for a moment... or maybe it's an accident. Yeah, probably that.
The auburn-haired girl, Barbi, brings out a brush and begins to straighten Mai's hair a bit. "There. All ready!"
Black and red again? Why is Mai always the one put in black and red? Well it's a pretty dress, she can't deny that. "eheh... thank you." Mai murmurs, a bit flustered by all the fuss and bustle. "I -HEY!" She glances around herself at the other ... whatever they are, but she can't say as which one might have 'accidentally' touched her. She's going to put money on Johnson though. =.= Something /fishy/ about that one. Once her hair is brushed to shininess, Mai nods once to Barbi in thanks.
Prophecy or no, she wanted to go home. THough .... she had to admit it was a very selfish way of thinking. Even if they were /spiders/.
Poor Johnson. Always blamed!
Mysti, the one with blue hair, and Eri, with gray hair, each take one of Mai's arms once she's dressed, and begin to lead her out into the hallway. "Be careful. There's not much light." And it is, in fact, very dim out there. It's not a very long walk, though, and the three soon arrive at a set of very large doors. "We have to leave you here. We hope to see you again." One set of light footsteps lead off, then... a hand gently touches Mai's back. "Give me a call if things don't work out, okay?" Er. Was the one on the left Eri or Mysti? Either way, the second one scurries off down the hall, and the doors open.
Inside the throne room, for that's what it is, the light is a little better. There are guards around, in various stages of transition between spider and human. The woman sitting on the throne, however, appears to be mostly human. She's dressed in red and black, and could easily be considered quite beautiful. In fact, the only thing not human about her is a pair of small fangs that can be seen only when she opens her mouth. "Mai Tokiha. I'm glad you could make it. Please, approach."
Er -- well one has blue hair and the other has gray hair which really doesn't help a -bit- when it's as dim as it is. And the voices didn't really seem too distinguishable either - "Wa-wait a second -!" They're just going to /leave/ her here? How cruel! But as they skitter away, Mai turns to the door and rests a hand on it. o O ( Please don't be a big spider, please don't be a big spider, please don't be a big -- ) She opens the door. o ( Phew... ) The Queen really didn't look at all bad - and that admittedly puts Mai at ease, a bit.
Then she looks around at the guards. "E--!" Don't offend the Queen by going 'ew' Mai. That's just really not right at all. She forces herself to look at the Queen, and after a moment's thought, curtesys lightly, "... You know my name..?" Mai blinks, and - glad she could make it. HA HA HA it isn't like Mai had a whole lot of choice! The redhead slowly steps forward, watching the guards warily, "Your ...your Highness, how is it you know of me? Your attendants said that there was some kind of prophecy ..?"
At least the guards aren't trying to approach Mai! Seems they're smarter than Hachi.
Shifting in her chair, the queen neatly crosses her legs. "Ah.. the prophecy. They weren't supposed to mention it to you." There's a brief glare toward the main doors, and it's possible to see that, in a certain light, her eyes are deep red. "Ah well. I was going to tell you anyway." She smiles, showing a bit of fang.
Clearing her throat, the queen begins to speak, as if reciting something from memory. "When the skies darken and the stars begin to die, hope will come from the flame-bearing one from the cursed land of wind. She will claim the heart of the darkened prince and restore light to the world." She frowns slightly. "We've been watching you. This isn't the same dark prince you recently had troubles with, so don't worry."
Good thing too! Mai would give them such a punch! -- or not because that would be very very bad. For all. Mai smiles weakly at that glare, "Well you can't really blame them; they seemed pretty scared -" Mai scritches her head. And when the Queen begins reciting the prophecy, Mai smooths her hands over her new dress and waits patiently, listening carefully.
Skies darken. (Nodnod) Stars dying? (nodnod) Flame bearing one.. (nodnod) Cursed land of wind. (nodnod) "I see I see.." Mai murmurs, "Well.. now that I think about it when I was brought here the skies were pretty dark, but I thought that it was because it was night. Is it not?" Hrm. "Flame bearing one - from the cursed land of wind. Well -" she looks at her hands, "I guess.. that does describe me.. and the cursed land of wind does describe Fuuwahwaitwait whoa, wait, what?"
Mai waves her hands, "Can you -repeat- that last part one more time? I-I think I must have misheard you." And if the Queen does repeat it, Mai sputters, "Claim the heart of .. wa. . wait a second, I can't claim anyones - I mean I-I!" She points as if that will help her speak better, "Yo-you see the thing about that is, you know, back in Fuuka I - you - I - he - but but but ---!" Mai, stop making words have no meaning.
They've been watching her - that's not creepy at ALL, no sir. She calms a bit, "I-I don't think I can help you. Even if this darkened prince isn't the Shadow Prince we had troubles with recently, I - I mean," she blushes like mad, "This is - I just, you see, I mean -" augh!
"It is daytime, though there is little difference these days. Our world is dying, I'm afraid." The queen frowns again, looking down for a moment. "She will claim the heart of the darkened prince and restore light to the world." Looking up once more, the queen manages a smile. "He's already quite taken with you, you know. My son. Would you like to meet him?"
Lifting an arm, she gestures toward a side door, which slides open. In walks a figure... and not much else can be said about him, because he has a heavy cloak and hood covering his entire body. What little flashes of arm or leg can be seen -look- human, though, dressed in brilliant green. "...hi." The voice is light and young, but definitely male. He might even be younger than Mai!
"Can't you just--" no, they wouldn't be able to just pick up and leave; find a new world. For one thing, they might come to Fuuka, and Mai just wouldn't stand for that. Spiders everywhere. Oh god. Oh dear god. "But there's already someone I --" Mai breaks off, blinking, "Wha? Taken with me -- but --" And before Mai can even say 'no I don't wanna meet your kid', the Queen has already summoned him. Jeez.
Well Mai can't be mean to children, so when she sees the walking pile of robes and clothes she smiles, leaning down a bit. He can't be more than what, fourteen? Fifteen? "Um - Hello. You must be Queen Atraxa's son." She hopes. Phew, man, she was afraid for a moment it would turn out to be Hachi.
Now why would it be Hachi? That's no way for a prince to act! "I know this is sudden, but please..." The queen stands from her throne and walks toward the prince, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I'm afraid we don't have much time. That's why I had to have you kidnapped. If the prophecy is not fulfilled soon, we'll all be killed."
The prince remains quiet, even as the queen pushes him forward.
"You don't need to marry him. Our seers have determined that a kiss would probably do it." Queen Atraxa clears her throat softly. "If you would give such a thing to save us."
Maybe it was a stand against the stereotype! Mai glances at the Queen when she pushes her son forward. "Killed..? By what?" Maybe there's a way around this prophecy, because she would honestly rather risk her life beating the crap out of something, than marry some kid. That's just /gross/.
"Oh I don't?" Mai smiles brightly, "Well that's a wha--" She frowns. "A k.. a.. a.." Blush. BLUSHYBLUSH. "Y.... you can't be serious. This must be some kind of a joke..! Why would a thing as simple as a kiss have anything to do with this prophecy -!? B.. besides, I - - my.."
Well she didn't think Kazuma would be all too happy about her kissing someone else, no matter if it's just a kid, or the fact that people's lives were at stake. Of course - she could just kiss the kid's cheek and be done with it. Yay loopholes!
But if it was to save an entire world, would Kazuma really object? What's a kiss to the lives of thousands or even millions? "We beg of your aid, Mai Tokiha." And then several gasps ring out as the queen drops to her knees, reaching up to grasp Mai's hand. "There is no other we can turn to, and time grows short."
The prince, as well, drops to his knees, and reaches for Mai's other hand. His hands seem... human enough. Will she be able to go through with it?
YES! Yes he would! -- okay maybe not, but still. They're half spiders! Dying is what they do! They're all gross and disgusting and okay, /some/ of them are human but - "... I... but -" Friggin. It's like a betrayal, even if it is to save lives - she can't imagine that Kazuma would be very happy with her. "But he's just--"
It's a trick. It -has- to be. Why would kissing the Queen's son put an end to the prophecy? It didn't make any sense. "I..I --" Oh she just doesn't like this one bit. But when the Queen herself drops to her knees to beg for Mai's aid, and then the Prince does the same... ... ...
... ... ... "Just one kiss, right?" Mai heaves a sigh. Damnit.
A look of hope comes over the queen's face. "Yes. Yes, that's all that we need of you. Would you do this for us?" The queen and prince both stand, not letting go of Mai's hands. Their savior!
The prince... fidgets. He shuffles his feet. "Um. Um..."
A hush falls over the chamber as Queen Atraxa touches his back. "Come now, Delen. It will be alright. This nice girl will kiss you and break the curse on our land." Mutely, the prince nods, and slowly lifts his head, but the hood still keeps his face obscured.
... she has *SUCH* a bad feeling about this... and not just because it feels like she's betraying Kazuma somehow. "All right," Mai grudgingly answers. The kid was human like his mom right? So it should be okay. Her stomach turns flip flops of barely restrained disgust, but she nods her head once to the Queen. "Your people will be destroyed if I don't, right?" She draws in a breath. o O ( Why couldn't it be Natsuki to catch his eye? She's much prettier than I am. Hmph. ) "So.." she kneels and slowly, painfully slowly, reaches down to move the boy's hood.
Suspense! It's kind of like sitting in a movie theatre watching the protagonist female creep through a haunted house while she's being stalke by a serial killer. You know the second she pulls back that curtain he's going to jump out and stab her - but you can't yell, 'DON'T DO IT' -- and tangenting aside, Mai can't shake that feeling. ;.;
Well, maybe Natsuki will catch the eye of some other weird prince who has weird needs. You never know.
When Mai removes the hood, Delen lowers his head. His hair seems normal enough! Well, it's dark green, but that's not too weird, right?
After a brief pause, Delen lifts his head...
...and it's not a human face. The rest of him seems human, but the face is completely spider, with the mandibles and the fuzz and the many eyes and the pedipalps and everything.
And as he lifts his head, he brushes a maxilla lightly against Mai's lips. That... sort of counts, right?
PERHAPS.
So, Mai removes the hood, and sees .. dark green hair. Well, that's definitely normal enough; after all, she knows people with green hair. And some of the people /here/ have different color hair so it -it-it-it-it-it-it-it-it
She saw Delen's face.
It's not a human face.
It's a spider's face.
It's horrific.
Oh sweet jeezus it's horrific.
Even for a little kid it's horrifying.
And in Mai's shock, before she can pull back in surprise --
...kissed.
By a spider.
By a spider boy.
Fuzzy. Horrific. EYES. Oh god, the eyes. And other things. And mandibles. And and the urge to scream is great. Oh my goodness is it ever great. In fact her face has turned slightly blue with the effort of holding in the mother of all screams.
"Di..d....did....d..di.. .d.." Mai mentally slaps herself. "I-i-i--i-i-i-igg..gii..." Stammer. She lifts a hand over her mouth. That was NOT what she'd intended. She was going to kiss that .. that.. *THING'S* forehead or cheek or or or - and -and instead it- it -it-it- ew. oh GOD ew, OH OH GOD EW. AUGH! AUGH EW EW!
Don't scream. Don't scream. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T SCREAM.
No, don't scream. It wouldn't work. In fact, Mai may begin to be having trouble breathing, as if something heavy weighs on her chest.
Fuzzy.. the room begins to blur and shake, the dim light growing darker, darker...
And then Mai suddenly finds herself back in Fuuka in her normal clothes, under that tree, with her book on the ground and a branch from the tree laying across her. That would explain the weight!
Maybe it was all just a dream!
...or WAS it?