Game Day
#2 of Ester Series
Game Day: By TerraMGP ((Ester, Diana, Lillian, Ruth and June are all my original creations and copyrighted to me. Please do not use them or redistribute this story without consent. This is the second story in the Ester series, preceded by Ester's black eye and followed by One week. Comments always adored.)) Trapped. Belladonna winced as the large stone slab smashed into the ground behind them. The young mousette turned to the passage that had just been closed to them and quickly began to run her fingers along the seam, offhand wrapping around the smooth wooden handle of her dagger. "GAH!" the large ursine woman screamed as her hard fist smashed into the door, granite dust falling down on Belladonnas head. "How could you let this happen? You said you were the best trap finder in Havenwood. I swear if you can't get this door open..." Letting go of her dagger hilt Belladonna turned around and gave the larger woman a scornful glance, bright green eyes only slightly visible though the dark lenses of the goggles that now covered them. "Well we aren't in Havenwood now are we? Look you hired me to do a job, so let me do it. I don't like being in this situation any more than you do. So you an either keep complaining at me for a situation that can be resolved or you can shut up and go back to grooming those tiger pelts your wearing and let me work." It was obvious Kenna was not used to being talked to like this. One Woed-dyed blue paw reaching out towards the small mouse, stopped only when a heavily armored gauntlet wrapped around the top half of her thick wrist. "Let her work" Beatrix hissed, shoving Kennas hand to the side. "You're the one who kept charging forward, or did you forget that snare trap back at the lake?" It took all she had for Kenna to keep from turning and backhanding the Feline for her words, even more so because they were true. "She had better get it open." Kenna grumbled in return as she watched the small framed girl slowly run the tip of her dagger along the seam between door and makeshift frame. Beatrix had saved he for now. However without the proper tools to blast though a door like this her only hope was to find the mechanism that had dropped the door in the first place, Assuming it was on this side at all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ester crumpled up the character sheet and let out a sigh, putting it in a small pile of paper at the end of the coffee table. "No no no, that won't work. I'm nothing like that..." Again the apartment filled with the sounds of dice bouncing off of hard wood as she began to roll her stats from scratch. Normally having a character build she was not perfectly happy with didn't bother her. After all a bad character was really just a new window to attempt a new kind of role. Unfortunately today was not a typical day in the least. Absolutely everything had to be perfect. She began to flip though the players handbook again and looking at the classes feeling the pressure of the situation starting to bore down on her. The resurgence of loud clacking dice rolls did not go unnoticed however. No sooner was the new wisdom score written down than she felt two warm loving arms wrapping around her neck from above. The resulting squeek and moment of panicked struggling was quite a bit more than what Lillian had expected from her hard working little girl. "Mousie are you ok? What's wrong?" Before Ester knew what was going on she felt Lillian's gentle hand starting to move along her cheek. That soft gentle comfort slowly loosened every tense muscle in the mousettes body letting Ester relax as she looked up to her mother for a long moment and nodded. "Mommy I'm nervous. I just want everything to work out today. I think I am going to try a build that's a bit more forward though. I don't like mincing words as a rouge." Her worried rambling was soon met with a familiar shush. Before she knew what was happening Ester found herself scooped up and replaced back down in Lillian's lap as she sat, thumb instinctively going into her mouth. "Now now... mommy's little Squeaker can just relax. Its all ok." No matter how old she got or how much she grew up, being brought back to her mothers lap turned Ester into the same scared and attention starved little three year old she was back at the Orphanage. Momma Kitteh made everything ok again. Right now that was what she needed more than anything. She needed all of her fears and bad thoughts to be taken away, and that was something that only her beloved mother could do. "Now I want you to relax, take a deep breath and try not to think about this for now ok? Everything is going to be fine. Now are you still fretting and obsessing my baby?" Ester nodded at this and looked up at her mommy a moment with a few tears in her eyes. "But Momma I only have four more hours now. My last idea didn't work either and I'm afraid that if I don't finish soon then I won't." another shush as Lillian stood and kissed the poor girl on the forehead "Its ok baby. Now then why don't you take a little break hmm? Mommy was going to make some snacks for tonight. Maybe youd like to help her come up with a couple more ideas?" The young girl gave a small nod as she stood up and walked along to the kitchen with her mother. "Well I suppose we could make some Falafel, or maybe you could make your cheese balls?" she said hopefully, rubbing a few tears out of her eyes. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A thunderous crash echoed though the stone hallways of Gathbad Keep. Mere moments after the assault began the first wave of defenders had already been dashed against the four invaders. The last of the Kobolds ran screaming as Kenna charged after them maliciously, her great sword firmly secured on her back and both massive arms now outstretched. "Come here you little whelps. If your trying to get somewhere quickly I can certainly oblige." Beatrix just let out a sigh and looked at the two other companions in quiet desperation. "You know this is your fault." Jissa quipped from under her dark blue wizards hood. "You're the one who told her ‘do what comes naturally' after all know this is what she does." Beatrix winced a bit and then looked off to either side of the entry corridor mace still in hand. She could not deny it, though it made her feel a bit apprehensive. "All right I think Kenna can handle the bottom floor from here. Jissa I may need you to come with me down into the lower levels. If I'm right that is where the Phalicary is kept. Belladonna you can go handle the stairway. Clear up whatever you find there and don't be afraid to run if you have to." "I don't run, ever." Belladonna quipped as one paw reached back to wrap around the leather hilt of her bastard sword. Watching the cleric and Wizard walking off she quickly turned towards the nearest stairwell stopping only long enough to cover her ears from the horrific noise of Kobold bodies smashing to jelly against a hard stone wall. Slowly Belladonna drew the blade from her back and plodded up the stairs, clutching the hilt hard in both hands ready to lash at whatever came her way. Thankfully the hallway of the keeps second floor seemed for the most part emptied. Looks could be deceiving however, and even a mighty warrior would be wise to avoid an ambush, especially in a narrow corridor. Slowly Belladonna moved forward to the first door of the hallway taking great care to keep the soft tinkle of her mithril chain to a minimum. In one violent motion she kicked the hard oak door open and lunged inside moving the large broad blade up to block any foe who may strike out at the sudden incursion. Fortunately the first attack never came. What appeared to be a simple library was devoid of any life. Still one could never trust a lack of life when dealing with a litch, especially a litch able to command the fear of so many underlings. Something deep down inside of Belladonna wanted to lash out right away, striking out at the strange objects and artifacts littering the library. She could almost see each one fulfilling some sort of twisted, evil function beyond her comprehension. Then again attacking any of these things could just as easily destroyed the entire keep and her three companions with it. "enjoying my little library?" a cold voice hissed from the now open door. Quickly Belladonna spun around in time to see two gnolls standing in front of a large gaunt figure draped in rotting black robes. "Xalic." She spat looking to the shadowed skull that belonged to the once beautiful Enchantress princess. "An astute little rodent aren't we?" the wolf skull spat as the gnolls advanced forward with matching grins of sadistic glee. "I must say it was a poor move sending the mouse up here alone. I suppose you will be running off to tell your friends hmm? That is if you can slip away from my pets fast enough." The warrior mouse took a firm stance as a grin grew over her muzzle, helm tipping forward to just barely cover her brow. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I won't Be scared that easily." The foul undead wolf was in for quite a shock if she thought she would take Belladonna with only two gnolls. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ester was doing her best to walk the tray of cheese rolls out to the table when the doorbell rang. Perching the tray precariously on the dining room table she dashed off to the door and began to open it quickly, giggling a bit and then blinking. Quickly Ester found herself scooped up in a big strong pair of arms as she giggled and kicked scooped up off the floor. "Auntie Ruth!" she cooed happily "I didn't know you were going to be early." The Ursine woman just shook her head and let out a bit of a chuckle as the mousette clung to her like Velcro. A small half hissing laugh came from behind the large ursine as she spun a little bit and plopped down hard on the couch with her tawny-furred god daughter in her arms. "You know Ruth she's getting a bit big to be sitting in your lap and hanging off you like that isn't she?" Ruth scowled at the tall slender stoat a moment and then back to Ester with a bit of a chuckle. "Oh come on June, its not like I'm dressing her up like a princess and handing her dollies is it? I mean its been like, three years since I did that last." Obviously exasperated with the situation June simply set a large fondue pot down on the dining table before arranging all of the chairs. Ruth tussed Esters hair and gave the young girl another kiss on the forehead simply shaking her head in amusement. "So how's real school treating you sweetie? See I knew I could help you convince your mommy it was a good idea." Ester stuck her tong out at this and then gave a soft giggle "Auntie Ruth. You know mommy didn't argue about letting me go to school. Though I already know she's still worried about it." This small squeek of concern was quickly met with another large hug and kiss on the forehead as Ruth just cuddled close to her favorite god daughter. "Oh come on sweetie. You know she always worries. The important thing is that you remember nobody has a right to pick on you. That you can be tough and stand up for yourself. And if they don't want to accept it then Auntie Ruth can just come in and..." Ruth was cut short as a hard fwap met the back of her head. Ester could not help but chuckle at this as June moved to sit beside her large lover and frowned up at the bear with the slightest hint of a scowl. "So instead of getting her sent home because others are picking on her you want the poor thing to pick a fight, get beaten up and then when all is said and done get suspended anyways instead of being sent home for her own safety. Why don't you take it a step further and give her a knife? Hmm? Get her sent to Juvie?" There was a long moment of awkward silence as the two women looked at each other until Lillian mercifully walked back into the room carrying a large tray of Falafel with various sauces. This was all it took for Ester to dash up from her seat and quickly run off to nab up one of the delectable chick pea balls and quickly scoop up a large dollop of sour cream before giving a nice big munch. "Hay Lillian. Sure you don't need a room mate again? Maybe just for a couple of weeks? You know, just until she calms down a bit? Shouldn't take more than a month or so I think." June just narrowed her eyes and then let out another low hiss. "You know if your that tired of me I know a nice little one bed place you can rent out. Its called ‘the couch'." Ester simply chuckled at her godparents bickering and then hopped up to give her mother another quick hug before sitting on the other end of the coffee table. Once again she cracked one of the many D&D books sitting nearby and began to run her finger over the class listings to find just the right one. Yet again her dice clattered on the table as her mother and godparents looked on watching her write out yet another sheet. "Lillian are you sure she's ok? I've never seen her Worry so much over building a character. I mean this is the same girl that once spent her entire summer vacation taking those books everywhere writing new characters." Lillian looked over to her best friend and put a hand on the bears shoulder. "I know. But well, she's kind of obsessing tonight. Don't worry she will be fine by the time the game comes around. She's just got some anxiety to deal with." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another blinding flash sent the Slaadi reeling as Beatrix rushed everyone along down the spiraling corridor of living flesh that was once the Daimio's palace. Barreling though a thick viscous barrier of throbbing flesh that only moments ago had been a simple paper door. Jissa and Belladonna were quick to follow, making it out moments before another shimmering flash of pure blue light cascaded down the hallway and crep over the shadowy green figures of two more green Slaadi. "I told you... the Madness seed.... Was here... somewhere." Belladonna panted as she held on to her knees and did her best to catch her breath. Kenna gave the little Psion a crossways scowl and then turned back to Jissa who was already looking though the scroll the Daimio had given them. "It seems the seed was probably one of the ‘rare treasures' ordered by his cousin. If that's the case it could have found its way all the way down to the slave quarters or even into the caves they use to store food. We could be looking at a huge series of caverns already utterly infested by the transformation. You know I would not be adverse to just leaving while we are still near the exit. Its not like we are saving anyone by getting rid of this thing. Anyone down there is most likely a Slaad waiting to be born." Beatrix scowled upon hearing this and quickly turned around to the others. The normally calm and collected feline as utterly enraged as they had ever seen her. "I have given my word that we would obliterate this blight and by the gods We shall be the ones to do it. You know as well as I do that if we do nothing now this blight will only spread over the land and grow worse. Belladonna do you think you can get us any closer to the caves? I have a feeling that this wasn't an accident and that would mean the seed would be hidden as far down as they could get it." Belladonna shook her head at this with a sigh as she scratched the back of her hand. "I told you it doesn't work like that. The best I could hope to do is let us all fly, and if the seed took root I'm not sure that it would work everywhere touched by the blight. For that matter I'm not even sure gravity is still a factor below the palace. Besides its going to take just about everything I have to force that thing off of this plane. Otherwise it would be pointless to even continue." Kenna snorted at this as she drew her blade once more and looked down the narrow corridor. "So your saying we have to protect the pipsqueak until we reach this thing and then trust her to be able to obliterate it?" It was obvious Kenna was not exactly happy with the situation. Still with no other available options the bear cold do nothing but push past Beatrix and move head long into the corrupted corridors of pulsing flesh and thick slime coated bones keeping a watchful eye out for whatever creatures this twisted artifact decided to pull from the worlds beyond. Still it was Beatrix who spearheaded onwards through the ranks of twisted abominations. The seed had already warped so many of these poor souls past the point of sanity. A young canine, what must have once been a young concubine, ran forward screaming and brandishing a large pole. She was already bleeding from her eyes and missing large patches of fur, both of which were most likely her own doing. Belladonna looked away as Kenna put their poor unfortunate assailant out of her mystery with one quick sword stroke. "Did you have to do that?" she asked softly in a quivering voice that threatened to snap into sobs. Kenna turned her nose up and simply cleaned her blade with two quick swipes before moving forward unphased. Opening the next doorway slowly Kenna quickly took a cautious step back at the bizarre sight before her. The large room was a mockery of what it once must have been. Riblike bones ran up walls decorated with scrolls of flesh. Marked with what could only be blood. Several Slaadi of various colors sat around with a collection of guards and concubines, some screaming and wailing while others sat and talked with the creatures as if they were old friends. A bashful young vixen Geisha sat at the side of a blue as he simply laughed and held her close. The poor woman was so far gone she didn't even seem to notice the pellets being inserted into her simply acting as if she was with any other honored guest of her lord. Close by a guard used his own slashed up hand to make a stunningly beautiful traditional landscape on one of the blank fleshy scrolls. What caught Belladonnas attention most though was the sickly, emaciated figure sitting cross legged in the center of the room. Beatrix and Kenna were both about to charge when Belladonna put her hands up in front of them both, feeling her body trembling like a leaf. "Don't... its... don't." A soft chuckle emanated from the gaunt figure as it slowly started to rise like some massive marionette. Holding up his hand the emaciated canine sent a wave of green tinted flames from his fingertips rippling along the ground at the companions. Belladonna lurched forward and held out her arms, the emerald colored blaze meeting with a shimmering wave of sparkling energy that held it at bay for a fleeting instant, and then both were extinguished. "I see..." The figure laughed. "So it seems my cousin has finally found suitable pawns to test my might? What was the story he fed you this time hmm? Did he tell you that I opened some portal of my own accord? Perhaps that I was possessed by a demon?" Tired and dazed Belladonna still managed to stand straight and puff out her chest in defiance of the Spectral Savant. "So is the Seed really here or is this just a trap for you two to play your little game?" It seemed the mousette knew more about the situation than the others. Now another wave of energy was forming over her fingertips as both small paws went forward much to the amusement of her adversary. "Oh so you came for the seed is that it? I suppose it was quiet easy then. Perhaps I will give him this one on principal. The Daimio has been losing quite a lot lately after all and his court could do with a little expansion." Beatrix raised her holy symbol, Kenna her sword and Jissa her staff. However they all faltered upon hearing the smallest companion laughing softly, then loudly as she paced towards the green eyed canine. "Thank you. I was wondering just what all this was about. I'm guessing now though that it should be easy enough to free the Daimio if it's a puppeteer. As for you, well. I think its time you take a little trip while we look for the seed. Just hope the ride isn't too bumpy." The confidence in the Savants face started to turn as the energy flared from her paws. It was always foolish to underestimate a nomad. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without another word Ruth pulled herself up and moved around to the other end of the coffee table, sitting behind Ester and running a large paw down the mousettes long braid of hair. "Stressing out a little bit sweetie?" She asked looking over at the hastily written stats and then started to laugh. "Oh come on now sortie. You can't be that strapped for ideas. Just some simple build like that? What happened to the fifteen prestige classes you normally have planned out for your characters?" Ester looked up at her godmother for a moment and then back at the sheet with a sigh just crumpling it up slowly and tossing it to the side with all of the others. June reached down and picked one up slowly uncrumpling it. "Hmmm they seem like perfectly serviceable builds to me. Why are you stressing so much little one? Its just another game with the family." Ester shrank down at all of the questions and let out a small wimper of displeasure. "It... it just wouldn't." she mumbled before pulling up a new sheet and starting to roll. "None of them feel like me. I really want to find the class that fits me best this time." She popped open another supplement and began to read a few lines in before it slammed shut again only to be replaced with the players handbook. "Well you know what I think?" Ruth quipped. "I think you know exactly the kind of build that you should be exploring. I sure know the kind of girl I see every time I look at my intelligent, bright eyed god daughter. I think you know too don't you?" She opened the book up and then just moved back to sit with her love and her best friend with a confident smirk on her face. "She really is growing up way too fast." Lillian mused. "Shes always going to be my little baby, but looking at her she really is turning into a young woman isn't she?" June looked over and shot Lillian a bit of a comforting smile. "You know Lillian I don't think either of us has told you how much we appreciate you making us the godparents. I know I know you always say its nothing but it really isn't. Truth be told, Its actually got us thinking a bit about some things. I suppose I should wait for Ruthie to talk to you about it though." Ruth glanced up at the couch at mention of her name, but then quickly shrugged it off and looked back down at the books and the work of her little god daughter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "And that dear children is how the mighty Beatrix slew the fearsome necromancer, and saved little cubs and kits just like you from the horrifying zombies. So any time your scared just remember that great champions like Beatrix are out there ready to protect you from the big scary monsters of the world." The small crowd of children cheered in delight and even a few parents clapped as Belladonna finished her tale. Standing up the young bard bowed to them all and then began to pack up her seat and her puppets as the little ones scampered off. " Miss Belladonna..." a small voice cooed from behind her. The mousette turned to see a little bunny, perhaps no older than six, grinning up at the mousette with big wide eyes. "Was there really a Beatrix? Did she really stop all those big scary dead people with the picture drawn on a gold piece?" Belladonna nodded at that and tussled the sweet child's hair. "Not only do I know she's real dear, I met her. She told me the story herself one day in the small chapel where she's living now, teaching others to fight monsters just like her. In fact..." shuffling around in her coin purse she pulled out a gold piece stamped with the symbol of a nearby kingdom. "Here. This is a coin just like the one she used to drive back the bad monsters. If you ever get scared you can just hold on to this and it will keep all the scary things away." Looking at her wide eyed the small child hesitated for a moment and then snatched up the coin. "Do you really mean it maam? Really? Thank you so very very much!" The small girl clutched on to the coin as hard as she could and then ran off towards her house with a wide grin. Belladonna nodded a bit before picking up her things and walking into a nearby tavern, seating herself in a booth at the back. "So did it work? You get the thing into the house?" Belladonna looked at Jissa for a long moment, and then to the large figure next to her in nuns garments, and the merchant beside her. It really was all too much. She started to blurt out her laughter, and then held her head in amusement "You three are just too much. You know that? You just look ridiculous." The laughing mouse was soon silenced by a hard fwap on the nose. Kenna just shook her head and growled. "Look I'm not happy being dressed like this, and the sooner I'm out of these cloths the better. Now if you managed to get the coin into the house, we can find out where the meeting is and then I can go back to my armor." Belladonna pulled another coin from her pouch and then held up a finger as she pulled it to her ear, the small girl just tweaked her ear side to side and folded a bit as she listened to the small whispers from the coin. "Hmmm I do feel a bit bad about this though. I mean sure her dad is dealing with some shady people but I don't think this guy is exactly the criminal mastermind type." Beatrix just rubbed a paw along the young bards back and shook her head a bit. "Don't worry. If he's really innocent then all we are doing is saving that little girls family from ties with a thieves guild that might harm them if the father screws up." That much none of them could really dispute. The Thieves in Two moon bay didn't really like to feel that their holdings were at risk. That was part of the reason it was so hard to track down anyone higher than an entry level street thug. That was until tonight. The young shopkeeper was now talking with his wife about the situation they were in, how he was going to cut this whole deal off after tonight. Thankfully for him that was going to be the case, regardless of what the Thieves guild thought of the idea. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ester gave her godmother another huge hug as she cuddled in hard, feeling secure for the first time tonight. She picked up the character sheet and looked it over again once more running the figures and facts though her head. "Auntie Ruth, thanks again. You always know how to cheer me up." Wrapping her arms around the large woman once more Ester gave her a kiss on each cheek, then ran to do the same for June and her mother before finally running off to her room, most of the doubt about her build now totally gone. "So what is it exactly that's got her so wound up anyways?" June finally chimed as she moved back to sit between them propping her feet up and cracking her neck. "I have a feeling I already know just what it is that has her so upset. You really sure it's a good idea doing this tonight? I mean from the sounds of it you haven't exactly been thrilled with the situation. I know Ruthie hasn't." The wheels finally clicked as Ruth looked at Lillian in shock. "your not saying.. Tonight of all nights. Seriously Lillian how on earth could you allow that? I'd figure you would have simply said no flat out." Lillian looked down at the stacks of books her little girl had been working with all day long and just started to smile a bit. For a moment she did wonder why she was going along with all of this, why she was not more upset. But looking at all of these books and papers strewn about it became quite apparent as to why. The buzzer for the small apartment rang and a black and brown blur moved past the couch and slammed down hard on the buzzer, Ester panting before finally letting up on it only once she was sure that the main door had been unlocked long enough. The next few moments were a mad Dash to straighten her skirt, her top and her hair all at once, only seeming to make each worse in the process. Finally though the knock came and a very tense little Ester opened the door up and began to blush looking down to see the thick combat boots that her guest so often wore. A firm hand quickly slipped under Esters chin, forcing her face up to meet the strong yet cold iron gaze of the well toned chipmunk girl she had grown to know so well. "Well hay there twerp. You miss me?" She asked squeezing Esters muzzle just a tiny bit too tight. All ester could do was nod a bit and take a nervous half step closer. Nodding as she whispered softly "Y-yes... I did... Diana" Before Ester could do anything she was quickly enveloped, being pushed into the tough Leather of Diana's jacket and looking up as her ears folded down a bit. "Now then." Diana said as she held on tight to her cute little girlfriend. "How about you help me with that character like you said you were gonna." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Get down!" Ember screamed as she darted behind a large pile of gold just moments before the frigid blast of dragon breath swept over it and froze solid the ground mere inches from her feet. "You know I don't say this too often but I think it may be about time to run." Kenna yelled as she rounded her way up the spiral walkway that led into the heart of the dragons lair. Beatrix watched as the large barbarian leapt forward only to be bashed away by the white dragons massive tail. Watching this Jissa just snarled and worked to hasten her hand movements, a massive sphere of sparkling red light slowly condensing down in between her hands. "Foul beast. I shall make you pay for that in blood." The wizard held up both paws as a small red dot formed between them and sped its way towards the wizened old dragon. Thrashing hard from the pain of the explosive blast that now filled the upper part of his cave the dragon shook his head side to side and then let out a mighty roar which quickly melted into a laugh. "I am impressed that you have made it this far into my layer, foolish ones. I regret to say that none of you shall make it out alive." The Wyrm smashed its massive talon down hard on the ground sending Jissa sprawling on her back and utterly helpless. Beatrix winced and dashed forward to snatch her friend out of the way before the dragon could act further, narrowly ducking as his massive claw sailed by just inches from her helm. "It is a shame though. I haven't had sport like this in some time." "You want sport?" A small voice came ringing though the cavern. The gigantic white turned his head to see a small creature weighed down with a large array of sacks an packs, thick metal rimmed glasses over her eyes pointing two wands directly at him. "What mockery is this? What does a simple merchant hope to accomplish? Run back to your carts girl before I decide to make you the appetizer." Belladonna just grinned when she heard this, two small dots of red light forming at the tips of the wands. "I'm not a merchant, I'm an Artificer."