The eyeslit had just opened beside her, so that the person inside did see Verialyn and not her. She could not look inside herself, so. And another stupid thing - if the door opened now, she would nearly fall into the house. So she tiptoed two steps backwards, avoding to get in sight of the eyeslit.
Serpent's Tooth
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LordLuck
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Ghor simply shut the eyeslit in a noisy manner. Long minutes passed by before the eyeslit opened again, his yellow eyes looking around to check the immediate perimeter.
Satisfied that he saw no other person beside the woman Verialyn, the bugbear started to unlock the elaborated trap mecanism of complicated iron locks. Closing the eyeslit, the door made a couple of noises of rasping metal and mecanical pieced getting in place.
Slowly did the door opened, the bugbear leaving one hand over his wicked scimitar before allowing the pair passage.
"Come in. The Master will see to you soon enough."
Satisfied that he saw no other person beside the woman Verialyn, the bugbear started to unlock the elaborated trap mecanism of complicated iron locks. Closing the eyeslit, the door made a couple of noises of rasping metal and mecanical pieced getting in place.
Slowly did the door opened, the bugbear leaving one hand over his wicked scimitar before allowing the pair passage.
"Come in. The Master will see to you soon enough."
Cherubian
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Verialyn had waited for his reappearance patiently, to a degree. She shot the occasional glance to her firend, with one funy grimace or another, tapped her fingers against the wood of the door or spent the time with similar fruitless activity.
When the bugbear did reappear, she became instantly curious, as that door definitely had an unusul locking mechanism, even of an area of the city like old town. This was going to be interesting.
With that thought she motioned for the gorgon to follow her and stepped into the house.
When the bugbear did reappear, she became instantly curious, as that door definitely had an unusul locking mechanism, even of an area of the city like old town. This was going to be interesting.
With that thought she motioned for the gorgon to follow her and stepped into the house.
Phyliss now saw the bugbear, that was dressed in a unusual way for his kind. So far, she had regarded his race to the many savage, dungeon-dwelling monsters she despised. Creatures that gave "monsters" a bad name by their brutish life and horrible manners. This one wasn't dressed in the usual mix of robbed armor, animal hides and rags. He was dressed very well, and could at least speak like a human. She shrugged and wondered what the master would look like. She entered the building and kept her eyes open.
LordLuck
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The bugbear stood quietly after closing the door, the locking mecanism springing itself welded shut at once. Crossing both of his large, muscled arms at his chest, he stood watching the girls in a soturn glare, his long, pointy canines protuding from his mouth in a debauched sneer.
"Master wishes to be a fine host, misses. Anything you might want, just ask."
The hall was large enough. A thick, circular rug wide enough for a market bank guarded the floor, as a wide, finely crafted stair lead upwards to the next floor. There was a door, covered in curtains up the inner balcony, and another further into this same level. A couple of bugbears, these garbed in more 'common' assorted fur and leathers, drapped around chainmail, stood at guard just before the stairs, each holding a heavy mace.
Poiting towards the table he had been sneering at, Ghor tried to be polite as Master had commanded.
"Can I offer you a cup of wine? A piece of bread or a slice of cheese?"
"Master wishes to be a fine host, misses. Anything you might want, just ask."
The hall was large enough. A thick, circular rug wide enough for a market bank guarded the floor, as a wide, finely crafted stair lead upwards to the next floor. There was a door, covered in curtains up the inner balcony, and another further into this same level. A couple of bugbears, these garbed in more 'common' assorted fur and leathers, drapped around chainmail, stood at guard just before the stairs, each holding a heavy mace.
Poiting towards the table he had been sneering at, Ghor tried to be polite as Master had commanded.
"Can I offer you a cup of wine? A piece of bread or a slice of cheese?"
Now that was a different bugbear, she had to admit.
"Thank you. A lass of wine would be handy." Phyliss looked around. Except for the bugbears, this place was really great.
"I am really curious of the master." whispered Phyliss to Verialyn.
"Thank you. A lass of wine would be handy." Phyliss looked around. Except for the bugbears, this place was really great.
"I am really curious of the master." whispered Phyliss to Verialyn.
Cherubian
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Verialyn carefully let her eyes wander across her surroundings. She was a little suspicious about the amount of bugbears present, but so far she did not feel threatened. The way the main entrance had immediately been locked again was a bit strange, but maybe their host would explain.
So she sauntered over to the table, withdrew one of the chairs, and elegantly sat down, one leg crossed over the other. Looking up to the robed ... butler? ... she replied with her usual smile.
"No, thank you, nothing for me right now. I will be content to wait for your master to grace us with his presence."
So she sauntered over to the table, withdrew one of the chairs, and elegantly sat down, one leg crossed over the other. Looking up to the robed ... butler? ... she replied with her usual smile.
"No, thank you, nothing for me right now. I will be content to wait for your master to grace us with his presence."
LordLuck
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"Master will be here shortly.", he said, trying to smile at Verialyn. However, his brutish features looked more like a mocking grin than a true, simple smile.
Ghor closed into the table, remaining standing as he pulled up the fine bootle of wine he had been awarded after his good services, as Master had instructed, and filled up a ceramic cup, lowering it almost not harshly against the table before the gorgon.
Although Phyliss was a most unusual creature, the bugbears almost seemed not to mind her at all.
"I am here to entertain you while Master readies himself to attend you. He is desolated to make you await for his presence...", he growled, taking another cup of wine to his own lips, eyeing Verialyn with curiosity.
Ghor closed into the table, remaining standing as he pulled up the fine bootle of wine he had been awarded after his good services, as Master had instructed, and filled up a ceramic cup, lowering it almost not harshly against the table before the gorgon.
Although Phyliss was a most unusual creature, the bugbears almost seemed not to mind her at all.
"I am here to entertain you while Master readies himself to attend you. He is desolated to make you await for his presence...", he growled, taking another cup of wine to his own lips, eyeing Verialyn with curiosity.
Phyliss walked a bit through the room, looking at everything, then she moved over to the table and sat down as well.
"As I am curious of the master, I find it strange that he seems to wait for us, as if he knew we would be coming. Or don't you have that impression?" She picked up the goblet and took a drink.
"As I am curious of the master, I find it strange that he seems to wait for us, as if he knew we would be coming. Or don't you have that impression?" She picked up the goblet and took a drink.
Cherubian
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Verialyn looked back at her friend. "That, or he just likes to be well prepared."
Placing her hands in front of her on the table she continued "But what makes me think more ... If this house was frequented with some regularity by guests, word should have gotten out of a household consisting of bugbears. Instead no one has heard of anything like that before."
Testing her limits, she then looked up to the bugbear, and with a wide grin she asked "So you are tasked to fulfill each of our wishes? Then how about a few scantly clad and good looking male dancers to entertain us? Preferably human?"
Placing her hands in front of her on the table she continued "But what makes me think more ... If this house was frequented with some regularity by guests, word should have gotten out of a household consisting of bugbears. Instead no one has heard of anything like that before."
Testing her limits, she then looked up to the bugbear, and with a wide grin she asked "So you are tasked to fulfill each of our wishes? Then how about a few scantly clad and good looking male dancers to entertain us? Preferably human?"
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Phyliss was just able to choke down some giggling, and a moment later she restored her cool and rather superior look of the lady who has seen all and is hard to impress, while she sipped her wine. Her friend really didn't act ladylike, but she did not protest. She was curious how the bugbear would react.
LordLuck
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At first Ghor was somewhat taken back, not knowing how to react to such an outrageous demand. Or confusing demand, after all. But he was not born yesterday. Ghor was one of the Master's most iminent willing thralls, and had gotten out of many other hard situations before.
"I... We do not have dancers, my lady. Master is wealthy, but does not enjoy such displays of futility."
Smiling at his clever retort, Ghor closed into the table, laying both furred hands over his strong chest again, turning to Verialyn with more than just curiosity.
"Master is educated, a wise one. He likes to show himself properly to all of his guest, even unnexpected ones. If the lady would really enjoy male dancers... I'm sure something could be arranged, should it be her wish. Doubtly human, I confess."
He sneered through his fanged mouth, getting a muffled giggle from one of the guards.
"I... We do not have dancers, my lady. Master is wealthy, but does not enjoy such displays of futility."
Smiling at his clever retort, Ghor closed into the table, laying both furred hands over his strong chest again, turning to Verialyn with more than just curiosity.
"Master is educated, a wise one. He likes to show himself properly to all of his guest, even unnexpected ones. If the lady would really enjoy male dancers... I'm sure something could be arranged, should it be her wish. Doubtly human, I confess."
He sneered through his fanged mouth, getting a muffled giggle from one of the guards.
LordLuck
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"I doubt I should, mamsel. Master is really strict. He may, however, tell you about it with no small gusto."
Ghor stood at his place, but even though Phyliss had started talking to him, he could not seem to take his yellow, savage eyes from Verialyn's long, slender legs.
Ghor stood at his place, but even though Phyliss had started talking to him, he could not seem to take his yellow, savage eyes from Verialyn's long, slender legs.
LordLuck
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"I am."
A loud voice echoed about the large hall. It was deliberately slow and calculating, sounding like a gurgling, drowning man dragged to the darkest dephts of a cold ocean. The bugbear warriors stood at attention at the sound of the voice, as did Ghor, who straightened himself, even though his eyes kept washing around Verialyn's legs.
Atop the stairs stood a lone, tall, lithe figure wearing an exquisitive, exotic robes of darkest blue, geometric patterns almost maddening to behold. Hooded and gloved, there was nothing strange of uncommon about this figure except his clothing... and the fact that four long, tentancle-like purple appendages protuded from his dark hood, waving around as if sensing the ambient.
The figure slowly walked down the stairs - which was weird, because he did not seemed to actually walk. He rather slided down the stairs, coming to stay tall and proud just above the bugbears, two steps still at the stairs.
"I am the Master of this Household. I am Ma'ant'Zek'Ur, and this is my Sanctuary."
The figure said, spreading his arms to show them around the place.
A loud voice echoed about the large hall. It was deliberately slow and calculating, sounding like a gurgling, drowning man dragged to the darkest dephts of a cold ocean. The bugbear warriors stood at attention at the sound of the voice, as did Ghor, who straightened himself, even though his eyes kept washing around Verialyn's legs.
Atop the stairs stood a lone, tall, lithe figure wearing an exquisitive, exotic robes of darkest blue, geometric patterns almost maddening to behold. Hooded and gloved, there was nothing strange of uncommon about this figure except his clothing... and the fact that four long, tentancle-like purple appendages protuded from his dark hood, waving around as if sensing the ambient.
The figure slowly walked down the stairs - which was weird, because he did not seemed to actually walk. He rather slided down the stairs, coming to stay tall and proud just above the bugbears, two steps still at the stairs.
"I am the Master of this Household. I am Ma'ant'Zek'Ur, and this is my Sanctuary."
The figure said, spreading his arms to show them around the place.
"Indeed you are." muttered Phyliss. In fact, this stylish figure was certainly more her taste, she loved men who dressed impressive and had some melodramatic qualities. The tentacles were a bit worrying, but she wouldn't be to intolerant about that; she shouldn't anyway, regarding her own "hair". There was only one thing really disturbing. She hadn't spoken - she had just thought the sentence that he had answered then.
Cherubian
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Verialyn reacted to Ghor's stares at her legs with a knowing grin, and even let her upper leg teeter slightly in his direction, as if to tease him. She had a hunch that he would not dare to assault her without given explicit permission.
That was when the master of the house made his entrance. Just like Phyliss her attention was immediately drawn to him, and she interpreted the tentacles a little differently than her friend. There was a species that sported such facial decoration, and from her past experience it was not a pleasant one to come across. But for now she would wait and observe, before taking any rash action. She did steel her mind though, shutting it off from the outside as Venerable Master Zhung had taught her some ... 150 years ago.
Thusly prepared she waited what their host would do next.
That was when the master of the house made his entrance. Just like Phyliss her attention was immediately drawn to him, and she interpreted the tentacles a little differently than her friend. There was a species that sported such facial decoration, and from her past experience it was not a pleasant one to come across. But for now she would wait and observe, before taking any rash action. She did steel her mind though, shutting it off from the outside as Venerable Master Zhung had taught her some ... 150 years ago.
Thusly prepared she waited what their host would do next.
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Phyliss second magic shield protected her against all magic that could cause physical damage, but nothing that would protect her from mindreading. Just as she thought "We wont have it as easy with this one as Verialyn thought." she realized that this could be read as well as her other worries she thought about.
"What can I do?" did she think. "The best thing would be not to think at all. Very difficult. Maybe I should just talk to prevent me from thinking to much..."
"It is indeed a wonderful place." did she say.
"What can I do?" did she think. "The best thing would be not to think at all. Very difficult. Maybe I should just talk to prevent me from thinking to much..."
"It is indeed a wonderful place." did she say.
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LordLuck
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He had been watching as his thrall Ghor interacted with both women. Somehow, he knew in an instinctive way that both could only meant trouble - yet, could also mean delight. Watching the gorgon, the illithid had decided to act as himself, rather than concealing his true form with illusions - after all, she did not. Perhaps it would be... amusing.
Expanding his mind, he found himself reading through Phyliss' mind without even trying to probe at her thoughts, her worries and ideas washing around clearly. It had already amused him that she knew what he could do. Smart girl.
However, the woman would prove a challenge. She knew some less than elaborated forms of concentration, which meant that he would have to probe at her mind forcefully if he wished to read her thoughts - and that would be unconfortable for her. Ma'ant'Zek'Ur did not wished to act like an enemy - for now.
And Ghor. Ghor was having his own depraved ideas about the woman. Perhaps he'd indulge on it, later on... perhaps. Although controlled in his presence, the bugbear was really interested in Verialyn's legs.
"My thanks.", his low voice replied, his eyes concealed under his hood. "I beg you, ladies, who are you, and to what do I own the honour of your visit?"
Expanding his mind, he found himself reading through Phyliss' mind without even trying to probe at her thoughts, her worries and ideas washing around clearly. It had already amused him that she knew what he could do. Smart girl.
However, the woman would prove a challenge. She knew some less than elaborated forms of concentration, which meant that he would have to probe at her mind forcefully if he wished to read her thoughts - and that would be unconfortable for her. Ma'ant'Zek'Ur did not wished to act like an enemy - for now.
And Ghor. Ghor was having his own depraved ideas about the woman. Perhaps he'd indulge on it, later on... perhaps. Although controlled in his presence, the bugbear was really interested in Verialyn's legs.
"My thanks.", his low voice replied, his eyes concealed under his hood. "I beg you, ladies, who are you, and to what do I own the honour of your visit?"
Phyliss looked over to Verialynn, and found her face concentrated. She wasn't a magic, but she had learned over the time she had some techniques that might protect her from reading minds.
"Don't think, Phyliss, don't think. But how to speak and answer without thinking..." she smiled and just moved and acted in a way she usually did when she was in a wealthy house, being welcomed by the more or less charming host. Small-talk didn't require to much thinking, at least not for her. She had practised it in many years and could nearly do it in sleep.
"Oh, we were plainly curious, I must admit..." said Phyliss, while she tried not to think and think of something in the same time, which could not work. She had a strange idea, but thoughts are free, so she thought:
"Please do not read my mind. It would be rude and no good taste in doing. While your clothes and furniture speak of good taste, in opposite. Except for the guards, maybe..."
"Don't think, Phyliss, don't think. But how to speak and answer without thinking..." she smiled and just moved and acted in a way she usually did when she was in a wealthy house, being welcomed by the more or less charming host. Small-talk didn't require to much thinking, at least not for her. She had practised it in many years and could nearly do it in sleep.
"Oh, we were plainly curious, I must admit..." said Phyliss, while she tried not to think and think of something in the same time, which could not work. She had a strange idea, but thoughts are free, so she thought:
"Please do not read my mind. It would be rude and no good taste in doing. While your clothes and furniture speak of good taste, in opposite. Except for the guards, maybe..."
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Cherubian
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Verialyn shook her head amused at the gorgon's ability to maintain small talk even under such tense circumstances. Despite her youth in a rich house she never could get into it to such a degree. But they were not here for small talk anyways, and she was not sure how long she would be able to keep the mind reader out of her thoughts. So better just be honest up front, that would hurt them less than make up a useless web of lies.
So she tantalized the obviously interested Ghor once more by giving him a good view of her legs and smiling at him friendly, before she turned to the master of the house.
"As my friend already said, we were curious ..." she made a little dramatic pause "... who was currently inhabiting our estate. You see, we came recently into its possession via acquiring the ownership certificate, and naturally we would now like to check up on it."
So she tantalized the obviously interested Ghor once more by giving him a good view of her legs and smiling at him friendly, before she turned to the master of the house.
"As my friend already said, we were curious ..." she made a little dramatic pause "... who was currently inhabiting our estate. You see, we came recently into its possession via acquiring the ownership certificate, and naturally we would now like to check up on it."
"Uh-ooh. Now it is out." thought Phyliss. She wondered if the current owner would keep out of her mind just out of politeness, but she had some doubts about that. She wondered if they should try to move back, they had enough even without that house. But once as it was said, it was unlikely that their host would simply let them go. And she really felt a bit afraid, even with her two shields, her self-healing abilities and her petrification powers. She just had the feeling that this creature had probably protection against their special powers. She was thinking to much again... Although nervous, she had her face and her body in perfect control, and looked cool, self-confident and slightly smiling, although her snakes moved frantically in excitement. But of course you had to be able to interpret the movements of a gorgons snake to know so, or at least she hoped so. She started to speak.
"Of course, we assumed that the house wasn't standing empty to decay, and that there would be someone taking care of it meanwhile."
"Of course, we assumed that the house wasn't standing empty to decay, and that there would be someone taking care of it meanwhile."
LordLuck
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It was almost too much information to process at once. After all, reading only into his servants minds had taken a small toll into Ma'ant's mind reading capabilities. Perusing into the gorgon's, it was amusing to find out that she knew that he could do it, sensing her wishes to keep him out of her mind, away from his mental rape.
"I fear that has to be a misunderstanding. I own the rights of dwelling in this house by contract.", he gurgled, his voice never sounding any pleasant. "Perhaps we should talk while I lead you around? I think we might get acquainted as we agree on a course of action."
He waved his arms towards himself, allowing to point at Phyliss while only acknowleding the Vampiress. Waving his slick tentacles around in a water-like motion, he considered how to deal with them. The gorgon was something interesting, after all. Not a savage beast, this one. Her exotic looks had surely won his attention.
Not that Verialyn was being neglected. She was a beaulty on her own, and Ma'ant surely felt her influence around her, not remaining coldly detached. He knew the bugbears felt it as well, her seductive motions working wonders, but still far from even reaching the measure of control his mind exerced over the thralls. Ghor was specially interested in the woman, he knew.
"I fear that has to be a misunderstanding. I own the rights of dwelling in this house by contract.", he gurgled, his voice never sounding any pleasant. "Perhaps we should talk while I lead you around? I think we might get acquainted as we agree on a course of action."
He waved his arms towards himself, allowing to point at Phyliss while only acknowleding the Vampiress. Waving his slick tentacles around in a water-like motion, he considered how to deal with them. The gorgon was something interesting, after all. Not a savage beast, this one. Her exotic looks had surely won his attention.
Not that Verialyn was being neglected. She was a beaulty on her own, and Ma'ant surely felt her influence around her, not remaining coldly detached. He knew the bugbears felt it as well, her seductive motions working wonders, but still far from even reaching the measure of control his mind exerced over the thralls. Ghor was specially interested in the woman, he knew.
"I would love to see it." said Phyliss and smiled, while she got up. She noticed she had some pain in her bottom because she had been to shook up after the barbarian was finished with her to heal herself as usual. Her lower entries were hurting from the stretching, and she hoped that the barbarians seemen would not leak out, even after her careful washing. She blushed a little as she realized that Ma'ant could have read her mind, but she soon got herself under control. Maybe he would not read her mind after she "said" that it would be unpolite and bad taste? Probably not. But she would play along and not risk anything. Still, the creature, she did not know a name for it, had some style. Something attracted her about him, but she knew he could not be trusted at all.
