[Game Thread] The Cell

[Gunslinger 19]

The imp's eyes glint with interest at Luna's words to him. Aloud, and in common, he says, "You... are an interesting one. I cannot grant you permission to speak with my master - such is beyond my station. However, I can promise that neither you or your friends will be harmed by us this night unless provoked. The old man, though... He is ours."

The imp screeches a command to its kin that, while articulate, is too high-pitched for any of you to understand. They all fly away from the party, focusing instead on the guards and the dragon. The next few moments are filled with the clash of force against force. Small claws clash against hard steel, and the warden's large claws cleave through a few of the imps. The demons, while ferocious for their size, have met against a prepared force that is clearly stronger than they bargained for. More are piling in through the windows, though, and the guards cannot hold out indefinitely.

[Frogman]

Yes! Damn right this cutlery is silver! Chance turns over to Samus with a grin spread across his semi-aquatic face, I'm all for a heroic fight Samus but it appears the imps have other concerns, do you want to leave this party, seek entertainment elsewhere?

OoC Chance holds his action until he sees what his compatriot's response is. You guys want out? Great distraction.

[cruelcynic]

As Samus just stands, drooling as chance speaks to him Shump decides to take action. "Froggy, lil'girl, it's time ta get da hells outta here!"
He runs over and picks up Samus and makes his way to the door.

[Frogman]

Righto! Let the big man make the decisions! Take the initiative! Grab the distressing non-damsel and let us be away! Chance jubilantly shouts as he hops after the giant man.

Oh what a glorious scene! A dashing escape! An angry dragon! A swarm of demons! And an attractive underdog party in the center!

[Gunslinger 19]

You are not pursued as you depart the dining hall - the imps have sworn peace for some reason unbeknownst to you, and the guards have their hands full. As you exit the room, the clashing, roaring and screeching behind you rages on.

You emerge into the spiral staircase that brought you here. From here you have two options: Up or down. Neither seem particularly desirable to you, but those are the options available.

It also occurs to you that in the state of things, going outside probably wouldn't be the best idea. Even if the flying demons leave you alone, the weather might kill you.

[Frogman]

My vote is on down good chaps (and chappess) I don't think we'll find a way out if we ascend the tower, but there's a good chance that the way down maybe has a way out of the prison, one with less imps and bad weather.

[cruelcynic]

"Down it is then!" Shump starts down the stairs, Samus still over his shoulder.

[Kazegami]

Smiling a triumphant grin, Luna made haste in her pursuit to follow the other members of their company of misfortune strangers. Ignoring the frog's comments, Luna managed to keep up with the them. Luna made no talk as she rushed past the frog and started her descent of the stairs.

[Frogman]

Right follow the cutest little harbinger of death! The girl seems to know where she wants to go.

Chance hurries down after her, occasionally scurrying down the walls and hopping between levels of stairs.

[cruelcynic]

As Shump starts walking down, an odd smell grabs his attention. He takes a few quick sniffs at Samus on his shoulder and stops. "Ya know what?" He asks no one in particular. "I think he is dead." Shump pauses a moment evaluating the man he is carrying. Then without warning tosses him over the edge without even looking to where the body lands. Shump starts whistling an upbeat tune and he continues down the stairs.

[Frogman]

Oh my...

[Gunslinger 19]

You're beginning to grow sick of all these stairs. The descent is no easier than the ascent, and the occasional glimpses of the exterior grant you no relief. Often, all you can see outside is a snowy haze, colored a sickly purple from whatever magic is going on out there. Occasionally, small black figures will swoop past the windows, but they either don't see you, or they're ignoring you. Of the grandiose character with black wings you saw earlier, there is no sign.

Inside the tower is no better. You pass by many doors, but few of them grant any passage beyond a rattling of the door that bars you. Some doors are open, though; this tower housed many of the guardsmen, but it is vacant now. Their rooms are empty, their armaments taken, and you wonder where your captors have all gone.

Eventually, you grow aware that you are nearing the base of the tower, as the ground outside grows vaguely visible. As you continue your descent, you suddenly hear a voice coming from below.

"No... No! Please don't run, you silly thing, I only want to - Arcades! Come back!"

A tiny figure soars up the stairs at you. You don't get a good look at it, but it seems to have draconic features. It flies around your group momentarily, then zips out a nearby window.

"Arcades!" A short girl comes running up the stairs after you, then stops in surprise at your appearance. The girl is short - shorter than Luna, even - and has bright blue hair coming out of a brown hood. She wears dirty goggles that can't quite conceal the gleam of her silver eyes.

She looks at each of you, and her eyes widen in recognition at Shump. Trying to catch her breath, she says, "Did you folks see a baby dragon fly past here?"

[Frogman]

Mercy I'm tired, just when you think you've hit bottom you find another 80 stairs. It's like this damn tower goes on to the heart of the Earth. Internal checklist, noble friend- deceased...big guy- check...scary girl- check...flying monster- check... Wait what was that? Wait who is this?

If that's what you call that blur of creature that flew past here and out the window then yes. I did perchance happen to see a baby dragon. Now I don't believe I've had the pleasure miss?

[cruelcynic]

Shump somehow manages to not let the tedium of the stairs get him down. He was well into a deep consideration of whether his brain plots escape while he sleeps when what seems to be a baby dragon flies by. "Huh? Well you don't see that every day." Without a look back he just keeps going until stopped by a small hooded figure.

Shump kneels down to get a better look. A low growl creeps from his throat as he moves. His hand rests firmly on the pommel of his sword. He eyes the small creature for a moment taking a few sniffs, his ogre face all crumpled up and angry looking. "AH HA!" His face suddenly changes to big eyed and smiling. "Yer da one that unlocked me from da boat! You don't wanna go up their. So much crazy goin on. Your boss turned into a dragon, human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!"

[Gunslinger 19]

"Dogs and cats? Why would they be he - wait, mister Walsh was attacked?" the girl asks, her eyes round. "Then it's... Not safe upstairs." She removes her goggles to get a better look at you all in the dimness. "I'm Trig. Trig the picker. Come on, I have somewhere we can hide for the night."