[h2][center]Livia & Katherine Fiore[/center][/h2] [hr] [hr] Traversing Underhaven was a task in and of itself. Immediately upon entering the subterranean area, visibility became nearly zero. Bad, since she didn’t have any form of natural dark vision, but at least she made a good call in getting a lantern from Barthen. Doubly bad though, was simply how difficult this place was going to be to traverse. As soon as she got down there, a single, very important question, pressed itself into her mind. [color=a187be]“...Hm, now where would this ‘Lucilla’ be?”[/color] Taking a brief look around, she quietly observed the distance in front of her with the limited vision she had before quietly taking off in what seemed to be the correct direction. Eventually she came to a crossroads where it seemed something had happened recently? Hm. Now which way to - [color=a187be]“Ah,”[/color] Stepping into view just at the edge of her lantern, her sister materialized out of the darkness. [color=a187be]“Sister. I was almost hoping you would have already left. My luck today is abysmal.”[/color] She grumbled, rubbing the side of her face once more with her hand. Nartur had some strong hands. Too bad she didn’t seem intent on showing her how she used them in a fun way. [color=a187be]”Did you get the Snake Venom?”[/color] [color=green]”Well, I ran into a couple of bloody brats. Not a figure of speech. They pinned one against a wall for a prank. Truly disgusting. On the bright side, I met a nice lady that gave me meat that I still worry might be human of some sort. She even allowed me to stay with her for the night. Might even have a bit more if you can read between the lines.”[/color] Katherine added, walking over to Livia and poking at her shoulder. She had a Ribbon tied in her hair, Livia might even notice. A noticeable difference from her appearance earlier. [color=a187be]"…Are you stupid?"[/color] Livia bluntly stated, eyes widening in both mild suspicion and concern. Brats aside, this 'nice lady' seemed incredibly suspicious. Not to mention hearing the fact that Katherine may be spending the night with someone else made her slightly more irritable than she'd care to admit. [color=a187be]"You think she gave you meat that might be human…and you're going to stay with her for tonight? That's ridiculous even for you, Katherine."[/color] Livia replied looking over to the ribbon tied in Katherine's hair. Well…it was a nice ribbon at least. Sighing, she lowered the lantern, taking a quick look around them to make sure no one or nothing was about to get the jump on them. [color=a187be]"…besides,"[/color] She cast a glance over to her sister. [color=a187be]"…Well, I have a voucher for three free nights at the Inn…and it’s not like we're not used to sharing a bed."[/color] [color=green]”I mean, I figured someone would be too pissed off at me for something or another to even think about rooming with me at all.”[/color] Katherine said, looking at Livia as if she wasn’t imagining such a thing would come from Livia’s mouth. [color=green]”Since you were quite a bit moody earlier and all.”[/color] [color=a187be]"Tch-"[/color] Livia scoffed lightly at the insinuation. [color=a187be]"I'm always pissed at you for some reason or another."[/color] She replied sharply. [color=a187be]"But can I not be nice for once? It's been a long journey and as loathe as I am to admit it…you are the least annoying person in my life right now."[/color] Livia had her reasons for saying such things. Perhaps a little manipulative on her end, after hearing Katherine say she was planning on spending the night with a woman she didn't know, but then, she wasn't really lying either. [color=a187be]"But fine, don't take my kindness. Go sleep with some possibly human-eating floozy instead. I take it you didn't get the snake venom?"[/color] [color=green]”You know, when you try you can be kind of sweet.”[/color] Katherine added, poking lightly at Livia’s face. [color=green]”I’ve not gotten the Snake Venom yet, but I did, on the other hand, find the way there.”[/color] Katherine sighed a bit on the subject but seemed fine otherwise. [color=green]”The woman who gave me all this stuff and the ribbon told me where to go. It’s this way.”[/color] She added, pointing down the path that would take them towards the Underhaven proper, rather than toward Nemuno’s domicile. [color=green]”With that done then, shall we move this conversation back in time a bit? Who said I didn’t want to take the small amount of kindness you gave me?”[/color] Katherine asked with a somewhat sly look on her face. [color=a187be]"Hmph,"[/color] Turning her head sharply, Livia was glad the dim lighting probably covered the red in her cheeks. [color=a187be]"Offer rescinded. Too late, I'll go get a floozy of my own!"[/color] Katherine would probably know that was an utter lie though. [color=green]”Oh? What kind of floozy? I can’t imagine the Livia Fiore that’d go out and find a floozy.”[/color] Katherine teased a bit. [color=green]”Do tell what you’re looking for. Perhaps… An Aasimar?”[/color] [color=a187be]“If my sister wants to find herself a floozy, I can too."[/color] Livia grumbled in response. [color=a187be]"And why, would I want one of those disgusting heavenly beings? I'd rather spend some quality time with a much more learned being. Like Tiefling." [/color] Livia began walking, eager to finally get this conversation away from this particular subject for now. [color=green]”You’re so cute sometimes. You remember, I happen to be somewhat tiefling as well?”[/color] She questioned, following behind her “sister”. [color=green]”Just remember, I could hardly turn down an offer from you. Well, hardly. Unless I really can’t for some reason.”[/color] She added. [color=green]”So… How did the orc issue go?”[/color] Katherine asked. For some reason, she felt it went about as well as her Aasimar twin situation earlier. [color=a187be]"Well,"[/color] Livia sighed, face still red as a tomato. Good, they were finally off that topic. [color=a187be]"Nartur was about as friendly as could be expecting. It went well at first, I got her talking but it quickly went downhill from there. She's intent on seeing nobles such as ourselves as villains, and refused to sell…so I left and am currently looking for alternative methods to acquire the Hash Resin we need."[/color] She paused a moment letting Katherine absorb the information. [color=a187be]"I intend to meet with this Lucilla to see if she perhaps has some in stock or other solutions."[/color] Another pause followed by a change in topic again. [color=a187be]"So what was the name of this floozy anyways?"[/color] Her paranoia was acting up again, wasn't it? Tch. [color=green]”Eh? Oh, you mean Nemuno? That’s her name, though she’s not really a floozy. Kind of more a… Mama bear? I guess. She’s a tiefling… I think. ”[/color] Katherine answered, not one hundred percent certain. The woman was a bit odd, to be fair. [color=green]” Let me just tell you what happened. She was actually really strong. I, uhhh, complimented her muscles and wanted to touch them. Only people I’ve even seen like that are guards or something of the sort. She then took me in a bear hug and suggested…. Things.”[/color] Katherine’s facial expression should have been enough to tell Livia what that meant. [color=green]”But…. I wanted to help you finish the job so I told her I’d come back tonight… Then I was outside her front door with some supplies.”[/color] Katherine seemed visibly a slight bit confused before snapping out of it. Livia simply gave her sister a perplexed look. Only her sex fiend of a sister could possibly ever do something ridiculous as she had just described. More importantly, there was something off about her sisters description of events. More so than her just being confused and going into detail about the womans' physique. She narrowed her eyes at Katherine slightly. Well, nothing too odd about the latter part. That was perfectly normal for her sister to ogle some woman than go into detail about how they look. It was the confusion part that worried her slightly…Kat was stupid, not incompetent, but it was probably nothing. [color=a187be]"Told her you'll be back tonight, huh? So you liked this floozy so much that you don't even recall leaving, just her muscles and tits."[/color] Livia mused. She'd make a mental note of the name for now, but it was probably nothing. She was being silly and Katherine was likely just over exaggerating events like usual. [color=a187be]"And what of your sister dearest? Going to leave her for tonight after telling me you’d never say no to me?"[/color] She really wasn't looking to get back on that topic, but Katherine just had to bring it up again. [color=green]”Hmmm… I don’t remember the point from talking to her about staying over the night to the point of being outside her door. It’s like a blank.”[/color] Katherine was confused still, trying to piece together what happened. [color=green]”Well, I might be convinced to spend the night with you, you know?”[/color] She shook the thought off and turned to her “sister”. [color=a187be]"A blank…? That's not good."[/color] Livia frowned. If she couldn't remember that certainly was odd. People didn't just blank on events like that unless they had a mental illness were affected by something. Katherine wasn't naturally scatter brained enough to just clumsily blank that, either. She gripped the lantern more tightly, but ultimately didn't pursue the situation for now. First thing first, they were going to finish up their meeting with Lucilla…and she'd potentially ask if she was familiar with this 'Nemuno' person. [color=a187be]"I'm hurt,"[/color] Stopping and turning to her Sister once more, Livia smirked. [color=a187be]"You said you'd never turn me down and here you are making me convince you."[/color] Taking a step closer to Katherine, Livia placed a finger on her lips. [color=a187be]"You did come all this way just to see me, didn't you? And now you're going to see someone else. Have you already forgotten who the boss in our relationship is, Katherine dear? Perhaps I need to thoroughly remind you."[/color] Swiftly turning back down the path, Livia began walking again. [color=a187be]"Later. I think Barthen sells some pretty sturdy rope."[/color] [color=green]”I always thought I was the boss in our relationship, personally. And I’m not sure I like your idea with rope…”[/color] Katherine said out to the air. It was sigh inducing for sure. Oh well, they needed to get these items for the spider teacher. [color=green]”But yes, Shall we go to talk to this Lucilla.”[/color] Unlike the path that Katherine took, this side of Underhaven had far less narrow, winding corridors, and instead were oddly vast. Some areas were even held up with wooden beams and other support structures. Things seemed pretty straight and narrow until in the center of the path was a familiar face to Katherine; it was one of those young boys who pulled their prank on her, except this time there was a small blond girl with him. Also he appeared to actually be dead this time, what with his upper half of his body laid out on the ground while the girl was in the process of eating his guts. The blond child stood up and looked at the two girls with a smile, wiping her hands and face with a shred of white cloth from the boy’s dress. She spoke in a rather loud and shrill voice, almost to the point of screaming. [b]”Boo! You smell like food! Are you here for dinner too!?”[/b] Katherine actually felt a little bit sick. [color=green]”What in all the hells is this? Disgusting.”[/color] She muttered to herself, holding back being ill. She had ill-will towards that boy, but… well, one didn’t fake that sort of mutilation… did they? She just wanted to zap him a bit and teach a lesson. [color=green]”Who in the hells are you?”[/color] She asked, [color=green]”I swear if this is some prank there’s no dinner for you boys from Nemuno.”[/color] She pointed to the ribbon she had on. It seemed kind of unbelievable that the boy would randomly be killed by some girl. Where was the other twin? Well this was…something. Livia's eyes widened at the sheer gruesomeness of the display. Before she had a chance to speak up though, Katherine beat her to the punch. Ugh, why did she want to get involved here. And why did she think dropping that name here was going to be of any use? Unless Nemuno held some sway down here or something, but she didn't want to be involved with anyone who held sway of cannibalistic children. [color=a187be]"…Well, I don't quite know who you are child, but we're certainly not dinner. We're simply on our way to see Lucilla. Go back to your meal, we shall not bother you."[/color] Livia replied. [color=a187be]"Katherine, we need to move. I'd rather not linger down here any longer than needed. Underhaven is full of unscrupulous sorts from what I've heard."[/color] For the most part, Livia would ignore both the girl and her choice of dinner and would attempt continuing on. [b]”Ne-Mu-No? Oh! The meat lady. So you must be meat! Yaaaaay!”[/b] Suddenly a darkness began for form underneath the girl as she floated into the air, her body slowly flipping upside-down as she did so. [b]”Meet the meat! Meet the meat!”[/b] The darkness began to ooze some sort of black, vicious liquid that vanished as it fell through the air, though some still managed to get onto the girl’s white sleeves before vanishing without a trace. She let her arms hang down as she swayed back and forth, floating menacingly towards the two girls. Then the mass of darkness that covered her [url=https://i.imgur.com/IWqkspU.jpg]lower half of her body[/url] ripped open and revealed a very humanoid set of teeth and a very large tongue. [b]”Feeeeeeed me!”[/b] [color=green]”What in the hell is with this place!?”[/color] Katherine yelled as she stumbled backward as the girl turned into some grotesque monstrosity. As the creature yelled, “Feed me” Katherine remembered the meat that Nemuno gave her earlier. [color=green]”Damn it all!”[/color] She yelled again as she took the food and threw it at the creature. She didn’t particularly care where, as long as it was toward it. Immediately as Katherine tossed the meat at the monstrosity, Livia grabbed Katherine's hand before booking it around the creature. Hopefully it was distracted enough to at least let them get good distance before it tried to chase them further. Best case scenario, it went back to its easy meal. Damn it all, she'd have a serious talk with Katherine after this. The girl immediately went after the food, grabbing and gobbling it up before it could hit the ground. This would give the two girls a precious few seconds to get around the dark monstrosity as she turned around and gave chase. [b]|I am very, very crazy, very it won’t stop, not for all of eternity! All the world, into this maw|[/b] The girl began to sing in a foul demonic language as she chased after the two down the large tunnels. What was formerly a boon was now a curse; there were no winding paths to potentially lose this man-eating shadow, only a long and open path that the girl could easily maneuver around. She quickly gained upon the two but was always a few inches out of reach, her fingers just barely brushing the hair of whoever was slowest at the time. [b]|Come now, at this banquet in the darkness everyone and anyone is the fare! Can’t stop, can’t stop, eating, can’t stop, can’t stop, not ENOUGH!|[/b] That singing was not of this world! This creature, whatever it was, was definitely demonic in Origin. She'd know what that was more than anyone. Gritting her teeth, Livia grabbed Katherine's hand harder. Damn it damn it! She didn't come to this place to die a dogs death, and she certainly wasn't about to die to some pathetic demon child! Think Livia, think! What could she do here!? Her gaze went to her lantern, which was swaying back and forth wildly with her accelerated pace. It was paper too, so it should burn relatively easily. If the oil caught, then. Maybe, just maybe. They just needed to slow it down long enough to get to Lucilla's. [color=a187be]"Katherine, use that light cantrip, now!"[/color] Looking over her shoulder, she briefly judged where the monster was. Letting go of Katherine's hand, Livia tossed the Lantern back at the beast and continued running. She lost her source of light, but she at least trusted Katherine enough to be competent enough do as ordered. Ah, if she was the praying sort, this would be where she'd be doing it, wasn't it? Katherine was confused until she saw that Livia threw her lantern. When she did, the Aasimar understood and quickly casted her Light Cantrip on Livia’s Signet ring. [color=green]“Oh hells, what is going on down here.”[/color] Katherine muttered to herself afterward. She continued running with Livia, hoping they’d soon reach… Somewhere safer. As the lantern was tossed back, the girl deftly swiped the lantern out of the air, pouring the oil on the ground and tossing the empty snuffed out lantern behind her, still singing her demonic song. [b]”Anything can be eaten, even if you say no, hahaha…”[/b] The chase eventually lead to a series of corridors more organized than the winding pass that Katherine had found earlier. The halls were straight though the doors were bigger and and appeared to be made of stone. Still there was no sign of anyone in these halls, giving the impression that no one will come and save the two women. On the bright side at least now there was a way to go aside from forward. [b]|A full course, varied in life and existence, violence and pleasure on the palate! Don’t stop, don’t stop, feeding, Don’t stop, don’t stop, one more bite!|[/b] [color=green]”Damn it. Fine, you want some food?”[/color] Katherine asked while digging in her pocket. Since there were some different halls now, if she could distract this monster enough, they could hide. [color=green]”Well, if you want food, how about you go after these steaks!”[/color] She yelled, grabbing out the two wooden stakes she pocketed earlier. She chucked them as far down one of the corridors as she could, hoping the blonde girl monster would be distracted by the objects. Hopefully, the smell of blood from the Aasimar boy earlier would lure her to that…. If she worked on smell of course. [b]| Ah, it’s not enough, I can’t get enough– these impulses of original sin…|[/b] The girl smelled the blood and saw something being tossed to the side. Against her better judgement she went to case the stakes, not realizing the trickery until a few seconds later. Precious seconds which would give Katherine and Livia much needed time to put as much distance as they could from the crazy girl and let them out of her range. By the time the two were safely away from the girl, they were still lost, perhaps more so now since they couldn’t have possibly kept track of where they were going while running for their lives. The bare features of these halls didn’t help either. Worse still, while they weren’t being immediately chased by the girl, her furious howls still echoed throughout the halls. If they didn’t move quickly, she may end up finding them again either through scent or the light on Livia’s ring. Well, perhaps her sister wasn't as utterly useless as she looked. The demon chased those stakes, completely thrown off by whatever scent was on them. Livia panted, pausing just a moment to catch her breath. As she looked around. Damn it, out of a lantern and still in danger. Which way should they go? They couldn't go back lest they run into the girl again, so the only real way to go was forward. [color=a187be]"Whoever this Nemuno of yours is, is bad news."[/color] Livia grunted in idle thought, grinding her teeth together in mild frustration. This was a bad situation that they weren't going to get out of without some sort of plan. These stony halls were absolutely featureless though, and made it difficult to determine their location. [color=a187be]"Damn it…Kat, see anything that could help? Tracks or anything?"[/color] She couldn't see anything that could help, but perhaps her sister could see something better in the dark than she could. [color=green]”Let’s see.”[/color] Were there any tracks that would hopefully lead to the Underhaven? Not that she could see at least. The darkness didn’t help her much at all. Fucking hell. Lost in the dark. Damn it all. At least they had their lives for now. For now, they might need to wander around a bit. Maybe they could find some tracks elsewhere. To not bring attention to them, she canceled the Light Cantrip. [color=green]”You trust me, right Livia dear? To guide you in the dark.”[/color] Katherine said, gripping her sister’s hand. [color=a187be]"Don't have much of a choice."[/color] Livia frowned, squeezing her sisters hand tightly. She supposed Katherine didn't find anything at all. Curses. She shouldn't have so recklessly come down here without a map, guide, or something. Taking a deep breath, Livia replied. [color=a187be]"We need to move. Quickly. I'll try and keep an ear out for anything, too."[/color] Hearing the man-eating girl wasn’t too difficult considering that she kept screaming and shouting since she was separated from Livia and Katherine. Her voice would die down as the girls moved further away, but if they were getting closer to Underhaven or not was a big mystery. This place was its own realm and sure enough, had enough madness to share among the inhabitants. If there was one spark of hope left, it was a scent. The smell of roasted meats. Perhaps some sort of pork. Both of the girls could smell it and it was coming down a specific hall. There was smoke and the sight of a small but visible flame. Perhaps it was someone who could help. Or a cannibal cooking their meal. What would the girls do? The smell of roasted meats met Livia's nose, reminding her briefly of the kitchens at home. It was a direction, a hint or clue to something they could potentially get out of this mess…but the question remained whether it was friend or foe. Taking a few seconds to make a decision, Livia whispered quietly to her sister. [color=a187be]"Smell that? Meat."[/color] Livia made sure to pay attention to the rampaging monster. It was getting further away, good. [color=a187be]"We should see what it is. Cautiously and quietly. I don't trust anyone down here after that."[/color] If all else failed, and it was someone hostile…she fingered the knight on her belt. Well, she'd deal with that when it happened. Katherine smelled the air. There was a meaty smell. That was… Good? It’d be best to follow it really. Either she ended up going in the right direction or… Well, it had to be better than being chased by this monster. [color=green]”Yes, let’s follow our nose on this one.”[/color] Following the scent down the tunnel the sound of glowing water could also be vaguely heard. It seemed like they were nearing the ratway. Soon they would come across the source of the smell; a large pig Impaled on a stick being roasted over a fire. A tall figure stood near. It appeared to be cloaked in reeds but when they turned around they would see a man masked with a boar’s head [b]”Umu?”[/b] Water? That was comforting. At least if they got lost down here they might be able to do something with the water. What wasn't comforting however, was the fire that they could see from a distance. At least it made it so she didn't have to rely on Katherine's guidance for the time being. At least the smell wasn't eugh, human. [color=a187be]"Hmm…"[/color] Livia studying the figure in the dimly lit fire of the area. Some sort of…figured covered in reeds and wearing a boars head as a mask. She didn't understand what 'Umu' was, but perhaps it was a greeting of some sort? Motioning for Kat to stay quiet, Livia turned to this…well, what she hoped to be at least an amicable person. [color=a187be]"Greetings,"[/color] Livia began slowly. [color=a187be]"Are you…a resident here? Perhaps you could show us the way to the one known as Lucilla?[/color]" Livia asked, hoping to whatever spirits existed out there this thing wasn't some sort of demon again. Katherine let Livia speak, though she was ready to run again if she felt the need to do so. The boar man grunted and looked the opposite way, whistling loudly into the darkness. And from the darkness came a rather fat looking boar covered with moss and an armored plate head. It snorted and sniffed at the girls, and the man simple fed the boat some mysterious black lichen and made more grunting noises. The pig ate the fungi and started walking down the hall, stopping to see if the girls were following or not. The man simply motioned for them to follow the boar as he continued to grunt and cook his meal. Did this man want them to follow the boar? He didn't seem hostile, but for all she knew he was leading them to a slaughter house or something. [color=a187be]"Ahem, well…thank you?"[/color] Still, it was the closest thing they had as a lead for now, better than shuffling around in the dark. Sighing and taking Katherines hand again, Livia continued. [color=a187be]"I suppose it’s the best we have for now. Lead the way, will you? Best not to attract too much more attention to ourselves."[/color] Katherine nodded. [color=green]”Here’s hoping that this takes us where we need to go.”[/color] Katherine muttered loud enough for Livia to hear here. [color=green]”Feel safe with me Livia dear. I’ll follow the boar and try to warn you for holes in the road.”[/color] No holes in the road, but it was a long walk as the boat lead the two down the tunnel next to a cistern. It went on for many minutes until finally they reached a large wooden double door. Unlike the other doors this one was much more ornate and sturdy. A plaque written in Undercommon was hung up on the side. Next to it was some sort of picture that looked like half a sun under a tree. The boat looked at Livia and Katherine expectantly. “Well, I think it’s safe to assume we’re here. No idea what this sign says.” Katherine said. Katherine casted the light cantrip on Livia’s ring so she had any amount of vision for the moment. “Might need to turn it off again if things get hairy.” She added, looking to Livia. “Are you ready?” She asked, patting the boar on the head for the help. She’d give it food, but she didn’t have any left. [color=a187be]"Ugh, well, this took long enough."[/color] Livia grumbled, finally glad to be able to see again. This looked like the place at least, judging from the large ornate doors and wording. Y'know, maybe they should have put some road signs up or something. Would have really helped out quite a bit. [color=a187be]"Ready as I'll ever be,"[/color] Livia sighed. [color=a187be]"Lets find Lucilla. I have quite a few questions for her."[/color] [hr] [hider=Livia's Inventory] -bottle of black ink -quill -small knife -set of Fine Clothes -signet ring -scroll of pedigree -Soul gem Dagger -The book “Frothy Tales of Conquest” -1lb Kafei seeds Money: 4gp & 4SP Max carry weight: 135lbs [/hider]