[center][h3]Ms Fortune[/h3]
[b]Level 4[/b] Nadia (88/40)
[b]Location:[/b] The Maw
Blazermate's [@Archmage MC], Bowser's [@DracoLunaris], Ace Cadet's [@Yankee], Sakura's [@Zoey Boey], Mirage’s [@Potemking], Link’s [@Gentlemanvaultboy]
[b]Word Count:[/b] [/center]

In only a few short moments the bread roll had disappeared so thoroughly that no trace of its former existence remained, and though Nadia could scarcely describe the relief that just a solitary bit of food brought her aching insides, she reached out a hand clawing for more before she even finished chewing. The pale waif on the other side of the bars shrank back from her sharp-nailed swipes, fearful and wary, and as Nadia tried to correct the misunderstanding she almost inhaled a fragment of bread. Instantly she broke down coughing, which prompted the shadowy child on the other side to draw further away from the sudden noise. It took only a moment for her to get the morsel out and then to deal with it properly, but by that time her small savior’s trepidation had borne him far beyond her reach.

At least for the moment it looked like Nadia would be stuck hungry, and the realization that she’d probably squandered her chance at a full meal in her greed made her heart sink. When Mirage questioned her from behind she looked back over her shoulder at him, curious. Did she feel any different? Not really. Right now, it was hard to think about anything but getting something to eat, but that definitely preceded her first bite. “Hm? Whaddya mean?” Faintly she remembered a few off-handed words of caution, bandied about on the boat rides earlier that day, but nothing concrete came to mind. If there had been some seminar about not snacking on the Maw, she’d missed it. With a longing glance at the laden cafeteria tables Nadia patted herself down, hunting for any irregularity. “I think I’m okay?” she answered after a couple seconds. “I mean, I’m still really sore and tired and hungry, but I’m not teeterin’ on the edge or anything.”

The conversation came to an end as the ravenous Koopa Troop got to work. Despite his weakened state Bowser actually managed to bend the bars, convincing Nadia with a flash of hope that everyone could conceivably get in with a little teamwork. Once they realized that Mimi could actually just reach through and grab food, however, they quickly abandoned that strategy in favor of stuffing their faces. Inside the cafeteria, the captive children fled in apparent terror from both the pokemon’s long, shadowy arms and the inhuman creatures in front of them, vanishing into the darkness under the tables and along the far wall. The questions of Rika and Kamek would receive no answer.

Nadia wanted to run right over there with the Bowsers and join in, but climbing up to the windowsill had taken just about everything she had left. She groaned, certain that no other peace offerings would be forthcoming from the kids inside, and peered around. There had to be a way in. One snack would buy her a little time, but she still felt close to starvation, and those held in place so far by their restraint were even worse off. Baring her teeth, Nadia tried reaching through the bars once again.

In her futile struggle she could hear Link’s musing as he tried to parse the situation. She considered the matter a little herself. “Maybe it’s not meant for us?” she thought aloud. “Or maybe we’re not meant to be here. Normal kids wouldna made it outta the junk room, let alone the flooded place.” Even her bright, slitted eyes had trouble identifying many details about the unknown children in the shadows, and despite Link’s request none seemed forthcoming. They hung their heads and stared at the floor in apparent resignation, wanting nothing to do with the noisy intruders. “They’re like prisoners,” she noticed, the connection having struck her like lightning. “Locked doors, bars, all depressed-lookin’’. They must be hungry, but they’re not eatin’ much. Just nibbles here and there.”

Running a hand up one of the bars and getting a feel for its sturdiness, Bella added, “Maybe there [i]is[/i] something wrong with the food.” Though famished herself, she looked at the Koopas warily, then back into the room. “Something that leads them to eat only the bare minimum to survive.”

“Kids, food, traps...” Nadia’s stomach growled, longing for more, and she pulled her ears in frustration. “Nyagh! I just can’t concentrate!” She shot the others a pleading expression. “Look, even if it is cursed or something, it’s not like we’ve got a lotta options. We’re all tired and starvin’. We don’t know how much farther we gotta go, and if we don’t have the strength to keep movin’ we’re never gonna get out. It’s not like I wanna stuff myself either! A little fuel in the tank’s all I’m askin’ for.”

Peach took Link’s logic a step further. “These bars are either meant to keep them in, us out, or both. At this point it’s hard to imagine that whoever designed this place is accounting for escapees. Whatever it’s for, it’s not supposed to kill whoever eats it.” Hands clasped over her stomach, she looked miserably at the laden tables. “I don’t know how much farther I can go without eating anything.”

“I can get us in.” Her attention fell on Bella as the Abyssal turned around. “I only just gained my own life, and I don’t want to die.” She aimed the maw of her leviathan tail at the base of one of the bars. “Neither me, nor any of you.” A moment later the moulding blasted apart in a spray of dust and splinters. Once it cleared the little princess reached her tail up to bite into the bar and work it free in a series of tugs. Evidently made for confining ordinary children, the obstacle soon gave way, and the newcomers could squeeze inside.

First through the breach was Nadia, who practically dragged herself through. She flopped down onto a table, jostling the plates and bowls. An open tin of sardines caught her attention, and without hesitation the kitten began pulling the saucy little fishes a few at a time to devour them whole. Bella and Peach followed her in, both princesses too ravenous for decorum. “I will gladly take one for the team,” the Abyssal announced, though whether out of selflessness or selfishness it was difficult to tell. “If there are side effects, I will discover them.” So saying she started chowing down, using both her real mouth and the maw of her tail.

While the feast began, Link realized that not every captive child kept their difference. A single brave soul, scrawny as he was dirty, with a mop of dark hair over his eyes and a broken fetter on his ankle that marked him as a [url=https://i.imgur.com/k2xZHuj.png]Runaway Kid[/url], approached. He began by holding a finger to his lips with some urgently, asking for quiet among the newcomers. With a sweeping gesture he indicated the food scattered through the cafeteria, then the little prisoners, before pointing toward the rope ceaselessly bringing cheesecloth-wrapped parcels toward the kitchen. From inside the cafeteria it was easier to get a grasp of their size as they tangled, being both wider and taller than any child present by a good margin. His finger traced the path of one unknown package as it made its way steadily toward the hole by the door, terminating on the padlock. After that, it took only an indication of Link’s key to make the connection. With another finger to his lips, the Runaway turned in the direction of the kitchen and made a beckoning motion.