I probably could have rated this as K+ since there wasn't any language or 'action' in it, but for some reason Skithia was a lot more suggestive than I had planned, so I figured T would be the more appropriate rating. I have to give credit to Dax0042 for helping me think of locations Skithia would actually go to; the Iron Pillar part probably wouldn't have been here if he hadn't suggested it.
The story itself was inspired by Ashangel101010's 'When his song died'. I felt so bad for Skithia that I had to write something happy for her. Now I'm probably going to have to do something for Atrapol...
Disclaimer: I do not own Chaotic
Krekk was more worried than usual when Atrapol summoned him to his private chambers. As the commander of Van Bloot's army, Atrapol was in charge while the rebel-leader was gone. What made it worse was that Atrapol hated Krekk for his cowardliness and did not bother to hide it. If he was summoning Krekk, it was likely to send him on a death-mission.
The doors to his private chambers opened with a screech, sending chills down Krekk's spine. Atrapol was standing calmly in the room with the same harsh emptiness his eyes always held. "Close the doors." Atrapol commended. Krekk didn't hesitate to do as he was told. "I have a mission for you." Atrapol confirmed "I want you to spy on Skithia."
Krekk's face made it clear that he was not expecting that order. In all the solans he had worked with the secretive female, he had never thought of her as a traitor to Van Bloot, although now that he had been banished, her intentions were clearly unknown.
"Is there anything in particular I need to watch out for?" Krekk asked, not wanting to displease a superior.
"Everything." Krekk flinched, and Atrapol narrowed his eyes at the coward and continued "Report back to me in three days. As the new ruler, I feel the need for an heir."
"Any particular female in mind?" Krekk asked innocently, clearly not understanding what Atrapol was saying.
"Out!" Atrapol commanded. Krekk rushed out to find Skithia. Knowing she spent most of her time in her bedroom, Krekk figured it would be best to wait for her to come out.
I should have brought a book. Krekk scolded himself four hours later. "What is she doing in there?" he asked quietly "Surely she he's to come out sometime to eat." Then the thought of her keeping food in her room occurred to him. Krekk wanted to scream, but he knew that doing so would alert her to his presence. But perhaps that was the best way to get her out of her room; maybe she just needed something to distract her from what ever she was doing.
Knowing that screaming would make it to easy for her to recognize him, he decided to do something more dangerous. Summoning what little courage he had, the Underworld spy ran to her door, knocked three times, then ran for the next turn and hid, hoping she wouldn't catch him. Just as he predicted, she slowly opened her door. Not seeing anyone, she looked to her left, then to her right.
"Who's there?" she asked. Skithia was clearly upset about being disturbed. Krekk shuttered at the thought of her finding out it had been him.
She locked her doors and left. Krekk followed her until she was nearing the doors of Gothos Tower. When he realized she was heading out, he quickly made his way to a balcony to watch where she went. Surprisingly she was leaving the Tower.
Perhaps she really has gone back to Chaor's side. Krekk thought as he watched her leave his sight, waiting for her to get far enough away from the tower for him to have something to hide behind while he continued to spy on her.
Skithia walked calmly through Underworld City, ignoring the glances all the other creatures were giving her. It didn't take Krekk long to see that she was going towards the Inferno Inn. The hotel part of it was no big deal, but the restaurant in it was a popular place.
This is perfect. Krekk thought I'll just wait a few minutes then sit down next to her. She won't think anything of it.
Krekk's plan never came into play. Apparently the Underworlders who were in there at the time didn't like being in the same room as her after all the trouble she had gotten herself into. After she walked out, someone screamed loud and clear "And don't come back!"
With that place not being an option at the moment, Skithia decided to go to a place where no one had ever bothered her. Unaware that Krekk was following her, she lead him to one of her favorite places; Iron Pillar. Since the place was not in good shape for climbing on and it was a bit out of the way, not a lot of creatures visited, making it the perfect place for her to play. She jumped from rusty iron bar to rusty iron bar, knowing from experience that they were capable of supporting her. She got higher up and close to the center of it before trying a stunt. Allowing herself to start to fall backwards, she did a backflip before grabbing that same bar.
Krekk's heart skipped a beat as he watched her. She was one of Gothos Tower's main warriors; if anything happened to her, it would severely weaken the rebel army. Even if she was a possible traitor, he couldn't let her kill herself. She continued to jump and do gymnastics until she was ready to leave. She looked around to make sure no one was watching. Krekk hid behind the large rock he was standing behind, hoping she wouldn't sniff the air and smell him.
Deciding that no one would see her, she walked into a small platform and over to a large pole connecting that platform to another one. She grabbed it with one hand and placed her thighs on either side and as she slid down, she spun in circles around it. When she neared the bottom of the iron pole, she stopped. Placing the back of one hand dramatically over her forehead, she bent herself backwards.
Oh snap! Krekk thought Isn't that considered pole dancing?
She put her other hand on the platform and did a cartwheel, still unaware that she was being watched. She walked calmly to another rusty, old iron bar, expecting it to support her like it had done many times in the past. However, this time it broke. Krekk rushed to her rescue, no longer worried about getting caught. She tried to use a vine snare to grab another bar, but for some reason it was wood instead of iron. Having expected it to be metal, she had too tight of a grip on it and it snapped just as she stopped falling. Her eyes widened as she fell again, feeling fear this time.
Feeling a hand pressing against her back and another one grabbing her leg, Skithia closed her eyes in shame. Krekk stopped for a moment to get a better grip on her.
Surely she didn't faint. Krekk thought as he looked at her pale face and admired the way her cheeks were slightly pink from the embarrassment of being rescued. Not wanting her to know it was him, he laid her on the ground, hoping she wouldn't open her eyes. But as he put her down, she chose to look at whoever it was who had helped her.
"Krekk!" she was shocked "What are you doing here?"
"Just passing through." he lied. It was an obvious lie, but his reason for being there was none of her business, so she didn't question him any further. She walked off, wanting to get her emotions under control before she said anything to him. "You're welcome!" Krekk trembled as she turned and looked at him with the same intensity her face always had. Feeling guilt for the first time in solans, her eyes softened and the corners of her lips came up to form a hint of a smile.
She took off as fast as she could, knowing what she was starting to feel. Skithia had promised herself when she was young that she would never let herself develop such emotions, unless they were towards someone who deserved to be loved; she would not allow herself to be merely manipulated by someone who she let herself care about.
Krekk hesitated to follow her now that she had seen him. Knowing that she was still a potential traitor, he took to the Underworld sky to find her. The Underworld sky was actually the ceiling of the Underworld, but during the day light would somehow travel through the Overworld ground and be captured in certain types of Underworld rocks, resembling the stars in the Overworld sky.
With the sun setting, they gave Krekk just enough light to find the secretive female. She was being very careful to not get caught, but she didn't think to look up. Krekk watched as she carefully went to a part of town that wasn't very popular. She quickly made her way to a shop. She was only in there for a few minutes before rushing out with a few bags that were specially designed to make sure no one could see through them. Krekk narrowed his eye in anger at her, knowing she was hiding something in them. He thought about merely reporting it to Atrapol, but it wouldn't be enough proof to label her a traitor; for all he knew it could have been bras.
Knowing that it was plausible, Krekk was not looking forward to what he felt needed to be done. He felt his cheeks turn red as he made his way into the building. The shop was being run by a short woman who was a bit younger than Skithia. Unlike most Underworlders, she wore a pink, blue, and purple dress. She looked very much like a white and grey mouse with pampered fur that almost seemed to have some sparkle in it.
Why would Skithia come to a place like this? Krekk wondered as he looked around at how girlish everything was. The shop specialized in fabric, some of which were very expensive. There was also stuffed animals and materials to make your own bracelets
"Can I help you?" the mouse-like female asked. Her voice was beautiful.
"I just saw Skithia come in and wanted to know what's so special about this place." Krekk informed her before leaving to find Skithia again. When he found her mere seconds later, she was heading back to Gothos Tower. Just as he expected, she immediately went to her bedroom.
She has to have food in her room. Krekk thought as his stomach growled at him, reminding him that he had not eaten anything that day.
Not seeing any point in waiting by her door all night, Krekk decided to get something to eat and watch her again tomorrow. But the thought of her going to that shop kept bothering him. It was just too girly and Skithia was not known for making bracelets. Surely was didn't go there for stuffed animals. Why would Skithia buy something from a place like that? Maybe for fabric, which would explain why she spent so much time in her room. Perhaps she was just sewing.
That can't be it. Krekk thought as he got out of bed, still wearing his clothes. Krekk knew what he was doing was dangerous, but surely even Skithia had to sleep and this was a good chance to find evidence that she was going to betray them.
Thankfully Skithia's door was not nearly as noisy as Atrapol's. However, she still heard him as he came in. It was too dark for Krekk to see, so he lit a miniature flame orb, hoping he wouldn't wake her up. Unbeknownst to him, she was already awake. She was simply waiting for him to get closer to her as she laid in bed, clinging to her new toy.
Krekk did not like what he saw. The floor was littered with dolls that she had made and then torn apart. Most of them were Takinom or Chaor dolls, but a few other faces looked familiar. All but one of them were Chaor's followers; the other one was an Atrapol doll, stomach ripped open with stuffing coming out. However, she and Atrapol were rivals for Van Bloot's favor, so this was still not enough to label her a traitor.
Skithia sniffed the air, glad to recognize Krekk's scent. She smiled as Krekk continued to look for anything else that would suggest foul intentions. Krekk was glad to find several dolls that she had not torn apart. They were all Van Bloot dolls, but that didn't matter. The bags she got at the craft store were sitting next to a desk. Krekk went over to investigate, curious as to what Skithia would want to make. There was a small amount of yellow fabric on her desk.
Must be another Takinom doll. he assumed
Then Skithia got out of bed, creating a small, blue flame to light a candle on the nightstand next to her bed. Krekk jumped in suprise and turned to look at her, not prepared for what he saw. She was wearing a very short tank-top styled nightgown with a low v-neck. As usual, she was wearing mostly black with purple accents, only this time the accent consisted of floral lace near the breasts. Krekk's face turned deep red, darkening further as Skithia's intense stair morphed into a small, shy smile and her white cheeks turned pink.
"Where you planning on waking me?" Skithia asked, her grin becoming more mischievous.
"No." Krekk said, not thinking about his answer. But upon realizing that saying that made it more obvious that he was looking for something, he quickly changed it to "I mean yes."
"What were you really doing at Iron Pillar?" she asked as she stepped towards him
Krekk took a few steps back as he answered "Just passing through."
Skithia didn't like that answer. Surely he knew she would never fall for something like that. "So you just happened to be passing through while I was there?" Krekk nodded and she continued "Just like you just happen to be in my room while I'm trying to sleep?" Krekk nodded, then shook his head 'no'. "Why are you in my room?" she questioned
"Just..."Krekk paused for a second to think of an answer "checking on you."
"While we're supposed to be sleeping?" Krekk nodded, his face not getting any lighter. "Do you do this often?"
"No." Krekk wanted to run, but had a feeling that if he did manage to outrun her, she would just get someone else to find him for her, and that would just lead to rumors. As Krekk thought of what kind of rumors would be the most likely to spread, he understood what kind of impression he had made by sneaking into a female's room. Knowing that she was expecting him to make a move on her, he figured this was a good opportunity to go undercover. He took he by the hand and assured her "I'm just checking on you." Now holding both of her hands in his, he tried to remain calm as he continued " Let's not rush into this. I don't want us to regret anything."
Skithia smiled at Krekk as he let go of her hands, knowing that if word got out about them, it could ruin her reputation. "I have something to show you." she said quietly, her voice sounding more sultry than normal as she slowly climbed into her bed.
Krekk looked away from her and closed his eye. "No, Skithia, don't." he said
"Krekk..." she was getting irritated, but she remained quiet as she spoke "It's just something I made today."
Krekk opened his eye to look at whatever it was she wanted to show him. Looking towards the bed, his heart stopped for a moment. She was holding her new doll in both hands with a big grin on her face.
"Isn't it cute?" she asked, trying not to giggle. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so happy.
Krekk, on the other hand, was very weirded out. Had it been a doll version of any other creature, he could have played along, but it was an exact replica of him. The thought of Skithia becoming obsessive over him, following him around as he had done her, sneaking into his room while he was sleeping, maybe even without him knowing about it- it was more than he could take!
"That's great!" Krekk lied as he ran for the door "Got it go. See you later!"
Krekk shut the door and held it shut as though he thought she would try to chase him. Once he felt it was safe to turn his back, he took off to Atrapol's room to inform his of what had just happened. He knew he wasn't supposed to report for two more days, but felt the need to tell someone what had just happened.
"Atrapol!" Krekk called out as he banged on Atrapol's door "We have a problem; at least it looks like one from my point of view. It's about that traitor!"
Atrapol rushed to the door, not sure what Krekk was talking about. "What traitor?"
"Skithia." Krekk reminded him, not sure how Atrapol could forget.
Atrapol wanted to slap Krekk just then, but he held his temper. "Don't you remember what I said this morning?"
"You said to report back in three days." Krekk said "But she caught me and if she finds out what's really going on, I'm dead."
"How did she catch you?!" Atrapol was ready to punish Krekk for failing "What did you tell her?"
Suddenly Krekk didn't want it talk about it anymore. "She fell off Iron Pillar and I caught her." Atrapol nodded: that was a sign to continue. "I told her I was just passing through. But I just snuck into her room, and she's even creepier than I thought."
"Did she see you?"
"Yes. Now I'm going undercover. I can get more information out of her that way. If she is a traitor, I'll find out about it. And if she isn't..." Krekk paused as he started feeling proud of himself. Placing his hands on his hips and allowing a huge grin to spread across his face, Krekk proudly announced "I've finally got myself a girlfriend."