"Ok, look carefully alright? This is how you get the ramps to move." I say slowly, simply flicking a switch so the ramp moves up. "And this is how you shut them." I continue, reversing it. The ramp falls slowly before touching the ground. It doesn't matter how slow the ramp moves. It's the trap door that's the tricky part. Right now they are manual with ropes but I'll put springs in them so they fly back instead of needing to be reeled.
"L-Lady Jackie, the arena is filling with people!" A huffing worker nearly shrieks, rasping for air.
"And?" Why does he sound so terrified?
"Twenty others and I tried opening the large gate but it won't move!" Alarm shoots through me as I immediately think of Griffin. I'm afraid of what his punishment will be for not opening the gate on time.
"Alright I'm coming. You all know what to do?" I ask, turning back to the others.
"Yes, Lady Jackie." They all say with a slight bow. I hop back alongside the frantic worker, looking back to the crowd.
"Good. If there are any issues with this run let me know." I guess I kind of became manager down here. It shocked me to find out that none of them really have a leader, someone telling them what to do and coordinating. I can only imagine the frantic panic down here, particularly when something doesn't work right.
"It's the main gate, you say?" I hurry alongside him barely keeping up with him as he practically sprints up the spiraling staircase. That's not good. Griffin never told me what animal he's using but it's big enough to need such a large gate to get into the arena. It's probably a massive elephant or something.
"Y-Yes. Please, I beg of you to help, Lady Jackie! I-If the signal is given and the doors don't open Griffin will personally take our heads!" I stare at the faceless, somewhat surprised. They are about living. I slightly smile at the rare find following him up. I'm glad I've met some faceless that care about their lives. "A-And it will probably be in the most painful of ways!" He continues, frightened out of his wits. And~ there's the real reason.
"It's fine, just relax. I'll just tell Griffin I jammed it by mistake when I was fixing it." I say, trying to calm him down as I pass a line of twenty strong men, cautiously watching me as I approach the gate.
"You ... would be willing to take his wrath?" He asks, breathing out a grin, "what a kind foreigner."
"Yeah yeah." I say, waving off his compliment. I jump as he catches my arm, leaning into my ear.
"My name is Jerald, by the way." I blink, surprised that he would give me his name.
"Oh. Well, it's nice to meet you, Jerald." I say as I shake his hand. He lightly tugs it up, kissing my knuckle.
"Likewise." He purrs with a wider smile. I roll my eyes and pull my hand away, looking for the pulley system. "It's up there, Lady Jackie." My heart stutters with fright as I see the pulley system high in the upper corner inside the cage. Oh. Well, yeah, now I get their panic. It's going to be hard just getting up there. I'm probably the only person small enough to make it through that gap.
"W-What do we do? The signal is going to be given at any minute!" One mutters, horrified at the consequences if the fail. I pocket my tools and hope onto the grid patterned cage, hoisting myself up. The first thing I need to do is clear the top, flip over and then check out what's jamming it. All before whatever poor animal is about to be sent out into the arena comes along. I ignore their nervous muttering and pull myself up to the top, silently throwing my leg over and around the upper bars.
"Well there's your problem. There's a giant hunk of metal jammed into it." I say, bracing my feet on either side of the giant pulley system. I glance over the block of metal noticing a symbol on it. JG? What's that supposed to be? I suck in a deep breath and ram my foot down against the log wedged between the chains and thick rope. It slightly budges, nearly freeing the rope. Good. Once more should just about do it. I hop up and kick hard against the leg, losing my grip on the chain as I drop. I yelp as my thigh gets wedged between the chain and ropes and the metal pulley. Crap! I kick against the side, struggling to pull my leg back out. It's stuck!
"There's the signal!" Jerald cries. My head snaps up, spying a sickening grin twist the faceless's lips up before he turns to the others. "Didn't you hear me?"
"B-But that rope will tear her skin right off." One of the workers say, nervously looking from me to the other faceless.
"Do you want to be the reason why Griffin comes down here and kills us all?! Now, pull. That. Rope." The man coldly commands. A shiver visibly shoots down the one who spoke up's spine, looking up to me with horror mingling in his lips.
Oh my hell they're actually going to do it.
"N-No-Now wait a minute you guys! Griffin will be pissed if I get hurt!" I shout, trying to deter them long enough to get myself free.
"Think about it, men. Don't you remember the last time a fight was interrupted?" The man coolly grins as the others nervously lick their lips, obviously torn as to what to do.
"Griffin personally came down and ripped every head off, but not before tearing off their arms and beating them to death with them." One of them shakily speaks up as his face pales. A mind blaring roar screams down the tunnels as the ground shakes.
"Think about it, boys. You want Griffin to come down here personally and see what the holdup is? A small girl caught up in the pulley system?"
"B-But ... she's Lady Jackie... ," the same one hesitantly speaks up. He yelps as the man launches his fist forward, clocking the man in the face and breaking his nose.
"I don't care who she is! Do you all want to face Griffin's wrath?" The men mutter amongst themselves, sheepishly glancing into the cage and arena. T-That guy is the same guy who came and got me. I stare at his face, watching his mad grin spread from ear to ear as he looks over the sheepish crowd of men.
Why is he trying so hard to convince them all to kill me?
The ground trembles as something massive steps closer. My heart stops as I see something large and bulky moving within the shadows. Oh my gosh they pull this thing my leg is gone, and if they don't pull it I'm getting slaughtered by whatever animal this is. I madly struggle against the ropes and chains, struggling to get my thigh out. Oh come on come on come on-!
"I'm so sorry, Lady Jackie!" One of the workers shout as he alone pulls hard against the ropes. I gasp as the rope inches down, nearly dragging my entire body through the too small space. I quickly hook my other leg to the outside edge, struggling to pull myself free from the painful force. I desperately look over the men as one by one they begin to follow the other's lead. My eyes lock onto the sinister grin of the faceless who got me as he dances back, vanishing down the hall. H-He left? Why?
Shredding agony rips up my leg as the rope almost immediately tears a hole in the pants, sliding sharp needle like fibers across my skin.
"S-Stop! It hurts!" I scream, struggling to hold myself up so I'm not dragged down into the pulley system. If I drop in there I'm done for. No questions asked. A soul wrenching scream tears out of my throat, lost in the roar of the crowd as the door starts to slowly open.
"Stop it, please!" I beg, grinding my teeth as they continue with faces pale with fright. I know they're just scared of Griffin but I'm going to die if I don't do something. I look around the room, freezing as I spy bright red eyes glaring at me from the darkness.
O-Oh. My. Gosh!
A large, grotesque snout with thick whiskers creeps out of the darkness as the unnaturally thin, scaly creature heavily steps into the light. It's eyes dilate, getting used to the sun before swinging its massive snout over in my direction. Oh, oh my gosh! That's not an elephant! I painfully gasp and bite down on my arm, forcing my painful wheezing screams to a muffled minimum. M-My screams must have drawn it out early! The gate picks up pace as I tightly hold on for dear life, watching with horror as it stretches it's neck up and sniffs beneath the pulley system. O-Oh my gosh it's smelling my blood that's on the ropes!
The creature stretches up and cracks it's jaws open, waving them dangerously over me as it tries to fit its giant snout in the small space. I dip as low as I can against the pulley system, struggling not to make a sound as it's drool drips onto the rope, making a sizzling sound and smoke come up from the ropes and chains. The rope stops as the gate finally pulls open, letting me press myself against the rope without being sucked down through the pulley system. Oh, oh hell-! I whine and try to calm my shaking down as I feel it's long, sharp teeth barely graze my shirt and pick at it in an attempt to uproot me. No, no please no! A sharp shout from the arena sounds as even the Gladiators scream in shock.
"Who let Jabberwocky out?!" Griffin's booming voice fiercely demands.
"W-Wait! Jabberwocky wasn't supposed to come out?!" A faceless worker nearly screams in terror.
"W-Who organized the animals?!" I dare a glance at the workers, spying their horrified faces. This animal wasn't supposed to get out?
"I-I-I thought you did!" Fingers point in every direction as the Jabberwocky reaches up with its back foot and hooks it against the cage, bending the metal as it tries to get a better angle at me. My heart drops as the giant pulley drops a good foot down, letting the Jabberwocky work it's snout into the space.
"G-G-Griffin!" I shriek as I feel a tooth slide beneath my belt. My eyes widen as I immediately shoot my hands down and try to unbuckle the work belt but it stays flush against my body as it pulls. I scream as it tugs against my unmoving body before ripping my leg out of its wedged place, swinging me to either side before looking back into the tunnel. A loud, shrieking roar blasts out as a giant bundle of white fur collides with the Jabberwocky's side. It screams as it falls back into the arena, sending me flying through the air before.
"LITTLE GURL?!" Griffin's voice bellows. I twist in the air and look back just in time to see large, heavily padded arms catch me. I land hard as the stranger tumbles back, tightly clutching me before sitting up.
"W-Who are you? Little girl?" The Gladiator asks, extremely confused before his head snaps up. His hand latches around my bicep as he drags me back, staring the two giant creatures ripping into each other. His mouth drops with shock before pulling into a thrilled grin. "Wow! And you brought some fierce company too. They weren't supposed to be in this fight."
"WHO IN HELL LET THEM OUT?!" Griffin's outraged voice screams, capturing the attentions of everyone in the crowd. The cheers immediately are hushed as the roaring cheers are replaced with screaming terror. The Jabberwocky roars and leaps on top of the white furred bear creature, missing stepping on it by mere inches as it darts around behind the Jabberwocky and bites at its ankle. The stands immediately erupt into a frenzied panic as they pour into the exits. I struggle to get onto my feet, letting out a sharp shout of pain before slapping a hand over my mouth. All eyes shoot to the two predators as they freeze, sniffing the air before simultaneously turning their heads to face me.
They smell my blood.
The Gladiator in front of me brings up his dinky little spear, shouting as he rams it in their direction. A flurry of feathers dart in front of the man as Griffin's talons sink into the white creatures shoulders. Griffin grabs the scruff of it's neck before throwing it back towards the cave, watching as it rolls onto it's feet and roars in Griffin's direction.
"Back in cage, Bandersnatch!" Griffin bellows, glaring at the Jabberwocky. The giant monster hisses before unleashing an ear wrenching roar, making a fast thrust towards Griffin. He spins around and leaps over the Gladiator diving for cover, digging his talons into the ground on either side of me. I clench my teeth and wrap my arms around his calf as he darts up into the air, just barely out of Jabberwocky's reach. My eyes widen with horror as it leaps up, snapping it's teeth together hardly a foot from my leg.
"G-Griffin! What the hell is going on?!" I shout as his hand reaches down and grabs my wrist. My heart performs back flips as he lifts me up by the arm, flapping hard before landing in his little lodge area where he normally sits for the games. He lowers me to my feet, dropping me into the couch of a throne.
"Someone let Jabberwocky and Bandersnatch out. They no supposed to fight today." Griffin's eyes narrow as he looks over the Gladiators dipping and dodging the blood thirsty creatures. He turns his gaze back to me and kneels down, staring at the bloody gash in my thigh. I flinch as his giant hand cups beneath my thigh and lightly raises it to see.
"I-I got stuck in the pulley system for the giant gates." I shakily explain, trembling from the pulsing agony ripping up my leg. It hurts ...
"They open with little gurl there?" He asks, already knowing the answer
"I-It's not their fault. There was a faceless edging them on to do it. A-Ah, Jerald I think his name was." Griffin's head immediately pops up as his ears turn towards me.
"Jerald?"
"You know him?" It surprises me that he would take the time to get to know a faceless. His ears press against his head as a hateful sneer crosses his enraged lips. His gentle eyes turn fierce with rage as he spins around, leaping off the ledge. I suck in a startled breath before leaping up, immediately regretting it as I fall forward and against the railing. I stare at Griffin spying him dive bombing into the arena.
"All of you! Find Jerald and kill him! I get creatures!" Griffin angrily demands as he swoops down, digging his talons into Jabberwocky's snout. The Jabberwocky screams before Griffin dives beneath it, tackling the Bandersnatch and throw it against the wall. He's actually holding up against those things?! I watch, speechless, as the gladiators clear the arena and leave only Griffin and the two beasts. I never imagined Griffin being so strong!
"Mock Turtle, come!" Griffin loudly demands. A black figure immediately darts out of a nearby cage and leaps up onto the Jabberwocky's head, tightly gripping it's ear. My eyes widen as he leans in closer, moving it mask slightly up and pulling something over his face down. What is he doing? Seconds leter the Jabberwocky drops like a rock, crashing hard onto the ground with close eyes. H-How did he do that?!
Griffin dives past Cyan and tackles the Bandersnatch again, flipping around and slams it againt the wall before digging his claws into the creature's back. I never imagined that there could be Role Holders that as this strong! Without warning Cyan spins around and throws his arm out towards me. My eyes narrow before I gasp, spying three spinning objects heading right for me and blow right past me. Did he just throw a dagger at me!?
"GAH-!" Voices cry out behind me. I gasp and spin around, spying three men garbed in red drop to the ground with a star shaped object projecting from their throats. W-Who are these people?! My eyes dart to the one's hand, spying a large dagger and two swords in the other's hands. Why would they come up behind me with weapons? I shakily exhale and stumble to the corner of the railing, hand over my heart.
They were going to kill me.
I jump with horror as a black hand covers my eyes.
"G-Get off!" I shout, horrified as I struggle with the blinding hand. The fingers immediately drop as the hands clasp over my waist, pulling me back into someone's stomach. My gaze shoots up, spying Cyan's bright blue eyes behind his mask.
"C-Cyan! Don't scare me like that!" I scold, breathing hard as I brace my arms against the railing. My leg is killing me. I can't even walk! Cyan's eyes visible narrow as he hops off the railing as gently drags me over to the throne couch. I nervously swallow as he sits me down, placing my legs onto the soft seat. He turns and walks behind the seat, sliding out the shurikens from the throats. I shakily gulp as I stare at him casually go about his work, sliding the weapons into a pouch strapped to his thigh.
"C-Cyan, who are they?" I ask with a slight trill to my voice, listening to my heart race. Cyan kneels down by one of them, tugging back the hood to reveal a small black mark behind the one's ear. I nervously swallow as he stands back up, kicking the one's head to the side.
"Jerald escape?" Griffin huffs as he lands on the railing, hopping down to the ledge. Cyan nods his head, glancing at my pained face.
"Ah~ little gurl hurt. Go kill workers, Cyan. And have fun with workers." Cyan bows as his eyes narrow, seeming intent on making whatever he plans painful.
"W-Wait, Cyan, don't." I plead. He pauses and remains where he is, watching a tiny bead of sweat inch down my face.
"But workers hurt little gurl." Griffin says, lightly squeezing my knee. I shakily gasp and crane my head back against the couch. Ow ...
"Jerald made them do it." I argue back, holding back a whine as Griffin hooks a hand beneath my knee and brings my thigh up a bit. I slightly jump as Cyan holds my cheeks, making me look up at his face.
"You ask and worker lives end." Griffin tempts as I feel something warm and wet dab against my thigh. When did he get a rag and water? My head flinches as I try to look down and see what he's doing but Cyan's hands remain firm around my head. His eyes remain firmly locked to mine as I nervously swallow, suddenly nervous that he's staring at me so intensely. I cringe as Griffin drags the sandpaper rag over my skin, intensifying the heat before it cools. It doesn't hurt anymore?
I flinch as he spreads my legs apart, continuing to rub the rag to my inner thigh. Well, these pants are done for, that's for sure. Cyan's grip tightens as Griffin taps the rag up a little further, closer to the more delicate parts of my body. He lets out a chuckle as a small wave of heat rolls over my skin.
"Mock Turtle no like I so ... close?" Griffin growls in a pleasing manner as something taps dangerously close to my underwear. I fidget and reach down with my hands, touching his straw like hair.
"That's enough, Griffin."
"Little gurl sure? I finish if little gurl like." Griffin hums as the rag drags up, hardly an inch from my underwear line before he pulls back.
"Yeah, I'm sure." I say, slipping my head out of Cyan's grasp. My eyes bug open as I look down spying perfectly smooth skin with no imperfections. How in the hell did he do that?! I stare at Griffin as he stands up, clicking his tongue to the roof of his mouth before rolling his eyes over Cyan's stiff posture. Griffin grins before reaching forward and tapping Cyan's mask.
"Find perpetrators and dispose. Keep one alive so I have my fun." Griffin orders, watching as Cyan retreats behind a curtain. Griffin's grin grows wider as he glances back at me.
"Come, little gurl. Rest you must." Griffin hums as he bends over and picks me up. I jump as he hops down the stairs, heading straight to my room. I stay silent and lean away from his bare chest. He's such an annoying guy I don't even want to feel his bulking muscles. Yes, they are impressive enough to make just about every girl drool but there's no way in hell am I letting him know that by ogling at it. And I think he already knows it too.
"Say, little girl ... would you like be harem girl instead?" Griffin purrs in my ear. I whip around and elbow him in the temple, barely moving his head.
"Gross, Griffin." I growl as I struggle in his arms, making him put me down. I wobbly on my weak legs, catching myself on the door frame. "You can leave now."
"Little gurl sure?" He purrs, tilting his head to the side. "little gurl want no more 'treatment'?" He cheekily asks as he licks his lips. I roll my eyes, annoyed before dropping the curtain between us. He's dumb, I've decided. All brawn and no brains to keep it in check. I stumble over to the bed trying to ignore my sore aching muscles. My leg looks fine but it's still sore like no other. I painfully groan as I slip off the remains of my pants, taking another look over my tank top. Yep, this is a goner too. Hell, the only things that escaped were my undergarments!
I weakly crawl onto the bed and flip onto my back, painfully exhaling as I spread myself out in an attempt to cool off a little bit. It's hot in here. Ugh ...
This sucks!
CYAN'S POV
My eyes glue to her obviously sore figure as her heart beat slows to a sleeping crawl. I flip down from the ceiling and deftly land beside the bed, looking over her tired and worn expression. I'm glad she's alright even after losing so much blood. Griffin was able to seal the wounds before any of them bled too much.
My clock ticks, irked, as the image of his tongue gliding across her soft thighs strikes hard. He was doing so excessively slowly, showing off that he was able to touch her in such an intimate way whereas I cannot. My ear flickers with annoyance as I softly gaze at her bare legs. His scent is all over her. My nose burns, further aggravating my clock as my tail angrily flickers from side to side.
I know I shouldn't, but it makes me very mad that Griffin did that. I know it was for her benefit but it annoys me greatly, beyond the point of thinking. I slightly move my mask up a bit to expose my mouth. Just a taste and that's it. That's all I'm asking for. Just a small taste and I won't ask for any more than that. My finger slides beneath the fabric mask as I lean down, pulling it to my chin. Just one. A little touch is all I want.
"What you doing, Mock Turtle?" I jerk back into place and quickly adjust my masks, acting as though nothing is out of place. W-What was I about to do to her? That's not acceptable. I was about to touch a sleeping woman!
"You about to touch sleeping woman, Mock Turtle. That, is not like you." Griffin throatily chuckles in the more quiet voice he can make. My eyes narrow as I glance over my shoulder, watching him approach. I was so wrapped up in my desires I didn't even notice he was there. That's dangerous.
"Careless again and little gurl pays." Griffin softly warns, casting his eyes over Jackie. Griffin leans his arm against my shoulder before leaning in. "Little gurl beautiful, is she not, Mock Turtle?" He taunts, trying to get a reaction out of me as I remain frozen. "It is shame you had no taste. Little gurl skin is sweet, untouched." He continues as an excited purr grows in the back of his throat. "It make me want to bite little gurl next time-," I wipe around in an instant, jamming a kunai into his chest, right over his clock. My eyes narrow as he moves his arm which had taken the brunt of the blade.
Say it again and I will kill you.
"Heh. You fun, Mock Turtle. Tell me, Mock Turtle. I die, who mocks Turtle?" He hardily laughs, stopping as Jackie fidgets in her sleep. A very slight moan riddles in the back of her throat as she rolls over to her side, softly exhaling. My eyes immediately glue to her rear, spying the cheeks in their full glory peeking out of the black lacy undergarments.
"Take little gurl to library, Mock Turtle domain. She safe there until purge over." He leaves, Cyan picks her up and heads back to library.
"I have change of mind. I take her to library." Griffin laughs as I immediately dip down and pick her up, daring him to try and take her from me.
"No worry, Mock Turtle! I prefer many hands to two." He lets out a barking laugh before turning around and trots into the hallway. He's probably heading back to his harem. I wait until he leaves before adjusting my hold on her, wrapping my arms beneath her upper thighs and let her head rest against my shoulder. This is what I will take in return for having to watch Griffin lap at her legs. There's nothing wrong with that.
I hurry to the library, taking extra caution to avoid any gladiators running their rounds. There are many more than usual. Griffin must be bothered that Jerald has yet again slipped under his nose and caused problems for him. I deftly slide into the library's doors, swiftly trotting up the large staircase. She must be tired from the events of today. It's no surprise she was out like a light almost immediately. Every subtle shift my ears burn like a live fire. It's amazingly difficult to resist when she's so close to me like this. I can feel nearly everything. Her gentle breath, her warm, her body, just ... everything. It leaves me speechless as to the effects she has on me through a simple touch.
I slide into my room and head towards the hammock, gentle laying her inside. I pause as I lay against her in this sort of position, my mind whirling around like a monsoon with thoughts of all sorts. My hands force themselves to unlock and set her down but latch onto her hips in resistance to my logic. My desires scream louder and louder in the form of grunting groans as I struggle to pee myself off. She's so warm and soft that I don't want to let go. I want to lay here beside her, and wake up next to her. I glance over her near naked body quickly waving off the thought.
Which, clearly, isn't my smartest idea.
I hesitate to leave as I stare at her deep winding curves and smooth legs. That is a very ... soothing position. It makes my clock race just seeing her lying so contently in my sleeping quarters. I glance over to the wall eyeing my sketchbook before looking back to Jackie's slumbering body, peacefully breathing without a care in the world.
It wouldn't hurt to selfishly keep a bit of this forever, is it?
‡
Oh Cyan~ I wonder when Jackie will realize just how obsessed Cyan really is? 10 REVIEWS for the next~