The next few days of farm work was slowly becoming a routine for Anne. With Hop Pop making use of her superior size and strength to remove either weeds or rocks from the fields. It reminded Anne of her training during her youth, having to get up before the sun rose to greet her various teachers and trainers. A rather colorful cast of Administratum agents and Drill Abbots brought in from all across the sector to mold Anne into the future of the Boonchuy family. Instead of sitting in a stuffy book filled room or forced to crawl under razor wire, she's driving a wooden stake into the tilled soil with a hammer. Something about wanting to plant scream beans? The food on this planet was strange.
Strange as it was, the family that decided to take her in were slowly starting to grow on her. At least Sprig and Polly are, the children seemed eager to interact with something out of the ordinary. Hop Pop always seemed to be watching Anne from the corner of his eye. As if she was going to strike when he least expected it. Suspicion like that is a fine trait among the Imperium, but it was starting to get on her nerves. Anne's frustration showing when she unknowingly drove the stake a little too deep. Finishing up the last of her morning chore, Anne wipes the sweat off her face with a rag just as Sprig kicks open the front door.
"Guess what, Anne? We're going to the market!" The young frog shouts before grabbing a bucket with his little sister in it.
"Oh, great. You guys have fun." This would be the first time the Plantars left the farm since she'd arrived. Anne would have loved the peace and quiet for a few hours until Hop Pop stepped out of the house.
"Hold it there, Anne. You're coming with us." Hop Pop states as he sets up Bessie's saddle and the cart filled with freshly picked produce.
"What? But I have..." Anne's eyes scan around, she was already done with work for the day! She wasn't too thrilled on having to visit the town again after her and Sprig's secret outing.
"No buts! Sure the town is used to the idea of you by now, or can at least stand to look at ya. Besides, can't leave you alone in the house." The paranoid look is back on the old frog's face, but only for a moment. "Ya might break somethin'!"
"Happens to us all the time." Sprig nods knowingly.
"It's true!" Polly adds. "Why we can't have nice things."
"Alright fine, just let me try to look decent for these drudges." With a huff, Anne retreats back to the basement to gather up her gear. Though she may be stranded on a planet of backward primitive amphibians, she was still a respected Rogue Trader! Once Anne had on her weapons and coat, she comes back outside to see the frogs already mounted on Bessie.
"C'mon Anne, best seat in the house!" Yells Sprig as he points to the end of the wooden seat on the saddle.
With a smile she takes her rightful spot next to her friend. Hop Pop gives Bessie's reins a quick snap and the group was off! Anne had learned about gastropods of ancient Terra and countless other planets, but none of them were ever described as being this fast.
All it took was a short trip down the winding road for the Plantars and Anne to reach town. Much to Anne's surprise, the town didn't fly into a full on panic when they arrived. The frogs would go about their daily business, conversing around town, and getting snatched up by giant dragonflies. Anne was sure he was fine. The villagers of Wartwood seemed to have gone from outright loathing their forest monster to simply ignoring her in a veil of intolerance.
Wally being the only one to comment as he plays his concertina. "Ugh, so unnatural."
Anne would roll her eyes. What does he know, the human form is perfection.
"Woah there!" A hearty honk and Bessie parks herself next to the empty stand within the market. "Hop to it, kids. That means you too, Anne."
Groaning loudly, Anne helps out with setting up the array of vegetables that she helped cultivate onto the stand. Having to swap some around when Hop Pop nags to her about "Proper produce placement." She was pretty sure that wasn't a thing, but anything to get the old timer off her back. Finally finished, Anne takes a step back to properly survey the villagers. Marcy would be having a field day with all the different types of amphibians living here. All with different hues of skin from green to blue. Most of them were dressed up as simple agri farmers, overalls and straw hats for the males and flowing dresses for the women.
A few stood out like the one who could probably be older than Hop Pop, a single white eye and a large spider in her hand. It didn't seem too hostile, must be a pet. Another making their way to their nearby store would be a strange one, thinner than the rest with antlers sticking out of his head. Deducing his name must be Leopold Loggles if the sign on the shop was correct.
"Hey Anne, whatcha doin'?" Anne heard, looking down at her frog friend to answer before letting out a gasp.
"Sprig, look out!" She was too late to warn him about the black cloaked figure that had been creeping up behind him. She didn't know who this assassin was, but they would pay dearly.
"Ambush!" The righteous fury died down in Anne as it was revealed to be a little yellow skinned frog girl. Leaping on him in a small tussle with her coming out on top.
Sprig could feel the air being crushed out of his lungs as his friend stands on his back. Not that he minded, it was just their way of saying hello. "Got me this time, Ivy." Thankfully she helped him back onto his feet before receiving a pat on the back.
"You'll get the upper hand eventually." Ivy says with a smile before turning her attention onto Anne. "Hey there, you're the big scary monster from the woods, right? Name's Ivy, Ivy Sundew." A small yellow hand reaching up for a greeting.
"Oh," Anne was taken back by the very normal and non-hostile greeting from the frog girl. "Anne's the name. Sorta upgraded from the woods monster to the basement monster. Not freaked out by any of that?" The two exchange a quick handshake.
Anne's question only gets a shrug from Ivy. "Eh, you seem alright to me. Besides, any friend of Sprig's is a friend of mine."
"Now this is a nice change of pace. Wish the rest of the town was the same." Anne glanced up just in time to see two frogs whispering and pointing at her. The steely gaze aimed their way making them leave the market in a hurry.
A voice cries out through the market. "Ivy, sweetie! The napkins aren't going to fold themselves!"
"That's my mom, see ya later, Sprig!" Ivy waves at Sprig, running through the crowds to meet up with a slender orange haired frog of the same skin tone holding a basket of tea leaves on one arm.
"She seems nice. You two already courting?" Anne asks Sprig, who hops up and claps his webbed hands over her mouth.
"Don't say that around Hop Pop! Last time someone mentioned relationships around him, he was seeing which family had the best dowry." Sprig peers over at the stand. Hop Pop none the wiser as he sells potatoes to someone. "Apparently the Flours had the best offer. Besides, we're just friends."
"Yeesh, glad I don't have to worry about that." Anne finally pries her friend off her coat. "My parents used to take me to a few formal balls and parties among the other nobles to try and set me up too. None of them look suited for void travel and planetary exploration. Just Administratum auto quill pushers."
"Oh, the Firefly Formal is tonight! You should come after all the hard work Hop Pop's been putting you through." The small frog smiling up at Anne. "Maybe it'll help you feel less homesick."
"I'm not homesick." She crosses her arms crossing as Anne tries to act aloof. Though memories have been creeping up on her more than usual. "But, it could help me butter up the townspeople."
"That's the spirit!" Anne can't help but smile at Sprig's enthusiasm.
"Come on, the sooner we sell this produce the sooner we can get ready. Hopefully these bloodstains can come out." The coat, though having seen better days, is really Anne's only formal wear. "Maybe get you into a nice outfit for Ivy, too." A grin on Anne's face while she teases Sprig, who just lets out groan.
"Just friends!"
Within City Hollow a worried Mayor Toadstool looks out over Wartwood from his window. A sheet of parchment on his desk with a crudely drawn graph showing his approval ratings. "Dangit Toadie!" The small frog standing in the corner jumps at the sudden sound. "These ratings are terrible. Every since I let that monstrous scarecrow stay in town folk's opinions of me have been dropping!" He turns to his assistant/servant with an outstretched finger. "I need ideas! Got anything for me?"
"Uh, well..." Toadie wrings his hands, eyes darting all over the mayor's office as he wracks his brain for anything. "The Firefly Formal is tonight. Maybe you can help with the firefly collecting?"
Toadstool snaps his fingers. "That's it! If I make sure the formal is the brightest, most spectacular event this year it's bound to make those idiots vote for me next election! So glad I thought of it."
"That you did, sir!" Toadie hypes up his boss.
"Now go out and capture all the fireflies you can! We're gonna make this the greatest event in history! Or at least until the ratings drop again." With his orders given, Toadie salutes the mayor before running out into the forest with a sack of jars and a net.
Later in the day, the Plantar family and Anne return back to the farm a few coppers richer. Plenty of left over vegetables to go into the pantry for future dinners, especially with Anne's larger appetite. The house was abuzz with activity as everyone got ready for the Firefly Formal. Anne was busy scrubbing soap into her coat as she sat in front of the wash tub. The sudsy water having turned from clear to a dark brown the second she started. Only when she deemed it clean enough did Anne hang it up by the furnace to dry. She was really starting to miss all of the menials her family had under their employment.
Needing to kill time, Anne grabbed one of the many books Hop Pop let her read and headed upstairs. The couch was criminally firm, but would have to do as she found the page she bookmarked. Most of the literature of Amphibia seemed to be dramatic and tear-jerking. Though the collection Hop Pop keeps could stem from the depression of never becoming a successful actor. One of the books in his study gave it away.
Just as Anne flips to the next page, Hop Pop emerges from his bedroom. The Rogue Trader really couldn't tell much of a difference in his attire, same old spiffy outfit the elder usually wore. Though more focused look and she could see the ascot he wore was a black silk with golden zig-zags. "Hey, Hop Pop, looking good."
"Why thank ya." The elder takes a seat in one of the chairs to wait for the rest of the family. While Anne read her book, Hop Pop was feeling nervous and awkward in the silence.
She could tell he was still uneasy around her, the constant tapping on his knees and the darting of his eyes made it a bit obvious. Anne decided to break the tension with a shut of her book. She can't have her host feel like he needs to walk on eggshells all the time. "So, uh, tell me about this formal?"
Hop Pop's mood changes quickly, being a mild history buff for the town, he enjoys explaining anything he can about Wartwood's traditions. "Well ya see Anne, the tradition started many years ago. Every year around this time, the firefly population would migrate from all around the valley to the Southern forest, Right outside of Wartwood. They use it as a spawning ground. People have been usin' it as a way to tell when winter was coming to an end. Naturally it evolved into a small holiday for us to throw a party in the town square."
"Huh, so do you eat the fireflies too or just watch them?" Anne asks.
"Oh no, the fireflies are highly toxic to amphibians." Hop Pop explains before asking his own question. "What about your people, do ya'll celebrate anythin'?"
Anne rubs at her chin. "The entire Imperium does celebrate Sanguinala. Though a lot of planets enjoy their own holidays as well, especially for Saints. Last time I was at any sort of party was when I-" She paused for a moment. "Left on this expedition."
High above the choking fumes of the hive city, Khon Karden, stands a grand palace built into the very top of the spires. Automated guns and armed guards watched the walls and the skies for any sort of threat to the rulers of the planet. Past one of the many stained glass windows a ball room filled to the brim with guests within it's gilded walls. The nobility of the planet were dressed with fine silks worn in the traditional styles of their planet. Those who came off world would be wearing more classic Imperial coats and finery.
Among the crowds of mingling blue bloods an overwhelmed Anne, dressed in a gold chut thai with light blue accents, breaks away from the older noble women fussing over her. Not too fond of the constant comments of needing to add more make up or setting them up with their grandchild. Reaching a table with refreshments, Anne is joined by someone just as she takes her glass of spirit from the servant.
"Your family sure does know how to throw a farewell party." Standing next to Anne is one of her many sergeants, Sasha Waybright, currently wearing a finely pressed blue dress uniform. A glass of amber in her hand that's already half empty. "Never thought an underhiver like me would be bumping elbows with the elites." A half smile on her face that Anne returns.
"You didn't have to come, Sasha. Though I would have felt bad if my favorite armsman couldn't enjoy herself before we set off." Anne says after sipping away at her drink.
"And miss sampling the booze? No way." She tilts her head back and downs the last of the alcohol. "I'm more shocked you got her here." Sasha points to a small group off on their own.
Each one wearing a long red robe lined with white cog teeth. Marcy is busy conversing with a figure twice her size with bursts of binary. Being Tech-Preists of the Machine God the vestments they wore were formal enough for the party.
"Marcy said it would be a good opportunity to question the Artisans of the forges. Though they might get sick of her." Just as Anne finishes her statement, Marcy looks over at the two with some subtle prodding by the magos she was speaking to. "Right on cue."
The young tech-priest weaves through the crowds to the best of her abilities. Nearly knocking over a menial with her mechadendrites before finally reaching the familiar women by the refreshments. "Anne, Sasha, can you believe it?" The rebreather usually fixed around her mouth and nose hung around her neck. The rare sight of seeing Marcy's full face with a wide smile from cheek to cheek. "Our Rogue Trader here is going to be exploring the stars without her parental units watching over her. A big day indeed."
"Not nervous at all?" Sasha says with a smirk and a light elbow to the side.
"Of course not." Anne brushes off the question, but it was half-true. She was never sure if she could live up the expectations of her family name or her parents. Being the latest in the Boonchuy line meant the rest of the house were keeping a close eye on her. "Sure with you two on the Stormheart, everything will go by smoothly."
"It will drastically increase our odds of survival!" The smile still on Marcy's face.
"I'll drink to that." Sasha hands Marcy her own glass so all three could raise a quick toast.
Just as Anne finishes the local spiced rum, a servant whispers into her ear. "Sorry ladies, mother and father want to make an announcement. Save a dance for me!" With a quick wave the youngest Boonchuy makes her way to a raised throne at the end of the ballroom. Her father, wearing his white phraratchathan with a blue sash, stood by her mother, similarly dressed like Anne but with white and silver for her silks. On the throne was Anne's grandmother, current Matriarch of the family and Governor, the age showing in her white hair and the single augmented eye lens. The uneasy feeling in her gut receding with the proud looks they gave her. A horn blows to gain the attention of all in attendance.
The memory went away as fast as it came. Brought out of the high rockcrete palace to the cozy little farm house as two frog children rushed down the stairs. Sprig wearing a small dark green coat with a bow tie while Polly wore a pink silk bow with a few rhinestones on top of her head.
"Why don't you two look precious! C'mon Anne, don't wanna miss out on the free food." Hop Pop gathers up his grandchildren while Anne collects her now dried coat. The carapace breastplate polished as best she could while a clean laspistol and sword rest at her hips.
By the time Bessie makes it to Wartwood the sun was already starting to set over the mountains. The hundreds, if not thousands, of fireflies captured in jars and placed all through the town. Placed on tables, windowsills, and hung between buildings on rope. Anne had to admit, it was quite the stunning display to witness. Sprig was right, this was a good way to distract herself.
Every citizen lined the edges of the town square, a stage had been erected with a band of three frogs playing away. In the middle were couples dancing to the fast paced country music. The Plantars left to their own devices, Hop Pop speaking with a few neighbors, Sprig hanging out with his friend Ivy, and Polly eating as many of the chocolate covered maggots from the buffet table.
Anne tried her best to be friendly with the locals, but none of them were interested in talking. Groups would scatter as soon as she greeted them. Annoyed at her failure to make the town accept her more, Anne would sit on a barrel alone. Far from the festivities taking place. "This is going to be harder than I thought." She finally looks up when a taller amphibian taps on a flower hooked up to a stand.
"Hello folks! I hope everyone is enjoying the music and food." The newt's voice echoed loudly. "Just wanted to inform you that none of this would be possible without Mayor Toadstool helping out this year. Everybody give him a hand!"
The finely dressed toad waved to the crowd as he walked up on stage, applause and cheering following his wake. "Thank ya, thank ya. You're all too kind. Just make sure to remember your ol' pal Toadstool during the upcoming election. Now lets party!" Saying his piece, the music spikes back up.
None of the amphibians are able to hear the dull thumping approaching the town at a steady pace. The music and shouting drowning out the danger until it was too late. A frog turns to head over to the punch bowl until he bumps into something. "Oh, pardon me." Looking up, his eyes meet a scaly hide that causes him to scream in fear. Everyone turns to see a large lizard with brown scales and yellow rings on it's back. Panic breaks out, the citizens scrambling to escape the town square while the lizard tears down a rope of lights with it's jaws.
"Polly!" Hop Pop picks up the pollywog and runs to where he last saw Anne. "Where's yer brother, we gotta get outta here!"
"I don't know, I was too busy sampling the cicada cookies!" She shouts back just as they arrive next to Anne who is already out of her seat.
"Hop Pop, what is that thing!?" Anne draws her sword, ready to defend herself as the ten foot tall lizard tears down more of the lights.
"I've read about them, it's a Glow-wyrm! They feast on the fireflies that spawn in order to absorb their toxins. With so many packed in Wartwood, it must think this is the spawning ground!"
"So it's harmless?"
"I never said that."
Crunching on another set of firefly filled jars, the rings on the Glow-wyrm would start to shine in the same bioluminescent manner. Just before it launches a thick blob of glowing bile that melts away the stage. A few fleeing frogs narrowly escaping with a quick hop.
"We gotta run before it decides to eat the rest of us for dessert!" Shouts Hop Pop, his eyes scanning the chaos to spot Sprig, along with Ivy, hiding between two houses. Their location is quickly found by the Glow-wyrm when it takes a bite out of said houses, chewing up the rubble and fireflies before spotting the two children. "Oh no, Sprig!"
Anne rushes at the lizard with both weapons drawn, her laspistol striking the scaled hide with each squeeze of the trigger. "I got you two!" She assures them. Closing the distance, Anne swing with all her might with her sword. Cleaving through the scales and earning a roar from the Glow-wyrm as it bleeds. Distracting it enough for Sprig and Ivy to make their escape.
She's about to swing again, but small daggers pierce her arm as it bites down on Anne. Easily lifting her off the ground and throwing her aside against another building. Anne can feel her back throb with pain from the impact. Willing her body to stand, Anne leaps out of the way just as another wad of acid bile flies into the wall.
"Anne, you can't fight that thing!" Anne looks over to see Sprig, now safe with the rest of his family along with Ivy.
"Don't worry, I got this!" A mighty swing of it's tail and Anne is launched across the town square again. Skidding to a halt on the dirt and cobblestone, noticing her laspistol out of her grip. "Ngh, maybe I don't." She grunts in pain. Sitting up in time for the jaws of the Glow-wyrm to snap at her. They would have taken off her head if Anne didn't hold the rows of teeth at bay with her hardened blade. Staring down the throat of the lizard as it tires to finish her off.
The beast is stunned as a las beam strikes at the sensitive tympanum on the side of it's head. With the pressure off Anne, she draws back the sword and drives it into the Glow-wyrm's mouth. The tip, bathed in blood, emerges out the top of the monster's head. Skewering the brain, the Glow-wyrm loses all function and flops to the ground like a puppet with it's strings cut.
"Eugh, disgusting." Anne frees her sword and arm from the lizard's mouth, covering herself in a fresh spray of blood on her recently cleaned coat. Spotting the scorch mark on the ear of the Glow-wyrm she finds the marksman with her laspistol. A panting Sprig doing his best to catch his breath from all of the action. Walking up to him, he seems nervous when she takes her laspistol back. Though a quick smile from Anne lifts his mood. "Great shot, Sprig." She rubs the cap into his head just before Sprig is tackled by Ivy in a hug.
"Sprig, that was amazing!" Ivy gives him one last squeeze before looking up at Anne. "And you too. Thanks for saving me and the town. Too bad no one was around to see it."
The entire town square had been abandoned. Those fleeing most likely holed up at the edges of Wartwood where it was farthest from danger.
"It's fine, I'll just have to earn that respect the old fashion way." Anne says with a shrug.
"All I can do is wish you luck, but you'll always be cool in my book! I better go find my mom and let her know I'm alright. Thanks again!" Ivy gives Sprig one last hug. "And thanks for sticking by my side, Sprig. See ya later!" The young frog girl runs off in a hurry.
Anne leans over with a raised eyebrow. "Just friends, huh?"
"Yes!" Sprig finally snaps out of his silence. "I mean, I think so." His pink face colored with a shade of red. He turns around when a hand gives him a firm pat on the back.
"Way to go Sprig, always knew ya had killer aim." Hop Pop proudly states.
"No fair, how come he gets to use the flashing box!" Polly yells from her grandfather's arm.
"Maybe I can teach you both in the future. Right now, I just wanna head to bed." A tired Anne makes her way to where they parked Bessie.
"Good idea." Hop Pop quickly follows with his grand kids. "Wait, what was that last part?"