Realms of Dread [IC] Chapter Three

[ewancummins]

Rardi will take her time and slowly bring the paper up so she can read the small print.

I hope this will prove of some assistance in giving you a light in the darkness. Not for drinking, of course.

[steveflam]

Rardi places the paper ever so slowly back in her pocket. She now does the same thing with the bottle, bringing it up to her face and unstoppering it. She takes her sweet time seeing as she has little else right now. She will sniff and them look inside the bottle to see the liquid.

[ewancummins]

Rardi places the paper ever so slowly back in her pocket. She now does the same thing with the bottle, bringing it up to her face and unstoppering it. She takes her sweet time seeing as she has little else right now. She will sniff and them look inside the bottle to see the liquid.

''Prisoner, you'd better get scrubbed up- you'll want to look good in court.''
The guards are now waiting outside the cell with the door closed, as it's bathtime for the dwarf [water was dumped into the tub while Rardi was out, it's now quite cold].


The liquid inside the bottle smells faintly of citrus fruits and summer flowers. Looking into the small bottle, Rardi sees an amber-colored, oily-looking substance. There's a certain luminescent quality about the stuff, as if it's shedding a light of its own.

[steveflam]

Rardi puts her bottle back after stoppering it. Turning around "Awright, gimme a sec." She proceeds to bathe in the cold water but keeps her clothes nearby, as the bottles ingredients intrigue her.

[ewancummins]

Rardi puts her bottle back after stoppering it. Turning around "Awright, gimme a sec." She proceeds to bathe in the cold water and does her best to dry off before redressing.

"I be ready."

While Rardi is still towelling off [before she has a chance to get dressed and call the jailers, in other words], something splashes in the tub. Her back is to the tub just now, and cold water slaps against her bare bum.


The lantern [the only source of light in the cell] flickers and dims a bit...

[steveflam]

Rardi doesn't say anything but hisses inwardly and turns around, looking into the bath. She doesn't bother hiding herself but can't help looking. The bottle's contents keep bothering her and she drops the towel to reach for her clothing, especially the place where her pockets are.

[ewancummins]

The tub is now occupied by a mauve-skinned, slimy creature, only technically humanoid- with a great pulpy head and a horrific not-face hung with tentacles. Rardi immediately recognizes Okithruu, of course.

THE MIND OF ARCHEDIUS LIVES IN A NEW BODY. HIS OLD BODY IS DEAD. I ATE THE BRAIN. I LIKE THIS WATER. AHHHHHH.....FRIEND.

[steveflam]

Rardi tries to remain calm. Trying to think of something, she whispers Thass great! Now read me thoughts, I needs ta prove I's innocent. We need ta be quick I's expected in court in the nex few minutes. All cause o that Delthrin!

[ewancummins]

Rardi tries to remain calm. Trying to think of something, she whispers Thass great! Now read me thoughts, I needs ta prove I's innocent. We need ta be quick I's expected in court in the nex few minutes. All cause o that Delthrin!

Rardi feels slippery psychic tendrils rifling through her mind...

INNOCENT? COURT? AHHHH..COMPREHENSION ACHIEVED. YOU REQUIRE EXIT.

[ewancummins]

One of the guards begins pounding on the door.

''Time's up, prisoner! The bailiff will be seeing you soon, get dressed and stand to the rear of your cell!''

Okithruu rises dripping from the tub. It extends a four fingered [including the thumb] hand to Rardi.

TOUCH. WE GO NOW.

[steveflam]

In her mind Lissen I need ta prove I is innocent preferably, cause I kinna breaked tha law. If'n ye mean exit outta here well thass me next idea as much as I hate ta run from the authorities I rather live than die, Okarthu. I is mebbe gonna hang fer bein responsible fer killin Delthrin cuz they says yer tha one who did it. I dunno wanna know yer habits but I did learn of what kinna creature ye is. No matter what ye is, ye din deserve that fate from him an ye ain done nuthin wrong ta me or Ino an ye saved Archedius! So thass me plight."

[ewancummins]

In her mind Lissen I need ta prove I is innocent preferably, cause I kinna breaked tha law. If'n ye mean exit outta here well thass me next idea as much as I hate ta run from the authorities I rather live than die, Okarthu. I is mebbe gonna hang fer bein responsible fer killin Delthrin cuz they says yer tha one who did it. I dunno wanna know yer habits but I did learn of what kinna creature ye is. No matter what ye is, ye din deserve that fate from him an ye ain done nuthin wrong ta me or Ino an ye saved Archedius! So thass me plight."

PROVE INNOCENCE? I CAN TELL HUMANS THAT I REMOVED DELTHRIN'S HEAD. WILL THAT ASSIST YOU, DWARF-PERSON?

[steveflam]

Rardi grabs her clothes and touches the thumb and yells in her mind. NOW!

[ewancummins]

Rardi grabs her clothes and touches the thumb and yells in her mind. NOW!

NOW.

Okithruu touches its slimy thumb to Rardi's skin, and something snaps. The light goes black, then flickers back into being. Rardi finds herself standing in a dimly lit cavern, the mind-flayer a few feet from her...

[steveflam]

Rardi now has the presence of mind to get dressed. She figures the illithid brought her to a safe place. "Uh, thanks, Okarthu. Now can ye do the same fer Inovidil? And just a thing, where am I? Would yer mind if I put a little light in here?"