Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"Ah, your highness!" Locke said with shock. With all the girls around him being so eager to strip down lewdly in the kitchen, the poor guy was extremely embarrassed. "I had no idea you were arriving so soon! We were expecting you later tonight!"

He took off his hat and did what he thought would be an appropriate bow for royalty.

"I'm afraid there are a lot of eccentricities on the ranch, but we're all nice people deep down. Please don't judge anyone here too harshly." He made a gesture to the dining room, which had been spruced up by Venice's workers. It wasn't an amazing place to eat for royalty, but for a simple rancher like himself, the dining room was very cozy and inviting.

"Please have a seat while we prepare dinner. I can go see what drinks we have for yourself and your party." He acknowledged the bishop and the two centaurs with a nod. "And then we can get down to discussing business. Please, make yourself at home."

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

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"Welcome to our humble ranch, princess!" Marla followed up after Locke's introductions.

Ripple took a step back at suddenly being referred to as royalty. "Locke... I did not reveal to you who I was, nor have I worn the royal dress nor crown... I was hoping to keep my identity a secret, but it seems... I have been exposed, haven't I?" Ripple lets out a sad sigh. "I apologize if you were offended with my lack of honesty and manners." she said with a slight bow and a kind, "Sorry for intruding," before entering and taking a seat at the dining table.

"Locke, remember she wants to marry you..." Raven said to Locke in secret. "She will no doubt pursue this goal while with you."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"Your secret was revealed to me not long after our match, your highness," Locke nodded, seeing no reason to be anything less than honest with Princess Ripple. "Though if your intent was to keep your heritage a secret, I would not have appeared in a carriage pulled by two noble centaurs, had I been you. I am a simple rancher and not from these lands, but even I have heard that centaurs do not cart around just anyone. You travel as though you are a very important person. And of course, you are. I am honored to host you at my ranch. There is no need to apologize."

He bowed again and then bent an ear to Raven's whispered warning.

"Yes, I assumed as much. I'm flattered, but really, I can't imagine this is anything other than a case of mistaken identity. I know both my parents, and there's no chance that I'm a secret prince. I'll just have to hear her out and then let her down easy, preferably in a way that I don't start a diplomatic incident with Atlantis."

He roamed into the kitchen again while Ripple waited at the dining table. He then urged Mika and Celes and Marla to put back their clothes on, but Celes frowned at him.

"Locke, she's not going to come into the kitchens. Let's just cook like this and then we'll dress for dinner properly."

"Marla has been a bad influence on you, Celes."

"I just want to look sexy for you and Raven, is that so wrong?" Celes wiggled her butt.

"I worry about you... you haven't been to that new shop in town have you?" Locke said before grabbing some glasses and some water to bring out to Ripple while she waited.

Twenty minutes later, Celes was dressed in her basic ranch clothes again and she and Locke brought the dinner out to the dining table.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

Being told by Locke about how her carriage was a dead give away, Ripple went red in the face, a hand raising to her chin in surprise. "O-oh, i-is that so..." Ripple said with a bit of embarrassment. "I see... I should have been more careful..." Ripple said with worry, her head sank a bit in thought, clearly nervous about how stupid she may appear.

"You're going to refuse her, I see..." Raven hummed, before leaving Locke to his own devices. "I'm going to go for a fly before food is ready." Raven announced, before flapping away once she was outside.

Meanwhile, as Locke went into the kitchen and addressed Celes and Mika in their aprons only, Mika gave a start and hid her backside from Locke with a meep. She nodded to Locke about the clothing change, before suddenly,

"Oh, is such the style in these parts?" Ripple asked, suddenly standing in the doorway to the kitchen, her eyes on Celes' butt. "I've heard that wearing only an apron is popular among the people of Zippangu, who normally please their husbands instead of abuse them. You wear the style well, Celes. Your bottom is very beautiful and healthy." Ripple said with a small smile.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"Oh?" Celes blushed and instinctively went to hide her bum with her hands, but stopped after she thought better of it. After all, she had done this for the liberating feeling it gave her, so why should she be ashamed? Still, she had been disappointed that Raven had chosen to fly off before dinner. She wanted the black harpy to see her as well.

"Your majesty is kind to say so."

"Ahh, Princess Ripple! I apologize. I told them to dress more, but sometimes they don't really listen to me."

Celes giggled. "She doesn't seem offended Locke."

"Even still, I'm embarrassed. It's clearly not the style of Atlantis. We shouldn't be exposing royalty to what goes on in our private kitchens." Locke said nervously.

"So there are areas where husbands are regularly abused?" Celes said ignoring Locke's worry.

"Perhaps this would be better for dinner conversation?" Locke asked. If Ripple was willing to delay the chat until after food was served and Mika and Celes were fully dressed, then he would feel much better.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

Ripple waved her hand quietly with a nervous chuckle, trying to disarm Locke's shame by telling him she wasn't bothered. "Areas outside of Venice's influence, yes." Ripple nodded to Celes. "Ah!" Ripple gave a start as Locke suggested dinner conversation, before giving a quick. "Rude of me, very rude. My mother would chide me horribly. I will wait in the dining room." Ripple said, quickly departing from the kitchen.

Meanwhile, sitting on a counter, her bra back on, Marla chuckled. "The princess is kind of an airhead."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"Marla, that's not nice to say! She's just trying to be polite. Extend her the same courtesy. Come on."

Locke headed into the dining room and placed food in front of Ripple, whom he arranged to sit at the head of the table. He took the seat to her right and Celes to her left, with Marla next to himself and a seat for Raven next to Celes. Mika got to sit at the opposite end of the table from Ripple.

"Here we are," Locke said, breathing easier now that the situation wasn't so embarrassing. "So, your highness, I guess I'd like to start by clearing up this marriage matter..."

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

Marla shrugged at Locke, "What? It's true."

Raven arrived as promised, several minutes before dinner was ready. At the table, Ripple took a quiet sip of her water, before setting it down, and looking to Locke with a serious expression. "Yes... I ask nothing more of you than to say 'I do,' at our wedding." Ripple announced. "You need not forsake any other loves you may have. In all truth, you need only pretend to love me. I implore you, please marry me." she requested again.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

Locke had opened his mouth to say simply that he was not the man she must want to marry, but the oddness of her response caught him off guard.

"Pretend to love you? I don't think I understand. If I marry, I most certainly would want to marry for love. Princess, I cannot marry you. I am not a prince, nor a duke, nor earl or baron. I'm simply a rancher, and not yet an accomplished one. How could it be necessary for me, specifically, to marry you? Surely you must have many suitors?"

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

Ripple rose from the table dramatically, her chair falling back as she leaned towards him. "You would be sparing me an undesirable fate! I will not allow you to refuse, no matter what it takes, Locke! Your modesty, kindness, and your potential make you perfect!" she announced with determination. Then, she lowered her head, a blush on her face as she perhaps felt foolish. Gathering her chair, she picked it back up, and sat in it proper. "If I do not marry within the next three years, before I reach full adulthood, I will be forced to marry a demon who assumes the form of a charming human man. Seeking royalty, she will take advantage of me. You will no doubt impress my mother, the queen. And if push comes to shove I'm sure you can defeat the imposter!" she insisted.

"If you want money, anything, I can give it to you. Please... Help me." she requested with emotion.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"Huh? A demon? Please, Ripple... I mean, your highness, there's no need to be so intense. Could you start at the beginning? Why on earth would you be forced to marry a demoness masquerading as a man? And uh, how young are you exactly? Because I don't mean to be rude, but I shouldn't be married off to a minor."

"Asking a woman's age is rude, Locke," Celes chimed in.

"Oh, uh, sorry, but marrying a girl before she's grown up isn't right. Also, what's this about defeating this imposter? If you know who he, erm, she is... why don't the Atlantians put an end to her?"

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"I have recently entered the legal age of marriage last month. Please don't worry." she replied. "I have tried telling my mother, but she thinks I speak lies, and desire to bring our city to ruin by not bearing an heir. I came here to find a man more worthy to be my husband, or someone to defeat the demon imposter."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"So... what proof do you have that your betrothed is actually a demon? And if your mother - the queen- believes that he is a normal suitor, then why would she even consider me as a suitable husband? Wouldn't she just throw me in jail?"

Though Locke was concerned for Ripple if her story were true, he was still clueless as to how a simple guy like him could possibly be the answer to her problems. It was beginning to seem as if things were far more complicated than Ripple let on - or perhaps she did not realize the gravity of what she asked of him.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"Because the demon herself appeared to me and promised to violate me, mocking me and telling me that there was nothing I could do." she revealed. "You are currently the most popular man in this city. Even Venice has her faith in you, something very honorable. There can be none other than you."

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"So you only wish my hand in marriage because I am popular? I see," Locke frowned at this. Ripple was beautiful, as only a princess should be, but she lacked a certain long term vision. Still, it was hard to refuse a damsel in distress.

"Ripple, your highness, I would very much like to help you out of your predicament, but if a demon truly intends to torment you so, she will not simply stop because you've convinced a man to say 'I do' at a wedding. She will try to murder me, or my friends, or worse, she may hound us as equally as she intends to hound you. We must find a way to expose this demon to your mother, so that her plan will be thwarted and your family on their guard. Have you thought of going to the more powerful entities on this island? Like Venice or any of the known greater -good- powers?"

"And Ripple, how did you come to draw this demon's attention in the first place?"

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

Ripple put a hand to her chin. "I went to Venice first... But she said..."

"It'll be interesting to see how Locke handles it! I'm sure he'll help you." Venice said with a smile and slight laugh.

After revealing what Venice had told her, Ripple let out a sigh. "I knew it was hopeless... I will serve for the agreement of our deal and trouble you no longer." Ripple told Locke and the rest with a tone and expression of defeat, as if the imposter she claimed haunted her had won.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"Hold on! I didn't say I wouldn't help you," Locke scrambled to reassure the melancholy princess. "There are many things we could do. Still, I wonder why Venice would be so callous to not help you herself. This demon is clearly being unlawful, and there are mamono leaders on this island who have the authority to step in."

He put his hand on Ripple's. "I will help you search for a solution to your problem. But I have a request - that marriage be a back-up plan. You say you have three year's time before you absolutely must marry? Then let us try to strengthen ourselves to defeat this demon before then. And if we cannot, at least I will have gotten to know you, and you I, so that the marriage itself will not be so false - we would at least be friends, yes?"

"Aw, Locke, you're such a sweetie, but yes, I think we should find a more permanent solution to Ripple's woes," Celes agreed.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

Ripple took Locke's hand with sudden joy, smiling at him as she leaned in, standing up again as the chair took another fall in her excitement. "You'll marry me!?" she said in outburst, as if she heard nothing else. "Thank you, thank you so much! All my worries shall be put to rest! You'll easily beat back that demon, won't you? I'm so relieved that I won't be violated by such a creature! And instead a healthy young man offers to give something so precious~" she went off on her own. Both Raven and Marla rose their wings, but still felt pity towards the princess, so they said nothing. "A lucky girl am I! What shall we name our children? If it's a boy, how about Fin? And the girl, Serene."

Ripple threw her arms up as if praising the ceiling. "Happy day!"

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

"Um, helloo, Princess? Ripple? Don't wander off just yet. Please sit down." Locke ran after her and guided her back to the table. "As I said, marrying you is a last option. I don't think the answer to your problems is so simple, and even if I married you, I may love another and want to have children by them. Could you handle such an arrangement? And if this demon is defeated and troubles you no longer, then you are free to marry a man you love and one who truly loves you. That will be best for you and he. So please, do not forget that I do this because I intend to free you of your demon problem. If you actually want a permanent marriage to me, you'll have to make me fall in love with you."

Locke smiled at the last comment, as if that were naturally an obvious thing, but Ripple may not have found it so obvious.

 

[Mamono Assault Force]

Re: Locke's Ranch (BlueSlime)

Eyes gleaming with happiness, Ripple happily took her seat. Elbow on the table, and hand resting against the side of her face, she looked at Locke with endearment. "I'm already falling for you, my gallant knight, so noble, kind and pure~" Ripple spoke romantically, before her smile deepened. "As the princess of Atlantis, I will make your heart throb for me, Locke~" she announced, before Locke mentioned something about sharing.

Going back to her meal, Ripple nodded. "Let's be rid of the demon so I can find someone to marry."

"She gave up immediately..." Raven sighed.

"Oi!" Marla gave complaint. "So greedy, wanting a man to yourself! Even I, the Queen Harpy Marla, was willing to share!" Marla announced, pointing her clawed finger at Ripple.

"You... You were royalty as well!?" Ripple looked astonished. "I... I am so sorry your majesty." she bowed to Marla.

Marla chuckled while Raven face-clawed. "Yes, and I allow you to share my husband with me, among royalty."

Ripple bowed further. "I see, thank you very much."