"Marla tag out! You're up Raven! Swift kick this one outta the fight! Go all out, just like Marla did!" Locke said.
As Marla fluttered down and out of the fight, Locke came to her side and took out the mint leaf, putting it in front of Marla's nose to let the soothing effects of the aroma kick in before letting her chew on it.
"That should cure you." He said softly before turning back to watch how Raven was doing.
"Locke..." Marla said with a dreamy tone as she was cured, before trying to give Locke a deep kiss. Marla is no longer poisoned!
Quickly dashing, Raven passed along the bee like a black dart, dealing 33 damage right on the nose. The honey bee was knocked down!
The other honey bee healed 5 Life before taking her sister's place!
"Bzzz! You! I won't show fear as a member of my queen's army!" she exclaimed.
(Battle Menu)
Marla: 79 / 114
Guts: 0
Raven: 108 / 108
Guts: 0
Honey Bee A: 48 / 90
Guts: 0
Honey Bee B: 0 / 90
Guts: 8
Skills:
Marla
High Kick
Pow 17
D/-/-/-
Basic
Feather Dagger
Pow 17
E/E/-/-
Basic
Raven
Swift Strike
Mag 8
E/-/-/-
Basic
Sand Throw
Mag 17
-/-/E/-
20% Blind (Enemy rolls twice for to-hit, taking the lesser of two rolls)
Commands:
Go all out! (Increase to hit and damage, lower dodge and defense)
Play it safe! (Halve Guts generation, increase defense and dodge)
Defend! (Won't gain guts for 4 seconds, double dodge and halve damage recieved)
Wait and See! (Do nothing, gain Guts passively)
Get brave! (Gain guts at a faster rate, lower dodge and defense)
You can do it! (Cure negative morale)
She can't stop you! (Add positive morale)
Take Flight! (Double speed for one turn, but if hit, halve speed until enemy's next attack)
"That's the way, Raven! They can't stop you! Swift Kick again!" Locke said, wanting to up Raven's morale for the final blow. As he gave out his command, he placed a hand on Marla's shoulder and rubbed her affectionately as she stood next to him. Something about the way she'd looked at him as he healed her had caught him off guard, and he was having tender thoughts about her. She'd saved his life earlier today with the minotaur - healing her of a bad sting was the least he could do, yet he'd do so much more if he could.
"But of course," Raven replied calmly. Raven is now Composed! "The outcome was never really in doubt."
Two quick swipes followed, before the second bee girl fell, landing on top of her twin.
"Wow!" Rippled cheered. "So strong! You're all so amazing!" Ripple announced happily. "Oh Locke~ I have no worries for my future! If you're there, you and everyone can handle it." Ripple said, so happy to be where she is right now.
Marla showed up, wrapping a wing around Ripple's shoulders, "I don't mean to take all the credit, but I did most of the work~!"
"I'd say you both worked together as a great team, Marla. Your strength put them both on the back buzzer, and then Raven's swift actions took them down methodically. Great job to both of you." Locke said, leaning over to kiss Marla on the cheek and then over to Raven to kiss her in a likewise manner.
"Now... what should we do about these two? They look like they could be good additions to our ranch if we can instill a bit of discipline in them. Plus I know bees produce honey! We could sell it to help augment some of the costs of your training."
Locke put down his pack and fished out some rope. "Let's get them secured."
Then the bees were roped up as Ripple observed curiously. "But how will you tame them? Bees are raised from birth to obey their queen, to obey you instead... I don't think I could manage such a thing." Ripple admitted.
After a moment, they woke up. "Bzz... Bzzz!!!" the first bee girl gave a start. "W-what izzz this? We won't tell you any secrets that would harm our queen! Never!" she protested.
"I don't really want secrets about your Queen. Honest. I'm sure she's nice. But I'm a mamono rancher. My name's Locke, and I'm out to recruit new partners in my ranch. You two showed real fight back there, and even though you lost, I'd like to offer you both a position on my ranch. What do you think of that?"
Locke spoke, assuming that they would object strongly in favor of their queen. He allowed them to do so, then held up his hand as if he did not mean to offend.
"Loyal ladies, I could not ask you to betray your queen, nor am I asking you. I'm merely offering the two of you the chance to be... envoys! I'm interested in possibly supporting a queen bee in the future at my ranch, but I'll have to test the concept out first! That's where two lovely honey bees like you would come in! Remember you thought you had to test me? Well I've got to test you! If I think bees are a good match for my ranch, when I'm ready to officially hold a bee of your queen's standards, I'll go out and win your queen to my side. She'll be happy, I'll be happy, and that'd make you happy right? It's a win-win situation."
"We zzzerve only the queen!" the bee girls objected as Locke expected. Then, following his future plans to them, the bee girls grumbled in complaint. "It izzz... For the queen to decide, of your plans! We will test you, and if you are suitable... Then we will only aid you in your progress towards our queen. We cannot take you there directly, but to go to her eventually... Izzz fine... But, never against the queen! Never!" she stated firmly. "And a new hive would please the queen greatly."
"Well, I'm glad there's some wiggle room for compromise. I pledge to you both, I'll never make either of you go against the will of your queen. That being said, by virtue of the fact that you've lost your fight against my guardians, I'll choose when and if you two test me. I don't think I'm quite ready to face your queen just yet. There are many things I must do before that. But if you come with me, and observe me in my natural habitat, you'll be able to scope out my ranch and make suggestions that would help it be a better hive for your queen, if we are indeed worthy of each other in the end. What do you think of that?"
Locke wore a congenial smile, hoping he could build up a bit of trust with the two buzzing girls.
The buzzing bee girl grinned. "Oh, the queen won't be moving there, to her new nest. If we construct a new hive, it will be her daughter that moves in. And if she accepts you, you will be the father." the bee girl replied. "A queen's throne is definite. She will never abandon it, not on her life."
"Having a penis sure is handy!" Ripple giggled. "You have quite the masculine charm!"
Locke looked sidelong at Ripple, not really sure how to take her comment. After a moment of awkwardness, he stumbled onward.
"Uh... right. Well then... you two could construct a hive then perhaps? That would be within your prerogative to forward the goals of your queen, yes?"
If this turned out to be true, then Locke would smile and spread his arms wide. "Great! Then you two can come back to the ranch with me. Ah... do you have names?"
"I'm sure those are very nice bee names... but on my ranch, there's a certain expectation of more individualization. Hrmm... Fifty-Six and Fifty-Seven. Fi-Si... Fi-Se... Fizzy and Fizzette. Still very close sister names, and quite cute, just like yourselves. Whatcha think?"
Locke smiled wide, proud of his naming scheme which probably left the others with blank looking faces.
The two bees looked at each other with what could only be described as distaste, before one whispered, 'humor him...' and they both turned back and said, "That is acceptable. Now, if you'll untie us, we must go and inform our queen. If it suits her, we will be waiting for you at your ranch."
Having heard the 'humor him' bit, Locke's smile faded and took on a slightly defeated look. He sighed and then, after a moment of self-pity, he righted his shoulders and was back to his confident self once more.
Marla and Raven worked together to untie the two bees. Once they were free, they began buzzing anew, flying into the air as they looked down at Locke and his companions. "Bzz! You will know the queen's wishes soon. Take this honey, and smear it somewhere at your home. We will find it eventually." one bee said, before they both flew off towards the deeper, more dangerous area of the forest.
"Hey Locke," Marla announced herself, looking over to him with a curious glance. "Are you gonna include lots of kinds of girls for my harem?" she asked with a both curious and excited grin.
"I'm going to try and expand the types of mamono we have at the ranch. If you can convince them to be a part of Queen Marla's harem, more power to you." Locke said with a wink, knowing that the answer should satisfy his harpy. If anything, she'd look at it like a challenge to prove herself as the best.
Walking over to her, Locke placed his hands on her shoulders and gave her a surprise smooch. "Don't go dividing your attention too much though, gorgeous.
"Now, let's keep looking for some mamono to bring back to the ranch!"
"Yeah!" Marla cheered, as did Ripple, even though none of this was for her own sake, she just seemed happy to cheer Locke on.
And then, they continued on their journey through the fields, the Slime Fields as they've been called. And true to their name, the plains of grass and scattered trees seemed to shimmer in the sunlight due to the presence of slimes passing through. Everything seemed moist, and no other fellow humans were in sight, nor any other mamono for that matter. It seemed that everyone knew well enough to steer clear of such a place. Contrary to them however, Locke was advancing towards the dangers, and eventually,
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In a small cave, Locke tracked a trail of slime to it's source, a pretty slime girl who was scavenging for food. "Aaaah~!" The slime moaned happily, smiling at Locke with such a cute and doting expression, before sliming her way towards him, arms reaching out to catch him and have lots of slimy fun with him. "So cute~!" she announced, staring intently at Locke.
"Wow... it's a slime but, she's so cute and pretty too... didn't realize they could be so human looking if they wanted..." Locke said under his breath when he first laid eyes on his dangerous quarry. Then the slime's red-hued eyes turned and transfixed on Locke. It was an intense stare, but full of genuine wonder and excitement too. Locke knew that if she could, the slime would grab him and he'd have trouble getting free of her.
"Hey there," Locke said, starting to back up. "I'm Locke. I'm a mamono rancher. Uh... would you want to come to my ranch?" he asked. Maybe this slime could be convinced to come without Marla or Raven needing to fight.
"Noooo~" the slime whined, coming after Locke as fast as she could go, which was as fast as he could step back. "Stay here, forever!" she beckoned him, lustful greed in her eyes as she wanted Locke all to herself for, apparently, eternity.
"'Fraid not!!" Marla announced, blocking Locke from the slime and slashing with her talon. Her claw sunk right in, and the slime brought Marla down, hard as she made a pouty face, knowing that she was being denied what she wanted by the bird.
As it seemed Marla was about to be captured by the slime, Raven dived in quick and freed Marla, taking her back to Locke's front. "With just our claws... This will be a dangerous foe." Raven observed, narrowing her eyes.
"Mmmm!" the slime hummed angrily at the two birds who blocked her path to Locke, before adopting a fighting stance, ready to fight the two birds over Locke.
"Locke... Can they even fight that?" Ripple wondered, noticing how weak Marla's attack was.
(Battle Menu)
Marla: 79 / 114
Guts: 0
Raven: 108 / 108
Guts: 0
Cute Slime: 200 / 200
Guts: 0
Skills:
Marla
High Kick
Pow 17
D/-/-/-
Basic
Feather Dagger
Pow 17
E/E/-/-
Basic
Raven
Swift Strike
Mag 8
E/-/-/-
Basic
Sand Throw
Mag 17
-/-/E/-
20% Blind (Enemy rolls twice for to-hit, taking the lesser of two rolls)
Commands:
Go all out! (Increase to hit and damage, lower dodge and defense)
Play it safe! (Halve Guts generation, increase defense and dodge)
Defend! (Won't gain guts for 4 seconds, double dodge and halve damage recieved)
Wait and See! (Do nothing, gain Guts passively)
Get brave! (Gain guts at a faster rate, lower dodge and defense)
You can do it! (Cure negative morale)
She can't stop you! (Add positive morale)
Take Flight! (Double speed for one turn, but if hit, halve speed until enemy's next attack)
