The Entertainer/Little talk in the Throne room
"Now that we are alone, let us discuss some things." He kept petting my head. "You're a pretty little girl right now, but you have a very useful ability. Are you sure you are not lying to me when you say you cannot teach this art to someone else?" "I tried many times, and it just can't be." I crossed my arms saying so, in truth it's not something someone else can learn at all.
"Hm...How do you feel exposing your body in the name of science?" I clenched my legs together unintentionally "Huh? You mean undress myself?" "Well, you don't have to be in this form...In fact I'd prefers you to be in a proper one." His eyes looking from my head to toes, he then say "I mean...That would be very inappropriate right now wouldn't you say?" "Yeah..." The King pondered for a moment. "...Can you transform into other species?" "You mean different creature?" "Yes, I'd like to know if you could become a beast or perhaps something else." Giving it some thoughts, it's not like the King would do anything bad knowing my powers. The way he act already points toward how he won't be forceful but... "Yeah, I can transform myself into anything else as long as i have a little sample from them."
"Show me." "Huh? Not here!" I said, waving my hands back and forth to reinforce my no. He smiled at me and chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm teasing you! ...But I do have a favor for you." "Huh?" He got up, putting his arms around me and letting me grab him around his neck like i was giving him a hug. I could feel his hand on my butt but he was simply holding me. He began to move toward the exit. "If this little experiment work, your salary will double up." I perked up my ears, salary? Now that i think about it, mine is alright for getting meals outside of town and acting up like a jackass. If anything, I don't even need it thanks to the free food i get here and what i can do...But it might get interesting later.
"Can you write?" He ask me out of the blue. I know how to write in different languages but... "Not really, why?" "Ah? So you can't read as well?" He ask as he opened the door leading to the exit and heading out "Nope, never had the time to learn it." "Hm. Odd, I do recall your ability to count." "Oh that? Yeah, counting's pretty important, sir. I doubt I'd get much done around here without that!" And that's true, lots of fun little games outside this castle just for winning money, especially Poker! Can't skip out on that shit. "Do you know why i am asking you such a question?" "No?"
I can't see his reaction but i can feel his hand gently rubbing my butt. "I was hoping you could make a document showcasing the way you use that ability. Your change of behaviors, the way you think, anything you go through. I suppose I'll leave that to the scientist then..." "Scientist?" "Yes, not far from the castle there is a hidden laboratory and I'd like you to work with him." "...So you want me to be a test subject?" "Oh, no no no...Not a subject, far from it! Think of it as an extra paycheck. He'll be delighted to work with you." We made way down the hallway, and he got to a door guarded by two guards. The two of them moved away while opening the door as the King made way. We descended the stairs.
"Why are we going to the prison?" I ask. "Oh, you already came here?" "Me and the kids already played there a few times actually." He stopped midway, taking me just down from my arms and pulling me up in front of me. "YOU WHAT?" He said with a angry look. "Well...At the time they were bored and we had nothing to do! So I had them play around there and tell weird tales of what happened down there...Nothing serious actually!" He sighed, and held me close to him again. "Damn it, I didn't want them to know at all about the prison." He said as he continued walking down. "Well it's not like you had much going on down there. Just a bunch of detained men." With a grunt he continued "I'd prefers if you keep quiet about matters happening down there, is that clear?" "Yes, sir..." "Anyway, this is where you'll have to pass through if you want to meet the scientist. I've had a hidden hallway done so he can retreat into the castle quickly."
As we made it downstairs, we went through another door. Beyond lies several cells, guards making round, torches. Not many people in those cells, just some shmucks. We went for the furthest door on the right and made way, leading to another hallway. This one was devoid of guards, but had several doors on both the left and right. "As you've guessed, I'd also prefers if you come here as a fully grown man. I wouldn't want the guards jumping on you and creating conflict." "Hmhm, yeah that makes sense." "Well..You could also go down as a little girl as you will be assigned a pin representing that you are a scientist, but I'd prefers not to risk it."
Reaching the door at the end of the hall, we got inside. It was a little resting room with a table, cards with a poker game on the way, just behind it are bunk beds, two doors nearby. One locked. "There, give me a moment..." He set me down, took one of the torch nearby, and unlocked the door. Looking inside, it's a little room with a pantry. "Here, come inside." We made it together inside, then he closed the door. "My, is it me or is it hot in there?" He teased while reaching for an object on one of the shelf. The pantry began to move by it's own, revealing a hidden hallway. "So this is where I'll have to go to see the scientist?" "Yes, it's not a very long walk but it will take you directly to his lab." "Anything i should know before we arrive?"
"Hm..." He took a moment. "...Ah, yes. Don't be alarmed by his odd ways of doing things. He's still a teenager and may do things he may regret." "Wait, how old is he?" "Fourteen? I think? Despite his age, he's been quite useful, and I hope you two will get along just fine." "Is he the only scientist?" "At the moment, yes. It will be you and him for the current time. The laboratory may see some improvement in the next few years, however." After a long walk, we came across what appears to be a dead end. The King then pressed one of the stone in the wall, it then opened a way in a closet filled with random nick knacks. He then unlocked another door nearby and we went through.
Inside was everything you'd expect when you hear of a laboratory. A bunch of samples of things, weird mechanics there and here, a table in the middle, several chair, a large blackboard already filled with numbers, widespread room with doors, several pantries, cabinets and other things. "Hmph-Oh, hi!" A blue bunny kid in his very early teens said, but i can see he's definitely taller than me. Wearing a white coat, gray pants and shirt, and sporting glasses, he's currently eating a bunch of veggies in a bowl with a fork. "Hail my King!" He said raising the fork "Is that the new subject? Heheh?" He had that very nerdy voice to himself, if i was myself I'd probably take his head and rub my fingers over it...Wait, I CAN be myself! Eh, don't feel like being naked through.
"Now now, as we've discussed, he will be your new partner." The little guy almost choked on his food laughing. "But that's a cute little widdle girl! Not a guy!" He said, wavering his fork toward me. I've rolled my eye while the King turns back to me. "This is Benedict, he'll foresee and write down everything about you and your ability." He turns his head to him. "I suppose you will also teach him everything he needs to know about your lab, isn't that right?" The boy's smile was gone for a moment, then quickly got up "Oh, right right!" He kept wavering his fork in the air in a up and down motion. "I'll make sure she knows EEEEEEEEEEVERYTHING!" He said as he spread his arms, tinging his fork on a jar nearby. "Oh whoops." He cleaned the fork on the side of his lab coat and kept eating.
"Anyway, young girl..." The King pondered for a moment with one hand on his chin. "That's odd, I don't recall your real name." "Don't worry about it sir, if you see me as a girl you can just call me Alice." "Ohh, that's cute!" The little scientist said. "Yes, yes. We'll discuss this later. For now spend the rest of the afternoon with him and come back later, eat a meal and...Do you recall seeing one of the guest rooms?" "Yes, sir." "One of the maid will prepare the room for you." "What's the name of the maid?" "Lilly, do you know her?" My ears perk up and I had a smile. I know that name very well! "Oh, I do sir! What hour will she prepare the room?" "At seven, she'll remain in the room until you are there." "Perfect!" I chimed back, I unintentionally had a little dance on place.
"I'll leave you two for now..Oh, and Alice?" "Yes?" "How do you feel about shooting wild animals?" "Shooting, sir?" I tilted my head, not a word I've heard before." "Yes, I was planning to teach my son how to use a firearm. I've had one made specifically for him. We'll leave early however, so expect a maid to wake you up at five. You'll also have to take your old form as you will be geared appropriately. I wouldn't want a little girl like you around...Even if your presence is cute." He said, bowing down and pinching my left cheek. "Ow." "We'll discuss more about it tomorrow." I smiled back "Of course, sir." "Good! Benedict. Alice." He said looking at the two of us before leaving. "My King." Me and the scientist said.