** using child Shimi **
The day was freezing cold when Shimi slipped into the dank old inn unnoticed, following in the footsteps of another entering. Most all the adults were preoccupied enough not to even notice a young girl entering, which gave her plenty of time to shuffle past the front desk into the area beyond. Wrapped in a ragged cloak she'd found somewhere (the memory of where exactly eluding her), she remained for all intents and purposes invisible to the other tenants, her dark face hidden from view as she ventured forth.
Her feet gently beat across the floor, pattering like rain on a rooftop as she shuffled down the hall. Her ears remained alert, however, as she neared the rooms, searching for signs of anyone shifting or leaving their accommodations. Because the little brat wasn't looking for a room of her own.
Picking a room, Shimi cracked open the door, peeking inside; once she was sure the occupant was still, she crept in, quietly closing the door behind her. We didn't know who was inside, and didn't much care, in all honesty. Only after she'd taken a peek did she note the distinct scent of another demon - which she knew all too well, herself being of similar kin. Not that it mattered; if she didn't dally, Shimi would be in and out before the individual knew what's what.
Of course it was hardly so simple. The child had just passed the threshold when her foot caught on a loose board, causing the girl to stumble, uttering a tiny squeak in surprise before remembering where she was. Not sure what to do, she froze in place, blinking in momentary confusion as her senses refused to respond.
The day was freezing cold when Shimi slipped into the dank old inn unnoticed, following in the footsteps of another entering. Most all the adults were preoccupied enough not to even notice a young girl entering, which gave her plenty of time to shuffle past the front desk into the area beyond. Wrapped in a ragged cloak she'd found somewhere (the memory of where exactly eluding her), she remained for all intents and purposes invisible to the other tenants, her dark face hidden from view as she ventured forth.
Her feet gently beat across the floor, pattering like rain on a rooftop as she shuffled down the hall. Her ears remained alert, however, as she neared the rooms, searching for signs of anyone shifting or leaving their accommodations. Because the little brat wasn't looking for a room of her own.
Picking a room, Shimi cracked open the door, peeking inside; once she was sure the occupant was still, she crept in, quietly closing the door behind her. We didn't know who was inside, and didn't much care, in all honesty. Only after she'd taken a peek did she note the distinct scent of another demon - which she knew all too well, herself being of similar kin. Not that it mattered; if she didn't dally, Shimi would be in and out before the individual knew what's what.
Of course it was hardly so simple. The child had just passed the threshold when her foot caught on a loose board, causing the girl to stumble, uttering a tiny squeak in surprise before remembering where she was. Not sure what to do, she froze in place, blinking in momentary confusion as her senses refused to respond.
Cold days always made Garry incredibly weary. Whether it was his body fighting off the chill or the fact that he preferred to stay inside all day long and keep warm rather than go out and do something active, it clearly had an exhausting effect on his body. After a morning of arriving at the place and settling down, all he did was eat a light meal and consume some alcohol before going up to the room and making use of the comfortable bed to catch up some sleep.
What had started off as a comfortable nap had quickly turned into a fitful sleep. The previous days had been rough, his instincts weren't going to keep him from getting any rest. The man had barely taken his time to change as he was still dressed in the brown cloth trousers and the dark shirt he wore underneath a thick cloak when he had arrived at the place. Boots, gloves and cloak were thrown on the floor and he had sloppily left his belongings behind on the floor, the man had not even taken his time to properly store them away. He could finally relax, his body back at a nice temperature.
Nonetheless, he had always been a light sleeper. It would be irresponsible for a hunter to sleep through everything happening around them. If the sound of a small girl stumbling on a wood floor hadn't caught his attention, the high-pitched sound of her squeak sure did. He opened an eye to quickly scan the room and recognizing the blur resembling a person standing near the entrance of the room, he quickly pushed himself into a sitting position and took his glasses off the table next to the bed, putting them on the bridge of his nose.
He briefly looked at the child, confused as of why she was in a room that wasn't hers. He highly doubted that he was in a situation as embarrassing as having entered the wrong room himself, perhaps it was a mistake of hers. "Hello?" the man greeted, voice still a bit raw from waking up just moments ago. "Are you lost?" he added to his question.
What had started off as a comfortable nap had quickly turned into a fitful sleep. The previous days had been rough, his instincts weren't going to keep him from getting any rest. The man had barely taken his time to change as he was still dressed in the brown cloth trousers and the dark shirt he wore underneath a thick cloak when he had arrived at the place. Boots, gloves and cloak were thrown on the floor and he had sloppily left his belongings behind on the floor, the man had not even taken his time to properly store them away. He could finally relax, his body back at a nice temperature.
Nonetheless, he had always been a light sleeper. It would be irresponsible for a hunter to sleep through everything happening around them. If the sound of a small girl stumbling on a wood floor hadn't caught his attention, the high-pitched sound of her squeak sure did. He opened an eye to quickly scan the room and recognizing the blur resembling a person standing near the entrance of the room, he quickly pushed himself into a sitting position and took his glasses off the table next to the bed, putting them on the bridge of his nose.
He briefly looked at the child, confused as of why she was in a room that wasn't hers. He highly doubted that he was in a situation as embarrassing as having entered the wrong room himself, perhaps it was a mistake of hers. "Hello?" the man greeted, voice still a bit raw from waking up just moments ago. "Are you lost?" he added to his question.
Oh hells oh hells oh hells the occupant was awake. If only she hadn't been such a klutz. Or maybe he'd been awake the whole time - which wasn't an improvement at all. Shimi should've ducked down or hid under the bed or something. Maybe she should've just bolted. Anything was better than what she was doing now - standing in place, knees starting to quake, fear locking up any instinct to flee that she might've had.
If she knew the words and her brain wasn't so slow, she could have lied. In her current condition, she could barely make anything more than stupefied gasps, her head growing light as stress began overtaxing her little heart. Finally, something kicked her feet into gear, and she abruptly turned to flee out the door- only to smack face-first into the door frame with a profound *whump!*
The child demon stumbled backward until she fell again, seeing stars everywhere. Remarkably, aside from a concussion and a knot on her head, the girl was mostly unharmed, if severely dazed; the frame, on the other hand, had a polished dent about an inch long by two wide where her forehead hit, leaving some wonder as to how the kid had survived the impact. Now lying on the floor, she mewled pitifully, vision blurred and head pounding like a blacksmith's hammer inside her brain-case.
That didn't stop Shimi from trying to turn over onto her belly and crawl out, but between the worsening pain and her confused sense of direction, she wasn't going anywhere near the door. Whatever happened to her now, it was her own fault, and whatever punishment that came was well-deserved. In her mind, there was little doubt the stranger was going to do terrible things to her for invading their privacy.
If she knew the words and her brain wasn't so slow, she could have lied. In her current condition, she could barely make anything more than stupefied gasps, her head growing light as stress began overtaxing her little heart. Finally, something kicked her feet into gear, and she abruptly turned to flee out the door- only to smack face-first into the door frame with a profound *whump!*
The child demon stumbled backward until she fell again, seeing stars everywhere. Remarkably, aside from a concussion and a knot on her head, the girl was mostly unharmed, if severely dazed; the frame, on the other hand, had a polished dent about an inch long by two wide where her forehead hit, leaving some wonder as to how the kid had survived the impact. Now lying on the floor, she mewled pitifully, vision blurred and head pounding like a blacksmith's hammer inside her brain-case.
That didn't stop Shimi from trying to turn over onto her belly and crawl out, but between the worsening pain and her confused sense of direction, she wasn't going anywhere near the door. Whatever happened to her now, it was her own fault, and whatever punishment that came was well-deserved. In her mind, there was little doubt the stranger was going to do terrible things to her for invading their privacy.
The room's inhabitant patiently waited for a response from the little intruder. It was confusing to just see her standing there, silent and shivering without movement. Perhaps the child didn't speak his language? He opened his mouth to speak again, only to be interrupted by the child running into the frame of the door and falling back.
"Are you alright?" he asked, moving a hand to his face. He threw the covers off his body and placed his feet on the floor, looking at the child to see if any visible injuries had appeared. "Oh my..." he added when he laid his eyes on the frame of the door. This girl sure had a hard skull to have made such a dent.
The man stood up and walked towards the girl, who was on her belly now. He crouched next to her, laid a hand of her back to stop her from moving and tried to get a better look of her head. "Do you understand me?" he asked, trying to change his voice to a soft and gentle tone. "I don't want to hurt you, you don't have to try to run away."
"Are you alright?" he asked, moving a hand to his face. He threw the covers off his body and placed his feet on the floor, looking at the child to see if any visible injuries had appeared. "Oh my..." he added when he laid his eyes on the frame of the door. This girl sure had a hard skull to have made such a dent.
The man stood up and walked towards the girl, who was on her belly now. He crouched next to her, laid a hand of her back to stop her from moving and tried to get a better look of her head. "Do you understand me?" he asked, trying to change his voice to a soft and gentle tone. "I don't want to hurt you, you don't have to try to run away."
Shimi's response to being touched was immediate; the tiny girl's body flinched violently, and she tried to curl into a fetal position. Of course, in her state she couldn't curl much, and only made her head hurt worse, eliciting a small whimper as she languidly clutched her aching brain case. It took her a good half-minute before she responded - even then the best she could give was a slow affirming nod, lest she disrupt her achy head again.
But she wasn't fooled; no adult would let a street rat go that easily, and those that would always had another motive in mind. So even with the shallow promises made by the room's occupant, Shimi did not for a second believe anything being said, choosing to remain cautious and ready to flee should - no, when - the stranger's "kind words" proved to be otherwise. Still feigning belief might be better right now than being completely uncooperative.
So she tried to speak something other than pathetic groans. "Yesss, under...stand" she rasped, her tinny voice ragged and harsh on the ears, even for one so young. Communicating in human tongues wasn't easy for the child, not when her voice was made to speak something else entirely. Guessing at the stranger's lineage, Shimi attempted a broken response in the universal demonic language, though her accent and intones were anything but formal. "You speak this too, yes? Know language of damned ones?"
If she was wrong, the man might feel extreme pain, like a murderous migraine - if he managed to retain his sanity. Though she was sure of her senses, if he wasn't another demon, then at least she could make an escape that way. Not exactly clean, but it was an out all the same.
But she wasn't fooled; no adult would let a street rat go that easily, and those that would always had another motive in mind. So even with the shallow promises made by the room's occupant, Shimi did not for a second believe anything being said, choosing to remain cautious and ready to flee should - no, when - the stranger's "kind words" proved to be otherwise. Still feigning belief might be better right now than being completely uncooperative.
So she tried to speak something other than pathetic groans. "Yesss, under...stand" she rasped, her tinny voice ragged and harsh on the ears, even for one so young. Communicating in human tongues wasn't easy for the child, not when her voice was made to speak something else entirely. Guessing at the stranger's lineage, Shimi attempted a broken response in the universal demonic language, though her accent and intones were anything but formal. "You speak this too, yes? Know language of damned ones?"
If she was wrong, the man might feel extreme pain, like a murderous migraine - if he managed to retain his sanity. Though she was sure of her senses, if he wasn't another demon, then at least she could make an escape that way. Not exactly clean, but it was an out all the same.
The room's inhabitant flinched himself when the girl in front of him pulled away, bringing his hands close to his chest and stretching his fingers. It was nothing more than an instinctive move, the unexpected move triggering a defensive reaction in case there was a real attack. He stared at the girl for the entire time, wondering if she had indeed understood him at all. If anything, this was a mysterious situation.
When she finally gave him a response, he lowered his shoulders again and let a small smile appear on his face. He tilted his head and wanted to ask her more questions - why she was there, who she was - but got interrupted by the girl speaking a much clearer language, one he hadn't heard or even used in ages. Time had made him sensitive to the tongue, the words boomed through his head and gave him a slight headache. He moved his hand to his forehead and squinted his eyes.
Nonetheless, he did think about a way to respond to her. Showing her a simple nod would not be very convincing, but he did it as a start anyway. He used his free hand to signal the girl to hold on for a moment and looked down, eyes focused on the floor and mind focused on searching the right words in a vast and complex vocabulary. "... Yes. I do."
When she finally gave him a response, he lowered his shoulders again and let a small smile appear on his face. He tilted his head and wanted to ask her more questions - why she was there, who she was - but got interrupted by the girl speaking a much clearer language, one he hadn't heard or even used in ages. Time had made him sensitive to the tongue, the words boomed through his head and gave him a slight headache. He moved his hand to his forehead and squinted his eyes.
Nonetheless, he did think about a way to respond to her. Showing her a simple nod would not be very convincing, but he did it as a start anyway. He used his free hand to signal the girl to hold on for a moment and looked down, eyes focused on the floor and mind focused on searching the right words in a vast and complex vocabulary. "... Yes. I do."
** meep, sorry it took so long @__@ **
His response was... a bit unsettling. While at first the cringing put the little spider broodling on-edge, after a spell he replied in kind, although the articulation - if rusty - was well above her own. Then again, being near the bottom of the social ladder meant that just about any other demon (aside from those that couldn't speak Human at all) likely had better phonics than she did.
Still, it left Shimi in a tight-cornered conundrum. Should she tell the truth? Would she trust-- no, that was not the right word - would she rely upon the generosity shown so far to hold, or would a lie suffice in its place? Although, given what had happened, the reaction she had gotten was anything but what she had anticipated. Being beaten for trespassing on private property was expected; holding a conversation was certain not.
The young Arachne gathered herself, slowly rising from the floor while still nursing her head in one hand, keeping her tone as respectful as she could. Even now she didn't wish to look the stranger in the eye, afraid of… well, something. Settling for half of the facts, she simpered "Forgive me intruding, I was... unawares that another was in here. Th-they told me t-to check the rooms, m-make sure they were cleaned. I-I-I'm so sorry p-promise not t-to intrude again."
As with any workable lie, Shimi was at least partially telling the truth. Still, her 'explanation' was flimsy, wouldn't hold water, and would have to do, because she had no other way to account for her presence besides the truth. As she stumbled over the ending the little demoness tried to stand, but vertigo washed over her solidly enough to drop her back to her knees, whimpering. It wouldn't take much for the occupant to see straight through her half-truth, and she needed to be gone before he did, as his 'nice stranger' act would not last. But her bump was feeling more like a mild concussion with each passing moment, the opposite of anything resembling good news.
His response was... a bit unsettling. While at first the cringing put the little spider broodling on-edge, after a spell he replied in kind, although the articulation - if rusty - was well above her own. Then again, being near the bottom of the social ladder meant that just about any other demon (aside from those that couldn't speak Human at all) likely had better phonics than she did.
Still, it left Shimi in a tight-cornered conundrum. Should she tell the truth? Would she trust-- no, that was not the right word - would she rely upon the generosity shown so far to hold, or would a lie suffice in its place? Although, given what had happened, the reaction she had gotten was anything but what she had anticipated. Being beaten for trespassing on private property was expected; holding a conversation was certain not.
The young Arachne gathered herself, slowly rising from the floor while still nursing her head in one hand, keeping her tone as respectful as she could. Even now she didn't wish to look the stranger in the eye, afraid of… well, something. Settling for half of the facts, she simpered "Forgive me intruding, I was... unawares that another was in here. Th-they told me t-to check the rooms, m-make sure they were cleaned. I-I-I'm so sorry p-promise not t-to intrude again."
As with any workable lie, Shimi was at least partially telling the truth. Still, her 'explanation' was flimsy, wouldn't hold water, and would have to do, because she had no other way to account for her presence besides the truth. As she stumbled over the ending the little demoness tried to stand, but vertigo washed over her solidly enough to drop her back to her knees, whimpering. It wouldn't take much for the occupant to see straight through her half-truth, and she needed to be gone before he did, as his 'nice stranger' act would not last. But her bump was feeling more like a mild concussion with each passing moment, the opposite of anything resembling good news.
While he was easy to let the child off the hook for intruding in his room, the man was caught off guard by her latest response. If she hadn't stuttered like that and the words came out in a normal way, he wouldn't have noticed it. Perhaps she was just really not at all fluent or just embarrassed about having been caught entering the room to clean.
He cleared his throat and looked at Shimi, eyebrows high. "Hmm... Really?" he asked, crossing his arms. "It sounds weird that they would send a little child over..." he muttered, looking sideways. "You should know that I don't mind when a kid comes over to clean here, okay? If you stayed calm, you wouldn't have hurt yourself."
He watched as the spider broodling tried to get up but fell forwards again. "You ran into that frame pretty hard," he spoke, standing up again and pointing to the bed. "You should lie down for a while. As long as you are in here, your employers will probably think that you are cleaning anyway. It's better to get rid of the pain before going back to the other rooms..."
He cleared his throat and looked at Shimi, eyebrows high. "Hmm... Really?" he asked, crossing his arms. "It sounds weird that they would send a little child over..." he muttered, looking sideways. "You should know that I don't mind when a kid comes over to clean here, okay? If you stayed calm, you wouldn't have hurt yourself."
He watched as the spider broodling tried to get up but fell forwards again. "You ran into that frame pretty hard," he spoke, standing up again and pointing to the bed. "You should lie down for a while. As long as you are in here, your employers will probably think that you are cleaning anyway. It's better to get rid of the pain before going back to the other rooms..."
** bleah. had a draft all ready, then I copied over it 
here's the redux, which is probably better anyways. **
Oh crap oh crap oh crap he knew how did he know. Shimi's thoughts whirled as her lie began to unravel just as it was spun. This stranger was surely going to punish her now; that was the only explanation for his 'suggestion'. She had to escape, moreso than before.
Unfortunately, the lump on her head reminded her of otherwise, though she tried hard to ignore it as she whimpered. Her legs scooted her back, though not towards the door as she planned - or maybe she wasn't planning, just desperately trying to leave. Instead, her back thumped quietly against the wall, sending icy dread down her spine.
And then the tiny Arachne began to tear up, borderlining upon bawling. Her cursed tongue stumbled upon syllables as Shimi rushed her pleading, completely ignoring or forgetting her former attempts at subtlety as she simpered "Oh please I'm s-sorry! I just w-wanted s-s-some food and... T-th-th-the shop-p owners will-ill not ev-ven let me in any m-more. I did not mean a-a thing for it! P-p-plea... please let me go, I p-promise, never again!"
Granted, part of her was still lying, and given that she was a demon it might even be an unconscious act. But she looked sincere, given the way she shook uncontrollably as she cowered, hands covering her head as the little demoness cried most uncharacteristically. So sure was she in her visions of terror and nightmare fuel that it didn't even register in her mind that anyone - let alone another demon - would take pity upon a street rat, if only briefly.
here's the redux, which is probably better anyways. **Oh crap oh crap oh crap he knew how did he know. Shimi's thoughts whirled as her lie began to unravel just as it was spun. This stranger was surely going to punish her now; that was the only explanation for his 'suggestion'. She had to escape, moreso than before.
Unfortunately, the lump on her head reminded her of otherwise, though she tried hard to ignore it as she whimpered. Her legs scooted her back, though not towards the door as she planned - or maybe she wasn't planning, just desperately trying to leave. Instead, her back thumped quietly against the wall, sending icy dread down her spine.
And then the tiny Arachne began to tear up, borderlining upon bawling. Her cursed tongue stumbled upon syllables as Shimi rushed her pleading, completely ignoring or forgetting her former attempts at subtlety as she simpered "Oh please I'm s-sorry! I just w-wanted s-s-some food and... T-th-th-the shop-p owners will-ill not ev-ven let me in any m-more. I did not mean a-a thing for it! P-p-plea... please let me go, I p-promise, never again!"
Granted, part of her was still lying, and given that she was a demon it might even be an unconscious act. But she looked sincere, given the way she shook uncontrollably as she cowered, hands covering her head as the little demoness cried most uncharacteristically. So sure was she in her visions of terror and nightmare fuel that it didn't even register in her mind that anyone - let alone another demon - would take pity upon a street rat, if only briefly.
The man tilted his head sideways, raising an eyebrow and her and making an intrigued 'hmm?' sound. The spider girl in front of him was really speaking nonsense at that point, most of the sounds coming out of her didn't even sound like eligible words. None except for the hungry pleas. The poor thing must have hit that door frame really hard, her head must have been a real mess from the impact with the hard wooden structure.
"You must be really hungry... I still have some bread..." he finally responded, looking at the desk on the other side of the room which held the half eaten remains of his breakfast. "Um," he spoke in common language, before switching back to the dark tongue, "P-please don't cry! I'll make sure you feel better, okay? You are in lots of pain, I think?" the demon asked, speaking quickly to avoid drawing any attention. For any bystander who didn't get the context of this situation, he could have throw the child into the wall as a form of physical abuse. He certainly didn't want others to think that he would do such a thing.
"You must be really hungry... I still have some bread..." he finally responded, looking at the desk on the other side of the room which held the half eaten remains of his breakfast. "Um," he spoke in common language, before switching back to the dark tongue, "P-please don't cry! I'll make sure you feel better, okay? You are in lots of pain, I think?" the demon asked, speaking quickly to avoid drawing any attention. For any bystander who didn't get the context of this situation, he could have throw the child into the wall as a form of physical abuse. He certainly didn't want others to think that he would do such a thing.
Maybe she had hit her head harder than anticipated; she could've sworn that an adult was being nice to her. Shimi's cringing passed somewhat when she heard the word "bread". Granted, it wasn't exactly her normal diet, but at this point she would be willing to stoop to vegetables and fruits if it meant she had something in her stomach. Her eyes followed his, a little drool trickling down her chin at the mere though of actual food.
Unfortunately, in her grovelling and whimpering, she haven't heard the clomping in the stairwell of heavy feet ascending. She'd just moved away from the entryway and started crawling towards the table when said door when it burst open, a tall heavy-set man whom didn't look one bit happy standing in the frame - the owner of the inn. "Whaz all this noise up 'ere?! I 'eard a loud bang and--"
He stopped mid-sentence when he spied Shimi, who was dialing back up to terrified as he roared "YOU AGAIN! Ya've got a lotta nerve t' be comin' back here again, runt!" Shimi squealed, trying haphazardly to dive underneath the bed, but she was far too slow in her current state as a thick hand grasped her by the ankle. Even as he lifted her into the air, the little spider demon kept squirming, screeching her tiny lungs out for a few seconds before she needed to breathe again.
To Garry the inn proprietor made a hasty apology as he held the child like a prize rabbit "Pardon the intrusion, sir, but this's the third time this month she's come 'ere, and every time someone's stuff goes missing! Ain't gonna happen again, I promise ya. I don't run no thieves' den here, I'll swear by that!" There was something akin to murder in the big man's eyes - or maybe his size and demeanor made it look that way. No matter, Shimi was whimpering profusely, both from the pounding headache and the prospect of what would happen to her now.
Unfortunately, in her grovelling and whimpering, she haven't heard the clomping in the stairwell of heavy feet ascending. She'd just moved away from the entryway and started crawling towards the table when said door when it burst open, a tall heavy-set man whom didn't look one bit happy standing in the frame - the owner of the inn. "Whaz all this noise up 'ere?! I 'eard a loud bang and--"
He stopped mid-sentence when he spied Shimi, who was dialing back up to terrified as he roared "YOU AGAIN! Ya've got a lotta nerve t' be comin' back here again, runt!" Shimi squealed, trying haphazardly to dive underneath the bed, but she was far too slow in her current state as a thick hand grasped her by the ankle. Even as he lifted her into the air, the little spider demon kept squirming, screeching her tiny lungs out for a few seconds before she needed to breathe again.
To Garry the inn proprietor made a hasty apology as he held the child like a prize rabbit "Pardon the intrusion, sir, but this's the third time this month she's come 'ere, and every time someone's stuff goes missing! Ain't gonna happen again, I promise ya. I don't run no thieves' den here, I'll swear by that!" There was something akin to murder in the big man's eyes - or maybe his size and demeanor made it look that way. No matter, Shimi was whimpering profusely, both from the pounding headache and the prospect of what would happen to her now.
The adult demon noticed the change in Shimi's behaviour, it must have meant that she really was hungry and that bread could help her get rid of at least one source of suffering. He turned his head at the table and made his way towards the plate that was on top of it, which still had a full piece of bread lying in the remains of the vegetables and the scarce amount of meat he had eaten earlier on.
It was only when he turned around again with the plate in his hands that he noticed that the door was being thrown open, a brute inviting himself in. He gripped the plate a little harder and his smile faded away at the sight of heavier man.
He decided that staying quiet would be the best option, but when Shimi tried to flee and got caught by the ankle, he made a step backwards and placed the plate back on the table, in case he'd drop and break the object.
"T-thief?" he finally responded after being told about Shimi's previous actions. He looked at the girl, wondering if that was her purpose in his room. "Is that what you were her for?" he asked, completely forgetting that this time, the man was listening in on the dark conversation
It was only when he turned around again with the plate in his hands that he noticed that the door was being thrown open, a brute inviting himself in. He gripped the plate a little harder and his smile faded away at the sight of heavier man.
He decided that staying quiet would be the best option, but when Shimi tried to flee and got caught by the ankle, he made a step backwards and placed the plate back on the table, in case he'd drop and break the object.
"T-thief?" he finally responded after being told about Shimi's previous actions. He looked at the girl, wondering if that was her purpose in his room. "Is that what you were her for?" he asked, completely forgetting that this time, the man was listening in on the dark conversation
Well, there went any pretext she had to hide behind. Unfortunate for her, Shimi had nothing resembling a thief's reflexes nor sneakiness - if she had, she wouldn't have gotten into this situation. Thankfully, luck was on her side as the other demon spoke in native tongue, which caught the inn keeper off-guard as the syllables slammed into his brain. The reaction was predictable; he roared, letting go of Shimi as he clutched his ears to try in vain to block out the noise.
No doubt by now any other occupants were awake, though most stayed in their rooms, not wanting to know what was going on. Not that any of them could see past the giant of a man, who was now on one knee as he began regaining his senses. Meanwhile, Shimi dove for the nearest corner and stayed there, tears starting to well in her eyes. Despite her hatred for the innkeeper she couldn't bring herself to attack him as he was momentarily disabled, even if it would give her an avenue to escape.
In that time, the innkeeper regained his composure, only giving Garry a sideways glance of irritation, mumbling curses under his breath as his gaze reasserted to the child in the corner. "You," he said low and dangerous, pointing at Shimi "Ah told you what would happen if ya came around again. Did'ja think I was lying?!" It only took two steps to reach her, and his large hand stretched out for her. Shimi could see his eyes, the murderous hatred in them - if he got her, he was going to kill her.
So, out of desperation and instinct, she bit him.
Not just a warning nip either; she lashed out at the hand, grabbing hold of it before he could grab her and sunk her teeth into unprotected flesh, venom rapidly draining into her victim's body. Unlike her siblings, Shimi's bite was unlikely to kill the man, but it was still a sudden attack. As soon as he started to pull back she released, but a good portion was already in him, and the effects wouldn't take long to start. As for the innkeeper, he seemed more shocked than anything else, babbling short, stunted strings of words as he stared at his hand.
No doubt by now any other occupants were awake, though most stayed in their rooms, not wanting to know what was going on. Not that any of them could see past the giant of a man, who was now on one knee as he began regaining his senses. Meanwhile, Shimi dove for the nearest corner and stayed there, tears starting to well in her eyes. Despite her hatred for the innkeeper she couldn't bring herself to attack him as he was momentarily disabled, even if it would give her an avenue to escape.
In that time, the innkeeper regained his composure, only giving Garry a sideways glance of irritation, mumbling curses under his breath as his gaze reasserted to the child in the corner. "You," he said low and dangerous, pointing at Shimi "Ah told you what would happen if ya came around again. Did'ja think I was lying?!" It only took two steps to reach her, and his large hand stretched out for her. Shimi could see his eyes, the murderous hatred in them - if he got her, he was going to kill her.
So, out of desperation and instinct, she bit him.
Not just a warning nip either; she lashed out at the hand, grabbing hold of it before he could grab her and sunk her teeth into unprotected flesh, venom rapidly draining into her victim's body. Unlike her siblings, Shimi's bite was unlikely to kill the man, but it was still a sudden attack. As soon as he started to pull back she released, but a good portion was already in him, and the effects wouldn't take long to start. As for the innkeeper, he seemed more shocked than anything else, babbling short, stunted strings of words as he stared at his hand.
Looking back at the innkeeper, Garry realized that he had harmed the man by speaking with the dark voice in his presence. The demon watched as the man roared, stepping back in case he'd lash out at him in either pain or anger. "S-sorry! I didn't..." he tried to apologize, but the man didn't seem to react to his words. He just kept quiet and watched as he fell to his knees, Shimi escaped to the corner and the man got up again afterwards.
He was left speechless when she got grabbed and bit him in the hand. How obvious it was that this bite wasn't going to do him any good, he walked closer to one of the closets of the room and reached for his bag as subtle as he could, taking out a simple hunting knife and holding it behind his back.
As the silence fell over the three, he eyed both of them, first the innkeeper, then Shimi. This could turn out to be real ugly.
He was left speechless when she got grabbed and bit him in the hand. How obvious it was that this bite wasn't going to do him any good, he walked closer to one of the closets of the room and reached for his bag as subtle as he could, taking out a simple hunting knife and holding it behind his back.
As the silence fell over the three, he eyed both of them, first the innkeeper, then Shimi. This could turn out to be real ugly.
Shimi wanted nothing more than to hide right now. More than even when she was caught but not a few minutes before, the broodling wanted nothing more than to crawl under the bed or beneath something and stay there. This situation was spiralling out of control, but at least the fat bastard had backed off with a grunt of surprise and shock, clutching his hand like it was about to fall off.
Her bite wouldn't kill the innkeeper, but it wasn't without its side effects; on smaller beings it could stop the heart, but for someone his size it would not affect vital organs. The man looked like he was about to lash out at her again, but his bitten hand would start to go numb, followed by the rest of his arm within another few moments. Only now did she note the alcohol on his breath - a fact that might work in her favor. Still, the little girl was petrified, staying in the corner of the room she'd backed into before she was assaulted.
On the other hand, the attack only made the innkeeper more agitated, but with the Arachne venom present it was only a matter of time before he was disabled. He tried to say something, but his speech came out slurred and incomprehensible. The door frame caught him as he stumbled in his steps, and even Shimi became puzzled at his sudden random flailing. If he tried to take the stairs now, he'd surely trip and fall, and even if she didn't like him...
The tiny Arachne achieved a burst of bravery - or perhaps idiocy - and advanced upon the man. She abruptly backed away when his bitten arm swung towards her, but soon she had her hands upon his legs, steering the large man towards a chair near the stairwell. It was still the better outcome, rather than simply letting him fall within the room. However, her diminutive size was quickly making her attempted help an issue.
Simply put, he was too heavy for the girl to steer on her own; Shimi glanced back to the other demon, a nervous nod of the head and pleading in her eyes indicating she needed help.
Her bite wouldn't kill the innkeeper, but it wasn't without its side effects; on smaller beings it could stop the heart, but for someone his size it would not affect vital organs. The man looked like he was about to lash out at her again, but his bitten hand would start to go numb, followed by the rest of his arm within another few moments. Only now did she note the alcohol on his breath - a fact that might work in her favor. Still, the little girl was petrified, staying in the corner of the room she'd backed into before she was assaulted.
On the other hand, the attack only made the innkeeper more agitated, but with the Arachne venom present it was only a matter of time before he was disabled. He tried to say something, but his speech came out slurred and incomprehensible. The door frame caught him as he stumbled in his steps, and even Shimi became puzzled at his sudden random flailing. If he tried to take the stairs now, he'd surely trip and fall, and even if she didn't like him...
The tiny Arachne achieved a burst of bravery - or perhaps idiocy - and advanced upon the man. She abruptly backed away when his bitten arm swung towards her, but soon she had her hands upon his legs, steering the large man towards a chair near the stairwell. It was still the better outcome, rather than simply letting him fall within the room. However, her diminutive size was quickly making her attempted help an issue.
Simply put, he was too heavy for the girl to steer on her own; Shimi glanced back to the other demon, a nervous nod of the head and pleading in her eyes indicating she needed help.
Violet orbs stared at the scene unfolding in front of them, following every movement, reading every change in expression they could register from the corner Garry stood in as everything happened. Time slowed down, adrenaline filling the rapidly pumping blood coursing through his veins. With the weapon in his hand, he had involved himself, and soon enough he would have to choose someone to side with. Too soon, if you asked him...
He really wanted to help the girl, in the end she was more related to him than anyone he had met since the last time he saw one of his kin. But she attempted to steal from him earlier on, AND she lied about it. He stared at the man whose arm was slowly starting to look like it was paralyzed. It surely must have been the effect of the spider demon's bite not so long ago. He turned the knife in his hand, the surface already covered in sticky sweat that originated from his palm.
The blond walked behind the two as they left the room, standing still again right outside the broken frame of the door. As the man stumbled, the idea of the dangerous stairs came to mind as well. With the little girl clinging on to his leg, he noticed that she tried to steer the heavy man away from the stairs - but failed to do so due to her weight just not being enough.
Perhaps it was better to just let him fall down. When he was going for Shimi again after the bite he had considered either knocking him down with the backside of the weapon's handle, which probably wouldn't have worked, or to stab him clean in the back of the neck, which would have surely harmed him more than a simple knock on the head. Why change his mind now?
Alright, so maybe there actually was more time to think this over. If he didn't act earlier on and the man took a hold of Shimi, she would have been injured. Now there was more time to think - though only a second. Which flt like an eternity. The blond made his choice, dashing over to the man stumbling towards an imminent end, and shifted all his weight against the man's side in an attempt to push him towards one of the building's walls.
He really wanted to help the girl, in the end she was more related to him than anyone he had met since the last time he saw one of his kin. But she attempted to steal from him earlier on, AND she lied about it. He stared at the man whose arm was slowly starting to look like it was paralyzed. It surely must have been the effect of the spider demon's bite not so long ago. He turned the knife in his hand, the surface already covered in sticky sweat that originated from his palm.
The blond walked behind the two as they left the room, standing still again right outside the broken frame of the door. As the man stumbled, the idea of the dangerous stairs came to mind as well. With the little girl clinging on to his leg, he noticed that she tried to steer the heavy man away from the stairs - but failed to do so due to her weight just not being enough.
Perhaps it was better to just let him fall down. When he was going for Shimi again after the bite he had considered either knocking him down with the backside of the weapon's handle, which probably wouldn't have worked, or to stab him clean in the back of the neck, which would have surely harmed him more than a simple knock on the head. Why change his mind now?
Alright, so maybe there actually was more time to think this over. If he didn't act earlier on and the man took a hold of Shimi, she would have been injured. Now there was more time to think - though only a second. Which flt like an eternity. The blond made his choice, dashing over to the man stumbling towards an imminent end, and shifted all his weight against the man's side in an attempt to push him towards one of the building's walls.
** hope this works... bit drastic but ehh~ **
Shimi tried to keep calm, but the man was much heavier than her tiny body could deal with. Her venom was working fast, and it caused the man to stumble blindly through the hall. Sounds of struggle escaped as the young girl tried to push or pull him, but her coordination was no better right now.
Unfortunately, Garry's attempt at 'helping' failed in a different way. With his mass pressed into the far wall, the man's balance was upset; one missed step over the threshold of the stairwell later, and he was on his way to tumble down a flight and a half of stairs. Without thinking, Shimi had an adrenal spike of her own as she panicked, her body acting on its own as she raced to get ahead of the man. But something else was happening as well, and a relatively new pain entered her system as her body began to change rapidly.
She felt the change more than saw it, her senses widening while muscles burned, her new form emerging but taking too long. She reacted too quickly to think; a blur of motion past the proprietor, and in front of him there was... something about the little girl's size, but definitely not her. And it continued changing as she slowed the large man's possibly-crippling descent, arms bulging and strengthening as the rest of her underwent more dramatic alterations.
Two pairs of multi-jointed legs - one of which had been her human form's - stretched out and dug into the walls around the stairwell, while two more planted themselves on the stairs, halting the innkeeper's fall as Shimi braced her hands against his mass. Her midsection and skin changed, taking on the more classic form of a tarantula, while chitin plates across her body widened and solidified. Her clothes were, unfortunately, a total loss; the short pants were torn apart, while her shirt and cloak suddenly seemed much smaller in her fully-demonic form.
Sadly, it was not perfect, nor did Shimi have much practice with her larger body. This was evidenced that it wasn't complete - with the speed she had changed in, it was a miracle that she hadn't malformed anything, but her joints weren't fully developed yet, nevermind that she wasn't fully strong enough to do more than hold the larger body in place. And it showed; her arms strained against his weight, spike-like feet starting to peel wood as she lost her grip despite them trying desperately to hold him.
If she slackened, the innkeeper's body could - and likely would - steamroll right over her. But if she didn't move or get help soon, that would happen regardless. This made the changed broodling's options very limited indeed. Doubly-unfortunate was that the innkeeper's wife, awakened from her sleep by the commotion above, had shuffled into view, only to look on in horror and shock at the bewildering sight. At the very least, she hadn't started screaming yet, but by the look on her face she was mere moments from it.
Shimi tried to keep calm, but the man was much heavier than her tiny body could deal with. Her venom was working fast, and it caused the man to stumble blindly through the hall. Sounds of struggle escaped as the young girl tried to push or pull him, but her coordination was no better right now.
Unfortunately, Garry's attempt at 'helping' failed in a different way. With his mass pressed into the far wall, the man's balance was upset; one missed step over the threshold of the stairwell later, and he was on his way to tumble down a flight and a half of stairs. Without thinking, Shimi had an adrenal spike of her own as she panicked, her body acting on its own as she raced to get ahead of the man. But something else was happening as well, and a relatively new pain entered her system as her body began to change rapidly.
She felt the change more than saw it, her senses widening while muscles burned, her new form emerging but taking too long. She reacted too quickly to think; a blur of motion past the proprietor, and in front of him there was... something about the little girl's size, but definitely not her. And it continued changing as she slowed the large man's possibly-crippling descent, arms bulging and strengthening as the rest of her underwent more dramatic alterations.
Two pairs of multi-jointed legs - one of which had been her human form's - stretched out and dug into the walls around the stairwell, while two more planted themselves on the stairs, halting the innkeeper's fall as Shimi braced her hands against his mass. Her midsection and skin changed, taking on the more classic form of a tarantula, while chitin plates across her body widened and solidified. Her clothes were, unfortunately, a total loss; the short pants were torn apart, while her shirt and cloak suddenly seemed much smaller in her fully-demonic form.
Sadly, it was not perfect, nor did Shimi have much practice with her larger body. This was evidenced that it wasn't complete - with the speed she had changed in, it was a miracle that she hadn't malformed anything, but her joints weren't fully developed yet, nevermind that she wasn't fully strong enough to do more than hold the larger body in place. And it showed; her arms strained against his weight, spike-like feet starting to peel wood as she lost her grip despite them trying desperately to hold him.
If she slackened, the innkeeper's body could - and likely would - steamroll right over her. But if she didn't move or get help soon, that would happen regardless. This made the changed broodling's options very limited indeed. Doubly-unfortunate was that the innkeeper's wife, awakened from her sleep by the commotion above, had shuffled into view, only to look on in horror and shock at the bewildering sight. At the very least, she hadn't started screaming yet, but by the look on her face she was mere moments from it.
After the push, Garry made an extra effort to push himself away from the man, to prevent himself from crashing into the wall as well and to give him an extra little push. As much as he had hoped that his actions would have helped, his suspicions turned out to be true after all. He wasn't too tall of a man, and his weight could use some work as well. Nothing compared to the giant brute, whose path was only slightly altered by the bump.
He bounced back against the wall and fell on his knees in the process. Damn, he had eaten too much, and this quick, irrational action made his stomach scream at him. Without lifting himself off the floor, he looked up at the man again. Oh, how he had hoped that his weight was enough to force him against the wall and to let him stay there. Instead, he saw the two figures fly down the stairs, his actions only delaying the inevitable by a second or two.
The only natural reaction was to get up and try to at least watch what his actions had caused instead of letting it all go by without even as much as a glance. Pushing on one knee, he quickly got up, just in time to see the monstrous body that in no way resembled the girl from a few seconds ago holding up the brute's body, somehow. He wasn't capable of shapeshifting himself, nor had he ever met anyone who was capable of doing it. His knees got weak again, and he slid to the floor. Why, out of anything, a spider?
He swiftly ran his hand over his forehead, wiping away the thin layer of sweat that was forming on his skin. The entire situation was giving him nausea, and it seemed very unlikely that he would get up in his current situation. Just as he thought it couldn't get worse, the sound of wood breaking entered his ears, forcing him to look at the two again. This couldn't end well, whatever happened. To top it all, the wife had appeared, and she looked like she would scream the entire inn awake.
Garry focused on her instead. "H-hey, shh, it... It's nothing?" he tried, completely unable to find the proper words to keep her from yelling.
He bounced back against the wall and fell on his knees in the process. Damn, he had eaten too much, and this quick, irrational action made his stomach scream at him. Without lifting himself off the floor, he looked up at the man again. Oh, how he had hoped that his weight was enough to force him against the wall and to let him stay there. Instead, he saw the two figures fly down the stairs, his actions only delaying the inevitable by a second or two.
The only natural reaction was to get up and try to at least watch what his actions had caused instead of letting it all go by without even as much as a glance. Pushing on one knee, he quickly got up, just in time to see the monstrous body that in no way resembled the girl from a few seconds ago holding up the brute's body, somehow. He wasn't capable of shapeshifting himself, nor had he ever met anyone who was capable of doing it. His knees got weak again, and he slid to the floor. Why, out of anything, a spider?
He swiftly ran his hand over his forehead, wiping away the thin layer of sweat that was forming on his skin. The entire situation was giving him nausea, and it seemed very unlikely that he would get up in his current situation. Just as he thought it couldn't get worse, the sound of wood breaking entered his ears, forcing him to look at the two again. This couldn't end well, whatever happened. To top it all, the wife had appeared, and she looked like she would scream the entire inn awake.
Garry focused on her instead. "H-hey, shh, it... It's nothing?" he tried, completely unable to find the proper words to keep her from yelling.
Well, there was some semblance of the small girl left, but it was currently buried beneath an obscuring bulk. Even with her limited purchase, the half-girl managed to push her person up a little. Sadly, it wasn't enough, and soon her muscles would give way. It seemed hopeless
That changed her mind. With no way to continue supporting the large man, instead she released her hold on the steps, wrapping those pairs around his waist, her arms tiny in comparison as she clung for dear life. Her remaining two pairs lost their grip, though she just barely managed to keep him from landing on his side, where her body would not be able to protect him. Those spindly arms couldn't even reached up to the innkeeper's shoulders, but she still managed to grab his arms before their angle was too steep.
This was going to hurt.
Even with her protective outer shell, Shimi lost much of her breath in the first impact, expelled as a loud squeak muffled by the larger man's body. Several successive bumps continued until they hit the stairwell bottom, where the spider girl released her grip, limbs twitching clumsily as her body tried not to pass out. It was certainly one of the less dignified days for the demon child.
The scene would have been comical were the tone not so awkward. Shimi laid there, gasping for breath as the innkeeper was pulled off, her segmented legs curled together as she tried to recover. The pain was harsh, though not as terrible as it would have been if she'd not changed, but still plenty enough to prevent the girl from moving from her spot. For heaven's sake, he probably weighed at least twice as much as she did, and that wasn't counting the weight increase from her change in form!
At least the innkeeper's wife hadn't screamed, though she was looking a bit pale, moderately distressed and confused by the series of events as she tended to her mostly-uninjured spouse - who was, between the alcohol and the bite Shimi gave him, blissfully unconscious.
That changed her mind. With no way to continue supporting the large man, instead she released her hold on the steps, wrapping those pairs around his waist, her arms tiny in comparison as she clung for dear life. Her remaining two pairs lost their grip, though she just barely managed to keep him from landing on his side, where her body would not be able to protect him. Those spindly arms couldn't even reached up to the innkeeper's shoulders, but she still managed to grab his arms before their angle was too steep.
This was going to hurt.
Even with her protective outer shell, Shimi lost much of her breath in the first impact, expelled as a loud squeak muffled by the larger man's body. Several successive bumps continued until they hit the stairwell bottom, where the spider girl released her grip, limbs twitching clumsily as her body tried not to pass out. It was certainly one of the less dignified days for the demon child.
The scene would have been comical were the tone not so awkward. Shimi laid there, gasping for breath as the innkeeper was pulled off, her segmented legs curled together as she tried to recover. The pain was harsh, though not as terrible as it would have been if she'd not changed, but still plenty enough to prevent the girl from moving from her spot. For heaven's sake, he probably weighed at least twice as much as she did, and that wasn't counting the weight increase from her change in form!
At least the innkeeper's wife hadn't screamed, though she was looking a bit pale, moderately distressed and confused by the series of events as she tended to her mostly-uninjured spouse - who was, between the alcohol and the bite Shimi gave him, blissfully unconscious.
With a last attempt, the blond man got off his feet again, holding himself up by the wall for some extra support. He looked over at the stairwell, unsure about what to do next, whether he should help out the not so little anymore spider demon, or to just trust that she would be strong enough to support the weight of a large man who was not only pretty damn heavy, but who was caught in his flight down the stairs. Was it even real that she was still supporting him?
He swallowed and looked at the innkeeper's wife. At least she had remained silent. Then he looked back, only to realize that Shimi let go of the wall just a fraction of a second earlier, only to be sent down again. No matter how painful the entire ordeal looked, he couldn't keep his eyes off of it. Disaster tourism would be the correct term.
Things finally looked like they were starting to calm down again, and the demon dared walk down the stairs, which had suffered at least some damage from the fall. He walked carefully, not to fall down himself, as his legs were still a bit weak from earlier on, and he reached both of the people lying there. He crouched next to the spider demon, inspecting the body. He wasn't entirely sure what to do in a situation like this.
He swallowed and looked at the innkeeper's wife. At least she had remained silent. Then he looked back, only to realize that Shimi let go of the wall just a fraction of a second earlier, only to be sent down again. No matter how painful the entire ordeal looked, he couldn't keep his eyes off of it. Disaster tourism would be the correct term.
Things finally looked like they were starting to calm down again, and the demon dared walk down the stairs, which had suffered at least some damage from the fall. He walked carefully, not to fall down himself, as his legs were still a bit weak from earlier on, and he reached both of the people lying there. He crouched next to the spider demon, inspecting the body. He wasn't entirely sure what to do in a situation like this.
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