User blog:ExdeathsBagel/A mamono in distress (WWYD by Spazerz)

WWYD by Spazerz: http://monstergirlencyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:720251

My stomach sinks as I worm my way through the crowd to see the source of the commotion. An Unagi, wrapping her tail around herself in protection, is being beaten by the knight Oceiros. Oceiros had graced our quiet town with his visitation, the man was a knight of legend and as such brought a large following with him. Our once quiet town had transformed and became very lively over the past week, and many young men wished to hear Oceiros speak of his legendary tales of dragonslaying. Such tales, despite their glory, tended to be very dark, with Oceiros taking not much pleasure in retelling them. It was clear the experiences had scarred the old man’s mind, turning him hostile and paranoid when the right triggers were in place, and I pitied him.

Still, I wasn’t about the stand idly by and watch him assault this poor Unagi, whom he assumed was some sort of human drake hybrid and needed to be killed. But what could I do? Many larger, stronger men, putting too much faith in Oceiros’s age, would try to pull him back, only to be placed on the ground from a hard fist in between the eyes.

Yet the situation was getting worse by the second. While the punches were causing the Unagi pain, they were also clearly tiring Oceiros out, and after trying to pry open her coils with failure, he reached for his sword. Now the crowd was screaming at him to stop, and finally, Oceiros spoke.

“You! You are all with this beast! I see know, you are just like the city of Shulva!” He pulled out his sword, “Do you know what I did to the inhabitants of Shulva? Under the orders of our dear King I slaughter them all!” Tears were streaming down his face, “And if you don’t back away and let me slaughter this abominable drake-human hybrid, you shall join them!”

The guards had finally had enough, and the once that were rushed to a doctor from a broken nose had pulled out their own swords, begging for Oceiros to stand down, trying tell him he was attacking an Unagi, not some dragon. A few more men would try to make their way to the Unagi, but a glare from Oceiros would make them quickly back away to where they once were. They wanted to help but were afraid, and I didn’t blame them for I was the same.

As such, I’m sure the only thing that saved my was my speed, timing, and luck.

I rushed to the Unagi, holding out my hand and whispered, “Lets’ go!”

As soon as she took my hand and we began running, a shout made my blood run cold.

“Hey! Stop!”

Much like a child obeying the command of their parents I did stop, and it was only thanks to the Unagi pulling me that I began to run again. I knew it was hopeless however, from the clang of his armor I could hear Oceiros draw closer and closer. So I let go of the Unagi, turned, and charged. I don’t know why I did it, maybe catching the urge to play the hero, knowing it would probably only result in a few broken bones.

Despite seeing he was only a few feet away, judging from his expression my turn caught him off guard, but when I connected it felt like I hit a brick wall. And for my heroic efforts I was met with a punch to the side of the face. I was nearly knocked out from the impact, but in my blurred and muffled lucidity I saw Oceiros get tackled to the ground by what seemed to be at least ten guards. I felt something warm on my face, spreading and then suddenly getting in my eyes.

I felt someone pick me, before moving me an unknown amount of time and setting me down. I felt a cloth wipe around my eyes, and was able to open them. Adjusting to the light was the concerned look of the Unagi.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“My head hurts, but yeah, I think I’m okay.”

Her look said she wasn’t convinced, “He hit you pretty hard. Hang on,’ She pulled out another cloth and rubbed it across the slender fish part of her body, “My mucus will help heal the wound. A little gross I know, but trust me, it’s for the best. This will sting a little, ready?”

I nodded, and despite her lightly placing the cloth on my wound, it began to burn. As I gasp in pain she uses her other hand to keep my head in place until the burning subsided. She then tossed the bloody cloth into a nearby trash bin.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thanks.” I say, still breathless.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t mention it.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Able to see her clearly, I noted the bruises that dotted her lower half. “I’m sorry about those. Will you be okay?” I ask, pointing to them.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Don’t worry about it. Like I said, my mucus has healing properties, a trait of the Unagi, I’ll be fine. I must thank you, you saved me from who knows what. May I have your name?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Before I can answer, a few guards approach us, “Are you Thomas and Inori?” One of them asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">We both nod.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Please, come with us. The captain wishes to speak with you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I rose up shakily, but Inori helped me up and was kind enough to help me make it to the captain’s quarters at the guard house. It was during our walk there that I noted an eerie silence had befallen our town. Even with the scene Oceiros was causing, that was but one small part and festivities were continuing elsewhere. Yet now, it was as if everything stopped. It caused a feeling of dread that only grew as we approached the guard house.

<p class="MsoNormal">As soon as we were in the captain’s quarters, he told us to take a seat and ushered the other guards out. Taking in his expression I noticed it was one of anger and grief, and the first thing he that came out of his mouth made my blood run cold.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Oceiros is dead.”

<p class="MsoNormal">My eyes went wide and Inori gasped was barley muffled as she covered her mouth.

<p class="MsoNormal">“We believe his heart gave out in the ensuing struggle as he was tackled to the ground by my men. Granted, the King won’t believe that. Oceiros was a legendary hero, one who had been with the now equally old King since he took his throne. The two had grown inseparable, no doubt the news of his death will hit him hard.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Inori paled, “W-what do you mean?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Though this is a mamono welcoming kingdom, the King himself has never too fond of them. As I said, the King and Oceiros were very close, and when he hears what happened he’ll-”

<p class="MsoNormal">“He’ll want my blood!” Inori began to shake, “He’ll have me executed!”

<p class="MsoNormal">The captain motioned at her to calm down, “Now, now, the King isn’t that harsh-

<p class="MsoNormal">“Not that harsh?! He hates mamonos! This kingdom is notorious for its treatment of mamonos!”

<p class="MsoNormal">Inori was sadly right, many mamonos had a tough time escaping the lower class despite the goods and services they provide should leave them with little difficulty to stand for themselves. Those who are in the upper class turn a blind eye or simply say if those mamonos worked hard enough they’d make it too, but many knew those mamonos were simply into nobility and wanted no association with their fellow kind.

<p class="MsoNormal">The guard motioned her to be silent again, “I’m certain he’ll only imprison you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“For something she didn’t do?” I say, “Because Oceiros snapped and his body gave out? She shouldn’t be imprisoned for that.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The captain tilted his head, “Are you going to defend her in this situation?”

<p class="MsoNormal">Inori turned to me, “Thomas, you don’t have to do this.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I know. But I’m screwed in this situation too right?” I asked the captain.

<p class="MsoNormal">He put his hand on his chin, “The King might be more forgiving for you, but not the mamono.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“That’s not fair, I’ll stand for her then, and maybe it will help us.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The captain gave us a solemn look, “I honestly don’t know. The King’s ire is something to be feared. Thomas, you can walk away from this mostly unscathed.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I looked at Inori, “I know, but I’d never forgive myself if I did.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The captain nodded, “Very well, with me. I’ll take you to a holding cell to await departure to the King’s court. It should be here by tomorrow morning.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The sun was rapidly setting as the captain took us to our respective cells. I hoped we only had to stay until morning, as these cells were cold and aside from a bed of hay there wasn’t much to provide warmth. To make matters worse, Inori’s cell was next to mine, which wouldn’t have been bad in of itself if I she didn’t began sobbing as soon as the captain left us.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Hey, it’ll be okay, we’ll get out of this.” I say, trying to comfort her.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I’m so sorry I got you dragged into this.” She said in between sobs.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Well, to be honest, I’d rather be here than knowing I did nothing to try and help you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Thank you.” I heard her say, I heard her move, “C-could you please take my hand? I’m sorry I-I just need some assurance given the situation.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah,” I say. I move to the edge of the bars and find her hand. She takes mine in a shaky, but strong grip and in that touch the weight of what’s happened finally hits me.

<p class="MsoNormal">The gravity of the situation collapses on me as I begin to everything in perspective. I’m in jail, ready to go to the royal court to face the King himself. My parents must be worried sick. What if I can’t help her? What if helping her only makes things worse for me? Will I be blamed for Oceiros’s death? What if we’re both executed?

<p class="MsoNormal">“Are you shaking too?” I hear Inori ask. I suddenly realize that I was, and she chuckles, “It’s okay, I’m scared too you know? And in a way, I find that comforting, you’re whole macho attitude before was a little off putting.”

<p class="MsoNormal">I chuckle, “Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I hadn’t grasped the situation but - I will still stand for you. What I said about never forgiving myself was true.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I know. Thank you, Thomas. So, uh, if we get through this, will I see you again?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“I don’t see why not, you’re from around here, right?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, you know it’s hard to believe with such a small town we hadn’t met yet. What did you want to do when this is all over?”

<p class="MsoNormal">As the night rolled on we continued talking, mostly about our lives and things we’d do together when this was all over. All the while we held hands, not wanting to let go of the other.

<p class="MsoNormal">“I wish - I wish we weren’t separated by cells.”

<p class="MsoNormal">Her comment seemed rather out of the blue and caught me off guard, “Why?” I asked, but she suddenly went silent.

<p class="MsoNormal">That’s when the door opened and I saw a gaurd come in. “Do either of you need a bathroom break?” He asked.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, but I was wondering if I could move in to Thomas’s cell.” Inori said. The gaurd tilted his head, “I’m really cold. Being a Lamia I’m pretty sensitive to temperature changes and Thomas’s body heat would do me better than this hay.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The guard gave her a look, “You’re a Lamia?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Yeah, look at this snake body, well, it’s sort of a water snake body but it works the same way. Besides, if I were to die now, what would that mean for the King, for his trial, and for you?”

<p class="MsoNormal">The guard paled, “I really don’t want to face that guy, hell, I don’t even want to face the captain if something happens.” He muttered under his breath.

<p class="MsoNormal">Without another word he quickly opened her cell followed by mine. I was expecting Inori to try and run, but instead she quickly moved in with me and the guard closed the door behind us, before quickly leaving.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Why didn’t you run?” I ask

<p class="MsoNormal">Inori gave me a smile, “Why bother, if I’m awaiting trial by the King I doubt there’s many place I could run to. Besides,” she quickly moved to me and wrapped me in a tight hug, “I have everything I need in here. Good night, Thomas.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Good night.” I say, and found it surprisingly easy to sleep in her embrace.

<p class="MsoNormal">A banging on the cell door awoke us both, it was the captain, with an angry expression on his face, “The hell is this?!” He yelled to the guard from last night.

<p class="MsoNormal">“She said she’d die from the cold in her cell, being a Lamia and all.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The captain slapped him, “You idiot! She’s a mermaid, an Unagi Joro, not a Lamia! You’re mucking all the stables in town and polishing all the swords in the armory all week for this! Go!” As the guard ran out faster than I thought possible, a few other guards came down with rope, “Alright love birds, come on out, it’s time to face the King. He decided to hold trial here and is waiting for you.”

<p class="MsoNormal">As two guards came and seized us, binding our hands behind our backs with rope, the shock of how quickly this was wall happening fell on us.

<p class="MsoNormal">“How did he get here so fast?” I asked

<p class="MsoNormal">“The King received news of Oceiros’s death last night and had his fastest Centaur pulled chariot take him here for trail. Despite his age that man still has an impressive fire in him.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“So, are we just going to be tried by him?” Inori asked

<p class="MsoNormal">“There will be witness testifying there as well, not necessarily for you, but just stating what they saw. Still, the King had the final say in the matter.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Then what’s the point if he’ll just kill us?” Inori asked

<p class="MsoNormal">The captain glared at her, “The King isn’t one to make such decisions just by emotion, now I’d request you stop whining and start praying to whatever god you believe in for favor.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The guards quickly pushed us out of the prison and to the town square, where judging from the large crowd, the trial was to be held. As the crowd parted I saw my parents. I couldn’t look at them for more than a second after seeing their grief stricken faces, and wished I could cover my ears as I heard them cry out, screaming how I was innocent. Two people, another Unagi Joro and a man, whom I assumed were Inori’s parent’s, were doing the same. As if the make matters worse, the gallows were in the center of the square, not really filling either of us with hope for our situation.

<p class="MsoNormal">To its right was the King, King Raime. I had never seen him in person, and it was true that the man was aged, but one look in his eyes showed me he hadn’t become dull or tired in the slightest. He was not fat as what usually became of old kings, but instead was still rather fit, dressed in a regal purple and yellow armor, as if he was ready to go to war at a moment’s notice.

<p class="MsoNormal">As we were placed before him, I looked at him in the eyes, his gaze matching mine. The weight of such a gaze was hard to endure, but I thought of my parent’s and of Inori and managed to keep my eyes on him. As his gaze shifted to Inori, I saw that she was doing the same.

<p class="MsoNormal">“So, you are Thomas and Inori. What do have to say for yourselves?” His voice was not raspy in the slightest, but still spoke with firm authority.

<p class="MsoNormal">“That the death of Oceiros is neither of our faults.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Do you speak for her?” Raime asks.

<p class="MsoNormal">“No, but-” The King motioned his hand and I felt a sharp tug from the rope, the pain silencing me.

<p class="MsoNormal">He turned to Inori, “Well, what do you have to say?”

<p class="MsoNormal">“That the death of Oceiros was neither of our faults. His body gave out.”

<p class="MsoNormal">The King’s eyes narrowed, “We will see what the witnesses have to say about that. Bring them out!” He ordered.

<p class="MsoNormal">As the crowd parted, escorted by two royal guards on either side were the numerous witnesses of yesterday’s event. Townsfolk and the guards who took Oceiros down testified, and while the guards were all clear in that Oceiros was dead by the time the struggle was over, the townsfolk lacked clarity in why Oceiros snapped in the first place. Some said he snapped at the sight of Inori, others say it was something she said, and others still said the young ones asked him to recount too many old war stories.

<p class="MsoNormal">Inori and I were the last aske dto recall what happened. Inori herself said she was simply walking through town when Oceiros cornered her, but Raime looked like he didn’t believed that. He then turned to me, “What do you say happened?”

<p class="MsoNormal">I took a deep breath and answered truthfully, “I only showed up when Oceiros was attacking Inori. I tried to get her away when I could but Oceiros chased us. When I tackled him,” A few of the royal guardsmen snorted, “I was punched off him, receiving this.” I motioned my head to the wound I received.

<p class="MsoNormal">The King closed his eyes, recounting the testimonies in his head, “So, the majority is that this Unagi was the start of Oceiros’s panic attack, which led to the guards having to take him down and his death. Unagi, if you weren’t there, Oceiros would still be alive.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“So you’re going to kill me for that?!” Inori asked, only to gasp in pain as the ropes binding her were tightened and she received a slap to the back of the head. From the crowd I could hear her parent’s cry out.

<p class="MsoNormal">Raime’s eyes narrowed, “Show some respect before you King, mamono. I know killing you won’t bring him back, but you were still the start of this, and must be made an example of. If you cannot pay the fine three thousand gold, then you shall be imprisoned indefinitely.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“How is this fair?!” Inori asked. I turned to her parents and saw they began to cry, there was no way they had that money.

<p class="MsoNormal">“Wait, can I pay for her freedom?” I ask.

<p class="MsoNormal">Raime looked into my eyes, “You’d have week to provide the funds.”

<p class="MsoNormal">“Deal.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal">Raime nodded, whispering to the royal guardsmen next to him before rising from his seat and stepping into his nearby carriage, pulled by an ill-treated Centaur. I felt my binds become loose, but not before the royal guards dragged Inori away.

<p class="MsoNormal">As my parents hugged me I explained the situation, not that they needed much of an explanation, they were proud at what I was doing but could only provide so much. Inori’s parents were grateful too, but likewise could only provide so much.

<p class="MsoNormal">I had to take off time from my studies to just start working. While cleaning up from the festivities earned me some money, it wasn’t enough, and soon I began working all over town and towns over. Many had heard of the situation and were fortunately sympathetic to my cause, this was one of the few mamono welcoming places in the kingdom.

<p class="MsoNormal">Most of my work was simple farm work, mucking stables, and polishing swords. It was nothing hard persay, but doing it almost constantly everyday took its tool. If a neighbor wasn’t kind enough to provide to lend me a horse for travelling from town to town I would’ve passed out from exhaustion. I’m certain all the work I did that week was as much as I did in a month.

<p class="MsoNormal">By the time the week was up, I approached the guardhouse where Inori was being held, counting my gold thrice to make sure I had the right amount. The royal guardsman stationed could barely hide his shock when I gave him just the right amount, but obeyed the King’s orders and let Inori go.

<p class="MsoNormal">The news of Oceiros’s death, of the King’s trial, all that was drowned out by what I had done from this mamono. It became an inspiring story that spread throughout the kingdom, and while the treatment of mamonos hasn’t changed drastically, I feel like what I did got the ball rolling for change.

<p class="MsoNormal">Inori practically leapt out of the cell and wrapped me in a tight embrace, which I shared. We have become much closer since then.