rysligparasites | WELCOME TO THE HIVE

MOD PLOT: HAPPY ASCENSION DAY

It's a long journey to Kulen and you’re paralyzed for all of it. The parasites aren't very delicate about carrying you there and you may get prodded with the odd pincer, but they diligently protect you from any external threats so you arrive relatively unharmed.

They carry you into a series of tunnels and into the belly of the hive where they lay you down on the ground. You lie there, unable to move or speak as more of the parasites converge on you, chittering excitedly and smelling you with their antennae. As the paralysis starts to wear off, they roughly and enthusiastically help you up and guide you through the tunnels, excitedly showing you around.

Eventually, you'll meet a parasite with human features who will give you a stilted, but genuine welcome. Apparently you are a special guest who has been brought here to help celebrate their beloved queen's first ever ascension day! While you're here, they want to learn as much about YOU and your traditions as they can so they can make this the greatest party ever.

The parasites implore you to eat their human cooking which is mostly composed of various things (both edible and not) that they've deep fried. They worked very hard and they will be very offended if you don't finish it. They also invite you to contribute to their cave paintings which are entirely composed of parasites doing parasite things.

During your stay, you'll likely run into other monsters who've been replaced by doppelgangers. Maybe some of them have been here for a while. Maybe others have just turned up.

Your quarters are dark and maybe a little cramped given that you're sharing them with a whole bunch of insectoid creatures and maybe one or two monsters. Other than that, they're relatively comfortable.

Settle in and make yourself at home. You'll be here for a while.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey, caution's my middle name. Figuratively speakin', that is.

[ "Fried keys!" announced a parasite as it suddenly popped its head around a corner. "Fried fruit!" ]

Uh, hey there.

Good to know.

[Ah, here they come. They're such weird critters. Kain is still a bit unnerved by their presence, but it's such an odd thing... they don't seem to be exactly hostile, just... peculiar.]

Greetings. I trust that everything is well?

[The parasites continue to make excited exclamations, clearly in an upbeat mood. Now... have these ones been on the surface lately? That's the real question, and sniffing it out may take a moment.]

[ While Kain was talking to the parasites, Majima was making his way around. This parasite smelled of earth, this other one mainly of cooking oil and burning.

One of them smelled like... gummi bears? Surely not.

"Friends!" chittered one of the parasites, accosting Kain with a fried treat that looked suspiciously like a battered wrench. "Eat!" ]

[They are such weird creatures. Not bad, exactly, not outwardly malicious, just... really, extremely weird. Kain shakes his head. How many times have they tried to get him to eat some non-food item in the past couple of days?]

I'm sorry, but I must refuse. I'm... very full at the moment.

[There's an "awww" from the one offering him the treat, and a hopeful "maybe later!" from another one.]

[ And in the meantime, Majima had located one that smelled of ozone -- fresh air. He motioned to Kain, to indicate the parasite in question.

It was bent over a set of house keys, looking vaguely puzzled. ]

Yeah, sorry guys. Tell ya what, though. Later we'll show ya how to play rock, paper scissors.

It's all the rage up top.

[Kain subtly nods, trying not to draw any attention. After all, they can't risk their plan being discovered. So now they have their ticket out of here, with any luck. They'll have to keep an eye on this one.]

Yes, you'll enjoy it very much. It provides hours of excitement.

[ The parasites began to discuss excitedly amongst themselves about what this mysterious 'rock, paper, scissors' could be... while the parasite with the keys began to toddle off. ]

Rain check. Totally.

[ And when the parasites seemed distracted, he'd slip off after the creature... ]

Indeed so...

[Kain keeps an eye on them, watching as they get very animated in their conversation. As the one slips off, he pardons himself quietly as well, off to follow and see where they might end up. Could this be their way to the surface? They'll soon find out, either way.]

[ The parasite zigged into a side tunnel, which smelled just a little more strongly of clean air. Majima spoke under his breath to Kain. ]

Goin' out to nab another monster, maybe...?

That's surely its plan. If we can keep up with it well enough... we may finally have our way out of here.

[He keeps his voice low, so as not to be overheard. The trick, of course, is keeping the parasite in sight while also not getting too close and being noticed. But this could be it, a way out... Kain knows to be cautious and not get his hopes up too much, though.]

[ Majima kept his footfalls soft, and some distance between himself and the parasite, even after he ducked into the side tunnel. Strange trinkets were lying on the ground or hanging from little alcoves... was that a snow globe with a flamingo in it?

Suddenly, the head of another parasite poked out from one of the alcoves. "Guests!" it cried. ]

[They were doing so well for a good while, too. Kain had mostly ignored the random things scattered around, trying to keep all attention on the parasite they're following. They must be getting close! Though it's still hard to keep track of where exactly they are, all these tunnels look alike...]

[Kain is so focused on the one they're after that he gasps and jumps in alarm when the one suddenly emerges. It's not alone, either, as some more scurry to join their friend, chattering in excitement.]

No... please, no...

[The parasites move out to block the way, and Kain watches in frustration as their targeted one keeps moving steadily away.]

Looks like it's gonna happen.

[ And indeed, it looked like they were being redirected... to bug jail. Majima knew about bug jail. He knew, specifically, that it was going to be a pain in the butt to get out. Fighting was an option, of course... but there was a whole hive of them. ]

Wait... wait, no, you've misjudged our intentions...!

[But none of Kain's protests stop the bugs and their marching them along. There's little choice at the moment but to follow along. Their original target is well lost to view by now, and there's no chance of finding them again. Ugh. Well. The plan may have failed at the moment, but it was still a start... right? They'll just have to be more cautious somehow.]

[For now, though, the bugs are definitely using their strength in numbers, with more of them poking out here and there to help force their "friends" along toward the location of bug jail. Kain has heard talk of it too, and realizes that any plans... will be on hold for a bit.]

[ Welp. There they were, in bug jail. Majima wasn't going to let it get to him, though, not yet. ]

Look, we knew this might take a try or two, right? This's a temporary setback.

[ ...was that a straightened slinky on the floor? Someone had been busy. ]

[Ah, bug jail. So here they are. At least Kain can say he's been in worse prisons? He idly kicks at the slinky a bit, but then settles down. They probably shouldn't tempt fate at this point. Who knows what the parasites might do if they keep misbehaving?]

...you're right. This is far from ideal, but it's no easy situation to get out of. We knew this from the start. I'm glad you don't intend to give up. Neither do I.

Well, even if we're here now, we know what path they were takin'. When they first tossed me down here, I didn't know which way was up.

[ The, uh... Majima had been paralyzed at the time, and he'd spent at least part of the journey being swarmed by looming carapaces and swaddled in what felt like sackcloth, so he'd been a little disoriented. ]

Me neither. But that's true, we've made some progress, even if that's slow. Though we mustn't let our guard down or think we're practically out of here... we still have a lot of work ahead.

[Kain knows better than to underestimate these parasites. They're apparently expert kidnappers and jailers, so who knows what else might happen? Who knows why they've ultimately brought them down here?]

We'll have to bide our time, and ensure they don't punish us further, at this point.

WELCOME TO THE HIVE

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