>>5133414Before you even bother answering, you scramble away to the other side of the massive cargo elevator before replying: this… this is a <span class="mu-i">test</span>, right? It’s gotta be a test!
“Yea…” Ly mumbles, still dazed from passing through the <span class="mu-b">MAGICAL BARRIER</span> surrounding the bunker, “It’s <span class="mu-i">definitely</span> a test! Careful, Stan!”
Ready to dart to either side at a moment’s notice, you’re taken off-guard when the cigar-chomping behemoth standing across from you responds for once not with <span class="mu-i">violence,</span> but with an irritated sigh!
“Nrggh… My… My ole’ man took me there a few times when I was a kid, is all.” Still not punching you, Blumenkrantz turns away to sneer in contempt at the other elevators heading up and down the shaft. “When I heard some jumped-up <span class="mu-r">SKELETAL COWPOKE</span> was terrorizing the place, well…”
Shaking his head in disgust, the Chief of Security shoots you a disdainful look. “Maybe you’re not as <span class="mu-s">HOPELESS</span> as you look, Parble!”
Returning to his previously-scheduled snarling and cigar smoking, Blumenkrantz leaves you poised to dodge on the other end of the lift with your heart beating like a jackhammer! Did… were you supposed to <span class="mu-i">die</span> just now? What happened?!
“I dunno, but don’t even <span class="mu-i">THINK</span> of wastin’ it!” Ly warns, prompting you to stay quietly where you are! He doesn’t have to tell you twice–sh-should you take a <span class="mu-i">picture</span>, though? Just to commemorate this moment?
“Normally I’d say nah, but dis’ kinda behavior is rarer den’ <span class="mu-b">BALLY’S COMET</span> comin’ around… Go for it!”
Your fingers barely graze your phone before you hear a low, wary growl coming from the living statue sharing the elevator with you. Nope, you squeak, you’ll hold off for now…
When the elevator grinds to a halt outside the entrance to the <span class="mu-g">ADMIN WING,</span> it’s back to business as usual! Stomping on ahead, you easily keep up as the crowds of refugees and Good Boy Personnel clear the way for the Head of Security! Maintaining a safe distance from your escort, your ears pick up fragments of whispered conversations from the folk around you:
“... <span class="mu-i">is that her?..</span>”
“... <span class="mu-i">taking down skeletons…</span>”
“... <span class="mu-i">kinda tiny, isn’t she?</span>”
“... <span class="mu-i">MAN that’s a huge racc-! Wait…</span>”
Biting your lip as the conversations continue, you can’t help but feel a little excited as you continue deeper into the facility. <span class="mu-i">FINALLY,</span> you grin, the respect and <span class="mu-s">FEAR</span> that you deserve!
“<span class="mu-s">KEEP MOVING, FREAK!</span>”
Alright, <span class="mu-i">SHEESH</span>--he could learn a thing or two from these jerks, that’s for sure!
>CONTD. 