πππππππππΒ Β //Β Β Β sebastianshawβ .
Shaw trod through what looked like a fantastical depiction of Hell itself, or perhaps a ripoff of Mordor. Scorched ground beneath his feet devoid of any scrap of grass, jagged rock formations from which small unnatural goblins peeped out at him. He heard them chattering to each other, and he had no doubt that they were playing a little game of βTelephoneβ that was going to end at their mistressβs ear, informing her of his arrival.
Good. If she knew that he was walking into her realm with no attempt to conceal his presence, then she would know that he wasnβt trying to sneak in, that this wasnβt an assaultβit was a visit.
An entreaty.
Normally, Shaw would send an envoy for such a thing. But even the ones with super-powers or specialized armor who ventured into this realm tended to come backβ¦chewed.
If they came back at all.
Heβd then hired a sorceror to try to contact her via scrying and other magical methods, but it seemed uncertain if they were getting through.
So it fell to him to go himself, and do this face to face.
Shaw had wanted very much to avoid that, and it was for reasons that ran much deeper than safety concerns. Madelyneβ¦had hurt him. In a way he hadnβt thought he could be hurt. A way he didnβt want to be reminded of ever again.
He hoped he could keep that personal bitterness at bay and behave himself in this meeting, because he needed her aid.
The presence of larger demons would probably help.
Speaking of larger demons, there were a pair at the bone-and-iron gates he was coming up upon. He ordered them aside, stating he had business with their Queen. They laughed, acidic slobber dripping from their alligator-like maws. A glob landed on his suit, sizzling a hole right through his sleeve and singing the hair on his arm.
That was going to leave a rash, ouch.
And when those maws got closer, Shaw grabbed the brutes each by the throat and hurled them in opposite directions. He prepared to rip the gates apart as well, but they parted for him instead.
βThank you,β he told them curtly as he passed through, in case they were sentient.
He made his way over the drawbridge, careful never to look downβhe had a feeling whatever was in the moat wasnβt mere waterβand into her magnficient stronghold.
Magnificient. Mighty. Beautiful. Foreboding.
Just like her.
He made it through the stone halls and into the throne room without any further oppositionβwell, not any significant opposition, anywayβand upon that throne there she was, beautiful as the first and last time he saw her.
βMadelyne,β he said in a detached but respectful tone,
βOr do you prefer Queen Pryor these days? Goblyn Queen? Your Majesty?β
He reached into his pocket, and when he withdrew his hand, a gold necklace set with three large rubies in the center dangled from his index finger. It was the kind of jewelry that historical wars were fought over.
βIn any case, I come bearing gifts in exchange for safe passage out of your kingdom, regardless of what you reply to my offer. Will you accept this trade?β
Because while Shaw probably COULD fight his way out of a demon horde, he didnβt want to go through the troubleβ¦and even if he could best the demons, he doubted he could stand up against the arcane arts of their mistress. Shawβs mutant abilities included that he could absorb magical energies, but MaddieβMadelyneβwas also a powerful psychic. If she decided to keep him hereβor kill himβshe probably could.
He could only hope that keeping her word meant as much to her as it did to him. It was one of the very, very few ways that Shaw was an honorable man.
ππππ πππ ππππππ π ππππππ πππ was soon turning into anything but.Β Upon the news of their dear visitor,Β Maddie grants the little goblin with a fresh victim to devour, play with, or dismember to its vile hearts content.Β Β
She wasnβt angry, and oddly not surprised either that heβd finally venture into her realm.Β The last time she seen Sebastian, was not a memory to hold near her heart.Β Felt so long ago and the details have fell to a mere blur.Β However,Β she knows she hurt him. Sucks to be him, if you ask her.
Of course this visit must have something to do with the sad attempts prior on his behalf.Β Curiosity has been getting to Maddie and sheβs dyingΒ to find out what is so important.Β Her right hand goons,Β humanoid goblins made from victims and unfortunate souls that didnβt go through with their end of a deal,Β lean in,Β do you want us to kill him? want us to hurt hims?Β To which,Β Maddie shuts them up with a glance and a hand in the air.Β Excusing them away from her throne.Β Their stench alone was revolting.Β Β
As the doors to the throne room open,Β little goblins run away in fear of a squish.Β Screeching the obvious of Sebastians arrival.Β Stupid creatures but sheβd be lying if she didnβt say she loves them.Β Her children.
The queen scoffs at him with this attempt to address her proper.Β Β β From you? Madelyne is fine. βΒ Β She acts as if to check her nails and kicks her feet off the rest of her throne.Β Stepping down to approach him. Face to face.
Β Β β Oh, Sebastian. Β I accept. βΒ Β Like Marilyn Monroe said, diamonds are a girls best friend.Β At least in Maddieβs case, rubies.Β Β β Now, what do you want? β
