Yantale: Muffet's Route
Note: This was requested by @lazuriitti! Thank you so much for showing interest in my work *^-^*
Muffet was idly manning her tiny shop in Hotland. Nearby was a customer lamenting over the loss of Gs from buying one of her pastries. While it did bring her no little amusement, she also grew bored and slightly resentful of the attitude mirrored by all customers. Didn't they understand that there were suffering spiders in the Ruins that needed this money? So what if it costs more than most ITEMs? It isn't like the Tem Shop doesn't sell infinite gold.
Muffet's five eyes blink in surprise as a small creature walks up to her stand. They have a yellow complexion with brown hair and was wearing a blue shirt with pinkish-purple stripes.
Wait, hadn't somebody told her about a human wearing a striped shirt? One that hated spiders? That stomped on them and tore off their legs and-
Spiders crawling past Muffet's legs brought her back to reality and she noticed that... the human had bought a spider donut. She hadn't even prompted them to. They turned to her, gave her a big smile, and then went back the way they came.
(The player went back to Tem Villiage to farm more money lol)
Muffet watched in amazement at the retreating human. No one had bought a pastry without her nagging them before, especially with such friendliness. There was no way this was the human that person meant, right?
Business was nonexistent afterward, which was good since Muffet could hardly focus, mind turning back to that human. She kept wondering why they did what they did and if they'd be back. Maybe they could help her raise funds for the Ruins spiders...?
"Muffet, darling, how are you~"
Muffet turned to see the mysterious figure that had warned them about the human. "Oh yes, hello dearie. What brings you back here?"
"I just wanted to know the status of that human I warned you about."
Muffet hesitated before speaking. "There... was a human in a striped shirt that came by. But they bought a spider donut, even without me asking. There's no way that was the human you were talking about."
"Oh don't be so easily tricked darling~" the figure cooed. "Just because they have a bit of cash doesn't mean they're a good person. I told you, I saw them absolutely terrorizing some spiders. Quite the little sociopath~"
Two of Muffet's hands started fidgeting. "...You're certain?"
"Of course! And don't forget, you're also getting a very charitable reward for your services~" the figure gave a wink. "Well, I'd best be on my way. Don't disappoint me darling~"
Muffet watched the figure disappear into her den. It's strange, she swore she saw their form shifting. She had crossed it off as a trick of the eye before, but maybe this person isn't to be trusted. The human seemed nice enough...
No, she has to remember. The person did offer a lot of money, enough to get the spiders out of the Ruins. She had to stay focused.
The doubt and guilt continued to nag at Muffet and she nearly missed the human wave at her as they passed her into her den. Trying to shake off her heavy consciousness, she snuck in and watched as the human got entangled in her web.
"Ahuhuhuhu... Did you hear what they just said? They said a human wearing a striped shirt will come through. I heard they hate spiders. I heard they love to stomp on them. I heard they like to tear their legs off."
Muffet finally stepped out of the shadows, noting that the human didn't look very scared at all.
"I... don't like to think that's true," she found herself confessing. "Especially with your... enthusiastic purchase earlier. Which I do appreciate dearie~ However, that doesn't mean that you don't hate spiders, and someone offered quite a lot of money for your SOUL.
"I'm sorry."
Muffet initiated the FIGHT and quickly turned the human's SOUL purple, trapping it in her strings. To her surprise, the human started bribing her to lower the damage of her attacks. They went and got more money? That they're now spending on her again? Her doubts heightened, but she kept the battle going.
After a while, some healing ITEMs, and a lot of money, a spider crawled into the FIGHT bearing a telegram. It was from the Ruins spiders!
"They're saying they saw you and... you're a total spider fanatic! You bought so many items from their bake sale!"
Muffet's eyes locked on the human's, seeming likely to burst with excitement. "Oh, I knew it! I knew that person had the wrong human! There's no way that you are a spider hater! I'm so sorry for the trouble dearie~ I'll...."
Muffet faltered. She was going to release them and let them pass, but...
"You're just going to leave if I let you go, won't you. You're going to try to get back to the surface..."
Muffet was still for a few seconds, then let out a low chuckle before offering a small smile. "I'm sorry dearie, but I can't allow that. That person wanted your SOUL very badly and there's no telling who else they may have hired to kill you. So I'll just keep you wrapped up here~
"Besides, I'm sure you'll love it here. You'll get to stay here with me and the other spiders. You can help bake pasties, sell them, and maybe even help get the other spiders out of the Ruins! What do you say? Ahuhuhu, not like you have a choice~"
And so Muffet kept the human in her den. Most of the spiders were glad to have a new friend to hang out with that seemed to love spiders. Some, however, noticed the strange, almost possessive behavior that Muffet displayed and was slightly worried. They tried to share their concerns with Muffet, but she brushed them off.
Muffet would let the human help her out at the stand, but she soon grew jealous of how the human kindly treated the customers and became paranoid that they would try to take them away from her. So she kept them confined in the den to help bake and entertain her pet and spider friends (if her pet tried to eat the human, Muffet would give it a nice scolding.)
Note: I hadn’t realized before that buying one of Muffet’s treats voided the fight so I had to work around it 😅
