Find him.
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Placing a hand on the cold golden handle, Chilchuck tried to pry it open, frowning in disappointment when yet another door appeared to be blocked. This might be the sixth so far and none of them led down to the fourth floor. “Give me a little time. I will get it open fast” he said, taking out his lock picking tools before crouching down and starting to work on the golden door. Leaving the half-foot to do what he was an expert on, the rest of the party exchanged a look between themselves.
“We walked a long way. It might be a good idea to rest near here today” hummed Laios, looking toward his party in search for an opinion on the matter. Yet the only response he obtained was a loud grumble, probably coming from the empty stomach of his friends.
“Answering with your stomach. Nice Marcille” whenever it was because it was an opportunity too good to pass out or because it was Marcille, Chilchuck couldn't not tease the blonde elf who, with red cheeks and ears, protested in embarrassment “That wasn't me!”
Shaking his head the dwarf crossed his arms “No help for that. All we’ve today are snacks. But Laios. . .” the blonde leader turned around, curious to know what the dwarf had to say “. . .I'm against stopping. The only food we found today was a bowlful of treasure bugs. There is far too little to eat on this floor” He pointed out, planting some seeds of doubts in the head of Laios who let out a thoughtful ‘hm’ “Even if it means pushing ourselves a bit, we should make for the fourth floor.”
The blonde boy thought about it, considering the pros and cons of leading his tired party toward the fourth level “The monsters will get stronger from here on though. I’d like to save our strength” he resonated before quickly going back to his word “. . .though even if we rest up, if we kneel over hunger. . .” His golden eyes shifted toward you figure, who was lowkey just dissociating through the whole thing, as he tilted his head “How are you feeling? Are you hungry?”
You snapped back to reality at the mention of your name, blinking as you processed the question before shaking your head. “Nope, all good” you assured him, waving your hand dismissively.
Unknowingly to you Senshi and Marcille gave you a doubtful look before sharing one with each other and nodding, as if they had a conversation in a matter of seconds.
Hearing a click all of your attention was back on the half-foot who wiped his forehead standing back on his feet “It's open” he announced pushing the doors and revealing an enormous dining room. Paintings were hung along the wall filling each archway and making the place creepier than it already was. “Yikes. . .” you murmured while looking around. A sense of dread fell on the pit of your stomach as you hugged closer your cloak, covering your face as much as possible.
You really didn't want to look at those paintings.
“Can we get through this place as fast as possible?” you murmured standing close to Senshi who gave you a confused look “Ye dont like this place?” he asked with his usual accent. Your head went up and down, confirming his assumption “I feel like I'm being watched and I REALLY don't like being watched.” the dwarf stroked his beard while looking at the painting hung around the whole room and humming “That might be, because of the living paintings. Sure they are creepy–” he admit before sweat dropping when his eyes feel on your figure who was looking around like a paranoiac criminal “--But yer reaction is a bit too much”
“Laios!”
A sudden explosion made your head snap in the direction of the screaming elf. Her staff was raised toward one of the paintings which now had a fuming hole in the middle of it; you didn't need to be a genius to realize that most likely Laios was almost sucked in the picture and Marcille saved him just in the nick of time. You approached the rest of your teammates, followed closely by Senshi “What happened her–”
“You are too close! Do you want to get sucked in?!” she unconsciously cut you off, worried sick about what plan now her dumb friend might have in mind. And unfortunately her worries happened to be real. She knows too well those eyes, those damn golden eyes. Laios is up to no good “As a matter of fact, yes!”
No way he really said that.
“What?!”
"Look! She is holding a bunch of grapes!" Your eyes wandered back in the direction of the painting, narrowing them as the canvas began to reform, returning the painting to its original state. As if nothing had happened to it. Your glare immediately turned into an 'oh shit!' look when the woman's eyes fell towards you. Swiftly pulling your hood down you spun around, making sure none of your features could be recognized. You felt her distemper eyes burning the back of your head as your every effort to appear normal was slowly melting like ice cream in the sun.
"We will eat whats inside the painting!"
"You are crazy!"
Despite Marcille and Chilchuck's disapproval, as always, you ended up going along with Laios' insane plan. Senshi pulled out a long rope, moving closer to the leader before handing it to him "I'll tie this rope around ye. If ye give the signal we pull ye out" nodding, the blonde boy made sure that the knot was nice and tight, so as not to receive any nasty surprises if the situation were to take a turn for the worse.
"Which one should I choose?" he wondered to himself, examining every single painting until stumbling upon one that by the looks of it was depicting someone's birth. The king and queen were seated on the throne, embracing each others, as their gazes were directed lovingly towards their newborn baby. Maids contemplated the scene with joyful smiles, clearly thrilled by such a miracle. But that wasn't what Laios was interested in. Oh no. It was the huge table full of food placed at the royals side.
Just the sight made his mouth water, as his stomach rumbled.
"Alright, I will go with this painting" he made up his mind and once the picture started wraping on itself, the blonde man quickly jumped inside it. You looked as he disappeared, shallowed by the pretty scene.
The rest of the party couldn't help but exchange glances, silently betting for how long Laios will last.
A few minutes passed before you felt a pull from the rope, signaling that the blonde leader wanted to exit. And from the insistence of the tugging he seemed to be in quite a hurry. "Now pull!" following the order given by the elf you guys pulled the rope until you saw Laios' body come out of the picture and fall to the floor. The man panted sitting up with a troubled expression "Man. . .I was so close to eating something. . ." He muttered with a frown.
