Fly On The Wall: Fairy Tales From A Misanthropic Universe, Vol. I by Alfy Dade

face does she complete her
greeting.
    “ So, I sure as heavens ain't sure
what y'all doing down here. We don't usually receive guests, and
when we do their visits are rather shorter, and always announced
ahead of time. So now, what are y'all doing down here? It's mighty
rude to drop by unannounced you know.” She almost sings the words.
“I guess, since you're the first visitors we've had in a while,
I'll take y'all on a lil' tour before I send you on your way, how's
that sound?” The creature punctuates her words with a
wink.
    Hugo opens
his mouth to speak and promptly shuts it again, for the only words
that came to his mind were still “How can she see?”. Benjamin is
the first to respond coherently:
    “ Yes, thank you, ma'am, that would
be delightful” Although he wants to know where they are, their host
is so kind that he cannot deny her offer, left he offend her. Her
words swing back and forth through his mind, like a pendulum
entrancing him. His gut tries to make him flee, but he Benjamin has
not eaten in a great many hours so its efforts result only in a
loud gurgle. The descent had taken them the best part of 48 hours,
and they had brought only water and cola, as per their sponsorship
agreements. How long had he been asleep for? Had they been drugged?
Benjamin's mind remains shrouded in mysteries, but with difficulty
and patience, he begins to slowly piece things back together again.
The creature shifts her weight impatiently, waiting for them to
approach. Hugo is but a few feet from Benjamin and his empty
stomach gurgles in agreement with his. “If it would not be too
bold, ma'am,” began Benjamin respectfully, “can you first tell us
where we are, provide is with some food, and return our suits? Oh,
and one more thing – how did we get here?” Hope resonates in his
voice and bounces off the hard jeweled walls, the creature,
however, seems unimpressed.
    “ My! So many questions! All in due
time my dear. I've got some questions for y'all too y'know. We
really ain't used to unannounced guests. I'm afraid return of the
suits, or of that vile liquid within, just ain't happenin' shug
When we found you our scans determined that there were a number of
potentially harmful pathogens on 'em, and in 'em. We had
to….'dispose'…of the items.”
    Benjamin's
face falls in dismay. She doesn't quite understand his anger, true
it had been their property but those pathogens pose a great danger
to the very survival of her species. Surely he could
understand.
    “ I know – I'll have my courtiers
bring you some robes, we don't have much use for them here, but we
keep them for guests – and the occasional ceremony too. I'll call
for some food too, you must be famished, do accept my apologies.
I'm a shockingly terrible host.” The creature remains in two minds
about what to do with the trespassing twosome.
    “ What do you mean have no use for –“
begins Benjamin.
    The offer of
food makes Hugo snap to life, he interrupts, “YES!” he exclaims,
half shouting. On hearing himself Hugo realizes he is much hungrier
than he first thought, and moderates his tone. “Yes. Yes, sorry,
I'm not me when I'm hungry. Yes please, I'm afraid we haven't had
anything for a long time ma'am – if you are a ma'am. I'm afraid
we've also been terribly rude. I am Dr. Hugo Heiss, this is Mr.
Benjamin Richardson,” he says, gesturing, “are we where I think we
are?” The tone of incredulity in his voice alone reveals his
meaning, and her devilish smile is all the response he
needs.
    She feels his
confusion, it's worrisome, confused people do have a tendency to do
things without thinking them over thoroughly. Surely, if they were
here, they knew? No matter. It isn't as though they can go anywhere
immediately. If either one tries she'll have them slaughtered
immediately, but they'll cross that bridge if and when they get
there. Most cannot resist her wily words.
    She beckons
for food to be brought, and shortly after, a young couple appear