Ending H

Promises, Promises

A TALE OF THE POCKETCAT

OR

WHY ONE SHOULD NEVER STRIKE DEALS WITH THE GREEN HUE

CHAPTER ONE

The dark, dank walls of the dungeon of Fear & Hunger threatened to close in around you. There was no escaping the depravity that threatened to consume you with every step that you took. There was no way out for you, so you despaired and you wept. Your suffering was so sweet to all the denizens of the dark... It brought unwanted and uncanny attention to your moment of weakness.

A pair of luminous yellow eyes appeared in the bleak dark before you. A Cheshire grin split the maw of the darkness, a row of sharp, neat teeth shone against an unknown source.

"Ahhh... what do we have here?~" A man dressed in a fine suit- certainly inappropriate for a place such as this!- knelt before you, his curious yellow eyes seeming to shine in spite of the near total darkness of the dungeon. He seemed tall- too tall- yet his affable demeanor had your guard lowering.

"Are you lost, new friend?" You found yourself nodding. This dark was too much for any one person to handle at all, let alone by their lonesome...

"I see, I see..." He mused to him as he nodded. His eyes never seemed to blink or waver from you. It was unsettling.

"It is no fun to be lost in any place and certainly no fun in a place such as this!" You nodded once more, the tears in your eyes threatening to fall down your face. A gloved hand gently catches one of the tears as it overflowed from one of your eyes.

"No tears, dear friend..." His curled forefinger stroked your cheek as he inspected his tear stained glove. "Isn't it unbecoming of an adventurer like you?"

The question had you pausing. Perhaps it was... but it wasn't an accusatory question. Merely an exploratory one. You struggled to find your voice, as fear still had a hold on your throat and your heart.

"I... Can you help me...? I- I wish to be free of this place a-and I-" The masked gentleman hummed softly to himself. He placed his hand in one of his pockets.

"Oh? You would ask help of a stranger you scarely know? We haven't even exchanged names yet!" He feigned hurt and surprise, something that wasn't lost on you. You hang your head in shame.

"Chin up, old fellow! This does have an easy remedy..." He chuckled to himself. You nodded eagerly.

"My name is Pocketcat! And yours...?" You told him your true name. You see his eyes light up in recognition.

"Ahh yes yes! Indeed, it could be my old imagination, but have we met before? Perhaps in another lifetime?" He seemed far too eager for your liking but you simply nodded in agreement.

"Oh what a joyous occasion!" He clasped his hands together in glee. His pupils were pinpricks and his mouth seemed wider than it did before. Or maybe it's just your imagination.

"This is a special occasion indeed..." Pocketcat mused to himself. He seemed to be looking you up and down, his arm shifting ever so slightly in place. It made you uncomfortable.

"For a friend, I certainly would do anything..." You found his face.

"...however even a friend would have to compensate me fairly." Your heart sank in your chest. You believe to have nothing of worth- likely nothing of worth to him! What shall you do?!

"Oh...? What's this? Perhaps you have nothing to give... Is that right?" Hesitantly you nodded. You have nothing on you to give him- nothing that he would want. Or so you believe. Pocketcat rests his chin on his other hand and hums thoughtfully.