Author Games Compilation [Cycle 1]

Task 5 - A Kind Worth Killing (RQ)

Only a few things were for certain to anyone wandering the cave system: it was dark, it was wet, and it was cold. And Reed wasn't having any of it. He stomped as he followed close behind Steve, sending the little puddles sprawling for purchase on the walls. His arms wrapped themselves around his small form, but it did close to nothing to preserve his body heat. These are not the conditions a king would accept. When his stomach rumbled for the fortieth time since waking on the cold, hard ground, he groaned loudly. Maybe I should switch it up today. We leave the kingdom in exchange for an exploration of the sea, for mermaids and sirens. And I am the curious man who sees something fishy squirming about in the nets for catch... He glanced at Steve. He's the idiot that falls overboard because he was leaning too far over the edge of the boat.

Reed couldn't stifle his giggle, and Steve turned to face him, not stopping, but walking backwards. "What's so funny back there?" he asked, his brow turning up in question.

Reed brought his arms to rest behind his back. "Nooothing," he drawled, rocking on his heels. He held a mischievous smirk on his face. "Don't worry 'bout it, spider monkey. You do you." Steve rolled his eyes and walked forward again. Reed couldn't help but be disappointed that his peasant didn't want to keep the conversation going. He seems pretty annoyed... He narrowed his eyes. So be it. Let's annoy him further. He glanced down at his beast of a stomach, growling as if prepared for an attack. I'm starving anyway.

So, with an unbreakable resolve, Reed froze in place, huffing. "I'm not moving. I'm hungry and tired."

Steve paused. His shoulders tensed as he slowly turned back around. He was biting his lip, as if trying to hold in as much of an argument as possible. "We need to keep moving."

"Not until I'm fed. I am your king, and you, my peasant, are a loyal spider monkey that mustn't let your highness die of starvation." Reed tsked, raising his nose in the air. "Unless you'd rather head off to the guillotine for your head to be removed, hm?"

 "Where the hell are you gonna get a guillotine...?" Steve muttered. He shook his head. "Nevermind that. We need to get as far as possible, and then we can look for food and make camp for the night."

 Their stomachs rumbled simultaneously, echoing off the cave walls. It really was like a beast, coming to feast on them if they didn't feast themselves. Still, it didn't do much to faze Steve, and Reed was left drop his gaze to the ground, staring at his ragged shoes. I have something he can't resist. He sighed, sticking out his lower lip. He then flicked his eyes up without moving his head, widening them with the most piteous of looks.

 "Oh, no, nope, no." Steve shook his head. "Don't you dare start using the puppy dog face on me. Because it's not gonna work."

 For good measure, Reed sniffled a bit.

Steve dropped his head. "I'll be back." Yes! I am the best actor out there. I guess it comes with years of talent. Reed beamed up at his ally with hope, practically bouncing. Steve seemed to know he was faking, the smile he returned being only pretend, but he left anyway. "Don't run off in search of butterflies or anything." A silence hovered above them for a moment before he broke it again. "Be safe," he whispered. Then, at the snap of a finger, he was gone, and Reed was left to his own devices for the time being. 

He had to admit, Steve had been acting pretty strange lately. A sense of flickering comfort radiated off of him at times, and at others he seemed untrusting, just as cold as the caves they roamed. He's a weird little spider monkey. But, he's the best person I've met in this arena so far, so I want to stay with him. The only things that could really go were the terrible jokes, but even those offered some solace when there was nothing but the drip of water falling on their heads and the repetitive steps they'd been taking for two days straight. With a sigh, Reed thought, the jokes can stay. In variation. If he makes another Sir Cumference joke I'm gonna lose it.