Underdepth

Chapter 4: A Pit Stop

Finally. She was safe. For now. She was still hungry though. So she went to a nearby restaurant named Peppi's Pizza. Mmm... Pizza. Marie really loved pizza. She patted her tummy and walked inside the restaurant. Ah... The smell of every other pizza shop. You know, cheese, crust, and a heated oven. This made Marie even hungrier. So she took a seat in a comfy looking chair with a weirdly shaped table. Then a monster with blue fur, short red hair, considering they had to tie it in a bun, polka dot shirt and little freckles, with a soothing Italian accent approached Marie's table "Ah, a human! Haven't served a human before. Mind telling me your name, hun?" Marie gave a bright smile "my name is Marie! It's nice to meet you!" "Much obliged, Marie, dearest. My name is Pep E. Roni. But I'm mostly known as Peppi. So you can call me that. Now, what would you like?" "Um.... Can I have a slice of cheese pizza?" Peppi giggled. Yes, I'm referencing her as Peppi now. "Of course! Coming right up!" she walked off, humming a little tune.

Oh boy, Peppi's sweetheart started bursting in, being a female monster, a Chorkie at that, with brown fur, a blue skirt with a light blue leotard and high heels, green eyes, fancy dance clothing, a southern accent, and two cute little fangs started to have mascara running down her face. "OH, THE UNBEARABLE PAIN" "Oy.... Ci risiamo..." Marie hid behind a menu book and stayed hidden. The monster who busted in the restaurant was named Cassia, the 'Star' of everyone's dreams. She had a splinter in her index finger. It was a regular, wooden splinter. No harm. except for her bRUTAL SCERAMING. "IT'S TOO BIG! IT'S HURTING MY FINGER!" Peppi sighed "Cassia. Its just a splinter. Nothing harmful" "BUT IT HURRRRRTS!" "Mama Mia..." she pulled tweezers out her pocket and gently pulled out Cassia's splinter. "See? No harm, no foul! All under control." Cassia dramatically hugged Mindy. "You saved my life! I thought I was gonna die!" "(Yeah. From a splinter) Well you didn't. Now scat. I have customers to serve" "But Peppiiiiiiiiii!" "Cassia, you know how important it is for me to serve customers. Just like it's important for your fans to notice how astonishing you are, isn't that right, love?" Peppi held Cassia's hands. Cassia giggles and looks down at Peppi, considering she was two inches taller. Peppi being 5'2 and Cassia being 5'4 "I guess so, sugar pie!"

Cassia noticed Marie's menu, but luckily not Marie. "Peppi, I don't think that your menus always stand on the table like that." Peppi groaned. She was obviously trying to hide Marie from her. "Its nothing, Cassia. Now, are you going to order something?" "(sigh) you know, suddenly I lost my appetite. Maybe I'll come back tomorrow! See you later, Darlin'!" Cassia kissed Peppi's cheek and, strutted out the restaurant. "Sometimes she can be pain... But I still love her to death..." Peppi had went to the bakery in the back to cut a slice of fresh, hot pizza. She Then walked back to serve it to Marie. "Here you go, Marie. Enjoy!"

Marie was happy. Very happy indeed. Her first monster treat. It looked a little different than the pizza on the surface. Though it smelled absolutely delicious. But pizza made by a monster? This is a bit interesting. She took a small careful bite of the pizza. Oh god. This is the best thing she ever had. And considering she didn't eat a thing ever since she ran away, this was like a first meal to her. "Mmm! This is sooo good!" Peppi of course made a little smile. "Perché grazie, Marie! I'm very glad that you like it!" Marie was now content. But she still had more of the underground to explore. Though she was very... Very... Tired. But she had to pay for the food first "Oh, um... How much is that gonna be?" "30 G, dear." Marie was scared. She didn't know how the currency worked in the underground. "I-I.... I don't know how to give this money away..." she pulled out the 500 G. Peppi simply rubbed Marie's head "Whoops! Hehehe... Almost forgot, you're new to the underground. Lemme explain quickly-"

Suddenly, the robot from earlier busted in the restaurant with Niola and Mindy. "E.C.H.O. REPORTING FOR DUTY!" Peppi groaned and hid her face in her hands. "Um... Can I help you?" Noila talked first, considering he was Peppi's favorite customer. "Deeply sorry to intrude, but the queen demands for the human." Marie quivered. She REALLY didn't want to go with the queen. Especially after sending two guards to chase her down. She refused. She was so comfy in Peppi's restaurant. But before she could even get a say in the situation, a cage was placed around her. Peppi was furious with the queens actions. "Wait, hold on a minute, she's just a little kid!" Mindy scoffed "a HUMAN kid. They have the potential danger to destroy us all. And I cannot have that in my kingdom! Now, be a good waitress and suffer like you always do." and with those words making Peppi crack inside like an egg, Mindy had been escorted out by E.C.H.O. and Noila, carrying Marie's cage behind them.