Discussions With Orcs

Elin wasn't sure how long she'd been laying by herself. When their lovemaking came to an end, the other Elin merged with her, or something. Elin wasn't really sure how best to describe what happened right then.

Though, somehow she knew that she could still have the other Elin come out while she was in this place, no matter how long the other Elin remained within her.

When Elin felt like she had the strength to stand, she picked up her dress, and put it on. Though, she had to use a little help from the other Elin to do so.

There wasn't anything else that Elin could think of to do here, so it was time for her to head out. To leave this place.

However, as she walked over to the aqua-green square, something felt off. Something she couldn't quite place, but still felt important. Something she felt like she should know even without knowing how.

When she stood on the square, ready to leave this place, nothing happened. She remained on the square, unable to leave.

+++

When the time for the orcs to come to Elmo came, he wasn't sure what to expect. For one thing, it was clear that they'd brought him here against the orders of whoever Grisha really was. However, he didn't take that to mean that they wouldn't harm him if they didn't get what they wanted from him, regardless of what that was. Or that they wouldn't harm him regardless of what happened.

He was certain that he wouldn't be able to escape very easily on his own, but he couldn't help but worry what it would be that they wanted him for in the first place. Especially when he was having trouble walking on his own at the moment.

If they wanted someone to train them to fight better, then Kim would have been a better choice. For himself, he couldn't imagine why they'd be interested in him. Especially since he wasn't sure why 'Grisha' had wanted them killed in the first place.

After all, it wasn't like they saw him as a threat or anything. If he was up to something that they weren't aware of, then as long as they didn't become aware of it, then why would there be a problem?

As it is, the only reason Elmo became aware of 'Grisha' not being as friendly as he had originally appeared to be was because he heard him talking to the orcs just moments ago.

They'd finished their conversation, if it could be called that. As it involved cursing, insults, other foul language, and statements that Elmo didn't understand, but were probably because he didn't understand their cultures. Elmo wasn't sure what there was for him to understand other than they had been rather reluctant allies to begin with, if not employer and employee, given 'Grisha' had offered something in exchange for them killing those in Elmo's camp. Which they clearly hadn't accomplished.

"If you not have what you offered, then you need to leave," one of the orcs who had been talking said finally. "You not welcome here anymore."

"I might as well," 'Grisha' said, as if he was granting a huge concession. "It's clear that you and your kind aren't capable of living up to their reputation. That it's more talk than actual ability."

Why none of the orcs attacked at that provocation, Elmo couldn't say. He only knew that if he was being insulted like that, then he'd have reacted to the gauntlet being thrown down.

Naturally, he'd likely get beaten to a pulp, but he'd have responded.

As he listened to 'Grisha' leaving, he wondered if he should pretend like he hadn't heard that conversation. While it was clear that there was no love lost between the two groups, he wasn't sure how much the orcs really knew about himself.

The less they knew about him, the better his chances of survival. Especially if they planned on eliminating him when they got whatever it was that they wanted him for. Even if it was just basic information on the rest of his combined group.

Elmo wasn't sure if it was because he was lost in thought or if the orcs were just quieter than he had imagined that they could be, but he jumped as he saw torchlight approaching where he was.

Then as he watched, the orc, Elmo assumed it was the same one that had spoken to him when he'd woken up, put a plate of what looked like roasted beetles in front of Elmo.

"Eat. Is good manners in front of Shaman and Elder," the orc said to Elmo in an almost threatening manner.

While beetles weren't exactly Elmo's idea of fine cuisine, he certainly wasn't going to argue with someone who could kill him without really trying. Though, Elmo wasn't really sure if he was supposed to say anything before taking one to eat.

He just hoped that he'd be able to keep it down and that it wouldn't come back up, even part way through whatever it was that these orcs wanted to talk with him about. He had a hope that it wasn't about anything that he wouldn't be able to explain, but since he didn't know what to expect, he felt that it was merely a fleeting hope.

Elmo hesitated only a moment before picking the closest beetle, which was also the smallest one, and popping it in his mouth. Like it was a strangely shaped french fry. Which as he bit down on it, he decided, it wasn't far from one of the crispier ones typically found at the bottom of the fries.

"Thank you," Elmo said, unsure what else to say about it. After all, they were insects. Some cultures might find them a delicacy or something, but for Elmo, it was something to eat only if you really had to. Especially since there were so many other items that were much preferable to beetles.

"Now to business," one of the older orcs said, it's voice a little raspy.

Elmo nodded, trying to ready himself for whatever would be said next. He couldn't say if he would be actually ready, but he hoped he would at least not be too surprised.

"In the battle, you used dark elemental magic," the orc continued, making it more of a statement than a question. Though, Elmo had no idea what exactly the orc was talking about. Although, Elmo did wonder about how he somehow 'knew' to say those words to get the result he did, even if he still didn't really understand what had gone on then. "How did you learn this magic?"

Elmo wished he could actually say. If he did, he suspected that he might be safer among these orcs. As if he knew more of this 'dark elemental magic' then that might keep them from deciding to try and kill him, even after they get through whatever they've yet to ask Elmo for.

However, especially at this point, honest would likely save him a lot of pain. Which Elmo considered quite likely if he seemed uncooperative with these creatures.

"Uh, you see," Elmo said, still feeling a little hesitant about the subject. After all, what he was about to say Elmo couldn't say would sound like an actual honest statement. "I really have no idea how I learned that. All I knew was that it was something that stuck inside my head. I'm not even sure what kind of spell it was."

The orcs around the older two bristled at Elmo's response, but they didn't do anything, as Elmo suspected that the older orcs hadn't responded, so those two might have a different thought about Elmo's statement. Which let him feel a little more secure in his position. Though, not by much.

"If you can't explain how you learned it, would you at least be willing to demonstrate for us?" the other elderly orc asked. "We're always looking for spells to add to our collection. Especially those of fire and dark attributes."

Elmo nodded, though he couldn't explain why his sweat suddenly went cold. The 'fire attribute' piece seemed to have triggered something in him, but he couldn't quite say what it was. Just that it didn't give him a pleasant feeling. Like I would get him stuck here for longer than he really wanted to be in the first place.

"Uh, yeah, I could, uh, show you," Elmo replied, hesitantly. He wasn't sure if it was something he should be agreeing to, but he figured that it'd be something that wouldn't take long.

He'd show them and then they should be willing to let him go. As they certainly weren't asking for anything more. So, once he showed them, then that should be it and he could go his own way. It was as simple as that.

Or at least he hoped it'd be. "So, where would you like me to perform this demonstration?" Elmo asked, wondering if it was something he should be asking in the first place. As the longer this took, the less certain he'd be able to get out of this after the demosntartion.