Demonstration

Elmo was brought to a darker part of the cave, though he doubted that it mattered so much to the orcs. They seemed to move around just fine without the troches. Though, the two elderly orcs did each bring one with them.

While the other orcs had no problem seeing in the dark, Elmo started to wonder if maybe that ability faded away as an orc got older. Much like how some people had conditions that made it so they couldn't see very well, or at all, as they got older.

However, he knew better than to ask about that. The best he expected would happen is that they'd just act like they didn't hear or understand what he asked. The worst is that the small security around these bloodthirsty creatures would be gone.

While Elmo didn't like exactly thinking of orcs as bloodthirsty, largely because he was surrounded by them and didn't like the idea of being surrounded by creatures like that, he felt he didn't have much choice in the matter with how often he'd seen the orcs fighting each other. As well as for some of the worst reasons. Almost like they were seeking out excuses to fight each other.

Although, whenever one of the elderly orcs said anything, the other orcs obeyed, no questions asked. Which made Elmo wonder what kind of hierarchal system the orcs worked with. Especially since he couldn't really tell what some of the more peaceful resolutions to the 'disputes' the orcs employed.

Most of the resolutions were essentially fist fights that others either egged on or joined in themselves.

When Elmo was brought to a nearly deserted area, he was pretty sure that these orcs wanted to have him use his 'dark energy' back here. That way he could use it without hurting anyone that could get him in trouble wit the orcs. Although, he hoped that the orcs wouldn't turn on him immediately after his demonstration, even though he couldn't be sure how much the orcs would want him to demonstrate.

"What would you like to demonstrate the dark energies against?" one of the older orcs asked. "Bare rock, an orc, or something else?"

Elmo wished he didn't believe the offer of an orc was serious. Or that it wasn't part of a test of some sort, like on some movies where the bad guy offers a gun to a character who is to shoot someone with it. Only, the gun doesn't have any ammunition in it. Not that the character being given the gun knew that.

Only here," Elmo was confident that the 'gun' had ammunition in it and these orcs wouldn't care for Elmo to 'demonstrate' on some of the other orcs.

Even though he really didn't care for them much, he certainly didn't want to be the one killing them like that.

"Uh, do you have any goats?" Elmo asked, feeling a little better to 'demonstrating' on livestock rather than other orcs. As while the orc leadership might throw in an orc they didn't care about, that didn't mean that Elmo wouldn't be creating enemies on a different side of the orcs. Which wasn't something he'd care to do. Not if he could help it.

Elmo wasn't sure where they got the goats from, as he hadn't seen any around, but moments after he'd requested 'goats' two were then being led into the area that he'd be conducting his 'demonstration' at.

As soon as he saw the goats were left alone, Elmo merely called out, "Dark Impact. Dark Impact."

Once for each goat. While he probably could have gotten it done with one shot, he had a feeling doing it twice would allow the orcs a better chance to figure out whatever it was that they were looking for.

Elmo then turned to the orcs in charge and asked, "So, now what? I did the demonstration like you asked, so I can I go?"

He hoped the answer would be 'yes' even as he doubted that would be the case. As far as he knew, they only knew of that spell of his and didn't know anything more, which would be about how much Elmo himself knew about what spells he had. Though, he wished that there was some way for him to figure that out.

"We'll see if we'll need another demonstration. In the meantime, we'll make you comfortable, okay?" the orc said, motioning for the other orcs to follow. Which also meant that Elmo needed to join as well.

Though, on the positive side, it was clear that the other orcs didn't look at Elmo with as much contempt in their eyes, they still didn't think much of him. Which Elmo was perfectly fine with. He certainly wasn't really that interested in what they thought of him anyway.

When he was returned to the alcove that he'd woke up in, there was one change. An orc seemed to be waiting for him. Not the kind that had been traveling around with him, or essentially escorting him around, but rather a female orc. One that didn't look like it engaged in any kind of combat.

Elmo was then left with the female orc, and Elmo suddenly had a idea of what was expected of him. Something he wasn't sure he really wanted then.

"Who're you?" Elmo asked, feeling like he should at least knew her name before anything else was done.

"My name is Jarvinia. I was told to come and do whatever you needed to be comfortable," she replied almost subserviently, though the way she looked at Elmo was nothing short of annoyed. Which made Elmo wonder just what she thought of him in general.

"Well, my name's Elmo, though what exactly do you mean, 'make me comfortable?'" he replied, not sure he like how it sounded.

Jarvinia merely shrugged. "Just whatever is necessary for you to relax. I'm to bring you your meals, any time you need more water, I'll show you where you can go to the privy, I'll take any messages or requests you have for the elders. Whatever you need."

Elmo was sure that was merely an overview of what she would be there for, including other things that he had a feeling might not come off as good if he refused. Such as if she offered 'companionship in bed' or something to that effect.

While he was pretty sure that she was rather attractive as far as orcs went, Elmo couldn't say that he had any interest in her like that. Though, part of it was from the fact that the only real interest he'd had before was in Jonas. So, he couldn't say if it was entirely because Jarvinia was an orcish woman, or if it was because she was female in general, but he doubted that she'd be able to get any kind of 'rise' out of him like that, if she tried for that kind of thing.

"Okay, uh, how about something to eat, you know, for lunch. Then some kind of cushions to sit on," Elmo said, not sure really what he should be asking for exactly. Especially since he wouldn't say the orcs even had the ingredients for some of the dishes he had in mind.

"'Cushions?' What're those?" Jarvinia asked, looking rather confused, as she stood up.

"Just something soft to sit on while I'm here, okay?"

Jarvinia looked like she wasn't about to agree, but then she sighed. "Alright. I'll get you those things," she said, as if Elmo should be thankful she didn't stab him instead or agreeing to his request.

However, Elmo thought that if he was going to be stuck here, he might as well try to get himself as comfortable as possible. Especially since he doubted whatever Jarvinia would bring back would be what he'd likely really consider 'soft.'

Though, given that these seemed to be warriors, he suspected that him asking for something 'soft' was probably labelling him as 'weak' or something like that. Despite the fact that he really was soft and weak as to his physical abilities. He'd always been that way. Therefore, he didn't really see a need to hide or avoid that. It was merely something that was just how things were, regardless of what he'd rather have them be instead.

Maybe if he was more physically inclined, he'd have been less of a recluse when it came to social interactions. As most people he'd been around in school had been rather physically inclined and didn't care to do much with those who weren't other than occasionally use them for target practice. Which while most parents vocally stated their opposition to that, really didn't care to do anything more than just that when it came to enforcing any action when the bullies would take it too far.

Elmo was startled out of his thoughts when a thick, leather blanket was dropped in his lap. "There! Use that as you want to for something 'soft.' See how well you survive living like that," Jarvinia snapped.

"Thank you," Elmo replied, as if she hadn't said anything other than nice things to him. After all, he suspected she wouldn't expect him to be pleasant to her, not with how the other orcs seemed to be in general. "Though, do you have any idea what the… uh, elders would want with me? I mean, other than that one spell? The one with dark energy or something?"

Jarvinia looked at Elmo for a moment before looking away in annoyance. "No. They tell me nothing."

"Okay, no problem," Elmo said, and really it wasn't. He really hadn't expected Jarvinia to have known anything specific anyway. "I was just hoping that maybe there'd be a tutorial or something that could-"

[It's been a while since you needed my services. How may I assist you?] a business-like voice suddenly said, startling Elmo into silence.

Even as Jarvinia looked at him with a raised eyebrow.