Foreach 137 - Big Fellas

He pokes out of the spare room and calls out to Moon-Soo and Clip.

Cliff Mason

Sunshine, huh?
Whaddaya say we go grab some ice cream!

Beneath an ashen sky, a pagoda stands proud atop a rocky outcropping. It juts out from a rolling sea of pine trees. Beneath it, in the forest, Rex Mundy is looking for someone.

He finds her sitting deep in the wilds, sitting on a rock and fiddling with a shoulder bag. It's Coral! She's surprised to see him.

Rex

* Oi! Psst!
* Jasper!

Coral

* Wh-- Dad??
* Weren't you staying home?
* Did something happen...?

Rex

* Nothin' back home, it's about here.
* All this business in this fancy magical land, y'know, doesn't it make you a little suspicious?

Coral

* ...What do you mean.

Rex

* Look mate, I'm just worried--

—Helen—

Who the heck is this?

Rex

* Um-- scuse me??

—Polyta—

Ah, you must be Coral's father! I don't believe we've been acquainted.

I must apologize for any distress caused as a result of that... orb misadventure.

Know that we of Hollidae treat matters such as these with grave seriousness.

Rex

* Yeah, nah, it's all good.
* Look, ladies, this here's a private conversation, so...

—Helen—

So? You want us to screw off, is that it?

Rex

* This is a family matter, orright?
* Just mind your business.

—Helen—

Oh, it's a family matter, huh.

Excuse us, old man, but Coral's one of the girls now.

Far as I'm concerned, her business is our business. I think we're sticking around.

—Polyta—

Ah, but if this really is a sensitive subject, we can give you some space.

Rex

* It is sensitive.

—Helen—

She wasn't asking you, old man.

Coral

* ...
* My new friends can stay, sure!
* I am -- hehe -- one of the girls, after all.

The elves turn to look expectantly back at Rex. He feels their gazes on him like a couple of dental drills.

Rex

* Well. Um. Yeah. Righto.
* You, um. Ahem.

Rex

* Stay safe out here, buddy.

Rex darts away with his head tucked down.

—Helen—

Jerk.

Coral

* Aww, he's just not used to talking to living people besides me.

—Helen—

If he ever wants some practice, sic me on him, anytime. I'll talk to him, alright.

—Polyta—

Helen...

—Helen—

Whatever.

Is Nix back from scouting yet? I'm getting jumpy over here.

—Polyta—

Ahh, I think you'd know if Nix were back.

Coral

* What do you mean by--?

Nix returns from over the ridge and instantly starts yelling down at everyone.

I'VE FOUND ONE.

Coral

* Ohhhhhhh. Righto.

An isolated patrol in the woods.

Two minotaurs, armed with hammers, and three menfish with spears.

—Helen—

Big fellas?

Compared to what.

—Helen—

Nevermind.

Polyta, what do we think?

—Polyta—

Hm... that's more than I hoped to face, but this is probably our best opportunity nonetheless.

Keep an ear out for my orders, girls. We're going to need to work together to ensure victory.

Coral, do you have the mystic orbs ready?

Coral

* Five standard orbs and one... weird pulsing one, yep.

—Polyta—

Good.

You and Nix can keep a safe distance.

It's time to set our plan in motion!

Peri says:

Hey all! Another reminder that I'll be at Small Press Expo 2025 in Bethesda, Maryland next week, on September 13-14th. I'll be selling stickers! Here's a preview of the designs:

A sticker of Coral!

Hope to see you there!