Stage 1: Attack of the Grunnies
The First Encounter
The First Encounter
Irako walked dejectedly through the Towns, shivering in the icy winter air. Her breath made clouds of pale vapor that floated away and dissipated as if they were ghosts. She held a book of carols in one hand and a set of hand bells in the other, since she'd been out caroling to her fellow Gaians. Unfortunately, they hadn't been appreciative of her gesture of holiday goodwill. Many doors had been slammed in her face, along with rude comments like "LOL U SUCKZ BALLS U SOUNDED LYKE U WERE MERDERING THINGS AN STUFF LOLOLOLOL LOZER!!!!!!1!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!" Irako was well aware of the fact that she wasn't exactly an opera star, but it was the thought that counted, wasn't it?
A heavy sigh created a huge cloud of vapor that hung about her for a moment, obscuring her vision. She continued forward, but failed to see the patch of ice just in front of her. Predictably, her foot slipped, and Irako fell backward with a yelp, arms flailing wildly in a desperate attempt to retain her balance. The flailing didn't help, though, so she landed on the ground with a thud.
"Oooowww..." Irako lay there for a moment, silently cursing the fates. Couldn't she just try and show some holiday spirit without the universe knocking her on her back? She did her best to be good all year, participating in Gaia's events, and being nice to everybody she met, no matter how much of a troll they were. Her eyes squeezed shut in frustration.
Suddenly, off to her left, there was a high-pitched growl. Actually, it was more like squealing, but it was clear that the intent to intimidate was there. Irako opened her eyes and glanced over to see red eyes gleaming in the darkness. The little creatures bounded forward in a manner that might have been cute, if the creatures were something else that was far less dangerous. Irako sat up and scooted backward in a panic as she recognized the green fur and floppy ears. Two Grunnies were moving towards her, doing their version of growling and slobbering with anticipation of sinking their needle teeth into her flesh.
A heavy sigh created a huge cloud of vapor that hung about her for a moment, obscuring her vision. She continued forward, but failed to see the patch of ice just in front of her. Predictably, her foot slipped, and Irako fell backward with a yelp, arms flailing wildly in a desperate attempt to retain her balance. The flailing didn't help, though, so she landed on the ground with a thud.
"Oooowww..." Irako lay there for a moment, silently cursing the fates. Couldn't she just try and show some holiday spirit without the universe knocking her on her back? She did her best to be good all year, participating in Gaia's events, and being nice to everybody she met, no matter how much of a troll they were. Her eyes squeezed shut in frustration.
Suddenly, off to her left, there was a high-pitched growl. Actually, it was more like squealing, but it was clear that the intent to intimidate was there. Irako opened her eyes and glanced over to see red eyes gleaming in the darkness. The little creatures bounded forward in a manner that might have been cute, if the creatures were something else that was far less dangerous. Irako sat up and scooted backward in a panic as she recognized the green fur and floppy ears. Two Grunnies were moving towards her, doing their version of growling and slobbering with anticipation of sinking their needle teeth into her flesh.