Hoshi no Guu (Star Piece Quest) (M)

[Guu]

Slowly, the walls closed in on our two heroes, threatening their fragile bodies. The pair looked at each other and then casually walked out of the hallway and into safety. Apparently, common sense was the mortal enemy of this trap layer, as the corner he hid behind was his own undoing. The walls didn’t even come close to flattening them as they were moving at a snail’s pace.

“Well, that was stupid.” Stated Guu. “And kind of disappointing.”

“That guy gets me in a trap every single time. He’s not very good at the follow through though.” Pitchen said quite matter of factly. “Seriously, the dangerous traps are further in the temple. Thankfully, I never have to go that far, kupo.”

The pair continued down the corridor. The princess couldn’t sense any other traps up ahead, at least no obvious ones. A temporary reprieve from the dangers of the temple and far away from the predators of the jungle, the pair had a quiet moment together as they transversed the long hallway.

“So what did they order anyways?” Asked the pink one, partially out of a desire to break the silence but mostly out of genuine curiosity. “You said it was from the Sty and Fry?”

“Five orders of kimchi tacos, a gallon of kombucha, and kale smoothies” Pitchen replied. Customer confidentiality doesn’t seem to be a factor with this one, not that it mattered as Guu didn’t care to know what any of that was. “Yeah, I don’t see why they enjoy the stuff. Not that I care, more Omns for my family and me.”

Guu peered over to her furry friend. This was the first mention of a family. The moogle sensed her gaze and responded.

“Not married. Despite my name, I’m not a lady’s Moog.” He said, a slight twinge of pain in his voice. “I have plenty of brothers and sisters, long line of them. We’ve got to support each other, ya know? Kupo!”

“Eh, yeah, I guess so.” She didn’t fully understand, everything she learned about family was from humans, and she spent much of her time on Earth trolling the shit out of them.

Hey, can’t blame her; it was fun and she didn’t have as much of a reason to have a moral compass back then.

“Especially my sister Matigia, she’s the sweetest!” He continued. “I need to introduce you when this is all over, she’s the kindest person ever! Took care of me at my lowest ya know? Very loyal, kupo!”

Before any follow up questions could be asked, the pair went around a corner and was met with the mouth of the hallway. Obscuring the sunlight was a giant wall of smoke billowing through the exit in large clouds. Guu and Pitchen looked at each other. The moogle took a deep breath and the pair stepped through the portal.

Lucky for the princess, she could get along without breathing, but her merchant friend wasn’t so lucky, eventually, he was forced to take a breath, which was followed by a long succession of coughs. Vision impaired, Guu scanned the area. A large garden littered with statues of various gods. She was glad Pitchen couldn’t see them as a few would have driven him mad from the sight of them. Amongst the flora and monuments stood incense candles, thousands upon thousands of incense candles. It was impressive they could keep the smoke up considering they were outdoors. Pitchen finally stopped coughing long enough to get a word in.

“No matter how many times,” he spat out before coughing a dozen more, “I never get used to that.”

Then, parting through the smoke clouds like they weren’t even there, a strange man appeared. He was a beefy man; a body builder of sorts. His hair was in a blonde crew cut and he had a scar across his face that stretch over one of his baby blue eyes. He looked down at the moogle and then gave him a doofy little grin.

“Ah, food’s finally here!”