*Chomp*
*Squelch*
*Chew*
“Mmm. Delicious. Sweet, tender skin. Irresistible, moist flesh. I can see why this is such a beloved food.” An eerie voice harped within a room lit only by the sun’s rays.
The light invaded a spacious room filled with shelves and ornaments. It pierced through thick curtains as a steady breeze swept within. Towering stacks of sprawling paperwork shivered, miraculously holding their shape beside a pair of boots that rested atop a flawlessly crafted desk.
“It’s rather rude to keep my feet up on furniture meant for hands. Hehe… Maybe this will be how I’ll do paperwork from now on.” The feminine voice belonged to none other than Carpalis, whose golden pupils emitted a tantalizing glow as she giggled to herself.
The Beholder resided within the heart of the Guild; the Guild Master’s Office. It was here where the Guild Master would remain for the foreseeable future, drowning in paperwork and managing all facets of the Guild.
But today the Guild Master of this estate was liberated of their duties for the time being. Carpalis and several of her trusted higher ups temporarily took over until the date of the Arbiter’s Council.
Carpalis still hadn’t made up her mind regarding her attendance, however, she hosted a brief talk with a familiar face just hours earlier. The room was cozy enough for her to relax. The reclining, leather chair was fit for a king. The previous occupant was a large man, and she giggled at the thought of feeling small.
It made another occupant of the room softly smile down at her beloved Beholder.
A small, green tendril swooped a sheet from the top of the stack, bringing it to the face of a dark-skinned, green haired woman who stood beside Carpalis’ head.
“Ugh. So much paperwork. The logistics between each Cities are only going to get worse.” The woman complained with an unnaturally sweet voice as she compared the page with another. “All this backlog isn’t going to be indexed any time soon.”
With only a single glance, she was able to read the walls of inky text. Tentacles sprouted from the sides of her flowing, green hair which was reminiscent of an evergreen tree. Cowlicks riddled the sides of her hair as small, tiny pale flowers were sprinkled all over the place.
One would easily mistake them for hair ornaments, but they were in fact a part of her body. Her green dress was simple, yet elegant, bearing twisting ivy which she wore like jewelry around her ankles and wrists. Embroidered on the back was the symbol of a green thumb.
Hooked around her elbow was a straw basket filled with fresh, purple grapes. She plucked one and returned her gaze to Carpalis, her eyes filled with glimmers of affection.
This woman was Evergreen: the Underboss of the Golden Thumb. An Exalted who commanded the entirety of the Golden Thumb and answered only to Carpalis and her Archetype right-hand man, Magus – the Archetype of Hope.
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The Golden Thumb was one of 4 subsidiaries of the Golden Index, focusing on logistical work, information, communications, and seemingly everything that wasn’t combat like the Golden Middle, closing deals like the Golden Ring, or solidifying personal, top secret promises like the Golden Pinky.
The Golden Index itself, while it managed all 4 subsidiaries, mainly indexed all information. In a way, the Golden Thumb had overlapping duties and was seen as the most important of all the phalanges.
“The Golden Thumb will see to have it all indexed.” She whispered assuringly before her cheeks turned a very slight red. “S-So, you should lean on us! Your Faustian Bargain can’t keep holding onto all your burdens.”
“Hehe…” Carpalis adjusted her chair slightly. It squeaked as she positioned her head onto the woman’s thigh. “Did you mean it literally? There are all forms of methods to alleviate burdens. But it would be boring enough for me to tell the same tale as a lullaby to you. You’re no longer a budding Verdanian. Ahaha… Have you grown again?”
A purple grape brushed by her lips, and her mouth opened to reveal rows of sharpened teeth like those found on a beartrap.
*Chomp*
*Chew*
“I’m one of your fingers. Collectively, we are your hands.” Evergreen softly spoke, her emerald eyes glowing like gems in the warm light of the sun. “There isn’t anything we wouldn’t do for you. No order too tall, and no task too difficult. That’s who we are. Nothing will change that.”
“Assuring. Hmhm~ Evergreen~” Carpalis shifted herself in her seat, her long sleeves flopping around, almost cutely.
“Yes?”
“Another grape, if you don’t mind.”
“Right away.”
The relationship between the Underbosses and Carpalis was stiff due to professional reasons, but it also felt like a family in a way. Each member had a rich history with Carpalis, and Evergreen was no exception.
In fact, at one point in her life she recalled a moment when she was the one being fed by Carpalis when she was just a budding plant-person – the nearly extinct Verdanian race. It was not clear what species she was from the race. Dryad? Petalia? Blossom? Florans? Alraune?
Evergreen didn’t know when it happened. One day, she was an ordinary Verdanian, and the next, she became a monstrosity hated by everyone and everything. Even the people she once called friends.
And now, she realized that her current Origin was no different from the monsters of the Dungeons – the Impuritas. Pages flickered before her eyes as she systematically memorized them, and copied them into a thick, 20 kg book with another assortment of tentacles.
She was lost in her thoughts, utterly transfixed by the memory before suddenly, she felt a hand touch her cheek, only to realize that no one had touched her. The tables were empty. Papers were neatly stacked by the windowsill.
When she looked down, she was met with Carpalis’ gentle gaze.
“When we delve into the past, we tend to bring pieces of it into the present. Never allow it to change your future.” Her words caused Evergreen’s face to melt delightfully.
“You’ve told me that how many times now? S-Sorry. Not that I’m complaining! I’m sorry. I’m always overstepping my boundaries.”
“If people continue to be afraid of overstepping them, then we’d end up in an endless cycle of misery. This is the latest installation.” She flicked her shoulder, throwing a sleeve to poke Evergreen’s nose. “Hehe. Isn’t it funny? I’m more of a mother than a Beholder to you all. You are more of a child than a finger of my hand. My cycle has been ongoing. It will continue. That alone is inevitable. Hehe… when will I catch a break? Ahaha… The world does like using me for its comedic relief.”
Evergreen’s mouth parted. She was about to say something until several knocks rang at the double doors.
“SECUR-80! Alert! The Archetype of Amalgamation has arrived!” A hearty, masculine voice called from the other side.
“Very well then. Evergreen, my dear~ Would you kindly check on how our other ‘guest’ is doing? Our honored friend will want to meet them soon.”
“Will they subjugate that thing?” It was obvious that the fact that Mimicry hadn’t been eliminated yet didn’t sit well with her, as well as a majority of others who were aware of its presence.
“It will depend on how ravenous her appetite is.” Carpalis giggled.