Red stood there, staring at his menu like a loon as he read over the message that he got from it again and again. At this point, the creatures of the dungeon had learned that he was just the kind of person to stand there idle, looking befuddled at whatever new thing was going on with his menu. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Pheobe and Marcus exchanging bets about how long he would be like this. The witchlings were always having a good laugh at someone else’s expense, which Red figured was just part of their nature.
“Menu… are you able to respond to me directly now?” He asked hesitantly as he allowed the previous screen to fade away. He noticed that his menus were getting more interactive the longer he used them. He had just assumed that it was meant to get easier to use the longer that they were in operation, but it made more sense that the system was learning from what he put into it. All the clever phrases and quotes in his notifications had to come from somewhere. He took in a deep unnecessary breath as the new menu appeared.
[Yes, Dungeon Core Red, RASI is now capable of direct communication with the upgrade associated with the second floor. A more sophisticated SUI (Spirit User Interface) has been installed for your convenience.]
“Well, that is different. I suppose it could be worse, honestly.” Red muttered as he thought of his menu somehow rebelling against him and turning his dungeon into a nightmare. Then again, he supposed there was a more pertinent question than if the menu responded to him directly. He created life and intelligent beings all the time, the question here was if the menu system was aware. “Menu-Er, RASI-no that is too much of a mouthful to spell out every time. Ras. Ras are you sentient?” He asked, fumbling with proper nouns for a moment before he settled on a nickname for the menu system.
[Name acknowledged. Yes, Ras is at the base level of awareness. Through repeated interaction and communication, the menu system will become more realistic and intelligent as time goes on.]
The box confirmed with such ease, but at the same time, Red knew what was behind the RASI system that governed his menus. The dimension of pencil pushers would never make a product that would be able to take the system out of the user. He would just have to trust it as he had done in the past and push down the natural anxiety that seemed to permeate his every decision. “Thank you.” He said with a nod before he looked around and began to look for his first-floor boss.
Heading into the carved-out throne room at the base of the alchemical oak, Red took a deep breath as he looked around. It was still the same with its wide arrangement of large seatshrooms, and the murals of the four seasons across the walls. He walked along the carpet towards the throne, the ornate Alchemical Oak wood structure standing tall with its purple cushions. Where his core once sat was a ruby sphere, shiny but without the same ethereal glow. Lotus was not here in the throne room, which made him assert that she was most likely in the next carved-out space.
“Ras, remind me how these don’t count as rooms to the total count?” Red asked as he walked, moving around the throne to the ornate door that was waiting on the other side. The door was new, it having been a rather plain piece of wood the last time that Red had inspected it. It was now a rather beautiful engraved door that showed all of the [Fairy] tagged creatures celebrating. There were even a few crawdads and Snap-drakes if you knew where to look. It was a rather good homage to the garden room. The flowers danced with vines as a border to the door, while all the current races of [Fey] tagged creatures danced and celebrated at a joyful wedding. Between the bride and groom was the beautiful engraving of Lotus presiding over all.
[Spaces can be created within rooms that could be designated as rooms. These spaces can be used for a wide variety of things so long as they fit within the theme of the room. For the {Special} [Garden] this means that buildings and ‘rooms’ can be constructed for individuals to live inside. A throne room and royal bed-chamber are well within the room’s theme.]
Red gave the window a nod before trying to knock on the door, brightening up some as it managed to produce a sound. He listened for a moment before hearing Lotus call for him to come in. He stepped into the royal bed chamber and smiled as he looked around. The entirety of the room was colored in a wide arrangement of pinks and purples. Even the chifforobe was in Lotus’ favorite colors as it waited to be used; if it was full of anything other than the same dress was yet to be seen.
The four-post bed had beautiful silken veils that covered up the majority of the mattress from easy viewing. There was a vanity at the far end of the room, next to a window to the outside world showing the grassy fields leading to the first floor's temple section. Sitting on the plush ottoman in front of the mirror was none other than his first-floor boss, gazing at him through the reflection.
She was a stunning sight, with beautiful blue skin dotted with fetching navy freckles that danced across her cheeks like a map of the stars. Her eyes were shining red, her irises a striking cherry color that she had gained upon her ascension to boss-hood. Her long flowing cotton candy pink hair was no longer in the bun that was hidden under a crown, instead flowing around her shoulders and down her back in long waves. The dress she was wearing was a beautiful Victorian ballgown of purple with black accents, giving a gothic vibe that sold her as a threatening monarch. Her pointed ears and long beautiful dragonfly wings were what finished the ensemble that showed her as a Fairy Queen. Specifically, she was Lotus, the Fairy Queen of Toxic.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
“Hello, Red. Back from your meeting already?” She asked with a soft smile as she allowed a pair of fairies to brush through her hair with combs that were made out of golden lobster shells. The glowing pink and blue fairies didn’t say anything as Red approached, the dungeon avatar being calm as he rolled his shoulders. ”Yeah, the meeting is handled and we have a second floor. I wanted to check on everyone and make sure that nothing went wrong while I was gone before I focused on the next floor. I don’t want anyone to think I am going to forget about this place just because I got a new toy.” He grinned as he rubbed the back of his head, hoping that would never be the case. He knew that there would come a day when he could have over a hundred floors, but he never wanted to forget the people who brought him there.
“Well, aside from Pheobe providing Glut and his poker game with alcohol, everything is going just fine. Velua has been patrolling the grounds and is hoping that you’ll build a home for her to rest in. The temple is untouched since no one wants to be in there unless it is time to work. Finally… Addison hasn’t left her house since you last saw her.” She said, giving a small nod when Red cringed at the information.
“Well, that is good to know. I’ll check on Addison then Velua, before heading outside to see how the beetles are doing.” He said as he figured out what his schedule would be like for the next few hours. Instead of leaving for those meetings, he walked over and leaned against the windowsill, looking out at the fields and watching as life continued apace for his people. He hoped that they would always be happy and calm like this.
“Things are about to change a bit here, Lotus. Part of the meeting meant that I had a contract made between me and a spirit. I don’t know when it is supposed to start, but we are going to be getting a portal to someplace else. A second entrance where people could actually come through, rather than the dead swamp outside. You’re going to be recognized as a full royal, and there is a whole slew of things that we will need to take care of.” He explained as he watched the slimes mill about and kept the grass trimmed. Lotus blinked in surprise and waved her hand, the two fairies setting down their combs before seeing themselves out. It seemed that the news had surprised the Queen, and she needed to have her full attention on the matter at hand. She took in a small breath as she began to apply her makeup. “So, I am going to be presenting myself as a true Royal soon? Not just… not just a dungeon creature?” She asked, hesitating slightly as she considered how she would be put up to scrutiny by ‘real’ royals.
“What are you talking about? You already are a true Royal. Just because some spirit says you're official now doesn’t matter. You are Lotus! You are a strong and confident fairy with no need to be confirmed by anyone except yourself.” Red said firmly as he put his hands down on the makeup table and looked directly into his Boss Monster’s eyes. It was the most firm Red had ever been about Lotus as a person, trying a bit of tough love towards her uncertainty. It had taken Lotus aback some, the shock clear on her face.
“I- Yes. You’re right. You’re right dammit! I am Lotus Queen of Toxic, and it doesn’t matter who recognizes me. I am the one and only Queen of my domain, and no one will ever change that.” She said firmly as she looked away from Red and at the blue face in the mirror. She stared into her cherry-red eyes and took a deep breath as she understood what was needed. She had to present herself as confident, just like Red was showing her. If she didn’t then any other Queens or Kings would show up and think they could dismiss her entirely. She had to be better than that, for both Red and all the fairies that were relying on her. ”That’s my girl! Now you run this place like a fine-tuned clock and I will see about dealing with emotional issues.” Red said confidently before it slowly faded with the realization that he needed to talk to Addison about this tantrum she was throwing.
“Now, Red. Don’t go giving advice that you can’t follow. You’re strong and you are the Dungeon Core! I am sure that you should be able to handle one little girl throwing a tantrum. You just gotta remember, she is only upset because she wants to be close to you. I doubt Addison would be throwing such a fit if it wasn’t about you.” She said with a smile as she reached back and began to tie up her hair in a bun, the beautiful pink locks slowly being compressed and woven perfectly.
“You think so? I feel like I haven’t been around enough. I don’t want her to feel abandoned.” Red said as he wrung his hands, the confidence that he had displayed for Lotus thoroughly dashed as the next problem reared its head. There were many things that he had dealt with, from invading forces to project management. The most terrifying thing to him was making sure that Addison grew up happy and healthy without hating him. ”Red, honestly. I don’t know why you are always so anxious. You always know the right thing to say, and you are very kind. Just be genuine and patient with her, and I am sure that everything is going to go fine.” Lotus said with a smile as she gave him a pat on the shoulder, giving him the same support he gave her. Technically speaking the two of them were close to the same age when it came to their physical forms, though Lotus had no idea about Red’s previous lives. ”You’re right. I just got to be myself, and not act out. Everything will be alright.” Red said with a firm nod as he accepted what he had to do. “I’m off!” He beamed and leaned forward, kissing Lotus on the head. “Be good, love you!” He said as he made his way out of the royal bed-chamber. ”Love you, Dad!” She called back, watching him leave before looking in the mirror, relaxing with a gentle breath.