What if... MA is the Chosen One, and due to poor Kevin being so damn unlucky, Wraithvine accidentally pinged HIM as the one when it was his mother all this time? And that's why she was able to all but teleport the young Goblin into her arms before Wraithvine, or the kid, knew what happened? That Kevin, poor kid, is just along for the ride and, maybe, part of that quest is to cure him of the stain of bad luck that could end up wrecking the young man's future prospects?
@internutter/challenge-03149-h240-motivation-inclination -- Anon Guest
Wraithvine despised prophesied heroes. Especially when ze was prophesied to be a part of the team. So far, ze had a hero with a bow that was also a casting focus, his mother, and a Goblin thief adopted into the impromptu family. Now renamed Venin.
Fun.
Kevin's luck only seemed to work when it was needed and, on more than one occasion, with his mother's approval. Ma Oxbrydl didn't approve of very much. The people she approved of ended up with a multicoloured coat.
Then there was the Tiefling. He was cursing at a bear trap when they found him, and a Tiefling knows how to curse. It comes with the demonic heritage. The injury the bear trap caused was healed, but getting the bear trap off was the reason he was cursing. Too many attempts at disarming the trap had failed, and he was limping along with the aid of a staff.
"That looks painful," said Ma.
"No doubt," allowed the Tiefling. "Go on and laugh. I'm used to it."
"I was going to help," said Ma. "Venin? How are you at disassembling traps?"
The little Goblin emerged from her hiding place on the cart, coat of many colours almost hiding her form from view. "Oof. Ouch. How long has that been on?"
"Too long," he suffered to be carried to the cart, where Wraithvine was peering at a scroll in abundant confusion.
Venin made quick work of the trap, and the Tiefling bit his staff as they extracted the jaws. Then he uttered a word and the new wounds closed in a second.
"You're lucky you didn't get lockjaw," said Kevin. He flourished his bow. "I think I can manage a cure disease?"
"What?" muttered Wraithvine. "What? But he-- And she-- oh gods..."
"What kind of lunatics--"
"Use it like a staff, not a weapon," chided Ma. "Remember the Troll? I remember the Troll. It took us all day to gather them up for a decent burial."
The Tiefling very subtly got on his marks to take off at maximum speed.
"I wouldn't," sighed Wraithvine. "This is destiny stuff. A destiny I keep misreading. Ms Oxbrydl? It's not Kevin who's the hero foretold. He's just support. It's you. You're going to defeat the evil in the undermountain."
"Me? With what? Knitting needles?"
"And I'm stuck in destiny?" protested the Tiefling.
"Yes and yes," sighed Wraithvine. "It honestly explains a lot." Ze introduced hirself and the rest of the motley crew. Finishing with, "...and I am very, very sorry about all of this."
"Abundance," said the Tiefling by way of introduction. "If I had friends, they'd probably call me Abe."
Ma was already sizing him up for a rainbow coat. "Welcome to the family, there, Abundance. You're another one in need of a mother, for sure."
"You get used to it," said Venin.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / DaveAllen]
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