Mimic Slime Story: Ch7 · 3:00am Aug 9th, 2020
Proof that your methods need improvement—effective as they may be—is the first step in improving your art. Our titular character is nothing if not an artist, and its interactions with intelligent beings its canvas.
There was a third aspect to the knowledge/intelligence relationship and I was starting to appreciate that my apprentice had appeared both knowledgeable and intelligent because they were gifted in it: the application of knowledge, through intelligence, to achieve your goal.
While my accomplice was out establishing contacts with the various cults of the city, I delved more into both the religious and political histories of the city. The two were tangled and often came together imperfectly, which had resulted in many internal conflicts in the past—and more than a few crusades that existed entirely between one city block and the next.
I heard my accomplice's footsteps and then its distinctive knock on the door so let it in.
Looking up at me (since finding that the large-imposing-figure form was preferable to it, I maintained it as a default when inside our building), my accomplice let out a sigh. "That's another cult based around a fire spirit. I don't know why, but half this damn city seems inclined to incinerate the other half."
Gesturing with my form's arm toward the table and the books stacked there, I nodded. "I have noticed that even among the actual god-worshipers. They seem calmer lately, but in the past I believe they used even less intelligence—somehow."
"People tend to use as little as possible, yeah. So, after surveying all the cults I could find any information on, there are three that don't worship spirits. The leader of one was—She was kinda scary. Big scaled wings on her back and more teeth than was healthy. She doesn't worship a spirit, but there's something really strange going on there." It filled a cup with water and sat down with me at the table.
"Then we focus on those two. What can you tell me on them?" I turned my full attention on my accomplice, leaving my place in the latest political report open on the table. "Also, I'm hungry."
"You'll want something a bit less—masculine—if you want to find a meal among the thieves. If you want something in particular, we could try just crashing into one of these cults. We have two after all. As for which one, the Children Of Anarchy would be a good choice. Particularly stupid and prone to violence, it's a cult for people no other cult wants." My accomplice pulled out a slip of paper and passed it to me. "Honestly speaking, the city should pay you for killing them off."
"How many are there and how much intelligence do they use?" I couldn't deny that I felt excitement. Even if these creatures didn't use intelligence, I'd yet to consume one that lacked it. Since my earlier days with my accomplice, I had to admit that all creatures—human ones—had intelligence.
"The answers to that are opposites. There's a lot of them, but their general intelligence is pretty low. You'd have no trouble with them one on one, but like I said, there's a lot. Nearly four-hundred members, give or take, make up the Children Of Anarchy, but there's one guy at the top of things."
That seemed slightly annoying for some reason. "Male creature?"
"Yes. Is that a problem?"
"Not exactly. Creatures tend to underestimate female creatures more. Perhaps a coup shortly after taking control would be a good idea?" At the registration of surprise on its face, I realized I may have revealed how much knowledge I was gathering.
"Your understanding of all this political and social stuff is going to take some getting used to. Basically, the important thing to know is the Children Of Anarchy recruit from the city's gangs, which is what has made them so strong. Every single one of them is knowledgeable about the streets." Draining its water, my accomplice stood up. "We could go find this guy right now. With his position, he thinks himself indestructible."
I stood up too, then looked down at my clothing and form. "What angle do you think would be best?"
"Definitely something less solid looking. I'd suggest feminine—the easiest way to get close to this guy will be if we go to a tavern he frequents and try to lure him into a room with just us, and that would require a little seduction." My accomplice's emotions were plain and obvious when it was alone with me—all other times it hid what it felt. Right now it looked a little disgusted.
"I won't let it hurt you."
The disgust melted and it smiled. I knew that smile meant it was very happy about something. "You're honestly the most charming guy I've ever met. That says a lot about the people I've met and how nice you actually are. Come on, if he's as big a sleaze as my information says, I won't have a problem at all in you eating him."
I let my accomplice dress me. It had a specific look in mind that I was, apparently, ill-equipped to cultivate myself. What we both ended up in was clothes that emphasized our chests and hips—at least my form's chest and hips. When it asked if I could add more size to one or the other, I complied until it was happy with everything. My opinion was it wobbled too much to be structurally sound when moving quickly, but I kept that observation to myself.
This form—and in particular these clothes—seemed to be the exact opposite of my "everyman" ideal. Eyes wandered to us no matter where we went as we walked through the streets of the city. Some seemed to lock onto my accomplice, but many looked at my form's chest—and only my form's chest. It was like the male creatures couldn't see above my form's shoulders.
"Everyone's looking," I said. "This is what you wanted?"
"Of course it is, Tess. We're not going to sneak into this cult, we are fishing. What do you need for fishing?"
This is why I left a lot of implementation of knowledge and intelligence up to it—my accomplice was good at this. "Bait."
"Right, and Tess, you're about the biggest bait in the city right now. Try to avoid making eye contact with anyone for more than a second or two, though. It'll make them more inclined to look." It let out a soft laugh. "We should have gone with this in the first place."
"First place?"
"Yeah. No one ever expects the pretty girls of—" My accomplice stopped talking. "We should probably watch what we say." After a little more walking—and being watched very intently—it turned sharply and we stepped up to the door of a tavern. "I'll find our guy if and when he arrives."
I didn't reply—I just followed it inside and tried not to be overwhelmed by all the tastes in the air. The tavern that we'd used before had been nothing compared to this. I could taste the stale smell of creature-leavings, alcohol, and those same creatures consuming that alcohol. There was a sweet-burning smell wafting from a creature in one corner of the building, and in among all of this was numerous other creatures talking quietly.
"Come on, Tess, you know what they said—this is the right place." My accomplice led the way to the bar, and I had a feeling that every single creature in the room was watching us. "Two short-beers, please."
The female creature behind the bar raised an eyebrow—a questioning gesture. When my accomplice didn't say anything else, it asked, "You're here to sell? Rooms are half whatever you make."
"Half?" my accomplice asked.
"Don't like it, fuck off. If you don't find yerself some action, you don't pay." The creature lifted up two mugs of murky liquid and set them on the bar. "Tell you what. If you keep buying drinks, I'll take that out of what you owe me. If you don't get anythin'…" The creature shrugged its shoulders.
"Fair deal." My accomplice reached over the bar and dropped two small coins in the creature's hand.
"Might need something stronger with this lot." Displaying an array of brown and damaged teeth, the creature took the coins and seemed intent on ignoring us.
"Now we wait, Tess."
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Hmm...
Sounds less like a cult and more like a hopped up gang with delusions of legitimacy.
Interesting work with the cults in general, ranging from divine gods to spirits that go sparky sparky boom boom. Of course, I'm very curious in the abnormal cult led by woman with wings and scales, especially if it weirds the accomplice out :3
This last bit is honestly why I think Mimic Slimes can be so feared. Lets pretend the higher goals here of taking over a cult, establishing a power base, and so on have no relevance for just a moment.
The sheer fact that a Mimic Slime like our protagonist here can take on such a form with routine ease that would attract attention, bait people, and then pretty easily kill them before melting away to choose an entirely new form is terrifying. It combines the worst parts of a seductive vampire with a shape shifter with a touch of serial killer thrown into the mix. This being to the unaware can be exceedingly difficult to track and investigate if it chooses to randomize its appearance.
Check my feed today and find out I've been missing a mimic story! One of the best mimics I've ever seen even, with one of the most intriguing stories attached to it. I might have to consider the nature of mimics in the Pathfinder setting I'm making.
I also find it fascinating how "Tess" expresses emotion, particularly in their affection towards their companion. It's going to be interesting, watching their sapience grow as they... mature? I'm not entirely sure of the terminology.
5332255 It is highly uncommon for these mimic slimes to have any emotion other than hunger. Typically they enter a settlement, rampage a bit, then get burned out and/or killed.
This one, however, has found an interesting path indeed.
Oh my. Demon? Dragon? Demon dragon?
Meanwhile, the Children of Anarchy seem more a cult of personality. Perfect for oozy infiltration, since there's no chance of a patron lashing out in revenge. Let's just hope it's as easy as it looks... which it almost definitely won't be.
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The funny thing is that "Tess" is basically living a Pathfinder mimic's dream already. They all aspire towards the ability to assume a humanoid form. (Sorry if you already knew this.
5332286
I'm sure one of those things is involved.
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Actually, I'd entirely forgotten that fact. Honestly though, makes the plot hook start to sound even better, so thanks for the reminder!