"It's just fuckin weird, y'know? Been here for about two months and I've almost died twice. Heh, three times if you count my escapade with the princess. Kinda wish it didn't go down like that ... not that it wasn't great. She's, whoo! She's a workout. But why did Wraith hafta walk in? Why then? She's gone for weeks and when she finally shows back up, I'm balls deep in royalty! That's sitcom timing, man! I get that her family is super close to the queen's but she didn't react at all. I dunno ... she's harder to understand than the queen. Normally I can just tell if a chick is interested. Tool of the trade ... but I just don't know with her. Maybe I'm thinking too hard about it. What do you think?”

Lt. Perse towers over Tegan with an empty stare. He raises his beefy palm and lightly pats Tegan's shoulder but offers no verbal response to his question.

"You're a good dude, man." says Tegan. They nod in agreement as Tempy enters the hallway from the door Lt. Perse was guarding.

"Alright, boys. I'm ready." she says while making some last second adjustments to her uniform. "Did I ruin a broment?"

"Just getting some words of wisdom from our boy LTP." They bump fists and it looks something like a toddler being really cool with a lethargic gorilla.

"He's the best." she says as the big guy hoists her up on his left shoulder. "You're looking snazzy."

"They finally gave me a uniform." he says with a pop of his collar. "The queen said to dress nice and this is the only thing I have that isn't torn or bloody."

"You're probably getting promoted so this might be the only chance you get to wear those private scrubs."

"Scrubs? Thought I was looking snazzy."

"You do, ha! You pull off scrub really well." she giggles.

"Shit, then I've earned a spot in the passenger side of my best friend's ride. Gimme a boost, Big P."

Perse lowers his right hand to the ground. Tegan looks down to use it as a foothold to see a circle made with a thumb and index finger.

"Scumbag!" he yells. Without time to react, Tegan's punched in the shoulder by Perse's boulder sized fist, causing him to bounce off the hallway and back into his assailant's hand. Tempy snorts as he's dusted off and patted on the back by the hefty Lt. "Well played, sir." With that he decides to walk. "Now who could've taught him that?"

"I bet it was someone kick ass." Tempy says self-assuredly. "Someone flawless and irresistible."

"Impossible."

"Ugh, why?" she asks as if she were offended.

"Cause I didn't teach him that."

"Oh, fuck you!" she laughs.

"You wouldn't be disappointed if you did."

"Shouldn't I make you carry me for two days first?" she teases.

"That's a perk for princesses."

"Boy, I AM a princess. I'm adding two more days."

"You talk like you're dtf but last time I checked I wasn't your flavor."

"You're not, but you ARE the only guy who gets to haggle with the waggle."

"Seriously? All the man meat out there and I'm the only one worthy?"

"Maybe you are." she grins.

"I'm honored."

"Or maybe you just a soft ass bitch so there's no real difference."

"I was honored."

"Hahaha. Not sure what you expected. In case you haven't noticed, General Starve's daughters don't taste man meat."

"In this case, General Starve's daughters are missing ou-" He thinks for a moment. "Wait. Just his daughters?"

"Yup. Just his daughters."

"Right on, Sleaze. Dirty dawg." he chuckles as he remembers Sleaze's opinions on fun and partying.

"He's been working a lot lately. Must still be a little upset."

"Huh? Bout what?"

"You and Henna. He's had a thing for her since forever."

"Aww, my dude. He shoulda told me something."

"Don't worry. He's proud of you. He just can't seem to get her to give him a shot and it bothers him."

"I feel him on that."

"Please. Like you have ANY trouble getting women."

"Your sis is proving to be pretty troublesome."

"Wuh? Teegs, no! Why are you even- the colonel is NOT a woman! She's a tool of war! Fuckin, I thought we told you to give up on that shit."

"Yeah, but I like her so fuck off." he says playfully.

"Guess you'll learn the hard way."

"It can't be that bad."

"However bad you think it could be ... is gonna get ass raped by how bad it actually will be."

"Ha, what do you think will happen?"

"My dad! My dad will happen! If he even THINKS that you're trying anything with his precious colonel, he'll make you eat your own dick!"

"Is that so?"

"Yes! It is! I've fuckin SEEN him do it!"

"Ok. So he's one of THOSE dads."

"Teegs, you have no I D E A! You think it's a coincidence that she's not in the barracks lately? She's been at home with us since you started staying at her place."

"That was his doing?"

"It was the only way he'd let HER let YOU stay there. Took her the whole month you were in the MD to convince him to agree to it."

"Why would she go through the trouble?"

"She respects strength and skill. You fucked her shit up with one kick so she rewarded you by giving you her quarters for a while."

"Trust, that kick hurt me way more than her, but I hear you. I'll be careful. I'm not flexible enough to eat my own dick."

"Niether was the guy I saw it happen to."

They arrive at the throne room. With the exception of Sleaze, Tempy's entire family is there. Wraith stands at attention with Starve and her uncle Rock. Pop leans against the main throne chatting it up with Quinn and an older woman in a plain but clean burgundy gown with a hood. The royal family members are all in their designated seats, only this time the queen shares her spot with someone more suited for the bed sized chair. With white hair almost like a mane, grey skin slightly darkened by a lifetime of wounds that have long since faded, one sharp claw-like right wing and the imposing physique of a bodybuilding mythical beast, it's no question to Tegan who this someone is. Until now he's only had rumors to go off of but seeing him in the flesh confirms the tales of Quinn's hidden king. He's called Fallen.

"Ah! Look at my boy in uniform!" squeaks the queen. "See? I told you he's a cutie pie, babe."

Fallen says nothing for he truly does not care.

"Anyway, let's get to it! You've been officially promoted from private to prince charming!"

"Thank you?" says Tegan. "Didn't know that was a military title."

"It's not." Rock chuckles and slightly shakes his head.

"You saved a princess so it is now." says Quinn. "Not to mention you survived your reward from said princess."

Tempy smirks as Tegan and Henna share a quick head nod.

"Before we continue, I wanna introduce you to Lady Sangre." Quinn gestures to the previously unnamed older woman standing next to Pop. "She's a long time friend and resident healer/seer of ... mystical things ... ugh what's the word I'm looking for, babe?" she asks Fallen.

He growls something low and all but indistinguishable except for one word. "crone."

"I should've known better." says Quinn.

"Just as disrespectful as ever." says Sangre. She slowly glides across the floor to Tempy and Tegan. Her dark red wings resemble small petrified feathers. They continuously fall away from her and regrow, floating like ashes before fading to nothing. "Hello again, little one."

"Hey, granny Abi!" chirps Tempy. "This is Tegan."

"Ah yes. The one I couldn't find. Pleased to meet you, young man."

"The pleasure is all mine. It's not often I meet a lady as aged to perfection as you." He gently takes her hand and brings it to his lips. "You don't look a day over gorgeous."

All the women roll their eyes except Sangre who pauses to contain her laughter. "I can say with absolute certainty that I've never been called gorgeous by an incubus."

"They were probably too intimidated to approach you."

She turns to Quinn. "It seems you actually managed to find a gentleman down here. You could learn something from this one." she says to Fallen.

Again, he says nothing for he truly does not care.

Sangre directs her attention back to Tempy and Tegan. "Your queen has requested that I help you locate the villagers from your home."

"You can do that?" asks Tegan.

"Yes, among other things. If you agree, you must do exactly as I say. Both of you." The two nod in compliance. "Very well. I need your eyes. Literally."

"Uh, no offense but so do we."

"Just do what Abi says, Teegs. She knows what she's doing." says Tempy.

"Always the brave little one." says Sangre as she pulls a vial from thin air. "Since there are two of you, you need only give one eye each."

"Forgive me but I don't have much experience with donating my eyeballs."

"It's okay, Teegs. The queen can help. She did it for me the first time. Right, ma'am?" Tempy looks to Quinn who is straddling Fallen and playing with the white hair on his chin.

"Mmm-wuh? Oh! Yeah! She needs your peepers. Be right there." Quinn gives her unresponsive man a quick smooch before dismounting him and the throne. She sashays up to the pair, holds her hands in front of their faces and smiles. With two swift jabs she rips an eye from each of their heads!

"Ahhsss, haha!" Tempy holds the hole in her face.

"AH! Fuckin jeez! A warning woulda been nice!" Tegan throws his head back, blinking repeatedly.

Quinn passes the the eyes to Sangre who drops them into the vial then makes it vanish. 

"Now both of you hold hands and take mine." instructs Sangre. They comply and the three stand together in a circle. "Listen carefully. Focus on what you wish to see. Nothing else. Do not break the circle. Do not attempt to interact with what you see in any way. Do you understand?" They agree with a nod. "Walk to the right and repeat after me. Ring."

They repeat it.

"Around."

They repeat it.

"The rosey."

They repeat it.

"Wait-what?" Tegan stops the ritual and everyone other than him has a good laugh. Even Wraith manages to let a microscopic smile slip.

Fallen chuckles through another low growl "retard."

"Oh'hoho, you all fall for it the first time." laughs Sangre.

"Beautiful AND has a sense of humor? Lady, you're perfect."

"You're a good sport. Here." She hands Tegan a small vial filled with a grimey orange syrup. "Pour that into your eye to help it grow back."

"Ok. So how do our eyes help you find our friends?"

"They don't. They DO make a fantastic base for potions and remedies like the one I just gave you."

"This prank fuels itself. I ... think I love you."

"Removing your eyes does serve another purpose. Many find it hard to keep them closed throughout the entirety of the actual seeing ritual. To fix that, I take them upfront as payment." Sangre places a palm over Tegan's and Tempy's remaining eyes. "Now to give you what you paid for."

The two are paralyzed, just for an instant. They see nothing but can hear Sangre whispering rapidly. Her words are much too fast and quiet to decipher. She stops abruptly and removes her hands from their faces to place a forefinger on their foreheads. Their feet begin to rise off the floor. Their heads remain stationary as their bodies convulse briefly. They see a cave with what seems to be a river creeping through it. Inside that cave is a small town built into the walls. The missing villagers are there but not everyone is accounted for. Two of the three older sisters in charge remain and many of the youngsters are gone. A young woman with cloven hoofed feet sits alone. Is she alright? Tegan reaches for her but cannot make contact. Is she safe? His view darkens around her. Am I alright? Countless faceless women emerge from the void. Will she dance? The women shriek as their bodies contort violently. Same as before. The warped couple stand over the sitting girl. I didn't fail. They shouldn't be here. We shouldn't be here. They won't let him leave. They won't let me. Leave. They wanted this. Leave. They didn't want this. Leave. I didn't want this. Stay.

"No."

Tegan speaks and it sends the women into a frenzy! More appear from the darkness and swarm him! Their screams weigh him down but he can tell his feet are still above the floor! He reaches to the sitting girl again! She sees him!

His legs buckle as he hits the floor! The women are gone. He sits up in Quinn's throne room. Everyone is watching.

"Teegs!" Tempy rushes to help him stand. "What in the fuck was that?"

"She ... didn't dance ...." he says.

"What? Dance?" Tempy looks desperately confused.

"She's safe."

"Who?"

"Ren."

"Interesting." says Sangre. She opens Tegans empty eye socket with her fingers and peers into it. "Did you see everything you needed to?"

"Uh ... I guess so?"

"Good. You won't be doing this again." She gives Quinn a look as if to say 'We're done.'

"Okay! Everybody clear out! Thanks so much for stopping by!" The queen waves everyone away. Sangre gives Tempy and Tegan a quick inspection and assures them that they'll be fine. She explains that the dead are attracted to the wavelengths involved in certain rituals and there are instances where they will interfere with those who leave themselves vulnerable. With that, she sends them on their way and they go about their business, still a bit perplexed but content with knowing their friends are ok.

Tegan returns to the barracks. Despite all the weird ass shit that just went down, he can only seem to think about Wraith and everything Tempy said earlier about their dad. He was beginning to think that the colonel was just born bland but this new info implicates Starve as the pooper of her party. If only he could get some more one on one time with her. Maybe then he might get her to lighten up. Only time will tell. Right now, the hole where his eye used to be is stinging like a son of a bitch. He grabs the vial of orange goo and pours its contents into his eyeless face space. The sting becomes a slight itch until it eventually goes numb.

Then ...

... pain.

Unbearable pain.

Tegan falls to his knees, gripping his face! He would scream if not for the blood and orange slime gushing from his nose and mouth! A lumpy milky tumour swells from his head, pushing his hands away! It continues to grow! It's almost the same size as him! What is this? Did he do something wrong? Did Sangre give him the wrong remedy or is this supposed to happen? He feels a slight pause in his suffering and seizes the chance to pry himself from the swollen mass of flesh! He loses his eyelids but succeeds in freeing himself! The skin balloon begins sizzling until it evaporates, leaving behind the body of a young naked woman lying in a gelatinous mixture of Tegan's blood and Sangre's medicine!

"You gotta be shitting me ...." he says wiping his face with the sleeve of his once clean uniform.

The girl coughs up more goop and feebly manages to sit up. She sees him.

"... tegan."

"Ren?"