Though the clearing is usually filled with the rhythm of the Herald's flute and bongos, it seems you've arrived during one of her breaks; quiet chatter fills the air while the effigies rest on the ground or idly walk around. Some of them cheerfully wave at you as you pass by.
An excited cheer draws your attention to a small group forming a semicircle in front of a tree; in the middle, an effigy recounts something with exaggerated movements and expressions.
Curious, you walk closer; though many effigies are similar if not identical to each other, this one stands out among her sisters.
A short mane of light blue petals rests below a worn, brown hat, which may be a size too big for the girl seeing how it hangs from her head. Her face is painted in a darker shade of blue, her emerald eyes shining with energy and mirth.
Her body is curvy, with what you guess are C-cups crowned with her family's nectar-dripping flower 'nipples'. A short black scarf is fastened around her neck, waving from side to side as she moves.
Meaty thighs flex as she quickly changes between dramatic poses, a thick, long tentacle-cock hanging between them, blue petals framing the base.
Red gloves cover her hands as she swings a long, two-handed sword around with ease, her audience far enough there's no risk of hurting them by accident. Two tentacles, sprouting from her back, are coiled along the length of her arms, stopping short of her wrists.
"...and the four of them growled at me. Wolves don't talk, but I could feel the challenge directed at me. 'Rawr, you are no match for us, foolish warrior. This is our victory.' but I laughed in their faces! 'The elves couldn't beat me, the talking wolves couldn't beat me, the hornets couldn't beat me, the other elves couldn't beat me! I am Sya, the Effigy Warrior! This is my victory.' And then I jumped at them, bringing my sword down right in the biggest one's head!"
The girl-Sya, apparently- brings her weapon down, stopping just short of hitting the ground, before turning and kicking the air. "Then the others came at me, but I kicked the teeth off the second one and turned to the rest, attacking with all my power!"
She slashes the air, hard enough to cause a 'WOOOSH' as the metal cuts through the air, the small wind generated ruffling her audience's petals as they lean forward, enraptured.
"They got so scared that they jumped back, so I just cut them a little; but they cried in pain as they saw my great power. Fear filled them, and they ran away, followed by the other two as they cursed my greatness. And that's how I won my fifth battle that day," she finishes with a wide grin and raising her fist up in victory.
Her sisters clap and cheer at the story, one of them leaning forward with awe in her eyes. "And what happened after that?"
Sya paused and looked away from them, embarrassed. "Weeeeeell, I was so tired after five fights that I took a… long nap. That's why I wasn't here to fight with you when Mommy was defeated," she admits, a bit crestfallen.
"Oh, don't feel bad, sister; you were out there having adventures, helping Mommy spread the Garden! And I always need a nap after just one fight," one of the effigies says, trying to cheer her up.
The others join in, hugging their sister and giving her encouraging words; in no time at all Sya perks up.
“Still, I can’t believe you could face all of that alone!” One of the sisters says when the hug ends. "All that action and fun… now I wanna go on an adventure!"
"Me too, but we need clothes to look as cool as Sya!" Another one pipes in, Sya herself looking smug at the praise.
"I think I still got a few scarves in the trunk where we used to put the slaves' clothes!" A third adds, guiding the group out of the clearing.
The excited effigies leave; Sya stays behind, looking at their receding figures with pride. Turning around, she yelps in surprise, only now noticing your presence.
Clearing her throat, the girl composes herself, pretending she wasn’t startled at all. “H-hello there, fellow [party.isSolo|adventurer|adventurers]! Welcome to the Alraune’s Garden, home to our great Mother and her beautiful daughters! I am Sya, the Effigy Warrior. May I have the honor of knowing who you are?”
You’re [pc.name]-
"Oh, you're Mommy's [pc.mf|Master|Mistress]! Nice to meet you!" She says, dropping the slightly formal attitude and grabbing her weapon with her tentacles so she can use both her hands to give your [pc.hand] a strong, energetic shake.
[pc.strengthRange 66| Her grip is something else; though she doesn't look like it, the girl is quite strong. Lesser [pc.race] would have been conquered by her might, but you can withstand it.
Sya eventually lets you go, the wide and honest smile in her face suggesting she's completely unaware of the challenge she just put you through.|
Your muscles strain, your bones tremble; you can't help but let out a scream as you try to pull free. Surprised, Sya lets you go.
You groan while rubbing your [pc.hand]; the girl's way stronger than she looks.
"O-oh, did I hurt you? Sorry, I thought you… sorry," Sya apologizes, reaching towards you but stopping and taking a step back, rubbing her arm while looking to the side.
The pain subsides into a dull feeling as you shake your hand. "It's ok; you just took me by surprise."
Stealing a glance at you, Sya recovers a little, facing you again with an apologetic smile. "Still, I'm sorry. I wanted to be nice to Mommy's [pc.mf|Master|Mistress], not hurt them. You. Hurt you."
…She's kind of adorable when she's not trying to be so formal.
"Heh." That wide smile forms again as Sya cheers up.]
[party.som||Sya turns to your companion and greets them with the same enthusiasm, though her gaze keeps coming back to you.|Sya turns to your party and introduces herself to them, though her attention keeps going back to you.]
With the greetings done, the Effigy looks you over, taking in every detail of your appearance.
"You know, ever since they told me that Mommy had been defeated and now had a new [pc.mf|Master|Mistress], I've wanted to meet you.
Really?
"Yeah, and you are just as [pc.mf|handsome|beautiful] as they told me you were!" Sya reveals, not hiding her interest.
[pc.dcb|So she's as horny as the rest of her family. No surprise there.
Sya just smiles at you, not denying it at all.|
Why, thank you. She's beautiful too.
Sya giggles as the compliment.|
You are? Awwww, thanks! She's beautiful too! Her petals are so colorful and her eyes are just the prettiest!
Sya giggles and blushes at the compliments.]
Your chat gets interrupted when an effigy comes running up to Sya, grinning at you as a quick greeting before whispering something in her sister's ear.
Sya blinks several times before growing more serious and turning towards the newcomer. "I'll be there in a minute."
The effigy nods and sprints away.
"Sorry to leave now, but one of my sisters got stuck inside a trunk; we really need to find wider ones to hide our things," Sya apologizes, musing the last part while looking to the side.
A trunk? Does that happen often?
"Once a day, usually. We don't want to break them to get our sisters out, so they call me to lift and shake the trunks until they fall out," the Effigy explains, not noticing your bemused expression. "But duty calls, [pc.name]; I can't leave my sisters trapped and defenseless. If you need me, I'm always here in the afternoon. See you later!"
Dropping her serious attitude to cheerfully wave at you, Sya sprints away, disappearing between the trees.
You suppose you'll have to visit later if you want to talk again with this warrior.