The Art of Organised Cheating Part 1

You have no idea why, but something compels you to revert to more…childish tactics. The manticore slowly closes in on Spike. In his eyes, he’s hopeless.

“Hey, you!” you yell out to the manticore. “The one with the…ugly face!”

The manticore turns to you, its drenched mane borders its face, and its bared teeth scare you half to death. You’re not exactly sure what you’re going to accomplish by calling the beast mean names, but honestly, you feel like it’s worth a shot.

“You’re stupid, a-and you’re not very nice!” You stutter cruelly.

Spike tosses a disgusted look your way. He probably doesn’t appreciate your help as much as you think he should.

“Your mother is so ugly,” you search your head for a punch line, “that the only thing uglier than her is you!”

The manticore growls menacingly. It takes a few steps back from Spike, and, surprisingly, it begins to cry.

Spike walks up to you casually, seeming slightly disappointed in you. You now feel a bit compelled to apologize to the creature. You trot towards the sobbing beast and begin to stroke his back.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” You try to apologize to the manticore for your rude behavior. The manticore eventually calms down and walks away alone in the rain.

You feel ashamed, but Spike’s safe. You teleport him back to the library.

The first thing that you notice is that you’re dripping wet, and you’re getting the rug damp. With a sigh, you levitate the water off your coat. Spike finds himself dry, naturally due to his slick, waterproof scales.

After a long and tiring day of accomplishing a rescue mission, you find yourself retiring for the night.

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