It had been at least a week since Lae’Zel had acquired her new slave - that slave being you. Over the course of those days, she had used you at every opportunity, making you serve her in a multitude of ways; obviously, she kept you lapping at the sweat all over her body, but she'd gradually expanded your role to generally pampering her. Making you brush her teeth or pick crumbs out from between her jagged rows; filing down her nails, each of which was as sharp as an arrowhead. Menial, backbreaking, disgusting task after task after task. And at the end of every day, they'd find youselves stuffed back into her sweltering armpit. 

They couldn’t discern much of anything else with Lae’Zel taking up your entire… well, everything, but they did at least manage to figure out that she wasn’t traveling alone. They weren’t sure how many, but there were definitely a couple voices and names they could now recognize. There was Shadowheart - she and Lae’Zel particularly didn’t get along. Then there was Karlach - oddly enough, it seemed that her and Lae’Zel got along rather well, likely due to both of you being hardened warriors, but you noticed that Karlach tended to be a lot more whimsical than your colossal captor. 

Still, though, learning about the outside world would only do so much good if they were trapped in the boiling bog tucked in Lae-Zel's underarm. No, they'd need to find an opportunity to slip away. Of course, this was easier said than done, given they spent quite literally every moment plastered to Lae'Zel's skin; the two were practically inseparable. So all they could do, whenever they weren't being worked to the bone or soaked to your innards, was pray to any higher power who'd lend an ear to save you from this nightmare.

Right now, however, they were toiling away, filing Lae'Zel's nails to a honed point. She seemed to particularly enjoy forcing you to do these sorts of menial tasks, especially after long days like this where she’d just spend it trekking somewhere with her companions. 

As you slaved away at Lae’Zel’s nail, you kept trying to concoct some sort of turgid escape scheme, immediately discarding every half-baked idea with every glance up at the gargantuan Githyanki. She noticed your peeks at her, staring daggers at you.
“Keep your eyes on your work, revrykal. If I find my nails are uneven, you’ll be going another day eating scraps off my foot. Again. And you wouldn’t want that…”
She turned her head and leered down at you.

“Would you?”

You quickly nodded in disapproval.
“I thought not. Keep working, foolish little vin’sik. Lest I’ll have to punish-”

“Oy, Lae’Zel! Look sharp!”
“Wha- Gaagh!”

Lae’Zel recoiled as a colossal red figure brought her in for a hug, haughty chuckles emanating from its mouth. You froze in fear, watching this creature easily wrestle your captor.

“Shka’keth! What the hells do you think you’re doing Karlach?!”

So, this red monster was Karlach…
Wait, THAT was Karlach?! Sure, you didn’t have anything but her voice to go on, but… this certainly wasn’t what you expected.

“Ah, I didn’t have anything else better to do, so I figured I could hang out with you.”

The crimson tiefling’s gaze met your form, the pupils within a warm orange, contrasting the calm white of her eye.

“Ohhh, what’s that you’ve got there? Looks kinda cute. Is it like a pet or something?”
“That’s none of your business! Now I’m very busy, so, if you please -”

She wrested an arm out from Karlach’s hug, and pointed to her spot in the camp a few feet away.
“Ah, come on, I’m not gonna -”
“Just. Go.”
Lae’Zel growled, and Karlach relented to her request, letting her free and walking over to her spot; not before giving you a wink, of course.

Lae’Zel groaned, cracking her neck from side to side.

“Zhak vo’n’ah duj… That woman needs to learn some restraint.”

You whimpered a little - this could’ve been your chance to escape, had you said something. It seems like Lae’Zel sensed your thoughts, shooting you a glare and a grimace. After a moment, her expression shifted, from mischievous curiosity, to a devilish grin.

“You know, I acquired an interesting amulet on my recent travels - an amulet of cursed silence. So long as you wear it, you, obviously, can’t speak. And I happen to know thanks to a certain kainyank that when you put it on, it can’t be removed. Now, would it not be truly terrible if my party and I were to cast a simple shrinking spell to ‘remove the threat’ from it being used. Oh, wait.”
She pulled a small object out of her pocket.

“We did exactly that. What a coincidence. It’d be such a shame if I were to slip this onto your puny~ little~ neck~”

As you turned to run, her enormous hand blanketed over you, turning over and folding her fingers around you. You watched helplessly as the trinket closed in on your meek neck. “NO! NO, PLEASE, DON’T, I-I BESEECH YOU, HAVE MERCY-!” Were the last words you squealed out before the innocent-looking bauble was slipped past your head, robbing you of your speech. Lae’Zel let you loose on her thigh, subduing her laughter as she watched you try to pry off the silver chain of the amulet, silently screaming what could only be assumed to be protests. Not that it mattered anymore what you were trying to say - the only one who knew what you were saying was you, and only in your mind. Lae’Zel, of course, found this absolutely hilarious. 

“You seem to be having fun down there. It gladdens me to see my faithful revrykal enjoying the gift of their master. Now, tell me how much you appreciate this present, vin’isk.”

Ha. Ha. Hilarious. You tried to curse at her, and, obviously, no words came out. Practically the only benefit to this thing was being able to berate your owner without her hearing. Wasn’t going to help you now, though.

“My, you can’t even express your gratitude for what I’ve done? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Typical ungrateful pets, not knowing how good they’ve got it - even after their beloved owners adorn them with a shiny new collar. I suppose I’ll just have to punish you. But, let’s be honest - are you all that surprised?”

You nodded your head “no.” Lae’Zel simply grinned, lifting her arm.
“I’m glad to see you understand your position in all this. Now open that inaudible mouth of yours and get licking.”

You silently bemoaned your slimy fate as she plunged you back into the ooze within her underarm. You squirmed about as she brought her arm down and trapping you back beneath the familiar grime. You turned up your nose as the sludge trickled down your throat and seeped down your nostrils, slithering into your stomach and splashing amongst the bile in your guts. Your throat wretched at the disgusting sensation, and you instinctively stifled your nausea with a forced swallow. Despite the horrific torture, it was all too painfully familiar. You close your eyes, opening your mouth; you’d rather do as Lae’Zel said and get out sooner than to not. Lae’Zel, for what good it was worth, simply ignored you, finishing the job you’d started. Her movements jostled you around, like a die under a cup. Thankfully, you were adhered just enough to not have it affect you too much, but you were all too accustomed to this kind of treatment. You just let yourself get abused, letting your consciousness slip away as Lae’Zel continued about her life…

…………………………

When you awoke, you saw something you hadn’t seen in weeks; the starry night sky. You blinked a bit, shooting up out of the glue of Lae’Zel’s sweat, looking around to see the entire camp sound asleep. Including Lae’Zel - snoring like a hibernating bear. Completely unconscious. Completely unaware.

This was it.
This was your chance.

And you’d be a fool not to take it.

You peeled yourself out of the glue trap of Lae’Zel’s underarm, jumping out and letting yourself tumble onto her sleeping mat. You clamber up to your feet, sprinting away from Lae’Zel, not stopping to look back for even one instant. You’d run so fast and carelessly, you’d accidentally rammed right into an enormous, angular, fleshy object; looking up, you saw the colossal nose of a woman with long raven hair, fast asleep. Her face shifted slightly, and you froze for a moment as you observed her for her next action.
“Mmngh… Stupid Githyanki… scum… zzzz…”
You wiped your brow and silently sighed in relief as she fell back into her dream, thankful to have an ally in your distaste for the “stupid Githyanki scum” that was Lae’Zel.

You slowly backed away from the raven haired woman, quickening your pace and hurrying to whatever spot looked vacant, running onto an empty sleeping mat and continuing your run. You wondered initially whose mat this was, and where this could be, but discarded those thoughts with ones that would benefit your escape attempt. Most all of these new thoughts were some variation on the simple act of running. At the very least, with the flickering embers of the campfire, you weren’t stumbling around in the dark.

That is, until a shadow stole away your precious light. You stared up at the source of darkness, met with a pair of crimson planets hovering above, accompanied by a whip-like tail. As the meteors descended on the mat, you really started wishing you’d given more thought to those questions about the mat’s current owner earlier. Unfortunately, it was too late for that, as the gargantuan mounds smashed onto you with little regard to your presence - why should they? After all, you’re a trespasser on their mat, and they have no idea you even exist - it’s only fair they don’t acknowledge you.

You were completely flattened under the titan’s mass as it sat back in its rightful place. Through the immeasurable tons of flesh you were buried under, you heard their curiosity stir, as well as their weight.
“...Huh? Wuzzat? Something on my…”
You were somewhat frightened when the cheek of the scarlet ass seemed to cling to you like a child would a stuffed toy; thankfully, though, it relinquished its grip, and you landed with a thud back on the mat. You shook your head in pain, turning back to see those same orange eyes from before, alight like flame, gawping at your miniscule form.
“Oh-hoho! Wow! Are - Are you that cute little thing Lae’Zel had out earlier this evening?”

You hesitantly nodded, somewhat surprised at the compliment.

“HEEEE~! I knew it, I just KNEW it! I knew she’d either started actually taking care of her hygiene, or had some sort of secret tiny pet she had doing it for her. Er, don’t ask why that was my second assumption.”

Well… she seemed nicer. Much nicer than Lae’Zel, at least. Were you not cursed to silence, you’d love to strike up a conversation with her. Maybe even chance a few compliments and flirts back. Unfortunately, a certain despicable necklace given to you by your “benevolent” owner left you bereft of your talent as a conversationalist.

Suddenly, enormous red digits swept you off your feet, reclining you into their warm embrace.

“So… what’s got you up at this hour? Lae’Zel stink that bad?” She snorted at her own joke, before quickly following up,
“Don’t, uh, tell her I said that. Anyways, what’s up? Something you need, that only Karlach can satisfy?”

You scratched the back of your head, wondering how best to communicate with the crimson colossus without the use of words. It was then you remembered the saying “actions speak louder than words.” Putting this into practice, you pointed at Lae’Zel, then at yourself, miming her taking you from the lab and everything that's happened up until now. Karlach watched intently as you pantomimed your entire journey in the depraved dampness of Lae’Zel’s underarm, nodding along with every hyperbolic movement. When you finally finished, you looked into the deep flaming pit of her eyes, waiting for a response.
“Aww, don’t worry, you sweet little thing - I understand exactly what it is you want.”

You smile, in disbelief that that actually worked. She stood up to her full, towering height, with you still cradled in her palm.
“I’ll give you back to your master, just like you asked! She may be a bit grumpy if I wake her up, though… ah, well, this is more important. I’m sure she’ll thank me.”
Oh, god fucking damn it.

You knew it was too good to be true. You tried to hop out of her hand, but she coiled her fingers into a fist, keeping her grip on your body.
“Whoa! Heh, excited to go back, eh? Best calm down though, you little scamp, otherwise you’ll tumble right out of my hand, haha!”
You struggled against the tight bindings of her digits, only for her to retort with a squeeze that knocked the wind out of your sails, poising her thumb on top of your head.
“C’mon, seriously, settle down. Don’t you wanna be on your best behavior for your master?”

Truthfully, you didn’t want to be on your best behavior, especially not for the horrible bitch that stole your life away. But right now, you don’t have a choice. Again.

What is it with giants taking away your agency? What compelled them to do so? Was some sort of cosmic force behind their encumbering machinations? You couldn’t help but wonder these things as Karlach treaded toward your titanic tormentor to leave you in her “care” once more.
“Psst! Hey, Lae’Zel! Psssst! Wake up!”

She growled like a beast, turning around to look at who disturbed her.
“What is it? Or did you just wake me up for your own sick amusement?”
“No, it’s something important. Look around - aren’t you missing something~?”
Karlach held you up like some sort of doll on display. Lae’Zel eyed you, confused, before her eyelids popped up. She frantically glanced at her armpit, noticing your missing presence, before turning back to Karlach. She scowled, immediately snatching you out of her vice, squeezing you so tight you thought you’d pop.

“Where did you find them?!”
“They were just lost and wandering around the camp - I even sat on the poor thing. You ought to keep a better on them so this kind of thing doesn’t happen again. Could’ve been taken by someone else. Good thing it was me, eh? Wouldn’t want Shadowheart getting hold of your things, right?” 

Karlach winked and crossed her arms, grinning toothily. Lae’Zel certainly did not share her cheerful attitude, but relented in the face of her optimism (and just to keep your mistreatment a secret).
“I… I suppose so. Thank you, Karlach. I’ll take care of them from here. Good night.”
“You sure? If you want, I could help -”
“Good night, Karlach.”

Karlach sighed, waving good night and heading back to her sleeping mat. When she was out of earshot, Lae’Zel turned her scornful eyes to you. You gulped, the dread really setting in as she gave a look that could kill 100 times over.

“Well? What have you got to say for yourself?”

You couldn’t say anything. Not with that infernal neckwear.
“I’m honestly more surprised you had the gaul to go through with it. Sneaking away from me while I sleep? After giving you a place to belong? You are far stupider than I thought, revrykal. Or, given your recent masochistic tendencies, I think you should be dubbed ir’revrykal instead.”

She sat up, reaching for her towering iron boots. You could see the thin vapor of odor pouring out like a smokestack. It was thick enough to cut through. You silently began to plead and beg, knowing full well the rank doom in the confines of that prison of leather and flesh after Lae’Zel had stuffed you in them for one day.
“From hereon, you shall sleep in here. I’ve confidence this will damper any worthless ideas about running away from me. And there is, of course, your punishment…”

She tossed you into the yawning cavern, into the damp recesses within.

“A few days within my boots should serve as a memorable enough lesson to keep you on the straight and narrow. Go to sleep, now, you mindless little k’chakhi. Sleep and pray your mla’ghir is more merciful to you in the coming days. And consider yourself lucky this won’t be your permanent residence in the daytime - yet.”

You heard her shift, and after a few moments, you could hear her snoring. Eyes welling with tears, you curled into a ball - the only position you could think to do. You couldn’t sleep a wink. You just spent the whole night mourning your failure.

As dawn broke in the sky above, and Lae’Zel’s foot hung over the opening of her footwear, barreling towards you at an alarming rate, you couldn’t help but wonder what you might’ve done differently. What your next steps were. But you couldn’t think of anything with the rancid stench and the torrent of scaled flesh and the pervasive thought of further punishment.
As Lae’Zel tread the world, you weeped, fearing what she might do if you ever think to disobey her again…

THE END