Janusian LaceraxA pungent animal scent hits your nose. A huge predator, materialising out of nowhere in the middle of your chambers, studies you with its unblinking gaze.
YOU[Cautiously look around]
Janusian LaceraxYou see nothing to indicate where this strange new marvel has come from. The animal tracks your every move — something about you seems to have captured its attention. You think you may have an idea what.
YOU[Cautiously look around]continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There's a good pet."
Janusian LaceraxThe beast tentatively flexes its tail.
Jae"Sit there, Sirocco, and be a good gi— oh, have you two already met, shereen?"
YOU"Is this some perverse attempt to kill me?"
Jae"No, shereen. It's a gift! And a fabulous one, at that!"
Jae"Generous hearts do not hide their feelings but shower their nearest and dearest with gifts. I won't deny it — choosing a gift worthy of the Rogue Trader wasn't easy, but I tried my best. Do you like her?"
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"
Jae"Can you think of a better pet for the Rogue Trader? Laceraxes are fearsome, strong, and proud creatures — just like you! You will strike awe into the hearts of your guests when they see you have tamed so wild and dangerous a creature. And if anyone ever misbehaves, you can always feed them to the lacerax, and it will be most impressive! Admit it — it's a magnificent accessory!"
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"
Jae"I hired hunters to catch me a suitable beast in the jungles of Janus. She cost me seven times what she weighs, but... the Exalted One does not send us friends so that we can be stingy with our affections, does He?"
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"
Jae"She is a fast learner." Jae is suddenly cagey. "I have already taught her a command: 'Don't eat.'"
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"
Jae"I like the name Sirocco — it is the name of a deadly wind that originates in the hottest deserts of Efreet. But you are her owner, so you should name her."
YOU"When I look into her eyes, I see death there. So that's what I'll call her — Death."
Jae"A terrifying name. People will tremble to hear it. I approve."
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."
Jae"I knew you would approve, shereen." Jae claps her hands loudly and the animal whips around at the noise with predatory interest. "I think she will be shown off to her best advantage next to your throne."
Jae"Come, Sirocco. I will show you your new post."
end of branch
Jae"I knew you would approve, shereen." Jae claps her hands loudly and the animal whips around at the noise with predatory interest. "I think she will be shown off to her best advantage next to your throne."
end of branch
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."
Jae"You don't like her? That's a shame." Jae frowns in disappointment. "Come, Sirocco. You will live in my quarters. Try not to eat anyone — you'll make a mess, and the carpets are terribly expensive!"
end of branch
YOU"She's no Sirocco. She's... Beauty!"
JaeJae laughs in response. "The sharpest-fanged, deadliest beauty in all of the Expanse, I reckon. But I like it."
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I shall give her a name that is meaningful to my dynasty — Dargona."
Jae"It sounds majestic and it honours your dynasty's traditions. I like it."
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Laceraxes are dangerous, they hardly sleep, and they have a nasty temper. That reminds me of someone... I'll call her Ravora."
JaeJae laughs and nods. "I hope our Master Helmsman doesn't take it the wrong way."
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Sirocco it is."
Jae"Excellent. A proud animal deserves a proud name! Knowledgeable people will hear the name and feel even greater respect for the one who has leashed this force of nature."
YOU"Why would you give me a lacerax?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Where did you get her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is she housetrained at all?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is her name?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Thank you for the gift."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I cannot accept this. You would do better to give me a gift that won't eat me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Is this your pet? I want one for myself."
Jae"She is for you, shereen! A gift from me!"
Jae"Generous hearts do not hide their feelings but shower their nearest and dearest with gifts. I won't deny it — choosing a gift worthy of the Rogue Trader wasn't easy, but I tried my best. Do you like her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"What is going on?"
Jae"I'm giving you a gift, shereen! Isn't it obvious? Should I have put a ribbon around her?"
Jae"Generous hearts do not hide their feelings but shower their nearest and dearest with gifts. I won't deny it — choosing a gift worthy of the Rogue Trader wasn't easy, but I tried my best. Do you like her?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "I am not for eating."
Janusian LaceraxThe beast tilts its head to the side and opens its mouth slightly. It does not seem convinced by your words.
Jae"Sit there, Sirocco, and be a good gi— oh, have you two already met, shereen?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Help!"
Janusian LaceraxThe beast watches you avidly. You hear sirens and pounding footsteps somewhere in the distance. It sounds very far away, much farther than the panting lacerax in front of you.
Jae"Sit there, Sirocco, and be a good gi— oh, have you two already met, shereen?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Freeze]
Janusian LaceraxThe beast watches you avidly, its tail twitching with curiosity.
Jae"Sit there, Sirocco, and be a good gi— oh, have you two already met, shereen?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"There's a good pet."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Draw your weapon] "I am not for eating."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Help!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Freeze]continues where this line first appears above