As the group walked along, Kantuta asked, "So, er, my fair goblin, what's your name?"
"You can call me Nolai." the goblin answered.
"Nolai. I must ask, when exactly did you first notice this city's citizens acting the way they do now?"
"Mmm…iunno, a few weeks ago? I didn't see nothin' out o' the ordinary till the big change. One day, my pops was playin' ball with me as he usually does and the other he's doing nothin' but attending meetings and droning on and on about some executive crap."
Pushing past a group of mindless dwarves, Yuchauzh inquired, "You sure that your dad is a real businessman? If he's anything like what a CEO, he wouldn't have time for playin' around."
Nolai flashed Yuchauzh an annoyed look, saying, "I'll have you know that my dad's a great multitasker. No matter how tough work gets, he always has time for me! It's been especially hard for 'im with my mom bein' gone 'n all…"
"Gone?" asked Kantuta, "Did she…actually, never mind." She looked down at the ground for a second before continuing, "I find it fascinating how you speak Samanian. Do you study that language as a hobby?"
"Heh, no, not even close. Nah, my dad had me learn the language a while back. Said it was for 'interpersonal relations' or whatever. I think it's all a waste of time, but he wants me to inherit the role of CEO when I get older, so yeah."
"Oh, you're becoming the new CEO? How do you feel about it?"
Nolai rolled her eyes, "Horrible, that's how I feel about it. Can you imagine being in charge of hundreds of dwarves, keeping track of their pay 'n sh*t? Not to mention the meetings I would have to attend…" she shuddered, "Yeah, no thanks. Really, I wanna be a photographer. Y'know, travelling all over the world, takin' pictures of nature's sights 'n all…it's better than bein' stuck in this stinky sh*thole."
Yuchauzh chuckled, "You got that right, sister. You're better than I expected you to be."
"Heh, thanks. Anyway, we're almost there. Get ready for action. Oh, and one more thing before we head in: try to act like a zombie in front of my dad. Unlike everyone else, he's a bit more aware, so your disguise alone won't be convincing enough."
"Oh, okay. So, something like this?" Kantuta put on a straight face, saying in a monotone voice, "Hello. I am Kantuta. Pleased to meet you."
Nolai gave a thumbs-up, "Just like that. But ya don't have to worry about actin' too much; I'll be doin' most of the talkin'." She repeated the instructions in Samanian before stating, "Okay, is everyone ready? Let's go!"
So, the group moved forward, walking past various structures, warehouses and crowds of dwarves until they came across a large building labeled "Tert Jewelry HQ". Heading through the glass doors, the quartet was greeted by a round rock woman. "Hello, Nolai." she said in a low, croaky voice, "Here for training?"
"Nah, not today. I'm just here to talk about something with Mr. Tert."
"Okay. He not too busy at moment. Can let you see him." The boulder lady stepped to the side, revealing an opening in the desk she was standing near for the group to walk through.
"Thanks, Andromeda. Okay, you all, let's go."
With that, the 4 allies went through the gap and onto a flight of stairs, traveling up many floors until they reached a large room with a long empty table and a smaller desk, behind which was sitting a muscular goblin in a purple pinstripe business suit. Unusually large for his species, the goblin stood at around 6 feet tall, almost Kantuta's height. Drumming his fern green fingers, the CEO said, "Hello, Nolai. May I ask the reason for your appearance?"
"I'm just here to introduce you to some of our workers, dad. They wanted to—"
"Ah-ah." The goblin wagged his finger, "It's not 'dad'. You are to refer to me as President Tert."
Nolai sighed, "Sorry, 'President Tert. Anyway, I have here some new recruits. This is Kantuta," she motioned to the elf, who gave a half-hearted wave, "She came in from, uh…Arboree Town. And this is, uh…" she whispered to Yuchauzh, "What's your name?"
"Yuchauzh." the orc answered.
"Yeah, this one is called Yuchauzh. We found him wandering around, and he volunteered to join. And finally…" she waved towards Siquioce, "This is…"
"Siquioce." the Samanian whispered.
"Siquioce! Similarly to Yuchauzh, I found him exploring the nearby area, so I took the opportunity to recruit him."
President Tert stroked his stubble, "I see." He then turned towards Siquioce and asked, "Janïr kuns jisktʼañ munkta uk jisktʼkasaxa, ¿kunatsa uka jamachʼix pʼiqiman aptʼasi?" (Before you ask what you wanted to ask me, why do you have that bird on your head?)
Siquioce patted the bluegill chick on his head and responded in a bland voice, "Ukajj mä accidentepunïnwa. Nayax juparux qullupan jikxatta ukat jupax nayamp chikaw ch'amakt'awayi." (It was an accident. I found him in his nest, and he just stuck with me.)
"Hmm…okay." The CEO leaned back in his chair, "Nolai, tell him to get rid of that animal."
"What? Why?"
Such a tiny, useless creature has no place in this industrious city. It must be done away with immediately, especially if Siquioce and those two are to be working in the mines. That chick would only get hurt."
With his lips downturned in a small scowl, Yuchauzh murmured, "I don't think that you—wait, what am I acting for?" he ripped off his constricting suit and gave the president an angry look, "Who says that you can tell us what to do with this bluegill? He's part of our family!"
President Tert straightened himself in disgust and exclaimed, "What is this treachery?! You aren't a worker!"
"Damn right, I'm not! Me 'n my friends are here to stop your evil business!"
"This orc…ah, whatever." Sighing, Kantuta removed her disguise, with Siquioce following suit.
Gritting his teeth with anger, President Tert glared at Nolai and growled, "And you allowed these traitors to enter my domain?!"
Shrinking slightly in fear, Nolai stammered, "W-well, uh…" she breathed out before shaking her head and giving her father a defiant look, "Yeah, I did! It's about time someone snapped you out of…whatever you're goin' through!"
"Grr…even my own daughter betrayed me…the AUDACITY!" the boss slammed his hands on the table and popped up from his chair, giving the party a furious stare, "I'll teach you to disrespect the great President Tert! Prepare to suffer, worms."
Yuchauzh smacked his fists together, saying, "I'd like to see you try, chump. Kantuta? Siquioce? You ready?"
Kantuta crossed her arms and responded, "I think that this whole situation is uncalled for, but…sure."
Siquioce nodded, "If this is how it's going to be, then…let's go!"