Slime Girl

- Shari -

Damn, Shari, how do you always get into situations like this?

While it beats being hunted down by apparently every soldier of this city, that doesn't mean I'm most comfortable with being stuck inside Liqu's stomach, encompassed by her slime.

Yet, nonetheless, I can't deny that my position improved a lot from where I was a few moments prior.

As to not disturb her puppet body, and because it would be pretty rude, I chose to hold myself back since the moment Liqu gulped me down.

Not that I could do so very well in my weakened state.

But this has a very prevalent drawback.

• "This is so great, so great, so great!!!" (Liqu)
• "Urgh! Liqu, don't forget your outside impression." (Shari)
• "To think I have you right there, inside me. Like you're my most personal little secret." (Liqu)

She barely listens, and I need to hold back, for the aforementioned reasons.

Which means I'm the helpless victim of this avalanche of, of... I seriously don't even know what to call this.

Gushing?

Going into a rapture?

Completely losing it over me?!

Whatever you'd call it, I am concerned about how she currently looks to any possible outside observer.

And in that regard, a buff man, demeaning himself like a dreamy maiden would be the least terrible option, but probably still our end.

• "Liqu, I want to survive this!" (Shari)
• "Really? Didn't look that much like it, with how you stormed ahead just by yourself and got roughed up into your current sorry state." (Liqu)

Did this slime just diss me?!

• "Liqu, maybe I should handle this?" (Shari)

Interaction with others is definitely not her strong point.

• "Handle? Like you mean like you handled your little outing?" (Liqu)

Wait, is Liqu... pissed?

It almost seems so in regard to her demeanor.

• "Your method didn't work, Shari. I think it's advised that I take over now." (Liqu)

Why?

Yes, fine, I wouldn't be capable of perfectly copying her mannerisms in general, not to speak of particularly in my current state.

Also, I'd definitely mess up some details, like getting the voice right Liqu's using.

The slightest tonal difference may draw suspicion.

Okay, fine, she got me there.

For now, I should let Liqu stay in charge, as otherwise I might risk shaking up her human form if I claim control over her slime.

What happens next is pretty obvious.

The door to our room gets smashed open.

I can hear the bang from inside Liqu.

"You there! What's wrong with you?!" (Havore)

Hey, I recognize that voice.

It's the Marquis' right-hand man.

He might possibly refer to her solemn demeanor in this situation.

From in here, I can at least roughly guess at her state.

"What would you mean?" (Liqu)

"Didn't you hear the commotion outside?!" (Havore)

"I did, but you specifically told me not to leave this room. So I didn't." (Liqu)

"Ugh! Fine." (Havore)

Obviously, they still search the room.

I suppose not out of suspicion, but because they simply need to check every possible connection.

Yet as Liqu took me in right at the drainage, there's barely even a slime trail that would hint at me.

As they begin their search for what isn't there, I have the leeway for a quick recall about the last few moments with Liqu.

There's one thing in particular that seems rather weird in hindsight.

• "Huh. Actually, it's quite the surprise that you did stay in here." (Shari)

I mean, I arrived hunted by a horde of shoot-crazy guards, and Liqu has keen senses.

She should've noticed, and it's not like her to remain put.

• "Oh, I almost rushed out when you came, but I remembered that you said I shouldn't." (Liqu)
• "Now you listen!? Never mind, it's still quite unusual that you would follow my orders on this." (Shari)

That part seems to be more pressing right now.

Any oddities in Liqu's actions matter more, now that I'm dependent on her.

• "Well, you came running here, and I was absolutely certain that you had a plan for doing so. So I kept myself ready to intervene, while keeping track of your location. And then you came to me." (Liqu)

Well, sorry to disappoint, but I hardly had anything planned aside from getting to a safer place.

The idea to hide inside Liqu only came after I was almost here.

"Nothing here, Sir." (guard)

"Damnit! Search every exit to that system. This thing cannot have crawled that fast!" (Havore)

• "Hah. Seems like they didn't get suspicious." (Shari)

Not like us slimes wearing corpses as sophisticated disguises would be the first thing coming to mind.

Yet this points me at an issue.

• "Liqu, you have to show some interest in the situation!" (Shari)
• "Why? I don't really care about them." (Liqu)
• "Because your 'role' would. The one you're disguising as." (Shari)
• "Ah, yes, that makes sense." (Liqu)

"Ahem, what exactly is going on?" (Liqu)

It's certainly weird how she's saying those words with the voice of a bulky, rough man, while speaking them with the tone of an intimidated maiden.

"Right... I fear, I need to tell you that your partner was attacked by the monster. She didn't survive." (Havore)

"Oh..." (Liqu)

Is she for real?!!

I instantly send a pulse.

• "Liqu, by everything you love, seriously, if they tell you that my role just died, please react." (Shari)
• "Huh? How would I react to this? It's not like I know that one." (Liqu)
• "Because the ones you're posing as did! Just try to imagine how you'd feel if the one dissolved was me... before you could turn me." (Shari)
• "Y-y-you?" (Liqu)

"No, no, no, no, no! That cannot be! That can't be right! That wouldn't happen! Not even as a joke! Don't say that!" (Liqu)

Okay, that was a little bit more of a reaction than I anticipated.

The problematic part is, as we are quasi-linking, I can tell very well that she's serious.

"I-it seems you need some time to process this news. Just know, we will find that creature and put an end to it." (Havore)

"You..." (Liqu)

Okay, that turned surprisingly dark.

• "Liqu, don't freak out now. We need to remain hidden, or it's getting dangerous." (Shari)

I mean, alternatively, we could kill them now and try fighting.

But with their dedicated equipment, I don't like our chances if they were to get to organize themselves.

"I'm sorry for your loss. We have to check the other connections, but we'll return later for you, Mr. Bowan." (Havore)

"Yes..." (Liqu)

And they leave!

We did it!

We survive!

• "Okay, how much of this was acted?" (Shari)
• "Almost nothing. I just imagined really hard how it would be to lose you. I don't want to ever do that again!" (Liqu)

Okay, slightly concerning.

• "Okay, well, at least you didn't massacre them." (Shari)
• "But see? I can do that. I'm absolutely great as a human! Even better than you! Because I'm still unexposed. But that's normal, because I have more experience with hiding among them. " (Liqu)

...

Goddamnit, Liqu!!!