Chapter 1 "Every Mad Doctor has his price" "Why me?!… How is my luck this bad" Quoted from the disheveled Evil Scientist Doctor Neo Periwinkle Cortex, yes very odd situation for doctor indeed he was in, he was tied up and being escorted by strange race blue garbed armed little creatures. Cortex was being taken into a large palace hallway... wondering how this day could get any worse. It all started back after he wasn't able defeat the Bandicoots at a Racing Theme Park, with so many resources scarce, all power crystals taken and scattered hidden by Aku Aku and his beloved bandicoot family…The doctor had to resort to desperate new ideas. He reworked on Psychetron to able jump to dimension to dimension find new power resources at faster rate with small controlled portals, he was limited what he could use for moment to power his machine... seeking Aid From Uka Uka at same time also, not to be killed in process to win back in favor again of Uka uka. After a abusive lecturing, Uka Told him about a old monkey temple in forest *(crash of the titans) having an ancient archway with coordinates that lead to other worlds of mythical creatures that have long been closed off. The Doctor had not much to lose and the idea of mythical creatures was a bit of a fictional fantasy to his mind but not like he hadn't dealt with that kind thing before.. a lot of head injury during the Twinsanity Fiasco had caused some lapse of memory for a few parts years back...there was something familiar about it. With not much support from any other minions or co-scientists then Tiny and Ngin Who were still loyal to him, he had to work with what he got. Before you know it Cortex, Ngin and tiny had finished all the work and got started a test of the new Psychetron Mini Dimension portal...with a limited power portal open for time till it ran out of power so only used for one jump. Things Were all fine and dandy for while had establish to open a portal to right coordinates, Cortex was getting tiny ready to test it for him his ever so loyal he was to the Doctor, Tiny had his gladiator gear on, swinging around his Trident show off his present skill... till catching a power cord and ripping it in half. Dr Cortex, who has the most unfortunate of bad luck, was standing right by the portal inspecting it at the last moment. The Psychetron started to fail on Power and Portal becoming unstable and collapsing, Which began to Pull & Vacuum Everything in... including the poor unlucky Doctor Cortex. As Cortex Traveled through the Wormhole crossing over to other side of the ruins of thieves den archway gate, The Poor Doctor was shot out the other end like a cannon, face planting first into marbled flooring, with portal behind closing off and the arch gate braking in half as it crumbled. Before the Doctor could regain his Bearings of what happened to him, he was surrounded by little blue garbed creatures wielding Scimitars… So you are all catched up, so let's get back to the present time. *** As Cortex was pushed forward up to the giant doorway, he swallowed nervously what to become of his fate... is this the end for The Dr. Neo. Cortex... have all his schemes finally caught up to him in the end probably to send him into a Dungeon cell in foreign dimension.. or worse.!! The Large doors in front of him opened up to reveal the room he was being pushed towards. A large Hall room presented to be a throne room that had piles of treasure decorating surrounding walls, chests full and overflowing with precious Crystals & coins and gems the size of a Small Dog. Cortex could have heard the jackpot bells ringing in his ear seeing the treasure piles, the greed swelled up inside of him making it very tempting to take a dive into it like a scene out from scrooge mcduck cartoon, But with Scimitar up to his back was not a time to gawk, even if it was whole lot of moolah, he was pushed up to throne closer. As he was walking forward up to the center of a luxurious rug that ended in the throne.. The Figure he saw on the throne was much larger than the creatures he was escorted by...bigger than him, the figure dressed in hooded blue garb just like others little creatures. He was pushed up close to the throne as he started to sweat nervously... this was definitely the leader. "hmm what did you bring in today my thieves?" The feminine voice spoke up from the Hooded leader, they had positioned themselves to lay across the throne being too big to sit on it properly, they shifted the position turn side on to look at what was presented to them. One of the thieves presents itself next to the doctor announcing. "We caught this intruder inside palace walls my Mistress... they came through old broken archway in the ruins" The Doctor now having a better close up look to the leader, he could see curves lining the figure the creature, definitely female, maybe He would be able talk his way out of this situation. "I do apologize madam for rather informal way coming in i'm not here to har-" He was silenced by a blue hooded thief wielding a scimitar next to him, the sword swung down rather too close to his beard, cutting inch few inches of whiskers off the tip he went silent and felt blood drain from his face... he could see his own reflection in the sword how close it was. "Silence!.. you are in the presence of our leader! you only spoke to the INTRUDER!... you are to address Her as our Mistress of the Den! Lady of silver tongues, her Dragoness the Sorceress, her ladyship of-" blue thief was cut short in its speech with a wave from the den leader. "That's enough!... I think he got the point." The female creature spoke from the throne waving her hand forward for the blue thief to go back in line, she focused her attention back to the… um... dwarf? Maybe he was a subspecies of Caveman from Avalar?.. she will get to the bottom of what this homosapien was doing here. "You better have a good reason why you have been caught inside the stronghold of the thieves den my Good sir?... are you Here to steal from us? A spy? We don't take kindly to those who try to steal from the Thieves' Den... so you better have a pretty good story to amuse us with and I will decide what is to become of you" She smiled wide showing her fangs under the hood. Doctor swallowed hard. He was definitely deep in horse shii… well you get the point. Cortex hearing words like sorceress and Dragoness... as in a DRAGON!... this was something the doctor had to speak to carefully on, he took a quick glance around treasure piles as made sense a dragon would be leader here among treasure... Maybe he could spin a tale of woe of his years with the bandicoots' torment, maybe take pity on him in some way to spare his life as he thought, quickly scheming his idea. A Devious smile edged on corner of his lips as a idea came to him in the moment, a Dragon would be a great assist to have on his side plus a sorceress since there to much magical mumbo jumbo involved around wumpa island Archipelagos, it would be a one up for his team... so in the meantime just play it cool. "My Lady..." he tried to bow with his head in some manner of respect while tied up. "I apologize again for the rather awkward situation I'm in... allow me to present myself, I am Dr Neo Cortex... i'm a traveler from Earth." As Cortex Weaved his tale of woe and need of assistance. Explaining carefully in his own perspective presentation of his side of the story to make him out be scientist in need of help from a other world from the torment of bandicoot creatures that torture him on daily basis... he tried to use much sly tactic explain his needed her help. Once he ended his story he waited there in silence in the throne room what would happen... crossing his fingers in hope it worked. Took a moment before the leader of thieves let out a humming giggle then into laughter. "Hahahahaha… hmmm oh dear.. what a load of AttackFrog Crud!" she was amused by the story... it all sounded cliché. The Doctor's demeanor paled, wondering what that meant... did they see through him in his lies, was his fate to be sealed with the sword wielding creatures... he started sweating, losing his cool collected thoughts... was this his doom!. "You spin a very good tale doctor I give you that... you have... amused us, even with your tall tale of lies, but so... you will not be thrown into the desert today hm hm hm…" the leader snickers, placing a claw finger up to her lip thinking. "We know who Doctor Neo Cortex is... you've been here before in the Dragon realms my dear doctor" She taps her snout indicating how she knew him once she heard his name in the first part of his introductions. Cortex was rather relieved of the news of not dying… but they knew him???. The leader of the den spoke again "Of what I heard of you, you teamed up with the notorious Sorcerer Ripto few years back and made mess of Dragon Realms, then the heroes of both realms had stopped both of you... so your not Unknown here Doctor and we know what kind of Villain You Are." Cortex tried think the few years back till it clicked he did came to Dragon Realms few years back *Crash Bandicoot Purple: Ripto's Rampage*… it slipped from his mind about that time Teaming up with that Midget Dinosaur Wizard Ripto. " ...oh..." as he furrowed his brow, it was all he could say in the moment remembering it. The Leader of Thieves Den shifted position and got off the throne to stand up, as she came over to the little homosapien... the human now knowing who she was dealing with, if rumors were true of those years ago... the Earth realm would be a good little investment to investigate for riches. "I'll Give ya credit for trying your best weaving your own silver tongue on us here, but your credibility is already known as a villain Doctor Cortex... but not to worry we are villain neutral zone here since we are thieves after all... You have most definitely caught my attention when spoken about earth, so let us go talk civil and business in privacy." With a motion of hand wave from her to the blue thieves to unbind the human, the Doctor's arms were freed from his bindings. He rubbed his wrists of his gloved hands, his hands went after instinctively go feel for his ray gun only feel it weren't there, he twisted his body around try see on his belt holster for the missing ray gun... he started to panic from being unarmed or worse losing his favorite raygun till voice spoke up to catch his attention. "Ahh Mmm you looking for this?" As doctor attention was brought back to Thieve Den Leader holding his raygun in her claw fingers far above his head, with the Leader now standing more close, he could see how much they loomed over him and it was intimidating. "but- but how.." he was little stunned it was in her hands his precious raygun. "We are thieves! so it was easy to take from you, but fret not doctor, your weapon will be safely locked away for time being till all is cleared up of your intentions." She waited for the blue thief to come over with a tray, she went and placed it on a tray where the thief soon had the weapon safely on the tray dashed by doctor in an ungodly speed before he could protest. "but-but - but...hmm.." he watched the one thing that made him feel safe went dashing out of sight out the door behind him as he tried to keep an eye on it, his hair doing a droop down. "EK!" he let squeak out as a clawed hand landed on his shoulder. Cortex turns around to the hooded Leader who had leaned over closer to look at him face to face. She went and took her hand under his chin she could examine him, Cortex could feel her claw fingers tangled into his beard to find his chin to lift his chin to Gaze up to look into her dark hood. Cortex looking into the hooded leader, seeing the outline of a white dragon snout and piercing green eyes looking back at him studying his face, he gulped their presence of warmth boiling up from his stomach up to his cheeks not used to being man handled like this. "Hmm.. your not what I expect as a Earth Human to be, Avalar has some your kin there and even sub-species of cavemen too.. but for now let's talk private in my quarters" The Den leader said in sweeter tone, gave the doctor a calmer mind but he could feel his cheeks become very warm. As clawed hands removed around from his chin and thieves den leader walked around him to the doorways, she bent over a little present her hand in 'come along' motion for him to follow her, seeming he was safe for now. The Doctor rubbed his chin a little free from her clutch, Tell himself in his head 'play it cool, work the charm and we get all what we want' as he walked over behind den leader to follow, all blue robbed creatures all seem be called themselves thieves left to their own duties again, leaving the two alone to walk down deeper into the palace. "I do hope you like Tea Doctor Cortex, We have plenty of flavors to choose from? and I love a good cup of tea in the evening " the Den leader tried to make friendly conversation while walking to their next destination. "hmm oh yes... I could use a spot of tea at the moment" He noticed how dry his throat was after that long speech he had done, maybe it would be ok for a moment to get a clear idea what this creature is up to. The Two strode along down a Hallway, What did fate have in store for the doctor? *** Our scene sets Into Royal Quarters of the Thieves' Den. One many rooms presented as royal quarters to be as a lounging zone, A Tea seat sat on a small wood table, as Cortex sat on a low bearing lounge with cushions. The presence of the Den Leader walked around the table placing their own personal Teapot & cups with some sugar biscuits set on the table, pouring their guests some tea into each cup. The Den Leader stood up brushed off their Hooded Robe as they checked the table, gave a nod of approval setting up the evening Tea. "Please Doctor, make yourself feel at home for the moment.. i'll be back to discuss our Contract agreement, i am in need of a change of Attire to Something more comfortable" She nodded to him before leaving. Cortex watched as Den leader left to an off sided room, taking a moment to breath a sigh of relief finally by himself, he looked around the room to examine where he was in. The room is rather styled to the likes of Earth's Moroccan royalty, patterned mosaics on the walls, some fine body art / sculptures... could say they were rather provocative paintings of anthropomorphic creatures, plenty of potted plants in the corners, rugs were over the floors and open windows to let in natural light. It was not his taste of décor but showed what luxury this place to show-off, lots of pillows and not enough space to his liking as he squirmed on the cushion he sat on to get more comfortable, once he was right positioned to cross a leg over his other in his seat. He took his cup up from the table, brought it up to his nose to smell, smelled to be a chai black tea blend, hoping he was not going to be poisoned he was skeptical taking a sip of the beverage but in mind it might insult his host if he didn't try the tea too. The sweet Spiced aroma was relaxing to Cortex nostrils he took a little sip to his lips and relaxed to the nice hot beverage seeping down his throat relieving that dryness. " hmm.. quite nice" he commented to himself and nodded. He took to sipping his tea a few times again when he noticed movement from next room as Den Leader soon returned. He nearly spat out his tea seeing the Creature without a covered robe on as he stared. To fact not what he expected a Dragon to look like...What he saw standing there was a White Scaled Anthro Dragoness with large Ears, maroon curled over bumped horns, mid cut wavy hair with a cowlick fringe with tangling hair tendrils over the ears, tho what stood out was tri coloured hair from bright lime green to red into ends of blue. Cortex eyes trailed down the rest of the way he saw was rather in his opinion attractive curvaceous body frame to long tail ended with gold feathers and tri-colored fish tail, he was honestly befuddled. The Dragoness stepped into the room and changed into attire no longer hiding her face, her hooded garb outfit was replaced with a fitted long burgundy kaftan dress with a gold trim. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Doctor?" She took a moment to straighten her gown there and she looked over to see him staring at her. ".....is something the matter doctor?" she raised an eyebrow trying not to smirk at his expression. It took Cortex a moment to compose himself; he knew he was gawking there, he swallowed his tea to answer. "You are.... Not what I expected as a Dragon?." The Den leader nodded her head curled up her lip "ah.. that, it does sometimes shock others with my colorful attributes.. all from my mother's side, the family, a bit of Ryu in my bloodline." She gave the doctor a small smile as she continued. "I also added my own Magical Alterations over the years to change my form to not look like most other dragons.. more female mammal attributes you could say". she finished saying innocently motioned towards her Bosoms and not shy about them, being proud of them more. He could feel his cheeks warm up again and try not stare at other parts of this Female Dragon body.. like the chest area he tries to avert his eyes. He expected a Dragon to be a more Ugly Scaly reptile type, fanged, horns and spikes all over.. not fluffy haired, curved down body like, also say.. rather Adorable?. She came over and sat on a cushion lounge letting herself spread her tail along the side, she took up her tea cup "is tea to your liking doctor hmm?" Cortex nodded "Very lovely" . He wasn't sure that more towards the Dragoness then the tea, he tried to clear up his throat of dryness sipping again. Not sure how to start a conversation but he better ask the question being lingering on his mind he could trust her on.. would she willingly be an ally for his cause?. "Ahem.. To business I guess, so what of my story and plea of need, would we be able to make a partnership to help me with my endeavors? lady of-" She cut him off before he could speak more words. " Doctor please.. just Stephanie or Steph for short.. to make things easier, speak on a more Personal level for this business but yes you caught my interest, but more to the idea of what earth has held for a trade give back in compensation of payment.. money is not acquired here to pay but goods or what can be traded make up for payment, payments don't need to be straight up front, we give this same procedure to all our customers here." She placed her tea down on her lap. While Cortex didn't like being interrupted, at least it was a solid name to lean on in conversation. "I guess Just refer to me as Doctor Cortex," he was proud of his PhD title. She brought her teacup up to her lips taking a sip, looking at the doctor she gave half a smile " hmm.. I'll call you Doc." She gave a wink to the Doctor in her own cheeky manner. Cortex would rather not be nicknamed and was very cheeky of her to do so, he gave a disdainful look but was not best to argue about it right now in his position. Steph was Wondering what was this scientist's intentions, she met Gnasty Gnorc, The Sorceress of the Forgotten realm and Red the Fallen elder. She knows how that side of the villain's mind works.. shouldn't be no different from this human.. hmm a Mad Doctor as he looked to be, just greed, power and Dominance with their own agenda behind it. She continued to brief Dr. Cortex "if you require assistance then yes we can set up a Contract partnership and discuss what you need and later scale needed as a payment... but please do speak truthfully on what you need.. I tell you from lies you speak like most villains need help from life of crimes and get back against heroes they need to...hmm what best word to use here... Get rid of?" The Doctor bit his tongue not liking he was treated being only just a 'Villain' or just the Bad Guy of the story, His hair drooping down in motion... ok sure he ruin some lives along the way, mass amount of Unethical mutating of poor animals, Plotted revenge on Bandicoot family on many murderous intent and try take over the world most of a 2 decades but he more saw himself as a Anti-Hero Archetype, A Scientist For Greater Purpose above Everyone and his peers, he would show them all one day he not some Loser!. She watched Cortex's body language as it seemed to take a dive, even his hair too drooped down which she thought was a rather adorable feature to have such animated hair, but she must hit something of a sour cord of what she said. She tries to recover her words. "I apologize to the Doctor if I said something wrong?... things are more complicated than what they look I suppose". "All things that happen we don't discriminate here of Past Actions.. we all have our dark pasts, so please don't feel offensive if calling you a' villain' ment as a insult... besides you haven't tried to make complete genocide of Dragons in the dragon realms like some of the others I meet." Cortex Stared at her in that last part she said wondering what kind of characters she had met... The mood certainly went morbid even though it sounded like she was trying to cheer him up. Steph would have slapped herself in the face for saying that last bit making it awkward, she continued to chat. "with all that things have happened, it seems fate has brought you to us in the thieves den.. so think of it as a win in your books?." Cortex hair seemed to go back into normal state when his mood did a perk up. Steph tries not to giggle at that hair animation of his.. What a charming feature, but she thought it better to ask the doctor an important question. "So I will make up a contract that works for you in a partnership of assistance in the future, what we need from each other, which comes to my question for you doctor.. Do you have a way to return home to earth??" His mood did chirped up hearing Getting help he needed out of this but turned sour again and realized the portal lead from his psychotron would be out of power let alone the tiny cutting power cord to his machine.. means there might be no way home! "Oh... oh dear I didn't think of this conundrum of a problem" as his thoughts went to thinking of a fast solution. Steph tilted her head, raising an eyebrow seeing the little man's mood change around, she took in his features while the gears in his head clicked. She saw humans from avalar and cavemen but this Doctor seemed rather easier on the looks department, even saying he was Debonair. She smirks thinking she quite likes the Beard-Mustache combo, a very Attractive feature in her opinion she liked on males, she looked up to his Giant N on his forehead.. what was the story for that she wondered. His hair was sticking out the sides and top lock of hair on balding head, he had all features of what a human is to look like, skin being a yellow tinge.. like sunflower yellow, she liked sunflowers and thought the color was nice. Other than that she could not examine what this human like under clothes, she smirks a little wondering to her perverse side of her mind what was hiding under all that lab coat, but not moment or time ask that kind of personal question. As Steph composes her own thoughts, be back to business. She tried to read the Doc's facial expression of worry and she spoke up after sipping some more tea. "Doctor?.. If there is a problem can we give solutions?... and may have a solution for your ticket back home" She explains to the doctor how he was found in ruin parts of the thieves den, so the archway still be activated even if it was broken to other end if had right martials fix the arch and power crystals to activate.. Maybe a few Orbs from Avalar too help the power archway be stable to keep the gate open from here to earth so that it can have access all the time. But would take time to get resources brought together so he would have to make do in staying here for awhile till get things done. She smiles, places her teacup back on the table " With things needed and done so please Doc let us take on your first problem for now." She continued "It does sound Like you could Use a Nice vacation from things back on earth, as Long as you behave, be nice to staff, you are my personal guest... won't that be nice?" Cortex was rather needing a Good vacation from all that has happened.. he couldn't afford to go on holidays in a long time, Couldn't rest while uka uka was breathing down his neck most of the time or the bandicoots harassing him. Steph thought of calculation how much time it will be to do this " course I estimate all things needed bring here might take a good week..6 or 7 Days at least give or take" Cortex spoke up when he heard how long it would take placing the cup in his hand back down on the table with a clank " A Week!!!" his cool exploded. The Doctor hoped it would be maybe a day or 2.... but a week was too long. "But I need to do so much.. so much needed fix let alone I left ngin and tiny in charge of the lair.. Who knows what kind of after party wreck I come back to!" As the doctor seemed to start a rant before placing the palm of his hands over his face seemed to be letting out some held amount of frustration he had been holding on in. Steph just kind of leaned back as the doctor seems to start to have some sort of melt down.. and who are tiny and ngin? She shrugs. Cortex could still feel an entire panic build up in him as well swelling of anger all things that have been happening to him of late, his luck and just life making it worse as it goes along. While the Doctor sulked there, he then could feel a claw hand patting him on his back.. strangely it felt soothing. She Had leaned over back towards him to try pat the Doc on the back to comfort him as she could... I guess there was more stress in his life that made him react that badly. "You really need a vacation to loosen up.... like I said, you're my guest and guests should just R&R in the time. This is a good opportunity to get acquainted and put out ideas of a plan on how we can help each other... you scratch my back and I scratch yours as they say." Keeping a cheerful attitude towards him to help him put his mind at ease she removed her hand from his back. Dr Cortex took in a heavy sigh, seeming he had gone with the flow right now and placed his hands to the table " alright.. I'll wait for a week but there's got to be a week!.. can't let Those Fools back home wreck the lair." Cortex took the cup he had taken another sip down to calm his nerves. But still so much frustration from everything that has been happening lingered, but an Evil scientist like him adapts. Steph watched The Doctor's body language Changes from melt down back into a better mood again fast. She thought this dude was like a bag of cats waiting to be let out the bag.. he snaps at littlest bad news, so it would be better to keep him in good spirits the whole time he is here. Cortex settled in taking up a biscuit to have with his tea, he looked at the biscuit shaped like a gem with frosting, rather amused by the shape of it, taking a bite for his face to change in delight to the sweet treat. Steph took her teacup back to the table to refill from the tea pot. "Does the biscuit taste ok?" He looked back to staring at Dragoness he nodded " oh yes delightful, did your Servants make these.. I give my compliments."He thought it best to bring back his witty charm. Steph smiled delighted to hear it, her ears perked up " i'm so glad you like them and Thank you Doctor Neo Cortex.. I made them" she used his title name as requested to be a verbal approval of his compliment. Cortex mood boosted back up in him, relishing in being called to his proper title name he leans back in his seat. The baked goods were from her, he pondered why cook if she had so many servants to do her bidding. Steph could almost read his mind... well there are some ESP in her from her mother side so does pick up now and then things from people minds or emotions. She smirked "I like have more my own independents around here then let people do things for me.. keep things way I like them" Cortex sat there lil stunned.. Did she just read his mind?? He tries to relax and not think of things he didn't want to be known for but this Dragon lady seems to have some tricks up her sleeve. Steph Thought to herself he was a Entertaining to tease, He would be nice Distraction from day to day life and it has been exceptionally boring since alliance with the Dragon realm Elders had put holt no longer stealing Dragon eggs, stealing only treasures for most time now and put very heavy isolation for her from doing much or interacting with her own kin. Oh yes, This human should be interesting to have for the Week to Amuse her. Cortex put his tea cup down as he spoke again " I'll Accept the conditions of time I have here but better good on your end of this" his arrogance showing there in his tone. Steph Gave Gleeful smile to hear that "I'm glad you decided to and of course" but what the gall of this human speaks to her in that arrogant tone, she let that pass for now. Steph scoots herself over better, leans in close "I mean you really didn't have much of a choice being stuck here but as my personal guest it be a grand have someone New around here show all great things to enjoy at the thieves den." Steph mood change to a darker tone of voice" but do mind doctor you are 'my Guest' keep in mind of that cause we don't want problems that I to have fix, so relax, enjoy your time here" Cortex arrogance disappeared and nodded hearing this dark tone of voice from her.. it meant serious. She leans a little more playful this time closing into his personal space making him lean back in motion she reaches out a hand that pats Cortex's knee. "and we can get to know each other better." she winked to tease him, her tone of voice changed in sultry manner, she acted coy giving an innocent smile. Cortex noticed she said the last part in a silky tone, His body reacted being patted on the knee stiffen up rigid with shiver up his spin, to the Doctor it sounded like she wanted more then he was just a business guest but to be more of her personal company. It honestly made him think of intimate things he hadn't thought up in a long time, making the doctor flush pink to his cheeks thinking she was attracted to him. Cortex thinks to himself after all he was Handsome, charming devil of a Scientist and why wouldn't people like him.. Even someone outside of his species, seems to inflate his ego, but still this Dragoness was rather motioning something her own scheming he had to keep his guard up. Steph leans back away, taking her hand off his knee to let the doctor calm down, she was smirking so hard on inside to keep up her innocent poker face seeing that flushing orange cheeks he had.. oh he was going to be fun to tease this week. She raised her hand over to Cortex to shake on. " Deal then??" Cortex raises a skeptical eyebrow after all that teasing, leaving him bit disgruntled feelings of embarrassment but smirking at his own idea he kept in mind, his hair curling up like horns showing he had a scheming idea of his own in this game of dominance. His Notorious Devious smile branded on his lips he took his gloved hand to shake her clawed hand. "A Deal" He let low Evil chortle from his throat.. maybe things are going better his way even have to wait his revenge on the bandicoots for a while. Steph noted his low evil chortle and that Devious Smile, gave her Such a chill down her back.... that was most certainly a trademark for a Villain and oh boy! did it put effect on her, His whole display there was giving her Goosebumps. Cortex In a moment holding her claw hand, twisted the moment to his advantage, turning her wrist down he then lifted it up to his lips giving her kiss on the knuckles. Cortex was a gentleman too then just an Evil scientist and this was the correct way to give respect to a lady. "I guess you're my lady luck of good fortune" he lowered his tone of voice to be smooth. Steph was not expecting that hand kiss, she stared at the doctor as that invoked a desire that came up from her lower extremities up to her White scale cheeks to blush pink, she took her hand back from the doctor, she raised herself up from her seat. "Then it's settled.. I will notify staff and guards your my guest and to be treated with care." She could still feel flush on her scales and she tried to move along from this. "I'll set you up with a room over the gardens and some fresh garments for you hmm." She briefly walked out the room so she could make arrangements as well as some fresh air. She felt her cheeks still burning with blush and hoped the doctor did not notice that on her white scales. As she left wondering how she let that human suddenly get under scales like that. As she was walking out the room leaving Dr Cortex sitting there watching, soon she was out the room he lifted gloved hand up to his beard stroking it, pondering with a devious smile still on his face. Cortex did happen to notice how the Dragoness seemed to start to go pink in the face after that hand kiss, did he make her shy out of the room.. he remarked to himself how rather Adorable that was. Cortex's ego could only inflate more he was that Good enough to charm a Dragon, he snickered to himself " Doctor you devilish genius you are...hmm I could use this to my advantage, get some treasure, power crystals, get back home and get rid those Bandicoots ounce and for all!" He evilly Snickered... Seems the Doctor's luck was going up. *** Later in the evening, things had settled in. Steph had given the Doctor a guest room above her quarters, making sure all was there for Doctor Cortex needed for the night and Guide him to locations of Bathing quarters, Banquet hall where food was always present to take, the areas he was allowed freely roam and rules of the palace.. specially not stealing or touching treasures in the hallways as they are guarded and likely boobytrapped for his safely no matter how tempting it was take a dive into pile of treasure. She leads the Doctor back to his own quarters, as he explains he was tired for the day and so she leaves him to his privacy. Before the doctor closed the door he leaned out requesting if could have his raygun again.. it was swiftly denied from her with a "nope" as she walked away from him, much to Cortex's annoyance grumbles to himself he won't give up on asking it back. Steph returned to her royal quarters and walked around her corridors with her mind busy with thoughts of today.. certainly a strange case of fate of meeting an unusual character of Dr neo cortex. She walked down to a door that was locked on the opposite side of her chambers, it held her own Study where she held her own Experiments of the Arcane Arts. The room looks like a typical Sorceress study, cauldron, cupboards of ingredients, books and items of magic with a loveseat lounge on and simple desk with crystal mirror. Walking over to Crystal Mirror was used for visions and clairvoyance, but she uses it to watch most of the time to keep an eye on her own family or problematic guests like one she stationed upstairs. She waved a hand over the mirror allow her see visions appear up she swapped her finger across it like a screen to move to next vision till came to the Doctors room, for a vision mirror to work has to have other side a reflective surface and happen have a mirror in that guest room.. but to be cautious not be seen back from other side too. observing to see what the doctor was doing, he wasn't in field of vision till he walked by the mirror, he was walking around in a circle thinking to himself. She wondered what this human was contemplating.. Maybe it was some manipulative tactic he was thinking of getting something out of her or ideas of betrayal?. She would keep her eyes on him till she knows all this human intent not fully trust him all if were rumors true from the Dragon realm when ripto did team up together with the doctor, ripto did invade the thieves den couple of years back and did some heavy damage with riptocs running amok all over the place, Ripto did not have best intentions towards her kind and so if the doctors also thought same way towards dragon, tho he did not show any ill intent towards her, fact he was remarkably wanting her to join up with him. smiling softly how he did charm her, kissed her hand so delicately even have little tickle from his mustache on her knuckle, her cheeks came warm again thinking on it.. no one have given such a lovely gesture to her like that before but shook off her that mind, she would have to do some digging into it him earn his trust to spill the beans, but in mean also she would have fun with the Human. She smirks and starts giggling to herself and notices the doctor's reaction to her flirting manner all this evening...he was such a typical nerd and obviously awkward comes towards attraction of affection but was so much fun to tease. Guess the human was open minded to other species.. he didn't seem to be bothered by her dragon appearance. The profound boredom and loneliness was there in her heart and was starved for attention, wanting a bit of action again, but pain too... She hopes not to regret her decision letting the Doctor stay. Her mind wandered too long. In the Brief moment the Doctor walked by the mirror and looked up towards it. She panicked in a moment and swiped her hand over the surface to turn off the mirror to make sure not to be caught... lil too close there. "I think that's enough for today" she commented to herself she walked out of her study and locked the door, with a sigh and her mind running on ideas what to do tomorrow. she headed to her bedroom to sleep early, certainly going to be interesting next morning. *** Back in Cortex's room, while he was pacing around his room he was deep in thought of his predicament, working out details of what was best for negation from this. Idea of a power crystal supply from this realm.. good first thing ask for and possibly if so nice asked have some treasure help with paying payments of bills.. oh gawd the bills and debt he has built up over years is lifetime get out of. Cortex pacing halted, he stood by a large mirror looking over to himself in it.. though he thought in a brief moment saw another face then his, he blinked a few times if he was crazy and then it was just him in the mirror. "ok... that was.. creepy?" Cortex squinted at the mirror before shaking his head dismissing it as his imagination. Cortex strode over to the side of his bed that was given to him. The room was all accommodate a bit like exotic hotel room, even piping for a small toilet and sink in a side room. He thought this place was a very primitive living accommodations state but actually had more Morden things like earth. Cortex decided maybe just to enjoy his free time from all his worry's for a moment... What he needed was a good Night sleep. He let himself flop backward onto soft sheets of the bed, he sighs softly.. no uka uka, No work.. no worry of bandicoots.... peace at last. For a short while he folded his arms behind his head and kicked off his boots as they thudded onto the tiled floor. Cortex's mind was at peace, thinking this could have gone worse today.. could be stuck somewhere worse if that portal went elsewhere... It was a lucky chance to land somewhere civilized. Cortex smirks to himself his mind thinking to what happen all today, thinking meeting that lady dragon... the steering of emotions as something of a flutter in his stomach about her, charming optimistic view on his problems help him through the dilemmas he had gotten into, certainly grateful be here now on soft bed then possible in desert trying find shelter. He contemplated the tea discussion, her words.. Her charming yet cheeky manner kept him second guessing her intentions... that pat on his knee and that sultry soft feminine voice he still heard in his ear, his face burned remembering that, she forward and boldly made such a gesture right after just meeting him. The Doctor shook that nonsense from his mind as there more important things to think then that Emotional mush. Cortex removes his gloves from his hands, begins unbuttoning his lab coat and belt... he once again feels an empty belt holster of no raygun. With a Heavy annoyed sigh it was like missing his best friend he only had. Noted himself to try to convince the Dragoness to give it back to him as soon as possible. He sat up to remove his coat, belt and folded them, placing it on the end of the bed. He left only his under black shirt and black pants on before letting himself slip under the sheets laying his head on the soft pillow. Doctor drifted off into a fast sleep feeling the exhaustion of today, What was to happen for our dear doctor tomorrow.. Stay tuned for chapter 2 "the Early Dragon catches the Doctor"