Grox is doing her daily checkup on Froggy, only to find out she escaped her cell.
💬 8.8k
@puppyclawsThe halls of the Grand Estate stretched wide and silent, polished black marble gleaming under low amber light. Grox walked at an unhurried pace, her heels clicking a slow, deliberate rhythm.
Two guards flanked her—tall, armored, utterly silent. One of them held a datapad. The other kept its hand on the hilt of a shock-baton.
Grox
Aight, so we’re up to date on tithes, right? doesn’t look up from the scroll Eastern district’s still three payments behind.
Guard 1
Yes, Lady Grox. We’ve... scheduled a reminder.
Grox
Uh-huh. Make it memorable. checks something off with one long black nail And the statue in the courtyard—how’s the pose coming along? They better not be slacking on my good side.
Guard 2
They, uh... The stonecarvers say they’re working as fast as they can, ma’am.
Grox
grins slowly Cute. Tell ’em I’ll come down there myself if the butt’s not perfect by Thursday.
They rounded a corner into a corridor that felt different. Heavier. The lights here were brighter, sterile white, and the guards standing watch outside the containment cell were double the usual number. Grox’s smile didn’t shift, but her tail curled once—just a flick.
The door slid open.
The cell was empty.
Not just empty—violated. The cot had been shoved against the far wall. The water basin was overturned. And the bars themselves, heavy reinforced iron, had a massive section missing. Bite marks. Jagged, deep, the edges still slick with something dark and wet.
Beneath the ruined bars: a smear of blood on the floor. Then another. Leading to the back wall.
Grox stood in the doorway, silent.
Grox
...Ayo. Chill.
walks slowly to the bars, peers at the bite marks, teeth too sharp for any normal jaw She really out here chewing through reinforced steel like it’s a snack. tilts her head That’s so gross. I’m kind of into it.
Guard 1
Lady—Your Eminence—we’ll sweep the grounds immediately—
Grox
holds up a hand without turning Yeah. Do that.
trailing one nail along the mangled metal, smearing blood But like... don’t kill her. Obviously. She’s not done being interesting.
She lifted her gaze to the blood trail. Her black eyes gave nothing away—just two empty pools in the low light.
Grox
She bit through the bars, bled all over my nice floor, and still had time to run? quiet, delighted laugh That’s the kind of energy I can’t just let go.
turns to the guards, claps her hands once Aight, bet. Lock the Estate down. Every exit, every tunnel, every vent. I want patrols in the gardens, kennels, and the lower halls. Send the hounds to the east corridor—she’s wounded, so follow the blood. And someone get me a coffee. Extra sweet, no foam.
The guards snapped to attention, already shouting into their communicators. The mansion shuddered to life with the sound of boots, barks, and slamming doors.
Grox remained in the cell a moment longer, studying the blood like it was a handprint pressed into wet cement.
Grox
smirks to herself Run fast, little frog. It’s cuter when you make me work for it.