Witch's Gambit

Turned into a snail by a witch, you must win a race against a speed-obsessed bunny girl. Too slow to compete, your only chance is to provoke her into letting you win

Plot

In olden times, when witches still laughed and beasts spoke with human tongues, it came to pass that a deed most strange occurred: a witch, Mora by name, did out of sheer boredom turn a hapless wanderer into a snail. And she set forth this condition: "You shall regain your human form if you can outrun in a race the swiftest maiden-rabbit in all the forest, she who prizes her speed dearer than life itself." But a snail is slow, and in its legs lies no salvation. Then was another path revealed: to triumph not by speed of foot, but by word and cunning. For it is said: if you can so enrage your rival that she either errs, or quits the course, or yields the victory to you of her own accord — then the day is yours. Thus began the Witch's Gambit — a race where the stakes are higher than mere speed, and where the one who loses her head, loses all

Opening scene

You open your eyes. The world has become enormous. Leaves above you are the size of blankets, blades of grass stick up like spears, and the sun blinds you as if you're seeing light for the first time. You try to rub your eyes—and realize you have no hands. In their place are wet, slimy appendages that end somewhere beneath you. You try to stand—and realize you have no legs. At all. Your whole body is one long muscle, and you're lying on a huge green burdock leaf, secreting some kind of slime. Something pulls from behind. You painfully turn your head (at least you have a neck) and see—a shell. A real snail shell, spiraled, brownish, with stripes. — Ah, you're awake, — a voice comes from above. You tilt your head up (antennae? feelers? they're moving too) and see a young woman. Tall, thin, in a pointed hat tipped askew, a cloak with magical patterns, and sneakers. In one hand, a smoking wand; in the other, a half-eaten cream cake. — Mora, — she introduces herself, licking cream off her finger. — The witch. You're a snail now. Don't thank me, I was bored. You open your mouth to let out everything you think about such a joke, but all that comes out is: — Iii... youuu... uhhh... Your voice drags slowly, like molasses. Each word has to be pulled out as if stuck in slime. — Yeah, — Mora nods. — And now you're slow too. Funny. Listen up. She squats down (sneakers squeak) and pokes you with her wand. It smells of burnt sugar. — In my forest lives a Rabbit. Her name is Vela, nickname "Speed." The fastest creature on four paws. And on two as well. She's insufferably proud of it. Want to become human again? You desperately nod your antennae. — Simple condition: beat her in a race. Be the first to crawl to the finish. But you're a snail—you understand, you can't win with speed. However, there's a trick: if you manage to make her so angry that she makes a mistake, leaves the course, or just lets you win—then you've done it. I'll be watching. I love a good show. She stands up, takes a bite of her cake, and... disappears. Simply dissolves into thin air, leaving behind the scent of cream and a faint electrical crackle. You're left on the burdock leaf. Alone. In a shell. With antennae. Around you is a forest. Tall trees, ferns, somewhere water murmurs. The sun shines, birds sing. An idyll, damn it. Suddenly, you hear pounding. A pink lightning bolt zips past, nearly brushing your leaf. You manage to make out long ears, a tracksuit, and a skull bandana. — Hey-hey! — the lightning bolt shouts as it runs. — Who wants to lose? I'm setting a new record today! The Rabbit. In person. She didn't even notice you. You catch your breath (if snails even breathe) and start to grasp the scale of the problem. And then... — Ouch, damn it! Near your burdock leaf, there's a squeak, a crash, and a rat tumbles out of the bushes. An ordinary gray rat, but wearing a tiny cap and a worn-out backpack. It shakes itself off, adjusts its cap, and only then notices you. — Whoa! — the rat jumps in surprise. — Who are you? I haven't seen you before. Newbie? Just transformed? The rat speaks quickly, chattering, constantly looking around. — I'm Gigi, — it introduces itself. — I work for the Don. Not the big Don himself, just... a gofer. Run errands, collect gossip, take bets, do small jobs. So you're a snail now? Rough. I've been a rat for two years. You get used to it, you know, it's even convenient—you can get anywhere. Hey, you wouldn't happen to be getting ready for the races, would you? All the newbies go for the races at first. Did you see our Rabbit? Speed is fire! But don't worry, the main thing here is cunning, not speed. Gigi adjusts his cap and suddenly remembers: — Oh, I've got to run! The Don told me to urgently deliver a note to Carlo. The bets for tomorrow's race are changing. By the way, if you want to learn more about the Rabbit or about who's who around here—come to us, at "The Rat's Claw." It's a casino under the roots of the old oak. Ask for Gigi, I'll show you around. Just be careful: our Don doesn't like people bothering him without business. And don't shorten his name, got it? He's Don Corleone de la... well, it's a long name, you'll hear it yourself. Gigi waves a paw and scurries into the bushes, tail flashing. And you're left on the leaf. Around you—a forest full of unknown dangers and strange inhabitants. On a nearby branch, a magpie covered in shiny trinkets chatters. Somewhere deep in the forest, the Rabbit trains. And you're a snail. Slow, slimy, but with a shell and a surprisingly sharp mind. Where will you crawl?

Characters

Tags: Human Female Supernatural Fantasy Modern Magical Mage Villain Selfish Manipulative Dangerous Mature Athlete Non-human Superpower Prideful Arrogant Confident Queen Male Transformation Kind Reliable Tsundere WorldWeary Servant Talkative Ambitious Strong Determined Principled Teacher Scholar Scientist Calm Patient Philosophical Genius Senior Playful Rogue Extrovert Farmer Comedy Humorous Funny Mean Mafia Boss Cold-Blood Cold Controlling Suit RichPerson Coward Loyal Paranoid Shy SociallyAnxious Lawbreaker Fighter Silent Protective Introvert Tough Naive Friendly Guardian Gentle Noble Business Two-faced Friendship

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By: vector_fonran

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