Hey! ! My name's Syb and I have zero self control! !

I'm kidding, of course. A friend of mine made a request and I immediately wanted to write this. My older readers know I've got two other fics going right now, but rest assured this does not mean either of them are going on hold! It probably won't it even affect updates, honestly. I write a lot more than I actually post.

But hey.

I hope you guys like how I portrayed Quelaag! And if you don't, well... Tell me anyway. I wanna hear your headacanons.

It's too bright, you think blurrily, your eyes watering as you try to get used to the brilliant lights. You struggle to remember how you got into this situation... And why aren't you dead? That's what usually happens in Lordran.

Something... Something about Mildred?

Yeah.

You're almost certain it has something to do with Mildred. Didn't she try to kill me earlier? That could be it.

You don't feel like you died though, which is... Weird. You've become intimately familiar with what reviving feels like over the last few weeks. The hazy mind and creaking body and the violence that your hollowed self craved. 'They're just looking for souls and humanity' they say. Ha!

Being thrown into a video game hasn't exactly been a smooth adjustment, to say the least.

"You're awake." A voice says, rough as if they haven't spoken in quite some time.

You immediately scramble as far away as you can, instinctually reaching for your weapon. "Who- oh."

Quelaag tilts her head to the side curiously, a smile now gracing her lips. "There is no need for that. I do not wish to harm you." She says, motioning to your defensive position. "For now, at least." She adds on, mostly to herself.

Lowering your weapon, you can't help but laugh. "At least you're honest. What'd I do to get in your good graces?"

She seems surprised. "You... Do not recall?"

"If you give me a while I might. The Curse sorta f- messed my memory up." You censor yourself at the last second, knowing better then to causally curse. According to Griggs' it's a horrible offense unless you're extremely close to someone. Then it's a... Sign of being comfortable or something? Or trust?

You don't claim to understand the ethics of this world.

"Mildred, that dreaded cannibal attacked me just after another 'challenger' had come." She sounds irritated more than anything by the challenger. "I don't understand what compelled her to do so either, as we typically have a symbiotic relationship, but perhaps seeing me wounded sparked something in her."

Was that a pyromancy pun?

"Luckily," She waves towards yourself, "You aided me in repelling her, but were wounded in the process..." She lowers her eyes, her lips curling back. "Which, means I... Owe you. I am in your debt until I can repay the favor." She admits begrudgingly.

Well.

"Of saving my life." You clarify, leaning back your hands in an attempt to seem casual. If anything it just makes it more obvious how tall she is.

Of course, that's to be expected considering you're chatting with a giant spider lady.

Not that you mind. It's better than the alternative, which is murdering a giant spider lady.

"Yes. I originally planned on gifting your humanity to my sister, but it seems we are... At an impasse." She shifts a bit, more or less settling down. You think it must've been really strange trying to get used to having a spider for a lower half.

You pause, debating. "Here." You finally say, getting to your feet and holding out your cupped hands. It takes a few seconds, but then a humanity appears. "I've got a few extra. Pros of being summoned a million and three times."

You didn't want to risk dying over and over, and summoning was an easy way of getting used to the bosses before taking them on yourself. Bosses... 'In real life' are much harder to get past than their video game counterparts.

Quelaag looks downright startled for a moment, just staring at you with a (positively adorable) deer in the headlights expression. "I... I am already in your debt, Undead." She finally says, although she's looking at the humanity longingly.

"Consider it on the house." You laugh, leaning up farther.

She very carefully takes the humanity, her hands almost uncomfortably warm. You sorta like though, especially after the slushy swamp. The air is cold while the poison pools are lukewarm at best. A wretched combination, in your opinion.

"What does 'on the house' mean?" She asks curiously.

"Free. No charge. It's a phrase from back home, I guess. Sorry. I forget sometimes that my dialect is considered odd in Lordran." You laugh nervously.

"Indeed. Where do you hail from then?" The humanity melts into her palm, and you smile. It's sweet, the way Quelaag takes care of her sickly sister.

"Uh." You start, trying to think of a good excuse. "Would you believe me if I said there's no chance you've ever heard of my homeland?"

She shrugs lightly, "Yes. I am not... Up to date on Lordran's neighbors, nor their dialects. Consider yourself lucky I speak this tongue at all."

"I... Okay." You laugh, smiling amusedly. "You sure are... Right to the point."

"I am not fond of frivolities." She responds, her lips quirking.

"Frivolities. That's such a cute word, oh my god." You say. "I can probably get my hands on the old Witch's ring if speaking your older language would make you more comfortable though."

"The Old Witch's Ring?" She repeats, raising her eyebrows. "How would you come across such a treasure?"

"Uh.." You run your hand through your hair. "I have a giant crow friend that'll trade rare items for soft and warm stuff."

She blinks. "You... Are a fascinating Undead."

"Apparently I'm the Chosen Undead, whatever the he-heck that means." You hum, flashing her a bright smile. "Speaking of which..."

She nods in understanding, "You came to ring the bell."

"Yup! And to light the bonfire, so I can teleport here after I get The Lord Vessel." You respond lightly, silently wondering if you should really be admitting all this to someone you were meaning to kill. Not that you would've liked it.

You figure it's fine though, given her reaction.

She just smiles, nodding. "You may do so then. And... Do return, undead." She looks so... Vulnerable for a split second, and you can practically hear your heart break. It must be lonely, with only her sister and the carriers to keep her company. "I plan on repaying you." She adds on, almost as if she's trying to make up for her slip.

You grin, promising whole-heartedly, "Of course!"