From the heart of a wood which lost its name long ago, is a place where a seeker of stories
may go.
If you've arrived in a story's your desire, come, take a seat, for what you require is
a tale from the second storytime.
Ha, there you are, I was anticipating you this time.
I am, of course, the first storyteller, and today we're in one of the many incredible
libraries that this tower holds.
Magnificent, isn't it?
Shelf after shelf just piled with every type of story and tome you could think of.
And above and below this room are so many rooms, just like this one, that I stopped
counting them long ago.
And the great wealth of stories protected in these walls are accessible to me with merely
a thought.
For example, if I wanted to find, say, volume 3 of the Platinum Clover Chronicles, I would
simply reach for a shelf and there it is, just like that.
And of course it's my great honor to share this wealth with anyone and everyone who visits
the tower.
Lies, they're lying, you can't trust them, you seriously cannot trust them, they're
trying to-
So, how about today's story?
The Platinum Clover Chronicles Part 3, Rattle Them Bones
Jocelyn the Gelatinous Cube shivered in the corner of the bony bosom.
The skeleton shop owner, Calcia, put their hands on their hips and addressed the blob
of goo.
Don't feel too responsible, you couldn't help it, besides your friend should be able
to work off the debt.
Jocelyn made no response, because she couldn't speak, but her eyes rolled around in her squawgy
self and fixed on Thorn, who was standing near the door and he looked like he was about
to pass out from embarrassment.
Do I really have to be a greeter when I put people off if a guy was the first thing they
see when they walk into a shop like this?
Thorn asked, his spiky blue hair dropping like wilted grass.
Yeah, seriously, what a disgusting pervert, snapped a teenage sounding voice.
Even though he was standing near the door, Thorn had failed to notice a skeleton enter
the shop.
She wore a red hoodie and kept her bony hands tucked into a large front pocket.
Greetings, welcome to the bony bosom.
Thorn did his best not to sound like he wanted to die.
I know where I am, you stupid gross dumb boy.
I'm Calcia's sister.
Oh, hi, Mero, I haven't seen you for a while, Calcia waved pleasantly.
Hey, it's not Mero.
It's Princess.
I always have to tell you.
Oh, did you change it again?
I thought it was dead unicorn wishes.
That was ages ago.
First it was dead unicorn wishes, then it was orgy death wedding, I was very particular
of that one, but now I'm much more mature.
It's Princess.
Now, the Boneslotter is fine.
Those, those names.
Thorn winced before Boneslotter whirled around and pointed a bony finger in his face.
And what's the deal?
Why'd you hire idiot smelly boy face?
Not that I have a problem with boys or anything.
She added, for no reason at all.
Well, me and Jocelyn accidentally made a mess, so we're trying to fix that, Thorn explained.
Boneslotter turned to see the gelatinous cube, who had been sitting silently in the corner.
Jocelyn waved her bony skeleton hand in greeting.
The skeleton clattered over an amazement.
Wow, you really are gelatinous cube.
I can't wait to tell Megan that we're besties.
Maybe she'll stop bragging about her stupid ghost boyfriend.
The bony hand drifted up and covered one of Jocelyn's eyes.
The other one was in her lower left corner, so she couldn't cover both at once.
Yeah, so as soon as I make $200, we'll be out of your way, said Thorn.
We're gonna be stuck with this horrible Dick Brain Boy forever, Boneslotter whined.
Can't you just like send him back to the dungeon to collect the $200 for you?
That's not a bad idea.
But this is your first time in the platinum clover City of Labyrinths, right Thorn?
Calcia asked.
City of Labyrinths?
This dungeon is that...
girthy.
All of the color drained from Thorn's face.
You wandered in here without knowing what dungeon it was?
Calcia retorted.
Well, I was pretty excited.
This is my... first dungeon.
Calcia shook their head.
Yeah, even if he found enough to pay me back, he'd never find his way back.
That's assuming he'd survive.
Unless...
Jocelyn, Thorn, and Boneslotter all stared at Calcia with anticipation.
Merrow, why don't you go with them?
We know a few places around here, and once they have enough money, you could just bring
them back.
The skirted skeleton suggested smoothly.
Me?
Go with... him?
No way.
But Jocelyn will be there too, so...
Okay, I'll go.
Boneslotter objected, then agreed, and forgot to make a name correction.
What do you...
You think, Jocelyn?
Thorn started, but Jocelyn was no longer in the corner.
She had snuck up behind Thorn.
Her bony skeleton arm grabbed Thorn's shoulder.
He turned quickly, breaking her grip, then grabbed the cube's bony hand on reflex.
He suddenly realized he was holding her hand, and blushed.
It... it would be so soft if it wasn't just bones.
He thought to himself.
Thank God he only thought that to himself.
God.
Jocelyn sighed.
Well, not really.
She gurgled, and the beach ball that was stuck on top of her flew up for a moment before
it landed back down on her with the sound of somebody slapping a wet butt cheek.
Looks like Jocelyn is all in for this plan, too.
Although I'm gonna need a weapon first, Thorn suggested.
I did hear something about a legendary bloodsword recently.
It's stupid to waste it on a rectal broccoli like you, but I guess I could lead you to
it.
Boneslotter sighed.
Looks like it's all decided.
Good luck, everyone.
Calcio waved as the adventuring party left the bony bosom with Princess Boneslotter
leading the way.
The group wandered for a bit.
At one point they walked down a hallway and passed a dark mage who was using a turtle
shell as a cauldron and stirring some kind of potion.
The mage cackled to himself as a black vapor trailed out of the turtle shell.
Just before they were out of earshot, they heard the mage whisper,
Don't get turtles down here every day.
How fortunate to be evil.
After taking a few sharp turns and heading steadily downward, the group began to approach
a large room.
Boneslotter stopped as they neared it.
Okay, not that I care if you get all your skin ripped off, because I don't.
Because you're a boy.
And boys are just flesh buckets filled with stupid.
Not that I hate boys.
That's just a fact.
Anyways, there's a shriek in there, which is why I've never tried to get this sword
before.
The way to it is through this room.
Thorn wasn't sure what a shriek was, but he got his answer as soon as they entered
the room.
In the center of the room was a torso.
With a bald head on it, its eyes were closed.
So what?
The moment Thorn spoke, the eyes snapped open, revealing empty sockets with blue flames burning
inside.
The mouth opened, and the thing began to screech with the kind of sound that makes your bones
want to run away and leave your body behind because fuck you, body.
I'm out!
I'm just your bones!
I didn't sign up for this bullshit!
Fuck!
The screaming continued, and the shriek's flesh began to peel away, and its torso revealed
a swirling mass of tentacles that boiled and writhed.
Thorn was frozen in terror, and thought he heard his own testicles scream when he saw
rows of serrated teeth appear from the tentacles.
The beach ball had finally floated into a position where Jocelyn was able to fire it
at the shriek.
The horrible creature crumbled into dust, and a hole opened in the floor, leading down
to the room below.
Thorn turned to Jocelyn, amazed.
His eyes closed.
Jocelyn, you saved us.
You're incredible, Jocelyn.
That was the single bravest thing I've ever seen.
I owe you so much, Jocelyn.
I had no idea you felt so strongly.
Thorn opened his eyes to see that Jocelyn had begun pulling him into her warpy body with
the skeleton hand.
He jumped back, blushing.
Jocelyn, Princess Boneslaughters, right there.
Okay, stupid, we're going down there, the skeleton girl in the hoodie pointed.
The three adventurers peered down into the darkness, wondering about what lay below,
and Jocelyn made a noise that sounded like someone farting into a leather chair.
The end.
What an absurd series of tales.
Well, of course, we have stories of all kinds here, from the weird to the comforting, to
be plucked from the shelf at your every whim.
I as the first storyteller and keeper of this tower am, of course, at your complete disposal.
You come here for stories, and I exist here to serve your request.
And of course, I will do my very best to ensure that this continues for as long as possible.
But of course, my dears, as always, be well and carry today's story in your heart.
These tales have ended, but return once again to this place where you are considered a friend.
Return to this tower in its mysterious dweller for more from the library of The Second Storyteller.
Thank you for listening to The Second Storyteller.
If you have a prompt for a story, please send it to thesecondstoryteller at gmail.com.
If your prompt is selected, your name will be credited at the end of the episode.
Today's prompt was another platinum clover story submitted by Rix.
If you would like to help support the future of this podcast, please consider becoming
a patron by going to patreon.com slash the second storyteller.
A donation as small as a dollar is greatly appreciated and helps keep us going.
A donation of just $10 a month puts you on the list of current library card holders,
and your name will be read at the end of the episode.
The Second Storyteller podcast and the featured stories were written and created by Katie
Chacon.
The role of the second storyteller is played by Charles Scott.
The role of the first storyteller is played by Katie Chacon.
Today's voice of the story was provided by Chris Camp.
The voice of the intro and outro is Chris Camp, and you can find the fantastic games
he's worked on at rix.itch.io.
The music was written by Fintan, who can be found at garbagebag.itch.io.
The second storyteller will return next month with more magic, fun, and of course, a story
to tell.