The Mighty Spence

  Edwyn peered out into tunnel beyond his post. Amber light pulsed on the other side of the door, bolted against intruders. The hollow knock reverberated once again through the chamber as he scanned the intruders. He had been expecting the usual ilk, treasure hunters or inventors bent on stealing their technology, but the closer Edwyn looked, the more sure he became that, while the two figures before him were somehow familiar, they were not the common thieves.
  A boy and a girl, both likely in their early twenties, were waiting with feigned patience for a response. Other than similar ages, however, the two could not be more different. The boy had dark hair and dark eyes, with pale skin that was similar to that of Edwyn’s own people. He wore mostly white with the nurse's symbol sewed on his sleeves and a belt of supplies. The girl was a few inches shorter with lighter brown hair and eyes. Her clothes were so mismatched in both style and color that it could only have been on purpose. She didn't have any belongings with her, or at least none that were immediately visible. While only the boy's eyes betrayed his impatience, the girl bounced and paced. She reached to knock again and, this time, called out,
  “Hello? Is anybody there?” Her voice was that of a child and had the annoying volume that only surface-dwellers, and the esteemed king his royal majesty, could stand. It was the voice that jogged Edwyn’s memory. These were Sally and Billy of the Acachalla house.  They often visited the great and powerful king, his excellency, during times of trouble, pleading for assistance which was rarely granted.
  “What do you want?”
  The girl smiled. “Hi! Mama sent us to find Spencer.”
  Edwyn inhaled sharply and her eyes widened. Even his closest consorts never dared to speak the common name of his esteemed royal majesty, slayer of orcs, bringer of the entwining webs, the Mighty Spence. Her insolence was an insult to the MOL people and their great leader. She was not sure whether she should send them away immediately or allow them entrance for the sole purpose of punishing the disrespect. Eventually he decided the glorious dictator supreme could decide how to deal with them if they were, in fact, granted an audience.
  “One moment.” Edwyn left the door, still locked, to reach for the communication device on the wall. “Sir, the Acachalla children are at the door, requesting audience with our most glorious majesty. Should I let them in?”
  From the other end of the line came a sigh. “I suppose you'd better. But tell them to hurry, we mustn't waste his eminence’s valuable time.”
  Edwyn turned back to the door and carefully removed the locks, which consisted of everything from simple sliding bolts to pieces of their most advanced technology. Eventually each piece was removed and the door shrieked open and Edwyn was standing face-to-face with two Topsiders. He waved them inside.
  “Come with me.” He said after resecuring the locks. Both Acachallas were smiling now, their idiotic grins a constant reminder of their foreignness, if the cacophony of the now singing girl was not enough. Her voice echoed through the caves. At every step he cringed and wondered if her tones would dislodge the bridge from the rocks. It wasn't a common occurrence by any means, but it was a possibility.
  They approached the palace, which also served as the entryway to the rest of the city, and were met by two more guards. The small group was led through the doorway intact great and spacious room. In the center of the far wall stood a intricately carved throne with doors framing it on either side. It often stood empty, but now his royal majesty the esteemed Emperor King the Mighty Spence sat with all the regal grace of the legend jars of Skyrim. Edwyn bowed deeply and withdrew from the room, leaving the Acachallas to their business.
  “Hi Spencer!” Sally greeted excitedly. Spencer frowned.
  “What do you want!?” his voices boomed throughout the chamber in his heavy, signature lisp.
  “Mama Gertrude sent us.” Billy said cheerfully. “It's Thanksgiving. We're having a feast, you wanna come?”
  “Why would I want to go to some stupid celebration with you!?” He cried out. “Bethides, you never even have a real turkey. It's always some stupid owl or something.”
  “But Spencer, it's the holidays, you've gotta come home!”
  “This is my home, you abtholute nerds, I live here. I am the king!”
  “No silly,” Sally chided. “Home to your family. Just for dinner?”
  And then her eyes got wide, like a puppy’s. Spencer was unfazed by the look, but he was also deep in thought. Finally, he spoke.
  “Fine. I'll visit for Thanksgiving dinner, but that's it!” he said, and both Billy and Sally cheered.