Mightily.

As you watch the lake seems to distort, receding in a great ring while the water immediately in front of you domes upward on top of a grey shape. Holy shit. Your voice is calm, conversational even, but you're having a hard time comprehending the monumentality of the creature rising from the depths. After altogether too much water cascades out of the way, a rippling mass of tentacles slides free of the lake, spreading to either side of you and digging into the sand. At their bases each of the slabs of grey muscle are thicker than all of your vines put together and they laboriously haul the main body of the creature to the surface, raising a bizarre, alien face out of the water.

It's eyes were slitted orange discs that lazily blinked open to regard you impassively, somehow conveying annoyance, disdain, and interest without any recognizable expression. Its only other defining feature is a lipless mouth holding an array of sharp teeth, bordered by almost tusklike incisors jutting from both the top and bottom. The rest of its bulbous head trails behind, remaining mostly underwater as far as you can tell. It watches you expectantly, tentacle still wrapped firmly around Dana's ankle.

Seeing it in its entirety is somewhat overwhelming and you find yourself at an uncharacteristic loss for words. Dana is likewise frozen in shock, staring disbelieving at the monsters size. The mermaid blows a loud raspberry at you and you resist the urge to give her another little squeeze.

WELL? It's voice is just as immense as it's body, shaking the leaves of the nearest trees and rattling you in more ways than the physical. Uh... Well. Ahem, I was wondering if you could maybe let my friend go? Just this one time? Your normally strong and enunciated voice comes out small and shaky compared to the behemoth before you. It gives the impression of raising an eyebrow, AND WHY SHOULD I? You choose your words very carefully, cycling through half a dozen manipulations before selecting the one that seems most viable. Well, uh... My original plan was to trade you your mermaid for my friend but that seems like it might not work out the best for me anymore.

HM. It grunts, somehow sounding condescending with a single syllable. It's the strangest thing but the haughty inflection of its voice, how it seems to be looking down its non-existent nose at you, the almost bulldog facial anatomy... it's like being scolded by some high-class butler for breaking a window. That thought gives you the courage you need to talk plainly. Ok. I think I know where you're coming from. You're obviously too high level to be a normal spawn so you're probably a Hero hunting monster, you've been laying low to avoid detection and you made friends with this mermaid. It eyes you with a hint of interest as you barrel onwards, I understand, I'm trying to follow the same path you did, I started out as a three foot tall weed-fiend. This is my companion. I found her in my travels and she is very dear to me. I would very much appreciate it, one monster to another, if you might consider releasing her.

You and Dana watch the hulking lake kraken mull over what you have said, barely moving but somehow expressing a complex slew of emotions. You actually think you catch a look of sorrow flicker across its face but it's gone before you can be sure. It finally settles on a bemused look that has you wearily hopeful, I APPRECIATE YOUR DECORUM, SO FEW OF OUR KIND HAVE ANY COURTESY FOR EACH OTHER. THEY FAIL TO SEE THAT WE ARE ALL MONSTERS IN THE END, FIGHTING THE SAME FIGHT. It appraises Dana, then the mermaid. YOUR ATTEMPT TO FIND COMMON GROUND IS ADMIRABLE BUT I'M AFRAID YOU ARE MISTAKEN REGARDING MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAIDEN OF THE LAKE. SHE HAS BEEN MANIPULATING ME INTO HELPING HER GAIN EXPERIENCE, WHICH I HAVE ALLOWED ON ACCOUNT OF **** BOREDOM. The mermaid whips around, mouth agape, then she starts to mewl a string of squeaky sounds you assume are pleading words. You give her a squeeze and she shuts up.

So... can I have my friend back? It guffaws, blasting you with the shockwave, I SUPPOSE I COULD RELEASE YOUR FRIEND, I HAVE NO USE FOR SUCH A LOW LEVEL CREATURE. But its grip remains strong and you tense, HOWEVER, NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, PERHAPS A SMALL TRIBUTE IS IN ORDER FOR HER RELEASE. You sag. Of course it wanted something, What might you desire, oh great one? DON'T OVERDO IT PLANT FIEND. HMMM... I HAVE LONG BEEN IMPEDED BY MY GREAT SIZE, THIS LAKE HAS GROWN TIRESOME. I HAVE NO HOPE OF EVER LEAVING IT WITHOUT DIVINE ASSISTANCE BUT I DO SEEK TO INFLUENCE THE LARGER WORLD FROM MY LIMITED DOMAIN. I DESIRE MINIONS, SERVANTS TO DO MY BIDDING, BUT MY SKILLS ARE SADLY UNSUITED FOR COMPELLING SERVITUDE. It gives a little tug on Dana's leg, I MIGHT BE WILLING TO RELEASE YOUR FRIEND IF YOU WERE TO PERFORM SOME FEW TASKS FOR ME.

You really wanted to tell it to fuck off, you were nobodies servant, but that would be suicide. So you get creative, What if... I were to provide you with alternative servants? Loyal individuals you need not **** into working for you. It looks intrigued so you continue, My skill set provides me with a unique ability to compel servitude in my victims, I would be more than willing to provide you with such minions if you return my friend.

YOUR OFFER IS A TEMPTING ONE. It looks thoughtful, VERY WELL. SHOULD YOU PROVIDE ME WITH LOYAL SERVANTS, I WILL RETURN YOUR FRIEND. You narrow your "eyes", How many servants? You think it shrugs, looking evasive, A FEW... You purse your "lips" but don't push your luck. WHAT DO YOU SAY PLANT FIEND? DO WE HAVE AN ACCORD?