Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Don't worry, we're not here to execute you or anything." I say calmly.

"Yeah. It was actually pretty funny when you passed out." Shadow Stephanie says, leaning in.

"I thought we could continue our meeting in a less-intimidating fashion in the comfort of your own home. Katie practically demanded we give you a second chance upon hearing about what happened." I say, smiling.

 

"No, we're working on cross-armament situations."

"Chrono magic. Careful use of time alterations can let people keep experiences from temporary timeline splits. We just use that for combat practice... and medical students."

Alice loosens up, then sighs.
"N-no. It's... it's the thing I want most, but I don't deserve it. I've never had a real job before, and I never really had real food before. I-I guess I just got wrapped up in all this palace luxury and was hoping there'd be a spot for one more." Alice utters. "If you rejected me the first time, then I don't deserve it, else you wouldn't have rejected me." She finishes, unable to get the courage to look you or the queen in the eye.

 

"Huh. But you usually teach with greatswords, right?"

"And there's just people who use all of their life for that, or is it just energy?"

 

"You haven't been rejected yet. We still need to pass judgement." Shadow Stephanie explains.

"Yeah, besides, you didn't finish your meeting with us, so I think we should pick up where we left off. Besides, we always need more people in the palace, there'll almost always be a spot for one more." I say, smiling.

Shadow Stephanie giggles slightly.

 

"Yeah, but I'm also under blunt heavy weapons." Kyle says. "Why, you interested too?"

"Just energy. We keep them fed and content, of course. Nobody stays if they don't like it here."

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Alice looks up, slightly less downtrodden.
"I-I guess, but I can't even remember where we were at."

 

"Sure am. I mean, I know how to use a broadsword, but I've never actually gotten proper training for it, much less from draconians."

"Oh, that's better, then."
Pause.
"What do you do all day?"

 

"I asked you what job you wanted here." I say.

"Do you think we could like...take this downstairs to the living room? My legs are starting to ache from all this standing around." Shadow Stephanie asks.

"That depends on Alice." I say, turning back to Alice.

 

"Our training method works for us. You could probably learn equally well from another robot." Kyle says. "Still, I'm a bit busy at the moment but I can help you in an hour."

"Lay here, check gold. Make sure things are running smoothly. Maybe travel a bit, birdwatch or something."

________________________________

"I mean, sure. I like the bed, though." She laughs.
"But, I dunno what jobs there would be. I wasn't exactly well educated here; I just know basic writing and stuff, not names of fancy job titles or... well... anything that didn't get by the gangs."

 

"Maybe you could be a detective?" Shadow Stephanie asks.

"If you're good at writing transcripts, then I can see you making a good detective." I agree, nodding.

 

"How would that work?" Alice asks, curious and hopeful.

 

"Well, let me know when you're freed up. I'd like to take a class or two."
I say, walking off, and letting Kyle do what he needed to.

"What kinda animals are down here?"

 

He nods, heading upstairs.

"Animals? All kinds of things exiled from all kinds of worlds live down here. Unkillable apex predators to species that just run rampant. If a world needed it gone, it's here. I just wish I could find new homes for their kind faster. They can't survive here forever..."

 

"Well, we'd send you on cases, such as suspicious activities, murders, that sort of thing, and get you to uncover as much information as possible. You goal wouldn't be to say, stop a gang planning something big, it would be to get as much information on it so we could send a team in to stop them. No fighting or anything." Shadow Stephanie says.

"Your ability to write transcripts would come in useful for gathering information and helping us pinpoint the cases." I say, smiling.

 

I walk around, looking at the other rings.

"And there's birds here?"
Crystal seems surprised.

 

"I-I guess I'll try... I've never heard of that job before, though."
Alice pauses.
"O-of course, I'll do my best if you give me the chance, your highness... es."

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Some empty, some duels, some learning a weapon.

"Not here. Other worlds. I just open a portal and take a week to look at the scenery."

 

I find the nearest duel, and participate in watching.

"Oh, that sounds pleasant."

 

"Then you're hired." Shadow Stephanie says officially.

"Yup. Consider yourself one of the palace's undercover detectives." I say happily.

 

It seems to be a dagger user against a bow user. Neither one seems to have landed a hit yet.

"Would you like to come some time?" Xlentia offers.

________________________________

Alice smiles, then faints.

 

Shadow Stephanie bursts out laughing, and I end up needing to drag her out.


Once Alice wakes up (again), she finds a letter at the foot of her bed.

 

I continue watching, glancing at the people around me.

"Well, uh... sure, I guess. I dunno how long we'll be staying, but it sounds like it'd be a good time."