Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

It's extremely strong, but it seems to only be affecting you seeing as another guard walks in and effortlessly reaches through the seals you see.

 

Content with my find either way, I exit the library, and set course to return to the Mantis's structure.

 

The guards see you, but instead, you're not brought in.
You'll have to find another way in to the Matriarch, or perhaps the outskirts of the vine structures is close enough for your purposes?

 

I walk towards where I was brought in before.

 

The guards stop you this time.
"What do you want, robot?"
Orchid doesn't seem to be on shift right now.

 

"I have information for Her Majesty."
I say, using the name that Orchid used.

 

The guards seem a bit surprised.
"Weapons at the gate. You know the drill."

 

I nod, putting my sword, the crossbow, and bolts on the ground in a neatly fashion.

 

They collect them and part, allowing you to enter.

 

I do so, walking to get to the Matriarch.

 

She seems to be busy with painting, not noticing you enter.

The painting so far depicts a dragon breaking its way out of a castle keep, the Matriarch so careful that it seems that every brick and chain link is accounted for in the scene.

 

I keep completely still and silent as to not ruin her concentration, waiting.

 

It's hours until she even pauses.
"Kae, have you gathered the dyes, yet?"
"No, Matriarch. My deepest apologies, but the humans found the bush we had in the highlands and torched it. We haven't found any more blossoming in the lowlands."
"I suppose I'll use the duller paints. Can you bring me another cup of grey and teal?"
"Yes, Matriarch."

She finally turns around.
"Oh, you again? You have my gratitude for your patience."

 

"Ah, it's nothing. You seemed delved in your art, I didn't want to mess you up."
I say, smiling.

 

"It's pretty much my passtime." She admits. "So, what do you seek now?" She asks, putting her pallet and brushes down to turn to you.

 

"To give you want you asked for. Care to listen to the whole thing? It's a bit long, but I can skip what you already know, if you tell me."
I offer.

 

"I know that the inhibitor is a crystalline device, and that it burns... something. It clearly stops the Ruin, but how is beyond me."

 

"Souls. And royal souls, it implies, as it also said that the current soul is dying out, and time is drawing near for the royalty to sacrifice another of its bloodline."
I explain.

 

The Matriarch pauses.
"What if we found a way to capture one of their royal children?" She asks.

 

"You're thinking about depriving them of the Inhibitor and slowly watching them die out?"
I ask.
"Or something else?"