Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"With the black market as prominent as it is, weights and dust became the easiest way to conduct business." They shrug, measuring it out and handing a bit of excess back with the mask.


"Well, we should find out for ourselves soon, if everything goes well."


He pauses, sliding his cuts off and rinsing his hands off before opening the box and grinning.
"Thanks... but it's kind of a pricey thank-you gift. You sure?" He asks, already tempted to eat it.

 

"Thanks." Shadow Stephanie says, eagerly trying on the mask before she's even left the shop.


"Hopefully." Katie says, sounding a little nervous.


"If I wasn't certain, I wouldn't be offering it," I say, smiling, "Besides, I've always had an appreciation for butchers in general. They know their job and they do it well."

 

"Xlentia!"
Crystal cries, running into the room.

"What're you up to in here?"
I ask the raptors.

 

Startled, she flops over on her side and looks at Crystal.
"Yes, sweetheart?" She asks, concerned.

"Playing around."
"Some man said some of the paper things needed ripping up."
"Hoping for some food."

It fits fairly well, but it doesn't seem to be anything too special on the inside. The pattern does keep Shadow Stephanie's eyes looking ahead, though.


"Don't worry, Linoa got you both some fire resistance gear." Rineth assures, walking through the portal he made.


He smiles.
"Thanks. Means a lot... just eat yours before it cools. The glaze is better warm!"

 

"There's a big battle happening and people are getting hurt and there were people going to the lab and I'm scared!"
Crystal says, clearly panicked.

"Alright."
I say, looking around.
"Did you find anyone here?"

 

"Don't worry, hon. You're safe with me." Xlentia says, shifting back and forth in order to sweep Crystal closer with her tail.

"Nobody alive."
"Just snacks."
"Haven't checked upstairs, though."

 

Crystal lets her do so, looking towards the door he came through worriedly.

I nod.
"If you see someone alive, don't hurt them, okay?"

 

The portal shuts just as a shadowy beast lands amidst the carnage, blood rising from the ground being the last thing Crystal can see.

"We know."
"We're looking."
"In theory, at least."
"Paper is fun!"

 

"Did you see that?"
Crystal asks, clutching Xlentia's tail.

"Well, I'm going to keep looking. You guys have fun with the paper... I guess."
I say, starting to walk away.

 

"See what?" Xlentia asks, making a dome over Crystal with her wing.

"Thanks!"
"You should try it sometime!"
"Don't get collapsed on."

 

"There was a weird shadowy beast thingy!"

I exit the library, continuing to look around for people and a way upstairs.

 

"There are a lot of those here. Don't worry, you'll be fine."

The hidden stairwell is revealed with rubble.

 

"In the palace?"
Crystal asks, more panicked now.

I go up it, and search around for people.

 

"Only a few. Why are you scared of them? Hunter-Guardians are common demigods."

Out in the main room, there's nobody. The throne room's open, and a few other rooms are blocked by rubble.

 

"Heh, now Artemis isn't the only one with a mask around here." Shadow Stephanie says happily.


"Oh, really? That's a relief." Katie says.

"I-I don't like the heat much. I p-prefer winter over summer." Angela says, sounding a little less nervous.


"No problem. See you!" I say, leaving the butchers and sitting down on a wooden bench Artemis made, Artemis beside me. I take a bite of the famous pastry, happy.

 

"Well, there was a lot of blood around it, and it seemed like it might've been hurting people."

I clear out the rubble blocking some rooms.

 

"Where?" Xlentia asks, pushing her door open wider.

Seems the one you started with is completely collapsed.

The harpy smiles, flying back up to his perch.


"Well, if you want we can visit the tundra again afterwards." Rineth offers, taking off and gliding towards the volcanic plains.


The warm brownie seems to have a bit of fudge on the inside, and the glaze has a tinge of minty flavor that brings out the flavor of the berries without clashing too much.

 

"It was through the portal, I think."
Crystal clarifies.

I move on to the other rooms.

 

Shadow Stephanie and her form look around the shops a bit more, both pleased with their purchases so far.


"That sounds heavenly." Katie says happily.


"Holy crap this is amazing." I say, amazed.

 

"What portal?"

The other blocked room has an entire brick fallen in, too heavy to move.

Still have pet shops, smiths, the bake shop, and more, though the pair can see Artemis and Aj sitting down on a bench.


"Well, first off let's get you to the gear." Rineth says, picking up the pace a bit.


Alice approaches you.
"Hey, how's it going?" She asks. "Found the bake shop, I see."