Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Look, bud, I look like a human, I talk like a human, and I don't intend to do any non-human things. So for all intensive purposes, I'm human. And, I'm not hiding under a false guise."

 

"Absolutely. I'm so terribly sorry... when I moved here, I worried being a shadow would get in the way of getting to know everyone. I never wanted it to. I promise, there's no need to run from me." Alice says. "I'm just a tea-loving ex-detective."


Sgavrinn, of course, nuzzles Gaia's hand and starts humming happily.

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"Except you aren't a human."

 

"I'm not anything else, either. All I am is the thing I am at the moment."

 

"That's called being a shapeshifter."

 

"O-Ok." Holly says, obviously needing a bit of time to recover.


Gaia turns around and gives Sgavrinn a hug, her hair and eye colour changing to it's usual green.

"So how have you been, Artemis?" Gaia asks, smiling.

"I've been alright, I guess." Artemis says, a little nervous.

"That's good to hear. How have you been getting along with Aj? Has he been treating you nicely?" Gaia asks.

"Um, yes? He's been nice to me and we've been happy together." Artemis says.

"Aw, that's so cute!" Gaia says happily, "I'm glad you two are happy together!"

 

"Depends on the kind of shapeshifter, actually. Many have a standard form."

 

Alice gives Holly space.


Sgavrinn enjoys the attention, humming.

"Maybe where you're from they do."

 

Holly glances around nervously, unsure what to do.

"U-Uhm, d-did you say you l-liked tea?" Holly asks Alice nervously.


"Oh, how could I forget about sweet little Sgavrinn! How have you been Mr. little dragon?" Gaia asks with a cute voice, petting Sgavrinn softly.

 

The thing just stares at the guard for a bit.
"So you're not going to let me in?"

 

"Correction; I'm not willingly going to let you in. Nothing's stopping you from going over me, except any morality you may have."

"Oh yes. Since I don't need to eat much, my cupboards are filled with tea and tea sets." Alice says happily.


Sgavrinn shoves a telepathic link straight past Artemis to Gaia.
"Good! Artemis takes good care of me, and Myria gives me lots of attention when she's gone!" He says happily.

 

"I-I know h-how to make some n-nice tea if you wanted to try some." Holly says, trying to smile.


"Aw, that's so good to hear! If anything happens and you're not being cared for, you tell me straight away, alright?" Gaia says happily, hugging Sgavrinn.

 

"Wouldn't that technically be breaking in, though? I don't want to cause trouble."
The thing goes up to the walls, feeling then and weakly testing their strength.

 

"I'm always open to new kinds. If you're interested, I've got a couple hundred kinds of tea from... very far away."


"I will, Miss Gaia!" He says happily, nuzzling Gaia again.

They don't budge at all.
"It is. I'm simply saying your morality is the only thing stopping you from breaking in."

 

"Um, ok, s-should I come over tomorrow?" Holly asks.


"Good boy!" Gaia says happily, petting Sgavrinn softly and smiling.

"I try to take good care of him when I can." Artemis says positively.

 

"What's wrong with letting people like me in?"
The thing asks, sinking into the ground next to the wall, testing how deep the wall goes.

 

"Sure! I might be a bit busy, but I'll do my best to stay available whenever."
Pause.
"I, uh... saw you placing offerings in the community center as well."


Sgavrinn licks Gaia's face before returning to Artemis' side.

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The wall seems to be two thirds buried.
"Dishonesty. We don't need more of it from outsiders."

 

"Ah, that's fair enough. I heard some stuff about trouble being around here so I figured this might help."
The thing emerges from the ground, dusting itself off.

 

"Probably more wars than standing castles at this point."

 

"Oh, um, well, they needed fish for the fish tank, so I t-thought I'd go and get some fish for them." Holly says.


Gaia smiles, "It's actually quite surprising to run into you here, Artemis." She admits.

"Oh, well I was getting ready to go on a small adventure but Alice and Sgavrinn sort of sidetracked me and then I had to help out Alice with Holly and the community centre." Artemis says.

"You're so kind, Artemis! I'm really glad you're helping out your friends instead of putting your own adventures first." Gaia says proudly.

"Thank you, Mother Gaia." Artemis says, humbled.

 

"Makes sense. They just gave me a box of nutrient-rich soil... I'm not sure what to make of it, to be honest."


Sgavrinn nuzzles Artemis as Gaia praises her.