Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Because that's not the point!" Shadow Stephanie says, annoyed.

"What is the point? To let out your sexual frustrations through being horrible to Aj?" Stephanie asks, smug.

"I swear to fucking god one more word and you're dead." Shadow Stephanie says.

"I'd like to see how Praecantatia thinks of you after you kill her daughter. She thinks you're nice, by the way." Stephanie says, fearless.

Katie, frustrated, just freezes Shadow Stephanie and Stephanie in ice, catching both of them off guard, before hugging Ihra.


"They don't want me." I say, sighing.

 

Ihra hugs her back.
"Bring Stephanie and Aj. I just wanna go meet someone new."


"No, she doesn't want you. She's not Ihra, so she can piss off. I'm surprised she recovered like nothing ever happened, though..."

 

I sigh, firing a portal back over to the group and another at the wall next to me, stepping through.

Katie unfreezes Stephanie before taking Ihra's hand and holding on to Stephanie's.

"Come on, Aj! We're going to see Praecantatia." Katie says happily, smiling at me.

I lighten up a bit, a slight smile appearing on my face as I grab hold of Stephanie's hand.

Stephanie warps Ihra, Katie and I to Praecantatia's islands with her, leaving Shadow Stephanie frozen in Xlentia's chambers.

 

Ihra makes sure there's no lingering portal, giggling mischievously.

 

Portals don't seem to have even been used to get to Praecantatia's serene islands.

A cool breeze greets Ihra, carrying with it pleasant smells of nature. Unfortunately, Ihra can see a few robotic golems wandering about the islands, one of them near to her.

 

She grabs you and forcefully shoves you between her and the golem.
"W-why... of all things..."


Ruby melts Shadow Stephanie's icy prison remotely.
"How queenly of you..." Her voice echoes.

 

"They're not dangerous! They're just robots that wander around the islands to make sure everything is fine." Stephanie says happily.


Shadow Stephanie seems especially angry.

"At least I'll get to kill someone here." Shadow Stephanie says, summoning her daggers.

 

"They're golems though!" Ihra protests, staying close to Stephanie.


"Indeed. Two, or none. It is up to you."

 

"I'm sure they won't do you any harm." I say, taking Ihra's hand and guiding her along.


Shadow Stephanie just looks around for Ruby, angry.

 

She holds your hand tight - you forgot how strong she was.


She still can't find her.
"Why do you really want me dead?" She asks.

 

"Kind of crushing my hand Ihra." I say, though not complaining.

Katie runs over to one of the robotic golems walking about, deciding to climb onto it's shoulders. The golem protests a bit at first as Katie climbs, but eventually just lets her ride on it's shoulders.


"Because you tried to kill me, and you did kill Abigail, my friend!" Shadow Stephanie says, angry.

 

"You don't have a definitive physical form!" She retorts.


"No, no, no, that's the obvious. Deep down, you've got something against me."
Pause.
"Besides, you're wrong."

 

"I know, I'm not complaining." I say, smiling.


"Oh please elaborate on how I'm wrong, I'd love to hear it." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

She opts to half-hug you as she goes, keeping an eye on every golem in sight.


"You pin the blame on those two things. Your real reason for hating me is something else... and I'd like to know."

 

Katie seems to have commanded the golem to follow the group, chime-like noises being emitted with it's every step as it walks alongside Stephanie, Ihra and I.


"I don't know, your attempts at a relationship with Aj? Oh wait, Artemis is with him and she's one of the nicest people I know!" Shadow Stephanie says, keeping an eye out for any sign of Ruby.

 

Ihra holds back a scream and a charge of energy as she stares at the golem, shaking.


Still nothing.
"Oh, can't a girl have a little fun? You just admitted to doting on him, too."

 

The golem just stares straight ahead, it's many-segmented arms staying by it's side.


"Yeah, when we were a thing. I didn't try to get back in the bedroom with him after he and Artemis clearly showed interest for each other." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

Ihra keeps quiet as the group goes, unamused.


"My point is, deep down you hate your past self as much as you do me. Now, do I need to leave you alone for that to set in, or can you think coherently right now?"

 

The group eventually reaches a wooden bridge connecting a couple of islands, where the golem puts Katie down, before picking a blue flower for her and giving it to her. Katie happily accepts the flower, and the golem waves to her as she crosses the bridge.

A vole darts past the group as they reach the next island, running through the thicker grass.


"I don't hate my past self, I just...I guess I just..." Shadow Stephanie says, sighing, "I'm with someone else now. I've moved on."

 

Ihra relaxes as they get farther from the golem.
"Why are there so many of those things...?" She complains.


"You think you have. What you just showed me says otherwise. Those guys are your friends, right? I mean, if you fake a personality for someone like me, I'd totally understand... but them? Why?"