Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

“The edge of the Void is really strange. Things that normally work just won’t. I heard a story of a hellhound that tried to chase its prey out towards the edge of the void only to be suddenly frozen as its breath turned to frostfire.”


Arie glances back at you, then the bearded shadow, still unsure.

“You’ve got a lot of trust in us for us being outsiders.”
“Figure you’d’ve killed us by now if you were one of the usual outsiders.”

 

"Well.. no, but I thought this would be discussed alone."

 

Crystal just looks Fireweed up and down.

 

Katie looks terrified, making sure her water powers still work.


As I'm training, I briefly assume a faux-Arie form and fire at the training dummy again, trying to get her to follow.

 

Her water powers work as usual, but she can’t seem to freeze anything.


Arie sighs, extending her exoskeleton into a spiked shield in front of her before looking for anyone or anything else aside from the training dummy that might get hit.

The half of her above the ground looks like an oversized snake that’s been overtaken by vine growth with tunneling spines covering her face.

The other half is... well, underground.

“If you can get her to stop clinging to you as if her life depended on it, we can.”

Anne holds on tighter in response, claws poking your skin a bit again.

 

Katie seems worried, continually trying to freeze her water into a block of ice.


Luckily, the training dummies appear to be spaced apart so that such accidents are hard to make; the other Shadows training at a safe distance.

 

The more she tries to freeze it, the faster the water instead evaporates.
“That means we’re getting close.” Ihra says, looking forward.


Arie seems hesitant, trying to adjust herself not to have anyone directly in front of her shield.

 

Katie saves her energy, though seems fearful of what's to come.


Arie has a clear shot of the dummy, the only thing in her way being dust particles.

 

Ihra offers her hand.
“I know it’s scary, but... for Sapphire, right?”


Magic rivalling Praecantatia’s seems to be working against Arie’s spines, which still cut cleanly through the dummy and warp time as they travel fast enough to outspeed your perception... and keep going.
The spines also seem to have warped the magic of the dummy it cut through, preventing it from repairing itself or being affected by any magic whatsoever for several hours.

 

Crystal looks for any item with her that could possibly be used for trade.

 

Katie takes a deep breath, before exhaling slowly.

"F-For Sapphire." Katie says, trying to be confident.


I pause my training and try to look where the spine went, or for any signs of a message in it's wake.

 

"She's just.. really scared of the water. Her life really does depend on it."

 

“I’m not sure how clinging to you will help that, but... I can clear a side room if you don’t want her present.”

Ihra smiles calmly at Katie before slowly continuing on.


It’s out of sight by the time you glance over, the dummy Arie shot simply falling over as Arie looks guilty at the dummy.

She seems to have a few satchels tied to her. Seeing she doesn’t have hands, presumably she has a partner doing that for her.

 

He looks around for any partner.

 

Katie follows, albeit with some reluctance.


I sigh, going back to training with my own dummy.

"Excellent work! Though your aim and stance could use a little refining." The bearded shadow says, praising Arie.

 

As she walks, she feels a calming warmth wash over her.


Arie tips her head at the bearded shadow, seeming confused.

From what he can tell, Fireweed's partner isn't present. Unless the tangle of vines woven in and out of what look like gills is sentient, at least.

 

Crystal eyes Fireweed weirdly as he waits for the others to talk.

 

Katie relaxes, albeit slightly unsettled by the increase in temperature.


The bearded shadow just nods, another shadow coming to replace the dummy Arie decimated.

 

"If it's not much of a problem."

I'll look at Anne.
"It will be fine."

 

As she walks, her formerly cold abilities and affinities turn to those of steam and warmth.
Ihra’s horns seem to be taking on an odd ahifting hue as she walks further towards the edge.


Off to the side, Iris flies towards the mountain carrying the spines. She seems completely unaffected by the mountain’s magic, looking to land next to you.

“You lot gonna give me flak or can I pass these off to you and get on with my day?” She calls from a fair distance.
Arie seems completey oblivious to her approach.

“Okay, okay, okay, I used a little one when you were chasing me! I promise I haven’t used more since!” Anne cries.

The naga smirks.
“Doesn’t it feel good to tell the truth?”
“Please, I really do love you, Bardock!” Anne begs. “Don’t leave me...”

Her vines slowly pull a few satchels of fruit and stones from below the ground, though she seems to be waiting for something as she exchanges glances with Shack and Puddles.