Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Oh. Yeah, that's a problem. Never mind.

 

"Ugh.. we can both just shout one of the three words maybe?"

 

"I pick who I care for carefully, especially if one of those is a deity," I say, "And also when my future self goes back in time to tell me that I messed up. I trust him, he knows what's going on."

 

"I mean, you really weren't supposed to have that watch in the first place, and you didn't know Ihra was a goddess for... most of the time, really."

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That could work, but I'd be the only one shouting. Plus I still don't know how to play.

 

"Whoever owned it before me and hit it away in a highly secured temple wasn't supposed to have the watch. I just happened to be the one who got the blame for it since I was in the wrong place at the wrong...time." I say with a wink and dual finger-guns.

 

“Considering it was highly secured and you’re... well, you, it was in better hands in that temple.” Idhaenna says flatly, unamused.

 

"Hey, at least some human didn't manage to get it and proceed to mess up the timeline by abusing it," I say, "I used it responsibly, and I willingly exchanged it for this."

I summon my portal gun, holding it ready.

"Actually, we could probably use this to get right to Praecantatia's tree." I add, looking at my portal gun.

 

Idhaenna snaps, the two of you appearing right in front of the main entry of Praecantatia’s tree.
“Yes, you used it so responsibly, Vei died in your stead for fucking up the flow of time.” She says, deadpan.

 

"I take responsibility for that, but I don't take all the blame," I say, "She put herself in the sights of death."

 

“Her choice was simple, she was cursed to die sooner or later. She opted to die for someone she hoped would watch over Ihra while she couldn’t. Also, I’m the goddess of space, so here we are. Screw the portal gun.”

 

"Well, this was made by my goddess of space, so maybe be careful what you insult." I say, desummoning the portal gun.

I head over to one of the tree roots and start feeling around, before part of the root is pushed inward and a large panel of buttons appears. I quickly type in a code that seems to utilize every button on the panel, a few multiple times, before the panel sinks back into the tree and disappears; a door with a knocker appearing a little further along the route.

"Ta-da." I say with little enthusiasm, lazily waving my hands.

 

“You really don’t understand half of the mess you made. Whatever, don’t worry about it. It’s in the past.” Idhaenna shrugs.
“I do appreciate this, though. It’s been a while since I went through a doorway.” She says, gesturing for you to take the lead.

 

I head through into the entrance room of Praecantatia's home, before heading straight to the living room.

Stephanie sits on a sofa watching TV. Another girl seems to be present on the second sofa with spiky black hair that appears to curl up into horns on top of her head. She seems to be wearing a gray tank-top and green camo-trousers with black socks, a large half-eaten pretzel in hand as she glances over at me, before looking a little anxious.

"Oh hey, it's uh...you. Demon, girl. Right?" I say, smiling.

The girl just nods, looking like she's been caught somewhere she shouldn't be. She nervously pulls one of Praecantatia's smaller tomes closer to herself, either to keep it close or make room on the sofa she's occupying.

 

“So that’s what you look like outside of the armor.” Idhaenna says, gaze pretty much locked on Stephanie, ignoring the other girl.

 

"Oh, I...wasn't expecting you. Are you here to see mum?" Stephanie asks, caught off guard.

"Yeah, is she still with Temporus?" I ask.

"Technically. She said she was going out to his rave. Temporus wanted some stuff done to improve it, and he also said it'd be a treat for her. I'm in charge while she's gone." Stephanie explains.

"Is that why the demon girl is here?" I ask.

Stephanie looks slightly offended.

"She calls herself Imp-chan. Mum said she could stay here as long as she wanted, apparently she wasn't exactly happy in hell," Stephanie explains, "Plus, she's nice to hang out with."

Imp-chan smiles at Stephanie, looking comforted.

"I didn't have a problem with her. Just curious. I guess we'll have to find a way to get to Temporus' timeless rave then." I say.

"Actually, he said we were all free to come along. He gave me bands for myself, you, Artemis and a possible plus one to get there. I guess he knew Idhaenna was going to show up." Stephanie explains.

"Oh, that's convenient. I would've thought he'd still have some grudge for me after I had his property and everything." I say, a little surprised.

"You're still worried about that? I don't think the gods mind too much since you handed it over." Stephanie responds.

"Yeah, I suppose it is in the past." I say, winking and finger gunning.

Stephanie and Imp-chan look about as unamused as Idhaenna did with my last pun, if less so.

"None of you get my jokes." I say, annoyed.

"We get them, they're just not very funny." Stephanie says, smirking.

 

“Not very funny? Hah, that’s generous.” Idhaenna snarks.
“She was told I was coming, though. Gaia’s on a tour with her counterpart and Lux, and I popped in because Gaia was talking shit about me. We then decided making amends for my apparently bad relation with Praecantatia was a good idea.”

 

"Well, you'll need these." Stephanie says. A pair of what look like red watches appear in front of Stephanie, floating for a second before dropping into her hands. She tosses a watch to Idhaenna and I, myself catching it with a practised swift and precise movement.

"I'll tell Artemis where you've gone if she comes back here while you're out." Stephanie says, smiling.

"Thanks, Steph. I owe you one." I say happily, looking the watch over.

 

The watch tossed to Idhaenna hovers in front of her face while her hololens scans it.
“While you’re here, I still owe your shadow a reward. What’s a good reward for someone who fears tech?” She asks Stephanie, seeming to take a few notes before letting the watch fall onto her hand.

 

Like who?

 

The watch seems to have a mage crystal stored where the clockwork would normally be, charged with space-time energies which seem to link Praecantatia's home and somewhere else together, as well as some kind of soul-recognition spell.

"Um...I think you'd need to ask her. A favour with you would probably be a pretty good reward, but I can't speak for her." Stephanie says.