Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Rineth sighs.

"Anything that sounds like a threat you think is real, and anything that doesn't sound like a threat you think is a lie. Got it," he grumbles. "There's no need for that, seriously. Calm down and relax, before you actually kill one of her disciples and actually have her come after you. I don't mean to scare you with this, but if it came to that... the only person that can save you is Lady Xlentia's brother."

 

"Who's her brother?" Imp-chan asks, "And what does she want from me? How has she located me so soon?"

Imp-chan seems to try to control her breathing a little, and after she blinks, her eyes seem to shift hue again - back to being green, bar her third one. She puts her gun back into its holster, though keeps her hand on it regardless.

 

"She hasn't. As long as you don't attack me, you probably won't cross her mind," Rineth mutters, "Her brother is the Divine Judge, arbiter of all. He, on the other hand, knew of you the moment you stepped foot in the realm... but he'd almost certainly just warn you to calm down without so much as an introduction."

Rineth offers Imp-Chan a small blue bead.

"You might want this, lest your companion make a poor first impression for you."

 

Imp-chan hesitantly takes the bead and puts it in her pocket, rubbing her head with her other hand. Her third eye seems to close over with skin, disappearing - making her look mostly human, aside from the horns on her head.

"I think...coming here might have been a mistake," Imp-chan admits, sounding calmer, "I'll get some food from the village and return to where I came from. I need to learn about this world more, figure out how its gods work. I rushed into things a little - meeting with any of the gods before I know about them is a terrible idea in hindsight."

"I'm sure there's some documents on them in that giant library, at least," Imp-chan adds, still rubbing her head as if suffering from a headache, "And I don't plan on dying any time soon, so hell can wait."

 

The bead seems to be unenchanted, though it may be concealed until broken.

"I wouldn't call it a mistake, but you certainly seemed to be going at a reckless pace for someone so concerned about their own safety. Granted, I certainly wished I wasn't alone on this outing, but I suppose oddities like this are good learning experiences. Not that it's anything new to you, but I would suggest a slower approach next time. Hostility begets hostility, and confrontations often spiral in whichever direction they're begun in - though I truly cannot fault you for your caution," Rineth says, returning to what seems to be his usual calm.

"Though, if it's not too much trouble, I am curious - what of my behavior was indicative of a hungry beast? I would rather like to address that shortcoming now before I am sent on excursions to more populous areas."

 

"It's how you look, mainly. You're a dragonkin, my...survival instinct put me on edge. I've met humans with all manner of gun, but at least I know they're just as vulnerable to their own weapons. Dragons tend to have a natural resistance," Imp-chan explains, before shrugging, "Intrusive thoughts."

 

"Perhaps it is a good thing you hold off on meeting Lady Xlentia and her brother, then - the former preferring her dragon form, and the latter his draconian form. I cannot imagine such a scenario would go over well with either of them," Rineth says, seeming introspective, "Perhaps I can assume control of a puppet to avoid this situation in the future...?"

 

"I'll just gather some supplies and leave," Imp-chan reaffirms, "I don't like to be hunted."

 

Sorry for taking a few days to reply! I've been slightly busy with life lately.

"It's Tulip, but my friends call me Tip." Tulip replies after being mesmerized by Ihra and her surroundings.

"So, where are we going?"

 

"That feeling's mutual," Rineth chuckles wearily, glancing up at a few lightly armed guards that wave the duo over.

"Hail, cleric! It is good to see you again. I thought you were solo this time - did something you see warrant calling for backup?" One asks, the other simply bowing.
"Oh, no. Just another traveler I crossed paths with. You wouldn't happen to have any rations and such she could trade for her travels, would you?" Rineth asks, bowing slightly in response.
"Well I can't promise much, but we should have a few days' sustenance we can spare if you don't mind getting your hands a tad dirty," the guard says while turning to Imp-Chan, "One of our hunters didn't come back after a trip to our usual rabbit hunting grounds a couple days ago, so obviously we're worried... but the mayor's a little paranoid after losing his son last month and wants to play it safe with the rest of us. I can't imagine it's anything too dangerous - given we haven't seen any sign of it here, so I'm guessing it's satisfied with rabbits - but rumors are starting to spread among the kids, and I don't see having them run off that way ending well. Think you could take a look?"

No worries, I've been in a similar boat. Yay packing! (aAaaAAaaAaAa)
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"Tulip's a nice name," Ihra says with a small giggle, "I was just playing fetch with Sgavrinn, but you look like you could use some sleep. Come on inside, I'll need to prepare a guest room."

Ihra starts walking towards the cottage itself, the curtain of vines acting as a back door parting as she steps near.

 

Imp-chan slowly turns to Rineth, her eyes narrowed.

"So that's what you meant when you said they didn't trade in money." She says, annoyed, before turning back to the guards.

"Dragon, demon, darkness incarnate, I'll go see what's killed or enslaved your hunter and go kill it for you," Imp-chan boasts, slipping her gun out of its holster to do a spinning flourish with it in one hand, "Or he's just dislocated his leg after tripping on a warren's exit."

"Unless, of course, you might be interested in something precious," Imp-chan adds, reaching into her pocket with her other hand and pulling out a shiny golden coin, with a tiny ruby embedded in its centre, "Perhaps in trade for some travel rations?"

 

"Playing fetch?" Tulip asks Ihra as she follows her, "Is that a normal thing, er... dragons do?"

 

"I didn't know the nature of their request," Rineth says with a shrug before he starts off further into the village, "I'm going to handle my business, do take care with yours."

The guard seems a bit confused.
"I mean... it's certainly a pretty medal, but I'm afraid I don't understand what would make that equivalent to the rations."

Ihra giggles a bit before shaking her head.

"No, he just... ah," she says, briefly becoming distant before snapping back to her usual demeanor, "...didn't have the best upbringing. Raised as a pet, eventually outgrew his old owners. He's come a long way, but part of him's still just like a puppy."


As Tulip steps through the door, the vines also part around her.
The interior of Ihra's cottage is just as floral as the exterior. Its floor is made of a dense but soft moss, any would-be gaps in the woven walls filled by some sort of sap. The furniture within contrasts starkly with just about everything else - some pieces are ornately jeweled and somewhat resemble Ihra's gown, others simple and sleek - but all finely crafted and all appearing to come from entirely different worlds.
The mishmash of styles distracts the eye from wall to wall, but Tulip notices one thing that looks strangely normal off in an undecorated corner: a small, simple stool holding a stack of books that are completely coated in dust.


Ihra gestures to a rather plush couch.
"Come sit, I'll get some tea brewing. Any favorites?"

 

Imp-chan waves Rineth off, before turning back to the guard.

"You...don't see the value of the metal? It's pure gold, you know. The gem is a real ruby as well. No interest in it?" Imp-chan says, trying to promote the coin as best she can.

After a moment, she sighs, putting the coin back away, "Whatever. Just point me in the direction of your rabbit hunting field and I'll go find your missing person."

 

Tulip walks up to the couch and awkwardly sits on it. She doesn't remember the last time someone giving her this much hospitality.

"Erm... I don't really drink tea, I'll just drink anything you give me."

 

Thread Bump'd

(Temporary Hiatus)

 

damn it i missed when this was actually live D;
anyways i hope y'all are doing well
maybe i'll start work on a character backstory if i can figure out all the lore in here

 

Gotta bump it

 

Thread Bump'd

Spoiler: Surprise Katie Appearance

 

hold up this needs a bump