Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Mind giving me information about this flower?" I ask, pulling out my notebook.

 

"Because of the guy who made me."
Crystal shrugs, almost letting his guard down.
"I dunno who he was, but I like to think he made me well."

 

"R-Right, I-I-I just have to be confident." The water guardian says, trying to muster some courage.

The other horned being heads out of the throne room with a similar briefcase, laughing and high fiving her companion as the pair exit the palace.

"Next!" The guard calls. The line moves forward once again, leaving only four people until Alice's turn. A fire guardian heads into the throne room, looking somewhat nervous.

 

"Sure. It's pollen is a powerful anesthetic - too powerful unless diluted significantly. It can even cause paralysis in machines." The researcher says, pointing to a blue and yellow flower contained in a vat.

"Clearly he did something right." Nilarq says, feigning a jab back at Crystal.

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"Nervous... I fear for them. Remember, go in confident; you go in strong, you leave a winner. If you go in with nothing, you'll leave with nothing - literally. Think of this like the final trial for something; the better you do, the better off you'll be. You got this." Alice says encouragingly.

 

"May I request a specimen for my collection?"

 

Crystal instinctively blocks the jab, but then hastily takes a step back to rebalance.

 

"Y-Y-Yeah...I-I-I've got t-t-this!" The water guardian says, attempting to have some confidence and faith in himself.

A young forest guardian seems to have queued up behind Alice, smiling happily.

 

"That may not be a good idea, since gods aren't immune, but if you want a few seeds, we can spare some." They offer.

"You got this." Alice says, smiling, before nodding to the forest guardian.

Nilarq waits for Crystal to make a move.
"Not bad. Now, try to make yourself an opening."

 

"Hey!" The forest guardian says happily.

The fire guardian exits the throne room, looking depressed.

"W-W-Well, they're n-not dead..." The water guardian says, gaining a bit of confidence.

The line moves forward again at the guards call, and a Shadow heads in, expression blank.

 

"See? Confidence keeps you going!" Alice smiles.

 

Crystal nods, waiting for Nilarq to make a move.

 

He keeps mostly still, eyes watching Crystal intently.

 

"Y-Yeah...I need to stay confident." The water guardian says, gaining more confidence.

"If you're going to see A- uh, the king, then there's no need to worry. He's not that scary, and I know he's got a kind heart." The forest guardian says from Alice's side, smiling.

"R-Right, he's j-just a Shadow, r-right? N-Nothing I h-h-haven't already seen!" The water guardian says, mood improving.

"Exactly." The forest guardian says happily.

 

Alice pauses, then turns towards the forest guardian.
"Miss, is your name by chance Artemis?"

 

"Yes...how did you know?" Artemis asks, suspicious.

 

"The exploits of the king with his friends are a bit well known with my form's kind. I heard some Ihra was well enough liked by the king that he travelled with her. Did you meet her as well?" Alice asks, curious.

 

"Yes...I did..." Artemis asks, suspicion with Alice growing, "What's the name of the owner of your form, if I may ask?"

The line moves forward again, leaving only one person until it's the water guardian's turn.

 

"Marie. I just took her maiden name." She says, unsure of Artemis' suspicion.

 

"Hm. So why do you want to see the king?" Artemis asks, curious and suspicious.

 

"The gangs in the city have started to be somewhat active near my house, and I think they may be targeting me. I don't know why - doesn't no mean no?"
Alice pauses.
"Also, I'm sorry if knowing your name is suspicious... it's just, most draconians know of only one forest guardian who calls my king by his informal name. Marie shared that with me, and I thought it was just a story. I guess if you're back here, though, my king grew tired of following that Ihra around?" Alice asks, curious yet confused.