Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"Good morning! And yeah, the whole 'being alive' thing is pretty nice."

Interested, I watch the battle intently.

 

"I'd bet! I quite like it myself, even though it does get a bit dull living as long as I have."

It's also stuck at a stalemate. However, it clearly took a ton of training to be swinging around something at least as heavy as you are as if it were a dagger.

 

"And you spend most of your time here, too, which kinda gets small after a while for such a big place, doesn't it?"

I continue to watch intently, looking at both fighters, analyzing them.

 

"Well, remember that it's not very big for me! It used to be a lot bigger, but... you aren't the first ones to show up at a doorstep you made in the side of my palace. Always wanted to get it back to its former glory, but I guess some things just aren't meant to be, even for a goddess."

Both are wearing relatively light armor, but one seems to be wearing a magitech suit whereas the other is using a robe with spectral plating, phasing into existence as either weapon draws close.

 

"Still seems small though. Can you even read most of the books in the library?"

I continue to watch, interested as to how the fight will turn out.

 

"I can't read any of them. Emerald reads to me because I'm too small. She says I get too excited, though, so I only get story time once a week." Xlentia says, almost with childlike whimsy.

The magitech armor blocks a blow with a barrier, and the spectral plating gets split by a stray shot. However, it seems every duel takes a while and is blisteringly close...

Minutes later, the magitech armor makes a tiny miscalculation in his swing, and is brutally splattered against the edge of the dome before it resets.
Both combatants, clearly winded, shake claws before heading upstairs.

 

"Because you're too small?"
Crystal clarifies.

I smile, content with the battle.

 

Xlentia pauses, then starts laughing.
"Ah, sweetheart, you know what I meant! I really should get some rest, I suppose."

The crowd disperses as the combatants do, but the one who approaches you is not a spectator.

The healer who manages that dome looks at you, concerned.
"Why does their miserly end amuse you so? The more twisted, the more... sickening I find your response." She asks, both annoyed and genuinely curious.

 

"You been up to much?"

"It's the process of it. I don't know these people, so their end isn't what amuses me, as much as the resourcefulness and strength that is put into fighting each other. They probably don't hate each other, and this most likely wasn't a battle brought up by a dispute, so there's no real harm other than the fact that at least one feels pain. I see no reason to think it is particularly barbaric or unreasonable, and the different skill sets peak my interests. That's all."

 

"Been a couple weeks since I had a break. Pretty weary." She says, smiling.

The healer remains silent, returning to her position reluctantly.

 

"Weren't you like... just recently controlled by the Hive Master anyways? I don't think breaks would be his focus, thinking about it."

"What? Nothing to say about it yourself?"
I inquire.

 

"Right... there was also the fight. I collapsed after that, so that sort of counts? I just know that from my most recent memories to being freed, I lost nearly every shred of power I had that wasn't keeping me alive."

"I do not like it. I believe Ihra and the rest of us should not have taken a path of war. If the Hive Master can control so much by never showing himself, then it must have been possible to choke him off from controlling even more."

 

"That... kinda sucks."

"The best offense is a good defense. And without warriors, there is no defense. Although, perchance there is a way to choke him off. What else does he control, now? Do you know?"

 

"I hardly feel like a goddess, especially since I've had to bow my head to mortals for mercy..." Xlentia sighs.

"My home... Virei'tus helped me evacuate with a few others. I do not know their fate, but I was taught chronomancy here. However, me and my fellow kobold tend to be discriminated against. I understand that no situation is good here, but... being a chronopriestess seems to be my only refuge from the chaos."

 

"You're a little late..." Stephanie says, sounding depressed.

 

"How fun is it to be a goddess, though?"
Crystal asks, sitting down.
"You gotta do like, really big and important stuff, and pretty much every step you take matters. Seems like a lot to hold on your shoulders, no matter your size."

"Then hold onto that. Let that be your light."
Pause.
"Something's happening. I don't know when, or how, but that Hive Master asshole is going to die. And in this century, too."
I say it confidently, like it's a fact.

 

Linoa sighs, putting a claw on Stephanie's shoulder.
"I know. I'm considering myself lucky enough that I was able to recover from the wounds Aj gave me. There weren't many spare organs or robotic counterparts after your seige..."
She pauses, then pulls out a familiar looking potion.
"...I figured out how to make your antidepressant. Supposed to give it to you days ago but got distracted."

"It's varying amounts of fun, but it gets worse over time. Recreation is tough since you have enough time to make everything feel boring, and my actual job is hard as hell. I just rely on my brother to make the big decisions since he's always level headed compared to me."

The kobold nods.
"I believe that too. Just because I dislike the method does not mean I dislike the cause."

 

"Recreation? And yeah, it can be hard to be just, often."

"Fair enough. That goes for a lot of things."

 

"Like, having fun. Emerald said I only get story time once a week so it's fun for longer." Xlentia tries to explain.

The kobold pauses.
"Please don't report me to Emerald for attempting to dissuade you from fighting. We all tire of war..." She asks, though she doesn't seem concerned you'd do it in the first place.

 

"Smart. Repetition can be boring, and take the fun out of things."

"Even if it was one of the rules, I probably wouldn't. Reporting someone for purely having a different opinion is not something very logical."