Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

They move Nyre's crossbow slightly, which seems to have just been stuck in a place you can't reach or notice.
"Give this to me too if you want, then head up. Matriarch said she was interested in talking to you, but we've all got our eyes on you."

 

Surprised, I nod, taking the crossbow and handing it to him, before walking forward.

 

There seems to be a gradual vine ramp wrapping around the elevated structure. You can see that there's some light source inside, but fire seems unlikely in the middle of the forest.

 

Going up the ramp, I head into the structure, looking around.

 

There seem to be a few bioluminescent flowers strung about along the ceiling. It's dark, though you can make out a larger than normal mantis whose exoskeleton seems to be painted with flowery patterns. Her armblades are painted as well, and it seems she also has armblades on the outer face of her forelimbs as well as the inner.
...With one quick motion, the extra armblades prove to just be fans.
"Hello, outsider. I heard you have dabbled with the... other species... before coming here. So... what do you seek from my people?" The Matriarch asks, barely bothering to move.

 

"Just four mantis armblades."
I say softly, looking around for other guards.

 

There are guards practically anywhere. One wrong move, and the room your in will be physically filled to the brim with guards.
"Four limbs of my people... such a human request. Why do you need them?" She asks, seeming a bit underwhelmed.

 

"Just... access to a library."

 

Pause.
"...Their royal library?"

 

"Yeah... how do you know about it?"

 

"The humans weren't always this hostile to us. They wrote stories about me simply because before I assumed the role of Matriarch, I was a diplomat. I was asked to pose for illustrations in children's books." She says, distant. "However... if the secrets you seek are in there, then you heard correctly from a raptor that we are willing to sacrifice the wellbeing of our dishonorable. Four, you said?"
She turns to you, suddenly less uncooperative.

 

"Yeah, four."
I say, almost visibly hardening.

 

"Understood. Leave, and you will find them on the edge of our territory and Aral'hrah's in precisely thirty minutes." She says.
"...Dismissed."

 

"Don't you want something back?"
I ask, expectant.

 

She laughs.
"Ah, thank you for being stubborn there. Yes, I want the information you get. And for you to leave; there's another attack bound to occur tonight, and I will not let you distract me from the defense of my home."

 

"I probably won't get much from the library."
I admit.
"Although, I have information that I've already gained that may be useful."

 

"I want everything you have. Later, though. If you return for anything but the blades, you will be attacked. Hostility runs high on these nights, so you have my apologies for this being your first true encounter with my people." The Matriarch says. "However, I do recommend you flee before we lock down for the night."

 

"Yes, ma'am. May you soldiers have grace on the battlefield."
I say, turning and leaving.

 

You can overhear her telling the limbs to be collected as you leave, the guard offering you back your weapons.
"My apologies for my behavior. I hope you can understand the circumstances." They say, bowing.

 

"No need to bow, I'm not royalty. You did your job, you did it well. Be proud of yourself."
I say, taking back my weapons, and hinging Nyre's crossbow in a more accessible spot.