Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

"The mantis share the largest border, plus they're the ones cutting the humans off from the lowlands. If they got down there, they could raze what little resources we bicker over down there. There've been a couple on the Akli'il, but they learned that charging headlong into fast and sharp raptor talons is less productive than charging at the Mantis."

 

"Hm."
I take note.
"Wish I could help the fight."

 

"Not every victory is won on the front lines. If Ytir was ever right, that line would be it."

 

"Will you be fighting?"
I ask, void of suspicion.

 

"Not this time. I got my kills in two weeks ago."

 

"Alright."
Pause.
"One hell of a cycle these humans have gotten themselves into."

 

Shadow Stephanie blushes again, unable to hide her smile.

Eventually, the waitress bring back two slices of toffee pie, hot fudge melted over them. The waitress puts them down in front Shadow Stephanie and Sivius, as well as a spoon each.

"Enjoy!" The waitress says happily, walking away again.

Shadow Stephanie cuts off a spoonful of the pie, collecting some of the spilt hot fudge and blowing on it to cool it down.

 

I go to the leader of the city. On the way, I juggle with the thoughts of whether it would be better to establish workplaces in the village or to send workers to the city.

 

"They've dragged us down in it, too."

Sivius waves his hand over his pie before trying a bite.
"I didn't think shadows were that sensitive to heat." Sivius whispers.

Over in city hall, you're denied a meeting with the mayor. Apparently he's fairly busy at the moment, and is willing to talk to you in... two weeks.

 

"I can only hope that they cooperate."

 

"Knowing them, I can only hope we can keep them distracted long enough for you to find out what you need to know."

 

"We are, since we're more attuned to cold. Light Creatures are the opposite, more attuned to heat." Shadow Stephanie says, before eating some of her pie.

 

"And I hope I can find out that information. The guards at the library entrance tensed up once I even mentioned the inhibitor. But who knows, perhaps they were just being secretive because I wasn't in the library yet."

 

"Huh. I guess I didn't notice since I'm something of both."

"We can only hope that was the case."

 

"It's strange. The only other twilight being I've met was horrible to my friends and I, and yet you're the most wonderful person I've ever met." Shadow Stephanie says, gazing at Sivius lovingly.

 

"You've proven you have no need for me, thus I'm willing to join you. You also seemed to have an odd attraction towards me, so I figured it would aid our relationship to love you."

 

"Hm."
I say, nodding.
"Mind if I see the talons?"

 

Aral'hrah runs back a short ways, a pile of claws with some dried blood on them.

 

"I may not need you necessarily, but I'd love to have you around," Shadow Stephanie says, "It was strange, but...when I first saw you, something told me that you were the one for me."

 

I walk to the pile, picking up one of the claws to check size and weight.