Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

I reopen the link with the head of the survey corps. "You are to allow the sorceress to pass through and gather vines and the like. However, if they attack one of your men, you have all rights for a counter attack. I will negotiate the return of the weapons, though I give no guarantee."

 

I make my way to the lab, as fast as I can without hurting Orchid anymore.

"If you saw somewhere else to go, sure, we could go there."

 

"Yes, sir. My apologies for my error in response." They respond. "Unless in response to an attack, I will hold off any acts of aggression until I have run them by you, if you would prefer."

Upon entry, the researchers just nod.
"I believe we can take it from here. Your friend is in pretty rough shape, though." They say.

"Not really. It's been over thirty days, but I think you're worth taking an extended leave." She says, smiling.

 

"Thanks. Where do you want her?"
I ask.

"Aw, thanks!"

 

They point to a goop-filled tube, slightly emptying as it opens.

"So, I actually don't see the sign for the pool. I'm going to take a look, and we'll meet back at the reception counter that's just behind you, alright?"

 

I gently put Orchid in the tube.

"Okay. Should I look around, too?"

 

It seals, some of the blood being separated, put in a test tube, and your cloth also separated and deposited in a smaller tube containing the rag and the gel, though free of blood.

"If you want. If you find it, just tap your foot three times. Your footsteps vibrate much more than the humans here. So, if one of us finds it, just keep glancing back at the reception counter."

 

"Thanks."
I nod.

"Alright."
Crystal agrees, looking around at the possible pathways.

 

"Indeed, that would be most beneficial. Dismissed." I say, ending the line and turning to the sorceress.
"Let me be frank. What do you want in exchange for the weapons and armor."

 

"If you'd like, we can put in a request to have a healer follow you. If any other injuries like this come up, they could slow the worsening and give you more time to get back here or use a local treatment." They offer.

They're unhelpfully labelled "TRACK, WEST WING, and EAST WING."
Well, at least "TRACK" is helpful.

She pauses, thinking.
"Oh, I still have most of it. I've already smelted some of it down; heat resistant metal is amazing for cauldrons, you know! Buuuut..."
Pause.
"If you want the rest back, we could arrange a little something about you setting up smack in the middle of my gathering grounds."

 

"My settlement will not be negotiated." I say firmly.
"However, I have already spoken about it with my operatives and they will only attack in self-defense. You are also given free passage to collect your materials."

 

"That was the least I'd settle for. Now, if you want the equipment back, why don't you start interesting me in something you're offering?"

 

"Why don't you lay your requests first."

 

I seem to think for a moment.
"No thanks, for now. It's a bit more risky than I'd like it to be for them to be present, but I can check with the people that actually need them to see if they want a healer. But thanks for the offer."

Crystal thinks for a bit, before consulting the poster to see if any info is present.

 

"Sure. First off, I'm counting the permission to pass through in order to gather as a right, not a bargaining chip." She says.
"...if you can accept that, then I always seek the rarer materials, or of course some more of those metals."
Pause.
"Actually... I promise to keep the hellspawn away from your territory if you provide me monthly tribute for me and to appease the demons."

"Understood. Just... try not to come back looking like that. Cryoreconstruction might be easier."

In small print, the events have locations written on them.
"POOL - EAST WING; ATHLETE ENTRY D14, SPECTATOR ENTRY U14" is just below the swim race and water polo match.

 

"Yes, it is a right, seeing as you have been gathering from here before our arrival. And what sort of tribute do you require?"

 

"It'll depend, but if you provide an unarmed messenger, I can tell you what Lucy wants a week in advance, then what I want. If things get out of hand, we can negotiate, but I've been paying my dues for multiple necromantic lifetimes, and it's not too tough. For a monarch, it's probably a cakewalk." She says. "Lucy's tribute will vary, but mine should never be much more than my railcart in volume. If you look outside and head around the back, you should see an old minecart I kept as a memory of my father's old job. Anything I ask for will either fit all in there, or it'll be a single special request."

 

"Like what? She's not too bad, she has an exoskeleton."
I point out.

"Linoa,"
Crystal adresses.
"The pool info's right here."

 

"That's kind of it."

Linoa comes over.
"...Oh. Alright, that's just across from the dodgeball court." She says, giggling at herself.

 

"If my skeleton were to show, I'd be fine for the most part."
I inform.

"Okay. Let's go, then."