Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

The Shadow takes the Matriarchs hand, seemingly a little timid to at first, before teleporting both himself and the Matriarch to the Shadow Palace, outside the throne room.

"She's just behind those doors." The Shadow says, pointing to the massive doors of the throne room.

 

"Can you open them for me?" She asks, concerned. "They look heavy, and if I crack my exoskeleton..."

 

"Oh, the guards will." The Shadow says, pointing to the large guards by the doors.

 

She nods.
"Thank you."

She then heads up to the doors, waiting for the guards to open before entering, looking around nervously if she's denied entry.

 

The guards open the doors partially, though the gap being enough to easily fit through.

 

She bows as she walks through, kneeling once inside and remaining silent.

From Shadow Stephanie's perspective, the Matriarch looks like a giant bug with painted armblades, though there's not a trace of dried blood on them.
"You requested a meeting?"

 

"Ah, yes, you must be the Matriarch, the artist who added paintings to my museum. It's nice to finally meet you." Shadow Stephanie says, her voice booming.

 

The Matriarch cringes a bit.
"I was told by a sorceress that I could store them there, safe from the problems that have plagued my home... and to free up wall space." She says, too nervous to look up.

 

"I heard, and you may. In fact, I'd like to offer a reward for your artwork." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

"I don't mean to be rude, but my ears are ringing... by any chance can you please repeat that in a quieter voice... in a minute or so?" She asks, trying not to trip over her own words.

 

Shadow Stephanie sighs.

 

The Matriarch eventually (finally) manages to collect herself.
"I'm terribly sorry about that..." She says, looking up at Shadow Stephanie.
"...uhm..." She utters, freezing up.

 

Shadow Stephanie looks displeased.

"I wanted to reward you for your paintings." Shadow Stephanie says, slightly quieter.

 

The Matriarch seems petrified, unresponsive.

 

Shadow Stephanie just looks bored.

"Take her away." Shadow Stephanie says. A few guards walk over to the Matriarch, guiding her out of the throne room.

 

It ends up being a task of dragging her out, her only response being a pained grunt as her body seems too tense for her to move.

 

The guards drag the Matriarch out, leaving her outside the throne room. Shadow Stephanie's voice can be heard complaining before the doors to the throne room shut.

 

After a few seconds, she utters the word "Beautiful" and goes limp.

 

The guards by the door check the Matriarch to make sure she's still alive.

 

She's breathing, sort of, and she barely has a pulse, though it's hard to tell if that's from being a bug or being almost dead.