Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Sapphire seems to be there, idle.

"Why not? He seems nice enough."
"Um... Thanks?"

"Oh, I forgot my cookbook!" Ali says, suddenly worried. "Uhm... Aj, do you think you could send someone to sneak into my cafe and grab it from my bedroom?" She asks, flustered.

 

"Sure." I say, shrugging.

 

"Just, uh... make sure they don't have a scent. I can tell you if they'll be able to go in without being caught if you're not sure."

 

"Ok, I'll get someone clean to go then." I say, laid back.

 

"No need." Alice says, reforming. "I snuck in one of the packers moving stuff into storage. They were just packing up your bedroom, so the book was an easy snag and go."
"W-who are you, and how did you know where to find it?"
"Alice, former head detective under Aj. Until I got bored, quit, then got an honorary job on the employees list." She shrugs.

 

"Alright. Let's get moving, then."
I say, starting to walk towards the house that the humans are in.

 

Craig and Ytir follow.

 

Crystal eventually notices, jogging to catch up.

 

Upon arrival, Craig knocks on the door.
"Hey, we got someone else."
"Who?" Someone asks, swinging the door wide open as Ytir pokes his head into the doorway.

 

Looking towards Ytir, I stand ready and let the events unfold. Crystal seems to watch as well.

 

Everyone inside freezes up.
"W-what do you think you're doing with that beast?"
"I don't want to hurt you. I was told that I should come and say hi. So, uh... hello."
"Wait... you can talk?"
"We all can."
The people inside relax a bit.
"Really?"
"Huh..."
"That's new."
"The fuck? Since when was that a thing?" Leo's study partner asks, vulgar as ever.

 

"Since a long while, I'm fairly certain."
I enforce.

 

"She likes to stick around, literally in some cases." I say to Ali casually.

 

"Yeah, but I dunno how long. If you're not a chief or advisor out there, you only get like a year to live."

"Wait... a year?"
"That's not enough to do anything..."
"No wonder you hate us. I'm so sorry!"
"You had some serious guts to start with a damn guard."
"Come on in. I guess we all have questions." The person who opened the door invites.
There's some hesitation, but the others eventually allow it.

________________________________

"Aj, your pay was absurd for my work. I did nothing but ignore the regulations and you know that." Alice protests.
"Well, at least you're effective." Ali compliments.

 

I wait for Ytir to enter, and if he does I follow, Crystal waiting to see if it's okay to follow me.

 

All three seem allowed to enter, Ytir walking nervously as he takes step after hesitant step.

 

"Want me to revoke that medal or not?" I ask flatly.

"Spicy." Shadow Stephanie comments.

 

"We both know it's not a good thing to see who'll step down from a challenge first. Your strength is greater, but I guarantee you and Artemis would rather I keep quiet." She says, amusement in her voice.

 

"Don't fret Ytir, everyone's most likely okay with you being here."
I say, not bothering to whisper.
Crystal, a bit unsure of what to do, just looks at me.

 

Artemis glares at Alice.

"I'm fine if you tell the world how I kiss. You'd probably be seen as a pervert." I say, shrugging.