Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

I approach Sapphire.
"Good day."

 

"Why did your kin kill our diplomats? I thought we sent a few unarmed people to talk."
"Never heard of that. Maybe you only did it with one tribe? There are four, I think."

She looks up.
"Morning. How's it going?"

 

I just wait out the questions, listening in.

 

I sigh.

"Fine." I say.

 

"Stellar. It seems that there is nothing for me to take care of, so I have decided to duel someone in the training area."

 

"Oh? I think I'll go watch. Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Hey, how about this; I made a separate file predicting how the case will go with your other detectives. If they follow the framework, the regulations of operation need a little rewrite. If they don't, AND they solve it in a different way than I did, then I'll never take on a case that isn't mine again."

More of the same, always ending in more petting.
"Well... I always wondered what it was like here. Before this whole ordeal, that is." Ytir says.

Each of the twelve goes on to vaguely describe their life, from being a merchant to a stay-at-home parent to a student at the Academy.

 

Interested, I intently listen in.
Crystal just kind of zones out.

 

"I honestly don't care that much. Just...do whatever and don't annoy people doing it." I say, shrugging.

 

The first describes spending days talking with just about every passersby, getting to know practically the entire kingdom and the other way around. The next doesn't say much, sticking with that kids are hard work and the spouse had two jobs to support them. The third talks about studies, getting shocked with electricity when shirking studies, and the ways various students practiced by torturing a sack of raptor feathers.

Alice nods.
"Think I can get a royal pardon? Technically me taking the case into my own hands is against the law."

 

"You can be one of those cool out of the law detectives like in those noir films," I say, shrugging, "I thought about becoming one of those on Earth, but then the royal life happened."

"You? A detective? You panic when you can't find something dear to you instead of looking for clues on where it could've been." Shadow Stephanie says, laughing.

"I actually look at the situation from a logical standpoint to figure out the possibilities." I say, crossing my arms.

"Mhmm, sure." Shadow Stephanie says sarcastically.

 

"Queen one, king zero." Alice says flatly. "Though I wouldn't mind working like I have been my whole life."

 

"Don't encourage her." I say, sounding exhausted.

"Don't listen to him." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

"Not quite, but seeing as last time I was there, they recognized I was a god, I have to use a disguise." I say, snapping my fingers as a monocle appears on my left eye.

 

"Paperwork's done a number on you, eh?" She says, chuckling. "You two should really have some friendly competition sometime. Maybe duel in one of Xlentia's arenas if that fits your tastes."

"That won't do crap, to be honest." Sapphire shrugs. "Though, you could duel me or Emerald."

 

"What? Where does paperwork fit into this?" Shadow Stephanie asks, confused.

"Yeah, this is how we generally are." I say, looking confused.

 

Surprised, I continue to listen in, focusing on some of the physical feature of the people.

 

"I think I'll duel someone unexpecting. It would be more interesting if your opponent had no idea of your capabilities." I say.

A couple of seconds later, a moustache grows on my face, and a top hat appears on my head.

"In case you're wondering, it's a spell of bearding coupled with me summoning items."

 

"Aj, your comebacks are usually better than... that."

Some are well-built, aspiring to be guards. Others are middle of the road, and Leo's study partner seems a bit like a wire.

"No offense, it looks ridiculous."

 

"How about shut up?" I ask.

Shadow Stephanie snickers.

 

"Seriously need to avoid these conversations after paperwork." Alice laughs.