Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Keela pads up to you.
"Do you need to spend the night alone in the den?"

 

"I just need to stay away for a while. Maybe I'll visit Aurilon."

 

"Again? Is there anyone there to make sure you don't turn?"

 

"Gladly."

"Just how much did you two drink?"
I ask, walking around the room more, looking.

 

Multiple empty bottles of potent poison lie strewn about amongst empty pizza boxes and greasy cardboard buckets.

"Pffsh, not that much." I say, getting up and stumbling about a bit.

"Wash you need anyways?" I ask drunkenly.

 

"Clearly enough to marginally limit basic motor function."
I comment.
"And I told you, Emerald has amnesia. Xlentia wanted to know if you could do anything."

 

"Yeaaaah, I can probleeee do somethin'" I say drunkenly.

"Jesus christ." You hear Shadow Stephanie say from the doorway, sounding exhausted.

"Stephanieeeeeee!" I cheer.

"You actually started drinking again." Shadow Stephanie says, annoyed.

 

"Again? As in he used to enjoy doing this to himself?"

 

"Yeah. Didn't he and Artemis tell you? These two used to have an addiction to drinking poison because it gets them utterly wasted," Shadow Stephanie says, sighing, "He said he was sad about how he thought Emerald was dead, and was going to drink some poison to forget about it. We all told him not to, and Artemis agreed to stick with him so he didn't, but I guess they had a party after all."

 

"Well, she's not."
I gesture to Emerald, on my back.
"And now this is her first impression of them."

 

"Oh please, like her first impression of them is going to be any better than them shitting themselves and passing out," Shadow Stephanie says flatly, "What did you need, anyway? I'm sure I can be of more use than these two drunkards."

"Hey, that sounds ofeshnife!" I drunkenly slur.

"Why don't you try and figure out if it is while I help Thirteen here." Shadow Stephanie snaps.

 

"Emerald lost about a thousand years worth of memories. Xlentia was wondering if you could help with that."

 

"Well, I don't know of any technology we currently possess that allows a thousand years of lost memories to be regained, but we could always ask Stephanie, since her mother is the goddess of magic after all," Shadow Stephanie says, "We were actually taking a trip down memory lane ourselves before I heard the news you'd been to see Aj."

Shadow Stephanie leaves the room, ushering you to follow.

 

I follow her, but I'm a bit slow due to carrying Emerald.

 

Shadow Stephanie adjusts her pace as to not get too far ahead, heading to the elevator you entered in.

 

I continue to follow her.
"Do what did you mean by 'a trip down memory lane'?"

 

"Stephanie wanted a tea party to remind her of the rare occasions her childhood wasn't entirely her being abused by her 'parents', so I obliged." Shadow Stephanie says, entering the elevator and turning the dials.

 

"Oh. That's nice."
I smile.

 

Shadow Stephanie smiles back, though it comes off as ominous.

Shadow Stephanie teleports you, Emerald and herself to a ring of flowers in the Shadow Palace gardens, Stephanie and Katie easily seen a short distance away sitting at a fancy looking table with fine china, Katie pouring herself a cup of tea as Stephanie chats happily.

Shadow Stephanie walks on ahead, informing Stephanie and Katie of your presence as she points to you. Stephanie waves happily.

 

I seem to want to wave, but I can't, supporting Emerald, so I put her down gently.
"Is it safe to leave her here?"