Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Stephanie shrugs, "Mother likes to create things." She says.


"I might seem aggressive or mean to them, but I'm pretty certain they know I'm not being serious. We always make out in the end," Shadow Stephanie says, "I mean, up! Make up!"

 

"Of all things..." Ihra sighs.


"And this..."
Pause.
"...This is why I knew I was in no real danger. Now, let me tell you what you were actually wrong about..."
Ruby seems hesitant.
"...Oh, you wouldn't trust what I said either way. I'll leave you to hunting me down until I can stand up to your strength face-to-face."

 

The group continues on, a lone picnic bench sitting out near to a tree on the island.


Shadow Stephanie desummons her daggers, sighing.

"I'm a mess." Shadow Stephanie says to herself, sitting down.

 

Ihra glances at the tree, wondering if it's fruit-bearing.


"We all are. Some pay war with their lives, others their sanity."
Pause.
"I know we don't see eye to eye, but for your people's sake, please don't lose yourself."

 

A few oranges appear to be growing on the tree, though too small to eat now.


"I just...I feel like I'm a toxin in relationships. I lost Aj, and I feel like I'm going to lose Sivius. I almost lost him once already." Shadow Stephanie says, a few tears starting to well in her eyes.

 

Ihra turns her focus back to any visible golems, hoping the group arrives at their destination sooner over later.


A moment of silence.
"I'll leave you to your own devices. No need to rile you up any more than you are."

"...and be wary of Iris."

 

There appear to be fewer golems on this island, though the thick forest appears to be getting close.


"Maybe...Maybe I hated you because everyone else loved you so much. Aj even reversed time to save you once because he cared so much." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

Ihra seems a bit relieved, but impatient.
"Come on, can't you warp us any closer?!"


"...I hope one day I can talk to you or your friends face-to-face without fear. Until then, don't lose yourself."

 

"Well..." I say, firing a portal at the gargantuan tree in the centre island, then one at the floor. I pick up Ihra before jumping through the portal, flying out from the tree horizontally before gaining my balance in the air, gently gliding to the ground with Ihra.

"Knew this portal gun was worth it." I say happily.

A large watery version of Katie forms below the portal, catching Katie and slowing her fall to a stop once she hits it, Stephanie gliding downward with magic instead of wings.


"I miss when we were friends and you could." Shadow Stephanie says sadly, sighing.

 

Ihra smiles.
"Or that."


"You seem to have a lot more fun trying to hunt me down."

 

Stephanie opens a hidden doorway in the tree leading into a small room with a keypad, which she steps into and starts interacting with the keypad.


"Well...Maybe I've realised you're not the Ruby that hit on Aj, tried to kill me and was horrible. Maybe I've realised you're the old friendly Ruby everyone loved, and I feel bad for being horrible to you." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

Ihra waits, glancing around for any golems.


"Nobody loved me. You guys tolerated me at best, and my desperation to break my mind control combined with my desperation to win you over cost me everything."
Pause.
"...I'll take my leave now."

 

A couple of golems appear to be near the trees, but not close. Katie admires her blue flower, smiling as she steps into the room with Stephanie, alongside me.


"Mind control?" Shadow Stephanie asks.

 

Ihra follows you, still holding your hand.


"Of course. Same way the Hive Master knew your every move thanks to a mind controlled Emerald."

 

Eventually, the door closes, and Ihra feels the room descending slowly. Stephanie creates a dim ball of green light, so my eyes aren't the only things visible.


"So...we never really knew the real you?" Shadow Stephanie asks.

 

"Is your mother nice? And is Rineth still around?"


"The real me is a smith. I've since lost that ability, and all I can do now is run."

 

"She's really nice! And I think Rineth is still around somewhere." Stephanie says happily.

"Shame we have to go to disorientation station and then wonderland to even meet her though." I say.

"Yeah, we're actually really tiny, which is why the islands seem so gigantic." Stephanie says.

"Comparitively tiny." Katie clarifies.


Shadow Stephanie pauses.

"I-I'm so sorry. I really am. I was just trying to sweet talk you to try and get you to come out so I could kill you, but...I've seriously had you all wrong this entire time. I feel like I don't even know you anymore, and terrible for decieving you." Shadow Stephanie admits.

 

"It's like a human who could sit on Xlentia built a house." Ihra comments.


"...Heh, I'm still not sure if that's just to get me to come out of hiding."

 

He tries to stay calm, lowering his breathing.

 

After another long minute of waiting, hoping, and beginning to hunger, you can hear someone faintly approach the cave.