Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

Shadow Stephanie goes to inspect the noise.

 

"...I can't even see how that'd work."

I didn't say it was wise, I said maybe you could do it.

 

"Case in point."

 

Outside of the library, there's a human cowering behind a statue and an oversized robotic bee holding a mech weapon in each of its six legs/arms, scanner sweeping up and down the human before the bee blasts them four times with a railgun and a few dozen times with a needler, then bathes their remains with a flamethrower for... well, hell if anyone knows.
It then flies over and scans the remaining traces of human that once were there before turning and looking at Shadow Stephanie.
"Subject: Shadow. Gender: Amorphofemale. Discrepancy detected between scan and desired subject."
It flies over closer.
"I am seeking a subject shadow of gender Amorphomale, under the name Aj. Would you perhaps know the location of this subject?" It asks.

"Fair enough." She sighs.

 

"Anyways, the portal to the lab is up and running. Tell me when you're ready to go."

 

"Amoprhfemale? What?" Shadow Stephanie asks.

 

"I probably can, but I rather not try it now."

 

"Response irrelevant to query. Do you know the location of desired subject shadow, named Aj?" It asks again. "I have been told to avoid detailed analysis of shadows. I still want to learn more."

Well, you just woke up from a shitty nap. Try again in a few hours.

________________________________

"Oh, yeah. Let's just head there now. I'm pretty much free right now."

 

"I can tell you that, if you can answer a question." Shadow Stephanie says, smirking.

 

"Alright. Bring anything you need. I'll be waiting at the portal to the Void Palace."
I say, walking off towards the portal.

 

"Yeah, maybe when the sun goes down or something. But what can I do to pass some time?"

 

"Paradoxical query detected. Proceed." It replies, "face" now with an inquisitive expression instead of a happy one.

I mean, complaining seems to be getting you by just fine.

"The wh- oh, that one. Alright. I'll try and make it quick." She says, starting to put some of the powder containers back in the crates.

 

I nod, then continue walking.

 

"Will your answer to this question be no?" Shadow Stephanie asks.

 

As usual, you pass by mantis minding their own business and raptors chasing each other, but there seems to be more of each than there had been.

"Resisting urge to scan subject for correct answer. Problem solving algorithms reject processing query." It says, reloading its railguns. "Providing default response: Maybe."

 

I just keep walking, occasionally looking around.

 

Shadow Stephanie takes the moment to dart away into the library, looking for somewhere to hide, or something dark to hide inside of.

 

The bee simply follows, keeping pace.
"Subject Stephanie, you have yet to answer the query. Do you require I enter your domain before receiving a valid response to the query?"

________________________________

For the first time, you notice a raptor that's climbed a tree and has since fallen asleep.

Other than that, it's as withered and desolate as it usually is.

 

I smile at the sight, then stop at the portal once I get to it.

 

You see a completely wrecked statue and a pile of nearby dust on the other side of the portal, but the palace itself seems fine.