Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

She nods and turns and scans the room again, looking for little details that might make the room stand out. Game pieces, shelves, what the clutter is, and so on.

 

"No, thanks." Shadow Stephanie says, a little nervous.

 

There seems to be a section of the room dedicated to shelves, and the many items such as books, board games, and various trinkets that line them. A few of the shelves are knocked over, and one is completely thrown across the room, with a corpse under it. Books on the floor seem to be causing most of the clutter, as well as game cards and tiles, seemingly originating from one game. There's also a bit of workout equipment lying around, namely a few dumbbells scarcely scattered.

 

"Is something wrong?" Pozel asks, looking concerned. "Are you one of those people who shuns cyborgs for forfeiting some of their natural bodies? I totally understand if you are."

She turns back to you.
"Thanks. It's sad, but it carries a big message."

 

"No, that's more Artemis' job." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

I nod, staring at some of the corpses.

 

"Artemis? I... Well, before that, are you okay with me heading back with you? I've never seen the worlds of magi before, and when I heard about the disaster from Idhaenna, I wanted to help." He says, about as nervous as Shadow Stephanie.

She ignores you, glancing down the hall before making sure she's all the way out of the doorway.

 

"I guess." Shadow Stephanie says, shifting about nervously.

 

There doesn't seem to be anything down the hall, but I'm still on the hallway side of the door.

 

He hesitates.
"If you don't mind me asking, what's wrong?"
Idhaenna glances over, confused.
"He's not faulty, is he?"
"W-what?"

________________________________

She glances at you.
"...You okay?"

 

"It's just...personal matters." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

"Yeah, I'm... fine. Why do you ask?"

 

"I, uh... I could head home and just look for the next trip out of my solar system, if you'd prefer." He says. "If you're not okay with me going back with you, I... I mean, I get it. I get that a lot, actually."

"You didn't seem all that concerned until just now."

 

"No no, it's fine." Shadow Stephanie says.

 

"I'm not concerned. Don't worry about me, okay?"

 

"You sure? If it's personal, I don't mind staying back." He says, looking more apologetic than nervous.

"You've done so much for me, and that just sounds like a friend trying to kick dirt over personal worries. It's hard for me not to worry about you, at this point."
Pause.
"And thanks. It's... really nice to be accepted as someone other than a Matriarch."

 

"No, it's my own problems, not yours." Shadow Stephanie says, mood lightening a bit.

 

"If you insist." He sighs, looking like he did something wrong and doesn't know what.

 

Shadow Stephanie heads over to the box, trying to open it.

 

It's wide open now, a few rounded dome machines inside.
"Those are cores. Some have blueprints, some have weapons or mechsuits, and then I threw in a special schematic for an arkship."