Void Rift (rp) - Intermission

“There are records of interactions I have with any user. The information regarding each interaction is a separate text-only file. However, you are correct, it is inefficient. I am not seeking pure efficiency. There comes a time where it interferes with the user experience, and I am more concerned with the satisfaction of my users more than running at absolute efficiency.”


They’re shifted around a bit, but still in a fairly tall pile.
“You a little light on gold, little mortal?”

“Shapeshifters?”
“They aren’t dead?”

 

"No...? I believe not. They seemed pretty lively to me."

 

“There used to be a bunch in the forest. They sort of disappeared overnight.”

 

"I've never heard about that. They are at the island is all that I know."

 

"Hm. Interesting. Why do you run this way?" Shadow Stephanie asks.


"No, I don't want to steal anything." Katie says innocently, trying to climb up a coin.

 

“Well, I suppose we could tell you more about our home once we get there.”
“Wait, you’re just gonna up and leave? What about the rest of the tribe?”

________________________________

“Why? Because I’m not a network or just a mere program. I’m an accident, a widow who never made it back out and became a permanent resident of the digital world.”


“It’s not stealing if I give it to you, though... right?”

 

"The wyvern is looking for your other sibling. I don't know about the rest of the tribe. They might be on the island or somewhere in Aurilon."

 

"Is there no way for you to get out? Not even by beating some arbitrary game?" Shadow Stephanie asks.


"Well...I don't know what I'd do with all the money if you gave me some, I don't even know how buy something with a coin as big as this!" Katie says happily, creating footholds and handholds out of ice as she climbs the coin.

 

“Alright... we’ll go, at least until things calm down again back here.”

 

"Good. The Leviathan is waiting at the bay. I'm going to wake the dragon now."

He does as he says and walks over to the dragon.

 

“Nope. I’ve had quadrillions spent on trying to get be back out. All that money now goes to supporting planets that aren’t as well off. I’ve given up, and I’m fine with my new position. I lost four children along with my life, but I’ve adopted many more surrogate children since then.” She says, wiping a tear.


“Neither do I!” Xlentia laughs.

They let out a snore.

 

"Wake up, dragon. We're leaving."

 

"Do you still exist biologically? Or are you making yourself cry to fit with your emotion?" Shadow Stephanie asks.


Katie laughs with Xlentia, amused.

 

“...You’re actually bringing me out of here?”

________________________________

“Neither.” Stella sighs. “I’m... something in between. Every emotion is real, or was real... I can code robots that will cry, will bleed, will need to eat and sleep like any other creature. I don’t know what I am, really.”


Xlentia smiles.
“So, what brings you here?”

 

"I...I think Eve would like you." Shadow Stephanie says.


"Everyone else is out on their own adventure, and I wanted to have one myself!" Katie says happily.

 

“Shame I’ll never meet her.” Stella sighs. “I wish I didn’t delete that conversation... I don’t even remember what I did. How do I redeem an act I can’t recall?”


“Does that mean I get to go out again?”

 

"You might meet her." Shadow Stephanie asks, looking over at Stephanie with a thought.


"Yeah, we could have an adventure together!" Katie says excitedly.

 

Stella pauses.
“I... what?”


“Well, where should we go?”

 

"You might be able to meet her." Shadow Stephanie repeats as she walks over to Stephanie.

"How are you feeling?" Shadow Stephanie asks, sounding concerned.

"I'm feeling better. Sorry for overdoing it." Stephanie replies, seeming to be happy.


"Uhm...how about Gaia? We could sort things out between you two!" Katie says happily.

 

“Don’t worry about me, okay?” Lenka says. “I’ll be fine.”

Stella seems confused.


“That sounds really good! Come on!” Xlentia says, laying down.